This is a story on how devastating the Panther could be in the hands of a well trained tank commander and crew.
"SS-Oberscharfhrer 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.
Barkmann also fought in the Ardennes offensive in December 1944, and had an amazing escape near Manhay when his lone Panther encountered a large number of tanks of the US 2nd Armored Division. Despite being outnumbered Barkmann managed to knock out a few Sherman tanks. At one period in the battle his Panther collided with a Sherman and the two vehicles were locked together, the Panther's engine then cutting out. His driver managed to get the engine started and the Panther pulled itself away from the American tank and retreated with a blocked turret. He was followed by another Sherman, which was destroyed by Barkmann with a single shot. He then headed off the road and drove through snowy woods to reach his battalion."
Barkmann's fame is well known among the modern day panzer corps. His feats, along with Michael Wittman and Otto Carius, are legendary. They were men who were well trained and took advantage of every opportunity on the battlefield.
