Pix - Tiger I at Vimoutiers.

My trip to France at the weekend gave me the opportunity to detour slightly for a visit to my favourite WWII relic - the Tiger I at Vimoutiers.

The only Tiger I to remain in situ on its battlefield, this machine - a late-production Ausf E with steel wheels, chassis number 251 113 - is believed to have belonged to schwere SS-Panzer Abteilung 102 and was commanded by SS-Unterscharfuhrer Reisske. The edge of the 'Falaise Pocket' is just over the ridge to the East.

















There was even time for some 'Michael Wittmann' posing.....

 

Great photos, thanks! A coupke of interesting cracks in the armour plate, at the back of the turret and on the hull side armour, on the left. I wonder what caused these and when?

 

Wonderful pictures, it's such a shame that some idiots keep putting graphitti and vadalize the tank. Everytime I look at it I am amazed by the square aspect.

 

Good stuff.
Nice little page on her here.
And the well known 'after the battle' pictures of her recovery, which appear to confirm the cracks were there then, so presumably a result of the demolition charge?

I'm never sure if she should be restored somewhat or if it really is more fitting for her to gradually rot away in the land she was brought to conquer.

Cheers,
Adam.

 

Good stuff indeed Martin,
from all
Steel wheels, small muzzel break, late version. Neat !
Love the "wheelie" of the recovery vehicle (been there/done that)

Good question Von
Perhaps it should let nature reclaim it slowly without graffitti, as a reminder as to what becomes of tyrannical ambitions when a strong will opposes.
I believe one has to keep something in sight (nowadays) to remember.
Short attention span/instant gratification thing seems to be prevelant.

 

Excellent photos Martin. Thanks. I like the photo from atop the tank showing the view. Imagine the lone Tiger picking off enemy tanks on the other side of the valley. WOW.

 

Thanx for sharing the pics, Martin!

 

On a public road,un-protected. It probably would get the same 'treatment' here in the States.
I wonder how many perfectly running tanks met their doom by simply running out of gasoline. What a shame.

 

The Tiger is actually maintained in reasonable condition - funds permitting. It does get the occasional repaint and the hatches etc are welded closed. I actually rather like it in 'relic' condition ; if it were fully-restored with all the ( easily thieved ) external equipment, then it would probably be in a museum with 'Do Not Touch' signs all around.

To me, it's a real relic of the 'Falaise Gap' and I always love the first sight of it as you start to climb the hill......

 

....scanning the skies for Jabos..or the next rain shower....



..note the crack along the bottom of the hull, just forward of where it sits on the track....just small enough for a small person to get the camera through....





..small person sneaks into shot (left) ..having retrieved some metallic fragments unbeknown to responsible adult...

 

Excellent photos FalkeEins!!

 

They are indeed great quality pictures, thanks for sharing these!

 

Hands off, Neil....it's MINE !!!

Great pics....you've certainly outdone me with the 'interior shot'....

 

..thanks guys...according to my wife that was her "longest day"....departed the coast (Houlgate) early am ..via Falaise and Trun and the Mont Ormel memorial only to find ourselves heading on the wrong road out of Vimoutiers...for a 'national monument' the Tiger is very poorly sign-posted...I didn't note which road it was actually on Martin.. the D16..?

 

It's actually on the D969 for Gace .. the D16 forks off right at the bottom of the hill. The same road on the opposite side of Vimoutiers is where Rommel's staff-car was shot up.....

Just look for the signs to 'Martin Bull's Favourite Tiger'.....

 

...didn't realise that at all ..thanks !

...the countryside is so bucolic that its very easy to pass right on by such interesting sites ..

 

You now our roads better than I do! It's about time I go there too.

 

<..note the crack along the bottom of the hull, just forward of where it sits on the track....just small enough for a small person to get the camera through....>
From that pic,it's hard to imagine being able to get a camera in. So are the hatches welded close so you can't go inside?