Michael Wittmann
German tank commander (1914–1944) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Michael Wittmann (22 April 1914 – 8 August 1944) was a German Waffen-SS tank commander during the Second World War. He is known for his ambush of elements of the British 7th Armored Division during the Battle of Villers-Bocage on 13 June 1944. While in command of a Tiger I tank, Wittmann allegedly destroyed up to 14 tanks, 15 personnel carriers and two anti-tank guns within 15 minutes before the loss of his own tank. The news was disseminated by Nazi propaganda and added to Wittmann's reputation. However most of the information on the events of this battle is either the shaky memories of British veterans or Nazi propaganda.
Michael Wittmann | |
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Born | (1914-04-22)22 April 1914 Vogelthal, Bavaria, German Empire |
Died | 8 August 1944(1944-08-08) (aged 30) near Saint-Aignan-de-Cramesnil, Normandy, German-occupied France |
Buried | La Cambe German war cemetery (reinterred) |
Allegiance | Nazi Germany |
Service/ | Heer (1934–1936) Waffen SS (1936–1944) |
Years of service | 1934–1944 |
Rank | SS-Hauptsturmführer |
Unit | SS Division Leibstandarte 101st SS Heavy Panzer Battalion |
Battles/wars | |
Awards | Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords |
Wittmann became a cult figure after the war thanks to his accomplishments as a "panzer ace" (a highly decorated tank commander), part of the portrayal of the Waffen-SS in popular culture. Historians have mixed opinions about his tactical performance in battle. Some praised his actions at Villers-Bocage, while many others found his abilities lacking, and the praise for his tank kills overstated.[1][2]
Although the number is disputed, he is credited with destroying 135 to 138 enemy tanks. It must be noted that German tank kills were recorded as a unit.[3]