Reichswehr - Germany's Forgotten Army

The history of Germany's tiny interwar army, the Reichswehr, and its secret planning for war.
For Military1945 visit:
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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.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.
This video is not monetised and all images and film are used in accordance with Fair Use for educational purposes.

[@Minboelf]

Allies to Germany:You can only have 100,000 professional soldiers Germany: "Professional" you say ?

[@RonJohn63]

-TBF, the Entente did not say "professional". They just said. "100,000 soldiers".- EDIT: I was wrong; they *did* say "professional", in the form of long-contract soldiers.

[@mr.j2040]

@Edmund Gotama 200% DISCIPLINE

[@frien_d]

...and they invented roaming biker marauders before ken shiro and mad max

[@mkoschier]

RonJohn63 for a new WH inf div you need approx 1000 Cadre so with the RW the WH could make 100-150 div without over stretching the Off and UOff corps

[@MarcusHelius]

Then we shall have 100,000 super-soldiers! :D

[@Guitcad1]

Reichswehr: We'll just train 100,000 sergeants and senior officers, then when the time is right we'll give them privates and lieutenants.

[@mihajlovucinic011]

Yeah. Its easy to give basic training to millions but its not easy to make good leaders.

[@niccolopaganini4268]

How can you have someone be senior officer without being him a junior officer (lieutenant) first?

[@qboxer]

@@niccolopaganini4268 they had almost all likely been junior NCOs and junior officers during the war.

[@niccolopaganini4268]

@@qboxer oh ok, I didn't really get it at first

[@Burner.Account..]

@@niccolopaganini4268 You first train them to their rank, then provide additional training for knowledge for the rank above so you can simply promote all of them at once while filling in the bottom ranks. Say, if you've been a soldat(private) for several years, you'll know how to be a gefreitor(corporal) simply by being used to seeing what he does. The additional training tells you why he's doing what he does. In the German's case, the person has everything he needs to become a corporal, except the army doesn't have enough men for him to lead, until the limit drops and suddenly most of the older soldats become gefreitors and gefreitors become fahnrichs (sergeants). The command structure is still used to working with each other and doing the same things, except now your unit and your play space becomes bigger.

[@RCAvhstape]

It's amazing how fast the German military was able to modernize in just a few short years, with all the prep work done in secret or almost secret.

[@winnienguyen4420]

Thanks to the Soviet Union.

[@sc1338]

@@winnienguyen4420 Putin needs to denazify Russia

[@younes2415]

Experience is key in warfare.

[@franciscouderq1100]

Now I understand better how Germany could so quickly rearmed and expend. As usual Fascinating stuff from our Doc.

[@Justin.Martyr]

*A Year usuaLLy has 365 days in it!!!* *How Hany Days are there is a "short" year????*

[@daswuerti3669]

You forgot to mention, that the Reichswehr implemented a new way to train the officercorps. In the Reichswehr a new officer has to learn and commit the task of the next higher rank too, resulting in a intense increase of capable officers. This even continued into the Wehrmacht.

[@CFinch360]

Cross training/upskill training. Still of good use in corporations today.

[@user-ky6vw5up9m]

“ what are our troops doing in Vietnam ? “ “Dont worry Mr President they are just Advisers” “ How many Advisers are there?” “50,000 Sir”.

[@laniesenagonia3104]

😂😂😂

[@kelleysauer1693]

It was the president - Johnson - who was the culprit, not the military.

[@benbaselet2026]

Oh that time they actually told the politicians what was going on?

[@Joe-gu6oe]

There was good reason.

[@michaelcolt4196]

@@Joe-gu6oe No, there wasn´t. America lost the war, south vietnam fell and the region didn´t ceased to communism. As much as i hate anything that has to do with the communist and marxist agenda, vietnam was a mistake

[@Charles_Anthony]

I read about this army, but it's so much more entertaining to listen to Dr. Felton.

[@gunner678]

A crucial foetus that would become the most destructive military machine on the planet. New doctrines, weapons, structures, war planning etc all came from this tiny force (although it sounds quite large in today's terms).

[@steveyoung3245]

Well said,I have watched for years now.

[@jewnbugshekelstein5180]

I wonder what Dr. William Pierce would say about this.

[@schulze25]

Dr??

[@Charles_Anthony]

@@schulze25 : At this point, even if the man doesn't have a PHD in anything, he has proven his surgical skill in cutting straight to the chase with these obscure but very important historical topics.

[@No11Scalpel]

An Arabic proverb says " If you honor the honorable, you'll own his gratitude for ever. If you Honor the dishonorable he'll repel on you " meaning he'll deem you weak. The same poet also said " If you dishonor the honorable he'll never rest until its washed off with blood " A lesson how to treat you enemy in defeat to avoid a future tragedy

[@assassin_rk42]

The imperial army was certainly good at what they needed to do. But the powers and thinkers at the time did not want to honor their enemy for both bravery and sacrifice like they did their own men.

[@No11Scalpel]

@@assassin_rk42 Its not about being decent or showing any appreciation for a fallen foe or worthy opponent .Its about knowing the culture of you enemy & thier ethos. Most of the time & specially in some cultures where pride takes front stage to wealth & life itself showing some "Fake" appreciation might save in the long run . Somethings are not forgotten not for generations .

[@yourstruly4817]

Honor means something very different in Western culture

[@SeverityOne]

The thing is, though, that the German Empire, or more accurately Prussia, was a thoroughly militaristic state. What they didn't do after WW1 was to get rid of the old guard. Yes, the Kaiser had gone, but he was never the power in Germany: the military were. So yes, the Versailles Treaty was unfair, and undoubtedly contributed to WW2, but Germany ceased to be a threat and destabilising factor in Europe after they removed anybody who had been culpable, and replaced them with people who actually believed in this thing called "democracy". And today, it's not an exaggeration to say that Germany is a leading moral voice in Europe, perhaps even the most leading of all.

[@No11Scalpel]

@@SeverityOne Agreed in regards to Germany leading the "Moral voice "yet sometimes you must tolerate some bad apples, at least for a while , just because they've became symbols for thier nation & you don't want to antagonist everybody . And Germany's militarism was mostly a combination of inferiority complex & being looked down upon by the French/English Ala what's happening right now with Russia & Turky each taken separately. Along with restoration of national pride. It's easier to think we're better than everybody than realizing that we all have some good & mostly bad .

[@maxbowen5605]

God please give Mark Felton a netflix show, narrating obscure historical events.

[@dyveira]

To me, Mark Felton is the History Channel. I've learned more from him than I ever did from that bloody farce of a television network.

[@maxbowen5605]

@John Milton I totally would if it was mark!

[@hobomeak69]

this is that

[@RealismAndHonor]

I agree it used to be the old school history channel that would solidify the book knowledge i remember but Marky Mark Felton is like main lining straight history facts.

[@tdolan500]

I’d love for someone to professionally produce his videos but I feel this information is too valuable to be put behind a paywall.

[@otakurt1149]

Allies: we're Limiting your army's *Quantity* Germany: **Laughs in Quality**

[@m1garand903]

Otakurt wehraboo

[@DimBeam1]

Germany lost.

[@JeansWithPockets541]

Allies: **laughs in everything**

[@Cjnw]

Normie

[@generalgta3528]

@@Cjnw YOU'RE HERE, TOO?!?! PLEASE REPLY!!!

[@petitponeydu7727]

i'd love to hear Dr Felton talk about how the spanish civil war was used has a testing ground for soviet and german military gear (especially the first few panzers and MG-34s)

[@thunberbolttwo3953]

Dont forget Italian military equipment.

[@matthewclark1529]

Yeah, that would be cool. I know the Germans gave them early variant BF-109’s and a few Junkers Ju-87.

[@zefft.f4010]

The Spanish Civil War is always a fascinating subject. I agree. Also, perhaps the German Revolutions? Such as the fighting that occurred after the proclamation of the notoriously chaotic Bavarian Soviet Republic.

[@petitponeydu7727]

@@thunberbolttwo3953 i'm only an expert about german military gear, i just know the basics about italian gear, but they did test out the L3 tankette there right ?

[@pierrefox5908]

I

[@bojomay2952]

Teacher: how did you pass history. Me: Mark Felton

[@FreedomLovingLoyalistOfficial]

He should be our teacher.

[@FreedomLovingLoyalistOfficial]

and God.

[@FreedomLovingLoyalistOfficial]

@Evidential and king.

[@fod2011]

Boss: why are you so far behind on your paperwork? Me: Mark Felton

[@evilfingers4302]

You mean WW1 and WW2 Military History, not World History.

[@jochenschmidt1072]

As a german (born 1966) i was very interested in history since my school time. But even as a very young man, i had always the feeling, that not every thing was spoken about - especially when it comes to WW1, the treaty of versaille, the social-democratish world view and their mentioning in every german history book as "the good ones"! Imagine my surprise, when i learned, that the weimar republic relied on the "Freikorps" to push back the invading polish and to surpress the bolschevik uprisings in Germany. I can recommend one very good book about those times. It is written by a former Bundeswehr General - no nazi, no nationalist, but a military historian. It is big book, with a lot of sources, nearly all from the allied side. The book title: "1939 - Der Krieg der viele Väter hatte". The author : Gerd Schultze-Rhonhof. For me, this book was an eyeopener. I don´t agree with some things Schultze-Rhonhof has written. But, its the only book (in german language) wich shows a different point of view. It is refreshingly "different" , because the author tries not to blame the people, who lived in their times, by knowing the outcome. He does not swing his pointy finger from a position 80years after. Don´t get me wrong - history should be seen from different angles. I was always interested in what the sovjets, the amercian, the frensh, the british AND the germans where doing in the past - without taking sides. Sorry for my bad english - i hope i could give my 2 cents here - and thank you very, very mauch, Mr. Dr. Felton for your wonderful channel.

[@Semtex_1992]

I realised the same in my schooling (Scotland) in the 90's when it came to history it left more questions than answers & just made UK out to be angels in any conflict, having teachers who thought my questioning it was me being argumentative put me off history for the rest of my schooling. When I left I, like you liked to dive into the history of all sides of a conflict & if I come to the conclusion my own country carries guilt or done wrong I'm happy to do so (which we have alot to pick from). I do prefer to learn of foreign countries history more I must admit, purely because its not what I myself have grew up around its more fascinating. I shall give the book you recommended a look thank you.

[@vascovideo5678]

Next to nothing printed in English on topic. I have many related books. Some in German. I never translated

[@Freigeist2008]

Another effect of the 100k men-Heer (Army) was, that hundred thousands of former army members had been unemployed and enbittered. This reservoir was very important for the rise of the national socialists. If they had been soldiers in an army they had been controlled. So they stood in hard opposition to the collaborateur-regimes of the Weimarer Republic, which they saw as traitors.

[@BELCAN57]

A lot of those men joined the SA.

[@SturmerSS]

@Fabian Kirchgessner professional army in Germany now?

[@at6686]

Reminds me of our misadventure in Iraq. We disbanded the army, humiliating a bunch of guys with weapons and now with large chips on their shoulders.

[@Freigeist2008]

@@at6686 Additionally a lot of the Freecorps-members had been also discriminated by the leftist governments and labor unions and did not get civil jobs in Germany. This radicalized them and made them the hardcore of SA and other anti-republican forces

[@user-hz9hu4gh2z]

Well, the people who made the obsure German Worker's Party into the Nazi Party were such soldiers themselves. Like, you know, Hitler, Göring, Röhm and Strasser.

[@michaelnewton1332]

Versailles: Limits German Army to 100,000 soldiers. Germany: "I'm gonna do what's called a pro gamer move."

[@TheFarout69]

Mark Felton is like a shoe box of missing puzzle pieces. Brilliant historical research. Well done sir.

[@TheFarout69]

@Astir01 They do not even teach children how our government works in USA anymore. Cherry picked history of our country does not help either. 2020 is the scariest time I've seen in 50 years. Like watching a train wreck in slow motion.

[@badcallsign4204]

Scott Boswell Agreed and well said.

[@unsharded8503]

@@TheFarout69 they teach us about the government still. My 8 year old brother is learning about it rn

[@TheFarout69]

@@unsharded8503 , I was in the last generation to get a proper public education back in the 80's. I was taught civics and proper American history. I studied other history on my own. I've mostly home schooled my children - one goes to University of Hawaii and graduates soon. America may get it together again but I'm not waiting for it.

[@unsharded8503]

@@TheFarout69 Yeah, most of my studying consists in home on the internet. I DO NOT approve of my country's education system. Anyways, Im really happy for you that one of your kids goes to the University of Hawaii. Hope you have a good rest of your life kind stranger

[@linkieloos]

I was wondering when Felton would cover this. The Reichswehr (and the Weimar Republic as a whole) is grossly overlooked despite being the Wehrmacht's predecessor. It was actually Reichswehr troops who first swore the oath of loyalty to Hitler once he came to power (as shown in the acclaimed World at War tv series). Not long after, the organisation became the Wehrmacht.

[@TheMasterOfCornedy]

Weimar not Weimer

[@thEannoyingE]

Also, some Wehrmacht soldiers actually were permitted to wear the old Reichswehr belt buckles.

[@myparceltape1169]

Do you think this military organisation took so much money out of the system that the central bank was forced to print more? Increasingy worthless pieces of paper that had to be overstamped ? Now the German Government is very worried that anything should lower the value of the Deuchmark.

[@winnienguyen4420]

I highly recommend the series called Babylon Berlin on Netflix. It's a German shoe about the Weimar Republic and I learned quite a bit just watching it.

[@HistoryHustle]

One of these topics we all know a little of but not the full story. Thank you, Mark!

[@tonnywildweasel8138]

Thought i might meet you here :-)

[@MrSleepy677]

There was a movie about the Kasier's last days in the Netherlands.

[@Generalfund]

I hope Mr Felton understands just how loved and appreciated his videos are. This is by far the best quality content on youtube...

[@Ystadcop]

Yes, amazing detail and research. He also plainly has no political agenda, how refreshing.

[@KINGRODP]

You exactly right. I just found it 2 nights ago. Im hooked.

[@jeffblacky]

one of my great grand uncles turn down a chance go back into service in 1921 , instead he joined the friekorps for a couple of years before travelling around the world and settled in Canada in 1930 where he stayed intil his death in 1999

[@colasalz2]

well I guess... a good choice.. .because otherwise it would be 1940-1945 or someting around that numbers

[@jeffblacky]

​@@colasalz2 All three of the family served in WW1 , my great grand father lost both legs in 1916 and Uncle Albert served as a pilot in a two seater unit and was shot down in 1917 and captured. All three lived to old age ( 99 , 87 and 92 ) but all their sons served in Spanish Civil war and WW2 ( 4 KIA , 2 captured and 2 missing and one , my grand father lived through 1940 to 1945 and after release from POW camp , he worked for 7 years in labor and then came to the US and brought my mom and uncle with him to Rapid City , South Dakota and opened a gas station ( he died in 1981 of cancer)

[@Ndlanding]

Making fish and chips in the FrieKorps? Battering juice?

[@jeffblacky]

@@Ndlanding yuk yuk yuk

[@KarlDMarx]

Good choice ... perhaps a little cold but ..

[@MyLateralThawts]

I’ve read that the Reichswehr recruited all their soldiers with the idea that they would later form the officer corps of the expanded German military. I don’t know how many were later commissioned, but I can confirm that both my grandfather and great uncle, who were members of the Reichsmarine and Reichswehr respectively, were later on commissioned from the ranks after both had become Sr NCO’s.

[@codyjolley6565]

Peter Laughton oh shut up

[@norgeeric]

another hit of juicy historical essays, right in the vains. This is that good stuff

[@JoeMun]

If his videos were illegal drugs, I’d be doing everything I could to get my hands on some 😂

[@reddirtroots5992]

Indeed! Mark's head and shoulders above the rest.

[@Ndlanding]

Morons answering morons in this branch of the comments.

[@daltonwadeb.4891]

@@Ndlanding Like you?

[@shaunbritton939]

Best dealer around in education 🤔😅😅

[@TreeBarkSide]

I remember reading that the Germans would conduct secret tanks test in the Soviet Union under the codename "tractor." Edit: Dang, thanks for the likes! The most ever!

[@Turborulla]

And Stalin killed everyone who trained Germans

[@fat_alsgaming]

Stxr KillerX at the time stalin probably thought he could turn germany into a communist puppet state, a lot of this training occurred before the nazis

[@MarkVrem]

@Stxr KillerX The Soviets in return got blueprints on Germany tank concepts ideas and things, and also tactics, how to organize production industrialization lines and etc... The Soviets were way behind everyone else at the time due to financial constraints when it came to tanks. They used this and then purchasing tanks from Britain and the USA also to quickly catch up.

[@Piddel]

@@fat_alsgaming ​ @Stxr KillerX I mean Germany and the Soviet Union had pretty good ties, some German Generals were fluent in Russian even because they were training in Moscow military schools. Stalin didn't even think they would attack the SU in 1941 as they were already in war with the allies, had a non-aggression pact and also shared defeated Poland.

[@sternencolonel7328]

@Stxr KillerX Friedrich Ebert, the First President of the Weimar Republic, was a Social Democrat. This was a move to gain influence, on the german government also both russian and germany were essentially parias at the time. So it was a "the enemy of my enemy is my friend" deal.

[@therealmp40]

I love that the Reichswehr in a way was the German Army sticking to it's Prussian roots, with the demanding selection process, an emphasis in quality of each individual soldier and competent officers that were part of the Old Guard, many of them being old Prussian soldiers. It really was wonderful.

[@proudfirebrand3946]

Fabian Kirchgessner The Bundeswehr is all well and good at face value but deep beneath unlike the problems of the Old Weimar heer, its underfunded, lacking the industrial structure to mobilize effectively, and the most detrimental and heartbreaking of all, the lack Militaristic confidence much less the existence of the Military or the necessity of it and backing the from the People of Germany due to the loss of most of Prussian spirit and mindset. Oh Germany, such a loss to the world.

[@axelpatrickb.pingol3228]

@@proudfirebrand3946 Germany does not revolve around Prussia....

[@MsSoulProvider]

@@axelpatrickb.pingol3228 No,- not at all.. what do you think why the german national socker trikot has the colours black & white? Why do teams in the Bundesliga have names like Borussia?

[@piushalg8175]

@@MsSoulProvider You are only partially right. Sometimes the national soccer team uses black and white colours. Sports teams that use the name Borussia are situated in former Prussian parts of Germany. Prussia existed as a unity at least formally until 1945. And these clubs are older.

[@proudfirebrand3946]

Ohlourdes Padua there is a saying, it goes “Prussians are German, but not all Germans are Prussians.” You may think this means there is division between them, a diversity if you will, youre not wrong to think that, but that is only half truth for Prussia is the yardstick, the standard of all Germanic. Yes, its egotistical, and narcissistic. But it is a rightfully earned one, through iron, mud, and blood. In the battlefields surrounded on all sides by foreign threats, but through and through has remained German, for Prussia is Germany. But that cure is also poison, and in their hubris it dulled, chipped, and now-- I refuse to say broken for it is not, I will say it is stagnant, or in a downward spiral towards ruin.

[@jimtalbott9535]

at 7:15 - the "rubber gun barrel" seems like that could make an excellent meme of some sort!

[@zefft.f4010]

Dr. Felton: The rest, as they say, is history... **Preussens Gloria intensifies**

[@SgtAndrewM]

i wish mark was my history teacher in school

[@Mungkinsudahwaktunya]

We wish

[@mrbanana404]

All of us does

[@SgtAndrewM]

@Horatio Nelson sounds about right

[@avrahamvidal4255]

That Would Be Awesome 😎

[@mounteverest284]

wiping hair of my screen...

[@wonderfalg]

Reichswehr: forgotten army of the past Bundeswehr: forgotten army of the presence

[@wonderfalg]

@kie Learn something: Wehr means defence.

[@nutzeeer]

@@wonderfalg No, wehr means weir. Abwehr is defense.

[@nutzeeer]

@Solvie german here, i disagree when looking at the word literally. in zusammenhang mit etwas ist es defense, aber das wort ganz alleine ist das, was man in einem fluss findet.

[@Bruh-hq1hx]

@@nutzeeer wehr does mean that but abwehr is something you use for like a anti air gun in the military. There also is the word wehren which comes from wehr and sich zu wehren means to defend oneself

[@Bruh-hq1hx]

@@nutzeeer weißt du was sich wehren bedeutet? Außerdem wehr ist ein altes Wort für Verteidigung oder verteidigen

[@benjaminkoch2380]

Not forgotten at all. In Germany we learn about it in school.

[@raspytv6684]

Forgotten all around the world , Barr Germany.

[@benjaminkoch2380]

@@raspytv6684 maybe its no miracle that the World doesn't know the german history in Detail.

[@annelisemeier283]

Glaube ich kaum

[@freshbaboboss1665]

Also wir haben nichts darüber gelernt, mein Gymnasium ist aber auch ne Ausnahme, ist in allem übel Schmutz

[@benjaminkoch2380]

@@annelisemeier283 ist aber so...

[@cracklingvoice]

It was the Reichsmarine that figured out the lack of limitation in vessels displacing less than 200 tons, leading to the development of the Schnellboot by the Lürssen boat yard. All before 1933. The Navy had an ax to grind just like the Army.

[@MikeBison_]

"Ok, we're gonna make it so the Germans can't have an army bigger than 100,000 men" "Good idea ol chap, brilliant" >Germany proceeds to selectively craft an army of 100,000 specially selected chad soldiers and officers *Allied surprised Pikachu face*

[@gusargoan]

I think you meant Kyle.

[@EnigmaEnginseer]

@@MrDaiseymay the Allies sure were surprised

[@billd.iniowa2263]

The lesson we need to remember, always remember, is that history doesn't happen in big giant swoops. It happens in small, little steps. Inch by inch, it creeps along. Growing slowly, until suddenly it is unstoppable. Unrestrained, it can turn into a monster. A thing that becomes evil incarnate. Yes, we must never forget.

[@Mountain_Man_]

*1935 Germany after expansion of the army* i love when a plan comes together

[@John2E0GTU]

Like ahurricane beginning with the flap of a butterfly's wings.

[@silverbird425]

You mean like China's salami strategy?

[@daeph123]

OK. Thanks for pointing that out.

[@daeph123]

@Hugo Holesch Exactly!

[@minuteman4199]

I have a now deceased relative who joined the German army on 1933 in the infantry. He fought all the way to Moscow, and then was captured by the Americans in France. When the war ended he trained as an engineer. When the Bundeswehr was formed in the early 50s, the government called him back because he had signed on for a life time contract in 1933. At that point he packed up and emigrated to Canada, where I married his niece.

[@StevenKeery]

Minute Man: He fought all the way to Moscow and was captured by the Americans in France? His map reading skills must have been really poor. 😂

[@minuteman4199]

@@StevenKeery You are aware that the army moved individual soldiers and entire units from place to place right?

[@StevenKeery]

@@minuteman4199 : Yes I am aware of that fact. Sorry! I couldn't resist the cheap laugh at your expense. My apologies.

[@minuteman4199]

@@StevenKeery Apologies accepted. Sometimes tone is hard to gauge on the interwebs.

[@Schnitz13]

Perhaps your most important video yet in helping us understand the future of things to come. Cheers, Mr. Felton.

[@The_Republic_of_Ireland]

Germany pre-WW1: Prussian Military Might reigns Reichswehr: Prussian Military Might STILL reigns!

[@conveyor2]

@@MrDaiseymay Prussian military saved Wellington's butt at Waterloo.

[@mercomania]

Just one little note, the Reichswehr, was stockpiling and training not for "foreign adventures" but to adequately defend its borders. the French in particular were wanting to annex large parts of western Germany such as the Saar and Ruhr Gebiet. The newly formed state of Poland was also looking at annexing parts of eastern Germany.

[@willemvanstaden3292]

I once listened to a speech Hitler made in 1939 before he sent a glorified police force to attack Poland in which he states that "Wir werden Sonden mit Sonden vergeldung!" - "We will answer sin(agression) with sin(agression)!" Few know of the German citizens that were murdered by Poles - Ethnic Germans who were still living in Poland because those parts of Poland used to be Prussia. I tend to agree with Patton - "we defeated the wrong enemy".

[@Dragon.7722]

@@willemvanstaden3292 He actually said "Und von jetzt ab wird Bombe mit Bombe vergolten!" which means: "From now on, bombs will be answered with bombs!". And no. Hitler was referring to conflicts around Danzig (Gdansk) and the staged attack on the gliwice radio station. It was a pretext to justify the attack on Poland. That murder part, atleast the way you present it, sounds like you fell for some propaganda. Greetings from Germany.

[@shauntaylor6040]

Rommel was retained by the Army, clearly he showed promise.

[@PP266]

Ask the Italians. They got to meet him in the WWI.

[@skdKitsune]

@@PP266 9000 prisoners taken with only 100 men right?

[@PP266]

@@skdKitsune Right!

[@Arltratlo]

try Guderian!

[@watching99134]

Well he had already won a Pour le Merite in World War One, so...

[@sheriff0017]

Ah, Preussens Gloria! The perfect musical accompaniment for a stroll through Paris.

[@jasondaniel918]

Until this video, I had no idea that Germany and the U. S. S. R. had been so chummy during the 1920's. That (relationship) makes the non aggression pact the two countries would later sign to be logical in some ways. It also accounts for why Stalin and company were so surprised when Germany attacked them. Thanks for the insight, Mark.

[@michellearmstrong7903]

What about USA assistance to use between the wars,?

[@horusfalcon]

This is a chilling example of the old saw, "where there's a will, there's a way". Thanks, again, for the lesson.

[@aldreenbautista2375]

I thought that when Hitler took power, it was too fast for him to build an army like that. Here is the answer! This is a great addition to my knowledge as Russia and other countries actually helped Germany in building tanks and planes and Germany was actually preparing for war right after their defeat. Thank you MR. FELTON!

[@robertmoore1742]

Mark, your informational presentation on this prelude and build up to war is another masterpiece and many thanks for your efforts. I also think a war story featuring the 1936 Olympics would further shed light on the subject in that Hitler was able to demonstrate "Nazi superiority " in the pretext of sport. Yes there was a Jesse Owens, but the rest of that Olympics was all Germany and the effect it had on the preparations to war was palpable. I would love to hear your thoughts on the subject in context to the Allies caught napping and we can look back and quite clearly see the true intentions all along. Thanks again and please keep up the effort. Robert

[@secretjosh5619]

Last time I was this early, 'Germany' didn't even exist to begin with.

[@andrewpestotnik5495]

@Sahil C he was referencing 1870

[@secretjosh5619]

@Ganiscol This is the only thing that came to mind at the time haha. If you have the time, I would request you to please elaborate. I am genuinely interested. I get it that there was a North German Confederation, formed with Prussia at its core. Then during the Franco-Prussian war of 1870, the southern principalities joined the north to form a collective 'Germany' for mutual defense.

[@corvusduluth]

@@secretjosh5619 "German Civil War" North Germans vs Austria, Bavaria, Baden, Swabia etc. The 'South' lost.

[@avrahamvidal4255]

LOL 😂

[@secretjosh5619]

@@corvusduluthWell. You're talking about the Austro-Prussian war of 1866, not exactly a 'Civil War' (Since 'Germany' still didn't exist) a short war which did take place before the Franco-Prussian war where German states allied according to who they were close to, however I was talking about the unification of Germany(North German Confederation with the southern states) which took place primarily due to the threat of war with their greatest rival, France, in 1870(Of course all of this was Bismarck's calculated plan). Surely you dont suggest that unification took place due to the Austro-Prussian War of 1866?

[@stormthrush37]

Wow. Talk about a major backfire by a treaty that was supposed to prevent another war. If it didn't directly cause it, it certainly helped things along.

[@KarlDMarx]

Well ... perhaps it would have been better to confiscate the factories and fortunes of a few families: Krupp, Stinnes, Haniel, Kloeckner, Thyssen etc.

[@Kovu2004]

This was amazing and very well researched. If you guys want a full scope picture of this interwar German army in tv form I suggest you watch Babylon Berlin.

[@davestevens6283]

Another contributing factor was promotion of outdoors and boyscout\pioneer activities among teens. Made it a lot easier to build soldier training later on.

[@louferrao2044]

Thank you Mark Felton! This bit of unknown history really clears up many questions of this time period.

[@yoda5565]

"Pruessens Gloria" (Prussia's Glory) good choice for closing music.

[@rixa1621]

Mark, pls read this!! How about video of Finnish winter war / Continuation war ~ Battle of Tali-Ihantala which was biggest battle in Nordic countries ever, which also saved Finland.

[@morrisminor56]

got the DVD.

[@timsummers870]

Thank you Mark Felton for the wonderful channel and another great story.

[@MarkFeltonProductions]

You are very welcome

[@johnburrows1179]

Dr Felton needs his own TV station. Another superb and no nonsense video without the bias. Excellent

[@milkapeismilky5464]

Retention of regiments with a single placeholder soldier was brilliant! An odd echo of amalgamation in the UK.

[@GabeNsApostle]

Another fine addition to such a stunning series, Mr. Felton! You're doing fantastic work for this community of history enthusiasts!

[@mazzel7073]

Hey Mark, Could you make a video about The inundations of the Yser in 1914? It was a very important action in halting the German advance in Belgium. I think most people probably never even heard about it and the 2 men, Karel Cogge and Hendrik Geeraert, whi played a key roll in the Inundations. Thanks in advance! Attempt #1

[@MrFormulaOne2011]

Incredible work Mark, as always

[@MarkFeltonProductions]

Many thanks!

[@haaasful]

Simply amazing as always - the Germans know how to do military.

[@axelpatrickb.pingol3228]

Except winning...

[@axelpatrickb.pingol3228]

@@lawv3437 And against common sense...

[@sulil1938]

@@axelpatrickb.pingol3228 fair, but pretty hard to do that against the whole world...🤷‍♂️

[@panzerkitsune]

Its always fun to see a new episode. great narrative and structure of the stories. better than most if not all of my historyteachers in school.

[@kevinwright3615]

I would absolutely love to make Mark's opening music my ring tone!

[@Ndlanding]

That's really easy to do!

[@kevinwright3615]

@@Ndlanding how

[@Ndlanding]

@@kevinwright3615 Record the sound from the Channel using a YT grabber (Google "Capture music from YT", or similar). Transfer the MP3 to your phone then choose it as your ring tone.

[@marknonnenmacher1918]

Thanks Mark! This is great clarification in the context of the rapid German re-armament program’s of the ‘30s. Clearly, it had been going on much, much longer.

[@georgecolumbo6235]

Mark, with your output in only a year, you are easily on level with Ken Burns in my opinion. I try to listen to your War Stories series as I go to sleep, but it’s too well told I have to stay awake. Cheers from Kansas!

[@Ystadcop]

Outstanding. Thanks, Dr. Mark.

[@casual_boredom7195]

You Never Stop Intriguing Me Mr. Felton.

[@cesarzteczohito3331]

Entente cuts off Germany arm Germany:you should target the head (Transforms into Wermacht)

[@arnavbhagwat4232]

Of course they hit the head the second time around..

[@_rk553]

@@arnavbhagwat4232 they hit it so hard Germany went into coma for 4 years

[@ThatC10Guy]

I love the forgotten vehicles and army’s series!

[@luftwicker07]

Another great video. I was hoping to hear about Einwohnerwehr Bayern. Even being half German, I never heard of them until I accidentally found out that is what the "EWB" on the stock of my 1916 Spandau Gew 98 stood for.

[@user-hz9hu4gh2z]

Yes, Ernst Röhm's first pet project before the Nazi Party.

[@Mrgunsngear]

Thanks

[@FortuitusVideo]

The reichsweer had two types of members. Heinz Guderian types who were brilliant innovative officers and Erwin Rommel types who were valiant and hard-charging veteran stormtroopers. Guderian would develop the communication doctrines that enable panzers to dance around superior French tanks while Rommel would become, well, Rommel.

[@frankv8891]

Charles de Gaulle was a pioneer in developing tanks and tank tactics. But the French army wasn't impressed, so the Germans ( think it was Guderian ) picked it up ...the rest is history.

[@Silvreina]

Reichsweer?

[@steyn1775]

3:57 FANCY HAT! THE FANCY HAT!!! it has returned from the 17th and 18th century! at least...for that one guy

[@kutter_ttl6786]

It's called s bicorne hat. It's still used even now as part of the dress of important public and military positions. The British especially seem to like them, where they call it a cocked hat.

[@mmink9336]

I will always love that intro.

[@hossenfeffer4115]

@M Mink/ yes, that intro needs to be played when the American patriots get out and stomp on this Bolshevik revolution!....makes a fella want to kick some Communist *SS!

[@pulquegc]

@John Hostetler What?

[@jbcheema9883]

Prussian Gloria in the end was a perfect touch...

[@EJStormful]

I like Dr. Feltons format of short documentaries, where I found so much interesting issues, concerning the most distorting and traumatic period of time, our grandparents suffered. I had the luck to talk about those times with my grandfather, once a soldier in the 100 000 man force, the Reichswehr, and later on a soldier in Rommels Africa Corps, ending at the eastern front, facing the Russians. Mark Felton portraits times and issues neutral, with respect and without ideologic bias. An extraordinary historian, my greatest respect therefore.

[@VendPrekmurec]

West definitely wanted to stop any colonial Germany since the WW1. France, Britain, still have colonial small influence especially in Libya, Egypt and even Syria even today... while Germany does not and has lost political, territorial influence out of Europe.

[@VendPrekmurec]

@Michael P. meh, that was nothing compared with the French or British armies

[@ahyan14]

Allies : what you got there Germany : a tractor

[@Rauschgenerator]

It...erm...can shoot the seed into the field...yeah... :-D

[@proudfirebrand3946]

Allies: *Stares at BF109 stockpile* “Is tha-“ Germany: “Crop Dusters.” Allies: *Stares at fighter design features* “It-“ Germany: “A VERY FAST AND AGILE CROP DUSTER.”

[@CKC_Productions]

Mark Felton Prosuctions the true History Channel; thanks again for your brilliant channel and hard work!👍🏽💯😁

[@sergiogregorat1830]

6:35 - 6:50 "Gaudeamus igitur, juvenes dum sumus ..." - A cheerful new Reichswehr, as if to say that the Germans also anticipated the humanitarian wars.

[@The105ODST]

I woke up to a new episode of Mark Felton production. It is a nice day already.

[@sepaananen2217]

that ending got a tear in my eye, greetings from finland!

[@richardmones9617]

I love mark felton channel history...I love it I've learned more...more power idol mark!

[@johncollins7423]

Thank you for yet another great video, Mark! I enjoy these, because I've always loved history & learn something new every time! Keep up the great work!👍😎

[@karthikramanna5375]

Good vlog overall, but small correction at 8:04 -- “When Gustav Stresemann was foreign minister and then chancellor of Germany between 1923 and 1929, he created more foreign opportunities…” Gustav Stresemann was foreign minister from 1923-29, but he was chancellor for just over 100 days in 1923 only.

[@norristhom]

Absolutely fascinating as always Mark!

[@MarkFeltonProductions]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@tulliusagrippa5752]

Wow. I never knew any of this. I thought rearmament began with Herr Hitler.

[@kentomarek6823]

As a german i really appreciate the way how you clearly mark Nazi-Germany as its own part in history. Other channels just say Germany, while you make it clear that this era was a totally other mentality compared to pre WW2 and post WW2 .

[@asheland_numismatics]

Yes! A great way to start the week! 👍

[@pottersmiles7238]

No KZbin when I was in high school. Closest thing was encarta discs. I hope the younger generation appreciates Dr Feltons videos as much as I do

[@chasingmypinnacle]

I wish Mark Felton was a buddy, I visit him to just talk about history

[@JavierCR25]

So, Professor Felton: you mean to tell me that my dog, which I neutered thinking that he’d get more docile and tranquil but ended up getting more unruly, was just pulling a good old German move on me?

[@limarismenos]

- 10:00 minute mark of Mark Felton's video: Preusens Gloria. - My brain goes: "Well lad, we're pilgrims in an unholy land".

[@ci1u720]

Do you mean Königsgrätzer Marsch by any chance?

[@limarismenos]

@@ci1u720 Yes, that's the one, but my brain goes like that every time I hear a german marching tune. :P

[@SirAntoniousBlock]

@@limarismenos You're perfect cannon fodder.

[@misterjder1.831]

Literally Noone interested in german history ever forgot the Reichswehr

[@hilding2063]

Mark Felton, instant like then continue to watch the video :)

[@soundknight]

6:35 "It's a Small World After All" - nice touch there ;)

[@martyn3538]

That music at the end there always makes me want to invade France.

[@mardiffv.8775]

Prussia Gloria is the name of the music.

[@Cjnw]

Family Guy Hitler :…aNd LeT's StEaL aLl ThEiR oBjEcTs De AaAaAaRrT!

[@wolfgangpagel6989]

And if you hear the 'Imperial March' you are going to invade the universe.

[@simonh6371]

Is that because, like me, you first heard it on ''The World at War'' in the episode showing German troops marching on the Champs Elysees in Paris, with the Arc de Triomphe in the background? That's what I always think of when I hear it. I'd love to drive down the Champs Elysees with this music blaring out on a massive sound system, in a Volkswagen preferably.

[@Ndlanding]

@@Cjnw If you're going to write frog things, please check your spelink, Objet de Merde!

[@thomasschreiber1028]

Private flying clubs, where young men flew civilian aircraft that looked a lot like fighter planes

[@andrewhall7930]

'Pistol Shrimp help allies win Naval war" One day Mark will make a video about this unknown story of WWII.

[@cheeseguy2522]

Mark Felton is a time traveller he just doesn't wanna say it

[@RHM0714]

Mark Felton needs his own series on Netflix or Hulu...best content on the internet! Thanks Mark!

[@hanzup4117]

Don't have time to watch this at the moment, but I'll be sure to stop by later :) 👍

[@mikeyfisher4256]

Honestly, listening to this, it's making it sound another war with Germany was inevitable, just instead of Nazi Germany, it would have been a war agaisnt the Weimar Republic. Really makes you wonder how a 2nd world war agaisnt Weimar Germany would have gone vs the war we fought, seeing as less resources would have been wasted on genocide and would have the Soviets got involved on the side of Germany? Would America even get involved in Europe or would they keep a back seat role or just ignore it to focus on Japan (Again, that was inevitable, America was always going to go agaisnt Japan.)

[@yongzhencai959]

Good point. This is the reason why I do not agree with the revisionist notion that the Western Allies fought the "wrong" enemy for both wars. Could US, UK & FR reach a deal with DE? Yes of course, but much are the WAs prepared to give away to Berlin? Looking at the Prussian-German militarist behavior from 1866 (Austro-PRussian War) to 1939, it's very hard to see how the WAs can accommodate the German conservative ruling class and their ground supporters.

[@WebertHest]

Well, it is a heavily slanted anglo view, of bloody course it makes it look like Germany is a barely restrained ravenous beast. Reality was a lot more different.

[@mikeyfisher4256]

@@WebertHest History isn't slanted, nor is it "written by the victors".

[@WebertHest]

@@mikeyfisher4256 Confusing and conflating all versions of Germany with the 1933-1945 regime, however, is.

[@mikeyfisher4256]

@@WebertHest But....they literally started re-arming BEFORE the Nazi's were given power.

[@rafaelokamura]

Germany: U gonna use only 100k of man Also Germany: explode in revolutions and counter-attack with private or voluntary army

[@nborr258]

I think my favorite thing about this channel is Mark's insistence on using the most grandiose rendition of Preußens Gloria possible

[@princeimran8608]

Salute to Dr. Felton