Tigers in the Ardennes ..

Tigers in the Ardennes

Schwere SS-PanzerAbteilung 501 (Heavy SS Tank Battalion 501) was the independent heavy tank battalion of the 1. SS-Panzerkorps from the fall of 1944 to the end of World War II. It fought its battles with one of the most powerful armored vehicles of the era: the Panzerkampfwagen (armored fighting vehicle, abbreviated PzKw) VI Tiger B. The tank was also officially called the Tiger II, and often unofficially referred to as the Königstiger, or "King Tiger." The Tiger II was produced in relatively small numbers, but it made a significant impact wherever it appeared on the battlefield. This is the story of the most famous Tiger unit in the Battle of the Bulge, or as the Germans called it, the Ardennes Offensive.​

 

I have to say that Greg Walden has done some superb work here - just about the only place where all the 'Ardennes Tiger' info has been gathered in one place.

Wish it was published in book form ( a la Osprey ) rather than just a website.....

 

It may appear as a given but can you find any examples where the Tiger II (on any front) had a 'significant impact' on the battle?
More specificaly any western battle where they did anything of note at all?

 

That's actually a fair point....I think the most 'significant impact' was probably in the minds of opposing forces ( as is well known, every German tank in the Ardennes was a Tiger....). It's the AFV version of the MP44 ; it's certainly had an impact on internet forums.....

 

I'm not going there..me start to tell you Michael?..your the tank man, you enlighten the forum..I am no battle, nor tank historian...that's your call, lol..ray..

 

All I meant was everyone thinks the TII was a war-winner but examples of this 'superiority' having any effect seem hard to find.
Most seem to believe it came as a big suprise during the Bulge when in fact some 90 odd had been in action from July to December 1944.
The bulk of this 'myth' seems to depend on the late war/Berlin claims where individual TII's are siad to have knocked out Russian tanks by the 100's in individual actions!

 

I really can't offer anything substantial michael..what of operation panzerfaust?

 

Newbie here, this thread is what brought me to this forum (though I know this is an old thread!). Thank you, Martin, for the kind words on my s. SS-Pz.Abt. 501 research and website! Ask and ye shall receive - the book "Tigers in the Ardennes" will be published by Schiffer in January 2015. The layout will be similar to parts of my website, but the book contains quite a bit of new info and photos; a number of the photos are unpublished. Google Tigers in the Ardennes and you'll see the Schiffer and Amazon announcements.

The "Tigers in the Ardennes" site only has the front page now, waiting on the book to come out and then I can expand the website.

Michael, I agree with you 100% on the impact of the Tiger II. IMO it made a significant impact on the morale of opposing forces, but my book shows how the tank's technical difficulties and maintenance problems, coupled with the lack of crew training and experience, were significant factors in the failure of the Tigers in the Ardennes.

Best,
Greg

 

Wow - what can I say but a very warm welcome here, Greg ! I can assure that that my fascination with 'Tigers In The Ardennes' has not waned one little bit (I was leaning against the La Gleize one just a few weeks ago ).

Thank you for the info about your book - a totally guaranteed purchase for me.......

 

Another guaranteed purchase here. I hope you'll be around (or back) in January to plug the book when it is available.

 

Thanks for the nice welcome!

Best,
Greg

 

There used to be a very detailed website dedicated to this unit, explaining what happened to each tank. aha http://archive.today/ucBS

So Greg Walden has decided to take the site down and publish it as a book.

 

Be gentle with it ! :S!

I do hope all goes to plan - it is one of THE undisputed WWII sights in Europe.....

 

Yes, I did. A book was the intent all along; it took a while to get it finished and published.

Thanks,
Greg

 

I envy you guys; I haven't leaned against 213 in a long time!

Best,
Greg

 

213 doesn't seem to get any older since I first visited 26 years ago....




................but I do ! :i_surrender:

 

You may find Post #11 in this thread interesting!

http://www.ww2f.com/topic/51669-battle-of-the-bulge/?hl=rivage#entry573834

 

Great story in that thread about the civilians in the Rue Haut Rivage, KB!

 

Martin, 213 has had a few new paint jobs since I first saw it in 1980, but my appearance has changed more than its has too (I was a young and lean U.S. Army Armor lieutenant then)!