Thanks to you all for a wonderful positive response to this video. Digby's story is incredible and Im really glad that his eccentric bravery is still respected to this day. I just wanted to apologise if I haven't replied to many comments. As regular viewers may be aware I've decided to generally step back from replying to comments. I still have a quick sweep through from time to time but in general I'm focusing on creating more content and spending less time in the comments section. If anyone wants to keep in touch then my newsletter is the best place - redcoathistory.com/newsletter/ - thanks again and let's keep these stories alive for future generations. Chris.
I met him in March 1991. We were on exercise in Kenya and a handful of officers were invited to lunch at his bungalow just outside Nanyuki. The house and garden, next to a river, were just like a cottage back home - except for the corrugated iron roof! The living room was scattered with copies of Country Life. His charming wife entertained us until he joined us for lunch. He arrived in a silk dressing gown and cravat. We chatted about a whole range of things but not the War - mainly Kenya I think. He enjoyed himself and was cracking jokes but it was clear he was not well. I can’t remember what exactly was wrong with him but the word ‘emphysema’ comes to mind. We all enjoyed a splendid lunch highlighted by a delicious steak and kidney pie followed by homemade cheese and biscuits. After coffee he grew tired and toddled off back to bed. I only learned later exactly who he was and what he had done. A remarkable man. As I was a fellow infantry officer, it was a privilege to have met him.
An honour to have broken bread with a legend of para reg and how English,a silk dressing gown and cravat. It brings to mind Noel Coward and ‘Mad dogs and Englishman’ 🤣
Ive hac the privilege to meet no less than 3 Para vets who jumped into Arnhem. Being of Dutch decent made it all the more special. Thank you for your service gentlemen.
It is so refreshing to hear a proper person on these videos. It is so much more engaging than the robotic voices that you find in some cases. The story was really interesting too.
A Gentleman who lived in my village in Snowdonia was in the Paras at Arnhem. He was severely wounded in a battle there and was captured by the Germans. He was in a bad state and the Germans gave him blood there and then on the battlefield, straight from the arm of a German soldier. He survived and lived until 4 years ago. Sadly I had no idea of his adventures until after he passed. He was a lovely, gentle, quiet, distinguished but unassuming man.....
...my next door neighbour (broad Somerset who had also been captured twice and escaped in the North Africa campaign, some time with the LDF) was at Arnhem, captured ...and credits the German doctor with saving his arm which was hanging off ...totally eccentric but utterly fearless ...probably lethal
Great video. I was privileged to visit what was then the Hartenstein Hotel, the British HQ and now the Airborne Museum at Oosterbeek on the outskirts of Arnhem itself. In the grounds is a memorial with the following inscription: TO THE PEOPLE OF GELDERLAND 50 years ago British & Polish Airborne soldiers fought here against overwhelming odds to open the way into Germany and bring the war to an early end. Instead we brought death and destruction, for which you have never blamed us. This stone marks our admiration for your great courage, remembering especially the women who tended our wounded. In the long winter that followed your families risked death by hiding Allied soldiers and airmen, while members of the Resistance helped many to safety. You took us then into your homes as fugitives and friends, we took you forever into our hearts. This strong bond will continue long after we are all gone. 1944 ~ SEPTEMBER ~ 1994
What a Extraordinary 🏴 Man! He lived 9 lives in his Short 75 years on Earth, Respect from a 🇮🇪 Man, we have a Painful History between our Nations however I salute his contribution to WW2 and beyond 👏👏👏
I was born North of the border(though my family were on gods island long before that line was drawn and I have family from Roscommon on my dads side)and it pains me that there is this painful history. When you think of how many good god fearing Irishmen fell in the First World War fighting for King and country.
Fantastic tribute to an officer who's leadership and fighting qualities are deminished by the portrayal in A Bridge Too Far. It is very satisfying to see his story put straight.
classic British eccentrics , this is why the world loves you guys. you guys have class and show everyone else how its done properly. from the top to the bottom . i mean you created the "drink,fight,friends" always very sporting, the importance of proper gentlemanly attire and grace. and classic colorful language and proper sarcasm (proper british sarcasm is an institution eligion ).and also s.a.s is synonymous with general badassery
"this is why the world loves you guys. you guys have class"...looking awkwardly at all the crimes perpetrated by the British occupation forces in Ireland just 20 years prior..i guess the British forget about class when someone is fighting for freedom against the limey empire. So keep your brit enthusiasm to yourself.
@@DD-qw4fz the irish havnt brought shit besides a bad attitude for 300 yrs , go drink a Guinness listen to that austistic opera singer and watch colin mcgreagor embarrass your country by applying to run for pres. yes your a shining example of why the brits try and put you down. your politics is unwanted and uncared for. im sure the youtuber would appriecate you sticking your hate in your ass and walking it back across to your soap box in a country that cant even solve its own problems but talk crap because thats all you got ...loser
i apologize for the repulsive exchange RCH i cant help myself sometimes..i dont like politics brought into light topics where it doesnt necessarily belong
Nice story, My Grandad, William Duncan Kennedy was one of the early Parah regiments. He dropped on Arnhem. He had served in the Royal Engineers prior to that fighting in Africa, Italy, France and Holland. During his time in Arnhem he and another between two SS occupied buildings eating raw potato scraps. A young German conscript happened upon them and had to be killed by bayonet, an event that haunted his for the rest of his days, proving to be a tragically harsh element of his PTSD, especially when his Son, my Uncle reached his teens and was blond with blue eyes too. I was shown an A4 kind of sized award when I was a child and was told that is was given by Holland to my Grandad for his efforts to attempt liberation. My Grandad, also a heavy smoker died of cancer when I was in my early teens. Irrespective of the was his dry humour and general demeanour makes him one of my greatest personal hero’s.
My Dad was in 2nd Grenadiers 1939-1946. In 1944 he was in a Guards Armoured Division Sherman that crossed the Bridge at Nijmegen as shown in A Bridge Too Far.
I’ve just come back from a concert in Brugge / Bruges led by the Band of the Grenadier Guards commemorating the 80th anniversary of the liberation - likely by your dad and certainly by the Grens and Guards Armd Div.
Whilst on a rugby tour of Holland. My friends and I paid homage and visited the bridge at Arnhem. And there, hooked on a railing was an umbrella,one of the black ones with the bent bamboo handle. Some tourist had more than likley had hooked it over and taken a photo or two and left it. This was taken a great omen by my friend and I who were TA airborne and knew the story. My late good friend, who went on to be a rupert in 1Para, was not unlike Major D:T:W. being mad and up for a knuckle . We celibrated by going to the nearest bar to try and buy a drink,which, in those days was difficult if you were anything airborne related as the locals would not let you pay. Love the history.Never forget x
Thank you for the story well told. Most likely the major would have been helped and fed by my mother who was in Bill de Boer's undergrond cell. My mum's code name was Gonnie. I took mum to the 70th commemoration of Market Garden, probably the best thing I did for her because she was so touched by being among all the vets. Mum was given the Mobilisasie Oorlogs Kruise by General Maarten Kruif. After the Germans forced the evacuation of the natives of Arnhem she went to Lunteren there she was betrayed arrested by the Gestapo, beaten up, tortured and sentenced to be shot by the firing squad. They threw her into a single locker in the cellar of the Wormshoef, Gestapo HQ. Terrified but as a believing Christian she called on the Lord and a light shone in the locker telling she would not be shot. Sure enough, the Germans forgot about her and a few days later the Canadians who were mopping up remaining Germans took the Wormshoef after a brief firefight in which the SS ran off back to Germany. All this was in March 1945. Mum was always good at languages and she was required by British Intelligence as an interpreter. Given officer status she was allowed to dine in the officer's mess and that is were she met my father Capt. T.G.Willson.
My mother and I are both Christians but not 'religious' because Biblial Christianity is a relationship with God rather than ritualistic rites. That was her testimony and she went Home to be with the Lord as she turned 98. To be a Christian is to believe on the Lord Jesus and turn from sin believe and read the Bible even if it takes time to understand it. The relationship will do the rest.
Great story telling! Well done. My second cousin was a glider pilot and killed in the Battle of Arnhem. Unfortunately because of the silence of many service men after the war a great number of excellent and exciting stories have been lost over the years. My father was an ambulance driver on the western front in ww1. He hardly ever mentioned it, and I know little of his adventures of that time.
A great story well told. Coming from a military background, my interest all things military started when I was about six years of age, listening to my stepfather (an RMP WO) and my Grandfather (RN CPO) talk "shop" for hours on end; they both had memories of India, Shanghai, Kowloon and other places far and wide, but at different times. My interest led me onto studying every book I could find on WW1 and WW2, so I became familiar with many stories and many characters. I became a military historian of sorts, and lectured for many years, met many veterans of both world wars and did a lot of researches helping families find their lost loved ones - very satisfying. To my mind, Arnhem was one of those great campaigns that was organised far too quickly and left too much to chance and luck - a bad combination in war! Arrogance and dismissal of good intelligence played their part and the results showed that clearly. The one thing that stood out like a beacon in the various battles around Arnhem was the raw courage of the men; even the Germans recognised that. From the lowest ranks to the highest, courage, bravery and sheer British doggedness was a true inspiration to millions, and still is inspirational today. It is no wonder that the people of Arnhem hold them in such high esteem. Thank for this biopic of Digby - a true English character if ever there was one...actually, there were quite a few others, not all of them Englishmen!
My god some people are crazy... in the finest traditions of the British army of course. Well done Chris and thank you for brining the movie character to life
Well done, Neil Thornton! VERY well researched. About time someone wrote a book (and video) about DTW. I've enjoyed this and shall share it with many of my friends at the PRA.
Great video always love the longest day. My grandfather was a World War II US Marine post World War II. He had multiple jobs on the weekends to supplement. His factory job for general motors of them was at a movie theater, so I grew up watching movies with him the longest day in a bridge too far which you mentioned Were some of my favorites to watch with him. I subscribed and look forward to watching more of your videos. I hope you have one on the Pegasus bridge. That is another piece of history, but I am very fond of.
Incredible human beings. I’m always proud of Bill Milan who played the Bagpipes on D Day . We honour him in our town (Dawlish) can’t imagine playing a musical instrument with bullets flying around .
I heard a story he related when during the first commemorations, he kept asking German veterans if any of them were manning the defences where he disembarked and could remember seeing him. Eventually, he did find a couple of old soldiers who said they saw the “doodlesak spieler” (no one else played the pipes at Normandy). At last, Bill Milan could ask the burning question that had perplexed him for all that time. Why hadn’t they shot him? (He was standing up and exposed, expecting at any time to be hit). The Germans said they actually thought he was mad hence they didn’t shoot at him. This sounds all weird but there’s some truth in the German claim. Nazi propaganda portrayed the commandos as a penal unit of rapists, murderers and petty criminals offered release from prisons if they volunteered for suicide missions. The claim that the British had penal units made up of the likes of convicted murderers, was confirmed in their eyes, by the discovery of the bodies of two captured German soldiers taken on a raid in Guernsey who had obviously been shot whilst their hands had been bound then left on the beach. After this, Hitler issued the infamous “commando edict”. Later, Goebbels propaganda machine was telling German soldiers that the British were running so low on manpower, that they’d also emptied the mental hospitals. They believed these unfortunates were used as cannon fodder and mine clearance and anyone playing the highland pipes whilst death and hell was let loose around him, must have been one of those mental patients. They simply felt sorry for him.
I did a history project on Op Market Garden at school, and I know Digby's story! I consequently joined the Royal Green Jackets on leaving school.. If he was Ox and Bucks, I'll claim him, as we were all bonkers! 😂 What an amazing story. Im now an avid fan of this channel
He was Ox and Bucks, as was Lathbury (Comd 1st Para Bde), and Lieutenant Grayburn (Ox & Bucks attached to 2nd Parachute Bn) who was awarded a VC posthumously at Arnhem. Surprising to me (also ex RGJ) was that the HQ 1st Airborne Division’s Defence Platoon was almost entirely Ox & Bucks. Apparently the Defence Platoon was initially formed by detaching a platoon from 2nd Ox & Bucks. When the Bn was later transferred to 6th Airborne Division, the platoon remained with the 1st.
Just watched A Bridge Too Far the other day and delighted to come across this video. Well done for making it. A different breed those WWII guys. My mum had a boyfriend back in the '70s who was a Major in the British army and who landed in one of the gliders on D-Day. Sadly, he and his batman were the only survivors when they were thrown clear of the glider as it slammed into the ground. He also played a part in Operation Market Garden and was a consultant to its Director, Sir Richard Attenborough.
An old friend of mines dad was at The Bridge at Arnhem, a Scot called McGiven. I met him once at his house and noticed the Para regimental photos on the wall so quizzed him and he was very forthcoming. He told me he was at the Bridge with Frost and after days of fighting he and a mate decided to bailout. They tried to jump a garden wall but a mortar knocked them over and they were captured by the SS. He said they were treated very well by the Germans who asked them where they got the alcohol from to which they replied 'what alcohol?' The Germans assumed the Paras were drunk, if only McGiven said. I was so proud to meet him and will never forget him.
Fighting with an umbrella in World War II is that unique combination of funny and awesome! I'm glad this was covered because I would have never heard of it otherwise.
Nobody does 'eccentric' as well as the English. D-T-W is a classic example. Posh, well educated, mad as a box of frogs and hard as coffin nails. Top Bloke.
Another superb video. Many decades ago I read a book called the Amateur Commandos. A strange story about army dentists who stole a English fishing boat went to France a blow up a railway line. Not sure how much of the story was true, so might make a good video.
Fantastic story, thanks Chris. Listened to it as a podcast a few days ago but watched it again for the algorithm. The sheer guts of guys like him is an inspiration to us all. Reminds me of one of my dad's old mates who landed just after D Day and carried a PIAT. He used to say his CO always went into battle wearing a pair of slippers.
Wonderful wonderful story telling. Never a bored moment and I felt like this chap and me were chatting in the same bar. I wish his spirit lives well and being loyalty and persistent and determination to wherever he goes.
In some ways you have to feel sorry for the Germans, they entered WW2 all set up to fight an efficient logical modern war. Then ended up fighting a country that just did not take it seriously and came up with endless ridiculous stunts and crazy ideas. From Jack Churchill with his sword and Bow and Arrow, more different special forces than you could shake a Mauser at, bouncing bombs, exploding destroyers, to the use of a 32,000 ton 15" gunned destroyer at Narvick.
Whilst serving in 2 Para we hosted General Frost (Jonny Frost), I had a demonstration stand and showed him the modern day soldiers ration pack and equipment we carried. He was deaf as a newt and I’m not sure he could hear what I was saying despite his large hearing aid. However, it was a huge privilege to have met him and shaken his hand.
Very good video. I really enjoyed that and learnt quite a few things I didn’t know before. Appreciate your time in making this. Keep up the good work!👍🏻
Great ! this time ,not red coat but red beret , the best, whatever the country . I watched many times a bridge too far , a great generation of men ! thank you Mate .
It's always fascinated me how different people react to a crises. I witnessed a fellow shipmate that I thought could do anything and was tough as nails completely fall apart during a rescue... you just never know.
Wythenshawe Hall is 15th century home in Wythenshawe Park, Manchester. A friend and myself were wandering throught it followed by an attendant. Now it is 1971 and we have long hair and are scruffy. When I began to ask questions about the house, he warmed to us. He was at the bridge at Arnham and I shall never forget him saying "I carried that gallant officer from the bridge" being Frost. To think, there in front of me was a man who was there and I hadn't a clue. But then again, every adult in my youth was there in the war and...who would know. Nobody said anything.
@@GG-jw8pt 1650 Taylor family left from Carlisle England after fighting for King Charles the first. 1555 Roland Taylor burned at the stake by bloody Mary. So perhaps a little english. Thank you.....
I remember hearing that some officers (I can't remember which ones) were disappointed with A Bridge to Far, specifically with the officers running about and seeking cover. "A British officer doesn't run."
Anthony Hopkins plays Lt.Col. John Frost in the movie. John Frost himself was an advisor to the director of the movie. In one scene Hopkins had to run between two buildings, presumably under fire. So, Hopkins ran as fast as he could. After the scene, Frost reprimanded him, telling Hopkins that a British officer never runs that fast under fire, to give confidence to his troops and show contempt for the enemy.
@@Valkanna.Nublet You are welcome! :) I was at the Remembrance Drop at Genkelse Heath today. And I also visited the Airborne Cemetry at Oosterbeek to pay my respects. This week are several commemorative events, because the Battle of Arnhem was 80 years ago.
I met this man once, in 1990ish when I was about 12 years old and I had no idea who he was. It was Armistice day and he was turned out in full 'proper order of dress' under the heat of the African sun and growing a little frail. Intrigued I asked my grandfather, a raised from the ranks Cavalry officer with a DSO of his own and a passionate (but eternally hilarious) hatred of Paras, who Digby was. My grandfather's reply was 'some bloody crackpot Rupert Para', a remark which I suspect Digby would have taken as a compliment. After taking the Parade Digby gave a talk which we have on camcorder, his humour and understatement made all those old-fashioned war movies seem a million times more plausible.
What an absolute character! A true "Brit"...the archetypal British soldier, whose escapades and record of action provides a picture of what ran through the veins of more or less every "Tommy" who took on the German war machine (who were after all, not renowned for their kindness!) I think it would be interesting to find out what the Germans actually thought of the British contingent at Arnhem. I will research, as there are a myriad of books out there. One of these paras was my uncle Robert, who now lies in the allied cemetery near Oosterbeek. He was a 21-year-old paratrooper, who lost his life a few days before the final evacuation across the river. Oddly enough, his brother, another of my uncles, located him as he lay wounded near the bridge. He had also transferred into the 'paras' from another infantry regiment and Arnhem was his first 'live jump'. Good old Uncle Bob! Having read about the disastrous lack of intelligence and the ignoring of vital info, as well as the mishap of the battle plan falling into the hands of the Germans, retrieved from a glider, these guys did an outstanding job, against the odds and against a force of fierce tanks (Tigers) and other SS units. I not only admire and stand in awe of my uncle(s) and the other lads there, but regret never having met him - I was born in 1952. RIP Uncle Bob.
A family of absolute balm pots. We had an officer in Ireland in a similar vein not with any distinguishing details ( they were not allowed anyway)but more with a differing style of rec. He had an uncanny knack of seeing something which wasn't right. Instead of sending us a bit forward and to see what is what. He himself would send us further back and go into investigate himself, stupid in hindsight at the same time though respect for us. Out of detail...he was one of the lads never hang out with the officers and spent time with us in the barracks on a night off and got shit faced with us whenever even borrowed you money which is a definite no-no in the forces. The man had class and we gave him shit loads of respect in return never once did we abuse it. I know the officer ( which I won't name, nor the regiment nor the years on and off we were there) maybe not on par with Major Allison Digby Tatham Warter. But given the chance. This man would definitely been on a level or similar. He went on to get honours in the Falklands.. that I will say biggest pisser of that is he wasn't with us.
Good story. One minor point of criticism though: Digby and his batallion were not 'parachuted into Holland' (± 6:50) since the city of Arnhem is actually situated quite some distance away from Holland, in the province of Gelderland, near the German border.
This gent sounds like a para to me lol most of the paras I know are all barking I love your documentary s thank you so much keep up the good work and thank you for your service 👍🐺🏴🏴
In the 1990s I had a neighbour Les across the road from me that I got to know quite well. After another friend and I went on a motorcycle trip to the Normandy beaches, Les found out about this and started talking about his war experiences after a bit of encouragement from us. He was parachuted aged 18 into Normandy at midnight to support the capture of Pegasus Bridge and said he almost shot the British actor Richard Todd ( who was in the film “The Longest Day “who stuck his head out from under a hedge. Luckily they knew each other and all was ok. Les was then trained to fly the Horsa glider for him to go into Arnham. But as he was only 5 feet 7 inches tall he could not manage to fly a fully laden glider as he didn’t have the leverage to pull the glider up after unhitching from the tow plane. He was then sent to Arne with other soldiers to identify each and every soldier that managed to t😊escape the Germans and got back to the Allied lines. Every man that got back hat to be vouched for by someone who knew them as Germans were taking uniforms off dead Brits and trying to infiltrate the lines. Les said that any caught were taken away and shot.
Being an American fan of the channel, any thoughts on doing an episode on Field Marshal Sir John Dill. The only “Redcoat” buried at our most famous national cemetery-Arlington.
Digby was in the book “A Bridge Too Far” but the author had only came across him a bit later, in his research. A truly great soldier in the best tradition of the British Army. Look at the country now…it makes you weep.
If you're going to show one scene of Major John Howard from The Longest Day, then surely the scene where John Howard, played by Richard Todd wearing his original beret, greets Richard Todd played by Patrick Jordan
In the clip seen in the video from the movie "The Longest day" Major John Howard was preformed by Richard Todd. Did you know that Richard Todd was in Howard's team that stormed Pegasus bridge? He almost performed himself in that movie!!
A friend i used to work with father was at Arnhem unfortunately he lost both his legs but survived and returned back home. Even though his hardship he got a job got married and had three children he would never talk about the battle but my friend said you couldn’t have asked for a better dad.
Nice story, My Grandad, William Duncan Kennedy was one of the early Parah regiments. He dropped on Arnhem. He had served in the Royal Engineers prior to that fighting in Africa, Italy, France and Holland. During his time in Arnhem he and another Parah were held up between two SS occupied buildings eating raw potato scraps. A young German conscript happened upon them and had to be killed by bayonet, an event that haunted him for the rest of his days, proving to be a tragically harsh element of his PTSD, especially when his Son, my Uncle reached his teens and was blond with blue eyes too. I was shown an A4 kind of sized award when I was a child and was told that is was given by Holland to my Grandad for his efforts to attempt liberation. My Grandad, a heavy smoker died of cancer when I was in my early teens. Irrespective of the war service, his dry humour and general demeanour makes him one of my greatest personal hero’s.
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Thanks to you all for a wonderful positive response to this video. Digby's story is incredible and Im really glad that his eccentric bravery is still respected to this day. I just wanted to apologise if I haven't replied to many comments. As regular viewers may be aware I've decided to generally step back from replying to comments. I still have a quick sweep through from time to time but in general I'm focusing on creating more content and spending less time in the comments section. If anyone wants to keep in touch then my newsletter is the best place - redcoathistory.com/newsletter/ - thanks again and let's keep these stories alive for future generations. Chris.
🧐 "jolly good clip old boy, spiffing" 👍
IM 80 ,POOR SOLDIERS THE POLITICIANS USE THEM FOR THERE OWN ENDS.
What is your assessment of 1st AB in OMG ?
I met him in March 1991. We were on exercise in Kenya and a handful of officers were invited to lunch at his bungalow just outside Nanyuki. The house and garden, next to a river, were just like a cottage back home - except for the corrugated iron roof! The living room was scattered with copies of Country Life. His charming wife entertained us until he joined us for lunch. He arrived in a silk dressing gown and cravat. We chatted about a whole range of things but not the War - mainly Kenya I think. He enjoyed himself and was cracking jokes but it was clear he was not well. I can’t remember what exactly was wrong with him but the word ‘emphysema’ comes to mind. We all enjoyed a splendid lunch highlighted by a delicious steak and kidney pie followed by homemade cheese and biscuits. After coffee he grew tired and toddled off back to bed. I only learned later exactly who he was and what he had done. A remarkable man. As I was a fellow infantry officer, it was a privilege to have met him.
Yes, you're bang on the money. Digby had emphysema.
Nice story.
How lucky you were
I heard she enjoyed entertaining with The dance of the seven veils, was it that ?
An honour to have broken bread with a legend of para reg and how English,a silk dressing gown and cravat. It brings to mind Noel Coward and ‘Mad dogs and Englishman’ 🤣
Ive hac the privilege to meet no less than 3 Para vets who jumped into Arnhem. Being of Dutch decent made it all the more special.
Thank you for your service gentlemen.
It is so refreshing to hear a proper person on these videos. It is so much more engaging than the robotic voices that you find in some cases. The story was really interesting too.
yes, thank goodness for a real production. A great story as well.
Boycott AI slop
A Gentleman who lived in my village in Snowdonia was in the Paras at Arnhem. He was severely wounded in a battle there and was captured by the Germans. He was in a bad state and the Germans gave him blood there and then on the battlefield, straight from the arm of a German soldier. He survived and lived until 4 years ago. Sadly I had no idea of his adventures until after he passed. He was a lovely, gentle, quiet, distinguished but unassuming man.....
...my next door neighbour (broad Somerset who had also been captured twice and escaped in the North Africa campaign, some time with the LDF) was at Arnhem, captured ...and credits the German doctor with saving his arm which was hanging off ...totally eccentric but utterly fearless ...probably lethal
Great video. I was privileged to visit what was then the Hartenstein Hotel, the British HQ and now the Airborne Museum at Oosterbeek on the outskirts of Arnhem itself. In the grounds is a memorial with the following inscription:
TO THE PEOPLE OF GELDERLAND
50 years ago British & Polish Airborne soldiers fought here against overwhelming odds to open the way into Germany and bring the war to an early end. Instead we brought death and destruction, for which you have never blamed us.
This stone marks our admiration for your great courage, remembering especially the women who tended our wounded. In the long winter that followed your families risked death by hiding Allied soldiers and airmen, while members of the Resistance helped many to safety.
You took us then into your homes as fugitives and friends, we took you forever into our hearts.
This strong bond will continue long after we are all gone.
1944 ~ SEPTEMBER ~ 1994
What a Extraordinary 🏴 Man! He lived 9 lives in his Short 75 years on Earth, Respect from a 🇮🇪 Man, we have a Painful History between our Nations however I salute his contribution to WW2 and beyond 👏👏👏
I was born North of the border(though my family were on gods island long before that line was drawn and I have family from Roscommon on my dads side)and it pains me that there is this painful history. When you think of how many good god fearing Irishmen fell in the First World War fighting for King and country.
Fantastic tribute to an officer who's leadership and fighting qualities are deminished by the portrayal in A Bridge Too Far. It is very satisfying to see his story put straight.
classic British eccentrics , this is why the world loves you guys. you guys have class and show everyone else how its done properly. from the top to the bottom . i mean you created the "drink,fight,friends" always very sporting, the importance of proper gentlemanly attire and grace. and classic colorful language and proper sarcasm (proper british sarcasm is an institution
eligion ).and also s.a.s is synonymous with general badassery
"this is why the world loves you guys. you guys have class"...looking awkwardly at all the crimes perpetrated by the British occupation forces in Ireland just 20 years prior..i guess the British forget about class when someone is fighting for freedom against the limey empire. So keep your brit enthusiasm to yourself.
@@DD-qw4fz yeah humans are trash, but why do you have to make things political things can't just be light-hearted with humans like you
@@DD-qw4fz the irish havnt brought shit besides a bad attitude for 300 yrs , go drink a Guinness listen to that austistic opera singer and watch colin mcgreagor embarrass your country by applying to run for pres. yes your a shining example of why the brits try and put you down. your politics is unwanted and uncared for. im sure the youtuber would appriecate you sticking your hate in your ass and walking it back across to your soap box in a country that cant even solve its own problems but talk crap because thats all you got ...loser
i apologize for the repulsive exchange RCH i cant help myself sometimes..i dont like politics brought into light topics where it doesnt necessarily belong
@@DD-qw4fz
"So keep your brit enthusiasm to yourself"
And keep your Little Man's _angst_ to YOURSELF, Old Chap!
Nice story,
My Grandad, William Duncan Kennedy was one of the early Parah regiments. He dropped on Arnhem. He had served in the Royal Engineers prior to that fighting in Africa, Italy, France and Holland. During his time in Arnhem he and another between two SS occupied buildings eating raw potato scraps. A young German conscript happened upon them and had to be killed by bayonet, an event that haunted his for the rest of his days, proving to be a tragically harsh element of his PTSD, especially when his Son, my Uncle reached his teens and was blond with blue eyes too.
I was shown an A4 kind of sized award when I was a child and was told that is was given by Holland to my Grandad for his efforts to attempt liberation. My Grandad, also a heavy smoker died of cancer when I was in my early teens. Irrespective of the was his dry humour and general demeanour makes him one of my greatest personal hero’s.
My Dad was in 2nd Grenadiers 1939-1946. In 1944 he was in a Guards Armoured Division Sherman that crossed the Bridge at Nijmegen as shown in A Bridge Too Far.
I’ve just come back from a concert in Brugge / Bruges led by the Band of the Grenadier Guards commemorating the 80th anniversary of the liberation - likely by your dad and certainly by the Grens and Guards Armd Div.
Whilst on a rugby tour of Holland. My friends and I paid homage and visited the bridge at Arnhem. And there, hooked on a railing was an umbrella,one of the black ones with the bent bamboo handle. Some tourist had more than likley had hooked it over and taken a photo or two and left it. This was taken a great omen by my friend and I who were TA airborne and knew the story. My late good friend, who went on to be a rupert in 1Para, was not unlike Major D:T:W. being mad and up for a knuckle . We celibrated by going to the nearest bar to try and buy a drink,which, in those days was difficult if you were anything airborne related as the locals would not let you pay.
Love the history.Never forget x
Thank you for the story well told. Most likely the major would have been helped and fed by my mother who was in Bill de Boer's undergrond cell. My mum's code name was Gonnie. I took mum to the 70th commemoration of Market Garden, probably the best thing I did for her because she was so touched by being among all the vets. Mum was given the Mobilisasie Oorlogs Kruise by General Maarten Kruif. After the Germans forced the evacuation of the natives of Arnhem she went to Lunteren there she was betrayed arrested by the Gestapo, beaten up, tortured and sentenced to be shot by the firing squad. They threw her into a single locker in the cellar of the Wormshoef, Gestapo HQ. Terrified but as a believing Christian she called on the Lord and a light shone in the locker telling she would not be shot. Sure enough, the Germans forgot about her and a few days later the Canadians who were mopping up remaining Germans took the Wormshoef after a brief firefight in which the SS ran off back to Germany. All this was in March 1945. Mum was always good at languages and she was required by British Intelligence as an interpreter. Given officer status she was allowed to dine in the officer's mess and that is were she met my father Capt. T.G.Willson.
A wondeful story - many thanks for sharing.
What an awesome story. A truly brave woman!
What a beautiful story and I will admit the part where the light shone in the locker,brought a tear to my eye and I am not overly religious.
My mother and I are both Christians but not 'religious' because Biblial Christianity is a relationship with God rather than ritualistic rites. That was her testimony and she went Home to be with the Lord as she turned 98. To be a Christian is to believe on the Lord Jesus and turn from sin believe and read the Bible even if it takes time to understand it. The relationship will do the rest.
Wow
That awesome
What a great and courageous lady.
You must be so proud of her.
Best video on the story of Digby I've ever seen. Well done chaps.
Such a great story about a great man & soldier!!! Thank You!!!
Great story telling! Well done. My second cousin was a glider pilot and killed in the Battle of Arnhem. Unfortunately because of the silence of many service men after the war a great number of excellent and exciting stories have been lost over the years. My father was an ambulance driver on the western front in ww1. He hardly ever mentioned it, and I know little of his adventures of that time.
A great story well told. Coming from a military background, my interest all things military started when I was about six years of age, listening to my stepfather (an RMP WO) and my Grandfather (RN CPO) talk "shop" for hours on end; they both had memories of India, Shanghai, Kowloon and other places far and wide, but at different times. My interest led me onto studying every book I could find on WW1 and WW2, so I became familiar with many stories and many characters. I became a military historian of sorts, and lectured for many years, met many veterans of both world wars and did a lot of researches helping families find their lost loved ones - very satisfying.
To my mind, Arnhem was one of those great campaigns that was organised far too quickly and left too much to chance and luck - a bad combination in war! Arrogance and dismissal of good intelligence played their part and the results showed that clearly. The one thing that stood out like a beacon in the various battles around Arnhem was the raw courage of the men; even the Germans recognised that. From the lowest ranks to the highest, courage, bravery and sheer British doggedness was a true inspiration to millions, and still is inspirational today. It is no wonder that the people of Arnhem hold them in such high esteem.
Thank for this biopic of Digby - a true English character if ever there was one...actually, there were quite a few others, not all of them Englishmen!
Really enjoyed this content. Digby is what we'd call, "a helluva guy".
Great episode- that scene in a bridge too far is one of my favorites as well.
THANK YOU FROM NEW YORK CITY ! THIS CHANNEL IS GREAT.
My god some people are crazy... in the finest traditions of the British army of course. Well done Chris and thank you for brining the movie character to life
Brilliant and timely tribute to the very best. RIP to all the Airborne that fell. Every man an emperor.
Well done, Neil Thornton! VERY well researched.
About time someone wrote a book (and video) about DTW. I've enjoyed this and shall share it with many of my friends at the PRA.
What a smashing fellow with a fabulous story!
Great video always love the longest day. My grandfather was a World War II US Marine post World War II. He had multiple jobs on the weekends to supplement. His factory job for general motors of them was at a movie theater, so I grew up watching movies with him the longest day in a bridge too far which you mentioned Were some of my favorites to watch with him. I subscribed and look forward to watching more of your videos. I hope you have one on the Pegasus bridge. That is another piece of history, but I am very fond of.
Really interesting insight. Thank you.
Your insight and understanding brings everyone of the same calibre together irrespective of class 👊
Absolutely top drawer mate cheers.
That reminds me. I need to watch the movie again this week.
Incredible human beings. I’m always proud of Bill Milan who played the Bagpipes on D Day . We honour him in our town (Dawlish) can’t imagine playing a musical instrument with bullets flying around .
I heard a story he related when during the first commemorations, he kept asking German veterans if any of them were manning the defences where he disembarked and could remember seeing him. Eventually, he did find a couple of old soldiers who said they saw the “doodlesak spieler” (no one else played the pipes at Normandy). At last, Bill Milan could ask the burning question that had perplexed him for all that time. Why hadn’t they shot him? (He was standing up and exposed, expecting at any time to be hit). The Germans said they actually thought he was mad hence they didn’t shoot at him. This sounds all weird but there’s some truth in the German claim. Nazi propaganda portrayed the commandos as a penal unit of rapists, murderers and petty criminals offered release from prisons if they volunteered for suicide missions. The claim that the British had penal units made up of the likes of convicted murderers, was confirmed in their eyes, by the discovery of the bodies of two captured German soldiers taken on a raid in Guernsey who had obviously been shot whilst their hands had been bound then left on the beach. After this, Hitler issued the infamous “commando edict”. Later, Goebbels propaganda machine was telling German soldiers that the British were running so low on manpower, that they’d also emptied the mental hospitals. They believed these unfortunates were used as cannon fodder and mine clearance and anyone playing the highland pipes whilst death and hell was let loose around him, must have been one of those mental patients. They simply felt sorry for him.
I did a history project on Op Market Garden at school, and I know Digby's story! I consequently joined the Royal Green Jackets on leaving school..
If he was Ox and Bucks, I'll claim him, as we were all bonkers! 😂
What an amazing story.
Im now an avid fan of this channel
He was Ox and Bucks, as was Lathbury (Comd 1st Para Bde), and Lieutenant Grayburn (Ox & Bucks attached to 2nd Parachute Bn) who was awarded a VC posthumously at Arnhem. Surprising to me (also ex RGJ) was that the HQ 1st Airborne Division’s Defence Platoon was almost entirely Ox & Bucks. Apparently the Defence Platoon was initially formed by detaching a platoon from 2nd Ox & Bucks. When the Bn was later transferred to 6th Airborne Division, the platoon remained with the 1st.
@mikeainsworth4504 wow, thanks for the knowledge nuggets! Every day is a learning dayas far as I'm concerned... respect to you.
@@Western_Pesto Celer et Audax
@@mikeainsworth4504 always! 😁
Another great work about a less known story, thanks for sharing.
Just watched A Bridge Too Far the other day and delighted to come across this video. Well done for making it. A different breed those WWII guys. My mum had a boyfriend back in the '70s who was a Major in the British army and who landed in one of the gliders on D-Day. Sadly, he and his batman were the only survivors when they were thrown clear of the glider as it slammed into the ground. He also played a part in Operation Market Garden and was a consultant to its Director, Sir Richard Attenborough.
An old friend of mines dad was at The Bridge at Arnhem, a Scot called McGiven. I met him once at his house and noticed the Para regimental photos on the wall so quizzed him and he was very forthcoming. He told me he was at the Bridge with Frost and after days of fighting he and a mate decided to bailout. They tried to jump a garden wall but a mortar knocked them over and they were captured by the SS. He said they were treated very well by the Germans who asked them where they got the alcohol from to which they replied 'what alcohol?' The Germans assumed the Paras were drunk, if only McGiven said. I was so proud to meet him and will never forget him.
Fighting with an umbrella in World War II is that unique combination of funny and awesome! I'm glad this was covered because I would have never heard of it otherwise.
Nobody does 'eccentric' as well as the English. D-T-W is a classic example. Posh, well educated, mad as a box of frogs and hard as coffin nails. Top Bloke.
Has anybody actually had abox of frogs?😮
Lindybeige is think it was who did a video on “ Why British officers don’t duck “ , it seems he wasn’t only the mad one.
Must have thought the Germans had water cannon instead of artillery shells 😅
@petercunningham5640 oh no,but you see it could have rained and he would have got jolly wet
Another superb video.
Many decades ago I read a book called the Amateur Commandos.
A strange story about army dentists who stole a English fishing boat went to France a blow up a railway line.
Not sure how much of the story was true, so might make a good video.
I love your videos and this one was simply wonderful!
Brilliant episode!!! Well done. Make a T shirt with Digby on it and I'm in...
Keep up the good work
Fantastic story, thanks Chris. Listened to it as a podcast a few days ago but watched it again for the algorithm. The sheer guts of guys like him is an inspiration to us all. Reminds me of one of my dad's old mates who landed just after D Day and carried a PIAT. He used to say his CO always went into battle wearing a pair of slippers.
Wonderful wonderful story telling. Never a bored moment and I felt like this chap and me were chatting in the same bar. I wish his spirit lives well and being loyalty and persistent and determination to wherever he goes.
What an extraordinary man. Makes me proud to be British, even though l'm a Kiwi.
What a great video.always had an affection for the character in bridge to far.
Really enjoyed this one.
Thank you.
This needs a film to be made after it
The incident is referred to in the 1977 film 'A Bridge Too Far'.
They lost.😅
@@stoobydootoo4098 And highly innacurate it was.
What a bloke, it's mad buggers like this that makes us proud to be British.
In some ways you have to feel sorry for the Germans, they entered WW2 all set up to fight an efficient logical modern war. Then ended up fighting a country that just did not take it seriously and came up with endless ridiculous stunts and crazy ideas. From Jack Churchill with his sword and Bow and Arrow, more different special forces than you could shake a Mauser at, bouncing bombs, exploding destroyers, to the use of a 32,000 ton 15" gunned destroyer at Narvick.
I met him when I was in 1 para and we went to Kenya in 1988 and I was reading A Bridge Too Far for the first time
Mad Jack Churchill Commandos, carried highland claymore and bow and arrow with confirmed kills.
The only word is legend for man of men like that
Whilst serving in 2 Para we hosted General Frost (Jonny Frost), I had a demonstration stand and showed him the modern day soldiers ration pack and equipment we carried. He was deaf as a newt and I’m not sure he could hear what I was saying despite his large hearing aid. However, it was a huge privilege to have met him and shaken his hand.
Very good video. I really enjoyed that and learnt quite a few things I didn’t know before. Appreciate your time in making this. Keep up the good work!👍🏻
Great ! this time ,not red coat but red beret , the best, whatever the country . I watched many times a bridge too far , a great generation of men ! thank you Mate .
Hello, I love this channel. Have you any information on the Artists Rifles and their connection with special forces?
Now THAT is British. And his brother....sat a top a tank in a chair leading his men. Not to forget his sister too Legends all 🇬🇧
Why make up lies
British propaganda at its best 🌂
@petercunningham5640 wailllll wailllll jealous little cry baby
Balls of British Steel
It's always fascinated me how different people react to a crises. I witnessed a fellow shipmate that I thought could do anything and was tough as nails completely fall apart during a rescue... you just never know.
Absolutely amazing, the 10:24 to 10:34 clip from the film ' A bridge too far '...
As usual, a great story well told! Thanks again!!
Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks
Wythenshawe Hall is 15th century home in Wythenshawe Park, Manchester. A friend and myself were wandering throught it followed by an attendant. Now it is 1971 and we have long hair and are scruffy. When I began to ask questions about the house, he warmed to us. He was at the bridge at Arnham and I shall never forget him saying "I carried that gallant officer from the bridge" being Frost. To think, there in front of me was a man who was there and I hadn't a clue. But then again, every adult in my youth was there in the war and...who would know. Nobody said anything.
Makes me proud to be British even though Im an American!
You are welcome to be a honorary Brit.
Well Taylor sounds English to me! 👍🤣🇬🇧🇺🇸
@@GG-jw8pt 1650 Taylor family left from Carlisle England after fighting for King Charles the first. 1555 Roland Taylor burned at the stake by bloody Mary. So perhaps a little english. Thank you.....
What a great video about a remarkable man. Thanks so much for making this
I have heard many accounts but yours was so interesting. Thank you
I remember hearing that some officers (I can't remember which ones) were disappointed with A Bridge to Far, specifically with the officers running about and seeking cover. "A British officer doesn't run."
Yeah disappointed also, in the movie the Allies won, in reality they got smoked by Hohenstaufen and Frundsberg lol!
@@BenMoon-zv2gqyou must have watched a different film to the rest of us…
Anthony Hopkins plays Lt.Col. John Frost in the movie. John Frost himself was an advisor to the director of the movie. In one scene Hopkins had to run between two buildings, presumably under fire. So, Hopkins ran as fast as he could. After the scene, Frost reprimanded him, telling Hopkins that a British officer never runs that fast under fire, to give confidence to his troops and show contempt for the enemy.
@@bwarre2884 Thank you for reminding me who the officer was :)
@@Valkanna.Nublet You are welcome! :)
I was at the Remembrance Drop at Genkelse Heath today. And I also visited the Airborne Cemetry at Oosterbeek to pay my respects.
This week are several commemorative events, because the Battle of Arnhem was 80 years ago.
I met this man once, in 1990ish when I was about 12 years old and I had no idea who he was. It was Armistice day and he was turned out in full 'proper order of dress' under the heat of the African sun and growing a little frail. Intrigued I asked my grandfather, a raised from the ranks Cavalry officer with a DSO of his own and a passionate (but eternally hilarious) hatred of Paras, who Digby was. My grandfather's reply was 'some bloody crackpot Rupert Para', a remark which I suspect Digby would have taken as a compliment. After taking the Parade Digby gave a talk which we have on camcorder, his humour and understatement made all those old-fashioned war movies seem a million times more plausible.
Liked & Subscribed!! Semper Fidelis 🙏💯
Fantastic!
Smashing video and always thanks Chris
What an absolute character! A true "Brit"...the archetypal British soldier, whose escapades and record of action provides a picture of what ran through the veins of more or less every "Tommy" who took on the German war machine (who were after all, not renowned for their kindness!)
I think it would be interesting to find out what the Germans actually thought of the British contingent at Arnhem. I will research, as there are a myriad of books out there.
One of these paras was my uncle Robert, who now lies in the allied cemetery near Oosterbeek. He was a 21-year-old paratrooper, who lost his life a few days before the final evacuation across the river. Oddly enough, his brother, another of my uncles, located him as he lay wounded near the bridge. He had also transferred into the 'paras' from another infantry regiment and Arnhem was his first 'live jump'. Good old Uncle Bob!
Having read about the disastrous lack of intelligence and the ignoring of vital info, as well as the mishap of the battle plan falling into the hands of the Germans, retrieved from a glider, these guys did an outstanding job, against the odds and against a force of fierce tanks (Tigers) and other SS units.
I not only admire and stand in awe of my uncle(s) and the other lads there, but regret never having met him - I was born in 1952. RIP Uncle Bob.
A family of absolute balm pots. We had an officer in Ireland in a similar vein not with any distinguishing details ( they were not allowed anyway)but more with a differing style of rec. He had an uncanny knack of seeing something which wasn't right. Instead of sending us a bit forward and to see what is what. He himself would send us further back and go into investigate himself, stupid in hindsight at the same time though respect for us. Out of detail...he was one of the lads never hang out with the officers and spent time with us in the barracks on a night off and got shit faced with us whenever even borrowed you money which is a definite no-no in the forces. The man had class and we gave him shit loads of respect in return never once did we abuse it. I know the officer ( which I won't name, nor the regiment nor the years on and off we were there) maybe not on par with Major Allison Digby Tatham Warter. But given the chance. This man would definitely been on a level or similar. He went on to get honours in the Falklands.. that I will say biggest pisser of that is he wasn't with us.
Fascinating information of World War 11 Heroes.
Brilliant Video. Thanks very much.
Good story. One minor point of criticism though: Digby and his batallion were not 'parachuted into Holland' (± 6:50) since the city of Arnhem is actually situated quite some distance away from Holland, in the province of Gelderland, near the German border.
This gent sounds like a para to me lol most of the paras I know are all barking I love your documentary s thank you so much keep up the good work and thank you for your service 👍🐺🏴🏴
Great story! Cornelius Ryan could have written much more about this man in "A bridge too far". Thanks for filling in the gaps!
Awesome video, dude.
Love your content
Incredible story. Respect.
Great video. Listened to the podcast but wanted to leave a comment on TH-cam. Fascinating stuff.
Great story telling !!
Great stuff, thank you! There you go, as requested, liked, commented, and subscribed...
Excellent video mate
Top bloke!
Great story well presented. Bravo to our forces
In the 1990s I had a neighbour Les across the road from me that I got to know quite well. After another friend and I went on a motorcycle trip to the Normandy beaches, Les found out about this and started talking about his war experiences after a bit of encouragement from us. He was parachuted aged 18 into Normandy at midnight to support the capture of Pegasus Bridge and said he almost shot the British actor Richard Todd ( who was in the film “The Longest Day “who stuck his head out from under a hedge. Luckily they knew each other and all was ok. Les was then trained to fly the Horsa glider for him to go into Arnham. But as he was only 5 feet 7 inches tall he could not manage to fly a fully laden glider as he didn’t have the leverage to pull the glider up after unhitching from the tow plane. He was then sent to Arne with other soldiers to identify each and every soldier that managed to t😊escape the Germans and got back to the Allied lines. Every man that got back hat to be vouched for by someone who knew them as Germans were taking uniforms off dead Brits and trying to infiltrate the lines. Les said that any caught were taken away and shot.
Subscribed!! Great story.
Being an American fan of the channel, any thoughts on doing an episode on Field Marshal Sir John Dill. The only “Redcoat” buried at our most famous national cemetery-Arlington.
I think you will find that Ord Wingate is there too.
Well, I learned something today. Thank you in fact, that seems to be a very interesting fellow and back story.
Digby was in the book “A Bridge Too Far” but the author had only came across him a bit later, in his research. A truly great soldier in the best tradition of the British Army. Look at the country now…it makes you weep.
Yes I visited Arlington cemetery last year while visiting mates in Pennsylvania.amazing place..🇬🇧🇺🇸
Thank you Sir-isn't Wingate in there?
You talked me into it. I’ve subscribed.
Marvellous story - very well told.
For such a small group of islands!!!!!🇬🇧
Good Video, Subscribed
Amazing narrative
Very well told
Wonderful stuff!
If you're going to show one scene of Major John Howard from The Longest Day, then surely the scene where John Howard, played by Richard Todd wearing his original beret, greets Richard Todd played by Patrick Jordan
I absolutely agree that the line "I am sorry we can't accept your surrender" is the greatest of any War movie. This man certainly had a lot of moxie 🤪
Well ain’t that the nuts! Thanks for the story.
In the clip seen in the video from the movie "The Longest day" Major John Howard was preformed by Richard Todd. Did you know that Richard Todd was in Howard's team that stormed Pegasus bridge? He almost performed himself in that movie!!
What a guy, I can see how the lads would follow him lol a sense of humour and courage in abundance
Simply brilliant Chris and Neil....loved it. Such an inspirational character
Great story of a True British Hero. What a Man! Just as crazy as the ( Flying Chicken ) that was on the Drop in. Arnhem
A friend i used to work with father was at Arnhem unfortunately he lost both his legs but survived and returned back home. Even though his hardship he got a job got married and had three children he would never talk about the battle but my friend said you couldn’t have asked for a better dad.
Thank you. God bless you
Nice story,
My Grandad, William Duncan Kennedy was one of the early Parah regiments. He dropped on Arnhem. He had served in the Royal Engineers prior to that fighting in Africa, Italy, France and Holland. During his time in Arnhem he and another Parah were held up between two SS occupied buildings eating raw potato scraps. A young German conscript happened upon them and had to be killed by bayonet, an event that haunted him for the rest of his days, proving to be a tragically harsh element of his PTSD, especially when his Son, my Uncle reached his teens and was blond with blue eyes too.
I was shown an A4 kind of sized award when I was a child and was told that is was given by Holland to my Grandad for his efforts to attempt liberation. My Grandad, a heavy smoker died of cancer when I was in my early teens. Irrespective of the war service, his dry humour and general demeanour makes him one of my greatest personal hero’s.