Tiger II Tank Platoon

The Tiger II promised to return the German heavy panzer to the early days of 1943. It too could dominate the battlefield by destroying enemy armour at long range and assaulting its way through fortified enemy defences. The Tiger II’s increased armour once again placed it ahead of its adversaries.  

Though capable of fulfilling its role as Königstiger (King Tiger), the Tiger II followed in the footsteps of previous German panzers rushed to the front. 

Mechanical and maintenance problems plagued its combat debut just as it had for the Tiger I in Tunisia and the Panther at Kursk. Final-drive failures left only eight operational tanks out of 45 to participate in its first combat engagement. In addition, ammunition stored in the turrets caused fatal explosions and three of the new Tiger II tanks were destroyed in the first engagement.

After this inauspicious beginning and the initial problems fixed, the crews of the Tiger II found out the hard way that the battlefield had changed since 1943. Initial tactical deployment based upon advertised invincibility was no longer a reality for 1944 panzer battles. Upgraded guns of Soviet medium and heavy tanks now had the capacity to penetrate the heavy armour of the Tiger II. This forced the Tiger II to re-evaluate its tactics along the lines of the Tiger I. 

Though still very capable of sustaining numerous hits in its frontal armour it could still be killed by flank shots and infantry assaults. The need for close co-operation with the panzergrenadiers and prudent use of cover and concealment provided a better tactical advantage for the Tiger II than long range gun duels and rapid advance into enemy positions.

A company, or better yet a full Tiger II battalion, was quite capable of steamrolling its way through enemy lines and driving a wedge to be exploited. But this would be one local breakthrough, and with front lines extending over a thousand kilometres, the few Tiger II available could hardly have the impact needed to reverse the Allies in their assault on Germany in 1944.

THIS PRODUCT CONTAINS:

• 3x Tiger II (8.8cm) Tanks
• 1x Tank Commander Sprue
• 1x Decal Sheet