Peter4456 Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 Sad news - Trooper Joe Ekins, a Sherman Firefly gunner in the Northamptonshire Yeomanry, died on Wednesday 1st February 2012. Without wishing to reopen an age old debate, and with due respect to all forces on the Normandy battlefield on 8th August 1944, most historians seem to agree that Trooper Ekins was responsible for knocking out the Tiger of SS Hauptsturmfuhrer Michael Wittmann, holder of the Knights Cross with Oakleaves & Swords and one of Germany's greatest tank aces. I'm sure it's correct that the first five rounds Trooper Ekins fired in anger killed 3 Tigers - an incredible feat by a very quiet and unassuming man who went back to his pre war job in a shoe factory after the war! RIP Trooper Ekins - a truly great soldier Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Degsy Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 More sad news, R.I.P. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PanzerJohn Posted February 10, 2012 Share Posted February 10, 2012 A really nice man, will be sadly missed. He could never understand all the fuss about Wittman. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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