Before you put a comment, may I ask you to think about what you are writing. This video is solely about the tank warfare of Michael Wittmann. I do not back any of the Nazi thoughts. The last thing I dream of is that anybody of you associates me with the Nazi party or their beliefs. I also do not want any comments related to the extreme right or left and the current state of Europe. Thanks in advance! The AceDestroyer
Yes, those who call him a Hero are quite in the wrong. You are a Hero if you fight for something/someone that is believed to be good. I can not see that in this case. Calling him an extremely skilled tanker is totally accepable though. And that ist exactly the point of this video if I am not mistaken.
@@sniper0073088 no imo you are incorrect; he can be called a hero. He was fighting for something he believed in, even though he was SS, he was Waffen SS which is different from the Totenkopf. The OED defines hero as person who is admired for their courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities. 'a war hero.' Which pretty much wraps any argument about whether he is a hero or not. The allies were viewed in much the same view as you lot view the Axis.
@@respectablebogan3276 Well, If he is a hero, then the way he is being called that in this comment section implicates that these people support the 3rd Reich
@@sniper0073088 The Third Reich no longer exists; how can they support it? Be careful not to jump to conclusions too quickly and label people incorrectly
@@princeofcupspoc9073 no. a tank crew earned his kills. that was a real competition between the crews like between the fighter pilots and so on. every soldier wanted his iron cross and so on...
Hallo Leute ich bin Deutsch. AS a German even I think our language is difficult , due to a number of sounds For English speakers to try and use like we have the umlaut ( ä ü ö Ä Ü Ö) and the Eszett ( ẞ ) which is an S
Mr. White As Rommel was!We tend to forget some German soldiers did not care for politics,the Nazi party.They fought as a duty to their country. It was unfortunate about the brutality, murder and destruction of the great cities of Europe and the population. World War II was unnecessary as was most wars!
Mr. White Kurt Knispel deserves such an honor, even more than Wittmann... but he didn’t receive it because he saved a Russian Prisoner from being beaten by a SS Prison Officer.
@@ventolus2068 hopefully it's you, how man getting born without brain is far beyond me. War cemeteries will be kept forever to remember the fallen no matter one which side they fought.
Michael Wittmann was most successful during the time when he had his gunner Bobby Voll in the tank. It appears that the communication between Wittmann and Voll was indeed very special. Bobby Voll used to preset his sight for 600 meter, which made it possible for him to kill a lot of tanks with snap shots without being faced with a situation where he had to fire once, then adjust and fire twice to make the kill. Wittman and Voll worked out a system where Wittman would provide Voll with the number of tanks he observed and instruction of which order the tanks should be taken out. Short commands and Voll's pre-aimed cannon sight did the rest. Voll was so successful that he eventually received command of his own tank. It is often debated whether this could have been the reason for Wittmann eventually being beaten. This is by no means certain though. Kurt Knispel was actually also a former tank gunner. It was relatively unusual for tank gunners to be promoted to command of their own tank so people like Knispel and Voll were indeed special. The whole thing about Wittmann being in The SS, people should take with a grain of salt. Wittmann never really displayed the level of cruelty and hatred many people associate with SS. When Wittmann joined The SS, he had already seen service in The Wehrmacht so for him to join The SS at the time would be equal to soldiers today joining a special forces outfit, because that was how SS was viewed at the time. The Waffen SS actually mostly consisted of soldiers who had joined to be part of elite units and to get access to the best equipment possible. When people watch old footage from WWII, they associate the black uniforms as SS uniforms but the original heavy tank unit Wehrmact uniform was actually also black so the only difference was really the SS insignia on the SS uniforms. Michael Wittmann became so successful because he managed to integrate his crew into a close nit unit. Of course, he was also lucky. Anyone surviving the eastern front was bound to have had a certain amount of luck. However, every German armed forces person, who became famous for being a super ace, became a super ace on the eastern front, simply due to the amount of troops and equipment that was thrown at them from the Sovjet side and because the general training and quality of the Sovjet forces were usually inferior to that on the German side. All the major German tank aces won the majority of their fame on the eastern front. German tank aces like Kurt Knispel, Martin Schroif, Otto Carius, Johannes (Hans) Bolter, Michael Wittmann, Hans Sandrock, Paul Egger and Fritz Lang, were pretty unique. Of these, three were members of Waffen SS (Martin Schroif, Michael Wittmann and Paul Egger). While tankers such as Carius, Bolter and Wittman attained public fame in Germany during the war, it seems the others did not. There may be various reasons for this. It is well known that Knispel had a severe problem with authority. Kurt Knispel was definitely not a nazi in any shape or form. He also only received his knights cross after his death. Carius became famous for being both very disciplined but also pretty neutral. He played the game so to speak. He was also not a true nazi but played to the tune when needed so he would not destroy his own career. Most tankers of the highest scoring aces basically fought for their country and not for Hitler. On the eastern front, most German soldiers learned pretty quickly from 1942 onwards that the invasion of Russia was the blunder that lost Germany the war. I seriously doubt that even hardcore German SS soldiers on the eastern front had any illusions about Germany's chances of winning the war from the end of 1942 to the time they had been driven off the plains of Russia.
Wittmann did not volunteer for a 'special forces' unit, he volunteered to be a member of Hitler's personal armed bodyguard well before the war began. These were not elite units in the sense they had the best men or equipment - the most important qualification was fanatical devotion to Hitler and Nazism 'unto death'.
you keep saying wittman shot this and shot that, but in reality he just spotted the enemy tanks, it is hes gunner Bobby Woll who killed all them tanks, that is why whenever wittman got a transfer he took bobby woll with him, whenever possible!. the only reason why bobby woll was not killed together with micheal wittman is because woll was in the hospital at that time recovering from wounds!, bobby woll survived the war, he is the only tank gunner ever that got the knights cross of the iron cross!.
All new to me. Interesting. Like a ball club. It took a team, no one player can do it on their own. Perhaps a special feature devoted to Woll? I’d like to know more about him.
fatarsemonkey But in the heat of combat, it's the gunner who make those split decisions that can often make the difference between life or death, success or failure.
The commander of an armoured vehicle is everything in combat. Dont pass comment on things you know nothing about. When we talk about Wittmann we of course talk about his whole crew. The whole crew makes the machine work.You would understand this if you experienced combat.
Dear Acedestroyer, I'm an ex American Army Armor Officer and I think your videos are extremely professional and enlightening. As far as your subject matter, I feel it is extremely important that we preserve ALL history so that we can at least ATTEMPT to learn from our mistakes. Thank you for sharing your research. You're a great historian, in my opinion. Cordially yours, Mark Puchala
@@kimjong-unsupremeleader3600 So What's your Point? He just said that he likes Hugo boss and is happy that the Führer kept the brand alive. But you, Can't even handle a Joke, and ironically your name is "Kim Jung-un Supreme Leader". So, What's your Point kid? I don't think that the north Koreans like your name.
I think that he was so good because of his MILITARY training when he was very young (the German Army - YET to be "Wehrmacht") was small, but had INCRIDIBLY HIGH-STANDARTS, and then - when he went into the SS 1st Armoured Div - he became (as far as I remember) basically a SCOUT, and "scouts" - among every modern army especially are the BEST - "CRACKED" - soldiers you may EVER have to rely upon - both in defensive "arrangements" as on the advance. When he became part of the "Stug"' 's battalion he was ALREADY an accomplished soldier - very experienced and EXTREMELY well trained, so it's no wonder he became "ACE" in a STUG! :) He was incredibly skilfull - in a kinda..."foxy" way of fighting. It's VERY difficult and extremely risky to go against Russian T-34's with a short-barelled "Stug", so when he got a "Tiger" - WELL! - you could EXPECT this guy to become an ACE! Waffen-SS or not - SOLDIERS are SOLDIERS! ALWAYS TO BE RESPECTED. Thank You for the video.
@@TheAceDestroyer Ouh! ...well!... no problem! It's actually ME who should be thanking YOU for those videos - extremely interesting and well done. Have a nice day. ;)
Very well done. I am a retired Tank Commander and was blessed to have been attached to the 137th Panzer Division for training during the cold war (1985, I was a young private from Dco 2/32 Armor, 3rd AD). While training with them it was the first time I heard of Wittmann however, i had forgotten many details and so I really enjoyed your video. Thank you for making it!
Spent three and a half years as a TC on M109.... 1980 to 1983 mid-May (ADATS).... Seen a A 10 come in way too low clipped a Oak tree limb (1 bodacious huge oak tree.) Scattered him & that plane,, all over our equipment,, witnessed and went through it, Seen F-104 British Buccaneers with those crazy-ass Marine pilots,, dog fighting (MOCK ) when we were supposed to be setting up for Static cals, then Dynamic caliberabration, get a little too damn carried away, coming off the FEBA,,, at 50 meters,, at 500 600 knots,,, do a flyover on our equipment,,, literally rattle those tracks,,,, 1 inch on the concrete pads. The test would only stop when one of them would slam into the mountain. couldn't even imagine in my wildest nightmares,,, what Michael Wittmann went through. Beyond imagination,,,.
Had the same kinda thing as a Brit tankie in the first Gulf War.. American A10 Warthogs coming in on the Basra Road over the top of our kit, so low you could smell 'em.... Great days. great mates. Big respect to all brother "Tankies" past, present and future.
Now you mention Kniespel you have to take into accout that he was a rebelion showing low respect for officers and nazis and therefor never ever got his knight cross because even the grade of a general schould had saluted the nightcross when the meet one. Please se a very clear excample of how Kurt Kniespel showed his disrespect towards nazis in the propaganda movie where his Tiger II tank units was doing a show for the propaganda weekly film. Where he clearly had put his German Cross OVER the nazi symbol in the eagle on his chest. Actual the medal schould had been placed under the eagle symbol and not over... Next a lot of pictures shows a unshaved and not recently cut hair style that not was very professional. But everybody loved him because he never insisted in being the guy there had done the kill. He let other step forward if they wanted. Another sign is when his Tiger II was damaged the unit commander tried to see if there were any survivers in the tank not one time but two times and both was stopped by the russians. Please remember that the Tiger II was a very expensive weaponsystem and was not supposed to be used for fun. So getting 3 Tiger II tanks knocked out to save his life or dead body was a very big thing to do.
Michael Wittmann was one of Germany's top Panzer ace's.I wonder if he had stayed in the army instead of the SS would he have been as successful.Something tells me he would have. Very good video !
Thank you for this presentation. Stuff like this you won't see on telly here in Germany. Peace to all soldiers fighting for their countries. I hold the space that oneday we realize that as mankind we do shall no longer fight our brothers and sisters.
Dennis Irvin; Excellent mini documentary on Wittmann & his incredible exploits during the war. Heard a lot about him but nice to get some details on his incredible skills as a tank commander & how he died! He was the Red Baron of panzers!! Thanks for The posting & keep up the good work!
I heared about Wittmann from an USA tank Commander, he spoke with great respect and honor of Wittmann and he told me about all belonging to Wittmann. As a tank Commander in lrak he knew about tanks and all difficulties in a war area.
@@fudgedog123 I know what happened, and that should always be remembered! It is disgusting what the Nazi regime did to various populations, the biggest population the jews. I think Mr Lediard only wanted to bring a bit of humor into the fact that Wittmann was Bavarian. I found the link between Bavarian lad and Oktoberfest quite amusing. You probably have heard stories about the Oktoberfest too.
@@stevetaylor5933 You. Have respect for our own heroes, for having the balls to fight back in Shermans and Churchills. No need to fawn to a dead Nazi in a superior tank.
i always honor the honorable warriors of the enemys. He did as well as he could for the side he was on and the side really doesnt matter. thanks for the video. i watched the documentary they made for the search of his remains. was glad when he was found and returned to his homeland.
@757WN there are too many retards out there. after all the time hunmanity and society had for evolving one might think plain stupidity would stop, but it doesnt
@757WN I'm very sorry if my video has upset you in any way. Everything you mention is absolutely right, and I would like to appolagize. I am far from the white power asshole you think I am. I'm just interested in armoured warfare and quite frankly you cannot ignore Wittmann concerning tanks. You are certainly right on the things you say, but I am no supporter of fascism, if it is something that I find disgusting it are people of the extreme right and left.
@@sniper0073088 Again, I'm very sorry if I have upset any one of you, I am no supporter of fascism, far from actually. I find the far right (and left) a disgusting group who like it said does not deserve any respect whatsoever. But like I said, I'm a 'fan' of armoured warfare and in armoured warfare one cannot overlook German Panzer aces. Again, I'm very sorry if I have upset you in any way and I would like to appologize.
The idea that his accomplishments should be at all discredited because he was driving one of the most powerful tanks of that time is absurd. As if his was the only Tiger in service. There were over 1300 Tiger ones produced. If the tank was the only reason he got that many kills, the German army could possibly have stopped both the Soviets and the Allies if every Tiger l and Tiger ll commander was as competent as Wittmann. It’s not all about who has the best Tank, but rather, IMO, it comes down to who is the more proficient warrior.
Get what you're saying OP. However, the German tanks were superior and by extension allowed the soldiers to show their true talents and skills. The tanks is a HUGE part of the equation. That does not take away from his success.
He was told what to do, then done it. He was following orders! He obviously believed what he was doing was right. Then to choose to go back to the front = a soldier through and through, to be with his comrades! I am from the Allies side, but can see from both sides..... Wars at futile!!!!!!!
Many thanks Ace Destroyer for a fantastic video commending this warrior. As a soldier myself I appreciate keeping the politics out of it. I can highly recommend the two volumes of Michael Wittmann from Stackpole publications. An incredible read and supplements your video very well. Wittmann was a warrior and had that bound with his fellow soldiers as only soldiers can understand. I served in the armoured units of the South African Defence force in the Angolan battles of southern Africa. 61 Mechanised. Being of German heritage myself I am fascinated by the great German tankers. Wittman at the fore. Otto Carius, I had the distinct pleasure and honour of meeting the great man on four separate occasions. See you in Valhalla one day Kameraden.
@@TheAceDestroyer keep up the great work. I really enjoy every video you have made across the board balanced and well researched information. Dont pay attention to retards!!!
What a truely amazing man, dont care if he fought for the nazis, he was an impressive hardworking man and desurves all the respect as a human as probably the greatest tank commander in history. Salut und ruhe in frieden kamerad!
He was hero for his country but to countrys opposing the Nazi's he was a SS pig like the rest of the Nazi's. The only Nazi I liked was the one who attempted to assassinate Hitler.
@@packzero606 Rommel wasnt a nazi. Please, if U write stuff Like that, at least inform yourself. Rommel was a Hero anderen Not a war criminal. But actually every country had warcriminals but that isnt an excuse for all that what the SS did
The book on Villers Bocage from the After The Battle series has a coda on his death. Their research indicates that it was a Firefly gunner from the Northhamptonshire Yeomanry, who "got" Wittmann - from the written source, it looks like The Firefly gunner took out pretty much the whole column, while the '75' Shermans peppered the other Tigers to distract and confuse them. It was a very fast action and if memory serves correctly, Wittman's Tiger was the third or fourth to be knocked out as it was that particular Tiger which exploded. If you're interested, Norbert Szamverber's book, "Waffen-SS Armour in Normandy: The Combat History of SS Panzer Regiment 12 and SS Panzerjäger Abteilung 12, Normandy 1944" covers this action. I think the war diary of the 12th SS was quite critical of Wittmann at the time of his death, indicating that Wittman wouldn't cooperate with Wunsche's regiment and rushed ahead into the ambush and that Wittmann might have been something of a "hothead" as well as a "daredevil". Good stuff!
Hi Buddy: love your work. My apologies if you have already done, can you please make a feature on Kurt Panzer Meyer I cant remember exact details (read long ago) Kurt Meyer and an advance platoon are three hours in front of the rest of the regiment. Come across a Russian Briagde, aske the Russiand to Surrender. Kurt has about 8 Men with him; the Russians are in total disbelief but admire Meyers humor and balls! For some reason they dont open fire on him nor attempt to take him prisoner. 45 minutes later Meyers Brigade advance on this Russian Position; and most of the aforementioned Russians are killed or wounded. Willy Bittrich might also be a great candidate to write a feature about; very chivalrous and honorable fellow, allowed Allied wounded to be evacuated before a major engagement began.
You are remiss for failing to mention that according to historian Brian Reid it was likely that Canadian Sydney Valpy Radley- Waters of the Sherbrooke Fusiliers, in a Sherman Firefly, more than likely fired the shell that penetrated Whitmann;s tank and ignited the ammunition therein. And it was the Canadians who were much closer than the British to Whitmann's tank and had a better firing angle and therefore achieved the kill.
As a Canadian, I think it does. Much of the sacrifice Canada made during the first and second world wars goes unspoken of. Canada had over 10% of its population in the armed forces in WW2, joining the war in 1939, although from what I've seen (mostly on UA-cam), the U.S. is often given a lot more credit than Canada
With Kurt Knispel and Otto Carius -Michael Wittmann was one of the best tankers doing WW Il fitting against Bolsheviks All of them did present high discipline tactics and fitting spirit Great video Thanks for sharing
samous No.Military deaths were around 5 million for germans and 8 million for soviets and that mainly due to germany attacking without even declaration of war while Soviets reorganised
@@Feffdc It was reported (both military and civilian deaths in WW2) that 8 million Germans died as compared to 27 million Soviets, though the more accepted figure was 20 million.
Fairly done video, good job ! Shake my head that all people cant see that being a "hero" or a "monster" is no different then if you believe a law is "legal" or "illegal" . It isn't a moral choice between good or evil its perspective and personal opinion. I can recognise someone's heroics without agreeing with their cause. Hero is anyone who goes beyond expectations in any serious situations. Wittmann was a great tank commander but he is only a hero to those of his side. That doesn't mean the rest of us cant see his heroic actions on the battlefield.
Absolutely Bachmann is well covered in the fantastic Stackpole publications. See the Tank aces book and Das Reich. Look forward to a video on this great commander to Ace Destroyer
Even today there is no firm evidence to back up Barkmann's claims. Given the fact that he awarded himself the Atler kampfer chevron, of which he was not entitled to throws even more doubt on this mans credibility.
Great video with some awesome first-hand footage. At the end of the day, if some people can't come on here and watch a historical video objectively without getting triggered and upset because they insist on drawing in other historical contexts not relevant to this topic, that's their fault and no one else's. Please keep the content coming!
Excellent soldier and warrior..... I've visited your resting place and fellow soldiers ... everyone reading this must go to la cambe cemetery ..amazing views and history
In other places on your channel you've asked for suggestions for other videos so here's one. After the war, Churchill wrote in his memoirs that the only thing that ever really scared him during the war was the U-Boat menace. As such the battle of the Atlantic was one of the most important battles of the war and was certainly the longest lasting from 1939 until 1944. So I'm suggesting that a video about that might be in order, especially about the early part. In some ways the early part of Battle of the Atlantic, from 1940 to 1941, before the USA or the USSR entered the war, and when only Britain and Canada where standing up to the Germans, was the most important battle of the war. I say this because if it had been lost at that time, Britain would have been knocked out of the war. Thus Germany would have been able to attack the USSR with all it's strength and resources. German industry would have been unencumbered by the bombing campaign. In addition, all of the manufacturing resources devoted to naval production would have been redirected to making tanks for the eastern front. And all of their best fighter aircraft would have been freed up from defending against the bombers and made available for the eastern front. As it is, the Germans made it to the suburbs of Moscow in 1941 while still fighting a two front war. If there had been no second front it is very likely that they may have captured all the land up to the Ural Mountains. And with that going on it is likely that the Japanese would have attacked in the far east with their powerful army in Manchuria. The USA would not have been a factor in the war because without Britain there would have been no D-Day. Not only was the early part of that battle important, it was also heroic because at that time the Germans had a 5 year technological and training head start against Britain and Canada. The movie "The Cruel Sea" from 1954 tells the story of those early days on a British Corvette quite well and the movie "Corvette K-225" hastily made in Hollywood in 1943 tells the story from the perspective of the Canadian Navy. To give an example of the supreme efforts made, the Canadian Navy in 1939 had only 12 warships but by the end of the war Canada had the third largest Navy in the world with over 300 warships including 120 Corvettes - most of which where built in Canada. But times where so desperate in 1940-41, that some of the first Canadian Corvettes went into action without deck guns. Instead they mounted telephone poles on the deck so that from a u-boat periscope it looked like they had a huge deck gun. If the Germans had known this they could have simply surfaced where the Corvette's depth charges where of no use and the deck gun on a u-boat was more than enough to finish off a Corvette. So that early part of the Battle of the Atlantic deserves a story.
Nicely done video. Thanks for your work on this. I enjoyed it very much. I should also mention your diction and pronunciation as a definite plus for anyone watching this. Game on man!
This is a story that really puts a tear to my eye. It fills me with a wonderful sensation to imagine all his heroic acts yet then blasts me down to know he was so close to escape death yet he went back with his fellow soldiers and died. Such a dramatic story with romanticism.
Thank you very much for bringing to light the achievements of this fine officer and his crew. Like so many men, they served their country well, and distinguished themselves honorably.
About Tiger 007 v. Westernhagen In the 101st there were 2 von Westernhagen`s OScha Rolf v. Westernhagen (3. Komp. Tank No. 334) and the Commander Ostubaf Heinz v. Westernhagen (Staff Tank No. 007) both are relatives of Marius Müller Westernhagen a famous German Rock Star in the 80`s . First Wittmann commanded Tiger 205 the 2nd Kp Kdr Tiger, this vehicle broke down and Wittmann commandeered a number of different vehicles incl. 222 and 231, when Kdr. Westernhagen was injured Wittmann assumed command of the Bat. and with it the Bat. Kdr. Tiger 007 Balthasar Woll, Wittmanns former longtime Gunner becomes a Tank Kdr too in 2. Kp. Tiger 212 All Tigers of the Pz Bat had Summer camo and Zimmerit apllied
Wittman is a great example of what one motivated soldier can accomplish, Being a Infantry soldier for most of my life. I know without question that men don't fight for politics or ideologies. They fight for the men beside them, their families, and their Homes. We must give respect were it is due, Wittman was a Brave and dependable soldier. Truly the man had the warrior spirit. As a soldier your job is not to agree with the opinions of your leaders or the people, but provide the leader and the people with the right to have an opinion...
Actual the Tiger I was a technical disaster and costed the germans very high efforts to keep running. No time during the war there were no more than 77 Tiger I battle ready on the same day on eastfront. Reports revealed that for every hour of figthing it needed 10 hours of service. Tiger I was a panic stop gap solution to be able to meet the t-34. Actual first engagement was a disaster where the lost the very first tiger I intact to the russians.
NO it was not thanks to the Tiger I that Wittmann had so many kills. There were more than 1,000 other Tiger I's there never ever come so close to this. Wittmann got his will regarding keeping the same crew duing the hole period. And one major hero here is the gunner! Wittmann managed and guided him excelent but it was only because the gunner were excelent to calculate distance to the goal very fast that they were able to get all those kills.
Well, it was partially thanks to the Tiger. He certainly had skill, no doubt about that, but if he had had a Panzer III during Kursk and Normandy for example, I think things would have turned out differently.
If he have had a Panther he could had archieved the same. So it is not because of a specific tank it is a mix of circumstances like current technical stage of friend and foe and his management skills and he was allowed to keep his own crew as it was his personal belongings. Please notice that Kurt Knipsel there actual got more kills did never ever had the same crew but he got the best avaiable in the unit. Actual if you analyze his last attack/moving forward in a enemyhold area it was a lame attack. He revealed 2 flanks instead of only one. Even one of his foes said "He moved forward like he was saying. "here I am come let us get some action." If you read the map carefully Wittmann could had drived much more to the left before running over a bare field with natural hideouts for enemy tanks in the front and on the left. IF he had gone far more to the left he would had meet one of the enemy units direct front and had survived the attack due to the thick amour on his front. It was a lame attack not taking into account the more well trained westernallied panser soldiers. A bad habbit from eastern front killed him.
Such bickering! Wittmann was an excellent, gallant, loyal and brave tank commander. Were some kills attributed to him actually destroyed by other unit tanks? Of course, but VERY few, as the Germans took great pride in accurate accounts of kills; no officer would knowingly "steal" another's shot! Was Wittmann careless when deploying into the firefight that cost him his life? Emphatically NO! He obviously, and bravely, went into the action where he did because time and circumstances required it, and NOT due to being reckless- he was far too experienced to have done so if it wasn't pressing and needed. A brave tank commander; fighting for a crazed lunatic and despot like many other Germans who were mesmerized and fooled by Hitler. Once that fact became known to most German soldiers, it was far too late to do anything beyond their duty; just to hang on, fight and try to survive each day was all they could possibly do. God grant peace to all soldiers of all nations who fought so bravely in WWII...
Great video, thank you AceDestroyer! Your pronunciation perfect as always. Does anyone know if any units under his command were ever accused of serious warcrimes? Hoping there's no reason not to truly celebrate him historically.....
Thanks for the kind words! I really, really appreciate it! I do my best to pronounce everything right and to keep adding good content. I don't believe any units under his command committed war crimes, but I'm really not sure. I didn't come across any during my research anyway. If they did commit crimes, than I won't look at him as a brilliant tank ace and soldier anymore.
Yes indeed. Most of the time in history it doesn't matter how you achieve the victory. As soon as you loose, all the atrocities will come to light, whilst if you win, it does not seem matter anymore.
It's about honour. It's about retaining your moral principles regardless of how poorly those around you act. Sure it was common for soldiers on both sides not to accept prisoners during intense fighting, particularly on the eastern front, but acts of true barbarity were looked down upon even by most of the SS. Many officers challenged Knochlein to a duel after the Le Paradis massacre of BEF troops by SS Totenkopf. The Germans were better than that. And so were much of the western allies for that matter.
@@TheAceDestroyer ... a while back I had an English friend who moved to Germany; I think it was somewhere on the Rheinland. His first experiences of trying to 'fit in' were met with coldness. Once the locals began to accept him, however, they became a little more open and candid. It was through his accounts of what they'd told him that I learned that - once the Allies were starting to gain the upper hand, post-D-Day - they weren't paying much heed to white flags, either. Flags or no flags, they'd got to a point they were shooting Germans on sight. In this light, he had been able to understand their initial frostiness.
I presume a Sherman firefly tank was involved at the end. The Sherman with the long barrelled 17lb gun. Whether you were lucky to have this tiger killing tank is debateable, as the German forces always attacked the Firefly first.
Even when the Germans were quite obviously going to lose the war, he went to France? Let that sit for a second. Whatever his political leanings were, he quite obviously loved tank warfare over everything else! Complete nutter or genius is the question....either way, a fitting end for a warrior.
there is a good interview with Wittman online, done soon after his Bocage ambush.... the sounds of ongoing combat can be heard faintly as the interview is being conducted.
The Sherwood Foresters were brave men also and should also be given credit because Wittman had to be good with a good crew to cause so much damage to the Brits. Thanks for the vid important to not forget the History ! Be Blessed.
Just a correction Zdenek, but think you meant to type Sherbrooke Fusiliers. My late uncle was with the Sherbrooke Fusiliers...went to his grave with 387 grams of '88 shrapnel (he was cremated) from when his 'Tommy Torch' was hit! I hope you are not offended by me by correcting you.
I've been to LaCambe many times. Wittmanns grave is constantly covered with flowers by the LAH Veterans association and usually the Bundeswehr Panzer Kampfschule Cadre. I sell beautiful glossy 8x10's of his tombstone and usually donate the money to the HIAG and LAH vets groups for reunions.
@Princess Marshella Horman Yes, but they face immense pushback from their Socialist leadership. Very often the Soldiers are insulted, and mischaracterized when they take trips to Battlefields or are engaged in cemetary beautification projects. I write about this in my book. I saw this problematic many times in my capacity as Partnership Officer.
Some historians and authors of the late twentieth-century found Wittmann's actions at Villers-Bocage impressive, describing his attack as "one of the most amazing engagements in the history of armoured warfare", "one of the most devastating single-handed actions of the war", and "one of the most devastating ambushes in British military history".[54][55][56] Historian Stephen Badsey has stated that the ambush Wittmann launched has cast a shadow over the period between D-Day and 13 June in historical accounts.[57] German tank commander and historian Wolfgang Schneider [de] is not as impressed. In analyzing Wittmann's actions at Villers-Bocage, he called into question his tactical ability. Schneider states: "a competent tank company commander does not accumulate so many serious mistakes".[58] He highlights how Wittmann dispersed his forces in a sunken lane with a broken down tank at the head of the column thereby hampering his unit's mobility. The solitary advance into Villers-Bocage was heavily criticized as it breached "all the rules". No intelligence was gathered, and there was no "centre of gravity" or "concentration of forces" in the attack. Schneider argues that due to Wittmann's rash actions: "the bulk of the 2nd Company and Mobius 1st Company came up against an enemy who had gone onto the defensive".[58] He calls Wittmann's "carefree" advance into British-occupied positions "pure folly", and says "such over hastiness was uncalled for." He concludes that had a properly prepared assault been launched involving the rest of his company, and the 1st Company, far greater results could have been achieved. Finally, Schneider opines that: "thoughtlessness of this kind was to cost [Wittmann] his life ... during an attack casually launched in open country with an exposed flank.
No no i thank you for your patience and historical memorabilia visual documentation you have provided for us. good job my friend and you stay relaxed and good job from your American home boy or as you say Mate from los Los Angeles California erniee llamas reporting out!!!
Ace Destroyer...if you haven’t already... You would make an excellent Audiobook reader. Your voice is similar to that of John Lee. Mr. Lee in my opinion is in the top 5 all-time Audiobook readers.
I believe that more recently they found Michael Wittmann's communication device which went around his throat in the area where he was killed. I'm sure somebody else knows about this and can give more information about it.
![After Wittmann's Tiger Tank Rampage - The Fight back at Villers-Bocage [WW2 Documentary]](/img/n.gif)
Before you put a comment, may I ask you to think about what you are writing. This video is solely about the tank warfare of Michael Wittmann. I do not back any of the Nazi thoughts. The last thing I dream of is that anybody of you associates me with the Nazi party or their beliefs. I also do not want any comments related to the extreme right or left and the current state of Europe. Thanks in advance! The AceDestroyer
Yes, those who call him a Hero are quite in the wrong. You are a Hero if you fight for something/someone that is believed to be good. I can not see that in this case. Calling him an extremely skilled tanker is totally accepable though. And that ist exactly the point of this video if I am not mistaken.
@@sniper0073088 no imo you are incorrect; he can be called a hero. He was fighting for something he believed in, even though he was SS, he was Waffen SS which is different from the Totenkopf. The OED defines hero as person who is admired for their courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities. 'a war hero.' Which pretty much wraps any argument about whether he is a hero or not. The allies were viewed in much the same view as you lot view the Axis.
@@respectablebogan3276 Well, If he is a hero, then the way he is being called that in this comment section implicates that these people support the 3rd Reich
@@sniper0073088 The Third Reich no longer exists; how can they support it? Be careful not to jump to conclusions too quickly and label people incorrectly
@@hyeden88 i agree
I think a lot of the credit should to his driver , and gunner as well .
Yes indeed, a tank operates with a crew of 5. Without any one of those five members a tank cannot be operated properly.
title should be Micheal Wittman and his crew
@@musaterlemez6312 except his crew survived the war, at least for Boby Woll / Balthasar Woll. I guess he had not his causal crew in his last day.
And the rest of his company. Germany gave all of the company's tank kills to the commander.
@@princeofcupspoc9073 no. a tank crew earned his kills. that was a real competition between the crews like between the fighter pilots and so on. every soldier wanted his iron cross and so on...
Really appreciated your clear pronunciation of German.
Thanks, I try to do my best to pronounce everything right.
I was surprised and impressed by that too
I understand a little German but unfortunately don't speak any beyond simple phrases, but it's always refreshing to hear it spoken clearly.
Hallo Leute ich bin Deutsch.
AS a German even I think our language is difficult , due to a number of sounds For English speakers to try and use like we have the umlaut ( ä ü ö Ä Ü Ö) and the Eszett ( ẞ ) which is an S
@@michaelhawkins1528 It is EAAASY once you trï
His grave in France is always covered in flowers even today. A well respected warrior admired by both sides. Rest in Peace Michael Wittmann.
Mr. White As Rommel was!We tend to forget some German soldiers did not care for politics,the Nazi party.They fought as a duty to their country.
It was unfortunate about the brutality, murder and destruction of the great cities of Europe and the population.
World War II was unnecessary as was most wars!
Mr. White Kurt Knispel deserves such an honor, even more than Wittmann... but he didn’t receive it because he saved a Russian Prisoner from being beaten by a SS Prison Officer.
@@ventolus2068 hopefully it's you, how man getting born without brain is far beyond me. War cemeteries will be kept forever to remember the fallen no matter one which side they fought.
Mr. White Deary me you are a disciple of genocide, go fuck yerself
@@ventolus2068 👍
Michael Wittmann was most successful during the time when he had his gunner Bobby Voll in the tank. It appears that the communication between Wittmann and Voll was indeed very special.
Bobby Voll used to preset his sight for 600 meter, which made it possible for him to kill a lot of tanks with snap shots without being faced with a situation where he had to fire once, then adjust and fire twice to make the kill.
Wittman and Voll worked out a system where Wittman would provide Voll with the number of tanks he observed and instruction of which order the tanks should be taken out. Short commands and Voll's pre-aimed cannon sight did the rest.
Voll was so successful that he eventually received command of his own tank. It is often debated whether this could have been the reason for Wittmann eventually being beaten. This is by no means certain though.
Kurt Knispel was actually also a former tank gunner. It was relatively unusual for tank gunners to be promoted to command of their own tank so people like Knispel and Voll were indeed special.
The whole thing about Wittmann being in The SS, people should take with a grain of salt. Wittmann never really displayed the level of cruelty and hatred many people associate with SS.
When Wittmann joined The SS, he had already seen service in The Wehrmacht so for him to join The SS at the time would be equal to soldiers today joining a special forces outfit, because that was how SS was viewed at the time. The Waffen SS actually mostly consisted of soldiers who had joined to be part of elite units and to get access to the best equipment possible.
When people watch old footage from WWII, they associate the black uniforms as SS uniforms but the original heavy tank unit Wehrmact uniform was actually also black so the only difference was really the SS insignia on the SS uniforms.
Michael Wittmann became so successful because he managed to integrate his crew into a close nit unit. Of course, he was also lucky. Anyone surviving the eastern front was bound to have had a certain amount of luck.
However, every German armed forces person, who became famous for being a super ace, became a super ace on the eastern front, simply due to the amount of troops and equipment that was thrown at them from the Sovjet side and because the general training and quality of the Sovjet forces were usually inferior to that on the German side.
All the major German tank aces won the majority of their fame on the eastern front.
German tank aces like Kurt Knispel, Martin Schroif, Otto Carius, Johannes (Hans) Bolter, Michael Wittmann, Hans Sandrock, Paul Egger and Fritz Lang, were pretty unique.
Of these, three were members of Waffen SS (Martin Schroif, Michael Wittmann and Paul Egger).
While tankers such as Carius, Bolter and Wittman attained public fame in Germany during the war, it seems the others did not. There may be various reasons for this. It is well known that Knispel had a severe problem with authority. Kurt Knispel was definitely not a nazi in any shape or form. He also only received his knights cross after his death.
Carius became famous for being both very disciplined but also pretty neutral. He played the game so to speak. He was also not a true nazi but played to the tune when needed so he would not destroy his own career.
Most tankers of the highest scoring aces basically fought for their country and not for Hitler.
On the eastern front, most German soldiers learned pretty quickly from 1942 onwards that the invasion of Russia was the blunder that lost Germany the war. I seriously doubt that even hardcore German SS soldiers on the eastern front had any illusions about Germany's chances of winning the war from the end of 1942 to the time they had been driven off the plains of Russia.
Wittmann did not volunteer for a 'special forces' unit, he volunteered to be a member of Hitler's personal armed bodyguard well before the war began. These were not elite units in the sense they had the best men or equipment - the most important qualification was fanatical devotion to Hitler and Nazism 'unto death'.
Thank you for sharing this information. It added much to the documentary.
his name is Balthasar woll come on his nickname was bobby
@@onylra6265 The waffen SS was an elite...everybody knows except you..!
you keep saying wittman shot this and shot that, but in reality he just spotted the enemy tanks, it is hes gunner Bobby Woll who killed all them tanks, that is why whenever wittman got a transfer he took bobby woll with him, whenever possible!. the only reason why bobby woll was not killed together with micheal wittman is because woll was in the hospital at that time recovering from wounds!, bobby woll survived the war, he is the only tank gunner ever that got the knights cross of the iron cross!.
Ace crew do all that not just Wittma!!
Yes, the crew does all the work, but an ace crew is worthless if they have a horrible Commander.
All new to me. Interesting. Like a ball club. It took a team, no one player can do it on their own. Perhaps a special feature devoted to Woll? I’d like to know more about him.
fatarsemonkey But in the heat of combat, it's the gunner who make those split decisions that can often make the difference between life or death, success or failure.
The commander of an armoured vehicle is everything in combat. Dont pass comment on things you know nothing about. When we talk about Wittmann we of course talk about his whole crew. The whole crew makes the machine work.You would understand this if you experienced combat.
Dear Acedestroyer, I'm an ex American Army Armor Officer and I think your videos are extremely professional and enlightening. As far as your subject matter, I feel it is extremely important that we preserve ALL history so that we can at least ATTEMPT to learn from our mistakes. Thank you for sharing your research. You're a great historian, in my opinion. Cordially yours, Mark Puchala
Thank you very much Mark! It truly means a lot to me! Very happy to see that you enjoy the content!
hugo boss designed the best looking uniforms of the war
@@kimjong-unsupremeleader3600 do a favor to all of us. Please stop existing or learn to talk to people
General Anaesthetic some cunt can’t handle a joke
Dont forget fanta soda from coca cola or Bayer company!
@@meatboy2059 ha ha ha
@@kimjong-unsupremeleader3600 So What's your Point? He just said that he likes Hugo boss and is happy that the Führer kept the brand alive. But you, Can't even handle a Joke, and ironically your name is "Kim Jung-un Supreme Leader". So, What's your Point kid? I don't think that the north Koreans like your name.
I think that he was so good because of his MILITARY training when he was very young (the German Army - YET to be "Wehrmacht") was small, but had INCRIDIBLY HIGH-STANDARTS, and then - when he went into the SS 1st Armoured Div - he became (as far as I remember) basically a SCOUT, and "scouts" - among every modern army especially are the BEST - "CRACKED" - soldiers you may EVER have to rely upon - both in defensive "arrangements" as on the advance. When he became part of the "Stug"' 's battalion he was ALREADY an accomplished soldier - very experienced and EXTREMELY well trained, so it's no wonder he became "ACE" in a STUG! :) He was incredibly skilfull - in a kinda..."foxy" way of fighting. It's VERY difficult and extremely risky to go against Russian T-34's with a short-barelled "Stug", so when he got a "Tiger" - WELL! - you could EXPECT this guy to become an ACE! Waffen-SS or not - SOLDIERS are SOLDIERS! ALWAYS TO BE RESPECTED. Thank You for the video.
Thank you for the comment! Great extra!
@@TheAceDestroyer Ouh! ...well!... no problem! It's actually ME who should be thanking YOU for those videos - extremely interesting and well done. Have a nice day. ;)
Very well done. I am a retired Tank Commander and was blessed to have been attached to the 137th Panzer Division for training during the cold war (1985, I was a young private from Dco 2/32 Armor, 3rd AD). While training with them it was the first time I heard of Wittmann however, i had forgotten many details and so I really enjoyed your video. Thank you for making it!
Spent three and a half years as a TC on M109.... 1980 to 1983 mid-May (ADATS).... Seen a A 10 come in way too low clipped a Oak tree limb (1 bodacious huge oak tree.) Scattered him & that plane,, all over our equipment,, witnessed and went through it, Seen F-104 British Buccaneers with those crazy-ass Marine pilots,, dog fighting (MOCK ) when we were supposed to be setting up for Static cals, then Dynamic caliberabration, get a little too damn carried away, coming off the FEBA,,, at 50 meters,, at 500 600 knots,,, do a flyover on our equipment,,, literally rattle those tracks,,,, 1 inch on the concrete pads. The test would only stop when one of them would slam into the mountain. couldn't even imagine in my wildest nightmares,,, what Michael Wittmann went through. Beyond imagination,,,.
Wow infinite respect! I'm speechless.
Dale Slover. Then you deserve respect buddy and hou have mine. David UK
Had the same kinda thing as a Brit tankie in the first Gulf War.. American A10 Warthogs coming in on the Basra Road over the top of our kit, so low you could smell 'em.... Great days. great mates. Big respect to all brother "Tankies" past, present and future.
Interesting Kurt Kniespiel needs a good biography too..trust all week old Bean
Can you do one old bean
Now you mention Kniespel you have to take into accout that he was a rebelion showing low respect for officers and nazis and therefor never ever got his knight cross because even the grade of a general schould had saluted the nightcross when the meet one. Please se a very clear excample of how Kurt Kniespel showed his disrespect towards nazis in the propaganda movie where his Tiger II tank units was doing a show for the propaganda weekly film. Where he clearly had put his German Cross OVER the nazi symbol in the eagle on his chest. Actual the medal schould had been placed under the eagle symbol and not over... Next a lot of pictures shows a unshaved and not recently cut hair style that not was very professional. But everybody loved him because he never insisted in being the guy there had done the kill. He let other step forward if they wanted. Another sign is when his Tiger II was damaged the unit commander tried to see if there were any survivers in the tank not one time but two times and both was stopped by the russians. Please remember that the Tiger II was a very expensive weaponsystem and was not supposed to be used for fun. So getting 3 Tiger II tanks knocked out to save his life or dead body was a very big thing to do.
@@henrikhilskov It's Kurt Knispel*
Kurt Knispel was even better as Wittman.
@@respectablebogan3276 Well are you always so lame to change subject? ha ha ha. you are so pathetic.
Michael Wittmann was one of Germany's top Panzer ace's.I wonder if he had stayed in the army instead of the SS would he have been as successful.Something tells me he would have. Very good video !
Give a shout out to the gunner, driver, loader and the radio operator
Thank you for the best warrior histories on You Tube. Excellent video editing & history of best known tank ace.
Thank you for this presentation. Stuff like this you won't see on telly here in Germany. Peace to all soldiers fighting for their countries. I hold the space that oneday we realize that as mankind we do shall no longer fight our brothers and sisters.
Dennis Irvin; Excellent mini documentary on Wittmann & his incredible exploits during the war. Heard a lot about him but nice to get some details on his incredible skills as a tank commander & how he died! He was the Red Baron of panzers!! Thanks for The posting & keep up the good work!
Thanks for the kind words! I appreciate it!
That would be Kurt knispel, Wittman was nowhere in comparison.
I heared about Wittmann from an USA tank Commander, he spoke with great respect and honor of Wittmann and he told me about all belonging to Wittmann. As a tank Commander in lrak he knew about tanks and all difficulties in a war area.
Tough Bavarian country lad going about doing his job. At the Oktoberfest he would no doubt have downed 15 mass and still have remained standing.
Hahaha Brilliant comment!
Yeah. Then staggered off to knowingly be attached to a regime willing to murder poor Jewish children.
@@fudgedog123 I know what happened, and that should always be remembered! It is disgusting what the Nazi regime did to various populations, the biggest population the jews. I think Mr Lediard only wanted to bring a bit of humor into the fact that Wittmann was Bavarian. I found the link between Bavarian lad and Oktoberfest quite amusing. You probably have heard stories about the Oktoberfest too.
@@TheAceDestroyer I agree with the bat. I'm glad he was outgunned in the end.
@@TheAceDestroyer Oktoberfest? Ok. Nazi's?,Fuck them.
Wittman:*kills multiple tank*
Shoe maker in a tank:So you’ve chosen death
This guy know who im talking about
Joe Ekins
Thanks for the video, Michael Wittman is a legend. Great retelling of his story.
I love hearing stories about and from WW2, and I love seeing the positive comments that others are leaving for you. Great, interesting video; thanks.
Thanks mate!
Whatever his polotics, he was a brilliant tanker, this from a brit and patriot
Shut up. He was a Nazi.
@@fudgedog123 who was that meant for?
Not a nazi, a german soldier, that's like saying russian soldiers are communists, noone says that@@fudgedog123
okay, sure@@monsieurboks but still everyone pays 200% more attention to german war crimes and doesn't give a single shit about allied ones
@@stevetaylor5933 You. Have respect for our own heroes, for having the balls to fight back in Shermans and Churchills. No need to fawn to a dead Nazi in a superior tank.
Found another diamond in the rough channel, you earned another subscriber my friend
Thanks! I really appreciate it!
I listened to this just now, while on the road for work. Very informative, and nicely done. I look forward to more of these.
i always honor the honorable warriors of the enemys. He did as well as he could for the side he was on and the side really doesnt matter. thanks for the video. i watched the documentary they made for the search of his remains. was glad when he was found and returned to his homeland.
HE SERVED HIS COUNTRY LIKE ALL OTHERS ALL HEROES
Yes, all those who served for their country should be remembered.
@757WN there are too many retards out there. after all the time hunmanity and society had for evolving one might think plain stupidity would stop, but it doesnt
@@TheAceDestroyer read 757WN comment
@757WN I'm very sorry if my video has upset you in any way. Everything you mention is absolutely right, and I would like to appolagize. I am far from the white power asshole you think I am. I'm just interested in armoured warfare and quite frankly you cannot ignore Wittmann concerning tanks. You are certainly right on the things you say, but I am no supporter of fascism, if it is something that I find disgusting it are people of the extreme right and left.
@@sniper0073088 Again, I'm very sorry if I have upset any one of you, I am no supporter of fascism, far from actually. I find the far right (and left) a disgusting group who like it said does not deserve any respect whatsoever. But like I said, I'm a 'fan' of armoured warfare and in armoured warfare one cannot overlook German Panzer aces. Again, I'm very sorry if I have upset you in any way and I would like to appologize.
The idea that his accomplishments should be at all discredited because he was driving one of the most powerful tanks of that time is absurd. As if his was the only Tiger in service. There were over 1300 Tiger ones produced. If the tank was the only reason he got that many kills, the German army could possibly have stopped both the Soviets and the Allies if every Tiger l and Tiger ll commander was as competent as Wittmann. It’s not all about who has the best Tank, but rather, IMO, it comes down to who is the more proficient warrior.
@josh carrera He was lucky
@josh carrera He had a great tank.
Get what you're saying OP. However, the German tanks were superior and by extension allowed the soldiers to show their true talents and skills. The tanks is a HUGE part of the equation. That does not take away from his success.
@@27Zangle Joe Ekins fucked him up. From my home town too. R.I.P. Joe.
@Kekistan Shitlord a fairytale dreamt up by a random Nazi fanboy.
nice authentic footage, keep you work with next interesting story!
He was told what to do, then done it. He was following orders! He obviously believed what he was doing was right. Then to choose to go back to the front = a soldier through and through, to be with his comrades! I am from the Allies side, but can see from both sides.....
Wars at futile!!!!!!!
Many thanks Ace Destroyer for a fantastic video commending this warrior. As a soldier myself I appreciate keeping the politics out of it. I can highly recommend the two volumes of Michael Wittmann from Stackpole publications. An incredible read and supplements your video very well. Wittmann was a warrior and had that bound with his fellow soldiers as only soldiers can understand. I served in the armoured units of the South African Defence force in the Angolan battles of southern Africa. 61 Mechanised. Being of German heritage myself I am fascinated by the great German tankers. Wittman at the fore. Otto Carius, I had the distinct pleasure and honour of meeting the great man on four separate occasions. See you in Valhalla one day Kameraden.
Thanks it truly means a lot!
@@TheAceDestroyer keep up the great work. I really enjoy every video you have made across the board balanced and well researched information. Dont pay attention to retards!!!
his gunner Bobby Woll also was awarded the knights cross and survived the war died in 1996
What a truely amazing man, dont care if he fought for the nazis, he was an impressive hardworking man and desurves all the respect as a human as probably the greatest tank commander in history. Salut und ruhe in frieden kamerad!
Phase 5 Leaguer You clearly haven’t heard of Kurt Knispel, then.
Some nazi isn't really a nazi
There's a commander that doesn't agree with hitler value, those people not fighting for hitler but for germany
May he rest in peace....what a man he was....wow a true hero.
Dellacondan 👎🏻
Nazi PIG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He was hero for his country but to countrys opposing the Nazi's he was a SS pig like the rest of the Nazi's. The only Nazi I liked was the one who attempted to assassinate Hitler.
@@packzero606 No Wittman was part of the 12ss. He was a Nazi to everyone since joining the ss meant you had to be a Nazi.
@@packzero606 Rommel wasnt a nazi. Please, if U write stuff Like that, at least inform yourself. Rommel was a Hero anderen Not a war criminal. But actually every country had warcriminals but that isnt an excuse for all that what the SS did
Very informative, factual and non biased. Every warrior fights for their nation and definitely, for the men in their unit. Cheers
Thank you Barnaby! Very happy to see that you found it interesting.
The AceDestroyer I’m pleased to have found your channel. Subscribed now. 👍
Thanks! It really means a lot!
The book on Villers Bocage from the After The Battle series has a coda on his death. Their research indicates that it was a Firefly gunner from the Northhamptonshire Yeomanry, who "got" Wittmann - from the written source, it looks like The Firefly gunner took out pretty much the whole column, while the '75' Shermans peppered the other Tigers to distract and confuse them. It was a very fast action and if memory serves correctly, Wittman's Tiger was the third or fourth to be knocked out as it was that particular Tiger which exploded.
If you're interested, Norbert Szamverber's book, "Waffen-SS Armour in Normandy: The Combat History of SS Panzer Regiment 12 and SS Panzerjäger Abteilung 12, Normandy 1944" covers this action. I think the war diary of the 12th SS was quite critical of Wittmann at the time of his death, indicating that Wittman wouldn't cooperate with Wunsche's regiment and rushed ahead into the ambush and that Wittmann might have been something of a "hothead" as well as a "daredevil". Good stuff!
Thanks for the information! I appreciate it!
You're welcome! The former book I've had for years but I got Szamverber's book last year - well worth reading!
Another unsung hero, for sure! Excellent footage and narration!
Hi Buddy: love your work. My apologies if you have already done, can you please make a feature on Kurt Panzer Meyer
I cant remember exact details (read long ago) Kurt Meyer and an advance platoon are three hours in front of the rest of the regiment. Come across a Russian Briagde, aske the Russiand to Surrender. Kurt has about 8 Men with him; the Russians are in total disbelief but admire Meyers humor and balls!
For some reason they dont open fire on him nor attempt to take him prisoner.
45 minutes later Meyers Brigade advance on this Russian Position; and most of the aforementioned Russians are killed or wounded.
Willy Bittrich might also be a great candidate to write a feature about; very chivalrous and honorable fellow, allowed Allied wounded to be evacuated before a major engagement began.
You are remiss for failing to mention that according to historian Brian Reid it was likely that Canadian Sydney Valpy Radley- Waters of the Sherbrooke Fusiliers, in a Sherman Firefly, more than likely fired the shell that penetrated Whitmann;s tank and ignited the ammunition therein. And it was the Canadians who were much closer than the British to Whitmann's tank and had a better firing angle and therefore achieved the kill.
As a Canadian, I think it does. Much of the sacrifice Canada made during the first and second world wars goes unspoken of. Canada had over 10% of its population in the armed forces in WW2, joining the war in 1939, although from what I've seen (mostly on UA-cam), the U.S. is often given a lot more credit than Canada
Correct.
Why don’t you have more subscribers!? Amazing work!
Thank you very much for the kind words!
As usual a great report from the Ace Destroyer , Keep up the good work !
Thanks! I really appreciate it!
With Kurt Knispel and Otto Carius -Michael Wittmann was one of the best tankers doing WW Il fitting against Bolsheviks All of them did present high discipline tactics and fitting spirit Great video Thanks for sharing
Excellent work, thank you.
Didn't Wittman survive Kursk?? Thats says volumes.
Huh? Nine out of ten Germans survived Kursk. Albeit many of them wounded, and many many without their heavy weapons.
What are you trying to say? Soviets had more than 5 times the losses of the Germans.
samous No.Military deaths were around 5 million for germans and 8 million for soviets and that mainly due to germany attacking without even declaration of war while Soviets reorganised
@@Feffdc
I'm talking about the Battle of Kursk, if you failed to realize.
@@Feffdc It was reported (both military and civilian deaths in WW2) that 8 million Germans died as compared to 27 million Soviets, though the more accepted figure was 20 million.
Very nice....Wittmann is my favorite German tank Ace....thank you again.
No worries! Glad you enjoyed it!
A hero to many. May he never be forgotten.
Fairly done video, good job ! Shake my head that all people cant see that being a "hero" or a "monster" is no different then if you believe a law is "legal" or "illegal" . It isn't a moral choice between good or evil its perspective and personal opinion. I can recognise someone's heroics without agreeing with their cause. Hero is anyone who goes beyond expectations in any serious situations. Wittmann was a great tank commander but he is only a hero to those of his side. That doesn't mean the rest of us cant see his heroic actions on the battlefield.
You should also cover Ernst Barkmann, he was that with his Panther what Whitmann was for the Tiger ;)
Thanks for the suggestion! I will see what I find. He seems very interesting though.
@@TheAceDestroyer Maybe also the Ace of the tank aces, Kurt Knispel :)
Absolutely Bachmann is well covered in the fantastic Stackpole publications. See the Tank aces book and Das Reich. Look forward to a video on this great commander to Ace Destroyer
@@TheAceDestroyer ...without forgetting Otto Carius!
Even today there is no firm evidence to back up Barkmann's claims. Given the fact that he awarded himself the Atler kampfer chevron, of which he was not entitled to throws even more doubt on this mans credibility.
Great video with some awesome first-hand footage.
At the end of the day, if some people can't come on here and watch a historical video objectively without getting triggered and upset because they insist on drawing in other historical contexts not relevant to this topic, that's their fault and no one else's.
Please keep the content coming!
Thanks Chilled! I'm very happy to see that you enjoyed it!
Excellent soldier and warrior..... I've visited your resting place and fellow soldiers ... everyone reading this must go to la cambe cemetery ..amazing views and history
Your English, French and German pronunciation is impressive. Nice video.
Great documentary, thank you so much Sir!
Thank you for the kind comment! It was a pleasure to make the video!
A very good history lesson here using real footage. Great video and I did learn from it. Thank you.
Thanks! Very happy to hear that!
Kurt Knispel,Hero and Tank Ace,unforgotten.(168+)
In other places on your channel you've asked for suggestions for other videos so here's one.
After the war, Churchill wrote in his memoirs that the only thing that ever really scared him during the war was the U-Boat menace. As such the battle of the Atlantic was one of the most important battles of the war and was certainly the longest lasting from 1939 until 1944. So I'm suggesting that a video about that might be in order, especially about the early part.
In some ways the early part of Battle of the Atlantic, from 1940 to 1941, before the USA or the USSR entered the war, and when only Britain and Canada where standing up to the Germans, was the most important battle of the war. I say this because if it had been lost at that time, Britain would have been knocked out of the war. Thus Germany would have been able to attack the USSR with all it's strength and resources. German industry would have been unencumbered by the bombing campaign. In addition, all of the manufacturing resources devoted to naval production would have been redirected to making tanks for the eastern front. And all of their best fighter aircraft would have been freed up from defending against the bombers and made available for the eastern front. As it is, the Germans made it to the suburbs of Moscow in 1941 while still fighting a two front war. If there had been no second front it is very likely that they may have captured all the land up to the Ural Mountains. And with that going on it is likely that the Japanese would have attacked in the far east with their powerful army in Manchuria. The USA would not have been a factor in the war because without Britain there would have been no D-Day.
Not only was the early part of that battle important, it was also heroic because at that time the Germans had a 5 year technological and training head start against Britain and Canada. The movie "The Cruel Sea" from 1954 tells the story of those early days on a British Corvette quite well and the movie "Corvette K-225" hastily made in Hollywood in 1943 tells the story from the perspective of the Canadian Navy. To give an example of the supreme efforts made, the Canadian Navy in 1939 had only 12 warships but by the end of the war Canada had the third largest Navy in the world with over 300 warships including 120 Corvettes - most of which where built in Canada. But times where so desperate in 1940-41, that some of the first Canadian Corvettes went into action without deck guns. Instead they mounted telephone poles on the deck so that from a u-boat periscope it looked like they had a huge deck gun. If the Germans had known this they could have simply surfaced where the Corvette's depth charges where of no use and the deck gun on a u-boat was more than enough to finish off a Corvette.
So that early part of the Battle of the Atlantic deserves a story.
From what I’ve heard his crew learned how to shoot while on the move
Nicely done video. Thanks for your work on this. I enjoyed it very much. I should also mention your diction and pronunciation as a definite plus for anyone watching this. Game on man!
Thanks! I really appreciate it!
This is a story that really puts a tear to my eye. It fills me with a wonderful sensation to imagine all his heroic acts yet then blasts me down to know he was so close to escape death yet he went back with his fellow soldiers and died. Such a dramatic story with romanticism.
He was an SS man, so cheer up mate ! Alle Nazis müssen sterben, merk dir das.
really enjoyed this video subbed thanks very much!!
The tiger tank was by far a more superior tank. Great video and as always there is always two sides to every event.
Brilliant a most proper and informative presentation on the matter. I commend your diligent work. Please do keep it.
Thank you very much!
He grew up quick. What a time he must have had in his life.
Thank you very much for bringing to light the achievements of this fine officer and his crew. Like so many men, they served their country well, and distinguished themselves honorably.
About Tiger 007 v. Westernhagen
In the 101st there were 2 von Westernhagen`s OScha Rolf v. Westernhagen (3. Komp. Tank No. 334) and the Commander Ostubaf Heinz v. Westernhagen (Staff Tank No. 007) both are relatives of Marius Müller Westernhagen a famous German Rock Star in the 80`s .
First Wittmann commanded Tiger 205 the 2nd Kp Kdr Tiger, this vehicle broke down and Wittmann commandeered a number of different vehicles incl. 222 and 231, when Kdr. Westernhagen was injured Wittmann assumed command of the Bat. and with it the Bat. Kdr. Tiger 007
Balthasar Woll, Wittmanns former longtime Gunner becomes a Tank Kdr too in 2. Kp. Tiger 212
All Tigers of the Pz Bat had Summer camo and Zimmerit apllied
Thanks for the historical informative video.
Thank you for the kind comment! I'm glad you found it interesting!
Well done.
Thanks!
Wittman is a great example of what one motivated soldier can accomplish, Being a Infantry soldier for most of my life. I know without question that men don't fight for politics or ideologies. They fight for the men beside them, their families, and their Homes. We must give respect were it is due, Wittman was a Brave and dependable soldier. Truly the man had the warrior spirit. As a soldier your job is not to agree with the opinions of your leaders or the people, but provide the leader and the people with the right to have an opinion...
Excellent video, definitely many German weapons were the best in the World War Two, like those Tigers
Yes it was thanks to the Tiger that Wittmann had so many kills, the Soviet T34 were no match to the better Tiger I.
Actual the Tiger I was a technical disaster and costed the germans very high efforts to keep running. No time during the war there were no more than 77 Tiger I battle ready on the same day on eastfront. Reports revealed that for every hour of figthing it needed 10 hours of service. Tiger I was a panic stop gap solution to be able to meet the t-34. Actual first engagement was a disaster where the lost the very first tiger I intact to the russians.
NO it was not thanks to the Tiger I that Wittmann had so many kills. There were more than 1,000 other Tiger I's there never ever come so close to this. Wittmann got his will regarding keeping the same crew duing the hole period. And one major hero here is the gunner! Wittmann managed and guided him excelent but it was only because the gunner were excelent to calculate distance to the goal very fast that they were able to get all those kills.
Well, it was partially thanks to the Tiger. He certainly had skill, no doubt about that, but if he had had a Panzer III during Kursk and Normandy for example, I think things would have turned out differently.
If he have had a Panther he could had archieved the same. So it is not because of a specific tank it is a mix of circumstances like current technical stage of friend and foe and his management skills and he was allowed to keep his own crew as it was his personal belongings. Please notice that Kurt Knipsel there actual got more kills did never ever had the same crew but he got the best avaiable in the unit. Actual if you analyze his last attack/moving forward in a enemyhold area it was a lame attack. He revealed 2 flanks instead of only one. Even one of his foes said "He moved forward like he was saying. "here I am come let us get some action." If you read the map carefully Wittmann could had drived much more to the left before running over a bare field with natural hideouts for enemy tanks in the front and on the left. IF he had gone far more to the left he would had meet one of the enemy units direct front and had survived the attack due to the thick amour on his front. It was a lame attack not taking into account the more well trained westernallied panser soldiers. A bad habbit from eastern front killed him.
A very impressive, highly trained and motivated soldier.
no matter who he fought for we must respect the brave and great warriors. So respect for him and his panzer crew
Wonderful video bro, keep the good work ♥️
Such bickering! Wittmann was an excellent, gallant, loyal and brave tank commander.
Were some kills attributed to him actually destroyed by other unit tanks? Of course, but VERY few, as the Germans took great pride in accurate accounts of kills; no officer would knowingly "steal" another's shot!
Was Wittmann careless when deploying into the firefight that cost him his life? Emphatically NO! He obviously, and bravely, went into the action where he did because time and circumstances required it, and NOT due to being reckless- he was far too experienced to have done so if it wasn't pressing and needed.
A brave tank commander; fighting for a crazed lunatic and despot like many other Germans who were mesmerized and fooled by Hitler. Once that fact became known to most German soldiers, it was far too late to do anything beyond their duty; just to hang on, fight and try to survive each day was all they could possibly do.
God grant peace to all soldiers of all nations who fought so bravely in WWII...
U will never be forgotten, ur legacy will never die. We will always keep ur memory alive.
Great video, thank you AceDestroyer! Your pronunciation perfect as always.
Does anyone know if any units under his command were ever accused of serious warcrimes? Hoping there's no reason not to truly celebrate him historically.....
Thanks for the kind words! I really, really appreciate it! I do my best to pronounce everything right and to keep adding good content. I don't believe any units under his command committed war crimes, but I'm really not sure. I didn't come across any during my research anyway. If they did commit crimes, than I won't look at him as a brilliant tank ace and soldier anymore.
Yes indeed. Most of the time in history it doesn't matter how you achieve the victory. As soon as you loose, all the atrocities will come to light, whilst if you win, it does not seem matter anymore.
It's about honour. It's about retaining your moral principles regardless of how poorly those around you act. Sure it was common for soldiers on both sides not to accept prisoners during intense fighting, particularly on the eastern front, but acts of true barbarity were looked down upon even by most of the SS. Many officers challenged Knochlein to a duel after the Le Paradis massacre of BEF troops by SS Totenkopf. The Germans were better than that. And so were much of the western allies for that matter.
@@TheAceDestroyer ... a while back I had an English friend who moved to Germany; I think it was somewhere on the Rheinland. His first experiences of trying to 'fit in' were met with coldness. Once the locals began to accept him, however, they became a little more open and candid. It was through his accounts of what they'd told him that I learned that - once the Allies were starting to gain the upper hand, post-D-Day - they weren't paying much heed to white flags, either. Flags or no flags, they'd got to a point they were shooting Germans on sight. In this light, he had been able to understand their initial frostiness.
@@Morrismarina, thanks for this comment shedding more light on the matter!
I like a lot this Michael Wittmann video, thanks for sharing this.
I presume a Sherman firefly tank was involved at the end. The Sherman with the long barrelled 17lb gun. Whether you were lucky to have this tiger killing tank is debateable, as the German forces always attacked the Firefly first.
Brilliant video! Very interesting 👏
Thank you! Happy to hear that!
Even when the Germans were quite obviously going to lose the war, he went to France? Let that sit for a second. Whatever his political leanings were, he quite obviously loved tank warfare over everything else! Complete nutter or genius is the question....either way, a fitting end for a warrior.
there is a good interview with Wittman online, done soon after his Bocage ambush.... the sounds of ongoing combat can be heard faintly as the interview is being conducted.
The Sherwood Foresters were brave men also and should also be given credit because Wittman had to be good with a good crew to cause so much damage to the Brits. Thanks for the vid important to not forget the History ! Be Blessed.
Just a correction Zdenek, but think you meant to type Sherbrooke Fusiliers. My late uncle was with the Sherbrooke Fusiliers...went to his grave with 387 grams of '88 shrapnel (he was cremated) from when his 'Tommy Torch' was hit!
I hope you are not offended by me by correcting you.
@@1961jamminen.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sherwood_Foresters
are you a cousin of mine from down under
Great documentary , should making a WW2 movie about he's life and all the battle.
I would love to see a movie about Michael wittman.
me too man..
The Captain. Mastered the tank engagement
Offered to be an instructor, said no: he wouldn't abandon his men.
Good video, well produced you narrate well.
A fine leader and warrior even if on the opposing side.
Excellent commentary.
What a man!
Oh do fuck off
Says the person naming themselves after a war criminal.
@@johnelrick8945 I wasn't there when it happend, but i bravely took the charges instead of my men! What a man! ;)
@@johnelrick8945 Wow you're good......
😉🤣🤣👊🐸
I've been to LaCambe many times. Wittmanns grave is constantly covered with flowers by the LAH Veterans association and usually the Bundeswehr Panzer Kampfschule Cadre. I sell beautiful glossy 8x10's of his tombstone and usually donate the money to the HIAG and LAH vets groups for reunions.
@Princess Marshella Horman Yes, but they face immense pushback from their Socialist leadership. Very often the Soldiers are insulted, and mischaracterized when they take trips to Battlefields or are engaged in cemetary beautification projects. I write about this in my book. I saw this problematic many times in my capacity as Partnership Officer.
that's unfortunate that talented men had to waist their lives at war instead of create they destroy
Thanks mate. really enjoyed that. very cool. 👍👍
Some historians and authors of the late twentieth-century found Wittmann's actions at Villers-Bocage impressive, describing his attack as "one of the most amazing engagements in the history of armoured warfare", "one of the most devastating single-handed actions of the war", and "one of the most devastating ambushes in British military history".[54][55][56] Historian Stephen Badsey has stated that the ambush Wittmann launched has cast a shadow over the period between D-Day and 13 June in historical accounts.[57]
German tank commander and historian Wolfgang Schneider [de] is not as impressed. In analyzing Wittmann's actions at Villers-Bocage, he called into question his tactical ability. Schneider states: "a competent tank company commander does not accumulate so many serious mistakes".[58] He highlights how Wittmann dispersed his forces in a sunken lane with a broken down tank at the head of the column thereby hampering his unit's mobility. The solitary advance into Villers-Bocage was heavily criticized as it breached "all the rules". No intelligence was gathered, and there was no "centre of gravity" or "concentration of forces" in the attack. Schneider argues that due to Wittmann's rash actions: "the bulk of the 2nd Company and Mobius 1st Company came up against an enemy who had gone onto the defensive".[58] He calls Wittmann's "carefree" advance into British-occupied positions "pure folly", and says "such over hastiness was uncalled for." He concludes that had a properly prepared assault been launched involving the rest of his company, and the 1st Company, far greater results could have been achieved. Finally, Schneider opines that: "thoughtlessness of this kind was to cost [Wittmann] his life ... during an attack casually launched in open country with an exposed flank.
So glad that all these people were there when it happened ! Uneducated fools
Daaaaamn that's what is called a good pronunciation. You got a new subscriber. Nice content btw...
Thanks mate! I really appreciate it!
There is something incredibly romantic about Michael Wittman. I cant stop researching him
This inspired the story for the Tiger Ace campaign in the Tales of Valor expansion pack of Company of Heroes.
Your voice is quite adequate, without the popping drum in the background
Your material is great sir! More subscribers are deserved+
Thanks mate! That means a lot to me!
No no i thank you for your patience and historical memorabilia visual documentation you have provided for us. good job my friend and you stay relaxed and good job from your American home boy or as you say Mate from los Los Angeles California erniee llamas reporting out!!!
For the record operation Totalize was primarily a Canadian operation, not British.
@Dave AdWhat!? Operation Totalize started on the 7th of August!
@Dave Ad Oh okay... No Problem:)
Ace Destroyer...if you haven’t already...
You would make an excellent Audiobook reader. Your voice is similar to that of John Lee. Mr. Lee in my opinion is in the top 5 all-time Audiobook readers.
Dont forget his gunner Bobby Woll
I believe that more recently they found Michael Wittmann's communication device which went around his throat in the area where he was killed. I'm sure somebody else knows about this and can give more information about it.