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?

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

[michaelhowell]

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.

[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.

[exharkhun]

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.

[scottwalker]

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.

[plunder]

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.

[filipbasara]

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!

[TheDataman]

My Grandfather was a stuart driver in recce squadron of the 4thCLY. I have his entire war diary collection and have recently had them written up for the regimental museum. Very proud of you Grandad Clive!

[Spartan]

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.

[williamkoppos]

Very well done chappies. The map outs really explain things. Nasty battle that.

[Womble-freestation]

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.

[VosperCDN]

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

[rsfaeges]

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

[Splodge]

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.

[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

[Blackcloud_Garage]

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

[colinmartin]

The bravery of these men is staggering.

[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.

[Alex-cwrz]

Loving these videos of real historical uses of tanks

[Caratacus]

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

[Lee.Enfield-]

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 👍🏼