The 1st Company 504 Tigers in Tunisia carried small red numbers on the turret sides,
as opposed to the very large white outlined turret numbers seen on 501 Tigers.
The 504 Tigers in Africa
In February 1943 the schwere Panzer Abteilung 504 was advised that its 1st Company would be going to Tunisia, and their Tigers were equipped for tropical duty. Its 2nd Company eventually remained in Sicily. From March 6 to April 16th the s.Pz.Abt.504 was ferried across to Tunisia on motorized lighters, with no losses in transit. Some were unloaded at Bizerta and the rest at Tunis.
Upon arrival the commander of 504 learned that the 501 was without a commander and only 11 of their Tigers remained serviceable. It was therefore decided to incorporate the 501 and their remaining Pz.IIIs and Pz.IVs into the 504 since only 3 of the 504 Tigers were ready for action at that time. Gen.von Arnim then ordered the merged battalion south to the Maknassy pass area in support of Kampfgruppe Lang.
On March 20 they moved west to intercept American forces attempting to break through to the sea and claimed 44 tanks of 9th Armored Division. These would be some of their last victories.
