Something to think about Part 2

[wibblywobbly]

Many of us have heard of the Vimoutiers Tiger, and seen the pics. A few of us have been fortunate enough to go there and climb all over it.

I always wondered what the background was, and wished that pics existed detailing its interesting history. Well wonder no more...you can use Google translate if you want it all in English...


http://rc-panzer.xooit.com/t2980-Le-Tig ... utiers.htm

[Silverstalker]

what is the story of this Vimoutiers Tiger?????

[wibblywobbly]

Very briefly, towards the end of the war there was an epic battle at the Falaise Gap. It was an area of huge strategic importance. Although the Germans were being pushed back they fought tooth and nail over every inch. This is very hilly country, and the theory is that this Tiger either ran out of fuel, or the engine overheated on a very big hill.

The crew abandoned the tank, just left it in the road, but placed two charges inside that blew the hull and engine. The Tiger was bulldozed into a ditch by the advancing US troops, and stayed there until 1975. The owner of the land died, and the inheritor sold the Tiger to a local scrap dealer who started cutting it up, he had already removed and sold the gearbox, and cut the turret in half before someone realised what was happening.

A local historian contacted the local council, the scrap merchant was stopped, and the Tiger was declared a national monument. It was then dragged out of the ditch, repaired to a relatively stable state, and mounted on a concrete plinth in a picturesque layby, where it remains to this day.

It is simply parked there, and anyone can pull in and clamber all over it, no fees or anything. I have been there, and the view from the turret is amazing, stare down the barrel and you can see for miles. The Tiger is totally unique and is the only one in the world that is available to the general public in this way. If you are ever in the area (its not far from Caen) it is absolutely a 'must see'.

I am off to this place in September, I have always wanted to see it.

http://joarlarsson.wordpress.com/2007/0 ... c-chapter/

Rob G

[littletankman]

Nice pictures , excelent referance material . I might be wrong but isnt this Tiger the only one fitted with the correct later style small muzzel break.

Andy

[wibblywobbly]

Someone has done his research, but I though that was the one in Saumur museum? I might be wrong...I usually am!

[Silverstalker]

cool story! i love it when they find these thing lost in time at the bottom of some swap

[panzer3]

i have been to and seen this tiger and the king-tiger but it is truly a inspiring machine and yes you can climb all over it ,just a pity it wasn't saved earlier