Canadian Paratroopers Save Denmark! Operation Eclipse 1945
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 มี.ค. 2020
- The amazing 1945 operation by elite Canadian paratroopers to save Denmark from Soviet occupation.
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Canada In the Second World War is like that kid in your school project who works really really hard on the project and let’s others take the credit for their work... As a Canadian I’m proud of this story
I came here to say the same thing after watching! First off Mark, you are doing justice and giving a voice to so many people and stories as well that if not for you would be forgotten. This makes me proud to be Canadian when there's not a whole lot to be proud of up here at the moment. Thank you Mark Felton! Much love from Canada!
As a US Marine I was very impressed with Canadian soldiers and sailors, extremely professional and knowledgeable.
But as a Texan, y’all talk a little funny. 😄
🫡🇨🇦🇺🇸
I can't speak for other Provinces, but as an immigrant kid growing up in Ontario, it always came across that if there wasn't a political point that could be made by a history moment, it just didn't matter. History classes would spend a week talking about how the Suez Crisis was a defining moment for Canada, when the reality is Canada really didn't contribute anything substantial and isn't even mentioned in most accounts anywhere else. Likewise, *something* happened between 1914-18, but the only moment of significance was Vimy Ridge because we were able to die independent of the British. Nevermind that the battle was insignificant in the grand scheme. WWII gets a day where we talk about Dieppe and an "oh, also..." for the Netherlands, and that's about it. Meanwhile, interactions with First Nations is 50% of the curriculum, and the FLQ Crisis takes up another 30%.
I always found it super bizarre that it seemed to be official dogma that if you can't make a political point out of an historical event, the event didn't happen or isn't worthy of discussion. Which is probably why so many Canadians really don't know their own history.
@@ElmoUnk1953Ahh ... Sorry ... 🇨🇦❤🇺🇸😉
Proud of you Dad and cousin Frank D Lace
Just 2 men of my family who found a place that was in need of freedom. Both served our Country Canada 🇨🇦 well
As a Dane, I never knew this part of the history of our liberation. A heartfelt thanks to the Canadians and British for moving so decisively in the face of the Red Army!
Yes it definitely should be told much more I also feel that... but then that just makes it so much better that there is a video like this around
We stood in front of the Red Army to prevent the Reds from spreading there, we got your back and everyone else in NATO.
+1
It is actually shameful how little we get taught in school about the true events of WW2, how many Danes supported and fought for the Nazi regime, how we disarmed between WW1 and WW2. We are in the same situation now, where most Danes think that others should fight and die for us to be free. Under the thread of Russia, we want to live up to our Nato agreements in 13 years.
I would pass your thanks on to my grandfather if he was still alive🙁
As a Dane, i can say that we will never forget what was done for us. Now im going to find a Canadian and buy him a drink.
Ditto!
I will visit Denmark, and look for you ;)
Gud Bevare..
Your a good man Anders...
Don't forget to bring your beautiful sister....
Did you know that over 36,000 Dutch girls married ''Canucks'' ,.... The girls came over ...and they all became fabulously wealthy, dripping in diamonds, on our oil ranches in Ontario & Nova Scotia.
Skal...🍻⚔🍁☮
.
Visited Danmark 1962. Now I know why the Danes were so nice to us Canadians. Saw Gen Eisenhower visiting an army base.
Your welcome
May I, as a Dane, born in 1955, from the bottom of my heart thank Canada and the Canadian troops for their efforts. Thanks to them, the war only became "5 damn years" and not 45 years. Personally, it has meant that I have lived my life in freedom with all that it has meant.
It is my hope that Canada and Denmark can resolve our "alcohol war" in Nares Strait around Hans Ø.
Anders, I rather enjoyed the “Whiskey Wars”. It was a good chuckle to hear the updates on the affair. I am embarrassed that we left you bottles of Canadian Club Whiskey. We could have at least left you Crown Royal as Canadian Club is not worth the time drinking besides getting drunk. Terrible tasting stuff. Anyways I think if nothing else we displayed that disputes can be solved peacefully. The humour of the whole thing was an extra bonus.
@@rowzielynwho202 sounds like the best kind of war, where nobody dies!
😂😉👍👌
So pay it forward and help the Ukraine today, eh?
I liked the fellowship created between both countries during that war. Gifts exchanged and no lives lost.
Canadian armed forces never get enough credit for their role in WWII. Their participation in the Battle of the Atlantic was crucial to victory. Glad to have you as our neighbors up north.
Watch Greyhound!
Thanks for the shout out. My father served in the RCN Volunteer Reserve and made several patrols across the Atlantic in an anti-submarine Frigate. He would have appreciated the good word.
Proud to be a Canadian/American. Bloodline between both nations. Mostly Canadian but still love my brothers to the South
Canadians and Americans are like brothers one year apart, you can fight your big or little brother, but god help the dude who fucks with your brother....
My Pappies brother was deployed on the HMCS Bittersweet a flower class corvette that escorted convoys across the Atlantic. He was a boiler tender and when he wasn't doing that he was dropping depth charges on suspected uboats.
Cheers from Denmark, GO Canada!
Magnus Brix Cheers from Ontario Canada now get off our Island ;)
Cheers back at ya bro from Canada.
No---it's "Oh Canada!"
Raven Moore , nice one. Not too many know about Hans island.
Janet Yeoman really though! but hey at least both our sailors captains can have a good shot after the bloodless battle of reclaiming the island ahahah
On behalf of all of Denmark, thank you brave souls of Canada
On behalf of Canada, you're welcome!!
As a Brit I would like to thank the danish and the Canadians for helping us defeat the nazis is ww2 a lot of great countries took part in the war like Denmark and Canada and never get enough credit in my opinion
@@bigboi2334 Just saying Canada and India are the underdogs of the Commonwealth, while Australia and New Zealand seems more noticed most likely due to ANZAC, other than that thank you and have a good day.
@@vothbetilia4862 I’m just thankful other countries like Canada helped us (Britain) during ww2
@Voth Betilia I wouldn’t say that it’s just that Canadas involvement was more famous in Europe front then Australia in Europe but Australias and New Zealand’s involvement is the pacific region and India is well known for holding the entirety of the Japanese Indian front next to the Indian border
To all the Canadian soldiers who fought alongside us in World War 2 my utmost respect to you from the United States of America!!🇨🇦🇺🇸
As a former Canadian paratrooper, I remember hearing stories from the old Airborne veterans on Remembrance Day about this action. Incredibly well researched and put together. You have done our Airborne veterans justice.
Thank you.
Wow, that must have been really cool. Unfortunately most of those guys are long gone by now.
Have you deployed anywhere during your time as a paratrooper?
@@noname-ks6lm he's probably lying to get likes.
@@vantalite7061 Doubt it.Canada's vets crawl to the remebrance day services if they have to.
My uncle Gerry Drapeau fought at the battle of the bulge and went on to Wismar, he was a bad ass, when he wasn't fighting Germans he was giving the Meat Heads a hard time. He was an inspiration. I enlisted and served with the Canadian Airborne Regiment , my uncle was with the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion. He trained in Shilo Manitoba.
@@noname-ks6lm The Canadian Airborne Regiment was disbanded because it became too full of racists and the paratroopers ended up beating two black teenagers to death. Anyone who in 2020, "used" to be a paratrooper in Canada, is basically a full blown skinhead. Its a shame really given what the original members of the unit did and how heroic they were.
I was born on the island of Bornholm in 1971. I remember my grandmother telling me of the russian bombardment and occupation in 45-46. From me and my family, thank you Canada.
Fortalte hun også om tyskerne?
@@vankallahan59 ja, hun tog til København for at blive gift med min morfar i 43 og de var skide rædde for at blive torpederet. Da de sejlede gennem Falsterbo kanalen blev de jaget nedenunder dæk fordi tyskerne ikke ville ha nogen til at hoppe overbord i Sverige
Godt de sataner rejste fra øen
A girl from Bornholm was an exchange student at my school in Tasmania. From memory her name was Anne-Marie Simonsen Jensen. She was lovely :)
TheRealNeill as a Dane living on the mainland(Jutland) I can say that Bornholm is truly the Tasmania of Denmark;p
As a Canadian Hungarian Jew I'm proud of Canada and thank you to the heroes of WWII who saved my grandparents!!!
Canada is basically what the US should have been if it wasn't for all the corruption that owning half of all the money in the world brings into the mix. Canada joined WWII right away. The US basically made money off of it until it looked like Germany was going to take all of Europe.
As a dane, we can never thank our allies accomplishments during WW2 enough. Thank you Canada. Thank you England. Thank you America. Thank you for my freedom.
❤
Very welcome considering you raided our island for 400 years.
England Scotland. 🇬🇧
Canada contributed 1 million military personnel to WW2 which is AMAZING considering our population at the time was around 11 million
Brett Mitchell that’s super impressive also I read that General Patton said if he had to chose any soldiers beside Americans to invade hell with he would pick the Aussies, he had a ton of respect for them
that is an incredible contribution btw from Nz thanks Canuks
@Brett Mitchell canada and australia were both amazing during both of the world wars
Wait - Canada has so few people? Why the hell didn't U.S. just take over? I likes me some maple syrup!
@Brett Mitchell Yeah, and we trained all of those airmen, Canada was called "the aerodrome of democracy" lol
I once talked with a Luftwaffe AAA gunner near where this happened. The moment they heard Hitler capped himself, the entire battery just stood there wondering what to do. Their NCO, he said, grabbed all his gear, took the bolt out of his rifle and tossed it into the trees, and said, "They made me pledge allegiance to Hitler. He's dead, so my promise has been fulfilled," and then walked away. The rest of the battery did the same, each walking different directions to go home. They didn't even say goodbye to each other, they were so motivated. I never forgot him telling me that.
I call bullshit. The Germans were fighting for their families and country by this time in the war not Hitler.
Does anyone else wish google maps had the option to show armour and army group traveling times and traffic density??
@@kal3n87
Most english-speaking people are used to serving someone. They do not understand that you can protect your country, your family, and not Hitler or Stalin.
@@user-fr8op9hf7r good thing English isn't my first language troll.
@@kal3n87
Sorry, I didn’t write to you.
As a footnote it may be worth mentioning that the medical formation serving with the Canadians in Normandy, Belgium, and all the way from the Rhine to Wismar, was the British 224 Parachute Field Ambulance RAMC, which included one Private H. Smith, my father. The few times he spoke of the war he said the Canadian paras were all "quite mad"!
I'm sure he meant it as a compliment, lol
Hi, Mark. I’m Canadian. The day after Great Britain declared war on Germany in the fall of 1939 my father and all my uncles volunteered for the armed forces. My uncle John flew Lancasters and my Dad was a physician, tending to all the wounded, Allied and German alike. None of them wanted to talk about the war. Were it not for this episode I’d never have known how the Canucks saved the Danes from a half-century of Soviet rule.
Thank your father and uncles from a Greatful Dane. Or put a flower on their graves from me, if that is the case.
@@ulrikschackmeyer848 My grandfather was in the first Canadian para but he never spoke of the war. I'm guessing he took part in this operation. I'm glad Denmark didn't fall to the soviets.
So there is a possibilty one of your family is my grandfather.
Never knew him. My dad neither.
Weird.
My father also volunteered but he was too young, as soon as he was old enough he volunteered again. Someone told him if he told the army he drove trucks he could join an armoured regiment which he did and they accepted him. Actually he had never driven anything bigger than a bicycle. He became an instructor and could have spent the war in Canada but he persevered and was sent to England where again they made him an instructor and again he tried to get to an active regiment and was was finally sent to join the Calgary tank Regiment in front of Monte Casino. He was with the regiment up through Italy to the Gustaf Line and transferred to Belgium and Holland. When the war in Germany ended he volunteered for Japan. Japan surrendered before he got there. Dad was a very friendly easy going person and told many stories about the war many funny. There was once however his an other attitudes came out oddly enough in a movie. It was one of those soapy American war movies made in the fifties when a soldier was crying about a lost buddy. Dad commented, we would have shot him, we had enough problems of our own without hearing the whining. Incidentally he considered the old TV series rat patrol as a comedy.
@@jonmce1 My Father also laughed his ass at "Rat Patrol"- it was like he couldn't help himself and just burst out laughing at the dialogue.
Cheers from Canada
Cheers
Cheers to Canada
Oh, Canada. 🍁
As a Dane I must extend a heartfelt thanks for saving our nation from Soviet influence. (At that time)
@@LazyLifeIFreak you're welcome "comrade"...hehehe
As a Dane, this is just such an important part of the ending of WW2, and the main reasons for our love of Canadians, Monty - the British and Churchill... ❤️
Henrik Christensen you would have been better off becoming part of USSR
You would know, right?
@@hymatwat9412 Like all those Poles who say every day how much they loved being part of the USSR.
Everyone should of turned there guns on Russia. Patton was right
@@hymatwat9412 You have absolutely no idea what you are talking about, pompous ignorant fool.
Canadian stories like this make me proud to be Canadian.
Oh, Canada! I do so love stories about our most excellent neighbor to the north. Every country should be so lucky as to have a Canada for a friend and neighbor.
Hey from the south, we are neighbours. HA Gotcha!! ;-)
You guys are pretty good neighbors too, my Dad said that he always appreciated when the Americans were on their flanks during the Second World War. Pattons army liberated my uncle from a pow camp.
I have always loved the billboard "Thank You Canada" after the embassy workers escaped Iran with the help of the Canadians. Those were some dark days for the US.
As a Canadian I'm wondering why I never learned about this in school... Great piece of history! Thankyou from Vancouver
Patriotism is being outlawed, haven't you heard?
@@sirbader1 Same in India, our history book never mentioned Indian soldiers bravery in WW1/WW2.
Couz it's the queen Elizabeth's troops. the is no such thing as Canada army
@@Persian-Immortal Yes, the powers that be have more important uses for us, like spreading globalism. Nationalism is being demonized, like it has been since 1945, the nation state is losing it grip, and bullshit like the EU are spiralling out of control. We live in strange times. Godspeed.
Mark Felton is really good at covering the hard to get nooks and crannies of WWII history. As a fellow Canadian, the historical narratives of "smaller" countries (Canada, India, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa etc etc) tend to get overlooked by the US, UK, and Soviet (popular) narratives of history, but it's nice to see it when it pops up.
Thank you to the Canadians whose speed and determination secured our freedom!
Indeed yes, proven track record of gritty and Can Do resolve, our Canadian cousins are special.
Why did the "colonies" produce the best fighting men. Think about it limeys
Caratacus I am Canadian and second this.
Im glad that this channel gives Canadians credit for important events ..I think its important to mention that Canadian forces were involved in many actions ..on most war documentarys ,the word "british forces" conceals much of the historical credit that Canadians deserve ..this channel is very good
Same for Australians Always we are British Canadians get same treatment due to British command
My dad’s oldest brother left home in Texas in 1939 to join the Canadian forces in Europe, great story!
My grandmother was interned at Bergen Belsen and never forgot the kindness provided by her liberators . She was so impressed by them , she'd recommended her son immigrate to Canada . Which he did thankfully , during the Hungarian uprising in 1956 while still in his teens .
Another highly informative video Mark .... great job , Cheers !!!
Did your grandmother stay in Hungary?
@@jimgritty7064 .... Yes , sadly she remained there till her passing . Although she did visit us several times and vice verse , which I am truly grateful for . She was the only living Grandparent ( from both sides of the family ) to survive the war .
@@jackbenny4458 .... I can't imagine where we'd be if Canada hadn't accepted the number of Hungarian refugees they did .
Do you speak and understand Hungarian ???
@@jackbenny4458 .... Your Grandfather was brave and cunning .
I'm told the Russians were equally as cruel as the Germans , according to the memories of many that lived through both occupations . I recall visiting Hungary while still under communist rule and my parents were quick to advise my brother and I , to keep our thoughts and comments to ourselves when the soldiers were nearby , ie : markets , subway platforms , bus terminals , just about every public place . We weren't used to this kind of oppression and intimidation .... no heavily armed presences in Canada .
@@barrymacochener6539 unfortunately I think a lot of society is slowly heading back that way for the sake of social justice and political correctness
Canada 's brave hero s who fought and fell for our freedom will never be forgotten.
Greets from Netherlands
As a Canadian I know the friendship with the Netherlands will be forever enduring. Thank you The Kameleon.
The Netherlands is highly regaurded in Canada. The Dutch flag was the only one to ever fly atop the peace tower in Ottawa.
Interesting bit of history.
Cheers from 🇨🇦
One of my Canadian uncles served in Holland 🇳🇱 wounded twice, ended up in Germany after the surrender to help rebuild the infrastructure.
Indeed
My father was in the North Novies. 98 of his brothers were killed by Kurt Meyer SS on D-day in the Church abbeye
Canadians have always been brave and fierce soliders! On September 11, 2001, Canada was the very first nation to come to the aid of the United States. In my years in the military, when I've come into contact with members of the Canadian Armed Forces, I have been very impressed with their dedication as military professionals! God bless Canada!
Pls stop crying. 9/11 didn't happen out of thin air.
It was a response by people oppressed by one of the ever ongoing wars of the proud US empire.
The last justified war of the US was against the Nazis and the japanese Empire. Everything afterwards was just becoming more like the enemy you once fought.
Today you have an elected president who would behave like Hitler if he could.
You have forgotten your ethics and your virtues.
@@arnonuhm4022 excellent analysis
Until we got a soy boy as a leader
@@ThePowerline101
Seems many democracies are having trouble finding qualified leaders recently.
Some are unqualified but eager to fake it. Some are rat pack material playing to people’s ignorance. Some are all talk and very light on action.
Perhaps the broken democracies are doomed to be replaced by modernized forms of totalitarianism. Maybe that’s the best hope for fixing the planets environment.
@@falconeaterf15 I hope so
Remarkable how history can turn on the courage and initiative of so few - the lives of hundreds of millions forever affected. Another proud Canadian moment. Thanks Mark!!
As an American, we hear more about the American Zone of Operations in Southern Germany than what the British and Canadians dealt with in the North. This is good to hear about them. Thanks!
@Lord Manhammer The way history and geography is taught in the US, yes, is mostly US topics but it can differ state to state and how they interpret the federal standards for their crazy standardized tests with some states being accused of whitewashing history to look meritorious. Southern states are dealing with the question of what the American Civil War was fought over: states' rights and federal overreach or slavery. (Look no further than what happened in Charlottesville, Virginia 2017) This way of teaching mainly US topics might be a reason why outside of school, the history section in bookstores are dominated by US history matters with a small section of World History matters. I'm always thankful that I have personal passion for history which always has me reading about some vague event that will never be taught in regular history classes (Scramble for Africa for example) and taking advanced courses on human geography and European History before university.
@Lord Manhammer Honestly, it really varies. Education can vary from State, cities, counties, even individual schools, so it's all over the place.
Private schools and homeschooling seem to be the best way for Americans to learn anything, with the exception of American schools near American military bases. That is because the schools tend to get better budgets and thus better teachers, thus creating better officers for the armed forces.
However unfortunately the vast majority of schools in the United States really really really suck at teaching much beyond how to have a over-inflated -fragile crybaby ego, because those folks make the best consumers. It is genuinely just more economical that way.
Sensitive people tend to spend more money. Skeptical thinkers tend to be more fiscally conservative. So it's less that all Americans are stupid, it's just to keep the American economic system self sustainable, you have to have the maximum amount of citizens spending their capital consistently. The American economy is based on a consumer economy and therefore for the logistics of that to work, you must have to have a majority of people who spend with little thought of the consequence of their actions.
Again it is just the economic model. It's great for GDP, but probably not for long term national survival.
Btw, I grew up in a military family next to the largest naval base in the United States(yes in the south, we are not all backwards and stupid like Yankees seem to think we are) so I had an extremely well-funded school. Therefore a thorough understanding of history, science, and geography. Plus I'm still supremely passionate about history and science to this day, (I work in engineering)
However I am the exception not the rule, because I also came from a military family, that prided Independent skeptical thought, and a burning passion for consistent learning.
Keep that passion going, you sound like an awesome fellow. Have a nice day. 😎🍻🙂
@docvideo93 you might wanna check the entire effort of Britain and especially Canada, you will no doubt be surprised
Canada has been everywhere with the UK and the US, from D-day in normandy to asia it has contributed strongly and efficiently to the allied war effort and alot of people dont know that
the truth is we hear about the US side all the time and sometimes the UK side but its very rare to hear from the Canadian side which is ironic because alot of crazy legendary stuff happened on that one, such an example is Leo Major quite possibly the most legendary badass warrior in history who single-handedly liberated Zwolle and stopped a major Chinese offensive on Hill 355 in the Korean war
one thing you will come to learn: US marines are tough, German Fallschirmjagers are tougher and yet Canadian "toughboys" are even tougher
Yeah but we get blamed for all the credit being hoggged away when they should be looking across the pond
@Lord Manhammer maybe your cousin wasn't paying attention..
Canadians make great Soldiers. Their record in both world wars prove it.
That's true though.
Lol not anymore
@@EdMcF1 They have an excellent mix of Scottish, Irish, English and French blood.
@@IloveTide1997 some modern war time records would beg to differ
@Nomercy Depends, if you live outside the major urban centres you do.
My dad was a US Army veteran of WWII ETO. I remember he respected the Canadian soldiers.
Both the Dutch and the Danes have good reason to be greatful to the Canadians they are true warriors which military history shows and the British too for their whole hearted support in both world wars. I`m English but the Canucks really are elite fighting men.
I hate it when Mark Felton Productions shows up and I have to debate whether to be on time for work or start the video!
Work is overrated and Mark Felton is underrated. Mark Felton for the win.
No debate, just try not to get sacked!
Decisions. Decisions. You could always tell your boss you are not feeling to well.
Debate? How is that even a debate?!?! You’re getting culturally enriched. (Really!)
I don´t have this problem... Always go to Mark Felton...
A big thank you to the Canadian paratroopers from Denmark! Not many people in Denmark know how close we came to being "liberated" by the Soviet Union in 1945. We would have grown up in a very different Denmark if that had happened!
Very, very, diffrent Denmark ,my friend.
Im so glad, they helped your country.
Better dead than red.
I'm getting goosebumps just by the thought.
This video made me feel so proud and patriotic of my Canadian soldier ancestors that I actually cried a tear of maple syrup 😢🇨🇦
lol
Johnnie Ireland 😂👍
Canadians were some of the most feared troops. Canadians are nice until they arent.
how many tears of blood does it take to make one tear of maple syrup. god bless canada and its greatest generation.
Too many historians fail to appreciate the key role played by Canada in both world wars. Not Mark Felton. Thank you very much for this account of what the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion did towards the end of WW2. Outsanding.
It's an icy Canadian winter, so it's only natural to be "outsanding".
Were the Canadians volunteers? I know a lot were and consequently were given the "easy" job of completing matters at Bologne then clearing the Scheldt estuary including Walcharen island. "Easy" . . . oh. ,. . dear..
And most volunteers. Like our other good friends the Indian Army.
II wonder how many would volunteer today? I sure wouldn't not if it included Walcharen, Not in a month of Sundays
glory to the Canadian Paratroopers that saved my homeland, Denmark from being a Sovjet satelite state 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻
I had never heard of this before now. Given its significance I wonder how I missed it Glad our Danish friends were spared a Soviet occupation.
Wouldn't be so bad. We Poles wouldn't have to train capturing Denmark all those years according to Warsaw Pact plans.
MIMALECKIPL
Ha ha yes
And my father didnt had to practice mine laying during his service , (first respond , fill the water ways with mines) 😆
@@boboman67 We already had minesweepers back then :P
MIMALECKIPL but it would have slowed down the invasion so that other nato countries could come to our rescue, (or thats what they belived )
I knew two fellow Canadians who participated in these operations. A Chaplain Captain Doug Candy, A Canon when I met him, and a Sgt. Roy Glenny of the first Canadian Airborne Battalion. The latter jumped in on D-day and was still in it at war's end.
I know one. A Franciscan friar after the war, Brother Paul, but a member of the headquarters company's mortar platoon from Normandy to the end.
Please put a flower on their graves next time you pass, with kind regards from Denmark🙏🇩🇰
And we Danes are forever grateful for this.
My aunt was Canadian, with a Danish husband named Kaj. He trained with the Norwegian Air Force in Toronto, but was killed in the war
As a Dane and a Canadian with family members that fought in the European theater, I was pleasantly surprised to learn about this small tidbit of WWII history! Despite reading quite a lot of books about the WWII and about Canada's contribution to defeating Hitler I never knew of this story! This is the kind of stuff that really makes Mark Felton's content stand out! Thank you, sir!:)
Thank you many times, Canadians.
Agreed! God bless the Canadians for saving our collective butts from the Soviet menace.
Another superb documentary Mark. The professionalism of the Canadian Soldiers towards the end of the second world war has always been underrated. If you go to the Normandy (where I am sure you have been) however the people there hold them in very high regard indeed. Tres bien.
I have always heard good things about Canadian forces with regard to their involvement in WW2 and WW2.
I just wish Canadians in general knew more about the history of our military.
@Blesava Konjina WTF? Dieppe, Juno Beach, Battle of the Scheldt. Hardly low grade.
@Blesava Konjina someone is on drugs
@Blesava Konjina Any factual evidence for this?
As a Canadian, I am always impressed at how we punched above our weight in both World Wars. I also know that ANZAC did that, which shows the quality of Commonwealth troops in general.
My dad was a proud member of the First Canadian Parachute Battalion. He would have been delighted to see this documentary. He used to feel the 1st was a bit of a forgotten brigade in Canadian military history.
I had heard him tell of the rapid and deep advanced to Wismar but did not know the role it played in freeing Denmark. Thanks Mark!
Not knowing your age, Sir, was your father in the Wismar push himself? I that case please put a flower on his grave from a VERY gratefull Dane.
Thanks for the story Mark. I find the late 44' and then 45' offensives in the West are never really talked about, apart from the Bulge. You hear mostly about what the US was doing but nothing on the British/Canadians. We (I'm British) seem to get left out of the narrative after Market Garden.
@dustisdeadbodies85 Meaning?
That's because apart from Operation Plunder/Varsity (March 24th), there wasn't much to talk about in the British sector. Plunder/Varsity was another of Monty's giant drawn out set-piece affairs and nearly half the troops used were American. Of course, his meticulously planned crossing of the Rhine was completely preempted by US troops further south assaulting across the the river with little to no preparation by the capture of the Remagen bridge by Hodges' First Army on March 7th and Patton's Third Army crossing near Mainz on March 22nd.
@dustisdeadbodies85 I don't think that's what he was referring to.
@@jarink1 Well downplayed there. That's a prime example of what Black Prince was referring to I'd suggest.
The British were still fighting hard in both Italy and Burma. My father fought in Italy as part of the 8th army that was left behind once the main body was sent back to the UK in preparation for D-day. He said the fighting was viscous and hard, made difficult by awful Italian weather. He knows he killed at least 2 Germans and was wounded at the battle for Casino. He always said the men in his unit felt they were fighting in a back water compared to the men and resources given to D-day and the push for Berlin. Similarly my father in law fought in Burma and again that was a nasty brutal campaign which was known as the forgotten war, yet he said the British completely wiped out a complete Japanese army in the drive towards Rangoon. So although the British didn't seem to factor much after Market garden, although this video proves they were still fighting, they were fully committed in other spheres of WW2, which for a small country was tough.
Canadians fight like lions but are humble when the fight is over. Great work as usual!
Man for man, nobody outfights the Canadians.
The idea is to be savage in battle but magnanimous in Victory ✌
Very Canadian 🇨🇦.
We did a great deal of hard work in support of our friends in every war we engaged in. Canadian military history is full of incredible people and stories.
Retired RCN PO
I mean WW1 was a different story lol, we were beyond lions, we were like demons craving German blood, the moment we made contact with them.
@@vothbetilia4862 I think you are exaggerating a bit now. The Germans were undoubtedly best of all as they regularly beat whoever they faced when equal numbers etc.
@@OldWolflad the Germans would always have extra forces to assist them bud, however countries like Canada Australia and Poland they always tend to struggle despite the fact they had lesser of force size. So no I'm not exaggerating in the slightest.
Thank you Canada and every Western trooper by saving Denmark and the county my parents, grand parent and myself grew up in.
Canadians did great at Juno too👍
(I'm 🇺🇸, close to the 🇨🇦 border.)
I moor my boat at Point Roberts, WA. There is a weird little bit of history, how Pt. Roberts came to be.
@@glornporklongton7338 wow!!, glad to "meet" you, sir. Thanks for your service.
Before the Cold War, there was Canada vs Soviet Union. At stake, history. A supreme showdown and Russia blinked first.
I LOVE YOU , CANADA!!!!!!!!
Thanks for another amazing video, Mark.
WOW! I got in under 800 viewers!
First time, I think.
Canucks are like Aussies... they fought & gave as much as anybody and too seldom receive the credit due! God Bless 'em!
The bravery, determination and sacrifice of Australian, Canadian, Indian, New Zealand, South African and all other Commonwealth Forces is well recognised by Brits and commemorated every year in the UK. The world would be a much worse place without their gallantry.
@@hobmoor2042 True. I'm a born('57) US bloke, and most of our WWII history books & docs mention other nations' participations. But oftentimes they're not mentioned enough. God Bless them all.
The lessons my generation learned from those brave souls is to the greater part entirely lost to more recent generations; that's just a sad fact & "sign 'o the times". It's a crying shame IMHO.
Well said there! I'm Australian, and agree whole-heartedly.
Britain had and has a huge debt to all Commonwealth forces. My old Dad was a Para - 3rd Battalion. He always had a liking and huge respect for the Canadian lads.
@@hobmoor2042 Uh, not so much the South Africans as they were commanded by Pienaar who preferred to wander aimlessly around the desert than fight the Germans.
Thank you for the acknowledgement of Canadian efforts. Along with our Australian and New Zealand cousins we tend get get grossly overlooked.
As a new Canadian, I am so proud. Don't forget that Canada entered the war of its own will and wasn't attacked/pushed. That's commendable.
you should be, my grandmother was r4ped by two us servicemen a few weeks later, absolute monsters are no better than the commies, a wolf can wear a sheeps skin, keep an eye to your south
A good friend of my father was a Canadian paratrooper. Like most vets he didn’t talk much about the war. Proud to have known him and proud of all 🇨🇦 veterans.
My dad was an American Paratrooper with the 508th PIR Co H and he didn't talk about the war much either.
Fascinating. I never heard of this let alone allied troops firing on Soviet troops.
I've read of several small engagements but nothing major.
@C D What was the first surprise?
@@Litany_of_Fury operation barbarossa. They were expecting germany to invade but never so quickly
@@lowereducation6631 There are claims that towards the end one or two Allied aircraft were shot down by mistake by Soviet pilots. Having said that it is also possible the one or two Soviet aircraft suffered the same fate.
@C D There wouldn't have been a surprise. The Soviets would have known the A bombs were coming. Don't forget the Americans were only ones who had them until 1949.
Russians strongly believe in the principle that "possession is 9/10 of the law" (see Crimea for a recent example) regardless of any prior treaty. If the Soviets had managed to secure Denmark, then it would have been near impossible to dislodge them. A Warsaw Pact Denmark would have been made host to Soviet naval and air force bases, allowing the Soviets easy access to the North Sea and putting their bombers within short striking distance of Great Britain and France. The Cold War could potentially have gone very differently if not for the decisive actions of the brave Canadians.
Oh yeah, unlike the US who always honor every treaty and are strong believers in international law :-D
Chilling to think about, Thank you Canada from the US!
@@Camcolito If you want to know who was better at keeping their word at the end of the Second World War, America and the British fought to liberate the nations to the west (Denmark, Holland, Norway, France, Belgium, etc) while the Soviets either forcibly annexed nations into the USSR (the Baltics) or turned them into soviet puppet states (Poland, Hungary, East Germany, etc).
One side were liberators, the others were conquerors
As a Canadian , thank you for doing what so many don't. Acknowledging the sacrifices made by my grandfathers generation of Canadians.
Clicked faster than Göring could gobble up a luftwaffle.
I have been laughing for 30 minutes at this !!!!
Wow, that must be fast!
😆
Scots and Canadians cross the Elbe and Hitler shoots himself the same day... Coincidence? I think not!
Once again, Mark, a fantastic video on a little known part of the end of the war. A little sidenote about the island - On 5 March 1953, the day of Stalin's death, Polish pilot Franciszek Jarecki defected from the Eastern Bloc and landed a MiG-15 fighter on the island.
British*
Unfortunately Hitler died in Argentina.🤪
Probably more to do with the Russians in his back garden.
well if u had someone dressed in a skirt, wgo was after you and who ate haggis for breakfast wouldnt you shoot yourself too. i would
Churchill backstabber Stalin over territory, and good he did!!!! proper
My late friend was one of the paras who liberated Denmark. He was 6th Airborne vet and had jumped on D Day and the crossing of the Rhine. After the war and a tour in Palestine, he returned to Demark where he trained as a Physical Education Teacher. He used to say that the Danes treated him like a king, he made friends that lasted a life time. He loved Denmark and the Danes to his dying day. I really miss the cantankerous old bugger! RIP Norman.
🇩🇰 On behalf of Denmark, thank you. 🙏🏼🇨🇦
But we're not giving up Hans Island! 🇬🇱
Fight ya for it!.....;)
Arm wrestle.......😁
Flip a coin for it! 🇨🇦
alright everybody, Hans off the Island.
What's that behind you?
Cheers from Denmark.
If the Canadians hadn´t succeeded the favourite sportswear in Denmark until 1989 would have been the East German Adidas with two stripes.
So proud of my Canadian heritage.🇨🇦❤️🇨🇦
Too often in WWII documentaries, any mention of Canada's contribution is either minimized or omitted completely. It's heartening to see that your series is the exception. Whether in land, sea or air forces, whether the Italian campaign, the Battle of the Atlantic or the Battle of Britain, Canadian servicemen were among the best the Allies had. Thank you for this reminder.
My grand dad was in Holland during the war, I still have his medals.
I wish he would have told us more about his time there but kept it pretty quiet.
Mine too, however he kept a diary of his actions. Crazy read.
I'm Dutch and indeed a large part of our country was liberated by the Canadians. Also the Polish soldiers of general Maczek, British troops and the Dutch Irene Brigade. All thanx
Woow. As a Dutchmen. We celebrate him as a hero every year in liberation day
My dad ( a Canadian) went to Holland in the 80s. An old man in a pub walked up to him started crying and hugged him, saying how the Canadians saved him and many others. I think the SS hung his brother from what I remember. My dad had a Canadian pin on his hat that's how he knew. He said it was one of the best days of his life, knowing his countrymen did that. They drank together the rest of the night, my dad telling him about my grandpa in the Canadian navy. Very cooperative how thankful he was. Cheers to the Dutch.
you might have Dutch cousins. The Dutch women were quite grateful for liberation.
Like most of my countrymen, I am long-resigned to having Canada's war-time achievments undervalued, if not utterly over-looked by those with whom and for whom we fought (the Dutch being a notable exception). So I was equal parts surprised and grateful viewing this, especially since you clearly took pains to highlight significant achievemts of the 1st Paras. Your sensitivity and efforts are much appreciated. Thanks, Mark.
Not forgotten in my family Tim.
Not undervalued by the people that still remember, or a goodly number of their descendants.
@@MegaBoilermaker Appreciate your reply which delivers a strong endorsement for families in 2 senses, speaking well, not only of your family in particular, but also of families in general, highlighting the valuable role they play entrenching and perpetuating important cultural perspectives. Thanks
@@TheLoachman Thankfully, that is so. Appreciate your repy. All the best.
Tim Sullivan
Nor me Tim. I live near Middleton St George , and Croft, which were 2 bases of the Canadian Bomber Wing, and had the pleasure of meeting Ab Dennis from North Bay , who was a Lanc rear gunner.
Late comment here. One of my uncles was First Canadian Parachute and spent time in this very campaign as well as Belgium and Holland. He always said it was the greatest time of his life and the vets gathered yearly to meet. During the 50th anniversary of D-day he returned to Europe with another uncle of mine and their reception was staggering. The Dutch, French and Danes treated them like returning sons and to say the least the vets never paid anything for rooms or food and drink. He's been gone for years but my own son has all the photos and medals with ribbons. A truly special breed of people! My father and aunt worked at Inglis in Toronto producing firearms and parts for the war effort. Awesome channel Mark, both my son and I love it!
Canada during peace: Sorry! Canada during war: You're sorry
Canadians are never sorry...they're only sorey...
Thank you for producing this episode - Many don't realize how close a new conflict was in early May 1945. Cheers from Canada
I worked with Tony Pengelly in the early 1980's. He was a Canadian pilot in the RAF interned at Stalag Luft III, the scene of the Great Escape. Pengelly was responsible for forging documents for those escapees (but his own draw number was too high so he never got a chance to go through the tunnel). Sadly, I didn't find out about Tony's wartime exploits until many years later and never got a chance to discuss any of that with him. I remember him as a real gentleman.
I moved to the town of Lunenburg, Nova Scotia in 2008. There I met Gerald McKeil, who was also a prisoner at Stalag Luft III, had helped in the Great Escape but was also not chosen to be part of the break-out, and afterwards was involved with the society that was formed to commemorate the 50 Allied escapees murdered by the Gestapo. It was fascinating to listen to someone give first-hand accounts of what went on there. Mr. McKeil passed away several years ago. So young, so brave; we owe them all so much.
I was doing a research paper recently about a Canadian Veteran named Russell Dixon of the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion. He took part in operation Varity and the Battle of the Bulge, as well as the liberation of Bergen-Belsen Camp. Though he never mention Operation Eclipse, and he passed away in December of 2018.
So nice to see a video about the Canadian (and for that matter the British) forces in action, rather than the usual ones about the American army and their actions during WWII.
The Canadians were/are a fine fighting force, and darned glad they were on our side too, but rarely get much of a mention in WWII videos.
So thanks for this one Mark....:)
Appreciate the effort! Thanks from Denmark
As a Canadian, thank you for this story. I remembered my Dad telling me that his commanding officer mentioned he should join the Paratrooper, he said NO WAY! after hearing about D-Day and Market-Garden (he was a radioman with the Artillery).
Never knew the Canadian stopped the Soviets in May 45, Canadian schools don't mention these events of Canadian Military History.
They did when I was in school. 10 + years ago...
now politicians tell us tells us we don't have a true Canadian culture
we are a nation of immigrants but now our country cares more about what happens in the world then about Canada.
Tell them ALL from a newly enlightened and utterly gratefull Dane that they should, ought to an MUST!
Who was the British MP who claimed that he was in the lead armoured car of the line that drove across advancing Soviet Army?
Obviously he wasn't an MP then.
I knew a couple of these chaps.....one was a science teacher at my high school in Thorold Ontario, and the other I met in The Netherlands. Tough, proud combat veterans and both of them had been casualties. Great video, and thanks for posting it.
Thank you. I didn't know this history. I was born in Denmark, to American teachers. Danes have been grateful to Canadians and British for helping Liberate Denmark. (And Americans too). May 5 is the celebration day. "Frit Danmark!" (Free Denmark)
@Mikael Jensen Tak!
Makes me so proud to be Canadian 🇨🇦
How, as a Canadian , have I never been aware of this episode? Thank you Mr. Felton. Great stuff as always.
Too much humbleness in this country.
As a Dane I am very grateful for the results of this operation. Further more, I liked that you included the part about Bornholm. Even we Danes tend to forget about that part. My grandmother is from Bornholm, and while she was only three years old when the Russians left it left a great impression on her older brother, who would go on to have a long career in the Danish military intelligence service (FET), starting somewhere after his mandatory service from 1958 to 1960, and all the way through the cold war, retiring in the 1990s.
Excellent video! Thank you. I served in the Canadian Airborne Regiment. We took our lineage from 1 Can Para. Our honorary Colonel was Frasier Eadie, who commanded the Bn at Wismar.
A remarkable man and a remarkable unit.
Ever gratefull thanks from Denmark. Please bring them to your fellow men.
My grandfather , a Royal Navy officer on HMS diadem, was part of the liberation forces in Denmark. While stationed in Copenhagen, he met my grandmother, a widow with 2 small children. Undeterred, he married her shortly after and brought them all to live in the south of England , where they lived many happy years together.
There was a lot of crossbreeding. I moved to Denmark from the UK in 1994 and worked as a carer for the elderly for a while. One of the old ladies I'd help with shopping etc. was a Liverpudlian who'd married a Danish sailor during the war when he was serving in the Merchant Navy on the convoys. Many Danish ships that were at sea when the Germans invaded sailed to Britain instead of back to Denmark and their crews contributed to the war effort.
But those Danish women...
Just as during WW1 we Brits need to thank the bravery and support from our Canuck brothers.
They're not the only ones.
@@sirbader1 Agreed
We are family. You would do the same for us.
no worries...this time no one will save you and your daughters from Mohammed
@@rotergeist9509 ?
Thank you , I never heard this before , even history lessons about war in my danish school only mentioned bornholm's ocupation by russia and the fear they never would leave , never heard how much Canada saved us
As a Danish Canadian with a love of all things airbourne I have such pride and appreciation for this.
Thank you Mark. To others: Please know that in Britain we who know our history give huge respect to Canadians. Also ANZACs and other nations. India etc too. Who fought in both world wars and other conflicts. There are many memorials to them. Also respectful memorial services like Remembrance Sunday and other events where modern day Canadians and other nations are welcomed both in and out of uniform. London streets are often busy with men and women from these countries in uniform after such services looking smart, proud and noble. Thank you.
As a Canadian officer I was astonished at the respect I received when visiting London 15 years ago. Loved my stay at the Union Jack Club; having meals with mustachioed retired British officers.... Great memories... :)
Nick Thorp ANZACs were the best of the lot.
@@suemethven2097 As a Canadian I could argue with you but one thing is for sure that when they put us all together we were unstoppable in any war.
Now we're gonna need some more Canadian focused videos.
The combined ‘weight’ of Canadian, Australian/NZ, UK and the United States, along with all other allied countries is the purest form of an allegiance by sharing a common language. Together and combined are a TIER 1 unit on a global scale.
French, Dutch, Norwegian and partisan allies were the glue of the Anglo- alliance. It was a no-fail mission.
God bless and thank you!
As a Canadian whose grand parents moved here from Denmark just before the war started, this hits close to home for me. This must have been very good news for my grandparents back then!
Thank you for this! I'm a Cdn Para, and during my career I met several of these vets. Sadly, they're mostly gone now. Canadians must be recognized (By the Allies - the Germans already know we're all about), at a much higher level than we are represented currently regarding the World Wars, Korea and beyond. Being regarded as a 'side show' is absolutely maddening, however without us, this world would be a very dark place indeed. Again, thank you and keep the truth coming!
Unending gratitude from a newly enlightened Dane🇩🇰🙏👏👏👏
@@ulrikschackmeyer848 Thank you Ulrik!
Tim L Haven’t heard a truer statement all day. Thanks for your service Tim. I one day hope to join the Canadian forces thanks again.
Not forgotten in the Netherlands either!
@@janhaanstra2245 Thank you so much Jan, I love Holland and her people very much. I participated in the 2004 Nijmegen March, where I was the Piper and one of the trainors for the Cdn Forces Team. One picture was taken of us at the end of the final day march from a rooftop, where our team is carrying the Cdn flag, which spread across the whole street. I'm the soldier on the right hand corner, looking up at the camera and giving a fist pump! You treated as your own. Stay safe and thanks for remembering!
Always dependable the Canadians from start to finish.
I love hearing Canadian war stories. Thanks Mark!
Both my Grandparents (on my Dad's side) served in WW2 in the Canadian Air force. My Grand father was a gunner in Defiants and latter Langcasters and my Grandmother was a driver in England. My Grandmothers parents had Emigrated from the Netherlands to Canada and my Grandfather's parents were immigrants from Sweden. His father served in WW1. My Dad also served during the 70s in the Canadian Army.
Thanks and BIG respect from Denmark, here. ^^
Of my grandfathers 11 brothers, one immigrated to the US, one to Brazil and nine to Canada! So I've got a bunch of great family over there, eh ;-) Fantastic place and people!
Dr. Felton, Thank you for highlighting an important part Canadian troops played in world war 2. We are not a very outgoing patriotic people unlike our American counterparts but the respect we have for all are service men and women are next to none especially world war 2 veterans. I'm very proud of my three uncles who served in the Canadian army in Italy , a corvette in the Atlantic and one who gave his life in the hedge rows of Normandy. Keep up the great work! Lest we forget the 42,000 + Canadians who fell to preserve freedom.
Jeff Fortais spot on it was an allied effort let’s not forget this quite and thankful 🇦🇺
Great story. I knew about the russian occupation of Bornholm, but I hadn't heard about the race to Wismar to cut off the russian advance 🇨🇦🇩🇰🏴
Where's the Union Jack flag? after all it was the UK that saved Denmark from Soviet occupation!!
@@wickwicker8575 I haven't seen an actual one in years, UK has gone insane.
@@wickwicker8575 I wasn't talking about the past I'm talking about the present. The UK is quite favourable of socialism and pride stuff, tell me has the UK not gone insane?
In the 9 of April 1940 prostitute Denmark willingly lay under the Germans and spread her legs. In 1945 prostitute Denmark thought to whom it is more profitable to surrender.😁😁😁😁😁
@@dmitryrus4184 how old are you kiddo?
I never knew about this action by the Canadians in the dying days of the war. Unbelievable what they did.
Special country and courageous soldiers our Canadian cousins.
Thanks for the upload highlighting Canadian contribution. We are forgotten sometimes, because every one loves to tie us directly to Great Britain and not as an independent nation with strong ties to what became the commonwealth.
The Commonwealth of Nations - a family of nations.
Far too many people in Britain think Britain won WW2, forgetting about how many "British" victories were due in no small part to troops from Canada, New Zealand, Australia and other countries.
All counties will be more interested in their own history. If you want Canadian history it must be told by Canadians.
@@binaway This is true, cheers binaway.
whssy but it really doesn’t matter. We were all “British” as far as the US and Russia were concerned. We, in the Commonwealth, remember these things.
Finally some Canadian content. Well done sir!!
The CRTC would be proud. :)
Excellent video, thank you. As an Englishman I have nothing but admiration for the contribution of the Canadian armed forces in WWII. We owe them a debt of gratitude which cannot be repaid.
Unfortunately I feel that this contribution has not been fully recognised and regret that, as far as I know, we failed to reciprocate by offering help in the terrible fires which recently struck Canada. It's not only third world countries who need our help.
I don't intend to be political, but we should always remember what Canadians and other Commonwealth forces did for us in WWII.
When push comes to shove old chap you know we will all pull together next time the balloon goes up🇨🇦🤠
Randy Schaff 👍
I consider myself pretty knowledgeable about WW2、but I invariably learn a ton of stuff from every one of your videos. The insight into how the Soviet/Western Allies' front lines met on the ground was particularly fascinating.