Armistice Day and the Battle of Casablanca 

My father, at a mere 18 years old, fought as an US Army infantryman in Operation Torch. He was seriously wounded by machine gun fire and subsequently picked up by the Germans. After a short stay in a German field hospital, he was transported well behind the lines to a Tunisian hospital. He spent almost a year there, surviving on stale dark bread and water until Allied forces liberated the area and he was repatriated. My father was now emaciated and at less than 100 pounds was in grave condition so he was quickly shipped to Walter Reed Hospital in DC to recover. After a long and painful recovery, he was finally released from the hospital and subsequently discharged with honors from the service. With his considerable back pay, he purchased a shiny new 1947 Buick convertible and travelled throughout the US to see firsthand the great land he had dearly defended. Armand passed away in 1983. I loved that man and still miss him to this day. Thank You Dad and all other servicemembers for your sacrifices so we may remain free!

My Dad served behind Japanese lines in Burma with The Chindits (two tours). He was, and always will be, my hero. My uncles served in Burma, North Africa and Europe. I served with the Royal Engineers during “The Troubles” and the Bosnian conflict. Later I joined the Northumberland Fusileers and we became the first western troops to train with a former communist force in the Czech Republic. One of my Daughters is now in the process of joining the Northumberland Fusileers too. Thank you for another wonderful episode and for such a sincere vote of thanks to all who have and those who continue to serve. I pray, as all soldiers do, that one day the guns will fall silent forever.

They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them. (Laurence Binyon 1869 - 1943)

One of the first “thank you” I’ve heard in a very long time that rang true. Thank you for making the video.

As a retired member of our United States Armed Forces I wish to THANK YOU History Guy for ALL the episodes you do (let alone all the ones that concern the members of my family, aka. The U.S. Army & U.S. Navy). You have ALWAYS shown us RESPECT and DIGNITY every time. I don't think you'll ever know just how much we all appreciate these little stories you present to us. We can only say THANK YOU and hope that you know that this comes from the heart, always! God Bless you and your wonderful family History Guy!

As a veteran I appreciate the stories and history that deserves to be remembered thank you sir for the videos and the research that you do to tell them

Another great story from the history rolls, just a side note. My mother, was born on 11/11/26 , she was always told by her father when she was a little girl, that the parades he took here to on Armistice day were all for her. She married my father who served during WWII in the 756th Tank Battalion and participated in the landings for operation Torch. My father told me that during the landings in North Africa, their transport ship came across a US Coast Guard Cutter that had been involved in action and was heavily damaged with many of her injured still laying upon her decks. A US Navy ship was attempting to give her assistance. It's a shame that the "War To End All Wars" was not successful and my have even fostered the seeds of the Second World War. You have a great channel and are a fabulous story teller. Please keep up the great work..... May True History never be forgotten....

Thank you to all the veterans who have served. Both my grandfathers served in WW2. Along with numerous great uncles. My dad in the Navy of the late 1950s. My uncle in Vietnam. Myself, US Army 1986-1992.

Thank you to all our vets!

From all us vets to you THG and Mrs THG, thank you for honoring our service throughout the years with your most excellent historical work!!!!!!!! Keep up the great work!!

My father was stationed at NAS Port Lyautey in the early 60's. We lived there almost 4 years. My first memories are from there, and my younger brother and one of my sisters was born there. I've always been interested in the history of U.S.- Moroccan relations. A very beautiful country, and a beautiful people.

Thank you for your support. I was a member of The USAF 1971-1971 and the Proud Son of a WW2 veteran of the US Army Air Force and was in long enough for it to become the USAF!

I've actually slept on the Massachusetts, as it is now a museum ship that lets groups sleep there overnight. She's a fine ship, still even showing a scar she got from an artillery shell from this battle. An amazing little piece of history, I'd say.

One more detail that might be worth noticing: A mere 2 months after the battle, Casablanca was the stage for the Conference of Casablanca, in which Roosevelt and Churchill agreed that only an unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany would be an acceptable end to the war.

One of my great, great grandfathers was an officer in the Confederate Army, my grandfather fought in WW I. My father fought and was combat wounded in WW II. I fought in Vietnam and did four deployments to Iraq and one to Afghanistan as a DoS contractor. I so appreciate the History Guy. Thank you so much sir for all you do to keep history known for the folks who would not know this history. Thanks again sir

As an American disabled veteran who served from the end of the Vietnam war to after the First Gulf War (1976-1992) I wish to thank you for helping us remember. As others have pointed out "Those who do not learn history are subject to repeating it." Also I cannot speak for all veterans when I say to you and your team Thank You, however, I feel most will agree. Please keep doing the good work you and your team do and Thank you and your team for not letting us forget.

Thank you for honoring and remembering the sacrifices made by all soldiers and service members. I as a Vet feel your thank you was the most heartfelt in many many years.

I posted this message on an older video. So, not knowing if you would see the earlier post, and in the hope that you will now. I respectfully repost. On the off chance that you haven't noticed, which is highly unlikely due to the copious amount of comments you inspire. You, Sir, are a true national treasure. And I say this with the utmost respect, the way you bring history to life in front of your adoring fans is inspirational to us mere mortals. I always thought of myself as a fairly knowledgeable person when it came to history. You, my friend, have made me realize that I am but a babe in the woods. In order to keep the fawning to a minimum, let me close by saying that you are a master in your chosen profession, an inspiration to the huddled, unwashed masses and a true beacon of light and knowledge in a sea of ignorance. You deserve to be placed high upon a pedestal in the center of the history universe. In closing, let me say that I and countless others look forward to your videos with bated breath. As a retired/disabled Navy war veteran and an adamant fan, I wish to thank you for all you do to remind everyone of the sacrifices of our proud veterans. Kudos to you, your lovely wife and your incredible staff. Fair winds and following seas, Stay the course.

No limericks today. I served in the Army from 1967 to 1971 including a year in Nam from June 68 to June 69. It was not until 25 years later in Michigan that a woman saw my Vietnam Veteran's license plate while I was filling up my car with gas. She asked, "Were you there?" "Yes" I replied. "Thanks for your service " she said. I was stunned and called my wife to tell her what had just happened because it was such a rare event and I started crying. Now retired and living in South Carolina . The significant change in the national attitude towards Veterans nowadays compared to the post Vietnam era has resulted in my being told thanks for serving quite often, almost to the point of embarrassment. So... to The History Guy, thanks for the thanks and more over, thanks to you for this wonderful product that you churn with amazing frequency. As to no more limericks, I lied. The stuff that you put out, It's extreme erudition, I can only view with a sigh If I had a vote for the best stuff on RU-vid, It would be for The History Guy

So nice to see a mention of USS Suwannee, my father's ship. She had a distinguished combat record, but also the distinction of being one of the first to suffer a deliberate kamikaze attack.

From a 26 year Vet, thank YOU, History Guy, for keeping history alive.

I met a veteran in London yesterday, an old man dying from cancer he still had a smile on his face. He told me about his service in the Falklands Conflict and how his decades of service had made his family proud. He told me about his family and friends. He never stopped smiling the whole time. I had to ask why he was so happy on such a sober occasion, he replied that it gave him an opportunity to tell his friends he was going to stay in Australia with his ex to go out with the vigour of a young man (one can assume what is implied here haha)! These veterans are normal people with colourful lives that we should never forget.

My grandfather was one of many who landed on the shores of North Africa during Operation Torch. He would have loved this video. Thank you for filming this!

My father lost a brother in the forests of France and my father saved lives in the battlefields of France as a corporal in the 101st air ambulance in the British military’s service from the Normandy invasions to the end of the war. I raise prayers of thanksgiving for the sacrifices of those who served and are serving. These and their family’s. Our freedoms, our very civilization rest on men and women gave all for this hope. Let’s not squander it, and stand up as a light and provider to the world.

History is complicated. We tend to oversimplify it to make it easier to swallow, but that watered down, simplified version that we were taught in school and read about in magazines is usually very inaccurate. This video is a good example of just how complicated war can be. Forget about good guys and bad guys or one side against another. It’s never really clear in war who is fighting who. We don’t like confusion like that and we tend to gloss over it in our historical accounts. Thank you History Guy for taking the time to explain what really happened to those of us that want to learn.

"That look", @12:04, and the pause, adds so much to THG presentations. .... As always, a wonderful presentation and summary of the episode being featured.

As an old brown shoe (before cordovan) Army veteran with overseas European service, this video absolutely made my Armistice Day. You have my sincere thanks for showing that history is indeed important and should be a must learn in school. Kudos!

And We Thank You for keeping the Stories alive

My Grandfather served in WWI as a Lt. in the Quartermasters Corps. I have a photograph of him in uniform taken at a studio in NYC after he completed his OCS regimen at Camp Meigs which was located in what is now the Anacostia section of Washington, D.C. My dad's brother was a Naval Aviator and served on the escort carrier the USS Makin Island CVE-93 from 1944 until the end of the war. Another uncle was a D-Day and Battle of the Bulge veteran. He was a Silver Star & Bronze Star recipient with 3 Purple Hearts and a CIB. He still had german grenade fragments in his back when he passed away at age 88 a number of years back. Talk to anyone who grew up in the war and they will tell you they had family, friends, or neighbors serving in the military. We all owe them a hearty thanks for their service!

Nice to see BB59, “Big Mamie”, the Massachusetts. I grew up in Fall River, Mass where she’s still there today, part of great museum. In the 70’s during a school tour we saw the actual charts showing her trip to Casablanca, and back. (Naval Reserve ship Purdy, DD734 used to berth behind her under the Braga Bridge, but the ship has been scrapped) Thanks for another outstanding job!

Indeed history that deserves to be remembered. Your videos are one of the highlights of my day. Thank YOU for your service as a historian and educator.

The History Guy needs no introduction from me, as we remember our veterans today, I think it wise to remember the scholars as well!! There are countless examples of great military leaders who consult with history scholars to formulate their plans!!! The history guy is one of those, & would be a true asset to any military leader!!😎👍

Powerful as always my mother's father was a veteran of both world wars sadly he passed away when I was too young to remember his stories episodes like this make me feel like I know him a little better thanks

Thoroughly enjoyed this. My Dad followed these heroes as an armorer and mechanic with 325th Fighter Group (the “Checkertail Clan”) - an American unit that primarily supported British forces in North Africa and Italy. My Dad used to joke about the movie Casablanca and “the Casbah”. I had to get a bit older to understand that what he experienced in that region was rather different than the movie version. Like many veterans, his stories of the war tended to be light-hearted and evaded the more serious challenges he’d faced. My favorite accounts concerned the Italian prisoners on the air base. As the Allies turned the tables in North Africa, they were faced with a logistical challenge in caring for the plentiful Italian prisoners now in their custody. Airfields encompass considerable real estate and it occurred to the powers that were to house some number of Italians on my Dad’s base. According to my Dad, the Italians accepted their captivity graciously and soon became a welcome resource - taking over a number of domestic chores such as laundry. They were also very social - my Dad played chess with them regularly. Nevertheless, they were classified as “enemy combatants” and orders were that enlisted soldiers each took their turn “guarding” the prisoners. Guards were required to stand their posts with loaded rifles and fixed bayonets. This amused my Dad to no end. “The only possible use of those rifles”, he would say, “Would be in case someone decided to release those guys. They’d had it bad in the African campaign and things back in Italy weren’t very appealing, either. The only way you could have gotten them off the base would have been at gunpoint”. :D

My father landed in Morocco with Operation Torch, and soon met my French mother, and my 3 brothers and I were born there and lived there for some time. He spoke to me about the operation a couple of years before his death at 93. It was very much as you talk about here! Part of his duties was to share the lighthouse with French sailors (one being my mother's cousin) and driving the commander wherever he needed to be. That's when my father decided he needed to know Arabic and French, and he quickly became fluent in both, in his own way. Not bad for a "hillbilly" from West Virginia!

The History Guy seems so honest to me its honestly awe-inspiring.

As a vet, _I thank you_ for calling our attention the forgotten moments, battles, and incidents of our past to commemorate our fallen brothers.Thank you,Spc. Berg, U.S. Army Son of a U.S Navy Chief Petty Officer,Grandson of one f the founding soldiers of the First Armored Division

You honor us veterans with your recounting of past glories and wonderful tales of heroes that deserve to be remembered. I salute you, Sir.

My father was in the armor division command of a half track in the invasion of Casablanca. It was interesting to hear this telling!

Thank you for another great video, and thank you for remembering the sacrifices of our veterans. My father served in the Pacific Theater until his military career was ended by a Japanese bomb. His injuries dogged him until he died in 1959. I don't remember my Dad, but I've always been awed and humbled by the sacrifices of him and the countless other men and women who gave up their youth, their health, and often their lives so that I, my children and grandchildren could live free today.

Cool Piece of History! God Bless All men and women that served and are serving! Happy Veteran's Day! KEEP ON ROCKING!

Nice show. And it was my honor and pleasure to serve. Please keep up the good work.

A return Thank You for remembering. Eight years service including Vietnam. Currently hanging on in Thailand, still amongst the verticals! I enjoy your videos and your style. Frank

Play it again, Sam. Really nice to have this part of the war covered. Thanks!

Sincere, heartfelt thank you, Mr. History Guy

It's more important than ever to remember these stories. Our political situation in the US is more perilous than at any time since the outbreak of the Civil War in the 1860s. Now, more than ever,we need to have examples to learn from. There's a reason that this is my favorite RU-vid channel.

Great video!!!! Served 20 years in US Army 1981-2001. Like a lot of people mentioned in these messages, it is quite nice and heart warming to receive a GENUINE THANK YOU!!! Also, sir, a BIG THANK YOU to you and staff that put out these awesome historical video's!!!!! Please keep up the great work.

As a former US Navy P-3 A, B & C Aircraft Flight Engineer I would like to thank the US Tax Payer for providing me the opportunity to serve. I was given one hell of an education in several disciplines, higher mathematics, aeronautical engineering, mechanical engineering, fluid dynamics, basics electronics, advanced electronics, survival schools, SERE training (certain people know this training) and I traveled the world two times. Then I received my GI Bill and earned my Mechanical Engineering degree from Drexel University because I served. My Naval education was far superior than my college education and my college was excellent. Thank you for letting me serve you even though our history is not perfect we CAN try for a better society if we listen to each other and slowdown the anger. Thank you from a Vet!

I love this channel, HG. Thanks for the passionate and engaging content!

Thank you for an excellent presentation about this minor but important battle. But thank you so much more your tribute to veterans at the end. It rang truer and was more heartfelt than anything I have seen in a long, long time. MSgt. Buck Buchanan USAF (ret)

Enjoyed this video. My dad was with the 3rd Infantry Division and went ashore at Casablanca. History Guy confirmed to me some of the stories my dad told over the years. Keep up the good work!

Always enjoy your snippets of history, this episode, Battle of Casablanca was excellent. Keep them coming.

Aussie troops had to evict Vichy forces from Syria including the French Foreign Legion. Thank you to all those who served and are still serving and those who have risked and sacrificed their lives. A debt that can never be repaid.

one gets that much-hackneyed phrase from all over, but, as a career retiree, your thank-you actually got my old eyes teary. very well done. and thank you.

😢😖Thank you so much for the enlightenment of Veterans Day . I didn't understand the important of the holiday until I watched your video. I appreciate it now. Thank you❣

History Guy - love your delivery of these forgotten histories. A big network would be smart to tap you for a show about forgotten history of the world.

Well done. My father, a World War II veteran, still lives and is actively engaged in commemorations of the end of the war. He organizes what we believe to be the only active commemoration of VJ Day in the US.

Millions around the world cheered at this exact moment, 101 years, 8 minutes and 53 seconds ago.

another excellent telling of a significant event in history!

You tied it all together perfectly. Thank you for the video. Thank you to all the Veterans for their service.

And thank for your service! This is my favorite channel.

The battle of Casablanca is one of my favorites! Thank you!

Lance, Thanks, History Guy. As an Army lieutenant colonel, blessings to you and Mrs. History Guy. I should've gotten a degree in history! Bachelor's in business and criminal justice, and a Master's in Divinity. But my heart is in history! Keith

Thanks for keeping the memory alive, THG. Without eloquent and fair documentarians such as yourself, moments such as these might truly become forgotten by the masses. This Sailor wishes you and yours a happy Veteran's Day as well.

Thank YOU for not forgetting the people that deserve to be remembered.

In the movie, Captain Renault near the end angrily disposes of a bottle of Vichy water. I was ignorant of the politics and significance of this moment...until now. Thank you for educating me and especially for honoring and thanking veterans. My grandfather served in WWI and my father and uncles in WWII.

Amazing coverage! As a Moroccan, I'd like to thank our American savior's and above all friends for liberating us from the French who were Nazis. You also unknowingly pushed for us to become independent from Spain and France. Thank you. If you're looking for more History regarding that part of the world, there's an interesting battle called the battle of Ksar El-Kbir. It has a very interesting outcome! Keep up the impeccable work THG!

As always an excellent story, and your welcome from the second of three generations of veterans!

While I give a heart-felt "thank you" to all who have served, I find myself tearing up at the thought of so much senseless death and destruction. I always think about the statement/phrase, "United we stand. Divided we fall." WE, being every person on this planet. If WE don't come together, WE shall surely fall together. One species, One Fate.

Jean Bart (and sister ship Richelieu) had such a fascinatingly unusual gun arrangement.

Armistice day in Britain is a significant event each year with most cities, towns and even villages holding commemorations at the local memorial. I live not far from our National Memorial Arboretum near Burton upon Trent where they hold a very touching and emotional commemoration. Visiting there and viewing the memorials for everyone from Soldiers, Merchant Navy and Firemen to those children who were stillborn is emotional and makes you seriously think. I was doing this when I turned and there before me was a young man in a wheelchair minus an arm and a leg, wearing medals I assume were awarded for service in either or both Iraq and Afghanistan. I'm not an emotional person but I felt an overwhelming sadness but also immense respect for this young man and yes I wept and I'm not ashamed to admit it.

Another well done HG piece. I love your content and production. Professional quality done with a passion for history. Your love of the subject shines through in every video.

You're welcome. Thanks for all you do

Happy Veterans day; found out this week a new co-worker served with my first Army buddy!

No Mr History Guy thank you, and people like you that give memory, humanity and worth to all soldiers and seamen of all nations past and present. For they may differ in politics and religions they all share their love of country, family and brothers in arms. Thank you sir.

My father was a Navy pilot in Operation Torch and met my mother, a citizen of Casablanca, in early 1943 in Casablanca. They married in 1943 and she emmigrated to the US in June 1944 with my oldest brother. Before she died in 2012 I made an audio recording of her account of the invasion of Morocco and would be glad to provide you with a copy.

Thank you. This is history that deserves to be remembered.

Thank you to all that has served and is serving, Happy veterans Day, I'm a Navy vet myself, and just a simple Thank you does so much good for old guys like me

The Armistice brought freedom to many European nations. Among them - Poland celebrating today The Independence Day 🇵🇱

You're welcome, though no thanks are necessary. We do what we do because of who we are. And thank you for this piece. My friend and I were just discussing how so much real and important history gets left out of schools. Like so many videos you put out, this should not have even gotten close to being forgotten.

Outstanding story and expertly told.

NOW THIS IS MORE INFORMATION THAN I WAS TAUGHT IN HISTORY THANK YOU .

Thank you History Guy from this Navy veteran.

For those who shall forget history are doomed to repeat it. Thank you for helping us to, hopefully, not repeat our mistakes.

And we thank you, History Guy.

Very good, well done. Sure nuff interesting to me, actual battleship fights!

Thanks for so many interesting and informative videos. Also, I am pleased, and grateful, that you always show reverence when the subject calls for it

Most of the thanks that I hear for my service sound pro forma at best. Sometimes trite and insincere. Yours brought a tear to my eye. Bravo.

Excellent segment. I’ve been studying WW2 history for 60 years end and I learned some facts about the Operation Torch I had never heard. Thank you👍

A very fitting piece of history to share today I have to admit, I'm addicted to history, in which your not helping (lmao) Being Canadian, I really appreciate that you always seem to find a way to include us, either in story or in your end comments Thank you from your friends from the north, and please keep history coming

God these are good. The essense of a well researched 300 page non-fiction hardback, told as a bed time story. People should link up to the Battlefield 360 Patton episode with details of the landing. As a guy recovering from brain surgery, bored, but can't read, I am very, very, very grateful!!!!!!!!!!!! Sooner or later (after my next pandemonium check), I will sign up for magellan, in honor of "The History Dude", or something like that.

Great video as usual Sir! I love your office as well!

Those who sit on the middle of the fence, make great target practice for both sides.

Thank you for YOUR service!

Thank you History Guy!

A Truly Excellent Video, and the end piece truly emotive.

Another excellent video. Thank you.

Well done and an interesting story. Waiting for your next story.

You're welcome Mr. History Guy, you provide a great service as well.

My years in the U. S. Naval Avaition was a very proud time in my life knowing I was doing my duty! All the fellow sailers serving with me was a wonderful time knowing the squadron would be covering each other in the time of combat!