Panzerkampfwagen VIII Maus (English: 'mouse') was a German World War II super-heavy tank completed in July of 1944. As of 2025, it is the heaviest fully enclosed armored fighting vehicle ever built.

At 188 tonnes, it is the heaviest operational tank ever made by any nation at any time in any war and was made despite the shortages of raw materials, industrial capacity, and manpower at the time in Nazi Germany.

Der Panzer „Maus“ war ein überschwerer Panzer für die Wehrmacht, der nach den Ideen seiner Entwickler und einiger hochrangiger Politiker auf dem Schlachtfeld allen Gegnern überlegen sein sollte.

May 27, 2024 · The Panzer VIII Maus was the German last and only super heavy tank built during WWII. It was the heaviest fully enclosed armored fighting vehicle ever built and was planned to be employed as a “break through” panzer.

During the tests, the Maus could hardly move due to its enormous weight and power/weight ratio. The First prototype V1 (Maus I), was powered by modified Daimler-Benz MB 509 (developed from DB 603 aircraft engine), which could not provide planned speed of 20km/h but only 13km/h in ideal conditions.

Sep 21, 2018 · Their only super heavy tank model was the PzKpfw VIII Maus, and during its production in 1944-1945, two models were created that did not have the opportunity to take part in battles.

Jun 13, 2020 · The Pz.Kpfw. Maus is one of the most famous German tanks. It was the heaviest tank ever built in history. Opinions about the Maus tend to be extreme opposites, some believe that the Maus was the Wehrmacht's last hope, others say that it was the proverbial straw that broke the back of German industry.

The Maus was designed from the start to use the "electric transmission" design which Ferdinand Porsche had used in the VK 4501 (P), his unsuccessful attempt to win the production contract for the Tiger.

Feb 1, 2019 · Detailing the technical specifications, development, and operational history of the SdKfz 205 Panzerkampfwagen VIII (PzKpfW VIII) / Maus Super-Heavy Tank Project including pictures.

Jan 10, 2017 · The Panzerkampfwagen VIII Maus (Sd.Kfz 205) was a German super-heavy tank design, and the heaviest tank to reach complete working prototype in World War II. The basic design known as the...