Hitler's Generals in the West German Army

In 1955 a new German Army was created, the Bundeswehr. A number of WW2-era German generals and admirals were enlisted to command and shape this new force, including four Knight's Cross holders.
Dr. Mark Felton is a well-known British historian, the author of 22 non-fiction books, including bestsellers 'Zero Night' and 'Castle of the Eagles', both currently being developed into movies in Hollywood. In addition to writing, Mark also appears regularly in television documentaries around the world, including on The History Channel, Netflix, National Geographic, Quest, American Heroes Channel and RMC Decouverte. His books have formed the background to several TV and radio documentaries. More information about Mark can be found at: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Fe...
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Disclaimer: All opinions and comments expressed in the 'Comments' section do not reflect the opinions of Mark Felton Productions. All opinions and comments should contribute to the dialogue. Mark Felton Productions does not condone written attacks, insults, racism, sexism, extremism, violence or otherwise questionable comments or material in the 'Comments' section, and reserves the right to delete any comment violating this rule or to block any poster from the channel.
Credits: Bundesarchiv; US National Archives; Bruce Marvin; Killingfreak; PimboliDD.

[@theonlymadmac4771]

Adenauer‘s famous answer when asked, why he accepted generals with Wehrmacht backgrounds: „well, our allies probably won‘t accept an 18 years old general“

[@MrShoic]

maybe they shouldve looked for non nazi officers, that there were many of

[@wackadakka3134]

@@MrShoic They did .......these Generals werent " nazis " .....they were not party members

[@ottovonbismarck2443]

Mr. Adenauer was known for several famous quotes and some political maneuvers, though I'd never doubt his integrity.

[@connorgolden4]

@@MrShoic Which they did. These weren’t fanatics, just soldiers. If you’re talking about german military officers that didn’t serve hitler at all...kind of impossible.

[@alfredcollins3944]

Not only that. Not all Hitlers generals were even nazis.

[@bud9133]

"So, do you have experience in repelling the Soviets?" "...well...in a way...yes..." "Excellent, when can you start?"

[@IrishCarney]

"So, HYPOTHETICALLY, if there were a massive onslaught of Soviet armor headed westward towards us, I JUST SO HAPPEN to think that doing such-and-such would work pretty well, while such-and-such would definitely not. ... Oh, just intuition."

[@KoteDarasuum]

@typo pit they didnt slaughter wrong pigs, they defienetly slaughtered right pig. The issue on other hand was that there was 2 pigs to butcher, not just 1.

[@Fighter-ff5xl]

@@danchokonstantinov6735 Don't overrate Red Army.

[@dnickaroo3574]

The alliance between the US & SS began in 1945 when the Gehlen network was absorbed into US Intelligence, later becoming the BND. As Michael C Ruppert said: "The Third Reich was not defeated in 1945 -- it just changed venue". The Wehrmacht did not stand trial because the US & Britain needed them for their plans of world domination. Eisenhower stated that the Soviet Union was not a threat, considering the losses they suffered during WW2.

[@kylehankins5988]

@@dnickaroo3574 It was not an alliance between the United States and the SS. The SS was dissolved, and german intelligence was stripped of its nazi ideology. The west germans merely used the old German intelligence infrastructure in their new government, just as the soviets did.

[@dertargor9700]

“Fun” fact: Erich von Manstein, who was released in 1953, was an unofficial advisor of the army. He was the only German field marshal of ww2 who did this.

[@Cherry-sg4zg]

Oo ok thanks.

[@awc6007]

I remember reading somewhere that before his death, Heinz Guderian was also consulted on the creation of the Bundswehr.

[@zymelin21]

generalfeldmarschall von Paulus helped form the NVA (east germany)

[@edelweiss2971]

@@zymelin21 And worked for the folkspolizei hochschule and where not in favour to the citizens but to the communist leaders. Peoples police sounds very similar to Gestapo Geheime startspolizei, wich was against their citizens.

[@zymelin21]

If you count the officers of the luftwaffe, generalfeldmarscall Josef Kammhuber ended his career as "generalinspekteur der bundesluftwaffe"

[@rtimofei1]

My father often told me the story of how, during his national service for the Dutch army in 1960, het took part in an exercise which included Dutch, German and Canadian troops. The exercise was that the German army (still wearing WWII style uniforms and helmets) had to take a hill which was defended by a combined Canadian-Dutch force commanded by a Canadian WW2 veteran sergant-major. As the Germans pressed their attack the Canadian SM had a case of PTSD, screamed “the Germans are coming!” fixed his bayonet and launched down the hill with murderous intent. The German troops running away for their lives and my father and other troop running after the SM to tackle and subdue him...

[@steffenseitter4791]

WW2 Style Helmets and Uniforms in 1960? Sound like the Bundesgrenzschutz, not the Bundeswehr.

[@rtimofei1]

@@steffenseitter4791 Very possible, unfortunately I cannot ask my father for the details anymore ;-)

[@arrielradja5522]

That's kinda funny ngl

[@andrewgibbon-williams7974]

We all know about the valor of the Dutch armed forces here in the UK. Pace: Srebrenitsa . The Dutch 'forces' just stood back and allowed thousands of Muslim men and boys to be massacred. NO British armed force would have done this. It's a shame upon the Netherlands. But, typically, that snug little minor European state easily 'writes it off'. The Dutch should be ashamed of its performance, but, typically, it goes down the road of national amnesia. As an Englishman, I'd never trust the Dutch.

[@rtimofei1]

@@andrewgibbon-williams7974 Thank you for your views, slightly off-topic but thank you none the less.

[@gonkmaster717]

Hitler+Western German Army+Mark Felton Productions = Instant click.

[@paulbacher8818]

Feel you

[@marcoAKAjoe]

Lol

[@comradekenobi6908]

Gonk

[@diekuhistaufdemdach3923]

So gehört sich das!

[@michaelmccarthy4615]

The story behind the story....

[@blueastcoast]

This is better than the history channel ever was.

[@richardb4313]

On the History Channel this would have been an hour long with a false lead before each commercial break to make sure you don't flick the channel.

[@realtsarbomba]

Are you implying that ancient aliens isn't history?

[@matpk]

@@richardb4313 compare 1930s Nazi Germany vs 2020s Communist China in your next video!!

[@larsbundgaard5462]

@@realtsarbomba Are you implying that the X-Files documentary series got it all wrong?

[@larsbundgaard5462]

@@matpk WAT!?

[@kickingmustang]

Another incredible journey through history... Thank you Mark.

[@1joshjosh1]

Lots of Nazi stuff with the good Dr. 🧐

[@comfee]

Hefty amount of plagiarism and historical inaccuracies... Thank you Mark.

[@natedog1619]

@@comfee where’s your discography of self written historical documentaries?

[@DelGTAGrndrs]

@@comfee Do you have proof? Time stamps and links to where the inaccuracies are. I’m curious! thanks

[@user-zp4xm7ek6y]

@Derek JacksonThere were Hitler generals in the East germans army too? DDR.

[@Payduro]

The topic of post-WWII Germany is such an interesting topic and I can’t think of anyone better to present its history. Great work as always Mark!!

[@thesteelrodent1796]

much of the post-war history is completely ignored in schools and typically the focus is more on the mess that caused the DDR and the wall than how GDR came to be its own nation. So much stuff happened post-1945 that's just never talked about, by anyone but Dr Felton

[@Gillan1220]

I could say the same for Japan, which the JSDF also employed former IJA and IJN officers that were cleared of any warcrimes.

[@uncleeric3317]

Whenever Mark says, “That’s a story for another time”, I get goosebumps.

[@jed-henrywitkowski6470]

GF: He's thinking about that redhead who waited on us at Texas Roadhouse. Me: When is Mark going to release the store for another time?

[@abruemmer77]

It's the ultimate cliffhanger and I like it!

[@robertmanfredthurrigl9424]

Perfect lime to end it with.

[@jonathanliberty]

what a coincidence , so do I

[@mustafasahidmahamoud4942]

Let’s take a minute to appreciate how much effort Mark puts into these videos. Absolutely impeccable.

[@OtaBengaBabalanga]

@@Somebodythatyouusedtoknow952 infidel!!

[@skymaster4743]

@@Somebodythatyouusedtoknow952 That's a bot you're replying to. Don't bother.

[@paulkirkland3263]

Mustafa, well said. You're absolutely right, of course. :)

[@OtaBengaBabalanga]

@@Somebodythatyouusedtoknow952 Mr. Dogg-Eater, you clearly don't know what a bot is.

[@OtaBengaBabalanga]

@@paulkirkland3263 infidel!!!

[@lucdeluc6577]

There is a classic photo of Hans Spiedel inspecting a line of RAF Regiment troops at RAF Northolt base in London wearing his WW2 Iron Cross

[@jussim.konttinen4981]

You are right. I wouldn't have noticed

[@manupainkiller]

But without Svastika or other nazi symbols, right ?

[@jussim.konttinen4981]

@@manupainkiller That is a good question. I understand he also had a WW1 medal.

[@DarthBigBen]

@@manupainkiller I don’t think he was even a member of the Nazi Party.

[@kylehankins5988]

@@manupainkiller yeah they de-natzified all the medals, that has nazi symbolism.

[@jorgen1892]

I'm 21 years old and i love history.. I've learned a lot from this guy

[@frutt5k]

And you learn it without (much) bias...

[@sararyan1255]

🇮🇪. 👍👍👍

[@tsar389]

Situational irony

[@gleisbauer25]

A NVA-Veteran told me how they went for a training into the sowjet union. When he returned and told from it over a beer in his home town the older man knew all the places he came across… They had taken the same route a few decades earlier…

[@scottcharney1091]

Edit: Never mind. I was confused.

[@gleisbauer25]

@@scottcharney1091 NVA is the Nationale Volksarmee of the GDR.

[@stevewixom9311]

@@gleisbauer25 thanks for clearing that up for me too

[@_np7]

I just realized ... imgaine that XD how... **ironic**

[@El_Presidente_5337]

@@gleisbauer25 I first thaught of the vietnamese lol

[@hereLiesThisTroper]

Mark is so knowledgeable about history. Maybe he should become a professor of History or something.

[@leesaunders1930]

he may well be. he has some books out to buy, check them out.

[@jacksonkarwoski1884]

if you search him on Reddit you might be disappointed as I was when I found out😫

[@clavichord]

I'm already a Professor of History or Something.. it's great. I do tend to specialize more on "something" than on "history" though

[@penultimateh766]

@@jacksonkarwoski1884 What, did he get blackballed by Oxford for telling the truth too courageously??

[@intoclarke9967]

What do you think he is?

[@TorToroPorco]

I love all these nuggets of history that Mark reveals. There are so many stories of interest beyond just the battles that are significant parts of history.

[@shoutyman9922]

Mark Felton is one of the best presenters on U-Tube. He is also one of the reasons I no-longer get to bed at a reasonable time. Felton always manages to inject at least something that I never knew before. My ears perk up as soon as I hear his intro music. Well done Mark and happy May Day.

[@gator83261]

As a lieutenant in the Army in the 80’s we would always get our clocks cleaned by the Bundeswehr units in any exercises we did. It was difficult for an “up or out” staffed army to compete with German soldiers who knew their job well and were at their job for the past 10-15-etc. years.

[@richardm3023]

And who's fathers taught them all they knew.

[@MrPh30]

A German friend of me said when he began his Navy service in ca 1980, the first word he heard from officers and nco after they entered there was " Welcome to the Imperial German Navy, calender year and dates are different ,but the rules,regulations ,and dicipline remains the same."

[@simonmorris4226]

How come they got shellacked in 1918 and 1945. They look good but are shit when faced by people who shoot back!

[@kinocorner976]

@George Prince Yup, losing two world wars, and now having a military that’s using broomsticks as machine guns is a “real” Ingrained culture. Don’t let me continue on. It’ll get real sad.

[@Sturminfantrist]

@@MrPh30 i never heard anything like that, i entered Service in the Navy (Glücksstadt/Marineküstendienstschule 76er Training later stationed in Nordholz MFG3 Naval air wing 3) in 1979 and i cant believe it, no Officier or NCO with a bit of brain would call the Bundesmarine the Imperial german Navy, maybe your friend was drunk that 1st day.

[@Gruntilda-Winkybunion]

i learn more about my own country from an English man in the internet, than from my history teacher. Thank you Mr. Felton

[@JRobbySh]

He has enabled me to fill huge gaps in my knowledge of the war with his many short stories. .

[@CertifiedForkLiftOperator69420]

YES CAUSE you know ww2 is the only history subject. if the school system focused on information like this. you would need to start learning in pre school all the way through college.

[@user-pj6gw8fu2u]

I bet there are many pages missed in history book of Deutchland 😆 ...teared up on "no need to know" basis

[@FiveNineO]

As an outsider it seems you're still occupied by American troops and not really a free country through legislation and "psychological warfare". Is Mein Kampf still banned? I can find it in my local library in my country

[@subboy4920]

@@FiveNineO Mein Kampf, as far as I know, never was baned, even thouhg many think that, you just weren't allowed to print new coppies because of copyright. And I don't have any idea how it could seem like we are occupied or not free

[@Demonsith12345]

Your channel is a precious resource for teachers and history buffs everywhere. Rock on, Dr. Felton!

[@joshuafarmer3467]

These videos are so informative and high-quality. I wrote my senior thesis in college on the SS, so I know much of this information but I still learn more each time I watch a Felton production. Thank you.

[@xGoodOldSmurfehx]

damn, can you imagine if Erwin Rommel was still alive? everyone would have selected him as one of the generals for the Bundeswehr in a heartbeat

[@mikeoz4803]

Just like the French who poisoned their greatest hero - Napoleon, the Germans killed their greatest hero - Rommel. Strange world indeed.

[@NoNoseProduction]

@@mikeoz4803 rommel is overrated.

[@sisophon1982]

@@NoNoseProduction tactically yes

[@dwielgosz2011]

They couldve just selected Manstein but then France would panic

[@marrqi7wini54]

@@dwielgosz2011 And the soviets would have definitely been enraged.

[@Joshua_Finbarr]

Dr. Mark felton never failed us all!

[@scockery]

Good, because otherwise he'd be called Dr. Mark Failton.

[@micuentaparaforosycosas3484]

@@scockery 😁👏👏

[@matpk]

@@scockery compare 1930s Nazi Germany vs 2020s Communist China in your next video!!

[@larsbundgaard5462]

@@matpk WAT!?

[@JaroSlap]

Much thanks Mr. Felton! I have a great respect for your coverage of these somewhat minute detail, and your usage of primary sources like the film you show in all your videos. Keep up the great work!

[@Timmorrisjr]

I gotta say, your channel has become my new favorite. I love history, especially WW2 history. I’ve visited the Ardennes Region, Normandy, and various other places in Europe. Little did I know there was a little piece of WW2 history an hour and a half drive away from me at the former Ellwood Oil Fields in Santa Barbara, which I visited (now a golf course with a little memorial) soon after I saw your video about the Japanese “attack” on California. Awesome content. Also, a request: A video detailing the Schnez Truppe.

[@abdulmismail]

Absolutely fascinating. Can't wait for the "Hitler's Generals in the East German Army" episode.

[@BrunoSantos-lm1pz]

Fascists were proscecuted wayyy more in the east (rightfully so)

[@kosmonument2682]

It's not likely to happen. The Communists executed most of those.

[@Vespasiaan]

@@BrunoSantos-lm1pz You forget that the Wehrmacht officer corps was not entirely loyal to the NSDAP, and there are many examples (such as Stauffenberg) of them being outright against the NSDAP. I am certain some ended up in the East.

[@herocommand]

@@BrunoSantos-lm1pz Except they weren't. East german Highcommand was full of ex SS soldiers. the soviets also did jack shit in terms of denazification hence why the NPD you know the sucessor party to the NSDAP is more prominent in the east .

[@deinvater2299]

There were some officers und NCOs of the NVA, the eastern german army, that served also in the Wehrmacht. The former Wehrmacht officers who got captured at the eastern front formed a organisation called BDO (Bund Deutscher Offiziere - Organization of German Officers) Out of this organization a lot of officers of the NVA were recruited. As example Arthur Brandt, Walter Freytag, Vincenz Müller, Hans von Weech und Hans Wulz. After the creation of the Bundeswehr, that first didnt really looked like a German Army, the NVA was dressed almost like the Wehrmacht to look like a true german army.

[@imathreat209]

Perfect way to start my Friday

[@vexxfulomega9]

Completely agree

[@imathreat209]

@adolf hitler you fell or feel?

[@rolandberger7493]

@@imathreat209 First he felt like starting a war, then he fell in the war.

[@rembrandtshadows]

@adolf hitler Adolf, do you have any art work for sale?

[@rembrandtshadows]

yes, agreed.

[@indianapolisbankruptcy]

This is one of your best yet, Mark, as I haven't seen this material anywhere.

[@jonstuart8351]

Thank you again for my history lessons, I am always glad to hear your videos pop up and listen to them over and over again

[@657449]

After Vietnam, I served on the West German/Czech Border. We would do a day long Jeep patrol or man a border outpost for a while. One day at the border outpost, two border policeman stopped in for coffee. The dog handler was armed with a Walther PPK and the other soldier had an Uzzi. The dog was the biggest German Shepherd I have ever seen.

[@raphaelcatchpole2685]

Read an article about this once but never heard it mentioned anywhere else. Until now that is! Hats off Mark!

[@rembrandtshadows]

I mean, really, its true!

[@herocommand]

Realy its quite common knowledge in germany and atleats our direct neighbours. Kinda strange to see people that didnt know this. Then again i doubt the quote of our first post war chancelor going '' Nato wouldn't like 17 year old Generals'' is known outside of Germany.

[@rembrandtshadows]

@@herocommand I think you indentified the issues in your post . . . . and now it is forgotten history.

[@herocommand]

@@rembrandtshadows I guess for some nations it is. Certainly not for most of central europe.

[@raphaelcatchpole2685]

@@herocommand I'm from Germany, half English, and I went to a German school growing up in Denmark, and I was never educated on this subject. Don't remember anyone mentioning it either in conversation. Might be common knowledge to some but I'm definitely glad Mark decided to take it up still for those that didn't. You'd be surprised what alot of people nowadays haven't heard about, even though you and I might have already. Like I said, I did read about it, so I did know about it already... Then again I am quite interested in history. It's obviously not a secret, just saying it's nothing you hear talked about everyday that's all, and it requires you be interested in the subject to actually find out. Perhaps the previous generations know it more because they read more and also it's closer to their time than mine since I'm relatively young and alot of people my age can't be bothered. My mom who grew up in West Germany also sais that she might have heard about it before, but it's not necessarily something the common man has heard about aswell.

[@seanbrazell6147]

This period was a historical blind spot in my knowledge and understanding of history, despite the ungodly number of WW2 and cold war written and video documentaries! No more. Fantastic work.

[@WirSindVerl0ren]

Thank you Mark for your historical videos on topics that seem skewed and unspoken of.

[@woolno2000]

There were others. I had the honor of having dinner with my father and the then-Commanding General of German NATO forces, General Beneke (sp). A professional soldier and an evening I will always remember. We talked soldiering for most of the evening. He had been a Col. in WWII, same as my father.

[@Dont_Tread_on_Me448]

He was a colonel in the Wehrmacht ???

[@anaxagoras2930]

@@Dont_Tread_on_Me448 Probably meant Oberst or Oberstleutnant

[@stoopingfalcon891]

I remember when I was young, hearing my dad say that he overheard a senior officer saying that 'If Hitler had kept his mouth shut, and left the army to be run by it's generals, they could very well have won the war'

[@Blei1986]

nah, not really. it was a logistical nightmare, too low ressources and a Stalin, who threw in so many men as possible without caring about cassualties. and if AH did not attack the soviets, then the soviets would have most likely attacked the germans sooner or later. it was doomed from the beginning.

[@stoopingfalcon891]

@@Blei1986 I would probably say that if AH had waited another six months before attacking the soviets, that would have made a huge difference, since he would have had the manpower to stabilize the western front, and the manpower to kick invasion forces back into the sea, making his European defenses strong enough to stand on their own. Then he could have turned his attention to the soviets. But as we all have learned, we will never know why he did what he did, without listening to the men in charge of his armies that actually knew how to fight a war, Since after all, his experience of war was ww1 as a trench runner delivering messages from one part of the battlefield to another. At the end of the day though. He and his lot were beaten, but the cost of that victory will ring down through history for a very very long time to come. Us toobers passing a few comments amongst each other can't hope to understand the scale of what happened back then. We only see the results.

[@danmassaviol8646]

The talk while I was stationed there was if they never bothered with Russia, they very well would have had a different outcome, the eastern front was an unimaginable error.

[@stoopingfalcon891]

Perhaps the timing was an error more than anything? If they had waited for a spring campaign, the outcome would have been so different.That is the point, That error you talk about really screwed it up for the germans. The basic tenet of warfare, do not fight on two fronts, because you can't beat two armies. As I said already, AH thought he was a military genious, and over ruled the people he had in charge of his military forces. How different would it have been if he had listened to them? We will never know.

[@civilengineer3349]

That's more of a popular myth though. Fact is, the Germans put themselves in a very precarious situation by choosing to ally with the Soviet Union to conquer Poland instead of allowing Poland to be a buffer between Germany and the Soviet Union, so they could focus their war effort against the Western allies more considerably. They would have never conquered the United Kingdom, especially once the United States was fully involved. But they could hold on to France and elsewhere until a treaty could be accepted.

[@medic3993]

Still the most underrated channel on youtube. Great stuff!

[@Headshot1st]

Definitely want to hear this “story for another time”. Another good video as always

[@EAAFalkenauge]

I have learned more about WW2 history from your channel and Military History Visualized than i ever did at school.

[@Atti19216]

Not hard since they dont really teach anything about ww2 at school

[@generalfred9426]

History classes are supposed to teach you what caused the historical problem, how the problem was caused, and how the problem was solved in order for you as the individual to apply those skills in your life. If schools tried to teach everything about WW2 they wouldn't have enough time to teach you the other critical points in history. It's up to you whether you want to learn more about a specific event or not not the school.

[@rembrandtshadows]

@@generalfred9426 actually schools don't teach a lot about what you said.

[@generalfred9426]

@@rembrandtshadows Well schools will be schools and everyone will hate them ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@nogisonoko5409]

@@generalfred9426 It will be great if they even teach me of what you said but they dont. They only stated what happened during their pre-independence and post- independence moment (in my country at least) not to mention a lot of set of rules and laws i have to remember and understand.

[@elihu217qd5150]

The only way this guy knows so much about history is because he is a time traveler

[@jed-henrywitkowski6470]

Agreed! I call dibs, on using him to help me with my genology.

[@bernardtaylor7768]

And how many future events will he chronicle or is he manipulating events for his channel?

[@shaunbritton939]

Lol he's actually a very respected war historian very intelligent guy I love his work

[@MrPhantom453]

Was thinking exactly the same thing. Please take me with you.

[@cv507]

zakaröff? #9 ^ ^

[@LukeBunyip]

14:01 "...but that's a story for another time." Looking at your past offerings, I am in no way complaining, but I for one would be happier if we get Part II sooner rather than later. You're doing good work Mark, ta muchly.

[@4urluvjones155]

Thank you Mr Felton. You've done it again. Another fascinating and interesting topic and well presented.

[@BBerckdano]

Started showing these short films to my wife who never had much of an interest in history. This morning she texts me to tell me about the good Doctor’s freshest upload. I do believe the hook is now sufficiently set.

[@TobyTyler06]

The early days of the GDR's Armed Forces would be very interesting! I can only imagine how awkward and tense of a development that must've been.

[@ArkadiBolschek]

Well, for the soviets it must have been business as usual: they built their own Red Army using former tsarist officers and generals.

[@doncarlton4858]

In 1955 Erich Hartman, Gunter Rall, Mackie Steinhoff and other WW2 Experten were sent to flight school in the USA to learn fly F-86 Sabre Jets the USAF way. They called it a humbling experience because they had little instrument flying training in WW2. In 1955 all Luftwaffe training manuals, tools and equipment came from the USAF and many USAF officers and NCOs staffed training and command positions until German replacements were fully trained.

[@zymelin21]

@@doncarlton4858 generalfeldmarschall von Paulus, Stalingrad, was earmarked by the russians to make the NVA!

[@user-bo8eq7ki5w]

For example Friedrich Paulus ))) The Nazis would not have accepted him into the Bundeswehr ))

[@scottcharney1091]

@@ArkadiBolschek Indeed, they held the families of those officers as hostages. Yes, some came willingly, but in a great many cases they were told that if they didn't help to the best of their abilities, the Cheka would kill their (the officers') families. It was no bluff.

[@MattLesak]

Bravo Mark! Another well done production. You have this history buff hooked 💪

[@RQO_Deadshot]

Im always thankful for these Videos although you go into greater detail then needed for my final exams in History in germany many videos have helped me a great deal in preparing for that. Thank you

[@mr.robinson1982]

History needs to be remembered & retold so as not to repeat the mistakes of the past.....Thanks Mark.

[@ThomasHart59]

And yet, here we are, collectively heading down a road with many of the same signposts as were passed in those times while almost completely oblivious to them. I think we are doomed to repeat the mistakes of the past over and over again. Such is the nature of power and ego, because “this time, we’ll do it right”..... As if there were anything new under the sun.

[@neuxell]

yeah, reminds me of a Patton quote

[@bigtoelittlefinger6133]

O aye they sure don't

[@mgtowveteran3234]

Already did. To late.

[@jstevinik3261]

Minor correction: East Germany allowed more.than one party but were allied with the dominant SED. One party dominant would be fairly accurate.

[@studinthemaking]

Really? Did know that. Anymore info on that subject you can link to?

[@Tragantar1310]

@@studinthemaking google Blockparteien. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloc_party_(politics)

[@theodorkorner1497]

The SED was more than "dominant". It was a one party dictatorship with pseudo opposition parties who where created by the party leadership and their Soviet overlords.

[@jstevinik3261]

@@theodorkorner1497 Intersring, though at least it is superior than the USSR democratic centralist (that requires all members to follow reaolutionns agreed by the party leadership to prevent factions), sole legal party system. There was were Christian socialist party that challenged the SED on abortion. I heard of this small channel called Socialist Swann that has content on the GDR.

[@dickyarya8204]

Is it the same things like Prc? They have minor party in the parliament seat sure but they all agree to acknowledge that ccp is the only ruling party. So it's kinda bs honestly 🤷

[@jaybee9269]

Great professional job as per usual, Dr. Felton! Glad you did some Luftwaffe figures; some impressive pilots like Gunter Rall went on to serve in the West German Luftwaffe. He was one of those guys with an absurd amount of aerial victories. It would be good to see a similar West German Luftwaffe video.

[@im1who84u]

Greetings from North Carolina! I just love watching ALL your videos and feel so fortunate to be able to do so. Whenever I see it's a "Mark Felton" video, I know it's going to be good, have no problem "clicking" on it, and have no problem recommending your videos to others.

[@SgtAndrewM]

mark you are legend, please dont stop

[@Alistajaupseeri]

That's what she said

[@diekuhistaufdemdach3923]

True

[@kaykutcher2103]

You know what your profile pic did.

[@joeoregan170]

@@Alistajaupseeri 6667676

[@gazg00]

@@Alistajaupseeri 🤣🤣

[@adammound1982]

Cant beat getting in from work on a Friday crack a beer and listen to Mark Felton

[@2ndcomingofFritz]

Yes, indeed

[@djyork8634]

Yet again incredible video. No hyperbole or opinionated hate bile. Immaculately researched and another topic upon which I had no idea. The best resource on KZbin

[@alanblanes2876]

Thanks for this amazing history, Dr Felton.

[@bullettube9863]

I remember when I was in high school my history teacher talking about the controversy regarding using former Nazi Generals, and he as a veteran talked about expedience and what it meant. I was only 16 so it didn't sink in as well as he might have hoped. But after the Iraqi army was abolished and chaos resulted I realized just what he tried to teach us. The same goes for using German scientist to help develop rockets after WW2, you can either adhere to your moral principals or recognize that compromise for the sake of expediency is sometimes the best way to go.

[@leviturner3265]

WWII German does not mean Nazi. Nazis are NSDAP members, it was a political party. The NSDAP was the only political party from 1933 to 1945. Just because you were a scientist in Nazi Germany does not make you nazi, nor a bad person. The same goes with German generals from 1933 to 1945. I have no problem with generals from the wehrmacht being generals in the bundeswehr. It means nothing, except to depolitize WWII. Wehrmacht does not equal Nazi! Nazi equals Nazi.

[@dannya1854]

You didn't have to be in the Nazi party to be doing the same things the Nazis were doing. The Wehrmacht and Luftwaffe had their fair share of massacres and genocide, that's why they went under big scrutiny before being allowed to go back to being in a military, although the West generally overlooked some of their crimes especially if they were committed in the East.

[@bullettube9863]

@@dannya1854 Perfect example of what I wrote. The allies were forced to ignore some criminal behavior for the greater good in having competent people in charge. For the people guilty of the worse crimes they were punished either by hanging or long prison sentences. The German people were punished for allowing their government to wage war by having their cities and military destroyed. That the allies did not further punish them is evidence of mercy and just plain common sense. Today Germany, Japan and Italy are strong democracies and valuable allies.

[@dannya1854]

@@bullettube9863 I wouldn't say it was done for the "greater good" as much as just NATO trying to expand and threaten the Soviet Union and to crush Socialist uprisings across the world.

[@bullettube9863]

@@dannya1854 Socialist uprisings? Like the ones that occurred in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Belgium and France? Yes we interfered in South America, but the last time I checked South America has more democracies with socialist governments then they did 20 years ago. While many Americans despise and fear socialism I'm not with that crowd. The fear comes from what we saw happen to Russia and China, which say they have socialistic governments but are really just tyrannies.

[@redrock3109]

We were stationed at Regensberg in 56 - 57'. Dad did border patrol and at the time each side drove up and down a road separated by a single strand of wire.

[@Hebdomad7]

6:10 poor guy getting used to the new style of saluting.

[@scanida5070]

Funfact: Before 1956 the Bundeswehr was still called the “New Wehrmacht” (“Neue Wehrmacht”) since “Wehrmacht” was still a normal term in German for army.

[@CipiRipi-in7df]

In German "Wehrmacht" simply mean "Defence Force".

[@nathancarlson2282]

When Dr. Felton says “but that’s a story for another time” I can’t wait for that other time! I rarely find something worth supporting with a donation. But supporting these knowledge nuggets was a no brainer for me. Just fascinating!

[@justinbradfield1489]

I support with a small monthly donation on Patreon. Best investment i ever made and i really need to increase my monthly investment.

[@debbieverret4033]

Thank you Mark, I really appreciate you giving the timelines of these generals ages and when they died, something we'll never get in a history book.

[@thomasaustin5378]

Err I think you probably will?

[@stevemellin5806]

Thank you sir looking forward to the next one

[@jakobh66]

I would love to see an episode devoted to the military decorations in post war Germany. I am myself German and a history student and did not know about those modified medals. Also thanks for your wonderful episodes!

[@twinsonic]

If you call yourself a history student and German, you should have known that. Basic military knowledge.

[@alexanderzippel8809]

@@twinsonicKnowing decorations of an army not even 70 years old is anything but basic knowledge

[@twinsonic]

@@alexanderzippel8809 if someone is "devoted" to post war German decorations, one should know about the Ordensgesetz from 1957.

[@Southprong59]

I am a WWII buff and learned a few things in this video as well.

[@rfkwouldvebeenaok1008]

Mark your channel never ceases to amaze me. You describe topics I never even knew about. It's like the golden days of the history channel, but on KZbin.

[@rembrandtshadows]

agreed!

[@fireteammichael1777]

Mark Felton should have the rights to name "History Channel," as history is actually learned from this channel more so than the channel that actually bears the namesake.

[@steveroe6771]

Either Mark Felton or The History Guy. Both are worthy of being the real history channel.

[@matthewmartin5763]

@@steveroe6771 I've spent countless hours watching both channels. My History teachers really tried their best, but always having to prepare for standardizing testing got in the way.

[@psychohist]

@@matthewmartin5763 Maybe if the people who write the standardized history tests would watch some of this too.

[@steveroe6771]

@@matthewmartin5763 standardized testing is not truly indicative of what needs to be taught. It is just another way for the government to exercise control over students. Glad that I went to school in the 1960's and 1970's, graduating in 1979

[@henrisivonen7404]

Thank you for another interesting clip! The German heritage carried on in the army uniform design, insignia, badges and the eiserne kreuz/balkenkreuz much longer than many would have thought.

[@user-nf4kz3hi4c]

Many people do not know West German uniform like M57 and M62 and it makes a lot of people praise NVA. That is very sad.

[@Diddy1970AD]

Another really interesting and informative video from Mark Felton Productions. In addition Dr Felton's narration is superb. Clear and precise. He really should be reading the news and the shipping forecast on BBC Radio 4.

[@dunkirchen1940]

Can't wait for the one about former WWII Wehrmacht Generals in the NVA. Great stuff, as always!

[@localbod]

I was born in a country that technically doesn't exist anymore - West Germany. Another interesting presentation by Mr. Felton.

[@lovablesnowman]

West Germany does still exist you idiot they just changed the name. East Germany was absorbed into West Germay they didn't form a new country.

[@kosikumah7249]

Technically, the name wasn't West Germany. It was the Federal Republic of Germany or Bundesrepublik Deutschland (BRD for short). 'West Germany' was an expression utilized by the rest of the world. It was printed on products for export or sale in the then EEC and beyond. I was born there too and witnessed reunification. No German ever called it West Germany. It was always BRD or even just Bundesrepublik (a lot of newscasters spoke that way). And yes the DDR was absorbed into the BRD by re-creation of the federal states that made up the DDR. But there was no need to be insulting about it. A simple correction would have sufficed.

[@localbod]

@@kosikumah7249 I was born in Rinteln because my father was serving in the BAOR at the time and he certainly referred to it as West Germany, perhaps due to the existence of the DDR / East Germany and the mindset of the military. I have two birth certificates; one from the British Consulate in Hannover, which allowed me to leave and enter the UK, and a normal British birth certificate. On the British one it says West Germany. However, I do understand what you are saying, and appreciate your full explanation.

[@kosikumah7249]

@@localbod precisely what I meant! An English speaker would say West Germany but I never heard any German say West Deutschland. By the way, I attended the British Army School in Cologne, even though I wasn't a British citizen. My parents came from Ghana and wanted me to be fluent in English as well as German so in 1980 I was sent to a German school in my town. BFES Cologne was closed that year due to reductions in troop numbers.

[@psychohist]

@@kosikumah7249 German speakers still refer to Ossies and Ouessies today, I believe.

[@C00LWhip]

Absolutely fascinating as always Mark Felton! I love your channel !

[@coldwarsarge7592]

Your productions are top-notch--thanks so much for sharing your insights with us! 👍

[@AlvaroMF13]

Can't wait for the East Germany version, great work as always

[@Paciat]

The role of Polish communist forces was to set up many river crossings for the Soviets and then take Denmark while Soviets go towards France. Soviets didnt rely on allies as much as US and UK did.

[@thanakonpraepanich4284]

Did Stalin ever become lucid enough to see the need to recruit some after April 1945? Stalin was almost dead by that time with stroke, liver disease and diabetes took their toll, making straight thinking difficult for him.

[@Paciat]

@@thanakonpraepanich4284 You think you have to be a genius to give a draft order in some puppet state +1500km from Moscow? Stalin didnt have a need anything but strong militia. The topic of German partisans is largely avoided and they were unhappy that Stalin moved the borders of Central Europe 200km west.

[@SMGJohn]

@@thanakonpraepanich4284 I think straight thinking seems to be difficult for you, you seem to have this idea that Stalin somehow ran the entire country himself.

[@thanakonpraepanich4284]

@@SMGJohn Fear and paranoid that permeate Soviet government postwar until Stalin's death make it looked like that from the outside. The higher you go, the more you will have to second guess Stalin and prepare to dodge bullets if things don't go according to plan. Then whoever doesn't like you can claim he/she did it on Stalin's behalf and get away with anything. And things got more wacky the more Stalin's' health deteriorates. Stalin after VE Day was a shadow of the man he was when he succeed Lenin, mentality and health wise.

[@carlbrown9082]

Your episodes are so thought-provoking. Thank you for raising these interesting stories and bringing them to our attention.

[@Andrew.quigley]

You're a legend Mark for the amazing research and effort you put into your videos. Cheers from Australia.

[@sirchromiumdowns2015]

Great video, Mark. You always find the most interesting topics concerning lesser known aspects of WWII. I really enjoy your videos, always impeccably researched and well presented.

[@spiritofthetime]

Always smile when I see Norwich Cathedral's cloister wall behind Mark in the opening shot. Lovely space.

[@Trek001]

That isn't Norwich Cathedral It is, in fact, the outer wall of the FeltonBunker - constructed in late 1941 to protect against broadcasts by NatGeoTV and The History Channel

[@chandalababa-kwanga9981]

will be a mosque soon. Rupert

[@pimcast]

So glad to have found this channel. Stay awesome, Dr. Felton.

[@filipohman7277]

Thank you Mark, Awesome Work!!👍 Greetings from Helsinki Finland 🇫🇮

[@johnwilliamson2276]

Another very fine video, thanks so much. Your channel is a place I can depend on to give information found nowhere else.

[@rsixing]

Your German pronunciation is spot on. I served in the FRG in the U.S. Army as a White Hat M.P. from 1975-1977 in Mannheim (Co. A 95th M.P. Bn.) and Pirmasens (59th M.P. Co.) and 1983-1985 in Frankfurt (503rd M.P. Co. 3rd Armored Div.). Your informative historical videos are one of my favorite KZbin channels. Keep up the good work sir! It would be great to see you do a video on SMLM as I spent some time chasing those "authorized" Soviet Military spies. Total fun!

[@u.s.1974]

I seriously doubt that his German pronunciation is always spot on. Sometimes he is right, sometimes he butchers it completely. He should let a German native speaker read the German names read aloud to get the proper pronunciation.

[@rsixing]

@@u.s.1974 Ouch...not arguing with you and with all due respect you speak German? Asking for a friend :)

[@u.s.1974]

@@rsixing Ja, I am a native speaker.

[@useyourbanana405]

Im happy seeing this channel grow to get the attention it deserves. Also it's nice to see so many people being interested in learning from history.

[@clavichord]

You mean learning "about" history. Learning from WWII history is another matter... and I'm not convinced much has been learned, unfortunately.

[@useyourbanana405]

@@clavichord Every person learns his own lessons from history. Dealing with it alone, does something to you, makes you think about the present and future.

[@alittlebitofeverything9866]

Mark your knowledge is just amazing, your facts are 100%. I have learned things that I would have never learned without your videos, you keep them interesting, unique and simple. I always wait for your videos to come. Your voice is consuming, and the way you speak keeps it easy for me to understand what is happening. Thank you keep up the great work.

[@htos1av]

Thanks for posting!

[@addisonlinckcameraco.5373]

Thank you Mark! You always supply such in depth information about everything you discuss, incredible!

[@Roller_Ghoster]

May Day May Day its another brilliant historical upload from Dr Felton.

[@onebeartoe]

I offer many thanks for providing the video, sir.

[@Rustie_za]

everytime I hear that intro music it feels like some massive announcement is about to be made

[@John.B.Jenkins]

Good Friday Mark. Your content is appreciated. What a great topic today!

[@GhostRanger5060]

Incredible men living in extraordinary times. One is tempted to wonder how the post-war West German Army might have developed had Erwin Rommel been allowed to live and had survived the war.

[@hdexotic1914]

Soviet Germany was incredible times????

[@GhostRanger5060]

@@hdexotic1914 No. communism always sucks. West Germany, however, had a remarkable post-WWII history.

[@georgelabe-assimo4365]

I mean, the Bundeswehr had the largest European military in NATO at the time, was well-equipped, and arguably superior to their Eastern counterparts until the end of the Cold War. They didn’t fare too badly at least during the Cold War.

[@thatguy8554]

Man that intro primes tha pump for knowledge absorption! Good stuff as always

[@mooseworks_soldiers]

I discovered your channels during pandemic shutdown. Glad I did. Your videos are awesome!

[@duklinbob]

Mark, I highly appreciate everything you do in order to research and gather all the information needed to make these amazing and outstanding videos! I’m forever a fan of your work!

[@Ewen6177]

Once again Mark, you make a great start to the weekend. Cheers.

[@silvanski]

I learn more in 15 minutes from Dr Felton than on many other channels

[@Alexandra-vp1gm]

Wow I cannot get off your site! My German grandparents immigrated to Australia. I thank you for putting all of this information together ...I appreciate all you have done. A+

[@PantherBlitz]

Uncanny how questions that I have had in my subconscious get answered by Mark's videos.

[@MrXdmp]

Thank you Dr. Felton!

[@connorroberts7335]

I’m always excited to learn about what famous people from the WW2 did post war. Please keep them coming.

[@uwekasten716]

Dr. Felton always brings up interesting Facts and Details. Really worth watching, very informative.

[@ByWayOfDeception]

Substance. Substance. Substance. That is why this channel is just so good.

[@byff2323]

All the other WW2 documentaries I’ve seen are good. But Mark Felton Productions are next-level!

[@oldgoat1890]

I was stationed over there in the late 70's and most of the high ranking officers I saw were missing an arm, leg, or and eye. As for the French objecting? They marched all over Europe for 100 years.

[@CinimodNorton]

Good Stuff, bro. Also watched the one on East German Army Generals, took me here. Both well done.