Witman destroys a bunch of tanks: gets the Knights Cross and a promotion Ekins destroys a bunch of tanks: gets demoted to Radioman?

Kept the unibrow for 88 years what a savage

How ironic, Eakins lived to ‘a ripe old age of 88’...

The power of that unibrow. It must have allowed him to get a really solid look through the sights.

When the guy who destroyed 3 tigers in a day dies at 88(mm)

This is seriously underrated. I hope one day your channel blows up with views!

Just to let people know, New investigations have shown that the firefly was not the tank that killed Wittman. He was out of sight on the other side of a hill from the fire fly and his tiger was hit on the side facing away from it. On this side was a unit of Canadian Sherman's behind a wall less the 200 yards from where Wittman's tank was killed and they also claimed to have killed a tiger that day. Granted the firefly did kill 3 other tigers attacking with Wittman. It's just the firefly was out of range, on the wrong side and out of line of sight of Wittman's tank when it was destroyed. The Canadian unit has been given the kill.

Excellent film. Tank warfare is a strange business, even the most able at it can be blind-sided in a general fight because the machinery they're operating is so cumbersome it's hard to adjust swiftly enough to counter a threat from an unexpected quarter.

As per many comments below - Battlefield Detectives almost 100% proved the fatal shot to Wittmann's 007 Tiger 1 was from the rear quarter, with the photo evidence to support that, so the Canadian tanks got him, and at much closer range. As an Englishman, I'd love it to have been Joe Ekins, but he did enough knocking out the other three.

You should do a video on Kurt Knispel too - the top scoring tank ace of all times. Wittman gets lots of publicity because of Villers Bocage, and Carius because of the engagement at Malinovo/Malinovka and his book, which I've read and is very good indeed. Knispel IMO gets less media coverage and doesn't deserve that.

It is not certain who killed Wittmann. The Polish say a Pole killed him. The Canadians say a Cannuck killed him. The British say a Brit killed him. And the RAF (which had pilots of all 3 nationalities in the air) say they killed him!

Based on reviewing the radio transcripts and german accounts Wittmann's tank was taken out by Sydney Valpy Radley-Walters ("A" Squadron of the Sherbrooke Fusilier Regiment) who were in the chateau area only 500 m from the Tiger tanks. Norm Christie did a great documentary covering this new evidence.

The Canadian fusiliers of sherbrook destroyed that tank from 500 m by Sydney Valpy Radley-Walters and it is the common accepted version the english version is far less probable since it was from longer range and that the Canadian where in flanking of the tank it a controversy if you look at it

Yet Wittman is well-remembered and Ekins is practically unknown.

Excellent. Wittman is a legend among tank crews in many armies.

I understand that Wittmans tank was struck on the port quarter, that is the opposite side to the Northamptonshire Yeomanry’s position. The shot came from the Canadian Sherbrooke M4 tanks hidden behind the Chateau wall and the main road parallel to Wittmans advance. They were much much closer to Wittmans and their standard 75mm guns could deal with the side armour of the Tiger. Having said that the Firefly of the Notts troop certainly took at least three of the tigers out that day.

Great video. I’ve been to the exact place where this battle took place. Stood in the location where Wittmann’s tiger was knocked out, where the bodies were found and where the different tanks were placed where the ambush took place. The German tanks were engaged from the woods as stated. He was taken out by the Sherman in the farm house (side shot). They did not realise there were tanks located in the farm. His grave and the crew are buried together in the German cemetery in Saint Germain du Pert. The controversy re being destroyed by a typhoon has been proven incorrect. When I was there this year (2018) I found a piece of allied armour plate from a tank that had been dug up with the ploughing of the field (which I gave to my guide). It’s amazing how even to this day you can pick up pieces of metal or rounds from ww1 or ww2. Great video Mark. Loved it.

Just before I completed my last military tour in the UK in September 2011, I had a chance to interview Joe Eakins about his war experience. Truly a charming old fellow! I was rather underwhelmed to hear how little specialized training they got before arriving in France. And, of course, I was shocked to learn that after his tank was destroyed, he was reassigned to another tank but not as a gunner. If nothing else, his survival proves "the Chieftain's" point that the Sherman was a very survivable tank and not the death trap it's been made out to be.

People are also forgetting that the remains of Wittman and his crew were initially buried in a field grave alongside the tank. The tank itself wasnt removed until 1946 or 47.

Tigger 007's license has been revoked.

These are so great, thank you Mark

This dispute on who fired the fatal shot will need to be put to rest - the fatal shot was at the rear left of 007, Ekins periscope view was at the right side of the advancing Tigers - 009, 312 and 314. the only way for Ekins to hit the rear left was if Wittman was retreating. The Fatal shot was by the Canadian Ace "Rad" Walters - Please research and update if possible. Great work on all your videos.

Hi Mark, I respect your films, but this one does not take into account that a Canadian Sherman with a 75 mm gun was hidden a short distance away from 007, with a perfect side shot open to it. Recently, a documentary was done where the distance of the British Firefly and the Canadian Sherman were carefully measured and it was decided that the Firefly was a bit too far away to likely have hit the 007. The Canadian tank was close enough that a side shot to the 007 was an easy target for him. Therefore, the conclusion was that the Canadian tank actually took out the 007.

Fantastic video, glad you talked about this engagement on 8th August. Ill say one thing is that when Wittman went into battle with most of 3. Kompanie, 101. SS Sch.Pz.Ab. The orginal kompanie commander was new to this role. Wittman wanted to lead the attack. Yet within a 2km radius there were dozens of Churchills, Shermans, Fireflys, M10s and Cromwells. Before this attack at around late morning, Wittman met up with divisional command i.e Kurt Meyer, Hubert Meyer and II/PzGr Reg. 25. commander Waldmuller. Kurt Meyer said from his book that he noticed Wittman was not his confident self and seemed to be making hasty decisions. I feel Wittman knew it was coming to the end and the days of the Tigers of 101 SS Sch.Pz.Ab. were numbered as most Tanks of that battalion met there fate in Normandy.

Wittmann’s remains, as well as his crew were found in 1983 a short distance from where his tank exploded. Apparently in a makeshift grave. As usual Mark, another fascinating story.

Good work, Trooper Ekins. My father was a tanker in the US Army in WW2. As an Honorably Discharged Veteran of the US Army who enlisted to proudly serve his country, I salute you and my father, members of the Greatest Generation.

Well done Trp Ekins. Only the army could move him from gunner to wireless operator after killing three Tigers with five rounds.

I met Joe Eakins in 2011 and had a chance to interview him before I returned to the US in September 2011. Hell of a guy! For those who've seen The Chieftain's vid on the Firefly, it was insanely cramped in that turret. Not surprisingly, Eakins was rather short; much better suited to the inside of a Firefly turret than Mr. Moran! lol Even for Joe, it had to be miserably claustrophobic!

Excellent little film. As you rightfully describe, having a really good dunner like Ekins was just as important as a good tank commander, in fact I would say it was more important. Looking through the comments soldiers like Wittman are made out to be aces when they in fact pretty much never actually aimed or fired the gun. Bringing the tank in position is important and choosing the targets which to engage is equally important but equal praise has to be given to the gunner that actually aims, fires and hit the enemy. People are making it out like Wittmann drove the tank all alone, he picked out targets and fired the gun like a tank ace octopus. No, it's all about really good teamwork and gunner and driver often don't get any recognition at all. The best tank commander in the world can't make up for a crappy gunner or loader but a superb gunner can make the average tank commander look like a hero.

Felton left out one little bit out of the story. At hill 140, near Cintheaux, the allies had mistaked it for hill 195 and took the unopposed hill. The engagement prior to Wittmann's death, Wittmann's tigers and Wünche's panthers attacked in a pencer movement, panthers to the east, tigers to the west, encircled and destroyed 50 allied tanks and numerous infantry with zero tank losses of their own. They were in the process of trying to exploit this massive success when Wittmann was killed..they had no idea so much more armor laid in wait, they hoped that these local successed would buy time...and it did. The allies timetable was null and void due to Wünche and Wittmann under Kurt Meyer's directives....

Your detailing of this event gives such a better insight than one sees on normal documentaries. Great post.

I just wanted to say that the Fireflies “larger turret” only applies to the radio because the gun was so large it would not fit with the radio. As for the crew the turret was extremely cramped and hard to fight in.

You Sir are one of the true channel finds on KZfaq. Keep up the excellent work.

Very good report! This soldier, Trooper Ekins, was an brave man!!!! My congratulations! Wittmann was one of the best german soldiers! I want to offer my condolence !

Once again a most informative and brilliant historical tid bit of enjoyable information. Ah? 007 I do wonder if Ian Fleming may have known this story and applied the numerical nomenclature of “007” to his creation of Bond, Janes Bond.

You are the best Mike, I have seen many dokumentaries but this is by far the most detailed video about Witman s death, one of the best if not the best tiger tank aces. Tumbs up for you and your chanel Mike.

I've been to that spot on the edge of the orchard, followed the entire operation as described in TANK by Ken Tout, visited all the locations.

As someone who has a great deal of curiosity about WWII, I am glad to have stumbled across this channel about a month ago. Your videos are positively excellent. Thank you for this video, I never knew the full details of what happened. As my last name may imply, this event is of very high interest for me.

I don't think this story is quite correct, I'm pretty sure it was the Radley Walter's troupe of Sherbrookes who destroyed Wittman's tank as they were in an ambush position in a hamlet called Gaumesnil which sat beside the Route Nationale about 143 meters away and with a clear line of sight to where Wittman's tank was advancing. The Northhamtonshire Yeomanry where almost 1 km from Wittman's Tiger, well outside of the effective range of the Firefly. Tiger 007 was also partially obscured by a slope in the terrain. Also damage to Wittman's Tiger also suggests the Sherbrookes as there seemed to be a penetration in the left-rear of Wittman's Tiger from a shot across the Route Nationale. The Yeomanry could well have killed the other 3 Tigers in his troupe as they were within 775m and less from the Firefly but Wittman very likely fell victim to the Sherbrookes. Here's a documentary which clarifies my point , kzfaq.info/get/bejne/f853ZtCWsMqxk2g.html

Love these mini battles explanations which are the bricks and mortar of a wall of war. Heard of Wittman, never heard of Joe Eakins, so just researched his life. A hero also in peacetime. Put him on the twenty quid note.

Asking whom destroyed Wittmans Tiger is like asking whom shot down the Red Baron ? You could get 100 different versions of each.

Amazing channel, subscribed immediately after watching only one video. Great stuff Felton!

Great job ! Thank you for your time & efforts .

I am glad you made this piece. Hearing about allied tank victories helps give some balance to the narrative of how much the Germans dominated with their tanks.

Hello mark - I enjoy your videos but the evidence as shown in the battlefield mysteries documentary (featuring Joe Ekins and several of the sherbrook fusiliers present) seems to suggest otherwise. Of course there has been a lot of speculation around 'who actually fired the fatal shot' with the Typhoon explanation being a long-standing factor, but the doco showed that it was most likely that Wittman's tiger was hit in the rear left at close range from a round fired by the tanks in the Sherbrook's position rather than by Ekins who attested to hitting three Tigers in quick succession. Whether this really matters is incidental but it was at least some comfort to his widow that the bodies were discovered in the 1980's. Keep up the good work!

Love the shot of the British tankers pipe smoking at 3:50 : "Tally ho, chaps ! Let's give some of those Jerry tanks a jolly bit of pranging, hey what ?"

Your work is appreciated i really really enjoy your high quality video's thank you!!!

Awesome video. It' s always great to see the videos and read the comments before you get censored.

I LOVE your videos. Please keep up the fine work!

Awesome video mate! well done, keep up the great work. :)

Your vids are always top-notch. Heading over to Patreon now.

As others have already pointed out, Ekins did exceptionally well in killing two of the Tigers but almost certainly not Wittmann's. The evidence pretty solidly suggests that the Sherbrooke Fusiliers took out his tank with a standard Sherman 3. This does not, however, detract from Joe Ekins achievement it taking out two of the monsters,

Michael Wittman's Tiger tank 007 was destroyed by a troop of Canadian Shermans from the Sherbrooke Fusiliers. An episode of Battlefield Mysteries called Who Killed Michael Wittman by Breakthrough Entertainment investigates the battle in which Wittman died. The program concludes that a troop of Shermans from the Sherbrookes were positioned behind a wall adjacent to the field that Wittman and his Tigers crossed. This was near the small French village of Gaumesnil. The first three Tigers were taken out be a Firefly located near St. Aignan, but Wittman's Tiger was caught in the flank at point blank range by the Sherbrooke's and destroyed.

Great story and you Mark , are easy to listen to talk. Very informative stories

This is a really informative channel Really interesting ! Breif and to the point.

Been recommending you to my family and friends and they are loving this channel

Kurt Knispel was Germany's highest scoring tank ace, Michael Wittman was Germany's most well known tank ace.

Outstanding video and very well researched absolutely loved it!

I concur. These videos get me through daily life with two and a half year old twins. Sometimes I feel like I'm in a battle 😂 Thank you Mark, I will support in time.

This Channel is getting better and better. Congratulations sir

Good to see evidence that the 17 pdr was a very accurate gun, certain interests would have the world believe that it wasn't much of a AT gun at all.

Outstanding! I really like the models in your thumbnails.

Mark Felton docos. Benchmark quality level (up with BBC.) Keep up the good work, sir.

Your videos are amazing and spot on.

Ekins is recorded talking about the battle. He said they had 3 fireflies, that his tank was hit but not disabled. Battlefield Detectives analyzed the data and site and came to the conclusion that although Ekins destroyed 3 Tigers, Wittmann's tank (a fourth Tiger destroyed) was knocked out by a Canadian tank that attacked from the side in a concealed location. I also really doubt that they could have read Wittmann's 707 identification number on the side of the turret when they are driving toward the Fireflies.

phenomenal content, thank u!

Battlefield Detectives have a slightly different story. First they claim the Germans attacked with 7 Tigers, 5 on one side of the main road and 2 on the other. Of the 5 that advanced across the open field, 4 were destroyed and one retreated. 3 of the 4 were destroyed by the Firefly. Wittmann's tank was knocked out by a concealed Sherman with a standard 75 mm gun that hit the Tiger in the side penetrating the thin side armor and detonating stored munitions in the tank. Wittmann and his crew's remains were recovered years later.

Hi Mark.The Battlefield Detective show covered this action and deduced that the Canadian tank unit you mentioned got the kill.They were much closer and claimed they got him..They had standard Shermans but claim they hit Wittmans left hull ..They fired behind a Farm wall to the West.

It's a great episode Mark, thanks.

as always a great docu.thanks a lot mark!

Mark love the videos!...Subcribed!...consider extending them slightly to the 10-15 min range.

Next time do a video about Kurt Knispel ;)

ANother fantastic story well delivered...without hype or stupid commercials or unnecessary blather...

Thanks for posting.

Thank you Mark another great story regarding an ace commander Michael Wittmann

been watching all day, subscribed.

Great video mark mate.

Love your work.

The heroic trooper Eakin should have been awarded a high medal and been promoted.Very strange he was made a radio operator for he rest of the war.

Wow, just great, Mark fantastic stuff, cheers

Didn't know he drove 007...that's kinda cool.

Another excellent video!

Yet again, a brilliant video.

Outstanding!! Thumbs up I enjoy hearing about the survivors.

If Wittman and Knispel fight side by side i cant imagine how many tanks will be destroy

Almost a new video every day! The best on KZfaq by far!!! 👍🍺🍺🍺 Can’t wait for the next one

taking out 100 tanks in a tiger: I sleep taking out 3 tigers in a sherman: True ace material

Excellent. Very clear and detailed, better than the Battlefield Mysteries TV Doc which claimed the Canadians took out Whitman’s tiger, but did show local farmer had kept some parts of it including the gun footplate mounting.

Thank you, great video.

Michael had a great big tank that had a great big gun.... He shot up all the little tanks, he thought it was great fun, But then Joe Ekins came along with his Firefly seventeen pounder..... He shot poor Michael up the arse.... The Damned unsporting bounder!

Very similar to the shoot down of the Red Baron 26 years before, Canadian tanks from the Sherbrooks might have played a role in the destruction of 007. Norm Christie has a documentary arguing that the Canadian armour knocked out at least 1 of the Tigers and that 007 was closest to them at the time. All that said, Fireflies 4 - Tigers -0. The Sherman is a much maligned design, but always on the offensive, it suffered.

that firefly was a tuff tank. big gun yet faster and more manoverable than the tigers.

A couple of other British tank aces, Sgt. Wilfred Harris, 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards, destroyed five Panthers with five shots in the course of a single day. A remarkable feat, and he was awarded the DCM while his gunner was Mentioned in Dispatches. What was his record for the entire war? None seems to have been kept. Likewise Sgt. George Dring of the Notts Yeomanry (Sherwood Rangers) who also destroyed five German tanks in a single day in Normandy. That exceptional day's work was noted, but his total kills (starting in North Africa) remain a mystery.

It was the Canadian Sydney Valpy Radley-Walters' A Squadron of the Sherbrooke Fusilier Regiment, 2nd Canadian Armoured Brigade, positioned on the left flank of the advancing German tanks, was responsible instead. Situated on the grounds of a chateau at Gaumesnil, the unit had created firing holes in the property’s walls and, based on verbal testimony, engaged the advancing German tanks, including Tigers. The British tanks were between 1,000 metres (1,100 yd) and 1,200 metres (1,300 yd) away from the German line of advance, whereas the Canadian squadron was around 500 metres (550 yd) away. Reid argues that due to the Canadians' proximity to the Germans, and the firing angle, their troops more than likely can be credited with the destruction of Wittmann's tank.

Kurt Knispel is Germany's best tanks ace, he was just never recognized for his duties, he went the longest of any German soldier of his rank without another medal

Studied MW, reading most books. There’s a docu on MW ( battlefield mysteries) who claimed ( using GPS and computers ) that indeed Canadians were the closest. Using standard Sherman gun. Apparently 17 pounder was very inaccurate over distances > 500 m. Actually visited the exact spot and one can still see the exact location where 3 Shermans stood aiming through the orchard’s wall. Impressive site, street has a sign where a “historian” marked the roadsign with the leibstandarte’s symbol ( Skeleton key with oak leaves ). Great video Mr Felton! Keep them coming. Should you consider visiting Bastogne (Nuts 2018), l Will buy you an “Airborne beer”. Promised.

The brow on that guy has a life of it's own! I think it's more famous than he is.

Good videos!! Most underrated KZfaq channel.

Great video. Kurt Knispel would make a great story, ace of aces and all round cool cat.

As normal your version of the events taking place are the best and most accurate.