Operation Vesuvius: The Liberation of Corsica, 1943

[@alatahelenon]

Merci pour ce cours d’histoire , certainement meilleur que tous ceux enseignés dans nos écoles ! Vous avez fait un travail juste et bien documenté . Nous avons un passé riche en histoire et complexe ! Grâce à Pasquale Paoli la Corse a été la première nation européenne avec une Contitution qui a servi de modèle aux USA … je suis nationaliste , So corsu è so fieru e sempre corsu. ( la Corse mourait de faim pendant la guerre).

[@JasonMcCord-qk3yb]

A very obscure piece of WW2 history that I knew very little about! Thank you for the lesson!

[@seanworkman431]

I didn't know where Corsica was of that it is French and my geography is pretty good.

[@seanworkman431]

@@doommonger7784 how so? You can't hear me.

[@nathanalbright]

I visited Ajaccio this summer and saw the monuments that had been built for the Maquis near the port there. It is striking that this sort of history is not known so much in French, but the locals clearly understand it.

[@rwarren58]

So this is where Star Trek got the name for the Maquis. Another good episode. I never miss one.

[@416loren]

A bunch of my co-workers are trekkies. I'll be sure to work this into conversation.

[@twistedlimb4053]

@mydixiewrecked2 me too.

[@albertseabra9226]

Maquis was already being used by the French Resistance. .

[@theemmjay5130]

I've been a Trekkie and aWWII buff for decades, so I've known about the connection for a long time.

[@chrissaris6869]

What is also noticeable is the fact that not ONE jew was deported from Corsica. There was an "omerta" (secret code of silence) with respect to these people, that they not be extradited to the Germans. Quite a laudable and heroic aspect of the island's inhabitants.

[@erf3176]

Charles de Gaulle chastising a successful commander for liberating French territory is about the most Charles de Gaulle thing he could have done.

[@roosjen]

Aside from yet another wonderful history lesson, I also learned about Star Trek today, and where the Star Trek Maquis got their name. :) Come to think of it, Star Trek also had a Briar Patch in one of the movies. Feels like one of the writers had green fingers :)

[@richardbowles8783]

Spanish resistance during the Spanish Civil War also gave rise to the use of the term "Maquis". I've found no record specifically citing "Maquis" being attributed to the Star Trek Maquis. Not a criticism, just a curiosity on my part. Criminal hierarchies evolving in Corsica bear resemblance to some TOS episodes. In sum, the associations weren't lost on me either.

[@tonylove4800]

As did I.

[@KMac329]

This fills in a gap in my knowledge of WWII history. Thank you, History Guy, for such a clear presentation of a complicated series of events.

[@deonmurphy6383]

Thank you, for all of my reading of WWII history, I have never come across any discussion of this liberation operation.

[@JeffreyGlover65]

Good morning to all! Love starting my day with a good history lesson.

[@carlmontney7916]

Any day anytime is the right time for another great world war II history lesson from the history guy. He never fails to impress and it is always great to hear something that I had never heard about before. Well done again sir.

[@garywagner2466]

Thanks for this. There are so many smaller stories that we have never heard. Not small to the people involved, but overshadowed by greater events that have received much more attention. Keep them coming!

[@JohnHill-qo3hb]

THG, you sure have a nose for finding the forgotten, missed or ignored elements of history, an interesting episode and one that would be sure to ruffle some historian feathers in France, well done, thank you.

[@anasevi9456]

Thank you for the great overview of an extremely overlooked campaign in WW2. I had never given it thought but i was really interested the second i saw this video.

[@prestongivens3594]

This was great! I’ve read references for decades about WWII about “the Vichy government.” I’ve never had a concise thumbnail about who, what, when, and why. Until now, that is! Thanks so much! Well done!

[@-jeff-]

TY THG for another piece of WW2 history that I'm again hearing here for the first time.

[@Dougie1969]

I had never even heard of this. Thank you history guy

[@albertseabra9226]

A great vídeo, well-researched and Indeed covering a silent -- topic. Not even in a foot-note the subject had been properly addressed. Thank you.

[@rick91443]

GREAT TIMING; just got back from our 2nd vacation in Corsica...cheers...rr Normandy, France

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

I'd love to visit!

[@rick91443]

. @@TheHistoryGuyChannel We live a stone's throw(walk up their from our farm every morning) from what is known as the "Versailles of Horse Riding," The Haras du Pin, the second most visited site in all of Normandy(after M. Saint Michel.) Would American audience be interested??? rr

[@rick91443]

there...not their(gulp)

[@Ditka-89]

Phenomenal forgotten history. Per usual. Cheers

[@frankgulla2335]

What a terrific piece of forgotten history and startling that the French wish to forget it. Thank you, THG!

[@mattgeorge90]

Thank you so very much. Awesome episode as always!

[@ahoj7720]

A minor correction: the name of the French submarine was Casabianca, with an i, not Casablanca, with a l. It was named after a Corsican naval officer before WW2. It was commanded by capitaine de frégate Jean L’Herminier who published a book called Casabianca about the story of the escape from Toulon in 1942 and the operations it participated in. I read this book when I was a little boy many years ago. I don’t know if an English translation is available.

[@franc9111]

You are absolutely right - vous avez tout-à-fait raison. (Il y a une rue à L'Haÿ-les-Roses qui porte son nom).

[@sproctor1958]

So... now I know the back story for the ST:DS9 story line. Thanks, Lance! I always learn something new with your videos. Stay well!

[@lloydbonifide]

Love those high res photos!!! Hope you keep finding them!!

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

Historical images aren’t easy

[@lloydbonifide]

@@TheHistoryGuyChannel the detail in a couple of the photos you have is crazy good to find!! Especially since they seem to be German!

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

Those are from iStock, most likely modern photos of reenactors. German law is odd in terms of copyright, so German WWII photos are particularly difficult.

[@honodle7219]

Thanks for this. Corsica, and even Sardinia, are a couple places you never hear about. Meaning no insult to anyone who lives there or has ties to them. Maybe that's a good thing; to me it means they are peaceful islands with no drama.

[@alanmoulet1362]

😂 tell this to the corsican mafia , no drama 😂

[@camille264]

Corsican history is far from peaceful. My grandmother’s family is from Aullene Corsica. They are a people who frequently took the law in their hands and used vendetta to settle problems from insults to avenging a murder. I looked online and several different sites claim that between the 17th and 18th centuries, 30,000 lives were claimed through vendetta. Violence is still a concern on the island. But, it’s beautiful and a favorite vacation destination for the French.!

[@neiloflongbeck5705]

Or, more likely, there is too much history and lots of history is therefore left to be forgotten by those outside of the nation an event occurred in.

[@tygrkhat4087]

It is true you learn something everyday. I have a pretty good amateur knowledge of World War II; I had never heard of this event until now.

[@jimmungai1938]

Hey, it’s good to see you again history guy haven’t seen you for a long time. I hope things are going OK all right is Jim mungai from Kennerdell, Pennsylvania

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

I have continued posting.

[@novr0nthegreat454]

I love these kinds of stories. The more unknow, the better.

[@Linuxpunk81]

When I was in the navy back in the early 2000s our sub would pull along side the sub tender at San Stephanos island. On liberty you could take the ferry to la madalena island, where most people went or to Olbia in Sardinia

[@murrayeldred3563]

The most informative video of all of them I have watched because this incident was a blind spot for me and never really considered Corsica. Thank you.

[@steveshoemaker6347]

EXCELLENT HISTORY LESSON....Thank THG🎀 Old Flying Shoe🇺🇸

[@Hawaiian80882]

and excellent history lesson....Mahalo's History Guy!

An interesting piece of history. Thank you for bringing it to us

[@jonathanwetherell3609]

More history that was new to me. Thanks very much.

[@BasicDrumming]

I appreciate you and thank you for making content.

[@davea6314]

What Napoleon the Corsican might have said from the grave during WW2: Give me command of the military and I will win for me, umm, I mean for France!

[@bartsanders1553]

Potayto potahto😂

[@paulbeesley8283]

Thank you, I have often wondered what happened to Corsica, in The War. Really, the allies were lucky that they got such a valuable air/sea base so cheaply.

[@markpaul-ym5wg]

Thank you history guy for this very informative video.I do know their were a lot of American P47 thunderbolt bases on corsica.

[@jimbob3332]

I usually cook to History Guy episodes. Didn't realise how appropriate my cheesy spaghetti was until half-way through.

[@kenehalt5349]

My uncle served in Corsica. Too bad he is no longer with us, it would be interesting to discuss his service there. Who knew the history of the island during WWll.

[@markhodge7]

Always fresh history

[@MrGbscott1954]

Good stuff! You are always entertaining and informative!

[@Michaelbos]

VERY interesting as always.

[@brianferguson7840]

Every Corsican boy at the age of 14 received either a rifle or a shotgun, and a large knife, and was expected to be able to use them. Also the North African berber troops had a penchant for collecting body parts from enemies. The Germans couldn't get away fast enough from Bastia harbour. The origin of the Corsican and Marseilles mafia is largely due to the supply of allied weapons and equipment none of which was given back.

[@raymondtonns2521]

thank you Brian

[@LMyrski]

You clearly bought a bunch of nonsense.

[@alatahelenon]

👎

[@alexbenoitb2371]

Il n'y a pas de maffia en Corse. Nous ne sommes pas italiens. Il y avait une pègre corse entre les deux guerres à Marseille et Paris puis ensuite la french connection dont les corses etaient les chefs. Les corses ont travaillé avec la maffia americaine et Lucky Luciano mais les corses fonctionnent par clans.

[@patrickcloutier6801]

A very interesting narrative!

[@rgriffinRETIRED_SHEEPDOG]

Great video

[@alexamerling79]

Good stuff like always :)

[@ughettapbacon]

Learning is neat.

[@joshuabessire9169]

Mussolini:"I believe in Irredentism!" Corsica, birthplace of Napoleon: "We accept yours and the rest of Europe 's surrender."

[@stevenmiller2427]

I did not know this about WW2 .

[@RetiredSailor60]

Lance, was there a Monday video? Always look forward to your Monday morning History lesson.

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

I did not post on 9/11.

[@RetiredSailor60]

@@TheHistoryGuyChannel Thank you. Sorta figured it being 9/11 anniversary. Time for reflection.

[@mikeoconnell8377]

I consider myself quite the history buff....yet I've never heard of this...thank you History Guy

[@markroach3315]

As it happens I was in Corsica last month. In Saint Nicolas Square in Bastia is a replica of the submarine le Casablanca to celebrate. Also as a side note the Marquis resistance pop up in Star Trek on a few occasions.

[@markroach3315]

Surprised to get a message. I enjoy your channel. Mark

[@markroach3315]

The description of rocky and mountainous is certainly accurate. We visited a number of hilltop villages. The road journeys were (shall we say) interesting. I always wonder how a Tesla car autopilot would work in such conditions!! The other outstanding aspect for us was the impact Napoléon had on the culture of the population. Perhaps that is part of the strong resistance attitude that abounded.

[@leebyrd1434]

Well Done!

[@georgeparsons7338]

I love these side stories of wwll. Mostly what we hear about is big allied operations. When I say allies usa and great Britain. Very little about eastern front, Balkans, Baltic states etc. I read a great story about the survival of Malta and getting supplies to them.

[@markaxworthy2508]

I'm not sure a majority of the native population of Corsica considers it part of "metropolitan France".

[@alumni2a692]

Great Summary of the liberation of my home island ! Just a quick correction, the name of that submarine was CASABIANCA, not CASABLANCA which is a town in Morocco.

[@WALTERBROADDUS]

I think this whole story just kind of reflects the whole delicate dance at Eisenhower was playing as Supreme Allied Commander. Having to balance the ego of his own Commanders and the political ideas of his allies. As hard as it was keeping Patton and Montgomery on the same page. The Free French proved to be a whole other headache.

[@barbaraling8718]

The Allies also took the decision not to use the French colonial forces in the invasion of Europe in June 44 although they continued to fight in Italy. Much to de Gaulles annoyance the first soldiers to enter and accept the surrender of Paris were Spanish Republicans fighting in Leclercs 2nd Armoured Division.

[@WALTERBROADDUS]

@@barbaraling8718 I think there were more French units used in the secondary invasion of Southern France?

[@genzalarboa3110]

@@barbaraling8718 if the allies did not use the 1st French army during the landing in Normandy, it is because it was in the Mediterranean, it made no sense to bring it to England when another landing was planned in August in the south of France, however, there were colonial troops since the 2nd DB contained North African units (Spahis and RANA), it is also within this division that the Chad Marching Regiment was integrated, including the Spanish Republicans who make up around 30% of the workforce (1 battalion out of 3), The Spanish Republicans of the 9th Company (nicknamed La Nueve) of the Marche Regiment of Chad are the first infantrymen to enter Paris, they share this honor with the tanks of the 501st Combat Tank Regiment. As for the German surrender, it was a French officer from the 3rd company of the same regiment who received it

[@marvwatkins7029]

THC's membership keeps growing quickly!

[@texasdustfart]

Very interesting, as always.

[@HayTatsuko]

Fascinating. The modern iterations of _Star Trek_ have a guerilla faction called the Maquis, consisting mainly of ex-United Federation of Planets military that turned to guerilla warfare after deeming the Federation ineffective in defending their colonies against a certain enemy's attack. Their origin, at least, seems a little bit based on this Corsican resistance -- even if mainly in name.

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

"Maquis" became a general term for partisan fighters. I believe that the Maquis from Star Trek were paying homage to WWII freedom fighters.

[@carywest9256]

Does this United Federation have anything to with 2112?

[@rbrtjbarber]

The WWII documentary film "Thunderbolt" tells the story of one of the American fighter groups, that shared one of the airfields on Corsica with a free French group.

[@Zorglub1966]

another tip, The word "maquis" gave "maquisards" (makeezar) guys who are in a maquis.

[@jbrhel]

It's a beautiful day in the morning. A paid day off and THG! How can you go wrong?

[@JosipRadnik1]

I've just returned from a holliday trip to Corsica. There is a memorial site on a pass from Bastia to St. Florent with an original german PAK 40 anti-tank gun in place and a description of the battle. What's also noteworthy is that all the officers names listed there sound like "Jean-Baptiste", "Gerome", "Emille" and the like while soldiers names are more like "Abdul", "Ibrahim", "Mohammed"...

[@barbaraling8718]

Yes we passed this monument to the Battle of Corsica during a road trip across the island in 1997. No doubt the German forces held the pass long enough to evacuate the island from Bastia. We also visited a cemetery for the Muslim soldiers killed in the battle close to St. Florent.

[@mikedx2706]

Thanks for this little known history of the first successful Allied invasion of (a part of) France after the German occupation.

[@gordon-n6s]

Getting around on the island isn't easy as the coast line has a great many bays and coves and the mountains are very steep making driving slow. France probably didn't care much about the island as they were so preoccupied with other matters/

[@albertschultz7151]

Read a fair amount about WW2 and WW1. You however remind me of how little I actually know. Many thanks.

[@constipatedinsincity4424]

I have a question for you History Guy 🤓what's your favorite era on history?

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

I am not good at “favorites.”

[@casparcoaster1936]

Enjoyed it, but dissappointed there wasnt a link to the old WW2 USAF doc film of P-47 fighter squadrons sorties from Corsica to destroy bridges, marshalling yards, tracks and trains that supplied German troops fighting the Allies up the Italian boot in 1944

[@Zorglub1966]

Joke apart, this highly symbolic episode of WWII is indeed almost unknown to the French. It was not taught in shcool.

[@constipatedinsincity4424]

Back in the Saddle Again Naturally!

[@apokalipsx25]

If Mussolini played smart, he could get Corsica without even a war. Corsica is not so far from Sardinia. Moussolini could just build a bridge, to his italian speaking community on the island. 12 km is not much for a four lane bridge for cars. This would connect the economie of both islands and let the influence of italian culture grow even bigger on Corsica. After Munich he could ask for a referendum on the Island and i think majority would chose Italy as their "main owner".

[@dugroz]

French & Italians: "Let's just kick Germany out, then we can get back to fighting each other!"

[@64LI0479]

600 italian death, 600 german death 67 french death, the island was liberated by the italians

[@camm8642]

occupied and liberated by italians and those extra deaths could just mean more italian incompetence just saying.....

[@richardmattingly7000]

Mussolini went after the Mafia in Italy during his rule but once nearly ending it but when the Allies-US turned a blind eye in its return. In Greece, its Communist Party often fought against the Axis there more than others especially Churchill was determined it would have no post war place at the table. He had been keen to strike the soft underbelly as he called again being one if the architects of Gallipoli but was told it wouldn't happen by US at a meeting that was rather heated.

[@shogg4]

The only thing I knew about the fighting before this was that a friend of mine's grandfather was killed there. He was a Italian soldier

[@MichaelCampin]

How could Italy believe that Corsica was Italian when Napoleon, later the French Leader was born on Corsica as assumed he was French????

[@davea6314]

Question: Can a Corsican speak Corisican? Answer: Of Corsican! (of course he can) 😜 *Unfortunately, the pun citation can't be written here without this comment getting deleted.

[@tomriley5790]

Having been to Corsica it's incredibly unforgiving terrain, horrilbe place to fight a war, not to mention every road sign even now it full of bullet holes. I've got to say I wouldn't have bothered to liberate it and just blockaded it....

[@WALTERBROADDUS]

I think this is just one of many cases of Eisenhower having to juggle egos of his Commanders and the political interests of his allies. Which makes his selection all the more interesting.

[@davec9244]

A foot note but very importin. Not the start, but an ongoing thing nationalism. thank you all stay safe

[@oldesertguy9616]

It always troubles me to hear about someone making a decision based not on glory, but because they did what they perceived as the right thing, only to be punished because that action wasn't in line with the politics of the time. WWII is rife with things done, or not done, because someone was worried about the wrong people somehow getting credit.

[@dlsisson1970]

I wondered where Star Trek Deep Space 9 came up with the name of their resistance fighters. Now I know.

[@jess1e1]

My mother brothers were in ffi in corsica

[@paulcunningham2859]

Nice

[@qarljohnson4971]

I believe that Napoleon was originally from Corsica? I'm surprised that didn't come up in the history backgrounder.

[@marvwatkins7029]

Corsicans: Italians who reluctantly speak French.

[@pronolagermain-ni9zq]

I enjoy your programs. I just wish you could speak just a tad bit slower so things could sink in. Thank you.

[@swelkie570]

You might find selecting the Cog in the top RHS and adjust the playback speed to 75% helpful. You would to put it back to normal speed for other vids though.

[@johnaustin6067]

That top finger peninsula was at the center line and was a Mandella Efect then when I noticed it and that Corsica had changed to Corse on every map at that time about 5 or 6 years ago and I thought yeah how course is that middle finger! Sardinia to Sardegna happened 5 or 6 years ago also. I'd say the message of the finger now is: Look up, your redemption draweth nigh.

[@kenfox22]

If you have grandchildren, I would surely lock that room your in. They would love to get in there

[@andrewstevenson118]

@9:05 I don't think you can evacuate people. Well, you can, but it's messy. 🙂

[@Pygar2]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/paO6gXevjcdjrpI proves you right!

[@Treblaine]

When people in a building evacuate then the building will be evacuated of people.

[@andrewstevenson118]

@@Treblaine Ha! Exactly. 🙂

[@MarshOakDojoTimPruitt]

thanks

[@raymondtonns2521]

cheers to the native Corsicans and those who joined them in their defense . i knew nothing of this

[@gregorybrennan8539]

All the historians leave out the fact that the Vici French and the Germans had a common enemy in the French Comunsts.

[@andrewstevenson118]

@1:20 No Tasmania, no New Zealand 🙂

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

That is a propaganda poster of the French Empire. The point was to claim the the empire was behind Martial Pétain. It wasn’t intended to be used as an actual map.

[@andrewstevenson118]

@@TheHistoryGuyChannel I know. Just an Antipodean observation. 🙂

[@ukulelemikeleii]

Can you imagine being an Italian soldier in world War II and being stationed on the French Riviera? Sure beats Russia, Greece, North Africa, and even Corsica!

[@domenicozagari2443]

Hitler was a fool, Corsica was and is Italian territory occupied by the french.

[@noahbawdy3395]

What does this have 2 do with the corsican brothers ? Cheech & Chong's The Corsican Brothers is an American film released in 1984, the sixth feature-length film starring the comedy duo Cheech and Chong.

[@OGKenG]

I always assumed Corsica was Italian for all history.