Where Hitler First Saw Combat | History Traveler Episode 381

[@johnstup4479]

It's insane to think that there are 25,000 soldiers buried in that mass grave. Great video JD.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Pretty wild.

[@jmazoso]

That's the thing that really gets to me about the WW1 cemeteries. Row upon row of headstones/markers. Then a monument to all the men who they never found their remains or could only find enough to inter in a mass grave, and theirs more on the monument than there are headstones.

[@historyinyourhand1787]

Great video JD. It was a pleasure exploring some of the Ypres sites with you! Looking forward to the next video

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

@@historyinyourhand1787 👊🏻

[@Ronaldl2350]

Hearing the number of soldiers buried there. Then just seeing the thousands of names. It brought me back to when you visited a German cemetery in Poland, that had thousands of names listed. Just so much waste of life. Thank you JD, for sharing this content, so we don't forget how terrible war is.

[@fanroche8573]

was thinking the exact same thing. x

[@charliemansonUK]

I lived in Belgium 🇧🇪 for 3 years whilst serving at NATO HQ SHAPE near Mons and spent many weekends in Ypres. The last post at The Menin Gate never gets less emotional and I found even more emotional when in uniform. A fascinating place with lovely locals who have grown up knowing their history and mostly speaking English because of the war tourism that started in 1919. Edit* i found out afterwards my Great Uncle was injured at Ypres and died of his wounds in a field hospital near Calais and his brother was killed at The Somme and is on the Theipval memorial. Ive been to both and never knew they were there or their story. My granddad, the youngest son was too young to fight at 14 so never went over. A family sadness hidden until my mother told me when she was terminally ill. It was a sadness hidden by many back then...never to be spoken about.

[@la_old_salt2241]

Thanks for your service, and thanks for sharing your story.

[@ezpzlemonsqueezy90]

My great great uncle is on the Thiepval memorial. He died age 22 in the battle for Albert on July 7th.

[@frenchfan3368]

Very interesting for a subject that is so seldom discussed. We usually just hear in school that "Hitler was a Corporal in the First World War" and never hear anything else. It's great to actually see where he fought during the Great War.

[@frenchfan3368]

@@yvonneplant9434 Most people these days do not have a lot of time to sit around reading. We work. We work overtime and maybe have time to meet up with friends and family if all our responsibilities have been taken care of.

[@wayneantoniazzi2706]

@@yvonneplant9434 There's two versions I've read of why Hitler was never promoted past lance corporal despite being awarded a regimental citation and decorated three times. One says that his superiors didn't believe he had any leadership potential and the other says he WAS offered promotion but turned it down because he didn't want responsibility for any lives or life besides his own. Which is true? Beats me.

[@mikeg6042]

It’s my dream to travel to Ypres to the battle fields.I’m a 74 year old Vietnam veteran whose family has a substantial history in service to the United States. My Great Uncle died at Ypres on October 31st 1918. His name was Alfred Lilgreen and I’ve seen the memorial placed for him at Cushing Minnesota but I have every reason to believe he’s buried at Ypres, Belgium. My Dad was born 2 years after Alfred died and his middle name was Alfred. He fought in the South Pacific. My brother, myself and 2 of my cousins fought in Vietnam. My family has a strong veteran presence. I’ve also got an interest in my families genealogy. Because of that interest I want to try to get to the cemeteries at Ypres to attempt to find my Uncles grave. Perhaps some day I’ll make the trip and place a flower on Alfred’s grave.

[@Wreckdiver59]

Great video JD 👍 The historical pictures, footage and map animations really help give you a feeling of the weight of history in this place.

[@ericscottstevens]

My Great grandfather Georg fought at 3rd Ypres with the 5th Bavarian Infantry Reserved Regiment.(5. Bayerische Reserve-Division) He spent the majority of the war in this area in Belgium He stated they were gassed at Ypres and many around him started to flay their arms and run around in a panic. It attracted the gas to them quicker. He remained calm and crawled over to a shell hole and the gas mist passed over him. He was still affected but went on to fight ending the war with a gang green injury on his lower left shin that festered for decades. Georg was a very fond devotee to AH, even styling his hair like him and growing a short mustache in the 1930s.

[@timvanacker5129]

I met you, Chris, Sander and the others at the Last Post ceremony. It was cool to meet you and something unforgettable for me

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Yes! It was great meeting you as well!

[@Hobbitma]

So interesting. Learned a lot and hope you have more videos soon. Thank you.

[@NancyDrew1011-fh6fb]

I love your explorations in History, JD! I don’t know as much about WW1 Thank you! If you ever get a chance to visit Mortain France, my grandfather died there during WW2 during an intense battle. There is a memorial at the top of the hill! My dad is nearly 90 and he would love a history lesson on where his father died! I have been there and it is surreal❤ thanks again

[@wasiuuu1]

its insane that we as humans did not learn anything from these war conflicts *****************thank U for very informative excursion**********************

[@tomsassa9013]

Excellent JD!!! I visited that same cemetery back in 1998

[@gashead2]

We were there in September, our guide showed us the photos of Hitler at the cemetery. My wife was stood pretty much on the spot where Hitler was by the bunker which our guide showed us, this freaked her out a little. Amazing how that man can still send shivers through our bodies after all these years.

[@pauldurkee4764]

A fascinating place for anyone interested in military history on any level. For our American friends, the desperate fighting that took place in the small villages and hamlets to the east of Ypres, along the menin road, halted the germans getting their important break through to the channel ports. The salient was much feared, because depending exactly where you were, you could be shelled and sniped at from three different directions at the same time, its lethality was legendary. The action at Gheluvelt Chateau is still remembered today by the regiments of the British army that carry the battle honours of the South Wales Borderers and the Worcestershire Regiment, namely the Royal Welsh and the Mercian Regiment.

[@cliffgray7887]

Amazing. Thank you JD for another fantastic look back. ❤️💯

[@TobyKearton]

Had the opportunity to visit Ypres in 2022 while researching for a film project - was such an insightful visit. Thank you JD for adding such great historical context to my trip and giving my visit more meaning 🙏🏻

[@robertvirtue]

Very good JD Very informative. Thanks

[@jonathantitus2629]

Thanks so much JD. I must confess I do not know WWI as well as I should, so this is quite educational for me. Keep up the good work of education for us all.

[@jay-jayigotya7551]

Another great episode JD! That mass grave is unreal, keep up the great work mate 😊👍

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thank you 👍

[@fraserthomson5766]

Walking around Hill 60 always spooked me the amount of souls departed on that hill. There was also an old museum at the corner of Hill 60 that had hundreds of stereoscopic black & white photographs of the war etc, shame when it closed. I wonder what happened to those 3D images? Hopefully they ended up in the main WW1 museum in Ypres.

[@bcgraham3512]

That was a wonderful Museum, really more of a private collection of many battlefield finds. I remember them piled on shelves, you could hold them. There was nobody else there at the time, It felt like a time capsule.

[@ronmoore5827]

Another great post sir, please keep them coming.

[@gaylewright8270]

Thanks, JD. Well done. We took a WW1 tour with the Stephen Ambrose folks last year. So much to still learn about that war.

[@markieman64]

JD, fantastic video! It really brings a "what if?" scenario into focus. Obviously, we then realise that Hitler wasn't an island in his twisted ideology.

[@1psychofan]

Very interesting! Thanks for explaining the mass grave thing. I have often wondered why they would burry them together…didn’t know they were in the line like that! Makes sense!

[@ozziecozzie274]

Awesome! Thank you JD for taking us on this WW1 journey, my favourite history topic! Love your channel mate ❤

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

@@ozziecozzie274 👊🏻

[@TribeTaz]

Great video, JD. I always love when you visit those old cemeteries

[@Chris-Nico]

Well done JD, thanks as always. As with all your videos, your research is commendable!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👊🏻

[@flight2k5]

Every video you’ve made are amazing. I enjoy every one. Keep up the good work.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thank you very much!

[@davidwaddell9772]

Such an amazing place to visit. The Last Post brings everything into perspective. Thank you for sharing.

[@tanker335]

Had a British gunner traversed his Vickers a bit more to the left or right, the 20th century might have looked completely different. I can't imagine it could have turned out worse.

[@Nighthawk1966]

Very informative, excellent video !!!

[@camdodge9891]

Hello JD top notch such a great video thank you what a beautiful place and I am really looking forward to the next video JD

[@PaulDouglasDouglas97]

Really enjoyed the video mate can't wait for the next one

[@greggriffin1]

Great content as always, thank you

[@fordescortbelgium3580]

hey, nice to see my region, have been following you for a while, greetings from Kemmel (Belgium)

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Loved my time in your country!

[@fordescortbelgium3580]

@@TheHistoryUnderground still in belgium ?

[@scobun]

Oh man…Ypres and Concord. Here come the annunciation police. Great video.

[@beachy_vanlife978]

Hi JD, I‘ve been following your channel for quite a while now and I must say that you‘re really doing a great job! 👌 As a German citizen, however, I need to correct you in one important detail: Surprisingly, it is NOT the German government that takes care of German war cemetaries, but a humanitarian association called „Volksbund Kriegsgräberfürsorge e.V.“ which is mainly funded by donations. 😉🤓

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Ahhh….thanks for the clarification.

[@jessieb8388]

This is so good. Thank you.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks! Got some more coming up.

[@ww2tours]

You guys were pretty close to the bunker where Hitler billeted for 3 nights (still exists) outside the town of Fromelles; he actually re-visited the bunker on one of his battlefield tours in June 1940. Also the brick wall where the famous photo was taken of the guys in the Bavarian List Regiment (with Hitler and their dog) was still there when I visited many years ago. Maybe you are covering those sites in another episode... great stuff, and keep up the good work!

[@Anonymouse-d3m]

Great back to the good stuff.

[@sbishop6450]

Very sobering video JD. I comprehend the thousands who died in WW1 on both side and the number of families affected. I remember as a child there were a lot of old single ladies who had not married as either their boyfriends died in the war or simply the lack of males to females. Sad. 😢 uk

[@swgeek4310]

The loss if life just in that cemetery is astounding. Think about if those folks lived and what may or may not have been thought of...man...Also interesting insight into what Hitler held and what shaped him

[@bradmiller3367]

I do love history, but this war is one I know little about, so thanks are due for the the education!

[@patrickbanzai6329]

Cool!!! I've been there many years ago but never realised AH was there himself.Impressive site,a bit dark like most of the german cemetries but very interesting! Love your videos ;-)

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👍🏻

[@petedrumm2957]

Great work as always

[@montgomeryridgeback1825]

Thanks for another great video! If only these places could speak

[@JD-ij5fi]

Once again JD, outstanding!! How very thankful to God that an American is standing in that cemetery instead of a German standing in Arlington.🇺🇸

[@War_footprints]

Incredible video as always 👏🏼 great you corrected yourself on the German grave markers, I never knew that. Everyday is a school day. Where is your go to place to get your archive footage? You seem to find stuff I’ve never seen before

[@elmartillo7931]

Absolutely love your Channel! I'm crossing my fingers one day you do a video about Vimy ridge

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

🙂

[@elmartillo7931]

@@TheHistoryUnderground and thank you for the Canadian Redemption after D-Day video. I had relatives that were in the Royal Regina rifles

[@JeanineKing]

I enjoyed this, thanks. Then again I like everything you’ve done.

[@pringphotomartin]

Went to Langemarck when I did a battlefield tour in school, was astonished at the difference between a commonwealth cemetary VS German ones, Commonwealth always seem brighter and airy VS the "darker" cemetary

[@steveb5341]

Interesting vid JD… lot of new information 👏🏻🪖

[@toneian]

JD. You don’t get enough credit for your self editing. You should have 15 daytime Emmy’s

[@fanroche8573]

went to the service at the menin gate - it was the fire service carrying out the Last post then. everyone respected it and it was extremely emotional

[@joshmarks3954]

Langermark is one of the most somber cemeteries on the western front imo. While you’re in the area you should try find the “hitler”bunker just near the town of Frommels. There is a photo of him visiting it in 1940. Also his billet from 1916 still stands in a small town called Fournes. Stuart Curry has an interesting website with photos. Cheers from 🇦🇺

[@marklazaroff7213]

My wife's great grandfather, KIA at Pilckem Ridge in the 1917 British offensive, is buried here. In 2002, she was the first of her family to visit his grave. He was originally buried in Westroozebeke and was reinterred here in the 1950s. In 2002, the bronze plaque you mentioned was still there. The plaque was placed over a name carved into the stone: "HEINRICH LERSCH 1914". I believe this man was the architect of the cemetery.

[@-AxonTerminal-]

I demand longer videos!

[@surfacingcom]

The group photo at the start, has anyone done a deep dive on that? I’ve seen it so many times now I want to know their names and lives too, what may be known about their opinion of him, etc.

[@BenFaffler]

Very cool!! Any plans on coming over to Okinawa for the 80th next year? In the south theres a lot of city, but Kakazu, Hacksaw, Wana ridge, and others are currently parks so they are pretty well preserved. I bet you could even get in contact with 3rd MLG to be able to see the museum on Camp Kinser.

[@allisondangelo2372]

Thank you for sharing

[@newbeginnings8566]

Yes been here a few times... Plenty of history to be had.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Much to see and learn there.

[@chuckmcfarland2658]

JD another amazing video

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Glad you think so! Thanks!

[@bobgreenwood1066]

Outstanding 👍

[@sscinamon]

Very interesting. Thanks

[@doreenmurnane9075]

Very interesting thanks

[@Obizzil.]

Another amazing video,it has to give a person a sense of awe to be there,I’ve been doing some research on the 11th Airborne Division and the raid on Los Banos is it possible that you will do a video on this? Thanks

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Would definitely love to get to the Philippines at some point. The Los Banos story is amazing.

[@brendanthornton1634]

Top stuff JD

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks!

[@AbanithViswam]

Thanks

[@newbeginnings8566]

Imagine those that cleaned the mess of rotting bodies, smashed up bodies, pieces of bodies and then getting all these body parts to the cemetery..

[@robbrike4619]

A very nice video but I have a few remarks to make. The inscription on a bronze plaque "Deutschland muss leben und wenn wir sterben müssen" can be seen behind your back when you are entering the small inner courtyard after leaving the entrance building. Also, the 17.000 names mentioned on bronze plaques around the mass grave are all Bavarian missing soldiers. While it is possible that some of them are laying in the mass grave, there is no link between the two. The 25.000 men laying in the mass grave are unknowns, so you can't possibly connect them with real names. Finally, the sarcophagus shaped concrete tables are not representing regiments who fought in Ypres, but they are bearing the names of associations who made important donations to the VDK, or Volksbund Deutsche Kriegsgräberfürsorge, the equivalent of the CWGC (Commonwealth War Graves Commission).

[@northernengland]

My Father was captured at Dunkirk with 40,000 other soldiers and marched to Poland where he was POW for 4 years, nobody ever talks about it.

[@juhopuhakka2351]

Apparently so since I and many more thought that allmost all got away. I guess it does not fit in the narrative of british "victory" at Dunkirk?

[@northernengland]

@juhopuhakka2351 British people like to romantize about things, especially wars.

[@NDB469]

Interesting stuff

[@BravoCharlie2u]

I used to own a photo album from a German vet who was in Langemark in 1940 when Hitler visited and took pics of the same things you are showing.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

@@BravoCharlie2u wow!

[@JD_82]

Im from belgium, lots of ww1 sites to visit out there in ieper region 👍 beautiful landscapes also.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Loved my visit there.

[@StevenParker-zs8jx]

Thanks JD - great video! What software were you using on the tablet that displayed the trench lines with real time GPS - was that LinesMan or some other product? Thanks!

[@nicolewillette5205]

Hey love the channel should visit old burriel cemetery injust north of Boston revolutionary solders buried

[@mgway4661]

As a combat veteran myself, I have always been fascinated in learning about Hitlers War experience as its probably the closest I will ever come to actually relating to the guy. Almost....Almost, feeling sorry for him. No doubt this effected him and shaped his future. The obvious distinction that needs to be made here is that Hitler clearly didn't learn the right things from the experience.

[@imyourgodmachine]

As always, you da man JD!!!!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks!

[@victorvandeputte1978]

I actually live there in Langemark

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Nice! Loved that area.

[@victorvandeputte1978]

@@TheHistoryUnderground I dont know if its worth your time but you should visit pondfarm in St-Julien. It is a farm with a private museum inside. All the relics are from the farms ground.

[@Glee73]

been here once. was a great experience. such a beautiful place.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

It really is!

[@bruverA1]

i would love to plan something like this! how did you coordinate it all?! Great vid

[@robinrobyn1714]

What I have often wondered about, for years,is where exactly that photo was taken, of Adolf Hitler and his fellow soldiers. They are next to a trellis, it appears. It was taken during World War 1, sometime.

[@reddevilparatrooper]

Very surprising that Corporal Hitler survived combat during WWI. Many of his comrades and later replacements killed in combat or very badly wounded. I would say he was a very dedicated and brave soldier. He was not special, he was just a common infantryman who was a messenger because their life expectancy was no better than any other infantryman.

[@TheCosmicGuy0111]

Interesting!

[@JoeRitchie-e5l]

It is so sad to think of all the people who died in WWI. You have to wonder how different the world would be if that carnage didn't occur. However, we have to face the fact that it did occur and gave rise to the insanity that gripped the world because of one man

[@AngelBP714]

Twsss clean pass threw my boi.

[@KillaCommieFerMommie]

*According to historical records, Hitler received two medals during World War I: the Iron Cross Second Class and the Iron Cross First Class, both awarded for bravery in combat; the latter being a relatively rare distinction for a soldier of his rank (Lance Corporal)*

[@GerrieMeesters]

I have also visit it very impressive well I living in Ypres and for me it's the Meningate and off course all what I daily see here imagine all these men i remember what they did for us.

[@merlijnveijk855]

You should go and see the caves in the Aisne. Well I invite you to come to the Aisne

[@timvanacker5129]

In comparison to all the CWGC cemeteries, German cemeteries are kind of dark, no or very few flowers, high trees etc. But they still contain the fallen of a brutal war that would end al wars. Lest we forget.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

They certainly have a different feel to them.

[@danielvanmol5655]

Where do you find the trenchline map?

[@DSToNe19and83]

On top of the hill… looks like South Dakota to me 🍻

[@robbiemcc4355]

Bravo ✌️

[@DT-wp4hk]

The first time always the most special one

[@GlasgowCeltic88]

OMG... You're telling me Dick-takers "lie"(?!) 😮 Well I bloody never. I thought all Dictators were honest people... lol One again, JD, a fabulous episode and dive into a period of history people tend to only focus on the big battles (Somme, Passchendaele, etc). I've said before "History Underground" should be on the school curriculum, a must watch for every history class!

[@henryibekwe1073]

“War does not determine who is right - only who is left” ~~Bertrand Russell

[@rodplumb]

Thousands of years of war and in 2024.It's still going on to this day😢 So sad. There's other ways How to figure out problems

[@rhondablair5650]

Can you do a video on Hitlers family

[@forcesmuggler7667]

Knew about Hitler being a corporal and being gased, but never thought about his first battle.