When I went to Fort Knox to go through the museum where Tiger 332 stood, I was very impressed. A Sherman was parked next to it and the Sherman was actually taller than the Tiger, making it seem impressive as well. When 332 was brought to the Aberdeen Proving Grounds originally, it and a Tiger E had their side compartments cut away so that people could study the insides. They both sat outside for a while before being moved in doors. Back then they retained their original paint. Then they were moved to Fort Knox next to the Patton Museum of Armor. I had hoped to see the Tiger E but it had been sent on a tour of European museums. When I walked around to the port side of 332 I was immediately taken back by the sheer amount of room that each crew compartment had. Tiger B crews had it better than any tank on the planet, and perhaps that includes now! You may know this arlready but 332 was commanded by Otto Blasé and on the road march toward La Glieze, his 332 suffered a breakdown along the road near Petit Spa. Since the 332 was in no immediate danger of capture, the crew did what they were supposed to do, stay with the tank until it could be repaired or recovered, but in this case recovery was not possible. When the 740th US tank battallion approached on another road they saw the 332 and started firing from their distance using phosphorous rounds. A phosphorus round could take out any vehicle because even though it would not penetrate, it could explode and the phosphorus now in liquid form would quickly find any openings no matter how small, and drip in. Even it that was not the case, Germans knew by this stage in the war that Americans seeing no way to get to a German tank, would fire a phosphorus round in order to mark the target for either the Air Corps fighters on Army artillery to take out. So Blasé or another crewman and yet another crewman were seen jumping out of the 332 and running. In a response to a letter that I wrote to Wolfgang Schneider concerning Blasé, he said that Blasé disappeared from the regiment during the battle and was never seen again, and did not attend any of the SS reunions later. After I searched for him online, I did not actually find him but have enough information that he may have made his way to the state of Wisconsin which has a large German descended population and is where many escaped war criminals were arrested long after the end of 20th century. I found where an Otto Blasé showed up at a Lutheran church and taught Sunday school in the 50s, then disappeared with no trace. Later, when Blasé would have been in his 60s, a Lutheran priest in Germany named Otto Blasé died and I read his obituary a few years later. After that I could not find any other references to anyone named Blasé. SO I cannot prove this but if these references were to the Blasé I was looking for, he may have wanted nothing to do with the SS and their crimes (he enlisted in the Luftwaffe but was taken by the SS in 1943 in a draft of other services officers because the SS had lost too many to replace from their ranks in Russia) and made his way to the US, where he began to see that he wanted to go to a seminary and be a pastor, returning to West Germany to do so. Like I said, this is my supposition, not fact.!
@@paulbriggs3072 There are many photos of Otto Blase taken with his tank before and after the fighting in Normandy. I agree with you about there being other people named Otto Blasè. I wrote to that church in Wisconsin where an Otto Blase had attended and taught Sunday School, but they never replied back. But it was odd to me that after his name disappears in Wisconsin (where many Germans who had been in the SS went to live after the war) that it appears in Germany. His obituary lists birth and death ages and it is spot on in that category. Like I said, I can't prove it but is is enough of a possible match to make me believe it was him. Remember, Otto never wanted to be in the SS, he was transferred there against his desires to become a Luftwaffe pilot.
I remember seeing some of these tanks at Aberdeen but was sad to see they moved the tanks that were on display when I was a kid. Although knowing they’re preserved indoors is reassuring. I live like 20 minutes away from Aberdeen proving grounds! Can hear them testing artillery and explosives sometimes! lol
There have been stranger stories about former German soldiers after the war who disappeared. I would not be surprised if you are correct. Fascinating thank you.
In english : Thank you Mister "WW2 Wayfinder", for these 2 videos on the remains of the German defeat in December 1944 in La Gleize. I am a French-speaking Belgian, a Walloon, I am 52 years old and WWII interests me a lot. And yet, I did not know this episode of the Battle of the Ardenne in Belgium. (For information, it is in France that they say "the Ardennes" in the plural for the eponymous department. In Belgium, we say "the Ardenne", in the singular.) So you made me discover things about my own country that I didn’t know. As my 14 year old son is also passionate about this period, you have given me there an excellent destination for a future WW2 excursion with him. I really appreciated the accuracy of your positioning for the photos "Then and now", as well as the various maps you have joined your 2 videos, which really help a lot to make an overview of the situation. In a constructive spirit, I tell you that you should have perhaps added a small summary of the troop movements (both German and allied.) on a map, so we can better understand how this German column could have been surrounded at La Gleize. What do you think? In any case, a big thank you for this excellent work of reconstitution. I hope the Belgians will never forget what we owe the Americans and other allies. Your work will certainly help, at least for Belgians who understand English… Good continuation to you. Sincerely, David Courtois.
Sehr gutes Video. Ich war im August 2023 vor Ort. Für mich persönlich, ist das Museum Dezember 44 in La Gleize eines, wenn nicht sogar das beste Museum in den Ardennen. Ganz nach dem Motto KLEIN ABER FEIN !
En français : Merci Monsieur "WW2 Wayfinder", pour ces 2 vidéos sur les vestiges de la défaite allemande en décembre 1944 à La Gleize. Je suis un Belge francophone, un Wallon, j'ai 52 ans et la seconde guerre mondiale m'intérresse beaucoup. Et pourtant, je ne connaissais pas cet épisode de la Bataille de l'Ardenne en Belgique. (Pour info, c'est en France que l'on dit "les Ardennes" aux pluriel pour le département éponyme. En Belgique, on dit "l'Ardenne", au singulier.) Vous m'avez donc fait découvrir des choses sur mon propre pays que je ne connaissais pas. Comme mon fils de 14 ans se passionne aussi pour cette période, vous m'avez donné là une excellente destination pour une future excurtion WW2 avec lui. J'ai beaucoup apprécié la précision de vos positionnements pour les photos "Then and now", ainsi que les diverses cartes dont vous avez aggrémenté vos 2 vidéos, qui aident vraiment beaucoup à se faire un plan d'ensemble de la situation. Dans un esprit constructif, je vous fais part du fait que vous auriez peut-être dû y ajouter un petit récapitulatif des mouvements de troupes (Tant allemandes qu'alliées.) sur une carte, pour nous permettre de mieux comprendre comment cette colonne allemande a pu se retrouver encerclée à La Gleize. Qu'en pensez-vous ? En tous cas, un grand merci pour cet excellent travail de reconstitution. J'espère que les Belges n'oublierons jamais ce que nous devons aux Américains et aux autres alliés. Votre travail y aidera certainement, du moins pour les Belges qui comprennent l'anglais… Bonne continuation à vous. Cordialement, David Courtois.
Great video! Love the way you format it with aerial shots, maps and onsite footage. That Tiger still looks menacing, especially when the camera walks around it. The countryside is gorgeous. It is hard to imagine the vicious battle going on at that time since it looks so peaceful. After viewing your first P51 video and this one, I'm hooked! Keep up the good work.
Thank you Charles, very kind of you to say, and glad you’re enjoying my style! The countryside around La Gleize is stunning but yes you’re right it’s hard to imagine how brutal it was back in December 1944.
Another excellent video. My Dad was in the 28th Infantry Division in WW2. He was captured by the Germans on December 20, 1944. He really didn’t like to talk about his time as an Infantryman in WW2. In 1947 he joined the USAF and in the early 60s (63 -66) we lived in West Germany and my parents really enjoyed the years we spent there. I’ve been interested in WW2 history since I was a child. My Dad passed in late 2008 and I sure do miss him but he never felt comfortable talking about WW 2 - I can only imagine some of the horrors he must have experienced - especially since he experienced the meat grinder of the battle in the Hürtgen Forest. Thanks so much for the high quality of the WW2 historical videos.
Thank you! Incredible that your Father served and fought through the Hürtgen battles. I visited there in early 2022 but before I started the channel and was amazed at how any fighting could take place there. I plan to go back and document that as I think it’s hard for people to imagine how tough the terrain and condition truly were without seeing it. Thank you for sharing your Fathers service on here, I greatly appreciate it.
I have seen other vloggers say 213 was abandoned in La Gleize, in the town. Thank you for your research and actual location of 213 at the farm. Great job aa always.
Not a problem! Sadly a lot of lazy research on 213 so when I was planning my last trip to the Ardennes it was at the top of my list to document properly. It’s such an iconic tank it deserves to have its story told properly! Thanks for watching!
As a Soldier stationed in Germany in the 70s', I was driving one night through LaGleize as I rounded a curve in the dark rainy night, I saw a tank enting the road. I immediately locked up my brakes and swerved to avoid a collision with the tank. Only after I was stopped did I realize the tank was the WWII Tiger on display. Having gotten used to seeing armored vehicles on the streets of German villages I immediately thought I had driven into an exercise!
I love your videos, but yall need to do something about volume leveling on that music..it is EXTREMELY overpowering when the volume is set for listening to the dialog.
Fair one, I’m still getting to grips with editing but I think for my most recent ones I’ve found a better balance. Thanks for watching though and hope you enjoyed the story of the King Tiger!
@WW2Wayfinder I did indeed. I've been watching all of yalls videos and really enjoy them. I was stationed in Germany with the US army and couldn't get enough of available history, not just of the wars but just the original history as well. Keep at it.
Very informative and a nice video staff ride. One suggestion is keeping the “maps” on the screen slightly longer and also indicating which direction the drone is looking to help us get our bearings.
I visited La Gleize in 1986. Today the commanders hatch is closed, back then it was open and you could climb down into the tank. Exposed to the elements the interior was gutted and rusted out. an amazing vehicle.
Thank you! Did you notice in the drone shot down the barrel the bend in it? I’d never noticed it previously but looking straight down you can clearly see where the replacement barrel was welded to the original barrel on 213!
Absolutely outstanding presentation. Very informative and interesting. I really enjoyed hearing the story of Tiger 213. Your presentation gave a nice historical overview of how the tank ended up by the December 1944 museum. Edit to add: new subscriber. This channel is without a doubt one of the very best WW II history channel on UA-cam. Keep up the great content. Much appreciated!
Thank you! Really glad you enjoyed the story of Tiger 213. I’ve always been fascinated by what took place there so it’s great to be able to share it. Thanks for subscribing too! There’s lots of episodes to come from Normandy and a few other different places over the next few weeks!
@@WW2Wayfinder The whole post war cleanup is very interesting that there's not much information to be found of. Would have been a huge operation that took many years, I presume. And I always wonder how much is still left there to be found in the woods and the rivers. I bet a few farmers have some relics in their barns, must've been lying around everywhere after the war.
@@m1m3rmedia I’m sure it’s the farm at the bottom of the road leading to Werimont Farm that Bruce from Combat Dealers visited and part of the building is propped up with a Tiger barrel (could equally be a Panther barrel). I know items are still found there occasionally and if I lived there I would be exploring the woods every weekend!!!
Thank you for that recommendation! I’ll check it out as I don’t have any first hand Panzer accounts in the library, it sounds like a good one to start with!
They must have our the fear of god into Allied troops when they had to face them. Despite all their short comings mechanically they were formidable when they worked! Thank you for taking the time to watch!
It’s a fantastic location to visit and I definitely got lucky with the weather, although the day did start in thick fog and mist! Just lucky it cleared up!
Dollinger 213 King Tiger, 211 Hantusch, they got caught in the meat grinder that was the Battle of the Bluge. Piper was slowly losing the innitive of the battle.
Great information. On my trips to Europe I have been there on 3 different occasions. The area is a must for WW 2 history. The church you mentioned. In the book Monuments Men. A statue was taken from there by the Germans and was eventually found and returned after the war. Not mentioned in the movie. But an interesting side story from a small village.
I’ve touched that tank a few times, always amazes me, just a beast. Don’t forget, they have a militaria show/meet there in that village by the museum. People from all over Europe park their cars on the side of the road and lay stuff they have to sell on a blanket or on the hood of their car. I’ve found some amazing pieces there but nothing like the one in Luxembourg.
I’ve seen it! These tanks are only a few percent lighter than an Abrams. Was there this past summer. I only had four days in the Bulge area and could have stayed for a month, easily. I did not know at the time but La Gleize is where Peiper started his frantic retreat with his remaining men (about 400?). I would like to walk the route he took on foot (not in the winter of course!). I heard people have done it.
If you’re able to get back to La Gleize you can download the route Pieper and his men took to get back to their lines. Like you say though, it’s a summer walk, not one for the winter!
Elsewhere I read the same story that Tiger 213 was put out of action by a lucky hit from a Sherman that severed the main gun. What makes this credible is there were about 10 Shermans engaging the same target in a hail of shells.
That's correct. From the sounds of it the Tigers got of a few rounds but all missed their targets so would have been a turkey shoot for the Sherman crews!
Those dents are made from a Canadian built sexton manned by a Canadian crew, from 25 yards. Yes, sexton was armed with two types of antitank shells since 1943. That is a 25 pounder doing that damage. No Tiger 2 was ever penetrated frontally.
I'm aware that the dings in the front were from allied tests in 1945 but din't know they were from a Sexton. I've seen Canadian troops in the village there but in a Universal Carrier so good to know, thanks!
@@WW2Wayfinder Those dings were from battle, not any after war testing. I have the link which describes the 6 pounders did the front dmg and two pounders did the side turrtet dmg, since repaired. There were 25 pounders present. But I am unable to prove my previous point. I asked Peter S. and he did not have enough info to comment.
@@WW2Wayfinder I suppose when the barrel was welded back on , it was not properly aligned. I remember seeing that tank back in 1970 when I rode my motorcycle through the town, I bought a postcard showing the tank and sent it to my boss in the UK who used to command a Sherman during WW2.
Correct, and on my drone footage if you look carefull you can see the bend in it caused by the Panther barrel being joined to the remainder of the main gun! Thanks for watching!
Don't care much for their camo job, but it's good to see it such good condition with a full set of fenders. Just wish they could add all the external tool stowage and spare tracks
Thanks for the video. Very informative. Is the farm where the two Tiger tanks had their last stand within walking distance from the museum? I'd like to visit both the farm and museum someday
It is, probably an easy 5 mins, just down the hill from the tank (take the first right just past the front of it) and head down and round to the left and you’ll see it up ahead! Thanks for watching!
Hi Johnny Just trying to smash through your videos, no help from UA-cam as they won’t show them in any sequence. As I’ve already seen so many of your videos it’s a waste of time attempting to go to your site cos it’s too much work. Just want to thank you for your great, and accurate works! I’m a bit of a WW2 history buff myself and I can relate to your stories which is helpful.
You’re most welcome! Sorry UA-cam doesn’t show them in order as such, I think they can be selected from most popular or newest. Thanks again for taking the time to watch though as I really appreciate it!
It’s sad isn’t it that it’s gone. I turned up expecting to go in and had no idea it had closed! It would be great if someone could reopen it again and fill it with similar high quality exhibits as it was always good to visit there. If I’d have known the last time I was going to see it was March 2021 I’d have taken more time looking around!
@@WW2Wayfinder Many items has been sold. Seen posts in militaria forums collectors showing what they have boughd out of Baugnez . Heartbreaking in my opion but it's how this world works today. It's all about the money.
You can definitely see the genesis of the modern Main Battle Tank in the Tiger II. Like you say, not without its faults but in the right situation it was a beast of a tank!
I've often wondered, once the hydraulic fluid is drained from the recoil system, who's the poor sap who gets to fire that last round? Did they have some way of firing it remotely? I can't imagine it would be too healthy sharing the turret with that 88.
I was asking myself the same thing! I’m wondering if there was a kit or a special procedure that allowed them to stand on the rear deck with the hatch open and fire it that way?
Thank you. Ref the music, unfortunately (or fortunately) I’d just got new editing software and was still getting to grips with sound equalisation etc and it is messed up in this and another sadly but it’s fixed now for all my recent videos as I agree it’s distracting!
Some of the accompanying photos in the video show M36 Gun Motor Carriages. If these were indeed among the American AFV'S present, it might explain their success at disabling the Tiger II's. They mounted a 90mm high velocity gun with a bit more punch than the late Sherman's 76mm.
Good point! I know at Stoumont it was 90mm guns that slowed down Peiper’s advance into the village on the 19th December and again later that day at Stoumont Station so very plausible!
I was getting to grips with new editing software when I made this and did have issues with the music, but it’s sorted now for my most recent ones! Thank you for watching though 😃
Re TFs Lovelady and TF McGeorge, I don’t find any merntion of this engagement in "THE PANZER KILLERS" By General Bolger. That is a history of 3rd AD. Edited to Add: I found a reference to TF McGeorge engaging these Tigers in a book called "Duel in the Mist" which states they were knocked out on December 23. Can't figure how this incident didn't get a mention in Gen. Bolger's book.
The Duel in the Most series are excellent accounts of the small but brutal actions around the Ardennes villages there. I found another from the Bn Surgeon from TF Lovelady that documents the actions at La Gleize too in a PDF via Google which is worth a read if you have time!
Correct. If you look closely at my drone footage you can see the bend in the barrel from where the Panther front 1/3 of the barrel was welded to the Tiger’s!
Thank you John, it was great to walk the ground where the actions took place and bring it all together and tell the complete story. Thanks for watching!
The narrow, open gaps in the front of the Tiger 2 isn't from the fighting, but from - later American tries to see if their Anti Panzer Weapons could penetrate the front of the Tiger! As seen here, they couldn't!!! What stopped the "Mighty Tiger" was simply a lack of fuel, as the German didn't manage to reach known American Fuel Deposits for more fuel for this last, major attack in the West. And it exhausted the Germans so much for material and fuel that it most likely made the war end much before it would have, if not? Also the little comical story of a German Parachute Attack, which ended when their radio became ruined during the landing, so they couldn't get connected to the Army Headquarters, and surrendered after a stay in a wood. They had asked for some carrier pidgins, but became told that this wasn't a "Zoo"!!!
TOP-Notch production value & presentation. WELL done.... -Interesting side note about the 213's barrel, Im not sure if its just an oft 'parrot'd' note of correct historical value, importance, total BS, or truth @ one point in time? But Ive read in more than a few sources that the current 213 barrel was taken from a Panther Tanks 7.5cm KwK 32 L70 & shunted/welded into place to replace the destroyed original 8.8cm KwK 43-L/71 in order to show a more 'complete' public exhibit?.... -Of course the two cannons muzzle brakes looked similar, but differed a bit in size/end specs....
Thank you and you’re absolutely spot on about the barrel. If you take a look at the drone footage I recorded and pause it when the camera is looking directly down the length of the barrel to the turret you’ll see it’s bent! That’s from the Panther barrel being welded on in the 1970’s!
@@WW2Wayfinder Ok, couldnt possibly imagine such a data-point, if provably false, could carry on n' on in varying professional books & such? But then again, PLENTY of our Terran history has been redacted, augmented, erased or transposed in one way or another in plenty of rather old, well known &/or respected tomes... -The Panther barrel addition consisting of: 'Use what youve GOT VS. what one may WANT' or like right? As it does the job just fine as it sits. Only the most astute 'Rivet-Counter' as we tend to call 'em in the 1/35th military model community would recognize such a revision anyhows... Jeez, imagine the ever increasing VALUE attained, as a future $ investment or local attraction, that ends up benefiting nearly everyone in that town? -Aside from being an immensely RARE historical piece, all for a simple bottle of BOOZE to the right group of thirsty G.I's,. MOST happy enough to check that 70 ton beast off the list?! (Gal had some serious foresight eh?;) Keep up the wonderful work & shared stories bud!
I think they were under such heavy shelling from the US armour they weren’t able to get the range and dial in their sights but that’s merely a guess on my part.
Idk why, but every time I see a irl tank in a video that is not in black and white it looks so un textured and weirdly coloured tbh its probably just me
I love what you're doing and showing but mate in my personal opinion you should have left out that fricking awful noise, it's very disturbing and distracting! ... no worries i stay subscribed 😁 🤣
It’s actually quite well looked after, although a cover wouldn’t go a miss of course. It’s maintained by the village and regularly repainted etc. The damage was done decades ago with it being left with open hatches etc when it was parked up post war at that spot.
When I went to Fort Knox to go through the museum where Tiger 332 stood, I was very impressed. A Sherman was parked next to it and the Sherman was actually taller than the Tiger, making it seem impressive as well. When 332 was brought to the Aberdeen Proving Grounds originally, it and a Tiger E had their side compartments cut away so that people could study the insides. They both sat outside for a while before being moved in doors. Back then they retained their original paint. Then they were moved to Fort Knox next to the Patton Museum of Armor. I had hoped to see the Tiger E but it had been sent on a tour of European museums. When I walked around to the port side of 332 I was immediately taken back by the sheer amount of room that each crew compartment had. Tiger B crews had it better than any tank on the planet, and perhaps that includes now! You may know this arlready but 332 was commanded by Otto Blasé and on the road march toward La Glieze, his 332 suffered a breakdown along the road near Petit Spa. Since the 332 was in no immediate danger of capture, the crew did what they were supposed to do, stay with the tank until it could be repaired or recovered, but in this case recovery was not possible. When the 740th US tank battallion approached on another road they saw the 332 and started firing from their distance using phosphorous rounds. A phosphorus round could take out any vehicle because even though it would not penetrate, it could explode and the phosphorus now in liquid form would quickly find any openings no matter how small, and drip in. Even it that was not the case, Germans knew by this stage in the war that Americans seeing no way to get to a German tank, would fire a phosphorus round in order to mark the target for either the Air Corps fighters on Army artillery to take out. So Blasé or another crewman and yet another crewman were seen jumping out of the 332 and running. In a response to a letter that I wrote to Wolfgang Schneider concerning Blasé, he said that Blasé disappeared from the regiment during the battle and was never seen again, and did not attend any of the SS reunions later. After I searched for him online, I did not actually find him but have enough information that he may have made his way to the state of Wisconsin which has a large German descended population and is where many escaped war criminals were arrested long after the end of 20th century. I found where an Otto Blasé showed up at a Lutheran church and taught Sunday school in the 50s, then disappeared with no trace. Later, when Blasé would have been in his 60s, a Lutheran priest in Germany named Otto Blasé died and I read his obituary a few years later. After that I could not find any other references to anyone named Blasé. SO I cannot prove this but if these references were to the Blasé I was looking for, he may have wanted nothing to do with the SS and their crimes (he enlisted in the Luftwaffe but was taken by the SS in 1943 in a draft of other services officers because the SS had lost too many to replace from their ranks in Russia) and made his way to the US, where he began to see that he wanted to go to a seminary and be a pastor, returning to West Germany to do so. Like I said, this is my supposition, not fact.!
Remarkable sleuthing on your part. I strongly suspect you are right in your theories. It depends on how common the name Otto Blase is.
@@paulbriggs3072 There are many photos of Otto Blase taken with his tank before and after the fighting in Normandy. I agree with you about there being other people named Otto Blasè. I wrote to that church in Wisconsin where an Otto Blase had attended and taught Sunday School, but they never replied back. But it was odd to me that after his name disappears in Wisconsin (where many Germans who had been in the SS went to live after the war) that it appears in Germany. His obituary lists birth and death ages and it is spot on in that category. Like I said, I can't prove it but is is enough of a possible match to make me believe it was him. Remember, Otto never wanted to be in the SS, he was transferred there against his desires to become a Luftwaffe pilot.
I remember seeing some of these tanks at Aberdeen but was sad to see they moved the tanks that were on display when I was a kid. Although knowing they’re preserved indoors is reassuring. I live like 20 minutes away from
Aberdeen proving grounds! Can hear them testing artillery and explosives sometimes! lol
There have been stranger stories about former German soldiers after the war who disappeared. I would not be surprised if you are correct. Fascinating thank you.
In english : Thank you Mister "WW2 Wayfinder", for these 2 videos on the remains of the German defeat in December 1944 in La Gleize. I am a French-speaking Belgian, a Walloon, I am 52 years old and WWII interests me a lot. And yet, I did not know this episode of the Battle of the Ardenne in Belgium. (For information, it is in France that they say "the Ardennes" in the plural for the eponymous department. In Belgium, we say "the Ardenne", in the singular.) So you made me discover things about my own country that I didn’t know. As my 14 year old son is also passionate about this period, you have given me there an excellent destination for a future WW2 excursion with him. I really appreciated the accuracy of your positioning for the photos "Then and now", as well as the various maps you have joined your 2 videos, which really help a lot to make an overview of the situation.
In a constructive spirit, I tell you that you should have perhaps added a small summary of the troop movements (both German and allied.) on a map, so we can better understand how this German column could have been surrounded at La Gleize. What do you think?
In any case, a big thank you for this excellent work of reconstitution. I hope the Belgians will never forget what we owe the Americans and other allies. Your work will certainly help, at least for Belgians who understand English…
Good continuation to you.
Sincerely,
David Courtois.
David, thank you so much for your comment and I'm really pleased you enjoyed it! It is a truly beautful region of Belgium.
Sehr gutes Video. Ich war im August 2023 vor Ort. Für mich persönlich, ist das Museum Dezember 44 in La Gleize eines, wenn nicht sogar das beste Museum in den Ardennen. Ganz nach dem Motto KLEIN ABER FEIN !
Excellent dialogue of the history of that Tiger. Fascinating
Thank you!
@@WW2Wayfinder I enjoy all your videos. Thoroughly, enjoyed the videos on the Falaise Gap. Brilliant viewing.
Thanks! I hope to cover more at Falaise in the next couple of months!
En français : Merci Monsieur "WW2 Wayfinder", pour ces 2 vidéos sur les vestiges de la défaite allemande en décembre 1944 à La Gleize. Je suis un Belge francophone, un Wallon, j'ai 52 ans et la seconde guerre mondiale m'intérresse beaucoup. Et pourtant, je ne connaissais pas cet épisode de la Bataille de l'Ardenne en Belgique. (Pour info, c'est en France que l'on dit "les Ardennes" aux pluriel pour le département éponyme. En Belgique, on dit "l'Ardenne", au singulier.) Vous m'avez donc fait découvrir des choses sur mon propre pays que je ne connaissais pas. Comme mon fils de 14 ans se passionne aussi pour cette période, vous m'avez donné là une excellente destination pour une future excurtion WW2 avec lui. J'ai beaucoup apprécié la précision de vos positionnements pour les photos "Then and now", ainsi que les diverses cartes dont vous avez aggrémenté vos 2 vidéos, qui aident vraiment beaucoup à se faire un plan d'ensemble de la situation.
Dans un esprit constructif, je vous fais part du fait que vous auriez peut-être dû y ajouter un petit récapitulatif des mouvements de troupes (Tant allemandes qu'alliées.) sur une carte, pour nous permettre de mieux comprendre comment cette colonne allemande a pu se retrouver encerclée à La Gleize. Qu'en pensez-vous ?
En tous cas, un grand merci pour cet excellent travail de reconstitution. J'espère que les Belges n'oublierons jamais ce que nous devons aux Américains et aux autres alliés. Votre travail y aidera certainement, du moins pour les Belges qui comprennent l'anglais…
Bonne continuation à vous.
Cordialement,
David Courtois.
Great video! Love the way you format it with aerial shots, maps and onsite footage. That Tiger still looks menacing, especially when the camera walks around it. The countryside is gorgeous. It is hard to imagine the vicious battle going on at that time since it looks so peaceful. After viewing your first P51 video and this one, I'm hooked! Keep up the good work.
Thank you Charles, very kind of you to say, and glad you’re enjoying my style!
The countryside around La Gleize is stunning but yes you’re right it’s hard to imagine how brutal it was back in December 1944.
Another excellent video. My Dad was in the 28th Infantry Division in WW2. He was captured by the Germans on December 20, 1944. He really didn’t like to talk about his time as an Infantryman in WW2. In 1947 he joined the USAF and in the early 60s (63 -66) we lived in West Germany and my parents really enjoyed the years we spent there. I’ve been interested in WW2 history since I was a child. My Dad passed in late 2008 and I sure do miss him but he never felt comfortable talking about WW 2 - I can only imagine some of the horrors he must have experienced - especially since he experienced the meat grinder of the battle in the Hürtgen Forest.
Thanks so much for the high quality of the WW2 historical videos.
Thank you! Incredible that your Father served and fought through the Hürtgen battles. I visited there in early 2022 but before I started the channel and was amazed at how any fighting could take place there. I plan to go back and document that as I think it’s hard for people to imagine how tough the terrain and condition truly were without seeing it.
Thank you for sharing your Fathers service on here, I greatly appreciate it.
Amazing and enthralling video.
Just one note - can you reduce the volume of the music which links sections, please. It is a tad intrusive.
I made that using new software back in February so took a bit of getting used to but I think I’m there now!
@@WW2Wayfinder Thanks for responding! Looking forward to seeing lots more of your excellently-researched videos!
I have seen other vloggers say 213 was abandoned in La Gleize, in the town. Thank you for your research and actual location of 213 at the farm. Great job aa always.
Not a problem! Sadly a lot of lazy research on 213 so when I was planning my last trip to the Ardennes it was at the top of my list to document properly. It’s such an iconic tank it deserves to have its story told properly!
Thanks for watching!
As a Soldier stationed in Germany in the 70s', I was driving one night through LaGleize as I rounded a curve in the dark rainy night, I saw a tank enting the road. I immediately locked up my brakes and swerved to avoid a collision with the tank. Only after I was stopped did I realize the tank was the WWII Tiger on display. Having gotten used to seeing armored vehicles on the streets of German villages I immediately thought I had driven into an exercise!
Oh wow! Definitely not something you want to stumble across in the dark!!!
I love your videos, but yall need to do something about volume leveling on that music..it is EXTREMELY overpowering when the volume is set for listening to the dialog.
Fair one, I’m still getting to grips with editing but I think for my most recent ones I’ve found a better balance.
Thanks for watching though and hope you enjoyed the story of the King Tiger!
@WW2Wayfinder I did indeed. I've been watching all of yalls videos and really enjoy them. I was stationed in Germany with the US army and couldn't get enough of available history, not just of the wars but just the original history as well. Keep at it.
Thank you! Lots more to come over the next few months!
Very informative and a nice video staff ride. One suggestion is keeping the “maps” on the screen slightly longer and also indicating which direction the drone is looking to help us get our bearings.
yes...and turn the music down please
I visited La Gleize in 1986. Today the commanders hatch is closed, back then it was open and you could climb down into the tank. Exposed to the elements the interior was gutted and rusted out.
an amazing vehicle.
I’ve heard similar from people I know who got to visit back in the 80’s. Must have been amazing to see it even if it was in a bad way.
I really enjoy your videos. There to the point and a lot of the footage I have havent seen before. Keep up the good work.
Thank you, that’s really kind of you to say! Lots more to come from my trip to Belgium over the next few weeks including some Then and Now episodes!
Great video. Also to mention, the current gun barrel of 213 is from Panther Ausf G. Not original 88 mm KwK 43.
Thank you!
Did you notice in the drone shot down the barrel the bend in it? I’d never noticed it previously but looking straight down you can clearly see where the replacement barrel was welded to the original barrel on 213!
Absolutely outstanding presentation. Very informative and interesting. I really enjoyed hearing the story of Tiger 213. Your presentation gave a nice historical overview of how the tank ended up by the December 1944 museum. Edit to add: new subscriber. This channel is without a doubt one of the very best WW II history channel on UA-cam. Keep up the great content. Much appreciated!
Thank you! Really glad you enjoyed the story of Tiger 213. I’ve always been fascinated by what took place there so it’s great to be able to share it.
Thanks for subscribing too! There’s lots of episodes to come from Normandy and a few other different places over the next few weeks!
@@WW2Wayfinder Definitely will look forward to seeing the Normandy presentation. Any plans to visit the Falaise area? Best Regards, Rick
@@RickJZ1973 I’ve done a whole Then and Now episode covering Mont Ormel, Chambois, and Saint Lambert Sur Dives!
Can't hear enough of this tank, I was there a few years ago and it's a great piece of history.
It’s addictive isn’t it?! I first saw it in 2007 and since then a trip to the Ardennes isn’t a proper trip without seeing it!
@@WW2Wayfinder The whole post war cleanup is very interesting that there's not much information to be found of. Would have been a huge operation that took many years, I presume. And I always wonder how much is still left there to be found in the woods and the rivers. I bet a few farmers have some relics in their barns, must've been lying around everywhere after the war.
@@m1m3rmedia I’m sure it’s the farm at the bottom of the road leading to Werimont Farm that Bruce from Combat Dealers visited and part of the building is propped up with a Tiger barrel (could equally be a Panther barrel). I know items are still found there occasionally and if I lived there I would be exploring the woods every weekend!!!
If you love tigers you must read panzer ace by richard von rosen.just finnished it.a great acount
Thank you for that recommendation! I’ll check it out as I don’t have any first hand Panzer accounts in the library, it sounds like a good one to start with!
Couldn’t imagine coming up against those beasts
They must have our the fear of god into Allied troops when they had to face them. Despite all their short comings mechanically they were formidable when they worked! Thank you for taking the time to watch!
It's great how in the last sequence of the video the Werimont farm buildings are visible in the mist, behind trees.
It’s a fantastic location to visit and I definitely got lucky with the weather, although the day did start in thick fog and mist! Just lucky it cleared up!
You and Mark Felton have the best WW2 videos mate!
Wow thank you! That’s really nice of you to say so!
No problem keep bringing us this amazing WW2 history from all over Europe
@@westonbrewster8344 will do! Several more from Belgium plus where Patton beat Monty to the Rhine in March 1945 then it’ll time for Normandy!!!!
You should do a video of the movie Valkyrie at the Wolf’s Lair in East Prussia that would be an awesome series mate!
@@westonbrewster8344 I think it’ll be on the list for 2024 but you’re right that would be a great one to cover!
Great vid music toooo loud
Was using new editing software for this but it’s fixed now!
Thank you for watching!
Dollinger 213 King Tiger, 211 Hantusch, they got caught in the meat grinder that was the Battle of the Bluge.
Piper was slowly losing the innitive of the battle.
Loving the shots of the Tiger!!!! Thanks
Glad you enjoyed it
Great information. On my trips to Europe I have been there on 3 different occasions. The area is a must for WW 2 history.
The church you mentioned. In the book Monuments Men. A statue was taken from there by the Germans and was eventually found and returned after the war. Not mentioned in the movie. But an interesting side story from a small village.
Oh wow thanks for that I wasn’t aware! I’ve got the book on my shelf just haven’t read it yet so will check that out. Thank you!
Chapter's 20 & 25.
I’ve touched that tank a few times, always amazes me, just a beast. Don’t forget, they have a militaria show/meet there in that village by the museum. People from all over Europe park their cars on the side of the road and lay stuff they have to sell on a blanket or on the hood of their car. I’ve found some amazing pieces there but nothing like the one in Luxembourg.
I’ve seen it! These tanks are only a few percent lighter than an Abrams. Was there this past summer. I only had four days in the Bulge area and could have stayed for a month, easily. I did not know at the time but La Gleize is where Peiper started his frantic retreat with his remaining men (about 400?). I would like to walk the route he took on foot (not in the winter of course!). I heard people have done it.
If you’re able to get back to La Gleize you can download the route Pieper and his men took to get back to their lines. Like you say though, it’s a summer walk, not one for the winter!
Nicely edited film
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!
To this day I still see a video from time to time and say, Christ what a massive beast.
They're a very impressive piece of engineering!
Why is the music so intrusive.
I was using a new editing software when I made this so was still getting to grips with it.
100% most impressive tank of WWII
Elsewhere I read the same story that Tiger 213 was put out of action by a lucky hit from a Sherman that severed the main gun. What makes this credible is there were about 10 Shermans engaging the same target in a hail of shells.
That's correct. From the sounds of it the Tigers got of a few rounds but all missed their targets so would have been a turkey shoot for the Sherman crews!
Those dents are made from a Canadian built sexton manned by a Canadian crew, from 25 yards. Yes, sexton was armed with two types of antitank shells since 1943. That is a 25 pounder doing that damage. No Tiger 2 was ever penetrated frontally.
I'm aware that the dings in the front were from allied tests in 1945 but din't know they were from a Sexton. I've seen Canadian troops in the village there but in a Universal Carrier so good to know, thanks!
@@WW2Wayfinder Those dings were from battle, not any after war testing. I have the link which describes the 6 pounders did the front dmg and two pounders did the side turrtet dmg, since repaired. There were 25 pounders present. But I am unable to prove my previous point. I asked Peter S. and he did not have enough info to comment.
Very nice video. Have to say, the Tiger is a very Sexy tank. Most impressive tank of WW2
You can see the barrel is slightly bent.
I'd never noticed before until I put the drone up and captured that shot!
@@WW2Wayfinder I suppose when the barrel was welded back on , it was not properly aligned. I remember seeing that tank back in 1970 when I rode my motorcycle through the town, I bought a postcard showing the tank and sent it to my boss in the UK who used to command a Sherman during WW2.
Very interesting thank you 👍
TY 🙏🙏
You’re most welcome!
I have read that the KT in La Gleize was repaired with a Panther barrel.
Correct, and on my drone footage if you look carefull you can see the bend in it caused by the Panther barrel being joined to the remainder of the main gun! Thanks for watching!
Excellent video!
Thank you very much! I felt it was important to tell the story of how this 69 tonne beast came to rest in La Gleize.
The video does not do that tank justice it is massive! Lucky enough to have been able to stand next to it
It's a beast isn't it, the scale of them must have been terrifiying for Allied armour and infantry when they encountered them on the battlefield.
Don't care much for their camo job, but it's good to see it such good condition with a full set of fenders. Just wish they could add all the external tool stowage and spare tracks
I believe it was recently done and very close to its original colour scheme.
Thanks for the video. Very informative. Is the farm where the two Tiger tanks had their last stand within walking distance from the museum? I'd like to visit both the farm and museum someday
It is, probably an easy 5 mins, just down the hill from the tank (take the first right just past the front of it) and head down and round to the left and you’ll see it up ahead!
Thanks for watching!
Hi Johnny
Just trying to smash through your videos, no help from UA-cam as they won’t show them in any sequence.
As I’ve already seen so many of your videos it’s a waste of time attempting to go to your site cos it’s too much work.
Just want to thank you for your great, and accurate works!
I’m a bit of a WW2 history buff myself and I can relate to your stories which is helpful.
You’re most welcome!
Sorry UA-cam doesn’t show them in order as such, I think they can be selected from most popular or newest.
Thanks again for taking the time to watch though as I really appreciate it!
Been at La Gleize in December 2022 and visited this is a very nice museum . So Pity the big museum of Baugnez is for ever closed it's doors.
It’s sad isn’t it that it’s gone. I turned up expecting to go in and had no idea it had closed! It would be great if someone could reopen it again and fill it with similar high quality exhibits as it was always good to visit there. If I’d have known the last time I was going to see it was March 2021 I’d have taken more time looking around!
@@WW2Wayfinder Many items has been sold. Seen posts in militaria forums collectors showing what they have boughd out of Baugnez .
Heartbreaking in my opion but it's how this world works today.
It's all about the money.
The owner got sick and the big museum in Bastogne could have bought it all easily.
The gun barrel on this Tiger looks awfully thin, is it really the original 88 caliber???
The front third is a 75mm barrel from a Panther
It’s a 75mm panther barrel
While its not without its faults, its still a beast in its time and years beyond. Amazing menace of arnor
You can definitely see the genesis of the modern Main Battle Tank in the Tiger II. Like you say, not without its faults but in the right situation it was a beast of a tank!
I would have paid 2 bottles...
🤣 definitely!!!
I've often wondered, once the hydraulic fluid is drained from the recoil system, who's the poor sap who gets to fire that last round? Did they have some way of firing it remotely? I can't imagine it would be too healthy sharing the turret with that 88.
I was asking myself the same thing! I’m wondering if there was a kit or a special procedure that allowed them to stand on the rear deck with the hatch open and fire it that way?
Again lovely! But please drop the music……
Thank you.
Ref the music, unfortunately (or fortunately) I’d just got new editing software and was still getting to grips with sound equalisation etc and it is messed up in this and another sadly but it’s fixed now for all my recent videos as I agree it’s distracting!
Some of the accompanying photos in the video show M36 Gun Motor Carriages. If these were indeed among the American AFV'S present, it might explain their success at disabling the Tiger II's. They mounted a 90mm high velocity gun with a bit more punch than the late Sherman's 76mm.
Good point!
I know at Stoumont it was 90mm guns that slowed down Peiper’s advance into the village on the 19th December and again later that day at Stoumont Station so very plausible!
Great program but the music is obnoxious.
I was getting to grips with new editing software when I made this and did have issues with the music, but it’s sorted now for my most recent ones! Thank you for watching though 😃
Tell us more about Tiger 332
It broke down near Coo (between La Gleize and Stavelot) and was recovered by the US Army and now it’s in the US
so he was captured when the crew of the tiger got lost, and they ran away into the forest, the tank got intact
Dude! I want to go live in Belgium!
haha likewise! It's a beautiful area and histroy at every turn!
Re TFs Lovelady and TF McGeorge, I don’t find any merntion of this engagement in "THE PANZER KILLERS" By General Bolger. That is a history of 3rd AD. Edited to Add: I found a reference to TF McGeorge engaging these Tigers in a book called "Duel in the Mist" which states they were knocked out on December 23. Can't figure how this incident didn't get a mention in Gen. Bolger's book.
The Duel in the Most series are excellent accounts of the small but brutal actions around the Ardennes villages there. I found another from the Bn Surgeon from TF Lovelady that documents the actions at La Gleize too in a PDF via Google which is worth a read if you have time!
The gun of Tiger 213 nowerday's is a 75mm of a Panther. It is not the original 88mm.
Correct. If you look closely at my drone footage you can see the bend in the barrel from where the Panther front 1/3 of the barrel was welded to the Tiger’s!
Great work
Thank you John, it was great to walk the ground where the actions took place and bring it all together and tell the complete story. Thanks for watching!
The narrow, open gaps in the front of the Tiger 2 isn't from the fighting, but from - later American tries to see if their Anti Panzer Weapons could penetrate the front of the Tiger! As seen here, they couldn't!!! What stopped the "Mighty Tiger" was simply a lack of fuel, as the German didn't manage to reach known American Fuel Deposits for more fuel for this last, major attack in the West. And it exhausted the Germans so much for material and fuel that it most likely made the war end much before it would have, if not?
Also the little comical story of a German Parachute Attack, which ended when their radio became ruined during the landing, so they couldn't get connected to the Army Headquarters, and surrendered after a stay in a wood.
They had asked for some carrier pidgins, but became told that this wasn't a "Zoo"!!!
The King Tiger is the King of all tanks of WW2, until it met the Super Pershing.
Agreed!
@@WW2Wayfinder i can't wait for Yarnhub to talk about the Super Pershing vs King Tiger in Dessau. Yarnhub is the best History channel.
Its such a beautiful beast 🤩🤩🤩🤩
TOP-Notch production value & presentation. WELL done....
-Interesting side note about the 213's barrel, Im not sure if its just an oft 'parrot'd' note of correct historical value, importance, total BS, or truth @ one point in time? But Ive read in more than a few sources that the current 213 barrel was taken from a Panther Tanks 7.5cm KwK 32 L70 & shunted/welded into place to replace the destroyed original 8.8cm KwK 43-L/71 in order to show a more 'complete' public exhibit?....
-Of course the two cannons muzzle brakes looked similar, but differed a bit in size/end specs....
Thank you and you’re absolutely spot on about the barrel. If you take a look at the drone footage I recorded and pause it when the camera is looking directly down the length of the barrel to the turret you’ll see it’s bent! That’s from the Panther barrel being welded on in the 1970’s!
@@WW2Wayfinder
Ok, couldnt possibly imagine such a data-point, if provably false, could carry on n' on in varying professional books & such?
But then again, PLENTY of our Terran history has been redacted, augmented, erased or transposed in one way or another in plenty of rather old, well known &/or respected tomes...
-The Panther barrel addition consisting of: 'Use what youve GOT VS. what one may WANT' or like right?
As it does the job just fine as it sits. Only the most astute 'Rivet-Counter' as we tend to call 'em in the 1/35th military model community would recognize such a revision anyhows...
Jeez, imagine the ever increasing VALUE attained, as a future $ investment or local attraction, that ends up benefiting nearly everyone in that town? -Aside from being an immensely RARE historical piece, all for a simple bottle of BOOZE to the right group of thirsty G.I's,. MOST happy enough to check that 70 ton beast off the list?! (Gal had some serious foresight eh?;)
Keep up the wonderful work & shared stories bud!
You dont need any Music in the middle ofthe video. Maybe just a real short intro theme. ❤
so it was the infamus Piper that lead that Platoon.
what was the cause of their inaccurate fire ? disalignment of their guns ?sabotaged ammunition's or just inexperience of gunners ?
I think they were under such heavy shelling from the US armour they weren’t able to get the range and dial in their sights but that’s merely a guess on my part.
They were under constant artillery fire as well as tank fire. Hantusch reported his sights were out of alignment.
They sure did not weld that back on very straight did they.
I can't think of the times I'd been there and seen the tank and never noticed until watching the drone footage and seeing just how crooked it was!
A heavy tank is.....heavy.....big....and unless it spots you and is protected by infantry - a big fat, fuel guzzling target. Especially air attack.
They should have had a few hetzers to deal with the American armor.
Idk why, but every time I see a irl tank in a video that is not in black and white it looks so un textured and weirdly coloured tbh its probably just me
I love what you're doing and showing but mate in my personal opinion you should have left out that fricking awful noise, it's very disturbing and distracting! ... no worries i stay subscribed 😁 🤣
Absolute crime this vehicle is still outdoors in the elements.
It’s actually quite well looked after, although a cover wouldn’t go a miss of course. It’s maintained by the village and regularly repainted etc.
The damage was done decades ago with it being left with open hatches etc when it was parked up post war at that spot.
Tons of water gets into it. I own a SDkfz 250 which is no where as rare as this vehicle and would never keep it outside.@@WW2Wayfinder
That doesn't look like the correct barrel for that Tiger. ( mm)
The front third is from a Panther that was also knocked out in La Gleize. It was welded on during the restoration in the 1970’s.
I agree with you, so they do it all the battle grounds so were I am live is olso I hope they wont do it here 😂😂😂😮❤
A bunch of Shermans beating two mighty King Tigers, that won't sit well with the armchair generals.
Great video!
Thank you!! And it definitely flies in the face of the commonly held myths of German armour doesn’t it!