Germany's Most Fierce Division: Großdeutschland | "From Sector to Sector" | WWII

[@schwatzy6362]

An uncle of mine was a Panzer Grenadier in the Gross Deutschland. It was made up of three Panzer divisions and two infantry who were Panzer Grenadiers Total manpower of the 5 divisions was 100,000 men. Training, boot camp, was 15 months in southern France Fighting in Russia for over 3 yrs he survived and came thru the Halle Kessel, south-east of Berlin. he won an Iron Cross, first class for his defense (he became an officer thru field promotions) of a rail bridge over the Berezina River during the Germany Army's retreat during the Soviet Operation called Bagration. I congratulated him on winning the iron Cross and he dryly said, "I could have had 20 of those things" That rail bridge was exactly where Napoleon had crossed during the French retreat

[@historyatwar]

Wow, I appreciate you telling! Extremely interesting🤝

[@albrechtbrandenburg1837]

respect your uncle

[@schwatzy6362]

@@albrechtbrandenburg1837 Thank you, he was a fine man. He made it thru 3 years fighting against the Russians in some of the most horrific fighting imaginable without so much as a scratch! Then after the war, working on a road crew repairing highways, the tar pot exploded and about 60% of his body was burned. But he lived a good life, raised a family and passed away at age 89

[@norwegian1234]

@@schwatzy6362 Lots of respect from Norway. We thank the germans for their great help with the infrastructure here.

[@albrechtbrandenburg1837]

@@schwatzy6362 dein Onkel ging nach Vahalla, um seine Kameraden wieder zu vereinen Ruhe in Frieden blessing Deutschland

[@marcel4941]

My great grandfather was in this Division. Fought on the eastern front from 1942-1945. He fell in January 45´ while defending the Reich in eastern prussia

[@historyatwar]

Wow, thank you for telling us. Rest in peace to your grandfather.

[@marcel4941]

Thank you, means a lot @@historyatwar

[@ЕвгенийКравченко-к3д]

Хреново твой прадедушка защищал свой рейх т.к мой дедушка дошел до Берлина и в числе других бойцов Красной Армии в итоге захватил это фашистское логово

[@nicholaslabella2253]

He must have been a true warrior . The Eastern Front was a nightmare.

[@northernlight8857]

I am sorry his life was wasted by such a evil regime. So many people was lost due to greed and madness.

[@georgeszaslavsky]

Excellent video. The Gross Deutschland was the elite of the Wehrmacht's division, even Wittmann and Carius considered Gross Deutschland as a division of the highest caliber.

[@Bullet-Tooth-Tony-]

They were known as the "fire brigade" for a reason, as they were shipped all over the Eastern Front to plug holes in buckling zones. The Soviets were terrified of them as they knew they were always in for one hell of a fight and the division almost exclusively never took prisoners. In 1945 the division was basically wiped out at the Battle of Memel and was eventually destroyed around Pillau. Both instances the Großdeutschland division didn't retreat and inflicted huge casualties on the advancing Red army.

[@karlheinzvonkroemann2217]

How do you retreat from Pillau? Just curious... :)

[@goodputin4324]

​@@karlheinzvonkroemann2217can't you read?

[@JohnEglick-oz6cd]

@@karlheinzvonkroemann2217 What was Pilaus geographic oosition ?

[@JohnEglick-oz6cd]

@@goodputin4324 What was the geographical position of Pillau ? Sorry for the spelling , my key board has gone goofy .

[@markgrehan3726]

"And the division almost exclusively never took prisoners" yeah not something to really boast about honestly.

[@fabian4397]

Ich empfehle das Buch von Guy Sajer "Der vergessene Soldat" der auch in dieser Division diente und wirklich packend seine Geschichte erzählt in der unsere heutigen Probleme auf einmal ihre Bedeutung verlieren.

[@handyearly3653]

The Forgotten Solder is a fabulous book, very well written and makes you feel for Guy. It should be made into a movie, like All Quiet on the Western Front.

[@michaelsteiner6500]

Great info, my father was with the artillery of this division and lived to tell me about his life in Gross Deutschland. Cheers

[@alflat885]

Tell us more!!

[@TheMrmango69]

wow thats awesome, your dad was a warrior

[@uwemeyer6823]

Hi Michael, my dad served with GD from beginning of 1943 until February 1945. He took part in Zitadelle (Füsilierregiment, where he was wounded on a Panther tank), then Unteroffiziersschule Eisenach, instructor in Cottbus and later back to the eastern front. He was very proud having been a GD man!

[@michaelsteiner6500]

@@uwemeyer6823 Ja mein vater war auch stolz mit G.D gedient zu haben. Er ist nach einer verwundung nach frankreich versetst worden ist aber auf eigenen wunsch wieder an die ostfront gegangen. Ich bin stolz auf ihn und seine kameraden. Cheers

[@uwemeyer6823]

@@michaelsteiner6500 Ich muss mal schauen, ob ich seine Fotos noch finde. Ich komme aus Südafrika. Das Meisste ist noch in Kartons. Nur die Bücher über G.D. habe ich in mein Regal gestellt. Die Jungs waren schon anders gebaut. Als ich mich zu einer Long Range Reconnaissance Einheit gemeldet habe, war er natürlich auch mächtig stolz auf mich! Auf seinem Totenbett hat er mir noch die Geschichte erzählt, wie er 1945 verletzt den Russen entkommen konnte. Ich habe das für unsere Söhne als MP3 aufgenommen.

[@FaithnGod1558]

I read The Forgotten Soldier back in 2000 and found it so riveting that I loaned it out to a friend and he “somehow forgot” to return it. I purchased another copy and the exact same thing happened again! Perplexed by this I purchased 6 more copies and “gave” 5 of those copies away to other friends. I’ve struggled to keep and maintain my last copy, only allowing others to look through or read “while in my presence,” so it doesn’t disappear. Yes, it’s THAT GOOD and by all accounts is the one book about war that comes as close to describing what real combat is like, that anyone will ever find and read. I’d have given about anything to have met and spoken with its author, Mr. Sajer!

[@schwatzy6362]

You have "cheap" friends..lol

[@eltonjohnson1724]

I don't lend books anymore for the exact same reason. Many people seem to think that being lent a book means that they can keep it. That's not how it works!

[@shootfirst2097]

It's an amazing book. That time they were lost in a whiteout snowstorm and at the end of their physical exhaustion, they saw lights through the snow and a tank rescued them. And their only food was cold water and flour.

[@lowellwhite1603]

I read it many years ago and have it in my library somewhere. Sajer was lucky to escape by sea when remnants of his unit was on the Baltic coast in the spring of 1945. He was from that area of Eastern France claimed by both France and Germany which changed hands in 1870, and after WWI. In 1940 the Germans claimed the area again and freely recruited soldiers from the area, including French speaking ones like Sajer. In 1945 the area became French again. Surprisingly, Sajer didn’t receive much in the way of punishment from the French. His book is the best first person account I have read about the Eastern Front, and I have read many.

[@FelixstoweFoamForge]

I love that book.

[@ccmogs5757]

10:16 That Fallschirmjager must have had balls of steel

[@FaithnGod1558]

The Green Devil’s were badasses for sure!

[@alonewolfhowling]

Fallschirmjager was a parachute command that was actually Luftwafen but under the control of the Heer. Different formation altogether.

[@dentonstales2778]

Excellent video. Yes, 'The Forgotten Soldier' is a remarkable book, a must read for anyone interested in that era.

[@micksmith106]

Has an Englishman...why do you think that so many documentaries are made of the German Wermacht or SS. Divisions ..and regiments ..the answer is becouse .they were the best trained and equiped professional army of its time ..all modern armies of today .. are based on these fighting men and thier armour and weapens and training..on a professional soldiers level.. END OF ..

[@parkerrydbomshistorychanne9151]

Best equipped and trained unit in the Wehrmacht. Even ahead of some of the most Elite SS Divisions

[@karlheinzvonkroemann2217]

Really? What elite SS Division was it "ahead of" and in what way? I can think of at least nine "elite" SS divisions that that's simply NOT true of. GD was a very good Wehrmacht Division but you're comparing apples and oranges here.

[@damndirtyrandy7721]

@@karlheinzvonkroemann2217Although OP didn’t specify a particular SS unit, OP did quantify that they were better than “some” not all. Your retort about being able to name at least 9 SS units ….. makes you sound as if you didn’t completely comprehend the statement AND have some personal connection/fanboi love for SS units..

[@jsd795]

The GD and 2nd Pz were better than any SS division. The 3rd,4th,5th, 6th, and 11th Pz were as good as any SS division. In fact Germany would have been far better off if there was no SS and the manpower and resources drain that it largely was would instead have been allocated to the Wehrmacht.

[@Bullet-Tooth-Tony-]

@@jsd795 I think Heer divisions usually tended be a bit more versatile and flexible, compared to SS ones that just fought to the last man and never really changed their tactics. However, an SS Panzer division at times could be larger and more well equipped than even some Heer units. The 12th SS Hitlerjugend alone was around 20,000 strong ( a regular German infantry division was about 17,000 men)

[@jsd795]

@@Bullet-Tooth-Tony- that is true and I think I mistook the OP for meaning better as opposed to better equipped and manned. But that does kind of make my point in that the SS men, many of whom were highly motivated, could have been put to much better use in Wehrmacht units with the added bonus of a more streamlined and efficient command, supply, training ect. system overall.

[@jpmtlhead39]

And with some of Best Leadership. Like "The Panzer Baron" General Hasso Von Manteuffel. PS: the Title should be,the Whermacht Most Capable Division of the war. Because you have divisions from the Waffen SS like the 2nd Panzerdivision Das Reich or the 5th Panzerdivision Wiking that were real Elite troops( among others), and the ones considered by General Alexander (and other high ranking allied Officers)as the Best Soldiers in the world, the Fallschirmjager ( German Paratroopers).

[@Calidore1]

I feel with names like that, uniforms of classic beauty, the eternal military glory, and a legacy, the weird balance in Europe that defined us, and still does.....I wonder did God have to intervene and cool off the men he'd appointed to stop Stalinism.

[@badgermacleod5588]

I read Forgotten Soldier four time's. I couldn't belive the carnage they went through. Memel was a hell on earth.

[@karlmonet]

I have the first edition hardcover and have read it 3 times. I have never understood why Hollywood has never made it into a movie, though there was some talk years ago of it but it never came to pass. What I never forgot was Sajer's description of a group of dug-in mortars "Disappearing in fountains of earth explosions" as Katyushas (multiple barrel rocket launchers) ripple-fired onto their position a few hundred meters away. That image has always stuck in my mind.

[@badgermacleod5588]

​@karlmonet : Whole heartedly agree with you. It could show the brutality of the eastern front & the real cost of war. The Konotop breakout & Memel stood out for me. Most knew they were dead long before they were killed. Solid book, I can't recommend it strongly enough.

[@royroach5328]

RIP Noble men. Your honor is forever true!

[@BrianHayter-zl2uc]

Very brave men, on both sides.

[@daviddoran3673]

I've read The Forgotten Soldier twice......it's essential reading on the eastern front.

[@robertwindedahl4919]

I think if I was fighting in World War I would choose the answer or luftwaffe divisions to fight with on the Eastern Front against the Russian barbarians

[@ЕвгенийКравченко-к3д]

@@robertwindedahl4919 да было -бы не хреново увидеть тебя принимающим участие в параде обосравшихся немецких военнопленных в Москве если б ты конечно дожил до него и не пошел на корм жирным русским червям раньше

[@raginald7mars408]

my father was part of it. He only survived as a Technician repairing Tanks. A miracle he survived... imagine 20 year old young Man in HELLL he was a "Soldier Man " all of his life. I think every day of him

[@LarsLoveToMosh]

The Uncle of my Grandfather was a Gunner of a Panther Tank in this Division.

[@timothywood4402]

There was one other Elite German Divion in the Wehrmacht that little has been told. Feldherrnhalle

[@SimonPerry-cz4ke]

i have read the Forgotten Soldier twice it was recomended to me by a Latvian who had been conscripted into the German Army.

[@jprules2578]

They fought for their very existence towards the end, alongside the remnants of the HG PzDiv. The Soviets paid a heavy price for their victory. Suffering large losses for confronting such an outnumbered enemy.

[@tiagomonteiro130]

Most casualties in ww2 were at the end of the war the Germans and Japanese refused to surrender and made everyone pay for every inch taken

[@JohnEglick-oz6cd]

The only way to defeat the Germans was by astronomical #ers ; much , much , much more than what the Germans had to overcome them , and losing more than the Germans , but due to astronomical ers , were able to overcome the well equiped , and well entrenched fortified positions : ie , the fighting against The Nazis in Normandy's hedgerows .

[@davidjackson2179]

Wheraboo comment.

[@tiagomonteiro130]

​Mad tanki.​@@davidjackson2179

[@richard3536]

I recommend reading the book “The Forgotten Soldier.” The story of a young German infantryman. It’s nearly unbelievable what these soldiers endured .

[@christianibarbia9380]

Guy Sajer was not german... he was french, from Alsace region... at that time, every young men from this region were "voluntaries" to serve in the Werhmacht... because AH considered Alsace as a part of his Germany..

[@richard3536]

@@christianibarbia9380 My father was German born . My grandfather immigrated to the US in 1930 . In Sep of 1938 my father received a letter to fight to return Germany and fight for the fatherland . He returned to Germany in 1944 as a U.S. soldier an interpreter at G2 HQ. And interrogated German prisoners of war , because he spoke high German . One young SS officer called my father a traitor to his people and said if he were in Germany he would be executed . My dad said he was so angry he was the only German prisoner I would have shot given the chance ! Never said a lot to me about the whole mess , and that most German soldiers as himself only wanted to go home .

[@catharperfect7036]

@@christianibarbia9380 He was ethnically half German.

[@melissawilkinson2636]

Just found your channel. Have been binge watching and adding everything else to watch later 😂 Tier 1 quality, keep it up 👍

[@historyatwar]

Glad to have you here 🤝

[@Big-Reds]

Love the video, great knowledge transfers as always. Thank you!

[@historyatwar]

Glad you enjoyed 🤝

[@danpercz3414]

By far my favorite WW2 book. Great video and keep up the great work/editing.

[@davidbarr9343]

An elite division in every sense.

[@jasonmussett2129]

I' ve read The Forgotten Soldier loads of times. Brilliant book.

[@fritzs1207]

shall never be forgotten

[@tobiasgriffin]

They are pretty much forgotten now in a 100 years they will be

[@MrNaKillshots]

My grandmother had a longtime friend who was drafted into the 9th SS. I never asked him any questions about it. Alas, he died years ago. I wished I'd found out more. I don't even know his surname!

[@michaelcodelmar9547]

No matter how good or fierce the division, you can't beat your opponent if they have the numbers and logistics

[@TowardtheFlames]

Can we get the Panzer Lehr soon?

[@historyatwar]

Already on the list my friend, lots of stuff in the works at the moment 🤝

[@TowardtheFlames]

@@historyatwar Lovely stuff, thanks

[@chandlerM1999]

My great uncle was in Großedeutschland and was killed in the fighting around Moscow during December 1941-January 1942.

[@rchatte100]

If only stupid wars werent started by fools, so many young men could have had good lives.

[@tiagomonteiro130]

Jrr Tolkin was a Soldier in ww1 he survived and made a great fictional world and story, imagine all the millions of young men and woman who died in ww1 and ww2 who could have also invented great things to help humanity or other works like art etc... so much was lost.

[@jimrutherford2773]

In today's modern warefare we have no idea how ferocious the fighting was these German SS units were involved in especially on the eastern front.

[@philiph6456]

GrossDeutschland was a Heer Division, NOT SS! There was a Deutschland SS division, not the same as this unit.

[@ripvanwinkle1819]

​@@philiph6456it's a pointless endeavor trying to correct on youtube (mostly fake/ disinfo anyway) especially when they got their ivory tower platform, saving private ryan glasses on. But defo, wehrmacht and luffwaffe had the best units. The SS were just so big and bad and naughty boys though😅

[@chrisstucker1813]

@@philiph6456Deutschland was just a regiment - one of the original SS-VT regiments along with “Germania” and “Der Fuhrer”. Deutschland and Der Fuhrer regiments were later incorporated into the 2nd SS Das Reich division when the SS-VT became the Waffen-SS. Germania was used to form the nucleus of the 5th SS Wiking Division with the Westland and Nordland regiments which had volunteers from the Low Countries and Scandinavia respectively.

[@alonewolfhowling]

@@chrisstucker1813 Originally formed in 1921 it was known as the Wachregiment Berlin[3] and served as a ceremonial guard unit and by 1939 had grown into a regiment of the combined Wehrmacht German armed forces. The regiment would later be expanded and renamed Infantry Division Großdeutschland in 1942, and after significant reorganization was renamed Panzergrenadier Division Großdeutschland in May 1943. In November 1944, while the division retained its status as a panzergrenadier division, some of its subordinate units were expanded to divisional status, and the whole group of divisions were reorganized as Panzerkorps Großdeutschland.

[@christianibarbia9380]

that is right..... SS Regiment Deutschland, attached to the 2nd SS PanzerDivision DAS REICH@@philiph6456

[@markanthonypar-wise1499]

Could you do a video on the German paratroopers of WW2 ? Love your videos

[@greyman1987]

Respect all warriors no matter the nationality, race or religion.

[@maciejniedzielski7496]

To make immersion in Großdeutschland fate I recommend "Soldat oublié" de Guy Sajer. Book autobiography of French-German volontier who was in Großdeutschland between 1943 and 1945.

[@christianibarbia9380]

I read it some 40 years ago... and never forgot his history... including his mates... like "Halls" or "die Alte" for instance !

[@punches4you]

Guy Sajer did not volunteer for that, he was French but had a Alsatian mother, considered as Volksdeutsche by German standards, as such he got drafted...

[@shootfirst2097]

02:16 Shot of the soldier carrying the world's first assault rifle-- STG-44 Sturmegewehr 44. Superior German innovation as usual

[@41corsair]

True but the problem with most German equipment was it was too complex and constantly broke down unlike the Soviets equipment which was very simplistic and easily serviceable

[@chrisstucker1813]

@@41corsair the STG-44 was said to be quite effective. They pioneered the modern assault rifle just like they pioneered the sub machine gun in WW1 with the MP-18

[@daveanderson3805]

Great video. Well researched and presented. Grossdeutschland was one of the most elite formations of the Wehrmacht, equal to any Waffen SS division.

[@chrisstucker1813]

Only a small number of SS divisions were considered elite anyways. Most of them were just cannon fodder

[@somedude7520]

Thank you for doing this video. I’m a member of a Grossdeutschland reenactment unit and am always looking for more information!

[@trevoratchison3904]

In Australia we have just lost the right to show or wear anything that shows or had anything to do with the SS Units of ww2. Everything I hav collected over the years cannot be shown on display or sold even worn for re-actment. There go's the memories of all good soldiers of all wars. R'I'P

[@javiermartinezjr8849]

I think the fire brigade came not from there swift arrival But for job to go where the "fire was" just like the ss divisions,they were always sent to hopeless defensive positions,or places on the brink of collapse but always managed to put out rhe fire so to say

[@shootfirst2097]

02:30 Leaving out it was the worst Russian winter in 50 years

[@williamschlenger1518]

Best army & equipment ever.👍

[@daviddoran3673]

Not the Democratic Ukrainians???

[@TheMrmango69]

@@daviddoran3673 ukr are scum wat u saying lol

[@charlesburgoyne-probyn6044]

Wehraboo fighting a war lost decades ago

[@FaithnGod1558]

@@daviddoran3673lmao definitely not the corrupt Ukronazis!

[@kurtschulmeyer1041]

One of my favorite units from ww2. Only a few other units from both sides were as well respected

[@tonygandee9100]

I have the book and read it again last year astonishing what the German troops went through on the Eastern front ....

[@velmadawson202]

i read the book, it tells how brutal the eastern front was, living hell.

[@masterchief4421]

Are you going to do a reupload of your battle of kursk footage part 2? It was taken down recently

[@johnwakamatsu3391]

I met a former Gross Deutschland veteran who became a teacher at Valley College in Los Angeles. He was wounded and sent home before his unit was destroyed by a very large Russian Army. I did not ask him his rank or where he was stationed, but was amazed that he emigrated to the US. I grew up in Los Angeles and was surrounded by WWII veterans who fought for the US, Germany, Japan, Italy, UK, and Russia. My father was a veteran and was a member of the 442nd RCT and fought against the Germans and Austrians in Italy and in France.

[@mauriciogutierrez2145]

This was a formidable video about formidable soldiers, hope you have a formidable day!

[@sheikh.prince]

Thank you admin.. ❤ we Learn valuable information ❤️ god Bless Germany and you..❤ 🇧🇩

[@hackney7106]

‘God bless’ Germany? Are you serious? They invaded,it is a shame they were not all wiped out.They also did a lot of atrocities.Think you need to research.

[@peterscotney1]

What a fascinating story about a fascinating division, much respect to gross deutchland !

[@Doones319]

Guy Sajer's book is a great read .

[@lond2835]

You may want to include the insignia of uniform and for identifying equipment.

[@MrNaKillshots]

Superhuman. I'm glad I didn't have to go through all that. Bit of a pallaver.

[@arabulbulian2315]

Thanks for the video on this tough German Wehrmacht unit. I read the book and was surprised how poorly the unit's soldiers were equipped with basic needs in late 42 and onwards. They couldn't even get extra pairs of socks and underwear. Not to mention other basic needs of a soldier in an army at that time. So I can only imagine other Wehrmacht that didn't get the preferential treatment this unit got. Crazy.

[@kevinbrennan-ji1so]

Interesting footage of Albert Speer in a Tiger tank @8 minute mark.

[@miketrusky476]

You know at the end of this story Many Germans died, no mention is ever named as to why the Germans were there.

[@jerryakbar6147]

I just listened to a short as audio book about WW2 Germany this guy sounds like the guy reading the book.

[@asullivan4047]

Interesting and informative. Excellent photography job enabling viewers to better understand what/whom the orator was describing. Professional class A research project. Fighting/perishing/surviving knowing certain death/debilitating wounds were often possible. Yet still advanced forward regardless of the consequences. That's true grit style determination to succeed. Unfortunately since the disillusioned amphetamine addict Hitler. Consistently over ruled his seasoned/experienced generals. Advice/planning/battle engagements. Cost immense casualties/ eventually being routed from Russian territories. Had Moscow been invaded/captured as planned in 41. Perhaps an early victory would have transpired???

[@libertycowboy2495]

I think you showed more photos of waffen ss than of grossdeutschland!

[@historyatwar]

You need to remember, most operations they were teamed with different SS divisions among many different tasks.

[@marcsachse7397]

Please Please Please make a Video about the panzer lehr division

[@andraslibal]

Romania waited until the Grossdeutschland was pulled out and transferred to Eastern Prussia, before they turned their arms on their German allies on 1944 August 23.

[@popcornhead3479]

Forgotten soldier is a great book

[@josephgonzales4802]

The Forgotten Soldier is a must read if you are fascinated about Germany's war on the Eastern Front. 😌

[@karlheinzvonkroemann2217]

"One of the", not THE most fierce This was a unit of germans from ALL OVER the Reich not one recruited from only a certain area. This was one of the favoried units of the Wehrmacht that recieved alot of the best equipment, best recruits and mainly for that reason had a high Espirit de Corps and performed well in combat.

[@karlheinzvonkroemann2217]

Like I know this already! Thanks anyway.

[@karlheinzvonkroemann2217]

I know what "Gross Deutschland" bedeutet and I well aquinted with the Division and later the Corps of the same name...

[@tiglatus]

real badasses!!!!

[@mauroferrari9274]

💪💪💪💪💪👏👏👏👏

[@michaelstudd533]

The best history channel here on KZbin keep up the work guys!

[@historyatwar]

Thank you 😊 🤝

[@historyatwar]

Mark the 🐐

[@hickokworldwide1108]

The Forgotten Soldier.

[@chief-z8077]

What happened to the Viking division video? Don't see it on your page anymore.

[@ingostawitz1140]

No matter how heroically the Germans fought, they could not win a war against 3 Superpowers on 4 fronts. And don´t say the Germans started WWII as GB and France declared war on the 3rd. Reich on the 3rd. of Sept. 1939 which was in effect the real start of WWII. The US and the Soviet Union then joined the efforts to destroy Germany and eventually enslave Eastern Europe until 1989.

[@TheSpritz0]

JUST SUBSCRIBED, what a phenomenal video- BETTER than reading a book on the subject, explains everything with AMAZING video footage!!!!💯

[@historyatwar]

Thank you! Glad to have you here 🤝

[@chrislaursen8723]

‘Forgotten Soldier’ is an excellent read!

[@bremnesen]

Guy Sajer were a Frenchman, if I remember correctly.

[@historyatwar]

True!

[@christianibarbia9380]

right ! from Alsace region (at the german border)

[@smithplus]

You forgot to mention that unlike other formations this one was formed by selecting the best 6 foot soldiers from all formations in the army. Other formations were recruited locally.

[@andyx2299]

RIP heiliges Deutschland ❤

[@waynelittle646]

Heroes Glory to Germany

[@andyx2299]

@@waynelittle646 GOTT MIT UNS "Eine Wirtschaftsordnung, in der eine Minderheit große Vermögen anhäufe, zu Kriegen führe" OSKAR LAFONTAINE im März 2022 Nur wenn die Menscheit erkennt, dass sie durch ein universales, in seinen Ausmaßen schier unvorstellbares Betrugsprogramm unterjocht und auch gemordet wird, kann das teuflische Welt-Bankster-System überwunden werden. (A.H. Rede an die Soldaten der Wehrmacht 12.9.1938) "It is necessary that I should die for my people but my spirit will rise from my grave and the world will know that I was right" 88✋

[@Mr.Skeleton.]

I listen to this while sparring with my friends and damn does it provide excellent motivation while working out or fighting.

[@historyatwar]

Testosterone x1000

[@Calidore1]

Indeed, it's power.

[@fabian4397]

Danke für das gute Video Top!

[@peterreimer2212]

Read the book myself and loved it

[@julianaspector3391]

My grandfather was a fierce soldier in the German army in WWI. He even won a medal for his prowess in battle. In 1938, he ended up in Buchenwald for being a Jew. My grandmother was the only survivor of her immediate family. The Russians were defending their homeland... Talk history without glorifying the NAZIS!

[@ristorantanen5769]

There are so many cool stories from that division. Sad ending though. The cost of being one of the best units under a mad führer

[@Calidore1]

He wasn't so mad that he was fooled by communism

[@BrianHayter-zl2uc]

Great channel, love it❤️❤️❤️👍👍👍

[@willielee5253]

❤❤ Nicely presented and unbiased ❤❤

[@binpaper11]

And….the atrocities….??

[@daveybyrden3936]

At 7:20 the narrator says "In May 1943 the division...received Tiger tanks." But in fact, Grossdeutschland got its first Tiger tanks back in February 1943 and those Tigers took part in the Kharkov battle. The video author is clearly not aware of this event.

[@VineyardGaden]

While Grosse Deutschland (GD) consisted of fierce and tenacious warriors, the same can be said of the Soviets during that war, hence the ultimate defeat of the GD. Furthermore, by the end of 1943, all the Soviet armies (in their great numbers) were equally as resolute as the GD; and it's no doubt this wore out the GD along with the rest of the diminishing German army.

[@JohnEglick-oz6cd]

My mother's father was a major in the 2nd Waffen SS Div. " DAS REICH " , and kia mid- 7/1943 in "The Battle For Kursk" , which was the biggest tank conflict in the Earth's history .

[@robertwindedahl4919]

Yes John your grandfather was among the most heroic Panzer divisions ever Das Reich where's a very disciplined organized division your grandfather was a great hero you should be very proud of him

[@JohnEglick-oz6cd]

@@robertwindedahl4919 Also , my pops pop was in the USAs 508 PIR 82nd A/B Div. . He was a medic with rank of Capt. , And carried a .30 cal. Carbine , which was optional for medics in A/ B units . Grandpa fought threw Normandys bloody "Bocage " ,or hedgerow landscape , in Holland " Operation Market Garden " , and wounded in the Ardennes , and after that , helped assist the USA s Army Dr.s assisting assistants assisting concentration camp victims by mid 3/1945 . Grandpa had definite PSTD issues .

[@schatzkammerein]

in you dreams

[@JohnEglick-oz6cd]

@@robertwindedahl4919 I received a comment about my comment about my mothers pop being in the 2nd Waffen SS " DAS REICH " Division , and that he was kia was only in my dreams . Person was probably jealous of that history of my familliys'history .

[@JohnEglick-oz6cd]

@@schatzkammerein What was in my dreams ? Was it the truthful fact that my mom's pop was a major in the 2nd Waffen SS Div. " DAS REICH " , and was kia in one of the , if not the biggest tank duel / battle on the history of this blessed earth around mid- 7/1943 ! If you have doubts , then ask any WW2 buff , or look it up on the internet !Do that , and not be in angst , or jealous Your lucky I didn't comment about my pops pop a veteran of The USAs 508 PIR 92nd A/B Div. , And partook in 3 major engagements assigned to the joint Allied A/ B Divisions in the ETO ( European Theater of Operations ) , and was wounded @ The Ardennes mid. 12/1944 " Battle Of The Bulge ".I guess that was in my dreams too , especially when pop pops reluctantly had to reveal his hellish time , especially when he had to assist assisting USA Army medics assisting concentration camp victims . Pops pop palpable PSTD issues were sad .

[@Nick_B_Bad]

I freaking love collecting axis weapons and Militaria.

[@PedroPerez-vk2tm]

How does the Panzer Lehr compare to Großdeutschland? It was also an "elite" unit

[@soldat2501]

The Germans hit on something primal with their named divisions. Carrying no number, they were separated and considered elite by being designated only by their name. GrossDeutschlan (Greater Germany) was one of those. Other famous named divisions were the Blue Division and Division von Manteuffel. These formations were considered elite, were well-supplied and equipped. Being part of one was considered and honor and something very special. They fought hard, were very effective and routinely were called on to counterattack where a breakthrough had occurred or was close to it. The Germans tried to rekindle the magic at the war's end by naming ersatz divisions comprised of the remnants of battered Heer units or mixed branches (Luftwaffe and Kriegsmarine) who no longer had planes or ships to tend to. They named them after heroic battles or names of famous individuals from their previous branch of service but by 1945, they couldn't train and equip them properly. So they largely failed at the same fire brigade role as the previously named divisions. Some never even got into service before the war needed.

[@jasondrummond9451]

I read 'The Forgotten Soldier" at least once per year.

[@paulrisson3780]

Pretty much same with me, since 1977. Up to my third copy having lost my previous two. This time I got the hardcopy version. Always wished that they had made it into a movie, but not a Hollywood version.

[@jasondrummond9451]

My paperback is falling apart ... I didn't know there was a hardcover version. Will look for it. @@paulrisson3780

[@junkerjoerg111]

Germanys Diamonds !

[@johnbolt665]

Bullet for bullet and man for man things would be much different today!

[@BrianHayter-zl2uc]

Great book read it a few times

[@daviddoran3673]

Yes....same...essential reading!

[@jhonyermo]

Why did you leave out all of GDs WAR CRIMES?

[@ingosippel9653]

Thank you very much for the channel

[@bf9863]

My dad was in GD. They did war games at Truppenuebungsplatz Wandern before Barbarossa. "Wir wurden kurz und klein geschliffen." Managed to miraculously survive and escape to Denmark in 1945 to go into captivity with the British. Afterwards was a driver for the Allies. He was dishonourably discharged by the Allies for theft of a sausage.

[@KoKissaki]

It was also the GD together with LSSAH signed to protect the Fuehrer HQ‘s (there were 6 in total)

[@aldosigmann419]

I thought i saw Guy Sajer on the footage! Unbelievable!

[@Primalunah]

once again,,they should regroupping and sent to Zaporizhzhia to kick some mighty Bolshevik army....