Captured vehicles

[Cross]

Originally Posted by Imp

Equipment was often destroyed by abandoning crew, the likes of Tigers the percentage destroyed by the crew rather than enemy fire is high.

Hey John,

I could be wrong, but I thought abandoning crews almost never destroyed vehicles while under fire, because they were under fire, and there was a good chance they may be able to recover the tank later.

I read quite a few accounts of Tiger crews abandoning their damaged tanks. The normal M.O. appeared to be to attempt recovery the following night. In fact - in the German army - there were recovery teams whose purpose was to go out every night and recover tanks.

I think they would only destroy their own vehicles as a last resort, once they were determined to be unrecoverable.

I do think you are right about the high percentage of Tigers destroyed by their crews, but I believe these were Tigers in impossible situations, especially towards the end of the war.

regards,
Cross