It's pretty unfair to not mention Balthasar Woll. Woll was Wittmann's gunner. While Wittmann commanded the tank and the platoon, Woll was laying the gun expertly scoring hit after hit. Wittmann commanded the tank with a strong sense of situational awareness to put Woll in just the right places to rack up kills. They were a killer team.

@dankovac1609

2 жыл бұрын

Wouldn't it be cool if Wittman and Woll lived long enough to see the first MBTs and modern tank technology like turret stabilization? Just like one of the Wright brothers lived to see their invention modernised.

@ryanotte6737

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah, it would be interesting to hear about the dynamic among the entire crew. The driver as well needed to be quite well suited to the crew to pull off those daring maneuvers. Maybe a follow up documentary.

@thomasmyers9128

2 жыл бұрын

@@dankovac1609 …. I might be wrong…. But I think the Sherman (later models 43-45ish) had stability on the main guns…even slightly remember hear a tanker talk about it… saying that they had it but they weren’t trained to use it… the channel The Chieftain has a lot about tanks… btw

@someone28

2 жыл бұрын

@@dankovac1609 Woll died in 1996.

@chriswhite6546

2 жыл бұрын

@@ryanotte6737 yep, the drivers were also critical in German tanks - especially later in the war when the tanks suffered from gearbox issues due to the weight of the heavier tanks. Drivers who could drive with mechanical sympathy kept their tanks going when others broke down in critical moments. Bad drivers killed their crews.

This guy was remarkable, but as a former main gun loader on an M551A Sheridan, I speak from experience when I state a great tank crew is a team that works as a single unit. Wittman couldn't have accomplished what he did without a tightly coordinated crew effort.

@JackG79

2 жыл бұрын

And he knew that, that was why he kept the driver with him for most of the war until he felt he was holding him back from due promotions.

@JackG79

2 жыл бұрын

If u ever get a chance, read the book, "Tigers in the Mud" by: Otto Carrius as well as Panzer Commander by Hans Von Luck Both amazing books, but I enjoyed Hans book immensely. Von luck goes from Highschool, to the labor service to military college, the formal officers life, horse drawn artillery tanks, right through France, North Africa, the Eastern Front, DDay, Defense of Berlin, to the fall of the Reich and Captivity in Russian Labor camps. As well as his post war life going back to Russia,, living in the US, meeting Steven A. Ambrose and such.. One of the most amazing books I have ever read. Good luck!! I couldn't put it down.

@donaldprice9230

2 жыл бұрын

Absolutely my friend!!!

@badbotchdown9845

2 жыл бұрын

@@JackG79 was him to have commanding a modified french tanks to becoming self propelled guns in Normandy?

@ytrogue6751

2 жыл бұрын

Please tell more about the Sheridan

Wittman may be the face of the tank ace crew, but the crew as the entirety is what turned an otherwise adept commander into an eternal legend. The gunner, B. Woll, handled the gun with expert precision, with the driver maneuvering the tank to a T. The fact that all of those men were in one single crew is what made that crew dozens of times more effective (and valuable) than most others ever would be back then.

@jean6872

2 жыл бұрын

Surely Wittman did not have the same gunner in he crew for the entirety of his career and for every mission he was on and in every engagement for years?

@mxblyxky

2 жыл бұрын

It's amazing how they do everything to belittle German celebrities in World War II. Even Rommel they said he wasn't a good general!

Any Laserpig fans near-by?

@kingsnakke6888

10 ай бұрын

Heyooooooooo

@williamchamberlain2263

10 ай бұрын

Lasorrpiiiiiiggg!!!!!

@noblesix2983

8 ай бұрын

Love the Pig!

@jonny2954

8 ай бұрын

I'd like to be nearby but i can't get my T-72 to move with its Honda levels of torque.

When 300 enemy tanks can't convince him to abandon his nation, I wonder if anything could.

@honkytonk4465

2 жыл бұрын

Kim Jong Un Give freedom to your people scoundrel!

@user-uc3ld1zj3g

2 жыл бұрын

That’s real steadfastness. (Kind of inspiring) 😊

@JackG79

2 жыл бұрын

Confidence is an amazing tool!!

@whatseatoya9384

2 жыл бұрын

The Shoemaker : Allow me to end your career

@1mol831

2 жыл бұрын

Those are T34s though, the can't really do anything to a Tiger tank unless it gets really close. Another story if its a more powerful soviet tank though.

By mastering how to firing whilst moving, even though they'd been specifically told not to, they actually changed tank warfare forever. Because whoever can do it has the advantage..

@2adamast

2 жыл бұрын

So the first tanks did change tank warfare forever

@howardchambers9679

2 жыл бұрын

The Matilda gunners were taught to fire on the move.

@fazole

2 жыл бұрын

Wittmann did something he learned from commanding Sturmgeschützen. He spun the Tiger on its tracks as he rotated the turret. This action had the effect of speeding up the Tiger's notoriously slow turret traverse speed and undoubtedly surprising his enemies which were trying to outflank the Tiger. Tigers were supposed to avoid rotating the body in place using tracks because it was very possible to de-track the vehicle that way.

@Theanimeisforme

2 жыл бұрын

@@howardchambers9679 Well i assume so when the tank moves at a speed of a walking soldier

@howardchambers9679

2 жыл бұрын

@@Theanimeisforme it was on the Matilda II. I'd like to see you walking at around 15mph in fact I'd like to see how far you could run at that speed in full gear. .

Shout out to Wittmann's crew, they were all hardened aces. Without his excellent crew Wittmann wouldn't be as recognized as he is. However his superb leadership skills really helped bring out their potential. It's a whole combined effort.

@GMan-yg1og

2 жыл бұрын

..........

@froobs2534

2 жыл бұрын

Truly is, keep the hope high and the aim higher.

@Conserpov

2 жыл бұрын

Wittman shamelessly MADE UP most of his victories, as real documents demonstrate. "Hardened aces", ROFL

@manfredconnor3194

2 жыл бұрын

You can shout to them all you want, but they are all dead and will not hear you.

@wilhelmvonberghoff175

2 жыл бұрын

@@manfredconnor3194 You seem like a fun guy at parties

You can only imagine the thoughts and emotions wittmann and his tank crew would have had, being in So many life and death tank engagements. Amazing.

@FarFromZero

2 жыл бұрын

The trick is to accept that you are already dead. Nothing left to fear then. The training of SS elite was to make them accept they were already dead, only the day of their death was unknown.

@j.m.5995

2 жыл бұрын

After a while it becomes a non issue as you rack up experience and skills

@StonedPony1

2 жыл бұрын

You live for the moment, anything over that is borrowed time. I like a lot of others have been asked what it is like to be in a foxhole. There is no way to explain that to those that have not been there and those that have don't ask as they know.

@JediMastaObi

2 жыл бұрын

I’m sure the meth helped

@austinmartin5446

2 жыл бұрын

@@JediMastaObi you do have no idea if Whitman and his crew were on meth

Credit needs to go to his gunner.

@MickyTubbs1985

2 жыл бұрын

PRECISELY.

@odb759

2 жыл бұрын

Driver/loader/gunner/Commander= Tank

@djscottdog1

2 жыл бұрын

Did he always have the same gunner tho

@bigsmoke6189

2 жыл бұрын

@@djscottdog1 yes he was Balthazar "Bobby" Woll an exceptionally talented Gunner .

@dr.med.detlefkohler6488

2 жыл бұрын

@@bigsmoke6189 Let us say Balthasar Woll. He received the KC, when Wittmann received the OL. He was spilled during the war, he suffered for the rest of his life. I would have liked to see him in the 80s, his wife said: "Better not!".

It's good to see all the props in the comments to Wittman's crew because as we military men know, combat is a team effort. Game recognize game. No shame in recognizing & respecting your enemy's strength and expertise. As a matter of fact, you're dead if you don't.

@HabboRetroOfficials

2 жыл бұрын

Just like the red baron no one truely hated him every militaty person always pays respect where it is due

@mickmcloughlin1646

2 жыл бұрын

You said it brother.

@Clancy192

Жыл бұрын

Nope. No respect for evil butchers.

@Junkman2008

Жыл бұрын

@@Clancy192 Well, it's obvious that you never served your country. What I commented about went clean over your head. 🙄

Lazerpig debunked this nonsense

As a former tanker myself, it’s the whole crew. Everyone is integral. And anyone who’s ever been in a tank in those cramped conditions, it’s an amazing feat. The Germans were outnumbered almost 10-1 in tanks by the Soviets.

@annaschmidt6410

2 жыл бұрын

That's right. But the Germans were outnumbered so high because the Americans sent tanks to the Sowiets.

@netyimeni169

2 жыл бұрын

It was the other way around at the start of ww2

@Foxrich99

10 ай бұрын

​@@netyimeni169For whom? Cause the french had a way bigger army, with more and heavier tanks than the germans

They should make movies about Wittmann and Knispel instead of about alien zombies.

@drmodestoesq

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah...a N@zi protagonist. The popcorn eaters would gobble that up.

@heroscapewarrior4217

2 жыл бұрын

@@drmodestoesq I think he conveniently forgot about the whole n@zi thing lol

@Briselance

2 жыл бұрын

@@heroscapewarrior4217 So what? Wee can have movies about WW2 Soviet servicemembers, but not about their German counterparts? There is no reason for that kind of double-standard.

@kriserauw5970

2 жыл бұрын

I agree totally.

@mpravica

2 жыл бұрын

The Russians did (in a way): kzread.info/dash/bejne/ka2CvNWonbrHZ7g.html

Wittman was for sure an outstanding tank ace. But most people forget about Kurt Knispel, who had roundabout 160 confirmed tank kills and it is possible, that it was up to 200, because he generously gave numbers to comrades of his tank squadron (if it was a combined attack). He was not decorated as much as others, due to is often displayed insubordinately behaviour. He died 4t h of may 1945 near Prague.

@peterson7082

2 жыл бұрын

Neither of those numbers are credible "or confirmed'

@waltbruyn2457

2 жыл бұрын

As a former tank commander and platoon sergeant of tanks, i can say its the entre crew that makes it distinguished.

@ghost-jesus

Жыл бұрын

Kurt Knispel's CO specifically stated the number was just a number they came up with when Michael Whitmann was rising in popularity and high command asked units for other commanders to propagandise, the reason he wasnt selected was because while he was popular and well liked among the military he had a propensity to steal things from the supply boxes.

@Foxrich99

10 ай бұрын

​@@ghost-jesussource: Trust me bro

Wittman and crew got lucky for a while one day. They and the Germans in general never really had s chance. They were outproduced and out supplied until they were broken down starving and without ammo. Then they were crushed.

That was one of the factors that they did not succeed in stoping Normandie, they had 45 Tigers and without air support, only 6 made it to their destiny! I can imagine his frustration.

@kevinpitt2203

2 жыл бұрын

Reto - yes, he must have been so frustrated at not being able to destroy the army that was there to liberate the peoples from the murderous regime he supported.

@user-vw8cw2sb6i

2 жыл бұрын

Those tin cans made good fireworks show when they blew up

@chompchompmaster2885

2 жыл бұрын

@@kevinpitt2203 still dont care

@kevinpitt2203

2 жыл бұрын

@@chompchompmaster2885 - Why do you think I care that you don't care?

@JohnSmith-wu2yf

2 жыл бұрын

No you can't...none of us can

This is better than 'Fury' by far

@axterix2057

2 жыл бұрын

Fury is good ... But if they made a movie about this guy ... Would be fantastic

@philippekogler

2 жыл бұрын

@@axterix2057 Fury is an american propaganda film

@MichaelWhittmann

2 жыл бұрын

This is definitely more realistic than Fury lol.

@taylorlibby7642

2 жыл бұрын

@@philippekogler It's a war movie, they're all propaganda films no matter who's making them.

@brandmotivo

2 жыл бұрын

@@philippekogler Well written.

The story of Kurt Knispel is a far better one. A guy that outscored all his comrades (including Wittmann), but was never famous because he never joined the party. And he died fighting in his homeland, more specifically in his Königstiger against a huge force of Soviet T-34-85s and IS-2s.

@qaz120120

2 жыл бұрын

Knispel was not as cool because he wasnt part of the party and was used after the war by the allies as some kind of propaganda.

@kentuckyace1068

2 жыл бұрын

He died a few minutes from his hometown.

@TimMallick

2 жыл бұрын

There is a great youtube video with Dr Toppel here on knispel, he interviewed his commander, in this he was told, from Knispel CO, that Kurt was never put up for the Iron Cross, was a decent tanker and no one knew at all how many kills he had. also that Kurt was a good guy but also know as a thief.

@TimMallick

2 жыл бұрын

kzread.info/dash/bejne/opqhy86EaKeWj7w.html

@franzreiche5433

2 жыл бұрын

I wouldn’t say far better, Joachim Peiper is better than both. You just favor him probably because you’re a commie.

That tank crew was insane. Even in video game terms, their kill streaks are insane.

@rick6833

2 жыл бұрын

They keep saying "Whitman was used for Propaganda" Its not "Propaganda" when its true. Its Propaganda when truth is called propaganda.

@neilencio

2 жыл бұрын

I bet the British were accusing him of using aimhacks.

@SuperMegaSammy

Жыл бұрын

Right, I have played Tanks Battlefield games i'm lucky if i get 3 kills, this guys is a legend!!

Black Baron will live forever in the heart of every German

My goodness. That resume dominates. Absolute madlad this Wittman. Keep up the unbiased documentaries. Loved this one!

His loader must look like Brock Lesnar, just a beast.

@Siddich

2 жыл бұрын

i dont know, if such a thing would fit into a tank

@joethekinghawk7514

2 жыл бұрын

@@Siddich good point, Brock is the tank.

@jeffadams9807

2 жыл бұрын

Lesnar Is A: PUNK !!!

@Briselance

2 жыл бұрын

@@Siddich A smaller-sized Brock Lesnar, then? To handle that many shells as heavy as those used by the KwK 36 in such a comparatively short time, and for that many days, you'd need to be quite beefy and have to stamina to go with it.

@fazole

2 жыл бұрын

@@Briselance Adrenaline and Pervatin are helluva drug.

Wittmann though one of the greatest men in history didn't drive and fire. Everyone forgets his gunner, he gets no mention.

Michael Whitman was simply a great tank commander,he died doing what he did best.

Any film makers watching this need to make a movie about this guy. I'd pay to see it 4 times.

@almighty5839

2 жыл бұрын

Indeed it’d be amazing

@dangr3957

2 жыл бұрын

Or they should make at least a Netflix series! Using artistic black and white or pale colour and deep fake to make everyone look authentic.

@user-uc3ld1zj3g

2 жыл бұрын

🤔 💬 I think they already did back in 2008. Joseph Fiennes was one of the actors in there.

@oceanhome2023

2 жыл бұрын

@@user-uc3ld1zj3g What movie would that be ?

@nemesis1291

2 жыл бұрын

@@user-uc3ld1zj3g what is the name of the movie?

Top 7 German tank aces (by confirmed kills): 1.Kurt Knispel - 168 Kills (sPzAbt. 503) 2.Martin Schroif - 161 Kills (sSSPzAbt. 102) 2.Otto Carius - 150+ Kills (sPzAbt. 502)-Tiger I-Knight’s Cross 5/4/44, Oak Leaves 3.Johannes (Hans) Bolter - 139 Kills (possibly 144) (sPzAbt. 502) Tigers- Knight’s Cross 4/16/44, Oak Leaves KIA 9/10/44. 4.Michael Wittman - 138 Kills (sS.S.PzAbt. 101 Liebstandarte)-Tiger I-Knight’s Cross 1/14/44, Oak Leaves 1/14/44 with Swords, KIA 6/25/44. 5.Hans Sandrock - 123 Kills (assorted AFV last unit HJ ) 6.Paul Egger - 113 Kills (s SS Pz. Abt. 102)-Tigers- Knight’s cross KIA 4/28/45 7. Fritz Lang - 113 Kills (StuG. Abt. 232)

@thomasthumim7630

2 жыл бұрын

It was a team effort

@philippekogler

2 жыл бұрын

@@thomasthumim7630 of course the squad as a unity had to work perfectly together

@riograndedosulball248

2 жыл бұрын

Fritz Lang chose the StuG life

@1mol831

2 жыл бұрын

kills of tanks or all things? There aren't so many tanks to kill though.

@philippekogler

2 жыл бұрын

@@1mol831 by tank kills

He went out on his sword a great man no one can deny that.

It's great to be able to get firsthand accounts from the British and Canadian tank crew that were involved in Wittman's final battle.

@GPDermawan

2 жыл бұрын

Wittman will soon have a chance at revenge on Germany enemies the two English of us and British in ww2

@TheRealBatCave

2 жыл бұрын

@@GPDermawan what?

German knocks out over 60 tanks, gets promoted to 1st LT, American loses war in Afghanistan gets to be the Joint Chief of Staff. 😂

@wallingnaga6563

2 жыл бұрын

Lol savage

@Wilfredo201102

2 жыл бұрын

Responsible of the death of thousand white Americans.... Gets promoted to Joint Chief of Staff

@joangratzer2101

2 жыл бұрын

SPOT ON. HE CAN PRACTICE HIS WOCE SPEECH IN THE MIRROR

@emanueltawtah6561

2 жыл бұрын

Hmmm... Good one 🤔🤣🤣🤣🤣

@jamesselby796

2 жыл бұрын

different times different ideologies. Today it's about political control.

Despite this being 1 day old, I've watched this documentary before like 12 times.

Some things to keep in mind tank combat is a combination of many factors including things like logistics, manufacturing capabilities, design, leadership, and other factors. While the T-34 was an excellent design in many regards it had serious flaws. It was very slow to load due to space constraints and required the gun to be elevated to load, this resulted in a slow rate of fire. The Russians were taught mass manufacturing techniques by American mass production experts but they did not manufacture to great tolerances and the T-34 suffered from reliability issues as well as poor weatherproofing thus with heavy rain the ammunition got wet and was also unreliable. The Germans suffered as much from manufacturing faults as well but they over-engineered tanks and the production was slowed and the parts were not designed for mass production and often were not easily interchangeable. While the Sherman is much-maligned it came in waves and was very reliable. The Germans could destroy 10 Shermans and there were 100 to take their places. And armies became much more reliant on anti-tank guns to destroy tanks than the actual tank on tank warfare. The Sherman was actually designed as an infantry support weapon. Tank on tank battles became less frequent with the further adoption of man-portable anti-tank weapons. It is often overlooked that the Russians had thousands of US-supplied Ford trucks for logistics while the Germans were often using horse-drawn wagons to supply their tanks. It is the composite of an army's capabilities that contribute to who wins tank battles vs single tank capabilities or leadership. The US ability to destroy the less advanced German logistics systems resulted in so many abandoned German tanks due to no fuel. And the complete air dominance of the Allies also contributed to the logistics breakdown of the Germans.

@FlamingManofIron

2 жыл бұрын

Not to mention that at a certain point, Germany didn't even have enough fuel anyway...

@ladyzapzap9514

2 жыл бұрын

Battles are won by strategy and tactics. Wars are won with logistics.

@Vlad79500

Жыл бұрын

Mellentin F. V. "Tank Battles 1939-1945: The Combat Use of Tanks in the Second World War." "In addition, the technical equipment of the Russian troops meets their needs. Cars are characterized by minimal weight, and their dimensions are maximally reduced. Horses in the Russian army are hardy and do not require much maintenance. The Russians do not need to carry with them those huge supplies that fetter the actions of troops in all Western armies." "... It is typical for the Russians that their tank divisions have much less vehicles than the tank formations of the Western powers. It would be wrong to explain this by insufficient production of automobiles in the USSR, since even rifle divisions with horse-drawn carts have a small number of horses and carts." "... This lack of motor vehicles leads to important tactical and psychological consequences. Since the number of vehicles in a motorized division among the Russians is much less than in the same formations of the Western armies, the Russian division is more mobile. Such a division is easier to manage, easier to camouflage and transport by rail." "... So a small number of regular vehicles gives the Russians an important advantage. The Russian high command understands well the mindset of the Russian soldier and manages to use the latter's shortcomings in such a way that they become his strength."

"Finally defeated by canadian tankers" - As if Wittmann were commanding an armored division! In fact, he was there with five or six Tigers, isolated against the Canadian advance, no reconnaissance vehicles or infantry support that's why he fell into the ambush. Sooner or later he would be struck down by his boldness and courage. The numbers say it all: During the war 50,000 Shermans were produced for 6000 Panthers and 1347 Tigers. As if that wasn't enough, the Allied air force destroyed any german vehicle on the roads of Normandy.

Otto Carius 150+ tanks destroyed , Kurt Knispel 168, Johannes Bolter 139-144, Michael Witman 138, Martin Schroif 168

22:06 such a shame to not tell the viewers that it's the gunner who is the one able to fire on the move, not the commander of the tank..

@carlchong7592

2 жыл бұрын

Kind of yes and no on that. Experienced tank commanders would sometimes coordinate turret traverse with turning the body of the tank so the gun could be more quickly rotated towards a new target. This is particularly useful in kind of scraps that Wittmann got his tank into because he kept charging into target rich environments. Firing on the move requires some significant coordination between driver and gunner and that coordination goes through the tank commander. Gunner doesn't give move orders to driver.

@p.a.9952

2 жыл бұрын

Well they say the gunner does it, at 21:58

@micahbogiono1100

2 жыл бұрын

It's team work. Not the gunners alone.

@j0nnyism

2 жыл бұрын

I think the gunner and driver were mind readers or possibly identical twins!

@thamor4746

2 жыл бұрын

It's not just the gunner. Commander brings the situation to the other crew, driver positions and moves the tank on the order of commander, gunner shoots on the order of the commander that has picked the targts unless some kind of fire at will order has been given. Loader makes it possible to fire faster. My point is there is a lot more than just gunner or commander (Wittmann) to do with the success of his tank unit. It's the amazing all 5 of the crew that were experts in tank warfare in their era.

Him and his crew were buried by the tank and the bodies were exhumed years later . A commander's pistol identified Whittmanns body, They were all reburied at la cambe together. You can still see where 007 brewed up in the field by the side of the OLD N 158 Road.

Wittmann and his all in him crew were great soldiers. No matter the side they have been.

Some just has somewhat unnatural talent at what they do. And Wittmann was originally a farmer boy.

@funfactor4528

2 жыл бұрын

It does not matter what you begin life as, it only matters what you become. Like this man, the most legendary tank ace in history...

@rohiths3554

2 жыл бұрын

Even himmler was a farmer

@andrewlerdard-dickson5201

2 жыл бұрын

It's true Michel was only a farm boy, who spoke often to his best friend and fellow Tiger commander Obersturmfuhrer Helmut Wendorff about farming and animal husbandry etc....and how he wished after the war to run a farm. Oddly though Michel's documentation on him and his paybook Had his occupation as a beer brewer !

@WarriorPoet01

2 жыл бұрын

Like Sgt York - a young rural farmer from the backwoods of Tennessee who captured over 100 Germans, practically single-handed. It’s when skill, timing, and luck come together.

@jangofresh1019

2 жыл бұрын

Like Major Richard Winters, who grew up on a farm and later owned his own farm after WW2 ended.

Great doco! What a brave dude, literally went out guns blazing. If there is a Valhalla he is there.

@patriotforgod8032

2 жыл бұрын

Yes sir

A man fighting for his country. It’s possible to hate the ideology he fought for but respect the bravery and determination of a true warrior. RIP Michael Wittman

@vilavelebita88

11 ай бұрын

He fought for his Homeland, not the ideology, just like we did, the Croats! Fckn allies...

The tank commander assembles the team. He then lays out his plan of operations for the men he has assembled. Not every member can be a commander. But a good commander can get men to fight as one component.

Hugo boss makes the best uniforms.

@thomasthumim7630

2 жыл бұрын

😂 Okay that was a funny call out

@PeteCourtier

2 жыл бұрын

Amongst many German uniform suppliers, Hugo boss just made clothes in the forties and his son was the famous designer post war. At least you didn’t say Hugo boss designed Wehrmacht uniforms.

@Toxicrabbit141

2 жыл бұрын

@@PeteCourtier I mean. he did design the SS uniforms. Whitch honestly look fairly similar however the wehrmatchts uniforms went through a helluva a lot more changes than the SS.

@PeteCourtier

2 жыл бұрын

@@Toxicrabbit141 he didn’t design any uniforms. He was a uniform contractor. It’s an apocryphal tale.

@Briselance

2 жыл бұрын

@@PeteCourtier Yes, but still... "We are evil. But damn, do we look good."

There was only one other German panzer ace who far surpassed Wittmann, but sadly he did not meet a ending as impressive as Wittmann. Kurt Knispel.

@TimMallick

2 жыл бұрын

kzread.info/dash/bejne/opqhy86EaKeWj7w.html

@TimMallick

2 жыл бұрын

please see the video i posted where Knispels CO was actually interviewed by Dr Toppel and totally shoots this down, he states clearly Kurt was never put up for the Iron Cross, they had no idea at all how many kills Kurt had and they didnt track that. also kurt whil a nice guy was known as a bit of a thief.

@nylafae3642

2 жыл бұрын

Wittmann was Better he defaeted 18 Tanks in a Single day

@ynot2385

2 жыл бұрын

Far surpassed??? No lol

@westtexas7

2 жыл бұрын

Your talking about a Tiger commander on Eastern front that took out a record number in a one day battle. Even when retreating he kept taking out T34s. Can't remember his name.

what a blessing we get to watch stuff like this for free, thanks to everyone involved

This reminds me of the days when my near friend was obsessed with playing M1 Tank Platoon. Those were the days.

Bobby Woll and the rest of the crew certainly deserve respect and praise, but it was Michael Wittmann's strategy. decisions and elan that brought about such amazing and legendary results.

Wittman's stellar performance needs full perspective. Wittman built his kill tally on excellent tactics on frequently unprepared enemy columns, like a hot knife through butter. Wittman improvised well as he went, and learned quickly from his mistakes. Wittman faced generally inferior armor in most engagements, until he met a concerted defense on the way to Caen. (And the new Firefly Tiger-killer). Wittman's career would have been cut short much sooner, had Gen. Patton's call for a light, fast troop support tank been ignored in favor of a better battle tank. American Shermans could not hold their own against the Tiger, and Sherman tankers actually told Allied command they were outgunned by not only firepower but effective distance. The only tactic Shermans could devise against the Tigers was to dispatch five Shermans against one Tiger. While the Tiger finished with the fourth Sherman, the fifth Sherman rushed behind the Tiger to fire at the relatively poorly-armored rear. The bravest tankers on the Western front were the Sherman drivers-- they knew how vulnerable they were, but fought as well as they could against superior German armor. * All hail to effective Allied air support as troops advanced from Normandy. They made a critical difference in defending the beachhead.

@chapinblack

2 жыл бұрын

An Ace on the Eastern front and fair game on the Western front.

@richardrobinson7645

2 жыл бұрын

Fury much?

@darwinism14

2 жыл бұрын

Oh yes, 7:21 18 Soviet T34 vs 1 Sturmgeschütz III (INFERIOR ARMOR - no tiger, eh) you're saying about perspective?

@mikereynoldsguitar502

2 жыл бұрын

You could say that about any attack, the element of surprise is often prefered and I doubt that any column would be "unprepared" Wittmans whole ethos was taking advantage and ruthlessly attacking using the element of surprise, so you cant really say that this is "unfair"

@bobgreene2892

2 жыл бұрын

@@mikereynoldsguitar502 Wittman found the Allied columns "frequently" unprepared for his attacks, or he would not have built his reputation so quickly-- if at all. No one suggests Wittman was unfair.

Basically, no soldier is a bad soldier for their duty is to serve, expand and protect their country. Very nice documentary thanks for sharing this with the world.

This cat wittman… was just Amazing. Like damn the torpedoes…

@starfighter1043

2 жыл бұрын

Nah bro he was a tank commander not a cat...and he used tank shells not torpedoes

A great tank commander of an excellent crew.

LazerPig skewered Wittman in his video about this

007, licensed to kill. The superb TIMELINE "cover" illustration/montage literally couldn't be better.

This tank crew was stuffing awesome,the Gunner must've been a weapon unto himself,the driver obviously was unreal and had super quick reactions, Most definitely a legendary crew......

People want a Michael Wittman movie, I want a Kurt Knispel movie.

@warrenmilford1329

2 жыл бұрын

Me too. I think it would be much more interesting, from what I've read about him.

@wyattredman4747

2 жыл бұрын

@@warrenmilford1329 He was a great man. He wasn't involved with the Nazis at all hence the reason why Wittman is more famous even though Kurt had more confirmed kills as a Commander/Gunner.

@daveybyrden3936

2 жыл бұрын

I don't expect to see either of them. Because Tiger tanks would be needed. They're too well known for fakes to satisfy the audience. The Australian armour museum could *possibly* supply a working rebuilt Tiger, one day. But nothing less would do.

@warrenmilford1329

2 жыл бұрын

@@daveybyrden3936 I didn't know there was one here at that armour museum, would love to see it. The still operational one they used in "Fury" was from a British tank museum, theres a doco about it on YT. Also the 'Tiger' they used in "Saving Private Ryan" was an apparently disguised T-34, that appeared quite authentic. So it probably could be done, even if they used the British one in an array of markings to show other tanks in Kurt's unit etc. Also the old SFX trick to show masses of Tigers.

@warrenmilford1329

2 жыл бұрын

@@daveybyrden3936 I actually think the last tank he used was a Tiger II, probably even more rarer in working order. I believe he was hit whilst in it, and died later from shrapnel wounds to the head.

I lived around the corner of one of the Canadian tankers in Ontario. Didnt know it when I lived there, wish I did I would have loved to speak to him about it

@Sarge80

2 жыл бұрын

I doubt the man would have talked about it alot though, usually they keep that to themselves, they dont even tell there family besides maybe a few minor things. God save all those veterans.

@andenbrown22

2 жыл бұрын

@@Sarge80 true, you never know tho ive met vets that dont want to speak of it and ive met vets thay absolutely love talking about it although im sure those guys dont talk about everything they saw but you are right

My salute to Michel Wittman. Thank you Time Line.

The tiger was such a powerful beast

@walterkronkitesleftshoe6684

2 жыл бұрын

"In attacking Russia, Germany is like an elephant attacking a host of ants. The elephant will kill thousands, maybe millions, but in the end their numbers will overcome him, and he will be eaten to the bone".

@waynemumford3623

2 жыл бұрын

To have a commander like that would've been awesome know matter who was doing the shooting. His tactics were Impressive. To take on serious overwhelming odds. He knew his stuff. And he was aggressive.

@giantcrayfish2866

2 жыл бұрын

Inb4 reddit historians “AKCHUALLY” and then proceeds to talk about an issue 0.1% of all tigers had.

He was always marked not to see the end of the war

@saltymonke3682

2 жыл бұрын

Only the dead have seen the end of war - Plato

Slaughtered an entire convoy.

@von-Adler

2 жыл бұрын

His gunner was Bobby Woll. On the day of Wittman's death, Woll had his own tank. He survived the War

@von-Adler

2 жыл бұрын

The grandfather of a man I know was driver at Kursk when his Totenkopf tank was hit. Bailing out they ditched their topics. He was a prisoner of the Russians until 1955. On a visit to Bovingdon, the museum opened up their Tiger for him. He spent quite a while climbing in and out of the hatches like a young man again.

@KurtOnoIR

2 жыл бұрын

Michael and Bobby. Don't sound German lol.

Michael Wittman the movie; a solid blockbuster. Any decent instructor step up to the plate. Millions want to watch it. Global audience guarantied.

The Stugs high velocity 75mm cannon? A Short barrel cannon like that has very low firing velocity...

@clorox821

2 жыл бұрын

There's multiple stugs with bigger guns

@the_hate_inside1085

2 жыл бұрын

@@clorox821 Not at this time, there weren't. This 7.5 CM gun was a howitzer designed to support infantry. It was never meant to combat other tanks. Only reason it worked here was point blank firing, and/or shooting right between the turret, and hull. Very risky strategy.

@mottthehoople693

2 жыл бұрын

@@the_hate_inside1085 point blank range with HE rounds

Check out Kurt Knispel with over 160 Tank kills , very interesting too !

They should make a movie out of this.

@teller1290

2 жыл бұрын

Haha...very unlikely.

@petel7418

2 жыл бұрын

He fought on the wrong side for that. Otherwise they would have made new movie every 10 years about him.

@The_Tactical

2 жыл бұрын

@@petel7418 thers no bad or good side in war as far as I know USA and the Allies did bad things more then Germany and Japan And USA still doing it till this day LMAO

@ReidGrozny

2 жыл бұрын

Movie about Kurt Knispel would be also great!

@petel7418

2 жыл бұрын

@@The_Tactical That is literally what i was trying to say... 👍🏻 .. The point was that Hollywood doesn't See it the way you and me.. It doesn't matter how heroic acts he did, Hollywood would never do a movie on German(and definitely not ss) soldier. For them, he fought on the wrong side.

Wittman created his own myth simply by doing the impossible. with aplomb till his luck ean out showing it was. not just luck but prowess .He fully earned his glory

I think legends supercede a soldiers ideologies. At some point you understand they were fighting for what they believed to be right. And at that point appreciating their military prowess becomes easier. Youre not glamourizing the ideals, just admiring the intelligence, bravery and insight of the man/men behind the decisions, regardless of idelogies or the side they were on.

@Adam-ui3ot

2 жыл бұрын

Interesting 🤔

should also credit his gunner not him alone

@danosverige

2 жыл бұрын

Ever noticed how the Americans venerate General McArthur for the Phillipines Campaign and not every single soldier who fought in it? And that's even after he ran away the first time shouting "I'll be back!" The Generals and commanders get the credits, that's always the way!

Wittman was a great tank commander.

Michael Whitmann, Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson, Hannibal, Erwin Rommel and countless others are shining examples of the lesson that it is important to learn from your opponents and what they did right, even when they lose the war.

@williamchamberlain2263

10 ай бұрын

What, charge forward and outrun your support and your logistics?

@4713Caine

10 ай бұрын

@@williamchamberlain2263 yes. trading logistical needs for speed, then beating the enemy using his own supplies.

@tripwire3992

9 ай бұрын

@@4713Caineexcept rommel did not do that, he switched his radio off and outran supply trucks then halted his advance to cry for help. Stop believing his diary as fact.

@4713Caine

6 ай бұрын

@@tripwire3992 I meant stonewall Jackson

The British tanker at the end saying he joined the German army to kill Men, women, and children? Not like the British Empire did the same thing to countless other countries and my own? haha

Rommel, you bastard..I read your book...best line in the movie..Patton..

@paulfletcher2029

2 жыл бұрын

Patton was a very good general but a nasty piece of work. Anti semetic was only one of his failings. Boastful, and a bully too.

@michaelwinston4923

2 жыл бұрын

Except Rommel had already left Africa by the time US armored divisions fought the Afrika Korps.

>British soldier: "I don't understand how someone could invade other people's countries." >German soldier: *points at the world map*

@j0nnyism

2 жыл бұрын

Yea I think the indoctrination goes both ways

@JUAN_OLIVIER

2 жыл бұрын

The imps had more stolen land the Germans ever dreamed of taking. The British especially like to forget about their own lebensraum projects in America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

@Mgaming61

2 жыл бұрын

It took me a few second to realise that...

@monkeydust100

2 жыл бұрын

@@JUAN_OLIVIER most European countries had Empire's

@Antonio-12345

2 жыл бұрын

@@monkeydust100 who? I can think of only spain britain "portugal" that had empires

He was the greatest tank commander of all time. His stats, achievements, tank handling, and crew management skills were so impressive.

@achord9204

2 жыл бұрын

He was responsible for murder

@coreyslater2801

2 жыл бұрын

No Zvika Greengold was better

The comments regarding Wittmann by Jochen Peiper who was his CO on the Eastern Front are revealing. Peiper did not consider him all that bright but said he had eyes like an eagle and was an excellent tactician.

@franzreiche5433

2 жыл бұрын

Peiper was a demigod amongst mere mortals, I trust his assessment.

@LeePenn2492

2 жыл бұрын

Hmm piper couldn't have been that bright living in france after the war and been killed in house fire .. his reputation preceded him ..

@lethalchocobo1886

2 жыл бұрын

@@franzreiche5433 I smell a braun shirt.

@philmckenna5709

2 жыл бұрын

Peiper was put down like the dog that he was, by French patriots 🥂🍾 Nice one

@rstthomas

2 жыл бұрын

@@LeePenn2492 French communists found out he lived there. Painted SS runes on his road.

Thank you for a most interesting and informative video! It was riveting.

@jgstargazer

2 жыл бұрын

Like you, I also liked it.

It took just 30 seconds to find an error in this video. At 25:20 it says Wittman's unit was renamed the 101st Battalion while fighting in the East. That's not true. The 101st was formed in Belgium and never went East. Wittman was still in the old 13th company on this date. There's another error at 46:06. The animator shows the turret flying an enormous distance from the hull, to recreate a photograph. But in fact the photograph was taken after the hull had been rolled along to get the tracks off. The real situation was that the turret landed beside the hull.

@JustLiesNOR

2 жыл бұрын

At 09:23 they talk about the StuG 3s "high velocity gun" and clearly show a low veloicity short barrel 75mm in the graphic. The longer barrel StuG 3 Ausf. F would not be introduced until almost a year later in 1942

@jordancollins1270

2 жыл бұрын

The 101st SS HPB did move east but only the 1st and 2nd company, the rest of the battalion stayed west with the 1st SS Panzer Division Leibstandarte until mid-October, these companies weren't ordered back west until April 1944 under anticipation of an allied invasion of Western Europe. As for Wittman at the time December 6th 1943 while he was still 13th company they were already merged under I SS Panzer Corps as the 101st SS HPB with the 1st SS PD Leibstandarte

@drsgme69

2 жыл бұрын

How did it take u 30 seconds if the first error was 25 min in?

@daveybyrden3936

2 жыл бұрын

@F. Friedrich Kling Hauss Thank you!

@sharrk173

2 жыл бұрын

@@drsgme69 the largest tank battle in history was at Dubno-Brody

Respect for Wittmann for his skill as tank commander but this was a essentially an outstanding crew.

No doubt if this is made into a film the yanks will take the glory for it as always

A movie is due. A cinematic work is due. Irrespective of which side he fought for. He fought for his fatherland and shown unimaginable valour

@ataguas1

2 жыл бұрын

Need any European production. Movies like Stalingrad, or series like Generation War did proper justice to realism.

@ataguas1

2 жыл бұрын

@Soldier Goy dont need over the top glorification. Just that the story needs to be told as it is without taking sides.

@dutchbikerbloke

2 жыл бұрын

He fought for a criminal regime!

@ataguas1

2 жыл бұрын

@@dutchbikerbloke so did the British troops and the Soviet troops. British Empire was the biggest criminal regime in the history of mankind.

@Wirefox1

2 жыл бұрын

I am a Brit and proud of our soldiers who fought and all the allied forces, however, Hollywood and every other film maker seems to want you to believe that there were NO German victories in battle. Wrong, they didn't grab the land that they did without being a very capable force with outstanding tactics. If the Germans hadn't been hampered by the likes of Goring (who was a drug addicted idiot) then the war might have lasted much longer with a very different outcome. Switching from bombing British airfields to the cities was a big mistake, which undoubtedly was a decision made by the fatty with the penchant for flamboyant uniforms and opiates. They had the UK on the ropes but decided to dance around the ring like a cocky boxer. I would love to see a film about Wittman, but he fought on the wrong side for history to accept what he did. History should also recognise the enemy as well as the friendly forces, that's what history is supposed to be about, a fair and balanced view.

Wittman fought for his crew and unit. In the end, the Germans had Band of Brothers as well.

Truth is you have a Breed of Warrior that stands Tall on either side but them on the losing side are rarely acknowledged reason Why the telling of Michael Whitman his Story Told comes Very much Appreciated Enjoyed.. Thank you.

I watched another interview with a Russian tank commander in which he said many Russian tanks ran out of ammo and reverted to ramming the German tanks. I said it was very effective.

3 million soldiers deployed to the Eastern front/Barbarossa is roughly 5% of the entire population of Germany in 1940. Just thought that was interesting and somebody may appreciate to hear this.

@dracowar6

2 жыл бұрын

After the war in the USSR only 5% of men that were between 18-25 yo in 1941 were alive. The state "looked the other way" as most men had several wives in the 50s. This is why the soviet soldiers were unmatched in brutality - they were sure they will be dead soon enough

@Vlad79500

Жыл бұрын

Why Germany and not the Third Reich? Third Reich 109.5 million. Just thought that was interesting and somebody may appreciate to hear this.

small subtitle mistake: on 23:03 it actually means "we butchered tanks left and right, tank on tank" (could also mean "tank by tank") at least thats what i think

@jordancollins1270

2 жыл бұрын

Correct "Panzer auf Panzer" - "Tank on Tank"

@raoulbremer

2 жыл бұрын

It's no mistake. They translated it right. German here

This video answered so many of the questions I have had regarding the german helmets. Thank you.

@sydneymartin6941

2 жыл бұрын

Replying to Denis CleaverThe German helmet was the best in the world That is why all armies in the world are copying them to this day

"Michael Wittmann?Never heard of her." Kurt knispel.

@darwinism14

2 жыл бұрын

7:21 And Knispel opened his eyes.

This was the best one yet! Great work.

The Black Baron's Crew "The Driver"- a 12x Drift Racing Champion " The Loader"- a 10x Gold Olympic Weight Lifter "The Gunner"- a 20 years Ballistics Technician " The Commander"- The Black Baron himself

@onedrop7967

2 жыл бұрын

Do you have names of these people besides the Gunner, Woll?

The Wittman scenario in Memoir 44 is my favorite.

Thanks for giving wonderful worthy documentary

I though a tank was only as good as the whole crew inside. Why does only this one dude get all the cred?

@badbotchdown9845

2 жыл бұрын

Like the generals have credits rather than private Ryan

@obimitt.

2 жыл бұрын

I understand your point, but your are only basing it on the question of skill. But it's the risk taking, situational awareness, outsmarting, disobeying orders... that made him stand out.

Wittman died easy. Still, I believe enough that Wittman knew he would die on that field.

@konigrohbarii6974

2 жыл бұрын

He want's to be a legend, and he know exactly living legends will be forgoten when the years past by.to be a unforgetable legend he must die.that was the perfect day he knows that he didn't had a chance to win but a great chance to die so he do it. I hope his crew thought the same, otherwise they would have died in vain. one can draw parallels here with manfred von richthofen, who also knew dead legends to live longer he would not have had to fly back then they wanted to flaunt him as a model soldier, i think this is one of the reasons why he sought death

@JuergenGDB

2 жыл бұрын

After reading several books on the subject, that day... Wittmann's demise you could say started with several things gone wrong. Wittmann did not have one, his usual crew and there were several delays and some of the Tiger's that were also supposed to join in the attack could not. It was a bad start to a tragic day for him and his crew.

@jeffersondavis2530

2 жыл бұрын

You can do no more than to fight to the death for your people and your country. One country fighting the Yanks,Brits, and Soviet Union. Outside of the Confederate States of America, I can think of no braver soldiers.

@j0nnyism

2 жыл бұрын

I think he accepted that that would be his fate. He accomplished great achievements but for unworthy masters. Still he was a great warrior

@houstonhelicoptertours1006

2 жыл бұрын

"died easy"

Nice documentary - almost like a movie, combining animation and photos.

He and his crew were superiour warriors and for that they should be honored. His tragic and heroic end seams only fitting a man of his caliber. Seams like the basis for a good historical movie.

@garethjames1300

2 жыл бұрын

Yes it would but modern political culture would not allow it al all!

Wittman's crew and he, you must say they fought for the wrong things but how they fought is impressive and that you should compliment, not his believes, and that is what I made up from this docu, that his fighting style was one that almost nobody would dare to do

My favorite Tank Ace. I love his battle stories. Even if some are maybe exagerating and no true recording was made of a battle or few of his they still sounded amazing

Kurt Knispel has still got the most tank on tank kills ever

@testtor2714

2 жыл бұрын

Not sure, just an estimation. Nobody knows who got the most kills. These estimations were made by Franz Kurowski and rejected by some of the tankers he made the estimations for. Some claim he just made up rubbish. How close his estimations were is not sure.

Wittman and his crew were the Beatles of tank crews !

My uncle who raised me was an anti tank gunner for the British in France. He was the fastest they had because he was a chimney sweep. No Mary Poppins there.

@karenishness1

2 жыл бұрын

@tom allen Well Tom, you likely killed men on either side of my uncle. He said men died on either side of him. Must have been you.

@thelegion3682

2 жыл бұрын

I'm sure what you said about chimney sweep and Mary Poppins makes perfect sense In england. Not in America, the greatest country in the universe though.

@PK__44

2 жыл бұрын

@@thelegion3682 then you must not be too smart, made perfect sense

@thelegion3682

2 жыл бұрын

@@PK__44 yeeeeeaaahh. Maybe THATS... What it is.... 😒

@KurtOnoIR

2 жыл бұрын

I thought Mary Poppins flew around with an umbrella 🌂 🤔

You have added track sound when an armoured car sdkfz 234 passes 😂

Thank you very much for your documentary video !

History books fail to mention that much of the starvation from the prisoners, even the germans, was brought upon convoy routes being destroyed or cut off by the Allies.