After Wittmann's Tiger Tank Rampage - The Fight back at Villers-Bocage [WW2 Documentary]

Michael Wittmann’s rampage at Villers-Bocage was just the start of a fight that was far from the great victory the Germans would claim it to be.
At 0930 on 13 June 1944, in the chaos that followed Wittmann’s fortuitous lunge into the British column, the men of the 4th Country of London Yeomanry lick their wounds and set up their defences.
They’ve been given the order to hold the Villers-Bocage at all costs - and will soon be fighting for their lives against a superior German force.
By the end of the day, a young Lt. Bill Cotton will have earned the Military Cross and a promotion to Captain. His Sergeant will earn a Military Medal and his Corporal a Distinguished Conduct Medal…
In the hype surrounding the career of Michal Wittmann - has the role of Bill Cotton and his troop been overlooked? Was he the real hero of Villers-Bocage?
Watch our video on Wittmann’s Tiger Tank Rampage: • Wittmann's Tiger Tank ...
00:00 | Introduction
00:56 | Aftermath of Wittmann’s Rampage
01:48 | Reconnaissance and Reinforcements
03:24 | Lt. Bill Cotton
05:26 | Bayerlein Strikes
07:05 | Three Tigers Taken Out
08:18 | The Heroes of Villers-Bocage
10:42 | Bramall’s Ingenuity
14:48 | The End of the Assault
16:16 | Conclusion
This video features footage courtesy of British Pathe.
#tankmuseum #tankactions #villersbocage

[@michaelhowell2326]

A combat umbrella is one of the most British things I've heard of. I put it up there with the Boiling Vessel in it's Britishness.

[@GaveMeGrace1]

Thank you.

[@michaelhowell2326]

@@Boric78 jealous?

[@Boric78]

@@michaelhowell2326 You know, when you want it to be , but can't. Coz yer American.

[@michaelhowell2326]

@@Boric78 I was admiring the man. Not wishing to be British. Please don't try and make this political. I don't want to shatter your world world view or insult any other Brits.

[@chuckh5999]

borrowed? I hope he took it back ha, ha.

[@exharkhun5605]

I'm honestly a bit disappointed that there was never a farewell episode done with the previous director of the museum. Especially since, as I understood it, he was the one who inspired the channel's success by wanting to use it to preserve David Fletcher's knowledge with the Tank Chats,. You certainly don't lack great on-screen personalities but it was nice to get to get a glimpse of what kind of man leads our beloved museum in the video's he did. Similarly it would be nice to see the new director introduce himself once he's found his feet in his new role.

[@michaelhowell2326]

I didn't really pay attention to anyone's title at the museum and didn't know the other director was gone. I wondered where he had been, just assuming he was doing director stuff. I agree that this fellow does just fine, but a farewell video would have been nice. I miss Mr. Fletcher too.

[@john_in_phoenix]

I would agree with this post!

[@chrisprice1089]

Hi, as the new director of the Tank museum I felt the fair observation needed a reply. I think Richard Smith would be the first to say that he led a team effort, and therefore would aim the credit for the initiative at the team. It is often an assumption that a CEO of an organisation makes decisions without many consultations, but I can assure you that’s not the case. This is not to decry Richards efforts, for he assured these initiatives could grow and mature. I am 4 months into my new role and still learning the organisation, which has been a steep learning curve. What I have found is a great team dedicated to engaging with our stakeholders both at the museum and on line. You have a personal assurance that this will continue with the resources needed to grow in quantity even above the very high standard it has now. Watch this space all things come in time. I therefore request your patience. Cheers Chris Price.

[@WeiSwan]

Very fascinating to see a reply here from Mr. Price himself. Even though there wasn't a farewell video per se, there was still a ceremony. In late '23, 16 staff members pulled (by rope) a Matilda II tank with Mr. Smith, OBE in the commander's seat. Afterwards, he presented the keys to the museum to Mr. Price. There is a full article about this ceremony on the Tank Museum's website, hopefully that can suffice in lieu of a farewell video.

[@Farweasel]

@@chrisprice1089 Fair enough Chris

[@VosperCDN]

Fighting against Tigers, on foot, carrying a 'borrowed' brolly .. can't get much more British than that.

[@csjrogerson2377]

The brolly was carried in the left hand, as per Army Uniform Regs, thus allowing the right hand to give and return salutes, but as saluting had been put into abeyance due to snipers identifying officers and shooting them, the right hand was available for other uses. This would normally be for carrying a Webley 38, but as that was useless against a Tiger 1, he would have carried a cup of tea. Cant fight a Tiger in the rain without a brolly and a cuppa.

[@Skorpychan]

I love how you've got photographs of the event you're on about. Really makes it feel like something that really happened, not just words from a screen.

[@scottwalker7269]

Brilliant video. My grandfather landed on the beaches of Normandy in duplex drive Sherman. Made it to just outside villers bocage when the tank took two hits from a German 88mm AA gun. He was the only crew member that survived. He was the driver and managed to escape through the door on the bottom of the tank.

[@john_in_phoenix]

Thank G_d for the "greatest generation" and their sacrifices.

[@anthonycdn2798]

Harris is.

[@michaelkenny8540]

The driver of the Sherman OP?

[@anthonycdn2798]

@@michaelkenny8540 nah firefly

[@HNH421]

same but D+6 In January 1941 the battalion became part of the 29th Armoured Brigade of the 11th Armoured Division, whose sign, a charging black bull on a yellow field, was in due course to become one of the most renowned in the British army. Armoured units in the brigade were the 2nd Fife and Forfar Yeomanry, the 23rd Hussars and the 24th Lancers (to be replaced in early 1944 by the 3rd Royal Tank Regiment). Also in January that year the battalion’s name was changed into 8th Battalion The Rifle Brigade or, to be precise, into ‘8th Battalion The Rifle Brigade (London Rifle Brigade)’. but it was a halftrack and he made it all the way to the end - but we do not forget those that did not

[@Womble-freestation66]

I really enjoyed this video. Perfectly delivered. It is so nice to hear the British side, a rare thing on the whole. It showed it wasn't that walk in the park victory for the Germans. There's some fluid adaption to changing situations by the British commander. Firing through the building is a stroke of genius. A nice balance of infantry and armour cooperation. Both sides left with very bloody noses. I wouldn't want to be in Cotton's boots if the Germans caught him wearing that Iron Cross.

[@Bullet-Tooth-Tony-]

Yeah it’s called objective history. No bias that just talks about Wittman and attempts to rewrite British counter attacks as if they didn’t occur.

[@piotrmalewski8178]

It actually looks like a Russian-type incompetence by Germans, to drive tanks into town without infantry clearing it first, but I'm not militaryman so I might be just ignorant.

[@plunder1956]

That was a stunning video on this crucial battle. The courage & smarts of the team Bill led, with his unbrella, was brilliant. What a cracking explanation of these events. Thank you.

[@colinmartin2921]

The bravery of these men is staggering.

[@filipbasara9017]

More than 25 years ago I’ve built a diorama inspired by photo of destroyed panzer IV and tiger 113. I did my teenage research what happened before the picture was taken, but I failed to figure it out. I could finally hear the whole story with all the details ❤ Thank you!

[@Spartan902]

You guys are the best! The way you use maps to explain the positions of each force is just brilliant. Plus the verbal explanation to go with it makes me feel like I am there. Thanks for your hard work in bringing us these posts. It might have technically been a victory for the Germans, but really a loss when you account for the amount of tanks lost.

[@Splodge542]

Superb. I really like the detail of the tactics and the actions fought. Doesn't sound like the Panzers were getting much support from their infantry. Very brave and daring conduct from our men.

[@norad_clips]

I like the “operations room” style of presenting the battle

[@Alex-cw3rz]

Loving these videos of real historical uses of tanks

[@rsfaeges5298]

Very interesting to learn about the other half of the story of Villers Bocage.

[@Lee.Enfield-303]

Bloody good to see some British action and well put together. You Tubers seem obsessed with German and American stories and footage, and although good, you can't beat seeing our lads, with their Cromwells, Enfields, Brens etc etc cheers 👍🏼

[@MilkCrateGarage]

Don't forget the PIAT! 😂

[@Bullet-Tooth-Tony-]

We need a video on Operation Bluecoat.

[@Bullet-Tooth-Tony-]

@@MilkCrateGarage And the Vickers machine guns lol

[@Lee.Enfield-303]

@@Bullet-Tooth-Tony- Love the Vickers ❤ I wasn't going to list everything, not even my beloved Churchy 😂

[@Lee.Enfield-303]

@@MilkCrateGarage It was included in my etc etc 😛

[@Hillbilly001]

Nasty business that. Cheers from Tennessee

[@Blackcloud_Garage]

I love these videos discussing the battles these men and machines fought. More please.

[@Bullet-Tooth-Tony-]

Finally a video that tells the whole story it gets old just listening to the biased version that focuses mainly on Wittmans actions and not what happened afterwords. There are two sides to every story as they say.

Yes a real fact based side and then the Allied version written by the winners. You just listened to the latter one…

[@Caratacus1]

This vid is a step up in quality for TTM - I like their older stuff but well done for this one.

[@rileyernst9086]

When you're expecting a clear run through to the flank of the American invasion forces. But you find the veteran Desert Rats miles in land, in your path and looking for a fight.

[@nickgardner1507]

Great Story and thanks for keeping this alive!

[@Gorbyrev]

Brilliantly told history. Thank you so much for this account and the way it explained those photographs in relation to the fighting that day.

[@nickstevens3139]

Great account. Only a British officer would use a brolly in the middle of a pitched battle.

[@samiam5557]

Excellent description of the action at that battle, looking forward to more of these battle videos! 👍

[@akula9713]

Good presentation.

[@roygardiner2229]

Wow! That was a stirring account. Well done, lads. Well done.

[@stephenbethell7548]

Excellent historical video- Thanks

[@Robsham1]

What's with these comments? How can people hear the words "a pyrrhic German victory" but then, somehow, in the dark recesses of their minds subconsciously translate that to "a British victory" and get all upset over it?

[@aaronleverton4221]

Because "my ego trumps all, I don't need to listen properly, I already know the truth!"

[@JohnyG29]

It's only to be expected after 80 years of "historians" readily swallowing all sorts of Nazi propaganda.

[@benjaminguilatcoiv]

Idk maybe bec many viewers are just fans of the German WW2 military..

[@michaelnaven213]

Excellent documentation of this battle.👍👏

[@1701enter]

That was a great story! More please (I hope one day you will include a story with the Argyles (my Dads regiment)

[@ianbell5611]

Yet another Great video. Thank You

[@billbarton9046]

Great informative video.👍

[@mchrome3366]

Great video. Thanks

[@jbjones1957]

Not a defeat but an operational failure as Operation Perch did not fulfil its objectives. 3 of the the British Commanders involved could later be sacked for incompetence (Hinde, Erskine and Buckhall) and the 7th Armoured Division reputation would be damaged. The Germans managed to hold the area until August but they performed poorly as well and missed an operational opportunity to drive the British back. Their propaganda was also more effective. It was a stalemate.

[@HaVoC117X]

Exactly, the plan was to capture Cean with in the first week after the landing. Because of the events at Villers-Bocage it took them two month and this lead straight to the next operational failure "operation good wood" with disporportional high tank losses for the Brits. Not only Bucknall, Erskine and Hinde were sacked and reasisnged, but 100 high ranking officers with them. Everyone back than accepted this as a failure, now they want us to believe it was a clear victory for the Brits? Come on. Wittmans tanks kills were just a cherry on top adding to this operational failure, which got used and processed in the German propaganda machine. Whats next Bovington tank Museum..... Operation Market Garden - Monthys biggest success?

[@Bullet-Tooth-Tony-]

@@HaVoC117X ""operation good wood" Goodwood was hardly a failure considering it took place BEYOND CAEN. Territory was gained and the German Panzers were demolished and it helped the US troops break out for Cobra.

[@tokinsloff312]

@@HaVoC117X At no point does the video claim this is a British victory of any sort, never mind a clear one. It quite clearly states that this was a German victory, albeit a Pyrrhic one. The only thing you can criticise is the title for claiming it wasn't a defeat.

[@TheTutch]

​​@@tokinsloff312that and for the "the real hero" thing implying other peoples deeds that day somehow weren't heroic. "Another hero" or just "a hero" might have been the better choice Also video titles and captions get changed all the time so this will probably no longer make any sense in 30 minutes

[@HaVoC117X]

@@Bullet-Tooth-Tony- Goodwood was planed and expected not only by the US officials as a breakthrough. Which Montgomery failed to provide. This is nothing more than a lame excuse, like Market Garden was nearly 90% successful. They attacked with more than 1100 tanks (a ratio of more than 1 to 4 in favor for the Brits) , fielded more guns and had total air superiority (dropped more than 6000 tons of bombs) and only gained a maximum of 10km. While the germans could hold most of their positions. It was not a shattering blow. But the massiv allied forces in action convinced even the last german optimist in high command, that the collapse of the frontling was inevitable.

[@russwoodward8251]

Very good. Thank you.

[@dude126]

Excellent video. I thought i knew but have been educated. Thank you!

[@zetectic7968]

Very good video with excellent maps to show the action.

[@muzzmac160]

Looked like Cotton had a Knights Cross as well at his Medal Presentation.

[@chuckh5999]

a cheeky lad wearing an enemies decoration. I like his smile too.

[@shoominati23]

@@chuckh5999 David Niven had his own Cheeky Iron Cross too. Apparently the German Commander ordered a whole bunch to be airdropped over the Bridgehead at Cherbourg so he could hand them out piecemeal to his Troops as some kind of Morale booster (I think communion wafers would have been a better gesture knowing how dire the Axis cause was by then) but the plane that dropped them didn't realise how far the Germans had been routed and the dropsite was now firmly in Allied hands . On that day Niven also bumped into John McClain - whom he had acted with in Hollywood before (now Lieut. US Navy) and just happened to be in the foxhole next to the one he took refuge in as he hurriedly left his Jeep right as the Germans opened up with everything they had on the Bridge Niven was just standing on . As the Shelling subsided, the American discovered the forlorn bag of Iron Crosses and gave himself and Niven an unauthorised 'Field Commendation'

[@chuckh5999]

@@shoominati23 I hope they were iron cross first class .

[@jamesburt3272]

Excellent

[@bigsarge2085]

Incredible!

[@Farweasel]

Good that - Really enjoyed the narrative style

[@ThroatSore]

Tense narration, good music and the graphics made the movements understandable. Very enjoyable 🙂

[@CabbageFace_]

Great video. Fascinating

[@pczTV]

What a fantastic video. All this information I did NOT know before. Thank you for sharing!

[@timf6916]

Nice Historical information

[@mabbrey]

great vid keep these coming

[@Ulani101]

This is a perfect example of why you never deploy tanks into a built-up area.

[@aaronleverton4221]

So, the Brits should have kept their tanks outside the town?

[@Bullet-Tooth-Tony-]

@@aaronleverton4221 Tanks are best used in open ground, towns offer too many choke points. Urban warfare is always costly.

[@aaronleverton4221]

@@Bullet-Tooth-Tony- Way to miss the point.

[@theomnissiah-9120]

Well not without infantry support

[@markthompson4096]

Where was the German infantry?

[@hermansherman378]

Thanks!

[@user-ur8mf4nu6f]

Wittmann got his hat handed to him by a British Firefly tank. Knowing both your equipment and the enemies equipment is crucial to winning. Wittmann got used to the Sherman tanks low caliber cannon. He should have known the longer barrel meant longer range and higher penetrating power.

[@pirated8557]

Really enjoyed this video! Excellent explanation. You should do more like this. Excellent presenter too 👍🏼

[@eric-wb7gj]

TY 🙏

[@GerardMenvussa]

As always the Germans were organized and well disciplined. They presented themselves through this bottleneck so that they could be shot one at a time. How nice of them :D

[@robbiemcc4355]

Amazing 👏

[@johnholt890]

Fascinating not quite the story portrayed i.e. Wittman and mass destruction of inferior incompetent British Armour.

[@fallschirmjager0000]

Yet he still destroyed alot of inferior british tanks and stopped the british advance behind Caen, and the Germans held the town at the end of the day. So......

[@user-ys3wf7bl4k]

​@fallschirmjager0000 The Germans lost no matter how you slice or dice it. Their aim was to drive the British back into the sea with their supposedly superior soldiers, tanks, tactics, leadership and what not, but they failed, and these losers eventually lost, Villers-Bocage, Normandy and the war. End of story!

Glad that you liked the made up story of heroic Brits better than the facts of a stunning German success. There are plenty of Hollywood movies for you to enjoy…😅

[@andrewflindall9048]

The 'ambush' is covered on their earlier video, not 'covered-up'.

[@nuancolar7304]

It was ironic that the Germans made sure they had superior tanks, and that helped them lose the war. The loss of a heavy Panzer was huge for the German side because of the cost and effort required to manufacture those tanks. Much more costly than when the Allies lost a tank. As one German famously was quoted as saying "we knocked out Allied tanks, one after another, until we ran out of ammunition...but the Allies never ran out of tanks."

[@jonroads8281]

Really excellent video, would like to see more in depth analyses of tenk engagements!

[@josephstabile9154]

The battle for this town's capture was costly for the Germans. Wittman's initial success, prior to Bayerleins follow-up, cannot be gain-sayed, and very arguably made possible taking the town. Much bravery, and loss of life, all-round.

[@changingform250]

I'd argue it almost cost the Germans the battle. His stupid one man show warned the British of the presence of the tiger company and led to the town being reinforced. Wittman turned a well planned suprise attack into a pyrrhic victory.

[@johnho7422]

This is why urban tank warfare requires infantry partnership Had the Germans done this they would likely have prevailed

[@frankvandergoes298]

@@changingform250 Panzer Lehr didn,t even know the British were there. They were exploiting a gap in the German line. This action led to the cancelation of Operation Perch which was supposed to outflank Panzer Lehr and capture Caen. Villers Bocage was supposed to be captured by D ay + 2 ie 8th of June but obviously things got held up. Very brave men on both sides.

[@TheTutch]

I have trouble explaining how and why the second tank in the column thought it was a good idea to cross the intersection, after watching the first one get killed AND after having failed to kill a british tank that drove out right in front of them. German crew training wasn't what it used to be but still...

[@Pusahispidasaimensis]

Maybe they were rushing in to save the crew of the panzer that got hit and was possibly burning. And maybe they didn't realize there were more tanks behind the corner.

[@ComUnSas]

Maybe they thought there were British forces heading towards their rear

[@andrewflindall9048]

For once, why can't they simply be incompetent, amateurish, stupid, arrogant, badly-led, poorly-trained, etc. like the British are supposed to be all the bloody time?

[@hummingbird9149]

Sending tanks into a town like that is always a bad idea, should've been left to the infantry.

[@SteamCrane]

The presenter did a good job, who is he? The graphics were great!

[@RoosterG33rs]

On par with documentaries I saw on the history channel in its golden age. Free un-interrupted on youtube.

[@DD-fj2ut]

Interesting. The village structure helped limit the effectiveness of the German tanks, especially the Tigers superior front armor.

[@joshuajgrillot]

You would think the Tigers would have infantry support to be its eyes ahead of them in the town. If they did Im sure they would have had better luck, instead on just driving by the British tanks without any knowledge of them being there. It amazes Me that they had no infantry support for the attack.

[@somersethuscarl2938]

As stated they did, as did the British. So infrantry surport on both sides that cancells each other out.

[@joshuajgrillot]

@@somersethuscarl2938 So where was the German infantry during this attack with the Tigers? I didn't hear any mention of German infantry during this part of the video.

[@photoisca7386]

Obviously you have fallen for the myth of German invincibility and infallability. Many German units were recovering from being battered in Russia and comprised raw replacements, others had grown fat and complacent with garrison duty in France.

[@somersethuscarl2938]

@@joshuajgrillot Really? You didn't? Blimey .... Okay then. Go back to the video and rewatch the bit of the the main attack into the town centre considering of Panzer 4s backed by 4 Tigers …. Remember that bit? Well doesn’t it say the tanks only advanced when the buildings either side had been cleared? …. Sooooooo who do you think cleared those buildings? The damn tank crews dismounting and going room to room then remounting the tanks to carry on? ….. Cor now would that have been s shooting gallery if they had done that. No it was done by infantry

[@michaelhowell2326]

​@@somersethuscarl2938you don't have to be so condescending, man. He just missed a bit. It's OK. Keep calm and just help my man out.

[@tobypoynder]

Such a shame Hollywood has to have silly stuff like Brad Pitt leading a charge of three Shermans in line abreast formation over flat territory towards a German Tiger. The real stories are much more interesting and exciting.

[@andrewflindall9048]

Even when bastardised into the finale of Saving Private Ryan!

[@andrewcollins7867]

Brilliantly put together video and absolutely fascinating to watch! Please can we have more of these types of video? Great stuff 👏

[@robinking6201]

I like the way he wears an iron cross

[@wolfganggugelweith8760]

Brave German soldiers!

[@Michael-CharlesAust-ee5oo]

I am finding books and verbal interviews of Getmans in WW2 but no British and American. Bets one were the memoirs of a German officer at an art gallery where Adolph was scheduled to visit. This man attached a bomb to his chest with a ten minute timer planning to hug der furuer at the moment the thing ignited. Entorage manager shortened the walk through and the man could not get near Adolph and forced to disable the device before the time limit was reached.

[@andrewflindall9048]

There are plenty of British memoirs and 'oral histories' - the 'Forgotten Voices...' series for starters.

[@GraemeS-pk9cz]

Interesting how this part of the battle has received so little attention. The story has invariably been ended with Wittman's escape,

[@peter9314]

A few errors have crept into this video. 7:35 The downed Tiger at the crossroads was Tiger 123, not 124. 13:30 Tiger 113 is wrong. It was Tiger 112. 14:30 The Tiger of the second company, facing east, was Tiger 212, but it was hit in its left flank, turret and hull, not in the rear.

Not only a few….

[@peter9314]

I know, but I wanted to be nice.

[@diskopartizan0850]

Three would be a few by most people's definition

[@FrancisFjordCupola]

"By borrowing an umbrella from a nearby shop..." makes me wonder if it ever was returned. As a shopkeeper I would have said "you keep it", but okay.

[@BTillman48]

Thoroughly enjoyed the video--after doing something else for the 3 1/2 minute ad to run its course. That seems distressingly unavoidable anymore. What happened to "Skip ads"? Maybe too many viewers were Skipping Ads...

[@JohnyG29]

Tip - keep reloading the page, after 2 or 3 times the ads stop appearing.

[@glitchvlogs6597]

were it not for the 'tiger ace' that attacked Villers-Bocage, the German attack would have been successful as the british were unprepared when Wittman attacked.

[@roygardiner2229]

Now that IS an interesting suggestion. I think you might well have made an excellent point there/

[@frankvandergoes298]

The Germans had absolutely no idea the British 7th Armoured division was even there. Without Wittmans intervention the 7th Armoured would have out flanked Panzer Lehr rolled up the German front from the rear and possibly captured Caen. The prompt action by a small group of individuals averted a disaster and alerted higher authority to a potential disaster.

[@andrewflindall9048]

Wittmann caught the 4CLY group while they were preparing. A later attack would have found them prepared - not pulled-over to let the anti-tank guns through. Their job was to poke the hornets' nest. They knew an attack would come from somewhere, and they knew it would distract the Germans from their own plans.

[@brennanleadbetter9708]

I can smell the tears of the wehraboos.

[@TheMeritCoba]

I am confused by this battle. There is no mention of German infantry accompanying the tanks involved in this fight. Given how it unfolded, there seemed to have been none, as infantry sent to screen the German tanks would have spotted the British tanks in the sidestreet unless they were fighting the British infantry at the moment. I am also confused about the German tank behavior. They press forward across a junction that exposes their flank to potential enemy fire without securing the area first. Then the last tiger makes a 180 degree to expose its rear to the enemy? It could be that the Germans were under the impression that they had their enemies on the run and just threw in the tanks without infantry support because they assumed the enemy needed a final push to make them retreat.

[@bushokjew00t]

im always amazed that the ´tactics´ of the germans are so poor.. they have superior equipment, training and troops but yet use them so poorly.. every soldier in this documentary is brave.. war is hell

[@andrewflindall9048]

Or maybe their tactics, training, troops and equipment weren't as superior as some like to believe...

[@Detvanliga]

Why did they drive those tanks into the town? Worst place ever for tanks.. .

[@ryanc3264]

It’s the land of Britannica sire sir

[@parhamghm]

Hi 👋🏼

[@thetankmuseum]

Hey Tank Nuts - we hope you enjoyed our latest video. Do you agree that Bill Cotton and his troop were the real heroes of Villers-Bocage? Let us know below

[@zaynevanday142]

No 😂

[@sunil_de6856]

Why does Lt. Leslie "Bill" Cotton have an Iron cross first class?

[@guaporeturns9472]

Not really.

[@ptonpc]

Yes.

[@ptonpc]

@@sunil_de6856 Most likely picked it up from a nazi who didn't need it anymore.

[@christopherchilders1049]

You guys do such a great job of teaching these battles really took place

[@ToddSauve]

What a terrible story to have to retell for posterity if you were a participant! I think I would just choke up and clam up if it was me, just as I have seen many WW2 vets do when trying to tell others of what they and their fellow soldiers did and why they are still alive. I've seen more than one just shake their heads, stare off in the distance and state plainly that they don't know how they survived. 🤷‍♂

[@comentedonakeyboard]

7:59 one could also say: surprise was no longer on the side of the Germans

[@brianodoherty4773]

always like and subscribe. tank you as ever

[@davidwoods7408]

3:51 Is that an Iron Cross on Cotton's jacket?

[@nigelbostock4270]

Looks like a pretty good bit of swagger I think

[@AdrianSilea]

This presenter is not as clear-spoken (or engaging) as the others we've seen on The Tank Museum's videos. I found myself having to rewind the video on several occasions because I had misheard some name or designation I'm unfamiliar with. The auto-subtitling feature seemed equally confused. Nevertheless, good material! I wish them good luck and hope to see more interesting stuff in the future.

[@KMac329]

Wow. This is a great, blow-by-blow description of an important battle. I hope Captain Cotton gave the "borrowed" umbrella back.

[@californiadreamin8423]

The Diary of Jake Wardrop details events the following day. I recall reading he was incensed that they had to withdraw as he felt they had the upper hand. I recall reading elsewhere that they were withdrawn because ultra decrypts revealed the opposition they were facing.

[@michaelkenny8540]

Monty did not expect 2nd Pz to arrive this quickly. Once he realised he did not know as much as he thought he decided to pull back and forgo the risks. It is considered that if the full 7th AD had been used offensively then they could have at the very least kept the area if not advance further. Monty being Monty decided not to chance it.

[@californiadreamin8423]

@@michaelkenny8540 Monty being Monty saw no point in squandering the lives of his troops. If my memory serves me correctly, Dempsey and Montgomery sang from the same hymn sheet on this one.

[@Bullet-Tooth-Tony-]

@@californiadreamin8423 He did the same during Operation Epsom, after the 11th armoured division drove the Germans off and captured Hill 112, he found out a counter attack was coming and pulled that unit back.

[@MagiciansApprentice1]

why has Hollywood ignored this story ?

[@ErwinPommel]

Because there aren't any Americans in it.

[@JohnyG29]

No GIs involved, and Hollywood doesn't like to portray anything British in a positive light.

[@soultraveller5027]

Because americans have been brainwashed into believing america won world war two, on their own ,with just minor support from britain/canada and russia , american propaganda along with hollywood historical facts , told them so

[@Bullet-Tooth-Tony-]

@@JohnyG29 A bit childish really considering they fought side by side.

Exactly! Hollywood never lets a nice fantasy story about Allied heroes and inferior Germans go to waste no matter how much they have to spin the story 😅

[@Andy-co6pn]

Just goes to show that its much riskier to mount an offensive manoeuvre than a defensive one. The Germans from DDay inwards were mainly on the defensive , but when they counter attacked were just as vulnerable as the allies despite having what most people view as superior equipment.

[@gleggett3817]

The Allied strategy in Normandy was to provoke German attacks and so remove their advantage. It was known that the German reaction to an attack was to quickly reform and then make a counter-attack to retake ground before the Allies could consolidate their position. So Allied attacks were planned to use that against them. A limited attack would be put in, the Germans would be dislocated but rally and make their counter-attack but the Allies had their more numerous artillery aimed on the ground the Germans were crossing. While effective, the attacks were costly in Allied infantry casualties - supposedly comparable to WWI (Source; James Holland)

[@charlyspor7594]

What do you mean by superior equipment?

[@crumpetcommandos779]

​@@charlyspor7594 tiger and panther tanks ect

[@charlyspor7594]

@@crumpetcommandos779 the panther was a disaster. By some estimates, more may have been lost to mechanical break downs than to enemy fire. And while yes the tiger was a good tank, if it had the proper maintenance. There wasn't anything particularly advanced about it. A Sherman. Singular could destroy a tiger if it fired at it. Even frontally.

[@crumpetcommandos779]

@@charlyspor7594 dw man i never said it was any good and neither did the original commenter

[@tomw377]

Very heavy losses for the German armor just to take what was probably a relatively minor village in the grand scheme of things.

[@billballbuster7186]

This is the largely untold story of the fight back at Villers Bocage, most historians put the German losses at 6 x Tigers, those alone costing more to build than all the British losses that day put together. The Germans also lost 7-8 x Panzer IV during the battle, however it is always difficult to get accurate figures of German losses because of poor or none existent records. Not to mention tampering with losses for propaganda purposes, the Germans faked many pictures to give the impression of a much larger victory than it actually was, with Wittmann taking all the credit.

[@brennanleadbetter9708]

The Germans reeeaally loved their propaganda.

[@frankvandergoes298]

Always difficult to get accurate records of German losses??? The Germans kept very accurate records. Unit history of 101 SS heavy tank battalion says they lost 6 Tigers, two were recovered and repaired. 5RTR was also involved in the afternoon attack losing 6 Cromwells with another 4 abandoned intact by there crews.. Sargent Jack Wardrop with a Firefly fired 4 shots at a Tiger from 250 yards to no effect. Unit histories of Allied tank units virtually never record tank losses or personell. The British can,t even tell you how many Sherman Fireflies were made.

[@billballbuster7186]

@@frankvandergoes298 I was talking about credible information, not the propaganda figures released by the NAZI media. The 5th RTR are not mentioned in what is regarded as the battle of Villers Bocage and their tanks are not included in the totals. Likewise German losses are restricted to those tanks destroyed in the village. Again you talk rubbish when you claim allied losses were never reported. British losses were reported every day in unit End of Day reports. However these reports count ALL tanks missing from their units, which causes confusion. Take Goodwood, German propaganda claims were 500+ tanks destroyed. While 352 tanks were listed in EoD reports. However only 131 tanks were recorded as destroyed in follow-on reports, the other 221 were damaged, out of gas, lost or broken down. These were mostly back in service within days. The detailed info is there, you just have to look for it. Instead people use EoD losses as destroyed, when most are not.

[@michaelkenny8540]

@@frankvandergoes298 5RTR report only 4 Cromwells lost at Amaye

[@geoffthecarpenter]

Taking a war machine that's designed to engage at 1000m into a town is absurd, im sure there was a court-martial involved

[@whya2ndaccount]

Is there a reason why you are showing what I'm pretty sure is Otto Carius's face when talking about Michael Wittmann?

[@wulfheort8021]

Has it ever crossed your mind you might be mistaken? At the beginning they show Wittmann, not Carius.

[@whya2ndaccount]

@@wulfheort8021 Yes, hence why I used the term "what I'm pretty sure is" as opposed to "is". English is a descriptive language.

[@wulfheort8021]

@@whya2ndaccount "Is there are reason", you are not the one to tell others what the English language is like.

[@whya2ndaccount]

@@wulfheort8021 Fixed.

[@dsc4178]

I knew a Firefly had to be involved.

[@birdandthe]

Don't move tanks into narrow streets with enemy infantry and tanks waiting.

[@alfredopotatogaming7033]

This video really shows how the Germans never could have won WW2. They might as well have been using StuG 3's and turned out the same results. A heavy tank like a tiger should never be used in an urban assault with crossing intersections. They would have done well to have a foot troop peak around the corners first.

[@alericc1889]

Inexperienced crews on the German Tigers shows in the fighting in the town....

[@andrewflindall9048]

They don't have that excuse. Most of them had considerable service on the Eastern Front

[@petercliff4023]

I'm almost sure that the jacket Bill Cotton was pictured wearing, is actually Wittmann's personal jacket. He is pictured wearing this brown jacket complete with Knights cross. I do believe it is a Italian air force flying jacket? Where is this jacket now?..

[@roygardiner2229]

Now that IS interesting. I had noticed the medal on Cotton's jacket was most definitely Teutonic in appearance. How did he acquire it? Perhaps Wittmann left it in his disabled tank.

[@michaelkenny8540]

The Unit had a lot of these jackets. It would be impossible to say with any certainty where Cotton got the jacket

[@petercliff4023]

@@michaelkenny8540 study the pictures of Wittmann wearing this jacket. Research has shown it is from Italian stocks, I've never seen other tank commanders wearing this style of jacket. But, unless some one who knew Cotton, (family?) , then we will never know.

[@michaelkenny8540]

@@petercliff4023 Lots of those jackets were 'liberated' when the Unit was in Italy and thus it is not possible to say the jacket warn by Cotton is Wittmann's. Some personal items taken from the wrecked Tigers (including a medal) was traced and given back to surviving relatives quite recently.

[@JovianLoop]

Poor old Villers-Bocage was carpet-bombed soon afterwards.

Well that’s the real story of “Allied heroes” and what the Allied success was actually based on in this war …

[@andrewflindall9048]

The Germans managed to kill far greater numbers of civilians and still lost the war, so I'm not seeing the logic of your argument