New account reveals dramatic WW2 capture of Tiger 131 tank

The first detailed account of the battle in which one of the world’s most famous tanks was captured has finally been told.

The feared Tiger tank was one of the most formidable machines during the Second World War due to its thick armour and powerful 88mm gun – meaning it could pick off Allied tanks at distance.

During the North African campaign in 1943 Tiger 131 was captured intact by the British and provided valuable intelligence to the Allies about its construction.

The tank is the only fully operational Tiger tank surviving today and now resides at The Tank Museum in Bovington, Dorset.

In more recent times it has become famous for featuring in the Brad Pitt Hollywood blockbuster Fury.

Dale Oscroft has researched the Battle of Gueriat el Atach, which was one of the most important actions in the fall of Tunisia and the Nazi surrender in North Africa.

During intense fighting, his father John fired his anti-tank Piat weapon at the side of an approaching Tiger tank which was advancing on positions held by his battalion, the 2nd Sherwood Foresters.

To his dismay, the projectile bounced off harmlessly.

Fearing the worst as the turret began to turn towards him, he was relieved to see the tank disabled by an armour piercing round which jammed the turret.

The crew then abandoned the tank, which was then captured by the British.

Mr Oscroft said: “My father had mentioned an action in which the Foresters captured a Tiger tank in Tunisia after its turret had been jammed.

“But it was only when I was on holiday in Dorset in 2012 and saw Tiger 131 on a visit to the Tank Museum that I thought it might be connected.

“The Tiger had been captured in Tunisia after sustaining a jammed turret, but the account of the action placed it some 10 miles away from where the Foresters had fought.

“Subsequently, my research revealed the true circumstances of its capture, confirming that it was indeed the same tank my father had tried to knock out.

“It’s capture following the lucky shell strike was so important that prime minister Winston Churchill and King George VI were pictured with the tank when they visited Tunisia following the Axis surrender.”

Mr Oscroft said his father’s Piat weapon bounced off the Tiger, but it was later brought to a halt.

“A shot from either a British tank or the Foresters sent a shell ricocheting down the underside of the Tiger’s gun barrel to wedge itself in the traversing mechanism, disabling the turret,” Mr Oscroft said.

“It was a significant moment in the battle and in the North African campaign.

“The ridge was captured and, having been pushed off what was basically their last line of defence, the Axis forces in Tunisia surrendered a few weeks afterwards.

“My account of the battle for the ridge draws on the recollections of the men who fought there and the narrative describes the fighting from their perspective.”

The units who took part in the battle were the 6th Gordon Highlanders, 1st Loyal Regiment, 2nd North Staffordshires, 1st Duke of Wellington’s, 142 and 145 Royal Armoured Corps, 48 Royal Tank Regiment, 1st King’s Shropshire Light Infantry and the 2nd Sherwood Foresters.

A Victoria Cross was awarded to Lt Willward Sandys-Clarke of the 1st Loyals, and there were also six DSOs, 12 Military Crosses, two DSMs and 20 Military Medals awarded.

Senior historian Stuart Wheeler, of The Tank Museum, said: “The story of Tiger 131 has changed over the years as more details were discovered.

“Dale, with meticulous research, has now contextualised the capture of this tank, which is the most famous in the world.

“He has shown the importance of the engagement in the battle for Tunisia.”

After the fall of Tunisia, John Oscroft went on to serve with the Foresters in Italy, including at the Anzio beachhead.

After being demobbed in 1946 he returned to his job in a hosiery factory in Sutton-in-Ashfield, married Violet, had son Dale, and died aged 59 in 1982.

Mr Oscroft’s book, Tiger 131: The Forgotten Battle is available for sale in The Tank Museum shop.