Panzer VIII Maus – Germany’s “Breakthrough” Tank Dozens of Photos

The Third Reich repeatedly attempted to create a super heavy tank. However, for a number of reasons, they were unable to organize their mass production to do so. Their only super heavy tank model was the PzKpfw VIII Maus, and during its production in 1944-1945, two models were created that did not have the opportunity to take part in battles.

At the initiative of Hitler in late 1942, the development of a “breakthrough tank” or “Porsche 205” began, protected by the maximum possible amount of armor and armed with a 150 mm or 128 mm caliber gun. Multiple companies took part in the creation of the tank: Daimler-Benz was responsible for the engine, and Krupp manufactured the hull, tower, and the Siemens elements for the transmission.

Panzer VIII Maus at Boblingen 17 March 1944.
Panzer VIII Maus at Boblingen 17 March 1944.

Assembly of all components of the tank took place at the factory of the firm Alkett. The project was developed by the engineer Ferdinand Porsche, and was partially implemented in the form of two prototypes of the Maus tank (205/2 and 205/1) in 1944. A full-size wooden model of Maus was presented to Hitler on May 14, 1943. In December 1943, trials of the first prototype were carried out.

Wooden model of Maus on display for Adolf Hitler, 14 May 1943
Wooden model of Maus on display for Adolf Hitler, 14 May 1943

Soon after testing, the tank was equipped with a real tower for artillery shooting and a full set of internal equipment. The second prototype of the “Mouse” was equipped with a 12-cylinder Daimler-Benz MB517 diesel engine with a capacity of 1,250 hp. The first prototype had had a gasoline MB509 V12 (DB 603) engine with a capacity of 1080 hp. The Maus’ maximum speed over level ground was just over 12 mph.

Maus found by Soviets at the Kumersdorf proving grounds
Maus found by Soviets at the Kumersdorf proving grounds

The crew of the tank consisted of six people. Fuel tanks with a capacity of 420 gallons each allowed the Maus to travel from 38 to nearly 100 miles, depending on the terrain. The main features of the tank were the electromechanical transmission of both tracks, and a powerful circular armor whose thickness began from 5.9 inches (150 mm) and ended at 8.7 inches (220 mm). The mask of the gun was 9.8 inches (250 millimeters).

Maus turret and hull after being captured by the Allies
Maus turret and hull after being captured by the Allies

A 128-mm KwK-44 L / 55 anti-tank gun was installed on Maus and was an important characteristic. Additional weapons consisted of a 75-mm (3-inch) KwK 44 L / 36.5 gun with 200 rounds of ammunition. There was also a MG 34 7.92 mm caliber machine gun, and the possibility existed to install an anti-aircraft machine gun.

Panzerkampfwagen VIII Maus,17 March 1944, Boblingen
Panzerkampfwagen VIII Maus,17 March 1944, Boblingen

The tank’s weight of 180 tons prevented it from driving across bridges. For this reason, it was planned to enable these tanks to travel along the bottom of rivers by sealing them and protecting their power supply.

The original plans to create 10 PzKpfw VIII Maus tanks on Hitler’s orders were terminated, due to lack of production capacity, so the Germans failed to test the Maus tanks in battle. In April 1945, as the Soviet Red Army approached, the German command decided to destroy the prototypes. Both tanks were blown up, but only one of them was significantly damaged.

Maus blown up at Kummersdorf 1945
Maus blown up at Kummersdorf 1945

Soon one of the two damaged tanks was reassembled, and on May 4, 1946, it was delivered to the Kubinka test site in the USSR. After testing, all of the tank’s internal equipment was dismantled. Currently, the Maus can be seen in the Military-Historical Museum of Armored Vehicles and Equipment in Kubinka, Russia.

More photos

Maus hull Nr. 351453 at the Krupp factory in Essen, 1945
Maus hull Nr. 351453 at the Krupp factory in Essen, 1945

 

Maus turret and hull Maus turret at the Krupp factory in Essen
Maus turret and hull Maus turret at the Krupp factory in Essen

 

Panzer VIII Maus tank on a test run
Panzer VIII Maus tank on a test run

 

Porsche Type 205 Maus, April 1944
Porsche Type 205 Maus, April 1944

 

Panzerkampfwagen VIII Maus, 9 April 1944
Panzerkampfwagen VIII Maus, 9 April 1944

 

Panzer VIII Maus in front of 7th Ersatz Panzer Regiment barracks, 14 January 1944
Panzer VIII Maus in front of 7th Ersatz Panzer Regiment barracks, 14 January 1944

 

Maus loaded onto a railway car, 1945
Maus loaded onto a railway car, 1945

 

Maus bogged down in the mud, 17 March 1944 Boblingen
Maus bogged down in the mud, 17 March 1944 Boblingen

 

Maus blown up at Kummersdorf 1945
Maus blown up at Kummersdorf 1945

 

Maus turret at the Krupp factory in Essen, 1945
Maus turret at the Krupp factory in Essen, 1945

 

Maus turret at the Krupp factory in Essen, 1945.
Maus turret at the Krupp factory in Essen, 1945.

 

Front view of the Maus at Soviet Union’s tank proving ground Kubinka
Front view of the Maus at Soviet Union’s tank proving ground Kubinka

 

Rear view of the Maus with external fuel tank, April 1944
Rear view of the Maus with external fuel tank, April 1944

 

Panzerkampfwagen VIII Maus at Kubinka Museum. Photo: Uwe Brodrecht / CC-BY-SA 2.0
Panzerkampfwagen VIII Maus at Kubinka Museum. Photo: Uwe Brodrecht / CC-BY-SA 2.0

 

Panzerkampfwagen VIII Maus at Kubinka Museum. Photo: Uwe Brodrecht / CC-BY-SA 2.0
Panzerkampfwagen VIII Maus at Kubinka Museum. Photo: Uwe Brodrecht / CC-BY-SA 2.0

 

Rear view of the Panzerkampfwagen VIII Maus at Kubinka Museum.
Rear view of the Panzerkampfwagen VIII Maus at Kubinka Museum.

 

Front view of thePanzerkampfwagen VIII Maus at Kubinka Museum. Photo: Mike1979 Russia / CC-BY-SA 3.0
Front view of thePanzerkampfwagen VIII Maus at Kubinka Museum. Photo: Mike1979 Russia / CC-BY-SA 3.0

Read another story from us: German Panzer IV – Workhorse of the Wehrmacht in Photos

The “contact-shoe” and “connector-link” track design of the Maus’ suspension system. Photo: Uwe Brodrecht / CC-BY-SA 2.0
The “contact-shoe” and “connector-link” track design of the Maus’ suspension system. Photo: Uwe Brodrecht / CC-BY-SA 2.0

Ruslan Budnik

Ruslan Budnik is one of the authors writing for WAR HISTORY ONLINE