Wittmann attack August 8th 1944
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Wittmann attack August 8th 1944
This is a nice oblique air view taken on July 26th 1944 that shows just how exposed the Tiger's were and how foolish it was to advance into that area.
You are looking towards Falaise down the road from Caen. South at the top, North at the bottom.
Positions given are approximate but matching the air view positions of the Tiger wrecks.
the diagonal wobbly line l-r in the top third is a defect on the original print
Edited because I mixed up Cramesnil with St Aignan de Cramesnil. Air views above re-done correctly.
You are looking towards Falaise down the road from Caen. South at the top, North at the bottom.
Positions given are approximate but matching the air view positions of the Tiger wrecks.
the diagonal wobbly line l-r in the top third is a defect on the original print
Edited because I mixed up Cramesnil with St Aignan de Cramesnil. Air views above re-done correctly.
Last edited by Michael Kenny on 27 May 2020, 03:42, edited 8 times in total.
Re: Wittmann attack August 8th 1944
There is a strip wood aligned 8-2 O'Clock Centre right of the image. Unless the ground changed a lot that is where Ken Tout took my party in 2009. He said that the Firefly was pushed into the wood and the rest of the M4s were a little bit further back. He positioned the red arrows closer to the road all passing between the strip wood and the road,
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Re: Wittmann attack August 8th 1944
Errors in my original post corrected. All new air views posted.
Re: Wittmann attack August 8th 1944
If the wreck locations are correct does that not call into question the claim made in 'No holding back' of the Sherbrooke Fusilier Regiment engaging the Tigers from within Gaumesnil?
The top photo shows the wrecks to have advanced beyond Gaumesnil.
The top photo shows the wrecks to have advanced beyond Gaumesnil.
The gods do not deduct from a man's allotted span the hours spent in fishing.
~Babylonian Proverb
~Babylonian Proverb
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Re: Wittmann attack August 8th 1944
That's just me mixing it all up again. Anyone who tries to work out locations in unmarked air views will know my pain but I mislocated la Jalousie in the 'Tiger' view and it is correct in the 2 wide views at the end of the OP. Simply put in the first pic it should be Gaumesnil at the right.
South at the top in this July 26th view of the area.
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The view below has North to the top and you can see USAAF bombers at work on August 8th above the Tigers.
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Re: Wittmann attack August 8th 1944
Both views have south at the top for a direct comparison
Re: Wittmann attack August 8th 1944
Yes, that looks much better and reconciles with the map in Reid's book.
BTW, I can't help but notice the profusion of shell craters in the fields around Cramesnil and reaching almost to Cintheaux.
Did the barrage for Op Spring reach down that far?
BTW, I can't help but notice the profusion of shell craters in the fields around Cramesnil and reaching almost to Cintheaux.
Did the barrage for Op Spring reach down that far?
The gods do not deduct from a man's allotted span the hours spent in fishing.
~Babylonian Proverb
~Babylonian Proverb
Re: Wittmann attack August 8th 1944
wow, very cool Michael! thanks for these!
you said those are aerials, with the planes, taken on the 8th as well? if so that is amazing
and you circled the wrecks so taken that day but after MW was knocked out? wow!
you said those are aerials, with the planes, taken on the 8th as well? if so that is amazing
and you circled the wrecks so taken that day but after MW was knocked out? wow!
Re: Wittmann attack August 8th 1944
I am also wondering if you haven't found my starting off point as well, in the picture with the red N, there is a small woods lot by the road. in direct line of where the tigers went. that sort of matches how the tigers were started from a small wooded area that morning
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Re: Wittmann attack August 8th 1944
A few months back I decided to stop posting original materiel on AHF so I will not be adding a clear view of the area. Message me if you want any sent to you.
Re: Wittmann attack August 8th 1944
sent you a message Michael