Haupsturmfurer Michael Wittman

[harry palmer]

Does anyone have any details of Hauptsturmfuhrer Michael Wittman’s funeral in 1983? Were military honours rendered and by whom?

[Birgitte Heuschkel]

Wasn't 1983 a little... late? Or am I confusing this Wittman with another who died in '44?

[harry palmer]

That IS the Michael Wittman who died in 1944- the legendary tank ace died with his crew after their Tiger was destroyed by Allied action. Like von Richtofen in WWI, many claimed credit for the kill, but the greatest likelihood is that he was killed by an airstrike. His remains weren’t recovered and identified until long after the war, hence his late burial.

[sylvieK4]

This site has some details about how Wittmann was found. Not much on the funeral, but it does have a picture - apparently of his grave.



http://users.pandora.be/dave.depickere/ Text/wittman.html

[sylvieK4]

Skalman site has one too.....

[harry palmer]

I’ve heard since that Wittmann’s remains were buried together with those of his last Tiger crew; it was apparently impossible to separate them.

[harry palmer]

I’ve heard since that Wittmann’s remains were buried together with those of his last Tiger crew; it was apparently impossible to separate them.

[sylvieK4]

I've heard since that Wittmann's remains were buried together with those of his last Tiger crew; it was apparently impossible to separate them.

Well, apparently enough of him was found. Wittmann himself was reportedly identified through dental records.

[Polynike]

according to eric lefevre panzers in normandy then and now, wittmann's remains were discovered in march 1983 and along with his the only identifiable remains were those of his crewmen rudolf hirschel and heinrich reimers.