The 12th SS Massacre of the Canadians in Normandy | History Traveler Episode 195

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In the days after D-Day, the Canadians of the 3rd Infantry Division found themselves up against the German 12th SS Panzer Division as they were making their way south through Normandy. Tragically, some of these men would find themselves as the victims of one the battle's worst atrocities at a place called Abbey Ardenne. In this episode, we're joining Paul Woodadge of ‪@WW2TV‬ as we retrace the final steps of these men as they made their way to a tragic fate at the hands of Kurt Meyer and a division of the most fanatical fighters that Germany threw into the Battle of Normandy.
This episode was produced in partnership with The Gettysburg Museum of History. See how you can support history education & artifact preservation by visiting their website & store at www.gettysburg...
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Other episodes that you might enjoy:
- Juno Beach: The Fighting Canadians on D-Day | History Traveler Episode 194: • Juno Beach: The Fighti...
- BAND OF BROTHERS: On the Ground at BRECOURT MANOR!!! | History Traveler Episode 185: • BAND OF BROTHERS: On t...
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- German Bunkers of UTAH BEACH (D-Day!!!) | History Traveler Episode 190: • German Bunkers of UTAH...
- The Private Collection of Major Dick Winters (EP 151): • The Private Collection...
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29 сен 2024

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Комментарии : 2,5 тыс.

@CSltz 2 года назад

I don’t know if anyone from France 🇫🇷 will read this. But thank you for the care and respect along with the beautiful resting spots that you have given our fallen Airmen,Soldiers, And Sailors. My respect to you all.

@TheHistoryUnderground 2 года назад

🙏🏼

@mattsyson3980 Год назад

I live about 30K South of this particular video subject and can attest to the gratitude of the French, my neighbours who still keep the memorials well tended and not forgotten. A cemetery near where I live holds around 800 from across the world who didn't go home. There are brass 'studs' in some streets marking where French resistance fighters had lived, an indication of the scary existence under occupation.

@bluerock4456 Год назад

I have visited the Commonwealth cemetery above the beach at Dieppe. It was February, the graves/graveyard was immaculate. There were enough fresh flowers here & there .. no way they were all from visitors in the depth of winter. Well-done mes amis en France!

@Paratus7 10 месяцев назад

Their graveyards are managed by the Commonwealth Graves Commission (so 🇬🇧). Brothers.

@eliselebreton9601 4 месяца назад

Je termine en ce moment d'écrire un livre sur la Libération en Normandie après le D-Day . C'est surtout une division d'infanterie anglaise qui est concernée, mais mes recherches m' ont amenée à découvrir tellement d'horreurs que j'en suis malade !!! Et ce n'est qu'une toute petite partie de ce qu'ont vécu les acteurs (militaires et civils) impliqués dans cette guerre, sur le territoire français ! Je viens de tomber sur cette vidéo, une horreur de plus !!! Malgré tout mon respect et ma compassion, y compris pour les Canadiens que j'aime beaucoup, je ne pense pas que tous ces gens soient des héros. Ce sont avant tout des pions, manipulés et aveuglés, les victimes de tous ceux qui avaient intérêt à ce que cette guerre ait lieu... " La guerre, un massacre de gens qui ne se connaissent pas, au profit de gens qui se connaissent mais ne se massacrent pas" Paul Valéry. Bien cordialement, de France.

@Jakal-pw8yq 2 года назад

This was an outstanding presentation JD and I really appreciated it. I'm American and I absolutely love the Canadians. I'm a World War II history buff and I had never heard of this tragic story . It truly was a massacre, mass murder and a serious War crime that makes me wonder why there was never any prosecution against these SS that were an abomination of human beings. I feel like sometimes the Canadians part in World War II gets glossed over when in fact they were in some of the heaviest fighting that the Allies faced. Such as this encounter with the SS. Also their part in the liberation of Holland and fighting along that Inlet to the port of Antwerp was an incredibly hard fight in deplorable conditions for the Canadians who basically had to run the gauntlet of the SS that was trying to deny Allied access to Antwerp. They did their part bravely and we owe them a huge debt of gratutude for their part in defending democracy and our freedom. Much respect to my Canadian friends!

@tripwire8457 Год назад

You ask why there weren't more prosecutions. I wonder that too. The allies that bombed Dresden for example. Why was nobody punished for that? I'm always surprised by people that talk about mass murder and justice but only when the allies were victims. If the roles were reversed, what would be said then? Well done boys? They deserved it? Because that does seem to be the prevailing attitude, and it's wrong. After World War 2, the so-called justice was very one sided. Shooting prisoners several hours after they surrendered is definitely not cool. Especially hours apart. It is undoubtedly a war crime. The rest of the German action in this village however was well planned and executed. The allies did the same thing and were praised for it (when the Black Baron was taken out for example). War is undoubtedly horrible. But if you are going to point fingers, point them at both sides.

@bgschultz 2 года назад

My Father who is still alive today (13/09/2022) at 102 years old was injured at the Carpiquet airport. He rarely speaks about WW2. Its great that you can fill in some of historical details. I'll quiz him tomorrow about this massacre.

@TheHistoryUnderground 2 года назад

Oh wow! I would love to learn more about his service. Maybe shoot me an email if you wouldn’t mind. thehistoryundergroundchannel@gmail.com.

@maplerice6226 Год назад

My Dad passed away two years ago, he spoke of his friends, and the laughs they had but never of the fighting.

@franceyneireland1633 3 месяца назад

My cousin's father was in the North Nova Scotia Highlanders, he landed and survived on June 6th D Day. He died on September 11, 1944 at the 10 Canadian General Hospital, France, from injuries he received on Sept 5, 1944 ( I don't which battle), he is buried in Ryes War Cemetery. My cousin was then an orphan as her mother had died in 1942, she was adopted and raised by my aunt and uncle.

@philgoldsney5951 2 года назад

My wife and I visited the church where the execution of the Canadians took place back in 2018. A very solum experience for us Canadians. What I will never forget is the French tour guide a man in his 40’s, weeping as he told the story. RIP you brave heroes!

@mattwdowney 2 года назад

I'm Canadian, and on my only trip to France (so far), I made the effort to visit the Abbaye after reading 'Conduct Unbecoming: The Story of the Murder of Canadian Prisoners of War in Normandy' by Howard Margolian (1998). No one was there that day apart from a couple of workers living there(?) and the memorial to the Canadians was tucked behind this wall in the back garden. Was hard to find but when I did, it was surreal to stand in this place but the tribute there with the Canadian flags was very heart warming because we do not and will not forget. Thank you for this video, really close to home.

@TheHistoryUnderground 2 года назад

Pretty sobering place.

@drfranklippenheimer8743 2 года назад

Huzzah! Well said.

@steveoconnor7069 2 года назад

Thanks for sharing the info on the book Matt. I will be reading it soon.

@WW2TV 2 года назад

@@steveoconnor7069 It's a brilliant book

@cathymacd5385 2 года назад

We came across the Aredden Abbey just by chance when visiting France in July 2017. We were speechless as we walked around the garden reading the story. What hit us more were many of these soldiers were from our home of Cape Breton. We were with friends from France and we kept repeating to them, we may know the family members of these soldiers. This is where we live. 💔

@conradmanley2180 Год назад

Its an embarrassing and maddening reality, that as Canadians , we have come to rely on channels and videos such as these to remind us of our history. Our government doesn't deem it worthy or politically correct to teach it in school. Thanks to everyone who work so hard to keep history relevant. FOR WHEN WE FORGET THE PAST , WE ARE DOOMED TO REPEAT IT . ❤💯✌

@keeperofthelists4771 Год назад

To actually hear of this for the 1st time for me.

@hs-learn2581 Год назад

You mean the provincial governments that control curriculum and education?

@alexwitzaney9018 Год назад

What can you expect from justless turdeau and his so called peace loving clowns. They have no respect for our military traditions or their sacrifices.

@conradmanley2180 Год назад

@Alex Witzaney Sadly, this is not just applicable to Trudeau, but long standing to the entrenched canadian political and educational bureaucrats. We watch it happen for generations, but we as dutifull citizens we shrug our shoulders as they congratulate themselves.

@BlutUndEhre88 Год назад

As much as we have relied on getting history from CNN, BBC, The History Channel, etc.

@mweinbender 2 года назад

As a proud Canadian, I've heard this story but haven't heard it told with such compassion and detal. Thanks for another great video.

@TheHistoryUnderground 2 года назад

Much appreciated. You all have a rich history.

@m_m_m_beer8917 2 года назад

Agreed. It was very well done. Thanks guys.

@shoknifeman2mikado135 2 года назад

Ditto, so many of the facts have never been told on the history channel

@JDDupuy 2 года назад

This story, beautiful told with great respect, has left me saddened and angry! Death to Life to 8 years and he comes back to the site and says that's War. I am shaken to learn of this some 75 years later. Thanks as always to the both of you for taking us on this very sad journey!

@TheHistoryUnderground 2 года назад

Meyer was certainly not a great guy. Glad that we could share a bit of this story.

@boarzwid1002 2 года назад

My father made it through to the end of the war 28th BC tank regiment, he said SS and German paratroopers were Hard Bitten , and treated as such,

@None-zc5vg 2 года назад

There were a lot of 'Meyers', killers who got away with it thanks to U.S. complicity.

@bsc4344 2 года назад

There was also much leniency to the eradication of the town of Oradour Sur Glane... ((or Lidice... or many other erased towns by the Germans)) ..the commanders and troops in that event also got off either nearly scott free or with punitive sentencing. I too have had a hard time dealing with such barbarism given such a minor slap... because it’s clearly far beyond “war” and into demented evil actions that cry out for capital punishment

@chrisl211 2 года назад

@@bsc4344 Agreed. Over 800 people died in the church of this village.

@fredricjulien8738 2 года назад

So thankful for this in-depth series on the events that took place in Normandy on June 6th and beyond. You have kept the memories of what took place at that time in history which should never be forgotten

@TheHistoryUnderground 2 года назад

Glad that I could share the experiences.

@robertkipiel7699 6 месяцев назад

I'm a Pole, but my grandfather was a paratrooper in Polish army. His unit was fighting along side with the Canadians during liberating western Europe from the Germans. He held upmost respect for Canadians warriors, and always remember how courageous they were on the battlefield.

@franceyneireland1633 3 месяца назад

@robertkipiel7699 The Polish pilots under British command, flew and fought superbly, shooting down 203 enemy aircraft for the loss of 29 pilots killed. No. 303 Squadron became the most successful Fighter Command unit in the Battle, shooting down 126 German machines in only 42 days. After the defeat in Poland, many pilots and soldiers made their way to France to fight the Nazis, when France fell they made their way to Britain which they called ‘Last Hope Island’. They were joined by Czechoslovakian pilots.

@CivilDefenceCanada Год назад

As a Canadian and a lover of history, this is somewhere I need to see before I die. The courage of this generation set the bar so high for the rest of us that it's hard to achieve it. My grandparents were proud RCAF WW2 vets. Miss my grandpa a lot, he really helped me to understand what a man is and how to carry yourself, how to do what is expected no matter the cost, and how your reputation is how you're measured and what people remember. Thank you for the hard life lessons it took me 20+ years to really, properly understand. Not sure I'd be able to do what they did at that age. Respect to all who have, or continue to serve. Real evil exists, the 12th SS embodies it and it is showing up again today in the extremism and militarism throughout the world. We owe it to everyone to stand up to that evil and to take a principled stand.

@PAS_2020 Год назад

I so like the narrator. Smooth simple delivery of historical events - tragedies. Talking in such a folksy way. Personal. As a thought goes through his mind, he says. …”hmmm”… I have been watching many of his videos for the past few days and I feel he has become a friend. The right person to honor those who gave their lies in this tragic war.

@TheHistoryUnderground Год назад

🙏🏼

@284Winchester 2 года назад

That cemetery is absolutely beautiful the way they keep the grounds.

@davecass485 2 года назад

Thanks again for another video on the Canadians advancing after D-Day. This is the history that our generations must preserve and share so that these sacrifices are never forgotten. Lest we Forget

@TheHistoryUnderground 2 года назад

My pleasure. Hopefully, people are sharing these out so that more can learn the stories.

@justinhalethesenuts7769 Год назад

My Great Grandfather was in the Canadian Armed Forces. A regiment called The Manitoba Dragoons along with his brothers. He volunteered in 1936 and stayed long after the war was over in Europe to help rebuild. My great grandfather and his 3 brothers all fought in WW2. But my great grandfather was the only one who made it home. While watching this it reminded me of a story that was passed down to me from my grandfather. Once in a blue moon my grandfather would talk about what his father went thru in WW2. And one evening after we watched Saving Private Ryan together when it came out. He told me about a time when my great grandfather crushed roughly 100 - 200 German soldiers with canadian armored vehicles. He explained that the Germans were camped out underneath a large bridge. And the bridge "mysteriously" ended up on top of them. details of the event are in my great grandfathers War Journal that was passed on to me. The writing is very small so it can be hard to read at certain points. But when I seen the part in this video explaining what those Germans soldiers did to the bodies of the Canadian soldiers. I thought it was only fitting to share this story. God bless 🙏

@jasonpayne3363 2 года назад

Just incredible. Great content. You keep topping yourself with a better story every time. Another tear jerker but needs to be told and not to forget those brave men. Thanks JD

@TheHistoryUnderground 2 года назад

Wow, thank you! Glad to share the story and experience.

@zororosario 2 года назад

Thanks for the video , as a Canadian I had a hard time watching this injustice go unpunished!

@bluerock4456 Год назад

The way I look at it, Panzer Meyer may have escaped punishment for his crimes here on Earth, but he had to later face God. I trust that God dealt with him in an appropriate manner.

@Jacked97Ram 2 года назад

Unbelievable! This should be taught in all the schools. Excellent job JD and Paul Woodage. Look forward to the next one

@TheHistoryUnderground 2 года назад

🙏🏼

@Jacked97Ram Год назад

Still watching! Can you tell me the name of that intro song? Thanks!

@strychnyne3530 Месяц назад

These videos are fantastic. They should be on tv. Keep up the great work.

@fifthbusiness1678 4 месяца назад

I’m Canadian and thank you very much for making this video. I can tell a lot went into it (and others). Both my grandfathers fought in WW1, and two uncles in WW2. It’s much appreciated.

@B_Rh_Neg 2 года назад

Quit a few of these young men were from Nova Scotia 30 mins away fr me , we remember them , never forget 🇨🇦🌺

@TheHistoryUnderground 2 года назад

🇨🇦

@lab35982 2 года назад

Thank you for this respectful, touching documentary. As a Canadian veteran of the Military and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, I truly appreciate this. Lest We Forget.

@daystatesniper01 2 года назад

Ok i am a Yorkshire lad ,brought up in harsh conditions but this video made a lump in my throat ,awesome video , Canadians ,I salute you ,may God make a space for your fallen .

@canuck52 2 года назад

This was an excellent episode. To provide some balance about what happens in war however, I am reminded of one of the few instances my father (deceased now) related to me about the war. He was in the Canadian infantry and he remembered his Sergeant volunteering to take 3 German prisoners to the rear. A few minutes after leaving the Sergeant came back without the prisoners. They clearly didn’t go to the rear. You could tell my father was shaken by this, his summary comment about the Sergeant was “He was an evil bastard!” I suspect there were atrocities on both sides, and perhaps atrocities by the winners don’t have the same investigation and publicity. I’m not sure of this but I am guessing based on my dad’s story that it was wasn’t all peaches and cream on the Canadian side either.

@Wotsitorlabart 2 года назад

@@albefuctivino1488 Canuck's father was clearly a better man than that.

@jamesbrowning206 Год назад

I have visited Abbaye d"Ardenne twice and the courtyard where those brave Canadian lads were shot is a very poignant place. Peaceful now but unfathomable to think what took place there. Returning to Normandy in June for the D-Day anniversary and will pay my respects for the fallen Canadians interred at Beny-Sur-Mer.

@alainproviste3523 Год назад

There had been other massacres during the battle of Normandy. Like in the village of Graignes near Carentan, during the first stages of the invasion. 17 wounded and captured US paratroopers were executed by SS, along with 44 French civilians who were accused to help them. Then; SS set fire to the village, who was almost completely destroyed. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Graignes

@jamesbrowning206 Год назад

@@alainproviste3523 Yes, I"m actually going to Graignes during my next 2-week Normandy trip in June. I tried to visit Oradour-sur-Glane near Limoges last summer where the Das Reich SS Division destroyed the whole town and killed 600+ French civilans in response to Resistance activity in the area. Unfortunately I missed the bus from Limoges but plan to try again in the future.

@tomcox2565 2 года назад

Thank you for focusing on the Canadians that fought and died for us all. From Northern Ontario Canada.

@TheHistoryUnderground 2 года назад

🇨🇦

@shaggman13 Год назад

My Father and his 6 brothers, 1 sister, mother and father came to Canada from Holland after WW2 in 1946 I can't thank the men and women enough for their sacrifice and bravery. My family would not be here today if not for all the brave souls that fought all the horrific battles... thank you thank you thank you.. ❤

@Chiller01 2 года назад

An excellent episode as always. As a dual Canadian/US citizen I’ve done fair bit of reading on the actions of the 12th SS and Canadians in Normandy. The “baby division” is often touted as an elite unit. They were definitely fanatical and I suppose brave but they were wasteful of their own lives as well as those of their enemies. Many of their counterattacks were piecemeal and not well coordinated with their artillery. As a result many were cut down as they rose from cover and rushed Canadian positions. The division’s war crimes were not limited to murdering POW’s. They murdered French civilians in the village of Ascq because French partisans had sabotaged rail lines near the village delaying their arrival in Normandy. Though the figures I have read vary it is likely the 12th SS suffered 70% to 80% casualties during the Normandy campaign.

@motorrebell 2 года назад

The majority of the 12 th SS "Hitlerjugend" Division were drawn Teenage members of the Hitler Youth .

@WisdomJusticeFortitude73 2 года назад

JD & Paul.. I really want to say thank you for taking the time to elaborate on this brutal situation with the Canadian soldier's. The brutality of the SS is unfathomable, I & many other's do appreciate all of the time you dedicate to this. Countless people have been giving information about different conflicts, remembering the importance of what these families & soldier's had to sacrifice to make it a good world. Best regards

@TheHistoryUnderground 2 года назад

Appreciate that. Thank you.

@Jigger2361 3 месяца назад

....had me crying at 13:00 onward .... thank you to the French people who helped these Canadians and who continue to keep their memories alive

@neilheriot2361 Год назад

Thank's for keeping history in the light.

@derekbaker3279 2 года назад

Thank you for bringing this massacre to the attention of those who interested in gaining both depth & breadth in understanding of WWII history! 👍👍 FYI, including this massacre, a total of 106 Canadian soldiers captured during the two month-long 'Battle of Normandy' were executed by the Germans. Clashes between the Canadians, and fanatical 12th SS/other German forces were especially savage right from the start, but - in contrast to the intense, bloody battles Canadians fought against the highly-trained, strongly-motivated Fallschirmjagers in Italy - the Canadians in western Europe found themselves up against an enemy that had no respect for the values & policies that were agreed to in the Geneva Convention. The reason for this? Well, the German officers who the Canadians encountered in Normandy had accumulated substantial battlefield experience on the Eastern Front, in what was a racially & politically motivated 'war of annihilation' between Axis forces & the Soviet Union. The Eastern Front featured battles where, much of the time, few prisoners were taken, and where Partisan activities & the Nazi Eissentruppen 'ethnic cleansing' of entire villages added greatly to the hate. This resulted in massacres being commonplace & the majority of prisoners of both sides not surviving captivity during/after the war. Evidently, the German forces from the Eastern Front that the Allies faced in France behaved no differently. ( it should be noted that this is also quite similar to what was seen from the outset of the war in the Pacific, where war crimes against the wounded & captured were also commonplace...)

@RubyBandUSA 2 года назад

the despicable german captain should have spent life in prison, no parole. That would have more painful than a hanging which would have been too good for him.

@williampawson5476 2 года назад

The Canadians were NOT "executed" by the Germans .... they were MURDERED ... we do well to use the correct words...

@derekbaker3279 2 года назад

@@williampawson5476 I chose 'executed' because the killings were not part of battle & it was a planned, organized war crime.....however I do see your point William. "Executed" could imply the product of a legal process, which it most definitely was not. 👍 Thank you. 👍

@thejace3333 2 года назад

Walking through the woods of Château d’Audrieu in between Bayeux and Caen a few years ago, I came across a few small Canadian flags in the ground and some flowers. Perplexed, I had to do some research and found that upwards of 45 Canadians, including several dozen members of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles, were massacred there in batches by the 12th SS on June 8th.

@mcvet57103 Год назад

I'm in wander of how well kept military cemetaries are in France as compared to military cemetaries other than Arlington in the US. It shows the undying gratitude, and respect the people of Europe, and especially Normandy, and France have for the Allied forces buried there.

@bennyboogenheimer4553 2 года назад

I can see these Brave Canadians forming a circle, and calling in a Broken Arrow. Fighting to the last man. Not going out with a bullet to the back of the head. Canadians are some of the greatest warriors in the World! But that's just me!

@NikkiSoFar Год назад

Thank you for your interest & sharing this info, as a Canadian I’ve heard many Juno Beach & Normandy stories over my lifetime but I have never understood these as clearly before today.

@josephboxmeyer5730 2 года назад

Thanks. These stories were new to me. You gentlemen have done a great service in honoring our heroes.

@colinaustin5905 5 месяцев назад

Thank you so much for telling the story of those brave Canadians...God bless them.

@debcattell7059 2 года назад

So so sad 😞 Thank you JD for sharing this story

@three6ohchris 2 года назад

This story is so incredibly sad and it seems very unfair that it's not more well-known than it is. I know there are many stories of tragedies similar to this that are never fully documented in the more well known history books nor are they shared with students and the public in a way that other stories are... And that feels like such an injustice to these men. Thank you JD and Paul for taking the time to tell their story, and making sure that more people become aware of their sacrifice. 🙏 I hope these men found eternal peace in their passing. On the opposite side of the coin I hope that the man that was responsible and for whatever reason never faced actual justice, has been given the horrible karma that he deserves and that he will never find peace in his afterlife for all of eternity.

@TheHistoryUnderground 2 года назад

Thank you. Hopefully people will share this video so that this story can be more widely known.

@three6ohchris 2 года назад

@@TheHistoryUndergroundNo, no... Thank YOU, JD. And I also hope that happens with the video. I have actually heard, and seen some comments that your videos are shown to history classes by teachers. I think that's so awesome and such an honor. Also, I think it proves that your videos are high quality and that the way you are able to share such a large amount of detailed information while keeping your audience engaged is a hard to find skill.

@quisuis-je Год назад

God bless all these young Canadian men. Tough to hear! 🍁

@SteveFoley-sf9ro 6 месяцев назад

What a powerful and touching story. I hope one day to be able and visit these sites and give my thanks to the many Hero's that gave all for our freedom.

@carolancarey992 2 года назад

great collaboration with Paul and History Traveler, thank you so much

@Nohandle2500 5 месяцев назад

I'm from Halifax, Nova Scotia...my wife originally from Springhill,NS. Her grandfather was 19 & a machine gunner with the North Nova Scotia Highlanders during Overlord. He worked in the coal mines after the war & unfortunately passed away at a relatively young age from lung cancer despite never smoked in his life. He refused to speak when asked about the war. However, when her & her siblings turned 19, he took each one of them & told his story. There is nothing that can prepare you to hear what he had experienced in WW2. The one statement he made that she always remembered from that day - " combat will take you to a level of evil you never knew existed." I had to go to that place a few times. Every German I killed was one less German trying to kill me."

@robertarnold7187 Год назад

Great but sad watch. Thanks from a Canadian who lost several family members in WW2

@dangal9366 3 месяца назад

The fact that the Canadians let this guy walk out of prison after 8 years is disgusting.

@livelife4471 Год назад

I really appreciate the production of this video. It is very well done. Thank you to the both of you for producing it and telling its history.

@meeruisland Год назад

I visited this cemetery in 2018 (Army uk veteran of 80/90/00's) and like all commonwealth graves was immaculate with only the noise of the odd vehicle going past, so peacefull and such a shame

@georgeralph8031 2 года назад

The French appear to take good care our fallen. Merci.

@TheHistoryUnderground 2 года назад

Very much so.

@maxrolland3148 2 года назад

Indeed, very good care is taken of the thousands of american, canadian and british soldiers who died in Normandy. Unfortunately, more than 30.000 french civilians also died in the battle of Normandy and they don’t really have any cemetery. Everyone forgot that the price of blood was also paid by the french but the french themselves don’t want to remember it for some reason…

@ArmyVet82ndAbn Год назад

12th SS Panzer Division 'Hitlerjugend' Hitler youth division was composed of mostly teenagers with a few expierenced officers and leaders. Horrorific what happened.The Allies conducted war crimes trials on several German officers including Kurt Meyer at Neuremburg. RIP, to those brave Canadians, heroes.

@KennethEdwards-tf8vc Год назад

The photographs of the murdered Canadian soldiers moved me so much. Killing in the heat of battle is one thing. Murdering unarmed men over several hours is cowardly and unforgivable.

@normagrimstad8869 2 года назад

Thank you for covering this aspect of the war. I think the Canadian contribution on D day is somewhat overlooked. My grandmother was from Newfoundland, and several of her cousins fought in WWII. I don’t know if the Newfies were in this conflict, but if they were, god bless them, and god bless all the Canadians.

@johnkidd1226 2 года назад

The Canadians continued to come up against the 12th. SS in the following months. Very few prisoners were taken. By the time they reached Germany, the 12th. SS had been decimated with 100% casualties.

@kcuzz4091 Год назад

We’ve learned to kill more efficiently and with “Shock and Awe” as George W. Bush said at the beginning of the Iraq war, but I keep waiting to see if we learn to love one another more and perhaps use our words more effectively. What an awful day in WWII history! My heart breaks for those lost that terrible day. Glad those responsible were punished.

@timnavarrette3274 2 года назад

This type of war crime really gets alot of people pissed off. There is no reason to kill troops when captured. The officers need to be held accountable also.

@russhillis 2 года назад

Thanks again, so often Canada's contribution to the invasion of Normandy is forgotten.

@markmanc-zw3td Год назад

We cannot thank them enough & we should never forget their sacrifice. I find it hard to understand the rise of adoration for the ss you currently see on you tube. A different generation - thank you 🙏. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

@thenoworriesnomad 2 года назад

Thanks for this video..God Bless Them All..

@jamesbeaton7010 Год назад

Good informative video, watching things like this reinforces how lucky I feel not to ever have known war!!!

@windyPlays 2 года назад

My father is a first generation Canadian, both of my grandparents came to Canada at the end of WW2. My grandfather was actually an American prisoner of war, I believe I remember him saying he was captured in northern France ended up in Massachusetts. He rarely ever talked about the war as it was an extremely traumatic experience for a young man like himself (his father was also fighting in the war), he suffered from what we now know would be severe PTSD; due to this I never really got to hear about his time as a POW. I've looked everywhere for any sort of record from his time as a American POW. If anybody knows where I could look to find this kind of information I would greatly appreciate it. I have a very unique last name so it shouldn't be hard to distinguish my grandfather from others.

@Wreckdiver59 2 года назад

I know this type of inhumanity occurred, but to have it told at such a personal level really makes it so much more atrocious. Thanks JD and Paul for telling the story of these men. I can't believe they let Meyer out of prison and for him to go on become an SS Apologist only adds insult to injury.

@TheHistoryUnderground 2 года назад

Yeah, his actions after the war were certainly atrocious.

@nightshift3635 2 года назад

excellent tribute to our canadian heroes , i havent finished waching yet but i hope you know by the end of the battle of normandy the canadian division had completely destroyed the 12 SS Jugend Panzer division, they escaped normandy with around only 350 men left and something like only 15 vehicles

@navblue20 2 года назад

The 12th SS was a piece of work: reading about the history and what they were turned into is just absolutely sickening in some respects

@chiselcheswick5673 2 года назад

Sickening actions. There are things that happen in war that none of us can understand unless we were there, but I would like to think most of us wouldn't sink as low as those SS units and carry out some of the actions they did.

@robdyson4990 2 года назад

You'd be happy to know they were all killed, basically

@AloysiusDente Год назад

I see this video is a year old so you might have visited it by now, but the Commonwealth war cemetery in Bayeux also has this feature of the personal notes from the families on the headstones. Many brought a tear to my eye when I visited.

@edwatson1991 2 года назад

I can see why in my training we were told never to allow your weapon to be further that the reach of your arm, in fact never to be out of your hand. I doubt that the same units would have made the same decisions after that; they paid dearly for those missteps. War is a terrible thing. Making the decision to go to war is an admission of failure and should not be a decision taken lightly. There are times though that this decision must be made. As a former member of the 1st Nova Scotia Highlanders I have known about this for a long time; I am not a veteran of that war. I also know that the highlanders took no prisoners after that till the end of the war as a result of this incident. Meyer was also paid by the government of Canada to advise us on military matters during his imprisonment. Knowing what I know now, I would do it again... Siol Na Fear Fearail.

@jeffhinman7270 2 года назад

I think the guy around 6 minutes in means to say "blissfully unaware" of the German ambush not "blissfully aware". You can't be blissfully aware you are about to run into the 12 SS Panzer division!

@1joshjosh1 2 месяца назад

I'm happy this has received so many views

@sykes597 Год назад

Very moving, thanks from London

@shawndyer8140 Год назад

War is so senseless. All the families that lost loved ones on both sides and civil ians.

@Bigsky1991 2 года назад

The ferocity of the 12th SS "Hitlerjugend" Division was legendary. The Cadre of the Division were all highly decorated members of the LSSAH the famous Leibstandarte SS "Adolf Hitler". They were spurred on to fight "gnadenlos " or, without mercy. The atrocity at the Abbey is well documented and a dark stain on the 12th SS's battle history. But, as happens in War, excesses were committed on both sides. In fact, Canadian losses were so severe in and around Caen and the defense of the Caen sector was so tenacious by the SS that Montgomery ordered that no SS prisoners were to be taken for 72 hours. So hundreds of young SS Grenadiere were murdered by the Canadians and Brits after having fought until they were out of ammo. Many beaten to death, others machine gunned en masse. War is hell.

@alneal100 2 года назад

If it had been my comrades (they were Canadians, so that qualifies), I would have waited for Kurt Meyer to get out of prison, and given him a taste of his own medicine.

@timr9633 2 года назад

In the battles of June 7th and 8th, the Canadians bent but did not break. It must be remembered that the objective of Meyer and the 12th SS was to reach the invasion beaches. They were stopped dead by the same Canadian units and suffered severe casualties. Perhaps it was they who, after the initial surprise, ran into the buzz saw.

@robertmatch6550 Год назад

Props, Love and Respect to Canada. Always.

@davecurda2350 2 года назад

Thank for telling their story 🇨🇦

@hubertgailuron6402 2 года назад

Thanks for your vidéo. My greatfather was french soldier in free french Army. I like history of WW2 and i go in Normandie for célébration of Overlod with my son.

@cherylsemrau7100 Год назад

We will remember them. From Canada.

@Senor0Droolcup 2 года назад

This was another great video! I was going to leave a snarky comment correcting you that the 12th SS was a Panzer Grenadier division but I looked it up and of course I was wrong and you were right: it was listed as a Panzer division.

@TheHistoryUnderground 2 года назад

Thanks! And looking up information before leaving a snarky comment? What a novel idea :) There were panzer grenadier regiments in the division, so you weren't completely wrong.

@billrosmus6734 2 месяца назад

Thanks!

@slif51 6 месяцев назад

Great video as always! Just an opinion or suggestion: for the driving/explanation parts it would be better to see the road ahead instead of the guy driving haha Paul did an amazing job though 👍

@jimmyandtheresurrection7247 Год назад

Make love not war ! So we gotta spread some joy.

@stephendaisley8645 Год назад

Blissfully un-aware. Un - aware not blissfully aware.

@popcornhead3479 Год назад

R.I.P to those fine Canadian soldiers!

@TheHistoryUnderground Год назад

🇨🇦

@jimdr63 Год назад

I knew one of the soldiers ( Eugene) who guarded Meyer after his capture and incarnation by the RCA (Royal Canadian Army) . As irony would have it Eugene a strapping tall man of 17, landed on Juno Beach on Dday. It was there a bullet from a MG42 went through his arm and wrist. After serving a short time in a Hospital he returned to active duty on the front line at Caen, fighting the SS. Again he was wounded. A bullet went through his cheek and nicked his tongue and another went into his shoulder and shattered his bone. It was here he was captured and sent to a Stalg in Germany. Surprisingly he was treated for his wounds by the SS, despite being a black kid from Halifax. ( Canada was the only army with a completely integrated armed service at the time as far as I'm aware.) After Liberation he remained in the service and was assigned to guard Kurt Meyer while he was on trial. Eugene commented that the German was very arrogant and acted superior to all around him. He showed no fear or regret during the initial stages of his imprisonment. Until the guards found his weakness and used it to taught him. In conversations between guards and prisioners the guards would drop a subtle hint that Meyer was to be transferred to the Soviet Union to face trial there. The rumours quickly found its way to Meyer through the prisoner network. Eugene said the fear in his eyes and the begging tone in his voice when asking for confirmation on the rumour of being sent to Russia was true or not was quiet satisfying to the guards.

@andrewmacdonald4833 2 года назад

Wonderful documentary...

@TheHistoryUnderground 2 года назад

👍🏻

@jameskirk1928 Год назад

Gutted. Thank you for sharing.

@dwight4626 Год назад

My uncle Ed was Meyer’s interpreter at his trial

@mikeybraz915 Месяц назад

Amazing video.

@hughlord2768 2 года назад

I just listened to the podcast Curious Canadian History episode regarding Col. Kurt Meyer SS commander of the 12th SS who was convicted of War Crimes due to the murder of the Canadians at Abby Ardenes. the podcast is by Professor of Canadian history at the University of British Columbia. there are some facts that are spoken about that may be of interest to anyone wanting to know more about this incident.

@thomasgumersell9607 3 месяца назад

This video left a marked impression apon me. The fact the German 12 th SS commander. He was tried found guiltu. Sentanced to die that was changed to a life sentence. Yet he only served a sentence of 8 years ??? Then he is seen visiting the same village years later. Where he ordered the execution and murder of Canadian Soldiers. That honestly made me feel that he got away with his crimes. 💪🏻🙏🏻✨

@paulwilson4685 2 года назад

THANK YOU SO MUCH !!!

@duncanedwards7840 2 года назад

Fantastic people, may they forever rest in peace, or, hopefully live joyously in another plain of life ❤

@BenDover-tj8vf 2 года назад

Some of the bravest , hardest gentlemen it has ever been my privilege to serve alongside .rip heroes , till we all muster for the last time brothers .

@jonathannorris8992 27 дней назад

My mate Bill, Royal Marine commando, said what hard men the Canadians were, having landed on D-Day with them. Not enough has been made of the Canadians incredibly important role in taking back Europe. Despite what Hollywood has told everyone, Americans didn’t do it on there own.

@andremartel7218 2 года назад

I visited the cemetery a few years ago with my 3 sons. And I made it my mission to walk each and every row and look at each tombstone. Those who are buried there deserve the complete and total respect of us the generation that lives in freedom thanks to their actions. My father fought in WW2 with the 22nd Canadian regiment.

@Liberator29 2 года назад

My great uncle is buried there. JP Fountain. Died with the 27th Canadian Armored Regiment of the Sherbrooke Fusiliers in combat June 7th. Thanks for being there.

@helmutsecke3529 Год назад

Wir leben in der Freiheit?

@brandongardner9829 Год назад

I'm glad you took the time to teach your sons and to show respect to those brave men Andre, good on you.

@xys7536 Год назад

@@helmutsecke3529 we do your stuck in the past

@helmutsecke3529 Год назад

@@xys7536 correction: you're

@mrfishydudeman 2 года назад

The Canadians will always be our heroes, they liberated our town and we will never forget them! If any Canadians read this, thank you so much for everything

@TheHistoryUnderground 2 года назад

Amazing! Thanks for that.

@henerymag 2 года назад

As a Canadian I thank you for remembering those young hero's. My Great Uncle who died in France is buried in the Cabaret Rouge Cemetery at Souchez France. WW1

@Pincer88 2 года назад

Same here from the North of the Netherlands. We are eternally in your debt by honour and gratitude.

@laurahunter1690 2 года назад

Thank you from all Canadians who have sacrificed in whatever way for peace.

@TheLoachman 2 года назад

I cannot describe how much this is appreciated. The people that we met on a battlefield tour of Normandy in 1992, just before the D-Day anniversary, were very hospitable. Canadian Armed Forces 1973-2016.

@alexwitzaney9018 2 года назад

I'm a 76 year old Canadian. I weep when I hear of the sacrifices our young men and women made so that we can live free. THANKYOU to those brave men who faced such terrible experiences. May you rest in peace. Lest I forget, my thanks go to all the Allied soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice so we are free.

@johnjames5712 Год назад

wait but if you're a Canadian how did any of their sacrifices help YOU be free? and if you still live in canida it's hard to say you live free when you live under the rule of a fascist dictator now

@alexwitzaney9018 Год назад

@@johnjames5712Apparently you are not familiar with Canadian politics You sound like some type of troll. If you had any balls you might identify where you are from. Then we could have an intelligent discussion about this. At least I acknowledged sacrifices made by ALL allied soldiers and stated where I'm from. Yes. Justless Trudeau and his political party are would be dictators. However we do have considerable opposition to some of their unpopular policies. No one including me has been sent to a concentration camp because of our opposition. That did happen in "fascist dictatorships". Perhaps you should study a more unbiased history than what you seemed to have.

@Anglo_Saxon1 Год назад

@@johnjames5712 How come?

@johnjames5712 Год назад

@@Anglo_Saxon1 you guys have a comminist dictator that is a puppet of the CCP as prime minister. Tho the us is no better when we also have a president that was not really elected and who also works for the china and not for America.

@Anglo_Saxon1 Год назад

@@johnjames5712 I'm not Canadian I'm English.

@robdot1964 2 года назад

I think I speak for all Canadians, when I thank you for such a wonderful tribute to our fallen soldiers. Well done.

@TheHistoryUnderground 2 года назад

Much appreciated. Thank you.

@OTDMilitaryHistory 2 года назад

Agreed! A great tribute to the Canadians who murdered.

@dougorford9062 2 года назад

Are you a relative of Col Petch of the NNSH?

@robdot1964 2 года назад

@@dougorford9062 it’s possible, Petch is an uncommon name. We’ve done our family history and I haven’t heard that name before.

@gerogemichaels7580 2 года назад

@@OTDMilitaryHistory Just endless masturbation over a brothers war that the Allies started. Pretty sure it was Canada invading Germany with the Red Butchers. Murdering boys defending their mothers and sisters.

@Dr10Jeeps 2 года назад

As a Canadian, this brought a tear to my eye. Thank you for such a wonderful tribute to our fallen heroes.

@TheHistoryUnderground 2 года назад

🇨🇦

@sc666666 Год назад

As an American also.

@trsalmon Год назад

As an American, it brought tears to my eyes too.

@petergianakopoulos4926 Год назад

Did you really cry?

@petergianakopoulos4926 Год назад

You cried too?

@hoofgripweightlifting6872 2 года назад

As a US Army vet, I appreciate you gents covering this dark side of the war. I love Canadians. They’re the nicest people on earth. Those Canadian soldiers did not deserve this. May they RIP. Til Valhalla.

@karlshuler1011 2 года назад

Our soldiers have fought proudly beside our American neighbor. Sometimes forgotten in history yet when military men and women like yourself talk about us you all know how much Canada has done. My utmost respect to for your service as well.