501. sPzAbt

PzKw VI Tiger I early production, Tunisia, January 1943. Camouflage is RAL8000 sand brown (the 1941 DAK color). The 501st had been earmarked for Rommel in Egypt but by the time the Battalion was ready to be shipped events in North Africa had changed dramatically. In November 1942 the 501st began to transport to Tunisia to face the Allied landings in Algeria and Morrocco. By the end of December 2 companies had arrived (the 3rd company remained in Sicily as reserve). The Tigers operated in battles against the Allies in Tunisia until the Axis surrender in May 1943 with all Tigers destroyed and all surviving crews taken prisoner. The 501st would be reformed on the Eastern front late 1943. 

PzKw VI Tiger I early production, Tunisia, January 1943. Camouflage is RAL8000 sand brown (the 1941 DAK color). The 501st had been earmarked for Rommel in Egypt but by the time the Battalion was ready to be shipped events in North Africa had changed dramatically. In November 1942 the 501st began to transport to Tunisia to face the Allied landings in Algeria and Morrocco. By the end of December 2 companies had arrived (the 3rd company remained in Sicily as reserve). The Tigers operated in battles against the Allies in Tunisia until the Axis surrender in May 1943 with all Tigers destroyed and all surviving crews taken prisoner. The 501st would be reformed on the Eastern front late 1943. 

PzKw III AusF N, 501st sPzAbt, Tunisia, December 1942. The 1942 TO&E for Tiger battalions included PzKw III's and Tiger tanks. This was largely due to shortages of Tiger tanks. These medium tanks were tasked with providing flank protection and fire support against non-armored targets. By mid 1943 this doctrine was dropped in favor of all Tiger Tank TO&E.  

PzKw III AusF N, 501st sPzAbt, Tunisia, December 1942. The 1942 TO&E for Tiger battalions included PzKw III's and Tiger tanks. This was largely due to shortages of Tiger tanks. These medium tanks were tasked with providing flank protection and fire support against non-armored targets. By mid 1943 this doctrine was dropped in favor of all Tiger Tank TO&E.  

PzKw III AusF N, 501st sPzAbt, Tunisia, December 1942. The 1942 TO&E for Tiger battalions included PzKw III's and Tiger tanks. This was largely due to shortages of Tiger tanks. These medium tanks were tasked with providing flank protection and fire support against non-armored targets. By mid 1943 this doctrine was dropped in favor of all Tiger Tank TO&E.