Band of Brothers - Easy Company At Bastogne - Arrival [Dec 18th - 19th 1944] Battle of The Bulge

[@ultrajazz5335]

My grandpa was there and he talked about how cold it was and how the snow was red. He said you could hear the bombs coming and could only pray that it didn’t hit you.

[@repetemyname842]

As I watch this, its 18 degrees out and snow started a few hours ago. I cant imagine going to war and digging shelters in weather like this its amazing more guys didnt get frostbite. RIP fellas you were one tough bunch.

[@War_And_Truth]

Incredible bravery.

[@KOHTAOMURDERSDEATHISLAND]

@@repetemyname842 As I watched this it was closer to 40 degrees CELSIUS out! I gather that the reference to “18 degrees” was Fahrenheit!? It’s ironic that in the US people cling to a system of measurement called IMPERIAL. 😃 I do like Americans though and appreciate the massive sacrifices they made in WW2. ✅

[@colleenbush3608]

@@KOHTAOMURDERSDEATHISLAND ditto. It's cold here in NY. I hate snow.

[@maikelvane5185]

Digging shelters with a spade, no machinery. I can feel my back hurting already.

[@thomasweatherford5125]

When I was in the army (95-98) it got to -30 F while we were in the field and we had to spin wrenches in that weather lol - we thought we had it bad. No comparison to what these guys went through. RIP Easy Co.

[@FW190D]

Every time I am confronted with bad weather and it's cold and wet outside, I think of these men. It blows my mind sometimes to think what they went through. I read an account of the Germans bogged down in Soviet Russia during the winter, many days were 30 degrees below zero and they had no real winter gear. One observer at a medic drop off stated that he saw men without eyelids, limbs missing, some even lost their genitals due to severe frost bite. Unbelievable misery for both our boys and the German army in the East. So many young men lost their lives who never got to know life. Heartbreaking.

[@colleenbush3608]

@FW190D that's unfathomable to think about what all these men went thru..I try to steer away from those horrifying discussions..makes me so sad. My dad was in the Korean war..he never talked about it tho. All wars have some severe PTSD for our service members.

[@War_And_Truth]

Yes I have read where during the day Germans and Russians would fight for a farm house. Whoever lost would freeze to death that night.

[@jadedbrad]

The last chapter of the book talks about how even the badly injured men went on to have careers and families.

[@colleenbush3608]

What a great video. It's 25 degrees here in NY and snow. It's heart breaking knowing what all these soldiers went thru. They all deserve the utmost RESPECT for all they did to keep us all safe..❤❤❤

[@War_And_Truth]

Thanks Colleen. It is summer and hot here in Australia. I have never seen snow so its hard for me imagine what fighting in it would be like.

[@colleenbush3608]

@War_And_Truth NY gets alot of snow storms and it's frigid cold so I can't even imagine what these men went thru. Ty for posting this latest video. A whole different scenario from what is portrayed in B of B miniseries..but I watch it just about everyday. And always look forward to your daily videos. As soon as the holidays are over with I will definitely be sending you funds so you can put out more video's. Great channel.

[@IFIXCASTLES]

I watch Band of Brothers over and over while on the treadmill it's such a great show!😊😊 Respect!

[@colleenbush3608]

@IFIXCASTLES same here minus the treadmill. If i werent permanently disabled id be at yhe gym but my legs dont work so much.Ugh! It's my bedtime routine. Lol.

[@War_And_Truth]

I had no idea Colleen, sorry to hear that.

[@War_And_Truth]

Its still very entertaining despite the issues.

[@colleenbush3608]

@War_And_Truth. Ahh. no problem. I'm used to it. You tube keeps me busy. But ty

[@colleenbush3608]

@War_And_Truth I look forward towards the videos and Social Studies class. I think I pointed out to you once b4 on that. Where were you when I need you to pass that class 37 years ago.

[@indygeo4267]

It's been 80 years since "Operation Overlord" & 80 years since the Battle of the Bulge began. Some of the veterans of Easy Company were still under the age of 80 when "Band of Brothers" came out. As were many other veterans who served during WW2.

[@War_And_Truth]

Hard to believe it has been 80 years. I don't think there is a single surviving member of the 101st airborne from WW2 still alive.

[@DMUSA536]

I can’t imagine being in a trench in freezing weather. I was in Bastogne in September and visited the 101st museum. I’m planning on going back to walk around more and visit the trenches and Foy.

[@War_And_Truth]

I really hope to get there myself some day.

[@PaleoCon2008]

Great work! I appreciate the detailed information on positions during the battle. The first-hand accounts from the veterans is much appreciated.

[@War_And_Truth]

No problem, lots more to come on Bastogne.

[@mootpointjones8488]

I have visited Bastogne many times, always worth spending time their. Thanks for the video.

[@War_And_Truth]

I will get there some day.

[@2104dogface]

Hearing the stories from the Easy co troopers in person about them moving into position (esp with some colorful words from Wild Bill) was always a fun time, as of right now Joe M. is taking his "NUTS" tour to the exact spots and foxholes of the men of Easy co. also some of the 82nd locations were also covered the other day.

[@War_And_Truth]

Nice. Would love to be there.

[@loriinterrant3700]

Thank you for posting and sharing with us

[@War_And_Truth]

You're welcome.

[@ronaldbyrne3320]

Good start to the series covering Easy in Bastogne. 👍🏻

[@War_And_Truth]

Cheers. I will attempt to retrace their steps each day.

[@ronaldbyrne3320]

@ 👌🏻👍🏻

[@ronaldbyrne3320]

@@War_And_Truth 👌🏻👍🏻

[@Hobbitma]

looking forward to the series. Thank you

[@War_And_Truth]

So am I. A lot of new research as I go.

[@KOHTAOMURDERSDEATHISLAND]

👍👍 Fascinating introduction to the battle.

[@bele2.041]

Have you seen 'When Trumpets Fade'? Came out around '97 and is about the Ardennes battle fought just before the Bulge.

[@War_And_Truth]

I did see that many years ago. It is on YT so I might take another look.

[@colleenbush3608]

@bele2.041 I've watched that movie a few times...want to keen on it but the actors are great!!

[@Attack-SineMetu]

It’s about the Huertgen Forest battle, not the Ardennes.

[@buckysimmons5164]

That movie is about the earlier Battle of Hurtgen Forest, definitely not The Bulge.

[@bele2.041]

@buckysimmons5164 If you took time to read the post, it clearly said "Before the Bulge".

[@KOMET2006]

My late father was a 19 year old GI in a racially segregated combat unit of Patton's Third Army providing support to the 87th Infantry Division during the Battle of the Bulge. I remember my Dad telling me how horribly cold it was while his unit marched into Belgium to fight the Germans.

[@War_And_Truth]

It was the coldest Winter in many decades apparently.

[@JamesJohnson-wq6bs]

Just came from there myself, including the “Bois Jacques” woods just short of Foy where the remains of their foxholes are still present.

[@War_And_Truth]

That would have been an awesome experience. Must be a little eerie?

[@JamesJohnson-wq6bs]

@@War_And_Truth Yeah, the northern tree line has altered a little, but you can still see the outskirts of Foy from some of the foxholes. They're little more than large "divots" in the ground now, but you can definitely see where they were. The trees are still quite dense. And when you get clear of the crowds (sadly I was there Sunday, Dec 15, right in the middle of "NUTS" weekend), yeah, it gets a little "reflective" ... is probably the best way I can put it.

[@pszczepanski1]

After leaving A company OP, My dad, Sarge and Ray(Whitey)Schaller, wended their way around German Troops (SS troops as well) and made it to Wiltz, Luxembourg to defend their newly relocated 28th inf. Div. Gen. Cota told the remaining GIs it was time to fight another day and all would have to get to Bastogne through the encircling Germans & get to Bastogne. They made it & Dad served with the 101st defending Bastogne. With dementia, my Dad never was able to forget WWII. I asked Dad if was the 101st as good as I heard. Dad said: “They were the best of the best, Patsy.”

[@War_And_Truth]

Great story, thanks for sharing.

[@skipsmoyer4574]

This is a fantastic series. Stay tuned

[@War_And_Truth]

Thank you.

[@genewampler7404]

My uncle Red fought there. Most of his toes are there, frostbite.

[@War_And_Truth]

Dreadful what those guys went through and those who only lost toes were the lucky ones.

[@colleenbush3608]

@@genewampler7404 ty for his service ❤️❤️❤️

[@ChristopherCase-l4j]

My uncle Greeda was there got wounded with shrapnel to the shoulder and face. He passed away in 1993

[@War_And_Truth]

A great legacy to have in your family.

[@ChristopherCase-l4j]

@War_And_Truth my brother and I get together every year to remember him.

[@rumrich]

Largest single battle of the war for the Americans. You are likely to know a battle of the bulge veteran more so than a veteran of any other campaign. The third deadliest battle of the war for the Americans as well. Most of E Company’s Toccoa men would have been wounded or killed after this battle.

[@War_And_Truth]

To think the Germans and Russians had those conditions for the best part of 4 years.

[@jamesc5581]

thanks

[@War_And_Truth]

You are welcome.

[@MARYREED-nh7gb]

So few Americans realize how close we came to losing this war. At the outset, the American Army was rated 16th in the world after Romania. From 1941 until the beginning of 1945 is was not "given" that we would finally be victorious. It took EVERYBODY to win it. But there are always those who's sacrifice is total and who's efforts are more important. These men were the ones who carried that special burden. May they be forever remembered. RIP.

[@War_And_Truth]

Well said Mary.

[@PaxAlotin]

*In B.o.Brothers - we are given the impression that US regular forces were basically abandoning their positions* In reality - those forces were ordered to retreat - since lines of communication and battle-lines defenses were compromised. Ambrose sullies the reputation of these men ----- while overlooking the fact many regular Army soldiers ----- chose to stay and fight.

[@dougbrowne9890]

To War & Truth. Do you have anything about those in Easy Co. that had an opinion about the movie, "Battleground"? I would be interested to know what any of them thought about the film, if they had seen it. Thanks.

[@War_And_Truth]

Not to my recollection. I remember mentioning in one of my Mark Bando videos that he thought the artillery sound affects were better in Battleground than in Band of Brothers because they used actual sound recordings from the battle. They also used them in Combat. I haven't heard any comments (as yet) from the vets themselves.

[@dougbrowne9890]

@@War_And_Truth Much appreciated. Merry Christmas!

[@maureencora1]

My Favorite Battle of the Budge Movie is "Battleground".

[@War_And_Truth]

Great movie.

[@maureencora1]

@@War_And_Truth Touche' (smile)

[@Sw4de]

Hoob was still alive at this point, so were muck and penkala, Joe and bill had both legs

[@War_And_Truth]

Yes very sobering.

[@stoneda29]

You should get a job reading books for audio books. Fantastic job!

[@War_And_Truth]

I can't take the credit for the narration. I am deaf so I use text to speech.

[@maikelvane5185]

I’ve just read they’ve marched the last kilometers to Bastogne. But they didn’t?? Hmmm.

[@War_And_Truth]

They did march to Bastogne, well in tactical column anyway.

[@maikelvane5185]

@@War_And_Truth Ah okay, i think i've misunderstood it then. I've just finished reading Hitler's Winter in where they mention the Germans got delayed, in which the 101st had time to move in and dig in around Bastogne.

[@briancooper2112]

It's 75 degrees in Chandler,Arizona.

[@War_And_Truth]

Sounds ideal. Nearly 100 in NSW, Australia.

[@briancooper2112]

@War_And_Truth summer in Az weather

[@jarraandyftm]

Why were the Brits there?

[@IncogNito-gg6uh]

Mark Felton has a video on the British role during the Battle of the Bulge.

[@jarraandyftm]

@ they should have helped us earlier

[@War_And_Truth]

I will definitely do a video on that in the near future.