117 - Surprise Attack On Rommel! - Operation Crusader Begins - WW2 - November 21, 1941

[@WorldWarTwo]

On December 7th we will cover the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in real time, minute by minute, as it happens... for five solid hours starting 0610 local Hawaiian time right here on this channel. Don't miss it! And if you want a dose of WW2 action every day,, then check out our day by day instagram coverage of the war right here: instagram.com/world_war_two_realtime/ ...and please read our rules of conduct before you comment, it saves everyone a hassle: community.timeghost.tv/t/rules-of-conduct/4518

[@PhillyPhanVinny]

I can't wait!

[@Imjustasimpleman5310]

Love the map scale! Really shows' the size of the Eastern front.

[@MikeJones-qn1gz]

So hyped this has the potential to be one of the best Pearl harbour programs in history, the build up is so intense, and soon the dominos will begin to finally fall and all hell will break loose.

[@davasaurthereal4678]

Are you ever going to talk about Malta again or make a special or something? Malta was a pretty cool place in WW2.

[@0cgw]

This should be epic. For UK viewers, it starts 4:10pm in the UK, which is very reasonable.

[@speedydb55]

German Armies in the USSR and North Africa: "We're greatly under-strength and under-supplied at this time." Hitler: "Check out this cool model of a new monument I have planned!!!"

[@captainobvious337]

Sounds pretty much like oversimplified to me XD

[@ATINKERER]

I was thinking the same thing. Hitler seemed to be suffering from delusions of grandeur from the very start of his rise to power. Those who jumped on his bandwagon seem to have been motivated by pure greed, and they took advantage of Hitler's delusions of grandeur to manipulate him to their advantage. This time, Speer disregards the war shortages and gets Hitler to commit to a massive building project from which Speer is sure to get kick-backs, kick-backs, kick-backs. Speer doesn't care about supplying German troops as long as he can line his pockets. Greed was the motivating force behind the major players in the German war machine, the lives of others meant nothing to them.

[@annescholey6546]

Mayor West and his cereal statue😂

[@SpartacusColo]

Hitler was a drug addict, and, undoubtedly, a tad crazy. He was more focused on achieving his visions, rather than trying to ensure that Germany would win a war.

[@weltvonalex]

@spartacuscolo and a criminal and yes very lazy, the guy feared working more than he hated jews

[@johnperez6069]

Interesting how Udet's suicide managed to have a 2x matching fatality effect on the Luftwaffe's brass. I can only imagine how delighted Udet would have been had Göring been added to the casualty list for his funeral...

[@stevekaczynski3793]

An obviously talented flyer, Udet was a heavy drinker (even his personal plane had a drinks cabinet on board) and he was unable to cope with the administrative demands of his job. He was also in conflict with Erhard Milch, who took over many of Udet's functions and duties after his suicide. The suicide was not officially admitted - the Reich media said Udet had died in an accident while testing new equipment.

[@Raskolnikov70]

I'm still amazed Göring made it to the end of the war without dropping dead from gluttony and drug abuse.

[@nicholasconder4703]

In reality, Udet probably helped to cripple the Luftwaffe's development. His insistence that all bombers, including the Ju-88 and HE-177 have the ability to dive bomb was ridiculous. Most other aircraft that were designed and built after 1939, with the exceptions of the FW-190 and ME-262, were mediocre at best, and disasters at worst. Ironically, and this is a rather nasty thing to say, but his death actually helped the Luftwaffe by putting someone in charge who knew what they were doing. Fortunately for us, it was probably too late by then.

[@johnperez6069]

@@nicholasconder4703 “... mediocre at best, and disasters at worst.” OK, I’m going to say it: Messerschmitt ME-210!

[@nicholasconder4703]

@@johnperez6069 I'll see your ME-210 and raise you a Henschel HS-129.

[@maryfinnfan4140]

My Dad's best friend was killed at Sidi Rezegh in Dec 41 during Operation Crusader. Fred Vevers aged 18 from Headingley in Leeds...he was 18 and has no known grave. RIP Fred xx😢

[@chrisjenkins5887]

Something most young people in the West don't really understand anymore, just the scale of the death of the young men. All those people who could have attended a university or gone on to a nice blue collar job and had a family and moved the world forward. The world would be a lot bigger if it weren't for all those losses. Some nations like Russia and Belarus never recovered demographically even 80 years later. It seems everyone knew someone who was killed in WW2.

[@IrishTechnicalThinker]

Germany: We nearly took Moscow. Russia: We literally carried our Factories over mountains.

[@ЛучшийТанк-ю5т]

It is not "literally carried" though

[@Raskolnikov70]

Imagine the Germans got to Moscow and the whole thing wasn't there. Every brick and shingle and stick of furniture loaded onto railcars and shipped to the east. At least they had to burn it down when Napoleon arrived to stop him from using it, Stalin would probably just move the whole thing and laugh about it.

[@johnnyfortpants1415]

Love it

[@Afdch]

@@Raskolnikov70 A floating city of Moscow

[@Ronald98]

@@Raskolnikov70 just relocate the city bruh

[@stevekaczynski3793]

At 2:53, the German machine-gunner has stick and egg grenades on his right. The former have the bottom unscrewed with the pull cords hanging out. This was done to arm the grenade - the cord had a small porcelain ball at the end. To start the fuse the cord was pulled all the way out, and then the grenade was thrown. The gunner looks like he has done everything except pull them all the way out, and is expecting to use them. The Germans found that in the depths of the 1941/2 winter the stick grenade was often the only weapon that still worked. Their rifles and machine-guns froze up but the grenades were more resistant.

[@pagodebregaeforro2803]

Yes dude, that screw piece would freeze so easily that this way is better for ready use. But imagine if the porcelain part got frozen attached to his clothes.

[@nisidola1576]

​​@@pagodebregaeforro2803lol mein gott moment

[@docvideo93]

Cunningham: FIGHT ME! Rommel: Hmm.. not really

[@aroundhere1200]

Rommel: No, i don't think i will

[@eldorados_lost_searcher]

@@aroundhere1200 Cunningham: But... but I'm attacking you. With tanks.

[@generalfred9426]

Also Rommel: Supplies are overrated

[@GastonBoucher]

Cunningham: TRIAL BY COMBAT, RIGHT NOW!!

[@tams805]

Rommel, put on your fighting trousers, man!

[@gianniverschueren870]

That's a Saturday Night Fever Shirt/Waistcoat combo with a more special tie. A solid 4/5, well done

[@eldorados_lost_searcher]

Good to see you here, Gianni. Now I can stop scrolling.

[@604zippo]

@@eldorados_lost_searcher Agreed. The tie reviews are an added bonus.

[@skena76]

@@604zippo Im not even here for the history anymore.

[@philp8872]

@@eldorados_lost_searcher Me too, always scrolling for that reviews!

[@Longtack55]

Always have an eye on Indy's style.

[@silvermarksman6834]

"I got to go to my superior's funeral" Plane: That's not the one you will be attending

[@bevbevan6189]

The mutual sinking of the Sydney & Kormoran is truly a fascinating episode. It's just astonishing that one of the flagships of the Australian navy could be sunk by a commerce raider. The Australian tendency to complacency when there's no visible enemy has never been more evident. Of course, they become tigers when the enemy is apparent.

[@Dave_Sisson]

When the ship returned from fighting the Italians in the Mediterranean, the ship got a new and inexperienced captain. No doubt they thought it was a safe time and place to give him some experience, although it proved not to be.

[@lukum55]

Kormoran was armed with 6 150mm guns and 6 torpedo tubes so it almost had the same firepower as Sydney with her 8 150mm guns and 8 torpedo tubes. As an actual warship Sydney had better speed, armor and fire control but all these advantages were negated by the action happening at very close range and Sydney seems to have been taken completely by surprise. One of the most fascinating naval actions of ww2 in my opinion.

[@eezaak21]

@@lukum55 Element of surprise gives a huge edge in combat. I've read that many naval commanders viewed warships posing as commercial ships as a dirty tactic.

[@evictedsociety7709]

The first shot from the German ship was fired before they showed their military colours and it took out the command tower. The fact that an inexperienced crew with little to no central command was able to react and deal a death blow before sinking shows how well trained they were. At that time Australian/NZ waters were considered to be out of reach of enemy vessels.

[@jimgraham6722]

The Captain of HMAS Sydney was apparently completely deceived by Kormoran's disguise as Strata Malacca. For some inexcusable reason she failed to follow established tactical doctrine in approaching and identifying a suspect raider by coming close alongside. As a result Captain Detmers of the Kormoran got off his first fatal salvo at point blank range. He could scarcely believe his luck and but for some lucky undirected fire from Sydney, Detmers might have claimed an improbable complete victory over a cruiser. HMAS Sydney outgunned Kormoran and had several options for safely dealing with her using well established procedures and tactics. Why Sydney's captain failed to take these may never be known.

[@eluc_s2510]

“They’re already at war with China... but why would they want more enemies? It doesn’t even make sense!” Exactly this haha

[@scottaznavourian540]

Axis delusions know no end.....yammomato told everyone theyd have to invade the u s and get fdr to surrender in the white house to ever best the Americans....which he knew was unrealistic to say the least.... But the warlords in charge thought we'd just lay down and die after pearl harbir

[@porksterbob]

@@scottaznavourian540 Not quite, the Japanese plan was to deprive the us of the ability to counterattack for a year and use that time to build an impenetrable perimeter of ships and airfields. They didn't expect the us to die, but they did expect to buy enough time to to have an unassailable position.

[@Raskolnikov70]

"Hold my sake....." Seriously though, Japan was in the same position as Germany was in 1941. They had larger imperial ambitions but didn't possess the resources to achieve them with their current conquests. They also didn't have the resources to continue the war as it was currently going with the economic sanctions and embargos in place. If they wanted to hold on to what they already had, they had to advance into new territory in order to both keep their possessions and achieve their larger political goals. Their choices were down to either attacking, or suing for a negotiated peace. And we know what both Germany and Japan chose, to the detriment of the entire world.

[@jovjerrr]

@@porksterbob they very well might've built that unassailable position using the people of the country too, we were so terrified of a land invasion we nuked two cities to force their hand

[@adder95]

One word: Oil China didn't have it

[@buddha4tw]

My Grandfather died on the HMAS Sydney, RIP Able Seaman Francis Mudford.

[@yourstruly4817]

A surprise attack to be sure, but a welcome one.

[@heckgravity3558]

Well done

[@catman8670]

No surprise, plenty of warnings of eminent attack. Ignored by powers that be 👎

[@pf6797]

Cat Man you missed the reference and the irony. Impressive.

[@aidangarciasadler5607]

Admiral Isoroku, you are a bold one.

[@thewanderer9958]

Our first catch of the day

[@indianajones4321]

The North Africa theatre had been unusually quiet for the past few weeks, but not anymore. The maps are still flawless

[@Dave_Sisson]

I'm not sure if that Australian Division marked "2" is accurate, The Australians had their 6th, 7th and 9th divisions doing various things in the Middle East and North Africa, while other units were deployed everywhere from Malaya to Britain, but their 2nd Division was at home and not overseas.

[@ozzieineire]

@@Dave_Sisson I thinks it's NZ

[@Raskolnikov70]

Lol, wait a few more days and the maps will be completely useless. Crusader is in the running with the Battle of Karánsebes for the "most confusing battle in history" title.

[@nicholasconder4703]

@@Raskolnikov70 Ah yes, the military version of the club sandwich. Problem for Cunningham is that his units are the filling, not the bread.

[@Perkelenaattori]

@@Dave_Sisson It's Freybergs 2nd NZ division which is part of Godwin-Austen's corps.

[@andmos1001]

Britain and US strategy towards Japan at 20 November- 7th December: Staring menacingly at Japan to dare them not to attack.

[@AlexPeace246]

I bet that'll work.

[@WhiteCamry]

What's Japanese for "bluff"?

[@AlexPeace246]

Jattak Porel Hubor?

[@PMMagro]

The real strategy is stop Japan getting enough oil and crusial materials to slow her conquests down (and help China) while US builds more ships than Japan can ever dream off. UK busy vs Germany but Australia/NZ/India can put off forces in the Pacific vs Japan. Just not match her fleet.

[@AlexPeace246]

Ya don't say? Thank you for telling us. It's not like all these comments are on a video about that exact same topic or anything... Sarcasm, look it up.

[@JustSomeCanuck]

"This is the world's largest carrier fleet. Six aircraft carriers with heavy support." America: "That's a good idea. What if we had four of those operating together?"

[@yourstruly4817]

"It'd be even better if we'd be able to build 30 Fleet carriers and 120 Escort carriers in case the war breaks out."

[@principalityofbelka6310]

@@yourstruly4817 What war? Japan is surely going to be deterred. Singapore's a fortress and travelling to Pearl Harbor will require a large amount of fuel which they are lacking. There's no way they're gonna risk attacking the US and it's allies.

[@taufiqutomo]

@@principalityofbelka6310 Yeah, said the guy who V2s everyone, yourself included.

[@tooichan]

@B Whit Santa Anna sure wish that were true lmao

[@porksterbob]

The kido butai did operate together. They were better at carrier operations than the Americans. What they lacked was enough modern carriers, good damage control, and the ability to rapidly replace losses.

[@alexamerling79]

Ostheer firing their rapid fire mgs in the winter: "Pew........Pew.........Pew....."

[@Raskolnikov70]

They were probably manually-cycling the bolt after every shot. The cold weather messes with the lubricants and recoil springs and makes them freeze up to the point where the empty casings don't get ejected. I've had the same thing happen to an M-16 on the range, having to manually eject every round gets tedious fast.

[@dudeofvalor9294]

At least the ammo is conserved.

[@alexamerling79]

@@dudeofvalor9294 true lol

[@MikeJones-qn1gz]

Same issue with a lot of modern mgs, we have better lubricants now but if you put too much on and have it in the cold the lube can freeze.

[@philp8872]

@@Raskolnikov70 Yes, but then it would be better to not use them but instead only bolt action rifles, far more accurate and far more easy to carry around. BTW, where is your range? Siberia? Alaska?

[@anonymousperson8463]

Don't know if this has already been mentioned in the comments, but here it is. Indy said the Russians were better trained to handle severe cold weather. That is true, but also, and possibly more significant, is the fact that the Russian uniforms and other equipment was better designed to protect from severe cold.

[@caryblack5985]

Interesting that the Germans did not plan adequately for the winter. They assumed the USSR would be defeated in 12 to 16 weeks which would be the middle of October. When the winter weather started they were not properly prepared.

[@stevekaczynski3793]

They learned some lessons from the war in Finland, such as issuing more quilted uniforms that gave better insulation than the long overcoats, although the latter remained in widespread use. Their weapons were rough and ready and less sophisticated than the German ones but they stood up to extreme cold much better.

[@SergeantC2]

Having the right cold weather protective equipment is a large part of surviving in a cold climate.

[@igortolstov487]

Cold weather gear was a standard issue in USSR even when not at war, so they didn’t have to scramble to get some like Germans did

[@johnbeauvais3159]

I really appreciate these weekly episodes. When I was a kid I would spend the weekends with my grandfather who had been in the pacific during the war, we would spend hours comparing books and talking about the various facets of the war. This feels like I’m back there, the smell of his coffee and maps splayed out across the dining room table. So thank you

[@timl.b.2095]

Indy is so good! Part of me wishes I'd found this channel earlier. The other part is glad that I don't have to wait a week for installments, I can go back to other parts of the war that I missed.

[@FrazzP]

I encourage people to read about the battle of Bir el Gubi, the fighting between the Italians and British was very hard.

[@tomgjgj]

Holy shit, we actually won a battle? -most italians, 2020.

[@adizmal]

@@tomgjgj "SPQR!" - most italians, 20.

[@GarioTheRock]

This is easily one of the best episodes of anything, ever. Your delivery is perfect Indy, you're an absolute master.

[@Danterobo]

Stardust Crusader. Battle in Egypt Battle Tendency, Joseph and Caesar Vs The Pillar Men and Stroheim

[@rohitrai6187]

what

[@oppressedkhmerminority9765]

Jojooooo

[@tyberfen5009]

Oh no

[@josephrichardson5186]

So glad to see Conrad in the background.

[@oskarrasmussen7137]

"There seems to be something wrong with our bloody planes today."

[@poiuyt975]

The ghost of Sir David Beatty? :-)

[@stevekaczynski3793]

I wonder if it was the winter conditions - winter flying was certainly riskier.

[@Raskolnikov70]

Makes you wonder how stretched the Luftwaffe was at that point. If planes are dropping out of the sky on non-combat supply runs, just how worn out are they?

[@oskarrasmussen7137]

@@Raskolnikov70 Well, it is likely that the Lufwaffe's combat aircraft have priority on everything (parts, repair space, etc.) so the ongoing rot of that arm is first visible in the cargo planes. The fact that they lost some 300 cargo planes at Crete probably doesn't help. They never recovered those numbers and so the remainder are being worked extra hard.

[@jonbaxter2254]

Time to go to this funeral! Plane: I'm about to end this man's whole career...

[@bkjeong4302]

*I'm about to end an entire type of ship's whole relevance as a naval unit..... (before someone brings up supporting duties like fire support or AA, it;'s not worth building a capital ship just for those roles, especially for AA when two CLAAs matched one battleship in AA effectiveness with a fraction of the expenses; even for fire support subcapital units proved more efficient strategically, and sometimes also tactically).

[@jeffsanders1609]

Should have let him fly himself

[@lakewooded4929]

That will teach him to fly in a V-1

[@VRichardsn]

@@bkjeong4302 Eh, don't discount battlehips just yet. Carrier aircraft would have been helpless to save the convoy and turn back Scharnhorst in the Battle of North Cape, due to sea state and a driving blizzard. But HMS Duke of York had no such limitations. Carrier aircraft could not have held Savo Island and protected the vulnerable beachhead and airfield from bombardment, because the Japanese surface forces conducted their attacks at night. But USS South Dakota and USS Washington could, as they demonstrated in the Second Naval Battle of Guadalcanal. And it was not aircraft carriers that held Surigao Strait in the Battle of Leyte Gulf.

[@bkjeong4302]

@@VRichardsn Those three are literally the only cases in WWII where battleships were necessary. You're cherry-picking. And in Second Guadalcanal only Washington did an thing (South Dakota was there, but did absolutely nothing to the enemy other than distracting them, then stole credit afterwards)

[@stevekaczynski3793]

4:56 - Adolf Galland is standing on the right of the funeral casket (whether that of Udet or Mölders I don't know). Galland and Mölders were friends and at the same time rivals to an extent. Ironically Udet, a talented artist, had drawn a cartoon of Galland and Mölders competing to shoot down British aircraft. They have shotguns and have laid out small Spitfires on the ground like hunters with shot game birds. (I would link to it but have not found it on the Internet.)

[@LetsTakeWalk]

2:02 I doubt those sentries accidentally fell asleep. At these temperatures, hypothermia will eventually zap so much energy from anyone that the natural response is to go to sleep. They probably physically could not keep awake.

[@stevekaczynski3793]

Probably but if they fall asleep they will die. I suspect they wanted to light fires - on both sides - but especially at night that will attract enemy fire.

[@Raskolnikov70]

You'd be surprised. Armies are remarkably efficient at denying soldiers sleep for the stupidest reasons. They'll have you standing around or doing busywork for 18 hours a day and then expect you to pull sentry or CQ duties at night instead of doing the smart thing and giving the people who are supposed to be protecting the unit enough time to rest up beforehand. There was always an attitude of "just tough it out" when it comes to being tired, hurt, sick, etc... instead of paying attention to nature and logic.... /rant

[@stevekaczynski3793]

@@Raskolnikov70 You sound like you have had bitter personal experience.

[@Raskolnikov70]

@@stevekaczynski3793 I retired from the Army almost 20 years ago and I'm still trying to catch up on all the sleep I lost :/

[@Davey-Boyd]

@@Raskolnikov70 As an ex infantryman myself I totally agree!

[@buggerall]

You know, these prefaces are becoming pretty brilliant if you ask me (and have been doing so for quite a while now). They are very funny, quizzing and brilliantly acted by Indy. Professional to the extreme. I guess they jibe very well with the excitement of another WW2 episode. Can't think of a better opening.

[@Longtack55]

My dad fought with the NZ 20th Armoured & Infantry Battalion at Sidi Rezegh and spoke of it several times to me.

[@tomschmidt381]

I've become addicted to your week by week status of the war, even if I have nightmares thinking about the atrocities being committed. I'm a geezer so WWII was recent history growing up, my dad was in Burma and both his brothers served in Europe, all three survived the war. It is fascinating seeing events being played out on the world stage and trying to imagine what is must have been like for the various leaders, both military and civilian, trying to plot the best course of action.

[@jamestang1227]

A point about those great coastal guns at Singapore, the issue with then in future will not be that they can't turn around to face land. The issue will be that they have not been stocked with HE shells but only AP shells meant for ships. But of course, there's no way they'd ever need HE shells to deal with infantry of anything right? right?

[@geoffreymowbray6789]

The Singapore Fortress Command had no fire control gunnery tables for 15-inch HE shells and they had been requested from Middle East Command. In January the two Fortress fire commands of Singapore had found exactly one 15-inch HE shell at the Singapore Naval Base. !5-inch HE shells were ordered from the Middle East Command and 9.2-inch HE shells from Ceylon and the UK. Shortage of 6-inch and 9.2-inch AP and Semi AP shells was offset by stocks of WW1 older type shells. The Naval Base, the Air bases, beach defenses (even on the south coast of Singapore Island) were incomplete. The Naval surface search and gunnery fire control radars on order from Australia had not been delivered.

[@ponddipper91]

British: NOOOOOO, you can't just invade through Northern Malaya, it's impenetrable.... Japanese: HAHAHA, bicycle go brrrrrrrrrr

[@bkjeong4302]

To be fair it really was a risky plan for the Japanese.

[@witchylv1003]

When the winged BIKES arrived

[@lycaonpictus9662]

@@bkjeong4302 Yamashita was brilliant.

[@porksterbob]

The video is wrong. The British knew that the development in Malaya in the 30s had made it a lot more traversable, but they didn't have the men or the ship's to spare. Their plan was to leave it to the air service and they built airfields through Malaya but the planes were delayed due to the fight in North Africa. Also, no one told the people on the ground in Singapore to update the defensive strategy based on not having an air force. The British Defense was still geared to holding northern airfields even when they knew the planes weren't coming.

[@nicholasconder4703]

@@porksterbob The other issue with the airfields is that they were mostly located in the north of the peninsula, so could be overrun quickly.

[@erikgranqvist3680]

"Just send some boats" - how to make captains of Battleships really, relly mad! Never call a ship a "boat" when the captain can hear you!

[@howardbrandon11]

Timestamps: 1:12 Operation Typhoon - German AG Center This Week 3:30 German Advances in the South This Week 3:57 Death of Werner Mölders 4:59 War Against Humanity - State of Soviet POWs 5:48 Start of Operation Crusader 9:10 Phone Call Reference - Beginning of Operation Z & Allied Response 14:19 Sinkings of HMAS Sydney & Kormoran 14:43 Changes in British Command 15:00 Summary of the Week 15:20 Worried About Japan? Don’t Be

[@alchemist6819]

Thanks

[@ahahuehafook4207]

Bless you

[@WhiteFang62]

My great grandfather fought and was captured by italians in operation crusader, so it's always interesting to learn about it

[@philiphied]

@11:07 this had to be added in post. "And bristles with 15inch guns." It's so out of place yet recited so awesomely.

[@GiulioBalestrier]

On 19 November takes place the Battle of Bir El Gobi. British 22nd Armoured Brigade clashes against the Italian Ariete Armoured Division in a major tank battle. The British had slightly more and better tanks. The Italians had infantry and artillery support. It was a battle more or less on equally terms. The Italians defeated the British forcing the 22nd Brigade to retreat with heavy losses.

[@HistoryHustle]

Great coverage again, keep it up!

[@viscountbp]

Point of order, the colonial naval base is at Sembawang, another part of Singapore, not at Changi, that Changi naval base opened way later.... at 2004.

[@jamievogl9988]

My 3rd cousin was one of the 81 Germans that didn’t survive. I have the original notification. I’ve had questions about it for years. Thankful for this channel for doing the research for me!

[@WorldWarTwo]

You're welcome!

[@mertens68]

"The 400 miles of jungle around Singapore were inpenetrable, so were the Ardennes", I love it...

[@nicole3002]

5:07 [Insert big building in Neu Berlin joke here]

[@patrikmikoczi3958]

Speer slaves ? Never !

[@ytguypro]

Neue Berlin*

[@Lemmonny]

Germany at the gates of Moscow:let me in let me IIIIIIIIINNNNNNN!

[@danielkurtovic9099]

Haha , this is good one mate.

[@Lemmonny]

@@danielkurtovic9099 thanks you want some cocaine

[@danielkurtovic9099]

@@Lemmonny nope , thanks on offer, prefer cold beer.

[@Lemmonny]

@@danielkurtovic9099 good cause I don't have none

[@danielkurtovic9099]

@@Lemmonny hahaha still laughing " what nearly fozen germans sing at the gates of Moscow, let me in let me in let me IIIIINNNNNN"

[@terben7339]

Your mention of the sinking of HMAS Sydney reminds me that in episode WW2 - 097 July 4, 1941, you say that the Sydney has just sunk the Italian cruiser Bartolomeo Colleone (@3:35). This sinking took place nearly a year before as you mentioned in your earlier episode WW2 - 047 - July 20,1940 (@7:17)

[@FriscoKazvartuez]

If you're ever in Geraldton, Western Australia pay a visit to the HMAS Sydney Memorial, it's centrepiece is the Dome of Souls, constructed of 645 steel sea gulls representative of the lives lost.

[@bryankrippner7996]

My grandfather went down on the Sydney on Nov 19.

[@mjbull5156]

Admiral Philips theories about the resilency of battleships to aircraft attack is about to be put to the test.

[@bkjeong4302]

A much bigger problem is that planes far outrange battleship guns.....so the battleship can only defend and never counterattack....

[@GunnyKeith]

Brilliant presentation Indy

[@philipmiller2618]

I do love this series. It gives a new aspect on the war by going week by week and by looking at things globally. Keep up the good work. It's hard to watch things developing knowing that it is a disaster in the making; such as the Prince of Wales and the Repulse heading into the Pacific.

[@gunman47]

For anyone's that is curious at the building the aircraft are flying over at 11:28, that is Kallang Airport which was one of the RAF airfields in use in Singapore during 1941. It is currently no longer in use now since it closed in 1955. And also the BL 15-inch Mark I naval guns at 11:08 could actually fire full 360 degree traverse (except those at Buona Vista Battery) in case of an attack from the north of the island. Whether they had enough stocks of the appropriate ammunition types is another question though...

[@shangoddard1289]

Indy the studio looks awesome!! The shadow of the bomber on the world map is brilliant!

[@jimmyyu2184]

"... if the Japanese get nippy..." How Cheeky. Even without reading the (ac)credit, one would [obviously] realize a Brit was the culprit. It's like "We're having a bit a problem here." (A lot of conflicts and probably said by a lot of commanding officers) or "Our guns seem to be malfunctioning today" (Jacky Fisher? If I remember correctly? WWI, Battle of Jutland?) Sucks getting old when you can't remember all the stuff you are suppose to.

[@philipjooste9075]

Sorry to disappoint but Field Marshall Jan Smuts was South African, not British.

[@philipjooste9075]

@Jim lastname ...and a Boer War general in the field until the bitter end!

[@nickthepersonidk6161]

The beginning of this episode made me feel very cold. I can't imagine trying to go to war in those circumstances!

[@kemarisite]

While it is a popular claim, it is absolutely incorrect to claim that the 15" guns at Singapore cannot fire to defend the land ward approaches to the city, that they "can only fire out to sea". The three guns at Johore Battery had full 360 arcs of fire, while the two guns at Buono Vista Battery had more restricted arcs of fire and did not engage the Japanese attackers in 1942 at all. What really hampered these guns was a lack of high explosive ammunition, as armor piercing shells with thick walls do not produce nearly as many small fragments for killing personnel as the thinner walled HE round, and has a bursting charge just over 1/3 the weight of the HE shell.

[@tisFrancesfault]

I was going to mention the very same thing. What will become a another failure however was the defence planning as a whole in Malaya. not pulling back into defence positions, and fall back positions, along Muar to Rompin , and batu pahat to mersing respectively, along appropriate defences lines was a massive blunder that cost the lives of a great number. And with the hindsight of The Japanese supplies would have be likely been enough to stop them in their tracks.

[@RolfHartmann]

I've noticed the lack of HE shells as a reoccurring theme in forts built in that period. The batteries outside San Francisco, also built in the interwar years, and armed with 15" guns also only had AP shells. Seems like they should have had some variety even just to increase their lethality against smaller ships.

[@kemarisite]

@@RolfHartmann the batteries in San Francisco are probably 16" guns, as the US never built a 15" gun. One reason for the big guns only having is AP is that fortifications would normally have other batteries with smaller weapons for smaller ships that big guns would otherwise use HE against. Fortifications at Oahu in 1941 (for example) included four 16" guns, two 12" guns, eight 8" guns, and twelve 155 mm guns, in addition to sixteen 3" guns primarily for AA duty.

[@tisFrancesfault]

@@RolfHartmann It should be stated, In the case of Singapore, if the the guns are operating in a (in)direct fire role, you've already lost. So in may respects they're irrelevant. The reason being is that they had a max range of 30ish thousand yards, this falls far to short to even cover the reservoir 90 thousand yards away. And that was the absolute key. Lose the reservoir, you lose Singapore.

[@porksterbob]

Also, Singapore was only a fortress from the South. Churchill was surprised when someone told him that the border with Malaya wasn't fortified.

[@David-js4wd]

22nd Armoured Division? - Should you have said Brigade? - I can not find any referances to this "division"

[@kappazo2268]

Indy, I recommend a special on German raider Atlantis. Subject of a movie, Under 10 Flags, and ATO publishing just released a 2-player board game simulating the hunt for the Atlantis. He sunk or captured over 145,000 tons of Allied shipping. His commander, Capt Rogge, was noted for the humane treatment of captured merchant sailors and was able to joint the post-war Bundesmarine as an Admiral.

[@matthewhurst6099]

As usual an engaging episode. One mistake is the guns at Singapore did swivel inland but had no he for them.

[@WorldWarTwo]

Thanks for pointing that out- you sure aren't the only one! There are several sources that make the claim that they did point out only to sea, and I relied on them, but our community can be more trustworthy on such physical issues. This is only a good thing because we strive to get the history as accurate as possible. I apologize for the error and stand corrected. / Indy

[@gordonhopkins1573]

Indy and crew will you do a mention on the defense of Malta, thereby choking the supplies to Rommel (don't forget "Faith. Hope, and Charity", cheers from the SF Bay Area

[@philipjooste9075]

More WW2 myths?

[@gordonhopkins1573]

@@philipjooste9075 You really should read some books about the defense of Malta or Goggle Faith. Hope and Charity, Gloster Gladiators Malta, cheers

[@philipjooste9075]

@@gordonhopkins1573 I think you should be doing the reading but let me help you out here: For starters, there were not only 3, but between 6 and 12 (sources vary) crated Gloster Sea Gladiators left behind on Malta during early 1940. Of these, at least 4 were assembled with the rest kept in reserve or for spare parts. They did see some action against the Italians but by late June 1940 they were joined by Hawker Hurricanes which were far more capable, and a little later the air defences of the island was bolstered by more fighter squadrons arriving. The names - Faith, Hope and Charity was actually a creation of a local newspaper reporter months later but it stuck and was loved by the Information Office for its propaganda value. In plain language, it is one of those great enduring and endearing myths of WW2!

[@gordonhopkins1573]

@@philipjooste9075 I am not referring to Sea Gladiators:) Please note: www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/british-biplanes-faith-hope-charity-1940

[@philipjooste9075]

@@gordonhopkins1573 Nice article but incomplete. The Gloster Gladiators on Malta were indeed the carrier-borne versions called "Sea Gladiators" but had the arrestor hooks and other goodies removed since they were to operate from a land base. Extra armour was also added as well as a few other mods. Point is - The "Faith, Hope and Charity" story is a myth -a wartime propaganda fabrication! Even the article you cited agrees that there were at least 6 Gladiators on Malta. I can provide the serial number if you want, but I suggest you do your own research. Cheers bud.

[@danielcarroll1193]

Greatest coverage of ww2 every aspect of it every offensive everybattle and theater of this war it is amazing how ur able to cover it all great work ... great channel the best when it comes to ww2 no KZbin channel even comes close... keep it up!!! I wish every morning is Saturday morning so I can see next episode!

[@WorldWarTwo]

Thanks!

[@catholicmilitantUSA]

Love the show

[@valentinstoyanov304]

Thank you once again! I haven't missed a single video so far.

[@bcompany650]

every time i hear people talk about operation crusader i always think about The epic of Dan Pienaar

[@lachbullen8014]

RIP 648 Your dedication in servers or never be forgotten

[@jonbaxter2254]

I've missed North African events. I know Barborossa is massive, but I like to see how the chaps in the desert are doing.

[@1okanaganguy]

word: chaps are optimistic

[@gwtpictgwtpict4214]

@@1okanaganguy Tea has been brewed so everything is fine.

[@robertsimms8174]

They were probably warmer than the soldiers in Russia.

[@MatsLM]

@@robertsimms8174 Yeah, supplies convoy in Russia is great and totally has winter clothes right? Right guys? We totally won’t freeze to death and get frostbite guys. Right?

[@robertsimms8174]

@@MatsLM My comment was lighthearted and not meant to be taken seriously.

[@dragosstanciu9866]

That lonely Slovak 1st division is already so far away from home, all the way close to Rostov. Clearly the Slovaks are dedicated to the war against the USSR.

[@stevekaczynski3793]

As the British WW1 song put it, "We're here because we're here because we're here because we're here." The Slovaks coped better than others in some ways - Slovak is somewhat mutually intelligible with Ukrainian and to a lesser extent with Russian. They could communicate with the locals. German, Hungarian and Romanian troops had more language problems on the Eastern Front.

[@FacloFormerFavorite]

How many forts and cities that “Gibraltar of x” have fallen? Ticonderoga, Singapore…

[@philipjooste9075]

Hopefully you do a bio on Jan Smuts - a great man of the time but largely forgotten now.

[@dash1011]

I gotta say it again... You guys make great content! Keep it up!

[@WorldWarTwo]

Thanks!

[@rabihrac]

I have this feeling that Rommel isn't really impressed by the spectacular break out from Tobruk to nail his forces once and for all (8:53) and would have calmly answered his informants: "oh really?"

[@richardstephens5570]

Rommel has things to be worried about, though. As it mentions in the video, 40% of Axis supplies coming to North Africa had been sunk.

[@chickennugget3362]

Great content. Good work sir

[@charleslyster1681]

I’m surprised to hear you repeat the myth that Singapore’s 15” guns faced the wrong way and could not be fired at the Japanese approaching from the north. They could and did fire at the Japanese but they had very few high explosive shells and their armour piercing shells buried themselves in the soil which made them largely ineffective. Many dreadful mistakes were made in Singapore’s defence strategy but the field of fire of these guns was not one of them.

[@malcolmanon4762]

I read that, as with Hong Kong, the access to water was the real Achilles heel - plus though I think I am getting confused with something else, wasn't their a mention of espionage contributing to Singapore's downfall?

[@tams805]

@@malcolmanon4762 The British likely could have held the city even with a lack of water. The Japanese were stretched very thin, particularly their supply lines. But British commanders (most of them at least) didn't know or believe this and didn't counter attack.

[@snooziblu]

They better address this or I’m unsubscribing!!! >:(

[@harrycurrie9664]

The fall of Singapore is such a hard read, so much incompetence and abject failure by the defenders when they outnumbered the invaders by tens of thousands.

[@Icewallowcome05]

@@tams805 but not only water was lacking, but ammunition too. My great grandfather told me he only had a clip of five in his lee-enfield.

[@theguynamedmoney9676]

Oh look, Konrad is back

[@jaysalisbury193]

Thank you, once again, for the content! Brilliant.

[@JianLinLee]

The british naval base was at sembawang, which is at the northern end of Singapore, and not changi, which is at the eastern end.

[@jubbeisamuro]

11:12 No, no no! These batteries did NOT only pointed out to sea! Why do people still think that?! They were all used during the Battle of Singapore, pointing and firing INLAND toward Japanese ground forces. The only reason they did not make an impact (literally) is because these batteries were armed with armor-piercing shells intended to penetrate heavily armoured enemy warships. When used against Japanese ground forces, more than half of these shells did not explode because they were shot straight into the soft sand and muddy soil, causing them failure to detonate. The ones that did go off were not effective to Japanese infantry because they were AP (armour-piercing) and not HE (high-explosive) rounds. Please do a more thorough research on the Asian theatre. I'm really hoping you guys do well on the Pearl Harbor coverage!

[@WorldWarTwo]

Thanks for pointing that out- you sure aren't the only one! There are several sources that make the claim that they did point out only to sea, and I relied on them, but our community can be more trustworthy on such physical issues. This is only a good thing because we strive to get the history as accurate as possible. I apologize for the error and stand corrected. / Indy

[@porksterbob]

@@WorldWarTwo What sources? Tower of Skulls doesn't make the claim and it's the most recent book you should be using for the Asia Pacific War especially as it is explicitly about linking up what was happening in Asia with what was happening in Europe. This is the link to a picture of a plaque from one of the actual parks in Singapore (Labrador Nature Reserve) which has several of the gun emplacements preserved. pohliong.weebly.com/uploads/2/5/0/7/25074404/8751937_orig.jpg

[@jubbeisamuro]

@@WorldWarTwo Hello Indy, no apology needed. I was your fan since The Great War series and I learn more from you than any other sources on the two wars. I took World War Two as one of my electives in university and my professor explicitly stated the above with references thus it stuck. I also visited Singapore and was shown the same. I'm your biggest fan, glad you saw my post AND actually replied I'm honored!

[@CM-55]

Just a note, the British naval base in Singapore was at Sembawang, not Changi. There is now a Changi naval base built in 2004.

[@oldesertguy9616]

I've read about most of this, but the little nuances I was unaware of constantly surprise me. It's like watching a horror movie and saying, "Don't open that door!" Instead it's, "Pay attention to the Japanese!" It's almost worse, knowing what is going to happen. Too often we fall into the Monday morning quarterback role and start criticizing decisions that were made without that knowledge of what the outcome would be. I don't envy the men making these decisions based on what is essentially their best guess as to what will keep the world from turning upside down.

[@nesa1126]

I dont mind adds on this channel. Good work!

[@vojtechslezak4553]

Hi Indy, much was said about german and american paratroopers and their stories. But what is about to take place in duch-east-indies is, i think, far more SPECTACULAR! So i hope you wont forget about Japanese paratrupers, the mostly forgotten heroes of the next few months. Great job Time Ghost! I wish you the best.

[@pieters286]

12:59 - "Onse Jan Slang" was n opregte geniale veldmarskalk. Jammer sy volk het rug op hom gedraai omrede hy meer in internasionale politiek, as interne sake aandag gegee het, maar dit was seker die tydgees toe.

[@philipjooste9075]

Amper dieselfde ding toe Mbeki ook uitgeskop was, en Zuma oorgeneem het!

[@jcnavera]

With the Pacific War looming, hope you can do bio specials on the complex characters who collaborated with Japan: Netaji Chandra Bose, Wang Jingwei, Pio Duran, Jose Laurel, Artemio Ricarte, Ba Maw, Benigno Ramos, etc.

[@ΘάνοςΔιαμαντόπουλος-π4τ]

Great content, as usual. Thanks a lot guys. You rock!

[@WorldWarTwo]

Ευχαριστούμε!

[@brainyskeletonofdoom7824]

8:24 the Italian victory at Bir El Gubi was impressive and showed that they learned to use armour (132nd Armoured Division "Ariete") in cooperation with infantry (8th Bersaglieri regiment), as opposed to the British, which attacked using only armoured forces, sustaining a very high number of losses against a numerical inferior enemy

[@merdiolu]

Italian Army performance was mixed throughout entire war and varied according to different units. Arierte Armored Division which fought in Bir El Gubi or Folgore and Fruili Airborne Divisions , San Marco Marine Brigade or several Bersegliari regiments (not all though) were elite and best , performed as well as any Allied unit could on the field if not better even if their weapons and equipment were worse in critical catagories like armor and anti tank guns. The conscript Italian infantry divisions (which made up bulk of Italian Army) like Sabratha , Bologna , Pavia , Trento , Napoli etc..and Blackshirt units at the other hand performed much more poorer if they fought any when deployed on field though.

[@Ingulf_The_Mad]

Shhh it was worth only of a brief mention. Don't spoil the anglo-saxon superiority complex.

[@oliversherman2414]

HMAS Sydney to Komoran: "If I'm going down, you're going down with me"

[@robertm.8653]

Great video as always

[@WorldWarTwo]

Thanks!

[@barkebaat]

Indy's tie : Glorious, bold Paisley :-) Because style matters.

[@mathewm7136]

Thanks for another great video: ...and sentries who didn't fall asleep froze to death by noon.

[@porksterbob]

This episode should have added a sentence, "the jungles of Malaya, North of Singapore, had long been thought by the British to be impassable to a major military force. However, development of Malaya's rubber economy had added a lot of new infrastructure over the 1930's"

[@Otter-Destruction]

The Kido Butai: The largest carrier battlegroup. US Industry: lol allow me to introduce myself.

[@FakeAssHandsomeMcGee_]

I always wondered how Japan would operate if they had American industrial capacity and abundant resources? They are literally going to invade Malaysia and Indonesia, while striking the US pacific fleet because their own country is resource poor.

[@bkjeong4302]

@@FakeAssHandsomeMcGee_ Japan with US industrial capacity would be an absolute nightmare to deal with in wartime. You do realize the US war economy dwarfed that of everyone else put together? And I suspect they'd still go after the Dutch East Indies for the oil.

[@FakeAssHandsomeMcGee_]

@@bkjeong4302 I know the US industrial capacity was huge. I remember someone saying something about an incident where a German tank commander was telling the Americans that German tanks kept destroying the more numerous American tanks, but had to surrender because they ran out of ammunition. If Germany and Japan had huge industrial capacity and abundant resources that of the USSR or America, the war would be quite something. Probably more deadly. And it is telling seeing how Japan and Germany became the #2 and #3 economy respectively in the world post WW2 only behind the US. The USSR is often not included in the data that I see. Probably due to unreliable sources but I imagine behind the US.

[@bangscutter]

OverSimplified comes to mind in this episode. German Generals: "Sir, it's getting too cold! Our soldiers are freezing to death! We should halt our attack." Hitler: "Nope. Keep going." German Generals: "But oil is literally freezing in our vehicles. We should dig in and wait until spring!" Hitler: "Completely normal. Keep going."

[@andmos1001]

But sir, the troops are starving

[@mkt1098]

@@andmos1001 What you were told and trained in the youth camp a strong and steel hearted Aryan drinks air when he is out of rations and fight for fatherland So keep going basterds

[@stevekaczynski3793]

@@mkt1098 "Ihr Racker! Wollt Ihr ewig leben?" ("You rascals! Do you want to live forever?")

[@mkt1098]

@@stevekaczynski3793 but sir we don't want to die here 😓

[@stevekaczynski3793]

@@mkt1098 "We are born to die for Germany" was a Hitler Youth slogan. I guess it's a case of "hold onto that thought"...

[@nicholasconder4703]

I cannot recall off the top of my head. I am getting some renovations done, and so cannot access my copy of "Shattered Sword", which includes a comparison of British, American and Japanese aircraft carrier construction. This is an excellent book, by the way, and was most likely used as a reference source for the 2019 Midway movie. Like many more recent books, it goes back to original sources, not just eyewitness accounts and quoting other books on the battle.

[@robsol123]

I love these episodes x

[@doranh6410]

Unfortunate mistake at 11:03, Changi Naval Base was opened in 2004, Sembawang rather was the new base built

[@EthanNev]

Love this channel

[@NickRatnieks]

General Jan Smuts had been promoted to Field Marshal in May 1941.

[@QuizmasterLaw]

"If the Japanese are really NIPPY" -Ian Smuts Someone that witty belongs in GCHQ.

[@QuizmasterLaw]

my comment, which literally quotes the video, has survived initial contact with the intersectional marxist shock troops, at least for now

[@Raskolnikov70]

Sounds like something straight out of Heller's "Catch 22". Kind of like Major Major getting promoted to Major because, well, reasons.....

[@tams805]

@XO 47 Seems we're not even allowed humour now.

[@AwayWithYouVileBeggar]

!SPOILER! Japan is about to do what's called a Pro Gamer Move.

[@Zorn27]

By pissing off the pay to win player?

[@defdandef5841]

Japan : Yeah, this is big brain time

[@Cancoillotteman]

Consider yourself in a pub. You are having a brawl with some other guy and winning but with difficulty. When you go back to the bar to sip your drink and buy yourself some courage Conor McGregor stops your hand, tells you you've drunk enough and should stop hiting the little China guy. Do you : A) Turn your back on him and return fighting though you're still thirsty and show him your back B) Say "ok", help the little guy back on his feet pay for everyone's drink and return home humiliated C) Sucker-punch McGregor while he's not looking and hope he doesn't get back up Choice is yours Japan

[@AwayWithYouVileBeggar]

@@Zorn27 They just didn't realize the game was P2W Kappa

[@Zorn27]

@@AwayWithYouVileBeggar Haha, America go brrrrr at midway

[@beachboy0505]

Good video. Oddly enough the most imaginative general is the British general Cunningham. He attacks the weakest link, the Italian army, confuses Rommel. Cunningham also asks the Tobruk garrison to break out. (Stalingrad horror). Unfortunately for him, his tanks are weak and the South Africans might not be experienced. Can't wait for next week

[@Raskolnikov70]

It was a good plan, but terrible execution. The British should have waited for Rommel to show his hand instead of splitting their armor up.

[@stuntmandoom7704]

Gotta love that 1.5x speed. Bring. It. On!