- For the Steel Division II unit see SD2:Tiger E
Tiger E is a German heavy tank and the predecessor to the Tiger II. It is one of the most iconic vehicles of the Second World War and symbolises the "bigger & better" doctrine pursued by Nazi-Germany in tank design and other areas. While it was over-engineered, fuel-hungry, expensive, difficult to maintain and presented many logistical difficulties, the Tiger was a fearsome sight to behold on the battlefield, as it sported a powerful gun capable of defeating all Allied armour and was clad in 3.9 inches of frontal armour.
Overview
The legendary heavy tank of the Third Reich had a long development history. Its origins lie in the Waffenamt's 1935 request for a new tank capable of going against French Char 2C and Char B1 heavy tanks, with the various designs proposed by Henschel, Porsche, and Krupp coalescing into a 54 ton heavy tank bearing the 8.8 cm KwK 36 L/56 tank gun that entered production in August 1942. The immense weight of the Tiger, a result of the increase in armour ordered after the experiences of Fall Barbarossa and engagements with T-34 and KV-1 tanks, resulted in a design that pushed the limits of German engineering to the breaking point.
The Tiger proved to be a deadly adversary when properly maintained and manned by experienced crews. The combination of a powerful main gun, thick armor, and a powerful engine (a 650 HP Maybach power plant) made it a deadly predator, stalking the battlefields. Fortunately for the Allies and Soviets, the Tiger was prohibitively expensive to construct, with only 1 347 produced. The last 54 Tigers produced in 1944 (before production switched to the Tiger B or Königstiger) were actually refurbished hulls mated to whatever functional turrets and components remained in stock.
The Tiger follows a rather conventional design and has a rather box-like structure instead of sloped armour as was introduced in the Panther. Less effective, the Tiger's armour nonetheless proved to be nigh impervious to most Allied anti-tank fire at the time. When first encountered in Tunisia, 1942, the heavy tank was virtually impervious to British 6-pdrs. This prompted the Allies to introduce more powerful anti-tank weaponry such as the 17-pdr and the 76mm.
101st Heavy SS Panzer Battalion supported 12. SS-Panzer and 1. SS-Panzer as a I SS Panzer Corps asset.
316. Funklenk-Panzerkompanie was attached to Panzer-Lehr. 316. Funklenk-Panzerkompanie was equipped with 10 Tiger I.
During the Defense of Ecouves Forrest, 9. Panzer was supported by Tigers while fighting against 2e Blindée.
Elements of various divisions found themselves in Paris when General der Infanterie Dietrich von Choltitz took command of the Paris Garrison fell on his authority.
Strategy
The Tiger is available to the Panzer-Lehr and 12. SS-Panzer in phase B and complements their already potent tank arsenal. It sports a very accurate and powerful gun, though its slightly disappointing armour stats might confound some players at first sight. However, the Tiger is manned by very experienced crews and comes available with two stars, making it a deadly foe that will have no problem hitting enemy armour fast and hard. Its gun is more than capable of destroying both soft and hard targets.
Its 12 frontal armour gives it adequate protection against 75mm-armed shermans and 6-pdrs, but the more heavy Allied anti-tank guns will present a threat to the Tiger. Its sides and rear armour are also quite armoured for a tank, making flanking attacks slightly less effective.
As a note, always pair it with a commander unit, to bring its veterancy to max and further improve its lethality.
Gallery
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