⭐ If you've watched a few episodes and feel like I've earned it, be sure to subscribe so that you don't miss any new content when it comes out. Also be sure to check out The Gettysburg Museum of History and their store at gettysburgmuseumofhistory.com.
It would be helpfull to state what articles of war were violated that led to their execution. It's obvious to many, but there is a good backstory, for historical reasons. Thank you for the video, always interesting.
My mother was a US Army Nurse in the ETO. She was in the 3rd army after its activation. She told me the wounded men suffered greatly as their cases of frostbite were great and many men lost their feet due to cold conditions. Being in the war greatly impacted my mother. She was a 22 year old farm girl right out of nursing school when she went into the army. Off to Great Britain early 1943.
Thank you for making this time something more personal and tangible. So often it's easy to disassociate from the fact that these were individuals with emotions and who were human like the rest of us, responsive to the destruction going on around them. I can't imagine that, for me at least, that I'd have an easy time watching others' in that environment, regardless of what 'side' they were on. So, thank you for sharing.
It's freaky to see the video of these men being lead to their execution and then almost eighty years later seeing their final resting places. Great video J.D
There were two attempts at infiltration. Those captured in the first attempt were held and tried post war and released. Germany was warned not to do it again (probably via SWitzerland) and any repeats would result in executions. Germany tried again and you can see the result. The three were likely put in temp graves by US forces who just wanted to move on and then some farmer objected and the bodies/skeletons were removed to where you see them today. TE. Fidler
...It is great what info and the sense of real time. " Being There" for us that you bring. It would be more real for me if you give the date you are filming to place the season, spring " summer, fall. Also we do not know what bridge you were on or what River it goes over. ..or what country you are in. . You also need a German to give us the pronunciations and proper ranks. I hope I am not nitpicking... Thanks again, I did enjoy the video.
Out of curiosity I googled Wilhelm Galland. He was a Luftwaffe Ace and credited with 55 aerial victories over the course of 186 combat missions. He was shot down and killed while attempting to intercept a flight of B-17's, however, they were intercepted by the escort of P-47's of the 56th Fighter Group. It's believed that Walker Mahurin was the American pilot who shot down Galland. As always, top notch content JD!
@@laurent214 He was also the brother of another ace, Paul. Another brother Fritz was also in the Luuftwaffe as a fighter pilot, he is credited with shooting down one of his own HE 111's was demoted and sent to Italy as a Feldwebel (Sergeant) He was an Hauptmann (Captain)
Wilhelm-Ferdinand "Wutz" Galland (23 October 1914 - 17 August 1943) was a German Luftwaffe military aviator and fighter ace during World War II. He is credited with 55 aerial victories achieved in 186 combat missions. All his victories were claimed over the Western Front and in Defense of the Reich. This figure included seven four-engine bombers and 37 Supermarine Spitfire fighters. Born in Bochum, Galland grew up in the Weimar Republic and Nazi Germany. He joined the military service in the Wehrmacht in 1935, initially serving with the anti-aircraft artillery of the Luftwaffe. Upon his request in late 1940, he transferred to the Jagdwaffe (fighter force). Following flight training, he was posted to Jagdgeschwader 26 "Schlageter" (JG 26-26th Fighter Wing) in June 1941. Flying with this wing, Galland claimed his first aerial victory on 23 July 1941 on the Western Front over a Royal Air Force fighter aircraft. He was made Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) of 5. Staffel (5th squadron) of JG 26 in May 1942 and in January 1943, Gruppenkommandeur (group commander) of II. Gruppe of JG 26. Following his 34th aerial victory, he was nominated and awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 18 May 1943. Galland claimed his last aerial victory on 12 August 1943. On 17 August 1943, during the Schweinfurt-Regensburg mission, he was killed in action following combat with Republic P-47 Thunderbolt fighters from the 56th Fighter Group.
3 p.m. here in the UK. And that is the time when everything stops for a cuppa tea. Excellent timing, JD. Thank you for the time and effort that you put into these brilliant and informative videos.👍
I remember in the 80's seeing the posts in the ground . The wall, I believe behind a garage, was covered in vines, and the ground was extremely muddy. I was on a reconnaissance looking for points of interest for a battle field tour, and we were told at breakfast in St. Vith that the posts were still in the ground. In the muddy pasture we turned and the wall, vines, and posts were just there. What an amazing site. It was entirely open. No fences or shipping containers. We then headed to Henri- Chapelle. Amazing day!
Due to Op Greif, the famous British actor David Niven was asked by suspicious American sentries during the Battle of the Bulge, who had won the World Series in 1943, he answered, "Haven't the foggiest idea, but I did co-star with Ginger Rogers in Bachelor Mother!"
I wouldn't put much store in Niven's war stories. His 2 "memoirs" are replete with very doubtful anecdotes....including the one concerning Prince Ranier and"Grace".
@@Baskerville22 He was an actual Hollywood 'star of the silver screen' at a time when celebrities were far rarer commodities than today. He no doubt had a very unusual life.
@@Iazzaboyce...Niven had no fear. !!! I have read his two books " The Moon's a Balloon " and " Release the Wild Horses " ( or something like that., which was a quote from Michael Curtees the director. ) His life was non stop adventure and travel. His was best buddies and housemate with Erroll. Flynn, who other actors despised especially John Huston. Both books are recommended, but I like. " Moon" better.
the title of Niven's 2nd book was " Bring on the Empty Horses " quote of director Michael Curtees who struggled with the English language , and would get furious when he could not find the right English words. Errol Flynn and Niven would mock him out for his mistakes.
"...I think I mispronounced that correctly..." JD 😂🤣 I've only gotten this far, but THIS was too good to not comment on immediately. Great stuff JD. I love it!
I can’t imagine being a young 20 something and walking so stoically and calmly to my own execution. A walk through that cemetery reminds us that the millions of lost soldiers were boys. On both sides. That Komba was 17!
There's a video on YT called Radical Evilm it's about the Einsatzgruppen. It's letters home, diary entries, testimonies, and sime commentary on how the Holocaust proceeded and how people become mass murderers. One of the things that struck me was jow young they were. They had grown up ubder Hitler, were Hitler Youth members, and had been indoctrinated in Naziism since childhood. It really messed with their heads.
This has to be one of my favorite History Traveler episodes! From the actual footage of the execution of the German saboteurs to the tidbit about Gen Bradley...so very interesting!
That's why older men are supposed to be wise enough to stop war and all it's waste. It seems our current leaders have neglected their duty to the young.
@@richardpate4732that's the thing about the occult. They need human sacrifice to hold o to, or increase, their power. No matter the cost (of everyone else).
JD: Wilhelm Galland was a brother of the German fighter ace, Adolf Galland, and was killed by a Thunderbolt from the 56th Fighter Group. And another excellent video!
this comment needs a heart and reply of thanks from the content creator. Wutz Galland was even known by his enemies at the time, from poor radio security.
I was surprised to see that out of the 39K+ graves, you stumbled across the grave of Wilhelm Galland, a Luftwaffe ace with 55 victories, but whose older brother Adolf Galland was one of the most famous Luftwaffe aces with 104 victories and Luftwaffe General of the Fighter Arm for most of WW2 until he was dismissed in early 1945 after a well-known "Fighter Pilots Revolt" against Göring. Wilhelm died in air combat with the USAAF in Defense of the Reich during the infamous Schweinfurt-Regensburg bombing mission on August 17, 1943. Another great video JD!
Thumbs up for the Battle Guide mention. One of my favorite history channels, besides yours of course. The detailed way they use maps and archives lay out and describe the battle is very informative and revealing.
It's amazing & tragic to see so many young lives cut short during that tragic time, and visiting the actual grave sites as I was lucky enough to do in Normandy just makes you speechless because when you are there you see thousands of crosses ✝️ headstones & that is just at one Cemetery, a lot different of actually being there because its actually more headstones than what you would actually see & imagine on TV or the internet for soldiers regardless what side they were on, and fascinating seeing the headstones of the Germans who were executed for being spies impersonating American soldiers extremely fascinating when looking at the footage of the German soldiers being led to the firing squad by American troops than seeing their resting place 80 years later , it's really a honor of sharing so many of these videos because most people will never have the opportunity to see them , themselves including me even though I been to Europe three times now & planning to return in 2025 theres still so much to see that you will not get a chance to see everything.
Excellent episode. If anything, it shows how terrible war is, on both sides. So many young lives ended too soon. My dad was in the 99th Infantry Division in the northern shoulder of the Bulge. There was an incident with a 2nd Lieutenant and an MP in that sector. While the MP questioned the Lieutenant, the MP noticed that he had his bars on. Often times officers would remove rank insignia while on the line. The Lieutenant knew all the answers to the MP’s questions, including current passwords. After a period of time, the MP relaxed a bit and offered a cigarette to the Lieutenant. As they were smoking, the MP said, “ Where did you go to OCS?” The Lieutenant answered, Ft. Benning.” The MP asked, “ Ft. Benning, where?” The Lieutenant answered, “Ft. Benning, Texas.” Another German infiltrator was captured.
German spies stop to pass the time of day and have a smoko break with the enemy sure they were begging to be captured and shot keyboatd warrior get a life
It was a desperate plan launched too late to properly plan, staff, rehearse, and equip. Thanks for the on site view of the actual sites JD. It compliments what may be read in a book.
That being said, it was an amazing feat of logistics by the Germans, especially that late in the war, to even be able to launch such a large operation.
Very, very well done. Thank you. Most of us who have studied World War II have seen the movie clips of the execution of these men. Like most things in life, the backstory fills in so many gaps. Again, thank you for your hard work creating this episode.
The thing that’s always affected me in the footage is Manfred on the right, the way he swallows and his mouth hangs open. The enormity of what’s about to happen obviously hits him. He’s about the same age as one of my sons, very sad.
Thank you for sharing! When I was in Europe, I didn't get to visit the Lommel German war cemetery. It looks nicer and more well kept than the cemeteries I was able to visit. Its nice to see that each soldier has their own grave.
That was a crazy video, JD. Your stroll through that cemetery had my mind going about the possibility, that some of those early blitz casualties may have come across my Great Grandfather’s unit.
I've always been struck by how bravely the three men met their end, even marching in step to the execution scene. I've read a last request was granted to them: to hear Christmas carols sung by German nurses on the eve of their death.
This channel is the best! I have been binge watching like crazy! The music, cinematography, information is all at Ken Burns level. Also love the drone shots and editing!
@@TheHistoryUnderground We Brits might say something more like "veercle" never sounding the 'H'. It's all good mate it's just a bit of "potato/potah-to"! . Keep up the great work, I love your videos. x
Most excellent work JD! So grateful that you are sharing moments in history as you are. So valuable. Thank you for the invitation to join you as you continue to share your work. Well done sir. Well done! Any hope we will see videos regarding the economic toll citizens and communities took during the war? Hint hint.
Was watching another contributor a while back and he mentioned that the "torch" monument represents the center of the cemetery. It has moved a couple of times in years after the war as more remains were found/relocated/consolidated. By far I've watched your channel back to when you were covering more of the civil war points of interest. Great Job!
Great video JD. The OSS and SOE personnel faced a similar fate if caught by the Nazis. Torture for confessions committed by the GESTAPO was guaranteed for any allied agent or commando. I don't think that we, in turn, tortured those three German commandos. You gotta admit though, those men had guts.
JD, you do such an awesome job! I'm always learning from your video's. Always making me dig even deeper! I love it! Very tastefully done. Thank you for all your time, effort, and thank you to your family while you do this thing called History!
Wilhelm Galland was a VERY famous fighter ace. THAT VERY picture is attached to his wiki page etc... I'm surprised he has such a typical headstone given his fame in the Reiche! Birth and death dates 100% align as well. What a find!!!
Thank you for detailing the lives and executions of the three men. I have seen videos of these being lined up and one or two showing more. This gives clarity to this story. Again thanks for your research into part of the Battle of the Bulge most never touch.
Would be interesting to be able to obtain a list of the questions the servicemen were to ask at checkpoints. Informative video JD. And Joey does have a fascinating channel as well. Enjoy content from each of you.
My first german War Grave visit was on the Somme from 1914-18. It was a mass grave that had been dug. I had been to see the grave of my great uncle, who was a New Zealander, buried at Bertrancourt Military Cemetery. That part of France and the old battlefields are a very moving and emotional experience.
History you can touch and feel - the closest thing we have to a time machine. Nice job. It's a chilling thought, but somewhere in the ground close by are the very bullets that did the deed.
Another great episode! Technical question: I've noticed that your dolly shots are very smooth. Perchance you're using your drone to shoot these in 'tripod mode'?
I hope we can remember that the guys on both sides of the fence were young men in their 20's, and just soldiers fighting for their countries. God bless America.
My dad was an MP in Patton's army. Looking carefully at the footage of the execution, one of the MP's in this video (the tall guy at 10:38) may possibly have been him. ..
Very well done segment, I always love your presentation, and how you present it to your listeners well done it’s almost like being there with you, thank you
18:40 JD I think you hit the nail on the head about the "diamond" in the iron cross. Clearly with some of the graves of the fallen dated from the early 1940's, it's easy to suggest that the column was constructed during the Nazi regime only to be denazified after the war.
Excellent video... Reminding people how brutal we, as human beings, can be against one another... So many lives vanished in vain during WW II... So many fears, so many cries, so many hopes, wo many tears.... May we never repeat such horrible things again... I personally doubt so, but my heart wishes for all of us a world like that....
What surprises me is that the German soldiers were interned with military honors and the cemetery is very dignified. It is of note that not all German soldiers were NAZI's and they answered the call for arms of their country. I'm glad to see that they were all treated with dignity and honor.
I just love Bastogne❤ Its great to see content that has solid research. It's amazing what men would do for their country. Some humorous stories came about the roadblocks and Security checkpoints.
As with any conflict, sad days indeed, these soldiers died bravely for what they believed in and this was a great tribute to all the German soldiers in this cemetery who lost their lives in the belief that the world would be a better place, sadly, not for them. RIP to all the victims of war.
Thanks, very interesting and well done. As a Canadian now living in Munich, Germany for several years, I am very interested in the stories of WWII on both sides.
Whats interesting to me is that at they were each executed in front of three rectangular holes in the wall. Currently at least the middle ones are not present. Were they closed during the past 80 years or is there a second similar location?
Nice video again JD. When I was there it was easier to get to the wall. I made then and now photo about the execution side. And you should one day visit the Ysselsteyn German cemetery. Its impressive eswell
I am a little disturbed that the soldiers that took part in the operation were executed. I would have thought once they were captured they would have been treated like prisoners of war as they were taking part in a miliary operation and were just doing their job.
I had always thought asking who won the World Series was more of a TV sitcom joke than anything else. But, if true as you mentioned, I'd be in a lot of trouble. I don't follow sports!
@17:05 this is what i found: Galland was killed in action on 17 August 1943 during the Schweinfurt-Regensburg mission, shot down in his Fw 190 A-6 (Werknummer 530125-factory number) 5 kilometres (3.1 miles) west of Maastricht.[48][49] Unteroffizier Heinz Gomann, Galland's wingman on this mission, had yelled out a warning too late. Galland disappeared after the first P-47 attack.[50] His body, still in his aircraft, was found two months later north of Liège.
Major Wilhelm Galland is famous enough to have his own wikipedia article (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilhelm-Ferdinand_Galland). His brother Adolf Galland survived the war. He, too, was a Luftwaffe fighter pilot and is considered kind of a local celebrity, where I am from. He lived to an old age and gave a few interviews in English as well.
Adolf Galland was a character and post war had a lot of friends who were RAF fighter pilots. Adolf Galland was part of the post war Luftwaffe and I believe was their head of fighter operations post war. The West Germans were happy to let him be their NATO liaison in operations with the RAF and USAF and he was well liked . He was a man who was defending his nation even though he didn't always agree with the government of the day.
@@marklittle8805, that ist not quite correct. After the war Galland went to Argentina and helped build Perón's Air Force there. He did not have a carreer in the Bundeswehr/post war Luftwaffe, due to strong concerns by the Americans.
⭐ If you've watched a few episodes and feel like I've earned it, be sure to subscribe so that you don't miss any new content when it comes out.
Also be sure to check out The Gettysburg Museum of History and their store at gettysburgmuseumofhistory.com.
Hey JD, where is the road with the Dragons teeth on it at? I am planning a trip and would like to visit there, thank you 🙏
Already happily subscribed. You do SUCH a good job each and every time. THANK YOU J.D, Eric, and everyone else that adds to your videos ❤
It would be helpfull to state what articles of war were violated that led to their execution. It's obvious to many, but there is a good backstory, for historical reasons. Thank you for the video, always interesting.
Operation Barbarossa ( the Geman invasion of the USSR) started 22 June 1941 not 1940 as you stated
@@donLatitisavanderworken...OK
...yes ..people get confused with
Nassi take over of France in May 1940.
My mother was a US Army Nurse in the ETO. She was in the 3rd army after its activation. She told me the wounded men suffered greatly as their cases of frostbite were great and many men lost their feet due to cold conditions.
Being in the war greatly impacted my mother. She was a 22 year old farm girl right out of nursing school when she went into the army. Off to Great Britain early 1943.
Thank you for making this time something more personal and tangible. So often it's easy to disassociate from the fact that these were individuals with emotions and who were human like the rest of us, responsive to the destruction going on around them. I can't imagine that, for me at least, that I'd have an easy time watching others' in that environment, regardless of what 'side' they were on.
So, thank you for sharing.
It's freaky to see the video of these men being lead to their execution and then almost eighty years later seeing their final resting places. Great video J.D
Glad that you found it interesting!
indeed
There were two attempts at infiltration. Those captured in the first attempt were held and tried post war and released. Germany was warned not to do it again (probably via SWitzerland) and any repeats would result in executions. Germany tried again and you can see the result.
The three were likely put in temp graves by US forces who just wanted to move on and then some farmer objected and the bodies/skeletons were removed to where you see them today.
TE. Fidler
Somebody needs to show this video to trump. That draft dodging coward.
...It is great what info and the sense
of real time. " Being There" for us
that you bring.
It would be more real for me if you
give the date you are filming to place
the season, spring " summer, fall.
Also we do not know what bridge you were on or what River it goes over. ..or what country you are in. .
You also need a German to give us
the pronunciations and proper ranks.
I hope I am not nitpicking...
Thanks again, I did enjoy the video.
Out of curiosity I googled Wilhelm Galland. He was a Luftwaffe Ace and credited with 55 aerial victories over the course of 186 combat missions. He was shot down and killed while attempting to intercept a flight of B-17's, however, they were intercepted by the escort of P-47's of the 56th Fighter Group. It's believed that Walker Mahurin was the American pilot who shot down Galland. As always, top notch content JD!
And he was the brother of the famous luftwaffe ace, general Adolph Galland
@@laurent214 He was also the brother of another ace, Paul. Another brother Fritz was also in the Luuftwaffe as a fighter pilot, he is credited with shooting down one of his own HE 111's was demoted and sent to Italy as a Feldwebel (Sergeant) He was an Hauptmann (Captain)
Wilhelm-Ferdinand "Wutz" Galland (23 October 1914 - 17 August 1943) was a German Luftwaffe military aviator and fighter ace during World War II. He is credited with 55 aerial victories achieved in 186 combat missions. All his victories were claimed over the Western Front and in Defense of the Reich. This figure included seven four-engine bombers and 37 Supermarine Spitfire fighters.
Born in Bochum, Galland grew up in the Weimar Republic and Nazi Germany. He joined the military service in the Wehrmacht in 1935, initially serving with the anti-aircraft artillery of the Luftwaffe. Upon his request in late 1940, he transferred to the Jagdwaffe (fighter force). Following flight training, he was posted to Jagdgeschwader 26 "Schlageter" (JG 26-26th Fighter Wing) in June 1941. Flying with this wing, Galland claimed his first aerial victory on 23 July 1941 on the Western Front over a Royal Air Force fighter aircraft. He was made Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) of 5. Staffel (5th squadron) of JG 26 in May 1942 and in January 1943, Gruppenkommandeur (group commander) of II. Gruppe of JG 26. Following his 34th aerial victory, he was nominated and awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 18 May 1943. Galland claimed his last aerial victory on 12 August 1943. On 17 August 1943, during the Schweinfurt-Regensburg mission, he was killed in action following combat with Republic P-47 Thunderbolt fighters from the 56th Fighter Group.
Wilhelm and hid brother Paul both shot down and killed in combat. Brother Adolf survived and died in 1996.
of course, Galland was a known ace
3 p.m. here in the UK. And that is the time when everything stops for a cuppa tea. Excellent timing, JD.
Thank you for the time and effort that you put into these brilliant and informative videos.👍
👍🏻
I remember in the 80's seeing the posts in the ground . The wall, I believe behind a garage, was covered in vines, and the ground was extremely muddy. I was on a reconnaissance looking for points of interest for a battle field tour, and we were told at breakfast in St. Vith that the posts were still in the ground. In the muddy pasture we turned and the wall, vines, and posts were just there. What an amazing site. It was entirely open. No fences or shipping containers. We then headed to Henri- Chapelle. Amazing day!
Have you got any pics of your visit there? If so are they viewable anywhere? Regards.
Can you tell me exactly where this location is? A Google Earth photo perhaps?
Due to Op Greif, the famous British actor David Niven was asked by suspicious American sentries during the Battle of the Bulge, who had won the World Series in 1943, he answered, "Haven't the foggiest idea, but I did co-star with Ginger Rogers in Bachelor Mother!"
Bravo, John.. just heard that gem recently. Bravvoooo!
I wouldn't put much store in Niven's war stories. His 2 "memoirs" are replete with very doubtful anecdotes....including the one concerning Prince Ranier and"Grace".
@@Baskerville22 He was an actual Hollywood 'star of the silver screen' at a time when celebrities were far rarer commodities than today. He no doubt had a very unusual life.
@@Iazzaboyce...Niven had no fear. !!! I have read his two books
" The Moon's a Balloon " and
" Release the Wild Horses " ( or
something like that., which was a quote from Michael Curtees the director. ) His life was non stop
adventure and travel. His was best buddies and housemate with
Erroll. Flynn, who other actors despised especially John Huston.
Both books are recommended,
but I like. " Moon" better.
the title of Niven's 2nd book was
" Bring on the Empty Horses "
quote of director Michael Curtees
who struggled with the English
language , and would get furious
when he could not find the right
English words. Errol Flynn and Niven
would mock him out for his mistakes.
The little moments in history that have happened without most people knowing about them are fascinating.
Those pictures went viral. I got mine from a library book back in the late 60s.
Great video and great to see you've overcome the robbery last year to produce videos like this.
Thank you.
"...I think I mispronounced that correctly..." JD 😂🤣
I've only gotten this far, but THIS was too good to not comment on immediately. Great stuff JD. I love it!
I can’t imagine being a young 20 something and walking so stoically and calmly to my own execution. A walk through that cemetery reminds us that the millions of lost soldiers were boys. On both sides. That Komba was 17!
That is heartbreaking
@markturner6240. ...On the Eastern Front against Russians
kids of 12 years age were killed
being part of th. "Hiltler Youth "
As always old men sending young men to war
He still is.... sort of. Whereas all the others are in their 90s or dead now too.
War sucks. It just does.
There's a video on YT called Radical Evilm it's about the Einsatzgruppen. It's letters home, diary entries, testimonies, and sime commentary on how the Holocaust proceeded and how people become mass murderers. One of the things that struck me was jow young they were. They had grown up ubder Hitler, were Hitler Youth members, and had been indoctrinated in Naziism since childhood. It really messed with their heads.
This has to be one of my favorite History Traveler episodes! From the actual footage of the execution of the German saboteurs to the tidbit about Gen Bradley...so very interesting!
Thanks! Glad that you enjoyed it.
Wow! Awesome that you included that actual footage! What a story!
The older I get the sadder the stories.
As you get older you realise how much life was stolen from these (mainly younger) men.
That's why older men are supposed to be wise enough to stop war and all it's waste. It seems our current leaders have neglected their duty to the young.
@@richardpate4732...Yeah. !!! Every Time. ." !
@@richardpate4732..." Old Men Talk"......Young men Die. "
@@richardpate4732that's the thing about the occult. They need human sacrifice to hold o to, or increase, their power. No matter the cost (of everyone else).
Haunting expression on that man's face before he was shot. An almost-smile and then the lowered eyes.
...IT'S KIND OF SAD THAT THOSE GERMANS DIDN'T LIVE TO SEE THE AMERICANS FIGHT BACK, AND SEE GERMANY UTTERLY DEFEATED, DISMEMBERED AND OCCUPIED!!!
JD: Wilhelm Galland was a brother of the German fighter ace, Adolf Galland, and was killed by a Thunderbolt from the 56th Fighter Group. And another excellent video!
I looked that up the minute I saw it I was like wait there was another Galland it has to be his brother.
Same response from me!@@thechurch5000
Here is a link to his Wikipedia page. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilhelm-Ferdinand_Galland
Thanks; it's an interesting read.@@Jaycsee66
this comment needs a heart and reply of thanks from the content creator. Wutz Galland was even known by his enemies at the time, from poor radio security.
Yet another brilliantly researched & recorded episode JD & Erik (who was clearly somewhere in the background off camera). Thanks so much guys 👏
I was surprised to see that out of the 39K+ graves, you stumbled across the grave of Wilhelm Galland, a Luftwaffe ace with 55 victories, but whose older brother Adolf Galland was one of the most famous Luftwaffe aces with 104 victories and Luftwaffe General of the Fighter Arm for most of WW2 until he was dismissed in early 1945 after a well-known "Fighter Pilots Revolt" against Göring. Wilhelm died in air combat with the USAAF in Defense of the Reich during the infamous Schweinfurt-Regensburg bombing mission on August 17, 1943. Another great video JD!
Thumbs up for the Battle Guide mention. One of my favorite history channels, besides yours of course. The detailed way they use maps and archives lay out and describe the battle is very informative and revealing.
And Snafu is also excellent.
Excellent research, JD. The big difference with American cemeteries and German cemeteries is that…… the Americans have Star of David gravestones.
I'm glad you pointed that out.!
Fascinating. I visited the the British cemetery at Arnhem once, very sobering experience. Thanks for sharing
It's amazing & tragic to see so many young lives cut short during that tragic time, and visiting the actual grave sites as I was lucky enough to do in Normandy just makes you speechless because when you are there you see thousands of crosses ✝️ headstones & that is just at one Cemetery, a lot different of actually being there because its actually more headstones than what you would actually see & imagine on TV or the internet for soldiers regardless what side they were on, and fascinating seeing the headstones of the Germans who were executed for being spies impersonating American soldiers extremely fascinating when looking at the footage of the German soldiers being led to the firing squad by American troops than seeing their resting place 80 years later , it's really a honor of sharing so many of these videos because most people will never have the opportunity to see them , themselves including me even though I been to Europe three times now & planning to return in 2025 theres still so much to see that you will not get a chance to see everything.
Excellent episode. If anything, it shows how terrible war is, on both sides. So many young lives ended too soon.
My dad was in the 99th Infantry Division in the northern shoulder of the Bulge. There was an incident with a 2nd Lieutenant and an MP in that sector.
While the MP questioned the Lieutenant, the MP noticed that he had his bars on. Often times officers would remove rank insignia while on the line. The Lieutenant knew all the answers to the MP’s questions, including current passwords. After a period of time, the MP relaxed a bit and offered a cigarette to the Lieutenant. As they were smoking, the MP said, “ Where did you go to OCS?” The Lieutenant answered, Ft. Benning.” The MP asked, “ Ft. Benning, where?” The Lieutenant answered, “Ft. Benning, Texas.” Another German infiltrator was captured.
Fake news ? Germans in a hurry and shooting the breeze with enemy ??
German spies stop to pass the time of day and have a smoko break with the enemy sure they were begging to be captured and shot keyboatd warrior get a life
Nazi spies in a hurry stop to shoot the breeze with enemy get a life
It’s the little things that get you caught.
Love your channel and so does my 14 year old son. Thank you for the amazing content
Thanks!
It was a desperate plan launched too late to properly plan, staff, rehearse, and equip. Thanks for the on site view of the actual sites JD. It compliments what may be read in a book.
Glad that you’re enjoying it!
indeed, if the weather would have been better for the allied airforces, the offensive would ve been put down with almost no effort.
That being said, it was an amazing feat of logistics by the Germans, especially that late in the war, to even be able to launch such a large operation.
Very, very well done. Thank you. Most of us who have studied World War II have seen the movie clips of the execution of these men. Like most things in life, the backstory fills in so many gaps. Again, thank you for your hard work creating this episode.
What a fantastic channel.
Thank you for all your hard work which it must take to bring such quality contents
Glad you enjoy it!
It's Friday, almost 10pm,in my country and i just can't stop watching your videos,after discovering your channel,two days ago. God bless you!
The thing that’s always affected me in the footage is Manfred on the right, the way he swallows and his mouth hangs open. The enormity of what’s about to happen obviously hits him.
He’s about the same age as one of my sons, very sad.
Thank you for sharing! When I was in Europe, I didn't get to visit the Lommel German war cemetery. It looks nicer and more well kept than the cemeteries I was able to visit. Its nice to see that each soldier has their own grave.
That was a crazy video, JD. Your stroll through that cemetery had my mind going about the possibility, that some of those early blitz casualties may have come across my Great Grandfather’s unit.
I've always been struck by how bravely the three men met their end, even marching in step to the execution scene. I've read a last request was granted to them: to hear Christmas carols sung by German nurses on the eve of their death.
This channel is the best! I have been binge watching like crazy! The music, cinematography, information is all at Ken Burns level. Also love the drone shots and editing!
Awesome video, very sad to see such a massive graveyard. But I think it's good to see it, it really brings to light the insane scale of WWII.
My apologies...I've been away from your fantastic channel too long....parts of this gave me chills...
Just an observation, these guys were buried in the same order they were lined up and shot.
As a Brit, I love how you pronounce "Vee-hickle". 😀
I didn’t know that there was another way to pronounce it. 😅
@@TheHistoryUnderground We Brits might say something more like "veercle" never sounding the 'H'. It's all good mate it's just a bit of "potato/potah-to"!
. Keep up the great work, I love your videos. x
@@julianroberts7116
More like Veeyercle phonetically speaking lol
Lived in USA for over 30 years and still don’t pronounce “vehicle” the way the Yanks do.
Makes me think of the film meet the parents.
Step away from the vee-hickle 😂😂
Another great video, the editing is really professional love the channel 👍
Most excellent work JD!
So grateful that you are sharing moments in history as you are. So valuable.
Thank you for the invitation to join you as you continue to share your work.
Well done sir. Well done!
Any hope we will see videos regarding the economic toll citizens and communities took during the war? Hint hint.
At some point. Thanks!
Absolutely love your excellent videos. Blessings to you and yours. Keep up the outstanding work. 😀
Thank you so much!
Was watching another contributor a while back and he mentioned that the "torch" monument represents the center of the cemetery. It has moved a couple of times in years after the war as more remains were found/relocated/consolidated. By far I've watched your channel back to when you were covering more of the civil war points of interest. Great Job!
Thanks! Circling back to the Civil War and some other American sites once this series wraps up
Great video JD. The OSS and SOE personnel faced a similar fate if caught by the Nazis. Torture for confessions committed by the GESTAPO was guaranteed for any allied agent or commando. I don't think that we, in turn, tortured those three German commandos. You gotta admit though, those men had guts.
JD, you do such an awesome job! I'm always learning from your video's. Always making me dig even deeper! I love it! Very tastefully done. Thank you for all your time, effort, and thank you to your family while you do this thing called History!
Great story, my father told me it was operation Greif that kept Bradley holed up in his Chateau in Luxemburg for the duration of the battle.
As usual another AWESOME video . Great job my friend. THANK YOU FRANK FROM MONTANA......
Another fantastic episode J.D.
Your channel would be so awesome to put in to schools..Great Job
Thanks so much!
The culture of today’s educational system wouldn’t allow it.
Amazing. Really intelligent and tasteful use of music here...extremely effective; it adds so much appropriate mood.
Thanks!
Wow! Thanks!
Please Please Keep Up The Amazing Work And Thank You So Much For All Your Time And Energy You Put In To These Videos I Love Them Thank You Again 💓💓💓
I enjoy always learning something from your videos.
Glad to hear it!
Wilhelm Galland was a VERY famous fighter ace. THAT VERY picture is attached to his wiki page etc... I'm surprised he has such a typical headstone given his fame in the Reiche! Birth and death dates 100% align as well. What a find!!!
Glad that I stumbled upon. Always learning something new.
Great job, as always.
Thank yall for your hard work.
Thank you for detailing the lives and executions of the three men. I have seen videos of these being lined up and one or two showing more. This gives clarity to this story. Again thanks for your research into part of the Battle of the Bulge most never touch.
Very enlightening video sir.
Glad you think so! Thanks.
The content makes the 'Like' button a tough call.
Would be interesting to be able to obtain a list of the questions the servicemen were to ask at checkpoints. Informative video JD. And Joey does have a fascinating channel as well. Enjoy content from each of you.
I went to Lommel and i was shocked. It was my first time visiting a german cemetery.
My first german War Grave visit was on the Somme from 1914-18.
It was a mass grave that had been dug.
I had been to see the grave of my great uncle, who was a New Zealander, buried at Bertrancourt Military Cemetery.
That part of France and the old battlefields are a very moving and emotional experience.
JD thank you for these great videos for those of us that aren't able to visit these places.
History you can touch and feel - the closest thing we have to a time machine. Nice job.
It's a chilling thought, but somewhere in the ground close by are the very bullets that did the deed.
These WWII videos are great. I thought Gettysburg was good!
Another great episode! Technical question: I've noticed that your dolly shots are very smooth. Perchance you're using your drone to shoot these in 'tripod mode'?
Nope. All handheld.
I was really hoping you would have talked about the grave next to Bronny with the number on it. I find that interresting.
That was a locator marker
This would made a great movie if it hasnt already, JD you could make a cameo!
Ha! I like the idea of the movie. Not so much my cameo. We’d want people to actually watch it.
I hope we can remember that the guys on both sides of the fence were young men in their 20's, and just soldiers fighting for their countries. God bless America.
My dad was an MP in Patton's army. Looking carefully at the footage of the execution, one of the MP's in this video (the tall guy at 10:38) may possibly have been him.
..
Very well done segment, I always love your presentation, and how you present it to your listeners well done it’s almost like being there with you, thank you
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No matter if late 30 min,as always nice content.....thanks sir jd
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I absolutely love this channel. Thanks JD. Lee UK
18:40 JD I think you hit the nail on the head about the "diamond" in the iron cross. Clearly with some of the graves of the fallen dated from the early 1940's, it's easy to suggest that the column was constructed during the Nazi regime only to be denazified after the war.
It's crazy, the subject matter of your last two videos was touched on in the latest Masters of the Air episode..
Another good one JD keep it up and thank you for all you do very much appreciated
Excellent video...
Reminding people how brutal we, as human beings, can be against one another...
So many lives vanished in vain during WW II...
So many fears, so many cries, so many hopes, wo many tears....
May we never repeat such horrible things again...
I personally doubt so, but my heart wishes for all of us a world like that....
again history that very few know about, thanks for sharing.
What surprises me is that the German soldiers were interned with military honors and the cemetery is very dignified. It is of note that not all German soldiers were NAZI's and they answered the call for arms of their country. I'm glad to see that they were all treated with dignity and honor.
A well done Documentary👍🏾 truly Enjoyed watching ...
most of them made it back to german lines and eventually ditched their american uniforms for german ones
The same guy who pulled Mussolini out of Italy too, right?
Yep
Another amazing upload…Thank you, Andrew
I just love Bastogne❤
Its great to see content that has solid research.
It's amazing what men would do for their country.
Some humorous stories came about the roadblocks and Security checkpoints.
As with any conflict, sad days indeed, these soldiers died bravely for what they believed in and this was a great tribute to all the German soldiers in this cemetery who lost their lives in the belief that the world would be a better place, sadly, not for them. RIP to all the victims of war.
Thank you JD as always
Thanks, very interesting and well done. As a Canadian now living in Munich, Germany for several years, I am very interested in the stories of WWII on both sides.
Whats interesting to me is that at they were each executed in front of three rectangular holes in the wall. Currently at least the middle ones are not present. Were they closed during the past 80 years or is there a second similar location?
The middle holes are there, they're just obscured by the overgrown mound in front and the various staining the wall has acquired.
Nice video again JD. When I was there it was easier to get to the wall. I made then and now photo about the execution side. And you should one day visit the Ysselsteyn German cemetery. Its impressive eswell
On my list. Thanks!
Still best channel on TH-cam out there brother
Thank you!
Interesting that they were charged with violating a treaty that the US never ratified. Great job on your channel.
Really enjoyed it mate gust been watching masters of the air part 4 can't wait for the next part
Excellent job, great investigative reporting!
Great episode again! 👍
I am a little disturbed that the soldiers that took part in the operation were executed. I would have thought once they were captured they would have been treated like prisoners of war as they were taking part in a miliary operation and were just doing their job.
I had always thought asking who won the World Series was more of a TV sitcom joke than anything else. But, if true as you mentioned, I'd be in a lot of trouble. I don't follow sports!
Quick thinking GI's would say right off "Look Mac, I don't follow baseball! Ask me something else!"
Even though they were the enemy, they were so young. War is so brutal. They too had families that loved them just as our men did.
Do u have any history of the Buffalo soldiers in Italy?
I'm happy that I could add to your documentation.
All I can say is Thank You for that
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That was a very interesting and very respectfully presentation with to me new locations, pictures and information of that occurence.
@17:05 this is what i found: Galland was killed in action on 17 August 1943 during the Schweinfurt-Regensburg mission, shot down in his Fw 190 A-6 (Werknummer 530125-factory number) 5 kilometres (3.1 miles) west of Maastricht.[48][49] Unteroffizier Heinz Gomann, Galland's wingman on this mission, had yelled out a warning too late. Galland disappeared after the first P-47 attack.[50] His body, still in his aircraft, was found two months later north of Liège.
A lot of soldiers died from disease, accidents, and injuries outside of combat.
So what happened to the part of the execution where they get shot?
Major Wilhelm Galland is famous enough to have his own wikipedia article (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilhelm-Ferdinand_Galland). His brother Adolf Galland survived the war. He, too, was a Luftwaffe fighter pilot and is considered kind of a local celebrity, where I am from. He lived to an old age and gave a few interviews in English as well.
Dang. I had no clue whose grave I’d stumbled upon. Always learning!
@@TheHistoryUnderground, so am I with every single one of your videos! Great work, as always! Greetings from Germany.
Galland (Adolph) had 104 confirmed kills. his career & life could easily be turned into a movie.
Adolf Galland was a character and post war had a lot of friends who were RAF fighter pilots. Adolf Galland was part of the post war Luftwaffe and I believe was their head of fighter operations post war. The West Germans were happy to let him be their NATO liaison in operations with the RAF and USAF and he was well liked . He was a man who was defending his nation even though he didn't always agree with the government of the day.
@@marklittle8805, that ist not quite correct. After the war Galland went to Argentina and helped build Perón's Air Force there. He did not have a carreer in the Bundeswehr/post war Luftwaffe, due to strong concerns by the Americans.
Where is this building located in Henri-Chapelle?