This photo report of the Panzerkampfwagen VI type B, the Königstiger or King Tiger left behind by Kampfgruppe Peiper under command of Joachim Peiper during the Battle of the Bulge in the Ardennes, Belgium is on display in front of the the December 44 Museum in La Gleize in Belgium.
For technical data on the Tiger II, with German designation Sd.Kfz. 182, follow this link.
Panzerkampfwagen VI Ausf. B – Tiger II
The Panzerkampfwagen VI Ausf. B, commonly known as the Tiger II or King Tiger, was a heavy tank used by Nazi Germany during World War II. It was one of the most formidable tanks of the war, renowned for its powerful armament, exceptional armor, and imposing size.
The Tiger II was equipped with the powerful 88mm KwK 43 L/71 gun, one of the most effective tank guns of the war, capable of destroying enemy tanks and fortifications at long ranges. This gun was paired with 7.92mm MG34 or MG42 machine guns for close defense. The tank’s armor was extremely thick, with 150mm of frontal armor on the hull and 80mm on the turret sides, making it highly resistant to most Allied anti-tank weapons of the time.
The tank was powered by a Maybach HL 230 P30 V12 engine, producing 700 horsepower, which allowed a maximum speed of 38 km/h (24 mph) on roads and a range of 100 km (62 miles). Despite its formidable armor and firepower, the Tiger II’s weight of 68 tons significantly impacted its mobility, making it slower and less maneuverable than lighter tanks.
The Tiger II had a crew of 5 and was designed to operate in support of infantry and other armored units. While its heavy armor and firepower made it a fearsome opponent, mechanical reliability and fuel consumption issues limited its effectiveness in large numbers. Approximately 492 units were produced from 1944 to 1945,
