Sturmtigers in Combat?

Ceraphix · #1 (**permalink**) March 24th, 2008, 07:14 PM

Similar idea as the last thread. Any accounts of these rare vehicles used in action?

YouTube - WW2 German Sturmtiger firing it's big gun
I believe this is the only available video footage of a Sturmtiger in combat ^^

T. A. Gardner · #2 (**permalink**) March 24th, 2008, 07:31 PM

I'm not sure that the vehicle in the video is "in combat." It could be test firing footage taken on some sort of target range or against an unoccupied building. We really are not told.
The only case I know of that is certainly Strumtiger's use in combat comes from an account in the history of the 113th Cavalry group The Man on the Red Horse. On 5 Feb 45 the unit was fired on by "ten rocket-type projectiles" that fell on the town of Schophoven Holland. Two more were fired on the town of Pier. Men in the unit described the explosions like "V-2's." The unit reported no casualties.
On 28 February the unit overran the town of Bedburg and found an abandoned Sturmtiger which they stated was from Sturmpanzer Kp 1000. This discovery solved the "mystery" of the earlier rocket attacks.

Von Poop · #3 (**permalink**) March 24th, 2008, 07:48 PM

Sturmmorser shot I'd not seen before:
http://www.weapon.df.ru/tanks/germsp/stupz/stiger.jpg

Very brief mention of the capture of one at Menden:
MENDEN PICTURES

Cheers,
Adam.

PzJgr · #4 (**permalink**) March 24th, 2008, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ceraphix

Similar idea as the last thread. Any accounts of these rare vehicles used in action?

YouTube - WW2 German Sturmtiger firing it's big gun
I believe this is the only available video footage of a Sturmtiger in combat ^^

Amazing shot. Would not want to be anywhere near that thing when it shoots a load

Hufflepuff · #5 (**permalink**) March 25th, 2008, 02:20 AM

Pretty rare footage of a cool tank

Relating back to the other thread, I would definitely not want to be in a Sherman in front of one of those things that was angled towards me, had gas in its belly, had ammunition in the breech, and had a live and working crew

Shockwavesoldier · #6 (**permalink**) March 25th, 2008, 02:23 AM

very few were made, and they were not very practical. I am not sure if they were used in combat. I know they were used in Stalingrad.

JCFalkenbergIII · #7 (**permalink**) March 25th, 2008, 02:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shockwavesoldier

very few were made, and they were not very practical. I am not sure if they were used in combat. I know they were used in Stalingrad.

If they were used in Stalingrad one would assume it was used in combat?

Shockwavesoldier · #8 (**permalink**) March 25th, 2008, 02:41 AM

yes, they were used in combat they were desgined for blowing up walls and buildings such as those in stalingrad. I did not remember to delete the first part of that post, and then I found the stalingrad info and changed it.

JCFalkenbergIII · #9 (**permalink**) March 25th, 2008, 02:42 AM

A projectile being attached to the wires of the manually operated crane jib.

Close-up shot of the rocket launcher, clearly showing the many blast vents around the muzzle ring.

"A prototype was first completed in October 1943, and the Sturmtiger was to eliminate house-to-house combat using firepower to flatten all buildings or bunkers with enemy soldiers. Heavily armored and equipped with a rocket projector to launch naval depth charges, the Sturmtiger would have been an awe-inspiring weapon capable of dominating any urban battlefield. Unfortunately for Germany, production did not begin until August 1944, when city sieges had long ceased to be a priority of the Wehrmacht. Instead, the Sturmtiger were thrown into desperate defensive field operations in Germany and Italy where their massive armament was of limited advantage, though no vehicle could afford to be struck by a Sturmtiger's depth charge (which after all was designed for use against submarines). Eventually most were disabled in combat or left behind when petroleum was ran out. Only 18 Sturmtiger were produced, by converting"

Panzermörser Sturmtiger

Shockwavesoldier · #10 (**permalink**) March 25th, 2008, 02:49 AM

great information, so I was correct about them being designed for destroying walls and buildings.

T. A. Gardner · #11 (**permalink**) March 25th, 2008, 03:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shockwavesoldier

very few were made, and they were not very practical. I am not sure if they were used in combat. I know they were used in Stalingrad.

Amazing! Must have been a time warp involved since the prototype didn't get completed until October 1943. The other 17 manufactured were built in November and December of 1944. The delay was due to originally wanting the project to use returned battle damaged Tigers rather than new production. But, as this never panned out new hulls were eventually ordered for manufacture of these vehicles.

There were only three tiny units issued the Sturmtiger: Sturm Kps 1001, 1002, and 1003. 1001 had 4 vehicles the other two 6. All served exclusively in the West with Strum Kp 1001 debuing during the Ardennes Offensive where it was kept out of action by mechanical problems with the vehicles. They were next employed in the withdrawal to the Rhine but saw no action. The OKW felt they were too valuable to be captured so made early crossings of the Rhine. Sturm Kps 1001 and 1002 were then trapped in the Ruhr pocket and destroyed there. Sturm Kp 1003 was initially sent to Reichwald but saw no action. It to eventually was swept up in the general collapse of the Reich in early 1945 having accomplished nothing.

Hufflepuff · #12 (**permalink**) March 25th, 2008, 04:59 PM

I think the Sturmmtiger might have been used against the British to a small extent in the Normandy campaign, but I might be wrong.

JCFalkenbergIII · #13 (**permalink**) March 25th, 2008, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hufflepuff

I think the Sturmmtiger might have been used against the British to a small extent in the Normandy campaign, but I might be wrong.

"Unfortunately for Germany, production did not begin until August 1944"

Hufflepuff · #14 (**permalink**) March 26th, 2008, 01:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JCFalkenbergIII

"Unfortunately for Germany, production did not begin until August 1944"

Whoops

Za Rodinu · #15 (**permalink**) March 26th, 2008, 11:57 AM

6 Army in Stalingrad surrendered in Feb 43 !!!

Besides who needs these stupid sooper dooper weapons that didn't go anywhere? I'd rather stay with the Churchill Petard Mortar, which at least worked! I give you the Flying Dustbin!

And that ratty Sturmtiger would be unable to hit your Sherman, it was a blockbuster!

Jim Baker · #16 (**permalink**) March 26th, 2008, 01:37 PM

Za,

What happened to your avatar?? That particular Russian soldier was very interesting.

As for the Storm Tiger..... What a waste of time and armor plate.

Za Rodinu · #17 (**permalink**) March 26th, 2008, 03:49 PM

She eloped with The Red Rabbi! In replacement I mused on a putting up a one-eyed Jewish Black entertainer and came up with this. Below: Spot the crook!