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"He was a fighter in every way, he lived and breathed action."
SS-Obergruppenfuhrer Josef "Sepp" Dietrich after Wittmann's death.
SS-Hauptsturmfuhrer Michael Wittmann was the most successful and famous tank
commander of World War II. Wittmann was born on April 22nd of 1914, in Vogelthal
near Oberpfalz, in the Hight Palatinat. He was a son of a local farmer - Johann
Wittmann.On February 1st of 1934, Wittmann joined Reichsarbeitdienst - RAD (The
German Labour Corps) and served for six months, until July.On October 30th of
1934, he enlisted in Germany Army's 19th Infantry Regiment as a Private (for two
years). Wittmann left the service on September 30th of 1936, as a Junior
Non-Commissioned Officer - Unteroffizier. Shortly after, on April 5th of 1937,
Michael Wittmann joined No.1 Sturm of 92nd Standarte of the elite Leibstandarte
SS Adolf Hitler. In late 1937, he received driver training on Sd.Kfz.222 (a
four-wheeled light armored car) and then Sd.Kfz.232 (a six-wheeled heavy armored
car) and proved to be an excellent driver. Wittmann, then joined the 17th
Company which was the Panzer Scout Company of LSSAH. In the summer of 1938, his
unit was reduced in status to a Panzer Scout Platoon. In September of 1939,
SS-Unterscharführer Michael Wittmann commanded Sd.Kfz.232 of the reconnaissance
elements of LSSAH and took part in the Polish Campaign.
In October of 1939, Michael Wittmann joined the 5th Panzerspähkompanie (the
depot company of the Leibstandarte) based at Berlin (Lichterfelde), which was an
assault gun "academy". In February of 1940, Wittmann was transferred to the
newly formed SS-Sturm-Batterie (assault gun battery - Sturmartillerie) of LSSAH,
equipped with Sturmgeschutz Ausf
A assault guns.The reason for his transfer was that Wittmann held a rank
below officer with three years of service and experience on an armored vehicle.At
the same time, Wittmann became friends with Hannes Philipsen, Helmut Wendorff,
Alfred Günther and other members of that unit. In late 1940, Michael Wittmann
started his true panzer combat career in the Balkans (Yugoslavia and Greece).
While in Greece, Wittmann was in command of the platoon of Sturmgeschutz III
Ausf As (part of LSSAH SS-Sturm-Batterie) and fought there until mid 1941.
On June 11th of 1941, Wittmann along with LSSAH was transferred to the east, in
preparations for the upcoming operation "Barbarossa", which started on June
22nd. LSSAH was ordered to advance into southern Russia. On July 12th of 1941,
Michael Wittmann received an Iron Cross (Second Class) for destruction of Soviet
tanks. Some time later, Wittmann was wounded in combat, but remained with his
unit and received the Wound Badge. On September 8th of 1941, he received Iron
Cross (First Class) followed after fighting in the Rostov area by the Panzer
Assault Badge (for destroying six Soviet tanks in single engagement). Wittmann
was also promoted to the rank of SS-Oberscharführer. Until June of 1942,
Wittmann fought with his unit in Russia.On June 5th of 1942, because of his
outstanding service Wittmann was accepted as a cadet for the officer training in
the SS Junkerschule in Bad Tölz (Bavaria).On September 5th of 1942, Wittmann
left Bad Tölz school as a Panzer instructor (SS-Panzerausbildungs und
Ersatz-Abteilung).
In Autumn of 1942, 1st Waffen-SS Motorized Division "Leibstandarte SS Adolf
Hitler" was upgraded to the status of a Panzer-Grenadier Division. Also
additional 13th Kompanie was equipped with
PzKpfw VI Tiger. Training
took place at Padeborn in Germany and then at Ploermel in France.In the end of
January of 1943, "Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler" was transferred to the Eastern
Front. The command of the 13th Kompanie was given to SS-Haupsturmfuhrer Heinz
Kling.
On December 21st of 1942, Wittmann was promoted to the rank of
SS-Untersturmführer and on December 24th, he joined the 13th Kompanie of
Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler. Michael Wittmann was put in the command of
Panzer III Ausf L/M platoon
of Tiger company. The platoon was designated to protect the back line of the
Tigers from enemy infantry and other obstacles. In the early spring of 1943,
Michael Wittmann joined the
Tiger company, and left his
Panzer III support section. On July 5th of 1943, Wittmann started his combat
career on Tiger during the Operation Citadel (Zitadelle). LSSAH was located in
the southern sector of the bulge.On the first day of action, Wittmann destroyed
two anti-tanks guns and thirteen T-34s, while saving Helmut Wendorff's platoon,
which run into trouble. On July 7th and 8th, Wittmann destroyed two T-34s, two
SU-122s and three T-60/70s. On July 12th, Wittmann destroyed eight Soviet tanks,
three anti-tank guns and one gun battery. This operation finished on the 17th of
July 1943, and included the battle of Kharkov and Kursk along with other
engagements. During that time Wittmann's Tiger destroyed 30 Soviet tanks along
with 28 guns. On July 29th of 1943, 13th company was used to form schwere SS
Panzer Abteilungen 101, which was then attached to LSSAH. In August of 1943,
LSSAH was transferred to Italy, for refitting and occupational duties.
In October of 1943, 1st SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Division "Leibstandarte SS Adolf
Hitler" was reorganized as 1st SS Panzer Division "Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler".
In sSSPzAbt 101, Wittmann (Tiger #1331) served with other Tiger Aces like: Franz
Staudegger (Tiger#1325), Helmut Wendorff (Tiger #1321) and Jürgen Brandt (Tiger
#1334). The command of this unit was given to SS-Haupsturmfuhrer Heinz Kling (Tiger
#1301). In October of 1943, after the start of Soviet Autumn Offensive, LSSAH
was transferred back to the Eastern Front (Kiev area). Also in October, Wittmann
changed his Tiger #1331 for the Tiger #S21 and got under his command Jürgen
Brandt (Tiger #S24). On October 13th, Wittmann's Tiger destroyed twenty T-34s
along with twenty three infantry and anti-tank guns.In December, Wittmann took
part in numerous engagements and destroyed a number of Soviet tanks and guns.
On January 13th of 1944, Michael Wittmann received the Knight's Cross for his
outstanding service to the Fatherland. "From July of 1943 to the beginning of
January 1944 he has destroyed 56 enemy AFVs, including T 34s and super heavy SPs.
On 8 and 9 January he and his platoon halted and destroyed breakthrough attempts
of a Soviet tank Brigade, and in that battle he destroyed a further ten vehicles.
On January 13, nineteen T 34s and three super-heavy SP guns. His total then
stood at 88 tanks and SPs." - German radio annoucement, January 13th of
1944. On January 15/16th of 1944, SS-Rottenfuhrer Balthasar (Bobby) Woll
received his Knight's Cross. Balthasar Woll was an excellent gunner, who was
even able to fire accurately while on the move.
On January 20th, Wittmann was promoted to the rank of SS-Obersturmfuhrer.Two
weeks later, on January 30th 1944, Wittmann received following telegram from
Adolf Hitler himself: "In thankful appreciation of your heroic actions in the
battle for the future of our people, I award you as the 380th soldier of the
German Wehrmacht, the Oakleaves to the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. Adolf
Hitler.". On February 2nd of 1944, Wittmann received Oak Leafs to his
Knights Cross from Führer's hands, in "Führerhauptquartier Wolfsschanze" (Wolfslair
- Rastenburg in East Prussia).
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Wittmann's Tiger S04 and his crew (left to right):
SS-Untersturmführer Michael Wittmann,
SS-Rottenführer Bobby Woll,
SS-Panzerchütze Werner Irrgang,
SS-Panzerschütze Sepp Rössner and
SS-Sturmmann Eugen Schmidt.
The 88 white rings (kills) were painted for the occasion and the picture was
taken by SS-Büschel (Propaganda Kompanie - PK). On the February 28th of 1944,
Wittmann's unit, which was under the command ofSS-Hauptsturmführer Heinz Kling,
counted five Iron Cross "Knights":SS-Untersturmführer Staudegger,
SS-Untersturmführer Wendorf andSS-Hauptsturmführer Kling.SS-Obersturmführer
Wittmann was the only one with Oak Leafs to his Knights Cross.During the period
from February 29th to March 2nd of 1944, the larger part of the company was
transferred to Mons in Belgium. At the time of the transfer, Wittmann received
the command of 2nd Kompanie of sSSPzAbt 101 of LSSAH. After leaving Eastern
Front, Michael Wittmann stated that the Soviet anti-tank guns were harder and
were more prized targets than tanks. On March 1st, Michael Wittmann married
Hildegard Burmester and his marriage witness was his gunner - Balthazar (Bobby)
Woll.
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SS-Obersturmführer Michael Wittmann and his Tiger.
At that time, Wittmann became a national hero and was seen everywhere. The
propaganda made him into a hero of the entire German nation. In the April of
1944, Wittmann visited the Henschel und Sohn factory at Kassel and spoke to the
employees thanking them for their great job on producing Tiger I. During his
visit he discovered the production line of
Late Type Tiger I Ausf E.
In May of 1944, Wittmann re-joined the sSSPzAbt 101 of the LSSAH, which was
stationed in the area of Lisieux in Normandy, France.
At the time, Bobby Woll (holder of Iron Cross 1st and 2nd Class and Knight's
Cross) received a command of a Tiger and took part in the Normandy battles,
where he was wounded (during an air attack) and remained in a hospital until
March of 1945. He returned to active service and took part in the final battles
on the Western Front. Woll survived the war and became an electrician. He died
in 1996.
LSSAH was a part of panzer reserve, which included 12th SS Panzer Division "Hitlerjugend"
and the Panzer Lehr Division. At that time the command of sSSPzAbt 101 was given
to Heinz von Westernhagen (Tiger #007), while the 1st Kompanie was commanded by
Hauptsturmfuhrer Mobius. On the June 6th of 1944 (D-Day), Wittmann got a new
late production model Tiger I #205. From 6th to 12th June, sSSPzAbt 101 moved to
the invasion front in Normandy. On their way, Wittmann's 2nd Kompanie was
reduced to six Tigers by Allied air attacks. Wittmann's company along with the
Panzer Lehr Division and the 12th SS Panzer Division "Hitlerjugend" was part of
Heeresgruppe under the command of
Erwin Rommel. On June 13th,
the battle began near Bayeux area. At the time Wittmann's company was near
Villiers-Bocage, at the south of Tilly-sur-Seulles (Caen area). On June 13th of
1944, Wittmann's company destroyed entire 4th County of London Yeomanry Regiment
travelling on the road No.175 to Villers-Bocage, at the Hill No.213.
World War 2 leading tanker ace, SS-Hauptsturmführer (captain) Michael Wittman briefing his tank commanders, Normandy 1944. Decorated with the prestigious Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords, Michael Wittman destroyed 138 allied tanks and 132 anti-tank guns during his career.
"Wittmann in Villers Bocage"
On 13th June 1944, a week after D-day, following a drive from Beauvais under
repeated air attack, 2nd Kompanie of sSSPzAbt 101 led by Michael Wittmann had 6
Tigers located in the area
of Hill (Point) 213 ahove Villers Bocage. His orders were to stop the advance of
the 22nd Armored Brigade of the British 7th Armored Division (the famous 'Desert
Rats') from advancing through the township, outflanking the German line and
gaining the road to Caen. Wittmann's company hidden behind a hedgerow spotted
the enemy column, which passed him at a distance of 200 meters. At about 8:00am,
Wittmann attacked the British column on the main road, while the rest of his
company (4 Tigers as one
brokedown) attacked the British forces around Hill 213. Soon after, Wittmann
destroyed Sherman Firefly and Cromwell IV and headed south to attack the rest of
the enemy transport column. After knocking out 8 half-tracks, 4 Bren Carriers
and 2 6 pdr anti-tank guns, Wittmann reached the crossroad with the road to
Tilly-sur-Seulles. At the crossroad, he destroyed 3 Stuart tanks from recon unit
and reached the outskirts of the town of Villers-Bocage. While in town, Wittmann
destroyed 4 Cromwell IV tanks and single half-track and turns into Rue Pasteur.
Following up the street, he knocked out Cromwell IV and Sherman OP tank,
reaching the main street of Villers-Bocage. At the end of Rue Pasteur,
Wittmann's Tiger was hit by Sherman Firefly from B Squadron and he decided to
turn back as being too far forward without any infantry support and in a
build-up area. He turned in the direction of Caen to join the rest of his
company. On his way back, Wittmann's Tiger was attacked by another Cromwell IV,
which he destroyed as well. Back at the Tilly crossroad, British soldiers from
1st Rifle Brigade opened fire at Wittmann with their 6 pdr anti-tank gun,
immobilizing his Tiger. Wittmann and his crew managed to escape on foot towards
the Panzer Lehr positions 7km away near Orbois. The rest of his company at the
Hill 213, destroyed the rest of the A Squadron of 4th County of London Yeomanry
Regiment ("Sharpshooters") including 5 Cromwell IV and Sherman Firefly, while
capturing 30 men. During this short engagement, Wittmann's company destroyed 4
Sherman Firefly, 20 Cromwell, 3 Stuart, 3 M4 Sherman OP, 14 half-tracks, 16 Bren
Carriers and 2 6 pdr anti-tank guns. Wittmann's attack was followed by another
one by Tigers of
Hauptsturmfuehrer Rolf Moebius' 1st Kompanie of sSSPzAbt 101 and
Panzerkampfwagen IV tanks
from Panzer Lehr but was repulsed by anti-tank guns from 22nd Armored Brigade.
Following day, British withdrew from the town leaving it to the Germans, who
occupied it for next two months. The British drive on Villers Bocage and Caen
was stopped cold by Wittmann's attack and following actions.
On July 22nd, after his success at Villers-Bocage, Wittmann received the Swords
for his Knight Cross with Oak Leafs after being recommended personally by the
LSSAH's commander, SS-Obergruppenfuhrer und Panzergeneral der Waffen SS Josef "Sepp"
Dietrich. The ceremony was on June 25th of 1944 and Adolf Hitler in person
decorated Wittmann who then became the most decorated tanker ace of World War II.
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At the same time he also received the rank of SS-Haupsturmfuhrer. Wittmann was
offered a position of an instructor at a training schoolbut he refused and
returned to Normandy on July 6th and participated in the Battle of Caen (3rd to
10th of July). During July of 1944, Wittmann fought near Caen area until August.
At the time Wittmann got a new Tiger #007. In the beginning of August, Wittmann
along with sSSPzAbt 101 was transferred to Cintheaux area. At the time Germans
tried to recapture Caen which was completely destroyed by ongoing fighting. On
August 8th of 1944, a new battle began near Cintheaux. It was Wittmann's final
battle. At 12:55am (as reported by SS-Hauptscharführer Höflinger - Tiger #213
which was positioned in the same field at the rear, right of Wittmann's Tiger)
in a field near the road to Caen-Cintheaux, at Gaumesnil, Wittmann's Tiger was
destroyed and its entire crew killed. After fighting the remains of Wittmann and
his crew were buried beside what was left of their Tiger, without any markings.
Until 1983, the destruction of Wittmann's Tiger was an mystery even for crews of
sSSPzAbt 101. Many sources say that it was destroyed by the "Firefly Ambush",
but different units claimed to ambush and destroy Wittmann's Tiger, including
those of the either 1st Polish Armored Division, 4th Canadian Armored Division (Canadian
Shermans supposedly surrounded and shot Wittmann's Tiger to pieces) or 33rd
British Independent Armored Brigade. In the memoirs of a former member Mr.F.R of
sSSPzAbt 101, official version at the time stated that Wittmann's Tiger was
destroyed by an airplane bomb. Both presented a picture of Wittmann's Tiger
without its turret with the gun barrel placed on the hull which in fact is the
picture of SS-Untersturmführer Alfred Günther's Tiger from 3rd Kompanie of
sSSPzAbt 101 of destroyed by an airplane bomb at Evrecy. Along with those two
versions, some claims were made that units, which were not even present in the
area at the time, were responsible for destroying Wittmann's Tiger. In 1945, Mr.Serge
Varin found Tiger #007. Mr.Varin was interested in this tank because its turret
was teared away from the hull. Mr.Varin examined Wittmann's Tiger and noticed
that it was not penetrated by any shells fired at it during the fighting. The
only damage to the hull was a big hole in the rear, near the engine deck.
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Remains of Wittmann's Tiger No.007
After further examination Mr.Varin concluded that the impact came from the air.
The rocket hit Tiger's rear deck (made of 25mm thick armor), penetrated the air
intakes and exploded causing the explosion in the engine compartment and
fighting compartment which ignited the stored ammunition. The second explosion
instantly killed the entire crew and blew off the turret into the air. According
to Varin, Wittmann's Tiger was destroyed by a rocket fired from a Royal Air
Force Hawker "Typhoon" MkIB - attack aircraft. Typhoons were armed with HE (High-explosive)
rockets and took heavy tow of German tanks during the Normandy battles (for
example on August 8th of 1944, Typhoons destroyed 135 German tanks and among
those Tiger #007).
Finally, it was proven that Wittmann's Tiger was destroyed by fire from tanks of
"A" Squadron of Northamptonshire Yeomanry. British Firefly crew observed
advancing Tigers and opened fire at when Tigers were some 800m away. According
to original War Diary of "A" Squadron, at 12:20, 3 Tigers were moving towards
the Squadron and were destroyed at 12:40, 12:47 and 12:52 without any losses.
After the first Tiger was destroyed at 12:40, second one returned fire but was
hit and blew up in a loud explosion. Following that, third Tiger was knocked out
after receiving two hits. Wittmann's Tiger was destroyed as second at 12:47 by
British Sherman VC "Firefly" commanded by Sergeant Gordon (gunner - Trooper Joe
Ekins) from 3rd Platoon, "A" Squadron, 33rd Armored Brigade of 1st
Northamptonshire Yeomanry. British Sherman VC "Firefly" armed with 17 pounder
gun was capable of penetrating Tiger's armor at range of 800m. The force of
explosion blew off the turret, which landed upside down away from the hull.
Wittmann did not know that British had Firefly in the area and felt confident in
attacking their position with his Tigers, otherwise he would take different
approach to the whole attack. After Wittmann failed to return from the battle,
search for him by the members of the 12th SS Panzer Division "Hitlerjugend" and
his battalion took place during the day and on the night of 8/9th.
Michael Wittmann and his crew was killed in action on August 8th of 1944, at
Gaumesnil near Cintheaux and were buried in an unmarked grave. In March of 1983,
the unmarked field grave of Tiger #007's crew was discovered during the
construction of the road and was excavated. It was possible to identify the
remains by Wittmann's dental records and Heinrich Reimers's (driver)
identification tag. Wittmann and his crew was then officially buried in the
German Military Cemetery of "De La Cambe" in Normandy, France. The cemetery is
located on the National Road 13 (RN 13) between Isigny-sur-Mer and Bayeux.
Michael Wittmann is buried in square 47, row 3, grave 120 of "De La Cambe". On
August 8th of 1944, crew of Tiger #007 from 2nd Kompanie of schwere SS-Panzer
Abteilungen 101 of LSSAH was as follows:
SS-Sturmmann Rudolf "Rudi" Hirschel (radioman) 24/1/3 - 44/8/8
(20 years old),
SS-Unterscharführer Henrich Reimers (driver) 24/5/11 - 44/8/8 (20 years old),
SS-Unterscharführer Karl Wagner (observer) 20/5/31 - 44/8/8 (24 years old),
SS-Sturmmann Günther Weber (loader) 24/12/21 - 44/8/8 (20 years old),
SS-Haupsturmfuhrer Michael Wittmann (commander) 14/4/22 - 44/8/8 (30 years old).
He ended up his career as a Commander of 2.Kompanie schwere SS-Panzer Abteilung
101 (part of 1st SS Panzer Division "LSSAH").SS-Haupsturmfuhrer Michael Wittmann
was the most successful tanker ace of World War II. His friends said that
Michael Wittmann was quiet man even during combat and that he had 6th sense, to
know where and how to engage the enemy. Wittmann commanded excellent crews, who
were able to fully cooperate withhim and anticipated his orders.
Wittmann was highly admired by his comrades and very highly thought of by his
superiors. Michael Wittmann represents a real hero who fought to the bitter end
for his Fatherland. Wittmann's personal bravery is unquestionable and his place
in the annals of military history thoroughly deserved.
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Tiger 007 crew's graves at De La Cambe.
Michael Wittmann's grave at De La Cambe.
