The Death of Whittmann

The Canadian-British Operation "TOTALIZE" Began on 8 Aug 44 with the objective to break through to Falaise along both sides of the Route Nationale 158.

The attack by the 4th Canadian Armoured Division and the 1st Polish Armoured Division  was set for 1355 hrs.

Only the worn-out units of the 12th SS Panzerdivision which were not in action at other hotspots were thrown at the enemy.These were on 8 Aug, one Panzerabteilung with thiry-nine Panzer Ivs,  one company of the Schwere (heavy) SS-Panzerabteilung 101 with ten Tigers (Whittmann) and an anti-tank company. In addition there was one battalion of Panzergrenadiers (Kampgruppe Waldmuller) and the escort companies of the division and the corps. Before dawn, the divisional commander of the 12. SS Panzerdivion. Oberfuhrer Kurt Meyer, drove to the front line with a few messengers to determine the situation on the spot.

Panzermeyer reports:

"I meet with Waldmuller north of Bretteville-le-Rabet and both of us drive to Cintheaux to determine what the present situation there is. The Tigers of Whittmann are standing ready east of Cintheaux behind a hedge, they have, so far, not entered into the firefight. Cintheaux lies under artillery fire while the open terrain is faily free of shelling. From the northern edge of town we spot heavy tank columns north of the road to Brettville. The tanks have assembled in groups. The same picture can be seen south of Carcelles and at the edge of the woods southeast of town. The sight of these masses of tanks takes our breath away. We cannot understand the behavior of the Canadians. Why does this overwhelming tank force not continue its attack? Waldmuller and I realize that we must not let these tank groups assault us. The enemy tanks must not be allowed to lead anymore attacks. On either side of the road an enemy tank division is ready for the attack. During the last breifing with Waldmuller and Whittmann we observe a single bomber flying repeatedly over the terrain dropping marker flares. The bomber seems to be a flying command post and I order an immediate attack to bring the troops out of the target area of the bombs."
"Once more I shake Michael Whittmann's hand and refer to the extremely critical situation. Our good Michael laughs his boyish laughter and climbs into his Tiger. So far one-hundred and thirty-eight enemy tanks in the east and west have fallen victim to him. Will he be able to incease this number of successes or become a victim himself? Without hesitation, the Panzers are now rolling north."
"They cross open terrain at high speed and make use of small dips in the land for their firefights. The Panzer attack pulls the grenadiers ahead. In a widely dispersed line they are moving towards the target of the attack: the wood southeast of Carcelles with its assembled tanks. I am standing at the northern edge of Cintheaux while enemy artillery aims destructive fire at the attacking Panzers. The Tiger of Michael Whittmann races into the enemy fire. I know his tactics during such situations, it is called: Straight ahead! Never stop! Get through and gain an open field of fire! All Panzers are hurdling into the steely inferno. They have to prevent the enemy attack, they have to destroy their schedual. Waldmuller and his grenadiers are right behind. The brave infantrymen follow their officers. An endless chain of bombers is approaching from the northwest, town afer town is being wiped out.There is only one answer: get out into the open fields. We can observe that the Canadians,too, are being dumped on by the American bomber fleet. The last waves of the six_hunrded and seventy_eight  four-engined which had started out fly over the determinedly attacking Kampgruppe Waldmuller without dropping a single bomb on the Panzers. The bombers are dropping on the targets as ordered, without taking notice of the changed situation. Kampgruppe Waldmuller approaches the wooded area and has already entered combat with Polish infantry. The grim duel of Panzer against tank is being conducted by the fighting vehicles of the 4th Canadian armored Division and the Tigers of Michael Whittmann. At times, the Tigers are almost impossible to make out. Well directed artillery hammers the Tigers and Panzer IVs. The Town of Cintheaux lies under direct fire of the Canadian tanks. Activity by some tanks of the Whittmann group from the flank keeps the Sherman tanks away from Cintheaux. We are unbelievably lucky, the other side is not carrying out a concentrated attack. The escort company of the division reports being west of St. Sylvain. It is in combat with the spearhead of the 1st Polish Armored  Division and has knoked out a number of tanks. The Poles no longer dare leave the woods of Grasmesnil. The fighting has now been going on for hours. The wounded are assembled south of Cintheaux, and are being moved under enemy fire."


The actions of Whittmann's Tigers stalled the Canadian attack and bought time for the German forces reteating towards Falaise. Michael Whittmann and all his crew were killed during the attack east of Gaumesnil. Many claimed the kill, from Canadian Fireflys and 15cm guns to Typhoon fighter-bombers. We may never know exactly how he was finally knocked out although much evidence points to rocket attack.




      
