French Tigerfibel?

[von Poop]

The Wheatcroft collection has a French language Tigerfibel in it's gallery:
FrenchFiebel
Been wondering why it was produced (apparently an 'official' French publication).
Any thoughts?

(Scans of the German original can be found here:
Tigerfibel, the user manual for the Tiger 1)

Cheers,
Adam.

[MikB]

'Struth!

I know the postwar French Army took over some recovered German armour, including some Panthers, but I didn't think any Tigers were left in service.

It's obviously too late to be a Vichy publication, but I can't understand it having no reference to it being ex-enemy. I can't imagine French tank troops taking to the chatty, chirpy style in view of the recent German occupation.

Regards,
MikB

[von Poop]

That's what puzzled me. They may have got a Tiger or two running but they didn't serve as far as I know, and most importantly, as you say, what postwar Frenchman wants little cartoons of German tankers?

My thought now is just a very thorough bit of intelligence translation, or a pilot for nicking the style of the Fibels. It has 'Tactique Allemand' on the cover, so likely part of a complete series/report/assessment of German Tactics?

I like the Vichy thought, some small outpost of the regime somewhere looking to Berlin for succour; "It is OK, zey have promised us a thousand Tigres. See! the documentation has arrived already..."

[Harry Ree]

The manual is dated 1 August 1943 and is an official document of the Vichy Government.It most probably would be issued to the Vichy SS Charlemagne Division which at a maximum strength of 12000 saw service on the Eastern Front and in the defence of Berlin.This French Division formed of right wing anti communists across the whole social spectrum never fought in France and was equipped with German equipment.

On one page of the manual there is reference to the destruction of the T34.

[Owen]

The manual is dated 1 August 1943

I fell for that too.
The German one has same date.
http://www.esatclear.ie/~godot/07.jpg

It's an exact translation from 1945, see front cover of French one.

[von Poop]

To be sure, I've double checked in several places & the 43 date's definitely the one on the original German Tigerfibel, which has been fully translated/transcribed into French in 45 by the look of the front cover. The French copy carries exactly the same document number as the Guderian approved original (D656/27). It's the kind of thing someone told to produce an exact copy would do but it seems pretty certain German bureaucracy (or any other kind) would give an official/internal translation a different number, so I'm happy it's a 1945 copy.

The Research squad/Wheatcroft collection book on the Tiger is due out imminently, hopefully it'll have some brief reference to this French booklet amongst it's sumptuous (If their Panther book is anything to go by) pages.

On these comic book style primers, the main page of the Wheatcroft site also has the whole of the less commonly seen Pantherfibel reproduced; under 'Manuals' on this page:
Wheatcroft Collection
I've got a facsimile of the 'Panzerknacker' tank destruction guide for the infantry presented in the same style, I suppose all armies made similar humorous attempts to instruct troops.

[Harry Ree]

I think the 1945 date comes from the date that the De Gaulle Government reproduced the manual as "Tactique Allemande" from the original issued to French Vichy troops (Charlemagne) on 1 August 1943 from the German edition.Don't forget the war was ensuing at this time and it was probably reproduced before the war end.It was not until late March 1945 that Allied units crossed the Rhine and by this time the FFI Units were well represented in the south of the front.

A similar undertaking was done by the Allies to reproduce the Japanese Army Handbook in English for issue to Allied Units.I am sure that there were many other examples where the Allies reproduced captured or otherwise obtained enemy manuals and documents.It was a dimension of military intelligence of getting to know the enemy and his equipment.

[Owen]

Any ideas on this book then?
Adam has shown me some Tigers in French Service (Allied) so was it produced for them ?
Or as Harry says for the French serving with the Germans?

[deadb_tch]

The uniforms on the men in the books looking like german so imo this is translation for frenchmen serving in german army.

[Gotthard Heinrici]

Well Guderian refer to these manuals in "Panzer Leader". He states that the Inspectorate of Panzer Troops ordered manuals to be printed in the language of the soldier. This was following his appointment in early 1943 so it would seem to fit in. didnt know about French versions but the Charlemagne scenario makes sense!