In recent years, a lot has been done to clear up the Sturmtiger’s combat history. With the publication of “Sturmtiger: The Combat History of Sturmmörser Kompanies 1000-1002”, we have for the first time a complete work in which all known Sturmtigers are extensively documented in both text and photos.
You can imagine my surprise, when I uncovered the images below, depicting a still unknown Sturmtiger during what appears to be a Vorführung neuer Waffen (demonstration of new weapons) – time and location unknown. They should not be mistaken for the demonstration of the Sturmtiger prototype given to Hitler at the Arys proving ground on 20 October 1943, as both the vehicle and background look distinctly different.
Although the picture quality leaves a lot to be desired, the typical ambush camouflage scheme is recognizable, which makes me believe the event probably took place in the fall of 1944. The scheme does not appear to match with any of the currently known Sturmtigers sporting a similar camouflage application, like the ones at Brumby, Menden or Ebendorf.
Even though hardly any details can be made out from these images, the shape of the barrel counterweight at the end of the stubby barrel is visible. During production the counterweight took various forms, but it appears the “final design” settled on a simple flame-cut ring around the barrel, like on the Ebendorf Sturmtiger which resided at the Panzermuseum Munster.
Another image from the same sequence gives a hint as to the location of the Sturmtiger photos. It shows a group of dignitaries attending the demonstration, with what appears to be the nose of an aeroplane in the background. It does not seem to have been very usual to demonstrate both aircraft and land vehicles during the same event.
The presence of planes, leads me to believe the location is Rechlin. From Karl-Otto Saur’s post-war notes1, we know such a mixed demonstration of planes and tanks was held on 1 December 1944. Saur gave the following description of the event.
Stichworte für die Rüstungskartei [translation by author]
- Dec. 1944
Armaments conference in Rechlin with chairmen of the armament and development commissions. Demonstration of new weapons, a.o.: 21 cm Granatwerfer, 12.8 cm gun, latest tanks and latest planes.
The weaponry described by Saur was indeed present at the same time as the Sturmtiger. Putting this into context, this would entail the Sturmtiger is likely to be one of the 10 that were assembled during October 1944.
Apart from the 21 cm mortar and anti-tank guns, tanks and tank destroyers were shown as well. We see the faint shape of a Jagdpanther and the bulk of a captured Russian ISU-152. Also notice the tower in the background of the Jagdpanther. This landmark may reveal more information about the location of said demonstration. So far, I have been unable to locate this tower in historical imagery. Let me know if you recognize it!
Bibliography
Footnotes
- Hauptdienstleiter of the Technisches amt in Speer’s Armaments ministry[↩]
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