German Defences In The Meuse-Argonne Region I THE GREAT WAR Special

[@jeffmcarthur5617]

There's a very small detail here that is exemplary to how good this show is. At one point, Indy got a detail wrong and the other guy corrected him. Most hosts would have insisted that be edited out, but Indy and his gang are confident enough in themselves to not be ashamed to be corrected. It's SOOOO refreshing!

[@spearspearspear]

Where?

[@patrickstuart3497]

Indy and Jean-Paul look like a a pair of mismatched crimefighters who learn a new respect for each other in the third act.

[@TheGreatWar]

10/10 would watch them fighting crime.

[@Secret_Takodachi]

Time-travelling war-crime fighters! It would be as action packed as it would be educational! I'd buy that ticket a year in advance, and I'd buy it on DVD! And I'm a millennial; our generation is notorious for pirating content online so my eagerness to buy should really say something haha

[@5peciesunkn0wn]

@@Secret_Takodachi But they can only travel to WWI. Possibly going forth and stopping the various war crimes caused by germany...

[@brokenbridge6316]

Yeah I can see that.

[@manlikederek925]

I'm already waiting for the less entertaining sequel!

[@Holammer]

Jean Paul should have his own YT channel and show the area in more detail.

[@Happy-cn9vt]

Holammer would be awesome , I'd subribe

[@jccosta5640]

The film crew is doing awesome shots!

[@jemc4276]

Joao Claudio Costa - I was thinking the same thing actually. Clearly a professionally trained team.

[@ociffertheofficer]

I loved the drone shots!

[@TheGreatWar]

+Jamie C we are all trained professionals, our editors did the German apprenticeship in editing and camera, Flo studied online media and movie production and Indy studied history and has years of hosting experience. Otherwise this project would look a lot more improvised, haha

[@Thepar123]

The Great War It's a shame that so many different KZbin channels from all over the spectrum, of all budgets, don't take advantage of modern equipment. Don't belittle Flo, your quality and quantity is amazing, it's fantastic professional photography and videography

[@william_l.l1]

Indy i was at Verdun 4 days ago we saw the graves and we saw that little village that was blown away and we saw fort duamont and fort de vaux it was very interesting but it all was because of you because now my dream is to be an historian in WW1 and you and your special episodes wanted me to go down to verdun and see it so thank you very much

[@TheGreatWar]

Glad to be an inspiration.

[@Duke_of_Lorraine]

The weather is still doing its part for the atmosphere of the scene. Like if the mist was the ghosts of the soldiers who died fighting here.

[@tinyman1144]

They know we're talking about them!

[@scotiabushcraft9570]

Playing running simulator when you can play Ops or Frontlines. lol

[@Thepar123]

Creepy to think about but Indy and Co were in part breathing in the dying organic material that decomposes on the forest floor. Willing to bet they're already standing on a mass grave....

[@SanitysVoid]

They should clear coat the metal. One coat would save ten years on it's life.

[@sonnydog830]

Why do I see you everywhere I watch?

[@thetomatoking9714]

Nobody going to comment on how stylish Indy is? Ok.

[@nuffwerewolf]

It's just a known fact. :-)

[@luca_hc_gruber]

already done many times ago

[@Alvinyli]

YaBoiCasillas he's got class

[@carlewen-lewis3305]

YaBoiCasillas omg yes, he dresses so well, inspiring me right now.

[@poshboy4749]

I've only just noticed he looks sharp, but dangerous - like a bond villain.

[@GuerrillaFilms1]

I wanna say thanks for creating this channel and teaching the masses about WW1. I remember barely learning anything about it in high school.

[@TheGreatWar]

Glad to be of service.

[@Ethan-jg9sw]

Jean-Paul rules.

[@jpkalishek4586]

I do like JP, and not just because we share initials. One could spend days chatting with him,

[@clayrogers4532]

Jean - Paul was wonderful. Thank you for having him Indy!

[@TheGreatWar]

+Skipper totally agree

[@blacktemplar9499]

Skipper i always go to his museum in the holiday its fcking awesome

[@MrSalarmax]

The Great War haha we share the same name! De Vries is so dutch :D

[@grudgemindless652]

OK I know this is kind of off topic, but I'm sitting here in middle of the heat wave and watching Indy freezing fills me with odd sense of envy. Love the videos by the way

[@TheGreatWar]

+Grudge Mindless I can tell you it's warmer there now.

[@ygma1460]

Just a side-note, At 12:55 the tour speaks about the Germans having few hours to put up new concrete on the bunker at night: My great-grandfather fought in the Finnish-Soviet Winter War in 1939, he had a similar job. After the fighting at day, he had to crawl in front of the Finnish bunkers and apply fresh layers of concrete so the bunker could stand the next day's fighting. What he had going for him was that nights were much longer at Finnish Front, as there was only 4 hours of daylight. Then again it was -40 to -50 celcius instead of the -18 celcius at Western Front.

[@johnc4122]

From what I have read though, your great grandfather would have been better off than the Russians he was fighting! Many Soviet conscript soldiers had no training or proper winter clothing and simply froze to death...

[@Ksgamer103]

Thank you SO MUCH! I could learn about military defensive engineering all day and never get sick of it.

[@TheGreatWar]

+Ksgamer103 it was darn interesting for us too

[@geographica3920]

#MeeToo .Especially WW1 and WW2, with the Hindenburg line and the Atlantic wall+ the japanese in the Pacific like Peleliu, Iwo Jima and Tarawa.

[@Lokster]

Can you guys maybe do an episode about the most pivotal moments in the war? It's interesting to see the defining moments that shaped our world. I remember one of your weekly episodes about 2 pivotal moments and they were very interesting. Thanks for everything you guys do, you guys are some of the best on KZbin. Keep up the awesome work! :)

[@lovablesnowman]

Anakin And the first ironically

[@steventhompson399]

You can find a lot online even without books, but some is up for debate.... "pivotal moments" might be tannenberg 1st marne 1st ypres/race to sea cer mt the winter carpathian battles/przemsyl sarakamis gallipoli gorlice/tarnow etc ... you see it depends how detailed you want to get or what you call a turning point, perhaps you could narrow it down to just 1st marne and 2nd marne lol but even less significant or well known battles had consequences such as Austria Hungary losing galicia and counter attacking unsuccessfully in winter even though the Russians later were pushed back in summer 15 the loses in men officers artillery destroyed potential of Austria Hungary's army early on as a serious offensive force and they were increasingly dependent on Germany

[@Calum_S]

Like Admiral Cowan, I think I might cry when the armistice is signed. This has to be one of the best channels on KZbin.

[@NotSaddamHussein]

"heights are always important" - Obi-Jean Kenobi, 2017

[@jrmcc173]

Gorbag Quick-Blades Its over Germany! I have the high ground

[@Rednecknerd_rob9634]

@jrmcc17 (As Germany) You underestimate my power!

[@Bruh-hq1hx]

@@Rednecknerd_rob9634 you underestimate my manpower

[@tacocat7822]

IT'S OVER KAISER I HAVE THE HIGH GROUND

[@xxxoof_lordxxx2655]

Jean-Paul is Dutch Lindybeige. He just sidetracked his sidetrack.

[@SKEptic-mg2dd]

Really enjoyed Jean Paul de Vries' contributions to your presentations. Fascinating to think he grew up where so much horror took place and decided to understand those events rather than be repelled by them.

[@TheAurelianProject]

It’s pretty crazy to think that at one point, many men were fighting and dying just for this single hill, and now you can go for a leisurely stroll across it without anyone bothering you. Time really puts things in perspective.

[@oldleatherhandsfriends4053]

Kinda like it was never worth a single life to control it.

[@Quintkat]

That (trench?) coat you're wearing is absolutely awesome!

[@landonjohnson343]

battlefield 1 well captured the Meuse, Argonne area. bit of trivia I have a ol ww1 Brody helmet my dad found in the back of a old Ford pickup truck when he was younger

[@edm240b9]

0:44 "what are we looking at?" The E Capture point

[@anthonybowyer1874]

I have only just discovered this outstanding channel; which chronicles the Great War in detail, but also manages to convey the terrible loss of life to soldiers and civilians. Both my Grandfathers fought for Britain in France and Gallipoli; one being severely wounded at Gallipoli. I am currently researching my Grandfathers experience’s at Gallipoli; I am astonished at how such young men lived and fought in such appalling conditions. This series has helped me to understand how all this came to start in 1914. For me this channel demonstrates what KZbin is really capable of; I find this series totally enthralling.

[@TheGreatWar]

Thanks Anthony and welcome to the show.

[@andross1013]

I love the one site tours. There is so much life given to the battles and lives of the soldiers who fought there. Keep up the great work

[@ThePsiclone]

as a joiner of some 30 years experience, I have on several occasions found , barbed wire, bullets and once even a 20mm shell (which had not, and thankfully didn't go off) in timber being cut up. Gives you pause for thought as to how it came to be there. Of course you have no idea it's in there until the saw blade hits it, as the tree long since grew around the "wound".

[@OldFellaDave]

Another great 'On Location' episode GW Team!! Well done!! Can't wait for the next one ;)

[@TheGreatWar]

+David Read this was the last one from France, but soon there will be more.

[@OldFellaDave]

Excellent! It's a pity you can't get out here to see our Australian War Memorial to film from our greatest collection, some of the best preserved WW1 relics on the planet ;)

[@Daphrenologists]

Great video. Love the on site work the crew is doing, keep it up. And Jean-Paul rocks.

[@kenan87098]

this series is amazing, unthinkable against what people had to fight

[@mattaghang7105]

Kansas City! That's incredible. Being from Kansas City it really brings things into perspective. Come to KC to see the National WWI Museum. It is beautiful and a great tribute. Also, I'd like to buy the team a drink at some of our local breweries. Great work, guys

[@kahnu893]

Mattaghan G I also thought about the museum and how southern Missouri was a huge area for German immigration, make me wonder if they had family history in the area

[@nickjablon8826]

JP is very obviously freezing his nads off... and I appreciate the dedication to ACTUAL documentaries on an age of docudramas. Keep up the amazing work Indy!

[@strider1246]

Just put an officer hat, put medals and along a holster with a service revolver on Indy he'll look like a real ww1 general.

[@eldorados_lost_searcher]

Private Parts he'd need a moustache.

[@WhiteCamry]

And a monocle.

[@828enigma6]

But Indy is far smarter. Some of those Generals didn't seem to have sense to come in out of a shower of s***.

[@gawaineross8920]

These episodes are so well done and terribly sobering. What an ordeal for these soldiers and for the world.

[@SS-mm5md]

Grandfather Cecil Smith and his brother Walter both in the Meuse-Argonne offensive; both made it back. The 4th and 29th Divisions. So proud!

[@Broheim1]

Loved this episode quite alot. Very informative and you learn stuff that isnt really written about at all. Do more episodes like it, please! :)

[@TheGreatWar]

we will, we will

[@The_Furless]

I love it how bf1 made the Argonne forrest look exactly like what you guys are in.

[@nevinsunny1515]

You guys work really hard , it's amazing . This is the best KZbin channel ever !!

[@egoshOOter14]

''It took them 2000 years to understand'' Oh you:D

[@DodoDodo-pi1ev]

it's been countless years without understanding that war shouldn't be considered ever again

[@egoshOOter14]

Unfortunately some people didn't catch up to this date.. *yay* for humanity!

[@Rednecknerd_rob9634]

I agree Dodo. But sadly we see human nature at work.

[@CThyran]

@@DodoDodo-pi1ev To say that war should never be considered again completely ignores it's point. Let's say we all give up the very idea if war and therefore the military with it, once we do that someone else will conquer us since we're an easy target. The only way to keep what is yours is to fight for it and if someone starts a war with you you have to stop it.

[@Anomaly-uz9pr]

Dodo Dodo unrealistic and foolish to think war will ever go away we humans have had wars since the dawn of time and as long as humans exist war will exist it is a part of human nature and we cannot change human nature

[@jasonflay8818]

simply amazing, I can't imagine going against those. Thanks Indy and team for the work you do

[@colinbeale8331]

Love videos with Jean-Paul. Not only do we learn something new but so does Indy.

[@sicily7220]

Great Job Indy. Love this channel. Found this channel about 3 months ago...and took me 6 weeks to caught up. I was watching videos on my free time.

[@WouldUKindly47]

I really do want to give a thumbs up to the camera crew here, the shots are so steady and well taken. It looks extremely professional and cinematic.

[@TheGreatWar]

Thanks, it was a good investment to get a steady cam.

[@DCSSHitmanO]

Always wanted to see more of this region, thanks for the closer examination!

[@tommykamentz3427]

Every time I watch episodes like this, I can’t help but think, Indy looks so classy.

[@j.c.mgomez2515]

you guys are doing a marvelous job, cheers from Colombia!

[@TheGreatWar]

Thanks.

[@Jelqingmaster____]

thank you for making these videos and inspiring me to learn more about the war

[@chillyschleemies5026]

This channel is truly amazing and priceless.

[@onesmoothstone5680]

Excellent gentlemen, Excellent!

[@appetjoek123]

amazing episode. I think its very cool a fellow Dutchman has such knowledge about ww1 given not much is taught at school about it here.

[@silvioevan11]

And Jean-Paul, the Frenchiest Dutchman, attacks (no pun intended) again. Hey, amazing camera guy, can you appear here in the comments? Thanks.

[@rickvandenberg6426]

silvioevan11 he sounded dutch to me.

[@rickvandersterren6176]

silvioevan11 both the name and the accent are Dutch, that guy is so Dutch, he shites out windmills

[@rickvandenberg6426]

wood1155 no he is dutch.

[@snelletor]

From the Eindhoven region, but also has a French passport and is fluent french speaking

[@doomking2471]

Wow looks amazing I love historical sites that time has graced with it beauty

[@mt.fujitive]

awesome video, thanks a bunch!

[@LuvBorderCollies]

Many thanks for doing this video. It adds so much understanding the hows and why of what happened. Like walking the ground of the Little Bighorn made me really understand the battle. At 10:09 I perked up when Mr. de Vries mentioned the 37th Division. My great uncle was likely providing covering fire with his MG to the grunts trying to climg that hill. Makes me reflect on what they all had to endure.

[@kobeduyver8087]

I have met Jean-Paul, he is an amazing guy

[@aarongodwin6302]

awesome episode. more Jean-Paul videos!

[@Anderle52134]

Thank you Jean-Paul!

[@ch7pper]

I really enjoy them conversing. I'd love an extended version with more chit-chat.

[@Moredread25]

I really enjoy these site visit videos. Its one thing to hear about the history or to read about it but having videos where you can vicariously experience the of the battle's location is really cool.

[@GaryPansey]

Thank you. We viewers are fortunate to see the real site.

[@jiminihendrix]

This is AMAZING!

[@markusweiner4432]

Great work TGW-Team!

[@fisherdean5095]

the fog adds so much for some reason.

[@Rednecknerd_rob9634]

I agree. Kinda creepy to me. And it kinda feels even creepier without the sounds on animals, like birds chirping.

[@bbsmith9409]

In June 2019, I relieved myself upon the bunker seen at the 4:40 mark. Magnificent view from the monument tower!

[@blueband8114]

Great info, wish i had known about these places when i visited the Verdun area.

[@hughjass5156]

Man could you guys have picked a more perfect day to visit this site? The mist sets the scene perfectly.

[@rideroundandstuff]

Throughout the video I had to think about how you guys must be pleased with those awesome conditions you were shooting it. The fog suits the scene so incredibly well.

[@legionitalia309]

My great grandfather fought in the 32nd ID in ww1 as a motorcycle dispatch rider, which must have been insane considering the state of the motorcycle at that time. He never spoke of the war to his family. I've been able to acquire some information through the FIA and would suggest anyone looking for information do the same, you never know what might turn up. I believe it to be very common for the veterans to completely hide the details of their service from their family then, as it is today. These small bits of history are often lost as a consequence. Thanks Indy for giving a physical view of what I'd imagine he'd seen.

[@IsThisRain]

Awesome video! Another great vid by the GW Crew!

[@TurtleDude05]

Wow. Bravo to all of you at #thegreatwar team. Your on site speacials are getting better and better. This was verry interesting.

[@ericcarlson3746]

these on site visits are superb

[@ImpactEtching]

Getting better with every episode

[@ShamanKish]

Great Series! Only now discovered it.

[@swedish_vikings]

Awesome vid!

[@phiphedude7684]

Jean-Paul's voice is so satisfying

[@yaldabaoth2]

Damn, Jean-Paul looks cold.

[@stump182]

Amazing tour. Thanks y'all!

[@rabihrac]

This was a super interesting visit thank you Indy

[@anthonysmith778]

Also see the butte de vacuous. Big tunnel mine craters. Can still go in the mine tunnels. Very cool

[@Dave73nl]

Tha guy is so well informed and inviting in real live... A must see museum!

[@nicknorris100]

I think this your best video yet!

[@Gate0r]

Awesome stuff as always! Looks so eerie there with the fog!

[@worri3db3ar]

really wish history lessons had involved going to places like these rather than only going to museums to learn about the great war think it would make learning more impactful.

[@Rickinsf]

9:40 "...War is the mother of invention.." A history prof told me, "If you want to gauge how advanced a society is, examine their weapons...we put our all into killing each other."

[@shadowlord1418]

Smart man

[@miguelangelsimonfernandez5498]

I don't quite think it is bad concrete but lime mortar that is more elastic than concrete. It has the inconveniente that it might not weather too well in a humid environment but for a couple of decades it's quite ok. When you want to fix a safe or anti theft door in a wall you use hemp threads and plaster of Paris that is also very elastic to resist sledgehammer blows.

[@davidmurphy2983]

I visited the Meuse Argonne and Verdun in 2015 and went into some of those bunkers. Very interesting to on You Tube.

[@Yezu666]

Great episode! Thank you! :)

[@Palifiox]

Thanks to Jean-Paul.

[@Hongobogologomo]

Wow... I never thought about the reason why those giant gnarled trees remained. The bullets, the metal shreds! Amazing.

[@dugannash9109]

drone shots! that fog makes the locale very picturesque. well done Great War videographers!

[@thecellulontriptometer4166]

The 32nd Infantry Division was formed from National Guard units in Wisconsin and Michigan. As Guard members, the majority had been together far more than a couple of weeks of training. Also, once GEN Pershing got them to France, they underwent extensive training before going into battle. Aside from numbers, what they had that the Germans did not was energy. They were not worn down from years of fighting. I know these things because I Commanded the 120th FA BN of the Wisconsin Army National Guard(one of the units that served in WWI in the 32nd), and locked up in the Headquarters Armory are the individual histories of the units. Most of the men wrote that the Germans they faced were battle hardened but weak and weary, ready for it to be over in some way. Some of this is in letters, others in journals they brought back. Just wanted to clarify why the Red Arrow Division was successful and earned it's reputation for always breaking through every line they attacked.

[@TheGreatWar]

Well, you should have a talk with Jean-Paul, I think he will disagree on a few things but maybe you could also exchange some knowledge.

[@thecellulontriptometer4166]

I would certainly be open to communicating with him, and providing some of the documentation. But I think the training program prior to going into action was well documented. They didn't hit the ground and France and head to the front. The energy assessment is of course subjective. It also took an inordinately high number of casualties. With a standing strength of around ~27,000 heading to France, ~14,000 became casualties. Certainly attacking entrenched defenses was a part of this. But I don't believe that numbers alone had proven to this point in the war to be enough to break through a well established defense. Something else was going on, and it is clear from what I have read that the soldiers thought they knew what that was. I will send an email to his museum website. Thanks for all that you guys do.

[@Widemouth1832]

That graffiti is crazy. My great gandfather on my grandmother's side fought in that area during the war and was wounded assaulting one of the many hills in the Muse-Argone.

[@xboi1227]

What a very nice tour guide

[@INEEDAMMO]

Loving these videos dude

[@Just2BeWithHer]

I love these 'on the road' episodes

[@jokes859]

Very cool video ( as always )

[@catholiccommissar9989]

love this show!

[@ongsociedaddefomentodebelg4419]

indy and crew, fenomenal!!!!!!

[@zechbates9376]

ENCORE! Great video

[@alanmcconnaughey2698]

Great video!!

[@adrianstaystrong]

So interesting. Wow.

[@brokenbridge6316]

Interesting seeing the place as it is today. Nice job.

[@jjc5475]

spooky forest, with that mist. fits.