German Armored Forces & Vehicles

The flip side of the Tiger ...

Tiger I thrown upside-down in the course of a heavy bombing attack in Normandy, June 1944. I recall seeing a postwar interview in which a commander of a Tiger II platoon explained that panzer formations were sometimes attacked by high-level heavy bombers when concealed in woods and undergrowth in Normandy during the "Overlord" campaign. Accuracy was not a feature of such localised carpet bombing. However, even a near miss from an aerial bomb could result in the vehicle being turned over or on its side or, in any event, severe injury to the crew through spalling. A direct hit on the upper deck, even of a Tiger, would most likely destroy the vehicle. The interviewee, who went through this experience on the receiving end, described it as "absolutely terrifying". Where I am, we are getting used to the flip side of the "Celtic Tiger". Think I prefer that ... Best regards, JR.