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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 ธ.ค. 2023
- 6th Armored Division Tankers: United in Adversity and Trauma
With Alicia Callahan
Part of our ongoing Battle of the Bulge series on WW2TV
• The Battle of the Bulge
The men of the 6th Armored Division all shared rural and difficult childhood experiences. Many of these soldiers possessed instincts and abilities no training could teach that helped them survive WWII. All were very affected by their war experiences and many never discussed their horrific wartime memories. Each soldier sewed together new experiences, trauma, and brotherhood through the Second World War to form an untold chapter of their lives. While in service, the 6th AD soldiers’ confidence and camaraderie was constantly rivaled by the frontline effects of attrition, exhaustion, and stress. Confidence and camaraderie simultaneously grew until the Battle of the Bulge....
Alicia Callahan is currently earning her master's degree in World War II and Military History at Central Washington University. At Washington State University, she graduated with her Bachelor of Arts in History in Spring 2023. At WSU, she began her research of the Sixth Armored Division for her honor's thesis. She has been fortunate enough to have been selected as 2023's National Collegiate Honors Council Portz Scholars Award Recipient (one of four in the nation) and to present her research at the 2023 Friends of the WWII Memorial Annual Teachers Conference in Washington DC. Her greatest honor has been standing on the beaches of Normandy with Andy Negra, a soldier of the 6th Armored Division, while in France with the Best Defense Foundation for the 79th anniversary of D-Day.
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As Alicia’s parents, her dad and I are extremely proud of all the hard work she has put and continues to put into this project. It is in her soul to tell these soldiers stories and keep their memories alive for generations to come. She has met amazing families of these men and made lifelong friends while doing it. We just can’t hardly wait to see where she goes from here. Great program as well! New follower here!
You have every reason to be very proud of her sterling work. ❤👏🏻🍀
You should be very proud! I feel lucky to have shared my father’s story with Alicia. It is amazing to find a young person who cares so much about these men.
Of all the many great things you do on this channel, Woody, among the best is encouraging and providing a platform for the next generation of WWII historians and scholars. Thanks for introducing us to rising stars such as Alicia and, of course, Michael Akkerman, among others.
You're very welcome
Agreed new sub and comments... very inspirational sir
I hope WW2TV can do an occasional check-in with Ms. Callahan as she progresses with her studies.
Yes indeed, I will see her in person in June
My great uncle was in the 44th Armored Infantry Battalion, 6th Armored Division. He was killed August 8, 1944 near Brest, France.
My great grandpa was in the 44th C company.
I wonder if they ever met
Edit* holy cow. Milton J Murry in the slideshow is my great Grandfather… 19:34
@@The_SmorgMan I think my great uncle was in company B. His name was Jacob Klemm
@@The_SmorgMan did you know that story before?
@@flhxrikind of. I heard he was involved in taking a village.
I’ll have to ask grandma more. Grandpa said that the Walther we have he brought back.
Had a Luger too but great grandpa gave it to a friend
@@The_SmorgMan they never talked about that stuff. It's sad you have to get the details from a third party. My grandfather was in the Navy in the Pacific. He died in 1979 so I have no idea what he did.
Its always good when a new young historian has a passion to keep alive the memories of those who fought for our freedom. Good luck with your studies Alicia - You're a natural.
My Father-in-law turned 17 in an infantry Company walking when there were no trucks. His Company landed with Patton. The storys of cold and mud and screamingmeanies coming out of the dark.
I’ve watched dozens of WW2TV videos and this moved me more than any other. I was spellbound by Alicia’s manner and eloquence as well as by the powerful diary passages she shared. And the letter her great grand uncle wrote to his wife was over the top. I want to add that your reaction to her presentation increased my respect for you. Because you obviously “got it”. I hope she writes a book because it will be a classic.
Thanks George, yes I knew she would be great. We connected via our shared involvement with the Best Defense Foundation
Dear Thomas Hackler,
The VA has determined that your back injuries are not service related.
Another young Historian kicks ass! Great show I look forward to seeing Ms Callahan's work in the future. She hit on several issues that tend to get overlooked in these studies and Paul you rightly picked up it's a generational thing, PTS. I remember reading years ago and I don't remember the source, but the tobacco industry gave the US services free cigarettes to put into C rations cases as a marketing tool knowing they would have customers for life. Something similar was done well with alcohol, the industry had connections with various members of Congress, so a little money here and a little money there. I wouldn't give the US Military too much credit on how to relieve stress. Just my thoughts. Thank you Paul and Ms Callahan
I taught at the university level for about 15 years. It’s rewarding to see students progress toward their degree. I’m certain Ms Callahan would be an excellent student to supervise.
I really enjoyed this presentation! As a researcher of the Super Sixth sister division in Third Army, many of the experiences shared in this presentation are very recognizable. I found the role of alcohol very interesting and important. Well done Ms. Callahan!
Just watched this wonderful program you have achieved the one thing make it human thank you young lady you should already have your masters thank you lest we forget
I knew scores of WW2 combat vets around the small towns in rural Minnesota. They had service clubs they could frequent. They didn't talk about the war much. A lot of them were heavy drinkers. When the concept of PTSD came to the fore in the late 60s, early 70s, many were not sympathetic to the Vietnam vets of my generation.
I worked as an LPN in the VA back in the 70s and 80s. I remember one WW2 vet saying to me about the Nam vets: "So what, it wasn't my war."
Gee thanks, Buddy. That pissed me off. You would think that men who endured the same hardships would be more understanding.
They knew you could never really understand wtf they went through unless you had expetienced some of it yourself. I served with two ww2 vets during Viet Nam both said no way could you compare combat experience because the Germans were so much better at it than VC ir NVA, had more weapons and worse weather. In the ET0 kia rates exceeded 350 a day while a week in VN coud be 350. Viet Nam 12 mo tour, WW2 for the duration or kia or severely wounded. So dont fret about their reaction to you.
Captivating presentation by an obviously very smart, and extraordinarily talented, focused and enthusiastic young scholar. Outstanding!
Fantastic presentation by Alicia. My uncle was at the Bulge with Pattons 3rd Army and this brought back some of the memories he shared. He met Patton when putting chains on a tire. "Who the hell ia in charge here!"was the quote😊
I aquired a uniform of a 6th Armored soilder. It's former owner and the jorney taken is not known. Excellent program.
Great show! She did a terrific service to the history and men of the Super 6th. People, even todays GWOT and VN veterans never endured what these guys and others in WW2 did. So thank you very much.
Wow this is one of the best videos, Woody. I had two grandfathers who were WW2 veterans. One was stateside throughout, and the other (step-grandfather, actually) was in the infantry in France and Germany (and later Japan occupation duty). The one who had been in the infantry never talked about combat, but he was a little on the screwy side, only ever telling impossible stories e.g., about how he as an NCO put General Eisenhower in his place once *eye roll* when the general had visited the front to give a pep talk to the GIs. I figure Grampa's tall tales were his way of dealing with God knows what awfulness he had encountered - perhaps not very different from how comedians or actors hide their often broken selves in their characters.
My dad was in the 6th AD, 777AA, he didn't talk much about his war , except about the cold, and the men peeing on their weapons etc. He did speak about Buchenwald, and I have a letter he sent to my grandmother, telling her what he saw, and to never let anyone tell her it never happened...also he had some photos he took. He wanted me to see the reality of what happened. I don't know why he was awarded thee Bronze and Silver stars, although I have tried to find out. Thank you for doing this video, as I knew almost nothing about his time in the ETO.
Always love a good unit history.
My father, T/5 Warren W. Priest, drove a tank for the Super 6th. I'll be looking at your tank pictures again to see if I can spot my dad. He earned a Bronze Star and posthumously received some sort of Cluster. Thank you for doing all that research I always wanted to know what it was like for them over there.
Woody/Alicia. Fabulous presentation. Very interesting from a historical point of view and just as important, a personal point of view!
Thanks for bringing this episode to us with a fine new historian, Alicia. Super Sixth probably needed to provide the ingrediants for cakes etc. for High Tea. Rationing would have meant that there was not much available for partying.
Outstanding - both the presentation and the interaction at the end. She has a very bright future ahead of her. Excellent work.
Wonderful presentation because war is just not who has the best equipment, or strategy and tactics, or political and diplomatic considerations, it is at its most basic level people's lives, but also their families lives and futures as well.
Great show! Alicia's enthusiasm is great.
That was an incredible presentation. Thank you Woody & Alicia!
Fully agree! Watched it twice and shared it. Thanks again!
Very enjoyable this one, with some nice personal snippets. Thank you both. It's always great, and still surprising, when a young woman shows such interest in these subjects. Not to mention the knowledge she has.
Im glad Alicia went into the morale and trauma change in 6th Armored from the Ardennes. They seemed to be very confident prior, including in their weapons, but by the end of it that had changed and I believe the summary of 6th Armored after a visit by Eisenhower on February 13th 1945 stated:
"6th Armored Division.
c. Equipment: - Present tanks are entirely unsatisfactory, due to lack of a satisfactory gun and lack of flotation."
Seems like their morale was indeed affected, as Alicia points out.
Cheers.
My father fought with the 6th Armored Division 68th tank battalion as a tank driver. All he ever said about Buchenwald was that it was his tank that knocked down the main gate. I actually am in possession of the flag that flew over the main gate. This was all he ever said about the experience. No other mention of what he saw.
Absolutely fascinating. She is so full of enthusiasm and verve. The story about alcohol and what it did to lives after really deserves investigation. The whole "seeing the world" aspect is important too. In WW1 there was a song "How are you going to keep them on the farm once they've seen Paree?"
Excellent! I love it when people make connections with their ancestors.
Thank you Woody and Alicia. The personal experiences of the folks on the frontline are an invaluable, awe-inspiring and heart wrenching testament to their incredible fortitude and sacrifice. The descriptions of how the liberation of Buchenwald changed them forever brought me to tears. Never again! Tragically, viewing the horrendous carnage in Ukraine and Gaza it seems humanity as a whole still has far to go. Cheers 🙏🏻🍀🍀🍀
Great presentation
Well done Woody & Alicia. Bless you for what you are doing Alicia to help keep their memories alive.
I’m absolutely moved and inspired by the enthusiasm, dedication, and passion. Thank you
My father served with in the sixth armored division, in Hq, Hq company , 69th tank battalion.
Excellent 👍
Where do you find these amazing guests, Woody?
Your rapport with researchers and historians is always so excellent. Can't be taught. This presentation brought tears to my eyes more than once.
Fabulous presentation! I really enjoy stories that focus on the individual. Not just during the war, but who they were before and after as well. Helps keep you humble.
Bravo! She has a great "Why?"
Alicia has done a great service towards the memory of the 6th AD. Really enjoyed this show. Hope she can write a book on this in the future.
Alicia, Paul, What a great job! Thank you for taking time to create, and get this posted. I throughly enjoyed watching.
Another great episode! Really liked to hear the more humane aspect of a armored division.
Cheers!
Great video!
Great show.
great presentation
Another cracking presentation...
It's been a pleasure listening to your presentation.. it is obvious that you have authentic passion invested in your work... good luck with your continued studies
Sometimes I fear we as a society (in our own respective countries, but also globally) will eventually forget about the men and women of WW2 and what they did... that their legacy will slowly fade until nobody alive even knows what happened 80 years ago. Watching this video gives me hope!
I don't have any worries personally. Look at all the interest in Masters of the Air, people will always remember
@@WW2TV You are right!!
I have a thought about the rural lifestyle's effect on mental healing from battle fatigue or PTSD. I'm considering a small rural town called New London, Ohio. The town is in the middle of farm fields, and it's where farmers would go to purchase feed or visit the drug store. The 1940 census shows it had a population of 1656 people. My grandmother (the widow of a veteran) and great uncles knew every veteran in and around the town. The veterans built their own VFW hall. The veteran community of New London was a small community within a small community. They didn't serve together for the most part. They represented different branches and different theaters, but they knew each other before and after the war. They had the shared experiences from the war. I believe such small communities of veterans supported each other, and they helped each other through mental struggles. Maybe, the alcohol at the VFW bars wasn't the best idea, but at least there'd be someone there with a shared experience. I'm sure New London isn't the only such small town in the US, and I'm sure the UK has such towns as well.
here we go
dang it ! how did i miss this ? pretty annoyed with myself. wish i could think of a way to get alerts to new content that i'm unaware of.
Cool
WW2 history is in good hands!
Im 49, so both sets of my grandparents were working and fighting and the history to me seems not long ago. Pretty soon we will only have written word and not first hand accounts. She did an excellent job with her thesis. If one wants to understand what the Eastern front was like need only look at Ukraine today and the scenes of mass killings and burials in towns taken back from the Russian troops that were dereated/retreating.
Very good and thought provoking discussion - particularly, how do we get the younger generations to acknowledge and take interest in remember World War 2... I think shows like Band of Brothers and Masters of the Air are big factors. I think movies, shows, and video games are the main avenues to reach the younger generations. So I think financial investment in those projects are extremely important. And equally important is having established channels like yours to help educate these people, once they're "hooked" and once they've taken up an interest in the war.
Paul, premis:2 decisions 1 The decision of the Rn not to meet or beat the German Fleet Trondheim, Norway which i feel led to Dunkirk and Market Garden gave the Germans confidence for The Bulge. Those 2 decisions made the war longer by i year each.
The Germans got the confidence to carry out their Ardennes offensive due to the previous US 1st Army failures in the Hurtgen Forest and Operation Queen. Huge amounts of casualties in US 1st Army and failure to advance far allowed the Germans to attack the weakened 1st Army line in front of the Ardennes.
Market Garden was irrelevant in their thinking, otherwise it would have shown that quick narrow penetrations can be stopped.
Check your dates; i believe Hurtgen Forrest is after The Bulge@@lyndoncmp5751
@@lyndoncmp5751 The Ardennes offensive the planning started 16th September was initial plan for November, before the Hurtgen Forest, Operation Queen and before the outcome of Market Garden
Market garden gave the Germans the confidence, if i have my dates right.
Why would it?
This might be the first Washington State University student who didn’t Coug it
That letter from the soldier to his wife about the waiting to go to France was powerful. That was more than worth my time.
I also have to share that whenever I hear men talk about fighting for peace, I'm reminded of the Benny Hill skit where he plays a Confederate Civil War soldier home on leave. His pretty girlfriend says how much she missed him while he was away fighting for peace. Benny Hill replies with something to the effect, now I'm home to get a piece of what I've been fighting for.
It's crude humor played for laughs, but it does also reveal a truth that being forced to be away from home and loved ones during war is a real hardship.
Whoa… those Buchenwald photos will get this video demonetized… (sigh)
Yes, they did
. I have some info on my Uncle who served in the 6th armored division and i have his shoulder patch. If you are interested I would love to talk to you.. Thanks for researching and honoring them. Jim J.
I am sure this was a good talk, but I was thinking 6th British Armoured Division instead of US. The British 6th is also very much under represented considering its success in Tunisia and Italy. Maybe on another day.
It would indeed be a good subject, but I would have spelled it Armoured not Armored in the title
Give it a listen still. Well worth it.
Thanks
I am 30.
At about 35:30 you state the 128th FA Battalion was the first unit to fire and enter into Germany during WW2. The American units that captured Aachen in late October 1944 would be quite surprised to hear this claim.
The invasion of Germany proper, you knew exactly what the context was, but beyond that observation, did you enjoy the presentation?
A lot of units had similar claims. I used to own a 5th Armored group to a man that was cited in his hometown paper as being the "first into Germany" as a recon cavalryman in the fall of 44 when the big drive post-Cobra was winding down @WW2TV
@jvleasure
I believe the first allied troops to cross into Germany was during Market Garden. On September 20th at about 2.00 pm, Captain Williams troop from Q Battery, 21st Anti Tank Regiment, Guards Armoured Division crossed over the border into Germany on their way to support the 508th PIR, US 82nd Airborne near Wyler.
I don't believe they engaged while in Germany, but they appear to be the first combat troops to enter Germany.
@lyndoncmp5751 this was right around that date. Must have been a lot of units close enough that they all felt entitled to claim it.
Indeed
Uhh… 19:34 Milton J Murry is my great grandfather
Wow!
Wow indeed
Youth and history, or why do we have to learn this crap? You must show how it has impact on their today lives and lessons learned. For history teachers don't start with Pearl Harbor or D Day. Instead start back in 1938 and Appeasement. Ask your students Should Neville have struck a deal with the bully or should should they have said. "Back down Adolph or you'll get a punch in the mouth." When it started. Would you have volunteered, allowed yourself to be conscripted, or got a job in a defense plant? There are a get many more questions you can ask to get them involved. Involved = interested. Interested = learn more. Learn more =ask more questions so you have to learn more. Good luck.