Twilight of the Tigers (Updated for V5)*
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Date:  April 17, 1945*                     
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Battle Type:  Soviet Assault vs German Defend*
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Design: CB Blackard*
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Battle Description:  Defense of the region between Seelow and Muncheberg by the panzer companies of Panzerdivision "Muncheberg".*
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Background:  In mid-April 1945, Marshall Zhukov's advance toward Berlin with his 1st and 2nd Tank Armies was meeting unexpectantly stiff resistance from German units manning the Seelow Heights east of Muncheberg.  One of the German units in this area was the Panzerdivision "Muncheberg" under the leadership of General Mummert.*
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On March 5, 1945, the OKH gave the order for the formation of "Muncheberg" which, though it was called a division, was to include a mere three panzer companies.  1st Company was equipped with Mark IVs; 2nd Company with Panthers; and 3rd Company with Tigers, both Tiger Is and IIs and at least one Jagdtiger.  The 3rd Company of "Muncheberg" was the only German unit of the war known to have included all three types of Tigers.*
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In mid-April 1945, the unit defended the Seelow region, established
a blocking position at Muncheberg, and then withdrew into Berlin where it engaged in the final battle for the city.  A few days after the war ended, the last Tiger I of the "Muncheberg" Division was photographed just a few hundred meters from the Brandenburg gate, abandoned by its crew.*            
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SOURCES:  Schneider, "Tigers in Combat II", pp. 410-11; Mitcham, "Hitler's Legion's", p. 393; "The Times Atlas of the Second World War" (Keegan, ed.) pp. 184-85.*
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