Press Photo – Tiger Tanks and Waffen-SS Briefing, December 1943

Original wartime press photograph issued by an SS-Propaganda-Kompanie (SS-PK), dated 4 December 1943, depicting a Waffen-SS officer conference before an attack involving Tiger tanks. The scene shows a Tiger tank commander conferring with Waffen-SS infantry and Panzergrenadiers in the field, with several Tiger I heavy tanks visible in the background.

The reverse retains the original typed SS-PK caption slip (Aufnahme-Nr. 3480) reading:

“Einsatzbesprechung vor dem Gegenstoß. Ein Spähtrupp der Waffen-SS hat eine sowjetische Panzerbereitstellung festgestellt. ‘Tiger’-Panzer des Heeres sollen sie zerschlagen. Vor dem Angriff bespricht der Führer der ‘Tiger’-Panzer mit einem Zugführer der Waffen-SS die Lage für den gemeinsamen Einsatz der Panzer und Grenadiere.”
(“Operational briefing before the counterattack. A reconnaissance patrol of the Waffen-SS has detected Soviet tank positions. ‘Tiger’ tanks of the Army are to destroy them. Before the attack, the Tiger commander confers with an SS platoon leader to plan the joint deployment of tanks and grenadiers.”)

The caption is marked: “Achtung! SS-PK-Aufnahme! SS-PK Kriegsberichter Merz (Sch) – 4.12.43.”

Item Details

• Original wartime SS-Propaganda-Kompanie photograph.

• Date: 4 December 1943.

• Photographer: SS-Kriegsberichter Merz.

• Subject: Waffen-SS and Heer officers in briefing before a counterattack involving Tiger I tanks.

• Size: Approx. 13 × 18 cm.

• Condition: Excellent; light age wear only. Original caption slip and markings on reverse fully preserved.

Collector’s Note

A rare and authentic SS-PK press photograph showing Tiger I tanks in cooperation with Waffen-SS infantry during late 1943 on the Eastern Front. Fully documented with original caption slip, photographer credit, and date — a scarce and historically significant image for collectors of armored warfare and SS press documentation.