The summer of 1944 saw a large number of Tiger I tanks in combat operations during and after the Allied assault on D-Day. Most of the armor engagements were between German panzer divisions and British or Canadian forces.The majority of fighting occurred in the region of Normandy between June and August 1944 as three Panzer Battalions, SS-PzAbt 101 and 102, and Heer sPzAbt 503 fought to hold back advancing Allied forces in numerous sectors.
The Tigers suffered large losses against combined Allied artillery, armor, and air forces which were ever present and held the advantage in numbers. About half the number of Tiger tanks in service were lost during the summer months of 1944.

The Tiger I in “Tiger Prowess” Is moving through a French town in he Caen sector in as it joins other Tiger I and Tiger II tanks preparing to meet approaching Allied armor and troops. Many of the tank duel occurred in villages and towns where action could develop very quickly and at relatively close distance.

The urban environment provided many places to lie in wait to ambush your enemy. Around every corner a tank crew might come almost face to face with an enemy tank or artillery gun. Quick decisions, cool heads, and accurate aiming could make the difference between life and death for a tank crew.

As German panzer losses increased, the overall effectiveness of German ground forces began to gradually decrease. Besieged from the west by the Allies and from the east by the Soviets, the last Panzers were concentrated in and around Berlin in a last desperate attempt to save the city and it’s occupants.