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Old Aug 17, 2003, 12:29 AM   #1 (permalink)
Falstaff
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Just finished a really good book

It was the biography of one of the greatest tank commanders of WW2...Michael Wittman...
He died in 1944, taking on an overwhelming force of Cromwell tanks, and Sherman Fireflys with 17 pounder guns...
As his composite unit was slowly reduced to a few tanks, this man stalked and hunted his prey down narrow streets and dusty roads..and ultimately met his fate...
A man that survived countless battles with Russian tanks, endured terrible conditions and fought without support in Kursk, and the steppes of Russia, was an enigma, a product of pre WW2 germany but never embraced fully, the terrible politics of Hitlers regime. He was friendly, intelligent and dedicated to his crews. A warrior by any definition, he would not punish the weak and chose his battles carefully
If he had survived, we would have all learned of the terrible battles in the Bocage of France. His British foes that engaged him and survived admired his skill, and Sep Dietrich admired his guile.
I personally admire warriors regardless of nationality and conflict...
His autobiography is worthy of a gander if you like this sort of thing....Medal of Honor fans take heed, there should be an expansion pack for this famous tank commander...

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Old Aug 17, 2003, 02:56 AM   #2 (permalink)
kinetic
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Just did a quick google to learn a bit more Jeff! He was a remarkable man in charge of a remarkable piece of hardware, the Tiger tank!
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Old Aug 17, 2003, 10:39 AM   #3 (permalink)
Falstaff
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yes

a tank with an unbalanced gun, balky transmission and poor accomodations for the crew, it is remarkable he lived as long as he did, his tank(s) were hit countless times and damaged by the enemy and he always escaped...the sherman firefly that disabled and destroyed his tank had to sneak up on him from behind to get him...this guy was good, damn good, the early reports that suggested a rocket firing typhoon fighter actually destroyed the tank were inconclusive as several tanks were completely destroyed by rocket fire after they had been successfully engaged by british and canadian forces..the last moments of Wittmans life will never be known, but he lay in an unmarked grave with his crew for years until their remains were excavated during a highway building project. By any standard, a man worthy of note.
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