I'm from Quebec, and in a report about him that was made in 1995, he told the interviewer that his wife know about his liberating the city of Zwolle by himself only when the mayor of Zwolle invited him at the 50th anniversary of the town's liberation. She asked her husband why he never told her, and he said, "Who would have believed me?"
Thay felt the war was a Canadian War yet France was at risk and felt no connection to them either like the province as a whole needed a shrink to take about its issues of abandonment lol
@@robertwhitehead8671HMCS Well France did sold us to get peace with uk, and Canadian with Québec always had this weird love/hate connection like French and UK .. Im not French, Im not English, Im Québécois more than anything.. I love some Canadian, some of them i hate. I have a lot of my familly in the army and also did want to join the Forces back then, but i chose not too, if canada was at war in futur i will volontaire 100% thoo! And also Duplessis (one of the most corrupted politicician in history and hated by community) did bad on us, it even have a name for the time line : La grand noirceur, The Great Darkness, because of his second Mandate.. Didnt really help in the history... Dont shame Québécois for nothing please. (sorry for my grammar im Québécois, so English is not my Primary Language)
I'm Canadian and we never learned about this guy at all in history class. There no movies about him. Not even a heritage minute. There should be.We should be learning about him. Someone needs to make a movie about this guy. This guy is a real hero.
You would not have heard about him. They only teach lies that they want you to know they do not ever want you knowing anything that is true. By the way Sylvester Stalone knew who Leo Major was and was so impressed by him the Rambo movies were actually loosely based on him even though he is not mentioned. There would not be a movie about him himself because most movies are made in America and they will not make a movie on a Canadian. If Leo had been American there would be 50 movies about him.
@@maryannhurley8998 He was actually born in the USA!!! He was a low-key person who apparently did not even tell his wife. And I feel that he became that person because his dad put him down all the time.
Wonder why.... Canadians are generally pretty harsh to us Quebecois. Trust me its better now. but people are wild what they will say about french people.
Thank you Canadians for what you did to free us from the Nazi's. We will never forget. What an amazing story of Leo Major, never heard of him before but glad I did now. Greetings from the Netherlands.
@@nickmyers3065The Germans wanted to go after us for war crimes in WW1. We had a fearsome rep before WW2 even started. It helps explain why the Germans would surrender to a Canadian.
I just laughed and shook my head through the whole video, not out of disrespect but at the sheer insanity of this guy! This man deserves not only a movie but a TRILOGY of movies.
in the 80's a reporter from the town came over and interviewed him. His family and friends didn't know anything about his war time heroism. When the reporter found this out he asked how come? He replied "would you believe anyone that told you these stories"
I was living in Longueuil (Québec, Canada) where M. Major was living. There is a Park to his name in that city. For what we heard M. Major was very humble over his incredible story and he was not looking for the spotlight. Very typical for Canadians.
Le monument est bien mais ya rien qui parle réellement de lui dans le parc. Ça prendrais une statut, une plaque, qqch. La ville devrais changer la rue "Frontenac" pour la rue "Léo Major"... J'suis heureux de savoir que j'suis pas seul a célébrer l'histoire de notre gars. Tu devrais voir mon T-Shirt 😉
I'm French Canadian and my dad was in the Canadian Navy in the 50's. He always told me that Québecois hated war so much that they fought like hell so they could get back home as soon as possible, lol
Big American production companies and British production companies don't make movies about Canadians. That's why so many of our heroes are unknown and the dedication and valor of our men in arms are much unheard of. Tommy Prince "Prince of the Devil's Brigade" was one of our greatest Indigenous Canadian warriors and was amazing ❤
Agree. The best sniper of WW1, was Francis Pegahmagabow, an Ojibwa soldier and scout with 378 'confirmed' kills. He received a Military Medal with two bars - but like Leo Major and Tommy Prince - no Victoria Cross. He's another soldier that a movie could be made about - as his life after the war just as dramatic.
Unfortunately, they don't teach much of the life of Leo Major in schools. But when you find out about him, he's hard to forget. He's our one-eye Rambo frenchie ❤
I knew of Leo Major as a distinguished soldier and Canadian but was not familiar with the military details. Holy shite. He was a hero par excellence. Badass is an understatement. Wasn’t aware he served in Korea. Helluva soldier. 😅
Must point out: During the Korean war, the Chinese sent 2 whole divisions to retake hill 355 because it was behind their front lines and it was a wholee 100 meters higher then the hill their command was AND if Léo wanted to, he could snipe the Chinese commanders from hill 355. And by the way, a Chinese division is 7 thousand men that mean it was 19 soldiers vs 14 000. Thats a ration of over 700 vs 1. And Léo's squad did not only hold the hill for 3 days but they didnt lose a single man, only one wounded no deaths. And this whole event has been documented and is confirmed. You can find it in Canadian military archives.
If he was American there would be no Rambo, from John Wayne to Charlton Heston to Stallone to Pitt, they would all have played this man in many remakes. Also in Canada we don't have that cult of personality Americans have with their celebrities. One reason why American actors love to shoot movies in Montreal is they can walk in the streets or go to a restaurant without being bothered. I'm a 62 years old French Canadian and I learned of this brave man only recently on TH-cam by finding this video randomly...Crazy.
Here in Quebec ! We proodly stand up as french surounded by 400 millions anglos ! we fight for generation to keep our culture. we woul'd kill or die with dignity for what we believe in. We are peacefull , we respect nature,we are verrrrrry ingenious ! we are really friendly and we like to party and socialise. But touch our land , our family, or friends... Get ready .. Leo Major is a proud Quebecois !!
My grandfather was a WW2 Navy vet here in the US, of French-Canadian and Metis ancestry who was born in Massachusetts and joined the Navy at 16, my grandmother was born on a reservation in North Dakota. Both were proud of their separate heritages. My grandfather could speak French as well as English, could sing both the La Marseillaise and O Canada--which was written by a French Canadian and was originally in French. He fought in the Pacific and was on three different ships that were sunk, but survived, served 30 years in the Navy, and died at 90 in 1996. He had nothing but good things to say about three allied nations: Australia, the Philippines...and Canada, of course :D
My fellow Canadians an Québécois, if you want to rise your glass and offer a toast to Léo, there is "Gin" under his name. The brewer is Les subversifs sold at SAQ.It's a "réduit" from Maple sap and Gin. So good in sugar time period. To you Léo!
@@superdrew8564 Thank you for saying that you consider les Québécois as Canadians. I dont want to offend anyone here but for lots of québécois like myself dont consider themself as Canadians. Yes i have the passeport. And Canadians are nice people and Canada is a beautiful country. But it aint mine!
@@theuglycrows3416 dude it doesn’t matter what you think. You’re Canadian. You can identify as whatever nationality you want but you’re not. Last time I checked Quebec wasn’t a country, didn’t have their own head of state, used Canadian currency, and survived in part due to money from the west.
@@superdrew8564 SuperDrew. Read what i have written. I dont want to offend anyone! But you...! You add more insult. Yes i have a canadian passport. But once again I aint fucking canadian! I have nothing to do with your culture, we even dont have the same law, you are under the common law of the british and we are under code Napoléon, we dont have the same language. Yes i can speak and write english, but you fucking dont, we dont have the same stars system, do you know who is Jean Leloup, probably not. And about your fucking money from the west, fuck you!
@@superdrew8564 This is like saying that the Cherokee aren't Cherokee, but Americans. Anyway I would agree, ''Québécois'' are Canadians, the original Canadians in fact, as ''Canada'' was a French colony, part of ''New france along with Lousiana and Acadia, the French king called us ''French Canadians'' to distinguish us from the Amerindians who also were Canadians. Even to this day we are still French Canadians, ''Québécois'' is just a colonized Boomer version.
I'm french Canadian American. I heard stories about how weak the French are suppose to be. I'd always start laughing. And say those people never angered a French Canadian if they did they wouldn't be saying the French are weak. 😂
I am a Canadian woman,68 yrs old. I have never heard this mans story. Thank you so much for telling his story. I agree with you. His life3 should be documented in a movie. I enjoyed this very much.
I'm from Montreal, I've known about Leo Major for a while. I've talked about him a couple of times in the past when the subject of war would come up but no one else knows about him. There's even a picture on his face, with the eye patch, on a bottle of alcohol but those who buy it often have no idea who he is. Knowing about him and what he did inspired me. I love people like him they make me want to push harder and make me want to keep going when I face something that looks impossible.
Hey mate!!!!... Yves here... from Québec Canada... thank you for honoring our great hero... well ive been to scotland@!!... back in 2002.. edinborough..glasgow... hihglands... lets say that he is our Robert the bruce!!!!....
Not only is he celebrated in Zwolle, there’s a street named after him. Apparently there’s a documentary that was made or is in the making about him. As others have mentioned, had he been American, there would be at least 10 future length Hollywood movies made about him, but he was just a little French Canadian.
@@MagGray I’m French Canadian, as was Léo Major. And if you knew how to read, you’d realise that I didn’t actually call him little. I was sarcastically referring to the Canadian army’s attitude towards Quebeckers at the time.
@@kyle-ld2gh Definitely a movie, but 20? Even Alvin York and Audie Murphy had one movie made about them, and they were Medal of Honor winners and heroes in WW1 and WW2.
Léo Major was raised in poverty and had a rough childhood. He was mercilessly bullied by larger kids. At one point, he realized that bullies could be defeated by misdirection and bluffing... and he made good use of these skills in the military. His sons were interviewed after his death and said that he was a quiet, gentle and loving father, and that he never mentioned his war escapades to them or to his wife. Like most Canadians (and especially French Canadians), he had little patience with braggarts and no respect for "big shots". His family only found out about his exploits when the City of Zwolle invited them all to the Netherlands to be honoured. Almost everything in this little documentary has been verified as accurate, except the bit about him refusing the first medal. He did not. There was a confusion about the time, and he could not be present to receive it. Other soldiers speculated that he had refused it, and this story got mixed in with the real stuff. Otherwise, there is no exaggeration in the story.
He also disliked Montgomery witch was supposed to give him the medal so ppl theorized he didn't belive that general was fit to give anyone a medal bc he's incompetent
@@nicolasbouchard6331 A dislike of Montgomery was widespread among Canadian soldiers, so it was easy for the story to spread. This is actually a general theme among Canadian soldiers, strongest during WW1, but also significant during WW2. The class distinctions of the British army grated on the egalitarian sensibilities of Canadians. During WW1, they strongly resented being under British command because of the perceived arrogance of British officers, while they admired and felt comfortable with the mostly working class British soldiers. A Canadian officer was much more likely to be just another regular Canadian guy who grew up on some farm in Ontario or a neighbourhood in Montreal, who maintained discipline by personal integrity, and not because he was the second son of some Lord or went to a prestige school. This was not as strong a sentiment during WW2, but it was still significant. I'm not qualified to judge how competent Montgomery was as a commander. Canadian troops may have been responding to this cultural difference more than an objective evaluation of his abilities. But as a general rule, Canadian soldiers were seldom happy being commanded by British officers. But the reality, determined by some French investigative journalists, was that Léo had no intention of refusing the medal. It was just a mixup. He accepted all the subsequent rewards. He just didn't think they were particularly important and never flaunted them.
“little patience for braggarts” - yep, that is typically Canadian. Thanks from British Columbia. Leo should be honoured by being memorialized on our currency. 🇨🇦👍
Absolutely, Leo should be on the $20 but if he got onto the $5 more people would see him and learn something. Besides, when's the last time you've seen a big bill like the $20 under Trudeau?
@@14goldmedals Inflation has swept the entire world. Inflation has virtually nothing to do with who is Prime Minister (who has no powers that can significantly influence it --- if PMs had such powers, they would have overwhelming motivation to deploy them, and no reason not to). Inflation rates respond to the interest rates set by the Bank of Canada, an independent body over which the PM has no control whatsoever. Canada has among the lowest inflation rates in the G20, and has a significantly lower inflation rate than the United States. Also, you have it ass-backwards. Higher inflation would mean that you would see MORE $20 dollar bills, not less, since higher prices would force you to use higher denominations.
Leo Major is a man that during basic training we were told about Leo and he was used as a icon and the archetype that every Canadian soldier tries to emulate. (at least back in the '80s) As for a movie I agree there needs to be one. Hmmm I wonder if Infinitum Nihil or IN-2Film might be interested in the story.
In Ontario his name isnt well know. I tell people about it and they dont believe me. Which is funny as he didnt think people believe him. The man is nothing less then amazing, many are here because of him. He just wanted to prove to his dad he could he someone. He wasn't just someone, he was a hero.
Leo was a monster military machine. His fighting spirit, integrity and devotion to duty is truly an inspiration. This dude got it done. A self sufficient soldier par excellence!! 🎖️
It is sad that in Québec he is not that known… this guy would deserve a whole 3h movie on him 😂 he maybe fell between the cracks because 1. He is French Canadian (so less attention from English-speaking) 2. He was not seeking attention, honours and flowers, he did not self-promote. 3. Quebecois had bad feelings about the war because of the betrayal of conscription (PM Mackenzie King promise no conscription during elections, then broke his promise) mean, maybe this is seen. Also, the nationalist movement made more noise about the conscription, than about our achievements on the battle field. This man is an absolute legend.
The reason that there's no movie about him, is that apparently he requested there not be a movie so long as he lived. and just a note, the reason he did not get the VC, is because he was French Canadian. Bigotry still exists against us to this day.
There are 3 Statues of Leo Major in Canada one at the Military History Museum one in his home town and one in the Military base he enlisted at in Quebec Canada
This is a great person. As a Canadian, I am proud of him and his role in our history. I know that he did not tell people of his role, that in the 80s or 90s was when his family found out. Of course, everyone would know of him and his feats if he were American. As a humble man, he never let his military achievements influence his life. He needs to be remembered for his role, as do all of our military people and our alies as well. I think people like Mr. Majors do not recognize their achievements as anything special. I think his type just assumes everyone would do the same. They do not see the specialness they possess. I think we need to hold our heroes up higher, as these are the ones that made Canada. They helped for the identity that would coalesce into the spirit of Canada. I will remember his role, as will my children, I will see to that.
As a Canadian - I am embarrassed that we didn’t learn about him in school. This story just became more and more incredible as it progressed. They need to make “LEO Sneakers”
The shoes he wore weren't exactly Nikes, not back then. The soles were leather. But they allowed him to move more silently, and they were obviously very handy for a scout like him. I'd buy a pair if they still sold them!
Leo Major landed on Juno Beach and while "The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada" regiment was pinned to the grown, Major with 4 of his soldiers took over a bunker, took over machine guns and explosives. He breached walls to let the bulldozers pass through. That's a movie by itself. I can see why they left this part out. 😂 Major Strong 💪🏽
Nowadays soldiers like him end up in units like SEALs or SAS, as his type of soldier--headstrong, individualistic, self-starting, high intelligence--aren't as good in normal units, but are perfect functioning in small units or solo in special forces.
Wow, no words can say how much his bravery and resilance for another human life can be held so high. A perfect Canadian example how we are and how we treat those in the right. It is beautiful. I just love the Canadian military and the pride the men feel for their country. They will go through anything. So much bravery with so little resources on hand... like Gideon.
Rambo has nothing on Leo Major and this is for real! I am Canadian and I can honestly say I do not remember learning about him. Thank you for this, what an incredible story!
As a Canadian I am indeed very proud of Leo Major but I only learned of him 3 years ago when the original Simple History video came out. And I've got a University degree with a Minor in History. He's simply not talked about. At least not here in BC. He should be. He deserves to be remembered. He was a great Canadian and deserves a ton of respect. To answer your question, Americans don't tend to make movies about Canadians. They don't even ever set their fictional movies here. They make a lot of movies here in Canada, and especially here in BC, but it is always pretend America, made by and for Americans. We just make a nice backdrop.
Whether you believe that French Canadians won't be celebrated in English Canada... Well, here's a Canadian from Vancouver Island who raves every time he can about Leo Major. The B.C. Francophone Affairs Program (FAP) supports programs and services in French for approximately 70,000 Francophones and 300,000 Francophiles in B.C. to ensure our French-speaking community has access to information it needs. 54,562 French immersion students In BC, why? We love Quebec ❤️ Ressentez l’amour.
You really need to research, watch and react to a Video about Tommy Prince. Mr. Prince was an Aboriginal man from Manitoba who was also a fierce warrior. He was a member of the 1st Special Services Force (The Devil's Brigade) and won a Silver Star from the U.S.
I'm Canadian, but sadly, I never heard of him until I saw this (and other) TH-cam videos about him a few years ago. Also; I just noticed the town at 13:00 and decided to look it up. Turns out that Zwolle has a street called "Leo Majorlaan" (Leo Major Avenue in English). So at least the Dutch remember him. EDIT: Now seeing that they mention the street at 16:47
Mate, you ABSOLUTELY *have to watch 'Bon Cop, Bad Cop' : it's a movie that was made in collaboration between studios in Québec and in anglo Canada, it really celebrates our differences and I think you'll laugh out loud! (Might be worth filming your reaction, but the movie isnt exactly pg haha)
The Legend of Leo Major is one of those things that sounds so much like the plot of a movie, that if it were actually made into a movie, nobody would believe any of it was true.
Happened with Desmond Doss, the medic who fought WW2 without a gun. The movie Hacksaw Ridge is his story.. But the director had to tone down the real events because nobody would believe that Doss actually did those things... But Doss was a hell of a medic.
The documentary that all should watch is called the Last Hundred Days. This is about the last hundred days of Canadian troops in World War One. It is really eye opening!
I've seen other "reaction" channels cover this but never watched them because I'm not really interested in military stuff. Today I decided to watch your coverage of it and I am glad I did. I learned alot about someone I didn't know anything about and shared your astounded reaction. Thank you.
Thank you very much for talking about it. He was a humble man he had never spoken of. There are some reports from him on Radio-Canada here is one. th-cam.com/video/x_uwEKVikxI/w-d-xo.html There are certainly some in English.
Sadly I’ve never heard of this man even though I read a lot of military history. It’s unfortunate that Canada has not celebrated such an extraordinary man.
Quebec has spent the majority of the years since WW2 telling the rest of Canada to go F itself, so its not a huge surprise. Having said that I learned about him many times in school so I do not know why so many people here did not.
Does not honestly surprise me in the least that a Québécois man did all this. The Québécois in general are just built differently. This man need more national recognition in Canada.
Ottawa born currently in Montreal, come from anglo/ Franco heritage both and a military family : it's true the Quebecois are built different. This story always manages to touch me. It's so French Canadian - when they get set on something, you can be sure they're gonna reach for it.
This video is missing alot. after he broke his back. he ran away from the military camp because they were gonna send him back. He ran injured away to a village where he nursed back to health and returned. THey were really mad, but he got to stay. leo returned to that village after the war they loved him.
It was war on a global scale. Leo was an exceptional individual from poor beginnings like so many other Canadian kids growing up in the Hungry '30's depression. Why would he want to go home to wartime poverty? His bravery is second to no one in history and he was a Scout-Sniper. He went ahead to protect his brothers in arms. Yes his incredible actions and achievements make all of us 🇨🇦 Canadians proud. WE want to talk about everything he did and said as our Hero. But after a few years go by, would any of us want to relive the death and gore and losing brothers, seeing children blown apart or starving? There are good reasons veterans don't speak of their wartime service, especially the Infantry and Armoured and Medical trades.
i think the top two people who deserve a movie made for them are this guy Leo and Robert Smalls they both have the most heroic stories I've ever heard. Leo's story wasnt really known until after he died he apparently didn't talk much about it or want to be thought of as a hero i know my own grandfathers didnt want to talk about it and when they did they talked as if it was something that needed to be done but at the same time not a big thing to bring people their freedoms back
As a man who's family is fom Montréal, I can relate to his stuburness. I come from familly that made sacrifices in ww2. This man has strength of caractère that is strong
Very little people, especially before TH-cam, know about Leo Major in Canada. It’s definitely a crazy story and he is remembered in the town he liberated and saved from artillery.
His own family and hometown didn't even have a clue about what he did in WW2. He didn't think anyone would believe him, so he just kept it to himself. It wasn't until the people of Zwolle came to honor him Quebec that people found out.
My grandfather was in the Canadian army during WWII and he also strongly disliked General Montgomery. I think it was a common feeling among Canadian soldiers that Montgomery was too conservative and too risk-adverse. At lot of these guys just wanted the war to be over with so they could get home, but the feeling was that Montgomery was too slow and methodical and was dragging things out.
It's a tad more complicated then that. He used Canadian troops like cannon fodder and was greatly disliked for it. If you study the Battle of the Scheldt you will understand. It never should have happened, but because Montgomery kept putting it aside, putting it aside, the Germans were able to dig in and set up strong defenses because they knew the port of Antwerp would become a major resupply port for the advancement of the Allies (which included Canadians) into Holland and beyond. The job of clearing the Scheldt was given to Canadians and it was an absolute bloody grind for many weeks. The Germans blew the dams and flooded the whole area, so it was a messy, wet slog for the Canadians who did all their fighting in a flood zone. Thousand died but we got the job done. Typical. You may wish to investigate the Battle of the Scheldt.
canadian that landed in d day vontrary yo Canadian that fought in italy were intensively train in UK for over 2 years this is mainly why they were used as tip of the spear of the allies army in west europe. they were not "Canon fodder" but simply what best generals could out their hands on.
Thank you! I had no idea - until seeing your reactions videos, about Leo Major. I've learned a lot about my own country from your videos. My father, who served in WWII, told me about Tommy Prince who was awarded both the Military Medal, which he received from King George VI, and the Silver Star Medal, which he received from US Brigadier-General E.F. Koenig.
take a look at "canada loves you back" a tribute to Ryan Reynolds (Dead Pool fame) sung by one of the Bare Naked Ladies rock group. Ryan was presented with the Governer General's award for service to Canada. It's not often we do this in such a fashion. Ryan deserves it and we have the home grown talent to present it. (BTW Bare Naked Ladies were the group whose song "Big Bang" was the opening sequence to the Big Bang Theory TV show (and possibly lesser known tribute to Kraft Dinner song - much loved by Canadians of a certain age)
Two Canadians who were important in WW1 are Billy Bishop who has an airport named after him. Air Marshal William Avery Bishop, VC, CB, DSO & Bar, MC, DFC, ED (8 February 1894 - 11 September 1956) was a Canadian flying ace of the First World War. He was officially credited with 72 victories, making him the top Canadian and British Empire ace of the war, and also received a Victoria Cross. Another Canadian important during that war was a guy named Roy Brown who shot down the infamous Red Baron. th-cam.com/video/2HsSXe8cNRo/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/xp7A3PjAhbg/w-d-xo.html
Not sure if you'll be able to understand what's being said but this is an interview of Leo Major in 1995 in Swolle celebrating the 50 years of Liberation. th-cam.com/video/x_uwEKVikxI/w-d-xo.html
I think there are no movies because what actor and plot would be Léo Major approved? There is however in Québec a liquor (a Gin I believe) named after him "Le réduit de Léo"
One of my colleague is an officer in the Régiment de la Chaudière. He was a member of the regiment delagation presenting the queen, Colonel-in-Chief of the regiment, 4 gifts during an official audience in 2019: a painting, a artisan book binding, a bottle of maple syrup (of course), and a bottle of Réduit de Léo gin (named in honor of Léo Major), all from the Québec City area where the regiment is based. She allegedly said the gin bottle was the gift she was the most anticipating to enjoy. LOL
@@jgingras2615 Honestly the best digestive I've had with maple aromas without being too sweet, I highly recommend hitting up your nearest SAQ they likely will have some
Unfortunately, I've never heard of M. Major before now. A true hero. I can't help thinking, that if he were from an English speaking regiment, he would have received two Victoria Crosses instead.
Something the video doesn’t cover is that the second time he was injured with a broken back, etc. they really were going to ship him home and he escaped from the hospital to heal and then come back on his own
They also skipped Juno Beach where Major and 3 of his buddies took over a bunker, machine guns and explosives. They, Major & his buddies proceeded to breach parts of the wall in order to let some of first bulldozers to pass through. You can easily find this info on the net. Yet again, I can understand why they left that part out. He did so much😂 MAJOR💪🏽
I'm from Quebec, and in a report about him that was made in 1995, he told the interviewer that his wife know about his liberating the city of Zwolle by himself only when the mayor of Zwolle invited him at the 50th anniversary of the town's liberation. She asked her husband why he never told her, and he said, "Who would have believed me?"
You will appreciate this brother. Interview with Leo.
th-cam.com/video/x_uwEKVikxI/w-d-xo.html
He was a true hero! To bad quebecers didn't want to fight in ww2 most of them were conscripted 😢
@@radioactiveman4657 its a big part has to why he didnt talk about his time in the war to anyone till way later
Thay felt the war was a Canadian War yet France was at risk and felt no connection to them either like the province as a whole needed a shrink to take about its issues of abandonment lol
@@robertwhitehead8671HMCS Well France did sold us to get peace with uk, and Canadian with Québec always had this weird love/hate connection like French and UK .. Im not French, Im not English, Im Québécois more than anything.. I love some Canadian, some of them i hate. I have a lot of my familly in the army and also did want to join the Forces back then, but i chose not too, if canada was at war in futur i will volontaire 100% thoo! And also Duplessis (one of the most corrupted politicician in history and hated by community) did bad on us, it even have a name for the time line : La grand noirceur, The Great Darkness, because of his second Mandate.. Didnt really help in the history... Dont shame Québécois for nothing please. (sorry for my grammar im Québécois, so English is not my Primary Language)
Germany: We have advanced engineering
UK: We have leadership
America: We have fire power
Canada: We have a Leo
Amazing
Quebec, most of canada have no clue who he is.
@@nickmyers3065 We've all heard of him and his deeds.
@@OgreProgrammer Yes all ... what a wild statement :P ALLL IF that was the case... we wouldn't have a video explaining it :P We would know it :P
I'm Canadian and we never learned about this guy at all in history class. There no movies about him. Not even a heritage minute. There should be.We should be learning about him. Someone needs to make a movie about this guy. This guy is a real hero.
Canadian Army did not really like this Gutsy French-Canadian . it's why.
You would not have heard about him. They only teach lies that they want you to know they do not ever want you knowing anything that is true. By the way Sylvester Stalone knew who Leo Major was and was so impressed by him the Rambo movies were actually loosely based on him even though he is not mentioned. There would not be a movie about him himself because most movies are made in America and they will not make a movie on a Canadian. If Leo had been American there would be 50 movies about him.
@@maryannhurley8998 He was actually born in the USA!!! He was a low-key person who apparently did not even tell his wife. And I feel that he became that person because his dad put him down all the time.
@@maryannhurley8998 He was born in America... No?
Wonder why.... Canadians are generally pretty harsh to us Quebecois. Trust me its better now. but people are wild what they will say about french people.
You can tell in Major's mentality that he was French-Canadian. the sass, the sarcasm, the stubborn contrarian...
Yet kick everyone ass.
I think you left out Resilience, honorable, iDGAF-Never say die, us against the world mentality...
@@dr.madthumbz2689 Bien sur.
Even our women have no problem being that way.
Ever hear of the Battle of the Hatpins? That was something during WW1.
hahah yep
Oui, c'est un trait national.
Thank you Canadians for what you did to free us from the Nazi's. We will never forget. What an amazing story of Leo Major, never heard of him before but glad I did now. Greetings from the Netherlands.
You can thank us for the many geneva convention statutes lol. Were are good at war crimes lol
@@nickmyers3065The Germans wanted to go after us for war crimes in WW1. We had a fearsome rep before WW2 even started. It helps explain why the Germans would surrender to a Canadian.
My Grandfather helped free the Netherlands. He was so proud
@@scottdunlop7442 Wasn't he a german?
I just laughed and shook my head through the whole video, not out of disrespect but at the sheer insanity of this guy! This man deserves not only a movie but a TRILOGY of movies.
Canadian (Real Life ) Rambo
in the 80's a reporter from the town came over and interviewed him. His family and friends didn't know anything about his war time heroism. When the reporter found this out he asked how come? He replied "would you believe anyone that told you these stories"
I'm from the city of Zwolle. Very grateful for what he did. AMAZING. A real life Rambo
I was living in Longueuil (Québec, Canada) where M. Major was living. There is a Park to his name in that city. For what we heard M. Major was very humble over his incredible story and he was not looking for the spotlight. Very typical for Canadians.
As he said himself, he did it because it was the right thing to do, not for the glory.
Le monument est bien mais ya rien qui parle réellement de lui dans le parc. Ça prendrais une statut, une plaque, qqch. La ville devrais changer la rue "Frontenac" pour la rue "Léo Major"... J'suis heureux de savoir que j'suis pas seul a célébrer l'histoire de notre gars. Tu devrais voir mon T-Shirt 😉
I'm French Canadian and my dad was in the Canadian Navy in the 50's. He always told me that Québecois hated war so much that they fought like hell so they could get back home as soon as possible, lol
Rational.
Big American production companies and British production companies don't make movies about Canadians. That's why so many of our heroes are unknown and the dedication and valor of our men in arms are much unheard of.
Tommy Prince "Prince of the Devil's Brigade" was one of our greatest Indigenous Canadian warriors and was amazing ❤
Agree. The best sniper of WW1, was Francis Pegahmagabow, an Ojibwa soldier and scout with 378 'confirmed' kills. He received a Military Medal with two bars - but like Leo Major and Tommy Prince - no Victoria Cross. He's another soldier that a movie could be made about - as his life after the war just as dramatic.
Or they take a predominantly Canadian heroic story and try to make it their own....*Cough*Argo*Cough*
Or they just take the person and turn him into a yank
Canadians cant make movies about themselves tho????
@@mathlover4994 We did, here's the real story for you right here on TH-cam
th-cam.com/video/JB8DFd5uxXE/w-d-xo.html
Unfortunately, they don't teach much of the life of Leo Major in schools. But when you find out about him, he's hard to forget. He's our one-eye Rambo frenchie ❤
Yeap, Hes a true Hero! May he rest in piece for all the good he did!!
Merci beaucoup. Léo Major est un vrai de vrai héros dont nous sommes fiers.
Absolutely incredible spirit.
In Québec and Canada he was forgotten for a long time but now coming back to the lights.
I knew of Leo Major as a distinguished soldier and Canadian but was not familiar with the military details. Holy shite. He was a hero par excellence. Badass is an understatement. Wasn’t aware he served in Korea. Helluva soldier. 😅
Good story, thanks for the retelling.
Must point out: During the Korean war, the Chinese sent 2 whole divisions to retake hill 355 because it was behind their front lines and it was a wholee 100 meters higher then the hill their command was AND if Léo wanted to, he could snipe the Chinese commanders from hill 355. And by the way, a Chinese division is 7 thousand men that mean it was 19 soldiers vs 14 000. Thats a ration of over 700 vs 1. And Léo's squad did not only hold the hill for 3 days but they didnt lose a single man, only one wounded no deaths. And this whole event has been documented and is confirmed. You can find it in Canadian military archives.
Brave as hell but with those numbers the Chinese were absolutely incompetently led, thankfully.
If he was American there would be no Rambo, from John Wayne to Charlton Heston to Stallone to Pitt, they would all have played this man in many remakes.
Also in Canada we don't have that cult of personality Americans have with their celebrities. One reason why American actors love to shoot movies in Montreal is they can walk in the streets or go to a restaurant without being bothered.
I'm a 62 years old French Canadian and I learned of this brave man only recently on TH-cam by finding this video randomly...Crazy.
Here in Quebec ! We proodly stand up as french surounded by 400 millions anglos ! we fight for generation to keep our culture. we woul'd kill or die with dignity for what we believe in. We are peacefull , we respect nature,we are verrrrrry ingenious ! we are really friendly and we like to party and socialise. But touch our land , our family, or friends... Get ready .. Leo Major is a proud Quebecois !!
My grandfather was a WW2 Navy vet here in the US, of French-Canadian and Metis ancestry who was born in Massachusetts and joined the Navy at 16, my grandmother was born on a reservation in North Dakota. Both were proud of their separate heritages. My grandfather could speak French as well as English, could sing both the La Marseillaise and O Canada--which was written by a French Canadian and was originally in French.
He fought in the Pacific and was on three different ships that were sunk, but survived, served 30 years in the Navy, and died at 90 in 1996. He had nothing but good things to say about three allied nations: Australia, the Philippines...and Canada, of course :D
Thank you for watching as requested, you are appreciated for being thoughtful and kind👍 respect from Canada friend
Told you he was impressive.. He is a Hero here in the Netherlands In Zwolle there is a street named after him
It's pronounced "Zwoh-la" not "Zwol" BTW. I lived there for about a year when I was a kid. As a Canadian, I never had to buy either pop or candy!! 😁
Can we all agree Leo Major is badass name?
It would have been awesome had he achieved the rank of Major, and been called Major Major.
My fellow Canadians an Québécois, if you want to rise your glass and offer a toast to Léo, there is "Gin" under his name. The brewer is Les subversifs sold at SAQ.It's a "réduit" from Maple sap and Gin. So good in sugar time period. To you Léo!
Québécois are Canadians…
@@superdrew8564 Thank you for saying that you consider les Québécois as Canadians. I dont want to offend anyone here but for lots of québécois like myself dont consider themself as Canadians. Yes i have the passeport. And Canadians are nice people and Canada is a beautiful country. But it aint mine!
@@theuglycrows3416 dude it doesn’t matter what you think. You’re Canadian. You can identify as whatever nationality you want but you’re not.
Last time I checked Quebec wasn’t a country, didn’t have their own head of state, used Canadian currency, and survived in part due to money from the west.
@@superdrew8564 SuperDrew. Read what i have written. I dont want to offend anyone! But you...! You add more insult. Yes i have a canadian passport. But once again I aint fucking canadian! I have nothing to do with your culture, we even dont have the same law, you are under the common law of the british and we are under code Napoléon, we dont have the same language. Yes i can speak and write english, but you fucking dont, we dont have the same stars system, do you know who is Jean Leloup, probably not. And about your fucking money from the west, fuck you!
@@superdrew8564 This is like saying that the Cherokee aren't Cherokee, but Americans. Anyway I would agree, ''Québécois'' are Canadians, the original Canadians in fact, as ''Canada'' was a French colony, part of ''New france along with Lousiana and Acadia, the French king called us ''French Canadians'' to distinguish us from the Amerindians who also were Canadians. Even to this day we are still French Canadians, ''Québécois'' is just a colonized Boomer version.
I'm french Canadian American. I heard stories about how weak the French are suppose to be. I'd always start laughing. And say those people never angered a French Canadian if they did they wouldn't be saying the French are weak. 😂
I am a Canadian woman,68 yrs old. I have never heard this mans story. Thank you so much for telling his story. I agree with you. His life3 should be documented in a movie. I enjoyed this very much.
There's a documentary film called Leo Major : the one-eyed ghost
He is one of Québec's heros with the Rocket Richard and Louis Cyr...
I'm from Montreal, I've known about Leo Major for a while. I've talked about him a couple of times in the past when the subject of war would come up but no one else knows about him. There's even a picture on his face, with the eye patch, on a bottle of alcohol but those who buy it often have no idea who he is. Knowing about him and what he did inspired me. I love people like him they make me want to push harder and make me want to keep going when I face something that looks impossible.
Hey mate!!!!... Yves here... from Québec Canada... thank you for honoring our great hero... well ive been to scotland@!!... back in 2002.. edinborough..glasgow... hihglands... lets say that he is our Robert the bruce!!!!....
Not only is he celebrated in Zwolle, there’s a street named after him. Apparently there’s a documentary that was made or is in the making about him. As others have mentioned, had he been American, there would be at least 10 future length Hollywood movies made about him, but he was just a little French Canadian.
I understand the Canadian and American Hollywood aspects, but never call this man little. Are you french or something?
Never disparage any of our soldiers.
@@MagGray I’m French Canadian, as was Léo Major. And if you knew how to read, you’d realise that I didn’t actually call him little. I was sarcastically referring to the Canadian army’s attitude towards Quebeckers at the time.
@@Mielououou Sorry, I speak English.
@@Mielououou ALL Canadians are soldiers I don't care if you are french lol
Freedom is our right and I would do everything to give that to someone. Welcome to Canada 🇨🇦
Americans had their fake Rambo but we had our Leo!❤
The creator of Rambo was actually inspired by Leo.
Imagine if he was american ... this guys is a true HERO humble like no one is. C'est notre héro
If he was a yank, there would have been like 20 movies made about him.
What would change if he was American lol
This guy will have is face on coins
@@kyle-ld2gh Definitely a movie, but 20? Even Alvin York and Audie Murphy had one movie made about them, and they were Medal of Honor winners and heroes in WW1 and WW2.
Léo Major was raised in poverty and had a rough childhood. He was mercilessly bullied by larger kids. At one point, he realized that bullies could be defeated by misdirection and bluffing... and he made good use of these skills in the military. His sons were interviewed after his death and said that he was a quiet, gentle and loving father, and that he never mentioned his war escapades to them or to his wife. Like most Canadians (and especially French Canadians), he had little patience with braggarts and no respect for "big shots". His family only found out about his exploits when the City of Zwolle invited them all to the Netherlands to be honoured. Almost everything in this little documentary has been verified as accurate, except the bit about him refusing the first medal. He did not. There was a confusion about the time, and he could not be present to receive it. Other soldiers speculated that he had refused it, and this story got mixed in with the real stuff. Otherwise, there is no exaggeration in the story.
He also disliked Montgomery witch was supposed to give him the medal so ppl theorized he didn't belive that general was fit to give anyone a medal bc he's incompetent
@@nicolasbouchard6331 A dislike of Montgomery was widespread among Canadian soldiers, so it was easy for the story to spread. This is actually a general theme among Canadian soldiers, strongest during WW1, but also significant during WW2. The class distinctions of the British army grated on the egalitarian sensibilities of Canadians. During WW1, they strongly resented being under British command because of the perceived arrogance of British officers, while they admired and felt comfortable with the mostly working class British soldiers. A Canadian officer was much more likely to be just another regular Canadian guy who grew up on some farm in Ontario or a neighbourhood in Montreal, who maintained discipline by personal integrity, and not because he was the second son of some Lord or went to a prestige school. This was not as strong a sentiment during WW2, but it was still significant. I'm not qualified to judge how competent Montgomery was as a commander. Canadian troops may have been responding to this cultural difference more than an objective evaluation of his abilities. But as a general rule, Canadian soldiers were seldom happy being commanded by British officers.
But the reality, determined by some French investigative journalists, was that Léo had no intention of refusing the medal. It was just a mixup. He accepted all the subsequent rewards. He just didn't think they were particularly important and never flaunted them.
“little patience for braggarts” - yep, that is typically Canadian.
Thanks from British Columbia.
Leo should be honoured by being memorialized on our currency.
🇨🇦👍
Absolutely, Leo should be on the $20 but if he got onto the $5 more people would see him and learn something. Besides, when's the last time you've seen a big bill like the $20 under Trudeau?
@@14goldmedals Inflation has swept the entire world. Inflation has virtually nothing to do with who is Prime Minister (who has no powers that can significantly influence it --- if PMs had such powers, they would have overwhelming motivation to deploy them, and no reason not to). Inflation rates respond to the interest rates set by the Bank of Canada, an independent body over which the PM has no control whatsoever. Canada has among the lowest inflation rates in the G20, and has a significantly lower inflation rate than the United States. Also, you have it ass-backwards. Higher inflation would mean that you would see MORE $20 dollar bills, not less, since higher prices would force you to use higher denominations.
Wow! I'm Canadian and have never heard of him. Just as you indicated, there needs to be a movie about him. Thanks for your videos.
I learned about him almost the same way.
@@Loukas_Paquette yeah did learn about him in a french video of an ex French Soldier, really great video!!
@@frankmartel3428I learned about him on the channel of the "Infographic Show".
@@Loukas_Paquette it was "Caljbeut Léo Major" Really nice animated vidéo if you speak french
@@frankmartel3428 I do
Leo Major is a man that during basic training we were told about Leo and he was used as a icon and the archetype that every Canadian soldier tries to emulate. (at least back in the '80s) As for a movie I agree there needs to be one. Hmmm I wonder if Infinitum Nihil or IN-2Film might be interested in the story.
Leo the Lion. Tanks to this hero. Greetings from the Netherlands.
In Ontario his name isnt well know. I tell people about it and they dont believe me. Which is funny as he didnt think people believe him. The man is nothing less then amazing, many are here because of him. He just wanted to prove to his dad he could he someone. He wasn't just someone, he was a hero.
Leo was a monster military machine.
His fighting spirit, integrity and devotion to duty is truly an inspiration.
This dude got it done.
A self sufficient soldier par excellence!!
🎖️
It is sad that in Québec he is not that known… this guy would deserve a whole 3h movie on him 😂 he maybe fell between the cracks because 1. He is French Canadian (so less attention from English-speaking) 2. He was not seeking attention, honours and flowers, he did not self-promote. 3. Quebecois had bad feelings about the war because of the betrayal of conscription (PM Mackenzie King promise no conscription during elections, then broke his promise) mean, maybe this is seen. Also, the nationalist movement made more noise about the conscription, than about our achievements on the battle field.
This man is an absolute legend.
The reason that there's no movie about him, is that apparently he requested there not be a movie so long as he lived.
and just a note, the reason he did not get the VC, is because he was French Canadian.
Bigotry still exists against us to this day.
There are 3 Statues of Leo Major in Canada one at the Military History Museum one in his home town and one in the Military base he enlisted at in Quebec Canada
This is a great person. As a Canadian, I am proud of him and his role in our history. I know that he did not tell people of his role, that in the 80s or 90s was when his family found out. Of course, everyone would know of him and his feats if he were American. As a humble man, he never let his military achievements influence his life. He needs to be remembered for his role, as do all of our military people and our alies as well. I think people like Mr. Majors do not recognize their achievements as anything special. I think his type just assumes everyone would do the same. They do not see the specialness they possess. I think we need to hold our heroes up higher, as these are the ones that made Canada. They helped for the identity that would coalesce into the spirit of Canada. I will remember his role, as will my children, I will see to that.
As a Canadian - I am embarrassed that we didn’t learn about him in school. This story just became more and more incredible as it progressed. They need to make “LEO Sneakers”
The shoes he wore weren't exactly Nikes, not back then. The soles were leather. But they allowed him to move more silently, and they were obviously very handy for a scout like him. I'd buy a pair if they still sold them!
Leo Major landed on Juno Beach and while "The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada" regiment was pinned to the grown, Major with 4 of his soldiers took over a bunker, took over machine guns and explosives. He breached walls to let the bulldozers pass through. That's a movie by itself. I can see why they left this part out. 😂 Major Strong 💪🏽
Nowadays soldiers like him end up in units like SEALs or SAS, as his type of soldier--headstrong, individualistic, self-starting, high intelligence--aren't as good in normal units, but are perfect functioning in small units or solo in special forces.
They need to make a movie 🎬 incredible
Wow, no words can say how much his bravery and resilance for another human life can be held so high. A perfect Canadian example how we are and how we treat those in the right. It is beautiful. I just love the Canadian military and the pride the men feel for their country. They will go through anything. So much bravery with so little resources on hand... like Gideon.
Rambo has nothing on Leo Major and this is for real! I am Canadian and I can honestly say I do not remember learning about him. Thank you for this, what an incredible story!
As a Canadian I am indeed very proud of Leo Major but I only learned of him 3 years ago when the original Simple History video came out. And I've got a University degree with a Minor in History. He's simply not talked about. At least not here in BC. He should be. He deserves to be remembered. He was a great Canadian and deserves a ton of respect.
To answer your question, Americans don't tend to make movies about Canadians. They don't even ever set their fictional movies here. They make a lot of movies here in Canada, and especially here in BC, but it is always pretend America, made by and for Americans. We just make a nice backdrop.
...and they use our great Canadian actors to play their American characters.
@@CanadaJ8810 Yeah, that too. Some Americans get it, but some Americans are shocked when they find out their favourite celebrity is Canadian.
Canadian schools will never talk about a *french* canadian soldier.
Whether you believe that French Canadians won't be celebrated in English Canada... Well, here's a Canadian from Vancouver Island who raves every time he can about Leo Major.
The B.C. Francophone Affairs Program (FAP) supports programs and services in French for approximately 70,000 Francophones and 300,000 Francophiles in B.C. to ensure our French-speaking community has access to information it needs. 54,562 French immersion students In BC, why? We love Quebec ❤️
Ressentez l’amour.
Lol you hate french.
We learned about him in school in the 60's. He was and is an amazing hero. Thanks, good job mate.
You really need to research, watch and react to a Video about Tommy Prince. Mr. Prince was an Aboriginal man from Manitoba who was also a fierce warrior. He was a member of the 1st Special Services Force (The Devil's Brigade) and won a Silver Star from the U.S.
An absolute must! Look it up Mert.
I'm Canadian, but sadly, I never heard of him until I saw this (and other) TH-cam videos about him a few years ago.
Also; I just noticed the town at 13:00 and decided to look it up. Turns out that Zwolle has a street called "Leo Majorlaan" (Leo Major Avenue in English). So at least the Dutch remember him.
EDIT: Now seeing that they mention the street at 16:47
Mate, you ABSOLUTELY *have to watch 'Bon Cop, Bad Cop' : it's a movie that was made in collaboration between studios in Québec and in anglo Canada, it really celebrates our differences and I think you'll laugh out loud! (Might be worth filming your reaction, but the movie isnt exactly pg haha)
And it explains all the subtilities of Quebecois swearing...
The Legend of Leo Major is one of those things that sounds so much like the plot of a movie, that if it were actually made into a movie, nobody would believe any of it was true.
Happened with Desmond Doss, the medic who fought WW2 without a gun.
The movie Hacksaw Ridge is his story.. But the director had to tone down the real events because nobody would believe that Doss actually did those things... But Doss was a hell of a medic.
Lovin it from Toronto Canada 🇨🇦........it should be a movie. If any Hollywood people watching you have winner of a story for the next movie.
The documentary that all should watch is called the Last Hundred Days. This is about the last hundred days of Canadian troops in World War One. It is really eye opening!
Leo Major has a stamp issued by Canada Post ❤️
Not enough! Who uses stamps any more?
Haha look at that you already did a video on this absolute mad lad. Everytime i watch archer i think of this man. "RAAAMMPAAAGEEEE"
I've seen other "reaction" channels cover this but never watched them because I'm not really interested in military stuff. Today I decided to watch your coverage of it and I am glad I did. I learned alot about someone I didn't know anything about and shared your astounded reaction. Thank you.
Leo was the absolute fighter
Sergeant Ernest "Smokey" Smith is another one of our war heros. Also the boys from the heritage minute "Valour Road"
He's hardly known in Canada and even less in Quebec.
Thank you very much for talking about it. He was a humble man he had never spoken of.
There are some reports from him on Radio-Canada here is one.
th-cam.com/video/x_uwEKVikxI/w-d-xo.html
There are certainly some in English.
Sadly I’ve never heard of this man even though I read a lot of military history. It’s unfortunate that Canada has not celebrated such an extraordinary man.
Quebec has spent the majority of the years since WW2 telling the rest of Canada to go F itself, so its not a huge surprise. Having said that I learned about him many times in school so I do not know why so many people here did not.
Thank you for doing this video!
Does not honestly surprise me in the least that a Québécois man did all this. The Québécois in general are just built differently. This man need more national recognition in Canada.
Merci I'm so used to folks saying bad stuff about us that reading this is a bit overwhelming and honestly surprising. Merci beaucoup
The Van Doo's as a Quebec unit, where a pretty elite group.
Ottawa born currently in Montreal, come from anglo/ Franco heritage both and a military family : it's true the Quebecois are built different. This story always manages to touch me. It's so French Canadian - when they get set on something, you can be sure they're gonna reach for it.
Why was this man not awarded The Victoria Cross???
cause he refuse the first CDM, not a officers would be a other reason and french-canadian a other reason!
This video is missing alot. after he broke his back. he ran away from the military camp because they were gonna send him back. He ran injured away to a village where he nursed back to health and returned. THey were really mad, but he got to stay.
leo returned to that village after the war they loved him.
Thank you so much for making this video!
It was war on a global scale. Leo was an exceptional individual from poor beginnings like so many other Canadian kids growing up in the Hungry '30's depression. Why would he want to go home to wartime poverty? His bravery is second to no one in history and he was a Scout-Sniper. He went ahead to protect his brothers in arms.
Yes his incredible actions and achievements make all of us 🇨🇦 Canadians proud. WE want to talk about everything he did and said as our Hero.
But after a few years go by, would any of us want to relive the death and gore and losing brothers, seeing children blown apart or starving?
There are good reasons veterans don't speak of their wartime service, especially the Infantry and Armoured and Medical trades.
Is proud to say a Canadian is the only person Chuck Norris fears.
Check out Kevin Vickers. He's from my home province and stopped a gunman at Parliament in Ottawa in 2014.
Léo Major Le fantôme borgne
i think the top two people who deserve a movie made for them are this guy Leo and Robert Smalls they both have the most heroic stories I've ever heard. Leo's story wasnt really known until after he died he apparently didn't talk much about it or want to be thought of as a hero i know my own grandfathers didnt want to talk about it and when they did they talked as if it was something that needed to be done but at the same time not a big thing to bring people their freedoms back
As a Canadian who only learned about Leo Majors relatively recently, his story IMMEDIATELY made me think of Robert Smalls!!
@@TheDylls weird right? i wonder if thats a thing, but really they are the most heroic stories I've ever heard
hahaha we call him Rambo here, Canadian Rambo XD glad to see others think the same
As a man who's family is fom Montréal, I can relate to his stuburness. I come from familly that made sacrifices in ww2. This man has strength of caractère that is strong
Very little people, especially before TH-cam, know about Leo Major in Canada. It’s definitely a crazy story and he is remembered in the town he liberated and saved from artillery.
His own family and hometown didn't even have a clue about what he did in WW2. He didn't think anyone would believe him, so he just kept it to himself. It wasn't until the people of Zwolle came to honor him Quebec that people found out.
Unfortunately, heroes like this are forgotten, and I don't think is ever taught in schools....... Too much has been ignored to the point of oblivion.
My grandfather was in the Canadian army during WWII and he also strongly disliked General Montgomery. I think it was a common feeling among Canadian soldiers that Montgomery was too conservative and too risk-adverse. At lot of these guys just wanted the war to be over with so they could get home, but the feeling was that Montgomery was too slow and methodical and was dragging things out.
It's a tad more complicated then that. He used Canadian troops like cannon fodder and was greatly disliked for it. If you study the Battle of the Scheldt you will understand. It never should have happened, but because Montgomery kept putting it aside, putting it aside, the Germans were able to dig in and set up strong defenses because they knew the port of Antwerp would become a major resupply port for the advancement of the Allies (which included Canadians) into Holland and beyond. The job of clearing the Scheldt was given to Canadians and it was an absolute bloody grind for many weeks. The Germans blew the dams and flooded the whole area, so it was a messy, wet slog for the Canadians who did all their fighting in a flood zone. Thousand died but we got the job done. Typical. You may wish to investigate the Battle of the Scheldt.
canadian that landed in d day vontrary yo Canadian that fought in italy were intensively train in UK for over 2 years this is mainly why they were used as tip of the spear of the allies army in west europe. they were not "Canon fodder" but simply what best generals could out their hands on.
Leo Major gives the term badass a whole new meaning. He never told his wife, because she would have killed him for being so reckless.
J'adore!❤
Thank you! I had no idea - until seeing your reactions videos, about Leo Major. I've learned a lot about my own country from your videos. My father, who served in WWII, told me about Tommy Prince who was awarded both the Military Medal, which he received from King George VI, and the Silver Star Medal, which he received from US Brigadier-General E.F. Koenig.
Canadian Bionic Man ... I'm so glad you are doing this service for Canada ...
glad i learned about this guy now
Love your comment...Celebrities who are famous for nothing!
This is movie worthy , definitely
take a look at "canada loves you back" a tribute to Ryan Reynolds (Dead Pool fame) sung by one of the Bare Naked Ladies rock group. Ryan was presented with the Governer General's award for service to Canada. It's not often we do this in such a fashion. Ryan deserves it and we have the home grown talent to present it. (BTW Bare Naked Ladies were the group whose song "Big Bang" was the opening sequence to the Big Bang Theory TV show (and possibly lesser known tribute to Kraft Dinner song - much loved by Canadians of a certain age)
We don’t respect him enough, he is the greatest Canadian.
His own extreme modesty about his heroism helped to keep him in obscurity. Like many great men he shunned publicity.
Two Canadians who were important in WW1 are Billy Bishop who has an airport named after him. Air Marshal William Avery Bishop, VC, CB, DSO & Bar, MC, DFC, ED (8 February 1894 - 11 September 1956) was a Canadian flying ace of the First World War. He was officially credited with 72 victories, making him the top Canadian and British Empire ace of the war, and also received a Victoria Cross. Another Canadian important during that war was a guy named Roy Brown who shot down the infamous Red Baron.
th-cam.com/video/2HsSXe8cNRo/w-d-xo.html
th-cam.com/video/xp7A3PjAhbg/w-d-xo.html
And Sir Arthur Currie.
And Sir Arthur Currie, the commander of the Canadians at Vimy! He was a military genius and did not want to repeat the mistakes of the british.
Just thought you might want to watch , Black Watch Snipers. Canadian sniper group in WW2. Thanks
It's a movie script for sure! haha :)
Not sure if you'll be able to understand what's being said but this is an interview of Leo Major in 1995 in Swolle celebrating the 50 years of Liberation. th-cam.com/video/x_uwEKVikxI/w-d-xo.html
I think there are no movies because what actor and plot would be Léo Major approved?
There is however in Québec a liquor (a Gin I believe) named after him "Le réduit de Léo"
One of my colleague is an officer in the Régiment de la Chaudière. He was a member of the regiment delagation presenting the queen, Colonel-in-Chief of the regiment, 4 gifts during an official audience in 2019: a painting, a artisan book binding, a bottle of maple syrup (of course), and a bottle of Réduit de Léo gin (named in honor of Léo Major), all from the Québec City area where the regiment is based. She allegedly said the gin bottle was the gift she was the most anticipating to enjoy. LOL
@@jgingras2615 Honestly the best digestive I've had with maple aromas without being too sweet, I highly recommend hitting up your nearest SAQ they likely will have some
Roy Dupuis would have made a great Léo back in his younger years.
@@MielouououHe would have been ideal with his naturally heroic looks and presence.
Unfortunately, I've never heard of M. Major before now. A true hero. I can't help thinking, that if he were from an English speaking regiment, he would have received two Victoria Crosses instead.
There's a documentary film about him called Leo Major : The one-eyed ghost. Thanks for your video Mert Can
Thank you for doing this one ❤️❤️
The best of the Canadians!
Something the video doesn’t cover is that the second time he was injured with a broken back, etc. they really were going to ship him home and he escaped from the hospital to heal and then come back on his own
They also skipped Juno Beach where Major and 3 of his buddies took over a bunker, machine guns and explosives. They, Major & his buddies proceeded to breach parts of the wall in order to let some of first bulldozers to pass through. You can easily find this info on the net. Yet again, I can understand why they left that part out. He did so much😂 MAJOR💪🏽
He should have been given the Victoria Cross ffs
Leo Major makes Rambo look like a wimp 😂