Hitler's Red Generals - Creators of the East German Army

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Dr. Mark Felton 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.org/wiki/Mark_Fe...
Visit my audio book channel 'War Stories with Mark Felton': • One Thousand Miles to ...
Help support my channel:
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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.
Credits: Bruce Marvin; Lulus in Saxonia; Bundesarchiv

[@Ye4rZero]

A 13 minute Mark Felton video is roughly the equivalent of a 90 minute doco from anywhere else.

[@franktreppiedi2208]

And I thought I knew alot about about WW2!

[@Chris-vx6rc]

USA springs to mind 🙄

[@DutchSteamboat]

If it was the BBC, it would be a pretty historian talking about the German generals' inner feelings and anxieties when they joined the NVA, and if they had any encounter groups to resolve their issues.

[@billlombard9911]

Five stars

[@nursedaniel72]

Absolutely

[@Drosophilax]

I am German, and the more I watch this mini documentaries, the more I ask myself, why didn't I learn this in school?

[@danielwolfgang8234]

I am East German and I was tought this in History Class. Maybe it depends on how much a teacher is invested.

[@tiernanwearen8096]

@Dani Al don't be silly

[@Blei1986]

because school isn't about real education but making you a capable worker. they dont want people to be actually educated, just good enough for your future job.

[@fareast_de]

@Andreas Timmermann Depends on your age. In the Sixties and Seventies, we didn´t learn anything about this period in our history lessons. And: this is military history, so it´s only possible to learn this reading books or on specialized institutes like universities. Oder, wenn man sich Kanäle wie diesen anschaut...

[@Blei1986]

@@thecheekychinaman6713 yes, of course that's the next logical step. just wanted to keep it as simple as possible... you know, because many peoples lack of *education*

[@GunDrummer]

12:54 that beat with marching is sick

[@ulrohermit1369]

made by a musician who knew what he was doing

[@delvecchioo]

Imagine this Marching with Mark Felton Intro theme

[@redeye--2753]

Very prussian indeed

[@Rieee140]

must be the revue march

[@BlitzOfTheReich]

@@Rieee140 100% revue marsch. I was trying to find the name, but I recognize that march anywhere.

[@leons2395]

My legs are still hurting from practising the "Goose Stepping" for the official "Fahnen Eid" Ceremony when doing national service in 1987. :)

[@AudieHolland]

Did you have to 'goose step' all the way or just when passing the head of state and officials?

[@Len1977gt]

lol

[@bruensal7182]

@@AudieHolland only when passing the big guys

[@AudieHolland]

@@bruensal7182 Thanks. Can't imagine having to do a full march using the goose step.

[@bruensal7182]

@@AudieHolland its probably horrible. The knees and legs suffer too much

[@1FokkerAce]

What a roller coaster life when you achieve your new command position in the army “via Stalingrad”.

[@watching99134]

Just imagine that Korean guy that was supposedly forced into service by the Japanese, captured by the Soviets, forced into service in the Red Army, captured by the Germans, forced into service in the Wehrmacht, and then captured by the Americans at D-Day. They were probably like "What are you doing here?" and he answered "Don't even get me started..."

[@abc68130]

@@watching99134 Imagine if they were like "So anyway, here's an M1Garand, you'll be shipped to Okinawa tomorrow."

[@itsTodd]

@@abc68130 you’re going home

[@sgtmayhem7567]

You’d be fun to have a beer with.

[@DirtyBikerbits]

The concept of failing upwards comes to mind.

[@mr-Anders0n]

I literally finished watching the West German video and now I see the East German one has just dropped. Nice.

[@jasonwhipp5721]

Same. So good

[@thesummergamer7245]

*SYNCHRONIZATION 100*

[@Gorghundvatr]

I’m in the opposite direction. East>West

[@chrishawkins2267]

Same here! Well, yesterday I saw the other video...this is a phenomenal channel!

[@s.ballert]

DAMN BRUDER GAHA

[@ahrimusifosil9207]

My father served a couple of years in the NVA. Still today he say that this army was the Wehrmacht in red paint.

[@sgtmayhem7567]

Red paint. Your killin’ me.

[@user-co3uc8vt7e]

But I don't think NVA is responsible for multi-million civilian deaths toll.

[@kamiskenaw4340]

@@user-co3uc8vt7e The reds did the same lmao

[@user-co3uc8vt7e]

@@kamiskenaw4340 If "reds did the same", the whole Germany East of Berlin would have become a wasteland.

[@hellenicgyp5966]

@@user-co3uc8vt7e reds did the same

[@mikehatton7908]

Mr Felton, I have been a hobby student of history (Particularly the 2nd World War and post-war/Cold war) for 31 years. And yet, you consistently and regularly provide me with information I have not encountered before. Please never stop making these, my daughter is becoming increasingly interested and I want her to enjoy them as much as I do some day soon! Many, many thanks

[@constantinexi6489]

The NVA being the last real “Prussian” army is the mother of all ironies

[@axelpatrickb.pingol3228]

I argue the Ejercito de Chile fits that title. The NVA doesn't have the deeper cultural ties to its Prussian heritage as the uniforms suggest. For one, they march in the Soviet style, are prohibited from brandishing German military awards or traditional military symbols like the Iron Cross, and plays only 4 of the 100+ marches. Even their parade rifles aren't fully German, compared to the original WW2 stock used by the Bundeswehr Wachtbatallion...

[@Reactionary_Harkonnen]

Chile has a very Prussian style Army it's actually much more Prussian than the current German Army.

[@matro2]

@@Reactionary_Harkonnen Still LARPy.

[@Reactionary_Harkonnen]

@@matro2 I guess life is nothing but a LARP because you always have to wear something and act a certain way.

[@mcfrosty8739]

@@CarstenOepping That's fascinating! What did you think of it whilst you was there in terms of it being under Soviet control and supervision whilst holding on to Prussian/Nazi traditions? Did it feel strange in anyway? Feel any stronger association to one side/tradition? Sorry for the questions, this stuff is really interesting :)

[@therealuncleowen2588]

When you need a qualified military leader in Germany ten years after WW2, everyone is bound to have been a part of the Wermacht during the war.

[@donreed]

Due to the shortage of experienced Eskimo leaders engaged outside Moscow in 1941, this is indeed what happened. Good catch!

[@KrGsMrNKusinagi0]

@@donreed lol germanys first big mistake not taking moscow.. Most of russias power grid was around there

[@oskareriksson2202]

@@KrGsMrNKusinagi0 yet sent 3 armies each with a diverse objective dividing the forces in that way was a mistake too.. Hitler wanted too many trophies... The original barbarossa plan was of 2 armies only, one against leningrad and then Moscow from North, and another against odessa. Concentrating more forces instead than dividing the forces in 3 armies could result in some more victory maybe (leningrad could be taken if the northern army group was better equipped.. Tough thst: in the northern group army many units was not sent to rest in the rear guard, because the command fear that the army would send these units elsewhere to fight. That say all about how they was equipped and resupplied, the priority was the center and southern group armies for Hitler)

[@sir.banana]

@@KrGsMrNKusinagi0 if you look at potential histories videos on why germany wouldnt have won the war he shows that taking moscow wouldnt of won them the war, also that and if you look at when the french took the city yet still lost

[@SonnenbergGery]

Chancellor Adenauer always showed himself to be a great Nazi friend, tried to prevent trials against Nazi criminals and employed, among others, a Nazi criminal, Mr. Globke, as his closest collaborator. In the West, Nazi criminals and generals of wars of aggression were allowed to build up the secret service and the Bundeswehr.

[@ryanchan2302]

Former nazi doctors,technology, soldiers, scientists, generals: **Exist ** Soviet union, UK, USA : It's free real estate

[@IrishCarney]

Yeah it was a big game of Hungry Hungry Hippos from East and West -- gobble up as much German goodies as you can.

[@imperatoralexanderi7068]

Same thing after the fall of the Soviet Union (I’m looking at you George Soros)

[@RachmadaniFAG]

That's why these two superpower have shopisticated military technology

[@imperatoralexanderi7068]

@@RachmadaniFAG Dude we Russians develop things on our own. We are very smart people

[@maclavaboy3982]

@@imperatoralexanderi7068 no

[@johnroscoe2406]

Your work is reminiscent of the OLD History Channel and Discovery Channel, back when they had programming worth watching. Love it!

[@harryweiss2013]

The madman said East German Generals was a question for another day, and today is that day.

[@wazkangz955]

Mark needs to be the next Secretary of State for Education, he never disappoints with hidden gems of information like this.

[@manoelreinaldoreinaldo6120]

I support .. I am learn English watching the videos of the Dr. Felton , of course learn about at WWII .

[@ComradeMarkavich]

@@manoelreinaldoreinaldo6120 Keep it up my guy! You're doing damn well for learning through videos.

[@manoelreinaldoreinaldo6120]

@@ComradeMarkavich thanks my friend , don't is easy learn English , exist very expressions than I need to learn 👍 .

[@hand3and3]

This smaller stuff isnt important. Its the big picture who, what, where, and most importantly WHY

[@manoelreinaldoreinaldo6120]

Fact , the importantly is the contest . But you are help me writing in chat , thanks 👍

[@AudieHolland]

*Note regarding the NVA post WW2 uniforms:* Since uniforms were a scare commodity in the Eastern Block following the end of World War II, combined with the fact that there were rather large stocks of brand new, unused uniforms manufactured during the war in Germany, the NVA adopted the traditional German uniform. These uniforms being identical to the World War II era uniforms, with no Nazi insignia of course, were kept in production many years after the war. Most World War II movies and tv-series ever since have used these East German uniforms because they were as good as new and much easier to come by than actual World War II German uniforms. The exception was the East German Airforce, which kept the rank insignia of World War II Germany but changed the colour from dark blue to Feld Grau or Feld Grün. The officer's dress uniform was a of light gray colour.

[@LrngMn]

Right on. As uniform collector and costumer you can always tell the polyester fabric, tho. But it's so light in weight.

[@DoyleHargraves]

My cousin (a vietnam SF vet) made a tradition of donating his and his ww2-veteran father's old uniforms for period correct veteran funerals. He has unforms, or parts of uniforms, dating from 1941 until 2000. If a korean war vet dies in his area, and he needs a uniform, he gets it if it fits.

[@LrngMn]

That's cool. As collector, I've given specific uniforms and insignia to vets who wore them years ago. The look in their eyes when they see something, touch something from long ago is wonderful. Vet myself, used to take part in living history color guard for NH Nat'l Guard, and at one event we put clackers in hands that hadn't thought of claymore for years, that was interesting.

[@MisterTactless]

Despite this the communists also made the point that a German soldier should look like one. Instead of just changing uniform and putting the same Nazis back in charge, like happened in West-Germany, instead they did a denazification in the east and then built up the army again in the same uniform. The German uniform had existed even before the Nazis came to power, so what, really, is the point of changing it. Everyone knew about the Nazi-past of the Wehrmacht, so only those who do not acknowledge and change something about their past have to hide it.

[@Armageddon2077]

I know that your channel is mainly for WW2 - but I'd really like to see a video about what happened in the early 1990s when the East German and West German armies had to merge. I've watched videos about it before but would like to see your own take on it.

[@philomelodia]

I wonder if the east German soldiers thought their West German counterparts were weak little men. It has been said that the NVA was just a rebranded version of the Wehrmacht. If this is true, they would have been man for man a bunch of very formidable soldiers. Much more so than the ones in the west.

[@user-co3uc8vt7e]

They didn't merge. East German servicemen and military officers just received notes that they're now jobless.

[@bombsawaylemay770]

While in GULAG, the Soviets tried pretty hard to convince Erich Hartmann to help create an East German air force to no avail. For his refusal, he was given a 25 year sentence, serving 10 years before being released. After being released, Hartmann joined the West German air force along with other legendary Luftwaffe pilots such as Barkhorn, Steinhoff, Rall, and Krupinski.

[@marks_sparks1]

Hartmann said if the Soviets had offered him a professional contract that he liked like, instead of coercion, he might have joined the East German Air Force. He hated the Soviets for the fact he was separated from his family by captivity, during which his son died.

[@darkknightbatman8269]

Can't argue with that guy is absolute Chad

[@Capellix0001]

they were hitting based levels off the charts

[@mahouaniki4043]

Hartmann is more respectable than those generals mentioned.

[@hhale]

@@mahouaniki4043 The generals mentioned were stooges that simply found another master for which to be a stooge. Meanwhile in every case but the last (who was probably "helped" off the ledge by the Stasi), they lived relatively well in captivity while their troops slowly died in a remote Gulag.

[@genderfluidebananenmarmela3190]

As an East-german 22 year old citizen, I can confirm everything what Dr. Felton explained about the NVA. My beloved Grandfather (father of my mother) served in the NVA from 59-64 in cause of the problematic economical situation, the GDR had to face until 1960. None of my family members where true believing communists. Instead there where in socialist ideals believing Christians until the mid 60th ( only the family of my farher). Another story about NVA-Vets; if you're interested; is about the members of my former Karate-sports-club. Almost all of these old chap's did there services before 89'. Sometimes, they complained about the behaviour of the youth today. And then, they took a reference to theyr old time of service instead of practicing karate 🤣. In my opinion, this was sometimes very interesting, and sometimes very boring. 😅 But yes, the basic training and the discipline was very hard and in a few cases cruel. I really love, how Dr. Felton pronounce german words. He sounds often like a native speaker to me. Thanks 4 your great work and greetings from Germany 🇩🇪

[@nrw64]

Er hört sich kein Stück wie ein Muttersprachler an aber gut.

[@user-fb9ql8bm2e]

Thanks for sharing your story! Did you and your relatives like it in the DDR? My father travelled to East-Berlin many times during the 1970’s and 80’s

[@PhilippedeHerte]

He probably speaks German. English is a Germanic language so it may be easier to grasp the pronunciation. Only the Rs can be a problem. The German R sounds a lot like the French R to me.

[@kylemendoza8860]

22 when the Berlin wall came down?

[@martinoamello3017]

Most armies of the time were trained pretty brutally. It really wasn't until military weapons became super expensive that nations, well some nations anyway decided that it's probably better to actually educate soldiers than to turn them all into zombie brutes.. that and the so called peace dividend after WWII.. My dad was a Korean war veteran in the US Marines, but he didn't have too many good things to say about post WWII Marine training and sternly warned us all about becoming Marines so two of us joined the AF and dummy me the Navy.. I was the absolute last person of my entire family to join any branch of the military. I'll be 63 in July.

[@alejandrom.5917]

Once again. Mark Felton creates a 1st class mini doc with enlightening info found in no mainstream doc.

[@TheJalipa]

You should do something on the Tsarist Generals who joined the Red Army in 1918 Much of Red Army’s Officer Corps until the early 1930s were form Tsarist officers

[@ceu160193]

To be fair, many people joined Red Army back there, with main reason being food - general population was severely underfed during Civil War, as reds had control over industrial center, which had low food supplies.

[@wote2760]

Where they among the officers who were purged by Stalin?

[@watching99134]

@@wote2760 I believe so yes.

[@Em-yd9jn]

@@GARRY3754 What are you implying?

[@Pavel9277]

@@ceu160193 White Army controlled fertile southern territories of Kuban, so your theory about food is bullshit. The Bolsheviks had weapons, but cities were starving, unlike whites. The reasons for transition of tsarist officers were 4 1) Taking their families hostage 2) Ideological reasons: officer corps at beginning and at end of war was already completely different at end of the war, most of officers were not professional military as at the beginning of the war, but simply ordinary bourgeoisie, many of whom were sympathetic to leftist idea. 3) Careerists, such as Tukhachevsky, they didn't care who they serve. 4) Hidden saboteurs who wanted to undermine the Red Army from inside

[@MarkThompson-ke9nu]

I consider myself a ww1 and ww2 history nerd but Mr. Felton always improves my knowledge ❤️

[@Catdadquinn]

Well it’s not really true so that’s why you didn’t know about this one.

[@davidbarr9343]

We all learn something new every day it seems.

[@jacqdanieles]

@@Catdadquinn - what's "not really true"?

[@matpk]

@@davidbarr9343 Compare 1961 East Berlin Vs 2021 Hong Kong in your next video.

[@viktorreznov4718]

@@Catdadquinn What’s not really true?

[@noahrivera724]

10:44 “because of bad luck”. That summarizes it so well. Many of these German generals could have vary well found themselves in Berlin at the end of the war, or even in West Germany. But their luck of being stationed on the Eastern Front decided their fate.

[@Whoknows285]

they had to feel extremely lucky

[@SwedishEmpire1700]

...."Luck" yeah well no

[@KronStaro]

why not? care to elaborate? @@SwedishEmpire1700

[@civmike]

@@Whoknows285I would not say lucky LOL

[@Whoknows285]

@@civmike yes i mean they could have been big deals in the us and western Germany

[@evamarek5205]

Thank you, Dr. Felton, for this highly detailed and superbly researched documentary. Your hard work and dedication is very appreciated!

[@Ozymandias1]

The characteristic helmet that the NVA soldiers wore was originally designed as a replacement of the old Stahlhelm for the Wehrmacht.

[@DrJones20]

Thank for an informative comment about the actual content of the video.

[@TheDerperado]

It's said that Hitler himself eventually disapproved the helmet due to it's looks. Pity though, it was a great helmet.

[@rustyshackleford9637]

@@TheDerperado Most modern militaries use a similar design because it was an effective helmet. Modern US military is the best example of this.

[@VeryFamousActor]

Fun fact that helmet can stop up to a 45mm at close range. It was very well made for its time. Have one in my closet

[@alphapham2060]

@@VeryFamousActor "45mm" wrong mate. More like 11mm(.45 caliber).

[@FelixOrsic]

I learned more history from Felton's videos than I ever did in public school

[@Carnotaurus420]

.

[@Swoost]

I've seen this comment 100 times. Public school is about general education not the details of east German generals lol. If they failed in your general education I'm sorry

[@JHorsti]

@@Swoost ^this

[@MrJoshua1875]

@@JHorsti 🤣

[@MrJoshua1875]

@@eltigre4419 what a load of bollocks.

[@DavidGavinETC]

Everything I click Marks videos and I hear the opening symphonic music, it soothes me because I know it’s gonna be a great video. His voice, knowledge, and pronunciations are spot on. Thank you Mark😊🙏🏽

[@ledjon]

As a history buff I can't get enough of your channel. How do you get so much detail??

[@PanPuchacki]

I used to have 45min history lessons at school. No pupil was bothered to pay attention during that time. Mr. Felton is able to deliver a great material in just over 10 minutes and I learn more from these clips than ever before.

[@johntitor7989]

Imagine a 45 minute Felton lecture!

[@redwingrob1036]

HISTORY at school for me, was largely 'Dull as ditchwater;' & sadly it was the British English history lessons.

[@jacqueslefave4296]

Sadly, for years ago in the past, and currently in MANY schools, the sports coach, for whom there is often no budget, are hired under the budget for the history teacher, and often doesn't know history and cares even less. The public school in my district growing up would send the girls to volleyball or cheerleading practice, and spend the class time going over game strategy, reviewing the last game, or planning the next. Not a lick of history, not even a little bit. Complaints to the school board got knowing smiles and a motion to change the subject, those scoundrels were all in on it.👿

[@MrSloika]

"The best of the Warsaw Pact armies". Agreed. As far as the Soviets were concerned, most of their East European 'allies' were suspect at best. I once spoke to a Ukrainian immigrant to the US who related to me quite a few stories about his time serving in the Red Army in the late 1970s. According to this man the Polish troops he encountered while on joint maneuvers were unfriendly at best and openly hostile at worst. Few people realize that Germany had a large, well established communist party prior to the Nazi takeover. The German communists were just as fanatical as German Nazis. Before anyone mentions Yugoslavia, it was never a member of the Warsaw Pact.

[@watchman0062]

Why? How fanatic were the German communists?

[@WM-gf8zm]

nothing wrong with that. Ernst thalmann & KPD were the only significant force that fought NSDAP in wiemar republik

[@Praetorian8814]

@@WM-gf8zm Thälmann, along with the likes of Karl Liebknecht and especially Rosa Luxembourg were considered saints/martyrs by the KPD and later East Germany in a similar way that Horst-Wessel was to the Nazis. The GDR named so many things after Rosa in her memory.

[@WM-gf8zm]

@@Praetorian8814 undialectical opinion. For real though, rosa was adventurist and hence her early end. Thalmann did considerably much more

[@petergajda3732]

Being Polish, I would like to disagree - but I can not. Can’t comment how motivated the GDR army was, but the Poles probably would have made a poor effort in attacking the West. We all know the reasons.

[@histories1406]

The remarkable improvement of image and audio quality in the years after WW2 makes this feel more recent than it is. It's interesting how much rasier it is to connect with the past when things are clearer and less grainy.

[@irvingsteinberg]

Great video as always. Could you make one for the post WW2 Japanese and Italian militaries? Perhaps also one speaking about the post WW2 careers of former high ranking former officers as well as their “observations” of the post war period?

[@alexandersmall7380]

East Germany: Psst, can I copy your homework? Third Reich: Sure, just change it up a bit so it’s not obvious.

[@michaelcrainie5520]

Blinding ....

[@paulspierenburg2825]

Not third reich just prusian origine

[@AlphaChinoz]

@@paulspierenburg2825 most definitely third reich... the similarity of the uniforms is crazy, compared to other uniforms. since third reich ones were based on Prussian ones, and the East-German ones on third reich ones, of course the latter will look like the former.

[@daeph123]

Have you not noticed yet how dictators all have most things in common? And Hitler wasn't even one.

[@daeph123]

@@paulspierenburg2825 and Prussia sounds almost the same as Russia. Both people with the same roots.

[@metdat4707]

From memory the helmets of the East German Army were a late WW2 German design that was never put into full production by the Third Reich

[@allanelder2711]

That's correct. The post war West German armed border force did use the WW2 standard design helmet for a few years.

[@martymcfly1833]

Mark, your videos are unmatched. I love them so much.

[@dknakz]

No clickbaits, no bs, just the content presented in a clear, concise way. A KZbin full of Mark Feltons would be a better place.

[@MrSnipyCat]

Maybe if the nazis had nord vpn the allies wouldn't crack the enigma's machine code

[@watching99134]

Think you're stretching the concept of "alternative history" a bit far there.

[@horsebadorties4054]

If only they deleted their browser history

[@burntbybrighteyes]

It would also be interesting if Dr. Felton would make a similar video about Wehrmacht Officers in the Austrian Bundesheer. I know of several Wehrmacht officers (if probably not generals at the time) who later went on to be Generals in the Austrian Army.

[@redwingrob1036]

HEAR! HEAR! 👍🏻👍🏻

[@NumenoreanTemplar]

The bigger question is that if these generals still has the Military Order of Maria Theresa with them.

[@harryzet5797]

some highly decorated luftwaffe-aces flew for the small austrian airforce

[@EnlightenedPatriot1]

I have to say how pleased I was to come across this channel, done so well by Dr Felton. So much so, I have started at the very beginning, having seen just the first 10 videos. It makes a welcome alternative to the current daily dross served up as social-engineering "entertainment" media output. This causing me to shun all exposure to the TV, radio and newspaper fear-'pawn', (related to a certain (pre-planned?) worldwide event) for the past year. I need to limit my exposure to it all. Many may not be familiar with the 60's TV series called All Our Yesterdays, hosted by the Irish Journalist/Historian, Brian Inglis, but this series, and it's narration, is of the same high calibre - excuse the pun. Although being born post-WW2, in '46, I recall a bombed-out Liverpool, the air raid shelters, the ration books still in use, etc, and tales from my ex-8th Army (Desert Rats) father, a tank-transporter driver in the Middle East, fighting against Rommel. I do hope these interesting and entertaining videos will continue for some time to come. We need to be reminded that “Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” Thank you.

[@KeithWilliamMacHendry]

As I always say Dr Felton, you are the man, with a captivating English voice ( much respect from a Scot) why can't we have a man of your calibre on the mainstream media. Top bloke. 🙏🏻

[@jamielacourse7578]

If we had teachers like this guy I would've loved history.....

[@The_Republic_of_Ireland]

I loved history in school...I just never paid attention and studied history in my own time at home 😂

[@ebbu.planespotting1903]

@@The_Republic_of_Ireland same, it’s sad how it’s taught in certain years and school.

[@johnconnor4953]

My god I hated history class in school. Now most of the videos I watch seems history related.

[@tech.noir83]

when you love history you don't care how crappy the teachers are bc you are doing your own research

[@Bear_Arms]

In school they teach you what you should know. On your own, you learn what you want to learn. That's the difference, and that's why formal education is important.

[@johntitor7989]

This is unironically my favorite channel on KZbin.

[@kirillholt2329]

tbfh

[@bruensal7182]

I just wanted to say that this channel if fantastic. You cover all the topics which one cant find anywhere else. This channel really is a blessing. Absolutely interesting stuff, I could watch for hours without getting bored a tad.

[@chkoha6462]

Here we go again! Saturday morning with a cup of tea and a new history lecture. Vielen Dank

[@stanislav7920]

Thank you for your research and the hard work put into making these videos.

[@TUF3557]

This channel truly provides historical contents that we don't get to know from normal history books in school levels

[@axelpatrickb.pingol3228]

Unless your school specializes in teaching trivial minutaie...

[@P4Tri0t420]

I think its obvious that "Hitlers" former Generals were on both sides of the Iron Curtan after the War. It was told us in a german School back then that most of them were in the Bundeswehr but i mean its just logical. Just look at the NVA Uniforms. They are more similar to the Wehrmacht Uniforms than the Bundeswehr ones are

[@alanrogs3990]

Today one must really search for history

[@aleksanderpopov5060]

Dr. Felton is the best historian on KZbin, the way Mark tells the stories it’s like I went back in time to be a witness first hand. Just looking at the like to dislike ratio and you can tell it’s super high quality content, I think I speak for most by saying thank you and that your work is highly appreciated!!!

[@mohdfauziismail3402]

True 100 percent!

[@watching99134]

I agree his stuff is top-notch but I'm not sure "best historian on KZbin" is a gold standard...more like "best ice-skater in all of Saudi Arabia" territory don't you think?

[@ColKlinkerhofen]

He really makes learning history easy, I'm interested in ww2 specifically and am pleased there are so many videos bases on this era. Plus, no matter how little you know about specific topics Mark always manages to make it easy to understand.

[@aleksanderpopov5060]

​@@watching99134 if not Mark then whom? I watch three history channels on here and a few more on Odysee (way less censorship compared to YT) so if you have a tip for me I'm all yours, thanks

[@rivellalimonade4731]

@@aleksanderpopov5060 do you know military history visualized ? He's great too

[@lgdelvalle]

Hi Mark, overall a good overview and thanks for making this information available. Just as a data point regarding the effectiveness of the E. German army, in the mid 90's I was training at 29 Palms, CA and there was a German paratrooper officer who was an observer. Since the training exercise was for about two weeks, I got to know this officer and he made the comment that when the East German Army was very lacking. So much so, that if an officer wanted to remain in the combined army he had good down two ranks. This all occurred during the unification process. Anyway, this is just one data point and do not know the validity. Keep producing these good videos. Semper Fi

[@traumvonhaiti]

Lacking? You must have misunderstood that man. East Germans (regardless of ideology) were still Germans. And when the Germans do something, they do it well. NVA was built by the finest Prussian and Saxonian officers and took over the best German traditions. Prussia (Preusen) and Saxony (Saxen) have always stood out if you look at the German military in general. Naturally, BW didn't trust ex-NVA officers b/c their training standards were different. And probably the envy factor should also not be discounted. NVA has always been viewed as the real German army as opposed to (the too American) BW.

[@jerryle379]

More like the west Germany didn't wanted the nva officer core as they use to be they enemy / rival

[@patmarek1222]

Can never get enough of Dr Felton’s excellent content ❤

[@mikeggg5671]

In the East, the Soviets let us keep our caps, uniforms, and marches. In the West, the Amerikaner insidiously tried to stamp out German traditions. Two occupations, two views on us. My grandfather: Oberstleutnant im STASI

[@axelpatrickb.pingol3228]

You mean, the Soviets let you keep only 4 marches? And taught you to march like Russians? And forbid you from brandishing German military awards? While the "Amerikaner" army gets to play the entire Prussian repertoire, keep traditional Prussian military symbols and awards and carry unpurged WW2 rifles for their honor guard?

[@bdog2802]

Is your grandfather part of the secret police or one of those drezhinsky guard core?

[@mikeggg5671]

@@axelpatrickb.pingol3228 I mean the Amerikaner took our uniforms, our weapons, our traditions, our pride, our land, and remains an army of occupation - marching through Germany with impunity and unburdened by obedience to German law. Also - the Amis did NOT let us keep our awards. Do you see any BRD officers wearing a Knights Cross in the true fashion? No, only in a small ribbon that robs it of its pride and place of prominence. The Amis hated us, and they won. So they crushed us.

[@mikeggg5671]

@@bdog2802 Polizei

[@mikeggg5671]

@Martin Michel The boots and berrets are NOT German. Our Schirmmutzen, Iron Crosses, neck orders, jackboots, and more. A few residual things remain, but it is digustingly american.

[@Kevinthelast]

I have never imagined Dr. Felton being sponsored.

[@ericdanielski4802]

Why not?

[@nickpeloquin5594]

Yeah it's better for us more money equals more reason to make videos

[@FreedomLovingLoyalistOfficial]

VPN's suck.

[@michaelblaszkiewicz7283]

Watch the Internet Historian's Nord VPN ad read. Mark should just use it on his channel.

[@Yaz-pn9py]

Great content brings in sponsorship. They know where to spend their money.

[@filipohman7277]

Awesome Work Mark!!!👍👍 Greetings from Helsinki, Finland 🇫🇮

[@antonv5488]

Some clarifications needed on this video. NKVD was not a secret police, it was just a police, "national commissariat of internal affairs". Worth to comment on the number of German prisoners who died, in total up to 79% of all German soldiers that got captured in the war with USSR came back home, Stalingrad's case was special as the people were in horrible shape when captured. And can you guess how many Soviet soldiers survived German camps? Not more than 43%...

[@Archer82ify]

NKGB was secret police

[@raam1666]

NKVD was absolutely secret police. Just because not all activites were secret doesnt make them not secret police

[@antonv5488]

@@raam1666 NKVD contained the fire department, state police department, gulag (managing all state's prisons), transport department responsible for traffic safety. Very secret police stuff right? The secret service was originally part of this structure, but later was removed, and is usually called by its own name.

[@eraserstp]

In the West, they always remember Stalingrad when they talk about how the Soviets treated German POWs, but they never give the total numbers for entire war.

[@raam1666]

@@antonv5488 The NKVD were the secret police until replaced by KGB

[@anthonywalsh7613]

Fantastic upload. I served in West Berlin in the 80s & on trips to East Berlin & train guard duty through Eastern Germany, it really struck me on how much the uniforms looked like Wehrmacht uniforms

[@IrishCarney]

True, but other than the peaked hats and the lack of the eagle logo, the West German Luftwaffe uniforms looked a lot more like the Third Reich Luftwaffe. The East German air force uniforms were basically the same "field gray" as the army, just with some blue trim here and there. Then again, the East Germans still did the whole jackboots, riding breeches, officer's sabers, etc., that the Third Reich had.

[@anthonywalsh7613]

@@IrishCarney yeah I agree. In Berlin we didn’t have anything to go with the West German military. Even when we went down to the zone in West Germany, we rarely saw any West German military. But what I saw from pics I do agree. We saw the border guards an awful lot. And NVA on transit routes

[@mexxikanboi]

Seriously Mark Felton, thank you so much for creating quality content that is both educational and reminiscent of what the History Channel used to be in its golden days. All I need now is a Mark Felton version of Tales of the Gun and I will be content :)

[@austint7533]

I really wish Mr Felton would make some hour long documentaries. They’d be great

[@originalsoundjunky]

I found this to be an especially good video. Thank you, from the grandson of a soldier who was (essentially) conscripted into a "foreign" division of the Wehrmacht when his town was liberated on the eastern front.

[@sensational_cellar8606]

Dr Felton has a real “Broadsword calling Danny Boy” sort of voice. Marvellous 🥂

[@Glove513]

I’ve always loved the way Richard Burton pronounced “banana” in “Where Eagles Dare”. It was like “bah NAAAHH nah”.

[@videowifie]

@@Glove513 that’s just how we say banana in the uk

[@generalyido]

Everybody gangsta till you see your friend guarding the border as an opposing force soldier.

[@psyro6921]

or a family member.

[@aberhamgracia446]

Mark Felton always dropping that straight 🔥🔥 much appreciated

[@OkDannnn]

glad you getting sponsors, keep up the informative vids Mark!

[@cbrtdgh4210]

Of all the KZbin channels I've subscribed to and tended to watch over the last several years, this is has got to be my favourite. It reminds me of my teenage years when I'd binge watch the History Channel in the UK after school (when it actually had good documentaries on).

[@letsplaybarrysmod5815]

I learn more about wars from mark then from my history teacher.

[@billmatson8711]

Mark knows more about war than your teacher

[@preussianblau5595]

Than*

[@romanbaczynski8656]

A future film on the integration of east and west German armies would be fascinating 🧐

[@mercedesSlk666]

I was just looking for this information a week ago on the internet! I’m so lucky to be subscribed to you!

[@gordoncavis1374]

60+ years reading everything I ever found on WW2 & associated topics, yet I learn something new with 99+% of these videos. Outstanding. Truly.

[@meganegbert8570]

Mark Felton releases a new video: 😀 There are snoopers who are trying to steal my personal private data: 😡

[@tiernanwearen8096]

Mark Felton is fighting the new gestapo

[@datadavis]

My data is so boring it could incapacitate snoopers with apathy and depression. Its my secret anti-hacker weapon.

[@elilim5878]

@@datadavis My files are so boring that a hacker wouldn't give a sh** about it.

[@alanwitton5039]

Absolutely brilliant! I always learn something new from these videos! Fantastic!

[@JackGillies]

Another Fantastic Video Mark ! another great one would be about how the Stasi actively recruited former Gestapo and Abwehr agents to build themselves up. They also recruited a lot of former SS men under threat of prosecution if they didn't cooperate.

[@ericscottstevens]

One thing was for sure the famous M42 helmet was banned from service for any DDR service. The USSR thought that helmet would cause instant resentment between Soviet troops stationed in East Germany and the new NVA . On the other hand BGS Border Guards for the FRG did use it (M40/52), almost as a reminder of the past conflict. Then the BSG quietly converted to the M1 helmet.

[@Joshua_N-A]

Today, the helmets now resembles the stahlhelm, granted the PASGT was influenced by the M42 and it become Western standard.

[@JAG8691]

I am a simple man see a Mark Felton video I Click. Always learn something new with each video and I am starting to have a clearer picture of the WW2 history.

[@d.e.osborn2321]

After watching this video and the video on the Bundeswehr, it would be very interesting to have a video on how the two armies integrated after the Wall Came Down. Love the episodes! These are definitely "Master-class" level education!

[@jw9231]

Always enjoyable and always very informative. Would love some content on opening moves or small actions of 1914 as sadly under represented I find.

[@daveirwin6903]

I was just telling myself earlier today: “I need to see a new Mark Felton video.” And lo, here it is. Thank you for giving us great videos to look forward to!

[@DutchSteamboat]

Gen-Lt Mueller: "Then in 1961, he died in murky circumstances - falling from the balcony of his ground-floor flat".

[@redwingrob1036]

HOW convenient... MORE Cold War cloak & dagger intrigue...

[@DrJones20]

Thank you for making a comment about the actual content of the video.

[@DutchSteamboat]

@Danny from Tangier - London As we've seen - what's anyone going to do about it?

[@ajstrippgen5637]

thank you sir for another great informative educational video! Always look forward to your productions

[@MJ-tm4mk]

Von Lenskis biografie is very interresting, because he seviced under the Kaiser, in the Weimarer Republik, in the Wehrmacht and NVA in the DDR. A lot of perspectives and a surprising way of life.

[@nebraskanassassin6058]

Oh Dr. Felton what a pleasure it is to be halfway around the earth come home and catch the most informative history channel around. Blessings to you and yours my old friend.

[@apr8189]

And once again... Mark Felton knocks it out of the ballpark with another great video. Keep them coming. 🙂

[@RobertJonesWightpaint]

Another excellent video - clear, intelligent, professionally presented.

[@e-rj8984]

Thanks for sharing this new and mostly unknown history with is Mr. Felton 👍

[@bluetrue6062]

I was in West Germany from 1977-80 in the U.S. U.S. Army and I concur with his assessment of DDR troops being the best in the Warsaw Pact. It would not have been good day to fight them on the battlefield. Glad it never happened. 🙂

[@simonh6371]

Same perspective in the British Army of the Rhine late 80s.

[@SparkyWaxAll]

Being born in '63 and my mother's family trapped in east Germany prior to '89, and being retired US Air Force, NVA was always North Vietnamese Army and DDR was acronym we used for east Germany army.

[@ianurbina9777]

Thanks Dr. Felton, there are no words to explain the satisfaction I get from watching your videos.

[@fratercontenduntocculta8161]

Interesting fact about those helmets the East German Troops wear: they were the final design that was never produced during ww2. I have one myself and they are quite easy to find.

[@IrishCarney]

Mark's first video about the East German army had me fall down a rabbit hole about them and I've been fascinated by the NVA ever since. One thing I just can't get over, though, is how, by the 1970s at least, the men had such long hair - that is to say, thick, puffy, bouffant, like an 80s shampoo ad. Not the strict, US Marine Corps style tight trim you'd expect from the highly professional military of a totalitarian German police state.

[@lewisticknor]

Thank you Mark! You are awesome. Stationed in Berlin in the eighties we were told that the Hungarians, Polish Armies, etc, could possibly be pointing their barrels East instead of at us. Everyone said the East Germans would be just as bad as the Soviets. I wonder if this was true?

[@simonh6371]

Same in West Germany in the British army. We were only taught about the Soviets and the NVA in terms of recognition etc.

[@rexwinton3677]

Amazing as always Mark, thanks for giving us all the best lessons in little known history

[@gerryboy67]

Superb information once again, Mark. I've been interested in WW2 and the Third Reich since I was 10 years old. I'm 57 now and still learning new facts and enjoying your videos. Keep up the good work!

[@williammorse8330]

hello Mark and thank you for following through with a great version of "whatever happened to.... ?" oh, and I do like the marching music and the helmut design.... whenever I see one of your chapters on the eastern front, I brush up on my Russian for a day or two and then realize that it is highly unlikely that I will ever use it..... ?

[@MrXdmp]

Thank you again Dr. Felton! Could you also make similar a video regarding the Japan Self Defense Force?

[@TheHeartlessFour]

He did make a video about the founding of the JSDF

[@MrXdmp]

@@TheHeartlessFour yes but i was refering to any ww2 officer or general/admiral who was similarly called to serve at the JDSF

[@matthewlok3020]

@xymann dario paquitol I am aware of a few that did, particularly notable was Minoru Genda who was a naval aviator/member of staff to admirals like Chuichi Nagumo and served in the JASDF as a Kusho (air general)

[@kevinshannon955]

@@matthewlok3020 there was a good article in the publication of the US Naval Institute, Proceedings, called ‘Remembering Genda’ that addressed Genda’s post war activities. Not sure if it’s anywhere online now. Good read if you can find it.

[@amaccama3267]

Whenever I see old footage of soldiers on parade I can't help but think of the Monty Python sketch Marching up and down the square. Love your work Dr F.

[@Steve-GM0HUU]

Yes, love that sketch. One of my favourites.

[@AudieHolland]

@@Steve-GM0HUU I bet most soldiers of any army would agree.

[@christianszabo4889]

Dr. Felton I can’t imagine how much time you spend digging all this up, serious respect, can I ask how much time it takes like per video?? Do you have an editor??

[@jameslindsey4726]

Yes indeed Thankyou Me Felton,Your documentaries seem to fill in the blanks wit mainstream documentaries on WW2.Thankyou from Australia.

[@kuriboh635]

Thank you so much for finishing this mini series. I never knew of WW2 generals in service after 1945. Very interesting especially the east Germans, I've always found their army very interesting especially since my father was stationed in west Germany in the mid to late 80s.

[@devonwingo1692]

It always brings a smile to my face when I see a new video dropped.

[@jessebutler4041]

Fantastic footage and very informative; another great video. 👍

[@rsangala]

Mark Felton makes great documentaries. A very good story teller. Thanks for all the gtreat Vids and History lessons

[@krisfrederick5001]

The plot becomes more thick with every click...

[@Aleesyathewarplanegirl]

Nice rhyme

[@derrickstorm6976]

More thicker with many clicker

[@gusd41]

It’s weird to think that Vietnam had a more combat ready NVA.

[@redwingrob1036]

YES! Let's have a special on post Vietnam war Vietnam's conflicts against China, & the liberation war against the Khmer Rouge & Pol Pot in Cambodia. PLEASE, & thankq Dr Felton. 🙏🏻👍🏻 🇰🇭🇻🇳🇨🇳

[@tjoonatv2848]

Technically it's VPA (Vietnam People's Army)

[@edwardteach4456]

they actually got support from the GDR , both in training and goods

[@haraldhimmel5687]

Well it in many ways wasn't just a traditional army nor warfare for that matter. More like large parts of the population conspiring against oppressive invaders but yes it was revolutionary. The Chinese sent support and strategists who thought their partisan attacks are ridiculus. Yet this very strategy has proven itself over and over and the USA have not once won an asymmetric conflict. Most recent example: Afghanistan.

[@IrishCarney]

@@haraldhimmel5687 You have no idea what you're talking about. The North Vietnamese military was completely different from the South Vietnamese guerrillas. Hanoi had one of the most sophisticated air defense systems in the world. The North Vietnamese had the latest Soviet fighters, including the supersonic MiG-19 and the radar and air-to-air missile equipped MiG-21 - and, unlike the Arabs, used them effectively. The North Vietnamese invasions of South Vietnam in 1972 and 1975 involved hundreds of thousands of professional soldiers, many of them trained in the Soviet Union or Eastern Europe, in hundreds of tanks and armored vehicles, in the biggest invasions since World War 2.

[@jayp5359]

Brilliant and informative as always Dr felton thank you

[@joewilliams2462]

Well done. Informative and to the point.