View source for Sturmtiger

{{More footnotes needed|date=September 2011}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox weapon
| is_vehicle         = yes
| name               = {{lang|de|Sturmmörserwagen}} 606/4 {{lang|de|mit}} 38&nbsp;cm RW 61
| image              = File:Sturmtiger ’19 red’ (s-n 205543) – Patriot Museum, Kubinka (38240137396).jpg
| image_size         = 300
| caption            = A {{Lang|de|Sturmtiger}} on display at the [[Kubinka Tank Museum]] in Russia
| origin             = [[Nazi Germany]]
| type               = Heavy [[assault gun]]

<!-- Service history -->| service            = August 1944–1945
| used_by            = 
| wars               = [[World War II]]
| length             = {{convert|6.28|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| width              = {{convert|3.57|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| height             = {{convert|2.85|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| weight             = {{convert|68|t|ST LT|lk=on}}
| suspension         = [[torsion-bar]]
| speed              = {{convert|40|km/h|abbr=on}}
| fuel_capacity      = {{convert|540|L|abbr=on}}
| vehicle_range      = {{convert|120|km|abbr=on}}
| primary_armament   = 380 mm RW 61 rocket launcher L/5.4 <br/> (14 rounds)
| secondary_armament = 1x 7.92 mm MG 34
| armour             = max. 150 mm (superstructure front, at 47° from vertical) <br/> min. 62 mm
| engine             = [[Maybach HL230]] P45 [[V-12 engine|V-12]], water-cooled gasoline
| crew               = 5 <br/> driver <br/> radio operator <br/> loader <br/> 2nd loader <br/> commander / gunner
| engine_power       = 700 PS (690 hp, 515 kW)<ref name=AFVWW114 />
| pw_ratio           = 10.77 PS/tonne
<!-- Production history -->| designer           = [[Alkett]]
| design_date        = 1943–1944
| manufacturer       = Alkett
| production_date    = October 1943 – January 1945
| number             = 18 (using rebuilt [[Tiger I]] chassis)
| variants           = 
}}
{{title lang|de}}

{{langnf|de|'''Sturmtiger'''|Assault Tiger}} was a [[World War II]] [[Nazi Germany|German]] [[assault gun]] built on the [[Tiger I]] chassis and armed with a 380mm rocket-propelled mortar. The official German designation was '''{{lang|de|Sturmmörserwagen 606/4 mit 38&nbsp;cm RW 61}}'''. Its primary task was to provide heavy fire support for infantry units [[urban warfare|fighting in urban areas]]. The few vehicles produced fought in the [[Warsaw Uprising]], the [[Battle of the Bulge]] and the [[Operation Veritable|Battle of the Reichswald]]. The fighting vehicle was known by various informal names, among which the {{Lang|de|Sturmtiger}} became the most popular.

==Development==
The idea for a heavy infantry support vehicle capable of demolishing heavily defended buildings or fortified areas with a single shot came out of the experiences of the heavy urban fighting in the [[Battle of Stalingrad]] in 1942. At the time, the [[Wehrmacht]] had only the {{lang|de|[[Sturm-Infanteriegeschütz 33B]]}} available for destroying buildings, a {{lang|de|[[Sturmgeschütz III]]}} variant armed with a [[15 cm sIG 33]] heavy infantry gun. Twelve of them were lost in the fighting at Stalingrad. Its successor, the {{lang|de|[[Brummbär|Sturmpanzer IV]]}}, also known by Allies as {{lang|de|Brummbär}}, was in production from early 1943. This was essentially an improved version of the earlier design, mounting a StuH 43 L/12 gun of the same caliber on the [[Panzer IV]] chassis with greatly improved armour protection.

While greatly improved compared to the earlier models, by this time infantry anti-tank weapons were improving dramatically, and the Wehrmacht still saw a need for a similar, but more heavily armoured and armed vehicle. Therefore, a decision was made to create a new vehicle based on the Tiger tank and arm it with a 210&nbsp;mm [[howitzer]]. However, this weapon turned out not to be available at the time and was therefore replaced by a 380&nbsp;mm rocket launcher, which was adapted from a {{lang|de|[[Kriegsmarine]]}} [[depth charge]] launcher.

In September 1943 plans were made for [[Krupp]] to fabricate new Tiger I armoured hulls for the {{Lang|de|Sturmtiger}}. The Tiger I hulls were to be sent to [[Henschel & Son|Henschel]] for chassis assembly and then to [[Alkett]] where the superstructures would be mounted. The first prototype was ready and presented to [[Adolf Hitler]] in October 1943. Delivery of the first hulls would occur in December 1943, with the first three {{Lang|de|Sturmtiger}} completed by Alkett by 20 February 1944.

Due to delays, Hitler did not request production of the weapon until 19 April 1944; twelve superstructures and weapons would be prepared and mounted on rebuilt Tiger I chassis. The first three production series {{Lang|de|Sturmtiger}} were completed by Alkett in August 1944. Plans to complete an additional seven from 15 to 21 September 1944 were presented to Hitler in a conference on 18–20 August 1944. Ten {{Lang|de|Sturmtiger}} were produced in September, along with an additional five in December 1944.<ref name="Jentz 1999">Jentz 1999 {{Page needed|date=September 2010}}</ref>

Hitler had laid great importance on the special employment of the {{Lang|de|Sturmtiger}} and believed it would be necessary to produce at least 300 rounds of ammunition per month.<ref name="Jentz 1999"/>

==Design==
The {{Lang|de|Sturmtiger}} was based on the late model Tiger I, keeping its hull and suspension. The front of the Tiger's superstructure was removed to make room for the new fixed [[casemate]]-style fighting compartment housing the rocket launcher. This was located directly at the front of the vehicle, giving it a boxy appearance.

Compared to the Tiger tank, the {{Lang|de|Sturmtiger}} was much shorter overall, only {{convert|6.28|m|ftin|abbr=on}} compared to the Tiger's {{convert|8.45|m|ftin|abbr=on}}, due largely to the fact that it did not have the long main gun of the latter which protruded far in front of the hull. It also was slightly lower than the Tiger at {{convert|2.85|m|ftin|abbr=on}} compared to {{convert|3|m|ftin|abbr=on}}.

===Armour===
Since the {{Lang|de|Sturmtiger}} was intended for use in urban areas in close range street fighting, it needed to be heavily armoured to survive. Its sloped (at 47° from vertical) frontal armor therefore was {{convert|150|mm|in|abbr=on}} thick, while its superstructure side and rear plates were {{convert|82|mm|in|abbr=on}} thick.<ref name=AFVWW114>Livesey 2007, pp. 114–115.</ref> The hull front was {{convert|100|mm|in}} or {{convert|150|mm|in}} if it had an additional armor plate fitted. This pushed the weight of the vehicle up from the {{convert|57|t|ton|abbr=on}} of the Tiger I to {{convert|68|t|ton|abbr=on}}.

[[File:Scheme of Sturmtiger armour.svg|thumb|Armor layout of {{Lang|de|Sturmtiger}}]]
[[File:Sturmtiger frontal.jpg|thumb|right|{{Lang|de|Sturmtiger}} in the {{lang|de|[[Deutsches Panzermuseum]]}}. In the front is the main 380 mm caliber rocket-propelled projectile.]]
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour thickness
! Location
! Slope<br/>(angle from vertical)
|-
| 150&nbsp;mm
| superstructure front
| 47°
|-
| 150&nbsp;mm <br/>( 100&nbsp;mm)
| hull front <br/>(without the additional plate)
| 25°
|-
| 82&nbsp;mm
| superstructure side and rear<br/> upper hull side and rear
| 20°<br />none

|-
| 70&nbsp;mm
| hull front top
| 80°
|-
| 62&nbsp;mm
| lower hull front
| 65°
|-
| 62&nbsp;mm
| lower hull side<br />lower hull rear
| none<br />48°
|-
| 28&nbsp;mm
| hull floor
|-
|}

===Armament===
The main armament was the 380&nbsp;mm {{lang|de|Raketen-Werfer}} 61 L/5.4, a [[breech-loading]] barrel, which fired a short-range, rocket-propelled projectile roughly {{convert|1.5|m|ftin|abbr=on}} long. There were a variety of round types with a weight of up to {{convert|376|kg|lb|abbr=on}}, and a maximum range of up to {{convert|6000|m|abbr=on}}, which either contained a high explosive charge of {{convert|125|kg|lb|abbr=on}} or a [[shaped charge]] for use against fortifications, which could penetrate up to {{convert|2.5|m|ftin|abbr=on}} of reinforced concrete. The stated range of the former was {{convert|5650|m|yd|abbr=on}}. A normal charge first accelerated the projectile to {{convert|45|m/s|ft/s|abbr=on}}, the {{convert|40|kg|lb|abbr=on}} rocket charge then boosted this to about {{convert|250|m/s|ft/s|abbr=on}}.

The design of the rocket system caused some problems. The hot rocket exhaust could not be vented into the fighting compartment nor could the barrel withstand the pressure if the gasses were not vented. Therefore, a ring of ventilation shafts was put around the barrel which channeled the exhaust and gave the weapon something of a [[pepperbox]] appearance.

Due to the bulkiness of the ammunition, only fourteen rounds could be carried internally, of which one was already loaded, with another in the loading tray. The rest were carried in two storage racks. To help with the loading of ammunition into the vehicle, a loading crane was fitted at the rear of the superstructure next to the loading hatch. Even then, the entire five-man crew had to help with the loading.

It was intended that each {{Lang|de|Sturmtiger}} would be accompanied by an ammunition carrier built on the same Tiger I chassis, but only one carrier was completed.<ref name=AFVWW114 />

Located at the rear of the loading hatch was a {{lang|de|[[Nahverteidigungswaffe]]}} launcher which was used for close defence against infantry in addition to a frontal mounted 7.92&nbsp;mm [[MG 34]] [[machine gun]].

<gallery widths="200">
File:Raketensprenggranate 4581.jpg|Raketensprenggranate 4581 motor details.
File:Raketensprenggranate 4581 schematic.jpg|Raketensprenggranate 4581 schematic.
</gallery>

==Combat service==
[[File:Sturmtiger 2.jpg|thumb|An intact {{Lang|de|Sturmtiger}} captured by American forces, April 1945]]

The {{Lang|de|Sturmtiger}} was intended to serve as a heavy infantry support vehicle, rendering assistance with attacks on heavily fortified or built-up areas. By the time the first {{Lang|de|Sturmtiger}} were available, however, Germany had lost the initiative, with the Wehrmacht being almost exclusively on the defensive rather than the offensive.

Three new Panzer companies were raised to operate the {{Lang|de|Sturmtiger}}: {{lang|de|Panzer Sturmmörser Kompanien (PzStuMrKp)}} ("Armored Assault Mortar Company") 1000, 1001 and 1002. These originally were supposed to be equipped with fourteen vehicles, but this figure was later reduced to four each, divided into two platoons.

''PzStuMrKp'' 1000 was raised on 13 August 1944 and fought during the [[Warsaw Uprising]] with two vehicles, as did the prototype in a separate action, which may have been the only time the {{Lang|de|Sturmtiger}} was used in its intended role. ''PzStuMrKp'' 1001 (commanded by Captain von Gottberg) and 1002 (commanded by Lieutenant Zippel) followed in September and October. Both ''PzStuMrKp'' 1000 and 1001 served during the [[Ardennes Offensive]], with a total of seven {{Lang|de|Sturmtiger}}.

After this offensive, the {{Lang|de|Sturmtiger}} were used in the defence of Germany, mainly on the [[Western Front (World War II)|Western Front]].

During the [[Battle of Remagen|battle for the bridge]] at [[Remagen]], German forces mobilized {{lang|de|Sturmmörserkompanie}} 1000 and 1001 (a total of 7 units) to take part in the battle. The {{Lang|de|Sturmtiger}} were originally tasked with using their mortars against the bridge itself, though it was discovered that they lacked the accuracy needed to hit the bridge. During this action, one of the Sturmtigers in {{lang|de|Sturmmörserkompanie}} 1001 near [[Düren]] and [[Euskirchen]] allegedly hit a group of stationary Sherman tanks in a village with a 380mm round, resulting in nearly all the Shermans being put out of action, and their crews killed or wounded. This is the only tank-on-tank combat a {{Lang|de|Sturmtiger}} is ever recorded engaging in.<ref>Kleine, E. and Kühn, V. "Tiger: the History of a Legendary Weapon", 1942-45. p.245</ref><ref>Schnieder, Wolfgang, "Elefant Jagdtiger {{Lang|de|Sturmtiger}}: Rarities of the Tiger Family" Schiffler Military History September 1990, p45</ref>

==Survivors==
*A {{Lang|de|Sturmtiger}} (chassis number 250174) is on display at the {{lang|de|[[Deutsches Panzermuseum]]}} at [[Munster, Lower Saxony|Munster]].<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDu-yjnseRU |title=Der Sturmtiger: Einleitung (Teil 1 von 7) |date=2025-02-10 |last=DasPanzermuseum |access-date=2025-09-05 |via=YouTube}}</ref> This vehicle is currently on loan from the {{lang|de|[[Wehrtechnische Studiensammlung]]}} in [[Koblenz]] which acquired it from the [[Aberdeen Proving Ground]] Collection.
*A {{Lang|de|Sturmtiger}} (chassis number 205543) is on display at the [[Kubinka Tank Museum]] in Russia. This vehicle is believed to have been captured by advancing Red Army units in the Elbe area in April 1945.
*A 380&nbsp;mm {{lang|de|Raketen-Werfer}} (rocket launcher) is in the collection of [[The Tank Museum]] in England.

==See also==
* [[List of WWII Maybach engines]]

==Notes==
{{Reflist}}

==References==
* Chamberlain, Peter, and Hilary L. Doyle. Thomas L. Jentz (Technical Editor). ''Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War Two: A Complete Illustrated Directory of German Battle Tanks, Armoured Cars, Self-propelled Guns, and Semi-tracked Vehicles, 1933–1945''. London: Arms and Armour Press, 1978 (revised edition 1993). {{ISBN|1-85409-214-6}}
* Jentz, Thomas L., Panzer Tracts No. 8 "Sturmgeschuetz - s.Pak to Sturmmoerser", Darlington Productions, Inc, 1999, {{ISBN|1-892848-04-X}}
* {{Cite book|last=Livesey |first=Jack |title=Armoured Fighting Vehicles of World Wars I and II |year=2007 |publisher=Southwater |isbn= 978-1-84476-370-2 }}
* Trojca, Waldemar and Jaugitz, Markus. ''Sturmtiger and Sturmpanzer in Combat''. Katowice, Poland: Model Hobby, 2008 {{ISBN|978-83-60041-29-1}}
* [http://www.panzer-archiv.de/sturmgeschuetze/deutschland/sturmtiger/sturmtiger.htm Panzer-Archive] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180505205439/http://www.panzer-archiv.de/sturmgeschuetze/deutschland/sturmtiger/sturmtiger.htm |date=5 May 2018 }}
* "Frontline Illustration : Sturmtiger", 1999, Moscow, Russia

==External links==
{{Sister project links|auto=1}}
* "[http://www.lonesentry.com/ordnance/sturmmorser-38-cm-rocket-tiger-chassis.html Sturmmörser: 38 cm Rocket Projector on Tiger Chassis] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180822041157/http://www.lonesentry.com/ordnance/sturmmorser-38-cm-rocket-tiger-chassis.html |date=22 August 2018 }}", U.S. Ordnance Report, 1945.
* [http://www.panzerworld.net/panzersturmmorser.html Panzersturmmörser (Sturmtiger)] Panzerworld.net
* [http://www.tankmuseum.ru/german-sturmtiger/ Sturmtiger in Kubinka tank museum]
* [http://sturmvogel.orbat.com/sturmtiger.html Sturmtiger Units of the Wehrmacht] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111211050227/http://www.sturmvogel.orbat.com/sturmtiger.html |date=11 December 2011 }}
* [http://www.achtungpanzer.com/sttig.htm Sturmmörser Tiger] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070310212540/http://www.achtungpanzer.com/sttig.htm |date=10 March 2007 }} at Achtung Panzer!
* [http://www.onwar.com/tanks/germany/tfsturmtiger.htm Sturmtiger] OnWar.com
* [http://www.wwiivehicles.com/germany/self-propelled/sturmtiger.asp World War II Vehicles]
* [http://the.shadock.free.fr/Surviving_Tigers.pdf Surviving Tiger tanks] - A file presenting photos of the Tiger tanks (Tiger I, Kingtiger, Jagdtiger and Sturmtiger) still existing in the world
* {{youTube|id=P_LmNrj_Adw|title=How to use a Sturmtiger}} - Video discussing a February 1945 German Army manual on how to deploy the Sturmtiger.

{{WWIIGermanAFVs}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:World War II assault guns]]
[[Category:World War II armoured fighting vehicles of Germany]]
[[Category:Military vehicles introduced from 1940 to 1944]]