The Last Soldiers of the Wehrmacht: A Sad Truth | World War II

[@jebbroham1776]

My great uncle was a panzergrenadier in 2nd SS Panzer Div. Das Reich who had been with the unit since 1940, well before Operation Barbarossa began. Once it commenced though, and after just a year of hard fought battles and setbacks he remarked in his diary that: "The ferocity of the fighting we have endured and tenacity of the Russian soldier has bled us of much experience and left us with diminishing hopes of victory". This entry was made in April 1942 after the recent stalled offensive on Moscow had been hurled back and before the summer Fall Blau offensive into the Caucasus towards the vital oilfields of the area around Baku had begun. He survived the war, but noted in several later entries that despite the elite status of his division, 2nd SS never again enjoyed the same peak in combat experience and morale that it had possessed going into Russia on the 22nd of June, 1941 and though it continued to be a valuable and formidable fighting force in the field it only degraded more and more up until he was wounded by air attack in France in July 1944 and hospitalized for the remainder of the war.

[@igotfriendsinlowplaces2971]

My grandpa was also on the eastern front. He was 4th SS

[@paperkites9101]

Wow to survive the war after being on the front lines since Barbarossa sheesh... Did he took part in the Battle of France (1940)?

[@jebbroham1776]

@@paperkites9101 no he got to the unit in August, 1940 after having just completed training.

[@historyatwar]

Very interesting!, thank you for the telling us.

[@ononnius]

​@@historyatwar Dude, for the love of God, tell me the name of the soundtrack you used in the Operation Bagration video

[@TheLeadSled]

The Battle of Berlin was an absolute hell on earth. At that point Goebbels was in charge of the defense, and he massed an army of kids and old men (Volksturm). They faced the Soviet Steamroller with mainly panzerfausts and Kar-98's, it was a slaughter.

[@Scott-xb7ov]

This ties-in perfectly with the training footage at the end.

[@PreußenGloria71]

And still managed to kill more than 80.000 Soviets.

[@PonticLyra]

As always, EXCELLENT VID.

[@tomortale2333]

last of wermach bearmach waffles....ss bs ms rs allll garbage

[@PonticLyra]

@tomortale2333 Liberalism is a mental disorder. Citizen!

[@jasonmussett2129]

As always brilliant 👍

[@daleyhanson5889]

If he was a soldier in WW-1 and served again later in WW-2 and survived, regardless as German man he deserved a lot of recognition in civil life no matter,,

[@SeanMyers-id1so]

Great stuff

[@robertbenz2581]

We all think we’re on the right side of good … let’s always remember history

[@neilritson7445]

Ordinary Germans dd not agree with you. They were terrorised by the Gestapo.

[@tomortale2333]

werbak...bermack....sterback...waffles...baffles...taclles...ther wer 1000's diffrnt areas u could be iin ss ds bs ms...rs tooo gooofee

[@zenaidabeinroth9433]

Thank you for showing us these footages of ww2 soldiers and everyone should learn something, we don’t need another war that destroys lives, separate families and civilisations. I wasn’t born in these war years and know nothing about wars, it opens a new world of understanding and admire those young people with their courage, patriotism and love of their country.

[@kent-ingestensen5371]

I deffo want more of this, i’ll be here all the way down the rabbit hole! Great footage and storytelling! Edit: Respect to all Veterans who fought in the wars!

[@chevypower1993]

Excellant coverage and post. Thank you

[@kweezy9517]

Nice Vid !

[@pop401k]

The description in the narration at times confuses the VOLKSGRENADIER divisions: six weeks solid training of previously unfit draft age men... with the VOLKSSTURM (national militia battalions): truly the old men and young boys, trained a few hours at a time and on Sundays with little or no equipment).

[@yuppy1967]

Considering the overwhelming odds the last of the Wehrmacht faced, with limited supplies and under strength divisions, they fought like heroes. Welcome to Valhalla, take your seat amongst the heroes and warriors.

[@ruthlesstruth8639]

Nazis and war criminals went to hell

[@Alan_GA]

You're closing remarks are sentimental claptrap.

[@AnthonyOMulligan-yv9cg]

Enough Homo Eroticism for you Yuppy?

[@neilritson7445]

murerous bastards??? or heroes? where are your own morals?

[@robertomeneghetti6215]

The second name for Hell?! 😀😀😊😊

[@santoshkolte6308]

they are true warriors!!

[@neilritson7445]

murderers yu mean

[@santoshkolte6308]

@@neilritson7445after war evevn allied forces are murders!!

[@FortniteBlaster2]

I see you commenting on everyone's comments, are you Jewish?@@neilritson7445

[@mirquellasantos2716]

They were true losers who lost WW1 and WW2. At the end of WW2 they ran away from the Soviets and hide under the feet of the Americans.

[@KK-rg1wz]

@huejanice ... what is he missing?

[@Mikell-h2c]

Nice production❤

[@joangratzer2101]

GERMANY; A COUNTRY THE SIZE OF MONTANA, FIGHTING AGAINST THE WORLD FOR 6 YEARS. I APOLOGIZE FOR OUR POOR PERFORMANCE.

[@neilritson7445]

murdering innocents you mean? apology not accepted.

[@Brainbaskit]

Die klappe

[@lorrycamill6502]

Germany had 26 million soldiers well prepared with half Europe on there side thank God Nazi Germany broke the agreement with Russia not to attack each other and Nazi lied that gave United Kingdom huge hope

[@FortniteBlaster2]

Murdering innocents? So when the Americans nuke the Japanese civilians and was willing to Nuke the Soviets if they go to the sea?@@neilritson7445

[@DaliborPerkovic-sw8mh]

Not 6 years. Five years, 8 months and 7 days. And not alone. Together with Italy, Japan, Albania, Thailand, Slovakia, Finland, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Monte Negro, ect. That was not just a single fight, one small country against all the world. It was not also a single fight between evil and good guys. It was a fight between two systems and two different worlds. And, even today, the history books writes just winners of the wars. Not necessary means good guys. Simple as that!

[@stuartahrens6775]

The German army was one of the Greatest fighting army's in history,,,A fact but look for your self. We had to many enemies in the end🇩🇪🔥⚔️.

[@JDDC-tq7qm]

You guys choose to invade Russia and paid the price

[@mirquellasantos2716]

Yeah, they were so good that they were beaten not once by twice. Man, you live in an alternative world.

[@TheGaymo]

It's a fact that Germany lost two world wars, so its armies have absolutely no claim to being in history's greatest armies. Germany lost ww1, invoked the mandatory rematch clause against everyone it lost to originally, and lost again. The only change that in ww1 France ran the rope-a-dope strategy, and in ww2 the soviet union provided the rope-a-dope input that led to German defeat while allied air power (God Bless Bomber Harris) exterminated enough of the general population that the stab in the back myth didn't get another go around by any of the butt hurt losers still alive.

[@stuartahrens6775]

@@TheGaymo That's History. But England France couldn't have beaten them one at a time. The Russian army are the only ones who had any ball's

[@CatLegoDiver]

Well, you started the war in the first place. Do you choose to forget that?

[@jpmtlhead39]

The inescapable truth abaut WW2 is the fact that the German Military or Whermacht,because of its Leadership,Discipline,Doctrine,Armament and Fighting Spirit was the most Effective and Efficient Fighting Force of WW2 and One of the Best in the History of Warfare. They were the Outstanding Fighting Force of WW2.

[@clovergrass9439]

They knew why they were fighting, to protect Europe's indigenous culture and people.

[@mikeypeinado383]

They should be spoken of like leonidas and the 300 in the future honestly

[@Alan_GA]

​@@clovergrass9439Nonsense, they were fighting primarily due to the insane demands of an political/military elite class. Whose ill thought out tactical decisions destroyed an efficient military.

[@neilritson7445]

ha ha hah a ha you fool@@clovergrass9439

[@robertomeneghetti6215]

​@@clovergrass9439With their KZ-culture? 😀🤗

[@upupandaway5646]

A waist of great soldiers. Look at Germany now .is a dumpster 🔥

[@徐晶晶-o1g]

Even they maked the world painful.The German soldiers were elite.

[@barbararice6650]

The last new German army formations were the always overlooked party divisons such Pz Dz Muchnberg and January 30th 😑

[@seanodwyer4322]

my dad nearly killed by germen fighter plane in may 1945 on top off italy nation

[@NotoLeft]

Based and professional men, RIP European Knights!

[@neilritson7445]

murderers

[@JDDC-tq7qm]

​@@neilritson7445And losers 😂

[@89RealThe]

Losers.

[@stephenoverend293]

RIP Monsters.

[@shkumpvatican3877]

I can't believe those old men and women were so tricked they are practicing shooting rocket launchers like it's a normal thing.

[@PoppyMith-h9e]

🔥🔥

[@EricHunk-k9t]

🔥

[@naciremasti]

Volkssturm. Their arm bands said Volkssturm.

[@pop401k]

Lots of Volkssturm footage mixed in, for sure.

[@mitchellculberson9336]

Tell us more

[@martinreinhold211]

I think you are getting the Volksgrenadier Divisions mixed up with the Volkssturm. Volkgrenadier Divisions were ex Infantry Divisions Stripped down to its core parts (about 2/3 the manpower of a regular Infantry Division) and tasked with defensive operations though could be and were used in offensive actions at times (think Ardennes). The soldiers were your normal rough tough German soldier though quality did vary from division to division. But they were no better or worse man for man than the German soldiers in the more traditional larger Infantry Divisions of the time. They were just in a smaller Division with limited offensive capabilities. The Volssturm on the other hand was "Dad's Army". Poorly trained, armed and led and the absolute bottom of the barrel.

[@Ferdrew-fw2hr]

Lack of warfare experience !!😮☠️💀💀

[@FriendBears]

I’d like to see a video about the current Jan 24 conflict issues & where the author ✍️ believes the conflict will end? Thank you

[@Brian-xi8ug]

Did any German child soldier's actually fight in combat, or did they just run off the battlefield or did they surrender?

[@rickkwitkoski1976]

1943?? I think you mean 1944. D-Day was June 6, 1944. So the end of that year was showing disaster for Germany. The Battle of the Bulge in the Ardennes forest was the last major German offensive.

[@LeslieLennell-cy7ol]

The Germans were brave and men and good soldiers and men that did the fighting deserve our respect

[@Hew.Jarsol]

It's funny when an American say "America won the war" when in reality they joined late and Russia did 70% of the work. Britain, Canada, USA, did the rest. In this order... Russia UK USA.

[@patrickhenry7416]

None of them could have won without US equipment. The soviets could not have done it without US trucks, British intelligence, etc. they did their part in blood, we got them there

[@malemesjager41]

I agree Russian Sacrifice first, American Industrial Might second,then the others...

[@tdoran616]

The Soviet Union said they got so far as they did because the West lend leased to the Soviets.

[@liljoenyc01]

Well who dropped the atomic bomb like hello you make no sense

[@StalinLovsMsmZioglowfagz]

Also I’m not aware of any American ever saying that, it sounds like the bullshit uppity limeys put into our mouths cuz they resent us saving their asses (no “R” in asses, cuzinz) in not one, but both WW’s. Lol.

[@tbwpiper189]

Himmler...always a strategist...when not a genocidal maniac.

[@danabogue1804]

Regardless of how well they fought (and some achieved amazing results), when you're scraping the bottom of the barrel to fill out your ranks, it means you have zero reserves to exploit any success' you were able to accomplish! Rendering them little more than holding actions! But what do you expect when you are led by nothing more than a Bavarian corporal!

[@SAT186971]

No for sorry

[@Stausider]

Gut soldiers rong said end terrible rechim dei servet

[@williamwilson6499]

When I saw the thumbnail, I thought it was about the IDF.

[@pikckazinkavicius1235]

I'm thinking, given the situation, wouldn't it have been expedient for the Germans to call THE WHOLE population (i.e., women as well) to arms? After all, it was about the survival of the nation, and somehow I have the feeling that German women at that time wouldn't have minded having a weapon in their hands.

[@helmuthaberkost4901]

It was against German principles and values ​​to let women fight!!! We stuck to many principles and rules of war until the end!!!

[@kjhnsn7296]

The russians gave them plenty to put in their hands. And elsewhere...

[@pikckazinkavicius1235]

Yes, rampant degeneracy was "the order of the day" in the Soviet horde, thus calling the Red hordes subhuman would be too generous. I wonder if that was the manifestation of the mentality of Mongol slaves set loose (not that it changed much, as recent events in Ukraine showed). Oh, and the the role of a certain Jew called Ilya Ehrenburg should not be forgotten either. Who's a war criminal very often depends on whether that individual was on the winning side or not. Interesting to see that you seem to condone mass rape of women. Kind of implies the country of origin. ;) @@kjhnsn7296

[@kjhnsn7296]

@@pikckazinkavicius1235 The Germans should have stayed in Germany. The Russians merely revisited what the Germans did on Russian soil. The Germans were indelibly instructed on what revenge looks like.

[@pikckazinkavicius1235]

In German army, rape was punishable by death. The Soviets were simply jealous of the German civilization and did what all barbarians (or slaves) do when facing a superior culture they managed to conquer. ;) As for "should have stayed" - well, the Soviets too (e.g., Finland, the Baltic States, Poland). Does the Ribbentrop-Molotov pact ring any bells? ;) @@kjhnsn7296

[@stephenoverend293]

RIP monsters

[@jamesmcdonald5026]

Actually many joined the French Foreign Legion.

[@diegomorata2885]

In the human primitive psyche"if a person wins then the god is on his side thus he must be on the side of good" 😂

[@JimDetz]

🎉

[@ricmora4482]

"Infantary"? Really, Mr Narrator?

[@benjaminthomas6663]

Just say no to clickbait arrows. Thumbs down.

[@historyatwar]

Clickbait arrows?

[@BRYKS22]

The last defenders of Europe wasted

[@JuergenGDB]

This is what Ukraine looks like now pretty much. Ukraine/Russia war.

[@dunnsscotus5643]

I still would have fought with the germans.

[@sarge6870]

Even so, they still would have LOST!!

[@ruzacru]

This video still will not engage any empathy for the Naci Germans ! I dont feel sorry for them !

[@BRYKS22]

Not all were nazis, just men doing what they think is right. I feel sorry for the soldiers who had no choice.

[@mirquellasantos2716]

I love to see how many people make excuses for German soldiers. The truth to the fact is that both Wehrmacht and SS soldiers were inferior and that's why they lost. As a matter of fact, Germany lost not once but twice.

[@pop401k]

It depends upon the time period you're looking at... ALL armies decline in quality over time, if they're fighting a real war. The Wehrmacht of 1940 was night -and-day different from the 9th or12th Armies of 1945.

[@helios080]

Lies; easily expunged by facts of history.

[@nickporter574]

Go back to reading your approved textbooks. Look at Europe now. Look at America. Drugs, porn, family breakdown..

[@mirquellasantos2716]

@@nickporter574 With Hitler and the Nazis in command it would have been pedophilia, rape, slavery, concentration camps, holocaust, genocide....... Proof that German soldiers were cowards- “All the evidence and circumstances seem to point to the fact that these women had been deliberately pushed forward by the Germans to act as a shield for their advance guard, and in the hope that the Belgians would cease firing for fear of killing the women and children." German Atrocities book by William Lequeux

[@chevypower1993]

Excellant coverage and post. Thank you

[@chevypower1993]

Excellant coverage and post. Thank you

[@chevypower1993]

Excellant coverage and post. Thank you

[@chevypower1993]

Excellant coverage and post. Thank you