To many, it epitomises the German
Army in the final months of WW2. This incredible find is the entire rear armour
plate from a German King Tiger tank turret (SdKfz 182). It was uncovered from
beneath a layer of pine needles. The picture is dark due to using a flashgun.
Visible is the rear escape hatch, the pistol port and the handle for the hatch.
This armour is 80mm thick. Also found at the same time was one single track link
(there would have been 96 on each side) and several battered 88mm rounds. The
hull of the Tiger has long been cut up for scrap. This tank belonged to Schwere
SS Panzer Abteilung 501 and was lost, or destroyed by its crew during the
retreat from the Bulge in the last days of December 1944.
It is hoped that the turret fragment will be lifted in early 2005, after the
celebrations and other projects have come to an end. The Schwere SS Panzer
Abteilung turret will then form part of a new display in Luxembourg.
Contrast the exhibit above with the one here. This is Tiger 104, late of SS schwere Panzer Abt 501. See the story of it's loss and recovery here.