The Filthy 13 & the Beacons of Bastogne | American Artifact Episode 116

Besieged by the German army in the winter of 1944, the 101st Airborne and 10th Armored Divisions were in a perilous situation in the area of Bastogne. To keep them sustained, an air drop became necessary. Providing a beacon for the supply drop was going to be the men who became known as "the Filthy 13" prior to the drop in Normandy. In this episode, we're going to the exact location where these guys set up a homing beacon along with a few items from The Gettysburg Museum of History.
Learn more on the work of Reg Jans, visit regjans.com.
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.gettysburg...
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- A Lesser Known MASSACRE of the Battle of the Bulge | American Artifact Episode 112: • A Lesser Known MASSACR...
- Band of Brothers: An Easy Company Artifact From BASTOGNE | American Artifact Episode 110: • Band of Brothers: An E...

[@brianb7701]

There is nothing better than sitting down after dinner watching a new History Underground video. The amount of time, effort and quality that’s put into these videos is unmatched. Thank you JD and Erik!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

🙏🏼

[@trentonmiley4855]

Jake McNasty McNeese is one bad mofo and is exactly the type of people that the US military complex lets in and deals with when SHTF. His whole story is just great. The Fat Electrician does a very good video on him.

[@hansbuls6109]

I have met Jack Womer from the Filthy 13 in 2012 in Holland during the Market Garden commemoration. He was a great storyteller. Great respect for these guys!

[@robstark6899]

I met Jack a few times and hung out with him and his daughter in Carentan. Funny guy

[@Wreckdiver59]

I was waiting for Erik to pull the beacon out of his magic bag 😅 The medical kit was definitely pretty cool 👍

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

😂

[@maureenbergin3453]

My Dad still had his years later

[@kdcowboy9478]

Thanks JD and Eric for keeping the memories of these brave men alive.

[@philipcollins5440]

You two guys are just the best history teachers. Fascinating.😊

[@wayneantoniazzi2706]

Jack Agnew may not have won WW2 single-handed but he certainly did more than his share!

[@brutter602]

I was honoured to have met Jake McNeese in Normandy about 16 years ago. I will never him or that meeting. Another great video. Keep history alive and keep up the great work.

[@terryeustice5399]

Erik has always got the best artifacts. And there are so many twists and turns to the Battle of Bulge. And of Bastogne. And Jack Agnew’s first Aid kit that he had on his jump.

[@MrCraiglj]

I wish I could have had JD as a history teacher in High School. I would look forward to class every day. Great videos!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks. You’d probably have a different opinion if you actually had me as a history teacher though. 😅

[@only1dutchgirl]

History was my favorite class in Highschool together with Dutch and English ..... I got my highest grades on WWII subjects... that's were my interest in WWII started.. so I guess I have to thank my History teacher way back in 1982

[@ROYNEPTUNE]

Jack Agnew comes out of WW2 with a Purple Heart and a couple of Bronze Stars. This is typical of the time. Nowadays these guys would have tons of decorations and medals galore. This fellow deserved more recognition but like others he was just glad to get out with his life.

[@nicojongeneel9734]

Had some good times with Jake Mcniece back in the days when he visited Normandy we had some drinks had lots of fun and he signed his book for me good times good memories 😊

[@KaoretheHalfDemon]

Saw a video from a guy I will just refer to as tfe. Jake was a special kind of guy and the men he led were unorthodox but damn good. Great video you did and love the extra info on this part of Jakes story.

[@rgerca1593]

The boys on the brickstacks! Awesome!

[@stephenrrose]

JD and Erik, you two are a great team! Thank you for keeping History Alive. As a Medic, I love that you brought back the Medical Kit! All of this video is pretty cool! Thank you again!

[@skimmer8774]

I knew about the resupply drop and always wondered how it was done and you just explained it . Thank you so much.

[@sharonthomas5357]

Great episode JD. You are right the artifacts really do make it more relatable. Love it, keep up the good work!

[@mikemercer5808]

Thank you for more content from Bastogne. Awesome stuff!

[@MrBradleyDavid]

With all that happened there in Bastogne and elsewhere like Malmedy with the destruction, it's nice to note they have recovered from those terrible days. A rebuilt city is what I would like to visit. Thanks for the on the ground tour JD, and loved the medic bag. I carry one about that size in my truck, and wouldn't want to be without one.

[@jimaustin9981]

The Fat Electrcian channel has a good piece explaining the "Filthy 13" and Jake McNeice, aka "McNasty". But it is not for young ears! Rated R for language.

[@davidk7324]

Thanks for this gentlemen. As always, I learned.

[@gaylewilliamson9183]

I'm ashamed to say I knew very little about the 13,but my grandsons 28and 22yeaes old told me the story about them and the mohawk haircuts.They love history as I do but when I was in school they didn't teach this .They should though.Thank you .👍❤️🇺🇸

[@gmb858]

My uncle was 101st Airborne 506 Charlie Company- one of the "battered bastards of Bastogne." The Airborne had participated in Operation Market Garden and were headed back to Paris for R&R after 6 months of front line battle, including a trip back to London. They were still in their "summer clothes" without heavy winter gear or provisions. They were low on ammo, low on rations and low on energy. Ordered to divert to Bastogne, the winter storm locked them in from receiving air support. I asked him if they felt desperate. He replied, "no, we knew there were 4 million Allied on the ground in Europe and it was only a matter of holding out." He didn't go deep into the stories but said that guys were improvising in the defense of the town. He spent his 19th Christmas (he had lied to enlist) in Bastogne drinking a cold cup of soup and eating a wafer. He smoked his last cigarette that day until the skies cleared and the planes parachuted supplies to the town. He said he still remembered, 50 years later, how cold it was and remembered sleeping in 6 inches of snow in a foxhole.

[@gwaratron]

This channel is so awesome!

[@andysmith5876]

JD mentioned that he thought that photo was a recreation because of the snow. And originally there was no snow. I was under the impression that it was very snowy there the whole time the 101st was there. Anyone know? Excellent series!

[@anthonydm2947]

Words can’t express the gratitude I feel for you keeping our true American History alive… being it’s a forgotten subject in schools… 🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@napalmIntheAM]

I truly appreciate your work JD every single video is always astonishing

[@jbl7092]

These videos should be shown in high school history classes. Sorry to hear about your troubles with KZbin censors. Apparently, the left hates truthful history. Keep up the good work!

[@LTKhuon]

Don’t forget about Facebook too

[@skunkstripe6074]

In my opinion, this is the best historical based channel on KZbin. Most of my political views are left leaning. Take your conspiracies and ignorant generalizations and piss off. Don’t want to see a great channel’s commentary reduced to a right wing jerk fest. Plenty of other channels for that.

[@jetsons101]

How was JD censored????

[@TylerTobin8675309]

It’s a sales pitch.

[@johnhadley7715]

There are few things as egregious as willful ignorance. People do live, do experience misery - and often have no one to champion them. Keep trying to educate the rest of us. After the EMT-experience which is sure, pure knowledge will once again reign.

[@1psychofan]

Wow! What a bring back item! Very cool!

[@xJamesLaughx]

Funny, I had just finished watching the Fat Electricians video about Jake McNeese and his group and now I got this one lol.

[@hotrod1984s10]

All members of the "Greatest Generation" God bless them!

[@josehilberto8857]

I finally made it up to Erik’s museum this past weekend. I was truly speechless… I cannot wait for the upcoming expansion there are so many amazing artifacts!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Pretty wild. Thanks for visiting!

[@Chiller11]

Great story. I was unaware of this action. I really found the story of the glider insertion of medical personnel into Bastogne to be a courageous act. This jump is right up there as well.

[@danferrell674]

Another great video you guys. This was great to watch while my wife was shopping. Made life more bearable!

[@haydenbrantley]

So cool how you and Erik are able to bring back so many artifacts to where they originally had been so many years ago!

[@jordytimmermans3029]

Thank you for another great video! I'm going to Normandy in May with my kids and show them how important these guys, hero's where back in that time. Love your episodes, keep going on!

[@dbach1025]

There is a movie on Tubi called D-Day Assassins about the Filthy 13. Been meaning to watch, but hesitant due to quality of a lot of these recent, independent newer movies. Might have to check it out now. Notably, or not, Jack White from the White Stripes has a part in this according to IMDB. Great job guys. This was a huge mission that deserves more notoriety.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Weird that anything about Filthy 13 would be called “D-Day Assassins”.

[@dbach1025]

@@TheHistoryUnderground Well, it's Hollywierd...So..... Plus, they needed to make sure at least 3 people including me heard about it. Lol. So, more than likely sensationalized the "Thumbnail" or it is a complete work of fiction.

[@thenikonjones]

This is really cool. I had no idea that this happened! Thanks for sharing!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👍🏻

[@ReptarFoo]

The Filthy 13 i like that

[@jetsons101]

That Medical Kit looks new, like the day it was assembled. Would love to see our country's leaders work together again to support and defend the constitution.

[@Ralphbo-u6l]

Not much chance of that with all the muck rakers in the media.

[@jetsons101]

Fake news and the globalist goal is to take down western countries and have one world government ruled by them@@Ralphbo-u6l

[@Ash_P_]

What a great story. Thanks JD and Erik, for all you do.

[@only1dutchgirl]

Didn't Lewis Nixon have 3 stars on his jumpwings too... Normandy, Netherlands and Operation Varsity

[@Chris-Nico]

Thank you JD and Erik! Very cool artifacts👍 💪 Jack Agnew is my hero! 🇺🇸 To clarify, the beacon wasn’t a light but a battery powered VOR radio signal…. The C-47’s then would home in on it regardless of the cloud cover with an accurate drop zone. To this day, US Army infantry has the Pathfinder corps. We call them the first of the first just as they were in WWII and Vietnam. Badass and their missions very dangerous. Jack was right…. Suicidal. God bless Jack and all of the Pathfinder’s. 🙏

[@Hangtough1944]

Without your Channel, WW2 TV and We Happy Few giving me inspiration for my channel it would not exist. Thank you so very much. Peace Hangtough1944

[@KDERBY-hg3dj]

101 Pathfinder T-5 George Blain made 4 combat jumps. The 4th was Prum, Germany .

[@irvinelawrence2733]

😮wow... I note the "jump stars" on his jump wings and the significance of him being credited with 3 combat jumps... Begs the question... Is there a difference between a supply jump and a combat jump or any such definition🤔 We know the Pathfinders leapt or leaped- let's stay with jumped- ahead of the main paras and set up similar beacons, for the DDay guys... Didn't realize they were deployed again... Another question...were Pathfinders also used in Operation Market Garden🤔 Nice to learn of some of these less known aspects of WW2... Good of you to spot some of the staged photography- reminds me of the 2nd flag raising on Iwo Jima in the Pacific theater(theatre)... The air support and supply drops for Bastogne, were grounded by that horrible wintery weather...so spotting the sno by the brick pile could be from previous snowfalls or subsequent snowfalls- because they certainly didn't fly in the snow or cloudy weather👍🏼 Thanks for the post... P.S. Hope the C47(Dakota) made it safely back and when it was checked, the replacement first aid kit was supplied😂

[@4nthr4x]

Not gonna lie, the book about Jake McNiece, as told from his perspective: "The Filthy Thirteen: From the Dustbowl to Hitler's Eagle's Nest :The True Story of the101st Airborne's Most Legendary Squad of Combat Paratroopers" was my first and still most treasured book in my growing collection of war literature. Bought my own copy after getting one of a friend on loan. There's a whole lot of great stories, so let me pick one for you guys, about the pathfinder drop into Bastogne: He said he'd take black and orange smoke grenades on the jump. Black to signal he landed off target, and resupply planes need to find a different drop zone. Or orange to go ahead with the drop on his position. Understanding the perilous situation of the encircled troops, Quote: "...I did not have anything on me but orange smoke grenades. I did not take any black. I was going to look like an orange juice tank exploding. I thought twenty was better than ten under any circumstance when landing in the middle of 5 million Germans."

[@viking2419]

Awesome. You guys let us see it all. Great info. Found a pic in one of my books with the med kits attached on the inside of a C-47 during Operation Varsity. I look at pics quite different because of your info about WW2.

[@danw4471]

Hi, I met Jake McNeese and Jack Agnew in 2009 at the Mid Atlantic Air Museum World War II weekend in Reading, PA. It was interesting listening to them tell their story. I knew they jumped at Bastogne, while the other 101st soldiers were trucked in. I have a photo of myself with McNeese. Thanks for showing us the site where they set up the beacon.

[@brucewood1827]

Guts! Pure American Airborne guts!! The Ranger's motto, "Rangers Lead The Way," can certainly be applied to the Pathfinder units. Great Great men! Thanks for another excellent video of a courageous man and unit.

[@rickseconds7676]

Pathfinder motto is "First In, Last Out" FILO.

[@brucewood1827]

Roger that. Airborne!

[@brucewood1827]

@@rickseconds7676 Thanks.

[@rickseconds7676]

​@@brucewood1827Sure thing, earned my Torch in 1982.

[@brucewood1827]

@@rickseconds7676 Never got the chance to go Pathfinder. Did go Airborne though...82nd Bragg, 8th Abn Germ., and 173rd Nam. Anyway, thanks for your service.

[@alternalife]

Keep up the amazing work 😊 If you ever get over to England, there's some amazing WW2 places to visit and of course medieval . There's the D Day museum in Portsmouth (South East ) and eden camp (North) . There are also many gun emplacements still remaining in the south east.

[@stephenarno2032]

Clarence C. Ware of the filthy thirteen lived a few blocks away from me he's the paratrooper in the iconic photo applying face paint to a buddy before Normandy..R.I.P Mr.Ware

[@davestran]

My Dad was in the 10th Armored Div, He always talked about Agnew (sp) and he told me that in the 10th Armor Div, there was a Spiro T Agnew ( The future Vice President of the USA ) Up until he passed away he always and never wavered his story, And he talked about the battles there was tank against tank, Great Story !!!

[@Nyllsor]

Really intresting episode, intresting to learn about this pathfinder! Jack Agnew, rest in peace.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

🇺🇸

[@brodie661114]

Read or listen to the book The Filthy 13 by Jake Mcniece, he's mentioned heavily as they were very good friends and fought all through the war together.

[@Nyllsor]

@@brodie661114 Thanks for the good tip! I will add that to the top of my to-read booklist :)

[@Gitarzan66]

Say "Eureka Beacon" 5 times real fast. Here's a dumb question. Any idea what happened to the brick pile? Did it become any of those buildings there or in town?

[@icypictures]

Is that building made from bricks from the pile!?! That would be cool.

[@bmcg5296]

These men are legends I wish American citizens would stop and take one minute to look in the mirror. And ask themselves is this what we are inspired by and the few men and women left from this generation. Instead of hatred and bigotry we see today from Europe as Americans have become. Is just so unrecognisable from that generation I hope and believe Americans are. Can anyone truly answer that telling the truth are we embracing Facist ideology. I truly cannot see much of this from the crap political nonsense that’s endangering American lives more than Europeans. By embracing hatred and division in banning books of fact from schools and library’s. This is what the Nazis did in taking power because the people didn’t say no to it when they had the opportunity to do it. The American men and women numbering 480,000+ gave their lives to promote the democracy they had. By crushing two fanatical Facist’s in the east and west in the world. That’s a powerful message to everyone who wants freedom, many never get by dying in the process of fighting to get a free vote, for good decent humans. wanting to serve all Americans not just a few? I’m actually shedding tears as I write this, as J.D has had to fight it too from a company to powerful and whitewashing history away is unforgivable and shameful supporting it. Please wake up Americans the world truly needs the best to stand up to dictators. Saying we will crush your forces if you do not leave! Then you carry the stick instead of cowering to one man shame on you who do. Instead of loving your country and what it has accomplished. Ordinary guys who became heroes every one of them. They all worked as one and it needs unity once again. That some senators have shown I commend you for doing so. Now others need to stand up for what’s right, please give them a call as lives are being lost every day to a warmongering child looting incited war criminal in Europe! Just had to say this as it hurts me seeing this rhetoric and violence as someone who lived through it. Twice surviving terrorist attacks who didn’t care if I lived or died. I’m sorry J.D in this post It .I have to let people know these men are persevered by you. Not anyone else in politics don’t care about them only historians! and J.D you do NOT amazing job sir. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@D2C3R5]

Bastogne has some great individual stories. But I personally am not so enamored with the Filthy 13. I think their story is overblown. I was in the Infantry for over 20 years and have seen blowhards like McNiece. They're never all that they make themselves out to be. It always seems that non-veterans are the ones who get over enamored with soldiers like this. Also, for Battle of the Bulge, the fight for Bastogne was a side show. The German objectives were the Meuse River crossings that would get them to Antwerp. One look at a map overlay showing the actual Bulge with the German original plan shows that Bastogne was well out the main advance. It was an objective of the supporting effort to protect German left/southern flank. The Germans by passed it then had follow on forces deal with it. The US played up the 101st story for propaganda purposes to keep morale up. The US won the BoB at the Northern Shoulder and holding Elsenborn Ridge.

[@d.g.n9392]

Great history and filming. I’ve been watching the Band of brothers this week. And the episode watched today was Bastogne, no supplies. Thank you for your channel and great content.

[@timwirasnik5878]

Fantastic! To me The Filthy 13 do not get enough attention for the things they did and the succesful Missions they were apart of! Yet again JD You and Eric Hit it out of the Park, you and Eric really do make a Great Team !

[@johnagnew229]

I would still like Jacks parachute. If you’re not going to display it, I’d like to keep it in the family.

[@Rodeojoneswa12]

Another great video and I appreciate all you guys do. Definately one of my favorite youtube channels.

[@camdodge9891]

JD thanks brilliant video and JD you Erik are a fantastic collab together I love it when you to team up and keep up the good work JD

[@paulietrunzo4382]

What did they do after setting the beacon? Did they join the 101st? I’m sure they had no means of escape. Thanks!

[@jamesrodgers8559]

Very well presented again. Have you ever covered the Slapton sands disaster? Where I believe over 900 American servicemen lost there loves.

[@Grumble_Jones_ASL]

Do we know what day Bastogne received its snow cover? I have not been able to determine at what point during the battle that the snow arrived. Just curious. Thanks!

[@larryburwell8550]

great history lesson of something else i did not know. thanks for educating me. great video.. Larry

[@donaldhackler5242]

I really appreciate your videos and some were incredible help when I had the opportunity to visit Omaha Beach this last summer.

[@bramdewin8426]

Wow this was a great video, especially with the artifact! Truly awesome!

[@Hillbilly973]

Hey. Really like your presentation style and personality, but is there any danger, these days, of seeing anything not about the Americans in France?

[@MrEaglesfan40]

Great video JD fantastic bit of WW2 history thank you

[@moobaz8675]

That's so cool. Putting the material with the individual at a time and place is amazing.

[@emilybazan1549]

That was very interesting. Thanks for the history lesson. The artifacts made it awesome

[@mr.tall-man1573]

Do you think he was doing maintenance or dismantling the beacon in the picture?

[@probuilder4980]

is there a set of GPS coordinates JD? Keep up the great work - love it

[@ZWalk-Around]

History is a great teacher…and you, JD, are a great teacher of history!

[@frankmarullo228]

Another good one JD. THANK YOU FRANK FROM MONTANA....

[@brandonpliskin2310]

I feel like the GMOH badge on erics hat should be bigger

[@zombieromero8015]

JD your hard work & passion for history is inspiring 🇬🇧🇺🇸

[@rwb_gary6355]

Thank you for these videos ♥️🍀

[@troplightn]

Just a thought, but was he maybe retrieving the beacon in the photo?

[@pauldouglas3084]

Really enjoyed the video mate can't wait for the next one 👍🔥

[@bobgrewe988]

Balls of steel, these heroes had. Amazing.

[@maureenbergin3453]

An amazing story. Thank you.

[@Danjones1330]

Thanks

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thank you!

[@thomasbullock6416]

This is one of the best video so far 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@helenabiesma5560]

brilliant and so informative - and this is new to me

[@rons4297]

The Fat Electrician nailed this one.

[@davidkimmel4216]

Thank You for your videos

[@mathewmiller8246]

Are all the bricks that where there used to build that church?

[@williammatzek4660]

Interesting good to see one of your videos.

[@kennethreese4659]

Another good video.

[@geoffthiessen646]

Thanks again you guys!

[@dankorolyk5917]

Great job again JD

[@user-steve]

Great vid guys

[@briancooper2112]

Tough Bastards!

[@loladavinci1243]

Mere words cannot adequately express how much I love this channel!

[@chadkeller2144]

Another fantastic edition of great content! Thank you, JD and Erik, for all you do to preserve our history and show it to the world!

[@justinweaver8107]

Hope all is well sir

[@kursk88-k1t]

show the darned beacon and radio equipment not a first aid kit

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

If we had it in the collection, we probably would have. 😂