@@AdamSwiggitySwooty all soldiers of combat are like that for the most part they dont consider themselves hero's they consider the guys who didnt make it back the hero's,they were fighting for the man right next to them
”I didn't contribute much to the invasion of D-Day...” He took out an MG-42 position w/ a grenade and took out a staff car w/ possible officers in charge...He saved a whole lot of US soldiers in my eyes!
Yeah... I came here to comment the same thing but saw yours first... Truth is that, Him being present and volunteering to jump behind enemy lines is more than enough to be called as a HERO Thank You for your service Sir
My grandfather said the same they were very humble men that diddnt see themselves as heros the considered the boys that diddnt come home the real heros.
"Well after looking at my map and studying the country around here, I think, now I'm not sure; but I think we are in some place in Europe" I couldn't help but laugh.. that sense of humour is very characteristic.
I was thinking the same and i saw your comment. I think this brave man is at peace with what happened what he saw and what he did. I commend his service and sharing a personal account. Glad to see that he has closure.
a project like this should have started 15 years ago, we would have almost endless stories. Now we are runing out of time in the next 5-10 years these amazing brave men will be resting in peace
At 7:22 he claims he didn't contribute much. But you did, you put your life on the line for the freedom of others you have never met. That's good enough mate, we're all proud of you seventy-plus years on.
That was one of the luckiest grenade throws of the war. One can't help wondering why the German gunner was operating all by himself unless the rest of his supporting team scattered after the blast. Because of their high rate of fire German machine guns of that era required at least two men and preferably more just to carry the ammo.@@MakoCSH
@@dpeasehead Most likely had ammo or had his buddies go back for more since they seen how many planes were coming or simply he did kill the others and they got blown back a little and he couldnt see them in the dark which would make sense since the blast wouldve knocked them back a little and the gunner wouldnt have gone far since he was closest to the gun
Because the western world has been subverted into a culture where,feelings, mean words,self hate, and which bathrooms to use have become the most important issues facing them today, Upside down world!
@@texas3284 It's no ones fault either. After something happens like WW2. What does the next generation try to teach their kids? Be nice and don't hurt anyone. Well that has the unintentional side affect of churning out people that hold trivial things as offensive. The impact of a real war is just something that happens in the movies from their perspective. I think there's going to be another world war coming. When? who knows. But it will be worse then WW2 and it will be over disappearing resources. The atrocities of war will re-emerge and the pendulum will keep swinging. Humans learn at a cripplingly low pace. And technology accelerates the gap between learning and potential problems. I'm genuinely scared for my kids future..
This touched me. Two old warriors with mutual respect. My father is a WWII veteran and was career Army. We got stationed in Frankfurt in 1956. It was still a bombed out mess and there was not sufficient housing on the base for our family. We actually lived in an apartment with a German family who really loved us and it was mutual. The father had been in the German Army on the Eastern front. He was a rare survivor. He and his entire family treated us like family.
I wish my dad was alive to view these videos. He was a medic, landed D Day +1 on Omaha Beach. He was also at the Battle of the Bulge. He earned 3 Bronze Stars and lived a good life. He raised 4 kids and 4 stepkids. His name was Jack Keith.
I am truly going to miss the WW2 generation, because once the last veteran is gone, there will be no one left who can personally tell us about its horrors. I hope 2019 will see more people discover this channel, so that they can hear the voices of those who were actually there. Josh, if you're reading this, keep up the great work! Also, if possible, I would love to see some future videos with veterans from other countries, as I think their stories are just as important ;)
My dad was a machine gunner in the South Pacific with the US Army during Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, New Guinea etcetera during WW2. He died last October at 94. Our Greatest Generation is going away quickly. I tried to get videos of his recollections but he just wanted to put all that behind him. He was the first of 3 generations of Army combat soldiers, and my son is the first Officer in the family. Combat is the worst hell and you don't realize it until it is over.
I’m Australian. We are so grateful for the US for saving us during WWII, I live along the coal sea, so the battle of the Coral sea means a lot to me. My Nanny was born in 1939 and tells me stories of how she would ask the yankee soldiers for bubble gum when they get time off and come to the mainland. Tears come to her eyes whenever she talks about it, she is so grateful for the Yankees. She tells me of a plane full of yanked soldiers going out to deploy, it crashed near my now day home, it’s so terrible that this crash is almost forgotten, with only one memorial, yet it was the most deadly plane crash in Australian history and one of the deadliest during WWII. I’m 16 and I can only imagine what that time was like, thank you for making this wonderful show. God bless.
Renrav varn Australia did defiantly play our part in the war, more in Europe then the pacific, but played a major role other wise, we heavily relied on you for USA had the greatest navy at that time, never the less, I might be speaking Japanese right now and have a very different culture to what I have now, I love my county and so proud of what we have done with the power of mateship and patriotism from colonisation by the brits to right now, with us still fighting the war on terrorism in the Middle East, along side the USA and so many other nations defending their people against extremists and forced opinions.🏳️🇦🇺🇳🇿🇺🇸🇬🇧🏳️
My Father was 1st Marine Division in WWII. His time in Australia were his best memories of WWII. Australian people earned our help. And deserved it, God Bless Australia. Thank you for the respect. I am a third generation MARINE, we are now on the fourth. SEMPER FIDELIS
The USA loves auzis, thanks to u guys for help in 'nam, a misguided war but the fact u were ready and willing to stand shoulder to shoulder with us in battle there speaks volumes of your character. Afterall, despite being a hemisphere away, on all the things that matter in life, we very much have similar values.
Robert S thanks, you know so many Americans served in Korea, yet I think about 8000 or so aussies went, only a volenteer force, my grandfather once showed me his bayonet that he used in Korea, he said he would never show it to me again, till this day I still am not sure why, he’s a scared man, with to many stories in his life for me to type, he was a sign writer for Coca Cola, he had the best reputation for sign writing in the state of Queensland, the state I live in. He raced go karts, was a tournament fisherman, one of the best marksman in Australia with a .22 rifle, since any other gun has to much recoil for his fragile shoulders now. Anyway, the only thing he said to me was that his bayonet has killed people, he never said how many. Now that I think about it, I love letting others know the stories I’ve been told, I’m a strong believer in remembering the past, nothing is more moving for me then stories, told to me by mouth, have a great day and I wish you well rob! 🇬🇧🇳🇿🇺🇸🇦🇺
My grandfather served in ww2 as a paratrooper with the 11th airborne division, and after the war that division kind of merged into an infantry unit in which he served on the front lines with in Korea, where he gained a battlefield commission for his service, after the Korean War he served in Vietnam in the Signal Corps for like 10 or so years I think. He died February 17, 2017 at the age of 91, Rest In Peace Papa.🇺🇸
Jay Hall Thanks, I’m glad you liked it. I really miss my papa and men like this man in the video really remind me of him, and I like to share his story because he lived an amazing life
DotaHelm Nope. He never talked about it, I think he saw some things in Korea and ww2 that were pretty bad and that he never forgot, but he was in an interview with some historical thing in the town he lived in (Augusta, Georgia) and in that interview he talked about when and why he joined the service and his experiences in the army.
That tank grenade story is some of the most badass real life shit I've ever heard, god damn. And that story at the very end is wonderful, it just goes to show that the German Soldiers weren't bad people, they had hopes and dreams, and love and loss and family like anyone else, they were just doing their jobs, same as any other soldier, they just unfortunately happened to be on the wrong side with a madman in charge.
Plain,,Soldiers must be responsible for their actions and for the leaders that send them into horror. No one involved has clean hands, sorry. Until we accept that,, these debacles of evil will continue.
except for the SS, if you saw one of those bastards you put em down. The ideas stuck in their heads were the same as Hitler's, and people like that weren't just doing their jobs.
Aye, the SS were a whole other kettle of fish. I'm just talking your standard soldier, most of them were sane men, who didn't share their leader's mindset, who were fighting because they had to @@workanight3761
@@Volaths most were basically kids. 17 18 19 20 years old. They fought for their country. Right or wrong. They just did what they thought needed to be done. Most just wanted to go home and not fight. Those german soldiers were no different than ours. Just kids fighting a war.
Some were. The dude from the most recent video (I think) talked about a dick who killed one of his friends with a machine gun and then immediately surrendered
I wish my grandpa was still around, he experienced the slaughter first hand and one quote I will always remember him telling me is "for me to survive I had to play dead, I had to lie motionless for what seemed like hours" in reality he was only lying down for less than a minute.
Thank you for this channel. My father was a WWII vet who was in the South Pacific. He never talked about it even when I asked him how he became disabled during the war. I have always been curious about what actually happened and these stories have helped me to understand what actually happened to my father during that time and why he would never talk about it. God bless you and your mission to keep the truth alive.
that ending bit was so touching. It's good when old enemies can meet in friendship even if we don't speak the same language. Gives hope for humankind that despite we are soo good at inventing ways to kill off each other then we a least can make pease and reconcile years after :)
2 guys on opposite sides fighting a war they didnt want become friends 70 years later after having potentially combated each other. This awesome. I love these stories. I hope they're never forgotten
I chuckled at many of his comments, little did he realize what and how much he did. All that expected from a bunch of kids. Those pictures of him and his German friend almost broke my heart.
My grandpa was in D-day too. He was apparently one of the gunners or drivers from the boat. I think during the war he lost most of his fingers on his left hand. I really need to talk to him someday, he’s 93.
TIme is running out my friend. Learn from him what you can. Unfortunately, my great grandfather passed away before I was old enough to talk and understand. I only know of him what others have shared with me. Talk to your grandfather soon, I am sure he would appreciate it.
I had the honor to have met Dan back about 8 years ago maybe. I worked at an RV store in NM and he was in looking to have us sell his RV. While we went through the consignment process he told me a bunch of his war experiences. He would stop in to see my from time to time when ever he came into Las Cruces. Once he brought a book about WWII, and in it is another of his stories about how he got a German Sturmgewehr off an SS he killed. There's a picture of him receiving a medal from Ike for that action. Really was an honor to have had the opportunity to hear his exploits. The man is a hero in the flesh.
it is heart warming to learn that the German veteran who got injured in Operation Market Garden invited Veteran Daniel Mcbride back to Germany for a family dinner.. War is cruel.. once bitter enemies, now friends..
Seriously. I remember watching the band of brothers documentary on the actual easy company soldiers. There was one commentary I will always remember, he basically said "if we weren't at war I'm sure we would be good fishing buddies" wish I find absolutely fascinating. There is such a small line between friend and enemy that will have you at each other's throats with knives and worse, all for nationalism. Friendship is such a beautiful thing but it can be so fragile.
I rarely leave a comment saying how good a channel is, but my friend, your channel is GOLD. I have so much respect for what you're doing here. Thank you
@@MemoirsofWWIIFantastic channel! Excellent work! I also have been wanting to add after watching many of your videos that whoever is responsible for the editing and placing appropriate video clips in the background behind the dialogue does a superb job. God bless you!
This show is absolutely EXCELLENT. I use to sit around and listen to my grandfather's WWII stories from his time in Europe and no matter how many times I heard them for years he never got tired of telling them to me and I never got tired of hearing them. In a way hearing those stories as a young man have shaped my life. He was one of the most special people in my life and I will never forget those times.
“It just shows you, the wars over.” Forgiving and befriending your past enemy. That really tells you the quality of a man. And this man is as good as they come. God bless him and everyone else who serve, past, present, and future. You are the soldiers of love and peace. Through becoming dirty and bloody you allow those who you’ve left at home and those who’ve yet to come, to live cleanly and safe. There is no greater calling than to risk oneself to save another. Not one.
I'm an army major (former non-commissioned officer who graduated officer candidate school), military police. What a true hero; you fought evil. The only school I wanted to, but was never able to attend: airborne. What a story. A true patriot; and blessings to you, Trooper!
My dad was in ww11 ,, he's 91 and still goen, only talks about a few things of it,,,. I wish I could see threw his eyes and know his memories,,,,,. Love u dad !!!!!!!
Thank you for your service! My grandpa Robert Clair Sweet, 101st, 502nd B company PIR. I wish he would have talked about the WWII but never did. He passed way about 10 years ago. RIP
Truly amazing how they can let bygones be bygones. Went from trying to kill eachother in the war to be friends later on... war back then used to be honorable and respected.
It’s sure is rare to talk to some of these old guys and it’s also a true blessing to see them and thank them for their service. They may be old but when ever I see a vet I look up to them in awe and find my self going up to them shaking their hand saying thank you
Wow as someone who knows ww2 by heart and loves history and curious about the 1920-1970 generation of war conflict this the best channel I ever come by
Holy smokes, just found this channel, you are excellent at what you do, really fine stuff. Keep up the good work. My Dad is a 97 year old veteran, he was a RM1C on the CL-8 USS Detroit. His stories aren't quite that dramatic since he spent all his time taking code and sending code but I'm very grateful for his service.
Guys if you watched all the videos you will notice this is one of the happiest man to talk about his experience in ww2 I am from Nigeria 🇳🇬 but I want to say THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE
I met a man named Ed Pepping, he was a medic in the 101st airborne “Easy Company”. Next to my grandfather who fought in Japan, he was the greatest man whom I ever met. May he Rest In Peace
You met a guy from easy wow there must’ve been the amazing stories that he could tell firsthand because yeah we saw band of brothers and that easy company but not the real ones telling the stories first hand for hours upon end. Man that is really cool
Subscriber #70,595 I'm grateful as all hell to have the privilege to listen to the stories of these honorable men. Thanks to them, I get to listen to them while relaxing on a peaceful sunny day. I think we all take that for granted way too often Damn. Those last words of his are powerful
I’d love to get my great uncle on this. He landed on the beaches of Normandy as reinforcements, and saw his campaign bring him all the way to the Battle of the Bulge. I don’t know his full story but I know he was a tank Sargent in the thick of the fighting and received one of the highest military honors in France. It would be incredible to hear his full story since I don’t get to see him much.
There is, Those that dare, There is, Those that regret. Chase the dream, Or always miss it....... Always finish what you start, And remember you volunteered.
Memoirs is amazingly effective in their short video's presented . Good for you . In each one you get a view of what it was like for our soldiers. Thank you for keeping their memory alive and vivid . I am going to recommend Memoirs to my young grandsons . One is into film making . He may enjoy watching Memoirs very much. I am a big fan now. GOD BLESS YOU FOLKS FOR YOUR GREAT WORK HERE WITH MEMOIRS . Tom O'Brien
I will be on the beaches of D-Day exactly 75 years from when it happened... can’t wait to see first hand was these brave men went through. God bless 🇺🇸
Just wow.... the ending there had me weeping at my desk. It boggles the mind that humans can do such awful things to humans. But it also boggles the mind how two men who went through such absolute hell 80 years ago, fighting against eachother, can hug eachother and respect eachother so much. Quite amazing and quite beautiful. Thanks so much for making this video series. Im so thankful for these men and what they did. Its been so long, but we still benefit TODAY from their sacrifice.
This is one of my favorite channels because you are keeping history alive. It's nice to hear first-hand stories of what happened and what they experienced.
Why so low views, this stories deserve million views. People must appreciate real war stories like this, thanks for the testimonies and service. My two grandfathers also fought in WW2. One for Yugoslav-Partisans and the other fought for Italian Armi and he was captured by Russians in Greece. He didn't want to fight for Italians, but our region was occupied by the Italian Empire from 1920 to 1943 and my second grandfather was older than the other, so he had to serve a military term for Italians in 39-42 in 42 was captured by the Russians, But the younger grandfather he was just 17 and communist partisans came at night in november of 43' and wants to take the older son, but his older brother one week earlier escape in Italy like a political refugee through the super protected border by Nazies, when Italy capitulated, our region in Slovenia fell under the German command, but Italy in that days was under Allies controle. And then they took the second older son and this was my grandfather (my mom's father) he fought for communists for 2 years and almost on the finish of the war februar 1945, he was wounded in a lower left leg, when he came at home the mother didn't recognized him. But the story is not finished, all two grandfathers survive the war. One survive the wound, but the other survive the Russian Gulag for 3 and a half years in and ain't was easy, he want send home after TITO, sign friendship with Russia, he came home in 1946 and in 1948 my father born :) Communist did a very disgusting thing to my partisan grandfather, when communists take the power, they took all private properties of every person in country. My grandfather wasn't in a member of a communist party and he was taken with force to fight on a communist side and he even take a bullet for them, but they for gratefulness, they take everything from him, lands, forests and one house and they give his things to someone high ranking communist officer and this greatly affected him, he never again respected communists. He wants to kill a high ranking communist who take him away everything, but his wife convinced him to not to do this nonsense, he will be later killed 100% or he must leave the country with a pregnant wife, they was waiting for a birth of my mother :) Sorry, i typed too much, but this is a very short story, my grandfathers told me a loot how it was
Hats off and heavy hearts for the greatest generation mankind will ever know. Thank you sincerely for your service. Your generation will live forever in the stories, we will be certain to teach our children of your sacrifice.
Amen! Love these videos, I’m 20 and live in Belgium, and everything I go in the Ardennes I get reminded of the war by al the memorials that stand beside the road, I was always fascinated by the two wars fought in my homecountry, I respect all the man who fought and die in the terible wars and I love how you sorta bring in back to life so it won’t be forgetten, BIG THUMBS UP for these videos
Truly an amazing story. All the episodes I've seen so far have been amazing, they bring tears in my eyes since the contributions these soldiers have done for the sake of defending the freedom and humanity are indescribable. War is hell, and i hope that no one ever have to experience it.
This is amazing stuff. I’ve watched 3 episodes and it reminds me of the incredible sacrifice our veterans gave us. I’m 29 and haven’t even sniffed combat so can’t imagine what our soldiers went through. Grateful forever though.
He seems like a chill person for someone that went through all that hell, respect for this person. That part where they didn't know where they were was funny.
My Dad was in the 101st in WWII. He rarely talked about the war and then just in bits. He was wounded twice. He respected German soldiers as fine fighting men and held no animosity to Germans or Germany. I wish I had known him better and respected him more. I cried through much of Saving Private Ryan, seeing some of the things he endured for the first time. Thanks for sharing these videos.
What baffles me is that these legendary men don't even realize how incredible they are, just another day in the office for them but amazing history of courage and valor to us..mind blowing
Thanks for your hard work! I'm 32 and my grandpa was in WWII (3rd infantry, communications). If you every need anything in Raleigh, NC. Let me know. Amazing videos!
I'm so thankful for channels, directors, and volunteers that record the memories and history of our amazing veterans. The next generations beyond us will truly be thankful for this archive of history.
