Michael Wittmann: WAFFEN SS "Tanks" 1/5

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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!!

Channel: Entertainment
Uploaded: January 14, 2008 at 12:15 am
Author: kingtiger88

Length: 00:10:00
Rating: 4.94
Views: 63850

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

Video Comments:
Deutschland1961 (October 10, 2008 at 2:59 am)
Micha Wittman German Hero 5*****
HighwayGB (October 6, 2008 at 10:41 am)
Michael Wittmann！！！
ccs1433 (October 3, 2008 at 8:47 pm)
im guessin your a yank how unfortunate for ya.i seem to remember the yanks was scared to join untill they got a severe ass kickin by imperial japan,just cos i live in uk dont mean im from the uk.the point that as i read it is not ALL ss and other fighting men of germany were evil nazi bastards most were soldiers doing as they were told(i also guess you have never served in the forces or you would be aware that no to a higher rank gets you more than ear ache)you seem to be the fanatic (nazi)
jrwel14 (October 4, 2008 at 2:59 am)
The americans were not scared of getting into the war. They felt it was an European war. I never said that all Germans in WW2 were bad. Germany is a great country. So all some others. About the fanatic nazi, I'm not a racist at all. I don't promote hatred. I am against this Nazis were the greatest of all. The Holocaust didn't happen.When there is alot of photos and videos that show otherwise. And, these great comments on youtube mostly from people under 25 years old.
ccs1433 (October 2, 2008 at 10:12 pm)
end of the the day shit happened. in germany you say no you get executed not the same as america where you do as you please.easy answer to your argument is people now like germans but no one likes the yanks
jrwel14 (October 2, 2008 at 11:05 pm)
So, no one likes the yanks. With you being from the United Kingdom. The americans saved your Ass in WW2 But,I guess you being born after the war wouldn't know that,would you?
nihatrou (October 1, 2008 at 5:57 pm)
Hitler was right! The ϟϟ were the REAL heroes!!

卐 Heil Hitler 卐
DPQSniper (September 30, 2008 at 4:40 am)
well maybe not 6 but was in the millions.
wotanderwilde (September 15, 2008 at 4:19 pm)
6 million, what 6 million? XD
jrwel14 (October 3, 2008 at 4:49 am)
The 6 million that everyone knows were killed in the death camps. Everyone, except for people who idolize the nazis, but don't want to admit what they did. I guess all those pictures and videos showing the victims were created on Hollywood's Apple computers back in 1945!The biggest fools are those who have a close mind!