From Dunkirk To D-Day: The Incredible Story Of This WW2 Veteran | Forces TV

Alfred Thomas Smith survived Dunkirk in 1940. Four years later, he was back in France for the D-Day landings as the Allies fought to retake Europe from Hitler. He is now 98 years old, and this is how he survived.
Subscribe to Forces TV: bit.ly/1OraazC
Check out our website: forces.net
Facebook: / forcestv
Twitter: / forcesnews

[@jimanderson6544]

98 and still sharp as a tack

[@matthewdobson5593]

Shirt, tie, smart . Different class of men who lived through times we never have to endure . Heroes

[@ashleyradwell709]

On behalf of the ungrateful generation I thank you and your brother's for your service to the people of the UK, Europe and the World....

[@fallout1953]

I want to Believe Fucking milennials, man.

[@hwren9845]

What ungrateful generation? All of the milennials I know are very respectful of and thankful for what these men did for us.

[@ethanryan5299]

I’m 17 and I’m very grateful for the sacrifices his generation gave and I’m even in the selection process for the welsh guards in hopes of being able to protect and serve my country in the same way, I don’t know one person my age that would dishonour the women and men that died or served in ww2 or ww1 so I think you’ve got something against us “millennial’s” that is mainly false.

[@MauriatOttolink]

@@hwren9845 ....You're a very fortunate person. Many don't know the name Hitler WW2 nor Concentration Camp! They do know Ed Sheardon though!

[@MauriatOttolink]

@@ethanryan5299 Ethan.. It restores my faith in human nature to read your comments and I thank you for them. I don't suggest that they would knowingly dishonour anybody but so many simply don't know. Lots don't even know of the Falklands let alone D-Day. You how ever, radiate the level of education and therefore, understanding which we doddering old gits like me, observe to be lacking in some. Bear in mind that I was a war baby and unaware of anything until I started reading the history. Of course, moving in educated and responsible circles, you will not know anybody who fits the accusation. Ethan...there ARE such folk. My sincerest wishes to you for a successful selection and great results your noble career choice and thank you for that choice. Boed i chi gael bywyd a gyrfa wych,

[@howey935]

My grandad died 6 years ago at 94 and he was at Dunkirk and D-day.

[@briantrudell8248]

God bless him

[@howey935]

@@briantrudell8248 thankyou Brian i appreciate your kind words.

[@howey935]

@Hoa Tattis greatest generation

[@lmupzz6864]

Wow and he survived both👏🏿

[@Ashavgeek]

@@howey935 my thanks to your Grandfather for everything he sacrificed so me and millions of others could live in a free and democraric country, from a greatful 17 year old Brit. Members of my family served and died in every theatre of the 2nd World War; wish i could have spoken to them about their experiences...

[@shoaiblatif783]

We will remember the sacrifices your generation made for us. Respect.

[@alexmccrorie4195]

I would rather meet this guy than any celeb .God bless u sir .and thank so very much for our freedom .

[@larryrwendelljr4465]

WE WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER THE SACRIFICES THEY MADE FOR US.

[@bikingwithxander6265]

Lest we forget

[@Stobus44]

For whom? Are you white-hating Jew? Take a step out of your house and take a look around.

[@farmind6582]

I have visited many commonwealth cemeteries over the years, latest was Arnhem, sorry they have been forgotten, what they fought and died for has been forgotten, Europe is in the grip of fascists through the world economic forum and the EU, Britain has lost all her freedoms and the police are no longer citizens in uniform, they are armed government militia.

[@Cal97g]

We will

[@MauriatOttolink]

On Tommy's 21st birthday I was around six months old. I was appointed Area Nappy-Filler, a duty which I carried out for some time with no medal being awarded. I'm looking at 80 now and don't like what I see. Thank you Tommy (RIP) for protecting us.. My old dad was also called Tommy!

[@cameronwhitehead5002]

RIP

[@adrianpapworth8509]

So much respect

[@davethompson2881]

What an absolute legend. If I could be half the man......

[@jackschitt7783]

We can only hope we're as in tact as this gentleman is at 98 years old. I watch these interviews and documentaries of veteran stories and often see if I can find if they're still with us. I couldn't find an obituary for this man so I assume he's still alive, and now 102 years old. That's amazing!

[@timothyphillips5043]

What a man and what a life. True hero.

[@gasmith841]

Respect

[@tedrobinson5743]

Sir Thank You Very Much for your service SIR Veterans Day 2017 USA SIR!

[@jackwilliams6604]

He's british

[@Bruce-1956]

Living history. We will remember them.

[@coreythornhill8201]

Major respect to this guy

[@chrisbreezy-ryanbarbosa4320]

My God the things this man has seen in his lifetime. Amazing story, heroic brave man!

[@s.l669]

Wow I could listen to this great man all day.

[@belfastlad55]

We Honour Him .

[@satan3860]

Thank you for your service sir. He aged very well.

[@Cumbriahandyman]

Total respect that man.

[@mr22turner]

I could listen to Alfie for hours...

[@IrishManJT]

God bless you Sir.

[@francispalmer9737]

Thank you Alfred for keeping us free and God bless you.

[@paultyrrell6592]

Far to many of us forget I for one don't and never will these were just kids God Bless you all x

[@acheekymonkeyuk]

Thank you sir for your service and sacrifice

[@tedrobinson5743]

my grand fathers 1 8th air force P51s 1went ashore with you on D Day.Both survived their service as you did Thank God.

[@liamroyce5958]

The greatest generation of men to ever come from come from this country god bless you

[@davidsurrey4778]

Eternal thanks sir

[@halibut1249]

He's such a gentleman. And the memories he has from the War. Even from his life. That's another day.

[@ethanibiayo5452]

Portrait of a Hero in History.

[@d.g.n9392]

Thank you for your service and sacrifices

[@flynncremin6347]

Cannot think of any words to capture gratitude

[@Litany_of_Fury]

History has told us that there is nothing scarier than running out of supplies. This man was just as important as the men in the tanks storming off to Berlin except he's in a lorry.

[@squint04]

Deepest thanks and respect Sir!!

[@garyreeve9764]

How could anyone dislike this video

[@carol2336]

Brave man and so happy your around today. God Bless you 🇬🇧

[@mickeyp5122]

God Bless you Sir

[@Cal97g]

Thank you

[@sunfish340]

I have unequivocal respect for all the allied soldiers of WW2, & always will. THEY WERE GIANTS. Bless this man, and all those who served. I lost my father in Dec. 2019 - he served in the US Navy.

[@capone9597]

Thank you for your service old boy ❤️

[@ronkeefe9048]

thank you

[@joseocasio7705]

Unbelievable Wht a person god bless u 👍

[@delroywashington3185]

Thanks great man , owe you one , you are the reason BRITONS survived ,

[@SoloVagant]

Respect Sir

[@nickbuckley4371]

These men and the men in the war before saw some of the most bloodiest battles in history and he and his friends are quite the people

[@Mark59396]

The military operation at Dunkirk is called "the largest military defeat"The British managed to escape mainly 370 000 but 800 000 just surrendered in captivity after throwing up weapons and equipment! This is the biggest defeat in history! The tank group Kleist, breaking through the Ardennes, came to the coast of the English Channel. The Germans called this throw "a sickle stroke". The large forces of the French, Dutch, Belgian armies, as well as British expeditionary forces, were cut off, isolated and pressed to the coast. Even without taking into account the Dutch army capitulating on May 15, there were more than 1 million 300 thousand people surrounded, which makes the "sickle blow" the largest "cauldron" in the history of wars in terms of the number of soldiers and officers who got into the "cauldron". This number included 400 thousand French and 650 thousand Belgians. From Dunkirk, who today is glorified as a panegyric in the form of the military drama "Dunkirk", it was possible to evacuate only about 370 thousand people, mostly English parts. As a result, according to official reports, 800 thousand people,,On the beaches near Dunkirk, almost all the armaments and equipment of the British army were thrown: 7,000 tons of ammunition, 90,000 rifles, 8,000 machine guns 300 tanks 2300 guns, 120,000 vehicles. In practice, it was half of all the available at that time for the British heavy weapons and armored vehicles.

[@richardgoode4761]

Honour to the military with D-day.

[@_Bakesy]

Respect old chap. Service Corp? My grandad was in that :)

[@ChristopherSmith-bh4sz]

All the sacrifices that generation made, so sad to see what's happened to Britain now.

[@JohnThornley]

God bless you. Thank you always.

[@jimmymc5482]

Respect sir you are a hero and you have preserved what our nation is today.

[@harrylester2177]

Thank you for your sacrafices.

[@peterspratt4046]

Thanks

[@philcarus401]

Thank you sir 🇬🇧

[@flannel_punk]

I am a filipino and I have great respect for these guys...if it wasn't for them the world would now be an empire ruled by germany. Salute!!!!!!!!

[@sz1917]

This is what a real hero looks like...

[@marioguidotomasone1265]

When this gentleman was in his 20s he fought for everyone's freedom in Britain and Europe watching his brothers in arms die all around him. Today's millenials are storming the streets defilinf monuments and memorials erected also to rememeber those who fell all around Mr. Alfred Thomas Smith. Something must have gone horribly wrong along the way

[@zaxxxppe]

What a classy gentleman. Thank you for serving.

[@sirierieott5882]

Another life with war time service experiences that would beat most contemporary war films for entertainment and scares - Alfred the Great (Survivor).

[@treadheadpete4770]

Never forget.

[@funkybear7243]

Heroes!

[@tedrobinson5743]

Thank You All for your service! Veterans Day 2017 USA

[@Dom-ny7vh]

Imagine the feeling reclaiming that land

[@seekingtruthnotfindingany7301]

Brilliant

[@joebutterman3084]

I think veterans like him should get an MBE too

[@robbiethepict2783]

Old Charlie who drank in the Scotia bar took a bullet in the leg on D Day. When they banned smoking in the pubs in Scotland, he lit a cigarette and when the barman told him to put it out he simply said "You owe us this" and got a round of applause from everyone in the bar.

[@gardensofthegods]

He and that Ginger guy had incredibly good luck really truly like they had their Guardian Angels protecting them

[@mrbosh0115]

Kids today have no idea!God bless.

[@raveinus]

All Soldiers from the WW II are HEROS !!!!! Alll !!

[@raveinus]

Hitler's biggest mistake he had ever made in WW II. That he let the English and French escape in Dunkirk in the hope that the wretched alcoholic and cigar chain smoker Churchil, commander in chief of the worst war criminals, would give up. The soldiers did not escape there, they were allowed to escape!

[@freeby2006]

Our Dad Kenneth (Mike) Rowland Freeman was part of that regiment RASC at Dunkirk and also D Day if anyone has family who have any army records we would take great honour in meeting you our father was given a field commission during these conflicts and was mentioned in dispatches as people have said Alfred your family may have heard of our father and as a great full nation sir we salute your service for our freedom with respect and honour. With love and full respect the sons of Captain K R Freeman RASC 315774

[@dustineaton1827]

Great shape for 98 at the time still has nice hair

[@salkola1967sk]

Omg Thus chap is a gem God speed & long life Cpl kola ( retired ) 143 plant squadron Royal engineers U.K FORCES

[@elizabetharmada5335]

Ang laki po talaga ng hirap nyo noong panahon ng digmaan..mabuti naman po at nakaligtas kayo..

[@apropercuppa8612]

Elizabeth Armada Hi

[@toonylcfc781]

Hero

[@ianblackburn5025]

I'm only 50 and i am disgusted at today's treatment of the elderly and their sacrifices from a younger generation....and it seems war's continue...nothing learned from those who suffered from war this guy is awesome.

[@Iazzaboyce]

There was no campaign medal awarded to British soldiers that fought in France and Belgium (six months) before Dunkirk.

[@gurprasadsingh4792]

I wish I could meet in person

[@_____7704]

Dads old boy was an RASC Driver at Dunkirk - maybe knew this bloke? Went on to join the Parachute Regiment in 1943. Member of the South Australian Branch of the Dunkirk Veterans Association.

[@l.scottmcgowin6946]

Odd, this vid plays fine on my iPad but if I cast it to my TV, his narrative drops out part way into the video but the music still plays?!?

[@tarquin4518]

Are there any heroes left in this world?

[@appraiser1717]

A true hero for democracy!

[@lfc3909]

How have the youth gone from this to dog filter selfies... Don't realise why they have it so easy. Lest We Forget.

[@timcahill4676]

Never though I’d agree wholeheartedly with a kopite

[@appalachiahiker853]

These people were Very religious and corageous. God bless them

[@garyruxton5226]

Don't know what he said with the stupid music completely blocking him out. Total disrespect. Then the music stops and still can't hear.

[@nathanbaker7157]

My only question is what happened for those 4 years waiting for D-day?

[@fastandfhurious3213]

The north African and Burma (where my grandad served) campaigns

[@CowHorace]

This has been edited, it used to say his eyes were blown out of his skull.

[@kelvincarr6172]

I think the best ever generation of British people .A plan maybe (divine poss)

[@jimmygt7020]

My Grandfather fought in Monte Cassino, Bologna, South Africa and across Europe. He was a Polish tank operator attached to a British battalion. He never truly recovered from the war, it’s all he would talk about. I learnt a lot from him about WWII and it still deeply saddens me what he and so many other young men went through. When you know that the same families were funding both sides it makes you incredibly angry. How do you think Germany recovered after the treaty of Versailles? By magic? Nope. The Nazis were funded and the whole scenario was engineered to make a few families very very rich and consolidate power.

[@El.Primero76]

Come and stand in memory Of men who fought and died They gave their lives in Normandy Remember them with pride. Soldiers, Airman, Sailors Airborne and Marines Who in civvy life were tailors and men who worked machines. British and Canadian And men from USA Forces from the Commonwealth They all were there that day To Juno, Sword and Utah Beaches of renown Also Gold and Omaha That’s where the ramps went down. The battle raged in Normandy Many lives were lost The war must end in victory And this must be the cost When my life is over And I reach the other side I’ll meet my friends from Normandy And shake their hands with pride.

[@sevensevenalways7995]

Anyone know if he's still with us?

[@barrynunn7025]

Sorry to say we lost Alfred in end of November last year.

[@sevensevenalways7995]

I'm sorry to hear it. Rest in peace Sir and thank you for your life of sacrifice and bravery.

[@joaoricardobastos7324]

[ONU-jrjb-meu irmão é o Ivo me respeite]tá loccccccco

[@johnburns4017]

The cinema would be the Rex in Antwerp in Dec 1944. The V rocket launching sites in Holland aimed at London had been overrun in operation Market Garden in September. The Germans then targeted Antwerp.

[@rosaliealvaran537]

Buhay pa po ba si Ginger; Tatay?

[@JamesBond-wj7es]

I don't think they make these type of brave men anymore.

[@_NAS_30]

my great great great grandfather was in ww1 and survived than died 35 years later than my great great grandfather was in ww2 and survived than had a heart attack 10 years later and my aunt has been a marine for almost 13 years

[@John__-ie3od]

And people say men had it easy.

[@alamocannon3791]

Had to wait untill 2016 for a medal from the french.........Disgusting.

[@altair458]

Thank god for America and Russia without them them england would not exist.

[@YuRiSunga]

💀

[@roybennett9284]

R.a.s.c...run away someone's coming..