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Have you ever thought of visiting Aldbourne or upottery in UK where Dick winters trained. I remember watching a video when he returned he visited the place he stayed and the graves of the couple who owned the house he stayed in.
If ever in England you should visit Brookwood American Cemetry. There are a number of first and Second World War soldiers buried there. Every year on the Sunday closest to the 11th November there is a commemoration service attended by the United States Ambassador.
As a Brit, may I say God bless this generation that fought me, the freedoms I take for granted today. God bless all the Allies & may you rest in peace. Excellent video thank you so much for doing us proud in remembering.
At the Rannville war cemetery there is a very interesting grave. A 9th battalion of the Parachute Regiment soldier who was a dog handler. He and his dog parachuted into France on D day but both were killed a few days later. He and his dog are buried together in the Rannville cemetery
In Commonwealth cemeteries, there is always a visitors book that you can put your name and address in; followed by a short comment. Is it the same in US war cemeteries?
The older British gentleman buried you showed are from the merchant Navy they generally would be older as they were experienced seamen and also technically civilians. They did the convoy work and things of that nature. Absolute bravery
@@TheHistoryUnderground I was just about to post the same information (i'd turned my phone back on again to do it). Merchant Navy ships were designated "S.S. such and such" rather than "H.M.S. whatever". The Merchant Navy were supply ships and made up the transatlantic convoys that kept Britain fed and armed during the darkest days of the war. This gentleman was 15 years old when he sailed for Normandy in a Merchant Navy ship to support the invasion- he wrote about it in this song: th-cam.com/video/DsVQMfxIfks/w-d-xo.html
The Merchant Navy as it was known had a very high rate of casualties, though many were lost or buried at sea and have no known grave. It was officially calculated that 27% died as a result of enemy action. Added to that, as career seamen many had also served through WW1, and risked death there too.
It is one of the worst facts, that as soon as their ships were sunk, their pay stopped! They could be in a lifeboat or Carly float for days, sometimes weeks, and not be owed a penny!
I visited the Bayeaux cemetery several years ago with some friends and our families. My father fought in WW2 and I am also a (UK) veteran. My friend had two very young children at the time and as children often do, as we walked the cemetery they played quite happily. They weren't being riotous or overly noisy. Just being kids. Another visitor questioned why he was allowing his children to play. I told them that the men lying here would have no concerns about the children playing. Quite the opposite. They would be very happy to have those children there and playing.
Visited many of these cemeteries throughout Normandy and Picardy. Never fails to move me. So many were so young who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our tomorrows. RIP.
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission do a fantastic job of maintaining sites like these all over the world. Glad you had Mr Wodadge there to add context. Very good video
@@TheHistoryUnderground , most moving War Cemetery it's in Oosterbeek, for british soldiers in Operation Market Garden. Don't miss it, specialy in Flower Children Day. It's heartbreaking.
You could spend a day reading the epitaphs, and shedding more than a few tears. The Battle of Normandy Museum (right across the street) is one of the best in Normandy. Well worth an extended visit. Thanks for these videos. For an amateur WWII historian, they're platinum.
Learning something new in every episode. As a person that likes to stroll in a cemetery and read the headstones this was fascinating. Interesting how the Brits honored these brave men. Thank you JD and Paul.
@@TheHistoryUnderground Had the privilege of visiting these sites several years ago. Wasn’t discussed here, but something else they did was place headstones of bomber crews tighter together. Depending which sites you visit, you may come across a row of 3-5 that are noticeably tighter together. This represents those airmen being recovered from the same aircraft. Keep up the great work!
It’s a shame our Canadian boys seem to always be forgotten or are only ever mentioned in brief passing. Their sacrifice was great and they are not forgotten as well. 🇨🇦
The Canadian contributions of its young men and material that kept Britain in the fight against Nazi Germany that they came forward to help the mother country in both world wars and it's sacrifice of its youth. Shall not be forgotten 🇬🇧
Thank you for highlighting some of the Commonwealth cemeteries in Normandy. It is good to see the final resting place of some men from the 1st Hussars, one of the units from my hometown of London, Ontario.
Whenever I travel overseas I always check to see if there is a Commonwealth War Cemetery nearby to where I am and pay a visit. They are such beautiful yet tragic places.
Thanks JD for shining a light on the British and Commonwealth sacrifice along with our American brethren. Really enjoy all your work. All the best from the UK.
Super video guys and thank you for visiting a Commonwealth Cemetery. The MN for the two older guys stands for Merchant Navy. They would be older given their rank and were the professional sailors who ran unarmed ships on convoys and supply runs. Very brave men as they were at the mercy of every U Boat going. Thanks again for such a great video.
Thank you Thank you, for the excellent series, England/ Britain as fought over that piece of France for hundreds of years, but when you visit those cemeteries they always take you back, and Thank you for showing the regiments badges, I myself am a proud kingsman, now part of the Duke of Lancaster regiment
JD! I just read about Sydney Bates and his acts of selflessness. I'm fortunate to know what a heroic man he was. RIP Sydney Bates! Your memory lives on.
Thank you for covering British troops in your recent videos. Amazing content and so well made. Hopefully this will help a different audience understand the contributions of the Commonwealth to WW2. As a volunteer with Commonwealth War Graves Commission I really enjoyed this episode. Brilliant work
Awesome job. Glad you are educating folks on the ways of others. That's what we all need. Thanks again for educating us. 👍👍👍 They where all so young on both sides.
I admire the respect that you have for your countrymen and also for my countrymen. War is terrible and I appreciate your equanimity for brothers in arms.
I allways love to visit commenwealth cemetary's. The unit symbols and specialized text is allways great to see! And to see Germans burried with Allied soldiers is amazing to see.
So touching to see how British and the Commonwealth honor their fallen war heros. When I get a notification of a new upload of your videos, I can hardly wait to watch it. Your and one other channels I follow gets me excited that I am going to learn more.
Thanks so much for doing this. It's a great pretty basic portrayal of these graveyards which have been mostly ignored by 'history'. But also by *us*, the British. You cared, but you also organised and made it happen. The entrepreneurial spirit of Americans is a beautiful thing.
Sidney Bates, British VC recipient, wow what amazing selfless courage from a young man. I often ponder if a 23 year old could muster that kind of courage today. I don't know that I could have done that.
Hey JD, I’ve visited the awe-inspiring American cemetery in Coleville Sur Mer, and the somber Teuton-style German cemetery in La Cambe, but I found I spent more time at the British cemetery in Bayeux. There was just so much more story to every headstone. It was profound.
Yes. All the ones you mentioned are well worth a visit. As well as the Canadian Cemetery at Beny-sur-Mer. I always pay visits and respects to the fallen when touring the historic Normandy sites.
In our local cemetery, there is a empty grave with a headstone with his name, date of birth, and that he died somewhere on the Bataan Death March. Body never recovered. He was 21 yrs old. To think that that kid grew up right here, with our family and friends, and ended up there. We are too young to have known him, but our parents, grandparents knew him well.
Nice one Jd when I was serving my 22 years I went to Normandy twice with Veteran's from the Campaign they are all gone sadly. But I will cherish the time I had laughing and having a beer with them. Thanks for sharing our troops stories and thanks for your passion on history. God bless
Visited the Bayeux War Cemetery a few years back on our tour through Normandy to pay our respect to the fallen. One of the things that moved me where the small notes and pictures the Canadian graves had posted next to the headstone. As if he had written them himself, very moving.
I cycle from my Normandy home to the Commonwealth Cemetery near Beny Bocage once a year. I am moved to tears by some of the epitaphs. Things like' forever missed by your Mum', or 'your sweetheart will never forget you'. There are about 900 immaculate graves there in a beautiful peaceful setting. As an ex soldier I am fascinated by the range of Regimental badges and long forgotten names of units I never knew existed. It`s well worth a visit.
Yet another unique journey into stories unknown. JD you are the best! Thank you once again for educating us in the stories that you just don't hear anywhere else. Perpetuating the legend of those who gave everything for us.
JD....... Yet another superb vlog of heroic soldiers who fought to free the world of Nazi tyranny. Thanks to historians like you the memories of these soldiers are preserved. Your work doing this is very much appreciated.
I have not had the opportunity to visit Normandy and the cemeteries of our fallen. I did have a chance to visit a WWII cemetery of Germans that fell during the invasion of Sicily. It was a chilling experience.
Great episode JD. Was great to have Paul explain the differences between American and Commonwealth cemeteries. Bayeaux cemetery wall of honor with all the names reminds me of the WWI cemeteries with all the names. Thx for sharing
Hi, Thanks you for all your videos. I learn something new each new episodes. It will be great that your talk about the "other allies" who fought in Normandy. Like the polish, french, Norwegian, Dutch etc... Like your work on your channel keep continued 👍
Mate, your fellow Countryman flying with the RAF, think you'll find was one of the early American Volunteers who signed up to help fight way before 🇺🇸 involved in the scrap. Respect.
There's a lot of interesting things packed in this relatively short video. Thanks once again for teaching me something new. You can never stop learning 👍
What is amazing the amount of work gone in to the building of the monument and engraving of all those headstones and very befitting for those who paid the ultimate sacrifice so we all could live in freedom.
Yet another good video, been to the Bayeux cemetery, very moving 😥, lost contact now but my Cousin joined the Commonwealth war graves commission after a trip we did in 1996 to Ypres and around the Great War battle fields ! 🏴🇬🇧
I have visited some of the Normandy cemeteries, and also the CWGC cemeteries from WW1 around Ypres in Belgium. For me personally it's the small ones that are most poignant. The huge sites like Tyne Cot with nearly 12000 graves are difficult to comprehend, but then you see in the distance a white cross, sometimes in the middle of a field with maybe 40 or 50 graves and always kept immaculately.
Had to take the opportunity to read up on Sidney Bates. At 23 he charged those Germans. I am sure we’d all like to think we’d be as brave to do what was needed to save our men, were we in a battle situation, but as most of us have not been and can have no understanding of the chaos of such situations, it is a moot speculation. I have been honored to know many who have been in combat and have only gleaned an inkling of what things were like through their relating events, those who were willing to share. What amazing, selfless soldiers.
Sidney Bates was 1st Bn The Royal Norfolk Regiment. Probably the best British Infantry Bn in Northwest Europe. Monty held them in very high regard. I had the honour to serve in 1 Royal Anglian - The Vikings. Direct descendant of the Norfolk’s. Our Bn tie is the Royal Norfolk tie.
I've said it before, and I'll say it again: it is so refreshing to watch an American giving respectful mention to British/Commonwealth servicemen, something rarely seen in American videos of WW1 and WW2. The gentleman who provided information for you, had actually been given a task impossible for him to relate in full, but in Northern France and Belgium there are some 4,000 British/Commonwealth military cemeteries of various sizes, constructed and maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC). Where known, the regimental cap badge of the interred soldier is always reproduced on the headstone, and the family were normally invited to offer a personal inscription (Paul made an unintentional faux pas in stating that every soldier killed received notification of his death, when it was actually his family that got the notice!!! Sorry to raise that fatuous point!). Unlike most other armies, the British Army fought - not by regiment, but by battalion. When they joined, they were placed in a specific regiment - let's call it the Bluntshires. That regiment would have had a nominal two battalions, one of which would be serving abroad, and one at home (as the "Parent"), also acting as the recruitment centre for that regiment. In times of warfare, those two battalions might be supplemented by the raising of additional battalions, but each battalion would wear the Bluntshires capbadge. Pride in their regiment was normally reflected by referring first to their battalion, be it the 1st, 2nd or whichever one it was. During the First World War, some regiments had up to 20 or more battalions! An interesting note on the British Army, is that up until 1916, no recruit was anything other than a volunteer - right from the 16th Century. The great losses after the Somme battles in 1916 changed that, due mainly to the large number of losses sustained. The largest CWGC Cemetery is close to Passchendaele in Flanders, and contains 11,000 Commonwealth soldiers from the First World War. It wasn't normal practice, but neither was it unusual for enemy personnel to be buried alongside Commonwealth troops. The Germans did the same thing in some places. I beg to respectfully correct you regarding religious groups. There are a number of cemeteries where Commonwealth troops have their own cemeteries, and these are mostly Hindi or Musim. There are also a number of Chinese cemeteries, but these were entirely Chinese civilians working for the British - mainly in constuction and grave-digging duties. They were however, subject to British Army Regulations. You can find the details of every British Soldier killed in either World War, along with information on every CWGC Cemetery right across the world in the CWGC website. Most KIA/DOW details can be found within seconds. My family had no details of my mother's sister who served and died serving with the British Army in Egypt. I was able to find her date of death, causes, cemetery, grave location and grave (with photograph of the headstone) within a few minutes! I you are an American (or any other National) with former relatives or friends killed in either World War, you can get all the above info' in the CWGC website. Thanks for a quite sensitively treated and informative video.
I was very impressed with the cemetery at Bayeux. I was taken aback when I saw commonwealth soldiers and German soldiers in the same cemetery. It was very overwhelming to see soldiers of different nations buried together. What really struck me was how ornate some of the British headstones were and how plain and simple the German headstones were. I think about that place often, pondering that maybe those guys buried there may have been great friends if not for the war. War is sometimes necessary, but such a waste of humanity.
Near where I live in Hampshire,there is a war cemetery at Victoria Park,Netley.There was a old hospital on the site and it's graveyard has a lot of German graves.But they are more ornate than the British graves.They are painted in the colours of the German State and the writing is written in the Gothic style.
Excellent video, always very moving to visit the cemeteries. My dad was 9th bn, 6th Airborne, and when we visited the Ranville cemetery where a lot of his friends lay, he would lightly tap his walking stick on top of the headstone as if to say hey, im here pal. These gardens of stone are hallowed grounds and when I see them I think, look at all the children who were never born. R.I.P
Its where Emile Cortiel is buried with his para dog Glen, sadly killed in a friendly bombing incident, also R E Johns, the 16 year old paratrooper who lied about his age to join up, by the time the army found out he had just been killed
I've been loving your Normandy videos. My Grandad landed at Normandy but not on D-Day, he landed on or around June 22nd 1944 with the 5th/7th Hampshires as part of Market Garden. He ended up in Nijmegen. Up until his death he would visit Holland each year and as is the way with WW2 soldiers he would meet up with German soldiers and talk about the battles. The also had a tradition that they did from the 1970s until about 2012 where they would give a German helmet back and forth. So one year my Grandad would have the helmet and the following year he would pass it to a German soldier who kept it for a year then passed it back. I still miss him and I'm forever grateful for what he and millions of young people did fighting so that we could be free from tyrants. We will remember them.
the British and Canadians and the other allies fought just as hard and valiant as the US troops and its a shame more don't know their full stories...again thanks for this series
JD tx for recognising the work of the Commonwealth Wargraves Commission who look after these memorials to our casualties of war. These locations are spread across so many nations in many countries in Europe, Africa and Asia. Those stones with the MN symbol, they are not actually servicemen, they are mariners who served on merchant vessels, so they could be much older men than you would have expected for an military serviceman.
@@TheHistoryUnderground you can also find CWG headstones in graveyards all around the UK. Some of these are because the serviceman died after they came home, some are because their body was repatriated for some other reasons. So there are a couple of them in a churchyard not far from my home here in Manchester.
What a beautifully done episode. Thanks so much for this particularly with respect to explanation to the regimental system. I was a 1st Hussar...The regiment landed in DD tanks at Courselles-sur-Mer.
@@TheHistoryUnderground I was privileged, as a young troop leader, to meet many of the 1H vets. We had the deepest penetration of the landing forces on D-Day. The troop leader, "Red" McCormack, told me that they got lost, turned around to get back to the Regiment, and hit the objective from behind, suprising both the Germans and themselves!!
DD stand for duplex drive. They ran a propellor of the engine and had a high canvas skirt that enabled the tank to remain buoyant in seas with no swell. Imagine driving a 25 ton lump of metal into the sea...such courage.
Hey JD. Very nice video. I myself come from the Netherlands and have often been To the cemeteries of the Commonwealth. Buy never knew the thoughts bevind the text at the bottom of the Stone. So you see, you learn something new every day.
Great episode JD and Woody, the epitaphs were normally paid for by the family, that's why some don't have them. Incidentally, under the rules from the CWGC, Australian troops were not permitted an epitaph.
Super good show..my grandad evacuated at Dunkirk in 1940 and returned to France via Sword Beach with the RA in 1944(with a minor deviation in North Africa) thumbs up yanks👍
You really need to visit the Normandy CWGC cemeteries in July and August when the red roses by each stone are out. Stunning and got me emotional which was unusual for me!
Nice video. The MN on the headstones at 10:46 stands for Merchant Navy; career civilian seafarers, hence their age. Their ship SS Empire Rosebery struck a mine off the Normandy coast at Ouistreham, where she still lies.
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Also be sure to check out The Gettysburg Museum of History and their store at www.gettysburgmuseumofhistory.com. Thanks!
Have you ever thought of visiting Aldbourne or upottery in UK where Dick winters trained. I remember watching a video when he returned he visited the place he stayed and the graves of the couple who owned the house he stayed in.
If ever in England you should visit Brookwood American Cemetry. There are a number of first and Second World War soldiers buried there. Every year on the Sunday closest to the 11th November there is a commemoration service attended by the United States Ambassador.
Did you saw any French Canadian (Quebecois ) buried in those cemetery ? Thanks you and again great videos.
As a Brit, may I say God bless this generation that fought me, the freedoms I take for granted today. God bless all the Allies & may you rest in peace. Excellent video thank you so much for doing us proud in remembering.
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Very well said! God bless them all.
At the Rannville war cemetery there is a very interesting grave. A 9th battalion of the Parachute Regiment soldier who was a dog handler. He and his dog parachuted into France on D day but both were killed a few days later. He and his dog are buried together in the Rannville cemetery
I've heard that story. Definitely plan on visiting there on my next trip.
6th Airborne Emile Corteil and his dog Glen
In Commonwealth cemeteries, there is always a visitors book that you can put your name and address in; followed by a short comment.
Is it the same in US war cemeteries?
JD, all the Canadian, Commonwealth and British fans of your shows thank you. There is more to winning WW2 than the Band of Brothers and the US Army
Absolutely. Thank you.
The older British gentleman buried you showed are from the merchant Navy they generally would be older as they were experienced seamen and also technically civilians. They did the convoy work and things of that nature. Absolute bravery
Appreciate that extra info. Thanks.
@@TheHistoryUnderground I was just about to post the same information (i'd turned my phone back on again to do it). Merchant Navy ships were designated "S.S. such and such" rather than "H.M.S. whatever". The Merchant Navy were supply ships and made up the transatlantic convoys that kept Britain fed and armed during the darkest days of the war. This gentleman was 15 years old when he sailed for Normandy in a Merchant Navy ship to support the invasion- he wrote about it in this song: th-cam.com/video/DsVQMfxIfks/w-d-xo.html
Exactly! I was thrown, when he suggested that Britain was becoming desperate…
The Merchant Navy as it was known had a very high rate of casualties, though many were lost or buried at sea and have no known grave. It was officially calculated that 27% died as a result of enemy action. Added to that, as career seamen many had also served through WW1, and risked death there too.
It is one of the worst facts, that as soon as their ships were sunk, their pay stopped! They could be in a lifeboat or Carly float for days, sometimes weeks, and not be owed a penny!
I visited the Bayeaux cemetery several years ago with some friends and our families.
My father fought in WW2 and I am also a (UK) veteran.
My friend had two very young children at the time and as children often do, as we walked the cemetery they played quite happily. They weren't being riotous or overly noisy. Just being kids.
Another visitor questioned why he was allowing his children to play.
I told them that the men lying here would have no concerns about the children playing. Quite the opposite.
They would be very happy to have those children there and playing.
Visited many of these cemeteries throughout Normandy and Picardy. Never fails to move me. So many were so young who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our tomorrows. RIP.
Completely agree.
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission do a fantastic job of maintaining sites like these all over the world. Glad you had Mr Wodadge there to add context. Very good video
I've never been to a Commonwealth cemetery in Normandy. Thank you for honoring these brave soldiers.
Most fantastic epitafh in Bayeux War Cemetery: "PEACE LAD. YOU PLAYED THE GAME".
Oh wow. I could spend an entire day reading through those.
@@TheHistoryUnderground , most moving War Cemetery it's in Oosterbeek, for british soldiers in Operation Market Garden. Don't miss it, specialy in Flower Children Day. It's heartbreaking.
The headstones with gardens below is a very nice touch.
Yeah, I loved that. Lots of maintenance.
You could spend a day reading the epitaphs, and shedding more than a few tears.
The Battle of Normandy Museum (right across the street) is one of the best in Normandy. Well worth an extended visit.
Thanks for these videos. For an amateur WWII historian, they're platinum.
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Great video! Commonwealth War Grave sites are designed to resemble a British style church yard, hence the garden feel of the cemeteries
Interesting. Thanks for that info.
Learning something new in every episode. As a person that likes to stroll in a cemetery and read the headstones this was fascinating. Interesting how the Brits honored these brave men. Thank you JD and Paul.
Yeah, I could have spent an entire day just at these two places.
Thanks to JD, we spent an entire day visiting Chattanooga National Cemetery.
@@TheHistoryUnderground Had the privilege of visiting these sites several years ago. Wasn’t discussed here, but something else they did was place headstones of bomber crews tighter together. Depending which sites you visit, you may come across a row of 3-5 that are noticeably tighter together. This represents those airmen being recovered from the same aircraft. Keep up the great work!
My wife, son, and I stayed in Bayeux near this cemetery and we very much enjoyed walking through it. Thanks for sharing.
Pretty amazing place.
It’s a shame our Canadian boys seem to always be forgotten or are only ever mentioned in brief passing. Their sacrifice was great and they are not forgotten as well. 🇨🇦
Stick around. We've got some Canadian content on the horizon :)
Hi Andrew, like with my channel, there's only so much you can cover in one episode. JD has filmed at Canadian sites, so just keep watching.
The Canadian contributions of its young men and material that kept Britain in the fight against Nazi Germany that they came forward to help the mother country in both world wars and it's sacrifice of its youth. Shall not be forgotten 🇬🇧
No one in the uk have forgotten any sacrifice that Canadians have made or any other , dont beleive in that buddy, its also taught in schools here
As a Scot not true we remember them forever .
Thank you for highlighting some of the Commonwealth cemeteries in Normandy. It is good to see the final resting place of some men from the 1st Hussars, one of the units from my hometown of London, Ontario.
Absolutely. Thanks!
Thanks for mentioning the Regiment. I served with 1H for 10 years and I remember the vets' stories about Juno beach. Hodie Non Cras.
So respectful of all the fallen soldiers.
Thank you again
Whenever I travel overseas I always check to see if there is a Commonwealth War Cemetery nearby to where I am and pay a visit. They are such beautiful yet tragic places.
If you haven’t already been there, the Menin Gate is a must. The Last Post ceremony, every night is so, so moving.
Haven’t been there yet.
@@TheHistoryUnderground the most amazing area with so many memorials. A must go to place.
Thanks JD for shining a light on the British and Commonwealth sacrifice along with our American brethren. Really enjoy all your work. All the best from the UK.
very moving
Very much so.
Super video guys and thank you for visiting a Commonwealth Cemetery. The MN for the two older guys stands for Merchant Navy. They would be older given their rank and were the professional sailors who ran unarmed ships on convoys and supply runs. Very brave men as they were at the mercy of every U Boat going. Thanks again for such a great video.
Thank you and thanks for the extra info.
Thank you Thank you, for the excellent series, England/ Britain as fought over that piece of France for hundreds of years, but when you visit those cemeteries they always take you back, and Thank you for showing the regiments badges, I myself am a proud kingsman, now part of the Duke of Lancaster regiment
Thank you. Appreciate those words.
@@Luke-dj2tk I'm so sorry to here that
You must be a Yorkshire regiment guy, lol,
JD! I just read about Sydney Bates and his acts of selflessness. I'm fortunate to know what a heroic man he was. RIP Sydney Bates! Your memory lives on.
Quite the man.
Thank you for this video and honoring our Commonwealth brothers and their sacrifice.
My pleasure. Hopefully people will share this one and help make others aware as well.
Thank you for covering British troops in your recent videos. Amazing content and so well made. Hopefully this will help a different audience understand the contributions of the Commonwealth to WW2. As a volunteer with Commonwealth War Graves Commission I really enjoyed this episode. Brilliant work
My pleasure. And thanks for volunteering with the CWGC!
Awesome job. Glad you are educating folks on the ways of others. That's what we all need. Thanks again for educating us. 👍👍👍 They where all so young on both sides.
Our pleasure! I really enjoyed putting this one together.
I admire the respect that you have for your countrymen and also for my countrymen. War is terrible and I appreciate your equanimity for brothers in arms.
Thank you.
Thanks for doing these JD, much appreciated. "They shall never grow old".
I allways love to visit commenwealth cemetary's. The unit symbols and specialized text is allways great to see!
And to see Germans burried with Allied soldiers is amazing to see.
I was extremely impressed. It made me want to go visit them all.
So touching to see how British and the Commonwealth honor their fallen war heros. When I get a notification of a new upload of your videos, I can hardly wait to watch it. Your and one other channels I follow gets me excited that I am going to learn more.
So glad to hear that. Thanks!
Thanks so much for doing this. It's a great pretty basic portrayal of these graveyards which have been mostly ignored by 'history'. But also by *us*, the British. You cared, but you also organised and made it happen. The entrepreneurial spirit of Americans is a beautiful thing.
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Thank you JD and Paul for taking the time to visit these gravesites and educate us as well on this history!
Our pleasure.
Sidney Bates, British VC recipient, wow what amazing selfless courage from a young man. I often ponder if a 23 year old could muster that kind of courage today. I don't know that I could have done that.
I hear you. Uncommon valor.
Excellent education...I love this SOOOO much !!
Thank you so much for all the great videos.
You must have so much fun with your adventures.
🙏🏼
I can't tell you gentlemen how much I appreciate your documentaries. I also appreciate how you not only focus on the allies, but the Germans
Also.
Hey JD, I’ve visited the awe-inspiring American cemetery in Coleville Sur Mer, and the somber Teuton-style German cemetery in La Cambe, but I found I spent more time at the British cemetery in Bayeux. There was just so much more story to every headstone. It was profound.
Completely agree.
Yes. All the ones you mentioned are well worth a visit. As well as the Canadian Cemetery at Beny-sur-Mer. I always pay visits and respects to the fallen when touring the historic Normandy sites.
Respect to our comrades in arms. thank's to both of you for these video's
In our local cemetery, there is a empty grave with a headstone with his name, date of birth, and that he died somewhere on the Bataan Death March.
Body never recovered.
He was 21 yrs old.
To think that that kid grew up right here, with our family and friends, and ended up there.
We are too young to have known him, but our parents, grandparents knew him well.
Oh wow. That is tragic.
Thanks for covering all aspects on this series. Very touching
My pleasure! Thanks for watching.
Nice one Jd when I was serving my 22 years I went to Normandy twice with Veteran's from the Campaign they are all gone sadly. But I will cherish the time I had laughing and having a beer with them. Thanks for sharing our troops stories and thanks for your passion on history. God bless
Oh wow. I’m jealous of your experience.
thank you! Another interesting peice of history
That's so cool JD. I enjoyed this video and others that you have uploaded.
Visited the Bayeux War Cemetery a few years back on our tour through Normandy to pay our respect to the fallen. One of the things that moved me where the small notes and pictures the Canadian graves had posted next to the headstone. As if he had written them himself, very moving.
Definitely some moving places.
Thank you for visiting our fallen heroes . You’re a great man JD.
I cycle from my Normandy home to the Commonwealth Cemetery near Beny Bocage once a year. I am moved to tears by some of the epitaphs. Things like' forever missed by your Mum', or 'your sweetheart will never forget you'. There are about 900 immaculate graves there in a beautiful peaceful setting. As an ex soldier I am fascinated by the range of Regimental badges and long forgotten names of units I never knew existed. It`s well worth a visit.
Yet another unique journey into stories unknown. JD you are the best! Thank you once again for educating us in the stories that you just don't hear anywhere else. Perpetuating the legend of those who gave everything for us.
May all our Commonwealth fallen Rest In Peace. Thank god we had brave men like you 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧
Never Forget! Wonderful, respectful video. Thank you!
Thank you too!
Fantastic series. I've been to Normandy twice, but have not seen a lot of what you have shown. Thank you for what you are presenting.
JD....... Yet another superb vlog of heroic soldiers who fought to free the world of Nazi tyranny. Thanks to historians like you the memories of these soldiers are preserved. Your work doing this is very much appreciated.
Much appreciated.
I have not had the opportunity to visit Normandy and the cemeteries of our fallen. I did have a chance to visit a WWII cemetery of Germans that fell during the invasion of Sicily. It was a chilling experience.
Definitely hope to visit there at some point.
Great video JD my grandfather buried not to far from where you are Thankyou for sharing
Oh wow. Thanks for sharing that.
Great episode JD. Was great to have Paul explain the differences between American and Commonwealth cemeteries. Bayeaux cemetery wall of honor with all the names reminds me of the WWI cemeteries with all the names. Thx for sharing
Pretty moving place. Glad that I had Paul along to help interpret the headstones.
@@TheHistoryUnderground Paul is a wealth of knowledge. Really enjoying WW2TV--glad you put a promo on for him!! Hope to see you on line later today
Very informative video, also thank you to Paul for explaining all this.
👍🏻
Great video. Really enjoyed the education.
Awesome, thank you!
Thank you JD your a good man for taking the time to visit our heroic lads
My pleasure. Thank you for watching.
This is so well done. JD, Paul, you have done so much good with these history videos - OUTSTANDING JOB! 👏👏🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺!
👊🏻
Thank you!
No, thank you for watching.
Thank you, tastefully and respectfully done.
Thank you kindly!
I don’t know JD, with this Normandy series you’ve set the bar really high. It’s almost too good. No pressure. Thank you and safe travels.
Gosh. That’s what I’m afraid of. 🤦🏻♂️
Hi,
Thanks you for all your videos.
I learn something new each new episodes.
It will be great that your talk about the "other allies" who fought in Normandy.
Like the polish, french, Norwegian, Dutch etc...
Like your work on your channel keep continued 👍
Got some plans for that in the future. Thanks!
@@TheHistoryUnderground Great news 😁 !!
Thanks for your hard work
Mate, your fellow Countryman flying with the RAF, think you'll find was one of the early American Volunteers who signed up to help fight way before 🇺🇸 involved in the scrap. Respect.
Yeah, I'd like to learn more about him. Those guys were something else.
Another great job showing us the cost of this war. It’s amazing how big the battle field of Normandy really is!!
Appreciate that!
4000 square miles!
So good of you to visit.
So glad you went there to those two cemeteries. Never realized about the age differences before.
Pretty moving places.
There's a lot of interesting things packed in this relatively short video. Thanks once again for teaching me something new. You can never stop learning 👍
Thanks! I wish that I would have hit a few more while I was over there. So much to see.
What is amazing the amount of work gone in to the building of the monument and engraving of all those headstones and very befitting for those who paid the ultimate sacrifice so we all could live in freedom.
Fascinating video as always….as a Brit, it was really nice to see you visiting those places.
Glad you enjoyed it! Hopefully people will share this one out. My hope is that more people will see and come to appreciate these places.
@@TheHistoryUnderground I plan on doing so this summer. Thanks again…and keep up the great work.
Been there very emotional.
Very much so.
Yet another good video, been to the Bayeux cemetery, very moving 😥, lost contact now but my Cousin joined the Commonwealth war graves commission after a trip we did in 1996 to Ypres and around the Great War battle fields ! 🏴🇬🇧
Oh wow. Yes, Bayeux was something else. I could have spent an entire day there.
Wow, now, to research Sydney Gates! Cannot wait to learn his story!
Pretty amazing what he did.
Learned so much from this video no doubt! Once again you have provided us a teaching moment and a reminder the cost of freedom.
Another great video!! 💞 Thank you!
Thanks for watching!
I have visited some of the Normandy cemeteries, and also the CWGC cemeteries from WW1 around Ypres in Belgium. For me personally it's the small ones that are most poignant. The huge sites like Tyne Cot with nearly 12000 graves are difficult to comprehend, but then you see in the distance a white cross, sometimes in the middle of a field with maybe 40 or 50 graves and always kept immaculately.
Had to take the opportunity to read up on Sidney Bates. At 23 he charged those Germans. I am sure we’d all like to think we’d be as brave to do what was needed to save our men, were we in a battle situation, but as most of us have not been and can have no understanding of the chaos of such situations, it is a moot speculation. I have been honored to know many who have been in combat and have only gleaned an inkling of what things were like through their relating events, those who were willing to share. What amazing, selfless soldiers.
Pretty amazing what he did. Paul and I may have to do a video on him in the future.
Sidney Bates was 1st Bn The Royal Norfolk Regiment. Probably the best British Infantry Bn in Northwest Europe. Monty held them in very high regard. I had the honour to serve in 1 Royal Anglian - The Vikings. Direct descendant of the Norfolk’s. Our Bn tie is the Royal Norfolk tie.
Very nicely done. Having Paul explain the British system was really interesting. I’ve added his channel to my feed.
Thank you. I have over 400 deep-dive WWII history shows on my channel th-cam.com/users/WW2TV
I've said it before, and I'll say it again: it is so refreshing to watch an American giving respectful mention to British/Commonwealth servicemen, something rarely seen in American videos of WW1 and WW2.
The gentleman who provided information for you, had actually been given a task impossible for him to relate in full, but in Northern France and Belgium there are some 4,000 British/Commonwealth military cemeteries of various sizes, constructed and maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC). Where known, the regimental cap badge of the interred soldier is always reproduced on the headstone, and the family were normally invited to offer a personal inscription (Paul made an unintentional faux pas in stating that every soldier killed received notification of his death, when it was actually his family that got the notice!!! Sorry to raise that fatuous point!).
Unlike most other armies, the British Army fought - not by regiment, but by battalion. When they joined, they were placed in a specific regiment - let's call it the Bluntshires. That regiment would have had a nominal two battalions, one of which would be serving abroad, and one at home (as the "Parent"), also acting as the recruitment centre for that regiment.
In times of warfare, those two battalions might be supplemented by the raising of additional battalions, but each battalion would wear the Bluntshires capbadge. Pride in their regiment was normally reflected by referring first to their battalion, be it the 1st, 2nd or whichever one it was. During the First World War, some regiments had up to 20 or more battalions!
An interesting note on the British Army, is that up until 1916, no recruit was anything other than a volunteer - right from the 16th Century. The great losses after the Somme battles in 1916 changed that, due mainly to the large number of losses sustained.
The largest CWGC Cemetery is close to Passchendaele in Flanders, and contains 11,000 Commonwealth soldiers from the First World War.
It wasn't normal practice, but neither was it unusual for enemy personnel to be buried alongside Commonwealth troops. The Germans did the same thing in some places.
I beg to respectfully correct you regarding religious groups. There are a number of cemeteries where Commonwealth troops have their own cemeteries, and these are mostly Hindi or Musim. There are also a number of Chinese cemeteries, but these were entirely Chinese civilians working for the British - mainly in constuction and grave-digging duties. They were however, subject to British Army Regulations.
You can find the details of every British Soldier killed in either World War, along with information on every CWGC Cemetery right across the world in the CWGC website. Most KIA/DOW details can be found within seconds. My family had no details of my mother's sister who served and died serving with the British Army in Egypt. I was able to find her date of death, causes, cemetery, grave location and grave (with photograph of the headstone) within a few minutes!
I you are an American (or any other National) with former relatives or friends killed in either World War, you can get all the above info' in the CWGC website.
Thanks for a quite sensitively treated and informative video.
Thank you for the kind words. Much respect for what the British and Commonwealth troops did during the war.
Very interesting. Thank You
Thanks!
I was very impressed with the cemetery at Bayeux. I was taken aback when I saw commonwealth soldiers and German soldiers in the same cemetery. It was very overwhelming to see soldiers of different nations buried together. What really struck me was how ornate some of the British headstones were and how plain and simple the German headstones were. I think about that place often, pondering that maybe those guys buried there may have been great friends if not for the war. War is sometimes necessary, but such a waste of humanity.
Near where I live in Hampshire,there is a war cemetery at Victoria Park,Netley.There was a old hospital on the site and it's graveyard has a lot of German graves.But they are more ornate than the British graves.They are painted in the colours of the German State and the writing is written in the Gothic style.
Excellent video, always very moving to visit the cemeteries. My dad was 9th bn, 6th Airborne, and when we visited the Ranville cemetery where a lot of his friends lay, he would lightly tap his walking stick on top of the headstone as if to say hey, im here pal. These gardens of stone are hallowed grounds and when I see them I think, look at all the children who were never born. R.I.P
I did go to Ranville with JD, at least I think we did. We did so much I forget
We actually missed that one. Next trip!
@@TheHistoryUnderground Ah, that's my faulty memory then. Oops
Its where Emile Cortiel is buried with his para dog Glen, sadly killed in a friendly bombing incident, also R E Johns, the 16 year old paratrooper who lied about his age to join up, by the time the army found out he had just been killed
I've been loving your Normandy videos. My Grandad landed at Normandy but not on D-Day, he landed on or around June 22nd 1944 with the 5th/7th Hampshires as part of Market Garden. He ended up in Nijmegen. Up until his death he would visit Holland each year and as is the way with WW2 soldiers he would meet up with German soldiers and talk about the battles. The also had a tradition that they did from the 1970s until about 2012 where they would give a German helmet back and forth. So one year my Grandad would have the helmet and the following year he would pass it to a German soldier who kept it for a year then passed it back. I still miss him and I'm forever grateful for what he and millions of young people did fighting so that we could be free from tyrants. We will remember them.
Very moving!
the British and Canadians and the other allies fought just as hard and valiant as the US troops and its a shame more don't know their full stories...again thanks for this series
Completely agree. My hope is that people will share out some of these videos so that we can make their stories more well known.
Bonjour mon ami 😉👍
Thank you very much for this visit
Very interesting. Merci beaucoup
Good morning of France 🇺🇲🤝🇫🇷
Many thanks!
JD tx for recognising the work of the Commonwealth Wargraves Commission who look after these memorials to our casualties of war. These locations are spread across so many nations in many countries in Europe, Africa and Asia.
Those stones with the MN symbol, they are not actually servicemen, they are mariners who served on merchant vessels, so they could be much older men than you would have expected for an military serviceman.
Interesting. Thanks for that extra info. I could have spent an entire day in these places.
@@TheHistoryUnderground you can also find CWG headstones in graveyards all around the UK. Some of these are because the serviceman died after they came home, some are because their body was repatriated for some other reasons. So there are a couple of them in a churchyard not far from my home here in Manchester.
Very humbling sir!
What a beautifully done episode. Thanks so much for this particularly with respect to explanation to the regimental system. I was a 1st Hussar...The regiment landed in DD tanks at Courselles-sur-Mer.
Oh wow. Very cool. Thanks!
@@TheHistoryUnderground I was privileged, as a young troop leader, to meet many of the 1H vets. We had the deepest penetration of the landing forces on D-Day. The troop leader, "Red" McCormack, told me that they got lost, turned around to get back to the Regiment, and hit the objective from behind, suprising both the Germans and themselves!!
DD stand for duplex drive. They ran a propellor of the engine and had a high canvas skirt that enabled the tank to remain buoyant in seas with no swell. Imagine driving a 25 ton lump of metal into the sea...such courage.
Hey JD. Very nice video. I myself come from the Netherlands and have often been To the cemeteries of the Commonwealth. Buy never knew the thoughts bevind the text at the bottom of the Stone.
So you see, you learn something new every day.
I've been here myself. Very tranquil , almost like a cottage garden. Checkout the story of The Black Watch at Château de Bréville.
Thanks for the content; you, Paul and Erik make a great team and are pumping out some great stuff.
Thanks! I've definitely learned a lot from those guys.
Great episode JD and Woody, the epitaphs were normally paid for by the family, that's why some don't have them. Incidentally, under the rules from the CWGC, Australian troops were not permitted an epitaph.
Initially they had to pay yes, then later they became free
Super good show..my grandad evacuated at Dunkirk in 1940 and returned to France via Sword Beach with the RA in 1944(with a minor deviation in North Africa) thumbs up yanks👍
You really need to visit the Normandy CWGC cemeteries in July and August when the red roses by each stone are out. Stunning and got me emotional which was unusual for me!
Great job as always
Nice video. The MN on the headstones at 10:46 stands for Merchant Navy; career civilian seafarers, hence their age. Their ship SS Empire Rosebery struck a mine off the Normandy coast at Ouistreham, where she still lies.
Much respect from 🇬🇧 👍👍
🙏🏼
Am in the UK found that very informative 👏👏👏
So glad! Thank you.
@@TheHistoryUnderground 👍👍👍