Königstiger Occupying a Street Intersection in Budapest

Image size: 1600 x 1008 pixel. 396 KB
Date: Sunday, 15 October 1944
Place: Szent György tér, Budapest, Hungary
Photographer: Kriegsberichter Faupel (PK Eins.Kp. Lw.z.b.V.)

Panzerkampfwagen VI Tiger II Königstiger (King Tiger) Sd.Kfz.182 Ausf.B #234 with Henschel turret of SS-Unterscharführer Herbert Stief from 2.Kompanie/schwere Panzer-Abteilung 503 occupying a street intersection in Budapest. The photo is taken from the Szent György tér (Saint George Square). This square which stretches out in front of the main entrance to the castle is overlooked by two buildings on the right-hand side: the Neo-Gothic Sándor palace and former residence of the Prime Minister and the Castle theatre (Várszínház) with a Rococo façade, which was a former convent of the Carmelite order, which was dissolved in 1782 under the orders of Joseph II and altered by Farkas Kempelen in 1787. In the center of the picture is Hungarian anti-aircraft tank 40M Nimród, while at right we can see Steyr 1500 infantry carrier car. The SS guards came from 22. SS-Freiwilligen-Kavallerie-Division Maria Theresa with their distinctive riding boots. 2.Kompanie/Schwere Panzer-Abteilung 503 were the only Tiger II unit to go to Budapest, six Königstiger with turmnummer (turret number) 200, 211, 213, 231, 233, and 234.

Source:

Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-680-8282A-20A 

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10200115246545313&set=o.303273499761263&type=1&relevant_count=1&ref=nf , courtesy of Alvaro Casanova Mora

SS Soldiers With Captured Hungarian War Machines in Buda Castle

Image size: 1600 x 992 pixel. 484 KB
Date: Sunday, 15 October 1944
Place: Buda Castle, Budapest, Hungary
Photographer: Kriegsberichter Faupel (PK Eins.Kp. Lw.z.b.V.)

Hungary, October 15, 1944. German troops under the command of SS-Sturmbannführer Otto Skorzeny launch the Operation Panzerfaust Intended to install a government that remains loyal to Germany. The troops of SS, Luftwaffe and Heer, moving towards Buda Castle, Hill seat of Hungarian government to capture Admiral Miklós Horthy de Nagybánya. Given the intimidating Presence of Panzerkampfwagen VI Tiger II Königstiger from schwere Heeres-Panzer-Abteilung 503, the guards immediately put down all weapons and surrendered without firing their rifles and cartridge depositing on the floor! This photo, taken in the courtyard of the castle, showing SS soldiers from 22. SS-Freiwilligen-Kavallerie-Division Maria Theresa (wearing riding boots) armed With Panzerfaust, and we can see Hungarian anti-aircraft tank 40M Nimród (back) and an anti-tank gun 40mm 40M (a Hungarian copy of the 3.7cm PaK. It mounted a Škoda 40mm A17 gun) of the garrison. The 40M Nimród was a World War II Hungarian anti-aircraft tank based on a license built copy of the Swedish Luftvärnskanonvagn L-62 Anti II tank. Originally, it was intended to be used as an anti-aircraft and anti-tank weapon, but it proved to be ineffective against Soviet T-34 tanks. Therefore, it was primarily utilized against lightly armored vehicles and for air defense.

Source:
Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-680-8282A-11A

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10200115410189404&set=o.303273499761263&type=1&relevant_count=1&ref=nf , courtesy of Alvaro Casanova Mora