The Churchill-Eisenhower 1944 Shoot-Off

In March 1944, Winston Churchill challenged Generals Eisenhower and Bradley to a shoot-off - the weapon chosen was the US M1 carbine and the place, an army training ground in Wiltshire, England. Who won? Find out the curious story here...
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.org/wiki/Mark_Fe...
Visit my audio book channel 'War Stories with Mark Felton': • One Thousand Miles to ...
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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.
Credits: US National Archives; Library of Congress; Swedish Army Museum; Imperial War Museum

[@Caratacus1]

It's often overlooked that Churchill had personally killed people with firearms. Glad Mark has included a reminder and yes that Tommy Gun photo is legendary.

[@johncarter44]

He'd fit right in opening fantasy sequence Led Zeppelin the Song Remains the Same film 🎸

[@coling3957]

with his Mauser in the Sudan. he fought the "fuzzy wuzzies" of the Mahdi. guy was hard-core

[@richardpurves]

Churchill was basically an adrenaline junkie. Walter Thompson's book "I was Churchill's Bodyguard" details various events that gave migraines to his protective detail.

[@wokewokerman5280]

...bad people...

[@t.wcharles2171]

​@@coling3957, he also fought Cuban guerrillas in 1895.

[@randywise5241]

Churchill was gangster with the machinegun picture.

[@bastadimasta]

On the contrary, he was alcoholic nepobaby trying to lift the machine gun with his weak arms and his fat body jiggling while firing.

[@patriciapayne1274]

#thuglife

[@hb9145]

It was fitting, as he was a crook and a criminal.

[@hb9145]

He was a criminal, so...

[@oso9809]

Was a real manly man, not some wimpy political guy.

[@Supernaut2000]

My god, Churchill in his pinstripe suit looks like a stand in for Al Capone.

[@johngaither9263]

That was the idea. He wanted the Germans to view him as a gangster with a machinegun.

[@spikespa5208]

@@johngaither9263 And the German propaganda went along.

[@daviddwight5745]

The “Chicago typewriter “

[@gordonhall9871]

I think that is what he was going for ...

[@browngreen933]

Capone was his hero. 😂

[@owenmalanaphy3228]

"We shall fight them in our pinstripes"

[@kirbyculp3449]

Pajamas even.

[@tomobedlam297]

"We will never suspender!"

[@brianhobaugh]

@@tomobedlam297Excellent.

[@alexhatfield2987]

Whoever the shoot off winner was, Churchill must have smashed the “not trying to look cool, I just am” PR contest. The idea of Churchill standing on Brighton beach, cigar in mouth, top hat on, laying waste to hordes of Kriegsmarine with sweeping fire from a drum magazined Thompson on full-auto, is so surreal, it’s just super-cool .

[@mikeblair2594]

I'd put my money on the king with the Bren over a blind ollllld Churchill any day and I'm A yank.

[@mikeblair2594]

I'd put my money on the king with the Bren over a blind ollllld Churchill any day and I'm A yank.

[@johngaither9263]

I found seeing Princess Elizabeth shooting quite fascinating. She later became an army mechanic and truck driver. All to show the women of England the Royal women were doing their part for the war effort and encouraging others to take part in the struggle.

[@flyingsword135]

And now they have sold out Englad to the globalists and turned into a 3rd world country. Sad.

[@jamesbulldogmiller]

Yes Fascinating. But, not surprising. I admires Her Highness very much.

[@trooperdgb9722]

PREVIOUSLY became a mechanic/driver...LOL THAT photo of the Princess having a shot was actually POST war, onboard HMS VANGUARD on a Royal visit to South Africa in 1947 to thank that nation for their efforts in WW2. (There was no Royal Yacht between 1937, when the Victoria and Albert was withdrawn from service, and 1954 when RMY Brittania was commissioned...)

[@geoffcrumblin9850]

She also took part in the bird shoot on her property.

[@frankschultz4170]

I'm having a hard time visualizing Markle doing any of those things...

[@75RWM]

Churchill was OG going back to the late 1800's. To have Bradley, Eisenhower, and Churchill on the firing line together, what a moment.

[@EternamDoov]

1800s * You may be thinking of the apostrophe in '90s '00s '10s etc

[@williamromine5715]

I would agree that Churchill probably had the best score. General's didn't spend a lot of time firing weapons. Eisenhower had never lead troops in war time. Bradley would probably have come in second place.

[@6Sparx9]

However, there are various accounts that Churchill was spoiling for battle - or you could chalk it up to him being used to the Napoleonic / WW1 style of battles of attrition. He would often chastise his generals for cowardice, especially in the North Africa campaigns when the generals refused to attack German and Italian battalions because they were not strategically sound or were underprepared.

[@oldtop4682]

Doesn't matter to me who won, but I noticed Ike's stance. Some purists today would ping him for the "chicken wing" placement of his right arm. This is exactly what folks were taught to do back then (and he is holding the rifle perfectly to standard for the day). It's only been fairly recently that the "chicken wing" was +/- dropped (as in the last 20-30 years). Likely due to the smaller recoil of the modern rifles and less exposure while shooting. Churchill is holding his M1 better by today's standards. As always, a great video!

[@ab5olut3zero95]

Partly correct. It has to do with the natural stance developed because of hand placement and angle to accommodate the rifle’s grip. Chicken winging is appropriate for traditional rifles so as not to strain the wrist. Pistol-grip rifles allow the elbow to drop naturally.

[@recce8619]

It looks like Churchill's got a bit of a hasty sling going on.

[@thomasreilly4345]

Ike was an accomplished wingshooter. Plus, back then, the high elbow was sometimes taught for rifle shooting.

[@mr_clean91]

A big part of it is that a squared-up stance is taught now to take advantage of body armor. The chicken wing works for the bladed stance used at the time but is discouraged now because it exposes the shooter's unprotected sides. It is a more stable shooting position though IMO

[@-Nobody-1]

As a lefty i learned not to chicken wing very early in my army training when hot brass ejected into the crux of my arm. 😆

[@tedhammond4578]

I am lucky enough to own several original M1 carbines. Low recoil, easy to shoot and very accurate at close range. I'm sure Prime Minister Churchill was the winner that day.

[@chrisworthen1538]

They also pack a surprising punch.

[@dandare1001]

I expect he was, because he was shooting a target at 25 yards.

[@wayneantoniazzi2706]

@@chrisworthen1538 That they do. What so many people have called the "pipsqueak M1 carbine round" actually has more muzzle energy than a .357 Magnum. Don't underestimate it.

[@giovannicervantes2053]

​@@wayneantoniazzi2706there's nothing more scary than seeing the curved mag of a m2 carbine and thinking whether or not this is one of those few that can spray at 750 a minute

[@kyleh3615]

​@giovannicervantes2053 I picked up a M1 carbine at a gun store real cheap ince because it 'needed repairs' Nobody at the store could tell me what it needed though I took it home and disassembled it to inspect and couldn't pick out what was wrong. Took it to the same range/store I bought it and loaded a magazine Turns out, the sear had worn in such a way that it would run away and dump the magazine. The RSO was mad, then when I explained that I had purchased the gun from that store and was not aware of the defect, he made sure they covered the cost to get the trigger group replaced All of that to say, I can only imagine how nice an M2 would be when you were actually expecting it to be a machine gun

[@kameronsharp8691]

The best historical videos on KZbin hands down. Iconic intro music always slaps.

[@kamalaparadise2269]

Lots of good videos, but also too much victors propaganda and errors by omission at times.

[@SIERRA-dx9wm]

Kamala word salad

[@kameronsharp8691]

@@kamalaparadise2269 maybe; but as far as entertainment and weird interesting areas. Plus hands-on stuff. I follow lots of other good channels too. Like Military1945

[@phytonso9877]

Maury got the DNA results back, and you are incorrect.

[@ShogunMongol]

As a proud M1 Carbine owner, it's fantastic to see that some of the top brass of WW2 loved the humble 5 pound work horse.

[@LemonHead-sq5ws]

I always found it weird that the army thought the average man could easily handle 30-06 😅

[@granddukeofmecklenburg]

​@LemonHead-sq5ws I mean...the Germans had it worse, with the Kar98k... Lighter, bolt action(semi-autos absorb some of the recoil, bolt actions don't) and being chambered in 7.92×57, firing much stouter loads than the light load ball ammo used for the garand. But yea, everyone was using a beefy cartridge back then... Wasn't till the 7.92 Kurz, and 7.62×39 that any military believed in a Frontline intermediate cartridge...NATO waited till the 60s to adopt an intermediate cartridge.

[@granddukeofmecklenburg]

The biggest problem imo was how unnecessarily long the 30-06 case was for military use... All the main military loads for 30-06 were underloaded for what 30-06 could do, and performance wise it wasn't doing much better than 7.65×53 mauser/Argentine(which had a very effecient case geometry, especially considering it predated P.O. Ackleys findings in the 40s and 50s. and was ballistically near equal to .308, but came out 60 years prior)

[@bower31]

In general the M1 carbine was a universally loved rifle by anyone that could get one. There are of course some goofy blown out of proportion complaints during Korea, but relatively minor. It was the closest the US got to an intermediate rifle for a while, and it did it's job very well.

[@markthompson4885]

@@bower31 Not everyone loved the M1 carbine. My uncle was in the 11th ABN DIV in the Philippines' and was issued an M1 carbine. He told me that during some assaults on his position by Japanese he emptied his clip from his M1 carbine the jap kept coming. his fox hole buddy had an M1 Garand rifle shot the charging jap once and he went down. My uncle said he picked up a Grand from the battle field and carried it the rest of the war.

[@user-de7mb9rn9w]

The fact that Churchill probably had 2 bottles of scotch by that time of day makes it really impressive

[@GB-uq8ix]

Looking for this comment😂

[@heinzer69]

Daytime he drank champagne, evenings brandy.

[@dakiler2028]

@@heinzer69Every single morning he would get up from bed and have a glass of 10% Red Label whiskey, 90% water. He did that in the Boer Wars in the cavalry to disinfect the water and grew to like it

[@peterparsons7141]

A number of factual stories about Churchill mention that he loved to shoot. One of the stories I like, is told by his personal body guard Mr. Thompson. The story was regarding preparing for any assault against Churchill in his residence. Churchill had installed an armoured chair in his bedroom. The chair had plating and was a shield, The chair was situated so that he could take cover behind the chair and was armed with a colt .45 ACP pistol. He practiced with the pistol, and was noted as a good shot. He told Thompson that whoever came to assault his room would never take him alive. He said he absolutely would make sure that he was never taken.

[@WALTERBROADDUS]

Churchill is a rare figure in history. We have nobody like him today on either side of the Atlantic today. His joining the Army in WW1 is something few leaders would do today.

[@flappypancake85]

Well, after sending thousands of Australians to their deaths in an ill-prepped operation I’m sure you’ve got to save face somehow!

[@SeattlePioneer]

Theodore Roosevelt famously organized a regiment of volunteer calvary to fight in the Spanish American War of 1898. He wound up in a famous attack on Spanish positions in which he could easily have been killed. When WWI came along, he again wanted to organize a volunteer regiment, but President Wilson rejected the offer and Roosevelt never made it into combat in WWI.

[@WALTERBROADDUS]

@@SeattlePioneer I suppose being one of only four guys on Mount Rushmore makes you pretty rare? Teddy would definitely be the exception.

[@SeattlePioneer]

Washington fought for the Brits in one war, and against them in our Revolutionary War. Eisenhower and Kennedy were both active in WWII combat, and LBJ and Nixon were in the military during WWII. There is really no shortage of American Presidents who have served in the military during war time.

[@WALTERBROADDUS]

@@SeattlePioneer Not exactly the metric I was going by. Not just the service itself. But at the time of their lives and careers. And in both Roosevelt and Churchill, a bit of a death wish....

[@dpfreedman]

The mind boggles at what a treasure trove this channel is. Absolutely brilliant.

[@purplerocket4300]

I always knew Winston Churchill was a firearms enthusiast, owning several pistols as his personal firearms, but I didn’t know King George Vl was one too. This is very interesting.

[@AudieHolland]

All British Upper Class were hunting enthusiasts.

[@highcountrydelatite]

churchill was a better shot than his own scotland yard body guard..there is a book called operation proteus an alternate history where churchill died with a gun in hand during sealion at his manor

[@Mr._Infamous]

If people knew the real reason why King George abdicated his throne we would all look at World War II in a different way

[@bruceblackerby3742]

Most people forget that Churchill has an American mother, and was half American himself by blood as a result. The "gangster" photo is classic.

[@walboyfredo6025]

By todays ruling l believe he could run for President on that....and no doubt he would win it.

[@Angel9932]

The iconic Churchill photo with the Tommy Gun is one of my favorite historical photos of all time.

[@stormykeep9213]

I can't imagine what would've happened to Britain if Churchill weren't the PM during the war. The man has to be ranked up there as one of the top leaders in the history of the world!

[@gerardoramoncesarreynaldo9469]

Some personalities, royalty and politicians in England were for signing a separate peace with Hitler even in the course of the war!

[@wayneantoniazzi2706]

The late actor Richard Dawson who was a boy in Britain during WW2 said that the British people really need Churchill or someone like him to get the best out of them. Winston was the right man in the right place at the right time in history.

[@davidhooper259]

Brits would be speaking German and the western world would be suffering through the Kraftwerk’s 50th album of electronic farts on sheet metal and Werner Herzog narrating film unironically, without a hint of sarcasm.

[@jugbywellington1134]

@@davidhooper259 Nope.

[@davidhooper259]

@@jugbywellington1134 really? Who was feeding the UK before the US entered the war? Who couldn’t get a foothold in Europe before the US entered the war? Who failed multiple times including complete disasters like Dunkirk before the US entered the war? Who had to beg officered US pilots to give up their commission and be hired as contract pilots just fend off Germany before the US entered the war? Why was US general names supreme commander of allied forces and nearly all top decision makers were American instead of the Brits or frogs or Canadians? Awfully strange that the US had to come in straighten out European problems twice in 30 year time period. Brits very much would have been Jerri-fied and squashed with a Jack boot had Germany win the war.

[@Pavlos_Charalambous]

Every one thinks is a gangsta until Churchill shows up with his cigar holding a tomson with a drum magazine

[@aleksazunjic9672]

Churchill was a fake trough and trough. He was a journalist in Sudan, not a combat officer. His famous war time speeches were read by actor Norman Shelley.

[@attiepollard7847]

looking like al capone lol

[@RCAvhstape]

Backed up by the future queen with a bolt action rifle.

[@1981menso]

In a pinstripe suit to boot. Total OG!

[@jon9021]

Excellent comment!

[@josephcooter5763]

Later on, about 15 years Later Churchill visited the United States and I believe Eisenhower invited him as a guest at his home in Gettysburg, where I think Ike showed him the battle field and explained what Happened during the Battle. When Monty visited he more or less did the same.

[@kellywright540]

On my Dad's discharge papers it showed that he qualified as a marksman on M1 Rifle Carbine. He was a scout for the 66th Armored Field Artillery Battalion which was in Patton's 4th Armored Division. Though he said he carried everything from the Thompson, the Garand, grease gun and even carried a MP 40 that he had liberated from a German arms depot that they had overran. My father in law used to hunt with a M1 Carbine and I got the chance to take this to the range on several occasions. Light, handy, compact, easy to shoot and easy to clean were my impressions. As for who won this match up, my money is on Winston, hands down!

[@highcountrydelatite]

i got those quals...as a navy diver...was needed

[@bobbalouie9941]

Fascinating. General Bradley was a noted marksman as well

[@ahwhite1398]

Having his target go out to 75 yards was a baller move. People talking about the "score" don't seem to realize how significant 25 versus 50 versus 75 yards is.

[@Rowrin]

@@ahwhite1398 Yeah, and Bradley's stance and in particular his firing grip does make it seem like he's the more experience marksman of the 3. He's using his thumb and nose to index himself so his sight picture / sight radius is consistent between shots.

[@joemartino6976]

With a pin stripe suit, a cigar in his mouth and a Tommy Gun in hand, Churchill could very well have played the part of a Chicago gangster.

[@rikwilliams6352]

There was an attempt by the German propaganda machine to use the image branding him a gangster.

[@user-ee6xt8gu9l]

@@rikwilliams6352 Glad that backfired

[@cliff8669]

Churchill and Monty. Both knew quality weapons when they held them.

[@party4keeps28]

That photo of Churchill with the Thompson is absolutely incredible.

[@jharchery4117]

You are the master at finding new stories about WW2. Thank you.

[@DaveSCameron]

He does go that extra mile doesn’t he! 🎚️👏📚☘️

[@user-em2pe3rf4h]

I have never seen the picture of Winston Churchill holding the Tommy gun and I can safely say that it is the coolest picture that I have ever seen of any historical figure...hands down. Thanks Dr. Felton. Well done, cheers from the States.

[@Elendrian]

The Nazis tried to use it as propaganda to say Churchill was just a gangster. I gotta give it to them, he really did look like a badass gangster.

[@jonathanjordan2366]

A delightful story, thanks for sharing. Omar Bradley was one of the Army's crack shots. He put food on the family table hunting squirrels in the Missouri backwoods, and had made Patton's clay team in Hawaii in the mid-1920s, so he was probably the best shot of the three - hence his 75 yard handicap. Bodyguard Walter Thompson said Churchill was a good shot with a 1911, which he sometimes carried during the war. Ike didn't get to shoot much, though he loved doing so. None of them were that practiced with the M-1 carbine, which is set for 100/150 yards (IIRC), so it would be fun to know who came out on top. (When researching Brothers Rivals Victors, I recall Brad joking in his memoirs that the scores that day were "a military secret.")

[@yomama3622]

Really shows how the M1 Carbine was the prelude to the rise of the intermediate rifle cartridge and lightweight rifles like the M16. Much handier than a full sized rifle and way easier to shoot for the average person

[@lucas82]

If only they had used a slightly more powerful round for it, the US could have had an assault rifle 20 years earlier than they actually did.

[@wayneantoniazzi2706]

@@lucas82 True, but they weren't thinking that way at the time. The carbine was intended as an easier to shoot substitute for the .45 automatic and it fulfilled that role even better than they thought it would. And while you can hit a man-sized target with a carbine out to 300 yards (like an AK-47) 50 to 75 yards was considered its most likely use. It's been a mystery from that time to this though why Winchester didn't use their more powerful .351 M1907 automatic rifle cartidge for the carbine instead of developing the .30 carbine round. A question that's never been answered.

[@PitFriend1]

@@lucas82The .30 Winchester was powerful enough. It has the same energy at 100 yards that a .357 Magnum round has at the muzzle, and no one says that the .357 is underpowered. In fact, a case could be made for the M2 Carbine, the selective fire version of the M1, as being the first US assault rifle. It fired an intermediate round, had a 30 round detachable magazine, and was selective fire. It was classed and used as a submachinegun but the argument is there.

[@robertbridges517]

If McArthur had gone with the 276 Pedersen rather than having the M1 Garand retooled to 30-06, a LOT of history would have changed. (McArthur wanted all of the 30-06 ammo stored from the WWI days used) Only with WWII did the intermediate cartridge get to show its value. @@lucas82

[@christopherwang4392]

@@lucas82 There is the .22 Spitfire / MMJ 5.7mm designed by Melvin Maynard Johnson of M1941 Johnson fame during the early 1960s. The .22 Spitfire is a wildcat conversion of the .30 Carbine which has been necked down to .224 caliber and could be fired from the M1 Carbine converted by using a new barrel and feed ramp. According to available data, the performance of the .22 Spitfire / MMJ 5.7mm is between that of the 5.56×45mm NATO and the FN 5.7×28mm.

[@wilsonj4705]

Been involved in shooting sports for over 50 years and rarely have I seen someone pick up a M1 Carbine and not instantly fall in love with the thing. They just feel right in a way that is hard to describe to someone who has never picked one up being a perfect balance of size, weight, and handiness

[@michaeldoolan7595]

British troops loved them in the far East fighting the japanese in the jungle. High capacity rapid fire light weight easy to maintain robust. They also found the round was deadly at short distance because it had a habit of tumbling inside anyone it hit.

[@MrSloika]

Compared to the behemoth service rifles of WWII...which were mostly just warmed over WWI rifles...the M1 Carbine was a revelation.

[@akwinter]

Anyone that shoots guns loves M1s

[@marvindebot3264]

It's a great little rifle for all the same reasons the Mini 14 (which one could call its spiritual successor) is. As you said they just fall to hand and feel right.

[@RCAvhstape]

The Ruger 10/22 is similar in form and super popular.

[@nealkonneker6084]

Not to mention the target was closer! :) Thank you for your channel, love it.

[@photoisca7386]

It was mentioned.

[@beerye9331]

Hunters understand 25 yards is a pistol range.

[@shaunnoble783]

To be fair though he probably had several Whiskeys, even more Brandy's a couple bottles of wine and a Champagne or two in him by the time he hit the range.

[@Barnie-pi7mk]

It’s a shame we don’t have any politicians these days that are like Churchill, who are interested in modern firearms and firearms history and actually want people to get interested in them by trying out the weapons themselves

[@SteelHilsec-nk7hr]

Churchill was a drunk and a war mongerer who played the waiting game throughout his whole prime ministership.

[@rikwilliams6352]

Politicians in times past would have experienced military service of one kind or another before entering politics, these days that is no longer the case. A few years ago I was curious enough to look into how many MP's have served & out of 500 or so only 60 or so qualified & some of them were questionable.

[@Makeyourselfbig]

@@rikwilliams6352 So? What's your point?

[@JKHTX]

Rules for thee, not for me. US politicians regularly restrict civilians and make exceptions for elected officials and law enforcement.

[@WSW0424]

@@rikwilliams6352 great point. Men back in those days were just a tougher breed than men today. Therefore, you see less badasses in political office today.

[@777pdub]

Mark looks like the Terminator in that pic.

[@wastedangelematis]

Scrolled fir that comment, glad it came up quick

[@robertbridges517]

Would you even want to argue history with him after seeing that pic?

[@andypandy4607]

Mafia Mark

[@TheWalterKurtz]

Fix Bayonet!

[@xboxhomie4]

I don’t think they were the shots Churchill was known for…

[@coling3957]

Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin were all meat-eaters, drank and smoked .............. Hitler was a veggie , non-smoker, non-drinker. Checkmate .. lol

[@markrossow6303]

Gin; with the Tonic bottle waved over the top of the glass

[@TankerBricks]

Mark. Thanks for providing my Friday night entertainment!!!!

[@skyden24195]

Even as a U.S. citizen, I would have to agree with Mark Felton Production's assessment that Churchill likely won due to not only the reasons given by Dr. Felton, but also by the fact that, regardless of the reason(s) why, i.e., age, Churchill's target was the closest downrange. And, as Randy Quaid's character in "Caddy Shack II" stated, "It's always been my experience to go with the guy closer to the hole."

[@jimcady9309]

quite the handicap they gave him, I must say. I wonder if our illustrious ex-president gets something similar on his golf courses.

[@nickmcwilliams685]

Yeah they probably put Bradley the farthest out not because of age but because he was known to be a superb marksman. And they didn't want the him to beat Ike and Churchill.

[@ryanlogan2911]

Yank here. My uncle owns an M1 carbine. Shot it many times. Thank God we have the 2A. 1776 means Union Jack no more.

[@cababyboomerq6012]

Walter Thompson wrote a fabulous book about being Churchill’s body guard. There are some GREAT stories in there. I read it a few years ago. It is one of the books I have kept.

[@fensoxx]

Which one is it? Went looking for it after reading your comment but there are a lot by him or re-released versions by children of his.

[@BulldogMack700rs]

There was an excellent documentary TV series in the UK called Churchill's Bodyguard made in 2005 that came from that very book.

[@Shinzon23]

"I was Churchills shadow"​@@fensoxx

[@cababyboomerq6012]

@@Shinzon23 no, I am pretty sure that is not the one. I am trying to find my copy. I fear ai have lent it out and lost track of it!!!!….8-(

[@cababyboomerq6012]

@@fensoxx I can’t find my copy but I think it is the one called “Churchills Body guard.”

[@brianna3340]

0:01 SHEEESH MY BOY MARK LOOKING SO GOOD YESSIR

[@_Austria]

Hey Dr. Felton: I really have no clue how you find these informations but I do know that you are 100% trustworthy and I love your stories!! Never stop! Love from 🇦🇹

[@TheSaltydog07]

♥️ from Georgia USA

[@vini-York_Oxmall]

From Germany too♥

[@jamesschlueter8285]

I’m always amazed at the new historical events Dr. Felton brings us. Thank you for all you do!

[@frederalbacon]

I love the fact that no one doubts "We will fight them on the beaches" meant Churchill right along them on the beach, fighting. He may have been older, but he was a soldier, through and through, and would have defended his homeland alongside the rest of his countrymen.

[@JayMH409]

The Honorary Col of my reserve unity also acquired a US carbine during WWII. Lt Gen S.F. Clark had been a BGen in Normandy, in charge of Signals for 2nd Canadian Corp. After the War, he rose to become the Chief of Staff for the Canadian army. When Churchill visited Ottawa on an official visit after the war, he stayed at Lt Gen Clark's home. I was his driver on many occasions and I would wait in his living room while he got ready. He showed my his photo albums, which had many photos of Churchill, Montgomery, Eisenhower, Patton, etc. When I later became Unit Quartermaster, I found his carbine in the Weapons lockup. When he passed away in 1998, his uniforms, and the carbine, were sent to the Signals Museum in Kingston, Ont. I also own a carbine and it is great fun to shoot, although the magazines aren't very good.

[@johnrondina3277]

William Manchester says in his book the Last Lion, without giving a score, that Churchill won.

[@Mr._Infamous]

Shooting a rifle at 25 yds yeah I bet all the other guy shot at 50 and 75. How could you lose

[@lando8913]

That opening photo was The Feltonator. Churchill had a more modern firing stance, interesting.

[@JL-cn1qi]

Does he tho. I know they don't do the chicken wing anymore but that is because battle rifles have pistol grips now. Pretty sure holding a rifle without one its more natural for the wrist to let your elbow wing out a bit. The modern stance is tailored to moderen rifles with pistol grips.

[@robertbridges517]

Of the three, he was the only one that had the most experience with someone shooting back at him.

[@lando8913]

@@JL-cn1qi Not modern for then I meant modern for now, should have specified.

[@marypasco2213]

Personal preference?

[@badcornflakes6374]

I noticed that too. He doesn't have the "chicken wing" arm like the other two do. He had his elbow down in a much more modern way.

[@henryrodgers1752]

Notice that Eisenhower had a classic rifleman’s stance with that M-1 Carbine and recall that he had grown up as a Kansas farm boy when shooting was an everyday thing. Great story.

[@kingofsnakes1000]

Another welcome video from one of the best historians. Also any chance you could cover the pay structure of the Wehrmacht and SS. I'm very curious about how much money individuals like Goering and Himmler made based on their ranks and so far, I've found nothing.

[@aymerichonore4552]

Might have been different results with Gen. Patton instead of Lt Gen. Bradley.... But Churchill was probably the most experienced Marksman.

[@rvlyssup]

My grandfather on dad's side served in the USAFFE...he was issued a paratroop M1 carbine and a Remington Rand 1911 which he both got to keep after the war. His M1 was confiscated when Marcos declared martial law. He got to keep the 1911...would've loved to have inherited it. My 1st pistol purchased when i turned 21 is my Auto-Ordinance 1911. Through all my life trials and tribulations, she was always by my side. Still my favorite among my sea of Glock, S&W, and SIG pistols. Love the 1911 design so much that i also own a Rock Island Commander 1911.

[@kirkrasmussen9629]

With the different ranges it would be pretty difficult to judge who really won. Both Ike and Bradley had textbook stance, but Ike had always been a staff officer where Bradley had more field experience. Bradley would have been handicapped by the longer range. However Churchill is the only one of the three who correctly employed the sling to help steady the weapon - and his shorter stature and greater girth would have served him well that day. This would have been a hoot to see and love the spontaneity of it. Also interesting the installation of the shooting range and that the queen wanted to practice pistol. I think that really drives home just how close the UK came to getting invaded…when the queen wants to become proficient in a personal defense weapon. Great content Dr. Felton! Best history content out there 👍

[@thunderbird1921]

Interestingly Dr. Felton, Eisenhower was a pretty passionate hunter himself, and according to an old New York Times article I once found from the 1950s, he reportedly shot down 12 quails in a single day on one of the hunting vacations he took during his presidency. I don't know what Bradley's skills or hobbies were like, however.

[@gcurrinder]

Eisenhower had a skeet range on his farm near Gettysburg.

[@Dave-jd9qn]

Ike and George Patton hunted together when they were younger. Bradley was a bird hunter too.

[@johndough1703]

@@Dave-jd9qn Literally every boy in America was a bird hunter in the 30s. My grandad, WW2 vet, RIP, used to tell me about going bird hunting while walking to school with a friend. When they got to the schoolhouse they handed their shotguns to the teacher, who put them in an unlocked closet for safe keeping. It’s amazing how safe schools were when they, and our national culture, were All White.

[@dougearnest7590]

@@johndough1703 Our national culture wasn't all white. It was segregated but with a lot of commonality. Education combined with work ethic was a path to a better life, intact families were valued over politically correct divorces, and those families attended church.

[@johndough1703]

@@dougearnest7590 Literally NONE OF THAT existed where those people came from. They adopted, or were forced into White cultural attributes.

[@setoredan]

Thank you for a very enjoyable video, Dr. Felton. A light-hearted video packed with delicious tidbits of historical knowledge.

[@rb89509]

Cool, I've two of the stills from your video in a display case with my '43 Underwood, Elliott, Fisher M1 Carbine.

[@douglasgault5458]

I had the pleasure of shooting a fine book matched set of Holland & Holland SXS 12 ga shotguns gifted to Churchill & wife. But I about gave the new owner a heart attack first. My friend didn't know that I had been a member of a miltary drill team! So when one of these fine H&H was hand over for my inspection. I put it thru it's paces and was twirling that baby and slapping it around. I thought Dr John was going to die! These were priceless to him! Lol. He was left breathless. After he recovered it was off to shoot some sporting clays with these Churchill shotguns. This was a fine set of H&H craftsmanship. And was a pleasure to shoot something once owned by Churchill.

[@MrPhotodoc]

It's enlightening to see Churchill as a young man who was drawn to things that attract a young man. Guns that is.

[@russwoodward8251]

A great story. Thank you Dr. Felton.

[@TXMEDRGR]

Most men never get over their boyhood fascination with weapons. I certainly have not.

[@tedhodge4830]

Whoa, that photograph of Elizabeth II with an Enfield - she has good form. Better than most shooters on Army ranges.

[@pt3513]

It warms my heart that the British were fond of our kit. Its kinda like when you make cookies for a friend and they say that they taste great. Makes you feel proud.

[@death22_fighter27]

Very Nice video i would of never guess this would of happened

[@carguy1979]

Too bad we don’t have this kind of leadership today. Lead from the front. To think the queen wanted pistol training and her husband had a range built so he could practice. Not to mention Churchill’s acumen. 👏🏻

[@Raycheetah]

The current Sovereign is at war with the weather. =9[.]9=

[@patrickelliott-brennan8960]

Which front are you suggesting your leaders be at?

[@carguy1979]

@@patrickelliott-brennan8960 as in lead by example.

[@johnc2438]

Had M1's and M2's (selectable full-auto version) in our vehicles (Jeeps, trucks, tractor-trailer rigs, and earth-moving equipment) when I was assigned to the Seabees in the Mekong Delta in 1970. Learned how nice they were to shoot and clean by a pond just outside of Ben Tre City. Just about perfect to hold and fire. Hard to miss.

[@josephvandyck5469]

Mark, your history lessons never fail to amaze me. Thank you for the deep dives into subjects of fascination that other historians never touch.

[@mitchmatthews6713]

Never a dull video! Cheers, Mark!

[@jamesmurphy1480]

But if I’m not mistaken, Eisenhower was also an advert, hunter, pheasant, and quail

[@ruuman]

I'd love to know who won, those days everyone was proficient. I bet the chit chat was hilarious too.

[@jamesmurphy1480]

@@ruuman I guarantee there’s somebody out there who knows who won but like they said nobody wanted to know because he didn’t want it to be a thing publicized

[@nspro931]

@@jamesmurphy1480 If Dr. Felton does not know this many decades later, it's probably not something that will ever be known unfortunately

[@jamesmurphy1480]

@@nspro931 I bet you those targets are in somebody’s basement or den somewhere in England

[@kevinjustkevin7627]

Took my M1 to the gun range yesterday, on Memorial Day. Still shooting after all these years. Produced in April of 1944. I wish that rifle could talk.

[@pjb5757]

Hi Mark, my Grandad served as an armourer in WW2, he told me when they used to have shooting competitions between the armed forces he always gave the best, most accurate rifles to the army, any that weren't too good were handed to the opposition. Maybe the samething happened here, it would then depend on who handed out the weapons. Another great video Mark, best wishes to you from NZ

[@DonFrankel]

I got my money on Ike. He has the most balanced stance.

[@richardcleveland8549]

Fascinating! Who knew? Dr. Felton's reallllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllly good at ferreting out these hidden or forgotten stories!

[@CockMcBallsddd]

This channel kicks so much ass. . .

[@sailordude2094]

Churchill doesn't "kill", he "dispatches". Lol. Thanks for the history, no matter how biased.

[@truthseeker9454]

6:53 - Mark Felton: "I'd have put my money on Churchill...." Me too, since his target was 25-50 yards closer that the others. 😁 Another great story, well-told. Much appreciated, Dr. Felton!

[@EdmundRichterian]

Great video as always!

[@tonnywildweasel8138]

Churchill and his Tommy Gun .. an iconic couple. And I think I would have placed my chips on Churchill ;-) Interesting vid again 👍

[@stevethomas760]

These were very competitive men, no doubt they were taken their shooting seriously.

[@0giwan]

I have a reproduction M1 Carbine from Auto Ordinance, and my only complaints are that the AO mags misfeed constantly. I picked up an original GI issue mag, and she ran like a champ. I can absolutely believe that the Carbine was beloved, because it is so light and pleasant to shoot.

[@jensenwilliam5434]

Thanks

[@tomtaylor6163]

Hee hee that pic of Winston with the Thompson is totally gangster

[@calvins4940]

In my safe next to my M-14, is my .30cal M1 carbine, complete with a folding paratrooper stock & flash suppressor, it's nice to know that myself, Winston & dear ol' Monty appreciate the same rifle. Many thanks Herr Doktor.

[@MrXdmp]

Thanks Dr. Felton!

[@arunta5]

Eisenhower reportedly said The three military items that most helped to win the war were the Garand Rifle, the Dakota plane (C-47) and the Jeep. One comment attributed to him was that if someone had shot Fleet Admiral Ernest King (Head of Navy) the war could have been won 12 months earlier!

[@brucefrytz8611]

Ike also thought highly of the Higgins Boat.

[@robertthweatt1900]

I can think of a reason for that, Kings' resistance to employing convoys to protect American shipping early in the war, adamant resistance to learning ASW from the RN generally.

[@arunta5]

Apparently he hated the British I heard.

[@arunta5]

@@brucefrytz8611 Yes there was also the Sherman Tank which was reliable and mass produced like the USSR T-34. The Sherman should have been improved or replaced much faster than it was, it was up-gunned later on with a larger turrent and thicker protection added.

[@robertthweatt1900]

@@arunta5 According to his daughter, reportedly, not only them, "he hated everybody". Drachinifel hac a video on him titled "Semper Iratus".

[@patriciapayne1274]

What a badass Churchill was.

[@hb9145]

No, he was just a crook that shold have left politics in handcuffs.

[@imacolonelinbf2975]

he sold europe

[@user-ch6xi7rh8k]

I am sure Churchill won at just 25 years. That's really quite close for an M1 Carbine (we always have to give our British friends a little extra help :)). Great video!

[@steadmanuhlich6734]

Mark Felton always has such fascinating stories from WW2. This one was right on target!

[@frankschultz4170]

"on target"...yep, I got it....

[@johnfranklin8319]

Churchill the politician pictured with two army generals but it’s Churchill the political with combat experience.

[@user-lr3ee1pd9b]

Field Marshal Bradley just recently passed

[@the_lichemaster]

I thought he'd died in the 80's?

[@JustSomeCanuck]

He passed away in 1981, and also wasn't a Field Marshal (that's a British rank, among others). His rank was General of the Army, which is the American title for 5 stars.

[@paulhicks6667]

Bradley did well to last until just recently, after all he was born in 1893.

[@henryleach671]

A couple dozen years after that shoot-off I spent a year in the U.S.9th Infantry Division in Vietnam and wore the same shoulder insignia that was depicted in this video. The 9th ID suffered over 150% casualties during the rest of the war in Europe and bled profusely in Vietnam.

[@prdubi]

Churchill being tactical with the Weaver stance style of shooting. Pretty cool that he was hip to that style before even Weaver invented it.

[@Yes44349]

Cool

[@nanabutner]

Churchill most definitely planned to join the troops on D-DAY and would have gone if KING GEORGE HAD NOT INTERVENED by stating that if Churchill was going then the King had no choice but to go as well. Luckily Churchill waited until day 2 or 3 post D-DAY.

[@heinzer69]

Winnie also urinated on the Siegfried Line tank obstacles when the Allies reached Germany.👍👍

[@lukestarkiller441]

Wasn't one of Churchill's Nephews apart of D-Day? IU remember hearing something about that.

[@nanabutner]

@@lukestarkiller441 I wouldn’t be a bit surprised.

[@danielrutschman4618]

Mark Felton comes up with the oddest, most fascinating little tidbits of WWII history, in addition to some of the most insightful views of the biggest events.

[@xnopyt13]

4:46 I love how the dude on the left just stares at the shooter lol

[@bele2.041]

A British leader who appreciated firearms and enjoyed shooting? The horror. The horror...

[@caulkins69]

It's ridiculous how squeamish the British have become about firearms in a relatively short amount of time.

[@edwardbaeg7141]

Churchill: call 911 but not for me 🚑 🇬🇧 ☕️

[@johnklein233]

Another great video Mark. The image of Mr. Churchill holding the Thompson while facing the camera is my favorite personality photo of the war, so it is nice to learn the history behind it.

[@arfajob4246]

6:53 Me to. At 25 yards, in the hands of an "old hand", even "off hand," competing with others, handicapped with an extra 25 & 50 yards, I reckon it would have been "no contest." ☺

[@Therileyrileyriley]

Babe! wake up! Mark Felton dropped another video!

[@scrappydoo7887]

That lost any semblance of originality about two years ago

[@Therileyrileyriley]

​@@scrappydoo7887 This just in, guy with a username from a cartoon from 1979 chimes in about originality!

[@professorsogol5824]

Churchilll's target was also the closest.

[@t16205]

His alcohol blood level was also the highest.

[@Nick_B_Bad]

The M1 Carbine is a beautiful little rifle. They’re fun to collect with there being so many makers and variants. Plus the magazines were made by SO many companies you could make a hobby out of collecting them too.!

[@JohnJBrowne11209]

I've studied military history in general and WWII in particular since the late 1960s. I'm always amazed at how frequently Mark finds obscure but completely fascinating history.