Bovington Tank Museum
The Bovington Tank Museum’s five halls house the world’s most comprehensive collection of tanks and armoured vehicles. There are over 200 vehicles from 26 countries ranging from a unique collection of First World War up to a Modern Day Gulf War Tanks.
Inside the Museum the Trench exhibition highlights the stark reality of warfare during the First World War, from recruitment to going “over the top”. The experience is brought to life with shocking facts, graphics and moving readings. Finally a walk through a German trench system to witness the awesome sight of the first tank crashing though the German trenches on September 15th 1916.
The Museum has also opened its new “For Valour” medal collection which illustrates the bravery and courage undertaken by tank men throughout the ages. The collection is presented in an interactive and exciting manner, which uses original photographs, stories, artifacts and diaries to tell the stories of those who have won medals.
Some of the vehicles on display:
Hornsby Tractor
Probably the oldest surviving tracked vehicle the Hornsby 'Little Caterpillar' was built for the War Office in 1909. It has a system of tracks patented by David Roberts and is powered by a six cylinder engine. It played no direct part in the evolution of the tank but serves to remind visitors that the idea of crawler tracks is much older than the tank itself.
Little Willie
When William Tritton and Walter Wilson started work on Landship design in the summer of 1915, they built this vehicle and fitted it with imported American tracks. These proved unsuitable so new tracks were devised which were successful. Little Willie is displayed, in a workshop setting, just as it would have looked at this time.
Mark I
The oldest fighting tank in the world this heavy 'male' tank has been painted to represent a tank of C Company, Heavy Branch Machine Gun Corps during the very first tank attack in history; at Flers on 15 September 1916.
Mark II
Named The Flying Scotsman by its crew, this tank is known to have taken part in the Battle of Arras in April 1917. Some of the damage sustained in that fight is still visible on the tank. Notice that the sponson contains a pair of Vickers heavy machine-guns. This shows that F53 is a female tank.
Whippet
Also known as the Medium A this lighter, faster tank appeared in 1918. It had two engines and was particularly difficult to drive. It was from this actual tank that a young officer, Lieutenant Cecil Sewell, gained the posthumous award of the Victoria Cross for saving the lives of his comrades.
Mark V
One of the last First World War tanks to remain in full operating condition the Museum's Mark V is known to have fought at the Battle of Amiens on 8 August 1918 when its commander was awarded the Military Cross. It is a male tank, armed with 6 pounder guns.
Named The Flying Scotsman by its crew, this tank is known to have taken part in the Battle of Arras in April 1917. Some of the damage sustained in that fight is still visible on the tank. Notice that the sponson contains a pair of Vickers heavy machine-guns. This shows that F53 is a female tank.
Whippet
Also known as the Medium A this lighter, faster tank appeared in 1918. It had two engines and was particularly difficult to drive. It was from this actual tank that a young officer, Lieutenant Cecil Sewell, gained the posthumous award of the Victoria Cross for saving the lives of his comrades.
Mark V
One of the last First World War tanks to remain in full operating condition the Museum's Mark V is known to have fought at the Battle of Amiens on 8 August 1918 when its commander was awarded the Military Cross. It is a male tank, armed with 6 pounder guns.
Independent
A unique experimental tank from 1926, the Independent has five rotating turrets and is powered by an air-cooled V 12 petrol engine. This was the only example built in Britain but it influenced the design of the huge Soviet T-35.
Cruiser Mark III
Based on the American Christie suspension this high speed tank was the mainstay of The British 1st Armoured Division in France in 1940. It has been painted to represent the tank of Sgt. Ron Huggins, 10th Royal Hussars, a volunteer worker at the Museum.
Sherman Crab and DUKW
One of the most significant tanks of World War II the Sherman also proved highly adaptable. This British version mounted a mine clearing flail and was used on D-Day, 6 June 1944. Another marvellous example of American ingenuity the six-wheel drive amphibious DUKW did a great deal to ease the supply situation on the Normandy beaches.
A unique experimental tank from 1926, the Independent has five rotating turrets and is powered by an air-cooled V 12 petrol engine. This was the only example built in Britain but it influenced the design of the huge Soviet T-35.
Cruiser Mark III
Based on the American Christie suspension this high speed tank was the mainstay of The British 1st Armoured Division in France in 1940. It has been painted to represent the tank of Sgt. Ron Huggins, 10th Royal Hussars, a volunteer worker at the Museum.
Sherman Crab and DUKW
One of the most significant tanks of World War II the Sherman also proved highly adaptable. This British version mounted a mine clearing flail and was used on D-Day, 6 June 1944. Another marvellous example of American ingenuity the six-wheel drive amphibious DUKW did a great deal to ease the supply situation on the Normandy beaches.
Chinese Type-69IIC Command tank.
Special features include the heavy duty turret stowage baskets, which also act like spaced armour, and the Iraqi addition of basic plumbing which brings smoke from the exhaust outlet to the front of the tank.
Iraqi T-55
Shortly before the Gulf War the Iraqi defence industry exhibited its own up-armoured version of the Russian T-55.
A number were encountered during the war and this one is displayed at Bovington, complete with soldiers' graffiti.
2S3
A Russian built self-propelled gun the 2S3 mounts a 152mm howitzer in a rotating turret at the back. Whole batteries of these weapons were overrun by Coalition Forces and sample vehicles selected for subsequent evaluation.
Special features include the heavy duty turret stowage baskets, which also act like spaced armour, and the Iraqi addition of basic plumbing which brings smoke from the exhaust outlet to the front of the tank.
Iraqi T-55
Shortly before the Gulf War the Iraqi defence industry exhibited its own up-armoured version of the Russian T-55.
A number were encountered during the war and this one is displayed at Bovington, complete with soldiers' graffiti.
2S3
A Russian built self-propelled gun the 2S3 mounts a 152mm howitzer in a rotating turret at the back. Whole batteries of these weapons were overrun by Coalition Forces and sample vehicles selected for subsequent evaluation.
Chieftain
This highly original British main battle tank of the seventies and eighties this exhibit can be painted in a special urban camouflage scheme as it was for use in West Berlin. This example of Chieftain also features the additional turret armour known as Stillbrew.
T-72
This impressive Soviet design, the smallest of all modern main battle tanks, features a 125mm gun with an automatic loading system. The tank is shown on arrival at Bovington from Germany, as a gift of the German Army.
This highly original British main battle tank of the seventies and eighties this exhibit can be painted in a special urban camouflage scheme as it was for use in West Berlin. This example of Chieftain also features the additional turret armour known as Stillbrew.
T-72
This impressive Soviet design, the smallest of all modern main battle tanks, features a 125mm gun with an automatic loading system. The tank is shown on arrival at Bovington from Germany, as a gift of the German Army.
Every two years the treasures of the Tank Museum are on display for the public. The world's best variety of historic mobile tanks, featuring The Tank Museums own unique collection of fighting vehicles, will be held over seven high-octane hours in the Museum arena.
Tank Museum Curator David Willey said; "TANKFEST is a special occasion as it is the only time that the public can see many of our less common vehicles running. Indeed, this year we have some vehicles that have never run or been seen before at TANKFEST.
"Each of our displays is being given a special campaign theme - so visitors can get a real idea and comparison of the tanks that have faced each other in conflict since the African campaign in World War Two."
The Tank Museums major biennial event was last held on a beautiful May weekend in 2004, and saw almost 5,000 visitors ring the arena to see the worlds most important collection of historic tanks brought back to life.
Amongst these was the awesome World War Two German Tiger 1 tank. The world's only running example was painstakingly restored and ran for the first time in almost 60 years to delight expectant crowds.
Tank Museum Curator David Willey said; "TANKFEST is a special occasion as it is the only time that the public can see many of our less common vehicles running. Indeed, this year we have some vehicles that have never run or been seen before at TANKFEST.
"Each of our displays is being given a special campaign theme - so visitors can get a real idea and comparison of the tanks that have faced each other in conflict since the African campaign in World War Two."
The Tank Museums major biennial event was last held on a beautiful May weekend in 2004, and saw almost 5,000 visitors ring the arena to see the worlds most important collection of historic tanks brought back to life.
Amongst these was the awesome World War Two German Tiger 1 tank. The world's only running example was painstakingly restored and ran for the first time in almost 60 years to delight expectant crowds.
This year TANKFEST promises to offer both enthusiast and casual visitor something special, and is set to include;
• Key vehicles from the history of armoured warfare,
• Every British Main Battle Tank from 1944 to the present day.
• A superb collection of American, Russian and British vehicles.
• A unique group of mobile German fighting vehicles and artillery, including vehicles loaned by private collectors.
• Realistic WWII encampments displaying the wartime equipment, clothing and living conditions of British, American and German soldiers.
• A major WWII combat re-enactment, featuring Allied infantry and Armour assaulting German positions.
• Displays focussing on some of the major campaigns in the history of armoured warfare, featuring: North Africa 1942, Normandy 1944, Korean War, The Cold War and Desert Storm.
• Traders stalls and sideshows.
The Royal Armoured Corps will also be in attendance with examples of the latest kit employed by the British Army on operations.
The Museum, which contains the world's finest collection of armoured fighting vehicles ranging from the first tank ever built, will also be fully accessible, bringing the total number of vehicles on display to around 400.
• Key vehicles from the history of armoured warfare,
• Every British Main Battle Tank from 1944 to the present day.
• A superb collection of American, Russian and British vehicles.
• A unique group of mobile German fighting vehicles and artillery, including vehicles loaned by private collectors.
• Realistic WWII encampments displaying the wartime equipment, clothing and living conditions of British, American and German soldiers.
• A major WWII combat re-enactment, featuring Allied infantry and Armour assaulting German positions.
• Displays focussing on some of the major campaigns in the history of armoured warfare, featuring: North Africa 1942, Normandy 1944, Korean War, The Cold War and Desert Storm.
• Traders stalls and sideshows.
The Royal Armoured Corps will also be in attendance with examples of the latest kit employed by the British Army on operations.
The Museum, which contains the world's finest collection of armoured fighting vehicles ranging from the first tank ever built, will also be fully accessible, bringing the total number of vehicles on display to around 400.
Main attraction: Tiger 131
IIn May 1943, a Tiger of the Afrika Korps (turret number 131 was issued to Schwere Heeres Panzer Abteilung 504 and shipped to Tunisia between 12 March & 16 April 1943. It was attached to No. 3 Platoon in No. 1 Company. It was knocked out in action with Churchill tanks of No. 4 Troop, A Squadron, 48th Royal Tank Regiment at Medjez-el-Bab on 21 April 1943. The captured Tiger was recovered by the 104 Army Tank Workshops, Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers and 25th Tank Brigade Workshops REME using a Caterpillar D8 Tractor. It arrived in Tunis on 24th May 1943 and was inspected by Winston Churchill and Anthony Eden on 2nd June 1943 and by His Majesty, King George VI on the 18th. The tank was moved, on its own tracks, to the harbour at La Goulette and sailed from there for Bizerta on 3 August in Landing Craft, Tank (4) No. 568. From Bizerta it sailed for Bone on 9th August board the Empire Candida and from Bone it was carried by the SS Ocean Strength (Captain William Rickard) to Glasgow arriving 8th October 1943. It was delivered to the Department of Tank Design in Surrey on 20th October 1943; displayed on Horse Guards Parade, London in November 1943 and then dismantled for a thorough, technical evaluation.
The western Allies, however, did little to prepare for combat against the Tiger despite their assessment that the newly-encountered German tank was superior to their own. This conclusion was partly based on the correct estimate that the Tiger would be produced in relatively small numbers. It was also based on the doctrine of the United States Army, which did not place emphasis on tank-versus-tank combat, relying instead in the use of tank destroyers.
On September 25th, 1951, the captured tank was officially handed over to the Bovington Tank Museum at Bovington Camp in the UK, by the British Ministry of Supply. In June 1990, preparations were made for restoring the Tiger to running order. In December of 2003, Tiger 131 returned to the museum with a fully operational engine after extensive restoration by the Army Base Repair Organization. In 2005 the Tiger Tank has returned to the Tank Museum after another engine refit by ABRO.
On September 25th, 1951, the captured tank was officially handed over to the Bovington Tank Museum at Bovington Camp in the UK, by the British Ministry of Supply. In June 1990, preparations were made for restoring the Tiger to running order. In December of 2003, Tiger 131 returned to the museum with a fully operational engine after extensive restoration by the Army Base Repair Organization. In 2005 the Tiger Tank has returned to the Tank Museum after another engine refit by ABRO.
The Tiger Story
The Tiger differed from earlier German tanks principally in its design philosophy. The German tanks that preceded the Tiger balanced mobility, protection, and firepower. They were sometimes outgunned by their opponents, but greatly superior German tactics offset this disadvantage.
The Tiger I represented a new approach that emphasized firepower and armour at the expense of mobility. Design studies for a new heavy tank had been started in the late 1930s, without any production planning. The real impetus for the Tiger was provided by the quality of the Soviet T-34. Although the general design and layout were broadly similar to the previous medium tank, the Panzer IV, the Tiger weighed more than twice as much. This was due to its substantially thicker armour, the larger main gun, and the consequently greater volume of fuel and ammunition storage, larger engine, and more solidly-built transmission and suspension. The Tiger I had front armour up to 102 mm thick, as opposed to the 80 mm front armour of contemporary models of the Panzer IV, with 80 mm on the sides and back. This was very effective at stopping anti-tank rounds of most WWII tank guns at common engagement distances especially from the front. At closer ranges and on the sides, the tank was more vulnerable. Its roof armour was 25 mm or 40 mm thick, similar to most medium tanks of the day.
Armour plates were mostly flat, with interlocking construction. The weld joints were also of high quality, being stepped and welded rather than riveted. A petrol engine in the rear drove front sprockets, which were mounted quite low on the vehicle. The suspension used torsion bars, similar to the Panzer III. The turret had a full circular floor basket with 157 cm headroom. The gun breech and firing mechanism were derived from the famous German "88" dual purpose flak gun. The 88 mm Kwk 36 L/56 gun was the variant chosen for the Tiger and was, along with the Tiger II's 88 mm Kwk 43 L/71, one of the most effective and feared tank guns of WW2. The Tiger's gun had a very flat trajectory and extremely accurate Zeiss TZF 9b sights. In British war-time firing trials, five successive hits were scored on a 16"x18" target at a range of 1,200 yards. Tigers were reported to have knocked out enemy tanks at ranges greater than a mile (1,600 m), although most WW2 engagements were fought at much closer range.
The size of the Tiger forced the introduction of new and complex technologies, giving the engineers a series of technical challenges which were never entirely surmounted. The eleven-ton turret had a hydraulic motor powered by mechanical drive from the engine; even so, a full rotation took about a minute. The tank had triple interleaving road wheels, giving a better cross country ride, but also making maintenance more difficult. The steel and rubber wheels were mounted on sixteen independent interleaved torsion bar axles, leading on one side and trailing on the other. The interleaving wheels gave a relatively soft and stable ride for such a large vehicle. This complex system had a number of drawbacks; one was that the wheels could become packed with mud or snow that could then freeze. The Soviets discovered this and on occasion timed their attacks in the early morning, when the Tigers were more likely to be immobilized.
The tracks were an unprecedented 725 mm wide. To meet rail-freight size restrictions, the outer row of wheels had to be removed, and narrower 520 mm tracks installed.
The tank was too heavy for most bridges, so it was designed to ford four-metre deep water. This required unusual mechanisms for ventilation and cooling. Submersion required perhaps 30 minutes of preparation. The turret and gun had to be locked in the forward position so they could be sealed.
The tank was too heavy for most bridges, so it was designed to ford four-metre deep water. This required unusual mechanisms for ventilation and cooling. Submersion required perhaps 30 minutes of preparation. The turret and gun had to be locked in the forward position so they could be sealed.
Another new feature was the hydraulically-controlled pre-selector gearbox and semiautomatic transmission. The extreme weight of the tank also meant a new steering system. Instead of the clutch-and-brake designs of lighter vehicles, a variation on the British Merritt-Brown single radius system was used. The Tiger's steering system was of twin radius type, meaning that two different, fixed radii of turn could be achieved at each gear the smallest radius on the first gear was four metres. Since the vehicle had an eight-speed gearbox, it thus had sixteen different radii of turn. If a smaller radius was needed, the tank could be turned by using brakes. The steering system was easy to use and ahead of its time. However, the tank's automotive features left much to be desired. When used to tow an immobilized Tiger, the engine often became over heated and sometimes resulted in an engine breakdown or fire. The low-mounted sprocket limited the obstacle-clearing height. The tracks also had a bad tendency to override the sprocket, resulting in immobilization. If a track overrode and jammed, two Tigers were normally needed to tow the tank. The jammed track was also a big problem itself, since due to high tension, it was often impossible to disintegrate the track by removing the track pins. It was sometimes simply blown apart with an explosive charge. The standard German Famo recovery tractor could not tow the tank; up to three tractors were usually needed to tow one Tiger.
The engine was initially a 590 hp (440 kW) 21 litre Maybach petrol design, which was found to be underpowered; this was soon upgraded to a 23.88 litre HL 230 P45.
The internal layout was typical of German tanks. Forward was an open crew compartment, with the driver and radio-operator seated at the front, either side of the gearbox. Behind them the turret floor was surrounded by panels forming a continuous level surface. This helped the loader to retrieve the ammunition, which was stowed in both sponsons. Two men were seated in the turret; the gunner to the left of the gun, and the commander behind him. The loader had the luxury of a folding seat in the turret. The rear of the tank held an engine room flanked by two floodable rear compartments each containing a fuel tank, radiator, and fans.
Although the Tiger I was one of the most heavily armed and armoured tanks of WWII, a formidable opponent of Allied tankers, the design was conservative and had some serious drawbacks. The flat armour plates were unsophisticated in comparison to the sloped armour of the Soviet T-34, requiring a massive increase in weight to provide for sufficient protection. The tank's weight put severe stress on the suspension, while the complex wheel design put a severe strain on field maintenance. The sophisticated transmission system was also prone to breakdowns.
A major problem with the Tiger was its very high production cost. During the Second World War over 40,000 American Sherman and 58,000 Soviet T-34s were produced, compared to 1,350 Tiger I and 500 Tiger II tanks. The German designs were expensive in terms of time, raw materials and Reichsmark, the Tiger I costing over twice as much as a contemporary Panzer IV and four times that of a Stug. III assault gun.
Design history
Henschel & Sohn began development of the Tiger in spring of 1937. After various side-tracks, in 1941 Henschel and three other companies (Porsche, MAN, and Daimler-Benz) submitted designs for a 35-ton tank with a 75 mm main gun. The emergence of the Soviet T-34 rendered these designs nearly obsolete; according to Henschel designer Erwin Adlers "There was great consternation when it was discovered that the Soviet tanks were superior to anything available to the Wehrmacht". An immediate weight increase to 45 tons and an increase in gun calibre to 88 mm was ordered. The due date for new prototypes was set for April 20, 1942, Adolf Hitler's birthday. With the limited design time, the existing lighter designs were used as the basis for the new tank. This increased weight caused much stress on the various components of the tank and considerably reduced reliability. Unlike the Panther tank, the design did not incorporate any of the innovations of the T-34: the deflection benefits of sloping armor were absent but the thickness and weight of the Tiger's armour more than made up for its lack of sloping armour.
Porsche and Henschel submitted prototype designs and they were compared at Rastenburg before Hitler. The Henschel design was accepted but was fitted with the turret from the Porsche design. Production of the Panzerkampfwagen VI Ausf. E began in August 1942. At the same time, ninety of the Porsche version were also ordered. These were not used but the hulls were converted into the Panzerjäger Tiger (P), also known as Ferdinand, and after Hitler's orders of February 1 and 27, 1944, Elefant.
The Tiger was essentially still at the prototype stage when first hurried into service, and therefore changes, both small and large, were made throughout the production run. A redesigned turret with a lower, safer cupola was the most significant change. To cut costs, the submersion capability was dropped. An external air-filtration system was dropped.
Production of the Tiger I began in August 1942, and 1,355 were built by August 1944 when production ceased. Production started at a rate of 25 per month and peaked in April 1944 at 104 per month. Strength peaked at 671 on July 1, 1944. Generally speaking, it took about twice as long to build a PzKpfw VI than another German tank of the period. When the improved Tiger II Ausf B began production in January 1944, the Tiger I was soon phased out.
Combat history
Tigers were capable of destroying their most common opponents, the T-34, Sherman, or Churchill IV at ranges exceeding 1,600 m. In contrast, the T-34's 76.2mm gun could not penetrate the Tiger frontally at any range, but could achieve a side penetration at approximately 500 meters firing the BR-350P APCR ammunition. The T-34-85's 85mm gun could penetrate the Tiger frontally at almost 1,000 meters and from the side at over 1,000 meters. The IS-2's 122mm gun could destroy the Tiger at ranges exceeding 1,000 meters from any aspect.
The M4 Sherman's 75mm gun could not penetrate the Tiger frontally at any range, and needed to be within 500 meters to achieve a side penetration. The British 17-pounder, if firing its APDS round, could penetrate frontally at over 1,500 meters. The US 76mm gun, if firing the most common APCBC ammunition, could not penetrate the Tiger frontally at any range, and needed to be within 1,000 meters to get a side kill. However, if the 76mm was firing HVAP ammunition (usually in short supply), frontal penetrations are possible at 1,000 meters.
As range decreases in combat, all guns can penetrate more armour (with the exception of HEAT ammunition, which was rare in WW2). The great penetrating power of the Tiger's gun meant that it could destroy many of its opponents at ranges at which they could not respond. In open terrain this was a major tactical advantage. Opposing tanks were often forced to make a flanking attack in order to kill a Tiger.
The Tiger was first used in action in September 1942 near Leningrad. Under pressure from Hitler the tank was put into action months earlier than planned and many early models proved to be mechanically fragile. In its first action on September 23, 1942, many of the first Tigers broke down. Others were knocked out by dug-in Soviet anti-tank guns. One tank was captured largely intact, which gave the Soviets a chance to study the tank and prepare a response.
In the Tiger's first actions in North Africa, the tank was able to dominate Allied tanks in the wide-open terrain. However, mechanical failures meant that there were rarely more than a few in action. In a replay of the Leningrad experience, at least one Tiger was knocked out by towed British six-pounder antitank guns. The two experiences simply demonstrated that "wonder weapons" are no substitute for sound tactics.
The tank's extreme weight limited the bridges it could cross and made drive-throughs of buildings which may have basements risky. Another weakness was the slow traverse of the hydraulically-operated turret traverse mechanism. The turret could also be traversed manually, but this option was rarely used, except probably for a fix of a few mils.
The Tiger was slower than the majority of other tanks in World War Two, but low speed was typical for heavy tanks and infantry-support tanks. The Tiger's top road speed of 38 km/h compares to 37 km/h for its most comparable opponent, the IS-2. Both were substantially slower than most medium tanks. The Tiger had reliability problems throughout its service life; Tiger units frequently entered combat understrength due to breakdowns. It was rare for any Tiger unit to complete a road march without losing vehicles due to breakdown. It also had poor radius of action. Surprisingly for a heavy tank, it had a lower ground pressure bearing than many smaller tanks, the most notable exception being the Soviet T-34.
The Tiger's armour and firepower, however, were feared by all its opponents. In tactical defence, its poor mobility was less of an issue. An accepted Allied tactic was to engage the Tiger as a group, one attracting the attention of the Tiger crew while the others attacked the sides or rear of the vehicle. Since the ammunition and fuel were stored in the sponsons, a side penetration often resulted in a kill. This was, however, a risky tactic, and often resulted in the loss of several Allied vehicles. It took a great deal of tactical skill to eliminate Tiger units.
Tigers were usually employed in separate heavy tank battalions under Army command. These battalions would be deployed to critical sectors, either for breakthrough operations or, more typically, counterattacks. A few favored divisions, such as the Grossdeutschland or some of the low-numbered Waffen-SS divisions had a handful of Tigers. The Tiger is particularly associated with the name of SS-Haupsturmführer Michael Wittmann of schwere SS-Panzerabteilung 101, who was one of the most successful tank commanders of World War II. He worked his way up, commanding various vehicles, finally a Tiger I. In one day he destroyed over two dozen allied vehicles including several tanks, and single-handedly held up an entire advance until his tank was knocked out and abandoned at Villers-Bocage. Ultimately, Wittmann's Tiger was destroyed, possibly by a Sherman Firefly or by a Typhoon ground-attack plane.
Over 10 Tiger tank commanders had over 100 kills on their account, imcluding: Johannes Bölter with 139+ Kills, Otto Carius with 150+ Kills, Kurt Knispel with 168 Kills, and Michael Wittmann with 138 Kills.
Revolutionary manual
When the US Army introduced their latest battle tank, the M 1 Abrahams they were facing a dilemma. The big question was how to explain HiTec to relatively poorly educated crews. The answer was a comic style instruction manual which did very well amongst the US tankers.
The idea of introducing complicated technique comic style was not an American invention. In fact it was the German Wehrmacht that used comics first. Oberstleutnant (Lt. Coronel) Hans Christern who was in charge of training future Tiger crews realized the complexity of a manual originated by the manufacturer and looked for an alternative. Leutnant (Lieutenant) Josef von Glatter-Goetz was put in charge of the project and he came up with the idea of using colloquial speech, limericks and cartoons. This manual, officially known as “Manual D 656/27” was better known as “Tiger Fibel” – Tiger Primer.
David Byrden´s excellent “Tiger1 info” website features the entire Tigerfibel: http://tiger1.info/fibel/index.html
David Byrden´s excellent “Tiger1 info” website features the entire Tigerfibel: http://tiger1.info/fibel/index.html