First detailed account of the battle in which one of the world's most famous tanks was captured has finally been told
The first detailed account of the battle in which one of the world's most famous tanks was captured has finally been told.
Germany’s feared Tiger tank was one of the most formidable machines during the Second World War due to its thick armour and powerful 88mm gun – meaning it could pick off Allied tanks at distance.
During the North African campaign in 1943 Tiger 131 was captured intact by the British and provided valuable intelligence to the Allies about its construction.
The tank is the only fully operational Tiger tank surviving today and now resides at The Tank Museum in Bovington, Dorset.
In more recent times it has become famous for featuring in the Brad Pitt Hollywood blockbuster ‘Fury’.
Dale Oscroft has researched the Battle of Gueriat el Atach, which was one of the most important actions in the fall of Tunisia and the Nazi surrender in North Africa.
During intense fighting, his father John fired his anti-tank Piat weapon at the side of an approaching Tiger tank which was advancing on positions held by his battalion, the 2nd Sherwood Foresters.
To his dismay, the projectile bounced off harmlessly.
Fearing the worst as the turret began to turn towards him, he was relieved to see the tank disabled by an armour piercing round which jammed the turret.
The crew then abandoned the tank, which was then captured by the British.
Mr Oscroft said: “My father had mentioned an action in which the Foresters captured a Tiger tank in Tunisia after its turret had been jammed.
“But it was only when I was on holiday in Dorset in 2012 and saw Tiger 131 on a visit to the Tank Museum that I thought it might be connected.
“The Tiger had been captured in Tunisia after sustaining a jammed turret, but the account of the action placed it some 10 miles away from where the Foresters had fought.
“Subsequently, my research revealed the true circumstances of its capture, confirming that it was indeed the same tank my father had tried to knock out.
Senior historian Stuart Wheeler, of The Tank Museum, said: “The story of Tiger 131 has changed over the years as more details were discovered.
“Dale, with meticulous research, has now contextualised the capture of this tank, which is the most famous in the world.”