Description
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You are bidding on a SUPERB and VERY RARE 100% ORIGINAL example of a WW2 German Wehrmacht Panzer Manual, titled, “Tigerfibel”! This was used by all Panzerkampfwagen VI “Tiger” Crewman, and was kept in each Tank for reference. This book came DIRECTLY from the estate of Otto Carius (which was issued to him and his crew), where he personally presented 5 copies to Mr. Uwe Feist many years ago.
The task of writing the new training manual was assigned to Leutnant Josef von Glatter-Goetz. Glatter-Goetz conceived the idea of writing a manual that would get the attention of the young men training on the Tiger. To do this he used humorous and risque cartoon illustrations along with slang the combat troops would identify with. The illustrations included allegorical sketches, technical drawings, photographs and cartoons. The cartoons often involved an attractive blonde woman named Elvira who frequently found herself without any clothes or in a romantic setting with cartoon Tiger crewman. The Tigerfibel also contained many short, memorable verses and limericks referred to as “morals” or “mottos”. All of this was done to capture and hold the attention of the fledgling trainees. Subjects in the manual included details about the Tiger such as it’s maintenance requirements and peculiarities and tips on things like gunnery, driving, and radio operation. Although it was quite unconventional when compared to any manual they had used before, the Tigerfibel was authorized by the German Army and it proved to be very effective training aid. Each Tigerfibel also came with a set of fold out supplements that were contained in a pocket on the inside of the back cover. One of these supplements folded out to reveal black and white photos of various Allied tanks along with data on each vehicle to aid the crew in recognition. Other supplements showed graphically at what range the Tiger could be penetrated by and in turn itself penetrate enemy armor such as the Sherman or T-34. The Tigerfibel set a new standard for training manuals. It was so successful that a similar volume, the Pantherfibel, was developed for the Panther tank in 1943. And the Tigerfibel was extremely popular with the crews. Long after their classroom instruction was over and the Tiger crewmen were in the field, the Tigerfibel continued to serve as a handy reference book.
Obtained directly form Uwe Feist, and dated around 1942, this manual is a total of approx. 89 pages. Supported with descriptive text, illustrations, and diagrams, this handbook covers all aspects of Germany’s famous “Tiger”. It is 100% complete, with all fold out booklets stored in the back cover. Some slight marks, wear, and creases from the age, but nothing that detracts. One of the few originals out there, it has very SPECIFIC history, as it was used during the war by Otto Carius (though he admitted to Mr. Feist that they never bothered reading them much). I obtained all 5 of them from Uwe Feist a few years ago, and this is my LAST one from that lot. The photo on the inside cover of Carius added by him, when he gave it to Uwe Feist. A PERFECT reference for any display, collection, or restoration project!
Otto Carius (27 May 1922 – 24 January 2015) was a German tank commander during World War II. He was a recipient of the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. Soon after Otto Carius graduated from school, World War II broke out. Carius enlisted in the army and first served in the infantry, before volunteering for the Panzer branch. In 1943, Carius transferred to the 502nd Heavy Panzer Battalion. He became commander of a Jagdtiger company of the 512th Heavy Antitank Battalion at the beginning of 1945. On 8 March 1945, 2nd Company was directed to the front line near Siegburg, where it took part in the defense of the River Rhine. He surrendered to the United States Army on 7 May 1945 and was released on 21 May 1945. After the war, Carius set up a pharmacy which was aptly called “Tiger Apotheke”. Carius died on 24 January 2015 at age 92. The news coverage around his death described him as a “panzer ace credited with destroying more than 150 enemy tanks, mostly on the Eastern Front.”
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