Hans has recently passed away. He was a great guy and well known in the area. Thanks for sharing his story.

@TheHistoryUnderground

3 жыл бұрын

Oh no! I’m so sorry to hear that. I’m glad that we were fortunate enough to have met him that day.

@oldskoolraver1079

3 жыл бұрын

@@TheHistoryUnderground Yes, it's good he got to share his story. He had a great personality, a true good guy with a sense of humour. Next time you're in the Ardennes, hit me up. I got a lot to show you. My father has his own personal collection of artifacts both German and American. We also have an artifact of the 22nd armored division, maybe you can give it to your friend who fought here.

@TheHistoryUnderground

3 жыл бұрын

@@oldskoolraver1079 - Thanks! Maybe send me an email so that I have your contact information. You can find my email on the About tab on the main KZread page.

@natalieford3238

Жыл бұрын

How sad 😔

@vincentadams9569

Жыл бұрын

My his soul find Eternal Peace where he is a youthful boy again with his loved one’s where there is NO ILLNESS, AGING, only HAPPINESS!! GOD BLESS

My father in law is German,he was in the HItler Youth and at the end of the war drafted into the German navy,he was14.He did 3 weeks training at Kiel then joined a submarine which was raised and then sunk off Southampon 2 weeks later.He spent the next 2 yrs near Liverpool on a farm with another young lad before being sent back to Germany to a bombed out house and no family.He slept in the ruins and then walked to Kiel from Vismar 100mile? and joined the german Navy.He left a Captain decades later.He remembers walking to school where dead horses were scattered along the road and the stench was just of death.And kids today start crying because their iphone breaks?!

@Bobg425

2 жыл бұрын

@@Luke-dj2tk I lived inGermany for years and my local bar was full of ex WW2 veterans.Most had been POW in the UK and Canada.One still went yearly to visit his old guard whod moved to Maine in the US from the UK after the war.Sadly my FIL died 3 weeks ago.I never got his full story.

@kcuzz4091

Жыл бұрын

Yes, I wish our young people would learn to appreciate what they have and be grateful for it.

@tomratcliffe9363

Жыл бұрын

War is a terrible thing My father was a grenader in France fighting the Germans. As a young boy i met German prisoners of war. Exceptionally friendly people. War's should be a thing of the past

@bradmarkell12167

Жыл бұрын

Aaah. And it was America's fault for all that death and sorrow, huh? Do your homework. Our kids and grandkids have the right to LIVE FREE whether they gripe about their cell phone or not. Our forefathers and my grandfathers fought & one died to preserve the FREEDOMS WE SHALL FIGHT TO DEATH to preserve. What have you done?

I have a neighbor who was born and raised in Germany, when he was 16 he was drafted into the Wehrmacht, his first assignment was manning an Anti-Aircraft gun in Holland shooting at American Bombers flying over to bomb Germany. Later he was called back to Berlin to fight against the Russians. At the end of the war, he and 3 buddies drafted their own discharge papers and deserted trying to make the British or American Sectors, my friend was the only one who could speak english, 3 times they were stopped at check points and managed to make it to the British sector, all this time the Gestapo had orders to shoot on sight anyone deserting...He ended up with a degree in Electrical Engineering and worked for a company that moved him to NJ and he never left and became an American Citizen...

@TheHistoryUnderground

4 жыл бұрын

Holy smokes! What an amazing story. Could you maybe send me an email and reference this comment? My email is in the About tab on the main page.

@susankraft77

3 жыл бұрын

Wow! Amazing!

@thomascrowley9122

Жыл бұрын

Amazing, Glad he made it out

@ChristopherWray7

Жыл бұрын

Sure and my cousin is barney

@robertafierro5592

Жыл бұрын

Yes. As the Germans lost the War, they HAD to emoy the little that was left. The very young and the very old.

As a german hearing the German conservation between them is really heartwarming. Too old men understanding each other

"Get closer so you can translate" Hans breaks out the English.

@TheHistoryUnderground

4 жыл бұрын

Ha! I know.

@pd1jap

4 жыл бұрын

Kris Frederick yeah, that Super....

@krisfrederick5001

4 жыл бұрын

@@pd1jap Quoi

@alfie4troy

4 жыл бұрын

Kris Frederick 😂😂😂

@webbryan1

4 жыл бұрын

He’s just testing

Im German - American , Both Grandfathers survived ww2 , One was in the 101st Airborne , fought at Bastogne , my other Grandfather served in the Kriegsmarine on a Torpedoboat & escorted Battleships "Bismark - Tirpitz - Gneisenau - Scharnhorst" and was hit by a mine and sunk - drowned almost 2 times in the ice cold northern sea and he also fought at the Battle of Narvik . Its unbelievable what they have been thru .They have my greatest respects .

@TheHistoryUnderground

4 жыл бұрын

Crazy to think of what those guys endured on both sides.

@TheTwon

Жыл бұрын

101st airborne got to loot Hitler's mountain retreat

You are extremely fortunate to have chanced upon this man. His story shows that even the german army were just regular people. When I worked for a furniture company i took a lazy boy to this house and this old african American gentleman answered the door. While i was setting up his chair he told me about his time in the pacific serving in the 93rd infantry division. The only AA division that went to fight the japanese. When i finally left I sat in my truck and cried for a minute. He was such a nice man. 3 weeks later we had to go back and pick the chair up because he had died. I think about him alot

@seanodwyer4322

Жыл бұрын

had a letter from- Arthur Crowley off Bridgeport- New Jersey state but lost his full address . if a can get it ahh will post him a letter.'

It brings tears to my eyes knowing that men like this are almost all passed away. I wish they could live forever and share their stories of what they went through, teach our youth about how great they have it these days and make them appreciate what they have and remember that many men before them gave up their lives so they can live the easy going, comfortable life they have now. Such a shame. The world was a frightening place at times in history and men like this walked straight toward the most frightening places most of us alive could probably never imagine.

@jorgecampos9659

Жыл бұрын

I don’t know if these kids nowadays have it easy. I think we live in a wicked time

@kev03103

Жыл бұрын

Yes it's hard to measure how bad which time in history was. When I was young Vietnam hung over my head. The young people were up in arms, protesting and they were correct in their position that we had no business being there. All wars are stupid and need to stop. The sooner humankind knows this the better.

@sagayagambrun5149

Жыл бұрын

@@kev03103 There are no winners in wars even the tyrants of any description fell down badly. When will people ever learn? Wherever there is peace there's prosperity. Vietnam is constructing a huge Airport to welcome humanity. Celebrate peace! Blessings!

@rogermetzger7335

Жыл бұрын

Sorry to throw water on your idea but nobody will ever be able to "teach" appreciation for things people are given. And that applies to everyone - children and adults.

@louisavevers9709

9 ай бұрын

It really is important to get so many stories before there are no one left to tell them.

If you were looking for a sign of any validation of your mission, here you go. You didn't see this coming and now we all know part of this man's story. Thanks to you.

@TheHistoryUnderground

4 жыл бұрын

I definitely got lucky on this one. Thanks.

What Marcel meant with "We used to be Germany" is that this particular piece of (what is now) Belgium, used to belong to Germany and was given to Belgium after the war, hence the reason why he could be conscripted to the German army. Greetings from a Belgian, love the channel.

@buickadelaide1283

Жыл бұрын

Exactly ..correct…they were German ethnic people of Belgium ,,

@p.h.3987

Жыл бұрын

And today it really does not matter. We sre ine region with one language, no barriers, same currency. St. Vith & Prüm. 😄

@theoderich1168

Жыл бұрын

@@buickadelaide1283 I thought he was an ethnic German from the German minority because of his pronounciation and he obviously spoke French too (speaking of "prisonniers americains") what a story; my father was a FLAK-helper at the end of the war near the Belgian border and managed to run away back home to Cologne....

@kcuzz4091

Жыл бұрын

Ahhh, this makes sense to me now. Thank you.

That was absolutely incredible. Those poor kids forced to fight. What tragic times.

@TheHistoryUnderground

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks. Pretty crazy story.

Without that chance encounter, this man's story might never have been preserved and told outside of his family. Videos such as these are priceless. My Mom's Uncle had a similar experience. He was drafted into the German army at 14, but he fought for the Kaiser in WWI. He was wounded twice, emigrated to America in 1923, lived in the same apartment with his wife for 55 years. He was one of the most patriotic Americans I've ever met. Thanks for this series. Your camera work is excellent, and the subject matter and locations are fantastic.

@TheHistoryUnderground

4 жыл бұрын

Wow! Have to wonder what kind of stories he had. Thanks for the kind words 🙏🏼

@Wolfietherrat

Жыл бұрын

I had a friend who’s mom was German, she said they more more afraid of the Germans. She ended up in the USA, I don’t know her story. So sad.

WOW !!!!! These personal histories are quickly fading from our lives, and regardless of which side they fought on they MUST be remembered and documented! Thank you so much !

I' m German! What for a great Video! I live here in the hurtgen forest! We are playing childrens... in 1981 we found the rest body from PFC Paul Peternell 121 8th Infanterie Division Pennsylvania at the areas by Hill 400 near Bergstein! He was burried in Belgium Ardennes American Cemetry We Brothers ...American and German: NO MORE WAR for us!

@TheHistoryUnderground

4 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the kind words. And that is an interesting story about finding that soldier. I will have to look him up and see if I can find any more information on him.

@shirleybalinski4535

Жыл бұрын

Wow!! Saw your story of finding the lost American soldier. Thank you. The young man is now be buried with his flag & his family will know what happened.

Great story! I was a mechanic for a VW dealer in the 80s and my service manager was a German from Berlin. He was in the Hitler Youth at the end of the war. He told us about throwing rocks at Russian tanks, the bombings and how bad it was after the war. He said they cut up his fathers leather uniform coat to make shoes. Sadly we are loosing the first hand perspective of WW2 so rapidly.

@TheHistoryUnderground

4 жыл бұрын

I know. It’s sad. That’s why I have been racing to capture as many stories as I can on film. Thank you for sharing that.

My grandfather was born in 1916. He served in the Wehrmacht for nearly 5 years at the eastern front as paramedic. He also stayed a longer time on crimea. He received the Krimschild for that. Happily his Unit was relocated to the western front at the end of war. It was around that time the Battle of the Bulge took place. He was wounded by a splinter of a granate in Luxemburg. Transported back into the Reich his war ended in a german Lazarett (Hospital). He never told us grandchildren anything about that time. More than 40 years after that, I changed my school and suddenly had to learn russian. Everybody in my class had already learned reading and writing cyrilic, except me. What did my grandfather do? Went to his bookshelf, took out his old Langenscheidt Dictonarys from WWII and teached me writing, reading cyrilic and also so much about the russians. We nearly forced him to write his biography down, because there where so many untold stories, he was unable to tell. Unbelievable what he survived!

What an honor talking to someone like him. Simply amazing!!

Both of my grandparents are from Ukraine. They did not know each other yet, and later met in Brazil (really cool actually). In 1943 My Baba (grandma) was 17 when the Germans came, they pulled her from her house in her village. She was a worker for them until the end of the war. Her entire family died, the only survivor was her brother who was conscripted to the Red Army and never heard from again. My Gigi (grandpa) was 7 years younger than her during the war. His father received a letter in the mail saying their family had to move to Siberia. So they fled their home in the Carpathian mountains. In doing that they encountered Nazis. His sister was shot, and she saver her own life by begging for mercy and kissing the soldiers boots. There's so much I can say from both grandparents stories. They later met in Brazil, and immigrated to the USA in 1965.

@TheHistoryUnderground

4 жыл бұрын

MikhailBarracuda91 - My goodness! It’s crazy what those people went through. Especially in Ukraine. Thanks for sharing that. If you don’t mind me asking, are your grandparents still alive?

@michaelpawluk6791

4 жыл бұрын

@@TheHistoryUnderground no, my Baba passed away in 2009 and Gigi passed in 2014.

@TheHistoryUnderground

4 жыл бұрын

@@michaelpawluk6791 - I'm glad that they could leave you with the stories. A part of them lives on that way. Thank you for sharing some it with me.

The last time my wife and I were at the Normandy American Cemetery we became acquainted with an older French gentleman there that wanted us to take his picture of him at a particular grave site. From what we gathered, when he was a child during the liberation of France he became friends with an American soldier that was later killed in the area and that was his burial site. He did not speak English, we don't speak French, so with the aid of Google Translate we were able to slightly piece together the story. We were later able to email the photo to a friend who passed it along to him.

@TheHistoryUnderground

3 жыл бұрын

Oh wow. That is incredible! Thanks for sharing that.

When I was in 5th grade, so around 1980, I attended summer camp in the Colorado Mountains. The gentleman assigned to our cabin had fought in Europe, showed us the multiple bullet holes on his torso and scars on his body. Told us harrowing stories of his time there. He had parachuted in at some point during the fighting. Said he prayed a lot. He was calm and kind. I was honored to have known him.

As I mentioned before, I used to travel to Koln for work a lot. I made friends with a few older Germans and they were hesitant to talk about the war... When I would ask about it, they were ashamed to talk about it at all....One gentleman said that he was sorry for what he did and started crying...You were lucky, in my opinion, to find someone that would talk about the war....Excellent vlog....Thanks...

@TheHistoryUnderground

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks. I felt very fortunate to have stumbled across him. I’d love to talk with more.

@kev03103

Жыл бұрын

Some Germans remained resolute in there hatred of just about everyone until the day they died.

never underestimate the enemy ... on D-Day , Willy Kretzschmar of the 12th SS Panzer Div. (Hitler Jugend) took out 15 American Sherman tanks with his Mark 4 tank ... most of the Hitler Jugend were not even 20 years old when fighting the Americans and Canadians ... and, they took NO prisoners !!!

I Once met a customer (I sell hearing aids) of ~90 years of age. He had a remarkable story: He was at Leningrad, got shot by a t-34 tank MG when he tried to retreat. 3 shots through his lungs from the back. They fetched him and stitched him up. He was long in hospital. Lost a lung from it. But germany was loosing, so he got levyd back into an army contingent on the Selow heights. he mentioned some of the fighting there and it was really horrible. His eyes faded off in pain. Lost some friends there. He got peppered by a grenade shrapnel. One hit his spine and almost paralysed him. The last frikkin doctor of the unit stitched him up under artillery fire and sent him out. His medical contingent was later captured from the US. He later found a beautiful wife and had 3 sons. One is now a doctor and father in africa. He then was diagnosed with cancer in his head! He had a surgery and they removed part off his skull and replaced it with a metal plate. And this man stood before me and I had the pleasure to tell him that he is hearing better than average for his age. A real experience that was. Standing there jsut with a stick and a big smile on his face. He died some while later.

Priceless. My father was also in WW2. I so wish he was still here. So many questions that I never asked. You were very fortunate to find this man.

@TheHistoryUnderground

4 жыл бұрын

Very much so. I wish that I could ask my grandpas some questions too.

@MarineBis

4 жыл бұрын

I'm french I'm 50, my grandfather was sherman M4 chief in 2ème DB Leclerc ... I tried to ask questions for many years.. difficult to have answers. One night they were so tired that they felt asleep on the side of a road... at morning he discovered that his "pillow" was a dead german... After Paris liberation, he got seriously sick with the gun shots smoke into the turret. He died in 2000.

Wow, what that man must of seen and witnessed as a child soldier is unimaginable, he was one of the lucky ones that survived and had a family and a life, may god bless all those who didn’t survive the war, great interview. 👍

@TheHistoryUnderground

4 жыл бұрын

Can you even imagine? I wouldn't trust most 14 year olds with an iPod, much less a machine gun in combat.

My mother in law’s partner was a German child soldier also. Sadly, he passed a few years ago. He said the same thing, “either you joined the army or they killed you”. He immigrated to the US in the 50’s and led a very successful life! Love your videos.

@brandonking5111

Жыл бұрын

they pretty much had to take everyone as a soldier because if you were a civilian and were captured by an American or Russian, you'd be brutally r*ped by every soldier in the area before being executed. it was more humane to die by battle instead.

Wow! Such a unique experience! He was so young, but kids back in the day had very little time to be kids. The youth of today could learn a few lessons.

@patrickburton4195

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, another global conflict should straighten the youth up.

Who sends an innocent, poor farm boy to man a machine gun? Germany was so damn ruthless. God bless anybody involved in that terrible war. What a tragedy.

I loved hearing his perspective....Serve or die at the hand s of the Germans....he had to serve. I also love that when he was captured by the Americans, They said go home, you are still just a boy. He went home and started his life anew. and he has VERY MUCH FAMILY. Imagine how horrible it was being conscripted, had to wear SS Uniform, and not being fed..???? Great timing by you to meet this Gentleman.

@TheHistoryUnderground

4 жыл бұрын

I felt pretty fortunate to have been at the place at that time. Crazy story.

@wayneandrews9298

4 жыл бұрын

im pleased for you that you had that experience , it will never happen again , there is such a thing as " right place , right time " ..

@benadam7753

4 жыл бұрын

My dad served in the US Army 26th Infantry from January 1945 till the war's end! He told me that they put German boys 14-15 years old in the open air POW camps all the time! Hans was lucky!

@randyjenkins8743

2 жыл бұрын

@@benadam7753 you mean dp camps?

@benadam7753

2 жыл бұрын

@@randyjenkins8743 The Rhine-Meadows Camps.

Interesting interview, specially now that every day we lose persons like him.

@TheHistoryUnderground

4 жыл бұрын

Sad that there are fewer every day.

@W.A.T.P...55

4 жыл бұрын

Sadly we are losing more and more vets from ww2 every passing year...we must try and get as many people's stories before they are lost to history

@discoverynorthcarolina9824

4 жыл бұрын

Fabrizio Zago - Photography and media and the world forgets 😢, only to eventually repeat its self.....

@FabrizioZago

4 жыл бұрын

@@discoverynorthcarolina9824 Exactly, for some time it seems that the lesson is learned but then...

@MiJacFan1

4 жыл бұрын

@@W.A.T.P...55 that is why I am trying to fill up a Reader's Digest book of World War II veterans with their name, rank, and when they served. I have a bit of a collection, but I would like to fill it so I can cherish the names of all who served during that time. Sadly I know of at least one who is gone.

I served in and lived in Germany for 12 years. Hearing him say it in his own words was incredible. I would have loved to be there to hear it for myself!!

@TheHistoryUnderground

4 жыл бұрын

I wish that I could have sat and talked with him for longer. Pretty crazy.

@Loiyaboy

4 жыл бұрын

Ich spreche ein bischen Deutsch. Das war ausgezeichnet!

@seanodwyer4322

Жыл бұрын

ahh could not stand the germen food when ahh was there and went very skiinny from food poisoning in Frankfurt.

Very interesting interview. As an American soldier in the 1980'2 I remember a former SS NCO approaching my unit in 1985 as we were on a multi-national operation deep in Bayern (Operation "Flinker Igel"). His English was good, with an English (possibly Scott) accent, as he had been held EPW in the UK into the '50's. It was an interesting conversation as he shared his history being captured following the Normandy landings, and the history of the village we were in. Great video. Thanks for sharing.

That's amazing. Would love to sit and hear his stories I could listen to him all day. Shame this generation is dying out truly inspirational.

@TheHistoryUnderground

4 жыл бұрын

I know, right?

Dang! What a “treasure” to stumble upon! In history books we get big numbers and dates with big troop movement arrows showing a battle. But being able to talk to a WWII veteran and hearing the foot soldiers personal story is makes history more personable and tangible! With WWII veterans in their mid-90s they are literally a dying breed. Hearing stories like this and sharing them is what keeps history alive.

My dad was his age in Canada. Pretty much just riding his bike around town... doing what any other 14 year old would do. Such a different experience. Amazing story, so cool you found this guy!

@TheHistoryUnderground

4 жыл бұрын

Strange to think about, isn't it?

@danam0228

4 жыл бұрын

same with my dad, also 14 at time in small city in New England where they produced boots and uniforms for soldiers, he rode his bike around delivering newspapers to people with news of the war, went to the movies every weekend to see newsreels, see latest cartoon (Tom and Jerry being his favorite) and movie, 10 cents was enough to buy a ticket to see the movie, a fountain drink and popcorn or licorice, and whenever he had extra time he would go around with a wagon of his collecting scrap as part of the war effort

@brentreid7031

Жыл бұрын

A neighbour north of us joined the Canadian Army at age 15. He always said he remembered his 17th birthday. On that day they landed on the beaches of Sicily.

What a nice guy! It was brilliant hearing his story, really nice!

@krisfrederick5001

4 жыл бұрын

Absolutely

@TheHistoryUnderground

4 жыл бұрын

Super nice guy. I was glad that we ran into him.

@georgemakuca8870

4 жыл бұрын

@@TheHistoryUnderground ....if I was there I would have burst into tear's....i was in the war in'91 when ex YU broke up i was then 21.....

@user-zj3ll1st1s

4 жыл бұрын

@@krisfrederick5001 جججج٠جج١ططضضض ضطض

@krisfrederick5001

4 жыл бұрын

@@user-zj3ll1st1s Exactly what I was trying to say

The german veteran speaks a slight cologne-accent. This is pretty reasonable because Cologne area is not far from Belgium and of course close to the Hürtgenwald area, where he had to fight as a member of the Hitler-youth as he said. He reminds me a lot of my grandpa, when he told me about his experience in the war. They did not talk that much, more body language I would say, like moving his arms around, the face changes, like everything that was trained to be a reflex to survive combat is still in their minds. It is sad, a young generation was wasted. And after the war, their injured souls were still under pressure and could not get treated and cured as they had to go to work and rebuild what was destroyed. I know that many of the former WWII soldiers suffered from their traumas till the day they died. That´s what war makes with people. One day you are a 14 year old german boy with a lot of energy, the next day you wake up and you´re a broken man. I wish him all the best and he may find a way to get over and around what he suffered from. Peace!

@TheHistoryUnderground

4 жыл бұрын

I can’t even imagine what it must’ve been like. Thank you for commenting. Being an American, it is impossible for me to pick up on accents and to have the same perspective that you do.🙏🏼

When I was a Deputy sheriff, I loved pulling up at the front of the ASL, nursing homes and talk to the old men, who had fought in Korea or Vietnam. Never got to meet a WW2 vet....

I grew up in South America… many of my neighbors had left Germany post ww2… some were silent others not so… as a child I did not understand anything I only knew they were nice older people and I played with their sons…what a beautiful man…

My Mom told me that I had a 14 ? Year old cousin that was killed near the end of the war because that's all there was left to fight along with elderly men. So very glad that this gentleman survived WWII

It’s awesome to meet these people. We have been to a town of Horstmar Germany several times were my family was from. The SS took over my grandfather house as its headquarters there. It’s like a dream to relive the stories about the place my grandparents spoke about

These types of encounters are priceless. I had a neighbor who was a B-24 ECM operator during the Dresden raids. He documented his experiences for his adult children and I got to read them. His recollection of fear from flak and how it sounded like hail on a metal roof was harrowing. In addition, I told him about the Eagle pub in Cambridge England and the 8th Army Air Force crew memorabilia - gave him a photo of it which he included in his memoirs. As a side note, a trip to East Anglia in the UK where the 8th Army Air Force was is worth a visit - I actually learned to drive on the runways of RAF Matlaske, an abounded WWII airfield used by P-47s.

It's crazy that a forest that looks so beautiful, was once a place of such brutal horror.

I’m not gonna lie, but at the end when they say thank you and goodbye, I teared up thinking about what that poor man was put through. As a father of two boys 6 and 10, I couldn’t imagine if my child was taken at 13 and forced into war or else.

@TheHistoryUnderground

4 жыл бұрын

Pretty moving moment for me. One that I’ll never forget.

My Austrian grandfather (maternal) was forced into Hitler's army. When I was a child I innocently sketched a swastika on my homework (because we were studying the war) and my native Austrian mother gave me a scolding that I will never forget. It was that day that my eyes were opened to my heritage. 🇦🇹🇺🇸 edit: I was born in California, first generation American.

@patrickburton4195

2 жыл бұрын

It is honestly a deep shame that that symbol among many others were stolen by the Nazis and twisted and perverted in their meanings to the point that I am not sure if they can or ever will be able to be associated with their original meanings ever again.

That was a extremely Raw but excellent interview. Thanks for talking with these old timers for all of us who can't make it across the pond to interact with them. They seem very willing to discuss and tell you about their experiences during that time in history.

@TheHistoryUnderground

4 жыл бұрын

Yeah, about as on the fly as you can get. Glad that I was there at that time so that I could share it though.

Child soldiers have always been part of human history. Even today, you will find one or many in the world seeking to be home with their family. Hans was the lucky one who made it home.

My name is Hans Rieben. I am Swiss und Austrian . I am proud of me in heritage even though my family fought for the father land.

To the History Traveler. I can’t express enough gratitude for what u do. So informative, so well done and so respectful. U should b required viewing for all high school students. History should never b forgotten! Thank u for all u do.

@TheHistoryUnderground

2 жыл бұрын

🙏🏼

Thank you for uploading this! When he talks in german about his nco rank, he says two times he was a "Scharführer" - this is an SS exclusive rank. Many ethnic Germans in the occupied countries where pressed and drafted into the Waffen SS. In 1945 the manpower of the Waffen SS was about 900.000. 200.000 foreigners and 300.000 Volksdeutsche - ethnic Germans from outside Germany.. so this was kind of a foreign legion. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waffen-SS_foreign_volunteers_and_conscripts

@tellboyWales

2 жыл бұрын

I noticed that he said he was a Scharfuhrer (equivalent to a UK sergeant) but then said he was an Unteroffizier (equivalent to a UK corporal). Scharfuhrer was an SS rank. There was no such rank in the Hitler Jugend. The only way to confirm it would be to examine his Soldbuch, if he still had it.

@BengtRonning

Жыл бұрын

In the Ardennes in 1944 there where mostly Waffen SS or Volkgrenadiers, he said twice Hitler Jugends, but the guide said Wehrmacht or German Army. Not quite the same, but a young boy...... who would know about right og wrong.

My Opa and mother served. My Opa was captured in August 1943 near the Black Sea, by the Russians and worked as a laborer in a salt mine for 3 years until released. My mother was an auxiliary lieutenant in the German Air Force was a pointer on an anti aircraft gun at a uniform factory which she was also a foreman for prisoner of war making uniforms.

I'm speechless. These stories should never be forgotten.

This is a story that I am glad they got on video. Wish someone would do a more thoroughly interview, for all of us.

@TheHistoryUnderground

4 жыл бұрын

I really wish that I could’ve had more time with him. Glad that I was able to get the little bit that I did though.

The irony here for me was, as I communicated to you some time back. My father was a medic wounded in the Battle of The Bulge and it wasn’t until years later that the entire story was told to me. He had been wounded by a young Hitler Youth. His people killed the assailant but, it left such an effect on my Dad because of the age. Another sad irony of war. Such great interviews. Thank you so much....

@TheHistoryUnderground

4 жыл бұрын

Awful that they were put in that position. Thanks for sharing that.

This was amazing! I love how he learned American curse words. You were blessed to see and meet him on that day.

Incredible how you happened apon him. It's hard to imagine being only 14yrs old. Yet the German Army sends you off to train as a Machine Gunner. Certainly you learn to grow up very quickly. 💪🏻🙏🏻✨

I've been watching your videos for 2 hrs now ( 6 episodes and counting ). I love hearing stories straight from WW2 veterans because they remind me of my grandpa who was an officer in the USAFFE under Gen. MacArthur in our country (Philippines). I used to ask my grandpa to tell me stories about WW2 aside from reading books about it. Thanks man for your very informative videos.

@TheHistoryUnderground

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks! Appreciate that.

2 years ago, i was on a roadtrip in Croatia and visiting Sveti Jure peak, an older man came to me and pointed to my car licence plate and asked if I'm from "Estland" in German. After confirming this, we started to chat, although my German isn't the best, we still managed to communicate and he told about the time he served in Estonia and fought in the Battle of Tannenberg Line. At he time he was 92 years old and one of my friends grandfather (who is a legend, fought Russians, then was forced to fight Germans and later send to POW camp in Siberia), was 91 and also fought at the Battle of Tannenberg Line in Estonian SS Division. We conversed for a hour maybe, before his tour bus had to leave, one of the best random encounters I've had.

@TheHistoryUnderground

4 жыл бұрын

Wow! Imagine all of the stories that he must have.

This is why your station is so valuable to history. These people of that generation will all be gone soon . Thank you for sharing this story .

This was a great interview. To be able to have an ex-german soldier tell his story of serving as a 13-14 yr old child is very interesting. The truth of what they had to do or his own government would kill him if he refused. There are many wwll soldiers dying every day. Oh how important it is if they would agree to tell us what really happened instead of the down played story issued by the higher up military of both sides

What a treasure to have been fortunate to interview them, and get it on film.

@TheHistoryUnderground

4 жыл бұрын

Pretty fortuitous meeting.

@gregdavis19

4 жыл бұрын

The History Underground indeed.

wow an absolutely amazing interview with a 14 year old nco thank you its so rare to talk with a German vet I feel many do not want to talk about the war My Grandfather was in the Hürtgen Forest with the 83rd Infantry division "Thunderbolts" he said the Germans had an impenetrable defense there and the forest was very midevil he was later in the battle of the Bulge "in and around around bastonge, St. Vith , Houffalize" said they were sleeping in "bombed out buildings and whatever they could find knee deep snow and some men with no shoes". He also said that he saw the English speaking German commandos misdirecting american troops. I once asked him about child soldiers he said " they were absolute fanatics and worse then the ss divisions I ran into , the ss divisions would surrender once surrounded or out of ammo and the Hitler youth would fight to the death we saw kids as young as 12-13"

@TheHistoryUnderground

4 жыл бұрын

joe s - Gosh. That must’ve been just horrific.

@mamavswild

4 жыл бұрын

I’m not sure I would call that fanatic- I would call that not knowing any better. I have a 12 year old- he would do anything to get his dad’s approval.

@joes8087

4 жыл бұрын

@@mamavswild well that's exactly what it was it was either fight or we kill you like this vet said . Many were brain washed

@joes8087

4 жыл бұрын

@@TheHistoryUnderground I know it bothered him seeing kids so young and they way he said it did make it sound like they were able to get several to surrender

That was so lovely! What a wonderful opportunity to meet him! & tell his story. Talk about a life changing experience. My aunt was in the Hitler Youth & she said the same "no choice. Either you joined or your family could be hurt". It was an awful time. We are so blessed to have freedom.

Talking about the Luger P08, what a nice guy, thanks for sharing these.

@TheHistoryUnderground

4 жыл бұрын

When he said that, I thought "Dang, I'd really like to have that gun."

I loved the gentleman, who fought as a young boy. A big surprise and a joy to see him and listen to him . You definitely were very fortunate to have met him . We were all lucky you met him . Another WONDERFUL video. 👍👍

@TheHistoryUnderground

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks! It was certainly fortuitous.

Incredible “14” years old , put in perspective life of our father’s

@vipergtsmre

4 жыл бұрын

true insanity... it was a much different time wasnt it

@TheHistoryUnderground

4 жыл бұрын

Yeah. Can you imagine a 14 year running around the Ardennes with an MG42? Crazy.

@xvsj5833

4 жыл бұрын

The History Underground ..... that So Amazingly Crazy. Thank you for your service and adventures. I tip my hat to you including any Soldier fighting for his or hers country. 🇺🇸

@vipergtsmre

4 жыл бұрын

@@TheHistoryUnderground I've held an mg42... its friggin heavy

@billd.iniowa2263

4 жыл бұрын

@@TheHistoryUnderground And being an NCO at that.

The stories these men tell are invaluable. Thank you for being there to document.

@TheHistoryUnderground

4 жыл бұрын

👊🏻

My father in law was drafted into the German army in August 1944. Was trained as an MG34 machine gunner(three man team) captured by the British…..many stories. Shared the fear of SS. Left Europe in 1948(married with baby boy)went to Canada,in 1958 went to USA(Wisconsin) I met the family in 1964 married the oldest daughter in 1975 he past in 2018. His birthday was yesterday and My Wife and always remember him with a shot of his favorite Brandy. My Mother and Father in Laws….Emma and Leo are/were the greatest people I’ve ever known.❤️

This is a perspective you rarely get to see. I’m happy you experienced it and were able to share it.

Random thing? No way. Wow. Even that Marcel was there. Amazing interview

@TheHistoryUnderground

4 жыл бұрын

Hard to believe that it worked out how it did.

What a sweet old gentleman you were so lucky most of the veterans I have met from both side so polite and well mannered

I apprecIate all the comments given by all the different people who have seen the video ! It was a lucky hazard we met this man !

Thank you for the extraordinary video. Meetings like these are becoming extremely rare as older generations pass on. Documenting the experience of this very kind gentleman is a service to the future - and a service to his family as well.

@CitizenSnips69

4 жыл бұрын

If you like this stuff, KZread search “medal of honor book.” The full interviews are out there too. Also, “memoirs of WWII” and a lot of the videos on the “American veteren’s center” channel. Look at the playlists, the one on Iwo Jima might be a good place to start.

@TheHistoryUnderground

4 жыл бұрын

Thank you :)

Talking to a WW2 vet is one thing but to talk to one that fought on the other side is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

@TheHistoryUnderground

4 жыл бұрын

That's kind of how I felt about it. Pretty unique.

@RockGuitarist1

4 жыл бұрын

@@TheHistoryUnderground I love visiting Germany. I feel like it is taboo to talk about the war over there.

Thank you for sharing this gentleman's story. All stories are important regardless of which side they were on and really puts the truth to the reality and horrors of this conflict. We generally associate all German soldiers with the Nazis but many we conscripts and were only fighting for the defense of their country, or as in this gentleman's case, as an occupied citizen that had no other choice. The fact the American soldiers that were treating him had the compassion to let him go shows how even the GIs at that time realized that truth. He remembered how he was treated and appeared thankful and was able to go on to live a productive life.

War was tragic. Especially for the teens. I worked for two. It was still part of them in thier old age.

@TheHistoryUnderground

4 жыл бұрын

Hard to imagine what those guys lived through.

As a veteran of the US Army with 10+ years, I found myself actually smiling and chuckling when he was explaining about the recruitment efforts of the Belgium Army about bringing him back in at the same rank. And him then declining the "offer".

@TheHistoryUnderground

4 жыл бұрын

Ernest Paul - Ha! I guess that they didn’t dangle the re-enlistment bonus in front of him.

@ernestpaul2484

4 жыл бұрын

@@TheHistoryUnderground For some reason I don't think even a bonus would have worked. I believe he had seen and done enough as a kid to know he was done.

One of the most incredible war stories I've heard. As someone has already stated, so sad that these guys will soon be gone from us.

Such an honourable person... Stories like this remind me of the true cost of war. Thank you for sharing this.

@TheHistoryUnderground

4 жыл бұрын

Adds a new layer to the whole conflict. Crazy.

Wow living history right there I could listen to old timers talk for ages. Only 14 and in a war I was 23 and wasnt ready I cant even imagine

@TheHistoryUnderground

4 жыл бұрын

Can you imagine any 14 year old that you know grabbing an MG42 and going into combat? Crazy.

travelling pays off in these kind of ways. thanks for sharing

@TheHistoryUnderground

4 жыл бұрын

Yeah, I lucked into this one. Who could've guessed that this encounter would happen?

You have a priceless piece of history there. Glad the chance encounter happened. I’m an avid WW2 history buff. I’ve watched soo many of these videos but I often wonder how many stories have not been preserved to video. My mothers family were German and came here in the latter part of the 1800’s. My fathers family were English.

My Dad has a Dutch friend who was drafted into the Hitler Youth the same. After the war he ended up on a fishing trawler and settled in Chile were they met. His family did not survive the war so he just took off. Made a great life for himself and is Still alive.

@Luke-dj2tk

8 ай бұрын

Incredible.

This is an awesome interview. I am so glad you could share it with us. It always fascinates me to get other sides perspectives.

That was awesome. I like hearing the story's from the soldiers of the other side. Keep up with the great work. Love the storeys.

That is so awesome. He seems like a cool little man. I met a guy in my travels that got hit with kamikaze's on the USS Enterprise. I also met a guy who heard the 1st shots of the battle of the bulge. Very interesting characters

When I was a kid in school, I busted a femur and was looked after by a couple from my mother's church. The old man had been a Spitfire pilot during the war in England. Man the stories he used to tell me sitting out on the back porch late at night. Being shot down the morning, having his ribs taped up with sticky plaster directly onto the bare skin. Later the medics used ether to loosen the plaster that was sticking to his chest hairs. The last thing he remembered as he was looking down to see what they were doing was the one medic telling the other one, "quick, pull it off before he comes to!". Shot down in the morning, taped up with busted ribs and send back up again. And the casual way he explained the first time someone was "knocking on his plane with a 5 pound hammer" while he was "just flying along minding his own business". Now at my age I feel very privileged for all those stories he shared with me.

@TheHistoryUnderground

4 жыл бұрын

Wow. How amazing that you got to sit and listen to those stories. Thanks for sharing that.

AMAZING! Great interview!

@TheHistoryUnderground

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks. I was pretty fortunate with this one.

Simply unbelievable. What an experience.

@TheHistoryUnderground

4 жыл бұрын

I know, right? Crazy.

I'm glad that you have met these men and told their stories.

My late father was 16 years old when he was drafted into the imperial japanese navy in 1944. He was from Medan, Indonesia and lived to a ripe old age of 76.

@TheHistoryUnderground

4 жыл бұрын

Oh wow. Did he ever talk much about his time in the navy?

@ericsjaunirsjoekoer8535

4 жыл бұрын

Yes. Used to tell us kids then about how abusive their boot camp was. Once during patrol in the Melacca straits their sub chaser came across a live pig swimming in the channel. They "rescued" it for their next meal.

There is nothing like hearing history right from the source! Keep up what your doing!

Wow, fascinating, this man’s interview stayed with me a lot longer than I thought it would. So glad I watched it, thank you.

@TheHistoryUnderground

2 жыл бұрын

My pleasure. Thanks.

Wow! You were very fortunate to meet this man. Getting the perspective of the other side is important to say the least. Imagine how many were forced into combat? Thank you so much! See you later!

Totally jealous! Love your videos, such wonderful insights on a war that’s fading from memory as our veterans pass away. My dad was a bomber pilot in WW2 for the US Army Air Corps & I absolutely love your WW2 history vids ! Bravo & thank you 🇺🇸

A powerful video of what was clearly an incredibly moving and unexpected encounter for you. You're film has saved that chance encounter for posterity that others may watch and learn first hand from the people who were there. Such knowledge is priceless. 👏👌👍

@TheHistoryUnderground

4 жыл бұрын

I wish that I could have dug a little bit deeper into his story but I am extremely grateful for the opportunity that I had.

Magical moment. Glad you experienced that and shared with us all!

@TheHistoryUnderground

4 жыл бұрын

Glad I could be there to share it with everyone.

What a wonderful day you could not have planned anything like that. What an experience. 2 brothers on each side. Wonderful. Hope they exchanged addresses. Beautiful ending and a wonderful interview 👍👍👍

War is a crazy thing. In WW1 my grandad was in the Royal flying corps in Flanders. His job was to go up in a balloon above the trenches and phone down the enemy artillary positions, then they'd wind him down double quick. He used to sit on his tin helmut because snipers took pot shots at him through the wicker basket he was in.. He got shell shock after they got a kink in the cable and he was stuck up there for 5 hours. He died before I was born so I never knew him. The things our ancestors lived through are so alien to us today... Everybody is a victim in war..

Great interview and nicely handled.

@TheHistoryUnderground

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks!