Tiger I nickname "Tiger" by Ferdinand Porsche, and the Roman numeral was added after the later Tiger II entered production. The initial designation was "Panzerkampfwagen VI Ausführung H" (‘‘"Panzer VI version H"’’, abbreviated "PzKpfw VI Ausf. H") where 'H' denoted Henschel as the designer/manufacturer. It was classified with ordnance inventory designation "SdKfz 182". The tank was later re-designated as "PzKpfw VI Ausf. E" in March 1943, with ordnance inventory designation "SdKfz 181". Today, only seven Tiger I tanks survive in museums and private collections worldwide. The Tiger 131 at the UK's Tank Museum, which was captured during the North Africa Campaign, is
Heinrich Kling Prior to Operation Barbarossa he came to the Leibstandarte, and commanded its 13th (heavy) company of Tiger I tanks. As ardent Nazi, Kling was popular among his fellow Waffen-SS soldiers. Since late November 1943 the SS Panzer Regiment 1 was commanded by Joachim Peiper, of whom Kling was a personal favorite. Peiper consequently made Kling leader of the 2nd Battalion, and nominated him for the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. Kling received the award on 23 February 1944. Kling was heavily wounded during Operation Overlord. On 19 March 1945, he was appointed commander of the 501st Heavy SS Panzer