Crisbecq: A GIANT German Bunker Complex in NORMANDY! | History Traveler Episode 198

[@karinecarde1254]

Where I was born and grew up, these bunkers were EVERYWHERE 😔. A constant reminder of what took place there. My grand father was actively fighting in the résistance.

[@anthonydm2947]

Whenever you show these bunkers, all I think about is how loud those guns must have been. Had to have been deafening. Great video

[@jacquesmelkenbeke3703]

I was there back in 1995 when all was still covered under earth and barbes wires. The engineers ( USA ??) blew up the battery to avoid future use by the Germans , in case...., I was told by a local named Gigi. I have the privilege to travel to Normandy every 8 weeks ever since but never returned to Crisbecq. See me around in 3 weeks !!!! I do stroll around when I have time but your videos give a name to lot of these nameless places. Keep doing this great work. Love it. Love from Belgium

[@cleverusername9369]

JD: please visit Wilmington, NC, my favorite town in my home state. You'll find there the WWII battleship North Carolina Museum and Memorial, and also the Civil War era Fort Fischer, a vital CSA stronghold. Wilmington was one of the most important ports the Confederacy had, I really think you'd love the history and culture in Wilmington, and you'll never get better oysters. I would also recommend the Museum of the Bizarre. I would love to see you visit Wilmington, NC. There are also museums on our Outer Banks that display U-Boat wrecks, the site of the Wright Brothers first flight, a sunken Civil War ironclad submarine, and artifacts from all sorts of shipwrecks, including Queen Anne's Revenge, Blackbeard's flagship. We even have an island that's home to wild horses directly descended from the horses the Europeans brought to the New World. You'll find Jockeys Ridge, the tallest sand dune on the east coast. Also the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse was moved like half a mile in the mid 90's and is the tallest Lighthouse in the US.

[@stevep.8706]

Another fantastic video, thank you. While staying Normandy in 2016 I visited Crisbecq Battery. The mincer in the cooler room at 16:17 was made in my home town of Uttoxeter in Staffordshire, England. Goodness knows how it ended up in Crisbecq Battery, Normandy, France to be used to prepare food for German soldiers. When the 4th Infantry men mounted their assault on Crisbec Battery the commander of the battery ordered the commander at the supporting Azeville Battery to fire directly onto Crisbecq to drive the attacking American soldiers off.

[@juliehawkins3816]

Nothing like having coffee and watching history unfold.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Nice!

[@zegotashalom3881]

We can never say it enough, thank you for preserving a part of our history and our freedom. Freedom is not free. God, Family, and Country.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👍🏻

[@davebradshaw2537]

Interesting that for so many years people wanted to forget about these sites, but now we want to know as much about them as possible.

[@city9163]

To me this is one of the coolest set up as a museum but still is the history of back in 1944

[@MichaelWilson-jk4vw]

My favorite video of yours yet. I think of myself as a knowledge person of WW2. Then, I see something like this and I realize I've only scratched the surface

[@maximusbatticus2602]

These videos should win awards , great work 👏👏

[@derekmorse8171]

I think its great that you give well deserved publicity to these places, that might otherwise be overlooked by historians and tourists and are then hopefully able to remain open to the public. well done and thank you from England.

[@normahird9059]

JD.... Again the best reenactment of the Normandy Invasion ever. I have felt in everyone if your vlogs have taken your viewers on a realistic battle to free the world of Nazi tyranny. Thank you

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks!

[@gearylyons717]

What an amazing place, I could spend all day exploring there. I’m so glad that they restored it. Love everything you do to bring history to everyone. Keep on keeping on..

[@HuntStacheHistory]

What an amazing site, so glad they were able to pull off such a fantastic restoration and turn it into what it is now! I would have never realized just how large that complex was without your drone footage, great addition. 👍🏻

[@leesherman100]

Dadgum! Ya think?? Outstanding video. Love your vids. Having studied WWII for the last 65 years permits me soak up all I can from any way possible. Thanks.

[@Hairnicks]

Very, very interesting, thank you, another place to visit upon return to Normandy.

[@STL2steppin]

I was waiting for it when you were walking through those tight spots and up to the tobruk. I cracked a smile when you mentioned the poor guy that was receiving medical care. You made it through without banging your head! All kidding aside, great content as always. Thanks for another great lesson.

[@EchoKilo]

My wife and I were able to visit Azeville but we were unaware of Crisbecq. Always more to see.

[@dawndickson2156]

All those medical supplies that were found! Fascinating. One of the things I collect. One can only imagine what went through the minds of the Germans when they saw the vast armada out before them. Thank you JD. Again just in time for break at work!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks! And yes, those medical supplies were pretty cool.

[@suzyqualcast6269]

Aye, happen time to break out what's left of the Pervitin for a bit of determined concentration on the disaster approaching.

[@kyles9320]

JD you always have the best luck going to all these places and being alone.

[@homercook1953]

Oh my that is a horrendous big bunker and never knew it was that big show me alot what the bunkers look like they're see why they have problems. Another excellent video on Normandy take care may God bless you and your family

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks. Pretty massive complex.

[@351wmustanggt]

It's also awesome history that this bunker system exchanged fire with the Nevada, the ship that would not die.

[@rugi0253]

Wow, thanks for this, man… we’re in Bayeux for the next few days, and this place wasn’t even on our list. We’ll be heading to Crisbecq in the morning!

[@gregsayre4700]

I'm so proud of you. You managed to go into bunkers and not hit your head (on camera).

[@normannobrot]

i am going to have to re go through your videos and make a list of places ..great vid. many thanks for the effort..

[@beardedanglertv]

That aerial shot in the end really shows how freakin huge this complex is! A whole lot of concrete an rebar... Thanks for another great episode! Keep it up!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

It’s crazy. Glad that you enjoyed it!

[@stephenwilliams1824]

I was at Utah Beach last month along with the other D-day landings. Should have spent more time to explore these bunkers instead of the shoreline and museums.

[@dave3156]

Impressive tour JD! I cannot get over the size of this facility and how self supporting it is. Thanks for taking me along with you!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@usnusmcret]

Each time JD shows a large bunker, he manages to find a much larger bunker. Thank You!

[@labrat2069]

The entire tour was supremely interesting - thank you very much!

[@nonofinn7136]

I cannot wait to get back to Normandy! Your videos have set up my next trip!

[@robstark6899]

Going there was an experience I can't describe properly. Just an amazing place.

[@skimmer8774]

Imagine a shell leaving the gun aboard a ship and it's destiny is entering a doorway of a bunker. Wow. Great video. Thank you.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Pretty crazy. That big hole was made from a shell that came from Azeville Battery though. Can't imagine being on the receiving end of that.

[@1NF3RN0_23]

@@TheHistoryUnderground Hey I started watching you for your Civil war content But since your covering so much on D-Day i wonder if you’ll visit the memorial at my hometown Bedford VA and do a episode about the Bedford boys

[@Invicta556]

Sadly Azeville was closed when i went Normandy in 2018.

[@351wmustanggt]

As they say, The Avon Lady may ring your chimes but me and my Howitzer only knock one time.....

[@kendecoster2396]

The shell came from the back. Not from a ship

[@mamab4211]

Wow!! That. Place was/is massive! Thanks for taking us along 💞🥳

[@allthatmattersiscigars2312]

damn bro youre pumpin out content. on lunch gonna watch while im havin my evening cigar. ive been on a serious ww2 tear.

[@averyp.9315]

All I have to say is Erwin Rommel was an absolute genius when it came to planning out defensive positions for the atlantic wall.

[@michaelsullivan1262]

Yeah, no wonder why they won… wow!

[@dakotareid1566]

@@michaelsullivan1262just because they lost doesn’t make the defensive positions any less impressive

[@johnboychuk1467]

@@michaelsullivan1262they literally had the entire world fighting against them lol

[@Cultofpersonality09129]

He predicted the Normandy attack. Hitler wouldn’t listen to him.

[@dickodickinson3833]

They lost though

[@billotto602]

Another outstanding video. Wow. I wish my wife & I could afford to go there ?

[@bobklocek3620]

On my trip to Normandy for the 70th anniversary, I introduced myself to a veteran quietly sitting in the Notre Dame Cathedral in Bayeux. He was wearing a hat with the name USS Corry. He humbly explain the ship blowing up. I asked what did he do when this happened. His reply was “What the hell do you think I did, I jump in the water”. He mentioned it took 3 hours for their sister ship to pick them up. So humble.

[@runningintohistory]

Awesome! Can't wait to get over there this summer!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Pretty amazing place.

[@Invicta556]

YES, ive been here. So happy you went thier mate, i couldn't believe that it was a German shell that went threw like that. Respect to all that fought thier and lets not forget the labourers who built it too.

[@judygrandstrand9784]

Amazing restoration project-

[@kennethreiver985]

Wow this is one of the best episodes yet ! I look forward to each new installment in this series . Thanks so much.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Wow, thanks!

[@alexrobertson1472]

Once again I am astounded by the sheer quality of your videos and your knowledge, informative, respectful but also excellent videography and entertaining, its a crime that each of your videos does not have 1million views. Would love to buy you a beer and show you around my local museum if you are ever in the UK.

[@thinghammer]

That hole in the wall is amazing. The people on the other side would have been vaporized. Another outstanding video. This series is batting a thousand. All the content is superb. JD, has late night TV or NPR or anyone reached out to talk to you about this? It's really remarkable.

[@stephenrrose]

JD, Tell Erik and maybe Paul, we are sorry not sorry if you held them up! Just Kidding!!! Thank you again for a great video and helping me "Learn things!" As a medic I found the First Aid Room and actual Bottles used on site, interesting!

[@1psychofan]

I have to say, as you go up those steps into the Tobruk….I was literally like “don’t bump your head JD” then the patient at the aid station when you said “somebody bumped their head…”. Oh goodness that’s hilarious 😂 another brilliant episode

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Ha!

[@AmberPearcy]

Same here! Haha

[@stephenrrose]

I was thinking the same thing!!!

[@1psychofan]

@@stephenrrose something about great minds eh? 🤔😂

[@ColinH1973]

There was a much bigger complex in Quiberon, Brittany. Every so often the French military blow a bunker up, but there's still a fair bit left.

[@tennesse_courier]

Those gun bunkers are a amazing history especially digging them out. The damage they withstood is unbelievable great information and history. Of course you would find a connection to the 101st Band of Brothers...

[@MrJal67]

Thats one of the double edged swords of the BoB "thing." I swear there are people who think the 101st and more specifically E Co. of the 501st- won the entire ETO on their own.

[@CD318]

Your channel is AWESOME!

[@roberthudson1959]

The damage to the 210 mm emplacement illuminates the difference between artillery and naval gunfire. 210 mm is gigantic for land artillery, but the USS Nevada had 10 356 mm guns.

[@Wreckdiver59]

Visiting some bunkers is definitely on my bucket list. Glad to see they took the time to bring this one back. One of the few things my father in law did talk about regarding his WWII experience was guarding the German prisoner work detail they used to move ammo into a quarry for disposal (blowing up) after the end of the war somewhere outside of Munich. Thanks for bringing that memory back JD 👍

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Wow!

[@Mark-pp7jy]

If you haven't been, there are two places in London that are a must see. "Churchill's War Rooms", and "The Imperial War Museum". There are many more, of course, but those are "do not miss" destinations!

[@samatine3108]

The Azeville Battery is worth the visit.

[@suzyqualcast6269]

And only a short distance away.

[@alfiedog2942]

Fascinating stuff and an impressive complex ! Equally impressive and with an amazing story of a direct hit from a US battleship is the battery at Azevill close to Crisbecq

[@davidking6172]

Great preservation work. The World needs to look after more of these sites for the future. Amazing structures

[@francisjohnification]

Your description of preservation after 60 years etc would almost fit that of the camp at Grandcampe Maisy. Maisy Battery was literally buried after the war. A gent called Gary Sterne wrote an excellent book about this. ‘The cover up at Omaha Beach’. Sure you’re familiar with this. If not I highly recommend a read mate. He has excavated it and new bunkers have just been added to the known site. Truly massive and very controversial.

[@PaulSpencerImages2012]

I believe that the bunker complex is where Major Pluskat was stationed when they saw the invasion coming from the sea. They have recently unearthed and restored the command bunker across the road from the site where you were visiting. If you think Crisbecq is large wait until you see Maisy Batterie😉

[@bigboyblue7181]

I jumped into Normandy in June of 1994 with the Canadian Airborne Regiment.

[@351wmustanggt]

I remember when that place was discovered and they started the excavation. So awesome to see the progress that has been made.

[@1psychofan]

Wow JD! That battle damage was incredible! That shel blasting the wall? WOE! Cool to see!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Yeah, that might have been my favorite part of the whole complex.

[@1psychofan]

@@TheHistoryUnderground I sent this to my sons, was like -WOE BOYS! Momma wants you to see this! Lol

[@thomasanthony9374]

This place was huge. Must've been pretty intimidating. I enjoyed this one a lot. Pretty neat stuff. Thanks again for sharing JD!

[@randywaite4573]

Why did the allies destroy ordinance instead of using t against the axis. Thanks again for presenting all the behind the scenes history..

[@richardwest6358]

Hard to traverse guns when they're surrounded by hundreds of tons of concrete

[@brendanmcgrady7614]

Love your work JD. Coming from a WWII history buff all I can say is I'm super jealous of you being able to tour Normandy and visit so many place of great significance. Keep up the great work.

[@jasonford7826]

Another amazing video! And I must say I love the music you used for this one!

[@JonDarnbrough]

I have spent a lot of time in the Normandy and Calais area over the last 23 years and I must congratulate you on your retelling of history with accurate and interesting information. Your videography is also excellent. I cannot believe I have only just found your incredible page. Well done and thank you very much. Jon in the UK. Ex Royal Air Force Police.

[@KarlMcCleve]

Thank you so much for doing such a great job in preserving history. I don't know of any other place that I could go and get exact history as you are giving. Keep up the great work

[@brucewood1827]

I was stationed with the 5/81st ABN FA in Wiesbaden Germany. We use to participate in training maneuvers at Grafenwoehr(Rommel's old stomping grounds). This was the first time I experienced German bunkers. They were strong, well-built structures that I found fascinating. Glad you like showing them.

[@claudethibaudeau2714]

Holy crap can you imagine being in there? The sounds😮🇨🇦😮 alone I think would've been enough to ruin your hearing for the rest of your life. I was a metal worker all my life and have serious hearing issues because of all the loud banging and other various noises. Being in that bunker would've definitely make your ears bleed while sensing horror in your heart. Incredible stuff and I tip my cap to any bunker survivor from WW2.

[@swtexan6502]

At first, I thought that the first bunker room (where they exploded the ordnance) was a gym! I used to train in a gym that looked very similar to that room. Thanks, as always, JD!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Oh dang. That would be kind of a cool looking gym.

[@davidwillis4839]

That is a very cool bunker complex and a nice alternative to those at Pointe du Hoc. I cannot imagine the volume of planning, research and coordination that you and others have invested in these videos. Thanks for the work and the journey.

[@nielst.3891]

The bunker in the end (with collapsed roof and some shells on display in front of it): it was damaged after US soldiers blew up some of the ammo inside that bunker, leaving approx 10 soldiers killed and render the bunker useless). Had a visit last week during vacation there.

[@Cabmaker]

I have to give kudos to the French for restoring the bunkers. When I would’ve thought they would want to erase everything that reminded them of the nazi occupation. Great video again!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks! And yes, the French deserve a lot of credit for the work at preserving the history.

[@SGTDuckButter]

@@TheHistoryUnderground Did it cost you anything to tour the complex?

[@JakeMika-mt4dy]

@@SGTDuckButterno it’s a free country

[@grahamvallentyne6952]

Hello from the uk loving the channel love that you bring us history as it sould never be forgoton woundering if you will be going to the secret maisey battery many thanx graham

[@marctremblay8087]

That was awesome dude, a piece of history that seems to be left out of movies and documentaries, thank you so much for this video and bringing history into the light.

[@aslooijer]

Wow what a huge place. Never heard of crisbecq. But what a sight. I have to go again to Normandy. I missed way too much I see 😂

[@michaeldenesyk3195]

Well done! Thank you

[@MrWhitelightning73]

Outstanding as always. Seemed like a lot more to see. Time constraints are a bummer 😁

[@Creatorph]

I love how you bring everything in detail so we have a better understanding of what happend or took place there. Love the videos keep em going! There's also tons of bunkers on the border with france and germany might be cool if you went there and made a video on it :)

[@trish5556]

Wow, this was quite a complex! I had never heard of a grenade trap. For some reason I thought of miniature golf when you showed that!

[@christopherreynolds8873]

Wow. Great video. Very impressive construction to take that kind of punishment. It reminds me of some of our coastal defense fortifications and some of their later uses. I have one near me that used for training during Vietnam. It took way more abuse than you can imagine and is still standing. This video makes me want to visit Normandy even more.

[@Emtbtoday]

I didn't relise they were all filled and been excavations that's fantastic! I'm hoping to get over this summer I can't wait to see all this in person! Covid cancelled trips for past couple of year's just hope we get this year! I'm a ww2 modeller I've got a big diorama of the radar dish and the flak in the grounds amusing hobby done a beautiful set to build!

[@francesco245]

"Covid" cancelled nothing. It's a virus. Dictatorial and fascistic politicians did.

[@rickvanoers1064]

Been here couple of years ago, it is an amazing site

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Absolutely.

[@helenabiesma5560]

brilliant - so amazing to show the detail - love it

[@martin7955]

Amazing, great construction

[@birdman5223]

Excellent content young man👍🏻

[@pdb1565]

I’ve been there last year and your aerial footage completes my impressions. Well shown! Your series shows it all 👍🏻

[@michaelbruce6190]

One of the many reasons I love this channel is that I learn something new every video. I have never heard or read about any Kriegsmarine personnel being anywhere on the Normandy invasion beaches, but apparently there were 👍🏻

[@FilipDePreter]

The bunker at Ouistreham is also well worth a visit.

[@joemabry9643]

Thank you!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

You bet!

[@petercliff4023]

Another great episode. Just love those big guns! Just love the restoration of this battery as well.

[@prontsc]

Just about every Summer I take my family to St. Julian en Borne, by Lit en Mixe. There's a very wide, pure sand beach, with no stones or seaweed/grasse called Contis Plage. It was here that Rommel's Atlantic wall ended. Biarritz is 30 miles away and Spain is another 30 miles after that. The last bunker collapsed into the beach but the 2nd to end is still there although filled with sand. The areas around are off limits due to war bombs and such. it is now a surfing paradise and looks like California circa 1960. In the center of town, under the houses are bunkers, tunnels command post complexes that still exist but in private hands. The roads to the beach were built by Germans and young German surfers boys when partying are often reminded by locals of the history.

[@stevelinscome728]

That was awesome! Thanks!

[@erickstiner1668]

Great video. Thank you for teaching me about this complex. I had no idea.

[@softtail11000]

Awesome video !! They had some impressive defenses

[@JeffrikOG9]

Its amazing the time, money, and manpower they had to build fortifications

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Pretty crazy. Only to have it breached in a day.

[@JeffrikOG9]

@@TheHistoryUnderground yes that too, all that effort just to last a day lol

[@howler6490]

Manpower? Forced labour...the least of their problems. Time? They had from 1939 till D-day... Money? Appropriated everything from their captives and their country. So,all in all, they paid the architects...maybe.

[@JeffrikOG9]

@@howler6490 true true all still amazing

[@Toche44]

The Niland family (aka the Ryan Family from Saving Private Ryan) is from Buffalo, NY, and is still local and active. The family are first cousins with John Belein who coached the Michigan Wolverines basketball team for many years.

[@marcuswardle3180]

During the drone shots above the battery you could see, on the grass, faint lines. This could mean that thee is something under the grass that hasn't been dug up. Archaeologists sometimes use aerial photos of field to highlight where stone structures have been . The stone under the earth causes the grass to grow at a shorter length than the surrounding grass. When up high you can see the difference. There appeared to be a few 'structures' under that grass?

[@larryburwell8550]

Great video great history lesson I'll have to say I'm thankful and impressed with this video. I'll never see in person

[@Kubelwagen41]

Nice tour of the facilities, but you should have done more research on the defense of the position by Leutnant z.S Ohmsen. Much of the damage that you were so impressed with was done by the 105mm German position when Leutnant Ohmsen called in friendly fire on his own position to remove the US infantry that was swarming all over his position. You might have also mentioned that the main bunker's damage was not as a result of US fire, but that it just fell in on itself years after the war was over. Leutnant Ohmsen was awarded three classes of the Iron Cross (to include the Knights Cross) for his battery defense. Less oh's and ah's and more history.

[@peterthebellhop7961]

Another thing, the purpose of Utah was to capture Cherbourg some 40 klicks away. My 19 year old Kriegsmarine father was stationed there and was captured around June 27th when it fell.