The British Corporal who took on a German Panzer Division | Victoria Cross | August 1944

[@91Redmist]

Greetings from America. May this brave British corporal forever rest in peace for the daring actions he took against an overwhelming enemy. His sacrifice was not in vain and will forever be remembered by freedom-loving people everywhere.

[@Hew.Jarsol]

Which part of "America " south, central or north?

[@jamesdowling9759]

Hearing events like this really stokes up the British pride again. What a true hero. Rest easy lad and thank you for selflessly making the greatest sacrifice any human could make.

[@michealhand1001]

Well it needs stoking up again?We are being invaded again.

[@MultiBurger1]

❤🤨👍

[@Beauloqs]

Yup. and given the state of things in the UK today complete waste.

[@quotemenot7520]

It's great that sites like this honour and remember the incredible heroics of soldiers who never every thought that on the start of a particular day, that their name will liveth for evermore. These are the real hero's who lie in foreign fields and a testament to courage and bravery. I salute you Sidney Bates.

[@beachcomber1able]

How do you know the tale of young Master Bates isn't a load of mince. 🤔

[@quotemenot7520]

@@beachcomber1able If it is then prove it wrong with facts, not diarrhoea. The floor is all yours.

[@mikefraser4513]

Are you some kind of troll?

[@quotemenot7520]

@@mikefraser4513 That depends entirely on who the statement is directed at.

[@mikefraser4513]

@@quotemenot7520 at the BeachBoy

[@StevenKeery]

Brave lad that Corporal, defending the men on either side of him. His sacrifice earned him his VC without doubt. So many of our best and bravest young men, lost in that war. Just as we had lost so many of our finest in WW1. We as a Nation, bear your deaths with grief and pride. Your Generation were the best among us. We honour your sacrifice and hope ourselves worthy of the lives you gave. God bless all of you.

[@npc77107]

As an American, thank you, Cpl. Bates....Rest in Peace.

[@ducatiboy6668]

A 23 year old English lad giving everything RIP young man I'll never forget the sacrifice made by this golden generation 🇬🇧

[@ernestobueno5875]

How this channel does not have more subscribers is baffling. Great channel!

[@nancyhood8395]

True heroes ,not footballers ,not movie stars ,not financial gurus ,REAL TRUE HEROES,MY ULTIMATE RESPECT AND GRATITUDE, FOR EVER ,THANK YOU

[@tim7052]

Absolutely spot on!! Heroes are those who risk their lives for others - NOT those who get paid millions to chase a damn ball across a field!! 👍

[@Napoleon1815-l8c]

American and British soldiers were absolutely fearless during WW2. It is amazing how many Medal of Honor and VC recipients there were, and how many are hardly even remembered today.

[@Crazy-pl1lo]

Many troops where not just the western allies

[@Bullet-Tooth-Tony-]

@@Crazy-pl1lo Especially the Gurkhas

[@91Redmist]

Back in the days when men were men, and were not afraid to sacrifice themselves for a greater good.

[@fullenglishbreakfast3289]

​@@Bullet-Tooth-Tony-I served for 6 months with the Gurkhas. Great soldiers

[@theram4320]

Let's not forget the Canadians, they had an excellent reputation for valour.

[@BIRVS]

I made a point of visiting his grave in Bayeux, a very humbling experience seeing the ages of the men left behind there and many of whom are unidentified and only ‘known unto god’

[@nadinerooke-bates5601]

Thank you, from the Bates family. We appreciate everyone who takes the time to remember him and learn his story.

[@mickymondo7463]

Sid was a true British hero, I remember reading about Sid "Basher" Bates in the little war story books, they always had a VC hero on the back cover. I worked with Sids nephew many years later, a great bloke and thoroughly proud of his uncle, and his sacrifice. RIP Sid, a British hero!

[@fredMplanenut]

Heroism such as this is beyond belief unless witnessed directly, incredible.

[@matthewcoleman1919]

Thank you for highlighting these extraordinary actions by men of great honor, who could so easily have been forgotten.

[@alexanderleach3365]

IT takes great courage for what that brave soldier did.

[@fastyaveit]

Taking the initiative and paying for your life is truly a heroic deed, a well deserved VC

[@emzwills975]

They need to start teaching true history like this video in schools in Britain,kids these days have no idea the sacrifice and courage young men gave so we can be free.

[@nigeh5326]

I went to a grammar school in the 70s and we never touched history past 1900. Most of us had family members who served and as we grew up we learnt from TV Series such as the World at War. Kids today do learn about the events of the twentieth century including WW1 and WW2. Both wars however are so huge in scale it would be impossible to cover individual acts of courage as there were so many.

[@robertthomas3777]

You’d have to inbed it in a game on a screen where they can get points. Thanks to ‘Commando’ comics I became acquainted with many such stories as a child in the 60/70’s.

[@blackcountryme]

​@@nigeh5326I agree, you were expected to know the second world war, cos you had relatives or neighbours. There was a guy on our estate who told us how to attack a convoy, how to plant charges to drop telephone poles. he had a foreign accent, he was great.. that was the early 1980's

[@robertmartyr2041]

damn, i wish we had more men, just 23, like this today fearless and brave too.

[@goodshipkaraboudjan]

What an incredible young bloke and a leader. I feel like he knew what his fate would be but went forward anyway.

[@stefanschleps8758]

Thank you for continuing bringing us such tales of bravery and valor that we might otherwise never have heard. Brave soldiers rest in peace.

[@nickgoodwood4812]

Corporal Sidney Bates Rest in Peace. What an unbelievable hero. Greetings from The Netherlands.

[@pshehan1]

The story of Corporal Bates reminds me of that of Private Bruce Kingsbury of the Australian 2/14 Battalion. Both very brave men who sacrificed themselves for others. At Isurava on the Kokoda track in New Guinea against the Japanese, Kingsbury grabbed a Bren gun from an exhausted mate and ran at Japanese who were threatening to overrun the Battalion headquarters, firing from the hip and broke up the Japanese attack. He stopped by a rock to rest and was killed by a sniper. He was 22 years of age and was awarded a posthumous VC. I interviewed veterans of the 2/14 who with Kingsbury had fought in the middle east prior to Japan's entry into the war. The 2/14 Battalion Association does much to keep Kingsbury's memory alive. Kingsbury is remembered each year by children at Kingsbury primary school and Reservoir High school, the suburb where he grew up. The schools colours are those of the 2/14 battalion, yellow and blue. La Trobe University is located on Kingsbury Drive.

[@luciusesox1luckysox570]

Deary me. That is a story for sure. Doesn't matter what army this guy was from that was incredibly brave.

[@copferthat]

Well done Sid, we on here acknowledge your sacrifice for the freedom of Europe.

[@aegontargaryen9322]

What a courageous man . Thank you Sir , your sacrifice will never be forgotten

[@lesvosloo5797]

He will be remembered. He shall not grow old as the rest of us grow old. RIP. Your honour and bravery shall forever be remembered.

[@Hew.Jarsol]

The battle of Caen was key. Brits and Canadians were fighting all of the elite heavy SS Panzer divisions around Caen and beyond. 8 elite Panzer Divisions, 7 Infantry divisions, 3 Heavy Tank Battalions were sent to the British sector at Caen alone.

[@1977Yakko]

There are times when I hear a story about someone in the US Navy getting a Navy Cross, the medal just under the Medal of Honor for gallantry. and it's sometimes surmised that the individual so awarded would've gotten the Medal of Honor had they died in the action they were being recognized for. I'm not sure what the living or dead ratio is for being awarded the Victoria Cross or Medal of Honor but tragically, so very often, those two medals are awarded posthumously.

[@randommadness1021]

This channel should delve deep into the hundreds of VC's given out during WWII. No one knows most stories and every single one is incredible. Lest We Forget.

[@jgonzalez101]

Such a brave young man! Thank you so much for sharing this heroic story of valor!

[@28pbtkh23]

What an amazing story! An important section of the front saved by a single man. Of course, it’s too much to expect any British film-maker to produce a film or TV series that would show the exploits of our troops to a wider world. No, we can’t have that. So instead they make a second version of films about our defeats such as at Dunkirk and Arnhem. Prats.

[@H4CK61]

I concur. It sickens me that all you ever see is the Yanks winning the war in the most heroic way and we are a bumbling load of tea drinking idiots with no guts. We have been eradicated from history and we are being eradicated as a people now.

[@Bullet-Tooth-Tony-]

@28pbtkh23 I know right? Where are the films about El Alamein? Hill 112? St Nazaire Raid? Hell even Operation Compass!

[@28pbtkh23]

@@Bullet-Tooth-Tony- - I know. So many great stories waiting to be put on the screen.

[@pincermovement72]

@@Bullet-Tooth-Tony-They we’re done in the 50s when we were still allowed to have pride in being british, sadly that ain’t allowed now because it might upset the newcomers who are having our history rewritten to include them as the hero’s and us the villains .

[@Bullet-Tooth-Tony-]

@@28pbtkh23 If I could make a series like Band of brothers it would be on two units who saw more action in WW2 than any other allied unit.. the Royal Tank Regiment a long with the Durham Light infantry, between them they've got around 102 battle honours. Fought the Germans, Italians AND the Japanese.

[@notsobadkarma]

R.I.P. brave lad indeed

[@gunhojput]

Thank you liveth for evermore yet again another hero brought to light thank you for giving me the oppertunity to learn about and indeed remember another hero from the shores of england. thank you. love to all.

[@danielgreen3715]

Michael Reynolds Books are well worth reading and he covers the German view of the Battles in Normandy and elsewhere really well although you need a map to follow it all

[@richardthornhill4630]

Excellent usage of maps to show the battles and troop engagements. Thanks.

[@HankD13]

Fantastic. Keeping these memories alive, God Bless.

[@stuartkcalvin]

Keep 'em coming mate. Thanks.

[@robertsjw11]

Thanks for sharing another great story.

[@michaeld.4521]

Thank you for this.

[@peterhoughton3770]

Thanks for this story mate. And vale Sidney Bates - just one of many reasons why freedom was restored to Europe.

[@mancroft]

Excellent as usual. Thank you.

[@lex1945]

One in three have been killed in being awarded the Victoria Cross.

[@williamscottshelton945]

i would love to see you doing an episode about Lt Commander Bernard Roope commander of H.M.S. Glowworm

[@garynew9637]

Yes

[@petersymons4186]

My father was in the Wiltshire, Regiment, and he said the biggest battle was Mount Ping Kong. He survived the whole conflict right through until he got to Berlin.

[@mattclark3392]

It's spelt Mt Pincon, and pronounced 'panson'

[@robbabcock_]

Great video! There was some amazing heroism shown that day!

[@daffidkane8350]

Too many people today do not appreciate the sacrifice many young men made to preserve of rights and freedoms.

[@jimsmith9819]

these british and american heroes are never mentioned in the media we only hear about them on these sites

[@tectoramia-sz1lu]

A true hero in every sense of the word.

[@TOO_TALL305]

Visited his grave at Bayeux in 2018, was unable to visit him when i went this year for the 80th. Instead ill have a toast for him back home. God bless you Mr. Bates

[@colindebourg9012]

Thanks young fella, youre not forgotten.

[@neddyseagoon9601]

So many tales on both sides of incredible bravery. Where do such men come from?

[@aaroncanniford9237]

They should make a film about him an call bloody hero

[@garynew9637]

These stories of such bravery bring a tear to my eyes. God bless them all.

[@bepolite6961]

I believe his was one of two VC's won by the Royal Norfolks for that action.

[@evilstorm5954]

RIP Corporal Bates. You did your duty. Lest we forget.

[@brusselssprouts560]

What more can you say about selflessness like this. May he rise in glory!

[@ropeburnsrussell]

Livith forever more is right. Thankyou for telling his story.

[@bookaufman9643]

I think his Victoria Cross notation should have just read "killed a bunch of SS men." That is award worthy just in itself.

[@rumoursofwar4624]

I stumbled upon this young lads grave at Bayeaux CWGC Cemetery and was struck by the inscription from his parents. Hopefully his end was peaceful.

[@6pauljt]

Thanks for this great history lesson. Freedom was hard earned.

[@robincunningham529]

rest in peace Corporal Sidney Bates, A worthy recipient of the VC

[@Pomdownuder]

Cheers sid 🍻, rest easy lad, we've got it from here 🇬🇧

[@kenlandon7803]

Semper fi Corporal Sidney Bates.

[@MrJal67]

Our world is a better place because of the actions and sacrifices of young men like CPL Bates. May we be worthy someday of their sacrifices.

[@BasementEngineer]

You are insane or blind to believe that. The western world is going to hell in a hand basket.

[@markchapman2585]

Brave tough guys. Thank you for your service 🙏

[@daisyduke4246]

Sad loss to a very brave man

[@johnscrimgeour4888]

Again, individual bravery is inspiring but it was the advance of "The Pony Jocks" that turned the tide of the action.

[@pfcsantiago8852]

Not called the Iron division for nothing.

[@rolfagten857]

He was a British soldier with steel balls.

[@kimbo99]

Wondering what possesses someone to do such a suicidal thing ?

[@factsdontcareaboutyourfeel7204]

Wasnt it the 9th and 10th SS panzer divisions which the british airborne landed on at Arnhem

[@Lassisvulgaris]

Yes, it was. They were first mauled on the Eastern Front, then sent to France for rest and refit, but ended up in the Battle of Normandie. Then sent to the Netherlands. So at Arnhem, both units were quite reduced, but the problem was that Britidsh intelligence didn't acknowledge thei presence.

[@Bullet-Tooth-Tony-]

@@Lassisvulgaris But if they didn't know then why did the Paratroopers recieve 17 pounder anti tank guns when they went in?

[@HankD13]

@@Bullet-Tooth-Tony- Nobody really knows. The Airborne troops who survived Arnhem/Ootserbeek said they were never told about German armour, it was a total surprise to them - and if they had known they would have just packed their 17pdrs. The idea, the planning had begun way too long before the operation took place - and when it was planned there were no Panzer divisions. The knowledge, blurry recon photos came too late and were considered inconclusive. Still, with 30 Corps 10 miles from Arnhem on the morning of the 3rd day it should have been ok. Nijmegen Bridge and the delay in taking that was biggest single cause of failure. John Howard (of Pegasus Bridge) was horrified that coup-de-main parties did not land directly on, or very near the bridges.

[@Lassisvulgaris]

@@Bullet-Tooth-Tony- They expected to meet arrmour, but I guess these two Waffen SS divisions came in addition to the known local forces. Waffen SS were the best trained and equiped soldiers Germany had, so they added some punch....

[@MzLunaCee]

Air Landing Brigade had them as standard. @@Bullet-Tooth-Tony-

[@rainmanmainplan4421]

Thanks for the ultimate sacrifice you gave rest easy one of UK's heroes

[@LeveretteJamesClifford1955]

Hi, Corporal Bates did an amazingly heroic thing but I would imagine that becoming a hero was never on his mind, that it must have been a selfless act to protect as many of his fellow soldiers as possible first then show concern about the immediate situation. As individual soldiers in that war said over and over again, they had no idea what the overall situation was and thus their world revolved around what was happening around them. Im curious, I have read a lot of history about the fight by the British around Caen and beyond to Falaise as well as the Americans over to the west but I have not delved into any history about the army divisions of the invisible line between the British and Americans. In this you talk about American artillery. My little reading tells me it must have been the US 1st Division artillery but while writing this I did a little research and I cannot say for sure what American division would have been to the immediate west of the British.. Do you know any good source material for cooperation between the British and Americans because I am sure the Germans did not respect that invisible line, and may have tried to exploit it. Thank you.

[@jp-um2fr]

It's never been a good idea to really annoy a British soldier. Our heritage is mainly Northern Europe, and anyone who looks at a map will know how nasty that lot could be. We are a bunch of mongrels, and so many times fought to the last man. I'm the first of my family for hundreds of years not to have been wounded or killed. Thank God. Could I have done what Cpl Sidney did ? I very much doubt it, but you never know until it happens. R.I.P. Cpl Sidney.

[@kevinjohnston4512]

Rest in peace. Thank you sir

[@Bullet-Tooth-Tony-]

What a warrior. German tactics in France proved to be quite predictable. Kick the Germans off a hill or ridge, dig in, and then wait for the inevitable counter attacks. After the German II SS Panzer Corps failed to dislodge the British Second Army in Caen on July 1st, Von Rundstedt then phoned Berlin to report the failure, Chief of Staff Wilhelm Keitel asked, "What shall we do?", to which Von Rundstedt replied, "Make peace, you fools!"

[@markrobson8747]

God bless these men. My father would never take the war pension as he said"i never saw combat as these brave bastards did" yet as an airvraft inspector he was (AND I TRIED)ENTITLED .

[@stuartbennett7614]

British corporals the true fighting leaders , instructors , commanders , trained and tested ,this man is the epitome of that ethos rip and see you at the FRV .

[@James-nl6fu]

There's nothing as brave as an "ordinary" man at the critical moment who becomes a soldier

[@Gustavo-eu4xl]

Please mention some missions carried out by South American special operations forces such as Brazil, Colombia, Chile etc...

[@sof5858]

RIP Sidney 🙏🏻

[@dallasreid7755]

Wow.

[@TimBarnett-pl9kd]

I consider my dad in this worthy group, after joining Navy day after Pearl Harbor, volunteer for UDT underwater demolition teams becoming frogman from submarines, etc...! He was a great father, friend, scout master, an respected by all. But we all knew he was a trained killer! His deepest regret was joining military an not being able to finish High School an get educated! So he drilled that in me! I wound up with degree in Education teaching school an completing research study said to be unique too mankind!

[@MadderMel]

Wow !! I want to put flowers on that mans grave !!

[@paulharding1621]

RIP 🇬🇧

[@colinmartin2921]

Poor sod. Thank God he cannot see the state of the country today.

[@Geraldine-uk9jo]

There were a lot of people gave so much during the second world war and the first.....

[@heavenhellorhoboken7831]

RESPECT.

[@joaomaxado65]

I'm still surprised why some Man defies all odds and forget his own safety to save his Brothers in Arms !

[@victorthorn8967]

That is because when you have lived with men on an operational basis in some cases for years, they are no longer mates, they are brothers. Would you not do the same for your family?

[@joaomaxado65]

@@victorthorn8967 I already did. Thanks.

[@coleenallen5963]

Proper British good Lad so proud his parents must have been 😔

[@mollysimmer5230]

What a great man respect a real true Brit

[@LeonardGarcia-yn2ej]

EVERMORE ❤ Thank You; I’m Hooked; 5>⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!! 🍀❤🍀

[@ThePbird1]

I worked with both a Brit and a German in California. The German said Americans would give way strategically under a superior force but Brits would not back down. The Brit explained…our families were being bombed. It was really,really personal to us.

[@Bullet-Tooth-Tony-]

@ThePbird1 There was a quote by a German general that said "Once the British had got their teeth in, and had been in a position for twenty-four hours, it proved almost impossible to shift them. To counter-attack the British always cost us very heavy losses ."

[@lyndoncmp5751]

@wk2k11 Yes, that was by Gunther Blumentritt. He also said "The Americans attacked with zest, and had a keen sense of mobile action, but when they came under heavy artillery fire they usually fell back-even after they had made a successful penetration.""

[@AgentGB1]

He looks like a kid.....

[@robertthomas3777]

Our greatest generation. ‘Men of men’. Lest we forget. 🇦🇺🦘👍

[@michaeldoolan7595]

23 year old lad with 9 men under him holding the line. Picks up 30 lbs Bren gun plus at least six mags at 3 lbs each and charges down a gun postion. Today your average 23 year old is freaking out over pronouns.

[@harrylime8077]

Inspired by Sergeant York?

[@davidgaston738]

salute a hero

[@roberteatwell6827]

Jeremy Clarkson you ain't

[@ThePurpleLlamaGetsIt]

Salute

[@topsanger7219]

do Edward Chapman VC the dudes an OG rambo