Michael Wittmann: WAFFEN SS “Tanks” 1/5
April 8th, 2010 | by admin |
Michael Wittmann WAFFEN SS “Tanks”
Videos Running Time 00:47:00 in 5 Parts
Tanks: ” Aces: Michael Wittmann ”
This episode of Tanks chronicles the exploits of SS-Hauptsturmführer Michael Wittmann (1914-1944)
Michael Wittmann’s later actions are known to most readers in Normandy campaign. However, Wittmann began his career as a tank ace in actually an assault gun; the StuG III. In the Ukraine Whitmann found success with the StuG III against T-34’s. He was credited with several victories during this time. On July 12, 1941, Wittmann received the first of many awards; the Iron Cross Second Class. When asked, at the presentation of the medal, if he had any special requests, Wittmann requested that a T-34 crew be given treatment afforded any brave soldier. His request was granted. Whitmann was awarded the; Iron Cross First Class on September 8th, 1941. Wittmann, his crew, and their StuG III nicknamed “Buzzard” were quickly making a name for themselves fighting against superior T-34/76.
On December 20th 1942 Wittmann completed the Officer Training course at Bad Tölz. He was commissioned a SS-Untersturmführer (2nd Lieutenant) and assigned to Heavy Panzer Replacement Battalion 500. Wittmann checked out in a long-barreled PzKw IV. Soon after Wittmann began training in the weapon that would make him famous; the PzKw VI “Tiger.” As fortune would have it, he was paired with an excellent crew. One the soon to be best gunners in the Waffen-SS, Rottenführer Balthasar “Bobby” Woll first met Wittmann during this training. With Whitmann, Woll, loader Rottenführer Karl Berges, driver Rottenführer Gustav ‘Gustl’ Kirschmer and gunner/radio operator Rottenführer Herbert Pollmann the Waffen-SS had assembled one of the best tank crews in history.
Whitmann returned to the Russian Front assigned to 1 SS Panzer Grenadier “Leibstandarte.” Whitmann was assigned to first a PzKw III J, but soon received command of a Tiger. During Operation “Zitadelle” (Kursk) Wittmann is credited with 30 victories and 28 anti-tank guns. Wittmann was awarded the Knight’s Cross.
The famed battle that took place near Villers-Bocage. Wittmann single handedly blunt a large British offensive attempting capture Caen. In this action Whitmann destroyed 22 British armored vehicles
August 8th 1944 would be Wittmann’s last battle. Wittmann’s last crew consisted of; SS-Unterscharführer Karl Wagner as gunner, SS-Sturmmann Günther Weber as loader, SS-Unterscharführer Heinrich Reimers as driver, and SS-Sturmmann Rudolf ‘Rudi’ Hirschel as bow machine gunner and radio operator. Much controversy has surrounded Wittmann’s death. Both Polish and British unit claim destroying his Tiger.
Wittmann’s remains were located in 1982 and buried in France in 1983 at the Germany cemetery at La Cambe in Normandy
Enjoy this excellent episode of TANKS!!
Duration : 0:10:0
25 Responses to “Michael Wittmann: WAFFEN SS “Tanks” 1/5”
By kingtiger88 on Apr 8, 2010 | Reply
SORRY to all. But, …
SORRY to all. But, I’m tired of the: “how Wittmann died comments. I’m not trying to get the last word in, but here’s my opinion. I have had contacts with 2 confirmed experts and they both came to the same conclusion. Wittmann was killed in 1944 and his remains found in 1980. No confirmation can be made by any group. I will not answer any e-mail to this question!!! Thank you, and sorry that the comments have been shut off. Your welcome Kaang
By kaang69 on Apr 8, 2010 | Reply
Great video’s …
Great video’s KingTiger88. Thank You,
By suppastarz10 on Apr 8, 2010 | Reply
i have a book on him
i have a book on him
By hzj79 on Apr 8, 2010 | Reply
tiger 007 was …
tiger 007 was knocked out by an artillery shell in the sector where Polish 1st Armoured Division was fighting. There are few books on the events of that day describing the exact units involved against the german panzers hour by hour. There were no canadian or english troops involved until later in the afternoon, with engilsh very reluctant to engage the the germans at all actually… 007 tiger had no signs of tank shells but was hit in the engine from above and exploded from inside out (ammo)
By AHG24 on Apr 8, 2010 | Reply
more like a british …
more like a british firefly.
By faeembrugh on Apr 8, 2010 | Reply
The two candidates …
The two candidates for his kill are the Sherbrooke Fusiliers (Canadian) and the Northamptonshire Yeomanry (British). Best evidence is that the British tankers got him in a side-on ambush. Actually went to the scene of the battle a few years ago – quite interesting day out!
By faeembrugh on Apr 8, 2010 | Reply
Best evidence is …
Best evidence is that fire from one or more Sherman Firefly tanks wiped out Wittmann and his supporting Tigers. Whether the killing shot was from the Canadians or British is unknown, but the war diary of the British unit – which anyone can read in the UK’s Public Records Office – is fascinating stuff…
By kingtiger88 on Apr 8, 2010 | Reply
actually no one …
actually no one knows
By jehternf on Apr 8, 2010 | Reply
a Canadian Sherman …
a Canadian Sherman killed Wittmann
By Jimbo898 on Apr 8, 2010 | Reply
Whittmann was rash …
Whittmann was rash in taking on a armor brigade on his own. He should have waited on his element, they would have been more affective. This rashness would later cost him his live. The greatest Panzar ace was Kurt Knispel, yet you hear nothing about him, and he was never awarded the Knights Cross. He had over 168 kills with 195 probable.
By tylerhover on Apr 8, 2010 | Reply
heil the black …
heil the black baron!! My great grandfather was in the 12SS Panzer Hitlerjugend too!
By swanningaround on Apr 8, 2010 | Reply
I had a good friend …
I had a good friend who destroyed many German tanks in this battle. So this wasn’t all one side. He had a Typhoon, which was a good weapon against tanks. He was shot down in May 1945 over Germany. He was badly burnt and made it back to a first aid post. When he woke up, he thought he saw a skeleton beside him. The first aid post was Belsen, and the man sitting up beside him was a former prisoner there. Times are different now, fortunately.
By Obergefreiter1 on Apr 8, 2010 | Reply
Hero of the reich.. …
Hero of the reich…………
By dvs2mpain18 on Apr 8, 2010 | Reply
On the contrary my …
On the contrary my friend. It couldn’t be stronger. Weak idiots like you turn to fear mongering and predictions of doom. The American empire is far from collapse. The romans fell when they had to rely on the very barbarians for protection. America still has a native fighting force which is more than capable of keeping the entire world at bay. We have 10+ full size nuclear carriers.. the rest of the world has a rag tag fleet less than that. Even alone we are strong.
You are an idiot.
By 000223405 on Apr 8, 2010 | Reply
the u.s.a. today is …
the u.s.a. today is in near ruin. a large group of our children do not wish to learn in school, drugs ,sex, and know work ethic. the good ones are for the most part in the middle east protecting the oil for the capitalists. the usa needs men as michael wittman, who have guts ,honor, truth,loyalty. men like he are gods to be praised. Hail Wittmann!
By calibre9mm on Apr 8, 2010 | Reply
imagine this kind …
imagine this kind of war with todays technology??
wow truly the end
By mattmil89 on Apr 8, 2010 | Reply
Thank god he was …
Thank god he was killed before he could do anymore damage.
By 99999999988888888 on Apr 8, 2010 | Reply
Check out my …
Check out my tribute to the Waffen SS!
By marlondarren on Apr 8, 2010 | Reply
Dein nick passt zu …
Dein nick passt zu dir von ehre keine spur
By undertaker83 on Apr 8, 2010 | Reply
Michael Wittmann is …
Michael Wittmann is a hero of the arien peopel
By CHRISO7654 on Apr 8, 2010 | Reply
great video
great video
By dummerassi on Apr 8, 2010 | Reply
GEnau, Sieg oder …
GEnau, Sieg oder Tod, dich will ich sehen wie du mit deinem Gewehr im Graben den Spruch noch brüllst wenn du weisst du atmest vielleicht noch 2 Minuten. Geh doch sterben, währe mal ausnahmsweise was sinnvolles deinerseits.
By Suhrbier2008 on Apr 8, 2010 | Reply
3.SS Totenkopf Div. …
3.SS Totenkopf Div. bestand aus Mitgliedern der Waffen-SS und wechselweise KZ Wachmännern und Kommandanten
By Kreuzigenschlag on Apr 8, 2010 | Reply
Kampf, Sieg oder …
Kampf, Sieg oder Tod!
Hauptmann Wittmann, Sieg Heil! 88
By cripswind on Apr 8, 2010 | Reply
Michael Wittmann.. …
Michael Wittmann.. real german hero! RIP