About the Line Can.Do 1/144 and 1/35 Pocket Army (by Dragon Models)
This line includes extremely detailed static military miniatures in both 1/35 and 1/144 scale. These items are sold pre-painted, pre-assembled and ready to go right out of the box. They include realistic camouflage patterns and weathering! Titles include tanks, aircraft, ships and figures.
MAIN FEATURES:
- Collectible miniatures
- Stunning detail on your fingertip
- Accurate camouflage patterns
- Realistic weathering
- Historically accurate
- Static preassembled models
- Limited release
About the Series
CANoDO tm POCKET ARMY
1:35 Combat Figures Series 5
TIGER ACES
Normandy 1944
This series consist of five figures: Hans, Woll, Karlheinz, Wittmann, Georg and one Special – Hans (approximately 4% from the total quantity).
As a collector of die cast models whose experience in assembly and painting of 1/35 scale figures very limited, I just love them!
Displays great, simply irresistible next to 1/35 scale die cast tanks by Minichamps!
Relatively inexpensive, plus no glue, paint nor mistakes; worry free will never fall apart as those that you glued together.
Some Information About Wittmann’s Combat Experiences
He started the war as a commander of Sd.Kfz.232 (a six-wheeled heavy armored car) in September of 1939 during the war with Poland. Since February 1940 he is a commander of Sturmgeschutz Ausf A (selfpropelled gun or assault gun). In late 1940, Michael Wittmann started his panzer combat career in the Balkans - Yugoslavia and Greece where he became a platoon commander. On June 11th his unit was transferred on east were on June 22nd the operation “Barbarossa” had began – it was the war against Soviet Union.
On July 12th of 1941, he received an Iron Cross (Second Class); soon after he was wounded in combat, but remained with his unit and received the Wound Badge. On September 8th of 1941, he received Iron Cross (First Class), and after fighting in the Rostov area, Wittmann received the Panzer Assault Badge (for destroying six Soviet tanks in single engagement) and was promoted. Because of his outstanding service Wittmann was accepted as a cadet for the officer training. He started it in June of 1942 and three month later, Wittmann left school as a Panzer instructor. In December of 1942, he was promoted and put in the command of Panzer III Ausf L/M platoon of a Tiger company. The platoon was designated to protect the back line of the Tigers from enemy infantry and other obstacles. In the early spring of 1943, Michael Wittmann become a Tiger tank commander.
On July 5, 1943, Wittmann started his combat career on Tiger during the Operation Citadel (Zitadelle) also known as the battle of Kursk. His unit was located in the southern sector of the bulge. On the first day of action, Wittmann destroyed two anti-tanks guns and thirteen T-34s while saving a tank platoon which run into trouble. On July 7th and 8th, Wittmann destroyed two T-34/76s (medium tank with 76mm gun), two SU-122s (122mm selfpropelled gun) and three T-60/70s (light tanks). On July 12th, Wittmann destroyed eight Soviet tanks, three anti-tank guns and one gun battery. German started to retreat on July 17, 1943. During the battle Wittmann's Tiger destroyed 30 Soviet tanks along with 28 guns.
During this operation Germans for first time used massive groups of Tiger tanks, famous Ferdinand (Elephant / Tiger P) heavy assault gun / tank destroyer, which had 200mm (almost 8” front armour!) and armed with 8.8cm 71 caliber long barrel gun and their new Panther D tank.
During the Battle of Kursk the largest tank battle in the history of warfare had place. Despite individual success of numerous Tiger and Ferdinand crews German were defeated and sustained irreplaceable lost in tanks including their precious Tigers and Ferdinands. It also important to mentioned that though a good tank T-34 was a medium tank that had much lighter arm and armour compare to Tiger tank. Flat open fields of Russia allowed Tiger crews to engage and knock out Russian tanks at the distance that provided full safety for heavy German tanks. That’s why many experts agree that Eastern front was an ideal for use of heavy tanks and their effectiveness was significantly reduced while Germans used them on Western Front.
In August of 1943 his unit was transferred to Italy, for refitting and occupational duties. In October of 1943, after the start of Soviet Autumn Offensive it was transferred back to the Eastern Front Kiev (the capitol of Ukraine) area where Russian broke German defense line along Dnepr river that was advertised by Germans as invulnerable. On October 13th, Wittmann's Tiger destroyed twenty T-34s along with twenty three infantry and anti-tank guns. In December, Wittmann took part in numerous engagements and destroyed numbers of Soviet tanks and guns. In January 1944 he was promoted once more and became 380th German soldier who received the Oakleaves to the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. He received it in February from Hitler.
During the period from February 29th to March 2th of 1944, the larger part of the company was transferred to Mons in Belgium. At the time of the transfer, Wittmann received the command of a Company. After leaving Eastern Front, Michael Wittmann stated that Soviet anti-tank guns were harder and were more prized targets than tanks.
On March 1st, Michael Wittmann married Hildegard Burmester and his marriage witness was his gunner - Bobby Woll. At that time, Wittmann became a national hero and was seen everywhere. The propaganda made him into a hero of the entire German nation.
In May of 1944, Wittmann re-joined his unit, which was stationed in Normandy, France and was a part of panzer reserve. From 6th to 12th June, it was moved to the invasion front in Normandy. On their way, Wittmann's 2nd Company was reduced to six Tiger by Allied air attacks. On June 13th, Wittmann's company destroyed entire 4th County of London Yeomanry Regiment, which was traveling on the road No.175 to Villers-Bocage village. Fighting did not finish on the road; it was continued in the village where both Germans and British lost some tanks, including Wittmann’s Tiger. Description of this operation could be found in many World War II history books. Wittmann was awarded the Swords for his Knight Cross with Oak Leafs that he received on the ceremony on June 25, 1944. Adolf Hitler in person decorated Wittmann who then became the most decorated tanker ace of World War II; he also was promoted to a rank of SS-Haupsturmfuhrer. Wittmann was offered a position of an instructor at a training school but he refused it and returned to Normandy on July 6th. He participated in the Battle of Caen (3rd to 10th of July). In the beginning of August his unit was transferred to Cintheaux area. On August 8th of 1944, a new battle began near Cintheaux. It was Wittmann's final battle. Wittmann's Tiger was destroyed and its entire crew killed. The remains of Wittmann and his crew were buried beside what was left of their Tiger, without any markings.
Destruction of Wittmann’s Tiger became a mystery. Many sources say that it was destroyed by the "Firefly Ambush", but different units claimed to ambush and destroy Wittmann's Tiger, including those of the either 1st Polish Armored Division, 4th Canadian Armored Division and 33rd British Independent Armored Brigade. The victory was even claimed by some units that even were not present in the area at the time. Official German version at the time was that an airplane bomb had destroyed the tank. Former members of the unit presented photo of a destroyed tiger, it was concluded that a bomb destroyed the tank. However, it is also had been discovered that the tank presented on the picture was belong to another crew and was destroyed in a different location
Both versions could be wrong. In 1945, Mr. Serge Varin discovered Tiger #007; he was interested in this tank because its turret was blown away from the hull. Mr. Varin examined the tank that appears to be Wittmann's Tiger and noticed that the tank had no shell penetration holes. The only hole (a big one) was found in the rear, near the engine deck. Most likely it was from HE rocket, which hit Tiger's rear deck (made of 25mm armor), penetrated the air intakes and exploded causing the explosion in the engine and fighting compartments that ignited the stored ammunition. The second explosion instantly killed the entire crew and blew off the turret into the air.
Royal Air Force Hawker "Typhoon" MkIB - attack aircrafts were armed with such rockets. According to records on August 8, 1944 Typhoons destroyed 135 German tanks and among those probably was Wittmann’s Tiger #007.
In March of 1983, the unmarked field grave was discovered during the road construction and was excavated. It was possible to identify the remains by Heinrich Reimers's (driver) identification tag and Wittmann's dental records. Wittmann and his crew was then officially buried in the German Military Cemetery of "De La Cambe" in Normandy, France.
*This product represents a subject from a specific period in history. It may contain details, equipment, uniform and / or vehicles that include insignia or marking that some could find offensive. All insignia and emblems are included to maintain complete historical accuracy. The inclusion of these insignia and emblems / markings is no way an endorsement or approval of the activities associated with the subject matter at any time or manner.
**Age over 14 collectable item
