wrong dates in OOB???

[Merlin]

Let's take the german Tiger for example which was made in August 1942. What does that mean? They were completed in August 1942 or were they first used at that date?

[Major Ed]

According to "The Encyclopedia of German Tanks of WW2" by Thomas L. Jentz the date is when they entered combat.

"Combat Service: The first unit to be equipped with Tigers was the 1st Platoon of the 502nd schwere Panzerabteilung which was hurriedly assembled and rushed to the Leningrad area in August 1942."

[Paulus Pak]

Maj. Ed is right. Tigers I went on action for the first time on August 29th of 1942 and September 21st/22nd at Mga, southeast of Leningrad with 1st companie of sPzAbt 502. It was a disaster. Tigers were put to fight ON MARSH, on tight muddy roads with high bushes around them. Russians quickly destroyed or damaged all Tigers (5 to 10 vehicles) and even captured some. It is said , that Goering was to blame, because he pointed this terrain as "most suitable for new super-tanks"