Top 5 Ronald Speirs Mysteries Answered / A "Fierce Valor" Band of Brothers Q&A

His comrades called him “Killer.” Of the elite paratroopers who served in the venerated “Band of Brothers” during the Second World War, none were more enigmatic than Ronald Speirs. Learn the full story in "Fierce Valor" by Jared Frederick and Erik Dorr. Order the book here:
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Reel History delves into historical films to separate fact from fiction. These engaging episodes explore, contextualize, and clarify stories related to the most famous historical movies. In contrast to the more prevalent "reaction" videos, these installments seek not only to entertain but to educate and inform.
For host Jared Frederick and video editor Andrew Collins, these Reel History episodes are a labor of love and a means of expressing passion for the past as well as cinema. Courteous viewer feedback is always welcomed. Contact information for the hosts is available on the homepage. The views expressed are our own and don't necessarily represent our employers or organizations with which we are involved.
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[@Rebel-Rouser]

I just finished your book, and it was excellent. I like how you did NOT reveal the sergeants name. I love how this book is a perfect compliment to the band of brothers book/series. in the latter Speirs was a mysterious character, with no real resolution in the end. this book brings all that out and also has many of the same characters as in band of brothers, but we get to see them from a different perspective... It would have been great had Speirs hung on long enough in the Army to command a combat battalion in Vietnam. Again, well done on the book!

[@ReelHistory]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@colpul2103]

Here's what Dick Winters had to say about Speirs killing prisoners: Ambrose called him saying the publisher was worried about law suites so Winters called "Sparkie" and asked him if the story was true and Speirs say 'Oh ya, I'll send you a letter saying that'. He did send the letter and that's why the story ended up in the book, as Winters says 'because it's true'. Just search 'did Ronald Speirs kill POWs?' and it's like the second vid that comes up as a clip from a Winters interview.

[@tonycoulter2416]

The order of the day before they jumped was to take no prisoners. Embellishment doesn't make it false.

[@pvtjohntowle4081]

​@@colpul2103 just viewed that interview with the congressman with Dick Winters

[@SGTDuckButter]

@@ReelHistory Unbroken, I’d love to hear your research and knowledge about that story. Also I’d love to see the PT109 movie.

[@happyhankjr]

Members of a 101st Airborne Division LURP team during the Vietnam War recalled meeting Ronald Speirs at their covert operations base. They all knew of Speirs, who was a101st Airborne Division legend having made 4 combat airborne jumps behind enemy lines in two wars, WW2 and Korea. He fought in every major battle of the 101st Airborne Division in WW2, D-Day, Operation Market Gardens, and The Battle of the Bulge, Operation Tomahawk in the Korean War, and in Operation White Star, a covert operation in Laos during the Vietnam War. Ronald Speirs earned a Silver Star, a Legion of Merit, 3 Bronze Star Medals, a Purple Heart, and an Army Commendation Medal. A true American hero of the highest order.

[@johnclarencemercado4218]

Is that from a book? If yes, can I get the title ????

[@SuperRichy5]

He wasn’t American, He was Scottish!

[@jeffreykahr2081]

Jack Agnew and Jake McNiece both had 4 jumps in WWII; Normandy, Market Garden, Bastogne and Berlin

[@memby93x]

​@@SuperRichy5, Scottish by birth. American by the grace of God.

[@johnallen9249]

LRRP Long Range Recon Patrol

[@Will-ux1dg]

He was a typical Scot , tough as nails. What a true hero this man was.

[@rabbit251]

If he checked youtube, Dick Winters gives an interview in which he relates about the issue of killing German POWs. He said that Hanks and them were afraid of the issue, so Winters called Spears and he wrote a letter to publisher admitting the act. And yes, the reason was that they were behind enemy lines and could barely fend for themselves with supplies much less POWs and so, yes, they killed them.

[@ov1994]

Now I see it: It would have been a burden for the American paratroopers to feed POWs because they had supplies for barely feeding themselves. And another likely reason why Speirs could have killed German POWs is because they might have killed some of his men from his company. So he avenged them...

[@wilb6657]

@@ov1994 There'sa book( I think it's called "Blood on the Risers") was written by another paratrooper who landed in Normandy. This paratrooper describes an incident where a couple of German POWSwere huddled together, then dynamite charges were placed near them, and they were both blown to bits. Normandy must have been BRUTAL. But that being said...the German military used the "We were low on supplies" to justify their actions at Malmedy.

[@smokedbrisket3033]

Beat me to it. I saw that interview several years ago. As i recall, it was a standing order, not just for the 506th, but for all units there. They had no place to put POWs, no provision for them or anything.

[@PavewayJDAM]

Well more like they refused to accept surrender.

[@ToreDL87]

@@PavewayJDAM Was gonna say there was a thing about that, accepting surrender or not, accepting it then shooting them means shooting pow's, not accepting the surrender = you're not shooting pow's.

[@shawnstrode3825]

My father and step father were in WWII, one in the Pacific and one in Europe. I grew up in the 60's preparing for Vietnam , 3 brothers served. The war ended just after my 17th birthday , my draft number was 1A 47. The best advise I received was follow orders, keep your head down and trust your gut. None of my friends who served came back the same.

[@dlsneadduffy]

What a sacrifice. Glad you didn't have to go. I'm a mother. And sacrificing a son's mind or life to even my own country would be painful beyond words. But so many did. And all included in such sacrifice deserve the utmost honor. Even yourself, who miraculously didn't see combat. The cause was great. And "the Greats" all rose to the occasion. May the sacrifice be honored today by all who enjoy freedom.

[@The_ZeroLine]

I came back the same. Cause I just went on holiday. Not in war.

[@douglaspoulin8059]

Thank you for sharing. God bless.

[@mpojr]

l served over there and l dam sure did not come back the same ,lm 75 now and there is not a day that l dont think about it,l dont believe anybody that goes off to war can be immune to the effects of war ,,just not possible.

[@deadarmd]

I was lucky enough for my grandfather who actually spoke about the war (the other app didnt) the way he put it. There were many, many men who not out of cowardice, but out of just a limit to how much and the type of killing they would go to. That most of these were patriotic and good soldiers but Maybe had been drafted and were very religious

[@kaox44]

Speirs is one of those soldier that the enemy fear to fight. Like a ghost…he can’t be killed. This guy’s military record reads like a novel. What a hero…

[@Tats2020]

Roger Tinsley would have been my great uncle had he lived. My grandmother missed her little brother for the rest of her life.

[@joshuaburris6805]

On Speirs' deathbed he told 2inters he did kill the pows however the paratroopers were ordered not to take prisoners as they had no way to hold them

[@charlesgantz5865]

That's also why German submarine commanders weren't executed for killing sailors in the water after sinking their ships. The American Submarine commanders had to admit that American Submarine captains were given the same orders and did the same thing.

[@TheCrapman50]

speirs is such a monster of a soldier. one of my ww2 favorites.

[@allenblaylock4096]

Speirs openly admitted to killing prisoners to Dick Winters. It’s also stated in Winter’s book. I spoke with Don Malarkey when I lived in Astoria. He stated that (just like Winters), Speirs n Guarnere we’re killers. No remorse.

[@gpwcowboy]

And that's how we won that war.

[@christopherdooley9893]

Makes sense about Gaurnere. He found out about a week before D-Day that his brother had been killed by the Germans.

[@joeywheelerii9136]

You need guys like that. Men want to serve under certified killing machines.

[@kellytrimble7019]

It was necessary, they were in no position to take prisoners. They weren’t killers, they were soldiers in the middle of the shit! 🫡🇺🇸

[@deadarmd]

Winters, at least in several books and the series shows a lot of restraint and while cold decision makers weren't stone (don't mistake that for cold blooded) killers

[@Winters506]

I love the fact that you tipped your hat to Mark Bando. He has been instrumental to WW2 history and to the Airborne divisions in particular. He rarely receives the credit he deserves for all of his meticulous attributions to the subject. Much respect for you to give him credit for his contributions to historical accuracy. LOVE your channel and content!!!!!

[@ReelHistory]

Couldn't agree more, and thank you!

[@flparkermdpc]

You meant CONTributions. Attributes are characteristics that one names, can be false or true.

[@kevinkranz9156]

RON SPEIRS TOTAL WARRIOR MAN WHAT BALLS THIS MAN HAS LIVED THRU SO MUCH CARNAGE

[@ReelHistory]

Some additional context on Speirs's companies and chronology: He entered the service after a brief deferment in April 1942. From April through July 1942, he was in the 85th Infantry Division. He entered Company C of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment that July and remained with it until April or May 1944. Speirs was a platoon leader in Dog Company until late summer of '44, when he got a staff job at 2nd Battalion HQ. He was moved back to Dog Company after the Holland Campaign and took charge of Easy Company during the January 13, 1945 attack on Foy. Thereafter, he remained CO until his regiment disbanded months after the war.

[@billace90]

Thank you so much for your so valuable contribution to disseminate correct historical information regarding WW2 paratroopers. Your book is gold.

[@ReelHistory]

Thank you!

[@smccall817]

Almost finished the audiobook and I haven’t been able to stop listening. It’s just the case of wanting to know more about such a mysterious man and company legend. Thank you all who worked on it and for any history buff it’s worth a read or my case listen !

[@ReelHistory]

Thank you.

[@ktmzuk]

Just got it, can't wait to listen

[@smccall817]

@@ktmzuk finished it when the comment was made. Was very well done painted the picture well and if he where able to read this he would surely give that silent nod of approval.

[@gregggreasley407]

A Scotsman 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿. If hed stayed here 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 he would have been in the SAS with another Scotsman, from my town Sir David Stirling 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿. It's what we do 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿⚔️

[@patmaracle8130]

I just watched an interview with Dick Winters & was asked about Ron Spiers killing prisoners. Winters explained that prior to making the tv series the producers lawyers were concerned about law suits if the prisoner story was correct. Winters contacted Ron told him of the concerns from the lawyers & Winters asked Ron, “is it true”? Ron replied “hell yes & I will sign a letter guaranteeing not pursue law suits”.

[@NipplWizard]

According to Winters, Yes, All of the stories about Spiers are true and he actually called and asked him because Tom Hanks and Stephen Spielberg were worried about lawsuits depicting it in the series.

[@jameslopez5652]

They were ordered to not take prisoners on D-Day and the days following until told otherwise. Those guys didnt have the ability to handle POWs early on nor could they be slowed because of it. Sux for those kids that had to be taken care of, but necessary.

[@jjs3890]

@@jameslopez5652war is hell.

[@maryanneweldon8040]

Just finished the book. Fantastic read.Speirs was raised in my town,Weymouth,Massachusetts.

[@kincaidwolf5184]

Ronald Speirs. He was the greatest British soldier to serve in the modern US military. Through his British wife, he had a son who became a Lt Col in the British Army. The Spiers family continues to serve the British military!

[@kellychuba]

closest allies in the world

[@MattyBurr]

My uncle Pete was a guard at Spandau prison and judging by his stories it will have been around the same time as Spiers - unfortunately we lost him to alzheimers some years ago and I never put the pieces of the puzzle together to ask him. He was, however, Rudolf Hess' guard. He said they would give him cigarettes because he was "pathetic".

[@richardcramer3930]

he would also spit on the guards sometimes , I knew a soldier who guarded him. Rick

[@histguy101]

Hess, the astonishing story about the guy who did nothing wrong and was trying to broker peace with Britain until the very last minute, flew a desperate mission in his own plane to Britain all alone to try to get through to parliament because his communications were being blocked and ignored. He was quickly captured and quietly put away, not just for the duration of the war, but for the rest of his life! After a point in the 50s, Hess was the only prisoner at Spandau prison, and the whole place stayed open just for him. Even after the convicted war criminals who had received prison sentences were released, Hess was kept there, until his death in the 80s.

[@g4joe]

Bernard Manning British comedian was a guard there too.😄👍🇬🇧

[@bluesbrother99]

Great news about the book! Can’t wait to pick it up and read about Speirs in Korea, such a fascinating conflict.

[@ReelHistory]

We learned a lot in researching the exploits of his regiment in Korea. It was brutal stuff.

[@alvingallegos6367]

Met Don Malarkey and Buck Compton in Vacaville CA a few months after my Dad died who also seved in the ETO (44-45) back in early 2011. Don was very hard of hearing but mentioned Ronald Speirs liked to kill Germans but didn't go into the POW incident. Buck spoke about the time in Bastogne but had a different recollection when it showed him going into shock. He said he was more concerned with how he was going to help his guys who got wounded.

[@ke6ziu]

Don Melarkey lived in Salem, OR until his death in 2017... we lived there until 2021... I wanted to meet him.

[@SemperFiGuy]

You guys are doing an amazing job! So many videos in these past few weeks. You spoil us more than we deserve.

[@ReelHistory]

Oh you're too kind

[@SemperFiGuy]

@@ReelHistory Yet again, another perfect opportunity for a meme or gif here KZbin.

[@chemBTW]

Just got your new book on audible, can't WAIT to start!! Thank you for everything you do!

[@lidlett9883]

From my understanding According to Winters Speirs issued a letter stating He had no issue with capital punishment . Yes he did kill the po w s. Winters wasn't going to allow the scene without the letter. Much like Buck Compton who gave permission for telling of his break down.

[@montieluckett7036]

I saw the interview where this was pretty much exactly how you described. the interview was conducted by a state congressional elected official. I was just about iterate this when I came across your statement. Kudos to you.

[@Chilly_Billy]

@@montieluckett7036, yep, saw the same interview. The letter had to confirm it or it wasn't going into the book.

[@michaeldelano9233]

Saw the same interview with Winters. I also remember a quote with Speirs saying "we had no provisions for prisoners". I think the paratroopers were told not to take prisoners on June 6. They needed all their manpower focused on their objectives.

[@angloaust1575]

Hard to fight war by rules In the heat of combat no rule books handy As in the malmedy incident!

[@blackout5583]

@@angloaust1575 Your absolutly right, there are no rules in war. That's why they call it war.

[@graceygrumble]

He was a Scot? Is anyone else from 'these islands' not in the least bit surprised? ❤

[@michael7324]

I have a T-Shirt that says, "Lt Speirs Last Stop Smoke Shop" No many people get the reference but its funny to me.

[@robertvantine2810]

Where did you get it? I need one...

[@stephenyoung5392]

Like to get that t shirt

[@johngetty3839]

I just got the book this month (Feb 2023) and I'm about 1/2 way through. It's fabulous and complements my books on Easy (Band of Bros), and Fox (Fighting Fox Co.) Speirs was one of my favorite characters in the series so this is really great. Kudos to both authors!

[@ReelHistory]

Thanks so much! Perhaps I can sign it for you someday!

[@LiamandHistory]

Let’s go this is awesome! I will definitely pick this up! Thank you for the amazing work!

[@ReelHistory]

You're welcome!

[@specag31]

Always wondered why he didn’t make full Colonel. In The Regular Army back then it was the kiss of death to promotions to do any special ops.

[@oOneenOo]

I'm waiting patiently for my birthday haha. I am truly excited and can't express enough my admiration for the work you do. My father was the CO of 1st platoon B 1/327 in '67 and I can not wait to gift him a copy as well.

[@ReelHistory]

Thank you.

[@christopherdooley9893]

As a Marine, I admired Speirs in the Band of Brothers book and movie. I thought I read somewhere after the was he joined the CIA but that may have been another member of Easy company. I have to check out this newest book.

[@ReelHistory]

Thanks for visiting. Hope you enjoy the book!

[@gabrielakominkova9667]

Waiting for the book to be available on Valor Studios. Wanna get a signed goodie with it as well!! I love it when you guys collaborate, hope there will be more books like this about other guys of Easy in the future wink wink 😁

[@JCmacDavid]

My Dad was technical consultant to a Vietnam documentary on the Mike Force, in one battle no prisoners were taken by either side. When this was mentioned in the documentary, he asked for that part to be cut, his reasoning the American people aren't ready to hear that, it was cut.

[@ReelHistory]

A grim reality of war, indeed.

[@JMark-zk5pj]

Not ready to hear or that we prosecuted Germans for the same thing?

[@davecordova7211]

Nice video . Well done as always. Bought the book as soon as you mentioned it. I have no doubt I will enjoy it. Congratulations by the way!

[@ReelHistory]

Thank you!

[@SLKK1234]

I saw Dick Winters say that he asked Sparky (Spiers) later in life if he killed the prisoners and Spears admitted that he did.

[@FrenchieQc]

Winters said he had two men under his command, natural born killers upon whom he could always rely to "get it done" : Spiers and Guarnere.

[@boosuedon]

Dick Winters said in an interview that the producers of BoB and Executives from HBO called him and expressed concern of including the prisoners execution segment in the series fearing a defamation lawsuit from R. Speirs. Winters then picked up the phone and called his friend Ron Speirs and told him of the concern from HBO about including that segment into the show. Speirs replied, "There can't be a lawsuit if it is true, can there be?" Winters took that as an admission of fact. Winters then turned to the Producers and said something to the nature of; "There you are, straight from the horses mouth." I can not see Dick Winters lying about this! I know, it's easy to make unsubstantiated claims like this but it has been YEARS since I listened to that interview and can't remember the video source. I will try to find it again and if successful I will come back here and share it with this video. OK! I was off just a little bit! It was Steven Ambrose publishers, "Simon and Shuster" expressed concern to Ambrose about including that segment in his book fearing a lawsuit. The interview is on KZbinr channel: Patrick Johnson, and the title of the video/interview is: "Maj. Dick Winters on Ronald "Sparky" Speirs (Band of Brothers)"

[@Gjudxdkjyzddhjnr7091]

I'm sure some of his concern was of his family possibly seeing him in a less than flattering light wrt the shootings of prisoners and one of his own men?

[@ReelHistory]

There are further confirmations along these lines in the book. At one point, Speirs confesses later, "I never had a problem with summary action."

[@buddystewart2020]

The interview I've seen with Winters didn't say anything about HBO. It was the book publisher. The story about Spiers killing the prisoners is true. It was confirmed in an interview with Dick Winters. The guy doing the interview asked Dick about this, and Dick told him about it. He said that Steven Ambrose called him one day and told him they had a problem. Lawyers from Simon and Shuster called him and were worried about potential lawsuits from some of the stories that were in the book and would be in the series. The Spiers story was one of them, the portrayal of Nix drinking too much was another. Dick told him not to worry about it, he would handle it. He said he wasn't worried about Nix, he knew that wouldn't be an issue, but the Spiers story was something else. Dick said he called Spiers and said 'hey Sparky, you know those rumors that were floating around, about D-Day, were they true? He said Spiers said 'oh yeah Dick, they're true'. He told Speirs about the phone call from Ambrose and the Lawyers concerns and Spiers said don't worry about it. He would write them and letter and tell them what happened. Apparently he did just that, and Dick said it was never an issue after that, because it was true.

[@VloggingThroughHistory]

Yeah that interview is on youtube. I saw it a while back, not sure if it's still up.

[@boosuedon]

@@VloggingThroughHistory Yes, it is still available.

[@Autobotmatt428]

Spiers was a Badass!

[@jimw966]

Got the book on my Kindle the other day and looking forward to reading it.

[@alanmacification]

No assault formation in any army takes prisoners. My father and uncle fought in Sicily, Italy, and Holland with the Canadian 1st Inf Div. Their standing order was " No prisoners unless ordered ", during an assault. I have seen even on KZbin, American training films about making sure you leave no enemy alive behind you, including wounded enemies.

[@nextube_owner]

I wanna say thank you to your father for helping to free my country (the Netherlands)

[@samb2052]

Absolute nonsense. Refusing to take prisoners practically guarantees resistance which results in friendly casualties. It’s also illegal and has been for a long time. There are many instances when enemies have been murdered after attempting to surrender or during an assault, for all sorts of reasons, but it is not routine in any disciplined armed force.

[@alanmacification]

@@samb2052 Non-sense. That's not how it works. If you attempt to surrender during a fire fight, you're dead. The answer to the age old idea that " If I was forced to go to war, I'd just surrender when the enemy attacks " is: " YOU CAN'T. As soon as you pick up a weapon and shoot, you've announced you intention to fight and not your intention to surrender. As my father and other Canadian veterans have said : " We were paid to kill the enemy, not take prisoners. ". You can whine and whinge all you like about it, but it is true.

[@TheFunkhouser]

Gahh... BUMP!! This is so good! Loving the history bro!! (Sorry bump, but was so needed!) 🙏🧡♨

[@Elvispersoon]

Band of Brothers was my introduction into WW2 some odd 20 years ago, and it is still a period in history that widely fascinates me to this day. I have read a fair number of books about WW2 and Easy Company in particular, including Webster's and Winters' memoires, and even had the honor of meeting Guarnere, Heffron and Malarkey during the Liberation Festival of my hometown of Eindhoven on 18th September 2006. But until recently I couldn't find much about Ronald Speirs, a character that has always been a bit of a mystery to me ever since the release of the Band of Brothers miniseries, until I recently came across this book. Needless to say I finished it within a day and is easily one of my best reads of the year. It provides a new take and insight on someone who is quite possibly one of the most notorious officers in the 506th. I found it to be quite refreshing, informative and honest, leaving nothing out but also not diminishing him for the person he was and what he did during the war. It is safe to say the ending of the book left me with a wide range of emotions, and I've been thinking about this book since I've finished it. It has most definetely re-ignighted my interest for world war 2, so thank you wholeheartedly🫡😌

[@Collin-kr6px]

I just finished watching the show again since I was a teen. The brutality of war, and the smeers some people get after are crazy. I don't think most people want to take another person's life, they are forced to in war. If Spears did what they claim, it wasn't with joy or excitement, it was with sorrow and anger in his heart, and logic in his mind. I don't agree with the actions that were taken, though they were the only ones to make.

[@kenrup]

It's on my Audible wish list. It's my next listen. I VERY much looking forward to reading it.

[@jamesmccormick875]

Major Dick Winters, in an interview said he talked to Ronald Speirs before the release of the book “Band of Brother” due to the publishing company not wanting to get sued for any false information. The Major said Mr. Speirs admitted that the stories were all true and even put it in a letter to the publishing company.

[@alstahl8574]

Thank god for men like Speirs! Natural combat leader! Semper Fi

[@Bar-Lord]

I just ordered my copy. I really enjoy the channel, and can’t wait to give it a read.

[@ReelHistory]

Thank you!

[@mwethereld]

The sergeant refused and began to reach for his rifle. Speirs again warned the sergeant - who now levelled his rifle at Speirs. Art DiMarzio says he then saw Speirs shoot the sergeant in self- defence. Many years later, Speirs himself would write, “the sergeant, by the way, was a replacement.

[@josephvincent4629]

Oh man awesome a extra video. Have a great week brother.

[@theleastsignificantbit4794]

My dad fought with the 29th ID from D-Day until June 9th when he was seriously wounded. On D-Day, he was separated from his assault team and fought with the 1st ID. He told me on numerous occasions that they did not take prisoners for the first three days. They had no place for them. It’s a gruesome reality of war, and one we should consider before sending anyone into a conflict.

[@rnoonrivers]

Didn’t take prisoners. Sounds Canadian.

[@GH-ub7qz]

that's how it works mostly. pow is a maybe at best

[@AmberPearcy]

Congratulations Jared! Just got Fierce Valor on audible. Can’t wait to check it out.

[@ReelHistory]

Thank you.

[@fluff2001]

Speirs is an American Hero in my opinion as well as countless hundreds and even thousands of young American men fighting in a war that they understood as its either them or me and it aint gonna my airborne brothers or me - in that order ........ War is ugly and only those that have never experienced it judge actions or soldiers like this True American Bad Ass Paratrooper .................. RIP Sir ............. and thank you .......

[@tm13tube]

The actor playing Spears is in the series, “Into the West.” It is the story of a wheel right expected to carry on the family tradition but who wanted to see the west. He ends up married to a Lakota and eventually they are living near the California gold rush. I didn’t think of him as Capt Spears even once.

[@ReelHistory]

Love that series!

[@stevepauley2437]

Which character did he play? I never even noticed.

[@bobbybee2975]

That scene in Bob's where he runs through the German held town, meets up with I company, and runs back to his troops is too good. I imagine that's not true but I'd be happily surprised if it was.

[@ReelHistory]

We explain that whole sequence in the video

[@bobbybee2975]

@@ReelHistory yes you do, thank you. Can't believe there was any truth to it, well I expect you're being honest it's just so amazing it's difficult to believe, but that's what makes it such an intriguing story.

[@peterflynn9123]

Fierce Valor is definitely worth reading

[@TMM6944]

I have often wondered what made this man such a legend, now I know - Scotish blood.

[@marksmitten4721]

The Speirs family is from Yorkshire with outlying cousins in Kent and London. He was born in Scotland but It’s an Anglo-Saxon name with Germanic roots. His parents did love Edinburgh though before moving to the US.

[@robertbenson9797]

Another great episode! I just got the book from the library and have really enjoyed it. Most Americans today probably would not think of US service personnel shooting prisoners. As you point out, Jared, it happened. In January of 1945, my dad’s division, the 99th, was attacking into Germany after crossing the Rhine at Remagen. Large numbers of Germans were being captured and it did become a problem on how to manage them. One particular day, 8 or 9 prisoners had been captured. As the company commander, dad wanted to get the prisoners back to the rear so G-2 (intelligence) could question them. He couldn’t pull a large number of men out of the line to escort the prisoners to the rear. One of the senior NCOs happened to be close so dad assigned him to take a Jeep and herd the group down the road to the rear. The Jeep had a pedestal mounted.30 caliber M1919 Browning machine gun in it. The group was ready to move out and headed back west. They had been gone about 10 minutes when dad heard an American machine gun firing to the rear. There was no mistaking a Browning .30 machine gun with a German MG ‘42- the German machine gun had a much higher rate of fire. Within 5 minutes, the sergeant came back, alone. When dad ask him what had happened, the sergeant said, “They tried to run.” and he shot them. Dad had been in some of the heaviest fighting during the Battle of the Bulge so he was he was used to returning fire. He did not believe in shooting unarmed POWs, though. He was faced with a tough decision, court-marshal the NCO, one of his best, or drop the matter. Dad made the decision to drop it. Too much disruption of manpower during the critical drive into Germany. Dead men tell no tales. History is written by the victors in war. We know all about the Bataan death March and the Malmendy Massacre. Unfortunately, there were atrocities on both sides. Not to cast blame one way or the other, bad things happen in war!

[@gusm2752]

Loved every second of Band of Brothers. Did Speirs himself ever address those stories about him ? According to Winters in an interview he did those stories are mostly true and the Army looked the other way because he was such a great combat leader.

[@alexfortin7209]

Spiers himself confirmed that everything in the book on which Band of Brothers was true. Winter himself was scared like hell of a libel suit.

[@ReelHistory]

Speirs did not deny things in the book, although he expressed concerns about neo-Nazis coming after he and his family fifty year after the war.

[@theallseeingmaster]

My father witnessed German POW's being marched into a ditch and killed. This event happened a few days after the invasion, according to my dad; the facilities to care for them, the POW's, did not exist at that moment, they had to go, there was no other solution; every army on Earth would do the same thing, under the same circumstances, every time.

[@nicholasmodzinski2528]

Thank you so much for everything you do!!

[@ReelHistory]

You are more than welcome, thanks for watching!

[@BishopWalters12]

Just got my book yesterday and I can't wait to start it over the weekend.

[@RedFail1-1]

Speirs got me through OEF. That line he tells Blithe "The only hope you have is to accept the fact that you're already dead. The sooner you accept that, the sooner you'll be able to function as a soldier is supposed to function" I literally gave up caring about my life, and it allowed me to get over any fear I had of dying and perform under pressure. I just kept seeing him running without pause through that mortar strike in the show. Not very healthy I know, but it worked for me at the time. I never froze up even once or went into shock. Never even hesitated.

[@jumpmastermp21]

Met a vet of Anzio who stated they’d turn over their POWs to the paratroopers. He just said that the paratroopers knew what to do with them.

[@ReelHistory]

These things were not entirely uncommon.

[@JEJAK5396]

Yet people still get bent out of shape about whatever happened at Malmedy during the Ardennes. It’s almost like people forget that War consists of Men killing other Men. Never surrender.

[@mikeh2613]

A very well presented and fascinating insight into one of WW2’s enigmatic characters. Being a Brit with a few SF connections I always thought it better to leave certain stories as they are. Nothing like a good rebus to get the old grey matter working. Thank you 👍👍

[@dsl32]

The best quote I ever heard about Ronald Speirs was a fan asked him for autograph and he said, I will only give you an autograph if ask one for from Dick Winters

[@neilholmes8200]

Ooo just finished one Reel History video and along comes another 👍

[@robertsabatka7906]

There's a video of Dick Winters saying he called him and asked if he did it and Spiers said yes, and he'd even write it down on paper.

[@ReelHistory]

Read Jared's book, "Fierce Valor," to see what those letter said!

[@JB-rt4mx]

Paratroopers had a tacit option to not collect prisoners due to conflict of speed and mission

[@marshalmagooo3899]

General Taylor said no POWs during DDay

[@Ulyssestnt]

11:42 the German POW just casually standing there watching Speirs execute his fellow POWs.

[@b.frantz8346]

Erick is an old friend of mine from Hanover, PA. Great job guys.

[@MrFarkingrouse]

I just finished this book last night, awesome read.

[@richardlandis1066]

Just finished the book this morning. Enjoyed it.

[@ReelHistory]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@neilholmes8200]

Watching the video now and somehow had absolutely no idea that Spiers was born in the UK. Always learning something new on this channel

[@ReelHistory]

I guess we're doing something right! Thanks

[@neilholmes8200]

@@ReelHistory you do a lot right :) I wish I had the skill, KZbin friendly voice and editing techniques to cover some of the classic British TV series like Dad's Army in a similar fashion to yours. There's a lot of material there that would make good episode, but it's spread over several seasons, so hard to cover it all. There is a 1970s Dad's Armymovie though with the original cast, that's worth a watch. Maybe you could add that to your growing list and do it instead 😀

[@ReelHistory]

@@neilholmes8200, the series is splendid but we did not care for the movie!

[@neilholmes8200]

@@ReelHistory agreed, it tried to hard to recreate the best bits of the series, but it does have at least one good line with the song to the tune of all things bright and beautiful which ends with the German officer just managing to get 'Halt' in before Jones can say where he's going to shove his bayonet... Any plan to do a dad's army video based off a highlights of the series maybe?

[@lindsaymcdonald6875]

It figures Speirs was a fellow Scot.💪🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@666Wizardsleeve]

Looking forward to reading your book. I really enjoyed S, Ambrose’s books as well. It is great to read/watch history with little embellishments. I know for the USA, WWII started on December 7. 1941. For the rest of the world it started in September 1939 - fun fact! In some ways, although the carnage was horrific, it was a simpler time because it was obvious who the bad guys were. Nowadays, in Orwellian times, it’s harder to tell. Thanks for your your efforts- really looking forward to it.

[@ReelHistory]

Thanks for visiting!

[@30AndHatingIt]

It gets said a lot that the US joined the war late, but the reality is it’s only 2 years. The US was directly involved for 4 of the 6 years and had been HEAVILY keeping the Allies alive with food, fuel, medicine, weapons, ammunition, equipment and vehicles.

[@Patrick-xv6qv]

Speirs did shoot one of his.own men who was drunk and refused to go on patrol but it was nit some cold blooded murder. Speirs ordered the man to join a patrol, he refused, and Spiers noticed he was drunk. Am argument started and the man raised his rifle towards Speirs. Speirs shot him with his side arm in self defense... There were witnesses to the event and Speirs immediately reported the incident to his commanding officer who reported it up the chain of command. Col..Sink said he would have had the man shot just for disobeying the order to go on the patrol. The next day, Speirs CO was killed in combat and the incident was forgotten

[@chrisfoye1574]

Just bought the audiobook 👍. First cool thing I learned is Speirs was from where I live, Weymouth MA. He lived like 2 streets over from my old home.

[@CookingWithMichaelD]

Holyshit I'm from the Boston area myself I had no idea he was from Weymouth. I was just there last week

[@fbfields984]

Our buddy, Ed Snow, was a member of Fox company of the 506th. He took part in the D-day invasion. Additionally, jumped during Operation Market Garden where he lost his best friend with whom he had been with since boot camp. He spent his time in hell during Bastogne and then when the 101st was no longer active, he transitioned to the 82nd following the war. He then volunteered to go to Korea where he made additional jumps. He was taken captive during that police action, and was feared dead until he was released with other POW’s. At his release he weighed 80 pounds. It took him about a year in a Japanese hospital to convalesce to the point that he could be sent back to the States. In total, Ed made 4 combat jumps during his career. We lost him in December of ‘20. A really good man who endured two different gunshot wounds during WWII while never missing a day activity with his company, one on D+ 2 and the other during Bastogne when he was in a recon party of 15 men who were attacked and only 5 managed to stay alive. Additionally, Ed’s platoon in Korea was wiped out by a Chinese battalion on the occasion of his capture when he was injured during the initial shelling and then was mistaken for a US officer. It was a great honor to know and interact with Ed.

[@PhenomMedivh]

I’d love to see a video about a family member of mine… Francis “Bulldog” Dawson from Branchville, SC. I only have the few stories from my father and grandfather. The victory tower at Ft Jackson in SC was named after him. I believe he was the first soldier to breach Omaha Beach and was attached to a Ranger unit.

[@Phantom-Eye]

WOW! These men were superheroes!!!

[@josephvincent4629]

Congratulations on the book cant wait to get a copy. I'm sure you get a million suggestions but another good one is the crossing with Jeff Daniel's as George Washington.

[@davidburnett2458]

I like that one as well

[@Chilly_Billy]

@@davidburnett2458, same here. Much better than the typical television production.

[@ReeseMacalma]

I can't wait to finally order my copy of your new book! The next paycheck can't arrive any sooner...

[@ReelHistory]

Thanks Reese.

[@Giantist]

This is awesome 👏

[@matthewtemkin4726]

I just finished the book. EXCELLENT!

[@timf5963]

I'll definitely have to get this book. Thank you! Back when the miniseries premiered, one of the writers (maybe the head writer) was active on the HBO message board. I remember he quoted the real Ronald Speirs who said his run through Foy wasn't as dramatic as depicted. Maybe he was just being humble.

[@ReelHistory]

Feel free to email us with your mailing address and Jared will send you a free signed bookplate!

[@larry811]

I read that and enjoyed it and learned from it. Thank you. I have only just learned of your online presence

[@exutechs]

Just read your book. Outstanding job.

[@ReelHistory]

That is very much appreciated. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@Nyllsor]

Pheuww, I'm at page 88 on this book and I have to say it's a very good read! I read 'Hang Tough' the other week and now 'Fierce Valor'. It has really deepend my understanding of war and the people in it. I wish to thank you Jared, and Erik for taking your time researching and writing this. To be honest after falling asleep having read the chapter 'Never Give Up' I had a dream unlike any dream i had before, not related in subject to the book but rather the uncomfortable effect of my subconsious trying to hold me back from understanding a whole new perspective on morality and the little we can expect to understand of what war really is. We naturally want to make sense of something that can't be fully understood unless you have been through it(i suppose), but your book is doing a very good job getting very close. Sincerley, Thank you!

[@ivanlowjones]

"Hang Though"?

[@Nyllsor]

@@ivanlowjones edited

[@ivanlowjones]

@@Nyllsor Good job.

[@glbaker5595]

According to an old friend of mine who served, he was probably 30 years older than me but he told me that the prison where Hass was that eventually it was just Hess, he told me that the the Russians would guard for like 3 months and then the Americans and then the English and maybe the friends I'm not really for sure like I said just just him telling me, and if a person wanted to do a really deep dive, from what he told me that has would probably make a good book just bite self of what they were wanting from him to keep him in that one prison by his self for all of those years, we would drink beer play guitars around a campfire all night and then he would start talking, we always speculated to what they were wanting from him whether it was a secret loot or who had helped Hitler plan all the finances he indicated that the Swiss word really deep in that, but anyway I'm glad I ran across your videos, I haven't got to your book yet as like I say I just found you today so I'm anxious to dig into them, maybe you can dive into Harris's secret of what they were wanting from and maybe you can do a book before I get too old to enjoy reading, God bless, keep safe and thank you,🇺🇲🥺😜

[@DJ-tt7tq]

Thank you, that was really interesting about Spiers.I think I'll buy it.

[@ReelHistory]

If you buy it, email us at [e-mail] for a free signed bookplate by Jared!

[@Tonyblack261]

Just bought the Kindle version. Looking forward to reading it.

[@josephroth382]

Bought your two books, Hang Tough and Beyond Band of Brothers. Great books

[@ReelHistory]

Thank you! Email us and we will send you a signed bookplate!

[@lewismooney3941]

Awesome!

[@smallpigpoopfix3520]

Thoroughly enjoyed your Reel History take on Band of Brothers. Would LOVE to see you do the same with Generation War, although I expect the characters aren't 'historical' as in >ahem

[@joshradermacher3330]

In winters book, beyond band of brothers he simply says that he turned around at foy and that by sheer random chance, Speirs just happened to be the first officer he saw that was of the grade to lead a company. It’s not that he was standing so close to him, winters even mentioned he was not that close but happened to be the first officer he saw. It had nothing to do with his abilities or prowess per say, it was that he literally was the first LT that winters noticed

[@Dogface1984]

Gunna get this one!

[@MsSasha4444]

Thanks you for the great video. I just purchased your book on Audible as well.

[@ReelHistory]

Thank you so much!

[@donleejr7624]

HE WAS DOING HIS JOB ! HE IS A REAL MAN WE NEED MEN LIKE HIM TODAY !!!!!

[@XxBloggs]

Huh?

[@delvechio5081]

Great book I bought it on audible to listen on the go.

[@ReelHistory]

Thanks!

[@stevenwiederholt7000]

8:39 I have read that the paratroopers were Told Not to take prisoners. Reason being lack of manpower. They could not afford to pull men out of combat to guard POW's. (As Always I...Could...Be...Wrong)

[@ReelHistory]

We think the word trickled down to this extent from an informal divisional level.

[@stevenwiederholt7000]

@@ReelHistory Thing is in the Service there are Official Orders, and Unofficial Suggestions.

[@adamgrimsley6455]

Harry Morant. The moral duality of war.

[@davidmcnay1975]

Available in the UK from 9th June - looking forward to it!