My grandfather, Brigadier General Elmer F. Wallender, was the commanding officer of Base G in Hollandia and many of those lost in the crash were in his command, including Hastings. I actually had the pleasure of meeting her when she lived in Rome NY many years ago.
That is so cool! In 2000 I got to meet the Doolittle Raiders at Hill Air Force Base in Utah, and I got autographs from the Doolittle Raiders who were from Utah, and I got to see everyone who was there. That's my claim to fame, haha!
I am a truck driver now. And many a night I find myself in places stranded from any semblance of a civilization. I love watching your shows and listening to them as I travel and you’ll never understand how your love of history can bring so much joy to a lonely ole Marine. I share your shows on Facebook and with my wife (when I get home) and even tell my Dad who is also a Veteran. Please keep up the good work and I will always visit you when I can.
Outstanding video! As a former paratrooper and having served with simply awesome people from all walks of life and parts of America, this story fills me with pride that I was a part of a group of men and women that do not hesitate to put others before their own wel being. Simply inspirational!
I just watched this video with my Father, age 98, who was a C-46 pilot in New Guinea during WWII. My dad participated in the search for this missing plane. Ironically, 40 years later when my Dad was retired and living in a development in Delray Beach Florida, he was invited into the home of his new next door neighbor. As it turns out they had both served in the Army Air Corp in New Guinea! This neighbor? Lt. John McCollum...one of the 3 who survived the crash! My dad and "Mac" became fast friends, and shared many wonderful reminisces about their war experiences before Mac passed away. Thank you for this wonderful video-retelling of a forgotten story. It brought tears to my Dad's eyes for many reasons-- for Mac's memory, for so many other friends lost in combat, and for the extraordinary story retold here. Truly our greatest generation.
The classic paratrooper answer as to why anyone would “jump out of a perfectly good airplane”, is “The Air Force doesn’t have any perfectly good airplanes!” 82nd Airborne Division 1975 - 1978
Thank you for this. Just happened to stubble upon it. My grandfather “Capt Herbert Good” was one of those who did not survive. Interesting to hear more about the incident and rescue..
My Grandpa Sgt. Don Ruiz is one of the Filippino Parratrooper that rescue the nurse there and he taught the natives to see how strong and they fight and cook a roasted pig and got picked up by a glider and reward by General McCarther back in 1945
If anyone is interested in exploring this further, the book is entitled 'Lost in Shangri-La', by Mitchell Zuckoff--an excellent account not only of hardship and rescue, but also of the natives' heretofore unknown beliefs and culture. It's a good read.
I was in that region of Papua New Guinea in 1989. At the time, it was still quite remote. There were still indigenous people who had never seen white people before--they thought we were ghosts. We later found out that they were trying to decide which ancestors we were the ghosts of. While generally shy, they're very sweet and friendly people.
I started watching these videos a couple months ago as they came out. Now I've gone to the beginning, three years ago, and anm aiming to watch then all. Thank you sir for making history so interesting. I hope to get my grandchildren watching them AND hopefully peak their own interest.
Thank you for this most excellent story. As a student of History, and especially World War II history, this only helped to solidify in my mind that every person involved in the war has an interesting and unique story to tell. For that matter I suppose we could say the same about every human being on this planet, we all have a unique story to tell. Thank you History Guy!!!!!!
Absolutely love your pieces! As a fan of history lore, your stories are always a treat, even though some are quite poignant, they are always "history worth remembering"! Keep up the great work!
Absolutely amazing! You never cease to amaze me with these tidbits of history that would otherwise go unnoticed or forgotten. I'm going to chuckle for some time at the notion of three dozen bras being airlifted in! Thank you once again for an interesting moment in history, you are without peer.
@Ralph quint yes you were nuts. But You achieved that just by getting in a airplane , you confirmed it by actually jumping out of it. I joined the navy specifically because I figured there nobody would ask me to jump out of a airplane . So I ended up serving on submarines which could be construed by some as being just as batshit crazy. It appears we both survived it but I would be willing to wager a small sum that my knees are in a bit better shape.😎lol. Seriously though, thank you for your sacrifice.
I read the book about this several years ago and had actually forgotten about it. Thank you for reminding me of something so very interesting. Also, just wanted to tell you how much I love your many stories of history “that needs remembering”.
I just found your channel and I have to tell you you your voice and personality are great! A teacher that actually knows how to teach! I had only one teacher who you remind me of and he was the the one teacher that I enjoyed. One thing I will never understand is why these things are not taught in schools in my day or today.this one in particular I read something about but it was only a blip at best and you put it together exceptionally! GOOD JOB. THANK YOU AND KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!
I agree, Michael. A major problem with the teaching of history in the United States is that textbooks are purchased by states and reflect a "consensus" view of the past. That consensus view ignores the fact that people in the past were just as smart, just as confused, and just as chaotic as we are.
Fantastic video as always, beautiful style in telling history that deserves to be remembered. 9.9/10 (nothing is perfect, but this is as close as you can get.)
You're stories of remarkable history never cease to amaze me. I studied a lot about WWII & yet you teach me so much, the majority of which I find to be absolutely stunning. They all certainly "deserve to be remembered". So thanks for another joyous ride thru history, I look forward to another each & every day.
I love little stories that deserve to be remembered. I take them back to class as a 2min break from rehearsals. Kids love my stories, so thanks history dude! You're the best.
Hello from Ottawa Ontario Canada. I really enjoy your website. The information is so fantastic and reminds me of the history that needs to be remembered. Please continue to provide this content. Thanks again. Duncan
Your storytelling is great, but I have to say the visuals are awesome too! It must take you a lot of time and effort to find all those pictures and films.
Excellent story amd amazing rescue. My great grandfather Brigadier General Loyal M. Haynes was in an airplane accident in 1946 over the Swiss Alps. The rescue effort was massive, and very unique having American troops in Neutral Switzerland. Maybe a good story for your Channel?
I am just so happy you keep finding this artifacts of history that most people including me, are not aware of. Great Job "History Guy". You deserve and Emmy if not and Oscar.....Keep up the great work and keep them coming...
Just last week I visited the Silent Wings Museum in Lubbock, TX. It tells the story of the WW2 gliders. The museum was great and this video is a wonderful follow-up to that visit! Thank you!
My biological father was infantry with the 41st Sunset Division in New Guinea and was sent home after Hollandia with Malaria...My adopted father was a crew chief on a C-47 in the 317th Troop Transport Group...5th Air Force. He got a Bronze Star for flying into the Battle for Wau with Aussie soldiers and ammo...He probably flew around with a lot of troops from the 41st and my two Dad's might have seen each other in the jungle. but never met in peace time....
My Father in law Paul Freyberg helped both the Assies and the Americans map the Finester mountian. Passes after his escape, he was a Lutheren missionary in New Guinea. Your story reminds me of his many stories. Love your work!
It's a good thing they met up with that particular tribe. Thank you so much for another telling of history worth remembering. :o) My son is hooked on your channel now, too. I read "The Peace Child" many years ago. It was about missionaries who were surrounded by a people group who were cannibals. In their culture, these would select a person (usually from a different tribe) and "fatten with kindness" before killing and eating the person. They were leery of the missionaries and their baby and their God. The place they directed the missionaries to live was a mountain where there were frequent lightning storms. The natives expected the family to be killed, yet the God of the missionaries was proving to be powerful and benevolent. There's more to the story, and is a great read. God bless you! Hugs, Linda Lee
Great video, read the book on Shangri-La and have flown over similar terrain in PNG. Nasty landscape. These short vids are a great concept. Thanks from Australia.
Thanks for telling this amazing story and the incredible rescue technique. Sounds like a James Bond plot. I have a suggestion for a WW2 event worth researching. While visiting my hometown of PHX AZ and nearby Scottsdale, I happened upon a monument of sorts commemorating an amazing story of a “The Great Papago Escape” of 25 German POWs. It happened on Dec. 23, 1944. The details of which are very interesting. They tunneled out ala Stalag 17 through what is almost concrete-like earth to surface right by one of the big irrigation canals that crisscrosses the city. In the all the time I spent in PHX, I never heard tell of this fascinating event. I would be most interested to see and hear what your research can discover and how you would tell this story that deserves to be remembered.
I have yet to view one of your videos that discussed anything I had already known. While I do enjoy history (always have), and love to learn new stuff, your presentations are what keeps me coming back. Many thanks.
I really enjoy your videos and seek them out frequently and, yes, I'm a subscriber. One very, very minor correction, if I may. The CG-4 gliders were made by WACO, the Weaver Aircraft Company. The acronym is pronounced "wah-co", not like the Texas town. Petty, I know. Keep up the great work!
Years ago when I first discovered THG's channel I thought I had watched all of his old episodes. I guess I was wrong because this one was new to me today. Yet another fine video of history worth remembering. Thanks Lance!
David Blake thank you! We plan to make many more (we’ve uploaded 97 videos so far) But there may be a hiatus for a couple of weeks, as some critical pieces of studio equipment had to be returned to the manufacturer for repairs.
Hi History Guy; I ran across your You Tube page & started watching one story of "History that Deserves to be remembered & after the 1st one I saw I just kept on going & going, each video that came next piqued my curiosity & I found myself riveted to one after another. Thanks again & hope to keep seeing more of them!
An Essex class carrier. Essex class carriers were named after naval battles- the name "Shangri-La" referred to the 1942 Doolittle raid, which FDR had cryptically said had originated from Shangri-La.
That was really good! I thoroughly enjoyed that. Love the WWII stuff. I still would love you to do something on the SEABEES please! P. S. Forgot to mention recently, love your Union Jack bowtie! 🇬🇧
For exclusive content and behind-the-scenes fun, join our community of fans and supporters at thehistoryguyguild.locals.com! Corrections: I refer to Suzy Hastings as a nurse. In fact she was a clerk-typist. I attribute the crash to engine trouble. In fact, the cause of the crash is still listed as “unknown,” and likely was the result of poor visibility.
Actually,,if you read the book Shangri- la ....The head pilot spaced off and left an inexperienced guy at the wheel...who had no place being alone in cockpit . I thought if I remembered correctly..she was a nurse ...no ?
interesting..fascinating story regardless...you know what might be an interesting story is that of the concrete ship sunk off the beach off of Cape May New Jersey . Another great story would be that of the SS Great Eastern . Both have amazing background histories . Love your videos History Guy !
scott garvey the story of the building of the concrete ships and how the Atlantus wound up off of Cape May is interesting. The Great Eastern is an epic story! But I have found difficult to fit into a script. I suspect I will get an episode out at some point.
cool...would love to see it ...keep up the good work ! I find that the problems of this world..and our current political situation is because the amazing amount of apathy in the world,,,this country particularly , towards history . I think why JFK is so revered is that he knew history ....the lack of historical knowledge today is amazing . Particularly amongst American youth . Scary that a big portion do not know who we fought in WW2,,,,truly frightening actually , since they are the future leaders .
Never underestimate Americans! If being in the middle of the South Pacific during WW2 wasn't dangerous enough, Let's go sight seeing in the most remote place on earth until an accident happens. Kinda like..."Billy hold my beer, Y'all watch This"!
By that time, even though a large number of Japanese troops remained on New Guinea, that island had pretty much become a backwater of the war as the main fighting had moved farther to the west and north. Hollandia would have been considered a rear area for the Allies where nothing much happened and the personnel stationed there would probably be in need of some diversions to relieve the boredom of daily life.
I didn't know I was a history buff but you provide knowledge in such and engaging way. I actually love to learn. Thank you for changing my opinion of teacher Exspecially history teachers. more so history scholars. I barley graduated but would have soaked up history if you were giving the knowledge!!
Another c-47 plane crashed in New Guinea in 1943 and is also worth noting. The plane was called The Flying Dutchman and some one of the survivors of the crash penciled a daily diary on a door of the fuselage. The door is now on exhibit at the Museum of the USAF near Dayton Ohio. It is a heart rending exhibit, and is definitely another bit of history that deserves to be remembered!
I remember seeing (as a child) Suzy Hastings' picture in an old magazine, was it Life? Anyway now I know what the photo was about. Those "rocks in the clouds" apparently took many lives during the war, for New Guinea is a mountainous island, mountains shrouded in tropical mists. Those three were very lucky, most weren't. There must be hundreds of crash sites still undiscovered in the depths of New Guinea. Hundreds of unwitnessed fatal tragedies.
The ill-fated flight was described as 'sight seeing'? Cmon-really? No strategic reason for those 24 people to be flying in that area, other than to gawk? There's other ways for some R&R over there, I'd say.
Stephen Babbington. From a point of view after the accident it all seems rather pointless. There were women in the plane so it possibly was a sort of dating event.
The flight was a reward for hard work by the clerks and to view what was then an undiscovered "stone-aged" village and inhabitants by Army personnel. The native people living in the valley had been observed by other Army pilots buzzing the valley, who could not land, but then told everyone back at base about them. The problem was the mountain pass you had to clear was quite high, windy, and cloud-shrouded. The Colonel, the experienced pilot, left the cockpit to go back and chew the fat with his people, left an inexperienced pilot who had no idea how to breach the pass properly, a clerk wandered into the cockpit and sat down, providing more distractions on top of distractions, ending up by colliding with a high-peak, killing almost everyone aboard. Getting them out was another unreal task...it is quite a story in a book called "Lost in Shngri-La; A True Story of Survival and Adventure" written by Mitchell Zuckoff.
Informative, interesting, and not too long! Thanks a lot for making this. I really enjoyed it. I'm reading Zuckoff's book about this rescue right now, and this helped me to visualize and understand it even better. Thumbs up!
Liked listening to you. My interest in Ms. Hastings came from a History podcast. In their version, the pilot became disoriented due to weather. He brought the plane down to take a look, and that's when he hit the side of the mountain. Thanks for your story.
Today has been 7 years my grandpa Sgt. Don Ruiz died in his bed my grandpa was a Fillippino paratrooper found Maggie first and surround her and the natives thought they were cannibalism so my grandpa was more a hero. He got rewarded to General McCarther in 1945
@@ritadolphinstotts8223 my grandpa reduced her first he was the youngest paratrooper Phillippino in that Unit and good looking saved her from the man eating tubes and she was writing love letters to my grandpa and my grandma was so stubborn and jealous that time all I remember she died in the 80 the year I was born sorry for your great Auntie Margaret she would been my grandma but my grandpa told me she was just a mission I know deep down my grandpa wasn't into her it didn't seems like that when I saw the documentarys and the National Geographics and the Novel she feels I love with my grandpa that time and my grandpa passed away with prostate cancer back in 2012
Thanks history guy. I was a geologist in the Australian administered side in the 1960s and one time I was a passenger sitting next to the sole pilot in a Dakota DC3 flying from Lae to Port Moresby. As we approached the dividing Owen Stanley Range with peaks of unknown elevation, the mountains were completely obscured by cloud. The pilot said that 12 000 feet was the maximum he could fly and he "hoped" there were no peaks in the cloud!!! A little later I was in a Bell G3B1 doing a similar run, when I noticed that the fuel cap was off, which worried the pilot... I was the first white man to be dropped by helicopter, unarmed, into Katsiong Kukuku village. They told me that they'd eaten a previous guy who strayed too close, and found his feet very tough! Boots?
I know that landscape too, although it was a decade later. Flew Port Morsby - Lai, and back again some 3 weeks later. Astonishing landscape below, even for this Kiwi! While there we traveled by road to Mt Hagen and attended the big (international) SingSing. But I guess a decade is a long time in that country. We were on commercial flights, there were roads, telephone, supermarkets (well: ONE supermarket!), Scary at times, wonderful others.
nice 1 m8, we talked about this, in a history class way back in 1972. you told the better story between you an david [dave] brown, history teacher. keep up the good work, stay safe an well eh!
Could you tell us how many Filipino Americans of the 5217 Recon Battalion joined in this rescue? I hope to include this in my ever growing list of Gallant Filipino Achievements and Stands, including those of the PEFTOK in the Korean War 1950s, and the PHILCAG in Vietnam War 1960s, plus the 2014 Fil-UN Peace Keeping Corps in Syria... to remind our youth of WHO THE FILIPINO IS as a soldier in the eyes of foreigners... Could you likewise speak more about the PEFTOK and the PhilCAG... Thanks, HIstory Guy! HOah! Deus Vult! Joseph theVagabond
The Japanese were furious that the Filipinos continued to support the US even while occupied by the Japanese. Guerrilla groups led by Filipinos and American servicemen stranded in the Philippines fought throughout the Pacific War. I honor them all.
My Grandfather, Brigadier General E.F. Wallender, as commanding officer of Base G in Hollandia, was Corporal Hastings' commanding officer and when I was a child one of the few "war stories" he told was how a clerk from his command had survived a plane crash and been rescued. He said that they sent her "ladies' supplies" but that no one knew what size bra she took, so they just sent the typical "military allowance" of 3 of each size on hand. BTW, according to Mitchell Zuckoff, in his book "Lost in Shangri La" Hastings had used her undergarments as bandages for herself and Sergeant Decker. In the mid 1970s I worked in the Rome NY area as a repairman for NY Telephone Company and one day I was sent to repair the telephone at a pleasant little flower festooned cottage in Rome. When I finished the repair, I was chatting with the lady of the house when I noticed a little water color hanging on the wall next to the door. I commented that it looked just like a picture my grandfather had of his headquarters in Hollandia, and she told me that she had been stationed at Hollandia during WWII and had a "little adventure" there and asked who my grandfather was. When I told her, she remembered him, and that he had talked to her after she was rescued, she was sad that he had passed away just a few years before. We had a short and pleasant conversation and parted with promises to keep in touch. As is the way with such things, we failed to correspond and in 1980 when I was sent to work in Utica NY and decided to get in touch as I was nearby. I was chagrined to discover that she had passed away a couple of years before from the effects of the cancer she was suffering from when we met. I have always been truly sorry that I was remiss in finding out more about her "adventure" from her.
I read the book, "Lost in Shangri-La: A True Story of Survival, Adventure, and the Most Incredible Rescue Mission of World War II" by Mitchell Zuckoff. The actual rescue was absolutely outstanding.
I read it as well and during the presentation by THG I kept thinking about the Australian paratrooper's father, the part of the story where you realize that the world is crazier than you can ever imagine.
Many years ago my father was friendly with some people whose father was the first white man into those mountains and valleys and it was only in the 1930's! . The Japanese didn't know that the whole area was incredibly rich with minerals ,otherwise i am sure they would not have bothered with China but would have done as Indonesia has done,and invade the place completely and take the wealth buried there.
@@ccomp9727 Don't blame him, he likely has a small mind and has been taught to hate "Libs", guess that's cool where he hails from. Notice you never see Liberals saying "Cons" when a video is disliked? Weak man imho, no self respect so he needs to attempt to feel better than someone.
I cracked up at "they didn't lose their heads' as there were still hunters in PNG at this time. In fact, the term "Bogie Man" comes from "Bouganville" the capital of PNG.
I like all of your stories. The deaths of all the other passengers is tragic and sad. However, the rest of the story was fun in an odd way. You are a great narrator. Once again, thank you for sharing these stories.
My grandfather, Brigadier General Elmer F. Wallender, was the commanding officer of Base G in Hollandia and many of those lost in the crash were in his command, including Hastings. I actually had the pleasure of meeting her when she lived in Rome NY many years ago.
Awesome!
Jim Longley What year your grandfather die in?
Very cool!
That is so cool! In 2000 I got to meet the Doolittle Raiders at Hill Air Force Base in Utah, and I got autographs from the Doolittle Raiders who were from Utah, and I got to see everyone who was there. That's my claim to fame, haha!
Did the two of you discuss the rescue?
I am a truck driver now. And many a night I find myself in places stranded from any semblance of a civilization. I love watching your shows and listening to them as I travel and you’ll never understand how your love of history can bring so much joy to a lonely ole Marine. I share your shows on Facebook and with my wife (when I get home) and even tell my Dad who is also a Veteran. Please keep up the good work and I will always visit you when I can.
Outstanding video! As a former paratrooper and having served with simply awesome people from all walks of life and parts of America, this story fills me with pride that I was a part of a group of men and women that do not hesitate to put others before their own wel being. Simply inspirational!
I just watched this video with my Father, age 98, who was a C-46 pilot in New Guinea during WWII. My dad participated in the search for this missing plane.
Ironically, 40 years later when my Dad was retired and living in a development in Delray Beach Florida, he was invited into the home of his new next door neighbor. As it turns out they had both served in the Army Air Corp in New Guinea! This neighbor? Lt. John McCollum...one of the 3 who survived the crash! My dad and "Mac" became fast friends, and shared many wonderful reminisces about their war experiences before Mac passed away.
Thank you for this wonderful video-retelling of a forgotten story. It brought tears to my Dad's eyes for many reasons-- for Mac's memory, for so many other friends lost in combat, and for the extraordinary story retold here. Truly our greatest generation.
Love the statement,"lucky for them paratroopers are also insane"
The classic paratrooper answer as to why anyone would “jump out of a perfectly good airplane”, is “The Air Force doesn’t have any perfectly good airplanes!”
82nd Airborne Division 1975 - 1978
I worked with a paratrooper. The statement is accurate.
As a former zoomy who launched paratroopers, I can say, yes...Why would anyone want to jump out of a perfectly good airplane?
@@mainecajun1 -Haha, I agree.. I was Eighty Deuce '82--86..504 PIR.. AATW.!
@1chumley1 - LoL, Thats's true.. E 504, 3/504 '82-'86..
I can't help but find dropping lipstick and 36 bras to a stranded and injured nurse pretty hysterical.
Pantyhose were used for the glider. Read the book, it's great! Oh and as mentioned above, she was not a nurse.
Josh Geiger 36 bras? Trying to keep up spirts?
The natives may not have had wheels, but they made a sudden leap forward in slingshot technology.
Christopher Conard
😂😂😂😂
Duke Craig 0
Thank you for this. Just happened to stubble upon it. My grandfather “Capt Herbert Good” was one of those who did not survive. Interesting to hear more about the incident and rescue..
My Grandpa Sgt. Don Ruiz is one of the Filippino Parratrooper that rescue the nurse there and he taught the natives to see how strong and they fight and cook a roasted pig and got picked up by a glider and reward by General McCarther back in 1945
AK47MR408miniPIT that is awesome! He is a true hero!
+The History Guy: Five Minutes of History yes he is he died in 2012 he was 98 years old
AK47MR408miniPIT I am sorry to hear that he passed, but what an exciting life! I wonder if anyone from the mission is still around.
Ty for sharing that.
Ill do a documentary of my grandpa someday
If anyone is interested in exploring this further, the book is entitled 'Lost in Shangri-La', by Mitchell Zuckoff--an excellent account not only of hardship and rescue, but also of the natives' heretofore unknown beliefs and culture. It's a good read.
Thanks! Just ordered!!
Wright Flyer I too read this book many many times. What an experience to go through. Fantastic read.
Another is "Desperate Journeys, Abandoned Souls: True Stories of Castaways and Other "...
By Edward E. Leslie
Have the book
Today i finished reading the book about this history.
I was in that region of Papua New Guinea in 1989. At the time, it was still quite remote. There were still indigenous people who had never seen white people before--they thought we were ghosts. We later found out that they were trying to decide which ancestors we were the ghosts of. While generally shy, they're very sweet and friendly people.
Pity they haven't removed the Indo's that now are exploiting West papua and proselytising the indigenous groups !
Three dozen bras? Well one could certainly say that Nurse Suzy received enough "support" from all involved!
You know, it takes a real boob to make a comment like that.
this comment section is just knockers
Luckily for everyone involved, the plan did not go tits up.
It wasn’t just morale that was lifted...
OMG I nearly peed in my pants I was laughing so hard when I read your post! You should try a career in comedy!
I started watching these videos a couple months ago as they came out. Now I've gone to the beginning, three years ago, and anm aiming to watch then all. Thank you sir for making history so interesting. I hope to get my grandchildren watching them AND hopefully peak their own interest.
Thank you for this most excellent story. As a student of History, and especially World War II history, this only helped to solidify in my mind that every person involved in the war has an interesting and unique story to tell. For that matter I suppose we could say the same about every human being on this planet, we all have a unique story to tell. Thank you History Guy!!!!!!
I seriously appreciate the emotion in the voice. You put yourself in their shoes and I admire your delivery.
Absolutely love your pieces! As a fan of history lore, your stories are always a treat, even though some are quite poignant, they are always "history worth remembering"! Keep up the great work!
Absolutely amazing! You never cease to amaze me with these tidbits of history that would otherwise go unnoticed or forgotten. I'm going to chuckle for some time at the notion of three dozen bras being airlifted in! Thank you once again for an interesting moment in history, you are without peer.
Thumbs up just for calling us paratroopers insane... ;-)
"Paratroopers: Any time, anywhere, the first ones in, the last ones out"
Thank you for your service.
@Ralph quint yes you were nuts. But You achieved that just by getting in a airplane , you confirmed it by actually jumping out of it. I joined the navy specifically because I figured there nobody would ask me to jump out of a airplane . So I ended up serving on submarines which could be construed by some as being just as batshit crazy. It appears we both survived it but I would be willing to wager a small sum that my knees are in a bit better shape.😎lol. Seriously though, thank you for your sacrifice.
@@captainthumper9175 But brains shrink under too much pressure.
2eme REP - PARA / i HAVE NO KNEE PROBLEM BECAUSE YOU DO NOT
LAND ON YOUR KNEES - ROLLING IS THE ART.
@@klaus3794 everything and everybody shrinks if the hull is breached. It's like stepping on a coke can.
I read the book about this several years ago and had actually forgotten about it. Thank you for reminding me of something so very interesting. Also, just wanted to tell you how much I love your many stories of history “that needs remembering”.
Thank you for another great story. Had a friend as a kid who was related to Paul Harvey, and your videos remind me of his radio tales. Thanks again
I just found your channel and I have to tell you you your voice and personality are great! A teacher that actually knows how to teach! I had only one teacher who you remind me of and he was the the one teacher that I enjoyed. One thing I will never understand is why these things are not taught in schools in my day or today.this one in particular I read something about but it was only a blip at best and you put it together exceptionally! GOOD JOB. THANK YOU AND KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!
I agree, Michael. A major problem with the teaching of history in the United States is that textbooks are purchased by states and reflect a "consensus" view of the past. That consensus view ignores the fact that people in the past were just as smart, just as confused, and just as chaotic as we are.
@@charliesmith6137 Most USA schools these days are too busy teaching Party Approved Correct Thinking and Speech.
What a fascinating and amazing story!
Just needed to take a moment to say thanks! Loving all these pieces of history you never hear about. Well presented too.
Fantastic video as always, beautiful style in telling history that deserves to be remembered.
9.9/10 (nothing is perfect, but this is as close as you can get.)
You're stories of remarkable history never cease to amaze me. I studied a lot about WWII & yet you teach me so much, the majority of which I find to be absolutely stunning. They all certainly "deserve to be remembered". So thanks for another joyous ride thru history, I look forward to another each & every day.
I love little stories that deserve to be remembered. I take them back to class as a 2min break from rehearsals. Kids love my stories, so thanks history dude! You're the best.
Hello from Ottawa Ontario Canada. I really enjoy your website. The information is so fantastic and reminds me of the history that needs to be remembered. Please continue to provide this content. Thanks again. Duncan
Your storytelling is great, but I have to say the visuals are awesome too! It must take you a lot of time and effort to find all those pictures and films.
It does- almost as much time as it takes to research and do the script. I am limited to what is available in the public domain
I totally agree. The visuals are icing on the narrative cake, so to speak
I have been reading and watching WWII documentaries for over 50 years and I have never come across this story. Thanks for the well-done video!
Excellent story amd amazing rescue. My great grandfather Brigadier General Loyal M. Haynes was in an airplane accident in 1946 over the Swiss Alps. The rescue effort was massive, and very unique having American troops in Neutral Switzerland. Maybe a good story for your Channel?
I probably put in 14+ hours of work every day and it's videos like this one that help me chillax thank you history guy it is truly appreciated!
Love your videos. You are such a gifted storyteller.
I am just so happy you keep finding this artifacts of history that most people including me, are not aware of. Great Job "History Guy". You deserve and Emmy if not and Oscar.....Keep up the great work and keep them coming...
We may be "insane" but we Para's always get the job done! Great bit of history, thanks for sharing it.
the insanity of paratroopers has enabled American freedom. Thank you sir!
Airborne!
Right on, Airborne!!
Came back to hear your story again....always a pleasure!
Just last week I visited the Silent Wings Museum in Lubbock, TX. It tells the story of the WW2 gliders. The museum was great and this video is a wonderful follow-up to that visit! Thank you!
Another jewel of history you brought alive for us. Thank you for that.
My biological father was infantry with the 41st Sunset Division in New Guinea and was sent home after Hollandia with Malaria...My adopted father was a crew chief on a C-47 in the 317th Troop Transport Group...5th Air Force. He got a Bronze Star for flying into the Battle for Wau with Aussie soldiers and ammo...He probably flew around with a lot of troops from the 41st and my two Dad's might have seen each other in the jungle. but never met in peace time....
Bull Cedar : My Dad was a C47 pilot with the 317th awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross. Great men who saved the world. God Bless them all.
Yet another snippet of history told so well, that would make for a excellent film. Thank you
I had never heard of this..Wow..!! Many thanks to you, Mr. History, for sharing this with us.
My Father in law Paul Freyberg helped both the Assies and the Americans map the Finester mountian. Passes after his escape, he was a Lutheren missionary in New Guinea. Your story reminds me of his many stories. Love your work!
It's a good thing they met up with that particular tribe.
Thank you so much for another telling of history worth remembering. :o) My son is hooked on your channel now, too.
I read "The Peace Child" many years ago. It was about missionaries who were surrounded by a people group who were cannibals. In their culture, these would select a person (usually from a different tribe) and "fatten with kindness" before killing and eating the person.
They were leery of the missionaries and their baby and their God. The place they directed the missionaries to live was a mountain where there were frequent lightning storms. The natives expected the family to be killed, yet the God of the missionaries was proving to be powerful and benevolent.
There's more to the story, and is a great read.
God bless you!
Hugs,
Linda Lee
Can't tell you how much I enjoy your snippets of history! Always informative and enjoyable. Thanks
OUTSTANDING presentation! Well done!
I really appreciate what you do. You make something that might seem not so interesting but make a short story that captures my attention every time.
I have been an amateur historian all my life mostly world war 2 , and Eastern European history , I also live in the Midwest and live your channel
I love your show! I love learning little tid bits of history. You are also correct. It does deserve to be remembered. Thank you.
Great video, read the book on Shangri-La and have flown over similar terrain in PNG. Nasty landscape. These short vids are a great concept. Thanks from Australia.
Thanks for telling this amazing story and the incredible rescue technique. Sounds like a James Bond plot. I have a suggestion for a WW2 event worth researching. While visiting my hometown of PHX AZ and nearby Scottsdale, I happened upon a monument of sorts commemorating an amazing story of a “The Great Papago Escape” of 25 German POWs. It happened on Dec. 23, 1944. The details of which are very interesting. They tunneled out ala Stalag 17 through what is almost concrete-like earth to surface right by one of the big irrigation canals that crisscrosses the city. In the all the time I spent in PHX, I never heard tell of this fascinating event. I would be most interested to see and hear what your research can discover and how you would tell this story that deserves to be remembered.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge. Greetings from Brazil
I have yet to view one of your videos that discussed anything I had already known. While I do enjoy history (always have), and love to learn new stuff, your presentations are what keeps me coming back. Many thanks.
I really enjoy your videos and seek them out frequently and, yes, I'm a subscriber. One very, very minor correction, if I may. The CG-4 gliders were made by WACO, the Weaver Aircraft Company. The acronym is pronounced "wah-co", not like the Texas town. Petty, I know. Keep up the great work!
Yes, my mistake. Thank you.
Years ago when I first discovered THG's channel I thought I had watched all of his old episodes. I guess I was wrong because this one was new to me today. Yet another fine video of history worth remembering. Thanks Lance!
Why hasn’t this been made into a movie?? I would totally watch it!!
It was - back then, remember the news reel photographer that was parachuted in :) th-cam.com/video/lRRIiuLdWkE/w-d-xo.html
First time viewer. Loved your knowledge of history. I prefer ancient history myself. You make modern history very enjoyable. Thank you!
I love your videos of History, please make more :)
David Blake thank you! We plan to make many more (we’ve uploaded 97 videos so far) But there may be a hiatus for a couple of weeks, as some critical pieces of studio equipment had to be returned to the manufacturer for repairs.
Appreciate ALL you do, in putting these videos out - Don’t Stop...! And, Thank You...
Great Story! Thanks for telling it! Do you know what happened to the survivors after their rescue?
Hi History Guy; I ran across your You Tube page & started watching one story of "History that Deserves to be remembered & after the 1st one I saw I just kept on going & going, each video that came next piqued my curiosity & I found myself riveted to one after another. Thanks again & hope to keep seeing more of them!
Great story and well told. Thanks.
I just found your channel today. you have kept me entertained all afternoon. Thank you for what you are doing.
Even amongst my friends, I am an old f*rt who's anti-social vis-a-vis "social media". But I "Like" your videos, Every. Single. Time. Brilliant.
Another great bit of history I would never had heard of if not for THG. Thanks again.
and i remember an aircraft carrier when i was a kid in the navy, the USS Shangri-La. good vid!
An Essex class carrier. Essex class carriers were named after naval battles- the name "Shangri-La" referred to the 1942 Doolittle raid, which FDR had cryptically said had originated from Shangri-La.
A heart warming story thank you for bringing this and many otherwise forgotten tales for light sir.
I like your channel and how you present it.
That was so kewl. I love these little snippets of history. Thanks😊
That was really good! I thoroughly enjoyed that. Love the WWII stuff. I still would love you to do something on the SEABEES please!
P. S. Forgot to mention recently, love your Union Jack bowtie! 🇬🇧
All your segments are very enjoyable. A great many also inspiring and even challenging.
This one struck me deeper than most
Loving your work. Thanks.
What an extraordinary story. It is amazing that it is not better known today.
I read the book Lost In ShangriLa last year. It was all about this incident. I highly recommend it.
Thanks for this video recap. Great job!
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Corrections: I refer to Suzy Hastings as a nurse. In fact she was a clerk-typist. I attribute the crash to engine trouble. In fact, the cause of the crash is still listed as “unknown,” and likely was the result of poor visibility.
Actually,,if you read the book Shangri- la ....The head pilot spaced off and left an inexperienced guy at the wheel...who had no place being alone in cockpit . I thought if I remembered correctly..she was a nurse ...no ?
scott garvey she was a clerk-typist. The cause of the crash is still listed as “unknown.”
interesting..fascinating story regardless...you know what might be an interesting story is that of the concrete ship sunk off the beach off of Cape May New Jersey . Another great story would be that of the SS Great Eastern . Both have amazing background histories . Love your videos History Guy !
scott garvey the story of the building of the concrete ships and how the Atlantus wound up off of Cape May is interesting.
The Great Eastern is an epic story! But I have found difficult to fit into a script. I suspect I will get an episode out at some point.
cool...would love to see it ...keep up the good work ! I find that the problems of this world..and our current political situation is because the amazing amount of apathy in the world,,,this country particularly , towards history . I think why JFK is so revered is that he knew history ....the lack of historical knowledge today is amazing . Particularly amongst American youth . Scary that a big portion do not know who we fought in WW2,,,,truly frightening actually , since they are the future leaders .
Thanks for the lesson.
Never underestimate Americans! If being in the middle of the South Pacific during WW2 wasn't dangerous enough, Let's go sight seeing in the most remote place on earth until an accident happens. Kinda like..."Billy hold my beer, Y'all watch This"!
Yeah, and then also let's bring back a skull or piece of ordinance for a souvenir...
HOLD MY BEER.
That's right! Starting with King George The Third and leading right up to our current president, leaders have under estimated Americans.
By that time, even though a large number of Japanese troops remained on New Guinea, that island had pretty much become a backwater of the war as the main fighting had moved farther to the west and north. Hollandia would have been considered a rear area for the Allies where nothing much happened and the personnel stationed there would probably be in need of some diversions to relieve the boredom of daily life.
bruce sannino correct. It’s been mostly massive overestimation
@@thomaswatson9950 Not always.
Thank you for all of your hard work putting all of this together for us and sharing it with us i do appreciate it God bless
Got to love a history guy with a Lava Lamp on his bookshelf.
I didn't know I was a history buff but you provide knowledge in such and engaging way. I actually love to learn. Thank you for changing my opinion of teacher Exspecially history teachers. more so history scholars. I barley graduated but would have soaked up history if you were giving the knowledge!!
As always, a fascinating story~!
Another c-47 plane crashed in New Guinea in 1943 and is also worth noting. The plane was called The Flying Dutchman and some one of the survivors of the crash penciled a daily diary on a door of the fuselage. The door is now on exhibit at the Museum of the USAF near Dayton Ohio. It is a heart rending exhibit, and is definitely another bit of history that deserves to be remembered!
I remember seeing (as a child) Suzy Hastings' picture in an old magazine, was it Life? Anyway now I know what the photo was about. Those "rocks in the clouds" apparently took many lives during the war, for New Guinea is a mountainous island, mountains shrouded in tropical mists. Those three were very lucky, most weren't. There must be hundreds of crash sites still undiscovered in the depths of New Guinea. Hundreds of unwitnessed fatal tragedies.
There are many in Papua also
James Jacocks Dunny Bunny Tribe still exist?
The ill-fated flight was described as 'sight seeing'? Cmon-really? No strategic reason for those 24 people to be flying in that area, other than to gawk? There's other ways for some R&R over there, I'd say.
Stephen Babbington. From a point of view after the accident it all seems rather pointless. There were women in the plane so it possibly was a sort of dating event.
The flight was a reward for hard work by the clerks and to view what was then an undiscovered "stone-aged" village and inhabitants by Army personnel. The native people living in the valley had been observed by other Army pilots buzzing the valley, who could not land, but then told everyone back at base about them. The problem was the mountain pass you had to clear was quite high, windy, and cloud-shrouded. The Colonel, the experienced pilot, left the cockpit to go back and chew the fat with his people, left an inexperienced pilot who had no idea how to breach the pass properly, a clerk wandered into the cockpit and sat down, providing more distractions on top of distractions, ending up by colliding with a high-peak, killing almost everyone aboard. Getting them out was another unreal task...it is quite a story in a book called "Lost in Shngri-La; A True Story of Survival and Adventure" written by Mitchell Zuckoff.
Informative, interesting, and not too long! Thanks a lot for making this. I really enjoyed it. I'm reading Zuckoff's book about this rescue right now, and this helped me to visualize and understand it even better. Thumbs up!
Good thing we paratroopers are insane! Keep up the awesome snippets!
Liked listening to you. My interest in Ms. Hastings came from a History podcast. In their version, the pilot became disoriented due to weather. He brought the plane down to take a look, and that's when he hit the side of the mountain. Thanks for your story.
Today has been 7 years my grandpa Sgt. Don Ruiz died in his bed my grandpa was a Fillippino paratrooper found Maggie first and surround her and the natives thought they were cannibalism so my grandpa was more a hero. He got rewarded to General McCarther in 1945
Maggie is my great aunt. Aunt Margaret, as she preferred to be called, was considered and regarded as a queen by the tribe
@@ritadolphinstotts8223 my grandpa reduced her first he was the youngest paratrooper Phillippino in that Unit and good looking saved her from the man eating tubes and she was writing love letters to my grandpa and my grandma was so stubborn and jealous that time all I remember she died in the 80 the year I was born sorry for your great Auntie Margaret she would been my grandma but my grandpa told me she was just a mission I know deep down my grandpa wasn't into her it didn't seems like that when I saw the documentarys and the National Geographics and the Novel she feels I love with my grandpa that time and my grandpa passed away with prostate cancer back in 2012
Thanks history guy. I was a geologist in the Australian administered side in the 1960s and one time I was a passenger sitting next to the sole pilot in a Dakota DC3 flying from Lae to Port Moresby. As we approached the dividing Owen Stanley Range with peaks of unknown elevation, the mountains were completely obscured by cloud. The pilot said that 12 000 feet was the maximum he could fly and he "hoped" there were no peaks in the cloud!!!
A little later I was in a Bell G3B1 doing a similar run, when I noticed that the fuel cap was off, which worried the pilot...
I was the first white man to be dropped by helicopter, unarmed, into Katsiong Kukuku village. They told me that they'd eaten a previous guy who strayed too close, and found his feet very tough! Boots?
I know that landscape too, although it was a decade later. Flew Port Morsby - Lai, and back again some 3 weeks later. Astonishing landscape below, even for this Kiwi! While there we traveled by road to Mt Hagen and attended the big (international) SingSing.
But I guess a decade is a long time in that country. We were on commercial flights, there were roads, telephone, supermarkets (well: ONE supermarket!), Scary at times, wonderful others.
Nurse Suzy was a bomb shell! Thanks for this!
nice 1 m8, we talked about this, in a history class way back in 1972. you told the better story between you an david [dave] brown, history teacher. keep up the good work, stay safe an well eh!
Could you tell us how many Filipino Americans of the 5217 Recon Battalion joined in this rescue? I hope to include this in my ever growing list of Gallant Filipino Achievements and Stands, including those of the PEFTOK in the Korean War 1950s, and the PHILCAG in Vietnam War 1960s, plus the 2014 Fil-UN Peace Keeping Corps in Syria... to remind our youth of WHO THE FILIPINO IS as a soldier in the eyes of foreigners...
Could you likewise speak more about the PEFTOK and the PhilCAG... Thanks, HIstory Guy!
HOah! Deus Vult!
Joseph theVagabond
Another well told story that I had never heard of before. Thank you.
Wow, makes me love the Philippine people and paratroopers even MORE!
The Japanese were furious that the Filipinos continued to support the US even while occupied by the Japanese. Guerrilla groups led by Filipinos and American servicemen stranded in the Philippines fought throughout the Pacific War. I honor them all.
My Grandfather, Brigadier General E.F. Wallender, as commanding officer of Base G in Hollandia, was Corporal Hastings' commanding officer and when I was a child one of the few "war stories" he told was how a clerk from his command had survived a plane crash and been rescued. He said that they sent her "ladies' supplies" but that no one knew what size bra she took, so they just sent the typical "military allowance" of 3 of each size on hand. BTW, according to Mitchell Zuckoff, in his book "Lost in Shangri La" Hastings had used her undergarments as bandages for herself and Sergeant Decker.
In the mid 1970s I worked in the Rome NY area as a repairman for NY Telephone Company and one day I was sent to repair the telephone at a pleasant little flower festooned cottage in Rome. When I finished the repair, I was chatting with the lady of the house when I noticed a little water color hanging on the wall next to the door. I commented that it looked just like a picture my grandfather had of his headquarters in Hollandia, and she told me that she had been stationed at Hollandia during WWII and had a "little adventure" there and asked who my grandfather was. When I told her, she remembered him, and that he had talked to her after she was rescued, she was sad that he had passed away just a few years before. We had a short and pleasant conversation and parted with promises to keep in touch.
As is the way with such things, we failed to correspond and in 1980 when I was sent to work in Utica NY and decided to get in touch as I was nearby. I was chagrined to discover that she had passed away a couple of years before from the effects of the cancer she was suffering from when we met. I have always been truly sorry that I was remiss in finding out more about her "adventure" from her.
Very nice story
Can you please do a video on the Cod Wars between Iceland and the UK?
Amazing story! Thank you so much. I really enjoy your work.
I read the book, "Lost in Shangri-La: A True Story of Survival, Adventure, and the Most Incredible Rescue Mission of World War II" by Mitchell Zuckoff. The actual rescue was absolutely outstanding.
Suggested by your comment, I ordered a copy and just finished reading it last night. Excellent! And thank you!!!
orangelion03 You are very welcome. So very glad that you enjoyed it:)
I read that book a couple years ago and when I saw the title of this video that's why my interest got sparked. It's a nice quick book to read.
I read it as well and during the presentation by THG I kept thinking about the Australian paratrooper's father, the part of the story where you realize that the world is crazier than you can ever imagine.
Any story of survival and rescue will generate great interest. You tell them very well!
Many years ago my father was friendly with some people whose father was the first white man into those mountains and valleys and it was only in the 1930's! . The Japanese didn't know that the whole area was incredibly rich with minerals ,otherwise i am sure they would not have bothered with China but would have done as Indonesia has done,and invade the place completely and take the wealth buried there.
Thank you for a wonderful experience... I look forward to researching and reading whatever I can find. You are a gem, in a world of rocks.
Who are the 24 Haters? How do you hate history?
No bowtie no thumbs up lol
@airraid713 what the hell is that supposed to mean? I'm liberal and I love history!
Probably Legs and Airborne school wash-outs :D :D :D
@@ccomp9727 Don't blame him, he likely has a small mind and has been taught to hate "Libs", guess that's cool where he hails from. Notice you never see Liberals saying "Cons" when a video is disliked? Weak man imho, no self respect so he needs to attempt to feel better than someone.
@airraid713 Don't start that nonsense.
Another exceptional story, History Guy.
I cracked up at "they didn't lose their heads' as there were still hunters in PNG at this time. In fact, the term "Bogie Man" comes from "Bouganville" the capital of PNG.
Port Morsby - correction
I like all of your stories. The deaths of all the other passengers is tragic and sad. However, the rest of the story was fun in an odd way. You are a great narrator. Once again, thank you for sharing these stories.