America vs Germany 1941 - The Forgotten Conflict

During 1941, the United States and Germany fought each other in the Atlantic, even though the US was neutral and not yet in WWII. Find out the full details.
Dr. Mark Felton is a well-known British historian, the author of 22 non-fiction books, including bestsellers 'Zero Night' and 'Castle of the Eagles', both currently being developed into movies in Hollywood. In addition to writing, Mark also appears regularly in television documentaries around the world, including on The History Channel, Netflix, National Geographic, Quest, American Heroes Channel and RMC Decouverte. His books have formed the background to several TV and radio documentaries. More information about Mark can be found at: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Fe...
Visit my audio book channel 'War Stories with Mark Felton': • One Thousand Miles to ...
Help support my channel:
www.paypal.me/markfeltonprodu...
/ markfeltonproductions
Disclaimer: All opinions and comments expressed in the 'Comments' section do not reflect the opinions of Mark Felton Productions. All opinions and comments should contribute to the dialogue. Mark Felton Productions does not condone written attacks, insults, racism, sexism, extremism, violence or otherwise questionable comments or material in the 'Comments' section, and reserves the right to delete any comment violating this rule or to block any poster from the channel.

[@MotoWanderer]

"A moment of staggering stupidity" - That's putting it lightly.

[@maximusextreme3725]

I'd say 'Ol Adolf had quite a few moments like that.

[@NatureismyHome-cu6zs]

Haha! I laughed at this when he said it

[@mikeromney4712]

Why? Do you believe, the USA would had not sooner or later declared war on Germany by itself?....... The benefits of an open and unrestricted war against a (yet) weak US-Navy in the Atlantic may have balanced out the drawbacks (which no one saw coming at this point).......I am not an expert, but I can see some logic behind Hitlers decision.....Operation "Paukenschlag", the appearance of German long range submarines in american waters might be a hint, what he was hoping for...... Yes, he underestimated the capability of the US-Navy to deal with all that stuff at one time, but now, afterwards, we are always smarter....:)

[@mongoslade5248]

Going into Russia was 1 of them.

[@cactuslietuva]

Hitler: USA is across the ocean what can it do. B-17 and B-24: Hahaha germany goes Booom

[@JavierCR25]

“In a moment of staggering stupidity” - That’s gotta be Professor Felton’s best phrase of the year! Hilarious!

[@BoudewijnvanHouten]

Hitler grossly overestimated the power of Germany and underestimated the power of the USSR and USA.

[@geoffdearth7360]

The Kriegsmarine were glad of Hitler's war declaration in that they no longer had to treat the US Navy with kid gloves.

[@Kidraver555]

Hitler's generals commented that he had never been to america.

[@berndf.k.1662]

Nonsense, this was Mark Feltons biggest misstatement as the Americans liked the luxury to fight unopposed Uboats and fed Britain without the risk to be shot back, very similar to WWI.

[@BoudewijnvanHouten]

@@geoffdearth7360 They probably were, but strategically it was a gross oversight that Hitler thought he could wrap things up in the European theatre before the US could really make a difference. He and his advisors were fully aware of the economic might and industrial capacity of the US, just like the Japanese were for that matter, but limited horizon and tunnel vision due to their perceived superiority, made them wishful believers instead of rational thinkers. After WWI isolationism was a very strong political force in the US (one of its protagonists was Joseph P. Kennedy ambassador of the US in the UK before the war) and if Germany and Japan would not have attacked or provoked the US FDR would have a hard time pressing congress the wage a war against them.

[@brodyllc]

As an American, your accent/voice is really easy to listen too. You have a truly calming documentary narrative. Great content.

[@dariusz2303]

For me, a Polish, easy too 👍

[@joestephan1111]

When I was a young lad in the early 1950s my father, a US Air Force officer, was stationed on Bermuda. Though the air base was built during World War Two, by then it played a big part in the Cold War. Because planes didn't yet have intercontinental range, and aerial refueling was in its infancy, fighters & bombers in large numbers were always passing thru in both directions. In addition to a refueling stop, Bermuda was also home to the famous Hurricane Hunters, an early crucial part of Air Weather Reconnissance long before weather satellites. As well, it hosted several summit meetings between US, British & French leaders. I waved to President Eisenhower from three feet away when he toured the air base in an open top limo. Big thrill for an eight-year old kid.

[@kabalu]

...why did not you kill eisenhower?

[@joshuaortiz2031]

@@kabalu idiot

[@andyman8630]

@@kabalu um, because murder is wrong?

[@michealdean3750]

My dad was stationed on a British possession during '56 -'57 (Sues Canal Incident). He took some photos of the Queen, who visited the place while he was there. Returned with a deep tan. I was 3-4 at the time and only remember his tan and later the slides of what my dad photographed. Kindly ignore the nut job comments elsewhere. We really should to kind stupid inbreed idiots. They don't know ant better.

[@ctixbwi]

@@kabalu what gets you to ask a question like that!?

[@VinlandicSoul]

As an American, I loved the clarification on the pronunciation of “Aluminum” 😂

[@justanotherafol9723]

The first time I heard him pronounce it like that, I had to go back and hear it again to understand.

[@JamesSmith-dy6el]

😂

[@tomtom3889]

5:59 right here

[@jimc.goodfellas226]

We say it better

[@bullettube9863]

Which was actually the original pronouncement by the British. Just like Soccer was an English word until they started using the European word football.

[@Armadauzbekistan]

She can wait for 14 more minutes

[@matthewwilliams2709]

17 min

[@henridelagardere264]

The question is: Will she even get 14 minutes, or 17?

[@nihilism253]

gonna ruin that perfect 69 likes

[@xelagunnr4339]

17? Why 17?

[@at6686]

Most wait about 30 seconds...

[@warrenmilford1329]

Imagine the body shock for the US Marines, being sent from steamy S-Carolina, in their mid-summer period of July 1941, to freezing Iceland. Then staying there till they enter the war proper, in the winter of that year. Then being shipped to the even more intensely steamier SW Pacific, to eventually fight in the southern summer period of late 1942, at Guadalcanal.

[@RCAvhstape]

Marines are used to it. Get on a ship, and guess where they're sending you based on what kind of gear they issue you lol.

[@quickshot4050]

Eh just sounds like upstate NY seasonal weather to me, scorching hot summers and freezing cold winters lol

[@nightflyer3242]

Every clime and place ladies and gents.

[@warrenmilford1329]

@Molly McCullagh G'day Molly, yea I'm Aussie too. It must have blown their minds, especially the fellas from N-Queensland and Darwin, both places where I've spent many cripplingly humid, long hot summers.

[@warrenmilford1329]

@Molly McCullagh I know what you mean. They would have thought they were on another planet. Many of them, from say inland regions, wouldn't have seen the ocean. That in itself would have been something special, but then getting on a totally foreign type concept called a 'ship', to sail across the whole Pacific, from Sth to Nth, would have bedazzled them. Also of course, experiencing the big cities. I think many of them, would have felt totally overwhelmed at first, dealing with so many people for the first time. The way you described the pubs, sounded like Qld pubs. Are you a...QUEENSLANDER !!!? I am.

[@brooklynculturejam6282]

My father in law was a radioman on the Salinas, a tanker ship in the convoy that was attacked the day the Reuben James was sunk. It was on a return trip from the UK and it was hit by a torpedo. But the hold had been filled with wood which kept it buoyant enough to travel back to Newfoundland. Thanks for the video.

[@cocainecarl7814]

It’s like watching the history channel before SCI-FI and other bullshit. Thanks Mark!

[@Henry_Jones]

Back then me and my friends called it the Hitler channel for that reason and the H lol

[@jackdarby2168]

👽✌️

[@intermenater]

"In a moment of staggering stupidity, the History Channel declared war on inquiring minds."

[@stevee8318]

Good evening Sir, would you like to hear about the ancient aliens?

[@bebopkirby]

The very choices of either Nazis or aliens on the History Channel speaks volumes about how the media molds, bends and dummy downs the American mind in it’s pursuit of their own political and cultural agenda.

[@diggingattycho7908]

My Grandfather who was a Yank in the RAF, served as a Pilot Officer starting in Aug. 1941. The squadrons he served in order, #55, #232, #121, #232, #331, #605, #615. Joined the USAAC, in Kunmig, China, served in the 23rd Grp, 51st Grp, before returning stateside in Feb. 1943.

[@borninjordan7448]

From the UK, thank you for his contribution to our freedom.

[@lavernedofelmier6496]

Dr. Felton, your the best at teaching history. I’m 70 yrs young and have never heard about most of the WW2 actions and I’m sort of a history buff. Thank you.

[@TheHiyy]

You lived the majority of your life in a time when soft cencorship meant the undesirable stories were never told, now for a short window we have a chance to learn those stories. I say a short time because every year I see more and more articles of uncomfortable parts of history being quietly removed from search results, for example US torture during Vietnam like Operation Phoenix, MKUltra ect. Learn the things that matter while you still can because everyday real history disappears.

[@xanbex8324]

@@TheHiyy A very GOOD insight......"History is a series of lies agreed upon"and of course the victors write the history very often leaving out uncomfortable truths.

[@albertaaardvark966]

"In a moment of staggering stupidity" 6 words that concisely sum up, arguably, the biggest blunder of WW2.

[@michaeldicker4839]

@Molly McCullagh Quite agree, but I think that declaring war on the Soviets must have been the biggest blunder

[@albertaaardvark966]

@@michaeldicker4839 Don't necessarily disagree, hence the arguably comment, but that fight against the Soviet Union would have been a lot easier without having to fight the US in the west, Africa, etc at the same time. The decision by Japan to attack Pearl Harbor is also up there in the stupid rankings. Cheers.

[@michaeldicker4839]

@@albertaaardvark966 At the peak in February 1943 Germany had 195 divisions committed to the Eastern front. Compared to 49 on the Western front. The maximum deployed in Africa was 9.

[@DanGoodShotHD]

"In a moment of incredible stupidity..." Spoken like a poet.

[@Agnemons]

I bet Roosevelt was secretly smiling when that happened.

[@V8_screw_electric_cars]

I'm pretty sure that didn't change much US would have to step in anyway if only to not let USSR have all Europe for themselves as they feared.

[@MrWolfstar8]

FDR lucked out. He approached Congress about War with Germany and Japan. Both Congress and the public were outraged at Japan and felt a war against Germany would be a distraction in bringing the Japanese to justice. Hitler gave FDR exactly what he needed.

[@DanGoodShotHD]

Wow. 👏 👏 👏

[@tomasstride9590]

@@V8_screw_electric_cars This is one of those events that isn't as simple as it is usually presented. Clearly there was already a sort of war in progress already between the USA and Germany. The Germans would have know this but the rest of us would not. So I suppose from the German point of view it was not much of a change. I think it can be said to be a miscalculation but not just some act of madness, and as you say probably would have happened anyway.

[@theprofiler8531]

Whew good timing I was starting to go into “Felton” withdrawals. I love the aluminum and a moment of staggering stupidity comments. It feels so good to get my “Felton” fix. Kidding aside I think you are an extraordinary man who I could listen to for hours.

[@markhammar3977]

I have already.

[@ElGrandoCaymano]

'Technicians'..whenever the American government announces it's sending 'technicians', you know things are about to get hot.

[@BuzzSargent]

We did not send troops to VN in the beginning. Were they advisors?

[@anthonyoer4778]

@@BuzzSargent yes, advisors not technicians are what you need to worry about.

[@marcrubin8844]

Right.

[@ElGrandoCaymano]

​@@BuzzSargent Both i think. In May of 1961, Kennedy announced that VP Lyndon Johnson would go on "a special fact-finding mission to Asia" and that "technicians" would accompany him. When a reporter then asked whether the President was about to send troops to Vietnam, Kennedy responded that a decision on troops would have to wait until Johnson had consulted with the South Vietnamese government. ~ The President's News Conference, 5 May 1961, PPP: 354, 356,

[@ElGrandoCaymano]

​@@anthonyoer4778 OK, but Kennedy was plenty worried about the Soviet "technicians" sent over to Cuba in the early 60s.

[@apieceofdirt4681]

When my dad was a young boy living on the Outer Banks of NC his dad would take them fishing and my dad said in 1940 he could see cargo ships burning off in the distance of the NC coastline. Ships that had been fired upon or torpedoed. I have numerous photos of these ships burning that my grandfather took that he kept in a separate photo album along with local newspaper clippings that documented what happened. I think the war was far closer than what people of the time realized.

[@evanhutchison8453]

God bless you Mark, Just what I needed today.

[@scarletcrusade77]

First, Also Mark could you cover the topic of Japanese garrisons on the by-passed pacific islands 1944-1945? This is an interesting topic that rarely gets spoken about in the Pacific war.

[@scarletcrusade77]

@@markc6714 This is only the beginning Mark what are you talking about? Now I've got to continue my streak on MFP's future videos.

[@losttribe3001]

@@scarletcrusade77 Good suggestion! I lived in Pohnpei Micronesia for a few years as a kid back in the day and would play on the Japanese tanks and large cannons. They were just sitting there, rusting, 40 years later. As an adult, I started wondering what it would have been like for those Japanese soldiers to be stationed there instead of places like Peliliu in Palau were there was a lot of fighting.

[@buzbuz33-99]

I have wondered whether the Japanese made their defeat inevitable by stranding their troops all over the Pacific rather than holding them for use in places where their presence would have made a difference.

[@scarletcrusade77]

@@losttribe3001 I know that's what I always thought, the situation those garrisoned troops must have been in, forcible cut off from resupply, often bombed by air forces or ship bombardments & living in fear of a potential invasion the whole time. Though by the end of it when they got informed of the end and forced to surrender they must have felt like they were the lucky ones to have never properly engaged in real fighting against the Americans and merely got sidestepped. Also all the equipment left on the islands you mentioned, why didn't the allies ever claim it for themselves? Surely free Tanks & Artillery pieces would have been welcomed? perhaps to be scrapped or sold on even? Did the local governments never try to take them either and keep it for their own local Military?

[@scarletcrusade77]

@@buzbuz33-99 I Partially agree with you on that point, the main place they needed all their manpower focused on was the chinese front. It seems everyone forgets they start a long drawn out war with china that grinds to a stalemate where Japan can't push any further but china is too incompetent to properly push them back.

[@gerardrobert8029]

I found this channel about 2 months ago and it now dominates my history profile

[@syfyrytr1652]

Mark, Please keep educating us. We are enthralled at your commentary, concise, precise, and (we think) unbaised commentary. You have a class of hundreds of thousands. We listen, and watch, diligently. Thanks again.

[@JimCorrigan777]

This channel is like a bastion for anyone that used to binge watch History channel when it was true to it's name.

[@Miguel-qe7vr]

An interesting additional fact:The first (Reuben James) and last ( Indianapolis) surface vessels sunk during WWII came from the same place, New York Shipyard of Camden, NJ. and both were sunk by submarines.

[@psilvakimo]

No mention is made of the "Robin Moore" US transport ship sunk by a U-boat in 1940. The crew was evacuated before it was sunk.

[@genehollon1472]

CORRECT MIGUEL !!!!! , D U R I N G World War l l . They were the FIRST and LAST .

[@datadan410]

The least interesting fact imaginable

[@jimsharp5044]

My dad was a Shavetail US Navy Ensign based on Iceland from July 41- Feb 42. He had a few stories to share. From humorous to sad.

[@djgrumpygeezer1194]

My late father in law enlisted in the Navy in the late ‘30s. He saw all his combat duty before the US officially entered the war, on a destroyer in the South Atlantic. He said his ship took part in anti-submarine patrols that were nominally British-a handful of US Navy destroyers accompanied by a single British Corvette to fly the Union Jack.

[@johnladuke6475]

"In a moment of staggering stupidity, Adolph Hitler..." It really is astounding how many turning points of WW2 can be described by a sentence that starts like that.

[@bremnersghost948]

The World is so Lucky that Dictators rarely listen to their Generals

[@redtobertshateshandles]

Lol

[@rafopderand8524]

That's bollocks, John, a cliche. Which other "turning points", a problematic concept anyway, would you blame on Hitler? It's not that Hitler didn't make mistakes, it's that he made them after the war had been lost anyway, after 1942. Prior to that there's the B.E.F. escape from Dunkirk, but not much else.

[@Dronestriketerrorists]

@@rafopderand8524 ..so..you think declaring war and kicking the Giant U.S. war time economy into maximum over drive sooner rather then later isnt a turning point in the second world war..please continue i want to here more of your magic conch shell wisdom

[@johnladuke6475]

@@rafopderand8524 Yeah, that whole thing with Operation Barbarossa was pretty inconsequential. Bringing a new enemy into the war, dividing armies before securing oil fields in order to score dictator points over Stalin, really didn't affect the overall outcome. Not to mention ordering the strategic change of the Blitz; why bomb airfields and hangars to rub out the RAF when you can bomb London and infuriate the British civilians? Surely the RAF won't rebuild their assets and gain air superiority.

[@davidberriman5903]

I am unable to comprehend the frequency of your posting of these documentaries given the incredible amount of detail in them. You really are a remarkable man. Thank you for your remarkable productions.

[@gemoftheocean]

One thing many people in the UK and elsewhere may not realize is that in 1939 the US had quite a small standing Army....we were tied for 17th!

[@polyglot8]

When I get up in the morning, my first thoughts are about my sore back, feeding the animals, and how I'm going to get through the day. When Mark gets up in the morning, his first thoughts are about what little known or appreciated episode in WWII he's going to exhaustively research and then present as a succinct, fascinating documentary.

[@MarkFeltonProductions]

You know, you are right!

[@StevenKeery]

@@MarkFeltonProductions : From reading the details of the attack on the Scharnhorst in La Rochelle, I think that would make for an interesting video for you. This month is also the 400th anniversary of the landing of the Mayflower in America. That might make for an interesting story as well.

[@donjones4719]

I've often heard that the U.S took advantage of the British in the Lend-Lease deal, getting long-term leases to very desirable bases for only 40 old destroyers they weren't even using. But Mark adds an an interesting layer - since granting the leases meant the U.S. would move in military forces to defend them, the Brits gained something very valuable at a crucial time.

[@AtheAetheling]

That's pretty much it. The British Empire was set up to be able to defend itself on two fronts at the same time. This was considered a fairly impressive ability at the time. However the Brits ended up having to fight on THREE fronts; Europe, The Med/North Africa, and the Far East. This was basically impossible. American military forces moving in to shore up the gaps was a godsend.

[@nickdanger3802]

Destroyers for Bases Agreement 2 September 1940 www.history.navy.mil/research/library/online-reading-room/title-list-alphabetically/d/destroyers-for-bases-agreement-1941.html

[@psilvakimo]

@@AtheAetheling The British abandoned the Far East in early 1942. They were driven out of European mainland by 1941.

[@kyle857]

Yeah, it freed up British troops and ships. Also, the Destroyers we gave them made excellent escorts which is what the British needed. They were fine on fleet Destroyers.

[@AtheAetheling]

@@psilvakimo that's not correct about the far east. The brits were pushed back heavily but continued to fight there, and regained ground when they had free men and materiel to do so. Look up William Slim. As for being driven off mainland Europe, the European front still existed...it was just closer to Britain. Battle of Britain, commando raids, the Norway invasion, Dieppe, preparing for a possible nazi invasion, etc, all that is the European front and requires heavy resources of men and weapons to be in and around the UK. In fact the very reason for the disastrous loss of Singapore, Hong Kong, etc was because the Brits simply could not spare modern planes or any tanks at all to send to the Far East. They were needed closer to home.

[@farkinarkin5099]

Excellent detail, accuracy and transparency as usual. These videos should be mandatory viewing so people can get insight into what really happened vs. what Hollywood sells the masses.

[@inspectec]

History teachers: All that happened in WW2 has been taught Mark Felton: HOLD MY BEER!

[@ryanlaws6182]

It's honestly a true blessing

[@flaminghailstorm9149]

More like "hold my cider"

[@wahidtrynaheghugh260]

There is always more to be learned about WW2

[@dibaldgyfm9933]

@@wahidtrynaheghugh260 :: I always wonder why so evil a war has not been used as a means of understanding evil politicians - and human character. Not that I am negative, - I belive that "man is good, basically".

[@MWcrazyhorse]

Important to note: America was supplying the Soviet Union.

[@bnipmnaa]

"Selling them material on credit", you mean.

[@Kiltoonie]

@@bnipmnaa Yes, and many British merchant mariners lost their lives on those desperate convoys: actually of all services, those matelots had the greatest casualties, often in freezing waters: that war against the U-Boats was in many ways just as troubled and dangerous as the fight in the skies over Britain to defeat the Luftwaffe. Lest we forget.

[@seanjoseph8637]

So was Britain. My Granddad was a merchant seaman on the arctic convoys.

[@tiggytheimpaler5483]

Which was a mistake, we should have left it alone the nazis would have still broken themselves after we inevitably joined, with the benefit of a crippled soviet union

[@MWcrazyhorse]

@@Kiltoonie Desperately bringing the communists weapons and supplies they lost their lives. Good.

[@syahran1518]

dr felton remind me of a twilight zone episode of an immortal history teacher telling not well known historical stories with high accuracy since he was there to witness it

[@gierhardtsloan8502]

"gunning for trouble" that phrase doth brings a smile to my face.

[@JokerManz537]

Mark Felton is the best historian out there no one can change my mind

[@leno4920]

This really is top notch stuff, brilliantly presented and eminently watchable. A must for all history buffs. This is Felton at the top of his game.

[@qtig9490]

Dr Felton please do some stories on the other Commonwealth forces such as New Zealand, South Africa, etc and perhaps the Dutch in Asia. We hear very little about what was going on in Africa where Germany had possessions. I bet there are many hidden gems there that liklely only you will find. You are the top chronicler of a history that may rapidly disappear with the passing that greatest generation. Thank you for all you have done to intelligently and neutrally portray events.

[@Dave_Sisson]

Umm, Germany lost its African possessions between 1914 and 1918, it had none left in 1939, although it did assist with the Italian invasion of Egypt. Apart from that, yes, it would be nice to hear about other countries during WW2.

[@yeager8759]

This kind of history never told on books or school keep upload that kind of vids to inform us

[@gfinnstrom]

because the liberals and snowflakes politicians do not want it known that is why at this time history is repeating itself sad

[@RandomGuy9]

They can't tell us everything. After I found Mark Felton I realized for that we would have to go until the 18nd grade to graduate.

[@ruairimonophthalmos5458]

@@gfinnstrom yeah or mabye a school curriculum doesn't have the time and isn't intended to convey EVERY event that happend in the past. Educate yourself before you spouse this bullshit. And besided what on earth would be the motive?

[@Hugobros3]

You must not read many history books then

[@ruairimonophthalmos5458]

or I don't know? Maybe read a book on your own? Oh wait most people are to lazy to educate themselves. Seconday school is a basis for further education people.

[@MatSpeedle]

Stuff like this is why Mark Felton is my Number 1 resource for accurate unbiased WW2 history. Awesome stuff!

[@BatMan-oe2gh]

Again, just more information that I never knew about. Amazing how so much history has been lost in time, and thanks to people like Mark, we are learning the truth. Thanks Mark

[@richardcharay7788]

I recall learning in college that the US was fighting in the north Atlantic prior to Pearl Harbor. Thanks for another excellent and concise video.

[@wtfbuddy1]

Wonderful presentation - Battle of the Atlantic was fought by many and needs to be remembered. Cheers and stay safe

[@dixonpinfold2582]

Well stated, although I hope he stops saying Halifax like it rhymes with Alley Cats.

[@oliverreedslovechild]

@@dixonpinfold2582 Please enlighten us as to the proper pronunciation of " Halifax ".

[@dixonpinfold2582]

@@oliverreedslovechild The i should not have a long e sound. It should have the indistinct vowel sound, like the middle syllable in _Canada_ (symbolized by the schwa, which looks like an upside-down e). It can also have a short i sound, as in _fit._

[@tomic0046]

School didnt learn me anything about history, but a guy from youtube made me love it and know everything. Thanks Mark youre the best!

[@belayzenica]

School REALLY "didn't learn you" about anything really now, did it

[@edhodapp6465]

My father was stationed as part of the Marines occupying Iceland. He was a member of the 1/6 Marines. While on guard duty, he shot a man sabotaging a twin .50 cal. anti-aircraft gun. The man got away, and his colonel wanted to fine my father the cost of the machine gun, but an OSS officer noted the frothy pink blood trail and argued that the man had been killed, and only got away with the help of a couple of accomplices. It was the first man my father killed in the war, but after Tarawa, Saipan, and Tinian, he certainly wasn’t the last.

[@gregb6469]

So there were Icelanders who supported the Nazis?

[@edhodapp6465]

@@gregb6469 Or they didn’t like being occupied. There was a lot of resentment against the British and Americans occupation forces.

[@gregb6469]

@@edhodapp6465 -- They should have been thanking God it was the British and Americans, not the Germans or the Russians. As strategically placed as Iceland is, there was no way someone wasn't going to come in and set up bases.

[@barccy]

@@gregb6469 How many Icelanders were the Germans shooting?

[@roadgent7921]

@@gregb6469 You are justifying an illegal invasion and occupation. That is a breathtaking double standard.

[@darkogalic5422]

13:50 the best part: ''In a moment of staggering stupidity, Adolf Hitler actually declared war on USA...''

[@Podjtnk]

lol

[@kabalu]

well , in the end we won. the americans voted for biden, so ....ätsch

[@Ostheim]

Wouldn't have mattered anyway whether he declared war or not, FDR is a politician, and had already been corrupting the public opinion as stated by leaving details out. Eventually war was going to happen anyway.

[@kyrlchristianboni5263]

@@Ostheim thats the point. Hitler was stupid and he save FDR some time to convince the public and the congress

[@Dronestriketerrorists]

@@kyrlchristianboni5263 the wooshing sound was the point going over the other guys head

[@johntillman6622]

Thank you Mr. Felton! Great piece with a lot of information. Thanks again for the lesson!

[@whtghst8105]

Mark Felton is like a bowl of ice cream, I can't get enough! Thank you Mark very informative.

[@thomaskositzki9424]

Imagine being a 1st Marine Div soldier: from Charleston, SC (hot and humid) to Iceland (freaking windy and cold)... just to be transferred around the globe to the South Pacific (freaking hot and freaking humid). Occupation: barracks drill, sitting on a barren but stranegly beautiful island doing not much, jungle combat against a most alien enemy. You can't get any more extreme contrasts than that, can you?

[@jebidiahcornstalk5091]

1st Mar. Div. MARINE. Soldiers are in the Army. You do bring up an interesting point though.

[@thomaskositzki9424]

@@jebidiahcornstalk5091 Thanks! I am German, though, I have no clue why you bring up the branch-distinction so explicitly. Might care to explain in-depth?

[@jebidiahcornstalk5091]

@@thomaskositzki9424 greetings from across the pond! The distinction is the Marines are essentially naval infantry and as such we are amphibious in nature. Capable of fighting on land, sea, and air and specializing in amphibious attacks. The Army and it's soldiers are a land force. The US Army is also much larger than the US Marine Corps and United States Marines hold themselves to a higher standard than that of the Army. Similar in nature to the difference between soldiers of the British Army and Marines of the British Royal Marines.

[@warrenmilford1329]

@@jebidiahcornstalk5091 In a way you are both right. Of course you are correct with the info you gave the OP, however in most English dictionaries a marine is described usually as a 'sea soldier', or a 'soldier serving on a war vessel', or something similar. Also army soldiers through history, especially WW2, have performed many specialist amphibious attacks. As well of course airborne ones.

[@bazzatheblue]

Well that's what they signed up for,not to be pussies.

[@farts6499]

Haligonian here! If you ever visit make sure to come see the HMCS Sackville.

[@johnnorth1961]

The channel that keeps giving, I've learned more from Mark then watching or reading the many programmes and books about WW2, thank you Mark

[@SigmaWolf-in2mr]

Excellent work, Mr. Felton. As usual, you fill my need for accurate history. 👍👍.

[@snoopy3440]

First i would like to say thanks to Mark for these awesome stories.. i think i am addicted i am always looking for the new one out and enjoy going over the old ones..This title really caught my interest, "The Forgotten Conflict" It was a great and educational story but i had thought it was about another forgotten conflict which few people especially Americans know little of and i would hope you could do a story on...Operation Pakenschlag which happened i think late 41-42....I live not far from New jersey coast and began scuba back in the mid 90 and turns out a lot of the wrecks i was diving on were merchant marine ships that were sunk during ww2 by the Germans. with thousands of lives lost during the second happy time.i really got hooked and read the book Graveyards of the Atlantic and began doing research which led me to diving the U352 that was sunk off NC by the USCGC Icarus..i could go on and on about this ,,its a really fascinating story especially if your an American and most had no idea this went on..My father was US navy Gunner during WW2 he had no Idea..My father inlaw, who was German and in the Wehrmacht told me that Germans never fought over in America and did not believe it til he looked it up...both are passed now .I grew up an hour from the Jersey coast and vacationed on the beaches and kids and still as an adult .i had never head about this til i started scuba and got interested in the wrecks i was diving..sorry for the winded reply.hope you can do a story on this and thank your for all the work you do... Ron

[@Hectopath2006]

It's 4:30am. I can't sleep but I get a notification for a Mark Felton video. Perfect!

[@germanyjones2700]

Always appreciate content from Dr. Felton, thank you for all the hard work!

[@chrisC052]

13 minutes after the video was posted I was watching. Dr. Felton your channel is one of the best and one of my favorite on KZbin. Thank you again sir for such a fine channel. 👍🇬🇧🤝🇺🇸.

[@barryolaith]

Thank you Mark for your honest, unbiased reporting of what actually was going on.

[@mikeyjohnson9596]

That little jab about our pronunciation of aluminum was sneaky Dr. Felton 😊 Great video!

[@Simon_Nonymous]

and as a Brit - aliminum and aluminium ... they are both right!

[@mikeyjohnson9596]

@@Simon_Nonymous Ahhh you guys snuck an extra "I" in there

[@kirbyculp3449]

@@mikeyjohnson9596 To make it similar in pronunciation to ruthenIUM, rhodIUM, osmIUM, and similar elements.

[@AndyJarman]

@@Simon_Nonymous 'sneaked' ... ; ) !

[@mikeyjohnson9596]

@@AndyJarman Haha thank you. Getting a good grammar education in the comment section this evening 😁

[@michaelsingh4874]

Thanks alot mr Felton for doing a video on the American bases in the Caribbean. My country Trinidad a British colony then supplied Britian with crude oil and fuels also sugar

[@nicksykes4575]

Hi Dr Felton, I,ve always been under the impression that the Eagle Squadrons were formed after the Battle of Britain. Although 11 American volunteers served in various RAF squadrons during the battle, I,ve also heard that some volunteers who identified as Canadian were in fact American.

[@artkoenig9434]

Thanks for your ongoing efforts! The Kingston Trio sang a song about the Reuben James and I heard it on one of their albums. When I was a kid I had no idea what the Reuben James was at the time and you have managed to clear it up for me!

[@TheLoxxxton]

Im always amazed at the political shenanigans that go on behind the scenes.

[@OpusDogi]

If you want shenanigans galore.... read A.J.P. Taylor's "Origins of the Second World War." :)

[@justasingledoor5178]

On the road to 1 million!!! Let’s hit it by this Christmas MARK!!!!

[@peterdirlis6461]

Thank you Professor Felton for an AWSOME series. Great work!

[@chinoodin4735]

“In a moment of staggering stupidity”...lotsa those moments.

[@tracie2741]

Thank you for this video. I've tried talking about this subject and was told not to be so stupid. America did nothing before war was declared. Now you have posted this I will have to share to those who ridiculed me.

[@wholeNwon]

You're obviously talking with nincompoops.

[@bigblue6917]

And let's not forget that the pilot flying the PBY aircraft which spotted Bismarck was American. He was part of a group in Britain helping to train up British crews. In the past, before being banned from Icelandic waters, British trawlers would tune into the US base radio station in Iceland and listen to the music. This would be played through the ships tannoy system for the trawlermen working on deck at night. Having spoken to many local trawlermen who worked out there in wintertime they said it made working at night in the snow and freezing rain much more manageable. It also gave them a love for country and western music as that was what was usually playing at night.

[@sladd78]

Wasent bissmark spotted first by swedish merchant ships?

[@piotrd.4850]

@@sladd78 Initially, yes - Sweden, than Norwiegian resistance, then British planes and destroyers. There was also USCG cutter involved late in the Game.

[@bigblue6917]

@@sladd78 That was earlier, before the Royal Navy found he north of Iceland. After Bismarck sank HMS Hood the lost contact but the PBY found her again.

[@bigblue6917]

@@piotrd.4850 You have to feel a little sorry for the Coast Guard cutter. All those big battleships about. Not a place to be when the shooting starts. Having said that they did a sterling job.

[@randyr5328]

Thanks for the awesome history lessons Mr Felton.

[@silvanski]

Never presented in depth by any other "history" channel. Thanks Dr Mark.

[@edwardgarea7650]

Dr. Felton is living proof that no matter how much you think you know, there’s always more to learn. I have never come away from one of his videos without learning facts I didn’t know beforehand. “A moment of stuttering stupidity” could be used to describe the 12-year rule of the Nazis.

[@pvcfsdevkidforcryengine1.432]

excellent research! this was really some great digging, thank you Mark!

[@ray7419]

I remember the story of the Reuben James. Absolutely amazing story Dr .Thank you so very much.

[@japekto2138]

Books covered a lot of these. I prefer books myself because they're rarely embellished unlike films. I especially love the Ballantine Illustrated History collection that belonged to my dad.

[@troymadison7082]

Actual history is absolutely fascinating

[@AndrewGyyz]

When I pushed play my wife heard the introductory music and asked me what war am I learning about.

[@packingten]

My Wife would say something like that probably like your Wife has a pretty high IQ😊

[@brnzhut]

btw.... I always wonder what's the name of the introductory music?

[@thegrayyernaut]

@@brnzhut The song is named "Pursuit"

[@scumfar5810]

Mark, the next time researching Greenland during the war, try look for when the Germans did put up weather stations in the country; and was encountered by the prelude for the current Danish special forces known as the Sirius Patrol. The encounter in Greenland also involved the Americans, who bombed the German weather station. One of the members of the East Greenlandic Sledge Patrol was killed by the Germans, and two of them were captured. But they managed to escape from the Germans again :)

[@michaelmurphy6869]

As always Mark a great video!! I'm very impressed with all the research you do and how you put it all together. Your videos and stories are always worth the time to view and listen. Very educational and entertaining. Thank you!!

[@rohandat]

The effort you put into these videos is inspiring. Thank you!

[@zhubajie6940]

The American war actually started on the 12th of December 1937 with the bombing of the USS Panay, we just didn't know it yet. I had a very distant relative also (Gunner's Mate Third Class Carl Eugene Cooperider) who died with the sinking of the USS Reuben James (DD-245) on 31 October 1941.

[@richarddouglas9791]

Yet another informative and insightful video from Mark Felton. I am a devotee and contributor and would encourage others to support Dr. Felton’s channels as well.

[@HemantKumar-if2nu]

Does anyone realise that 2 days prior to the video being uploaded, it was the 76th anniversary of the sinking of the Battleship Tirpitz. Speaking of this battleship, Mark should definitely do a video on the sinking of the Tirpitz.

[@ziggy2shus624]

An old man told me about the war in the, pre-Pearl Harbor, Atlantic decades ago." We were at war with Germany long before Pearl Harbor" he said. I had never heard of it. Thanks for the documentation.

[@danielsan66m]

como siempre Mark un gran trabajo saludos México.

[@anthonyf473]

My favorite KZbin channel! Thankyou for the incredible videos Doc!! Love from Detroit!

[@chrish8331]

Thank you Dr. Felton another wonderful production!

[@user-cv8eh5yq5e]

As an Englishman, I loved the clarification of when the US really joined in the war, much earlier than I was lead to believe.

[@meaders2002]

The ABC Conference was held in March of '41. Notables from America, Britain, Canada met in Washinton to discuss the war. It was then the "Europe First" policy was agreed upon and some discussion on getting the American economy on a wartime footing. The talks were a couple of weeks long followed by a gathering of Generals and their staffs from each of the ABC powers to do military planning based on the political judgements handed down. That occupied the month of April and never really stopped until 1945.

[@georgegale6084]

Great History Lessons, not written into the vast majority of history books. As an American, I appreciate your series and the many facts that you present in a very fair and, forgive me, entertaining fashion.

[@stefanschleps8758]

Thats some excellent research and presentation Mark. Thank you for bringing it to us. All the best.

[@zogzog1063]

I'll add my voice to the mix. As another armchair historian I find Mark Felton's productions insightful and in particular they fill in gaps. What is more they are typically gaps that I never knew existed.

[@kirkmorrison6131]

"Oh have you heard of the good Reuben James? Manned by hard fighting men both of honor and fame...." Woody Guthrie. DD245 Clemson Class sunk 31 October 1941. By a U Boat the first combat loss of a ship in WWII

[@AndyJarman]

I think there were a few ships sunk before that. There was that incident in Dunkirk for starters.

[@kirkmorrison6131]

@@AndyJarman stating its hull number and class says it was American. It was the first American Naval ship sunk

[@catchersdad12]

There is a Memorial to the Reuben James in Portland, ME. It has the names of the 100 men who died in the sinking. There is also a larger Memorial with the names of the men who died in the Atlantic convoys to the Soviet Union during WWII.

[@kirkmorrison6131]

@@catchersdad12 thanks I didn't know about the one for the Reuben James. It is so sad that is basically forgotten.

[@stopspammandm]

You can find the song here on KZbin.

[@MrSmiley1964]

My Uncle was stationed in Iceland and served on the Grier. My 10th grade History teacher thought I was full of it when told him of this part of Naval history.

[@gregorywade1559]

Voters don't want to know the USA invaded Iceland to goad Germany into War

[@rogersheddy6414]

Show and tell. "Class, here is my uncle. Let him tell you about what he did in the war..."

[@duke_of_destruction]

Every time I watch one of your videos I feel as if I am taking the best history course there is!!! Also sometimes it reminds me of the stories my grandfather told me about Utah beach and his days in the 90th infantry

[@birkeduncan8990]

Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. was a veteran of that undeclared war, later serving in the disastrous convoy PQ-17, then mostly in the Mediterranean. He wrote a great memoir, "A Hell of a War."

[@myprshe]

Mr. Felton, your content is amazing and I truly enjoy watching all of your videos. However I must make a correction to your otherwise stellar video. The U.S. Coast Guard is currently and was in 1941 an actual branch of the United States military, just the same as the US Navy, Army, Air Force or Marine Corps. During time of war the US Coast Guard is actually absorbed into the US Navy however during peacetime the US Coast Guard is its own branch. This is something that is unfortunately not known by most. Please keep up the great content!

[@SamC-bg6vn]

Almost at a million subs, congrats Mark.

[@DanielLopez-nr2ov]

The intro music always sets the stage. It’s the best!

[@nkhazov]

Your videos of these stories are fascinating as always nice job mark you’re a pal (thanks) best regards Nikita

[@MauricioKraychete]

MARK PLEASE MAKE A VIDEO ABOUT THE BATTLES OF BRAZILIAN EXPEDIOTIONARY FORCE IN ITALY! MOST ACCURATELY ABOUT THE MONTE CASTELO BATTLE

[@BernardoSaab]

Thumbs up for this video

[@notsosilentmajority1]

The American Chemical Society (ACS) officially adopted "aluminum" in 1925, but in 1990 The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) accepted "aluminium" as the international standard. And so we land today: with Aluminum used by the English speakers of North America, and Aluminium used everywhere else. Edit - That information is from a simple Google search.

[@jazldazl9193]

And yet US still does not use metric

[@williammerkel1410]

@@jazldazl9193 people complain about Americans telling other people how to do things in their countries, yet they see it as their civic duty to constantly whine on the internet about the fact that they are offended at the fact that Americans chose not to use their preferred measuring system.

[@jazldazl9193]

@@williammerkel1410people complain about Americans telling other people how to do things in their countries? Many resent being bombed by Americans surprisingly to you

[@notsosilentmajority1]

@@jazldazl9193 Would that change the spelling or pronunciation of Aluminum/Aluminium?

[@hans-joachimbierwirth4727]

By SI metrics for IQs below 100 it is aluminum. Much needed mark of the breeds.

[@jessicafarmer7275]

Ive missed so many uploads ! Gonna have to binge now

[@tt350zJason]

You da man Mark!! The best presented historical stories one can find! Once again, thanks for bringing details to us that no other historian has or will. I'd love more stories on the Atlantic, especially if there are any rare stories on the Tirpitz and actual missions.