When a Soldier Completely Changed WW2 Without Realizing It

[@samstewart4444]

Back in the 1960s I was dating a girl from a tiny West Virginia town. One evening while at her parents home, the father of her sister's boyfriend (who was visiting) noticed I was wearing shiny military low quarters. Once he realized I was on leave, he started talking. For the next 6 hours he told me of his exploits while serving as a member of Merrill's Marauders. He talked of battles on river banks where his unit defended positions with BARs and M1s. He told of hanging in a hammock, delirious with malaria, for 10 days during a train ride. His two teenage children had never heard these stories. There is so much unwritten history of incredible hardship.

[@richardross3815]

I had same experience in 1980 13:36 with sole survivor of B17 crash in England. Buddy’s dad ( Owen Jones ) after few drinks and realizing I studied military history…talked about being only survivor tail gunner as they were bounced by me109 while landing. Warren( his son) was astounded. Kids had asked him all his life what happened during his service. 10 minutes and couple scotch and flood gates opened.

[@George-vf7ss]

Same story with a survivor of the Battan Death March. I listened for at least 2-3 hours. He had never spoken about it to his family.

[@mohammedziauddin601]

Ordinary men doing extraordinary things. True bravery. 🎖️🇺🇲

[@Tom-d1x]

I don't know if you could call these guys ordinary men these guys sound like they had special forces training but definitely doing extraordinary things and quite brave

[@14goldmedals]

@@Tom-d1xI’ve always thought it was not tactically sound to put different uniforms on the commandos or special forces guys. I love when you’re underestimated then suddenly it’s their s…hitting the fan.

[@bdcochran01]

Definitely not ordinary men. Bouck enlisted in the Headquarters Company, 138th Infantry Regiment of the Missouri National Guard at age 14 so he could earn one dollar per drill day to help his family. He was never asked his age. He was rapidly promoted to Supply Sergeant at age 16, making more than most of his civilian friends. He had 6 years military experience. Those people had to be trained in stealth, drawing, map reading, drafting reports - not taught to people in basic training and beyond the ability of the average draftee. I know. I volunteered for the draft. Most of the enlisted men coming into the army had never made a meal, camped out over night, never made a bed, never washed their own clothes or repaired them.

[@14goldmedals]

@@bdcochran01 I’m always amazed how many mama’s boys there still are. Our mom taught all 6 of us to cook, clean, do laundry and iron, sew and mend clothing and grocery shopping. Dad taught us the outside stuff and car repair. We all appreciated it and so did our wives.

[@jameshoward5324]

My dad was a combat medic in the Battle of the Bulge, I am still amazed at what these guys went through.

[@theresarts482]

A salute to him. Truly a brave man.

[@msf60khz]

My dad also, in the British Army, running a Field Dressing Station. He told me that it was so cold that tanks skidded off the road, and sentries were found dead from the cold.

[@rushfanjr2112]

First, I'd like to thank you for producing this little piece of history. My grandfather was a captain in the 2nd Battalion 394th Infantry Regiment, 99th Division. He was stationed just down the road from where Bouck's platoon was dug in. In fact, had Bouck's platoon not held that ridge overlooking the road from Lanzerath, they would have run into my grandad's unit guarding the Bucholtz station and railroad. As it turns out, his unit was attacked by a different German infantry outfit that very same mourning, but they defeated that attack and held the station through the night. Unfortunately, there are some historical inaccuracies with your account of Bouck's platoon. For example, a little girl came out of a house as the Germans were walking down the road and gave the American position away. The German officer ordered his men to directly cross the field to investigate or attack and that's when the fighting started. Also, when the AT unit pulled out of the town, Bouck sent some men down to see why they left and also contact the Artillery spotting unit that was also in the town. The Germans soon came and there was a rush to get out of town without being spotted. One of the men got cut off and never made it back to the platoon. The spotters joined the I&R platoon on the ridge, which was located behind the town, not in front as you seem to infer. Also, this Intelligence and Recon platoon were by no means Commandos, which the US Army does not designate to any unit (they use the nomenclature Rangers instead). However, they were hand picked for their intelligence and specifically trained for their tasks. I recommend everyone read Alex Kershaw's well written account of this unit - The Longest Winter

[@petermacmillan6756]

I have tried several times to write a comment. I am overwhelmed by the bravery and resourcefulness of these men, and I am grateful that they (and so many others) risked everything for us. Thousands of them never came home, and we don't appreciate them as much as we should. THANK YOU, veterans.

[@AnneVandijck]

I fully agree, because of them we have democratie in Europe. Forever greatful to every brave soul. Love from the Netherlands

[@camcamscrashcourses6223]

Well said! I get choked up myself thinking about what my grandfather and his 3 brothers had to do and I'm veteran myself.These men were Heroes, all.

[@TheSheriff339]

@@camcamscrashcourses6223 Apparently not, in Trump world: I salute your family for their unselfish service.

[@m.h.6499]

A debt that feels impossible to repay.

[@bensatterwhite5694]

There always has to be some trash talking shit about Trump and don’t know what they are talking about.

[@clarkabrpi3428]

It is so sad that this battle, with those 18 men was forgotten for so many years. Their actions and bravery speaks volumes of what a difference a few determined men can do. It makes you wonder how many other such actions have gone untold and forgotten in time...

[@sislertx]

After being g in Iraq i can tell u there are 1000s of stories...not quite this outstanding but many many more...and in Disgust when people who did nothing were recognized i left...

[@SusanBenning]

There are many WWII stories that need to be put out for others. While working I was asked to translate a letter in French. It was a letter of gratitude from a French Jewish man freed from an internment camp making German rockets to be used against Americans. He and other Jews were held in that cave working on rockets. Meanwhile an American soldier with a platoon several days travel away receives a spiritual message to follow the train tracks. He was denied permission to follow the tracks by his CO. That night he went awol to follow the tracks. Two days later the tracks led to a cave with locked gates. No sign of German soldiers. The war was almost over. He broke the lock and deep in the cave were hundreds of Jewish men half starved. He went to closest farm to get food . Then went back to get his platoon to get help. So many untold stories.

[@tomcampbell6384]

I was just thinking the very same thing. I live in Elkhart County, IN. Several years ago I went to a recognition ceremony for surviving WWII vets. I was amazed out how many were there and the stories they told. Every story I heard would make a great movie. The one you just told reminded me of Schindler's list. I don't think I've ever been so emotionally touched by a movie. They truly are the greatest generation.

[@rkkristalovich653]

Wow .What a feat of bravery! Such ingenuity from such a such a young soldier! When you consider how the battle-hardened vets looked upon the replacements as " just kids," this is amazing!

[@johnhadley7715]

@@rkkristalovich653 Try these kids out ! What do you see ? Their eyes tell you. They knew they could walk through 1/4” steel plate. Use that. Obviously, 1LT Bouck did; he got his DSC - PH for being in-the-moment ( we see a lot of those traits in those Depression-survivor kids - street-smart ), and processing info past/present/what’s next thinking. This officer is the kind the Army wanted to keep in the years ahead. I’ve also noted that officers like him tend to bring their subordinate soldiers and noncoms along into careers, too. This experience could have brought a lot of future school instructors, DI’s into the army. This whole series of engagements was so well-thought that West Point could be teaching it…

[@JesseOaks-ef9xn]

Every one of these guys were amazing and should have won the Medal of Honor.

[@BobBrunetti]

Men do this not for glory ! but for the men they are fighting with!

[@charlesroulette5296]

Survival!!

[@danielhurst8863]

One thing left out, is that the German Army command wanted to know why a mere battalion of American troops was holding up the advance. It was a platoon.

[@rm5902]

It was th men of St. Vith that stopped them.

[@mingfanzhang8927]

😊

[@mingfanzhang4600]

😊

[@vinnartaigh2076]

not enough Pervitin

[@oldesertguy9616]

about half of a platoon. A squad is usually about 12 guys.

[@DATo_DATonian]

Considering the magnitude of Bouck's accomplishment he most certainly deserved the Medal Of Honor.

[@H-Hedger]

1) what an incredible feat by those brave intelligence operatives. Truly mind boggling that they didn't lose a person against those odds AND they held out for a day. I'm am awed and humbled. 2) your delivery of this tale had me hooked and on the edge of my seat. I experienced a plethora of emotions and when you revealed they didn't lose a person, I was so shocked. Great storytelling. Thank you!

[@janiceduke1205]

Lt.🌟 Bouck at 20 years old , "Not on my watch", & his men 👏👏👏‼

[@Bette-g7k]

when men were MEN.

[@svbarryduckworth628]

Check your privilege boomer ;)

[@Don1924-mc2rm]

20 yr Olds today can't start a lawnmower, LMAO

[@joe-zj8js]

Or figure out what gender they are... do you have an innie or an outie?...yes😂

[@danielhooke6115]

Its almost disgusting that they had to wait 36 years to receive the recognition that deserved.

[@terry_willis]

Similar to long wait for recognition AND treatment of Agent Orange devastation during Vietnam War. That's your government.

[@svbarryduckworth628]

Typical US military leadership move. The brass messed up and left these men hanging and yet they stepped up and held the line anyway. They were embarrassed that these 18 men were left out to dry yet they did not accept their fate so easily. Some things never change except the US military leadership has gotten even worse since then. God help us.

[@danielcobbins8861]

@@svbarryduckworth628 Basically the same thing happened to Cdr Joseph Rochefort, USN. He was the man who was able to crack the Japanese naval codes, and pinpoint where the Japanese would attack, near Midway. Adm. Nimitz fought hard, for many years, to have the Navy Cross awarded to Rochefort. Rochefort was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross, in 1976. What makes this sad, is that Rochefort was thrown under the bus when the war ended.

[@ronniewestherly3435]

Yes,having to wait was a travesty.

[@gregmccartney5780]

Politicians and corridor dwellers too busy giving each other freedom medals and such.

[@rb1179]

It's pronounced BOWK. I went to school with his son. Lt Bouck went on to become a chiropractor in my hometown of St Louis, MO.

[@sunny_froyo]

There's like 3 ways that are all right to pronounce bowk

[@haplessasshole9615]

@@sunny_froyo "All right" is one thing. The way the Bouck family with whom @rb1179 was acquainted was the same family as the Lt. Bouck in question. If they pronounce it "Bowk," "Bowk" is their correct pronunciation. My own surname is Lithuanian, and therefore unusual. My husband told me the various pronunciations he had heard (and as a student of linguistics, he learned of several), but ended with, "And _we_ pronounce it XYZ way." The "all right" pronunciation of a name is the one the family chooses. Correcting the family's pronunciation or insisting others are just as valid while ignoring their stated preference is tacky.

[@sumdumbmick]

@@sunny_froyo one of which is used in the video, so... no idea what the boomer's talking about.

[@serpentines6356]

That's cool you knew them... These men in WW2 had such hellish experiences.

[@johnwilliams1091]

@@sumdumbmickthis comment was neither clever or helpful… don’t be a D

[@pacalvotan3380]

That 1-day delay was probably all the allies needed to stem the German offensive. That was an incredible effort, that was surprisingly unrecognized for so long.

[@davidjackson2690]

I knew about this when I was 13. I read alot as a kid and I'm old enough and lucky enough to have known bunches of WWII vets. From my church to my paper route, grass cutting and snow shoveling I got to meet maybe 40 combat vets.

[@Au60schild]

Lucky you! From kids to young adults alike today, they can't fathom just how great it was to meet them.

[@davidjackson2690]

@@Au60schild And it was great. I still feel small when I think about them.

[@patrickporter1864]

It would not have mattered anyway. The further they penetrated the more their flanks opened up.

[@stevenpace892]

​@@patrickporter1864one more day to destroy fuel in the fuel dump, one more day to reposition. The Germans needed to move fast to have a chance

[@gonesideways6621]

My Dad was there at Bulge he told me they liked to froze to death as they still had their summer clothes that they were issued when they landed on D-Day. I would ask him as child to go camping his reply was son I have slept outside on ground my last time.

[@Toby-f4e]

My Dad was a radio man in the 101st, he earned the silver star for holding his position calling in coordinates under heavy fire, I used to try to get him to go backpacking, he told me he carried a 50 lb pack and a 50 lb radio across Europe and would never shoulder a pack again

[@LarryH49]

My father who was in the 4th Armored Division also would not go camping.

[@architennis]

@@Toby-f4e I like backpacking (was never in the services) and, as a teenager years ago read "The Complete Walker", a wonderful how-to book on backpacking. Turns out the author, Colin Fletcher, from Wales, was a soldier with the Brits on D-Day. He hated the term "hiking" from his military days but later came to love backpacking.

[@Toby-f4e]

@@architennis I have that book, the only thing I didn't agree with was this sock regimen, I find 100% cotton works fine for me, but the rubbing alcohol on your feet to toughen them works

[@LarryH49]

My father was wounded by an artillery shell in Belgium. Shrapnel hit his lower leg and forearm. He made his way to an ambulance. He was given morphine and his money, watch, valuables and dog tags were taken. He woke in a field hospital unknown and was MIA. He was transferred to a hospital in Wales.

[@danflores8445]

These were extraordinary men and women, on the battlefield, in the air, on the waters of the Pacific, Atlantic as well as on the home front. These are and forever will be the Greatest Generation Ever. They not only won the war against fascism, hate and genocide they came home, built homes, companies, factories they put themselves in college, putting their children in college while still serving in their own communities as; teachers, police, doctors, firefighters, construction and farming. To all of our Greatest Generation, I (we, as a Grateful Nation) salute you with Admiration, Gratitude, Appreciation, Honor and Respect 🫡

[@SusanMccutchen-Smith]

My father was in the American Army & fought in the Battle of The Bulge and survived unharmed physically. He never would speak of his experiences during WW2 except a couple of lighter stories, like eating canned peaches out of a cellar in rural France. The stories of his horrific experiences died with him. That is one reason I collect any non-fiction books about WW2. I buy and give away any copy I find of 'The Greatest Generation' to my children, grandsons, and any young families, so it will hopefully spark a similar interest in the post baby boomer generations. I tried to express my gratitude to my father and other veterans for their sacrifice and contributions to our freedom that we often take for granted. I shudder to think what all our lives would have been like if Hitler had prevailed.

[@GH-oi2jf]

The fascists are on the ascendant in the USA now.

[@haroldwilkes6608]

"29 Let's Go", an official publication, told me more about my father's service than he did. And I only found out he saved a life at Normandy after his death from the man whose life he saved at the Normandy Memorial in Virginia.They were a closed mouthed bunch.

[@daystatesniper01]

Dark this top drawer video , i for once can not think of words to say about the incredible bravery and tenacious stubborn fight these 18 men did it goes beyond beggaring belief , such a shame it took so long for them to get recognition for these acts

[@johnlansing2902]

Just another day at the factory for that generation . Thank you all !

[@debmitch1781]

In 1987, my husband and I were stationed in 3rd Armored Division in Germany. On a three-day weekend, we took the book “A Time for Trumpets” by Charles B. MacDonald and used the descriptions in it to find the I&R platoon’s positions. You could still see their foxholes in the tree line by a field. Luckily the farmer’s field had been harvested so we could walk up to the area to look for the position. It was a great experience!

[@Stoney47]

And that's why they are called the greatest generation.

[@robertb4563]

I truly despise the title of "the greatest generation". Many of these men and women fulfilled their duties and more. Many did not. (See the numbers of American deserters in France in late 1944. There are good, honorable men and women everywhere, in every country, in every time. They did their duty and did it well. Today, that tradition is repeated around the world. These 18 men though, were exemplary.

[@Stoney47]

@@robertb4563 That maybe but the percentage of deserters were minimal for what they had to endure. They were the greatest generation even if you don't believe so.

[@Iexpedite1]

@@Stoney47 I’m not a fan of the phrase either. Each generation that has had reason to fight has fought bravely. We haven’t been challenged in the same manner in some time. If we were, new generations would do what needed to be done. They aren’t the greatest generation, they are just Americans answering the call.

[@spg77777]

The book is called "The Longest Winter." Very good.

[@thomasmaloney843]

Recommend it.

[@josephg.3370]

Thank you

[@masudashizue777]

Why have I never heard of them before? Excellent storytelling!

[@treadlightly6427]

These were a different breed of man.

[@jackmoorehead2036]

No, they were just ordinary men in extraordinary circumstances.

[@Ma660t5andw1ch]

Find the movie “Restrepo” and watch it. Similar breed of Americans, but our most recent war.

[@avo616]

More like geeked out breed of men

[@davidjaslow6458]

In the movie “Cuba” (1979), a Batista General asked Sean Connery “What is the most important weapon?” Sean Connery replied “BRAINS”

[@smctrout4423]

After the Germans finally defeated Bouck and his I&R Platoon, they encountered the Engineer Combat Battallion commanded by Col. David Pergrin. The engineers blew up every bridge capable of carrying armor in the path of Kampfgruppe Peiper. When the engineers blew up the last bridge that the Germans could have used to reach the Meuse River, Peiper called them "the damned engineers."

[@amadeusamwater]

I believe there was book about them by the same name.

[@smctrout4423]

@@amadeusamwater "The Damned Engineers" was written by Janice Holt Giles, the wife of one of the members of Col. Pergrin's engineer battalion. Col. Pergrin also wrote a few books about his battalion, one of which was "Engineering the Victory," which was about his battalion's actions in the Battle of the Bulge.

[@amadeusamwater]

@@smctrout4423 I remember reading that book many years ago. It was a good read.

[@Στο_πιο_δικαιο]

Yours is one of the few sources of good history content on KZbin.

[@flickingbollocks5542]

😂

[@luchm4046]

Two minutes into the video, already more than a lifetime's worth to experience; yet, the video still had another 10 minutes more to go. It really becomes a never ending gratitude. 🙏💌🗽

[@anim8torfiddler871]

Thank you for this inspiring post. What I've learned from conversations with combat veterans -- there are uncountable acts of heroism and self-sacrifice in battle, and in many cases, the hero AND witnesses who could verify their comrade's valor, all died before the witnesses could give reports. If I understand correctly, second hand descriptions are not accepted for purposes of military honors. My dad - Jim "Pug" March - never talked about his combat experiences in WWII. He was awarded the Navy Cross. The citation is pretty simple. While fighting fires below decks in the Hornet (CV8), during the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands, he found a compartment with the unexploded bomb from a Japanese aircraft that had crashed on the flight deck.The bomb was rolling with the swells and smacking the bulkheads. He sent the rest of his team away and entered the compartment, secured the bomb, and returned to fighting the fires. Some years after his death, I came across a website listing 35 pilots, officers and sailors who had been awarded the Navy Cross for their actions in the Hornet's last battle. Of those men, only five, including my father, survived to receive their honors.

[@AnneVandijck]

I am sure you are a proud kid

[@serpentines6356]

Yes, all the experiences and stories that die with people. I think about that...The internal world of people, things unspoken, never known, their own insights. The good ones would be nice to know - know more of their stories.

[@sabtahi13]

You never know the impact of your actions. Be resolute. Act according to your beliefs. Respect to all who Served.

[@petersanderson8307]

Thanks!

[@GregoryDurrance]

Intelligence units are seldom recognized because they are ghost units that don't exist. You know this going into the intelligence service. "No, we don't have anybody there doing those things. It wasn't us "

[@joe18750]

Lol! "... sometimes by unconventional means..." What a wonderful euphemism.

[@faranger]

It is amazing how fast a fellow will talk with a cigarette lighter to man parts 😅

[@navret1707]

Waterboarding with jet fuel? Yeah, that’ll work.

[@runelausen1135]

Was going to write the same comment. That wording was just ridiculous. Call torture by its name when it's used.

[@Bumper776]

I served in the US Army 1971-1973 then went on to retire from a large police department and in my opinion, there are often deeds of bravery that go unrewarded while sometimes certain people get decorated for acts most of us did not feel deserved any recognition. For example, on the P.D., a sergeant was infatuated with a pretty female officer and recommended her for a high decoration usually reserved for uncommon valor when she shoved a little man against the wall and retrieved an unloaded gun from his belt during a drug raid. The other officers who participated in the raid were amazed and disgusted.

[@bobrivett7645]

God Bless men such as these few. RIP boys.

[@AlloBruxelles]

Belgian here, thanking the Americans, British and Canadians for liberating my country from the German tyranny and atrocities.

[@billm777]

We often wait too long to reward true valor! The brave WWI veterans, all long dead, are finally getting their long overdue memorial in Washington DC!

[@craigbritton1089]

There were so many heros in those battles.

[@casparcoaster1936]

I (& every US W2 history nut) always wondered who was the idiot who refused the 99th ID's I & R platoon at Lanzarath artillery support at beginning of B o B. Wish Hollywood would make a war movie with teenage kids & 20 year olds, like the kids who really fought it.

[@chrisbowen7648]

From what I recall the German attack was started under cover very bad weather... so entirely possible that this prevented any support at thar time ... also parts of the army there were there for rest and recuperation. .. there was also a certain amount of over confidence about the German plans so no one was really ready

[@niekka1978]

But in the end they actually didn't need the support 🤔

[@bbhrdzaz]

this brings pride to my tears, bravery is the heart and soul of a warrior

[@PrevMedHealth]

My namesake uncle was there as well. He was a paratrooper in the 101st Airborne (the Sreaming Eagles, or Band of Brothers).

[@andykerr3803]

He took his orders seriously. Including the grenades with trip wires, they didn't prepare for failure. 👍

[@brinistaco1970]

Great story of bravery and commitment. Such a different time. At least you made this video describing it for us. Thank you.

[@oledahammer8393]

Yet again, the actions of a few changed history. Amazing how wars waged by millions, and world history, can hang on the actions of just one or small handful of people.

[@glennvogt1194]

That was one incredible story.

[@supersize75k5]

seeing the Ardennes forests in person is a moving experience, the foxholes are still there and the nearby museum is well done.

[@jokodihaynes419]

"A corner fox is more dangerous than a jackal"-Gray fox metal gear

[@goheen1701]

The 'Combat Infantry Badge' (A rectangular ribbon with a Springfield rifle on an infantry blue background with a wreath behind it- further awards will have stars centered on it above the rifle) is a badge that can only be worn by an infantry soldier who has engaged in combat with an enemy. However, every infantry soldier that completes their Infantry training gets the 'Infantry Badge' (the plain rectangular ribbon with the rifle and the blue background). If you spot an Officer in dress blues with light blue piping, they'll be wearing their Infantry Badge (or their CIB, if they have one) above all of their other ribbons, medals, and awards.

[@Music--ng8cd]

Gen. McAuliffe: "Nuts." Lt. Bouck: "Hold my beer."

[@bobgreene2892]

Outstanding video. Well-written and properly researched. Even the video clips were accurate.

[@maureencora1]

2024 80 yrs Ago, Heaven is for Heroes, May They R.I.P.

[@donupton5246]

Claiming that the delaying action performed by the 394th was the only thing that prevented the germans from winning the war is completely false. Although the 394th did delay one unit of the german offensive, that delay was not responsible for the offenives failure. The whole plan had begun falling apart before the 394th got involved. There were numerous units who all pareticipated in denying the germans their objectives.

[@wr1120]

People need heroes to look up to, even if you have to bend the truth a little.

[@stephenmellor9264]

Thankyou for stopping me falling ( once again ) for false information just to make the USA look bigger, better and more than any other soldier fighting against st the Nazi !

[@1970Phoenix]

Exactly. I enjoyed this video, but it stretches the truth waaaaaaaaaaaayyyy beyond breaking point. But as they say, never let the truth get in the way of a good story.

[@larrykoz4009]

Why hasn’t a movie been made about this?? Needs to be made.!!

[@fredbauer8850]

Freedom is not Free as .... unfortunately too many American presume. Thanks boys & girls.

[@ronalddesiderio7625]

I heard this story once before. Awesome. God Bless these men and God Bless America 🇺🇸 🙏🏼💜

[@WonderboyWDE]

As a retired 25 year Army veteran with many (many) deployments, one thing I feel I can say without challenge or reservation is that those men back then were absolutely spectacular and amazing humans. Something me and my buddies used to do while we were either in the field or outside the wire, is look at the situation we were in along with the gear we had or were required to have just to do our basic jobs. And without fail one of us would always bring up the men of WW2 and how little they had even in the way of simple warm uniforms. Never mind the tech they didn’t have compared to us. We thought we had a rough day if our sights went out due to battery dying or on rare occasions would overheat and die which was most likely due to batteries even then. But we’d compare ourselves to the men at the Battle of the Bulge for example, or the Rangers that had to scale a cliff at Pointe du Hoc and then immediately begin fighting the Germans at the top so they could secure an area a battalion would drive or march through in a couple hours and didn’t get chewed up. Without fail we always came to the same conclusion that while we were pretty awesome and amazing (we never lacked self confidence and weren’t afraid to pat ourselves on the back), we would have been no match for our predecessors if the field was leveled to us having their gear. Those guys were some hard men, strong willed, amazing character, just absolutely the very greatest to ever put on jump boots. Their training was probably as hard as our combat. Back then, their drills and NCO’s could smack them about without question and nowadays every single leader in the chain would get fired and sent to prison just for tapping someone on the shoulder too hard. Think about what kind of violent riots would happen today if the DoD recommended and Congress and POTUS approved rationing of sugar, coffee, silk/fabrics, semi-forced Tesla Ford and GM to focus on making vehicles for war, and told people they needed to start growing Victory gardens so the boys and girls could have fresh veggies in training and on the front lines instead of the people back home. This country would absolutely explode if anyone tried to ask that of the nation nowadays. Don’t care if it was Komrade Kamala or President Trump that asked or demanded that. Every blue hair sexually confused idiot that hates guns would be looking to the streets and even making rubber band shooters and potato bazookas to take on whoever was trying to stop them from getting a half-lap-soy-frap-topped-with-rainbow sprinkles-and-ground-unicorn testicles.

[@johndef5075]

Trump called you suckers and losers.

[@williamcanter3233]

Father Was In WW11 Germany And Uncle WW 11 South Pacific God bless America and family

[@HennyGottlieb-v9x]

World-War 11?

[@rogerandjoan4329]

When these guys collect money for vets, i can barely look at them without tears. I can’t imagine what they saw.

[@rg20322]

At 0.57 Bouck was 20 but looked like he was 13! Damn this is such a great story, and thankfully well trained and a small unit that created such disturbance and destruction against overwhelming forces. 20 years old, in command, and this team just must have said we're well trained scr*w it.

[@stuartscott-ko5rl]

Wonderful story. thanks. Pity about the background noise

[@ayehtunohn]

A story deserving of Band of Brothers level movie or an HBO Series.

[@Eyes0penNoFear]

Imagine spending a large portion of your life believing you're a failure, only to later find out you potentially altered the course of world history

[@Karma0jun]

Lt. Lyle Bouck and his men had done remarkable reconnaissance but did not have all the information that the introductory lines of this 13 minute video. While he was aware of the activity in his sector and the precarious nature of his position, his 18 man team was under supplied, under equipped, and under staffed for what it would be facing. It was the supreme tenacity of Lt. Bouck and his men that kept them countering a break in the lines that the German Panzer division and paratroopers required allowing the stretched thin allied defenses to recoup, resupply, retreat, or just hunker down and defend as other units did including the units commanded by General "Nuts" McAuliffe in Bastogne (his famous reply to surrender was made nearly a week after the last ditch and practically suicide stand along the Belgium road into the town of Lanzerath). I feel that Bouck only knew that he and his men had just themselves to rely upon until relieved - or as it turned out, they ran out of supplies and would be captured or killed. They did what they had to and did it well repelling three waves inflicting more injuries per man upon the attacking forces than they sustained. What Bouck did not know was how crucial his orders to fortify themselves would be, nor how significant to the German counterattack his valiant stand proved to be. Bouck was only aware of what he was facing and as soon as his communication lines back to his division were severed by the artillery barrage, he knew his life and his men's fighting skills were all he could count on. In the end, his choices resulted in a phenomenal stand that is legend in the special forces. No one knew the battle plan of the counter attack, each unit in the path of the counterattack knew their enemy was advancing instead of retreating and most had dug in pretty well. It was more than a valiant stand, it was a monumental stand as solid as McAuliffe's men's resolve in Bastogne. Or General Maurice Rose's forces up in the forests of Belgium. Until relief units or the Army Air Corp were able to reinforce, resupply, and defend the beleaguered Allied troops facing the winter and the counterattack forces, the war became quite personal for each unit. Bouck likely didn't realize anything other than his cut off unit had to surrender their position and endure POW camps. Thank goodness he survived the few long months until he was liberated. Excellent video even if somewhat hyperbolic. These 18 men had a profound effect in blunting the secretive and well planned lightening strike through the Allied lines. Had the Bulge ruptured, the war could have lasted even longer in Europe. But the Bulge held even though Omar Bradley had allowed the units to get stretched so thin in areas where he knew the Germans couldn't counter attack. Thankfully he had McAuliffe, Rose, and even young Lts. like Bouck on those thin defensive positions. I'd like to see a video on Gen Rose - quite a Tank commander leading from the front!

[@banana1618]

Such courage, valor, teamwork and excellent leadership - could such characteristics ever be achieved under the governorship of politicians: that is the rhetorical question.....

[@MrJohnyysmith]

The purpose of the German advance into the Ardennes was not to split the various armies. It was to re-take the port city of Antwerp which was about to drastically shorten the Allied supply lines. At this time supplies still had to come from Normandy a very long way off

[@markborchelt2098]

THe book The Longest Winter is about this platoon following them into the war and after their heroic standoff through German POW camps. Much suffering but all lived to come back home.

[@3756hans]

"The Longest Winter." fantastic book but some people are going to be pisseed that infamous SS officers treated prisoners well despite German desperation.

[@terry_willis]

That's because the Germans knew the war was over - it was just a matter of time. And foresaw they would then be prisoners of the Allies/Americans and were prepping for that by playing nice. Verstehen Sie?

[@owensomers8572]

Yeah, that was a pretty inconsistent pattern on the part of "infamous" SS officers.

[@shalako1047]

​@@terry_willis Ja, ich verstehe...

[@BFVsnypEz]

​@@owensomers8572Lol, no it wasn't. Matter of fact, the Germans were actually known for treating POW's extremely well. As long as they weren't Eastern Front POW's anyways.

[@owensomers8572]

@@BFVsnypEz Most SS were German, but most Germans were not SS. But you go ahead and believe your fairy tales.

[@martinjaques-d1f]

So many very true stories of bravery from all battles and wars...and most veterans dont want talk about them...because they had to push them way back in minds so they could move forward in thier lives after...

[@annehersey9895]

I believe Piper was in charge of the massacre of Malmedy. These 18 brave heroes are very lucky they didn’t suffer the same fate due to the damage they had inflicted on the Germans! Perhaps their tenacity and bravery had earned them the respect of the enemy.

[@ccc_cosmo7392]

Delicate subject - so just to be clear: i dont want to justify any of this and i dont wanna go into whataboutsm. Is far as i know Piper comanded the spearhead and rushed on, so the US Troops were killed by following troops of the SS. Sad reality: All sides killed soldiers that surrenderd already. Americans shot prisoners in the first day of the invasion because the didnt wanted to be slowed down or had the means to keep them. After malmedy they systematically shot paras and ss troops as revenge. I dont think we have to start about the eastern front were basically the other side was barely seen as human anymore and the germans let million of sovie prisoners freeze or starve to death in the beginning. And well, from the around 100K german survivors of stalingrad 5K came back to germany out of soviet prison camps.... List goes on, but my point in short: There is no clean war. For neither side. If you put humans in inhumane positions there will be inhumane results ....

[@grahamweddingtonsr.4444]

The ghost of Bataan was captured while unconscious. His captors afforded him great respect while in captivity.

[@johnhadley7715]

This was early in the breakout. By the time Battlegroup Piper had arrived at Malmedy, I suspect his rage and impatience determined that atrocities were going to happen. Being SS, he of course gave license to his “boys” to act on their emotions. This last bit is the heart and soul of Nazism and what Hitler counted on, to get his way.

[@wingtip7149]

I thought the same thing asking how an advancing army in a last ditch effort could afford the luxury of taking, holding, and transporting POW's.

[@crevecouer6772]

I don’t know if this is true. I was told a German sergeant lined up the American soldiers and was going to shoot them When Gen. Piper arrived and he stopped the Sergeant saying these men were brave and should live. They became pows till end of war.

[@LarryjB53]

American heroes ignored by the higher ups until they were forced to recognize them.

[@pirobot668beta]

Class warfare: none of these fine young men came from 'notable families', so of course they were ignored.

[@smackerlacker8708]

"His youth made him one of the youngest officers" Yep. That tracks, alright.

[@mikemarthaller8789]

Thanks for sharing The primary rifle was not the M1 "Carbine" but the M1 Garand

[@wesleyteevins842]

love the content on this page!!

[@ccc_cosmo7392]

This men deserve all the recognition! But completely change the war? That is a heavy exaggeration imho. Basically all historians agree the offensive had to fail - and it did as soon as US planes were able to fly again (germans choosed weather conditions for the offensive). If you couldnt hold the invasion at france - how could a person with sense think they would drive them back to the sea at that point? Well - but thanks for your speed dear allies - it spared us the atomic bomb on germany ;-)

[@wingtip7149]

Thank you for saying what so many of us KNOW to be the truth.

[@CommackMark]

I posted similar thought above. Ultimately the offensive would've been repelled.

[@lawrence9447]

I beleave the first germans to attack them were ss. I think there were 2 fences. I beleave they had germans hanging in rows along both fences. I think the german paratroopers were sent to reinforce the ss unit and that they sent the ss survivors down another road. The paratroopers new what they were doing and flanked them and pinnwd them down and offered to let them surrender. The man that told my class in school about this fight said they expected to be shot. He didnt think the parateoopers like the ss and didnt vare how many of them they had killed. He said they shoved them around some took there cigaretts and candy. One if the german officers interigated them. They lied about the units behind them and the amount of armor they had coming there direction. The officer laughed. The guy also beleaves the paratroopers kept the ss from killing them to when the ss was finally able to move theough the town.

[@gregales3233]

You got spell check

[@lawrence9447]

@@gregales3233 no but I need it lol.

[@billhale9740]

It dies not matter the man made his point​@gregales3233

[@Drycleanerguy]

One mystery that I will never know the answer to is where my father fit into all of this. He was an artillery spotter, so he and his men were always out front so they could see where shells were landing, and call in directions for adjusting the aim. One of his stories to me was about the Battle of the Bulge, and about everything being confusing. They ended up out front of the troops, and dug some foxholes to defend. Other troops arrived in the morning, and told them they were lucky to be alive, that the whole forest was boobytrapped, and that there were Germans everywhere. I'm not trying to claim that he did anything notable, only that the battle was chaos, and for awhile, American troops were disorganized

[@uscitizen5656]

My dad was a radioman on an LCS(L) in the Pacific. I asked him to tell me about it, all I heard was, No, don't ever ask again. He died with all of that dreadful history on his heart..

[@JK-br1mu]

It was a huge defensive stop that slowed the Germans down at a critical moment, but probably didn't change WW2 by itself. It was more like 1 in a series of key defensive stands in the Battle of the Bulge that bought the Americans enough time to rush reinforcements to the area, including the 101st Airborne..........we needed it because other units didn't fight so well, early on.

[@goshomg]

25 million died in the USSR. There were 45 German divisions in the USSR and 5 in Western Europe.

[@beverlyreiner-baillargeon6205]

True American Hero's and I thank each and every one of them for the service and sacrifice to this great nation 🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲

[@patrickwalton1768]

Uh, a CIB isn't awarded for exceptional combat skills. It is awarded to Infantry Soldiers who survive 90 days in an official Combat Zone! I know Brothers who have both the EIB ( Expert Infantrymans Badge) and the CIB. They said that earning the EIB was more difficult than the Combat Infantrymans Badge! In otherwords you could be a REMF Grunt. Never seeing the outside of a rear area Bunker. And come home sporting the CIB! I Know this to be fact. I was Awarded the EIB in 1982.

[@ccc_cosmo7392]

Dont know about the Americans - but situation was different in WW2 i guess? At least on the german side you got the CIB for actual combat and the higher ranks of it were super seldom - because in WW2 you fought an actual enemy and surviving 90 days in combat for sure was another story than the modern conflicts we saw in the last 20 years.

[@bobrivett7645]

Thank you for your service an devotion. Honor to sir.

[@patrickwalton1768]

@ccc_cosmo7392 90 days in the zone is all it takes . One exception was made in 1983 by executive order of the President. Reagen awarded ALL of the 82nd Airborne Division the CIB for their action on Grenada. There were guys from the 82nd who drove trucks. And other REMPFS came back and got the CIB too. Lots of cooks got it too. All they needed to have was a secondary Infantry MOS to recieve the award. 90% of the 82nd Airborne sat at the airport. While the Rangers took out the Cubans. I know a couple of the Rangers that jumped in. Who to this day are pissed off that Reagen gave the CIB to the 82nd. They don't feel they deserved it. But the President had a different opinion...

[@ccc_cosmo7392]

@@patrickwalton1768 thanks for the info - i didnt knew the grenada part! looked it up - i was referring to the german "close combat badge" . you had to see "the white in they eye of the enemy". highest level was gold, you needed 40 days of cqb when wounded to 50 days in general for gold level. long story short gold level was awarded 631 times + a bit margin for error ... 631 times in ww2 is basically nothing for a medal. knight cross was awareded over 8000 times in comparison ... so i guess it was nearly impossible to survive long enough in ww2 for that award ....

[@philalcoceli6328]

Their amazing heroics are very similar to what the Spartans and their allies did at Thermopylae, fighting with much inferior numbers a much bigger force, not winning the battle but delaying the enemy enough to help bring their eventual defeat. Not all battles are won by winning but by refusing to quit and putting it all on the line.

[@duanehorton4680]

Thermopylae

[@mmkvoe6342]

The generals etc. always say most battles are won by whoever can hold out the longest.

[@GraemePayne1967Marine]

Leader of the Persians: lay down your weapons. Leader of the Spartans: come and take them! (in Spartan Greek, "molon labe",) a phrase becoming popular again. The Spartans were defeated in that battle only because a traitor showed the Persians a hidden path that took them to the rear of the Spartans.

[@henrycarlson7514]

Thank You

[@your_royal_highness]

I visited that site last summer. I did not try to go into the woods as it was fenced off, but there was a memorial down the hill a bit.

[@dewfreedman]

if im not mistaken ardenes is where audey murphy single handed defended against 250 germans from back of dead tank with 50 cal, medal of honor winner

[@duanehorton4680]

Ardennes. Audie.

[@mugsnvicki]

Colmar Pocket. January 1945.

[@bobrivett7645]

He fought in the Lorain area not Ardennes area.

[@duanehorton4680]

@@bobrivett7645 Lorraine

[@rsocor01]

I applaud them for their bravery, but they didn't change WWII as the title suggests. On December 1944, Germany was already losing the war.

[@detroitredneckdetroitredne6674]

Tell me big brothers not watching and listening to us and just watch the video done by the youtuber the fat electrician. As soon as I get done watching that video your video pops in, I can't wait to watch It. Thank you for your knowledge and expertise, and for taking us on your adventures. Through time and history, thank you again, and god bless

[@tekoanow]

My father was in the battle of the bulge. The few stories he told we hard to grasp

[@billyjoe6933]

I wouldve craped my pants seeing all that coming towards me .some tuff young men tuffer than me and alot of men today

[@susanferretti5781]

Wow. Incredible bravery.

[@MrJayyangie]

Your title is unfortunate. You said when one soldier changed the war. He knew what he was doing and he had his platoon with him. Honor them all.

[@Julian-tf8nj]

definitely, a clickbait title 🤨😬

[@JelMain]

The killing reality is they had fuel for 50 miles. Maybe they hoped to capture more from the Allies, but it didn't happen.

[@eltonsalvador7620]

I remember seeing an episode of this on History Channel's Shootout Battle of the Bulge, pretty interesting and takes a lot of guts to hold back the panzer division

[@edkudray2060]

That's got to be a real morale booster Tanks, artillery and vet troops. Delayed by 18 guys with pea shooters. Bet in that forest you can still hear that German officer yelling...🎉😂 Bravo dark you find some good stories

[@seamusobrien2675]

Question, did the German army use Pervitin during the Ardennes campaign, specifically with infantry in the front lines?

[@MooseBme]

WOW, THANKS!

[@daskritterhaus5491]

2nd full viewing now this is heroism of a totally different variety.

[@treecarver269]

Why are you showing pictures of Vietnam???

[@Wisconsinlife420]

There’s no snow in Vietnam lmao 🤣

[@DanielGonzalez-cm1vt]

He means for the thumbnail of the video (there was a platoon with gunner walking point with an M60 over his shoulder”)

[@Wisconsinlife420]

@@DanielGonzalez-cm1vtyour a dumbass that isn’t a m60 lmao 🤣

[@sokyoutdoors588]

Comment seed... Put something in that doesn't belong to generate comments

[@SadisticKid.]

Algorithm