Phantom Fallschirmjägers - Secret Operation Spielzeug: Ardennes 1944

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CHRISTMAS SPECIAL 2024: The completely unknown story of two more German parachute drops during the Ardennes Offensive in December 1944 codenamed Operation Spielzeug, made in support of the well-known last large-scale wartime German parachute operation codenamed Stösser. This will be new information for most students of the Battle of the Bulge!
Dr. Mark Felton FRHistS, FRSA, 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.o...
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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.
Primary Sources:
'Spielzeug«: 19-23 December 1944', www.ghostbombers.com
The Battle of the Bulge: Then & Now', Jean Paul Pallud, (After The Battle: 1984)
Credits: US National Archives; Library of Congress

[@MarkFeltonProductions]

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[@suyz9312]

Im playing Enlisted im already giving gajin and Darkflow my money

[@natviolen4021]

War isn't a game.

[@DioBrando-jm7uf]

@@natviolen4021 Gay

[@caniconcananas7687]

Merry Christmas 🎄👶👑✝

[@bjorntorlarsson]

Thank you for reminding us of the best of all Christmasses this morning. Operation TOY. Flaring dolls dropping out of the sky. Completely out of their minds Completley!

[@jamese1596]

A spooky thought, that dead German paratroopers were being found in the forest for 30 years. Sounds like the plot of a good horror movie. Merry Christmas to Dr. Felton and all of his fans!

[@ericscottstevens]

If you have ever walked the woods in Germany, it is very eerie. I was stationed in Rhineland-Palatinate, and the forest had a story to tell if you were willing to stay and listen to the creek of the trunks in the wind. Some Roman legions disappeared in this region, never heard from again.

[@upfactoryracing4148]

Outpost, find it and watch it. Pretty good horror movie!

[@vinceely2906]

‘Merry Christmas to Dr. Felton and all his fans’- is a strange name for a horror movie?

[@Calligraphybooster]

I’d like to hear the soundtrack to ‘Merry Christmas dr. Felton’

[@1ntwndrboy198]

Wasn't that Germanius?​@@ericscottstevens

[@lijing3599]

The entire generation fought in both sides are almost gone but we still have a genuine scholar to keep the untold history alive. Thank you Dr. Felton. Merry Christmas!

[@yesyesyesyes1600]

I wonder who will fill the gap in 30 years or so, when the topics European struggle with religious terrorism, Ukraine and Near East will be addressed ...

[@n.v.1258]

How lucky are we to have Mark Felton on You Tube.❤

[@hamzasafdar6635]

Yes indeed i have watched almost all his videos he is truly remarkable

[@hamzasafdar6635]

Mark Felton should also make videos on modern era war stories

[@bak-mariterry9143]

​@@hamzasafdar6635 He does

[@Russellw.-rm5zb]

This is the first mention of German paratrooper operations, during the Ardennes Offensive, that I've seen in over 40 years of study of WWII, of all the so-called comprehensive accounts, the only mentioned support operations were the werewolves, and the disruptive infiltrator, operations. Thank you again, Mr Felton, for, once again, broadening the known scope of military activity, during the 2nd World War!

[@annrogers8129]

Thank you for this Dr Mark. My father was in both D-Day and the Battle of the Bulge. In common with a lot those who had “ been and seen” , he would never speak of his service much. God bless all who served then and all who serve now, may their sacrifice be remembered and honoured always

[@robertclark972]

Same for my dad , he didn't like to talk about it .

[@muskokamike127]

My uncle served and was wounded in Europe but would never talk about it. As a small child I was warned to never ask him about it either.

[@mr.zondide2746]

@@robertclark972lucky you. My father and his brothers never stopped talking about the war. France Belgium Italy and Tunisia. We heard it all. They even had Kodak pics old dead German soldiers and loved to haul out the souvenirs

[@raycheshire5581]

My mothers uncle was at Arnhem. He’d joined the Parachute Regiment as you got extra pay. He was blown off course and landed in a chicken coop breaking his leg. The Dutch farmers and resistance workers looked after him until he could rejoin the Allied forces. He counted himself lucky as many of the folks he’d trained with either died or were terribly injured. For him, the truly brave ones were the glider pilots-especially those who had vehicles in the hold.

[@snidely_whiplash]

My grandfather was a corpsman at Normandy. Went on to get a silver start in Korea. My uncle was at the bulge. My other uncle part of the advanced party who parachuted in the night before Normandy. All came home.

[@skydouglas996]

Best WWII history channel on KZbin, bar none.

[@dallesamllhals9161]

YEes?....alas when flying machines, really!?

[@KELTIKGETORIX]

Shame heavy advertising has to soak into such a good historians accounts. Nane of the game i suppose, where coin overcomes genuine reporting. Bet this comment doesnt get a heart!❤

[@YeshuaDisciple916]

​@@KELTIKGETORIXYou must not pay for KZbin premium. It only costs $99.00 for an entire year, and then you'll never see another advertisement. I haven't seen one in years now.

[@MrXdmp]

Thanks and Merry Christmas Dr. Felton!

[@TMA62]

Thanks for posting this. I did not know that the Germans used paratrooper operations (and in such numbers) in the Battle of the Bulge. The irony in this that Germany was successful in performing these flights while the Allied air forces were essentially grounded for over a week. Those flights by JU-52 and HE-111 crews must have been treacherous enough with the poor weather and visibility issues.

[@markpaul-ym5wg]

My thoughts exactly. My understanding was they were dropped at night just before the battle started, so they had time to look at maps and get into position for the overall plan.

[@RDEnduro]

I listened on the edge of my seat, Im never routing for the Germans but these stories make me empathize with the soldiers. great job Dr. Felton!

[@dannagy546]

It's probably worth remembering that most German soldiers, sailors and airmen weren't aware of the Holocaust or what the Nazi party was truly doing. They were serving their country as patriots do. People like Hans Joachim Marseille, a fighter ace of the North Africa campaign. He was sort of a playboy, enjoyed American Jazz, which he once played infront of hitler. When the Jewish doctor that delivered him as a baby disappeared from his hometown, he started looking into why, before he was told by superiors that he was to stop immediately. Or Georg Gaertner a German POW who said he and his fellow POW were disgusted by the nazi party when they heard of the concentration camps. He escaped the POW camp in New Mexico to avoid being sent back to his hometown in the now Soviet Occupation Zone and remained on the run in the US for 40 years. When he finally turned himself in, at the behest of his very pissed off wife, the US government sort of shrugged and went "uh well... you can stay"

[@bradleypierce1561]

I’d have to agree. I’ve always had a love/hate relationship with Germany. My ancestry is mostly German, and one of my Grandmothers was a German Jew Holocaust survivor. I find as time goes by, and Germans are facing their past with integrity, I am more empathetic towards their veteran soldiers. Cheers! ❤🇩🇪❤🇮🇱❤

[@derin111]

@@bradleypierce1561Germany has always faced and acknowledged its past since 1945. You make it sound like this is only a recent phenomenon. It is not.

[@ApriliaRacer14]

@@bradleypierce1561not much different than what is going on in Gaza.

[@sebastiangeller8637]

Even after 80 years later, there are still so many stories left to be told about the battle of the Ardennes/Bulge (and of WWII as well). And this is now one of them. Very good work Mr. Felton, and Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year Sir!

[@ericscottstevens]

Unfortunately many veterans who endured the battle in this region went without interview from 1946 to 2000. No one thought to write down any details and the stories slipped away 1 by 1.

[@MrBestshot33]

I'm amazed at the history you're able to dig up that no one ever talks about!!!

[@Insert-name-here00]

Last time i said that about this channel several asshats told me all I had to do was open a book. There’s a little more to it than that.

[@douwenagel1]

Merry christmas, Doctor Felton! Thank you for all your hard work ❤

[@johar9846]

My Dear Dr Felton. At 72, I have long lost interest in the likes of Netflix etc. Next to your channel, they pale into insignificance. I never thought I would binge on anything again until you appeared on my radar. The sheer amount of detail and your narration skills have held me to my chair for hours at a time. For this, I thank you. Yes, the subject is war, but the old adage remains; Lest we forget. Unfortunately though, it would appear that megalomaniacs are still rampant and will continue to be so until we maybe,........ "Finally learn the lesson?". In the interim though, I look forward to each and every new episode you produce! Blessings this Xmas from a sunny South Africa.

[@MrMedieval883]

Frohe Weihnachten Herr Felton

[@robshirewood5060]

Vielen dank fur alles en England und Europe, gruss gott.

[@richardthornhill4630]

It is also stated by some the battle of Elseborn Ridge was equally important as Bastone to delay the German advance but had much less notoriety because few news reporters were present.

[@shawnr771]

The History Guy did an episode on this battle today.

[@WolfoftheWoods02]

Only the dead have seen the end of war...yet German paras waited a long time to find their final rest. May the now be at peace. Thank you Dr Felton for bringing this to the forefront of WW2 history. Education is a wonderful thing that never ends.

[@gerhardris]

Proof that digging deep in archives as a historian finds interesting finds. Merry Christmas

[@michaelgibson4705]

Next year being the 80 th anniversary of the end of WW2 we look forward to many more of Dr Felton’s videos Happy Christmas to all

[@-.Steven]

Yes indeed!

[@SCP-POOL]

It would be honor & a true privilege to sit down with Dr. Felton & just talk WW2. There is so much people still don't know to this day.

[@marksadler4104]

To this day, we still don't know everything about WW2. There are still material which are marked secret, lost treasure eg Amber Room, missing gold bars, perhaps even technology.....

[@SCP-POOL]

@marksadler4104 That & other sources are exactly what I'm referring to.

[@greatmogul-zw1br]

Thanks!

[@davidschaadt3460]

Great programs ,Mark. Thank you. Merry Christmas.

[@charlessaint7926]

RAF Intel Officer, "This is a fake paratroop drop." "How do you know?" RAF Intel Officer, "They called it Operation Sike."

[@memphoonthemississippi642]

"Agent Rupert called it in!"

[@Lerxstification]

do you mean Operation Psych?

[@SCP-POOL]

@charlessaint7926 someone suddenly developed spontaneous initiative & called Dr. Felton. He explained (after he stopped belly laughing ... even accused me of thinking like the Americans ... the fact that I am an American is totally irrelevant!) that no such operation ever took place. Given that Dr. Felton is quite literally an expert in such matters (and the fact he was fighting back laughter for the remainder of the call) one can be assured this never occurred.

[@jonclassical2024]

Loved the soundtrack and the live fire rocket "whizzing/wherring" sound....I've never hear a German speak English without a hint of an accent, Lol That Peiper was an interesting piece of work and the Wiki listing for his history took 25 minutes to read! He got what was coming to him in the end, you could do a min-series on his history! Merry Christmas to you and your family!

[@daleupthegrove6396]

I started studying military history and World War 2 in particular when I was in grade school. Sixty-plus years later I'm still learning new things about it. Thanks to Dr. Felton and several other channels for making these stories known.

[@krisbham]

good piece of work as always Mark! Merry Christmas!

[@carlmontney7916]

Excellently done Dr. Felton. I never knew of this operation I am glad that you did this episode. I also want to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

[@lorrasites6962]

Merry Christmas everyone!!! I am so grateful for this channel for keeping history alive for future generations.

[@duaneday5474]

Felton is simply the best. Thank you Merry Christmas

[@JohnSchafer-q4u]

Thank you Doctor Felton Happy Holliday's to you and yours.

[@justa.american8303]

Merry Christmas to all and a special thank you to Dr. Felton, for all your work.

[@mattomite9097]

Awesome video. Your videos need to be archived in places like the US National Archives. They are well done and cover so many subjects not shared with most individuals. I’m always astonished with how much work you put into these videos. Huge Thank You and a Merry Christmas to you are your family!

[@oledahammer8393]

Always learn something new about WWII on this channel! My Uncle fought with the 82nd Airborne in the Bulge, he was one of the only men left from his original platoon that parachuted into Normandy on D-Day...somehow, he made it home. Sgt. Clarence William "Bill" Robinson, Brodhead, WI. Super nice man, I was lucky to have known him growing up. Wish I had the nerve back to then to ask him about the war, he might have told me given I was genuinely interested in the history and his story. He relayed a few battle stories to my oldest Aunt and she relayed those to me. I'm glad to have those.

[@donl1846]

Thank you Professor Felton for a very educational year of WW-II history and happy holidays to you !!!

[@cowetareserve]

Merry Christmas to all of you. Ive learned the absolute most combing these comment sections out of any other. You dudes scratch my itch for history and I appreciate every last one of you!

[@seanmitchell8461]

Early finish at work and a new video? What a way to start christmas.

[@shawngilliland243]

Another historical gem 'unearthed' by the redoubtable Dr. Felton - thank you, sir!

[@willow666able]

Quite how you manage to dig up so much information is fantastic Mark! Thanks.

[@danielbaucom5252]

Dr. Felton i’m proud to say I have never been so early to one of your videos. Thanks for making my morning!

[@marvwatkins7029]

What people knew nothing about this operation? That's rather a bold statement, to put it mildly and politely. Virtually no one ALIVE knows about it perhaps because the multitudes who did are not longer with us.

[@simonkevnorris]

I'm fairly sure I've heard about it before.

[@paulmalore]

Very few indeed is known about these German paratroopers because, due to an awful visibility, a large part of these were dropped within their lines. Beyond their lines, they found themselves in wrong places, observed heavy US traffic and soon made their way toward Germany. Their uniform was much similar, at a distance, to the US paratroopers equipment, excepted for a large eagle, so they kept hiding as much as they could, waving hands at the passing American vehicles when they met. What is even less known is that a number of collaborateurs were expected to insurrect in France and Belgium, and fight as partisans. This plot had been blown by the local Resistance counter-intelligence, though. If not, however, there would have been reasons for the installation of AMGOT allied military administrations in France and Belgium. You can guess that these stories were, and still are, most unpopular in some quarters.

[@thEannoyingE]

Another fascinating video. I learned recently that my uncle was a part of the Battle of the Bulge. It’s creepy that bodies were still being found 30 years later. You would think the Germans could come up with a better more conspicuous mission name. Happy holidays Dr. Felton!

[@ProfessorM-he9rl]

thanks Dr Felton, most informative.

[@richwhitaker1506]

Thanks for sharing this little known aspect of this famous battle of the western front. Merry Christmas to you and your family, Professor Felton. Also to all reading this note.

[@infolover_68]

Dr. Felton, you are a Big beacon of enlightment for other historians! I bet quite a few unknow what you have discovered...

[@jonclark299]

Very interesting, thanks for the update

[@WilliamBrothers]

I made this mission in IL2 and flew these Ju-52s with my squad. We flew the exact route and time. Very eery, hard to see the other plane. Can't imagine what those soldiers and pilots went through

[@krisfrederick5001]

Merry Christmas to one and all. Thank you Dr. Felton for the endless gifts you give and have given🎄

[@benmanning4340]

Thank you for this one Dr Felton 🙏 Merry Christmas🎄

[@xenophone2006]

Thank you for this great Christmas gift! I've never heard about this. Merry Christmas to you, Doctor, and your family

[@brentmcintyre5529]

Merry Christmas Mark. Thank you again for another year of great work.

[@aroncells3120]

Merry Christmas Mark Felton and thank you for keeping history and educating your audience on these untold stories continually

[@pauloyassuhidefujioka6458]

Thanks and Merry Christmas, Dr. Felton!

[@edwardskerness9226]

Thank you for continuing to educate us Dr. Felton! Your work is fantastic.

[@RP-ks6ly]

As always, an awesome presentation and lesson. Thanks, Dr. Felton!

[@roland.j.ruttledge]

Fantastic, as ever, many thanks. Happy Holidays🎉

[@jerrydeanswanson79]

Merry Christmas from Wisconsin. Thanks for all your work, Mark! One of my favorite providers!

[@Noshott794]

Curious as to what the most common age group is for your viewership; I find a lot of your videos to be informative and easily understood, making the topics of each video much easier to grasp and remember for future instances. I feel as if more professors, teachers, taught in a similar style then there would be much wider interest of such studies. Thank you for the effort and time put into these videos! Happy Holidays aswell!

[@projektkobra2247]

Had a chance to get a Fallschirmjager bucket for $100 bucks as a kid..which was...an insurmountable amount back then. Always regretted not begging, borrowing or ...well, I wouldnt have stole, but I shoulda asked for a major advance on my allowance.

[@notitleproductions]

Happy Holidays Dr Felton and everyone else on the channel! It goes without saying that the amount of information exclusive to your research/presentations are second to none! By FAR the best WWII channel on YT, here's wishing you nothing but further success in your projects! Cant wait to see what's to come, cheers!

[@Harry50cal]

Have a wonderful Christmas Mr Felton!

[@harryshuman9637]

For the duration of the holiday season, I identify as a stuffed hessian sack named Rupert.

[@anthonylewis679]

Hmmm ??....impersonating an officer eh ! 😉

[@trevormccarthy9019]

@4:48 C-47 “That’s all Brother” was the lead ship on D-day, and she’s still flying after being rescued from modification to a BT-67, and has actually returned to Europe a few times for D-day commemorations …. Amazing story in itself. Best regards from Texas Dr Felton.

[@tredw66]

Thanks Mark. Your presentations are wonderful.

[@wardaddyindustries4348]

You are one channel I always learn something from.

[@stevemerrick192]

Thanks for video Mark! Merry Christmas from Canada!

[@wilsontheconqueror8101]

Merry Christmas Mr.Felton 2 U & your family & 🐈. Thank you for the production of videos this past year! Enjoyed them immensely & learned so much! Looking forward to more in the coming New year.👍 Your fans from across the pond

[@rburrows7786]

Best history channel anywhere. Bravo Dr Felton once again

[@40Heinrich]

Sehr interessant, Dr. Felton! Danke schön und Merry Christmas!

[@gerardhogan3]

Happy Christmas from Australia. Great work Mark

[@starshipchi-rhostudio7097]

Thank you for another great video about an interesting part of WWII.

[@cleavitt303]

Great work as ever, Mark. Thanks for all you do. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Denver, Colorado USA.

[@christyhart8254]

I never knew this…thank you for always sharing your knowledge with us!! Merry Christmas!!!

[@tomchappell1904]

Merry Christmas Dr. Felton 🎅👍

[@scrappydoo7887]

Merry Christmas to you and yours Mark 👍 I hope you have a good one

[@janhaanstra2245]

Merry christmas, dr. Felton! Thanks for the informative and entertaining, even humorous, videos👍

[@fabianwylie8707]

Thanks for the history lesson . Merry Christmas to you Mr Felton

[@saigokun]

Thanks for all these great videos, a Merry Christmas to you Dr. Felton!

[@ArtyMaxson-100]

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

[@madjackblack5892]

Happy Christmas, Dr. Felton. Looking forward to more of these obscure stories in 2025.

[@MrXPeaceLP]

In case you want to know the correct pronunciation of Spielzeug: It's more like Shpiel-tseug/-tsoig.

[@jimMe9762]

Interesting episode. Great work.

[@nodarkthings]

Absolutely fascinating, Dr. Felton. Thank you.

[@mitchmatthews6713]

Another excellent lecture! Have a wonderful Christmas, Mark! Cheers!

[@stevepritchett6563]

Another excellent video Marc, Merry Christmas to you and your family

[@mrhamburger6936]

Mark is the military history detective Merry Christmas 🎄

[@guydespatie6881]

Another Stunning Mark Felton Gem! - Merry Christmas and all the best to you in 2025 Sir!

[@richardyatesyates3893]

Great report as usual.😊

[@ashleyupshall7641]

Thanks Mark and a happy New Year to you.

[@davidmoses2178]

A PhD in the making. Excellent report on something previously unknown. Thank You.

[@pd-kx4qw]

Dr. Felton, I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas! Cheers from Boston.

[@thehedgeknightnc3681]

With the opening frames i could hear the theme from " Where Eagles Dare". Merry Christmas Professor. And a safe and happy new year.

[@fordfairlane662dr]

I look forward for Mark Felton to keep history alive this is why I watch this channel

[@vicprovost2561]

Awesome segment as always!

[@Shaun-f6m]

Another fantastic effort! Really enjoy your efforts! Merry Christmas

[@Pembo-vn7qq]

Wonderful work as always!

[@bf1905]

Starting my day off the right way. Watching Mark Felton Productions while eating breakfast 🙂

[@garrymyers9185]

Happy Christmas, Dr. Felton

[@Grundag]

Merry Christmas, Dr. Felton! Thank you for this early (Surprise) Christmas Present!

[@frankgellenthin3733]

Excellent researgh Dr. Felton. This is the first time I've heard of the Germans using diversions like this for the Fallschirmjäger. Merry Christmas to you and your family! 🎄

[@scotthegley4723]

Very interesting…as always! Merry Xmas and HNY Mark. 🎄