Wittmann Family

The Wittmann Family is one of the many Noble Aces in Germany. They are the relatives and ancestors of Johannes Wittmann and Schwartz Wittmann, Tank Commanders in Panzerkraft. The Wittmanns are well-known for their long-tradition of practicing Panzerkraft in Germany and their legacy as Ace Commanders.

## Background

The Wittmann Family started its lineage back in Medieval Germany, somewhere in the Rhineland region. Life of a Wittmann would mostly consists of farming under the Church's aegis, this would continue until the 1950s where a member of the Wittmann Family started to affiliate itself with the newly-established Panzerkraft order in West Germany.

But before it gained its post-war accolade and fame, the Wittmanns were already known by the legacy of the renowned Michael Wittmann, who gained international recognition for his exceptional skills in tank warfare during World War II, mostly remembered for his actions during the Battle of Villers-Bocage in Normandy, where he achieved a remarkable number of tank kills in a single engagement. His achievements on the battlefield made him one of Germany's most decorated soldiers of the war.

Albeit Michael's reputation, the members of the remaining Wittmann Family faced numerous challenges and controversies after the war, the Wittmann family chose to remember him for his military achievements and dedication to tank warfare, but instead of aligning themselves with the newly created Bundeswehr, the Family focused on the Panzerkraft-arm of the German Tank Sports.

### Johann Wittmann and the HL Bulldog

Johann Wittmann is a farmer who knows his craft. Passed down through centuries as a tradition, Johann continued their legacy of expanding their farm; from simple tools to powered machinery. And of these so called machinery was a 1921-series Lanz HL Bulldog, a German-made agriculture tractor that spearheaded the modernization progression of the German Farmers during the Interwar.

With his enthusiasm and responsibility to put food on their table, Johann learnt all the necessary skills to adapt these machines to his daily life. With the help of his sons and daughters, Johann and his family lived a life comfortably in countryside of the depressed Germany. His ingenuity led him to be a talented mechanic as seen when his newly received Bulldog broke down during one of its operations, but rather than taking it to the nearest repair shop, Johann used his wits and fixed the tractor all by himself. And so when these machineries broke, Johann would either repair the machine by himself or let others fixed it but with him watching how they executed it, this dynamic would soon get carried by his children, especially to a young Michael Wittmann.

### The Night of Michael's Waltz

In the evening of 1929, a young and naïve Michael Wittmann would borrowed his Father's customized Bulldog and went to town to participate the upcoming tracked racing there. Before the said evening, Michael received a confirmation that the annual German Tracked Roadshow would happen near the town of Dietfurt. Previously, thanks to his time with his Father on the field alongside his brother, Michael became fascinated with farming, particularly their powered machineries and this include their Bulldog, which Johann would occasionally tinker and unexpectedly improved the tractor's speed and mobility. And so with a sneaky plan with his brother, Michael went ahead and stole their Father's Bulldog and went into Dietfurt with a bit of Reichsmarks to join the line-ups.

With his brother successfully signed their tractor to the event, the other *Stahlrennfahrer* in the starting lane would ridiculed the newly joined team. Going up against the modified LK-IIs, the time-tested French FT-17s, the British numerous Carden Loyds, and even a rare American 3-ton M1918. With different styles yet optimized to the race, it seemed apparent that Michael's Bulldog would fail immediately, but when the fire was shot and the engines roared louder than ever before, Wittmann's Bulldog went straight ahead to the victory lane on par with the other vehicles. Surprised to see this development, but all for naught, Wittmann Waltz his Bulldog into the finish line after a rather interesting take of routes and shortcuts, and this includes an unexpectedly visit to the Wittmann's Wheat farm. Michael won the game on that evening but with a hefty price in the following morning.

#### Aftermath of the Race

Not only that his Sons would use his beloved tractor, but the adrenaline rush of Michael Wittmann made his Wheat Farm unredeemable on some parts. With Johann furious, he berated the victor of the Dietfurt's Tracked Roadshow with such intensity that even his Wife was surprised. But even after that, seeing how impressive his mechanical and tinkering skills were, that special 1921-series Bulldog was offered to be bought by one of Wittmann's opponents during the aforementioned race. Reluctant at first but with sheer persuasion from his children and wife, Johann accepted the deal and with the new money he received from the offer, he bought yet another Bulldog, but this time was a 1928-series, one of the latest model of that time.

Michael and his Brother went home with new Pride under their belt, amazed by how their Father's tinkering led them to win that unwinnable race with odds stacked against them, they would soon follow their Father's footstep and learn more about the current and new technology of tracked powered farming machineries. But while this was happening, Michael was unable to continue his racing career due to his tendencies to either break his stuff or his surroundings, which was highlighted very visibly during the 1929 Roadshow in Dietfurt.

Nonetheless, this evening shaped the Wittmann Family and their future.

### Michael's Uprising and Legacy

Out of the two of them, Michael chose to continue served his Fatherland while his brother went back to his childhood days in the farm and continued (and soon succeeded) their Father's work and business. Michael's adoration with powered machinery made him an expert of operating them, especially vehicles. After joining the SS Adolf Hitler Division in 1937, Wittmann was placed as driver of an armored transport vehicle such as the Sd.Kfz.222, but later in his uprising career of being a talented individual, Michael would soon used a Panzer III, a StuG III, and one of his iconic imagery, a Tiger I.

His most famous engagement would probably be the Battle of Villers-Bocage in June 1944. During the battle, he led his Tiger I tank in a daring and devastating attack on British forces, inflicting significant damage and disrupting their advance. His actions earned him widespread recognition and fear among the Allied forces. And with these impressive feats and fearsome reputation, this earned him the moniker of the "Black Baron", a nickname that would stand among legends such as the Red Baron, the German Flying Ace, Manfred von Richthofen. But while he was under the impression of being the Hero of Germany, Michael still remained his comradeship and showed credits to his teammates when credits were due. Though with all things are, his blazing feat would come to an end on August 8, 1944, during the Battle of Normandy.

He was killed in action near the village of Saint-Aignan-de-Cramesnil, France. Wittmann's Tiger was hit and destroyed by British anti-tank guns during a counterattack against British forces. He and his entire crew were killed in the engagement. Wittmann's death marked the end of his distinguished career as a highly skilled tank commander, an end of Germany's most renowned tank aces, and a temporary downfall of the Wittmann's Legacy in the following years.

#### Reaction of his Death

When news were received by the Wittmann Family, they were devastated that they lost their hero and most importantly, their family member. Particularly his widow, Hildegard Wittmann. Saddened to hear the lost of his husband, Hildegard continued her life forward after she found peace to herself when her hero died in a blazing glory as what he would've wanted, Hilde would later get remarried and the Helmke Family was born, this particular family would be controversial in the following decades.

Johann Wittmann would retire due to his old age in a peaceful town of Vogethal, his son would later carry out the tradition and continued their farming legacy. While it seemed like their generation wouldn't aligned themselves with tanks and tankettes anymore, the next generation would proved that otherwise, specifically, the offspring of Anna Wittmann, sister of the former Michael Wittmann.

#### Hans' Offspring

When Hans took over his late father's farm, he continued and quiet and peaceful life in Vogethal with his wife and children, which one of his children would soon rekindle the Wittmann's affiliation with Panzerkraft, this child would be known as Vogel Wittmann, the father of Mikaela Wittmann.

### Vogel Wittmann

Like his father and late uncle, Vogel was also interested in the arts of powered machinery, so much so that he became a mechanic solely because of his affectionate liking to the farming machines in his farm. Though due to his relations with his late uncle, Vogel wasn't safe from the controversies surrounding to his late uncle that soon would taint their name after the war, but this was largely overturned when his daughter in the future changed their family's legacy.

Though his life wasn't anything special in the ordinary eyes of the people as he was a basic mechanic at best, his expertise would be highlighted during a certain game in the late 1940s. His skills and name were that important to a certain German and so he was recruited as his *Aide-de-camp* alongside many bright and influential people that brought the revolutionary idea of a safe tank-against-tank engagement in Germany.

#### Vogel and Frederick

Vogel was invited by Frederick in the mid 1940s as an associate after he discovered his connection with the late-Wittmann who won the 1929 Roadshow in Dietfurt. Fascinated by his current passion and history, Frieden sought to get him as soon as possible. Vogel was hesitant to join Frieden due to his insistent yet honorable stance towards upgrading an obsolete sport into something revolutionary. But Frederick is a man of talent, especially to his charms and persuasion, and so Vogel complied eventually to his offer and became one of the members that sought to connect Petra Dimourgo's invention to one of the tanks in preparation to upcoming Póletropaion Games held in Athens Greece in 1947.

Being an associate, Vogel was tasked to handle the tedious process of *Lining* the CEN wirings to the hull's armor. His goal in details was to sandwich or align the nets around the main hull of the tank without crushing these fragile netting and retain the tank's original blueprint so that it can be modified in the near future. And thanks to his grandfather's help and assistance, not only he completed his task of Lining up the CEN Armor, but he also modified the engine a little bit more kick to its speed and horsepower.

But even though he finished his work, it all led to failures during testing and so after many configuration, a prototype was made with the help of others. But since Vogel was a mechanic and not an engineer, in this role, he became one of the chief mechanics that overlook the maintenance of these two tanks while he let the others tinker the tank. And so when they showed a good promise in testing and mockups, these two tanks were soon revealed to the world during the 1948 Olympics.

With the demonstration sport being successful, Vogel remained a close associate to Frieden and eventually his role managed to let him had the position as Chief Technical Advisor to the *Bund der Stahlrennfahrerverband* or the German Association of Steel Drivers. He was also chosen to become a part of the newly established Duetscher Panzer-Stil Bund but refused the offer as he decided to retire when the farm was given to him by his father in the 1960s.

He lived a comfortable life, with his daughter eventually becoming an icon in the Panzerkraft scene in Germany as a Wittmann of the *Stahlkommandants*.

### Mikaela's and the Stahlkommandants

Mikaela Wittmann, daughter of Vogel Wittmann and the Mother of both Johannes and Schwartz Wittmann. She was one of the icons in Panzerkraft and one of the few chosen people who received the prestigious title of a Noble Ace. Mikaela was a part of the Stahlkommandants or Steel Commanders, Tank Commanders of Panzer-Stil that represented her region and soon country during the Recrelympic Games.

#### Childhood

Mikaela's childhood was nothing short but extraordinary, a prodigy in the family of renowned talent, Mikaela showed great interest towards the Póletropaion Games so much so that this led her to join the *Deutsche Pfadfinderschaft Frieden*, the Scout equivalent of Thälmann Pioneers. During her time as a Scout, her talent led her to become a *Scout Panzerdant*, a scout with talents for Kinderpanzers.

Thanks to her skills, Mikaela was often chose to represent her regional scout association in West Germany against the Pionierpanzers, a Scout Panzerdant equivalent in East Germany. One of these competitions is the *Berlin League of Kinderpanzers* where Mikaela faced against the battle-hardened and originator of the miniature tank she's using. Even though the games and terrain preferred the expertise of the Pioneers, Mikaela and her Panzerdants managed to up-one them for most of a time and eventually won the Competition in a landslide.

This feat of achievement would put Mikaela in a position she would never refuse in the future.

#### Stahlkommandant of the DPSB

When Mikaela finished her Scouting career, alongside the many awards and achievements she achieved as an excellent Panzerdant, she was approached personally by the director of the DPSB and be a certified Stahlkommandant under them. As expected of the Wittmann, Mikaela accepted the offer and now she became officially a Panzer Commander for the Games sanctioned by the German Panzerkraft Federation.

Being a Stahlkommandant meant that Mikaela can now challenge other Tank Commanders across Europe and had the opportunity to join the many competitions that the DPSB are a part with. And so Mikaela continued her trail-blazing career as Germany's Stahlkommandant and even managed to study at the Star of the Ironcross Academy in Berlin, a prestigious Academy for Recrelympic Combatants like her.

While she continued her legacy as an exemplar Steel Commander, Mikaela unexpectedly overturn the controversies surrounding her family's past into a current positive legacy as her career as a Tank Commander made news and showed Germany's prowess during the many competitions that the country has joined in. Like Michael before her, Mikaela made news and headlines like her peers, with so much recognition, the German Recrelympics Committee awarded Mikaela the prestigious title of a Noble Ace.

With a prestigious title, a legacy, and children to bare, Mikaela retired as a Stahlkommandant but continued her service as Chairperson of one of the branches of the DPSB till this day. Mikaela was married to Yuzuru Haiiro, a famous Naval-Architect from Japan, but though she married a Non-Noble Ace, the Committee still retained its title due to unknown reasons.

Mikaela's children would eventually carry the torch of their legacy, and they did rightly so.

## Key Notes

* Michael has two sisters and a brother
* The Wittmanns are very Catholics
* Michael loves the farm life, and quite enthusiastic in learning the trade of it
	+ He and his Brother\*
* His father taught them greatly as a teacher, instructor, mechanic, and a farmer
* Michael is always open to topics related to farming and life.
* Michael is quite sociable
* He has interest in powered farming machinery
	+ He learned this from watching his paps in the field working with it
	+ His father teaches him to be careful at the machine and wanted a competent Michael to handle it as safety was his concern to the boys
* Him, his brother, and their Father are keen to new farming technology
* Michael and his brother are good hunters
* Michael loves animals so much that he refuses to kill them
* Michael is person who wants clarity through walking quiet roads and enjoying nature
* Michael wanted to continue his agricultural career, but he decided to join the army instead.
* Wittmann doesn't like to be photographed