Tank Battles of WW2 - The Battle of Herrlisheim and the Destruction of a Tank Battalion

[@beagssss1]

Interesting. My dad, Earle W. Leaman, was a tank gunner in the 43rd Tank Battalion. He was captured in Herrlisheim and spent the rest of the war in Stalag XI B in Fallingbostel Germany. After his liberation, he returned to Wilmington DE and went on to have a successful 32 year career at Scott Paper Company.

[@lordcommander3224]

Thanks for posting this, my grandfather was blown out of his sherman in this battle by German anti-tank guns. He survived and crawled to safety - the operation was a cluster...

[@TheAceDestroyer]

Thanks for the personal story! Glad to hear he survived! What a hero!

[@lordcommander3224]

@@TheAceDestroyer Yeah, 23'rd tank battalion 12th armored. I sub to anything on the internet I can find on the 12th armored battles.

[@lynnwood7205]

Thank you for your note. My own uncles would cryptically quip, "don't believe everything" when asked of their time in the US Army in Europe. One remarked of a surrender of a German unit, 'It was like watching a switch being turned off on an electric motor."

[@jasone.4689]

You mean out of the sherman tank? Blown out

[@lordcommander3224]

@@jasone.4689 yes, he was the gunner and luckily the hatch was kept propped open and he was launched out and landed on the rear of the tank.

[@stephendwyer756]

My father was a company commander in the 43rd tank battalion. Combat Command B, B company. 12 Shermans destroyed and many killed and wounded. He was wounded and captured and spent the rest of the war as a POW. Thanks for publishing this video as this tank battle was overshadowed by the battle of the bulge.

[@TheAceDestroyer]

Wow! Thanks for the personal story! I really appreciate it! What a hero!

[@dukeofmaryland]

My Cousins great uncle was Bachmann, i hope your father was well treated.

[@RedRider1600]

Why did the American tankers surrender without a fight? Is there more to this story, or were they just cowards?

[@Bumper776]

@@RedRider1600 They were surrounded and outgunned, no infantry support.

[@mariafrost1762]

Had the pleasure of meeting Erwin Bachmann at a Knights Cross holders reunion in Cologne in 1994. He was also staying at my hotel and he was kind enough to share his story over breakfast one morning.

[@michaeldunne338]

You realise that he was in the SS, and in the east, where a lot of really bad things went down, as per the ideology of his SS organization, in repressing what they felt to be "inferior peoples?" Otherwise, did he clarify the discrepancy on the topic of tanks found on the scene versus his claim of 12 being driven off? Because the 43rd only had something like 29 tanks. As per the American report which this clip seemed to ignore: "Some twenty-eight destroyed tanks of the 43d Tank Battalion were later recovered, as were the bodies of the battalion commander and many of his men; furthermore, tank tracks through the snow indicated that the Germans had evacuated four American tanks across the Rhine when they withdrew from the area."

[@mariafrost1762]

@@michaeldunne338 Yes, well aware he was in the Waffen SS. So what? The man is guilty of nothing, like hundreds of thousands of others, of nothing more than doing his duty. Some American soldiers committed murder and rape during WWII but is that a representation of the US Army? Of course, not. Most soldiers don't conduct themselves that way.

[@michaeldunne338]

@@mariafrost1762 you may want to look up Vernichtungskrieg then, the declared war of annihilation against the Soviet Union that the Nazis formally articulated, as for the purpose of Operation Barbarossa. Otherwise, membership in an organization like the SS, the armed wing of the Nazi party, warrants attention. Given the kind of indoctrination given by the Nazis, there and at training facilities like he attended, like the SS-Junkerschule. So those are big "so whats" not to be casually dismissed. And a good number of Nazis and SS did conduct them the way you try to represent in that false equivalence. By the way, how did he account for all those anti tank positions to the east of town in that "story?" Given findings later on of "antitank positions later found in the area littered with 75-mm. and 88-mm. shell casings"

[@mariafrost1762]

@@michaeldunne338 That's right. They were members of the Waffen SS and they're all murdering nutters, right. What a load of utter rubbish. So by your theory, all Red Army soldiers were also murdering, raping Commie lunatics. More nonsense! And as regards your doubts of his achievements, the gentleman concerned is no longer with us, and we can't ask him. And here you are, discrediting the man? Proud to have met him and many other Waffen SS veterans and Knights Cross holders. The vast majority of those million men did their duty and committed no crimes whatsoever. Soldaten Wie Andere Auch.

[@michaeldunne338]

@@mariafrost1762 There was an effort at comprehensive indoctrination in the Nazi party ideology. Not sure how you overlook that established fact for the past 85+ years? And you seem to overlook that ideology and then actions based on that ideology and indoctrination became matters of policy, when trying to draw those equivalences. Again, see the policy of Vernichtungskrieg, and the Barbarossa Degree and how misbehavior was going to be treated by the German officer corp. And that person you seem invested in has a record that merits attention - hence the clip here - that practically spans the conflict end to the end, with formations like the SS Viking and 10th SS Panzer Division. Now SS Viking seemed to have delved in atrocities. As for your assessment about the Waffen SS, that is up to debate since quite a few operations of very unsavory natures were conducted or supported by many such formation over six years (same with the regular German army) - like starting from repression in Poland to secure conquests there. The clean Wehrmacht myth had been exploded a long time ago, and with the Waffen SS, well there was no clean myth to begin with. And with this incident, where attention was sought, there are still questions, like involvement of persons and chronology, since fighting was going on over days, and an offensive was underway, and there were multiple anti-tank positions found later in investigations. This wasn't in incident just involving one guy and a couple of Panthers. Then there is that bit about recovery of Shermans, since 28 tanks were recovered later by the Americans, and the 43rd Tank Battalion only went in with 28 or 29 tanks that day. So basic facts around that account merits attention to as well as events in general in that campaign. Finally, as for the what about-ism there with the Soviets. Obviously not very happy about the commissars of the Soviets, the NKVD, the behavior of their troops, especially follow on echelons, and the policies of Stalin and nature of his dictatorship. Luckily a branch of the family was able to leave Saxony as American troops withdrew from the line of contact along (or near) the Elbe.

[@westernmialumni5428]

My uncle was in the area at the time. He was in the supply company for the 10th SS Division Fundsberg. This action was part of the German operation Nordwind The following is his dairy entry pertaining to the action (around January 1945). "Finally, at Fulda in Steinbach, everything had to be unloaded again. From there we were heading towards the Elsaβ bridgehead (Gambsheim Bridgehead), where we were facing heavy enemy fire on the ground, as well as attacks from the air. Action on the bridgehead was extremely dangerous because the drivers were targeted and under constant fire, as the enemy attempted to cut off or disrupt the supply lines coming across the Rhine". Soon after the 10th Division Fundsberg was pulled out and sent east to counter the Soviet Winter Offensive.

[@djaybridwell7994]

My father Leland J.D. Bridwell was 18 when he arrived as a replacement tank driver to Company "A" 43rd Tank Battalion 12th Armored Division in April 1945 so he was probably replacing someone lost in this battle. In 1992 I attended a reunion of the 12th Armored Division in Charlotte NC and got to visit with three men that had been on the same Sherman tank and captured at Herrlisheim by members of the Waffen SS. They explained to me that their 75mm main gun was totally ineffective against the German "Tiger" tank that they encountered, having fired three rounds, each scoring a hit but not causing damage to it. One of the crewmen claimed he didn't feel that the 75mm gun was not only not doing any damage but they were "not knocking the paint off of it" so they tried to back up but a supply truck had pulled up behind them and the driver had fled, leaving the truck to block their retreat. They exited their unharmed Sherman and sought refuge in a cellar where they were captured.

[@darrylleeroberts]

It's a pity that the inexperienced tankers did not know how to deal with the German cats. The reasons I know they had to be inexperienced are as follows. It could not have been a Tiger tank as there were no Tigers in Herrlisheim. Because of the reputation of the tiger, almost any German tank was often thought to be a Tiger - even the lowly Pz IV. The fact that they believed their 75mm to be "totally ineffective" against a Tiger. Experienced crews knew that a Tiger could be penetrated by a 75mm so long as you hit it from the sides or rear. Also, crews learned that the 75mm could not only blind a Tiger with WP rounds, but actually set it on fire. There were cases of Tigers and Panthers being being destroyed using WP rounds. There were, unfortunately, many examples though of crews trying to fire at either Tigers or Panthers frontal armour. Most of the time these engagements ended badly for the Sherman crews.

[@matosas5334]

@@darrylleeroberts JAJAJAJAJAJ, stop watching History Channel.

[@neues3691]

I just love these breakdowns of “smaller” engagements. The big numbers often make you loose track of the reality of the situation

[@TheAceDestroyer]

I'm personally more interested in these battles where I can track down who fought the actual battle on the ground.

[@michaelinhuman8967]

I AGREE I LIKE SQUAD

[@dixinormous8539]

The AceDestroyer, Mark Felton and Forgotten Weapons are 3 channels which deserve so much more support than their current subs, especially you The AceDestroyer! I would love to see a story on the Berlin Flak Towers which i read decimated Soviet tanks in the city

[@TheAceDestroyer]

Hi There Hi There! Thank you very much! You have no idea how much it means to me! I really enjoy Mark Felton's videos too, but I must say I haven't watched much of Forgotten Weapons yet. I have watched a few of their videos, which I really enjoyed, but I should watch them more to be honest. Thanks again for the kind comment mate! I really appreciate it!

[@AirsoftReviewArgentina]

Agree! I follow all 3 channels as well! BTW there's a newish channel called camouflage history. You might like it...

[@jw451]

three channels I watch regularly. That FW cat sure knows his stuff. A veritable fountain of knowledge which I realised how thorough he is with his very informative clip on the Aussie Owen. Proof he really does know his FW. Dr Felton I started watching when he had half a dozen posts. Hes just WOW

[@Panzermeister36]

Mark Felton's videos aren't very accurate. They're pretty much the same sensationalized content you see on the History Channel. Lots of inaccuracies and perpetuation of myths that anyone who has read a publication post 1990 should understand.

[@theblytonian3906]

No. The AceDestroyer is a cut WAY above Felton. He's on a par with the superb interviews and material on Tinus le Roux's channel. Forgotten Weapons is a cartoon, and Felton is just another delivery system for the same message as "The World At War" and every other on PC message mockumentary.

[@PdPete11795]

Thanks for making this video. While it was only a short segment of the intro, I appreciated that you covered the 66th AIB's assault on Steinwald woods, as my grandfather was an infantryman in the 66th AIB, company C, and participated in that assault. The assault on Steinwald was brutal, resulting in 60% of the 60th AIB being killed, wounded, or captured. My grandfather had his arm almost shot off very early on in the battle, but hung on with his friends and fellow soldiers. Even so the germans had put up a stout defense and what remained of the 66th AIB, which was unable to retreat, had to surrender. My grandfather and his surviving comrades of company C, spent the remaining months of the war as POW's. Luckily the germans treated them fairly well, and so they survived and were able to return home after the war; the germans left them in their POW camp as they retreated towards central Germany, While my grandfather never showed it, I truly believe he saw many horrible things both in his fight across France and his final battle for Steinwald. Its a testament to the character of him and his fellow men, that the survivors were able to move on and start families after such an experience. Part of me wishes I could understand that pain, but part of me understands that my grandfather would never wish for me to pay the price. The battle for Steinwald and Herrlisheim are considered some of the harshest fights in the entire war, by many members of the 12th armored division. I encourage anyone who reads this to visit the 12th armored museum site and forum as it contains many first hand sources for the 12th armored's contributions and sacrifices for the war. The 12th armored division also has a museum in Abiline Texas, which details the history of the 12th and has many artifacts from their war. While the division's history was short, it contributed greatly to the war effort in its small time span of fighting.

[@TheAceDestroyer]

Thank you for providing us with your personal story! I really appreciate that! I'm glad to hear that your grandfather survived the war. He is certainly a hero in my book.

[@MM22966]

Neat. You always hear about Wittman at Caen, but these kind of little known engagements are a breath of fresh air over over-told WW2 stories. What a hell of a way to lose a BN of armor! Pls do more!

[@TheAceDestroyer]

Indeed, I have always been more interested in these unknown battles.

[@Bigsky1991]

I spoke to Bachmann at an SS Veterans dinner in the 90's, and of course he discussed this engagement. He was quick to point out, that the entirety of his Unit had over 4 years of front line Combat experience, where the American unit had only 2 months. He saw later the tables turned, and German units decimated by US units and of course close air support Army Aviation units. The pendulum does swing. Bachmann had a gifted career in the SS, and he stated many times, he had no idea how he had lived through it all.

[@Ahornblatt2000]

In Germany?

[@Bigsky1991]

@@Ahornblatt2000 yes, at an Altekamaradentreff in Bad Tölz, then in following years in Austria.

[@Ahornblatt2000]

@@Bigsky1991 Thank you, Big Sky 1991

[@raptorhacker599]

how old r u grandpa?

[@Bigsky1991]

@@raptorhacker599 Well, age is "relative".... seen everything, been everywhere, and still have gf's in their 20s!

[@misterjag]

The last radio communication from the 43rd Tank Battalion was a request for infantry support. They were exposed on ground that offered no cover and wiped out by anti-tank guns and panzerfausts. Days after the battle, some of their disabled and burned-out tanks were discovered in an outward-facing circle.

[@joejacoby2464]

Wow, very good content, thanks for keeping the report accurate and unbiased. Very impressive leadership from the front by Bachmann. I'm sure that knocking out a tank at 30m with a Panzerfaust was something not many armor officers had done - but capturing enemy tanks and sending them back to your lines - never heard of that before. Apparently he died in 2010, glad to hear he survived the war. Knight's Cross well earned.

[@TheAceDestroyer]

Thanks I appreciate it! Yeah, it's a very interesting battle.

[@greglucas1497]

Good to see your back in action. The video was very accurate as usual. I am keenly aware of the presentation regarding this unknown battle. Perfect as always.

[@Boogyman337]

Right or wrong the Germans Knew how to build war machinery and how to use it. Thank you.

[@gma729]

INDEED !!!! THE BEST IN THE WORLD !!! ( AT THAT TIME )

[@oliverkramuschke8174]

@Mike Lameyer The Germans are very good to produce machines. 1945 or today. Look at the German Cars for example, Airbus, motorcycles, Heckler & Koch and many other companies. They work with the best machines to produce their technology. These small companies for delivering the big ones make the best work. If you compare the size of Germany and the number of inhabitants to America, it is a special achievement. Greeting from Germany Oliver

[@2vintage68]

@@gma729 No question about that.

[@kris8742]

@@oliverkramuschke8174 Not there cars

[@jumo004]

@@oliverkramuschke8174 The Panther tank could only drive a few kilometers on the road before it's final drive broke down. Most Panthers were lost because of mechanical breakdowns. It's a beautiful tank but with major mechanical problems. Much of their equipment was the same, over-engineered, and far too complex. For example the interleaved road wheels on the Tiger and Panther. They were very difficult to maintain and in the snow and ice of the Russian Front they suffered major problems

[@maxschaeffner9005]

Bachman: enters Herrlisheim “So anyway I started blasting”

[@kellybreen5526]

I was talking with Norman Craig and having a very polite debate. He raised a point about how the German army had many tank crews that destroyed a multitude of Allied vehicles and no Allied crew matched them. This is absolutely true. Radley-Walters was involved in the destruction of I think 18. I think Wittman and a clutch of other commanders all destroyed over 100 Allied vehicles. I would not agree that this is an example of better weapons, but rather a multitude of factors. Once the Allies had guns powerful enough to defeat the heavy armour of the last generation of German tanks that armour arguably became a liability because it reduced mobility and placed a heavier burden on logistics and resources. It is absolutely true that sometimes like a semi mobile pillbox one heavy unit held up much larger forces. The same could be said of KV-1's and Char -B's when the Allies were in retreat. It was bad tactics to go head to head with a well protected heavy unit. What made more sense was to apply the other principles of out flanking, bypassing or calling in combined weapons like artillery or air. Whether a tank was abandoned, broken down or actually knocked out lost is lost and the reason for the loss is really kind of irrelevant. Some Allied crews in a short sharp action destroyed several armoured vehicles rather quickly then never saw another enemy unit for the rest of the war. The battle in which Wittman was killed is probably the best documented one of all because he is regarded kind of like the Red Baron. In that action several well positioned Fireflies destroyed an armoured counter attack without loss and the entire action lasted only a few minutes. Again equipment was important in that the 17 pounder was up for the job of penetrating the armour on the Tiger tank, but tactics - ie setting the ambush - was just as important. That is not meant to take anything away from what was said, just maybe adding some extra perspective. Cheers Norm!

[@johnfrancis2215]

There's a yarnhub on KZbin about the shoemaker who took out Germany's top tank ace, he was the gunner in the Sherman fire fly, if the allies had invaded Europe a year later America would have had more Patton tanks and we British would have had the centurion a match for the Tiger

[@johnfrancis2215]

@Pantelis Tzimas no mate we allies had the nuclear bomb, so if the allies invasion had been cancelled to 1945 which almost happened BOOM German armour would have been molten metal ha

[@zionsantos6323]

Another unknown battle in history. MY GOD DO I LOVE YOUR CONTENT

[@TheAceDestroyer]

Haha! Happy to hear that! Thanks!

[@touristguy87]

wasn't "unknown" except to you and others like you

[@zionsantos6323]

@@touristguy87 well did you know about before the video? Hm?

[@touristguy87]

@@zionsantos6323 what does that have to do with it being an unknown battle or not?

[@Buggsy61]

Really interesting, but I don't think we will see a Hollywood film on this one!. You could Brad Pitts ridiculous film 'Fury' pretty much steals Bachmanns glory, as it is a similar scenario, being up against overwhelming odds. Pretty obscene really. Bachmann sounds like one hell of a soldier.

[@HappyFlapps]

"Fury" sucked

[@jdove6883]

Well, Hollywood nowadays would have called the Americans the Nazi aggressors and the Germans the valiant victims instead of the genocidal, shoot everyone morons they were at the time. Not withstanding that there were Wehrmacht Germans who weren't. Every able bodied male was required to fight for the Nazi's or be jailed or shot dead. A lot agreed with them and some didn't. What a disaster for Germany then and a lesson for all now about the dangers of socialism in ALL it's forms right or left.

[@alvarogarcia1062]

SUPER LOL, Brad Pitt he cannot shut down Angeline armour.

[@johnfrancis2215]

The film Fury was based on the British story of the first world war tank Frey Bentos named after the canned corned beef popular at the time

[@HappyFlapps]

Excellent summary of this minor German victory. There were a few of these little successes on the Western Front, but a significantly greater number on the Eastern Front. The Soviets won the majority of the the Land War against Germany, but they had extreme respect for German armor up to, and including, The Battle of Berlin.

[@edwardhalpin7503]

Thumbnail like disturbing, bruh!

[@moggiemoggs5950]

@@edwardhalpin7503 Fully! :-D

[@savedbychristsavedbygrace2049]

@@edwardhalpin7503 Not just the thumbnail the name too lol just gross.

[@pedromatos5918]

What a soldier was Bachmann!!!! Both sides have great warriors.

[@alexandersturm3033]

Tbh, It was mostly just the German side

[@Stratigoz]

Bullshit, tbh.

[@romegavadquez6310]

So the rangers were regular soldiers is what your saying

[@averagejoeschmoe9186]

Nope, axis mostly had "the great warriors" you speak of. The allies? Hardly.

[@enthalpiaentropia7804]

Pedro Matos Not both sides , it was mostly just the german ( Waffen SS & paratroopers ) ,and some canadians ,russians & finns... Yankees..? Bullshit in WW2 and Viet Nam...!

[@Coondawgwoopwoop]

As always, top notch work! Really enjoying these stories. It’s almost as if you’re on the ground watching it unfold with the detail you give to each battle.

[@TheAceDestroyer]

Thanks mate! Happy to see that you enjoyed the video!

[@zainulzainul1880]

The AceDestroyer The standard scenes in WW2 docus are German soldiers with their hands behind their heads ( without explaining the overwhelming odds they were facing - like aerial bombardment and such )

[@joeblow4499]

Pretty sad that the 46th tank battalion CO was less afraid to surrender than exfiltrate his men from the town on foot, like Peiper did from La Gleize.

[@davidarnold9324]

I am not familiar with the details but surely he got court martialed over this fiasco.

[@DM-nz4fs]

Yet another excellent upload. It's great finally learning about the lesser known heroic actions from even the Germans. They didn't half go out of their way to defend Europe, even when the writing was on the wall and defeat was imminent, right to the gates of Berlin and within. They still fought on, never making it easy for the allies. 30 metres on his own with a Panzerfaust? That warrior more than likely did it all over the eastern Front. It wasn't his first time!

[@Sir.suspicious]

Hey, KZbin has been shutting down a lot of history channels, and seeing you talk about ww2 Germany they can target you without any reason. Back stuff up, or maybe put it on bitchute just in case

[@TheAceDestroyer]

Yeah, I have been noticing the same. I still have nearly all my videos on my computer just in case. Are they shutting down, channels like mine too, with voice-over, maps and footage, or just the channels with footage?

[@Sir.suspicious]

@@TheAceDestroyer I don't know their methods, I think the algorithm sees talks about nazi germany as dangerous, and that is a problem because its hard to talk about these tank battles without mentioning them

[@Wallyworld30]

What History channels were taken down?

[@johndoe5432]

What's that quote from Tyrion Lannister again? "When you tear out a man's tongue, you are not proving him a liar, you're only telling the world that you fear what he might say." Make no mistake, Google is the enemy.

[@digibotdotcom]

@@Wallyworld30 I'm still waiting for this info too... Probably actual Nazi sympathizing and enabling channels. No WW2 history channels I've noticed (just about everything) have gone away. You tube technically pays for, and provides, this forum, and they can allow whatever they want so long as it's legal. And now, I shall watch this video.

[@theblytonian3906]

First rate research and presentation. Worthwhile engagement choice. This one cheered me up no end.

[@tomaszwidawski2712]

SS-Obersturmfuhrer Bachmann got the RK for this action.

[@allandavis8201]

Tomasz Widawski, excuse my ignorance, but what is the RK? Been racking my brain and can’t put a full name to it.

[@tomaszwidawski2712]

Ritterkreuz or Knight's Cross.

[@tomaszwidawski2712]

Indeed.

[@edwardjj4224]

@@tomaszwidawski2712 Pomylil sie?No worries my friend

[@mebsrea]

Glad to see he survived the war and lived to a ripe old age. Looks like he was in the same unit as my late uncle earlier in his career.

[@markmccummins8049]

Ace Destroyer - excellent video! What amazes me are these stories of German small unit victories as late as January 1945. Again I see hubris at work. “Ah, these people are defeated; it’s only a matter of time.” And in that time US generals literally wasted men and materiel. January 1945 saw the heaviest US casualties in the ETO, as US generals, mostly under Omar Bradley’s command, sent green young troops against seasoned German troops. At Arrancourt Patton’s Sherman’s out-flanked and destroyed Panthers. Yet 4 months later Bachmann literally turned the tables.

[@levski19]

Bachmann had some balls. When under fire to return to your motorcycle (!) to get a panzerfaust and then to destroy a Sherman from just 30 m. Now that's a warrior.

[@opoxious1592]

He must have had testikels, as big as cannonballs

[@JohnSmith-qv6hp]

@@opoxious1592 not possible the way he was running around balls like that would have slowed him down

[@levski19]

Adamantium balls without a doubt.

[@danielfmontero]

He used the motorcicle because he could not walk for the size of his balls

[@JohnSmith-qv6hp]

@@opoxious1592 true story at a big 3 conferences Stalin mentioning after Germans defeat good idea to castrate 50k German officers

[@lorneschalm5056]

I've just begun listening to your channel and I'm really enjoying the in depth stories your bringing to life. The men on the front lines no matter whose side it was were incredibly brave. Bravo sir

[@TheAceDestroyer]

Thank you very much! I'm happy to hear that!

[@philipryan25]

Thank You, always look forward to your videos.

[@billkenbridge]

I knew a (light) tank commander (a buck sergeant) who fought with HQ company of the 23rd Tank Battalion. From family sources I learned that the fighting in Herrlisheim plus what he saw in the concentration camps around Landsberg, Germany stayed with him for years after the war leading to what sounded like PTSD and some alcohol problems. He eventually beat the alcohol problems and, with his wife of 45+ years reared three children and was a productive member of society. My lasting memory of him is seeing him walking from his house down the road to his 'local' tavern after dinner, where he would drink coffee at the bar and speak with his friends. A quiet man, who saw hell on earth and persevered. I wish I could thank him in person.

[@jupprheinland4805]

Keep up the good work mate ;) love it to see, with how many details you do your research in a neutral way and not one sided. You keep up the remembrance of the “smaller” details and tell the stories of brave men - from both sides- who fought in nearly forgotten battles. Not only The Allies - The Nazis - The commies. Greetings from Germany 🇩🇪

[@TheAceDestroyer]

Thanks! I really appreciate it mate!

[@mr.b4]

Just awesome detail here! Many of these battles within the bigger battle are not well documented but played a significant role in the Dec 44 to Feb 45 timeframe. I’m sure the soldiers would remember and many paid the price. Excellent recount, well narrated, entertaining and important for all to hear! Thank you for the effort to bring these to life!☝️

[@TheAceDestroyer]

Thanks for the kind words mate! Bringing these smaller battles from the viewpoint of the actual soldiers and not the generals is what I'm aiming at. Thanks again!

[@MrPants-zu6dm]

this is important history. well done! 👍

[@darrellborland119]

An interesting video, and i had not known of this action.

[@fuzzylogic5507]

Another great history from the World War Two, thanks a lot, greetings from Colombia

[@williambowen7365]

Awesome video, just flat out awesome! Masterful mix of “play-by-play” audio description of combat action, maps, and combat video.

[@turkcudoktrin366]

THX for keeping ur promise and make an Ernst Barkmann video.

[@turkcudoktrin366]

@Jonathan Bäckström DRe Ah my fault thx for the info.

[@EnglishShieldwall]

Please make videos on Barkmann and Wittmann and their exploits

[@dukeofmaryland]

My 4th cousin’s great uncle was Bachmann. Crazy to find this out.

[@panzertracks]

Great videos! Do you do request? How about one about any jagdtiger actions on the eastern front. Thanks for sharing.

[@quicktoevil]

Great shots of the American Stuart light tank! For no rational reason, I can't get enough of the little Stuart and the German Stug.

[@loneeagle901]

Very good job! Keep it up! :-)

[@millsbuckss]

The background guitar music worked really well imo Another impressive video !

[@tasman006]

Can't believe that American crews surrendered whom still had intact equipment but when they see that a lot of there tanks are blowing up around them they must have lost the stomach to fight till the bitter end. Bachmann's corner(I think this is what most people call this battle correct me if I'm wrong.) a classic story on how with great tactics and crew the Panther can really be a deadly opponent.

[@soheilaliakbari5434]

That's Barkmann's ecke (Ernst Barkmann) not Bachmann's.

[@DowJonesDave]

That last would apply to any tank.

[@peterson7082]

That would be the case if the events at Barkmann's corner actually happened.

[@secretagent4322]

Love your commentaries and your maps. Marvelous - the best I've seen on this medium.

[@TheAceDestroyer]

Thanks! It truly means a lot!

[@dickiedollop]

when I see this disaster it puts into perspective the criticism from some of the American quarters over Monty’s handling of Caen and the falsies gap the Americans made plenty of mistakes too but it’s interesting that the media only criticised Monty, this goes some way to balance the argument.

[@igorkovcin7112]

Great videos and great channel. Keep up a good work! Greetings from Croatia!

[@TheAceDestroyer]

Thanks mate! Greetings back from Belgium!

[@cheesenoodles8316]

Clash of steel in the fog of war. Great video...good details...map and pictures.

[@TheAceDestroyer]

Thanks! glad to see that you enjoyed it!

[@Loyal-ey2eq]

These are great videos, to fully understand the operational history of any war, you must be exposed to primary source accounts both sides.

[@Trojan0304]

You provide a fair review of land combat , very educational.

[@MrDredd1966]

Surrendering 14 Sherman's against 2 panthers!!😲

[@michaeldicker4839]

Bit unfair sending in 2 German tanks against 14 American ones.

[@galatian5]

@@michaeldicker4839 Say that to the burning Panthers at Arracourt.

[@michaeldicker4839]

@@galatian5 Correct, Bachmann himself said about Herrlisheim his unit had 4 years combat experience and the Americans 2 months. He added that the tables would turn as the Germans could not replace their experienced crews as they were lost and the American use of close air support.

[@66numero]

@@michaeldicker4839 well the Americans should have fled, after a few kilometers the panthers would have broken down or lacked fuel.

[@bradenatkinson6401]

Amazing video as always! My only suggestion is to clean up the units movements a bit (as in not blurry/jumpy) keep up the good work

[@bradenatkinson6401]

On the digital maps*

[@TheAceDestroyer]

Yeah! Noted! Thanks, comment like these make future videos better!

[@tomkoupal3013]

I love how you say "they ceased to exist" insteead of.. they were fu*king wiped out xd

[@karlwagner932]

AMAZING VIDEO AS ALWAYS!! keep it up !! The Germans got one portion to eat per day ...the Americans 3 times !! How is it possible for a German unit to fight with such dedication even everybody new back then that the war was lost?? How many of us know that Germany offered to surrender under terms many times ....but the Allies answered ''NO'' .....SURRENDER YES BUT WITHOUT TERMS ..!!! Come on man ...the Answer costs too many brave lifes from both sides !!

[@sqr2024]

Can you imagine outcome if the Germans had an equal amount of Panthers or Tigers as the allies had of the Shermans.

[@mikearmbruster2171]

And fuel

[@onthemove301]

Sure, the Panzers were heavier gunned and better protected than most Sherman tanks. But they were also too heavy to cross some bridges, and the Allies had devoted more resources to air power which gave them the edge when the weather did not inhibit flying.

[@leopardcentury4079]

There's a video of an american tank commander or gunner, I don't remember who faced a Jagdtiger in his Sherman.. He said the Jagdtiger didn't penetrate the sherman because it hit the gun mantlet of the sherman as the 128mm hit in a steep angle but the power of the shell still cracked the shermans turret open like so they could see the daylight outside Would be nice if you can tell us something about that engagement

[@De_Futura]

Again an excellent video by Ace. Top notch quality.

[@TheAceDestroyer]

Thanks! I really appreciate it!

[@JeffAM1986]

This is one of my favorite stories from the last months of the war. German tactical excellence on full display.

[@millsbuckss]

Another great story Ace! Keep up the good work!

[@TheAceDestroyer]

Cheers mate! Happy to see that you enjoyed it!

[@HappyFlapps]

You should do an episode on "Barkmann's Ecke" (Barkmann's Corner).

[@_dondie_]

I loved this video! What I like about it was the clear presentation of strategic map. Also, your storytelling takes me into action with Bachmann. Sub! Keep it up!

[@TheAceDestroyer]

Thanks mate! I really appreciate it! Very happy to see that you enjoyed it!

[@waffencamo]

Great video as always. Thank you.

[@sebastienbeaule6443]

Work of art ....as always...Thank you ace destroyer!! Your videos and informations so great!! Your Channel is simply the best! Keep up the good work ✌😀!!!

[@TheAceDestroyer]

Thank you very much! I'm thrilled to see that you enjoyed it!

[@patrickneumann5519]

MVP Obersturmführer Bachmann

[@donlopezdeaguirre4048]

One of the fantastic german heroes.

[@piepie840]

Thank you I enjoy your videos very much very well. God bless

[@sqr2024]

The kill ratio of the German tanks vs the Allies is astounding. What may have been if the Germans had more tanks and fuel. The allied airforce decimating the manufacturing capacity of the Germans is what won the war. On the ground man o Mano was all in the Germans favour.

[@scubasteve3743]

SQR You’re forgetting all the anti-tank guns and infantry. I get it, there is revisionist history going around trying to paint the Sherman in a brighter light than it deserves, but this battle was more complex than 2 Panthers versus dozens of Shermans.

[@bingobongo1615]

The Germans built 10.000 panthers in 2 years. The German economy was extremely potent in 1944. The parts were of less quality than the years before though and it really didnt matter because tanks need combined warfare and the Germans had no airpower left and infantry units were all understrength. Worst, the soviet artillery power was unbeatable.

[@touristguy87]

"The kill ratio of the German tanks vs the Allies is astounding. What may have been if the Germans had more tanks and fuel. " Yeah, well they had plenty of tanks and plenty of fuel before they started the war LOL that's one of the reasons they started the war You see where that got them...it's highly unfortunate that they had to take so many innocent people with them. But that's what being a Nazi is all about. And in this case, being a proud SS Nazi proved to be about continuing a hopeless war because proud SS Nazis don't surrender just like so many here...they refuse to quit fighting even though the war is long over because they are so delusional

[@scubasteve3743]

touristguy87 Not everybody in the SS was a Nazi. The original goal of an army comprised exclusively of blonde-haired and blue-eyed Jewish-baby eaters was first relaxed, then dropped entirely. By 1945, the SS had Georgian, Ukrainian, Cossack, English and even Korean soldiers serving in it. It was as much a political counterpoint to the Wehrmacht as it was a military asset used in war. That’s not to say every German or Austrian in the SS was a fanatic either. For many, it was just a means of personal advancement.

[@touristguy87]

@@scubasteve3743 yes by the end of the war it had one thing: survivors of WW2 who still wanted to fight for "Germany" while it was run by the Nazis. Against the Allies. Other than that they weren't too picky.

[@marcoh.3467]

A few kilometers north there was another battle between german and american tank unites. The Villages are called "Hatten" and "Rittershofen". After two weeks with a lot of engagements the americans retreated to the surprise for the germans over night. Those two villages were devastated and many man died. After the retreat, the german comander ordered a "church service"(Gottesdienst in german) in the half destroyed church for the citizens and he himself played the pipe organ. This place is ~ 30 kilometers away from my home. You can still see the affect of those two villages as there are nearly 100% of the buildings and infrastructur are visibly new build in the style of the postwar period. Allso there are many bunkers from the "Maginot Linie" with sherman tanks on display, a sherman tank on a roundabout traffic and a privat museum and some memorials dedicated to this battle

[@TheAceDestroyer]

Wow! Thank you very much for the rather personal story!

[@marcoh.3467]

@@TheAceDestroyer i reserched a little bit in the meantime. There are confusing Informations about the battle of Rittershoffen. The internet says that the americans won the battle. But i read a book a few years ago (Mit Rommel an der Front / Hans von Luck) because my grandpa served in the Africacorps. The 21st Panzerdivision fought against the americans in Rittershoffen. Hans von Luck writes in his book that the americans as i said retreated after 2 weeks and he also writes the story with the church and the comander playing the organ. But the internet says that the germans retreated and lost battle. I am a little bit confused. Maybe there is an american fairy tale about winning the battle of Rittershoffen, i don't know. Maybe someone can help to clear my confusion. If i am wrong please let me know, i didnt found anything to verify my version of this event

[@TheAceDestroyer]

@@marcoh.3467 Yeah, I have come across many similar things in both my WW1 and WW2 research. Contradicting sources are really a pain in the neck for research like this.

[@explorer1968]

To whom might be interested, there is a documentary about the Waffen SS made by the Military Channel called Weaponology. And what a tough nut to crack was them as an elite military force...

[@Red72618]

There might be more untold Allied defeats havent reveal.

[@Desertduleler_88]

Interestingly, that's what I was thinking...

[@user-pr3iy7no5v]

Indeed

[@davidtuttle7556]

It wasn't an allied defeat at all.

[@touristguy87]

...the war lasted for 6 years. Surely there's lots of unmined material for Nazi lovers

[@touristguy87]

@Mr and Mrs. Smith "Who wins in the end is all that matters...." which is why you began to babble on about Vietnam

[@nothprokernov7028]

The way you present this is fuc#n awsome

[@colinkavanagh7625]

Thank you... So interesting....

[@BC-li6zc]

I was posted close by 6-8 km to the NE in CFB Baden back in the late 80's early 90's. They were right about the fog, visibility on some days could be 100 m even when on foot.

[@dexterramos1826]

This is what I'm saying. The late production model of Panther is the best tank of World War 2 not tthe M4 Sherman nor the T34

[@fortawesome1974]

Love your videos and love history, keep it up!!

[@TheAceDestroyer]

Happy to hear that! Thanks a lot mate!

[@steveroush4147]

The Americans really took it on the chin that day !

[@Tiger1AuasfE]

Great documentary. Thnx for the upload.

[@TheAceDestroyer]

Thanks! No worries! Happy to see that you enjoyed it!

[@nostromo9797]

Well done 👍

[@daveryan6426]

Great job Ace. Well presented.. Thank you.

[@timoakes450]

CRUSADE against Soviets-Thanks or they would have been on the Sein not the Elbe

[@dickiedollop]

Sounded like a hell of an engagement !

[@easyjdier]

What never ceases to amaze me is Bachmann actually lived to see peace and died an old man. I bet he never told his war stories though. His side (deservedly!) lost.

[@guiguimo]

I live in Herrlisheim... Very interresting video. Thank you.

[@WARdROBEPlaysWWII]

My grandfathers unit Supply, 56th AIB, 12th AD was in Herrilshiem.

[@celticman5038]

It was bad enough to be a M4 Sherman crew member. I can't imagine what those little Stuart tanks were supposed to do against the big German cats, except run for their lives.

[@mebsrea]

They were supposed to act as scouts and not engage them, just as a puny German armored car would do upon encountering a Sherman or Comet.

[@pantherace1000]

@celticman The M4 medium gets a bad rap because of Coopers book (which is mostly full of shit). The later models of the M4 are far safer than their German counterparts, particularly in terms of ammunition stowage and crew evacuation.

[@Lentziu]

Amazing videos. Keep up the good work!

[@wellington-yh8rc]

Court martial offence to surrender your undamaged TANKS AND CREWS - pathetic by that American who probably sat out the rest of the war out in an officers stalag whilst everyone else was doing his duty to the end , absolute disgrace !

[@llamov]

wellington you try fighting in a Sherman tank, damn things were dog shit unless you were fighting a battalion of horsedrawn chariots

[@opoxious1592]

Is it really an official court martial offence to surrender your undamaged tank and crews?

[@ronaldharring5249]

Diebels Alt Yes.

[@opoxious1592]

@@ronaldharring5249 First time ever heard about it. But i think it's rather hard to be court martialed, when you are captured by the enemy.

[@Gloopular]

Surrendering 12 tanks..? Talk about loosing nerve - withdraw pellmell or at least destroy them before giving up...

[@hausach]

An excellent historic Video about a very important battle of WW2. It took me many years to get a memorial stone opened for the killing of General Maurice Rose at Schloss Hamborn at March 30th 2022. it was officially opened 77years after his kia in the last days of WW2. Memento mori

[@FairladyS130]

It's healthy that we have objective reports like this when Sherman tanks are involved. Far too often we have Americans who will say anything to support their team, facts be damned. Why is that, are they afraid of the truth or something?

[@Yamato980]

I almost confused Erwin Backmann with Ernst Barkmann (Barkmanns corner) tank ace. You would not want the "Barckmann" combo stacked against you.

[@terraflow__bryanburdo4547]

7:00 The mythical "German Sherman"

[@redskyatnight123]

Another great video Mike

[@michaelmaier5709]

My grand uncle told me how scared the Americans were of German tanks and soldiers .... with such experience in mind. The German kill to loss ratio was 5:1 against Western Allies and 10:1 against the Russia. Once well prepared, German attack or defense caused high cassulties at opponents. This continued at leasr until the 90th of the 20 century. I am alway smilling when Anglo-Saxion are talking about "German Angst"....progaganda to overpaint how they were actually shaking in their shoes when pushing back the German army. To do all sides right, the American were admired for their endless material supply and superiority, the Britisch for their hard fighting spirit.

[@peterson7082]

> *_"with such experience in mind. The German kill to loss ratio was 5:1 against Western Allies and 10:1 against the Russia"_* Citation please?

[@rafalsamek1486]

Great work thanks 😊😊😊👍

[@TopSecretVid]

Favorite photo is the Germans driving das Shermans.. 🇩🇪🇩🇪🤙🤙

[@TheAceDestroyer]

Yeah, I think it's a nice picture as well!

[@flipflopdrop2543]

Now that is a story. You don’t see that too often in movies. Instead, we get to see 4 Sherman wiping out an entire SS Batallion

[@peterson7082]

?

[@flipflopdrop2543]

@@peterson7082 I was refering to the movie "Fury" (2014). Actually it was one sherman that wiped out that Battalion :)

[@peterson7082]

@@flipflopdrop2543 In the movie Fury still loses to that battalion

[@flipflopdrop2543]

@@peterson7082 Oh well, just imagine how it would be if they had won. Totally nonsense

[@firasal-jubouri1312]

Great video, very informative and useful. We don't usually see this type of historical reports, history channels are usually one way traffic. Well done.

[@TheAceDestroyer]

Thanks mate! I really appreciate it!

[@EricW4445]

@Bob Smith Allied ( US, Soviet and UK) tank production was over 225,000 tanks and self propelled guns during WW2. German tank and self propelled gun production was just over 45,000, a ratio of 5 to 1 Allied favor.

[@OKMX5]

2 Panthers taking 12 Shermans prisoner :)

[@moviejose3249]

Sureman we are surrendering our 12 tanks to you... no pun intended.

[@Broadsword999]

I am sort of disgusted. The US officer should have destroyed the Shermans before hoisting the white flag. Did he get courts martialed after the war?

[@leopardcentury4079]

@@Broadsword999 I think if you would have been in his position you would sit somewhere crying