- Chapter 12 -
In June of 1940 a general order was issued that stipulated all Panzers were to be painted Dunkelgrau (dark grey). This order was still in effect when the Tigers were initially deployed in August 1942. The very first Tiger I’s were painted dark grey and as such are usually easy to identify in photographs.
In areas where winter camouflage was needed, the crews applied whitewash. When spring arrived, the crews had to scrub the whitewash off, which was a tedious, labour intensive chore.
In February 1943, a general order came down to change the base coat from dark grey to tan (Dunkelgelb nach Muster). Crews were issued cans of red brown (Rotbraun) and dark olive green (Olivgruen) to use in creating camouflage patterns over the basic tan colouration.
Some tigers were coated with the Zimmerit anti-magnetic mine coating starting in July 1943. This paste was applied in recognizable grooved patterns and the paint was applied over the top of the coating. Vehicles coated with Zimmerit have a distinctive rough look to their surface.
Camouflage patterns varied from unit to unit, as did the placement and colouring of the vehicle numbers. In addition to good camouflage the tanks themselves required close protection from infantry squads at all times.
A Tiger I painted in the original factory Dunkelgrau deployed on the Northern sector in January 1943.
THE CONTEMPORARY VIEW NO. 14
USE OF A F Vs IN NORTH AFRICA
(a) A POW has described how riflemen with MGs were employed for the protection of tanks when in harbour. On the following morning they were withdrawn from this task for rest and in preparation for other duties.
(b) A POW reports that German tanks were always able to intercept Allied radio traffic, on one occasion obtaining in this way an exact location. Pz. Kw. VI were immediately detailed to engage.
(c) Voluntary destruction of tanks. On 5th December 1942 the following orders were issued by OC 8 Pz. Regiment: “Tanks may be blown up in the following circumstances only:
(i) If the tank cannot be moved
(ii) If the enemy is attacking, and then only,
(iii) If the tank has defended itself to its last round.
The Commander responsible for issuing the order to blow up the tank must make a report to R H Q detailing the circumstances”.
(d) Another report describes as ‘typical’ a case in which a large concentration of tanks was observed opposite one area on our front, small parties of which were observed ‘tapping’ along our front, halting to fire from about 2,000 yards.
(e) On another occasion another report describes how an estimated total of 50 German tanks put in a counter-attack in the early evening in two groups, each under smoke cover.
The radio operator from the Tigerfibel.