maus

Intro The Panzerkampfwagen VIII Maus was Nazi Germany’s attempt to create the most heavily armored and armed tank in history. Here’s a detailed overview of the Maus super-heavy tank: --- 🛡️ Basic Facts Specification Details Name Panzerkampfwagen VIII Maus Designer Ferdinand Porsche Manufacturer Krupp Weight ~188 metric tons Length (with gun) ~10.2 m Armor Thickness Up to 240 mm (front) Main Armament 128 mm KwK 44 L/55 gun Secondary Armament 75 mm KwK 44 L/36.5, 7.92 mm MG34 Engine MB 509 V12 (later MB 517 diesel) Speed ~13 km/h (on road) Crew 6 Prototypes Built 2 (one complete, one partially) Year Developed 1944 --- 🔧 Design Goals Ultimate battlefield dominance through unmatched armor and firepower. The 128 mm gun could penetrate any Allied armor at long range. Armor was so thick that no contemporary Allied tank gun could penetrate it from the front. Intended as a "breakthrough tank"—smashing through enemy lines where other tanks would be destroyed