The formation of Panzer Group "Zander" German command threw their best efforts, but all of them were destroyed near Rostov-on-Don in just a few days, only one survived heavy tank "Tiger".
The first massive use of German heavy tanks "Tiger" refers to the top 1943 of the year. In the battle for Kharkov was attended by about 40 these steel monsters. However, in battles on the Eastern Front "Tigers" made its debut in the summer of 1942, When small batches started to enter the field portion.
It was about the number of games no more 3-5 pcs, so that the appearance of new tanks are not particularly affect the position of the front as a whole and had only local significance. In such a situation, "Tigers" was used as an emergency reserve and plugged them in the most dangerous holes on the front line.
In February 1943, Soviet troops completed the destruction of the German forces at Stalingrad. This victory was a turning point not only in the whole war, but also pose a threat even for a single boiler, much bigger. Army Group "A", advancing to the North Caucasus, risked losing land communication with the rear part of the advance and began to retreat to the Taman Peninsula. That's just the Soviet troops rapidly went from Stalingrad to Rostov, and threatened to outstrip the enemy.
For. To somehow slow down the Red Army, Rostov under Wehrmacht pulled all, that was on the move and formed a group "Zander". The situation was so desperate, that the 503rd Heavy Panzer Battalion was divided into pieces and place along the line of defense. This practice was not typical for Germans, Battalion has always acted as an independent combat unit, which improves efficiency. As part of the 503rd were up to 8 "Tigers", which are also divided.
In the first phase a new tactic paid off. for example, in one battle group of "tigers", Pz III and Pz IV has lined dozen American "Sherman", which it was equipped with one of the Soviet troops. However, with the arrival of all new units of the Red Army tank isolated small groups have become vulnerable. 8 February horse artillery battery of senior lieutenant Dmitry Peskov ambushed a German convoy, consisted of 16 tanks and armored personnel carriers of the "Zander". During the battle 6 enemy vehicles were destroyed, others retreated.
Situation was critical, but the task set has not yet been made. A last-ditch attempt to delay the Soviet advance was made 10 February. Remnants of the group "Zander", ridge which made survived four "Tiger", night moved to the counter. The onset conducted towards the farm Semerniki, where German column was crushed eve gunners Peskova.
In the morning the tanks reached the predetermined position, and expected to easily defeat the cavalry stood there. That's just turned, that by the time arrived in Semerniki dozen Soviet T-34-76. On the progress of the battle can be seen in the story of Lieutenant Zabel, commander of the only surviving "Tiger".
Source photo: wikipedia.org
According to the German officer, I flew in the first tank 76 mm ingot "tridtsatchetvorki", and then opened fire, all Soviet units - tanks, 45-mm cannon cavalry, anti-tank riflemen and machine gunners with PTRD. Very accurately distinguished gunners, that at the very beginning of the battle the two well-aimed shots smashed commander's cupola. After a few minutes from the machine gun worked queue smoke bombs, and thick acrid veil clouded tank. After a couple more bombs hit radio out of order.
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The crew completely lost control of the situation and hit almost at random. However, smoke concealed tank, that prevented the Soviet soldiers and shoot at vulnerable sites "Tiger". Soon another stray slug flew into the mask, then the weapon jammed. With this injury was only one thing - to retreat.
Before starting positions "Tiger" went its course. The gearbox was damaged, a fire starting in the engine fuel system injury, cannon shot seriously damaged the leading compactor, but the car was crawling. The crew almost daily overcame 60 kilometers, the benefit of the tank went on the territory controlled by the Germans. Just getting to the group "Zander" command Zabel learned, that no group in general does not exist - from the Soviet trap broke only his tank.
On examination, the Germans counted on "Tiger" more 250 hit: 227 from anti-tank rifles, 15 from "sorokopyatok" gunners and 11 of 76-mm guns, "tridtsatchetvorok".
