Michael Wittmann | |
|---|---|
 Wittmann in 1944 | |
| Born | 22 April 1914 Vogelthal, Bavaria, German Empire |
| Died | 8 August 1944 (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 |
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 Armoured Division during the Battle of Villers-Bocage on 13 June 1944. While in command of a Tiger I tank, Wittmann destroyed up to 14 tanks, 15 personnel carriers and two anti-tank guns within 15 minutes before the loss of his own tank.
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. German tank kills were recorded as a unit.[3] When he was presented with the Oak leaves to his Knights Cross by Hitler on 2 February 1944 his total was 117 tanks.[4]