Captured Tiger Tank in Tunisia – 501st Panzer Battalion, 1943

July 3, 2025 - Reading time: 3 minutes

Captured in Tunisia, a German Tiger tank from the 501st Panzer Battalion stands seized by the American forces. Its design reveals vulnerabilities that were exploited by the Allies. February 1943.

This fascinating image shows a German Tiger tank, captured by the American forces during the North African campaign in Tunisia, February 1943. The Pz.Kpfw. VI Tiger tank, belonging to the 501st Panzer Battalion, was one of the most feared weapons on the battlefield, thanks to its thick armor and powerful 88mm gun. However, its design also had weaknesses, one of which is evident in this captured example: the placement of spare tracks on the front corners of the vehicle. These tracks were meant to add extra protection to the tank’s most vulnerable areas — the crew hatches and the relatively weaker upper frontal armor. Captured in the heat of battle, this Tiger tank would soon become a valuable piece of military equipment for the Allies. The image of this formidable machine, now in the hands of its enemies, speaks volumes about the shifting tides of the war in North Africa.

Technical photo data:
📍 Location: Tunisia, North Africa
📅 Date of photo: February 1943
📷 Photographer: Unknown

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