Super Pershing vs King Tiger Duel 1945

It's one of the great tank duels of World War II, when an American Super Pershing went head-to-head with the dreaded German King Tiger in Dessau in April 1945. But did they? The truth is surprisingly different.
Watch my other films of the Pershing in WWII:
Nashorn vs. Pershing: • Nashorn vs Pershing, G...
Cologne Tank Duel: • Video
Pershing vs. Tiger: • Pershing vs Tiger 1945
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Disclaimer: All opinions and comments expressed in the 'Comments' section do not reflect the opinions of Mark Felton Productions. All opinions and comments should contribute to the dialogue. Mark Felton Productions does not condone written attacks, insults, racism, sexism, extremism, violence or otherwise questionable comments or material in the 'Comments' section, and reserves the right to delete any comment violating this rule or to block any poster from the channel.
Thumbnail: Panzerserra Bunker

[@howiebouthat3435]

Super Pershings barrel is so long it was in Germany 2 weeks before the rest of the tank

[@abisairuiz8312]

lmao

[@bigblue6917]

If it went into Luxembourg the barrel would be in Germany while the rear of the tank was still in Belgium. You wouldn't want to hit the brakes to hard as there is nothing to stop it tipping forward.

[@annoyed707]

The last time I was this early, I was the tip of a Super Pershing's gun barrel.

[@whispofwords2590]

Lol how did they even balance that thing?

[@MasterMalrubius]

That's what I feel like when I see notification of a new Felton video.

[@hr_nissen4490]

Soo sad that the only tank of its kind were scrap, would have been epic to see it in bovington tank museum!

[@johnblackstone5261]

Almost all weapons of war wind up in the trash eventually.

[@ZerokillerOppel1]

You have to place yourself in that era. Every country was tired of the war and an immediate need for (metal) consumer goods came up. Nobody cared about the tanks,battleships,guns and whatnot which were at the time new gear but useless in peacetime. The thought of placing some examples in a museum obviously came to no one's mind and would probably have been regarded as proposterous, inappropriate even. The war was over and war production came to an immediate and screeching halt. A whole lot of cars,razorblades,refrigerators and tin cans etc. etc. could be made out of a few tanks....

[@MONTANI12]

@@thetankcommander3838 wait there is still one left?!?!?!

[@hashteraksgage3281]

Panzer IV:Exists American tank crew: A Tiger!

[@Joesolo13]

Army Air Corps- 'target practice!'

[@franzfanz]

Chalmers: You call Panzer IVs "Tigers"? Skinner: Yes, it's a regional dialect. Chalmers: Uh-huh. What region? Skinner: Uh, upstate New York. Chalmers: Really? Well, I'm from Utica and I've never heard anyone call Panzer IVs "Tigers." Skinner: Oh, not in Utica, no, it's an Albany expression.

[@whoareyou1034]

I think the idea that Germany was made of Tiger 1s come from this. I mean, they have similar silhouettes from a distance.

[@hasmatiks]

@l b Indeed. And to add to that: You often just see a part of the tank. Panzer 4 was the most numerous tank of the Germans, and it does look similar to a Tiger I from certain angles. Especially, as mentioned before, if you cant see the whole thing.

[@whispofwords2590]

Tigers in the trees man..tigers in the trees.

[@kenmeri5832]

I love how you do these kinds of lesser known events, instead of the boring old "top 5 German tanks". Great work

[@geennaam2712]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/o6q4hJ2Kr5J8o8U

[@renaultr3565]

Agreed, although we already know the top five German tanks. 1. Tiger 2. Tiger 3. Tiger 4. Tiger 5. Tiger

[@dimvalsgames9721]

Kenmeri I agree the guy is a Legend awesome fresh vids and great stories you learn a lot from Mark...!

[@thedoritomlg]

Allied engineer's yoinked plates off a panther for extra armor

[@spencernelson1560]

Its heartbreaking how many of these videos end with the words "it was scrapped".

[@josynaemikohler6572]

Super Pershing vs King Tiger duel most likely: Both break down.

[@bbcmotd]

I want the Tiger! Americans: we have a Tiger at home already. Tiger at home: Pz 38 (t)

[@sylvainfalquet6350]

What I love about Mark's videos is that he uses the ACTUAL images and footage of the specific thing that relate to what he is talking about. Other history videos use pictures that don't even relate or are outright wrong.

[@KoKissaki]

Imagine to be a german soldier in 1945... „US Forces are here, we need armored support now!! Sorry mate, but our last Tiger fighting the reds 70 km in the east“.

[@spdfatomicstructure]

*112km

[@leooram1959]

“sorry bro, wrong front, but oh well, the other front is not that far you may as well have them drive over here”

[@jpetty7772]

"It's not very SEXY" Best line I've ever heard a historian say, I love when you provide more commentary rather then just scripted dialogue. Anyways another great video Mark, thank you.

[@Idaho-Cowboy]

Typical HE spamming Noobs in their Tier 8 premiums...

[@dfadgsadfga1816]

But HE does more damage man.

[@Collectorfirearms]

@@dfadgsadfga1816 lol not with high pen tanks

[@johannsebastianbach9003]

I rather choose AP than HE for sure kill

[@belliott538]

Hell at least they didn't have a "Festively Colored" Paint Round loaded... 😁

[@sadfrog5787]

@@dfadgsadfga1816 Not anymore HE does fuck all now

[@rasczak7745]

"Mismatch of German armor" nah man you just got an uptier to 6.7

[@willykaranikolas2391]

"which by any stretch of the imagination seems to be an incredibly stupid thing to have done" "a superpershing taking out a PzIV is not very sexy" Great quotes from this one Mark!

[@Brez6645]

The HE shot must have been the equivalent of the paintball in Kelly's Heroes.

[@davidrapalyea7727]

This is an excellent presentation both detailed and concise. It's also a fun idiosyncratic topic and I could watch these sort of properly timed videos all day!

[@herbwag6456]

Probably the WW2 equivalent of Steven Spielberg was writing those fairy tale combat reports.

[@howardwalker1952]

Herb Wag hi Herb .... yes I agree well said 😁

[@marks_sparks1]

Mark Felton makes the best history snippets going. Short, easy to understand, non partisan and always on a lesser detail. Excellent work

[@TG-rt1ps]

Kubelwagen: *passes by* Americans: TIGER!!!!

[@battleship217]

Boy if there is an afterlife specifically for tanks that Pazer IV would get laughed at for how it died,

[@whispofwords2590]

Yu know from a distance, through the limited sights of a tank, I could kinda see how you could mistake a tiger for a panzer, assuming they didn't examen the wreck afterwards.

[@bbbabrock]

I always thought Tigers look like Fours. Both are boxy w the fronts and glaci l plates being straight on vertical. King Tigers and Panthers look like T-34s w their armour sloped.

[@alfnoakes392]

Yup, have to agree. The boxy extra plate added to late panzer IVs gives them the same shape as the Tigers, and being only 2/3 the size is difficult to spot at a distance through a tanks limited sighting options.

[@gixxerlouis]

I thought I saw a king tiger in the streets of America once...upon closer inspection I realized it was rosie O’Donnell wearing a camo jacket...

[@jmantime]

American Tanker ( sees Panzer II tank ) : IT'S A MINI-TIGER !!! *Destroys panzer II* American Tanker: ( "v") Yeah imma badass , count that one as another tiger bob ..

[@SNP-1999]

These short but highly informative videos are definitely the best of what is being shown on YT regarding WWII !The great research and understanding of the subject and statement of the historical facts by Mark Felton is second to none. 😘

[@Jermster_91]

After watching hundreds of videos on this channel, I ordered a book by Mark, Guarding Hitler: The Secret World of the Führer.

[@fkerpants]

Felton: "...anyway, back to the action in Dessau..." (Sipping my coffee, my eyes remain locked on the screen.) Me: "Yeah, yeah, yeah. Back to the action." Mark, you're the guy telling cool stories around the campfire/in the classroom/at the table/etc. Never a bad story and I always come away knowing something I didn't. I know I've said it in other places, but I'll say it again. THANK YOU! :)

[@davidosalsero2519]

Mark, as others have said - excellent work, a brilliant format. Short and compelling events, low voiced factually unemotional delivery, hair-tingling intro theme music, standard crisp sign-off, and of course above-all apparently thoroughly researched subjects with relevant historical clips to endorse your commentaries. There's not a time when I watch your work that a cold sweat doesn't seep down the back of my neck. Truly putting us the viewer into the position of the characters, mostly unseen, that made these scenes happen. It's that which most stamps your work as both sober and outstanding. May we all learn from it. You have rightly made a recognised niche for yourself and the product. Indeed, keep up this fascinating work. Thanks, David Whyman.

[@marioncobaretti2280]

i cant believe they didnt ship that super pershing home! that would be a great piece of history to have today!

[@shellsbignumber2]

These videos are like gold dust, keep up the good work. I have learnt so many interesting things from watching them.

[@darklingeraeld-ridge7946]

Outstanding video again - so good to hear such clarity about what is known and unknown. And superb footage.

[@ronniefarnsworth6465]

Any Tank can Knock out another Tank in WWll waiting in Ambush, it doesn't tell much about either one , you need months of head to head Combat to find out !!!

[@Trillock-hy1cf]

I think we all very much appreciate the time, effort and research that goes into making your videos for us to enjoy and learn from.

[@howardwalker1952]

Thanks Mark I truly admire the fact that your integrity in keeping as much as you could to what may or may not have taken place here, was not displaced by years of confusion and or propaganda.

[@onebritishboi9892]

i genuinely love this channel. Keep up the amazing work mark :)

[@vincevandergoes2362]

Fantastic video Mark and thanks for bringing your unbiased and factual information one again. According to the book “Death Traps” the Super Pershing had problems with over heating due to the additional armour they had placed on it from the scavenged Panther tank and the boiler plates which then increased its weight. On rugged ground it was not as efficient and needed constant maintenance but on open country became more reliable. Love your work.

[@IIMoses740II]

I remember looking up, ages ago, the clip from "Greatest Tank Battles: Germany" (I think...) about this story and seeing in the comments about how it was a myth. Thank you for going into such great detail about it and possible explanations.

[@renelogtenberg141]

Brilliant how you always find out those unknown facts. Thanks Dr. Felton. You almost make such a film each day. Brilliant.

[@JNF590]

Thanks for the Upload just what I need.

[@Justice094]

Saddening how such a piece of history ended up being scrapped.

[@pattifunkhouse2932]

Brilliant as always Mark. Thanks for your focus on armoured combat. As a veteran of the BC regiment, Duke of Connaught’s own, it is very much appreciated. Regimental lore often spoke of the power of the FireFly and it’s awesome 17 pounder gun. A topic I am sure you will explore in detail. Cheers from Canada

[@3452te]

Yesss :D Love hearing a video about the Super Parsing & King Tiger. These heavy tanks are truly Land Ironclads. Keep up the awesome work.

[@TheMotorick]

Did you watch the video? He concludes that it couldn't have been a King Tiger.

[@praisetheomnissiah4475]

@@TheMotorick He said he likes hearing about them and learning more about them. Doesn't mean he thinks it was a king tiger. Didn't you read his comment?

[@RedSoxDad01]

Thank you for the depth and quality of your reviews on the T26 activity at the end of WW2. It is a pleasure to watch the videos you have complied on this often misreported topic.

[@Top_Weeb]

"It was scrapped." - Mark Felton

[@filipdavkov3936]

I saw that documentary and heard that story, but newer beleived in it. Thank you for clearing things up. Tumbs up for your chanel, keep up the good work.

[@Frank-wf6iw]

Absolutely fasincating. I was under the impression that the super pershing was made but wasn't deployed to the front in time. I'm exceptionally glad you made this video it has cleares a lot for me. Thank you

[@danielsalas9201]

Thank you for all your videos. The information that you provide is an inspiration to anyone that is interested in real history and not just the watered down version thank you

[@airraid9614]

What are the 2 cylinders on the top left of the turret for

[@Lithium9672]

We are getting less "thats a story for another time" and more "I made a film about this", I like this change keep up the good work

[@charliemanson4808]

Ahhh a little bit of history with Mark on a Friday evening after just sitting down, good timing! Charlie 🇬🇧

[@thewarbaron]

Makes me so happy to see that there is a new video!

[@autorotate1803]

I just discovered your channel! Amazing content for ww2 buffs. Every educational, thank you!

[@buzzkillington8078]

Aha! Another quality video, with two of the most know tanks in history. Great job once again Mark! Keep 'em coming!

[@totenkopf1479]

Such good German pronunciation, don't know why other youtubers cant do it

[@greatflights8094]

I always like Mark’s videos before I watch as I know I will like it.

[@colesy4971]

i still don't know how i found your channel but it's bloody well the best thing that's happened to me in a while

[@CarlsonWDane]

Thanks Mark, love your videos. Its so sad to see how many vehicles justs get scraped, especially those of limited production.

[@technonoises]

A fascinating video, thank you for the upload.

[@vz-v]

They were so paranoid they saw tiger tanks everywhere, that's pretty crazy the psychological effect it had.

[@guyb30]

Love this Channel. Keep up the good work.

[@igorkovcin7112]

How much you knew about history is just incredible. I dont have words to describe quality of your videos.

[@therenumerator9198]

I'd like to say it's the fog of war, but telling your buddies you beat a lighter unit lacks the testosterone element of claiming a Tiger, or Panther. Lots of chest beating during a battle, and some out and out bullshit as well. The nature of soldiers, either side.

[@belliott538]

Soldiers and Fishermen..! 🙂

[@the82spartans62]

I like the way you say 'scraped', with such disdain and disgust. Any tank that was involved in battles like this deserved to be kept in museums. Cheers and keep up the great work.

[@lojey]

Love your Videos. Keep up the great work!

[@hasdrubal121]

Fantastic vids Mark, gutted to hear it was scrapped.

[@VengineerGER]

You always have the most interesting topics at hand, good work.

[@boaz708]

Thank you for a great video, very informative and a pleasure to watch.

[@jmartin9785]

Man! What a story, that Super Pershing came to town totin a gun! Kickin arse and taking names! Hit in the bottom, the armor just worked in reverse keeping the energy in! Must have just vaporized the German crew! Ugh! That’s war!Thanks Mark, over and over, great films! That one German soldier sure looked scared. Hope he made it! 🙀Lol!

[@motorTranz]

Great video Dr. Felton. Thanks.

[@landonthompson-tschimperle3964]

Congratulations Dr. Felton on the impressive growth of your channel.

[@carmelobasco3369]

*Sees a literal Male Lion* American: hmm...Tiger.

[@USCTrojansOwn]

Loved that “ back to the action” mark lol

[@m10bob22]

Another excellent post!...Thank you.

[@lewiscliffe434]

Excellent as always!

[@haviiithelegogunner907]

As always: superb! Thank you!

[@SoftyWalterGames]

Your videos never cease to entertain

[@paoloviti6156]

Well done again! I know the "Super-Pershing" but I didn't know that it did do some action and I too doubt that it has encountered the Königstiger as it was such a rare beast in the west! Already the normal Pershing was generally considered by it's crew quite sluggish to handle but with the very long 90mm cannon and added armour how did it handle? Interesting story!

[@Lappmogel]

Thanks for clearing things up!

[@Reitz86]

I ❤️ this series, when I was a kid in the early 70’s I would build Tamiya tank models, my father would critic my work, lol

[@javiervonsydow]

Mr. Felton, excellent as always; thank you so much for your British professionalism!

[@trickpatrickpa4855]

Very detailed information as always, much appreciated

[@MagnumGreenPanther]

Excellent video Mark!

[@brucekaraus7330]

Brilliant historical detective work sir, Well done,

[@MrMogulvogl]

Thanks to you, nice episode. Great channel!

[@RPWaggel]

Nice doku. Even on the sowjet side a lot of Panzer IV were identified as Tiger I at Kursk in 1943.

[@HiTechOilCo]

"doku"? Is that a Japanese word?

[@darthvader4316]

Excellent! As always!

[@jakobc.2558]

Correction: The Super Pershings long 90mm gun didn't have similar armor defeating capabilitys with the Tiger 1's but with the Tiger 2's 88mm gun. The penetration statistics are actualy almost identical.

[@allenhigginbotham3740]

Great video and information. Thank you Mark for this interesting story

[@killtheheretics2915]

The gunner who was in that Pershing was named clarence and the camera man was named bill. There's a book about the duel at the cologne cathedral

[@williammiller8317]

Great video Mark!

[@QuantumMechanic_88]

What an excellent and very well researched documentary . Thank you very much .

[@kstreet7438]

Another great video to watch thank you

[@Dominooooo]

Love your work, Sir. Its all about war history and thats how we liked it.

[@WildBillCox13]

Good stuff. Thanks for posting.

[@danhulson8703]

the Pershing was a heavy Tank but it would of not gone through a King Tiger frontal armor like paper as it did in this encounter

[@sadfrog5787]

It couldn't even pen it at point blank

[@kingerikthegreatest.ofall.7860]

Very interesting mark, well done.

[@benedictstraka4574]

Another great tank battle history lesson . Thank you

[@redrackham6812]

This is quite interesting, so thank you very much for posting it. I do have a quibble, though. You say around 2:20 that the Super Pershing's 90mm M3 gun was similar in hitting power to the 8.8cm KwK 36 on the Tiger I. That is true, with a big asterisk, of the guns on the regular Pershings, which were 53 calibers in length, as compared to the Tiger I guns, which were 88mm and 56 calibers in length. The asterisk there is that, firing HVAP rounds, the 90mm M3 actually had penetrating power more comparable to the 8.8 cm KwK 43, the gun on the King Tiger, which was 71 calibers in length. The Super Pershing, however, had a variant of the 90mm M3 that was 73 calibers in length, making it more comparable to the 8.8 KwK 43. With HVAP rounds, however, its penetrating power was actually significantly better than even the KwK 43.

[@BottleBri]

Hi mark. I have watched a few of your films now and I think what you do is absolutely brilliant. Your many types of programme are extremely interesting and educational. I also think your narration sounds even better than Tim piggot smith and that’s saying something! You should be doing tv work. I thoroughly enjoy everything I’ve seen of yours. Keep up the great work. Brian.

[@blank557]

I just read "Spearhead" a biography of Sherman tank Gunner in Europe. He later was assigned to one of the few Pershing tanks, and was in the duel with the Panther at Cologne that was recorded on film. In his late age he met with a former German tank crewman whose Mark IV tank he disabled, and they became fast friends. It's a excellent book, chock full of details of what it was like to ride and fight in a tank. Plenty accounts of tense battles, along with many sad moments seeing his friends killed. If you are a tank buff, I promise you will you'll like it.

[@RasPutintheGreat]

Amazing as always.l, if possible can you do Philippines during WWII. Thanks