The Limping Lady - Deadliest Spy Of WW2 - Virginia Hall 

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Can you IMAGINE reading your own grandmother's obituary only to find out that meemaw was world class spy?

This woman was amazing!! She could hunt, speak four languages, and organize a way to give nazis the clap………all with one leg. I am so glad she was on our side.

"Too many of my friends died for talking too much." Words to live by.

I kinda want to write a screenplay about her. THIS is the definition of a strong independent female.

Unlike the Nazis she had a leg to stand on.

The best type of spy is the person that nobody who would believe could even possibly be a spy. Imagine trying to convince a superior that a one legged woman is a trained spy.

After watching like 6 different videos from him about crazy bad a** heros from WWII its actually insane to think about how many real life main characters there were during that time, even if ONE, a single one of these people messed up and something went wrong with ANY of thier duties the entire war could have legitimately played out differently...

"...Brothelkrieg..." Thats a funny colloquialism for her operations but i think there was a squandered opportunity to call it the Titzkrieg lmao

@20:58 " Too many of my friends died for talking too much." Coldest Spy line ever. Absolute gangster quote.

She basically wrote the book on how to not tell on yourself. Nothing she did was for herself. She loved and believed in humanity. Like a paladin cosplaying as a rogue. My kind of woman.

So, I'm a Girl Guide leader and last year I did an evening on Women in War - I choose Queen Elizabeth the 2nd (I'm British - even the Queen rolled up her sleeves and was a Truck Mechanic), I did the WATU - Western Approaches Tactical Unit, where a bunch of 18 year old girls spanked seasoned Naval Officers (including those that had fought in WW1) in a series of Wargames to reverse engineer German U-Boat tactics and develop counters, and the Night Witches. *WHERE WAS THIS VIDEO WHEN I NEEDED IT!?! HOW DID I NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS ABSOLUTE UNIT OF A LADY!?!*

I had my 18 year old daughter listen to this. She does not want to listen to anything I send her. But she did listen to this and loved it. Thank you so much.😂😂

Virginia Hall. She did her job so well even her enemies clapped for her.

This is a prime example of "you cant make this up." Imagine being Heinrich Müller, chief of the Gestapo, which was feared in all of Nazi-occupied Europe for seemingly seeing, hearing, and knowing all and catching just about anyone they wanted just looking at the wanted poster for this lady for 5 years and still never catching her. The feeling of shame knowing you got outplayed throughout the biggest war in history, start to finish, by a women you know has a wooden leg, knows what she looks like, and was deep behind enemy territory pretty much the whole time and still failing to catch her.

I'd love to see Hedy Lamar discussed! She did a LOT behind the scenes that we're still learning about! And she didn't get recognition until sometime the '90s.

I’m currently reading books that chronicle the 82nd 325th Glider Infantry Regiment, which included my great-grandfather, who was their Chaplain (Protestant). He served and dropped with the 82nd Airborne 325th GIR from start (Africa) to end (Germany). Participated in every campaign, Tunisia to Sicily, Italy, England in preparation of D-Day (-1) into Normandy, Market Garden, their encirclement in the Battle of Bulge, through the discovery/liberation of a concentration camp, and fighting through Germany till linking up with the Red Army. It’s truly remarkable how the stakes and situation of WWII led to such incredible acts and tales of such bravery by so many. Seems a trend in the books these books, that some of the ‘best’ men, most loved and respected within their unit were also some of the first to lose their lives in combat, undoubtedly due to them taking the initiative and exposing themselves to risks for sake of others. The 12 spies in France who were caught, (and many others) should remind us that many braves souls fought, and the ‘hero’ is just the one of them who survived to tell their tales. (Arguably) some of greatest acts of bravery and selflessness in war will inherently never be heard since those have paid the ultimate price. For every hero we remember, for each one who came home, there is someone who did not. As the chaplain, my grandfather was responsible keeping records of each man KIA and/or casualty. The number of men KIA or WIA in his records exceeded the size of their unit by over a thousand…… when a medic could do no more, it was my grandfather’s job to pray with or over that man in their last moments make their soul right with their god, then correspond with their mothers and families. He didn’t speak about the war when he returned. We didn’t fully understand the burden he carried till finding the lists with his signature years after he passed. In one of most deadly wars in history, it was his entire job to look the death in the face, all of it. When they discovered a Nazi concentration camp, it was he who presided over the their (proper) reburial and service for the victims and to help process the horrors they witnessed. You might think, being a Chaplain, with the Red Cross on his arm, he was never in the fight or much danger, but he was only ever as far back as the medics and never far from the frontline. During the Battle of the Bulge, he receiving a Purple Star and Silver Star while they were pinned down and cut off. He’d spent a day and night running back-and-forth across the battlefield to a water pump to supply the wounded men and medics held up in a barn. The men surprised he time he returned. In memory of my great grandfather, and the burden he carried, I like to acknowledge the nameless men in the footnotes of each of these stories who were lost to history, who thanklessly risked and sacrificed the lives all the same.

Truly a Strong Independent woman that COULD be used as a role model...but we have what Disney gives us...

Clicked so fast

After being down south some years, "snipe hunting" is when local folk take you out to the woods at night & leave you stranded in the middle of the woods 🤣😭

It was more than that, she wanted her mother and only her mother to witness her success in life from not being “ladylike” and to emphasize the importance she had only her mom show up as the witness so her mother had no other distractions or excuses to not pay attention. Very brilliant

Her actions as a spy during WW2 makes the shenanigans of Hogan's Heroes look at best, mildly creative.

...I've never heard of this woman, so I'll just chalk it up to her being just THAT good of a spy.

My dad was Army MI and also worked with the OSS during WWII. He knew 4 languages and used to do espionage too. When he passed away in 1998 our family tried getting his military records from WWII Korea and Vietnam but were told that his military history was still classified. Our family still doesn't know exactly what dad did during WWII.

Hey, um, thanks for making this. I'm a disabled woman, and this was really inspiring to me. I've felt so hopeless. So, for man to shine a light on this means a lot. So many people don't care, but you did enough to make this wonderful video. Thank you so much for sharing her story with the world when the time was appropriate to do so. I hope this means that more people will see her story, and will be similarly inspired to do good in the world.

Being a paraplegic and a double amputee, I loved the bit about the Dr. Telling her your leg is trying to kill you so I am going to kill it first as that hit damned close to home. Don’t ever change the way you tell these stories as that is your gift. Even the words from your sponsors are hilarious.

Thank y'all for covering Virginia Hall. Ferocity and determination were innate to her. True American hero!

It was the way of the true Heroes of WW2 my grandfather a half-track driver was hiding a silver and 2 bronze stars in the locked steamer trunk in his bedroom no one knew until we opened it in 92 after his passing. These people were made of something better than we are today.

You won me over with the first comment. I do have daughters and they will be educated on the story of this heroic woman. I think her story should be taught in schools, but we both know that won’t happen in the current climate, so it’s up to us to pass her story on and my goodness it’s a great one! God speed Virginia Hall an example to us all about virtue and overcoming hardships. What a fantastic American Lady! Thank you mate for covering her story 🥰

"weapons of ass destruction" crushed me...... Glad Virginia was one of ours! She would make a great video game character. Pure Solid Snake shenanigans.....

"The Brothelkrieg" 😂 I fucking love it. Thanks for coving this hardcore lady. Virginia Hall definitely deserves to be known by more people.

"Your leg is trying to kill you so I'm gonna kill it first" most medically accurate description of an amputation I've ever heard😂😂😂

This woman should have a film or series made telling her outstanding story. Complete Legend!

WWII Germany: Blitzkrieg! Virginia Hall: "Clitzkrieg"...😏

the minute I heard of her deceased father coming to her in a dream while on death's door all to say "Get up, we have business to take care of", I knew she would have major main character energy and just wreck house

Sent this video to a friend whose a grade school teacher, she is going to be showing your video to her class. She said this is a very inspirational story and kids need stories like this

“The other day, I met a woman with a wooden leg named Cuthbert.” “Well, what was the name of her other leg?”

Lost a foot and still walked away fine what a legend.

There is an even earlier tomboy American that never took no for an answer. Sarah Emma Edmonds faked her enlistment during the Civil War under the name of Franklin Flint Thomas and proceeded to be the American version of Mulan. She was at tons of major Civil War battles such as both battles of Bull Run, Antitime, and Vicksburg. While not officially recognized, in her memoirs she wrote that she also worked as a spy escaping execution once and even dawned Silver Nitrite face staining to blend in with Confederate army slaves when gathering intelligence for the Union. her Wiki is a wild read, like most spies are.

My husband says I need to watch this immediately. He just watched and said I would love it and he wanted to see my reaction!

THE SHADE she threw on her own mom. "Why arent you married?!?" *Getting the DSC* "When did this happen?!?!"

Drunk history did a great episode about her but TFE's story telling and attention to the details makes this one so much better.

As an electrician this was never what I thought it would be when I found your channel but I’ve never been disappointed by it 😂

So, as a Boy Scout, in the mid-1980s, they took us all on a “snipe hunt”. The joke being that there are no snipes (I.e. - it’s not a real bird) and we were just wasting our time. The scout leaders immediately sent out to “flush out the snipes” so they could capture them, then went back to camp, betting on which of us would figure out the joke first and come back. So it’s surprising that it is a real bird, just not one in the Pacific Northwest.

The quintessential spy in the most most literal sense throughout her entire life. Of all the stories of various absurd 'main characters' that the Fat Electrician covers, I think Virginia might be the one most deserving of a show or movie detailing her life and accomplishments

My veteran father who just turned 80 and I absolutely love your show!!!! He and I have watched every episode you made ✌️🇺🇲🦅

Lieutenant Colonel John Malcolm Thorpe Fleming Churchill, a.k.a. "Mad Jack" British officer who went into battle with bagpipes, a broadsword and a longbow....in WW2. Has the last confirmed longbow kill. This man is a legend and needs his own episode.

Thanks for the new doc! Got an idea on who you could do next. Sir Adrian Carton De Wiart, known as "The Unkillable Soldier." Served in The Boer War, (under an assumed name because at the time he was too young to enlist), WWI, where he lost an eye, and hand, he would pull the last two useless fingers off himself, when the doc refused to amputate them, served in the meatgrinder that was the Battle of the Somme, pulling grenade pins with his teeth, and tossing them with his good hand. He would receive the VC for his actions at the Somme. He would take a bullet to the back of the head during the Battle of Bella Wood and survive. Marry an Austrian Countess, at 60 years old, called back into service at the start of WWII, survived two plane crashes, tunnel out of a WWII POW camp, sent to China personally by Churchill himself, meets Mao, and tells him off to his face, falls down a flight of steps in Rangoon, breaks his back, survives that, marries again and settles down in Ireland, with his new wife. He was also knighted by King Goerge VI. He passed away in in 1963 at 83. He wrote his memoirs entitled "Happy Odyssey." in 1950. There should be a movie about this guy!

So sorry to hear about the accident. I hope all is well and you make a speedy recovery! Love your content!

I cannot express enough my love for these untold stories. The fat electrician is by far my absolute favorite creator. Followed by Brandon herrera, then demolition ranch. This guy is an absolute genius.

This. Was. AWESOME! Why can't we have a franchise of spy thriller movies about her?

I’ve been binging your videos since I found them a few days ago and I have been astonished at the number of absolute main characters in their own various corners of these wars making victory happen. It’s a group effort, absolutely, but the ratio of MC’s is amazing.

Ministry of ungentlemanly warfare is such a great book... Must read really if you're into stories like this. Basically led up to the MI6 later.

My boss makes a dollar I make a dime, so I watch Fat Electrician videos on company time

There are a couple of good books on her but my favorite is: A WOMAN OF NO IMPORTANCE by Sonia Purnell About 10 years ago, the former Field Activities Building (FAB) at the Farm, where they trained Agency officer in skills such as land navigation, commo, driving, firearms, and medical, was renamed the Virginia Hall Expeditionary Center.

i really love these super informative videos you do man every one is fantastic and the way you tell it adds that comedic icing to make it so good

All of your long form content has been fantastic. Thanks for keeping history fun!

This man needs a team cause I'm addicted and he makes history cool

This woman deserves an entire season of Archer as a tribute. Absolute champion.

Your content keeps getting better and better. And it was already great when I rolled in for the first time 8-10 weeks back. 10/10. Carry on.

Dude that was awesome. Your hands down the best History Teacher I’ve ever had. And I’m 54. I love the way you present everything. Quak Bang out!!!

Lauri Allan Törni (28 May 1919 - 18 October 1965), later known as Larry Alan Thorne, was a Finnish-born soldier who fought under three flags: as a Finnish Army officer in the Winter War and the Continuation War ultimately gaining a rank of captain; as a Waffen-SS captain (under the alias Larry Laine) of the Finnish Volunteer Battalion of the Waffen-SS when he fought the Red Army on the Eastern Front in World War II;[3] and as a United States Army Major (under the alias "Larry Thorne") when he served in the U.S. Army Special Forces in the Vietnam War.

My dad was attached to the OSS. He would parachute behind enemy lines to assist the resistance. I have a paper that was written years later by an officer. The paper was written about the effectiveness of them sending in people, spies, and equipment behind enemy lines. My dad was a radio operator and was mentioned a few times in this paper. Ironically he never talked about it.

When I heard she named her leg “Cuthbert” I said, out loud, “Fuck yeah.”

You may only be someone in the world, but to someone else, you may be the world.

Her story should really be a book or a movie. Both honestly she’s incredible.

We need this story as a TV series. Great storytelling as always!!!

Nicely Done, as usual! Thank you for making this! It needs to be a movie.

Using the Prison fence as an Antenna to communicate with London sounds like Some Hogans Heros type stuff… 😂😂😂😂

Wife and I just found out we're having a girl next year, and you can be damn sure I'm going to tell her this story when she's old enough to listen. This is a role model!

I swear i hated history in school, but having you as a teacher i would have made A+ on every grade. Thank you for your service and the free lesson Sir.

Absolutely love all of your stories! This is what I should have read about in history class when I was in school. Thanks for being such a great storyteller, and keeping me captivated from beginning to end. I’m only a third way into your videos, but here I am again at 3 in the morning because I can’t stop listening. You make my night sometimes, sir.

Courage and humility ❤ could do with more of that in the world we live in today. Great job as usual FE, much live 🤙🏼

This woman didn’t need legs to walk. Her ambition takes ever everywhere she needs to be. Max respect. All in a time when it was EXTREMELY hard to do as a woman.

"Weapons of a** destruction" is easily the best quote to describe Brothel Warfare.

You've inspired me to read more about Virginia Hall. Thankyou for presenting this great history.

Absolute goose bunps! That lady was AWESOME!! Thanks for sharing her story. It would make a great movie.

This woman took a bunch of disorganized groups and built a true fifth column. Bloody amazing!

Being one of the few channels that have a positive impact on the nation is incredibly commendable and appreciated!

Great to know people like this at least once existed and hopefully still do somewhere. Surely the pride of Baltimore, MD and Roland Park Country School.

You are what the history channel always should have been. Thank you for making these videos. I'm tempted to use them to augment my kid's history lessons, but we would need some serious bleeping 😂

"She's one awesome woman who should be known by subsequent generations." Truly Amazing, if they would have made her life into a movie script it would not be accepted, they would say "could never happen".👏🇺🇲 Great video FE!!

I mean, yeah shes badass. But I wanna learn more about the Mother. She managed to make the single most hardcore badass spymaster in all of Europe afraid to introduce her badass spy fiance to her. Mind you, at a ceremony for her that the US LET her arrange for herself about how badass she was, so the mother probably already knew

This was awesome, I had a smile on my face the entire time. It reminded me of my late wifes aunt's who I met in England who were both spies in rhe S.O.E and new Virginia. The also were in France and the stories they could tell was amazing. Thankfully because of my security clearance back then they were able to tell me some juicy missions they did.

I used this video on a history assignment. I have learned more from him than my own history teachers. I can’t wait for the next video. Also how much time do you have to make these videos. Also you have inspired me to look more into history and got me in Ap US history can’t wait for that.

Virginia was a solo Jedburgh. You should do a video on the Jedburghs. Their efforts prevented 2/3 of German resources to operate, making the amphibious landings at Normandy possible.

...and... Hollywood is still re-(terribly)making movies with all of the most amazing stuff being left on the shelf. I think we need TFE productions!

Love the way you tell those kickass storys. Keep up the good work. 🔥🤟

Amazing story.....loved it . Presentation . Energy . The story is epic .

Wow, what a hero. She sought no gratification, didn’t need to write a book, she just wanted to serve and defend the world from tyranny. It’s people like this that we should Endeavour to emulate in our lives.

WHY hasn't this been made into a movie?? What an incredible story. Sir, you have, bar none, the most interesting content on any platform.

Really really really enjoyed that one! Fascinating tales that you are able to uncover really shows the fortitude of those that have walked before us. Thank you you are absolutely one of my favorite influencers and hey just an idea maybe around election time create a sitcom version or a smart ass version of some of the political figures out there but please make sure you have security for you and your family. Love you Mean it …. keep the grind.

Thanks Again brother!!!!!!! Always learning from ya love that history!!! You're bringing the truly important people to light!!! I love it !!!!!!❣️💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💯💯

I’m a Vet and former 11H trooper of the 82nd Airborne, D co 1-505 PIR and the fact that I’m just now hearing about this brave young woman and all the badassery she did pisses me off! THIS is service to your country TRUELY looks like. I will forever be grateful for what this amazing woman did for these United States of America!!! Thank you Ms Virginia Hall

I LOVED this!! I have 3 teenage girls and just told them a recap on the drive to school! They said that is amazing!! I love stories that tell them how big a difference one badass woman can make!! ❤ Thank you!!!!

This was an awesome video!!!! Keep up the GREAT work man. Ur killin it

Dude aka Fat Electrician, you tell a bad ass story! Seriously man, you're good! This is one of my favs...

Yo Virginia Hall is a real Boss Ass Lady! I cant wait to get home and tell my girls about her. With this writer strike going on, you, Eli, and the gang should start making these historical hero's stories into movies! Clearly we love just hearing about it but holy heck, to see these stories coming to life like the Pacific or Band of Brothers would be soooo freakin rad!! Its so wild to me that we weren't taught about these amazing Americans growing up and I'm so glad your working on trying to change that for the future.

A New Fat Electrician video is the perfect way to end the Workday

A Woman of no Importance is my favorite biography of this American hero. Her bravery, brilliance, and contributions to the Allied victory cannot be overstated. One of the greatest Americans ever.