Tank advice please (1 Viewer)

[Rob]

So 007 was a standard numbering then,not just an attempt to outwit the allies?.

Rob

 

[Canadian Samurai]

Apparently so Rob, at least in SS-Pz.Abt. 501, the heavy tank battalion of 1st SS LAH division. From this website: http://www.ss501panzer.com/Tanks_of_SS501.htm

"The battalion headquarters staff element should have had three Tiger tanks: those of the commander, his adjutant, and the signals officer. The prescribed turret numbering system for the three staff tanks of a heavy tank battalion was 001, 002, and 003. The SS heavy tank battalions used a different numbering system, which placed the battalion commander in Nr. 007, the adjutant in Nr. 008, and the signals officer in Nr. 009. Several photographs support this conclusion. SS-Hauptsturmführer Michael Wittmann was killed in Tiger I Nr. 007 while commanding s. SS-Pz.Abt. 101 in Normandy in August 1944. 007 was evidently the battalion commander’s tank, and Wittmann was acting battalion commander at the time."

As I said in my post in the HB tiger section, the German numbering system has some confusing variations thanks to individual unit practices. I noted in my post that company commanders were designated by a "0" - well so were battalion commanders. So 001 would normally be the battalion commander's tank (commanding 45 tigers) and 101, 201 and 301 would be company commander's tanks commanding 14 tigers each. I think the use of 007 by the SS may indeed have been meant to throw the Allies off a bit since the system is so easily cracked otherwise. Perhaps that's why they were so slow to realize who they had just killed. Maybe Wittmann should have painted his tiger bright red like the old baron. It might have struck fear into the heart of Ekins and messed up his aim.

 

[Rob]

Thanks CS,once again some excellant info there, it was a big help.If i succumb to the HB Tiger at least i'll now know what number i want.For anyone interested the Osprey book on the King Tiger is very good and has some great Camo patterns.Hoping someone might produce a KT in 2008?.

Rob

 

[Winston]

Hi Everyone,

I'm new on the forum. Reading the thread thought that I would join in!

From what I've read Wittmans Tiger was immobilised after an attack in which its tracks were damaged and it caught light. The tank was witnessed as being stationery for at least 8 minutes. The turret of the tank was lifted clean off the hull, (this is supported by photographic evidence) and the only way this could have been caused was by the internal explosion of ammunition and fuel. No shell could have had the same effect.


I live in Southern England and can therefore travel to Bovington Tank Musuem a couple of times a year. Bovington has the only remaining working Tiger Tank left in the world, which interestingly enough came from Tunisia. So I'm interested in comparing K&C's version when I get it.

 

[Wraith]

Hi Winston,

Welcome to the forum. I haven't made it to Bovington in years - really must get down there soon. What areas / periods do you collect?
I feel I ought to change my avator now....

Simon

 

[panda1gen]

Hi Everyone,

I'm new on the forum. Reading the thread thought that I would join in!

From what I've read Wittmans Tiger was immobilised after an attack in which its tracks were damaged and it caught light. The tank was witnessed as being stationery for at least 8 minutes. The turret of the tank was lifted clean off the hull, (this is supported by photographic evidence) and the only way this could have been caused was by the internal explosion of ammunition and fuel. No shell could have had the same effect.


I live in Southern England and can therefore travel to Bovington Tank Musuem a couple of times a year. Bovington has the only remaining working Tiger Tank left in the world, which interestingly enough came from Tunisia. So I'm interested in comparing K&C's version when I get it.

Welcome Winston - I also haven't been for a few years - maybe we should organise a treefrog trek?

 

[aujj65]

Welcome Winston - I also haven't been for a few years - maybe we should organise a treefrog trek?

That would be an excellant idea

Jeff

 

[panda1gen]

That would be an excellant idea

Jeff

I agree. Any volunteers for 'trail boss', round up could be difficult!

 

[Harrytheheid]

Hi Everyone,

I'm new on the forum. Reading the thread thought that I would join in!

From what I've read Wittmans Tiger was immobilised after an attack in which its tracks were damaged and it caught light. The tank was witnessed as being stationery for at least 8 minutes. The turret of the tank was lifted clean off the hull, (this is supported by photographic evidence) and the only way this could have been caused was by the internal explosion of ammunition and fuel. No shell could have had the same effect.


I live in Southern England and can therefore travel to Bovington Tank Musuem a couple of times a year. Bovington has the only remaining working Tiger Tank left in the world, which interestingly enough came from Tunisia. So I'm interested in comparing K&C's version when I get it.

Hi Winston and glad you're on board. It looks like only the reprobates have welcomed you so far. Ummm....and I'm another one. Bovington is amazing isn't it. I once took a detour and stopped off there while I was driving from Heathrow to a job in Wytch Farm, close to Poole. Didn't get to my hotel until 23:00. They thought I'd got lost. I had been lost.....lost in wonder at Bovington.
Cheers
H

 

[Currahee Chris]

The numbering system that Rob describes is still in use today in the US Army. Low numbers 1-9 are used to designate command vehicles. Other designations are used for commo, medics (as if the Red Cross didn't give em away) and maintenance teams (80's usually for them).

You might see 1/506INF B-6- That would designate 1/506 Inf Bravo Company 6 which is the company Commander. The 1-506 would be on one corner of the bumper number and then B-6 would be the other corner.

Hummers with Tow designations are the same thing too- as are Bradleys, Strykers,Abrams, etc. Another example- 2-5 ADA C13- This would be a vehicle from C Battery 2-5 ADA first platoon, vehicle number 3.

 

[Rob]

Hi Everyone,

I'm new on the forum. Reading the thread thought that I would join in!

From what I've read Wittmans Tiger was immobilised after an attack in which its tracks were damaged and it caught light. The tank was witnessed as being stationery for at least 8 minutes. The turret of the tank was lifted clean off the hull, (this is supported by photographic evidence) and the only way this could have been caused was by the internal explosion of ammunition and fuel. No shell could have had the same effect.

Hi Winston,welcome to the forum,good to have you aboard.


In Ospreys new book entitled Firefly v Tiger there is an excellant description and diagram of the action.At 12.47 Ekin began to lay his gun on Wittmans Tank.Using a AP round Ekin fired at 12.47 and thirty seconds.The shell entered the tank and ignited the ammo,the devastating explosion took place just thirty seconds later,giving the crew no chance at all.

Rob