Tiger 822 arrives in Kharkiv

Tiger "822" of Das Reich stands on a platform at Kharkiv Railway Station. The division unloaded its tanks here on 1 and 2 February 1943. Some of the Das Reich tanks were used to secure the station immediately they were unloaded. But the Soviets then launched Operation "Star", a major offensive. Two weeks later the Germans were obliged to abandon this city.

This Tiger is partially configured for rail transport; it bears narrow "transport" tracks, its mudflaps are folded, the outer road wheels are removed and the fragile S-mine launchers are turned inwards at the rear. Another photo of Tiger 822 at Kharkiv station shows the rear of the tank.

This location was deduced from the four chimney stacks in the distance. They were a landmark in Kharkiv at the time (they no longer exist). The parallax of the chimneys, when reproduced on aerial photos of 1943 Kharkiv, reveals where the photographer was.

Two buildings from the photo still exist, and they confirm the location.