Life Inside The Tiger Tank

Summary

This video delves into the history of the Tiger 1 tank, a formidable force in WWII, highlighting its engineering and the experiences of its crews. It explores the tank's design, which required a crew of five, and the rigorous training they underwent. The video also touches on the harsh realities of war, the importance of crew camaraderie, and the challenges faced during combat and recovery missions. Sponsored by War Thunder, a game offering a realistic combat experience with detailed damage mechanics, viewers can virtually command the Tiger 1 and other historical vehicles.

Takeaways

• 🎥 The video discusses the Tiger 1 tank's reputation and its role in World War II, highlighting its technical complexity and the expertise of its crews.
• 🐯 The Tiger 1, with its 88mm gun and thick armor, was a symbol of German military engineering and a formidable force on the battlefield.
• 👥 Despite their legendary status, Tiger tank crews faced the harsh realities of war, with experiences often marked by hardship rather than glory.
• 🚀 The video is sponsored by War Thunder, a comprehensive vehicle combat game that allows players to command the Tiger 1 and over 2,500 other vehicles.
• 🎮 War Thunder features realistic damage mechanics and an x-ray view, providing an immersive experience for operating historical war machines.
• 🛠 The Tiger tank was developed in response to the need for a heavy tank to counter Soviet KV-1s and T-34s, which outclassed German tanks at the time.
• 🔧 The Tiger 1 was mechanically complex and required a crew of five, with specialized roles that contributed to its effectiveness in combat.
• 🏆 Tiger tank crews were selected from the best of the German military, often having prior experience and undergoing rigorous training.
• ⚔️ In combat, Tiger tanks were used in independent heavy formations and were particularly effective in defensive roles.
• 🛣️ The Tiger's weight and maintenance demands often led to operational challenges, especially in harsh terrains like the Eastern front.
• 🧳 Life for Tiger tank crews was demanding, with constant maintenance and the need for vigilance, even during downtime and recovery missions.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video script?

The main topic of the video script is the historical account and operational experiences of the Tiger 1 tank and its crews during World War II, with a focus on the game War Thunder which allows players to virtually operate this iconic vehicle.

What was the Tiger 1 tank known for during World War II?

The Tiger 1 tank was known for its impressive 88 mm gun, exceptionally thick armor, and the prowess of the soldiers who operated it. It achieved a formidable reputation on the battlefield.

How did the Tiger 1 tank's design impact its crews' experiences?

The Tiger 1 tank's design, with its complex machinery and high maintenance demands, resulted in a challenging operational experience for its crews. The tank was manned by a crew of five, each with specialized roles, which allowed for quick and efficient communication and operation.

What was the training process like for Tiger tank crews?

Training for Tiger tank crews was long, arduous, and rigorous. It involved months of familiarization with the tank, tactical exercises, and the use of a comprehensive manual. Crews were selected from the best graduates of Germany's tank training schools.

How did the Tiger 1 tank perform in different combat scenarios?

The Tiger 1 tank was highly effective in defensive roles but also had issues with maneuverability and vision. It excelled in groups, but its weight and maintenance demands were problematic in certain terrains like the Leningrad front.

What were the living conditions like for Tiger tank crews?

Living conditions for Tiger tank crews varied depending on the climate and deployment location. They could be harsh, with crews sometimes having to live in the tank for weeks at a time, enduring discomfort and lack of hygiene.

How did the Tiger 1 tank's armor protect its crews?

The Tiger 1 tank's thick armor was generally strong enough to survive many hits, providing a significant level of protection. However, it was still vulnerable to artillery projectiles and rockets from above.

What was the role of communication within Tiger tank crews?

Communication was crucial within Tiger tank crews, both among the crew members and with other tanks. It was vital for coordinating movements, sharing observations, and ensuring the tank was ready to fire quickly and efficiently.

How did the Tiger 1 tank's design affect its maintenance?

The Tiger 1 tank's design was complex and required regular and careful maintenance. Breakdowns and immobilization were common, especially due to its high maintenance demands and the need for specialized recovery efforts.

What was the impact of the Tiger 1 tank on the morale of its crews?

The Tiger 1 tank boosted the morale of its crews due to its perceived invincibility and the sense of safety it provided. However, the harsh realities of war and the challenges of operating the tank could also lead to frustration and tension.

How did the Tiger 1 tank crews handle downtime and rest?

Downtime for Tiger tank crews was often filled with maintenance tasks and staying alert for potential attacks. Real rest was difficult to come by, and any downtime could be abruptly interrupted by combat or other emergencies.

Outlines

00:00

🐯 Introduction to the Tiger 1 Tank and War Thunder

The paragraph introduces the Tiger 1 tank, highlighting its formidable reputation during World War II due to its technical complexity and the expertise of its crews. It emphasizes the tank's survivability and the historical significance of its commanders. The paragraph transitions into a promotion for War Thunder, a comprehensive vehicle combat game that allows players to command the Tiger 1 and over 2,500 other vehicles. The game is praised for its realistic graphics, sound effects, and detailed damage mechanics, which contribute to an immersive experience. The video is sponsored by War Thunder, and a discount code is offered to viewers.

05:00

🛠️ The Development and Crew Experience of the Tiger Tank

This section delves into the development of the Tiger tank as a response to the need for a heavier German tank to counter Soviet armor. It discusses the tank's mechanical complexity, high maintenance demands, and the crew's experience. The Tiger was manned by a crew of five, each with specialized roles, which contributed to its effectiveness. The paragraph also touches on the training process for Tiger crews, emphasizing the rigorous selection and training procedures. It contrasts the Allies' view of the tank's conditions with the German crews' perception of the tank as spacious, comfortable, and safe. The powerful 88 mm gun and thick armor are highlighted as key features that made the Tiger a formidable weapon.

10:02

🎖️ Life and Training of Tiger Tank Crews

Paragraph 3 focuses on the life and training of Tiger tank crews. It describes the rigorous training process, including time at the main training center at Pötzling and the use of the 'Tiger Primer' manual. The paragraph highlights the camaraderie among crew members and the importance of unit cohesion. It also discusses the deployment of Tiger tanks in various theaters of war, their use in independent heavy formations, and the challenges they faced, such as maneuverability and visibility issues. The paragraph concludes with anecdotes about life in the field, including the maintenance demands of the tanks and the crews' need to be constantly alert.

15:03

❄️ Harsh Realities and Camaraderie of Tiger Tank Crews

This paragraph explores the harsh realities of life for Tiger tank crews, including the discomfort and dangers they faced during deployment. It describes the conditions on the Leningrad front, where crews had to endure freezing temperatures and the challenges of maintaining their tanks in such an environment. The paragraph also touches on the importance of camaraderie among crew members, the impact of injuries and death on the unit, and the strong bonds that formed between them. It concludes with a mention of post-war reunions and the lasting bonds between the men who served inside the Tiger tanks.

20:05

🌐 The Legacy of the Tiger Tank Crews

The final paragraph summarizes the legacy of the Tiger tank crews, emphasizing the lasting bonds formed between the men who served in these tanks. It suggests that despite the harsh and dangerous conditions they faced, the experiences inside the Tiger tanks created strong connections that persisted after the war. The paragraph reinforces the theme of camaraderie and the enduring impact of their service.

Keywords

💡Tiger 1 Tank

The Tiger 1 Tank, also known as the Panzerkampfwagen VI Tiger Ausf. E, was a German heavy tank deployed during World War II. It was renowned for its formidable 88 mm gun and exceptionally thick armor, which provided high survivability on the battlefield. The video script highlights the Tiger 1's engineering prowess and its role as a symbol of German military power. The tank's complexity and the expertise of its crews contributed to its legendary status, despite the harsh realities of war that the crews faced.

💡Armchair History

Armchair History refers to the act of studying or discussing historical events from a comfortable, often passive, position, such as from one's home. In the context of the video, it likely refers to the channel or platform where the video is hosted, suggesting a focus on historical content that viewers can enjoy from their own armchairs. The video script mentions 'Armchair History TV' and 'armchair historian exclusives,' indicating a series or collection of videos dedicated to historical topics.

💡War Thunder

War Thunder is a comprehensive vehicle combat game that allows players to engage in battles using a wide array of military vehicles from different eras. The game is mentioned in the script as the sponsor of the video, and it emphasizes the game's detailed damage mechanics and realistic portrayal of war machines, including the Tiger 1 Tank. The video suggests that playing War Thunder can offer an immersive experience of historical combat, complementing the educational content provided by the video.

💡Eastern Front

The Eastern Front was the theater of war between the Axis and Allied forces during World War II, primarily involving Germany and the Soviet Union. The video script mentions the Tiger 1's deployment on the Eastern Front, highlighting the tank's introduction in response to the need for heavier armor to counter Soviet tanks like the KV-1 and T-34. The harsh conditions and intense battles on this front are central to the narrative of the Tiger 1's service history.

💡Crew

In the context of the video, 'crew' refers to the team of soldiers who operated the Tiger 1 Tank. The script emphasizes the importance of the crew's experience and training, as well as the division of roles within the tank, such as the commander, driver, radio operator, loader, and gunner. The video describes how these crews were selected from the best of the German military and underwent rigorous training, illustrating the human element behind the operation of such a complex machine.

💡Maintenance

Maintenance is a recurring theme in the video script, referring to the upkeep and repair work required to keep the Tiger 1 Tank operational. The video mentions the high maintenance demands of the tank, which was both expensive and complex. This aspect of the Tiger 1's service is contrasted with the need for regular and careful maintenance after battles, highlighting the challenges faced by the crews in ensuring the tank's readiness for combat.

💡Combat Experience

The video script provides insights into the combat experiences of Tiger 1 tank crews, emphasizing the intense, fast-paced, and chaotic nature of tank warfare. It discusses how crews had to rely on quick thinking and communication to survive, and how the realities of the battlefield often deviated from strategic plans. The script also touches on the psychological impact of combat, such as the adrenaline-fueled experiences and the sense of camaraderie among crew members.

💡Training

Training is a key concept in the video, detailing the rigorous and extensive preparation that Tiger 1 tank crews underwent. The script mentions the training at Panzer schools, where future crew members learned about the tank's technology and preventive maintenance. It also describes the process of familiarization with the tank, which took months and included combat and tactical exercises, as well as the issuance of a detailed manual to aid in understanding the tank's operation.

💡Camaraderie

Camaraderie refers to the close friendships and mutual trust that developed among the tank crews, which is a significant theme in the video. The script illustrates how these bonds were formed through shared experiences, both in training and in combat, and how they were crucial for the crews' morale and effectiveness. It also discusses the impact of injuries and deaths on these close-knit groups, highlighting the emotional depth of the relationships among the crew members.

💡Recovery Missions

Recovery missions, as mentioned in the video script, were operations to retrieve immobilized or lost tanks, often under enemy fire. The script describes the challenges and risks associated with these missions, such as towing tanks at night and the potential for human error. It also reflects on the crews' preference for recovery over destruction, indicating the value placed on the tanks and the bonds with their machines.

💡Technological Advancement

Technological advancement is a concept that underpins the video's discussion of the Tiger 1 Tank and its role in World War II. The script contrasts the initial superiority of the Tiger 1 with the technological catch-up by enemy forces, leading to a more balanced battlefield. It also touches on the tank's complex engineering, highlighting the cutting-edge technology of the time and its impact on the crew's experiences and the tank's performance.

Highlights

The Tiger 1 tank achieved a formidable reputation during World War II.

Its technical complexity and engineering required for operation matched the prowess of the soldiers who manned it.

The highly survivable Tiger benefited from having the most experienced crews.

The Tiger 1 had an impressive 88 mm gun and exceptionally thick armor.

War Thunder is a comprehensive vehicle combat game featuring over 2,500 tanks, planes, helicopters, and ships.

Players can immerse themselves in intense combat with detailed vehicles and realistic graphics.

War Thunder's damage mechanics assign damage to vehicle crew and components, not just hit points.

Tiger tank crews were selected from the best of the German military.

Crew training for the Tiger was long, arduous, and rigorous.

Tigers were used in independent heavy formations during breakthrough operations.

The Tiger's weight and high maintenance demands were problematic in certain terrains.

Tiger tank crews had to rely on neighboring tanks for direction during combat.

The Tiger's armor was generally thick enough to meet demands and provide protection.

Tiger tank crews experienced the harsh realities of war, not just glory.

The Tiger's offensive value contributed to its legendary reputation.

Combat in the Tiger was fast-paced, chaotic, and precarious.

Tigers were expensive and valuable, so the German Army made efforts to recover them.

Life around Tigers was always dangerous, even outside of combat.

Crews had to be able to rely on one another to make the tank feasible as a weapon.

After the war, soldiers sought to stay in touch with their old comrades.

Transcripts

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month the Tiger 1 achieved a formidable

reputation throughout the second world

war its technical complexity coupled

with the engineering required to keep it

operational was matched by the prowess

of the soldiers who manned it the highly

survivable tiger benefited from having

the most experienced Crews some of whom

would go down as the most successful

tank commanders in history but despite

their both famous and Infamous

reputation the average tiger crew

Frontline experiences were dominated not

by Glory but by the harsh realities of

war with an impressive 88 mm gun and

exceptionally thick armor the Tiger 1

tank was a pinnacle of German military

engineering when it arrived on the

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Days of premium account in the first

years of the second world war Germany

saw impressive success with their

lighter tanks like the Panzer 2 and

three dominating battlefields with Speed

and Agility however by 1941 the Third

Reich needed a much heavier tank to

achieve its strategic goals this led to

to the development of the Tiger tank a

new tank that profoundly shaped the

experiences of the crew inside shortly

after the invasion of the Soviet Union

began in June

1941 German commanders in the field were

shocked by the heavy Soviet kv1s and

medium t-34s which outclass many of the

Vermont's own tanks during the Battle of

rasai in the first week of operation

Barbarosa entire Panzer battalions and

anti-tank companies were overrun by

Soviet KV tanks the military urgently

needed a heavy tank to outclass Soviet

armor the tank that would ultimately fit

this Niche was mechanically formidable

despite having a greater ease of

Maintenance than its competing variants

the tiger was a complex machine that was

both expensive to produce and difficult

to operate this complexity and high

maintenance demand would play a large

role in the experience of its

Crews these tanks were notably manned by

a crew of five rather than the standard

fourman crews in order to give its Crews

more focused roles in the turret the

loader and Gunner sat directly next to

the gun with the commander right behind

them the driver and radio operator were

in the front of the hole as the eyes of

the tiger the commander had a very

dangerous job when they exposed their

heads to observe their surrounding

situation they became targets for enemy

Sharpshooters however their position was

vital Memoirs stress how important it

was for officers to move with open

hatches during positional Warfare they

observed the situation while the other

four ensured that the tiger was

positioned aligned and ready to fire

quick and efficient communication

naturally played an enormous role within

and between tiger

Crews although the Allies described the

conditions in the tiger as uncomfortable

and Spartan German Crews held a very

different view they considered the tank

spacious comfortable and above all safe

the thick armor especially in the front

was strong enough to survive quite a few

hits while the powerful 88 mm Cannon

could do its task and obliterate nearly

any tank the Allies had available

especially early in the

war Tiger tank Crews were specifically

selected from the cream of the crop of

the German military the first Crews for

the new tanks were often officers with

Frontline experience in the early stages

of the war only the best were selected

for deployment Crews were supposed to be

the top graduates from Germany's tank

training schools or Panzer schulen where

students visit visited production sites

to learn more about its technology and

preventative

maintenance training for future crew

members was long and arduous although

education varied per Soldier the

duration intensity and rigorous

selection procedures were common threads

one soldier who joined a tiger crew via

the vafin SS first underwent the SS

strict selection criteria followed by 4

months of infantry training and only

then became part of a Panzer unit

alternatively soldiers could find their

way to the tiger through a basic

infantry course and then join as a

volunteer for the Panzer Corp soldiers

generally weren't trained for Tigers

instead they learned the ropes through

older tanks like the Panzer 3 or the

38t despite practicing in older models

the training itself was intense it took

months for Crews to get familiar with

their tank the main Training Center was

at potbor which offered diverse courses

including combat training for individual

tanks and tactical exercises for platoon

and companies to accommodate their

training students were issued the tiger

primer an 88-page easyto read manual

which was filled with lims and risque

drawings that appealed to the young men

during training soldiers inside the

Tigers got closely familiar with each of

of their fellow crew members tankers

mentioned even before we were supposed

to get our Tigers I had become very

tight with those guys it was as if I had

always been with them sometimes existing

battalions were ordered to convert

themselves into a heavy tank Battalion

boosting morale and unit cohesion

despite strict and intense training

regimes there were Carefree moments too

on free afternoons soldiers got to drive

around freely often mingling with

civilians in The Villages that they were

stationed

in after their training the experienced

Crews would be shipped out to various

theaters of the war starting with the

Leningrad front in the summer of

1942 in general the tanks were used in

independent heavy formations during

breakthrough operations a tiger

Battalion consisted of roughly 60 Tigers

spread out over five

companies Tigers were most efficient in

groups fighting this way accounted for

some of the major vulnerabilities in the

tank especially regarding

maneuverability and vision commanders

couldn't see directly behind their

moving tanks and risked getting stuck

while moving backwards as drivers were

blindsided in any direction other than

Ford thus Crews relied on neighboring

tanks for direction via radio during

combat Tigers swiftly distinguished

themselves as defensive powerhouses but

Cruz also experienced the design

shortcomings of the Tiger on the

Leningrad front its weight and high

maintenance demands proved problematic

Tigers were constantly bogged down and

immobilized by the unsuitable terrain

and harsh cold situations like this made

them sitting ducks against the

Relentless pounding of Soviet anti-tank

guns which made it all the more

relieving to find that their armor

proved too formidable for many Soviet

guns to penetrate although the armor of

the tiger varied throughout their

production the thickness was generally

more than able to meet demands despite

impressive metrics and the impression of

protection Crews were definitely not

guaranteed safety for instance artillery

projectiles and Rockets did still manage

to penetrate the Tiger's hole from above

leaving the crew inside at the risk of

serious

injury while the defensive prowess of

the tiger is significant its offensive

value equally contributes to the Tank's

legendary reputation in general the

guidelines for Tiger crews in combat

were hit first but if you can't do that

at least shoot first in one incident

while the Tiger's Gunner was busy

shooting it out with Soviet anti-tank

guns the commander looked to the left to

discover that a t34 had outmaneuvered

the tiger behind him quick action by the

the first Tank's Commander allowed him

to radio the threatened tank which

turned around and took out the t34 in

one clear

hit the experience inside a tiger during

combat was one of pure adrenaline one

Lieutenant describes his experience all

crew members nerves were Frid we lost

our sense of time we felt neither hungry

nor any other needs despite the fact

that the attack lasted for more than 6

hours all the men in the tank felt the

time had gone by in a flash tank combat

was fast-paced chaotic and precarious a

single moment of losing focus could mean

the end even inside the well- armored

and Powerful Tigers combat was tense and

action-packed despite all the planning

the realities of the front line were

often chaotic and operations regularly

went wrong sometimes this resulted from

strategic mistakes and Leadership

failures in the AFF forementioned

incident while the tank Crews were in a

precarious fight for their lives the

company Commander was listening to radio

traffic and drinking schnaps for every

Soviet kill announced instead of sending

reinforcements naturally these behaviors

infuriated the tank Crews on the front

line complications arose from harsh

terrain and intense maintenance demands

the tanks got stuck or broke down when

they deviated from the narrow trails and

corduroy roads that were safe to drive

on within the Soviet Union or suffered

from critical Hardware failure when they

were under fueled and undersupplied in

North Africa since Tigers were expensive

and valuable captures the German Army

would go through extensive efforts to

recover immobilized or lost tanks the

tanks were only blown up if recovery

really wasn't possible in order to avoid

Intelligence on them falling into Allied

hands

special recovery platoon had the

unenviable task to tow immobilized tanks

under enemy fire with 18 ton Prime

movers which they generally did at night

this too was prone to human error in one

incident the driver of the towing

vehicle was drunk during a recovery

Mission which nearly caused another tank

to be bogged down although recovery

efforts were nerve-wracking many crews

preferred that over destroying their

tiger one crew even stayed with their

vehicle for over 30 hours until it could

be recovered

safely outside of combat and Recovery

missions there was little downtime for

the tiger crews in the field the tank

demanded regular and careful maintenance

after a long battle the crew could not

sit back they had to conduct repairs and

clean along with hauling gasoline and

Munitions to the tank real rest was hard

to come by as Crews always had to be

alert for attacks and ambushes or Air

Raids these tanks mainly moved at night

to evade Allied bombers but just as they

were harder to spot for the enemy the

enemy itself was also far more difficult

to see furthermore any semblance of

downtime could abruptly and chaotically

come to an end during the battle of v

bokage the second company of the SS

heavy tank Battalion 101 were supposed

to stand by for an eventual enemy attack

but we're surprised when British armored

units suddenly rolled by their position

completely oblivious to the Germans the

company's Commander acted quickly since

he believed that the Brits knew his

location and were moving in to destroy

him he set off with a single tank alone

and surprised the British column he

destroyed portions of the lead British

Tank Company the Infantry company the

regimental headquarters element and

portions of the reconnaissance

troop although he had to abandon his

tank when it got disabled after it was

hit with an anti-tank gun this story

demonstrates the importance of quick

thinking and the chaotic realities of

Tiger tank life the comfort of

bivouacking in and around a tiger

depended heavily on the climate

circumstances of where the Tigers were

deployed the temperate conditions of

Normandy painted a considerably

different picture from the Frozen cold

of the Leningrad front or the scorching

heat and Dusty Sands of North Africa

Crews regularly had to live in a tank

for weeks at a time which was not much

to shout home about for example if there

was no option soldiers would have to

relieve themselves inside their tanks to

avoid exposing themselves to enemy fire

the Leningrad front is illustrative of

the discomfort tiger Crews endured

moisture from the soldiers breath and

petroleum settled onto the tanks inner

walls when crew members fell asleep

against them they would wake up later

with their hair frozen to it this also

led to soldiers developing puracy and

Frostbite to warm up tank Crews would

burn petroleum lamps which started

smoking when the pressure on the wick L

up causing the tankers to be covered

with soot the rations smelt of oil and

gas and one tanker mentioned they hardly

changed their underwear that even the

lice were disgusted still while

conditions in the Tigers were void of

comfort and hygiene that's not to say

these were completely absent in the life

of a crew some veterans recall how they

used to receive four packages from Adolf

Hitler per month containing chocolate

cigarettes and cured sausages there were

occasional celebrations at command posts

after successful missions where entire

bottles of cognacs were dispensed for

every crew in the few quiet hours Crews

sang songs from their Hometown and when

the climate allowed it they cleaned

their clothes wrote letters enjoyed

extra food and played

soccer despite these Pleasures life

around Tigers was always dangerous even

outside of combat accidents happened

frequently sometimes even with deadly

outcomes one crew member had his right

leg trapped when the driver pinned him

between the tiger and an armored

personnel carrier fortunately for him he

wore multiple of clothing to protect

himself from the harsh winter which led

him to escape the ordeal with just a

stiff leg not all were so lucky though

when a tiger tank crew picked up

infantrymen during an evacuation the men

sat down above the cooling vent causing

many of them to die from carbon monoxide

poisoning accidents regularly occurred

with the original experienced crew

members of The Tiger by the end of the

war when less experienced men were

placed into the the tanks accidents and

mistakes became far more common due to a

lack of experience new commanders acted

too slow in battle and were too

aggressive or failed to recognize

imminent danger in those scenarios enemy

tanks which by now had technologically

caught up with the tiger easily

destroyed them experience and Trust were

pivotal in the lives of Tiger tank Crews

Crews had to be able to rely on one

another to make the tank even feasible

as a weapon the successful cooperation

between the driver radio operator Gunner

loader and Commander separated life from

Death even injured or sick crew members

proved especially unwilling to depart a

shared sense of Duty and camaraderie

caused soldiers to refuse to seek

medical treatment refusing to abandon

their company given the close

relationships crew members developed

with one another it's only natural that

injuries or death affected them greatly

one crew member recalls an incident

where his 18-year-old radio operator

lost his foot after a Soviet Mortor

shell penetrated the hatch near him

equally when they met again after the

war he mentions how happy he was to see

that the man had survive the intense

feelings of camaraderie and loyalty

could also breed frustration in the

aforementioned leg incident the affected

crew member describes how much he felt

like a ballast and that his crew members

couldn't do anything without him since

there were no Replacements although

tensions sometimes brewed beneath the

surface they had to be suppressed since

there was no alternative to accepting

the situation and remaining Vigilant at

all times as one Tiger Ace mentions in

his memoire men at the front don't hold

grudges thank you to War Thunder for

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time new and returning players that

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also receive a massive Bonus Pack across

all platforms including multiple premium

vehicles and other goodies After the War

soldiers regularly sought to contact

their old comrades to stay in touch men

from tank units coming from all over

Germany and Austria would organize

physical reunions some units continued

meeting each year while also remembering

their comrades who had not survived D

the second world war in any case it is

safe to say that life in a tiger tank as

harsh and dangerous as it was caused

lasting bonds between those men on the

inside of its thick steel hole