| SS-Oberscharführer Ernst Barkmann was one of the best tank commanders
of the 2nd SS Panzer Division Das Reich during his service on the
Eastern Front. Born on 25 August 1919, he joined the SS-Standarte Germania
in 1936, and was wounded during the Polish campaign in 1939. After fighting
during operation Barbarossa, he was transferred to the 2nd Panzer Regiment,
2nd Kompanie of the SS Panzer Division Das Reich. On 8 July, he
scored his first kill on the Western front when a American M4 Sherman tank
fell victim to his Panther's
high velocity 75mm gun. On 12 July, three more Shermans were added to his
score, but it was on 27 July that Barkmann earned his place as one of Germany's
top panzer aces at an isolated crossroads on the St. Lo-Coutances road,
which subsequently became known as "Barkmann Corner". His Panther
parked in the shade of a large oak tree, Barkmann watched as a large American
armored column of some 15 M4s and some other vehicles approached his position.
Once they were well within range he opened fire, knocking out the first
two lead Shermans. Behind them came a fuel tanker truck, and the panzer
ace lost no time in taking out his choice target. As the wreckage of the
Shermans and tanker truck blazed furiously, two more Shermans attempted
to edge past the blockage. The first was quickly destroyed, though the
second managed to get off a couple of shots. They were no match for the
Panther's thick armor however, and this Sherman was also soon ablaze, as
Barkmann's gunner picked off his targets.
The Panther then came under attack from Allied fighter-bombers, wounding
some crew members, blowing off a track and damaging the ventilation system.
Under the cover of the air strike two more Shermans approached, only to
find that Barkmann's tank had not suffered any serious damage and was still
more than capable of fending off their challenge. The two Shermans were
soon reduced to burning hulks. Barkmann managed to destroy one more Sherman
before deciding discretion was the better part of valour and ordered his
driver to reverse their way back out of danger. This in itself was no mean
feat in a badly damaged Panther tank. Nine out of the 15 Shermans which
had attacked his lone Panther were destroyed, together with other vehicles.
In addition, despite fighter-bomber attacks and his tank being severely
damaged, Barkmann managed to get his vehicle and crew back safely to German
lines. He was decorated with the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross on 27
August for his achievements. |
