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MacDonald's quote is a reference to Matthew 25:1-13. The Parable of the 10 Virgins. He's basically saying the commander failed to make the necessary preparations and the offensive will fail.
That quote actually makes sense. It's from Jesus' parable of The Ten Virgins. Five had enough oil in their lamps and were ready. Five ran out of oil and by the time they tried to correct the mistake, it was too late as they missed the time of going in to the bridegroom. He's accusing the commander of inadequacy in preparations, and that his lamp will essentially run out of oil...
You beat me to it on that clarification. The comment probably has the double meaning of fuel - = oil - being in short supply for the several Allied armies.
Japan's atom bomb program lagged behind even Germany's, but enough had been researched to enable one physicist to see the destruction at Hiroshima and immediately conclude that the city had been nuked.
A few days after the bombing, Japanese scientists were there with geiger counters and make some reasonable deductions. However, the problem is not in understanding the theory, but the practical side.
The virgin thing is a biblical reference. Matthew 25: 1-13 which speaks of "bridesmaids" (presumably virgins) using up all of the lamp oil and not having enough to last until the wedding banquet. They went to get more and when they came back they were refused entry because they were ... too late I guess. When they tried to get in they were told (by someone who Matthew doesn't name) 'Truly I tell you, I do not know you.' Matthew says, "the kingdom of heaven will be like this." Meaning, I guess, in this case you better hold on to your troops or you won't get into the... war?
It's a confusing parable, especially since the same point could be made with two people instead of ten. Maybe something was lost in the translation over 2000 years.
Specifically there were two groups waiting for the groom, one which brought enough oil to last until when the groom was supposed to come and one that brought extra. The groom was late so the first group had run out of oil while the second group still had enough. If things went according to plan, both groups would have been fine, but things didn't go according to plan and only the second group was ready.
Also worth mentioning this week (November 18th 1944) Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, a revolutionary educator who believed that the purpose of education is to create a better society, died in prison. Exactly 14 years after he founded the Soka Kyoiku Gakkai or Value Creation Society. He was imprisoned in 1942 as a "thought criminal" for openly refusing to support Japan's war effort. His closest disciple, Josei Toda was also imprisoned in wartime Japan, and won't be released until the following year.
It was said of the first world war, that none of the nations in that war really wanted war, but once things began moving towards war, they were powerless to stop it. (A fatuous attempt to escape the consequences of their incompetence and outright stupidity.) We are stumbling into another world war and, if we aren't extremely lucky, I'm sure afterwards the current crop of world leaders will offer up the same excuse.
MacDonald's quote is a reference to Matthew 25:1-13. The Parable of the 10 Virgins. He's basically saying the commander failed to make the necessary preparations and the offensive will fail.
@@briantarigan7685 I don't think it's one of the most famous ones. Honestly, I've been a practicing Catholic all my life, I went to a Catholic school, and yet I only got the reference because it was last Sunday's reading so it was fresh in my mind.
The political battles in China are so interesting, after the war is over I hope you guys do a special on the Chinese Civil War, the rise of the CCP and the Kuomintang retreat to Taiwan.
A sidenote this week on November 13 1944 is that civil air service will be restored to London in the United Kingdom for the first time since the start of the war in September 1939. Railway Air Services began flight operations on a Croydon-Liverpool-Belfast route.
Weird that I've never even thought about civil aviation during this whole time. Was it even much of a thing before the war? Most people in Europe still traveled by train, can't imagine there was a lot of civilian air traffic in general back then.
@@Raskolnikov70 British civil aviation was growing at an amazing rate pre-war. My home town was the location of London's first airport. Internal trips were by rail (and even then one rail company also ran its own airline) but, if you could afford it, flying was the preferred way to get to the continent and, via Imperial Airways, the Middle East and Africa.
@@Raskolnikov70Pretty much what @peterdavy6110 said. Commercial flight was an extremely fast growing market during the second half of the 1930s. So much so that it is difficult to estimate if the war sped up, or slowed down commercial aviation.
@@Raskolnikov70During the war there were also air routes to Lisbon, Portugal and to Sweden. To Sweden they flew with Mosquitos and on the Lisbon route there were DC-3's of the Dutch airline KLM, amongst others.
Yes, it's pretty funny, given that the weak-chinned, four-eyed chicken-farming geek was one of the most despicable humans to have ever walked this earth.
I doubt whether self-awareness was one of his characteristics. And basically he distrusted Vlasov and suchlike. Himmler was only compromising this much because Nazi Germany was in a desperate condition.
Parts? ALL of it. Chiang's Nationalists were a massive deadweight on the Allies, soaking up Lend Lease and transport aircraft for the Hump for little to no gain. A lot of US aircraft and aircrew were lost flying supplies over the Himalayas to the Nationalists which then got squandered in corruption.
@@richardcutts196 There is a reason why it has been a dictum in US foreign policy to not get involved in a land war in Asia. Too bad that politicians refuse to learn or listen.
@@richardcutts196 not sure what you are alluding to, but one obvious commonality is the general ignorance most in the US of that era had towards east asian nations compared to European ones
If other US generals, attaches and politicians were in charge and the Chinese were treated better with good equipment, supplies, food, and other stuff. Who knows how the Pacific Campaign. Maybe China could have kicked the Japanese out or tied numerous divisions down
Small note about this week, Lieutenant-General Harry Crerar (Commander of Canadian 1st army) is promoted to full General on the 16th. Becoming the first Canadian officer to hold that rank on tbe field.
The Chinese front is lamentably ill known in the west.Indy does an awesome job describing what went on.I can recommend "Chinas war with Japan" by Rana Mitter,if you take a deeper interest.
Japan’s invasion of Manchuria was the actual start of WWII. The Japanese in 1930’s wanted colonies. Just like like the British, French,Germans and Americans got in the 1700’s, 1800’s and early 1900’s. Hitler invaded Poland and Russia to get a giant contiguous colony. Stalin invaded Poland and Finland for the same reasons.
@@johnryan6003and even if you don't take Manchuria, the 1937 escalation into full scale war between China and Japan should definitely become the new recognised beginning of world war 2
@@johnryan6003 It was not a world war by definition. Only China and Japan were involved, and the fighting was confined to China. WWII started when the French Empire and British Empire declared war on Germany, as both empires spanned a good bit of the globe.
My Grandfather was in the 1st Division, 26th Regiment, and his after action reports stated from November 16 to November 28, his Company (G) was at Schevenhutte, Germany, just east of Gressenich, under continuous mortar and artillery fire suffering heavy casualties. It has been a thrill following the western front in real time because of how featured the Blue Spaders of the 26th Infantry, 1st Division are factored in lots of engagements in the coming months. Thanks Timeghost for all you do!
Seeing Belfort close to be liberated feels... weird. I was born and grew up there. My family lived there. I know so many stories of local macquis who got murdered along with civilians of their local villages... Joy and sadness, celebration and grief... all mixed.
You mentioned Terry Pratchett. If anyone here has never read anything by that author, you should remedy that. He was a wizard with words and extremely funny.
I'm particularly fond of the first two novels in the Tiffany Aching series: The Wee Free Men and A Hatful of Sky. I think he should have stopped after the latter. The tone shifted in the next two books, and weren't nearly as fun.
He wrote with brilliant insight into power, conflict and war. Thud, Jingo and Monstrous Regiment address them most obviously, but they're always there. GNU Sir Terry. Mind how you go.
I am in shock that I've gotten caught up to this hour while researching my grandfather's service. You're coming up on a few crazy weeks. He was in Stavelot during the Malmedy massacre. I've got chills! Thanks for tending to this important history.
Isn't it neat how things come together sometimes? Feel free to share what brought you to this point in your research if you like, I'd be fascinated to see it. -TimeGhost Ambassador
@@WorldWarTwo Thank you for asking! My grandfather died in 1998, having served as a Sgt. in the US Army 202nd Engineer Battalion. While he was living I was a child still and never knew him to speak about his time in service. By then he was a retired farmer and carpenter. All I ever really heard was, "Grandpa was an engineer and he helped build and blow up bridges. He even helped build the first bridge across the Rhine." Not until 25 years later did I begin my own research into the details of his service and general duties. Here's a list of a few things YOU have covered recently that have lined up with his: firsthand retellings to his family, diary/letters, personal photographs, and my own corresponding research. (I'm totally agog, btw.) *Enlistment dates line up, as does the location of troops prior to D-Day. *Late June/Early July Normandy Landing with several days spent on the beach itself. *Operation Overlord locations *Operation Cobra locations and now we're getting cold and wintry for the Battle of the Bulge. The experience of researching his service in this still-so-recent war has left me humbled, grateful, and totally in awe at the sheer odds of each human life merely existing. The happy ending to his service: his marriage of 51 years to my exceptional grandmother, the license for which they will apply in 102 weeks from this video's week.
That's cool! My Grandfathers service is lining up to this time as well. In November he finished his Officer School cadet training after four years of ROTC at his high school in Minnesota. He will shortly be marrying my grandmother before he's commissioned as an Ensign in the US Navy where plenty of island hopping awaits him. It's good to read that your grandfather came home safe and sound.
@@kjdempsey I am actively, currently, today-ingly writing and illustrating a book about this journey - so #1 I also want you to give me your money and #2 I would like to give you a book in exchange. In maybe a year or two? Yes?
@@roymartin500 And same to your grandfather coming home to have a family and a future! What a fortune we have in life itself, no? Something so many have lost, the fortune of their life, in the same places our ancestors somehow survived, and now we have this great fortune of our lives. Hey to my neighbor to my north, Minny-soder. Family still there?
At first I also didn't recognize the parable of the ten virgins reference but after others pointed it out in the comments it seems obvious to me now. I remember learning about that parable back when I was going to school.
I am always amazed at how quickly the Germans lost ground after the invasion. Even though it was bloody on both sides. The allies looked like a tidal wave of destruction, on paper at least. Proving once again an army cannot fight without air superiority, or food, or bullets. Its fortunate that Hitler decided to use his dwindling resources on wonder weapons.
There wasn't much else the Germans could do except surrender at this point, and they weren't about to do that with the Soviets on their doorstep. WW were a last, forlorn hope that something could save them.
For me it is the reverse. It took way too long. It took the Germans 5 days to conquer the Netherlands. The allies didn’t even succeed. It also took them like 3x as long to take France as it took the Germans. Allied losses were also astronomically high. Considering all of this, and taking into consideration that the Germans were already practically beaten at this point, the allies were not advancing quickly at all.
@@tsaoh5572 *Practically beaten* is overstating things also unlike the Soviets, the allies especially the Americans were way less experienced at this point. A huge majority of the American fighting by this point was against the Japanese. A lot of the American troops in France were seeing their first action against a battle tested dug in German army with generally superior equipment (albeit in smaller quantities).
@@tsaoh5572 I also wouldn't call liberating France, Belgium, the Netherlands and occupying most of Germany and Austria in less than a year as taking too long. The French only lost so quickly in the first place because of ignorance and stubbornness. They sat idly by while in a state of war allowing the Germans to get ready and also left a huge part of their border undefended. Not to mention ignoring reconnaissance information about the entire German army stuck in a traffic jam and refusing to bomb it. In the West the Germans were more prepared and were very dug in. In the East they had more numbers but were also on the run from a massive Soviet onslaught.
I am always positively astonished how well Indy handles the pronounciation of Polish names. For a moment there I thought "Władysław Anders" was a polish dub
Really enjoyed the talk about the Chinese political situation there between the Nationalist and Communist. These are things I had no idea about prior to this video. Just imagine how much different things could have been with a united China fighting the Japanese.
Yes its great - but not foolproof. None of your researchers knew of the Parable of the Ten Virgins! Even if no-one recognised it it should have been completely obvious it was a literary reference - it made no sense otherwise - and quite likely a biblical one (English writers were educated in that in those days). It could have been found with just a couple of minute's research.
i finally caught up from the very beginning. this documentary has really put things into perspective for me. watching this thing and realizing all these conflicts are concurrent is mind boggling and shows the scale of the war. watching this chronologically unlocks a new layer of perspective. to watch the allies go from crushing defeat to having the axis on the back foot is really insane. 1939-40 feels so long ago as well
Thanks so much for watching all the way through so far, what a wild series of binges that must have been! Hope to see you at the end of the war as well. -TimeGhost Ambassador
Himmler backpedaling on his anti-Russian racism reminds me of Jefferson Davis advocating for the Confederacy to form regiments of armed slaves near the end of the American Civil War. When you start abandoning core principles in the name of survival you cease to have any reason to survive.
Desperation but they have been desperate for a while. For example classifying Poles as Volksdeutsch so they can conscript them into the armed forces, even if they knew little or no German.
Wait what? A Japanese atomic program? We must know more! Maybe a special episode? Great work as always Indy, Sparty, Astrid, and the whole crew! 🍻 cheers!
Japan actually had several atomic weapon programs. in classic Imperial Japanese fashion, the Navy and Army had their own separate projects running simultaneously and in competition with each other.
This arming of "like minded soviet POWs to fight tge soviets" has similar vibes like confederacy discussions about arming slaves. It never really got off the ground, because by elevating slaves to fight in confederate army was violating that "subordination to the superior race is his natural and normal condition"-thing and undermine the reason why CSA existed. Similarly, by admitting that they need soviet soldiers, Himmler is basically admitting that "immutable racial hierarchy" might not be so immutable after all.
A TERRY PRATCHETT REFERENCE! Never thought that would happen, but so glad it did. Terry probably would have loved it, since Hurley resembles so many of Pratchett's worst bureaucratic villains.
Oddly, just this morning, I was thinking about watching the volcano in Iceland, flush with the knowledge that, like Twoflowers, being a tourist meant that nothing bad could possibly happen to me.
As the first week-by-week episode I have watched in a very, very long time because of life--five months, and then before then an even longer gap--, it is good to be back. As usual, the episode was great.
I love that you put in Hurley. It really needs to be emphasized how lackadaisical the US was about astute diplomacy in China. Also, a much better American official in the personage of general wedermeyer has arrived.
Very nice that the Chinese front got a significant amount of time this week, and how it shatters a lot of myths and misconceptions that Americans have about it. Makes me pretty excited to see how they will continue to cover it.
A commanding general who viewed the head of government of the allied nation with disdain, and a raving loon for an ambassador? No problem there, no problem at all.
Curious to learn more about how Hurley got and kept the job. I assume he was someone’s crony, plus I expect the position wasn’t thought too desirable among the more capable people in the US govt…
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I think we are indeed living in interesting times. Great Video. As always
Map nerd question: At 16:21 there's a little holdout of German-held territory up against Switzerland that appears to be cut off from the Germans at Montbeliard. Is there actually a group of soldiers holding out down there, or is this just the mapping software drawing a line that interacts oddly with Switzerland?
Sietse here from the map team, and yeah that isn't supposed to be there. Thanks for pointing that out! We'll make sure to fix it in next week's episode.
@@WorldWarTwo No worries, easily done. You guys have been doing a heck of a job overall - I've probably spent at least half as much time with the video paused and looking at the maps as I have listening to Indy! Thanks for all the hard work!
Chang Kai-Shrek looks like a Christmas tree …. As always, these episodes are a real terror to my nails (what’s left of them). I know how the war ended, but being in the middle of it with, bombs, bullets and grenades exploding all around and divisions, armies, battalions, galaxies and black holes marching or crawling in mud, makes the whole war very real (which is was), but real to me right now. It’s like a crime documentary where you know the serial killer was caught and barbecued in the chair, but still …. Is he out there still?!
2:33 Might be interesting for those unaware: The man here removes a sign that says "Citisens, during artillery strike this side of street is most dangerous". - Removing this sign implies the the city won't be under artillery attack anymore. Some of those signs are left to this day as a memorial.
The virgin quote is a Biblical reference, the Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids (or Ten Virgins depending on the translation). If you know the Parable it makes perfect sense.
I'm going to go ahead and notice that the map you have in the background is very close to the actual historical situation as of the date the video is about. Cudos.
Interesting times is only part of a multi pronged curse. There are three (and possibly four) parts: May you live in interesting times. May you achieve your heart's desire. May you come to the attention of the powerful. May your name be mentioned in history books.
If there ever was a book written about the relations between China and USA during and after the war with Japan, it should be titled "China's road To communism. How America elevated Mao Zedong to power". Or something like that.
@@porksterbobI read another book by this author "China's war with Japan". Does the "Forgotten Ally" also include the post-war period, the renewal of the Chinese civil war?
That's pretty unfair. Chang didn't lose the Chinese Civil War because of the U.S. or any outside group. He lost because he didn't have the confidence of most of the Chinese population. Mao was just a more charismatic warlord than he was, and people still believed the lies of communism thanks to the salesmanship of "useful idiots" in the press and academia.
@@poiuyt975 It does a little bit. The thing is it isn't a given that the US could have prevented the CCP from winning. The thing is that the US could certainly have done much more to help and they didn't.
@@porksterbobthe Americans would not be able to prevent the communitsts from Winning Chiang fucked his own chances by allowing collaboration-traitors into his army, breaking the 10-10 treaty and losing the support of the people Unless the Americans fight the communists personally there is no chance of victory Plus, if the Americans failed in 'nam they probably would've failed in china
Once German defenses around Normandy and Brittany broke there wasn't much defensible terrain left in France. They had to pull all the way back in order to avoid getting completely wiped out. Now the Wehrmacht is back in terrain that can be defended well, and it's going to be rough going for the Allies again.
So, my guess to the meaning of the reference to the virgin with no oil in the lamp is that it's a biblical reference to the parable of the virgins at the wedding waiting for the bridegroom to arrive so the reception can begin. The bridegroom is running late. Some of the virgins are vigilant and make sure they have enough oil. Others are not. When the bridegroom finally arrives, the latter group suddenly realized that they don't have enough oil and are told by the former group to go to town to buy some. By the time the unvigilant virgins return from town with the oil they are too late. The reception has started and they have been locked out. In the Bible, the reception is heaven. More generally, the virgins without oil have missed their chance to take advantage of an opportunity. I think this is what the writer meant.
"After Aachen nothin's gonna be the same. But we finally got a foothold into Germany. The gateway to the Rhine is open and there's no turnin' back. For any of us." - Private First Class Ronald Daniels This week on November 18th 1944, the following missions in the Call of Duty series will begin: *November 14 1944* Death Factory (Call of Duty: World War II) - As Private First Class Ronald Daniels in the Hürtgen Forest near the German-Belgian border, you will need to first eliminate the hilltop artillery and secure the frontline bridge before defending it against a counterattack. Afterwards, you will also need to eliminate the mortar team and enemy sniper before capturing the mill. Hill 493 (Call of Duty: World War II) - As Private First Class Ronald Daniels in the Hürtgen Hill, Germany, you are to capture the hill and eliminate the machine gunners. You will also need to escort the engineer to help clear the area. This level is notorious for its difficulty due to instant kill incendiary rounds fired by enemy shotgunners.
Indy, nice to know someone else who has read Terry Pratchett. Do you listen to music with rocks in it when writing these scripts. If so, just remember, "The truth will make you fret".😁
24:57 "America was well not served by its ambassador to China." For every clued in, sympathetic Averill Harriman type ambassador, the US diplomatic corp produced in WW2, it seemingly produced more offensive, unsympathetic amateurs like Patrick Herlihy or David Gray who caused mayhem and resentment towards their government, instead of sympathy.
The US diplomatic corps doesn't produce ambassadors as a rule. Ambassadors are chosen politically typically from non-State Department individuals. Professionals are used for smaller nations, as it's harder to convince someone to take the post. Traditionally, an ambassador is the personal representative from one head of state to another, so the US does not have an ambassador to the UK, President Biden has an ambassador to King Charles.
Probably my favorite episode of the entire series. I love, love, LOVE that these military campaigns are finally getting the coverage they deserve, as they are usually ignored in favor of the other campaigns in 1945. Plus, the Chinese and Russian political intrigue was absolute facinating to see, as they both destroy myths that Americans and Russians have about their roles during WW2.
Hanukkah anyone? Old Testament includes the following tradition: after wedding ceremonies the bride and the groom go to their new home. Several virgins (unmarried women) have the job of lighting the area near the home to great the seedy party. They have jars of oil and oil lamps. But, they can not be sure when the couple will arrive. If they light the lamps too soon, they run out of oil. If they wait too long to light the clamps, the couple could get lost. The lamp bears are celebrated and rewarded by the couple. Any virgin who runs out of oil or has not lit her lamp gets excluded from the rewards/party. Hanukkah is a celebration of a miracle one time when the couple were late but miraculously, the oil did not run out. Hence virgin whose lamp has run out of oil is a loser
It's specifically a reference to a specific parable from the New Testament (Matthew 25:1-13) but I guess that the parable itself references the tradition you described.
I know there's a ways to go, but any chance of doing an episode after the war ends where you go over some of the set dressings used throughout the series? As a map nerd, I would be particularly interested to know what some of the indicators on the various maps meant, like all the clocks on the map during the D-Day event, or the white circles and lines on the oceans for the map you've been using recently. And for the red shaded aerofoil shape north of New Guinnea - I'm reading that shade as Japanese controlled waters, though this segment seems to be isolated from the rest of that area which makes control of that area dramatically more tenuous than the concept of controlled waters normally is. Obviously not a priority for when the main program is going on - even though things are kinda winding down, there's still a LOT to cover - but I can see the amount of effort you guys put into the presentation side of things, and I'd definitely be interested to hear something about that side of the work.
I can explain the last one. Now, you may remember how earlier this year, the Ameriacans were considering invading both the Marshalls and Caroline (modern day Micronesia) islands in order to reduce the formidable naval bases of the IJN and the military outposts of the Japanese 31st Army. Well, after much consideration and realizing how bloody it was to fight the Japanese on the atoll islands of the Marshalls, the Americans decided to bypass the Caroline island and take the Mariannas instead. Thus, while those islands may still have remnants of the 31st Army (such as the 52nd division in Truk Lagoon) stationed in them, those troops are no longer involved getting supplied by the Japanese high command, and are basically trapped and encircled on their island fortress, now no more than their own prisons.
@@extrahistory8956 Yes. The Japanese Army controlled MANY by-passed islands, but the Japanese Navy and aerial forces did NOT control the sea or air spaces. The Japanese forces were left to 'wither on the vine'. Note: the map does not show the huge Japanese army to the East of Aitape near Wewak in New Guinea.
Ah yes. One more great tale of American foreign policy. I seem to remember the Chinese Civil War never ended, this Hurley stuff won't make matters better
No oil in the lamp is a biblical reference to the 10 virgins. Five were foolish and brought no extra oil to light their lamps. When the hour grew late, they were left with no oil for them lamps. When the Groom arrived, they were off looking for oil and were locked out of the wedding feast. The reference, be prepared for you know not the hour or the day.
Herman Balck commander of army group G against Patton 3rd army wrote a book Order in chaos. One very nice book to read. I recommend if you like history to check it out.
It reflects the technology of the time. The Japanese used the Type 94-1 radio for communication between army headquarters and scattered corps and army formations in combat theaters. It consisted of a separate transmitter and receiver, a power converter, and a dedicated diesel generator. All together, it weighed around 500 to 800 lbs (227 to 364 kg) and required a trailer for transportation. Given the expense of the radio set and shortages of motor vehicles in the IJA, providing a backup radio wasn't plausible.
If I remember correctly I read about Hurley in a story about why we lost China and he is especially pointed to as one cause. The reason given was that he never understood the Asian mind and especially the Chinese and their culture. The story also mentioned that Hurley was appointed ambassador purely for political reasons as were several people in the state department who also had no experience dealing with Asia. In Europe at this time Hitler still believed his wonder weapons would turn the tide and that a big offensive push toward Antwerp would work. Of course he was deluding himself and ignoring the advice of his generals who as usual were right; they knew the war was lost after D-Day.
What I’m wondering myself when i see the map week by week. What is happening at the french Italien border in the south? At the cote d’azur? No fighting at all?
Howdy! Thanks for another great video. I'd like to add to the events on the western front this week (shown on the map but not discussed in the video). On the 16th, Combat Command B of the US 2nd Armored Division, forming the left flank of XIX Corps, began its push towards Gereonsweiler and Linnich. The terrain here consisted of open fields turned to deep mud by recent rainy weather, which CCB accounted for by fitting their Shermans with "duck bill" extended end connectors on the tracks, though mobility was still greatly hampered. Apart from an ambush near Apweiler by Jagdpanzer 38s of the 183rd Volksgrenadier Division, which resulted in the loss of 7 Shermans, CCB advanced with surprising haste, taking Puffendorf by the end of the day. Alarmed, Manteuffel requested the release XLVII Panzer Corps, the only armored reserve in the area consisting of 9th Panzer and 15th Panzergrenadier divisions. Rundstedt approved the release and the divisions moved south the evening of the 16th, now with the 506th Heavy Panzer Battalion attached to 9th Panzer. The morning of the 17th, CCB 2.A.D advanced east out of Puffendorf to continue the offensive when they were met by Panthers of 9th Panzer and King Tigers of s.Pz.Abt.506. Caught in the open plains of the Roer, engaged at long range, and finding themselves outmaneuvered by the German tanks due to their superior floatation in the mud, CCB was forced to withdraw back to Puffendorf. By the end of the 17th, 2.A.D had suffered the loss of 38 medium tanks and 19 light tanks knocked out for the German loss of 11 tanks. The Germans were unable to capitalize on this due to a shortage of infantry and the prominence of artillery on both sides. In fact, three King Tigers were knocked out by artillery that day. XIX Corps would reach the Roer by the end of November, but the expected breakout across the river was stymied. Over the course of the offensive, 2.A.D lost 75 tanks and suffered its worst casualties of the war at that time- more than double those incurred during Overlord. However, German losses were also heavy, amounting to some 86 Armored Fighting Vehicles lost between 9th Panzer Division and 15th Panzergrenadier Division. The 506th Heavy Panzer Battalion five Tigers during the campaign, consisting of the three destroyed by artillery on the 17th and two tanks the 28th (one knocked out by an M36 GMC of 2.A.D's 702nd Tank Destroyer Battalion). While 2.A.D's experience in the Roer is rarely discussed, its impact is far-reaching. As Lida Mayo puts it in "On Beachhead and Battlefront," "After the war an Armored School report, prepared with the assistance of 2d Armored Division tank commanders who had participated in the action, stated that the most important factor in the set-back at Puffendorf on 17 November - "the biggest tank battle in 2nd Armored experience" - was "the inferiority of our tanks in guns, armor, and maneuverability." The success of Operation: Queen is a subject of contention. While the Roer was not crossed and other objectives were not reached, the Siegfried line had been punched through and the loss of territory for the Germans played a significant role in the failure of the Ardennes counteroffensive which soon followed. Unlike the US 2nd Armored Division, 9th Panzer wasn't able to renew its strength and found itself in rebuilding in reserve until the momentum in the Ardennes had already been lost. In any case, the lessons learned on both sides contributed heavily to the last months of the war and how it was fought. Sources and further reading: -Schneider, Wolfgang (2004). Tigers in Combat: Volume I -Mayo, Lida (2001) [1968]. The Technical Services: The Ordnance Department: On Beachhead and Battlefront -MacDonald, Charles B (1993). The Siegfried Line Campaign -Zaloga, Steven J (2007). Siegfried Line 1944-45: Battles on the German frontier -Yeide, Harry (2013). Panzers at Puffendorf
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MacDonald's quote is a reference to Matthew 25:1-13. The Parable of the 10 Virgins. He's basically saying the commander failed to make the necessary preparations and the offensive will fail.
The virgin with no oil in the lamp is from the bible. Look up The Ten Virgins in Matthew
Awesome having a reference to the late great Sir Terry Pratchett, thanks Indie and team!
Great video again, but 8:55 is a mistake in title. Omar Bradley was 12th Army Group Commander, not 12th army.
A FIRST! First WW 2 history that made me bust out laughing!😂
That quote actually makes sense. It's from Jesus' parable of The Ten Virgins. Five had enough oil in their lamps and were ready. Five ran out of oil and by the time they tried to correct the mistake, it was too late as they missed the time of going in to the bridegroom.
He's accusing the commander of inadequacy in preparations, and that his lamp will essentially run out of oil...
You beat me to it on that clarification. The comment probably has the double meaning of fuel - = oil - being in short supply for the several Allied armies.
It’s sad, my brother, that people today don’t pick it up immediately. 😢
Yep, Matthew 25,1-13
I recognized it immediately.
Last Sunday's gospel reading. If you're Catholic that is
Japan's atom bomb program lagged behind even Germany's, but enough had been researched to enable one physicist to see the destruction at Hiroshima and immediately conclude that the city had been nuked.
A few days after the bombing, Japanese scientists were there with geiger counters and make some reasonable deductions.
However, the problem is not in understanding the theory, but the practical side.
An 8 year old could have the same conclusion
@@mgway4661 Not at a time when nuclear bombs were a new top-secret technology.
8 year old japanese kid after seeing a big boom: Yup, this was definitely a gun-type uranium-235 bomb. It's obvious, duh.
@@mgway4661 Why would an 8-year-old living in 1945 even know what a nuclear weapon was??
The virgin thing is a biblical reference. Matthew 25: 1-13 which speaks of "bridesmaids" (presumably virgins) using up all of the lamp oil and not having enough to last until the wedding banquet. They went to get more and when they came back they were refused entry because they were ... too late I guess. When they tried to get in they were told (by someone who Matthew doesn't name) 'Truly I tell you, I do not know you.' Matthew says, "the kingdom of heaven will be like this." Meaning, I guess, in this case you better hold on to your troops or you won't get into the... war?
Huh, I thought it was a reference to Vestal Virgins being responsible for keeping Vesta's sacred fire lit.
It's a confusing parable, especially since the same point could be made with two people instead of ten. Maybe something was lost in the translation over 2000 years.
While I think it's one of the most confusing parables, a great deal of it is definitely about being prepared.
Specifically there were two groups waiting for the groom, one which brought enough oil to last until when the groom was supposed to come and one that brought extra. The groom was late so the first group had run out of oil while the second group still had enough. If things went according to plan, both groups would have been fine, but things didn't go according to plan and only the second group was ready.
Biblical ignorance is much more widespread now than in the 1940s.
Also worth mentioning this week (November 18th 1944) Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, a revolutionary educator who believed that the purpose of education is to create a better society, died in prison. Exactly 14 years after he founded the Soka Kyoiku Gakkai or Value Creation Society. He was imprisoned in 1942 as a "thought criminal" for openly refusing to support Japan's war effort. His closest disciple, Josei Toda was also imprisoned in wartime Japan, and won't be released until the following year.
Thank you for sharing that interesting but of information!
-TimeGhost Ambassador
This war has been super long, I don't think people will want a sequel
It was pitched a few times. Instead we just got a bunch of spin-offs.
Don't worry, WW3 will only be one episode and one special, called "out of the vaults"
@@yourstruly4817 I saw a script that was called "Sticks n Stones"
It was said of the first world war, that none of the nations in that war really wanted war, but once things began moving towards war, they were powerless to stop it. (A fatuous attempt to escape the consequences of their incompetence and outright stupidity.) We are stumbling into another world war and, if we aren't extremely lucky, I'm sure afterwards the current crop of world leaders will offer up the same excuse.
@@greenkoopa ah, already making plans for a second trilogy i see?
MacDonald's quote is a reference to Matthew 25:1-13. The Parable of the 10 Virgins. He's basically saying the commander failed to make the necessary preparations and the offensive will fail.
yeah, it is one of Jesus most famous parable, emphasizing the importance of preparation, i wonder why so many people got confuse with it
@@briantarigan7685 I don't think it's one of the most famous ones. Honestly, I've been a practicing Catholic all my life, I went to a Catholic school, and yet I only got the reference because it was last Sunday's reading so it was fresh in my mind.
You almost have to feel sorry for Chiang Kai-Shek, he finally gets rid of Stilwell and then gets Patrick Hurley foisted on him!🤣🤣
Bad Luck Chiang is now a meme.
From Peanut to Moosedung. Mr. Shek is just hitting homeruns all the way.
It’d be funny if it weren’t also so monstrously tragic.
@@HebrewsElevenTwentyFive The Peoples Republic of China - you mean West Taiwan? 🤣
@@Raskolnikov70No. People's Republic of China. The legitimate government of all of china
The political battles in China are so interesting, after the war is over I hope you guys do a special on the Chinese Civil War, the rise of the CCP and the Kuomintang retreat to Taiwan.
In postwar America, the debate about " Who Lost China?" was very contentious. I, too, would like to learn more about what really happened.
Agree 110%.
The next series is Korea, so there might be a between 2 wars thing for 1945-1950
@@davidsigalow7349it was the peanut
The media said Taiwan was always the real china, KMT never fled!
A sidenote this week on November 13 1944 is that civil air service will be restored to London in the United Kingdom for the first time since the start of the war in September 1939. Railway Air Services began flight operations on a Croydon-Liverpool-Belfast route.
Weird that I've never even thought about civil aviation during this whole time. Was it even much of a thing before the war? Most people in Europe still traveled by train, can't imagine there was a lot of civilian air traffic in general back then.
@@Raskolnikov70 British civil aviation was growing at an amazing rate pre-war. My home town was the location of London's first airport. Internal trips were by rail (and even then one rail company also ran its own airline) but, if you could afford it, flying was the preferred way to get to the continent and, via Imperial Airways, the Middle East and Africa.
@@Raskolnikov70Pretty much what @peterdavy6110 said. Commercial flight was an extremely fast growing market during the second half of the 1930s.
So much so that it is difficult to estimate if the war sped up, or slowed down commercial aviation.
@@Raskolnikov70During the war there were also air routes to Lisbon, Portugal and to Sweden. To Sweden they flew with Mosquitos and on the Lisbon route there were DC-3's of the Dutch airline KLM, amongst others.
@@bwarre2884I believe the Lisbon flight was suspended or even rerouted due to BOAC Flight 777 being shot down by a German heavy fighter plane.
Himmler calling someone else a "butcher?" That takes nerve.
Or insanity
Yes, it's pretty funny, given that the weak-chinned, four-eyed chicken-farming geek was one of the most despicable humans to have ever walked this earth.
I doubt whether self-awareness was one of his characteristics. And basically he distrusted Vlasov and suchlike. Himmler was only compromising this much because Nazi Germany was in a desperate condition.
geez I knew we had made mistakes during our WW2 relationship with China, but I hadn't realized just how badly parts of it were mismanaged
Parts? ALL of it. Chiang's Nationalists were a massive deadweight on the Allies, soaking up Lend Lease and transport aircraft for the Hump for little to no gain. A lot of US aircraft and aircrew were lost flying supplies over the Himalayas to the Nationalists which then got squandered in corruption.
You think China was mismanaged just read up on Vietnam. I believe they are related.
@@richardcutts196 There is a reason why it has been a dictum in US foreign policy to not get involved in a land war in Asia. Too bad that politicians refuse to learn or listen.
@@richardcutts196 not sure what you are alluding to, but one obvious commonality is the general ignorance most in the US of that era had towards east asian nations compared to European ones
If other US generals, attaches and politicians were in charge and the Chinese were treated better with good equipment, supplies, food, and other stuff. Who knows how the Pacific Campaign.
Maybe China could have kicked the Japanese out or tied numerous divisions down
"A foolish virgin with no oil in the lamp? I don't understand."
Shaka, when the walls fell. Indy, his eyes closed.
Love the reference. Sokah, his eyes opened.
The idea of virgins, foolish or not, confounds all of us these days.
Small note about this week, Lieutenant-General Harry Crerar (Commander of Canadian 1st army) is promoted to full General on the 16th. Becoming the first Canadian officer to hold that rank on tbe field.
The Chinese front is lamentably ill known in the west.Indy does an awesome job describing what went on.I can recommend "Chinas war with Japan" by Rana Mitter,if you take a deeper interest.
Japan’s invasion of Manchuria was the actual start of WWII. The Japanese in 1930’s wanted colonies. Just like like the British, French,Germans and Americans got in the 1700’s, 1800’s and early 1900’s.
Hitler invaded Poland and Russia to get a giant contiguous colony. Stalin invaded Poland and Finland for the same reasons.
@@johnryan6003and even if you don't take Manchuria, the 1937 escalation into full scale war between China and Japan should definitely become the new recognised beginning of world war 2
Thanks for your support!
- TG Ambassador
@@johnryan6003 It was not a world war by definition. Only China and Japan were involved, and the fighting was confined to China. WWII started when the French Empire and British Empire declared war on Germany, as both empires spanned a good bit of the globe.
RAna MITTER IS AN AMAZING AUTHOR and his book on china in ww2 is like a bible for us interested in ww2 in china
My Grandfather was in the 1st Division, 26th Regiment, and his after action reports stated from November 16 to November 28, his Company (G) was at Schevenhutte, Germany, just east of Gressenich, under continuous mortar and artillery fire suffering heavy casualties. It has been a thrill following the western front in real time because of how featured the Blue Spaders of the 26th Infantry, 1st Division are factored in lots of engagements in the coming months. Thanks Timeghost for all you do!
Thanks for sharing your story with us, and for your support!
- TG Ambassador
Seeing Belfort close to be liberated feels... weird. I was born and grew up there. My family lived there. I know so many stories of local macquis who got murdered along with civilians of their local villages...
Joy and sadness, celebration and grief... all mixed.
You mentioned Terry Pratchett. If anyone here has never read anything by that author, you should remedy that. He was a wizard with words and extremely funny.
I'm particularly fond of the first two novels in the Tiffany Aching series: The Wee Free Men and A Hatful of Sky. I think he should have stopped after the latter. The tone shifted in the next two books, and weren't nearly as fun.
Terry wrote the finest stealth literature. Funny and wise.
GNU Terry Pratchett.
He wrote with brilliant insight into power, conflict and war. Thud, Jingo and Monstrous Regiment address them most obviously, but they're always there. GNU Sir Terry. Mind how you go.
Although great fun to read, Pratchetts books also work fabulously well as audiobooks.
I am pretty sure that Mr. Pratchett is interviewed for several episodes of WW2TV.
Invoking Terry Pratchett was a master stroke!
Rincewind the Wizzard was 'ere 🐉
7:30 that quote is so good we get it twice in the same video
Regarding the mysterious quote... It just means "You will be left behind for being unprepared".
I never expected Indy to reference Terry Pratchett! 🤯
The parable of the virgins and the lamps is in the Bible. It is actually quite relevant to the situation
Is it, though?
@@Thechezbailey the whole point of that parable is being prepared.
One could argue that the better point is to have your logistics in order, which the five who ran out of oil didn't. @@jeremysmith7176
I am in shock that I've gotten caught up to this hour while researching my grandfather's service. You're coming up on a few crazy weeks. He was in Stavelot during the Malmedy massacre. I've got chills! Thanks for tending to this important history.
Isn't it neat how things come together sometimes? Feel free to share what brought you to this point in your research if you like, I'd be fascinated to see it.
-TimeGhost Ambassador
@@WorldWarTwo Thank you for asking! My grandfather died in 1998, having served as a Sgt. in the US Army 202nd Engineer Battalion. While he was living I was a child still and never knew him to speak about his time in service. By then he was a retired farmer and carpenter. All I ever really heard was, "Grandpa was an engineer and he helped build and blow up bridges. He even helped build the first bridge across the Rhine."
Not until 25 years later did I begin my own research into the details of his service and general duties. Here's a list of a few things YOU have covered recently that have lined up with his: firsthand retellings to his family, diary/letters, personal photographs, and my own corresponding research. (I'm totally agog, btw.)
*Enlistment dates line up, as does the location of troops prior to D-Day.
*Late June/Early July Normandy Landing with several days spent on the beach itself.
*Operation Overlord locations
*Operation Cobra locations
and now we're getting cold and wintry for the Battle of the Bulge.
The experience of researching his service in this still-so-recent war has left me humbled, grateful, and totally in awe at the sheer odds of each human life merely existing.
The happy ending to his service: his marriage of 51 years to my exceptional grandmother, the license for which they will apply in 102 weeks from this video's week.
That's cool! My Grandfathers service is lining up to this time as well. In November he finished his Officer School cadet training after four years of ROTC at his high school in Minnesota. He will shortly be marrying my grandmother before he's commissioned as an Ensign in the US Navy where plenty of island hopping awaits him. It's good to read that your grandfather came home safe and sound.
@@kjdempsey I am actively, currently, today-ingly writing and illustrating a book about this journey - so #1 I also want you to give me your money and #2 I would like to give you a book in exchange. In maybe a year or two? Yes?
@@roymartin500 And same to your grandfather coming home to have a family and a future! What a fortune we have in life itself, no? Something so many have lost, the fortune of their life,
in the same places our ancestors somehow survived, and now we have this great fortune of our lives. Hey to my neighbor to my north, Minny-soder. Family still there?
At first I also didn't recognize the parable of the ten virgins reference but after others pointed it out in the comments it seems obvious to me now. I remember learning about that parable back when I was going to school.
I was playing a Hoi4 game when Andrey vlasov offered to join me. glad to know his background, great video
I am always amazed at how quickly the Germans lost ground after the invasion. Even though it was bloody on both sides. The allies looked like a tidal wave of destruction, on paper at least. Proving once again an army cannot fight without air superiority, or food, or bullets. Its fortunate that Hitler decided to use his dwindling resources on wonder weapons.
There wasn't much else the Germans could do except surrender at this point, and they weren't about to do that with the Soviets on their doorstep. WW were a last, forlorn hope that something could save them.
For me it is the reverse. It took way too long. It took the Germans 5 days to conquer the Netherlands. The allies didn’t even succeed. It also took them like 3x as long to take France as it took the Germans. Allied losses were also astronomically high.
Considering all of this, and taking into consideration that the Germans were already practically beaten at this point, the allies were not advancing quickly at all.
@@tsaoh5572 *Practically beaten* is overstating things also unlike the Soviets, the allies especially the Americans were way less experienced at this point. A huge majority of the American fighting by this point was against the Japanese. A lot of the American troops in France were seeing their first action against a battle tested dug in German army with generally superior equipment (albeit in smaller quantities).
@@tsaoh5572 I also wouldn't call liberating France, Belgium, the Netherlands and occupying most of Germany and Austria in less than a year as taking too long. The French only lost so quickly in the first place because of ignorance and stubbornness. They sat idly by while in a state of war allowing the Germans to get ready and also left a huge part of their border undefended. Not to mention ignoring reconnaissance information about the entire German army stuck in a traffic jam and refusing to bomb it. In the West the Germans were more prepared and were very dug in. In the East they had more numbers but were also on the run from a massive Soviet onslaught.
@@arthurcooperman3106You also forget Hitler’s meddling in Western plans. Had he not done this, the Allied advance would have been slow.
Would have never expected Terry Pratchet to get mentioned
Nobody expects Terry Pratchett!
-TimeGhost Ambassador
Operation Queen...they must’ve wanted to break free.
God knows they've got to...thanks for watching!
- TG Ambassador
@@WorldWarTwo thanks for all the hard work
I am always positively astonished how well Indy handles the pronounciation of Polish names. For a moment there I thought "Władysław Anders" was a polish dub
Really enjoyed the talk about the Chinese political situation there between the Nationalist and Communist. These are things I had no idea about prior to this video. Just imagine how much different things could have been with a united China fighting the Japanese.
May we all live in boring times forever.
Indeed
I’m in admiration of the research and preparation that goes into these episodes. I really like the graphics as well.
Thanks for the kind words. The entire production crew works very hard on each episode and I think they just keep getting better!
-TimeGhost Ambassador
Yes its great - but not foolproof. None of your researchers knew of the Parable of the Ten Virgins! Even if no-one recognised it it should have been completely obvious it was a literary reference - it made no sense otherwise - and quite likely a biblical one (English writers were educated in that in those days). It could have been found with just a couple of minute's research.
Very happy about the Terry Pratchett shout out.
Rincewind the Wizzard was 'ere 🐉
i finally caught up from the very beginning. this documentary has really put things into perspective for me. watching this thing and realizing all these conflicts are concurrent is mind boggling and shows the scale of the war. watching this chronologically unlocks a new layer of perspective. to watch the allies go from crushing defeat to having the axis on the back foot is really insane. 1939-40 feels so long ago as well
Thanks so much for watching all the way through so far, what a wild series of binges that must have been! Hope to see you at the end of the war as well.
-TimeGhost Ambassador
Great WW 2 history! ALL the narrators on this channel are such consummate speakers!
Comments like yours are a delight to read, thank you for your support, and for watching!
- TG Ambassador
Nice narrative video about WW2 military circumstances...thank you for sharing
Thanks for watching!
-TimeGhost Ambassador
Himmler backpedaling on his anti-Russian racism reminds me of Jefferson Davis advocating for the Confederacy to form regiments of armed slaves near the end of the American Civil War.
When you start abandoning core principles in the name of survival you cease to have any reason to survive.
Desperation but they have been desperate for a while. For example classifying Poles as Volksdeutsch so they can conscript them into the armed forces, even if they knew little or no German.
That's the first time I heard about something like this. Sounds risky (from their point of view): what if the slaves turn on their masters?.
4:50 reminded me of the CommuNazis that Mcbain from the old Simpsons episode fought. Reality is always weirder.
@@julianshepherd2038 Yeah, not the most thought-out of ideas.
I really love how conflicted the German command is too. Some want to backtrack while others chose to stick with what they fought for from the start
Crazy that the sinking of the Tirpitz is a footnote in this week's episode, with the amount of other stuff happening!
Isn't it wild?
-TimeGhost Ambassador
Wait what? A Japanese atomic program? We must know more! Maybe a special episode? Great work as always Indy, Sparty, Astrid, and the whole crew! 🍻 cheers!
Japan actually had several atomic weapon programs. in classic Imperial Japanese fashion, the Navy and Army had their own separate projects running simultaneously and in competition with each other.
I think in one of the episodes about other nuclear programs there is some stuff about it.
"The Fire of Amatersasu"
@@iMoD190Well Japan wasn't really a country it was four warlords in a trenchcoat wearing a stuffed emperor as a hat.
Thanks for watching!
- TG Ambassador
Almost 30 minutes. Thanks for the treat.
Thanks for watching!
-TimeGhost Ambassador
Thank you for the lesson.
Thank you for watching!
- TG Ambassador
I didn't expect Terry Pratchett being mentioned!
Nobody expects Terry Pratchett! Or the Spanish Inquisition...
-TimeGhost Ambassador
At this point, joining the Germans has a ring of someone climbing onto the Titanic at 2am.
The British Free Corps gained its last recruit early in 1945. However, the POW in question was not very bright.
Vlasov was screwed either way.
Himmler: Im gonna build my own Red Army, with Blackjack and Hookers.
I'd love to see Indie et al do ww1 like the format they have used here. Great stuff, thanks for posting!
Indie did a WWI series called The Great War, and it's on TH-cam.
-TimeGhost Ambassador
Hi Indy
Another wonderful and interesting week.
It seems war in china is not going to end. It's dragging on.
Thanks for the video.
This arming of "like minded soviet POWs to fight tge soviets" has similar vibes like confederacy discussions about arming slaves.
It never really got off the ground, because by elevating slaves to fight in confederate army was violating that "subordination to the superior race is his natural and normal condition"-thing and undermine the reason why CSA existed.
Similarly, by admitting that they need soviet soldiers, Himmler is basically admitting that "immutable racial hierarchy" might not be so immutable after all.
Yeah he knows the gig is up for Germany by now
A TERRY PRATCHETT REFERENCE! Never thought that would happen, but so glad it did. Terry probably would have loved it, since Hurley resembles so many of Pratchett's worst bureaucratic villains.
Rincewind the Wizzard was 'ere 🐉
Luckily the Japanese didn't have to contend with The Luggage
Oddly, just this morning, I was thinking about watching the volcano in Iceland, flush with the knowledge that, like Twoflowers, being a tourist meant that nothing bad could possibly happen to me.
@@1987paleriderhow can you not love Rincewind and the luggage??
Except the other wizards at UU, who think he's an idiot, especially Ridcully 😂😂
@evorock man it's been so long since I've read any Discworld. Probably about 8yrs or so. I need to get back into it
Thanks!
Thank you so much!
Love the Pratchett reference
As the first week-by-week episode I have watched in a very, very long time because of life--five months, and then before then an even longer gap--, it is good to be back. As usual, the episode was great.
We are glad to have you back! 👍
- TimeGhost Ambassador
I love that you put in Hurley. It really needs to be emphasized how lackadaisical the US was about astute diplomacy in China.
Also, a much better American official in the personage of general wedermeyer has arrived.
Very nice that the Chinese front got a significant amount of time this week, and how it shatters a lot of myths and misconceptions that Americans have about it. Makes me pretty excited to see how they will continue to cover it.
A commanding general who viewed the head of government of the allied nation with disdain, and a raving loon for an ambassador? No problem there, no problem at all.
Curious to learn more about how Hurley got and kept the job. I assume he was someone’s crony, plus I expect the position wasn’t thought too desirable among the more capable people in the US govt…
I think we are indeed living in interesting times. Great Video. As always
Map nerd question: At 16:21 there's a little holdout of German-held territory up against Switzerland that appears to be cut off from the Germans at Montbeliard. Is there actually a group of soldiers holding out down there, or is this just the mapping software drawing a line that interacts oddly with Switzerland?
Sietse here from the map team, and yeah that isn't supposed to be there. Thanks for pointing that out! We'll make sure to fix it in next week's episode.
@@WorldWarTwo No worries, easily done. You guys have been doing a heck of a job overall - I've probably spent at least half as much time with the video paused and looking at the maps as I have listening to Indy! Thanks for all the hard work!
Thank you for the detailed reply.
Chang Kai-Shrek looks like a Christmas tree ….
As always, these episodes are a real terror to my nails (what’s left of them). I know how the war ended, but being in the middle of it with, bombs, bullets and grenades exploding all around and divisions, armies, battalions, galaxies and black holes marching or crawling in mud, makes the whole war very real (which is was), but real to me right now.
It’s like a crime documentary where you know the serial killer was caught and barbecued in the chair, but still …. Is he out there still?!
Well, if Saturday Night Live had been around, it would probably have been "Chiang Kai Shek seen here with every medal he won at the pachinko parlor"
These guys always awarded themselves lots of shiny medals.
@@davidsigalow7349 I have seen Northkorean generals even having to put their medals on the trousers ...
My mother actually uses that in everyday conversation
Interesting times is an excellent book
Better send that quote to Bletchley Park!
2:33 Might be interesting for those unaware: The man here removes a sign that says "Citisens, during artillery strike this side of street is most dangerous". - Removing this sign implies the the city won't be under artillery attack anymore. Some of those signs are left to this day as a memorial.
Thanks a lot for your comment ! That's a very interesting fact which we did not know, much appreciated ! - TimeGhost Ambassador
The virgin quote is a Biblical reference, the Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids (or Ten Virgins depending on the translation).
If you know the Parable it makes perfect sense.
I'm going to go ahead and notice that the map you have in the background is very close to the actual historical situation as of the date the video is about. Cudos.
Thanks for your support!
- TG Ambassador
Interesting times is only part of a multi pronged curse. There are three (and possibly four) parts:
May you live in interesting times.
May you achieve your heart's desire.
May you come to the attention of the powerful.
May your name be mentioned in history books.
Nice Pratchett call out. :)
Always call out Pratchett
-TimeGhost Ambassador
@@WorldWarTwo Why am I not surprised that Indy and many of the TG Army are Terry Pratchett readers?
If there ever was a book written about the relations between China and USA during and after the war with Japan, it should be titled "China's road To communism. How America elevated Mao Zedong to power". Or something like that.
It's called Forgotten Ally by Rana Mitter and they cite it extensively on this channel
@@porksterbobI read another book by this author "China's war with Japan".
Does the "Forgotten Ally" also include the post-war period, the renewal of the Chinese civil war?
That's pretty unfair. Chang didn't lose the Chinese Civil War because of the U.S. or any outside group. He lost because he didn't have the confidence of most of the Chinese population. Mao was just a more charismatic warlord than he was, and people still believed the lies of communism thanks to the salesmanship of "useful idiots" in the press and academia.
@@poiuyt975 It does a little bit.
The thing is it isn't a given that the US could have prevented the CCP from winning. The thing is that the US could certainly have done much more to help and they didn't.
@@porksterbobthe Americans would not be able to prevent the communitsts from Winning
Chiang fucked his own chances by allowing collaboration-traitors into his army, breaking the 10-10 treaty and losing the support of the people
Unless the Americans fight the communists personally there is no chance of victory
Plus, if the Americans failed in 'nam they probably would've failed in china
Brilliant show 👏👏👏
Thank's so much for your support!
- TG Ambassador
extra like for the pratchett refference..))
Thanks for your support!
- TG Ambassador
That China bit was a great way to end it. Geez, wow... And I can feel in my bones the Battle of the Bulge teasers!
It's fast approaching...thanks for watching Hannah!
- TG Ambassador
I miss Terry Pratchett. Thanks for mentioning him!
Thanks for watching!
- TG Ambassador
Didn't expect to hear a mention about Terry Pratchett 🙂 Thanks for another great episode!
Thanks for watching!
-TimeGhost Ambassador
Rincewind the Wizzard was 'ere 🐉
I was not prepared for that metaphor. I was like a foolish virgin with no oil in the lamp.
Always brilliant.
Thanks for watching!
- TG Ambassador
The virgin without oil is a biblical reference
Its insane how slow the allied advance is now compared to August
Once German defenses around Normandy and Brittany broke there wasn't much defensible terrain left in France. They had to pull all the way back in order to avoid getting completely wiped out. Now the Wehrmacht is back in terrain that can be defended well, and it's going to be rough going for the Allies again.
German logistic line get shorter, the longer the ones of the enemies get…
Fuel problems
@@Raskolnikov70Plus the allied supply lines were a problem without Antwerp being taken.
add to this onset of winter- things seem slow in Italy and Poland as well. Russians 'just outside of: Warsaw until early January
I'm a heathen and even I recognize the quote as some Bible business.
So, my guess to the meaning of the reference to the virgin with no oil in the lamp is that it's a biblical reference to the parable of the virgins at the wedding waiting for the bridegroom to arrive so the reception can begin. The bridegroom is running late. Some of the virgins are vigilant and make sure they have enough oil. Others are not. When the bridegroom finally arrives, the latter group suddenly realized that they don't have enough oil and are told by the former group to go to town to buy some. By the time the unvigilant virgins return from town with the oil they are too late. The reception has started and they have been locked out.
In the Bible, the reception is heaven.
More generally, the virgins without oil have missed their chance to take advantage of an opportunity. I think this is what the writer meant.
Terry Prattchet quote!
"After Aachen nothin's gonna be the same. But we finally got a foothold into Germany. The gateway to the Rhine is open and there's no turnin' back. For any of us." - Private First Class Ronald Daniels
This week on November 18th 1944, the following missions in the Call of Duty series will begin:
*November 14 1944*
Death Factory (Call of Duty: World War II) - As Private First Class Ronald Daniels in the Hürtgen Forest near the German-Belgian border, you will need to first eliminate the hilltop artillery and secure the frontline bridge before defending it against a counterattack. Afterwards, you will also need to eliminate the mortar team and enemy sniper before capturing the mill.
Hill 493 (Call of Duty: World War II) - As Private First Class Ronald Daniels in the Hürtgen Hill, Germany, you are to capture the hill and eliminate the machine gunners. You will also need to escort the engineer to help clear the area. This level is notorious for its difficulty due to instant kill incendiary rounds fired by enemy shotgunners.
Indy, nice to know someone else who has read Terry Pratchett. Do you listen to music with rocks in it when writing these scripts. If so, just remember, "The truth will make you fret".😁
24:57 "America was well not served by its ambassador to China." For every clued in, sympathetic Averill Harriman type ambassador, the US diplomatic corp produced in WW2, it seemingly produced more offensive, unsympathetic amateurs like Patrick Herlihy or David Gray who caused mayhem and resentment towards their government, instead of sympathy.
The US diplomatic corps doesn't produce ambassadors as a rule. Ambassadors are chosen politically typically from non-State Department individuals. Professionals are used for smaller nations, as it's harder to convince someone to take the post. Traditionally, an ambassador is the personal representative from one head of state to another, so the US does not have an ambassador to the UK, President Biden has an ambassador to King Charles.
Probably my favorite episode of the entire series. I love, love, LOVE that these military campaigns are finally getting the coverage they deserve, as they are usually ignored in favor of the other campaigns in 1945. Plus, the Chinese and Russian political intrigue was absolute facinating to see, as they both destroy myths that Americans and Russians have about their roles during WW2.
It is absolutely fascinating! Thank you for watching!
- TG Ambassador
Douglas MacArthur most successful campaign was his PR campaign.
Kinda feels that way sometimes doesn't it?
-TimeGhost Ambassador
Hanukkah anyone?
Old Testament includes the following tradition: after wedding ceremonies the bride and the groom go to their new home. Several virgins (unmarried women) have the job of lighting the area near the home to great the seedy party. They have jars of oil and oil lamps. But, they can not be sure when the couple will arrive.
If they light the lamps too soon, they run out of oil. If they wait too long to light the clamps, the couple could get lost.
The lamp bears are celebrated and rewarded by the couple.
Any virgin who runs out of oil or has not lit her lamp gets excluded from the rewards/party.
Hanukkah is a celebration of a miracle one time when the couple were late but miraculously, the oil did not run out.
Hence virgin whose lamp has run out of oil is a loser
It's specifically a reference to a specific parable from the New Testament (Matthew 25:1-13) but I guess that the parable itself references the tradition you described.
Thank you.
Thanks for your continued support
- TimeGhost Ambassador
Wow this was incredible
Thanks!
-TimeGhost Ambassador
I know there's a ways to go, but any chance of doing an episode after the war ends where you go over some of the set dressings used throughout the series? As a map nerd, I would be particularly interested to know what some of the indicators on the various maps meant, like all the clocks on the map during the D-Day event, or the white circles and lines on the oceans for the map you've been using recently. And for the red shaded aerofoil shape north of New Guinnea - I'm reading that shade as Japanese controlled waters, though this segment seems to be isolated from the rest of that area which makes control of that area dramatically more tenuous than the concept of controlled waters normally is.
Obviously not a priority for when the main program is going on - even though things are kinda winding down, there's still a LOT to cover - but I can see the amount of effort you guys put into the presentation side of things, and I'd definitely be interested to hear something about that side of the work.
I can explain the last one. Now, you may remember how earlier this year, the Ameriacans were considering invading both the Marshalls and Caroline (modern day Micronesia) islands in order to reduce the formidable naval bases of the IJN and the military outposts of the Japanese 31st Army.
Well, after much consideration and realizing how bloody it was to fight the Japanese on the atoll islands of the Marshalls, the Americans decided to bypass the Caroline island and take the Mariannas instead.
Thus, while those islands may still have remnants of the 31st Army (such as the 52nd division in Truk Lagoon) stationed in them, those troops are no longer involved getting supplied by the Japanese high command, and are basically trapped and encircled on their island fortress, now no more than their own prisons.
@@extrahistory8956 Yes. The Japanese Army controlled MANY by-passed islands, but the Japanese Navy and aerial forces did NOT control the sea or air spaces. The Japanese forces were left to 'wither on the vine'. Note: the map does not show the huge Japanese army to the East of Aitape near Wewak in New Guinea.
@@onthatrockhewillbuildhisch1510 Very true. That is a pretty weird oversight as well.
Ah yes. One more great tale of American foreign policy. I seem to remember the Chinese Civil War never ended, this Hurley stuff won't make matters better
The "foolish virgin with no oil in the lamp" quote comes from the Gospel, Matthew 25:1-9. Surely you must know that.
Way we all live in interesting times. Something that is just as true today as it was back then.
I quote that all the time myself, 'cause it's true.
@@davidsigalow7349---Awesome
"Your homework is to use that in everyday conversation." Say no more.
No oil in the lamp is a biblical reference to the 10 virgins. Five were foolish and brought no extra oil to light their lamps. When the hour grew late, they were left with no oil for them lamps. When the Groom arrived, they were off looking for oil and were locked out of the wedding feast.
The reference, be prepared for you know not the hour or the day.
Herman Balck commander of army group G against Patton 3rd army wrote a book Order in chaos. One very nice book to read. I recommend if you like history to check it out.
Thanks for sharing the recommendation!
-TimeGhost Ambassador
Wow, a single radio for an entire army
It reflects the technology of the time. The Japanese used the Type 94-1 radio for communication between army headquarters and scattered corps and army formations in combat theaters. It consisted of a separate transmitter and receiver, a power converter, and a dedicated diesel generator. All together, it weighed around 500 to 800 lbs (227 to 364 kg) and required a trailer for transportation. Given the expense of the radio set and shortages of motor vehicles in the IJA, providing a backup radio wasn't plausible.
If I remember correctly I read about Hurley in a story about why we lost China and he is especially pointed to as one cause. The reason given was that he never understood the Asian mind and especially the Chinese and their culture. The story also mentioned that Hurley was appointed ambassador purely for political reasons as were several people in the state department who also had no experience dealing with Asia. In Europe at this time Hitler still believed his wonder weapons would turn the tide and that a big offensive push toward Antwerp would work. Of course he was deluding himself and ignoring the advice of his generals who as usual were right; they knew the war was lost after D-Day.
Very interesting, thanks for sharing!
- TG Ambassador
Not understanding other cultures and only seeing them through our own biases is still the bane of our foreign policies.
what a great quote...but I don't know what it means either
I had the same reaction as indy onthe siegfried line quote
Indy interpreted that reference like an oilless virgin!
What I’m wondering myself when i see the map week by week.
What is happening at the french Italien border in the south? At the cote d’azur? No fighting at all?
Howdy! Thanks for another great video.
I'd like to add to the events on the western front this week (shown on the map but not discussed in the video). On the 16th, Combat Command B of the US 2nd Armored Division, forming the left flank of XIX Corps, began its push towards Gereonsweiler and Linnich. The terrain here consisted of open fields turned to deep mud by recent rainy weather, which CCB accounted for by fitting their Shermans with "duck bill" extended end connectors on the tracks, though mobility was still greatly hampered.
Apart from an ambush near Apweiler by Jagdpanzer 38s of the 183rd Volksgrenadier Division, which resulted in the loss of 7 Shermans, CCB advanced with surprising haste, taking Puffendorf by the end of the day. Alarmed, Manteuffel requested the release XLVII Panzer Corps, the only armored reserve in the area consisting of 9th Panzer and 15th Panzergrenadier divisions. Rundstedt approved the release and the divisions moved south the evening of the 16th, now with the 506th Heavy Panzer Battalion attached to 9th Panzer.
The morning of the 17th, CCB 2.A.D advanced east out of Puffendorf to continue the offensive when they were met by Panthers of 9th Panzer and King Tigers of s.Pz.Abt.506. Caught in the open plains of the Roer, engaged at long range, and finding themselves outmaneuvered by the German tanks due to their superior floatation in the mud, CCB was forced to withdraw back to Puffendorf. By the end of the 17th, 2.A.D had suffered the loss of 38 medium tanks and 19 light tanks knocked out for the German loss of 11 tanks. The Germans were unable to capitalize on this due to a shortage of infantry and the prominence of artillery on both sides. In fact, three King Tigers were knocked out by artillery that day.
XIX Corps would reach the Roer by the end of November, but the expected breakout across the river was stymied. Over the course of the offensive, 2.A.D lost 75 tanks and suffered its worst casualties of the war at that time- more than double those incurred during Overlord. However, German losses were also heavy, amounting to some 86 Armored Fighting Vehicles lost between 9th Panzer Division and 15th Panzergrenadier Division. The 506th Heavy Panzer Battalion five Tigers during the campaign, consisting of the three destroyed by artillery on the 17th and two tanks the 28th (one knocked out by an M36 GMC of 2.A.D's 702nd Tank Destroyer Battalion).
While 2.A.D's experience in the Roer is rarely discussed, its impact is far-reaching. As Lida Mayo puts it in "On Beachhead and Battlefront," "After the war an Armored School report, prepared with the assistance of 2d Armored Division tank commanders who had participated in the action, stated that the most important factor in the set-back at Puffendorf on 17 November - "the biggest tank battle in 2nd Armored experience" - was "the inferiority of our tanks in guns, armor, and maneuverability."
The success of Operation: Queen is a subject of contention. While the Roer was not crossed and other objectives were not reached, the Siegfried line had been punched through and the loss of territory for the Germans played a significant role in the failure of the Ardennes counteroffensive which soon followed. Unlike the US 2nd Armored Division, 9th Panzer wasn't able to renew its strength and found itself in rebuilding in reserve until the momentum in the Ardennes had already been lost. In any case, the lessons learned on both sides contributed heavily to the last months of the war and how it was fought.
Sources and further reading:
-Schneider, Wolfgang (2004). Tigers in Combat: Volume I
-Mayo, Lida (2001) [1968]. The Technical Services: The Ordnance Department: On Beachhead and Battlefront
-MacDonald, Charles B (1993). The Siegfried Line Campaign
-Zaloga, Steven J (2007). Siegfried Line 1944-45: Battles on the German frontier
-Yeide, Harry (2013). Panzers at Puffendorf