Michael Wittmann was born on April 22nd, 1914. He was raised in a farm near Vogetal, Oberpfalz. In 1933, he joined the German Volentary Labor Service and the Wehrmacht in 1934. In 1937, he joined the "Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler" (see section). He served in the reconnaissance unit as a driver and later as the commander of a SdKfz 222.
After the campaign in France, the LSSAH became re-equipped with six new StuG IIIs. They were tank destroyers armed with a 75mm short-barreled gun. Michael was given command of one. He fought as an Unterscharfuhrer in Greece. When operation Barbarossa occured, he operated in Southern Russia and often fought alone. On his first day, he destroyed 6 T34/76 tanks! He recieved an Iron Cross Second Class for that. During later operations, he was awarded the Iron Cross First Class! Because of these actions, he was sent to an officer cadet school to become an officer.
After graduating, Wittmann trained to become a panzer commander. There, he met his new crew including his gunner Balthasar "Bobby" Woll. He operated a Tiger tank. The Tiger's slow rate of turret traverse was compensated with Wittmann's experience with the turretless StuG, swinging the complete tank into the direction of the enemy, saving time and placing the heavy armoured front towards the enemy.
Wittmann then returned to Russia. During operation "Zitadelle", the operation in Kursk, he destroyed 30 tanks, 28 anti-tank guns and 2 artillery batteries! When Wittmann reported that they had destroyed their 88th enemy tank, both he and Bobby Woll recieved the Knight's Cross. His score added up each day. When he left Russia, he had already destroyed 119 tanks! He also recieved the Oakleaf to his Knight's Cross and was promoted to the rank of SS-Obersturmfuhrer.
Wittmann was transferred to battle the Canadians, British and American soldiers at Normandy. On June 13th, 1944, Wittmann was the commander of the tank which caused the chaos at the road at Villers Bocage. Wittmann with his crew including Bobby Woll (who was a panzer commander but was Wittmann's gunner because his tank was damaged) set out on a recon patrol. There were rumours that the Allies were mounting an attack aimed at Panzer Lehr's left flank.
When Wittmann stopped the panzer to listen for the enemy, panicking infantries reported to him that strange tanks were rolling down the road. Wittmann set out on foot from the cover of a small wood to see the arrival of the British tanks, halftracks and carriers of the 4th County of London Yeomanry, a part of the famed 7th Armoured Division (Desert Rats). They were heading for Hill 213. Wittmann suddenly realized that the rumour WAS true, it was an attack on Panzer Lehr's left flank! He watched as the British stopped for vehicle maintenance and breakfast, not expecting to meet Wittmann.
Wittmann frantically ran back to his crew and alertted them. Even though he wasn't able to contact other units, he broke cover and headed to the direction of the British HQ tanks, protected between A and B squadrons. The first twelve vehicles, M3 Halftracks, were destroyed simply by the MG-34. When M5A1 Honey tanks appeared, Wittmann ordered them to be fired upon with the main gun. The Tiger then engaged the HQ tanks inside Villers Bocage killing three Cromwell tanks. He then moved down the road bumping into B squadron. He backed up and turned around to return to his company for additional vehicles. However, he was ambush by a Cromwell which fired two 75mm gun rounds at him. It bounced off the thick armour. Bobby destroyed it.
That afternoon, with three Tigers and a Panzer IV, they launched a counter attack against A squadron and recapture the town Villers Bocage. The British, again, were dismounted brewing tea. Wittman and his crew, taking advantage of the situation, destroyed the entire row of Cromwells, Sherman Fireflies and Bren Carriers!
Now, the Germans headed for Villers Bocage. However, the town was heavily defended. Wittmann's tank was immobolized causing Wittmann and his crew to flee. The other three tanks were destroyed by the British.
Dispite the German casualties, the 7th Armoured Division (the British) have lost 25 tanks, 14 carriers and 14 halftrack! Most of them were lost in the morning. Wittmann was awarded the Swords to his Knights' Cross with Oak Leaf. He was also promoted to SS-Hauptsturmfuhrer!
However, in August 8th, 1944, Michael Wittmann was killed during a skirmish with Canadian Sherman Firefly tanks. The Canadians ended the life of this great tank ace. He and his crew were buried in an unmarked grave but was transfered to the La Gambe cemetary in Normandy in 1983.
