This is a Henschel turreted
Tiger II and was knocked out and captured in the Normandy area. Photographs of this
Tiger II knocked out in a French cabbage field appear in the following publications:
Aero Publishers Inc., Panzerkampfwagen VI Tiger I and II "Konigstiger"
by Walter J. Spielberger & Uwe Feist, page 59,
Osprey Vanguard No.20, The Tiger Tanks by Bryan Perret & David E. Smith, page 37,
Arms and Armour Press, The Tiger Tanks by Peter Gudgin, page 137.
All these publications use the same three photographs.
The first is taken from the right hand side of "104" with
the turret facing forward. The hit that "killed" the tank can be
seen on the lower hull almost exactly half way along the body and
immediately below the turret. Having inspected "104" closely I
can vouch for the splash marks on the body and lower hull. The
second photograph is taken from immediately infront with the turret
traversed to the right hand side. The third photograph is taken
again from the right hand side but from the front right quarter.
Again the hit to the body is apparent. These photographs tend to
over turn the theory that only Porsche turreted Tiger II's were in
Normandy, France. When taken into account with the photograph in
After The Battle "Panzers in Normandy" by Eric Lefevre (page 41)
proves that at least 2 Henschel turreted Tiger II were in Normandy.
The Tiger on page 41 has AT LEAST 3 non penetrating hits to the
front lower glacis plate. Again "104" has no such damage to the front glacis.
British after combat reports narrowed the "killing tank" down to one of two vehicles
from different units. Both British units were in different locations. Both Tank
Gunners claiming the kill were still alive in 1995/96 so both were invited seperately
to inspect the Tiger II. One gunner said that he knocked the Tiger II out with a killing
shot to the LEFT front body behind the drive sprocket. He then pointed to a circle in
the body of the Tiger II saying that was where he hit. Unfortunately for him that was
where a metalurgy sample had been taken, there were no splash marks on the body, a
truly unique hit! It was later found that that unit had engaged Panzer IV's which at
the time and date of the engagement were not in the locale. The second gunner claiming
the kill was invited to inspect and immeditely pointed to the right hand side of the
body work. So after nearly 50 years the mystery of who the kill belonged to was finally
solved.
"104" was captured in Normandy and shipped back to FVPE at Chertsey.
It appears it was stripped out for automotive inspection but the war
ended before trials could be completed. The gutted body eventually
found its way to Royal Military College of Science, Shrivenham.
It has carried a variety of colour schemes, including at one
point British Army Deep Bronze Gloss Green! One of the Warrant
Officers during his tour in charge of the military vehicle wing
decided to trace the history of the vehicle, which he did by the
chasis number. This led to identifying the unit and even the vehicle commander!
It was decided to attempt to get the vehicle back into working order.
Unfortunately all the internal automotive parts (engine, transmission, gear box and turret traverse)
had been sold as scrap by Chertsey only six months before!
It was therefore decided to
repaint the tank as accurately as possible (104 of 1st SS Panzer Corps).
The Zimmerit had fallen
off years before and was replaced with Body repair putty. The Tank is
quite unique as it is the only Tiger II in the world with complete turret stowage racks.
All photographs were provided and are property of Ian Foulkes.
From the Collection of RMCS Shrivenham, England.
