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Michael
Wittmann (April 22, 1914 - August 8, 1944) was a German SS-Hauptsturmführer
(SS-Captain) during World War II, and the most successful tank commander
in history. He is famous for his June 13, 1944, ambush of elements of
the British 7th Armoured Division at the Battle of Villers-Bocage in a
Tiger tank. Wittman's crews (chiefly gunner Balthasar "Bobby"
Woll, also a Knight's Cross holder) are known to have destroyed at least
138 tanks and 141 artillery pieces, along with an unknown number of
other armoured vehicles.
A month after Michael Wittman's famous battle at Villers- Bocage, Wittman was given a new Tiger I, Number 007. In August of 1944, Wittman was transferred to the Cintheaux area. At that time, the Germans tried to recapture Caen, which was completely destroyed by ongoing fighting. On August 8th of 1944, a new battle began near Cintheaux. It was to be Wittman's final battle. At 12:55am in a field near the road to Caen-Cintheaux, at Gaumesnil, Wittman's Tiger 007 was destroyed and its entire crew killed. After the fighting the remains of Wittman and his crew were buried beside what was left of their Tiger, without any grave markings. The most successful tank commander in history and Panzer Ace Michael Wittman, had fought his final battle. The Tiger I Number 007, Michael Wittman and four crew members have been recreated in 1:16th Scale by Forces of Valor. The Tiger is recreated in die cast and plastic and the Wittman figure and the four crew are unique figures designed especially for this offering. This Tiger I is identical to the recently retired Wittman Tiger I for Villers Bocage with new camouflage paint and the tank numbers 007. Also includes a New Michael Wittman Figure with four additional crew figures. Forces of Valor is limiting the production of this unique tank and crew to 1800 pieces worldwide with only 350 pieces available for North America. Please note: Due to Postal size regulations, we cannot
ship this item outside of USA.
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