German talks of imaginary church bells ringing out across the battlefield were dispelled when it was explained to them that it was actually Speirs' humongous balls of steel smashing together.
"it was just another job to be done, and we done it" - Sgt. Joe Delisio (DSC) On his role in taking the Ludendorff Bridge at Remagen. Speirs wasn't the only one.
@@EdgarStyles1234 Affirmative. If you do something you're not afraid of, that's not bravery. It may be classified as fearlessness, but it's not bravery. If you do something you _are_ afraid of, _that_ is bravery.
When a soft spoken man like Winters raises his voice, you bet everyone's going to listen. Love this part showing excellent leadership in Winters and Spiers.
My sister works at a multi billion dollar company. she spends all her time in meetings with leaders in the field and in some countries. She said the person you listen to is NOT the person who is talking all the time but the person who speaks least often. They are careful thinkers and will not open their mouths unless its worth saying. And when they do finally say something everyone listens.. That person taught her a lot about gaining respect in business.
@@brucewillis2 Sigma male. Growing up my Dad never yelled-didn't have to because he was always so soft spoken. When he did raise his voice I instinctually did the 'freeze' kids doing something they aren't seem to do.
The book is more detailed read here⬇️ " Winters had done all he could. The rest was in Dike’s hands, a realization that left Winters extremely uneasy. That uneasiness proved well-founded. The attack got under way in good form, with the machine guns blazing away at the village and the men of Easy dashing across the snowy plain. Sporadic fire came from Foy’s defenders, but nothing severe enough to stop the charging men. Still, every time a machine gun stopped firing so the crew could change belts, Winters held his breath, thinking, “Come on. Come on. Reload.”Seventy-five yards from the town, the company inexplicably halted, men squatting in the open where they stopped. Winters couldn’t believe his eyes. He yelled, “Get moving, get moving,” then realized he couldn’t be heard. Snatching up the radio, he made contact with George Luz, who was carrying the company’s set.“Keep moving,” he ordered. “For God’s sake, George, move.”“Lieutenant Dike ordered a halt, sir,” Luz replied.“Get Dike on the radio.”Dike, frozen by panic and indecision, did not take the radio from Luz, and no amount of coaxing or yelling could budge him. Colonel Sink, who had come up just as the attack commenced, stood behind Winters, watching the scene unfold.“Dick, why are you running this attack?” he asked. “Where’s Colonel Strayer?”“Back in the CP, Colonel,” Winters replied crisply, his mind distracted by the events out in the field.Sink nodded and pointed at the fight. “You take care of that,” he said, and went in search of Strayer.Angered almost beyond reason, Winters unslung his rifle and took several steps toward the action. Then he stopped himself.“I’m the commander,” he thought. “I can’t do this. If I commit myself, who’s going to make the decisions and run this thing?” He glanced around quickly, looking for an officer, any officer, he could send out to take charge. The nearest was Lieutenant Ronald Speirs, a D Company platoon leader.“Speirs, get over here!” Winters shouted. Speirs hustled as ordered.“Sir?”“Go out there, relieve Dike and get that attack moving.”Wordlessly Speirs, an almost fearless man, ran forward through enemy fire. Moments after he reached Easy, the men rose up and finished their interrupted charge into Foy. Even as gunfire echoed from the town, Winters breathed a sigh of relief. Dike, out of a job, trudged rearward with the aid of a medic. Winters ignored the man.The attack on Foy cost Easy Company two men killed, Patrick Neill and Kenneth J. Webb, plus several wounded, but had Speirs not gotten them moving after Dike froze, Winters knew the cost would have been much higher.“Speirs did a wonderful job,” Winters said years later.While Speirs and the rest of the company were in town rooting out German snipers, two war correspondents arrived on the scene. At first the pair began taking photos of the action, mostly of medics carting back wounded men. That was part of the newsmen’s job and, while Winters didn’t like it, he tried to ignore it. The two stayed back, never going more than twenty or twenty-five yards from the woods, thus staying well away from any flying lead. Then one of the men, acting on an inspiration of false bravado, grabbed the end of a stretcher bearing a wounded soldier. After making sure he got some of the injured man’s blood on the sleeve of his heavily fleeced jacket, the war correspondent took on a facial expression of being utterly fatigued. His buddy sighted through his camera and fired off several frames, capturing this “heroic” act on film. Winters shook his head in disgust at the charade.That evening, the fight over and Foy secured, Sink held a regimental debriefing at his headquarters to go over the day’s events. Turning to Winters, Sink said, “Dick, what do you plan to do about Easy Company’s situation?”Winters wondered why Sink asked him and not Strayer, who was sitting close by, but he replied instantly. “I’m relieving Lieutenant Dike from command and replacing him with Lieutenant Speirs.”Sink nodded. “Very well.”With that, Speirs became Easy’s newest and, as it turned out, last wartime commander. Winters’ appointment of Speirs was not without some reservations. He knew the tough officer had executed six German POWs on D-Day, and on D-plus 2 he had shot one of his own sergeants through the forehead for twice refusing a direct order under fire. The men under Speirs didn’t necessarily like the man, but they respected him and feared him. Winters did not approve of using fear as a leadership tool, but there was no denying the fact the Speirs was a fine officer who got the job done, and his handling of the company under fire earlier in the day had impressed Winters. Dike was shipped back to division, where he became an aide to General Taylor. Winters never saw him again." 😊
Not fair at all on the memory of Lieutenant Dike, the book is based on the recollections of a select group of veterans from easy company who clearly disliked fox hole Norman but other sources tell a different story. Apparently he was shot in the shoulder during the assault on Foy and had to be taken to rear by medics, he wasn't frozen by panic and indecision. His military record is full of herioic deeds, when he wasn't seriously wounded he managed to gather together scattered paratroopers in the defence of a vital road junction in Arnhem against superior and constant attack. The was awarded the bronze start for saving the lives of three wounded men while exposed and under intense fire. He was awarded the Sliver Star, the Bronze Star, and the Purple Heart (for the shoulder wound at Foy.) And another Bronze Star in Korea. Sadly Winters and Ambrose had an agenda and I don't think you should slander an American war hero based on one book. Interestingly Ambrose said Shifty Powers refused a mission out of fear in the first edition and then had to change the book after this was clearly not true. Imagine if Shifty was made out to be the coward in the narrative instead of Dike and Blythe? How would you feal about that?
@@Here4theComments9 No obviously not. He was only witnessed killing three prisoners on D-day for which he wouldn't of been in trouble for, General Maxwell Tailor commander of the 101st had ordered them to kill any prisoners on the first day for obvious reasons. He was rumoured to have killed more, but there's no proof. Incidently the eye witness to Spiers shooting Prisoners shot the three captives with him and another paratrooper, one each, in a ditch, in the middle of the night. The way it's shown in the show mades him look like a psychopath.
@@dannyhalas9408 surely you are not selling the “just following orders” defence? Plenty of Germans and Japanese making that argument ended up making a long trip with a short rope. Better to just accept that while a worthy endeavour, post war tribunals were victors justice . What uniform you wore determined what punishments you might face. Aside from war crimes arising from western allies field-expedient prisoner processing, they could hardly put half the Soviet army and NKVD on trial for crimes against “liberated” peoples and German soldiers and civilians.
@@Here4theComments9 Paratroopers couldn't really "take" prisoners, they were dropped behind enemy lines with no telling how long it'd be before they could connect with the forces landing on the beach. They had no supplies nor lodging to take care of PoWs with.
No one but Spiers can know what was going through his mind at that moment...but if the series is accurate, at least part of it was what Spiers told Private Blithe in another episode when Blithe hid in a foxhole during an attack instead of fighting back: "You think that there's still hope...but Blithe, the only hope that you have to is accept the fact that you're already dead...and the sooner you accept that, the sooner that you'll be able to function as a soldier is supposed to function...without mercy...without compassion...without remorse...all war depends upon it..."
The Way of the Samurai is found in death. When it comes to either/or, there is only the quick choice of death. It is not particularly difficult. Be determined and advance.
Always liked the foil of of Spiers to Winters and Nixon. He's the dark side of the warrior, the destructive and cthonic and anachronistic one compared to the more humane and refined officers.
@@rexringtail471 I don't remember the exact words but winters had stated the speirs was the essence of a soldier he was violent, fearless and always willing to fight and winters initially didn't like him because he was feared and respected by his men and winters didn't like leading with fear but once he chose him as Easy's CO he got to know him better also as for the rumors speirs later admitted they were all true but the drunk sgt wasn't just drunk he was threatening his men so speirs shot him.
Spiers and Winters were the best Officers by far. Different methods of leading the men, Spiers is more hard nosed in the dirt kind of leader and Winters is more of a tactician but will get his hands dirty if he has to.I would follow either one of them into battle any day.
@@bp2352 get this man outta here. "Just a tv series" he says. Boy we all know that they actually did everything they show in this series, back then. If you didn't know, this series is based on reality of the Easy company
As a former 60mm Mortar gunner I find it very hard to believe on hitting that small target on the first round. Its possible, those guys would have been very skilled at their job. Awesome scene 👏
In all likelihood, he was watching soldiers getting killed due to incompetent leadership, and was itching to go take over, already had a plan on how to do it, just waiting for authority to do it. The moment Winters gave him the order, that was it, the leash was off, and Spiers was free.
Despite all that I call Spiers a hero because he never, once, ever gave up on his men and he never left them. This video shows his character more than anything. An intimidating man, an excellent commander, and above all ... he came back.
Speirs is awesome..... he's the meanest, toughest SOB in the entire regiment!! lol one of the best scenes of the whole series for sure, thanks for posting
It ought to be taken to a further level, teach children at school what the meaning of WW2 had for this globe of ours! How would things be if the Axis would've won the war ???
They really were the greatest generation. Now, you'll get the police called on you for having a different opinion. We need to go back to the mentalities of the early 20th century.
Even Jeffrey Settle who played the part of Capt. Ronald Speirs in the mini series is well cast as he moves with a grace and confidence under fire that makes him look almost indestructible. Lieutenant Colonel Ronald C. Speirs (April 20, 1920 - April 11, 2007), Recommend you all read his profile on Wikipedia. What a man. And yes, Speirs was born in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1920 before emigrating with his family to Boston, Massachusetts, USA, arriving on December 26, 1924.
Spiers knew exactly what was going on and what he had to do. I've been on 4 combat tours and I have seen folks like that. They were built for combat. Folks that I'd follow in combat any day
Ronald Speirs was a hell of a soldier but he wasn't American, he was born and raised in Edinburgh Scotland for the first 4 and a half years of his life.. Both his mother and father were Scottish so that gives him 100% Scottish blood. R.I.P Speirs (April 20th 1920, Edinburgh, Scotland - April 11th 2007, Saint Marie, Montana)
+The Lava Magnet Split it in half: American of Scottish descent, like many proud men and women before him. Several US Presidents in fact, and countless others, though much more in the early developmental days of the country. I can see why his people favored kilts in combat - pants would've been too constrictive for warriors with such huge fucking balls.
Honestly im a foreigner that has served for my country and I dare say this is some ballsey shit! And this is what makes America great! Just go for your dreams and never look back. Bravery at its best
Every war is uniquely horrific in their own ways.. and the men who gave their lives during WWII were most certainly unique. We ought to never forget their sacrifice.
I love the part where he's telling Lipton to get mortars/grenades on the roof. Talk about just a profound display of leadership, efficiency and tactical understanding. I'd have followed that guy into hell if he had a plan.
@@RinnzuRosendale Yep, he was an alleged war criminal and as Winters stated "killed POWs for shock value". The command knew about the killings and decided to not investigate simply because people like Speirs were too valuable. There was in fact, another "accident" when Speirs shot one of his own soldiers, in his own words "in self-defence". As usual, no formal invesigation was conducted and Speir's platoon vouched for him. I don't doubt Speirs was an excellent soldier and that his extraordinary and ruthless actions saved many lives, but god knows how many he took when not in combat.
This makes me laugh every time. In a good way. Its absolutely remarkable that someone could do something so crazy that everyone is just standing there watching as it happens till they realize they should actually shoot at him. Its a scene you expect in a Hollywood film, but not expect that it actually happened. As lovers of this mini-series we all know it did. Great scene.
I have always admired this great American (from Scottland) who was the right man in the right place at the right time. I hope every ROTC class sees this episode of "Band of Brothers." Salute to Lt. Speirs and the men of the 101s at Bastogne.
Like spears says earlier to bligh, "the only way to be a soldier is to accept you're already dead or you can't do your job" truth from a giant balled paratrooper
Speirs was an AMAZING strategist and an amazing soldier. He may have been a little nuts at some points, but the important thing was that he was a great leader. The actor who played him in "Band of Brothers" did an exceltent portrayal of him...not to mention that gusy is hot :P RIP Ron Speirs.
This video is 17 years old when youtube was a newborn baby. Band of Brothers was only 5? I remember I bought Call of Duty 2 on cd in 2006 and it made me think of Band of Brothers.
All the rumors about Speirs are TRUE! I read it in an interview with Dick Winters. He said Speirs did shoot the German POWs and his own man because the man was drunk and refused to go on patrol. But Winters also said that he was an elite soldier...the kind needed to win wars...afterall, you don't send in boyscouts to win wars!
In times of war, drastic actions are required. The Allies had no room or time for court marital and POW exchange and probation. In any other era, he would have been executed for friendly fire and breaking the rules of war.
@DoubleAgent244 He had to relay orders to move straight ahead and not flank the Germans or else they would've been massacared. The reason he ran through the Germans is because the other unit did not have a radio and the only way to get them the orders was to personally deliver it.
I just watched that part for the first time going thru the series, I simply thought I misunderstood where he was. Nope, he was actually just running past the Germans. All I could manage was to point @ the screen saying, "That man has balls of pure titanium."
Easy CO had some of the most incredible officer in history. Both Sergeants Shames and Lipton received field commissions for their abilities to outshine and outperform their immediate officers and lead men to victory. Ed Shames has some of the most incredible stories and was with E. Co from D-Day to Eagle’s Nest, and he’s really a minor character in the series because SO MANY OF THESE MEN had unbelievable stories, the series would have been 100 hours long if they’d given each man their due.
Spiers did not execute the German prisoners captured by American paras after offering them a cigarette, as the other soldiers thought. Spiers himself tells Lipton, "Maybe Tersius knew there was some value to the men thinking he was the meanest, toughest SOB in the whole Roman legion." From what I have gathered, he offered them a cig and took them all about half a kilometer from the camp into a clearing, where he had them kneel, and he discharged a magazine. Then he told them to walk that way.
He's the commander I would've followed. The odds of dying out of complacency in a fire zone are so high the only thing you can hope for is a commander who moves wise and fast.
I heard tale of Spiers reaction to Ambrose when asked about the miniseries. Basically all Spiers said was "Nope" and shut the door in his face. My buddy who's a writer and personally knew many of these men said Spiers fought the war not with wreckless abandon but without fear believing he wasn't going to survive an would do his utmost to win. Spiers was once rumored to have said the biggest surprise he had during WWII was he'd lived thru it. It's my guess after what he'd been thru and done he in no way wanted to relive it. That's probably why he didn't take part in all the fame and glory the rest of the men did.
My Uncles Bob and Harold fought in WW2, Uncle Bob had shell shock for 30 years after the war, never talked about any of it. Uncle Harold talked about his friends and the fun times they had in the barracks or sitting in a bombed out house, he always had a white handkerchief because within 2 minutes he was talking thru tears, not once did he talk the fighting, killing or glorifying the war. He did say one time that he considered himself already dead over there, that made it easier to get thru each day.
Since I’ve got commissioned, I remember this scene so many times. Facing hardships, long term field exercise, troubles among people, I watch his running. This is the commissioned officer!
the best part about this is that he actually did this, it wasn't just something they put in the series for dramatic effect.
Absolute madlad
Legend
Yep, complete fucking badass.
how did he run with those giant brass balls?
I realise this is a 10-year-old comment, but why didn't they just shoot them? Were they worried about crossfire or something?
German talks of imaginary church bells ringing out across the battlefield were dispelled when it was explained to them that it was actually Speirs' humongous balls of steel smashing together.
Lmfao
lol...ok..
Hahahahaha
That's almost poetic ngl
🤣 Wtf I agree
I love the way Major Winters gives the order and he turns immediately, no hesitation, no fear, there's a job to do a by god Speirs is getting it done.
"it was just another job to be done, and we done it"
- Sgt. Joe Delisio (DSC)
On his role in taking the Ludendorff Bridge at Remagen.
Speirs wasn't the only one.
Someone mentioned Spiers was scared and thought he wouldn’t survive the battle, not that it makes his heroics and stoicism any different.
@@Shadow-rt3fx in fact that's the very essence of heroism. Not to not feel fear but to act anyways.
@@EdgarStyles1234 Affirmative. If you do something you're not afraid of, that's not bravery. It may be classified as fearlessness, but it's not bravery. If you do something you _are_ afraid of, _that_ is bravery.
Winters said Speirs was just the first guy he saw.
When a soft spoken man like Winters raises his voice, you bet everyone's going to listen. Love this part showing excellent leadership in Winters and Spiers.
My sister works at a multi billion dollar company. she spends all her time in meetings with leaders in the field and in some countries. She said the person you listen to is NOT the person who is talking all the time but the person who speaks least often. They are careful thinkers and will not open their mouths unless its worth saying. And when they do finally say something everyone listens.. That person taught her a lot about gaining respect in business.
@@brucewillis2 Sigma male. Growing up my Dad never yelled-didn't have to because he was always so soft spoken. When he did raise his voice I instinctually did the 'freeze' kids doing something they aren't seem to do.
three things I fear, the rough sea, the moonless night and the wrath of a kind man....
@@tomservo5347 did you really just say "sigma male" lol
Delegate, use the tools in your bel-
SPEIRS~!!
...or just give em the belt.
through your actions Lt. Col. Spiers you saved many lives. R.I.P. April 20, 1920 - April 11, 2007.
We have had good men, but we will never have better!
The book is more detailed read here⬇️
" Winters had done all he could. The rest was in Dike’s hands, a realization that left Winters extremely uneasy. That uneasiness proved well-founded. The attack got under way in good form, with the machine guns blazing away at the village and the men of Easy dashing across the snowy plain. Sporadic fire came from Foy’s defenders, but nothing severe enough to stop the charging men. Still, every time a machine gun stopped firing so the crew could change belts, Winters held his breath, thinking, “Come on. Come on. Reload.”Seventy-five yards from the town, the company inexplicably halted, men squatting in the open where they stopped. Winters couldn’t believe his eyes. He yelled, “Get moving, get moving,” then realized he couldn’t be heard. Snatching up the radio, he made contact with George Luz, who was carrying the company’s set.“Keep moving,” he ordered. “For God’s sake, George, move.”“Lieutenant Dike ordered a halt, sir,” Luz replied.“Get Dike on the radio.”Dike, frozen by panic and indecision, did not take the radio from Luz, and no amount of coaxing or yelling could budge him. Colonel Sink, who had come up just as the attack commenced, stood behind Winters, watching the scene unfold.“Dick, why are you running this attack?” he asked. “Where’s Colonel Strayer?”“Back in the CP, Colonel,” Winters replied crisply, his mind distracted by the events out in the field.Sink nodded and pointed at the fight. “You take care of that,” he said, and went in search of Strayer.Angered almost beyond reason, Winters unslung his rifle and took several steps toward the action. Then he stopped himself.“I’m the commander,” he thought. “I can’t do this. If I commit myself, who’s going to make the decisions and run this thing?” He glanced around quickly, looking for an officer, any officer, he could send out to take charge. The nearest was Lieutenant Ronald Speirs, a D Company platoon leader.“Speirs, get over here!” Winters shouted. Speirs hustled as ordered.“Sir?”“Go out there, relieve Dike and get that attack moving.”Wordlessly Speirs, an almost fearless man, ran forward through enemy fire. Moments after he reached Easy, the men rose up and finished their interrupted charge into Foy. Even as gunfire echoed from the town, Winters breathed a sigh of relief. Dike, out of a job, trudged rearward with the aid of a medic. Winters ignored the man.The attack on Foy cost Easy Company two men killed, Patrick Neill and Kenneth J. Webb, plus several wounded, but had Speirs not gotten them moving after Dike froze, Winters knew the cost would have been much higher.“Speirs did a wonderful job,” Winters said years later.While Speirs and the rest of the company were in town rooting out German snipers, two war correspondents arrived on the scene. At first the pair began taking photos of the action, mostly of medics carting back wounded men. That was part of the newsmen’s job and, while Winters didn’t like it, he tried to ignore it. The two stayed back, never going more than twenty or twenty-five yards from the woods, thus staying well away from any flying lead. Then one of the men, acting on an inspiration of false bravado, grabbed the end of a stretcher bearing a wounded soldier. After making sure he got some of the injured man’s blood on the sleeve of his heavily fleeced jacket, the war correspondent took on a facial expression of being utterly fatigued. His buddy sighted through his camera and fired off several frames, capturing this “heroic” act on film. Winters shook his head in disgust at the charade.That evening, the fight over and Foy secured, Sink held a regimental debriefing at his headquarters to go over the day’s events. Turning to Winters, Sink said, “Dick, what do you plan to do about Easy Company’s situation?”Winters wondered why Sink asked him and not Strayer, who was sitting close by, but he replied instantly. “I’m relieving Lieutenant Dike from command and replacing him with Lieutenant Speirs.”Sink nodded. “Very well.”With that, Speirs became Easy’s newest and, as it turned out, last wartime commander. Winters’ appointment of Speirs was not without some reservations. He knew the tough officer had executed six German POWs on D-Day, and on D-plus 2 he had shot one of his own sergeants through the forehead for twice refusing a direct order under fire. The men under Speirs didn’t necessarily like the man, but they respected him and feared him. Winters did not approve of using fear as a leadership tool, but there was no denying the fact the Speirs was a fine officer who got the job done, and his handling of the company under fire earlier in the day had impressed Winters. Dike was shipped back to division, where he became an aide to General Taylor. Winters never saw him again." 😊
Not fair at all on the memory of Lieutenant Dike, the book is based on the recollections of a select group of veterans from easy company who clearly disliked fox hole Norman but other sources tell a different story.
Apparently he was shot in the shoulder during the assault on Foy and had to be taken to rear by medics, he wasn't frozen by panic and indecision. His military record is full of herioic deeds, when he wasn't seriously wounded he managed to gather together scattered paratroopers in the defence of a vital road junction in Arnhem against superior and constant attack. The was awarded the bronze start for saving the lives of three wounded men while exposed and under intense fire. He was awarded the Sliver Star, the Bronze Star, and the Purple Heart (for the shoulder wound at Foy.) And another Bronze Star in Korea.
Sadly Winters and Ambrose had an agenda and I don't think you should slander an American war hero based on one book. Interestingly Ambrose said Shifty Powers refused a mission out of fear in the first edition and then had to change the book after this was clearly not true. Imagine if Shifty was made out to be the coward in the narrative instead of Dike and Blythe? How would you feal about that?
So…was Spiers tried and executed for War Crimes for killing prisoners?
@@Here4theComments9 No obviously not. He was only witnessed killing three prisoners on D-day for which he wouldn't of been in trouble for, General Maxwell Tailor commander of the 101st had ordered them to kill any prisoners on the first day for obvious reasons. He was rumoured to have killed more, but there's no proof.
Incidently the eye witness to Spiers shooting Prisoners shot the three captives with him and another paratrooper, one each, in a ditch, in the middle of the night. The way it's shown in the show mades him look like a psychopath.
@@dannyhalas9408 surely you are not selling the “just following orders” defence? Plenty of Germans and Japanese making that argument ended up making a long trip with a short rope. Better to just accept that while a worthy endeavour, post war tribunals were victors justice . What uniform you wore determined what punishments you might face. Aside from war crimes arising from western allies field-expedient prisoner processing, they could hardly put half the Soviet army and NKVD on trial for crimes against “liberated” peoples and German soldiers and civilians.
@@Here4theComments9 Paratroopers couldn't really "take" prisoners, they were dropped behind enemy lines with no telling how long it'd be before they could connect with the forces landing on the beach. They had no supplies nor lodging to take care of PoWs with.
Superman has on the wall picture of Chuck Norris, Chuck Norris has on the wall picture of Ronald Speirs.
No one but Spiers can know what was going through his mind at that moment...but if the series is accurate, at least part of it was what Spiers told Private Blithe in another episode when Blithe hid in a foxhole during an attack instead of fighting back: "You think that there's still hope...but Blithe, the only hope that you have to is accept the fact that you're already dead...and the sooner you accept that, the sooner that you'll be able to function as a soldier is supposed to function...without mercy...without compassion...without remorse...all war depends upon it..."
The Way of the Samurai is found in death. When it comes to either/or, there is only the quick choice of death. It is not particularly difficult. Be determined and advance.
Always liked the foil of of Spiers to Winters and Nixon. He's the dark side of the warrior, the destructive and cthonic and anachronistic one compared to the more humane and refined officers.
@@seanedwards6169 a good death is its own reward
@@rexringtail471 I don't remember the exact words but winters had stated the speirs was the essence of a soldier he was violent, fearless and always willing to fight and winters initially didn't like him because he was feared and respected by his men and winters didn't like leading with fear but once he chose him as Easy's CO he got to know him better also as for the rumors speirs later admitted they were all true but the drunk sgt wasn't just drunk he was threatening his men so speirs shot him.
I remember that scene and line. That definitely explains this Audie Murphy moment in the story.
Man jumped through a shell landing, dodged a rocket, ran through to get behind enemy lines and ran back. Ronald Spiers, the real Captain America
Spiers and Winters were the best Officers by far. Different methods of leading the men, Spiers is more hard nosed in the dirt kind of leader and Winters is more of a tactician but will get his hands dirty if he has to.I would follow either one of them into battle any day.
But both were the kind of leaders who said "follow me" and didn't ask men to do anything they wouldn't do themselves
@@WadCheber I think this is the main point. Lead by example rather than mandate.
Ok relax man it’s just a tv series.
@@bp2352 get this man outta here. "Just a tv series" he says. Boy we all know that they actually did everything they show in this series, back then. If you didn't know, this series is based on reality of the Easy company
@@jagdflieger2257 Just some trolling kid I bet.
The most memorable Rambo quote fits perfectly to Speirs.
"Who is he, God?"
"Nah even God has mercy"
"To Survive a war, you have to become war."..... Rambo
Can we just appreciate that mortar shot though? Nailed the sniper perfectly.
As a former 60mm Mortar gunner I find it very hard to believe on hitting that small target on the first round. Its possible, those guys would have been very skilled at their job. Awesome scene 👏
@@codycooper9269 I think they may have just shown the round that hit and not their previous ones they adjusted from.
@@tr1p1ea prolly their way of getting it out of the way 'cause watching Mortar shots miss gets annoying to watch after a while.
So yes I agree.
@@codycooper9269 These guys had been at war against an enemy that could and would shoot back for about 2 years straight.
@@tr1p1ea That sniper had direct line of sight on the whole team.
They should count their lucky fvcking stars he didn't seem to shoot at them.
This is one of my favorite scenes from Band of Brothers.
I like that speirs said nothing when given orders, just simply carried them out.
In all likelihood, he was watching soldiers getting killed due to incompetent leadership, and was itching to go take over, already had a plan on how to do it, just waiting for authority to do it. The moment Winters gave him the order, that was it, the leash was off, and Spiers was free.
Germans were afraid he'd stop, and... OFFER THEM A CIGARETTE!... and they all knew what THAT meant! :D
Aggression, speed, and decisive action are the soldiers credo . This outstanding soldier displayed those qualities on numerous occasions.
I’m glad Speirs was on our side
I love the way he runs, dude means business.
Spiers was a bonafide bad ass. Thank you for your service, sir.
This is probably one of the best scenes i ever saw. Huge character, huge series, huge scene, and knowing that it happened... so cool !
But not 100% in this fashion
@@AndyP998 Yea dumbass, we know.
Nothing more fearful than a good man who accepts that he's "already dead".
I agree. And on the flip side, tough to return to ‘normalcy’ after you’ve already accepted the fate too
Despite all that I call Spiers a hero because he never, once, ever gave up on his men and he never left them.
This video shows his character more than anything. An intimidating man, an excellent commander, and above all ... he came back.
except for the man under his command that he murdered, yeh.
@@danf4447 That guy was gonna get a whole bunch of other men killed unnecessarily
Speirs is awesome..... he's the meanest, toughest SOB in the entire regiment!! lol
one of the best scenes of the whole series for sure, thanks for posting
u still alive chief ?
@@oksennuspallo4384 🤣
“He came back”💯💯💯
that scene and that man are single the best parts of that movie... the greatest generation, defined this nation.
It's truly the best scene in the whole series! It doesn't matter how many times you se it! It's still awsome!
hello. are you alive?
Love that look of overwhelming respect
They have to air this again, so these generation can have the privilege of watching this serie as well, and maybe learn a few important things.
It ought to be taken to a further level, teach children at school what the meaning of WW2 had for this globe of ours! How would things be if the Axis would've won the war ???
You can watch it now if you have HBO.
They really were the greatest generation. Now, you'll get the police called on you for having a different opinion. We need to go back to the mentalities of the early 20th century.
This brings a tear to the eye every time I see it.
Ditto !!!! 🥲
Something’s just can’t be explained.
I can never watch enough of the scenes of Speirs running across the German line and running back. Badass!
"everybody else, follow me"
"thank god"
thats all you need to know.
Even Jeffrey Settle who played the part of Capt. Ronald Speirs in the mini series is well cast as he moves with a grace and confidence under fire that makes him look almost indestructible. Lieutenant Colonel Ronald C. Speirs (April 20, 1920 - April 11, 2007), Recommend you all read his profile on Wikipedia. What a man. And yes, Speirs was born in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1920 before emigrating with his family to Boston, Massachusetts, USA, arriving on December 26, 1924.
My apologies, you are correct, Jeffrey (goes by his middle name 'Matthew') Settle..........
Spiers knew exactly what was going on and what he had to do. I've been on 4 combat tours and I have seen folks like that. They were built for combat. Folks that I'd follow in combat any day
This is my favorite clip from the entire series. What a man. Thank you for highlighting it.
15 yrs later
Why to be afraid of death, when you are already dead.
Speirs = The Man
I would rather an army of 100 sheep led by a lion than an army of 100 lions led by a sheep - Charles Maurice de Talleyrand
Ronald Speirs was a hell of a soldier but he wasn't American, he was born and raised in Edinburgh Scotland for the first 4 and a half years of his life.. Both his mother and father were Scottish so that gives him 100% Scottish blood.
R.I.P Speirs (April 20th 1920, Edinburgh, Scotland - April 11th 2007, Saint Marie, Montana)
From my experience there are Americans born all over the world.
America is made up of immigrants. As far as i'm concerned, he's an American.
doesnt matter where you were born,the minute you suit up in US uniform,you are an american ..
Joshua Sinnema He's Scottish..
+The Lava Magnet Split it in half: American of Scottish descent, like many proud men and women before him. Several US Presidents in fact, and countless others, though much more in the early developmental days of the country. I can see why his people favored kilts in combat - pants would've been too constrictive for warriors with such huge fucking balls.
Speirs is HARD-HARDCORE.
He did what he had to do!
He's a fucking HERO!!!!
I don’t know how he ran that fast with balls that big. Hero. Brave
Honestly im a foreigner that has served for my country and I dare say this is some ballsey shit! And this is what makes America great! Just go for your dreams and never look back. Bravery at its best
Best part is, the real Spiers actually did run through German lines to hook up with I company and then came back.
Every war is uniquely horrific in their own ways.. and the men who gave their lives during WWII were most certainly unique. We ought to never forget their sacrifice.
Rumor has it the even today German Soldiers look under their beds to make sure that Ronald Speirs is not hiding there.
That guy just freaking got things done! That's the kind of leader that you just feel confident following, no matter where.
I can only wonder how the Real Speirs felt when he watched himself portayed on the big screen. RIP
The kind of officer everyone wants to serve under. Told to take over, he didn’t say anything or ask any questions. Just went out and fucking did it.
I love the part where he's telling Lipton to get mortars/grenades on the roof. Talk about just a profound display of leadership, efficiency and tactical understanding. I'd have followed that guy into hell if he had a plan.
If? He had a plan.
how can you be focused on a single sniper pinning you down where there is an 88 firing away at you??
@@danf4447 Priority?
speirs was like the perfect soldier. no fear.
"And that wasn't the really astounding thing.....what was really astounding was....he came back"
Lt. Col. Ronald Freakin' Speirs, American Hero 🇺🇲🎗
But born in Scotland 😁
Speirs is my hero. I did a report about him. I wish I could've met him. This is my all-time favorite scene.
He murdered POWs. . .
@@RinnzuRosendale Yep, he was an alleged war criminal and as Winters stated "killed POWs for shock value". The command knew about the killings and decided to not investigate simply because people like Speirs were too valuable. There was in fact, another "accident" when Speirs shot one of his own soldiers, in his own words "in self-defence". As usual, no formal invesigation was conducted and Speir's platoon vouched for him. I don't doubt Speirs was an excellent soldier and that his extraordinary and ruthless actions saved many lives, but god knows how many he took when not in combat.
Someone who murdered defenseless POWs is a hero to you?
I hope you found some common sense in those 14 years.
@Jack L Go to hell with this appalling excuse about "following orders"
You are justifying murder.
@Jack L Calling massive war crimes "hard decisions" is pathetic, because you are trying to pretend that commiting them is good.
This makes me laugh every time. In a good way. Its absolutely remarkable that someone could do something so crazy that everyone is just standing there watching as it happens till they realize they should actually shoot at him. Its a scene you expect in a Hollywood film, but not expect that it actually happened. As lovers of this mini-series we all know it did. Great scene.
Reminds me of the scene in platoon with the suicide bomber "Hey stupid, where tf are you going?" as a vietcong runs into a command bunker with a bomb
probably the best action scene in band of brothers.
I have always admired this great American (from Scottland) who was the right man in the right place at the right time. I hope every ROTC class sees this episode of "Band of Brothers." Salute to Lt. Speirs and the men of the 101s at Bastogne.
+saburu sakai Scotland*
And to think, the real ronald spiers actually ran through german lines, what a tough bloke
most epic thing i've ever seen. and the real soldiers who died in w2 is in my heart.
Best scene of the entire series!
Donny Wahlberg was by far my favourite actor in this series. Lipton!!!!!
Ronald Speirs, born in Glasgow, Scotland, never was a coward born where the Thistle grows...
Captain Speirs - brass fucking balls. Much respect and RIP, sir.
If you read the book, the soldiers all respected Spiers and thought he was an excellent officer. I would have followed him into battle.
Like spears says earlier to bligh, "the only way to be a soldier is to accept you're already dead or you can't do your job" truth from a giant balled paratrooper
Speirs was an AMAZING strategist and an amazing soldier. He may have been a little nuts at some points, but the important thing was that he was a great leader. The actor who played him in "Band of Brothers" did an exceltent portrayal of him...not to mention that gusy is hot :P RIP Ron Speirs.
RIP Lt. Col. Speirs. You my friend was a fucking hero. You represented everything, everything that is great about America. I honor you, sir.
This video is 17 years old when youtube was a newborn baby. Band of Brothers was only 5?
I remember I bought Call of Duty 2 on cd in 2006 and it made me think of Band of Brothers.
All the rumors about Speirs are TRUE! I read it in an interview with Dick Winters. He said Speirs did shoot the German POWs and his own man because the man was drunk and refused to go on patrol. But Winters also said that he was an elite soldier...the kind needed to win wars...afterall, you don't send in boyscouts to win wars!
Well the disobeying frunk man also pointed his gun at him. That was the drunks fatal mistake.
In times of war, drastic actions are required. The Allies had no room or time for court marital and POW exchange and probation.
In any other era, he would have been executed for friendly fire and breaking the rules of war.
@DoubleAgent244 He had to relay orders to move straight ahead and not flank the Germans or else they would've been massacared. The reason he ran through the Germans is because the other unit did not have a radio and the only way to get them the orders was to personally deliver it.
I just watched that part for the first time going thru the series, I simply thought I misunderstood where he was. Nope, he was actually just running past the Germans. All I could manage was to point @ the screen saying, "That man has balls of pure titanium."
When Chuck Norris goes to bed he looks underneath for Lt Ronald Speirs.
Nobody wears or looks more bad ass in a helmet than Speirs does.
Easy CO had some of the most incredible officer in history. Both Sergeants Shames and Lipton received field commissions for their abilities to outshine and outperform their immediate officers and lead men to victory.
Ed Shames has some of the most incredible stories and was with E. Co from D-Day to Eagle’s Nest, and he’s really a minor character in the series because SO MANY OF THESE MEN had unbelievable stories, the series would have been 100 hours long if they’d given each man their due.
spears running through the german soldiers is the best scene in the show
Satan checks under his bed for Chuck Norris... Chuck Norris checks under his bed for Spiers.
Speirs was my favorite. The man that was needed. He would not fit into todays PC world. He was a Man among Men.
Scene gives you goosebumps. Fantastic bravery.
the world needs more Ronald Speirs.
never accept cigarettes from spiers :) the legend of the legend
Would make a great government health warning.
Spiers did not execute the German prisoners captured by American paras after offering them a cigarette, as the other soldiers thought.
Spiers himself tells Lipton, "Maybe Tersius knew there was some value to the men thinking he was the meanest, toughest SOB in the whole Roman legion."
From what I have gathered, he offered them a cig and took them all about half a kilometer from the camp into a clearing, where he had them kneel, and he discharged a magazine. Then he told them to walk that way.
"Speirs! Get out there and relieve (Commanding Officer name here) of command!" most useful words of World War II.
Probably the best scene out of many great scenes. Watched Band of Brothers about six times. It gets you
The man that never dies.
The irony - he seen himself as a dead man and the dead have nothing no fear anymore and that allowed him to act and kept him alive.
I like how Speirs was just right there and ready to jump in any seconds
You know, I’m surprised Speirs can run so fast with giant balls of steel!
Greatest show ever
He was born in my home town, Edinburgh, Scotland. I'm still trying to find out where. Trust a Jock American to pull a stunt like that. What a guy.
He's the commander I would've followed. The odds of dying out of complacency in a fire zone are so high the only thing you can hope for is a commander who moves wise and fast.
I like how spears just casually dodges artillery fire
I love how all the Germans are like wtf!! And he even came back like a badass.
This scene is required viewing every once in a while.
Not many people know this but Speirs was born with a body defect. Instead of balls he had two Mk2 hand grenades.
lol
The absolute best!! Tv series that i have EVER seen
THis series is the best thing ever.
I heard tale of Spiers reaction to Ambrose when asked about the miniseries. Basically all Spiers said was "Nope" and shut the door in his face. My buddy who's a writer and personally knew many of these men said Spiers fought the war not with wreckless abandon but without fear believing he wasn't going to survive an would do his utmost to win. Spiers was once rumored to have said the biggest surprise he had during WWII was he'd lived thru it. It's my guess after what he'd been thru and done he in no way wanted to relive it. That's probably why he didn't take part in all the fame and glory the rest of the men did.
Speirs was an amazing solider, he didnt give a fuck, which made him a great solider.
My Uncles Bob and Harold fought in WW2, Uncle Bob had shell shock for 30 years after the war, never talked about any of it. Uncle Harold talked about his friends and the fun times they had in the barracks or sitting in a bombed out house, he always had a white handkerchief because within 2 minutes he was talking thru tears, not once did he talk the fighting, killing or glorifying the war. He did say one time that he considered himself already dead over there, that made it easier to get thru each day.
legend says Spiers left massive foot impressions in the earth from the weight of those massive steel balls while running.
By far the coolest part of the actual show was Winters ignoring Strayer and going straight to the man who could get shit done.
Speirs.
no matter what people say about speirs, he's a war hero
Since I’ve got commissioned, I remember this scene so many times. Facing hardships, long term field exercise, troubles among people, I watch his running. This is the commissioned officer!
I'd be very proud if I had made this mini series