I was in Villers-Bocage in 2016 and I was conveniently surprised how the the city with its sorry tested history gives much effort in keeping this battle in memory in a fair way. Nice and charming girls of tourist office give good and solid information to anyone who is interrested in this. They even showed me an interresting picture book about Wittmann.
That was absolutely amazing ! I don’t think I’ve ever seen a better depiction of The full story. If they can make them movie called fury they can deathly make one about Michael Whitman. It would be awesome, Get tank 131 out of the Bovington tank museum and reshoot it in the actual town. Fill in the missing gaps with CG. It would be epic ! Between Whitman and his tigers leaving Belgium at one end and the British coming from the other. 👍🏻
My Great Uncle was in one of the Halftracks when Michael Wittman opened fire he saw the tank then bailed out into a field but then he got captured he died in 2014 aged 92 rip
Absolutely superb video, thank you for putting all the enormous effort into this amazing historical event of the Normandy campaign. Now we can all travel the same route, with that "special" feeling of actually being in the actual place where all of this really happened. Splendid achievement, once again, Thank you.
Great video. I've been to the Normandy area before and I'm thinking about going back to visit places like this and having your pictures and maps to go by will be a tremendous asset. I spent 2 years with the 2nd armored div in Ft Hood, Texas. This experience makes armor battles like this one all the more interesting.
Awesome video... well done. Been waiting for something this detailed for awhile. The only thing I may critique is that they went to Panzer Lehr.. not the 12th SS... as they were in the AOO of the Panzer Lehr. Other than that minor detail that is one of the best videos I have seen on the subject, more detailed then History and Military channel.. but they are somewhat biased. Well done!
that was quite informative - any word on what happen to Pat Dyes? It would be interesting to read his accounts of the battle. I read one account where they claimed "Wittmann stuck his head out of the turret and was waving his hat all the way down the street while laughing"
Great video right up to the part where you give Joe Ekins the kill credit when this claim is very much in dispute. In fact evidence seems to lean more on the Canadians being responsible for his death. I just think it would have been better to be less biased. Again other then that thanks for the video.
Wittmann did not return to the afternoon phase of the battle, the 1st Kompanie Commander Karl Mobius led his kompanie's Tigers along with elements of the Panzer Lehr into a very well prepared Tiger killing ground, losing 5-6 Tigers to mainly 6lbdr AT guns. Leiutenant Bill Cooton and his Sgt went around the Village setting fire to the KO'd and abandondonned Tigers and PzIV's with blankets and gasoline.
Everything is accurate except that it was not Sergeant Gordon's Tank that did Wittmann's tank in. It was the Canadians near Gaumesnil, . Its been more or so proven today. But great video.
***** Really... because that theory has been disproven... ALOT! In fact there was no Allied FB attack on Wittmann's unit that day. 1st Northamptonshire Yeomanry in a Sherman Vc Firefly of Joe Ekins was too far away, as stated where his troop was positioned. However in Gaumesnil there was a walled Farm that was completely on the left flank of the axis of advance of the Germans. this is where 4 troop of the Sherbrooke Fusilier Regiment was. There was also significant damage near the Engine Compartment on the Left side of Wittmann's Tiger. Michael himself in his war diary stated a single bomber released a flare.. which he believe was a flying HQ. That is the extent of aircraft in the area on the 8th. I cant explain the entire battle to you here, so I recommend you read the book Michael Wittmann Vol 2 by Patrick Agte. from pages 160-172 is one good source that shows maps and such of the battle area and advance of the German attacking force. Another good author is that of Michael Reynolds. "Steel Inferno" There were many conclusions in which none can be truly verified, however the Rocket attack which is extremely inaccurate is pretty much ruled out logically as is such the position of the 1 NY which was in defensive positons around St Aignan-de-Cramesnil which would have been to the 12-2 o'clock position and around 800-1100m. However the Canadian's of the Sherbrooke Fusiliers Regiment were to the flank of Wittmann about 500-600m. No doubt Ekins engaged the Tigers, no doubt the Canadians engaged, it was a well planned ambush and defensive position. Here is an easy read for you. www.panzerace.net/biography/the-final-battle.html There is some great info here.
Also one must consider the max effective range of the firefly being 800-900m max. So factor that into trajectory of the round and tiger 007's position when it was hit and you have an impossible shot by Ekins. Also Wittmann was more than likely pre-occupied with the radio, his crew and focusing on the direction of the attack to realize the Sherbrooke's on his left. That said this was non the less an impressive display on behalf of Ekins. I mean knocking multiple Tigers out at that range is impressive. I would also recommend the History of the 12th SS Hitlerjugend by Hubert Meyer. The 101st Heavy SS Panzer Battalion fell under Kurt Meyers command. In this book Hubert Meyer (divisional Adjt to the 12th SS) had several meetings and interviews while writing the divisional history with living participants and he actually walked the battlefield with some of them. His conclusion and therefore that of the 12th SS is that the kill belongs to the Sherbrookes.
Germans get shit for their gear being bad, yet 1 Tank utterly curbstomped most of an Armored Coloumn, even taking hits from a 17lber at close range. Lets see any Allied tank try that same stunt and live....
that's all very well but a simple 6 pdr got him in VB and the subsequent attack by the Germans cost them all of their Tigers and Pz IVs. Everything the British lost was probably replaced entirely within days.
And a couple of months later Wittman's and his four Tigers were easily destroyed...and pretty much for the same reason the Brits were hit so hard at Villers Bocage, they blundered into a situation without knowing what they were blundering into...yet Wittman is treated as a big hero...he was just lucky and got away with it.
Wittmann was allegedly not happy about that attack. He was concerned about it. He was quiet and sombre before he set off. He was battalion commander and shouldn't have gone but felt it was his responsibility as it was a difficult task against the odds for the chosen inexperienced commander (Heurich). Wittmann had orders from Kurt Meyer for his Tigers to attack north and make a preemptive strike against the British/Canadian positions to try and catch them unaware. Keeping the allies from Falaise was the bigger picture. Wittmann cautioned about the wooded area/orchard to the front right, but it was too late.
Развлечения
I was in Villers-Bocage in 2016 and I was conveniently surprised how the the city with its sorry tested history gives much effort in keeping this battle in memory in a fair way. Nice and charming girls of tourist office give good and solid information to anyone who is interrested in this. They even showed me an interresting picture book about Wittmann.
Wittman great tank ace
That was absolutely amazing ! I don’t think I’ve ever seen a better depiction of The full story. If they can make them movie called fury they can deathly make one about Michael Whitman. It would be awesome, Get tank 131 out of the Bovington tank museum and reshoot it in the actual town. Fill in the missing gaps with CG. It would be epic ! Between Whitman and his tigers leaving Belgium at one end and the British coming from the other. 👍🏻
My Great Uncle was in one of the Halftracks when Michael Wittman opened fire he saw the tank then bailed out into a field but then he got captured he died in 2014 aged 92 rip
My relative never made it out of there, he died nearby on June 15th aged 24
Absolutely superb video, thank you for putting all the enormous effort into this amazing historical event of the Normandy campaign. Now we can all travel the same route, with that "special" feeling of actually being in the actual place where all of this really happened. Splendid achievement, once again, Thank you.
Great video. I've been to the Normandy area before and I'm thinking about going back to visit places like this and having your pictures and maps to go by will be a tremendous asset. I spent 2 years with the 2nd armored div in Ft Hood, Texas. This experience makes armor battles like this one all the more interesting.
Thank you for this... I'm going to commit this to memory when I go there next month.
Awesome video... well done. Been waiting for something this detailed for awhile. The only thing I may critique is that they went to Panzer Lehr.. not the 12th SS... as they were in the AOO of the Panzer Lehr. Other than that minor detail that is one of the best videos I have seen on the subject, more detailed then History and Military channel.. but they are somewhat biased. Well done!
Where did you find that incredibly detailed map of the town centre? I could use that as a reference for my 3D rendering.
very good work.
Michael WITTMANN was a Real, True Hero.
We wil never forget him.
Thank You, from Germany.
Excellent video, except for ending. Wittman was most likely killed by Canadian tanks.
It was a month later when he was taken out? He servived VB.
good vid my friend nice animations
good work..thank u.
by the way he was a really good commandder..i wish fight with him against allies:(
👍
This Ekins looks like noob with great luck.
What happened to the wreck remains ?
Interesting video, Steve, but sadly it contains many errors.
that was quite informative - any word on what happen to Pat Dyes? It would be interesting to read his accounts of the battle. I read one account where they claimed "Wittmann stuck his head out of the turret and was waving his hat all the way down the street while laughing"
Great video right up to the part where you give Joe Ekins the kill credit when this claim is very much in dispute. In fact evidence seems to lean more on the Canadians being responsible for his death. I just think it would have been better to be less biased. Again other then that thanks for the video.
Wittman lost the first tiger knocked out in Overlord
It was recovered and repaired though according to most sources. The 1st Kompanie attack later that day lost Tigers completely.
A lot of the tank locations are wrong.
Good vídeo ! name of classical music piece ?
Sarabande
Wittmann did not return to the afternoon phase of the battle, the 1st Kompanie Commander Karl Mobius led his kompanie's Tigers along with elements of the Panzer Lehr into a very well prepared Tiger killing ground, losing 5-6 Tigers to mainly 6lbdr AT guns. Leiutenant Bill Cooton and his Sgt went around the Village setting fire to the KO'd and abandondonned Tigers and PzIV's with blankets and gasoline.
What would you do against a Tiger then ?
Steve Martin Run away dont look back make a diary that says wittman is mad.
Everything is accurate except that it was not Sergeant Gordon's Tank that did Wittmann's tank in. It was the Canadians near Gaumesnil, . Its been more or so proven today. But great video.
JuergenGDB witmans tank was destroyed by a rocket from a tempest , not an allied tank.
***** Really... because that theory has been disproven... ALOT! In fact there was no Allied FB attack on Wittmann's unit that day. 1st Northamptonshire Yeomanry in a Sherman Vc Firefly of Joe Ekins was too far away, as stated where his troop was positioned. However in Gaumesnil there was a walled Farm that was completely on the left flank of the axis of advance of the Germans. this is where 4 troop of the Sherbrooke Fusilier Regiment was. There was also significant damage near the Engine Compartment on the Left side of Wittmann's Tiger. Michael himself in his war diary stated a single bomber released a flare.. which he believe was a flying HQ. That is the extent of aircraft in the area on the 8th. I cant explain the entire battle to you here, so I recommend you read the book Michael Wittmann Vol 2 by Patrick Agte. from pages 160-172 is one good source that shows maps and such of the battle area and advance of the German attacking force. Another good author is that of Michael Reynolds. "Steel Inferno" There were many conclusions in which none can be truly verified, however the Rocket attack which is extremely inaccurate is pretty much ruled out logically as is such the position of the 1 NY which was in defensive positons around St Aignan-de-Cramesnil which would have been to the 12-2 o'clock position and around 800-1100m. However the Canadian's of the Sherbrooke Fusiliers Regiment were to the flank of Wittmann about 500-600m. No doubt Ekins engaged the Tigers, no doubt the Canadians engaged, it was a well planned ambush and defensive position.
Here is an easy read for you. www.panzerace.net/biography/the-final-battle.html
There is some great info here.
Also one must consider the max effective range of the firefly being 800-900m max. So factor that into trajectory of the round and tiger 007's position when it was hit and you have an impossible shot by Ekins. Also Wittmann was more than likely pre-occupied with the radio, his crew and focusing on the direction of the attack to realize the Sherbrooke's on his left. That said this was non the less an impressive display on behalf of Ekins. I mean knocking multiple Tigers out at that range is impressive. I would also recommend the History of the 12th SS Hitlerjugend by Hubert Meyer. The 101st Heavy SS Panzer Battalion fell under Kurt Meyers command. In this book Hubert Meyer (divisional Adjt to the 12th SS) had several meetings and interviews while writing the divisional history with living participants and he actually walked the battlefield with some of them. His conclusion and therefore that of the 12th SS is that the kill belongs to the Sherbrookes.
Yes indeed cavdragoon that is another excellent book.
Just read this, I think you will be well educated at what transpired on the 8th. www.panzerace.net/biography/the-final-battle.html
Germans get shit for their gear being bad, yet 1 Tank utterly curbstomped most of an Armored Coloumn, even taking hits from a 17lber at close range. Lets see any Allied tank try that same stunt and live....
that's all very well but a simple 6 pdr got him in VB and the subsequent attack by the Germans cost them all of their Tigers and Pz IVs. Everything the British lost was probably replaced entirely within days.
michaelbevan3285,
Yes but only after attempts (and hits) by others totally failed. His Tiger was only disabled.
Surrender and think over what you have done and... what you are doing.
And a couple of months later Wittman's and his four Tigers were easily destroyed...and pretty much for the same reason the Brits were hit so hard at Villers Bocage, they blundered into a situation without knowing what they were blundering into...yet Wittman is treated as a big hero...he was just lucky and got away with it.
Wittmann was allegedly not happy about that attack. He was concerned about it. He was quiet and sombre before he set off. He was battalion commander and shouldn't have gone but felt it was his responsibility as it was a difficult task against the odds for the chosen inexperienced commander (Heurich). Wittmann had orders from Kurt Meyer for his Tigers to attack north and make a preemptive strike against the British/Canadian positions to try and catch them unaware. Keeping the allies from Falaise was the bigger picture.
Wittmann cautioned about the wooded area/orchard to the front right, but it was too late.