The Gigantic German Weapon that Turned Allied Tanks into Scrap Metal

As dawn broke over a quiet village in Normandy in 1944, a beast hid among the ruins of a shattered farm, patiently awaiting the advancing Canadian forces and armor. Then, when they were finally within range, the concealed terror opened fire.

Two consecutive shots resulted in two burning Shermans: their crews were gone entirely. Then, the vehicle emerged from the ruins: it was a Tiger II, commanded by Waffen SS troops.

Sporting a devastating 88-millimeter gun that could tear apart six inches of armor at ranges of 2,000 meters, the Sherman’s two inches of protection stood no chance against the German behemoth.

Two more Allied tanks exploded, and the advancing Canadian infantry was neutralized by the quick bursts of the Tiger’s MG 34 machine guns.
Desperation quickly spread among the Allies as the enemy tank approached them. Standing 10 feet tall and with a length of 24 feet, the vehicle was utterly unknown to them.

Two Shermans opened fire, only to realize their 76-millimeter guns only scratched the sloped armor of the colossus’s protection that was more than 150 millimeters thick.

Unflinching, the King Tiger charged. It was its combat debut, and the crew would make sure the tank’s reputation spread among the Allies.

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