The D-Day Victoria Cross: The Actions of C.S.M. Stanley Hollis | June 1944
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- Опубліковано 27 вер 2024
- On the 6 June 1944, the 50th Northumbrian Division began landing on Gold Beach in Normandy. Among the units leading the Division ashore was the 6th Battalion, the Green Howards, who, against minimal opposition, began moving inland to secure its objectives. Involved in this advance was Company Sergeant Major Stanley Hollis who, on two separate occasions, displayed the utmost gallantry in not only singlehandedly securing a German strongpoint but also, later in the day, extracting two colleagues who were pinned down by heavy fire. These actions ultimately led to him being awarded the Victoria Cross, Britain's highest Military decoration.
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Hi all,
I just wanted to briefly add another story about C.S.M. Stanley Hollis that I didn't include in the video, as it wasn't an action that led to him being awarded the Victoria Cross.
On the 11 June 1944, five days after D-Day, the 6 Green Howards moved off to secure Point 102, which lies approximately 17km from Gold Beach near the village of Cristot. Although the advance initially progressed without incident, the leading elements of the Battalion soon encountered German positions that inflicted heavy casualties on the British Infantry. Eventually,
D Company was brought forward to takeover the advance, with C.S.M. Stanley Hollis leading a Platoon up a dirt track.
Within minutes, the Platoon was pinned down by a German Machine Gun post sited at the top of the track. Aware that the advance could not continue unless this enemy position was dealt with, C.S.M. Hollis crawled forward and got eyes-on the MG post, prior to him turning to a nearby soldier and asking for, and receiving, a hand grenade. The Sergeant Major then proceeded to launch the grenade in the direction of the enemy dug-out, but immediately afterwards he realised that he had forgotten to pull out the pin.
Subsequently, C.S.M. Hollis grabbed his Sten gun, charged up the track and reached the enemy position, where he began firing into it with his Sten, in the process killing two German soldiers and knocking out the Machine Gun post. In doing so, the Sergeant Major opened the way for his Platoon to continue the advance up the dirt track.
However, not long after, the whole of the 6 Green Howards began to withdraw from the area as the War Diary records:
"Owing to the threat by enemy tanks to our [Line of Communication's], the CO withdrew the Bn to [an area West of Cristot] and there the Bn dug-in at 2200hrs."
Can you please do a video on Charles Upham? Most decorated commonwealth solider of WW2 and only combat solider to win 2 VCs
I would have put that story in the pre-amble section of the vid. It helps get a better sense of who the guy was instead of a snapshot.
Legends!
@@rodsizle1274 having read mark of the Lion how could you get all he did in a 5 minute video. Even the powers that be agreed that in fact he should have received 3 VC's but combine two action into one citation!
Nice video and very informative and very entertaining and very satisfaction more videos.
I am glad that you covered CSM Hollis. He deserves to be better known. A very brave man.
Hope there's a statue for him somewhere
Instead of, "bring up the machine gun" or "call for artillery support" the Green Howards just called for CSM Hollis.
There is an addition to your story, two other soldiers accompanied CSM Hollis to the machine gun position one was my father and another my father reached up to throw a grenade into the gun position, and at the same time the machine gun let rip and he was wounded, for his bravery he was mentioned in despatch and received the oak leaf and he returned home, when he was fit he returned to fight and served in the army for 26 years.
Them craters at 2:06 were made by his gigantic balls of steel!
What a legend!
Now if only there was a film about this mans actions.
Yes what a good movie that would be .
Mr Hollis is from my hometown of Middlesbrough, the green Howards are our local regiment and are now part of the Yorkshire regiment. He ran pubs after the war and struggled with the demon drink but he was tough as old boots
The trauma suffered by many vets by what they had been through meant the war never ended for them. There was little understanding of PTSD and zero support. Absolute heroes the lot of them xx
what an incredible human. really makes me proud to call the uk home
Innit bruv... 🙃
Got to feel for those poor 8 lads who were cut down 😥
Sergeant Major Stanley Hollis is that type a man a U.S. Marine would refer to as a
"Hard Charger".
Cheers to the Sgt. Major! 🍻
When one looks at the photographs of S.M. Hollis, he looks perfectly normal yet at the right time he behaves extraordinarily. Such is the character of Victoria Cross holders. May he rest in peace and the memory of his actions be exalted for many year to come.
It was the fighting in land where it really became a nightmare for those men. over 8 Panzer divisions, 7 infantry divisions and 3 tiger tank battalions stood in the way of the British advance. For such a confined area, they faced A LOT of German armour.
You never call a CSM a Sgt. It's either Sgt-Maj, or Sir. This is an excellent remembrance, but every time you said 'Sgt', nails across a chalkboard. What an amazing man! Well done!!
Man I wish I could've met him.😥 What a great warrior. Better than a movie hero.
total respect,gratitude and admireration,thank you sir.....
Something I've noticed is that most soldiers awarded their nations highest honour look like completely normal and unremarkable people. You'd think they'd be some Rambo-looking moutains of muscles but they usualy look like someone you'd pass by on the street without giving them a second thought.
Funny how life is stranger than fiction sometimes.
"Ordinary" people are capable of extraordinary things.
there's a big difference between 'useful' muscle and the sort of muscle you build working out. Most farmers I know will outdo most gym bunnies I know, but it's a v particular set of muscles they build. Same with old-fashioned soldiering.
Many of the British VC recipients are notably small. Then there's the US most decorated soldier of WW2, Audie Murphy. He was something like 5' 5" and built like a matchstick, he looks like a child in a mans uniform in some photos. I've always suspected that being smaller means that you're less of a target to hit, rather than being some big shithouse that even a crappy marksman couldn't miss lol.
Great to see a member of my local regiment (and a fellow Teessider) getting some deserved recognition
Ran pubs in North ormesby after the war, a tough old man
He was so brave and he survived the war! His courage looked so extreme I was asking myself: "Did he die next day trying to do the same thing again?" But he did it again! And he carried on until he was invalided out a few months later. Not reckless at all. Just a brave man with good judgement.
Finally, a video on UA-cam with 0 dislikes. Your work is a true tribute! Well edited and narrated. It's cool to see the reconnaissance photos as well.
You spoke too soon
@@hughgrection4205 that I did sir :(
@@RandomGuyComments How can you possibly reconcile with a dislike on such as this, but mental diseases come in many forms
Just when I thought this day couldn’t get better, liveth for evermore drops a vid
Top man, punching forward when required.
From my hometown of Middlesbrough. A statue of him was erected in 2015 at the cenotaph in the town centre.
You can still see the very lane that Green Howards advanced up from the beach (there is a tiny plaque on a beach hut there as I recall) and the lane leads up to the villa with the circular drive (nickname "lavatory pan villa" by the troops I think). The gun battery bunkers are still there too.
I read the book "The Longest Day" when I was 15yo. about 45 years ago. Stanley Hollis was mentioned there, as he had a good meal and just slept very well after cleaning his Sten gun on the evening of the Normandy invasion. He was totally cool and not nervous at all. He was a veteran of Dunkirk and Alamein and was very confident too.
Never seen his picture before, soo thanks, nice story.
Great statue of him in his home town Middlesbrough
I'm sure my grandfather who was from north Yorkshire told me about Stan Hollis. Whenever we went in his car for a drive towards staithes and Whitby he would drive past a place and told me the landlord had win the VC during d day. I even remember him telling me his name which was Stan . He had a pub but was tough as nails and wouldn't take any nonsense. I think he had a drink their once and said his pub was quite rough!!! Anyway my grandfather was from north Yorkshire and was very proud someone from his area had win a VC. He was a Bevan boy (hated it and wanted to serve) but was a little bit young . He done his national service and was in Malaysia where he fought against Communist"terrorists" as he called them . Also his best friend's dad was killed in the far east when he was a prisoner to the Japanese. He also knew a few others who where captured by the Japanese and hated them . He wouldn't have anything Japanese in the house. But he had so much respect and admiration for the ghurkas whom he served alongside with in Malaysia. He was an amazing man . Very quiet and very humble but loved his country but especially his county ( North Yorkshire) which he always referred to as god's own country!! Anyhow we north easterners are especially proud of Sgt Stan Hollis VC. What a legend from the finest generation. I take my young son to the local cemetery and show him the war graves and tell him so he knows that these brave men (and women) fought against Nazi world domination and helped to liberate Europe and the further world so we can live in peace now. 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
That was a waste of time and life. My preferred invasion is Germany, 1940. Peace be unto you.
These guys were a completely different breed. Total respect.
It has always amazed me how many soldiers do not partake in combat, besides being there, and are able to lay and watch true warriors perform their craft. Their reluctance to act just makes the valor shown to glow just that much more.
Whilst I understand your point (although I don't agree with it) you have to consider it in the light of most of the troops being war time conscripts and not full time pre war professional soldiers.
I've had the 'pleasure' of being in many combat situations and the biggest issue has been holding the lads back!
Glad people are still talking about my family and that his story still lives on even after all the years wish I had got to meet him Thankyou for this video 😢❤️
I donated the Jacob Kramer portrait of C S M Stanley Hollis to the Green Howards Museum in Richmond
Nice museum, well worth a visit - as is the rest of Richmond.
Another awesome guy! Thanks for these videos! Keep them coming!
This was the ONLY Victoria Cross awarded on the 6th June.
A local hero and as brave as they come, I salute you Stanley Hollis.
from my regiment and area,absolute hero,had a pub called the green howard
A fellow green Howard
My late father in law was with CSM Hollis on Gold Beach. He was also a Bren gunner but I don't know if he was involved in that action.
Legends all of them!
My 2nd cousin's name is listed on the memorial with the statue of C.S.M Hollis in the village of Crepon.
I’m amazed he made it off the landing craft, considering the weight of his massive balls
Great little video of a true hero from my hometown, Middlesbrough. There is a celebration of his and others' heroics outside of the cenotaph, Albert Park, Middlesbrough, tonight, 6/6/24, @9pm to honour them.
Excellent as usual.
Thanks.
Bruh what kind of sorcery is this?!
I like these kinds of videos describing the events of a single person, or a small team, they feel more involved and in depth. Videos describing a whole battle or event make it feel like we're missing a lot of information and details.
Amazing video, can you go over the battle of Mogadishu next? I think you’d be best for explaining such an important battle
What a brave Man ,one of many ,and what a gutsey indevidual...
Excellent presentation of actions of a fine, brave, leader.
Nice to hear a story about d day that doesn’t involve Omaha beach for once.
He used to work at Dorman Long Acklam steelworks in Middlesbrough after we war and worked alongside my father - they never got on. My father was a hero too, although he wasn’t awarded that particular medal, serving in the Royal Navy from 1939, and then from 1942 he was in the Royal Navy Commandos in North Africa, Italy and the Far East - and was there when Mountbatten received the surrender of Japanese forces in Singapore in 1945. Every man fighting, and many dying for freedom from tyranny are ALL heroes.
It’s to bad he passed away so young, cheers for the such a British hero, I think that’s how it is said over there? and thank you Sergeant Major from the USA
Excellent!
I had the honour of taking is brother to Normandy .and at the statue of is brother he spread is ashes very touching
Thank you Stanley.
Amazing.
A real veteran of many battles...
Good video, thanks! I had read about CSM Hollis in several books re the Normandy battles, and this video gave me more context re his actions. An impressive free man!!
So proud to have been a Green Howard like CSM Hollis. Never forgotten by our regiment
Not forgotten in the town of his birth with a school named after him.
We are indebted to all who served thank Hollis
Amazing leadership!
My Grandfather served in the same regiment in Normandy, up against some formidable German units once they got inland and they suffered high casualties
The British and Canadians really had the worst of it, fighting against eight panzer divisions and 3 tiger tank battalions 😧
@@Bullet-Tooth-Tony- fanatical Hitler youth was something I heard my father say a lot as kid during the 70s, my grandfather must’ve been fighting the 12th SS Panzer Division.
@@fusilier9276 bloody hell, they were tough for 16 year olds, then again they were Waffen SS so that was to be expected. Respect to your grandfather.
My dad served with the Green Howards in France, North Africa and Italy. His regimental number was two numbers short of Stan Hollis'. Dad never spoke about the war.
Impressive
I like to think that if I was pushed that I could preform like he did. Hopefully I’ll never have to find out.
The real deal, a real hero, thank you Sir
Thank you Grandad - Thank you Papa
❤🇬🇧
I'm sure I have a photo of his vc (may have been a replica) and the citation for it from a Ww2 museum in Normandy. It was just in a case on the wall. Amazing story behind his actions.
Great presentation of a great man, even your voice is perfect...
Outstanding soldiering!!
There's a statue of csm Stanley hollis at the cenotaph in middlesbrough
What an amazing man, it's a shame he only live to be 59.
To die so young while having done so much. He was a real hero.
My Grandfather, Staff Sergeant J. L. Winstead-US Army was part of the 2nd wave onto Omaha Beach. Purple Heart, Bronze Star with a V. 🇺🇸
The massive collaboration between nations brought down evil.
It's the COLLABORATION between nations that we need to CONTINUE in these times, as countries seem to be thinking more and more selfishly😔😔😔
Brave. What a guy.
How can someone even run with balls as big as his...?
A pivotal part of the war, when even the most humble individual, had to stand up and propel himself into the annals of history
Truly an inspiration. That thumbnail photo though, woof. "He was rewarded for his valiant service with carrots and sugar cubes."
Stan Hollis also won the military medal in the retreat to Dunkirk in 1940 but after he got back to Britain he got into some disciplinary trouble and the award was cancelled as a punishment.
After he cleared the bunker, I was like nice and informative video, we’re only halfway through this mad lads story xd
Great video! My children are direct descendants of Stanley (my sons middle name is Elton after his great great grandfather). I've recently been telling them this story. Your video helped give them a lot if context.
Out of interest where did you find the video footage of him at the end of the vid? I've never seen it before.
We're fortunate that such fine men lived...We could use a few now.
Brave man a hero 👍🇬🇧
this guy should have a movie made about him to show how great we can be ........of course idris elba or riz ahmed will be playing him for historical accuracy
Courage and heroism is good, but doesn't necessary bring any results.
Assessing the battlefield and taking the the right decisions is paramount.
Stanley Hollis had both had both the courage and the necessary overview of the situation to handle handle it with success.
That is why he was a good soldier.
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Many young men have died during battles over centuries.
Most wars have been started by a few, powerful men.
It doesn't matter whether
Now might be the time to admit that the human being is not fit to live on this earth.
We, Homo Sapiens, are animals and act like animals.
Proof respect is earned 💯
Bravo!
I stayed in a gite in crepon in 2004. It was a large farmhouse where the mayor lived, and had been used as an hq by the Germans in the war. The owner showed me two small swastikas which had been scratched in the stonework by a bored guard. The village was liberated quite quickly on June 6th
Good lad.
As usual the real work gets done by the working class geezers. A right proper C.S.M. The Bren is a heavy gun so storming out and spraying suppressive fire like that shows what a brave tough guy he was. All pluck and no pens. I was sad Mr.Hollis didnt get the much longer life he deserved. A free Europe and a free UK. Mr.Hollis. A legend.
what a madlad
Hate to be that guy but Company Sergent Major is held by a WO2, addressing him as sergant is incorrect.
Still an amazing man and great video. Keep up the good work.
What men are made me thinks...great upload.............
What we do in life echoes for eternity.
People who want to deface our cenotaph should be made to watch these stories, for without the sacrifices of our fathers/grandfathers they themselves would not be alive today enjoying the freedom that we have.
Real hero
Wow.
If I remember correctly on top of his actions he had received a nasty burn on one of his hands that morning from touching a gun barrel that was hot from just firing.
Brave man and a hero , God Bless Him :-)
Could ya have posted this 10 minutes earlier when i was eating lunch
Why is it that most Victoria cross stories begin with “ I picked up a Bren gun”?
RIP.
God dam Warrior!
How cold do Hollis eyes look... last bloke on the planet you would want to rochambeau with
Hero ,an ordinary person in extraordinary circumstances.
NOT going and getting beers.