Capture Berlin! The Secret 1945 US Mission

Find out about the almost unknown attempt by two US divisions to get to Berlin before the Soviets.
Help support my channel:
www.paypal.me/markfeltonprodu...
/ markfeltonproductions
Disclaimer: All opinions and comments expressed in the 'Comments' section do not reflect the opinions of Mark Felton Productions. All opinions and comments should contribute to the dialogue. Mark Felton Productions does not condone written attacks, insults, racism, sexism, extremism, violence or otherwise questionable comments or material in the 'Comments' section, and reserves the right to delete any comment violating this rule or to block any poster from the channel.

[@Ryan-0413]

“Operation Berlin” well I guess at that point in the war, you don’t really need codenames

[@johnyricco1220]

The Soviet plan to plant a bomb in the bedroom of German General-Kommissar of Belarus was named "Operation Blowup"

[@scl1332]

Well it’s better then Operation Let’s get Europe

[@invertidols1307]

Ryan0413 basically 😂😂

[@dimvalsgames9721]

Correct.!

[@AHappyCub]

Operation Rush B(erlin)

[@williamkeith8944]

My father was a US medic and told a story of getting drunk with some Russian medics at the link-up on the Elbe river. He was 20 years old and had never tasted Vodka before.

[@aisir3725]

Typical

[@Diwana71]

That's a nice story. The people were allies. And he had come all the way over the Atlantic to fight the Nazis. Not make peace with them and attack the Soviets.

[@dimvalsgames9721]

Cool buddy.!

[@chairmeme6231]

Can you please explain more l would love to know this story

[@ironman98]

I rarely rarely ever get the chance to do this, and never in person sadly. But whether living or not, I wish to thank your father for his service. O7

[@Ashfielder]

I’m sure Patton would’ve loved this bunch.

[@SirWalrusBananas]

Speaking of him, where was Patton while all this was going on?

[@QuantumMechanic_88]

Good ole Blood and Guts Patton . His guts - Their blood .

[@theoneandonlysoslappy]

Patton and Simpson were of equal rank and equal responsibility at this time. Patton was off leading his own Army, the 3rd.

[@1TigerAce]

If I remember correctly, before the incident where Patton slapped the shell shocked soldier, General Omar Bradley was under General Patton’s command. After it however, General Patton was under General Bradley’s command.

[@markkover8040]

Patton's Third Army was further south cutting across southern Germany, heading into Czechoslovakia. Simpson was cut from the same cloth as Patton and doesn't get the recognition he deserves IMO.

[@martinryder6910]

What is the name of the intro music. I wish to play it when my boss walks in each morning

[@GunsNGames1]

Did you boss made you pregnant?

[@paulnicholls8683]

Redemptions Last Chance. Elijah Robert. I was able to Shazam it

[@Axemantitan]

Go to 1:37 in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z4qkcmN-pr6Kp9E Also check out 0:46 in the same video.

[@PHDarren]

Redemption's Last Chance by Elijah Robert - kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z4qkcmN-pr6Kp9E

[@reign_of_stuka8991]

ahahahha nice or you could call it 'boss music' im not sorry

[@jakobj58]

"Ok guys how should we name your operation to take Berlin?" US: "Operation Eclipse" Soviets: "OPERATION BERLIN"

[@DAndyLord]

I wish I could donate a dollar for every top quality interesting and informative video you publish. But then I'd be broke. So far, every piece you publish is fantastic. You and The History Guy are the two best historical storytellers on this site.

[@ln7929]

How about every 5th video

[@build2270]

@@ln7929 How about every 5th video

[@brianreddeman951]

Dollar a month for history guy and mark felton isn't much. I spend $30/month on my channels I prefer. Cheaper than all that crap on cable. History shows in my area...access to the good ones runs me $135/month. So $30 for 10x the content with creators willing to back up their research is a major deal. :)

[@AnhTrieu90]

Hey, visit his Patreon page.

[@KCODacey]

Amen brother!

[@QuantumMechanic_88]

My father flew a glider into France with 26 soldiers on board . He grabbed his Thompson machine gun and they met with the French underground 2 days later . Destination Germany was to be 27 days later . American and Russian soldiers eating horse meat stew and turnips . "Russian cigarettes were harsh as hell , but the vodka was ok " . RIP Sgt DC - 101st Abn - Ranger

[@joshimdhishim309]

How is a paratrooper a ranger?

[@DoomGoober]

This WWII incident had a huge lasting mark on America. Eisenhower, as President, helped pass the Federal Aide Highway Act of 1956, which led to the Interstate Highway System, which in turn contributes to the American dependence on the automobile. Eisenhower was greatly influenced by the German Autobahn and saw highways as being vital to national defense. Indeed, the official name of the IHS is: Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways. When you wonder why America relies so much on cars and roads, think of Eisenhower and his regret of not racing down the Autobahn to take Berlin's outskirts which could have saved tens of thousands of lives, both German and Russian.

[@cyclonebuzz8172]

The interstates had a hidden purpose also. In the event of a invasion they could be used as airstrips. The straights are long enough for a b52 to take off and land. My father was in sac and he was told his b52 could land on the interstate if the base was taken out.

[@Hi11is]

Eisenhower as a Lt. Col. commanded a transcontinental convoy in 1919 that took 62 days to get from DC to San Francisco. He was well aware of the importance of / need for good roads long before the autobahn was a gleam in Hitler's eye.

[@KevinDavis338]

You act like it was a bad thing that IKE brought the concept of the Highway system to America. It allowed more Americans the freedom of mobility.

[@inisipisTV]

Well it did saved thousands of American lives by not doing so. Though the car thing owes more to Henry Ford's cheap cars and Roosevelt's New deal which brought about the biggest public works project in America with the construction over a million miles of high ways and bridges. Eisenhower just improved on the system and upgraded the network.

[@demef758]

America's love of cars stems from the car's unique ability to take you anywhere you want to go, and at any time. You don't get that flexibility with trains or buses. America is a very big country. Not everyone is crammed into densely-packed cities like Europe is, where trains and buses can get you where you want to go. Assuming, that is, that the public unions aren't on strike when you want to do your traveling.

[@deanj.w.ferris123]

Mark, your history vids of WWII are way better than the History Channel’s. No joke, great stuff without the bull!

[@vanguardactual1]

Hear Hear!! Carry On

[@georgetunstill2341]

The History Channel is a joke.

[@workingshlub8861]

agreed...history channel use to be good 10-15 years ago....now it sucks

[@skydiverclassc2031]

0:04 When that 2 1/2T truck first came into camera range, I thought the gun emplacement on top was a goat along for the ride.

[@mrvictorian4004]

I think you should a video about US Marines in China at the end of WW2.

[@rubenlopez3364]

Or the Marines in Russia in WW1

[@MrEvanfriend]

I think he should do more videos about Marines in general.

[@sosojosef9120]

Mr Victorian that would be awesome to learn about

[@davidallenmandal2439]

Yes. I too think that he should a video about US Marines in China at the end of WW2.

[@zachburkey447]

The US Marines that fought in Europe during WW1 and WW2 would be cool to hear about

[@fuferito]

Quite a gift Prof Felton possesses. We all know how it all ended 74 years ago. Yet, still we listen with bated breath how the story unfolds, as if Prof Felton is reporting the event from just a day ago.

[@entropygenerator2646]

Your films remind me very much of The World at War. Superb quality.

[@tuskegeeace2840]

For the longest time I thought it was the same guy until I listened to World at War again.

[@davidallenmandal2439]

no

[@soulboygabicci5681]

World at War was narrated by Sir Laurence Olivier

[@DarkMatterX1]

That's a great series. I still have it on original dvd.

[@workingshlub8861]

world at war is a great series...

[@IIMoses740II]

Bumrushing down the highways, bypassing enemy units, straight to the capital? Sounds like an earlier version of Iraqi Freedom by like 60 years. (didn't the enemy units that got bypassed just ambush logistical units?)

[@DeltaEchoGolf]

Same during Market-Garden.

[@inisipisTV]

Or a remake of Operation Market/Garden, it's really a big gamble. It worked with General J. Churchill though.

[@joegallo8620]

Yeah but it also caused a mass surrender cause there was no where to retreat to. It was absolutely textbook

[@romigithepope]

Mark Felton finding a way to make Friday even better.

[@szubareg7485]

That's what i agree with

[@octowuss1888]

I bet 80,000 Americans were were pleased that the US didn't go for Berlin.

[@demef758]

I, for one, am grateful for it. Dad was sent off to Germany right after the Battle of the Bulge. He COULD have been sent in as canon fodder into Berlin, but thanks to Ike's decision, I'm here today.

[@docholidayoutlaws104]

I believe Germany would have surrendered earlier since most didn't want to surrender to Russia for good reasons since they still were a communist ran by a murdering dictator so it's why they fought to the end against Russia which is why Russia encircled Berlin to prevent Americans from interfering with the battle when we could have easily taken it like Patton wanted to ending the war sooner , but politics played a roll because no one really knew for sure how Russia would take it!

[@JackOQuin]

I think Eisenhower was right. Why risk heavy American casualties, when they'd already agreed to Soviet occupation of the city?

[@davidweum9334]

We rarely get quality history on so-called History channels.

[@randyballweg6079]

Yeah stupid alien shit.... Lol it's lame.

[@mvfc7637]

Have had the History Channel for 19 years and read many books on WW2 and never heard of this, well done Mark, this is why independent creators on KZbin are so important.

[@sonu11e]

It was one hell of a mission - Reminds me of rising heart beats whenever I think of time in history of Berlin was about to captured.

[@takasmaka820]

Why not nuking Berlin?

[@pyroromancer]

Soviet and American soldiers greeting eachother with handshakes hugs and enormous smiles. Its a shame the political leaders of the nations refused to do the same.

[@Rudizel]

Does not matter, it was agreed that the push for Berlin was going to be given to the Russians since they took the most casualties throughout the war. Stalin did not care how many lives it cost as long as he dealt the final blow to Germany.

[@TheDrummer51]

Besides, Stalin had his own designs on Europe.

[@simonkevnorris]

While there may have been some prestige in taking Berlin I think the loss of life would nit have been worth it (I doubt that all the Germans would have surrendered). Interesting information as always though. I think the British drive to the North was also to prevent the Soviets getting into Denmark.

[@carlosroderickdeleon4683]

I recall reading the Readers Digest condensed novel about the "Last Battle" circa 1965. It mentioned there the 83rd Rag Tag circus even used a couple of captured German Fire Engines and painted the sign: "Next Stop Berlin."

[@herbwag6456]

My father was in the mentioned 5th Armored Division and met Russians on the Elbe -- until American officers forbid further fraternization!

[@camrsr5463]

2:21 "What's that kid doing with my wig?"

[@ronaldderooij1774]

I don't understand why Eisenhower thought it a mistake in 1952 and 1958. It was a political decision to stay put at the Elbe and let the Russians have Berlin. Eisenhower was to obey that decision and it cannot be classified as a mistake, therefore.

[@danielrocha-garcia8609]

Honestly, you’re the best one I see at publishing accurate historical facts. Very well done man. I love all of your videos

[@Safestassets]

Interesting! I always thought the Allies agreed in Yalta that the Soviets would take Berlin.

[@d1agram4]

They did, they kept all their promises. The soviets broke all theirs.

[@Cyph3rX]

You have better quality narration than anything on mainstream and I'm so very appreciative of your efforts. Thanks Mark!

[@tomm9963]

Brilliant video as ever. Thank you for taking the time to create your content

[@jamesford7234]

I was interested when I saw the Lead photo, It's the one of the GI tank crew. The curly-haired GI on the turret ( center ) is Clarence Smoyer! He's the Pershing gunner in the famous shootout in Cologne, with the Panther! I met him last spring at a book signing for "Spearhead". A humble gentleman, who was audible saddened when I told him I'd forgotten my copy of the book and home some 2 hrs away. He autographed the only paper i had, a dollar bill. I now use it as my book marker. The Greatest Generation.

[@jjeherrera]

After what happened in the Soviet Union during the German invasion, it's fair to state that they deserved to have the final battle for Berlin.

[@historyarmyproductions]

You're Videos are so interesting! They help me look at history and Historical conflicts from all sides; Thank You!

[@TomasBelloXD]

Lunch Time, Mark Felt Vid, and it's about WW2. What could be better?

[@historyarmyproductions]

Nothing beats it.

[@MrSvenovitch]

100% guarantee that we'll all die painless in our sleep.

[@KB4QAA]

Soup, sandwich and history!

[@HistoryHustle]

Interesting insight! Thanks for covering.

[@tareksaleh3259]

Love your work Mark, keep it up!

[@juanmfernandez5123]

Arge-khan que lindo ver otro argentino por estos lugares, saludos

[@taylorday6244]

Intro music gets me so pumped. Keep it up man! Thank you for all these awesome little tales

[@johnsoulou9720]

Hey Mark great channel im enjoying so much. Will you cover stories of the Greco-Italian war or stories from the africa campaign? Keep up the good work.

[@MrAccolate]

Some of the best videos on WW2 I have ever watched. Just subscribed. Thank you!

[@Hyperious_in_the_air]

Crazy, just yolo it all the way to Berlin

[@krisfrederick5001]

Can never get enough, just when I think I knew it all. Keep em' coming.

[@KingNero4444]

This is now on my short list of "must watch" channels on KZbin now. I think Mark could do a history of the paperclip and keep my attention on it for 10 minutes.

[@blxtothis]

Keep’em coming Mark!

[@Coelian]

Very nice video as always!

[@rashadbassam]

Pretty much the best military history channel, hands down.

[@osamabinladenmiliciano5.538]

Great video as always.

[@patrickmaher7941]

another great video of the war that is not well known to all , great work i love your videos keep them coming .

[@storytellers1]

Great video!

[@drpancakes7897]

Thank you Mark very cool!

[@MrRayOfficial]

Great to see your recent videos dealing with the 83rd Infantry Division. My father was in the 83rd and used to talk about their make do with whatever you had attitude.

[@korbell1089]

Don't forget about the fire engines and cement mixer they also "apropriated". The 83rd even had their own air force by flying a captured ME109.

[@LewisRenovation]

Great video as always!

[@juanzulu2755]

Ur clips are so interesting. Never boring. The topics so well chosen. Each time anew. Thx Mark.

[@Roscoe_B]

Battle of Seelow Hts. has always been a favorite of mine...maybe you could find some little known stories about that do or die battle.

[@ws2228]

This is the real History Channel.

[@user-do3wt9sk7t]

magnificent video Mark ..👍👍 thanks

[@Jimmy-gd5ho]

Always amazing Mark

[@drumbergunnerer3162]

Excellence as always Mr. Felton! You are my favorite historical channel on any platform! Thank you for all your great works! What are your thoughts on "16 Days In Berlin"? Terrible the inhumane struggle those soldiers (on both sides) went threw. Yet, here in the West, much of the visual evidence remains minimal at best (in my opinion). Hope they change that.. Ecstatic!

[@corylemons7242]

Brilliant as usually!

[@issacarellano9909]

Can you do a video on the time US and Soviet soldiers met

[@828enigma6]

Simpson should have been told to continue to advance until he met significant resistance. Eisenhower even said so later.

[@Roller_Ghoster]

Into the dark heart of the Third Reich with Mark Felton. What more do you need? Pure quality all the way.

[@agentallstar7]

Thank you Mark Felton

[@AverytheCubanAmerican]

Lightning McQueen wasn't speed during the mission

[@michaeledge6158]

Mark hats of to you !!! Amazing content with insightful attention to the small facts ... Mate your (small but jammed packed)doccos are like reliving my childhood sitting watching WW2 documentaries with my late father n grandfather! I look forward to longer episodes an the day you hit a million subscribers great work my friend. Mic edge from Australia ( any chance of sum rats of Tobruk or Kokoda docs mate ) cheers

[@alexanderh.9721]

I am German and my grandfathers fought in the 12.SS Hitlerjugend and 2. Flak Division and to be honest, after Western Allies reached Germany, all German forces should fight against Red Army, so the split of Germany maybe could be avoided.

[@tinyspacepeople9384]

3:10 thats a very intriguing map. I never realized there were pockets of german resistance that far back in France?

[@matthewbrooker]

I love the way French forces took a sudden right turn when they realised they might be in danger of getting close to hard fighting in Eastern Germany.

[@ottodidakt3069]

aah some more free BS, French forces where at orders from High Command and did what told !

[@vk2ig]

@@ottodidakt3069 It made sense that the French swung to the south - that way they clean up the Axis forces in Austria, which borders France to the southeast.

[@thejeff2469]

The " what if's" of history are interesting and infinite. What if Berlin itself surrendered to the early Americans to avoid the Soviets and in turn enraged Stalin enough to start WW3 by attacking American occupied Berlin anyway. Anyhow,great video as always,thank you.

[@stephenarling1667]

WWIII would then have been very short, and its issue certain. Christian civilization would then have avoided the atrocities of creeping communism.

[@burningpotato9447]

Well nukes would rain on Moscow and Japan

[@RandomDudeOne]

If WWIII had started in 45 it would have ended very badly for Stalin since the US had the Abomb only a couple of months later.

[@misterc2105]

Love the videos keep them up

[@jeffreymcfadden9403]

once again more references to the 83rd div! O H I O One Helluva Infantry Outfit

[@markfryer9880]

Given the way that the Germans were fighting, this mission could just as easily have resulted in the destruction of the two US divisions with minimal prisoners.

[@docan6817]

Intresting & amazing informations at the same time well done sir

[@jasonmussett2129]

More good stuff from Mr Felton

[@vaza57]

Mark , do you really think that the USA (Ike) would have been willing to loose 100 K or 200 K soldiers to take a shit place like Berlin.

[@25Wineman]

Click watch & learn. Brilliant Thanks Mark.

[@diegorivera9517]

Damnit, if only Corporal Lightning McQueen could've driven faster, the Soviets wouldn't have taken Berlin!

[@rubenlopez3364]

He was speed. They were RED TIDE. DA

[@Turntapp]

Mr. Historian It would not of mattered, the post war borders were already determined after Yalta. Towns the US, UK and French captured found themselves under Soviet rule after the Yalta borders were put into place.

[@Happyfayce]

*crack* *sip* yep we just needed to drive faster

[@diegorivera9517]

@@Turntapp Thanks for the info but this was a joke post.

[@Rudolf_Breitscheid]

Dear Mark. I want to suggest you the book „19 tage krieg“. In this book the author show that there was really an american spearhead on reconissance crossing the elbe river and drove almost till Potsdam. Simosons have sent them out for find out if a easy capture of berlin would be pissible.

[@namulit]

Didn't the Allies and the Russians already decide on the occupation zones' borders before April 45? I don't remember anymore when, but I think on the initiative of the Brits the Allies gave the Russians quite a favorable proposal for the various occupation zones; this because they feared that the Red Army would just roll over the Germans and conquer most of Germany before the Allies could occupy any meaningful part of it. The Russians weren't as optimistic as the Allies and accepted the plan after requesting only very minor adjustments to it that were easily agreed upon.

[@DarkMatterX1]

They did. At Yalta. In February.

[@paulmentzer7658]

It had, and had fallen into Nazi hands. Hitler and Gobbels reviewed it and saw that it would lead to post war disputes between the Soviets and the Western Allies.

[@manuelarias9158]

We'll never know what the world could have been if so

[@podfuk]

yes It's a pity that politics took precedence over freedom

[@laurakuhn8743]

You forgot the Rag Tag Circuses Fire Truck! Seriously, thank you for including their nic name and how they got it, Yankee ingenuity. You can see pictures in the book "The Last Hundred Days of Berlin".

[@hughmorris00]

great videos

[@NIGHTSTALKER0069]

That SSgt needs a sharper knife lol.

[@DarkMatterX1]

It was dulled on the ribs of many nazis.

[@Goodywloss2010]

another great informative video. cheers. are you from South east England or counties west of London?

[@Admin-5]

I read so many documents from American high command saying “let’s the Soviets get there first” so it’s weird to see American divisions rush to Berlin

[@James-sh8mu]

I love your videos 👌👌👌

[@johnaugsburger6192]

Thanks

[@OneMan-wl1wj]

Almost can't argue with a plan that involves 4:42 "driving hell for leather!"😁 Cue vintage Judas Priest.

[@sadwingsraging3044]

I resemb,,, I mean resent that term 'vintage'!

[@sisyphusvasilias3943]

He saved 81k US lives... how is that a mistake

[@legoeasycompany]

Another greatly done video Mr. Felton Brings up some really great "What Ifs" for WW2, If there had been Western forces so close to Berlin would one assume something similar to the Elbe river crossings would have occur? IE the fighting withdrawal towards Western lines while attempting to escape from Soviet encirclement

[@assortedtea902]

i came to listen that patent mark felton music 0:00 - 0:12

[@TinkerTex]

Well done!

[@cal-efc8062]

This channel is underrated

[@Mondo762]

Would it have actually made any difference in the post war? The resulting boundaries were decided by diplomats, not Soldiers.

[@WALTERBROADDUS]

Well.... we might have made a movie about Simpson and 9th Army instead of Patton and 3rd Army.

[@hooligantv3976]

All hail Mark!

[@Raccoon_A]

You are the king of youtube.

[@patrickcloutier6801]

In 1983 I took a drivers education course in high school, at night. The owner of the company, an elderly gentleman, had fought in Europe in the last months of World War 2. He told us a few stories. One that stood out was he believed we could have captured Berlin with little difficulty, as most German soldiers did not want to become Soviet prisoners. According to him, German policemen were directing their [US Military] traffic toward Berlin, encouraging them to get their first. If help from the Germans themselves could not persuade Eisenhower to reach for the prize, what could?

[@corsair3886]

I want my ringtone to be the intro music.

[@mals4400]

Always well presented, well scripted and great footage thansk