Big Guns & Purple Hearts in Bastogne | American Artifact Episode 119

In a prior episode, we brought the shoulder patch of 101st Airborne General Anthony McAuliffe back to the Bastogne Barracks where he had his headquarters during the siege of Bastogne. What we didn't show is that there is a HUGE military vehicle museum there as well. So we're taking a bit of time to see what's in one of the buildings before we show an artifact that belong to another 101st Airborne soldier who was wounded near the barracks in the winter of '44.
This episode was produced in partnership with The Gettysburg Museum of History. See how you can support history education & artifact preservation by visiting their website & store at www.gettysburgmuseumofhistory...
Support the effort to expand history education on PATREON: / historyunderground
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Other episodes that you might enjoy:
- Peace & Propaganda in Bastogne | American Artifact Episode 115: • Peace & Propaganda in ...
- Band of Brothers: Counting the Loss After Bastogne | American Artifact Episode 114 | • Band of Brothers: Coun...
- The Real Locations of Ron Speirs' Run & Shifty's Sniper | American Artifact Episode 113 | • The Real Locations of ...
- A Lesser Known MASSACRE of the Battle of the Bulge | American Artifact Episode 112: • A Lesser Known MASSACR...
- Band of Brothers: An Easy Company Artifact From BASTOGNE | American Artifact Episode 110: • Band of Brothers: An E...

[@feliperomero3492]

In the band of brothers mini series. I remember the saying… “on a cold night, first thing I’d tell my wife was, I’m glad I’m not at Bastogne!” They endured hell in freezing cold.

[@user-yr9hl2mk5h]

That quote has always stuck with me from the 1st time I see that

[@leivabernie]

It’s crazy that winter was unusually cold, I mean cold cold.

[@feliperomero3492]

@@leivabernie imagine only wearing your underwear taking out the trash when snow is present. Them boys faced this everyday for almost two months. Cold fever. And enduring trechfoot.

[@Chris-Nico]

Thank you JD and Erik for honoring Norwood Thomas! 👍💪🇺🇸

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Our pleasure!

[@michae8jackson378]

That's so amazing that he gave you his PH! He wants it to live on in the Museum. WOW!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Pretty special item.

[@danferrell674]

Erik compliments you so well JD. I really enjoyed this video. I can't believe how much time Erik spends over there.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks!

[@duanelawrence78]

Thanks Eric n J.D. God bless you both!!✌️🇺🇲

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

🙏🏼

[@LewisGang20BVC]

JD & Eric, you both do such an amazing job bringing the battleground to life.

[@Peace2U-ec6es]

So glad our friends keep these memories alive and so well maintained.

[@jackiemontogmery125]

Eric thank you for sharing the story of Norwood Thomas and his purple heart. I really appreciate how much you care about the men women who served during WW2. J.D. your videos are always amazing. Thank you also for your dedication to the greatest generation! Grammy from Texas

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Appreciate that.

[@lyndoncmp5751]

Great video. Most interesting. The siege of Bastogne is like the siege of Rorkes Drift during the 1879 Anglo-Zulu War. It totally overshadows far more important battles elsewhere. Bastogne was a southern periphery battle. Even if the Germans took Bastogne, they still would have failed in their Ardennes campaign because they failed in the north and west. Taking Bastogne wouldn't have got them over the River Meuse. ✌️

[@feliperomero3492]

In Bastogne. “No member of the 101st has stated that the company needed saving.” I believe it!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

🦅

[@petercummings3208]

It's a superb place to visit. I went to the museum a few years ago in the old barrack buildings, which was out of this world. Almost 90% of the relics on display were found by the curator (Belgium Army) and his son in local forrests. The vehicle buildings were basically storage sheds and were full.. each year they have an open day and drive some vehicles around. I went again in 2022 while the rebuilding work was being done and it was work in progress.. so was not fully open.

[@terryeustice5399]

Thank you JD for the tour of the museum at Bastogne barracks. Thanks to Erik for his Artifact of Norwood Thomas’s Purple Heart. Thank you men for sharing this! 💯👍👊

[@danielsibley2723]

What a blessing to know so many from that time...

[@lthom5158]

Thank you for bringing us the story of Norwood Thomas! We need to be reminded of their sacrifices! Great video!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Absolutely! Thanks.

[@Wreckdiver59]

I'm always up for a museum tour 👍 I'm hoping you can get back to show some more. I picked up a few purple hearts from goodwill. Unfortunately they weren't named, so I don't know anything about them. It's a shame to see things like that being abandoned and I'm glad there's people like Erik to help carry on the legacy of these men.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Glad that this one was preserved. I've never understood how people can just discard Purple Hearts likes that.

[@GuyPipili]

​@@TheHistoryUndergroundIt's possible Goodwill may have gotten a few of them from the remnants of estate sales. Just a possibility.

[@dwaynekoblitz6032]

The making of these videos is beyond historic!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

🙏🏼

[@keithmitchell6918]

Random historical notes: M3 and the derivative M5 Light Recon Tank named after Civil War Cavalry General J.E.B. Stuart (we all know who Sherman tank named after). Agree that a pocket on a shirt is quite handy. Also, "Fly Tox" written on side of the meat grinder, apparently (per the Google machine) the Toledo Rex Spray Company trademarked "Fly-Tox" in 1923. The Rex Company (later Rex Research Corporation) marketed Fly-Tox to kill common household pests like flies, moths, mosquitos, and roaches. Makes sense. Nice multi-faceted episode, Recondo. Very cool.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👍🏻

[@wildcolonialman]

Fabulous. And as always a fabulous effort, as grimly fascinating, the Remembrance.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Many thanks!

[@ThePhoenixFires206]

Great video! Also, if you ever tour Civil War battlefields again, please go visit Vicksburg. I've been there but would love the history as told by The History Underground. Currently got my nose in a thick book about it as well. It's the most interesting Civil War campaign for me.

[@user-yr9hl2mk5h]

It’s great you take the artifacts back to the battlegrounds I would be petrified of loosing them somehow

[@robertdacquisto6871]

PaK 40 and Nashorn are my favorite WW2 weapons. Another great video as always! You're really cranking them out lately!

[@DMUSA536]

Great job guys! I’m looking forward to being in Bastogne in September

[@kayokowalski8590]

That is amazing and such seemingly good conditions. Went to National Museum of Military History (MNHM) Asbl myself in Luxembourg, was very impressive.

[@dianebuchanan9571]

My mother lost her oldest brother in the Battle of the Bulge; he’s buried there. This is so interesting to me.

[@RockIslandguy]

Would like to see a lot more of that armor.

[@helenabiesma5560]

brilliant show and moments that were maybe at a desperate attempt to win the was thank god on their side

[@alistairwilson3084]

The Jagdpanzer38t is actually a Swiss G13, as you said made after the war

[@joshcarnahan3155]

Love your channel and the work you put into it. Thank you. Please look into Dragonman in Colorado Springs as his collection is SOO worth a visit.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks. I reached out to them awhile back but never got a response.

[@feliperomero3492]

The nurse helped thousands along with assistance from Kongo!

[@cathyannedeleeuwen3269]

Havent been to Bastogne since 2018, very excited to be going back in May. The new museum looks fantastic! Thank you J.D. and Erik for another great and moving video❤

[@markdraskovics5274]

HEY,.. JD Well I've been Really enjoying Theses videos on The battle of the Bulge and Bastogne and See all of the Veterans of Theses Battle's so please keep more of theses Types of video's Coming Thanks Take care and Stay safe

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Glad you like them! Thanks!

[@cliffgray9822]

Much thanks and love to JD and Erik for Another outstanding piece. Keep it coming ❤💯

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Our pleasure!

[@keithsifford5326]

Great stuff guys!

[@thomasroutson3046]

Always good! Thank you!❤

[@1psychofan]

Wow! That story about the Purple Heart is very touching! What a museum! I loved seeing those vehicles, I read about them in the memoirs etc but some I didn’t see before! COOL!

[@brutter602]

The PAK 36 was known as the door knocker. It alerted the enemy to your location. “We’re over here”

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

ha!

[@frankmarullo228]

Good video JD. THANK you for this one..

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@steamer482]

well done

[@ReptarFoo]

those are some machines

[@pauldouglas3084]

Really enjoyed the video mate can't wait for the next really enjoyed episode masters of the air do you think he escape

[@davidk7324]

"Handy as a pocket on a shirt."

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

:)

[@jvleasure]

As i recall, the real Cobra King still exists. Was a gate guard and I think restored, but maybe someone else can recall where.

[@danferrell674]

Was that low profile tank used in B O B? Just noticed one like it at Market Garden

[@lyndoncmp5751]

Are you referring to the Jagdpanzer 38(t) or 'Hetzer' as it has become known? None were in Market Garden as far as I have ever found out. Many were in the Battle of the Bulge though, as they were quite prevalent by then.

[@BaikalTii]

it would be interesting to know if the kill rings on the barrel of the Soviet AA gun represent aircraft or tanks.

[@Revelationthankful]

In the future, I wonder if anyone will be around to look at the past and World War III

[@amarranazo]

Guys, thanks for your excellent work. As an American living in Europe, I can’t help but think that we should have stayed out of WWII. If we had, Western Civilization would be in a much better state. #DdayRegrets

[@tonyk1584]

Nice simile "as useful as a pocket on a shirt"

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

🙂

[@spic0li]

NUTS

[@2DAKE2]

First!😂

[@paulmccusker4305]

Thanks again for the time and effort you guys put in bringing us the ww11 content, I absolutely love these vids 👍❤️