Bergpanzer Tiger myth right?

[bryson109]

There was no recovery version of the Tiger, rather the s.Pz.Abt. 508 modified one of their Tigers with a crane capable of placing explosive charges. The Tiger was abandoned and found by the Allies who assumed it was arecovery tank. Is this correct?

[Christian Ankerstjerne]

There was a conversion, but no photographs exists. Three Tigers were converted by s.Pz.Abt. 509, and later turned over to s.Pz.Abt. 501 when the s.Pz.Abt. 509 refitted with Tiger IIs.

Christian

[bryson109]

But the modified Tiger of the 508 is not a Bergpanzer Tiger right? And did the three converstions have their turrets removed, as typical of Bergpanzers?

[Johan Elisson]

There was a conversion, but no photographs exists. Three Tigers were converted by s.Pz.Abt. 509, and later turned over to s.Pz.Abt. 501 when the s.Pz.Abt. 509 refitted with Tiger IIs.

Christian

What about the two pictures in the Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War Two (Chamberlain and Doyle) that are supposed to show a Bergepanzer Tiger Ausf E? The text says three converted in 1944, by removing main armament (but not turret), and adding a tubular crane.

There are also two pictures in Der Panzerkampfwagen Tiger und seine Abarten (Spielberger) on page 179 showing the turret with crane.

/Johan

[bryson109]

The pics in that book is of the Tank used by the s.Pz.Abt. 508, the Tank keep its turret and had a small crane. The 3 conversions are a different machine.

[Christian Ankerstjerne]

But the modified Tiger of the 508 is not a Bergpanzer Tiger right? And did the three converstions have their turrets removed, as typical of Bergpanzers?

Correct. Their purpose was, as you described, to place explosives.

What about the two pictures in the Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War Two (Chamberlain and Doyle) that are supposed to show a Bergepanzer Tiger Ausf E? The text says three converted in 1944, by removing main armament (but not turret), and adding a tubular crane.

/Johan

Those are the Tigers which were converted to place explosives.

Christian

[Patrice]

Hello.
This Tiger is a unique transformation due to the workschops of
the sPz Abt 508 between the 1st and 5 March 1944.
The name of BergeTiger is due to bad interpretation of the Britisch Forces
who Find a calcined and destoyed Tiger.
There is Picure (Five) in the Steel Master n°23.
This pictures are now at the Tank Museun of Bovington.
On this Picture we can see the remainders of a crane who is to ligth to be useful has a breakdown service,and must be a explosive charge layer.
On an other picture we can see a "scble" who run along side the hull
to who seem be a box on the rear of the Tiger.
The only variant of Tiger I was the Sturmtiger.
Patrice

[bryson109]

There are also two pictures in Der Panzerkampfwagen Tiger und seine Abarten (Spielberger) on page 179 showing the turret with crane.

I imagine that the Tiger is the one used by s.Pz.Abt 508 to place explosives. All Bergpanzers I know of had the turret removed, not just the main gun.

[Patrice]

I find some Pictures the N°1 and N° 3 Find on tripod and the N°2 on
http://Klub.chip.pl/
Patrice

[Christian Ankerstjerne]

Yes, that is the convesion to the explosives charge layer.

Christian

[bryson109]

Thanks, I have never seen pic no.2 before.

[AikinutNY]

What did they use to recover Tigers during combat? Other Tigers? Or wait to secure the area and use Famos? Would they have used Bergepanzer IV or Bergpanthers? Could they have moved a Tiger bogged down in mud?

[bryson109]

What did they use to recover Tigers during combat? Other Tigers? Or wait to secure the area and use Famos? Would they have used Bergepanzer IV or Bergpanthers? Could they have moved a Tiger bogged down in mud?

Early on 3 FAMOs were needed to recovery a Tiger. Other Tigers could be used (and were used - photo evidence supports it) but this practice was banned. When the Bergpanther entered service it was used to help recover Tigers.

[MaisAlto]

What would be the reason to use a running tTiger, even if gunless, to place explosives charges that could be placed by any other armoured vehicule or even by hand..?

[Christian Ankerstjerne]

If the turret was damaged and couldn't be imidiately repaired, it would be quite suitable, due to its thick armour.

Christian