The REAL Battle Of Foy EVERYTHING Band of Brothers DIDN'T Tell You!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

If you've visited Foy or seen Episode 7 of Band of Brothers and didn't realise that there was a much wider story attached to the liberation of the village here then let me know in the comments below!

[@davehossack7191]

Thank you for correcting a piece of history that Hollywood has distorted. Well done!

[@malcolmlane-ley2044]

I hired a historian for a couple of days for my trip to the area and it seemed to reflect the BoB episode which is a shame given the wider evidence you have relayed.

[@bobbarclay316]

I think the portrayal was less unfair to Lt. Dyke than you do. The episode was called "Breaking Point." It was about how different men react to the intolerable conditions imposed by war. Both Compton and Dyke reached their breaking point before they moved on Foy. The writers wanted to contrast Comptons breakdown to Dykes. Dykes breakdown was evident to Easy company, but his response was to avoid combat. It is likely that up to that point Dyke was well respected. Calling Dyke a coward is wrong, and I doubt that was the writer's intent. I think they portrayed him as revealing his breakdown at the worst possible time. There is a similar scene in The Pacific, where a gung-ho captain is shown cowering in a hole during intense combat, and being abandoned by his men.

[@allws9683]

Goodness me. How annoying and distracting the music is ... Good that you corrected the defamation of lt Dike in BoB.

[@robertcottam8824]

@@lavonnemalinovsky8218 That doesn’t explain the distortions in Ambrose’s book. No reason why he couldn’t have given an accurate and balanced account. ‘Hollywood’ needs heroes and simplicity. Books don’t. Best wishes.

[@Winters506]

Great video. In all fairness, it was called Band of Brothers not Band of Battalions. It was a series made to reflect the experiences they encountered through their eyes. It wasn’t a comprehensive documentary. I thoroughly enjoyed this video. Very well explained.

[@akilla214u2c]

Exactly, while Dyke turned out to be a great leader and a man. At the time of enlisted men of Easy he was considered a trash officer. And while the mini series came long after the true life events, it was their story at the time. Any one whom learned of the story grab their own research and found the truth. As a US Vet I served with many NCOs and officers (not in combat), but I recall an E8 in my unit, she stomped on many lower enlisted promotions. She may have turned out to be a great person, but if my story was told to current generation, I'd tell it the same. She was a horrible SNCO, and I'm glad she was removed as Senior NCO. Nothing will change my view, and even myself. I became a junior NCO and eventually a mid level NCO, to my squad I was viewed as a leader who put them first. Good, bad or indifferent and hopefully my reputation in their eyes was stellar, but it won't change one way or another.

[@raimeyewens7518]

True. They couldn’t get into every detail of the entire war and everyone who participated.

[@marumi808]

Yes, but it does not justfiy twisting the truth and make it seem like the Easy company did everything. Seems like its done in bad faith

[@BoBoZoBo]

​@@marumi808 At no point did BoB ever state that.

[@marumi808]

​@@BoBoZoBo The show is full of inaccuracies. Foy was a larger scale battle, Dike wasn't a coward. Blithe didnt even die in 1947, but 20 years later after fighting in Korea. I don't really care what they state, but as a big budget TV show depicted as true story drama, people are going to take the events at face value

[@richardnorris1897]

I think it it’s important to remember that BoB was only given 10 episodes to tell the story of 150 men across 2 year during World War Two. The narrative was to tell a story about a company of men through their eyes, which had not really been done in such detail until then. Many war films, especially covering this period were about the ‘battle group’ sized formations focusing heavily on the commanders of such units; thinking ‘Longest Day’ ‘A Bridge Too Far’ & ‘Battle of the Bulge’. These stories were great but never dialled in on company cohesive tactics, the loss of soldiers\friends, living in the field and many more micro details. To have told the wider picture in 10 episodes would have lost the feeling of BOB, and yes this has meant that there are details missing, but there are even details of individual soldiers of Easy Company that are missing because of the tight turnaround of this series. I do think that had this been re-written for 2023, Apple/Netflix would have given this a couple of series with 22 episodes to tell the same story, which might have given the chance to have expanded, even if it had just expanded the 2nd Battalion story.

[@ThePoundLifeblue]

To your point, very few people would even know about the Battle of Foy if it weren't for Band of Brothers.

[@fazsum41]

@@fantasycamp4000yep, Band of Brothers was based off Steven Ambrose who got all his information of the men who were there doing the actual fighting, getting shelled on and saw what Norman Dyke was actually like. And it has been stated numerous times by both the vets, cast and those involved in production that a lot could not be shown in the series due to time constraints AND any information and stories used in the series that isn’t 100% accurate is either done so from the stories from the vets such as Blythe and believing he was dead and changing things for “dramatic” effect such as Lip giving Malarkey the Luger. It didn’t happen but was done for the story.

[@qwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnm3937]

@@markwilliamwestonwilson1503mark bando is far better. Tells the story of the 101st more honestly, factually and respectfully. Ambrose was a plagiarist, copying stories from the likes of Don Burgett who wrote the original account of being a 101st trooper

[@the1magageneral323]

Except Apple, Netflix are not honest.

[@gliblyaware]

Regardless of detailed accuracy, it was a humanizing look at war. IMO the best effort thus far.

[@stevenbutler48]

Thank you so much for the accuracy. My uncle John Butler was in the 11th Armored Infantry and died in Foy on January 13, 1945. He stepped on a landmine. So I know exactly where he died as only a section of the road was mined. You are the only one who’s acknowledged them and I thank you. I will be visiting there in May 2025.

[@santafecanon]

Well stated my friend. Well done. Fine explanation of a single complex, multi-day encounter in Foy with the Germans. As we all know, there were tens of thousands of combat encounters across the course of war. Hours, days, weeks into years reduced to minutes of video. My father USMC, started his Pacific vacation in Dec. 42, Guadalcanal. This took him through Salomon's, Bougainvillea, New Britian, Tinian, finally Iwo. He was once interviewed for TV about experiences and it was summoned up in 5 minutes by a man who most likely never shot a rifle. How can a video or movie possibly begin to express in minutes, what took thousands of men, millions of personal encounters to experienced to explain? Most moved on just wanting to get back to life.

[@dougcook7507]

Yes there were many more units involved. Most people realize it wasn't just a single company that did it. Band of Brothers is a book and movie about Easy Company and their story, not an all inclusive detailing of the whole battle or war. Thanks for telling the full story of Foy. Love content like this.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! While I do utterly love the series, when I really read into Foy, I felt cheated specifically by the ending of the show - ie that Easy a company took the village and won the day. As we’ve seen they didn’t. And I think the writers could have used the narration by Liptons character to really great effect stating how the battle went and that it was ultimately 11th Armored that finally liberated the village. I still love the episode but if I could I would tweak the last 3-4 minutes of it to get the facts right. The script writers owed it to the men who were there. Thank you for taking the time to watch and understand what I was trying to do with the episode!

[@doctoronishispsychosislab1474]

@@WW2Wayfinder They did mention hooking up with I company

[@vmestegivem]

Главное то что вообще люди сделали фильм об этих событиях. Конечно Foy штурмовали многие о ком в фильме не говориться но мы знаем о них все равно. Они были все герои

[@jimpatino-ye8qs]

So glad you set the record straight about Lt Dyke. By the time he was wounded in Foy he has been awarded two Bronze stars for his actions in battle.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! Like all of the men who fought in Holland and Bastogne he endured more than we can possibly imagine and to see how his name was dragged through the mud was very poor of the Tv show and Ambrose in general (although I have Ambrose’s works on my bookshelf…) Thank you for taking the time to watch as I really do appreciate it.

[@Farbar1955]

Ambrose wrote the story as he did because he was going by what the veterans told him at the time. Many of them didn't know Dyke had been wounded because his heavy jacket hid the wound and the blood. They assumed he had cracked. Remember, there is no internet at this time and getting the information correct was extremely hard to do as well as very time consuming. Ambrose worked from the detailed notes that Winters had on file. He had virtually nothing else to go on. I forgive the series for this mistake considering what the writers knew at the time (and they admit they would have written it differently if they had known).

[@ItThatLed]

@@Farbar1955 Yep, it's the same reason that they thought Blithe had died from his injuries. It's not misinformation, it's just incomplete information.

[@benjaminwagner3969]

I could see lack of information, but I can also see how they portrayed him. As anyone who has served knows, just because an officer has a medal, doesn’t mean they earned it. Many do in fact get awards, simply because the unit was lotted 4 bronze stars, and there’s 4 officers. That’s the modern military, but I have read that it also took place in the old days, just not as often. I wrote numerous awards for my soldiers who busted their ass and risked their neck, and the officers who sat on their ass in their rooms were the ones who got the medals. This was both in Iraq and Afghanistan. We’ve all known a Dyke or even a Sobel.

[@asmith1711]

​@@benjaminwagner3969seen it in the navy, too many times. Officers stealing the work of the enlisted to get ahead, I made a lot of trouble for myself because I refused to let a Leut steal my original work for him to get promoted. I burned the work essentially, I got reprimanded for doing work that wasn't mine, but that POS didn't get promoted, so I figured it was even

[@jimreilly917]

Your narration…and vocal delivery…are excellent. As is this content. I’m 56 and educated in WWII…and learned a lot from this. Thanks. Very brave men.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! I really appreciate that! Regaridng this episode specifically while Band of Brothers is extremely popular I really felt it needed some of the myths clearing up and hopefully it goes a small way to bringing some truth to what happened that day and acknowledges all those who fought to liberate the town. Thanks again for watching!

[@platinum1x1x17]

Thank you for your work on this subject of the battle of FOY. It was so interesting that, new thoughts of how this battle really must have taken place occured to me as you explained it as you did. I knew somehow that there must have been more attacking units than was shown in the Band of Brothers series, but, as the series was mainly focused on that companies exploits, I realised the time factor had to be sustained as was shown in the series and it was meant to express that this was happening everywhere along the line of attack and could not include everything which was happening at the time everywhere at once. Otherwise we would have just lost the plot in the confusion and the Fog of War as usual. It simply had to be shown that way to achieve the dramatic effect nessesary to get to the point of what ONE Company went through, was the collective task and fate of all the fighting units which had to face this terrible task, whatever it was going to cost. And Easy Company achieved this level of Maximum effort for all the units involved as equally as could be shown in the Filming time they were alloted. I knew it must have been much harder than was shown. But the series was meant to pictorialise for all time what All these brave men had to face every day of their soldierly lives, so that we might know them forever truly as the men they truly were, are, and always will be to us. "MEN OF RENOWN" who must never be forgotten for that what they sacrificed for our sakes and for all mankind who have the possibility to live in peace far away from those times they had to go through. I cannot thank them enough. And I thank you too sir for your determination to show us, they are not forgotten by the ones who appreciate their memory, from all those years ago. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we shall remember them.🙏

[@WILLNOTCOMPLY72]

Band of brother was a series to show what easy went through during the war. The entire focus of the series was to hear and see the war experiences of easy co. and easy only. It wasnt a war documentary but an easy co. Retelling of only their war. But thank you for clarifying the entire experience for us. Always great to hear the whole story of all the heroes of WW2 who gave all to save our countries and freedoms that we've now let get pissed away.

[@irvinelawrence2733]

Maximum respect and kudos for your articulate clarification on this battle...add the fact that all of this took place "in the bleak midwinter"...makes the action waaaaaaaaay more compelling😮

[@WW2Wayfinder]

It’s quite incredible to think what those young men achieved under the horrendous weather conditions and facing a determined enemy! I’ll always be in awe of them! Thank you for watching!

[@brakel8r]

Awesome and informative episode, but rather contentious. There were thousands, if not tens of thousands of heroes and many more heroic actions throughout the war. Ambrose focused on a few of these heroes and maybe a positive, other than the obvious, came from him limiting the scope and having a few slight inaccuracies, a spotlight on others that were integral to defeating tyranny. Both of my Grandfathers and 5 great uncles fought in the Euro and Pacific TO's. My Grandfather on my moms side was very much Cherokee and i asked him once if he'd do it again...He said of course..as a 10 year old i asked why he'd do it again..his response filled my heart "well.....cause id like to think they'd do it for us!" God bless all the veterans out there....may peace prevail.

[@BillyJ244]

I think it's a great thing that you have told the facts about Lieutenant Dyke. All of these men deserve to be honored and not lied about to embellish a series on cable TV. Norman Dyke's family and legacy deserves much more than that.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you and I absolutely agree. It's the same for Sobel. After the series was released I read numerous accounts from Easy Co men who were trained by Sobel at Toccoa and they basically all said that if it was for his tough regime, they'd have struggled more in combat. I don't doubt he wasn't fit to lead them into combat but it's a shame the series demonised him so much without any acknowledgement to what he did for the men of the company.

[@charliep8]

@@WW2Wayfinder Have you ever served? If the story of Sobel looking the other way so he wouldn't have to salute Winters is true then Sobel's own actions are testimony enough to his pettiness and ineptness as a leader / team player.

[@andybarlowadventures]

Man very informative, you deserve more views, well done! Just subscribed! Looking forward to more like this!😊

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you that’s very kind! Hopefully it gets the message out there that there’s a lot more recognition due to those who fought there on that day!

[@markmullin4246]

Thank you! For your research, maps,videos bringing these historical events to life,for ppl.much respect to you and your team,sir!!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Glad you enjoyed it Mark! It was great to finally out the myths of this action to bed and tell the story of all the units involved!

[@lowengkok1201]

Easy to understanding the situation and strategically

[@mt-nv4jd]

Thank you for your thoughts on Lt. Dyke. I concur with your assessment. We who were not there should not disrespect those who were.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you and I agree completely with what you say

[@Nyllsor]

Well made! Inspiring to see the full and true story behind this battle.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it. I just hope it gets the message out there to people who know about the battle but only know the tv series version of events! I think the real story is far more interesting!

[@Nyllsor]

@@WW2Wayfinder For sure! Very well visualized with camera, map-graphics and well written! Thank you sir! :)

[@jroch41]

Great explanation & overview of Foy battle & different participants. That you explained it in context to Band of Brothers episode makes it easier to comprehend. Bravo 👏

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you. It’s a difficult topic in some regards as I know how highly the show is regarded but I think trying to show the full account to such a well know fight is important, and that it compliments the episode rather than tries to rubbish it. Thanks again for taking the time to watch

[@3rwparks3]

Excellent! It brought back memories. I was there December 2002. I enjoy being in the Ardennes. And when I was growing up in the 1950's, the WWII guys were my heroes. Bastogne is one of those special places.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you for watching and I hope you enjoyed seeing the village again (hopefully it hasn’t changed too much since 2002! That whole area with Foy and Bastogne is always a great place to visit isn’t it.

[@3rwparks3]

@@WW2Wayfinder Visit specially around Christmas.

[@19Monts44]

This is a great piece of work! Really enjoying the content, thank you.

[@Blitz9H]

Thank you for this in depth analysis. I had a friend that was on a 57mm AT crew with the 11th AD. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge.

[@matthewseawell1667]

This was excellent, Jon. Your description and the visuals, including drone footage, really helped me understand what was going on.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! Learnt a lot since I edited this but I hope it conveys the facts of what took place there. Bob is still an important series but it’s more important to realise what actually occurred there to not diminish the memories of all those who fought there

[@XavierKing1956]

Thank you for sharing WW2 Wayfinder 🙏

[@WW2Wayfinder]

You’re most welcome!

[@westonbrewster8344]

Yesss Mate!!! I’ve been wanting to see a video on the Battle of Foy from BoB great video all the way from America! 👍🏻

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Weston thanks mate! Much appreciated! I’ve wanted to make this episode since I started the channel as every time Foy is ever mentioned it’s only Easy Co, Dike being afraid of his shadow and Speirs run that saves the day and all of that is mostly crap! The other veterans deserve the recognition for their part in liberating the village that day and I hope this goes a small way to doing that!

[@richarddelasota1812]

The film was a drama, not a documentary, but the information about Lt. Dike is very much appreciated.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

You’re welcome. Always a difficult thing for script writers to juggle with a certain amount of time to tell a story but Dikes portrayal as a decorated combat leader who either was wounded or broke down in the attack but definitely was showing all the signs of combat fatigue, just as Buck Compton was, was treated so badly by them. He wasn’t in the same vein as Sobel, Dike had proved himself time and again in combat but I believe he had just mentally broken down.

[@TheDesertwalker]

Exactly, nobody, unless you are hopelessly gullible, thinks BoB is 100 accurate. That just can't be done, even in a full documentary. But thanks again for the Lt. Dike info. That needs to be told and retold. How many of us would have held up as well as Dike. I would not have. Great channel, BTW.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you and agree. No one in the 21st century can state how they would have endured weeks of freezing temps and constant shelling plus actively trying to push the enemy back!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

It would have been nice if they had done so or had Lipton’s narration soften how he was portrayed. Ultimately Buck Compton broke under the strain, no differently to Dike. But one is hailed as a hero and the other not and by people who have no idea what it was like to be there or have never served!

[@afewminutesofhistory]

Superb mate as per usual!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thanks mate! Really appreciate it! Was great to be back there and tell the full story finally!

[@leonfossett821]

Wish Band Of Brothers had been extended and showed a deeper look into Easy companies fight. Great show and a respectful representation of what this group of men went through, just wish it was longer. Greatest generation of men ever.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you, and I agree. While an excellent series, they stretched or altered the truth of events to fit the time on screen which I understand but sadly many people cite the tv series as a primary source which clearly it isn’t and this results in other units or individuals (like Dike) being put down or completely missed from the story. I’d recommend the Ian Gardner series of books he wrote about the 3/506th and their time at war if you want an excellent account of the 506th during ww2.

[@quirkygreece]

I really enjoy the way you present your stories and state facts clearly. Thank you for your research, your work and your obvious respect.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you. Those men of the 101st who fought in defence of Bastogne will always have my utmost respect for what they achieved during that bitterly cold winter.

[@bramdewin8426]

This is the best video I have come across about Foy and surroundings. I am going to England, France, Belgium and the Netherlands to shoot some footage in March. Will use this as a guide. Thanks, great channel and keep it up!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! Hopefully it helps to give more context that was possible in the series as to what took place there that day. Hope you have a wonderful trip!

[@junebugjoe5914]

Good job, thanks for showing the history at actual location.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

You’re most welcome! Glad you enjoyed it and hopefully it explains in a clearer way what actually took place there on that day in January 1945!

[@northdevonpictures826]

Thanks for the information and corrections, appreciated. Not sure how many veterans would appreciate all the metal detectorists, disturbances and vandalism around these sites where people fought and died.

[@jameschouinard5648]

Fantastic video, really gives a great view of what the veterans went through and a full understanding of the fight. In BoB defense, the show mainly follows easy company’s perspective of the war, so it would make sense the viewer saw easy’s side of the battle for Foy. It didn’t seem to me the producer’s intention was to show disservice toward the other companies and what they went though.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thanks for watch and glad you enjoyed it! My gripe with BoB is that the show rarely acknowledged any other unit if E Co. were present, BUT I understand why the producers had to take that line.

[@TravelingToHistory]

Just subscribed to your channel!! You make great content mate 😉 keep up the great work

[@FlipSideCT]

thank you for putting this together. Well scripted and allows us to feel it. One thing I can say, yes BoB may have not portrayed all the details as explained here, but they surely did represent Easy Company's and whomever else was involved views, and provided us a fabulous insight to the happenings. It was the title that drew me in to watch this, as there is usually more to a story, and we are salivating for as much as possible to learn about these heroes. I did not take it as a bash on BoB, but telling us, hey there is more that was not told. So thank you again!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you and glad you enjoyed it 😃

[@Pandrnchicken]

Episode is so perfect! Keep up these videos, I love them!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thanks! Still got a few more from the Bulge to go which I hope are interesting! Next weeks is about Patton crossing the Rhine in March 1945 though so a slight departure from the Ardennes😃

[@kevgoeswandering8488]

you are fantastic mate please keep up this excellent quality of content subscribed

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you, it’s honestly really appreciated! Still lots to learn and so many places to try and visit and document. It’s just great to be able to tell the story of the veterans and help keep their memory alive in this way.

[@kevgoeswandering8488]

@@WW2Wayfinder I cant wait to see more. i will binge watch your content over the weekend ,thanks again for all the efforts...

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! Really appreciate it! Got the final Battle of the Bulge episodes out over the next few weeks then some USAAF related ones followed by Normandy!

[@jamesm.3084]

Great Episode! Thank you!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you, you’re most welcome and hopefully it gives a much clearer picture of what took place there and acknowledges the other units who fought to take the village!

[@Tigerwilson88]

I watched episode 7 twice the past couple of days and this video was awesome to provide context to the episode. Thanks you!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Glad you enjoyed it! BoB is still one of the greatest series ever made, I just wish they’d have made this episode in particular a little closer to the events that occurred that day. Regardless though it doesn’t stop me watching the series 2/3 times a year!

[@Cowardswearmasks]

Just found your Channel, in one word OUTSTANDING. You do all of these brave men, and their families a great service in the true accounts of what actually happened. In my last few years I have become interested in all that this conflict and especially as it relates to the freedoms we all have now with their blood, the civilians and their children , wives and relatives at home. Sadly , most people today from all ages think only of themselves, their house price going up etc and throw away these sacrifices when submitting to the new liars, tyrants, and dictators like ; BIG TECH, MSM, MACRON, SCHULTZ, BIDEN, ADERN , JOHNSON, SUNAK etc and like cowards they mask up for their overlords.

[@Gitarzan66]

Thanks to J.D's live stream I now have yet another Y.T. channel to fritter away the hours and shirk my responsibilities. Greetings from Denver Colorado mate.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

haha thank you! Welcome to the channel!

[@guillermoperis1673]

That was beautiful, and very detailed. Thanks for delving into the details and helping future memory have even more reason, beyond Hollywood, to be grateful for the ultimate heroism. This is deeply formative (can't help thinking of what's goin on in Ukraine right now...).

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you for watching. I felt it necessary to put right the facts they omitted in that episode as the men who fought there really deserve it.

[@VegasCyclingFreak]

Very interesting. Thanks for taking us there and explaining things in depth.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

You’re most welcome. Hopefully it shows the actions as they actually occurred that day so all who fought there get the recognition for that brutal action

[@chrisr9380]

Great vid. Very well made.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you Chris! This one’s been a personal mission since o started the channel so glad it’s out there now!

[@marvingrinage5423]

Outstanding narration and re enactment. Thank You.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@marionjohansson4235]

That was a gripping recount of this battle. Wow. Thank you.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it. Ever since seeing Band of Brothers I wanted to know more about the battle for Foy and I hope this was able to convey the point that there was quite a bit more to the events that day than the series was able to show. Thanks again for taking the time to watch.

[@marionjohansson4235]

@ I’m absolutely no expert. Growing up where I did, the wars history was still being written. Yes I know I’m ancient!😅

[@pvtjohntowle4081]

Your description is amazing in detail. Nobody would have realised that this was a much more intense and involved many other units apart from Easy Company of the 501st

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! Too many people are obessed with a TV show they forget that other units fought equally hard there that day I felt it vital to tell the story properly.

[@mikegallentine]

First, fantastic video, really top shelf! I visited Foy in January of 2020, spending time in the Bois Jacques as well as the woods just to the NW, on the other side of the N30. My takeaway besides the incredible history there, was how well the woods are maintained to preserve the memory and significance of that particular battle. A funny takeaway. I assumed the sniper house to be abandoned because of its appearance; so imagine my surprise as I peered through the window to lock eyes with a man sitting on a couch!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Haha oh wow! To be fair to you the place does look like no one has lived there since 1944! Thanks for watching!

[@jimreilly917]

😂

[@louisavondart9178]

All the woods in Belgium are managed forests. Those trees are probably not the same ones as in 1944/45. They don't preserve them but cut and replant on a regular basis.

[@echohunter4199]

Recently the city government of Bastogne along with the Bastogne museum erected a large fence that encircles the entire forest! To gain access one needs to scan their Bastogne museum ticket and it often glitches so it can be a pain going back and forth. The last time I was in the forest there was in 2006, I was stationed in Baumholder, Germany from 2002-07 and I participated in the annual anniversary events held each December 16-17th.

[@natskivna]

Would love to hear more about the other areas of this battle...especially fighting around Flamierge where the 17th (and my father...a glider trooper of the 194th GIR) fought during the 1st week of 1945. Thanks for this wonderful video and explanation about the fighting near Foy!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

I’m heading back to the Ardennes next month and know Flamierge well so keep an eye out 😉

[@NlGHTSKY]

I’m from the region and i metaldetect there often. Found many relics of the 17th airborne division, especially the typical green tip m1 garand clip that they were issued instead of the regular black tip

[@bravowhiskey6229]

Thanks for walking us through this engagement. Very informative and well done.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

You’re welcome! Hope it cleared up some of the story that Band of Brothers wasn’t able to tell in the series!

[@clarkhowell8267]

Thank you for doing these documentaries!!!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

You’re most welcome! Just trying to provide that wider context to these important actions so all the veterans who fought there are remembered. Thank you for watching!

[@tim7052]

Videos like these are another testament against today's fad of learning history from TV mimi-series and Hollywood. 👍

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you. I’m a huge fan of the show but there was so much they couldn’t/didn’t show in each episode and Foy especially they got the capture of the town just plain wrong which was very annoying as it paints a false picture of what E Co achieved.

[@tim7052]

@WW2Wayfinder Agreed. My comment is applicable to the whole genre where TV/Hollywood both promote and perpetuate the myth that the US - alone! - fought and won WWII. But I saying that - and not detracting from the guy's bravery who fought there - I think they could've (at least) put a few other uniforms in the background shots to infer that other units were also (rightly) involved in the battle. On the quality and your straightforward narrating, I've subbed.👍

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Agreed. I would personally love to see a similar series about the British Infantry in Normandy through to the end of the war in Northern Germany or even a tank unit. I do have a great amount of respect for our US Allies and have read about US units etc for years but I would be over the moon to see a high budget series made about a British or commonwealth outfit! Thanks for subscribing too, hope you enjoy my other content.

[@tim7052]

@@WW2Wayfinder I totally agree with you. My father was a Gurkha at Kohima - I'd LOVE to see a movie doe on that battle and campaign through 14th Army eyes!! 👍

[@slim864gvg6]

At the same time, you have to give BoB and Saving Private Ryan for arousing huge interest in WWII. Not just interest in the lofty generals like Ike, Patton, and Montgomery or major offensive operations, but interest and curiosity about the human story and how heroic "common" men, Citizen Soldiers, defeated the greatest army on earth. Yes, as with every movie, series, or show, it can create or perpetuate false or misinformed narratives, but the raised awareness is worth a little dramatic license.

[@davidnemoseck9007]

Great job with this! After seeing Band of Brothers, I began hearing more and more about the battle, most of what I had come to know from, believe it or not, Little Wars TV, which they had fought 2 times, in 2 different scales. The 2nd time, more along as what depicted here. Each time, I've learned more and more. And so far, I believe, you have done the most indept overview of the battle that I've seen so far. And new sub.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you for watching, and I’m glad you enjoyed it. For the past 20 years everyone who follows military history and has seen BoB is now very much under the illusion that Easy Co won the day there when their involvement was only for 6/7 hours. While the tv show would have been limited to what they can portray in an episode they discredited the 3/506 and the 11th Armored for not giving them the credit of holding the village overnight and then the 11th Armored finally pushing the Germans out the next day. Sadly a lot of people are so brainwashed by the tv show that I’ve had backlash over this episode! East Company will always have my upmost respect but credit must be given to other units where it’s due which was ultimately what I wanted to achieve with this episode!

[@davidnemoseck9007]

@@WW2Wayfinder Agree. Yes they did their part, and did a lot in the war, but so did a lot of other units. So when things need corrected, I'm glad there are those like you who can set the record strait. I'm American, and proud of it, proud of what we did during the war, but I'm also glad there are more people like you who like bring out the truth, and high light leaser know people, units, countries that also did their part.

[@voliticity912]

There are multiple versions of this battle on youtube. One version even said that German had one company with 3 tiger tanks and one 88mm. This version is much more believable. Good work with details👍👍👍

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! Hopefully it conveys the events of that day clearly and helps to broaden the general understanding of the battle that took place there over the two days.

[@darrensmith1779]

Well done and congratulations on your great work. Very well explained and informative keep up the good work, thank you👏 👌

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! That’s very kind of you to say so. I hope it gave a better understanding of the events that took place around Foy all those years ago! Thanks again for taking the time to watch!

[@herefordshireregimentalmus8771]

Top marks an excellently presented video and great viewing

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! Still a fair way to go with some of the production side but it’s getting there!!!

[@coops1964]

What a marvellous production. You have another subscriber here.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it and hopefully revealed some of the truth behind the better known Band of Brothers story. And thank you for subscribing, i really appreciate it!!

[@marcuswardle3180]

I've read so much on the history of the Second World War to know that books like Band of Brothers heavily distort the view that people gain of the battles. It almost makes it as if all the battles they were in were won by them. This does such a dis-service to the hundreds of thousands of men who also served. The story also of the 101st holdout in Bastogne makes it look like they won the Battle of Bulge. The main battle of the Bulge was happening North of Bastogne. Bastogne was virtually a sideshow. The aim of the Germans was to reach Antwerp and take the port thus depriving the Allies of supplies.

[@junebugjoe5914]

St Vith

[@drraybenedetto2064]

Having served in Europe 85-88, living in the Schnee Eifel the entire period, and visited the entire Ardennes region, we came back to Bastogne many times with visitors because of what “Bastogne” meant in terms of American resolve, commitment, and results. “Massacre at Malmedy” was mandatory reading for the troops in my squadron. I wanted them to understand the atrocities of the Battle of the Bulge as well as its breadth. There was no better location to do that than the Museum at Bastogne ( which has only grown larger in the past 36 years) as well as the smaller, locally supported museum in a former brewery in Diekirch, Luxembourg. Anyone who thinks one unit “won the war” is truly ignorant of the breadth of the Crusade in Europe, but BOB truly brought to life the daily trials and tribulations of all our gallant heroes of all units directed toward destroying the German war machine that had defaced Europe over the preceding five years. Most visitors to the region will visit Bastogne for what it represents of American fighting spirit and resolve!

[@marcuswardle3180]

@@drraybenedetto2064 Agreed that the image of a fighting nation can be summarised by a place but I would like to think the Villers Bocage is a more fitting tribute to the ingenuity and fighting spirit of the whole depth of the American soldier during WWII. While they were fighting there my father was at the Eastern end trying to get to Caen!

[@rebelinthenorth4991]

Thank you for sharing this. You did a good job 👍.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! I just hope it adds context to the tv show that wasn’t show for whatever reason, and to also show that Dyke wasn’t the coward he was made out to be but just another young man, far from home enduring the worst conditions imaginable and he reached his limit.

[@carolancarey992]

Just found your channel, avid reader of WWII history here. What a brilliant presentation! Thank you.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you for taking the time to watch as I really appreciate it! I hope you enjoy the channel and thanks again for watching!

[@freedomlover24-7]

Thank you for the information and different perspective on Lt. Dike, I agree with you.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Glad you enjoyed it and I think it’s very important to set the record straight about Lt Dike as he toughed out the Ardennes the same as the rest of them and he deserves that recognition.

[@bobmcghee3116]

Seeing these documentaries has prompted me to get band of brothers out and watch it again

[@WW2Wayfinder]

It’s still a wonderful series all these years on! Certainly some aspects could have been portrayed more accurately but it’s also Hollywood, however it’s always nice to sit down and watch each episode again! Hope you enjoy it 😃

[@catsamazing338]

Excellent step by step explanation of the battle for Foy. Well done 👍

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Many thanks! Certainly not intended to undermine anything Easy Co did bt to expand on the events that day and highlight the wider battle at took place over the 2 days there. Thanks again for taking the time to watch.

[@stevehill6062]

Excellent explanation of the whole scope of the battle. The men in Easy Co. as a group said that Band of Brothers could have been made with any of the Airborne Companies, they were just the ones selected. Really appreciate your inclusion of the other men that made just as much of an impact in the defeat of Nazi Germany as did Easy Co. Even though none if any of those men will claim the title of hero or the Greatest Generation, look what they accomplished. Thank you again for a very well researched and very well delivered video.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! While I’m a huge fan of the series I felt all those who fought there deserve to be recognised as I’ve seen so many think it was only E Co that fought there. Thanks again for taking the time to watch 😃

[@cherylhagler8500]

I appreciate your telling of historical facts and bringing all the heros to light; however it is a series about the Band of Brothers. They didn't have time in the series to include every participants role! I believe everyone whom watched the BOB series had the knowledge that they didn't win the battle all by themselves! This was one company and I wish more movies and series could be made to tell the stories of all the heroes in the allied forces! ❤ I Thank God for them all! I am however very thankful that BOB was made to at least tell Easy co stories before they all died! Even if it was a little embellished it was still an account of their involvement!❤❤❤❤❤ Thank-you Steven Ambrose for trying to keep history alive!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

You can have the truth about what took place there or a Hollywood script writers version of events. The series is great as entertainment but the truth of what took place is more in-depth. I wanted to tell the whole story so ALL the veterans who fought there receive the credit they deserve. It is emotive though as I know a lot have strong connections to the tv show. Regardless, thank you for taking the time time to watch as I genuinely appreciate it.

[@alicemc8774]

Thank you for your work. It is much appreciated 🇺🇸 🇺🇸

[@WW2Wayfinder]

You’re most welcome! Thanks for taking the time to watch!

[@nigelweysom7423]

another top notch presentation thanks

[@chriskostopoulos8142]

great video, I've subscribed.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Awesome, thank you! Glad you enjoyed the episode!

[@mikenorton632]

E-Z company was in the 2nd Battalion, under the command of Capt. Dick Winters. E-Z company was the primary assault company for the 2nd Battalion. The book and series is based on the recollections of the men in the company. That's why there are some inaccuracies in their stories. For example, Lt.Dike was disliked because he trained with the regimental headquarters unit at Toccoa. To the original company members, he wasn't considered to be a "Toccoa man" like all the previous E-Z company commanders were, because they never saw him there. If you stop and think about it, all of Lt.Dike's buddies from boot camp were back at regimental headquarters. So he probably went back to visit them whenever he could. Which could be the reason why everyone said he wasn't there. Lt.Dike was awarded a bronze star for Valor for his actions organizing the defense of a vital position in Normandy against repeated attacks by the Germans on D-day. He was also wounded in Holland during operation Market Garden. Awarded another bronze star for saving the lives of 3 wounded E-Z company men, by dragging them into cover, repeatedly exposing himself to heavy enemy fire.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Very good point and one I hadn’t considered before! Thank you!

[@echohunter4199]

Thank you for clarifying the details.

[@kmjh2009]

Nicely done. We treasured our trip to Foy, after visiting Bastogne, Bastogne Barracks, & the Bois Jacques. We didn’t get to Reschemps though. Perhaps next time.

[@simonrooney7942]

Great video. The misty weather added to your video, plus your excellent research- Hollywood loves heroes.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! The weather did get better throughout the morning fortunately but it was very atmospheric to begin with!

[@stevechappell6322]

Fantastic video , thankyou so much,so informative 😊

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@apanapandottir205]

This is amazing. Thank you!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it and I hope it provides some context to watch you see in BoB and what actually took place in Foy that day! Thanks again

[@regularguyprepper]

The book goes into far more detail than the TV series (obviously) but if you've never read the book you owe it to yourself. I love the miniseries but the book really puts it into perspective.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Another book I can’t recommend enough is No Victory in Valhalla by Ian Gardner. Covers the 3/506th from the Autumn of 1944 to wars end and is very in-depth!

[@guizzmohsam1571]

Very well presented - am enjoying your 'work' - many thanks

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@ShaunUnderwoodx]

Only just subscribed today and by God am I very impressed with your presentation . One of the best presented and well-informed documentaries I have seen Harry on KZbin with regards to the real situation of what happened in Foy .. thank you so much for doing the other units real justice . Band of brothers was a great show but it was not exactly a factual play of events.. really really I'm impressed 👍 although they played there was other that deserve prayers for liberating this village... I'm looking forward to watching the of your productions... Truly awesome 👍

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you and welcome to the channel 😃 I hope you like my other content and with the Foy video I just wanted all the veterans who fought there that day to have the credit they deserve, and at the same time take nothing away from the men of Easy Company and their achievements and part in the fight.

[@michaelmccollister7482]

Great storytelling! I love all of these.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you Michael! Glad you enjoyed the Foy episode, I figured it was about time the full story of this well known battle was told!

[@samjackson884]

Great job. Enjoyed it.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@AkashdeepRawat]

Thank you so much for this presentation. 💗

[@WW2Wayfinder]

You’re most welcome, thank you for watching!

[@GMad-sc4uk]

Point of clear at 8:35, there is a difference between a “foxhole” and a “hasty fighting position.” The foxhole is dug deeper and the hasty position is more shallow. That could explain why you found some of the old positions on the edge of the forest to be shallow and some deeper. Excellent video and I appreciate the clarification on LT. Dyke. It certainly makes sense and would explain the odd behavior portrayed in the series episode.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you. I just hope it helps to provide more context than the series could due to the constraints the production team were under etc. I find it sad that people will tip their hat to the Greatest Generation and in the same breath call Lt Dike a coward etc. Ultimately he was on the front lines in the appalling weather with the rest of the men. He may not have been a great infantry officer but he was still there and for me personally I think it’s important people remember that.

[@GMad-sc4uk]

@@WW2Wayfinder As a veteran, I couldn’t agree more! And it’s never too late to “right a wrong.”

[@Gray_beard_veteran]

Thank you for the video and the overall input of what all took place. However, like some have said and I agree, the mini-series was based on the eyes of Easy Company in the liberation of Foy. In the miniseries, there was a scene after LT Spiers took over the platoon. He ran through enemy lines to link up with I company. That shows that Easy company wasn't alone. Remember, LT Spiers came from Dog Company, so again, that shows Easy wasn't alone. So the series wasn't about 506th but Easy Company. Lastly, why would COL Sink there? Which means he had his whole Regiment there. All in all, great video. Thanks

[@SmedleyDouwright]

Thanks for the additional information about Lt. Dike.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Not a problem! Only right the correct story is told, he was equally as brave as anyone else there that day and deserves the recognition for it! Thanks for watching!

[@nigelcarver6822]

Nice one mate, lots here that I never knew about …very eye opening on what actually happened

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thanks mate! Yeah it’s a really interesting story that the book and series never did justice and got lots wrong. Hopefully this goes some way to redressing that!

[@whereman1199]

Thank you, I loved the video. If you can, while explaining videos like this in the future. It would be great to show the map and zoom in to your position relating to the map. Showing us your objective to the understanding.

[@danielbeck9191]

THANK YOU for this explanation about Foy. Now I have a much better understanding of what actually transpired there.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

You're most welcome.

[@randelhodge3277]

Great video. Thank you for explaining the wider scope of the liberation of Foy. So interesting.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Glad you enjoyed it! I hope it gives a fuller picture as to what happened there over those two days. Thank you for watching.

[@johnrye6752]

Just subscribed,excellent down to earth presentation really enjoy your videos,cheers.....

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you so much and welcome aboard. Hope you enjoy the rest of the channel

[@flywheel986]

Imagine you are an Airborne trooper, you have just fought a vicious pitched battle to capture the town, the smoke is just starting to clear, and you hear sound of tanks getting closer to your position. Inevitably they appear, six Panther tanks with accompanying infantry. Talk about an "Oh shit!!" moment. Amazing bravery and fortitude displayed by these young Americans.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

And in the dark too!!! Must have been terrifying for and hard to imagine after having been in combat for hours already! Thank you for watching

[@deamoncastle5584]

Many thanks for giving this moment in history the respect it deserves. Also, anyone else getting Gettysburg vibes?

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! Just hope it opens up the subject so the other men who there that day get the recognition they deserve!

[@floydfanboy2948]

Good stuff. Thanks 👍

[@WW2Wayfinder]

You’re most welcome, thank you for watching!

[@VloggingThroughHistory]

Quick question about the 3 platoons of Easy....everything I've read says that Foley's 1st platoon was on the left, Lipton with 2nd in the center, and Shames with 3rd on the right. You have 1st and 2nd swapped here. Wondering what your source is for that?

[@WW2Wayfinder]

No Victory in Valhalla, authored by Ian Gardner 2nd Edition. It’s the most thorough account of the attack I’ve read anywhere and I spoke with him before I filmed there which was really cool. And interviews with Lt Foley who states he left the right side of the Bois Champay to head into the centre of Foy village.

[@martinuhr6760]

A Heart and RESPECT for Norman DIKE...

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Absolutely, just another young kid with a lot of responsibiltiy on his shoulders in conditions no one today can imagine.

[@martinuhr6760]

@@WW2Wayfinder thats it...tomorrow i am in Houffalize...Foy and Bastogne...our Heroes are not forgotten! I will lay down flowers...and pray...always in my heart..especially as a former soldier....

[@garypender9459]

Again, excellent presentation! I enjoy the way you show respect for our American Soldier heroes! There are so many unsung heroes whose stories will never be known because they and everyone around them were kIA on the battlefield! I feel in your presentation style, you show great respect for the many unsung heroes!! Please, keep on doing what you do so well!🇺🇸🇺🇸👍

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you so much!

[@peterhour7256]

I was lucky and met guys from Easy company in France Carentan 2004. I talked to Shifty Powers, Paul Rogers and Forrest Guth (2002 in UK). That was a great meeting. They told me a lot. Specially Forrest Guth. Great men they were...

[@WW2Wayfinder]

I had hoped to Meet Forrest Guth back in 2007 I think it was but sadly it didn’t work out. I did have the pleasure of meeting Ed Shames in Bastogne though in 2007 and he was wonderful to speak to! Great men all of them.

[@johntrevaskiss8151]

My Dad was a tanker with the 11th armored they teemed up with the 101 and 17 airborne a few times he was happy to have them ride on his tank.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you for shairng that about your father and hopefull this helps provide his old unit with some recognition.

[@MichielDeRuyterr]

Im so glad i found this channel! Im a ww2 enthousiast too!!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Nice one! Hope you like the content, still lots to come from Normandy and further afield later this year!!!

[@dannystephens9056]

Love the show keep it !!!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!!! Really appreciate it! This week will be about Patton crossing the Rhine just to mix it up from the Bulge!

[@richardsimms251]

Great video

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@camilovesga7389]

Me encanta Band Of Brother's, pero es muy importante separar la realidad de la ficción y darle a cada personaje histórico el papel que realmente le corresponde. Gracias por este gran vídeo!!!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

You’re most welcome and absolutely agree, it’s a great TV show but sadly some still to this day regard it as a single source of truth when it simply isn’t!

[@richardyoder3646]

Love your videos they are addictive

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@frankbolger3969]

Excellent tour of the Foy battle site. Keep in mind, please, that this installment was not meant to be a complete depiction of the Battle for Foy, any more than Day Of Days was intended to be a thorough review of the D-Day invasion. This series was meant to provide an intimate portrait of one Company but, in essence to afford an understanding of the harrowing experience of being a combat soldier in the ETO. There were significant omissions and inaccuracies even within Easy Company , but that's the nature of moviemaking. When Hollywood says "based on a true story," what that phrase really means is :This is not a true story; it's BASED on one.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

And that’s exactly why telling the real story is so important as the men who fought there are leaving us so quickly now. BoB was a great TV show but that’s all it was and when I see we’ll known historians citing the show as the gospel truth of what happened that day I knew the real story needed telling even if it does make it somewhat uncomfortable due to everyone’s love of BoB. Regardless of my opinion though, thank you for watching as I really do appreciate it!

[@frankbolger3969]

@@WW2Wayfinder Agree wholeheartedly. In terms of context, more is always.better. In the comments section, though, there is a tendency to do some cheap potshotting. As the saying goes, when an elephant flies, you can't criticize him for not staying in the air very long. Great job!