First Into Bastogne - Resupplying the Screaming Eagles in the Battle of the Bulge

[@Chris-um3se]

This SEGMENT was Beyond BRILLIANT ---Bravo

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you so much!

[@martinbaer6570]

My dad was a navigator in the 438th Troop Carrier Squadron, from D-day through VE. He flew two combat missions on D-day, his first time being shot at. He was shot down on the second, 3PM or so, on D-day. He made it back to the beach, and England. He was debriefed at SHAEF London. Later he dropped troops into Arnhem, supplies into Bastogne, and stayed in the USAF until 1967.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Oh wow! Thank you for sharing that! I hope this episdoe served to highlight the incredible role carried out by your Father and his buddies during those desperate days in December 1944!

[@TheNoName484]

Cap

[@terrywoodham8419]

Cant say enough about how good these films are thank you for making these .

[@scottpetty9249]

An oft forgotten, but very vital piece of Battle of the Bulge history. Well done.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! And I agree completely. Their role in Bastogne is so often overlooked or a side note in the wider story sadly.

[@realwealthproperties5671]

Fantastic episode! So well done. Thank you!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@JennaCee]

Enoyed this episode - I would say not - but rather loved it. Great video and thank you for keeping their legacy alive!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! I just hope it helps to give credit to the men of the IX Troop Carrier Command and what they achieved during those crucial days!

[@denniscoleman8802]

Wonderful episode!! Thank you…..such unsung heroes all!! NEVER FORGET!! 🙏❤️🔥🇺🇸😎

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@stephenhill560]

The troop carrier groups don’t get enough recognition. This brilliant video goes a long way to redress that

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Glad you enjoyed it and hoepfully it helps to give credit to those pilots and crews who risked it all to keep the 101st in the fight during those crucial days in and around Bastogne!

[@maryholder3795]

Another look at Bastone, and you point out the offer of surrender from the German. The attack on the medical station, and then the resupply with the US pathfinder and medical and ammunition. Then the fly in of the medical staff. Amazing events. You done it, all of this is new for me. Thank you.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Glad you enjoyed this one! Bastonge is fascinating and by no means a small place to defend so I really wanted to try and capture as much of what took place there as possible with this one!

[@dwaynekoblitz6032]

334 TONS, lasted a day?? I can't even begin to fathom that amount! For a day??!! And trying to imagine that is absolutely impossible. And I've been through war. Obviously not like that! The greatest generation. How TF did they survive??!! God Bless our Allied soldiers and the heroes who supported them. BA heroes!! Thank you for these videos!! 💯❤️🇺🇸

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Glad you enjoyed it. It’s incredible isn’t it how they managed to keep them resupplied and I hope this gives credit to the men of the IX Troop Carrier Command as their role in the air was just as vital as those slogging it out on the ground around Bastogne!

[@AI_Masterpiece_]

Went tot see this tank at the museum in Bastogne. Thank you heroes ❤

[@paulstan9828]

The best description of this event in history I’ve ever heard. Thanks!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! Hopefully it adds a new angle to the well known story of the defence of Bastogne!

[@firstcitytraveler]

Another outstanding video. I look forward to your next installment.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

My pleasure! Hopefully it told a lesser known aspect of the battle for the city and helps to shine a light on the men of the IX Troop Carrier Command!

[@JoshStrickland-n8x]

Great video! I was 325th 82nd for 4 tours and and then 2/502 101st ABN. We studied this battle over and over. True grit

[@johndawes9337]

then you would know it was Gavin that lost MG

[@lappin6482]

Fantastic episode, well done! 🤝👏

[@sabii416]

Jon the research you put into your videos is extraordinary. In my opinion two key factors in the mission were: the weather and Pattons 3rd army. The skies clearing enough for the pathfinders and C47s to get off the ground. Patton to take 6 divisions pivot 90° north travel over 100 miles in less than a week in wintry conditions was a great accomplishment. Thanks for more superb content.

[@johndawes9337]

most of that 100 miles was held by the allies

[@lyndoncmp5751]

Patton then struggled for 5 days to get the last 20km including nearly 3 days just to get past Chaumont. All against comparatively little and second rate German opposition.

[@lyndoncmp5751]

@johndawes9337 Yes, it was through American lines devoid of any Germans until he got near Bastogne. Then he struggled. Nor was he engaging when he turned north to the Ardennes. The front was quiet and he was merely 'preparing' for another attempt to get through the Siegfried Line. He'd been failing all through November and December. He hadn't actually started his latest attempt, so it wasn't some incredible "disengagement" as the myth now says.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! It’s quite incredible what the men of the IX Troop Carrier Command achieved during that time, not to mention the troops in the rear ensuring the supplies were good to go for the various supply drops! A monumental team effort!

[@richardbouchard1716]

Just when I think you have reached a pinnacle, you go above and beyond. Your finest.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you so much!!!

[@Baskerville22]

I've read at least a half-dozen books specifically on the Battle of the Bulge, but I don't recall this story - at least in this amount of detail - from any of them. Thanks for expanding my knowledge regarding how Bastogne managed to hold out.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Glad you enjoyed it! It really is the major contributing factor to success at Bastogne that is always overlooked for some reason and I hope this goes a small way to redress that balance!

[@robertmandell526]

Thinking uncriticallyabout major battles like Bastogne can too easily turn into cartoons, good guys and bad guys. This shows the detailed an complex acts, planning, heroism, and a spot of luck required of so many, constantly, to make for victory. They were all thinkers, actors.....and heroes.

[@64maxpower]

Commanders get the credit for battles fought by brave young men.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

100% agree.

[@mikehall5815]

Jon you kicked ass again. My son was late to school because he wanted to watch this immediately.😂 Thank you for the history lesson. Stay safe.

[@waynekirk4775]

But what a great reason to be late, no teacher would want to argue...dad's like, my son was learning history, & how America saved the world! Do you think that might shut them up?!💁‍♂️ You have a good son, cheers from Oz.🇦🇺

[@mikehall5815]

​@@waynekirk4775my father stopped in Melbourne after the Guadalcanal campaign. He absolutely loved Australia. My father has said when he would talk about his experience in that region that the Australian military had some of the toughest soldiers he had ever seen. My son loves military history from all sides. Fortunately his school knows this too. So they cut him some slack😂 He also believes that Australia, Britain, Canada and I know I'm forgetting others countries and the U.S saved the world. He wants to become a history teacher. His high-school let's him get his feet wet by teaching a WW2 lesson once a month. You be safe out there. Go Australia 🇦🇺 💪

[@waynekirk4775]

@@mikehall5815 Thanks very much but I meant what I said America did save the world! Hope all is ok in your part of the world, & family are safe & healthy, cheers 😎🍻

[@riverbluevert7814]

Those of us who grew up in the 1950s and 1960s lived in the shadow of the greatest generation. WW2 movies were on TV every Saturday afternoon. I played with my friends inside abandoned coastal artillery bunkers. But today everything taught is sterilized from the gritty reality of real history. It's great to hear your son is learning how the world was saved during WW2.

[@garygentzel7924]

Better history lesson here than dumbed down indoctrination Ctr could ever give a kid learning

[@MrDarby388]

Fabulous episode. So much attention is given to those fighting inside the Bastogne perimeter, and rightfully so, but their continued efforts relied so heavily on those brave men of Troop Carrier Command. Thanks for sheding light on their deeds.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Glad you enjoyed, and hopefully it helps to highlight the vital role the Troop Carrier command crews provided to the men inside the perimeter during those brutal days during the siege!

[@larrymor]

I learned much that I have never learned before. Thank you!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

My pleasure! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@miltonchung5016]

Excellent video of the importance of pathfinders and how massive in terms of aircraft was the resupply effort.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@giljeep]

excellente vidéo, comme d'habitude!! bravo et merci beaucoup.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@LukeEdwards-x8c]

Love the net curtain camouflage 😂 wonderful video. Amazing level of research and beautiful presentation 😊

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! I figured the unique rifle and helmet camoflauge would drawn some attention! Amzing footage and great to see those guys clowning around with it in the same way the troops do today!

[@riverbluevert7814]

A tremendous video. Excellent. Thank you so much. The story of their bravery needs to be told. We owe them.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@Isclachau]

Love the story about the German offer of surrender. However the 501 were very lucky they were not the major concern of the Germans I guess. Lovely detail in this video and becoming looked forward to every upload.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! I figured I couldn’t tell the full story without including the Kessler Farm, plus it was my first visit there! Just a shame it was surrounded by fog!

[@MGC1957]

Thanks Jon. Very interesting and informative show.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

No worries Mike, glad you enjoyed it and hopefully told a slightly different aspect of the Bastogne story.

[@64maxpower]

Excellent work

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@darrensmith1779]

Another fantastic video thank you for all you do to bring this important moment in history to all Well done 👏 👏👏👌

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it and hopefzully it helps to highlight what those men of the Troop Carrier Command acheived during those crucial days.

[@thenoworriesnomad]

Excellent video as always...👍👍

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@yveaux500]

Thanks for this one. So many things I did not know yet. Next month to Bastogne. Can’t wait.

[@zcam1969]

this video is accurate and true . my dad was there in Dec.44 ,82nd Airborne he talked to me about in many times

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Truly increidble what your Father and his buddies went through and acheived durting those desperate few weeks in the Ardennes!

[@WWII-Skipabeat]

This is the best description of these events in particular and of WWII operations I have seen in ages. Watched it twice actually as there was a lot to take in, and think this is one of your best. Your passion for the subject shines through - and we are lucky enough to benefit from it.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! I’ve known about Op Repulse for years but really got into the details for this episode and it’s incredible what the men of the Pathfinders and IX TCC achieved during the siege. Also the glider pilots too and the volunteer medical teams and their desire to get stuck in and do their part I found quite moving!

[@watercooled8105]

Thank you for your incredibly detailed video on the re-supply and support efforts for the troops defending Bastogne. My father was one of those GIs under those supply drops that made a tough “situation” (as he put it) a bit easier to deal with-

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Glad you enjoyed it and I hope it added to the story of the defence of Bastogne. I'll always be in awe of what your Father and his buddies acheived during those dark days.

[@watercooled8105]

He only shared specific (non combat) incidents to act as points of inspiration for being determined, focused or for demonstrating leadership (he was a T-Sgt). I later met one his privates who told me my father was a hero back there- he never stopped being one for me. Godspeed.

[@rgriffinRETIRED_SHEEPDOG]

Great video!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@migalito1955]

Excellent.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@steel5886]

Can't thank you enough for the dedication to details putting these incredible videos for all to enjoy of such great history. Best channel on KZbin in my opinion Jon .

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed this one and hopefully adds a new perspective to the story of Bastogne and the defence of the city!

[@davebegbie362]

Great video ❤

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@robertvirtue]

I absolutely enjoyed your hard work in presenting this video. WELL DONE AGAIN. Thank-you very much.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@eamo106]

Wayfinder , you just explained the third axis of attack. Resupply. Just in time Supply Chain.... The troops entrenched of the 101 and others as key, and Patton's army bravery are well recounted, You explained the resupply battle. Noone has ever done that on the forums ? I thank you on behalf of Veterans, historians and those, post war people like you and I . A great post taking much time and effort to make , that EXPLAINS the Battle of Bastongne beyond the Band of Brothers Miniseries / where these C47 Aviators and heroes were not given their due but a critical third element in winning the battle.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it!

[@eamo106]

@@WW2Wayfinder I spent 30 years in the oilfield, six more in the Mines. ONLY when I was put in charge of WW Supply Chain (> $1Billion) did I really understand who supported and fuelled the battles, and it finally made sense. Supply Chain and logistics are key but were not and are even now understood. You are the first that I saw, that explored the Air Transport value of the Battle of the Bulge.

[@troy242]

What an amazing vid! Knowing the details of the support for Bastogne's defenders gives a new perspective of ALL the efforts made to resist evil. One of the most interesting vids I've ever seen. Great work!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed it and hopefully gives another angle on the Bastogne story that’s often overlooked

[@SteveMrW]

Jon, this is another excellent video, it shows the importance of having the ability to re-supply the ground troops with ammunition, food and medical supplies.....I can recommend 100% the various blends of the Warbird Coffee company coffee.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you Steve! That’s it, without the IX Troop Carrier Command, the 101st would have eventually been forced to given up. No matter how tough they were mentally they couldn’t face off an enemy without a means of hitting back and the Troop Carrier crews provided that!

[@larryburwell8550]

great history lesson thank you so much for the video and showing the areas today,

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@417jumps3]

John, all of your vids are home runs but this one is a Grand Slam!!!! Can’t say enough thanks for the topic and your effort in editing, producing and posting this video!! I can guarantee I’m gonna watch this one several more times!!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it and hopefully provides another angle on the well known story of Bastogne. The men of the IX Troop Carrier Command deserve as much praise in my opinion as that given to the men of the 101st for their role in keep Bastogne in Allied hands

[@417jumps3]

@@WW2Wayfinder EVERYONE who fought in that battle deserves the SAME amount of credit!!!!!

[@quirkygreece]

Great tale, well told - keep up the great work Jon.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@richardknights8797]

Another very interesting and well presented video Jon. Very much appreciated. Best wishes and looking forward to the next video.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@eamo106]

Finally watched your whole production, because a post is too small a word. Amazing ! You are the 2024 Historian, replacing Mark Felton as my #1

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you that’s very kind of you to say so! I just hope it helps to give credit to the C-47 crews and glider pilots who flew those missions because without them Bastogne may have fallen!

[@dannygraus3529]

Superbly done, great!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@davidbailey6350]

Fantastic episode. Thank you.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

You’re most welcome!

[@galloian]

Another great video Jon! I think I'm going to have to get some Night Fright coffee now in appreciation of this video!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! And I can highly recommend Night Fright Coffee! And if you can follow them on Instagram too!

[@andrewjones8397]

Well done that was so informative, I’ve learnt something new. Keep doing what you’re doing.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Nyllsor]

Perfect timing :) i was just looking for something like this!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Glad you enjoyed it! And hopefully it showed a different perspective on the usual Bastogne story😃

[@Nyllsor]

@@WW2Wayfinder most defenetley :)

[@dannyjeurissen]

Thank you so much for this video, I live in Antwerp myself and have spent a lot of time in our beautiful Ardennes, and there are very interesting museums nearby to visit.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

You’re most welcome! I bet being in Antwerp is great for wartime history and lots of places close by to visit too! Thanks again for taking the time to watch.

[@paulweaver]

Brilliant mate thanks really enjoyed it 👍paul from stoke

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thanks Paul! Glad you enjoyed it and I hope it helps to add a new element to the story of Bastogne and what those men achieved there during those vital few days.

[@joemabry9643]

Thank you.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@charlestuozzolo7283]

Again another great video; my eyes were glued. Tremendous research. Never hear of any coverage of the resupply efforts. I learned a lot. Wish I had seen your videos before my trip to Bastogne. May need to visit again. Keep it up! Always love the Nuts story. Many great leaders but I like General (then colonel) Kinnard. He was also an advisor for the movie Battleground.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! The resupply efforts were truly a monumental effort and worthy of the same recognition the men who were on the ground fighting.

[@MrThebirddog]

Wow! I thought I knew, I knew nothing. Thank you.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! Hopefully it helps to give credit to those incredible men of the IX Troop Carrier Command and what they achieved in the skies above Bastogne!

[@gaylnbowers7558]

Excellent

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@svenlaenen7945]

Another great video! Love your work!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!!

[@davidk7324]

Well done. I learned a great deal.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@NDB469]

Incredible video

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@michaeldean1289]

Hi Jon Fantastic story mate! The amount of research and editing that you put into the account is really great. The photos and stock footage are amazing and run well with your narration, unlike a lot of other documentaries. To see the actual areas where the battle occurred is very interesting as well. Thanks for sharing another great video presentation ❤😊

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Glad you enjoyed it! I just hope it gives credit to what those men of the IX Troop Carrier Command achieved during those crucial days!

[@johnwood2364]

Top shelf presentation! Very informative!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@elderforest617]

Really interesting perspective of the battle. Charlgrove airfield is now used by Martin Baker for ejection seat trials.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Ah I wasn’t aware MB tested seats there! I’m always intrigued how wartime airfields and military establishments are repurposed in the post war years. I’ll do a bit more digging on that one, thank you!

[@simonrooney7942]

Wow that is a story. Thanks for this.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Glad you enjoyed it!!

[@kevinkranz9156]

NUTS CANT BE ANYMORE HONEST THAN THAT LMAO

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Short and to the point!

[@Mag_Aoidh]

Excellent!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@dipseavet]

Great video, so much information. Looks like the morning weather was than same as 1944. Always wondered where the surrender meeting place was located. Guess it is on private property now.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! It was bitterly cold that day but I can't complain too much about the weather! The farm is very much private property and in reality not a great deal to see there (even without the thick Ardennes fog!!!!)

[@yingmingtan5619]

The glider use in market garden in Nimegen and Einhoven reuse to supply the 101 Airborne at Bastone

[@64maxpower]

It blows me away how ordinary people do extra ordinary things

[@russellking6490]

Very good thank you

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@theallseeingmaster]

I have never before seen much of this footage. Someone knows where to look in the archives; now, someone find the buried stuff that was never supposed to be found or seen.

[@troykauffman3963]

An absolutely superb episode Jon, well done sir. Thank you for the history lesson and for remembering the men who served. 🫡

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you so much Troy I really appreciate it mate!

[@bobbennett7195]

Thats the first time I've heard about the resupply planes and gliders for Bastone,

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Hope it was useful and filled in some gaps about the Bastogne story!

[@jjt1093]

Loving this channel and, you do an amazing job, Having been through Belgium and France many times I can honestly say that ww2 locations I haven't really been too, mainly ww1 locations ,Now I will get back again and visit these too, But I have to ask, as a Canadian, Might I ask as to why so much on the Americans? are you planning on doing some stories on Brits ?

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! I’ve got American family so it’s a side of the war that’s close to me personally but I’m off this week to film a significant Canadian action and will have more from Normandy later this year 😃

[@jjt1093]

@@WW2Wayfinder OK that is fair enough, we had 1 American married in after the war served with b-17s not sure on or ground crew. But yeah I'm Canadian so that's why I was just wondering not judging :) Keep up the great work, I've explored a lot of ww1 battlefields and have to say Verdun was crazy. Also searched for the spot where my Great uncle was killed near arleux-en-gohelle during ww1 he was found in 1927 killed 1917.

[@dylanhughes703]

Great piece Jon,enjoyed it very much. Very interesting. Question for you Jon. Where do you get hold of the maps.?

[@chipschannel9494]

Cool !

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@Dawkowski]

If you had a single chance to be a Time Traveller, where and when would you have to go to? I think Titanic would be interesting or Berlin, July 6, 1940 with Hitlers triumphant return after beating France, what an atmosphere that would've been. So many to choose from.

[@HistoryWorldWar2Channel]

1945

[@Dawkowski]

What day though? @@HistoryWorldWar2Channel

[@Dawkowski]

and where? Torgau, Fuhrer Bunker, Hiroshima?

[@HistoryWorldWar2Channel]

@@Dawkowski Hitler Bunker

[@Dawkowski]

A Time traveller on the beach on D Day would be dangerous.

[@dale1956ties]

I'm guessing the majority of over 300 tons of supplies must have been munitions. Ammo weighs a lot, probably followed by rations then medical. Again, just a guess. But I never imagined that would only be a day's worth of supplies! Just how many troops were there in Bastogne during the siege?

[@WW2Wayfinder]

I thionk around 20,000 approx with the 101st and the other units that were either there at the start or who made their way to Bastogne during the initial retreat.

[@dale1956ties]

@@WW2Wayfinder Wow! I never would've guessed it. Whn you see it depicted in the movies like Battleground or BoB they make it look like a maybe 2 or 3 companies at most were there. Unless I missed it, I don't think it was ever referenced in there that the number was like 20k. troops. Thanks very much for the informative replies. Keep doing what you do. It's important to keep these memories alive. Especially now as the veterans who were actually there are so few. You keep makin' 'em and I'll keep watching 'em.

[@cheriebowles9795]

❤

[@WW2Wayfinder]

@@cheriebowles9795 thank you!!!

[@HistoryWorldWar2Channel]

👍👍

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thanks mate

[@rolfgisler8057]

♥️Sahra💋

[@tombombadil66]

Who knew Google is 1935 germany

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Sorry, not too sure what you mean by that but I hope you enjoyed the episode about the Tropp Carrier Groups supplying the 101st at Bastogne.

[@ColinFreeman-kh9us]

Very special episode Jon, really wonderful effort. Plenty of information I didn’t know made it a great educational experience as well.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thanks Colin, the efforts of the men of IX Troop Carrier Command were incredible and I think merit the same attention as those who were fighting on the ground at Bastogne during those crucial few days.

[@richardmardis2492]

So proud of you- you are a very credible, intelligent, interesting historian! Carry on!🫡

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you Richard, glad you enjoyed it! The more I read about Operation Repulse the more incredible stories about the pilots from IX TCC emerge! A bunch of incredible pilots and aircrew that receive a scant amount of attention sadly.

[@richardmardis2492]

@@WW2Wayfinder You always respond ( to me, and others), and you come off as always being humble (and I know you are)- don’t ever change 👍 Extraordinary!