That's the English for you and this pig headed stupidity was what poor Montgomery had to put up with. He was the 7th general in charge of the UK Army (8th) in the North Africa. Same with Marshall Haig, or General Percival (the idiot who lost Singapore against a much smaller Japanese Army while defending the most powerful fortress in the British Empire). Until Montgomery 'breeding' and 'the right background' were more important than talent or results, something Churchill himself noted in 1915 and again in 1917 after giving up firing the idiot Haig. As someone raised in the UK#1 military academy we had a nice Arch with all those who died thanks to the man (Haig) whose statue ironically stands next to the monument to his incompetence
Funny how these "stupid incompetents" managed to build an empire like they did. As for Singapore have a look at what happened to the US troops in the Phillipines and look at what happened to the Soviets when the Nazis attacked Russia. Going by your nomenclature obviously not of English origin but love living there I bet @@vladdrakul7851
Tissaye Shame it’s all bollocks. The judgement is that Wittmann was killed by the Canadian Sherbrooke fusiliers with a standard 75mm Sherman. Wittmann was on the extreme right of his unit with the Canadians on his right. Photographs of his wrecked tank show penetration of his right side.
Just to let people know, New investigations have shown that the firefly was not the tank that killed Wittman. He was out of sight on the other side of a hill from the fire fly and his tiger was hit on the side facing away from it. On this side was a unit of Canadian Sherman's behind a wall less the 200 yards from where Wittman's tank was killed and they also claimed to have killed a tiger that day. Granted the firefly did kill 3 other tigers attacking with Wittman. It's just the firefly was out of range, on the wrong side and out of line of sight of Wittman's tank when it was destroyed. The Canadian unit has been given the kill.
Excellent film. Tank warfare is a strange business, even the most able at it can be blind-sided in a general fight because the machinery they're operating is so cumbersome it's hard to adjust swiftly enough to counter a threat from an unexpected quarter.
As per many comments below - Battlefield Detectives almost 100% proved the fatal shot to Wittmann's 007 Tiger 1 was from the rear quarter, with the photo evidence to support that, so the Canadian tanks got him, and at much closer range. As an Englishman, I'd love it to have been Joe Ekins, but he did enough knocking out the other three.
You should do a video on Kurt Knispel too - the top scoring tank ace of all times. Wittman gets lots of publicity because of Villers Bocage, and Carius because of the engagement at Malinovo/Malinovka and his book, which I've read and is very good indeed. Knispel IMO gets less media coverage and doesn't deserve that.
Wittmann gets lots of publicity because of Goebbels massive propaganda during the war. Knispel didnt lend himself to it, as a result he is simply much less known today.
Kurt Knispel when missing for a long time, found his remains some years ago in Czech Rebuplic if not mistaken. Lots of men did there duty and then some on all sides and it was never noticed. War is like that.
The Canadian fusiliers of sherbrook destroyed that tank from 500 m by Sydney Valpy Radley-Walters and it is the common accepted version the english version is far less probable since it was from longer range and that the Canadian where in flanking of the tank it a controversy if you look at it
It is not certain who killed Wittmann. The Polish say a Pole killed him. The Canadians say a Cannuck killed him. The British say a Brit killed him. And the RAF (which had pilots of all 3 nationalities in the air) say they killed him!
Based on reviewing the radio transcripts and german accounts Wittmann's tank was taken out by Sydney Valpy Radley-Walters ("A" Squadron of the Sherbrooke Fusilier Regiment) who were in the chateau area only 500 m from the Tiger tanks. Norm Christie did a great documentary covering this new evidence.
Great video. I’ve been to the exact place where this battle took place. Stood in the location where Wittmann’s tiger was knocked out, where the bodies were found and where the different tanks were placed where the ambush took place. The German tanks were engaged from the woods as stated. He was taken out by the Sherman in the farm house (side shot). They did not realise there were tanks located in the farm. His grave and the crew are buried together in the German cemetery in Saint Germain du Pert. The controversy re being destroyed by a typhoon has been proven incorrect. When I was there this year (2018) I found a piece of allied armour plate from a tank that had been dug up with the ploughing of the field (which I gave to my guide). It’s amazing how even to this day you can pick up pieces of metal or rounds from ww1 or ww2. Great video Mark. Loved it.
Good work, Trooper Ekins. My father was a tanker in the US Army in WW2. As an Honorably Discharged Veteran of the US Army who enlisted to proudly serve his country, I salute you and my father, members of the Greatest Generation.
I understand that Wittmans tank was struck on the port quarter, that is the opposite side to the Northamptonshire Yeomanry’s position. The shot came from the Canadian Sherbrooke M4 tanks hidden behind the Chateau wall and the main road parallel to Wittmans advance. They were much much closer to Wittmans and their standard 75mm guns could deal with the side armour of the Tiger. Having said that the Firefly of the Notts troop certainly took at least three of the tigers out that day.
Just before I completed my last military tour in the UK in September 2011, I had a chance to interview Joe Eakins about his war experience. Truly a charming old fellow! I was rather underwhelmed to hear how little specialized training they got before arriving in France. And, of course, I was shocked to learn that after his tank was destroyed, he was reassigned to another tank but not as a gunner. If nothing else, his survival proves "the Chieftain's" point that the Sherman was a very survivable tank and not the death trap it's been made out to be.
People are also forgetting that the remains of Wittman and his crew were initially buried in a field grave alongside the tank. The tank itself wasnt removed until 1946 or 47.
Hi Mark, I respect your films, but this one does not take into account that a Canadian Sherman with a 75 mm gun was hidden a short distance away from 007, with a perfect side shot open to it. Recently, a documentary was done where the distance of the British Firefly and the Canadian Sherman were carefully measured and it was decided that the Firefly was a bit too far away to likely have hit the 007. The Canadian tank was close enough that a side shot to the 007 was an easy target for him. Therefore, the conclusion was that the Canadian tank actually took out the 007.
@@coolcat1684 then you realize that Wittman destroyed many of those 17s than you can even imagine and realize that the Tiger wasn't that much of a pussy
Wittmann’s remains, as well as his crew were found in 1983 a short distance from where his tank exploded. Apparently in a makeshift grave. As usual Mark, another fascinating story.
You are the best Mike, I have seen many dokumentaries but this is by far the most detailed video about Witman s death, one of the best if not the best tiger tank aces. Tumbs up for you and your chanel Mike.
Excellent little film. As you rightfully describe, having a really good dunner like Ekins was just as important as a good tank commander, in fact I would say it was more important. Looking through the comments soldiers like Wittman are made out to be aces when they in fact pretty much never actually aimed or fired the gun. Bringing the tank in position is important and choosing the targets which to engage is equally important but equal praise has to be given to the gunner that actually aims, fires and hit the enemy. People are making it out like Wittmann drove the tank all alone, he picked out targets and fired the gun like a tank ace octopus. No, it's all about really good teamwork and gunner and driver often don't get any recognition at all. The best tank commander in the world can't make up for a crappy gunner or loader but a superb gunner can make the average tank commander look like a hero.
Fantastic video, glad you talked about this engagement on 8th August. Ill say one thing is that when Wittman went into battle with most of 3. Kompanie, 101. SS Sch.Pz.Ab. The orginal kompanie commander was new to this role. Wittman wanted to lead the attack. Yet within a 2km radius there were dozens of Churchills, Shermans, Fireflys, M10s and Cromwells. Before this attack at around late morning, Wittman met up with divisional command i.e Kurt Meyer, Hubert Meyer and II/PzGr Reg. 25. commander Waldmuller. Kurt Meyer said from his book that he noticed Wittman was not his confident self and seemed to be making hasty decisions. I feel Wittman knew it was coming to the end and the days of the Tigers of 101 SS Sch.Pz.Ab. were numbered as most Tanks of that battalion met there fate in Normandy.
As someone who has a great deal of curiosity about WWII, I am glad to have stumbled across this channel about a month ago. Your videos are positively excellent. Thank you for this video, I never knew the full details of what happened. As my last name may imply, this event is of very high interest for me.
Very good report! This soldier, Trooper Ekins, was an brave man!!!! My congratulations! Wittmann was one of the best german soldiers! I want to offer my condolence !
This dispute on who fired the fatal shot will need to be put to rest - the fatal shot was at the rear left of 007, Ekins periscope view was at the right side of the advancing Tigers - 009, 312 and 314. the only way for Ekins to hit the rear left was if Wittman was retreating. The Fatal shot was by the Canadian Ace "Rad" Walters - Please research and update if possible. Great work on all your videos.
I am glad you made this piece. Hearing about allied tank victories helps give some balance to the narrative of how much the Germans dominated with their tanks.
I just wanted to say that the Fireflies “larger turret” only applies to the radio because the gun was so large it would not fit with the radio. As for the crew the turret was extremely cramped and hard to fight in.
Felton left out one little bit out of the story. At hill 140, near Cintheaux, the allies had mistaked it for hill 195 and took the unopposed hill. The engagement prior to Wittmann's death, Wittmann's tigers and Wünche's panthers attacked in a pencer movement, panthers to the east, tigers to the west, encircled and destroyed 50 allied tanks and numerous infantry with zero tank losses of their own. They were in the process of trying to exploit this massive success when Wittmann was killed..they had no idea so much more armor laid in wait, they hoped that these local successed would buy time...and it did. The allies timetable was null and void due to Wünche and Wittmann under Kurt Meyer's directives....
I don't think this story is quite correct, I'm pretty sure it was the Radley Walter's troupe of Sherbrookes who destroyed Wittman's tank as they were in an ambush position in a hamlet called Gaumesnil which sat beside the Route Nationale about 143 meters away and with a clear line of sight to where Wittman's tank was advancing. The Northhamtonshire Yeomanry where almost 1 km from Wittman's Tiger, well outside of the effective range of the Firefly. Tiger 007 was also partially obscured by a slope in the terrain. Also damage to Wittman's Tiger also suggests the Sherbrookes as there seemed to be a penetration in the left-rear of Wittman's Tiger from a shot across the Route Nationale. The Yeomanry could well have killed the other 3 Tigers in his troupe as they were within 775m and less from the Firefly but Wittman very likely fell victim to the Sherbrookes. Here's a documentary which clarifies my point , th-cam.com/video/IhG3meKdMc4/w-d-xo.html
Love these mini battles explanations which are the bricks and mortar of a wall of war. Heard of Wittman, never heard of Joe Eakins, so just researched his life. A hero also in peacetime. Put him on the twenty quid note.
I met Joe Eakins in 2011 and had a chance to interview him before I returned to the US in September 2011. Hell of a guy! For those who've seen The Chieftain's vid on the Firefly, it was insanely cramped in that turret. Not surprisingly, Eakins was rather short; much better suited to the inside of a Firefly turret than Mr. Moran! lol Even for Joe, it had to be miserably claustrophobic!
Once again a most informative and brilliant historical tid bit of enjoyable information. Ah? 007 I do wonder if Ian Fleming may have known this story and applied the numerical nomenclature of “007” to his creation of Bond, Janes Bond.
As others have already pointed out, Ekins did exceptionally well in killing two of the Tigers but almost certainly not Wittmann's. The evidence pretty solidly suggests that the Sherbrooke Fusiliers took out his tank with a standard Sherman 3. This does not, however, detract from Joe Ekins achievement it taking out two of the monsters,
Michael Wittman's Tiger tank 007 was destroyed by a troop of Canadian Shermans from the Sherbrooke Fusiliers. An episode of Battlefield Mysteries called Who Killed Michael Wittman by Breakthrough Entertainment investigates the battle in which Wittman died. The program concludes that a troop of Shermans from the Sherbrookes were positioned behind a wall adjacent to the field that Wittman and his Tigers crossed. This was near the small French village of Gaumesnil. The first three Tigers were taken out be a Firefly located near St. Aignan, but Wittman's Tiger was caught in the flank at point blank range by the Sherbrooke's and destroyed.
I concur. These videos get me through daily life with two and a half year old twins. Sometimes I feel like I'm in a battle 😂 Thank you Mark, I will support in time.
Battlefield Detectives have a slightly different story. First they claim the Germans attacked with 7 Tigers, 5 on one side of the main road and 2 on the other. Of the 5 that advanced across the open field, 4 were destroyed and one retreated. 3 of the 4 were destroyed by the Firefly. Wittmann's tank was knocked out by a concealed Sherman with a standard 75 mm gun that hit the Tiger in the side penetrating the thin side armor and detonating stored munitions in the tank. Wittmann and his crew's remains were recovered years later.
Hello mark - I enjoy your videos but the evidence as shown in the battlefield mysteries documentary (featuring Joe Ekins and several of the sherbrook fusiliers present) seems to suggest otherwise. Of course there has been a lot of speculation around 'who actually fired the fatal shot' with the Typhoon explanation being a long-standing factor, but the doco showed that it was most likely that Wittman's tiger was hit in the rear left at close range from a round fired by the tanks in the Sherbrook's position rather than by Ekins who attested to hitting three Tigers in quick succession. Whether this really matters is incidental but it was at least some comfort to his widow that the bodies were discovered in the 1980's. Keep up the good work!
Ekins is recorded talking about the battle. He said they had 3 fireflies, that his tank was hit but not disabled. Battlefield Detectives analyzed the data and site and came to the conclusion that although Ekins destroyed 3 Tigers, Wittmann's tank (a fourth Tiger destroyed) was knocked out by a Canadian tank that attacked from the side in a concealed location. I also really doubt that they could have read Wittmann's 707 identification number on the side of the turret when they are driving toward the Fireflies.
Chris Guthrie well, not saying Michael wittman was a bad tank commander but he is a bit overrated / Knispel is a bit underrated because Knispel wasn’t that popular because he once protested against the treatment of soviet pows, so the German propaganda didn’t make him popular because they didn’t want someone that didn’t agree with the regime in a single point (I hope you could follow me)
A couple of other British tank aces, Sgt. Wilfred Harris, 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards, destroyed five Panthers with five shots in the course of a single day. A remarkable feat, and he was awarded the DCM while his gunner was Mentioned in Dispatches. What was his record for the entire war? None seems to have been kept. Likewise Sgt. George Dring of the Notts Yeomanry (Sherwood Rangers) who also destroyed five German tanks in a single day in Normandy. That exceptional day's work was noted, but his total kills (starting in North Africa) remain a mystery.
Kurt Knispel is Germany's best tanks ace, he was just never recognized for his duties, he went the longest of any German soldier of his rank without another medal
Hi Mark.The Battlefield Detective show covered this action and deduced that the Canadian tank unit you mentioned got the kill.They were much closer and claimed they got him..They had standard Shermans but claim they hit Wittmans left hull ..They fired behind a Farm wall to the West.
Mark..Reminds me of the controversy as to who shot down Baron Von Richtofen.Was it the Australian groundfire or the Canadian air ace...Your Channel is great btw.
Michael Wittmann was not German's greatest tank Ace, he comes in at number 4. The number one spot goes to Kurt Knispel, who is also the greatest tank ace of all time... Here's the official list 1. Kurt Knispel 2. Martin Schroif\Otto Carius 3. Johannes (Hans) Bolter 4. Michael Wittman 5. Hans Sandrock 6. Paul Egger 7. Fritz Lang By this late stage of the war Michael Wittman knew he was outnumber and out outgunned by the allies. What he did that day was suicidal and was suffering from post traumatic stress (PTSD) which affected his judgement. (PTSD) Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms may start within one month of a traumatic event, but sometimes symptoms may not appear until years after the event. These symptoms cause significant problems in social or work situations and in relationships. They can also interfere with your ability to go about your normal daily tasks.
Michael had a great big tank that had a great big gun.... He shot up all the little tanks, he thought it was great fun, But then Joe Ekins came along with his Firefly seventeen pounder..... He shot poor Michael up the arse.... The Damned unsporting bounder!
Very interesting Mark my only criticism is the black baron title which seems to have appeared only within the last few years to sensationalise Wittmann. I have read several books on Michael Wittmann, all probably about 10 years ago and there was never any mention of the black baron title so I’m not sure where it came from. Other than that keep up the incredible work! Your channel is by far my favourite on youtube
Very similar to the shoot down of the Red Baron 26 years before, Canadian tanks from the Sherbrooks might have played a role in the destruction of 007. Norm Christie has a documentary arguing that the Canadian armour knocked out at least 1 of the Tigers and that 007 was closest to them at the time. All that said, Fireflies 4 - Tigers -0. The Sherman is a much maligned design, but always on the offensive, it suffered.
Love the shot of the British tankers pipe smoking at 3:50 : "Tally ho, chaps ! Let's give some of those Jerry tanks a jolly bit of pranging, hey what ?"
There is some serious errors in this video when it comes to the actions that occurred that day. First being max affective range of the Firefly in relation to where Wittmann's Tiger was destroyed. There is no doubt that Ekins was responsible for knocking out 3 out of the 4 Tigers destroyed that day. Tiger 312 was 767 meters away, 009 was 754 and 314 was 775. The Firefly was most effective out to 800 and up to 1200 with luck. Considering the postion of Ekins south of St Aignan this is totally plausible he was responsible for the 3 which were positioned to the right side of Wittmann who was running along RN158. Also when considering the distance one must factor in the terrain. At 967 meters away from Ekins, Wittmanns Tiger was over a slight slope. This shot would have had to be near imposable for him to accomplish. On top of all this the video fails to mention the impact location of the round on Wittmanns Tiger. His call sign was struck on the left rear side behind the turret in the deck. Ekins fire position was to Wittmanns NE. Now with all that said there is very little mention in this video of the Sherbrookes and their position that day. A Sqn was located to the left side of Wittmann in the Chateau grounds facing east in Gaumesnil located on the left side of the RN158 a mere 143 meters away from the location of where Wittmanns Tiger was destroyed. Derive from this what you like but considering the above makes it very plausible that the Canadians were the ones responsible. In fact the official history of the 12th SS by Hubert Meyer supports this along with many other reputable historians and authors.
Excellent. Very clear and detailed, better than the Battlefield Mysteries TV Doc which claimed the Canadians took out Whitman’s tiger, but did show local farmer had kept some parts of it including the gun footplate mounting.
Fantastic information and well presented, there is a site on TH-cam run by a german who gives good information and statistics, he says that there were no tank aces and tank commanders he interviewed concurred , puts a different meaning on virtually everything .
Michael Wittmann survived for over three years on the Eastern front and was credited with destroying over 100 Russian tanks, but died in a matter of two months on the Western front.
I liked the video but Norm Christie suggests that the Sherbrookes may have destroyed the Tiger as they were much closer and hidden behind a stone wall.
I get the impression one of the officers was jealous of him. I think Ekins' tank was later knocked out. Another tank crew had lost their radio operator. The tankers were trained in every role, so Ekins was nominated.
Point of trivia: The "mottled" appearance of the armor on the Tiger (seen in the close up shots) was Zimmerit - an anti mine paste that was applied to the hull, that prevented enemy magnetic anti-tank mines from sticking to it.
When you said the Firefly had a larger turret, did you mean to say a larger gun? Because the turret is a standard 75mm turret, with minor modification, not even a T23 turret.
I know that the Firefly turret were modified by the addition of an armoured box at the rear for the placement of the radios and the weight of the box also counter balanced the longer barrel.
Standard Turret.The 17 pounder was squeezed in with the breach rotated 90 degrees.There was hardly any room left and the loader had a terrible time. Reload time was slower ..Less ammo carried also.It got the job done and ticked 2 of the boxes.Still had thin armour but could punch and move.
Witman destroys a bunch of tanks: gets the Knights Cross and a promotion
Ekins destroys a bunch of tanks: gets demoted to Radioman?
Yep. Apparently Ekins never got to fire a shot again. They needed a radio man and Ekins was a qualified radio man, so needs must etc
That's the English for you and this pig headed stupidity was what poor Montgomery had to put up with. He was the 7th general in charge of the UK Army (8th) in the North Africa. Same with Marshall Haig, or General Percival (the idiot who lost Singapore against a much smaller Japanese Army while defending the most powerful fortress in the British Empire). Until Montgomery 'breeding' and 'the right background' were more important than talent or results, something Churchill himself noted in 1915 and again in 1917 after giving up firing the idiot Haig. As someone raised in the UK#1 military academy we had a nice Arch with all those who died thanks to the man (Haig) whose statue ironically stands next to the monument to his incompetence
WITTMANN ..not Whitman..he was a Teutonic Knight not a wimpy American Author. 😏
@@vladdrakul7851 I think you're talking bollocks. I think you're just some masquerading Anglophobe. Go away.
Funny how these "stupid incompetents" managed to build an empire like they did. As for Singapore have a look at what happened to the US troops in the Phillipines and look at what happened to the Soviets when the Nazis attacked Russia. Going by your nomenclature obviously not of English origin but love living there I bet @@vladdrakul7851
Kept the unibrow for 88 years what a savage
The power of that unibrow. It must have allowed him to get a really solid look through the sights.
His tank comrades put grease around his gunsights...
How ironic, Eakins lived to ‘a ripe old age of 88’...
@Gappie Al Kebabi lol wtf
Haha, I see you what you did there.
This is seriously underrated. I hope one day your channel blows up with views!
Many thanks - fingers crossed
I'm sure it will, I remember when I subscribed I couldn't believe it was so low.
The same thing happened with The History Guy, he's got over 150K now.
Same
Luv your channel bravo
Tissaye Shame it’s all bollocks. The judgement is that Wittmann was killed by the Canadian Sherbrooke fusiliers with a standard 75mm Sherman. Wittmann was on the extreme right of his unit with the Canadians on his right. Photographs of his wrecked tank show penetration of his right side.
Just to let people know, New investigations have shown that the firefly was not the tank that killed Wittman. He was out of sight on the other side of a hill from the fire fly and his tiger was hit on the side facing away from it. On this side was a unit of Canadian Sherman's behind a wall less the 200 yards from where Wittman's tank was killed and they also claimed to have killed a tiger that day. Granted the firefly did kill 3 other tigers attacking with Wittman. It's just the firefly was out of range, on the wrong side and out of line of sight of Wittman's tank when it was destroyed. The Canadian unit has been given the kill.
Excellent film. Tank warfare is a strange business, even the most able at it can be blind-sided in a general fight because the machinery they're operating is so cumbersome it's hard to adjust swiftly enough to counter a threat from an unexpected quarter.
And that allied air support seemed to stress things a little more
When the guy who destroyed 3 tigers in a day dies at 88(mm)
As per many comments below - Battlefield Detectives almost 100% proved the fatal shot to Wittmann's 007 Tiger 1 was from the rear quarter, with the photo evidence to support that, so the Canadian tanks got him, and at much closer range. As an Englishman, I'd love it to have been Joe Ekins, but he did enough knocking out the other three.
You should do a video on Kurt Knispel too - the top scoring tank ace of all times. Wittman gets lots of publicity because of Villers Bocage, and Carius because of the engagement at Malinovo/Malinovka and his book, which I've read and is very good indeed. Knispel IMO gets less media coverage and doesn't deserve that.
Wittmann gets lots of publicity because of Goebbels massive propaganda during the war. Knispel didnt lend himself to it, as a result he is simply much less known today.
@@christianhoffmann8607 Knispel was known to be rebellious and he was never promoted often or given medals often aswell, what a shame.....
Kurt Knispel when missing for a long time, found his remains some years ago in Czech Rebuplic if not mistaken. Lots of men did there duty and then some on all sides and it was never noticed. War is like that.
@@CS-nq9sq i have read the same thing.
Thats cos Knispel got into a fist fight with some SS blokes over their mistreatment of prisoners@@CS-nq9sq
The Canadian fusiliers of sherbrook destroyed that tank from 500 m by Sydney Valpy Radley-Walters and it is the common accepted version the english version is far less probable since it was from longer range and that the Canadian where in flanking of the tank it a controversy if you look at it
It is not certain who killed Wittmann.
The Polish say a Pole killed him.
The Canadians say a Cannuck killed him.
The British say a Brit killed him.
And the RAF (which had pilots of all 3 nationalities in the air) say they killed him!
Based on reviewing the radio transcripts and german accounts Wittmann's tank was taken out by Sydney Valpy Radley-Walters ("A" Squadron of the Sherbrooke Fusilier Regiment) who were in the chateau area only 500 m from the Tiger tanks. Norm Christie did a great documentary covering this new evidence.
Great video. I’ve been to the exact place where this battle took place. Stood in the location where Wittmann’s tiger was knocked out, where the bodies were found and where the different tanks were placed where the ambush took place. The German tanks were engaged from the woods as stated. He was taken out by the Sherman in the farm house (side shot). They did not realise there were tanks located in the farm. His grave and the crew are buried together in the German cemetery in Saint Germain du Pert. The controversy re being destroyed by a typhoon has been proven incorrect. When I was there this year (2018) I found a piece of allied armour plate from a tank that had been dug up with the ploughing of the field (which I gave to my guide). It’s amazing how even to this day you can pick up pieces of metal or rounds from ww1 or ww2. Great video Mark. Loved it.
but there was also another tank that could have killed wittman
Good work, Trooper Ekins. My father was a tanker in the US Army in WW2. As an Honorably Discharged Veteran of the US Army who enlisted to proudly serve his country, I salute you and my father, members of the Greatest Generation.
Excellent. Wittman is a legend among tank crews in many armies.
I understand that Wittmans tank was struck on the port quarter, that is the opposite side to the Northamptonshire Yeomanry’s position. The shot came from the Canadian Sherbrooke M4 tanks hidden behind the Chateau wall and the main road parallel to Wittmans advance. They were much much closer to Wittmans and their standard 75mm guns could deal with the side armour of the Tiger. Having said that the Firefly of the Notts troop certainly took at least three of the tigers out that day.
These are so great, thank you Mark
Thank you for watching
Your detailing of this event gives such a better insight than one sees on normal documentaries.
Great post.
Yet Wittman is well-remembered and Ekins is practically unknown.
Just before I completed my last military tour in the UK in September 2011, I had a chance to interview Joe Eakins about his war experience. Truly a charming old fellow! I was rather underwhelmed to hear how little specialized training they got before arriving in France. And, of course, I was shocked to learn that after his tank was destroyed, he was reassigned to another tank but not as a gunner. If nothing else, his survival proves "the Chieftain's" point that the Sherman was a very survivable tank and not the death trap it's been made out to be.
People are also forgetting that the remains of Wittman and his crew were initially buried in a field grave alongside the tank. The tank itself wasnt removed until 1946 or 47.
Hi Mark, I respect your films, but this one does not take into account that a Canadian Sherman with a 75 mm gun was hidden a short distance away from 007, with a perfect side shot open to it. Recently, a documentary was done where the distance of the British Firefly and the Canadian Sherman were carefully measured and it was decided that the Firefly was a bit too far away to likely have hit the 007. The Canadian tank was close enough that a side shot to the 007 was an easy target for him. Therefore, the conclusion was that the Canadian tank actually took out the 007.
You Sir are one of the true channel finds on TH-cam. Keep up the excellent work.
Tigger 007's license has been revoked.
Wasn’t Tigger a character from Winnie the Pooh?
Good one!
Harold Ellis mighty Tiger became a pussy cat in the face of those 17s
@@coolcat1684 then you realize that Wittman destroyed many of those 17s than you can even imagine and realize that the Tiger wasn't that much of a pussy
Wittmann’s remains, as well as his crew were found in 1983 a short distance from where his tank exploded. Apparently in a makeshift grave. As usual Mark, another fascinating story.
Thanks
You are the best Mike, I have seen many dokumentaries but this is by far the most detailed video about Witman s death, one of the best if not the best tiger tank aces. Tumbs up for you and your chanel Mike.
Excellent little film. As you rightfully describe, having a really good dunner like Ekins was just as important as a good tank commander, in fact I would say it was more important. Looking through the comments soldiers like Wittman are made out to be aces when they in fact pretty much never actually aimed or fired the gun. Bringing the tank in position is important and choosing the targets which to engage is equally important but equal praise has to be given to the gunner that actually aims, fires and hit the enemy. People are making it out like Wittmann drove the tank all alone, he picked out targets and fired the gun like a tank ace octopus. No, it's all about really good teamwork and gunner and driver often don't get any recognition at all. The best tank commander in the world can't make up for a crappy gunner or loader but a superb gunner can make the average tank commander look like a hero.
Fantastic video, glad you talked about this engagement on 8th August. Ill say one thing is that when Wittman went into battle with most of 3. Kompanie, 101. SS Sch.Pz.Ab. The orginal kompanie commander was new to this role. Wittman wanted to lead the attack. Yet within a 2km radius there were dozens of Churchills, Shermans, Fireflys, M10s and Cromwells.
Before this attack at around late morning, Wittman met up with divisional command i.e Kurt Meyer, Hubert Meyer and II/PzGr Reg. 25. commander Waldmuller. Kurt Meyer said from his book that he noticed Wittman was not his confident self and seemed to be making hasty decisions. I feel Wittman knew it was coming to the end and the days of the Tigers of 101 SS Sch.Pz.Ab. were numbered as most Tanks of that battalion met there fate in Normandy.
More likely he was just fatigued from constant action and as a consequence started making flawed decisions
As someone who has a great deal of curiosity about WWII, I am glad to have stumbled across this channel about a month ago. Your videos are positively excellent.
Thank you for this video, I never knew the full details of what happened. As my last name may imply, this event is of very high interest for me.
Very good report! This soldier, Trooper Ekins, was an brave man!!!! My congratulations! Wittmann was one of the best german soldiers! I want to offer my condolence !
This dispute on who fired the fatal shot will need to be put to rest - the fatal shot was at the rear left of 007, Ekins periscope view was at the right side of the advancing Tigers - 009, 312 and 314. the only way for Ekins to hit the rear left was if Wittman was retreating. The Fatal shot was by the Canadian Ace "Rad" Walters - Please research and update if possible. Great work on all your videos.
I am glad you made this piece. Hearing about allied tank victories helps give some balance to the narrative of how much the Germans dominated with their tanks.
Well done Trp Ekins. Only the army could move him from gunner to wireless operator after killing three Tigers with five rounds.
I just wanted to say that the Fireflies “larger turret” only applies to the radio because the gun was so large it would not fit with the radio. As for the crew the turret was extremely cramped and hard to fight in.
Felton left out one little bit out of the story.
At hill 140, near Cintheaux, the allies had mistaked it for hill 195 and took the unopposed hill. The engagement prior to Wittmann's death, Wittmann's tigers and Wünche's panthers attacked in a pencer movement, panthers to the east, tigers to the west, encircled and destroyed 50 allied tanks and numerous infantry with zero tank losses of their own.
They were in the process of trying to exploit this massive success when Wittmann was killed..they had no idea so much more armor laid in wait, they hoped that these local successed would buy time...and it did. The allies timetable was null and void due to Wünche and Wittmann under Kurt Meyer's directives....
Your vids are always top-notch. Heading over to Patreon now.
Very kind, and many thanks
I don't think this story is quite correct, I'm pretty sure it was the Radley Walter's troupe of Sherbrookes who destroyed Wittman's tank as they were in an ambush position in a hamlet called Gaumesnil which sat beside the Route Nationale about 143 meters away and with a clear line of sight to where Wittman's tank was advancing. The Northhamtonshire Yeomanry where almost 1 km from Wittman's Tiger, well outside of the effective range of the Firefly. Tiger 007 was also partially obscured by a slope in the terrain. Also damage to Wittman's Tiger also suggests the Sherbrookes as there seemed to be a penetration in the left-rear of Wittman's Tiger from a shot across the Route Nationale. The Yeomanry could well have killed the other 3 Tigers in his troupe as they were within 775m and less from the Firefly but Wittman very likely fell victim to the Sherbrookes. Here's a documentary which clarifies my point ,
th-cam.com/video/IhG3meKdMc4/w-d-xo.html
Love these mini battles explanations which are the bricks and mortar of a wall of war. Heard of Wittman, never heard of Joe Eakins, so just researched his life. A hero also in peacetime. Put him on the twenty quid note.
Asking whom destroyed Wittmans Tiger is like asking whom shot down the Red Baron ?
You could get 100 different versions of each.
I met Joe Eakins in 2011 and had a chance to interview him before I returned to the US in September 2011. Hell of a guy! For those who've seen The Chieftain's vid on the Firefly, it was insanely cramped in that turret. Not surprisingly, Eakins was rather short; much better suited to the inside of a Firefly turret than Mr. Moran! lol Even for Joe, it had to be miserably claustrophobic!
Once again a most informative and brilliant historical tid bit of enjoyable information. Ah? 007 I do wonder if Ian Fleming may have known this story and applied the numerical nomenclature of “007” to his creation of Bond, Janes Bond.
Mark Felton docos. Benchmark quality level (up with BBC.) Keep up the good work, sir.
Been recommending you to my family and friends and they are loving this channel
Thanks very much - I hope they continue to watch
This Channel is getting better and better. Congratulations sir
Thanks for watching and supporting
As others have already pointed out, Ekins did exceptionally well in killing two of the Tigers but almost certainly not Wittmann's. The evidence pretty solidly suggests that the Sherbrooke Fusiliers took out his tank with a standard Sherman 3. This does not, however, detract from Joe Ekins achievement it taking out two of the monsters,
Awesome video. It' s always great to see the videos and read the comments before you get censored.
I've been to that spot on the edge of the orchard, followed the entire operation as described in TANK by Ken Tout, visited all the locations.
Michael Wittman's Tiger tank 007 was destroyed by a troop of Canadian Shermans from the Sherbrooke Fusiliers. An episode of Battlefield Mysteries called Who Killed Michael Wittman by Breakthrough Entertainment investigates the battle in which Wittman died. The program concludes that a troop of Shermans from the Sherbrookes were positioned behind a wall adjacent to the field that Wittman and his Tigers crossed. This was near the small French village of Gaumesnil. The first three Tigers were taken out be a Firefly located near St. Aignan, but Wittman's Tiger was caught in the flank at point blank range by the Sherbrooke's and destroyed.
Good to see evidence that the 17 pdr was a very accurate gun, certain interests would have the world believe that it wasn't much of a AT gun at all.
I concur. These videos get me through daily life with two and a half year old twins. Sometimes I feel like I'm in a battle 😂
Thank you Mark, I will support in time.
I have a two and a half year old niece so I can understand. She is lovely and a real delight, but oh so exhausting, so twins must be a real effort.
Thanks. I can't say I miss that period with small children!
Great job ! Thank you for your time & efforts .
Thank you
Kurt Knispel was Germany's highest scoring tank ace, Michael Wittman was Germany's most well known tank ace.
Battlefield Detectives have a slightly different story. First they claim the Germans attacked with 7 Tigers, 5 on one side of the main road and 2 on the other. Of the 5 that advanced across the open field, 4 were destroyed and one retreated. 3 of the 4 were destroyed by the Firefly. Wittmann's tank was knocked out by a concealed Sherman with a standard 75 mm gun that hit the Tiger in the side penetrating the thin side armor and detonating stored munitions in the tank. Wittmann and his crew's remains were recovered years later.
Your work is appreciated i really really enjoy your high quality video's thank you!!!
Many thanks
Awesome video mate! well done, keep up the great work. :)
Hello mark - I enjoy your videos but the evidence as shown in the battlefield mysteries documentary (featuring Joe Ekins and several of the sherbrook fusiliers present) seems to suggest otherwise. Of course there has been a lot of speculation around 'who actually fired the fatal shot' with the Typhoon explanation being a long-standing factor, but the doco showed that it was most likely that Wittman's tiger was hit in the rear left at close range from a round fired by the tanks in the Sherbrook's position rather than by Ekins who attested to hitting three Tigers in quick succession. Whether this really matters is incidental but it was at least some comfort to his widow that the bodies were discovered in the 1980's. Keep up the good work!
It's a great episode Mark, thanks.
A pleasure
Ekins is recorded talking about the battle. He said they had 3 fireflies, that his tank was hit but not disabled. Battlefield Detectives analyzed the data and site and came to the conclusion that although Ekins destroyed 3 Tigers, Wittmann's tank (a fourth Tiger destroyed) was knocked out by a Canadian tank that attacked from the side in a concealed location. I also really doubt that they could have read Wittmann's 707 identification number on the side of the turret when they are driving toward the Fireflies.
Amazing channel, subscribed immediately after watching only one video. Great stuff Felton!
taking out 100 tanks in a tiger: I sleep
taking out 3 tigers in a sherman: True ace material
Next time do a video about Kurt Knispel ;)
he’s a really interesting dude, really respectable during wartime.
Chris Guthrie well, not saying Michael wittman was a bad tank commander but he is a bit overrated / Knispel is a bit underrated because Knispel wasn’t that popular because he once protested against the treatment of soviet pows, so the German propaganda didn’t make him popular because they didn’t want someone that didn’t agree with the regime in a single point (I hope you could follow me)
Outstanding! I really like the models in your thumbnails.
Not mine unfortunately
A couple of other British tank aces, Sgt. Wilfred Harris, 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards, destroyed five Panthers with five shots in the course of a single day. A remarkable feat, and he was awarded the DCM while his gunner was Mentioned in Dispatches. What was his record for the entire war? None seems to have been kept. Likewise Sgt. George Dring of the Notts Yeomanry (Sherwood Rangers) who also destroyed five German tanks in a single day in Normandy. That exceptional day's work was noted, but his total kills (starting in North Africa) remain a mystery.
Kurt Knispel is Germany's best tanks ace, he was just never recognized for his duties, he went the longest of any German soldier of his rank without another medal
Thank you Mark another great story regarding an ace commander Michael Wittmann
Pleasure
The heroic trooper Eakin should have been awarded a high medal and been promoted.Very strange he was made a radio operator for he rest of the war.
Hi Mark.The Battlefield Detective show covered this action and deduced that the Canadian tank unit you mentioned got the kill.They were much closer and claimed they got him..They had standard Shermans but claim they hit Wittmans left hull ..They fired behind a Farm wall to the West.
I've seen that programme - interesting theory
Mark..Reminds me of the controversy as to who shot down Baron Von Richtofen.Was it the Australian groundfire or the Canadian air ace...Your Channel is great btw.
Wittmann is like the Red Baron Everybody wants to claim the victory but nobody knows who got him first
The brow on that guy has a life of it's own! I think it's more famous than he is.
Didn't know he drove 007...that's kinda cool.
Almost cry every time I watch the way hero Michael Wittmann was killed by outnumbered inferior tanks.
Heroes never die!
If Wittman and Knispel fight side by side i cant imagine how many tanks will be destroy
The Firefly Shermans were certainly able to penetrate a Tiger at range, one of the best upgrades to the Shermans during the war.
ANother fantastic story well delivered...without hype or stupid commercials or unnecessary blather...
Michael Wittmann was not German's greatest tank Ace, he comes in at number 4. The number one spot goes to Kurt Knispel, who is also the greatest tank ace of all time...
Here's the official list
1. Kurt Knispel
2. Martin Schroif\Otto Carius
3. Johannes (Hans) Bolter
4. Michael Wittman
5. Hans Sandrock
6. Paul Egger
7. Fritz Lang
By this late stage of the war Michael Wittman knew he was outnumber and out outgunned by the allies. What he did that day was suicidal and was suffering from post traumatic stress (PTSD) which affected his judgement.
(PTSD)
Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms may start within one month of a traumatic event, but sometimes symptoms may not appear until years after the event. These symptoms cause significant problems in social or work situations and in relationships. They can also interfere with your ability to go about your normal daily tasks.
Michael had a great big tank that had a great big gun....
He shot up all the little tanks, he thought it was great fun,
But then Joe Ekins came along with his Firefly seventeen pounder.....
He shot poor Michael up the arse....
The Damned unsporting bounder!
Very interesting Mark my only criticism is the black baron title which seems to have appeared only within the last few years to sensationalise Wittmann. I have read several books on Michael Wittmann, all probably about 10 years ago and there was never any mention of the black baron title so I’m not sure where it came from. Other than that keep up the incredible work! Your channel is by far my favourite on youtube
@Dalle Smalhals speak English lol that sentence didn't make sense.
Well, a title is a title. If it's given to you right away, or almost a century later, it's still the same title :)
Michael Hawkins That was three sentences, not one, and they made perfect sense to me. :-)
Almost a new video every day! The best on TH-cam by far!!! 👍🍺🍺🍺 Can’t wait for the next one
Many thanks
Great subject covered here. Much thanks Mark for your work. 👍
A pleasure sir
Very similar to the shoot down of the Red Baron 26 years before, Canadian tanks from the Sherbrooks might have played a role in the destruction of 007. Norm Christie has a documentary arguing that the Canadian armour knocked out at least 1 of the Tigers and that 007 was closest to them at the time. All that said, Fireflies 4 - Tigers -0. The Sherman is a much maligned design, but always on the offensive, it suffered.
Love the shot of the British tankers pipe smoking at 3:50 : "Tally ho, chaps ! Let's give some of those Jerry tanks a jolly bit of pranging, hey what ?"
There is some serious errors in this video when it comes to the actions that occurred that day. First being max affective range of the Firefly in relation to where Wittmann's Tiger was destroyed. There is no doubt that Ekins was responsible for knocking out 3 out of the 4 Tigers destroyed that day. Tiger 312 was 767 meters away, 009 was 754 and 314 was 775. The Firefly was most effective out to 800 and up to 1200 with luck. Considering the postion of Ekins south of St Aignan this is totally plausible he was responsible for the 3 which were positioned to the right side of Wittmann who was running along RN158. Also when considering the distance one must factor in the terrain. At 967 meters away from Ekins, Wittmanns Tiger was over a slight slope. This shot would have had to be near imposable for him to accomplish. On top of all this the video fails to mention the impact location of the round on Wittmanns Tiger. His call sign was struck on the left rear side behind the turret in the deck. Ekins fire position was to Wittmanns NE. Now with all that said there is very little mention in this video of the Sherbrookes and their position that day. A Sqn was located to the left side of Wittmann in the Chateau grounds facing east in Gaumesnil located on the left side of the RN158 a mere 143 meters away from the location of where Wittmanns Tiger was destroyed. Derive from this what you like but considering the above makes it very plausible that the Canadians were the ones responsible. In fact the official history of the 12th SS by Hubert Meyer supports this along with many other reputable historians and authors.
Great story and you Mark , are easy to listen to talk. Very informative stories
that firefly was a tuff tank. big gun yet faster and more manoverable than the tigers.
Excellent. Very clear and detailed, better than the Battlefield Mysteries TV Doc which claimed the Canadians took out Whitman’s tiger, but did show local farmer had kept some parts of it including the gun footplate mounting.
Many thanks
As normal your version of the events taking place are the best and most accurate.
Thank you
Fantastic information and well presented, there is a site on TH-cam run by a german who gives good information and statistics, he says that there were no tank aces and tank commanders he interviewed concurred , puts a different meaning on virtually everything .
Are you talking about Military history visualized? Isn't he Austrian?
In any case his videos are great indeed and well researched
Good videos!! Most underrated TH-cam channel.
Many thanks
Michael Wittmann survived for over three years on the Eastern front and was credited with destroying over 100 Russian tanks, but died in a matter of two months on the Western front.
I think us tank lovers were secretly waiting for this video,much love.
Glad to hear it
I LOVE your videos. Please keep up the fine work!
as always a great docu.thanks a lot mark!
Thanks
I liked the video but Norm Christie suggests that the Sherbrookes may have destroyed the Tiger as they were much closer and hidden behind a stone wall.
Outstanding video and very well researched absolutely loved it!
Glad you enjoyed it
Bizarre decision making to make Eakins a radio operator.
I get the impression one of the officers was jealous of him. I think Ekins' tank was later knocked out. Another tank crew had lost their radio operator. The tankers were trained in every role, so Ekins was nominated.
Point of trivia: The "mottled" appearance of the armor on the Tiger (seen in the close up shots) was Zimmerit - an anti mine paste that was applied to the hull, that prevented enemy magnetic anti-tank mines from sticking to it.
Your videos are amazing and spot on.
I thought it was proved a Canadian tank destroyed whittmanns tiger
When you said the Firefly had a larger turret, did you mean to say a larger gun? Because the turret is a standard 75mm turret, with minor modification, not even a T23 turret.
I know that the Firefly turret were modified by the addition of an armoured box at the rear for the placement of the radios and the weight of the box also counter balanced the longer barrel.
It has a larger gun in a turret larger than a standard Sherman's. Make sense?
@@MarkFeltonProductions
No it doesn't, the turret is a standard 75mm Sherman's.
It isn't even the larger 76mm Sherman turret.
Standard Turret.The 17 pounder was squeezed in with the breach rotated 90 degrees.There was hardly any room left and the loader had a terrible time. Reload time was slower ..Less ammo carried also.It got the job done and ticked 2 of the boxes.Still had thin armour but could punch and move.
@@MarkFeltonProductions it is not the turret that matters. It is the gun. Why boast about a larger turret and not even mention the gun?