Did you see the scar on Franz's forehead? Thats a .50 caliber hit from a tailgunner. When he came in behind the Pub, he was waiting for the tailgunner to open up. When Eckie didn't, he came in closer. It was seeing that Eckie's head wasn't on his shoulders, and red icicles streamed from the barrels of the guns, that first stayed his hand. Slipping to one side, he peered in through the hole at the waist and saw the crew tending the wounded. "This is a parachute. I can't do this."
@@AGDinCA Hello again. There is so much rage and anger in our world today. Seeing examples of kindness and true humanity might help in snapping us out of the deep pit of hate. Thank you always for your heartfelt comments - jts
If Stigler would have been reported to the authorities, he would have been executed for not doing his duty (wegen "Befehlsverweigerung"). In 1991, a high court, the "Bundessozialgericht" of Germany, decided that the families of those (deserters, conscientious objectors and other victims of the Nazis) must be compensated. That was very late, people like him and their families were long considered traitors and "nests polluters" after the end of WWII. So, it's no wonder he (Franz) came out that late with his/this story. Wars are even more "faceless" fights today and humanity is declining. But soldiers, who fought face to face battles, know how horrific their actions towards the "unknown" are and PTSD isn't a fact because someone "can't cope with being a taff soldier". I wished we, as humanity, would really learn our lessons. Peace ☮️!
Good reaction. I think something we all forget when discussing the humanity of these fighters is that EVERY country has some sort of conscription. Even in the US, with their all-volunteer force, they’ll institute a draft when needed. The point is, these soldiers don’t necessarily agree with the cause of their government. As was mentioned in one of the clips you interspersed in here, they’re just doing their job. These are normal human beings doing a job. Yes, it is a job which, at times, can be savage and brutal, but it’s still just a job… and one which they may not have ever wanted or chose to do. Hell, just think about more recent history. Many young American men and women joined the military to take out terrorists after 9/11. In America, your volunteer service commits you to a minimum of two years of service. Less than two years after 9/11 the US launched what many believe to be an unjust war in Iraq. These post-9/11 soldiers had no choice but to serve in Iraq as their two years wasn’t up yet. Whether they believed in the cause or not… too bad… they MUST serve. So, Franz Stigler may very well have NOT been some Jew-hating Nazi. And even if he was it was likely simply due to the bombardment of government propaganda (lies), not some true feeling inherent in him. Indeed, his humanity proves this. There was no way, from such a distance, for him to know the religion of those he spared. One of them may well have been Jewish (I don’t believe any were… but he wasn’t to know this). So, it underscores my point. He saw people as PEOPLE first. As such, he likely didn’t harbor hatred in his heart for Jews or others that the Nazis targeted. In short, he didn’t support what his nation’s government was doing. But he had no choice to serve. He was just doing his job. That’s it. And this is true of all wars. Yes, sure, SOME members of the “enemy” force I’m sure are fully bought in to their government’s cause. But there are also many, many, many soldiers who are merely there because they have no choice. And why would such a soldier fight with such ferocity, as we often see? Self preservation. It’s war. Kill or be killed. It’s not because they WANT to kill you. It’s not because they’re committed to their government’s cause. It’s because they have their own friends, family and dreams, and they want to survive the ordeal. It’s as simple as that. These are decent human beings just trying to survive the hell of war.
I love that you included the other clips - most don't - and (NOT knockin' ya) wish you'd included the medal ceremony where Franz was awarded the medal by former B-17 crew. GREAT reaction vid - do more!
was there any point where the bomber crew chose not to fire either? ie had their guns defrosted in the meantime. I hope Franz had a back up story that his guns had jammed or was out of ammo. thanks for that extra clip that seeing the crew was the important element not the damaged plane as such
That is curious, yes. But only one gun in the top turret came back to life. It can take hours for a gun at -40f to come up to temp, even at a thousand feet and 50f.
Could you post links to the other interviews please? Or where I can get the documentaries? Stigler became a hero of mine the day I saw the animated video and he inspired me to become a better person. I didn't realise that there was other media regarding it (other than Wikipedia lol)
So the clips I inserted into the video I was able to find from two interviews, couldn't trace the documentaries (back in a time when the History channel was actually about history haha). So the first interview with the scrapbook of descendants is a CBS interview and I was able to find the entire piece uploaded by Wayne Freedman (whose the original reporter) here: th-cam.com/video/54gwls9E0Ug/w-d-xo.html The 2nd interview with the woman reporter was from W5 news and I had previously seen snippets of but I was able to trace the entire news bulletin to this link: th-cam.com/video/P-3osMd_2x0/w-d-xo.html Both these interviews are good but again I would strongly recommend reading the book, 'A Higher Call'. The full title is in the description of this video, it's an amazing read. Thanks for checking out the video!
This one always gets to me, no matter how many time I watch it
Did you see the scar on Franz's forehead? Thats a .50 caliber hit from a tailgunner. When he came in behind the Pub, he was waiting for the tailgunner to open up. When Eckie didn't, he came in closer. It was seeing that Eckie's head wasn't on his shoulders, and red icicles streamed from the barrels of the guns, that first stayed his hand. Slipping to one side, he peered in through the hole at the waist and saw the crew tending the wounded. "This is a parachute. I can't do this."
Gracious remarks - thank you
Hello again, my friend. Every single time, I get tears. Every time! It's just such a beautiful story, especially because it is true. 🤗
@@AGDinCA Hello again. There is so much rage and anger in our world today. Seeing examples of kindness and true humanity might help in snapping us out of the deep pit of hate. Thank you always for your heartfelt comments - jts
If Stigler would have been reported to the authorities, he would have been executed for not doing his duty (wegen "Befehlsverweigerung"). In 1991, a high court, the "Bundessozialgericht" of Germany, decided that the families of those (deserters, conscientious objectors and other victims of the Nazis) must be compensated. That was very late, people like him and their families were long considered traitors and "nests polluters" after the end of WWII. So, it's no wonder he (Franz) came out that late with his/this story. Wars are even more "faceless" fights today and humanity is declining. But soldiers, who fought face to face battles, know how horrific their actions towards the "unknown" are and PTSD isn't a fact because someone "can't cope with being a taff soldier". I wished we, as humanity, would really learn our lessons. Peace ☮️!
Very interesting reaction, and thanks for the additional info and footage. Loved it!
Thank you for adding the interview pieces!!
I love this story so much!! Sabaton introduced me to it, and after this video, I was a teary-eyed mess. XD
I heard the song a while before I heard the story of ye olde pub, and it wasn't until today I learned the song was based on this true story.
Good reaction. I think something we all forget when discussing the humanity of these fighters is that EVERY country has some sort of conscription. Even in the US, with their all-volunteer force, they’ll institute a draft when needed. The point is, these soldiers don’t necessarily agree with the cause of their government. As was mentioned in one of the clips you interspersed in here, they’re just doing their job. These are normal human beings doing a job. Yes, it is a job which, at times, can be savage and brutal, but it’s still just a job… and one which they may not have ever wanted or chose to do. Hell, just think about more recent history. Many young American men and women joined the military to take out terrorists after 9/11. In America, your volunteer service commits you to a minimum of two years of service. Less than two years after 9/11 the US launched what many believe to be an unjust war in Iraq. These post-9/11 soldiers had no choice but to serve in Iraq as their two years wasn’t up yet. Whether they believed in the cause or not… too bad… they MUST serve. So, Franz Stigler may very well have NOT been some Jew-hating Nazi. And even if he was it was likely simply due to the bombardment of government propaganda (lies), not some true feeling inherent in him. Indeed, his humanity proves this. There was no way, from such a distance, for him to know the religion of those he spared. One of them may well have been Jewish (I don’t believe any were… but he wasn’t to know this). So, it underscores my point. He saw people as PEOPLE first. As such, he likely didn’t harbor hatred in his heart for Jews or others that the Nazis targeted. In short, he didn’t support what his nation’s government was doing. But he had no choice to serve. He was just doing his job. That’s it. And this is true of all wars. Yes, sure, SOME members of the “enemy” force I’m sure are fully bought in to their government’s cause. But there are also many, many, many soldiers who are merely there because they have no choice. And why would such a soldier fight with such ferocity, as we often see? Self preservation. It’s war. Kill or be killed. It’s not because they WANT to kill you. It’s not because they’re committed to their government’s cause. It’s because they have their own friends, family and dreams, and they want to survive the ordeal. It’s as simple as that. These are decent human beings just trying to survive the hell of war.
I really like your reaction video because you know about the story and that hits me more emotionel
I love that you included the other clips - most don't - and (NOT knockin' ya) wish you'd included the medal ceremony where Franz was awarded the medal by former B-17 crew.
GREAT reaction vid - do more!
Franz Stigler´s neighbors were calling him as a Nazi, and he received letters from Germany calling him as traitor.
Another band dealing with history I recommend is "civil war."
My favorite song of theirs is "Lucifers court" which is about, of course, Otto Rahn.
was there any point where the bomber crew chose not to fire either? ie had their guns defrosted in the meantime. I hope Franz had a back up story that his guns had jammed or was out of ammo. thanks for that extra clip that seeing the crew was the important element not the damaged plane as such
That is curious, yes. But only one gun in the top turret came back to life. It can take hours for a gun at -40f to come up to temp, even at a thousand feet and 50f.
If I remember correctly at that time the only working turret was the bottom one which couldn't aim high enough to harm Stigler even if they wanted to
Could you post links to the other interviews please? Or where I can get the documentaries? Stigler became a hero of mine the day I saw the animated video and he inspired me to become a better person. I didn't realise that there was other media regarding it (other than Wikipedia lol)
So the clips I inserted into the video I was able to find from two interviews, couldn't trace the documentaries (back in a time when the History channel was actually about history haha).
So the first interview with the scrapbook of descendants is a CBS interview and I was able to find the entire piece uploaded by Wayne Freedman (whose the original reporter) here: th-cam.com/video/54gwls9E0Ug/w-d-xo.html
The 2nd interview with the woman reporter was from W5 news and I had previously seen snippets of but I was able to trace the entire news bulletin to this link: th-cam.com/video/P-3osMd_2x0/w-d-xo.html
Both these interviews are good but again I would strongly recommend reading the book, 'A Higher Call'. The full title is in the description of this video, it's an amazing read.
Thanks for checking out the video!
@@historywithmike296 cool thank you, I'll check out the links soon and look into getting that book 🙂
Nice reaction.