I don't know if the Germans had any plans in 38 for a big tank but it is a proven fact that the Tiger was a direct result of the experiences against the T-34. The experiences in Russian convinced Hitler that tanks had to have the punching power at long distances as well as thicker armour. Thus, the Tiger line. The General staff wanted mobility so they kept the medium tanks and focused on the panthers later on.

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American by birth, TEXAN by the grace of GOD!