Hitler's First 'Invasion' - Operation Winter Exercise 1936

In 1936 Hitler launched his first 'invasion' - his target, a piece of Germany called the Rhineland, demilitarised by the treaty of Versailles. It was the moment when Britain and France could have stopped Hitler permanently and avoided WW2.
Dr. Mark Felton FRHistS, FRSA, is a well-known British historian, the author of 22 non-fiction books, including bestsellers 'Zero Night' and 'Castle of the Eagles', both currently being developed into movies in Hollywood. In addition to writing, Mark also appears regularly in television documentaries around the world, including on The History Channel, Netflix, National Geographic, Quest, American Heroes Channel and RMC Decouverte. His books have formed the background to several TV and radio documentaries. More information about Mark can be found at: en.wikipedia.o...
Visit my audio book channel 'War Stories with Mark Felton': • One Thousand Miles to ...
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Disclaimer: All opinions and comments expressed in the 'Comments' section do not reflect the opinions of Mark Felton Productions. All opinions and comments should contribute to the dialogue. Mark Felton Productions does not condone written attacks, insults, racism, sexism, extremism, violence or otherwise questionable comments or material in the 'Comments' section, and reserves the right to delete any comment violating this rule or to block any poster from the channel.
Other Credits: US National Archives; Library of Congress; Bundesarchiv; Soerfm.

[@nicktanner8827]

Please never change your intro, legend

[@pabcu2507]

Obviously, if Luxembourg mobilized first, they would’ve won against Germany way before the allies

[@robinpage2730]

That would have been history's most epic own: Luxembourg invades Germany and deposes Hitler. If only...

[@brenobassocenci6571]

Luxemburg conquered the world twice, but decided to liberate it.

[@dougearnest7590]

Then .. communists sieze power in Germany. Take over the rest of Europe, allied with USSR.

[@TiesOfZip]

Wait, Luxembourg didn’t win? That’s not what I’ve been told

[@jackbarnes9728]

You're dreaming if you think a country like Luxembourg with a micro army could do anything with Germany.

[@1JamesMayToGoPlease]

Yet another gem from Dr. Felton ~ the only KZbin creator, AFAIK, who consistently uploads lesser-known WWII happenings!

[@olic7266]

To be fair they really don't teach much about WWII in primary and secondary schools, apart from some details about the concentration camps and some vague mentions of Stalin.

[@PeterWolfe2012]

TiK History repeats far fewer lies.

[@DzhokharDudayev-kr9mi]

Yeah what i remember from history classes here in Germany is concentration camps, how jews were killed in these camps, we should fully read a book about some jewish girl (Anne Frank) and the most important dates. No more than that, and it was hell boring, although i was interested in history and it would have been much better if they teached about Strategic aspect and why certain countries did what they did. For example why German divisions were in north Africa and the fact that they were there, because i didnt knew about it, school does'nt teach you that and i researched it all by myself.

[@kbanghart]

​@@olic7266depends on your definition of "much"

[@MrRajsta]

I can't find this channel

[@AlexusMagnum]

Thanks

[@micheldrac8706]

Two additional information: 1. In his memoirs, General Beaufre, who was a captain in the French general staff in 1936, partly explains the French non-reaction by a simple technical problem. The French army had not planned to be able to suddenly launch a "very partial" mobilization. It had to mobilized everyone, or at least certain classes according to the years of birth, to form a large part of the army. But we didn't have the lists ready to mobilize just a few divisions, in a few hours. Suddenly, the French government was faced with a problematic alternative: either declare a massive mobilization, which announced a total war, or do nothing at all. 2. Annie Lacroix-Riz, a French historian, contested because communist, but renowned for the seriousness of her studies, wrote a book entitled "the choice of defeat". In this book, she explains why the French elites, in the 1930s, were so unwilling to confront Hitler. At the time, the French Republic had three possible allies: Great Britain, Italy, the USSR. Initially, in 1935, the head of government, Laval, wanted an alliance with the English and the Italians. The Ethiopian war ruined this project. There was no longer any possible alliance with the Italians. It remained to choose between Great Britain and the USSR. However, in 1936, France absolutely needs the British alliance, because the Banque de France is on the verge of bankruptcy, and it is the City of London, through its large banks, which ensures the end of the month for French capitalism. Now, going to war in 1936 against Germany, without a clear British "go", meant choosing the Soviet alliance. Unthinkable: it was a few months before the government of the popular front, which was announced. It could lead France to socialism. The French capitalists of the "comité des forges" did not want to hear about it... It is likely that the inability of the army to move quickly within the framework of a targeted partial mobilization served as a pretext for the government to do nothing. This sequence of events partly explains France's poor performance in 1940. When German propaganda told French soldiers not to get killed for English financiers, the message was relatively credible...

[@xRENEGADE156]

are you aware if either of these works are translated into english?

[@LargeMouthBasstafarian]

Straight ineptitude from the French military. The #1 purpose of that military was to keep their lifelong enemy next door neighbor at bay. They had overwhelming numbers and resources to do it at the time, but the political in-fighting deemed them useless. Bravo France.

[@micheldrac8706]

@@LargeMouthBasstafarian Well, if Annie Lacroix-Riz is right, it wasn't incompetence. It was the choice of defeat, that is to say betrayal. For what ? Because the French capitalists would rather lose to Hitler than win with Stalin. In the end, they got both, which is kind of funny. But of course, Annie Lacroix-Riz could be wrong. When one reads General Beaufre, one comes to the conclusion that indeed, the French general staff of the 1930s was very mediocre. I would say: a mixture of betrayal and incompetence.

[@markgarrett3647]

Actually the French Third Republic already had a big ally with very little in negative ideological issues in the East in the form of Poland but it kept shafting it until it was too late.

[@micheldrac8706]

@@xRENEGADE156 Well, KZbin censored my answer, probably because I had inserted links. In essence: as far as I know, no, it hasn't been translated. And it's a shame, because Beaufre's memoirs on the French army in 1940 are priceless!

[@michaelfisher7170]

I remember reading about the winter excercise long ago but this is the first ive seen it the subject of a documentary. You Dr Felton are a gold mine of history. Your research is impeccable and your presentations are consistently riveting. Well done sgain, sir!

[@raypurchase801]

A cover name like "Winter Exercise" is very good. The allies see the Germans are up to something. "Don't worry, it's just an exercise".

[@cesalberto7585]

Mark Felton, the history teacher we do not deserve yet who we need in these troubled times. Thank you again Mr. Felton! I learn something new every time with your videos

[@Bla_bla_blablatron]

Unbelievable! You must be joking.

[@FYMASMD]

Who determined we don’t deserve this?

[@292Nigel]

You're happy with having history taught from a Jewish perspective? You're either yourself Jewish yourself, or extremely naive!

[@meanstavrakas1044]

Bullshit. Germany bad, Allies good seems to be his only message.

[@Pfsif]

Thank MI6

[@RobertKubas]

Great story. I do so enjoy Mark's little known or talked stories about European history.

[@Asger21]

Once again, another very interesting history lesson from Mark Felton, in great details too. Though being interested in WW2 for 55 years, this is a story not many worldwide governments like to tell as it's quiet embarrassing. Many thanks to you Mark for sharing your always great insights!

[@yam2050]

We have been taught this in our middle school, not many remeber what's taught at such young age.

[@Wooargh]

french is the most romantic country ever all germans are racists

[@dasboot5903]

*Thank U very much Mr. Mark Felton. I knew a lot, but thanks to your videos, I also have learned a lot, as well. So, I greatly appreciate your U-tube involvement !!!! Sincerely yours.* [Das~Boot] ... from Warszawa.

[@AllAhabNoMoby]

I remember reading somewhere that a German general said of the Rhineland invasion (after the war) "If the French had posted a single constable on a bridge we needed to cross and that constable had refused to move, the invasion would have been over and Hitler would have been finished."

[@russelwebster4011]

Just a quick Thank you Mark. Really like your bite size. Not the Norm bit left field WW2 Vids. Having seen every Doc,Black & White clip of this most Fascinating period in time. Yours are a Breath of fresh air. Keep up the good work Mate.

[@r2gelfand]

Just think, if Britain and France would have made any kind of resistance to this token invasion, WWII might have been averted. Awesome video Mark, you never disappoint.

[@AutomatedPersonnelUnit_3947]

Just think if France and England had declared war of both of the Molotov Ribbentrop pact nations, who attacked and split Poland in 1939, instead of only declaring war on one ?

[@jarl8815]

Just imagine if the west let Germany expand east and deal with bolshevism.

[@TheOwneroftheIC]

​@@jarl8815The fact that so many politicians, businessmen, and generals at the time had that thought really makes you think that they might have been onto something.

[@MrTibbs12]

@@jarl8815bolshevism was dead under stalin.

[@anthonykology1728]

they were too traumatized by Ww1...

[@deeplight7206]

as an ethiopian, its really interesting seeing photos of our then military 😁

[@salsheikh4508]

Mark Felton day is always a good day!!

[@susanacuratolo1200]

AGAIN FELTON...MOST EXCELLENT!

[@bobschenkel7921]

Though i have studied, a bit, WWII and the Nazi's, I had never heard of the "Winter Exercise". Your video was, as always, very interesting and well constructed, and pointed out how the British and French could have put Hitler in his place at the time. They didn't, and WWII ensued. Appeasement NEVER works for the appeasers, lesson learned?

[@wolfmauler]

It's the name for the famous re-militarisation of the Rhineland, it's just hardly ever used.

[@leviturner3265]

True. Although, there would have been no legitimate reason to stop him from taking back what was rightfully the Germans'. Attack him for defying an undeniably unfair armistice treaty? I wouldn't. The first thing that he did that would more justifiably result in warlike action would have been the invasion of Poland in September 1939. I do think the United States should not have got involved until when they did, when they were attacked on December 7th, 1941. That however, is based on my own views of global politics, which is subjective.

[@thug588]

The british started ww2, germany did not want a large scale war with the british or french

[@tomhenry897]

Must be a Democrat as WRONG We had full right to attack Germany when they put troops there When behind on paying reperations france reoccupied the Rhineland

[@tomhenry897]

Bet you voted for biden to say something so stupid

[@maf6468]

Its insane how much work is behind all these Videos. They are all neutral like a documentation but not as boring :D

[@phaywood5883]

Superb content as always Dr Felton. Thank you

[@Wings_of_foam]

Dude, he just uploaded it lol. 2 minutes ago. smh

[@setituptoblowitup]

​@@Wings_of_foamwhy you do dat 💆💆‍♀️💆‍♂️

[@setituptoblowitup]

@@Wings_of_foam I ain't vonarable or sad what got👏👏👏

[@quarters-eye8922]

The Nazi’s were left wing. I don’t understand why Felton keeps insisting that National Socialism is right wing. The Nazi’s were never right wing.

[@Wings_of_foam]

@@setituptoblowitup vonarable?

[@newbootgoofin24]

You have the best videos on KZbin. Thanks for educating and informing me and all the other viewers of your channel.

[@jamesbodnarchuk3322]

This is chess not checkers. Fascinating as always Dr. Felton

[@dawnbarrier9148]

Keep making these wonderful videos! Thank you!!

[@Darkmatrix22]

Great video Mark! So interesting you never disappoint theres not many intelectual historians left

[@anirprasadd]

Great video with excellent narration. Keep it up! 👍👍

[@AveCaesar2025]

Something we covered in school nearly 50 years ago and which I had totally forgotten about. Great video as always, thank you.

[@prinzchen17]

that is such an important, yet often forgot piece of history and so interesting in context to another event in 1936 - The Olympic Games in Berlin.. thank you for telling it again 👏

[@100Kakdela]

As always, amazing material. I had no idea it was such a complex operation with so much backstory.

[@nordicson2835]

Another interesting and informative post, thank you for making my subway ride home from work bearable.

[@wweminehead]

Evening Dr F hope your doing well love your vids thanks for keeping my interest in history ongoing

[@asheland_numismatics]

Very very interesting video! Always top quality. 👍

[@BlackcountryhistoryhunterBCHH]

sir you inspire me to make films , direct , accurate and neither left nor right. just the truth as you understand it. pure genius

[@haapa_man]

Dr Felton, make a video about operation mammoth and Ramzi Nafi, its is widely unknown but very interesting topic where the The abwehr attempted to use kurdish nationalists to take over northern iraq in order to gain kurdish independence and to give oil to Germany in exchange in 1943.

[@thedevilneveraskstwice7027]

Are you joking? Can you at least do as little as to research the history of oil industry in regions now called Iraq? I guarantee that you will be surprised. Lets just say, as a bait, that the whole producition in concerned region in 1939 would cover like a 1/4 of German 1939 prewar consumption. And that consumption racketed hard due to known events which were to come.

[@haapa_man]

@@thedevilneveraskstwice7027 wtf are you on about? you respond like I made this up myself. I did not invent this event in history nor I was the mastermind behind it.

[@Wmk12345.]

Love your channel keep up the good work 💪🙏

[@Willigula]

Another great video from Dr. Felton! Note the Blue Max on Blomberg!

[@TheWilferch]

Excellent review and commentary.........

[@GreySix]

Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat its mistakes.

[@Halogalandwanderer]

We defeated the wrong enemy

[@MicahBellThe3rd]

Real

[@bas5925]

Europe the last battle docu 2017 Tobias bratt

[@AH13371]

​@@HalogalandwandererDamn right the US and UK did

[@NatsocRevolutionary]

The fuhrer will rise from agartha and save us soon.

[@stingingmetal9648]

That was the best episode I've seen in the 4 or 5 years I've been watching this channel.

[@marvwatkins7029]

And Hitler manage to still hold the Berlin Olympics that year. No cancellation or apparent national protest withdrawals. Amazing. Such moxie!

[@_Dovar_]

At least he wasn't Putin.

[@MicahBellThe3rd]

@@_Dovar_Vladimir Putin is a heroe

[@MVProfits]

Yep. Just like China could hold the Olympics regardless of what happened in 2020... But besides in France, it was really seen as just Germany simply entering again its own territory. It had been 18 years since the end of WW1. It's not like it happened shortly after.

[@micanopykracker694]

​@@MicahBellThe3rdspoken like a true communist

[@MicahBellThe3rd]

@@micanopykracker694 Spoken like a brainwashed not self thinking American

[@johnjacobs1625]

Very Nice Dr Mark!! Thx Friend! JJ

[@-.Steven]

Wow! Great video! A must watch video! 1:38 the treaty of Versailles. Looking back I'd say that so-called treaty was drafted with the intent to cause another world war. One group of people can not humiliate another group of people (as england, france and America did) and expect good results. 3:24 "London understood Germany had legitimate complaints regarding the treaty..." You bet they did! Germany finally paid off its debt from WWI in 2010! 6:27 the stain of Versailles. 3:56 France riven by political and economic problems, just as in 2023. 11:10 "the French did nothing, and the Germans stayed put!" And look at what Dr. Felton and history has taught us about appeasement. Bravo Dr. Felton! Bravo!

[@-.Steven]

@carltonb5102 wasn't that treaty annulled after 11-11-18? Whereas, Germany made their last WWI "payment" in 2010.

[@-.Steven]

@carltonb5102 You are correct good sir! I've done a little research on the treaty of Brest that was quite enlightening to say the least. Seems the Germans complained about the treaty of Versailles, and were told it wasn't nearly as harsh as the treaty of Brest. Still, it's a fact that Germany only finished paying off their WWI obligations in 2010. And I'll be dam'd but it seems the treaty to end the war to end all wars, was simply a treaty to start another war in 20 years. You know the saying, "All wars are bankers wars." And, "When all else fails they take you to war." Wouldn't it be great to live in a world without war! And banksters! Thank you for the lesson!

[@davemis40]

The French wanted the Treaty to be punitive

[@paulcurtis1159]

Very interesting as always . Thankyou for your efforts

[@TankerBricks]

Mark. Thanks for providing my Tuesday night Entertainment!

[@Cs13762]

this might be my favorite video on this channel

[@fordfairlane662dr]

What a welcomed break..and just at the right time..as always a fascinating video of Hitler's invasions!

[@mrkitty777]

He was financed by Prescott Bush, the party needed a banker and bank. The money earned is 15,6 billion dollar, his grandson George promised to use it to bring more peace. This is well documented in books during and after WW2.

[@1940limited]

Anything seems welcome over American politics these days.

[@tomhenry897]

Must be revised history by Democrats

[@gdal3]

Invasion? You mean reunification with the rest of the country?

[@Drakecj993]

Every time you think you know everything about WW2 mark felton drop a new video

[@TheManFromWaco]

I remember reading Henry Kissinger's book "Diplomacy", where he lamented that the truly critical moment and correct course of action can usually only be recognized with hindsight (or words to that effect). We in 2023 recognize that 1936 the single best opportunity to smother the Nazi regime in the cradle, but in 1936 western leaders couldn't exactly fall back on "This will prevent WWII" when the Second World War hadn't even happened yet.

[@Lovric_F]

The question is did the West learn from that mistake? And yes, I'm talking about Putin.

[@minhthunguyendang9900]

@@Lovric_F Well, there’s another thesis on how to 🛑 an agressor : you DON’T ! An aggressor stopped will come back meaner & wiser & more cunning & much more likely to succeed ultimately. An aggressor must be allowed to overextend himself till rupture. Remember that in the 1930s there were 2 mustachioed moloches in Europe Not one.

[@kevinbyrne4538]

Thank you for providing details of this important milestone on the road to WW2.

[@nodarkthings]

Absolutely fascinating, Dr. Felton. Thank you.

[@Generichjm]

Thanks for your work!

[@MarkTizzy]

I became curious about Mussolini’s “Roman” assertions. Are there some good book recommendations to learn more about the Italian side of the axis?

[@enricol5974]

Denis Mack Smith: Mussolini' s Roman empire , it's an old book (1976) but still good

[@deuteroniusz9222]

Very good, and indeed needed material.

[@chuckkottke]

Seems like an appropriate lesson when dealing with Putin today. Thank you Mark Felton for this window on a historic opportunity to deal a death knell to Fascism in the mid 1930's. Hopefully we will learn from history, and your forewarning we will pay heed to. ✌️✳️☀️

[@Pikkabuu]

West has used what they learned of the road to WW2 fully with Russia.

[@jonathanellis6097]

The lesson wasn't completely learnt. The west did very little if nothing about Crimea, which obviously encouraged Putin.

[@burtonkephart6239]

@@jonathanellis6097true, but crimea was very craftily pulled off by Putin with phony voting etc and a local buildup of Russian immigrants to support his moves making it appear popular and legit.

[@rockfishmiller]

Many thanks for posting.

[@alexamerling79]

Allies could have stopped him right there. One of the great what ifs in history.

[@bradsanders6954]

Yep. How many millions died from one man's fanatical drive to rule the world and enslave or kill all who stood in his way. Little Germany was going to rule the world, is what Hitler was sure would happen. Power mad maniacs are still running countries today, some of them.

[@thug588]

Soviets wouldve destroyed europe

[@daviddigital6887]

​@@thug588not necessarily, at that time

[@jonathanellis6097]

It's crazy to think France could have just marched across the boarders and crushed Hitler. What shape would the world have taken had that happend? The decline of the British and French as major wold powers would have taken much much longer. The USA and the Soviet Union would have taken much longer to emerge as superpowers. What would Japan have done? Interesting to imagine, impossible to know for sure.

[@skipintroux4444]

@@daviddigital6887without Hitler and the National Socialists all of Europe would have fallen to Stalin and communism.

[@benbaker2965]

Another great piece of the puzzle. When I have read about conditions that led to the rise of Hitler's power the discussions consider politics, ideology and economics within Germany. The invasion if Poland is treated as as the point of Germany's first advance of gaining a military foothold in Europe. It is explained that the line was drawn and other countries chose not to take a stand in fear of escalation and another world war. That this was the moment Britain and allied countries failed to stop Hitler when they could have prevented another workd war. I have never heard of the Rhineland remilitarization as having an significant impact on the events that led to WWII. This video was eye-opening. Thank you Dr Felton.

[@brittakriep2938]

I am german, born 1965. For reason of my Asperger disorder, i don't t like to speak to people if there is no need. So when i was younger, i rarely spoke with older people, who had been adults in 1930s. What i heared from my grandmother ( born 1910) was, they had been poor in 1918, they had been poor in 1920s, they had been poor in early 1930s. Mega Inflation of 1923 caused trouble, Black Friday at Wallstreet 1928 caused economic and political troubles. If after 1918 the life of average german citizen would have becoming better, Democracy and Republic would have seen as a lucky gift, but If nothing becomes better ?The ,Golden Twenties' had been golden only for rich germans. This of course is only my oppinion, which can' t explain everthing.

[@billybobjohnadamjoe]

5:57 one of the best clips of Mussolini. Nothing more satisfying than seeing an Italian man be so sure of himself.

[@SMGJohn]

Mussolini certainly had the ego of a Roman Emperor.

[@minhthunguyendang9900]

@@SMGJohn But not the clout. That’s why this is his clownishness at its pinnacle/nadir

[@HamanKarn567]

There is a clip of him speaking English and talking to USA in a clip saying make America great. Not a joke just funny to see that imp.

[@nataliegrn17]

Excellent video. Highly important.

[@pollyskirt1]

Mark how about a vid on the raid that the Lufftwaffe made on Ft Lamy in Chad to destroy Hurricanes being flown from Nigeria on the "Takoradi trail " a great story.

[@suspiciousafternoon]

I love your videos! learning so much every time ❤

[@dmphoenix973]

5:50 I always enjoy it when Dr. Felton uses this clip of Mussolini; he looks bombastic and ridiculous.

[@curtisdaniel9294]

Comical is another term that fits this clip of Mussolini....

[@chiron14pl]

I knew of the remilitarization of the Rhine, but this video filled in a lot of the contextual information that gives it new significance, thx

[@krzysztof4068]

Thank you

[@Barabel22]

Great video, but you’re wrong about Stuka Usage in the Rhineland occupation, they first entered service in the JU-87A-0 version in the spring of 1936, after the invasion.

[@craigdavidson2278]

Both of my grandads fought to keep UK independence. They did not want UK to fall under a single government, currency, ideology, judicial or educational system. Yet this is what our media, government and socialist leaning youth want.... they want a European socialist state..... not national socialism or soviet socialism but European socialism........

[@shieldwallofdragons]

Great video sir. A cautionary tale of not enforcing treaties that all parties agreed upon and dealing with problems when they are small and less costly.

[@dougearnest7590]

An interesting take - the issue was in not enforcing treaties. I'm not disagreeing, just saying it's interesting.

[@AdamantLightLP]

The treaty definitely needed to be modified. Punitive measures like Versailles always leads to future problems. Though I will agree, mankindnas a whole doesn't like to deal with minor issues until they become major.

[@skydiverclassc2031]

@@AdamantLightLP Which is why the Marshall Plan was so effective in withstanding the attempted Russian domination of Europe post WWII.

[@chrisjones6736]

a bit like climate change.

[@mombaassa]

​@@chrisjones6736 A bit like paying off national debts (applicable to all the major players).

[@sealove79able]

A great very interesting video Mr.Mark as always.Unbelievable.

[@UHOH3300]

Dr Felton, I would love to see a video about the French squadron that fought on the Eastern front, if you haven’t already covered it! Big fan of your videos!

[@johnstones5765]

Also would be great to hear your interpretation of the nazis experimenting on the disabled, gypsies and Jews.... and the resulting nuremberg code and trials ...

[@Jay-ns5ub]

​@@johnstones5765look into the Japanese unit 741. I believe the Japanese were given immunity from the Nuremberg trials. We used a lot of their human researc/experimentation for US medical advancements.

[@mitchmatthews6713]

Always interesting, Mark!

[@r1a1p1AllenPogue]

You can never meet an aggressive enemy with weakness and accommodation. It invites further aggression.

[@thkempe]

As for an "aggressive enemy", don't forget that it was France and Britain that declared war on Germany on September 3rd, 1939. Germany had a local conflict with its eastern neighbor, originating from the Versailles Treaty, and both countries decided to make the issue their own, thus turning it into a world war. The German invasion of Denmark, Norway, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Yugoslavia, Greece and Northern Africa is caused by the war with Britain and France.

[@johnsamuels4038]

@@thkempe Why did Germany invade Poland? There was no need for it.

[@buechsenwurschd]

Did not know that. Another great video!

[@Lightningdvc]

The Heinkel He 51 was not outdated in 1936. It was introduced in 1935. So they sent modern aircraft. The bf 109 was introduced in 1937.

[@ThePyramidone]

I was not aware of the Stresa Front. This was an eye-opening video.

[@cliffjackson6816]

As always, a brilliant summary of the subject at hand from Mark Felton. I've always been a history buff, with WWII being my favorite part of that probably because my Dad was one of the participants as a Lt. in Patton's Third Army who, thankfully, made it home. Two things I always remind people of during any discussion of WWII is that (1) the horrific WWI Treaty of Versailles created Hitler, and (2) the Maginot Line was obsolete prior to completion because of the rise of air power.

[@eze8970]

It would have been very difficult for those writing up the Treaty of Versailles to get it right. Germany had never been invaded, making many there forget they had actually lost the war & giving rise to the 'stab in the back' excuse. There were too many minorities & countries with grievances, not to mention the collapse of 3 main powers, & the rise of communism, which was a big threat to, the Allied powers governments wanted a 'quick' treaty to provide stability. The last time the 'revolutions' had happened in Europe was Napoleonic times, which had ended up with over 15 years of war. Fortifications weren't obsolete, take those at Kursk, Omaha beach or the Germans Westwall. They maybe not as effective as before (but that goes back to the invention of gunpowder), but as part of a proper combined arms defence, it's exactly these defences that can make the difference. The Maginot line, despite not being completed properly, only fell in 1940 as French reserves were moved away, leaving effectively unsupported, isolated outposts which could be outflanked.

[@captaincodpiece3263]

This is the most interesting ww2 documentary channel by far. I even got money off my VPN to boot!

[@guenterbraun7536]

The picture showing Heinkel He 51at 8:35 was taken at Schleissheim Airfield. Left in the backgroud is Hangar building no. 61n, built in 1913, destroyed in 1944 and demobilished in 1945/46. The remains of this hangar ar still visible in Winter times. The building right in the background was the changing room for air crews. It was also damaged during WW2 and demobilished afterwards. The Heinkel He 51 in the foreground marked with no. 36 is a school plane belonging to the Jagdfliegerschule Schleissheim. Unfortunately the serial number 116 or 1?6 is not clearly readable. The origin of this picture is a slide. Copies of this slide were sold till the 1980ies in numbers by a staff member of the no longer existing book shop "Kaiser" once located in the city hall of Munich.

[@antoniadelaunay8585]

What a fascinating adjunct to the video. Thank you so much! Incredible detail. I was wondering about the when and the how of this image. Just fascinating!

[@pieterpost563]

Good one mark ocne again 👍🏻👍🏻

[@Butchersniper]

I'm surprised the french didn't surrender at that point. That's what they are notorious for, anyway.

[@Articulate99]

Always interesting, thank you.

[@nomanvardag1]

Many thanks for producing such informative and analytical video, dear brother Mark.

[@timmyjones1921]

Thank You Dr. Felton.

[@jermwar]

Have you covered Memelland ultimatum? Certainly one of the lesser known of Hitler's pre-war territorial acquisitions.

[@istvansipos9940]

great video

[@samuellaird5184]

Actually Hitler’s first invasion was the reoccupation of the Saarland in 1935.

[@vercot7000]

@mackenzie1943 doubt it was liberating for the jews there (who were rightful german citizens)

[@karlnapf9730]

After the election, the Saar people want back to Germany.

[@PcGamerify]

Mr. Mark Felton. Im a huge fan of your work. If you ever happen tonread my comment i have some ideas for some episodes.

[@levcomissarov9440]

I was just reading about the subject in "The rise and fall of the third Reich". Hitler told later on himself that had the French decided to march against his troops, they would have made mincemeat out of the german forces.

[@jasonz7788]

Great video thank you

[@chrisczekala182]

Thank you for another excellent lesson Dr. Felton!

[@PSMCR69]

Early Morning Mark ☀️ Have a Nice Day

[@nottherealpaulsmith]

the allied occupation of the rhineland could be a video in and of itself, it was a strange period the Free State of Bottleneck, in between two occupation areas, might be worth a look too

[@1046fireman]

At 10:32, are those pistol holsters on the men's right front side?

[@kleverich]

This explains much of the political situation in Europe during the interwar period, which I think often gets overlooked.

[@Trancymind]

Another event that gets overlooked is the liquidation of poles and poles descent living all over in USSR in 1938 ordered by Stalin himself.

[@Nick_B_Bad]

Another great Mark Felton video!!

[@Heike--]

Before the battle, the Marshal explained: "The Emperor has three choices. To attack, and be defeated; to wait for our attack, and we will win anyway; or to retreat, which is disastrous for an army that lacks means of transport and proper organization for food and munitions." -- Marshal Badoglio in Ethiopia, before the Battle of Maychew, 1935

[@nassermj7671]

Not just divided, the allies were climbing each others shoulders to sign treaties with the Fuhrer.

[@danielgreen3715]

Hindsight is a wonderful thing ! I am suprised that when we saw Germany re Arming at the rate it was Steps weren't taken to restrict this The Germans were still having to import critical components for this build up of material and British French and other Countries were Selling Germany components that could be either re engineered or weaponized or both but a blind eye was turned out of expediency and the need to recover from the Global Financial Crisis...We knew or had a good idea of what was going on and where it would probably lead but like you said we Buried our Heads in the Sand ..or in the Case of France Buried themselves completely under Concrete Bunkers believing that would Discourage a Man like Hitler

[@metapolitikgedanken612]

Why is Germany having German military on German territory in anyway wrong to begin with?

[@sebastiangundolf6740]

11:40 Hey, that's Innsbruck! It looks pretty much the same.. but today we have colours here too 😊

[@manwithmountain]

Hitler probably felt he was Frederick after the Rhineland episode.

[@klausvonschmit4722]

In the beginning what was the german building called? Another sweet video!

[@ElmoUnk1953]

Watching history repeat itself in so many ways.

[@williamflowers9435]

Glad to see this pivotal point in history get some attention!! Most documentaries simply mention this and move on but, like Munich, it’s a point in which Hitler could have been halted and world war prevented.