The Falaise Pocket | The WW2 Corridor Of Death 

I’d love to go back and cover the Polish battle here. It really was so ferocious, facing desperate German forces either trying to retreat through the Falaise gap to escape or beating off counterattacking forces who were trying to prevent the collapse of the pocket. Very very brave soldiers

@@thehistoryexplorer 100 000 agaist 1500 -that was and Germans defeated in close quarters.

🤣🤣🤣

@@thehistoryexplorer There were Pathe News footage showing women of Falaise brandishing hammer&sickle flags on the passage of Polish troops. The local red cells at work already. It’s been taken down.

@@thehistoryexplorer Please watch all the British Pathe News footage relative to the liberation of Falaise by Polish troops.

Thank you that was the intention and I hope it did the job. Appreciate the feedback 👍

One shouldn't forget who was responsible for the immense suffering in the "Corridor Of Death" as well as for the total extreme suffering of the entire war including the immeasurable suffering in the occupied countries by the Nazi army. Responsible for this unimaginable suffering was the completely megalomaniac, mad, criminal, amoral and degenerated Nazi nation with its Nazi army with the pure, insane, megalomaniac and utterly amoral barbarism! In short, the Germans were responsible! In fact, this video serves to whitewash the Nazi army. For this reason the Iraq war at the beginning of the video was shown with the intention of implying that the two wars were comparable. So the intention is to mendacious suggest that that this was actually a war by an ordinary army comparable to the US Army of today contrary to the historical reality that this war was waged by a totally amoral criminal Nazi army. It is no surprise that such a disgusting propaganda video for German whitewashing only mentioned German casualties and that obviously pity for the Nazi soldiers should be created. But one thing is certain one should definitely have no pity for these barbaric and criminal Nazi soldiers. However such videos have the intention of whitewashing the Germans and their army. German whitewashing has many facets, with videos like this being just one. Another particularly perfidious facet of German whitewashing is the use of the term Nazis instead of the term Germans which particularly clearly illustrates the whitewashing of the Germans. Western pro-German propaganda has many facets, one of which is using the term Nazi instead of the actual nation! In fact, Western pro-German propaganda is very consistent in using the term Nazis. The Nazis are the bad guys and the real Germans are their victims. The use of the term Nazis instead of Germans also in Hollywood movies actually serves to whitewash the Germans. The fact that the term Nazis is used instead of Germans has a reason that most people are not even aware of. This is why this German whitewashing propaganda is so very successful that most people worldwide now use the term Nazis and not the term Germans in connection with the 2nd World War. It is necessary to clarify why the term Nazi is even used for to understand all this. So it is necessary to clarify who a Nazi even was for to understand all this. Who is referred to as Nazis by western propaganda at all in this context. All Germans? Definitely not! No, the western propaganda differentiates very precisely between the evil Nazis and the other "good" Germans. The western pro-German propaganda spreads the lying myth of the few Nazis who were guilty and responsible, because it is generally concealed that the overwhelming majority of Germans since 1935 at the latest were follower and supporters of the German Nazi government, thus they were Nazis. So the overwhelming majority of Germans were since 1935 at the latest Nazis. It is concealed the fact that the vast majority were Nazis, giving the impression that it was the other way around, that contrary to historical truth there was only a relatively small minority of Nazis. True, the term Nazis is a synonym for this nation and and so it would be actually irrelevant whether Nazis or the name of the nation is used. But since the lie is spread of only few Nazis which were in this country, the impression arises that only a few Nazis were responsible for the crimes with Nazism and not in fact the vast majority of the population was responsible for that. Therefore, using the term Nazis instead of the name of the nation is misleading. So one should talk about the Germans in this context. But not about the Nazis. So the synonym Nazis would actually be justified for this nation. BUT...the intention to use Nazis instead of German has a very specific intention. Just for to whitewashing of the Germans. Because from this lying western propaganda the myth is even produced that the vast majority of Germans were actually victims of the evil Nazis themselves and that the Nazis were just a small minority. For this reason alone they differentiate between Germans and Nazis! The propagandists even claim that the Germans were liberated in 1945. I have read and heard this lie more often that the Germans were allegedly liberated. LIBERATED! As e.g. the title of this RU-vid video shows. "Liberation of Munich April 30 1945" ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-RtCvjD56Kkc.html the title is not the occupation of Munich by the Americans, which would correspond to historical facts. No, a lie is being spread about liberation! An unbelievable lie in which from the victory over this evil Nazi nation with the subsequent multi-annual occupation is made a LIBERATION. This is actually the end goal of that whitewashing campaign. Separating the nation from the evil Nazis and making the nation victims of the Nazis. This can also be seen from the fact that certain Germans are referred to as non-Nazis, such as Nazi general Erwin Rommel who was a willing tool of the German Nazi government and fought doggedly for the victory of this Nazi government. This way the Western propaganda distinguishes very conscious between the bad Nazis and the other good Germans like Rommel. It is then stated that Rommel was not a member of the Nazi party and thus he was not a Nazi. Because that's the common lie that's being spread, that only the Nazi party members were Nazis. A very useful lie. But in reality the correct definition of Nazi is supporters and follower of the German Nazi government and that was the vast majority of Germans at least since 1935 thus they were all Nazis. That was also Rommel, who made a great effort to ensure that the German Nazi government wins this war. He also benefited from his hard work for the Nazi regime and was promoted to Field Marshal. But despite this, Western propaganda and Hollywood portray him as a non-Nazi. Like Rommel, the vast majority of Germans had been followers and supporters of the german nazi government since 1935 at the latest, so they were Nazis. But these historical facts are not being propagated by Western propaganda, but the lie of the relatively few guilty Nazis! Why is it done that way? Why is the lie being spread of the few Nazis who were responsible for the crimes so that most people by now say Nazis instead of the name of the really guilty nation? At first in 1945, the Americans had the right attitude regarding the Germans, as this educational film shows for the US Army. „Your Job in Germany - RU-vid" ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-7OUR5uvs9aw.html Then pragmatism prevailed over justice! Because after the war, the Americans believed the Germans would be useful as allies! So in the 50s, most of Germans became the ally of the West. (West Germany). However the problem was that this Nazi nation was completely megalomaniac, mad, criminal, amoral and degenerated! The West could not be allied to a morally degenerate Nazi nation that has murdered millions of children, among other crimes. So they were practically systematically washed clean to be tolerable as allies. So they were washed clean by propaganda (Western historians / media / politicians / Hollywood etc.) and the blame was put on relatively few Nazis. So the term Nazis is deliberately used by propaganda, i.e. the media, historians, politicians, Hollywood to differentiate between the Germans and the Nazis. It is then said that only a minority were Nazis. But this does not correspond to the historical facts, because the vast majority of Germans were followers and supporters of the German Nazi government at least since 1936, thus they were Nazis. In fact, the Nazis is actually a synonym for the entire nation, but it is definitely not used that way, by the Western pro-German propaganda including Hollywood. A very successful propaganda! This is way also most people around the world because of this propaganda now use the term Nazis and not German in connection with the 2nd World War and the crimes. Yes, there are always good Germans in Hollywood movies about World War II. It was only logical that a movie was given the title "The Good German". There really is such a movie with the title "The Good German". Mind you in connection with the 2nd World War! Thus the completely megalomaniac, mad, criminal, amoral and degenerated Nazi nation was whitewashed by the Western propaganda machine, which Hollywood is a part of. But that propaganda didn't work for everyone, because Poles actually always say with reference to the Second World War, the German occupation, etc. GERMANS and not Nazis. Because the Poles know against whom was fought in this war. Because it was the fighting against the entire nation and a not only against a political party. Antworten

Comment about Falaise gap makes sense in not closing gap entirely with chance of friendly fire. I do disagree on not worrying about killing as many Nazis as possible. Those same Nazis killed a lot of ours boys in the Ardennes in German Winter offensive. Of course hindsight is 20/20 I guess?

Many of the veterans didn’t, not until their later years when it seems people were more inclined to listen to

My father was a Sargent. One of the handful of times he spoke of his experiences, he said he went into the Falaise gap with 40 men and came out with 4. He had a scar on his left arm where it was nearly shot off. The History Explorer gives a very humane and moral view of what happened, but me, a cynical 70 year old Canadian who lost an uncle to a U-Boat, I say F those guys.

I couldn’t agree with you more. That’s why I love then and now photos too. I would spend every holiday at battlefields if I could but the wife might leave me! Ha!

@@thehistoryexplorer I can understand about the wife leaving you about that, lol! Here in the mid-Atlantic region of the east coast, there is a wealth of old battlefields I can walk through from time-to-time. I often pause at a particular site and recreate the sounds of battle in my mind, or try to watch a re-enactment of an event. I guess I'll always be a history nut, thank God. 😄

@@oldgoat142 I’d love to visit the American Civil War locations. One day!

@@thehistoryexplorer It would be well worth it!

My father was a war hero.

It really is terrible isn’t it

That sounds like an epic battlefields tour! Wow! I’m a huge admirer of Canadian military heritage and their exploits. I’ve said in a previous comment that I’m desperate to get back to Saint Lambert but also to go to Authie and Saint Contest in upper Normandy

I was at Vimy in 2017 for the 100th. I wept. Visited Ypres, Dieppe and Juno Beach on that trip. As I visited I was struck by 2 main things. Firstly, the slaughter that took place and second was that life there was just that, people living life. For all that horror to have taken place but where I stood, it was peaceful. I felt it deep down. Odd, but wonderful feeling. Was to go back in May 2020 for the 75th of VE Day, but, well...

I can well imagine. What a fantastic opportunity to speak to a veteran who was there. I’d love to go back and film around Saint Lambert to cover the Canadian action. Such brave soldiers

It was a slaughter house for the Canadians under Guy Simmonds. I had a great uncle killed at the Falaise gap with the Scottish Essex. He is buried at Bretteville cemetery

@@oldredcoonhound2182 I’m desperate to get back there and cover the Canadian actions, Maj Currie included. Thanks for sharing your connection to this battle, have you visited?

@@thehistoryexplorer yes, was able to get there a few years ago before the world went nuts.

One shouldn't forget who was responsible for the immense suffering in the "Corridor Of Death" as well as for the total extreme suffering of the entire war including the immeasurable suffering in the occupied countries by the Nazi army. Responsible for this unimaginable suffering was the completely megalomaniac, mad, criminal, amoral and degenerated Nazi nation with its Nazi army with the pure, insane, megalomaniac and utterly amoral barbarism! In short, the Germans were responsible! In fact, this video serves to whitewash the Nazi army. For this reason the Iraq war at the beginning of the video was shown with the intention of implying that the two wars were comparable. So the intention is to mendacious suggest that that this was actually a war by an ordinary army comparable to the US Army of today contrary to the historical reality that this war was waged by a totally amoral criminal Nazi army. It is no surprise that such a disgusting propaganda video for German whitewashing only mentioned German casualties and that obviously pity for the Nazi soldiers should be created. But one thing is certain one should definitely have no pity for these barbaric and criminal Nazi soldiers. However such videos have the intention of whitewashing the Germans and their army. As the comments with pity for the Nazi army show, the whitewash propaganda of the Germans works. German whitewashing has many facets, with videos like this being just one. Another particularly perfidious facet of German whitewashing is the use of the term Nazis instead of the term Germans which particularly clearly illustrates the whitewashing of the Germans. Western pro-German propaganda has many facets, one of which is using the term Nazi instead of the actual nation! In fact, Western pro-German propaganda is very consistent in using the term Nazis. The Nazis are the bad guys and the real Germans are their victims. The use of the term Nazis instead of Germans also in Hollywood movies actually serves to whitewash the Germans. The fact that the term Nazis is used instead of Germans has a reason that most people are not even aware of. This is why this German whitewashing propaganda is so very successful that most people worldwide now use the term Nazis and not the term Germans in connection with the 2nd World War. It is necessary to clarify why the term Nazi is even used for to understand all this. So it is necessary to clarify who a Nazi even was for to understand all this. Who is referred to as Nazis by western propaganda at all in this context. All Germans? Definitely not! No, the western propaganda differentiates very precisely between the evil Nazis and the other "good" Germans. The western pro-German propaganda spreads the lying myth of the few Nazis who were guilty and responsible, because it is generally concealed that the overwhelming majority of Germans since 1935 at the latest were follower and supporters of the German Nazi government, thus they were Nazis. So the overwhelming majority of Germans were since 1935 at the latest Nazis. It is concealed the fact that the vast majority were Nazis, giving the impression that it was the other way around, that contrary to historical truth there was only a relatively small minority of Nazis. True, the term Nazis is a synonym for this nation and and so it would be actually irrelevant whether Nazis or the name of the nation is used. But since the lie is spread of only few Nazis which were in this country, the impression arises that only a few Nazis were responsible for the crimes with Nazism and not in fact the vast majority of the population was responsible for that. Therefore, using the term Nazis instead of the name of the nation is misleading. So one should talk about the Germans in this context. But not about the Nazis. So the synonym Nazis would actually be justified for this nation. BUT...the intention to use Nazis instead of German has a very specific intention. Just for to whitewashing of the Germans. Because from this lying western propaganda the myth is even produced that the vast majority of Germans were actually victims of the evil Nazis themselves and that the Nazis were just a small minority. For this reason alone they differentiate between Germans and Nazis! The propagandists even claim that the Germans were liberated in 1945. I have read and heard this lie more often that the Germans were allegedly liberated. LIBERATED! As e.g. the title of this RU-vid video shows. "Liberation of Munich April 30 1945" ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-RtCvjD56Kkc.html the title is not the occupation of Munich by the Americans, which would correspond to historical facts. No, a lie is being spread about liberation! An unbelievable lie in which from the victory over this evil Nazi nation with the subsequent multi-annual occupation is made a LIBERATION. This is actually the end goal of that whitewashing campaign. Separating the nation from the evil Nazis and making the nation victims of the Nazis. This can also be seen from the fact that certain Germans are referred to as non-Nazis, such as Nazi general Erwin Rommel who was a willing tool of the German Nazi government and fought doggedly for the victory of this Nazi government. This way the Western propaganda distinguishes very conscious between the bad Nazis and the other good Germans like Rommel. It is then stated that Rommel was not a member of the Nazi party and thus he was not a Nazi. Because that's the common lie that's being spread, that only the Nazi party members were Nazis. A very useful lie. But in reality the correct definition of Nazi is supporters and follower of the German Nazi government and that was the vast majority of Germans at least since 1935 thus they were all Nazis. That was also Rommel, who made a great effort to ensure that the German Nazi government wins this war. He also benefited from his hard work for the Nazi regime and was promoted to Field Marshal. But despite this, Western propaganda and Hollywood portray him as a non-Nazi. Like Rommel, the vast majority of Germans had been followers and supporters of the german nazi government since 1935 at the latest, so they were Nazis. But these historical facts are not being propagated by Western propaganda, but the lie of the relatively few guilty Nazis! Why is it done that way? Why is the lie being spread of the few Nazis who were responsible for the crimes so that most people by now say Nazis instead of the name of the really guilty nation? At first in 1945, the Americans had the right attitude regarding the Germans, as this educational film shows for the US Army. „Your Job in Germany - RU-vid" ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-7OUR5uvs9aw.html Then pragmatism prevailed over justice! Because after the war, the Americans believed the Germans would be useful as allies! So in the 50s, most of Germans became the ally of the West. (West Germany). However the problem was that this Nazi nation was completely megalomaniac, mad, criminal, amoral and degenerated! The West could not be allied to a morally degenerate Nazi nation that has murdered millions of children, among other crimes. So they were practically systematically washed clean to be tolerable as allies. So they were washed clean by propaganda (Western historians / media / politicians / Hollywood etc.) and the blame was put on relatively few Nazis. So the term Nazis is deliberately used by propaganda, i.e. the media, historians, politicians, Hollywood to differentiate between the Germans and the Nazis. It is then said that only a minority were Nazis. But this does not correspond to the historical facts, because the vast majority of Germans were followers and supporters of the German Nazi government at least since 1936, thus they were Nazis. In fact, the Nazis is actually a synonym for the entire nation, but it is definitely not used that way, by the Western pro-German propaganda including Hollywood. A very successful propaganda! This is way also most people around the world because of this propaganda now use the term Nazis and not German in connection with the 2nd World War and the crimes. Yes, there are always good Germans in Hollywood movies about World War II. It was only logical that a movie was given the title "The Good German". There really is such a movie with the title "The Good German". Mind you in connection with the 2nd World War! Thus the completely megalomaniac, mad, criminal, amoral and degenerated Nazi nation was whitewashed by the Western propaganda machine, which Hollywood is a part of. But that propaganda didn't work for everyone, because Poles actually always say with reference to the Second World War, the German occupation, etc. GERMANS and not Nazis. Because the Poles know against whom was fought in this war. Because it was the fighting against the entire nation and a not only against a political party. Antworten

Great point C B

Truly well said sir it is indeed the most cautionary of events+should always be remembered+seen as such

@@craigoliver8712 you are quite right Craig

Thank you David. I’m still finding my feet on RU-vid and trying to generate an audience. I’m so glad you enjoyed this video as it’s a subject I care deeply about. Thank you for the very kind comment

@@thehistoryexplorer Your very welcome. I will take a look at the other videos soon.

So sorry to hear that my friend. I’ve no doubt that was a horrendous scene to experience.

Jesus.

So sorry...thank you for your service.

It never will 😢

What possible reason did you have for walking there?

That’s very kind of you to say. Thank you Rod! 👍

That sounds like the road down to Moissy Ford that I cover in this video. It must have been terrible

Wow what a legacy. Thank you for sharing!

O tam trzymać

Thanks for the comment and you’re absolutely right about the fighting echelon forming the balance of the casualties/prisoners. This is due to a number of factors but not least due to local counter attacks to try and enable a break clean. Withdrawing in contact must be horrible. Thank you

@@thehistoryexplorer Believe that withdrawing successfully whilst under fire is the most difficult thing you can do in the army.

@@blatherskite9601 is must be a nightmare. Especially when under constant harassment from the air and enemy observation

@@blatherskite9601 The US 7th AD withdrawl from St. Vith, during the BoB, is a classic example taught in military universities of how armor was used in support of the withdrawl.

there is a pretty good memoir of a german officer who lived through and escaped from the falaise pocket, worth a read for sure... he was also against launching the german counter offense, the failure of which lead to the faliase pocket...

Wow. I can barely imagine the things he saw. But it did lead to the destruction of Nazi Germany, for which we must be very grateful

Thank you for writing that. The video didn't show that much rocket fire and I knew at that stage of the war rockets were common on fighters in the ETO.

Thanks for the comment. Like I say in the video I need a separate video dedicated to Mont Ormel and the Polish action. Such brave soldiers

Absolutely! I’m glad you enjoyed it 👍

Appreciate you brother 👍

Can you imagine how much that stuff would be worth today?! The amount of vehicles and equipment probably scrapped. There’s actually a private field nearby that used to be a scrap yard full of kit

@@thehistoryexplorer That was the Trun scrap yard. It held many gems of which some were rescued and have now been restored. Or parts from that yard have been used to help restore other vehicles back to static or running condition. Some in museums or some in private collections.

@@brutter602 that’s the one! I’ve seen pictures of it. Presumably all gone now?

@@thehistoryexplorer Yes all gone now. Picked clean. An old series of Magazines called Wheels and Tracks published by After The Battle Magazines did several stories on the Trun scrap yard, with many photos . Some of these photos were invaluable to military vehicle restorers such as myself as information/technical manuals were hard to come by.

@@brutter602 fantastic! Thanks for sharing

Thank you my friend I’m glad you enjoyed it

Thank you Dean, I hope you enjoyed it

Charlie that is a haunting account! I do feel as though the battlefields are so sterile now but there are some gems around. I can't wait to go back this summer

Thanks Douglas. There is loads more on the way so be sure to join in 👍

Thanks for the feedback I really appreciate it. Glad you enjoyed the video I make them for like minded history enthusiasts so it means a lot to hear you approve 👍

That’s very kind of you to say. Thank you. This is a very new channel, although I started it over a year ago I’ve only been making videos for the last 4-5 months or so. Still finding my feet!

You’re most welcome Richard. 👍

Both ensigns were called the ‘red ensign’ ,because of the main red field of the flag…not because the leaves changed to red (in 1957 not 1958). Australia and NZ both now have blue ensigns, but they don’t have blue maple leaves on it 😉!

how do you feel about the eu flag flying superior to the national flags? keep in mind the eu is not a country, and not democratic either, not to mention they played no part as this bureaucratic entity did not yet exist...

That’s fantastic feedback. Thank you! A very good book too

You’re a star, cheers David. It’s my genuine pleasure

It’s believed between 50-100,000 Germans escaped. However very little equipment made it back across the Seine

@@thehistoryexplorer : It was a great video but it made it seem like no Germans escaped, or I think you mentioned 10k German troops made it back to Germany.

@@johnjames2470 100,000 is WAY too high a number and completely exaggerated. In reality, it was somewhere between 20,000-40,000 men. According to American Military Historian Martin Blumenson in his book *'Breakout and Pursuit':* *"How many Germans escaped? No one knew. At the end of 20 August Army Group B reported that "approximately from 40 to 50 percent of the encircled units succeeded in breaking out and joining hands with the II SS Panzer Corps." This was an optimistic assessment. By the end of the following day, the strength of six of seven armored divisions that had escaped the pocket totaled, as reported at that time, no more than 2,000 men, 62 tanks, and 26 artillery pieces.* *Later estimates of the total number of Germans escaping varied between 20,000 and 40,000 men, but combat troops formed by far the smaller proportion of these troops. The average combat strength of divisions was no more than a few hundred men, even though the over-all strength of some divisions came close to 3,000. The explanation lay in the fact that a partial exodus had begun at least two or three days before the breakout attack--when shortages of ammunition, gasoline, and other supplies had already become acute."*

@@johnjames2470 fair challenge. You could make a whole video on why so many Germans escaped and another video in the Mace and the Polish. But you make a good point buddy👍

No, nowhere near 100,000 Germans escaped. Doubtful if over 50,000 did. Bradley stopped Patton from continuing north from Argentan to Falaise to close the trap shut because he doubted Patton's ability to stop a German stampede there. In his book A, Soldiers Story Bradley wrote later "In halting Patton at Argentan I did not consult Montgomery, however. The decision was mine alone. I much preferred a solid shoulder at Argentan to the possibility of a broken neck at Falaise".

I also love to tour alone or in a small group. Thanks for the comment I really appreciate it. I hope you’ve subscribed as I’m heading back to Normandy next month 👍

Well said. I do intend to go back to Montormel to cover their action which requires an episode dedicated to them. What a fight they had on that hill

I just came back this week from my first trip to Normandy. What an amazing experience!

Thanks Brad!

Hey Brad when are you visiting Europe and where will you go?

@@thehistoryexplorer I'm guiding on a tour at the end of the month in the Netherlands and Germany. No plans to go back to Normandy any time soon though.

@@OTDMilitaryHistory let me guess; The Scheldt?! I’d love to visit. We’ll have to confirm a slot for a talk about guns!

@@thehistoryexplorer No not the Scheldt unfortunately. Covering Operation Market Garden, the Nijmegen salient, Operations Veritable/Blockbuster, and parts of the Liberation of the Netherlands.

You’re very kind Randy, if you enjoyed this video please check out my latest on Op GOODWOOD - at that time the largest tank battle in Europe. I hope you like it and I really appreciate your feedback 👍

@The History Explorer I will watch it very soon.

Thanks Jerry!

That’s fascinating! What a story. Thanks for sharing

I’m so glad it’s getting to a new audience. Thank you for your very kind comment I hope more of my videos will be of interest to you!

Thanks for the positive feedback buddy I really appreciate it. It must have been bloody hell for them, that’s for sure!

Ian that is very kind of you to say and thank you for your positive comment. Appreciate you buddy

They would need a video all on their own to do it justice. The Mace and Mont-Ormel is a fantastic story to tell

And the Polish Div are a favourite of mine. What heroes

@@thehistoryexplorer yes indeed. I'm stunned how great person Maczek really was. During and after WW2

@@thehistoryexplorer you probably already have, but in case someone who reads this and didn't have a clue about Maczek's tactics which gave him such a popularity among french and dutch civilians, I drop this link below ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-CPnWgUZhvrs.html

@@sliceofjoy233 absolutely! A great man who commanded some ferocious soldiers

That was likely from all the dead horses! Hundreds and hundreds of them

@@thehistoryexplorer Horrible...

A local farmer told me the same thing. His parents said thesmell was so bad people litterally could not breathe. he also added they told him the ground was always moving, covered in a mat of flies.

My pleasure! I’m so glad you enjoyed it

Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for the kind comment. Appreciated!

So glad you enjoyed it and thank you for the very kind comment

The Germans also recovered for the Hurtgen Forest and Lorraine etc. Those campaigns fared worse than Market Garden.

Wow Peter that’s astonishing! Your father would have played a vital role in this battle

Oh! Don't tell that to the PTO zealots ! Just because the Nazis killed innocent people , as well as the Imperialistic/Fascist Japanese done , didn't mean the Nazi- German soldier wasn't formidable. My veteran of WW2 grandpa of USAs 82nd A/B would tell you the nightmarish , grim fighting he was in.

@@thehistoryexplorer Overated Field Marshall General Bernard Montgomery was timid , and dragging to close the trap completely , therefore nearly 60000 Nazi- German troops escaped to live , and fight another day; "Operation Market Garden"planned by Montgomery that almost lost the war for the Allies , "The Battle of The Huertgen Forrest's , Battle for Aachen , the Waicheren Island, and bitter fighting in Antwerp , The bitter fighting in Alsace - Lorraine , the Vosges MTN campaign , The Ardennes ( Battle of the Bulge . ETC.

@@john-sp3tr I’m planning to visit La Fiere bridge this summer. Always wanted to see where the 82nd had one if their most famous actions. You must be very proud of your grandfathers legacy

@@john-sp3tr he certainly has his detractors that’s for sure

Appreciate you buddy. Always great to receive positive comments when I’ve just started out. Hopefully I’ll improve with each video 👍

I’m glad you liked the video. I really enjoyed making it!

Oh my god I bet that was a horrible sight

Thank you for the comment. I hope you enjoyed it

Glad it was helpful!

Awesome! So glad you enjoyed it and I wish I was going on your tour!

Thank you Kristopher! Appreciate your feedback brother.

Wow great comment! Without doubt many many Germans escaped but lots of equipment was left or destroyed, I think the number is very hard to pin down though.

Thank you kindly! I’m so glad you enjoyed it. I really appreciate the kind comment

I’m glad you enjoyed it!

Strach przed karą za zbrodnie

It’s hard to imagine isn’t it. Consider the hours spent as sea in landing craft and larger transport vessels suffering from accrue sea sickness and the fear of what was to come. Horrific!

My man Gary! I hope you enjoy med the show and thanks for commenting

Thank John really appreciate your feedback. I plan on making a video a week when I can (I’m still serving so can’t always) but please subscribe and you’ll be alerted to new videos

Hopefully it has encouraged you to go and do some reading on the subject. Thanks for the comment

Great comment. Terrible stuff. I’d imagine the smell was mostly from decaying horses bloating in the summer sun.

I,m currently reading Typhoon Pilot, Wing Commander Desmond Scott who commanded 123 Wing ( Typhoon ) , he states because of the amount of carbon monoxide constantly leaking into the cockpit Typhoon pilots had to always use oxygen.

@@frankvandergoes298 so it’s u likely they could smell the bodies/horses anyway!

That is backed up by local stories. Also the ground always appeared to be moving, carpeted in flies.

Well said

Right on! How true though when you see that plateau surrounded by high ground. Forward observer’s delight

What a wonderful country. I love how so much has been preserved and the people remember every day

You are most welcome and I’m so glad you enjoyed it

A brilliant comment. Thank you very much for the insight and for sharing here 👍

Thank you very much and I’m glad you enjoyed the video. 👍

you are most welcome and I’m glad you enjoyed it 👍

The closest thing I can find is the highway of death in Iraq. I think that could paint a pretty similar image

That would be really interesting to look at. Thank you

It’s very strange to visit Moissy Ford in particular as it looks so beautiful today. Very tranquil. What that place has seen though!

Glad you enjoyed it! Lots more on the way

The best comment on the internet 💥 Thanks!

All guns on theatre grid fire TOT called Victor.

I’m so glad you enjoyed it and thank you for the very kind feedback. 🙏

It was easy enough to avoid. In a U shaped ambush, you reinforce the bottom of the U as the Germans fall back. They restrict their fire to a narrow arc along the path of German march. The sides of the U stay back so they are firing only into the centre and not a crossfire. It's not difficult but requires communication between the forces.

@@johnkidd1226 and there in lies the problem. Each Bn has a different net, let alone different divisions, corps and army groups. Easy at Coy or Bn level but not when you have the 1st and 3rd armies heading towards each other

@@thehistoryexplorer There were actually US, British, Canadians and Poles all involved so I agree, a coordinated pincer movement would have been a nightmare (not just American armies as Hollywood likes to depict).

@@johnkidd1226 I think we need to get things into perspective here. If you are a general commanding an army and next to you is another army commanded by a general allied to you and that army is not making the same sort of speedy progress as you (and actually I find the comments often said about about the Canadians and British by Patton worshippers quite offensive when you consider the sheer opposition of German forces involved, how hard they fought and the casualties they took) and you think "ah, screw this" and go storming on forward leaving a gap in the lines and part of your position open and then the enemy exploits this opening, it is NOT the fault of the allied army for "just going too damn slow", it is YOUR fault for overextending yourself and leaving your flanks open.

Glad you enjoyed it

Thank you David I hope you enjoyed the video. The next one is on the ground at Op GOODWOOD SE of Caen

Nazis or German army

@@josephgraham4531 I don’t differentiate. Ain’t no nuance about it.

That’s brilliant Kenn I’m an artilleryman myself and served in a 155mm unit too. You must be very proud of your fathers history

@@thehistoryexplorer You know the LONG TOm? His unit has a whole WIKIPEDIA page. 36th FA BN. They served as support to both British and Free French units In N Africa. The British unit was either 20 or 40 Commando . I think one Howard was the commander. To say thank you, some of the officers from Dads unit were invited to the officers mess. It turns out it was a formal dress affair and one fellow, Mcdonald was wearing a kilt.My father was sent along by his commander to chaperone He was older.. As a Seargent he was turned over to the British senior NCo to be taken care of,which he was. He managed to trade with someone for a pair of Brit desert shorts. These were the envy of his unit. The US Army did not issue shorts. Dad also said that they got liquor as part of their rations. Whiskey for officers. Beer for NCOs, rum for the rest. Is that true? My father had several funny stories about his interludes in England ,going home on leave on the Queens E or M.

Was it really a massacre ? OK , approximately 10000 Nazis were kia , but nearly 50-60000 escaped to fight on in more grim viscious battles. Field Marshall General Bernard Montgomerys'slow / cautious move to close the trap would cost him a few months later @ "Operation Market Garden " ! The operation was a near defeat incurred on the Allies due to lack of , and bad intelligence from the Allies .! Little did they know 2 determined Waffen SS , Army , and some top notch Fallschirmjager (Nazi- German Paratroopers) were on RnR in Holland . Holland was the conduit for Montgomerys' plan to curtail the war in the ETO. Montgomerys' British Paratroopers were mauled @ Arnhem , and USA s 101st + 82nd A/BDiv.s faired slightly better , but didn't consumate the planned crossing of the Rhine River ito Nazi-Germany , and suffered high casualties , and has to defend the area against determined , harrowing Nazi-troops counter- Attacks! This was around mid-9/44. There was the "Green Hell Of The Huertgen" ( Battle of the Huertgen Forrest ) fought from 9- 12 /44 by units of the USAs 1st , and 9th Armies where the Americans suffered about 30000 casualties , and about the same for the Nazi - German troops.

@@john-sp3tr well the St Valentines Day massacre only had 7 deaths?

Didn't the Imperialist/Fascist Japanese call the fast , and excellent fighter plane "Corsair " also " Whispering Death" !?!?? The "Corsair " was one of the top class fighter planes produced in the USA ? Its'top speed was approximately 410 mph. , and so was the USAs P51 Mustang , the P47 Thunderbolt , The P38 Lightning , The Navys'Hellcat , and Great Britain's Super Marine Spitfire too ??!!!??!?

Thank you too!

Thank you very much! So glad you enjoyed it

Wow I’d love to know more

😮😮. Actually more polish were in the wehrmacht than the western 'allies' or the USSR combined. Around 700,000.

Quite right. The horrors of WW1. As an example of my link with WW1 a battery I served in was overrun by Germans in 1918 and wiped out. We commemorate their ‘last stand’ each year

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it

I hope you had a brilliant visit. That sounds like an epic trip too!

I’ve always wondered that. Turns out they were still savaging metals and equipment in the 80s

I have plans to film some more at the Mace. I don’t have enough footage to do it justice. Fantastic and very brave soldiers

@@thehistoryexplorer I can't find it now, but there was at one time on RU-vid an account by an English-speaking Polish officer standing next to a tank at the War Memorial of his time there and how they were very nearly overwhelmed by German soldiers. So it must be somewhere.

@@franc9111 it’s an astonishing story of bravery and determination. I will try to find the video too. Thanks 👍

You should!

Battle winning asset, the FAC. You must be very proud of his legacy

Exactly! Good point

They sat in open fields for days, without water or food. It took weeks for the MPs to get their act together. This dropped on them on top of all the other prisoners they had to handle. Not as bad as the 300, 000 Russians the Germans surrounded and let die in a large field. Stalin would not let them retreat so the became surrounded and dead.

Love this comment 👍

It must have been terrifying. Followed by the preliminary bombardment of course!

Outstanding. Thank you for sharing

Thank you! I’m so glad you enjoyed it. It’s funny the video you spend the least amount of time on has done so well

That’s a very fair proposition but it requires more analysis. It’s a good idea for a video actually!

Woody baby still peddling your crap! Bradley failed to close the Falaise gap, read his book! Your still cherry picking articles written by failed journalists. Montgomery the most successful allied commander in the Western theatre of operations. Planned and commanded the successful battle of Normandy. After that Eisenhower took command of ground forces and the war ground to a halt . His broad front strategy failed , which resulted in market garden, Hurtgen forest , the Bulge and Patton's debacle at metz

Well put! Your analysis is quite correct. He was a media concoction for the sake of British morale and, for that reason, was unsackable much to the chagrin of General Patton et al.

Glad you enjoyed it! Many thanks

You are welcome!

What a fantastic comment. Thank you. That is exactly how I picture the scene in my mind. You’re right about the roads too!

Most of the German Army was horse drawn.

@@randyneilson7465 absolutely! Something most people forget

I’ve been anti war since I came back from Afghanistan…I mean I’m still serving but I can’t see any winners in war

Those poor kids in the German Army had been trained since Hitler Youth and many were hard core Nazis hell bent on killing the Allies. And kill they did. They got their just rewards.

I can tell, by your cat my friend, you're from the other side. There's just one thing you got to know, I can tell you bro, we won.

I don't think anyone is pro-war, but sometimes, as in WW2, it is a necessary evil. Ex RA.

As opposed to pro-war? who could possibly be pro-war

Awesome, thank you! I hope I don’t let you down 👍

You are most welcome and thank you for the feedback George