I was stationed at Spangdahlem Germany in 1974. Being only 30 years after WW2, I was fortunate to see the Ardennes towns where the battle of the Bulge happened as well as the Hurtgen Forest and Siegfried line bunkers. There were still battle damaged buildings in Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany and many German and American tanks abandoned in and around the villages at the time.
That's cool, my grandpa was also stationed in Germany in 1965 and there a picture of him standing next to a king tiger and he said they were firing at old tanks from world war 2, he also mentioned that they were box liked shaped so I assumed a tiger 1...
@@FRFFW Of course the Americans had the ability to out-produce the Germans, also with a heavy type tank, but Perchings never made any difference as they hardly came over to fight before the war had ended.
@@finncarlbomholtsrensen1188 …. The M36 Jackson tank destroyer with a 90mm gun was already in theater. Seven battalions of M36’s by the end of 1944. The 90mm gun was there long before the Pershing made it
Seriously original content. After the Battle magazine has featured a few missing vehicles down the years too. Its amazing how much knowledge is still retained by locals in some areas.
After the battle magazine is the best. One if the few sources of Information on our subject before the internet. Everyone should subscribe to the magazine
Also Wheels and Tracks by ATB publishers, had great coverage of the MV collectors ,mainly in UK and EU then.Great museum coverage and the various Battle field area town square vehicles. Unfortunately, publication stopped after the editor passed away in April 2001. The MV collectors community still conduct yealy get togethers at various WW2 battle sites. Its a testament to the 'labor of love-and elbow grease '- that history is commemorated by them.
It's so infuriating to see these insanely valuable pieces of history being destroyed or vandalized by idiots who want a wall decoration, or whatever they use random chunks of a tank for.
I agree as well, but people being who they are and human nature being what it is if you leave something laying around unsecured, even something historic, and it looks like nobody cares, there are those who are going to help themselves to whatever they can. And that will always be the case.
@@monkeydoespride Quite true. One of the reasons the Colloseum in Rome looks the way it does is because after the Roman Empire fell the locals left in the area stole pieces of it for building materials. It's said many of the churches in Rome have stone blocks from the Colloseum in their foundations.
I just want to know who pulled up and stole the muzzle break off a Panther, and how they managed to do it🤦♂️😂people have no respect for history though its sad
It's a shame that people would vandalize war monuments. I can understand during and immediately after the war vandalizing the vehicles, but once they've been setup as a war memorial that's a tad wrong, even if they were the enemy's...
When I was growing up in the fifties us little kids would try to remove bits off tanks that were left in a field near Foulness Island in UK...I guess they got used for target practice by the MOD on the Island...
Antifa just destroyed a Statue in Dresden a few months ago, it's not even a soldier or something like that, just a little Girl. Some People just don't care...
My good friend Paul, does battlefield tours. He sent me a photo of him sitting on the Houffalize tank. He was sitting on the turret in a Michael Whittmann pose.
I remember that when i was 7 we went on a holiday in the Ardennes. At one point we visited some kind of museum about ww2. It might have been the Battle of the Bulge museum you briefly mentioned. Apparently by that point my knowledge of the Second World War was very limmited. I was astonished to read that in 1944 there had been such fierce fighting so close to home (Live in the Netherlands). I think it shows the importance of history teaching. No matter how much i have thought "not again WW2 we already know it all" in the past. It will always stay important to remember and teach new generations about past events, so we might never take or freedom for granted. And your chsnnel stands as proof that in fact we do never know it all, but it is nessesarry to keep trying to get closer to that point we are destined to never reach.
So many wonderful stories from Mark and never failing to teach us some new episodes from WWII. These tanks dwarf the casual visitor who is bound to marvel at the engineering and the bravery of the crews.
Sorry, I cannot recognize any nazi for bravery, it’s totally irrelevant because they were all brutal invaders just like putin and his russians in Ukraine today.
There is also a beautiful Panther tank sitting on display as memorial in Breda, the Netherlands. However this was gifted by the Polish and did not get knocked out of action like the others.
@@markschattner2278 I'd be so down for a T-90 in my front yard. Maybe I'd use it to get groceries once in awhile. It would look nice along side my Ural.
While living in Jakarta,Indonesia for 2 years as a kid,at the huge zoo there,I used to play in downed Japanese Zero. Also had to be careful at the zoo,stay on the paths or might find quicksand. Talked to guy ,he saw lots of WW2 rusting war machines in Asia.
In 1980 I was with my Parents on a Ardennes road trip where we visited many of the battle of the Bulge sights. One of them being the Panter tank in Houffalize which, according to my memory, was not placed on the concrete stander seen in the video, and hadn´t been repainted yet. As the commanders hatch was left open I got inside of the Panther which had been exposed to years of rain and therefore quite rusty as well as stripped of everything inside that could be unscrewed - probably by souvenir hunters. I remember that I managed to snap a photo or two inside of the turret, but have to relocate them.
I like that café owner that bought the tank. They knew how to run a business and they appreciated the historic value of that panther and had a great story to tell about it.
The area around Bastogne is worth visiting, it's one of Belgium's most forested regions, great for hiking and kayaking etc, and almost every little town and village has WW2 armor on display and its own little museum, with regular re-enactments involving dozens of tanks and other vehicles, both allied & axis.
I saw all these and more. I rented a car in Brussels and drove the entire Battle of the Bulge seeing all the sights. I then drove the entire length of the Western Front from WW1 all the way to Switzerland. I then swung back and ended my trip in Paris. It was the greatest vacation ever.
Consider the effect that woman cafe owner had on the war. Her small lie likely saved thousands of lives as had they not gone off road, they'd have taken the bridge and perhaps been able to push on to the port beyond. This would have resulted in the russians taking even more of Germany before the end, and their tactics for dealing with civilians, were for lack of a better word, brutal.
@@cgi2002 No, the borders of east and west Germany were already drawn at that time. You now that the allies captured Leipzig and the Soviets Vienna? Well, what happened to those places. On top of that, the mission was doomed to fail from the start. There was no hope for them to reach Antwerpen. The women sure was brave and possibly saved some lives with her action.
@@jeroen2218 after the war ended they returned to their lines I know. Problem would have been before the war ended, the Russians would have pushed further and their front lines troops were quite a bit rapey and murderey with the locals. Just because they would have returned the land after the war was won, wouldn't have stopped them doing that before then.
Love the Panther and had no idea that there were so many still lying around in the Ardennes. Another beautifully presented and meticulously researched bonbon... Thanks, Doc!
That brought back a memory - around 50 years ago, when I was a teenager, we had a family holiday to Austria which involved driving through the Ardennes. Imagine our surprise, as we rounded a corner, to suddenly see a tank parked in the front garden of a cafe! Naturally we stopped to have a look, and somewhere there is a photograph of teenage me, looking out of the commander's hatch, posing with my father's binoculars around my neck :-). Thank you for reminding me of that moment. I'm so glad to know that the tank is still there!
@@JAGtheTrekkieGEMINI1701 I am fascinated by history i can see current events in the news bad things in history are numerous sad things happening now =totally different
Currently reading Antony Beevor’s excellent book Ardennes 1944. This was an absolute brutal battle. The soldiers on both sides were incredibly brave and the poor Belgian civilians were caught up in the midst of it. It’s important that these relics are preserved and displayed to remind and educate.
The History Channel should strive to show more shows that are like the ones Mark Felton makes. Instead we get pawn shops and aliens. You can tell you have a passion for these videos and it shows. 10/10.
I agree with you completely... Years ago (20ish) the 'Discovery Network' used to feature stuff that was worthy of paying for cable each month, documentaries, animal shows, nature, etc etc. Now Discovery (like your comment about 'History Channel') "features" reality shows about dancing with your dad etc... Is it any wonder society is getting dumber by the day as this is what your typical tv viewer is fed (mind you I don't mind shows about aliens and the prospects of locating them etc... :) )
I have really enjoyed your channel. My Grandfather flew in 390th Bomb Group (H) of 8th Army Air Corp and told me story’s of his missions and of him and his crew evading the Germans when they crashed landed in Belgium in early 1944. Due to his stories I always enjoyed learning more about World War II. In earlier episodes your intro showed a picture with you and Star Wars Storm Troopers. Maybe sometime you could do a spoof of a Star Wars battle or some other Star Wars topic, but present it just like you do in your normal history videos. Great stuff you have been doing. Thanks for the awesome videos.
My frriends from a military history club are building a fully functionable Panther copy in a cold war air defense bunker, the chassis and engine are completed, the turret is finished, and the rollout should be this year. It will even be capable to fire the gun, for reenactment use. Still a fully functionable original would be even nicer.
@@btipton6899 yep. I've been thinking about it. Imagine those big airsoft milsims but ww2. Only problem would be creating soft shelled non damaging paint spewing shells for every caliber bigger than 12.3mm like for tanks, planes, artillery. But imagine 20.000 men vs 20.000 on a huge playing field with artillery flying and tanks fighting each other like ww2 but non lethal. Setting up your HQ, doing patrols ambushes etc.
Hey, if you have a RU-vid channel or know someone who does get some video of your finished Panther project out there as soon as you're done! I'm sure everyone would love to see it and express congratulations!
Wonderful that these relics are preserved. Great to know the Cafe owner acquired the tank that his deliberate subterfuge obliquely helped to destroy. 👍
I haven't seen many of your recent vids, mainly due to a hectic workload. But watching this has made sure I'll be watching all the future ones. Superb production.
Thank you Mark Felton! The American War Memorial just outside Bastogne is fantastic. There is also a bust of General Patton along the road leading into Bastogne from the south. The same road that he and his 3rd Army to relieve General McAuliffe's "Battling Bastards Of Bastogne."
Thank you Dr Felton. Here in the Czech Rep there are still many T 34s on display in public spaces throughout the country. There is one by the motorway from Brno to Breclav close to Hustopece.
Thank you Dr. For these great videos, you are truly a man who understands that if we don't discuss and share these stories of war, were doomed to repeat them, I am a long time watcher and subscriber, keep up all the great work, it is not in vain...
These videos are filled with knowledge that I did not know. Every time a pleasure to watch. I have seen all these tanks, through the years, including a Sherman and some more stuff. The Ardennes is a beautiful region to visit. I'm glad my father took me to all these places when I was a kid.
Almost 1.7m subscribers. I remember when you had only a few. Richly deserved. Love your channel and always learn something new. Please keep it coming Mark. Love what you do!
Another interesting and informative post, thank you for that both my sons and l can enjoy , we have started building models based on your posts and painting them as per the pictures you provide , thank you.
You should do a video on Petit Spay or Kinderheim in German. It's one of the creepiest places in the Ardennes and one of the creepiest stories you will find of WW2. I've been there personally and many bullet holes and mortar damage is clearly visible. It's a Chateau near Trois ponts situated in the hills and forest. Absolutely crazy place, you should definately look up some stories about it on google and it could make a great video i think. I've also been to the Grandmenile Panther tank and did metal detecting in the forests around Grandmenile ;) Awesome video's dude !
Thanks, Belgium, my home country, is littered with WW1 and WW2 history. Have you been at the German war cemetery in Lommel? Impressive place. Worth a video!
As an Armchair Historian I would argue that the Panther tank was one of the best tanks of World War II for its excellent firepower, protection and mobility although its reliability in early times were less impressive. The Panther was a compromise for that. Excellent video as always Dr. Felton.
panzer 4 was the workhorse who almost won the war. the panther is the PR miricle. a tank that doesnt work is the best in your view.. heck it wasnt even top best german let alone of the entire war.
Panther tank played an interesting part of land military model scale worldwide. The current most popular internationally accepted scale of land military model is 1/35, and it was first set by Tamiya the Japanese plastic model kit manufacturer in the 60s, and the first model was the Panther. I bet the number of Panther models produced worthwide by various toy manufacturers outnumber real ones more than 100 thousand times.
A little disturbing that the panther’s crew was left for multiple years upside down in that metal coffin.. yikes. As always thank you very much Dr. Felton for your research and dedication to preserving history from the Second World War, you are in a class above with your fact finding and narrative. Keep up the great work!
That got me wondering as well if the crew were killed in the initial attack or became trapped in the overturned hull and turret afterwards, and literally drowned or worse...starved? The drop off from the bridge didn't look very high at all, and definitely survivable.
@@VonDrinkoften I don't think they survived the fall. An AT mine strong enough to flip a 45 ton tank filled with sharp metal objects and no seat belts with cramped interior doesn't really sound survivable
The shock of being blown of the bridge with its sudden acceleration would have seriously injured and most likely killed the crew.Even the drop from a few metres over the side of the bridge would have killed them. Imagine having your body suddenly thrown against hard steel. The concussive force of this would kill most people. The human body can only endure limited forces. That is why when tank crews hit or run over a large antitank mine, they are killed or seriously injured with life-threatening injuries. And as seen in this video, it can flip a 45 tonne tank completely over killing its crew in the process. The British engineer salvage crews developed special grapples to get the bodies of injured and deceased crew out up through the hatches of tanks. A rather gruesome but necessary task in humane respect for the bodily remains of the deceased, with, of course some partially cremated in the hulls of burnt out tanks.
I have vacationed in Houffalize many times and seen this tank. I even played on it when I was 10. It's great to know a little about its history and that of the others also good to know it will be restored,
There is a Köningstiger very close to the panther without muzzle brake. It's in splendid condition and truly a sight to behold. It's absolutely massive. I visited them both when motorcycling in the area. The panther without muzzle brake is in rather poor condition for being as close to a museum as it is.
I have visited the Panther in Grandmenil several times with different family members who had visited (a perk when you live in Belgium). I have visited also the one in Celles but must admit that I prefer the one in Grandmenil. The whole setting in Grandmenil just feels more natural and it's a more quiet place. I even climbed the Panther in Grandmenil 😁
great story again (: love your vids. Are there any video's about Market garden coming soon? The commander of the 10th ss pz div (heinz harmel) was stationed in my great grandparents house during the closing days.
It’s crazy how it took over two years to flip the tank back over and recover the soldiers remains, Makes you really think how slow the process of reconstruction after the war was
Even though they are made into memorials, considering the sheer value of Panther tanks, would think they'd atleast fund a simple canopy over them to partly shelter them.
I remember driving somewhere around Malmedy, Belgium (battle of the bulge region) and having a random encounter with a Panther on display on the roundabout. Very impressive and we stopped for a visit
It hurts to see these beautiful pieces of history imobile. And even though they are taken care of them not exceeding their purpose beyond just a monument.
It would not have been, most likely, the first time they did that. The recovery of bodies from tanks and other armoured vehicles was a grizzly experience from what I have read.
Hey Mark! Have you ever visited King Tiger 213 in La Gleize? I was there with some US World War Two veterans in 2018. It’s staggering to stand next to these machines.
