Montgomery Nearly Killed - Germany 1945

[@Aengus42]

There's a great film called "I Was Monty's Double" that starred his actual double that they used to help keep him safe during the war. Well worth a watch if you get the chance.

[@MarkFeltonProductions]

I agree - excellent.

[@jamestaylor7710]

@@MarkFeltonProductions have you ever thought about doing a program/video about the POWs who stayed in this country after ww2

[@nmr6988]

My husband and I read the book first, and then later we got to see the movie. This was well over two decades ago. We thoroughly enjoyed both!

[@jamestaylor7710]

@@nmr6988 hope you enjoyed read x

[@benjonesthe3rd200]

@@MarkFeltonProductions Excellent video Mark ! Any chance you can make a video on the Mad Russian Baron ? Roman von Ungern-Sternberg ? - Amazing story many thanks

[@Semper_Iratus]

The best history stories you never knew about.

[@scruff921]

Should have *

[@RoadiewithRich]

Couldn’t agree more Scot

[@dustylover100]

That's what makes them compelling.

[@vernonfindlay1314]

Yes,l just watched a video Mark did on the Queens role during ww2,awesomely Grand Lady,and mechanic among other talents. God bless from Nova scotia 🇨🇦

[@ARIXANDRE]

It's amazing how Mr. Felton has images from the lesser known characters,like the pilot. Also, footage of Monty in Normandy and shortly after the crash.

[@thebrokelifeinamerica3493]

True

[@corriebezuidenhout3380]

lAQQ

[@EdMcF1]

He was there, with his cine camera. He is a Time Lord.

[@robertmcdougall1144]

Well to be fair here - reading his description, it makes senses why he would have those images and footages to work with.

[@مقاطعمترجمة-ش8ث]

Credits: US National Archives; Library of Congress; Mike Weston ABIPP; Eluveitie

[@madsdahlc]

Hallo from Denmark. Another great video. Monty is being held in high regard here in Denmark . Since he is the one liberated us. Monty was acutully in Denmark on the 12 May 1945. Where he drove through the danisg capital of copenhagen in an open car There he met the the danish king. He also recived two danish medals from the danish royal family. Montgomery recived the grand cross of the order of dannebrogsgade and he recived the order of elephant. The order of elephant is highest order that can be given by danish monarch...Monty was the forgein first non royal to get it ... So we kind like him here in Denmark..

[@gunnargundersen3787]

They also talked about the British troops liberating than when I did the Carlsberg Brewery tour. I hope that they rebuild the Resistance Museum. It was my favourite museum in Copenhagen.

[@m_hub3957]

monty's actions got lots of civilians killed in Market Garden

[@madsdahlc]

@@m_hub3957 yes very true

[@lyndoncmp5751]

M-Hub, The Germans got a lot of Dutch civilians killed, not Montgomery. Montgomery liberated them.

[@efnissien]

The pleurisy was particularly dangerous to Monty, since he'd received a severe gunshot wound to his right lung in 1914 (And he despised smoking in his presence as a result).

[@mako88sb]

I read about that in his biography. Hé mentioned that someone came to his aid but was killed and ended up falling on top of him. The guys body absorbed some other bullets that probably would have killed Monty.

[@robertortiz-wilson1588]

@@mako88sb wow

[@jarraandyftm]

@@mako88sb well that man inadvertently had a huge impact on modern history. Well played that man.

[@mako88sb]

jarraandyftm Yes, it certainly makes one think about what might have been if Monty hadn’t been so lucky that day.

[@BrassLock]

Did Churchill limit his cigar puffing in Monty's presence?

[@ronti2492]

This is footage of Monty doing the inspection IMMEDIATELY AFTER the crash?!!? I can say this: I sustained a similar ( but no less painful) injury as the result of an accident during active service overseas. I could barely walk around and got flown back home when I started to lose sensation in my toes. I was off work for months and in and out of hispital for rehab. Absolute Respect, Monty, respect.

[@germantrainer442]

Funny British M-outfit though

[@zen4men]

Considering his WW1 wounds, where he was thought to be dead, and very lucky to survive, this accident might have seemed like a minor event to him!

[@Splodge542]

Monty also survived being shot through the lung in 1914, when a grave was dug for him, and he nearly died on the sea voyage home from Palestine in the 1930's from an illness, again perhaps, affecting his reduced lung capacity. However he was determined to get up and walk on the deck and it is thought that his sheer determination to get up and walk saved his life. I didn't know about the air crash in Germany. In fact you might suspect that "the finger of Providence was upon him" as Wellington remarked about his survival at Waterloo when many of his staff were killed and wounded.

[@exchequerguy4037]

Also with George Washington during Braddock's Defeat.

[@JBB4118]

Despite a serious injury and later problems, Monty lived a pretty good and long life.

[@Clipgatherer]

+JBB4118. Agreed. He was a tough old bird indeed.

[@mikepette4422]

it was a close thing though was it not a plane crash can kill anyone.

[@Lecruque]

Unlike the many GI’s who lost his life due to his incompetence.

[@JBB4118]

@@Lecruque Yeah...just like Westmorland in Vietnam.

[@knightowl3577]

@@Lecruque Not as many that died because of Patton's ego-mania.

[@joemartino6976]

About halfway through Erik Larson's "The Splendid and the Vile." To me. the book is a reminder to Americans, in our isolation, how we overlook the extent to which the Brits had to be brave and courageous in the face of a punishing enemy. As a New Yorker and a witness to 9/11, my admiration for the Brits in enduring daily bombings from the Nazis and, in the end, prevailing, is without limits. Yes, our help was essential. And, yes, the Russians too in punishing Hitler for opening a two front war. But the Brits refusal to surrender, embodied in Churchill's leadership, was the central pivot on which the war turned in the Allies favor.

[@OutnBacker]

Hear, hear!

[@danilorainone406]

england was awake while chamberlain slept 2 bulldogs on top,churchill and dowding ,were it not for them,and the sacrifice of RAF fellows,many amiably leaving their golf game for their first sortie in the hurricanes and never to return,,,, the whole continent ,plus england ,would have fallen,freeing the legions of wehrmacht to invade and likely conquer russia then,,on to the US no argument england saved decent civilization

[@ifeelsoempty3094]

@@danilorainone406 delusional

[@williamdawson3792]

If Americans didn’t enter the war, they most definitely would have surrendered

[@thunderbird1921]

The Brits have been incredible countless times, and especially since becoming our top ally. Guess who was making the long lethal march with our Marines from the Chosin Reservoir in Korea? A unit of the British Royal Marines. The Brits' role in the Korean War overall needs talked about a LOT more. They were all over that conflict from the air battles to the Nakdong River and beyond, and over 1100 fell alongside our men. Hats off to all those heroes of World War II, Korea and multiple wars since. 🇺🇸🇬🇧

[@niume7468]

Can we get an episode on how hitler almost was killed in 1945 April just before escaping to Antarctica?

[@ginjaico_6132]

What a daft request.........everyone knows he fled to the moon!! 🙂

[@scockery]

I was hoping for the episode about Ike making a deal with the Greys in the 1950's.

[@Imtahotep]

Dr Felton's episode about AH tows the British line that he and EB suicided, a couple litres of gasoline burned em up, nothing left to find except a skull cap with a bullet hole that turns out to be female anyway. Then Dr Felton produces 3(?) videos about Uboats and VERY strange cargo and really long, inexplicable post war voyages to Argentina where one of the captain's logs (in the hands of OSS, that means Allen Dulles) gets 25,000 words in redaction. Yeah. Right.

[@scockery]

@@Imtahotep The late treasure hunter Roger Miklos claims to have found a sunken u-boat in the Turks and Caicos area but never revealed its location.

[@Imtahotep]

@@scockery Is the U# known?

[@asheland_numismatics]

The best history channel on KZbin period!

[@JoelMMcKinney]

... definitely the most accurate and well researched.

[@asheland_numismatics]

@@JoelMMcKinney indeed! 👍

[@Intreductor]

@@JoelMMcKinney I would add TimeGhost/WW2/Great War and Armchair Historian to that list :)

[@operation1968]

Yup

[@claradavidson1837]

100%✌

[@johnvetter5526]

Hey mark, I just want to say thankyou very much for every single video you make as they are very informative and I absolutely love watching them. I know you put countless hours of research and effort into your channel. So again many thanks for all you do for keeping lesser known history alive today.

[@MikeB071]

Massive respect for "Monty" going through with the decoration ceremonies right after the trauma of the plane crash and with an injured back! Eerie parallels between his spinal injury and Patton's.

[@CIMAmotor]

He was a great man who would do anything for his men.

[@terryallen9546]

Morphine is still a miracle drug.

[@richardmontgomery8863]

Doing the presentation with 2 lumbar fractures will have hurt like hell. Very gutsy.

[@LuvBorderCollies]

@Lawofimprobability Early on in the "war" on terror it was already talked about openly, how so many troops were having or going to have spine pain in the future. The human spine can only take so much weight compressing the discs and the thin complex bones.

[@Charles-xe2qh]

Never heard this story before. Very interesting. Generally people don't (I think) realise just how dangerous air travel was during WW2. Many major figures had 1 or more close shaves, including Churchill on at least 3 occasions I can think of.

[@LuvBorderCollies]

Going through histories and other piles of stats/reports/etc from Vietnam, it was rather shocking how many helicopter pilots were killed due to non-combat crashes.

[@Waldek-lf6do]

In usa movies the alied soldiers are bulletproof😄😄 thats why you never heard of it.

[@fazole]

@@LuvBorderCollies Training had to be rushed and standards lowered in wartime, especially during a ling war, like Vietnam. More US pilots were killed in training than in WW2. I remember seeing an old news article in a book which showed a P-38 wrecked in training due to the inexperienced pilot attempting a roll at low altitude. The book about the Jolly Rogers fighter squadron relates that one pilot liked to fly upside down over roads and run trucks off!

[@allangibson2408]

Over half of the Allies aircrews died during WW2… Not all through enemy actions.

[@wayneantoniazzi2706]

There were a number of high-ranking officers killed during the war due to plane crashes. My brother, who's ex-USAF puts it simply: "Airplanes are machines, and machines can break! That's all there is to it!"

[@asdfghyxcvbn1806]

Especially when we are talking about light sigle engine planes of WWII vintage.

[@StevenKeery]

A guy on here said his Grandfather was responsible for downing over thirty German planes. He was the worst mechanic the Luftwaffe ever had.

[@garypulliam3740]

There was a U.S. Airborne Infantry general who was killed on D-Day in a glider crash.

[@Darrylx444]

Sentimentally true, but there certainly IS more to it. People are often killed in airplane crashes that are not caused by the airplane breaking. Pilot error (#1), weather, violence(terrorism/war), bird/animal strikes, etc. Maintenance error too, although technically the plane did sort of "break" in that case.

[@stevepritchett6563]

@@StevenKeery 🤣🤣🤣

[@briantitchener4829]

In the late 1960's, as a teenage boy in the UK, I attended a school called "Montgomery of Alamein School" in Winchester, Hampshire. Monty visited personally and spoke to us boys on the day the school was re-named in his honour. We had to assemble on the lawn dressed in our smart school uniform. It was a scorching hot summer's day and I remember being in awe of this incredibly famous person standing on the podium in front of me. I'll never forget it.

[@JamesRichards-mj9kw]

Montgomery abused children, as did Slim.

[@nmr6988]

Wonderful history, perfectly told. I wish everyone could hear and be inspired by the work of Dr Felton.

[@kevinscottyuk]

Dr....ok.

[@justonemori]

Rommel's scout plane is one heck of a war prize!

[@mikepette4422]

I was thinking someone goofed there. I would have thought that a quick thinking german would have tossed a grenade into it to make sure nobody took Rommel's plane

[@demonprinces17]

Rommel used a captured British command truck,

[@Earhairy]

Captain Noel Chevasse, the uncle of Field Marshal Montgomery's Aide-de-Camp, also called Noel, was the son of Francis Chevasse, Bishop of Liverpool, after whom a park is named in the city. All four of Bishop Chevasses's sons fought with distinction in the First World War, between them winning six decorations of valour, including the two Victoria Crosses won by Captain Noel Chevasse, as mentioned in the video. Both he and his brother Aidan, were killed in action.

[@SvenTviking]

Even their sister got a chest full of medals for her service as a nurse in France.

[@maconescotland8996]

Wasn ‘t Lt. Chevasse an army officer, not the RAF pilot in this video. ?

[@Earhairy]

@@maconescotland8996 You're quite right. Lt Noel Chevasse was Montgomery's Aide-de-Camp, and Flight Lieutenant Martin was the pilot. Must watch and listen more closely.

[@anamilana17]

Montgomery had a strange way of addressing soldiers under his command. Apparently he repeated everything he said twice. When he made a statement ,sentence by sentence ,would be repeated . Word for word ,thereby doubling the time it would be for him to conclude his command or speech. I learned this from a man I lived with for twenty years ,a lodger who lived with us, who had served as a soldier close to Monty throughout the war. This man had shot a German in the back ,killing him ,when he was attempting to escape from a pow camp . He was severely reprimanded for this.

[@maconescotland8996]

@@anamilana17 It's standard practice in the British army to repeat orders for absolute clarity - maybe that's where he picked up this habit ?

[@graybice4069]

Another triumph by Mark Felton...the man never fails to impress.

[@victorocallaghan6791]

Montgomery was also nearly killed in the town of Macroom during the Irish war of Independance in 1921. He went into the square of the town to negotiate with the local IRA leader. An IRA sniper was in a top floor with his rifle aimed at Monty. He was ordered to shoot him if negotiations fell through. An agreement was reached and Monty left. The sniper wrote later on in life that it was hard to imagine that he had the faith of the Second World War in his hands

[@Ozgipsy]

My grandfather and all his brothers fought in the pacific and Europe. This channel makes me very proud.

[@benbaker2965]

In British: He was in significant discomfort. In American: He was in great pain.

[@Jabberstax]

Another great video Mark. Keep it up!

[@jamesjacobson3966]

Might be interesting to do story on General Sikorski’s death? Happened not long after the discovery of the Katyn forest mass grave. He was as they say “becoming an inconvenience” ….according to some. “

[@declanoleary1]

Can't beat (or miss) an episode by Dr. Felton. The insights and presentation, and knowledge gained, just got to find a quiet half hour to appreciate each episode.

[@pirate751]

Well done as always DR Felton, keep up the great work. You are appreciated..

[@dontask6863]

Amazing. Love how many details you have in all your videos. Always something new I didn’t know about our history. Thanks!

[@netsuke3529]

Monty's service to his country continued after the war when he was used to encourage people to claim the new state pension, by filming him collecting his when reaching retirement age. In this way those who had paid in their 'stamp' but were reluctant to claim started to claim.

[@saltmerchant749]

Monty was very much affected by the First World War, not just the bullet he took in the lung but also seeing that despite "winning the war, they had lost the peace" which he blamed on the governments of the day. There's interview footage out there of him discussing it with The Lord Harlow on one of his university speaking tours towards the end of his life.

[@robdyson4990]

My parents generation, reluctant to accept social welfare. Thanks for the info

[@fuzzydunlop7928]

@@robdyson4990 This sounds much different than Americans of the era, whom often came out of the Depression and into the war with a greater respect - and if not, tolerance - for social welfare. One which was slowly eroded during the Cold War and into the present - this is an America few seem to remember. Interesting to see the difference between the Brits and Americans at the time.

[@michaeldunne338]

@@fuzzydunlop7928 In the UK after the war there were political groups seeking to put in place a number of substantive socialist programs, including nationalization of key industries (coal, electricity, the trains, iron and steel industry, etc.), the National Health Service, housing, along with the National Insurance/National Assistance mentioned above. More ambitious programs were being pursued under the Atlee government that took over from Churchill in the summer of 1945. Otherwise, I don't recall too much "pro-social welfare" sentiment in the United States during the Cold War (1970s to 1991. I think quietly most people wanted their Social Security and Medicare when they retired, but that is about it.

[@Wuestenkarsten]

@@michaeldunne338 Atlee.....the "Traitor" who gave Stalin the Rolls Royce Engine for the MIG 15...as we know today.

[@johnrettig1880]

Out Standing as usual . Glad you had the opportunity to compare the two accidents of G. S . Patton and B. L . Montgomery . Keep up the great work .🇬🇧🇺🇸

[@dj_efk]

Love the logic in Monty deciding to return to HQ by plane - “nobody has crashed twice in one day so this flight will be the safest I’ll ever take”!!!

[@britishamerican4321]

There went a man, alright.

[@thEannoyingE]

Fascinating stories as always, you never cease to bring new information. I look forward to more obscure videos.

[@se8425]

Great attitude in - "well i've crashed once today, highly unlikely ill crash twice"

[@britishamerican4321]

I thought so too.

[@Virolaxion]

logical fallacy but yes

[@DanO12345]

Every single time I think I know absolutely every obscure historical tidbit or story you humble me again and again. Thank you for your love of history and allowing the rest of us to learn from your expertise.

[@geoffpilcher2460]

Thank You Mark for enlightening me on yet another fact I was unaware of. My uncle was one of the Rats of Tobruk so Monty would have been his commander.

[@timo8430]

Thank you once again for an amazing video Mr Felton!!!

[@navyreviewer]

Note: "Monty" rose to fame as head of the 8th army as an accident when the intended commander was killed... in a plane crash.

[@benjaminlanden8607]

Thank you for doing always interesting content dr. Felton. Never get bored for this videos!

[@bantamkid5045]

Monty neither smoked nor drank and was 100% fit!

[@benjaminlanden8607]

@@bantamkid5045 Monty is a legend!

[@bigwoody4704]

in his own mind

[@benjaminlanden8607]

@@bigwoody4704 Actually this is true 🤣

[@cj.tj.8201]

He was one tough man, among many of that era! Thanks Dr Felton for another very informative video.

[@robdyson4990]

Yes, they say he was ferocious on the rugby paddock

[@campbellpaul]

Another awesome WWII video, as always... Thank you, Mark Felton!

[@tng2057]

General Sikorsky of Polish exile government, Admiral Koga of IJN commander of Joint Fleet (successor to Yamamoto), both died in plane crashes.

[@thebrokelifeinamerica3493]

Yeah that, Patton too. Fishy all of it

[@pauljenkins6877]

@@thebrokelifeinamerica3493 Patton died in a car accident. Given the technology of the day, it is not clear whether these are statistically unlikely.

[@terryallen9546]

Yamamoto was shot down and crashed.

[@timetraveler2405]

Sikorski was most likely assassinated.

[@tng2057]

@@timetraveler2405 by the Soviets, likely. At the time he was actually being perceived to be in reasonable terms with both the US/UK and the USSR, but Stalin wanted a puppet.

[@canaanite23]

One of the best ww2 content out there. Wish you would get the funding for longer ones. Thank you so much

[@th3d3storoy3r]

Considering the investigation more or less came up with nothing to suggest sabotage, I'm inclined to believe that the crash was a result of engine failure, if it was indeed sabotaged, the investigation would have most certainly have mentioned it in their reports

[@mitchmatthews6713]

Mark, as always, I thank you for educating me more with every new video!

[@MBCGRS]

I have flown a M38 painted like Montys for years. Only 19 Miles Messenger M38 aircraft were built during WW2 all powered by the Gipsy Major. Which will occasionally drop a valve with resulting failure of the engine. The post production aircraft were repowered with the Blackburn Cirrus. Which has a bad habit of snapping the crankshaft at high RPM... a vastly inferior engine to the original.

[@Charles-xe2qh]

Always excellent videos on this channel.

[@chesspiece81]

I've have gone a few rounds with pleurisy myself and it is absolutely terrifying

[@benjamindover2601]

Interesting fact for you. The term "the full Monty" comes from the fact that Montgomery was famous for eating a large breakfast, his soldiers would refer to this style of meal as "the fully Monty". It passed into common parlance after the war due to returning soldiers.

[@ChapBloke]

I think one of my favourite (if it can be called that) examples of a famous WWII leader (of a sorts) being killed while being flown in an aircraft is Hiroyoshi Nishizawa, one of Japan's top fighter aces with over 80 kills. Who was shot down while being flown in a 'Helen' transport plane over the Philippines, certainly an ironic way to go for an ace.

[@michaeldunne338]

Well, there is also Isoroku Yamamoto. That was a big loss for the Imperial Japanese Navy (can't speak for the IJA), with Yamamoto also an outsized figure of history like Monty.

[@fromontario6954]

Werner Moelders, and George Beurling Have entered the chat.

[@mikepette4422]

@@fromontario6954 I think Beurling died after the war but certainly Werner Moelders would have been a more important personage than Nishizawa

[@paulkirkland3263]

General Wladyslaw Sikorski, head of the Polish government in exile, killed when his B-24 transport crashed moments after taking off from Gibraltar. The British documents concerning the accident will not be unclassified until 2050; until that date, they will remain top secret.

[@bremnersghost948]

@@paulkirkland3263 Over 100 Years Covered Up, Stinks worse than Grimsby in July!!

[@drgeorgek]

What a terrific sculpture of Monty at the end. Captures the man perfectly.

[@naturetrails8357]

despite Monty ego he was a cautious & brilliant military strategist & leader, it seems the troops that served under him respected him !

[@christyhart8254]

Thanks for another fantastic video!!!! I appreciate all the research and effort you put into all your videos!

[@MatSpeedle]

My grandfather was always so proud of being part of Montgomery's 8th Army and a Desert Rat and always spoke well of him.

[@LeofromFreo]

Another superb video/documentary. ☑️

[@brentsummers7377]

Excellent video! In the book 'Watching Monty' written by his ADC Johnny Henderson, there is a description of another aircraft landing incident that could have turned out very badly. Monty's plane a Flying Fortress was landing at Palermo Airport & apparently the runway was too short for the B17 bomber. To stop the aircraft the pilot jammed on the brakes on one side, the plane spun around & the landing gear collapsed. Monty was not hurt but the plane was a write-off. After that incident he used a Douglas DC-3 as his personal aircraft. And how did Monty happen to be flying around in a Boeing Flying Fortress? Apparently, Eisenhower's Chief of Staff Bedell Smith had said that if Montgomery's army had taken the Tunisian city of Sfax by a certain date and before the American First Army, then Eisenhower would give Monty anything he asked for. Monty had promptly said he'd like an aircraft for his personal use. And Eisenhower gave him the B17 with a crew, Monty had managed to annoy Eisenhower by sending a signal demanding his aircraft & Eisenhower ever the diplomat, thought he had to honour the agreement made by his Chief of Staff, & gave Monty the best and biggest plane he could!

[@dr.jonahkangogo834]

Amazing video clips. I have watched several dozen of them and I find them very informative.

[@MBSLC]

Great video as usual Mark! USAAF Lieutenant General Frank Andrews was killed in a B-24 that was attempting to make a landing in poor weather at RAF Kaldadarnes in Iceland on May 3, 1943.

[@rupertmcnaughtdavis3649]

My father met Monty in the Western Desert. The jeep Monty was riding in lost it's aerial and my fathet, driving behind picked it up and gave it to him when the convoy stopped." Oh! Thank you, Corporal!!" quoth Monty. He was a soldier"s general.

[@bjs301]

General Montgomery was certainly a superstar during the war, and he is still a superstar in the minds of many Brits. As an American who grew up learning mainly about the roles of American military leaders during the war, I've heard from many Brits when I arguably give too much credit to my country for winning the war. What I think is a shame is that so many young people today villainize these great men. I always felt if anybody deserved the lion's share of the credit for defeating the Axis powers, it is Churchill. If I mention the tremendous things he did today, all I hear is corrections from people who want to set me straight and convince me he was a horrible man.

[@wayneantoniazzi2706]

None of the Allied WW2 leaders were perfect, but all were giants. The right men in the right place in the right time. Almost a miracle.

[@TDL-xg5nn]

The problem is too many Brits think they won the war single handed. They even referred to the Americans as "our Italians." The truth is the the lion's share for defeating the Axis belongs to the Russians.

[@paulbradford6475]

@@wayneantoniazzi2706 Yes, hard work and lots of luck could characterize the allied war effort and eventual victory.

[@Bullet-Tooth-Tony-]

@@TDL-xg5nn No we don't think that 😂

[@TheFunkadelicFan]

The Red Army won the war.

[@stempo1]

This is the best history based channel anywhere, fascinating Insights and details, Simply top notch!

Interesting parallel between the accidents of Patton and Montgomery. Patton, before the mortal vehicular accident, was nearly shot down by a supposedly RAF Spitfire but managed to escape...thank you for your great work!

[@barrythatcher9349]

Thing was neither Patton or Montgomery couldn't stand each at all. There was a bitter rivalry between them both throughout the War. To think they both nearly died in these circumstances would really get people talking. Both men gave Eisenhower plenty headaches and nightmares.

[@havenhemmings3574]

Monty was a lot tougher than I thought. A real trooper for a General.

[@XPLAlN]

Montgomery was exhausted after 5 years of camera calls on the golf course and ski piste.

[@baruchavraham1939]

Thanks for another great video Dr Felton!

[@Terratiger]

Thank you Mark Felton. "There can't be two crashes in one day for the same person..." The spirit of a fighting soldier. I grew up reading the exploits of the 8th Army and the Afrika Korps in North Africa. Now I can watch it all on KZbin. Hats off to Field Marshal Bernard "el-alamein" Montgomery.

[@AtheAetheling]

Debated his reputation may be, as is perhaps inevitable with any big name WW2 leader. But in my opinion, he was brilliant.

[@CIMAmotor]

It's not debated in the UK.

[@Ulfcytel]

His handling of 3rd Division at Dunkirk alone is probably enough. Conducting a night march from one flank to the other, in the face of the enemy, to plug a gap in the line caused by the Belgian surrender.

[@madhavgangavalli]

He broke two vertebrae and then proceeded to distribute the medals? Grudging respect from someone who doesn't care much for the British.

[@Jfvrvdkfbd72636]

I never heard about that!Thank you for giving new interesting information every week for completely free!!!

[@garyknight8616]

Superb work again Mr Felton. Thank you.

[@jerryumfress9030]

I know the pain involved with a severe back injury. I had one from a fall 21 years ago. I crushed my #1 lower lumbar the absolute worst pain in my life. I looked at those pictures of him going through the troops passing out medals I could see the grimace in his eyes. One does almost develop arthritis after a severe back injury. I hope he got the medical care he needed

[@moc7323]

Finally seen you on tv today x x Delighted to see you there too , You should have your own program Cheers

[@vansongs]

I grew up in Canada and as a child of the greatest generation, I thought all the stories about Monty put him at pretty near God status. Enjoyed this immensely. Thank you.

[@jasongarufi8187]

Thanks for another great video Mark

[@OBIIIIIIIII]

4:24 I went to school with one great-granddaughter/niece (I don’t recall which) of the double VC Noel Chavasse. I actually went on a school trip to the battlefields with her, where she saw his grave, adorned with the two medals

[@cybertronian2005]

who was the highest ranking British serviceman killed in action during the war?

[@kidpagronprimsank05]

Admiral Sir Tom Phillips (went down with HMS Prince of Wales during the Japanese attack) i presume.

[@PhillyPhanVinny]

On the topic of Montgomery I have a video idea for you. That would be on the battle for the Scheldt Estuary. It is one of the most important and violent battles of WW2 for the Western allies. It's very costly victory by the Canadians is what allowed the Allies to actually use the vital Antwerp port which was vital because it allowed a massive amount more of allied supply into Europe which allowed the US to get more troops into Europe and allowed a offensive by all 10 of Eisenhower's armies at once (Canadian 1st army, British 2nd and 8th armies, US 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th. 15th armies and the 1st allied Airborne army) which was not possible until Antwerp could be used. I say this is on the topic of Montgomery because Montgomery was in command of this battle and because of the vast controversy involving Montgomery and the battle. For those of you who are not aware Montgomery delayed the taking of the islands leading up to the Antwerp port and without those islands the port could not be used. Montgomery's delay in taking the islands despite his orders to do so and repeated reminders of the importance of taking the islands by Eisenhower and Bertram Ramsey. Taking Antwerp was a major Allied goal as the port was so large it alone could supply the whole of the Allied armies. Montgomery did rush to take Antwerp (the city/port itself) but after taking it he didn't take the islands as he was ordered to by Eisenhower and as Bertram Ramsey (probably the smartest commander the Allies had) repeatedly told him before the taking of Antwerp how important it would be for the allies to take the islands leading to Antwerp as well. The delay is thus considered one of if not the greatest blunder the allies committed when everything in WW2 is considered. It is considered such a blunder because how many times and how stressed the importance of taking the islands were. The delay in making a move to take the islands allowed the Germans to vastly reinforce and bunker down into them. Then without the incredible bravery and sacrifice of the Canadian 1st Army who were then sent by Montgomery to finally take the islands the allies would have not been able to launch a offensive across the whole front against the Germans (the use of Antwerp is what allowed that to happen). This was because the allies still to that point only had one partially working harbor (Cherbourg) and the landing spots at Normandy to unload supplies. The Germans had turned all the port cities into massive defensive bases and when the allies would get close to defeating the Germans within those cities the Germans would cause enough damage to the harbors that it would take years to clear them and allow their use again. This could not be fully done by the Germans to Antwerp because of how big a port it was. But as long as the Germans held the islands leading into Antwerp no ship could get to Antwerp to unload their supplies. The Germans had turned the islands defending the entry into Antwerp into (arguably) the most well defended locations on the whole of the Atlantic Wall. It has been said that Montgomery didn't head the words of Eisenhower and Ramsey (as well as many others) about the importance of taking the islands leading to Antwerp right away before the Germans dug down to defend them because he wanted to push through and deal the death blow to Germany with his Operation Market Garden. Since that mission was the single army mission push into Germany that the Allies could execute at that time. The timing of the delay and Market Garden also suggest that as the reason as well since Antwerp fell before Market Garden but then Montgomery didn't issue the command to take the islands leading to Antwerp until after Market Garden failed. Montgomery would go on to blame the Canadians for not taking the islands leading to Antwerp saying it was their responsibility to take them (the islands leading to Antwerp). But even if that were true it doesn't actually take the blame off of Montgomery since Montgomery was in charge of the 1st Canadian Army that was working along the coast that he says was their job to take the islands and that they didn't take them when they had the easy chance to do so. Regardless of who's fault it was these battles for Antwerp and the islands leading to the city are incredibly important to the Western Allies story in WW2 and the battles are almost never covered at all. Without the taking of those islands it could be argued that most of Germany would have then fallen to the USSR and the Western Allies may not have gotten West Germany without the Canadian attack on Scheldt Estuary islands.

[@TheFreshman321]

Yes and they Royal Marines arguably played one of the most pivotal role helping taking the scheldt. It was not a purely Canadians battle.

[@vancouver4sure]

@@TheFreshman321 - yes keep on keeping on keeping those lowly colonials in their place!

[@PhillyPhanVinny]

@@TheFreshman321 Yes, that is true, there were a number of islands that needed to be taken to allow the use of the Antwerp port. The largest and most important of the islands though was taken by the Canadian's alone I believe . That was Walcheren island I believe. Forgive me if I am wrong. I have actually just started reading about the battle recently. It is arguably the most important moment of WW2 that is NEVER talked about. No major WW2 documentary that has covered WW2 in the last 10 years even mentions how important taking those islands were and how massive of a blunder it was for Montgomery to not take them right away. People talk about Mark Clark taking Rome as a massive blunder of WW2. First, I'd argue he made the correct decision there but that is not the point I want to make right now. The point I want to make is that decision (taking Rome) and the decision by Montgomery to not secure Antwerp are on whole other levels of bad. No matter what Mark Clark or any commander does in Italy it is not changing how fast WW2 ends. Not securing Antwerp could have changed the ending of WW2 vastly by allowing the USSR to basically take all/most of Germany. Since the Western Allies would then only be able to advance with 1 of their 10 armies at a time because of supply shortages. But with Antwerp under Allied control Eisenhower can unleash all of his armies on the Axis at once. The battle and the importance of Antwerp really need to be talked about by some history YT channels. Even they don't cover the battle and there are so many great history YT channels that do cover the moments of WW2 that are less covered then others.

[@hughmungus1767]

As a Canadian myself, I'm sad to say that even most Canadians are not aware of the battles fought in the Scheldt, although Canadians in the know who visit the area invariably find the Dutch deeply aware and grateful for their efforts. Mind you, I learned that from documentaries that were themselves a decade or two old when the number of living survivors was much larger than it is now. I don't know if the grandchildren and great grandchildren of the Dutch civilians are quite as knowledgeable or grateful.

[@PhillyPhanVinny]

@@hughmungus1767 That actually makes me happy to hear (that they are unknown in Canada also and I'll explain why). Because as a American I had not heard of the battles until recently and only found them by doing my own research on WW2 and I try to pride myself on knowing not just American history and in knowing the history of all of WW2, not just the American parts. So I was really shocked as I guess you could guess when I did start reading about the battles for the Scheldt and I saw how important they actually were to the end of WW2 in Europe. It is also crazy how massive of a mistake Montgomery almost fully committed by not taking the Scheldt right away. He was only saved at great expense by his troops that ended up forcing the Germans out of crazy good defensive positions. So yeah, it is just so shocking to me that no large history YT channels and none of the large WW2 documentaries that have come out even mention the battles for the Scheldt or the massive mistake that was made by Montgomery in not taking them right away. Yet they will all mention the perceived mistake of Clark taking Rome instead of trying to surround some German troops. Like only one of those mistakes effects how WW2 ends and it is not the one that happens in Italy (if that should even count as a mistake).

[@TurbineGuy]

Almost 60 years old and learned about him using the enemy's plane . Thanks for the history Mr. Felton

[@derarbeitslosehaiderakalal4904]

Good stuff for a nice evening. Thank you Dr. Felton.

[@mlk4kna]

Excellent as always.

[@earlystrings1]

To this day, 14 percent of general aviation engine failures in the USA occur on approach. Carburetor icing is a frequent culprit and turning on carb heat is a standard memory checklist item.

[@garypulliam3740]

Montgomery is a jewel of WW2. Say what you want about him, but he had a fighting spirit and was not afraid to put his life on the line. That is the difference between the calibre of soldier like Montgomery and Patton compared to most others. They have no concept of death. I'm an American Infantry soldier and I would have followed Monty into hell. God Bless this British warrior.

[@CIMAmotor]

My Grandfather did follow Monty into hell, great words Gary, Grandad would have agreed.

[@seanmoran2743]

What ever people have said if monty I can only repeat what my 8th Army Veteran Grandfather told me And that was that Monty tried to keep he’s men alive and not through them away.

[@984francis]

Wow! Whatever opinions there may be, he was a tough man. Most likely far, far tougher than those who feel qualified to pass judgement on him.

[@maxkronader5225]

That generation had an abundance of tough men. I don't think that one in twenty of the men today have the toughness of the average WWII veteran.

[@984francis]

@@maxkronader5225 I'm sure you're right.

[@Bullet-Tooth-Tony-]

@@maxkronader5225 True and WW1

[@wojciechgrodnicki6302]

Very kind of Monty to take the pilot off the hook for the rough forced-landing. Good sport.

[@jimjohnston7688]

Well like him or not, I'm glad "Monty" was on our side.

[@oldesertguy9616]

Broke his back and he was "in considerable discomfort?" A little bit of an understatement.

[@QUADFLY]

Thanks Dr Felton. Fantastic

[@jmc7034]

Start of the day and I’ve just learnt something new. Never knew Monty had an accident. Thank you for the vid

[@johnbrereton5229]

It's an interesting fact that it was a previous plane crash that gave Monty the opportunity of high command in North Africa, that would eventually lead to his success as one of the greatest Generals of WW2. For Monty wasn't destined to take command of the 8th Army in North Africa. Command had been offered to Lt General William Gott but his plane was shot down in North Africa by German fighters leading to Monty's appointment. Gotts death has often been blamed on the leaked reports of the American attache in Egypt, Bonner Fellers, who's detailed reports had been used by the German military to plan their attacks. Gotts transport plane had no fighter escourt due to it being only a routine journey and yet as soon as it took off it was attacked and crash landed. As the survivors tried to escape the wreckage the plane was then attacked again by another two Messserschmits fighters and all occupants were killed. Why were the Germans so determined to destroy the plane and its occupants? Did they already know who its passengers were, is that why they were so determined than none should survive ?

[@kidpagronprimsank05]

possibly more or less given when they returned to base they were greeted with the identity of who onboard

[@robertgiles9124]

"one of the greatest Generals of WW2"? Hardly.

[@johnbrereton5229]

@@robertgiles9124 Perhaps you watch far too many fictional war films Robert, and base your opinion on them, rather than reality. Montgomery defeated Rommel at the battle of Al Alemein in 1942. Forcing Axis forces to retreat who were then finally defeated In May 1943, 275, 000 Axis soldiers surrendered and were taken prisoner 400,000 had been killed. This is on the scale of Leningrad. After this, all Axis forces were now out of North Africa denying them access to any much needed oil supplies. Montgomery then planned and executed the largest sea borne assault in history, at Sicily which led to the fall of Hitlers greatest ally, Mussolini and fascist Italy. He then mounted the first invasion of mainland Europe onto the Italian mainland itself. After which he planned and led the equaly successful DDay landings which culminated in him taking the Germans unconditional surrender at Luneburg Heath, Hamburg on May 4th 1945. If you don't think Montgomery was successful, who comes any where close?

[@johnpeate4544]

@@robertgiles9124 Of course he was. Probably _the_ greatest general of WW2. This was the man who replanned D-Day, the largest seaborne invasion in history and devised the successful strategy for Normandy, which came in ahead of schedule and with less casualties than predicted. Only the ignorant would say otherwise.

[@robertgiles9124]

@@johnpeate4544 "replanned D-Day"? You're out of your mind.

[@scottstallings5029]

BAR NONE....BEST CHANNEL ON KZbin!! THANK YOU 😁

[@jamesp8459]

I've never knew of Monty's brush with death, I'm sure the loss of such a great leader would have affected us all.

[@thunderwarrior2459]

Monty was a weak willed loser of a leader many of the soldiers receiving the highest medals refused as he was soooo incompetent

[@Bullet-Tooth-Tony-]

@@thunderwarrior2459 Do you even know what incompetent actually means? Did Monty lose at El Alamein? How about at Mareth? Alam Halfa? Tunisia? Avalanche? Overlord? Was Varsity a failure? Monty couldn't do his job? Details please... 🤪

[@grahamlamb3192]

@@thunderwarrior2459 You are just plain wrong .

[@peterpluim7912]

The.British public voted Churchill out. :)

[@AtheAetheling]

@@thunderwarrior2459 An absolutely incorrect statement. Why are you here watching this video? You're in danger of learning something.

[@hovanti]

Major-General Orde Wingate was mentioned; now there's an interesting character that would make for another great episode.

[@markdraskovics1962]

HEY, MARK I'VE BEEN Watching your channel For a Few yrs now but haven't committed only a number of times so Wanted you to know that I've really appreciated and enjoyed Your channel So very much and have also learned so much about the WW2 and won't to give you a Thank you for keeping me from going crazy Though this epidemic Thank you don't know what else to say So please take care stay safe and will see you on the next video projects

[@dustylover100]

I'm very happy that my mother impressed upon me about history. She made us watch the space trips and other historical events. My neighbors thought my mom was crazy for doing so. But she did me a big favor. Thank you, Dr. Felton, for further enhancing my interest in history.

[@dallesamllhals9161]

So history IS crazy? Oh yes ;-) With that said: What was/is wrong with your neighbors!??

[@dustylover100]

@@dallesamllhals9161, it was negativity and fear. It's called sheltering their kids from the horror.

[@dallesamllhals9161]

@@dustylover100 BUT! YOU do NOT see that - as a good thing, right? (Hope, hope, hope with fingers crossed)

[@dustylover100]

I side with my mom on this one.

[@dallesamllhals9161]

@@dustylover100 YAY! :-)

[@thevictoryoverhimself7298]

Maybe someone can answer me: Who actually was the highest ranking ww2 person killed in action during the war? Discounting natural causes (Roosevelt) and post-defeat suicides (hitler and the bulk of the major nazis) of course. Maybe Yamamoto?

[@alexdemoya2119]

I would also guess also Yamamoto. Would you count Rommel's suicide?

[@lightfootpathfinder8218]

British Admiral sir Tom Phillips went down with HMS Prince of Wales in 1941.

[@lightfootpathfinder8218]

Correction* Vice Admiral sir Tom Phillips (3 star rank). I'm not sure if Yamamoto was the same rank as Phillips as he was an "Admiral" but in The Japanese navy they didn't have the rank of "commodore" which is a 1 star rank in the Royal navy

[@bloodybones63]

@@lightfootpathfinder8218 Who was he?

[@lightfootpathfinder8218]

@@bloodybones63 He commanded a group of warships (the battleship HMS Prince of Wales, the battlecruiser HMS Repulse and four destroyers) called force z. They were supposed to find and sink the Japanese invasion force off the coast of Malaya but they were spotted and attacked by Japanese navy aircraft. Both HMS Prince of Wales & HMS Repulse were sunk. 840 British sailors died including vice Admiral Tom Phillips

[@ZIL68]

Keep up these productions! Very interesting for a WW2 buff!!

[@FritzyFreakout]

A very good story Dr Felton. I would be interested in hearing some stories about post war Werewolf attacks. I remember years ago when remodeling a house I found a post war newspaper with the headline “Terrorist attack in Germany”. In all my years of following World War II history I’ve rarely come across much history about the occupation. Thanks for filling in the gaps in the story and finding those stories that are off history’s well beaten path.

[@anselmdanker9519]

Thank you for covering this , I did not know that Monty almost died in Germany after the war.

[@michaelmccotter4293]

For all his faults he was all the real deal of a man. Damn good thing we had men made of iron when the world needed them. Good to know he lived a good long life. May GOD bless him in eternity!

[@robertortiz-wilson1588]

Indeed! God bless them all!

[@tradtke101]

So true. I wonder who will be the ones to stand up against the new wave of global fascism.

[@donl1846]

Thanks again Professor Felton for this very informative video.