German Paratrooper Prison Break 1944

[@thomasbeck9075]

An outstanding German officer who deserves a special place in history and we would have never known without Mark Felton productions

[@WildDiceOne]

I served my time in the German Army as a Fallschirmjäger in Luftlandebrigade 31. Lepkowski is still a legend.

[@wolfgangselle4307]

WildDice ... and me I was serving on the East side .... FJB 40 ( later LstR 1 ) 4. Kompanie

[@evilcrow]

One of my grandfather's cousins was a Fallschirmjäger in World War II. Fell on the eastern front. I still have 3 photos of him in uniform. As long as I live he will not be forgotten.

[@LibertyMapper]

Interessant. Fallschirmjäger an der Ostfront. Weißt du wo genau und zu welchem Zeitraum er gedient hat?

[@landfair123]

We always hear about the allied raids but never the Axis ones. History should be told for both sides. Its history after all.

[@richardkluesek4301]

Perhaps in another generation or two. Just as Napoleon and his forces were regarded in the early to mid 19 Century with dread, but not at all today, so too are those of the Germans even now but time distances old taboos.

[@paulhart8814]

5 people decide the schools cariculem, suprisingly, they have nothing to do with education, in fact are newspaper barons, so no never will happen

[@oceanhome2023]

When PC is pushed back we will see more . The exploits of the Vikings and of the Pirates have been discussed with out fear for some time now , it will take a while for the Germans to reach that level of discussion. This is why it is so refreshing to hear a story as this

[@ThijsVanDalen]

''History is always written by the winners. When two cultures clash, the loser is obliterated, and the winner writes the history books-books which glorify their own cause and disparage the conquered foe''

[@HiTechOilCo]

You just heard about an Axis raid, so yes you do hear about them. History *is* being told for both sides.

[@1dayhabit]

It's unbelievable that there is no Wikipedia entry for Erich Lepkowski in the English version. There is one in the German version. Other parts of his life story are amazing. He was later wounded and literally left for dead on a pile of corpses until a doctor noticed signs of life. He went on to have patented inventions, re-enlisted, despite having lost an eye when wounded, and held a world record for nighttime parachuting.

[@rexmundi3108]

There was a big POW camp in Northern Canada, hundreds of miles from anybody. The German prisoners escaped regularly. And went back when they got hungry.

[@gregryan7761]

I don't give a damn if he was a Nazi enemy or not, Lt. Lepkowski had balls of steel and the heart of a lion. He sounds like one of those rare officers who could inspire his men to take on such a mad, perilous operation. Thats the right word, inspire.

[@zepter00]

14miki ha has Polish surname..so nothing strange he didnt know what fear is.

[@stevshaboba7476]

You know little of the Wehrmacht

[@manfredwohlers1871]

Erich Lepkowski war ab 1961 Hauptmann und Kompanie Chef der 1./272 in Wildeshausen. Zu dieser Zeit als aktiver Offizier der Bundeswehr stellte er einige Höhen Weltrekorde im Fallschirmsprung auf. Dieser hervorragende Mann ist auf ewig unvergessen in unserer Truppe!

[@Schnitz13]

Doesn't matter which army you fight for, that kind of a mission takes balls and nerves of steel. And only 3 men lightly wounded? Crazy!

[@jangamaster8677]

Wow driving that far behind enemy lines to effect a rescue! That chap had a serious pair on him

[@johnlowell5905]

Thought I knew most everything about the Normandy campaign, but I was wrong. Good job!

[@geronimo5537]

I don't know how he could even walk or sit down with such a pair.

[@barryolaith]

If this had been a British raid they would have made a film about it in the style of The Dambusters, The Cockleshell Hero's and The Great Escape and broadcast it every Christmas for 60 years.

[@heno02]

Offcourse, no one wants to paint Nazis fighting for genocide and mass murder positively. They don't deserve it. People should celebrate their defeat not their successes.

[@Si1entHitman]

@@heno02 no one is falling for your soviet/allied propaganda anymore, real people care about the truth and not about post-war lies, you want to look at genocide than look at what the "allies" did nothing compared to told propaganda about Germany.

[@tobymcelhinney5354]

It is almost like the Brits like making a film about their own people and the Americans theres. Germany had made good films about their people too (generation war). So blame the German film industry no-one else.

[@heno02]

@Gunther H.G. Geick Care to explain? I don't get your meaning. If you wonder why people (including me) take such a strong stance against historical revisionism and nazi apologia, is because the mindset of what drove the world into flames 70 years ago are still alive today and gaining ground.

[@timothyphillips5043]

Be quiet you fool.

[@TheRealRedRooster]

My father was with the 2.FJ Division in Brest and mentioned this incident. Lepkowski had retired as a Lt.Col. 8 years before I joined the Bundeswehr paratroopers (initially 5/262)

[@sarjim4381]

The French Resistance forces were well known for executing any Germans that fell into their hands. US Army forces also freed German prisoners from the French to prevent an all out massacre of POWs.

[@joepaul9855]

Do you blame the french?

[@chooyongming110]

The French also massacred Algerians after the war

[@wirelessone2986]

Did not know that

[@mahouaniki4043]

Does this count as war crime?

[@vito7428]

I don't want to say the French did nothing but after the Allies came they went power crazy. Although they were still vulnurable,they were doing things a superpower country far from danger would be doing.

[@josephdupont]

This should be a movie!!!!! I Really mean it.

[@Jonathan-pz6ws]

Such a good idea !!

[@giostisskylas]

If in Germany of the year 2019 someone would only make the suggestion to produce a film in which Wehrmacht soldiers are portrayed positively, the media will slaughter you and you will be forever decried as a Nazi. The greatest enemy of German history are the Germans themselves. After 75 years of re-education by the Western Allies, a morbid self-hatred has set in among the Germans. One day perhaps, when the German people have recovered from the narrative of the German collective guilt and the self-congratulation of the Western Allies, we Germans have again an objective relationship to our history. But this day is still far.

[@LibertyMapper]

@@giostisskylas Naja es gibt zum Beispiel "Unsere Mütter, unsere Väter", wobei auch die humane Seite zweier Brüder dargestellt wird, die für ihr Vaterland kämpfen.

[@GlasgowIsBlue]

True camaraderie, respect to the German paratroopers.

[@discoverynorthcarolina9824]

Amazing story of professional soldiering

[@nicholasleon7819]

Paratroopers always seem to do amazing things

[@EstebanMataVargas]

For many specialists, the Fallschirmjäger were the best troops of the Second World War. In regards to general Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke, he was an outstanding officer who, after being left behind during the Battle of El-Alamein, was able to get back to German lines after capturing a British convoy in the desert.

[@davidgoldin5759]

Sounds like a brilliant operation carried out by very good soldiers. Mark Felton is an extraordinary historian of WWII.

[@typxxilps]

Never heard before. Pretty brave and good example of leadership bringing all + more back home.

[@scottsimmons7897]

Bravo. Of course practically no one, including myself, knew about this prior to this vid because "History is written by the victors."

[@jacksonthesyndicalist2771]

This is so cunningly beautiful that I almost forget what side they fought for. A shame so many good men died so early in life for nothing.

[@g13flat]

Fallschirmjager were a breed unto themselves. Their cameraderie and esprit de corps was so strong that they could outfight much larger groups of soldiers. Hail to the Green Devils!

[@malcolmyoung7866]

I have read many escapades regards the Green Devils but never heard of this outrageously bold operation. Fantastic little story.

[@manilajohn0182]

I just finished watching your video on the pre-dreadnought Mikasa, and now I get treated to this jewel! I've studied history (predominantly military history) for over fifty years now, and your videos are more professionally done- and narrated- than many so-called "documentaries" made for T.V. I kid you not. Kudos to you sir, and a "WELL DONE".

[@MarkFeltonProductions]

Thanks for watching

[@simonkevnorris]

Another unknown interesting story. Thanks for posting.

[@MarkFeltonProductions]

Thanks

[@machinenkanone9358]

But it's the Werhmacht. So its bad.

[@Spitsz01]

Mr.Felton. Again a unheard of act of heroism and a gem. Thank you.

[@MrLotrecht]

Two years ago i was in the hospital one of these paratroopers lay with me in the same bedroom-such a nice men in his 90 he looks after me when i came out of the operation room-i think this has been realy special people-also after war!

[@bobbylee2853]

Germany’s band of brothers.

[@rustyshackleford7265]

No nonsense, no propaganda, no narrators precious opinion. Just facts Thank you, Mark

[@stanfoltz2339]

Are you kidding me, this really happened? It's awesome and amazing at the same time. For the past month or so 'Mark Felton Productions' has been the first place I go to when I turn on my PC.

[@MarkFeltonProductions]

Wonderful to hear

[@johnrichmond.4783]

Thank you for the vid. One tiny point, the Germans holding the ports were not doing so to contain allied troops, but to prevent the ports being used by the allies to ship in supplies for the invasion forces. A far more important role and one that justified (for once) the order to not surrender.

[@Howie262]

This raid is so underrated..... Imagine the charisma and skill it would take to literally bullshit your way through 75miles of enemy check points from the front line with phony uniforms, papers and vehicles LOL! They’re French must have been flawless! Why is this not a meme?

[@Bigsky1991]

I wrote a screenplay concerning this mission in 1989, and "shopped" it to Spielberg when I worked on Schindler's List and Band of Brothers. It got some interest and initial traction, but no direct financing. Maybe I'll take another stab at it?

[@TopSecretVid]

The Eagle Has landed movie comes to mind..when watching this video. Thanks for posting this.. My Grandfather was a Fallschirmjager though he never really spoke about his time in the war :(

[@sagarrai5007]

Thank You, Sir, for always highlighting those stories of WWII very few had heard of. Brings a whole new charm to the topic.

[@cgross82]

Wow! Pardon my “French”, but those Fallschirmjaeger had some real balls!! And as a military veteran myself (U.S. Army), I would have done the same thing for my brothers in arms. It is also interesting to note that the Fallschirmjaeger treated the French resistance fighters honorably as POWs, even though they probably would have executed their German prisoners. The Luftwaffe seemed to have acted more honorably than other German branches (and Fallschirmjaeger were actually part of the Luftwaffe, not the Heer, or Army).

[@peterlustig6888]

Your french? You mean german.

[@geronimo5537]

People tend to forget the honor between soldiers of any side. Between the western allies and Germany it was an honorable war with much chivalry. Between Russia and Germany was total war with much horror. The Germans claimed it was because Russia refused to sign the Geneva convention.

[@gianlucafalzon5868]

One of the Fallschirmjäger's commandments was actually to give no quarter to armed civilians and guerillas and only bestow the honours of war upon enemy regular military personnel. This explains why the Kondomari reprisal took place during the invasion of Crete, following confirmed reports of German paratroopers murdered in cold blood by Cretan villagers whilst still hanging off of trees, attempting to free themselves of their parachute harness. There was, on the other hand no reported case of British & Commonwealth troops mistreated by the FJ. The case of Lepkowski was likely different since by that point in time, the French Resistance had established themselves as an overt, militia-like force. Additionally, the timely rescue of the German Prisoners before any were executed probably played an important part in the decision, whether these had been detained in poor condition or not.

[@jamesruddy9264]

@@peterlustig6888..the term 'pardon, or excuse, my French' is used as a kind of joke when we are using bad language, impolite speech...swearing/cursing. And he is referring to his comment 'real balls' which would be considered in poor taste among polite company.

[@opoxious1592]

Fallschirmjaeger are crack troops, that's for sure.

[@Mr71paul71]

bravery is bravery ! even if its the enemy that carry's it out

[@timothyhayes9724]

Thank you for sharing. I'd heard of Crete, but not much else in the German paratroopers. A rescue mission plain and simple. No nazi bs, just men fighting for their friends

[@hughbo52]

As always, you deliver the most interesting and little known stories of the horrible days of WWII. Thank you for your work.

[@stevebaines5466]

For sheer balls & bravery, they deserved to succeed

[@Teacher-lj6in]

Beautiful history and bravery of men supporting their fellow comrades in the hands of questionable resistance who blew with the wind when it came to allegiance Thanks for sharing!

[@Kevin-mx1vi]

Got to admire anyone with the balls to pull that off, no matter which side he's on. Respect !

[@davidschroeder3272]

Thank you, Mark, for this amazing story, which I never heard of, despite reading many books on WW2.

[@MarkFeltonProductions]

Thanks for supporting my channel

[@Roscoe_B]

More dangerous than Skorzeny's Gran Sasso raid I believe.

[@dgerdi]

Of course. The Italians wanted Mussolini to be freed by the germans. There is almost no other explanation why a heavy machinegun in perfect position was removed.

[@bertsedgwick9828]

Excellent as always, educational and entertaining brilliant!

[@cobalt2361]

This is something you'd see in movie! Outstanding performance by the Fallschirmjäger! So glad the officer went on to help reform the branch for the Bundeswehr!

[@jroch41]

Excellent story I hadn't heard before. Erich Lepkowski is a hero.

[@jrapcdaikari]

All these stories from Mark Felton would make awesome WW2 movies

[@anthonyhopkins3100]

Always you will fine that highly trained Paratroopers can do some outstanding action in rescuing other Paratrooper from the French Resistance in France, what a great feat. These German Paratroopers always showed good military conduct with honour. We salute you.

[@Jim_Ewing]

A few others that spring to mind are Patton's disastrous attempt to rescue his son-in-law, and 33rd Charlemagne's defense of Berlin. One battalion knocked out more than 60 soviet tanks, and held the bunker so the Soviets couldn't capture it on May 1st. Only 10% of the battalion survived, then 12 were immediately shot when they were captured by the western allies. As a Texan, I'm really tired of the censorship of history, and the propaganda. I want to hear about amazing stories like the one in this video.

[@stephenhobbs1052]

This raid must have been the inspiration for Jack Higgins “The Eagle Has Landed”..

[@jamessnee7171]

The Fallschirmjager seem to be the overall best regular formation troops of any army in WW II. Of course they had years of on the job training.

[@markedwards5106]

Not many would know about this daring raid, thank you for bring this little known history to light, it is a cracking tale.

[@BA-gn3qb]

Wasn't sure if this was an authentic Mark Felton production, until the music at the end. You're getting tricky Mark!

[@chrisneedham5803]

This is what happens when professional elite troops pit themselves against conscripted and amateur soldiers. Thanks for your super video.

[@TruthSetsUfree100]

Never count the Germans out of the fight!

[@marc9283]

damn i love your videos! you deserve way more subs, awesome content.

[@wirelessone2986]

He will get them

[@Filipgroesbaek]

Most American historians tend to ignore anything heroic by the Germans. Joseph Balkoski's 2008 BEACHHEAD TO BRITTANY, an account of the siege & capture of Brest by the US 29th Infantry Division, gets into nitty-gritty detail about American ops, but largely ignores German, except for failed counter-attacks & reactions to US operations. So thanks for this addition & correction to the English language record of the battle.

[@edmoundblack3739]

This is becoming one of the best WW2 channels on utube , looking forward to the next time one small point that the time is so short on them

[@HappyFlapps]

Amazing story. Would love to hear about the exploits of "The Brandenburgers" who were the German equivalent of the SAS.

[@opoxious1592]

You have made me curious, i also love these untold stories. It made me realize, there is much to discover regarding these untold stories.

[@questioneverything2488]

I am glad that I subscribed I think your programs are brilliant and cover a lot of unusual stories that are normally heard and are are unbiased showing heroics on both sides and that is unusual, so keep your programs are coming, a good contribution to history, thank-you

[@91plm]

I wonder how they couldn't hear the thunder of clinking steel balls coming their way...

[@herbwag6456]

My father, an American G.I. with the 5th Armored Division in France, Luxembourg, and Germany right up to the Elbe and linkup with the Red Army, told me that in France one time they heard shooting where there shouldn't have been. He and some others went to investigate and found French irregulars executing German soldiers out of hand. I can't remember if they were SS or Wehrmacht -- but they weren't Fallshirmjaeger. I asked: "Did you stop the French from shooting them?" He said, "no." I asked why not. He shrugged and replied: "It was war." I understood but it still bothered me and still does, especially since he was 100% German-American. You NEVER hear that side of the story.

[@cgaccount3669]

Herb Wag Considering resistance members were all tortured and murdered when captured i can understand why captured Germans weren't given mercy. I was told a story by Canadian tourists renting a German car in the 80's. French people threw rocks at their car when they saw german plates. I guess when a country murders your family or countrymen it's not so hard to have a violent reaction.

[@peterscrafton5592]

Same in Yugoslavia. A friend of mine went on a camping holiday with friends on an island, where they were spat it (1960.s) and pelted until the locals realised that they were speaking English and not German. After that they were given a civic reception, feasted by the mayor and looked after for the duration of their stay.

[@EgoAlters]

CG Account Unlawful combatant - terrorists - fighting out of uniform are not given quarter by anyone. The French had a chance to fight for their their country on -40. Most opted against it out of cowardice.

[@peterlustig6888]

@@cgaccount3669 „Murder your countrymen“ You know that france declared war on germany right? And that it was legal to execute partisans. There is a difference between regular soldiers and resistance members.

[@hrvatskibricks7745]

Vegeta France fell in 6 weeks if you call that tough fighting then there’s something wrong

[@koldomakazaga6846]

Again another fantastic story about brave men fighting for their country. I am again bewildered about your secret sources to find all this! Congrats!!

[@McRocket]

You have done it again!!! I knew NOTHING of this. An you told it so well. Not long-winded with just enough details (unfortunately, brevity is important on KZbin - I am guilty of this myself). Thank you for this.

[@jeffklatt4369]

I've been watching your channel for a while now but have never commented. Its truly topnotch. Thanks.

[@arnobenter]

Wow, what an amazing story! I've never heard of this before, but once again you have made another fine piece of military history education. Keep on the great work, you are the best!

[@tonyzee9931]

What a great story and presentation! It is refreshing to hear objective reporting about such a matter without any political overtones or under-handed comments. Keep up the good work Mark Felton! A key note that is not often mentioned in WWII history was what the Resistance fighters aka Partisans did to captured German soldiers. These Resistance fighters would be called insurgents or terrorists in modern day terms.

[@EdKidgell]

This is an outline for what could be a REALLY good movie.

[@magr7424]

As always Marc, phantastic little side story of the war that cannot be found in the usual textbooks... My favorite history Channel by far. Kepp up the work, Marc, thanks a lot!

[@heiftonheifton9412]

Eric lepkowski played true to the insignia he was wearing..,"Gott mit uns".

[@yutub69]

O sea, "Dios está con nosotros".

[@leonardhaddrill8842]

Did not know about this one.. A real 'Boys Own' story.. Terrific..

[@MarkFeltonProductions]

Thank you

[@brentandvuk]

I’m addicted to your channel. Thank you

[@MarkFeltonProductions]

Great to hear

[@slicklandy7819]

Thank you for the upload, what an amazing episode.

[@rlicon1970]

You're a great historian. Top 2 for sure. I love the obscure history. The best kind of history.

[@davidhamilton1446]

Awesome video, Mark. Thank you.

[@hermanmoore3301]

Wow This is truly an amazing story.................I am sure there are many such stories of Axis brave and daring exploits during the War that still need to be discovered. Thanks once again for an outstanding story.

[@KptSakke]

That was absolutely amazing story, would like to hear more stories of Axis side like this. Great job with the videos!

[@MarkFeltonProductions]

Thank you

[@iliesbens6491]

German paratroopers the best of the best

[@a.walterbusse8898]

138 French Resistance Fighters disliked the video..

[@Standyourground21]

Never heard about that one before. Excellent planning and carried out brilliantly no matter what side you are on. Salute

[@phillipmaasdorp9491]

Amazing story from the other side of the lines.Mark Felton has a amazing fund of stories, best of all is that they are true.

[@topazcat1]

This needs to be made into a Movie!

[@herbwag6456]

This is one of your best! Without doubt this should be an accurately depicted movie with English subtitles for the Fallshirmjaeger troops and all original equipment. How come this great story is so unknown?

[@MarkFeltonProductions]

Your kind comments are much appreciated

[@juststeve5542]

What a superb piece of bravado.

[@danielbrown9352]

I love the Falshimjager

[@davidrasmussen5537]

Once again, a enthralling documentary ... impressed with the planning, execution and bravery ... 🏁

[@MarkFeltonProductions]

Many thanks - it would be great if you would consider supporting me on Patreon for only $1 a month: www.patreon.com/markfeltonproductions

[@geronimo5537]

Hmm more forgotten history from a people the world wants to erase.

[@ESG1]

Amazing video! Thank you so much.

[@MarkFeltonProductions]

Thanks

[@luisfors4148]

Great video Mark!!!

[@don39boo]

This story needs to be made into a movie.

[@68majortom]

Sounds like the storyline from Kelly’s Heroes, 30 miles behind enemy lines, 3 Tanks, other motorised vehicles, etc, but ace piece of History. Imo the French Resistance would be no match for the German Paras arguably their finest Troops ✌️

[@Platanis2008]

3 lightly wounded, that says it all...

[@Goffas_and_gumpys]

This HAS to be made into a movie. What a remarkable yarn.

[@hectorguerrero3596]

Damn, yet another badass! Green Devil's indeed!

[@middleclassic]

Always informative, always entertaining, and always a slice of WWII I was not aware of. Another thumbs way up :-) Mr. Felton does it again!

[@Blair338RUM]

What a superb officer.

[@iqbalzaidi353]

Mark you did again Beautiful simply beautiful heroic story of rescue German paratroopers were known for their bravery and honorable conduct of war in different theatres of engagements , but here best leadership and team work is superb

[@jahmanoog461]

Boldness in planning and execution. Mission accomplished. No fatalities among his men. Thanks for posting.

[@pepeman3099]

Underated channel. Top quality of original content.