Abandoned Tiger II of Panzer-Abteilung 503

abandonedtigeriiofpanzerabteilung5033.jpg

This Tiger II was already broken down and was being towed to safety by a Bergepanther before being caught up by the Allied advance and abandoned by the Germans. This was the fate of much of the German heavy armour, tanks such as the Tiger and Tiger II were as often a victim of mechanical falure and lack of fuel as enemy action.

This Tiger II was abandoned outside Vimoutiers on the N816 road (today the D916).

A series of pictures taken by a Canadian photographer.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/503rd_heavy_tank_battalion_(Germany)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiger_II

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bergepanther#Derived_vehicles