How 22 Americans held off 500 Germans (WW2 Battle of the Bulge Documentary)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 19 ต.ค. 2022
- On 16th December 1944 with Allied forces facing the Siegfried Line on the borders of the Third Reich, Hitler launched his famous 'final gamble in the West', a counter-attack through the Ardennes designed to smash through the unsuspecting Allied lines and drive on to Antwerp.
Leading his formations would be the formidable SS Kampfgruppe Peiper. Standing in their way were the men of the 394th Infantry Regiment's I&R Platoon, whose tenacity on that day would lead them to become the most decorated platoon of WW2.
This is the story of the Battle for Lanzerath Ridge.
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Really good story!
@@thefobiddenbookshelf7560 Sassas asa i
Thank you.
My father was there, he was an aid man 395 th IR of the 99th Div. and taken prisoner 12/16-17/1944. Dad was held at Stalag IV-B, Muhlberg, Germany tell the camp was Liberated by the Russians in April of 45. Now dad has past with age. We miss you dad, and thank you for you life's works.
Sure he was. I'm sure you totally didn't just make this up for likes. Smh liar
It is both important for your family to know what he did from a personal and historic sense. Bless him and his fellow troopers.
I’m very grateful for your fathers service….. they don’t make ‘em like your dad anymore unfortunately. Glad he made it back to you and your family .
I prayed an Our Father & Hail Mary for his repose.
My uncle’s army records are similar - captured 12/16, sent to Stalag IVB, came home in June ‘45. Took 6 months to regain the weight he lost.
I have been waiting 33 years to hear this account! I had first read about this battle in High school but there were no details other than one platoon held the German advance for 12 hours. In the 90's I dealt poker to a bunch of WW2 vets and got to hear so many war stories including a first hand account from an Omaha beach veteran about D-day. And his stories were exactly what the first few minutes of Saving Private Ryan were like. This video is a dream come true! THANK YOU!!!
We are delighted you enjoyed it!
@@BattleGuideVT Thank you!
We had a teacher who fought in ww2 and nobody would ever have even known til someone's dad recognised him at parents evening.
The humbleness of that generation just blows me away.
My pops was a Ranger, and later an I&R Platoon Leader and Recon Company Commander in WWII. I just wish I had gotten his full story recorded before he passed away. He didn't talk much about the war, until after I was in the Army for a few years. These guys were harder than woodpecker lips!
Yes, it's a shame and missed opportunity to document history from a meaningful grass roots level to hear and record veterans experiences. The most valuable stories are the ones not printed in a NYT best seller book imo.
“Led by a 20 year old lieutenant…” I gave that a moment to sink in, and while many people may say “that wasn’t too uncommon at the time or even prior.” (I don’t disagree), I think of WWII as the first “modern” war. It is difficult (at least for me) to imagine a 20 year old lieutenant in “modern” times. I don’t know if it’s propaganda or nostalgia or whatever, but the more I learn about WWII, the more I understand the monicker “The Greatest Generation”.
If you have not read it “Company Commander “ by Charles McDonald talks by the author’s experience in the Bulge as a 21 year old Company Commander. He stayed in the Army becoming Deputy Chief Historian for the US Army, his book “A Time for Trumpets “ is considered the definitive book on the Battle of the Bulge.
Men grow strong and “great” out of necessity, so let’s hope that won’t be necessary again
I was a platoon leader, 2nd Lt. in an armor company. 5 tanks in my unit. Trying to imagine how my few guys in tanks, needing infantry around, could make that kind of dug in defense. Truly heroic in "at all costs".
Definitely read the book if you have not had the chance. The I&R platoon was about 17 soldiers who were above average education and character as they had been earmarked to become OCS students but casualties in Europe were so high they were reassigned into a recon platoon and assigned to 395th Inf 99th.
They up gunned themselves with .30 cal mgs and a M2 (Ma Deuce mounted on a jeep) they dug in and added over head cover for their shallow foxholes. (I think they occupied some previously dug positions from previous unit) They held off 8 assaults until out of ammo and didn't retreat because "of orders". It was a DIP mission but fortunately they were able to surrender instead.
Modern day Spartans. I cannot image how those 22 men had the will and strength not to just get and run with the mass of men and armor coming towards them. That is beyond doing your duty, that is thinking of others lives besides your own. What a generation of people who fought in that world war.
Talking about beyond the call of duty- look up Audie Murphy winning his medal of honour in the colmar pocket in France in ww2! He held off 250 Germans and tanks on his OWN for a full hour! Fully documented by his men who were retreating. He stayed by himself, and turned them all back. 👍
@@BottleBriMurphy was doing what he had to do. Manning that .50 cal from a burning A10 gave his men the best chance to retreat. Murphy’s men figured it all out from the sound of Murphy’s relentless fire. Some even tried to go back to help him. Murphy ran out of .50 cal ammo is why he then retreated with a wound to his hip.
The German attackers went into a state of disarray from the accurate fire from Murphy. Yes it was a high risk action from Murphy. They all knew it as most of his men where battle hardened veterans. They knew he put his life on the line for them. After all it was the only thing a great leader would of done.
A poor leader would of surrendered…
That's why they call them the greatest generation.
GenXers are the toughest generation in American history. Fighting wars for 20 years carrying far more gear, and they volunteered for it all.
@@lisawise9849 The greatest generation that required a draft 😂. Meanwhile GenXer veterans fought multiple wars while carrying far more gear and 100% volunteered to do so.
Was lucky enough to meet some of the I&R guys at a 99th reunion when my grandfather was still around. Some of the stories I heard among those men were just breathtaking.
What an experience that must have been Adam!
I bet. It’s the personal stories that are the most jaw dropping. There are I think four books by Don Burgett, a 101st Airborne trooper that from Normandy on are simply unbelievable. I am in the middle of number two on Market-Garden. Having a flaming C-47 miss you by a few feet when floating down after jumping as it plunged to earth (taking a bunch of other troopers with it) is what has stood out so far in this read. Besides his books, you can look him up on youtube and listen to some of his stories. He was smack dab in the middle of some of the most famous battles in Northern Europe. How any of these brave guys survived (mentally too) is hard to imagine. I could never ever do what these men did.
Very nice summary on the action at Lanzerath ridge. It is an amazing story. The action was nearly unknown since the platoon was cut off from their COMs and taken prisoner so no one knew what they accomplished until after the war.
Thanks very much!
The passion/enthusiasm in the voice over at 9:29 is really great. Excellent content all around!
Edit: you can also tell how passionate the creators are. They really care about the history and it shows
My uncle R. Wheeler was MIA in the battle. From what i understand he was a in a artillery unit near Belgium. He was in college but left to fight in the war. Heroes never die they live in our hearts.
Do you have any more information about your Uncle?
Wow! Such a great detailed video. Thank you. My great grandfather, Daniel Del Grippo, was with the 1st battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division. He won the DSC award for his role in this battle. During the battle of Cheneux, he knocked out a machine gun and 20-mm killing one German and capturing the other. That night in another attack, he saw an enemy self-propelled gun firing on his comrades. Although wounded, he ran toward the vehicle firing his submachine gun, and killed the four man enemy crew. He also won 2 Purple Hearts for his role in DDay.
Such an act of bravery. So thankful for all of these brave men!
Glad you appreciated the documentary. Thanks for watching.
Great story!! Thank you for sharing with all of us you great-grandfather's heroic acts
My grandfather was Army recon and had his eye knocked out in France by a grenade. This story gives good insight as to what he may have went through on his tour of duty
Excellently put together and told
Thank you
I agree
Yes it was
100%
wow! I learned something brand new about WW2. GOOD JOB, NICELY DONE WITH THE WAY YOU TOOK MODERN ROADS AND DREW OUT THE DETAILS OF THE BATTLE. I will share a story. Knew a man in my church since my childhood that was in the Battle of Bastogne. He and some other men drove up this road at dusk [maybe it was dark] with their lights on. They pulled up to a security post and the sentry asked them where they came from. My friend told him the road they drove on ; and the security guard told them that was impossible . They asked why. He told them they were surrounded and they had just drove through the German lines with their lights on. I believe in miracles and my friend certainly had one. At a much later date he gave me his battalion history book; because he knew I loved history. I still have it.
Excellent mini-tour, Dan. I wasn't aware of this action. Look forward to seeing more of these. Thanks
Thanks Simon!
I had the honor of walking this battlefield. It is a singular, moving experience to visit places like this, Parker’s Crossroads, Brecourt Manor, the Normandy beaches etc. I just wish I could have visited some of the Pacific WWII battlefields. World history pivots in places like this.
Yeah it really does Anthony - a fascinating spot to visit. Hopefully we will cover so Pacific theatre actions before long on here. Thanks for watching!
As an American citizen born and raised in Guam U.S.A. 🇺🇸 🇬🇺 now residing stateside….I would like to thank you for remembering the Pacific theatre….not many historians talk about the battle for Guam….but shining light upon the Men who died and bled for the liberation of my Island, her people, and all of our freedoms….helps bring justice to their sacrifice…..God Bless You….and God Bless America and Our Warriors…. #Salute
@@nuffsaid8706 I wish we would see a lot more film projects focused on the Pacific theater in WWII. The “Pacific” miniseries was very good but there are many untold stories waiting for a good filmmaker. I would love to see a movie about Lt. Hawkins and Bonnyman, Sargent Bordelon the rest of the MOH personnel at Tarawa. Just Hawkins and the scout/sniper platoon story is astounding and could be a movie/episode by itself. Saipan and the largest Banzai charge of the war. The fate of Guamanian people during occupation and the first American territory to be reclaimed in the central Pacific. Just a few of the many stories that should be told. I would love to see another HBO type miniseries on the surface warfare in the pacific. There are several Carriers, Battleships and destroyers that are museum ships in the Continental US which could be used to film on. Hell, I never thought I’d see a real life Lord of the Rings movie so anything’s possible. One can hope but I’m running out of time so they better get started. 😏Hope you are safe and well. Regards, TB
Great job on the mapping locations on the aerial's. It allows clear and concise understanding of the battle field. Sure wish others would use your technique.
my best friend was in Bastogne. He barely made it out alive... except thanks for guys like this....
Great story and I thank them with all my heart,my uncle was serve in world war two ,2 bronze stars purple heart,and a presidential unit citation. He was one of three in his unit that walked out at the battle of the bulge. I am forever grateful to all that have served and do serve, thank you all
Any information about your Uncle in the battle of the bulge
I just found your channel and this is the first video I’ve watched. I must say this was one of the best documentaries I’ve ever seen. Most are just audio but you put so much more into the video. Can’t wait to watch the next one. Awesome job!!!
There's a wonderful book about this platoon and their actions during the battle of the bulge called The Longest Winter, by Alex Kershaw. It really is an amazing story and a very well written book.
I read it, and agree. Also did a terrain walk of their fighting positions at Lanzerath. Not much there but seeing the battlefield is always transformative.
Hey David. I've always been interested in doing a walking tour of some of the major/significant WWII battlefields. Did you do a self guided tour of this event, or were you in a guided tour?? If the latter, I'd love to get their information so as to collect and compare which walking history tour is the best and most thorough. I'd really appreciate your input on this. Thanks!!! @@davidhutchinson1236
@@davidhutchinson1236 Not sure that my previous comment tagged you correctly, but please read the above statement to you. Thanks again.
The Longest Winter recounts the battle and its aftermath. This is an excellent video of the battle
Thanks Robert!
Excellent! What a great use of then/now maps!
Thanks mTk
Great job guys, hadn't heard about this "smaller" story
Thanks guys!
I gotta say, wow. this put things in visual perspective amazingly so. the breakdown of the unit (what it was comprised of) and the narration. well done.
Well done. There must be countless actions of a similar nature that have never come to light and we will never hear about now.
man , i love the way you use the landscape and show the positions and the progress of the troops !!!
Learned something new about the battle!
I just found this channel tonight and it’s incredible how much more detail they can add with the drone footage and real footage of the battlefields. I feel like I’ve learned so much from this channel in just a few hours
@@lukycharms9970 thank you
Never underestimate a 50 cal.
Well done, and thank-you for providing a piece of WW2 history I was unaware.
Thank you
This is hands down the best new channel I have found :) I LOVE how well you implement real life drone footage to show the real landscapes of these battlefields. Keep it up! :D
Thank you.
Interesting and informative. Excellent photography job enabling viewers to better understand what/whom the orator was describing. Professional class A research project!!! Special thanks to veteran soldiers/civilians resistance. Sharing personal information/combat experiences making this documentary more authentic and possible. Fighting/perishing/surviving knowing certain death/debilitating wounds were often times possible. Yet still advanced forward regardless of the consequences. That's true grit style determination to succeed. And the often forgotten medical 🚑 personal. Doctors/nurses/medics/stretcher bearers. Risking life and limb tending to the wounded soldiers.
You could have mentioned that the 394th regiment was in the 99th division . My father was a Sergeant in Co.H heavy weapons. 2 Batt. 395th Reg. of the 99 Div . He also received the Presidential unit citation . I believe that all troops on Eiserborn Ridge were awarded the honor .
My Grandfather was a SSgt in Co. E of the 394th Reg of the 99th ID. BS w/ OLC and SS medals from the Bulge.
Remember that all these American soldiers were born during the Great Depression. Tough city kids, strong farmers, worked hard for food and keeping families together. Like my uncle of the Army Philippine Scouts. His 45th Inf. moto - Strong To Endure. The German Army was a proud skilled force also. All a waste of humanity because of one man.
History is on the doorstep today. 🇺🇦
This a fantastic documentary
☮️🇺🇲👍✌️
I attended a "terrain walk" of this very battlefield in December of 1992. I was stationed in Katterbach, Germany in an Attack Helicopter Battalion and we took a three day officer development trip. It was cold. It was snowing. It was a privilege to be able to stand where they stood and realize the miracle that they performed by delaying kampfgrupppe Peiper as long as they did. We then went to Malmady to the site of the massacre of US POWs. Our guide pointed out the house where the woman who gave away the POWs location was still living. This is an excellent representation of what I saw on that trip.
I visited the place as well,unbelievable what happened there
Amazing work. Thank you so much.
This was awesome. I have watched other videos on the "Battle of the Bulge" that told an overall view of the battle. Your video focused on one incredible part of that battle that I didn't know about.
Thank you very much!
Great overhead mapping! The great graphics makes all the difference. Keep up the good work!
Very good. Especially appreciated are the pictures of Bouck and fellow soldiers in later life. Excellent overall production; thanks.
Truly an heroic feat of arms and a story that needs to be remembered.
Superbly narrated. Thank you for the insight on historically significant and surprisingly unknown battle. Keep at it!😎
Your presentations are excellent. Well done and thank you.
This content is outstanding. Please keep making videos!
I really hope you keep pumping out videos. Your content is exceptional.
Fantastic!!!!! .....what every documentary should be
Great video, extremely well research and professionally presented.
Lovely story telling and bringing to light, Spartan-like strength of 2 dozen US warriors of WW II! The story telling is similar to my grandfather’s Saturday afternoon stories of battles never spoken of outside of his brothers in arms. I miss those days of old. RIP grandpa.
Enjoyed the video. Had not heard of this action before but Lanzeranth I have heard of.
Excellent graphics and immersive , classy narration.All the craftsmanship and pathos of honest History . You do honour to the participants and show respect for your audience. Beautifully done. Subscribed.
Welcome aboard!
Extremely well done as always.
Thank you!
Amazing ! Thank You !
This truly was the greatest generation.
A new subscriber !!! 👍
Due to the capture of the platoon's soldiers and the blur of events during the first week of this massive campaign, the U.S. Army did not recognize the platoon for its courageous deeds for 37 years. On October 25, 1981, the entire platoon was recognized with a Presidential Unit Citation, and every member of the platoon was decorated, including four Distinguished Service Crosses, five Silver Stars, and ten Bronze Stars with V for Valor.
I think I read about this somewhere in the past. But it was good to have the video of the place and maps. They enhanced the story greatly.
another fantastic video! thanks
Man you go above and beyond in exploring this battle. Love the small details.
Thanks Joey! More to come soon :)
@@BattleGuideVT I get Dr. Mark Felton vibes sometimes 🤣 great storytelling is an art
Awesome Channel. Thank you for making this.
Wow, wow, wow, speechless! Excellent video. Thanks for bringing an absolutely stunning story of heroism to light.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Well done! Amazing story!! Excellent format here. Subbed👍
You really pin it down with these videos - Your style makes it easy to understand the actions. It is like walking the ground without having to do so. Thanks
Glad you like them!
I knew the Germans had been delayed early and by an American force that was small. I had no idea it was just a platoon and that they delayed them for 12 hours. Thank you for bringing the story to me and everyone else.😊
fantastic documentary well done
Just watched the Audie Murphy story of his medal of honor. He held off two hundred and fifty german soldiers. Great story as well.
Great, glad you enjoyed it!
I could listen to stories like this all day.
THANK YOU FOR MAKING THIS VIDEO! I just found you through the VTH channel and will probably spend way too many hours tonight checking out the rest of your videos.
Imagine the surprise when people learn that "Easy Company" didn't win WW2 (or even the Battle of the Bulge) all by themselves.
No problem - you are very welcome!
Thank you.
There were a variety of holding actions by small units of US infantry on December 16. They would have a cumulative effect in slowing down the German advance in the early days of the offensive.
Glad that such bravery doesn't go unnoticed.
Love your channel, keep up the good work
Thanks so much!
Great job I enjoyed it!
Thanks
Good material. Keep up the work
Much appreciated!
Excellent illustration and detailed account of the battle. The inclusion of personal accounts of veterans of this action really add to understanding what occurred, from both perspectives, and adds the crucial human element. Your aerial views and overlays are the best out there. As an aside, at 15:07 is the clearest photo I have even seen of a Fallschirmjäger armed with the rare and extraordinary FG42 (first iteration) which looks futuristic even today. Another noticeable thing in this photo and others is the very wide distribution of binoculars in German units. Was this more than in Allied units? It appears to be.
New sub from VTH! Great stuff!!!
This film is Fantastic!! Really good job!!
Thank you.
Great content.
Lyle Bouck’s dugouts can still be found on the ridge overlooking the town.
Great piece.
Many thanks!
Great story of bravery and determination, really well told. God bless
My Dad Sam Was the Oldest Enlisted man in the 508th PIR co H and he survived the Bulge. He lived to be 85! RIP Fisherman buddy. JJ VF-142 USN 75-79
Amazing info and detail.. love all these. The presentation is so good… I reckon you don’t need the game soundtrack. Just distracts. Great to see the names and personal stories of both sides.
Great story,keep up the good work.
Thank you!
What an incredible mission....As a paddler myself, I can't imagine paddling at night with a current coming one way and waves going the other way.....That would be incredibly scary.....It sounds like the first part of the trip was the most dangerous.....getting off the sub and to the river.....I would think sleeping during the day would have been very difficult.....
brilliant, mate
Very good excellent work
My grandfather was there. He had a thumb shot off and carried alot of shrapnel in him but was lucky to make it home .
Love the stories.
Excellent, enhanced by the use of modern images to show the terrain involved.
So on the third attempt they finally tried to flank an entrenched position? Genius!
You should definitely keep trying a frontal assault on an elevated entrenched position especially if you have limited time, resources and manpower.
Thanks!
read about this but this is brilliantly done will be taking a look from the ground next time I am in the region with the added knowledge gained from yourselves and the increased respect for that little band of Hero's. Thank you.
Scouts are the best of all worlds! They know infantry tactics but aren't relegated to using it when it wont work. They are light and quiter than infantry plus they're good at medical, vehicle recognition and marksmanship. If I couldn't have a platoon of SOF guys, I'd take scouts anyday!
dude, excellent.
Awesome story thanks 👍
Glad you enjoyed it!
Just found your channel. Very very impressive. Puts me in the 'situation' due to a lack of a better term.. Gotta have my WWII history with my Westerns. Mark Felton? I like his work. Gonna be watching both of you guys now. I got time. Again very good job.
Point taken. My father was a submariner, my mother was a wave during Vietnam War. Also my lifelong neighbor was a jarhead over there as well. Shot thru both legs. By a fellow marine, cleaning his rifle. I have heard firsthand(?) stories from him as well. If your a war vet or just served, then, thank you for your service. I meant no disrespect towards anyone who knows the true hell of war.
Wow. I've been reading alot of these battles. These are men of strength and Valor. My heroes
Excellent. Thank you.
Thanks Jack, glad you enjoyed it.
@Battle Guide I am delighted to see a video put together & done so well of the beginning days of the Battle of the Bulge, though it only covered the actions of a small part of the 394th regiment, important as their monumental actions were to the Battle. My compliments to you for the telling of their contributions!
I am wondering if you would do more videos of the 99th Infantry Division's Regimental units, specifically: the 393rd, the rest of the 394th, & the 395th throughout the Battle, holding onto the Elsenborn Ridge area, denying Germans that route to Antwerp, thus helping contain them to the Bulge ?
@@rogersears7497 Indeed, so many stories to tell! All worthy of being covered.
Hope you will make those videos in the manner of this fine one !
Superb!
Cover and concealment.
High ground. Aimed accurate fire. Improved defensive positions.
This should be a movie!
Terrific account. Easier to imagine the site with snow from the video, than from the dry pages of a book