SS Panzer Battalion 501: Tigers in the Ardennes

The Peiper Kampfgruppe was the spearhead of the 6th Panzer Army and is known for its actions in the Ardennes. This study reconstructs the facts and explains why the Tiger tank battalion N 501 survived the Battle of the Bulge, including a summary of confrontations, a history of the unit, and a tank-by-tank analysis of the causes of destruction.

Format: Hardback
Length: 184 pages
Publication date: 04 September 2023
Publisher: Pen & Sword Books Ltd

The Peiper Kampfgruppe, a formidable force within the 6th Panzer Army, has garnered significant attention for its actions on the Ardennes soil. While its actions during the engagements between Stavelot and La Gleize, as well as the formidable clash between its Tiger II tanks and American armored units, continue to captivate historians, the unit's performance during the Ardennes campaign remains a subject of intrigue. Despite boasting exceptional crews, including some of the most celebrated aces of the Panzerwaffe, and benefiting from the element of surprise, the Peiper Kampfgruppe faced a devastating defeat in the Ardennes. How could a vehicle considered one of the most powerful of the conflict suffer nearly 100 percent losses? In hindsight, can we label it a tactical failure? This comprehensive study, undertaken by a duo of Ardennes experts with extensive experience in this pivotal chapter of World War II, aims to reconstruct the facts and shed light on the reasons behind the survival of the Tiger tank battalion N 501 (schwere SS-Panzer Abteilung 501) during the Battle of the Bulge. The study encompasses a summary of the unit's confrontations, a detailed history of its formation, and a tank-by-tank analysis of the factors that led to the destruction of these formidable machines. In total, the authors uncovered sixteen distinct examples of the causes of destruction, providing a clear chronology of the unit's journey throughout the conflict. By examining the individual losses of these machines in the Ardennes, readers can trace the trajectory of the Peiper Kampfgruppe throughout the entirety of the war.

Weight: 704g
Dimension: 178 x 254 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781399056168