WWII Then & Now: The American Paratrooper Who Liberated Rotterdam

The Netherlands was officially liberated on May 5, 1945 and each year the country celebrates Liberation Day on this date. But even though The Netherlands was liberated on May 5, it wasn’t until several days later that Canadian troops arrived to occupy the cities that hadn’t been liberated before. Yet, an American paratrooper managed to be the first liberator in town.
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CREW - www.snafu-docs.com
Produced & Edited by: Joey van Meesen
Story Research & Photographic Material: Hjalmar Teunissen
Camera & Music: Rob van den Berg
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SOURCES USED:
Photograph Schiedam: Collectie Dirk Docter
Photograph Den Haag: Collectie A. A. van Duin
Stadsarchief Vlaardingen
Haags Gemeentearchief
Stadsarchief Rotterdam
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Subscribing, liking and sharing the video on Social Media will tremendously support this channel. Together we can expand the channel and community as a place for military history buffs. Don't forget to turn on the notification bell!

[@OMGitsJelle]

the stories of these people will fade if no one is there to tell them, thanks for doing so and keeping the memories alive

[@SNAFUDOCS]

Happy VE-Day everybody! I would like to use the comment section to thank Peter Scotese for his service in World War II and for liberating my country. We sent this video to Peter, so hopefully he will be able to see all your lovely messages. Thank you for watching. May we never forget!

[@palaver40]

And thank you for your effort in producing another remarkable segment about WWII.

[@remcobekhovenvan3928]

I am from Rotterdam and born there. Great video and story. I am collection pictures and books about that periode regarding Rotterdam.

[@markwinnett9365]

My wife's uncle was with the 17th airborne and participated in Operation Varsity. His glider crashed and only he and one other survived. They were captured and taken prisoner and held for 23 days. Pfc John Harvey DeCoff went on to serve his country in Korea and Viet Nam. My wife and I recently visited his burial place. Thank you so much for all the amazing work that you do in preserving and presenting the history of WWII.

[@jefsantamonica641]

Happy VE Day! I'm an 82nd granddaughter, so anytime anyone mentions the Division or the Airborne, I am happy for the information. This is a channel I can watch easily. As you can imagine, since my grandfather jumped in Sicily, Salerno, Normandy, Market Garden, fought in the Bulge, helped liberate Wobbelin concentration camp and occupied the American sector of Berlin, I want people to know of the heroism and effectiveness of his Airborne unit. We all were happy for the Airborne exposure with BOB and the 101st. Any exposure of what the Airborne accomplished reflects on all. It is just me, and I make no judgement at all, but I cannot watch those channels that dig up fields and forests with those metal detectors. I am very appreciative of your work in before and after photographs. The accuracy is pretty amazing and you show respect to the cities and areas of Europe you photograph. Thank you.

[@PatrickBijvoet]

Ik blijf onder de indruk van wat jij allemaal hier laat zien. Dank daarvoor.

[@davidhardy6557]

I'm a WW1 and much more so, a WW2 buff. My father served in the army in WW2 and saw action in Italy, France and Germany. Me and my brother served in Vietnam. I live in the USA and I've worked as an aircraft mechanic which has allowed me to travel to Europe many times to go to places where different battles took place, including some of the places you mentioned in this video. I've seen the story of D Day a million times. It's a story that doesn't get old, but to see something like this, something we haven't seen before is very interesting for me. I realize the great amount of research this must have taken. This was very enjoyable and I'd like to thank you and thank also your uncle and your countrymen for the great sacrifices they made.

[@DylansPen]

These side by side image videos are great because what we see from 80 years ago happened right there on that exact spot.

[@ShawnLivesInItaly]

Thanks to your ancestors SNAFU DOCS and their contributions during World War II (Mr Jan van der Sloot) Also thanks to Peter Scotese service in World War II and for liberating your country.

[@SandervkHistory]

Finally we know about the jeep! This is really well put together! This story.... amazing! Thanks for sharing 🙏

[@Resenbrink]

All these videos based in Holland are especially interesting to me as my parents are Dutch. The emigrated to Australia in 1953. Really appreciate your enthusiasm and all the work you put in to all your videos.

[@jerryglen986]

Never be a war like that. Only 76 years and most people have forgotten what was the most enormous world wars 2 wars because so many counties fought different wars. 1936-1945 Japanese firstly attacked Chinese in 36.

[@crafter170]

What a great story .These guys had balls of steel man.Bluff their way into a prison and get their guy out .Remarkable act of sheer bravery .Their lives were on a knife edge.

[@EllyYoung12]

Mooi om te zien! Respect 👍voor wat je doet! Ik woon in Flevoland en hier hebben we pokeren geschiedenis met verhalen over de neergestorte vliegtuigen tijdens WW2, toen nog Zuiderzee. Na drooglegging is veel gevonden en gedocumenteerd en in boeken gekomen. Zeer de moeite waard👍😉

[@m5a1stuart37]

Excellent work!

[@KCODacey]

I shall never forget - what they did or what you are doing. Thank you.

[@felipelotas5609]

Amazing story. Probably my favourite video of your then and know series...wel...just probably...because I´m addicted to this sick hobbie of finding the spots an looking from details that have survived to modern rebuildings and transformations. It makes WWII son vivid and present. It´s a hell of a experience. You guys are doing HISTORY with HISTORY.

[@bevansabo2762]

What an amazing story and you told it so well about them heros. I felt the sincerity in your voice as you told it. You are a God send to tell these things about the war. Thank you.

[@janjohnsonamarillas3386]

Thank you for all you are doing , these stories need to be saved for future generations !

[@giljeep]

je regarde vos vidéos toujours avec passion!!! bravo et merci

[@nick2127]

Vet om te zien dat je iets met de foto’s uit Vlaardingen hebt gedaan. Weer een toffe video. Hopelijk tot snel in de gym! ;)

[@chrisrodenbeck6327]

I'm so jealous of the stories this guy get to do. It seems in the US we are just one more generation away from most of the history he is covering is just forgotten.

[@G4x5da]

You’ve got the US Revolutionary and Civil wars battlegrounds to visit. Also, a lotta other wars/battle grounds

[@ehayes5217]

another GREAT video & story! Thanks for all u do, lest we forget🇺🇸

[@jmgrant6881]

Love watching your videos. Have you guys ever considered doing any 1st WW then & now videos?

[@SNAFUDOCS]

Amazing idea!

[@steves511]

This was an amazing video. Thank you ever so much for your effort to capture this history for generations to come. wonderful story.

[@johnsimms4501]

Another great video...well done!

[@Grandmenil]

Excellent!

[@davidwillis4839]

Thanks for sharing this obscure, but interesting piece of history. I love the fact that it has an emotional tie for you being Dutch and living near this location. I lived in Germany near Heerlen and will always remember how kind the Dutch were to my team training for the Four Days March.

[@user-ch6xi7rh8k]

Just an incredible story. Well told and put together too! Nice job and thank you for re-telling this history for us all!!

[@adriaanboogaard8571]

Thank you for making this Program. My father was borne in Den Haag in 1919. I've been on those streets when he was alive in 1991 . I was borne in California 1968. I'm sharing this with my sister who is all about geniolagy but afraid of flying. Going back made me understand why I am me and why I think differently than other Americans from distant Imagrant Relatives

[@paulruygrokvanderwerven3011]

Wat een fantastisch verhaal, bedankt!!!

[@charliem5332]

101! These guys are something else. Made of great stuff.

[@bmcg5296]

Brilliant Joey as usual putting real men who all made the sacrifice for the people of Europe. Every man, every soul made the heroic action of freeing people who never got the credit. That those like easy company got but “Major Richard Winters said he served in a company of hero’s to his grandchild. This is misconstrued as the other men in the company that he fought with. But I believe he meant the men who didn’t come home were the hero’s!

[@Chiller01]

Great video. Great story. Thanks for uploading this.

[@1doubledown186]

US here ..Look forward to everyone of your vid's , keep up the great work !

[@dawndickson2156]

Amazing and extremely humbling. I really enjoy the here and now shots. Thank you for your time researching to make outstanding videos. Places I will never get to visit. Look forward to notifications of your next video. Blessings and be safe. History is everywhere.

[@markj2156]

Absolutely immense doc, SNAFU docs are at a different level in terms of attention to detail, creating the 'time' and drawing you into the moment in history. Credit to you guys, your enthusiasm for your subject is tangible. Your docs are a joy to watch. Thank You

[@SauterScoots]

I absolutely love your channel :) keep it up plsssss never stop

[@paulstan9828]

Amazing story I’ve never heard of. Great research work.

[@chrisa.ger.5360]

Great story 👍🏼Keep up the good work on finding such amaizing pieces of history 🙏🏼🎗🇺🇲

[@eugeneariz5932]

It's wonderful too see these videos and remember the sacrifice of all the allied servicemen. As an American I am proud of this generation bit I would like to see members of other nations remembered. British, Canadian, French, Polish, Russian, Greek etc. These were our comrades in arms and it's important that the significance of their efforts and sacrifice be remembered as well. So too all the civilian resistance members as well as the native Germans who stood up and fought against the tyranny of the Nazis. It's only with all of us combined that the tyranny and horror of the 3rd Reich reached it's ultimate demise.

[@micheldevries7975]

Te gek dat je als jonge vent deze belangrijke geschiedenis levend houdt

[@trailridescj7528]

Great job SNAFU ! You are ensuring it is not forgotten! 🇺🇸

[@Jasper-yp8jj]

Thanks for telling this interesting story! Opdat wij niet vergeten.

[@Bufferoverload.]

Great video again. Less we forget.

[@steves7896]

Awesome stuff. Fascinating but really needed too. Keep it alive, thank you!

[@clazy8]

Great story!

[@Roller_Ghoster]

Happy VE Day! I love your enthusiasm for WW2. Its truly infectious. Keep up the good work lads.

[@randysgz]

Wow, and its a strange thought that, all those liberated people, on the photo are now deceased. I can almost feel them.

[@jgonzalez101]

Wow, what an amazing video! So thankful to God Almighty for using these amazing Soldiers during WW2.

[@jamessuckling4494]

Another great video - what an amazing life he has led. Look forward to the next one...

[@Marlonlabrie]

Amazing video!

[@XxBloggs]

Great video guys

[@mikeparto6565]

Brilliant, thank you

[@andrevdende8244]

Ik ben dagelijks op de Coolsingel,en zal nu heel anders naar die plekken kijken die jij aanduidde.

[@yindyamarra]

The amount of work you do behind the camera must be enormous, great vids, I’m addicted to this channel now

[@BGBG617]

Awesome story. Thanks for your work.

[@lthom5158]

Wonderful story!

[@richardflowers8073]

Enjoyed the video

[@camdodge9891]

Another fantastic video and keep up the great work

[@simplyroger2763]

Awesome.. this really is great to see. I did a lot of research regarding WWII in my region (Netherlands, Germany, Belgium) and your movies really are beneficial to teach kids about the war from a different perspective… goed gedaan! Sehr schön gemacht.. very well done! Groetjes van ons allemaal

[@Andy-bv8gp]

Keep up the great work this channel is awesome 👍

[@turningjapanese6032]

Great video,now I understand why you do so much research into making your videos.Your Great Uncle would be very proud if you young MAN 👍🤙🖖🙏

[@Bloopbliepbloop]

Goed werk! Dit was super tof om te zien!

[@ajcl1965]

An amazing video from this channel, as usual!

[@ruud1223]

Heel mooi en leuk gemaakt dit filmpje, heel interessant verhaal!

[@jonsmith4364]

Your channel and what your doing are absolutely amazing.

[@ArmyGrunt1986]

I can't even imagine how that must feel. From the townspeople to be finally liberated and free, and to the soldiers going through the worst possible circumstances then being greeted as heroes by the very grateful citizens, experiencing first hand why they are fighting. Being able to see that all their suffering, hard work, injuries and the loss of brothers wasn't for nothing. I had a similar experiences in Iraq but instead of applause, hugs and kisses they cursed us and threw rocks, haha. But honestly can't say I don't blame them On a side note you know that this paratrooper could of been drowning in it, lol.

[@gingergino_1569]

Kom je ook uit schiedam?! Das toevallig

[@arymm2]

i love this channel

[@rolfagten857]

Interesting comparison and story!

[@Cgopat]

The story kind of reminds me of the 1943 movie "Sahara." Humphrey Bogart is the commander of an M3 tank that gets stranded on its own and during its journey picks up different stragglers along the way to their eventual big adventure.

[@josgrootveld6151]

Goed werk, Joey!

[@jeroenheuvelink672]

Wat een onverwacht en intressant verhaal. Die mannen hadden wel lef.

[@MrAgentEcho]

You should do a video about Russell Sanderson and how he singlehandedly captured an entire squad of Germans.

[@crystaldbj]

After all you do to remember the other allies, to just casually mention your uncle, shot in the dunes. It's heartbreaking, and I hope you do a video on the Dutch Resistantce someday.

[@punkinpunker]

Fantastic story 👍

[@curtgomes]

The greatest generation in action.....

[@ElroyTimmermans]

Cool story! I live in Vlaardingen, very close to where the picture was taken. My father and I actually gave a very old photo album to Hjalmar that belonged to my late grandparents. It had photo’s of Rotterdam before and right after the bombing, as well as a lot of photo’s of party and weddings and such during the war.

[@davidclarke9783]

When Men & Women were real & brave,the sacrifice these young men from thousands of miles away made for us is astounding .. Im from Ireland were we called the second world war the "emergency",, we were a neutral state then ,, many Irish Americans/ Irish Canadians / and those in the British Army's. gave up there lives so we can look and see the madness of total War.. Love from Ireland..

[@spm36]

Happy liberation day dutchies!

[@vsmicer]

Beautiful.

[@garethbellamy2703]

Really enjoyed this, my father was dropping food supplies at rotterdam at this time as part of operation manna he served with 218 squadron

[@garethbellamy2703]

He and his crew would drop their rations with handkerchief parachutes when they saw children, it was still occupied

[@SNAFUDOCS]

Wow! I have one of the rations dropped from the aircraft. On behalf of my whole family, which is from Rotterdam, thank you to your dad. What a hero!

[@garethbellamy2703]

@@SNAFUDOCS that's awesome. My dad never spoke much of his service, but most who flew on operation Manna noted it was one of the best experiences, some humility after all the ravages of war. Thank you for your doco's I particularly enjoyed the boy on the wall outside the church, and remarkable you found him still living and being able to recreate that photo. well done

[@leesherman100]

What's not to like?? Thumbs up!

[@patrickvandenberkmortel4606]

Weer een geweldig verhaal,echt gaaf

[@robkeeley3823]

Such a great story. It would make a great movie

[@fia974]

Fantastiskt tack tack

[@anthonyfischer2408]

Leather flight jackets were issued to all those designated air crew in WW II by the Americans; this included paratroopers and glider forces. That's why the lieutenant is wearing one.

[@fobbitguy]

I think you meant to say wreath rather than rosary. Besides that your English is flawless. An excellent documentary

[@jacvanloon4209]

Goodmorning Guy's.Nice to see to pic's about my town Vlaardingen in the first pic(8:58) thats in Vlaardingen-Ambacht my dad lived there around the corner.And the other pic's Hoogstraat and CityHall are around my corner for the last 30 years.Keep up the good work and have a nice day. 😎

[@adriaanboogaard8571]

Sorry about the Spelling. My phone has Idea's of its own.

[@JohnThreeSixteen918]

Wow.

[@user-kl4tn7er4b]

my father was with the 513 th at that time.. This is a wonderful story.. I wish I knew more regarding the 513th

[@zulfahmi1121]

Very nice video i support you from indonesia for like and subscribe

[@carpenterpilot487]

Amen don't forget!

[@tsorena]

Geweldige documentaire, bedankt daarvoor! Mijn oma, Gretha Vreeburg- Werner alias Blonde Gré voerde het woord bij de bevrijdingsactie in Scheveningen. Zij wist de toegang te verschaffen tot de gevangenis en de Duitsers te overtuigen dat de bevrijding een feit was en onder dwang de locatie van oa. Oom Piet te achterhalen. Peter Scotese zou dit ook kunnen bevestigen, zou u dit hem kunnen vragen nu het nog kan a.u.b. want het verhaal van Blonde Gré is recentelijk openlijk in diskrediet gebracht. Zij heeft mij persoonlijk verteld hoe het was en de geschiedenis mag niet verdraaid worden door onjuist weergegeven feiten en aannames.

[@jimomaha7809]

Ik moest denken aan Bosschenaar Piet Kerssens. In Amerikaans uniform sloot hij zich aan bij de Britten om zijn stad Ben Bosch te bevrijden.

[@someotherguy8777]

would you have any information on the young Dutch men in Schiedam who were captured in 1944 by the Germans for the ‘Arbeitseinsatz’, and who were transported from the Koemarkt in Schiedam, to and around Dusseldorf?

[@Rulusto]

Mr Scotese had plot armor. This sounds like it could be a good movie or game.

[@eTraxx]

Love your guys work. Just for info I am a 20 year veteran of the US Army so that might make a difference in my reaction. I had a 15 year break in service so I served from Vietnam to Desert Storm to OEF/OIF. That is just to provide perspective on my reaction. What I love about these videos is .. forget the politics .. the leftist, progressive hate .. you are showing Dutch people welcoming liberators. Here .. you had soldiers with guns "invading" the Netherlands .. and the people were happy. The mothers and fathers might have had to watch their daughters closely but that was a 'normal' human thing with young men. That makes me proud I guess .. that they could express themselves to people who spoke another language .. who were most likely dirty and smelled bad and had guns .. and welcomed them. They did so because these dirty, smelly men were not oppressor's but liberators from evil. That is what true soldiers do .. they liberate.

[@SNAFUDOCS]

What a lovely comment. Thank you for watching and thank you for your service!

[@eTraxx]

@@SNAFUDOCS I admit to being slightly biased toward the Dutch being a very big Floor Jansen fan :)