Museum of the American GI 2021

[@williamlloyd3769]

M50 Ontos didn’t look that clean coming off the assembly line. Congratulations to the veteran keeping it in pristine shape.

[@dmn6480]

Shoutout to the guy who did the overview of the german infantry kit, he did a fantastic job

[@alexanderhartmann7950]

But the MG-34 was the first universal machine gun, not light machine gun.

[@MrChickennugget360]

@@alexanderhartmann7950 in world War 2 a "light machine gun" was intended for use with a bipod- a "heavy machine gun" was used with a tripod. The term Universal Machine gun did not come into use until after the war.

[@alexanderhartmann7950]

@@MrChickennugget360 Whatever it was called, the MG-34 was intended for LMG use with infantry, HMG use in pillboxes and vehicle mounted MG. There were LMGs before, like Chauchat, vz.26, BAR.

[@so8907]

@@alexanderhartmann7950 You are unfortunately arguing over semantics, and neither right nor wrong.

[@so8907]

Well done calling it out. I competely agree. He did a wonderful job.

[@johnemmert9012]

As one of the reenacting group's NCOs, thank you for coming out! It really helps grow these events.

[@F-4E-58-MC]

Were you from the 12th SS Division?

[@johnemmert9012]

@@F-4E-58-MC 180th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division (US), reenacted. facebook.com/Thunderbirds-45th-Infantry-Division-Museum-Living-Historians-109563044123578

[@F-4E-58-MC]

@@johnemmert9012 Oh I see. Your group looks pretty passionate and proud of what they do, and I am pretty sure you all have a great time doing it. Those US uniforms really do look sort of comfortable though. I especially can appreciate the pictures taken while being covered by the Shermans.

[@Activated_Complex]

Well, that was a neat surprise, getting to hear from an Ontos crewman. Good to see they have a normally-running FT, as well. Thanks for the video.

[@Col_Fannin156]

The thing broke down during the second battle though in the middle of No mans land had to provide covering fire for the crew to ditch it and yes the tank is an amazing vehicle

[@walthanas]

That was very interesting: thank you for sharing! Sounds like the Marine with the ONTOS has a lot of stories to tell and a lot of pictures to show: Maybe do a follow up with him?

[@philipbossy4834]

Yeah, if he has pics to share I'd like to see some to go along with the stories.

[@dropdead234]

"Do you have any questions about this motorcycle, sir?" "Yes, where are the bloody hatches?" "...Sir?" "How d'you get out of the bloody thing, if it catches fire!?"

[@chriswwiireenactment4392]

Nice video! I am the 101st airborne soldier keeping the bridge and the person who recreated the APO/PX. My friend kept a eye on it and he is the one who explain you the v-mail. I am glad you enjoy that event and you stop by the APO! 🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@TheChieftainsHatch]

Ah, the Frenchman? Greetings! Did you catch this one? twitter.com/Chieftain_armor/status/1383457918897463310

[@HanSolo__]

Ooo... The idle wheels made out of oak look so amazing. We have such FT-17 (in superb condition) in the Museum of Armored Forces in Poznań. I like these FTs very much. As well as a few other of this size and time. Char Peugeot 1918... the feels. The gentleman that never pulled the tension of his Ontos tracks used it on soft ground. Not much wear and tear IIRC the tanks covered in mud 100%.

[@LMTran]

Even the SS cosplayer says there are too many SS reenactors in the US at 3:45

[@shinybaldy]

When “reenacting” with too much enthusiasm.

[@shadowfoxcorp]

To many SS and to many paratroopers. Nobody wants to be regular legs.

[@rosameltrozo5889]

Maybe not enough

[@ShyTentacle]

@@shadowfoxcorp Unless soviets are crossing Seelow Heights - then suddenly everybody is just an ordinary wermacht grunt.

[@davidbrennan660]

When reenactors start talking about reenactors there will be blood.

[@matthayward7889]

Looks like everyone was having a great time!

[@MilitaryHistoryVisualized]

2:30 well, that looks a lot like 5.25" floppy disk "case"/envelope.

[@chriswwiireenactment4392]

Maybe that was the inspiration for the floppy disk envelopes! 😂

[@The_Modeling_Underdog]

The kind sir, Marine veteran, talking about the M50 Ontos. Hands down, the best part of the video.

[@Sedan57Chevy]

What a pleasant surprise for a slow Saturday afternoon. I really can't wait until I'm able to get out and start visiting events and places like this. Great people keep this history alive and share it with us all.

[@jamesluke7377]

My Grandfather knew well the French 75, albeit he was a "telephone line repairman" was trained and part of 130FA/bat B (predominantly of Topeka, KS and surrounding areas) of the AEF. He heard the bells at 11:00 November 11, 1918.

[@thevitaminp]

Every year I go to the reenactment, but I missed it this year. Seeing all the different armor and the Chieftain attending this year really makes me glum.

[@alganhar1]

The Post Office, wierdly, brought back memories of what we used to call Blueys. Basically self contained letter/envelope issued to personell and families of deployed Personel by the British Army. Write the letter, close it up, address on the front and its good to go. Best thing is, you did not even necessarily require the full address if you knew the name and BFPO number odds were it would get to the intended recipient... Essentially the same as the re-enactor was showing, just larger and blue paper! No stamps required either.

[@chriswwiireenactment4392]

I you’ll love to see some of those Blueys. It will be a nice add to my APO set

[@Scarlioni]

I would really like an inside the hatch of an Ontos. It's a really unique vehicle all round.

[@Glove513]

A US “tankette” from the 60s. With modern robotics, something that size might be fielded again.

[@AmazingAce]

Their restored FT is a sight to see.

[@BobSmith-dk8nw]

Yeah. Every time I see an Ontos I think of that story about the crew that ordered parts from a Speed Shop in the States to soup up their engine. American Boys at War ... .

[@GeneralJackRipper]

13:10 Oh my gawd my favorite piece of explosion manufacturing ever! ONTOS for Life!

[@WayneMoyer]

Yeah I'm a big fan of the Ontos as well. That's why I was really surprised to see one sitting there all restored.

[@csours]

A fine thing to behold

[@corwinhyatt519]

They're allot smaller than I assumed from looking at the pics of them.

[@Beeron240]

Love your CM videos

[@GeneralJackRipper]

@@Beeron240 Thanks!

[@weisschen89]

8:25 the orange squeeze bottle is for the skin not for the stuff, Hautentgiftungssalbe literally skindetoxifysalve and the 2nd box is for the same use but a different blend.

[@yomamabelgium4123]

the reenactor at 3:45 is @WWIIFREAK001 he has his own youtube channel and very good content and guides about WW2 reenacting

[@mtvdvm4940]

Couple years back a friend and I, who I went to A&M with, were out looking for a horse boarding barn in the area around the museum. Tuned out while we were cruising back roads looking that rapid popping we heard was small arms blank fire. We ended up accidentally driving into the flank of a WWII re-enactment. MG-42 gunner and 1/2 track driver paused momentarily to observe the 2003 Ford F-250 that has appeared and went back to combat.... We jammed that truck in reverse and committed fully to a strategic withdrawal.

[@Boric78]

"they have a nice spread......" Chieftain revealing how you can bribe him to attend your event. Just put out some great burgers, some ribs and free beer and he is yours for the day. Having some tanks about helps as well.

[@ulissedazante5748]

Tank aside, it's the oldest trick on the book. "after that, free buffet"

[@llllib]

@@ulissedazante5748 Well if food is rubber...

[@jimbe01]

He likes “Almond fingers”.

[@Boric78]

@@jimbe01 with him on that TBF

[@lastboyscout6437]

I learned something about the SS uniform today :-) . I like to thank the the old Marine with the tracked recoilless rifle mount, for sharing his memories..

[@isuzu6851]

I remember a guy with a Volkspolizei Trabant 601. He had a surplus VoPo uniform, typewriter and folding table. Every oldtimer show he would go to, he would set up his table and writer with a East German flag and a border post and would yell random passerby's to him. ask them questions and type out ID cards with ''peoples republic...'' whatever province he was at that moment. The luftwaffe paymaster reminded me of him, really nice guy. He even had a Duroplast sidewing with him from a trabant for people to knock on to see if it was really ''plastic''.

[@GeneralJackRipper]

Ever seen that old AMC movie 'The Lost Battalion'? Worth a watch, and sometimes you can find it on youtube.

[@Paul-ie1xp]

Great film, I read up on Whittlesey after watching it, a founding member of the American socialist party, he killed himself three years after the war.

[@robertsettles2180]

Love the comment about the troop strap! Gotta admit, one saved me from a nasty event at Ft.Knox. I believe the driver of that 5 ton caught a couple feet of air. I know us guys in the back sure did!

[@EvilvonScary]

One more reason among many to visit Texas. Thanks good vid

[@rotwang2000]

People are so disappointed when they hear Patton's real voice, they really expect the kind of deep gravely delivery that could strip an inch of armour off a battleship at ten paces.

[@Stardude78]

Yeah, George C. Scott was miscast. Most contemporary describes describe him as short, ill tempered and squeaky.

[@wolfhound113]

@@Stardude78 George C.Scott was 6 foot (for if you are from Liberia, Myanmar or the US) or 185cm (rest of the world). George Smith Patton Jr was even taller, at 6 foot 1 inch or 187cm. They were both quite bad tempered and both very, very good at what they did. But yeah, that voice...

[@ptonpc]

I'd like to hear more from the Ontos veteran if that would be possible.

[@MasterFief]

Hey I’m from College Station! The Museum of the American G.I. Really is a neat place to go to if you ever get the chance, I grew up literally right down the road from it. They are awesome, there is also a pretty cool place that’s kind of like it in Huntsville to check out if you ever get the chance as well.

[@Foche_T._Schitt]

It wasn't talked about in public but in combat they didn't always take their gear off to use the bathroom. Their gear became the bathroom...

[@davidbrennan660]

You soon learn the order to wear garments, and where to wear your braces in your layers( suspenders as you septics call them). Also as a reenactor not to go to a port a john in equipment and to remove head hear when using a Urinal troff. Light support /AT weapons are rarely needed in the Bar after the punters go home and you have an evening Cultural Event to attend.

[@Foche_T._Schitt]

@@davidbrennan660 Suspenders, braces, hosenträger I've used every search term to try and find tenue-a Swiss hosenträger.

[@Col_Fannin156]

I enjoyed participating in the ww1 event as the only Irish guards member present but I absolutely loved the event and the interaction with the kids

[@DeePsix501]

Love this museum. I went to Texas A&M and was happy to have this nearby.

[@witeshade]

They had an event like this with a bunch of tanks and re-enactors running around shooting thousands of blanks at each other here in Florida a couple years ago. It was really awesome but I've never seen it happen again, which was really sad.

[@russwoodward8251]

Thanks for this. I really liked hearing the guys talk about their experiences.

[@johnnieangel99]

Fantastic. I love these type of shows. Thank you

[@ChrisElyea]

French 75: Best gun/cocktail combo!

[@CAPNMAC82]

I remember when they were just a bunch of collector/restorers out on Cherokee Lane, most of three decades ago.

[@bryangrote8781]

I went to A&M in the early to mid ‘90s and had no idea this place was there. Maybe there wasn’t much too it yet back then. Would have loved to have gone out there when I was only minutes away.

[@CAPNMAC82]

@@bryangrote8781 Yeah, there was a combination of things. You needed to e a regular at Arrowhead Gun Range, and know people in both MVCA and Living History types (all of which were easier post grad than pre). I lived in Brazos Co. too, so it was my "back yard" too.

[@jonathanguthrie9368]

I have occasional business in Bryan, so I've driven past there a dozen or so times. I've never stopped, though.

[@ES90344]

Any more footage of the gentlemen and the Ontos? Sounds like he had some great stories.

[@ab5olut3zero95]

I have a new place to visit. This is awesome.

[@Jermster_91]

The uniforms looks sharp.

[@neuroshrink]

I remember I sent you pictures of what they had on display a couple of years ago--I hope I turned you on to the place! Their Vietnam era Riverene Craft is the only one I have ever seen that looks ready to go on a mission.

[@toweroftrollgaming]

That was a great weekend. I was there as a ww1 british soldier from the commonwealth

[@thegodofhellfire]

great video cheif, can't wait for more visits like this.

[@theassening4563]

still very true, if you have extra food you put it in the mess kit, the handle folds down one way and not the other, that way you can heat it up on top of the stove in your tent

[@theassening4563]

oh, and if you have anything extra, shut up about it

[@rrobb9853]

Great video. Very interesting to see, and good level of audience participation. Thank you.

[@ericbergfield6451]

I didn't know there was a museum over there, I'll have to go visit it in a few days!

[@CaptainSeato]

pre-video ad: USAF Heh.

[@JPR3D]

"Tell me about changing the track" 1005 guaranteed his eyes were glowing red at that moment

[@glenschumannGlensWorkshop]

Thanks. Nice event.

[@theenorman8706]

I didn't expect to see Der Jungsturm here.

[@TheFlatlander440]

For a minute there, I thought that guy was Slim Pickens reborn. Haha

[@chrisbanhidy9522]

Need to do an a future Hatch & edit on the ONTOS - keep him tracking :) think you asked too many questions in a short space of time

[@BinaryHe1ix]

As soon as I saw the LMTV I did the same thing, helmet and troop strap check. Just can't turn some things off xD

[@exactinmidget92]

18:20, personally ive never use the ladder and i dont think i ever seen it used before.

[@thurin84]

4:49 QUICK! HIDE THE FARBE!!!! 7:40 kebob removed! 9:47 sad stielgranate noises very cool! great to see the ww1 vehicles for a change!

[@nicolatesla9429]

01:30 "Nah, I'm good." Was that you Nicholas?

[@davidbrennan660]

I wish guys wearing equipment would put something in their gear, even so it is just not flat as a pan cake. It looked a nice gig, there was some sweet gear there.

[@darkninjacorporation]

I remember doing a WW1 event there as a German right after they build the Allied trench. Very good fun, and a nice place. They didn’t use the Ft-17 tho :(

[@so8907]

Hey @The_Chieftain - Great video but little tip if you speak into the mic when asking questions or if not too much hassle edited the questions into the video via text overlay. It would make the video much easier to follow and more enjoyable to watch.

[@bryantblake1877]

Every day the memories fade and die!🥲

[@tyvernoverlord5363]

They’re saying the old breed won’t be with us much after 2030, though I doubt they won’t be with us much after 2025

[@Willysmb44]

At 18:05, "You're a no-go at this station, troop!"

[@danielburgess7785]

"Not as lean, not as mean, still a Marine."

[@user-njyzcip]

"MG42 is an extension of the MG34, the first light machine gun" Yeah Ian from Forgotten Weapons would like to talk to you buddy if he doesn't light you up with that M2HB he had leaning against the wall behind him first. The MG42 and the MG34 shared no parts, they didn't even share an operating principal, and the MG34 certainly wasn't the first light machine gun. As the best SS unit in the country if not in the world, you'd expect them to have at least one of those ammo drums that made the German MGs so unique compared to other belt-feds of the time too.

[@JimFortune]

Is that a Texan drawl I hear creeping into your voice?

[@fauxhound5061]

He's evolving!

[@lptomtom]

@@fauxhound5061 Devolving, you mean

[@MakeMeThinkAgain]

I was expecting an M8 Greyhound at the end and got an M8 Howitzer Motor Carriage instead.

[@michaelusswisconsin6002]

This is heaven

[@GeorgeSemel]

The fellow at 14: 00 sounds and has a resemblance to Slim Pickens! Major King Kong himself.

[@dallesamllhals9161]

4:11 Erh! Wouldn't that be the Madsen? Just asking from a Dane!

[@captainswoop8722]

Lewis surely?

[@dallesamllhals9161]

@@captainswoop8722 Nope

[@MrCopenhagen113]

he miss spoke thats for sure the Mg-34 was the first General Purpose/Universal Machine gun

[@KettyFey]

A note about German gas masks. Whilst gas attacks aren't seen as being commonly used in the European theatre, they did occur. Rather than being strictly chemical weapons, the Soviets would use very thick smoke against their enemies - which required the use of gas masks. Additionally gas masks have been seen to be worn whilst on exposed vehicles during the winter - to deter wind chill. Just for those wondering why gas masks remained standard issue to Germans throughout WWII. I'd also note that whilst they weren't deployed, the British has massive stores of Chemical weapons held back for a potential invasion of the home islands during WWII. As did the Allies have such weapons on standby for the battles in Asia (where of course the Chinese/ Japanese forces were already using them).

[@Knightonagreyhorse]

It is said that the germans knew that gas would not be used by the allies so the gas mask container was often used for extra ammo or other things instead.

[@DD-qw4fz]

Thats a myth, ironically the guy elaborating the SS German kit has a video about it here on youtube. There were cases when gas masks were stowed in the rear (North Africa) but gas masks were never "thrown out" at the will of the soldier.

[@Knightonagreyhorse]

@@DD-qw4fz Ok, I'll check it out.

[@MRtucnakCZE]

We still have the real Reichmarks at home somewhere. The real deal.

[@muwuny]

"Expanded version of the MG-34 which was the first developed light machine gun of military history" What? Also, the filter having charcoal in it has nothing to do with whether it is asbestos free or not. The asbestos is the particulate filtration portion of the filter, while the charcoal is for chemical filtration. Pretty much every nation in WW2 used filters containing both asbestos and charcoal. Just because the Germans used charcoal too doesn't mean they didn't use asbestos for some reason.

[@jimmehjiimmeehh9748]

Imagine your job being to copy letters off of the microfilm. The amount of "Sorry X but I am leaving you" letters you'd have to do. Damn.

[@fazole]

That good ole boy Marine is another Slim Pickins! 😄

[@TheCrimsonFckr]

See a lot of people criticising the Waffen SS group in the comments. Der Jungsturm are an extremely professional and proficient group. Just because they know their subject intimately and portray it with a passion, does not mean they are some sort of Pseudo-Neo Nazi apologist group. Get over yourselves.

[@bbcmotd]

The side with the simplest uniform wins? Red Army: here's an ushanka hat, which will also be your helmet, your melee weapon and your canteen. No wonder they won.

[@dr.pop2562]

1:11 there are a couple in France that run

[@user11787-v]

Thank you so much for including our SS unit in your video!!!

[@captainswoop8722]

Why would you want to be in the SS?

[@user11787-v]

@@captainswoop8722 why wouldn't you want to be in the SS?

[@Nipplator99999999999]

Holy recoilless rifles, Batman...

[@steveshoemaker6347]

Outstanding....Thanks....!

[@napalmholocaust9093]

That tube tester supposed to be mil spec gear? 2:05 I thought they would only use dynamic testers.

[@viperscot1]

Excellent informative video as usual 😁😁😁😁😁

[@OpCrossRoads]

The guy talking about the mg 42 is ww2freak001.

[@moonmoon3429]

I live in Houston…. I suddenly have weekend plans

[@Edax_Royeaux]

This museum has an authentic running FT tank painted in orange camo.

[@ji3194]

I am so going to this next year its a short drive from New Mexico

[@danielfield650]

MG34 being the first LMG....lolololol Lewis Gun Chauchat and BAR say hi

[@MrCopenhagen113]

correct. the Mg34 was however the first General Purpose machine gun.

[@olivierr.5752]

I'm really impressed by the knowledge and the presentation from the guy in the Derjungsturn group! Really well done!

[@AdamMann3D]

reenactors know what they are told. Most of it is dicey in regards to truth.

[@scipioafricanus6417]

Yeah sure, as if the mg34 was the first lmg in histroy!

[@captainswoop8722]

Yes full marks to him for wanting to be in the SS.

[@olivierr.5752]

@@captainswoop8722 He's just pretending man, chill

[@ZGryphon]

The perfectly vertical steering column on that Nash Quad cracks me up. Ergonomics? This is the early 20th century! Usability is for the weak. :)

[@sweedish9184]

The troop strap, unsung hero of the modern military, we once got a lifeing from some damn pogues for not having it.

[@davidlee7052]

From the Der Jungsturm website: "We exist to honor those who would otherwise be forgotten in history. By reenacting the 12th SS Hitlerjugend Division, we strive to preserve their legacy by accurately portraying who they were in every way achievable." If you don't find this troubling, you don't know enough about the history of the 12th SS. The 12th SS should not be forgotten but it is undeserving of honor.

[@ArtoriusRex]

Agreed, very poor (and suspicious) choice of words.

[@luciusvorenus9445]

Very cool.

[@HanSolo__]

17:28 I need a Ferret in my life SO MUCH :' ]

[@Staghound]

That's actually a Dingo the predecessor to the Ferret!

[@HanSolo__]

@@Staghound Yeah I know but Dingo is way beyond my range. I saw some working condition Ferrets for 6000 euro or something like that. The paint was scruffy but not much rust visible and it worked. :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/j4CYeICva7uha7M

[@cheesenoodles8316]

Excellent.

[@alanhelton]

BUT WHERE IS YOUR REFLECTIVE VEST!????

[@charlesflint9048]

Very Good!!.

[@mateusz73]

Seems like a lot of WW2 Germany reenactors here in the US choose SS divisions over regular Wehrmacht ones, I get it, theyre more infamous and well known but still it feels weird

[@WolfePaws]

Yes, my thoughts exactly. Glad someone else finds this uncomfortable.

[@Simon-pq4wd]

@@WolfePaws problem?

[@johnsowerby7182]

Agreed. Was talking to someone who still does US WW2 reenactment, and he has issues with it as well

[@ineptwatcher]

Well, I would wager it is a bit of excitement coming from the "evil" and "forbidden" stuff. It is a bit on the edgy side, but those lads in the video did seem like they knew what they were talking about.

[@wlewisiii]

We have too many people in this country who hide their love and fascination with what they were by claiming to Just be reenactors when they are far more than that. I'm not saying all are but I've run into far too many of them and I don't have anything to do with the reenactment community as a result. The National Socialist love is just far too much.