*VETERAN* Band of Brothers Episode 3 "Carentan" | REACTION | First Time Watching

The most requested right now is Band of Brothers. Hope you all enjoy.
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#reaction #reaction #bandofbrothers
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[@foxtaco]

Vets If you or someone you know is living with PTSD and wants some Information 🙏🏿 www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/consult/consultation_program1.asp?gclid=CjwKCAjwhJukBhBPEiwAniIcNemy1TmoqA6uQDfPg74DSmktIQJSEbNmo7Zbzxe3Ihwpps9DCsTKExoCKJoQAvD_BwE

[@Flamekiller20]

I've probably watched 50 reactors to this series, and you are the only one who picked up on the symbolism of him taking the edelweiss. Bravo.

[@foxtaco]

Really???!! And thanks 🙏🏿

[@crowttubebot3075]

Came down to comments to post something similar. It takes a vet to understand.

[@kristymcdowell6185]

He sure is ❤

[@Bklyngurl85]

Yes! Same. I think because he’s a vet. It resonated.

[@SashaOrtiz-]

​@Bklyngurl85 Yes!! Every show he watches its like this!. LOTR he's comments are filled with the same sentiment. Not much gets by him for whatever reason it's awesome as a viewer!

[@orcanimal]

Tipper, who gets seriously wounded with broken legs and a bleeding eye, survived and is actually one of the real vets shown in the intro of this episode. He lost his eye and had to walk with a cane for a while, and his daughter (who he had when he was in his 60s!) became a member of the Colorado House of Representatives and later a Deputy City Attorney in Denver, CO

[@trevorsmith9162]

Hysterical blindness is a term that is now considered a type of conversion disorder, which is a condition that causes temporary physical symptoms without a physical cause. These symptoms include blindness, numbness, and paralysis, and are often related to psychological triggers. While the exact cause of conversion disorder is unknown, researchers believe it occurs in response to stressful situations or trauma...like war in this case.

[@RocketSurgn_]

Trauma can do a lot to people, and like I was very glad to hear from Fox- nobody really knows how they will react to it until they’ve experienced it. There’s always a cost.

[@prettyokandy230]

Just so you know, Blithe died a fair bit later ( 1967) whilst on active duty in Germany due to a perforated ulcer. He even served in Korea and earned three medals during his military service. BoB got that part pretty wrong lmao..

[@ExUSSailor]

He actually earned one Silver Star, three Bronze Stars, and, two additional Purple Hearts in Korea.

[@MrNiceGuy80x5]

I always gotta search the comments to see if someone gave a blithe update in these reaction videos

[@bravejango12]

It annoys me that they still to this day have not fixed that inaccuracy especially on the streaming versions.

[@hoshinoutaite]

Stephen Ambrose tends to take what a lot of his sources say as fact, without then following up. A lot of Easy Company guys had no idea what happened to Blithe and they assumed he had died. So, when Ambrose was writing his book, that's what he wrote. Needless to say, Blithe's family wasn't exactly pleased.

[@alcor4670]

People commenting on how Blithe didn't really die from his neck wound is pretty much a time-honored tradition now.

[@UberGhoul]

Bro, your input is so refreshing. This is one of the series I rewatch the most. Thank u for ur comments and sincere insight!

[@sdinvt]

Carentan was, and is, one of my favorites from this series. The individual story of Blythe (Who did NOT die as they said he did) and seeing the unit develop their personality as the war progressed.

[@dillonsiv]

In no particular order my favourite episodes are episode 5 crossroads, episode 7 breaking point and episode 9 why we fight

[@JJ_LL]

I read Winter's book and Ambrose's book: Biggest Brother and Band of Brothers (respectively). Winters said in one of them that Blithe was both terrified and ashamed. Nobody had talked to him the entire time that he was at the medic center because everybody thought he was lying. Winters said that upon touching him (after verbally trying to reassure him) then Blithe was able to see again.

[@Alvan81]

When Blythe says "I didn't wanna let anybody down". Right in the feels, because shows he's not just malingering, just overwhelmed.

[@adrianmoon6925]

As per previous comments Albert Blithe survived his wound . He was actually shot in the shoulder not the neck. He went back home and was on disability pay for a year but gave it up so that he could re-enlist .

[@Lilbailnick]

FUN FACT: That stunt man, actually got ran over by that tank destroyer! They dug big hole & packed with some kinda foam… What in the actual fuck!?!?

[@rollomaughfling380]

I've known, partied with a bunch of stunt people over the years. Absolute maniacs.

[@calemorgan3982]

Talbert "the guy who tapped on the other soldiers helmet with his gun to wake him up" was wearing a German poncho he took as a trophy.. That's why the guy who stabbed him said he was sorry but he dressed like a "krout"

[@hungryclone]

Love the reactions as always. That laundry scene at the end always fucks me up, the laundry woman just listing off all of the men who were killed or gravely wounded and not in the field anymore.

[@Alvan81]

Actor Grimes did a phenomenal job that scene gets me everytime! You can see his whole demeanor change. From smiling at the attractive laundry woman, to confuse, to trying to be helpful then some sort of flashbacks, finally some heartbreak.

[@ba55bar]

agree about the music. I've watched the series several times and it still gives me goosebumps

[@foxtaco]

I always wanna skip just because I don't want to start the episode crying already 🤣🤣but it's so good

[@ba55bar]

@@foxtaco don't worry, there will be plenty watching who are crying right along with you ☺

[@mornjnglori]

Great reaction as always! I'm glad you enjoyed Blithe's spotlight episode, it can be hit or miss with some people just not understanding how difficult it is to actually put aside your fear and that psychological debilitation is REAL. Episode 6 is my personal favorite and I'm looking forward to when you hit it. :) So this NOT a spoiler since it's never mentioned again in the series but I'll hide it a bit just in case anyone doesn't want to see it: Ed Tipper, the soldier who was inside that building when it was hit by the mortar and was found by Liebgott actually survived his injuries! The second veteran interviewed in this episode ("I thought one of two things..") is actually him! He made it to the age 95 and passed away in 2017. When he passed, his daughter wrote about him: “This is the piece I want those of you that didn’t know him personally to understand. His greatest sense of pride and accomplishment came from being a loving son to his mother. It came from his near 30 years of teaching. From his years traveling the world. And finally, from the 34 years he gave to his small, but adoring family.”

[@foxtaco]

I worked firsthand as a behavioral health tech my last few years on Active Duty..so I try and bring a part of that compassion and understanding to the reactions🙏🏿..thank you for your kind words

[@GrumpyOldGuyPlaysGames]

Albert Blithe survived his wounds. The reason why the series says he died is because he was not returned to Easy Company after he recovered, and the men of Easy assumed he'd died. He was assigned to a different company instead. He actually died in 1967 from an ulcer.

[@przemekkozlowski7835]

Most of the veterans lost track of each other after the war and only got back in touch once they started doing reunions. One of them saw an obituary for a paratrooper named Blithe and mistook him for the one who served in Easy. The real Blithe never made it to any of the reunions (he stayed in the army and was posted oversees till his death in 1967) so the others assumed that the story of him dying in 1948 was true.

[@6totoro6]

@@przemekkozlowski7835 There is another Albert Blithe in the 101 who die in 1948.

[@Alvan81]

I've watched at least six or seven different reactors . You're the first reactor to make the comment about the effect that Speirs' philosophy on "already being dead",would have on trying to re-enter Society!😮 Excellent. We're all so used to movie bravado, it's easy to forget about the real world.

[@asoka9212]

I love this episode. It goes back to what the one vet said at the beginning of the episode. They were all afraid, but the training they received and the believe in eachother is what pulled them through, that's real heroism. But then again, everyone that stepped up and helped to free the oppressed in a time when the world was on fire, is a hero in my book.

[@G.I.HistoryHandbook]

At 20:19 there is an example of the type of subtitle errors I was talking about. Guarnere does not say, "Sergeants, reverse!" (Because the machine gunner is not a sergeant, nor is he backing-up a truck.) He actually commands, "Search and traverse!" Typically rendered "Traverse and Search," it's a class of fire in machine gunnery. (He even does a little "traverse and search" arm-and-hand signal when he says it.)

[@rollomaughfling380]

The one that really grinds my gears is "Two rounds, HE quick," subbed as "Two rounds. Ain't she quick."

[@ElectrikNYCfunK]

Everyone wants in on Easy Company after watching this series 🤣 EDIT: We AREEEEEE all Easy Company after watching this series!!! Mad love Yall!! 💪

[@krisfrederick5001]

"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: without mercy, without compassion, without remorse. All war depends upon it.” -Lt. Speirs, and he's a man of his word

[@johngingras]

What I find interesting is the different viewpoints the leaders have: Speirs and his "already dead" mentality, Welsh looking at it as a game, and Winters focusing on the men with strength and compassion.

[@kirishima2370]

So beautifully written, a stark contrast to the low quality of TV writing that we have today. I wonder if Band of Brothers could even be made today

[@Robmcil]

I appreciate your insights as a vet. I would definitely recommend you reading the book as well. It is amazing, with even more information about the men and their missions

[@alexlim864]

17:03 Talbert was wearing a captured German poncho. Thank you for your service. And it's interesting for me, as a civilian, to learn the insights, based on your experience, you bring to such a series. And don't worry, there'll be some future episode that will top Episode 3. This is the kind of series where things just keep on a-comin'.

[@ravleow9748]

I always interpreted it as Blithe experiencing shock and his brain just not registering what he was seein’. Physically fine but some psych stuff goin on.

[@jtcash2005]

The second fight of the episode, "The Battle of Bloody Gulch" (from a western novel) and was one mile outside of Carentan. The CO of F company was relieved for having his men retreat, but F Company did return to the battle. The 2nd Armored Division with 60 tanks and part of the 29th Infantry arrived to save the day. Lt. Welsh and Pvt. McGrath did destroy a tank with a bazooka (the Germans had 12 tanks at the battle). Albert Blithe's family was surprised that the series had him dying in 1948. I think parts of his story are true and parts dramatized to show not every minute of the war was "heroic". He is one of the best characters in the series.

[@orcanimal]

The moment between Winters and Blithe at the aid station really happened that way. Winters spoke to him, told him it's gonna be alright, and Blithe calmed down enough for his condition to alleviate suddenly. There's a video of one of the real veterans (a major one, I won't say who to prevent spoilers for those who haven't finished the show) talking about Blithe where he corrects the mistake in the post script of the episode about Blithe (the show got that part wrong because the real vets they spoke to from Easy thought Blithe had gotten shot in the neck and assumed he died because he didn't return) you can find it on YT (I suggest only looking once you finished the show so you don't get spoilled who made it). In actuallity Blithe got shot near the neck but more in the shoulder, so he was able to survive but was released due to his injury so he didn't return. However, Blithe reenlisted later and fought in Korea where he recieved some serious awards, which the real vet who speaks about it points out, saying that whatever the issue he might've had when he was with them, it seemed like he found a way to get over it later on. Blithe was killed in a car accident in 1967~

[@megasaurusrex2160]

You are my favorite reactor by far! Your ability to narrow in on the symbolism and interpret the emotionality is top-notch. This is one of my favorite shows, and I can't wait to see the rest of your vids!

[@foxtaco]

Thank you so much for the kind words🙏🏿😁 glad you're enjoying the ride!

[@mikey_g226]

The Pacific Mini Series goes into the mental aspect of war a lot!

[@Gruvmpy]

Blithe suffered what was called, at the time 'Hysterical Blindness' (as he says in the episode), basically significant distress and long-term stress leads the mind to shut off input to save itself from said stress.

[@andrewhaman6284]

I've watch a ton of reactors to this show (it's one of my favorite shows of all time), and your empathy and the experience of your service is making this a very enjoyable watch. Thank you.

[@Alvan81]

100%. A lot of just sit there with saucer eyes to keep from blinking or tearing up or anything

[@crispy_338]

If you liked this The Pacific is super solid as well. Goes more into the psychological aspects.

[@johntaylor7029]

Yeah Band of Brothers is the story of Easy Company, The Pacific is more focused on a few individual characters. Still really amazing though.

[@mileschang796]

Yeah definitely want to see you watch The Pacific. In some respects, I like it a lot more than BOB.

[@666johnco]

In the Operations Room coverage of these engagements it should be noted that Easy was tasked with attacking a small hamlet south of Carentan. The attack down the road is correctly depicted but for Easy the fighting in the town is dramatic licence. The repulse of the armoured attack by the Germans is accurately depicted. I will say though that the company that ran rallied and was back in its trenches before any German infantry could reach them. This however is easy Company's story so that was not included. Oh and there was of course some moving around of casualties due to the town thing, Lipton was wounded by fragments from an 88mm shell a couple of days after this rather than at Carentan, there were three weeks un filmed time. Oh and someone else will probably tell you but Blyth did not die, he fought in Korea, but died in 1967 before the reunions really got going so nobody figured out the reports that had come back on his condition were wrong.

[@martinklaus2203]

Blythe did not die due to his injuries. He recovered and actually fought in the Korean War. His fellow soldiers lost track of him after he went to the hospital, and told Ambrose they believed he died.

[@KaoretheHalfDemon]

That panzer group would have arrived much earlier if it wasn’t for a group of paratroopers who landed way off course and decided to dig in at a town called Graignes. The story of their stand is a bit long but there is a wikipedia page that details it… as well as the massacre the SS troops committed to the townspeople after taking more losses then they inflicted on the americans.

[@KaoretheHalfDemon]

Forgot to say its called ‘The Battle of Graignes’

[@CosmosesJones]

That Edelweiss story is mostly true, it just doesnt apply to German Paratroopers. An Edelweiss flower was (possibly still is) the emblem of German mountain troops and was not something you would see a paratrooper walk around with. Its similar to the Airborne having those unique red coloured boots that no other American unit would wear lest they get their teeth kicked in probably

[@foxtaco]

Gotcha

[@mikecarew8329]

Good pick up on the Edelweiss. Tipper - the guy badly injured in the explosion did survive. He’s featured with many others in the HBO documentary “We Stand Alone Together,” which you should react to after the miniseries. Won’t tell you about any others re who makes it or not - but since Tipper does not return in the miniseries, it’s not a spoiler.

[@dallassukerkin6878]

I had such a surge of sympathy for how the episode turned for you at the end because it hit me the same way the first time I saw it - it really got me that Blithe got shot like that because he had been through the fire and found his courage. So, I know there will be a torrent of comments that tell you he survived after all but I just want to add one more and say he ended his life as a Master Sergeant with Bronze and Silver Stars to his name.

[@Heegaherger]

When I was in Iraq during OIF I, there was an established protocol on waking up unit mates (Marine Air Wing). Noses were broken when guys woke up swinging.

[@stevenroberts1392]

Good catch on the Edelweiss. You got exactly what the writers were aiming for. A point of fact, though. This is entirely a plot/character development prop. It is in no way historically accurate in any sense. Putting aside the fact that him taking the flower never occurred. It is incredibly unlikely that a Fallschimjaeger would have worn an Edelweiss flower. That particular flower was the Unit insignia of the Gerbirgsjaeger or Elite Mountain Troops (Wehrmacht Special Forces). The significance of the story of the flower and what it means is accurate, but specifically for the Gerbirgsjaeger. As is customary with our own military if a member of a non-elite unit was seen wearing a unit insignia that it was not a member of; at very least there would be a stern talking to. At worst, a beating would have occurred. I appreciate them trying to elevate Blithe and addressing the psychological aspect, but it could have been done in a significantly better way. Especially since they believed he died from his wounds simply because no one heard from him. He continued his career, served in Korea and retired a Master Sgt.

[@charleskimball7058]

Easy Company assembled ready to jump into France, but then received word that General Patton had overrun their drop zone, so the jump was cancelled

[@rollomaughfling380]

What the Hell shit are you running off about?

[@Davyayyay]

In one of the memiors it mentions Blithe saw the sniper first but instead of firing he shouted "bang bang". This is a reminder to make training as real as possible to ensure you react properly, which is why today we use blanks with miles gear or sim rounds. Of course back then there was only so much they could do, and their mistakes created our procedures from lessons learned. Respect to those who went before and did so much with so much less than we have today.

[@tonygonzales3206]

This is the best thing Iever put to screen for World War II. I watch tons of reactions as well I love seeing our youth go down this rabbit hole and understand where we came from. Thank you for your service.

[@matthewconner7800]

“Thanks for letting the episode end on a positive.” Nope. Depression via laundry.

[@albinorhino6]

From this point on, each episode kind of focuses on a different character, and explores a different aspect of what Easy Company went through. Episode 3 has always been one of my favourites. The actor who plays Blyth does such an amazing job, and Blyth’s character does such a good job of exploring the topic of ‘fear’, like the veterans were speaking about at the beginning. The scene with Spiers, and the idea of accepting the fact that you’re already dead, always gives me chills, but at the same time sounds quite badass. Remember Spiers, he’ll return in later episodes. As much as I like Episode 3, for me nothing tops 6 and 7. I think you said you were a medic? You’ll enjoy episode 6.

[@jimirayo]

If you like to read, the original book the series is based on is good reading. Even better is Dick Winters' 'Beyond Band of Brothers'. It has more detail and extra battles not covered in the series. Well worth the read.

[@ElectrikNYCfunK]

Let's Go Knicks!!!! I want to set that Heat had on fire...no pun intended lol

[@foxtaco]

We got smacked in the finals smh

[@ElectrikNYCfunK]

@@foxtaco Ehhhh it was just Jokic & his boys year.... we'll see yall next year though lol Knicks got the league on notice! Hahahah have a great day my guy!

[@foxtaco]

@@ElectrikNYCfunK hahaha spoken like a true Knicks fan lol

[@ElectrikNYCfunK]

@@foxtaco hahahahah lolol 🤣🤣🤣

[@Gibbetoo]

as an signals NCO i have or had that mindset, you either achieve or get killed trying to. i am in reserve rn. i demanded a lot from my men, but gave a lot up when our goals were done.

[@flynn-wp3ek]

Just a reminder, these are not "characters". These men and the names used are real.

[@matthewconner7800]

I didn’t see anyone else talk about this in the comments, but that gunshot was NOT Luz and Hubler shooting the French family. Probably not the best choice in sound editing to go with that visual cut. The two of them had been, as you saw, clearing rooms and buildings with grenades, and at THAT door, Hubler urged Luz to do the same. Luz seems to have had a gut feeling, and did not use a grenade. Both of them were in shock at the fact that if they’d done that entry the same as the others, they’d have just killed an innocent family.

[@danielott135]

Even tho Blythe becomes a badass especially later in life The Corpsman in you was right !!!

[@EastPeakSlim]

Thanks again for another insightful reaction. You pick up on the important stuff, and I appreciate it. The Airborne was the best light infantry in existence at that time. The downside was they were not truly equipped to deal with armor. But, with machine guns, mortars and bazookas, they did what they could. Easy Company's clearing of the 105's at Brecourt Manor on D-Day made the link up with 2nd Armored possible. Their tanks came in quite handy at Carentan.

[@danielott135]

Wait till episode 6 Doc !!!

[@orcanimal]

The gunshot you hear after Luz breaks down the door and finds that Belgian family is NOT him shooting them. Obviously, he did not shoot them. That was just a random gunshot from the battle. The point of that moment where Luz finds them and freezes, when they were going house to house throwing grenades in just moments before, was to illustrate something that actually happened to the real Luz and I believe also the real Wild Bill was with him and talked about this later on, where they ran out of grenades or something like that and broke into a house, only to be surprised to find a family hiding there, which then made them realize, oh wow, we've been throwing grenades into these houses thinking there were only German soldiers in them, who knows if we might've killed civilians by accident... it caught them by surprise is all. There's no reason for Luz to shoot that family, they're not German, they're civilians under German occupation. They're literally the people he's there to liberate. He just froze and look to his partner, basically seeing, jesus, there's people in these houses not just soldiers...

[@calneigbauer7542]

If you KZbin major winters and Bligh you can actually hear winter talk about blithe and would be cool to see you do a reaction to the full video after you finish the series or post it all

[@davecsa7286]

Enjoyed your reaction, it's so enjoyable watching a veterans reaction, loads of civilians don't get it. I agree with Spiers, if you worry about survival in combat you will not be an effective soldier. Blythe actually lived until the 60's, it was a miscommunication that led to the report of his 1948 death. Looking forward to your next one.

[@crew3745]

Winters is the GOAT agree 100%....

[@gravitypronepart2201]

Not much to add, just wanted to say hey Doc. I'm really enjoying your reaction, and I want to ask; are you still in?

[@foxtaco]

Jan 19th 2023 was my last day..served 9 years 🙏🏿

[@specialopssoldier1]

im glad you are enjoying this series..i hope youll react to the pacific after this series

[@brocephus1107]

Thank you for reflecting on war from a more 'average-soldier' POV. KZbin is filled with creators who are retelling stories as SEALS and Green Berets that do not represent the majority of over a million people who served in combat during the GWOT

[@foxtaco]

🙏🏿

[@CrushDepth19]

when you're done watch the pacific bro, it's done by the same people and is even better

[@martinklaus2203]

The Pacific was good, but is no way better than BOB. Just my opinion.

[@AstroAvenger]

Not better but still solid, I would say watching Letters from Iwo Jima and Flags of our Fathers really adds to the series.