I did an Ypres battlefield tour with my grandfather in the late 90s. We walked the same ground and were told a tale by a local farmer. In the Summer of 1940 he had been a young boy and one day after the fall of France he was told to come in from the garden immediately as a number of black Mercedes carrying German officers plus entourage had pulled up at the roadside. Staring through the kitchen window they began to realize it was AH apparently showing Goering the site of his iron cross action from 20+ years previously. Private battlefield tour complete Goering proceeded to relieve himself against a tree by the side of the road and the convoy moved off. Allegedly.
I've been seeing more WWI content lately from the creators I follow. Even some who don't normally do that kind of content. I learn a little bit more each time. Appreciate the video 👍
@@joshuagibson2520I have 9 episodes of that documentary up on my channel. The rest is coming soon. Really great series where you get to learn all about that war.
We all should be. That's a really underlooked war obviously because of the war that happens 20 years later but the first world war was really the war that changed everything and I feel like it doesn't get enough attention thanks to the funny mustache man.
That ashpalt road at 2 min 15 used to be a dirtrack. Alongside that track the next door farmer used to stash UXO's/ploughed up granades. Back in 1990 I narrowly missed a shell with the front right tyer. Still give me chills to think of that...back then the tranches were still in their original state and it was almost a jungle.
Always a surreal sight, a calm and lovely green field that was once the seen of such horrific fighting. Please keep up your good work of sharing these sights with your audience!
The results for WWI is NEVER an excuse for WWII. Don’t start wars and don’t complain if you don’t like the results if you lose. Germany and particularly Hitler used it as a point of victimization to allow the Nazis into power and start WWII. Victimization is nearly always the reason for war.
WW1 certainly hasn't been forgotten in Europe but unfortunately here in the US subsequent conflicts (WW2, Korea, Vietnam) and other events pushed it into the background much faster than what would have been the usual case. That and of course the relatively brief American involvement as crucial as it was, it just didn't involve much of the American population. It's too bad.
@@wayneantoniazzi2706 Europeans were traumatized by WWI. That’s understandable. Essentially a stupid war compared to the devastation and death. Probably also why the French were so useless at the start of WWII. They had the biggest army and could’ve slapped down the German army if they had their heart into it.
JD, it is very nice to hear about some actual activity on the part of Hitler. He is only seen in History as standing with that salute (basically motionless). So, this certainly helps to put a 'real' human being behind the facade!
JD, beyond the great information your production value is amazing! From the shots to the music you really do a great job and i think your perhaps the best at it. Great stuff as all ways!
These fields are still littered with unspent artillery and gas shells, that come up, when farmers till the fields. Plowing in these fields can still be extremely dangerous.
Fun fact: those shelters/bunkers have a low ceiling, think only 120cm high because the higher ups were afraid the men would spent too much time in there if they made them higher. So they were only used during shelling and then the men were expected to get out asap.
Does it ever cross your mind that you could be standing in the exact spot a historical figure stood?? Blows my mind and has to be a surreal feeling. Thanks for sharing these videos. Love history.
Love the WW1 content. Dont see enough of it. When you came across the bunkers, i was yelling at the TV, " Dont go in there JD. Dont bump your head again". Lol!
How any soldiers of any nation lived through that 4 years without anything more than a rare leave or a convalescence while all around them millions died is staggering. No wonder Hitler felt he'd been preserved for a reason.
Thank you for continuing to create WW1 content as I feel now, more than ever, we need to better understand its origins and impacts. Sadly it is often glossed over to the great disservice of our and future generations. I always learn something new from your videos as I’m sure many others do. Keep up the great work!
Thank you for the video! As I understand it, the Allied trenches were consistently at a lower evaluation to the "belligerents" and therefore most often filled with water..this often accounts for the differences in the construction of them. Really appreciate riding along!
One of the coolest moments from the 2018 WW1 themed guided tour of France that I went on was visiting a spot where two of the tour member's ancestors had happened to be on the same day. They were in different units and one was relieving the other. It was a patch of woods in the middle of nowhere. Nothing can beat visiting those locations.
I hope that sometime in the future you could visit the exploits of Erwin Rommel in a similar fashion or maybe the very neglected eastern front such as Tannenberg, Lemberg, etc. I like your WW1 videos.
I’ve been more obsessed with the First World War lately, to point I started playing battlefield 1 and watch history and drawing it. It’s the first modern war and love learning a lot about it as well. Eventually gonna buy my ww1 era rifle eventually not sure which one yet.
Good thing you didn't go in that bunker. No chance to bump your head. 😊 I do appreciate your WW1 content, my grandpa was in the Sixth division of the AEF in france, during WW1. One day i want to go were he fought.
@@TheHistoryUnderground the story of hitler and Henry tandy must be worth a video in its own right. Of course hitler embellished it up to hell. If a British soldier had you in his sights but shouted "get gone" as the furher it helps if he was a recipient of the Victoria Cross and you were spared for the greater good.....
Now you have to do one where Hitler won his iron Cross first class in 1918 where he single handedly captured several french soldiers by trucking them by soeaking French to them that they were surrounded
My grandfather was on the front lines in WW1 in 1917. During an offensive he was shot in the leg and the Germans pushed the Americans back and my grandfathers unit left him behind. My grandfather was 6ft 6. Not the easiest to carry. My grandfather fought the Germans alone until his ammo ran out, he threw his rifle at them and threw rocks at them. He was captured by the Germans and the Americans and French counter attacked and pushed the Germans back. The Germans then left my grandfather on the battlefield. My grandfather was 6ft 6, not the easiest to carry. The French ended up capturing my grandfather. They evacuated him and my grandfather ended up in a field hospital where they removed the bullet and patched him up. His wounds were too serious for him to stay and a couple months later he was sent back to the states. My grandfather hated authority figures after that. He became a mean angry person and ended up becoming an alcoholic. He died of sorosis of the liver in 1957.
1918, he got the Iron Cross First Class. I know this may seem strange when you read it, but stick with me . . . Hitler was recommended for the Iron Cross Second Class, before actually winning the Iron Cross First Class in 1918, on the recommendation of a . . wait for it . . . JEWISH COLONEL!! It's said that Hitler agitated his C.O hard for it, and was said to have "brown nosed" his way to it. Though how true that is, one can only imagine. But the Jewish Colonel is an established fact. Hitler was awarded his "precious" Iron Cross on the recommendation of a Jewish Colonel. Oh, the irony!! Hahaha Hahaha
The high ground had a other advantage. In the time of the trenches you want to keep your trench as dry as possible so how higher your trench was the less problem you have with water.
@@TheHistoryUnderground That why the Germans always took the high ground, even if it was necessary to pull back from the front line. Something the French never did.
The Thirty Years War was the real template for World War II as it was total war between 1618 to 1648 with close to 8 million casualties. The ferocity of Gustavus Adolphus Swedish forces against the civilian population in Germany was something Europe had not seen since the times of the Roman legions. My mother being from the Stiegerwald talked about the resentment for what events occurred in this region was well over 300 years earlier hatred for all Swedes no matter what. The Swedish troops burned down two neighboring villages killing all inhabitants and Bavaria down to 50% of the original population they also tortured and maimed men who fell into their captivity. Total War was something not invented by the Germans.
Gustav II Adolf put a lot of work into raising the spirit and morale of the armed forces, and he succeeded well in this. Strict obedience prevailed for all and violations of martial discipline were severely punished. Looting and violence against the civilian population was not tolerated, nor was gambling or drunkenness. The violence against civilians that took place was not by the regular Swedish units but by the recruited Protestant German units that joined Sweden. They wanted revenge for the wrongs they themselves had been subjected to by the Catholics under the German emperor. The regular Swedish soldiers were appreciated among the civilian population in Germany, there are many examples in both German and Swedish sources where it is described how Swedish soldiers helped the farmers to plow etc. Of course there are exceptions, but they were severely punished, in case of gross violations even with the loss of life.
No, he did not wear it then. You mean the Iron Cross 1st class. In this vid he talks about the 2nd class medal. He also had a Bavarian medal that he did not wear. 3rd class. TH-camr Dr. Mark Felton made a cid about it.
In photos of Hitler he is shown wearing both the first and second class iron cross . The first class is pinned on his chest the second class is with a ribbon . If he won the first class iron cross was it in the same area ? Another great walk through .
You're absolutely right about understanding WW2 you need to understand WW1. I never fully realized that until I started learning about the inter-war years, the politics, the populism, the nationalism and also the pre-great war build up, the populism, the nationalism... WW1 basically settled nothing, just made more problems and grievances for the next generation to solve (and still unsolved in some parts of the world). Gen. Pershing wanted to continue fighting until Germany unconditionally surrendered to prevent a further great war. You could say WW1 didn't really end until 1945, but considering what was unleashed on Russia, and the rest of the world, when Lenin returned in 1917, It's my contention that WW1 didn't end until the Berlin Wall came down in 1989.
Did not know this early WW1 history of AH. All war is wicked but the more I learn about WW1 I now know why some many dreaded the possibility of another European war.
My opinion is that history will view WW1 and WW2 as one war. Also if you ask the question as to how the German or Soviet leadership in WW2 could do such barbaric things? Just imagine what they went through two decades earlier as young men.
I'd surmise the first-hand experience the leaders of WW2 had with gas warfare in WW1 most likely influenced the non-use by both sides in WW2. There's a VERY good chance those now senior officers had NO desire to repeat the experience! Even Hitler hated poison gas having been a gas casualty himself. That and the fact gas warfare was impractical in a war of movement that WW2 was. Mind you, I'm not talking about Zyklon B and its use in other places. That's another subject.
I dont think so. 2 very different wars, templates and tactics. If ww2 was trenches and closer to ww1 then yes. But very different wars by some who just happened to experience both
Many of the grievances of the Great War, carried on into WW2. I don’t think you’re wrong in your assessment, at all. Just look at the symbolism Hitler used after taking France. Forced the French surrender in the same rail car that the treaty of Versailles was signed in, only to burn it after the surrender was signed. Hitler’s rise to power was based on his grievances around the armistice, as well as weaponizing many of the people’s sentiments towards the tough conditions imposed by the treaty.
Trench warfare was probably insufferable. However, if I had to choose that or Vietnam style jungle warfare, I’d choose the trenches. It is strange seeing Adolph Hitler as a normal person especially playing the role of a hero. I’m gonna do more research but I’m wondering at what point did he choose to go full scorched earth on the parts of humanity that wasn’t to his liking. Excellent video
It was my understanding that AH purposely obscured his actions leading to his Iron Cross because the officer that recommended him was Jewish and that wouldn't sit well with his new-found ideology. I say new because even though I am sure he had reactions typical of the time he admired many in his regiment that were Jews. There was one in particular whose name I can't recall but Hitler thought him one of the bravest men he knew and this man was also an artist. I got this information from the book Hitler's First War by Thomas Weber and I am looking and can't find it! You make me want to read it again, as it is a wonderful look at the List Regiment and Hitler as a runner. It does debunk some of the myths surrounding this as he was a regimental runner and not a battalion one, meaning he ran orders to battalion HQ and some other poor devil had to run it to the trenches. Not that he didn't experience danger but he was considered more of an HQ puke than a front-line soldier and stayed mostly within that circle. It did have both versions but I don't recall the author's conclusions. Thanks for another great look at the ground! As an afterthought, I must say some would wonder, why would we care? What is the fascination? It is like asking somebody that is passionate about Harleys - if you have to ask, you will never understand'
Yes. The man who I mentioned in the video originally just went and dug a bunch of trenches there. After he died, they used old trench maps to recreate the actual trenches where they were. The Old Front Line Podcast has a good episode on this that's worth checking out. I'll put a link in the description.
Of the major political leaders of the 2nd World War. , not the military leaders of WW22 Only one man spent an extended period of time on the front lines, that being the future Fuerher and Reichs Chancellor Adolf Hitler. For combat actions in this area awarded the Iron Cross 2nd class.
Great video. Essential reading for anyone interested in the history of WWI and how it lead to WWII, from the German and Austro-Hungarian side of the story ---- "Ring Of Steel" by the British historian Alexander Watson. This is an outstanding book that has received rave reviews, and provides a huge amount of information about the circumstances and conditions faced by the Germans and Austrians, which are often overlooked in conventional histories by Western historians.
Ive always been interested in ww2 history had some family involved But for me ww1 has always had a draw for me, I had most family fight then throught europe and against the turks, Ive been to several battlefields in france and belgium, eye opening experience. I agree to understand ww2 ww1 needs to be studied
I heard that Allies trenches were mostly never as good as their German counterparts as the Allies objective was to push the Germans out of France and Belgium.....in some cases the German sewage would flow into British trenches because they secured the high ground first in 1914
A recent book called "Hitler's War" claims that Hitler exaggerated his role in WW I to potray himself as being in the thick of the frontline fighting. He was actually a courier carrying messages to and from the rear area, where he spent most of his time. He earned the contempt of the frontline soldiers who called him a "rear area pig", according to the book.
The ghost of MLK visited me last night in a dream. He told me in a whisper, not a shout, that if AH was in charge of European security, black and brown moiselum men will not be invading mother Europa. Very very sad.
I did an Ypres battlefield tour with my grandfather in the late 90s. We walked the same ground and were told a tale by a local farmer. In the Summer of 1940 he had been a young boy and one day after the fall of France he was told to come in from the garden immediately as a number of black Mercedes carrying German officers plus entourage had pulled up at the roadside. Staring through the kitchen window they began to realize it was AH apparently showing Goering the site of his iron cross action from 20+ years previously. Private battlefield tour complete Goering proceeded to relieve himself against a tree by the side of the road and the convoy moved off. Allegedly.
I've been seeing more WWI content lately from the creators I follow. Even some who don't normally do that kind of content. I learn a little bit more each time. Appreciate the video 👍
Gonna be seeing a lot of WWI content on here for awhile. :)
Check out the whole series "the great war". I forget the channel name.
@@joshuagibson2520I have 9 episodes of that documentary up on my channel. The rest is coming soon. Really great series where you get to learn all about that war.
We all should be. That's a really underlooked war obviously because of the war that happens 20 years later but the first world war was really the war that changed everything and I feel like it doesn't get enough attention thanks to the funny mustache man.
@@joshuagibson2520
That IS the channel name. The Great War.
Loving the WW1 content. Helps me understand what my grandfather experienced when he served from 1917-18. 🇬🇧❤️
That ashpalt road at 2 min 15 used to be a dirtrack. Alongside that track the next door farmer used to stash UXO's/ploughed up granades. Back in 1990 I narrowly missed a shell with the front right tyer. Still give me chills to think of that...back then the tranches were still in their original state and it was almost a jungle.
😧
I often wonder about the farmers and landowners ploughing up all those un-exploded shells. Scary stuff
Always a surreal sight, a calm and lovely green field that was once the seen of such horrific fighting. Please keep up your good work of sharing these sights with your audience!
Thanks! Appreciate that.
Another intriguing episode sir. Hope to make it to some of those Battlefields myself one day.
"How you fields of green,
Could whisper tales of gore,
Valhalla, I am coming"
Led Zeppelin, "Immigrants Song"
Very interesting video, we often overlook WWI but it’s crucial to WWII.
100%
The results for WWI is NEVER an excuse for WWII. Don’t start wars and don’t complain if you don’t like the results if you lose. Germany and particularly Hitler used it as a point of victimization to allow the Nazis into power and start WWII. Victimization is nearly always the reason for war.
WW1 certainly hasn't been forgotten in Europe but unfortunately here in the US subsequent conflicts (WW2, Korea, Vietnam) and other events pushed it into the background much faster than what would have been the usual case. That and of course the relatively brief American involvement as crucial as it was, it just didn't involve much of the American population. It's too bad.
@@wayneantoniazzi2706 Europeans were traumatized by WWI. That’s understandable. Essentially a stupid war compared to the devastation and death. Probably also why the French were so useless at the start of WWII. They had the biggest army and could’ve slapped down the German army if they had their heart into it.
Clearly.
It was the first in the series.
JD, it is very nice to hear about some actual activity on the part of Hitler. He is only seen in History as standing with that salute (basically motionless). So, this certainly helps to put a 'real' human being behind the facade!
JD Vance!
I was there in 1980 and in his museum that was a great experience. Those shafts were open still at that time.
JD, beyond the great information your production value is amazing! From the shots to the music you really do a great job and i think your perhaps the best at it. Great stuff as all ways!
Much appreciated!
Thanks for the tour of the trenches. It amazes me how much the land has been reclaimed for farming. It would’ve been a moonscape by the end of 1918.
Industrial scale slaughter.
After over 100years you'd expect some natural reclaiming thankfully
Until the thirty’s and forty’s its was still on lots of places around the former front
These fields are still littered with unspent artillery and gas shells, that come up, when farmers till the fields. Plowing in these fields can still be extremely dangerous.
Fun fact: those shelters/bunkers have a low ceiling, think only 120cm high because the higher ups were afraid the men would spent too much time in there if they made them higher. So they were only used during shelling and then the men were expected to get out asap.
Oh dang. Didn’t know that. Thanks!
Does it ever cross your mind that you could be standing in the exact spot a historical figure stood??
Blows my mind and has to be a surreal feeling. Thanks for sharing these videos. Love history.
Yes. 😊
Great video, thanks. There is nothing like walking the ground of the battle.
I really love this channel. Thanks JD.
@@BenRush thanks!
Another excellent video thank you
Glad you enjoyed it!
Its cool to see the place my great grandpa was when he was in hitlers unit in ww1
Love the WW1 content. Dont see enough of it. When you came across the bunkers, i was yelling at the TV, " Dont go in there JD. Dont bump your head again". Lol!
Ha!
How any soldiers of any nation lived through that 4 years without anything more than a rare leave or a convalescence while all around them millions died is staggering.
No wonder Hitler felt he'd been preserved for a reason.
WOW!! Ya gotta be impressed with the work put into those trenches!! Awesome!
Another good informative video JD, I think we always should dive into WWI as it is a great step getting toward WWII.
Always Great To Get More Education From J.D Well Spoken History Teacher ❤
I appreciate that! Thank you.
Thank you for taking us to these places, really interesting.
WW1 was always so fascinating to me. And so crazy how it still impacts the world today.
Really enjoyed the video mate can't wait for the next one
Glad you enjoyed it
Exxcellent as always
Thanks!
Thank you for continuing to create WW1 content as I feel now, more than ever, we need to better understand its origins and impacts. Sadly it is often glossed over to the great disservice of our and future generations. I always learn something new from your videos as I’m sure many others do. Keep up the great work!
Appreciate you JD, another great video!
Thank you for the video! As I understand it, the Allied trenches were consistently at a lower evaluation to the "belligerents" and therefore most often filled with water..this often accounts for the differences in the construction of them. Really appreciate riding along!
Hitler was at Messines. i spoke with pastor Albert Gehkiere from the little town. He saw Hitler in may 1940.
One of the coolest moments from the 2018 WW1 themed guided tour of France that I went on was visiting a spot where two of the tour member's ancestors had happened to be on the same day. They were in different units and one was relieving the other. It was a patch of woods in the middle of nowhere. Nothing can beat visiting those locations.
Very cool episode-really enjoyed that trench!
Very interesting. As a person that loves history I'd love to see it all . Thank you .
Great video - a really cool site
I hope that sometime in the future you could visit the exploits of Erwin Rommel in a similar fashion or maybe the very neglected eastern front such as Tannenberg, Lemberg, etc. I like your WW1 videos.
Lovely video again JD
History underground you’re my hero thank you for all the great videos
Thanks! I appreciate that.
So close to Newfoundland - Beaumont Hamel - fascinating battle!
What fantastic content you constantly provide. Thank you!
Thanks!
I’ve been more obsessed with the First World War lately, to point I started playing battlefield 1 and watch history and drawing it. It’s the first modern war and love learning a lot about it as well. Eventually gonna buy my ww1 era rifle eventually not sure which one yet.
Top notch JD.
Thanks!
Good thing you didn't go in that bunker. No chance to bump your head. 😊
I do appreciate your WW1 content, my grandpa was in the Sixth division of the AEF in france, during WW1. One day i want to go were he fought.
Ha!
Another great job. ❤
Thanks!
Very interesting episode
Thanks!
Totally beautiful. Thank you 😊
Hi JD awesome video thanks I am loving this world war 1 content keep it up JD
Great work 👍🏼😎
Very cool video !!!
Hazy story or not, the Germans did not hand out medals like candy: you had to actually earn it to get one.
I really enjoyed that post as always. Your chanel is excellent 👌
Thank you very much!
@@TheHistoryUnderground your welcome mate the content presentation filming everything is absolutely outstanding. I always really enjoy watching.
@@TheHistoryUnderground the story of hitler and Henry tandy must be worth a video in its own right. Of course hitler embellished it up to hell. If a British soldier had you in his sights but shouted "get gone" as the furher it helps if he was a recipient of the Victoria Cross and you were spared for the greater good.....
Thanks, very interesting and informative.
Always love videos & info regarding Der Führer . Thanks
Now you have to do one where Hitler won his iron Cross first class in 1918 where he single handedly captured several french soldiers by trucking them by soeaking French to them that they were surrounded
Thank you.
My grandfather was on the front lines in WW1 in 1917. During an offensive he was shot in the leg and the Germans pushed the Americans back and my grandfathers unit left him behind. My grandfather was 6ft 6. Not the easiest to carry. My grandfather fought the Germans alone until his ammo ran out, he threw his rifle at them and threw rocks at them. He was captured by the Germans and the Americans and French counter attacked and pushed the Germans back. The Germans then left my grandfather on the battlefield. My grandfather was 6ft 6, not the easiest to carry. The French ended up capturing my grandfather. They evacuated him and my grandfather ended up in a field hospital where they removed the bullet and patched him up. His wounds were too serious for him to stay and a couple months later he was sent back to the states.
My grandfather hated authority figures after that. He became a mean angry person and ended up becoming an alcoholic. He died of sorosis of the liver in 1957.
Very interesting
Glad you think so! Thanks for watching.
Alpha Hotel lives on.
Thanks
Thank you!
Whatever your job is, I want it. Id love to be able to travel to historical places all the time like you do. Any tips/advice? I need a career change
Go there and film it for your channel. Do it consistently and youll get followers to get 💸
Brit trenches were very elaborately standardized having the duckboards over a drain channel to remove water from their high water table positions.
Great video! Thanks! Also, Hitler got the 1st class version in 2018.
1918, he got the Iron Cross First Class.
I know this may seem strange when you read it, but stick with me . . .
Hitler was recommended for the Iron Cross Second Class, before actually winning the Iron Cross First Class in 1918, on the recommendation of a . . wait for it . . . JEWISH COLONEL!!
It's said that Hitler agitated his C.O hard for it, and was said to have "brown nosed" his way to it. Though how true that is, one can only imagine. But the Jewish Colonel is an established fact. Hitler was awarded his "precious" Iron Cross on the recommendation of a Jewish Colonel.
Oh, the irony!!
Hahaha Hahaha
The high ground had a other advantage. In the time of the trenches you want to keep your trench as dry as possible so how higher your trench was the less problem you have with water.
Also a good point.
@@TheHistoryUnderground
That why the Germans always took the high ground, even if it was necessary to pull back from the front line.
Something the French never did.
It amazes me that after being involved in all the awful carnage that was WW1, that anyone would want to cause all the mayhem that was WW2.
The Thirty Years War was the real template for World War II as it was total war between 1618 to 1648 with close to 8 million casualties.
The ferocity of Gustavus Adolphus Swedish forces against the civilian population in Germany was something Europe had not seen since the times of the Roman legions. My mother being from the Stiegerwald talked about the resentment for what events occurred in this region was well over 300 years earlier hatred for all Swedes no matter what. The Swedish troops burned down two neighboring villages killing all inhabitants and Bavaria down to 50% of the original population they also tortured and maimed men who fell into their captivity. Total War was something not invented by the Germans.
Gustav II Adolf put a lot of work into raising the spirit and morale of the armed forces, and he succeeded well in this. Strict obedience prevailed for all and violations of martial discipline were severely punished. Looting and violence against the civilian population was not tolerated, nor was gambling or drunkenness.
The violence against civilians that took place was not by the regular Swedish units but by the recruited Protestant German units that joined Sweden. They wanted revenge for the wrongs they themselves had been subjected to by the Catholics under the German emperor. The regular Swedish soldiers were appreciated among the civilian population in Germany, there are many examples in both German and Swedish sources where it is described how Swedish soldiers helped the farmers to plow etc. Of course there are exceptions, but they were severely punished, in case of gross violations even with the loss of life.
sounds logical, I love both german and swedish military history :)
Hitler loved that award. Wore it on his uniform in ww2.
No, he did not wear it then. You mean the Iron Cross 1st class. In this vid he talks about the 2nd class medal. He also had a Bavarian medal that he did not wear. 3rd class. TH-camr Dr. Mark Felton made a cid about it.
Also Harry Truman had his baptism of fire
Great video. I'd love to cover that area with a metal detector.
Guarantee that you'd get a signal or two.
Was at that very spot last year
nice content
Thank you for the history of Hitler getting his Iron Cross 2nd class. Thank you JD. Enjoyed it. 💕💯👊👍
Glad that you enjoyed it!
Henry tandy vc was the soldier in the painting.
In photos of Hitler he is shown wearing both the first and second class iron cross . The first class is pinned on his chest the second class is with a ribbon . If he won the first class iron cross was it in the same area ? Another great walk through .
No, his first class was in a different area.
Eey! You’re in my hometown!
Great place!
Didn't Hitler later also receive the iron cross first class as well ?
Yes, he received that one in 1918. That one is in the collection of The Gettysburg Museum of History. Got a few videos that show it.
You're absolutely right about understanding WW2 you need to understand WW1. I never fully realized that until I started learning about the inter-war years, the politics, the populism, the nationalism and also the pre-great war build up, the populism, the nationalism... WW1 basically settled nothing, just made more problems and grievances for the next generation to solve (and still unsolved in some parts of the world). Gen. Pershing wanted to continue fighting until Germany unconditionally surrendered to prevent a further great war. You could say WW1 didn't really end until 1945, but considering what was unleashed on Russia, and the rest of the world, when Lenin returned in 1917, It's my contention that WW1 didn't end until the Berlin Wall came down in 1989.
100%. I always wince a bit when I hear people say that they aren't into WWI. If you aren't into WWI, then you really aren't fully into WWII.
Yes, and now it looks like WW1 & WW2 part 3 has returned to Europe thanks to Putin. 😢
While it became routine for German officers to hold both classes of the Iron Cross, Hitler was one of very few enlisted soldiers to do so.
Correction: the book was "Hitler's First War" by Thomas Weber.
JD a tunnel that you didn’t go into...I’m shocked‼️
Did not know this early WW1 history of AH. All war is wicked but the more I learn about WW1 I now know why some many dreaded the possibility of another European war.
…Thanks for the exelent video really appreciated..👍”🍻”-Probst..!!!
Glad you enjoyed it!
The past informs the future. You either learn the lessons or are doomed to repeat the mistakes
My opinion is that history will view WW1 and WW2 as one war. Also if you ask the question as to how the German or Soviet leadership in WW2 could do such barbaric things? Just imagine what they went through two decades earlier as young men.
There was certainly some desensitization that took place.
I'd surmise the first-hand experience the leaders of WW2 had with gas warfare in WW1 most likely influenced the non-use by both sides in WW2. There's a VERY good chance those now senior officers had NO desire to repeat the experience! Even Hitler hated poison gas having been a gas casualty himself. That and the fact gas warfare was impractical in a war of movement that WW2 was.
Mind you, I'm not talking about Zyklon B and its use in other places. That's another subject.
I dont think so. 2 very different wars, templates and tactics. If ww2 was trenches and closer to ww1 then yes. But very different wars by some who just happened to experience both
Many of the grievances of the Great War, carried on into WW2. I don’t think you’re wrong in your assessment, at all. Just look at the symbolism Hitler used after taking France. Forced the French surrender in the same rail car that the treaty of Versailles was signed in, only to burn it after the surrender was signed. Hitler’s rise to power was based on his grievances around the armistice, as well as weaponizing many of the people’s sentiments towards the tough conditions imposed by the treaty.
Trench warfare was probably insufferable. However, if I had to choose that or Vietnam style jungle warfare, I’d choose the trenches. It is strange seeing Adolph Hitler as a normal person especially playing the role of a hero. I’m gonna do more research but I’m wondering at what point did he choose to go full scorched earth on the parts of humanity that wasn’t to his liking. Excellent video
I lived with a German command post in my back yard, a lot bigger than this one, on messines ridge. Crazy to think about
Weet iemand het juiste adres van deze stelling? (Does anyone know the correct address?)
Thanks, JD, great video as always. Please allow me to comment on pronunciation. The German word "Bayernwald" is pronounced "BUY-ernvald".
I was going with Midwestern redneck pronunciation. 😅
Kind of a good argument for stopping shooting and starting talking.
Just a minor quibble, that the thumbnails shows the 1914 EK2, although Hitler was awarded the EK1 as well
Yes. But this one was about the EK2.
@@TheHistoryUnderground ah, my apologies, I didn't get to watch much of the video.
It was my understanding that AH purposely obscured his actions leading to his Iron Cross because the officer that recommended him was Jewish and that wouldn't sit well with his new-found ideology. I say new because even though I am sure he had reactions typical of the time he admired many in his regiment that were Jews. There was one in particular whose name I can't recall but Hitler thought him one of the bravest men he knew and this man was also an artist. I got this information from the book Hitler's First War by Thomas Weber and I am looking and can't find it! You make me want to read it again, as it is a wonderful look at the List Regiment and Hitler as a runner. It does debunk some of the myths surrounding this as he was a regimental runner and not a battalion one, meaning he ran orders to battalion HQ and some other poor devil had to run it to the trenches. Not that he didn't experience danger but he was considered more of an HQ puke than a front-line soldier and stayed mostly within that circle. It did have both versions but I don't recall the author's conclusions. Thanks for another great look at the ground!
As an afterthought, I must say some would wonder, why would we care? What is the fascination? It is like asking somebody that is passionate about Harleys - if you have to ask, you will never understand'
I'm a little confused. Are these trenches a reconstruction of the actual WW1 trenches, or were they created "in the area" where the battle was?
Yes. The man who I mentioned in the video originally just went and dug a bunch of trenches there. After he died, they used old trench maps to recreate the actual trenches where they were. The Old Front Line Podcast has a good episode on this that's worth checking out. I'll put a link in the description.
What an interesting line
We're gonna step outside and talk about Hitler for a minute
😅
Earned or qualified for rather than received I would suggest.
Of the major political leaders of the 2nd World War. , not the military leaders of WW22 Only one man spent an extended period of time on the front lines, that being the future Fuerher and Reichs Chancellor Adolf Hitler. For combat actions in this area awarded the Iron Cross 2nd class.
Great video. Essential reading for anyone interested in the history of WWI and how it lead to WWII, from the German and Austro-Hungarian side of the story ---- "Ring Of Steel" by the British historian Alexander Watson. This is an outstanding book that has received rave reviews, and provides a huge amount of information about the circumstances and conditions faced by the Germans and Austrians, which are often overlooked in conventional histories by Western historians.
Where did he receive his Iron crosses 2nd and 1st classes?
The Iron Cross 2nd Class was the area that I showed in the video. His Iron Cross 1st Class was award in 1918.
I didn't quite catch the name of the wood where Hitler fought and got his iron cross. Can you spell it so I can find it on the map please?
Bayerwald
@@TheHistoryUnderground Thanks!
Ive always been interested in ww2 history had some family involved But for me ww1 has always had a draw for me, I had most family fight then throught europe and against the turks, Ive been to several battlefields in france and belgium, eye opening experience. I agree to understand ww2 ww1 needs to be studied
You're production is incredibly well done.
Thanks!
I heard that Allies trenches were mostly never as good as their German counterparts as the Allies objective was to push the Germans out of France and Belgium.....in some cases the German sewage would flow into British trenches because they secured the high ground first in 1914
Yeah, I think that it'd be fair to say that the German trenches were much better developed.
@TheHistoryUnderground the movie 1917, shows this small detail
A recent book called "Hitler's War" claims that Hitler exaggerated his role in WW I to potray himself as being in the thick of the frontline fighting. He was actually a courier carrying messages to and from the rear area, where he spent most of his time. He earned the contempt of the frontline soldiers who called him a "rear area pig", according to the book.
"According to the book..." 😂
And that is just BS
The ghost of MLK visited me last night in a dream.
He told me in a whisper, not a shout, that if AH was in charge of European security, black and brown moiselum men will not be invading mother Europa.
Very very sad.