Good show on TV - Canucks killed Wittman!
 

I saw a very interesting show on TV today. "Battlefield Detectives", on the History Channel (Canada). The host, Norm Christie, went to Normandy and walked the battlefield where Wittman's Tiger was brewed on Aug. 8 1944. Not quite as much a mystery as who shot down Von Richthofen, but the same sort of bragging rights.

Using contemporary photo-reconnaissance images, modern GPS survey equipment, witness statements and interviews, and interviews with current residents to determine the exact location of the participants --- the Northumberland Yeomanry, the Sherbrooke Fusiliers, and Wittman's detachment of seven Tiger Is from 1.SS Pz.Div. "Liebstandarte".

The verdict, proved fairly conclusively from all accounts, is that it was the Canucks who killed Wittman's Tiger, with a flank shot from (gulp) 130m, point-blank range. Wittman's remains were found in 1983 and interred. Parts of his tank (007) remain in the loft of the farmer who now lives on the land, collected by he and his father as they have surfaced over the years.

All told, very interesting, and highly recommended.

Cheers
Scott Fraser
Calgary

I miss the history channel, we are off the dish to save a few bucks. There was a reenactment of sorts recently on TV of how the first airplanes were used in battle to guide artillery. Transmitters were used but no receivers as they were too heavy.

Just a few days ago there was a show on a tank restoration in England. I believe it was the Sherman, anyway they cut part of a tank in half, through the circle, and welded it to another shell. It was the cast steel section 1 1/4" thick. The welder remarked that it welded back together like butter with the mig, making the point of the purity of the steel back then. Phil

The show is called “Battlefield Mysteries” on History Television. It will be aired again on Sunday 21 Dec. at 6pm and Monday 22 Dec. at 5am.

http://www.history.ca/ontv/titledeta...titleid=116485

Wittmann was with Schwere SS-Panzer Abteilung 101 which was supporting 12 SS-Panzer Division “Hilterjugand” on the 8th on Aug. 1944.

http://www.mapleleafup.org/forums/showthread.php?t=6455

I know Chris Radly Walters, General Rads son...he always said they got Wittmen...they didn't know who was in that Tiger at the time...but found out about 2 weeks later.

Dean

In Rad’s Biography, by Lawrence Zaporzan, it states that Rad only realized in the mid 1980s that his squadron had killed Michael Wittmann, while he was on a Canadian Land Forces Command and Staff College battlefield tour. Before that the names Meyer, Waldmuller and Wittmann meant little to him.

I want to ask a favour. Can you ask Chris Radley-Walkers if his family has any photos of Rad’s tank Caribou? If so can someone scan them and post them here? There is one photo of the tank in Rad’s biography but the copy I have is very poor quality and one can not see any details.

Thanks.
John

A bit more detail.

The Yeomanry were in hasty defences on the top corner of a long rectangular crop field. C Sqn of The Sherbrooke Fusilier Regiment were behind stone walls around a farmyard called Gaumesnil, partway down the other side of the field. The Tigers had charged the length of the field to disrupt a forward assembly of Allied tanks at the end of the field. That was their style - attack at the slightest chance of success!

From the interviews, the Yeomanry opened fire at GPS surveyed distances of 650 - 800 m. The gunner stated he hit three Tigers with his Firefly. Wittman's Tiger was the furthest away from him. Rad' doesn't remember firing, but other tanks opened fire when the Tigers appeared and crossed in front of their positions. His tanks were about 150m from where Wittman's was stopped.

Wittman`s Tiger end
 

I saw that documentary, and it really seems that Wittman`s group were tired and had not not really thought out this move well. It really seems that Wittman had no idea of a group of Shermans hidden behind a ridge to his left ( Sherbrookes) ,as to pass broadside right in front of them at about 150 yards was just about suicide. The Tigers were trying to advance towards the firefly Shermans at the far end of the field and were arranged to do this.The Sherbrookes were also up at a bit due to the ridge and so were able to fire downwards and to the left flank of his Tiger.