Taking Cover from a Sniper | Conversations With a Veteran
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- Опубліковано 26 вер 2024
- WW2 Veteran Herman Zerger of the 36th Infantry Division recalls the invasions of Salerno and Southern France, a tense standoff with an enemy sniper, and the harsh realities of being a Prisoner of War.
Memoirs of WWII Website: bit.ly/2w60kGM
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Filmed by Christian McLean
Edited by Joshua Scott
Primary Musical Score Source:
artlist.io/
Artlist Songs and Composers:
“Beta Theme II” by Kyle Preston
“Memoirs Of WWII Theme” composed by Joshua Scott, performed by Jonathan Hadinger and Joshua Scott
The ending talking about the reunion was the hardest part to watch.
Agreed it is depressing.
I had two grandfathers who participated in the war but were not combatants. One served in intelligence and the other a cook in the navy stationed in Trinidad.
To this day, even if they didn’t do the fighting, I really regret not asking them more.
@@michaelcaslin3735 you and me both. It really put things into perspective with my own grandfathers and uncles after they passed away. There was so much I could've learned from them.
@@michaelcaslin3735 The people in intelligence, auxiliary services, the home front, etc. were just as crucial to the war effort as those on the front lines.
yes -- heartbreaking
😢🙏
The end, "My buddies have all passed away now", totally ripped me up.
This episode hurt to watch.
It saddens me that the heroes that fought in WW2 will be gone soon. They are the greatest generation we will ever know, and it is a privilege to have lived in the same lifetime as them.
Ain’t that the truth. Brave souls, I can’t thank them enough.
@@royboy9361
Spot on. The best we can do is listen to their life stories, learn from it, and be as much like them as possible; steadfast and brave for their loved ones, their country, their way of life, for freedom.
“My buddies have all passed away now” carries so much weight. Imagine all the moments, laughter, adventures, reduced to a memory in your head. No one else to tell the story, no one else to relate to. Just you teaching the youth what used to be.
Damn, it hurts the soul a bit.
@@hyme278 for some.yes for many no
Well said. That’s it. All of the joy and pain and companionship gone and summarized in one 15 minute video.
your life is just a memory.. if someone remembers it
Very well said. Sad to think about to that way but so poignant.
I remember, in 8th grade history, we got to hear an interview, like these interviews, of one of the last surviving veterans of the Civil War. It was, maybe, a 5-10 year old video. The soldier they interviewed had died since the interview. It was fascinating to hear his stories - just like its fascinating to hear these WWII interviews today. Thank you for the work you do, keeping this history "alive", is very important and a precious gift to everyone.
Damn how old are you bruh
@@devynyates1929 the last Civil War vet passed away in 1956 so before that time
@@devynyates1929 there’s videos of them speaking on UA-cam if I’m correct
Eveytime I watch one of these I get teared up. Those poor boys went through hell and back. God bless these men, the burden they carried was enormous. During and after the war.
It would have been my Dad's 96th birthday today. He died 11 years ago and I so wished I talked to him more about his wartime experiences. As a child growing up in the early 1960s and like most kids at that time we all played played games of soldiers although my Dad would get me to playfully march up and down our hall I was far too young to understand what war really meant. Time passes and we live our own lives and only late in his life did I ask about his experiences. I just so wished that I asked him more often and he told me more. Thankfully I have his service medals and his pay book and photos of him in the army. This is such an amazing site as these veterans remind me of my Dad and although I am now 61 years old myself I wish I could give all these guys a massive hug to thank them for what they went through. This channel just proves the insanity of war and that the human race is both evil but at times has real good in individuals like the chocolate bar story in this film. For the sake of all of us we must find a way to stop crazy idiots from getting power. The madness of Putin having a war when there is huge poverty in his country but rather than solving that problem he and his billionaire friends don't give a dam and ordinary Ukrainians and Russians die. China & Taiwan another situation which could so easily escalate but ask any Chinese or Taiwanese do you want to kill each other No would be the answer but countries "leaders" don't care how many die or who maybe are maimed for life. Its just a big game to them. We must find a better way to co exist and to have leaders that think that war is never an answer to a problem. Otherwise if the planet isn't destroyed we shall have future generations telling their story and it will just go on and on. We really need to evolve ! Sorry for the length of this comment but its been a weird day thinking of my Dad. Thanks for reading if you have made it this far !!
Very well said Paul. My father was a WWII army captain. I lost him in 1986. I was only 20. I have been blessed to be able to volunteer with some veterans support groups. Through this I have grown to know my father much better than I did when he was alive. If that makes sense….
i wish that when I was a kid in the 70's and 80's that I would have been more aware of these men and what it was that they all did for the world. They were still relatively young men then in their 50's and 60's, but i was just a dumb, carefree kid with a bike that needed riding.
National treasures.
Not a lot of them left. If they entered service at 18 years old, they are now in their late 90's.
It's amazing they can still find these old vets to tell their stories.
@@samik83 i think its estimated around 200k are alive in the US. I would estimate world wide there is probably still close to a million. Russia has quite a lot still left living and Germany probably has some that are in only their late 80s or early 90s cause at the end of the war many children fought to try and hold off the Soviets
My granddad was a WW2 vet, but he never spoke of WW2. He fought against the Waffen-SS in 1940, when they invaded my country the Netherlands.
Vets in general do not want to talk about the war, they just want to move on with their life. I had a friend, who served in Vietnam. He told me that.
My people conquered the Monte Casino, Polish men did what appeared impossible. Years later, in 2017 I went went to the university in the UK, the neighbout of mine was in his 90's and he fought alongside my countryment at the Monte Casino in the artillery, I was lucky enough to talk to him and hear all the stories. He did have a hitlerjugend bayonet and many other artifacts that he acquired during his time at the War. I will always have chills and always remember when I have asked him how did he get all these and he looked me dead in the eye and said: ' I took it from the dead Germans'. This brave man was still a soldier in his heart after all those years.
this man passed away in 2021. when was this video made? GOD BLESS HIS SOUL.
Remember hearing a GI was going to land on Utah beach turned down a Fried breakfast in favour of a chocolate bar. He was the only guy in his landing craft that wasn’t sick. The others were all debilitated by seasickness and subsequently killed. He was the only Survivor to have made it off the landing craft up the beach because he was able to run think clearly. He put it down to not having a greasy breakfast.
Thank God for Men like this Gentleman. They literally saved the world.
They literally damned us to Liberalism
They did save it,I don't understand how any vet does not get every benefit. I get it that all didn't face combat. But most of them did. If the VA budget can't afford it. The super rich should be volunteering dome if there money. I don't think people get war or battle around the world since the start of time. When you lose,it's over for your ass. You are subject to death, slavery or and rape. And I am not just talking women being raped.
Yay now we get to have transgender kids but at least we're not speaking German!!!!
@@badxradxandy Exactly Freedom for people to do as they wish if not harmful to others regardless of what others think.
@@kevind3185 I'm being sarcastic, little kids under 12 shouldn't be transitioning to another gender or taking drugs to block puberty. We "solved" the problems of Hitler only to create an equally awful and dystopian future ourselves. Maybe worse?
It's gonna be a really sad day when we lose our last WW2 veteran. I love these guys!!
Yes, it truly will be! I wish I could meet one of these gentlemen! They sacrificed so much! And think we have politicians these days trying to undo the things these men stood/fought for! An example would be abortion and religious liberty! Treason is what it is! Sad stuff! Makes you feel bad for these last survivors who are watching it take place! Our Nation started going down hill when it left God and the Bible! Psalms 33:12a ''Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord'' Proverbs 14:34 ''Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.''
@@Peterbilt-yj5to 100 percent correct!!!! Nothing left But judjment!! Atomic ,This time, !!!! Sinners Repent!! The blood is still on the mercy seat.
Men like this have inspired me I am 20. One day, if it came down to it, I’d be willing to give up myself. Each died for a cause he considered more important than his own life. They didn’t volunteer to die, they volunteered to defend values in which men have always been willing to die if need be, for the values that make up what we call civilization. How they must’ve wished, in all the ugliness that war brings, that no other generation of young men to follow would have to share their same experience.
It’s nice to know that there are young ones out there like yourself that actually “get it.” You are a rare breed.
A man not willing to die for his beliefs ain't fit to live.
“My buddies have all passed away now”
That quote with that photo was heavy. To think what those men went through together that kept them together all those years..
Absolutely stunning! Thank you so much for sharing these veterans stories! I’ve actually started traveling around Ontario, Canada interviewing WW2 Veterans! Thank you again! :)
Cool. Im in Toronto.. just subbed.
Just got yourself another sub, our Canadian stories often get so drowned out by the American voice. You are doing awesome work!
I just subbed from a Mexican Californian it’s the least I can do can’t wait to check out your videos right now
I wonder if his buddy that was shot through his shoulder made it okay.
Sir, thank you endlessly for your service and may God bless you always!!!! ✝️🇺🇸✝️
For me, shaking your hand would be as proud as shaking Eisenhowers back in the day.
My grandad was in Sicily and Italy too with the Royal Engineers. Casino haunted him especially when the dementia really took hold. He was also on the Lancastria when that was sunk at St. Nazaire (look it up, very interesting), and was the under Monty’s command in Tunisia.
There’s not a day that goes by where I don’t think about him and what he must have gone through. God bless the greatest generation.
Would he have nightmares?
@@CasualApostate Funnily enough, no not especially! He would just flashback suddenly during the day and start telling a story of battles he'd been involved in - e.g. talk of "hosing people down" and quoting the German phrases the soldiers would say when they held their hands up to surrender etc.
@@dj_efk wow I find everything to do with ww2 and it’s generation of young men so fascinating.
Do you think he ever fully realized his generations impact upon the modern world? I often hear them say it was just what they had to do but I view it as the fundamental battle for the soul of mankind, humanity at large.
This is probably the best channel on UA-cam. Every time I hear that intro it gives me chills
Sadly when our WW2 veterans are passing my father passed on 1977 so thankful for this Chanel 🙏
Man all these videos make me feel so bad for these guys,I’m going in the army soon and I’m proud to wear our flag on our uniform to represent the fallen,and our heros.thank you for all the veterans on this channel,I will never forget you guys and you will be with me always.
One thing that really matters is performing Military Funeral Honors for all out veterans. If you’re going active, then inquire about it once you get to your first duty station. If you’re going National Guard or Reserve, then inquire about it when you get back from basic and/or AIT. If you have any questions at all please hit me up. I’ve been involved in all levels of Military Funeral Honors my full 22+ year career and it’s one of the most important things I’ve done with my life. I’d be overjoyed to share how you can be a part of giving to those that took the oath before us.
@@VictoryAviation yes I’m going active I signed for 11B,may I still be part of those funerals?I would like to do that as I wanna there
Sorry dude, the time of the military representing any kind of heroes is long past. You're representing legal but segs in Botswana, black trans influencers twerking on broken statues of the founding fathers, and the expansion of greater Israel.
There's not a channel on UA-cam that grips me like Memoirs! Every single video brings me to tears! Our WW2 heroes are all but gone, and it is such a honor to be able to hear the stories from the ones that are left! There are simply no words to discribe how grateful I am for their sacrifice, and honor! ❤️❤️❤️🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲
Thank you sir, It is difficult to hear about the cancellation of the veterans meetings, I am truly impressed with your actions during the war to save our nation and the greatest generation since the war to build a great nation. God bless you sir.
We will never be as great as this generation
we are the reason why the society will fall very soon.
@@andreilopiansky Yes, and it is already happening.
Get excited every time I see an upload
When he says his buddies have all passed away now…that hits deep. He knows he will be with them again soon.
The GREATEST Generation, period.
The ending is why what this channel is doing filming documenting and recording these interviews is so unbelievably important. Every soldier involved in WW1 has passed away it’s been over 100 years and even the guys who were 16-17 years old had to have been born1899-1902? Right? July 28, 1914 - November 11, 1918 it’s 2022. Having these last amazing individuals tell first hand WW2 accounts before they pass on and we’ll all have to wait to hear it in heaven when we pass and where they will be having there infinite veterans reunions. Thank you.
Nothing short of remarkable.
it shoking to seee how the past used to look like these men died for our nation
everyday we are loosing men like this we need to find more men for their story to be told love to ''Memories of WWll
Like, comment, and subscribe because the world needs to hear these brave stories of heroism.
*Thank you* Mr. Zerger. May God bless and keep you and your family, sir.
- Ed on the Ridge
Thank you very much for your service sir I’m sorry for your troubles I hope that you will find peace someday
Unbelievable. It's hard to imagine the things they went through
Incredible…you can see him reliving those moments … God bless him 🙏🏽
Thank you, Mr. Zerger, for your service! May God bless you abundantly.
Thank you for sharing this moment in history. We should never forget always to appreciate your sacrifice, courage and service for freedom 🇺🇸 God Bless You Sir❤️
Thank you so much Herman for your service and sacrifice your a hero just like the brothers who fought along side you and didn't get too come back it's because of you guys and your sacrifices that allow us too live the way we do world can't thank you guys enough I wish you the best and hope your remaining years are amazing and great
What a man
Thanks to all our veteran who served.
Thank you Sir for your service. We would not have our freedom without you sacrifices.
Thanks!
Thank you for your support!
My grand father stormed the beaches of Normandy . I am so proud to be his grandson. Wave 3! Thank you grandpa! He would tell stories that you could see it happening in his eyes. I miss him so much. The greatest generation that ever lived. Private 1st class, Morris Widelitz. A polish jew fighting the nazis !!
The Politicians and war mongers must have a special place in hell.These were real people who were cut down like a lawnmower cuts grass. The horror they witnessed with them all their life’s 😔
Couldn't agree more
Amen, they don't send their children.
Every time I watch one of these, I seen the inner pain come out. It's so real.
These interviews are a gift to mankind. I’m donating.
You can see the movie reel of his experiences playing in front of his eyes and hear it in his voice. That's enough internet for me today.
ww2 needs to never be forgotten and always taught to the upcoming generations. I can not imagine how life was during the 40s.. such a dark dark time in history. These heroes need never be forgotten. Thank you for your unmatched bravery, courage and honor. Giving us the freedom we have. These docs are so great and much needed. But so sad.
Herman Zerger,Thank you for your service to a FREE and grateful nation. MAY GOD BLESS YOU!!!
Semper Fi, Sir
Thank You For Your Service,You can stand tall.Amazing history
Thank you so much, sir, for remembering your painful past so that we younger generations can learn from you.
This will one day be one of the few left 1st hand documents of ww2 thank you for this work on behalf of the people of the future
Remember to always thank your veterans… but more importantly go out of your way to thank these guys . Not many of them around anymore
Something about that ending was sadder than any of the videos that have come before it.
This world has lost something, not having The Greatest Generation in large numbers anymore. It will be a tragic day when the last living soldier from WWII has finally passed.
Deepest gratitude Sir. You are all Heroes.
Thank you for bring his story to us. I am glad he made it. If he had been captured sooner he might not lasted. God bless him and all that servered.
3:46 he was reliving that memory vivdly.. poor man!
Awesome story! I love how he still enjoys chocolate. Chocolate kept him from starving.
on the wifes channel.i was in the naval airforce during the first part of the vietnam war with active duty ww 2 and korean vets.most of them have passed away now.a lot can happen in almost 60 years.so many great men.
This one was particularly touching, as he was talking about the reunions. Of course humans only live so long, and we all pass on, but it doesn't make it any less poignant when you hear one of these old veterans describing that realization... to live through such hell with these guys, and then to come to such a pedestrian end that your reunion has to be cancelled because there aren't enough of you left to attend... damn. Heartbreaking.
My buddies have all passed away now, wow that hit home like a ton of bricks. Bless him.
Great story! So sad & funny. What a legend!
All of these stories are so riveting, informative, heartbreaking, and yet inspirational at the same time. I think that they should be shown in EVERY history class across the country. What you are doing by bringing these men’s stories to us matters. Thank you.
I solute u Mr Zerger thank u for fighting for our great nation. U are a real life hero. I wish nothing but the best for you and your loved ones. 🙏🇺🇲🗽🇺🇲🙏
I am thankful for the opportunities provided for veterans; I just want our country to be a place where veterans are superbly taken care of and then some. I think all of us can help contribute to make this a reality, and thank you as always for doing your part here at Memoirs. Each moment of every video is so cherished. What I would give for my grandfather to have been featured on one, he was ARMY 1st Cavalry Division, 5th regiment, pacific theater/Philippines. Thank you Memoirs
You can feel the experience in his voice. Such an amazing human. We need more people like him in this world. God bless his soul.
"My buddies have all passed away now". As a veteran and knowing how close friends you become with your brothers in arms, I know that was hard to say. Thank you for these stories.
Thank-you for fighting for my freedom before I was even born, Sir. 💪🏻🦅🇺🇸
Truly a great generation. May their reunions when they pass be joyous as they meet old friends and family once again. Thank you sir for our freedom.
The trauma that these men experienced im sure is unimaginable.😔 Forever grateful for they’re service.
I love how you type up the closed-captioning instead of having it be automated!
May God bless you and all that served our great nation. We need to preserve what they sacrificed their lives for from no matter foriegn or domestic threats. We need to preserve the history, the truth.
God bless all these men and we lost another veteran on August 24th 2019... ( my dad ). I was blessed to have dad live to 100 and 4 months. I miss hearing the stories as this veteran.
This may be the best interview I've seen so far on this channel.
Thank you.
Had me tearing up at the end. It is so sad they are fading so fast in there very old age. They will never be forgotten and are country will always be grateful for what they did.
This testimony is riveting.
He crossed the *Rapido* *River* , attacking across the Line.
He was in combat at *Monte* *Cassino*
Beautiful. Not sad, just beautiful.
All of these men and women shown on this channel are hero’s, thank you soo much for taking the time to speak with them and share the stories with us all! Never forgotten
This was really good. Thank goodness for the millions of Herman’s we had during that horrendous war. And WW1 too. And Korean and Vietnam.
Best Channel on youtube!!!
It makes me so Sad that all these brave Heroes are leaving us. God Bless You Sir.
Another great video from you folks. Bless Herman.
This is my favorite UA-cam channel. Everything else on UA-cam is for my entertainment, or in rare cases instruction. This is so wholesome, and one of the most amazing efforts any group of people have ever undertaken. Keep going! Get to as many as you can.
This was a great video, I'm sorry Mr.Herman that your friends are all gone but I'm glad that you were able to tell your story to me through this UA-cam channel.
I pray for your continued good health and thank you for your service good sir 🙏 😊 👍
Thank you for your service 👍 and I appreciate you so much
What an an amazing channel
I was so touched from this story and the bravery this man had, facing the enemy and just doing his best that his friend was takin care of. God bless him and all the veterans
Thank you sir God bless you
Wow so sad thank you for your service
These testimonies are amazing, please keep making them!
Quel douloureux souvenir pour ce breve vétérans et toutes les souffrances qu’il a dû endurer ainsi que ses frères d’armes très grand respect merci beaucoup grâce À des hommes comme vous que nous avons retrouvé notre liberté et merci à tous ces soldats américains thank you 🇺🇸🇺🇸
Very cool how this gentleman (as most people at that time, probably) knew the name of the movie theater owner. That's unusual these days.
I’m glad I tuned into this one because he gave me some insight of what my great grandfather dealt with in the 88th. He got injured in Italy either by a sniper or shrapnel. Unknown because documents got destroyed in a fire at a military warehouse and story’s get diluted over time by family memories.
Thank you Herman…
Thank you for your sacrifices you gave to your country. The pain in this man's expressions was hard to watch. I pray one day the nightmarish visions in you head fade and you find peace within.
God bless these men and women.
Another beautifull story from a man who went to hell and came back!
I love all these videos! Its so important to keep making those.
Keep up the good work!
Watching these videos makes me hurt and even more ashamed with how this country has gone. Thank you to this man, and all the other men and woman who serve this confused country
Amazing story.Thank you sir to give us a freedom today.Thank you for your service in the name of freedom.