Britain's Unkillable Soldier | The Life & Times of Adrian Carton de Wiart

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Mr. Carton de Wiart is probably one of the biggest mad lads to ever walk this Earth, which has cemented his place in pop history. He was born to an aristocratic family in Brussels, but one apocryphal tale says he was a dark prince, the illegitimate son of King Leopold II, a backstory which would make him a good 10% cooler, if it weren’t for all the slavery and genocide that Leopold did. Adrian grew up living the kind of privileged life most people in his day could only dream of: he studied at an elite British boarding school and went to Oxford University, the man had the opportunity to become anything he wanted and he chose to drop out and be a soldier. To each his own.
Music (in order of appearance):
Kevin Macleod - Industrial Music Box
Kevin Macleod - Hidden Past
Peter Moesser - High
Kevin Macleod - Space Jazz
WOW Sound - Man of the Hour
Kevin Macleod - Stay the Course
Kevin Macleod - Oppressive Gloom

[@JackRackam]

Start speaking a new language in 3 weeks with Babbel 🎉. Get up to 60% OFF your subscription ➡Here: : go.babbel.com/t?bsc=1200m60-youtube-jackrackam-oct-2022&btp=default&KZbin&Influencer..jackrackam..USA..KZbin

[@brokenbridge6316]

Awesome video Jack this was just the thing to come home to after a long day of slaving away. And feeling like shit doing it. Happy Halloween Jack.

[@codekillerz5392]

ive been reading a book for four months and im still not fluent.

[@theknave1915]

No Sabaton? I'm disappointed, Jack.

[@HunterHogan]

Is that a referral link in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?

[@brokenbridge6316]

@@theknave1915---Oh yead. That Sabaton video on this guy was great. Indy Niedell played him well.

[@Big_E_Soul_Fragment]

*At the edge of madness, in a time of sadness* *An immortal soldier finds his home*

[@MaurauderGirl]

Proven under fire, over trench and wire No fear of death he's unshakeable

[@megalodon3239]

In the the battles, when he was shot. Kept on fighting, and never stopped

[@OneTrueVikingbard]

In Aras, Cambray, Passchendale Ignoring his wounds, he prevailed

[@ryuuducat]

Save the day, he'll never stray Facing the foes that are coming his way

[@mr.outlaw231]

Come his way, he'll never stray Saving the day

[@crono2366]

Disappointed you didn't mention the autobiography he wrote while recovering from that tragic fall down the stairs. He unironically titled it 'Happy Odyssey', and I own a copy. It's been a while since I've read it, but he is ridiculously nonchalant about basically everything, describing losing his eye as though it was a small annoyance. He also wrote that shortly after leaving the hospital he was challenged by a man in a bar and was so serious and enthusiastic about doing a pistol duel the other man finally backed down, presumably out of fear. It's a great book, goes by pretty fast, heartily recommend for anyone even slightly interested in Wiart's escapades

[@samuelblackthorne9122]

I’m imagining an almost Dirty Harry style delivery of “go ahead make my day!”.

[@AimlessSavant]

He is an unkillable stoic.

[@wetwillyis_1881]

I own the book, because of Sabaton, it’s amazing. It’s become my new favorite book. He’s such a unique human being. I wish I got to meet him. I’m always amazed at how he met like, everyone.

[@ryanmalady376]

I don't normally speak Ill of veterans, but for this guy to enjoy it so much, he must have been bloody bonkers!

[@John.McMillan]

Honestly the fact he lived to old age despite everything is the most impressive and scariest fact about this man.

[@samuelblackthorne9122]

Also that plain crashed involved him swimming several miles to shore in full uniform with one arm.

[@grandadmiralzaarin4962]

"I have removed the bullet. And three others, a blowgun dart, two shark's teeth, a tip of a bayonet, a twisted paperclip, and a meager handful of buckshot. You may want to learn how to duck."-Adrian Carton de Wiart's Field Medic...probably.

[@Kerorofan1990]

I understood that reference.

[@grandadmiralzaarin4962]

@@Kerorofan1990 ah I see you too are a person of culture, dare I even say, a brother of the venturing sort?

[@Kerorofan1990]

@@grandadmiralzaarin4962 You could say that. Though it's been a bit, so my knowledge might be a tad...Rusty.

[@bryanadkins6776]

Oh God, I miss that show so much.

[@grandadmiralzaarin4962]

@@Kerorofan1990 hmmm, Rusty memory eh? Sounds like you could use a vacation at...Spanicopita!

[@Jstck1]

"I was lying on a stretcher feeling extremely bad tempered and disgusted after my last brief stay in France when a well meaning clergy-man came up to see me. Seeing the disgruntled expression on my face and my one eye, he told me to cheer up, as it may have been much worse;" "He said he had such a cheerful fellow through his hands a few months earlier, a man who had lost both an eye and an arm. I asked him the man's name and he said "General Carton de Wiart." "He seemed quite hurt when I lost interest in the conversation." -General Adrian Carton de Wiart

[@aahnecroth]

Heard joke once: Man goes to doctor. Says he's depressed. Says life seems harsh and cruel. Says he feels all alone in a threatening world where what lies ahead is vague and uncertain. Doctor says, "Treatment is simple. Great clown Pagliacci is in town tonight. Go and see him. That should pick you up." Man bursts into tears. Says, "But doctor...I am Pagliacci.

[@herodarkydark3995]

I heard rumors that the devil was actually trying to kill Adrian for years, hence why he got shot so much, but always failed because he was immortal. The only reason why he passed on was because God needed to write him off as a Tax Cut

[@davidayos6702]

at least he had a hell of a time

[@worldanvilbild3980]

You know what they say death and taxes

[@kevinaustin51]

F the irs why should god pay taxes

[@MaxwellAerialPhotography]

Actually it was more a expenses reduction measure.

[@BJGvideos]

This implies that God pays taxes and I just wanna see whoever that would be TO.

[@thomasre5015]

Nobody: Some 60-year old Madlad with half of his body shot off: I didn’t hear no bell, Adolphus

[@therac197]

I was king of sweden, he said. Lmao, answered the imperialist muskeeter in whos shot the idiot just rode

[@gamingforever9121]

This man famously said of World War One “frankly I had enjoyed the war” .

[@DaRoachDoggJR.]

@@marw9541did you know thay famously, this is the man that said "frankly I enjoyed the war" when referring to World War One (formerly the great war)

[@nathanmccallum9048]

@@DaRoachDoggJR. da roachdoggJR?!?!?!

[@_Clem_H_Fandango_]

I get that, I rather enjoyed my time in iraq

[@HunterHogan]

@@DaRoachDoggJR. Jack Rackam slightly less famously wrote that this man said of World War One, "Frankly, I had enjoyed the war."

[@nicolasmarazuela1010]

@@_Clem_H_Fandango_ he remembers me of Ernst Jung. He joined 1915 the prussian army and led often his platoon and later company in a frontal attack against enemy trenches. Also he saw the war as a carnage of young men, the killing as murder and asked himself when this pointless war ends, he loved to be on the frontline, because it felt like home. Although he was shot three times between 1915 and 1917 and survived in 1918 an artilery attack which killed nearly his entire company. If you are interested in his memoires, you can read "Storm of Steel" which is after "All quite on the western front" the most important book of a WW1 veteran.

[@CSLucasEpic]

Apparently the British had the craziest soldiers during WW2. There was this guy John Malcolm Thorpe Fleming Churchill, that used a sword and bow and arrow during actual battles in WW2. While people were shooting at him with rifles, this guy was running around swinging a sword and shooting arrows a la Robin Hood.

[@marhistoryman7404]

Considering there was a guy who walked around with an Umbrella, yeah they certainly do.

[@danb9460]

That’s not even including the Aussies or Canadians.

[@raicattivo]

Ah Mad Jack Churchill a true legend

[@countofarcadia]

If the UK had put all their most hardened soldiers into a unit during World War 2, that unit would either have imploded or just conquered the world.

[@MathMagician93]

Nevermind that Jack Churchill was actually effective with his bow, as it had longer range than the rifles at the time. And then he followed his snipes up by charging the enemy while playing his bagpipe. Very effective.

[@headlesshoebag3804]

"Believe it or not, not the first time Adrian survived a plane crash." Sir, you have no idea how hard I believe that at this point. You could probably crash it *into* him and only give him a woody!

[@LorenzoFerrari-d5e]

In all his life, he actually survived a total of 23 bullets, a couple of cannonballs, 5 plane crashes, 2 years as a POW, 5 escape attempts, 2 WORLD WARS and a fall from the stairs (in 46 years of service)

[@jackbartle8608]

“And so the Courier who had cheated death in the cemetery outside Goodsprings, cheated death once again, and the Mojave Wasteland was forever changed.”

[@tinaherr3856]

This fits so well with him

[@douglasboyle6544]

"...but DIDN'T die" Thank goodness, if that's what took this man out I would have been very upset, he deserves to go out on his terms - whatever they may be.

[@SomeoneThatExists-rj5oo]

Apparently he died in his sleep

[@autisticgamer4949]

@@SomeoneThatExists-rj5oo to paraphrase a quote about Teddy Roosevelt: Death had to take him sleeping otherwise he'd fight back

[@kittymervine6115]

I mean, infection?? His ability to defy infection when shot in the worst dirty circumstances is the real story here!

[@jairoukagiri2488]

Apparently that's all the medic was good for when he was ripping his own fingers off. ... Actually now I wonder how sober he was, can pour booze on a wound but if it's already in the blood that can help, kinda.

[@Steven-dt5nu]

😂

[@lefteron6804]

At the edge of madness In a time of sadness An immortal soldier finds his home...

[@sirreaper3067]

Proven under fire Under trench and wire!

[@ej7416]

No fear of death He’s up breakable

[@saptarshisengupta9290]

This man is the definition of "Tis is but a scratch"

[@LorenzoFerrari-d5e]

When he was shot twice in the face, he commented it as "The most esilarating thing I've ever experienced!"

[@makukawakami]

"Into the fire through trenches and mud!" Sabaton references aside, this guy is a one tough cookie

[@PovidisII]

Son of Belgium and Ireland with war in his blood

[@redlantern6669]

Leading the charge into hostile barrage By design, he was made for the frontline

[@youtubecreators384]

Studied law, with a thirst for war Fought in Africa, wanted more

[@redlantern6669]

Back in Europe then straight to France He’s joining the allied advance

[@youtubecreators384]

Through the Somme and the Devil's Wood All the battles that he withstood

[@sonnyocad287]

Another odd feat of his I read in his autobiography. He once had to lose 7lbs in a day in order to be light enough to take place in a race in Egypt: he pulled it off but unsurprisingly losing that much weight in so little time (probably mostly water in his body) caused him to faint during the race.

[@kacsan1]

For a while I really thought Jack is making an ad for army recruitment lol

[@louditalian1962]

Every one:”The Great War was hell” Adrian:”LETS DO IT AGAIN” Every One:👁👄👁 wtf

[@Lupinthe3rd.]

ok the next one about a soldier has to be either Roy Benavidez or Audie murphy

[@K9TheFirst1]

Nah my dude, Jack Churchill.

[@rowanisntreal]

Crosses grow On Anzio Where no soldiers sleep And where hell’s six feet deep The dead must wait There’s no debate So charge and attack Going to hell and back!

[@javieraravena5345]

I know he didn't do as much, but Van T Barfoot could also be nice. Disabled 3 tigers, insisted on having a ceremony in the field so soldiers could attend, owned a Klan member that asked him if the "colored" soldiers gave him issue and them to get universal support against an HOA because they fined him for flying the flag

[@drgreen8030]

My favorite quote from this man even after all of it was “frankly I enjoyed the war”

[@DTrainer345]

The literal MAD LAD of the British Army 🪖🪖🪖

[@theotherohlourdespadua1131]

And he isn't even British...

[@AeneasGemini]

@@theotherohlourdespadua1131 Yes he was, you don't have to be born in Britain to become British

[@occam7382]

@@AeneasGemini, all you have to do is be filthy rich and be a badass.

[@hendrik1769]

His wife, Friederike Maria Carolina Henriette Rosa Sabina Franziska Pauline Gräfin Fugger von Babenhausen, is a descendant of Jakop Fugger, at the time perhabs the richest man in europe, if not the world

[@CARL_093]

this dude is a real rambo bad ass never giving up his profession dedication to his profession

[@blackdraco28]

Also that fall down the stairs was just Death going "Ha....ha.....Ha.....just... one.... MORE TRY!!!"

[@gavinsmith9871]

Holy shit my friend told me about this guy earlier today. He forgot his name.

[@DailyLifeSolution]

There is nothing like coincidence in the world of internet.

[@sabertheglaceon256]

Into the fire through trenches and mud Son of Belgium and Ireland with war in his blood Leading the charge into hostile barrage By design, he was made for the frontline Never die, shot through the eye Never surrender however they try How they try, shot through the eye He'll never die I have to

[@giladpellaeon1691]

Jack, I could not find if you've done a video about the "White Death", the Finnish sniper who out sniped all others against the Soviets. He's another of those warriors who could not be killed.

[@iverkjellkken6569]

Could you imagne if there was a story about Mao losing a fist fight to a 68 year old one handed man? That would be amazing.

[@josephlau5209]

This man here is basically the non-mutant version of Wolverine 😵‍💫

[@furioussherman7265]

Glad to see my fellow Sabaton fans have already arrived.

[@rtsguy2166]

Another good video

[@JackRackam]

Merci beaucoup!

[@Rednecknerd_rob9634]

I would be perfectly fine with an Anime of Adrian Carton de Wiart. I say anime, because Hollywood would fup it up. And I could see an anime making him look even more bad ass.

[@samuelspicer7468]

I’m happy that we got two Jack videos in a week. However, I’m a little bummed he didn’t make any Sabaton references.

[@fletcherbarrett6928]

The comments did that for him

[@hailstorm9735]

Man was too British to die.

[@pearlstar5323]

Oh, jack rackam video dropped at an unusual time, must be my lucky day.

[@austinreed5805]

3:23 I’m pretty sure Jack’s throat went inside-out and back saying that.

[@sloshed-rat]

Adrian throws himself into war zones just like I throw myself into toxic relationships 😃 Inspirational.

[@Artur_M.]

Very nice! Speaking about interesting mad lads, who happened to fight in the Polish-Soviet War, have you heard about Merian C. Cooper? I think his life would make a great video.

[@GrimdarkCrusader20th]

Another excellent video, the only thing I say would've made it better is the sheer insanity surrounding his Victoria Cross award.

[@toxicaristotle3052]

The maddest of the bunch

[@Tula-cs1ef]

The more history I read, the more I realize why so many badasses pass peacefully in their sleep.

[@YossarianVanDriver]

I love how you can hear years of goofy old war movies pressing in on Jack's mind as he tries desperately not to say the rest of the sentence after "Luftwaffe" in a ridiculous parody German accent.

[@jairoukagiri2488]

Could tell he hit up German for his language add too with the wife's names. Acht!

[@Jack-lo5me]

“Gentlemen… It has come to my attention that some people have started to say that I like war. I wish to dash these rumors. I do not LIKE war. I… LOVE War!”

[@raphaelalexandreyensen6291]

he also wrote a great autobiography too, known as Happy odyssey, forward is written by Winston Churchill whom he kinda mentored... He's like a jolly psycho indestructible teddy bear..... when you read him. (by the way this man get's upto shit that sounds like it belongs in a die hard movie. (hanging off the back of a train by his hook while fending off soviet cossacks with a revolver and more.)

[@karandullet380]

I am convinced plot Armour is real

[@Ipolitelyaskyoutodie]

Just look up another WW1 soldier ‘Aníbal Milhais' and you’ll find out there is plot armor

[@JNSP-kk7py]

hi

[@JackRackam]

Hola!

[@transformations546]

EDGE OF MADNESS

[@leoe.5046]

Yeah, british officers were quite insane... I guess, that was a job requirement in a time where officers were encouraged not to duck or take cover when they're shot at because it could hurt morale.....

[@Alexander59059]

The only reason he died is because someone told him about the skeleton war

[@Imperiused]

8:07 Honestly did not expect that and burst out laughing. Great set up EDIT 9:49 And you did it again, wow, 10/10 Keep up the good work and thanks for the laughs!

[@bluejayblaze6887]

Into the fire through trenches and mud! Love ya Jack!

[@MaurauderGirl]

Son of Belgium and Ireland with War in his blood

[@cdcdrr]

Wiley Coyote cannot fall down a canyon until he realizes gravity exists. Carton de Wiart wouldn't die until he acknowledged that death exists.

[@NobleWolf]

This guy would find a lovely new home of love, peace and happiness within the universe of Warhammer 40k. Hell he might be best friends with Commissar Yarrick

[@duncanread4442]

You missed the bit where he swam with the unconscious pilot when they crashed

[@dashiellgillingham4579]

That Spartans would respect this man.

[@matthewthomas9917]

If your doing another video I got an idea how about making a video about The Life & Times of Louis XIV of France (The Sun King)

[@alobster1966]

Hi jack

[@JackRackam]

What's up! Happy Halloween!

[@alobster1966]

@@JackRackam happy Halloween and great episode as usual :)

[@cgt3704]

And thus Anton hecame the inspiration of all Chads in history (or at least those in the 20th and 21st centuries)

[@hiddenwoodsben]

i enjoyed you suffering through those names very much.🤣 i love my language...

[@Archris17]

Better yet, in WW1, where his rank as Lieutenant Colonel fully entitled him to stay behind the lines sipping champagne with the other chinless, upper-class idiots, Adrian had the steel balls to not only serve on the front line, but to lead offensives over No-Man's Land, throwing grenades with his one good hand and even winning the Victoria Cross for it - a feat he was shockingly dismissive of, neglecting to even mention it in his memoirs and informing a friend that it belonged as much to his unit as him, as they did just as much as he that day.

[@FeHearts]

Do not sent a peasant conscript to do a Warrior Aristocrats job. Honestly the biggest drawback of the rise of democracy is the idea of the citizen soldier who can be drafted against his will to die.

[@luanfonseca5179]

The 10/10 endurance RPG character

[@prettypic444]

it sounds like his men qualified for worker's comp just standing next to him

[@Pillzpop]

This is the only guy who can point and laugh at Humayun and Hven (Tycho Brahe's pet elk) and say, "Ha! You two died falling down the stairs. Bunch of pansies."

[@a2rgaming863]

You forgot to mention the part where he got a song written about him.

[@shawnconway6009]

At 3:23 I wasn't sure if you were still speaking a name or if you started having a stroke during your recording and just left it in.

[@FiraDeviant]

The man who death perpetually could not reach.

[@SensaiRyu]

(Adrian Carton de Wiart continues living) Death: "STOP RUNNING YA LITTLE SHIT!"

[@LorenzoFerrari-d5e]

Adrian: (more probably) Try to get me, ugly bitch! Death: *waits until he's 83 and asleep to take him. If he was awake, he would have fought*

[@ragnarthorson2066]

listening to his wife's name is like listening to dot from animaniacs introduce herself

[@jmace2424]

So that’s what happens when you max out your Constitution and Luck stats!

[@firecatskylar]

You're seriously one of my favorite history channels.

[@SHDUStudios]

Please tell me this idea was because of the Sabaton song.

[@emmetcoyne6436]

The guy sounds like a Blackadder character.

[@Nastyswimmer]

Who could have imagined that a Belgian could be so ... interesting

[@raymundoserna3449]

Death at some piont must of been like "oh its u again sorry man i dont want problems really man am going home"

[@Casmaniac]

2:20 the irony is Leopold II was responsible for almost every crime imaginable in central Africa (Congo, Rwanda, Burundi) EXCEPT for outright slavery. I mean, it was just as bad, but still. American bias, don't blame you

[@felixsubakti6907]

9:00 on his defense, if anyone have ever encountered one- old school Chinese hand carved jade may make the British *archeologist* in him acting up a bit...

[@josealbertohernandez7666]

This guy probes that sabaton has good taste of man😳

[@Eboreg2]

7:52 "Okay, we have orders to negotiate our surrender to the British but we need a way to do it without raising suspicion..." "What about sending a prisoner over to do so and pretend he escaped?" "Sounds good but... which prisoner?" "Well... there is this one guy with an incredibly distinctive appearance who's been constantly trying to escape... In fact, last I heard he's still loose..." "Mario? You're a genius!"

[@philiphockenbury6563]

I can’t decide between the man being the luckiest or un luckiest man in the history of the world.

[@BayouVeteransInterviews]

I can relate to Adrian. Some best times of my life were deployed to a war zone lol.

[@Titus921]

Holy shit is this guy the inspiration for James Bond? How the hell was he still alive even in ww1 when half of soldiers died if it wasn't a combat wound it would be a disease but this guy survive even plain crashes what a hero.

[@LorenzoFerrari-d5e]

He had literal Plot Armour. And a lot of luck

[@alexandriacollins7119]

He may have been part of the inspiration for Cohan the Barbarian, from Terry Prachett's Discworld series...?

[@seangallagher5695]

Wow….. getting serious black knight vibes from him! “It’s but a scratch” and all

[@ericthe7177]

Imperial aide: Your Highness! Carton de Wiart is in China! Emperor: I-it's fine, I'm sure. Aide: Sir! Mad Jack Churchill is on his way! Emperor: WE SURRENDER!

[@baastex]

"Britain's Unkillable Soldier" Belgium would like to have a talk with you!

[@chenoaholdstock3507]

Your pronunciation of Afrikaans words is slightly better, but still needs work.

[@AimlessSavant]

AT THE EDGE OF MADNESS, HE WILL SHOW NO SADNESS! NEVER BROKEN HE'LL BE BACK FOR MORE! PROVEN UNDER FIRE! OVER TRENCH AND WIRE! FORGED FOR THE WAR HE'S UNBREAKABLE! AT THE EDGE OF MADNESS, HE WILL SHOW NO SADNESS! NEVER BROKEN HE'LL BE BACK FOR MORE! PROVEN UNDER FIRE! OVER TRENCH AND WIRE! NO FEAR OF DEATH! HE IS FORGED FOR THE WAR! HE'LL ALWAYS KEEP COMING FOR MORE!

[@jorenvanderark3567]

Into the fire through trenches and mud Son of Belgium and Ireland with war in his blood Leading the charge into hostile barrage By design, he was made for the frontline

[@Tsuruchi_420]

5:21 i understand that the Poles got thrown around enough in history, but it's kinda unfair to say "trying to bury them again" when all of those wars where by people trying to take back the lands in poland eich had a lot of their own peoples, especially the lithuanians who where trying to claim their own capital from the Poles

[@Americaone1]

Lost his left eye,left hand survived 5 plane crashes shot 9 times once clear through the head fought in 5 wars and said after it all it was a lovely war💥💥💥💥💥

[@swordsnspearguy5945]

Into the fire through trenches and mud Son of Belgium and Ireland with war in his blood Leading the charge into hostile barrage By design, he was made for the frontline

[@lilypadrocks872]

Imagine being death with this man in every scenario hoping he would just kick the bucket but come back swinging and hoping the stairs would finally do him in and came out of it would it woul been frustrating and guy was practically trolling death at this point

[@woaddragon]

God darn, it the first time that a Sabaton song did not do someone justice

[@Koupip]

Everytime i hear about belgium its either bc people are shitting on it for being irrelevant or bc there is a dude from there who did something insane like invent artilery so powerful it can shoot the moon or he got shot in the face multiple times

[@exceedcharge1]

Loses hand and survives multiple plane crashes? Is that you joseph jostar?

[@jamiesachtleben2946]

The embodiment of "all I do is win, win, win no matter what"

[@JaxonHex]

Imagine writing a Bio-Pic of this man, no one would believe it