By: kev35
- 13th February 2016 at 14:14Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
I knew a wireless operator (19 set) on Churchill Mk III and IV AVRE'S. His unit disembarked in Normandy on 17th August 1944 and he experienced his first action on 10th September when they were tasked to drop a fascinating in an anti tank ditch at Octelot and then wait to be called forward should they be required for demolition purposes, which they duly were. He had a fund of interesting and often amusing stories of his time in Europe.
By: John Green
- 19th February 2016 at 23:18Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Just finished watching Battlefield Mysteries featuring the demise of Michael Wittman the SS Panzer commander in Normandy. No definitive answers regarding the killing of Michael Wittman. There were three possibilities: Rocket firing Typhoon; British tanks or Canadian. Some educated guesswork and measurements point to the Canadians. The British had a rather more evidential claim because the tank gunner who had been credited with removing Wittman from the battlefield, had already destroyed two other Tigers before he claimed a third which was reckoned to be Wittman.
However the Canadian tanks were a lot closer to the Germans than the British and this rather clinched the debate. In the vicinity of Wittman's ruined tank there was found the casing of a 60lb aircraft underwing rocket such as would be found on a ground attack fighter.
Posts: 6,968
By: kev35 - 13th February 2016 at 14:14 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
I knew a wireless operator (19 set) on Churchill Mk III and IV AVRE'S. His unit disembarked in Normandy on 17th August 1944 and he experienced his first action on 10th September when they were tasked to drop a fascinating in an anti tank ditch at Octelot and then wait to be called forward should they be required for demolition purposes, which they duly were. He had a fund of interesting and often amusing stories of his time in Europe.
Regards
kev35
Posts: 6,535
By: John Green - 19th February 2016 at 23:18 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Just finished watching Battlefield Mysteries featuring the demise of Michael Wittman the SS Panzer commander in Normandy. No definitive answers regarding the killing of Michael Wittman. There were three possibilities: Rocket firing Typhoon; British tanks or Canadian. Some educated guesswork and measurements point to the Canadians. The British had a rather more evidential claim because the tank gunner who had been credited with removing Wittman from the battlefield, had already destroyed two other Tigers before he claimed a third which was reckoned to be Wittman.
However the Canadian tanks were a lot closer to the Germans than the British and this rather clinched the debate. In the vicinity of Wittman's ruined tank there was found the casing of a 60lb aircraft underwing rocket such as would be found on a ground attack fighter.