The German Waffenamt issued an order to design the VK4501(H) (as the PzKpfw VI Ausf. E was then known) in May 1941, just one month prior to the commencement of Operation Barbarossa. Interestingly, Henschel und Sohn of Kassel was charged with building the heavily armored chassis while Krupp, by far the largest munitionwerks in Germany, was given the task of developing the turret. The PzKpfw VI Ausfuhrung E (type E) was one of the first German tanks to feature a torsion bar with eight interleaved wheels, which was designed to support the weight of the mammoth 57-ton tank. The Ausf. E mounted a huge 8.8cm KwK36 L/56 cannon and featured two MG34 machine guns for close support against enemy infantry. By war's end, 1,354 vehicles had been produced, some rolling off the Wegmann assembly line.

Dragon Armor's newest 1/72 scale model (Item No.60543) depicts one of these mighty Tiger I tanks, in this case a Late-Production version. It is presented in the markings of 2.Kompanie of schwere SS Panzerabteilung 101, a unit attached to the elite 1.SS Panzer Division "LSSAH". Originally formed on July 19th, 1943, sSSPzAbt. 101 fought against Allied troops after the Normandy landings of June 6th, 1944. This crack assault battalion possessed some 45 Tiger I tanks, and despite fighting bravely it eventually lost nearly all of them. This exciting Dragon Armor item has a readymade Zimmerit coating applied with a masters touch to give a fine scale appearance. It is also dressed in a three-color camouflage scheme. This Tiger I from the famous unit is bound to score a direct hit with armor collectors. Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Length: 4-1/2-inches
Width: 2-1/4-inches

Release Date: March 2012

Historical Account: "Prelude to Battle" - In April 1944, the LSSAH's Tiger Company was transferred to the SS Heavy Panzer Battalion 101. This battalion was assigned to the I SS Panzer Corps and was never permanently attached to any division or regiment within the corps. Wittmann commanded the 2nd Company of the battalion and held the rank of SS-Obersturmfhrer (first lieutenant). Following the Allied Invasion of Normandy, the battalion was ordered to move from Beauvais to Normandy on June 7th, a move that was completed on June 12th after a five day road march.

Due to the Anglo-American advances from Gold and Omaha Beachs, the German 352.Infanterie Division began to buckle; as it withdrew south, it opened up a 7.5-mile (12.1 km) wide gap in the German lines near Caumont-l'vent. Sepp Dietrich ordered his only reserve, the Heavy SS-Panzer Battalion 101, to position itself behind the Panzer-Lehr-Division and 12.SS Panzer Division Hitlerjugend to cover his open left flank. Anticipating the importance the British would assign to the high ground near Villers-Bocage, Wittmann's company was positioned near the town.

The British 7th Armoured Division was ordered to exploit the gap in the German lines and capture Villers-Bocage and a nearby ridge, Point 213. The British occupied the town and ridge during the morning of June 13th. Wittmann's company consisted of five tanks, of which two were damaged. He was surprised to discover the British in the Villers-Bocage area much sooner than had been expected. He later stated:

"I had no time to assemble my company; instead I had to act quickly, as I had to assume that the enemy had already spotted me and would destroy me where I stood. I set off with one tank and passed the order to the others not to retreat a single step but to hold their ground."