Wittman Tiger #007?

[dragon53]

When Michael Wittman was killed commanding Tiger I #007, was this the first time Wittman had used #007?

[TankAce]

Wittmans tank was unavailable because of mechanical problems.He borrowed the 007 unit from a less experience commander because he believed that he had better chances of survival in the suicide mission that they where being send.He did died in that unit. In the villgers Bocage his tank number was 205.

[dragon53]

TANKACE<

Thanks for the info.
I was just reading some articles about Villers-Bocage---what a confused mess about which Tiger Wittman used---2005, 212 or 222?

[Jnewboy]

TANKACE<

Thanks for the info.
I was just reading some articles about Villers-Bocage---what a confused mess about which Tiger Wittman used---2005, 212 or 222?

All physical evidence points to 205, he is photographed arriving in it at the battle

[Mad Sam]

Tiger 205 was pictured on the sequence of pictures showing 2/101 on the march to the front, but as I understand, by the Morning of June 13th when 2 company was located in the Ancienne Route de Caen to the North East of Villiers Bocage, there were only six Tigers present, being 212 213 214 224 231 and 232, all the rest had fallen out due to breakdowns on the 160 mile drive from Beauvais.

When the British were observed advancing up the RN175 towards point 213, Wittman took command of one of these Tigers and it was in this tank that he shot up the British column and the Cromwells and other tanks in Villiers Bocage. This tank was in turn disabled by an at gun as he came back down the road out of Villiers Bocage.

He and his crew all got away, and the tank itself was recovered by the Germans later in the day. It could have been the Tiger 231 pictured being towed by another in the well known sequence of photographs, all taken in the vicinity of this action. Although I think 212 has also been put forward as another candidate after examination of the available photographs of 2/501 Tigers

The following books are good references on the subject:
The Panzers and the battle for Normandy
Villiers Bocage through the lens
Tigers in combat

Just my opinion.
All the best.

Kevan
(Mad Sam)