FIGHTING BACK Germans with a GREASE GUN | Close-Quarters | Lockered “Bud” Gahs

Lockered “Bud” Gahs was drafted into service in 1943. He would join the esteemed 42nd Infantry Division, famously known as the "Rainbow Division". Initially serving as a truck driver, he would be sent to France in 1944, along with the rest of the 42nd Rainbow men, to face the German counteroffensive near Strasbourg.
On January 25, 1945 Gahs and his unit took up defensive positions in the town of Schweghausen. Gahs, along with a few other men occupied a two-story building where they repelled an onslaught of German soldiers trying to overrun the position. For his actions on that day Gahs would be awarded the Bronze Star.
Bud would go on to fight into Germany, and was present at the liberation of the infamous Dachau Concentration Camp.
Interview recorded on November 4, 2023
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Video Credits:
Interviewer - Greg Corombos
Director of Photography - Jon Hambacker
Editor - Daniel Taksas

[@ElDiabloBlanco-dc9ib]

This man is talking about the most intense violent situations humanity has to offer like he is describing what he did over a long weekend. They're built different

[@Iwuvmafamatix2]

These nuts on my chin are built different 😐

[@Eye_Of_Odin978]

Yeah, exactly. Then again, most of them lived through one of the worst worldwide economic downturns ever, the Great Depression, so that tends to harden people. They had hardships in their childhood/youth years that most kids (and many adults) can't even really conceive tbh.

[@starwarsfreak1111]

These are all brave heros, we can only hope to live up to the gifts they gave us. It's important to keep in mind that some people that go through combat get PTSD, others don't. We don't exactly know why that is. For every man that came through with minimal psychological scars, there are many others who's life expectancy will have been shortened by mental health issues or suicide. We're left only with those who were less suceptible to the horrors of war.

[@NathanSmith-xf7rk]

You better believe it, my dad was a medic, in DDay, Omaha beach, won a sliver star, never said a word 👍

[@Millers-Mausoleum]

If the same thing happened to you, you would speak of it normally as well. What do you want him to do be a drama queen?

[@evanderson92]

There will never be enough oral histories and interviews of these men, so I'm happy to know someone is still conducting them nearly 80 years after the war. Thank you especially for asking Mr. Gahs about his role in liberating Dachau. You can tell that what Mr. Gahs witnessed there left him with a permanent and unshakable memory. It is sickening that Holocaust denialism persists even today, especially when men like Mr. Gahs are still living to confirm it as a historical fact.

[@collingalbraith4343]

I wish it was more common back then to speak on what you did in war. So many important stories have been lost to time

[@janethompson2305]

​@collingalbraith4343 Exactly. I understand that it's hard for these precious guys to tell their stories, Bcuz... unfortunately, there really R some ppl who don't appreciate what they did or believe they HAD to do what they did. F that.! These poor guys were thrust into an ugly job. When my dad would tell us kids his WWII stories it was hard for him let me tell U. He lost a lot of his friends & those that survived, lived with survivors guilt. We saw what it did to dad, but we couldn't see his emotional & mental scars ❤ God Bless The Greatest Generation🙏🤲🕊✝️😇🪖🎖🫡❤🇺🇸💙✈️🛩🚢⚓️🌎🌹🕯

[@melindaboyd9830]

I had an uncle who drove the PT boats to land the GIs on the shores in WWII. Although the stress caused him heart problems, he refused to speak of it for nearly 50 years. That changed when I called to tell him his baby sister (my mom) was about to have heart bypass surgery. After I called to tell him the surgery went well, his emotional dam busted. He called their younger brother (the family historian) and finally began telling him all about what he experienced throughout the war. I was so glad that he let all of that out. I truly believe it improved his health and added several years to his life.

[@quicktoevil]

As sickening to deny the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus; so many witnesses and even maryters.

[@jg-bf7ik]

​@@quicktoevilPlease don't bring religion into this. You may feel that way, others may, I may, too. But it's completely irrelevant here and has no relation to the video, or the comment you're responding to. Thank you.

[@vaughnmojado8637]

I like to think that I could’ve been like him. But my dear friend was the only survivor from his platoon in Guadalcanal. He said it was hell. He made it back to the guard gate after hearing his Lt get killed. He said his unit was overrun. He told me that I wouldn’t have liked it at all. Every battle was different. God bless the greatest generation ever.

[@davidkeat77]

Amen to that brother THE GREATEST AND BRAVEST GENERATION EVER . WAR IS HELL ON EARTH PEACE IS THE ONE THING THIS WORLD WILL NEVER UNDERSTAND. THANK YOU TO ALL THE MEN N WOMEN WHO HAVE SERVED IN ALL CONFLICTS. THERE'RE ALL TRUE HEROES THE ONES WHO NEVER RETURNED AND THE ONES WHO HAS 🇬🇧 🇬🇧 🇬🇧 PEACE TO ALL MANKIND !

[@chocolatefrenzieya]

"Take care of the guards". Nice.

[@goosebeardmike8436]

This guy is totally a bad ass plain and simple. God speed sir

[@herrgodfrey9563]

This gentleman exemplifies an entire generation of badasses. God bless.

[@williamedwards8493]

Got a home video of my great uncle Jess talking about how he and his brother my great grandfather were part of the ozark division. Fought in the battle of the bulge and getting separated after my grandfather crossed the bridge before it was blown apart. He told how he finally got there days later in the town and the horror he spoke of is unimaginable. When he found my Papp he and his fellow American brothers were in the cellar below that was full of wine and spirits. They were held up waiting for the rest to join them after they had fought for their life. Needless to say they were not sober at all. The video was recorded 6 months before uncle Jess passed away. My Papp never spoke of this. True legends these men.

[@jg-bf7ik]

PLEASE, PLEASE post the video!!! And when you do, please send me a comment so I can see it! Oh, also, please share it with the American Veterans Center, so they can maintain it in perpetuity, and connect it with other stories, and share it with everyone.

[@williamedwards8493]

I will have to figure out how to transfer it from vhs to dvd so I can make it happen. If you know of anything to help with this please let me know.

[@Warzone_mafia]

Yeah please do this 💯

[@Warzone_mafia]

Yeah please do this 💯

[@gilbertcaine9227]

Thank you for sharing.May God bless yr family legacy.

[@user-kf8wb2cq4f]

The Greatest Generation. Sir, Thank You for Your Service.❤️‍🔥🇺🇸 Many of us will Never truly know What these Men went through.

[@lonzo51191]

Sad to say it, but the way the UK and US are being run, they did it all for nothing because it should be plain to see we are being led by pseudo-capitalist cryptofascists smh😢 Edit: it must be pointed out before you start forming a lynch mob to get me. My father St David (I've personally canonised him for all the good he did) fought in Korea but never collected his medals because he didn't like the outcome of that phoney war and his father (my grandad) was a Flight Sergeant in the RFC before it was renamed the RAF and he specialised in mending wooden propellers making planes safe for flight😇

[@SuperUAP]

Well, you voted for Joe Biden so you might get your chance soon.

[@Thebutcher91]

@@SuperUAPahaha such a silly thing to say.

[@user-kf8wb2cq4f]

​@@SuperUAP.... You're obviously Senile🥴....I DIDN'T vote for Biden or any democrat.

[@dapperbleach1598]

@@SuperUAPNo big fan of biden here but how do you know this commenter voted for Biden

[@jeffnemo7993]

My father was part of this unfortunately he passed away in 1986 and I was too young to hear his story. Thank you for sharing this is such a beautiful man Semper Fi 🇺🇸

[@Cognitoman]

What day ?

[@gatordoghoytider8778]

My Granpappy served under Major General Harry Collins in the 42nd Rainbow division also! Here Here for Mr. Gahs! Great Men gone too soon RIP Jesse A. FOREMAN, Lowland,NC

[@TictacAddict1]

So, matter of fact. Great men are hard to find these days.

[@ianseddon9347]

Thanks and respect from England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@AmusedPassport-ec1lv]

As we respect you (anyone over 40 for both of us lol)

[@eddiemeeks7133]

As an Army Veteran myself, I stand up and salute you!

[@davidsauls9542]

My uncle would never talk about this battle. Now I understand.

[@connercrawford6235]

The absolute grit of these men is legendary and to never be forgotten. Thank you sir and to those like you. We gotta keep these stories alive!

[@stevenbatrez4530]

I was stationed in baumholder Germany from 2019-2021. I traveled all over Germany and many other countries in Europe and I couldn’t help but notice how beautiful the land was and how peaceful it is there. Found it hard to imagine the war taking place there. These stories a long with my personal experience really paint a vivid picture.

[@DrMotherFouci]

Exactly what I thought in 1984 weisbauden was like many American towns (McDonald's) We never ate McDonald's... we could get that at home

[@stevenbatrez4530]

@@DrMotherFouci. Germany was a memorable time as a young soldier. Wish you could see it now!

[@DrMotherFouci]

@@stevenbatrez4530 Airman ... Lindsey air station in Wiesbaden .. not even there anymore .. I would cry

[@dennisriblett4622]

I was all over Germany with E Troop 1st and 10th Cav .from Oct. 75 until I ETSd in Feb 79.Baumholder was where I got My PATHFINDER patch .But We ran Gunnery courses at all the maneuver areas .

[@dennisriblett4622]

​@JohnThomas-nv8yb My unit 1st and 10th Cav moved onto the AirBase in Oct. 79 .They drilled holes in the runways and put up cyclone fence tank parks ,1st and 64th armor came next, then a Infantry Division moved in .We were rarely on Post but the facilities were the nicest We saw.

[@RandomGuyComments]

What a humble legend

[@robertkirk6250]

That man put his life on the line for people.He didn't know regardless of race creed or religion.He did it because he was an American soldier.He is to be commended.They don't make him like that no more

[@bondalemecovillage6738]

My grandfather fought in New Guinea, he never wanted to talk mich about it. Remarkable that someone as articulate & smart can relay such history, thank you sir.

[@NickMcdermott97]

Aussie? Thanks for service mate and RIP

[@brianrobertson1211]

Thank you sir. I owe my freedom as an American to you.

[@ramoneortiz]

Thank you for your service sir. I am the son of a WWII who didn’t discuss his experiences during the war. He ended his military career with a tour in Viet Nam.

[@kenlandon7803]

When men were Men. We need to learn the lessons they've lived. God Bless this gentleman & Patriot.

[@InnocentPotato-pd7wi]

Just wanted to let you know buddy women actually fought in many American wars! Western Marylander here! September 17,1862, Antietam battlefield / Sharpsburg, MD 8 women actually fought in that battle! The bloodiest single day battle in the Civil War! 7 women fought for the UNION , two as young as 15 years of age. A dead CONFEDERATE woman was found on the Cornfield by a Massachusetts Burial party. 23,000 soldiers died in a single day at Antietam. History you didn't learn!

[@FightingRimbaud]

@@InnocentPotato-pd7wivery cool! Where can we read about this?

[@InnocentPotato-pd7wi]

@@FightingRimbaud A book about women soldiers who fought in the Civil War! I am sure there are many books out there that tell this story! I had a book but I gave it to a member of the local Civil War Roundtable . It's been a few years and I cannot remember the exact title! Check Women's History and or colleges that offer Women's History majors! I am sure you could find more information on your questions! Thanks for your reply! I hope this will help you find this information! 🤗MARYLANDER YANKEE / Civil War READER!

[@gbodybala9295]

@@InnocentPotato-pd7wi which book !? lol name it

[@gbodybala9295]

@@InnocentPotato-pd7wi people remember the books they read ?

[@blackkat7073]

It’s absolutely incredible listening to World War II veterans stories told first hand by those who served. Gives me goosebumps!!!

[@josephbutler5230]

This gentleman makes me proud to be an American. My father served over there in Germany at that time and was just as humble as this man. These men are truly missed. They truly were our greatest generation!

[@seppa6417]

ASTP men, not only part of the greatest generation, but the brightest.

[@janethompson2305]

❤ U just don't know how much I respect these brave fighters' stories 🪖& I'm always looking for their stories 🙏 It's unimaginable what they had to do & what they endured 🙏 Thank U God for leading these men to the POW camps & save all they could 🕊 Thank U God for giving all the fighters the endurance & mindset to do their job from all the country's they came from, they're ALL Heroes ❤ my dad fought in WWII, Pearl Harbor, US Navy. Dad was a tough Tail Gunner & he was a darn good boxer in the Navy, too ❤ God bless dad & all who fought for my freedom & for the freedom for everyone U fought for🙏🤲🕊✝️😇❤🌹🕯

[@freedom1776ben]

Thank you Bud for your service.

[@Joellikestobox]

Thank you for your service

[@yarakstyle9123]

Thank you for all you did here in Europe and sharing a little of your story to the new generations! Interview recorded in 2023 Bud remains as sharp as a tack! Good man may you live many more years 🙏

[@RedEyedPatriot]

My Grandfather fought in the Aleutian Islands 43,44 then Rhineland and Central Europe Jan 45 till the end. His 355th infantry regiment 89th infantry division liberated Ohrdruf in April 45. The first camp the Allies came in contact with in Germany. He came home raised 8 kids and retired from the Bluegrass Army Depot where they store the nation's chemical stockpiles. He passed away in 1988 when I was 6. 2 Bronze Stars 2 Theatre Ribbons and Riflemans Badge.

[@calicojakk9974]

That’s quite fascinating he fought in the Aleutians. He’s one of the very few who fought on sovereign American soil, that’s amazing!

[@RedEyedPatriot]

@@calicojakk9974 he said he liked to froze to death up there. Said it was the most beautiful horrible place he's ever been.

[@COACHWARBLE]

Many of these interviews are told my men that have been telling the same story for 80 years. Its almost magical. They know which part gets a reaction from the audience. This man genuinely appears like he doesnt speak of the war often. Thank you for your service sir.

[@lckgilmo43]

My grandfather was 18 and one of the soldiers shot up in a rubber boat. He survived but he had three bullets in his chest. Crossing the Rhine river in broad daylight was a really bad idea.

[@paulletathornhill1042]

Thank you for your service and sacrifices for your country and your family and friends God bless amen 🙏

[@ocularpressure4558]

Love this channel thank you for the dedication to these magnificent men and the amazing stories from San Diego California USA 🇺🇸

[@drewberry8141]

Rock stars of their time ❤

[@janethompson2305]

It's not at all that they were rock stars, that's not right. What would U do if U were thrust into a war w/a dangerous enemy.? U CANT ANSWER THAT QUESTION.!!

[@drewberry8141]

Excuse me it was a compliment if only you treated soldiers with the respect you give athletes

[@ctheflower7818]

💙🙏💙 Thank you Dear Sir for your Great Service 💙🙏💙

[@burtbarrow930]

So cool to hear these stories, thank you vet’s (greatest generation ever) and thank you for bringing these stories to us!!

[@sirchromiumdowns2015]

God bless our veterans.

[@ozarkpipertony8396]

Grateful for your service sir. My father was also in WWII and went in in 1943 and home in 44. He passed on 2002 at 82. I asked him once about the war as a young teen and he gave a 3 word answer and told me to never ask him about it again and so I didn't.

[@craigshewchuk9018]

Has to be one of the craziest and intense stories I have heard. Thank you sir. And thank you for documenting the story

[@peterfisk6598]

Another brilliant interview with a brilliant man

[@RandyOrtonsfather]

Thank you for your courage and will to fight for our country. Glad to hear you kitted yourself out with some firepower to fend off the enemy.

[@peternilmot9144]

They literally saved the world.

[@dan-tech2647]

Great man I admire! 🙏🙏🙏

[@bartsimpson6767]

Good down to earth guy. And a great veteran!

[@Paladin1873]

They were giants and always will be.

[@NathanSmith-xf7rk]

He is very well spoken, he saw a lot of, thanks for sharing this video with us, god bless America 🇺🇸

[@bradgeagley4019]

My grandfather turned 100 this February...served in the Pacific...13 major engagements including Midway...Doolittle's raid...in the battle for Guadalcanal they were torpedoed twice and sunk...it was on the Northampton and his description of the blackest night he'd ever seen treading water till being rescued in the morning...these guys were feerless...he's still sharp minded and tells me its burned into his memories like it happened yesterday...very proud of those vets

[@vppnbrent]

God bless you Bud.

[@rodneymoore7270]

THANK YOU SIR!!!!

[@lindathompson9334]

All of the men in my family served or are still serving except my grandfather. He was too old, but we worked in shipyards to support the war effort. The greatest generation saved the world and I'm so glad their stories are being told. Thankyou

[@sbishop6450]

Thank you JD. These things need to be shown and remembered. Horrific.

[@paulquantumblues3599]

Thank you for your service.

[@jessienameles5063]

nobody gets better in war, but when you see it you know and sadly most of the time nobody wins. !!!!

[@ernestoflores3538]

Thank you Heroe

[@kevc6115]

Thank you sir & your kind, for everything! Much love, admiration & more thanks than I could ever give! Truly, the greatest generation!!! Love from Ireland.

[@user-eu7hg7ds4o]

Thankyou for your service sir x

[@vickigonya9432]

I feel so much deep heartfelt gratitude for our military. These amazing men saved us from world domination. Words pale in comparrison to their dedication, tenacity, ferocity, resourcefulness, bravery, courage and steadfast stoicism. ❤❤❤❤

[@ericgarringer6911]

Man I wish I had payed more attention when my grandpa's friends were telling stories in the early 80s

[@robotorch]

Salute!

[@benh9164]

Wonderful interview.

[@jdlambo6926]

That laugh, sense of humor, and directness reminds me of my pops. What was going through your mind? “Well don’t let ‘em come up the stairs” lmao😂. My grampa was a retired 1st Sargent and Korea veteran and I always looked up to him. All the way to the same unit he retired from. He was on his last leg the year I got deployed to Iraq. He should have died 2 or 3 times while I was gone. When I got home and rushed to him at that nursing home he said, well I waited for ya. Gave me a chill just writing that. He hung on for another couple of months. We had talks like we never had before. Stuff I had no clue about. He never ever drank or cussed, very religious man. The night before I shipped off to Kuwait he actually drank a beer with me. While in the nursing home after my return he wasn’t all there at times. He’d say, hey bring us some strawberry wine when ya come back. My wife left me one night while he was alive and after my deployment and I needed someone to drink with. So I bought some strawberry wine lol. I got kicked out of that nursing home because they caught us sitting beside each other in his room sipping on strawberry wine. 😂 I had to write an apology letter and go in front of the board of the nursing home to apologize just so I’d still be able to come see my pops. He eventually died with me right by his side.

[@markpaulin884]

Bravery beyond our comprehension.

[@Mike-tg7dj]

Best story of the day.

[@10_a_see]

Fascinating!

[@Chiller11]

Interesting that he carried both an M1 rifle and a grease gun. He would have had both 30’06 and 9mm ammunition which would have weighed a bit but he would be ready for both short range and longer range engagements. I’m certain he was glad he had the submachine gun in the house to house fighting.

[@donkemp8151]

Grease Gun was .45 ACP. There were no 9 mm weapons on the Allied side in WWII. Germany had the 9 mm Walther and Luger among others.

[@clearsailing7993]

You could unscrew the 45 caliber barrel and screw on the 9 mm barrel on the grease gun. Then you could use the German ammunition. The grease gun was all stampings except for the barrel. It cost 15 dollars to make. The Thomson had a lot of machined parts and cost 265 dollars.

[@454FatJack]

@@clearsailing7993or Gasoline from Jeep to drive Mercedes

[@klpittman1]

@@donkemp8151Sten gun was 9mm

[@dennisyoung4631]

MP-38/40, Berreta 38(?), Romanian Orita, and a few others also were 9mm…

[@dawnsokolik7837]

MJ SOKOLIK Thank you for your service and your incredible stories, you look young by the way. Wish our younger generation could understand why they have the freedoms they have today.

[@richardyoder3646]

Priceless, thank you sir

[@charlieboffin2432]

I wish my father had been interviewed for a program like this as I’d have loved to have heard about his wartime experiences. The only stories he told me were the more humorous times of which there weren’t that many .

[@jcbell-dh1bm]

I regret not listening to more of our ww2 vets tell their part of history. No doubt the greatest generation. The grease gun was my primary weapon for several years during the cold war. Very fun to fire. There was no qualification required just familiarization. Wasn't very accurate. Fixed sights.... would hate to have to defend a position with that weapon. 😮

[@DrMotherFouci]

Riehn main ... wortzburg .. I've been there many times. I've never heard this story, and yes, in the 3 years, i was there, it was never that cold

[@patricklaurojr7427]

Dudes a pv2 more decorated than some E8s

[@jameshelms5510]

Absolutely amazing. Thank you.

[@GaveMeGrace1]

Thank you.

[@Convoycrazy]

Great interview!

[@shannonm828]

We know “Mr. Bud”‘personally! He lives right around the corner from us. My mom worked for him for many years - providing care for his late wife who had Alzheimer’s. He is just the hardest working man you will ever meet! This is so incredible to hear his story like this….. just incredible. Thank you for giving him a chance to share his experiences.

[@johnrudy9404]

Thank you sir.

[@ericswenson6371]

I can’t these stories without tearing up. I’m so proud of these Americans!

[@RickyRicardo-jd8ed]

ThanQ. So ❤ .

[@joefried6604]

Amazing the huge Number of WW2 Veterans still alive This Channel is a generous public service Thank You all the. VETS

[@neubert500]

Thank you!

[@Dothwa]

Brave man. Thank you sir.

[@gottcha_123]

God bless you gentlemen thank you for your service

[@mosin9105]

Thank you

[@mistervacation23]

Wasn't the grease gun an M3?

[@javiermartinezjr8849]

Ty for service sir God bless you Abd man that was intense

[@Failchrist666]

i love these interviews with these great men . idk how they remember such small details , names, places , times and i cant remember my kids names! awsome vids! Thank You

[@RayAtkins-wk9zv]

Thank you for youer service sir and god bless you and your family

[@jimwoods3742]

Man just can't thank those guys enough for all they doing the getting fewer and fewer the time goes by thank you for sharing your story with us

[@carlmontney7916]

Love how he says "I started shooting em ha ha ha". Now that IS an American Fighting machine right there. These guys were far more badass than anyone alive today can even imagine. And what's even more amazing is that they didn't even consider themselves that way. They were asked to do a job they went over there and they did it and then they came home. Many of them received medals but they don't consider themselves to be heroes. They consider the real heroes to be the ones who didn't come back. Our greatest generation!

[@croatiancroissant28776]

My favorite soldier ever interviewed. His other interview is good too. His laugh at the grease gun comment near the end is hilarious.

[@davidrose2382]

Legend😊

[@cesly87]

The visual of the bed blowing up goose feathers everywhere and the GI laughing about it nervously during an intense firefight paints such a badass picture.

[@zairabriceno1077]

Gracias a usted, a sus amigos y compañeros por lo que hicieron. Tengo 27 años y solo pienso en la manera de que niños de entre 16 y 20 y tantos años no tuvieran que haber pasado por eso y que todos pudieran haber llegado a tener mi edad. A pesar de no ser adultos, se comportaron con la firmeza y valor que requería la gente que dependia de ustedes. No les fallaron. El mundo sería diferente de no ser por sus actos. Hicieron lo que pensaron que debía hacerse, aunque eso pudiera poner en juego su futuro. Gracias a eso, el nuestro es un bonito presente. Les debemos eso.

[@timstort8223]

Clearly the GREATEST generation!!! We will never see men like this again, G-d bless them

[@KWC33]

We hold these men of such high esteem rightfully so! we look upon them now as our father’s grandfathers and uncles when they tell their stories so calmly and say they were just doing their job for their country. We see them for what they were kids out of high school thrown into the worlds deadliest conflict and when you call them heroes, they always say the same thing. The heroes are the ones that didn’t make it back.!!

[@Ja_s-per]

🇺🇲"God Bless Our Veterans and Active Warrior's!!!"🇺🇲 🫡

[@haroldmclean3755]

An interesting story, and a job well done 👍

[@francispitts9440]

I grew up around men like him. I’ll always appreciate them. They were good people in every conceivable sense and strong with morals. It’s killing me to see what people have done with their freedom and how they embrace the very thing they sacrificed their lives to defeat.

[@ianray8823]

The words of a dying generation who can give a comprehensive story is the utmost value. And of events that happened 80 years ago, hot damn