During SS-Hauptsturmführer Michael Wittmann's many campaigns both on the Eastern front and in the West, Wittmann was to make a name for himself with his exceptional skill and bravery, and was highly respected both by friend and foe alike. While his skill had been recognised on the harsh battlefields on the
Eastern Front, his exploits during the
Normandy Campaign of 1944 - and the famous assault of elements of the British 7th Armoured Division, during the Battle of Villers-Bocage on June 13 1944 - were to elevate him to the status of a legend. While in command of a single Panzerkampfwagen VI Tiger, Wittmann destroyed up to 14 enemy tanks including Cromwells, Sherman Fireflys and M3 Stuart tanks and two 6-pounder anti-tank guns and several armoured Universal and Loyd Carriers and half-tracks in a very short time in and around Villers-Bocage. Michael Wittmann, nicknamed 'The Black Baron, is credited with the destruction of 138 tanks and 132 anti-tank guns, along with an unknown number of other armoured vehicles making him one of the worlds top scoring Panzer aces, together with Hauptmann Johannes Bölter (schwere Panzer-Abteilung 502), SS-Oberscharführer Ernst Barkmann (2.SS-Panzer-Division Das Reich), Lieutenant Otto Carius (schwere Panzer-Abteilung 502) and Feldwebel Kurt Knispel (12.Panzer-Division) who was the top scoring ace of World War II with 168, possibly as high as 195, tank kills.
Michael Wittmann was killed aged 30 on August 8 1944 while taking part in a counterattack ordered by SS-Brigadeführer Kurt Meyer of the 12.SS-Panzer-Division Hitlerjugend to retake tactically important high ground near the town of Saint-Aignan-de-Cramesnil. There is however considerable conflict surrounding the exact details of Wittmann's death. The unmarked field grave of Tiger n°007's crew was discovered in 1983. It was possible to identify the remains by Wittmann's dental records and his driver SS-Unterscharführer Heinrich Reimers identification tag. They were then reinterred together at the German war cemetery of La Cambe in France. Units: 1.SS-Panzer-Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler and schwere SS-Panzer-Abteilung 101. Awards among others: Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oakleaves and Swords. Here's a link to an interview with Michael Wittmann recorded by KB SS-Hschaf. Dieter Menninger shortly after the Villers-Bocage action on June 13 1944. Clip and stills: Michael Wittmann as SS-Obersturmführer shortly after the award of the Swords. The film was shot only a few weeks before he met his end in a fiery ambush in the Calvados in Normandy. Die Deutsche Wochenschau.
SS-Sturmmann Rudolf "Rudi" Hirschel (radioman) 24/1/3 – 44/8/8 (20 years old),
ReplyDeleteSS-Unterscharführer Henrich Reimers (driver) 24/5/11 – 44/8/8 (20 years old),
SS-Unterscharführer Karl Wagner (observer) 20/5/31 – 44/8/8 (24 years old),
SS-Sturmmann Günther Weber (loader) 24/12/21 – 44/8/8 (20 years old),
SS-Haupsturmführer Michael Wittmann (commander) 14/4/22 – 44/8/8 (30 years old)
Michael Wittmann was a Bavarian farm boy who wanted to join the newly created German army in 1934. He then had a chance to transfer to the elite Waffen SS and eventually, in 1943, earned his way into the command of one of the most formidable weapons in modern warfare, the feared Tiger I battle tank!
ReplyDeleteInterview mit Hauptsturmführer der Waffen-SS Michael Wittmann: https://www.bitchute.com/video/sncI67cA5Kvy/
ReplyDeleteMichael Wittmann is perhaps the most famous tank ace of WW2. Americans hate that he is so much admired for his amazing skill as a tank commander, and that he dwarfs the accomplishments of their preferred soldiers. Of course, had he been American, he would be made out in their country to be the greatest hero.
ReplyDeleteI find it extremely offensive to have German soldiers being sung as “hero’s” given what they did to our soldiers. German soldiers killed OUR soldiers.... MEN - sons, husbands, fathers, brothers, Uncles and friends these men were killed by our enemies actions. NO German soldiers are NOT “heros”... they were sadly victims to the propaganda of their country and culture at the time. DO NOT make them to be hero’s now.
ReplyDeleteYou’re just ignorant of history. Ya might want to read how we we baited into World War Two in the two part series by former ARRB member Douglas Horne.
DeleteISBN -13:978-0-9843144-5-4
It’s called Deception, Intrigue and the road to War. But you probably won’t. You’ve obviously never been to war like I have and run your mouth over something you haven’t a clue about.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
DeleteUnfortunately British, American, and Russian aces never matched up to their German counterparts - be it air, tank, or deep, Germans routinely have several times the number of victories compared to allied forces.
ReplyDeleteAlthough outnumbered, the Germans were still better.
ReplyDelete