Michael Wittmann: WAFFEN SS "Tanks" 2/5

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Michael Wittmann WAFFEN SS "Tanks"

Videos Running Time 00:47:00 in 5 Parts

Tanks: " Aces: Michael Wittmann " 2 of 5

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' Hirscheas 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!!

Channel: Entertainment
Uploaded: January 14, 2008 at 12:25 am
Author: kingtiger88

Length: 00:10:00
Rating: 4.98
Views: 23836

Tags: Tank Panzer Michael Wittmann Waffen SS WaffenSS Tiger German Germany Normandy D-Day World War Armor PanzerVI 7.92 88mm

Video Comments:
nihatrou (October 1, 2008 at 5:57 pm)
Hitler was right! The ϟϟ were the REAL heroes!!

卐 Heil Hitler 卐
DPQSniper (September 14, 2008 at 5:41 am)
Well im currently reading a book called Panzer Aces by Franz Kurowski, the book is very interesting. The book talks about sever german panzer commanders including Wittmann, I deafonitly advise this book for people who are interested in lerning more about the german side during WW2.
THM41 (August 26, 2008 at 10:49 pm)
It would be interesting to know whether Wittmann now is a schnitzel in Hell or enjoying life in Valhalla/Indraloka?
pelipom (August 1, 2008 at 6:13 pm)
Uniforms of SS was maded by Hugo boss, if you know him.
ltflermy (July 29, 2008 at 8:28 pm)
Wittman's story would make for a very fascinating film. Had he lived long enough, perhaps he would have changed his stance as a Nazi and saw it for what it was.
DanOblacksmith (September 1, 2008 at 1:04 am)
Perhaps Chamberlain should have been not such a pussy and engaged Hitler more directly on the true issues of the day. Britain and the U.S. fought the wrong people in that war and Hitler knew it. The holocaust would not have been had the west collectively joined against bolschevism when it counted. Instead a senseless waste ensued in europe when all should have held back the red monster as one unified front. Welcome to the cold war with your "freinds", the russians who always were the REAL foes.
Painz01r (September 16, 2008 at 9:36 am)
Isn't the same thing happening today? EU backs down and ignores russian aggression/fascism because of gas/oil.
SweSthlm (July 17, 2008 at 3:08 pm)
I recommend that you read "Panzer Commander" written by Oberst Hans Von Luck, if you like history and tank commanders... great book about a very interesting soldier who saw battle on almost all fronts of the war...
rangerbobcat (August 14, 2008 at 11:39 pm)
Including a fascinating section on Oberst
Luck's life as a prisoner of war of the
Soviets.
QuickSixx (July 3, 2008 at 7:22 pm)
Wittmann the Ace!