Battle of Ortona 1943 / Part 2 - Little Stalingrad

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 15 ม.ค. 2025

ความคิดเห็น • 93

  • @FromtheBattlefields
    @FromtheBattlefields  3 ปีที่แล้ว +22

    The video contains all battle footage from Ortona I was able to find. Also, some of the video material is from Cassino and other parts of the Italian front.

    • @rpm1796
      @rpm1796 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      A great tribute...well laid out and written.🏆

  • @casparcoaster1936
    @casparcoaster1936 3 ปีที่แล้ว +20

    At age 63, thought I knew lot 'bout ww2... at least Italy and Ortona. Every minute was facinating, and the graphics second to NONE. Really grateful, many thanks. Living a few years in Buffalo, I learned Canadian manners could mean underestimating how kick ass they were (especially, on a hockey rink)!!!

  • @t.dmytryshyn2615
    @t.dmytryshyn2615 2 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    My father was with the Seaforth Highlanders and he survived the battle for Ortona. When the Seaforth's had Christmas dinner in the church he opted not to go and several Seaforth Highlanders were killed making their way to the church. He was later wounded on the Hitler Line and while in hospital in Europe caught pleurisy and was so ill when he got back to Canada he couldn't even walk. After the war he spent 3 years in hospital where he had many operations on his lungs. He also had shrapnel in his body for the rest of his life. The shrapnel was so close to his spine that they could never operate but he had to go in every year for x-rays so they could keep track of where the shrapnel was in case it got too close to vital organs. I don't think people realize how hard it was for the soldiers who did survive afterwards.

  • @sean367
    @sean367 3 ปีที่แล้ว +16

    You won't ever see that on Netflix. Damn tough Canucks 🇨🇦👍

  • @fangslaughter1198
    @fangslaughter1198 3 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    I joined the storied ranks of The Royal Canadian Regiment in 1980.
    We trained at fighting in built up areas, using the lessons, written in blood, in the Italian campaign.
    Great videos. Thanks.

  • @richardhertz1989
    @richardhertz1989 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    These episodes were stories of unbelievable bravery , truly riveting history that was well told .

  • @jameskthomson3939
    @jameskthomson3939 ปีที่แล้ว

    My Uncle, who was 20 at the time, was with the Loyal Edmonton Regiment. He was wounded and in hospital just before Ortona. He told me of the heavy casualties of his friends and comrades. And my Father-Inlaw was also there with the Seaforth Highlanders. Thank you for the excellent video.

  • @ryantoole2327
    @ryantoole2327 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    I've watched both videos - and they provide a very good synopsis on Ortona and very objective as well. Well done, both on these videos and your other ones. Keep at it.

  • @xjuliussx
    @xjuliussx 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    great video documentary, so much need it from the lack of new well documented videos about ww2. This made honor to the documentaries from the 90's

  • @danepatterson8107
    @danepatterson8107 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    I enjoyed very much this two-part production. Well done. I'm a new subscriber!

  • @billthebold
    @billthebold 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Very enjoyable documentary, keep it up!

  • @dianeduffcroop8158
    @dianeduffcroop8158 ปีที่แล้ว

    Hey FTB!! I love your channel! Right up there with Mark Felton, Dark Docs etc. Thanks for all your hard work!

  • @ToddSauve
    @ToddSauve 3 ปีที่แล้ว +16

    I saw an interview with a tanker who was at Ortona. He said 1300 men were killed there, and it was _not_ worth the cost.
    The Russian army had representatives at Ortona to observe the Canadian and Allied offensive, because Stalin was apparently concerned that the Western Allies were not fighting hard enough. After the battle the Russians there apparently gave their approval of the offensive, and decided that there was plenty of hard fighting going on.

    • @bradjames6748
      @bradjames6748 3 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      They should have shown them how mark clark held the Canadian division outside of Rome so the us army could go around them and be the "liberators" of rome even though the Canadian corps did most of the heavy lifting, the Canadian soldiers thought it was funny being that ROME was supposed to be an open city

    • @ToddSauve
      @ToddSauve 3 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      @@bradjames6748 Some historians and mugs have nicknamed Mark Clarke as "Marcus Aurelius Clarcus"--the conqueror of Rome when it wasn't even defended. History has not and likely will not treat him kindly. More of a politician than a general. Patton called him a "skunk," and Patton had his unsavoury side, too.

  • @Peorhum
    @Peorhum 3 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    Should have added the casualty numbers of the 90th grenadiers listed too, as the Canadians were facing both of them.

  • @HeavyH2006
    @HeavyH2006 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Stumbled upon your channel and what a find! I truly great detailed description & insightful content. I’ve just subscribed. Big thank you!! I’ll be watching.

  • @crikey6981
    @crikey6981 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Great men, worthy of respect and gratitude.

  • @nickchambers2540
    @nickchambers2540 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    This was very well done! 🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦

  • @jean-rochdion4898
    @jean-rochdion4898 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Nice one... good job on that my friend! my fellow bro from the west pay the price big time on that one!!
    from Canadian Vet. R22R

    • @FromtheBattlefields
      @FromtheBattlefields  3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Thanks 👍

    • @rpm1796
      @rpm1796 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Vive le R22R toujours, 2 Patricia...Go Habs!🏒

    • @jean-rochdion4898
      @jean-rochdion4898 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@rpm1796 long life to the PPCLI!!
      I was in the 2R22R....funny!👊

  • @Sreng444
    @Sreng444 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    The reinforcements baptism of fire was a meatgrinder. Neither side seemed interested in taking prisoners.. thankyou for the great documentary.

    • @FromtheBattlefields
      @FromtheBattlefields  3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Thank you!

    • @alanmacification
      @alanmacification 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      My father and uncle were there, they were with The RCR in the Gully. And no, assault formations do not take prisoners. Neither the Canadians nor the Germans gave quarter.

  • @gordonhoran4373
    @gordonhoran4373 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    The Loyal eddies and the Seaforths were seriously under strength at the beginning of the battle. My Regiment, the Seaforth Highlander's had an effective strength of barely 600 all ranks going in. At the end of the action both regiments were so depleted that they were pulled out of the line for nearly 6 months to refit and rebuild. The Christmas dinner was not for headquarters but rather the whole regiment. Troops were pulled back to the church in small groups for a meal of pork turnips and potatoes with a bottle of beer and a candy bar. To this day we have a regimental dinner with this menu ,in the dark with officers serving. My family served in Ortona and I had the privilege of serving under many officers and NCOs who were there, and finally my Uncle, Glen Francis Horan, was awarded the Military Medal there. Was it worth it, hell was any of it worth it. And to all the armchair generals, Italy was a notably hard theatre to out flank enemies given its terrain and primitive roads. Strategically they thought they needed the port fast, remember wars are won with logistics and supply.

    • @FromtheBattlefields
      @FromtheBattlefields  3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      You are correct. Maybe I wasn't so clear when I described a Christmas dinner in this video.

    • @gordonhoran4373
      @gordonhoran4373 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      From the Battlefields. that's ok it's not that well documented. And at the time some section commanders felt it was too dangerous to disengage at the time

    • @nozecone
      @nozecone 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@FromtheBattlefields I got the general idea - but it was a little unclear.

    • @ferociousfil5747
      @ferociousfil5747 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@FromtheBattlefieldsthe beginning of your mention was unclear but at the end of the paragraph you mentioned small groups and returning to positions in town so I understood it as that. Still nice contribution from a current member of the regiment about the diner becoming a traditional mess diner.

    • @ferociousfil5747
      @ferociousfil5747 ปีที่แล้ว

      Cool tradition!

  • @tysoncomfort4244
    @tysoncomfort4244 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    My great grandfather fought there having earned himself a medal and promotion

  • @sean367
    @sean367 11 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Need to make this a movie 🎬

  • @DeeCeptor
    @DeeCeptor 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Ah I recognize all that footage, much of it from Library and Archives Canada. We used the same sources for making our Canadian-focussed WW2 strategy game Radio General, where the Battle of Ortona plays an important part of the campaign.

  • @fangslaughter1198
    @fangslaughter1198 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Judging from the lessons learned fighting in the cities of Italy We can thank the battle gods, for the fact that Russia was given the "privelage" of conquering Berlin.
    There are no battle scenarios that result in more casualties than House to house fighting in built up areas. The Russian force definitely had the most experience on this brutal battlefield!
    The Russian casualties have been reported as high as half a million in the battle for Berlin.

    • @simonkevnorris
      @simonkevnorris 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      The Soviets had the experience of Stalingrad behind them. Mind you I don't think they really cared about their losses.

  • @histhoryk2648
    @histhoryk2648 ปีที่แล้ว

    Nice video, are there any plans for Ancona in 1944?

    • @FromtheBattlefields
      @FromtheBattlefields  ปีที่แล้ว

      Thanks! I plan to make a few more videos about the campaign in Italy.

  • @laurencetilley9194
    @laurencetilley9194 ปีที่แล้ว

    Italy's Coast line contains the most rugged and beautiful scenery in the whole of Europe. In particular a road trip from Napoli, Pompii, Mount Vesuvius, to the 'Amalfi Coast' on the Mediterranean. No trip to Italy should exclude this most beautiful area.

  • @tomcatt1507
    @tomcatt1507 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    My grandfather Roland fought with the loyal Eddie's in ortona.

  • @FairladyS130
    @FairladyS130 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Canadian general : Let's attack down this long main street which has solid buildings on both sides. What could possibly go wrong?

    • @fangslaughter1198
      @fangslaughter1198 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      We can thank the battle gods, for the fact that Russia was given the "privelage" of the invasion of Berlin.
      There are no battle scenarios that result in more casualties than House to house fighting in built up areas.
      The Russian casualties have been reported as high as half a million in the battle for Berlin.

    • @comradekenobi6908
      @comradekenobi6908 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@fangslaughter1198 didn't the Germans have similar number of casualties?

  • @peteyspaletas2023
    @peteyspaletas2023 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Canada! 🇨🇦😮👍

  • @travellingjack8960
    @travellingjack8960 ปีที่แล้ว

    So the battle could've been avoided if they'd encircled Ortona ?

  • @simonromijn3655
    @simonromijn3655 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I can't help but see the Italian campaign after the surrender of Italy in Sep 43 as a pointless waste of lives and resources. Respect to the Canadian forces involved.

    • @casparcoaster1936
      @casparcoaster1936 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Russians appreciated it!!

    • @alanmacification
      @alanmacification 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      The Germans forces in Italy, including an entire Luftwaffe air army, were drawn from the Russian Front.

    • @rpm1796
      @rpm1796 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Nix.
      Rommel wanted to give up Italy...But, you can't.
      In June, 44'...close to 400,000 German troops, and a full Lutftflotte, No 2, were tied down on the boot....plus think of the proximity to the Alps that need to be covered.
      To abandon Italy would have resulted in seeing at the very least, the elite Herman Goring Pz Korps, who was scheduled to go to Normandy in May,44', stopped by the Anzio landings, and the 1st FJ Paras show up at Caen?...not good.
      The big question is... even at the final surrender in May, 45'...there were still over 350,000 troops left in Norway?

    • @simonromijn3655
      @simonromijn3655 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@rpm1796 I agree that the Italian campaign drew in considerable forces. A good proportion of these forces however could have been drawn into the occupation of Italy had the Allies held defensible line north of Naples and threatened landings further north.

    • @rpm1796
      @rpm1796 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@simonromijn3655
      With respect...Aye, I hear you....but...
      This is the turning point of the war... you can never sit back...It's an all-out grinding bluudy offensive designed to tie down, annihilate and degrade as much infrastructure as possible and have your enemy expend as much of a dwindling manpower reserve as possible.
      That will only occur with maximum effort.

  • @Patrick_Cooper
    @Patrick_Cooper 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    This is the best "Robo" voice I have heard, but I still hate it... How can I tell. Listen to him say AM as in morning time, and the way he ends some sentences... LIfeless and no soul.

    • @FromtheBattlefields
      @FromtheBattlefields  3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Is it really so hard to listen? At this moment it is the best I can do.

    • @Patrick_Cooper
      @Patrick_Cooper 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@FromtheBattlefields No, but I do like your videos, and at least the voice you use sounds almost human..

    • @donaldsanver4744
      @donaldsanver4744 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@FromtheBattlefields It’s totally fine no issues.

    • @fangslaughter1198
      @fangslaughter1198 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@FromtheBattlefields it's ok.
      Keep up the good work

    • @alphalunamare
      @alphalunamare 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I had a pop at the bot in a previous video. Now that I understand its nature I am relaxed about it. Do any of us know anyone without an idiosyncrasy? This bot has a few funny words but also some bloody good videos :-)

  • @cgaccount3669
    @cgaccount3669 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    In the end though the Canadians faired far better than the troops attacking Stalingrad.

  • @gerryjenner7375
    @gerryjenner7375 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Loyal Eddie’s rule.

  • @McBurnside6380
    @McBurnside6380 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    As soon as I saw that mustache, I knew that general would have a nickname like "the butcher".

  • @dohope4554
    @dohope4554 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    FORTUNE FAVOURS THE BOLD
    🇨🇦 🍁 🇨🇦 🍁 🇨🇦 🍁 🇨🇦

  • @alphalunamare
    @alphalunamare 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    One has to admire The Canadian's, they must be bloody pissed at The British however! Senseless slaughter for what? They may as well have bombed Ortona in the first place and hence have saved many lives. A question though ... why didn't they advance along the right flank instead of bulldozing through the town?

    • @Idcanymore510
      @Idcanymore510 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      'Brilliant' generalship from C-in-C Vokes!

    • @barthoving2053
      @barthoving2053 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Probably too much in the open. Mortars and machine gun fire from the town and artillery fire from further out called in from the town would probably rip anyone moving there to shreds. Advancing through the town might actually be safer once it already was entered, then pull out and trying to flank. From this video you might get the idea that outside the town there was not any fighting, but of course that's not the case.
      The battle also clearly shows the Canadians had to work with limited resources. Seems not enough artillery or airsupport at standby to pull out and level the town and move back in again. And no big armored reserve force to make the dash around. Think there was an actual shortage of M3 armored halftracks and the Kangeroo concept was not really developed yet. Would not be the last time Canadians forces had to fight with minimum resource needed to achieve its objective and little support from the British High command while doing it. The drive along the Atlantic coast cumulating into the Battle of the Scheldt comes to mind.

    • @rpm1796
      @rpm1796 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@Idcanymore510
      Monty, in his diaries, referred to Vokes as a good, short-order cook.

    • @rpm1796
      @rpm1796 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Read Mark Zuehlke's 'Ortona'.
      If you look at the map, and in hindsight...the Canadians didn't even have to go for Ortona....but could have swung around left and onto the main route and cut off the whole town at the coast from behind.
      I haven't been there.....but the conditions were described as a brutal quagmire, in the worst of winter conditions.
      The problem arose when the Canadian engineers tried but failed to achieve
      a crossing on the upper left flank of the Moro River forcing the Inf. Bde's to then having to butt head-long straight in on a very narrow sloped front, against a quite experienced 90th Pz Gr. Div.
      The irony is that when the 10th Indian Div came in and took over the left...
      they got that bridge over.

    • @rpm1796
      @rpm1796 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Save it.
      It wasn't the British...this assignment was strictly a Canadian Corps operation, under, and with 8th Army support.

  • @yarpenzirgin1826
    @yarpenzirgin1826 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    With all due respect for the bravery of Canadian soldiers, it does not compare to Stalingrad in any perspective. Numbers, duration, casualties, civilian deaths. It may give a smudge of impression of what Russians went through in 6 months of urban fighting.

    • @FromtheBattlefields
      @FromtheBattlefields  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Comparison is not mine. In literature, this battle is often called little Stalingrad or Italian Stalingrad.

  • @xtbum3339
    @xtbum3339 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    While the Canadians were going through hell at Ortona, what were the larger number of British forces to the south doing? WTF

  • @red55chief
    @red55chief 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Hate the Robo-voice! Mispronunciation, inappropriate intonation, lack of inflection…makes a good topic painful to see.

  • @Pugiron
    @Pugiron 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Not only can the narrator not understand military terminology, he can't speak English. Is this a text-to-mumble bot?