I just want to say Kevin, you truly are a treasure. Your stories, experiences, insights, and wisdom are worth more to us than gold, more than clean water, especially now. I wish you good health and blessings.
The smoke grenades remind me of a story from Armor Officer Basic course. The instructors loved to throw tear gas grenades at us during lunch whenever we were in the field to catch us off guard. Most of my class however was OCS (officer candidate school) grads and therefore prior enlisted soldiers and we were well trained with our masks and chemical procedures, the poor ROTC guys were not so much and would often panic and take in a decent amount of gas. At any rate, one of our guys would always keep one of his nomex gloves on during lunch and we all teased him about it, until the day the cadre threw a CS grenade and he casually walked over to it, picked it up and threw it back at them. It proceeded to roll under their vehicle and fill it with gas. The only thing we felt bad about was the poor duty driver, just some PVT on detail because they were not issued masks for this job. There were a lot less lunches ruined by gas attack after that incident.
Kev I hope you painted a small tank and a helicopter on the side of your Land Rover ;) Laughed out loud several times thanks for brightening a wet Friday!
Cheers from the States! I love personal military stories. The antics, humor, and sarcasm go hand in hand with service members. No matter the country or time period. I served in the US Marines fifteen years ago, and it's the same. Thanks for the stories!
You are a great storyteller. I'm a 20-year veteran of the US Army. It was fun hearing about your training exercise with the military humor from a British perspective. Love Army humor | The Only Way to Survive 🙂
My dear late dad served in the RAF in the 50's in West Germany, working on radar, the tales he told us (who knows if they were genuine!😂) about getting into drunken scraps with American soldiers made us laugh, especially if you knew him. But he was a young man at the time, too much beer, so it brings a smile to my face.
Hi Kevin, i always watch your videos with my dad, he doesn't speak English so I always translate what you say to him (we live in Brazil), i introduced him to the study of history, and now he's a big fan of you. Our house was flooded yesterday due to a massive flood that practically took over the entire city and submerged houses completely, I am at a relative's house and he's with my grandparents, watching you comforts me like i was home, i hope that as soon as the water is gone and we get our house back we can watch your videos together again. Great video as always ❤
Great comment. Sending greetings to you and your dad from England. Kevin is great right ? Although I'm from the UK I studied in italy and made friends with a Brazilian guy from resende. One day I will visit your beautiful country... really sorry to hear about the flood. I sincerely hope you and your dad get things sorted out... keep us updated . Best wishes friend ...
@augustorrosa Yes, I saw the flood on the news yesterday and am so sorry you got caught up in it. I wish you well and hope you can get back to normal soon. Please send your Dad my best wishes too.
@@TheRuralpoet You are so kind my friend, thank you so much. When you come here we will welcome you with open arms, a wide smile and hospitality. My country is not in the best conditions in the last year's, as you may know, a coup attempt, a lot of political instability, recovering from an economic crisis, etc. So please forgive me if any Brazilian be rude to you someday, a lot of people are desperate and end up taking it out on innocent people, but don't need to be scared, people who will be rude will always be a minority. Greetings from Brazil
Here we go!!! Cold War One!!! I was with The Royal Canadian Regiment. Baden Soellingen. Loved the German Posting. I was never to Berlin. My German friends said. “If you haven’t been to Berlin. Then you haven’t been to Germany!” Those scissor bridges are amazing. It seems to break the laws of gravity when they are stretched out in the air attached to the delivery vehicle. !! I should mention that they lay out flat when deployed a over obstacles like trenches or creeks. I was surprised and confused when you said they were laying over barricades!!! Back to the show 😅
I served in Berlin from 1975 to 1980, so I traveled down the "corridor" many times. Sometimes there were occurrences along the way, which we had to report when we reached the allied checkpoint. The Soviet sentries used to make a bit of extra cash selling badges and caps. The old checkpoint hut was demolished in about 1976 when the Autobahn was widened and a new modern building was erected on the side of the road, (now the German customs post). I still remember catching the MPs sleeping when I turned up in the middle of the night. In 1982 I was posted to a unit not far from Helmstedt and used to visit the ACD when showing visitors the border. The MPs used to often drop in our guardroom for a cup of tea when in the vicinity, or on their way to Wolfenbüttel to pick up the mail.
Kevin , just wanted to say Thank You for your service as one of USA allies and Thank You for the Great vids you and your family produce , my grandkids and I always watch you vids together every other week when they come to visit so please keep making your wonderful vids. God Bless Kyle
I love history from an individual's perspective. I took care of a nurse who was 102 who married an Englishman. He could vote in the US but she could not. She was a nurse during, "The Spanish Flu." She was slightly perturbed and amused that her husband could vote but she could not..Your stories are so interesting!
@@thehistorysquad She was very stoic when it came to that part of her life but she did mention that she was working non -stop and she ended up with pneumonia and was very sick.
Your account takes me back to the mid 1970's when I was with 113 Pro Coy in Munster... I actually went over to Berlin on one occasion in 1976 and remember Alpha at Helmstedt and going along the corridor. Thank you for reminding me of happier times, Kev.
I have nothing to do with the military, I'm not even British or American, but your stories and experiences are such a joy to listen to. What an absolute treasure.
We (or at least I) loved these stories. Hope you make another video about Checkpoint Alpha. The stories made me think about my days in the Norwegian Navy. Best years of my life 🙂.
I love hearing your tales from your service. It's great seeing an in-depth and human perspective from such a pivotal moment in our history. We're likely to overlook this topic until all the vets from that era are gone. Please make more videos of your everyday life while serving. They're quite the spectacle and above all else, very entertaining! Thank you for being one of the few.
Here's a link to my personal stories playlist if you're interested in hearing some more 👍🏻 th-cam.com/play/PLZ5bkawra-DgKjZJtINlR5Ugc0udjVfrV.html&si=WokCXIZVCdNZYKyp
Thanks for the stories Kevin. I was stationed at Spangdahlem AB from 1978 to 1981, of course not near the Berlin Wall, but we did have to be ready to defend the base. Soldiers and airmen to have lots of tomfoolery stories to be told, and I am remembering my own. I did really like Germany, thank you for your service. Cheers from Texas.
My son is returning home to the U.S. from Spangdahlem in the morning after 3 years away. He’s had a good bit of fun, it’s easier times for the Airmen now except maybe that they are wanted less by the locals than before, but he’s ready to be back in the states for a while and I’m ready for him to be back. Thank you for your service.
Been racing since the ‘90s and I, along w/fellow racers in the SoCal area, used to run driving courses for the CHP. They had their own training track off the I-5. It was hilarious to train cops in these huge Detroit boats loaded with thousands of pounds of gear. They felt more like powerboats than care. They were always most excited about learning the J-Turns, which was fairly easy in those cars. But teaching them how to maintain pace in cars of that size, which were generally underpowered for their weight, was a lot harder and many vehicles got smashed in the process, a number completely totaled. US Cops, are generally overly macho and a bit arrogant. “I’m already fast. No little racing driver has anything to teach me” was a common, but unspoken attitude. So, in order to get them to actually listen and respect the process, you had to show them how much faster you were than them. We usually did this by either scaring the sh*t out of them in a ride along or if that didn’t work, we’d put them alone in a car behind us and tell them to keep up. Often we could end up lapping them within 5 laps (the circuit was fairly short). Humbled, the learning could begin. Not always smoothly, dozens of cars were totaled.
Hi, Kevin! Good stories! Once I lost my 4 years old daughter in a McDonald's restaurant crammed full of people. We were going with her from a counter to our table, I turned around and didn't see my child. Only lots and lots of people. That was panic! I found her in 20 seconds among the crowd. She was standing silently watching something. We sat at our table and I couldn't eat anything. My hands still were trembling. And daughter was jast smiling, eating away her hamburger. Served in army too. 21 years. Started in 1988.
Sincere congratulations Kevin for your devotion to History, please keep on helping us to understand the follies and heroism of warriors of all times. May God blessed you for your compasionate service.
Enjoyed hearing more of your time in the Royal Army Military Police Corps. I used to enjoy my Dad's Army stories from WW2. My Coast Guard Maritime Security & Investigation stories are too boring for the general public... and probably for some Coasties too😆
I was fortunate (and honored) to serve under President Reagan as a Senior NCO in the US Army, stationed in the occupied city of West Berlin from 1981 to 1984. The Cold War was at its peak then, mostly as a clear confrontation between NATO (commercial west) and the Warsaw Pact (communist east). President Reagan made his first official visit to West Berlin in June of 1982 and spoke initially to those of us in the Allied military forces stationed there. This was long before his famous ‘Wall’ speech. Membership in NATO was formed from western allies voluntarily; France was excluded because they chose not to join at that time. Membership in Warsaw Pact was formed, and enforced by Soviet forces, in countries they invaded during World War II. Any country that tried to leave the Warsaw Pact because of freedom movements (East Germany (DDR) / Hungary / Czechoslovakia) faced violent suppression by the Soviet forces. The members of the Warsaw Pact were not the comrades as the PR often claim. It appeared similar events would happen in Poland during the 1980’s. We were able to see the evils of communism everyday in the DDR. Oftentimes in areas just across the street or closer. Escape attempts and bloody retribution were pretty common occurrences with blatant and often loud results. Everyone on that side suffered in some form or other from food shortages to constant brutality. I was attached to the Military Intelligence (MI) Detachment as an interrogator tasked with interviewing defectors (Border Guard / Military) and refugees (civilians) from all of the various Pact countries. They were fleeing similar oppression with many vivid stories of their own. We had an almost constant flow during my time there. We were especially concerned about events in Poland as the Solidarity Union disturbances were watched closely by the Soviet seniors. During one of my 1983 interviews with a Polish officer who had defected; I asked him what would happen if the Pact forces invaded Poland to suppress the activities… … would the Polish military fight or not. His answer was both humorous and cynical. He said: “Your question presents a very serious issue for Polish soldiers to answer; do we do our duty to the people and country by shooting Russians? Or do we enjoy ourselves by shooting Germans? No more invasions.” We were pretty certain something was coming soon by that time; just not sure if we would become radioactive dust or the Soviet Union would collapse. I am surprised it took until 1989 for the Wall to actually come down and it looks like modern day rioters are trying to put it back up. Regards
I love these stories you give us from time to time! I watched the one when you were a police officer and that was a good watch, that shovel baseball hitting that smoke grenade story is insane!!! wow!
That reminds me seeing the tank bridge being launched on an exercise. As the bridge is at the apex I'm realising that the launching must be visible from at least five kilometres away. On the next occasion we could see it with entire base being in between. If there was a war I wouldn't want to be anywhere near the bridge launch, it's bound to be a an artillery magnet.
20 years Navy Aircrewman and Rescue Swimmer, wife sat in our Aircrew Shack listening to the way we spoke to and about each other. Whenever she and I left the Squadron she said she could not BELIEVE how we talked to each other! When I said what are you talking about she told me how we spoke about each other, our families, about people in general which normally would be considered VERY insulting. I told her that it was common for "guys" to say those things because if someone wasn't "pinging" on you that meant they didn't Like you! If you were being picked on you were expected to give it back as good as you got it! Im sure Kevin will say this as well, those were some of the BEST days of my life and I made life long friends. Not to mention we considered each other Family and would go out of our way for each other. I'm 61 now and if one of my Brothers/Sisters from the service needed me, I would be there as quick as possible.... Love your stuff Kevin, keep it going Brother.... E. H. McKinsey AW1 (AW/SAR) USN Ret....
Loved it, as usual. I'm sure everybody who have served, whatever nation, have their stories. I severd in RNoN in 1988/89. According to our regulation, you never salute anyone on bikes, you just nod(The old term was "Wheel Dragoons"). As a recruit, I was in my own thoughts, and did not see one of the instructors, so I didn't salute. So the inevitable "That man there!", came.So I said the first thing that came to mind: "Sorry, PO, I didn't see you. I shall salute twice the next time I see you"....
Mr.hicks I have to tell you these are my favorite videos for me and my son to watch . He’s turning 6 and just now into history ( specifically war weapons things like that ) and the story of your time with seeing the new tank of the soviets and these are my personal favorite ways to learn …. Listen to personal story’s of men who were there
Haha, great stories Kevin, it reminded me of my time in the TA in the late 60's when, if I did something wrong, the sgt. would scream at me "If you do that on the battlefield some hairy arse Russian will kill you!". It scarred me for life. I now can't look at Russian, male or female, without thinking you have a hairy arse.
Great video. The only stuff my grandfather ever shared with me about his time serving in the war, was the tricks he and squaddies would get up to, yoir video reminded me of the best ever man in my life, thanks mate 👍🏴❤
Yippee another good Friday as you have uploaded and made a miserable day happier. Thanks Kevin and Co for the happiness and life stories. Be safe mate and keep them coming 👍
This should be a "Carry on " script it is so witty and funny, Kevin I thank you for REAL entertainment and the fact that it is probably true (my brother was a soldier and equally silly) is all the funnier, please keep up the great work,. Dummy Salute!
Hallo Kevin! Do you still remember some German from that time? Your pronunciation is on point 👌🏻 Spoke to some British guys who served in Germany in the 1970s & most remembered one phrase best "Bitte ein Bier!" 😁
I served in the German Army Aviation Corps in the early 2000s. During basic training we were assigned to the edge of a forest to observe and report everything. We didn't get a briefing, just keep your eyes open. In front of us meadows and sparse forests. I was on the extreme left flank. Suddenly I saw individual soldiers advancing towards our position from diagonally to the left. They advanced, threw themselves behind small trees, advanced again, etc. No non-commissioned officers or officers were present anymore. I opened fire with blanks and shouted to my platoon that we have enemy contact. And the show started. We kept going. Suddenly a Marder armored personnel carrier came from the left and drove right next to us. I screamed TANK! All hell broke loose. We didn't have a bazooka with us, just assault rifles. In this chaos of our defensive campaign, the non-commissioned officers suddenly appeared again with their eyes wide open, totally perplexed. It turned out that a Panzergrenadier troop was also on the training ground and they ran right into us with their exercise. I thought it was part of the scenario and then it took on a life of its own. While we were in the field camp, we heard gunshots in the morning while we were still sleeping in the tents. We raised the alarm, prepared for action, took up positions and fired. Just as the battle was over, a reserve sergeant came up to my platoon and asked us where our instructor was. We had no idea. He found him still asleep in his tent and was shouted at. When the instructor came to us, he asked us why no one woke him up. He was pissed as fuck. Even the screaming and the fighting didn't wake him. In another exercise, I was assigned to be the first in a defensive exercise and was supposed to hide under bushes and sound the alarm if someone was marching toward us along a forest path. When suddenly a group came directly towards me, I waited a while so as not to give away my position too early and fired. The enemy squad then spread out and one of them threw himself right into my position, looked at me palely and said we were under attack, until he realized that I wasn't part of his team and took him prisoner, which he was very pissed off about because he has failed. To my right was a small bridge where two soldiers kept appearing and firing and I shot at them. In the end it turned out that they were part of my team and I didn't notice because I didn't see them during the division and they didn't had enemy marker armbands. There was also friendly fire. These “war stories” are worth their weight in gold.
Outstanding stories once again. I was just retelling the story you had told about being the first allied soldier to see the AK74. Gained you a few more viewers right there. Cheers Kevin
My Uncle who was stationed in Germany in the early to mid 60s, was terrified of German spiders, he did not care for American spiders, but German ones really terrified him.
On our morning runs the were always HUGE spiderwebs glistening with dew and always a huge wolf spider in the centre. Hanging in the way Every one put their faces though one sooner or later 😮
Kevin, thanks yet again, i do have a chuckle with your stories, love the one of the baby and the sledge, and every Parent has had that "feeling" when they have miss placed their favorite child, well i have!
Priceless, I don't recall any fun times in West Germany during the Cold War. But my father had a few stories when he was in the Naval Reserved. On one occasion he was on watch in the wheelhouse, Officer in Charge holler down at him from the bridge," Mind the rudder sailor". That morning the Navigator to my father into the map room and show him that the ship had went off course then came back on course. Another time my father was on watch in the engine room. There is the ships emergency helm if something should every happen to the bridge and wheelhouse. After a while my father started to get sleepy, so he got comfortable and took a snooze nap. Off when the alarm, "You got it" shouting from the bridge, my father half asleep struggle to catch the wheel. During my father retirement he took up painting as a hobby. He did a couple paintings of himself and his brother. Uncle Loyd is seen smiling while my father has a serious look on his face and wonder why. Until remember that as a sailor he had let up a cigarette and put the wrong end in his mouth. Someone had taken that photo right after that. And that is the photo my father chose to do his self portrait.
I am led to believe that Sigint officers on US ships are assigned a Marine with that grim duty, should the ship be captured. But that was definitely a heckuva prank, Kevin. :D
Code Talkers in the Pacific were assigned a ''Cowboy'' [usually a Sgt w/ a Thompson] to make sure the Navajos weren't caught and tortured by the Japanese.
You are one helluva raconteur, Cpl. Hicks! I think my favorite videos are the ones where you tell stories about your time in Berlin and Cyprus. I also couldn't help but notice that on your hoodie (sweatshirt), the end knot of one of the drawstrings was right over the photo of you making it look like you had a red clown nose while giving the 2 finger salute. An all around great video!!!
You could upload nothing but your own personal stories from now on and I’d still watch every single video! They’re all so captivating, especially with such a gifted storyteller.
These personal experience videos are my favorite. I would have loved to been beside you during the Berlin exercise. That sounds like an awesome experience. Reminds me of the exercise we had on Okinawa while I was stationed there. Seabees against the Marines. HAHAHAHA We made short work of those puffed-up jar heads.
Greetings once again from Nova Scotia, thanks for another very entertaining video. I love your stories, and the gleam of mischief in your eyes, as you tell them, I am sure that if he was still with us, my old dad would get on great with you, with over 50 years cooking on ships, he had a story for any occasion. Thanks once again, for another top shelf video, be safe, and as always best regards Arthur
My Grandfather was a Royal Navy cook... Special breed no doubt, as a grandkid it was heaven, endless stories and huge roast dinners with big bowls of custard to follow. Best wishes from the UK
12:17 In addition to what has been mentioned, I must point some things out both for completeness and to show respect for the deceased. During the military liaison missions you refer to, there were not only some near-catastrophies but two actual catastrophic incidents resulting in the death of individuals on such missions. The military liaison missions ostensibly served as a means of coordination between the British, French, and American occupying forces on one side, versus the Soviet forces in East Germany on the other side. In addition to their primary role, these missions dispatched by all parties played an important role in verifying that no offensive action was being prepared. The missions had a secondary responsibility for intelligence gathering, sometimes achieving tremendous successes. For example, in one case, members of a UK liaison mission recovered an Eastern Bloc unexploded bomb and, with almost insane courage, smuggled it to the Western side for analysis. On another occasion, liaison mission members were able to unbolt a portion of the explosive reactive armor from a T-80 tank that was not properly guarded and take the stolen component back with them. The Eastern Bloc troops posted in the area understood immediately that if their mistake became known, they would be punished by execution. They therefore colluded with some of their superiors in order to cover up what had happened. In 1984, French Mission officer Philippe Mariotti was killed in a ramming incident involving East German personnel. The following year, a poorly trained Soviet sentry unexpectedly encountered Major Arthur Nicholson of the US Army, a fully authorized liaison mission member. In great agitation, the sentry contacted his officer and blurted out in Russian, "There's a mission here!" The officer intended for the sentry to order the unknown person to leave but said only "You know what to do!" Misinterpreting the officer's meaning and believing he was in danger, the sentry fatally shot Nicholson. The Soviets initially tried to claim that Nicholson and his party were in the wrong, but in 1988 they reversed their position, with Defense Minister Yazov personally apologizing for the incident.
I really love hearing your stories of Berlin. I lived there with my father and our family in the early 70's. One of the jobs my father had was driving around the Berlin wall checking that things and would tell us the things he saw. I loved our posting to Berlin.
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A good day: When Kevin says things
Moin from germany my british Freund,allways enjoing your Channel ❤
😂
I just want to say Kevin, you truly are a treasure. Your stories, experiences, insights, and wisdom are worth more to us than gold, more than clean water, especially now.
I wish you good health and blessings.
How lovely, thank you!
There is no better way to begin a Friday than a Kevin video
Proven and agreed
And of course, somebody made a model
He makes history fun.
Agreed!
Absolutely agreed! ❤
The smoke grenades remind me of a story from Armor Officer Basic course. The instructors loved to throw tear gas grenades at us during lunch whenever we were in the field to catch us off guard. Most of my class however was OCS (officer candidate school) grads and therefore prior enlisted soldiers and we were well trained with our masks and chemical procedures, the poor ROTC guys were not so much and would often panic and take in a decent amount of gas. At any rate, one of our guys would always keep one of his nomex gloves on during lunch and we all teased him about it, until the day the cadre threw a CS grenade and he casually walked over to it, picked it up and threw it back at them. It proceeded to roll under their vehicle and fill it with gas. The only thing we felt bad about was the poor duty driver, just some PVT on detail because they were not issued masks for this job. There were a lot less lunches ruined by gas attack after that incident.
Well done. I went through the Armor Officer Basic Course in 1968. (ROTC Grad)
I watched the rest of the video. I had to subscribe.
@@neiljohnson6815 I was 1998 You on M60s?
😂 good one
Kev I hope you painted a small tank and a helicopter on the side of your Land Rover ;)
Laughed out loud several times thanks for brightening a wet Friday!
😂 my pleasure
You must be the best storyteller i've ever seen, Kevin!
A 10 minute of your stories goes like 1 minute!
😜 thanks for listening
Cheers from the States! I love personal military stories. The antics, humor, and sarcasm go hand in hand with service members. No matter the country or time period. I served in the US Marines fifteen years ago, and it's the same. Thanks for the stories!
You are a great storyteller. I'm a 20-year veteran of the US Army. It was fun hearing about your training exercise with the military humor from a British perspective. Love Army humor | The Only Way to Survive 🙂
Love the soldier stories. Could listen for days.
Same here, they're excellent 👍
No matter the country a good Army story is a good Army story
My dear late dad served in the RAF in the 50's in West Germany, working on radar, the tales he told us (who knows if they were genuine!😂) about getting into drunken scraps with American soldiers made us laugh, especially if you knew him. But he was a young man at the time, too much beer, so it brings a smile to my face.
Hi Kevin, i always watch your videos with my dad, he doesn't speak English so I always translate what you say to him (we live in Brazil), i introduced him to the study of history, and now he's a big fan of you. Our house was flooded yesterday due to a massive flood that practically took over the entire city and submerged houses completely, I am at a relative's house and he's with my grandparents, watching you comforts me like i was home, i hope that as soon as the water is gone and we get our house back we can watch your videos together again. Great video as always ❤
Great comment. Sending greetings to you and your dad from England. Kevin is great right ? Although I'm from the UK I studied in italy and made friends with a Brazilian guy from resende. One day I will visit your beautiful country... really sorry to hear about the flood. I sincerely hope you and your dad get things sorted out... keep us updated . Best wishes friend ...
@TheRuralpoet that's very kind of you.
@augustorrosa Yes, I saw the flood on the news yesterday and am so sorry you got caught up in it. I wish you well and hope you can get back to normal soon. Please send your Dad my best wishes too.
@@TheRuralpoet You are so kind my friend, thank you so much. When you come here we will welcome you with open arms, a wide smile and hospitality. My country is not in the best conditions in the last year's, as you may know, a coup attempt, a lot of political instability, recovering from an economic crisis, etc. So please forgive me if any Brazilian be rude to you someday, a lot of people are desperate and end up taking it out on innocent people, but don't need to be scared, people who will be rude will always be a minority. Greetings from Brazil
@@thehistorysquad Thank you very very much Kevin, and yes, I will send it to him, he will be as happy as I am to know that you sent us this answer.
Here we go!!!
Cold War One!!!
I was with The Royal Canadian Regiment. Baden Soellingen.
Loved the German Posting.
I was never to Berlin.
My German friends said.
“If you haven’t been to Berlin.
Then you haven’t been to Germany!”
Those scissor bridges are amazing. It seems to break the laws of gravity when they are stretched out in the air attached to the delivery vehicle. !!
I should mention that they lay out flat when deployed a over obstacles like trenches or creeks. I was surprised and confused when you said they were laying over barricades!!!
Back to the show 😅
Yes I was confused too
I can just imagine the soul leaving that man's body as you announce your "orders"
I served in Berlin from 1975 to 1980, so I traveled down the "corridor" many times. Sometimes there were occurrences along the way, which we had to report when we reached the allied checkpoint. The Soviet sentries used to make a bit of extra cash selling badges and caps. The old checkpoint hut was demolished in about 1976 when the Autobahn was widened and a new modern building was erected on the side of the road, (now the German customs post). I still remember catching the MPs sleeping when I turned up in the middle of the night. In 1982 I was posted to a unit not far from Helmstedt and used to visit the ACD when showing visitors the border. The MPs used to often drop in our guardroom for a cup of tea when in the vicinity, or on their way to Wolfenbüttel to pick up the mail.
If Kevin had been one of my teachers I wouldn't have dropped out in the 3rd grade. "The More You Know" 👍😂
Kevin , just wanted to say Thank You for your service as one of USA allies and Thank You for the Great vids you and your family produce , my grandkids and I always watch you vids together every other week when they come to visit so please keep making your wonderful vids.
God Bless
Kyle
Thanks very much Kyle, I will do my best 👍
I love history from an individual's perspective. I took care of a nurse who was 102 who married an Englishman. He could vote in the US but she could not. She was a nurse during, "The Spanish Flu." She was slightly perturbed and amused that her husband could vote but she could not..Your stories are so interesting!
Gosh she must have seen some sadness during that epidemic. 👍
@@thehistorysquad She was very stoic when it came to that part of her life but she did mention that she was working non -stop and she ended up with pneumonia and was very sick.
16:23 so correct Corporal, it was always great to have CO or SNCO with a sense of humor. Hand salute from one USMC Corporal to another!
😂 cheers!
Your account takes me back to the mid 1970's when I was with 113 Pro Coy in Munster... I actually went over to Berlin on one occasion in 1976 and remember Alpha at Helmstedt and going along the corridor. Thank you for reminding me of happier times, Kev.
A pleasure 👍🏻
I have nothing to do with the military, I'm not even British or American, but your stories and experiences are such a joy to listen to. What an absolute treasure.
We (or at least I) loved these stories. Hope you make another video about Checkpoint Alpha. The stories made me think about my days in the Norwegian Navy. Best years of my life 🙂.
Thanks very much! Here's one you might like th-cam.com/video/sgHBDusw0DA/w-d-xo.html
I love hearing your tales from your service. It's great seeing an in-depth and human perspective from such a pivotal moment in our history. We're likely to overlook this topic until all the vets from that era are gone. Please make more videos of your everyday life while serving. They're quite the spectacle and above all else, very entertaining! Thank you for being one of the few.
Here's a link to my personal stories playlist if you're interested in hearing some more 👍🏻
th-cam.com/play/PLZ5bkawra-DgKjZJtINlR5Ugc0udjVfrV.html&si=WokCXIZVCdNZYKyp
Some people just have a great way of creating videos and telling a story. You are one of those people.
Thani you for keeping the FREE world FREE..Love ya Mate..A yank from the states!!!!
I love your videos i showed your channel to my history teacher now we watch you almost every lesson
Kevin is the best teacher.
@P.ower600 wow, that's lovely, thanks for sharing & say hello to your class & teacher from me 👍🏻
Thanks for the stories Kevin. I was stationed at Spangdahlem AB from 1978 to 1981, of course not near the Berlin Wall, but we did have to be ready to defend the base. Soldiers and airmen to have lots of tomfoolery stories to be told, and I am remembering my own. I did really like Germany, thank you for your service. Cheers from Texas.
That's for sure 👍🏻
My son is returning home to the U.S. from Spangdahlem in the morning after 3 years away. He’s had a good bit of fun, it’s easier times for the Airmen now except maybe that they are wanted less by the locals than before, but he’s ready to be back in the states for a while and I’m ready for him to be back.
Thank you for your service.
@@Boudicca527 Thanks to your son for his service as well. God Bless.
Been racing since the ‘90s and I, along w/fellow racers in the SoCal area, used to run driving courses for the CHP. They had their own training track off the I-5. It was hilarious to train cops in these huge Detroit boats loaded with thousands of pounds of gear. They felt more like powerboats than care. They were always most excited about learning the J-Turns, which was fairly easy in those cars. But teaching them how to maintain pace in cars of that size, which were generally underpowered for their weight, was a lot harder and many vehicles got smashed in the process, a number completely totaled. US Cops, are generally overly macho and a bit arrogant. “I’m already fast. No little racing driver has anything to teach me” was a common, but unspoken attitude. So, in order to get them to actually listen and respect the process, you had to show them how much faster you were than them. We usually did this by either scaring the sh*t out of them in a ride along or if that didn’t work, we’d put them alone in a car behind us and tell them to keep up. Often we could end up lapping them within 5 laps (the circuit was fairly short). Humbled, the learning could begin. Not always smoothly, dozens of cars were totaled.
😜 thanks for sharing
Brilliant Kevin.
"But then it escalated..." Always a good sign in one of your stories - Cheers Mr Hicks 😊
Great stories. Glad you found the toddler.
Kevin you have given me a right old chuckle.😂
Ohh YES!!
A new Film from the BEST CREATOR ON TH-cam!!!!
Hi, Kevin!
Good stories!
Once I lost my 4 years old daughter in a McDonald's restaurant crammed full of people. We were going with her from a counter to our table, I turned around and didn't see my child. Only lots and lots of people. That was panic! I found her in 20 seconds among the crowd. She was standing silently watching something. We sat at our table and I couldn't eat anything. My hands still were trembling. And daughter was jast smiling, eating away her hamburger.
Served in army too. 21 years. Started in 1988.
😜 that was a close call
Sincere congratulations Kevin for your devotion to History, please keep on helping us to understand the follies and heroism of warriors of all times. May God blessed you for your compasionate service.
This is the best history channel on TH-cam! Thanks Kevin for all your efforts in making these very informative videos!!
You're very welcome, thanks for watching 👍🏻
Enjoyed hearing more of your time in the Royal Army Military Police Corps. I used to enjoy my Dad's Army stories from WW2. My Coast Guard Maritime Security & Investigation stories are too boring for the general public... and probably for some Coasties too😆
😂 glad you enjoyed them.
I was fortunate (and honored) to serve under President Reagan as a Senior NCO in the US Army, stationed in the occupied city of West Berlin from 1981 to 1984. The Cold War was at its peak then, mostly as a clear confrontation between NATO (commercial west) and the Warsaw Pact (communist east). President Reagan made his first official visit to West Berlin in June of 1982 and spoke initially to those of us in the Allied military forces stationed there. This was long before his famous ‘Wall’ speech.
Membership in NATO was formed from western allies voluntarily; France was excluded because they chose not to join at that time. Membership in Warsaw Pact was formed, and enforced by Soviet forces, in countries they invaded during World War II. Any country that tried to leave the Warsaw Pact because of freedom movements (East Germany (DDR) / Hungary / Czechoslovakia) faced violent suppression by the Soviet forces. The members of the Warsaw Pact were not the comrades as the PR often claim. It appeared similar events would happen in Poland during the 1980’s.
We were able to see the evils of communism everyday in the DDR. Oftentimes in areas just across the street or closer. Escape attempts and bloody retribution were pretty common occurrences with blatant and often loud results. Everyone on that side suffered in some form or other from food shortages to constant brutality.
I was attached to the Military Intelligence (MI) Detachment as an interrogator tasked with interviewing defectors (Border Guard / Military) and refugees (civilians) from all of the various Pact countries. They were fleeing similar oppression with many vivid stories of their own. We had an almost constant flow during my time there.
We were especially concerned about events in Poland as the Solidarity Union disturbances were watched closely by the Soviet seniors. During one of my 1983 interviews with a Polish officer who had defected; I asked him what would happen if the Pact forces invaded Poland to suppress the activities… … would the Polish military fight or not. His answer was both humorous and cynical. He said:
“Your question presents a very serious issue for Polish soldiers to answer; do we do our duty to the people and country by shooting Russians? Or do we enjoy ourselves by shooting Germans? No more invasions.”
We were pretty certain something was coming soon by that time; just not sure if we would become radioactive dust or the Soviet Union would collapse.
I am surprised it took until 1989 for the Wall to actually come down and it looks like modern day rioters are trying to put it back up.
Regards
Thanks for sharing
LOVE STUFF LIKE THIS! I could listen all day. We'll take as many videos like this as you've got stories for!
Deal!
I love these stories you give us from time to time! I watched the one when you were a police officer and that was a good watch, that shovel baseball hitting that smoke grenade story is insane!!! wow!
I could listen to these stories all day! Great stuff from an amazing storyteller!
Cheers 👍🏻
That reminds me seeing the tank bridge being launched on an exercise. As the bridge is at the apex I'm realising that the launching must be visible from at least five kilometres away. On the next occasion we could see it with entire base being in between. If there was a war I wouldn't want to be anywhere near the bridge launch, it's bound to be a an artillery magnet.
20 years Navy Aircrewman and Rescue Swimmer, wife sat in our Aircrew Shack listening to the way we spoke to and about each other. Whenever she and I left the Squadron she said she could not BELIEVE how we talked to each other! When I said what are you talking about she told me how we spoke about each other, our families, about people in general which normally would be considered VERY insulting. I told her that it was common for "guys" to say those things because if someone wasn't "pinging" on you that meant they didn't Like you! If you were being picked on you were expected to give it back as good as you got it! Im sure Kevin will say this as well, those were some of the BEST days of my life and I made life long friends. Not to mention we considered each other Family and would go out of our way for each other. I'm 61 now and if one of my Brothers/Sisters from the service needed me, I would be there as quick as possible.... Love your stuff Kevin, keep it going Brother.... E. H. McKinsey AW1 (AW/SAR) USN Ret....
Cheers, thanks for watching 👍🏻
Thank you Sir for your Cold War Service. God Bless you. 😊
What a treat to have another one of your stories, Kevin! Love these glimpses into your military career during the cold war!
Glad to hear that, thanks for watching.
Loved it, as usual. I'm sure everybody who have served, whatever nation, have their stories. I severd in RNoN in 1988/89. According to our regulation, you never salute anyone on bikes, you just nod(The old term was "Wheel Dragoons"). As a recruit, I was in my own thoughts, and did not see one of the instructors, so I didn't salute. So the inevitable "That man there!", came.So I said the first thing that came to mind: "Sorry, PO, I didn't see you. I shall salute twice the next time I see you"....
😜 nice one
Mr.hicks I have to tell you these are my favorite videos for me and my son to watch . He’s turning 6 and just now into history ( specifically war weapons things like that ) and the story of your time with seeing the new tank of the soviets and these are my personal favorite ways to learn …. Listen to personal story’s of men who were there
Thank you so much, I'm glad to be helping your young man to enjoy history 👍🏻
Haha, great stories Kevin, it reminded me of my time in the TA in the late 60's when, if I did something wrong, the sgt. would scream at me "If you do that on the battlefield some hairy arse Russian will kill you!". It scarred me for life. I now can't look at Russian, male or female, without thinking you have a hairy arse.
😂
Great video. The only stuff my grandfather ever shared with me about his time serving in the war, was the tricks he and squaddies would get up to, yoir video reminded me of the best ever man in my life, thanks mate 👍🏴❤
The way he says HI! starting every video 😂 love this channel, good stuff 👍🏻
Glad you enjoy it!
Yippee another good Friday as you have uploaded and made a miserable day happier. Thanks Kevin and Co for the happiness and life stories. Be safe mate and keep them coming 👍
Cheers Ian 👍🏻
Love this stuff mr. Kevin.
This should be a "Carry on " script it is so witty and funny, Kevin I thank you for REAL entertainment and the fact that it is probably true (my brother was a soldier and equally silly) is all the funnier, please keep up the great work,. Dummy Salute!
Haha, cheers!
I know it seems far fetched, but it really is all true.
Your story telling is always so descriptive and entertaining. I can always paint the scene in my mind crystal clear
I'm so glad, thank you.
Greetings from a German follower from Niedersachsen who enyoed this video 🇩🇪
Hallo!
Hallo Kevin! Do you still remember some German from that time? Your pronunciation is on point 👌🏻 Spoke to some British guys who served in Germany in the 1970s & most remembered one phrase best "Bitte ein Bier!" 😁
@@D.H.-mg2cz Yes, I remember quite a lot. I still like to practice my German with German speakers whenever I can 👍🏻
Es wäre mir ein Vergnügen mit Dir zu plaudern, Kevin!
I served in the German Army Aviation Corps in the early 2000s. During basic training we were assigned to the edge of a forest to observe and report everything. We didn't get a briefing, just keep your eyes open. In front of us meadows and sparse forests. I was on the extreme left flank. Suddenly I saw individual soldiers advancing towards our position from diagonally to the left. They advanced, threw themselves behind small trees, advanced again, etc. No non-commissioned officers or officers were present anymore. I opened fire with blanks and shouted to my platoon that we have enemy contact. And the show started. We kept going. Suddenly a Marder armored personnel carrier came from the left and drove right next to us. I screamed TANK! All hell broke loose. We didn't have a bazooka with us, just assault rifles. In this chaos of our defensive campaign, the non-commissioned officers suddenly appeared again with their eyes wide open, totally perplexed. It turned out that a Panzergrenadier troop was also on the training ground and they ran right into us with their exercise. I thought it was part of the scenario and then it took on a life of its own. While we were in the field camp, we heard gunshots in the morning while we were still sleeping in the tents. We raised the alarm, prepared for action, took up positions and fired. Just as the battle was over, a reserve sergeant came up to my platoon and asked us where our instructor was. We had no idea. He found him still asleep in his tent and was shouted at. When the instructor came to us, he asked us why no one woke him up. He was pissed as fuck. Even the screaming and the fighting didn't wake him. In another exercise, I was assigned to be the first in a defensive exercise and was supposed to hide under bushes and sound the alarm if someone was marching toward us along a forest path. When suddenly a group came directly towards me, I waited a while so as not to give away my position too early and fired. The enemy squad then spread out and one of them threw himself right into my position, looked at me palely and said we were under attack, until he realized that I wasn't part of his team and took him prisoner, which he was very pissed off about because he has failed. To my right was a small bridge where two soldiers kept appearing and firing and I shot at them. In the end it turned out that they were part of my team and I didn't notice because I didn't see them during the division and they didn't had enemy marker armbands. There was also friendly fire. These “war stories” are worth their weight in gold.
They certainly are, thanks for sharing 👍
The shovel story had me rolling
Outstanding stories once again. I was just retelling the story you had told about being the first allied soldier to see the AK74. Gained you a few more viewers right there. Cheers Kevin
Cheers Bobby, appreciated!
Thanks a million, Kevin! Gotta get me one of those fresh hoodies
😃 www.youtube.com/@thehistorysquad/store
Really enjoyed listening to those tales. Thank you
Loving the jumper! ✌🏽
Enormously entertaining as ever Kevin! Thank you for brightening our days.
Fascinating. You have the Best Stories. Love the sweatshirt.
Thanks so much!
Brilliant Kevin, so glad i've found your channel
Cheers Tony!
Great stories! Reminds me of the times of end-ex when we would pull up a sandbag, have a beer and chinwag.
I have a feeling Kevin and my dad would have a great time swapping Cold War stories together over English afternoon tea and southern sweet tea
😜
Wow, I laughed so much during this one. I loved the stories!! Especially the helicopter one. Thank you so much for the memories.
I loved this video! thank you for sharing your stories!
LOL these are wonderfully great stories, Kevin! Thank you for sharing these. They gave me a giggle!
Kevin, you’re brilliant! Thank you for your videos.
That was such a wonderful story forum you life, thank-you so much for sheering it with us it was wonderful to linen too 😀
My Uncle who was stationed in Germany in the early to mid 60s, was terrified of German spiders, he did not care for American spiders, but German ones really terrified him.
On our morning runs the were always HUGE spiderwebs glistening with dew and always a huge wolf spider in the centre. Hanging in the way
Every one put their faces though one sooner or later 😮
😂 it must have been the helmets they wore @kirkmorrison6131
@@thehistorysquadMaybe, but the way he described them was hilarious.
Fantastic video as always Kevin. I love your stories,it would be a pleasure to listen to more of them.
@alanmackinnon3516 Thanks Alan, here's a link to a playlist you might like th-cam.com/play/PLZ5bkawra-DgKjZJtINlR5Ugc0udjVfrV.html&si=WokCXIZVCdNZYKyp
I’d read your biography in a day! I love your stories
Wow, thank you!
Thank you Kevin another brilliant video. Huge hugs to you and your family 🌹🌹🌹
Cheers Karen 👍🏻
Excellent stuff loved my time in BFG in the cold war era and beyond 👍🏻
What a terrific episode! A few things were vaguely similar to my time in the army. Thanks!
Kevin, thanks yet again, i do have a chuckle with your stories, love the one of the baby and the sledge, and every Parent has had that "feeling" when they have miss placed their favorite child, well i have!
😂
The sign of a good story teller is taking the mundane and making it just as interesting as history
Priceless, I don't recall any fun times in West Germany during the Cold War. But my father had a few stories when he was in the Naval Reserved. On one occasion he was on watch in the wheelhouse, Officer in Charge holler down at him from the bridge," Mind the rudder sailor". That morning the Navigator to my father into the map room and show him that the ship had went off course then came back on course. Another time my father was on watch in the engine room. There is the ships emergency helm if something should every happen to the bridge and wheelhouse. After a while my father started to get sleepy, so he got comfortable and took a snooze nap. Off when the alarm, "You got it" shouting from the bridge, my father half asleep struggle to catch the wheel. During my father retirement he took up painting as a hobby. He did a couple paintings of himself and his brother. Uncle Loyd is seen smiling while my father has a serious look on his face and wonder why. Until remember that as a sailor he had let up a cigarette and put the wrong end in his mouth. Someone had taken that photo right after that. And that is the photo my father chose to do his self portrait.
😜 👍
Thank u so much I enjoyed this one massively! !
These soldier stories are the best
Hello! I came across your channel last night while I was at work. Every video I listened to was fantastic! Subbed instantly.
Thanks very much & welcome!!
Much appreciated from Australia.
I am led to believe that Sigint officers on US ships are assigned a Marine with that grim duty, should the ship be captured.
But that was definitely a heckuva prank, Kevin. :D
Code Talkers in the Pacific were assigned a ''Cowboy'' [usually a Sgt w/ a Thompson] to make sure the Navajos weren't caught and tortured by the Japanese.
Thank you for your service.
Love all your stories Keith😊
Oops sorry was thinking of my cousin!
😜
You are one helluva raconteur, Cpl. Hicks! I think my favorite videos are the ones where you tell stories about your time in Berlin and Cyprus. I also couldn't help but notice that on your hoodie (sweatshirt), the end knot of one of the drawstrings was right over the photo of you making it look like you had a red clown nose while giving the 2 finger salute. An all around great video!!!
Cheers Stephanie, glad you enjoyed it!
I was on the East West german border from 77 to 79. I was in 3 squadron 11 Armored cavalry.
You could upload nothing but your own personal stories from now on and I’d still watch every single video! They’re all so captivating, especially with such a gifted storyteller.
😜 thanks
Thank you Kevin, love you!
That was fabulous, so interesting and so very enjoyable. Thank you Kevin, much respect sir 🙏
You are very welcome Nick 👍🏻
These personal experience videos are my favorite.
I would have loved to been beside you during the Berlin exercise. That sounds like an awesome experience.
Reminds me of the exercise we had on Okinawa while I was stationed there. Seabees against the Marines.
HAHAHAHA We made short work of those puffed-up jar heads.
Nice one!
Fridays and the History Squad.. no better combo! Cheers, Kevin!
My pleasure 😜
Greetings once again from Nova Scotia, thanks for another very entertaining video. I love your stories, and the gleam of mischief in your eyes, as you tell them, I am sure that if he was still with us, my old dad would get on great with you, with over 50 years cooking on ships, he had a story for any occasion. Thanks once again, for another top shelf video, be safe, and as always best regards Arthur
My Grandfather was a Royal Navy cook... Special breed no doubt, as a grandkid it was heaven, endless stories and huge roast dinners with big bowls of custard to follow.
Best wishes from the UK
How lovely!
@arthurdoucette1786. Thanks as ever Arthur
12:17 In addition to what has been mentioned, I must point some things out both for completeness and to show respect for the deceased. During the military liaison missions you refer to, there were not only some near-catastrophies but two actual catastrophic incidents resulting in the death of individuals on such missions. The military liaison missions ostensibly served as a means of coordination between the British, French, and American occupying forces on one side, versus the Soviet forces in East Germany on the other side. In addition to their primary role, these missions dispatched by all parties played an important role in verifying that no offensive action was being prepared.
The missions had a secondary responsibility for intelligence gathering, sometimes achieving tremendous successes. For example, in one case, members of a UK liaison mission recovered an Eastern Bloc unexploded bomb and, with almost insane courage, smuggled it to the Western side for analysis. On another occasion, liaison mission members were able to unbolt a portion of the explosive reactive armor from a T-80 tank that was not properly guarded and take the stolen component back with them. The Eastern Bloc troops posted in the area understood immediately that if their mistake became known, they would be punished by execution. They therefore colluded with some of their superiors in order to cover up what had happened.
In 1984, French Mission officer Philippe Mariotti was killed in a ramming incident involving East German personnel. The following year, a poorly trained Soviet sentry unexpectedly encountered Major Arthur Nicholson of the US Army, a fully authorized liaison mission member. In great agitation, the sentry contacted his officer and blurted out in Russian, "There's a mission here!" The officer intended for the sentry to order the unknown person to leave but said only "You know what to do!" Misinterpreting the officer's meaning and believing he was in danger, the sentry fatally shot Nicholson. The Soviets initially tried to claim that Nicholson and his party were in the wrong, but in 1988 they reversed their position, with Defense Minister Yazov personally apologizing for the incident.
I really love hearing your stories of Berlin. I lived there with my father and our family in the early 70's. One of the jobs my father had was driving around the Berlin wall checking that things and would tell us the things he saw. I loved our posting to Berlin.
Hi Debbie, I loved my posting there too, it was certainly an eye opener 👍
I love the stories of your life Kevin!
love your stories!!!!! kevin, the man who can take out a platoon without even trying :P
where can i get your hoodie from?
Link in description
@@fangslaughter1198 i checked the discription, and his website doesn't have a store........
@ashtraydekay6624 Here's a link www.youtube.com/@thehistorysquad/store
I needed this, thank you Kev