American Couple Reacts: Britain's Mad Jack!! Most UNBELIEVABLE BRITISH SOLDIER EVER!!! 

If you like Mad Jack you need to meet Adrian Carton de Wiart: The unkillable soldier. Sir Adrian Carton de Wiart was a one-eyed, one-handed war hero who fought in three major conflicts across six decades, surviving plane crashes and PoW camps. His story is like something out of a Boy's Own comic. Carton de Wiart served in the Boer War, World War One and World War Two. In the process he was shot in the face, losing his left eye, and was also shot through the skull, hip, leg, ankle and ear. In WW1 he was severely wounded on eight occasions and mentioned in despatches six times. Having previously lost an eye and a hand in battle, Carton de Wiart, as commanding officer, was seen by his men pulling the pins of grenades out with his teeth and hurling them with his one good arm during the Battle of the Somme, winning the Victoria Cross.

You have to check out 'Douglas Bader' girls... Another Legend!

@@CandieyestudioCoUkPhotographer Yes Candi - good suggestion. Girls, have you seen the old movie 'Reach for the Sky'? If not, it's worth watching. I think of it as being terribly British! :-)

You should go look up 13 hours that saved britain. The actual full battle that lasted from July to november, 9 Americans fought in it. One Billy fiske was killed fighting in it.

You should also check out What Does It Take To Earn The British Medal Of Honor? ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-RbS4Ivl85GQ.html I think you would really enjoy that one as well.

Agreed pj, always plenty of absolute lunatics in the British forces. In my time in the RN I came across several, they needed keeping on a tight leash, but once let loose they always came up with the goods.

Mad Colonel Mitch of the Argyle and Southern Highlands who disobeyed a direct order not to attack he told his troops if you see the whites of there eyes shoot them which they did they massacred a village in the Aden War

Operation Chariot the raid on the Docks at St Nazair

@Justlookinnotbuyin ... i'm fan of Clarkson but have never seen any of his documentaries, I didn't even know he'd done any. Do you know if there are any of these on RU-vid or anywhere else as I'd like to see them?

@@Tidybitz Try ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-07Zd0Oy8JyQ.html and ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Bl6j7I8FWT4.html

Excellent Comment. I hope the Girls have time to check out Lt Col Mayne and make a show of it. I think that would be Grand.

@@tomsenior7405 I was about to mention Mayne too but additionally Mayne's padre, the Reverend James Fraser McCluskey the "Parachute Padre".

@@PassportToPimlico Excellent Shout Out. Padres tend to go unrecognised don't you think? In 1982 our Padre had a heck of task. He had his work cut out for him. None of us were Religious. He was not there to Save us, or Convert us. He became a highly respected member of the team. I wonder, What kind of a man was McLuskey? I think a Trip to My Library would be helpful. Thank you.

@@tomsenior7405 oh yes he finished the war a half-colonel. I'd forgotten that. Thanks for reminding me.

@@daviddalby8537 No Worries. I had forgotten that he was awarded the Croix De Guerre and the Legion of Honour, until my son reminded me. Rather embarrassing for me, as my Masters is in Military History. My Doctorate is in Napoleonic Warfare and I must say, I am slowly forgetting Facts. Time and Age are not kind.

Both are phenomenal

I fully agree 👍

Couldn't agree more, it's an amazing story narrated brilliantly by Jeremy, with a lovely twist at the end.

Would be nice for them to get the same reaction to an unexpected twist…

I think it’s the best programme Jeremy Clarkson has made.

Yes, I hope Natasha and Debbie read this comment and find this video to react to. It's incredible and I'm sure they'd agree.

@@darrenjones5885 Don't forget his docu about the St Nazaire commando raid, also amazing.

He sounds like an amazing chap. Did you meet him?

My uncle Charlie was a Japanese prisoner of war for 2 and a half years, I wonder if he knew him ? I know he had terrible nightmares all his life and the only time he ever talked about it was if he had a few in the pub !

He wasn't mad he was a highlander if it killed the enemy it was expected to wield the sword in battle ,the in clue is In the name after all

Not mad just bloody furious at the enemy

You must be proud.

He was shot 8 times lost an eye and hand "Frankly I had enjoyed the war.""

And he lost the eye by being shot in the head I believe.

They should check out the Sabaton song "Unkillable soldier" about Carton Di Wiart

Richard Todd was also in that film, and he wore his beret from the D-Day landings. On D-Day he was a runner at Pegasus Bridge.

@@malcolmsleight9334 - I was a piper since I was nine. A friend bought a set of WW1 vintage. The original owner played them in WW1 and a small plaque on the bass drone said he was "punctured as he piped". He was shot but he did survive.

The skirl o'the pipes carries further than any other instrument. A rallying point for the soldiers.

Absolutely!

How that man survived one war, let alone three, is astonishing.

Im sorry for the loss of your fathers medals but the can be replaced if you know his service number

In a Tom Scott video he was described as "Imagine being woken one morning by the sound of Bagpipes look out the window and seeing a guy on a surfboard playing the bagpipes go the wrong way up the River Severn!"

I was going to say something similar and here is a link to the video ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-RbS4Ivl85GQ.html

👌🏻👌🏻

Concur

Stories told in that its unreal what that guy did .All the stories are jaw dropping esp the airman .

Talking of eccentric British soldiers - you might consider reading-up about Digby Tatham Warter whose propensity to ride into battle carrying an umbrella is immortalised in the film 'A Bridge Too Far'. His Wikipedia entry states that during the battle for Arnhem Bridge, "Digby wore his maroon beret instead of a helmet and waved his umbrella while walking about the defences despite heavy mortar fire. When the Germans started using tanks to cross the bridge, Digby led a bayonet charge against them wearing a bowler hat. He later disabled a German armoured car with his umbrella, incapacitating the driver by shoving the umbrella through the car's observational slit and poking the driver in the eye." "Digby then noticed the chaplain pinned down by enemy fire while trying to cross the street to get to injured soldiers. Digby got to him and said "Don't worry about the bullets, I've got an umbrella". He then escorted the chaplain across the street under his umbrella. When he returned to the front line, one of his fellow officers said about his umbrella that "that thing won't do you any good", to which Digby replied "Oh my goodness Pat, but what if it rains?"

Bader was hated by lots of the people who flew with him and also his batman at Colditz who couldn’t stand him. The father of a friend of mine who was in the RAF at the time said he was a really nasty piece of work. Reach For The Sky was a hagiography, not a documentary.

@@andrewmorton9327 I've seen footage of Bader, he was also on This is your life, doesn't surprise me, he came across as the arrogant type. I think you could say the same about Guy Gibson, brilliant pilot and leader of men, but not very likable. A relative of my step father was in the RAF, said Gibson was the sort of man who would jump on lower ranks for being incorrectly dressed and so on.

@@pauldurkee4764 Products of the time. They both went to the same school. Times of crisis are not the basis for a popularity contest - Leadership is. Cometh the hour, cometh the men.

@@andrewmorton9327 correct, he was a sociopath. not brave but had no conception of danger there is a difference

This video will explain why this medal is still so highly regarded.

Yes, please!

it's a long video, but we'll worth it!

You don't win it !!! You are awarded it like Capt C. H Upham VC & Bar NZEF WW2, one of 3 to awarded it twice but only combat soldie

He was a true British eccentric.

Yep , bagpipes get me running every time .

Definately second that suggestion especially the won about the Victoria Cross it's spine tingling stuff! ❤️

😆

A movie on Mad Jack's life . . . no. A trilogy on Mad Jack's life . . . yes.

A great man and who, when I was a 9yo child, not only replied to my letter to him but sent me a signed copy of his book ''Fight for the Sky'' as well. A childhood hero and still a hero 50 years on.

The Germans took his legs away to stop him flying. God bless him

@@BobbieRockyBuster1415 aye that's the one, the Major Uppham one was on Count Dankula's channel, it's a good watch, the guy was insane.

@@BobbieRockyBuster1415 North East, Geordie lad through and through.

@@BobbieRockyBuster1415 I'm not sure, he's the one relaxing in the barbed wire.

@@BobbieRockyBuster1415 aye a kna what ye mean like, bonny lad.

@@BobbieRockyBuster1415 that's the power of the Geordie constitution.

I have to believe there was at least one time De Wiart and Mad Jack sat at a pub together and traded war stories. If I was there, the conversation would have my undivided attention.

They should hear the Sabaton song "Unkillable Soldier" about Sir Adrian Carton Di Wiart

Great suggestion but you've kinda spoiled the surprise there.

yeah killed the ending there lol

Way to spoil the twist in the tale. 🤦

I served 3 different times in the British Army. 1st time: Royal Artillery Jnr Gnr, as Junior Ldr aged 16 June to Oct 1988: I had my last exam June 28th Jue, the same day I was to report to basics. So arrived 29th June. I ruptured my Achilles tendon, so either backsquad or rejoin at 17.5yrs. 2nd time: Royal Corps of Transport as Adult Regular Entry, Dvr/Seaman aged 17 to 21. Awarded Best Recruit which my parents were so proud of. (Dec 89 to March 1993): So reinlisted into RCT Maritime (20 Maritime and 17 Port Regt. 20 Maritime was amalgamated into 17 Port & Maritime Regt RCT in Dec 89. So Seamanship training was at St Georges Bks Gosport, then posted to 17 Port & Maritime Regt RCT in Marchwood Southampton U.K. I served at Sea on Army Landing Craft, Mexeflote Rafts, LCVP'S, Small Fast Patrol Boats, Tugs and Dutch Barges, Ribs, Geminis rubberboats with outboard engines etc. I planned to do All Arms Commando, Army RE Divers, and Akai Pti courses, to increase my Amphibious trade tool box etc. Being posted at a few places, but mostly at sea, I always regret not having the time to attend the courses. I left Mar 93, 4 weeks before the RCT to RLC (Royal Logistics Corps) rebadge. I left to do a few temp jobs til Sept 94 to join Soton Container Berth from 94 to 98. Then 98 to 06 in Aircraft Industry as storekeeper, deburrer, heat treatments specialist. 3rd time: Royal Signals as Territorial Army Signals Operstor for 63 SAS Signals Sqn 02 to 04. I split from ex 8 weeks after 911, so spent ages getting mega fit to join A Troop 63 Sigs Sqn. I popped along Jan 02, and said my intention to join, I said I need one yr to get military fit, (a few months to get as fit as I was at 16 and 17 to 21 like I was during 1st and 2nd times serving, and the remaining few months doing a specialist training schedule some of my ex Pti mates, and the Sqns Ptis made for me. I knew I had spinal issues, as had issues 8 weeks after leaving 2nd time in 93. So had tests and xrays ftom 93 to 03. But no sign of trouble. I think the flat bottom landing craft had caused my issue, as many old comrades have similar issues. So cause I had no sign of trouble xray wise, I plodded on, and past the Army medical. Mentioned my concern about spine (response "deep heat will help lol"). I joined the Sqn and did build up training mid week on drill nights, but not weekends. I went to Sqn HQ location to take Army entrance test for 3rd time. Then do the BFT tests. As I was ex regular, I was approached by the Sqn Sgt Maj, he said "you know like me, we are just attached to the SAS, bit like a Man Utd boot boy is to Man Utd, but every now and then we get a first team game. So we have to be proficient in aspects of an SAS Troopers skills set. So it's a nightmare getting lots of younger lads thinking they are SAS Proper, so we need to educate them, and let them mature a little before doing next phase training. So I want to Fast track you straight onto selection without doing basics. If you do well, no need for basics, as your refresher was selection, so we can see how you go. Not so well then basics. Then Sigs Op trade training. But more so with internal P Coy jump training". So he then mentioned about my charity event for raising money for my company gym and company charities etc. So why not do a charity parachute jump. You'll get your charity event, raise good money, plus you can overcome heights fear. He asked why I didn't do jump training at a regular (As he and the other Sqns permanent regular staff lived in married quarters of my Regiment at Marchwood, so he knew all about me, ftom my mates still serving lol). I then mentioned that I didn't need to as ships side on a few feet high lol. Got clip round ear for that lol. I unfortunately broke my back doing a charity parachute jump on a weekend off from SAS Signals pre Selection in March 03. Nit knowing I had made my earlier niggles at worse (basically issues I would've got aged 40 to 70, were brought forward to the jump). I had broken my back, but never knew. So went on June selection in 03. I came off shortly after (I'm battling a 30 Yr ongoing multiple degenerative physicsl and mental health battle, plus extea issues on top needing surgeries bit covid delayed etc). I got forced out my civvy job in Sept 06. From 03 to 06 begging gp for mri scan..as knew something wrong, but had to lose job, declared homeless bankrupt the lot. Lost everything. Spent 4 yrs re training to be called over qualified by people that trained me in 2010. After 17 yrs ftom 93 to 2010, finally got Mri. Very long story (So cut lots out). Buy 2015 and 22yrs of nhs neglect etc, finally got diagnosis. Then the benefits I fought 9yrs to get, which only got the right ones in 2022. I decided to write to the OC of 63 Sqn when I got my vindication with my diagnosis I long battled to get. I got an amazing reply letter. Basically saying how on earth did I get so far with a broken back through the toughest special forces selection in the world. Albeit not the complete SAS 2 to 4 yrs to learn all skills, just the selection phase. A miracle you got as far as you did. I then read, with the attitude I had, I'd have been ideal for the job. I know I never completed selection, but the amount of mountains of pain, anger, lies, and neglect I had to face, it really has given me added confidence in dealing with my nightmare. 5 yrs in total, serving 3 different times/3 different trades, in the British Army. I loved my time serving, and in hindsight wished I stayed in full career. However life had a plan, which failed badly. I wont ĺever let it beat me. I'm.in contact with former mates from basics and working units. Plus a member of Southampton Veterans Drop In Centre, and Breakfast Club. I got help from SAAFA Charity in 2015 with new furniture. So we have great in the UK for us old and bold Veterans lol. One thing we hate more than anything, are the Walter Mitty/Stolen Valour it idiots. I really don't think they get the bond we have. Plus their military story has more holes in them, than a Collinder. With a rack of medals from wars in the wrong order, and some from wars they weren't born for.

Yes, Douglas Bader was an absolute nut. He had a second set of prosthetic legs he used to play golf because they improved his swing.

Awesome!! Thank you for your kind words Mandy! ❤️❤️

Thank you SO much for the recommendation!!! ❤️ ❤️

@@TheNatashaDebbieShow you’re very welcome! If you’re able to watch it I think you’ll find the Greatest Raid by Jeremy Clarkson, about the Commandos that got a brief mention in this in Norway.

also, he was "bad&^%$" good choice :) it wasn't mentioned here, but i am sure he was a respected artist in watercolours in his later years! big love to all people :)

Send him this way!

I met him when I partcipated in a Program run by The Prince's Trust and I sadly haven't seen him since