Tiger fording capability

[nomis]

Hi,
Does anyone know if the 'fully submerged' capability for Tiger 1 was ever used for anything other than demonstration/training purposes.

In other words, was a crew ever called upon to use it in the battle zone, or moving from area to area. I can think of several reasons why they would choose not to use it, but maybe over-riding factors prevailed.

If you could point me towards any picture,or reference confirming yes, or no i would be most greatful.

SF.

[big ned]

The fully submerged option was never used in action, only for demonstration purposes. Around 200 tigers were built with a fording capability of 1.5M, these in themselves were extremely complicated and difficult to make watertight and the idea was dropped after a short time. I believe there is no hard evidence that this option was ever used on operations.

However, some tanks were made to be submersival. Some Pz III and IV tanks called Tauch panzers were built for use in barge landings during the failed Operation Seelowe, the invasion of Britain. Some of these were transfered to the Russian front during the early part of Operation Barbarossa, and successfully crossed the River Bug.

The Pz V Panther tank was designed with a fording capability of 1.7M, and this was used many times in action where there were no bridges, or they were blown or too weak to support the weight of the vehicle.

Regards, Ned.

[nomis]

Cheers Ned,

I was aware of the general fording capabilies and usage, and its interesting having your confirmation the fully submerged ' ability ' was never used in practice.

Many thanks.

SF.

[big ned]

Here's an interesting couple of pic's of a Tiger demonstrating the schnorkel aspect that was envisaged as the answer for crossing deeper rivers, but was never actually used on the battlefront.

Regards, Ned.

[nomis]

Yep, seen those and others where it was demonstrated. None in actual combat usage, hence my question.

PS. did anyone see Tiger Day on saturday. A 6.51 minute you tube on ' tiger day bovington ' about sums up what a great show it was and the hard work the workshop crew put in to make sure it was one to remember.

Regards, SF.

[Scout]

I was just reminded about the DDs that didnt make it .....

[nomis]

As a further query to my original question..................i am currently re-reading Tigers in Combat [ 2 ] at the moment.

On page 333 there is an entry ' The company commander's tank of the 1st company [ without crew ] is lost during an attempt to cross the SEINE by means of the deep-wading equipment'.

Is this an example of what i am looking for. Date was 28.08.44, which seems very late to be using DWE.

Any input greatly received. Perhaps Wolfgang might have a view on this.

SF.

[nomis]

No one have a view on this then ?

SF

[lithgow]

The phrasing implies that the vehicle was unmanned-more likely trying to barge it across the fast flowing Seine and sinking it instead.

[nomis]

I believe the wording is very clear..............'.by means of Deep Wading Equipment'. Evidently NOT a barge.

SF.