Thank you for watching and commenting! It's a wonderful story, and I'm so glad that not only is it out there being told, but that you and your family know of the telling. I raise a glass to the honour of your father and Charlie.
Hey man, this reaction was incredible! I really enjoyed your reaction, breakdown and thoughts - hope to see more Sabaton reactions from you. Anyway, hope you don't mind me answering some of your questions and adding other interesting notes (All but 22:03 are paraphrased from the book “A Higher Call” by Adam Makos. The quote in 34:25 is directly taken from the book. Highly recommend it. It gives a lot of insight into Franz Stigler’s life and military service.) 18:08 This was Charlie and his crew's first mission (Fun fact: the crew of Ye' Olde Pub called themselves The Quiet Ones). At the time Charlie was only 21 years old. Franz was 28. 22:03 Regarding how terrifying clouds could be, there's a chapter in Arkady Fiedler's famous book "Squadron 303" that tells the story of Sergeant Kazimierz Wünsche, who used the clouds to hide during a dogfight. The chapter also delves into his thoughts on how clouds both are a blessing and a curse. 25:53 The tail gunner was Sergeant Hugh "Ecky" Eckenrode. He had, in the days prior to the mission, been collecting chocolate for the children in England to give at Christmas. 30:42 Franz took off from Jever airfield. He'd actually just shot down a B-17 and was coming down to rearm and refuel. The ground crewmen, who were attending Franz's plane, found an American 50-caliber bullet in the plane's radiator. Even with this knowledge Franz still took off, when Ye' Olde Pub was spotted. The ground crewmen were baffled and incredulous, considering he'd just gotten an "out" to not risk his life, by having a plane that should've been sent to be repaired, yet still choosing to take to the air. 32:20 Franz initially didn't shoot, because he noticed that he wasn’t being shot at, which prompted him to inspect Ye’ Olde Pub closer, making him notice all the damage. 34:25 It is or was an unspoken and unwritten code, formed mainly by WW1 aces (I think). Franz noted in the book “A Higher Call” by Adam Makos, that he learned this code of honor and chivalry during his time in Africa, which was where he first served in active combat in the war (Before the war he was a pilot for Lufthansa and in the beginning, he was serving as an instructor. He was actually an instructor for Gerhard Barkhorn, who’d go on to be the second-best scoring ace in history). It was also his Lieutenant in North Africa, Gustav Rödel, who told him “If I ever see or hear of you shooting at a man in a parachute, I will shoot you down myself. You follow the rules of war for you, not for your enemy. You fight by rules to keep your humanity.” 36:42 Franz himself wasn’t sure what the flak gunners would do. The Germans during WW2 actually had B-17s of their own - shot-down planes that had been rebuilt to fly secret missions or used to train fighter pilots. In the book the situation is portrayed as the battery commander weighing the presence of one of his own as more important and that there could’ve been a plethora of explanations for the B-17. 38:20 They were distrustful the whole way. They thought Franz had just run out of ammunition. Before deciding to escort them, Franz had several times motioned for them to land, as he didn’t believe the bomber was capable of making it back to England. He’d also tried motioning to them to turn towards Sweden (who was neutral). Charlie and Pinky (co-pilot Spencer Luke) hadn’t understood him. Frenchy (top turret gunner and flight engineer Bertrand O. Coulombe) thought Franz wanted them to turn back to Germany. Blackie (ball turret gunner Samuel W. Blackford) thought Franz’s salute meant “I gave you my best and you survived.” 44:35 Yes, Kimbolton. Ye’ Olde Pub was a part of the 379th Bombardment Group. Franz flew side by side with them for less than 10 minutes. 47:18 That is “Did we just get escorted by a German fighter?”. I believe that is (from left to right) Pinky, Doc (navigator Al Sadok) and Charlie, discussing what had just happened. Doc apparently said “Shades of Eddie Rickenbacker” in reference to the chivalrous American WW1 ace who was said to, at the end of WW1, have flown over the trenches to watch soldiers meet in no-man’s-land to celebrate their survival. 49:56 Charlie wrote to the editor of the newsletter “Jagerblatt” (which was the official publication of the Association of German Fighter Pilots) in hopes they would publish his story. He was initially rejected, so he wrote to the famous German ace general Adolf Galland for help. He had once been the organization’s president so he ordered them to publish Charlie’s story after telling him, he’d himself never heard of the incident. Franz, several months later saw the story in the newsletter and reached out to Charlie. Fun fact: Galland and Franz actually knew each other and were friends. Wow, this became long. If you did read all of it, I hope you found at least some of it informative or interesting.
This is such an emotional story and also a good song. The animated videos are really a good way to get both the background story and the song. I'm happy whenever a new animated video comes out. So far I know of these Yarnhub videos: Nightwitches - Russian females bombers. Christmas Truce (forgotten in the wake of the official music video) The Red Baron - WWI The Lady of the Dark Balkan WWI The First Soldier( one of few songs written by Tommy) WWI I believe there are some more that I can't recollect. Stormtroopers? There was a big reunion of the remaining living crew of that plane and their families to which Charlie Brown invited Stigler and he was told that all the descendants there, had their lives today due to his act that day long ago. I believe it was over 80 of them. Stigler's commander had drilled into his pilots that he would never accept to find any of them to shoot at an enemy flier leaving by parachute. Obviously he left his mark on his men. I do believe others reasoned otherwise. The Stigler daughter still pops up in comments now and then to reactions of this song to give her love. I've seen it myself. I think I told you way back at your first reaction to Sabaton, that the storyline here would take you to Canada, where Stiegler ended up.😊
An excellent reaction to a beautiful story! If you’re looking for another animated Sabaton song, Night Witches or Lady of the Dark are excellent. Plus they tell the stories of incredible women who served in the World Wars, women who rarely are remembered for their bravery and strength!
Check the Sabaton history channel there you will learn that it was Charly browns FIRST flight as a pilot with all his man in his hand. They HD to absolve 25 flights to be excused from further air missions, so imagine his feelings...
In the video it says the plane almost scraped the trees in the history channel it's the plates of the rooftops, because it actually almost came down on a city.
The B-17 could take an incredible amount of damage and still bring it's crew home, it's my favorite WWII bomber. I've been in love with that plane since the documentary All the fine young men came out in 1984.
A bit late to the party but an incredible reaction and you picked up so many great points! The animated story versions from Sabaton are jam-packed with details and the more you watch, the more you'll find. A few more pointers to your comments, if I may: 23:30 Charlie, realizing they are sitting ducks being all alone, turned his B-17 to face the oncoming FW-190s head on, so they would have the least attack surface possible. 31:25 panning by the tank with "Benzin" on its side, helps to establish that this shot is seen from the German side (as it's the German word for gasoline/petrol), since so far the video has been viewed from the UK/US side. 32:00 ...and yet Charlie and Franz are really alike their real, younger appearances. Even Jovita and her son at the end of the video! 37:55 Both sides of the WW2 sometimes used captured enemy aircrafts and that helped Franz escort the B-17 past the dreaded Atlantic Wall's AA guns. 47:20 Yes, it's the moment Charlie realizes what Franz has done and that they are beyond the AA guns - hence Joakim's "Yes!" gesture after the cut. Keep it up and greetings from Sweden! 🤘🏻😎🤘🏻
Stigler was invited by Charlie to an event, where he felt out of place amongst all this young people. Charlie told him:everyone you see is only alive because of you.
There is some accords of people saying that WW2 Officers on either sides have told their recruits that if they EVER hear that they shoot someone down that is in a Parachute they would execute them personally. And this is appearently a similar enough situation for anyone with a conscience
During an interview Franz Stigler once said, that his former Squadron Leader once spoke to the Pilots, telling them they are Soldiers, not Murderers. And if he gets aware that one of them was shooting at a Pilot in a Parachute, he will execute the one himself...After the incident became public, Franz became an honorary Member of the USAAF Bomber Veterans Soc. But he also received letters from Germany, calling him a traitor, and some of his Canadian Neigbours called him a Nazi...Looking for the Sources for it, cause i watched it like 20 years ago, but I dont think my memory became that bad
Art transcends, and sometimes stars align in ways to connect people and stories. I had a moment when I saw 1917 in the movie theatre - the date card came up, and I had a moment of, "My great-granduncle is somewhere near Vimy Ridge right now." It was just a little moment, but it was something that gave me a (tenuous at best) connection to not only the story, but to director, Sam Mendes. The connection in this song is - obviously - more direct and tangible, but art forms these connections that are important and amazing. Thank you for sharing this one.
Sabaton has a lot of people displaying feelings and feeling patriotic for countries not their's, Uprising, resist and bite, feeling pride for others achievements, Lady of the dark, resist and bite, Night witches...
The band being animated into the "shots" of the film remind me of "Christmas Truce," when the band is shown playing in the middle of No Man's Land (And also in the video about the Bismark, iirc). Seems to be a signature style for them. And I appreciate it.
Even if Stigler would not have lost his brother he wouldn't have shot down Brown and this B17. The day before he shot down a b17 the second one would have earned him the iron cross. German pilots were not only told, but promised by their instructor / commander if he ever heard or saw that they heard that they shot down a enemy on a parachute he would kill them himself. Stigler saw the damage and he felt this would be the same as shooting a person using a parachute. Apart from that... He, his mind, his heart, just couldn't let him shoot.
B-17's were truly amazing aircraft, weren't they? (Aren't they actually, there are a few still around). Flying fortress? No kidding! You could shoot them to ribbons and they'd still fly, to say nothing of the fact that they were armed to the proverbial teeth. Also - this one gets me EVERY time. Oh, and a suggestion for you. Night Witches! Also an incredible story about an amazing group of people.
Fantastic reaction/analysis! I do hope you will do the _Night_ _Witches_ animated story video as well - make sure it's the _story_ video, there's also an animated _music_ video just to confuse people. Also, just for your own entertainment, watch the _Christmas_ _Truce_ animation as well - it explains some things like where the first line of the song comes from.
When you have a spare 15 mins you should watch the Sabaton History episode about the song - th-cam.com/video/LSU7HedRVGY/w-d-xo.htmlsi=gPyxZ4IDzw8vuDzN It answers many of your questions and gives more backstory to it all. Sabaton's History channel has episodes for all of their songs in order to tell the stories/history in more detail. You can go back and check out the Christmas Truce and Bismarck episodes too. They are usually just around 15 mins long. For your next Sabaton reaction I would recommend Night Witches (Animated story video), also done by Yarnhub 👍
Great reaction and analysis...but one thing I noticed that was definitely not correct...and it looks like Aviation-History definitely has some funky info. The B-17F had a cruising speed of 160 to 180 mph at 25k feet with a full bomb load...and there is pretty much no way the B-17F ever went as fast as 325mph in level flight...the maximum speed with no bombs was around 285 or 290 mph.👍
![Vet Reacts to Bismarck - Battle of the Atlantic - Sabaton History 012 [Official]](/img/n.gif)
Thank you for the many kind words
Thank you for watching and commenting! It's a wonderful story, and I'm so glad that not only is it out there being told, but that you and your family know of the telling. I raise a glass to the honour of your father and Charlie.
@@davidkreacts Thank you
He wont be forgotten! Best wishes from Germany
@@fenrisulfur842 Danke
Ehre, Mut, Gnade und Menschlichkeit in einer unmenschlichen Zeit und Situation. Als deutscher Offizier verneige ich mich vor Ihrem Vater.
Hey man, this reaction was incredible! I really enjoyed your reaction, breakdown and thoughts - hope to see more Sabaton reactions from you.
Anyway, hope you don't mind me answering some of your questions and adding other interesting notes (All but 22:03 are paraphrased from the book “A Higher Call” by Adam Makos. The quote in 34:25 is directly taken from the book. Highly recommend it. It gives a lot of insight into Franz Stigler’s life and military service.)
18:08 This was Charlie and his crew's first mission (Fun fact: the crew of Ye' Olde Pub called themselves The Quiet Ones). At the time Charlie was only 21 years old. Franz was 28.
22:03 Regarding how terrifying clouds could be, there's a chapter in Arkady Fiedler's famous book "Squadron 303" that tells the story of Sergeant Kazimierz Wünsche, who used the clouds to hide during a dogfight. The chapter also delves into his thoughts on how clouds both are a blessing and a curse.
25:53 The tail gunner was Sergeant Hugh "Ecky" Eckenrode. He had, in the days prior to the mission, been collecting chocolate for the children in England to give at Christmas.
30:42 Franz took off from Jever airfield. He'd actually just shot down a B-17 and was coming down to rearm and refuel. The ground crewmen, who were attending Franz's plane, found an American 50-caliber bullet in the plane's radiator. Even with this knowledge Franz still took off, when Ye' Olde Pub was spotted. The ground crewmen were baffled and incredulous, considering he'd just gotten an "out" to not risk his life, by having a plane that should've been sent to be repaired, yet still choosing to take to the air.
32:20 Franz initially didn't shoot, because he noticed that he wasn’t being shot at, which prompted him to inspect Ye’ Olde Pub closer, making him notice all the damage.
34:25 It is or was an unspoken and unwritten code, formed mainly by WW1 aces (I think). Franz noted in the book “A Higher Call” by Adam Makos, that he learned this code of honor and chivalry during his time in Africa, which was where he first served in active combat in the war (Before the war he was a pilot for Lufthansa and in the beginning, he was serving as an instructor. He was actually an instructor for Gerhard Barkhorn, who’d go on to be the second-best scoring ace in history). It was also his Lieutenant in North Africa, Gustav Rödel, who told him “If I ever see or hear of you shooting at a man in a parachute, I will shoot you down myself. You follow the rules of war for you, not for your enemy. You fight by rules to keep your humanity.”
36:42 Franz himself wasn’t sure what the flak gunners would do. The Germans during WW2 actually had B-17s of their own - shot-down planes that had been rebuilt to fly secret missions or used to train fighter pilots. In the book the situation is portrayed as the battery commander weighing the presence of one of his own as more important and that there could’ve been a plethora of explanations for the B-17.
38:20 They were distrustful the whole way. They thought Franz had just run out of ammunition. Before deciding to escort them, Franz had several times motioned for them to land, as he didn’t believe the bomber was capable of making it back to England. He’d also tried motioning to them to turn towards Sweden (who was neutral). Charlie and Pinky (co-pilot Spencer Luke) hadn’t understood him. Frenchy (top turret gunner and flight engineer Bertrand O. Coulombe) thought Franz wanted them to turn back to Germany. Blackie (ball turret gunner Samuel W. Blackford) thought Franz’s salute meant “I gave you my best and you survived.”
44:35 Yes, Kimbolton. Ye’ Olde Pub was a part of the 379th Bombardment Group. Franz flew side by side with them for less than 10 minutes.
47:18 That is “Did we just get escorted by a German fighter?”. I believe that is (from left to right) Pinky, Doc (navigator Al Sadok) and Charlie, discussing what had just happened. Doc apparently said “Shades of Eddie Rickenbacker” in reference to the chivalrous American WW1 ace who was said to, at the end of WW1, have flown over the trenches to watch soldiers meet in no-man’s-land to celebrate their survival.
49:56 Charlie wrote to the editor of the newsletter “Jagerblatt” (which was the official publication of the Association of German Fighter Pilots) in hopes they would publish his story. He was initially rejected, so he wrote to the famous German ace general Adolf Galland for help. He had once been the organization’s president so he ordered them to publish Charlie’s story after telling him, he’d himself never heard of the incident. Franz, several months later saw the story in the newsletter and reached out to Charlie. Fun fact: Galland and Franz actually knew each other and were friends.
Wow, this became long. If you did read all of it, I hope you found at least some of it informative or interesting.
This is such an emotional story and also a good song.
The animated videos are really a good way to get both the background story and the song. I'm happy whenever a new animated video comes out.
So far I know of these Yarnhub videos:
Nightwitches - Russian females bombers.
Christmas Truce (forgotten in the wake of the official music video)
The Red Baron - WWI
The Lady of the Dark Balkan WWI
The First Soldier( one of few songs written by Tommy) WWI
I believe there are some more that I can't recollect. Stormtroopers?
There was a big reunion of the remaining living crew of that plane and their families to which Charlie Brown invited Stigler and he was told that all the descendants there, had their lives today due to his act that day long ago. I believe it was over 80 of them.
Stigler's commander had drilled into his pilots that he would never accept to find any of them to shoot at an enemy flier leaving by parachute. Obviously he left his mark on his men. I do believe others reasoned otherwise.
The Stigler daughter still pops up in comments now and then to reactions of this song to give her love. I've seen it myself.
I think I told you way back at your first reaction to Sabaton, that the storyline here would take you to Canada, where Stiegler ended up.😊
I think this is pre- Tommy so either Chris or Tobbe on the solo. It's Tobbe portrayed in the video. Tommy came in when he left in 2016.
@@carinarodebak9419 Yes, it is pre-Tommy :D
Wow, I honestly didn't expect this reaction. You earned yourself a subscriber.
Thank you very kindly. More Sabaton coming soon, for sure, and a couple of others already on my channel if you haven't seen them yet.
Great reaction Thank you! One of the best I have watched. Really enjoyed it!
This is an amazing song, story and reaction.
An excellent reaction to a beautiful story! If you’re looking for another animated Sabaton song, Night Witches or Lady of the Dark are excellent. Plus they tell the stories of incredible women who served in the World Wars, women who rarely are remembered for their bravery and strength!
Had to give you a sub.I'm an old german guy,had the same reaction.cried.
Check the Sabaton history channel there you will learn that it was Charly browns FIRST flight as a pilot with all his man in his hand. They HD to absolve 25 flights to be excused from further air missions, so imagine his feelings...
In the video it says the plane almost scraped the trees in the history channel it's the plates of the rooftops, because it actually almost came down on a city.
The B-17 could take an incredible amount of damage and still bring it's crew home, it's my favorite WWII bomber. I've been in love with that plane since the documentary All the fine young men came out in 1984.
A bit late to the party but an incredible reaction and you picked up so many great points! The animated story versions from Sabaton are jam-packed with details and the more you watch, the more you'll find. A few more pointers to your comments, if I may: 23:30 Charlie, realizing they are sitting ducks being all alone, turned his B-17 to face the oncoming FW-190s head on, so they would have the least attack surface possible. 31:25 panning by the tank with "Benzin" on its side, helps to establish that this shot is seen from the German side (as it's the German word for gasoline/petrol), since so far the video has been viewed from the UK/US side. 32:00 ...and yet Charlie and Franz are really alike their real, younger appearances. Even Jovita and her son at the end of the video! 37:55 Both sides of the WW2 sometimes used captured enemy aircrafts and that helped Franz escort the B-17 past the dreaded Atlantic Wall's AA guns. 47:20 Yes, it's the moment Charlie realizes what Franz has done and that they are beyond the AA guns - hence Joakim's "Yes!" gesture after the cut. Keep it up and greetings from Sweden! 🤘🏻😎🤘🏻
Stigler was invited by Charlie to an event, where he felt out of place amongst all this young people. Charlie told him:everyone you see is only alive because of you.
For the background: hi, kitty buddy!
What a great reaction.
There is some accords of people saying that WW2 Officers on either sides have told their recruits that if they EVER hear that they shoot someone down that is in a Parachute they would execute them personally.
And this is appearently a similar enough situation for anyone with a conscience
Imagine the moment, they recognized they won't die that day.
One of the best reaction videos I´ve seen on this :D
During an interview Franz Stigler once said, that his former Squadron Leader once spoke to the Pilots, telling them they are Soldiers, not Murderers. And if he gets aware that one of them was shooting at a Pilot in a Parachute, he will execute the one himself...After the incident became public, Franz became an honorary Member of the USAAF Bomber Veterans Soc. But he also received letters from Germany, calling him a traitor, and some of his Canadian Neigbours called him a Nazi...Looking for the Sources for it, cause i watched it like 20 years ago, but I dont think my memory became that bad
I am listen to "the higher call" just now, soundbook that tells everything.
Franz Stigler said he would wonder the rest of his days what the anti-airgunners must have thought seeing this happen at that day.
Sabaton has a history video about this event too
Art transcends, and sometimes stars align in ways to connect people and stories. I had a moment when I saw 1917 in the movie theatre - the date card came up, and I had a moment of, "My great-granduncle is somewhere near Vimy Ridge right now." It was just a little moment, but it was something that gave me a (tenuous at best) connection to not only the story, but to director, Sam Mendes. The connection in this song is - obviously - more direct and tangible, but art forms these connections that are important and amazing.
Thank you for sharing this one.
Sabaton has a lot of people displaying feelings and feeling patriotic for countries not their's, Uprising, resist and bite, feeling pride for others achievements, Lady of the dark, resist and bite, Night witches...
The band being animated into the "shots" of the film remind me of "Christmas Truce," when the band is shown playing in the middle of No Man's Land (And also in the video about the Bismark, iirc). Seems to be a signature style for them. And I appreciate it.
Even if Stigler would not have lost his brother he wouldn't have shot down Brown and this B17. The day before he shot down a b17 the second one would have earned him the iron cross. German pilots were not only told, but promised by their instructor / commander if he ever heard or saw that they heard that they shot down a enemy on a parachute he would kill them himself. Stigler saw the damage and he felt this would be the same as shooting a person using a parachute. Apart from that... He, his mind, his heart, just couldn't let him shoot.
B-17's were truly amazing aircraft, weren't they? (Aren't they actually, there are a few still around). Flying fortress? No kidding! You could shoot them to ribbons and they'd still fly, to say nothing of the fact that they were armed to the proverbial teeth. Also - this one gets me EVERY time. Oh, and a suggestion for you. Night Witches! Also an incredible story about an amazing group of people.
sabaton lady of the dark animated story video is my fav
Fantastic reaction/analysis! I do hope you will do the _Night_ _Witches_ animated story video as well - make sure it's the _story_ video, there's also an animated _music_ video just to confuse people. Also, just for your own entertainment, watch the _Christmas_ _Truce_ animation as well - it explains some things like where the first line of the song comes from.
Great reaction!!!
When you have a spare 15 mins you should watch the Sabaton History episode about the song - th-cam.com/video/LSU7HedRVGY/w-d-xo.htmlsi=gPyxZ4IDzw8vuDzN
It answers many of your questions and gives more backstory to it all. Sabaton's History channel has episodes for all of their songs in order to tell the stories/history in more detail. You can go back and check out the Christmas Truce and Bismarck episodes too. They are usually just around 15 mins long. For your next Sabaton reaction I would recommend Night Witches (Animated story video), also done by Yarnhub 👍
Nawwwwwww, kitty!!!😺
It was minus 60 dagree
Great reaction and analysis...but one thing I noticed that was definitely not correct...and it looks like Aviation-History definitely has some funky info. The B-17F had a cruising speed of 160 to 180 mph at 25k feet with a full bomb load...and there is pretty much no way the B-17F ever went as fast as 325mph in level flight...the maximum speed with no bombs was around 285 or 290 mph.👍
What a great reaction.