German Soldier Remembers WW2 | Memoirs Of WWII #15
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 ก.ค. 2019
- Growing up in Germany in the 1930’s, Gert Schmitz was drafted into the Hitler Youth, witnessed the start of World War II, and joined the Luftwaffe by the time he was 17 years old. But his dreams of flight would be crushed when he was sent to the Western Front to fight the advancing Allied Forces with a disoriented and dwindling German Army.
Memoirs of WWII Website: bit.ly/2w60kGM
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Written and Directed by Joshua Scott
Filmed by Christian McLean
Edited by Joshua Scott and Christian McLean
Post Audio by Lane Tarr
Archive Footage Sources:
www.archives.gov/
Department of Defense
Archive Photograph Sources:
U.S. Air Force
German Federal Archives
U.S. Army
Shovy Rahman
NASA
“Heute Nacht oder nie” performed by Walther Ludwig
acquired from www.archive.org
Musical Score Source:
artlist.io/
Artlist Songs and Composers:
“Thoughts In Motion” by Tristan Barton
“Exigency” by Charlie Ryan
“Drifting Deeper” by Roland Bingaman
“Choice” by Borrtex
“We Finally Made It” by Kyle Preston
“Grey” by Kyle Preston
Our family is heartbroken to share the news of my father's passing on May 7, 2022 at the age of 94. This video was one of his greatest joys. He checked the number of views and read the comments almost every day. Thank you for sharing part of his story.
May he rest in eternal peace Mrs Buchanan, his words are inspiration for many people across the world , don't fight talk it out there's gotta be a solution. Warmest greetings from small Luxembourg
If you and your family inherited even a 10th of his strength and character there's no way he won't rest in peace. Your father saw more death, violence, and propoganda at a young age than any person should and still came out insightful and a pacifist. May God Bless you, your father, and your family.
@@teaadvice4996 If you're ignorant, it's better to keep your mouth shut and not advertise it.
Sincerest condolences on your loss. He was a great storyteller and I'm glad he shared his story for future generations to hear.
Awww...I wish I knew that months ago and could have written him a nice comment! God bless him. I have lost my father as well and I feel for you and your family as I know the pain. Good luck to you!
It's so sad that we're the last generation to hear their stories, in person.
Better to make the most of them. In then falls on our shoulders to pass these stories onto our kids and grandkids
@@TheExtrreme Indeed.
Man this kinda hit me my grandma was 10 when the war was breaking out she passed away recently and always told me story’s
@@serenaedwards6385 Much respect for your father.
I do not wish to scare anyone, but I wonder if Biden is doing the same now. Nobody is allowed inside or outside the white house and their are mixed feelings about what the media says. Not pushing this on anyone, just wondering.
Rest in Peace Gert. Thank you for sharing your stories with us.
Born: Oct 11, 1927
Died: May 7, 2022
Omg if this news is real, rest in peace to the man
@@milanopasaribu4373 dude is a ex nazi soldier...I hope he doesn't rest in peace.
@@kevinbutton4580 You think soviets where so much more innocent ?
@@kevinbutton4580 he was forced too
@@kevinbutton4580 Russian soldiers are committing suicide after what they're currently being forced to do.
A lot of German solders were forced into the war. Or were radicalised by propaganda by the German government.
Yes, many many many German soldiers relished the chance kill and die for their county. But not all of them.
“War is the stupidest thing man ever invented.” Truer words have never been spoken. RIP Gert.
My father said the same. He was sent to war and told us that there is no such thing civilized man. From the beginning of time.. what did his grandfather said. The sad part. Civilians. Innocents . Here usa. Biggest
Also i am black american. My father was in the occupation and then sent to korea. My people was in all american wars. We need peace
Old people are not stupid 0:43 0:47
I want to hear more stories from the Germans side
Agustin Leos especially when there about to be invaded it’s just heart breaking and interesting.
Or perhaps an Italian
Agustin Leos Thank you for watching it’s because of our amazing Patreon supporters were able to continue to make these videos. If you’re interested, you can check out our website to see how you can help support our mission to preserve these stories as well. www.memoirsofwwii.com
Agreed. Also, Italians or Romanians before it is too late!!
please please
“War is the stupidest thing that man invented”
Salute you sir
@Mjölnir Captain Sparkle finger's that's what I was thinking. I always see myself as the background character that got shot in the head
Man didn't invent war - it's in the genes. The times I've heard "why can't we just get along?"
The history of mankind is the history of war, even when we were nomad hunters gathers we should have fight for hunting fields.
Animals make war in their own way. For territory or females. Ants basically have soldiers, workers and medics. Peace is impossible because always someone will want what you have and if desperation drives him and you can't part with what is yours then conflict happens. When this happens between countries a war is started. Even now we are at war for our civilization's existence.
And we were lied into fighting our own kin, now look at the state of the West.
Just a correction here; at 8:37 He didn't say Dortmund. Germans enunciate Dortmund very clearly. He is actually talking about Dülmen a small town about 30km away from Ramsdorf.
at 10:37 you can even see one of his drawings referencing Dülmen.
Was about to write a comment as well. I agree its Dülmen.
German soldier? Why not Nazi soldier? Because that was a Nazi soldier from the Nazi army! Such videos are only there for the whitewashing of the Germans. By the way, unbelievable that 5 million watched this completely unnecessary video. This video is superfluous because obviously sympathies are to be awakened for a former German soldier. But no one should have sympathy for these soldiers of a felonious army! Because this felonious army was involved in various genocides and was also involved in various wars of aggression that made this genocides possible in the first place. Overall, the Nazi nation with the Nazi army is responsible for 55 million deaths and, in addition, for the destruction of many European cities and the economic ruin of many nations. This was a completely megalomaniac, mad, felonious, amoral and degenerated Nazi nation and Nazi army with pure, insane, megalomaniac and utterly amoral barbarism was totally unique in all of world history. It is a historical fact that since 1936 at the latest, but probably earlier, the overwhelming majority of Germans were followers and supporters of the German Nazi government thus they were Nazis! Because that is also the definition of Nazi. Supporters and followers of the German Nazi government. That applied to the entire German nation, including the army. That's why such a long war was even possible! Such a long war would have been impossible against the will of the majority. Also such a total fight! Because the vast majority of Germans were followers and supporters of the German Nazi Party, there was very little resistance. Since so many Germans wanted to join the Nazi party, was an admission freeze imposed. The crowds of people cheering Hitler were not ordered to cheer. They all came voluntarily to the Nazi mass events! There was also no mass exodus of the Germans abroad. Everywhere the Germans were committed to the victory of the Germans in this war! Incidentally, they also participated en masse in the crimes. Millions have murdered millions! For example, my grandpa was hit by a German civilian to death. This German civilian was the watchdog for the Polish workers in a factory seized by the Germans in Poland. My grandpa worked there. By the way, it was impossible to quit the job. The Germans had the list of employees. And besides, my grandfather had to work to feed the family. The German watchdog got angry with my grandpa! He hit him in his anger until he died. This happened more often in Poland. Also with the slave workers in Germany or the in occupied countries. Incidentally, 20 million slave laborers were forced to work under inhumane conditions. These were at slave labor harassed by millions of civilians in the factories and on the farms. There were millions of such German watchdogs to oversee these poor people being forced to work! Also millions of the soldiers who murdered civilians frequently anyway or killed in the war for the Nazi regime, but also millions of civilians were evil who were supporters of the Nazi government and who were involved in the crimes. This Nazi nation was completely megalomaniac, mad, criminal, amoral and degenerated!
I was wondering about that.
@@feraudyh What are you wondering about? About the whitewashing of the Germans? Worldwide everyone is used to that by now, because pro-German whitewash propaganda is been around since the 50s! That's why the term Nazi is used and not Germans! OK, actually, Nazis or Nazi Germany would be an appropriate term for the entire nation! Because since 1936 at the latest the overwhelming majority of Germans were supporters of the German Nazi government thus they were Nazis. But the term Nazis and Nazi Germany is problematic nowadays. Because 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 were supporters of the German Nazi government, thus Nazis. From this lying western propagan the myth is even produced that the vast majority of Germans were actually victims of the evil Nazis themselves. The propagandists even claim that the Germans were liberated in 1945. As e.g. the title of this video shows. "Liberation of Munich April 30 1945" th-cam.com/video/UHn5RyaW3kc/w-d-xo.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 wich from the victory over this nation with the subsequent multi-annual occupation is made a LIBERATION.
Why is it done that way? Why is the lie being spread of the few Germans who were responsible for the crimes so that most people by now say Nazis instead of Germans? 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 - TH-cam" th-cam.com/video/7OUR5uvs9aw/w-d-xo.html Then pragmatism prevailed over justice! Becaus 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). The problem, however, was that this Nazi nation was completely amoral and degenerate. 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. Actually, their crimes are permanently relativized by Western propaganda.
Gert lived in Huntsville, Alabama working on rockets with Braun until he retired. He speaks with a distinct southern accent and has southern mannerisms. You can see that was just a good ol boy about town there and became one of the locals.
You can tell he was a wonderful man.
Wow…that’s awesome that Gert worked w/ NASA in Huntsville. I’m an Alabamian, and Huntsville is an “engineering” town. More engineers than anywhere in America.
How he was allowed to come here is just unbelievable. He SHOT at our people. Tell me he was out on a NO-FLY list at least?!! 🤷🏼♂️
@@sec9788If it was for me I would limit the entrance of US people in Italy as well, just it would be a shame to not spill your dirty money. Its always good to see 😂
@@sec9788 He had no choice in what side he was on or he he was forced to shoot at.
Its weird hearing a man in his 90s talk about his grandfather.
Most of us are gonna get there one day man.
@@SuperBigdude77 This is sad and true of life.
world war 3 is starting. ☹️
@@user-cy3jc8tm7h do not let it happen:")
its normal he was once kid just like ours you idiot.
“We were too young to drink,
We were too young to vote,
But we weren’t too young to die.”
360th like
@@noflex8451 Noice
" But we weren't too young to kill innocents "
" But we weren't too young to slaughter kids and babies because of theirs religion"
@@Triondos well.... no, the thing is the older people defenitly had a choice, because they should have known it better they already knew a more civilised World and knew what democracy and al that shit is, but they Still chose their path. But as John B. Watson said :"Give me a dozen healthy infants, well-formed, and my own specified world to bring them up in and I’ll guarantee to take any one at random and train him to become any type of specialist I might select-doctor, lawyer, artist, merchant-chief and, yes, even beggar-man and thief, regardless of his talents, penchants, tendencies, abilities, vocations, and race of his ancestors" the young people who where born in this defected system didn't really get to have a choice, the choices where made for them, all of them. If you grow up in a system which denies you a free will, you can't really develop one can you. Well, that's a false statement as well, but atleast it takes a pretty long time, and a lot of generations to develop a knew kind of thinking. I mean thats why it took humanity so long to overcome the supression of monarchy and develop a somewhat free world.
That's a BS reply! Back during Vietnam that was the chant by all the war protesters. When the feds change the law to 18 devote 3% of the people actually registered to vote. Yeah look it up! Just the way to make noise
17th December 1997. The death of my grandfather, Enric Dastraught.
He fought on the eastern front in 1942 manning a gun in a panzer 3.
He never once spoke about the war but he told me this on multiple occasions:
Never doubt your actions, only doubt who's influencing them.
what a brilliant comment . Kudos my friend
Very wise words. May he rest in peace.
Как Гитлер немцы должны были себя убить .
nobody cares
@@noahmizrahi9834 insensitive asshole
My grandfather served as an Air Force navigator during WW2. He believed that it was crucial to document perspectives from all sides of the war. He emphasized that, at the end of any conflict, it's vital to ensure that prisoners of war return home with tales of fair treatment, contrasting it with the treatment they might have received from the enemy. This approach not only humanizes the enemy but also prevents animosities from being passed down to future generations.
I'm fortunate to have been raised in the US, instilled with Western values. I often reflect on how different my life might have been had I grown up in Nazi Germany, with Adolf Hitler and Joseph Goebbels as my primary sources of information. It's essential to preserve and share such stories to understand the broader context of history.
That’s only because nobody kills your grandfather’s family just in their house
First guy who says "I hate mustangs" and is the only one who has a proper reason to.
Why hate Mustangs they were beautiful creatures... matter fact The Cadillac of the Skies lol
Gundam1313 Yjshuao I mean if your getting shot by them they kinda loose there beauty
@@GUNDAM-NOLASAINTS Probably the same reason Poles and French hate Stuka's.
Gundam1313 Yjshuao to be honest, english, japanese and german planes were WAAAY prettier
Donald gay Trump he Almost got killed by one, did you not see the video?
"War is the stupidest thing man invented " best quote ever.
rules where shaped by war i hope you know that.
That's the most retarded quote ive ever heard. You cant have peace without war.
@@popthiccle1158 i thought your comment was idiotic in context
@@ziinx5899 but then i read yours
@@ziinx5899 saying that is the same as saying you cant have crime without poverty, there is always an origin the origin is eternal the origin is a choice the choice is made by man . Men in power either for country or for the gods sharing can happen u don't need to fight to have food or land or trade. all the arguments i know u will throw at me. anyway bless.
My dad also passed this year at 94. He served in the Flak Korps as a teenager. He later became a US citizen and successful business man and proud American
@@UziZokal i imagine an anti aircraft crew on the ground but idk
My dad fought the Germans from the air, Army Air Corps-radio operator in the B-17. I wish he were alive and could talk with Gert. My dad would have really enjoyed that. As the years went by, dad's hate for the Germans faded and realized it was time to move on with life.
Many who fought in the European Theater felt that way. Many who fought each other during the war formed lifelong friendships after the war.
Participants usually direct hatred at the enemy government, not individuals unless they are in battle or life-threatening situation. Soldiers aren't responsible for starting wars; they just follow orders.
I don't know the actual number of haulocosts Germans have done in Greece. The human faced monsters. Be proud of your father.
German soldier? Why not Nazi soldier? Because that was a Nazi soldier from the Nazi army! Such videos are only there for the whitewashing of the Germans. By the way, unbelievable that 5 million watched this completely unnecessary video. This video is superfluous because obviously sympathies are to be awakened for a former German soldier. But no one should have sympathy for these soldiers of a felonious army! Because this felonious army was involved in various genocides and was also involved in various wars of aggression that made this genocides possible in the first place. Overall, the Nazi nation with the Nazi army is responsible for 55 million deaths and, in addition, for the destruction of many European cities and the economic ruin of many nations. This was a completely megalomaniac, mad, felonious, amoral and degenerated Nazi nation and Nazi army with pure, insane, megalomaniac and utterly amoral barbarism was totally unique in all of world history. It is a historical fact that since 1936 at the latest, but probably earlier, the overwhelming majority of Germans were followers and supporters of the German Nazi government thus they were Nazis! Because that is also the definition of Nazi. Supporters and followers of the German Nazi government. That applied to the entire German nation, including the army. That's why such a long war was even possible! Such a long war would have been impossible against the will of the majority. Also such a total fight! Because the vast majority of Germans were followers and supporters of the German Nazi Party, there was very little resistance. Since so many Germans wanted to join the Nazi party, was an admission freeze imposed. The crowds of people cheering Hitler were not ordered to cheer. They all came voluntarily to the Nazi mass events! There was also no mass exodus of the Germans abroad. Everywhere the Germans were committed to the victory of the Germans in this war! Incidentally, they also participated en masse in the crimes. Millions have murdered millions! For example, my grandpa was hit by a German civilian to death. This German civilian was the watchdog for the Polish workers in a factory seized by the Germans in Poland. My grandpa worked there. By the way, it was impossible to quit the job. The Germans had the list of employees. And besides, my grandfather had to work to feed the family. The German watchdog got angry with my grandpa! He hit him in his anger until he died. This happened more often in Poland. Also with the slave workers in Germany or the in occupied countries. Incidentally, 20 million slave laborers were forced to work under inhumane conditions. These were at slave labor harassed by millions of civilians in the factories and on the farms. There were millions of such German watchdogs to oversee these poor people being forced to work! Also millions of the soldiers who murdered civilians frequently anyway or killed in the war for the Nazi regime, but also millions of civilians were evil who were supporters of the Nazi government and who were involved in the crimes. This Nazi nation was completely megalomaniac, mad, criminal, amoral and degenerated!
@@antimimoniakos Like when the greeks butchered turkish and bulgarian civilians before WW2? Get off the high horse.
One of Gert's daughter's here. Just wanted to thank Memoirs of WWII again for doing this project. We are very grateful that part of his story has been captured. And he has been excited to have over 4 million views so far and enjoys reading the comments.
Do you also speak German?
@@kayvan671 I know a few words and phrases, but very little.
@@niki4god
Ach..passt schon 👍🏻
What an amazing story I hope he is doing good!
Liar! I'm Gert's grand-son (by Myrtle's side) and I've never heard of you. He DID mention a Nicole, but he said she was a hussie who did...things in videos, for monetary gain.
We often forget the people we consider as "enemies" are really not that much different than us, just trying to survive in a bad situation.
Chivalry is on a decline
We weren't allowed to remember. The word Nazi was criminalized.
@@schris413 It should be.
@@schris413 The Germans did not call themselves Nazi, the term was invented by communists and eventually adapted by everyone else.
@@derkernspalter "nazi" is simply the diminutive for "nationalsozialist". same with "sozi" for social democrats/socialists. it wasn't "invented" by the communists, but of course it wasn't used by the nazis themselves since it is a derogatory term
Das fühlt sich für mich an, als wenn ich meinem Opa zuhöre.... ich hab mit 14 versucht ihn über den Krieg auszufragen.. Das ist jetzt 40 Jahre her. Heute würde ich ganz andere Fragen stellen.
What a great man. So much life and wisdom out of his words. He reminds me of my grandpa, answering my stupid questions about his time at war 40 years ago.
Haha hätte meinen Urli auch andere Fragen gestellt als Kind …
Did he feel guilt for things the nazis did?
Amazing story, an amazing person. It is a shame we are losing them so fast now, R.I.P.
Back in the 1970s my next door neighbor was a ww2 German veteran too, he used to fix everything for us in the neighborhood from a blender to a car transmission very smart man.
Just dont let him hook a hose up to the car exhaust
Homefront i know its a joke but come on. people on both sides suffered enough to ridicule sth horrible as ww2
Homefront the old place and time reference is applicable on this one. Satire can be funny in the right situation.
Wartime mechanic
Wow that’s so cool
I think ppl forget that German soldiers are human too. They got drafted and many didn’t even know what terrible things Hitler was doing. They where just as scared as the Americans French and so on
@@reecewood155 While I was at Fort Polk Louisiana, my neighbor was a small girl during the war. She told me that her two uncles said something 'not very nice' about Hitler and were sent to the Eastern Front. Never to be seen or heard of again.
Each soldier is a victim of his system.
MotorCollection I don’t think soldiers knew their real system
@Iblis Mine isn't made up dude.
yeah but germans who were against it were very very rare. of course after the war, when faced with what they had been a part of they say oh we got drafted we didnt know what was going on, yeah right concentration camps next to big cities but nobody knew
What a lively soul and vivid storyteller-as if he were there just yesterday-graced by a lifetime of hindsight.
Just made my heart equally sad and happy. His accent is so unique. It's a hybrid deep south / German accent. I really loved listening to it and the stories. May he rest in peace ❤❤❤❤
Юг это Гитлер и Эйхман .
WWII from German perspective. That's what everyone looking for. And it's very very rare. I don't know why.
Because history is told from the side of the victors... sadly
@@NordicGriffin we should teach it from both sides
Because Germany had a few good reasons to start a war but our governments don’t want us to know those reasons.
Western culture sees things from the point of Western view.
Sadly, I wish this was talked about more.
But it's so important to see and understand how something like this could happend, so that this never will happen again. I don't know where you're coming from, but it makes me sad that they don't teach it better
His accent, so German, yet so American Southern at the same time. lol
Lol
So true
Yes, I noticed that too! Even American slang. I have never heard anyone talk like this before.
@@Michaelcaba German/English aren't too far apart form each other (Linguistically I mean) , it's worth taking a look if you want to learn another language
Maybe he was from southern Germany.
an amazing storyteller, such a clear and crisp memory. RIP
I was thinking the same thing about him being such a great storyteller. I actually live in the town where Werner von Braun and the space program was founded. There are several ways that the German influence is felt even to this day, but I read something interesting where Hitler invented the multi lane highway system in Germany in order to transport tanks. Eisenhower saw the advantages there, and after the war our highway system was created and modeled after the German system.
good information, thanks. I'm old enough to recall the Eisenhower years. I think he was a great president as well as a great general.
I particularly enjoyed this video. I've always wondered about the stories from the other side, as you would typically only hear what's being said from a larger standpoint. As an American soldier, I found this video amazing. One thing all soldiers in war have in common no matter the side. WE ALL WANT TO SURVIVE!!!
Quite amazing, he fought against America while serving his German country, and then immigrated to the US and fought for America. He gave some great advice about war. A great gentleman.
Quite a few German ex-pats ended up in the US Special Forces
He basically just jumped ship when he got caught
Alot of Germans over in us and nazis
he only a gentleman to you because he fought for your country..
john g usually i don’t judge people but mostly i judge systems,don’t you think is pathetic and hypocrite to accept a former nazi soldier to our country when our immigration low carry a very clear question “have you been a member of the nazi party “ ??in other word how did this man pass the immigration test with his ugly past?? Why they give him a pass when we don’t accept others with a clean record??perhaps because he is a white man and deserve the special treatment 🤷♂️🤷♂️i don’t know you found the answer for me
Don't hate him he was just a soldier fighting for his country.
The wrong country though
@@harrymonk6 😂😂😂
@Daniel Menefrego i know right? How could America let a nazi degenerate in their army .disgusting
Harry Monk He was a regular soldier. I hope you realize that there is more than just a nazi in a German army
@Schwanzus Longus mate wtf ! Dont be like that
Over the last year I've watched this video probably 4 times. Something very captivating and honest about this man, and interesting to hear a different side to storey from what I would class as the enemy.
Sad to hear of his passing RIP.
There are so few German Veterans interviews and a German’s soldiers perspective of the front. This is one of them and it’s great!
“Don’t fight. Talk it out...There’s always a solution.”
-Gert Schmitz
I can tell he was lying he was PATRIOTIC and determined to defeat the allies in WW2
Absolutely cringe
@@calo-kg2cy Damn that was on point. lol
@Wilhelm II. Are you even German brooo
@Wilhelm II. Ah, the battlecry of the nazi apologist. It was Wehrmacht troops who were responsible for a lot of the crimes of nazi Germany idiot. Not Hitler personally. They have themselves to blame for following him. They could always have surrendered. Instead they chose to fight fanatically for Hitlers genocidal ambitions. And yes, the Allies had every right to retaliate for it. They could have ended Germany as a state for all I care. Its no less than what Germany intended and tried to do to a lot of them.
It’s too bad so many stories were never told and died with the soldiers.
almost no veteran likes talking about killing peeps
EUROPE Freedom damn, you got the whole squad laughing😐
@EUROPE Freedom what is going on with you
@EUROPE Freedom meh didnt Really Said anything
@EUROPE Freedom lol you are so toxic
I did so enjoy listening to this man’s account of his war experiences. Greetings to his family from New Zealand.
I am so glad I found your videos, I have watched them nonstop for 2 days and cried several times listening to soldiers tell their stories. Thank you for interviewing these men before they pass, this is my favorite channel now.
This guy isn’t a nazi, he is a German
Agreed
LOL what?
@@cplusplusdude8189 HES NOT A NAZI, HES A GERMAN
@@cplusplusdude8189 yeah isnt that guy a nazi?
@@ito2611 He used to be one and he must be held accountable for the crimes he committed back then. I care not one jot what he is saying now, he was a nazi Germany soldier and it does make him a war criminal. His nationality is absolutely unimportant here.
He reminds me of an old German Vet I met in Stuttgart that shook my hand and said he was glad he was shot by our planes in a strafing run. I begged him to explain, he showed me his old scar where the MGs ripped up his back, it put him out of the war and prevented him from going to the Eastern Front. We drank some more beer and departed as friends.
Patriot Cowboy what was his name?
Our planes had 50 cals, he wouldn’t have survived.
Nice story! The grandfather of a good friend first fought in France and then he was moved to Russia. There he was wounded and brought back home to recover. He told that this injury was the only reason that kept him away from Stalingrad.
Afterwards when he was fully recovered he took part in the battle of Monte Cassino where he was wounded a second time. He survived war and died just some years ago in peace.
The brother of my grandmother was not that lucky. He died at the age of 19 in the battle of Stalingrad
Btw I am from Austria
@@mountainguyed67 lol well you find the stranger and tell him.
I was a 50 gunner in Iraq, we were instructed not to use it on personell unless it was necessary to save our lives. Example: someone is about to shoot you (or other friendly's), and switching to another weapon would be too late.
I love Gert's merging of accents, it perfectly illustrates have much the world opened up after WWII. Thank you for sharing your story, Sir; even though you were fighting against us, you were doing what you thought was right, and serving your country. Rest In Peace
The victims of his army should rest in peace.
Thank you for sharing this .
Us younger generations needed to hear this .
Sorry for your loss .
That last quote from that guy was the best thing I’ve heard today!
maybe in a year
except britain and france tried to talk it out and see where that got them
mrpeabodythethird that’s why the other needs to be level headed if they’re not they shouldn’t have power in the first place
@94982 I don't know if it was a typo or not but I think what you meant to say was a "unconditional" surrender?
What part reply plss
Unfortunately the ones who start the wars are not the ones who fight them
Fred Cook not anymore but back in the day they did.
Old men start wars and young men die in them.
they used to.
Their offspring more often than not get found to be medically unfit for service, strange that.
Well Russia and Germany did divide Poland they had a pact together and not all german soldiers fought against the USA such as the German_Army_(Wehrmacht) Heer soldiers fought with the USA and French during the battle of Castle Itter and idc which said they were on soo a veteran is a veteran
I like this gentleman. He seems like a guy I could drink a beer with. I really enjoy how he explains all of this. He explains it with such good humor. I found myself chuckling as he told how he was jumping in a ditch and over fences back and forth to avoid bullets and bombs. Despite the seriousness of his situation at the time, I respect that after all this time he can look back at it in a less morbid light and talk about it like something funny that happened at work. Then he rounded it out with very sensical and simple advise about avoiding war and its terrible futility.
God bless you sir! Glad you survived that very crazy time.
Thank you for this video - its great to get this perspective. Rest in Peace Gert.
This gentleman sat next to me waiting for an eye exam and had me look this up. The very same guy talking.
Hey Jamie , you did look it up ! I hope you enjoyed it .
If u see him again say hello to him!
Awesome
daymn he is thicc tho
@@gertfschmitz Your testimony is very important, thank you for sharing it with us! We wish you excellent health and happiness for many more years to come :)
My grandfather passed away last year with 93 years old. He was born in Preußen. He didnt tell me many stories about that time because he didn't wanted to talk about it anymore. He was about 15 years old when he did go to the Hitler Jugend and i saw a Picture of him in Uniform. He visited his "Homeland" one more Time about ten years ago, his Family had a big farm what was lost after the War. He was hold in Russian war captivity (somewhere in Poland) and survived due the fact that he was one of a few Germans who could speak polish so he got the food from Russian military commanders for translating, the other guys didnt get really much food he told me. One Night they broke out of captivity (i dont know exactly what happened, maybe a riot) and run for their lives when the Russians started shooting at them, they were running to a trough a huge field so all of them just jumped to the ground and tried to hide from the bullets, some were hitten and died but he was lucky and stayed on the ground for 1-2 days probably when he finally stood up and run across the border to germany (the war was already lost at this time). One more thing: my grandma was from a small village also in the area germany/poland, dont know exactly what city/area she from there. She had 3 Brothers, 2 Marine and 1 Luftwaffe, she has a picture of them at her home when they were about 18-20 years old in uniform, its the last picture from them - they never returned...oh man i could really tell some stories :O My Greatgrandmother had 2 husbands: the first one died in ww1 the 2nd in ww2, she never married or had a realationship afterwards. I write it down here so in case ANYONE is interested in real stories from ww2 :-)
fleisch bersch is That Rich piana in your avatar?
There is some melancholy beauty in these stories
@@21stcenturystrengthethos47 hell yea it is
fleisch bersch lol
Excellent stories, my dad was in WW2. I remember him telling me stories about the war when i was a teenager but i was too young to understand the magnitude of what he was telling me. Unfortunately i have forgotten more of those stories than i remember. The older he got the less he talked about it. I think his trip to france to commemorate the 50th anniversary of d-day was therapeutic for him. When he & my mom returned from france i told him I was proud of him. I'll always remember his reaction was one of pleasant surprise. Damn i miss my parents. Great people, yet very humble.
6:55 this part gave me chills and still gives me chills. It gave me tears too, still does. I can’t imagine the sight of the man dying like that. Rest In Peace to the soldiers of WW2, you are never forgotten and shall never be forgotten. 😢🙏🏻🇩🇪🇺🇸✝️
man I could listen to that man talk for hours truly a gem of history
It's sad to think that these wars were mostly fought by young men who barely had a idea of what was going on and was manipulated into doing it
Yeah It's heartbreaking because Lot of people don't get it, Realize They are fighting for their country, Following orders! I'm a American And I'm just gonna say America or any country would've Done same if ordered to ... Example Iraq war, America started a war For no reason and killed Innocents Because they were ordered to! My great grandfather Was in ww2, My father said He took pictures of Japanese people heads, Took there katana! Comprehending that Shows Were no different compared to the Germans...
Römisch Shanta can you not see that both of those acts are evil though, like just because you’re ordered to do something doesn’t mean that you’re not morally culpable if the act is evil.
@@johnboyle6294 Dude I never said That I didn't think those acts were good? I'm mean Yeah If your Country Is doing something Wrong, Ofc they should be blamed, Not Pretend it didn't happen like immature adults! That's like the US telling the military to Slaughter People, wouldn't you Blame The US Dosen't matter if Ur ordered To do something you Should still blamed! Of course it's evil, If you Don't think ww2 Wasn't evil ur a Dumbass... All I was saying in my first comment is We think Germans Are bad Because of evil acts, Yet America Bombs Citys with Unarmed civilians, Starts wars, Creates chaos? If you read my comment I was talking about My great grandfather Who fought in ww2, Had pictures of Japanese heads, Don't you think that's evil?
the wehrmacht were mainly volunteers and commited many atrocities including the holocaust
Like the americans?
This is my Uncle Gert! I cannot believe I am just discovering this video but I am glad to see everyone appreciating the sacrifices he made and understanding the adversity and hardships he experienced. Thank you for this film, it means more to me and my family than you know.
Hi , MOSS ; I am so glas you discovered me , hahaha !Live is much better now ! I wish I could meet you some time , but at 93 it is not so easy !
@@gertfschmitz
I just left another message responding to someone else. My father was a young (German) boy during the war. He has vivid memories and many stories.
One of my uncles was in the SS, and lost his leg after being shot by a plane.
Another uncle and my grandfather were both prisoners of war.
My father found a phosphorus bomb that exploded when he played with it, causing acid burns and hearing loss.
Dusseldorf was a target of strategic bombing, and ended up being mostly rubble by the end of the war.
And yet all of them (2 parents and 11 brothers and sisters) made it through the war.
I think these stories should be passed down to those of us who don't know any better.
@@marcinmario6455 🤦🤦 oh man du bist nicht zu retten ein richtiger vollidiot bist du
Gert Schmitz
Hope you're staying safe and doing well during this pandemic!
Wonderful piece of history here.
@@marcinmario6455 Thomas the deportation train had never seen such a bullshit before
This is a fantastic video. We are fortunate that someone has/is making these and that these veterans are willing to tell their stories. Nobody wants peace more than someone who has fought in combat.
Hearing him talk about peace and always finding a solution through communicating it out brought a smile to my face and a tear to my eye
His German/Southern accent is so endearing.
"they started shootin' at us!" 😂
that sounded like someone interviewed a shop owner from texas
So I wasn't the only one to hear it
I enjoyed hearing the very American anachronisms like “shoot, etc” with the mix of German inflection and Southern twang
@@bcreech17 Out of interest: is "shooting at us" an anachronism?
I caught that too like when he said "shoot yeah" about going to flight school. I'm from the south and that sounded like my grandad telling a story
That is the most German name I've ever heard
GERT
FRIEDRICH
FRANZ
SCHMITZ
@@XTian-hp7qk *Gerd
Exactly what I thought when I heard his name lol.
@@simonbaumbach5169 No, there are subtitles, he's right, its Gert
@@ivandelosreyes1400 I know right? it almost sounds fake lmao
One of the reasons why i love youtube. It preserves so many stories from people who aren't able to tell it anymore..💔 rest in peace brave British, American, French, Soviet, Canadian, Dutch, Belgian, Danish, Norwegian, Polish, Greek, Yugoslavian, Indian, Chinese, Australian Forces, and the german and Italian resistance
This is what I like to see: this portrays the sorrows and reality of a side that most people rarely take more than a moment to think of as a band of monstrous marauders. But they're human. Like everyone else in the war. Thank you for making this, and godspeed to this gentleman.
“I hate mustangs till this day” 😂💀
Jack Christiansen hearing the whine of one brings back the memories😂
@@dawgznationnicca2674 ...it probably does...
...my dad was from Hungary, and had a few stories about sitting out more than one bombing raid in a bomb shelter, (a rather jarring, harrowing experience by all accounts)...
...he came to the U.S. in 1951, if I recall correctly, and in his latter years he had a hobby of acquiring collectables from the Franklin Mint...
...he would receive pamphlets in the mail promoting the release of the next collectable (commemorative medallions, or die cast models of various motor vehicles, desktop statues of various legendary figures of the old west, etc.) and was something of an avid collector of these things...
...one day, in the mail, he received one of these promotional packets advertising the release of a diecast replica of a B-17 Flying Fortress heavy bomber, which he promptly threw into the trash.
I didn't understand why and asked him why not? ...you like these Franklin Mint collectables.
His answer to me was: "After sitting in a few air-raid shelters with these damned things raining bombs down on us, I don't really feel like spending money on one of these replicas"...
...I could see his point...
@@miklosernoehazy8678 Intersting story!
@@leomignonneau1765 ...my dad had a couple of interesting stories about his experiences during the war...
@@miklosernoehazy8678 we would like to hear more please.. :))
It's nice the see the perspective of someone from the Axis side. I've been waiting with anticipation for this and it did not disappoint.
The FBI thanks for watching!
my grandson says your the fbi, do i need to get a switch for him lyin to me ?
@Leopard Boas a stick used for swatting a childs behind
@Leopard Boas a swatting stik my papaw passed down from his, to mine, when nephew gets loud he gets a swat? so what i say. so he is upset. he is loud. He is my kine. He can't be loud? Marsha is right next to him in the room over and she has enough cards in her deck to know ol' ciggy wont let nephew get loud. i got a damn chihuahua for chripesake.
Gods side.
I have a friend who's dad was in the Wermacht and after the was he joined the American army. He then worked for the NY Transit Authority. I met him and his German wife many times and I was so sad when they passed. He was a very funny guy and they both were very fine people.
Thank you for this channel. I am happy that ww2 is not forgotten and the heroes who sacrifice their lives.
War was the stupidist thing that man invented.
-Gert Schmitz
The sad thing is that it's human nature. As a 17 year old even I can see another World War approaching.
acevitamin no “world” war” isn’t happening.
Yet it’s spoken about it in the Bible.
@acevitamin there is no war at all, not sure how you think but what you said was definitely stupid lol.
@acevitamin maybe because "ghostly warfare" isnt a thing. Search up the meaning of "war"
I like hearing both sides of the story it gives so much more insight
Same
This is just late stage war there's better testimonials but they're with subtitles guess they picked this guy cause of his good english
No shit idiot.
Allied criminals should be exposed.
Fridolf måne you're pathetic!!!!!
@@billmers3219 No im not, you dont know me.
You are simple.
This is one of the most incredible life stories/short films I think I've seen on YT. What a perspective and life lived.
Amazing,this should be viewed by every high school and college student in this country. God Bless You Sir R.I.P.
"But, I hate mustangs to this day" lol that's priceless.
Lucky for him, there are not too many to see now!
@@vivians9392 😂
Can't really blame him now can you? 😂
In All Honesty so your talking about reincarnation n that stuff?
I hate mustangs in warthunder
The amount of shit this man went through... Survived a Mustang zeroed in on him, survived a close quarter tank combat on foot, nearly was in a massacre, behind enemy lines, chased by a soldiers, chased by other mechanised vehicles.... and is still alive... Man, this gentleman has my respect and man, I wish I had his courage....
I HAD A LOT OF HELP FROM ABOVE !!
@@gertfschmitz Above the Mustangs I presume.
@King Roger Check this kid pontificating about how he knows what real courage is over an actual WW2 veteran. Most courageous act you've ever faced is peeing sitting down in a public toilet or coming out to your dad.
Conbry lmaoooo
@@conbry6388 ROFL
I just want to say thank you. Finally!!! My greatest passion was to here the German soldier's side of the story. I hope to hear as many as I possibly can.
You’ll never hear from the ones that gassed the women and children
What a gift we have to hear this guy's stories. Thank you Memiors of WWII for saving this history.
"Don't fight. Talk it out. There's gotta be a solution."
Fuck, man, a veteran of a gruesome conflict has better wisdom from a time where there was no Internet than our generation.
Respect to you, Herr Schmitz.
Yes, there is a solution and you will deny it, but His name is Jesus Christ!
nah nah nah nah nah embrace the full extent of liberty or youll get it embraced for you! SOMEONES BOUT TO GET LIBERATED!!! MURICAAAAAAAAAA
sounds good, doesnt work.
they warned us...and we aint listening, not yet!!
@JuuzouSusuyaScythe TwoHandedGsKing No Jesus, no peace.
Know Jesus, know peace.
This guy looks pretty healthy for being a WW2 era veteran, got the gold jewelry on too looking swag lol
He was 10 or 12 years old when he joined the army. Thats why
Welll veterans can be healthy 🙄 sooooo ...
@@franciscomonge4930 wrong. Hitler youth wasn’t “the army” .. He was likely in the Hitler youth program until around 16-17 years of age before he was drafted into the Nazi armed forces.
@@MauroPavanelli That Group thinking is the same that Nazis use to explain why certain groups are bad.
I met a D-Day veteran at work one time who didn’t even look the age that he was. He was in his 80’s at the time, but didn’t even look like a day over 70. He sure did keep himself up good.
Bless this man, I have the deepest respect for what he's been through and I hope he's in good health!
He died in may 2022
What a great man. Thank you for finding these stories!
"If you cannot communicate, you start fighting." We ignore history and are doomed to repeat it.
"History does not repeat, it rhymes."
"We" don't start wars, politicians do.
@@yektako but it us the people who elect politicians just look at Trump he was elected and the Republicans are doing everything they can to keep him in power.
@@oisinosborne2852 Never better evidence that people are not fit to elect their leaders.
Tell that to the Jews.
To everyone saying his accent is dutch: No, it's a German accent mixed with a southern accent
I have 3 accents ! When I visit Germany I have a American accent ,when I visit the west coast I have a southern accent and when I am in ALA I have a germane accent .
Yea he sounds very dutch indeed
@@sebbi9710 Dutch is a language
He probably served in Huntsville Alabama for NASA
@@gertfschmitz Danke dir Gert, dass du deine unglaubliche Geschichte mit der Öffentlichkeit teilst. Ich wünsche dir Glück und Gesundheit auf deinem weiteren Weg!
I really appreciate what you're doing trying to reach out to veterans and folks that lived during WW2 I hope you continue to come across the Great people of those times since time is of the essence. GODSPEED!
He narrowly escaped death so many times, this guy is a historical treasure.
Surviving a Mustang strafing is unbelievable!
Yeah. Too bad our guys didn’t get him.
10:10 - 10:18 cUm on out Cum on oUt
*HANDS UP HANDSUP **-GACHIGASM-** GERMANGASM*
ACTUAL HISTORICAL TREASURE BOUNDED BY TIME
@@monroekelly9064 You better should search a good psychotherapist.
@@keyboardwarrior0082 You better should proof read.
There definitely needs to be more stories told from the German side. Everyone pays attention to the Americans and the British. But, nobody ever talks about the Germans. It's a shame.
well everyone says germans are bad but i love german soldiers when they comunite and fight with planes and tanks germany is unstopavable german soldiers dont kil jews hitler and ss kil jews :(
shame on their war crimes
@@whofuckingcares44
Because it was just the Germans who committed war crimes, yeah?
@@lolofblitz6468 you so naive
@@lolofblitz6468 what about genocude of 7.5 million slavs?
I was stunned and very happy to hear that Gert served in the United States military after the war was over. This video is a great reminder to everyone who enjoys history that soldiers like him were not terrible fanatics like the party officials. Just ordinary people like you and me. 🇺🇸
Тупые немцы сбежали в США и южную Америку /например Эйхман и Йозеф Менгеле .
How strange that must have been. Joining the very military you fought against just years prior.
How difficult that must have been for him. I cant imagine the ridicule and maltreatment he must have gotten during his service, from veterans of that war who learned of his history. :(
@@davecrupel2817Ridicule???? My dear Lord, he SHOT at us!!! How was he even ALLOWED to do that (immigrate and join) is beyond comprehension…😑
These are such cool stories! And to think that he and millions of other people actually experienced this stuff not even a hundred years ago, it's crazy to imagine.
My grandfather was born 1897. He was a skilled carpenter. At the age of 18 he was drafted into the Bavarian army as an engineer and served in France during the first worldwar. There he experienced life in trenches, artillery bombardments and the gas attacks. Luckily he survived.
1941 he got drafted again. First serving close at home (small village near Munich) as some kind of air space spotter along 3 other, older WW I vets. Early in 44 he again was redirected to France as an engineer, to build up the fortifications along the coast. When the invasion started in July 44 he was assigned first to a back line unit, and he had to timber coffins as a carpenter.
Well, as the losses rose, he was back in an active engineer unit for the rest of the war on the western front.
Close before capitulation, his commander dissolved his men and told them to go home to avoid captivity. He started all the way from north Germany back south, avoiding notorious SS butchers and allied soldiers. After a few days he changed a pack of cigarettes with a drunk man for his bicycle. Back at home, he went to the school where 3 of his daughters (my aunts) were. The teacher told them to go outside, a "visitor" is waiting outside for them. My aunt told me, he started crying while hugging them after all. Well, I suppose the reunion with my grandma went good as well, because 1946 my father was born.
2 wars ...
Dude how fucking old are you! Surprised you can even you a computer
@@harrymonk6 Haha, what? I was raised with the first computers. Grandfather was born 1897, father 46 and me 77.
@Guitargreat Yes, but first only as some kind of home air spotter. They had to identify all air movement and report it. It was not that uncommon to be drafted again for such kind of backline service. Remember, all the younger lads got drafted and trained for the upcomming Russian campaign.
As for the later years, they drafted all they can get.
Glad you are alive.
@Guitargreat Yes... the system of evil used evryone who could walk to defense itself ... so be aleways careful if someone tells that his system is the best. Loud shouting means less truth. be suspicious to any politician, there is always a another truth behind.
I want to hear more from the German soldier's perspective.
@Rad Derry Got to make sure the guns Stay Pointed in the right direction. Which is Us pointing them at Each Other and not Them.
@Rad Derry if you only know on side then for all you know you aren't killing a hostile your killing a freedom fighter
@Rad Derry I mean there both true technically
@Rad Derry the only real truth is nihilism
@Rad Derry no it's just acceptice of everything ending
Wow amazing story . Thank you Gert and family for sharing this with all of us .
Thank you so much Gert for sharing your story. It must have been very stressful that you and your military mates on a certain point were looking for safety and everywhere you'd go there would be soldiers shooting or chasing you. I did laugh a little of the "wave" you did behind the tree, and you were laughing at it also so.. but I can't imagine how scary it must've been to give yourself over and still not be free but caught eventhough your heart wasn't in the wrong place but the mind was because of the Nazi Ideology and now you come to the conclusion this war doesn't work and you can't find way out of this mess. Thank you for spreading your story, it is very important to do so. A lot of respect Gert. Greetings from The Netherlands
The guy served as a German soldier during WW2, then came to the US to serve as an American soldier again , damn. 🇩🇪🇺🇸
William Wallace William Wallace 🏴
@ADJ30168 Hitler'sJewish Soldiers-Professor Brian Mark Rigg.
@@kareldekale4987 wdym?
@@jenna6906 Jazeker, het plaatje is immers veel uitgebreider.
De werkelijke feiten over het hoe en waarom worden bewust weggelaten.
Keer op keer moet ik vaststellen, dat ik gecensureerd wordt en dat in een land, waarin de grondrechten gerespecteerd dienen te worden.
@@kareldekale4987 i dont understand...
He ended up in Huntsville, Alabama working with Von Braun on rockets to the moon. I love his hybrid Southern/German accent.
@@adammound1982 Victors write the History books .
@@princesofthepower3690 Germans did too, so many stupid ideas of the war came from German generals expressing their anger. You aren’t entirely wrong, but the loser also can write. Remember the pen beats the sword.
@@natebox4550 wtf scumbag amerika england france was the liers! go and read some books over Rothschild and Banks... learm wahts going up for the War!
@@kunjijun5784 so the guy the did the Holocaust was the good guys? The ones that initially invaded everyone? And albeit France and England and even to an extent America calling Germany warmongers is ironic, Germany was still the worst one of them all, second Japan, and then the Soviets.
@@natebox4550 ignore him bruh he's another neo nazi
What an incredible storyteller and he was sharp as a tack! I wish my memory was half as good as his! Rest in peace, sir. ❤
He seems to have such a kind heart and no doubt lived with painful memories that plagued him until his death. Despite that he kept optimistic about the future and had a realistic view of war, which is no one wins in the end. I never knew him but was touched by his story and awesome job with the work you guys do. That's so cool to read how he looked forward to reading the comments every day and seeing the views this got, I wish I could've wrote him one before his passing. Naturally I'm sure we didn't share the same faith but I look forward to welcoming him back to life one day in the near future where his dream of a world with no violent conflict will be a reality and he'll be forever young. Love the series keep it up
My Grandpa Joe Roza fought for Patton's Third Army 94th Infantry Division. I remember when I was about 8 year's old spending the day with Grandpa. We stopped for lunch and he struck up a conversation with another Man his age. This other Man talked funny and I didn't know who he was. After lunch I asked my Grandpa who that Man was, he said "we were both Soldiers in the War." As I got older I realized that Man talked funny because he spoke with a hard German accent. Before my Grandpa passed I asked him about that day. He told me that most Soldiers from every side were just kid's literally tossed into a living Hell to kill each other all were just fighting to survive.
Best comment all day.
You should know by the end of the war general Patton said we'd fought the wrong enemy and destroyed a noble people, after he arrived in germany after the russians and met them, a large portion of soldiers, generals, and journalists tried to speak out about the war afterwards and that it was wrong, communism won and now we are paying the price.
my uncle also in the 94th 376th regt. I have read the history the guys went through hell wars circumstances and resource allocation often left the division on even footing with the enemy and they brutally slugged it out
damn, that's sad
Yes, But what choice did the west have?@@extraneus1630
Its refreshing to hear the story being told from the other perspective.
Yes it is there are very very few not just of world wars but in general a good example is the history's which had parts about the wars between Greece and Persia but we also the Persian perspective
Its a same shit on every side-kill or get killed...in next war first thing I going to do is to robb the first bank i see...
@Sterling Thomas Very unlikely
@@orcajr.5843 Why?!your dady is a BankBitch
What an amazing perspective. Love his dual combo accent. Man, the stories this man could tell. RIP
Such an amazing perspective, Gert! Thank you for sharing your story. This definitely needs to be heard by everyone. As you said, hopefully the world leaders can talk things out currently. Hoping for peace!
My father was an American GI during WW2. After the war he married my mother who was from Germany. They stayed married 67 years until his death. My father told me when they captured the Germans and they got along well with them and had no hatred for them. He liberated a concentration camps and told me they beat many of the SS guards to death after seeing what they had done. I guess what I am saying is time heals all wounds, Each side did what they had to do. My father only started talking about his many war stories a year before his death, My father survived great odds and I will be forever proud of him. I thank the publishers of this video with all my heart, Your efforts to record this history is valiant.
timitzer Each side did what they had to? German murdered, eliminated, cremated and destroyed over sex million Jewish people. Did they have to do so?
HollaBackFounder that wasn’t the soldiers, that was people like the SS
@@HollaBackFounder The Schutzstaffel and the Army are different. Half of the soldiers got drafted and based on your logic every Japanese soldier war apart of pearl harbor or every American soldier put Japanese in camps
@@civixsgames5483 You are correct, what was happening in those camps was kept as quiet as possible from the ordinary soldier, it was not common knowledge. Why would it be? Example: Do serial killers run around telling everyone? Heck No! Serial killers keep it from their own families!
@@HollaBackFounder - and don't forget the "war of annihilation against the Soviet Union" too.......hmmm
...and the Soviets paid them back after V-E Day by keeping them as prisoners!
Damn. Talk about surviving so much death, lucky to alive.
He was definitely a lucky kid back then. I guess it was meant to be how he survived, seems he lived a good, happy & honest life after the war. ☺
He's extremely lucky. Many of the solders left at the end of the war were murdered by Eisenhower and the United States Army. Others were worked to death in the Gulag system.
@Русское море Over a million Germans were sent to the Gulag after the war. Most never came home. This is a documented historical fact, not a matter of opinion.
jan kowalski stfu. Formulate a good sentence first, then talk shit
@Русское море You are dumb if you think Germans were not sent to the Gulag
His candidness is chilling, in no way is that bad, he didn’t seem to hesitate at all if not to find the best words to use even when describing his comrades death
This guys story and memory is amazing....I could listen to to him all day
But, I hate Mustangs to this day. That is hilarious.
lol
Good guote
Can't blame him, I'd hate them if one was trying to make Swiss cheese out of me lol
The owners of the Google/TH-cam network, who own all the other networks, don’t want the world to know the truth especially historical truth as they’ve pulled down from youtube countless times since its 2017 release the most forbidden documentary ever published! But the full ten-part series is still available at archive-dot-org: "Europa The Last Battle". Watch while you still can!
What did he mean by that?
I didn't get it
When you are a soldier, all ideals or political reasons for fighting the war go out the window. It's just about defending the guys next to you once the bullets fly. And most German soldiers were fighting for Germany, not Nazism.
You got that right !!
@Andrew kennett Dont mix the left with liberalism thank you
The left and liberalism are the same.
@@WombatLoveAffair They're not the same. But regardless, this thread devolved into something idiotic. The whole point is that all wars are fought by working class men and women who have little to no choice in the matter- they're either drafted or the only way out of poverty is through service. That should be the focus: war is a racket for the rich and a death sentence for the working class of any country.
@Hater Oftheleft
Mate, you have Stalin as your profile picture. Communism is an extreme left-wing ideology.
I have recently known about your youtube channel and I got immediately interested in all your content around here. This is about learn history and how the things goes into a direction that the whole world fought against but most importantly in my opinion known about normal and well respect people who fought for their country and gave us wise and relevant knowledge.
Thanks for your videos !
In the 80s my brother drove a bus in Croydon, one day when I went with him to the bus station he introduced me to a tall elderly guy, also a bus driver. Afterwards my brother told me he had been a German paratrooper during the war, had been captured and then a POW. He stayed in the UK and made his life here.
I grew up hearing stories of the civil war, and The Great War and WWII... I had family on both sides, one wrote the Article s of surrender, and the other was the last Confederate General to surrender. My Fathers dad was a dough boy in WWII, and my dad and all my uncles were veterans of WWII. Both were last surviving personnel of their units.... Needless to say, family reunions in 60s, and 70s, were as flurry of family history and war. I served in Marines, 83-89, during Granada and Beruit, even though I never went, there were other things Reagan had us doing. No such thing as a Peace Time Marine, let's leave it at that or 75th Rangers...I had privilege of knowing 4, former officers of Germany... One was a SS Capt., captured by the Russian Army and when he was at fighting weight in his prime he was 218 and 6'2".... When he was returned from Russia he weighed 110lbs... I could go on, but, all these Soldiers fought for their Country and did their best, and were, greater men after the wars...
Up until this moment I never thought a German and Southern accent could exist at the same time. This man was funny as hell and an incredible storyteller.
He was amazing to listen to! I loved his accent so much. Great story teller too.