I've followed you for a while Rob and I'm not surprised at all by this video. If you're new to History Explorer go check out his older videos!

@thehistoryexplorer

Ай бұрын

Thank you! That means a lot to me 👍 🙏

@magicklady82

28 күн бұрын

​@thehistoryexplorer I've been following your work for awhile and aside from the obvious dedicated, hard work you've put in to match people with names and pix with places I must share my amazement with how many places are now much the same as they were then other than being fixed up where required. You would NEVER see that in the US. All of those broken buildings would be gone and an apartment in its place. Or a shopping mall, something new and trendy. The older I get, the more I see my country as the money grubbing, selfish nation that has traveled sooo far from what the founders intended.

@PAS_2020

27 күн бұрын

@@magicklady82 couldn’t agree with you more!

@marcelbork92

27 күн бұрын

@@thehistoryexplorer German boys who fight for Germany must be "brainwashed". Aha. Why?

@philquinn6375

25 күн бұрын

These are brilliant and very informative videos, I strongly recommend them. Thank you.🇬🇧

One of the most mesmerizing videos I've ever seen on YT. The linking of the narration with the before and after videos brought the battle to life. Thanks

Thank-you for doing these. I’m proud of what the Canadians were able to do all those years ago. We seem to get lost in the American and British retelling of the history, and we are loathe to brag about ourselves. My Grandfather fought as an infantryman corporal part of the Calgary Highlanders. It’s good to keep their memories alive.

@matthewhorn6087

14 күн бұрын

I'm a US history teacher and I always remind my students that our friendly neighbors to the North were involved in both World Wars before America got involved. It ain't lost on this guy sir! They stormed Normandy and ended Hitler's reign as much as anyone.

@J73R

12 күн бұрын

Iam Dutch, my country was liberated mainly by Canadians. We didn’t forget, we owe those men so much!

Very well done! As a Canadian Veteran I'm happy to see successes, but at the same time, am horrified by the realities of war. The then/now images are simply stunning. So well done!

@thehistoryexplorer

Ай бұрын

there are no winners in war, as they say

@peggyrobertson8169

29 күн бұрын

As a fellow Canadian, thank you for your service 🇨🇦

@marjorjorietillman856

13 күн бұрын

The winner of the wars are usually the following generations, however, many don’t realize it!❤

Greetings from Poland Great work as always. As a kid I grew up in Breslau (today's Wroclaw) old german city which stood longer than Berlin itself during the last days of WW2. To this day you can find old bunkers and shelters facing east, from where soviet attack was expected. What I wanna say is that I know the feeling when you stand at the place where something big happened. But when one has old pictures as well to compare with, this feeling is a lot stronger. Thank You for your work.

@thehistoryexplorer

Ай бұрын

You are most welcome my friend

@stevek8829

Ай бұрын

Check the ones at :15 the vegetation on the wall and the background tree are identical in both. There been faked.!

@grantpatterson2727

20 күн бұрын

The Poles played a huge role in Normandy, often fighting side-by-side with the Canadians. They're sadly often overlooked.

I’m a Canadian whose father and uncle fought in WWII. I’ve visited France and toured the Abby where the Canadians were executed by the SS. Extremely somber experience. RIP all fallen heroes! 🙏🇨🇦

@thehistoryexplorer

19 күн бұрын

I’ve made a video on Abbey Ardennes, looking at the background to the events and explaining what happened. You might find that one interesting too

Excellent video, thanks for doing it. One of my mom’s brothers was in the First Hussars, he was KIA (with no known grave) against 12 SS in the Battle of Le Mesnil-Patry on 11 June. Less than two weeks earlier, one of her other brothers in 3 Field Regt RCA had been KIA in Italy.

@thehistoryexplorer

Ай бұрын

That’s terrible. So sorry to hear it

@robdutton2617

Ай бұрын

Thanks. So many families on both sides had to endure loss of loved ones, terrible. You’ve done an amazing job with the “then and now” pics, and with the various backstories. The Battle of Le Mesnil-Patry is worth looking into.

@joycelagas6218

25 күн бұрын

Thank you for his service. I am sorry for your loss. God bless your family. May he rip ❤

@grantpatterson2727

20 күн бұрын

So much sacrifice for freedom.

For anyone interested in this part of the war, specially the fight between the Canadians and the Germans in the early stages of D-day, "The reaper's harvesting summer", the 12thss-panzer division "Hitlerjugend" in Normandy, by Angelos N. Mansolas, is a must read. The close combat and often hand to hand combat between these two adversaries was brutal.

@andywalsh8761

13 күн бұрын

I don’t think the true contribution and heroism of the Canadian troops is properly understood or recognised.

@klabautermannb5784

3 күн бұрын

@@andywalsh8761 Well, let´s not exaggerate this "heroism" of the Canadians. Considering the facts of Germans beeing outnumbered, no air support, bad supplies and, most of the german units being not well trained in this phase of the war, the achievement of the Canadians and the allied military on the battlefield in general is far of beeing outstanding.

Thank you for this superb video, you have not only done your photo and historic research exceedingly well, but you have also matched up photos with today's locations better than most that I have seen on KZread. The photo of Otto Funk is shown in many places. Georges Bernage and Frederick Jeanne's book Three Days in Hell shows the photo of Funk with a caption that basically says that he was tired, exhausted and shocked from seeing so many comrades die. However, Ive done my research, too and a couple of years ago learned that Funk and the others were witnessing Panther 326 be cleaned of the half remains of the commander and I believe that what Funk and the others were seeing was more deliberate and time consuming than being on the battlefield seeing bad things for a brief moment. So while I agree with everyone else about them being physically and mentally worn out and dealing with what they had already seen, in the photo of Funk, he is truly seeing something extremely repulsive at that moment. The Commander of 326 Eismann (spelling) is shown in a film clip of Panthers rushing to Normandy but I don't have a reference for you. That clip notes that he would be killed by being shot in half in his cupola a number of days later. Lastly, Klaus Schuh, in the photo taken in the alley, looks more like a man of 30 rather than an 18 year old. That happened to hundreds of thousands of veterans. Not only did they have to become a man at 18, they also looked much older. I am also in agreement that these young soldiers who should have been in the German Boy Scouts, but that was turned into the Hitler Youth, were indeed given a throughout indoctrination into NAZI ideology and from what I have read it was often impossible to denazify them after the war. One video I have seen was taken at a tank museum and several aging German vets were interviewed and to a man they agreed that Hitler was right and that the world should appreciate him for getting rid of so many Jews. Totally unrepentant, just able to get along in a world where Germany lost. Not all in the SS wanted to be there, many were drafted in. One, Otto Blasé, joined the Luftwaffe and wanted to be a pilot. He was even an officer. But the SS had lost so many officers that hundreds of officers from the Luftwaffe were sent to the SS in Russia. Blasé was now a tank commander in Michael Whittmann's company of Tigers. In Normandy, the day that Whittmann was killed he held a conference before the battle. Photos were taken. Otto Blasé is worn looking and wearing a great coat and is distracted. Whittmann noticed that and after the conference he spoke to Blasé and saw that he was sick and apparently had a fever. He ordered Blasé to go to the hospital immediately and not to return until he was well. During the battle in which Whittmann died, I think 5 other Tigers were destroyed, including the one Blasé was the commander of. Blasé was last seen during the war abandoning Tiger B #332 which the Americans captured and sent back to America where it now rests at Fort Benning Georgia. I had correspondence with Wolfgang Schneider in 2004 trying to figure out what happened to him, but none of the SS ever saw him again. I did some exhaustive research trying to find him. I cannot prove this but I believe this is what happened. He somehow made it to the United States in the early 50s and showed up at a Lutheran Church in the state of Wisconsin where he taught Sunday School. Later, he went to a Lutheran seminary and graduated and then returned to Germany and became a pastor at a church until his death in the early 2000s. Just wanted to point out that not all SS wanted to be SS or beloved their theology/ideology. Well, great video!

@thehistoryexplorer

Ай бұрын

thank you very much. Great comment with lots of insightful anecdotes

Excellent video. The story behind the photos really gives meaning to the faces. Thank you.

Thank you for such a well researched and presented video. Your videos, I think are the best of all those produced on D Day.

I've seen these photos before and wondered about these guys. Awesome research. Thanks for telling the story of these photos. Tragic lives, brainwashed fanatics, fighting for the wrong cause and not exactly covering themselves with glory.

07/12/24: Superbly well-thought-out and narrated. Thank you.

@thehistoryexplorer

Ай бұрын

Thank you

Absolutely brilliant. Very well researched. 👏

@thehistoryexplorer

Ай бұрын

Thank you

Another insightful video sharing a piece of history. Your work is outstanding. The then and now photos are very well done.

@thehistoryexplorer

Ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

I recently found your channel and man I enjoy your good work. Thanks a lot from Germany👍🏻

@thehistoryexplorer

Ай бұрын

You are very welcome! I wish the videos reached more people 👍

Great video from a WW2 obsessed viewer. Thanks

These videos are a remarkable portrait of the events in Normandy 80 years ago. I think that you have done a great service by reminding us that these men (and boys) were humans trying to cope with the most stressful circumstances imaginable. I have read about the grim fight between 12 SS Hitler Jugend and the Canadian Army in Normandy, but your videos bring to life what a personal struggle it was. Well done!

Your work is amazing, thank you.

@thehistoryexplorer

Ай бұрын

Thank you!

This video is what I watch these historical channels for. The way you took apart photos that would otherwise leave everything to the imagination is nothing short of fascinating. Two simple photos of a Panther tracking through a town, when the action in them is explained then become riveting. Suddenly the boys and men are made real by your accounting, they are people with a path and a story in both long and short term, and we share this experience with them. I had to watch twice to know what I had just seen. Amazing work, thank you for this presentation.

@thehistoryexplorer

Ай бұрын

That comment really means the world to me. Thank you my friend 👍

I absolutely love your work. Keep the videos coming bud!

@thehistoryexplorer

Ай бұрын

Thank you buddy. Appreciate it 👍

😂Great videos and love reading WWII history. Born on 5/14/45, an American, I used to talk with my father about The War. My father and his brothers were Army members during fighting throughout Europe. My Uncle Donald was shot down in Nov. '44 and is buried in Belgium. To this day I remember my grandmother crying whenever he son was spoken of, and was a Goldstar mother as it was called then

@thehistoryexplorer

7 күн бұрын

Thank you for sharing. These stories are heartbreaking aren’t they

I truly enjoy your informative and heartbreaking videos. The music is heartfelt, and the then and now photos are priceless. I joined your patreon membership as one of the 13. I am so proud of the British, Canadian and American and all Ali soldiers that faced evil straight on. Unfortunately, these days in the States, many of our young men don’t possess the same type of devotion to Country and sacrifice for the greater good of people. Thank you for remembering and honoring our fallen heroes. Your accent to an American is beautiful and calming. God bless you always!

@thehistoryexplorer

Ай бұрын

Thank you so much my friend. I really appreciate your support…I’m also glad you like my accent as I’ve received some stick for it! Ha!

Thank you for telling the story as it really was. Your research must have taken a lot of time. The matching of the photos is amazing.

Thank you for all your hard work putting these videos together!

thanks for showing and telling us the faces and names of this fierce engagement. much closer than the usual places, times and the push and pull of the history book. keep up the excellent work

@thehistoryexplorer

Ай бұрын

Appreciate it! Thank you

Thanks for sharing some history. Too often the 12th SS is glorified even though they failed to push the Canadians back into the sea as they were ordered to do. It is my understanding that only a few thousand out of the 20,000 Hitler Youth made it out of Normandy alive. The real glory goes to people like one of my neighbors who volunteered to fight fascism. He served with the Queens Own Rifles of Canada and landed on D Day and fought across Europe. He never spoke of his ordeals but had multiple medals and wounds. A true hero!!!

@thehistoryexplorer

Ай бұрын

He must have seen some terrible things. I hope I got the balance right in this video

@eamonnclabby7067

Ай бұрын

​@@thehistoryexplorer....keep up with the great work that you do....E..

@billballbuster7186

Ай бұрын

It is true the 12th SS were very badly beaten and were not treated kindly after word of their War Crimes spread. The Wehrmacht were treated with respect but not the murderers of the SS.

@togodamnus

Ай бұрын

-- How were they (bad guys) supposed to prevail against overwhelming allied airpower and even heavy naval gunfire, In addition to the inexhaustible Canadian manpower, armour and artillery barrages? Their politics and world view were detestable and they were stuck up, homicidal snobs, that's obvious, but they inflicted serious losses and did push allied and Canadian and Brits back numerous times and were at the time considered formidable troops by those that confronted them. Also note, just to be fair, that over 1/3 lower ranks were conscripts and many were foreign born but understood German (Sudeten and Alsatian and Galician etc. Over half were tranferals from the downsizing Luftwaffe and Navy... And we're not stoked to be placed into ground fighting units, let alone waffen ss. P.S. Allied commandos, rangers and paratroopers also routinely killed captured enemy troops. That stuff started back during Sicily and by both sides. Canadians did great, they faced serious opponents. Post war, Kurt Meyer provisioned Canadian occupation units with beer from a brewery and distributor he worked for during second half of the 1950s and early 60s. Classic battles...

@frankvandergoes298

Ай бұрын

Over 12,000 survived the Normandy battle. There casualties in Normandy were approximately 8500.

.... incredibly well done! Thank you for all your hard work in telling this story to the world!

The men on the other side were the same age, my dad was 18 when he jumped at Arnhem and he had a mate with him there who was 15 when he joined up. When the lad owned up to his real age after the war the powers to be made him stay in and go to Palestine with the rest of their unit.

@williambryan1103

27 күн бұрын

My dad was born in 1914 and was 27 when he left for europe.

@nickmail7604

27 күн бұрын

@@williambryan1103 if he was that late he must have been American

@williambryan1103

27 күн бұрын

@@nickmail7604 yes!

@williambryan1103

27 күн бұрын

My father in law was the same age. Just a few months difference. My dad went from european theater to the pacific theater.

@nickmail7604

27 күн бұрын

@@williambryan1103 funny people Americans, can't spell theatre properly and whenever there is a world war they turn up 3 years late

Thank you for your great contribution....one has to see your painstaking "then and now" photos. I would like to highlight (obviously to those that will immediately believe I am pro anything this regime produced) but there are witness confessions that even from the start of DDay that Canadians were not taking prisoners themselves..as (and many have said for US paratroopers NOT taking prisoners..with the "excuse" that paras are only lightly armed and supplied and DO NOT have that capacity to "maintain" prisoners..so they are "dispatched) They themselves had not taken prisoners...believe me..I too have been a front line soldier..in the British Army..and news travels FAST..even without mobile phones etc. My late Grandfather was taken prisoner by the Germans and even in my young days of asking him about his captivity..he spoke of such things.. Also it must be noted that Meyer was indeed captured himself and faced a court that condemned him to death..however..it was a Canadian officer that stated they actually shot prisoners too. I am in not in any way condoning either actions by either the SS or the Canadians..but a perspective has to be made either subjectively and or objectively about what happened at this pinnacle time...that BOTH sides KNEW was a DESPERATE struggle that actually took "the gloves off" for many..that paid an unnecessary price

@ToddSauve

Ай бұрын

It is virtually impossible to make any valid comparison between the Allied armies and the Nazi SS, or even Wehrmacht. Murdering civilians and POWs was absolutely common among the SS wherever they went. The Wehrmacht murdered millions upon millions of civilians on the eastern front, and more than a few on the western front. There is no moral equivalence. And I don't believe in war, period. But there is no comparison.

@thehistoryexplorer

Ай бұрын

I have no doubt there were less than legal activities that took place on all sides. A sad truth of war

Excellent content, it was quite a shock to see those young men receiving medals. Made me think of my sons, and how war uses so many young people.

@thehistoryexplorer

Ай бұрын

It certainly does. You don’t see old people who have lived their lives fighting

Great work and background my friend. Excellent. Your stories come to life. From Texas.

@thehistoryexplorer

Ай бұрын

Thank you very much buddy. Much appreciated

Your photography is simply amazing. The stories you have shared is so breathtaking. Thank you

@thehistoryexplorer

Ай бұрын

Many thanks

WOW! Fantastic photo comparisons in this one! I often wonder just how much you have to walk around these places with a picture in your hand looking for the small details that are still evident. I became fascinated by the magazine Then And Now from the 70's when i was a kid and remember how the author always talked about just how hard it was to find the exact locations that pictures were taken and that was only 30 years past the events! Thanks for all the hard work you put into these videos. It is much appreciated from the States where i cant easily get to the places you show.

@thehistoryexplorer

Ай бұрын

It is my honour to be able to share these stories

Presentation is excellent but very tragic and hope no more such insane wars. Feel sad for the brave soldiers and common citizens. 😢

@thehistoryexplorer

Ай бұрын

It is a sad story isn’t it. I hope it shows the brutality of war

@gautamhattiangadi2927

Ай бұрын

@thehistoryexplorer it is very sad, but unfortunately, we humans don't realize and keep destroying.

Great job!!, footage is awesome, I don't know how you guys find this stuff, been watching WW2 history My whole life, you guys have something different, good luck!!

@thehistoryexplorer

Ай бұрын

Thank you my friend

Your channel is my favorite on KZread! "The Pacific" is the perfect background music. New sub here so trying to catch up on the older vids. Tysm!

@thehistoryexplorer

Ай бұрын

Thank you! I hope you’ll watch more of the longer videos!

Great video. Calm and measured presentation. Its somehow remarkable to me that people live right there, where history was made. But i suppose you can say that of every inch of France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany...

@thehistoryexplorer

Ай бұрын

Thank you very much! Sadly most of Normandy saw events like this

Thank you for the reality of war and the youth that fought for ideals of old men.

@thehistoryexplorer

Ай бұрын

People often do not realise that war pulled these mere kids into conflict

@davidcole333

Ай бұрын

The ideas were not those of old men. They were most definitely of vibrant, youthful men. Old men want to live in peace. Young, ambitious men want war.

@itwoznotme

Ай бұрын

do you really think anything has changed?

@kelrogers8480

Ай бұрын

They were not fighting for the ideals of old men. In fact, it was the old men of Germany who did not want or support this war!

I've loved every aspect of the ww2.ive said since I was a teenager,till now I'm 58.you learn something new everyday about the battles that occured.an amazing video I've just watched.well done.triggers my curiosity evenore

@thehistoryexplorer

Ай бұрын

That is awesome! So glad you enjoyed it and say new information

Rob, your videos get better and better this one is breathtaking. I can’t stop watching it to think this actually happened is mind-boggling matched with the photos. Thank you very very much.👏

@thehistoryexplorer

Ай бұрын

You are most welcome my friend. Really appreciate the feedback!

@thomaswulff2238

21 күн бұрын

The Kamerad with the MG42 had have the 18 Birthday when Photo was taken....

@thomaswulff2238

21 күн бұрын

Canadians know "why 45 were executed"..... The young SS-Men dont do it "'without reason by the way'".....

Nice videos you produce. I thoroughly enjoy the in-depth analysis and pictures. Keep up the good work.

@thehistoryexplorer

Ай бұрын

Thank you very much! Much appreciated

Very well researched. Lots of answers to questions I’ve had for a long time, well done indeed

@thehistoryexplorer

Ай бұрын

thanks, appreciate it a lot

Admiro tu trabajo. Enhorabuena por este video. Cada fotografía, cada lugar que nos muestras es "una puerta de acceso al pasado", a los hechos que ocurrieron y a las personas que allí estuvieron. Muchas gracias por mostrarnos la historia de esta forma. Ver tus videos es apasionante. Gracias desde España.

@thehistoryexplorer

Ай бұрын

Thank you my friend!

Hi buddy, fantastic footage. Can you believe it just kids' unreal but ferocious fighters. Thank you for sharing. cheers Gary 🇬🇧

@thehistoryexplorer

Ай бұрын

Thanks Gary, appreciate the feedback my friend

SO GLAD I found this channel!!! Very impressive & informative!!! You sure did alot of research. Well done on all your content mate. Gary from Australia 🇦🇺

@thehistoryexplorer

Ай бұрын

Welcome aboard! Thanks for the feedback Gary and I hope you enjoy the channel 👍

WW2 vets dwindling down fast now. My father was a ww2 vet born in 1924. I was born in the mid late 50s and remember when the vets were still young men.

Excellent video! I love the detailed info on the individuals.

Thank you. Great presentation 👍

@thehistoryexplorer

Ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it my friend, as always your support it very appreciated

@allencollins6031

Ай бұрын

@@thehistoryexplorer You're welcome. Hope deployment was engaging. No pun intended.

Brilliant video , thankyou !

A very interesting video. Twenty years ago I interviewed a number of Canadian veterans on behalf of a UK author who was at the time writing two Second World War books. One of these veterans had landed on D-Day and went almost to the end of the war before badly wounded. I wished I'd had more time to speak with him about his experiences in Normandy but the subject of the book I was interviewing him for was post-Normandy until the beginning of 1945 and so that is what I focussed on. His story was quite remarkable, but, while my other veteran interviews found their way into the books, the author didn't use this one. I finally got around to writing it up on Linkedin a couple of years ago. He was a fascinating fellow and would have tangled with the 12th SS Panzer Division in Normandy.

@thehistoryexplorer

Ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing. Very interesting

By coincidence I had been wanting to cover the later battles between 12th SS and 3 Cdn Div (during Charnwood) on my own channel and finally managed to put it up just this morning. And of course now that it is done, the algorithm is finally showing me your excellent work. Very effective use of then and now which I admire. It can't be stated enough just how poorly the 12th SS performed in the opening battles of the beachhead, and most histories fail to emphasize that the Canadians *knew* they would be called on to defeat the German armoured counter-attacks, which is why they were beefed up with self-propelled artillery. Marc Milner's book STOPPING THE PANZERS discusses this in detail, and he seems to have found interpretations of the Canadian operations in Normandy that have eluded other historians.

@gh87716

18 күн бұрын

The 12th weren't even at the opening battles of the beachhead lol. They didn't arrive to the scene until a couple of days later and were fighting around Caen. And so you're saying the Canadian's prime mission was to hang around and wait for the Germans to counter attack? Well that is false. They, just as all other allied units, were meant to push forward and through the German defenses, and they were meant to secure Caen within 3 days at first, and when they failed, it was pushed to 2 weeks, which also failed.

'Soldiers are citizens of death's grey land....gaining no dividends from times' tomorrows' Wilfred Owen....another excellent video Rob, how you going mate?

@thehistoryexplorer

Ай бұрын

Hello Ron I’m doing well buddy! How are you doing? I’m going to be in your neck of the woods for a few months soon (assuming your still in the cold place)

@ronti2492

Ай бұрын

@@thehistoryexplorer You'll be in the Cold Place just in time for autumn and winter! No I'm not there now, big move my side-I'm following the yellow brick road and returning to the Land Of Oz....the Green Machine made me an offer I couldn't say 'no' to....long story, not for this forum, might drop you an email ( =we've had comms by this means previously as you recall). Go well Rob, stay safe mate

As you mentioned, the soldiers of the 12th SS Panzerdivision were brainwashed by years of influencing. And as most se ior officers and NCO's came from the LAHSS Division, who had years of brutal fighting experience from the eastern front, the young soldiers surely wanted to show their determination! I bet the old hands peppered their combat training with lots and lots of storys that fired the imagination of the boys! This sure enough had an impact, especially on the Panzergrenadiers, who are much closer to the enemy than tankers. Tankers need more discipline and are closer to their commanding officers than iinfantry soldiers. This gives the grenadiers a much more direct impression of combat. I am sure that those grenadirrs have had intense combat in the days before - Remember this was the 9th of june, they entered combat on the 7th, two days before - but not as close and not as critical as the attack on Norrey. They show signs of shock and they seem to have ultimately realised for the first time, where and to what they were into. One can see it in the faces of the elder NCO's and officers who don't seem to be too worried. The young men, some in direct combat contact for the first time, seeing that war has nothing of the propaganda bravdo at all, comrades sliced in two, horribly burned, their guts hanging out, lims blown off, bones broken and dying is painfull and horriffic... They also must have got a first idea of the might of the allied attack a d what was com.ing up at them. Realising that germany had bitten off a peace too big, standing no chance against the might of allied military power. It must be a result of these experiences, the pomitical brainwashing and the will to show the old hands that they are as tough as them which led to the massacres on canadian POW's. I am in no way excusing anything and anybody, but i was surprised to learn that Fritz Witt, SS Brigadeführer asked for an investigation of the shootings and a written report from Kurt Meyer! I am sure these events are connected and the deeper reason lies in the youth and indoctrination of the young men, as well as the eastern front - experience of the commanding officers. I believe one can see things to come in the faces of the young soldiers in that small lane - some to collapse, some to run wild...

@thehistoryexplorer

Ай бұрын

Well said. I think there is a realisation on their faces in the pictures. Oh shit…

Excellent presentation! I always wondered what happened to the men in the pictures. Definitely keep it up!

@thehistoryexplorer

Ай бұрын

Thank you! Will do!

Great coverage of dreadful fighting and horror of war. To find and explain the soldiers and events as they unfold in diagrams and actual locations brings the events as if it was yesterday. Many thanks and keep up the great coverage.

@thehistoryexplorer

Ай бұрын

I really appreciate that, thank you

Great video, thank you.

@thehistoryexplorer

Ай бұрын

You are most welcome!

Brilliant clip of the battle for Caen, it seems the truth about how fierce the battles around Caen is only just being told, How slow Montgomery was to take the city is all you hear, it seems only now the stories of how many divisions were being sucked into the city to defend it that it was never going to be taken in a few days but turned into a brutal war of attrition. This video has got to be one of the best I’ve seen, outstanding work 👍

I'm from Asia but I've been interested in the Normandy campaign since childhood, because of books and movies. I've been to Normandy many times, and am now beginning to take a deep interest in the Canadian experience there. Thanks for your work on this part of the Normandy campaign. I am new to your channel and will certainly continue to follow you. Well done!

@thehistoryexplorer

10 күн бұрын

Thank you my friend! Welcome aboard

the bitter and dark face of war😢

@thehistoryexplorer

Ай бұрын

It really is isn’t it

@AZƏRBAYCAN-Canavarı_AZE

Ай бұрын

@@thehistoryexplorer why?

@ToddSauve

Ай бұрын

@@AZƏRBAYCAN-Canavarı_AZE ?

Thank you for this excellent education. May we never forget.

@thehistoryexplorer

Ай бұрын

You are most welcome

a simply outstanding video → one of the very best i’ve seen…

@thehistoryexplorer

Ай бұрын

So glad you think so. That means a lot

Wow, I just want to say thank you. I'm a new subscriber and I'm going to binge watch most of your videos. I stumbled on your channel because I was interested about the story of the dead German soldier on the stairs of Cherbourg. I just visited Normandy recently for the second time, I visited a lot of iconic sights, but videos like yours, being so well documented with historical images, maps and anecdotes are so much more interesting. Cheers from Switzerland.

@thehistoryexplorer

25 күн бұрын

Thank you my friend! I hope I don’t let you down, my older stuff isn’t the best but I hope you can see I’ve improved along the way

very good video, it brings history to life, there's something about Normandy even today in modern times, the history feels still alive, please keep up the good work 🪖☕️🥐

@thehistoryexplorer

Ай бұрын

I intend to! thank you

Fantastic photos thank you very much

Great video - really enjoyed this one. Love the photo overlays onto the footage too 👍

@thehistoryexplorer

Ай бұрын

Thanks Rob!

What a great insight to explain the faces behind the your videos. Great job rob look forward to watching more of your videos.👍👍

@thehistoryexplorer

4 күн бұрын

Thank you very much! Appreciate it 👍

I have a Grandson of 21 and could not help but compare him to those young men having to witness some of the tragic events they did! Losing their friends and having to kill at that age must have been horrendous! It shows the power of the indoctrination they must have gone through! Thank you for posting this reminder of what our Greatest Generations went through!!

@thehistoryexplorer

20 күн бұрын

Terrible thought isn’t it? Just boys really

thank you for bringing history time back to life and to the present day

@thehistoryexplorer

Ай бұрын

You are very welcome!

This was so different and refreshing telling the story behind the events and the photo’s..Many of the photos I’ve seen before..But now,thanks to this excellent video I know these photos better.. First time here and liked and sub..All the best and keep up the great work

Very well researched like how you named the soldiers and pointed them out and let us know if they survive the war well done

@thehistoryexplorer

Ай бұрын

Thanks buddy. It’s was my pleasure

Loved this video and “Then and Now pics!”

The Canadian Army was indispensable to winning the war in the west; great video. Your observations of that alleyway today and 80 years ago are haunting...

@thehistoryexplorer

Ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

@gibson617ajg

26 күн бұрын

Not to mention the Airmen..........

Your work is simply amazing. I was totally captivated. Please do more videos like this.

@thehistoryexplorer

19 күн бұрын

Thank you! Will do! Check out my video on Omaha beach 👍

excellent video of then and now . really puts the photos into context.

The cityscape of the video remains as it is. The soldiers were the people at that time, weren't they? It's like a movie world. Thank you for researching and leaving it so far, and thank you for the valuable video ❤

Thank you for your hard work and research! 👍

Great presentation, kept me tight on my chair, pondering the tragedy of war.

@thehistoryexplorer

Ай бұрын

I hope you'll enjoy my other videos too

Brilliant video. As somebody who has written about these events, even I learned a few things. Canadians tend to be triumphalist about our WWI efforts, yet defeatist about our WWII contribution, a tendency I blame the McKenna brothers, and their "The Valour and the Horror" series for. Tim Cook and Mark Zuhelke have done a lot to counter this, but still much of our national narrative surrounding this pivotal battle is too negative. Thanks for presenting a more balanced perspective, and showing an early Canadian victory against the SS.

@thehistoryexplorer

20 күн бұрын

You are most welcome, I’m glad you enjoyed the video and it’s great that you discovered new information. I hope you watch other videos I’ve made

My gdad fought the 12th ss as part of the Normandy campaign and his hatred of the ss Jugend despite their youth never subsided. The unnecessary killing they did with such ferocity was so alien to him. He was badly injured later on but never held anything against the germans. Apart from that.

@thehistoryexplorer

Ай бұрын

I wish I had the chance to speak with more veterans

Brilliant, thank you.

Haunting!

History coming to life before my eyes. Haunting compilation of then and now. Extremely well done.

@thehistoryexplorer

25 күн бұрын

Awesome, so glad you enjoyed it 👍

Another amazing video. Also, I love the ZeroFoxtrot shirt!

@thehistoryexplorer

Ай бұрын

Ha! Yes it is indeed. Thank you

This is great. This is how we want to review the wars. High def video and photos with names and stories attached to the very location. Would be interesting to see all the way back to civil war. Time traveling!

@thehistoryexplorer

19 күн бұрын

Thank you buddy! Really appreciate the feedback. I’d love to go to the US and cover the Civil War!

So many gave their lives on both sides , young men in the prime of life .

@thehistoryexplorer

28 күн бұрын

So true

I saw your video due to youtube's placement of similar videos in the right column of the screen. I appreciated the active map showing the movement of the forces. I also liked how you showed the enthusiasm of the SS/Hitler youth and how it got them killed and contributed to the death and massacre of Canadians. As long as gung ho teens were active, the war would go on in a einsatzgrupen way in places.

@thehistoryexplorer

21 күн бұрын

Glad you enjoyed the video, I hope you’ll check out some more!

Brilliant video thank you

@thehistoryexplorer

Ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it. Means a lot buddy

This is an excellent and well-researched video and it's amazing that one small alleyway can tell so much D-Day history. I really enjoy seeing the "now and then" photos as they give a sense of place and of the drama and death that took place in the village. Handsome young men, but no sympathy for their indoctrination into a murderous and barbaric regime. And I think you can treat yourself to a Pain au Chocolat! Best!

@thehistoryexplorer

Ай бұрын

I'm on a diet! But thank you! ha

I really enjoyed your content and the way you put it together thank you very very much much

@thehistoryexplorer

Ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

Started off as youngsters, became soldiers, finished up murderers.

Awesome video. Thankyou.

@thehistoryexplorer

Ай бұрын

You are very welcome my friend

Wow.. this is a great. Both sides learned very quickly that going on the offence in Normandy was going to be very costly.

@thehistoryexplorer

Ай бұрын

Offensive action is so difficult! Far easier to defend, which is why the allies relied so heavily on artillery and close air support to unpick the defences

@de7403

Ай бұрын

@@thehistoryexplorer Yes, so true. Don't forget Naval as well. Keep those German formations close to the coast and the Navy has plenty of targets to choose from.

@de7403

Ай бұрын

@@thehistoryexplorer Don't forget the navy. I was wondering how those panthers got flipped over like that lol

Ashes and diamonds Foe and friend We were all equal In the end 🕊️ Cracking presentation, both fair, and thoughtful 👍❤️

@thehistoryexplorer

Ай бұрын

Much appreciated 👍

So interesting! Thank you

@thehistoryexplorer

Ай бұрын

You are very welcome my friend

Excellent, very well produced.

@thehistoryexplorer

Ай бұрын

Thanks

Great video, thank you. I'm in Normandy in September and this location is on the list.

@thehistoryexplorer

19 күн бұрын

Hope you enjoy it! If you need any hints on the location please do get in touch.

Always interesting to see the "human" side of war. In the 1990's I met a man (here in Florida) who had been in the Hitler Jugend at the end of the war. He told me how he and his fellow "soldiers" were terrified to be assigned as "anti tank" crews and were issued panzerfausts and mines with minimal training. After seeing some of his friends killed in the fighting holes in front of him, he and some others surrendered. He said he was also surprised that they were captured alive and not killed outright as they had been told by their superiors.

Really appreciate the research and details revealed in this video.

@thehistoryexplorer

23 күн бұрын

That’s great, glad you liked the video

Excellent video..Thanks.👍

@thehistoryexplorer

Ай бұрын

Glad you liked it! I really enjoyed making this one