Battle of the Bulge 10 Rare WWII Then & Now Photographs: 2nd SS Division Das Reich

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  • Опубліковано 11 чер 2024
  • BATTLE OF THE BULGE THEN & NOW - In this episode we will be following the route of the German 2nd SS Panzer Division and cover the heroic story of Richard Wiegand who stopped them in their tracks. Bob Konings is a tour guide and one of the best Battle of the Bulge researchers out there. This area is his specialty and so he is the perfect person for this relatively unknown area of the Battle of the Bulge.
    ➡️ Take a look at all the Bastogne Then & Now photographs on www.snafu-docs.com/battle-of-...
    ➡️ Take a look at all the Then & Now photographs from our 'Blocking the 2nd SS Division Das Reich' video on www.snafu-docs.com/blocking-t...
    ➡️Take a look at the Battle of the Bulge color photographs: www.snafu-docs.com/official-b...
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    ★★MORE INTERESTING BATTLE OF THE BULGE STUFF★★
    ★Armoured Warfare in the Battle of the Bulge amzn.to/2OmMcDb
    ★Images of War: Battle of the Bulge amzn.to/3ePeml5
    ★The Battered Bastards of Bastogne: A Chronicle of the Defense of Bastogne amzn.to/38G4ohY
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    ★Haunting World War II Images by America's Soldier Photographers amzn.to/2Onaugk
    ★Eyewitness to World War II: Unforgettable Stories and Photographs: amzn.to/3tlxyum
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    ★D-Day Normandy: The Story and Photographs amzn.to/2OyrgJ8
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    Produced & Edited by: Joey van Meesen
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    Tour Guide: Bob Konings - www.footsteps-battlefield-tou...
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    SOURCES USED:
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 433

  • @philipcallicoat3147
    @philipcallicoat3147 2 роки тому +36

    My uncle Max was in that battle...He was severely wounded... The only thing that he was willing to share about the action was:"It was so cold my wounds froze and I didn't bleed out".... RIP uncle Max 🌹🙏☝️😇

    • @rolonnemarieross7243
      @rolonnemarieross7243 10 днів тому

      Your Uncle Max was a great Hero to our Allied Forces War Effort. Yes, the education of War sadly gave rise in valuable information on wound treatment. Ice and cold helped in many instances namely Hypothermia in Cold water Immersion treatments. You've heard the old adage, "You're not Dead until you are Warm and Dead." Yes, Cold help prevent injury and death but it also caused harm. Dress warm always. God Speed. Regards RMRoss

  • @mbrawthen
    @mbrawthen 5 місяців тому +6

    WOW, placing Richard Wiegand’s photo on his memorial at the site of his death and his heroic sacrifice, man that was a class move by you my brother ….made me a big fan of your channel.!!! 👍🏽❤️

  • @konaok1
    @konaok1 3 роки тому +25

    My father was there with the 101st. Airbourne as a Sargeant scout. He never really spoke of the battle, but he always teared up when the song, "I'll be home for Christmas" was played. So much was given by so many brave soldiers.

    • @dermotanthonydavidkyne1019
      @dermotanthonydavidkyne1019 Місяць тому

      My uncle, John Hannon also fought at the Battle of the Bulge. And he landed on Omaha Beach on the 6th of June. And he made it off the beach. He was wounded twice. And his named is inscribed on the Purple Heart Memorial Wall in Washington. His father's name is also there. And his uncle's name as well. However, the Second World War was an disaster for Europe and the West.
      These men fought and died for nothing. And, (and), the war crimes which thousands of "brave and courageous" Allied soldiers committed against the civilian populations of France, Germany, Belgium and Holland. As well as Italy, has never been recognized.
      I shall observe that the Americans behaved themselves with reference to this matter much better than the English and the so - called "kanadians." Who were nothing more than looters, murderers, rapists and pedophiles. 50,000 French Catholic women and girls were kidnapped from their families, repeatedly beaten and raped. And then murdered.
      Approximately 5,000 of these women and girls remain "missing and unaccounted for" to this very day. And farmers across Normandy and Northern France still recover skeletal remains of these women and children. Every year. If you knew the "real" history of the Second World War, your assessment of your uncle's participation in this disaster might be rather different.

  • @edrossman2654
    @edrossman2654 3 роки тому +54

    I’m retired Military Policeman, US Army , 26 years, First Sergeant (Retired) Disabled Combat Veteran, served in Bosnia ( with 1st MP Company, 1st Infantry Division “Big Red One), Kosovo, and Iraq. Huge WWII history “Nut” (like General McAuliffe Response) and of course I love reading /learning about MPs in combat in WWII. Did not know the story of this young MP Warrior and will definitely share it with the Military Police Community. Thoroughly enjoying all your videos . Great stories and research. Love the then & now pictures of the battlefields. I lived in Germany for 17 years and I loved to do the samething while visiting the battlefields, matching and old picture with a new. And even better is actually standing in these places where history took place and these brave incredible heroes fought and died.

    • @paulbradford6475
      @paulbradford6475 2 роки тому +1

      Dear old Dad was an MP lieutenant, Headquarters company, 1st Infantry Division during the Battle of the Bulge. General Heubner would get after him to clear the roads leading out of Omaha during the landings at Normandy. Coincidentally, I was a member of the Big Red One - in much more peaceful times - in Germany, in the early seventies. My unit was, C Troop, 1st Sqdn, 4th Cav. We were stationed at a place called Panzer kaserne, outside of Stuttgart where, before the war, a lowly colonel named Rommel was in command.
      During the war, 4th Cav played an interesting, if peripheral part just before the invasion, in scouting out an island just northwest of Utah beach. It was thought to be a possible location for long range German artillery. In true Navy Seal fashion, the Cav sent scuba divers in to the island shore to do a little reconnaissance work. As it turned out, there weren't any guns on the island. Had there been, that artillery would have played havoc on the beaches to the south. Check out one of Mark Felton's excellent videos for further details on the subject.

    • @williamcunningham1586
      @williamcunningham1586 2 роки тому

      It’s amazing how many individuals made a huge difference with one action

    • @Search4TruthReality
      @Search4TruthReality 2 роки тому +2

      Rock of the Marne, Heavy PLT, 3d MP Co, 3d Inf. Div. USAREUR '82 - '84. Yes, Jennifer, there are Combat Military Policemen -- 95B.

    • @zaynevanday142
      @zaynevanday142 2 роки тому +1

      @@Search4TruthReality ha ha ha

    • @johnholmes6897
      @johnholmes6897 2 роки тому

      Welcome home brother
      Ssgt. Echo 504 pir 82nd airborne. You guys had it rough. Glad you made it back

  • @Ndcent23
    @Ndcent23 Рік тому +8

    My grandfather was with the 424th. He was awarded The Bronze Star. So important we never forget these hero's.

  • @ishioka769
    @ishioka769 Рік тому +8

    I recently found that my great grandpa, Graundmeyer Labisch, who was in the 3rd Platoon, 2. SS-Panzerdivision 'Das Reich' (SS-Pz.Rgt.2) under Oberscharfuhrer Ernst Barkmann, (I have this information from my grandpa) was the driver of the Panther 401 in the Battle of the Bulge. My grandpa told me that his dad said when his tank was getting pursued by the Americans, he almost soiled himself! I then found a website detailing information on it and I saw his name there! I then saw the first image and that must've been where my great grandpa was! Thank you for detailing these images as it's nice to research and know what my relatives went through.

  • @Jonno2summit
    @Jonno2summit Рік тому +21

    I too am a historian of some sort - always focussed on WW2. I am much older, and I can't say enough about how proud I am of you, or any youthful person, to take on the immense burden of WW2 battle history. You give me hope for the future. In a very simple way - respect for history and willing to dive into it no matter where it leads you. It is often harsher than expected... NEVER FORGET.

  • @CEHowe44
    @CEHowe44 5 місяців тому +3

    As an Army veteran myself and the grandson of a WW2 veteran I got to say you guys do very interesting and informative work. Great job, enjoy the vids very much..

  • @williamhinton1995
    @williamhinton1995 3 роки тому +10

    My Uncle was a Medic with the 75th and was involved in this action. He said that his column was proceeding down this road when they encountered the tank lit up and playing American music. Thinking it was an American tank someone yelled up at it in greeting. This caused the tank to stop close up hatches and began firing on the column until taken out by the bazooka. My Uncle then had the task of helping all the wounded. I have done a painting of this in memory of my Uncle Richard Hinton.

    • @Grandmenil
      @Grandmenil 3 роки тому

      Hi William, would really like to get in contact with you and talk abut your uncle's experiences. Could you please contact me via www.grandmenil.com? Thanks in advance! -Bob-

  • @rongreen4231
    @rongreen4231 5 місяців тому +3

    I have from an early age been interested in WW2 history and am a collector of war relics. I have a great respect for you and the work you are doing. It brings it all to life and I wonder what it feels like to stand where these men who are mostly gone now, stood . I'm sure you can feel their spirits still there.

  • @adriaanboogaard8571
    @adriaanboogaard8571 Рік тому +3

    I really love that you put the Veterans picture on his monument. I'm 55 my family Imagrated from the Netherlands and had survived WWII. When I was in middle School our custodians Abe told me about his days in a Sherman under Patton . I've been to Luxembourg but couldn't visit because the Bus and train schedule on Sunday did not allow time. Great video

  • @patricksullivan2806
    @patricksullivan2806 7 місяців тому +2

    Thank you for your stories and then and now photos. My father served in the Phillipines. I do appreciate the hard work you put in your videos thank you.

  • @keng1043
    @keng1043 Рік тому +12

    Your words, "May we never forget", are so important. Your Then & Now documentaries are incredible and for me all of them are my favorite. You show us where the soldiers were and what the soldiers did such as this MP who stopped that tank. I had never heard of this soldier before so I am grateful to you for informing me of him and his actions that day. The more I learn about these soldiers lets me be grateful for their actions, thank them in my prayers, and be reminded of the sacrifices they made. What you bring to us in your videos are people we would otherwise never hear of, plus you show the infinite number of times that a single soldier at a single battle did an incredibly brave and courageous act which turned out to be pivotal in the complete victory won by these amazing men. When asked these veterans all say, "I was only doing my job", and, "I am not a hero", however what makes them heroes is that they did their job in the face of bullets, mortars, shells, mines, artillery, hunger, fatigue, fear, and weather. To "do their job" with all of those dangers facing them makes them heroes to me.

    • @PascalManowiez
      @PascalManowiez 3 місяці тому

      Merci monsieur, de la part d'un ancien sergent parachutiste français qui a fait sa carrière dans l'armée française et qui en a vu et vécu, merci à vous ❤

  • @peterpiper_203
    @peterpiper_203 2 роки тому +2

    I appreciate the people who continue to put flowers on these memorials

  • @dragonspecialassetsservice6198
    @dragonspecialassetsservice6198 3 роки тому +25

    Really, you do a very respectable job of researching and remembering all of the heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice

  • @formuladave
    @formuladave 3 роки тому +16

    My father-in-law was in the 517th PIR, H company. Thank you for this great look into the sacrifice these men gave.

  • @TALL1FU49
    @TALL1FU49 2 роки тому +18

    Also one summer we, my mom and dad and myself went to the farm where he was catured. The farmer did not know that there was a small bunker on his farm. My dad got his permission to dig where my dad thought where it was. With 45 minutes my dad found the door way into that small bunker. It was a small one, only big enough for about 15 soldiers. Thats where he found his brothers iron cross and his elt buckle wrappen in someones shirt several times. I still have that metal now and the belt buckle. Those will go to the grave with me

  • @MB-uq8mb
    @MB-uq8mb 3 роки тому +22

    I stumbled upon this channel and I am hooked. I thank you for posting these amazing photos and videos. My father was one of five sons and a daughter that served in WWII. He was in the 8th US Army Air Corps in the 96th Heavy Bomb Group (C) B-17 just outside of London. My uncle Bud served in the 2nd Armored Division and I had three uncles in the navy, one on a mine sweeper and 2 on destroyers. My Aunt Val was a WAC. All served the entire war and all returned home without a scratch, at least not physically. My father wouldn’t talk about the war much, always told me you wouldn’t understand. I can remember watching a movie with him called 12 O’clock High that had actual arial battle footage and radio communications. During one scene there was a B17 being shot down and a guy on a radio saying “there goes another Charlie” meaning C group which was my dads. I looked at him and he had tears streaming down his face. I could tell he wasn’t just watching the movie but he was back there again. When I graduated high school I joined the Army and after that he seemed more comfortable talking to me about the war. Still didn’t go into too much detail. I lost him in 1990 and miss him dearly.

    • @paulbradford6475
      @paulbradford6475 2 роки тому +3

      I'm a veteran, but not a combat veteran. Those tough old guys saw way too much to want to speak about it and I can't say I blame them. They experienced the total depravity of war that would leave any normal man dumbstruck. I'm glad he lived to start a family just like my father did.

    • @hawnyfox3411
      @hawnyfox3411 11 місяців тому

      Am not here to spoil the party, but....
      96th's airfield at "Snetterton Heath" is not even remotely close [Quote] " 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙤𝙪𝙩𝙨𝙞𝙙𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙇𝙤𝙣𝙙𝙤𝙣 " [Unquote]
      According to Google, it takes the best part of THREE HOURS ("2hrs,52mins" they remark) to reach it - It goes...
      In metaphorical terms, it's a bit like saying LOS ANGELES is "Just Outside New York", which is utterly ridiculous !!!!
      Or Florida is "Just outside Alaska"
      In point of FACT, the only nearest USAAF operational airfields (to London) were in ESSEX
      From the River Thames (London) = You have to pass THREE LARGE COUNTIES to even get there.
      LONDON >> ESSEX >> SUFFOLK >> NORFOLK & trust me, as I live there, Norfolk is a HUGE wide distance for U.K
      At night, even doing a steady 90mph (around midnight) most of the way, it still takes 90+ mins to traverse those 3.
      Majority of folks travelling from London to North Norfolk, or, East Norfolk (Norwich) takes over 2 or 3hrs (traffic)
      Ninth A.F airfields for B.26 Marauders WERE ALL based in ESSEX, the nearest being Willingale 387th Bomb Group & Matching Green 391st Bomb Group
      The nearest B.17 Fortress airfield to London would be either Bassingbourn (Cambridgeshire) or maybe even Ridgewell in Essex (the ONLY B.17 B.G in Essex) & both are like a gazillion miles from London, not even close.
      YET BOTH are still approximately only HALF the distance of what Snetterton Heath is to London.
      If you walked there, you wouldn't do it, even in a 24hr period.
      My suggestion is...... check out a map , ANY map, it's not exactly difficult when 'online'
      BTW ; I admire your folks who served & also I live in amongst those 8th A.F bases - (it's how I know....)

  • @buckr0502
    @buckr0502 3 роки тому +33

    Bravo Joey! Love your work on Then/Now! I had the pleasure of touring with Bob at these locations last February. Thank you for memorializing such an amazing place of history.

  • @jwheaty3
    @jwheaty3 2 роки тому +1

    Addicted to this channel. Thank you. Already planning my next trip to Belgium

  • @ocdvw1
    @ocdvw1 Рік тому +1

    I have family involved in these actions....what you guys do is so important...I say this as a grandson of RAF and RMC. My granddad landed at sword beach and headed to Cairn. His haunting memory was burning bodies and limbs with fuel in pits on the beaches...

  • @stevewilson7857
    @stevewilson7857 3 роки тому +64

    The hero at the end deserved more than a Silver Star. RIP
    🇺🇸

  • @henryporter6659
    @henryporter6659 3 роки тому +17

    Thank you. You're doing a service to history.

  • @yoopertv9154
    @yoopertv9154 2 роки тому +34

    It was a privilege to know one of the men in the picture shown at around the 8 minute mark, Maurice Masich. As it said in the video he survived, married and had four children, the youngest being a son named Maurice Peter Masich and a great friend of mine growing up in the town of Newberry, Michigan back in the 1970's. Pete's dad was Army all the way. After WWII he served in the reserves and was a recruiter for many years. Several years ago I learned in more detail about his service at Manhay and how important that battle was. I remember the swagger and confidence which Mr. Masich (as I called him) always carried himself and I now know why. You don't go through military service like WWII and not have it change you in many ways. Mr. Masich was I believe 18 years old at the time of the picture and I remember him telling me he had to get permission from his parents to join early so he could "get in the action before it was over." I can't even imagine being put in that kind of situation at that age, it would sure make a man out of you fast. I have always agreed with Tom Brokaw that they were the "Greatest Generation" of Americans. Selfless to a thought, willing to lay down their lives to fight fascism and dictators around the globe and had the integrity to come home and pay for the cost of the war, not leaving a bill for future generations to pay. Even though these images of WWII can be difficult to see at times, its important that they are seen and many thanks to folks like Snafu Docs for keeping these memories alive for future generations to see what it really takes to preserve freedom. As we all can see, "Freedom Ain't Free."

  • @hscollier
    @hscollier 3 роки тому +5

    Excellent research and a well produced vide. I especially enjoyed the then and now photos. Thanks for the tribute to an almost forgotten hero of the Battle of the Bulge. “He only got one shot off but it changed the course of the battle.” Amazing.

  • @maitrehauchecorne846
    @maitrehauchecorne846 Рік тому +2

    One of My Dads Older Brother’s was there as a Combat Engineer in the 289th Regimental Combat Team 75th Infantry Division , The Bulge Buster’s . He graduated from Tamalpais High School in June of 1944 and was in His First battle near Grandmenil Belgium on Christmas Eve 1944. He was a Son of Italian Immigrant parents. His Father had fought and barely survived with His life The Battle of Adwa , Abyssinia in 1896 evading capture there. While showing My Uncle one of My Garand M-1 rifles He began telling Me more than I had ever heard before about His experiences. He said He carried one just like it and as much extra ammo in cloth bandoleers as He could carry. The freezing cold , the smell of death and burning bodies inside burning tanks , Clearing minefields in the dark before infantry advances and after Grandmenil all the towns they went through. He spoke of seeing dead Americans who had been bound hand and foot and their bodies skewered with their own bayoneted rifles far up from the groin or rectum. He said it was at a place other than Malmedy. He grew up hunting deer and had killed many by that time , gutting , skinning , twisting heads off , butchering and processing them to feed the large family. He was still sickened at having to kill His enemies and though never a drinker later in life admitted that whenever alcohol was found they stayed drunk as long as they could , intense combat is a sobering experience.

    • @Grandmenil
      @Grandmenil Рік тому

      Thank you for sharing this, Maitre!

  • @pelonehedd7631
    @pelonehedd7631 3 роки тому +2

    Thank You for honoring Richard F. Wiegand . My Uncle Bernard Nerviani, the youngest of My Dads four older Brothers was 18 years old and a combat engineer with the 289th regimental combat team of the 75th Infantry Division. His first combat was at Grandmenil Belgium. One of His three Grandsons lives close by with His wife and Young Son . I will be sharing this with He, His two Brothers and their parents. Their Mother My Cousin Linda is Bernards Daughter. My Wife’s Aunt by marriage to Her Moms Younger Brother is German and She related to Me that She had a Uncle who was in the SS who still embraced all their ideologies.

  • @desertwildflower2294
    @desertwildflower2294 3 роки тому +17

    Wow, I just discovered your channel and have to watch every video! I have always wondered what these places look like now. You deserve your own show, this is incredible. Thank you for preserving history!!

    • @palaver40
      @palaver40 3 роки тому +2

      Such meticulous and time-consuming research is greatly appreciated.

    • @SNAFUDOCS
      @SNAFUDOCS  3 роки тому +2

      That is one of the best comments we received. Thank you!

  • @larryschoenhoff4067
    @larryschoenhoff4067 6 місяців тому +1

    Thank you for the story, and they should all be told in school for history so not to be forgotten.

  • @reginaclark1816
    @reginaclark1816 4 місяці тому

    Joey, I watched your interview with JD on The History Underground and I was so impressed by how much research goes into each one of your videos. I love your channel. You and your team do a wonderful job. Thank you.

  • @cathyheston3029
    @cathyheston3029 Рік тому +1

    Excellent documentary!!! We never should forget ❤ Thank you

  • @charlesuhlir3652
    @charlesuhlir3652 2 роки тому +3

    My father was in a special forces unit at the bulge. They were in front of the German push all the way. My dad's best friend was killed there. Shortly after that my dad was injured and returned home for surgery.

  • @mugsnvicki
    @mugsnvicki 3 роки тому +3

    I was in Bastogne in June 2018, driving about and doing battlefield tours. I was totally amazed by the topography of the area. One would not think the area would support armoured attacks. Yet it did...Great museum in Bastogne.

  • @jonrettich4579
    @jonrettich4579 2 роки тому +1

    You’ve helped make this real for me. Thank you. It helps to remind me what was paid for what we have.and to try to live up to that gift

  • @SerenityMae11
    @SerenityMae11 5 місяців тому +1

    My grandfather was in the battle of the bulge...he's 104 and still alive and kicking today

  • @jackscott5465
    @jackscott5465 3 роки тому +2

    The first thing I've ever subscribed to on the WEB. OUTSTANDING I would almost bet my Uncle Oscar would wish he had told us six nephews that pestered the hell out of him about this terribly tragic part of his life. Thank you from the bottom of my HEART and for all my HEROES. I had a bunch of them.

  • @justonemori
    @justonemori 3 роки тому +13

    Thank you for this video, it gives a great perspective as to what happened that books can't accomplish. I've been studying the Bulge for a couple years now since I ran across my grandfather's discharge papers. He was a Tank commander of a Sherman 105 with the US 7AD/31/HQ.

    • @SNAFUDOCS
      @SNAFUDOCS  3 роки тому +2

      You're so welcome! The 7th AD saw lots of action in the Ardennes too. He was a true hero!

    • @greentara291
      @greentara291 Рік тому

      @Kev Ro - we haven't been able to find our Dad's discharge papers; he passed away more than 35 yrs. ago. Where did you come across your grandad's? Turns out the military records for a lot of WWI and WWII veterans (1912-1960) were lost in a big fire at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis Missouri in 1973. An estimated 16-18 million records were lost.

    • @justonemori
      @justonemori 3 місяці тому +1

      ​@@greentara291 I can't find anything in the online National Archives about him, I assume it was because of the fire. I inherited his papers along with his brother in law's since he didn't have any children. Oddly enough that second set of papers doesn't list my uncle's unit, I do know he was part of the Red Ball express and was in this fight. Later he would spend 3 months working on the bridges at Remagen after the breakout.

  • @myramillerphd370
    @myramillerphd370 3 роки тому +8

    These guys are awesome! Watch all of the videos... each one is amazing. My favorite is Parallel!

    • @SNAFUDOCS
      @SNAFUDOCS  3 роки тому +1

      Thank you so so so much!

  • @dawndickson2156
    @dawndickson2156 3 роки тому +7

    Absolutely breathtaking! Thank you for all your research and efforts to preserve history. Your videos need to be used by history teachers! Blessings and be safe!

    • @SNAFUDOCS
      @SNAFUDOCS  3 роки тому

      Wow, thank you! We do our best to preserve and pass on history.

  • @dwightevans8545
    @dwightevans8545 3 роки тому +7

    Thanks for this. I really like the "then and now" pictures, especially from the WW2 Battles.

  • @l.f.bittaker.6182
    @l.f.bittaker.6182 2 роки тому +1

    Me and my 12y old daughter (also obsessed with military history) will definitely take a roadtrip next summer to go and visit some of the places around Europe that played such a big roll in the second world war.

  • @ducatiboy4951
    @ducatiboy4951 3 роки тому +8

    Absolutely outstanding as always, I really look forward to seeing them.

    • @SNAFUDOCS
      @SNAFUDOCS  3 роки тому +2

      Thank you very much!

  • @gerhard6105
    @gerhard6105 3 роки тому +4

    The last weeks there was a lot of snow here in St Vith. Then still its hard to imagine how many soldiers were outside or in hardly warmed building. I did find some ww2 items in my old house. I like the then and now's. I talked too my 93 year old neighbour who had some nice stories told to my. He saw the bombardement of St. Vith and Germans who blew up the bridge at Setz. And how those Germans were captured while drinking coffee in his house.

  • @cadwerks3277
    @cadwerks3277 3 роки тому +2

    I have been looking for a channel just like yours for a long time. This exactly what I had in mind. I would love to visit these historic sites before I check out.
    Keep up such a good work. Thank you from San Diego California.

  • @badmonkey2222
    @badmonkey2222 3 роки тому +8

    That's so crazy Richards foxhole is still there, image, he actually dug it himself and knowing that is rare, most of the foxholes that exist it's not known exactly who dug them being in the heat of battle and so much time going by, awesome.🇺🇸👍

  • @lukeskywalker3329
    @lukeskywalker3329 2 роки тому +1

    I am not from USA or Europe.
    This video gives respect to the fallen and their sacrifices .
    And also reminds us of the tyrany they were fighting. Especially the disgraceful cowardly record of the SS murderers, torturers and rapists .
    Kudos for your video .

  • @jamesrussell7760
    @jamesrussell7760 2 роки тому

    Thank you so much for the great work you do. Never forget!

  • @armyvet8279
    @armyvet8279 Рік тому +1

    Thanks for the video!

  • @CD318
    @CD318 3 роки тому +1

    Well done & thank you for sharing!

  • @jackmundo4043
    @jackmundo4043 Рік тому +1

    Excellent. Thank you.

  • @juanm-td4ks
    @juanm-td4ks 2 роки тому +1

    Outstanding work !

  • @michaelbiernat5489
    @michaelbiernat5489 4 місяці тому

    Excellent documentary, Thank You!

  • @sebastianmelmoth7331
    @sebastianmelmoth7331 Рік тому

    I love these then and now photos. thank you

  • @mattbyrne1822
    @mattbyrne1822 3 роки тому +1

    I've said it before and I'll say again these videos are truly amazing and educational. Keep up the great work 👍

  • @JimCar71
    @JimCar71 2 роки тому +3

    Standing in the foxhole with the view of how close the German tank would have been was absolutely amazing.

    • @stephen4763
      @stephen4763 5 місяців тому

      How can you not have chill bumps standing in the exact same spots where all hell was breaking out in 1944. Hard to imagine - so peaceful in those towns now. 1944 - not so much.

  • @crownzip
    @crownzip 3 роки тому +2

    Amazing history you guys bring to life with such a well produced film. Thank you!

  • @joeymaterese8095
    @joeymaterese8095 2 роки тому

    You guys are god sent..may we never forget

  • @geraldmiller8973
    @geraldmiller8973 2 роки тому

    great channel. unlike any other channel about ww2. keep up the good work.

  • @BlackHat302Gaming
    @BlackHat302Gaming 3 роки тому +3

    Another great episode. Thank you, love how you give the photos their story.

    • @SNAFUDOCS
      @SNAFUDOCS  3 роки тому +1

      Glad you enjoyed it!!

  • @kpd3308
    @kpd3308 2 роки тому

    My favorite photo is each and every one of them. I’m a student of WWII, and the “then and now” photos really bring the history to life. Every high schooler should have at least one class on WWII that includes these type of photos to make it real to them. Thank you!

  • @Schlagzeuger1960
    @Schlagzeuger1960 6 місяців тому +1

    You did a great job…..Rob……very interesting story.👍👍👌

  • @footballlovers6938
    @footballlovers6938 5 місяців тому +1

    Wonderful information tnx

  • @jimwheeler2192
    @jimwheeler2192 3 роки тому +5

    Really enjoyed the video guys. You done a great job. My dad was there at the Wolfs Gap.

    • @SNAFUDOCS
      @SNAFUDOCS  3 роки тому

      A real hero Jim. Thank you for watching!

    • @bastogne315
      @bastogne315 3 роки тому

      How old are you bro?

  • @bobburke9840
    @bobburke9840 5 місяців тому +1

    My grandfather served in the 7th armored around the St. Vith area during the bulge. I have a picture he had of a sign that hung across the main street in St. Vith that said "You are now entering St. Vith, courteous of the 7th armored division".

  • @johnankrah299
    @johnankrah299 2 роки тому +1

    Amazing job guys!

  • @dvhughesdesign
    @dvhughesdesign 3 роки тому

    Excellent work, once again. Always compelling. Thank you.

  • @knegt100
    @knegt100 3 роки тому

    Thank you for your great efforts. Very interesting to look back at what happened then.
    We will never forget this and hopefully we learn from our past !!!!

  • @WaltANelsonPHD
    @WaltANelsonPHD 2 роки тому

    Thank you for posting!

  • @paulus1412
    @paulus1412 3 роки тому +13

    Keep up the good work! These videos are always a must see :)

  • @carlsowell8099
    @carlsowell8099 2 роки тому

    Thank You for your videos. I was stationed in Bindlach Germany '76-'79. I served on tanks so this is so very interesting to me . Thank You for keeping history alive . Take Care

  • @371francis
    @371francis 2 роки тому

    Awesome video and awesome work. All the best from Canada.

  • @yamrunner
    @yamrunner 2 роки тому

    Very good job guys ; thanks for sharing !!

  • @jamesnull5415
    @jamesnull5415 3 роки тому

    Another fine documentary. I just finished another of your productions on the Battle of the Bulge. These are very well put together. 🇺🇸

  • @frankrizzo3729
    @frankrizzo3729 11 місяців тому +1

    Excellent video

  • @Wolfsschanze99
    @Wolfsschanze99 2 роки тому

    Great Vid, Thanks for all the hard work.

  • @karlaiken6152
    @karlaiken6152 3 роки тому

    Great "then and now" pix. Please give us more of this type of video. It makes a lot of difference to have persons who are knowledgeable of the activities in the area like Bob Konings. Many of us cannot travel much any more. Keep posting.... We will view them!

  • @walterwhitaker1395
    @walterwhitaker1395 Рік тому +1

    MAGNIFICENT!

  • @lordscorch1128
    @lordscorch1128 3 роки тому

    Just came across your channel. I look forward to seeing more of your content. Keep up the great work!

  • @TheAceDestroyer
    @TheAceDestroyer 3 роки тому +1

    Yet another very interesting episode! Thanks!

  • @selfpropelled8916
    @selfpropelled8916 3 роки тому +3

    Thank you guys for doing this. I have always wonder what these areas looked like today .

  • @jeroenbezuijen3767
    @jeroenbezuijen3767 3 роки тому +26

    These stories need be told over and over again. Many men lost their lives here for our freedom.

    • @fntime
      @fntime 3 роки тому +6

      And then Biden became President and it was all for nothing

    • @johngillon6969
      @johngillon6969 3 роки тому +3

      I was in the navy in that vietnam thing, and then did an apprenticeship in a defence lab after i got out. it was a semi govt type business so they hired mostly veterans, and i got to study machinist trade with ww2 veterans. they always had stories, my favorite guy had been drafted and was shipped over to the battle of the bulge the day he got out of basic training, in transit he was separated from all his gear and arrived at the front with only the dress uniform he was wearing and it was snowing and cold. He was so tired he went to sleep under a tank and when he woke up, he climbed out and found out the tank had been destroyed and he was all alone. In a quiet forrest.

    • @jeroenbezuijen3767
      @jeroenbezuijen3767 3 роки тому +2

      @@johngillon6969 Hard to imagine in this time where people need to be told just about everything. The lack of high command and radiocontact then makes it more harder to find youre own way. The Ardennes are beautuful but not in that time. The cold must be terrible back then.

    • @johngillon6969
      @johngillon6969 3 роки тому +1

      @@jeroenbezuijen3767 I met all sorts of guys working there, one fellow was with Merrill's marauders, and he was with that outfit from the beginning till the end. You didn't mess with that guy, he was super calm and polite, but had a way about him. And then there was another guy that claimed he marched all the way across north africa and thru the holy lands to berlin, and never got to fire his riffle. I felt a little jealous, not having any stories but getting drunk in foreign ports. Happily i survived the madness.

    • @jeroenbezuijen3767
      @jeroenbezuijen3767 3 роки тому

      @@johngillon6969 Thank God you survived John. Sometimes boring aint so bad either:). Hard to imagine you can fight in a dress uniform, not mention the freezing cold. The neverending courage they left there was unbeluevabke, close to madness I think. Or maybe the believe of a higher purpose of fighting against evil, wich in fact it was.

  • @spockspock
    @spockspock 3 роки тому

    Wonderful perspective. Thanks.

  • @dinocorreia1202
    @dinocorreia1202 3 роки тому

    It's a hymn to the memory all those videos. ThankU

    • @SNAFUDOCS
      @SNAFUDOCS  3 роки тому +1

      That is our goal. We try to preserve history :) Thank you for watching!

  • @TheTotallyRandomGuy
    @TheTotallyRandomGuy 3 роки тому +8

    Wow, it's pretty crazy that someone's foxhole that they dug over 75 years ago is still kind of there. Same with the houses, even though some were rebuilt.

    • @jenniferlarson6426
      @jenniferlarson6426 3 роки тому +1

      I noticed that too. They rebuild in Europe. Here in America, we tear down and start all over.

    • @Grandmenil
      @Grandmenil 3 роки тому

      You can actually find hundreds and hundreds of foxholes in this area. Some hidden deep in the woods, some next to the road.

  • @bookem5537
    @bookem5537 3 роки тому

    Dude, your videos are legit. Keep up the great work!

  • @mxpmw
    @mxpmw 3 роки тому +1

    These videos are amazing. Informative and brings history to
    Life. Very well done.

    • @SNAFUDOCS
      @SNAFUDOCS  3 роки тому

      Thank you again my friend!

  • @xDudeHimSelfx
    @xDudeHimSelfx 3 роки тому

    Thank you for these videos. Keep it up the good work. May we never forget 😔

  • @medivoadmin
    @medivoadmin 3 роки тому

    Excellent!!! Lads you bring history back. Super job!

  • @radomirkratovac824
    @radomirkratovac824 3 роки тому +2

    I have seen a lot of history clips and stories on UA-cam but this is something extraordinary. Comparing places and events now and then and adding an interesting story to the footage is really great. As we proceed into the future people especially the young ones will eventually cease to read history(they already say reading books is boring) and rather focus on watching and following social media. I therefore believe that one day your videos might become part of history classes around the world so keep up the great work and this idea of comparing the footage from the past with nowadays scenery having in mind that there is so much material across Europe regarding WW II

    • @SNAFUDOCS
      @SNAFUDOCS  3 роки тому +1

      Thank you so much sir!

  • @xyzbobboy
    @xyzbobboy 2 роки тому +1

    Thank you.

  • @charlesgreen8604
    @charlesgreen8604 3 роки тому

    Wow wonderful information. Very well done. Thank you!

  • @mrcarlo1966
    @mrcarlo1966 2 роки тому

    You are providing some of the best content on this period in history.Thank you from America.🇺🇸

  • @alanmoffat4454
    @alanmoffat4454 2 роки тому

    VERY GOOD WORK WHICH IS APPRECIATED TODAY ,THANKS, .

  • @truckertom3323
    @truckertom3323 3 роки тому +9

    Bob Konings is a very good Historian, and knows his Geography.

  • @760Piper
    @760Piper 3 роки тому +1

    What a great video. Excellent work!!!

  • @Aldo-zp8wk
    @Aldo-zp8wk 3 роки тому +3

    What a great story and video..RIP Richard Wiegand..a true American hero!

  • @bluejeans8001
    @bluejeans8001 3 роки тому +6

    Thank you for sharing and keeping these true hero’s memories alive forever more.👍👍👍👏👏

    • @SNAFUDOCS
      @SNAFUDOCS  3 роки тому +1

      Thanks for listening & watching!

  • @gt4viking789
    @gt4viking789 2 роки тому

    Brilliant video thank you 👍🏼

  • @jamesmartin7282
    @jamesmartin7282 2 роки тому

    Really fascinating! Thanks.

  • @BottleBri
    @BottleBri 3 роки тому +1

    Loved the film guys!