Major Dick Winters on the Crossroads Assault (Band of Brothers)

[@MJ-it8ru]

This man went into a battle trance and got into a fight with an entire SS battalion. What a warrior

[@luketimewalker]

make that two batallions!

[@somerandom7458]

Oh yeah?! Two times in a row my MRE didn't have the milkshake that I wanted. War as hell.

[@barsoom43]

@@somerandom7458 LOL... You haven't lived until you have scraped the 1/2" of coagulated grease off the top of a can of roast beef with potatoes and gravy.. and eaten it cold..

[@altortugas5979]

Berserker mode

[@utha2665]

They said it was about 100 men, as cool as it is to say battalion, it wasn't. It was a company strength, roughly, a battalion is roughly 1000 men. In either case, one man facing off against a whole company is a hero in anyone's book. Huge respect for Major Winters, RIP.

[@rhoonah5849]

"He smiled and as he smiled, I shot him" Very powerful. Godspeed Major and see you on the other side.

[@benignobrionesiii]

Indeed. I always watched that scene and wondered why he smiled. The human mind. Mysterious.

[@hindolmondal]

@@benignobrionesiii perhaps the young German thought momentarily it like a hide and seek he played in his childhood time.. he got caught.. nobody will know the reason.. human mind..

[@thesaltyadept7104]

Im sure it was something along the lines of “well fuck”

[@MrJoebrooklyn1969]

When I first got to the Berlin Brigade, Iraq invaded Kuwait. I blew it off at first and didn't think anything of it until we started sending troops there. Then I thought, well, they wont send us there, we have to defend Berlin (even though the wall had already come down and Communism was collapsing). Then, after only 4 months they were going to deactivate my Battalion and send me to the 1st Infantry Division in Kansas. Again, I thought, well, just because I'm going to another unit doesn't mean that unit will be going to Iraq. I found out a few days later that they were going to Iraq. Then, I thought, well, by the time they transfer me there and I in process and then get sent to Iraq thr war will be over (keep in mind it hadn't started yet, the build up was still underway). After a few more days my Platoon Sgt. said that my orders were suspended and that I was going to be attached to the 3rd Armored Division and that I'd be in Saudi Arabia by Christmas. I suddenly screamed out yahoo!! Like I was happy and excited and I still don't know why because I wasn't happy and excited. Maybe it was just the relief of the anxiety of not knowing. But yes, the mind if funny.

[@aBlueMoon91]

My thought was that he perhaps thought at first glance it was a fellow German soldier , not expecting the Americans to just pop out from behind .

[@3155DOGMAN]

Hell of a man he should have been awarded the Medal Of Honor.

[@randomlyentertaining8287]

Major Winters is buried in a cemetery in a town on my way to and from work. I stopped by and paid my respects. The cemetery is open to the public and isn't shy about directing you right to this American hero.

[@fergusonto-2032]

Where’s Mr Winters buried ?

[@arkbuilder2012]

This series of interviews is so important and gives a glimpse into why they were called the “greatest generation”. Hero doesn’t come close to describing Maj. Winters. May he RIP and his memory always honored.

[@hdjono3351]

I was thinking how lucky we are to be able to see this interview and get a glimpse into what these men went through. Truly awe inspiring too say the least!

[@ulovemymum2963]

Agreed 👍 these soy boy bags of piss that are being born today don’t even come close to the stature of guys like this

[@mastro4886]

@@ulovemymum2963 we Americans will always rise to the occasion.

[@ulovemymum2963]

@@mastro4886 I’m glad to hear that ! Maybe you should bring that attitude to the Uk and sort these muppets out 👍

[@ulovemymum2963]

@@peppermintpiece512 brah what ? I’ve said nothing that isn’t true

[@jamesmurray7042]

This is incredible footage. That statement, that the person you are talking to now is not the same man that lead that assault, is simple but profound. And it's leadership like this that wins wars, one skirmish at a time.

[@ReveredDead]

When he passed away. We lost a national treasure.

[@spanqueluv9er]

^*When he passed away, we lost a national treasure. Fixed it.🙄🤦‍♂️

[@ReveredDead]

@@spanqueluv9er That's fucking cute. Give yourself a pat on the back.

[@spanqueluv9er]

These men didn’t die so you could be an unrestrained ignoramus.🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

[@spanqueluv9er]

@@ReveredDead That’s pure bullshyt. Give yourself a ride in a running wood chipper.🖕

[@newman793]

That is a really stupid thing to say, A national treasure?

[@Stonewall29]

Talbort who Winters said was the perfect soldier, once wrote Winters a letter decades later saying how amazing it was was to see Winters do this. Etched in his memory forever he said

[@joeltysver6811]

Truly one of the greatest men who has ever lived. R.I.P. Major Winters. What an example of real bravery.

[@andaimhineach4131]

And dignity.

[@mach1gtx150]

In the movie, he was almost portrayed as someone who had some protective energy field around him, maybe that he couldn't get hit. My father was in WWII and at Pork Chop Hill in Korea and he spoke of this brave Sergeant that behaved the same way, like he couldn't get hit. And Dad said "You know what, he never did".

[@luketimewalker]

touched by divine Grace.

[@travishanson4729]

George Washington was the same way. The Indians were in awe of him because they couldn't kill him. They assumed he was protected by God and was not to be trifled with. (French and Indian war)

[@quack_stack]

Makes me think of Kilgore in Apocalypse Now. "He was one of those guys that had that weird light around him. You just knew he wasn't going to get so much as a scratch here."

[@lastEvergreen]

Winters did get hit in the leg in the attack on Carantan.

[@smeeglesapprentice1468]

He had some mojo going on. In his book he writes about getting the tactical solutions to the next day's combat **in his dreams** while he was sleeping. Amazing.

[@snapmalloy5556]

One of the greatest scenes from the mini series is that opening scene from that episode, Winter's point of view as he runs over open ground, listening to his breathing. It was gut wrenching

[@ghand6158]

I remember this episode distinctly; I was an officer in the Army, though not in infantry. I tried to determine what I would have done in the battle scenes but this one- I don't believe I would have come up with it. The right man, the right time and the right place in history.

[@snapmalloy5556]

@ghand6158 Well said. I believe in post war interviews one of his men said he just never made bad decisions. Certain men are born for certain things and Winters was born for this.

[@DonaldMcNuGGeT]

@@ghand6158you never served and never were an officer anywhere. How do I know ? Bc all of your wording 😂😂😂😂 nobody calls themself an officer 😂😂😂

[@ghand6158]

@CheetosKarma wow. you got me! my family's military service goes back to the Spanish American War. my dad served in the Coast Giard for 26 years. I suppose it was someone else he gave the oath of office to when he swore in his son as a 2LT in the Air Defense Artillery branch of the Army. Must have been someone entire other than me who separated in 1995 as a Captain. thanks for the fact checking

[@DonaldMcNuGGeT]

@@ghand6158 let’s not forget I forgot I’m in the military myself & im laughing at your pathetic reply bc it’s embarrassing 😭😭🤣🤣🤣

[@Whitpusmc]

Very glad the record was cleared on Private Blithe. I imagine his family was a bit upset at his treatment in BoB. Fear is nothing to be ashamed of, it’s natural and the guy did j7mp out of an airplane at night into a combat situation and get shot at, there is plenty there to be afraid of.

[@HK-qj4im]

Blyth went on to volunteer for Korea.. Make a parachute jump in that war. Earning the Bronze and Silver star. 👍

[@LukeBrinkerhoff]

See I never thought anything worse of him since the conveyed that he got over his fear, but then I thought he died as well, not sure if I missed something, been a while since I watched the show(never read the book) but yeah I just seen that he did survive then went on to Korea.

[@oscarjohnson2130]

Actually I read that Blithe's son personally thanked Mark Rollins for the portrayal of his father and said the performance was spot on. As for what they thought of the closing credits on that episode, I have no idea

[@spanqueluv9er]

They didn’t mistreat the memory of Blithe- they all thought he died until he showed up at a reunion.🙄🤦‍♂️

[@MajorCaliber]

Be it WW2, Korea, or Vietnam, when you strip away Hollyweird hype, and delve into actual after-action reports, you find--consistently--that in a pinned-down firefight scenario, only 15-20% of troops are actively returning fire, without the Senior NCO or platoon-leader/Lt. getting right in their face. With elite paratroopers the percentage is probably a bit higher, but still less than half.

[@merrylmarsh9037]

This grand old soldier shows honesty and humility. By his own admission he had never experienced that sensation previously nor since and would never want to. His generosity in recounting these details has to be fully appreciated. Here he seems to expose things that previously were known to only him and God. We salute you Major Winters.

[@harvickfan100]

To be able to a have a memory like his all those years later is incredible. No wonder he was promoted time and again. Not only for bravery and leadership but for his intelligence. You can just tell by listening to him that he is a very well rounded smart man. Street smarts and books smarts.

[@andromidius]

Incredibly humble too. So humble he doesn't even remark on praise - usually someone will overcompensate by saying something like "oh no, not at all" but he just takes it without comment, waits for an actual chance to speak and then speaks. Very matter of factly, no bluff or bluster.

[@tolitsdterrible4785]

"He smiles.. and as he smiles, I shot him". That's one of the most strange and chilling statements I've heard about combat.

[@cheydinal5401]

I think the German soldier was thinking basically "Oh man, I literally thought this might happen but ignored the possibility, how foolish of me". Genuinely finding something funny is a great short-term coping mechanism when something feels bad, or when you made a silly mistake, as endorphins that you release when you find something funny are literally painkillers (use the same receptors) and soothe you, make you at ease and calm. That was probably one of the go-to coping mechanisms he had in life in general when he realized something bad had happened to him, rather than get angry or despair. It's a healthy way to deal with things, espepcially when you know something is out of your hands anyway I think he was genuinely at peace in that moment and just laughed at the silly mistake he just made in this "game" that is the slaughterhouse of war (probably not so much at peace anymore when he got hit by the bullet, but still). I think he and Winters shared a genuine moment of "Oh, ok, this is kind of silly, how dumb of me" as if they had played a game, genuinely connecting as human beings, explaining why Winters genuinely smiled when he thought about it

[@remcoblom9932]

I'm (still) so impressed by Major Dick Winters after reading his book over and over again. His self-reflection and reasoning about things that happend are so heroic. And see him talking in vids like this makes it more tangible. There is one sentence I will never forget and was in one of the interviews of Band of Brothers. He talked about a conversation with his grandchild: "Grandpa, were you a hero in the war?' Grandpa said, 'No, .... but I served in a company of heroes.” It still makes my eyes flow water like oceans. Dear Dick Winters, the world thanks you and your men for all efforts bringing us peace and freedom. Rest in peace

[@synthrunner4244]

What I love about him is he's pretty honest about what he was feeling at times, not hiding behind a macho attitute or something like that.

[@Strathclydegamer]

Only thing to add to this is that the quote is actually from a letter written to Winters by Mike Ranney (portrayed by Stephen Graham). I was touched by the quote but more relieved to hear the letter came from Ranney as I don’t remember seeing much of him in the show after the first few episodes, and I’d presumed he’d been killed at some point. Thankfully not and he lived to share those memories with Major Winters, Ranney died of a heart attack in 1988.

[@Rkitt8]

“The man that was standing up there on the dike, is not the man you’re talking to today” Wild. Maj. Richard Winters was a true warrior and leader.

[@hermitrob5481]

Is there any greater example of a man, an "American Man" than this outstanding human being?? Just humbled every time I listen to this great man. Just amazing

[@p4pking393]

the 'winters' of pennsylvania are....german settlers

[@hermitrob5481]

@@p4pking393 Lol, as is much of Lancaster County. What does that have to do with being American?

[@TestMarksman]

General Ulysses Grant is on his level or maybe even higher

[@Snuschips]

That poor german, war is hell. Like Shifty said: A lot of those soldiers-well, I’ve thought about this often-that man and I might have been good friends. We might’ve had a lot in common. He might have liked to fish. He might have liked to hunt. ‘Course, they was doing what they was supposed to do, and I was trying to do what I was supposed to do. But under different circumstances we might have been good friends.

[@patrickh4540]

He might also be the brother of the German who fired the V2 rockets on Antwerp at the end of the war, killing half of my family.

[@allbies]

@@patrickh4540 Far less likely than the alternative mentioned. Not to mention one mans sins don't transfer to another just because of a family tie.

[@GTReplayMaster]

@@patrickh4540 Does vengeance ever justify war? Does killing someone responsible for your loss make up for that? Will it alleviate your pain? Justice should be served, but at what cost? Our own humanity? There's a reason we don't execute entire armies for being responsible for the suffering and pain of others. Destruction only brings misery.

[@Pacheenee7]

There were Germans and there were SS. That man was evil, so no "poor german"

[@rickwalker2]

@@Pacheenee7 you know many of the SS were conscripts by that stage of the war? I even think the specific SS divisions in Holland during Op Market Garden were mainly conscripts. The Germans were desperate in ‘44, even forcing young men from occupied Europe (except the Poles) into the SS too. The Officers and NCO’s were usually Nazi’s but the soldiers not always.

[@frankmagaro6686]

I just found out Maj. Winters lived and passed in a town I lived in and now a neighboring town Campbelltown Pa! I have such pride knowing I from where he is from!

[@philstone2627]

As a vet I would follow this man thru hell.R.I.P. major winters

[@jeffreyevans6892]

I concur.!

[@chronic2001n]

Thank you for your service, sir.

[@andyakers4329]

I would too brother!

[@spanqueluv9er]

🙄🙄🙄To all of you.🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

[@sharonwhiteley6510]

He deserved the MEDAL OF HONOR

[@gliblyaware]

He was "in the zone".. This dude was in the zone more than he's willing to admit. Absolute stud.

[@mattw337]

Can you imagine the thoughts this man had when he was in his 40's and 50' sittin under a shade tree with a glass of sweet tea. Reflections of times past become very vivid and lucid in those moments. Bless this man.

[@MarloMaravillas]

"He smiled...and as he smiled, I shot 'em." Boy, could have been a Johnny Cash song.

[@cardboardconflicts]

Damn…war and what these men did is almost unbelievable

[@amarbaha]

I'm sure he lived with that smile everyday of his life. He did what he had to do not because he wanted to do it. The world doesn't make men like this anymore.

[@conmcgrath7502]

@@amarbaha I disagree, there will only ever be one Major Winters but there are plenty of young men and women coming along that might fit into his shoes, I think he would welcome it. It's wrong to slam an entire generation and say they aren't good enough, yeah they were, they just didn't have to prove it thanks to the efforts and sacrifice of men like Major Winters. My mother is 92 (bless) and she has nothing but contempt for the 'young ones that think they know it all', I'm 57 and I don't know it all either but I have excellent nephews and one niece, they're good people. I trained full contact for more than 25 years, I paid my dues in blood and sweat and broken bones, I have never been to war, thankfully But you can be sure, if I had to go to war, even now at my advanced age, it would not be good for the enemy. If I 'joined up' the nephews would probably follow and being younger and fitter, possibly would have a better chance to survive than me. My point? There was only one Major Winters but the world holds more like him, we have to hope they don't get to prove it the hard way. Pax dude.

[@TheCoupe06]

@@conmcgrath7502 Amen! Too many these days, have forgotten that 5 years after the end of WW2 came Korea. Then, in '65, came the 'Nam. And heroes in each of those conflicts, whose heroes were standard bearers of excellence and courage from conflicts and generations that came before them. Free people raise up this kind of character, from generation to generation. Amen?

[@conmcgrath7502]

@@TheCoupe06 Amen to that, from generation to generation, sometimes bravery just gets passed down the line, it's literally 'in a family' as much a part of your blood as your ability to talk, I don't know anybody who has ever reckoned when they first started speaking, it seems like the proper thing to do but I am rendered speechless thinking about the men that Major Winters led, what a bunch? Let me reply before anybody tosses a grenade this way, seriously good dudes, I have called you 'dudes' just to annoy you, that's right, ye were brilliant but now there is a new brilliant, thank you so very much, we've got this.

[@thekameleon9785]

We in the Netherlands will not forget this Hero

[@8triagrammer]

John McPhee (ex Delta Force) talked about this state of mind - it's basically when the subconscious part of the brain takes over. It has a much much higher processing speed than the conscious mind, and because of that time seems to slow down.

[@bristolconchord]

The "Sword Song" - same effect - different age - but it's the same.

[@andydudley1775]

im sure this mental state is what they prepare you for in trainning and it takes over .this is what saved his life and the fact he was one man had them by surprize and shocked in reaction.

[@The.Original.Potatocakes]

If you ever played sports and your in a critical situation this also happens. The audio in head goes blank, it’s just you and your heartbeat.

[@andromidius]

I've had this experience a few times in different situations. When in danger everything slows down and you can think about every action before you do it. I've had it happen when falling over, as an example - realising I was going down and figuring out that I can grab something near me to reduce the impact, feeling the pain in my fingers as I ripped my nails on a fence but gripping hard so I didn't smack my head. Also had it while passing out another time, though that was much weirder as it felt like I was falling into a pitch black pit for hours on end until I figured out I needed to breath - apparently I'd only been 'out cold' for a second. I imagine when in a combat situation like that its heighted to a massive degree, and combined with training and experience everything becomes automatic and you're just a spectator.

[@rg20322]

@@The.Original.Potatocakes Yup - absolutely it is real.

[@gordonblank6845]

What an honorable man. He and I grew up in the same hometown. In 2015 I went to pay my respects to him and went to the Cemetary where he’s buried. I came to attention, saluted him and left a piece of petrified wood ( I’m from Arizona) on his marker. What an honor.

[@segads]

I care, thanks for sharing

[@saturnosiris1221]

It never ceases to amaze me how people will always try to find a way to make your life as miserable as their's is. Your story was fine brother and just ignoring jerks that would never speak to someone's face the way their cowardice asses do in the comments section is the only way to deal with them.

[@eileendover3938]

I care. Ignore the troll. Thank you for sharing your story.

[@Youp1e]

I also care, trolls to be ignored.

[@jackfahy2283]

Great way of paying tribute to a hero.

[@TheJeffro451]

His recollections are delivered with such clarity one has to imagine that he has replayed these memories in his mind thousands of times, over and over…never ending.

[@larryo6874]

I believe he said in one of his interviews that he relives parts of WW2 every day.

[@danielgawelczyk4695]

Every time I watch and listen too MEN like this I start to cry and I am not the crying type of guy. So I asked myself, Why? And I think its because we have sunk so far as a nation and MEN like this are just a thing of the past.... I salute you Maj. Dick Winters

[@Robbo1966]

So true, when you look around now at the 5 minute, social media, wannabe's. Major Winters was the real deal

[@eikoGoldstein]

Men like Winters are rare. But don't despair. They are still among us. They are out doing their jobs every day. They are rare. But they are there.

[@eikoGoldstein]

A larger question is: What is the caliber of the men at the top? In a democracy, we elect the people who make the decisions on how to deploy and support the guys who actually do the fighting, the people like Winters. Are we led by the best or by donkeys?

[@danielgawelczyk4695]

@@eikoGoldstein Sadly folks have forgotten that America is a REPUBLIC. Not to mention pretty much every criminal politician has been compromised and America is being governed by corrupt criminal politicians who could care less about you and me. THEY only care about themselves and the AGENDA to DIVIDE & CONQUER our country.

[@ruud1223]

Thank you for sharing this video, I visited last Sunday the battlefield where this happened in Holland. Seeing the battlefield today (which didn't change that much from 1944) and the way Dick Winters ran across the field and took out some many enemies is absolutely incredible.

[@23Lazz]

Wow, where exactly is this field?

[@solomongrundy1467]

​@@23Lazz There's a video on KZbin that shows the field and gives the location of it.

[@DeclanShanahan-f7g]

Absolute legend of a man. The US army were lucky to have him. That generation were the greatest.

[@sickfarce6275]

With this background information the scene in the series makes a lot more sense to me. Because how it was portraid I always found it to be overly-heroic and with a lot of pathos that reminded me of old war movies. One US-Hero vs. many SS-Soldiers seems implausible. But with an understanding of the extreme adrenaline rush were everything seems to move in slow motion (a state which we all know to some degree) he was experiencing, his strain and determination and the huge luck he had in that moment (coming up behind the enemy; careless guard), that scene makes more sense. Great clip, great man. Deep respect and gratefulness from a guy whos grandfathers and uncles were on the receiving end of men like Winters.

[@joshuacollins9346]

I'm not sure how you would have depicted that without it seeming silly, unless you had Winters explain it to someone afterwards. But yeah, this makes a lot more sense than the delayed smoke grenade.

[@tomsampson8084]

He really should have received the Congressional Medal of Honor.

[@thomast8539]

Why would you doubt it? This was already halfway into the series. Did you also doubt the attack on the four guns at Brecourt Manor or Spiers running across Foy and back again? Come on. Plus, Tom Hanks directed this episode. Would he have allowed it if it wasn't true? Nope.

[@luketimewalker]

I salute you from across the Rhine.

[@fourieorama]

There is a chapter in Blink by Malcom Gladwell where policemen who were involved with a shootout explains how they experienced that situation. The explanation they gave is very similar to what Winters explains here.

[@djbabbotstown]

When I watched this episode my first through was they fucked the accuracy by having him just stand there exposed dropping magazines. For dramatic effect. He actually did that 😮

[@HK-qj4im]

Clips! Clips! Words are important. M1 Garand uses clips

[@TheCoupe06]

@@HK-qj4im Thanks for that, HK... 'Big difference between 8-rds and 20(at a minimum).

[@murphytaco7484]

@@HK-qj4im M1 uses enbloc’s not clips.

[@kwiklot5114]

@@murphytaco7484 it’s an enbloc clip

[@kevinc8387]

@@HK-qj4im the m1 enbloc is a clip. I agree words are important. It's not a stripper clip but an enbloc clip.

[@72mossy]

It was just pure Adrenaline I'd say. What a brave man and great officer he was.

[@HK-qj4im]

That's what I thought. The Zone that some athletes talk about. When I was young.. I had a similar experience in a fight.. Part of our design. Fight or flight

[@TheCoupe06]

@@HK-qj4im Let's not forget the TRAINING... Training with their weapons; Jump/Airborne training, land navigation training, communications and tactics, etc. Leadership has a training aspect too. By example...not just pure adrenaline.

[@budmeister]

And the release of ATP in the muscles can make you go faster than you ever thought you could be.

[@rathachuob2914]

@@HK-qj4im it’s also happened to me when I was 15 years old kid. When a stray dog chasing me and I ran so fast in my life that I ever will. Not to mention that I can jump over a 5 meters wide of the canal to get a way from that dog. For 30 minutes after that, I can’t even stand or walk. Fight or Flight…

[@philb.6418]

I can't even add anything nearly as awesome and legendary as this, but that dude asked about changing clips automatically....that one thing I have experienced...in Iraq in 2004....I remember jumping out the driver's seat of our HMMWV guntruck as my Gunner engaged...I got leaned over the hood and started firing my SAW....the belt broke...I thought holy shit I need to change that...I backed up and looked down as I was slapping the feed tray shut...I didn't even realize how far I got into that process before I realized it. Adrenaline is a helluva thing. Not even near what this man has done but I understand what he meant about doing it automatically

[@ds2jim]

that part, about the German smiling, always struck me in the series. it's so sad that he had to be shot, but that's the nature of war. I wouldn't want to have been in Major Winters' shoes on that one. what a great man.

[@FullTimeHypocrite]

wouldnt be so quick to give an SS trooper the benefit of the doubt just because he smiles. He couldve just been rounding up some jews and the memory popped into his mind when he saw Winters.

[@colelawton4901]

@@FullTimeHypocrite tf lmfao who said anything about SS? He wasn't SS

[@FullTimeHypocrite]

@@colelawton4901 tf lmao. @0:23 '100 SS troops' maybe you should learn to listen. Its an underrated quality.

[@brownsey1]

@@FullTimeHypocrite At this stage of the war he might not have been a volunteer. The Waffen SS were using conscripts by 1943 I believe. Not trying to excuse anything committed by the organisation, the Heer is equally culpable in much of it too, but he may not have been the fanatical SS we sometimes envisage.

[@billyaxiotis6376]

You know them days haunted him his whole life. You can tell by his body language it did. These men seen horrors that are allmost unimaginable.. REST IN VALHALLA MAJOR WINTERS..

[@MichaelSmith-hk2eu]

This man was an absolute hero. By far the greatest generation. They don’t make men like him anymore. Wish I could have met him before he passed. Thank you sir for all you did for us.

[@brandonthompson8411]

I have never been a soldier but I have read all of Dick Winters memoirs and they have influenced me in my life to an extent that I can’t describe, thank you Mr. Winters.

[@joegoodman4312]

The last 5 seconds are so poignant and tragic.

[@TMConstructionOntario]

This man gives me so much motivation in life... thank you for everything sir and I hope you are finally resting in peace with your men.

[@breadwineandsong4014]

"...and as he smiled I shot him." That sounds cruel, but I have no doubt that saved not only his life, but those of his men considering he had no time to think, and that number of Germans was not going to throw up their arms against one man to surrender. Winters had an absolutely amazing--uncanny--battle prudence and ability to assess a situation and act correctly instantly.

[@Ryan_hey]

I think it also reveals something profound about the soldier he shot. What it is exactly, I don't know, but for a person to go from shock to contentment as they realize they will soon die shows something about how they wanted to go out.

[@Mrafael52]

@@Ryan_hey He smiled because the thing he was looking at was peace.

[@SherLock55]

​@@Mrafael52Who knows why he smiled, might have just thought he was a comrade, or maybe he thought smiling would save him, or maybe yeah he thought finally it's all over. Who the fuck knows.

[@caleshriver134]

What an absolutely amazing human being. RIP sir.

[@vitesse_arnhem]

All Lives Matter Winters helped Keep America Great

[@RobAlberto_4]

He remembers and describes the adrenaline state so vividly. He barely remembers the actual events. The one memory is the face of the boy he will killed. Like with the adrenaline it was such a foreign alien state. I imagine that’s why he “never wants to feel that again”. The Major did heroic things. But that’s one of the many reasons he never considered himself a hero. He was forced to do things only monsters do. And hero’s are not monsters. Powerful stuff

[@thomasfucillo]

Reminds me of the Odyssey or the Iliad and how some men grew larger than life on the battlefield. Imagine Major Winters with a sword and shield in the same battle trance, experiencing reality faster than everyone else, cutting through terrified, inconsequential men trying to get away, and what you’ve got is an Achilles or Hector. Reality is much weirder than we give it credit for and not as much has changed since ancient times as we think.

[@adrianotero7963]

These recollections are priceless.......even better than the movie.....and told by the actual man.. Just imagine interviewing Audie Murphy about To Hell And Back .......evey time I watch Band Of Brothers and come up on this scene.. I remember this talk and the German smile....RIP Mr Winters....

[@ctcollinthib]

What an articulate, objective, and humble way to describe an action one took so long ago that it might as well have been another man standing in your boots. God Bless him.

[@brianmungermusic1744]

American spirit is still strong. Some off us feel Major Winters strength while hearing his memories. I myself will never forget and will live with that American spirit till I’m gone !!!

[@FullTimeHypocrite]

I just love the band of brothers series. Thank you for your service. Cheers from germany.

[@serich9722]

He was still as sharp as a tack!! Remembered everything. True hero.

[@craignutter8744]

my grandpa is 96 now and has parkinsen still he can tell his heroic stories fighting the japenese on sipain

[@thomast8539]

So were Malarkey and Lipton.

[@prestigious5s23]

Hard to believe what the eyes of those men have seen. If only we could replay it! I'm not sure we'll ever see men quite like them ever again in this world.

[@MrProngytung]

Had a relative in Europe in WW2. For two years after he came home, he would duck under open windows and jump or run across open doors or spaces between buildings. What he saw was enough for him to do that two years after he left Europe. He knew he was home. He knew the war was over. Didn't matter. That's what kept you alive.

[@evaabdullahi5240]

They were made for such a time as this…

[@ronhalas4475]

We desperately need men like this leading today.RIP MAJOR AND ALSO MY GRANDFATHER

[@TheCoupe06]

@RonHalas We already do. If you've been paying attention, they're deployed to Kabul Airport, and we lost a few. Give them some credit, why don't you! And their families, too...

[@ronhalas4475]

@@TheCoupe06 sorry to offend. I talking about top brass not our brothers in arms

[@GeoValyy]

Today's society is killing the spirit in men. The moment a man stands up for what is right, the moment he shows authority, the moment he is brave and stands his ground, he will be put down by the society. Feminism, LGBT, BLM and so on, will put you down for being a Man. We got terms like toxic masculinity, we get raped in the divorce court every year, everywhere in the world. The world was different then. Now you are risking your freedom for being a Man and not a bitch. We are all products of your societies, of our system. If we don't have men like this anymore, it's because of the sick societies we live in today. Everyone just simply obeys.

[@6gunbeaufordiii514]

we do have men like this leading today...unfortunately the upper leadership is the problem

[@TheCoupe06]

@@6gunbeaufordiii514 The "problem" comes from people who talk out of their asses by way of pure conjecture and personal opinion, often with hardly any first-hand experience, but mostly with no other agenda than creating chaos, and subverting confidence in the leadership structure that has defended this country since Yorktown - with blood. Has it been a perfect structure? Don't be ridiculous. There isn't, nor has there ever been a "perfect" leadership structure among mortals anywhere on the planet. But there have ALWAYS been committed, devoted, selfless souls doing the very best they know how...even to the point of sacrificing their own lives, for the greater good. Not for scoring personal "points" with cheap shots against human efforts that are every bit as fallible as they are themselves.

[@jmaj4521]

I feel so privileged to have the oppprtunity to witness this interview, albeit a few year late. "It's a memory worth sharing with you..." What a precious video

[@JKM395]

Every memory of that man is worth sharing.

[@LudiCrust.]

@3:00 that’s what I call being in the zone. I’ve only ever felt it once myself and will never feel it again. Looking back at it it scares the living hell out of me and I think Maj. Winters feels the same way based on what he says here. It’s scary because you KNOW you were caught up in the moment and could’ve very easily been killed. It’s along the lines of “what the hell was I thinking?!”. Listening to him talk about it gives me anxiety.

[@majormackenzie834]

Be real and honest , brave and having a grief heart towards the young he killed

[@thomaszaleski889]

One of the finest officers in the history of the army

[@PTinsman22]

One of the greatest examples of “The Greatest Generation”.

[@billyaxiotis6376]

Rest in peace.. His speech at end made me cry like baby in BOB..

[@rastusdarklord4325]

These are superb interviews... so who the heck doesn't "like" them... and why? It's got me beat

[@matteowatteo1296]

RIP Major Winters. A grateful nation will always respect you, honor you and remember you. Thank you for bearing witness.

[@travisg5455]

Winters adrenal glands said "kill everything".

[@avelinaosborne32]

Hester Roofing, Sac ca. I worked there for many years and had no idea what this man had done. They came home and went about their lives like everyone else. But we now see how exceptional they really were. Thanks for the job and thanks for all you did for freedom.

[@diogenes5381]

The thumbs up removers just might be able to do so because brave & courageous men like Mr. Winters preserved their right to do so by stopping an enemy that would probably kept them from being born! Stupidity reveals itself by a lack of appreciation.

[@tsy0704]

Thank you for posting this. This man was a special breed, epitomises everything it is to be a leader. Great man.

[@haroldfiedler6549]

Winters was a piss poor leader in letting his men murder German prisoner after prisoner.

[@faustinusangmortey212]

He was in the zone, entered flow state where everything slows down.

[@mbee1337]

the last few sentences about the first german soldier confront, that smiled because he got him cold handed - gave my goosebumps

[@mjhopgoodswe]

He was in the zone. Happens in sports. Michael Jordan talks about it often. Big difference is that he was in a life and death situation.

[@fvike]

Mean Joe Greene talked about it too. He said people who talk about "being in the zone (regularly)" is talking bullshit. If you're lucky, you might visit the zone once or twice in your career. It's an rare occurance.

[@mjhopgoodswe]

@@fvike That is probably true. I don't know how many times it happened to Michael Jordan, but he is the bball GOAT so... more than once Inwould imagine.

[@jeremymendoza1465]

It's a combat high from all the adrenaline

[@saturatedbrownie8048]

I was nearly stabbed in the face once and what he described is exactly how i felt. I was very lucky.

[@luketimewalker]

@@saturatedbrownie8048 whoa

[@Zombie-fb5zf]

What a legend amazing to hear it in his own words truly awe inspiring

[@australianmade2659]

I was born just in time (70s) to walk alongside these giants. Now I look around and think “for what”. Men who had nothing gave everything. Today Men who have everything give nothing.

[@markthomas6436]

Not all. Read the MOH citations of brave men most recently in Afghanistan and Iraq campaigns.

[@williamfeldner9356]

Well said, being born in 1954 I was related to, was taught by and worked for these giants of men. Truly the Greatest Generation! And to see today what kind of men we have running the USA Today is truly disheartening……

[@stark1987]

"everyone was moving so slow", incredibly profound, for a warrior that must be enlightenment

[@ginogina4589]

The description of the troops around him “moving slow” is a common experience when super activated. Time and movement slow, hearing diminishes, and field of vision narrows. We are wired for it. Its part of our protective response to high threat.

[@JanisDavis-b8v]

This man always was first into a fight. He led his men with great bravery and they thought very highly of him. He was a true soldier and should have got the medal of honour. 101st Airbourne are a special group of men. God Bless them and thank you. 🇺🇸🇬🇧

[@anuteamsterium]

I find it the most haunting moment in the entire series. Something in the young German soldier's face is the recognition that this other young man, about to take his life, is also in some mysterious way, his brother. A strange acknowledgement upon facing death of their mutual humanity. How terrible that from time immemorial young men have been sent to do this to other young men not so different than themselves. A theme beautifully explored in the Netflix production of the classic, All Quiet on the Western Front.

[@milcoltove]

Damn" that moment was captured on the movie was priceless.

[@rickerhart907]

In that moment the adrenaline rush turned him into a hypercharged Superman capable of doing anything

[@haroldfiedler6549]

Including murdering a boy who wasn't even pointing his gun at him.

[@ikoikoni]

@@haroldfiedler6549 Unless the soldier surrendered he is still considered a combatant. He is a soldier not a cop, he didn't need cause to shoot.

[@Micktaylor66]

I wish I could have a conversation with this man, I have so many questions.

[@inscrutianaII]

I remember running through these with some folks in '02 after they'd cycled back, still half out of their minds from it all and figuring out whether to call it quits or do it again. It would have been unthinkable that it'd still be going on for another twenty years. It became something altogether different.

[@Mod-rw9cw]

This is a man and what all of us should use as a catalyst to judge ourselves.

[@philipprice171]

There are very few individuals who react this way in extremely stressful situations. Most, and this is not to critisise them, would fumble and fire wildly. People like Major Winters actually take in what is in front of them and essentially achieve a trance like state of mind. They remain calm and deliberate and can perform in super stress situations. They often do not know they have this ability until it is called on. Hence their surprise and incomprehension after the event. It's hard wired in their DNA. RIP Major.

[@Mrafael52]

Holy shit.

[@mitchellfelder2420]

Thank you for your service.

[@andrewmallard2301]

Such a wonderful man. Sad he and so many of his BoBs are no longer with us.

[@natedizzle2321]

He smiled because he know winters got the best of him. Similar to how one smiles when they lose to their opponent at a game of chess. The “you got Me” smirk

[@noodlecompany8123]

I wish we had this kind of leadership when I was on active duty

[@ChristianMoroyoqui]

People was just built different back then, so humble and grateful for their sacrifice.

[@ThatBoyAintRight71]

"...and as he smiled, I shot him." Imagine living and reliving that little horror of war.

[@denniswofford]

Maj. Winter's description of the slow motion sensation sounds alot like temporal distortion. In ultra-high stress/life threatening situations, the human mind perceives the passage of time differently. I heard a fighter pilot describe his ejection from a disabled jet that was hurtling toward the ground. He said that once he perceived the urgent need to get out of the airplane and he reached for the ejection handle, everything seemed to slow down and take much longer than it should have, to the point that he feared he would hit the gournd before his chute deployed. From his frame of reference the ejection sequence was taking tens of seconds, when in actuality, the whole event, from pulling the handle to getting a full parachute lasted less than five seconds. This is the same type of scenario you hear from people involved in car accidents, near drownings, etc. They speak of everything seeming to happen in slow motion.

[@your_royal_highness]

Having been to Normandy this summer I REALLY turned into a D-Day buff. More like an obsessive. I bought as many books as I could, especially of the 101st. There were A LOT of single-handed actions more than deserving of the MoH that day and throughout the Normandy campaign. I do not how long it will take to get to more detailed stories of Holland, etc. To be perfectly candid, Winters deserved many medals. My understanding is the crossroads did not get him ANY medal, which is mind boggling. But, the same could be said for others. I believe there were many, many Dick Winters in that war and each had a special quality that made them do what I would consider the unthinkable.

[@geraldcullen6737]

The people who knew these band of brothers are very fortunate

[@vanessadebrino7231]

The experience he's referring to sounds like what medieval warriors would describe when they would clash swords. It's like everything is in slow motion and they see and feel everything around them.

[@0num4]

Profound in his descriptions and their simplicity.

[@henrylant7049]

While the USA has some of the world's best trained officers, I do believe all officers when in military school, should be required to read about Dick Winter's combat experience. The man was a walking textbook of how to be a leader of men. Extremely disciplined, extraordinarily tactile, and most of all - he won the hearts and minds of the men in his company. RIP to an American hero, even though he was too modest to call himself one.

[@shauno7582]

Maj Winters had his own “max payne“ experience! Tapped into his adrenaline line and kept it open for as long as required.

[@rfd74105]

That last part made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

[@jamescanterbury6634]

He deserved a medal of honor

[@anthonyfuqua6988]

Until the wars in Iraq and Afganistan, it took something like jumping on a grenade to get a Medal of Honor.

[@rikk319]

@@anthonyfuqua6988 Audie Murphy didn't jump on a grenade to get his Medal of Honor in WW2. And Alvin York didn't jump on a grenade to get his in WW1. There are books written about dozens of Medal of Honor recipients...you should read one and see what it takes.

[@anthonyfuqua6988]

@@rikk319 I just meant that back then a lot less living people got the Medal. A few in the Afghan and Iraq wars did jump on grenades.

[@ivyking4149]

Imagine having to shoot the enemy when the enemy is a young man, smiling to you. That is horrible

[@russellseaman3509]

Bernard Cornwell covers this slow-motion experience fairly well in his novels.

[@StargazerAPW]

What an amazing man.. god bless him and his courage will forever be remembered ❤

[@hebber1961]

Been in a zone the odd time in sports so I have an idea what he means. It's like you see things moving slower and you can anticipate where and what to do so easily.

[@DrDeepstack]

Thanks to these man I live in freedom and speak Dutch. Thank you.