A year late, but worth mentioning that the 30th was only at about 2/3rd strength following the battle at St. Lo (Operation Cobra). They had taken severe casualties and were specifically routed to take that "quiet" 1st Division sector so they could refit and get replacements. The 30th was not fully in place until well after dark and so their forward positions with AT guns were not always in the best fields of fire. In addition to that the movement of vehicles out of and into the 1st division positions had cut nearly all communication wires between the forward areas and the battalion and regimental CPs. Those men in the forward positions had very poor comms with the radios because the area was hilly and as mentioned in the vid fog filled the area after dark. French civilians came through the lines during the night running from the Germans and warning of the impending attack but the men on the line could not contact the CPs in the rear with this info. The companies on the line were on their own, yet still held when the attack unfolded just before and after dawn along the line. The stand of the 30th all along that line was a magnificent bit of soldiering.
@WalkingDday
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for that additional info.
@williamsloan5754
2 жыл бұрын
Colin, you answered many questions I've long had about the "lost battalion" at Mortain, which my father, a staff officer with the 30th Infantry Division in 1944, often spoke about. You mentioned Lt. Robert L. Weiss, the forward observer on Hill 314, who with his three NCOs reported enemy movements and concentrations in all directions while cut off from adequate food, medical supplies or ammunition. All he had was the '610 radio with only two sets of failing batteries, which were laid in the sun to somewhat recharge. He called in, or "shot," 193 fire missions over the six days of the battle, turning the radio off unless he had a fire mission to call. This massive and accurate artillery defense against the veteran 2nd SS Panzer Division and the 17th SS Panzer Grenadiers was credited with making the difference in this important battle of the Normandy invasion. He wrote a book about his team's experience called "Enemy North, South, East, West", published in 1998 by Strawberry Hill Press, Portland, Oregon.
@kerrydennison7947
2 ай бұрын
Even the veteran SS panzer divisions could not stand up against us corps artillery.the 105/155 n 8 inch guns busted up the best Hitler's armored core had to offer. Now if the us could have matched their success and closed off the Xscape Gap sooner, but that was all a political decision because Montgomery did not want us forces approaching anywhere near Canadian British forces. And try to seize as much Glory as possible for the British and Commonwealth troops. Same as when the British forces got to meet the SS heavy tigers. The US first and second infantry divisions had busted open that Gap and were just waiting for their armor support to move up and they were going to exploit it. General Montgomery said no.. and send in the British forces and they got shot up pretty bad and forced to pull out. All is done was make Michael wittmann a greater hero in the eyes of the German people than he actually was. And firmly seized off that gap for a long time before the British Canadian forces were able to smash their way back in again. I have always wondered out of historical curiosity.. why didn't Marshal Montgomery interject his commands over the American forces operating in the west of the Omaha Beach head? After all he was the commander of the land forces. correct?? All he really done was stopped the Americans from approaching anywhere near the supposedly invisible line separating British Canadian forces from the American forces and these political maneuverings allowed a greater number of German infantry and heavy SS panzer divisions to retreat out of the gap... The same thing occurred during the Battle of the bulge Montgomery should have drove his 21st army group South to Link up with the American forces and trap all of the heavy SS divisions within the bulge.. then there was always the conspiracy theory that Marshal Montgomery was heavily invested in British wartime industry and he wanted to try to prolong the war as long as possible to keep those len lease dollars coming in for the rich people in England which were mostly Lords and Ladies that control the military manufacturing. It was this kind of thinking that forced the British to keep manufacturing the Valentine tank even though the British armored core proved as it was a bad tank but which Lords and Ladies had their hand in the pot and that is something that could not be cut off.
@Skaggins
Ай бұрын
My great-uncle was in the US army, 30th infantry division. in his journal, he mentioned being told to let the tanks pass. He was subsequently captured with the other men in his foxhole and spent the rest of the war as a POW, held in Stalag VIIA. The more I learn about his division, the prouder I am of his service and sacrifice for the world's greater good. He was a farm boy from rural Ohio, Louis Greene, Jr.
@WalkingDday
Ай бұрын
Thanks for that info on your uncle.
@LeveretteJamesClifford1955
11 ай бұрын
This is the best description of this battle Ive ever seen and I subscribed immediately! Maybe it takes an old guy like me to really have the feel for the war without getting lost in sub detail and descriptions about something else entirely. You stay on point! I got interested in the war early with two vets in my house growing up, one especially, my grandfather, gave me good books on the war even though he was one of the first submariner sonar operator in the US Navy, serving WW1 on the submarine K2 (American, not British, who of corse had their own K class submarines). In WW2 he helped build Camp Van Dorn in south Mississippi and then moved his family to New Orleans where they worked to help build PT boats and the Higgins landing craft. My grandmother was Andrew Higgin's personal stenographer.
@WalkingDday
11 ай бұрын
Thanks for the appreciation and feedback.
@6060don
Жыл бұрын
Colin I have really learned a great deal about the battle of Normandy through your video's on You tube. I am a Canadian and I traveled on a motorcycle where our men served during the battle. It was an eye opening experience. I had with me at the time a book called "The Guns of Normandy". This was helpful to me. The German soldiers were a very tenacious lot. Thank you for taking the time to prepare these video's it takes me back to the visit I had.
@WalkingDday
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching and thanks for the feedback.
@markdraskovics1962
2 жыл бұрын
HEY, COLIN Hello This is the frost time leveling a comment For your channel just wanted to Let you know how much I've really appreciate and enjoyed All that your doing to keep the memory and history of everyone who participated and especially for the Veterans of D-Day Iv been watching your channel now for almost six months keep up the great work.
@williamhoward9493
Жыл бұрын
My Father who was in the 30th Division said when they got surrounded they armed the cooks, mechanics, and support men with rifles! Dad told me that in his area the British Typoons saved the day and provided constant support. They got low on medical & ammo supplies and attempts to send them medical supplies in 155 mm shells failed as it usually broke any glass bottles such as morphine & IV bottles. If the 30th Division had failed there was a good chance the invasion would be split and the Germans could reach the beaches. The 30th Division was nominated to receive the Presidential Unit Citation Award but it was held up as some say because they were a National Guard Division. Some blame General Eisenhower. President Trump finally presented the award on Oct29, 2020. I wish my Father had been alive to know this finally happened as he held a grudge that they didn't get the award. This Video explains the battle well and it was very interesting, I hope to visit Mortain in the future!
@Berns1971
Жыл бұрын
Excellent video. I am a 52 yo woman. Both of my grandfathers fought in the war. My dad's father was in the 120th IR at Normandy, while my mother's father was in the Marine Bombing Squadron 613 at Kwajalein. I am so sorry to see what our country has become after such sacrifice of those men and women who fought in WWII.
@bigjimmyenglish
5 ай бұрын
I live in St Hilaire Du Harcouet. We went to visit Mortain yesterday, good to see this documentary.
@WalkingDday
5 ай бұрын
With the guides federation, we went to Mortain and St Hilaire in February. I discovered the church which was rebuilt. You’ve perhaps seen the blue lighting. If not, the switch is on the left column near the west end.
@stefanzo501
10 күн бұрын
Thank you for this video I am able to pass on this knowledge through a video game where friends of mine can reenact this battle!
@simonflett125
2 жыл бұрын
Excellent as ever Colin. Thank you. Loved the old/new photomontages, and your encounter with the eye-witness.
@Kevin-mx1vi
Жыл бұрын
The photo of the spotter plane at 20:50 is that of "Bazooka Joe". Note that it has bazookas attached to its wing struts, which he used to attack German tanks and other vehicles.
@WalkingDday
Жыл бұрын
Hello No it's the L5 spotter plane that flew with no armement. Most of the photos that I haven't taken are just illustratory. Rarely of the real plane/tank.
@Kevin-mx1vi
Жыл бұрын
@@WalkingDday Indeed, the "Grasshopper" was normally unarmed, but (and here I correct my mistake about his name) "Bazooka Charlie" armed his with 6 bazookas fitted beneath the wings, which are clearly visible in the photo at 20:50, unlike the photo at 20:57 which does NOT have them. If you still don't believe me, see Mark Felton's video about this remarkable spotter pilot where there are other photos of his aircraft, then compare the shots with the one in this video. kzitem.info/news/bejne/xWip3JyPp2N5d44
@WalkingDday
Жыл бұрын
@@Kevin-mx1vi I think you’re right. I was looking at the other photo. An interesting vidéo by Mark Felton.
@bikenavbm1229
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you for passing on your incredible knowledge.
@steeltown1001
2 жыл бұрын
I walk the hill 314 nearly a whole afternoon 😊 years ago. Thanks for video and explain the overall picture. Love the photo's you incluid in the video. One question what puzzled me the time i was visit it, i remember read somewhere that one Panther almost reached te hill ? Again thanks, the Mortain story made a big impression on me.
@MGC1957
2 жыл бұрын
Another very interesting show, Thanks
@woodybeck8966
2 жыл бұрын
Superb!
@SurvivethePoleShift
2 жыл бұрын
Colin, looks like you found yr hat.
@kerrydennison7947
7 ай бұрын
One good thing did come out of this battle, it totally destroyed general Montgomery's argument that the Americans could not stand up to the heavy SS panzer division, which was part of his argument to keep the heavy s s tank divisions engaged against the British and Canadian divisions on the Eastern end of the beachhead. You mentioned in the previous video that the British had the most experienced divisions thrown into the battle, what about the US 1st division from North Africa Sicily and Italy campaign and the u s 82th airborne division from the North Africa Sicily and Italian campaigns? Ironically general George Marshall the US Chief of staff wanted to move the US 36/45 and 1st infantry divisions to take part in the d day landing, his bases for his argument was based on what Winston Churchill said that Sicily Italy was only a training ground for the US divisions to be used later in the invasion of France. General Marshalls plan was to exchange out the US 4th infantry 29th infantry divisions for divisions out of the Sicilian campaign for use in the France invasion. For some odd reason general Montgomery oppose this plan.but later the u s 3rd 36 n 45th infantry division,s was pulled out for the invasion of Southern France.
@maxytravis
2 жыл бұрын
What about hill 309? very interested to hear the back story
@WalkingDday
2 жыл бұрын
You mean Hill 309 in operation Bluecoat? I’m working on that.
@WalkingDday
2 жыл бұрын
@@maxytravis I’d be interested to hear/read it.
@bookaufman9643
Жыл бұрын
I'm glad that this is highly detailed but when you jump from one unit to another every ten or fifteen seconds it becomes very difficult to keep up with. Have you thought about animating with some arrows or directions so that I know which unit you're talking about and which direction they're actually moving and who they might be facing? I understand that all of this is hard work but these would be so awesome if I could follow them just a little bit easier. I'm sure your British accent doesn't help my dumb American brain much either. I am using subtitles though.
@midmichiganprepper1874
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks for adding the video. My great grandpa was killed there
@tylerwirick8530
Ай бұрын
Thank you!! My great uncle was with Co. A, 823rd Tank Destroyer Battalion. He was killed on 8 August 1944 at Le Pilon, Hill 285 in the advance described at 6:05. I’ve researched my uncle for years, and I’ve always wondered how the battle unfolded. Although I’ve read the after-action reports, the battle was never clear. Your video put it all together for me. I’m so grateful for your work. Anyway, my family and I have become friends with a number of people in St. Barthelemy in the Assoc. Soldat Michael Burik, and two years ago my teenage son worked with our French friends to build a monument to the 823rd in just off the town square in St. Barthelemy and a monument here in Southern Utah to WWII veterans of the ETO.
@stevemorin8206
Жыл бұрын
From New Hampshire. I'm rereading Citizen Soldiers after maybe 30 years and just finished this section. I was about to query on Hill 317 / 314 when you answered my question at 19:52. I was skeptical to find a video on this engagement but happy to be wrong. Much obliged of your efforts. It's so cool getting the visuals and more precise details what not. There's some great details in this book on the efforts by the 2nd Battalion's fire directions.
@WalkingDday
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for the appreciation.
@leeshackelford7517
6 ай бұрын
For anyone interested, one of the Green Books...Breakout and Pursuit has a good section on the German counterattack including Hill 317.... Good maps in that book Odd thing, you say Hill 314...but the book and maps say 317 EDIT: Sigh...no reply?
@bookaufman9643
Жыл бұрын
I would love to see this as a series of videos. I guess it could be done by following each of the three major German attack groups. This was a pretty good plan by the Germans and the Americans got lucky that the weather was good enough for the planes to become the major defining factor. It's strange to see the German forces being defeated in scenarios in which they would have most likely won earlier in the war. The Allies improved while the Germans declined.
@oliverdixon3904
2 жыл бұрын
What a great video !i live in an area you described ! Interesting to know that ss probably once walked in my garden !
@bryandavies6074
2 жыл бұрын
The use of maps in this really 'glued' your presentation together. Thanks for this well researched video.
@jamesallen8418
2 жыл бұрын
Hello Colin. From my technical point of view, this is your best effort. The use of maps plus the Then and Now images makes it easier to grasp the battle. Thanks.
@WalkingDday
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the support. It was long in the editing phaze.
@bryandavies6074
2 жыл бұрын
I'd echo that - the flow and cohesion was the best yet. The greater use of maps really brought things together. Great episode.
@johnwood2364
Жыл бұрын
Top shelf presentation!
@tonykeith76
2 жыл бұрын
Great video guys!
@rivet4431
2 жыл бұрын
Brilliant film. I've read about mortain so many times but could'nt quite picture how it all looked. Great then and now photo's too. I'm already subscribed and look forward to more films
@simonfarmer3056
2 жыл бұрын
Excellent video , thank you .Mortain is just up the road from me , so I spend time there looking around. Lots of info in your video for future trips there.
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