Battle of the Bulge: The Combat Photographer Who Was Killed After He Took This Last Photograph

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  • Опубліковано 15 гру 2023
  • The Battle of the Bulge started on December 16, 1944 and lasted until January 25, 1945. On the very last the of this battle, US Army Signal Corps Camerman, Hugh F. McHugh followed the US 7th Armored Division outside the city of Saint Vith, Belgium to photograph its activities. McHugh took several photographs as the troops attacked the village of Wallerode. At one point he was on top of a hill overlooking to town, when he took a photograph of some troops. Seconds after, McHugh was shot by a German sniper and died instantly. He was the only photographer to be killed during the Battle of the Bulge.
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 1,1 тис.

  • @SNAFUDOCS
    @SNAFUDOCS  5 місяців тому +525

    Today it's exactly 79 years ago that the Battle of the Bulge began. Please like and share this video in honor of Hugh F. McHugh
    Join us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/SNAFUDOCS

    • @TeddyBelcher4kultrawide
      @TeddyBelcher4kultrawide 5 місяців тому

      Austrian weatherman needed five days of snow and got three

    • @douglaspoulin8059
      @douglaspoulin8059 5 місяців тому +12

      Did they kinda pick the spot where a sniper would have been ? I know nearly impossible. You have done a great thing to pay respects to his family and our country by your outstanding work. Thank you

    • @Royalstar1964
      @Royalstar1964 5 місяців тому +6

      Thank you for keeping the memories alive Joey! Peter F.

    • @saucejohnson9862
      @saucejohnson9862 5 місяців тому +12

      My grandpa was an M-18 gunner with the 704th tank destroyer battalion in this battle, those tanks had open tops, he said the only thing that saved his life, was because he took a leather jacket from a German prisoner. In Band of Brothers you see the trees exploding, he was defending a flank at Bastogne, a tree splinter nearly pierced the jacket right at the heart. They didn't have winter clothes though, so that tree splinter would have pierced his body. Either way, this investigative history, I am subbed!

    • @Skimer54
      @Skimer54 5 місяців тому +5

      Beautiful tribute.

  • @macmccollum6064
    @macmccollum6064 5 місяців тому +933

    Great video. Taking my Dad back to the exact locations and photographing him where he was in combat during WWII was a 30 year goal for me. Finally in 1994-1998, we made 4 trips to retrace his footsteps from Omaha Beach to SW of Leipzig, Germany. It was incredible, very successful, and one of the greatest times of our lives together.

    • @aprylrittenhouse4562
      @aprylrittenhouse4562 5 місяців тому +14

      My uncle Spencer was in Leipzig at the same time

    • @carlv8168
      @carlv8168 5 місяців тому +32

      So glad that you were able to convince your dad to take those trips. You're a good son for doing that.

    • @macmccollum6064
      @macmccollum6064 5 місяців тому +1

      Thank you. "Convince" is probably the wrong word. It was more like "force". He did not want to go; then only said he would go at the last minute so I wouldn't have to go alone. There were tough times over there, the worst were Omaha Beach and Nordhausen Concentration Camp. But after the first trip, he wanted to go back again. We went every year until the end. @@carlv8168

    • @texaswunderkind
      @texaswunderkind 5 місяців тому +25

      That sounds amazing. It was hard to get my grandfathers to talk specifics about the war. Very late in his life, my paternal grandfather started to describe what he saw landing on Omaha beach on D-Day. I wish I had recorded it. Unfortunately, my motormouth brother came over and interrupted us, and that was it. I meant to visit him to try to talk about it more, but he suffered a fall, and passed away in the hospital.

    • @macmccollum6064
      @macmccollum6064 5 місяців тому +31

      Yes, getting those heroes to talk was difficult. Initially, I had minimal success in the 1960s through 1980s, but once I got my Dad back on location, and later reuniting him with many of his combat Battalion, I finally got the details. Once he started talking, I think it helped him accept all that he had seen and been a part of. At that point, he would answer all questions and didn't mind talking about it. Best thing I ever did. @@texaswunderkind

  • @raquellofstedt9713
    @raquellofstedt9713 5 місяців тому +241

    I love that the manwho renovated the castle not only kept the names written on the walls, but researed them and put up a short history and photographs of the men where he could. What a lovely gesture.

    • @floriangeyer3454
      @floriangeyer3454 4 місяці тому +7

      the guy is a member of the German minority. Interesting blend of English, Flams and German.😁

    • @inthetrencheswithcas1762
      @inthetrencheswithcas1762 4 місяці тому +6

      Well said mate this video really touched me..

    • @raquellofstedt9713
      @raquellofstedt9713 4 місяці тому +3

      @@floriangeyer3454 Yeah, I was wondering why I suddenly could understand Flemmish. Now I know why! Thanks for that!

    • @W8RIT1
      @W8RIT1 4 місяці тому +7

      Its common in many towns for people STILL to this day, go to tend the cemeteries of American and British soldiers. The Netherlands had this song composed for the 20th anniversary of their liberation. ua-cam.com/video/DRrTujHaHis/v-deo.htmlsi=QL-q1lPfz6bH3ASu

    • @da_pawz
      @da_pawz Місяць тому +1

      Yes very incredible. Glad that he has interest in history and really preserve it.

  • @FuzzyWuzzy75
    @FuzzyWuzzy75 5 місяців тому +333

    Thank you for how you honored that young man that lost his life way to early and so tragically.

    • @palaver40
      @palaver40 5 місяців тому +14

      It was very emotional to watch. Thank you for your hard work in researching, editing and presenting this outstanding video.

    • @richardkeilig4062
      @richardkeilig4062 5 місяців тому +2

      Thank you for your service.

    • @richardkeilig4062
      @richardkeilig4062 5 місяців тому +5

      Bless all of those who served.

  • @elmo2800
    @elmo2800 5 місяців тому +117

    It's one thing to remember our dead, but It's so much more when others do. This brings tears to my eyes, and I'm eternally grateful for you to recognize those boys.

  • @GD419jasons
    @GD419jasons 5 місяців тому +283

    What you do is incredible. You did a great job in honoring him, I think he would be very proud. The end is very emotional, well done.

    • @SNAFUDOCS
      @SNAFUDOCS  5 місяців тому +10

      Thank you so much!

  • @DanBeitzelMusic
    @DanBeitzelMusic 5 місяців тому +187

    My grandfather was in the 7th Armored and was shot during the Bulge. He never talked about it except to say it was “rough.” He visited a French hospital and because of that experience he refused to go out on a stretcher when he was dying. He still had that conviction and trauma nearly 80 years later.

    • @carlv8168
      @carlv8168 5 місяців тому +20

      God bless your grandfather and the many courageous young men just like him. So sorry for your loss.

    • @robertscutt2904
      @robertscutt2904 5 місяців тому +13

      Your Grandfather ✝️ God Bless Him, 🙏🏻Was With Pattons Third Army, The Proudest And Toughest, At The Battle Of The Bulge..🇺🇲

    • @bodyguard2301
      @bodyguard2301 5 місяців тому

      America fought for communism in WW2 through deception look at America and Europe and tell me the "good guys won"

    • @bobburke9840
      @bobburke9840 5 місяців тому +10

      They were incredible men. My grandfather was in Company A 77th medical battalion 7th armored division.

    • @BarkerVancity
      @BarkerVancity 5 місяців тому

      my grandfather was an raf spy pilot. the germans sabotaged his plane and he had to crash near a pyramid,..was found weeks later. he NEVER spoke about the war, my mother was named after his co-pilot

  • @garypender9459
    @garypender9459 5 місяців тому +137

    Excellent tribute! I really appreciate your respect for our heroes! While you sit in your peaceful, warm home tonight, think what it must have been like 79 years ago today, for those young American Soldiers out in the freezing cold on the front lines, with no combat experience when all hell broke out? Battle of the Bulge was the largest battle in American history!! Over 16,000 American Soldiers were killed!! We must NEVER forget their sacrifice! These types of tributes will keep their memory alive!!🪖🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

    • @bodyguard2301
      @bodyguard2301 5 місяців тому

      Hey dummy it was all for nothing look at America and Europe the "good guys" didnt win communism won!

    • @blakebufford6239
      @blakebufford6239 5 місяців тому +2

      👍🇺🇲

    • @lynneowen8362
      @lynneowen8362 5 місяців тому +5

      I think about them all the time. And every time my heart breaks.

    • @MrGuano11
      @MrGuano11 5 місяців тому +1

      Should have stayed at home

    • @30AndHatingIt
      @30AndHatingIt 5 місяців тому +5

      And allowed the Nazis to occupy Western Europe? Surely you jest.

  • @effortlesschoice
    @effortlesschoice 5 місяців тому +97

    Brilliant tribute. Hope someone in his family is fortunate enough to see this video. I salute you.

  • @xecukc7010
    @xecukc7010 5 місяців тому +74

    A very respectful ending. Thank you for honoring these great men.

  • @SoloKyoto
    @SoloKyoto 4 місяці тому +20

    These men deserve so much more credit. They captured and preserved some of the only visual proof and references we have of these events in history.

  • @WasterSpace-lp3zg
    @WasterSpace-lp3zg 5 місяців тому +60

    Deeply deeply respectful tribute from a highly talented and humble young man. You are sir a credit to your generation for the way you have honoured a fellow young man who lost his life on foreign shores. Respect to you fully deserved.

  • @chadkeller2144
    @chadkeller2144 5 місяців тому +122

    These men deserve to be forever honored for their sacrifices for our country and the world. Thank you for bringing us their stories!

    • @bodyguard2301
      @bodyguard2301 5 місяців тому

      The "good guys" didnt win WW2 look at America and Europe and tell me the good guys won wake up

    • @Va.2Az
      @Va.2Az 4 місяці тому

      Lol
      We weren’t under threat.
      You just come from a government programmed, bootlicking generation.

  • @skykeg4978
    @skykeg4978 5 місяців тому +82

    It is a presentation like this that makes me forever grateful for the many sacrifices given for America by individuals like Hugh Mc Hugh. Rest in peace my friend. You are never forgotten.

    • @carlv8168
      @carlv8168 5 місяців тому

      It's too bad that most young Americans today in that age group haven't a care in the world and don't have the least amount of interest in those young American soldiers who sacrificed their lives so that today's young people can absorb themselves in their selfish material world and being indoctrinated to hate everything that America stands for.

    • @chrisloomis1489
      @chrisloomis1489 5 місяців тому +1

      Amen.

    • @eastonwilliams1722
      @eastonwilliams1722 5 місяців тому

      The world is so much better isn’t it? Europe and America aren’t destroyed by immigrants now are they? We are now Babylon

  • @tomw324
    @tomw324 5 місяців тому +63

    Interesting to follow in McHugh's footsteps on his last day. Very powerful and beautiful sequence at the end, brought me to tears and it was the first time I've ever heard of the guy. Thinking about what he could have become had he survived the war. Very good job.

    • @chrisreese2965
      @chrisreese2965 4 місяці тому

      The real sad thing is that he almost did survive. Just a few more months

  • @mattsmith8265
    @mattsmith8265 5 місяців тому +59

    As a retired combat photographer, thanks for this video! It’s amazing to honor the people that came before us.

  • @MrBarnardRoom12
    @MrBarnardRoom12 5 місяців тому +133

    Photographers do have to stop, frame the shot and snap the picture. He was most likely a preferred target for a sniper. All of his photos were well composed and he had a great eye in a dangerous environment. RIP Hugh. Great work.

    • @WarPhotographer1974
      @WarPhotographer1974 5 місяців тому +10

      @@darrel7589actually, yes. We had a price for our heads in Iraq and Afghanistan.

    • @WarPhotographer1974
      @WarPhotographer1974 5 місяців тому +1

      @@darrel7589 it shows what you know

    • @thefunniestfarm4731
      @thefunniestfarm4731 5 місяців тому +5

      Combat medics and photographers are the ballsiest IMO, one runs to compromised spots, the other stands out to pause and get the best angle.

    • @thefunniestfarm4731
      @thefunniestfarm4731 5 місяців тому +2

      @@WarPhotographer1974 TY for your service.

    • @cobblerama
      @cobblerama 5 місяців тому +6

      ​@@WarPhotographer1974 I'm curious as to why? I would think you'd be considered more of a non combatant like a medic. When I first started watching this I was wondering why the sniper chose to take out the photographer when there were guys with rifles right next to him.

  • @samthompson1270
    @samthompson1270 5 місяців тому +47

    The honor, the respect and the passion that your entire crew puts forth in these videos is outstanding. As an American, I can only wish that our younger generations today would learn and appreciate what your group has done to remind us all of what WWII was like and bring us the incredible stories of the individuals that lived and died during that time period. Thank you SO much for what you do.

    • @douglaspoulin8059
      @douglaspoulin8059 5 місяців тому +2

      Couldn’t agree more. We need to do what we can to keep this history alive for generations to come. We need it for our great nation

  • @mildbill2806
    @mildbill2806 5 місяців тому +45

    You are a tremendous historian. Many thanks for all your hard work. The end of this video brought tears to my eyes. Mighty emotional. A great memorial tribute to cameraman Hugh F. McHugh.

  • @Bravo_116Cinema
    @Bravo_116Cinema 5 місяців тому +23

    My son who is in the United States Navy stationed in Sicily just recently visited bastogne and went to the Easy Company foxholes. He took over a hundred pictures for me. Thank you for these wonderful videos

    • @ThisHandleFeatureIsStupid
      @ThisHandleFeatureIsStupid 5 місяців тому +1

      A lot of those foxholes are still in great shape!
      Many re-dug, but still...

  • @truebeliever5233
    @truebeliever5233 4 місяці тому +17

    I found this to be a wonderful piece. It was a sacred moment seeing where photographer McHugh took his last breath. Thank you so much for sharing this with us. Thank you to all the WWII vets who have given all to keep America free.

  • @truthmarshal6627
    @truthmarshal6627 5 місяців тому +9

    I hate wars. I think of my own son at age 20. Just kids. Heartbreaking. Thank you for taking the time to honor these men and time. I love history.

  • @doitatit
    @doitatit 5 місяців тому +11

    Thank you. That was extremely moving. “They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old. Age shall not weary them , nor the years condemn. We will remember them.”

  • @ak9989
    @ak9989 5 місяців тому +29

    My uncle fought in the Bulge, 1st Infantry division. My dad was in the pacific at Guam and Okinawa. But my cousin was a Combat Camerman in Vietnam, 221st Signal Company.

    • @kevinburke7932
      @kevinburke7932 5 місяців тому +9

      My uncle too, was in the Battle of the Bulge and was killed there on Jan. 9, 1945. His brother, my father, was in the 5th Rangers and climbed the cliffs at Point du Hoc during D-Day. He survived and lived until the age 92. Two heroes.

    • @carlv8168
      @carlv8168 5 місяців тому

      @@kevinburke7932 God bless your father and uncle.

    • @carlv8168
      @carlv8168 5 місяців тому

      God bless your father, uncle and cousin!

    • @kevinburke7932
      @kevinburke7932 5 місяців тому +1

      Bless all the men who paid the ultimate sacrifice. It’s almost too hard to fathom what they went thru… for is.

    • @rallefreifahrt6630
      @rallefreifahrt6630 5 місяців тому

      So your cousin filmed war crimes with 3 million killed Vietnamese people?

  • @dalehammond1749
    @dalehammond1749 5 місяців тому +10

    I had the honor of knowing a Battle of the Bulge survivor. His name was Gene Renoff (not sure of the spelling). Gene was shot by a German sniper and he laid in the snow for hours. Everyone who saw him fall thought he was dead. He said the snow helped keep him from bleeding to death. The 1970's was the last time I saw Gene. I'm sure he's passed by now. He was one of the kindest and nicest people I ever knew.

  • @ggman946
    @ggman946 5 місяців тому +9

    Wow. I actually wept. So many brave men caught up in world circumstances beyond their control. Thank you for this production.

  • @760Piper
    @760Piper 5 місяців тому +41

    Joey, Florent and Thulai. You guys do some of the best, if not the best videos honoring those who served and made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom. Your work makes me reflect and appreciate all those brave soldiers for what they did. You guys are the best.

    • @roberth5767
      @roberth5767 5 місяців тому +2

      This comment needs more thumbs up!

  • @mikefletcher6595
    @mikefletcher6595 5 місяців тому +16

    I was a British Army photographer and often when you tell people that was your job in the army they always tend to say ‘why does the army need photographers?’… they never seem to realise all these photos that they’ve seen from various wars since WW1, (in fact Rodger Fenton was one of the first war photographers as he photographed the Crimean war, but he was a civilian) were taken by military photographers. It’s obviously vital to keep folks back home, and the world at large, up to date with what is happening on operations. I’ve been lucky enough to get access to parts of the Imperial War Museum others never see due to being a service photographer, getting to see artefacts such as notes made by cameramen and photographers as they jumped into France with airborne forces or land on the beaches in Normandy. A truly vital part of the war effort and such an important historical contribution towards how we see and remember all conflicts. Thanks for highlighting a very under recognise aspect of service life, great watch.

  • @ryandavis7593
    @ryandavis7593 5 місяців тому +12

    Today is my birthday.
    Thank you for taking me with you on your journey.
    Ernest Woodrow Neeld is my grandfather and fought with Patton’s Armored Fist, the Texas Oklahoma regiment. He was born December 5,1916 and died in 1996.
    He was fluent in German which he learned while serving in the army.
    Thank you again for bringing us these then and now stories.
    Greetings from the high plains of Texas.

    • @megandarling2215
      @megandarling2215 5 місяців тому +2

      Happy birthday and respect for your grandfather

    • @ryandavis7593
      @ryandavis7593 5 місяців тому +2

      @@megandarling2215
      I miss him terribly.
      Thank you.

    • @megandarling2215
      @megandarling2215 5 місяців тому +2

      @@ryandavis7593 your welcome friend he was a brave man

  • @MishaElRusito
    @MishaElRusito 5 місяців тому +4

    This videos of travelling back in time always give me chills.

  • @lllllREDACTEDlllll
    @lllllREDACTEDlllll 5 місяців тому +8

    I went to enlist as a Combat Photographer after being on an AA flight on 9-11. When I got to MEPS it was a year long wait to get into the school. I asked what unit and job would get me on the front lines the quickest. Growing up witnessing Desert Storm I was afraid I would miss my chance to go to war... I became a Combat Engineer in a Sapper Squad as part of TF-1-64 3RD ID. I picked up the best digital camera at the time that would fit in a grenade pouch, the Cannon Digital Elph at a wopping 2MP. It made it through Ah Najaf, Thunder Run 1&2, as well as Fallujah. I'm sure it still takes a good picture. Maybe I'll do something with the few hundred pictures that I took during that deployment. So far they sit in a suitcase in the closet net to my bed. This video kind of hit me. Maybe I'll start taking photos again... Who knows. Keep up the great content. Essayons.

  • @Hurridale
    @Hurridale 5 місяців тому +17

    Thank you for your work documenting so well the story of one American soldier, who would have otherwise been lost to Time. So many stories...

    • @SNAFUDOCS
      @SNAFUDOCS  5 місяців тому +6

      Wow! Thank you so much ❤

  • @DropdudeJohn
    @DropdudeJohn 5 місяців тому +16

    Like others have mentioned here about their relatives, my Grandad was in the Battle of the Bulge and never spoke about it, talked about other parts of the war he was involved in, but bot this, my dad said it really changed him for a while.

  • @stevesmyth1769
    @stevesmyth1769 5 місяців тому +2

    I think, sometimes we get lost in the casualty numbers of the second word war and forget the person/individual. This is a truly remarkable piece of history and makes it become more human and real. These guys weren’t just a black and white photo. Respect for the work you do.

  • @safety86
    @safety86 5 місяців тому +15

    Joey, that was outstanding! You, Flo, Myra, Bob and the team never cease to amaze me in telling the story of and honoring our soldiers. The story of McHugh will live on thanks to this video! -Bronson

  • @martinjones4776
    @martinjones4776 5 місяців тому +7

    Thank you for putting this togeather, May we never forget.

  • @steve5825
    @steve5825 5 місяців тому +7

    I am genuinely moved by the respect shown by both you and the gentleman who owns the castle. To have not painted over the names on the wall of troops in your country that were not your own, to track down the ancestor of one, to take such great trouble finding the locations and the reverence with which you treated it all was very touching. So many fine young men wasted on both sides.

    • @user-eb6cz3um6h
      @user-eb6cz3um6h 5 місяців тому

      Very Fitting Credits to Hugh. A Very Brave Young Man ! Thank You and Your Friends for Your Sacrifice !

    • @user-eb6cz3um6h
      @user-eb6cz3um6h 5 місяців тому

      Let Us Never Forget their Sacrifice for Freedom !

    • @user-eb6cz3um6h
      @user-eb6cz3um6h 5 місяців тому

      Also Great Respect to the Owner of the Castle who has Preserved their Names !

    • @user-eb6cz3um6h
      @user-eb6cz3um6h 5 місяців тому

      Thank You Sir ! You are Very Honourable !

  • @Eupher6
    @Eupher6 5 місяців тому +14

    A moving tribute. Thank you.

  • @KCODacey
    @KCODacey 5 місяців тому +24

    Thank you for telling us the story of Hugh McHugh. Thank you for taking the time & effort. Thank you.

  • @matthewnewton8812
    @matthewnewton8812 5 місяців тому +6

    This is an amazing tribute to this man. One of my absolute favorite WWII related activities is seeking out the exact spot where photographs were taken and finding the same scene in the modern world. It’s something I did many times when I was living in and traveling around Europe.
    Combining that activity with this tribute to his life is such a moving way to honor his service and his bravery and sacrifice.
    Thank you so much for preserving the memories of these Americans on our behalf. These people, from this part of our history, mean a lot to us, and it means a lot to see that you all treat them with this kind of respect.

  • @vince9761
    @vince9761 4 місяці тому +3

    Outstanding job retracing McHugh's last day through his photography, moving and very touching throughout!

  • @leoncsorba9085
    @leoncsorba9085 5 місяців тому +25

    What an EXCELLENT tribute sir. ❤

  • @renegade1520
    @renegade1520 5 місяців тому +6

    Nice work. I appreciate the respect this video shows for the fallen army photographer. He is not forgotten.

  • @floor993
    @floor993 5 місяців тому +6

    this photographer was so young and what could you do against a sniper! And especially with the 4x5 inch plate camera that required all your attention with taking cassettes in and out and turning them, and cocking the shutter to take 2 photos.
    Thanks for this impressive video!👌🏻

  • @alanlukes7668
    @alanlukes7668 5 місяців тому +5

    Wow, very emotional ending, brought me to tears watching it. Never ever forgotten.

  • @jeffreyknight3884
    @jeffreyknight3884 5 місяців тому +18

    What amazing man, if it wasn't for men like this photographer. We would never knew what these men went through. Thank you hugh McHugh for taking these amazing photos. Rest in peace....

  • @vawterb
    @vawterb 5 місяців тому +13

    Thank you for finding his story and telling it. Thank you for honoring him.

  • @530eman
    @530eman 5 місяців тому +15

    Another awesome episode; I am humbled by the stories of these men… thank you for bringing them to life…

  • @simonflower6356
    @simonflower6356 5 місяців тому +4

    Thank you for bringing our attention to this story, and for telling it so beautifully. I’m proud to say that two of my first cousins (also from New York) served in France, Belgium and Germany under Patton. Both survived the war, but one (a forward artillery observer) was hit and severely wounded by three German machine gun rounds, one of them lodged so close to his spine that the doctors were afraid to remove it. He died two years ago at the age of 97 - with that round still inside him.

  • @lynneowen8362
    @lynneowen8362 5 місяців тому +14

    Wonderful content. Yet another sad & heartbreaking story, but you have done well to honour his memory. Thank you. ❤

  • @igotplasteredstan2008
    @igotplasteredstan2008 4 місяці тому +2

    Full of respect to the owner of the castle who saved a part of history for others to see. Thank you for not destroying a touching memorial to a very young man who only shot his camera. This was a very well presented and informative video, full marks to all concerned. We should never forget what these young men went through! Thank you.

  • @strike4n
    @strike4n 5 місяців тому +22

    Many people of your generation are preoccupied with figuring out which bathroom to use. You are one of a kind. Thank you, sir, for doing this, and thank you for remembering our heroes!

  • @dabda8510
    @dabda8510 5 місяців тому +7

    This was gripping. Big respect to him for preserving the names/history of the soldiers.

  • @ethanmetcalf9752
    @ethanmetcalf9752 5 місяців тому +5

    Love how I can sit down and watch a whole documentary in 15 minutes. Your gonna go far man, love the channel.

  • @nmjazz09
    @nmjazz09 5 місяців тому +3

    There are no words other than thank you. RIP Hugh.

  • @jvl4832
    @jvl4832 5 місяців тому +4

    Thank you for this very touching piece. My father was in St.Vith at the time and captured one month later in February and sent to Stalag IX B in Bad Orb. Your dedication and hard work deserves a reward.

  • @sonofliberty92
    @sonofliberty92 5 місяців тому +4

    Brought me to tears. Thank you. These guys will never be forgotten.

  • @Rube7361
    @Rube7361 5 місяців тому +16

    Your Content is excellent. What a honor you do the men who walked these footsteps. As someone who loves history, I find it amazing that we can see the exact spots these photos were taken and can compare how they have changed.,Awesome stuff! 🇺🇸

  • @Russell9241
    @Russell9241 5 місяців тому +9

    Incredible location and looks mostly the same as in 1945, thank you for taking us there.

  • @alex-1314
    @alex-1314 5 місяців тому +2

    It’s so easy to view our landscape only in a present-day context and not recognise that the same landscape has borne witness to thousands of years of history, significant events and the people involved in them. Photographs can remind us of some of them and this young soldier’s last journey is forever immortalised in the video tribute. His family will have grieved his loss, his final moments so far from home. May he and his fallen comrades rest in peace. Their sacrifice should never be forgotten.

  • @Roller_Ghoster
    @Roller_Ghoster 5 місяців тому +5

    It truly is an early Christmas present when my favourite WW2 then and now channel posts a video. Thanks guys!

  • @mikesimmons8762
    @mikesimmons8762 5 місяців тому +23

    Now Hugh F McHugh is a person who we get to live just a bit of his last day. Most of the solders he photographed were important but not personal to us as a whole. I turned down an offer to be a Viet Nam combat photographer. I will never know what might have happened to me. I was lucky to spend my Viet Nam era Army Signal Corp duty in Taiwan. Hugh F McHugh is a hero with a name.

  • @xplosion9134
    @xplosion9134 5 місяців тому +1

    These men sacrificed everything to keep us safe. What an amazing story. Tugged on the heart strings a little towards the end. Great job 👏

  • @TheRaulr151
    @TheRaulr151 5 місяців тому +2

    Thank you for such an honoring video of all these men that fought and died during WWII. These were of the greatest generation. We salute them.

  • @joenop3393
    @joenop3393 5 місяців тому +6

    Wonderful work!! God Bless Hugh's Soul and God Bless his family!

  • @vidiot57
    @vidiot57 5 місяців тому +11

    Thank you for honoring those brave men.. I was so impressed that the gentleman who lived in the Castle had made a memorial to these men in his stable even after so much time has passed.. I appreciate the respect and high regard of these soldiers by the local people.. Let the memory and sacrifice of these heroes never fade ! God Bless...

  • @Sperry411
    @Sperry411 5 місяців тому +4

    Hi Joey, the ending brought tears 😢to my eyes the way you showed extreme respect and tenderness to one of the heroes that helped to liberate your country of birth. Thank you❤❤❤ for what you do.

  • @modallas8034
    @modallas8034 4 місяці тому +3

    Excellent job. I almost cried.
    Imagine spending weeks and months wearing the same clothes in that freezing cold and wet environment. On top of that, you are constantly on edge, never knowing where the next sniper may be.
    Again, great work done with great respect. Thank You! 👍👍👍
    Many thanks to the owner of the castle and the crew who helped put this video together.

  • @molonlabe9602
    @molonlabe9602 5 місяців тому +7

    The greatest generation...bless them all.

  • @josephmessina4020
    @josephmessina4020 5 місяців тому +3

    Bless you for remembering and honoring a tragic loss ...war truly is hell on earth

  • @Nyllsor
    @Nyllsor 5 місяців тому +2

    Every time i see you upload i know it's gonna be good :)

  • @SloopJohnB91
    @SloopJohnB91 4 місяці тому +2

    Thank you for sharing. My grandfather fought in the US 3rd Army under Patton during the Battle of the Bulge. I always love learning about these stories and how the memories of the men who fought are still kept alive today. great work.

  • @dreamer22able
    @dreamer22able 5 місяців тому +3

    Thank you for taking the time and energy to recognize who a TRUE HEROE is. You produced a dignified and honorable tribute for this fine young man and all the other men who gave all. God Bless.

  • @sigguy1361
    @sigguy1361 5 місяців тому +11

    My great uncle was killed in B o B in Dec 1944 defending a critical town north of their location in this video. It’s eerie to see. Also neat to see a German land owner there preserving the American history. 👍🏼

  • @Edgy01
    @Edgy01 5 місяців тому +2

    Excellent job of researching this individual solder-one of many, killed too soon. My father (died in 1969) was a flyer-a pilot shot down 22 August 1943. He evaded and escaped over the course of many months. With the aid of a book published years later by a fellow evader, I was able to find many of the places he traveled. In one building, a private home in Quimper, Normandy France, I got a tour by the son of the family who aided him with the French Underground. Inside, I saw the exact room he hid in. That building, and it’s contents, were unchanged from Nov 1943. On a separate trip to France, I explored a WWI battlefield near Verdun. It was remarkable to see. The ground hid the rubble of an old long-destroyed town, and the trees that had grown up over that rubble were exactly 70 years old. Everyone of them. I was there 70 years after that 1917 battle. For history buffs, there is still much to find in Europe. If you bring a metal detector you will find evidence of war nearly everywhere. Thank you for your efforts and diligence to find some closure for this one man, and others no doubt. I periodically go back to find my old tree fort from 1966 at Ramstein AB. There are still tree fort pieces in that tree, which continues to grow larger. The last time I was there in 2006 pieces were still in that tree! My tree fort long out-survived the Third Reich.

  • @rv12311
    @rv12311 5 місяців тому +2

    Amazingly brave to retrieve the camera! What a lovely tribute to the brave that risked everything. RIP Hugh

  • @paularinaga1576
    @paularinaga1576 5 місяців тому +3

    It’s a beautiful thing that you are doing so that these unsung heroes may be remembered. And how sad and disgusting that the sniper targeted non-combatants.

  • @stevepringle2295
    @stevepringle2295 5 місяців тому +8

    Wonderful tribute ❤

  • @jaexotics
    @jaexotics 4 місяці тому +1

    This is incredible. It’s important to keep their history and stories alive. Amazing video! My neighbor Everett Cummings was Military Police and was stationed in France during WWII and he’s show me pictures and tell me stories of his service and time in Europe. These men were hero’s and a different breed. Before he passed away he gave me some of his medals and ribbons which I still have to this day. It’s incredible these structures are still standing today

  • @johngeorgegately7402
    @johngeorgegately7402 5 місяців тому +5

    Appreciate so much that you are preserving their memory. Yours is important work.

  • @kiwi_comanche
    @kiwi_comanche 5 місяців тому +7

    They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old.
    Age shall not weary Them, nor the years condemn.
    At the going down of the Sun, and in the morning,
    We Will Remember Them.

  • @davepattyhornick
    @davepattyhornick 5 місяців тому +9

    We must never forget the sacrifices these brave men made for our freedom.

    • @thomasshelby1922
      @thomasshelby1922 5 місяців тому

      Our Individual Freedoms were never under any threat from outside forces. we should honor these Men of course but to say it was for freedom is just not true. Most were drafted into the war so what they fought for was really for each other and the people back home. The fight for our Individual freedoms has always been between the people and our government and I think we forgot that and that has consequences. that generation fought the Nazis and Japanese and my generation are the ones who are required to fight for freedom our 1st and 2nd amendments are under constant attack and I dont think were up for it.

    • @kennethcurtis1856
      @kennethcurtis1856 5 місяців тому

      They gave up their tomorrows so we can live our todays in freedom.

    • @thomasshelby1922
      @thomasshelby1922 5 місяців тому +1

      @@kennethcurtis1856 No it wasn’t about freedom, it was to defend our entire system which is our constitution & Bill of rights of which our freedoms come from. This is important bc “freedom” is only a concept but our Constitution & Bill of rights is real and if that was what they died to defend then the people today actively trying to take those things away might have a little more pushback from the “men” of this Country.

  • @no1fibersplicer525
    @no1fibersplicer525 4 місяці тому +1

    Thank you for doing this. It warms my heart that this young man will not be forgotten

  • @adamg7984
    @adamg7984 4 місяці тому +5

    Your work got a subscription from me immediately. This is some true dedication and passion to WW2 history, down to the finest details. And to honor Hugh F. McHugh this way, I only wish and hope anyone who knew him got an opportunity to see this video. If not, they surely will know some way, some how that you've done something to honor his life and work. The pictures are wonderful, he surely was a talented photographer. Seeing the modern day locations in their peace and serenity, it's hard to imagine the same places torn apart by bombs and full of smoldering wrecks and dead bodies. Great work, truly a wonderful little video.

  • @joanofarc1338
    @joanofarc1338 5 місяців тому +3

    Great video, so respectful, thank you😔

  • @diver291
    @diver291 5 місяців тому +5

    Thanks! Your work is incredible!

  • @andrisoe1
    @andrisoe1 5 місяців тому +2

    My Father was also a Photographer too, He'd passed away in 2002. I used to follow the track where about he took his photos back in 1960th, more than a decade earlier than the year I was born. Yeah I had that same feeling 😢

  • @markreetz1001
    @markreetz1001 5 місяців тому +3

    Thank you for the flags, the flower, and especially the video. It is gratifying that citizens of other nations make the time and effort to bring these stories to the world. Very much appreciated!!! Thank you so much!

  • @earlgreen1720
    @earlgreen1720 5 місяців тому +5

    What a beautiful tribute

  • @Nyllsor
    @Nyllsor 5 місяців тому +2

    I find the tree at the 5th minuite beautiful, you can see in the old picture the foliage there had been damaged but it survived. And what a "language" it has! The tree speaks a story too.
    Thanks for making these kind of videos respecting the memory and history.
    Beautiful.

  • @denof8207
    @denof8207 5 місяців тому +1

    This is the best channel on the internet! Thank you for keeping our soldiers memories alive and for caring for them in their final resting places in Europe

  • @StreetsWideOpen
    @StreetsWideOpen 5 місяців тому +5

    A great video which really touched me, especially as McHugh was a non combatant and carried a camera instead of a rifle, but an enemy sniper still thought it was ok to pick him as a legitimate target.
    Keep up the great work you are doing.
    If we speak their names they will not be forgotten. 📷🙏🏻

  • @davegehman6581
    @davegehman6581 5 місяців тому +5

    Your series takes so much of this region back to horrific times... a beautiful area that at that time was an active and terrible field of conflict.

    • @SNAFUDOCS
      @SNAFUDOCS  5 місяців тому

      Thank you so much for the donation!

  • @doobielawson702
    @doobielawson702 5 місяців тому +1

    The original photos and the present day photos were great. The ability to pause and really compare the two photos is greatly appreciated. This should be done more often. Excellent tribute, very well done sir.

  • @MindAtEasePL
    @MindAtEasePL 5 місяців тому +7

    I really appreciate all the hard work you put into creating this film and telling an extraordinary story. Thank you for this and other documents. A very good and useful channel for 2WW history enthusiasts. Greetings from Poland

  • @nicensleazy1892
    @nicensleazy1892 5 місяців тому +8

    Well done folks - excellent research and investigation. As a former professional road cyclist , I often trained around these areas and know them well.

  • @cyndiebill6631
    @cyndiebill6631 5 місяців тому +10

    ♥️😭So young. Just want to thank him all the guys who risked their live to get these stories told so the American people would know what was happening all those miles away.

  • @BattlefieldCurator
    @BattlefieldCurator 5 місяців тому

    Amazing story and presentation! I family friend was in the Battle of the Bulge, he shared with me his story of how he and his unit were captured as POWs. He passed away about 10 years ago

  • @Chiller11
    @Chiller11 5 місяців тому +2

    Wallerode looks like a lovely place in 2023. These then and now episodes are fascinating and personalize the war often down to the individual soldier like Hugh McHugh.

  • @jimfalcione1554
    @jimfalcione1554 5 місяців тому +3

    Beautiful tribute to this young man. May he never be forgotten.