Both were proven contenders with the former having addressed a similar issue with their Tiger tank development and the latter delivering the formidable Panther series. Henschel and MAN were tabbed for developing the next generation of German heavy tank. Hitler ordered the Army Weapons Office to undergo such a development in August of 1942 with the requirement to include 150mm frontal protection in a "ballistics-friendly" design and mount a 8.8cm (88mm) main gun. Part of the initiative lay in foreseeing any future Soviet tank developments to avoid the surprises by the German Army that occurred with the introduction of the T-34 medium and KV-1 heavy tank series. Therefore, she was produced in low numbers and underpowered for her size and mechanical issues were never fully ironed out.Įven with the Tiger heavy tank entering production, German authorities sought to improve armor protection and penetration capabilities and issued a new requirement for a newer heavy tank design. While showcasing excellent strengths, she was ultimately limited by the deteriorating German war effort in the closing months of the conflict. Of all of the operational combat tanks fielded in the World War 2, the German "Tiger II" (or "King Tiger") was the best combination of armor protection, firepower and mobility to be had.
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