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#1
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Wittmann v Ekins: Death of a Panzer Ace.
Great documentary on the Discovery channel last night about the question of who killed the "Black Baron". A Canadian Historian basically proved that it was most likley to be the Canadian Sherbrooke Fusileers Sherman (6 pounder) on a side shot from 150 yards...... rather than the 800 yard shot from Ekins Northants Yeomanry Sherman Firefly (17 pounder). Ekins did knock out "three Tigers" with "three shots" at an average of 750 yards (good shooting) ..... but Wittmans Tiger was the fourth and furthest from the other three.
Joe Ekins (NY) http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worl...ack-Baron.html The kill shot from the Sherbrooke Fusileers Sherman was on the left rear air intake....... that ignited fuel and then the ammunition that made the Tiger brew up and blow its top. A lucky shot because technically the small round was not capable of penetrating the Tigers armour. There was at least one Troop of Sherbrooke Fusileer Shermans taking shots at Wittmans Tiger from the cover of a walled orchard....... not effective until the Tiger drove past them and exposed its vulnerable areas. There were no kill shots on the right side of the Tiger, that would have been from the Northants Yeo. Another interesting fact was "Typhoon" rockets were also found around the wreckage of Tiger "007"...... but nothing to indicate a direct hit.
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Cofion gorau Gruffydd M-J www.paoyeomanry.org.uk "A Yeoman from the Stalwart Rural Cavalry" Lechyd da pob Cymro Last edited by GriffMJ; 05-05-12 at 10:35 AM. |
#2
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On the subject of 'Brewing up' I recall a documentary showing a Russian Tank brewing up in Afghanistan. Must have had the turret hatch open and there was just this large vertical intense flame coming out the top like a giant bunsen burner. Nasty business. Thought it would be on YouTube.
closest is this, at least it would be all over quickly: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ARjuTKdiIk |
#3
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Jeeeeeebus! thats a sobering image......
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Cofion gorau Gruffydd M-J www.paoyeomanry.org.uk "A Yeoman from the Stalwart Rural Cavalry" Lechyd da pob Cymro |
#4
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Certainly is! I would rather be in the open any day.
The comments of petrol powered Sherman crews spring to mind, reference just a few seconds to get out once hit. |
#5
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I would still be in the vehicle Armour in open country is vulnerable unless in number. Use the terrain for cover and recognise killing fields when you see them TBH anything in that Tank would be dead or very unconcious after the round hit....... and instantly KFC'd moments later
The Sherman & Cromwell were totally out gunned by the Tiger until the Sherman Firefly arrived..... only then did the Allies really stand a chance against the beast .....and even then there was "one" Firefly per Troop ....even less in some cases. Imagine knowing that you didnt stand a chance and still having to fight in the hope that you got lucky....... thats courage!
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Cofion gorau Gruffydd M-J www.paoyeomanry.org.uk "A Yeoman from the Stalwart Rural Cavalry" Lechyd da pob Cymro |
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