I’m rewatching because a man I cared for just passed at 102 1/2 years young and was part of Operation Cowboy. He was so proud of being a part of it. Told the story to anyone who would listen. Wish I could hear it one more time.
I love hearing how, after so many of that era died far too young, some veterans still managed to live to such a venerable old age. It is like a giant raspberry in the face to the forces that were willing to imagine and to bring about such terrible destruction.
In one of the most brutal conflicts known in modern times, for soldiers to literally put their lives on the line to save some horses shows what the good parts of being human really are, thanks for making this, it made my day just a little better.
COL Reed’s quote, “We were so tired of death and destruction that we just wanted to do something beautiful.” resonates the healing power that a horse can have on a Soldier’s heart. It eludes to a dynamic and innate relationship between man and horse that can not readily be explained in meager a comment or a much appreciated UA-cam video. As one who is no stranger to war, I can attest to the axiom that there is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man (Churchill?) rings true. I don’t have a Lipizzaner, but I do have a Kiger Mustang which is fitting I guess since I’m no GEN Patton either.
I have seen these horses perform twice. They are quite beautiful. The gentleman that owned them was almost as enjoyable to watch as the horses. He would feed them treats after each one finished. There is something about a man with a massive moustache sweet talking horses in German? Austrian? that has to be seen. One young horse, performing for the first time, got distracted by the audience and messed up. I kid you not, the horse went right over to the man and put its head against his chest. He petted it and told the horse in English "You are young and still learning. There is nothing to fear. I am here with you and your rider will keep you safe." It was so sweet.
As a former dressage rider I'm fully aware of the story, as well as of the deeds of Oberst Alois Podhajsky before and after the war. I appreciate you brought this to the attention of the new generation. I believe it is a shame that the "modern" dressage school has kept the Lipizzaners out of the Olympic movement. Fortunately the Spanish Riding School in Austria and the École de Cavalerie de Saumur in France have managed to survive.
A great, but far more horrible story to complement this would be the story of the Trek. The journey to flee the Red Army and save as many Trakehners as possible. Under heavy shelling and bombardment in snow and ice. So few survived and most of those left behind became meat for Russian soldiers, except for a few that Russian and Polish soldiers with horse sense recognised and saved to improve their respective breeding stocks.
Why would anyone give thumbs-down to this excellent history video? Was it because Patton wasn't really a horse person and didn't understand the importance of the Lipizzaners. At least, he allowed horse lovers to save these horses!
One of the most touching aspects of this story is the cathartic effect it had on the soldiers that participated in saving innocent life after seeing so much death and destruction. I hope that it helped them and gave them comfort in the years after the war, knowing they helped preserve these remarkable horses.
Thanks for this report. My dear and true Father was among the soldier horsemen, who, under Colonel Hank Reed made the dash for the Lipizzaners. Among his war memories this was rare as an action he could relate with nothing but happiness. This work of yours renders warming details to remembrance. You're The History Guy. :)
As a man who’s first riding horses were a team of dappled gray Percheron draft horses that my brother and I rode across the fields during farm operations before we started school, and who is still caring for the last of Dad’s horses, this story was told many times at home. As you have pointed out here, there are people that care about doing good things for the right reason. I thank you for straightening out the who, what, when, where, why, and how of the operation.
Robert Queberg I was able to buy my dream horse, a 2 year old Percheron mare when I was 44 years old and she was the most loyal and connected to me horse I ever had the pleasure of knowing. I’m almost envious of your childhood memories and hope you’re grateful for those experiences!
Susan Lumen , Yes, I am very grateful for the many experiences and responsibilities that shaped my later life. Along with a pony, my brother and I got a brand new manure fork. Dad later kept between 12-15 head of horses, which were my responsibility. I am keeping the last of Dad’s horses, until death do us part. When a person understands the uneasy relationship between a predator(us), and a prey species(horses), things can become very nice. I do not like the term, breaking a horse. Treating a horse as an equal is much safer for all parties involved. As a kid, I was taught that you made a horse do things. Later in life I adopted the strategy of making them want to. Enjoy your horse every day.
Robert Queberg Sadly I had to put Mercy down three years ago, which I did myself because I felt that she deserved to be with her most familiar human who loved her for the 18 years we were together. By the way, I agree completely with you on working with a horse on empathetic lines, listening to them for their input. I have found this to produce the best and most rewarding relationship! And I own my own manure fork!
Susan Lumen , Good girl. There is a lot to be learned from being a manure fork operator. You have more time to talk to them, and to spot changes in their health. It is sad to hear that your Mercy is gone. The years that you shared, paid great dividends to both of you.
Thank you for your channel. This one hit particularly close to home as I actually learned to ride back in the 60's on one of the horses saved by Col. Reed and brought to the US. She lived a long and happy life and was the horse that all of us kids learned to ride on since she was so well trained and great with children. Unfortunately I'm not sure what her real name was as we all called her KZ since I'm sure her real name was unpronounceable to a child.
animals dont care how you say their name they just want a loving gaze and words spoken with love. you know that horse loved you and that horse knew you loved her!
An awesome video. My wife has a cousin whose mother was one of the post war (late 40's through late 50') Austrian veterinarians caring for the Lipizzaner horses at the Spanish Riding School. From her stories and recollections, it was nothing short of a miracle those horses survived amid the chaos and deprivations of post war Europe. She immigrated to the US in the late 50's and married here in the US.
If i was still in school i definitely would have showed my teacher THG and The Great War channel (or the ww2 channel now). THG and Indy Niedel deliver history in a way most find enjoyable
I got to see these horses in person. 10 feet away during the show. It caused me to cry to watch knowing this bit of history, and it still does. Thank you for posting this bit of history showing that humans can still be kind in the mind of death and destruction.
I’m glad that your presentation gives credit for the rescue of the Lipizzaners to Col Reed and the men of the 2nd Cavalry. Most people think of Gen Patton as leading the effort. I remember the tireless efforts of Lou Holz of the 2nd Cavalry Association to gain this recognition for Col Reed. Thanks for another great history short. “Toujours Pret”.
According to the Second Cavalry Association, Colonel Reed didn't consult with Patton before embarking on the rescue mission.. This was on his own initiative.
There is a scene in the movie "Patton" that shows the general (George C. Scott) riding (yes, the real Patton was quite an accomplished rider, having served in the cavalry in WWI) a white horse in an indoor arena that bears a strong resemblance to the Spanish Riding School. He is doing this while answering reporters' questions.
The cavalry formation lives on as the 2nd Cavalry Regiment (Stryker) to this day. In fact, every day since 1836, the longest continuously serving active U.S. regiment.
I have Alois Podhajsky's book on the his life which definitely covered this period. Since I was a child and saw Disney's movie "Miracle of the White Stallions" I have been in love and absorbed all I could on the subject. Special thanks for such a thorough coverage of the subject of this rescue - I learned quite a bit!
I have the book as well, and it taught me a great deal about understanding the behavior of my own horses. I also had the privilege of seeing Col. Podhajski on tour in Chicago in 1964. The show was truly amazing.
@@erynlasgalen1949 I am envious of you actually seeing him. Was he riding in the performance or just running the show? He is such a master of equitation!
I love horses, I was raised with them. I remember very well seeing the Disney movie on the saving of the stud farm. I've seen the Lippizaners perform a few times in person. They are magnificent. The 'airs above the ground' must be seen to be believed. Thank you for this special (to me anyway) history lesson. I so enjoy your channel.
Is that where the horse with rider springs up clear of the ground while staying in the same position? I think I may have seen it performed while watching a documentary.
I just re-watched the Miracle of the White Stallions yesterday... I saw them in 1972... it firmly solidified my passion for horses. I'm 57 and still remember....
Great episode. They really are amazing animals. When I was 10 years old I was at the Texas state fair and they had a Lipizzaner show planned (we had tickets) but the whole thing was rained out and the fairgrounds were empty. We took refuge inside the arena where the show was supposed to be. The show had been canceled but they were exercising the horses. There was almost no one in the place and we were just watching them work the horses out and one of them saw me and asked if I wanted to sit on the horse while he ran it though it's paces. We stuck around because we knew we wouldn't be able to to come back for the show and they (my grandparents) had always heard about the horses and seen them on TV and they were huge fans but they had never seen them in person. They spent several days telling me how amazing they were and how lucky we all were to get to go see them. I have to say It ended up being way better than any show. My grandparents got to pet the horses as well so they go to check that one off their bucket list before they went =)
My father, George Washington Timkey, served in the second cav and was part of this rescue mission. So very proud of his involvement in Operation Cowboy and his selfless sacrifice for our country. Like most veterans he never spoke of his service. If there are any other sons or daughters of the men that participated I would love the chance to engage in a dialogue with you.
I wa fortunate to have seen the Lippizaners in person once. I have always been a horse lover, much as I am a dog lover. I've had the privilege of seeing the finest cutting horses, the fastest race horses, the horses and ponies used to comfort terminally ill kids. Horses are not far behind dogs, if behind at all in their gifts to the human race. I had heard bits and pieces of the liberation of the Lipizzaner stallions, but this is by far the most comprehensive accounting of the story I've heard. A tip of my cowboy hat to the stalwart men who joined to save this brilliant breed. I, like Patton love art and music, but those able to work their magic on animals are no less artists than Remington was. Or Willie Nelson. Thanks History Guy for an uplifting story about the saving of a world treasure.
When I was a youngster (and I can't remember exactly when..... It was the mid to late 60's, so I was 10-13 years old) Mom took me and my sister to see the Lipizanners perform in Minneapolis. I was amazed. I never realized just how close we came to losing them until your video, THG. Thank you for telling this story!
THANK YOU for doing this! The movie, "Miracle of the White Stallions" is about this story as well in part. I did a 27-page research paper on the Lipizzaners in 8th grade! If I get to visit nowhere else in my life, my one bucket list item is to see the Spanish Riding School in Vienna and see the stallions perform there! :) (Have been riding my whole life, including dressage and show jumping.)
I just finished watching Miracle of the White Stallions on UA-cam. (I remember the movie from 1963 - I was 9 years old back then.) Then I found myself at this video. This was great! Not too long or too technical. Great historic film footage! It was also great to compare it to Disney's movie version. It is always interesting to see how movies compare to history and how much poetic licence is taken in the process. I like to learn the actual historic facts. As a kid, I wouldn't have really cared, because Disney movies were so mesmerizing. But as I get older, I find history much more fascinating. This is my first visit to The History Guy, but I will be back. Thanks for your post! Looking forward to my next history lesson!
As a child, I had a comic book with this story in it. I've always wanted to go to the Spanish Riding School to see these magnificent horses and riders. Thanks, HG, for the wonderful telling of this story.
Very interesting to me, as my dad, who trained with the Wyoming National Guard Calvary troop, was one of the men that went in and helped to bring them out.
I lived on a cattle ranch in Montana until I was 8, so I started life on horse back. When I was in my teens and living in Oregon, my dad took the family to see them. And it was indeed "absolutely amazing to watch". I got to see them a second time in Germany.
Was this at the Tryon equestrian center? Now I'm wishing I had went! Middle of a hurricane, the place half built way behind schedule due to all the rain we had(and continue to have) that show did not stand a chance.. 1/4th the audience they hoped for which is a real shame for the state. Assuming that's where you saw them.
I don't know how you do it. But the emotion you evoke in others when listening to you describe history can bring tears to the eyes of many. Keep up the fantastic job of shining a light on the parts of history that have been overshadowed by other major events.
j nieblin: I believe it's the history guy's passion for history, along with his gift for story telling that brings history to life. History is vitally important and DOES deserve to be remembered!
I took my wife to see these beautiful horses a couple years ago. It was an amazing experience. Thank you to those men who worked so hard to preserve this wonderful aspect of history. Thank you History Guy for helping this to be remembered.
I always loved the story of the horses on Assateague Island on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. I am not sure it would be worthy of a History Guy video, but it is a cool story none the less. Thanks for another great video!
Thank you for such a moving story. As a former soldier and WWII history fan, this was one of your first tales to move me to tears. Keep up the good work!
My grandmother's cousin, Karl Wernli, was part of this raid to recover the Lipizzaners. He served under Patton throughout the war and was even an eyewitness to the infamous hospital slapping incident on Sicily.
It's unfortunate that the surrendered German general's name that set all this in motion has been lost to history. Col. Reed had met with with this German general over breakfast, and he told Reed about the location of the Lipizzaner stallions as well as the location of 400 allied prisoners and 25 Russian deserters in Hostau. The US probably wouldn't have arrived at Hostau in time to save the stallions if not for this chance meeting.
@@amadeusamwater I have read that but the POW records don't show a general of that name near western Czechoslovakia at the time of the rescue. There were several generals with similar names as POW's but none of them would have been involved with the horses. The feeling among historians is we just don't know for sure who this general was.
@@amadeusamwaterIt could have been one of two things. Either Lt. Holz misremembered the name or our own POW records are wrong and Lt. Holz got it right. The Army was taking tens of thousands of prisoners a day as German positions were overrun or they just surrendered in the face of advancing Russian troops. Things were pretty hectic, and soldiers were routinely giving false names if they were afraid of being found out for their criminal activities. At this late date, historians haven't been able to figure out who this general really was, so his name is lost to history pending any new information.
I think that this breed of horse is one of the most elegant of all of them and yet, each has its own unique characteristics which causes me to love them all.
One of your best shows!! Humans seem to always be doing such horrible things, it's wonderful to be reminded that some can still make the rest of us proud. I breed and raise horses and have been researching the Lipizzan, a magnificent animal indeed. It's certainly one reason the Prussian military parades were so spectacular. Keep up the fantastic work you do, sir, it's very important and much appreciated. God bless!
A beautiful history indeed. The Pedigree of these horses represented so much. To loose these amazing animals would be the loss of an amazing history and tradition. The WW2 generation is fading. But for those soldiers who saved these horses, their actions has caused joy and amazement for future generations. They live on in the joyful glee in children’s eyes watching these amazing horses.
Thank you for making this video. I have studied dressage under some of the best in Minnesota. My mentor absolutely loved these horses. She had both a Lippizaner and an Andulusion. They are absolutely amazing. Again, thank you.
I saw them when they were in Fresno California. I had known the story for years but while watching I silently thanked all responsible for saving the breed.
Erin Thorkildsen If that show was put on by a family with the last name of Herrmann, my family knew them. While they were touring in Calif. with their "Airs Above The Ground" show they had some mechanical problems with one of their cars. My dad was a mechanic & he helped them. We also owned horses, our parents spoke german & a friendship developed. The father of the family (who was quite elderly by then; it was his adult sons who handled the performing) was one of the people involved in rescuing the Lipizzaners. We had a wonderful opportunity to learn about the horse's history, & be shown how they're trained, as well as a seat in the VIP box at the show. The family still has a Lipizzan farm in Florida, operated now by the grandaughter. I think they still do some shows. Our families lost touch, but I still have some beautiful photos of them & the horses.
I have owned and bred Lipizzan horses in Southern California since 1983. One of my purchased stallion's ancestors was born at Hostau, and no doubtedly arrived in the shipment mentioned. I fell in love with the breed at seven years old, when I saw the Disney movie 'Miracle of the White Stallions'. Thank you for covering this... I've been subscribing for months and was surprised to see you cover this so well.
Bravo! I salute you on the most favorite vlog of all your productions, mainly I admit bc I love the Lippezanners and this story of their rescue and their preservation. That they still show the art of battle maneuvers and educate people on their training and patience in breeding and equestrian handling is a tribute to people long past that sought to deliver Europe and her treasures. Such a poignant interjection of the comparison of liberating the terrible hell pits of the concentration camps and how the world has yet to learn of the depravity of man's worst nightmarish sin of genocide. We have to be grateful for the few moments of compassion that held on through the midst of all the grisly remains of war. Thank you again.
Thank you! The more I learn about Patton, the less I think he's a stone cold warrior. He was a human being and it's far to easy to remove those attributes from historical figures.
Thanks for sharing the pieces of history most people don't know or have been forgotten . We need to realize that the unsung and forgotten stories are as important as the glory and guts stories to our collective history !
Thanks for yet another AMAZING piece of history. There were many others, Germans, Austrians and other Europeans who managed to preserve these horses for months before "...then the Americans came marching in. Tra la la." I am forwarding this to the family of a young teenage girl, possibly 13 who gave up everything to see these horses survived during the months before their rescue. They will be proud of Muti's sacrifice of family, education and and a future career for what she loved. She later went with some of these horses to the UK and then on to Cyprus to work as a stable hand, hardly the job you'd expect from the daughter of an industrialist and German nobility.
There were quite a few harrowing stories- including the horses being present for the bombing of Dresden. In fact, there are stories from previous wars as well. Generations of people have sacrificed to keep this tradition alive.
Thanks for your quick response. As those British Colonial types would say, your deeds show you to be an officer and a gentleman! It's meant as a compliment but who would want to be a useless English officer? Who would aspire to be a gingoist boring English gentleman? How useless are British officers? The actress Charlies Theron's great great uncle and his 105 men were so troublesome during the Anglo-Boer war that the British assigned a special unit of 4000 men to deal with them. The British officers and troops failed. OUCH!
@@johnbondza An yet, in the end, they still capitulated to the British led by officers and gentlemen. Please don't denigrate another country because of their traditions. Most British officers today would like to be thought of as gentlemen, and why not?
@@knightowl3577 perhaps one should study the British Officers of that 1898 - 1903 war. When they couldn't catch the wily Boor/boer, they put the boore women and children in concentration camps to die. One third did! More than half my relatives died. A truly proud tradition don't you think what-oh. Before we retire to the terrace for a couple of pink G&Ts, please remind me of how proud you are of your GREAT officers. If 4000 english soldiers can't eliminate 105enemy, then kill their sweethearts, dispose of their mothers, eliminate their young sisters and brothers. Now that's a proud achievement for the omnipresent and omnipotent British Officer! (Or is it?) History is the record of the winning side. We remember the valour of the winners and the atrocities of the losers. Trouble is that in the Anglo-Boor/boer conflict, it's so difficult do find Boor/boer atrosoties. It's so easy to find ones by English officers. The sins of the fathers shall be visited on their children, even to the third and fourth generations. Edit - A lot of military prowess is about the units tradition. An officer accepts those traditions when he joins the unit. He cannot later claim these traditions selectively. He must speak out about any atrocities and traditions that are unacceptable to humanity. Show us one unit or even one officer who in the last 100 years has had the guts to speak out! Is those the traditions defining a gentleman in English society. Then please mark me as one who is NO GENTLEMAN.
@@johnbondza Sorry I did not realise you had a huge chip on your shoulder for events that are long gone. You see everyone seem to hate the English today for the actions of their forefathers. What can I say, the British were not fast or efficient enough in the action you are so proud of? They weren't and failed badly but what they did do is they learned from it and used that in future encounters. Yes, the British did many things that from today's perspective look brutal, but they were different times and that is how history played out. I can make no excuses or apologise for the actions of my long gone countrymen, and what would be the point? I'm glad you have great pride in the actions of your forefathers. Just as I am proud of mine. Which were Irish by the way and not at all aristocratic. I had an ancestor that fought in the second Boer War as we call it here, a signals officer, l am proud of him because he served his country just as both my Grandfathers, my Father and his brothers did in WWI and WWII. I hope my ancestor that came to your land was a gentleman. And I always endeavour to be one myself. Remember we are both here because of an interest in history and the past is a place where things were done differently, all we can do is learn from their mistakes.
You're riding high in the saddle rounding up yet another maverick piece of our forgotten past, History Guy! Thanks for corralling me with a great video!
Marvelous story - thank you. I visited Gen'l Patton's grave at the American Military Cemetery next to the Luxemburg Airport back in 2011. Truly eye watering looking over the 5,500+ graves there. Fighting the Nazi regime was a true noble effort, if there ever was one. As you so well depicted in your video - saving something so beautiful in all of the death and destruction, must have been an eager mission. Thank you again for all of your videos.
We love your channel! My 9 year old son watches every video and discusses history with us. We are thankful that you tell stories of forgotten and unknown stories to our generations.
As a teen, I worked at a barn where an old Lipizzaner circus horse resided. He used to stand alone in the corner of his paddock and perform some of his tricks. What a gentle old soul he was.
Good video, but it seems very unfair to say General Patton 'washed his hands' of the problem! 04:31 He gave his approval and then turned his attention the hundreds of other difficult problems and decisions, I don't think anyone would expect him to micro-manage this particular operation.
He made a comment in his memoirs about it being odd for healthy men of military age to have been caring for those horses during the war instead of fighting.
From what I have read about General Patton he was not a micromanager. He gave an order expected it to be followed. His style of leadership would not fair well today. He was not a team player. He was a glory seeker. He was reprimanded in private and public by his superiors several times for his actions. His legendary status is probably polished to what it was at the time. We tend to remember the good things
I love how you take pains to detail all the honors and decorations service men (and women) receive in episodes like this one. Your respect and admiration for military service shines through in your work. Many thanks to you and your wife.
One can easily understand how men, who had faced death for years, should want to try and save these magnificent animals. Quite an amazing, and inspiring story!
OUTSTANDING! That was an absolutely wonderful presentation and this old Marine enjoyed it very much. Our military has fought for freedom, with courage and dignity. This very special operation and your expert telling of it, serve to illustrate that perfectly. Thank sir for such an excellent video.
I live in Montana. I was talking with a friend last night for cards, and she brought up a man she had met and had chatted with years before who was a Montana cowboy that was involved in fact I believe she stated was the lead wrangler moving the horses because he had experience moving cattle and horses from the range here in Montana before the war. She had never heard of the story that you put out but I totally clued her in and was amazed when she shared her portion of that story. I apologize that I did not remember his name, But he has since passed away of course as that generation is quickly disappearing.
Hey History Guy! I live in Philly and walk by the house and national memorial to Thaddeus Kosciuszko. He was an engineer in the Continental Army during the revolution and fought in many other wars back in Europe. His is an amazing story covering two continents and is history that deserves to be remembered!
Disney made a movie about the rescue that I saw as a kid. This is an excerpt from wikipedia. "Miracle of the White Stallions is a 1963 film released by Walt Disney starring Robert Taylor (playing Alois Podhajsky), Lilli Palmer, and Eddie Albert. It is the story of the evacuation of the Lipizzaner horses from the Spanish Riding School in Vienna during World War II"
Excellent video, THG. Most people today have a very thin grasp of the history of The 20th Century and the world wars that shaped today's world. They have forgotten these terrible things that happened to other people on the other side of the planet and they cannot envision anything similar happening again or to them. It surely will. RIP George Patton. What a great man. Had he lived, I believe that many of the issues of today would have been resolved a long time ago.
Those who do not honor and respect the valuable lessons of the past are condemned to repeat the mistakes of the past. It is one of my greatest fears of today.
I have seen them in Vienna and had not previously been aware how close they had come to oblivion. Once again, your history to be remembered, reaches out beyond our borders. BRAVO!
Thank you for this one. A reminder that even in the depths of mankind's worst moments, there are acts of beauty and nobility. I'd put this up with the Christmas Armistice in the Great War. It made my eyes tear up just a little.
I graduated from the same high school as George Patton. His family is buried in the next town to the south of me. Mr. Patton was a "fair and honorable" and though he is not an idle, I look up to him and am grateful for his life accomplishments. His family in smaller ways built the area that I live and have lived in for the last 5 decades. By granting permission, he insured survival of this horse breed.
What a truly inspiring story I a rabid history junkie nonetheless was unaware of. Thank you History Guy for featuring it on the very informative and enjoyable site.
This vignette has to be the finest you have ever done. The humanity exhibited, by all concerned, in a place and time where life was virtually worthless certainly is well worth remembering. Proving once again there is hope for the human race. Thank you, Sir.
A beautiful story. It reminds me of the story of the Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives (MFA&A) team. I think it says something good about the kind of people we are, that those who were tasked with doing the most terrible things in defense of civilization would risk so much to try to preserve cultural treasures.
This is yet another STUNNING example of "the Guy's" genius. Unexplainably, at first, I didn't recognize the treasure these episodes presented. I suppose because they are so short? Once I saw the light, I was overawed by the brilliance it takes to put so much in such a compressed time. The History Guy does what not one in ten thousand would be able to so successfully do. If you are a history buff, then you like me will be out to see EVERY episode the History Guy has and will produce. I watch most of these episodes on my TV's Roku UA-cam channel. But I can't see a way to give a thumbs up there. If I have to logon to my computer to do so, I will.
Dressage is the art of war back In mid evil times when they move a certain way and direction imagine 100 horses doing the same move the same way at the same time in the same direction that is the Art of War
John CocaCola When they were truly war horses they were also trained to bite and rip flesh, kick with devastating accuracy and rear and put a foreleg through an opposing rider. Those things are actually the basis for the beautiful ballet they now perform.
@@johncocacola5377 "it's been an incredible honour to have spent my life in their servitude" Thats one thing I don't think allot of people understand, humans serve the animal as much as animal serves the human when animals and humans work closely together. I honestly think its a large part of what is degrading society.
My family lived about a mile from Col. Reed in the 1960s and had heard of his rescue of the horses. My sisters ride and love horses, we heard through the grapevine that Podhajsky was visiting Col. Reed. My older sister had his book and went to Col. Reed's house and met Podhajsky who graciously autographed it for her. I thank you for bringing this story to light.
I met the US projection of their power onto the world stage always with mixed feelings, ranging from utter disgust to heartfelt admiration. This episode is a shining example from the latter. Greetings from Germany
I have had the pleasure of seeing of seeing these horses perform twice when they came to my city. They are truly magnificent animals. Those that saved then for the world to see are to be commended for their actions. Walt Disney made a movie about the horses rescue and their is a DVD about the Spanish Riding School and its' history. Both are worth viewing. Thanks for posting about this historic event.
I remember seeing the lipizzaners in Portland Oregon when I was a kid. It was the late seventies, early eighties i think. Those where some beautiful beasties. Thanx
I’m rewatching because a man I cared for just passed at 102 1/2 years young and was part of Operation Cowboy. He was so proud of being a part of it. Told the story to anyone who would listen. Wish I could hear it one more time.
I love hearing how, after so many of that era died far too young, some veterans still managed to live to such a venerable old age. It is like a giant raspberry in the face to the forces that were willing to imagine and to bring about such terrible destruction.
❤️🦄❤️
Great Story, I wish I could of Heard him Tell it
My grandfather was apart of this too.
Could you tell us what you remember from the story? Any of his phrases?
In one of the most brutal conflicts known in modern times, for soldiers to literally put their lives on the line to save some horses shows what the good parts of being human really are, thanks for making this, it made my day just a little better.
COL Reed’s quote, “We were so tired of death and destruction that we just wanted to do something beautiful.” resonates the healing power that a horse can have on a Soldier’s heart. It eludes to a dynamic and innate relationship between man and horse that can not readily be explained in meager a comment or a much appreciated UA-cam video. As one who is no stranger to war, I can attest to the axiom that there is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man (Churchill?) rings true. I don’t have a Lipizzaner, but I do have a Kiger Mustang which is fitting I guess since I’m no GEN Patton either.
My grandfather, Luther Howard Campbell, from Rutherford County NC, was one of the men who rescued these horses.
May he rest in peace .... Thanks for what he did. 🐴💯💋🇸🇮
May he rest in peace, and with the honor of having saved such beautiful creatures.
I have seen these horses perform twice. They are quite beautiful. The gentleman that owned them was almost as enjoyable to watch as the horses. He would feed them treats after each one finished. There is something about a man with a massive moustache sweet talking horses in German? Austrian? that has to be seen. One young horse, performing for the first time, got distracted by the audience and messed up. I kid you not, the horse went right over to the man and put its head against his chest. He petted it and told the horse in English "You are young and still learning. There is nothing to fear. I am here with you and your rider will keep you safe." It was so sweet.
As a former dressage rider I'm fully aware of the story, as well as of the deeds of Oberst Alois Podhajsky before and after the war. I appreciate you brought this to the attention of the new generation. I believe it is a shame that the "modern" dressage school has kept the Lipizzaners out of the Olympic movement. Fortunately the Spanish Riding School in Austria and the École de Cavalerie de Saumur in France have managed to survive.
A great, but far more horrible story to complement this would be the story of the Trek. The journey to flee the Red Army and save as many Trakehners as possible. Under heavy shelling and bombardment in snow and ice. So few survived and most of those left behind became meat for Russian soldiers, except for a few that Russian and Polish soldiers with horse sense recognised and saved to improve their respective breeding stocks.
Why would anyone give thumbs-down to this excellent history video? Was it because Patton wasn't really a horse person and didn't understand the importance of the Lipizzaners. At least, he allowed horse lovers to save these horses!
It was my Mom who told me about these horses. She loved them and helped me to understand that they are special.
One of the most touching aspects of this story is the cathartic effect it had on the soldiers that participated in saving innocent life after seeing so much death and destruction. I hope that it helped them and gave them comfort in the years after the war, knowing they helped preserve these remarkable horses.
Thanks for this report. My dear and true Father was among the soldier horsemen, who, under Colonel Hank Reed made the dash for the Lipizzaners. Among his war memories this was rare as an action he could relate with nothing but happiness.
This work of yours renders warming details to remembrance. You're The History Guy. :)
Patton being in the 1912 Olympics is an interesting bit of history in itself.
Pentathlon.
The story of the firearms portion of the competition is of interesting historical relevance.
how did they get the tanks over the jumps on the steeplechase?
@@harridan.
That has me curious, too, lol.
@@terryrussel3369
Interesting. I should look that up.
As a man who’s first riding horses were a team of dappled gray Percheron draft horses that my brother and I rode across the fields during farm operations before we started school, and who is still caring for the last of Dad’s horses, this story was told many times at home. As you have pointed out here, there are people that care about doing good things for the right reason.
I thank you for straightening out the who, what, when, where, why, and how of the operation.
Robert Queberg I was able to buy my dream horse, a 2 year old Percheron mare when I was 44 years old and she was the most loyal and connected to me horse I ever had the pleasure of knowing. I’m almost envious of your childhood memories and hope you’re grateful for those experiences!
Susan Lumen ,
Yes, I am very grateful for the many experiences and responsibilities that shaped my later life. Along with a pony, my brother and I got a brand new manure fork. Dad later kept between 12-15 head of horses, which were my responsibility. I am keeping the last of Dad’s horses, until death do us part.
When a person understands the uneasy relationship between a predator(us), and a prey species(horses), things can become very nice. I do not like the term, breaking a horse. Treating a horse as an equal is much safer for all parties involved. As a kid, I was taught that you made a horse do things. Later in life I adopted the strategy of making them want to.
Enjoy your horse every day.
Robert Queberg Sadly I had to put Mercy down three years ago, which I did myself because I felt that she deserved to be with her most familiar human who loved her for the 18 years we were together. By the way, I agree completely with you on working with a horse on empathetic lines, listening to them for their input. I have found this to produce the best and most rewarding relationship! And I own my own manure fork!
Susan Lumen ,
Good girl. There is a lot to be learned from being a manure fork operator. You have more time to talk to them, and to spot changes in their health. It is sad to hear that your Mercy is gone. The years that you shared, paid great dividends to both of you.
Thank you for your channel. This one hit particularly close to home as I actually learned to ride back in the 60's on one of the horses saved by Col. Reed and brought to the US. She lived a long and happy life and was the horse that all of us kids learned to ride on since she was so well trained and great with children. Unfortunately I'm not sure what her real name was as we all called her KZ since I'm sure her real name was unpronounceable to a child.
NICE~~~~!
That's awesome. Glad to hear the horse was well taken care of.
animals dont care how you say their name they just want a loving gaze and words spoken with love. you know that horse loved you and that horse knew you loved her!
Where did you learn to ride? Temple Lippanzers has a large herd of them. There also were some near Virginia/Maryland. (I rode in Virginia)
@@ericericson4 I grew up on a horse farm in NJ.
An awesome video. My wife has a cousin whose mother was one of the post war (late 40's through late 50') Austrian veterinarians caring for the Lipizzaner horses at the Spanish Riding School. From her stories and recollections, it was nothing short of a miracle those horses survived amid the chaos and deprivations of post war Europe. She immigrated to the US in the late 50's and married here in the US.
I love your channel. I'm an old retired history teacher and these vlogs would be an awesome tool in the classroom. Thank you.
I didn't like history while in school. Had this guy been my teacher I daresay my feeling would have been different.
Thank you for being a Teacher.
@@higgydufrane you are welcome. ☺
I'm a retired college history instructor as well. I too would have loved to have these as resources for my students.
If i was still in school i definitely would have showed my teacher THG and The Great War channel (or the ww2 channel now). THG and Indy Niedel deliver history in a way most find enjoyable
I got to see these horses in person. 10 feet away during the show. It caused me to cry to watch knowing this bit of history, and it still does. Thank you for posting this bit of history showing that humans can still be kind in the mind of death and destruction.
I’m glad that your presentation gives credit for the rescue of the Lipizzaners to Col Reed and the men of the 2nd Cavalry. Most people think of Gen Patton as leading the effort. I remember the tireless efforts of Lou Holz of the 2nd Cavalry Association to gain this recognition for Col Reed. Thanks for another great history short. “Toujours Pret”.
According to the Second Cavalry Association, Colonel Reed didn't consult with Patton before embarking on the rescue mission.. This was on his own initiative.
There is a scene in the movie "Patton" that shows the general (George C. Scott) riding (yes, the real Patton was quite an accomplished rider, having served in the cavalry in WWI) a white horse in an indoor arena that bears a strong resemblance to the Spanish Riding School. He is doing this while answering reporters' questions.
The cavalry formation lives on as the 2nd Cavalry Regiment (Stryker) to this day. In fact, every day since 1836, the longest continuously serving active U.S. regiment.
I have Lou Holz's Zippo lighter from WW II, engraved with his name, unit, and year 1945.
I have Alois Podhajsky's book on the his life which definitely covered this period. Since I was a child and saw Disney's movie "Miracle of the White Stallions" I have been in love and absorbed all I could on the subject. Special thanks for such a thorough coverage of the subject of this rescue - I learned quite a bit!
I have the book as well, and it taught me a great deal about understanding the behavior of my own horses. I also had the privilege of seeing Col. Podhajski on tour in Chicago in 1964. The show was truly amazing.
@@erynlasgalen1949
I am envious of you actually seeing him. Was he riding in the performance or just running the show? He is such a master of equitation!
I love horses, I was raised with them. I remember very well seeing the Disney movie on the saving of the stud farm. I've seen the Lippizaners perform a few times in person. They are magnificent. The 'airs above the ground' must be seen to be believed.
Thank you for this special (to me anyway) history lesson. I so enjoy your channel.
It is hard to believe a horse could do that, but seeing is believing. I've seen them and though the price of the tickets was money well spent.
Is that where the horse with rider springs up clear of the ground while staying in the same position? I think I may have seen it performed while watching a documentary.
I just re-watched the Miracle of the White Stallions yesterday... I saw them in 1972... it firmly solidified my passion for horses. I'm 57 and still remember....
Great episode. They really are amazing animals. When I was 10 years old I was at the Texas state fair and they had a Lipizzaner show planned (we had tickets) but the whole thing was rained out and the fairgrounds were empty. We took refuge inside the arena where the show was supposed to be. The show had been canceled but they were exercising the horses. There was almost no one in the place and we were just watching them work the horses out and one of them saw me and asked if I wanted to sit on the horse while he ran it though it's paces. We stuck around because we knew we wouldn't be able to to come back for the show and they (my grandparents) had always heard about the horses and seen them on TV and they were huge fans but they had never seen them in person. They spent several days telling me how amazing they were and how lucky we all were to get to go see them. I have to say It ended up being way better than any show. My grandparents got to pet the horses as well so they go to check that one off their bucket list before they went =)
What a thrilling occasion you and your beloved grandparents!
I have never heard this story before. I'm not really into horse's, but this one brought a tear..... Thank you for that.
I've spent many years spreading/preserving the story of Operation Cowboy. Glad to see that word is finally spreading.
I'm all choked up. What a beautiful story.
Thank you for remembering our fathers and grandfathers - the greatest warriors. Mr History Guy, you are too much.
Thank you I enjoyed this very much my grandfather served in the 2nd cavalry and loved horses 🇺🇲
This was the unit I was in when I was in the Army. 2nd Cavalry Regiment. It was a big part of our unit's history we had to learn.
If you ain't Cav, you ain't chit.
Scouts out.
Toujour Pret Trooper!!!!
Spent 10 years in the Regiment.
Hopefully when they were still in Germany.
My father, George Washington Timkey, served in the second cav and was part of this rescue mission. So very proud of his involvement in Operation Cowboy and his selfless sacrifice for our country. Like most veterans he never spoke of his service. If there are any other sons or daughters of the men that participated I would love the chance to engage in a dialogue with you.
I salute your father. 🇺🇸
I wa fortunate to have seen the Lippizaners in person once. I have always been a horse lover, much as I am a dog lover. I've had the privilege of seeing the finest cutting horses, the fastest race horses, the horses and ponies used to comfort terminally ill kids. Horses are not far behind dogs, if behind at all in their gifts to the human race. I had heard bits and pieces of the liberation of the Lipizzaner stallions, but this is by far the most comprehensive accounting of the story I've heard. A tip of my cowboy hat to the stalwart men who joined to save this brilliant breed. I, like Patton love art and music, but those able to work their magic on animals are no less artists than Remington was. Or Willie Nelson. Thanks History Guy for an uplifting story about the saving of a world treasure.
Great story , Those horse's were almost lost forever. Thanks for the video.
When I was a youngster (and I can't remember exactly when..... It was the mid to late 60's, so I was 10-13 years old) Mom took me and my sister to see the Lipizanners perform in Minneapolis. I was amazed. I never realized just how close we came to losing them until your video, THG. Thank you for telling this story!
Better history content in 10 to 15 minutes than in an entire week of the History channel.
My parents took the family to Lipica, Slovenia to ride the Lippizan horses! 1970-71 it was Yugoslavia then! Memorable!
A total winner !! It proves once again, that even in times of war, there can still be love and humanity.
THANK YOU for doing this! The movie, "Miracle of the White Stallions" is about this story as well in part. I did a 27-page research paper on the Lipizzaners in 8th grade! If I get to visit nowhere else in my life, my one bucket list item is to see the Spanish Riding School in Vienna and see the stallions perform there! :) (Have been riding my whole life, including dressage and show jumping.)
I hope this dream comes true for you! Enjoy the performance for me, I’m too old to travel!
I just finished watching Miracle of the White Stallions on UA-cam. (I remember the movie from 1963 - I was 9 years old back then.) Then I found myself at this video. This was great! Not too long or too technical. Great historic film footage! It was also great to compare it to Disney's movie version. It is always interesting to see how movies compare to history and how much poetic licence is taken in the process.
I like to learn the actual historic facts. As a kid, I wouldn't have really cared, because Disney movies were so mesmerizing. But as I get older, I find history much more fascinating. This is my first visit to The History Guy, but I will be back. Thanks for your post! Looking forward to my next history lesson!
As a child, I had a comic book with this story in it. I've always wanted to go to the Spanish Riding School to see these magnificent horses and riders. Thanks, HG, for the wonderful telling of this story.
Very interesting to me, as my dad, who trained with the Wyoming National Guard Calvary troop, was one of the men that went in and helped to bring them out.
I was lucky to get to see the horses perform here in NC. Absolutely amazing to watch.
I lived on a cattle ranch in Montana until I was 8, so I started life on horse back. When I was in my teens and living in Oregon, my dad took the family to see them. And it was indeed "absolutely amazing to watch". I got to see them a second time in Germany.
Was this at the Tryon equestrian center? Now I'm wishing I had went! Middle of a hurricane, the place half built way behind schedule due to all the rain we had(and continue to have) that show did not stand a chance.. 1/4th the audience they hoped for which is a real shame for the state. Assuming that's where you saw them.
I don't know how you do it. But the emotion you evoke in others when listening to you describe history can bring tears to the eyes of many.
Keep up the fantastic job of shining a light on the parts of history that have been overshadowed by other major events.
j nieblin: I believe it's the history guy's passion for history, along with his gift for story telling that brings history to life. History is vitally important and DOES deserve to be remembered!
Another story that deserves to be remembered, thank you.
I took my wife to see these beautiful horses a couple years ago. It was an amazing experience. Thank you to those men who worked so hard to preserve this wonderful aspect of history. Thank you History Guy for helping this to be remembered.
I always loved the story of the horses on Assateague Island on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. I am not sure it would be worthy of a History Guy video, but it is a cool story none the less. Thanks for another great video!
Thank you for such a moving story. As a former soldier and WWII history fan, this was one of your first tales to move me to tears. Keep up the good work!
You never cease to amaze, History Guy.
Except that Dr. Mark Felton told this story about the rescue of the Lipizzaner's a year before the History Guy!
@@benadam7753
Cross-checking the facts from many sources is always exciting.
My grandmother's cousin, Karl Wernli, was part of this raid to recover the Lipizzaners. He served under Patton throughout the war and was even an eyewitness to the infamous hospital slapping incident on Sicily.
It's unfortunate that the surrendered German general's name that set all this in motion has been lost to history. Col. Reed had met with with this German general over breakfast, and he told Reed about the location of the Lipizzaner stallions as well as the location of 400 allied prisoners and 25 Russian deserters in Hostau. The US probably wouldn't have arrived at Hostau in time to save the stallions if not for this chance meeting.
@Leonard Chornomaz I understand that, but the breakfast with Reed was the chance meeting.
According to Lt. Holz, who was part of the rescue operation, the German General they talked to was named Schultze.
@@amadeusamwater I have read that but the POW records don't show a general of that name near western Czechoslovakia at the time of the rescue. There were several generals with similar names as POW's but none of them would have been involved with the horses. The feeling among historians is we just don't know for sure who this general was.
@@sarjim4381I'm only repeating what Lt. Holz, who there said. Perhaps he got the name wrong. Memories will do funny things over the years.
@@amadeusamwaterIt could have been one of two things. Either Lt. Holz misremembered the name or our own POW records are wrong and Lt. Holz got it right. The Army was taking tens of thousands of prisoners a day as German positions were overrun or they just surrendered in the face of advancing Russian troops. Things were pretty hectic, and soldiers were routinely giving false names if they were afraid of being found out for their criminal activities. At this late date, historians haven't been able to figure out who this general really was, so his name is lost to history pending any new information.
I think that this breed of horse is one of the most elegant of all of them and yet, each has its own unique characteristics which causes me to love them all.
Never heard of this before, another great video!
The 1963 movie Miracle of the White Stallions is about this although but I doubt how historically accurate it is. www.imdb.com/title/tt0057312/
Very overdramatic accounting.
One of your best shows!! Humans seem to always be doing such horrible things, it's wonderful to be reminded that some can still make the rest of us proud. I breed and raise horses and have been researching the Lipizzan, a magnificent animal indeed. It's certainly one reason the Prussian military parades were so spectacular. Keep up the fantastic work you do, sir, it's very important and much appreciated. God bless!
A beautiful history indeed.
The Pedigree of these horses represented so much.
To loose these amazing animals would be the loss of an amazing history and tradition.
The WW2 generation is fading. But for those soldiers who saved these horses, their actions has caused joy and amazement for future generations.
They live on in the joyful glee in children’s eyes watching these amazing horses.
Thank you for making this video. I have studied dressage under some of the best in Minnesota. My mentor absolutely loved these horses. She had both a Lippizaner and an Andulusion. They are absolutely amazing. Again, thank you.
My parents took me to a Lipizzaner horse show as a kid in California, we were just told to watch the famous horses. Now I know why. Thank you!
I saw them when they were in Fresno California. I had known the story for years but while watching I silently thanked all responsible for saving the breed.
Little Dikkins - And it was truly an AMAZING show!
@@Erin-Thor Yes it was.
Erin Thorkildsen If that show was put on by a family with the last name of Herrmann, my family knew them. While they were touring in Calif. with their "Airs Above The Ground" show they had some mechanical problems with one of their cars. My dad was a mechanic & he helped them. We also owned horses, our parents spoke german & a friendship developed. The father of the family (who was quite elderly by then; it was his adult sons who handled the performing) was one of the people involved in rescuing the Lipizzaners. We had a wonderful opportunity to learn about the horse's history, & be shown how they're trained, as well as a seat in the VIP box at the show. The family still has a Lipizzan farm in Florida, operated now by the grandaughter. I think they still do some shows. Our families lost touch, but I still have some beautiful photos of them & the horses.
I have owned and bred Lipizzan horses in Southern California since 1983. One of my purchased stallion's ancestors was born at Hostau, and no doubtedly arrived in the shipment mentioned. I fell in love with the breed at seven years old, when I saw the Disney movie 'Miracle of the White Stallions'. Thank you for covering this... I've been subscribing for months and was surprised to see you cover this so well.
Bravo! I salute you on the most favorite vlog of all your productions, mainly I admit bc I love the Lippezanners and this story of their rescue and their preservation. That they still show the art of battle maneuvers and educate people on their training and patience in breeding and equestrian handling is a tribute to people long past that sought to deliver Europe and her treasures. Such a poignant interjection of the comparison of liberating the terrible hell pits of the concentration camps and how the world has yet to learn of the depravity of man's worst nightmarish sin of genocide. We have to be grateful for the few moments of compassion that held on through the midst of all the grisly remains of war. Thank you again.
Thank you! The more I learn about Patton, the less I think he's a stone cold warrior. He was a human being and it's far to easy to remove those attributes from historical figures.
Thanks for sharing the pieces of history most people don't know or have been forgotten . We need to realize that the unsung and forgotten stories are as important as the glory and guts stories to our collective history !
Thanks for yet another AMAZING piece of history.
There were many others, Germans, Austrians and other Europeans who managed to preserve these horses for months before "...then the Americans came marching in. Tra la la." I am forwarding this to the family of a young teenage girl, possibly 13 who gave up everything to see these horses survived during the months before their rescue. They will be proud of Muti's sacrifice of family, education and and a future career for what she loved.
She later went with some of these horses to the UK and then on to Cyprus to work as a stable hand, hardly the job you'd expect from the daughter of an industrialist and German nobility.
There were quite a few harrowing stories- including the horses being present for the bombing of Dresden. In fact, there are stories from previous wars as well. Generations of people have sacrificed to keep this tradition alive.
Thanks for your quick response. As those British Colonial types would say, your deeds show you to be an officer and a gentleman! It's meant as a compliment but who would want to be a useless English officer? Who would aspire to be a gingoist boring English gentleman?
How useless are British officers? The actress Charlies Theron's great great uncle and his 105 men were so troublesome during the Anglo-Boer war that the British assigned a special unit of 4000 men to deal with them. The British officers and troops failed. OUCH!
@@johnbondza An yet, in the end, they still capitulated to the British led by officers and gentlemen. Please don't denigrate another country because of their traditions. Most British officers today would like to be thought of as gentlemen, and why not?
@@knightowl3577 perhaps one should study the British Officers of that 1898 - 1903 war. When they couldn't catch the wily Boor/boer, they put the boore women and children in concentration camps to die. One third did! More than half my relatives died. A truly proud tradition don't you think what-oh. Before we retire to the terrace for a couple of pink G&Ts, please remind me of how proud you are of your GREAT officers. If 4000 english soldiers can't eliminate 105enemy, then kill their sweethearts, dispose of their mothers, eliminate their young sisters and brothers. Now that's a proud achievement for the omnipresent and omnipotent British Officer! (Or is it?)
History is the record of the winning side. We remember the valour of the winners and the atrocities of the losers. Trouble is that in the Anglo-Boor/boer conflict, it's so difficult do find Boor/boer atrosoties. It's so easy to find ones by English officers. The sins of the fathers shall be visited on their children, even to the third and fourth generations.
Edit - A lot of military prowess is about the units tradition. An officer accepts those traditions when he joins the unit. He cannot later claim these traditions selectively. He must speak out about any atrocities and traditions that are unacceptable to humanity. Show us one unit or even one officer who in the last 100 years has had the guts to speak out! Is those the traditions defining a gentleman in English society. Then please mark me as one who is NO GENTLEMAN.
@@johnbondza Sorry I did not realise you had a huge chip on your shoulder for events that are long gone. You see everyone seem to hate the English today for the actions of their forefathers. What can I say, the British were not fast or efficient enough in the action you are so proud of? They weren't and failed badly but what they did do is they learned from it and used that in future encounters. Yes, the British did many things that from today's perspective look brutal, but they were different times and that is how history played out. I can make no excuses or apologise for the actions of my long gone countrymen, and what would be the point? I'm glad you have great pride in the actions of your forefathers. Just as I am proud of mine. Which were Irish by the way and not at all aristocratic. I had an ancestor that fought in the second Boer War as we call it here, a signals officer, l am proud of him because he served his country just as both my Grandfathers, my Father and his brothers did in WWI and WWII. I hope my ancestor that came to your land was a gentleman. And I always endeavour to be one myself. Remember we are both here because of an interest in history and the past is a place where things were done differently, all we can do is learn from their mistakes.
You're riding high in the saddle rounding up yet another maverick piece of our forgotten past, History Guy! Thanks for corralling me with a great video!
I just want to say, "Thank you History Guy." I love this channel.
Marvelous story - thank you. I visited Gen'l Patton's grave at the American Military Cemetery next to the Luxemburg Airport back in 2011. Truly eye watering looking over the 5,500+ graves there. Fighting the Nazi regime was a true noble effort, if there ever was one. As you so well depicted in your video - saving something so beautiful in all of the death and destruction, must have been an eager mission.
Thank you again for all of your videos.
I remember hearing about this one when I was a kid. A U.S. Army veteran who was there told of it; I have forgotten where he related to me the events.
We love your channel! My 9 year old son watches every video and discusses history with us. We are thankful that you tell stories of forgotten and unknown stories to our generations.
Love this video and just watched it 3 times in a row. Always something good in saving beauty
I am continually blown away by the quality of content and execution of these posts. This channel is a true UA-cam gem.
One of your best yet, History Guy. Thank you.
As a teen, I worked at a barn where an old Lipizzaner circus horse resided. He used to stand alone in the corner of his paddock and perform some of his tricks. What a gentle old soul he was.
Good video, but it seems very unfair to say General Patton 'washed his hands' of the problem! 04:31 He gave his approval and then turned his attention the hundreds of other difficult problems and decisions, I don't think anyone would expect him to micro-manage this particular operation.
John Doe -- And he was open-minded enough to understand that others appreciated the art form, even if it was not to his preference.
I have to agree with this. It's letting someone do what needs to be done without wet nursing them.
He made a comment in his memoirs about it being odd for healthy men of military age to have been caring for those horses during the war instead of fighting.
From what I have read about General Patton he was not a micromanager.
He gave an order expected it to be followed.
His style of leadership would not fair well today.
He was not a team player. He was a glory seeker.
He was reprimanded in private and public by his superiors several times for his actions.
His legendary status is probably polished to what it was at the time. We tend to remember the good things
True. So much unnecessary drama in this telling of a rather innocuous episode in history.
I love how you take pains to detail all the honors and decorations service men (and women) receive in episodes like this one. Your respect and admiration for military service shines through in your work. Many thanks to you and your wife.
One can easily understand how men, who had faced death for years, should want to try and save these magnificent animals. Quite an amazing, and inspiring story!
OUTSTANDING!
That was an absolutely wonderful presentation and this old Marine enjoyed it very much. Our military has fought for freedom, with courage and dignity. This very special operation and your expert telling of it, serve to illustrate that perfectly. Thank sir for such an excellent video.
I live in Montana. I was talking with a friend last night for cards, and she brought up a man she had met and had chatted with years before who was a Montana cowboy that was involved in fact I believe she stated was the lead wrangler moving the horses because he had experience moving cattle and horses from the range here in Montana before the war. She had never heard of the story that you put out but I totally clued her in and was amazed when she shared her portion of that story. I apologize that I did not remember his name, But he has since passed away of course as that generation is quickly disappearing.
Hey History Guy! I live in Philly and walk by the house and national memorial to Thaddeus Kosciuszko. He was an engineer in the Continental Army during the revolution and fought in many other wars back in Europe. His is an amazing story covering two continents and is history that deserves to be remembered!
Disney made a movie about the rescue that I saw as a kid. This is an excerpt from wikipedia. "Miracle of the White Stallions is a 1963 film released by Walt Disney starring Robert Taylor (playing Alois Podhajsky), Lilli Palmer, and Eddie Albert. It is the story of the evacuation of the Lipizzaner horses from the Spanish Riding School in Vienna during World War II"
I saw that show as a child! Loved it!
Excellent video, THG.
Most people today have a very thin grasp of the history of The 20th Century and the world wars that shaped today's world. They have forgotten these terrible things that happened to other people on the other side of the planet and they cannot envision anything similar happening again or to them. It surely will.
RIP George Patton. What a great man. Had he lived, I believe that many of the issues of today would have been resolved a long time ago.
Those who do not honor and respect the valuable lessons of the past are condemned to repeat
the mistakes of the past. It is one of my greatest fears of today.
Such a warm episode. I honestly think that this quest to find beauty among the horrors it's what truly make us humans.
I have seen them in Vienna and had not previously been aware how close they had come to oblivion. Once again, your history to be remembered, reaches out beyond our borders. BRAVO!
I was watching ‘The Miracle of the Stallions’ - available for free on UA-cam - today. This was well timed and a great addition to the movie
Thank you for this one. A reminder that even in the depths of mankind's worst moments, there are acts of beauty and nobility. I'd put this up with the Christmas Armistice in the Great War. It made my eyes tear up just a little.
9:54 I guess you could call it.... A Czech Point!
The tank made it into Czech-mate in one.
I thought he said that, and was confused for the rest of the video
I graduated from the same high school as George Patton. His family is buried in the next town to the south of me. Mr. Patton was a "fair and honorable" and though he is not an idle, I look up to him and am grateful for his life accomplishments. His family in smaller ways built the area that I live and have lived in for the last 5 decades. By granting permission, he insured survival of this horse breed.
What a truly inspiring story I a rabid history junkie nonetheless was unaware of. Thank you History Guy for featuring it on the very informative and enjoyable site.
Fantastic story. Thanks for keeping it alive. Brought a tear to the eye. History Guy, you Rock. Thank You.
Having seen them in person I can truthfully say they are magnificent!
Was blessed to visit the stud farm in Dakovo Croatia, where they have been breeding Lipizzaners since the early 1880’s.
YOU bring to LIGHT things that help make pessimists in this world into OPTIMISTS . Words cannot express how I feel but my TEARS do.
This vignette has to be the finest you have ever done. The humanity exhibited, by all concerned, in a place and time where life was virtually worthless certainly is well worth remembering. Proving once again there is hope for the human race. Thank you, Sir.
A beautiful story. It reminds me of the story of the Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives (MFA&A) team. I think it says something good about the kind of people we are, that those who were tasked with doing the most terrible things in defense of civilization would risk so much to try to preserve cultural treasures.
You guy's and girl's are amazing this story made my heart grow. Even in desperate times people who show love "deserve to be remembered!"
Another great video !! Thank you History Guy !! I couldn't start my day with out you !!
I love your show man. In a world full of forgotten moments of absolute beauty, you nailed this one.
You can see a genuine Lipizzaner show just outside of Sarasota, Florida in Myakka City. It's seasonal so check first.
This is yet another STUNNING example of "the Guy's" genius. Unexplainably, at first, I didn't recognize the treasure these episodes presented. I suppose because they are so short? Once I saw the light, I was overawed by the brilliance it takes to put so much in such a compressed time. The History Guy does what not one in ten thousand would be able to so successfully do. If you are a history buff, then you like me will be out to see EVERY episode the History Guy has and will produce. I watch most of these episodes on my TV's Roku UA-cam channel. But I can't see a way to give a thumbs up there. If I have to logon to my computer to do so, I will.
Dressage is the art of war back In mid evil times when they move a certain way and direction imagine 100 horses doing the same move the same way at the same time in the same direction that is the Art of War
John CocaCola
When they were truly war horses they were also trained to bite and rip flesh, kick with devastating accuracy and rear and put a foreleg through an opposing rider. Those things are actually the basis for the beautiful ballet they now perform.
It is beautiful to watch thou being a career professional horseman it's been an incredible honour to have spent my life in their servitude .
@@johncocacola5377 "it's been an incredible honour to have spent my life in their servitude" Thats one thing I don't think allot of people understand, humans serve the animal as much as animal serves the human when animals and humans work closely together. I honestly think its a large part of what is degrading society.
@@barbaravick5634 The Horse trained that way was a War Machine, but not with tight rein like in current shows.
@@barbaravick5634 and kick bite and kill infantry to
My family lived about a mile from Col. Reed in the 1960s and had heard of his rescue of the horses. My sisters ride and love horses, we heard through the grapevine that Podhajsky was visiting Col. Reed. My older sister had his book and went to Col. Reed's house and met Podhajsky who graciously autographed it for her. I thank you for bringing this story to light.
Wow, that book will be a treasure forever.
I met the US projection of their power onto the world stage always with mixed feelings, ranging from utter disgust to heartfelt admiration. This episode is a shining example from the latter. Greetings from Germany
I have had the pleasure of seeing of seeing these horses perform twice when they came to my city. They are truly magnificent animals. Those that saved then for the world to see are to be commended for their actions. Walt Disney made a movie about the horses rescue and their is a DVD about the Spanish Riding School and its' history. Both are worth viewing. Thanks for posting about this historic event.
Another great video. I knew about this story and want to thank you for filling in the details.
I think this episode may be my favorite of all so far...thank you again for all that you do to keep history alive and vibrant...
I remember seeing the lipizzaners in Portland Oregon when I was a kid. It was the late seventies, early eighties i think. Those where some beautiful beasties. Thanx
Thank you so much for bringing this episode of history to everyone's attention. It is indeed a beautiful thing.