Battle of the Bulge 10 Rare WWII Then & Now Photographs: 2nd SS Division Das Reich

[@patricksullivan2806]

Thank you for your stories and then and now photos. My father served in the Phillipines. I do appreciate the hard work you put in your videos thank you.

[@HistoryWorldWar2Channel]

🙏

[@philipcallicoat3147]

My uncle Max was in that battle...He was severely wounded... The only thing that he was willing to share about the action was:"It was so cold my wounds froze and I didn't bleed out".... RIP uncle Max 🌹🙏☝️😇

[@rolonnemarieross7243]

Your Uncle Max was a great Hero to our Allied Forces War Effort. Yes, the education of War sadly gave rise in valuable information on wound treatment. Ice and cold helped in many instances namely Hypothermia in Cold water Immersion treatments. You've heard the old adage, "You're not Dead until you are Warm and Dead." Yes, Cold help prevent injury and death but it also caused harm. Dress warm always. God Speed. Regards RMRoss

[@desertwildflower2294]

Wow, I just discovered your channel and have to watch every video! I have always wondered what these places look like now. You deserve your own show, this is incredible. Thank you for preserving history!!

[@palaver40]

Such meticulous and time-consuming research is greatly appreciated.

[@SNAFUDOCS]

That is one of the best comments we received. Thank you!

[@larryschoenhoff4067]

Thank you for the story, and they should all be told in school for history so not to be forgotten.

[@cathyheston3029]

Excellent documentary!!! We never should forget ❤ Thank you

[@carlsowell8099]

Thank You for your videos. I was stationed in Bindlach Germany '76-'79. I served on tanks so this is so very interesting to me . Thank You for keeping history alive . Take Care

[@yamrunner]

Very good job guys ; thanks for sharing !!

[@HollywoodFlashbackOfficial]

Very good work Thanks for this video!

[@TheAceDestroyer]

Yet another very interesting episode! Thanks!

[@SNAFUDOCS]

Thanks again!

[@footballlovers6938]

Wonderful information tnx

[@spockspock]

Wonderful perspective. Thanks.

[@thomasriggle6371]

How and why did I not find this channel until now???

[@SNAFUDOCS]

No idea! Keep on sharing and thanks for watching :)

[@emmachamberlain7587]

You guys never fail too amaze me ! keep up the good work.

[@SNAFUDOCS]

Thank you very much!

[@bobrossack4403]

Thankyou for this magnificent presentation. Well researched and very educational. LEST WE FORGET. Bob. Australia.

[@SNAFUDOCS]

Thank you sir!

[@ligayabarlow5077]

Amazing

[@ColinHarperSummerson]

Thank you, really enjoyed your video, for me ,very much brings the war to back to life in a way, by you doing the comparisons, but what sadness, those that fought and those that died , i had a second cousin, service number 33166869 , Ivan Franklin, who served with the 9th Infantry Battalion, 6th armoured division , died 12th november 1944 age 25 years, he emigrated to the U.S, 12 nov 1920, form county durham in the uk, very little was known about him in our family till i began researching my family history, all that was told that we had a cousin, that died at the Battle of the Bulge and obviously by the date of his death he didnt, but still i found out, who he was and where he belonged in my family, hes buried Lorraine American Cemetery in St. Avold, France, but i have no idea , but i have no idea where abouts he fell, these brave soldiers, i hope there storys will be told forever

[@TALL1FU49]

My father was there as a german when it happened. he died in 2010. He gave me his brothers iron cross metal. thats all he had from his brother, plus my dad gave me his belt buckle

[@TALL1FU49]

Also one summer we, my mom and dad and myself went to the farm where he was catured. The farmer did not know that there was a small bunker on his farm. My dad got his permission to dig where my dad thought where it was. With 45 minutes my dad found the door way into that small bunker. It was a small one, only big enough for about 15 soldiers. Thats where he found his brothers iron cross and his elt buckle wrappen in someones shirt several times. I still have that metal now and the belt buckle. Those will go to the grave with me

[@mbrawthen]

WOW, placing Richard Wiegand’s photo on his memorial at the site of his death and his heroic sacrifice, man that was a class move by you my brother ….made me a big fan of your channel.!!! 👍🏽❤️

[@edrossman2654]

I’m retired Military Policeman, US Army , 26 years, First Sergeant (Retired) Disabled Combat Veteran, served in Bosnia ( with 1st MP Company, 1st Infantry Division “Big Red One), Kosovo, and Iraq. Huge WWII history “Nut” (like General McAuliffe Response) and of course I love reading /learning about MPs in combat in WWII. Did not know the story of this young MP Warrior and will definitely share it with the Military Police Community. Thoroughly enjoying all your videos . Great stories and research. Love the then & now pictures of the battlefields. I lived in Germany for 17 years and I loved to do the samething while visiting the battlefields, matching and old picture with a new. And even better is actually standing in these places where history took place and these brave incredible heroes fought and died.

[@paulbradford6475]

Dear old Dad was an MP lieutenant, Headquarters company, 1st Infantry Division during the Battle of the Bulge. General Heubner would get after him to clear the roads leading out of Omaha during the landings at Normandy. Coincidentally, I was a member of the Big Red One - in much more peaceful times - in Germany, in the early seventies. My unit was, C Troop, 1st Sqdn, 4th Cav. We were stationed at a place called Panzer kaserne, outside of Stuttgart where, before the war, a lowly colonel named Rommel was in command. During the war, 4th Cav played an interesting, if peripheral part just before the invasion, in scouting out an island just northwest of Utah beach. It was thought to be a possible location for long range German artillery. In true Navy Seal fashion, the Cav sent scuba divers in to the island shore to do a little reconnaissance work. As it turned out, there weren't any guns on the island. Had there been, that artillery would have played havoc on the beaches to the south. Check out one of Mark Felton's excellent videos for further details on the subject.

[@williamcunningham1586]

It’s amazing how many individuals made a huge difference with one action

[@Search4TruthReality]

Rock of the Marne, Heavy PLT, 3d MP Co, 3d Inf. Div. USAREUR '82 - '84. Yes, Jennifer, there are Combat Military Policemen -- 95B.

[@zaynevanday142]

@@Search4TruthReality ha ha ha

[@johnholmes6897]

Welcome home brother Ssgt. Echo 504 pir 82nd airborne. You guys had it rough. Glad you made it back

[@konaok1]

My father was there with the 101st. Airbourne as a Sargeant scout. He never really spoke of the battle, but he always teared up when the song, "I'll be home for Christmas" was played. So much was given by so many brave soldiers.

[@dermotanthonydavidkyne1019]

My uncle, John Hannon also fought at the Battle of the Bulge. And he landed on Omaha Beach on the 6th of June. And he made it off the beach. He was wounded twice. And his named is inscribed on the Purple Heart Memorial Wall in Washington. His father's name is also there. And his uncle's name as well. However, the Second World War was an disaster for Europe and the West. These men fought and died for nothing. And, (and), the war crimes which thousands of "brave and courageous" Allied soldiers committed against the civilian populations of France, Germany, Belgium and Holland. As well as Italy, has never been recognized. I shall observe that the Americans behaved themselves with reference to this matter much better than the English and the so - called "kanadians." Who were nothing more than looters, murderers, rapists and pedophiles. 50,000 French Catholic women and girls were kidnapped from their families, repeatedly beaten and raped. And then murdered. Approximately 5,000 of these women and girls remain "missing and unaccounted for" to this very day. And farmers across Normandy and Northern France still recover skeletal remains of these women and children. Every year. If you knew the "real" history of the Second World War, your assessment of your uncle's participation in this disaster might be rather different.

[@williamhinton1995]

My Uncle was a Medic with the 75th and was involved in this action. He said that his column was proceeding down this road when they encountered the tank lit up and playing American music. Thinking it was an American tank someone yelled up at it in greeting. This caused the tank to stop close up hatches and began firing on the column until taken out by the bazooka. My Uncle then had the task of helping all the wounded. I have done a painting of this in memory of my Uncle Richard Hinton.

[@Grandmenil]

Hi William, would really like to get in contact with you and talk abut your uncle's experiences. Could you please contact me via www.grandmenil.com? Thanks in advance! -Bob-

[@ishioka769]

I recently found that my great grandpa, Graundmeyer Labisch, who was in the 3rd Platoon, 2. SS-Panzerdivision 'Das Reich' (SS-Pz.Rgt.2) under Oberscharfuhrer Ernst Barkmann, (I have this information from my grandpa) was the driver of the Panther 401 in the Battle of the Bulge. My grandpa told me that his dad said when his tank was getting pursued by the Americans, he almost soiled himself! I then found a website detailing information on it and I saw his name there! I then saw the first image and that must've been where my great grandpa was! Thank you for detailing these images as it's nice to research and know what my relatives went through.

[@dragonspecialassetsservice6198]

Really, you do a very respectable job of researching and remembering all of the heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice

[@Ndcent23]

My grandfather was with the 424th. He was awarded The Bronze Star. So important we never forget these hero's.

[@MB-uq8mb]

I stumbled upon this channel and I am hooked. I thank you for posting these amazing photos and videos. My father was one of five sons and a daughter that served in WWII. He was in the 8th US Army Air Corps in the 96th Heavy Bomb Group (C) B-17 just outside of London. My uncle Bud served in the 2nd Armored Division and I had three uncles in the navy, one on a mine sweeper and 2 on destroyers. My Aunt Val was a WAC. All served the entire war and all returned home without a scratch, at least not physically. My father wouldn’t talk about the war much, always told me you wouldn’t understand. I can remember watching a movie with him called 12 O’clock High that had actual arial battle footage and radio communications. During one scene there was a B17 being shot down and a guy on a radio saying “there goes another Charlie” meaning C group which was my dads. I looked at him and he had tears streaming down his face. I could tell he wasn’t just watching the movie but he was back there again. When I graduated high school I joined the Army and after that he seemed more comfortable talking to me about the war. Still didn’t go into too much detail. I lost him in 1990 and miss him dearly.

[@paulbradford6475]

I'm a veteran, but not a combat veteran. Those tough old guys saw way too much to want to speak about it and I can't say I blame them. They experienced the total depravity of war that would leave any normal man dumbstruck. I'm glad he lived to start a family just like my father did.

[@hawnyfox3411]

Am not here to spoil the party, but.... 96th's airfield at "Snetterton Heath" is not even remotely close [Quote] " 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙤𝙪𝙩𝙨𝙞𝙙𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙇𝙤𝙣𝙙𝙤𝙣 " [Unquote] According to Google, it takes the best part of THREE HOURS ("2hrs,52mins" they remark) to reach it - It goes... In metaphorical terms, it's a bit like saying LOS ANGELES is "Just Outside New York", which is utterly ridiculous !!!! Or Florida is "Just outside Alaska" In point of FACT, the only nearest USAAF operational airfields (to London) were in ESSEX From the River Thames (London) = You have to pass THREE LARGE COUNTIES to even get there. LONDON >> ESSEX >> SUFFOLK >> NORFOLK & trust me, as I live there, Norfolk is a HUGE wide distance for U.K At night, even doing a steady 90mph (around midnight) most of the way, it still takes 90+ mins to traverse those 3. Majority of folks travelling from London to North Norfolk, or, East Norfolk (Norwich) takes over 2 or 3hrs (traffic) Ninth A.F airfields for B.26 Marauders WERE ALL based in ESSEX, the nearest being Willingale 387th Bomb Group & Matching Green 391st Bomb Group The nearest B.17 Fortress airfield to London would be either Bassingbourn (Cambridgeshire) or maybe even Ridgewell in Essex (the ONLY B.17 B.G in Essex) & both are like a gazillion miles from London, not even close. YET BOTH are still approximately only HALF the distance of what Snetterton Heath is to London. If you walked there, you wouldn't do it, even in a 24hr period. My suggestion is...... check out a map , ANY map, it's not exactly difficult when 'online' BTW ; I admire your folks who served & also I live in amongst those 8th A.F bases - (it's how I know....)

[@formuladave]

My father-in-law was in the 517th PIR, H company. Thank you for this great look into the sacrifice these men gave.

[@SNAFUDOCS]

Wow, what a hero!

[@stevewilson7857]

The hero at the end deserved more than a Silver Star. RIP 🇺🇸

[@jamesnull5415]

Agreed. 🇺🇸

[@Jonno2summit]

I too am a historian of some sort - always focussed on WW2. I am much older, and I can't say enough about how proud I am of you, or any youthful person, to take on the immense burden of WW2 battle history. You give me hope for the future. In a very simple way - respect for history and willing to dive into it no matter where it leads you. It is often harsher than expected... NEVER FORGET.

[@keng1043]

Your words, "May we never forget", are so important. Your Then & Now documentaries are incredible and for me all of them are my favorite. You show us where the soldiers were and what the soldiers did such as this MP who stopped that tank. I had never heard of this soldier before so I am grateful to you for informing me of him and his actions that day. The more I learn about these soldiers lets me be grateful for their actions, thank them in my prayers, and be reminded of the sacrifices they made. What you bring to us in your videos are people we would otherwise never hear of, plus you show the infinite number of times that a single soldier at a single battle did an incredibly brave and courageous act which turned out to be pivotal in the complete victory won by these amazing men. When asked these veterans all say, "I was only doing my job", and, "I am not a hero", however what makes them heroes is that they did their job in the face of bullets, mortars, shells, mines, artillery, hunger, fatigue, fear, and weather. To "do their job" with all of those dangers facing them makes them heroes to me.

[@PascalManowiez]

Merci monsieur, de la part d'un ancien sergent parachutiste français qui a fait sa carrière dans l'armée française et qui en a vu et vécu, merci à vous ❤

[@buckr0502]

Bravo Joey! Love your work on Then/Now! I had the pleasure of touring with Bob at these locations last February. Thank you for memorializing such an amazing place of history.

[@SNAFUDOCS]

Many thanks!

[@CEHowe44]

As an Army veteran myself and the grandson of a WW2 veteran I got to say you guys do very interesting and informative work. Great job, enjoy the vids very much..

[@adriaanboogaard8571]

I really love that you put the Veterans picture on his monument. I'm 55 my family Imagrated from the Netherlands and had survived WWII. When I was in middle School our custodians Abe told me about his days in a Sherman under Patton . I've been to Luxembourg but couldn't visit because the Bus and train schedule on Sunday did not allow time. Great video

[@rongreen4231]

I have from an early age been interested in WW2 history and am a collector of war relics. I have a great respect for you and the work you are doing. It brings it all to life and I wonder what it feels like to stand where these men who are mostly gone now, stood . I'm sure you can feel their spirits still there.

[@yoopertv9154]

It was a privilege to know one of the men in the picture shown at around the 8 minute mark, Maurice Masich. As it said in the video he survived, married and had four children, the youngest being a son named Maurice Peter Masich and a great friend of mine growing up in the town of Newberry, Michigan back in the 1970's. Pete's dad was Army all the way. After WWII he served in the reserves and was a recruiter for many years. Several years ago I learned in more detail about his service at Manhay and how important that battle was. I remember the swagger and confidence which Mr. Masich (as I called him) always carried himself and I now know why. You don't go through military service like WWII and not have it change you in many ways. Mr. Masich was I believe 18 years old at the time of the picture and I remember him telling me he had to get permission from his parents to join early so he could "get in the action before it was over." I can't even imagine being put in that kind of situation at that age, it would sure make a man out of you fast. I have always agreed with Tom Brokaw that they were the "Greatest Generation" of Americans. Selfless to a thought, willing to lay down their lives to fight fascism and dictators around the globe and had the integrity to come home and pay for the cost of the war, not leaving a bill for future generations to pay. Even though these images of WWII can be difficult to see at times, its important that they are seen and many thanks to folks like Snafu Docs for keeping these memories alive for future generations to see what it really takes to preserve freedom. As we all can see, "Freedom Ain't Free."

[@Resenbrink]

Thanks for posting that comment, nice to find out more about Maurice Masich.

[@julenmarcossantamaria2762]

Freedom xD nice joke yank scum

[@henryporter6659]

Thank you. You're doing a service to history.

[@justonemori]

Thank you for this video, it gives a great perspective as to what happened that books can't accomplish. I've been studying the Bulge for a couple years now since I ran across my grandfather's discharge papers. He was a Tank commander of a Sherman 105 with the US 7AD/31/HQ.

[@SNAFUDOCS]

You're so welcome! The 7th AD saw lots of action in the Ardennes too. He was a true hero!

[@greentara291]

@Kev Ro - we haven't been able to find our Dad's discharge papers; he passed away more than 35 yrs. ago. Where did you come across your grandad's? Turns out the military records for a lot of WWI and WWII veterans (1912-1960) were lost in a big fire at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis Missouri in 1973. An estimated 16-18 million records were lost.

[@justonemori]

​@@greentara291 I can't find anything in the online National Archives about him, I assume it was because of the fire. I inherited his papers along with his brother in law's since he didn't have any children. Oddly enough that second set of papers doesn't list my uncle's unit, I do know he was part of the Red Ball express and was in this fight. Later he would spend 3 months working on the bridges at Remagen after the breakout.

[@charlesuhlir3652]

My father was in a special forces unit at the bulge. They were in front of the German push all the way. My dad's best friend was killed there. Shortly after that my dad was injured and returned home for surgery.

[@badmonkey2222]

That's so crazy Richards foxhole is still there, image, he actually dug it himself and knowing that is rare, most of the foxholes that exist it's not known exactly who dug them being in the heat of battle and so much time going by, awesome.🇺🇸👍

[@gerhard6105]

The last weeks there was a lot of snow here in St Vith. Then still its hard to imagine how many soldiers were outside or in hardly warmed building. I did find some ww2 items in my old house. I like the then and now's. I talked too my 93 year old neighbour who had some nice stories told to my. He saw the bombardement of St. Vith and Germans who blew up the bridge at Setz. And how those Germans were captured while drinking coffee in his house.

[@billd.iniowa2263]

At 6:25... Can someone tell me just how you turn a Panther "over"? Did they just use explosives or was it done with a bulldozer and winch? I should think if explosives were used the house would have been turned over too!

[@SNAFUDOCS]

Probably by a bulldozer yes!

[@billd.iniowa2263]

@@SNAFUDOCS Yeah probably. We see combat footage and troops moving, but for some reason the cleanup after a battle wasnt filmed much. I've run a dozer and they really are handy to have around.

[@hscollier]

Excellent research and a well produced vide. I especially enjoyed the then and now photos. Thanks for the tribute to an almost forgotten hero of the Battle of the Bulge. “He only got one shot off but it changed the course of the battle.” Amazing.

[@TheTotallyRandomGuy]

Wow, it's pretty crazy that someone's foxhole that they dug over 75 years ago is still kind of there. Same with the houses, even though some were rebuilt.

[@jenniferlarson6426]

I noticed that too. They rebuild in Europe. Here in America, we tear down and start all over.

[@Grandmenil]

You can actually find hundreds and hundreds of foxholes in this area. Some hidden deep in the woods, some next to the road.

[@myramillerphd370]

These guys are awesome! Watch all of the videos... each one is amazing. My favorite is Parallel!

[@SNAFUDOCS]

Thank you so so so much!

[@dawndickson2156]

Absolutely breathtaking! Thank you for all your research and efforts to preserve history. Your videos need to be used by history teachers! Blessings and be safe!

[@SNAFUDOCS]

Wow, thank you! We do our best to preserve and pass on history.

[@dylanmaindron1483]

A incredible video and awesome then and now pictures ! Congratulations again guys ! Just a question about the man who stopped the Panzer SS Division, why did he has a MP and Air Corp patch ? He was in the Air Corp before ?

[@SNAFUDOCS]

Yes we believe that he was used to fill the need of infantry on the front line !

[@cpmooremusic]

My Dad, Donald Theodore Moore, was a sergeant in battle of the Bulge. See his pics & more at Dads Happiness part 4-6 at Chris Phally channel on KZbin. Thanks for your post 😊.

[@ocdvw1]

I have family involved in these actions....what you guys do is so important...I say this as a grandson of RAF and RMC. My granddad landed at sword beach and headed to Cairn. His haunting memory was burning bodies and limbs with fuel in pits on the beaches...

[@peterpiper_203]

I appreciate the people who continue to put flowers on these memorials

[@dwightevans8545]

Thanks for this. I really like the "then and now" pictures, especially from the WW2 Battles.

[@jeroenbezuijen3767]

These stories need be told over and over again. Many men lost their lives here for our freedom.

[@fntime]

And then Biden became President and it was all for nothing

[@johngillon6969]

I was in the navy in that vietnam thing, and then did an apprenticeship in a defence lab after i got out. it was a semi govt type business so they hired mostly veterans, and i got to study machinist trade with ww2 veterans. they always had stories, my favorite guy had been drafted and was shipped over to the battle of the bulge the day he got out of basic training, in transit he was separated from all his gear and arrived at the front with only the dress uniform he was wearing and it was snowing and cold. He was so tired he went to sleep under a tank and when he woke up, he climbed out and found out the tank had been destroyed and he was all alone. In a quiet forrest.

[@jeroenbezuijen3767]

@@johngillon6969 Hard to imagine in this time where people need to be told just about everything. The lack of high command and radiocontact then makes it more harder to find youre own way. The Ardennes are beautuful but not in that time. The cold must be terrible back then.

[@johngillon6969]

@@jeroenbezuijen3767 I met all sorts of guys working there, one fellow was with Merrill's marauders, and he was with that outfit from the beginning till the end. You didn't mess with that guy, he was super calm and polite, but had a way about him. And then there was another guy that claimed he marched all the way across north africa and thru the holy lands to berlin, and never got to fire his riffle. I felt a little jealous, not having any stories but getting drunk in foreign ports. Happily i survived the madness.

[@jeroenbezuijen3767]

@@johngillon6969 Thank God you survived John. Sometimes boring aint so bad either:). Hard to imagine you can fight in a dress uniform, not mention the freezing cold. The neverending courage they left there was unbeluevabke, close to madness I think. Or maybe the believe of a higher purpose of fighting against evil, wich in fact it was.

[@JohnThreeSixteen918]

Okay, so Frauscher survived the first contact with the Sherman where his tank got hit... he then proceeded on to the next location where his (new) tank was hit by the bazooka. He survived the war died in Austria in 1990.

[@mugsnvicki]

I was in Bastogne in June 2018, driving about and doing battlefield tours. I was totally amazed by the topography of the area. One would not think the area would support armoured attacks. Yet it did...Great museum in Bastogne.

[@jamesa702]

The US Army official History of the Bulge and all the other battles is available online for download. Includes unit history and maps. Also known as the Green Books. Thanks for your doc.

[@jwheaty3]

Addicted to this channel. Thank you. Already planning my next trip to Belgium

[@scottschaeffer8920]

To this day, on snowy nights, I think about those men, on both sides. Imagine, trying to fend-off superior German armor with those impudent Sherman tanks! That took guts!

[@SNAFUDOCS]

Exactly my friend. We think the same!

[@badmonkey2222]

By that time in the war the Sherman's had bigger guns capable of taking out any German tank, fact was their armor was still obsolete, i wouldn't have wanted to be in one of those tin cans that's for sure, brave men indeed!! 🇺🇸

[@alankordzikowski7670]

A family friend was a Sherman tank front gunner in the 10th Armored during the battle of the bulge. He said it was so cold inside the tank, the frost inside was so thick.

[@ducatiboy4951]

Absolutely outstanding as always, I really look forward to seeing them.

[@SNAFUDOCS]

Thank you very much!

[@ronti2492]

Thanks guys- you have done the soldiers proud. Tell me, was this video done recently? if so, a very warm winter in Belgium indeed!

[@SNAFUDOCS]

We filmed it at the end of November! It was freezing outside. Thank you for watching!

[@maitrehauchecorne846]

One of My Dads Older Brother’s was there as a Combat Engineer in the 289th Regimental Combat Team 75th Infantry Division , The Bulge Buster’s . He graduated from Tamalpais High School in June of 1944 and was in His First battle near Grandmenil Belgium on Christmas Eve 1944. He was a Son of Italian Immigrant parents. His Father had fought and barely survived with His life The Battle of Adwa , Abyssinia in 1896 evading capture there. While showing My Uncle one of My Garand M-1 rifles He began telling Me more than I had ever heard before about His experiences. He said He carried one just like it and as much extra ammo in cloth bandoleers as He could carry. The freezing cold , the smell of death and burning bodies inside burning tanks , Clearing minefields in the dark before infantry advances and after Grandmenil all the towns they went through. He spoke of seeing dead Americans who had been bound hand and foot and their bodies skewered with their own bayoneted rifles far up from the groin or rectum. He said it was at a place other than Malmedy. He grew up hunting deer and had killed many by that time , gutting , skinning , twisting heads off , butchering and processing them to feed the large family. He was still sickened at having to kill His enemies and though never a drinker later in life admitted that whenever alcohol was found they stayed drunk as long as they could , intense combat is a sobering experience.

[@Grandmenil]

Thank you for sharing this, Maitre!

[@pelonehedd7631]

Thank You for honoring Richard F. Wiegand . My Uncle Bernard Nerviani, the youngest of My Dads four older Brothers was 18 years old and a combat engineer with the 289th regimental combat team of the 75th Infantry Division. His first combat was at Grandmenil Belgium. One of His three Grandsons lives close by with His wife and Young Son . I will be sharing this with He, His two Brothers and their parents. Their Mother My Cousin Linda is Bernards Daughter. My Wife’s Aunt by marriage to Her Moms Younger Brother is German and She related to Me that She had a Uncle who was in the SS who still embraced all their ideologies.

[@jimwheeler2192]

Really enjoyed the video guys. You done a great job. My dad was there at the Wolfs Gap.

[@SNAFUDOCS]

A real hero Jim. Thank you for watching!

[@bastogne315]

How old are you bro?

[@lesgriffiths8523]

The actions of the men of the three green American divisions......likely with some farm boys from Dakota.......which bore the brunt of the assault by 5th Panzerarmee must go down as one of the finest defensive battles in WW2.........they interrupted the critical German time -table........and played a key role in what was an astonishing American victory.......( I am an Australian!).......God Bless America. Les Griffiths

[@sanctusexitium9956]

My Uncle Ray fought in the Battle of the Bulge in the Ardennes Forest. Uncle Ray parachuted into Normandy the morning of D-Day, fought in Sainte Mere Eglise, fought in Market Garden as well. Uncle Ray was awarded two Silver Stars, one Bronze Star, two Purple Hearts, and the highest Military Honors from 4 or 5 different countries. He killed a lot of Nazis and saved several Americans. When asked; what was it that made him so courageous he ashamedly said, he was no hero, there was a moment I wasn't scared. Uncle Ray was with the 82nd Airborne All Americans, 505th, Company C, under the command of General Gavin. Uncle Ray being born in Mexico coming to America as a toddler and growing up in Detroit's Hell's Kitchen didn't become a US Citizen until after he returned from the war. He was written about in the book Beyond Valor, Ray Gonzalez.

[@markwilliford4567]

I served with the 3/289th 75th TNG DIV USAR. Many from that unit deployed to IRAQ Afghanistan and Kuwait. The 75th Trained thousands for deployment during OIF/OEF/ONE.

[@l.f.bittaker.6182]

Me and my 12y old daughter (also obsessed with military history) will definitely take a roadtrip next summer to go and visit some of the places around Europe that played such a big roll in the second world war.

[@TheGreatest1974]

I have a genuine German helmet m35 from the battle of the bulge. It was bought from a farmer at Bihain farm in the Ardennes in 1981, I bought it from the militaria dealer who was in the Ardennes at that time looking for relics. If I’m not mistaken the 2nd SS were in the vicinity of Bihain farm. The helmet was whitewashed during the war and still is. It was being used as a scoop by the farmer on the end of a pole.

[@cadwerks3277]

I have been looking for a channel just like yours for a long time. This exactly what I had in mind. I would love to visit these historic sites before I check out. Keep up such a good work. Thank you from San Diego California.

[@jackscott5465]

The first thing I've ever subscribed to on the WEB. OUTSTANDING I would almost bet my Uncle Oscar would wish he had told us six nephews that pestered the hell out of him about this terribly tragic part of his life. Thank you from the bottom of my HEART and for all my HEROES. I had a bunch of them.

[@jbx.7995]

Great stuff awsome work honestly..My Grandfather was in them towns who served under Omar Bradley and our great Patton. To insure that the Germans were stopped cold.remarkable that our Airborne division held did their job. That was the beginning of the end for Germany push.That came from my Grandfather who also Fought under Mcarthur the 65th infantry from Puerto Rico, ("The Borinqueneers")Juan.bx n.y.

[@lukeskywalker3329]

I am not from USA or Europe. This video gives respect to the fallen and their sacrifices . And also reminds us of the tyrany they were fighting. Especially the disgraceful cowardly record of the SS murderers, torturers and rapists . Kudos for your video .

[@bobburke9840]

My grandfather served in the 7th armored around the St. Vith area during the bulge. I have a picture he had of a sign that hung across the main street in St. Vith that said "You are now entering St. Vith, courteous of the 7th armored division".

[@zerokrm8980]

75 years ago the locations were burnt down to the ground and now transformed into heaven ,,, life finds a way .

[@virgenrodriguez9405]

My great uncle was a pilot during WW2.. He was also a pilot trainer.. He trained many African Americans at Tuskegee!

[@SerenityMae11]

My grandfather was in the battle of the bulge...he's 104 and still alive and kicking today

[@tonybosloers2963]

I am belgian!Thank you americans.

[@samnigam3451]

They saved your country n town in December 1944. Battle of the Bulge bloodiest battle of WWII. Our Indian soldiers fought Germans in Africa n Italy my friend. Hello from India

[@DETEC59556]

Superbe vidéo ! Toujours un plaisir à regarder 👍 Continuez comme ça, à bientôt. Normandie-Militaria

[@SNAFUDOCS]

Merciii!!!

[@SuperMarkbrewer]

These videos are completely fascinating and very additive so interesting bringing history to life and I mean real life thank you so much the last spot you took where the blue car is parked I work in forestry so I see these things but if you look closely in the wartime photo there is a tree left to the panzer that is standing today and behind the blue car again those to i think oaks are the same ones as the wartime photos. Hope that this is of interest I always look for tree associations as often they are still standing after the battle

[@SNAFUDOCS]

Thank you for watching Mark!

[@dsenebrecht]

Great work! I would like to visit the area especially Dom Butgenbach, Krinkelt-Rocherath, etc. Do you provide tours? Merci-Dan

[@SNAFUDOCS]

Yes we do!

[@dsenebrecht]

@@SNAFUDOCS great! What is best way to dialog/contact with you about this?

[@commosection]

Great job as always and all were my favorite because for me it's always interesting to see the before and after. I like how the battlefields in Europe basically stays the same unlike in the USA where many prefer to destroy our history by putting up strip malls and so on. very sad.

[@SNAFUDOCS]

Isn't it crazy how some things change in a day, but so many things remain the same for hundreds of years

[@jonrettich4579]

You’ve helped make this real for me. Thank you. It helps to remind me what was paid for what we have.and to try to live up to that gift

[@JimCar71]

Standing in the foxhole with the view of how close the German tank would have been was absolutely amazing.

[@stephen4763]

How can you not have chill bumps standing in the exact same spots where all hell was breaking out in 1944. Hard to imagine - so peaceful in those towns now. 1944 - not so much.

[@pieterfischer9638]

Even if this had been successful, this would not have ended well for Germany either way,. If the port was taken, and the peace treaty agreed to, for example Germany keeps occupied lands and all hostilities ends with the west. Germany would have then committed all forces to the Eastern front and prolong the inevitable. This means Germany would have fallen to the soviet union as a whole.

[@SNAFUDOCS]

Definitely agree

[@clanrobertson7200]

Very nice job on your research and recognition for a real hero that deserves to have his story told. The old professor Live free or die! Death to all tyrants! If you can not get behind these historic words, you are on the wrong side. No Shit!

[@paulus1412]

Keep up the good work! These videos are always a must see :)

[@SNAFUDOCS]

Thanks a ton!

[@OlSgtLove]

SNAFU DOCS - Hey Joey , love these history videos yall are coming out with !!! Thank you guys so much for doing this , to remember these men and their Deeds ...A Lot of people have no idea today what cost was paid for our freedom and also Europe's and the Pacific freedom ...I am a cold War Army veteran who was station in the Eifel - Ardennes area in 1983 -86 and have walk many of those field woods and cemeteries there . I was part of the Honor Guard that went to Hamm cemetery and a few others while there and it was a heartfelt in the deepest way and Honor to pay Respect to the Soldiers and Airmen there . There is also one female Army nurse buried at Hamm , not sure about her story on how she ended up there . WWII was just 40 years ago then and a lot of the areas were still pretty much the same . You could still fine a lot of ammo , equipment ,shells, helmets and destroyed trucks and tanks still around then .. The farmers every time they would plow the fields would bring up bombs that had not gone off from the Army Air Force . I also talked with a good many German Soldatens while I was there to hear their side of the story and what they went through , there were many of them just fighting for their homeland and just wanted to make it through the war to go home . I had a lot of Respect for them too. It takes guts and Honor to keep fighting when you know the war is lost . The Regular German Army Soldatens were doing what they had to do as Soldiers , and it gives you a different outlook when you hear their stories , shake their hands and look them in the eye . We were in the field alot from alerts and NATO exercises would run across a lot of stuff .. Me and a buddy of mine were in the field in the woods and came across 4 graves of German soldiers that had been killed in the Battle of the Bulge fighting near Echternach , Luxembourg . They had been there since the fighting Jan 1945 and lost to time . We reported them to our chain of command , there were recovered by the Germans and were id and buried in the German war cemetery in Sandweiler across from the Hamm cemetery ...didn't mean to get long winded , but unless you have walked those fields and see the cost of war , you understand how much is owed to those men who fought and died for our Freedoms .... Joey , I have study a lot of this myself and have collected a good many pictures over time that might be helpful to yall with what you doing , would you like for me to send them to you via a email ? I sure wished I would have has a cell phone and computers back then when I was walking the towns and woods , but back then I was able to walk up and talk with many people who saw the fighting in the towns and lived through it nad my many books I took with me . God Bless you all and keep up the Great Work !!!!!!!!!! Ol' Sgt. Love Bravo Btry 1/55 ADA, 5th Infantry Division (Mech ) and a few others " Red Devils" - " WE WILL"

[@oveidasinclair982]

Lucky man he was never caught, Das Reich were some vicious bastards when it came to prisoners.

[@phlm9038]

and to civilians.

[@keithrayeski3147]

95B 77-81, 4th ID, followed up with 24 years, retired NH State Police. MP’s, have been grossly demonized by the other MOS’s, but their combat performance, case in point, has more than once been historically memorable and crucial to battle. Proud to know such heroes set the bar for those who followed.

[@greentara291]

I was just wondering what was an MP doing in a foxhole at the BOTB. Can you educate me, please? I think of them serving at bases. My sister was an MP in Baumholder in the 80s. She was one of a very few women, particularly in the MPs, at the time.

[@selfpropelled8916]

Thank you guys for doing this. I have always wonder what these areas looked like today .

[@SNAFUDOCS]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@mattbyrne1822]

I've said it before and I'll say again these videos are truly amazing and educational. Keep up the great work 👍

[@joedoe5738]

Glory to Ukrainians🇺🇦 greetings from Puerto Rico 🇵🇷 Victoria o muerte!!

[@АртурПесчаненко]

ДЯКУЮ! ГЕРОЯМ СЛАВА!

[@BlackHat302Gaming]

Another great episode. Thank you, love how you give the photos their story.

[@SNAFUDOCS]

Glad you enjoyed it!!

[@sum12see]

I love all historic documentaries.. God bless from a Yankee Rebel...Born in the South but live in the North now...Above the Mason Dixon line..

[@GIJO]

Should have been Medal of Honor

[@OffendingTheOffendable]

My uncle wouldn't talk about the bulge.

[@williambradford352]

What a great channel. I am so impressed with your work. Do you offer private contract investigative services for hire? We lost a family member during the Bulge, know the unit, day in which he was KIA and would like to see the general location where his life ended at age 21. Please contact me privately. Thank you.

[@SNAFUDOCS]

We do!!!! contact me us [e-mail]

[@markhewitt4307]

My grandfather would never really talk about the War. He was 28th infantry division 112th infantry regiment. He was at the bulge. He only talked once briefly on a couple things. Then he got 1000 yard stare, got quiet, and said "I think I'm done talking about it." I couldn't began to fathom what those men went through.

[@nzmonsterman]

Ernst Barkmann certainly had courage. It's not the first time his cool head had gotten him through a tense situation. The full story from his perspective is definitely one worth telling. He's a very interesting and courageous person. The reason the Panthers didn't continue thier attack was the road was now blocked by the disabled panther and as they had no infantry support the decided it tactically more sound to return to Manhay. They continued their advance with a two pronged attack towards Erezee. One attack met Task Force McGeorge and after a head on duel was stopped with heavy losses to the Americans (but it was stopped) while the other found the road they were given to be unusable. Fighting would continue and heavy fighter bomber bombing by the Americans and heavy artillery bombardment was used to soften the German defense. It was only after the 325th glider regiment had driven back the Pz Gren. Rgt.4 that the Germans abandoned Manhay and escaped to avoid being encircled leaving Manhay in American hands.

[@Schlagzeuger1960]

You did a great job…..Rob……very interesting story.👍👍👌

[@SNAFUDOCS]

Many thanks!

[@halbarbour7340]

My uncle was an infantry soldier and stationed in the Ardennes in December of '44, he was captured by the Wehrmacht, and was wounded in the face by exploding shrapnel that had impacted a tree, the shell was from US artillery, he spent from December of '44 until liberation in April of '45 in a POW Hospital/camp in Germany. Nearly every day, a German officer would come in a threaten him with a pistol, while he was recovering in the hospital.

[@crownzip]

Amazing history you guys bring to life with such a well produced film. Thank you!

[@SNAFUDOCS]

Thank you!