Joe Ekins was a British soldier and a tank gunner who became famous for his incredible marksmanship during World War II. Ekins was born on August 7, 1922, in Northamptonshire, England. He joined the British Army in 1940 and was eventually assigned to the 7th Armoured Division, also known as the “Desert Rats.”
Ekins saw action in the North African Campaign and was part of the Allied invasion of Sicily in 1943. Later that year, he was sent to Italy, where he became part of the 1st Northamptonshire Yeomanry. In August 1944, Ekins and his unit landed in Normandy as part of the D-Day invasion.
It was during the Battle of Normandy that Ekins gained notoriety as a skilled tank gunner. On August 8, 1944, Ekins and his crew were part of a British unit advancing towards the town of Saint-Aignan-de-Cramesnil in northern France. As they approached the town, they encountered a Tiger II tank, one of the most fearsome tanks of the war.
Ekins was in position with his Sherman Firefly tank and took aim at the Tiger II from a distance of about 1,000 yards. He fired a single shot that hit the Tiger II’s turret, causing it to explode. The Tiger II was destroyed, and all of its crew members were killed. The entire incident lasted less than a minute, and Ekins’ quick thinking and expert marksmanship had saved his unit from certain destruction.
Ekins continued to serve in the war until its end, earning several medals for his bravery and valor. He was eventually discharged from the army in 1946, having attained the rank of sergeant. After the war, Ekins returned to his hometown of Northamptonshire, where he worked as a farm laborer.
It wasn’t until many years later that Ekins’ exploits during the war gained widespread recognition. In 1991, a controversy erupted when it was claimed that a German tank ace named Michael Wittmann had been the one to destroy the Tiger II that Ekins had claimed credit for. However, further investigation revealed that Wittmann had actually been killed in a different engagement several miles away, and that Ekins was indeed the true hero of the Saint-Aignan-de-Cramesnil battle.
Joe Ekins passed away on June 1, 2012, at the age of 89. He is remembered as a hero and a skilled tank gunner who played a vital role in the Allied victory during World War II.
Joe Ekins was one of the most successful tank gunners of World War II, credited with destroying several enemy tanks, including the legendary German tank ace Michael Wittmann. Ekins was born on August 14, 1922, in Nottingham, England. He joined the British Army in 1940 and served as a gunner with the 4th Royal Tank Regiment.
In August 1944, Ekins and his unit were part of the Allied advance towards Germany. During the Battle of Normandy, they encountered the feared German Tiger tank, which was known for its superior firepower and armor. On August 8, 1944, Ekins and his crew engaged in a fierce battle with Wittmann’s Tiger tank, which was part of a German counterattack in the area.
Despite being outgunned and outmatched, Ekins remained calm and focused. He managed to score a direct hit on the Tiger tank’s turret, causing it to explode and killing Wittmann and his crew. This was a significant blow to the German forces, as Wittmann was one of their most successful and experienced tank commanders.
Ekins’ remarkable achievement made him a hero among his fellow soldiers and a legend in the annals of tank warfare. After the war, he returned to England and resumed his civilian life. He never sought publicity or recognition for his actions and lived a quiet and modest life until his death in 1999.
In recognition of his bravery and service, Ekins was awarded several medals, including the Military Medal and the French Croix de Guerre. He remains a symbol of courage and determination, and his story serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by countless soldiers during World War II.
As the war continued, Ekins and his crew were involved in many more battles, including the Battle of Falaise Pocket in August 1944. During this battle, they destroyed several German tanks, including a Tiger II, which was one of the most feared tanks of the war. Ekins was also involved in the Battle of Arnhem, where he destroyed a German tank and saved his own unit from being overrun.
After the war, Ekins returned to civilian life and ran a farm in Lincolnshire. He rarely talked about his experiences during the war and never sought recognition for his actions. However, in recent years, his achievements have been recognized, and he has been awarded several medals, including the Legion d’Honneur, the highest French order of merit.
Joe Ekins’ legacy as a skilled tank gunner who played a significant role in the Allied victory during WW2 remains an inspiration to many. His courage, determination, and dedication to his duty helped to change the course of history, and his story serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by so many during the war.
