German Heavy Tanks

    Germany's heavy tanks were created during World War II as a response to the tanks fielded by their enemies, especially the Russians.

PanzerKampfwagen (PzKpfw) V "Panther"

Pz5Panther.jpg (5923 bytes)
Panther

DIMENSIONS

Mass (mt):
46.2

 Length (m):
6.88		 Width (m):
3.43		 Height (m):
3.1

TIME PERIOD:
1942 (PzKpfw V Ausf D)
to
End of War (PzKpfw IV Ausf G)
    Created in response to the defeat of German Panzer IIIs and IVs at the hand of Russian T-34s and KV-1s in October 1941, the Panther was an effective heavy tank design quickly accepted from its earliest design plans.  Despite unexpected difficulties in the design process (with no thanks to Hitler for demanding thicker armor), the Panther made the intended impression upon Russian forces along the Eastern front.  With thick, sloped armor, a high top speed, and a massive 75mm L/70 gun, the Panther signalled the beginning of the modern tank construction philosophy.

PZ V PANTHER AUSF A HEAVY TANK

Max. Speed:   45kph

 Range:  177km
Front Bottom Front Driver Hull, Side Hull, Rear Hull, Deck Gun Shield Turret Front Turret Side
60mm 80mm 50mm 40mm 15mm 120mm 110mm 45mm
75mm KwK L/70 Tank Gun Max. Range:  2270m Mx. Penetrate: 133mm
7.92mm Coaxial Machine Gun Max. Range:  450m Light Machine Gun
7.92mm Bow Machine Gun Max. Range:  450m Light Machine Gun

 

PanzerKampfwagen (PzKpfw) VI "Tiger"

Pz6Tiger.jpg (5086 bytes)
Tiger

DIMENSIONS

Mass (mt):
55.8

 Length (m):
6.29		 Width (m):
3.78		 Height (m):
2.89

TIME PERIOD:
1942 (PzKpfw VI Tiger Ausf E)
to
End of War (PzKpfw Tiger Ausf E)
    A German response to such "rolling bricks" as the British Matilda and the French Char B, the Tiger was a concept that simmered in the minds of German tank designers until the need for a heavy tank made itself vital in 1941, when the Russians were using T-34s to their fullest effects.  Planned to be a 45-ton spearhead for the panzer divisions with an adaptation of the wildly successful 88mm Flak anti-air turned anti-tank gun, the designers came up with a 55-ton box on treads that, albeit maneuverable and having the heaviest armor on any tank at the time, was difficult to maintain and practically worthless for blitzkrieg due to its massive weight and relatively low speed.  However, on the defensive, the Tiger made life very rough for the Allies, and it was expected that a Tiger on the defense was easily a match for three M4 Shermans on the attack, if not more.  It helped no one on the American side that 1,335 Tigers were built between 1942 and 1944.

PZ VI TIGER AUSF E HEAVY TANK

Max. Speed:37.9kph

 Range:  100km
Front Bottom Front Driver Hull, Side Hull, Rear Hull, Deck Gun Shield Turret Front Turret Side
100mm 100mm 80mm 80mm 26mm 110mm 100mm 80mm
88mm L/56 Tank Gun Max. Range:  2730m Mx. Penetrate: 129mm
7.92mm Coaxial Machine Gun Max. Range:  450m Light Machine Gun
7.92mm Bow Machine Gun Max. Range:  450m Light Machine Gun

 

PanzerKampfwagen (PzKpfw) VIB "Königstiger" (King Tiger)

Pz6bKingTiger.jpg (9718 bytes)
King Tiger

DIMENSIONS

Mass (mt):
70.8

 Length (m):
7.39		 Width (m):
3.8		 Height (m):
3.1

TIME PERIOD:
1944 (PzKpfw VI Ausf B Königstiger)
to
End of War (PzKpfw VI Ausf B Königstiger)
    The "rationalization" program of 1944--when Germany began to really be on the rocks--was intended to upgrade the panzer legions from their aging Panzer IIIs and IVs to upgraded Panther and Tiger designs.  Intended that as many parts for the Panther Ausf G and the King Tiger would match, along with demands from Hitler back in 1942 to have a heavy tank with a long-barreled 88mm gun and 150mm frontal armor, the King Tiger emerged as a hybrid between the Panther and the original Tiger.  The heaviest tank to serve in World War II, the King Tiger suffered from the slow speed of its predecessor and had the same astounding resiliency in defense.

PZ VIB KING TIGER AUSF B HVY TNK

Max. Speed:37.8kph

 Range:  110km
Front Bottom Front Driver Hull, Side Hull, Rear Hull, Deck Gun Shield Turret Front Turret Side
100mm 150mm 80mm 80mm 40mm 100mm 180mm 80mm
88mm KwK L/71 Tank Gun Max. Range:  2730m Mx. Penetrate: 165mm
7.92mm Coaxial Machine Gun Max. Range:  450m Light Machine Gun
7.92mm Bow Machine Gun Max. Range:  450m Light Machine Gun

Return to the Angriff! page