Airmen relocate WWII tank

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Cory D. Payne
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England (AFNS) --  One of the most feared and powerful tanks of its time is making its way to the United States courtesy of the 48th Logistics Readiness Squadron.

The squadron is shipping a World War II-era German Tiger 1 tank  from Royal Air Force Alconbury, England, to the U.S. Army Armor and Cavalry Museum at Fort Benning, Ga., for repair and full restoration.

The Tiger 1 is a German heavy tank that was one of the most advanced weapons during its time. Armed with an 88 mm gun on the turret and protected by a thick layer of armor on all sides, the Tiger 1 was considered a formidable force by the Allies. Although proven to be effective in both offensive and defensive combat, the tank was expensive and time consuming to build. Production was limited to little more than 1,300 built between 1942 and 1944.

Due to the relatively low number built, finding a Tiger 1 in good condition after more than 60 years is rare.

"There are only six known Tiger 1s that are still in one piece left in the world," said Len Dyer, the director of the Army Armor and Cavalry museum. "This particular one was captured by the British in Tunis, North Africa, in 1943. She has plenty of combat action and a few combat scars that have had repair work done."

Although the tank is now disassembled for relocation, the battle scars that have since been patched can still be seen on several parts of the tank.

The unique task of moving this battle-hardened tank came down from the U.S. Army to the 48th LRS. Specifically, the Secretary of the Army, John McHugh, sent the request in an email to Bill Pratt, the 48th LRS Transportation Management Office chief of cargo movement.

Although the 48th TMO is more commonly known for moving Airmen's personal property when changing duty stations, the office also is in charge of moving important military property.

"Part of TMO moves personal property and personal goods, but there is a big part of TMO that never gets noticed," said Pratt. "Everything that comes in and out of Lakenheath -- doesn't matter if it's a boat or bomb -- comes through TMO."

"That's what we do," Pratt said. We support all the cargo movements all over the world, supporting the 48th Fighter Wing and other units of the U.S. military."

This particular cargo is slated to be completely broken down, cleaned, and ready to be taken back to the U.S. within the next month, to join other pieces of military history at the Fort Benning U.S. Army Armor and Cavalry Museum.