US Mission to Rescue 6,000 POWs 1945

The almost completely forgotten mission to liberate Stalag IX-B, the 'worst camp of the war' by Task Force Fetterly - a daring dash 37 miles behind German lines in the last weeks of the war in Germany.
Dr. Mark Felton is a well-known British historian, the author of 22 non-fiction books, including bestsellers 'Zero Night' and 'Castle of the Eagles', both currently being developed into movies in Hollywood. He has written extensively on Japanese war crimes, POW camps, Nazi war criminals, the Holocaust, famous escapes, Hitler and other Nazi leaders. In addition to writing, Mark also appears regularly in television documentaries around the world, including on The History Channel, Netflix, National Geographic, Quest, American Heroes Channel and RMC Decouverte. His books have formed the background to several TV and radio documentaries. More information about Mark can be found at: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Fe...
Visit my audio book channel 'War Stories with Mark Felton': • One Thousand Miles to ...
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Disclaimer: All opinions and comments expressed in the 'Comments' section do not reflect the opinions of Mark Felton Productions. All opinions and comments should contribute to the dialogue. Mark Felton Productions does not condone written attacks, insults, racism, sexism, extremism, violence or otherwise questionable comments or material in the 'Comments' section, and reserves the right to delete any comment violating this rule or to block any poster from the channel.
Thanks: GoogleMaps

[@MarkFeltonProductions]

I had to take this video down briefly due to a technical issue. It is, as you can now see, back up. Apologies for the inconvenience and thanks for your patience.

[@dannyhanny1191]

Make no apologies when it comes to the complications of editing or working with youtube, Mark. Great work, and thank you for another great subject and video.

[@apeacho326]

I still rewatch it love the vids

[@skullergaming2022]

Hey no problem

[@raymondirwin2458]

We all understand

[@sof5858]

No worries 👍

[@Axgoodofdunemaul]

Thanks for this Dr. Felton. In 1960-63 I lived near Frankfurt a. M. only about seven years after these events. West Germany had recovered so far that there were almost no signs that a war had once trampled the countryside. The most visible scars were on the citizens. Every man and woman over 40 was marked in some way: burns, missing fingers, etc. And, of course, the stories I heard from people. They seemed to want to tell me, a seemingly naive American teenager, what had happened to them. I paid careful attention.

[@Tyler-xe1es]

The ammount of footage you get your hands on is incredible !!!

[@bbrf033]

The footage of the prisoners receiving rations (cigarettes) is priceless

[@jed-henrywitkowski6470]

He has a time machine!

[@damyr]

@@jed-henrywitkowski6470 Or just good connections in BBC.

[@KingdomEnfilade]

It's all free to access at the Imperial War Museum archives, and the British Pathé archives. There's gun camera footage in there from my grandfather's fighter.

[@mottthehoople693]

@@KingdomEnfilade who needs to go through that fuss and bother when we can simply subscribe to Mark Felton Productions!!!

[@colinbateman8233]

My uncle was a POW as a Canadian he was held for roughly five years it’s a experience that haunted him for the rest of his life his cabin was a mile away from the main house at times it would wake me as a boy in the early 70 hearing him screaming in the night physically he could never return completely to normal life he would never really talk about it. Thank god we’ve grow to recognize the needs of our returning vets but we still have a long ways to go

[@markholm6955]

My Dad was captured during the Battle of the Bulge - he was sent to Stalag 9C. He said all they did was sit around and talk about food. I have one of his US Army “Ike” jacket - it has such a waste I was surprised an adult would be able to wear it ( and this is when he had gained back some weight that he lost at the POW camp. I know he was liberated by one of Patton’s units. He said he was so happy, that he was going to name his 1st born son after Patton. Well, I’m his oldest - that didn’t happen. He did not like to talk about his time in the US Army when he was in Europe during WWII. I only got this from him, because after I saw the movie Patton, I started reading everything I could about Patton. My Dad also didn’t hold grudges - he went into the USAF in 1947, and we got a nice “trip” to West Germany in 63-66. My Dad really enjoyed being in Germany very much in the 60s.

[@ColinH1973]

He named you after Mark Patton, obviously. 😁

[@leemichael2154]

Awesome that he managed to live through all that,so many of his comrades didn't make it,thanks for sharing

[@jaatmaster]

You should visit Patton’s grave in Luxembourg 🇱🇺 it’s a beautiful place not far from Stuttgart!

[@jasonharry645]

Thanks for sharing your personal story with us all

[@donalddodson7365]

Mark: thank you for sharing your memories and honoring your father.

[@ethanrepublic4554]

Imagine what a sight it would be seeing a Sherman tank just break through the prison gate

[@VosperCDN]

That would be the moment everything changed, and you knew you were getting out.

[@gidmichigan1765]

That gate was denying freedom.

[@libzbond]

That's it we're getting out!

[@damyr]

I can imagine. It would be like seeing a Sherman tank breaks through the prison gate.

[@ColonelSandersLite]

I'm imagining it and I'm now convinced that the tank crew's YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWWWW could be heard for miles around.

[@durbanbudz]

The suffering these men withstood in those prisoner camps must have been soul draining. Bless them all for their sacrifices. Thanks Mark, you greatly help in the keeping alive of the memory of all these soldiers.

[@Praetorian8814]

No matter how bad it was in the camps, they held on. They knew liberation was coming, and soon! :)

[@kevinmiele5289]

HOW ABOUT THE STARVING POWS IN EISENHOWER;S DEATH CAMPS!!!!

[@stephengreen3367]

@@kevinmiele5289 Care to give some more details along with a link to a creditable source?

[@cstlbrvo5615]

@@kevinmiele5289 You're a brainwashed "non-violent" protesters in Colorado? I see..

[@kevinmiele5289]

@@stephengreen3367 sure dude try 1904 west point bio to see in his own words "the terrible swedish jew" ...but who knew and search for disarmed enemy combatants along with the rhine camps

[@ColinH1973]

You've done it again, Doctor Felton! Fascinating attention to detail of a little-known episode delivered in a captivating manner. You are far too good for KZbin!

[@kevinmiele5289]

ask felton about EISENHOWER'S DEATH CAMPS FOR POW'S(RENAMED UNARMED ENEMY COMBATANTS TO AVOID GENEVA CONVENTION RULES)

[@bruotsynh3992]

kevin miele That might be a good idea, so we can get a fair and balanced view of the issue. From everything I’ve read on the issue, a direct comparison to the Nazi concentration camps is hardly appropriate.

[@bernardmcmahon5377]

Colin Harrison oh yes, far too good, excellent presentation, content, very good indeed

[@ColinH1973]

@@bernardmcmahon5377 Thanks Bernard. Much appreciated.

[@ColinH1973]

@@kevinmiele5289 If anyone can give a balanced account it's Dr Mark.

[@BeachsideHank]

Dad was a captured airman, he was held by the Luftwaffe who had responsibility for the housing of allied air crews- I suspect treatment was somewhat better in one of those camps due to mutual respect, but still times were tough thanks to allied interdiction efforts as Mark has explained. Dad's camp was liberated by the Russians, and soon after the U.S. Army took over and fed the guys so much that many who were used to a meager diet, couldn't hold down the protein- rich chow and puked much of it up. He was processed at what were called cigarette camps- "Lucky Strike" was his- and then repatriated directly back to the U.S.

[@patrickfitzgerald2861]

In the liberated concentration camps, many people died from the shock of eating too much too quickly. The medical teams learned from this, and became more cautious with the food distribution.

[@vickiesutherland4628]

My uncle was in one of the camps.... he was just a boy really when he joined

[@yvonnemitchell1744]

@@patrickfitzgerald2861 so sad to think you had been saved only for the food you were given to help you ,killed you instead .

[@patrickfitzgerald2861]

@@yvonnemitchell1744 Yes. The liberating troops did not understand what would happen, and were shocked when people died. Incredibly sad.

[@gonesideways6621]

My Dad spent eleven months on front lines he also was processed at Camp Lucky Strike and returned to U.S.

[@TheWoodlandhoBo]

Can’t tell you how much this story meant to me. My grandfather was in stalag 9c from 1942 - 1945 when Americans freed them. Thank you

[@tammiea8552]

I used to be a home health care nurse and would occasionally take care of a veteran. I could sit and talk with them for hours!!

[@matthewcaughey8898]

Then honor the stories they told you for many of those vets your their way to pass their memories on. I hold my grandfathers WW2 memories as told to me by my dad. It’s a scared and important honor to remember it

[@joeyjamison5772]

Incredible story. My father served with the 44th Division during WWII. I believe it was a New York National Guard unit. He was wounded during the final days of the war in Europe, but lived another 50 years before dying 25 years ago of non-war related causes. Thanks for putting this up, Mark!

[@LJWalter78]

I did a report on this operation as a young man. My Great Uncle, Corporal Willard Moore was among the 3600 US servicemen at Stalag IX-9B, taken prisoner while part of Patton's Third Army, Battle of the Bulge, December 1944. They made the correct decision surrendering the camp. He spoke of the planning inside, those healthy enough to fight were organizing an attack on remaining guards and personnel if they decided to defend the camp. Thankfully, it didnt come to that. He went on to live a life where he chose isolation, peace and quiet in the hills of Meigs County Ohio. Later rumors arose he was a pretty good "farmer" of the county's #1 cash-crop. He was also surprised that i wanted very ,uch to make him the subject of my report. Like many in his shoes, he always claimed he was "just doing my job. And the real heros are those poor bastards that didnt make it home." He was 25 when he returned stateside, and during his time as a POW, lost 60% of his hair due to the conditions. He also said they noticed the guards lost a lot of weight too, all supplies were cut off for everyone.

[@derbaser9445]

Rip to these soldiers WHO died under terrible conditions

[@jean6872]

They will never be forgotten for all eternity.

[@joegoetz8884]

Makes me proud. My dad crewed an M8 from Falaise on into Germany, ending the war billeted in Mad King Ludwigs castle in Bavaria. So, seeing footage of M8’s in action is a personal thing for me. Dad was in the 107th Cavalry, not the 106th mentioned in this video. Thanks, Mark.

[@bobbyhunt100]

Thank you Mark, you said something which is almost never mentioned. The Allied bombing campaign against pharmaceutical factories and also infrastructure was a double edged sword. Not only was the German army and the civilian population denied medical supplies, but also POW and concentration camps, where crowded conditions saw many succumb to diseases such as Typhus which decimated the inmates, creating tragic scenes such as witnessed in the nightmarish footage of the liberation of Bergen-Belsen.

[@chaosXP3RT]

The Germans were basically holding those poor people hostage.

[@chaosXP3RT]

@chris younts I doubt that was intentional. It's not often you radio they enemy to confirm their cargo before sinking them

[@robertf3479]

@chris younts Often the sub commander had no idea that there was human cargo aboard, or if he did the ship wasn't where he was informed it would be and was not marked as the Japanese had informed the Red Cross. Sometimes the Japanese filled those marked and 'protected hospital ships' to the overhead with troops being withdrawn back to Japan and the POWs would be stuffed into other transports, unmarked and less well protected to take their chances.

[@insertnamehere6096]

Thank you Mark Felton for my daily dose of "I bet you didn't know that this happened in WW2"

[@kevinmiele5289]

EISENHOWER'S DEATH CAMPS FOR POWS IS UNKNOWN IN USA

[@bernardmcmahon5377]

Greater German Empire true, he gets it so right

[@kevinmiele5289]

@Jack Tangles ok dopey SUPREME ALLIED COMMANDER was his official title along with his 1915 west point bio "the terrible swedish jew " explains his racism clearly

[@johnzeszutko5661]

I think that the first time I knew about the raid was in the book "The Last 100 Days of the 3rd Reich.".

[@kevinmiele5289]

@Jack Tangles why because ike writes his bio and calls himself a terrible swedish jew and we all know he didnt like germans before the war , that makes him a racist

[@abg44]

I learn more from Mark than I did in history class, and I graduated in 2015😂 love it

[@jordaneggerman4734]

Agreed! Class of '10, and I've learned more history from YT, than all my history classes combined....multiplied by those *awful* textbooks. Another good resource for little known tidbits is The History Guy; he does 10-15 minutes on a host of topics, some war, some not, some completely random. If you haven't, I'd check him out. Makes good catchup when Dr. Felton hasn't posted that new one yet. (Or, he takes it down halfway through watching, as happened to me with this one earlier! Lol)

[@maximusdecimusmeridius5500]

There's a reason for that, that is by Design cuz they don't want you to know the true history, he wants you to know his story. So they can own the people's minds,and make them think whatever they want. Power of propaganda is immeasurable.

[@WarInHD]

Same here, I’m class of 2018

[@WarInHD]

stonewall tommy jackson definitely, the Democrats control all public schools and colleges

[@archstanton6102]

@@maximusdecimusmeridius5500 When you say "they" who is this exactly?

[@Psychol-Snooper]

Those old artillery and explosion sound effects... good lord.

[@bigfish92672]

Still can't get accustomed to those talkies, eh gramps?

[@happisakshappiplace.6588]

My Dad could have ended up at 9B. He was at Stalag 8B after being captured at Anzio. (2/7th Queens Royal Reg.) He was on the infamous death march where eastern most POW camps were emptied by the germans and the prisoners forced marched through terrible conditions west to avoid the Soviet advance. Many died. My Dad and many others were able to break out of the march and run for it making their way back to US lines. He told us the march was bloody terrible.

[@neiltappenden1008]

All my respect to your father

[@justandy333]

Just seen the documentary featuring Mark Felton ,"Hitler's Steel Beast" on Netflix. Very modest of you to keep it from us that you're a Doctor of History. I must of subcribed to you about a year ago or 2 ago. I honestly thought you were just a keen amateur making videos in your living room. But no, before us we have Dr Mark Felton, Historian and Scholar. It all makes sense now how your videos are so good and diverse.

[@nparsona]

Interesting. The advert for his book made me think, just now, that he is much more than a keen amateur. He is a gift to KZbin viewers interested in WWII history.

[@aspenrebel]

Hey Doc!! Hey Doc!! I got this pain in my Antibellum.

[@Mustang1984]

Yea, I've seen him on tv before in history doc's.

[@eugenebebs7767]

That aerial gun camera footage is crazy. Stuff explodes like in Hollywood.

[@cosmicvoid5839]

I know, the train boilers are blowing up with steam pressure but even a building exploded like everything had explosives inside from machine gun fire I believe even if it was a large caliber

[@91Redmist]

Sometimes a plane would down itself flying through the exploding debris. Pilots had to be very careful in these situations.

[@eugenebebs7767]

@@91Redmist Yeah you can see few "chips" (probably size of newspaper) flyiing on 2:09

[@1981menso]

They were probably using incendiary rounds

[@robertf3479]

Many of the train explosions you see are either the boiler exploding after being compromised or munitions and fuel in the train cars going up. I read in at least one history of the European air war that fighter pilots would often go after the locomotives for the shear fun of watching the boilers rupture. Of course, once the train stopped everything else was wide open to strafing and light bombs. The same things happened when the main islands of Japan came under carrier air assault, and later in Korea as well. One pilot wrote "it was great fun." Even when pulling a train of empty cars the locomotive itself was worth going after from a military point of view, each one taken out helped to hamstring the enemy logistics system and the wreck would have to be cleared before that line could be repaired and reopened.

[@roscoewhite3793]

Dr Mark Felton brings an unjustly little-known episode of courage and enterprise to a wider audience, to bring it out of obscurity and garner it the recognition it deserves... and this is why I subscribe to this channel. Well done, Dr Felton!

[@derpynerdy6294]

Thanks for more information that isn't told in public more often

[@claytonmoen1221]

My Father was there after his capture at Luxembourg on Christmas day 1944. Returned to allied control on 25 July 1945. Thank you for this. I have some of the photos you have used. Incredibly, there was a man here in Arkansas that knew him and also was at IXb. He didn't like to talk about it. I understood.

[@zillsburyy1]

Dr. Felton should get the Presidential Medal of Freedom

[@trainhopperz]

He really should, ...but one from the current guy in the WH is Meaningless.

[@user-ct8my8rv9c]

Those used to mean something until Rush Limbaugh received one.

[@samiam619]

Stech55 Did the shrub give him one? SMH

[@samiam619]

trainhopperz Let’s wait for a President who won’t make the presentation about himself. Someone who knows more History than just his crime family history.

[@FFEMTB08]

@@trainhopperz and Obama giving Bill Gates, Ellen, Ophra and Tom Hanks one mattered? Oh and himself one?

[@Cookefan59]

Dr. Felton, I don’t think I could ever thank you enough for including those brief film clips of Black GIs also being liberated. You could have easily edited them out as many have done in the past. Thank you from my heart of hearts for recognizing those brave men who also served their country honorably. 👊🏽

[@Ed70Nova427]

The more and more I watch, the more and more I learn we are not taught much history at all. Everything is glazed over. The amount of history you provide on just this one subject is amazing to say the least. There is no way you, Mr. Felton, could possibly fill in all the gaps that are not shown or taught, but I wish there were more KZbin channels that could be as straight forward (well organized, no hype or preferences) in showing history in small packages like these video's you produce, but done on every subject. Of course "The History Channel" has the best title but it's more entertainment in my opinion. Thank you again as always for another great lesson in our world's history. Thumps up of course and waiting patiently for your next Master Piece.

[@stephen1137]

In the schools they can't spend time on the details. There is so little actual instruction time and the curriculum tries to cover as much as possible with some details thrown in here and there when possible. Of course, for the last decade or so, the schools have really become leftist and moral inversion indoctrination facilities, not schools. Anyway...

[@1981menso]

They should make a move about this with the screenplay written and directed by Dr. Mark Felton!

[@quillmaurer6563]

Could say that about just about any of Mark Felton's videos. Problem is a lot of war movies are very embellished, historically inaccurate, take things way over the top to the point of being absurd, and have to add stupid (typically romantic) sub-plots. History by itself, a retelling as accurate as possible, would make for a better movie in the end.

[@Thirdbase9]

They did, it was called Kelly's Heroes.

[@michaelgarcia872]

Thank you for this part of American military history and stating that the American POWs would carry their scares for the rest of their lives. My Dad was interned at Stalag IV-A and list 40 pounds during his internment from 12/44 to 5/45. If you have any video on Stalag IV-A please share it with us. ❤️🇺🇸

[@sylversyrfer6894]

Never knew about this. Col. Fetterly was a hero and should have won some kind of award.

[@Dirk80241]

Thanks for sharing this footage and the heroic deeds of Fetterly and his unit. Imagine what a relief it was for the POWs to hear the Sherman tank breaching the gate!

[@apeacho326]

It would be cool if mark did a tv show of all the heroic action of most of the country’s during world war two

[@THatChevyguy91]

Nope not tv .why go to tv when everything you see on it is fake false and blown out of proportion. Keep it youtube

[@roberthill3207]

@@THatChevyguy91 agreed

[@PedroRodriguez-yp7ou]

I agree it would be an awsome tv show

[@austonrowe6841]

Like a series

[@jangamaster8677]

Nah not TV. That is old school nowadays

[@badAim2]

Just try to imagine what those POWs felt, the emotions, their thoughts when they heard gun shots, explosions near the camp... getting closer and closer yet not knowing how it's gonna end.

[@sueferreira9711]

My father was a POW in Oflag Va. Soon after Patton broke through into Germany, the camp was liberated by Patton himself, riding aside the gun on a Sherman Tank - a magnificent sight and finally freedom.

[@Ricenoodles80]

I've always been fascinated with WWll, I can't believe I've never heard of this great rescue.

[@T-34_Chan]

If I may ask, can you make a video on South African contribution to WWI? It saddens me as the South African government is literally trying to bury our past history and it's important to me that people should remember the lives we lost in the Great War.

[@Masada1911]

The great war did one if you haven’t seen that

[@T-34_Chan]

@@Masada1911 I realise, but that's just one channel. As I said our government openly tries to deny these things happened and it's important to remember them.

[@T-34_Chan]

@Adam Dziobek And they call us racists...

[@Adiscretefirm]

@@T-34_Chan well...after that comment.

[@THatChevyguy91]

@Adam Dziobek ehh wouldn't persay that so much. It's the tv and social media that is what making everyone turn .we all bleed the same color do we not ?

[@kansascityshuffle8526]

Remember a typhoon pilot saying you had to be sure to avoid the plume of an exploding steam engine as it could disable your plane. The prison break was only a red herring. Oddball and kelly were 20 miles ahead breaking into a bank.

[@williamhogan4031]

bad vibes man..

[@twotone3070]

@@williamhogan4031 "Negative waves" :)

[@bernardmcmahon5377]

Kansa City Shuffle brilliant

[@hoosierpatriot2280]

Always with the negative waves Moriarty

[@Tom-uk2ow]

Woof-woof

[@patrickhughes8164]

I had a US history teacher in high school, Mr. Davis. His style of teaching he would bring up lesser-known events against the backdrop a major historical events. Which Inspired me to be a student of history. May you inspire others, less we forget.

[@bigfish92672]

...we?" We, who?

[@adammartin1665]

Braver men than I'll ever be. Absolutely amazing.

[@greglammers9905]

Another great lesson Dr Felton. My dad was on the island of Luzon in the Philippines during WWII during which the “Great raid” took place. I never got to ask him about it. As he died before the book and movie came out. Keep the lessons coming.

[@TheFiat124]

My dad was in Luzon as well, MAG 32,he dropped his goggles from his SBD as he flew low over the prison camp with a written note inside the goggles for the POW's," its Christmas", within minutes a US Army Tank blew through the front gates of the Bilibad Prison freeing the soldiers

[@tomjustis7237]

How in the name of God's little green earth could ANYONE give a "thumbs down" to such an informative, well researched and excellently presented video detailing a military action that was both heroic and humanitarian? IMHO, each and every one should be pitied for so obviously being mental deficients.

[@FuaConsternation]

i just asked the same question. i mean, wtf?

[@FuaConsternation]

i might have a theory: it could be people hit 'dislike' and stopped watching during the aerial footage bit talking about the tremendous effect allied air attacks had...without considering that the quotes were focused merely on railway strafing runs and not high altitude bombing raids (which totally sucked for effectiveness for the most part at hitting specific targets)

[@issanmike1]

it's people with learning difficulties and ignorantis of the left and right brain section. they will be ok

[@dlou3264]

TROLLS.

[@samiam619]

Po Co I found the guy who 👎🏼 Dr. Felton videos! It’s THIS guy. 👆🏼If these videos are so bad, watch something else. Say Mythbusters. Yeah, that might be your style...

[@audielmurphy9624]

I was stationed in Babenhausen and lived in Aschaffenburg from 2001-2005 with the U.S. Army artillery. I never knew about this and could have visited. There is so much more I could have seen and done during my time there. Thank you, Mark for putting these together.

[@glenmartin2437]

I grew up with the WW2 veterans as my instructors in grade school , junior high school, high school and professors at the universities I attended. Few talked of their war time experiences, especially combat and POW deprivations. Thank you for your videos and books. Keep up the great work. Professor Martin

[@jantartu330]

Mr.Felton terrific documentary.! My Grandfather and 2 Uncles were WWII Veterans God rest there souls. Please remember: If you can read thank a teacher...! If you can read English thank a Veteran.......!

[@MetroSkyscraper]

As an infantryman currently in the 44th I had no idea of this mission that my unit was apart of. Thanks so much!

[@AtheAetheling]

Must be amazing to hear some new history about the unit you're actually serving in!

[@eodmax]

My Dad was with the 106th Inf 422 Inf and was captured during the Battle of the Bulge. He was interned at Stalag IX and was basically skin and bones when he was liberated. Thanks Mark very good video.

[@SigmaWolf-in2mr]

My Family has been all Armed Services,Police, First Response. I learn a lot more than the Work of Mr. Felton, than World Book Encyclopedia. If I had extra coin, it would be here. Three cheers Mr. Felton. Many Thanks, for the hours you invest, in this channel.

[@blank557]

I was on the edge of my seat, wondering if the rescue would be successful, or end in failure, like the Hammelburg raid under Task Force Baum. I was so relieved it came off. Another informative and moving video by Mr. Felton. Thank you for your passion and hard work on these obscure but important bits of history.

[@johnnelson1228]

My uncle was a prisoner there. After they were fed everyone was still starving so they stole a box of chicken. When asked how he cooked his chicken, my uncle replied, "you mean it wasn't cooked?"

[@libzbond]

The chicken incindent of your uncle should be in a documentary

[@dwightstjohn6927]

@@libzbond the POW's digestive systems would have picked up dysentry and all kinds of other cramps and intestinal issues. Many that had been in the camps died from eating too much, too soon. Today, we'd be more careful administrating a rescue, I think.

[@1tiredcitizen796]

@@dwightstjohn6927 -I remember an episode of "Band of Brothers" where US forces liberated a Nazi prison camp. They were told to keep the inmates inside and not feed them for the same reason you wrote. Too much food too soon would have been very harmful to them.

[@aspenrebel]

chicken comes in a box?

[@aspenrebel]

@E Smidt they had KFC in German POW camps in 1945? Wow!!

[@marty97775]

I'm a u.s. expat living about 15 min away from there.....drive by weekly, never knew the history of that place. Thx for the documentary

[@karenhoward292]

So glad I found this. Thank you so much. My dad was a POW at Bad Orb Stalag 9B and told me many times about being liberated. He lost an inch in height and 50 pounds. So proud of him for serving at Omaha Beach, St. Lo, Battle of the Bulge.

[@katherinequann7190]

My father was also captured and held at Bad Orb. He was part of the Rhine Campaign and captured in France.

[@MatSpeedle]

Fantastic content as always Dr Felton, another fascinating lesser known tale that should not be forgotton.

[@canobeansyummers1667]

Love from Los Angeles watching this at 1 am

[@kstreet7438]

Metro atlanta watching at 4 am. Was going to bed but got a notification..

[@richardtallent8175]

Greetings from amery, Wisconsin USA. Just got notification 3am, cst. Staying up to watch. Thank you for great video, regular subscriber here.

[@mixererunio1757]

Warsaw, Poland. Beautiful morning, 10 AM

[@NorthKoreaUncovered]

Bakersfield watching 45 minutes later at 1:45 am. :)

[@apeacho326]

Canada quebec 4.52 am

[@JohnRyan1776]

My father, then- infantry Second Lt. Arthur John Ryan, served as a replacement officer in the 44th Division, although he had been badly wounded in late 1944 and was already recovering back in the U. S. by the time elements of his division had liberated the POW camp described here. The 44th was a combined New Jersey and New York National Guard unit. My father survived the war, retiring as an infantry captain in the Connecticut National Guard in 1964. He died in 1982, at the age of 63.

[@goldennuggetofwisdom5068]

Mark Felton is one of those rare individuals that can bring history back to life. I bet that in person he's quite the raconteur.

[@Awesomes007]

I’m so moved by these missions of mercy. I couldn’t imagine being more motivated as a soldier.

[@georgesenda1952]

Those of us who follow the Third Army know about Task Force Baum. My Father served under Patton and he was proud of his service. I have met many former soldiers from 3rd Army and all of them were proud of their service and loved Patton. But this is the first time I have heard of this rescue mission.

[@robertm2663]

No! Patton was not liked by the infantry. He threw away lives with reckless abandon.

[@garythomas3219]

A reckless unauthorised mission by Patton. Lost a lot of men and equipment trying to rescue his son in law

[@katherinequann7190]

My Father was held here and liberated in April 1945. We have pictures of him taken by a photographer that was embedded with the Americans on the day of liberation. We treasure it. My siblings and I visited this camp in 2019. We stayed at a private residence that was part of Air BnB. The owner learned why we were coming to Bad Orb and contacted the Children's Camp and got permission for us to take a tour. We were able to recognize the stones in the wall that still stand today that were in the pictures of Bad Orb on the day of liberation. Those in front of which my father stood in the pictures.

[@zavie3513]

Colonel Featherly is such a hero. God bless him.

[@KCODacey]

Thank you Mark for allowing me to start off my day a little smarter and a little more inspired.

[@rodgeyd6728]

Yep! Mark Felton's videos are the only videos I give a "👍" before I even watch them.

[@samiam619]

Rodgey D There are a few others that deserve it too. The History Guy being one.

[@jvl4832]

Thank you so much for this video. This really hit home. My father was a prisoner at 9b and i have these aerial photos and a picture of the headquarters as presented in your video. I don’t know where my father obtained them. My father did mention that he was skin and bones with a long beard and had little to eat. He was made to walk barefoot in the snow for not giving more information other than his name and serial number. Other stories included a dogfight over the camp in which stray strafing hat literally cut several prisoners in half. Bringing to light the deplorable conditions at this camp brings tears to my eyes not only for my father but for all victims. Despite all this my father volunteered for duty in the pacific after rehabilitating. Luckily, the war there came to an end. On May 10th, 2020 my father passed away at the age of 94. This video means so much to me......Thank you !!!!

[@gonesideways6621]

Never forget the sacrifices our Fathers gave so that we could live in a world rid of such madmen as Hitler, as my Dad died while sleeping in his recliner at age of 87 that he didn't die at hand of enemy but peacefully at home.

[@katherinequann7190]

My father was also held at 9B. He was captured as part of the Rhine campaign in France and taken to Bad Orb.

[@Willigula]

Every video from Mark Felton is equal to a college semester study of each subject. I loved the old history channel, but it was never this quality and depth. Thank you, Mark.

[@markpedroza7294]

It's 3:30am in CA and then this was uploaded as I was ready for Mr Sandman..

[@jackpinesavage1628]

Talk about sitting on the edge of my chair, not having heard about this rescue, hoping and praying for a happy ending to this story. It did! Yahoo!

[@poncho6784]

Something we should never forget. This is what real sacrifice and suffering looks like. None of this BS like today when people actually think they have it hard when their Amazon package is a day late, a favorite restaurant isn’t serving, or heaven forbid they have to “endure “ wearing a face mask to run into Walmart. This July 4, let’s be thankful for the sacrifices of all allied troops and their families. Without them, tomorrow’s celebrations might simplify have not been it possible. Thank you Dr Felton for this timely reminder.

[@colonelarrow8031]

As always, very interesting and astonishingly researched video! Just one sidenote, me as a german just want to add, the Bad in Bad Orb is pronounced like bahd. And it means esentially bath as marking the city for healing instances. Just a sidenote for probable future Videos, very awesome how you handle all these foreign names :)

[@JacatackLP]

It’s 4am and I need sleep why must you do this to me Mark 😩

[@stonefox9124]

U can sleep when ur dead! Greatness awaits! Press play!

[@paulwhitehead87]

"It's four in the morning..." - Leonard Cohen [from his "Famous Blue Raincoat".

[@ThePhoenix109]

@Yar Nunya and feel dead tired at around 3 pm. No thanks.

[@Crustymarine]

My father in law (45th Inf Div.) was captured at Salerno Italy in 1943. Held at a Work Komando administered from Stalag II-B. 19 months of exposure, severe starvation and forced labor. He never fully recovered. However, he did carry on with his life and raised a family. He died in 1986.

[@neiltappenden1008]

Respect to your father crusty

[@htos1av]

What a great story and taste of history! RIP to all who defend freedom and honor. And of course, kudos to the best historical researcher on this free platform.

[@JackHiper]

My Great Uncle was held at this camp. He said he only survived due to the fact he grew up speaking German and the guards liked him because of it and gave him food.

[@JackHiper]

@alanrtment porter Everyone didn't arrive at the camp in the same condition. And some were treated better and some worse. He felt he survived due to an advantage he had with language. I have no reason to doubt his opinion.

[@will031297]

2:19 that wingman accidentally KIA's his lead pilot on the left from the collateral of the explosion. Accidents happen, probably traumatised the wingman.

[@donalddodson7365]

In Vietnam they told us it was "friendly fire." Not to the shooter or the receiver: not friendly at all! As someone allegedly said first, "War is hell!"

[@MrDwarfpitcher]

That plane... The shock must have damaged even the plane that filmed it If that was common than the job sure was hell for these brave fellows

[@LuvBorderCollies]

I've seen that footage some years ago and analyzed it. The lead pilot screwed up and flew way too close to the train. It was probably his own bullets that blew the traincar but the following plane could've contributed to the explosion. Any rate, the explosion snaps a wing of the lead plane like a dry twig. The pilot most likely got tunnel vision and lost his awareness to the ground. Very unfortunate for the pilot but it still happens although today's pilot have much better training, much of it built on the past. I hope the filming plane's pilot passed on this lesson to others, although I'm certain by this point it was well known about the massive explosions from ammo trains. Again, it points to pilot error although understandable.

[@timl.b.2095]

@@LuvBorderCollies What an amazing eye you and BillyWhiz have. I didn't see that at all, until I went back and watched frame by frame.

[@LuvBorderCollies]

@@timl.b.2095 The footage I saw a long time ago was much higher resolution so it was easy to see. Kind of hard see the details in this particular copy.

[@MVEProducties]

If you want to time travel back to WW2, you need Mark Felton as your historical guide!!

[@DannyPVogelsang]

My father, US Army Corporal Donald Voglesong, a front-line infantry combat Soldier veteran-106th Infantry Division of the ''Battle of the Bulge'' was a Prisoner-of-War at Stalag 9-B in Bad Orb, Hessen, Germany from 25 December 1944 until 4 April 1945. Danny Voglesong

[@MrXdmp]

Thank you for another video Dr Felton! This is one of the less known rescue efforts after task force Baum.

[@Combatwombat-sn7ng]

Hey mark, can you do a video on the Allies' plans had the D-Day landings failed? I think that would be a fascinating topic!

[@ROBLOXowns]

Agreed!

[@JohnGeorgeBauerBuis]

I like this idea.

[@hughmungus1767]

Comegetsomelol - I remember seeing a documentary once in which Eisenhower was asked what he would have done had Operation Overlord failed. He said they didn't *have* a backup plan! Of course I'm sure they would have cobbled *something* together if they had to but they didn't have anything ready....

[@tigersemperor283]

the war at least in europe would have lasted longer and all of germany would be fully communist.

[@aspenrebel]

Run and Hide in the Rockies!! Funny, last nite I came home and movie "War Games" was on. From 1983 I think it was. "Let's play Global Thermonuclear War". Great movie!!

[@johnharrington1800]

Mark Felton is brilliant at finding these overlooked war stories. I've never viewed a bad one.

[@kevindavis5966]

Please don't ever stop making these. I don't know what I'd do if I ran out of Mark Felton histories to watch.

[@oncall21]

Another great chapter of history revealed Mark. Thanks for sharing!

[@geoffcartertheoreticalstru6484]

"The "almost" completely forgotten mission" ~ Not with Mark on the case 😉

[@cj.tj.8201]

Dr. Felton, you've always delivered perfection. We expect nothing less.. You are a perfectionist....

[@GR8TM4N]

Thank you again Dr.Felton for another excellent video. You're a example on how history should be taught

[@user-ct8my8rv9c]

Not really related to the video, but its a bit surreal to think all those American tanks, fuel, guns, ammo, equipment, everything, was manufactured 8,000 km away in America and had to be shipped to the frontline in Germany..the logistics machine must have been incredible.

[@alexandredelneste270]

That's one of the reason they relied so much on the Sherman. It was kept at a low weight to ensure most harbour cranes would lift them. Or also the reason this tank was labelled as more "reliable" than other tank. Not cause it lasted longer, but having huge amount of spare parts close from the front. While germans were often having less than 50% of their tanks ready for battle in their panzer division, US were easily reaching 80-90%

[@EliteF22]

@@alexandredelneste270 the lower weight also ensured that the Sherman could cross most bridges in Europe without fear of breaking them. Also, allied bridging equipment was designed specifically for the Shermans weight as the limits.

[@trevorhart545]

Logistics the "hidden hero" of all armed forces.

[@terrybrown4085]

Strategy is for amateurs .Logistics takes a professional.

[@Ndlanding]

@@LordDathka Electronics? Really?

[@carter6922]

Mark, please don’t ever stop making these awesome informative videos! You’re awesome man!

[@donalddodson7365]

Yet, I suspect those survivors who bore the scars, internal and external, through the rest of their lives barely spoke of it, taking the unspeakable horrors to their graves. May they rest in peace. Dr. Felton, once again, wonderful scholarship and blending historical films into your episode. Well done, as always. Thank you.

[@katherinequann7190]

My father was held here as a POW - having been liberated by the Americans in April 1945. He was returned home to the U.S. but then put back into service to serve in the Korean War. The fact that he was a POW was NOT a badge of honor. He was looked down up for having been caught by the enemy. Most were treated this way - those having continued their military service. It was a Badge of Shame - having been caught and held. Sad.

[@donalddodson7365]

@@katherinequann7190 Shameful! It was constantly on my mind as I served in Vietnam (1969-1970). How would I withstand being a POW? Without my glasses I had 20/200 nearsightedness. Would the interrogators believe I was merely a REMF Bandsman. I am so sorry your Dad had to go through that. Blessings.

[@booradley6832]

I appreciate the even handedness of your commentary. That the Germans did not exacerbate late war conditions out of cruelty(which they certainly did to some., such as those prisoners removed later) but that they ran out of supplies and infrastructure to be able to effectively cover the situation.

[@PL-rf4hy]

You could have called this one "Saving Private Ryans." Great video, and once again, as usual with your work, it evokes the utterance, "I did not know that."

[@apeacho326]

I am pretty sure I watched this video but still gonna watch it

[@robertrist2300]

You give the most intelligent about world war 2 and make us understand what war was about and you deserve a award for doing your duty on telling this stuff and you make me feal the pain telling it like it is. I will never stop listening to you ever.

[@RubyBandUSA]

What a great heartwarming story to read on the July 4th weekend! Colonel Fetterly, you da man! Thank you Mark.

[@SirAntoniousBlock]

_"It was perhaps the worst prisoner of war camp in Europe"_ Russian POWS: So you guys had a fancy camp then.....

[@geoh7777]

3:27 Monty himself was personally helping out.

[@garynarborough]

An amazing story Mark. The archive footage says a lot about the condition of the camp and soldiers. I don't know how you access all this content but it's great to watch and another way of us all not forgetting the horrors of war. Great video and as usual so well narrated and put together. Thanks from Greater London.

[@Betterifitsfree]

Forgotten no more. Thank you Dr. Felton.

[@slick4401]

2:19 the fighter flying left of the explosion is destroyed by the blast. My God.

[@shizukamori6755]

It was not deliberate. The tremendous explosion was probably caused by an ammunition magazine getting hit. The fighter on the lower left of the screen was just unfortunately at the wrong place at the wrong time.

[@peterk2455]

Looking at it slowly it appears to have exhaust smoke from both wings and there are bright flashes from left of screen in addition to those fired by the filming aircraft. It was flying alongside the train, not in an attack attitude.

[@demiurgiac]

Good eye!

[@ahistoryfanatic5683]

comparable to cabanatuan in january 1945 before you ask, i am not a filipino

[@francissantos7448]

Hello sir. Yes. Cabanatuan and Los Baños in the Philippines. ( I am a Filipino) Behind the lines rescue of POW's. Culture of the enemy power were worlds apart regarding prisoners and the local populace. Read/watch all about it. Thanks for remembering.

[@CyPhi68]

The Ghost Soldiers by Hampton Sides. Excellent book.

[@francissantos7448]

@fred McMurray thanks Fred. My father served with the US forces in defense of the Philippines in 1942. His fellow POWs, Americans, stayed captives until the Cabanatuan rescue, years later, freed them. My father was reactivated and participated in the final major action in the defeat of the invading army in the Cordillera mountains of Luzon. A Piper Cub airfield was in front of our house during the campaign. My oldest brother, who was 9 then, fondly remembers being invited for breakfast daily by the Americans. He would then share it with 5 other siblings. Saludos.

[@Roller_Ghoster]

Mr Felton thank you so much for the quality output. It makes a WW2 nut like me very very happy.

[@johntripp5159]

Five o'clock in the morning and I'm hunkered down in my bunker. Nice way to start the day.

[@Scrat335]

I never learned this in school. My dad was part of a mortar crew in the Battle of the Bulge. If not for the company cook in a Dodge truck he might have been in that prison camp. He got an ass full of shrapnel in a mortar dual because he let it stick out,or so he said.