I was a US Navy Hospital Corpsman. Desert Storm . Served 10 years. In 2005, my son's best friend (a Marine) came home from Fallujah just in time for Christmas. He had been in the 2nd battle the year before. We went to a local VA Home. One old man in the dining area was utterly inconsolable. Everyone else was singing and happy. I heard a little girl ask her dad why he was so upset. I knelt beside him and simply asked where? His answer- Bastogne. Through tears he told me he was the sole survivor of his platoon. They died Christmas day. He was not an Easy Company member, but for him Christmas was forever a nightmare. I held his hand and hugged him. My friend said Doc it's time to go. The old man looked me in the eyes and said God Bless you, you guys paid a higher cost than most of us. I will not argue against his expert knowledge.
@@steveg5933 I'm glad you're still here. Green side navy will always have my respect. We get to take a ride and they have to do the work. But being a Corpsman means you're of a special breed. I'm convinced, through my own experience that I can do first responder trauma care, exactly once. I know because I had to. The EMT said I should be a firefighter... straight up I told him that my soul couldn't take it.
@@klonkimo of the 10 years I served 8 were with Marines. I b!tched more than a bit during those times, but they were the best years of my life (until my kids & grandkids came along)
@@steveg5933 I only got 9.9 years in. I'd love to say ten, but those pencil pushing F's couldn't give me that. Hey, here's a story. I was retired from the Marines, and put on the temporary disabled retirement list (TDRL). When I went to permanent status, I didn't put up a fight, because in my mind, I was cured. Good eating and a family does a lot, I won't and I didn't contest. Anyways, those Navy admin DC jerks retired me permanently as a Sergeant. I spent a long time as a Sergeant, because I absolutely loved it. I was in the below zone because of being passed over, but honest to God, I loved it. First Sergeant Macdew, on my last deployment (Med float, watching Libya go down in 2011) punches me in the gut/diaphragm, and tells me I have to put my picture in today. They were in the seabags, wrinkles everywhere. I picked up SSgt instantly. Coffee cup achieved. Anyways, when I was retired, the Navy sent me a retirement at the rate of Sergeant. When I brought it up, I told them that they screwed up, and I'm keeping it. If I had my way, I would have retired last year. I loved being in the Corps. Semper Fi and happy birthday, 249th.
So there is no evidence that Doc Rowe and Renèe ever met. This episode was written in this way so that the story of Renèe Lemaire could be told on some level. She was a nurse who volunteered to help during the siege of Bastogne and did die during the bombing by the Germans on Christmas Eve 1944. She saved six wounded soldiers from the basement of the church shown in the episode while it was on fire. She was killed when it collapsed as she was attempting to save a seventh soldier. While the relationship between Renée and Doc Rowe was fictional I love that the writers found a way to pay tribute to Renèe in this series as she is deserving of far more recognition that she receives in my opinion.
@@dereckreinhart462 It's a film liberty that I understand. They had to create a character to describe how horrible it was there. Tom Hanks said they had to make it fit on the screen, and he did that. Guyarnere was a mortar man, but he's depicted as an infantry squad leader. Given a call for fire, he could lob a round up anything. But episode two needed an antagonist.
Renée Lemaire was a trained nurse who studied and lived in Brussels. She was visiting her parents in Bastogne for Christmas 1944, when the town became surrounded by the German advance. Renée volunteered at the American aide station that was set up in Bastogne, where she served under Major John Prior. On Christmas Eve 1944, the Germans bombed Bastogne, and aid station was hit. Renée managed to pull 7 people out of the bombed out building, but when she went back in for more, the building collapsed and she was killed. The Airborne recovered Renee’s body, and returned her to her family wrapped in one of their parachutes. Augusta Chiwy (Anna) was also a trained nurse, also visiting her parents in Bastogne for Christmas 1944. Her father was a Belgian soldier who fought in WW1, her mother was from Congo (a former Belgian colony). Augusta also volunteered at the American aid station when Bastogne became surrounded. During the Christmas Eve bombing, Augusta was in the building adjacent to the aid station when it was hit. She was blown through a wall, but survived with minor injuries. After the war, Augusta continued to practice nursing, eventually specializing in neck and spinal injuries. She married a Belgian soldier, and they had two children. In 2012, both the US and Belgian governments finally officially recognized Augusta Chiwy’s contributions to the Seige of Bastogne by awarding her the highest civilian merit that both respective governments can bestow. Augusta Chiwy passed away in 2015 at the age of 91. Together, Renée and Augusta are known as the Angles of Bastogne.
Richard Winters wrote in his book that he kept shaving because he wanted to show his men that even under the most difficult of circumstances, you can still maintain discipline.
When the US Army was training to fight the Soviets shaving was required in the field because your protective mask wouldn't form a good seal with facial hair (preparing for nuclear, biological and chemical attacks), but as far as I know that wasn't a concern during WWII.
My grandfather, whom I never got to meet, was a medic in the Canadian army during WWII. He served in Italy, France, Holland, and into Germany. During his time in Holland, he was billeted with a Dutch family with whom he became close friends. One of my aunts was pen pals with one of the family's daughters for several decades. What Doc Roe does here, I try to imagine my grandfather being just as thoughtful of the men under his care. ♥
Your insight while watching these episodes never ceases to amaze me. You are correct on many levels. I won't spoil it for you, but you see things a lot of first-time viewers/reactors miss. Keep up the great work.
I wanted to leave some information about the individual called Julian he never get the recognition he deserves nobody ever mentions him because the series plays him of as a replacement when he wasn't John Taylor Julian was born in April 5, 1924 in Alabama to Alfred and Leah Julian. He had an older sister, Mary, and older brother, Alfred. His mother would have Walcie, his younger sister, a year after his birth. His younger brother Robert was born the year after Walcie. His parents might have also had two other children, Peggy Julian was from the small town Sipsey, Alabama, which was a Mining area. Julian had brown hair and blue eyes. He graduated high school and worked in a Coal factory before his enlistment. He was 5′10 when he enlisted on May 20, 1943 in Fort McClellan, Alabama. It is know he was currently living by himself at the time. During training, he met Edward “Babe” Heffron. The two men thought the other talked funny. Julian had a “strong Southern drawl”. Babe joked around him saying that he was from the “south” too, then explained he was from South Philly. Babe describes him as quiet, handsome, clean cut, believed in God, “believed in everything I believed in” as Babe said, and believed he was going to go home. Babe and Julian became best friends during Jump School and figured they better stick together for better or for worse. Julian and Babe made a promise they’d go buy a farm together if they survived the war. Babe, Julian, and J.D. Henderson made a pact that if one of them were hit and died, the other two would be the ones to go visit the parents. “Look, if anything happens to me, make sure you do this or that.” In Aldbourne, England, Julian was sent to 1st Platoon and Babe was sent to be with another South Philly boy “Wild Bill” Guarnere in 2nd Platoon. Babe and Julian still saw each other. Shortly after their arrival, Julian went on a weekend trip to London with Babe and Jim Campbell. They went to Piccadilly Circus and eventually ended up at an “after-hours club” called Bow and Arrow. There they heard a lady sing “A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square” for them after they gave her a cigarette. Julian jumped into Holland with Easy and didn’t show much to “prove himself”. January 1, 1945. Julian was out on patrol with 1st Platoon. There was only seven or eight men in his group and the were sent to see where everyone, including the enemy was. Julian was front and center of his patrol and had just neared a railroad tracks when the Germans opened fire. He was shot through the neck. No one could reach him, because if they tried to rescue him, Germans opened fire any time someone moved towards the boy. Johnny Martin was sent to find Babe. “No, not Julian,” Babe said before leaving his foxhole, gun, and his squad to find his friend. Babe wanted to get him away from the Germans to get his class ring, wallet, and wristwatch to return home. That was part of his promise to Julian’s family. Although they made many attempts to get to Julian, no one could reach him. Babe tried to get him from every angle but each time was pushed back. Eventually, another platoon pushed the Germans back and the 1st Platoon rescued Julian’s body. He had bled out while they were trying to rescue him. When they got his body around nightfall, they asked Babe if he wanted to see it. Babe turned them down because he couldn’t handle seeing his friend that way. He was shaking and left to his thoughts. “I never thought it was gonna be him,” Babe said. “You never get over something like that....Julian was a good kid. We took care of each other,” Babe continued. After the war, Babe never forgot his promise to Julian. After 12 years, he wrote Julian’s mother a letter. She called him and told him, “Babe. you don’t have to travel to ‘Sipsey’, Alabama.” At first, Babe thought she didn’t want to think about the loss of her son, but she was with her daughter in New Jersey, who had just had a baby. Babe visited her at her daughter’s house. Babe said that he broke down but that Julian’s mother “was a better soldier than I was. Stiff upper lip. Didn’t show emotion.” Babe gave her the regimental scrapbook, which he only had one of. He told her that she deserved it and that Julian would want her to have it. He believes Julian was looking down at him, saying, “good job, well done.” Babe was forever effected by Julian’s death. Even during interviews, he was pained to talk about Julian. Every New Year’s Day, Babe thought of Julian, making him hate New Year’s. Both him and Guarnere hated the holidays and just preferred to be left alone during them. Babe wasn’t open about the war. He never told his wife or daughter about his experiences. He says the only reason he started telling his son-in-law was because of a saying: “If you keep a hero’s name in the public’s eye, the person never dies.” After that he started talking about Julian more and more, trying to keep his legacy from dying. Around the time Band of Brothers came out, Babe and others went to Europe to visit the graves of their friends. Babe visited Julian’s grave in Luxembourg. Every time he visits, he says a pray, leaves some flowers, and moved on. He went about fifteen times in total.
Wow. That’s amazing. Thanks for that. I’m from Philly. My Dad fought in WWII (pacific) but he NEVER talked about any of his experiences. I found several medals in his safe shortly before he died. Sadly, he threw them away not too long after. Your story about Julian and Babe really got to me because it gives me insight into the part of my dad that I never got to know.
@kevinwheesysouthward9295 I live the show but it does get things wrong and leave bits out and Julians death to me seemed to kinda important especially to Babe Heffron so I did some digging and found a site that went into good detail about Julian so tada. I'm happy it could help you aswell.
Boots In a "size nine" was the inside joke in the Army. Eugene Roe was probably the only medic in Easy Company who, over time, actually physically touched every member of the company in caring for them. He was highly respected and loved by the men. Many felt he deserved so many more awards than he would get.
I was a Navy Hospital Corpsman (Medic) in Vietnam (3 Tours). I had 4months of basic medical training and two months of combat medical training when I was assigned to the Marines. The army medical training is similar. They don't just say you're a medic. There are not enough men that volunteer to be a medic. Tests are taken while you are in training. If your test shows an aptitude for medicine, then they ask you to volunteer or just send you to school to be a medic. If you are not good at it they send you back to infantry. Most medics that have been in combat can do the job as well as or better than some doctors or nurses. According to the Geneva Conventions medics are not to carry offensive weapons. I never carried a weapon. During times not in combat the medic is supposed give first aid lessons to his whole platoon frequently. So, anyone can take over basic first aid if the medic is killed. They can carry a pistol for their own protection and the protection of the one they are working on. One of my tours in Vietnam I was on a ship on the Co Chien River in the Mekong Delta. Me and another corpsman were the only medical personnel on board. Being the only medical person onboard I did everything medical. If you were on a ship or with the Marines, you were called Doc. We were taught that during combat conditions we were to be on opposite ends of the ship. The 2 corpsmen we replaced were together during a fire fight and they both got killed. You never remember all the ones that you have treated but you never forget the ones you can’t save.
It's good to see how emotionally involved you've become with the men. This series does that to you, and as you get to know the men more and more throughout the series it's almost as if you're there with them and you feel part of them on their journey. For me, this is the best mini series ever made, and the fact it is based in truth makes it mean more to me personally. Yet another great reaction from you. 👍
And as a leader, his personal image shapes the morale of those under him. They don't want to see the leader they look up to showing the wear and tear and the toll of what's happening. He need to be their rock.
My uncle Tom Reale married my aunt Mimi just before he was sent out as a B24 pilot over the Pacific. Tom's plane took flack, and he held it steady while six of his crew parachuted to safety. Tom died when the plane exploded. Mimi had just graduated NYU Medical School. She never remarried and had a private practice, but she also worked in the VA hospitals for the next 40 years until her death in 1984.
You need to watch "Hacksaw Ridge." Desmond Doss was an Army medic and he was awarded the Medal of Honor for what he did. You are right about Buck, he was being pushed to his breaking point. My Uncle Grafton was a medic in the Philippines and after the fighting ended in the area where he was, he began treating the civilians, he was one of the only medically trained people in the area. It was a blessing that, after trying to keep men alive, he helped to deliver babies. I wish somebody would do a story on the medics and corpsmen (Navy version of medic).
The Germans used Artillery Shells with timed or impact fuses; impact fuses detonated when they hit tree branches, and timed fuses could detonate at certain altitudes. The detonations spread shrapnel in a large radius and caused tree bursts, dispersing wooden splinters. It is a prime example of using the terrain in war, causing physical and psychological damage.
Timed fuses were good, but proximity fuses used by the Allies were superior. The Germans attempted to develop their own proximity fuses, but none saw service.
The 101st wasn't alone at Bastogne. Elements of the 103rd Infantry Division and the 10th Armored Division were there as well. However, due to the cold, only a few of the 768th Tank Battalion's Shermans were operational, and the M1 Bazooka didn't work in subzero temperatures. So the defenders of Bastogne were without antitank support facing a Panzer Army. That December 20th airdrop was a Godsend as along with spare clothes, medical supplies, and ammunition, they were airdropped 75mm Pack Howitzers to supplement their mortars.
I served in USMC in infantry. No one thought docs had it easier. We loved our Doc! Do NOT and I repeat do NOT mess with a Marine’s Doc unless you want hell fire to rain down on you.
As I've said many times the one guy who can.get away with anything in a bar is the Navy Corpman. Because He has an attachment of Marines saying, "You don't touch my Doc"
During WWII medics didn't qualify for combat pay. Some units took up collections for their medics to equal the books but that was the exception. Look up the "Angels of Angoville-au-Plain. Two combat medics Robert E. Wright and Kenneth J. Moore, of the U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Division set up a field hospital in a church during a three day battle over the town. They proceeded to treat both sides. At one point a small group of Germans took the church but when the German commander saw both sides being treated he asked to bring more wounded. The medics agreed with the only rule being "no weapons in the church for either side". That rule was respected by both sides and probably saved the church from a concentration attack. There is a lot more to that story online if you're interested. 🙂
Among the many many other amazing parts of this series, one of the things that I've particularly enjoyed is how we get a closer look into every aspect of the war, and how it impacts everyone serving. In a sense, taking everything we've learned from past movies you've watched on the channel and expanding it further. And with that, I think it worked out so well that you got introduced to WWII history through all those other movies, and your own learning, prior to watching this show. Really allows us to even further feel the impacts of the events depicted here
The scene where they were fired upon isn't explained well, but I believe its to show how close the lines were between the Germans and Americans. Those planes thought they were firing on Germans trying to steal the American supplies.
It’s more like they probably just didn’t know. It’s kinda hard to tell the differences in uniforms when you’re moving at 300+ mph. It’s not like today where nearly everyone has access to blue force trackers and other IFF equipment.
Fun fact that I was reminded of when you repeated, "I'm really sorry, Frank!" is that during actor boot camp they were all forced to only address each other as their character's names. So for instance there was no Donnie Wahlberg, only Sergeant Lipton, until they were done filming.
Renée Lemaire was a real person, "The Angel of Bastogne." They would say. Imagine being the only one trying to save lives, while literally everyone around you is trying to end them. I dated a nurse at one time, it takes a special kind of soul to do this, let alone in a War zone. The Battling Bastards of Bastogne "There's a LOT of sh*t and it's heading this way..." That goes without saying . ♠
The nurse of African ancestry is Augusta Chiwy. Her father was a Belgian veterinarian; her mother was from the Belgian Congo. She passed in 2015 at the age of 94.
Winters, being a great leader, leads by example. Therein lies *one* reason for his shaving when it seems necessary. He's maintaining a level of discipline and hygiene and that will translate to the men.
At that altitude, pilots cannot differentiate American troops from German ones. Back then, all they had were their eyeballs and limited visibility from their cockpits, so it made more sense to scatter whatever troops they saw.
There's a set of Rules that we get taught as Corpsmen/Medics/EMTs. We're generically referred to as 'Doc'. Rule Number 1: Everybody dies. Rule Number 2: Nothing you can do will ever change Rule Number 1. Rule Number 3: Knowing Rules 1 & 2 the Docs will move Heaven & Earth & risk EVERYTHING, Including their own Lives to try and Save Their Brothers in Arms! Love your insights as always, Kali. I've seen too many deaths & too much pain to not be cynical - but it's also a shield. Everyone has to find a shield to hide behind. Sadly - that's mine. But the simple & open humanity that you display in your reactions reminds me that there are still Angels out there. Thank you. Corpsman Out!
They were surrounded and in some areas over run. The fighter escort isn't sure if who they were coming out of the woods. Early in the Battle of the Bulge the Germans had a regiment of English speaking commandos dressed as Americans. They were moving signs and redirecting reinforcement traffic.
"Why is he [Winters] shaving in the cold? Is it that important?" Winters, as the battalion executive officer, shaves to maintain an image as a leader. If he can maintain hygiene, then it is something the men could aspire to. "I'm so confused. That was there own plane shooting." Friendly fire from the Army Air Corps happened. It is difficult to tell who the enemy was from a fast moving plane. Often fighter pilots were briefed on American positions but since the Americans were surrounded and the front line were constantly shifting, It was difficult for Army intelligence to exactly where the lines were. Did you note the red smoke as the fighters were making their approach? That was to denote the presence of friendly units. However, air attacks were moving so fast it was sometimes difficult to determine friendly from foes. The allies also had another means to mark their position by using brightly colored clothe panels instead of smoke.
FYI washing and shaving in the field is essential to good discipline and health. On exercise in Germany in the winter, we washed and shaved in cold water, even in the snow. I wised up though and bought a battery razor. We were told beard growth could break the seal of a respirator. I don't know what happened to that theory, as beards are now allowed in the British Army.
Average temperature was 20 degrees. There was 8 inches of snow on the ground. That’s the average. Some days the temps dropped below zero and snow dumped a foot of snow. For an area that averaged 145 days of temperature around freezing it was the worst winter in 25 years.
I think this is one of the best episodes in the series. Illustrates so many of the challenges they faced. The Battle of the Bulge was such a horrible horrible battle...Hitler's last big push. So interesting to see all of this from the perspective of a medic...who has to literally see it all. Yes there are some historical liberties taken with this episode...but the reality is still so well depicted. I love your reaction. You've probably already watched it for Patreon...but hang on...Episode's 7 and 9 are the hardest of the series (especially 7...it's more personal, 9 is more "big" picture). Peace.
Bastogne is also the 101st's most famous battle. However, instead of heroic firefights we instead see it all through the eyes of the medic who has to watch his friends die, often in stupid and tragic ways. It's brilliant storytelling.
During the gulf wars the amount of soldiers who's spouses had filed for divorce was astonishingly high IMO. Throughout history it has been too common for spouses to do this and over my 50 years it only seems to be getting worst. During the Afghan war a buddy of mine's wife had already moved in her new guy waiting to divorce when he returned. Found out she had said she waited because she would lose access to his pay and benefits once she filed. So he returned to find another man in his apartment with his stuff in storage. Know another small group who's wives became friends. Later they found out that all 4 wives had cheated while they were deployed. The whole thing blew up when one of the affair partners found out she was married to a deployed soldier and contacted the husband. Guess she snitched on the others saying it wasn't a big deal.
Excellent reaction. You channel the emotion that the filmmakers were going for and for what this episode represented. I appreciate your respect and kind words regarding veterans.
Renée Lemaire (10 April 1914 - 24 December 1944) was a Belgian nurse who volunteered her service at an American military aid station during the Siege of Bastogne in December 1944. She was killed during a German air raid on Christmas Eve in 1944. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ren%C3%A9e_Lemaire
Just recently found your channel. I'm really enjoying your reactions to this series. I especially enjoy your perspective as a former medical professional. There is so much in this episode and the remainder of the series just gets better. Keep up the great content.
24:13 According to one his staff, when General McAulliffe received the demand by the German commander to surrender, he initially thought that the Germans wanted to surrender to him! But when he finally understood that they were demanding his surrender, his initial reaction was “Oh nuts!” So McAulliffe then looked around at his staff and asked, “So what should I tell them?” and his Chief of Staff replied, “I think you should say that! ‘Nuts!’”
Wonderful reaction kaliwali! I follow a lot of reactors and you are by far one of my favorites. Top 3. I love your appreciation for these men (and all who have served our country) and your tender heart. Please buckle up mentally for the next episode. To me it is the hardest. I know some say episode 9 is but for me episode 7 was the hardest.
Winters was shaving because he wanted to show his men that he was keeping up with the standards because he was asking them to keep the standards, even though they obviously weren’t. He saw it as a way to keep up morale amongst his troops.
In the chaos of combat "friendly" fire incidents, when fighters fire on their own unintentionally, are all too common. The aircraft pilots who fired on Easy were just confused.
You did another great reaction. Thanks. Combat soldiers weren't the only one to suffer from what they called combat fatigue (PTSD today). It is slow and insidious, but you can see that Gene Roe had it. Hang on to the tissues for the next one.
He’s shaving in the cold because he is an Officer in charge of the Battalion and he’s supposed set the example.. especially when under enemy fire or during times of physical stress.
So if there is any silver lining to the events shown here, it is that Walter "Smoky" Gordon, the man who was paralyzed, eventually regained 100% of movement. He suffered back pain the rest of his life, but he was able to walk.
I've seen the whole series a hundred times, but it always moves me again. And there are many more moving and sad episodes to come (7+8+9). And perhaps every time I cry along with Major Winters when his grandson asks him if he's a hero, and he replies, "I'm not a hero, but I served in a company full of heroes." And I cry, too.
@9:46 lol Joe was making fun of the fact that the Army issues whatever they got and the uniforms or footwear never fit. The old joke as far back as the time boots were invented when a new recruit complains the boots don't fit their feet, the supply sergeant would say "Its not the boots that don't fit your feet, its YOUR feet that don't fit the boots!" @18:58 Friendly fire incidents were high in WWII. Many times from air to ground or vice versa. Allied aircraft tasked with hitting ground targets have a small window to spot, identify, and engage targets on the ground especially in heavily wooded terrain. It didn't help the fact there were far more Germans surrounding Bastogne than there were Americans of the 101st. The pilot made a decision believing the men were Germans in the open given the likely probability of the troops in the area. It happened a lot, so much so this was the first war IFF (Identify Friend or Foe) was created so the allies didn't shoot down their own planes when they appeared on early forms of Radar.
18:15 Standard shit, I have slept in snow pile and mate woke me up before freezing - because we were in guard, other sleeps, other watches I have seen men trying to dig their way out of tent while asleep - in training 😘(it's when you don't sleep for 3-4 days. and we test it, for others it's "special forces", for us it's normal)
As much as they make it look like they were alone at Bastogne, they weren't. They were supported by two full tank destroyer battalions, and, Combat Command B of the 10th Armored Division.
Renee was a real person. Here is a little somthing about her: Nicknamed the Angels of Bastogne, these two nurses from the city volunteered for the 10th American armored division. They treated wounded, with the means at hand, and in a makeshift hospital, in the middle of the fighting. Renée Lemaire lost her life with 30 American soldiers in the first-aid post in the Rue de Neufchâteau, bombed by the Germans on Christmas Eve 1944. Her body was wrapped in a white parachute that she intended to use to make her wedding dress. Augusta Chiwy was more fortunate and survived until 2015. Since 2019, there has been a memorial that preserves their memory as well as that of all the nurses who continued their mission at the risk of their lives.
I know this was an emotional episode but the emotional episode has yet to come. in combat things happen fast and at the time of happiness you can't remember anything but what you are seeing. one of the reasons combat vets have a hard time after they come home. they carring a lot with them.
I can’t believe I never noticed until now that the slim tree by Heffron and Martin was getting riddled with rounds during the MG42 suppressing fire scene. The attention to detail by the effects crew was unbelievable. That was a realistic representation of what it would look like being suppressed by that gun.
Why is Winters shaving in the freezing weather. Because it is THAT IMPORTANT. Winters is doing what comes natural to real Leaders,He's leading by example. What is often overlooked about Joe Tories. Is he was stationed at the F.O. forward observation post. These means he was closer to the Germans than the others. So close as he exclaimed "I can.smell what they are having for dinner"
“We” who were officers were expected to be shaved at “all times” unless the situation prevented us from doing so. It isn’t as much of a priority for the modern military but WWII was a different era & officers were held to a much higher standard in terms of their appearance & professionalism A GREAT officer like Major Winters would absolutely be shaved as often as he could to set the example for his men
20,000 american soldiers died at the Bulge. Youre seeing a miniscule piece of it. My uncle was killed there. My dad said there wasnt much of him to bury. My dad was a marine in the Pacific on Saipan and Tinian when he was 17 yrs old and later served during korean war too.
I don't know about that... Gas doesn't behave as expected in severe cold and is a lot less lethal. I get that Winters wouldn't necessarily have known that, but I'd bet the shaving was a lot more to provide an example for his men. A lot of these guys had probably already thrown away their gasmasks.
@@adamwells9352 Almsot nobody was carrying a gas mask after about August or September 1944. They’d try to issue them before a big operation but the men discarded them soon after due to excessive weight and bulk
Combat medics, or any medics really are priority targets in the war in going on in Europe now, and with the huge proliferation of cheap strike drones(like 500 USD per drone) any casevac or medevac vehicle will be targeted if possible, so I wouldn't say they are very protected, they have an enormously dangerous job, and many have made the ultimate sacrifice trying so save lifes.
Winters was shaving because he felt it important that officers maintain professional workplace appearance even on the battlefield. Plus Col. Sink prefered his officers to remain clean shaven
Ah, Bastogne, crazy episode, crazy fight, crazy conditions all round. Heres a fun fact, Renee lemaire, the nurse who was killed, actually has a memorial dedicated to her "the Angel of Belgium" as she was known.
Actually both nurses were honored as the "Angels of Bastogne." Augusta Chiwy lived until 2015, and was the subject of "Searching for Augusta: The Forgotten Angel of Bastogne."
3:20 basically as the commanding officer you should look the best and cleanest. If your c.o. looks like he's been through the ringer your probably in some very deep shit
18:56 that scene always confuses me too. I think what happened was the planes thought they were the Germans (if you recall what one veteran said in the beginning about how they kept accidentally dropping their supplies onto the Germans) so they shot at them? But I'm not 100% sure and the show does not explain it very well.
It’s interesting because you can start see how the tyrannical training from Sobel in episode 1 and the company rallying around their dislike for him helped forge them into the elite group of men they were. Someone in the unit said “Sobel MADE Easy Company”
3:21 The grooming standards has always been important in the military. It's a microcosm of discipline in general. The theory is that you hold all soldiers responsible for conducting themselves in a professional manner to the tiniest detail so that it becomes second nature. It will naturally translate to more important things, matters of life and death, where you really need that professionalism and attention to detail. But, if you let standards become lax, then (again, the theory goes) the men will get complacent, let the more important standards fall too, which can get people killed. So you don't. Even in the harshest of conditions, you still expect the men to make every effort to adhere to the grooming standard. Officers, like always, have to set the example. Winters takes this very seriously, Nixon less so apparently.
That really doesn't make any sense though. They dropped supplies all over Bastogne without firing a single round to make people get into their home and into safety. The supplies are dropped with parachutes. There is more than enough time for the soldiers to move away from the supplies when before they get hit by them. Also, why would they waste ammo and risk hitting their own troops? This was simply confusion which has been well explained in the comment section already.
When you are finished with this watch "We Stand Alone Together " the companion documentary. After that I would suggest something lighter and fun, my vote goes to "Firefly ".
I was a US Navy Hospital Corpsman. Desert Storm . Served 10 years. In 2005, my son's best friend (a Marine) came home from Fallujah just in time for Christmas. He had been in the 2nd battle the year before. We went to a local VA Home. One old man in the dining area was utterly inconsolable. Everyone else was singing and happy. I heard a little girl ask her dad why he was so upset. I knelt beside him and simply asked where? His answer- Bastogne. Through tears he told me he was the sole survivor of his platoon. They died Christmas day. He was not an Easy Company member, but for him Christmas was forever a nightmare. I held his hand and hugged him. My friend said Doc it's time to go. The old man looked me in the eyes and said God Bless you, you guys paid a higher cost than most of us. I will not argue against his expert knowledge.
@@steveg5933 I'm glad you're still here. Green side navy will always have my respect. We get to take a ride and they have to do the work. But being a Corpsman means you're of a special breed.
I'm convinced, through my own experience that I can do first responder trauma care, exactly once. I know because I had to. The EMT said I should be a firefighter... straight up I told him that my soul couldn't take it.
@@klonkimo of the 10 years I served 8 were with Marines. I b!tched more than a bit during those times, but they were the best years of my life (until my kids & grandkids came along)
@@steveg5933 I only got 9.9 years in. I'd love to say ten, but those pencil pushing F's couldn't give me that.
Hey, here's a story. I was retired from the Marines, and put on the temporary disabled retirement list (TDRL). When I went to permanent status, I didn't put up a fight, because in my mind, I was cured. Good eating and a family does a lot, I won't and I didn't contest.
Anyways, those Navy admin DC jerks retired me permanently as a Sergeant.
I spent a long time as a Sergeant, because I absolutely loved it. I was in the below zone because of being passed over, but honest to God, I loved it.
First Sergeant Macdew, on my last deployment (Med float, watching Libya go down in 2011) punches me in the gut/diaphragm, and tells me I have to put my picture in today.
They were in the seabags, wrinkles everywhere. I picked up SSgt instantly. Coffee cup achieved.
Anyways, when I was retired, the Navy sent me a retirement at the rate of Sergeant. When I brought it up, I told them that they screwed up, and I'm keeping it.
If I had my way, I would have retired last year. I loved being in the Corps.
Semper Fi and happy birthday, 249th.
So there is no evidence that Doc Rowe and Renèe ever met. This episode was written in this way so that the story of Renèe Lemaire could be told on some level. She was a nurse who volunteered to help during the siege of Bastogne and did die during the bombing by the Germans on Christmas Eve 1944. She saved six wounded soldiers from the basement of the church shown in the episode while it was on fire. She was killed when it collapsed as she was attempting to save a seventh soldier.
While the relationship between Renée and Doc Rowe was fictional I love that the writers found a way to pay tribute to Renèe in this series as she is deserving of far more recognition that she receives in my opinion.
There is also a memorial to her in Bastogne. She is remembered as “the angel of Bastogne”
@@zman6513 its a nice memorial on the road to the War Museum in Bastogne.
@@dereckreinhart462 It's a film liberty that I understand. They had to create a character to describe how horrible it was there. Tom Hanks said they had to make it fit on the screen, and he did that. Guyarnere was a mortar man, but he's depicted as an infantry squad leader. Given a call for fire, he could lob a round up anything. But episode two needed an antagonist.
@@zman6513 I've often wondered why she didn't get a sentence or two in the closing text wrap up.
Renée Lemaire was a trained nurse who studied and lived in Brussels. She was visiting her parents in Bastogne for Christmas 1944, when the town became surrounded by the German advance. Renée volunteered at the American aide station that was set up in Bastogne, where she served under Major John Prior. On Christmas Eve 1944, the Germans bombed Bastogne, and aid station was hit. Renée managed to pull 7 people out of the bombed out building, but when she went back in for more, the building collapsed and she was killed. The Airborne recovered Renee’s body, and returned her to her family wrapped in one of their parachutes.
Augusta Chiwy (Anna) was also a trained nurse, also visiting her parents in Bastogne for Christmas 1944. Her father was a Belgian soldier who fought in WW1, her mother was from Congo (a former Belgian colony). Augusta also volunteered at the American aid station when Bastogne became surrounded. During the Christmas Eve bombing, Augusta was in the building adjacent to the aid station when it was hit. She was blown through a wall, but survived with minor injuries. After the war, Augusta continued to practice nursing, eventually specializing in neck and spinal injuries. She married a Belgian soldier, and they had two children. In 2012, both the US and Belgian governments finally officially recognized Augusta Chiwy’s contributions to the Seige of Bastogne by awarding her the highest civilian merit that both respective governments can bestow. Augusta Chiwy passed away in 2015 at the age of 91.
Together, Renée and Augusta are known as the Angles of Bastogne.
Angels.
Richard Winters wrote in his book that he kept shaving because he wanted to show his men that even under the most difficult of circumstances, you can still maintain discipline.
When the US Army was training to fight the Soviets shaving was required in the field because your protective mask wouldn't form a good seal with facial hair (preparing for nuclear, biological and chemical attacks), but as far as I know that wasn't a concern during WWII.
12:30 "I'm in heaven, Doc." The writers were clever with this quote since he is being treated by the Angels of Bastogne, Renee and Augusta.
My grandfather, whom I never got to meet, was a medic in the Canadian army during WWII. He served in Italy, France, Holland, and into Germany. During his time in Holland, he was billeted with a Dutch family with whom he became close friends. One of my aunts was pen pals with one of the family's daughters for several decades. What Doc Roe does here, I try to imagine my grandfather being just as thoughtful of the men under his care. ♥
Your insight while watching these episodes never ceases to amaze me. You are correct on many levels. I won't spoil it for you, but you see things a lot of first-time viewers/reactors miss. Keep up the great work.
I wanted to leave some information about the individual called Julian he never get the recognition he deserves nobody ever mentions him because the series plays him of as a replacement when he wasn't
John Taylor Julian was born in April 5, 1924 in Alabama to Alfred and Leah Julian. He had an older sister, Mary, and older brother, Alfred. His mother would have Walcie, his younger sister, a year after his birth. His younger brother Robert was born the year after Walcie. His parents might have also had two other children, Peggy
Julian was from the small town Sipsey, Alabama, which was a Mining area. Julian had brown hair and blue eyes. He graduated high school and worked in a Coal factory before his enlistment. He was 5′10 when he enlisted on May 20, 1943 in Fort McClellan, Alabama. It is know he was currently living by himself at the time.
During training, he met Edward “Babe” Heffron. The two men thought the other talked funny. Julian had a “strong Southern drawl”. Babe joked around him saying that he was from the “south” too, then explained he was from South Philly. Babe describes him as quiet, handsome, clean cut, believed in God, “believed in everything I believed in” as Babe said, and believed he was going to go home.
Babe and Julian became best friends during Jump School and figured they better stick together for better or for worse. Julian and Babe made a promise they’d go buy a farm together if they survived the war. Babe, Julian, and J.D. Henderson made a pact that if one of them were hit and died, the other two would be the ones to go visit the parents. “Look, if anything happens to me, make sure you do this or that.” In Aldbourne, England, Julian was sent to 1st Platoon and Babe was sent to be with another South Philly boy “Wild Bill” Guarnere in 2nd Platoon. Babe and Julian still saw each other. Shortly after their arrival, Julian went on a weekend trip to London with Babe and Jim Campbell. They went to Piccadilly Circus and eventually ended up at an “after-hours club” called Bow and Arrow. There they heard a lady sing “A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square” for them after they gave her a cigarette.
Julian jumped into Holland with Easy and didn’t show much to “prove himself”. January 1, 1945. Julian was out on patrol with 1st Platoon. There was only seven or eight men in his group and the were sent to see where everyone, including the enemy was. Julian was front and center of his patrol and had just neared a railroad tracks when the Germans opened fire. He was shot through the neck. No one could reach him, because if they tried to rescue him, Germans opened fire any time someone moved towards the boy. Johnny Martin was sent to find Babe. “No, not Julian,” Babe said before leaving his foxhole, gun, and his squad to find his friend. Babe wanted to get him away from the Germans to get his class ring, wallet, and wristwatch to return home. That was part of his promise to Julian’s family.
Although they made many attempts to get to Julian, no one could reach him. Babe tried to get him from every angle but each time was pushed back. Eventually, another platoon pushed the Germans back and the 1st Platoon rescued Julian’s body. He had bled out while they were trying to rescue him.
When they got his body around nightfall, they asked Babe if he wanted to see it. Babe turned them down because he couldn’t handle seeing his friend that way. He was shaking and left to his thoughts. “I never thought it was gonna be him,” Babe said. “You never get over something like that....Julian was a good kid. We took care of each other,” Babe continued.
After the war, Babe never forgot his promise to Julian. After 12 years, he wrote Julian’s mother a letter. She called him and told him, “Babe. you don’t have to travel to ‘Sipsey’, Alabama.” At first, Babe thought she didn’t want to think about the loss of her son, but she was with her daughter in New Jersey, who had just had a baby.
Babe visited her at her daughter’s house. Babe said that he broke down but that Julian’s mother “was a better soldier than I was. Stiff upper lip. Didn’t show emotion.” Babe gave her the regimental scrapbook, which he only had one of. He told her that she deserved it and that Julian would want her to have it. He believes Julian was looking down at him, saying, “good job, well done.”
Babe was forever effected by Julian’s death. Even during interviews, he was pained to talk about Julian. Every New Year’s Day, Babe thought of Julian, making him hate New Year’s. Both him and Guarnere hated the holidays and just preferred to be left alone during them.
Babe wasn’t open about the war. He never told his wife or daughter about his experiences. He says the only reason he started telling his son-in-law was because of a saying: “If you keep a hero’s name in the public’s eye, the person never dies.” After that he started talking about Julian more and more, trying to keep his legacy from dying.
Around the time Band of Brothers came out, Babe and others went to Europe to visit the graves of their friends. Babe visited Julian’s grave in Luxembourg. Every time he visits, he says a pray, leaves some flowers, and moved on. He went about fifteen times in total.
Wow. That’s amazing. Thanks for that. I’m from Philly. My Dad fought in WWII (pacific) but he NEVER talked about any of his experiences. I found several medals in his safe shortly before he died. Sadly, he threw them away not too long after. Your story about Julian and Babe really got to me because it gives me insight into the part of my dad that I never got to know.
@kevinwheesysouthward9295 I live the show but it does get things wrong and leave bits out and Julians death to me seemed to kinda important especially to Babe Heffron so I did some digging and found a site that went into good detail about Julian so tada.
I'm happy it could help you aswell.
Thanks for posting that. Never heard that before
@@mark-be9mq Don't mention it.
Boots In a "size nine" was the inside joke in the Army.
Eugene Roe was probably the only medic in Easy Company who, over time, actually physically touched every member of the company in caring for them. He was highly respected and loved by the men. Many felt he deserved so many more awards than he would get.
I love that Rowe was looking after everyone. He could’ve just strictly stuck to his job but he made sure everyone was doing alright generally
I was a Navy Hospital Corpsman (Medic) in Vietnam (3 Tours). I had 4months of basic medical training and two months of combat medical training when I was assigned to the Marines. The army medical training is similar. They don't just say you're a medic. There are not enough men that volunteer to be a medic. Tests are taken while you are in training. If your test shows an aptitude for medicine, then they ask you to volunteer or just send you to school to be a medic. If you are not good at it they send you back to infantry. Most medics that have been in combat can do the job as well as or better than some doctors or nurses.
According to the Geneva Conventions medics are not to carry offensive weapons. I never carried a weapon. During times not in combat the medic is supposed give first aid lessons to his whole platoon frequently. So, anyone can take over basic first aid if the medic is killed. They can carry a pistol for their own protection and the protection of the one they are working on.
One of my tours in Vietnam I was on a ship on the Co Chien River in the Mekong Delta. Me and another corpsman were the only medical personnel on board. Being the only medical person onboard I did everything medical. If you were on a ship or with the Marines, you were called Doc. We were taught that during combat conditions we were to be on opposite ends of the ship. The 2 corpsmen we replaced were together during a fire fight and they both got killed. You never remember all the ones that you have treated but you never forget the ones you can’t save.
You and your brothers are in my prayers. Thank you for your service.
Thanks, pal. That is one helluva hard job. Honored to read your posting.
It's good to see how emotionally involved you've become with the men. This series does that to you, and as you get to know the men more and more throughout the series it's almost as if you're there with them and you feel part of them on their journey. For me, this is the best mini series ever made, and the fact it is based in truth makes it mean more to me personally. Yet another great reaction from you. 👍
Shaving wasn’t important, but maintaining a routine of something familiar can make a huge difference on a soldier’s psyche.
Sink ordered all battalion executive officers to shave. Nixon didn't adhere to that though
Especially in those types of brutal conditions.
And as a leader, his personal image shapes the morale of those under him. They don't want to see the leader they look up to showing the wear and tear and the toll of what's happening. He need to be their rock.
My uncle Tom Reale married my aunt Mimi just before he was sent out as a B24 pilot over the Pacific. Tom's plane took flack, and he held it steady while six of his crew parachuted to safety. Tom died when the plane exploded. Mimi had just graduated NYU Medical School. She never remarried and had a private practice, but she also worked in the VA hospitals for the next 40 years until her death in 1984.
You need to watch "Hacksaw Ridge." Desmond Doss was an Army medic and he was awarded the Medal of Honor for what he did. You are right about Buck, he was being pushed to his breaking point. My Uncle Grafton was a medic in the Philippines and after the fighting ended in the area where he was, he began treating the civilians, he was one of the only medically trained people in the area. It was a blessing that, after trying to keep men alive, he helped to deliver babies. I wish somebody would do a story on the medics and corpsmen (Navy version of medic).
The Germans used Artillery Shells with timed or impact fuses; impact fuses detonated when they hit tree branches, and timed fuses could detonate at certain altitudes. The detonations spread shrapnel in a large radius and caused tree bursts, dispersing wooden splinters. It is a prime example of using the terrain in war, causing physical and psychological damage.
Timed fuses were good, but proximity fuses used by the Allies were superior. The Germans attempted to develop their own proximity fuses, but none saw service.
Babe Heffron received a Bronze Star in recognition of his efforts to recover Pvt. Julian.
The 101st wasn't alone at Bastogne. Elements of the 103rd Infantry Division and the 10th Armored Division were there as well. However, due to the cold, only a few of the 768th Tank Battalion's Shermans were operational, and the M1 Bazooka didn't work in subzero temperatures. So the defenders of Bastogne were without antitank support facing a Panzer Army. That December 20th airdrop was a Godsend as along with spare clothes, medical supplies, and ammunition, they were airdropped 75mm Pack Howitzers to supplement their mortars.
I served in USMC in infantry. No one thought docs had it easier. We loved our Doc! Do NOT and I repeat do NOT mess with a Marine’s Doc unless you want hell fire to rain down on you.
Ooh rah
Semper, Semper Fortis, Semper Gumby from an old Doc HM2 FMF
I can say the same for Army medics. Nobody messes with Doc.
2:43 seconds of don’t mess with Doc. ua-cam.com/video/gRygrWxbnQY/v-deo.htmlsi=nn26D-i5tEeMnjyt
As I've said many times the one guy who can.get away with anything in a bar is the Navy Corpman. Because He has an attachment of Marines saying, "You don't touch my Doc"
During WWII medics didn't qualify for combat pay. Some units took up collections for their medics to equal the books but that was the exception.
Look up the "Angels of Angoville-au-Plain. Two combat medics Robert E. Wright and Kenneth J. Moore, of the U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Division set up a field hospital in a church during a three day battle over the town.
They proceeded to treat both sides. At one point a small group of Germans took the church but when the German commander saw both sides being treated he asked to bring more wounded. The medics agreed with the only rule being "no weapons in the church for either side". That rule was respected by both sides and probably saved the church from a concentration attack.
There is a lot more to that story online if you're interested. 🙂
You can still visit that church. The blood stains are still visible in the pews
@@steveg5933don’t forget to visit Robert’s grave while you are there.
This. Is what are Great Grandfather's and Grandfather's went through, between the ages of 16 to 26.
Thank you, gentleman, for your sacrifice.
You shave and look sharp because that’s what your men expect and deserve.
Among the many many other amazing parts of this series, one of the things that I've particularly enjoyed is how we get a closer look into every aspect of the war, and how it impacts everyone serving. In a sense, taking everything we've learned from past movies you've watched on the channel and expanding it further. And with that, I think it worked out so well that you got introduced to WWII history through all those other movies, and your own learning, prior to watching this show. Really allows us to even further feel the impacts of the events depicted here
The scene where they were fired upon isn't explained well, but I believe its to show how close the lines were between the Germans and Americans. Those planes thought they were firing on Germans trying to steal the American supplies.
It’s more like they probably just didn’t know. It’s kinda hard to tell the differences in uniforms when you’re moving at 300+ mph. It’s not like today where nearly everyone has access to blue force trackers and other IFF equipment.
Thank you for providing a possible explanation. This makes sense. I have wondered about this for a while and there aren’t any explanations online.
@philipcoggins9512 of course, that's what I'm getting at. Fog of war and all that.
I like that this episode revolves around medics. I served 9 years as an army medic and it was tough at times but I still loved it.
Fun fact. The forest set was filmed in an aircraft hangar.
Crazy thing is that this was filmed on a soundstage in London during a summer heat wave.
Their breath is cgi.
Fun fact that I was reminded of when you repeated, "I'm really sorry, Frank!" is that during actor boot camp they were all forced to only address each other as their character's names. So for instance there was no Donnie Wahlberg, only Sergeant Lipton, until they were done filming.
Renée Lemaire was a real person, "The Angel of Bastogne." They would say. Imagine being the only one trying to save lives, while literally everyone around you is trying to end them. I dated a nurse at one time, it takes a special kind of soul to do this, let alone in a War zone. The Battling Bastards of Bastogne "There's a LOT of sh*t and it's heading this way..." That goes without saying . ♠
The nurse of African ancestry is Augusta Chiwy. Her father was a Belgian veterinarian; her mother was from the Belgian Congo. She passed in 2015 at the age of 94.
They were called The Battered Bastards of Bastogne.
Your reaction made me extremely emotional. I think you have a medic's heart. I never been a medic, but I can empathize with the burden.
Winters, being a great leader, leads by example. Therein lies *one* reason for his shaving when it seems necessary. He's maintaining a level of discipline and hygiene and that will translate to the men.
when shaving seems UNnecessary lol....but i know what you mean ;)
Also, he believed you had to LOOK the part.
To be a leader. You had to LOOK like a leader.
@@RP_Williams LOL Yep.
the man that was shot and parallelized recovered, completely. He was one of the vets of "We stand alone together" Doc).
Thank you for watching these and for your thoughtful, compassionate commentary.
At that altitude, pilots cannot differentiate American troops from German ones. Back then, all they had were their eyeballs and limited visibility from their cockpits, so it made more sense to scatter whatever troops they saw.
There's a set of Rules that we get taught as Corpsmen/Medics/EMTs. We're generically referred to as 'Doc'.
Rule Number 1: Everybody dies.
Rule Number 2:
Nothing you can do will ever change Rule Number 1.
Rule Number 3: Knowing Rules 1 & 2 the Docs will move Heaven & Earth & risk EVERYTHING, Including their own Lives to try and Save Their Brothers in Arms!
Love your insights as always, Kali.
I've seen too many deaths & too much pain to not be cynical - but it's also a shield.
Everyone has to find a shield to hide behind.
Sadly - that's mine.
But the simple & open humanity that you display in your reactions reminds me that there are still Angels out there.
Thank you.
Corpsman Out!
They were surrounded and in some areas over run. The fighter escort isn't sure if who they were coming out of the woods. Early in the Battle of the Bulge the Germans had a regiment of English speaking commandos dressed as Americans. They were moving signs and redirecting reinforcement traffic.
They really did Dike dirty these episodes. Enough so that many of the Easy Company vets came to the defense of his character.
It's amazing the winter scenes look so real. But the Bastogne scenes were all shot on a Soundstage in England.
"Who would do that to sombody while their fighting for your country?" It happens more than you think.
"Why is he [Winters] shaving in the cold? Is it that important?" Winters, as the battalion executive officer, shaves to maintain an image as a leader. If he can maintain hygiene, then it is something the men could aspire to.
"I'm so confused. That was there own plane shooting." Friendly fire from the Army Air Corps happened. It is difficult to tell who the enemy was from a fast moving plane. Often fighter pilots were briefed on American positions but since the Americans were surrounded and the front line were constantly shifting, It was difficult for Army intelligence to exactly where the lines were. Did you note the red smoke as the fighters were making their approach? That was to denote the presence of friendly units. However, air attacks were moving so fast it was sometimes difficult to determine friendly from foes. The allies also had another means to mark their position by using brightly colored clothe panels instead of smoke.
FYI washing and shaving in the field is essential to good discipline and health. On exercise in Germany in the winter, we washed and shaved in cold water, even in the snow. I wised up though and bought a battery razor. We were told beard growth could break the seal of a respirator. I don't know what happened to that theory, as beards are now allowed in the British Army.
Average temperature was 20 degrees. There was 8 inches of snow on the ground. That’s the average. Some days the temps dropped below zero and snow dumped a foot of snow.
For an area that averaged 145 days of temperature around freezing it was the worst winter in 25 years.
I think this is one of the best episodes in the series. Illustrates so many of the challenges they faced. The Battle of the Bulge was such a horrible horrible battle...Hitler's last big push. So interesting to see all of this from the perspective of a medic...who has to literally see it all. Yes there are some historical liberties taken with this episode...but the reality is still so well depicted. I love your reaction. You've probably already watched it for Patreon...but hang on...Episode's 7 and 9 are the hardest of the series (especially 7...it's more personal, 9 is more "big" picture). Peace.
Bastogne is also the 101st's most famous battle. However, instead of heroic firefights we instead see it all through the eyes of the medic who has to watch his friends die, often in stupid and tragic ways. It's brilliant storytelling.
During the gulf wars the amount of soldiers who's spouses had filed for divorce was astonishingly high IMO. Throughout history it has been too common for spouses to do this and over my 50 years it only seems to be getting worst. During the Afghan war a buddy of mine's wife had already moved in her new guy waiting to divorce when he returned. Found out she had said she waited because she would lose access to his pay and benefits once she filed. So he returned to find another man in his apartment with his stuff in storage.
Know another small group who's wives became friends. Later they found out that all 4 wives had cheated while they were deployed. The whole thing blew up when one of the affair partners found out she was married to a deployed soldier and contacted the husband. Guess she snitched on the others saying it wasn't a big deal.
Yet another reason I will never get married
Excellent reaction. You channel the emotion that the filmmakers were going for and for what this episode represented. I appreciate your respect and kind words regarding veterans.
Renée Lemaire (10 April 1914 - 24 December 1944) was a Belgian nurse who volunteered her service at an American military aid station during the Siege of Bastogne in December 1944. She was killed during a German air raid on Christmas Eve in 1944. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ren%C3%A9e_Lemaire
Just recently found your channel. I'm really enjoying your reactions to this series. I especially enjoy your perspective as a former medical professional. There is so much in this episode and the remainder of the series just gets better. Keep up the great content.
Roe reminds me of Wade from Saving Private Ryan.
He’s always helping
Except Wade was an entirely fictional character, Roe wasn’t.
24:13 According to one his staff, when General McAulliffe received the demand by the German commander to surrender, he initially thought that the Germans wanted to surrender to him! But when he finally understood that they were demanding his surrender, his initial reaction was “Oh nuts!” So McAulliffe then looked around at his staff and asked, “So what should I tell them?” and his Chief of Staff replied, “I think you should say that! ‘Nuts!’”
Never look down at a medic because one day you may be looking up at one saving your life. Keep up the great reactions
Wonderful reaction kaliwali! I follow a lot of reactors and you are by far one of my favorites. Top 3. I love your appreciation for these men (and all who have served our country) and your tender heart. Please buckle up mentally for the next episode. To me it is the hardest. I know some say episode 9 is but for me episode 7 was the hardest.
Winters was shaving because he wanted to show his men that he was keeping up with the standards because he was asking them to keep the standards, even though they obviously weren’t. He saw it as a way to keep up morale amongst his troops.
In the chaos of combat "friendly" fire incidents, when fighters fire on their own unintentionally, are all too common. The aircraft pilots who fired on Easy were just confused.
You did another great reaction. Thanks. Combat soldiers weren't the only one to suffer from what they called combat fatigue (PTSD today). It is slow and insidious, but you can see that Gene Roe had it. Hang on to the tissues for the next one.
He’s shaving in the cold because he is an Officer in charge of the Battalion and he’s supposed set the example.. especially when under enemy fire or during times of physical stress.
So if there is any silver lining to the events shown here, it is that Walter "Smoky" Gordon, the man who was paralyzed, eventually regained 100% of movement. He suffered back pain the rest of his life, but he was able to walk.
I've seen the whole series a hundred times, but it always moves me again. And there are many more moving and sad episodes to come (7+8+9). And perhaps every time I cry along with Major Winters when his grandson asks him if he's a hero, and he replies, "I'm not a hero, but I served in a company full of heroes." And I cry, too.
The hardest episode by far. So much for the war being over by Christmas. Every war is supposed to be over by Christmas.
@9:46 lol Joe was making fun of the fact that the Army issues whatever they got and the uniforms or footwear never fit. The old joke as far back as the time boots were invented when a new recruit complains the boots don't fit their feet, the supply sergeant would say "Its not the boots that don't fit your feet, its YOUR feet that don't fit the boots!"
@18:58 Friendly fire incidents were high in WWII. Many times from air to ground or vice versa. Allied aircraft tasked with hitting ground targets have a small window to spot, identify, and engage targets on the ground especially in heavily wooded terrain. It didn't help the fact there were far more Germans surrounding Bastogne than there were Americans of the 101st. The pilot made a decision believing the men were Germans in the open given the likely probability of the troops in the area. It happened a lot, so much so this was the first war IFF (Identify Friend or Foe) was created so the allies didn't shoot down their own planes when they appeared on early forms of Radar.
18:15 Standard shit, I have slept in snow pile and mate woke me up before freezing - because we were in guard, other sleeps, other watches
I have seen men trying to dig their way out of tent while asleep - in training 😘(it's when you don't sleep for 3-4 days. and we test it, for others it's "special forces", for us it's normal)
The next episode, in my opinion, is the best and most emotional. Have tissues ready!
As much as they make it look like they were alone at Bastogne, they weren't. They were supported by two full tank destroyer battalions, and, Combat Command B of the 10th Armored Division.
Renee was a real person. Here is a little somthing about her: Nicknamed the Angels of Bastogne, these two nurses from the city volunteered for the 10th American armored division. They treated wounded, with the means at hand, and in a makeshift hospital, in the middle of the fighting. Renée Lemaire lost her life with 30 American soldiers in the first-aid post in the Rue de Neufchâteau, bombed by the Germans on Christmas Eve 1944. Her body was wrapped in a white parachute that she intended to use to make her wedding dress. Augusta Chiwy was more fortunate and survived until 2015. Since 2019, there has been a memorial that preserves their memory as well as that of all the nurses who continued their mission at the risk of their lives.
I know this was an emotional episode but the emotional episode has yet to come. in combat things happen fast and at the time of happiness you can't remember anything but what you are seeing. one of the reasons combat vets have a hard time after they come home. they carring a lot with them.
I can’t believe I never noticed until now that the slim tree by Heffron and Martin was getting riddled with rounds during the MG42 suppressing fire scene. The attention to detail by the effects crew was unbelievable. That was a realistic representation of what it would look like being suppressed by that gun.
Winters is shaving in the cold because he’s a model officer. I think many if not all of them did in Bastone.
Pilot made a mistake and shot thinking they were Germans. Me missed the red smoke signal
Hello 👋 Kaliwali! Have a great weekend!
Why is Winters shaving in the freezing weather. Because it is THAT IMPORTANT. Winters is doing what comes natural to real Leaders,He's leading by example.
What is often overlooked about Joe Tories. Is he was stationed at the F.O. forward observation post. These means he was closer to the Germans than the others. So close as he exclaimed "I can.smell what they are having for dinner"
nice reaction, good touch with the ff ost at your ending analyst 😅
As a veteran, thank you.
As a non-veteran, thank YOU :)
“We” who were officers were expected to be shaved at “all times” unless the situation prevented us from doing so. It isn’t as much of a priority for the modern military but WWII was a different era & officers were held to a much higher standard in terms of their appearance & professionalism
A GREAT officer like Major Winters would absolutely be shaved as often as he could to set the example for his men
20,000 american soldiers died at the Bulge. Youre seeing a miniscule piece of it. My uncle was killed there. My dad said there wasnt much of him to bury. My dad was a marine in the Pacific on Saipan and Tinian when he was 17 yrs old and later served during korean war too.
Coldest European winter on record for the hundred years up to and including 1944-45.
In the last episode, Guarnere was looking for a place called "Lulu's"; I think he found it.🙈🙉🙊
One of my service writers at work is a medic with the National Guard
One of my favorite episode, it shows the humanity
Winters shaving was because, in the case of chemical attack, a beard wouldn't have a proper gasmask seal.
i never considered that
Also to keep a level of discipline and hygiene amongst the officers. Helped keep morale up
I don't know about that... Gas doesn't behave as expected in severe cold and is a lot less lethal. I get that Winters wouldn't necessarily have known that, but I'd bet the shaving was a lot more to provide an example for his men. A lot of these guys had probably already thrown away their gasmasks.
@@adamwells9352 Almsot nobody was carrying a gas mask after about August or September 1944. They’d try to issue them before a big operation but the men discarded them soon after due to excessive weight and bulk
@@crispy_338 Yeah, sorry, total agree. I was expressing uncertainty about the original post; I agree with you.
This period for Easy Company was really really tough. This episode is really an emotional one. Kudos to you for watching it. :)
Combat medics, or any medics really are priority targets in the war in going on in Europe now, and with the huge proliferation of cheap strike drones(like 500 USD per drone) any casevac or medevac vehicle will be targeted if possible, so I wouldn't say they are very protected, they have an enormously dangerous job, and many have made the ultimate sacrifice trying so save lifes.
He was shaving because he's an officer. Winters isn't even slacking on that even when he's freezing!
Winters was shaving because he felt it important that officers maintain professional workplace appearance even on the battlefield. Plus Col. Sink prefered his officers to remain
clean shaven
Ah, Bastogne, crazy episode, crazy fight, crazy conditions all round.
Heres a fun fact, Renee lemaire, the nurse who was killed, actually has a memorial dedicated to her "the Angel of Belgium" as she was known.
Actually both nurses were honored as the "Angels of Bastogne." Augusta Chiwy lived until 2015, and was the subject of "Searching for Augusta: The Forgotten Angel of Bastogne."
The American planes were firing as a warning for everyone to get out of the way for the drop.
Yes. If you notice, they are firing in front of the red smoke & parallel to the tree line.
No. They were firing because they thought they were Germans trying to steal the supplies.
Patton is worth a watch.
3:20 basically as the commanding officer you should look the best and cleanest. If your c.o. looks like he's been through the ringer your probably in some very deep shit
18:56 that scene always confuses me too. I think what happened was the planes thought they were the Germans (if you recall what one veteran said in the beginning about how they kept accidentally dropping their supplies onto the Germans) so they shot at them? But I'm not 100% sure and the show does not explain it very well.
Winters wanted to maintain his self discipline, that's why he was shaving
👍fantastic reaction kaliwali❤🇦🇺
It’s interesting because you can start see how the tyrannical training from Sobel in episode 1 and the company rallying around their dislike for him helped forge them into the elite group of men they were. Someone in the unit said “Sobel MADE Easy Company”
7 is my favorite. Can't wait.
Kaliwali Awesome Video Today!!🔥🐐🐐💎
for some people shaving is so important, dad could'nt go to the shop without a shave
Best to have tissues for the rest of the episodes.
3:21 The grooming standards has always been important in the military. It's a microcosm of discipline in general. The theory is that you hold all soldiers responsible for conducting themselves in a professional manner to the tiniest detail so that it becomes second nature. It will naturally translate to more important things, matters of life and death, where you really need that professionalism and attention to detail. But, if you let standards become lax, then (again, the theory goes) the men will get complacent, let the more important standards fall too, which can get people killed. So you don't. Even in the harshest of conditions, you still expect the men to make every effort to adhere to the grooming standard. Officers, like always, have to set the example. Winters takes this very seriously, Nixon less so apparently.
Brilliant reaction really enjoyed that , the next episode is epic too
Plot errors notwithstanding, the population of Bastonge suffered just as badly as 2nd Company, 506th PIR.
the planes fired on the troops but missed to drive them back into the cover of the trees so they could safty get the suplies being dropped
No. They fired at them because they thought they were Germans trying to steal the supplies.
That really doesn't make any sense though. They dropped supplies all over Bastogne without firing a single round to make people get into their home and into safety. The supplies are dropped with parachutes. There is more than enough time for the soldiers to move away from the supplies when before they get hit by them.
Also, why would they waste ammo and risk hitting their own troops? This was simply confusion which has been well explained in the comment section already.
It's pronounced _Baston-ya,_ but English speakers pronounce it _Ba-stone_
When you are finished with this watch "We Stand Alone Together " the companion documentary. After that I would suggest something lighter and fun, my vote goes to "Firefly ".