German Bunkers of UTAH BEACH (D-Day!!!) | History Traveler Episode 190

This episode was produced in partnership with The Gettysburg Museum of History. See how you can support history education & artifact preservation by visiting their website & store at www.gettysburg...
For Operation Overlord, one of the key objectives for the Allied Powers was to secure the deep water port at Cherbourg. One of the divisions who was tasked with cutting across the peninsula and securing this port was the 4th Infantry Division. But before they could achieve their objective, they'd have to penetrate through the Atlantic Wall defenses at Utah Beach. In this episode, we're exploring some of the German fortifications of Utah Beach that were designed to assault the invaders as they were landing and keep them from advancing inland.
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[@TheHistoryUnderground]

If you've watched a few episodes and feel like I've earned it, be sure to subscribe so that you don't miss any new content when it comes out. Also be sure to check out The Gettysburg Museum of History and their store at www.gettysburgmuseumofhistory.com. Thanks!

[@robertmoore2049]

Your channel is amazing. I have learned so much. I want to go to the places you’ve been to especially the Civil War battlefields since I live in Florida and I take me maybe a day or two to drive up to those places like Gettysburg and Andersonville which is an only 4 Hour drive from where I live on my next vacation next month.

[@charlessedlacek5754]

We are losing all of these heroes...within 5 years they will all be gone...the thought of it tears me up. Lost my great uncle last year. 99 years old, survivor of Omaha beach, battle of the bulge, and crossed the bridge at remagen.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Sad to think about. Which is why we need people to tell their stories.

[@Johnny.H158]

God bless. 😢

[@markhewitt4307]

My grandfather landed at Utah beach. He never really talked about the war. I may never be able to get over there, but through your channel, I get to retrace his steps. A huge thank you for this!

[@peacemaker-du4hz]

thank your grandfather for his faithful service

[@darronlewark6504]

That is how you know your grandpa wasn’t lying

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Oh wow. Thank you. I hope that your family enjoys the video as well and can get a better idea of where your grandfather was.

[@BigLisaFan]

In a word-GO, just go! One can never really appreciate what all those men did until you actually walk in their footsteps. You'll never see it all, it's impossible. Visit any military cemetery, American or Allied, it doesn't matter which, but you must, that is real cost of freedom. So many graves, it's heartbreaking, but go.

[@aaronthornhill8474]

Your grandfather is a hero. Our boys landed at sword and gold beach. As we always will, standing shoulder to shoulder with our American brothers.

[@philipcollins5440]

You're a very good teacher. I can't imagine being there that day. But you make this come alive. Thanks

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks! Appreciate that.

[@harivasanr7436]

I have been watching your channel for couple of months and I would say I am addicted to your content… You are the best 🔥🔥

[@claudethibaudeau2714]

I agree he's really in depth and we here a lot of untold facts we don't see in other documentaries

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Appreciate that! I've been enjoying sharing the experiences.

[@sandramosley2801]

Makes you sort of sick to your stomach to think of what those poor guys had to go through for us.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Quite the sacrifice that those guys laid down.

[@sandramosley2801]

@@TheHistoryUnderground Yes; whether they survived or they didn’t. Uncle Jack survived Guadalcanal, but I knew him as a guy grilling burgers for us all, in his large, shady yard. How did he do it!?

[@jeffreywood7229]

JD, you saved me from sleeping in my car tonight, thanks. I recently retired and in celebration decided to travel Europe for a couple months touring all of the primary battlefields and some related sites from WW1 & WW2. I am currently touring Normandy. I watched a lot of your videos preparing for the trip. Sorry to hear about your equipment when in Greece by the way. I felt your pain. Anyway, I had a hotel room reserved for tonight in Carentan and when I arrived to check in, I couldn't get in to the hotel, so I backtracked to St-Mere-Eglise and came up without a room for the night and the sun was setting. Then it dawned on me that in your Utah beach video you mention that the General Collins HQ was also doing a B&B. I rushed over there and now going to sleep comfortable tonight! Thank you! While I was in the Metz area retracing my uncle's final 2 weeks footsteps before he was KIA in Ensdorf, Germany on Dec. 14, 1944, I stayed in a really nice Fench Chateau outside of Metz, which turned out to be Patton's HQ for 10 days prior to withdrawing the 95th Division back across the Saar River as he moved his Armor to help the 101st at Bastogne. Now I am staying at General Collin's HQ! I love your videos and your work. Thank you for all of the great videos. You saved my bacon tonight. Thank you! Jeffrey Wood

[@stijepovicnemanja8790]

Another great video JD. My grandfather was a partisan resistance fighter in Yugoslavia ‘41-‘45, he was wounded two times. Greetings from Serbia.

[@nicholasdavies6264]

Very interesting video. Thank you and God bless them all !

[@aslooijer]

It’s such a great place to visit. Just go there and see those bunkers that are still there. It’s an incredible experience. Ty JD. On to the next place brother!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👊🏻

[@Twofrogsonecup]

This is the best series I've ever watched whether it be tv, streaming channels, or KZbin. Absolutely love these videos

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Wow, thanks!

[@Twofrogsonecup]

@@TheHistoryUnderground its very surreal to see both perspectives of this quite chaotic war, and the amount of bunkers that would have been on that beach must have been intimidating to say the least.

[@MadMonk_]

I was lucky enough to visit Normandy in 2004 (just after the 60th anniversary of D-Day), and visited the beaches and sights from Pegasus Bridge, right round to Omaha beach. Didn’t have time to get up to Utah Beach, so thank you for sharing this with us.

[@TheFreebrid]

Nice job showing what those guys could have went against I believe they knew that and moved there landing so the could come from a different angle to capture those bunkers and those troops everything is not spoken out loud great job once again thank you for your love of history and keeping it alive for others 🇺🇲🇺🇲👍🏻

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks for watching!

[@davidcranny4839]

Excellent video. Travelling to Normandy this Summer. I will be using this, and some of your other videos as a reference point, to help me make the most of my visit.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👍🏻

[@THEADVENTURECHANNEL11]

Another great one. Nothing like real history.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👊🏻

[@trickyuk386]

Been over to northern france a few times… still a very ghostly atmosphere.. and still gets you emotionally.. ty for the work u put into these vlogs.. upmost respect to u 👍🏻

[@mweinbender]

One of my spots I wanted to visit in France was def WN10. Was great to see this up close, other than zooming on on Google Earth. I've literally combed the coasts and have literally placed hundreds of placemarks, but WN10 made the list of somewhere to go. Thank again and great job as always to my favorite KZbinr.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Appreciate that. WN10 is probably one of my favorites.

[@mamab4211]

So interesting!! Thank you for taking us along 😊👍. Great information Awesome video!!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

🙏🏼

[@stevem3413]

I am amazed and thankful that those structures are still there to explore and learn from thanks for sharing things i would not otherwise be able to see

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

My pleasure! Thanks for watching!

[@josephkondrat6478]

My father was a medic on Utah Beach on D Day.

[@EmilyElizabethJulietLadd]

I love watching your videos & learning more about what happened during World War I, World War II & even the civil war; its amazing that there are many US Ships, tanks, & other military related items sunk out in the ocean near the beaches where soldiers landed

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

It’s be interesting to know what all is at the bottom of that channel.

[@EmilyElizabethJulietLadd]

@@TheHistoryUnderground i saw a video once where they showed troop carriers, tanks & even some landing craft that never made it ashore but were sunk during the landing on D-Day

[@defiantirl34]

Enjoying this series very much JD. Was there a few times and hope to be back there later in the year. We'll done.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👊🏻

[@muddyfox4x4]

Another great video👍That last Bunker didn't have any Graffiti in 2014 apart from German writing on the inside wall, have taken photos of this Bunker inside and out, and the other two, it's just up from the last opening on to the beach where they have the sherman tank and the road (D421) starts to bend towards St-Mere-Eglise 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇬🇧

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks! Yeah, the graffiti is unfortunate.

[@robsmithadventures1537]

I really enjoy these American history channels on YT.

[@carolecrawford7315]

I appreciated this my uncle here we landed at Omaha beach And survived. My father in December 1944 in the army was capture at the battle of the bulge. Keep up the good work

[@Snecks]

If you truly wish to see the most defended coastline try visiting Guernsey...amazing

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

I would love that.

[@rw9866]

Felt very strange standing inside that bunker for as well as the tabrooks. Just an emotional moment

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Pretty humbling.

[@rw9866]

@@TheHistoryUnderground Yes it is just amazed what they did.

[@theunfilteredhistorian386]

Thanks again for another stellar video JD!! You really do bring history to life!

[@Nighthawk1966]

Have you woke up yet from this dream 😴? Man, what a awesome place………so cool JD, so cool !

[@jasonnulton4124]

Love this! Also, you said you like hearing ideas - how about: Antietam Mount Vernon The Alamo Battle of San Jacinto Battle of New Orleans Little Bighorn Lewis & Clark (ok, that’s a big one, but the STL gateway would be a place to start) Marietta, Ohio and the settling of the NE Territory (“Pioneers” by David McCullough is a great resource) Pittsburgh and Fort Pitt Charleston, SC, Fort Sumter, and coastal defenses Fort McHenry (Baltimore) Philadelphia (Independence Hall, etc.) The Santa Fe and/or Oregon Trails (Ft Larned, KS is a cool place right along one of the routes) Pearl Harbor!

[@jasonnulton4124]

Correction - Marietta and the NW territory. Not NE.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Ha! I've really enjoyed sharing the experiences. Learning a lot too!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Definitely want to visit those places. I've got three videos on Mount Vernon that you might enjoy as well. You should be able to search "history underground mt vernon" and find it.

[@G1D1B2]

I love history, especially American history, and I have really enjoyed your channel. I have FINALLY started watching Band of Brothers, so far just the first two parts. I think having learned a lot about Easy Company before watching it is making it that much more interesting. Keep making these videos.

[@jbellos1]

Most excellent. Many more thanks

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thank you!

[@magicwandfour]

concerning Ost battalions one senior German officer remarked "that expecting Russian to fight for Germany in France against Americans is asking a lot "

[@Joe-ld6dr]

Awesome video as always. I googled mapped your path you took

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Nice! Good idea.

[@tylerfrench1299]

I want to go back in time and show a German General a video of this guy calling his bunker "caddywampus".

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

😅

[@vaughnbluejr5960]

It would've been cool if the Allied troops had bunker-busting-bombs on D-Day.

[@lu77xiaojun37]

Beautiful Camera Work. Thank You!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thank you!

[@loutrujillo9606]

Love your videos. Thank you for bringing amazing footage and rich history.. I am Canadian Serving member and this trip is part of my bucket list. Not sure if you had time to visit some of Canadians sites. Cheers

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks! Got some Canadian content starting next week :)

[@loutrujillo9606]

@@TheHistoryUnderground keep making these videos. Like the way you bring history. "Is not boring". Cheers

[@patrickmccrann991]

Most likely a 75mm Pak 40 anti-tank gun was located in the large bunker. It was a very lucky accident the 4th ID landed farther south; the area they landed in was actually much less defended than the original objective area.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Yeah, it would've been ugly in this spot.

[@MrWhitelightning73]

Another outstanding video I’m curious of how these areas remain so well preserved minus the random graffiti. In the USA , a beachfront like this would be polluted with condominiums.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks. If you go to Omaha, there are some new homes. This area of Utah is public.

[@stevepritchett6563]

And in England, it would be polluted with condoms 🤣🤣🤣

[@anthonydm2947]

Man if those bunker walls could talk…. They were so well laid out and fortified. Silly question, how long before the invasion were they constructed? And on a side note, in a few of your videos when you Pan around, I noticed a rainbow several times. Not sure why I mentioned that, just makes it more surreal for me I guess….

[@MegaKorben]

In the end it’s just a bunch of bunkers in a field

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

What an awful thing to say.

[@MegaKorben]

@@TheHistoryUnderground no those are the facts

[@14Claude]

Thanks lot 👌👍😎✌

[@jessesteel333]

Are any of these maintained? Would be sad to see them all completely fall into disrepair

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Sadly, no.

[@jessesteel333]

@@TheHistoryUnderground that sucks. Hopefully someone does one day.

[@jeffsquires6620]

Unbelievable that they still exist, I understand that they were built so well that it is too costly to remove. Shame they didn't leave some in original condition for all to see.

[@kyles9320]

When were you able to shoot this episode?

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

This was in early October.

[@thenoworriesnomad]

As always..👍👍

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

🙏🏼

[@thenoworriesnomad]

@@TheHistoryUnderground So when will you be visiting Normandy again?

[@pyrman6418]

The Tobruk's on the top of bunkers were strictly armed with machine guns, either mg34's or mg42's.

[@WW2TV]

Actually it was more common to see French, Polish and earlier model German mgs in Atlantic wall positions

[@pyrman6418]

@@WW2TV my main point was that they were armed with MGs.

[@ejparker13]

Nothing I'd rather do in war besides stand in a giant concrete room and shoot large caliber cannons. PTSD

[@darkoflight4938]

Sad to see all that graffitti everywhere. A sign of the times I guess but still, in places like this....

[@quicksense]

I wish people wouldn’t spray paint all over or carve their names into these bunkers. No respect at all…

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Agreed.

[@WW2TV]

Respect for whom? The Nazis who built them? No, you're right there is little respect for the Nazis and what they constructed here in Normandy

[@robertsmith1860]

My Dad, Walter Gerald Smith (Jerry), was with the Fighting 29th Infantry Division, landing at Omaha Beach as a Private First Class. The fighting was so strong that within his 1st day he received a battlefield promotion to Sargent. As they made their way inland, he was seriously wounded from a mortar shell shrapnel in his lower spine. He survived & able to return to England and reunite with his RAF British Wife of 2 Months, Patricia Smith (maiden name - Lambe), who held down the Home Front Chain, stationed at the Radar Station at Lands End. I loved them both, and am very proud of their Service. - BanjoBob

[@lainzeylainers]

Hello Robert! My Uncle John Clista aka used the name as Clister to eradicate a change in our family tree. The changes they could do back then of which they cannot incorporate today were to the extremes with identity verifications. Long story short is that my Uncle was also in the 29th Infantry Division as an MP for the landing of Omaha Beach. His helmet is located at the Gettysburg museum of history along with artifacts that I gave to Erik Dorr. At this time, I was searching for the latest video on the Gettysburg Military Park for an excerpt about my Uncle who was returned from Normandy laid to rest in Gettysburg. The helmet was purchased from a well known collectors gallery in Normandy due to my Uncle etching his last name and 4 digit draft number visibly seen in the helmet to this day. The helmet is at the museum in Gettysburg that the curator Erik owns himself. The museum is a minefield of fantastically displayed artifacts not only from D Day but also the civil war. Erik was opening an adjacent room for the Vietnam era vets which I am sure he is still currently doing. I would LOVE to find the excerpt of the video and FOUND/ saw your post. My oldest brother’s name is ROBERT. See the energy connection I found in your post??? Also, the last name Smith was involved with a soul that passed over during the civil war on the property I sold in the home that I once used to live in. WOW on the synchronization here! Serendipity!

[@elrobo3568]

As a kid I used to explore those pillboxes, I would look out of the gun ports and view the beach thinking how in the world did any of the forces get through, but they did. It took Moxy and determination to accomplish that mixed with heroism and resolve. After seeing the graves of the fallen I realized the price paid for this action, I later enlisted in the USAF and made it my career. In some way I wanted to become part of the solution to the tyranny of these type of insane dictators. I fully thank my brothers and sisters that fought to keep us and Europe free and I love the bumper sticker "if you can read this thank a teacher, if you can read this in English thank a veteran.

[@brokespoke4789]

Thank you for your videos and showing Utah Beach. My Dad was ashore at Utah a couple of hours after the invasion began. He told a few interesting stories about being there before he passed. Your videos give me some insight to his experience.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Oh wow. That is amazing. I hope that your family enjoys the video as well and can get a better idea of what your dad may have seen.

[@bradmiller3367]

As I see more and more stories about statues, including Lincoln and Fredrick Douglass, being torn down in the bizarre retconning of history in the US, it does my soul and historical mind good to watch these every week, and you deserve our deepest gratitude!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Glad that you’re enjoying them. Hopefully the channel is giving people a resource to share history with others.

[@bradmiller3367]

@@TheHistoryUnderground I turn as many people as I can towards you and this channel, I assure you! 🙂

[@stellashepherd3229]

Where are they tearing down Lincoln and Frederick Douglass? I have only seen the statues of civil war traitors (Confederate Generals etc) being taken down. And renaming military bases to people who didn’t actually try to split the USA. I’d be interested in specifics.

[@bradmiller3367]

@@stellashepherd3229 A search will show more incidents of defacement and such

[@stellashepherd3229]

@@bradmiller3367 Not of Lincoln or Frederick Douglass. There are barely any statues of Douglass. Sadly.

[@Chiller01]

You’re getting really adept at utilizing drone footage to give a wider perspective of the terrain. It really helps the situational understanding of what the soldiers were tasked to accomplish. Nice.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thank you!

[@Lynchfan88]

I'm watching this and thinking about all the Allied & German lives lost not just on 6-6-44, but in years before and the rest of '44 and '45. Incredible German defenses that thankfully our U.S. soldiers along w/their partners in Canada & England managed to break through. I'm big into WWII history and this is a beautiful video. Incredible history was made in Normandy that day and it should never, ever be forgotten.

[@Gascan26]

Thank you for your dedication to this history. Its amazing to see the sheer size of some of the bunkers. Great content, keep up the great videos.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

My pleasure. Thank you for watching!

[@Bunkersitecom]

Nice videos! The first two bunkers actually housed the same gun. The left (and obviously lighter) bunker was built around the autumn of 1942 while the right one was built early 1944. The Czech 4.7cm fortress anti-tank gun was moved from the old to the new bunker. As you can see the steel frame which was built into the front wall and was the mount of the gun, was removed from the old bunker (the entrance was broken open, tot move the whole gun) and placed in the new bunker. About the Tobruks. The smaller ones were for MG, observation or communication like a Lichtsprechgerät. The ones with a bigger opening were for mortars, you need work space there. The last U-shaped Tobruk was for a French tank turret. Indeed the open position was a 5 cm KwK position. More info on our website.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Appreciate that!

[@109strpks]

Man the content you got for only being in Normandy for a week this past time is incredible. I love it.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Up early, to bed late and no meals in between. :)

[@109strpks]

@@TheHistoryUnderground well we love and appreciate every bit of it. 😁

[@marksteele4235]

My Uncle landed on Omaha on D-Day as a 19 year old Medic and he survived the war. He passed in 1998

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Oh wow. Those guys were something else. Got quite a few videos from over on Omaha.

[@jetsons101]

JD, how do you do it----one GEM after the other. All the B&W photos are amazing, they really put a human face to the story. Your attention to detail and how you present it is outstanding, thanks. I'm sure members of the Greatest Generation are smiling thanks to you.....

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks! So glad that people are enjoying the series.

[@williamthompson6264]

Very nice piece. I'm looking forward to the future when I hope you'll be able to visit some of the Pacific theater. One of my grandfathers was at Utah beach. The other was in the Pacific at the same time, island hopping from Pearl all the way to Burma with the Army Air Force. I'm sure covering those Pacific will be much more expensive.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Definitely hoping to get to some Pacific sites but as you mentioned, very expensive to get there.

[@justbrowsing6327]

I also would love to see the pacific side, my partner lives on Leyte island, about 40mins to an hour from the Macarther memorial landing site. Since i was a child i've always had a fascination with military history, so i love these vids.

[@Chard-O]

JD, another great video. Thank you so much. In 2017 while on the Englad to the Eagles Nest tour we stopped at Utah and walked the beach. While headed back we ran into a veteran by the name of Howard " Howdy " Friend. Howdy had a film crew in tow and was happy to talk with everyone. We spent 20 minutes listening to his story. Howdy graduated high school on June 6, 1944. Eight days later he is in basic training and eventually found himself in Patton's Third Army. On January 9, 1945 he was wounded in action, shot through the hip as he told it, and was in recovery for 18 months. Just being in his presence and listening to him talk had every grown man that heard his story in tears. He was incredibly humble and I thank God every day for men like him. Sadly, Howdy passed recently on December 31, 2021. Rest easy Howdy and as I was privileged to shake your hand and thank you that day, I thank you again now.

[@joelrooks389]

That’s a beautiful story. Thank you for sharing it.

[@jimwiskus8862]

I love seeing the rainbow in the background of many of your shots. Being a biblically-based person it reminds me of Gods faithfulness. I never tire of seeing these videos. My father in law was a surgeon during WWII. He went a shore at Normandy. He saw way to much of what man did to man. I think of being 33 years old again. That’s how old Dr Griffith was. Then I think of the average age of those brave hero’s who waded a shore. Many never getting out of the water.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Well said. Thank you.

[@PineValleyDigital]

Thank You! Gave me a better idea of what our boys were up against! God Bless The Great Generation!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Our pleasure!

[@rgerca1593]

The one at 7.23 looks like a structure that was built in the Atlantic wall in the province of Zeeland in the Netherlands. Two of them look exactly alike and are former communications bunkers of the Haanstede airfield that housed fightersquadrons. Some of the others look like service bunkers. They are not entirely made of concrete so they could be sleeping quarters or kitchens etc.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

I'd like to see that!

[@stevemilam1747]

Thank you for your videos. I really enjoy seeing all these places and hearing history I probably will never get to visit. My uncle served with Headquarters company, 20th Field Artillery Battalion, 4th Corps. Good to see what he probably saw when he landed

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Glad that I could show it! Hope that your family enjoys it as well.

[@davidneuzil9356]

I would find it interesting to have someone KZbin video someone recreating running up the beach, loaded with perhaps 60-80lbs of gear at low tide. Maybe even starting at waist deep water and seeing how long it took them to get across the beach. Would be interesting to see what kind of shape they were in when they reached the stones, I would think they would be exhausted.

[@Wreckdiver59]

I can never get enough bunker videos. It's always interesting to see how much these bunkers look like the sub-basement under the forging presses at the manufacturing plant I worked at for years. The press equipment was purchased from a German company and the foundations and multi-level basement were designed by another German company. I can remember the amazing amount of rebar that was constructed prior to pouring the cement. Made it interesting when we did some modifications after several years. Thanks for the tour 👍

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks! Can you even imagine the amount of concrete and rebar that it took to build these things? Crazy.

[@jeanmarcgalzy7747]

Merci mon ami 👍😉 Thank you very much for this Story my friend. Congratulations 🇺🇲🤝🇫🇷

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Many thanks! I appreciate that. 🙏🏼

[@robertbolton1274]

Thanks again for a very informative video. Cannot wait to revisit Normandy and visit these locations again. I've been watching these videos with my daughter for some time who also enjoys your updates. It's great that you are helping to keep these memories alive for our next generations.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Awesome! So glad that you're watching these with your daughter.

[@sevenonthelineproductionsl7524]

Question for you: Are these bunkers on private land now or open to the public? I'm curious because I know it can vary from place to place in Normandy.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

A lot are on private land but these are public.

[@ashishhkumarr994]

I don't understand why govt allows those things to be in private land. Weird!!

[@robynw6307]

@@ashishhkumarr994 Maybe because the land was owned privately before the Germans barged in and built the bunkers. I know that if I owned land before a war I'd sure want it back after the war.

[@sevenonthelineproductionsl7524]

@@ashishhkumarr994 Eh maybe, but the 1943-44 Germans are the most responsible party here

[@maxchastain0]

@@ashishhkumarr994 because the Germans built on private land. If France or any European country nationalizes any place with historical relics, there won’t be any private land left.

[@habs8715]

Wow Ive always wanted and still want to go to Normandy a I wonder have you ever been to Juno beach?

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Yes. Got some episodes from Juno coming up later in the series. Here's a video where I made a brief visit awhile back: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mnOoon6qpdWphKM

[@chrishaigh2418]

Another great video - thanks .... at low tide in the area of WN10 (StP 10) where you were you can also see the remains of the little known Mulberry harbour at Utah ... its also visible on Google Earth if you use the time roll back feature ......Also ..... three quarters of a mile south of WN10 is WN09 (StP 09) which is an even more formidable position, Wn09 would have been in the centre of the original proposed landing site of Tare Green (Wn10 being just north (right) of the original proposed landing). Wn 09 contained several beach covering AT bunkers, Tobruks etc and also had an R633 M19 automatic mortar which could fire circa 1500 rounds per minute in a radius of about 2000 yards - would have been deadly !!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks. And yeah, that was a pretty fortunate mistake for them to have landed in the wrong spot.

[@normahird9059]

JD... Again another vlog she realistic that a viewer can actually imagine walking there right beside you. History needs to be recorded and remembered. Thank you for doing just that.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Glad you enjoyed it! I've been having fun sharing the experiences.

[@pigybak]

How long did the Germans have to build these bunkers?

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

These were built over the course of 2 years.

[@stevelinscome728]

I would imagine that the Germans firing off those big guns in those concrete buildings probably lost their hearing with the concussions. BOOM!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Yeah, that couldn't have been good on the eardrums.

[@robertogomez2194]

Very good ,beatiful vídeo , please subtitles in spanish My inglish is very bad thanks 💪💪💪

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks. And I can promise you that your English is better than my Spanish :)

[@mikej1186]

My dad landed on Utah Beach with the 4ID. He was on the beach at 8am as a combat engineer. By sun down under fire and enemy artillery that BN completed the first airfield in order for supplies and equipment to be flown in. That Unit was awarded a Presidential Unit Citation. This is documented, I have a copy of the citation. That citation is on his DD214. The next day on to Ste. Mere Eglise. From D-Day, St Lo, breakout, the Bulge including the Hurtgen. Constantly in combat and Awarded 4 bronze battle stars, on his DD214. His medals, Presidential Citation, DD214 are still on the wall in the rec room of the house which my brother lives at. He's been gone awhile, would have been 104 this year. I served in Vietnam 1966-1967, mine were never put out until I owned my own home.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Oh wow! That is quite the legacy. Thanks for sharing that.

[@fishaholiclures]

Shame you didn't make mention of the 2nd French Armoured who landed there also, and the monument is right next to where you started, but then again the program is sponsored by the US :(

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

To be honest, I filmed something there but the footage was garbage so I ended up not using it. And even though I'm an American, I do make an effort to highlight the contributions of the other Allied nations. Got some British stuff in this series with more from the British and Canadians on the way. Thanks for watching!

[@SIGP229TPOC]

Can you imagine the overpressure of firing a large artillery weapon inside one of those bunkers? I assume that's quite jarring.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

The barrel sticking out through the front would help but it would still be awful.

[@SIGP229TPOC]

@@TheHistoryUnderground True, yeah I should have clarified. I think they would be meat paste if they had it completely inside the bunker :)

[@keyvanjohnson4788]

Always loved WW2 history I’m glad I came across this Channel

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks! I'm glad that you came across it too. Feel free to share it out!

[@huntinfishingdad6905]

So my question is when did the Germans start building these bunkers to defend Utah Beach if operation overlord was top secret

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Construction would have started in 1942 and continued through 1944.

[@WW2TV]

Which is exactly why the Germans built bunkers from Norway to the French border with Spain. They did not know where the invasion would come

[@gameram6382]

80th celebration of d day, remember the sacrifice. 🇬🇧🇺🇲🇨🇦🇵🇱🇫🇷

[@davidlavin3492]

Anyone know ifpeople use these beaches for vacation/relaxation like we think of as “going to the beach” in summer months? Just came to me how odd that would be to sunbathe at a place like this, at least it would be for me. Love the drone footage, and of course another outstanding video taking us for a tour.

[@WW2TV]

Yes people do

[@vinoman123]

Thanks for another wonderful video. Your passion for sharing this off the beaten history is greatly appreciated. Keep up the great work 👍 👏

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks! So glad that I could go there and share it.

[@safety86]

I've not made it up that far on Utah. I've mostly stayed in the area around the museum. One thing is for sure.... the Germans loved their concrete!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Can you even imagine how much concrete went into these projects? Crazy.

[@mattsyson3980]

one shouldn't forget the many thousands who were beaten and starved to death building all these fortifications.

[@gameram6382]

If you want to see bunkers in amazing condition, channel islands, brilliant fir Atlantic war

[@LeveretteJamesClifford1955]

The Torbrouks often had pre sited gauges around the inside edges for the machine-guns and mortars. They were painted with landscapes of the surrounding area with distances included.

[@rw9866]

I visted that location aswell by mistake, its not a very popular spot surprisingly

[@fasthracing]

13:40 damage was not from naval forces as its the rear of the bunker. More like tank shells taking the bunker out.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Good observation.

[@NickP]

Always interesting and informative, well done.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Many thanks!

[@BuckeyeBackyardBBQ]

I get that your at Normandy and why the bunkers are still there. But the Germans had bunkers all up and down the coast of France. Are most of those bunkers still in place as well outside of Normandy?

[@lv8920]

the line of bunkers along the shores (Atlantic Wall) goes from France over Belgium, Holland all the way up to Norway. A lot of these bunkers still exist, some in good shape, some dilapidated.

[@markpalmer6760]

Enjoy your videos history was always my favorite class

[@Terminatortx33]

Im surprised they have not been restored / looked after for people to see them how they were.

[@alirezamahmoodii4894]

hello thank you for this video like always very interesting

[@robertmoore2049]

I wonder if there are special ceremonies on the day of the invasion. To remember the sacrifices of the men who died to help liberate Europe and perhaps even the German lives that were taken during this time.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Yes, they have big celebrations every year.

[@robertmoore2049]

@@TheHistoryUnderground Thank you for your reply. I had a feeling they did.

[@andrewadamson2524]

My granddad landed on Normandy beach . Gun in hand. Helmet on. Back pack. No fear only the will to fight for freedom. Let me tell you my granddad was a true warrior ' never spoke much about that day. But one afternoon he did say to me . SON SIT DOWN . THE DAY I LANDED ON NORMANDY I FELT PROUD ' BECAUSE AT THAT MOMENT AND TIME THE GOOD PEOPLE OF FRANCE NEEDED ME MORE THEN MY FAMILY ' SO IN THE NAME OF HOPE I WENT TO FIGHT FOR FREEDOM AND THATS THE REASON PEOPLE LIKE YOURSELF LIVE FREE TODAY. Sadly he passed away 5years ago . Believe me when I say my granddad was one in a million. GOD BLESS GRANDDAD.

[@WW2TV]

Thanks for sharing. Do you know which beach he landed on?

[@philmathenia2265]

Wow, great opening shot of military vehicles.And thanks for another great video.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👍🏻

[@jefferyfowler7860]

Thank you JD for putting all this in such detail for us. God Bless all who sacrificed so much for us. 🇺🇸

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks! Glad to share the experiences.