Wittmann joined the Schutzstaffel (SS) in October 1936 and was assigned to the regiment, later division, Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler (LSSAH) on 5 April 1937. He enlisted in the German Army ( Heer) in 1934 after the Nazi seizure of power. Michael Wittmann was born in the village of Vogelthal, near Dietfurt in Bavaria's Upper Palatinate, on 22 April 1914. Some praised his actions at Villers-Bocage, while many others found his abilities lacking, and the praise for his tank kills overstated. Historians have mixed opinions about his tactical performance in battle. Wittmann became a cult figure after the war thanks to his accomplishments as a " panzer ace" (a highly decorated tank commander), part of the portrayal of the Waffen-SS in popular culture. The news was disseminated by Nazi propaganda and added to Wittmann's reputation. While in command of a Tiger I tank, Wittmann was claimed to have destroyed up to 14 tanks, 15 personnel carriers and two anti-tank guns within 15 minutes for the loss of his own tank. He is known for his ambush of elements of the British 7th Armored Division during the Battle of Villers-Bocage on 13 June 1944. Michael Wittmann (22 April 1914 – 8 August 1944) was a German Waffen-SS tank commander during the Second World War. Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords
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