4 County of London Yeomanry and the Tiger tanks of Obersturmfuhrer Michael Wittmann
Despite various reports of German troops in the area by the 11th Hussars, within a few hundred yards of where 'A' Squadron, 4th CLY was stopped was II Kompanie, 101st (SS) Heavy Tank Battalion.
This unit was equipped with Tiger tanks and commanded by Obersturmfuhrer Michael Wittmann - a veteran of the Eastern Front in Russia. The British had stopped for an officers conference and while this was happening tea was being brewed.
The first 'A' Squadron, 4th CLY and 'A' company, Rifle Brigade, knew was a tank at the head of the column being destroyed by an 88mm shell. Next a vehicle at rear was destroyed, effectively trapping the advance units.
Wittmann then proceeded down the road into Villers-Bocage where he effectively destroyed RHQ, before withdrawing to re-arm and refuel. At this point a 6-pdr anti-tank gun knocked out Wittmann's Tiger.
He escaped and returned shortly afterwards with four more Tigers and a Panzer IV.
A fierce battle ensued in the town with the British tanks in the town, firing by sighting down the barrel because of the short range. A number of tanks from both sides were destroyed, with some of the German ones even being set on fire by the British with petrol. The 1/7th Queen's slowly fought their way into Villers-Bocage and went "Tiger hunting" with their PIATs, while 6-pdr anti-tank guns waited to ambush any German tank that moved around the town.
Wiki: At approximately 09:00 Wittmann's Tiger emerged from cover onto Route Nationale 175 and engaged the rearmost British tanks on Point 213, destroying them. Wittmann then moved towards Villers-Bocage engaging several transport vehicles parked along the roadside, the carriers bursting into flames as their fuel tanks were ruptured by machine gun and high explosive fire.
Moving into the eastern end of Villers-Bocage, Wittmann engaged a number of light tanks followed by several medium tanks. Alerted to Wittmann's actions, light tanks in the middle of the town quickly got off the road while medium tanks were brought forward. Wittmann, meanwhile, had accounted for a further British tank,[29] two artillery observation post (OP) tanks followed by a scout car and a half-track. Accounts differ as to what happened next. Historians record that, following the destruction of the OP tanks, Wittmann briefly duelled without success against a Sherman Firefly before withdrawing.
The Tiger is then reported to have continued eastwards to the outskirts of the town before being disabled by an anti-tank gun. Wittmann's own account, however, contradicts this; he states that his tank was disabled by an anti-tank gun in the town centre.
Several destroyed vehicles line the side of a tree and hedge lined road. A destroyed gun, twisted metal and debris occupy the foreground.
The wreckage of the British transport column, and an anti-tank gun, that Wittmann engaged.
In less than 15 minutes, 13–14 tanks, two anti-tank guns and 13–15 transport vehicles had been destroyed by the Heavy SS-Panzer Battalion 101, the vast majority attributed to Wittmann. Wittmann would however play no further role in the Battle of Villers-Bocage. For his actions during the battle, Wittmann was promoted to SS-Hauptsturmführer (captain) and awarded Swords to his Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.
Several destroyed vehicles line the side of a tree and hedge lined road. A destroyed gun, twisted metal and debris occupy the foreground.
The wreckage of the British transport column, and an anti-tank gun, that Wittmann engaged.
In less than 15 minutes, 13–14 tanks, two anti-tank guns and 13–15 transport vehicles had been destroyed by the Heavy SS-Panzer Battalion 101, the vast majority attributed to Wittmann. Wittmann would however play no further role in the Battle of Villers-Bocage. For his actions during the battle, Wittmann was promoted to SS-Hauptsturmführer (captain) and awarded Swords to his Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.
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