Imagine... You kill a soldier, you know you had to, but still you regret it. Then, an entire lifetime later, you get an email from his grandson, basically forgiving you. Imagine the load off of that man's shoulders. Imagine the strength and the opportunity of the grandson to forgive. The amount of suffering and lives lost on either side is unaimaginable.
@tedd1091
24 күн бұрын
This story is a tear jerker. Im an ex-Marine who served in Vietnam and this story really got to me. Thank you for posting this.
@KeepZeeZ
17 күн бұрын
I'm a Marine as well (04-08): thank you for your service. (Communism is the worse)
@Gwen-wo9xn
16 күн бұрын
I have 4 brothers who are Marines, and they always said there are no ex-Marines! Once a Marine, always a Marine... are they right?
@wsith
14 күн бұрын
@@Gwen-wo9xn he means he is a retired marine
@user-kp2do6rk5n
10 күн бұрын
🫡🇱🇻
@thefederalist6786
4 күн бұрын
tedd1091, There is no such thing as an ex-Marine. Semper Fi!
@lohikarhu734
Ай бұрын
Many stories lost... My mother's "first love" was a bombardier, from Australia, and was killed on a raid over Brest...she visited his grave once, but I found another piece of his story in an article about a Lancaster bomber wreck being recovered in about 2010, the very bomber that he was in that day... Little vignettes of lives lived and lost ..
@fa-ajn9881
23 күн бұрын
War is tragedies
@wbissing
27 күн бұрын
It’s been said that one death is a tragedy, but 10,000 deaths is a statistic. This story is a perfect example of that truth.
@georgekrausse3801
26 күн бұрын
I heard about a similar quotation , have to been said once by Stalin : " one death is a tragedy , but one million is but a statistic "
@shirleyrichard-qv9lw
24 күн бұрын
@@georgekrausse3801How else can a human see a tragedy ?
@wonderfalg
20 күн бұрын
@@georgekrausse3801 True. Stalin said it.
@Kpoole35
20 күн бұрын
@@georgekrausse3801 Stalin never said that. It was in a Book called "Black Obelisk" which was originally published in 1956, 3 years after Stalin had died.
@Vingul
19 күн бұрын
@@Kpoole35 was it a fiction book? A fabrication? Because a quotation being published posthumously doesn't mean it was not said by him... although I have no opinion on it; it does seem a bit apocryphal.
@fuggedaboudit223
26 күн бұрын
Theres a song about a soldier going to fight in the civil war. His father told him, " Be brave , but show mercy when you can". What a line.
@victorverdi6919
24 күн бұрын
Do you know or have the name of this song?
@ksrmk
22 күн бұрын
@victorverdi6919 written by Alison Krauss...forget the name of the song
@victorverdi6919
22 күн бұрын
@@ksrmk Thanks.
@scottc543
20 күн бұрын
Bright Sunny South, by Alison Krauss & Union Station
@victorverdi6919
20 күн бұрын
@@scottc543 Thank you kindly.
@michaelmuller9385
29 күн бұрын
A story that must touch everyones heart. The sadest thing is, that 80 years later is a war again and similar sad storys happen day by day.
@zorabw8948
25 күн бұрын
Thank you for this excellent report. As a German I can confirm that we do learn a lot about this dark part of German history. The letter that the grandson wrote, assuring the soldier of having no grudge, was great. He has a wonderful attitude. It is important to keep history alive so that it will not be repeated.
@TheBergmark
25 күн бұрын
It is a good thing that you have learned not to attack other countries but it is sad that you like us swedes and other european people have forgot that we have a duty to defend our countries and are letting our enemies take over.
@trappenweisseguy27
23 күн бұрын
A lot of people don’t know that the Germans accepted losses of 1%-3% during live firing exercises. An ignominious way to go.
@julierowe1732
20 күн бұрын
The understanding and forgiveness was remarkable. Bless their family. Their grandfather was very brave and dutiful.
@bleedcubieblue
20 күн бұрын
Every culture has a dark past we need to learn from history so we don't repeat it
@phillipp5538
19 күн бұрын
Lessons learned when you are in a war do not lose.
@diver11b1p2
Ай бұрын
Amazing job putting all that together - you've shown war at its most personal level.
@tkharris10
Ай бұрын
What strikes me is how well written Gehart Hofig's letter is. A lost art in this day and age.
@danielebrparish4271
26 күн бұрын
Not in most E.U. countries. Their public scholls are far superior to ours.
@lilacscentedfushias1852
25 күн бұрын
@@danielebrparish4271 I’m 🇬🇧 & part 🇺🇦 but my American ex showed me just how bad your education system is. He would constantly mix upper & lower case letters, couldn’t do cursive writing at all & he was dumb as a rock. His general knowledge and things I’d teach to 3.5 -11 year olds we completely missing. I teach & 2 of my pet hates are homophones and greengrocers’s disease, random apostrophes where they shouldn’t be 😂Unfortunately he also thought he was far superior and was an expert in everything 🙄
@shirleyrichard-qv9lw
24 күн бұрын
@@lilacscentedfushias1852 Resting on others laurels , obscures vision . Have to strain to see through the haze of reality .
@Tam0de
11 күн бұрын
@@lilacscentedfushias1852 It boggles my mind how native English speakers appear to know very little about their own language. English is my second language & yet i'm left dumbfounded by the grammar & spelling errors being committed by native English speakers. Not knowing the difference between 'your' and 'you're' is my #1 pet peeve. Another one is not knowing the difference between 'there', 'their' and 'they're'. I could go on & on.
@ww3662
4 күн бұрын
@@lilacscentedfushias1852the fact that you think you can get an idea about a country’s education system based on one dumb person you used to date says plenty about your own intelligence. Also comical that, being part Ukrainian, you would insult with such vitriol the citizens of a country that are sending such a large percentage of their own hard-earned money to aid in defense. I’m sure these stereotypes and mass generalizations about an incredibly diverse country you espouse based on your ex are right, though.
@Krapfelapfen
26 күн бұрын
Thank you for this touching story. The fact that Mr.Hensleigh kept Mr. Rieks photos for so long shows that this incident haunted him. He was very fortunate to have contact with the familiy of his former enemy and be able to make peace with them.
@imyourgodmachine
Ай бұрын
Words cannot describe how amazing this video is! Extremely detailed and well done, sir! I have yet to watch anything that really brought the war home to me as this did. It’s heartbreaking to realize the millions of stories out there similar to this because of it. Rest in peace to all soldiers on both sides!
@spotifyde5979
28 күн бұрын
also tragic that this continues to happen everyday. especially again in Europe. :-(
@aliciaritchie8676
26 күн бұрын
I agree" you'd think we all would have learned something" but I'm not giving up yet" stories like this are educating young people I'm sure of it" so maybe there's hope yet....with abit of luck right?
@Reggaejames
25 күн бұрын
After watching horrific videos of drones killing soldiers in the Ukraine conflict, I am left wondering who will tell their stories.
@pierrerochon7271
24 күн бұрын
not the SS TROOPS - THEY WERE MURDERERS
@timothyjohnson4285
22 күн бұрын
Stories like this are AMAZING. Seems surreal. I was born less than 8 years after this event. Reading this leaves me sad that after all these decades, humans are still slaughtering each other in mindless Wars. Thank you for your incredible tenacity/work of finding stories such as this to share with millions.
@glenvalley4326
Ай бұрын
That is the tragedy of war. Soldiers of opposing armies kill each other.
@Celisar1
4 күн бұрын
I would like to add that World War II has cost the lives of uncountable numbers of civilians, meaning women, children and old people. unfortunately warfare isn’t just a fight soldiers versus soldiers anymore but is mostly and intentionally directed towards civilians.
@ww2historyandreenacting
Ай бұрын
Fantastic work! What a sad but at the same time incredible story that really puts the second world war (or any war) into perspective. These were all human beings, they all had there own lives with families back home - with friends, hobbies, hopes and dreams. One should never forget that these regular soldiers were all regular people - for the most part. Again, thank you so much for sharing this beautiful film about your research! Best regards from Norway! 😊
@zk1919
Ай бұрын
@@ww2historyandreenacting True the were both human being but German speaking human beings in majority considered themselves Ubermensch and commited unspeakable atrocities. Poland, Greece, Serbia were most massacred countries. In Poland alone Germans and its allied managed to kill up to 6 million citizens - this is equal to population of Norway today. So there is no equality between perpetrators and victims or Allied troops killing German troops fighting for evil Third Reich. It was not "normal" country and what most striking is that majority of troops were not members of NSDAP - German National Socialist Party.
@senddeee1451
Ай бұрын
When I tell you this is hands down the best documentary of this topic I may have ever seen on KZitem. Letting the men tell their story while showing videos of how their childhoods looked is incredibly powerful. I can’t wait to see the next one.
@user-bl6ne3hc6n
25 күн бұрын
There's a movie script here, you got tell a little different story, you can have the German soldier trying to surrender, and in German. " Don't kill me I have a family "" of course American soldier had no idea, and he whent home thinking for 70 years he murdered this German, he came back a bad man a bad dad, until he returned the album to the still living wife, and now he has complete closure, 😊😊, of course there's more to the story, Clint Eastwood would be great, make it a tearjerker, cause you really felt bad for this soldier thinking he murdered a man, and of course he didn't, at the end of the war both sides weren't taken prisoners of War it was really brutal GOD BLESS THESE HEROES, 😇😇😇😇
@shirleyrichard-qv9lw
24 күн бұрын
@@user-bl6ne3hc6n You can't place blame on someone !
@hellwein
29 күн бұрын
When I think of all the hours and hours of KZitem videos I've watched, very little even comes close to the impact of this 21 minutes. Thank you for this amazing and poignant story.
@dtaylor10chuckufarle
Ай бұрын
Another fascinating story, Jean-Loup. Thanks for working on this for so many years... you brought closure to the families.
@raymondsusani3346
29 күн бұрын
I often wonder if there were no war how many friendships could have been friends. No one wins in war, everyone looses
@danielebrparish4271
26 күн бұрын
For those who were Jewish I doubt any of them would've lived long enough to make friends with anyone. There's also the problem of Germany and Italy never being able to get rid of their strong arm dictators and building a peaceful democracy. Too bad Russia changed sides and got stuck with a dictatorship like a 3rd world country.
@davidallison2112
Ай бұрын
Extraordinary research. You have rescued for history and posterity an event which otherwise would have been lost forever. I am sure all of the soldiers involved in this small action would be very grateful that you have at last told the story of their tremendous sacrifice for their countries. And the film is a great reminder, as you say, of the foolishness of war when we would otherwise be friends in different circumstances. This is a great lesson to ponder currently.
@Treasuremonk
Ай бұрын
Wow! As a combat veteran, the response from the grandson gave me cold chills! What a wonderful family and out come! Great work Sir
@juliaforsyth8332
Ай бұрын
I suppose family can look back at now because of all that's been written about that era. We can appreciate how different the world could've been if the Allies hadn't won. I also think that Thank God the Allies won so myself and my children could lead free lives.
@davidb2206
29 күн бұрын
@@juliaforsyth8332 Yeah, Europe would still be for Europeans.
@shobudski6776
27 күн бұрын
@@davidb2206 Absolutely correct! 👍
@guylindquist338
24 күн бұрын
@@juliaforsyth8332 You got to be kidding me. The war had nothing to do with your freedom other than letting bolshevikism go worldwide. The results are in and the wrong side clearly won the war. Look around
@edwinholcombe2741
23 күн бұрын
@davidb2206 No. Most Europeans would have been relegated to a lower class of humanity and enslaved to serve the "superior" Aryan race. Children born with the slightest defect would be euthanized. The Jews, Romanis, Gays, Jehovah Witnesses, people of Poland, Ukraine, people of differing views would all have been cruelly murderer. Is that how you see a pure Europe?
@joanmatchett8100
Ай бұрын
Such a terrible loss of life , his poor wife. War is senseless.
@andydunn5673
16 күн бұрын
This is very true but Germany had declared war on the world for a second time and invaded and occupied most of Europe.
@Dominik-bl9sw
13 күн бұрын
@@andydunn5673well no, it was the first time. In WW1, Germany JOINED the ongoing conflict between Austria and Serbia on Austria’s side as ally, which let Russia, UK and the other parties join too. At that time, every European nation was ready and eager for a war. WW2 was triggered by the contract of Versailles which made Germany the initiator of WW1 and responsible for all reparation costs. German people were fed up with that unfair contract they were forced to sign and people started revolting. Easy for Hitler to get them into another war. If there would not be the contract of Versailles, hitler would have had no chance to get anyone to war. Do your research.
@25chief39
28 күн бұрын
Excellent video, that gives the family closure. My mother too never saw her father. A New Zealander, he was a bomber pilot for 51 Sqdrn RAF and was buried in Scotland. She is now 84 and feels his loss even more strongly now than she did when she was a child.
@highlanddaniel
25 күн бұрын
Excellent account of the needless horror of war and devastation of families. My father fought in the Pacific (at 19 yrs. old) and had PTSD for the rest of his life due to kamikazes attacks .
@EllenLawlor
16 күн бұрын
My father was a marine in the Pacific at the Ryku Islands. He has severe PTSD and so bad I never new him. I understand why he was never right. So many of us were deprived of our service warriors familys torn apart . I respect their fight and duty.
@saulsscrappersdelight8875
Ай бұрын
I think as an intelligence officer, he was doing his job, he wasn't looting and had no idea personal photos would be in his pack, he was looking for maps or the movements of the German troops. If he hadn't kept these photos, this incredible story would've been lost. War is stupid, nobody wins. We all have to rise above the hate and show love to our fellow man.
@Jean-rg4sp
Ай бұрын
If Sergeant Georg Rieck had tried to rise above the stupidity of war he would have been summarily executed. I wondered why the German NCO was permitting his men to surrender to the enemy and that he had not shot dead some of them to put some fighting spirit into them. Had a commissioned German officer been there, he surely would have emptied his postol into the backs of traitors. According to Nazi principles, soldiers fought to the death and never surrendered. I notice that Sergeant Rieck's headstone is not in the shape of a cross which certainly was the German custom. It must have been changed at some time.
@Hunter_Nebid
Ай бұрын
War is human nature. Always has been, always will be.
@Jean-rg4sp
Ай бұрын
@@Hunter_Nebid Refusing to take human life is also Human. Always was and always will be even when we have a nuclear war soon.
@BaikalTii
Ай бұрын
@@Jean-rg4sp I think you have been propagandized pretty severely, and also have never been in combat. I would be very surprised if a company grade officer, in any army, would kill one of his own men. when you read stories of summary executions, in my studies, it was always an officer of another unit. and yes, Herr Feldwebel was re-buried. by the French.
@lohphat
Ай бұрын
War is horrible but sometimes necessary. The horrors the Nazis were committing needed to be stopped. We HAD to win.
@olsurferguy1
Ай бұрын
I have been watching your presentations for a couple of years now. Your work is absolutely stunning in research and depth. Simply amazing!
@actone1030
24 күн бұрын
Thank you for this fine post. It totally humanizes the soldiers & what they had to endure under the most stressful of circumstances.
@ShutUpBubi
20 күн бұрын
Genuinely heartbreaking, I'm glad the family has them now.
@johnogorman4925
Ай бұрын
You're a good man with great soul. Thank you for your channel .
@thomasmcconnell2898
28 күн бұрын
I am so glad you took the time on this superb work. Having details like this brings those dark days to life that we may better understand them. My uncle was a BAR man in the Battle of the Bulge and went through tremendous combat and suffering. He was not the same when he came back from the war and shared very little of what he went through. It was only after his death that a war buddy of his contacted me and shared some of the combat they went through together. I would never have known. Thank you again.
@Nyllsor
Ай бұрын
Thank you for sharing this story of war and humanity.
@DD-qw4fz
Ай бұрын
Sems the German NCO sacrificed himself so the rest could retreat, even the original MG man who was wounded, survived and retreated.
@hurdygurdyman1905
Ай бұрын
I see what you're saying now.
@americanrover7535
Ай бұрын
Brilliant channel. Fascinating stories that re thoroughly researched and well-presented.
@beneleonhard7915
23 күн бұрын
Thank you ever so much for this valuable word. It brought involuntary tears to my face when reading the second email Georg Rieck's grandson sent to Henze to make sure the old man rested assured that no one hated him, but felt compassionate to him and all sent into war. Will we ever learn ? So far, we haven't. Seeing the misery which war inflicted and how it influenced the next two generations deeply may help us to come to our senses. Again, merci beaucoup from Germany.
@MontanaMirage
29 күн бұрын
Powerful.......Thank you so much for this very moving tale.
@robran53
28 күн бұрын
This is excellent research. You have salvaged a small but important piece of our human history.
@redhed9776
Ай бұрын
watching the video of the Lt, it reminds me of all the WW2 vets I conversed with @ the VAMC. That long term care room was a flashback where I heard many stories just like his. RIP Lt.
@frankmarshall1519
Ай бұрын
What great research into a sad event for the families of these fallen soldiers. Fantastic work to find the complete story of this long ago action.
@brycecrousore1985
Ай бұрын
Thank you for your tireless research, and for keeping history alive. Invaluable!
@brianbernstein7754
Ай бұрын
Thank you Dr. Gassend for sharing this poignant story. Excellent research on your part. I'm glad Lt. Hensleigh was able to communicate w/ the German soldier's grandson and provide the family with the wedding pictures he'd taken from the soldier's body. I found myself wondering if the German soldier's daughter might still be alive and able to enjoy the pictures of her parents. She'd probably be 79-80 years old.
@CrocodileTear
Ай бұрын
Rieck's son was alive and well at the time I did the research.
@redrooster1908
Ай бұрын
It's wonderful you did this research! It reunited people. A miniature moment of World Peace ❤ ✌️ 🌎
@johnboy384
Ай бұрын
Thanks again Jean-Loup for a wonderful and also sad snapshot of the history of those days. Great work. =)
@TheCadWoman
20 күн бұрын
Oh my god. Thank you so much for the hint to the grave search. I've just found my grandma's brother who went missing in 1944. 80 years of not knowing what happened and now we finally have a trace. I had no idea this search existed. Thank you!
@brendonelton
Ай бұрын
Another brief time in history brought back to life as if it happened yesterday! Merci Jean Loup 👏🏻
@franklopez6349
28 күн бұрын
Thank you for posting the story. May they rest in peace.
@golic7123
Ай бұрын
Well done, 'Crocodile Tear' - amazing work & research
@scottstoddard4996
28 күн бұрын
I found myself near tears at the end. To all of those who know what such loss is, smile when you can and cry if you have to. S. Stoddard former Co. C 2/75th Ranger Airborne
@algodonrabo
27 күн бұрын
Excellent account of two men who should never have had to face one another as combatants. This helps us appreciate how events experienced during the war remain fresh in soldiers' minds even decades afterward. Thank you for your informative research.
@gregmcclelland3488
Ай бұрын
One of my neighbors Dad was in WWII. He recalled a time when he killed a German soldier and took his helmet. He was surprised and shocked to find a picture of the soldiers girlfriend in it. This made it more personal for him.
@ralfdiehl4677
Ай бұрын
This loss in the families creates long-lasting trauma. The last words had been hard to swallow and made my heart feel heavy and weighed down, due to the told story and due to incidents in the wider range of the family and my own experience. Thanks for your interest in history and for showing the results to a broader public audience.
@Paul-lm5gv
15 күн бұрын
Fabulous storytelling and narration. The B&W photo of the German soldier at 17:33 drives home the point that in war, death lurks everywhere.
@richardsims1805
25 күн бұрын
Excellent work in recovering all the information for this touching story.
@boomer7485
24 күн бұрын
What an amazing job you've done here. My Grandfather survived WW2 and only spoke of it a couple of times. War is man's insanity on parade and I wish peace to all who want it.
@williamcarey8529
24 күн бұрын
As a Veteran I know terrible things happen in war. My Dad also fought in the Korean War and he rarely spoke of his combat experience as many war veterans are reluctant too. But despite what happens in war and combat there seems to be a flicker of light of humanity and hope that one day all will be reconciled in time and as we know Father Time heals all wounds. Thank you for sharing this story!!
@andrewmacdonald4833
Ай бұрын
Fascinating story...very well researched.
@jeffh8693
29 күн бұрын
Your research is second to none.. am glad there is someone like you keeping an eye on thinks from then
@hkhjg1734
Ай бұрын
How could those German soldiers not expect to be flanked, given they were aware the Americans knew their position? I cant understand how in a group of experienced soldiers, not one thought the Americans might come back but flank around from the woods. Seems like a simple thing to figure out when your life is on the line.
@CrocodileTear
Ай бұрын
Very good comment. These were their first days in combat against US troops and perhaps they were overconfident and believed their own propaganda, and didnt expect agressive infantry actions, but only overwhelming artillery from the Americans?
@leonardwei3914
27 күн бұрын
We can perhaps take the account of the letter with a grain of salt, but it sounded to me that Reick and the Germans were in the middle of being relieved by another unit and possible re-position right as the second attack occurred.
@shirleyrichard-qv9lw
24 күн бұрын
Hindsight ?
@muddrok9819
Ай бұрын
“We’ll never know why he kept on fighting when he knew the war was lost” It sounds like he loved his men, and was trying to get them out alive. That’s why he kept fighting in the ambush surely.
@rpm12091
Ай бұрын
He was a fanatic. Common problem with Germans at the time.
@otdosa
Ай бұрын
@@rpm12091we don't know that for a fact.
@juliaforsyth8332
Ай бұрын
@@rpm12091 So he's a fanatic while the Yanks coming back for revenge weren't?
@aramisortsbottcher8201
29 күн бұрын
The letter of the other German sounds as if he coverd the retreat of the wounded, maybe it was indeed his goal to save his comrades.
@kjellg6532
29 күн бұрын
@@rpm12091 Not every German was fanatic just because he was a German. Some were simply forced into the ranks, as Russian soldiers are today. May mankind some day find a way to bury the Universal Soldier and settle a peace!
@465maltbie
24 күн бұрын
Thanks for sharing this, amazing how much information was retained about something that was quite a small contact, for those who where not present of course. Charles
@ExploringHistoryTogether
29 күн бұрын
Fantastic video! You told the story very well, and brought all the facts together nicely. Thank you!
@klubberzvonhatzenbuhl563
Ай бұрын
Absolutely incredible. Thank you SO much for your work.
@paulazemeckis7835
25 күн бұрын
I am speechless...I don't know what to post. Thank you!
@oledahammer8393
Ай бұрын
Great research and shows how devastating the cost of war is on a person-by-person basis for all sides. This gives some closure to both families that will last generations. May the Lord have mercy on all of us.
@betraktare1
Ай бұрын
Excellent work as always, Jean-Loup.
@stevedawson7649
28 күн бұрын
A battle narrative equal to the best. As a modern American I find this so full of humanity & sadness. Very well done.
@georgestemple3310
Ай бұрын
Thank you for another fine video and telling a side of history that otherwise nobody would have knowledge of my condolences to the families
@chenchina4577
25 күн бұрын
Great video! Merci beaucoup for having the interest and passion for telling the stories of these men, their fate and highlighting stories from a front that might have otherwise been forgotten.
@scottc543
20 күн бұрын
Wow! Fabulous video, one of the best I've seen on KZitem. Thank you very much for creating and posting this. Every man killed, in every battle of of every war, was someone's son, brother, father, or grandfather. Or maybe just a friend. Each death is a family tragedy. Learning their names and hearing their stories brought it all to life today for me. And it made me cry.
@StevenJeNova
Ай бұрын
Fascinating, and a superb video & story once again. Thank you!
@osocampana
Ай бұрын
That was a riveting story... Thank you for your effort and enlightening us all.
@scottfoster2639
15 күн бұрын
Another incredible story Jean. Casualties are more than statistics in a ledger or a website. Your diligence has helped these other casualties, the family in this case, find some real closure. All 4 of my great uncles were in the infantry and fought in the war, 2 in the Pacific and 2 in Europe. All of them were fortunate enough to come home. Rest assured, if this had not been the case, their stories would have been told because of good people like you.
@Norsok92
11 күн бұрын
Thank you for this and your positive intentions that helped create more understanding and being so sensitive to all
@yannissakellarakis1798
27 күн бұрын
You have a wonderful way of documenting History and also recounting it!
@ericr.3759
26 күн бұрын
What a heart wrenching story of the effects of war upon families. I've never been moved so much by a historical narrative. Please keep up the good work.
@cuddy9215
Күн бұрын
Amazing story and amazing research. Thank you so much for sharing your work with us!
@lucyjosie
22 күн бұрын
This was so interesting, and I appreciate how much you researched both sides of this encounter. I'm even more amazed at the incredible reaction of the family. Thank you for sharing this!
@Chiller11
Ай бұрын
Another fascinating story. Thanks for reporting your research findings.
@veridian79
29 күн бұрын
Amazing the amount of research that goes int these vids. Thanks for your efforts.
@MaxAfterburner
Ай бұрын
I echo all the great comments posted about your fantastic research, your ability to bring an event and the soldiers back to life, as well as your presentation style and narration! Just terrific!
@coyotedust
Ай бұрын
The German war machine was a very disciplined smooth operating bureaucratic system. When a German soldier was wounded, sick, captured, or killed his parents and spouse would receive a detailed summary report of the events. The bodies of German soldiers were reburied in cemeteries on the Eastern and Western Fronts or transported back to Berlin, unless frontlines became captured territories by the enemies. They were very meticulous about honoring their dead. *This letter is a reflection of that. Remember Herr Feldwebel's friend was just a young soldier himself, and look how detailed and specific this letter is reporting the circumstances of Herr Feldwebel's death to his wife and parents. The soldier that wrote this at the end of the war was very young. My Dad was in the Korean War, but I had many relatives in WW2. One uncle in the Battle of the Bulge. Another Uncle in the Pacific. I've done interviews with WW2 vets. One a D-Day Utah Beach survivor, who died just a few years ago, RIP, Joe Miner. He was 94. He was in Patton's army. A Hitler Youth, (still alive in his 90's), was liberated at age 16 by Montgomery's army.
@CrocodileTear
Ай бұрын
Usually the CO send a more formal and less detailed letter. it is rarer for a friend to have sent a highly detailed and sincere letter such as here. US families in most cases never received anything more than the official telegram. That is why US families are often clueless about what happened. Richmonds family though he had been killed by a flamethrower while parachuting into France....
@Nazistuffintheattic
Ай бұрын
awesome video, so much information, i have a few wartime pictures of dead germans that the americans searched through the dead german, it was common practice in ww2! Fantastic video with research at another level. thanks for posting jean loop
@CrocodileTear
Ай бұрын
What was common in WWII shocks millennial youtubers. Perhaps such topics should be censored?
@shirleyrichard-qv9lw
24 күн бұрын
@@CrocodileTearReality sucks !
@wr1120
23 күн бұрын
I can imagine the family members stumbling on your channel and watching every detail of those events. I know hardly anything about my grandparents. It's a well made documentary. Thank you.
@demiurgiac
Ай бұрын
Here, we are reminded of the absurdity and futility of war as well as the dedication of war fighters and why they fight. Extremely well researched and told.
@richardoconnor1821
Ай бұрын
A beautifully researched and presented story which was deeply moving; THANK YOU!
@tiredlawdog
Ай бұрын
You never cease to amaze me with you every last detail. Thanks for this touching story. What a waste of life so close to the end.
@briansmith7791
26 күн бұрын
This was a beautiful story, very well told. Thank you for bringing it to the world.
@joed9491
Ай бұрын
How tragic the deaths on both sides. I can't help remember what Darrell "Shifty" Powers once said: "We might have had a lot in common. He might've liked to fish, you know, he might've liked to hunt. Of course, they were doing what they were supposed to do, and I was doing what I was supposed to do but under different circumstances, we might have been good friends."
@troymargetich2609
Ай бұрын
Excellent research as always
@danl.909
26 күн бұрын
What an interesting vignette from WW2! Thanks for making this video and sharing it.
@KJAkk
Ай бұрын
Your research is fascinating. I wish I had more info about my grandfathers' stories. I have some info but some I have not been able to find.
@paulbarron9745
26 күн бұрын
What an amazing researcher you are and story that makes history richer.
@3nheaven
28 күн бұрын
You are such a good investigator. Amazing story and well done.
@garyjohnson3252
25 күн бұрын
This is an excellent video, really bringing to light the experiences of what it was like to fight during this time. Also excellent is your work to contact the surviving relatives of the German soldier.
@ruthlessintentions3778
24 күн бұрын
As a veteran this thing has me internally tearing up. Thank you.
@dwightdonnelly8662
23 күн бұрын
I truly admire your drive to uncover history's stories...thank you.
@mavrikmavrik3032
28 күн бұрын
Incredible story, thanks for sharing!
@PowertotheHIGHIQPeople
28 күн бұрын
War is hell..war is sad,there is no glamour
@Godfather-oy2kw
22 күн бұрын
That was most interesting and very well presented. When you drill down into the personal stories it really brings home what an absolute tragedy it is when countries go to war.
@islesanctum833
25 күн бұрын
Very good video I sincerely appreciate your unwavering dedication for the truth and history You are a hero for such work
@JSalyer66
27 күн бұрын
Thank you for your amazing tenacity in your research!
@golic7123
Ай бұрын
Wow, During this videos - What a conflict of emotions, for all parties . . . . . . . Respect to all those R.I.P. - Brave they've souls !
@aliciaritchie8676
26 күн бұрын
I cant believe that i just now seen your channel and what a stroke of good luck this was for me" your story is awsum" i luv the fact that you researched both sides of this unfortunate event" Thank you very much and keep up the spectacular work sir 👍
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