Saving Private Ryan: The REAL Story Behind the Glider Crash Scene | American Artifact Episode 97

Anyone who has watched Saving Private Ryan probably remembers the scene where Captain Miller, played by Tom Hanks, and the other members of his search party come upon a crashed glider with a bunch of wounded paratroopers. What some may not know is that this scene where a general was killed in a glider on D-Day was based on a true story. So we're going to the exact place where this tragedy happened along with some relics of the crash from the collection at The Gettysburg Museum of History.
This episode was produced in partnership with The Gettysburg Museum of History. See how you can support history education & artifact preservation by visiting their website & store at www.gettysburgmuseumofhistory...
Support the effort to expand history education on PATREON: / historyunderground
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[@Achewen123]

I didn’t know until my uncles funeral that he was a WW2 glider pilot and flew into D Day plus 2 and Bastogne time period per family report. He never mentioned it to me. His living siblings said when I questioned them after the service “oh yes, when he got back he would rent a plane at the local airport and fly us around”. Best generation ever. Did their job for their country then returned to life as best they could.

[@verncommet1798]

My Grandfather also was d day plus 2 439th

[@alitlweird]

@repentandbelieveinJesusChrist1 There’a about to be a BIG CHRISTIAN REVIVAL in America and around the world. ✝️

[@mrkeogh]

As in previous generations, they were expected to suffer in silence.

[@oliviaa_howell]

I swear, Erik has an artifact from EVERY major historical event. it’s so impressive! absolutely AWESOME

[@froot6086]

Fr, cant imagine the struggle and time it took to obtain those items

[@wayside70]

How do you have 39 subs olivia with zero videos?..😅

[@don-e4838]

Like flying a freight train, never forget that line in the movie.

[@The.Original.Potatocakes]

Bleeping fright train

[@dimwitt461]

I remember being a fresh PV2 at Ft. Campbell back in 1986, visiting the Don F. Pratt museum on post. It was one of those things you “had to do” to get a feel for the history of the Division.

[@simonr9870]

I saw the last remaining Waco Glider at Ste-Mere Eglise Airborne museum, those things were death traps.

[@johnneill5960]

I spent 9 years in combat in Iraq & Afghanistan, was wounded in Afghanistan & hit 3 IEDs . I was heavily involved in the battle of Ramadi in 06 . All the crap I saw & went through was absolutely nothing compared to what these D Day & Bastogne guys went through . Even with my insight I couldn’t imagine going through what they did . True warriors

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

🇺🇸

[@scottc6639]

i have always considered myself a WW2 nerd, but i have never heard this story before. thank you for what you are doing! keep the stories alive.

[@rudydedogg6505]

I don't mean to nit pick but "WACO", the maker of the CG-4 glider, is pronounced "wahco". The company name abbreviation stands for the Weaver Aircraft Company. Excellent series and I've been a subscriber for a couple of years now. Thank you!

[@darylmorning]

I thought he was pronouncing it wrong.

[@geoffthiessen646]

Love the work you do JD - thanks for bring history alive! The Chance to go to those places are probably never going to happen and you open the window for me to experience it thru your lenses! Truly appreciative

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

🙏🏼

[@markb.7642]

You have one of the coolest jobs ever, not only do you teach history but you get to travel to the actual sites where history was made and bring it all to us, I for one am seriously jealous, I could only wish to visit the places you have been. Keep up the fantastic work.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thank you. Glad to share the experience. Learning a lot myself.

[@lewistaylor1965]

I have subscribed to this chaneel because it is bloody brilliant...You can't beat getting the info of WW2 by historians on site making it all the more accessible and real...Fantastic job to all concerned on this channel and museum...Big Thank you...From the UK

[@thenikonjones]

Outstanding! JD, just want to say that since your issue in Greece, you have come back stronger than ever man. You are killing it! Well done!

[@dallas7129]

The music in the background is 🔥

[@leesherman100]

Thanks for clearing up the details on this bit of D Day history. No one was immune from death on this "Day of Days". Five stars. *****

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👍🏻

[@rebelscumspeedshop8677]

This story says one of two things #1"What could go wrong?" #2" no one thought at all" .😢

[@robynw6307]

Makes you realise how important properly positioned headrests are in vehicles. Such a sad outcome.

[@TravelingToHistory]

Interesting video about my all time favorite WW2 movie ever JD. Perhaps a fun fact, the actual gliders that was used during the making of Saving Private Ryan is located at the museum: the liberation Wings in the Netherlands.

[@helenabiesma5560]

like so many lost and in a moment beautiful remembered - lovely documentary to reflect that

[@Kate-wu9if]

Combat was a tv series in the 60's that got people interested in WW2..it was the best..ty JD learning alot!

[@CSltz]

In Lubbock Texas. At the airport. They were having a WWII Display. Maybe ten years ago. I had always thought that it was just a scene written for the movie. But there on the wall was apiece of cloth from the glider and the story about it. Just fascinating.

[@phyllishershkowitz3806]

You have the BEST channel on KZbin! Thanks so much for all your efforts to keep history alive!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

That really does mean a lot. Thank you.

[@righteousredneck777]

When I went and saw it in the theater,when it was over, I knew I was in a theater full of veterans. The tears were flowing. I had the opportunity to thank many of them after asking if they served. It was a movie that truly brought to life just how brutal of a day that really was.

[@panderson9561]

A bit different experience for me. Friend and I went to see it. When the movie started the theater was about 75% full...it was a Sunday night. By the time the movie was over, I bet there wasn't a dozen people left.

[@williammathews3022]

I love when you put out these videos that relate to famous Hollywood movies/TV series. These movies/series are what got me interested in this period of history and its great to see the actual locations and learn the actual facts. Thank you!

[@OTDMilitaryHistory]

I'm glad to know that scene is based on real events. Perhaps this is another place to add to my list for my trip to Normandy.

[@Carolbearce]

Always love learning more history about WW2. Thank you.

[@zachary-du8mm]

another dandy video. these sites you take us to, it's incredible! the story and history on this one, top tier work as always. appreciate you sharing it with us!

[@Benzer2010]

Right after I graduated high school I went to aircraft maintenence school and had the exceptional honor and privilege of helping to restore a Waco glider, right alongside some WW2 veterans who worked on them during the war. We talked about everything, and I hung on their every word. I wish I could go back to those days. I miss that glider and those men.

[@BrianHanscom0790]

It's amazing when you guys bring relics back to their respective areas. It gives you goosebumps in awe. Love the channel, Watching from Pahrump Nevada 🇺🇲

[@MikeyD0]

I’ve never been really into history but man you make some incredible videos and they captivate me. I watch them one after another for hours. Not sure if you know this but I love your videos 😂

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👊🏻

[@seegurke93]

Nice, have been there on my searh for the Hiesville medic station by coincidence

[@Rainenschu]

Thank you for telling the story of these heroes!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

🇺🇸

[@jeffsquires6620]

THE LONGEST DAY is worthy of a mention.

[@lappin6482]

finally! I always wanted to know the real story behind this was thinking about it the other day, the JD does it again!!! legend

[@ajbartholomew4499]

Always enjoy you and Eric thanks so much

[@Dylantuning1995]

Never knew it was based on an actual event. SPR is hands down my favorite movie and started my WW2 obsession at 8 years old. Also never knew that horsa was supposed to present Pratt in the museum, saw it, looked at the artifacts and read a thing or 2 and moved on haha. Also I cannot praise this channel enough, the animations, the war footage, the editing, the scenery shots, the amazing soundtracks on every video and most importantly, the great history lesson! I hope that KZbin or your videos will be around to one day show my (grand)kids so they can learn about WW2 as well!

[@deletdis6173]

I said the same thing, WW2 was a shitshow.

[@thomasdragosr.841]

@@deletdis6173Every one was expendable...

[@craigweir8092]

You need to go to the Silent Wings Museum in Lubbock, Texas. The whole museum is about WW2 and even more so about the gliders used in Europe

[@pauldouglas3084]

Really enjoyed the video mate my favourite movie all time

[@WranglerRunner1]

Another great episode. Tremendous job with the editing! Especially liked the glider graphic overlay on the map at the beginning.

[@adammitchell3462]

I've gotta give saving private Ryan credit because that one movie is precisely what started my life long obsession with WW2 history.

[@MapleHillMunitions]

Same here. Many thousands upon thousands of dollars since spent.

[@thomasanderson3230]

Eric and J.D. your episodes are superb! I look forward to each one! often watching them more than once.Great history!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

🙏🏼

[@jdr26th]

Thank you JD, it brought back good memories of my great-grandfather, John Calvin Tyner, and glider road that ran through his property next to Camp Mackall (Camp Hoffman). Some of the stories that were told to me, give some insight to what the family saw and did during that time period. The film insert, was from that area, again thank you God bless and stay safe

[@haydenbrantley]

What's funny is I actually just watched the movie this week! It had been a while since I had seen it all the way through. Since it's been so long since the movie came out, I really wish someone would make another D-Day film. I'm sure there are hundreds if not thousands of other stories to be told about that day and the weeks that followed.

[@truthtriumphant]

Totally agree!! I hope some more D-day films telling the stories of other heroes and heroines are made again soon!!

[@Infinitegrowth-zt1mh]

Awesome as usual. Thank you so much.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks! 🙏🏼

[@williampockets]

When my grandfather saw this movie in the theaters he told me all he could smell was diesel fuel. He landed on Utah Beach 3rd wave June 6th. He was amazed at how well they made everything sound and feel so authentic. God bless these men

[@robert8321]

Wow! 65th anniversary. Cabourg, FR. I met 'Billy'. Billy (himself) found that he was ALSO under a Jeep, as he too landed a Horsa glider. Billy defended Pegasus bridge.

[@reloadncharge9907]

Yet another awesome episode! Thanks, Andrew

[@jeffbosworth8116]

J.D. I know from your previous videos, you are a man of faith. You might appreciate this. According to the book Sgt. Nibley, PHD, Bible scholar Hugh Nibley was originally scheduled to be in that glider and Pratt was supposed to land on the beach in a jeep. A short time before DDay (a few days?) Pratt decided he wanted to land earlier and displaced Nibley, who then landed by jeep. This was not the only occasion where the soldier who took Nibley's place was killed very soon after.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Wow!

[@sonofhawaii4227]

Another great video JD! I just love getting onto KZbin and seeing a new video from you. It’s one of the best parts of my day! Keep it going brother! Aloha 🤙🏼

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

I appreciate that! 👊🏻

[@cynditermath9118]

Perhaps they should have let the General parachute in. He might not have perished. Let paratroopers do what paratroopers do, parachute in. JD, thanks for this piece of history.

[@matt32187]

best ww2 channel out there. appreciate all the content. great to be able to enjoy things I won't be able to on person

[@mattskustomkreations]

The kind old guy across the street in my neighborhood, best known for handing out butterscotch candy was a D-Day glider pilot. I didn’t find out til after his passing. Wish I had known to ask him about it…

[@Wideoval73]

Thanks for another very informative video. Keep up the great work!

[@camdodge9891]

Another outstanding video thanks JD

[@jillcreager1843]

Love what you do. Thanks!

[@phillipgibbons386]

Excellent video. Thank you for sharing.

[@wildlifebybrianhoule]

Another solid video. Great job guys! It's eerie how many stories like this unfolded in those hours and days after. Regarding SPR, it's the only movie I've ever been to where I saw who I believe veterans leave because they no doubt were suffering flashbacks and at the end of the movie, not one person said a word. Some just sat there and the rest just walked out quietly as can be. I'll never forget that, along with never forgetting the sacrifices.

[@tombloomfield4784]

If not already mentioned; gliders were used to insert troops much as helicopters were later.

[@The1944WarMuseum]

Another great video JD!

[@adriennejames9120]

Watching your videos from this area, I am amazed at how little some things have changed... after almost 80 years, these places are preserved as they were in 1944. It blows my mind!

[@SueProv]

I'm getting an education from the JD &E universitty. I love it. What incredible relics

[@dustyvanbrocklin4731]

Once again great work JD.

[@sandylukemarsden7160]

Great work as always. Thanks mate.

[@d.g.n9392]

Very well done video and tribute to general Pratt. I enjoy so many of the historical videos, being retired and a senior, it’s a great way to learn the history, understand the personalities if so many soldiers, veterans, who made so many sacrifices. I have gained a lot of interest since the movie of saving private Ryan. Lead me to just do more reading and research . The Band of Brothers series is another great record of the events. My family lost a ( my great uncle) soldier, killed in action in Italy, January 3, 1944. I was able to research his records, obtained all the relevant documents from the VA records center. Learning where and when he was killed, near mount porchia, Italy. He was buried in a military cemetery in Italy. His family made the arrangements to have his body disinterred and prepared to repatriate to his hometown in Missouri. So I have all the information related to his death, disinterment, shipping, receiving, personal effects, and photographs of his gravesite service at his family’s cemetery lot. Fortunately for me, my elderly great aunt saved all the information and photographs, passed to me. And I’ve since been able to establish several veteran tributes to him.

[@1psychofan]

I just now got to watch this! How sad that they put him in the glider to “protect” him and that’s what killed him! 😢 my goodness!!!!! Another great episode JD❤ thank you!

[@terryeustice5399]

Very cool the information on General Pratt. And the crash. Thanks for sharing 💯👍

[@1970bosshemi]

Lieutenant May, who was riding behind the general in the jeep is the father of a man who was a very good friend of mine.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Wow!

[@ronnylee8393]

Thank you for your hard work. Love what you do.

[@ncwoodworker]

Learned something new today. Thanks JD.

[@kljaberg848]

"Flying Coffins" was the name given to the gliders by the troops.

[@noobovsky420]

What gets me is the hole in the floor some glider borne para troopers jump into

[@thecincinnatikid6227]

Another awesome video as always 👍

[@burlyduck82]

The music selection is superb. Sets the tone well.

[@FantsyPants]

Great work once again, thanks

[@dawnlefevre9172]

I learn something new EVERY time I watch your videos!! Thank you!!! I'm getting so smart!!! 😂👏👏

[@RobinHullBuilds]

My late father trained as a glider pilot for D-Day. I’m not sure of the reason why he was removed from the training? He would have been 18 and had several brothers fighting in all branches of the British military, including a brother who was a Lancaster rear gunner, a brother in the Royal Navy, another in the merchant navy and another in REME Mountain Division. His brother in law was with the 8th Army (Desert Rats) in North Africa. He went on to train for jungle fighting and then onto Palestine in 1946. God bless you dad xx

[@kevincerce5056]

My Father WWII 9th Army 8th Armored Division Landed on Omaha Beach D-Day June 6, 1944. First town St Glees, on to St Lo, in his words they got the sh-t kicked out of them in St Lo. Fought in the Battle of The Bulge where he carried two GI's under heavy fire to safety, he received the Medal of The Silver Star award in May of 45 for doing so. He told me the 82nd Airborne Division jumped into the wrong place, He passed away on 12/2002. Forever my hero! `God Bless all that served

[@tacosandfrenchfries4561]

Really interesting video. Thanks

[@lawrencestrabala6146]

My Uncle was already volunteered to the Army in early 1941. He knew what was coming. He could see it in world events. When the Army instituted the Airborne he volunteered and was in the very first class the 501st of the 1001st. He saw action everywhere the the Battling Bastards of Bastogne went. He was wounded at Normandy when his plane missed its drop point evading enemy fire. It was dark and when the men were ordered to ‘Get the F out of this plane now!’ He ended up hitting a tree breaking his ankle. You can search up the 501st class. You will find the name of Howard Borts of Ohio. His nickname was Bud. Loved his doggies too. Usually owned up to five but near the end of his life only had one, he knew the time clock was running out and didn’t want his family to have to deal with multiple homeless doggies. I loved my Uncle, such a soft spoken man for a Staff Sargent in the 101st. He was my Confirmation sponsor and so I acquired another name to an already ridiculous long alphabet soup handle I became Lawrence William Howard Strabala. RIP Unc see ya on the other side.

[@vynyly]

Another great one. Love the partnership with The Gettysburg Museum of History. I wonder how big the building would have to be if Erik tried to display every artifact he has in the collection. Smithsonian of Gettysburg. lol

[@andrewt6802]

This is quite possibly the most famous Pratt fall in history.

[@kevinthomas4171]

I spent four years in the 506th (Charlie Co, 1st Bn, ‘77-‘81) and have been through the 101st’s Pratt Museum at Ft. Campbell many times. I don’t recall hearing his name in the movie and never made the connection that he was the one killed in that crash. Appreciate the insight and the memories.

[@skittlesandfriends5710]

I never knew that was a real event that occurred during D-Day, I thought that I was creative license in the movie. Well done.

[@jackhouston357]

WHAT IMPRESSED ME ABOUT THE MOVIE WAS THE SOUNDS OF BULLETS HITTING DIFFERENT THINGS AND THE SOUNDS OF THE WEAPONS WERE SPOT ON

[@mattskustomkreations]

Great stuff! 4:11 I believe “WACO” is pronounced “Wocko” because it is an abbreviated form of something like “Washington Company”, or the like and not named after Waco, TX.

[@wdtaut5650]

Correct. The town in Texas is "way-co". The aircraft is "wah-co".

[@bobbennett7195]

keep the great stories coming.

[@TrailbossEd]

General Pratt came from a small town that I lived near when I was a young boy. The town is Brookfield, Missouri. It amazese how hardly anyone I've talked to from that area even knows about this event at all.

[@lthom5158]

Always fascinating!

[@WFMeyer]

Hey JO, I hope you find the fine folks of the Norman coast as friendly as I did. I have to make a trip back there. It looks like the museums have really upped their game since my visit for the 75th anniverasry.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Awesome people.

[@WFMeyer]

@@TheHistoryUnderground I often tell people to not judge French people by Parisiennes any more than you should judge American's by New Yorker's (I'm a former New Yorker)

[@tinbadge]

Great vid. I knew there had to be some truth to that part of the movie. Thanks for taking the time to put it into perspective. 👍

[@sandysue202]

Great video JD! I can't imagine anything much scarier than flying over a battlefield area in a glider that depends on friction with the earth/grass to slow you down when it lands!! Yikes!

[@oldschooljack3479]

That pilot in the movie always gets to me. He's a complete emotional wreck from the disaster... "We were just... We were just... We were just too heavy, ya know?"

[@wayneallen3035]

I love this channel 👍🏻

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👊🏻

[@davidkimmel4216]

Very very interesting. Thank you 😊

[@sbishop6450]

Always learn something new when you post a video JD. You and Erik are a great team. His museum is a bit like Dr Who’s tardis. Bigger inside than outside. ❤ uk

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👊🏻

[@johnjacobs1625]

Nice job guys!!

[@Nighthawk1966]

Very cool JD !!

[@davidk7324]

Thank you, gentlemen.

[@lairdsimpsonog3840]

I worked as a TV and Film, landscaper, and was in charge of the set of SPR .. Or Saving Ryan's Privates, as everyone on set called it . It used to take me between 8 to 10 hours a day, every day, just to water all the trees and plants etc... And that was using a great big army fire tender.. ( Which was ace to drive around the set..) Keeping the turf/ sod alive where they filmed the Glider scene, was an absolute nightmare, as it was a really warm summer.. I used to have to drive about 50 miles, after I finished, my days work as Nursery Manager, just to get there. Then It would take 45 minutes to fill the Tender, and only twenty minutes, to empty it.. I was usually on set by myself, driving round the bombed out fictional village of Ramelle, and the Glider crash scene... One Sunday I was there, and as I rounded the corner of the village heading towards the Glider area, I panicked as I came under fire.. There were about twenty or so WW2 dressed soldiers, laying down in a row shooting towards me... So very lucky for me.. They were actors/ extras practicing with their rifles, using blank rounds... Thank goodness... I've still got some of the empty shell cases around somewhere, I'm sure. Hope I have added a little background to your story... Keep up the great work. Love the channel.... 💙 🙏 from 🇬🇧

[@Blend-24]

Thank you for bringing us these stories. Question: was Saving Pvt Ryan very losely based on the Niland brothers?

[@alwayshopeful70]

Yes

[@markteaney8381]

My dad was a glider pilot who flew into Normandy on D-day. As a young man i found photos of his glider and of him in England also his glider wings. All were lost in a fire when i was in the navy. Wish i still had them great time capsul

[@verncommet1798]

My grandfather flew in operation market garden. He was a cg4a pilot

[@michaelguy1125]

Hey, you should check out the story of General Nathan Bedford Forrest, the 3rd he died when his B-17 was blown out of the sky over Germany on June 13th, 1943. He was the grandson of Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest.