Bring Up The PIAT! - A Bridge Too Far Scene Analysis

'Bring Up The PIAT!' the iconic line from the classic 1977 war movie 'A Bridge Too Far' heralds the beginning of a really interesting scene. One in which the PIAT (Projector, Infantry, Anti-Tank) takes on a German Panther. In this video we break down the iconic scene and explore just how realistic it was.
We'll also take a look at the PIAT's first screen appearance in 'Theirs Is The Glory' (1946) - a unique film that like 'A Bridge Too Far' also tells the story of Operation Market Garden.
Chapters:
0:00 - Intro
0:43 - Bring Up The PIAT!
01:10 - That's the wrong bloody tank
01:35 - A Bridge Too Far
04:18 - Theirs is the Glory
05:05 - The PIAT's movie debut
05:25 - Dixon bags a Panther
05:39 - Conclusion
Be sure to check out our accompanying article for this video here -
armourersbench.com/
Check out RM Military History's channel here - / tugger1885
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Scenes from these films have been used under the fair use allowance, under Section 107 of the US Copyright Act 1976 & Section 29 of the UK CDPA 1988.

[@keithgubbin2354]

My uncle’s Batman, Gunju Lama, VC, MM 7GR, was awarded his VC for nailing Japanese tanks with a PIAT- quite a guy!

[@TheArmourersBench]

Quite a guy indeed, one of the most impressive VC actions with a PIAT!

[@keithgubbin2354]

Apparently he had chunks of metal falling out of him for decades! His name is engraved amongst the colonial VCs on the memorial at the top of Constitution Hill here in London.

[@ducomaritiem7160]

Did they have Batman back in those days? ( Just kidding)

[@Georgeson95]

@@TheArmourersBench Major Henry Cain VC, now that's an action with a PIAT, won during Arnhem too!

[@TheArmourersBench]

@@Georgeson95 immensely impressive!

[@MasterAlighieri]

Therapist: Leopanther isn't real, he can't hurt you. Leopanther:

[@mixererunio1757]

Seriously, for such a good film it looks so terrible. Wooden Tiger from Kelly's Heroes looks better than this one.

[@johannesluttmer1285]

Pain in ass trower

[@WilliamJones-Halibut-vq1fs]

In real life it was a half track not a Panther. The hit was on the engine compartment. The Germans thought they’d been hit by an AT gun and went about looking for it. PIAT had a very low launch signature so was often not spotted.

[@sillyone52062]

@@mixererunio1757 In 1976, there was no WW2 German armor running anywhere.

[@mauroinentertainment]

@@sillyone52062 Actually, a healthy amount of surviving German armor was still in existence. While definitely not an easy find, there were some around in running order. Specifically, the Panther. Romania alone received 13 alone in 1946 from the USSR (obv previously captured tanks).

[@IHUTCHI]

Interesting side story about this scene in the Bridge Too Far. The pyrotechnics guy working on the film was super impressed that the actor / technician firing the PIAT was able to place the round exactly where the explosion was going to go off. Hell of a shot even for a dummy round!

[@TheArmourersBench]

That's a brilliant bit of trivia! He did do a great job! Shows the PIAT could have the desired accuracy!

[@jamesrosewell9081]

I noticed that too, was incredibly realistic and definitely added to the scene despite that empty PIAT gaff just before.

[@stevemiller7433]

I have read in a book that firing a PIAT was an art.. when fired, the massive spring wanted to pull the unit forward followed by the propellant charge kicking backward. If you were sturdy and resolute, the recoil would recock the PIAT but any slop in the recoil phase failed to recock the weapon... Then the hernias ensued as you struggled against the 200 pound spring pressure to recock it.

[@seanjoseph8637]

"A contemporary (1944-45) Canadian Army survey questioned 161 army officers, who had recently left combat, about the effectiveness of 31 different infantry weapons. In that survey, the Bren was ranked the number one most “outstandingly effective” weapon, followed by the PIAT in second place."

[@johnhanson5943]

That’s all they had.

[@andrewcombe8907]

I love the fact that in Theirs is the Glory, Corporal Dickson goes out through the damaged front door frame sitting in what is left of a house wall, cooks up a Panther, then returns back through the further damaged door frame. Terribly British. I am surprised he did not ring the doorbell.

[@TheArmourersBench]

Lots of brilliant little details you notice each time you watch Theirs Is

[@BobSmith-dk8nw]

When the tank is coming towards them across the bridge - it fires on one British position on the far side of the bridge - and then starts turning that turret towards the position of the PIAT ... My impression was that the PIAT gunner fired to soon because he was about to get blown up if he didn't leave. .

[@ronaldojohnny7774]

I was thinking the same too, although the PIAT is very inaccurate and chances of him hitting the tank was very slim even if the tank did come in closer. When I was younger in my teens and pre-teens and saw this film on DVD, I was thinking, "you bloody miss him." But then I realized just now maybe he was just too scared to get blown up, but then again he is a soldier so he knew right there and then he was going to get killed or injured in action. God bless the British for their exempt fighting! (: They fought so valiantly and so hard

[@tomservo5347]

Bittrich's panzer troops were well seasoned Eastern Front veterans probably very good at spotting AT positions.

[@twobyfour]

My old man took me to the cinema to see ABTF when I was young. In 2014 I was in Arnhem for the 70th anniversary. It was a peculiar feeling walking that bridge, imagining Graebners recce platoon barrelling toward me. Getting pissed with three generations of veteran paratroopers was the highlight though!

[@geordiedog1749]

A much maligned weapon. Try firing a Panzerfaust from an upstairs room and see how you get on?

[@TheArmourersBench]

Exactly! Not a pleasant prospect. Thanks for watching

[@nowthenzen]

Well, you get to kill a tank and toast your marshmallows.

[@geordiedog1749]

@@nowthenzen Yeah...... but also blow yours ears inside out and toast Everything not just the marshmallows.......mmmmmmh....marshmallows....

[@nitewatchman1576]

@@nowthenzen if you can hit hit anything the scenes are total bullshit.

[@METan-fw2cg]

This scene is shit. Most of the killes were made by the battalion’s 6 pdr anti tank guns, not the PIATs

[@Tom_YouTube_stole_my_handle]

My uncle fought at Arnhem and was taken prisoner as he volunteered to remain behind with the wounded while they awaited the German advance.

[@TheArmourersBench]

A brave man! Thank you for sharing.

[@caractacusbrittania7442]

God bless him.

[@fuzer909]

Great uncle you have there Tom.

[@notreallydavid]

Commendations to your uncle and his comrades, Tom. What a thing they did.

[@dmhiix]

I have been fascinated by the PIAT since reading, "Quartered Safe Out Here", author George MacDonald Fraser's book on his service in Burma during WWII. He actually fired one in combat, destroying a Japanese sampan during a night ambush.

[@TheArmourersBench]

He did, phenomenal account I refer to it in my book on the PIAT. They're fascinating weapons.

[@alanwilkin8869]

A bit of good reading for you is Churchill’ ministry of ungentlmanly warfare, Jefferis the mad inventor is mentioned a lot, Really good read, and explains a lot about stuff we take for granted, The CIA’s origin story as well.

[@TheArmourersBench]

I've read it. Good book. Shame there isn't more on that area of the war. McRaea's Churchill's Toyshop is a good read too.

[@twobyfour]

@@TheArmourersBench There`s an interesting (and hair-raising) account of the PIAT engagement in Peter Whites` `With the Jocks` too, where his platoon take on a Tiger at very close quarters.

[@TheArmourersBench]

In the town? And the Tigers got trapped? I think I know the one you mean!

[@hughgrection4205]

In Wythenshawe Park in Manchester there is an old mansion dating from the 15th or 16th century called Wythenshawe Hall. When I was a scruffy long haired lad of 19 I walked around this hall followed by a suspicious attendant. I began to ask him questions and it broke the ice and our conversation went onto Arnhem because he was there and he mentioned so. He talked of the commanding officer which would have been Frost and I recall vividly him saying "he became wounded and I carried that gallant officer from the bridge". I am 69 and oh how I wish I could speak to him now.

[@TheArmourersBench]

Wonderful, thanks for sharing Hugh.

[@hughgrection4205]

@@TheArmourersBench Your video is first class and thank you for your complement

[@meesterexit1969]

Anthony Hopkins...what a great actor to portray the brave and heroic John Frost!

[@TheArmourersBench]

Perfect choice from that period's actors I think.

[@colinbarron4]

Always been fascinated by the PIAT. First came across it when I saw a plastic toy version in a shop in the sixties.

[@TheArmourersBench]

They're intriguing weapons aren't they Colin! Be sure to subscribe I've got anither very interesting PIAT video coming on Sunday. Thanks for watching

[@colinbarron4]

Yes I have subscribed

[@spaceskipster4412]

Great video, typically sums up the gritty nature of the Brits under fire. My Uncle fought through The Low Countries from D-Day to Operation Market Garden. He ended up in Nijmegen. He was a Royal Engineer attached to The Guards. He arrived at Nijmegen Bridge during darkness. He wrote about it. "The road and railway Bridges at Nijmegen were captured intact and the charges removed by the Sappers of Guards Armoured Division for which the late Lt. Tony Jones ( later General ) received an MC. I was in command of No.2 Troop of 615 Field Squadron and was given the task of taking a Tug ( used for Pontoon Bridge Building ) to collect anybody who had escaped from Arnhem with information, a story told in books and films and still remembered as one of the great dramas of the war in "A Bridge too Far". What he fails to mention is that he was taking the Tugboat backwards and forwards across the river Waal at night while battle was still being done with the Germans. He rescued chaps from the British 1st Airborne Division who had fought their way through the German lines to escape from Arnhem with intelligence about the German strength and positions, only to be trapped on the wrong side of the river while fighting was the bridgeheads was still ongoing. He also rescued Americans from The 82nd Airborne Division who had been cut off during the same fighting and brought them all back to regroup at the Power Station where his Tug had been stationed.

[@TheArmourersBench]

Absolutely fascinating thanks for watching and thanks for sharing that.

[@1951GL]

Excellent analysis - the Piat was a maligned weapon but highly effective with an experienced team.

[@TheArmourersBench]

Thank you! Yes, it definitely was. A much misunderstood weapon.

[@fatdad64able]

Looks like hauling a FIAT at the German tank instead would have caused considerably higher damage.

[@armchairgeneralissimo]

Well I suppose a 16" naval gun lobs a shell of similar weight to a Fiat 124

[@Paul-md8de]

If the shot was longer than 50yrds that's long enough for a Fiat to break down .

[@DustyGamma]

4:50 "Can I have a cookie from the kitchen, mum?" "Ok, off you go."

[@bessie2275]

Great film and story, I was always surprised at the great lengths they want to to make the movie as close as they could to the real story. Been to Arnhem twice and read many books on the battle.

[@paulbradford8240]

Two excellent books on the subject are by Robert Kershaw-'It Never Snows In September' (Arnhem from the German perspective) and 'A Street In Arnhem' (mainly about one street from the perspective of both sides, but more importantly, the view of the civilians.

[@vanpallandt5799]

Great and thanks for the mention of the 1946 film which actually looks to have of course the right type of tanks..the first PIAT looks like being fired at a Char B which they might have had in area i think with rear area units and of course there were plenty of Panthers round in 1946

[@TheArmourersBench]

Does indeed look like a Char B, the way the hull door at the side flies open when the tank is hit.

[@spannerpasser]

The Germans did deploy Char B tanks to Arnhem I can’t remember the name of the unit. The front gun was replaced by a flamethrower so again the clip is accurate in depicting the tank firing flame at the men. The famous picture of the Border Regiment 6 pounder called Gallipoli 2 was taken as they engaged a Char B on the Utrechtsweg just after it had seriously injured a young officer (who subsequently succumbed to his injuries) with its flame thrower.

[@patrickwalsh279]

What a fun technical analysis of an iconic scene and a key infantry weapon. Nicely done: entertaining ands I learned something. Now, I must check Theirs is the Glory. Thanks!

[@TheArmourersBench]

Thanks Patrick, glad you enjoyed it. Highly recommended, a forgotten gem of a war film!

[@AC-SlaUkr]

Will definitely look for “Theirs’ is the glory”. Thank-you for a really informative piece.

[@TheArmourersBench]

Thanks for watching! We discussed it on the first episode of our Fighting On Film war movie podcast a few weeks ago. Be sure to check it out once you've watched the film!

[@ducomaritiem7160]

Theirs is the glory is here on KZbin these days. Years ago it was hard to find, but also for sale as a dvd at the Hartenstein museum shop in Oosterbeek here in the Netherlands.

[@davidcox3076]

One of my favorite movies! And pretty accurate. I've read the book and Cornelius Ryan interviewed many of the participants on both sides and the Dutch civilians for his research. An all-star cast, too.

[@rikwilliams6352]

That's Lieutenant Colonel Frost to you sonny. Interesting film and nicely done, cheers for the heads up in regards to "Theirs Is The Glory".

[@TheArmourersBench]

Quite right! Thank you, Theirs Is The Glory is brilliant, you'll definitely enjoy it.

[@MrSlitskirts]

Great clips, film and subject/analysis, there was also the earlier scene where the PIAT's (I think there were two) fired on the SS Armoured Car/Halftrack attack and stopped them, which is probably a good example of the PIAT's effectiveness against light armoured vehicles.

[@TheArmourersBench]

Yes! I was going to mention those but thought I'd go for the iconic scene. But in hindsight I could have squeezed them in! Thanks for watching!

[@sarchlalaith8836]

"cup of tea... How's a cup of tea going to help?" "can't hurt sir!" "tell them to go to hell!" "I'm sorry, we cannot accept your surrender, we'd like to, we just don't have the facilities" Best line in the film imo

[@danw7156]

When I was trained on the American Dragon anti tank weapon, we fired blank rounds 8 hours a day for a week tracking a keep down range. It was not as easy as you think to hit something moving steady...now add getting shot at, a funky weapon and not as much training, and it was amazing the PIAT hit anything in combat.

[@TheArmourersBench]

Exactly Dan, bloody hard to gauge lead on a moving vehicle, especially if it's moving obliquely to the AT weapon. There's an early 1944 British report that describes just how hard evaluating troops found it. Thanks for watching and sharing some personal insight!

[@hanskc3302]

Thanks for recommending the 1946 movie! I would like to just sit and watch a bunch of old Soviet (and more) war movies someday. Some unique things were captured on tape. For example, experimental semi-auto sniper rifle (Degtyaryov IIRC). Film is called The Sniper (1931), I believe.

[@DavidCowie2022]

Hans KC There's a modern Russian film "Battle for Sevastopol" about a female sniper in WW2. I remember her being issued with a semi-auto rifle in one scene, and this being treated as a prestige weapon.

[@Lord.Kiltridge]

Well done. Looking forward to seeing your other work.

[@TheArmourersBench]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it. We'll have a proper in depth video on the PIAT soon.

[@1515327E]

That Panther in the scene with Cpl. Dixon is a Panther that was knocked out in the real battle - it hadn't been removed from Arnhem and was used again in 'Theirs is the Glory.'

[@TheArmourersBench]

Yes!! Amazing isn't it.

[@dermotrooney9584]

Lovely. Well done.

[@MontytheHorse]

Nice video. I have your book & it’s excellent. I first became aware of the PIAT when it featured in a war comic story in either Battle or Warlord.

[@TheArmourersBench]

Thank you, so glad you enjoyed it!!

[@zoiders]

Another anti-tank action from Arnhem which is required reading is the story of Lance Sergeant Jack Baskeyfield VC of the South Staffords. Sadly his grave site has never been found.

[@TheArmourersBench]

Yeah I agree, that's a story worthy of telling. Sadly A Bridge Too Far never attempted to show specific actions. Theirs is the Glory does show some AT gun action (which kind of mirrors Badkeyfield's actions) but all too briefly!

[@acerumble4991]

The lack of a backblast gave the PIAT a significant advantage over recoilless launchers like the bazooka and panzerfaust when used from inside buildings and other structures. Unfortunately, the inherent problems with the weapon (so well explained in the video) overwhelmed its benefits and regulated it to the curiosity bin of history.

[@TheArmourersBench]

Indeed and I think that it was a technological dead end (couldn't really extend its range) meant that other tech like rockets and recoilless roles which could be (and have been) perfected quickly surpassed it post war. Thanks for watching!

[@GundamReviver]

Also the fact that it could double as a light mortar, honestly it wasn't that bad if you compare the amount of kills the damn thing made, it would just be a lot better on ambushes than on assaults or defences of known locations

[@jefthing]

I believe the explosions were pre-set and the chap firing the PIAT had to ‘hit the mark’ to make it look like he missed. If so, it was actually incredible shooting.

[@TheArmourersBench]

Exactly!

[@Buffaloc]

In William Goldman's book (he was screenwriter for Bridge Too Far) he says that Sir Richard Attenborough was obsessed with making an accurate depiction of the real events.

[@Sonofdonald2024]

Just found your channel. always had a soft spot for piat so will definitely be buying the book :)

[@TheArmourersBench]

Ahh thank you, I've done a series of videos about the PIAT and will have a proper video on its design and history in the new year. Thank you! It's available direct through my site (www.historicalfirearms.info/shop) along with some cool PIAT stickers. Thanks for watching.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

This is great Matt. Small assessments of the PIAT in action.... whether for real or in movies, are wholly valuable in examining the reality of the weapon. So many misunderstandings about it and it's effectiveness. I hope you can bring more examples to life this way and further the discussion about it.... and bust a few myths while you are at it... Cheers.

[@TheArmourersBench]

Thanks Rob, when I do a full video on the PIAT I'll definitely try and include some individual action analysis, thinking of some of the VC winning actions.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

@@TheArmourersBench Looking forward to it!

[@TheArmourersBench]

It remained in service into the early 1950s but was increasingly relegated with the improved range offered by the M20 superbazooka. It certainly wasn't declared unsafe for the operator. It continued to be used by other nations, France, Netherlands, Israel to name a few into the early 50s.

[@growlers90]

On my last visit to Bovington I happened to come across a young boy getting a refund because the arcade style game he tried to play was ineffective.....................

[@sartainja]

Superb presentation on this weapon. Thank you for sharing.

[@TheArmourersBench]

Thank you Jeff, glad you enjoyed it. Its much misunderstood and I enjoy shedding new light on it. Thanks for watching.

[@ducomaritiem7160]

I know both those movies. They're good in their own right. About Piat stories: Jeremy Clarkson has a war story about his grandpa who handled the piat during the Arnhem battle and got a Victoria Cross for it. You'll find that war story somewhere here on KZbin.

[@TheArmourersBench]

I don't think it was his grandpa, I think Major Cain VC was his wife's father. I actually discuss his VC winning actions in my book on the PIAT. Clarkson did do a rather good documentary all about him.

[@Robin-is3ke]

Thanks for the tip of theirs is the glroy, never know that there was a second film. I live in the center of Arnhem so it makes it even more real! Thanks

[@TheArmourersBench]

You're very Welcome Robin. We discussed the film on our war film podcast (you can find that here on the channel).

[@HO-bndk]

I bought "Theirs is the glory" on DVD from the museum shop at Oosterbeek. 😉

[@TheArmourersBench]

Bargain at any price

[@downhilltwofour0082]

Excellent video!

[@TheArmourersBench]

Thank you sir!

[@downhilltwofour0082]

@@TheArmourersBench Stay safe and healthy!

[@EricF647]

Excellent

[@JohnJ469]

I'd say the reason the recoil looked good in the second firing at 4:08 was because it was being fired. Perhaps the red nose signified a practice round. In the slow mo you can clearly see the round leave the PIAT, fly well above the tank and then land in front of the tank near the drums that blew up in the next shot.

[@TheArmourersBench]

Yeah it's definitely fired I think the film armourer will have mm knocked up a bomb (without payload) for firing. Bit more smoke and flash than we would have seen in reality but pretty good.

[@DanDavisHistory]

Awesome video.

[@TheArmourersBench]

Thank you Dan!

[@DanDavisHistory]

@@TheArmourersBench loved this movie since I was a kid watching it with my dad on TV. But it breaks my heart too much to watch it often.

[@TheArmourersBench]

@@DanDavisHistory an all time favourite of mine too. Currently working on an video about the PIAT scene in the Longest Day.

[@GarySmith-ul7xq]

nice analysis!

[@TheArmourersBench]

Thanks Gary! Got a fascinating 'real life' PIAT video coming up this week. Thanks for watching.

[@badas45]

Very cool

[@lmyrski8385]

I never noticed before, but the bridge road in Arnhem is covered with oil drums. The movie provides no explanation for this. They probably needed more things for the tank to crush.

[@TheArmourersBench]

It really does have a lot of oil drums haha

[@NAFmunchausen]

Theirs is the Glory seems to have a training film vibe to it. This in no way disparages the quality of the film but seems to elevate it above the polished glamour that Hollywood would present. Thanks for your presentation.

[@TheArmourersBench]

I certainly see what you mean. It has that sometimes clunkier delivery of some of the cast members and the soliderly like enactment of scenes. Thank you, and thank you for listening, glad you enjoyed it.

[@MackerelSkyLtd]

@@TheArmourersBench I felt more like it was a very odd form of group therapy for the survivors. Not a great film, but an incredible historical document!

[@TheArmourersBench]

Yes, definitely a very important and pretty unique historical document. We did a podcast on it not so long ago (it's on this channel) and we talking about what It must have been like for them coming back to Arnhem with it looking much as they'd left it.

[@spannerpasser]

I met the last known survivor of the cast of Theirs is the Glory. He told me there was no script initially they sat with the director and told their experiences, some of those were then put into the film. They also cleared up the area and he said that they discovered a couple of British bodies on the polder near the river down by Oosterbeek church. It’s interesting as there’s no top bill and no credits in the movie as each man was viewed as equal. A fine piece of cinematic history directed by Brian Desmond Hurst himself a 1st World War veteran.

[@rfletch62]

At 5:22 in "Theirs is the Glory", yeah, that is an actual Panther (PzkwV) tank. Looks like it's aiming off the back, about 7 o'clock.

[@motorcop505]

The only veteran of the Market Garden campaign who acted in A Bridge Too Far was Dirk Bogarde, who was in the RAF in a film unit.

[@TheArmourersBench]

If I recall he was an Army intelligence that analysed bombing effects. He apparently saw some absolutely awful things during the war, including Belsen. Paul Maxwell, who played Major General Maxwell Taylor was also a NW Europe veteran too I believe!

[@jimomaha7809]

Wel have I a fun fact! The British military advisor for the film Major John Waddy commander of B (?) company 156th parachute battalion ,Arnhem veteran, played as a extra (officer) in the scene were Urqhart briefs about the withdrawl. He only can be seen from the back.

[@TheArmourersBench]

Great fact!

[@davidfrost2819]

@@TheArmourersBench I believe John Addison the composer was also at Arnhem

[@nigelbranthwaite8471]

@@davidfrost2819 and D- Day as well.

[@Bozothcow]

I actually think that the premature fire of the PIAT is because the tank turns its barrel towards the soldier holding it. It's a natural reaction, in my view: you pick a point to fire at the tank, you wait for the tank to reach the point where you plan to fire at it, but then when the tank points its barrel at you you freak out and fire too early.

[@quattuorperquattuor1711]

Excellent. Informative - never would have learnt this stuff, except by buying your book perhaps! Anyway, thanks for the tip about "Glory" Defo bedtime watching. As for the colour film, if they had PIATs all the time, whey didn't they use them to destroy the pillbox ? Seven days it stood there, and would still be there if the Yanks hadn't destroyed the bridge when the British pulled out of Arnhem.

[@TheArmourersBench]

Only so much a PIAT can do against concrete because its a HEAT charge, HEAT superheats and melts the armour plate creating a jet of molten metal in the tank - that's what does the damage. It it had had a HESH round like the Petard-armed AVRE tanks then the bomb would have more impact on the concrete. That's my thoughts on it anyway! Thanks for watching!

[@jeffyoung60]

I liked the PIAT scenes. It always seemed to me that the Brits ran out of PIAT bombs just when they needed it most. Also, the dude who kept hitting targets with his PIAT suddenly couldn't hit the broad side of a barn.

[@colinbarron4]

The weapons acquired for 'A Bridge Too Far' included a couple of six -pounder anti tank guns but only one is seen in the film and it is never fired.

[@TheArmourersBench]

Shame really, would have been nice to have seen a scene or two with them. Perhaps Baskeyfields VC action.

[@colinbarron4]

@@TheArmourersBench I just checked my own book Battles on Screen which has a chapter on the film A Bridge Too Far. Three six - pounders (not two) were acquired for the film. One can be seen in the scene just after the gliders land. They are never seen in action. In the real incident early in the battle when German armour charged the bridge ,three six -pounders contributed to the carnage. In the film we only see the PIATs. I know about Baskeyfield. I have a VHS copy of an amateur film called Baskeyfield VC which depicts the action. The German tanks in this film are played by Centurions!

[@TheArmourersBench]

Excellent, thank you. I think the lack of the air-landing RA batteries is a shame in Bridge Too Far. Oooh I will have to try and find Baskeyfield VC, that sounds interesting!

[@MackerelSkyLtd]

A Bridge Too Far is a film where I would gladly sit down and watch all the cut material.

[@colinbarron4]

I just watched the 1974 David Niven movie 'Paper Tiger' and noticed it has a scene where Niven's character fires a PIAT, although he calls it a ' bazooka.' The target is a German armoured car (actually an American M8). Later in the movie there is scene where a Bedford MK military truck is pushed over a cliff. But when the truck goes over the edge it has become a Bedford RL.

[@TheArmourersBench]

Yes, It's quite a film! And directed by the same director as The Battle of the Bulge too if I recall correctly. But yes, the PIAT depiction in Paper Tiger isn't bad. Niven is rather good in that film, always enjoy his performances.

[@colinbarron4]

@@TheArmourersBench I wrote a book called Battles on Screen which has chapters on A Bridge Too Far, The Longest Day and Battle of the Bulge plus many others. See Amazon and my own website www.colinbarron.co.uk

[@jeffyoung60]

The end of WW2 saw the end of the PIAT as the British Army clearly understood the PIAT was obsolescent. Wisely, the British Army would adopt the American M20 Super Bazooka as an interim anti-tank weapon until such time the British Army could develop its own new, anti-tank weapons. The effective M20 Super Bazooka meant the British were not rushed for time and could proceed at their own pace. The M20 was so effective that the U.S. Army actually kept a few in service until the 1980s. Reportedly the last place the M20 saw service was with the U.S. Army Berlin Brigade into the 1980s. By this time the TOW and Dragon and LAW had long replaced the M20 everywhere else in the U.S. Army.

Interesting Video. Came here after your Video on Military history visualized. Never thought about the PIAT a lot. I guess that is true for many peopel. Maybe I should do a Video about the PIAT on my own little channel. I gues there is even more misunderstanding about the PIAT in Germany.

[@seonewport363]

fascinating

[@TheArmourersBench]

Thanks for watching!

[@NonLocalYokel]

I would have been gutted to miss that second shot on the bridge to be fair. Private Magoo on the PIAT. I am sure the real shot was very difficult under fire and even friendly tanks used to make me nervous when i was near them so.... no criticism of the real operator. However Robert Cain VC made good use of this weapon system on the same action. Every man an emperor.

[@pwareham61]

Robert Cain was a legend. He was featured in Jeremy Clarksons programme about the VC. Worth watching.

[@piatpotatopeon8305]

Oh my gosh! I have that book. I bought it to learn more about my namesake!

[@TheArmourersBench]

Hope you found it useful!

[@Sensekhmet]

Wow, I always thought the Leopard was supposed to be a 'Genericpanzer Mk. 1' but it was supposed to look like a Panther? Ooof.

[@TheSaturnV]

Considering the alternative Hollywood armor attempts, such as M47 Pattons standing in as 'King Tigers,' I always thought the ABTF prop wranglers did a perfectly fine job having the Leo stand in as a Panther. At least it's German.

[@wernervanpeppen4873]

@@TheSaturnV Yeah, it was actually in service at the time in the Dutch army who supplied lots of soldiers as well asextras and aforementioned tanks. I actually saw it being filmed

[@moritamikamikara3879]

@@TheSaturnV You wanna see tank cosplay done right? Watch the 1984 film "Red dawn" They managed to make M48/60 (I was never able to find out which) Pattons look almost PERFECTLY like T-72s. They also managed to almost perfectly recreate Shilka AA platforms and they did a fairly good job at BTRs too. Note that Red dawn had a vastly smaller budget than a bridge too far. They have no excuse. Actually that's a lie, having seen the material on the making of this film and the behaviour of the locals, yeah they have an excuse, but you know what I mean

[@brinsonharris9816]

A muzzle brake would have been a nice detail to add, about like the rear deck details on the “Tigers” in Kelly’s Heroes.

[@lyndoncmp5751]

In reality it should have been either a Panzer III or IV of Kompanie Mielke a Tiger I of Kompanie Hummel or a Stug III of Brigade 280. No Panthers arrived in Arnhem until the 20th, after the fighting at the bridge was over.

[@marcothommen2484]

Good video! Forgotten Weapons directed me here....

[@TheArmourersBench]

Thank you. Wonderful! Much more to come.

[@szymonskalka3319]

Digby! Bring up the umbrella!

[@samuel10125]

What video is that exactly.

[@chrisyunge8569]

Theres also in either men of war or battlefield 1942 where one is used in the game but no trajectory just its firing then a vehicle exploding, lll try and find the vid and its game reference, great work.!!

[@TheArmourersBench]

Thanks Chris, please dol!

[@chrisyunge8569]

I found battlefield 5 shooting the piat but havnt located the original 1942, it maybe in 1941.🤨

[@RMMilitaryHistory]

Thanks for the shout out, and remember the piat picked off a panther! (Well at least tried too ;) )

[@raymondyee2008]

Great video on the PIAT and I enjoyed watching it. It was also from the movie "A Bridge Too Far" which I learned about the PIAT, and of course it's not like the American Bazooka but it's still a deadly AT weapon.

[@TheArmourersBench]

It's definitely its most famous on screen appearance. Thanks for watching!

[@raymondyee2008]

@@TheArmourersBench Yep sure was and as someone deep into History I'm into a lot of these things so movies is one of them.

[@TheArmourersBench]

So am I! We just started a podcast called Fighting On Film if you haven't seen it. We're looking at war movies, some classic and some more obscure.

[@DavidCowie2022]

If you want to watch "Theirs is the Glory," this obscure old film is £6 on Amazon, and available for rental on Cinema Paradiso.

[@madquest8]

This was over too soon... "Bring up the PIAT!!"

[@davidroman1342]

My favourite film. Bring up the piat and my cup of tea

[@TheArmourersBench]

It's a classic! Thanks for watching

[@dambuster6387]

There is a YT about how Theirs Is The Glory where it was shot.

[@colinbarron4]

Another comment. Where did they get the PIAT rounds for 'A Bridge Too Far?'. I remember reading that the PIAT used in 'The Longest Day' was supplied by the IWM but they had to make plastic shells for it.

[@TheArmourersBench]

I suspect they may have been made by the film armourer or have been surplus with the explosive removed and weighted.

[@cuthbert246]

'Theirs is the Glory' is a really wonderful film. BUT parts of make me cry my eyes out and I'm 61. Thanks for the upload really interesting comments.

[@TheArmourersBench]

Thank you. Yes it's a very special film. You might be interested in our recent in depth discussion about it - kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5rVi3RnmNqIn6c

[@coryhoggatt7691]

Surprised to see no mention of what I’ve been told was the PIAT’s principal weakness, the round wasn’t held on the firing tray by anything but gravity and aiming it downward risked the projectile sliding right off.

[@TheArmourersBench]

That's actually not the case! There's a small spring clip at the base of the bomb which slides into a pair of guides which hood it secure. I mention it in my second video about the PIAT in this movie. Thanks for watching.

[@jtukko]

Ah yes, my favourite weapon from Day Of Infamy

[@ivandasty277]

Thanks to the director of "a bridge too far " for showing truth about hardship of working with a PIAT . If It was a Hollywood production , Rambo would blow the tank by the very first shoot and of course from a 1000 m distance !!

[@Sonofdonald2024]

I assume the soldier mistaking the tank for xxx corps was added just for effect in the film? As the Germans held the opposite side of the bridge so in reality xxx corps would not have been coming from that direction?

[@stogmot1]

Thank You for the heads up on the Film "There's is the glory" Fantastic period film 1946 ,with the original soldiers playing the parts and the still shattered remains of arnhem and osterbeck .A real Gem to watch

[@TheArmourersBench]

You're very welcome, it's a film I'm only too happy to try and raise the profile off. Amazing cinema. We recently did a whole Fighting On Film podcast discussing it, do check it out if interested. It's up on the channel. Thanks for watching!

[@RedOrm68]

The town's name is Oosterbeek. My grandparents lived there during and after the war. Fortunate for them the street they lived in was well outside the British perimeter, so the neighbourhood suffered minimal damage. Unfortunately they were ordered to evacuate after the British withdrawal from Oosterbeek and returned to a looted and severely damaged home after the war. I've been to the Airborne museum in Oosterbeek many times. If ever you find yourself in the Netherlands in Oosterbeek, a visit is well worth it.

[@engineco.1494]

Great movie would love to see a modern version.

[@TheArmourersBench]

I bet it wouldn't be the same! I wonder who would star in it today...

[@engineco.1494]

@@TheArmourersBench a non Hollywood version but with modern special effects etc would be great

[@abigoreternal7537]

"Okay off you go" 😂😂😂

[@russelljones3221]

The world’s deadliest nerf gun

[@jeffyoung60]

The Americans tried in vain to persuade the British to adopt the U.S. M1 and M1A1 bazooka. The British had their reasons for sticking for the PIAT, it's lack of dangerous and highly visible backblast, allowing indoor and confined space usage from a prone position. But in all other aspects the bazooka had it over the PIAT, ease of usage, lighter weight, flatter trajectory, portability. Adding a few bazookas could have really helped those Brit paratroopers at Arnhem. They had PIATS, but not enough of them. At the end of WW2 the British Army saw the writing on the wall, ditching their PIATS for the superior, American M20, 3.5 inch super-bazooka.

[@TheArmourersBench]

The Bazooka was indeed tested but not deemed superior enough to replace the PIAT. The PIAT had a number of characteristics and advantages over the Bazooka including the lack of back blast, its use as a light mortar and it could be fired extremely rapidly, far faster than the Bazooka. They could definitely have done with more at Arnhem, after action reports lamented the lack of ammunition for them towards the end of the battle but that's indicative of the dire situation they were jn. It wasn't until the Korean War that the 3.5in was adopted, initially as an urgent operational requirement. It was understood even during the war that the PIAT had its limitations so rocket launchers and recoilless rifles were always going to replace it eventually, although it remained in service into the mid 1950s! Thanks for watching.

[@jeffyoung60]

@@TheArmourersBench Reasonable enough analysis. The British military authorities tested the American M1 bazooka under controlled firing range conditions. But the British did not test the bazooka under combat conditions. At the firing range they observed the disconcerting and real-enough back-blast danger which was also visible to the enemy. But under combat conditions the American bazooka revealed its advantages to the best, which was, light weight portability and ease of use, 200 yard practical range, exceeding the PIAT, and a relatively flat trajectory whereas the PIAT operator had to take into consideration the arcing trajectory of the PIAT bomb. Now it was easier and faster to reload the PIAT if the discharge detonation recocked the PIAT as it was supposed to do. If not, the operator was stuck trying to recock the incredibly heavy spring, supposedly some 200-lbs pull weight, not an easy thing to do especially if one is prone. Yet in the grand scheme of things, the PIAT and the bazooka both worked as intended, able to destroy light armored vehicles and German tanks from the side and rear. The PIAT could be used as a mortar and the bazooka could be used against bunkers, machine gun nests, and other light gun emplacements. The end of WW2 underscored the obsolescence of both anti-tank weapons. The Americans had seen the approaching obsolescence of the 2.36 inch bazooka but took their time developing the superior successor, the 3.5 inch, M20 Super Bazooka. The M20 was nearly ready to go into mass production at war's end. The American Army unfortunately would take too much time getting the M20 in frontline service. American troops were stuck using the M9 and M9A1 bazookas ineffectually against Soviet-built T-34/85 tanks in Korea 1950. The PIAT had reached the end of its technological development potential. The British military authorities were quick to acknowledge the capabilities of the M20 Super Bazooka and adopted it until such time as the British Army could develop new, domestic anti-tank weapons. Both the PIAT and the bazooka make for interesting World War Two anti-tank weapon technology reading. The movie, "A Bridge Too Far", gave everyone a fascinating and realistic look into the deployment and efficacy of the British Army's own anti-tank weapon, something that did not exist before on film. The movie screenwriters did their historical research. The downfall at Arnhem Bridge was the lack of adequate numbers of PIATs for the British paratroopers and lack of sufficient PIAT bomb ammunition. Then you also see what happens when a capable PIAT operator gets nervous and starts missing all his targets at point blank range. Part of the blame, not discernable to the average layman, was the arcing trajectory of the PIAT bomb, which made it easier to miss if one did not mentally estimate the range, trajectory, distance, and lead time and lead distance correctly in his mind first.

[@B-A-L]

Apparently in real life he had a lisp and said 'Bring up the Piaf' instead and the Germans shouted 'Tell her to sing louder, we can't hear her!'

[@paulbradford8240]

Major Robert Henry Cain awarded The Victoria Cross at Arnhem for destroying a Stug (the citation says a Tiger) with a PIAT as well as using one against several tanks. an excellent documentary by Jeremy Clarkson 'The Victoria Cross-For Valour' describes the incident s well as a few others he was involved in at the time. Major Cain was Clarkson's wife,s father and she never knew about his VC until after he had died.

[@TheArmourersBench]

Yes indeed, I mention Major Cain's actions in my book on the PIAT. One of the most impressive actions using a PIAT and there are some amazingly brave men who used it in action. Thanks for watching!

[@West_Coast_Mainline]

What do piat bands mean

[@TheArmourersBench]

Bands? Around the bomb?

[@kallejodelbauer2955]

They even cant get the SS-Camo Uniforms, so they produce Smogs in this Camo. Years later they sell it and the flood the market with that.Many Collector think that where te real Uniforms.But the Tankproblem,was often with US-Tank solved, here we had an Netherland Leppard,build in Germany. The most realistic Warmovie of WW2 is Decision Before Dawn/Entscheidung vor Morgengrauen from 1951.Its not only one Side ,its both.Its Soilderslife and Spying, with the German MP on your track.

[@lyndoncmp5751]

Frosts men at the bridge actually knocked out two Panzer IVs of Kompanie Mielke with a combination of 6 pounders anti tank guns and PIATs. We also know a King Tiger of Schwere Panzer Abteilung 506 was also disabled by a PIAT at Oosterbeek. Just as an aside, what is the 'Panther' (Leopard) doing coming across the bridge from south to north? The Germans never had any tanks south of the bridge while 1st Airborne held the north end. They were only able to send tanks across, north to south, after Frost and his men were overcome.

[@TheArmourersBench]

Yes! Good points. Never understood why one tank would cross alone with no support either.

[@lyndoncmp5751]

@@TheArmourersBench True. As well as that, the wreckage of Grabners recon column was strewn across the bridge and the Germans were not able to cross the bridge until after it was shunted aside, and they were not able to do that until Frost and his men were overcome. Cheers. Just subscribed.

[@TheArmourersBench]

Thanks John, more videos on the PIAT and Blacker Bombard (amongst other things of course) soon!

[@lyndoncmp5751]

@@TheArmourersBench Cheers. I will check it out. Forgot to mention that Tiger Is of Schwere Panzer Kompanie Hummel did come onto the exit ramp of the bridge (the town side, which would be on the left of the troops in this clip) on the 19th, the 3rd day, to shell Frosts men and the houses, but no anti tank weapons could take them out. Not sure what, if any, was fired at them. Cheers.

[@frankvandergoes298]

@@lyndoncmp5751 One Tiger was hit and damaged by a 6pdr and had to return to the workshop for repairs about 8pm on 19th.

[@garrettvannorden7723]

funny to see that barrel stuck in the tank track

[@TheArmourersBench]

Haha yes!

[@oatlord]

Whoops, atm in the background.

[@Mulberry2000]

Been on that bridge,

[@mohammedcohen]

...Theirs is the Glory truly is an excellent film...

[@TheArmourersBench]

It really, really is.

[@ShaDOWDoG667]

I just warched this film too

[@AsianMilsim]

Wait a minute, did the guy with the PIAT get blown up? I don't think so.

[@TheArmourersBench]

Not in this scene I don't think so no.

[@AsianMilsim]

@@TheArmourersBench Alright, Thanks for answering!

[@sheriff0017]

And 2 PARA ended up fighting the 9th SS Panzer Division's descendants later on.

[@userjlj]

funny thing is they were able to hit the small/light vehicles but not the larger/slower panzer tanks..

[@kittyhawk9707]

and your a urban/tank warfare expert are you? .

[@TheArmourersBench]

Wild isn't it haha. Did a follow up with some info about that earlier scene recently - kzbin.info/www/bejne/fourmZitgL2LrLc&ab_channel=TheArmourer%27sBench

[@Bullet-Tooth-Tony-]

As much as i love a bridge too far i'd love to see another movie made but instead focused mainly on the actions of the British Para's and the epic defence of Arnhem and Oosterbeek.

[@TheArmourersBench]

100% definitely agree. I think it's a story that needs to be told!

[@frankanderson5012]

There was one incident in the opening hours of D-Day where a German armoured column made its way towards the paratroopers holding part of the left flank of the landings from the expected reinforcements from the east. They used a PIAT to knock out the leading vehicles and the rest withdrew, thinking in the nighttime confusion, they were up against anti tank guns and so waited for reinforcements. Had they continued, they could have taken the position and threatened the landing area, ultimately the invasion itself. You could say that a PIAT saved the Normandy invasion.

[@TheArmourersBench]

Yeah! I talk about that very action in my book on the PIAT. The first armoured fighting vehicle knocked out by infantry was with a PIAT. Quite something. And the sgt who fired the PIAT didn’t have much faith in it at the time!

[@growlers90]

World changing events carried out by Sgt "Wagger" Thornton of the Ox and Bucks at Pegasus bridge.

[@adodgygeeza]

Of course in practice this didn't happen because the paras had a battery of 6pdr AT guns covering the bridge. A tank would have been a sitting duck. The first armoured attack did happen, the reason being that the Germans assumed that the British Airborne would be lightly equipped like the German equivalents. They weren't expecting AT guns!

[@johngraesser4911]

the german's did have an airborne at gun the 28/20 squeezebore. the round squeezed down from 28mm to 20mm with a tungsten core, very effective against early war vehicles when the germans dropped their troops.

[@victuff9765]

That's 3 hours that need to be allocated to watch the movie again👍

[@quattuorperquattuor1711]

I watch it every month, that way I don't have to suddenly find 3 hours in my busy schedule. At the moment, I am frightfully busy with Crown Court. The music reminds me of long, sultry afternoons after my appendix operation went wrong.