Ferdinand and Elefant Tank Destroyer

257 Pages·2015·34.92 MB·English

by  Thomas Anderson

FERDINAND AND
ELEFANT TANK
DESTROYER
© Osprey Publishing • www.ospreypublishing.com
FERDINAND AND ELEFANT
TANK DESTROYER
© Osprey Publishing • www.ospreypublishing.com
FERDINAND AND ELEFANT
TANK DESTROYER
Thomas Anderson
© Osprey Publishing • www.ospreypublishing.com
CONTENTS
Introduction 6
chapter 1 New Weapons 14
chapter 2 Birth of a Regiment 88
chapter 3 Kursk – 102
PzJgRgt 656
on the Attack
chapter 4 From Kursk 128
to Nikopol
chapter 5 Reconditioning 162
in the Reich
chapter 6 Combat in Italy 172
chapter 7 Back in Russia 196
chapter 8 Decline 232
Index 252
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Introduction
At the beginning of World War II, Germany introduced new military tactics
which allowed them to conquered large parts of Europe within a relatively
short time. The Panzerwaffe was at the forefront this success. However, the
equipment was no better than that of the Allies: it was how these weapons
were deployed that defined the revolutionary Blitzkreig tactics.
It took three long years for the Allies to adopt these tactics. By 1943,
British and US forces had developed methods to defend against this type
of attack. Most importantly, they had developed aircraft and the weapons
to gain absolute air superiority over the battlefield.
Left:
On the Eastern Front matters were different. The Soviets had activated
A sPanzerjäger Ferdinand
the enormous manufacturing potential of their country. As a consequence, being inspected by Adolf
their armaments industry was able to produce war material in ever Hitler and Reichsminister
increasing numbers. Together with an abundant supply of fighting men Speer accompanied by
senior military personnel;
(and women) they managed to halt the German offensive.
Ferdinand Porsche is
Due to this situation Germany initiated the manufacture of high-
visible in the background.
quality and technically superior weapons. On the battlefield, new and
(bpk Images)
better weapons, heavy and super-heavy tanks would decide the war.
Among them was the Ferdinand, later called Elefant (Elephant). This Overleaf:
heavy tank destroyer emerged from the work which finally led to the As Minister of Armaments,
Reichsminister Albert
famous PzKpfw VI Tiger tank. The development of this sophisticated
Speer took a personal
support weapon was expedited under the orders of Adolf Hitler.
interest in tank
Also there were the assault tanks, or Sturmpanzer. Often referred development and took any
to as Brummbär (grizzly bear, grouch, so far this nickname has not opportunity drive a new
been verified), these vehicles with 15cm guns were intended to design. Here, Speer is at
the controls of a prototype
destroy hardened targets with one or two rounds. Even these heavy
chassis accompanied by
weapons would be outperformed by a new development based on
its designer Ferdinand
the Tiger tank – the Sturmmörser mounting the 38cm Raketenwerfer Porsche (right).
rocket launcher. (bpk Images)
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8 FERDINAND AND ELEFANT
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Introduction 9
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10 FERDINAND AND ELEFANT
Reichsmarschall Hermann Pioneer weapons were always an effective means to support an advance
Göring inspects a PzKpfw
by infantry troops. For this the Germans invented remote-controlled tanks,
VI Tiger (P) in the company
the ‘original drones’. These explosive-charge carriers were to be used to
of Ferdinand Porsche
(centre). (bpk Images) blow up minefields, anti-tank obstacles and enemy positions without
endangering German troops.
The book deals with these three weapon systems: weapons, which
were intended to help Germany’s armoured forces to win the war. Where
and how were they used in combat? Were they efficient? Were there any
countermeasures? And were they worth the effort?
The author has exclusively used archival information. Documents and
files found in the Bundesarchiv/Militärarchiv, Freiburg (Germany) and the
National Archives (NARA) in Washington, DC (USA) were evaluated.
Interestingly, in the context of this book both archives are basically
identical.
However, the author believes that archive information only allows an
objective view of incidents which took place some 70 years ago.
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