Metal Detecting in NORMANDY!!! | History Traveler Episode 202

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Purchase shares in great masterpieces from artists like Pablo Picasso, Banksy, Andy Warhol, and more.After the Battle of Normandy, much was left behind where the Germans clashed against the Allies. In this episode, we're looking to unearth some of the evidence of the fighting that took place there during the summer of 1944.
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Other episodes that you might enjoy:
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- The 12th SS Massacre of the Canadians in Normandy | History Traveler Episode 195: • The 12th SS Massacre o...
- Holdy Battery: The Sister Gun Battery of Brecourt Manor | History Traveler Episode 187: • Holdy Battery: The Sis...
- German Bunkers of UTAH BEACH (D-Day!!!) | History Traveler Episode 190: • German Bunkers of UTAH...
- The Private Collection of Major Dick Winters (EP 151): • The Private Collection...
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[@TheHistoryUnderground]

If you've watched a few episodes and feel like I've earned it, be sure to subscribe so that you don't miss any new content when it comes out. Also be sure to check out The Gettysburg Museum of History and their store at www.gettysburgmuseumofhistory.com. Thanks!

[@thekingsilverado3266]

If U guys find my Uncle Adolphs mustache clippers he would really like it back Ok.

[@kennyvandenbergh9392]

I find a lot in the bulge on my propertys 😊

[@tinabuckingham8775]

My father who passed away 3 1/2 years ago at the age of 97, was at the Battle of Normandy. Until roughly ten years prior to his death he never spoke of his time in the military. All I knew was that he had a Purple Heart and he spoke about the young surgeon who was far ahead of his time, reattaching his fingers and discovering a way to prevent my father from tearing his stitches out and possibly undoing the amazing surgery which had been performed when he had the same nightmares each night involving the devastation my father had seen. Visions which invaded even his dreams, which impacted him for more than seventy years after the war’s end. Only after his death did I find out the extent of his service for the freedom I’d taken for granted throughout my life: Good Conduct Medal; Meritorious Unit Award; not one but two Purple Stars and a Silver Star (earned at Normandy.) This generation of brave, selfless men and women rarely spoke of their time in Hell. I don’t think they knew it was alright to do so. 😔

[@klybermacedoambrosio1383]

R.I.P.! since Natal, Brasil.

[@1970swimmer]

Thank you for sharing this.

[@The-Reckoning]

Wow, thanks for sharing

[@Voodoochild-tf6xr]

Savour the pride. It is his gift to you.

[@Chiller01]

As a retired veterinarian couldn’t help but notice the horses following you guys around, classic. Beautiful looking animals in a beautiful spot. Can’t help but contrast with the dead horses and men in places like the Falaise pocket. War isn’t just a tragedy for the human race. Prayers go to the people and animals of the Ukraine.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Agreed on all points.

[@braveheart196]

What a worthy job enjoy your retirement

[@tundranomad]

Speaking of horses, I'm reading a book by Tappan Adney, photojournalist to the Klondike Gold Rush in the late 1890's. In this book, he vividly describes the horror done to horses in the mad dash of thousands of prospectors to "strike it rich" in the gold fields of Canada at that time. Excellently written book, and highly recommend it.

[@michaeladamo1188]

I hate when you see animals hurt in history videos

[@stevemiller2651]

A friend and I have just come back from a road trip to Nurburgring a couple of weeks ago, and we decided to do a Battle of the Bulge and Overlord tour on the way back to England. When we were touring the woods outside Bastogne, where Easy Company of the 101st Airborne had their foxholes, we were equally curious about the German positions opposing Easy Company. After all, let's not forget that war is a tragedy of two sides. It was fascinating. We found what appear to be slip trenches facing the US positions. These were set up in several rows, one 30m or so behind the other and so on in typical German 'defence in depth' fashion. We also found bomb craters where the trees surrounding them had their branches stripped off where they were facing the blast (quite high up now after all this time). But the most astonishing thing we found was the tail end of an American M49A2 mortar round just lying there on the surface! We did a few minutes research and discovered that Easy company only had one mortar team, and we were able determine that the soldier that was most likely to have fired the round was Private Bradford "Brad" Freeman. He was even depicted in The Band of Brothers series but didn't have a speaking part. I mean we could be wrong, it was only a few minutes on Google, but it was still a very cool find.

[@dawndickson2156]

Thank you for taking all of us along! The curious horses were a beautiful addition to the relic hunting!

[@CrossTrain]

I was thinking the same thing... those horses were just following along as if they were interested to see what they found as well...

[@yesitreallyisme]

They were, pity they'll soon be breakfast sausages and steaks.

[@johnholmes6897]

In 1983 my army buddy and i went to Normandy for a leave. I took him to the beach and scooped up the rocks rolling in the surf at low tide. There wasn't a single rock in my hand. They were all spent rounds. Fired German with very little allied rounds. Every single thing was a bullet. That was 39 years later

[@cynditermath9118]

Wonderful presentation of metal detecting for these relics. Almost 80 years and still so much to find. Whole lot of history happened here. Thanks, JD.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👍🏻

[@stephenrrose]

This is sand, this is a pond, sand, pond...... Priceless! Thank you for keeping history alive! Off to the next one!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

😅

[@IronMikeMetaldetecting]

Hi JD, thanks for the mention and good to see you got a chance to metal detect there on those sacred grounds. You guys did very well in such a short amount of time.

[@digginonfaith531]

What Iron Mike said! Thanks for the shoutout J.D.! Subscribing to you now, Mike. 💪🏼

[@angelaw.325]

This is the most delightful nerdery you have probably ever filmed and I love it.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Ha!

[@scottspaine4864]

The one aspect I would be concerned about while metal detecting these areas is coming across an unexploded land mine.

[@michaelvalentine4867]

So what about an rusted junk with rotted gunpowder

[@jimbuford4147]

I live in an area that had a lot of Civil War battles/skirmishes and as a teenager 60 years ago found a lot of bullets and other artifacts. Shiloh Battlefield is not too far and a lot of stuff can be found on private land surrounding the park.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Wow! That would be cool.

[@Ringfiner]

I have found CW relic's on private property near Shiloh, some were just laying under the leaves for a 150 years too be recovered.

[@trickyuk386]

Absolutely amazing vlogs! haven’t missed a single 1…. keep them coming bud 👍🏻

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Glad you like them!

[@cgdeery]

@@TheHistoryUnderground well researched..very well presented..should be on TV sir..keep it up.

[@mayflower5193]

The editing and music choices on this channel are always amazing, editor needs a raise cause its half the reason im here after all, the history is the other half of course lol

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Ha! Thanks.

[@billd.iniowa2263]

Thanx JD. Been sick lately so havent been writing. But I've been watching all the videos you've been doing these last 6 months. Keep up the great work! You take me to the places I'll never get to see.

[@azbikerider]

I love when lost history comes back to life out of the ground! When you come out to AZ to do a video on TR's Rough Riders (hint!), I'll take you out to do some dirt fishing around here. Keep swinging, it's a great hobby for the history lover!

[@keithrayeski3147]

The cylindrical rusted pieces could be shelter half pole ends. The other longer piece is the mess tin lid handle. A lot of the mess tin damage may be attributed to them having been driven over…even after the war by tractors maintaining the grass around the water holds. Was this section part of the area that the Germans flooded? Detecting anywhere of a major battlefield, is spine tingling!!!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks!

[@michaelvalentine4867]

They can take the things they dug up and dig a hole and put them back in earth

[@michaelvalentine4867]

Or sell to China to make toaster parts

[@ratdetecting4780]

The cylinder things are US tent pole joiners. Nice M1 carbine magazine too

[@mitchelleveritt3204]

The horses looked pretty interested in your metal detecting as well - amusing how they were following everyone. Another great video!

[@1psychofan]

The humor at the end-well done! Left me smiling 😊

[@judygrandstrand9784]

Fascinating! Thanks for taking me along on the treasure hunt!

[@BoneDealer]

I genuinely love your videos, this episode was so cool. I would do anything to be able to talk to a world war II veteran and just hear their story but unfortunately they are gone. So I think the next best thing is to buy some artifacts.

[@jackiemack8653]

There are very few that remain. Too bad you didn't try about 10-20 years ago but there are books one of which is All the Gallant Men about USS Arizona sunk at Pearl Harbor Hawaii 1941. Book available from Amazon.

[@ermaek2145]

I've always been interested in various kinds of history and I found metal detecting videos a few years back and the best of them are really exciting to watch! I go into different phases - sometimes watching a whole bunch of them and then taking a break for months. 😅 I recently found a KZbin channel where the metal detectorist searches the WWII eastern front in the swamps and it's amazing how well the swamp conditions preserve wood and leather etc...

[@robertkrusin9856]

I love the the horses were making sure you did it right..

[@muddyfox4x4]

Another good video, glad you said metal detecting was illegal as was going to mention it was illegal in France because of so much unexploded ordnance, me and my cousin were told this when visiting the Western front in 1996. Great finds by the French lad, you and Eric did well, shame about the Battery but everyone's human !👍👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇬🇧

[@cajunshine]

Love this!! Thank you for taking me with you ❤ You have made history more fun.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@DonBair]

I am in possession of a German Alpine soldier's "Book of Memories"; Cpl. Franz Stohl was the owner. It has polaroids, even one of him in the hospital, words of love expressed by his bride, Hermine. The coolest thing of all is it has edelweiss, from 1938, pressed in the pages. I live right down the road in Wrightsville, the birthplace of the Gettysburg battle.

[@kristajohnson9243]

My husband and I enjoy watching Metal Detecting WWII battlegrounds. Not sure that's one you watch. The stuff they find is amazing. They found a full size MP40. We also like a channel, Crocodile Tears, they search for remains and return them to their native country or families if identifiable.

[@bettytordoff8920]

Great finds! History is always interesting but, artifacts bring it to life. Thank you for another fine video.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

I agree. THanks!

[@jefferyfowler7860]

Can't go wrong with metal detecting. Great video JD.

[@darkoflight4938]

Super exciting! So cool how much there still is lying around.

[@homercook1953]

I like metal detecting Getaround doing it fun to find some artifacts of the Old West keep up the good videos may God bless you in their family

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks!

[@jetsons101]

It was great to see somebody young so interested in history in such a active way. JD, have you done a video on the involvement of the P-47 fighter/bomber during the Normandy invasion? I have read that many forward bases for P-47's and other aircraft were constructed within days of June 6th, one was built in St. Pierre Du Mont. Another great watch from The History Underground. Thank you...

[@jackiemack8653]

To my knowledge the P-47 thunderbolt was built by Republic Aviation Corporation and was the forerunner of the A-10 Thunderbolt II. My Dad helped build the P-47 and I handed out the tools for the building of the A-10.

[@michae8jackson378]

So crazy all the artifacts that must be laying there for anyone to find. I get the fact that it's illegal, who wants a bunch of people running over their private land....Nice video as always!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks!

[@oldtanker4860]

The magazine is from the M1 / M2 carbine. The 2 small cylinders might possibly be the containers of cammo paint for soldiers to use to apply to face and hands. I have seen several of those in my career, granted decades after WW2 which is why I say might be. I am wondering if the small unknown item might be a hinge pin, possibly from an ammo crate / box.

[@garyrunnalls7714]

Very accurate sir

[@alanconnors8881]

I as well have a few metal detecting subscriptions. Iron Mike is one BTW. The relics people find. Amazing!

[@safety86]

Oh man! I'm so jealous! I'd love to get to do that on my next trip over!

[@kennethward3354]

Thank you for Todays History Lesson

[@deejayimm]

that last piece that you weren't able to identify at the end of the video, from here in the cheap seats kind of looks like a 1911 magazine

[@MrWhitelightning73]

The beaches would provide a goldmine of treasure……..deep treasure.

[@danielthomas8507]

Fantastic as always...keep em coming brother...

[@stallebrass]

You should do a video about the debate around the controversy of metal detecting on historic battlefields, especially in Normandy given tht its stil, just about, within living memory.

[@OTDMilitaryHistory]

Very interesting finds

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks 👍

[@rolfagten857]

Very cool this digging into history! The area near those pools of water looks like from the Normandy Band of Brothers episode with those mosquitoes when Perconte takes a wristwatch from a German corpse.

[@1psychofan]

I opened this to watch it and it said I gave this a “thumbs down” …I DID NOT! JD you’re videos are fantastic and I’d never 👎 any of them-blast youtube…..

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

😅

[@pigybak]

Love the horses there.

[@Dawkowski]

Love this man's channel, great voice, great content and visually beautiful videos.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👊🏻

[@vintageracer3734]

Looks like an M1 .30 Carbine 15 round magazine.

[@normahird9059]

JD.... Another superb vlog. Thank you for the journey.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@froilanreyes7393]

Very interesting vlog, digging up history.... Ahhh, If only they could speak. Thank you guys, I'm always following you. Be safe.

[@nonofinn7136]

I have been meaning to ask you about the metal detector guys...the things you can find there are amazing!! Yes!

[@glennhorvath879]

you have the best music of any webcast.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👍🏻

[@jamesholt7612]

Hi JD. Sorry for not watching a few of your videos. I have been sick with a major stomach virus for almost a month but I am starting to feel a little bit better. I hope you have a wonderful weekend my friend. I'd like to see you do a live stream video.

[@1psychofan]

VERY COOL EPISODE! How fun!

[@GlasgowCeltic88]

I know I'm a "wee" bit late to this party... but next time yer across the Pond you should team up with metal detecting Mike and go explore somewhere together.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

I would like that. 👍🏻

[@automaticasthmatic]

Great little video. Imagine what may lie at the bottom of the pond!

[@egnbigdave]

first thought seeing those two empty tubes was signal Flare rounds (though they didnt seem tohave a rim)

[@brianb7701]

Great video. You and Erik make such good content!

[@ww2metaldetectinglimburg]

13:20 I think those are US tent peg parts without the wood

[@scottsprings9604]

Living your dream I think. Happy for you. Looks like soooo much fun.

[@TheFunkhouser]

Imagine whats inside those ponds!

[@dradden1556]

That's awesome!! Is like Disney Land for Military action history buffs..

[@B_Rh_Neg]

This is my dream to be able to do someday !

[@baaamakingbaaaa]

That guy needs gloves and a pin pointer. I dig a lot of civil war relics in western Missouri, but I think going over there and digging WW2 relics would be so awesome.

[@janelledroegmiller995]

I like how you did not give out the location. I ask permission before I go onto any bodies place, when I take pictures.

[@davidmathie8360]

.Very interesting . You need to mention you must have written permission from the landowner and administrative authority from the Prefect of the region. In other words a licence as mentioned in ArticleL542-1 of the code du Patrimoine. In not doing so your equipment will be confiscated and a large fine issued. All finds must be declared . Good hunting.

[@francesco245]

Incorrect. You don't need a licence to metal detect. Learn the law and don't spread false rumours.

[@GuyPipili]

Very interesting. You never know what you will find. But those items brings to light what the men who fought in the war was equipped with and can also give some insight into the war conditions that they encountered. I hope you guys can do some more metal detecting in the future. Legally of course! It's also safer for JD. He won't have to bump his head against anything, at least we hope!😉😄

[@The.Original.Potatocakes]

I’ve been waiting for an episode with metal detecting.

[@philmathenia2265]

Very cool finds JD

[@boatnut64]

That magazine, looks like an M1 Carbine magazine... 👍👍👍

[@johncogan8689]

gotta love the curiosity of the horses :)

[@monteandandelinprice5161]

The shell casing is a 303 British case to a British rifle or light machine gun. The magazine is an M1 Carbine magazine.

[@richardlong5404]

Enjoyed your video as always. The ponds look like they were dredged up with the sand being pulled up to make the banks that you guys were detecting on. The magazine appears to be an M1 Carbine. Thanks for sharing.

[@marklazaroff7213]

Agree - 15 round M1 Carbine mag

[@richardlong5404]

Thanks for the reply, yeah 15 round. 30 round mags didn't come out till after Normandy. I am curious about those cylindical objects. My first glance I was thinking flare casings, until you showed a closeup. Thanks again, really enjoy your videos. We need to visit the Gettysburg museum!!

[@marklazaroff7213]

@@richardlong5404 I can't tell if the brass tubes are open on both ends. If not, they could be 12 gauge trench gun shell casings, which were brass. But the primer in the end should have made that obvious to the finders. Otherwise, I'm curious about what they could be.

[@richardlong5404]

Don't know from video but the cylinders look too long for shotgun casings. Aren't the ww2 shotgun shells 2 and 3/4 in length, not 3"? I was wondering if that 1st unkown piece could be a dust cover for a German weapon. Just thinking out loud. I envy your travels to these historic sites. I am retired military and visited as much as I could when time allowed. Stay safe.

[@Ronaldl2350]

That's crazy,. Finding some cool artifacts within minutes. That's a M1 carbine magazine.Horses wanted to make some friends.

[@markallen8203]

There is a book called The Nazi Hunters by Damien Lewis,in 1944,80 SAS soldiers parachuted into the French mountains,what follows is a really interesting story and the villagers of Moussey,and what follows during and after,I bought it up in case you hadn't heard of it, and it might be worth having a look at it and your views on it,but thank you for the amazing video

[@Gitarzan66]

To me fine art is something like my collection of Elvis plates.

[@achoelmurciano]

The last thing u dig was a 1911 Colt magazine

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👍🏻

[@malcolmmorton989]

I metal detect in the UK - I dream about detecting in Normandy

[@AndrewTPewPew]

I’m pretty sure those shotgun shell looking things are signal flares. Possibly at least

[@HolzHammerSagas]

Fun vid thank you! But I suggest your experienced metal detectorist friend gets himself a proper spade! Thanks again!

[@Shadow0fd3ath24]

took me all of 2 mins to find on google maps by you saying near Utah beach and the pond shape, its only 1/3rd of a mile from the beack! Thats one heck of a good location.... the horses, plus the little lean to in the background behind the white pipe fencing gave it away as well

[@48mastadon]

First. This makes me superior to all of you...

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

In the game.

[@TheSuperGringo]

Those two round things look like camouflage stick tubes.

[@suzyqualcast6269]

From 🇬🇧 : in early 80's, before the 40th, recovered k98 bayonet in it metal sheath, also 🇬🇧 Commando (killing) knife. Both badly affected by sand/salt, but both tidied up a ok. K98 was, years later, stolen from a supposed safe place by a local copper ! Also found a round at Merville bunkered area. Also found a (US) round down one of the sides of that German bunker between the beach and the Omaha cemetery, the one which is a topped by the US Engineer monument. YEARS before, 72, on a family camping holiday, Royan area, me and my bruvva found a 'blown' but 'intact' ammo bunker, dark, dank, with a floor about a foot deep in varying ammo debris. Much 'gone off', also much still sound. Brought a small stack back, four years later recovered these recoveries from the loft at home to see what was what. Result was I lost my thumb and index finger ends after unscrewing one found, intact round and the tiny HE charge (aluminium, size of a cigarette filter, brass seals either end) going off in my hand as the hard grey stuff within was scratched at with a dart. Hhmm. Miss my fingers, miss that bayonet.

[@Mike.driessen]

The items that I see on 13:22 are from tent poles (I think) hope that helps 😊

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👊🏻

[@michaeladamo1188]

You do such a wonderful job on your videos thank you

[@manualgrech8637]

try scenes of fierce fighting like Orne river near Caen hill 112, so many places in normandy

[@davidgarswood8329]

might be worth magnet-fishing that pond....

[@jamesporter1123]

magnet fishing is illegal in France, to many people have pulled things out of the water that went "boom" even after all this time.

[@pajooo123]

Cant wait to watch it all

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks!

[@Eupher6]

I could be waaaay off, but I had the impression that the last item you dug up from the ground, JD, was a magazine to a 1911 pistol.

[@markdraskovics1962]

HEY, JD & Eric HOPE Everyone Is doing well Yeah, metal detecting Is so awesome but It's A game of hit & Miss And Hide and seek but You are digging up prices of History and It's also A lot of fun OK Thanks for another Interesting and informative video

[@claudethibaudeau2714]

Very cool. Have you ever heard of a brass shell casing resembling a bullet that has small cleaning tools inside? I have one but no idea where it comes from

[@bennyclark5560]

Possibly M1 carbine oiler.

[@32dras]

It's not that metal detecting wasn't interesting, it was but I just love how horses was gentle following you around. How much good those magnificent animals has bringed to humans and how much misery humans has given to horses trough history, specially in wars.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

The horses were definitely cool.

[@PeterOkeefe54]

Perhaps now you understand the passion we detectorists approach our craft with. Its THE way to touch history..firsthands on. One note.the "parachute" is most likely a poncho as chutes didnt have camo on them. Parachutes were made of silk and who had time to imprint camo on them?

[@iamsteverogersakacapamerica041]

Nice use of a ww2 style shovel

[@glennhorvath879]

I found a brass shell casing in Normandy just sitting on the surface. I put it my pocket then 10 minutes later broke my ankle falling in a cow field after touching an electrified fence , not knowing it was so...I deduced the shell must have had bad Karma :) I threw it away.There is a ton of stuff to detect near Berlin.

[@TI4438]

Magnet fishing that pond might prove fruitful!

[@dirtydingusmcgee8926]

My son and I found 2 horseshoes and a really old axe head in our backyard with this cheap metal detector i got, it broke shortly after lol

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Ha!

[@davidforce5617]

It looks like the shell casing has a rim. Looks like a .303 Enfield.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

It was definitely a .30-06.

[@davidforce5617]

@@TheHistoryUnderground It was hard to see in the video. Sorta looked like it had a rim.

[@francisjohnification]

@@davidforce5617 Yes. Definitely not German.

[@tonyk1584]

Good stuff JD. I can't wait for all the Army s**t I threw away 50 years ago to become valuable! 😀

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Ha! I've had similar thoughts.

[@Mr.56Goldtop]

I think that "latch" may go with one of the mess kits. They used a similar type of latch.

[@simonphillips3329]

I agree. It looks pretty much the same as the one still attached to the first mess tin

[@Mr.56Goldtop]

@@simonphillips3329 I didn't see that. But I have a historically correct replica and it looks just like the latch. Great job!