Survivability

Russian Anti-tank Artillery

The Tank officer of the Army General Staff, Army high command headquarters, 12 September 1943.

It is the opinion of many departments, including those of the higher commands, that the Tiger is invulnerable. When a Tiger is knocked out by enemy fire, it is therefore met with unfounded astonishment. The following statement must therefore be observed:

The Tiger is not invulnerable; it can for example be penetrated by the Russian long-barreled 76.2 mm gun, at favorable impact angles, at up to 500 meters from the front, and 1500 meters from the side and rear.

According to Russian sources, the Tiger can also be penetrated by the following weapons:

Gun Shell Penetration up to
Front Sides Rear
45 mm Kan.Mod.37 APCR - 200 m 200 m
45 mm Kan.Mod.42 APCR - 500 m 500 m
57 mm Kan. APCR 500 m 1No figure is stated in the original report 1No figure is stated in the original report
APBC - 600 m 600 m
76 mm Flak APCR 700 m 1No figure is stated in the original report 1No figure is stated in the original report
APBC - 500 m 500 m
76 mm Kan. APCR 100 m 700 m 700 m
86 mm Flak APBC - 1000 m 1000 m
122 mm Kan. APBC 1000 m 1500 m 1500 m
152 mm Kan./Haub. APBC 500 m 1000 m 1000 m

Production

Month Total
1942
April 1
May -
June 1
July -
August 8
September 3
October 11
November 17
December 38
1942 total 79
1943
January 35
February 32
March 41
April 46
May 50
June 60
July 65
August 60
September 85
October 50
November 56
December 67
1943 total 647
1944
January 93
February 95
March 86
April 104
May 100
June 75
July 64
August 6
1944 total 623
Total 1349

Technical Information

Pz Kpfw Tiger Ausf. E
Crew
Crew
  • Commander
  • Gunner
  • Loader
  • Driver
  • Radio operator
Physical Characteristics
Weight 57 t
Length 8.450 m
Width 3.705 m
Height 2.885 m
Firing height 2.195 m
Ground pressure 1.09 kg/cm²
Armor
Hull, front 100 mm
Hull, sides and rear 60-80 mm
Hull, top 25 mm
Hull, bottom 25 mm
Turret, front 70-145 mm
Turret, sides and rear 80 mm
Turret, top 25 mm
Performance
Maximum speed 45 km/h
Road speed 20 km/h
Cross-country speed 15 km/h
Maximum grade 35°
Trench crossing 2.3 m
Vertical obstacle 79 cm
Fording depth 160 cm
Fuel capacity 540 l
Mileage (road) 4.32 l/km
Mileage (cross-country) 6.75 l/km
Cruising range 125 km
Cross-country range 80 km
Engine
Make and model Maybach HL 230 P 45
Type Water cooled
Cylinders 12
Displacement 23 000 cc
Fuel Gasoline
Max. governed speed 3000 rpm
Net h.p. 700
Armament
Main weapon 8,8 cm Kw K L/56
Secondary weapon 7,92 mm MG 34
Ammunition Storage
Main weapon 92
Secondary weapon 4500

Additional Reading

Tiger I photographs (external link)
Photographs of the Tiger Ausf. E at Panzerphotos.
Panzersturmmörser
Information about the Panzersturmmörser.
Panzerkampfwagen Tiger (P)
Information about the Panzerkampfwagen Tiger (P).
Schweren Panzer-Abteilung Tiger
Organization of a heavy Tiger battalion.
Tiger Abteilung
Translated leaflet on the employment of Tiger battalions.
Tiger Losses
Analysis of the cause of Tiger tank losses.

Notes

  1. No figure is stated in the original report Back

Sources

  1. Der Panzeroffizier beim Chef Gen St d H. Berlin : Oberkommando des Heeres, 1943. 2 p. Bb.Nr. 1419/43 geh.. NARA T78 R621.
  2. JENTZ, Thomas L. & DOYLE, Hilary Louis. Germany's Tiger Tanks - D.W. to Tiger I: Design, Production & Modifications. Atglen, PA : Schiffer Military History, 2000. 190 p. ISBN 0-7643-1038-0.
  3. JENTZ, Thomas L. & DOYLE, Hilary Louis. Panzer Tracts No. 6 - Schwere Panzerkampfwagen : D.W. to E-100, including the Tigers. Boyds, MD : Panzer Tracts, 2001. 60 p. ISBN 0-9708407-1-3.