Great video, JD! Nice restoration by the French. They could have easily just let these places be, as is. Because of their work, all of these complexes stand as a reminder to future generations of how things can get bent in the wrong direction. Ha, history tends to repeat, because of lessons learned, are forgotten. Seems ring true, as I write this, eh?
That hole in the wall is amazing. The people on the other side would have been vaporized. Another outstanding video. This series is batting a thousand. All the content is superb. JD, has late night TV or NPR or anyone reached out to talk to you about this? It's really remarkable.
@@TheHistoryUnderground - It's probably from people like me that see a video just released by you JD and we already KNOW we're gonna love it before we even watch it!! So, we just go ahead and drop the like BEFORE we watch. Brilliant video again!
That was quite a complex. Looks like a city that was fortified. That bomb making it in through a door is quite astonishing. That certainly wasn't a welcomed guest! The head bump had to happen JD, that's your unofficial trademark!😆🤕😆
last week I did visit this location and it is really impressive! Your Video was very helpful to learn something about this amazing location in advance. Thanks much 👍
The bunker in the end (with collapsed roof and some shells on display in front of it): it was damaged after US soldiers blew up some of the ammo inside that bunker, leaving approx 10 soldiers killed and render the bunker useless). Had a visit last week during vacation there.
4:33 I got another interest in wwll , is the base ball player that volunteered to fight in the war, how many of them came home and how many of the died, I know there were lots lots of base ball players of the major league that enlisted, and would it be possible to acquire any remembrance of these ball player for the museum
What an amazing site, so glad they were able to pull off such a fantastic restoration and turn it into what it is now! I would have never realized just how large that complex was without your drone footage, great addition. 👍🏻
Manpower? Forced labour...the least of their problems. Time? They had from 1939 till D-day... Money? Appropriated everything from their captives and their country. So,all in all, they paid the architects...maybe.
Where I was born and grew up, these bunkers were EVERYWHERE 😔. A constant reminder of what took place there. My grand father was actively fighting in the résistance.
Getting closer to 200 videos do something longer or what ever to denote the 200 ps all your past videos are AWESOME.... So the 200 one must be real special. Thank you Frank from montana...
So much treasure (money) engineering, and labor expended for the cause of war. How much better would the world be if we could use these resources exclusively for the betterment of mankind.
When you visit Crisbecq, Azeville, Longues-Sur-Mer and Merville…all of them have unique stories…yes…but all of them remains and can be seen and visited today. But when are you going to visit and tell the story about Maisy battery…and what 2nd Rangers did or what Rudder ”didn’t do”…? Three month after D day the whole battery was covered by american engeneers…covered!!! By Americans…Why!? This is the battery that was forgotten in all historical books and internet until 2006, almost 60 years after the invasion. Omaha was taking casulties three days after the invasion (artillery fire) but all the batteries was silicened in day one…so where did it came from…? Maisy Battery…for sure…so many details still missing and almost no rangers (2nd and 5th) is still alive to tell what really happened.
Good points. You obviously read all the books by Mr Sterne. Very interesting as well as controversial. Gary has put so much work and time to bring his project into the public domain. The latest excavations further to the west where the 3 casements are is great news. More to come I’m told. Sadly, Maisy gets overlooked, for various ‘reasons’. Let’s hope Gary keeps on with this as I think there’s a lot more to come out in the future.
Questioning an American? He's probably demanding their surrender. LOL What an impressive place and on D-Day was like an ant's nest with activity. Some pretty big bang to take out those gun bunkers. wow!
JD.... Again the best reenactment of the Normandy Invasion ever. I have felt in everyone if your vlogs have taken your viewers on a realistic battle to free the world of Nazi tyranny. Thank you
Oh my that is a horrendous big bunker and never knew it was that big show me alot what the bunkers look like they're see why they have problems. Another excellent video on Normandy take care may God bless you and your family
Fascinating stuff and an impressive complex ! Equally impressive and with an amazing story of a direct hit from a US battleship is the battery at Azevill close to Crisbecq
All those medical supplies that were found! Fascinating. One of the things I collect. One can only imagine what went through the minds of the Germans when they saw the vast armada out before them. Thank you JD. Again just in time for break at work!
Interesting...as you may remember Guernsey is the most defended..many been brought back to life..excellent museum...batteries for 305mm ex naval guns...observation towers ..you should visit ...be a new angle
I explored the 210 mm gun emplacement, that sunk the USS Cory , killing 24 of her crew. In answer, the USS Nevada made a direct hit on that gun emplacment killing all 25 men manning that position. The gun you showed at position 19, had a different tragic ending. American engineers set explosives to destroy the emplacement,. but the explosives detonated prematurely, killing between 10 and 12 American soldiers. A local told me that not all the remains form either of the emplacments were totally recovered.
I have to give kudos to the French for restoring the bunkers. When I would’ve thought they would want to erase everything that reminded them of the nazi occupation. Great video again!
Your description of preservation after 60 years etc would almost fit that of the camp at Grandcampe Maisy. Maisy Battery was literally buried after the war. A gent called Gary Sterne wrote an excellent book about this. ‘The cover up at Omaha Beach’. Sure you’re familiar with this. If not I highly recommend a read mate. He has excavated it and new bunkers have just been added to the known site. Truly massive and very controversial.
JD, Tell Erik and maybe Paul, we are sorry not sorry if you held them up! Just Kidding!!! Thank you again for a great video and helping me "Learn things!" As a medic I found the First Aid Room and actual Bottles used on site, interesting!
210mm gun = 8-1/4" gun. Larger than the guns on a Heavy cruiser. Could destroy anything smaller than a Battleship. (and do serious damage to older American Battleships that were used in the D-day invasion)
At first, I thought that the first bunker room (where they exploded the ordnance) was a gym! I used to train in a gym that looked very similar to that room. Thanks, as always, JD!
I have to say, as you go up those steps into the Tobruk….I was literally like “don’t bump your head JD” then the patient at the aid station when you said “somebody bumped their head…”. Oh goodness that’s hilarious 😂 another brilliant episode
The big busted bunker from crisbeq (the one you show at the end) actually explode on the 25th of September 1944. I did a lot research on the explosion itself as its the first losses the 104th Infantry Division had during the war. If you want, you can contact me directly and willing to share my research.
We were in Normandy in 2017. We didn't see this bunker system so thanks for sharing. Amazing insight on the structures and damage by allied shipping. Thanks for sharing. Say, would you be able to show the bunker where Pluskat actually first viewed the allied fleet. Like that scene in 'The Longest Day'.
Glad you enjoyed it! That bunker that you're referring to is at Longue-sur-Mer. I did a video on that on my last trip. Here's the link: ua-cam.com/video/V0KY3LUSg80/v-deo.html
@@TheHistoryUnderground Thank you. I just viewed that video. Amazing view from that shore bunker. Can't imagine what Pluskat thought. Holy Shit come to mind.
What an amazing place, I could spend all day exploring there. I’m so glad that they restored it. Love everything you do to bring history to everyone. Keep on keeping on..
During the drone shots above the battery you could see, on the grass, faint lines. This could mean that thee is something under the grass that hasn't been dug up. Archaeologists sometimes use aerial photos of field to highlight where stone structures have been . The stone under the earth causes the grass to grow at a shorter length than the surrounding grass. When up high you can see the difference. There appeared to be a few 'structures' under that grass?
I think its great that you give well deserved publicity to these places, that might otherwise be overlooked by historians and tourists and are then hopefully able to remain open to the public. well done and thank you from England.
Those gun bunkers are a amazing history especially digging them out. The damage they withstood is unbelievable great information and history. Of course you would find a connection to the 101st Band of Brothers...
Thats one of the double edged swords of the BoB "thing." I swear there are people who think the 101st and more specifically E Co. of the 501st- won the entire ETO on their own.
@@TheHistoryUnderground Hey I started watching you for your Civil war content But since your covering so much on D-Day i wonder if you’ll visit the memorial at my hometown Bedford VA and do a episode about the Bedford boys
Wow. Great video. Very impressive construction to take that kind of punishment. It reminds me of some of our coastal defense fortifications and some of their later uses. I have one near me that used for training during Vietnam. It took way more abuse than you can imagine and is still standing. This video makes me want to visit Normandy even more.
I believe that the bunker complex is where Major Pluskat was stationed when they saw the invasion coming from the sea. They have recently unearthed and restored the command bunker across the road from the site where you were visiting. If you think Crisbecq is large wait until you see Maisy Batterie😉
Great video again JD. I have been to that site when they were excavating. Looks like I need to go back and see the result. Thanks for sharing. As a kid I was very impressed by the battery at Cap gris nez. The biggest ones I have ever seen and these are well preserved and dressed completely. worth a visit, not to far from Normandy at Calais.
I was waiting for it when you were walking through those tight spots and up to the tobruk. I cracked a smile when you mentioned the poor guy that was receiving medical care. You made it through without banging your head! All kidding aside, great content as always. Thanks for another great lesson.
Another revealing piece of work JD, Great stuff!! Interesting that the Crisbecq battery did not justify any strategic attention from any of the US Airborne Units prior to the landings? Or did it? Perhaps it was not as strategic as the Merville Battery taken by Lt Terence Otway and the British airborne units, but it sounds like it still had the potential to cause havoc on Utah beach and the causeways? Any thoughts on this.
JD would you ever do a series of videos about the last days of the Reich? Things like the 101st Airbornes at the Eagles Nest and the capture of places like Munich by US troops? Love the WW2 content.
Visiting some bunkers is definitely on my bucket list. Glad to see they took the time to bring this one back. One of the few things my father in law did talk about regarding his WWII experience was guarding the German prisoner work detail they used to move ammo into a quarry for disposal (blowing up) after the end of the war somewhere outside of Munich. Thanks for bringing that memory back JD 👍
If you haven't been, there are two places in London that are a must see. "Churchill's War Rooms", and "The Imperial War Museum". There are many more, of course, but those are "do not miss" destinations!
@@TheHistoryUnderground I spent almost six hours there and before we left we sat and had a coke right in front of the 210mm gun in the video and was just amazed at it all.
That aerial shot in the end really shows how freakin huge this complex is! A whole lot of concrete an rebar... Thanks for another great episode! Keep it up!
On my trip to Normandy for the 70th anniversary, I introduced myself to a veteran quietly sitting in the Notre Dame Cathedral in Bayeux. He was wearing a hat with the name USS Corry. He humbly explain the ship blowing up. I asked what did he do when this happened. His reply was “What the hell do you think I did, I jump in the water”. He mentioned it took 3 hours for their sister ship to pick them up. So humble.
I'd love it if you toured some of the fortifications of the Gustav line at some point. I've been enjoying Rick Atkinson's "The Guns At Last Light" and hope to one day see the site of the battles around Monte Cassino.
I love how you bring everything in detail so we have a better understanding of what happend or took place there. Love the videos keep em going! There's also tons of bunkers on the border with france and germany might be cool if you went there and made a video on it :)
JD: please visit Wilmington, NC, my favorite town in my home state. You'll find there the WWII battleship North Carolina Museum and Memorial, and also the Civil War era Fort Fischer, a vital CSA stronghold. Wilmington was one of the most important ports the Confederacy had, I really think you'd love the history and culture in Wilmington, and you'll never get better oysters. I would also recommend the Museum of the Bizarre. I would love to see you visit Wilmington, NC. There are also museums on our Outer Banks that display U-Boat wrecks, the site of the Wright Brothers first flight, a sunken Civil War ironclad submarine, and artifacts from all sorts of shipwrecks, including Queen Anne's Revenge, Blackbeard's flagship. We even have an island that's home to wild horses directly descended from the horses the Europeans brought to the New World. You'll find Jockeys Ridge, the tallest sand dune on the east coast. Also the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse was moved like half a mile in the mid 90's and is the tallest Lighthouse in the US.
The big bunker housing the 210 mm gun on the compound,not the one damaged by the USS Nevada,wasn't damaged by naval artillery. It was blown up by U.S. engineers days after D-Day who filled up the whole bunker with explosives to literally test the superstructure. The "roof" lifted up and came crashin' down and to this day it looks like it does.
Dadgum! Ya think?? Outstanding video. Love your vids. Having studied WWII for the last 65 years permits me soak up all I can from any way possible. Thanks.
The Niland family (aka the Ryan Family from Saving Private Ryan) is from Buffalo, NY, and is still local and active. The family are first cousins with John Belein who coached the Michigan Wolverines basketball team for many years.
Just about every Summer I take my family to St. Julian en Borne, by Lit en Mixe. There's a very wide, pure sand beach, with no stones or seaweed/grasse called Contis Plage. It was here that Rommel's Atlantic wall ended. Biarritz is 30 miles away and Spain is another 30 miles after that. The last bunker collapsed into the beach but the 2nd to end is still there although filled with sand. The areas around are off limits due to war bombs and such. it is now a surfing paradise and looks like California circa 1960. In the center of town, under the houses are bunkers, tunnels command post complexes that still exist but in private hands. The roads to the beach were built by Germans and young German surfers boys when partying are often reminded by locals of the history.
The damage to the 210 mm emplacement illuminates the difference between artillery and naval gunfire. 210 mm is gigantic for land artillery, but the USS Nevada had 10 356 mm guns.
Another thing, the purpose of Utah was to capture Cherbourg some 40 klicks away. My 19 year old Kriegsmarine father was stationed there and was captured around June 27th when it fell.
Again thank you for what you do and bringing this History to us. You are living my dream. If I could talk my wife into i would Sell alot of my stuff Move to my familys home who live in N Ireland and do what you do and go around to the WW2 sites. My Granda and Grandma Both served in the Royal Air Force in WW2 and had my dad in 1946.
I am assuming this has only been restored in the last few years. We have been to Normandy to see the sites at least 5 times and I can't believe we could have missed this one.
Holy crap can you imagine being in there? The sounds😮🇨🇦😮 alone I think would've been enough to ruin your hearing for the rest of your life. I was a metal worker all my life and have serious hearing issues because of all the loud banging and other various noises. Being in that bunker would've definitely make your ears bleed while sensing horror in your heart. Incredible stuff and I tip my cap to any bunker survivor from WW2.
Question…… It doesn’t look like the area was air bombed like that of point du hoc. Were craters filled in or was it only hit by naval bombardment? Love all the B roll. No problems using your drone? Gave up on the idea of bringing mine last trip. Restrictions galore. Great video
Absolutely amazing. I had the opportunity to visit this battery with my family in 2018. Will the explanation regarding the collapsed bunker at the end of the video be in the next installment? If I remember correctly, the ammunition depot behind the gun exploded by mistake and American soldiers died. We are happy to follow your videos urging us to return to Normandy and visit those places with more attention. Congratulations and thank you
Nice tour of the facilities, but you should have done more research on the defense of the position by Leutnant z.S Ohmsen. Much of the damage that you were so impressed with was done by the 105mm German position when Leutnant Ohmsen called in friendly fire on his own position to remove the US infantry that was swarming all over his position. You might have also mentioned that the main bunker's damage was not as a result of US fire, but that it just fell in on itself years after the war was over. Leutnant Ohmsen was awarded three classes of the Iron Cross (to include the Knights Cross) for his battery defense. Less oh's and ah's and more history.
They've done an amazing job restoring the Crisbecq complex. Most places just mow and maintain around them but fail to restore and protect the actual bunkers. Great video! Are you going to be at SoS in Louisville Friday?
Once again I am astounded by the sheer quality of your videos and your knowledge, informative, respectful but also excellent videography and entertaining, its a crime that each of your videos does not have 1million views. Would love to buy you a beer and show you around my local museum if you are ever in the UK.
fantastic mate ..ever thought about shooting across to the channel islands (about 15/20 miles from where you are now), lots of german ww2 history there , my mum and dad were from jersey island and were occupied by the germans for 5 yrs, i heard many stories from them about those times and the terrible way the germans treated the locals, dad remembers seeing the russian slave bought over to build the walls and bunkers of which many starved to death, i believe some were just buried in the concrete as they died , that might interest your viewer's, either way just love your work watch every one...cheers from NZ
Seriously...when I think of the amount of shells fired at those 900 bunkers he mentioned and the amount of actual direct hits they made it makes that one shell that miraculously went in that little opening and through that wall truly a one in a million shot. I wonder if anyone ever tried to make an effort to determine where that shot might have come from? Using ballistics you could maybe determine the size of shell ,the trajectory,direction and distance to figure out what ship and particular gun might have been zeroed in on that door. Just another "rabbit hole" kind of mystery my mind travels down when I watch these things. There aren't many mysteries left to unravel so maybe someone might delve into it someday???
If you wish to properly explore this complex you cannot get round it in 1 1/2 hours - spend half a day and take in the strategic positioning and appreciate the movement restrictions when it was under fire
MyFred35. I agree with you completely. Some people seem to think they can "do" the invasion beaches and inland sites in a couple of days. In reality, to do justice to the immense historical importance of this blood soaked ground deserves more than a brief "glance over the wall at the cemetery". I have listened to people asserting that they have "done" Pegasus Bridge in 15 minutes. What an insult to the brave men of that action.
YES, ive been here. So happy you went thier mate, i couldn't believe that it was a German shell that went threw like that. Respect to all that fought thier and lets not forget the labourers who built it too.
I was at Utah Beach last month along with the other D-day landings. Should have spent more time to explore these bunkers instead of the shoreline and museums.
Just lovin these tour’s. I sure would like to go there and the imperial war museum. If I would have been stationed in Europe during my time. I doubt if I would have gotten out!. Not at all sure if I could have lived through all of this. With everyone shooting just at me.😄
Love your site, you should come here where I live, in Gosport, a lot of the dday ships went from stokes bay which is our now local beach. Let me know if your here, I will show you around
Great video, JD! Nice restoration by the French. They could have easily just let these places be, as is.
Because of their work, all of these complexes stand as a reminder to future generations of how things can get bent in the wrong direction.
Ha, history tends to repeat, because of lessons learned, are forgotten.
Seems ring true, as I write this, eh?
That hole in the wall is amazing. The people on the other side would have been vaporized. Another outstanding video. This series is batting a thousand. All the content is superb. JD, has late night TV or NPR or anyone reached out to talk to you about this? It's really remarkable.
5 upvotes in 30 seconds and no views. ;)
Interesting. Guessing that it's people who liked the video before fully watching it.
@@TheHistoryUnderground - It's probably from people like me that see a video just released by you JD and we already KNOW we're gonna love it before we even watch it!! So, we just go ahead and drop the like BEFORE we watch. Brilliant video again!
That was quite a complex. Looks like a city that was fortified. That bomb making it in through a door is quite astonishing. That certainly wasn't a welcomed guest! The head bump had to happen JD, that's your unofficial trademark!😆🤕😆
last week I did visit this location and it is really impressive! Your Video was very helpful to learn something about this amazing location in advance. Thanks much 👍
The bunker in the end (with collapsed roof and some shells on display in front of it): it was damaged after US soldiers blew up some of the ammo inside that bunker, leaving approx 10 soldiers killed and render the bunker useless). Had a visit last week during vacation there.
Also, in case of a conventional war, that Bunker can be reactivated for military use.
How many times did you whack your head? Asked 6' 4" Tony. LOL
Ha! Made it through this one unscathed.
4:33 I got another interest in wwll , is the base ball player that volunteered to fight in the war, how many of them came home and how many of the died, I know there were lots lots of base ball players of the major league that enlisted, and would it be possible to acquire any remembrance of these ball player for the museum
Very, very interesting, thank you, another place to visit upon return to Normandy.
Whenever you show these bunkers, all I think about is how loud those guns must have been. Had to have been deafening. Great video
What an amazing site, so glad they were able to pull off such a fantastic restoration and turn it into what it is now! I would have never realized just how large that complex was without your drone footage, great addition. 👍🏻
Its amazing the time, money, and manpower they had to build fortifications
Pretty crazy. Only to have it breached in a day.
@@TheHistoryUnderground yes that too, all that effort just to last a day lol
Manpower? Forced labour...the least of their problems.
Time? They had from 1939 till D-day...
Money? Appropriated everything from their captives and their country.
So,all in all, they paid the architects...maybe.
@@howler6490 true true all still amazing
Where I was born and grew up, these bunkers were EVERYWHERE 😔. A constant reminder of what took place there. My grand father was actively fighting in the résistance.
Getting closer to 200 videos do something longer or what ever to denote the 200 ps all your past videos are AWESOME.... So the 200 one must be real special. Thank you Frank from montana...
Thanks. Nothing special for 200. It'll be just business as usual :)
All I have to say is Erwin Rommel was an absolute genius when it came to planning out defensive positions for the atlantic wall.
Yeah, no wonder why they won… wow!
@@michaelsullivan1262just because they lost doesn’t make the defensive positions any less impressive
@@michaelsullivan1262they literally had the entire world fighting against them lol
He predicted the Normandy attack. Hitler wouldn’t listen to him.
They lost though
So much treasure (money) engineering, and labor expended for the cause of war. How much better would the world be if we could use these resources exclusively for the betterment of mankind.
Completely agree.
When you visit Crisbecq, Azeville, Longues-Sur-Mer and Merville…all of them have unique stories…yes…but all of them remains and can be seen and visited today. But when are you going to visit and tell the story about Maisy battery…and what 2nd Rangers did or what Rudder ”didn’t do”…? Three month after D day the whole battery was covered by american engeneers…covered!!! By Americans…Why!? This is the battery that was forgotten in all historical books and internet until 2006, almost 60 years after the invasion. Omaha was taking casulties three days after the invasion (artillery fire) but all the batteries was silicened in day one…so where did it came from…? Maisy Battery…for sure…so many details still missing and almost no rangers (2nd and 5th) is still alive to tell what really happened.
Good points. You obviously read all the books by Mr Sterne. Very interesting as well as controversial. Gary has put so much work and time to bring his project into the public domain. The latest excavations further to the west where the 3 casements are is great news. More to come I’m told. Sadly, Maisy gets overlooked, for various ‘reasons’. Let’s hope Gary keeps on with this as I think there’s a lot more to come out in the future.
Questioning an American? He's probably demanding their surrender. LOL
What an impressive place and on D-Day was like an ant's nest with activity. Some pretty big bang to take out those gun bunkers. wow!
Yeah. I didn't mention it, but it became a testing ground for the U.S. to see what the bunkers could withstand.
I'm so proud of you. You managed to go into bunkers and not hit your head (on camera).
JD.... Again the best reenactment of the Normandy Invasion ever. I have felt in everyone if your vlogs have taken your viewers on a realistic battle to free the world of Nazi tyranny. Thank you
Thanks!
Oh my that is a horrendous big bunker and never knew it was that big show me alot what the bunkers look like they're see why they have problems. Another excellent video on Normandy take care may God bless you and your family
Thanks. Pretty massive complex.
Fascinating stuff and an impressive complex ! Equally impressive and with an amazing story of a direct hit from a US battleship is the battery at Azevill close to Crisbecq
All those medical supplies that were found! Fascinating. One of the things I collect. One can only imagine what went through the minds of the Germans when they saw the vast armada out before them. Thank you JD. Again just in time for break at work!
Thanks! And yes, those medical supplies were pretty cool.
Aye, happen time to break out what's left of the Pervitin for a bit of determined concentration on the disaster approaching.
Interesting 👍 been to "Pont de Hoc" but not there 🏴🇬🇧
You're not alone. I think that Crisbecq is definitely lesser known.
Interesting...as you may remember Guernsey is the most defended..many been brought back to life..excellent museum...batteries for 305mm ex naval guns...observation towers ..you should visit ...be a new angle
Definitely hope to visit there at some point.
We can never say it enough, thank you for preserving a part of our history and our freedom. Freedom is not free. God, Family, and Country.
👍🏻
I explored the 210 mm gun emplacement, that sunk the USS Cory , killing 24 of her crew. In answer, the USS Nevada made a direct hit on that gun emplacment killing all 25 men manning that position. The gun you showed at position 19, had a different tragic ending. American engineers set explosives to destroy the emplacement,. but the explosives detonated prematurely, killing between 10 and 12 American soldiers. A local told me that not all the remains form either of the emplacments were totally recovered.
Awesome! Can't wait to get over there this summer!
Pretty amazing place.
I have to give kudos to the French for restoring the bunkers. When I would’ve thought they would want to erase everything that reminded them of the nazi occupation. Great video again!
Thanks! And yes, the French deserve a lot of credit for the work at preserving the history.
@@TheHistoryUnderground Did it cost you anything to tour the complex?
@@SGTDuckButterno it’s a free country
Your description of preservation after 60 years etc would almost fit that of the camp at Grandcampe Maisy. Maisy Battery was literally buried after the war. A gent called Gary Sterne wrote an excellent book about this. ‘The cover up at Omaha Beach’. Sure you’re familiar with this. If not I highly recommend a read mate. He has excavated it and new bunkers have just been added to the known site. Truly massive and very controversial.
JD, Tell Erik and maybe Paul, we are sorry not sorry if you held them up! Just Kidding!!! Thank you again for a great video and helping me "Learn things!" As a medic I found the First Aid Room and actual Bottles used on site, interesting!
210mm gun = 8-1/4" gun. Larger than the guns on a Heavy cruiser. Could destroy anything smaller than a Battleship. (and do serious damage to older American Battleships that were used in the D-day invasion)
Definitely deadly.
At first, I thought that the first bunker room (where they exploded the ordnance) was a gym! I used to train in a gym that looked very similar to that room. Thanks, as always, JD!
Oh dang. That would be kind of a cool looking gym.
I have to say, as you go up those steps into the Tobruk….I was literally like “don’t bump your head JD” then the patient at the aid station when you said “somebody bumped their head…”. Oh goodness that’s hilarious 😂 another brilliant episode
Ha!
Same here! Haha
I was thinking the same thing!!!
@@stephenrrose something about great minds eh? 🤔😂
JD just another fantastic video. I really enjoy your Chanel. God bless and keep up the great videos.
Thanks 👍
Nothing like having coffee and watching history unfold.
Nice!
The big busted bunker from crisbeq (the one you show at the end) actually explode on the 25th of September 1944. I did a lot research on the explosion itself as its the first losses the 104th Infantry Division had during the war. If you want, you can contact me directly and willing to share my research.
We were in Normandy in 2017. We didn't see this bunker system so thanks for sharing. Amazing insight on the structures and damage by allied shipping. Thanks for sharing. Say, would you be able to show the bunker where Pluskat actually first viewed the allied fleet. Like that scene in 'The Longest Day'.
Glad you enjoyed it! That bunker that you're referring to is at Longue-sur-Mer. I did a video on that on my last trip. Here's the link: ua-cam.com/video/V0KY3LUSg80/v-deo.html
@@TheHistoryUnderground Thank you. I just viewed that video. Amazing view from that shore bunker. Can't imagine what Pluskat thought. Holy Shit come to mind.
great video JD how far from the shoreline is it located? looks to be about a mile.
What an amazing place, I could spend all day exploring there. I’m so glad that they restored it. Love everything you do to bring history to everyone. Keep on keeping on..
During the drone shots above the battery you could see, on the grass, faint lines. This could mean that thee is something under the grass that hasn't been dug up. Archaeologists sometimes use aerial photos of field to highlight where stone structures have been . The stone under the earth causes the grass to grow at a shorter length than the surrounding grass. When up high you can see the difference. There appeared to be a few 'structures' under that grass?
I think its great that you give well deserved publicity to these places, that might otherwise be overlooked by historians and tourists and are then hopefully able to remain open to the public. well done and thank you from England.
Those gun bunkers are a amazing history especially digging them out. The damage they withstood is unbelievable great information and history. Of course you would find a connection to the 101st Band of Brothers...
Thats one of the double edged swords of the BoB "thing." I swear there are people who think the 101st and more specifically E Co. of the 501st- won the entire ETO on their own.
Imagine a shell leaving the gun aboard a ship and it's destiny is entering a doorway of a bunker. Wow. Great video. Thank you.
Pretty crazy. That big hole was made from a shell that came from Azeville Battery though. Can't imagine being on the receiving end of that.
@@TheHistoryUnderground Hey I started watching you for your Civil war content But since your covering so much on D-Day i wonder if you’ll visit the memorial at my hometown Bedford VA and do a episode about the Bedford boys
Sadly Azeville was closed when i went Normandy in 2018.
As they say, The Avon Lady may ring your chimes but me and my Howitzer only knock one time.....
The shell came from the back. Not from a ship
Been here couple of years ago, it is an amazing site
Absolutely.
Wow. Great video. Very impressive construction to take that kind of punishment. It reminds me of some of our coastal defense fortifications and some of their later uses. I have one near me that used for training during Vietnam. It took way more abuse than you can imagine and is still standing.
This video makes me want to visit Normandy even more.
Best bunker tour so far, J.D. Battle damage is cool. Coming up on 200 episodes. Something special planned?
Thanks! Nothing big for episode 200. Just business as usual. :)
Impressive tour JD! I cannot get over the size of this facility and how self supporting it is. Thanks for taking me along with you!
Glad you enjoyed it!
I believe that the bunker complex is where Major Pluskat was stationed when they saw the invasion coming from the sea. They have recently unearthed and restored the command bunker across the road from the site where you were visiting. If you think Crisbecq is large wait until you see Maisy Batterie😉
Great video again JD. I have been to that site when they were excavating. Looks like I need to go back and see the result. Thanks for sharing. As a kid I was very impressed by the battery at Cap gris nez. The biggest ones I have ever seen and these are well preserved and dressed completely. worth a visit, not to far from Normandy at Calais.
Oh wow! That would have been cool to see during the excavation process.
Wow this is one of the best episodes yet ! I look forward to each new installment in this series . Thanks so much.
Wow, thanks!
I was waiting for it when you were walking through those tight spots and up to the tobruk. I cracked a smile when you mentioned the poor guy that was receiving medical care. You made it through without banging your head!
All kidding aside, great content as always. Thanks for another great lesson.
Another revealing piece of work JD, Great stuff!! Interesting that the Crisbecq battery did not justify any strategic attention from any of the US Airborne Units prior to the landings? Or did it? Perhaps it was not as strategic as the Merville Battery taken by Lt Terence Otway and the British airborne units, but it sounds like it still had the potential to cause havoc on Utah beach and the causeways? Any thoughts on this.
If you ever have the chance you should visit the US cemetery in Margraten in the Netherlands.
I would definitely like that.
@@TheHistoryUnderground i live nearby and that is more than holy ground for the citizens here.
JD would you ever do a series of videos about the last days of the Reich? Things like the 101st Airbornes at the Eagles Nest and the capture of places like Munich by US troops? Love the WW2 content.
Definitely.
@@TheHistoryUnderground happy days! 😊
Visiting some bunkers is definitely on my bucket list. Glad to see they took the time to bring this one back.
One of the few things my father in law did talk about regarding his WWII experience was guarding the German prisoner work detail they used to move ammo into a quarry for disposal (blowing up) after the end of the war somewhere outside of Munich. Thanks for bringing that memory back JD 👍
Wow!
If you haven't been, there are two places in London that are a must see. "Churchill's War Rooms", and "The Imperial War Museum". There are many more, of course, but those are "do not miss" destinations!
Finally I have been to a place the same as you, that place is amazing and yes very true its not a very visited place.
Ha! Nice. And yes, this one kind of flies under the radar.
@@TheHistoryUnderground I spent almost six hours there and before we left we sat and had a coke right in front of the 210mm gun in the video and was just amazed at it all.
That aerial shot in the end really shows how freakin huge this complex is! A whole lot of concrete an rebar...
Thanks for another great episode!
Keep it up!
It’s crazy. Glad that you enjoyed it!
On my trip to Normandy for the 70th anniversary, I introduced myself to a veteran quietly sitting in the Notre Dame Cathedral in Bayeux. He was wearing a hat with the name USS Corry. He humbly explain the ship blowing up. I asked what did he do when this happened. His reply was “What the hell do you think I did, I jump in the water”. He mentioned it took 3 hours for their sister ship to pick them up. So humble.
I'd love it if you toured some of the fortifications of the Gustav line at some point. I've been enjoying Rick Atkinson's "The Guns At Last Light" and hope to one day see the site of the battles around Monte Cassino.
I love how you bring everything in detail so we have a better understanding of what happend or took place there. Love the videos keep em going! There's also tons of bunkers on the border with france and germany might be cool if you went there and made a video on it :)
It's also awesome history that this bunker system exchanged fire with the Nevada, the ship that would not die.
JD: please visit Wilmington, NC, my favorite town in my home state. You'll find there the WWII battleship North Carolina Museum and Memorial, and also the Civil War era Fort Fischer, a vital CSA stronghold. Wilmington was one of the most important ports the Confederacy had, I really think you'd love the history and culture in Wilmington, and you'll never get better oysters. I would also recommend the Museum of the Bizarre. I would love to see you visit Wilmington, NC. There are also museums on our Outer Banks that display U-Boat wrecks, the site of the Wright Brothers first flight, a sunken Civil War ironclad submarine, and artifacts from all sorts of shipwrecks, including Queen Anne's Revenge, Blackbeard's flagship. We even have an island that's home to wild horses directly descended from the horses the Europeans brought to the New World.
You'll find Jockeys Ridge, the tallest sand dune on the east coast.
Also the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse was moved like half a mile in the mid 90's and is the tallest Lighthouse in the US.
The big bunker housing the 210 mm gun on the compound,not the one damaged by the USS Nevada,wasn't damaged by naval artillery. It was blown up by U.S. engineers days after D-Day who filled up the whole bunker with explosives to literally test the superstructure.
The "roof" lifted up and came crashin' down and to this day it looks like it does.
In the ruins of the MKB-Kasematte Nr. 2 (Typ R 683) equipped with a 21-cm-Langrohrkanone there are still 7 German soldiers.
Ruhet in Frieden.
Dadgum! Ya think?? Outstanding video. Love your vids. Having studied WWII for the last 65 years permits me soak up all I can from any way possible. Thanks.
The Niland family (aka the Ryan Family from Saving Private Ryan) is from Buffalo, NY, and is still local and active. The family are first cousins with John Belein who coached the Michigan Wolverines basketball team for many years.
Just about every Summer I take my family to St. Julian en Borne, by Lit en Mixe. There's a very wide, pure sand beach, with no stones or seaweed/grasse called Contis Plage. It was here that Rommel's Atlantic wall ended. Biarritz is 30 miles away and Spain is another 30 miles after that. The last bunker collapsed into the beach but the 2nd to end is still there although filled with sand. The areas around are off limits due to war bombs and such. it is now a surfing paradise and looks like California circa 1960. In the center of town, under the houses are bunkers, tunnels command post complexes that still exist but in private hands. The roads to the beach were built by Germans and young German surfers boys when partying are often reminded by locals of the history.
Thank for showing to us the 🇩🇪 bunkers... N beaches ... I can see the materials used really very thick.. N strong... Nice architecture ...
The damage to the 210 mm emplacement illuminates the difference between artillery and naval gunfire. 210 mm is gigantic for land artillery, but the USS Nevada had 10 356 mm guns.
Another thing, the purpose of Utah was to capture Cherbourg some 40 klicks away. My 19 year old Kriegsmarine father was stationed there and was captured around June 27th when it fell.
Again thank you for what you do and bringing this History to us. You are living my dream. If I could talk my wife into i would Sell alot of my stuff Move to my familys home who live in N Ireland and do what you do and go around to the WW2 sites. My Granda and Grandma Both served in the Royal Air Force in WW2 and had my dad in 1946.
I am assuming this has only been restored in the last few years. We have been to Normandy to see the sites at least 5 times and I can't believe we could have missed this one.
Holy crap can you imagine being in there? The sounds😮🇨🇦😮 alone I think would've been enough to ruin your hearing for the rest of your life. I was a metal worker all my life and have serious hearing issues because of all the loud banging and other various noises. Being in that bunker would've definitely make your ears bleed while sensing horror in your heart. Incredible stuff and I tip my cap to any bunker survivor from WW2.
There was a much bigger complex in Quiberon, Brittany. Every so often the French military blow a bunker up, but there's still a fair bit left.
Question……
It doesn’t look like the area was air bombed like that of point du hoc. Were craters filled in or was it only hit by naval bombardment?
Love all the B roll. No problems using your drone? Gave up on the idea of bringing mine last trip. Restrictions galore.
Great video
Absolutely amazing. I had the opportunity to visit this battery with my family in 2018. Will the explanation regarding the collapsed bunker at the end of the video be in the next installment? If I remember correctly, the ammunition depot behind the gun exploded by mistake and American soldiers died. We are happy to follow your videos urging us to return to Normandy and visit those places with more attention. Congratulations and thank you
Nice tour of the facilities, but you should have done more research on the defense of the position by Leutnant z.S Ohmsen. Much of the damage that you were so impressed with was done by the 105mm German position when Leutnant Ohmsen called in friendly fire on his own position to remove the US infantry that was swarming all over his position. You might have also mentioned that the main bunker's damage was not as a result of US fire, but that it just fell in on itself years after the war was over. Leutnant Ohmsen was awarded three classes of the Iron Cross (to include the Knights Cross) for his battery defense. Less oh's and ah's and more history.
They've done an amazing job restoring the Crisbecq complex. Most places just mow and maintain around them but fail to restore and protect the actual bunkers. Great video! Are you going to be at SoS in Louisville Friday?
Once again I am astounded by the sheer quality of your videos and your knowledge, informative, respectful but also excellent videography and entertaining, its a crime that each of your videos does not have 1million views. Would love to buy you a beer and show you around my local museum if you are ever in the UK.
What is your opinion on Beaches of Normandy Tours? It’s run by Severine Diaz from the Utah Beach Museum. Im trying to take a tour back there soon!
fantastic mate ..ever thought about shooting across to the channel islands (about 15/20 miles from where you are now), lots of german ww2 history there , my mum and dad were from jersey island and were occupied by the germans for 5 yrs, i heard many stories from them about those times and the terrible way the germans treated the locals, dad remembers seeing the russian slave bought over to build the walls and bunkers of which many starved to death, i believe some were just buried in the concrete as they died , that might interest your viewer's, either way just love your work watch every one...cheers from NZ
Seriously...when I think of the amount of shells fired at those 900 bunkers he mentioned and the amount of actual direct hits they made it makes that one shell that miraculously went in that little opening and through that wall truly a one in a million shot. I wonder if anyone ever tried to make an effort to determine where that shot might have come from? Using ballistics you could maybe determine the size of shell ,the trajectory,direction and distance to figure out what ship and particular gun might have been zeroed in on that door. Just another "rabbit hole" kind of mystery my mind travels down when I watch these things. There aren't many mysteries left to unravel so maybe someone might delve into it someday???
Wow !! Took several days and pounding US Navy to accomplish this sector . Great video .
JD, another great watch, must say it's the first in video in a while I didn't have to dig out a box of Kleenex...... LOL Thanks for all your walking.
A nice job of restoration. Thanks for the video.
Glad that they worked to save this place.
Je conseille vraiment de la visiter. Je pensais faire la visite en 1/2 heure, nous y sommes restés 1H 1/2.
If you wish to properly explore this complex you cannot get round it in 1 1/2 hours - spend half a day and take in the strategic positioning and appreciate the movement restrictions when it was under fire
@@richardwest6358 I m agree with you, but when you have only a day to visit Utah beach sector, you cannot pass half day to visit a place...
MyFred35. I agree with you completely. Some people seem to think they can "do" the invasion beaches and inland sites in a couple of days. In reality, to do justice to the immense historical importance of this blood soaked ground deserves more than a brief "glance over the wall at the cemetery". I have listened to people asserting that they have "done" Pegasus Bridge in 15 minutes. What an insult to the brave men of that action.
YES, ive been here. So happy you went thier mate, i couldn't believe that it was a German shell that went threw like that. Respect to all that fought thier and lets not forget the labourers who built it too.
Great video. Thank you for teaching me about this complex. I had no idea.
Wow what a huge place. Never heard of crisbecq. But what a sight. I have to go again to Normandy. I missed way too much I see 😂
Another fact filled video. Good work and keep having fun. Ps. glad to see you didn't hit your head. Is that a first. Thanks
Very nice job of maintaining the site. It's big history. Merci beaucoup.
Very interesting place, for sure.
Have you read After The Battles 'Panzers in Normandy' , Eric LeFevre ?
Wow JD! That battle damage was incredible! That shel blasting the wall? WOE! Cool to see!
Yeah, that might have been my favorite part of the whole complex.
@@TheHistoryUnderground I sent this to my sons, was like -WOE BOYS! Momma wants you to see this! Lol
I was at Utah Beach last month along with the other D-day landings. Should have spent more time to explore these bunkers instead of the shoreline and museums.
Just lovin these tour’s. I sure would like to go there and the imperial war museum. If I would have been stationed in Europe during my time. I doubt if I would have gotten out!. Not at all sure if I could have lived through all of this. With everyone shooting just at me.😄
Love your site, you should come here where I live, in Gosport, a lot of the dday ships went from stokes bay which is our now local beach. Let me know if your here, I will show you around
Wow, thanks for this, man… we’re in Bayeux for the next few days, and this place wasn’t even on our list. We’ll be heading to Crisbecq in the morning!
Wow!! That. Place was/is massive! Thanks for taking us along 💞🥳