Nuremberg: The Third Reich in Ruins | History Traveler Episode 398

[@MH-lh1bf]

Welcome to my hometown, JD! Thank you for spending your time here and highlighting our local efforts to preserve the darkest days of our history in an educational way. It’s our responsibility here in Nürnberg to preserve these buildings (without any gloryfication) and forever remember the countless innocent who had their lives taken by the Nazi regime. You are always welcome!

[@garrettcroucher1498]

I have to ask, what is it like living in a city with that much history around?

[@manuelhoppe7970]

Its great. this is what the people call IT the Dark Time of the City. There is also a Lot of middle age History and buildings.

[@pontiacfan76]

In the words of the history guy. HISTORY deserves to be remembered. Adding my 2cent good and bad. It shouldn't be sugar coated to spare anyone feelings.

[@neilfoster814]

"Preservation without glorification" is the perfect way to look at the Third Reich era. History is important, research and preservation is important.

[@kevindorland738]

Comforting perspective.

[@Hobbitma]

“History changes but human nature doesn’t” Love that.

[@flipczech]

Ugh, not exactly uplifting.

[@horyzengaming3935]

History always repeats itself when it comes to humans. We have a destructive power grabbing nature about us. We have not learned anything from wars. All we done is beat the opposition. We still provoke wars all over the world to this day. No government on earth has clean hands. They are all drenched in blood. Every leader is a dictator. We all live under a Nazi regime to a certain extent. None of us will ever experience real freedom.

[@ColinH1973]

"Historical and hysterical are sometimes indivisible." Josef Goebbels

[@ThreeZeroOne]

Operation Paperclip sure left a stain on the trials Sometimes history repeats itself in exact fashion Sometimes it morphs and a torch is merely passed

[@mikem9892]

Man what the Germans might have accomplished if not for the stain of Nazism 😢

[@rageplayer20]

Your statement at the end is perfect. Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it

[@carramrod8232]

Yep. Bring to mind every Democrat who calls Trump Hitler. They clearly have no clue what a real nazi was/is

[@brucesmith6007]

That is said over the years. But i cant see that has helped. I have spent many years studying the british empire. Most people I talk to have no idea about the english civil war, etc. Most history taught are generalizations, that are do more harm than good. Like "why didnt the germans speak up?" Shaming people as a whole just continues the pattern. The White Rose group who spoke out were executed. Learning history takes a lot time, i find intrguing. A lot people would rather watch game of thrones.

[@track1949]

George Satayana said it.

[@charlesoberdorf8478]

Donna here, especially appropriate right now, since the US is in such turmoil. Not learning one thing from history.

[@joshua.snyder]

The website Third Reich in Ruins has fascinated me for years. I am grateful for our American soldiers for documenting history.

[@Dragoneye-cp6fv]

No you are not

[@CHCLA6779]

My mother and I took a Christmas cruise on the Danube in 2003 (liked it so much we went again in 2004). We left from Nurnberg - and our first day trip was to this site. When we walked up, I grabbed my mother's arm and whispered, "Do you realize what this is??????" Since she was a teenager during WWII, working in a defense plant during high school, she had a very good idea - she was very quiet during the rest of the trip that day. We also visited the courthouse. And that, too, shook us both. You're right - there is something about actually being there.... Thank you for continuing to tell these stories.

[@martinbruce6651]

Takes me back to when I was stationed in schweinfurt (86-89) got to visit Nuremberg, wurzbug,etc. I didn't really know what I was looking at when age 18. I'm now 56 and have a greater understanding thanks to you. Keep doing what you're doing brother.

[@armyvet8279]

I was stationed at Furth.

[@martinbruce6651]

@armyvet8279 where is that close to brother?

[@swtexan6502]

Makes me jealous hearing about my friends who were stationed in Europe. Since I was on the West coast, I spent my time in the Pacific. Hope you enjoyed your time over there.

[@martinbruce6651]

@@swtexan6502 marine brother?

[@charlesreynolds5586]

I was TDY to grafenwohr in 75. Spent some time in Nuremberg. Had other interests back in them days.😊

[@discingaround]

Always a treat to have episodes released on the weekends. Nothing better than learning about some history over a great cup of coffee. Have a wonderful day y'all!

[@Corvacar]

Spot on correct.

[@ChristineC-nk5fd]

Love your Third Reich history stories. My dad fought the Nazi’s in Europe and North Africa. I wished I had questioned him more about his time there. But since I didn’t, I have been reading about and watching any videos out there about WWII. Thank you for doing these very informative videos.

[@Legendary_UA]

Been there and stood on that podium. I got a cold chill from that experience.

[@deanpapadopoulos3314]

It’s a place of evil.

[@stevenvacanti2676]

Metoo 86-86 rss 2nd acr Merrell barracks ( not far from there

[@antonioacevedo5200]

I felt the bad vibes from that podium just looking at this video.

[@antonioacevedo5200]

Are there any signs of the swastika that was on the front of the podium?

[@robertbenson9797]

Very moving episode! Another way to sum things up would be, “If you don’t know where you’ve been, you don’t know where you are going.” We must remember these events so they don’t happen again. On a personal note, my dad was stationed in Nuremberg just after the war ended. His division, the 99th, was in Bavaria, northeast of Munich, when the war ended. After disarming the the German Wehrmacht in the area, he was assigned to a provisional MP outfit assisting in the preparation of the War Trials. He was a company commander by this time, having received his promotion to Captain in early April of 1945. His pre-war MOS had been Military Police, before his moving to OCS in late 1942. He did not have enough “points” to be rotated home so he found himself in Nuremberg. Dad had told me that there was so much military equipment, both German and American, sitting around Nuremberg. It was taking awhile for the Allies to decide what to do with all the captured equipment. The US material that was in the supply pipeline from the States, continued to arrive in Europe. One thing that Dad found was an US Army Air Force Harley-Davidson motorcycle. It was sitting unattended for several days so Dad decided to “borrow it”. Because he had a commute from where they were stationed to the courthouse, the Harley worked out well in his time in Nuremberg. In December of 1945, when he was being rotated home, he filled the Harley up with gas, left the keys in it and parked it where he had found it. Thanks for reminding the world why WWII was fought.

[@jerome01949]

Thanks for the great story.

[@antonioacevedo5200]

I loved your story. I was amused by the integrity your dad showed by filling it up with gas then returning from where he had "borrowed it. God bless him.

[@robertbenson9797]

@ It could still be sitting there! As General Eisenhower said when the first concentration camps were being discovered, “Get all the press out there to document this. Some day, someone will say, “It never happened.”

[@TheBassPlayer100]

I’ve spent a lifetime explaining to people that history changes but human nature doesn’t. It does endure me with some measure of confidence to hear younger folks being able to grasp that bit of context and giving voice to it publicly. Well done.

[@thestrengthline]

Thanks!

[@tomburke1687]

Excellent Review. As a soldier stationed in Germany in 1968, I was this entire area and some of it has been removed since I was there. Agree---We Must Not Forget Hstory. Thsnk You

[@Otto206]

One of your best efforts of all Time. thank you for providing the immeasurable impact of this lost History. 1939 Rally was to be of peace and that is when the wheels fell off.

[@Russian382]

I've been a World War II enthusiast for over 20 years, searching for all kinds of WWII history videos online. Your content is very professional, yet it doesn't make the audience feel bored, it's great! Looking forward to more of your content

[@royceessig6375]

Thank you for doing your films. You always cover your subjects with such research and passion. I left Germany in 1989... and have been saddened by how many historical places were lost in germany in the early 2000s. People will forget.

[@johnsmith-mq4eq]

How were these places lost?

[@johnreinburg859]

When I was in the Army, I went to Nuremberg often. I stayed in the Bavarian American Hotel. I toured all over Nuremberg. Like you, I went to the Zeppelin Field and walked up to the main platform and remembered all of the WW II documentaries I saw. In places, it was crumbling, and I collected a piece of the rubble for a souvenir. I still have that piece of rubble after 32 years. Thank you for sharing your historical information.

[@armyvet8279]

I was there in 88-89 in the Army. 13F

[@johnreinburg859]

I was in Stuttgart and drove on the weekends to Nuremberg. I was there from 1992 to 1998.

[@DavrosVonSkaro]

Your coverage of all the German sites are the absolute best. Informative, great production, the personal stories. I really liked the Eagles Nest and Berghof. Loved when you brought back artifacts to their origins.

[@ozziecozzie274]

I love the before and after pics JD! Really puts you back in time!

[@Archersgarageandwhatnot]

My wife and I were just there in October. I love history, so we HAD to go. Even ugly history needs to be told. It's a very surreal feeling being there. Great video, BTW.

[@gerryvanzandt7894]

JD, I happened to be in Germany on holiday in late June of 2006, and some friends invited me to attend a World Cup soccer game (England vs. Trinidad & Tobago) at the stadium seen in the background of your podium shots. I parked my car and walked by the podium / Zeppelinfield in the way from the parking lot to the stadium and then back to the car. I took a few minutes to climb up and marvel at the history that had been made there. It was nice to see your video to revisit it virtually. Thank you and cheers.

[@marykrueger6039]

Fascinating history video for all of us who will never personally see it. Thank you for keeping history alive. Love your work JD. Keep them coming Sir.

[@robertdacquisto6871]

That podium is incredible, I can't imagine the feeling standing there looking out. What an unbelievable transformation from then until now.

[@hollyperry3570]

Another fantastic video, JD! Thank you for discussing this important place.

[@madpackrips]

As one of the top 3 sellers on ebay of original German WW2 photos for over 20 years, I can say the best photos taken at the Nurnberg rallies were from the average soldier or labor serviceman down on the field. You get the "real" view from there instead of the polished press photos, which are also very nice but seeing it from the point of view of a soldier has more character and realism to it.

[@charlesoberdorf8478]

Donna here, my dad was in the Army and I can remember having a company party on the grounds of the place where Hitler gave speeches and reviewed the troops. (17:08). It didn't look like that in the 70s, no trees, just an open field and the giant swastika gone. I was born in Nurnberg, but haven't been back since the 80s. Really miss it.

[@ohwatermelonninja]

Takes your breath away. Thanks for taking us along on your incredible adventures.

[@ianlast6722]

Good video and thanks for sharing. I can’t quite imagine how weird it must of felt being there and standing where he once stood giving lectures it must of felt unsettling. You are right about how history has answers for the present and future

[@tillitrueheart971]

Wow! What an amazing journey you were on and thank you for taking us with you via this vlog! I never knew some of these structures existed and your interposing old pictures were a great help. Thank you!!👏👏

[@garyw8481]

I took a bucket list trip to Germany in 2010 for the sole purpose of seeing the sites I had only seen films and pictures of. While in Nuremberg I visited these same sites including the Ehrenhalle and stood in the exact spot Hitler did during the 1933 rally. Also visited Munich and Berlin. I would love to go back someday. Great video!

[@charlottependerstaph6683]

Yes. It reminds us of where we’ve been and where we never want to return…..like statues…but, short sided, uneducated people want to just tear everything down. Thank you for this tour, it was eery and brought great sadness, but it teaches us that where we have been isn’t where we have to be today.

[@Nikpredmi]

Statues of the losing side in remembrance of them is different than leaving structures from the era they were constructed.

[@Rick-hh5de]

I’ve been there many times, there used to be the painted 3rd Army patch on the four sides of the rally grounds plus there was a small museum under the concrete reviewing block that housed varies artifacts from the rallies, I remember Nuremberg when it had a lot of US Army soldiers stationed in and around the city

[@cpritchett2098]

Very well done. In my career I made countless trips to Germany and Nuremberg is one of my favorite cities. Yes, the rally grounds and the museum there are excellent and a must visit but the city itself is very charming and filled with wonderful people.

[@M829A1SABOT]

I was stationed in Bamberg in the early 90’s. I had a lot of friends in Nuremberg. We used to spend a lot of time there. I think Nuremberg is my favorite German city, especially at the Christmas season. Thanks for the walk down memory lane.

[@mikelfrance-l6x]

I've been to Nuremberg several times. The old town and churches are really wonderful

[@CompellingHistory]

Hoping to get out there sometime soon myself!

[@thomaswinkler7809]

Great overview. As an infantry officer I also toured this area and stood on the speakers platform in 1986. Was a very odd experience as a student of WWII. Also visited Dachau in 86 and this was a very close unsettling experience. Proud to have served my country in Germany during Cold War. Great production. Thank you

[@judyharris7795]

I was just there in December. It was chilling to see the ruins and those movie clips you showed were going through my head as we moved around. Thank you for another excellent video.

[@wadestevens5659]

Thank you for your EXCELLENT work. Stellar work. Scripting, videography, music and editing…Consistently excellent!

[@antonioacevedo5200]

Wonderful and simple presentation. No nonsense, just history personified. I can't agree with you more about letting at least the podium where Hitler spoke stand intact.

[@thebelligerentbeaver3344]

Once again, thank you for what you do. Thanks for showing the world the history it has went through.

[@PriscillaMarrs]

I'm too old to travel now. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and time with us. GOD BLESS An old lady in Texas!

[@edwinbruner1026]

Fascinating video! Thank you for naming the architects and showing what the final Congresshall was to look like.

[@brentk4418]

Just as yourself, I am a fan of history. Not all WWII but I do have a nice collection of items from that time period. A few years ago I was able to secure an original 1937 "Rally of Labour" photo album. It does bring a sense of awe and eeriness to go through that album and see many known faces who would change the world a couple years after that particular rally. There are also quite a few photos of the Zeppelin Field and the main platform.

[@mkbarber65]

Well said JD. We can’t change history to suit our feelings. It has to be remembered as it was, good or bad. We have to learn from our history and not allow the mistakes of our collective past to be repeated

[@15jbullock]

I absolutely love your videos. Especially going over all of these structures and landmarks significant with history both good or bad. I’ve always wanted to visit these sites myself. Always enjoy your videos getting to see them knowing I’ll never be able to go myself.

[@NunzioScoleri]

Been hoping you’d go here one day! I was stationed about an hour away in Bamberg from 2010-2013 when I was in the Army. Went here a few times, but when my Dad flew out to visit, booked a tour with Geoff Walden, who runs the “Third Reich in Ruins” website. Such an amazing experience. Great video brother!

[@Jim_CSI]

Thanks JD. I keep thinking, should I ever have some serious money I would hire you to take my family on a tour for a month. Need to put myself there, to feel, see, smell, etc. Stay safe. Keep them coming.

[@PathfinderHistory]

Condor Airlines are very affordable going into Germany. I went into Frankfurt. Rental cars and hotels are similar in cost or lower than the U.S. You may be surprised how affordable it is.

[@Jim_CSI]

@@PathfinderHistory Thank you.

[@mattmack222]

I was stationed right next door to rally grounds at Merrell Barracks, formerly the SS barracks, back in the early eighties. We spent quite a bit of off-duty time at the reichsparteitag gelande and the little lakes there, known as the Dutzenteich. Good times.

[@billbaker2725]

I was at Monteith and Pinder barracks

[@craigsavarese8631]

My mom was born and raised in Nuremberg (1932). My dad worked for AAFES and actually had an office down the hall from where the trials were held in the courthouse (1950’s). I have always wanted to spend a Christmas season in Nuremberg.

[@doughudgens9275]

Parking was a challenge, but Christmas time in the old city was special!

[@johnsmith-mq4eq]

2 Jan 1945 US air force bombs Nuremberg dropping 2000 plus tons of bombs 6000 mostly women and children were killed.

[@brianjames3849]

You must go as we have been to nurenbourg xmas markets, it's remarkable,do it time is ticking

[@rickysullivan5844]

love this channel got so excited when I seen the new upload

[@ColinH1973]

This is one that I have looked forward to, JD! Thanks.

[@melvinbullock3392]

I was stationed south of NURNBERG, and have gone to concerts here and stood in exact spot.

[@enthusiastwalkingtours1]

Great video! I filmed there last year but was limited on time. Thanks for the video.

[@WR25_JL22]

Brilliant stream and excellently put at the end.

[@PathfinderHistory]

I was there in April of 2024. The history in Nuremberg goes all the way back to 1050. To fellow viewers, I highly recommend a trip to Germany if you are able. So much to see. The country and the people are wonderful too. .

[@armyvet8279]

It's an absolutely beautiful country!

[@johnsmith-mq4eq]

Soon the German population will be a minority there as they already are in 65 other German cities and big towns The great replacement is well under way.

[@XLoad3d]

Your videos are very interesting going back through History in-person and visiting these locations in current times.

[@ronopiela1959]

Incredible video. JD never disappoints

[@heatherlane5130]

I understand folks being put off by the video, but what they have to remember is this is part of our history. Good, bad, ugly...it's facts and having lived in Germany as a teen I appreciate your video very much. There was so much I never got to see. The pure history is very interesting I'm what they built even being at war with the world.

[@raypryor8305]

I love watching your videos as i am a student of history. These are places i will never get to go see , so this is a treat for me.

[@richardsands4000]

Very interesting I went there last year this added a lot more context well done

[@ronaldannas1935]

When I was stationed in Vilseck, I would take my wife and daughter to the Volksfest in Nuremberg. It was on the Grosse Strauss near the Crongress Hall ruins. Thank you the memory of the those good times. Even though you would not find WWII history there, head to Amberg. A beautiful little town full of history and beautiful buildings.

[@CompellingHistory]

Crazy this site still exist after how much was destroyed during and immediately after the war. Great video!!

[@TommyBougher]

JD been following you for a long time,just love your delivery on your show TB from Arkansas

[@bradyloken1575]

Didn’t realize that the Norisring was built on old Nazi grounds. Learn something new every day!

[@marklittle8805]

Ya. It is a race track and was famous for the DTM races in the 70's onwards. Which tells you how Germany just has decided they will not erase the past but just lives with it

[@bradyloken1575]

@ I found out that the nordschlife which isn’t too far from Nuremberg has some pretty interesting ties to WW2 also

[@thomasglass4140]

I was stationed in Germany from 1980 to 1982. I traveled quite a bit but two places in visited that made the hair stand up on the back of my neck were Nuremberg and Dachau. You had a good word for it. It was indeed eerie.

[@johnsmith-mq4eq]

There were much worse prisons in Russia and the US than Dachau

[@markraatsart5049]

I was there earlier this year also tracing the history of the beginnings of Naziism and felt the same as you did that walking on those paving stones was walking - literally - in the footsteps of monsters. There is so much to see there including one of the art bunkers used to store Nazi art that is under the walls of the imperial palace. If you ever get a chance to visit the concentration camp of Mauthausen please do. Thank you for another superb video

[@NDB469]

Very good video, and you’re right about history changing and human nature not. Preserve history so it can be learned from, and mistakes can be avoided in the future.

[@RidingHelga]

Thanks, interesting film. Was there in August and stood in those same spots, found it very eerie.

[@marcelmallory2761]

As I was watching this I was wondering what it must feel like to be standing there and then you told us...I can only imagine. If they ever decide to use that site for something they should make it a concert venue. Use it to bring joy and fun to people.

[@Kobetyant]

Best Documentary. Everything is detailed. Excellent film. Kudos to you. 👏👏

[@42Foxtrot]

I’m planning to go to Munich Next year. A long way for me but it is because these videos have inspired me to go and physically see some of the videoed locations. Thank you for the work you do.

[@bigal1337]

JD is the best, an easy listening voice! Thanks for all the videos! A walking history lesson!!!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

@@bigal1337 Thanks!

[@jeanmartin4446]

C'est comme la vision d'un paysage après le passage d'un immense feu de forêt ! Ces édifices sont les témoins de ce passé ! Merci ! 😙

[@brianb8060]

18:48 "Engineers like to blow things up" Talk about an understatement, my friend.😂

[@tylerbuckley4661]

Thank you for uploading this harsh reminder of the past and let's pray we never repeat this horror again

[@WilliamSandford-y2n]

I visited Nuremberg in December 1990 the parade grounds were sports fields for the US Army then & we just drove right up to the grandstand & parked the car. It looks like it’s a racetrack now. Can’t wait for your documentary on the Palace of Justice.

[@freefrankonia3396]

It's a Racetrack since 1947, once in the year, called Norisring 😉

[@madpackrips]

19:25 when I see it blow up all I can think of is the old Time Life WW2 video tape series commercial back in the 1980's

[@65cbtengr]

"Well, Engineers like to blow stuff up" Yeah we do!

[@brianb8060]

The "Congress Hall", reminds me of near the end of, "The Sound of Music", when the Von Trapp family, sings before they escape.

[@j.l6101]

Excellent information and commentary. Thank you 😊

[@TheNinjaPicker]

Great video JD, I saw things today that I have never seen of Nuremberg. I seem to recall the speaker platform had some changes at some point so its in the same location but the level and floor are different. Same view though

[@andreww8941]

Phenomenal info sir!!! Thank you for all of your hard work and the fascinating content!!!!!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Appreciate that! Glad you’re enjoying it.

[@dbach1025]

Wow, they did not want the swastika to fall in one piece. That was pretty sweet. Great job, JD. You caught a lot of small details with the camera. .

[@reginaclark1816]

JD that is sooooo awesome! Thank you for taking us there.

[@W4UWC]

"This old boy" I love hearing Hitler referred to that way! Great video!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

@@W4UWC 😂

[@W4UWC]

@@TheHistoryUnderground German translation: Dieser alte Junge

[@jefferyfowler7860]

Your work is amazing JD. We should always be reminded of the the past to learn how to better our future. 👍 👍 👍

[@patyc.2709]

Excellent work, JD. Thank you 🙏

[@janbond8460]

Thank you for showing this. I wasn't alive then, but I rejoiced when you showed the video of the Nazi symbol being destroyed!

[@debrasams2362]

I am enjoying these videos. A very sad part of history, but interesting to see the sites. I appreciate your little speech at the end. A reminder of what not to follow. Such evil it was. Thank you.

[@bryanfields5563]

Great choice of music with your pan and Then&Now photo insert. WOW!

[@NiallBradley-pg6ge]

The museum in the Congresshalle, The Documentation Centre, is an amazing museum. It is all about the build up to WW2 and how it was allowed to happen. We spent 7 hours going around this amazing museum (with a break in the middle for lunch). Then we went to the Zepplin field and stood where Hitler had been and wondered again about how this was allowed to happen.

[@johnsmith-mq4eq]

I would not place much truth on the way it happened from what they say there in the Documentation centre

[@NiallBradley-pg6ge]

@@johnsmith-mq4eq In what way? Have you been?

[@WWIIPacificHistory]

My former neighbor and friend, Wilburn K. Ross, received his Medal of Honor in a ceremony held at the rally grounds immediately after they blew up that swastika. There’s an information panel memorializing that ceremony to the left of the main stage there in the rally grounds.

[@robertmiller1556]

Awful things happen in human history, and those awful things leave scars. Thank you for showing us the scars to remind us of what can happen.

[@allansilverwood7091]

I am new to your channel. This video and narration are amazing! Thanks for all your work. Looking forward to watching your other videos.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

@@allansilverwood7091 thanks!

[@jimmyhorton8297]

When I was in the Normandy area, I had a tour guide on one of the three days I was there. He explained it like this. You have to remember that before the war, people lived their lives here, and after the war, they still had to live their lives. I think they were more worried about survival and finding lost loved ones, rather than tearing down buildings. And to be honest, some of these places probably provided shelter and accommodation for people. We have to remember, the Germans didn’t escape unscathed. They removed all the symbolic Nazi propaganda, and moved on with their lives. One of my favorite things that I’ve seen in your videos, is that Hitlers office is just a storage room in a police station. A fitting end to the ideas of an insane man.

[@cschauer]

JD, your message about remembering history by seeing the remains of it to prevent it from happening again is a message I think the history revisionists and those that want history to disappear in America need to hear, comprehend and learn from… If they would only open their closed minds. Amazing content as always.

[@manuelhoppe7970]

Hey JD. Was waiting for that Moment when you visiting my Hometown. Hope you enjoy IT.

[@PaulDouglasDouglas97]

Really enjoyed the video mate can't wait to see next one

[@dankorolyk5917]

Very powerful episode JD

[@Andrew-Locksley691]

One word "BREATHTAKING" .....If you are a gen-xrer like myself growing up listening to our grandparents tell us about that war ,up until now you never apriaciate how little time had passed since we were born and the war less than 30 years , now at age 52 it seems like a stones throw. Thank you for this film, truly masterpiece...