Maus (tank)

The Maus, officially Panzerkampfwagen VIII Maus, was a German super-heavy tank developed during World War II.

The Maus, officially Panzerkampfwagen VIII Maus, was a German super-heavy tank developed during World War II. It was intended as an extremely heavily armoured breakthrough vehicle, but only two prototypes were completed and it never saw combat.

Development

The Maus was developed in Nazi Germany during World War II as an extreme heavy tank project. Sources describe it as a breakthrough vehicle intended to carry very thick armour and heavy armament, but the project was constrained by wartime resource shortages.

Design and specifications

The tank is commonly described as weighing about 188 tonnes and mounting a 12.8 cm main gun with a coaxial 75 mm weapon. It is also noted for its exceptionally thick armour and large dimensions relative to other tanks of the period.

Production and fate

Production did not progress beyond two completed prototypes, and the Maus never entered operational service. One prototype was destroyed by German forces, while the other survived and was later taken to Kubinka.

Historical significance

The Maus is remembered as an example of Nazi Germany's late-war super-heavy armour ambitions. It is widely cited as the heaviest tank ever built, though not every source uses identical wording when comparing it with other exceptionally heavy armoured vehicles.