Battling The FEROCIOUS NAZI SS Through The Ruins Of Europe: One Man's Story | Remember WWII

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Vernon 'Vern' Schmidt's experiences fighting the Nazis in Europe are a unique and utterly compelling record of life in the midst of total war, colossal casualties, and genocide. He and his comrades attacked the infamous and heavily fortified Siegfried Line. They crossed the Rhine, and fought house-to-house with an SS executing a painful retreat through obliterated German towns.
Vern's account of the realities of World War II combat are a grim reminder of some of the most shameful episodes in human history, and it is essential that these stories are told. We must attempt to learn from this generation - those who were there.
Vern witnessed the deplorable state of recently-liberated salt mines, where the Nazi regime forced their fellow human beings to work backbreaking labor under enslaved conditions. Jews, political dissidents, Romani, and others deemed undesirable to the Nazis were worked to death in unimaginable conditions.
As defeat for the Nazis became a slow and grinding inevitability, Vern crossed the Rhine alongside his fellow soldiers, seeing firsthand the chaos left behind by the retreating Germans. Roads strewn with bodies, the horror of abandoned concentration camps, public executions and forced 'death marches' towards Germany are a terrifying reality of our history. Stories told by people like Vern Schmidt are an essential historical record of the most colossal conflict in human history.
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[@Etags]

Its crazy. When he describes the places he was in you can literally see him getting taken back and remembering different things. Very evident when he is talking about the damage to the church early on. Thank you for you service warrior. There is nothing we could ever do to repay you for the freedom you bought with your innocence.

[@stevekaiser6600]

Everything he said as he closed his eyes were memories he will never forget. Thank you for your service sir.

[@eisbaellsche175]

I am german, Mr. Schmidt, and would like to thank you sincerely for your story and your part in liberating the world from the nazi regime. I'v been grown up with stories of facing american soldiers that once were enemies and were liberators indeed. You did good to the world. All the best to you!

[@Veldtian1]

No representative of 'The Party' ever actually signed a declaration of surrender, only a rep of the army navy and airforce, it's sadly true, and it transplanted itself directly into the heart of the US DOD, liberators no, usurpers more like it!

[@hughjazzole2037]

my mechanics teacher was ferman,1973,,WERNER DIRR FRON ECIHSTATT

[@alexbrutsche5584]

Traitor

[@dmaextraordinaire8205]

Brave, savvy and intelligent! My dad was part of this battle. These gentlemen represent our greatest generation! Thank you for your service sir!

[@hughjazzole2037]

My Uncle s Bob Mulshine was in the Battle of the bulge& Ned Sauerwein too

[@Cabo_TheManFromCaboWabo]

Mr. Schmidt, Much admiration and respect for you sir. Rishi, thank you for the effort to get this story recorded.

[@robinreiley1828]

Mr. Schmidt came in as a "Replacement" one of many thousands of American Soldiers, during and right after Allied Forced were pushed back in the "Battle of the Bulge". Alone and in groups of a few soldiers, these green teenagers with no combat experience, were brought to the front lines of some of the fiercest fighting in the history of the World. The 90th Division of the 3rd Army, came ashore at Normandy on June 10th and in 10 months , suffered 27,617 casualties, equaling 196% of it's starting compliment. Many replacements died in their first few days of combat, not having the time to learn what it took to survive. If they made it 2 weeks, without being killed or wounded, they were seasoned Combat Veterans and had a better than even chance of making it home. This Generation saw the Very Worst of Humanity, and responded with the very Best in Determination and Honor. They Saved the World , and then came home and rebuilt America after the damage of the Great Depression into the Wealthiest Society in the History of the World! As the Last of these True Heros leave us, I pray that God holds them close and comforts them before their last breath is gone....

[@dkcorderoyximenez3382]

I could not possibly have more respect for Mr. Schmidt than I have at this moment...My prayer is for our children to see this remarkable story and to take into their souls an abiding gratitude for the sacrifices of our ancestors...it's about honor, duty and country...May God richly bless those who go in harm's way courageously....

[@gerryconstant4914]

Yet a generation of teens/young adults are being indoctrinated by professors on how unfair our great country is now. I'm so glad my grandson secured an Appointment to a small US Military Academy. His education may not be perfect but it's a STEM University with hands on training also.

[@BV-fr8bf]

VERY Sharp Veteran!! Great story!!

[@yankeecornbread8464]

Mr. Schmidt’s memory is amazing. My Dad fought in the 95th ID, but he kept most of his memories to himself.

[@jimmyd8157]

I had the Honor/ Privilege to have grown up around WW2 Veterans. They're all gone now. I miss them all dearly, But I'm glad they're not here to see us P _ ssing away the things they fought and died for. God Bless that Generation, And GOD BLESS AMERICA ! Truly THE GREATEST Generation !

[@345Weeehrs]

Stated perfectly

[@robinrobyn1714]

As did I. In fact, the street I grew up on was called ' Veteran Lane'. I was told that's because every man on that lane was a World War 2 veteran. Sure enough. It was true. I was just a boy,but I was fascinated hearing them talk about the war. I would ask them about their experiences. They never talked about it, unless I would prod them. One of them only revealed unto me, when I was a young man ( not a kid), that he had taken part in the liberation of a concentration camp. He showed me the photos he had taken that day,as well.

[@alethamobley6688]

@@robinrobyn1714❤

[@MrShenyang1234]

'That was a Happy Night. I was finally with my friends. Had something to eat. Never Forget Those Days'. And that pretty much sums up the thinking of the Greatest Generation. They were just happy to be alive for one more day. Thank You Vern!

[@jeffn.918]

Think of how many tens of thousands of combat veterans that had similar stories that we will never hear. Thanks for recording these!

[@davidnorman2134]

Our generation is enjoying freedoms this mans generation died for

[@HenriHattar]

FREEDOM? The police run rampant with your rights, killing and abusing people and their rights and having a law that allows a person in jail to potentially assume the US presidency..what did these guys fight and die for?

[@Wilt8v92]

Not for much longer,if we don't learn from history we are doomed to repeat it..

[@wingcommanderdaltonwalton67]

@@Wilt8v92True,our treasonous governments have betrayed us,god help those fools who will try to destroy our Remembrance Sunday. God Bless America,God Save The King.🇬🇧❤️🇺🇸

[@SerenityMae11]

@flack Take ur ruSSkie propaganda somewhere else.... Americans aren't buying it!

[@margaretreid5655]

Because rich so called elite create wars for depopulation. That's how they stay on top!

[@geowidman]

'Vern' Schmidt does an amazing job of retelling! Simply extraordinary! Thanks so much for letting us hear what the Greatest Generation has to say.

[@michaelvanhosen8986]

I had 4 uncles who served in WW2. Our world would not be what it is today without Vern’s service and the others in the Greatest Generation. Too many fools (politician top the list!) in our country are clueless of what it means to sacrifice and be real Americans. I thank God for these patriots that saved the world !

[@dietrichvarez1720]

When I look at my children playing and see their innocence.... I dont like war, but for them I will stand. It brings tears to my eyes ... Brothers

[@salernototo]

much respect to Vern, he is quite the raconteur. My Grandfather was a fellow Tough Ombre, same regiment the 358th, K Company. I treasure his similar stories about the house to house fight for Mainz and the battles to destroy the German war machine on their home turf. Thank you for presenting his wartime recollections. Peragimus

[@macmccollum6064]

Incredible story. Really appreciate the detail Vern provided. Thanks for your service.

[@camo-dad7424]

Thank you for your service. Wonderful story thank you for sharing with us. God bless 🙏

[@screamingbaboon664]

Mr. Schmidt's recall and his great storytelling ability make him, I think, the BEST storyteller about WW2 combat experience I've ever heard. Thank you Vern for my freedom I have today

[@markpaul-ym5wg]

This video is my favorite ww2 veteran story.He remembered the battles like they happened yesterday.His mind is still very sharp.Thank you for the video,and thank you for your service.

[@dotell3359]

I'm a Vietnam veteran and when you go through war it's something you never forget even when you try. 5:58

[@m42037]

Being literal minded for some our lives are short, 78 year's ago isn't actually that long ago. In Berlin (I know someone that lives in the Köpernick district) they're still cleaning up bomb's, we're lucky to get 90 year's out of life maybe 100 that's not much. I'm 57 and still think like I'm 37

[@SerenityMae11]

@M I'm 40 and forget that I'm not 17 anymore

[@oceanhome2023]

The end can come Quick and the years can pass logarithmically and it’s like the end of the toilet paper it goes much quicker when you get to the end !

[@larryb982]

Thanks sir for your service and thanks rishi for the upload.

[@bikenavbm1229]

Thank You Mr Schmidt for taking the time to tell us of the history that you were a part of. keep up the good work Rishi.

[@Dothwa]

Much respect to this hero. He is so coherent and it is an honor hearing his experience at war. Thank you for posting.

[@rockhunter6260]

Great storytelling Vern, thanks you and your comrades for your service👍🏻

[@Einsatzkommando]

Thank You Sir🇺🇲

[@nvkulk]

Thanks again

[@Superplums]

This man is a national treasure. I have seen alot of these videos of WW2 vets and this guy is by far the most memorable. Vern is a badass🤘

[@amyhaneycreel]

Thank you for recording the experiences of this fine man. 🙏❤️ for all our veterans.

[@ehayes5217]

Yes, he knocked on his door years later, after reading about what hed done, he's a "tough hombre," as Lou called him, he was his Liberator from that Death March, what a great story!🇺🇸

[@alethamobley6688]

Thank you for your service Sir

[@xvsj5833]

Thank you for your service, sacrifice and courage for our nation ❤ God Bless Sir

[@the_real_mister_ed]

And our world.

[@oledahammer8393]

May God bless you, and your comrades that didn't come home. We are eternally grateful your service. I had 4 uncles that fought in combat in WWII, 3 made it home. One made the supreme sacrifice in North Africa, he was 19.

[@ballgms308]

These stories are priceless thank you guys 🙏

[@redhed9776]

I visited Flossenburg camp while on ReForGer 75. I was driving a medical officer and had the afternoon off so i visited it since I had driven past it that morning. Quite a spectacle for an American to behold. Amazing to hear from a vet that was there 30 yrs prior.

[@nommadd5758]

Great respect! Thank you for your service, sir!

[@mrmeowmeow710]

I always give these videos thumbs up great work in finding these storires

[@michaelriley2]

Is there a place to see what date this interview took place? I see when the interviewer posted the video, but I'm curious as to when it actually took place. May God bless this old vet. From one vet to another, I nothing but respect for ww2 veterans.

[@ehayes5217]

Thank you, Sir, for ur service to our country!👍🇺🇸

[@JurassicEntMuzik]

Amazing heartfelt story! I could literally visualize detail for detail as he explains. Thank you Mr. V. for your bravery! 🙏🏽

[@jo.v.usslar]

Thank you for that wonderful recording and thank you for your wonderful account. All my very best wishes !

[@333BlkFlagg]

Ty sooooo much!! For doing these interviews!!!

[@patrickyoung3503]

Young men growing up. Overnight if they survived the day . We owe everything to all those boys . Honour & Respect . Lest we forget .

[@lawrencenolan1380]

Keep telling this history never let it be forgotten what these guys witnessed first hand this should be a part of high school history class so this will not be repeated again.

[@kensvay4561]

Great stuff.What a memory this man has. We always forget how young these men were.

[@jaydexladoqui6434]

Fascinating story. My uncle served in the Third Army as a lead scout. He was also from the Fresno, CA area and in the final days captured a castle and the German soldiers within. He had similar descriptions of feather beds and such in the castle. Many of his descriptions match very closely things my uncle had shared with us. He brought back a Nazi flag, sidearms, and even a jet black SS dagger.

[@jbar19]

Outstanding! One of the best videos I've seen.

[@LLBP.]

Amazing to hear real stories! Thank you Sir

[@alethamobley6688]

Thank You For Your Service Sir!

[@pennylane9730]

Freedom is never free. Thank you for you're service. ❤

[@TheAsilay]

Amazing man...amazing story...Thankyou.

[@lorneholtzclaw4505]

True this is the greatest generation

[@philbrown6787]

Dang Great stories!

[@anonymoususer4356]

Thank you for your service.

[@wademccormick4371]

I thought it was nice that one older German soldier talked to him like a human being. Asking him his age ect

[@johngrogan7585]

Thank you Sir

[@frostwill]

46:05 "they had not found family enough to send them home." Wow

[@jeffmilum9001]

It was a very cold winter in Europe. But compare this guy's experience with a German on the Eastern Front. The Russians and the Germans fought in battle after battle for THREE YEARS. We fought one battle, The Battle of the Bulge, and it lasted three weeks. The Russians fought dozens of battles in far worse conditions for the entire war.

[@paulkrempel8642]

My grandpa was a merchant marine at that time and the ship he was on was blown in half they were bobbing up and down on the half that didn't sink .

[@diannegralnick6460]

Have you interviewed Leonard Zerlin in Thousand Oaks? He’s fascinating.

[@wildcolonialman]

Thank you Sir. Remarkable and telling. Thank you for your picture, the horrors the SS, the reliefs and Victory. God Bless Sir, in Jesus Name.

[@marksmith7054]

Awesome Story about real life in terrible times.

[@craigelectric5241]

Great story about the dud Those people were taking such a chance with those altered munitions... As we know the Germans were meticulous... If they caught a misfire situation They would kill everyone I'm not a spring chicken... But I've got a couple left in me. I want you to know, I want you to try to rest easy,,, there are a fair amount of us out here that are still trying to carry the torch... Amen my brother and Ty

[@armandhammer9617]

Is there a part 2 for this interview?

[@senorboardhead]

Never forget. Listen to every word.

[@thomaslewandowski2504]

Respect & A Salute for this Veteran!! Godbless...I served Sept.78-88 US Army..

[@ThePulaskiPumper]

Any Dawgs in here?

[@frostwill]

"Hey Schmidtty, they ain't coming up"

[@thomascanfield8571]

The man looks like he is still very tough

[@hughjazzole2037]

When was this recoreded ed?

[@AnthonyOMulligan-yv9cg]

Later it was considered the coldest winter in over a hundred years. After the Hurtgen came the Bulge. Such terrible hard times for what were originally "Green Troops".......later the German's realised their mistake of holding the western lines whilst the Russians were coming across the east.

[@andyboog2010]

My grandfather served in the 10th armored. Whioe he was in germany he captured pictures of Hitler and a set of negatives that went along with it. It also has herman gurring walking next to him.

[@wolfganggugelweith8760]

Hermann Göring or Goering

[@Curmudgeon2]

M1 holds 8 rounds in an end block clip.

[@metal2444]

I wonder if he ever walked past my dad John ENGLISH 106 cavalry Black Horse Troop Reconnicanse?

[@333BlkFlagg]

❤❤❤

[@malcolmshvac6692]

easy company was famous bad asses

[@SunnyIlha]

Many Americans *froze* *to* *death* there.

[@janlindtner305]

❤👍👍👍

[@daddyrabbit835]

They dont make them like this anymore . Can you imagine these kind of guys putting up wirh all the woke crap?!

[@shanejones578]

I would love to hear a Russians world war 2 stories…

[@sohappy4418]

Check your state representatives voting record on this subject. If they voted in favor of this nonsense vote them out.

[@user-fc6lt7cc7p]

Old solider carried this baggage for many years. Rest easy old friend, you are a young troop, back with the squad, humping your M1.

[@woodenseagull1899]

My family , do now understand why I have a dislike of everything German... Let alone visit the place.!

[@johnbelus7828]

The german army was doing what they were told.

[@kratoleaf7619]

a dud! lol

[@rs6109]

Thank you for your service sir