mkenny
06-09-2006, 05:04 PM
I was reading the old Wittmann thread and what struck me was the hostility shown towards anyone trying to correct the errors in Wittmann's adventures. Perhaps it should be pointed out that his award citation specificaly credited him with 19 'enemy tanks'. In truth he could not possibly have hit more than 10 of these (2 light Stuarts and 2 OP tanks in this total) Once he reached the centre of Villers Bocage he was engaged by 2 Firefly tanks. Hits were scored on his Tiger and he reversed quickly away. However he did not get very far before his tank was hit (again? or possibly the damge inflicted by the Fireflys stopped him) and knocked out. He was extremely lucky to escape with his life that day. Brave he certainly was and there is no need to exaggerate his exploits.
Wittmann was not attacking alone and several Tigers were firing in support (one was knocked out)Thus some of the tanks 'hit' by Wittmann could be victims of the other Tigers. Once the propaganda ministry got involved every kill was simply credited to Wittmann.
The follow up attack into Villers by Lehr and SS 101 was a complete failure. A number of Tigers and PzIV's were lost for no british tank losses and the Germans retreated. Later the village was evacuated by the British and the follow up German attacks on 7th AD were repulsed.
22nd Armoured Brigade was not 'destroyed' The Brigade had 4 Armoured Regiments each of 3 Squadrons. 90% of the tank losses were suffered by 'A' Squadron 4th CLY. This is 1 Squadron out of 12 in the Brigade. 4th CLY also lost its HQ Troop of 4 Cromwells. A serious depletion of 4th CLY but 1st RTR, 5th RTR and 8th Hussars were not engaged. It was a strategic reverse no doubt but on a tactical level the best description, from the Allied side is, a defeat, a victory and a draw.
Wittmann was not attacking alone and several Tigers were firing in support (one was knocked out)Thus some of the tanks 'hit' by Wittmann could be victims of the other Tigers. Once the propaganda ministry got involved every kill was simply credited to Wittmann.
The follow up attack into Villers by Lehr and SS 101 was a complete failure. A number of Tigers and PzIV's were lost for no british tank losses and the Germans retreated. Later the village was evacuated by the British and the follow up German attacks on 7th AD were repulsed.
22nd Armoured Brigade was not 'destroyed' The Brigade had 4 Armoured Regiments each of 3 Squadrons. 90% of the tank losses were suffered by 'A' Squadron 4th CLY. This is 1 Squadron out of 12 in the Brigade. 4th CLY also lost its HQ Troop of 4 Cromwells. A serious depletion of 4th CLY but 1st RTR, 5th RTR and 8th Hussars were not engaged. It was a strategic reverse no doubt but on a tactical level the best description, from the Allied side is, a defeat, a victory and a draw.