The story behind the capture of the famous Tiger 131 tank has been revealed in a new book.
Tiger 131: The Forgotten Battle has been written by Dale Oscroft and published by The Tank Museum in Dorset, where the historic vehicle is now displayed as the world’s only working Tiger I tank.
The book examines the Battle of Gueriat el Atach in April 1943, a key action during the final stages of the North African campaign, when British forces fought to capture a strategic ridge defended by German infantry and tanks.
Dale’s research also uncovered the role of his father John Oscroft, who was serving with the 2 Sherwood Foresters during the battle and fired a PIAT anti tank weapon at the advancing Tiger as it approached their position.
He said the projectile “bounced off harmlessly”, leaving the soldiers facing a dangerous moment before the tank’s turret was disabled by an armour piercing round which jammed the mechanism and forced the crew to abandon it.
The intact tank became a major intelligence prize and was later visited in Tunisia by Prime Minister Winston Churchill and King George VI.
Senior historian Stuart Wheeler said Dale’s research has now “contextualised the capture of this tank”, helping explain the importance of the engagement in the battle for Tunisia.
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