Ready your army for battle and step into the open-beta world of Panzer
General Online. The free-to-play browser-based title is now open to all
players, so now’s the perfect time to become an armchair general. Take
on historically inspired battles in an experience that combines
collectible card games with old-school board games. Check out the open
beta trailer to see the game in action.
Those of you who took part in the closed beta will get exclusive access
to two new tanks – one for the German army and one for the US army – as
thanks for your support. The closed beta was a great learning
experience for the team at Blue Byte. They were able to listen to the
fans and make improvements based on your suggestions. For example,
Skirmish 2.0 has been added to the game to enhance multiplayer. Go into
battle on equal footing when you square off against another player with
pre-constructed decks. No one has the distinct advantage and everyone
must rely on their wits.
When comparing the small number of Tigers produced (only 1347) to the
more than 120,000 T-34s and Shermans combined, one can appreciate the
psychological impact of this model, at least from the Allied tank crew
perspective. In its concept laid the very core of the German conception
of a heavy tank. Something which targeted absolute excellence in design,
combining lethality with the best possible protection, only given to
elite crews, all this regardless of the cost. Excellent engineering and
training versus numbers underlined all this philosophy and was reflected
later in small tactical unit operations.
The Tiger was a formidable machine that pushed the boundaries of
armored warfare and forced the Allies to devise better tanks. It
powerfully symbolized all the might of the Nazi war machine as dreamt
off by Hitler, and later turned through propaganda into a "Wunderwaffe"
(wonder weapon) in a mostly defensive war. However, behind the curtain,
the Tiger clearly sacrificed mobility and ease of maintenance, but it
was always deadly effective (with a 10:1 up to 19:1 kill ratio), earning
a capital of fear that was unrivaled during the war. Allied crews found
themselves hopeless with their inadequate machines, having to improvise
costly tactics to deal with it. The Tiger gave fame to a few WWII tank
aces, like Michael Wittman, something unheard of since the life
expectancy of a tank crew was always quite shorter than that of fighter
pilots.
A long development history, started in 1935
The search for a suitable engine
The first mention of a 30-ton class Panzer could be found in the note
written by General Liese, head of the Heeres Waffenamt, on 30 October
1935. This was the result of the weight estimation for a tank equipped
with a high velocity 75 mm (2.95 in), powerful enough to destroy French
tanks Char 2C, 3C and D, and a minimum 30 mm (1.18 in) of armor. The
representative of the Wa Pruef 6 in charge of the project met Dr.
Maybach in October to discuss the feasibility of a 600/700 hp engine.
Maybach dismissed a 16-cylinder as too long to fit in an engine
compartment, so only a scaled-up 12-cylinder could be conceived,
although it required a tremendous amount of development to reach the
targeted output of 600 hp. Later discussions led to the conclusion that
only a 16-cylinder could provide the 700 hp needed for a 30-40 tons
tank. This was still optimistic given the fact that in 1936 Maybach was
still struggling to produce its first compact 300 hp engine. Wa Pruef 6
also studied the use of an aircraft engine, characterized by high-torque
and low rpm, but this posed the obligation of redesigning many
components of the drive train, which would mean sacrificing other vital
aspects to stay within the 30 tons limit.
Preliminary prototypes ordered by Wa Pruef 6
In January 1937, Baurat Kniepkamp from Wa pruef 6, the department which
laid the specifications and contacted the contractors, ordered a
chassis (Fahrgestell) from Henschel, and the turret by Krupp, already
contacted to study a 30-ton tank turret housing a 75 mm (2.95 in) in
November 1936. The first designation was BW (verstaerkt), for
Begleitswagen (escort tank, heavier), to differentiate this model from
the Panzer IV already called "BW". In March 1937 this was changed for IW
for "Infanteriewagen", then DW ("Durchbruchswagen" or breakthrough
tank), and in November 1939, VK 30.01 alte konstruktion (DW).
The Durchbruchswagen DW-1 and DW-2
According to the delivery plan from the 1st of October 1937, Henschel
had to provide a DW fahrgestell prototype with Cleveland track system
gear ("Clectracgetriebe"), and one with differential drive
("Uberlagerungsgestriebe"), in the second half of 1938, for trials. They
were both renamed by Henschel to DW-1 and DW-2 Erprobungst-Fahgestell
(experimental chassis). The DW-1 was made of soft steel with plate
thickness of 50 mm (1.97 in) on the front, side and rear, and 20 mm
(0.79 in) elsewhere. It was propelled by a Maybach 120 TR, varlorex
transmission and cletract system of three-stage steering gears allowing
35 km/h (22 mph). There were also six double road wheels per side
suspended by torsion arms on center guide track with a 300 mm (11.8 in)
pitch. The DW-2 was similar but with automotive improvements made to the
steering gear, final drive, parking brakes, torsion bars, having the
tracks decreased to a 260 mm (10.2 in) pitch and changed drive
sprockets. Both weighed 30 metric tons capable of 35 km/h (22 mph).
On the side of Krupp, a conceptual preliminary design for a turret
(AF30304) was sent on 22 February 1937. Dr. Olbricht from Wa Pruef 6
informed Krupp of various points for the definitive design in March
1937, notably the 1500 mm (4.92 ft) turret ring, 50 mm (1.96 in) thick
turret walls, plus 20 mm (0.79 in) mantlet, new ball bearing, and
adapted elevating mechanism, but no electric traverse. A direct
prototype had to be produced, bypassing a wooden mockup stage. Finally,
on 24 June 1938, Wa Pruef 6 awarded Krupp a contract for a trial turret.
In April 1939 modifications were requested and a schedule required the
completion of the turret until May, 26, 1939, which then had to be
shipped to Magdeburg to be compared to that of a Panzer IV.
The VK 30.01
Alongside the WB initial tests in September 1938, the Heeres Waffenamt
authorized the development of a 30-ton tank prototype called VK 30.01.
This was discussed with Wa Pruef 6 in January 1939, with specifications
including a 75 mm (2.95 in) KwK L/24 gun (short barrel), the same crew
as the Panzer IV and 50 mm (1.97 in) of armor. Henschel devised a new
chassis for this purpose, with all the lessons retained from the DWs. A
new Maybach HL 116 engine, new drivetrain and, most important, seven
pairs of interleaved wheels (Geschachelte) to distribute the 32 tons of
the tank and to reduce the ground pressure. At the same time Krupp was
awarded the construction of an armored test hull, to be delivered at
Kummersdorf on 23 April 1940. The new construction involved dropping the
vertical joint assembly, for new PP792 armor plates. However this hull
was not delivered until September 1940, and tests involved only 37 mm
(1.46 in) guns.
Meanwhile, Maybach made available the new HL 190 and HL 150 (400 hp)
and well as new transmissions. Krupp redesigned a turret to match the VK
65.01 for better commonality, having a low profile as the gun
centerline was to be 335 mm (13.2 in) over the deck. Externally, it had
many features identical to the Panzer IV türm. As requested, there was
also a small oval hole for a rearward machine-gun, with an armored
semi-disc which pivoted to close this weak point. A turret observation
periscope was also to be provided.
By November, 19, 1939 it was agreed that Henschel would deliver three prototypes of the neu konstruktion
armored chassis from March to April 1940. In July 1940, Krupp was
ordered to deliver a complete turret with the PP 739 armor plate and
later eight armored hulls for Henschel, the last scheduled in October
1941, but in reality delivered on 30 November. On 25 September 1942,
Oberstleutnant Krekel from the Wa Pruef 6 ordered from Henschel four new
updated chassis to be used for training drivers. Already by November
1941 there were concerns about upgrading the main gun (following the
encounter of the first KV-1s) to the long-barrel L/34, then later L/43.
Krupp objected that this would have triggered further delays. Eventually
this prospect was dropped on January, 30, 1942. The eight VK 30.01
turrets would eventually be placed on the Atlantic wall from May to
September 1944.
The VK 36.01
This short-lived projected was born in June 1939, when it was asked to
Krupp to develop a 105 mm (4.13 in) armed turret. The turret walls had
to be 100 mm (3.94 in) thick and the gun was a standard howitzer L/20 or
L/28, all of which to be packed on a standard BW hull, with a top
weight of no more than 30 tons. It was then designated AW
(Artilleriewagen). By mid-1940 Henschel was ordered to modify the BW
Fahrgestell to mount the new Krupp 105 turret. At the same time it was
revised internally to accept the new Maybach HL 174 giving a 450 hp max
output. The hull front had to be 80 mm (3.15 in) thick and the total
weight was uplifted to 36 tons, sitting on interleaved wheels.
Eventually on the 26th May of 1942, Hitler intervened to specify that
the new heavy tank should have the frontal armor 100 mm (3.94 in) thick,
and 60 mm (2.36 in) sides, and ordered six prototypes from Porsche and
Henschel. Following this, Wa Pruef 6 remade the specifications. The
turret now needed to accept the 75 mm (2.95 in) Waffe 725 (without
muzzle brake) and on 11 June 1942 notified Krupp to drop the 105 mm
(4.13 in) project and convert the turret according to the new
specifications. By August, this was renamed "Tigersprogramm".
Eventually, the sole VK 36.01 chassis was delivered in March 1942 for
tests, after being equipped at Maybach factory near Friedschafen. The
original six turrets ordered to Krupp were turned in the meantime into
turmstellungen (fixed turrets), but completion of the modifications
required were never carried out.
The Porsche Tiger
Porsche was asked to study the feasibility of heavy and even
super-heavy tanks from 1941 and tried to respond in a innovative manner
to the challenge posed by the ultra-sturdy transmission needed for the
task of transferring such loads. The most original feature of its
designs were electric motors powered by connected gasoline engines and
external suspension torsion bars to save internal space.
The Porsche Type 100
Porsche's first prototype for a heavy tank was launched in late 1939.
The Typ 100 was -with Wa Pruef 6 support- the fruit of the collaboration
of Krupp (armored hull), Steyr (air-cooled engines) and Siemens
(electrical components). Nibelungenwerke performed the final assembly.
The drivetrain was powered by twin ten-cylinder engines each connected
to an electrical generator. These animated two electrical motors in the
front, activating the drive sprockets. There were three sets of
roadwheels mated on a single external longitudinally-mounted torsion
bar. The tracks were supported by two double return rollers on each
side. Porsche was awarded three armored hulls, and a soft-steel one,
which was only completed in July 1941. As early as March 1941 Krupp
engaged itself to deliver six turrets equipped with the new 8.8 cm (3.46
in) KwK L/56. The unique Typ 100 chassis undergone thorough testings at
Nibelungenwerke, and the program then known as Leopard changed its name
into the Tiger.
The VK 45.01 (P)
The tank had to be larger and Porsche made a series of modifications to
the Typ 100, with new engines, relocated drive sprockets to the rear,
increased frontal armor to 100 mm (3.94 in), new engine compartment and
more fuel storage, 60 cm (23.6 in) wide tracks and metal-rimmed road
wheels. The return rollers were dropped. The Porsche heavy tank new
prototype was then reinstated VK 45.01 (P) according to the turret
specified by Wa Pruef 6. In July 1941, Krupp was ordered to deliver a
hundred hulls derived from the new prototype and the same number of
turret to be assembled at Nibelungenwerke. In turn, the company was
ordered to deliver ten complete pre-serie vehicles for tests by May
1942. But the completion was later rushed to match Hiltler's birthday in
April. However serious supply problems with automotive parts delayed
the completion of the first in July 1942, then the nine others will
follow in small batches until October, when the official objective was
the completion of 76 Tiger(P).
These delays were cut short by Hitler's decision to terminate the
program, as the remaining 90 vehicles would be turned into Panzerjägers
with the new 88 mm (3.46 in) L/72 gun. Later these were known as the
Sd.Kfz. 182 Ferdinand/Elefant. The ten first VK 45.01 would see service
with the test unit Schwere Panzer Abteilung Abt 503, and were known in
short as the Tiger (P). Only one seems to have been used in action, the
modified Panzer Befehlwagen (with a new set of long-range radios) in
Ukraine with the Abteilung 653 from April to July 1944. Three other
hulls were completed as BergePanzer Tiger(P), and three others as
Rammtiger. Eventually four of these hull will receive definitive turrets
by Krupp and were kept for tests in August 1943.
