Battle Stations – Tiger Attack!
Although “Allied narrator”, this is a great video showing the legendary German super tank- Tiger! A brief walkthrough of German armor doctrine, constant in development- resulting ultimately in the Tiger heavy tank. It also features the incredible war hero Michael Wittmann. He became one of the highest decorated soldiers of the war, and 3rd Reich war heroes- archieveing an incredible “allied score card”. He remains one of- if not THE best tank commander of all time!
April 22, 1914 – August 8, 1944.
Tank ACE – Destroyed 138 enemy tanks and numerous other enemy vehicles.
Michael Wittmann was a German Waffen-SS tank commander during the Second World War. Wittmann is known for his ambush of elements of the British 7th Armoured Division, during the Battle of Villers-Bocage on 13 June 1944. While in command of a Tiger I tank, he destroyed up to fourteen tanks and fifteen personnel carriers, along with two anti-tank guns, within the space of fifteen minutes. The news was picked up and disseminated by the Nazi propaganda machine and added to Wittmann’s stature in Germany.
Michael Wittmann was born on 22 April 1914 in Vogelthal, Bavaria, Germany. Between 1934–1936 he served in the German Army. In October 1936 Wittmann joined the SS. On 5 April 1937, he was assigned to the regiment, later division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler (LSSAH). A year later, he participated in the annexation of Austria and the occupation of Sudetenland and joined the Nazi Party.
Wittmann became a cult figure after the war thanks to his accomplishments as a “panzer ace” (a highly decorated tank commander) as part of the portrayal of the Waffen-SS in popular culture.
Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords. (Random picture from the web). Michael Wittmann recieved MANY more rewards and medals during the war. Some was given directly from Der Führer!
Author: lk
