Wayne D I’m sorry you endured that relentless nightmare. But, I also thank you for your service to our country - it means a great deal to so many of us.
an honest man carries guilt all his days. a dishonest man justifies himself and moves on. Forgiveness to others and to yourself is your only redemption
Thank you for your service Mr. Smoyer. My father was there with you. 3rd Armored, 32 AR, 3rd Bat, HQ Company. Was thrilled to read about your service in Spearhead.
I just finished the book. It made me cry as well. My wife's grandfather served in Europe, but, whenever I asked him about it, he said, "That's something you just don't talk about." I wonder what he saw that haunted him so. Whatever it was, he took those memories to his grave.
One of my elderly friends who served in WWII, he told me that he has always lived with killing a basement full of children in Germany. They were clearing houses in a battle like this one, german soldiers were holing up in sewers, basements, etc. He went into the house, and the people upstairs kept trying to tell him there were babies downstairs.....he'd had other people try the same thing and got shot at. So he lobbed a grenade down the stairs. Sadly there were children/babies downstairs, and he had to live with that the rest of his life. It was a horrible, sad story and it was really hard to hear him talk about it.
Ugh. That’s horrible. My grandfather served in WWII and before he passed, he sat us down just one time to tell us what happened over there. He confirmed that grenades through windows and doorways was how they had to clear out buildings because the Germans would use civilian homes as cover. Terrible war.
My grandfather was at Okinawa and Saipan. I remember him telling me that they had to shoot the women sometimes because the Japanese would strap bombs on them and force them to run head on into the American lines. He cried every time he told us that. He said he was 17. Died in 1995.
Incredible story, I was familiar with the battle that was captured on film but unaware of Katarina or her death prior to the final moments when the Pershing destroyed the German Panther. What a heavy burden to carry all these years, thanks for telling his story and sharing.
there is a documentary about this woman and her sister who uncovered the truth. the truth is that a M4 ran that wounded woman over hours later after the M26 left the area
Battle of Cologne 1945 - A young woman between the frontlines ua-cam.com/video/GUDT9flAOpA/v-deo.html The full 80-min version is available on demand at Vimeo: vimeo.com/search?q=duel%20at%20the%20cathedral
@@MauserK43 I was looking through the comments for someone who knew what happened to her body and had that link. Thanks for posting. Yes, there was apparently not enough left for a proper burial after the fleeing tank ran over her in the counterattack battle that happened after the photo of her being treated by medics
I just finished the book and my eyes were wet at the end. My Mum's brother was a tank commander in north Africa, a bomb from a JU87 went under the tank blowing him up and out killing his friends. He was MIA to his family for 6 months. He came home gave his medals to my Mum and never talked about it. every night it returned to him, the horror of war His youth was taken and with age he suffered so much
I had an older cousin who never got over the 21 German soldiers he had killed. He knew because he had seen them over the sights of his M1. He lamented that they had never done anything to him and yet he killed them because they were the enemy." He never allowed himself any slack and yet spoke of an older man he had not killed. An old man with a black and white scarf struggling with the cold near Bastogne in Dec 44. Later he saw the man in a POW camp and said it felt good that he had not taken his life, but the 21 never left him!! We who have never been in combat, killed and seen men killed, cannot know the sights, & sounds & smells that haunt veterans in the still small hours of the night.
I just finished the book Spearhead which is about Clarence Smoyer and the 3rd Division's Rush through Germany.....and about the very famous Tank Duel. I wouldn't have thought that a book about a tank duel could be touching and heartwarming and gripping and overwhelming....but it is. The book is a Prize. But when you watch this video and see Katrina lying on the sidewalk with her head resting on her brief case full of HER personal possessions....the sadness and pain of the situation really resonates. The book is fantastic. The video makes it all too real.
From all outward appearances, my father-in-law, a WWII veteran (Anzio, and other places) led a happy and productive life. But just bring up the war, and his mood darkened: "I don't want to talk about it. I'll spend the rest of my life trying to forget about it." All we know is that he returned from the war with a Purple Heart, two Bronze Stars, many other medals, and scars both physical and emotional. We tend to look at WWII veterans as heroes of the war. But they were also victims of its carnage.
Spoken like someone who knows nothing of war because others have always stood in his place. I hate war, but the Guardian only exists because the predator does. There will always be those who prey on the weak and unwary, and there will always be those who fight to defend them. The only way to prevent war from touching those you love is by excelling at it to such an extent that the wolves keep their distance, and choose other prey. If it were possible to reason with the wolves we would. In war someone will always appear to suffer needlessly, but the cold truth is its either their people suffering or yours, and they are the ones who wanted war so they can bury theirs.
@Incerthose A. IntoBee The people aren't the enemy lame. The armies were. In war, its between politicians, armies and property. Not people, but judging by your profile GIF. You wouldn't have known that living for that section 8 check for your trailer home, while you stuff you face with Walmart cheeseballs and 2 liters of soda...
I am an eighty year old veteran, I once heard a philosopher say " a person is smart, people are stupid"! To me that sums up all the reasoning for ALL wars!!!
My grandfather was in the airborne during WW2, he was shot several times during the battle in Bastogne (I am probably spelling the city name incorrectly and for that I apologize) survived, and when he came home he never spoke a single word about his time in the military.
Clarence you didn't do that deliberately with intentions of murdering her , unfortunately she became another casualty of the war , I'm certain God forgave you now forgive yourself .
Don't be so sure. He likely saw the woman through the windows of the automobile, knowing passengers were civilians before firing. Enflamed emotions of survival and anger co-mingle in combat. This would explain his guilt. As we age, and reach our mortal end, we seek to reconcile. I also carry blood-guilt of taking human life. This veteran needs to know he can hav forgiveness through our savior Yeshuah.
He couldn’t possibly know that that girl was in the car he’s hot at.This man has a heart as big as a house and is a beautiful person.Its sad to think that he has carried that weight for all his life! Hand salute and a strong,encouraging hug! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
@@kathythompson8642 Oh, well you probably know more about the smoyer family history even though I'm a smoyer but. So smoyer comes from the schmoyer German surname. Yet my dads family is where I get my smoyer heritage from and they are all Italian while my moms side is Irish/polish. So clearly the amoyer family tree has gotta into a pretty big mix 🤔
Jeffrey Edwards Pearl Harbor is what brought the US into ww2. Japan was Germany’s ally and Hitler found out about Pearl Harbor the same way America did.
One of the most touching stories I’ve seen. In the horrors of war, there’s only the people who initiate the war who are at fault, not the heroes trying to end it.
What an incredibly sad story. One of millions from that time. Poor beautiful lady. A shame and a waste. May she rest in peace and may Mr. Smoyer find his own peace.
I just finished reading Adam Makos' book "Spearhead" and the final chapter features Clarence Smoyer's and his battle with PTSD from the 1945 Battle in Cologne, Germany..
Many of these comments below are so embarrassing to me as a human. While I do not condone disabling comments I can understand why it is done. This is a deeply touching story and yet so many use it as a place to post their stupid.
I know i agree with you. People are posting awful things in a specific thread because of somebody's profile picture. Some justifying specific actions. They wouldn't have the freedom to say that under their cumulated beliefs. Makes me so sad to hear people preaching the words that the menace and adversary of these brave WW2 veterans risked their lives to fight against.
Like Katarina's relative said, he doesn't think there's fault for one death in a war like that. But if any fault was to be made, it should fall directly upon the store owner Katarina worked for, who was driving the car. All they had to do was wait a few more hours, or until the next day at most, and they all would've lived. It was absolutely crazy & dumb beyond all reasoning for him to be driving a car at all on that day- it was his fault entirely; and trying to get to a bridge to cross over to another part of town was pure insanity! Any bridge in that situation would be about the most dangerous place thinkable to be near! So any blame deservedly should be upon her boss. RIP. This great WWII hero has been tormented by the memory ever since solely due to Katarina's boss!
Matthew Hamersly you cannot really determine who’s fault it really was. Yes it was war and driving a car on a street where tanks where fighting isn’t just a smart idea but think of the grocery stores owner for a second. Can you? You never know what went through his head that day. What would you have done? I probably just wanted to get out of there into a safer zone. Just saying..
@@garage9283 You're really stretching that one...out on a limb. What would I do? Hide like 98% of the others did until the city had been completely liberated; certainly no drive around in a car through mostly impassible streets while hellatious fighting was going on. It was OBVIOUS to all the city would be entirely freed soon. So, to summarize, YES...I can, and do blame the store owner. They'd survived occupation, repeated bombings, shellings and street fighting for quite a long time by not doing anything stupid(irrational/insane/etc). One day more would not have been difficult.
@@THE-HammerMan yeah just stay put... read the reply above in the comments section from stormlaker1975... staying put didn't work for them. Nevermind the rapes, lootings, murders (accidental and otherwise), committed by allied forces, yes including the Americans. I probably tried to get out as well. When you say liberated, that's your view. To the Germans living there, it was being conquered.
According to the video I saw by Hermann Rheinsdorf (in German) about this incident, the young woman wanted to flee then because her fiance was just on the other side of the Rhein and I believe they might have been trying to get to him and over the Rhine before the Germans blew the bridge. See ua-cam.com/video/GUDT9flAOpA/v-deo.html&bpctr=1609452338 for an English language version.
Thank you for your service Clarence. Because of you and your fellow service men. I have never had to endure your horrific memories. Your humanity will be remembered. Katerina has left her mark on history as well. I hope our leaders will see this clip.
Clarence's humanity shows here. He regrets his role in perhaps killing Katherina and that is very understandable. She had a full life ahead of her that was never lived. Rest in peace Katherina and thanks for your service Clarenence.
My great uncle Claude a WW1 veteran saw my great uncle Frank dead on a stretcher he had leave after the battle of Argonne forest. He was supposed to see his brother he didn’t know he was dead until he saw him his body muddy and bloodied . Thank God we have a Redeemer !
I'm a German who is born and living in Cologne. I know this story due to a documentary about Cologne during the war. Really touching to see Clarence had bad memories about Katharina his whole life. Rest in peace! I'm reading now the book "Spearhead".
This is truly an amazing video. The news coverage was just incredible. It was war time and there were collateral damages. Mr. Smoyer was doing his duty in the heat of battle and everything was not clear, especially who was in the car. It was a very sad and unfortunate incident of which he should not blame himself. I hope Mr. Smoyer can find peace within himself. And thank you Mr. Smoyer for your service to our country.
This is heartbreaking story. I think this man is a role model. He did what he had to do in very difficult times and he cannot be blamed for what happened. I hope he found peace. From Germany.
Only Jesus can help this gentleman. I had a dear friend that fought in Vietnam and always wept over killing children; problem was they were shooting at him while he was clearing an LZ with his gunship so he shot back to save his own life.
This is a moving and touching story, and important. We need to remember history. This was a famous tank fight in the ending days of WW2 in March 1945. The backdrop was the fight between a Sherman and new Pershing versus a Panther. The Sherman was relatively poeerless against the Panther but the Pershing was the first new US Army tank on equal footing with Tigers and Panthers. The tank footage was famous but it wasn’t until a few years ago that the footage of the young woman Kathirina Esse was taken out of archives and that brought out new research, memories and reconnections. Her sister Anna recognized Kathi. A documentary was made and historian Alex Makos wrote a book and brought former enemies in touch. It’s an amazing story and while truly sad and tragic, it is important we remember them. Kathi could have survived. The war was days from ending so it makes you think about the what ifs? Here is an excerpt from the doc on the tank battle and Kathirina Esse. You can watch it in full on Apple, Prime, etc Its called “March 1945 Duel at the Cathedral” ua-cam.com/video/FFU4q2KkVmA/v-deo.html
my father was a royal marine commando in ww2 and when ever a war time conversation would come up with anyone about ww2 his words would be you do not know what war means
May all the worlds warriors find peace from the horrors of war. A lifetime of guilt should be rewarded with forgiveness and rest. Are hells chains not unbound by grace?
thats so sad, but what a good man he is. he obviously has a big heart and i couldn't imagine what those guys endured, but i think it's very interesting.
As you live on I hope you finally have peace. God will forgive you as well as her family. You can now live on in peace. Thank you for your service and I hope you will live in peace for now on. I am a veteran myself but never seen the things you did. Saying that I wish you nothing but happiness.
The causes of war's created by others, but the burdens of actually fighting them and the life dealing with the affects felt by others. I hope this descent man can somehow find peace because he has had a lifetime of pain. A special man.
Um, I've seen another side to this event.. Apparently Katerina who was shot during that battle was attended to by medics but wasn't actually dead. Whilst she was left on the side of the road, (not sure how long for) during a battle in that same area another Allied tank was passing through and had run over her and that car, crushing her which led to her actually passing away from that tragic event. I am not making this up. Can anyone clarify this? What I speak of is also in a documentary you can find on YT.
I have seen the same documentary and in it locals confirmed seeing a second tank run over her. The tank was under fire from German army units that had moved back into the street, which the US forces had believed now to be safe. The 2nd tank crew made a dash for cover and in the panic did not see her lying on the ground at the tide of the car. If anyone is to blame, it is the first unit ( including the medics ) for not evacuating her to safer ground or out of the combat area. Just to leave her there alone without a guard was unforgivable to many people. When you see other units moving up the road and looking at her and just passing by, does not say a lot about any empathy to German civilians. I wonder if by that stage in the war, did US army units have very little sympathy towards the civilian population at all?
Richard Tierney you obviously never been in combat, where would she been safe ? A house she would of died there too. Personally I never second guess a man’s decision under fire. Everyone a humanitarian when they are in their home
Its not your fault, Clarence. Its was war, though tragic her fate was it was just an unfortunate circumastance. She would have appreciate your gestures for atonement.
Dear God....I feel so bad for this man. I feel bad for all soldiers who saw and did things that they would never want to remember including my Dad and after my Dad's death from cancer, my stepfather. God bless our soldiers always. I wish there was a way to wipe their memories clean.
Adam Makos has written two other very fine books: "A Higher Call" and "Devotion". Look 'em up. Check 'em out. Well worth your time. The stories will stick with you.
Memories can be so great and also so haunting. It's a person's conscience that determines how they process their memories. Obviously, this man has battled his memories for decades. I hope he forgave himself.
I'm 70 years old and the memories of my days in Vietnam still haunt me. Human's can be so cruel one minute and so loving the next.
Wayne D I’m sorry you endured that relentless nightmare. But, I also thank you for your service to our country - it means a great deal to so many of us.
God bless you
Thank you for your service. I am a cold war peacetime vet.
Thank you for your service. I am a Desert Shield vet and very thankful for every US Veteran.
I hope your living a nice life Wayne.
an honest man carries guilt all his days. a dishonest man justifies himself and moves on. Forgiveness to others and to yourself is your only redemption
Jesus and His forgiveness is all that matters.
Clearly you've never been in combat, you don't get to varnish your opinion
Thank you for your service Mr. Smoyer. My father was there with you. 3rd Armored, 32 AR, 3rd Bat, HQ Company. Was thrilled to read about your service in Spearhead.
This gal does _not_ cry easily. I am in tears. What an incredibly touching story.
I just finished the book. It made me cry as well. My wife's grandfather served in Europe, but, whenever I asked him about it, he said, "That's something you just don't talk about." I wonder what he saw that haunted him so. Whatever it was, he took those memories to his grave.
One of my elderly friends who served in WWII, he told me that he has always lived with killing a basement full of children in Germany. They were clearing houses in a battle like this one, german soldiers were holing up in sewers, basements, etc. He went into the house, and the people upstairs kept trying to tell him there were babies downstairs.....he'd had other people try the same thing and got shot at. So he lobbed a grenade down the stairs. Sadly there were children/babies downstairs, and he had to live with that the rest of his life. It was a horrible, sad story and it was really hard to hear him talk about it.
StormLaker1975 geese that’s horrible man.
Ugh. That’s horrible. My grandfather served in WWII and before he passed, he sat us down just one time to tell us what happened over there. He confirmed that grenades through windows and doorways was how they had to clear out buildings because the Germans would use civilian homes as cover. Terrible war.
CCNixon, you say "terrible war" as though there is anything but.
@@CherryCokeNixon
because the Germans would use civilian homes as cover.
Who doesn't in a war fought in a city?
My grandfather was at Okinawa and Saipan. I remember him telling me that they had to shoot the women sometimes because the Japanese would strap bombs on them and force them to run head on into the American lines. He cried every time he told us that. He said he was 17. Died in 1995.
My uncle is the sweetest man walking the planet. Now at 99 he never boasted about himself. Always kind and down to earth.
This was an amazing video; just now seeing it (it was linked from a reddit post). How is your uncle doing Kathy?
Gregory uncle Clarence passed away September 2022
@@Mickey200916 Sorry to hear that. :( I hope you and your family are well.
@@gregorypeterschmidt620 all is well
This man has a good heart. I'm sure that Katerina forgave him long ago.
Incredible story, I was familiar with the battle that was captured on film but unaware of Katarina or her death prior to the final moments when the Pershing destroyed the German Panther. What a heavy burden to carry all these years, thanks for telling his story and sharing.
Mighty Tiki it’s interesting because no one knows whose bullet hit and killed her but he still chooses to carry the burden
there is a documentary about this woman and her sister who uncovered the truth. the truth is that a M4 ran that wounded woman over hours later after the M26 left the area
Battle of Cologne 1945 - A young woman between the frontlines
ua-cam.com/video/GUDT9flAOpA/v-deo.html
The full 80-min version is available on demand at Vimeo:
vimeo.com/search?q=duel%20at%20the%20cathedral
Makos' book is an amazing read. A must-read for anybody interested in WWII, or what happens when countries choose war.
@@MauserK43 I was looking through the comments for someone who knew what happened to her body and had that link. Thanks for posting. Yes, there was apparently not enough left for a proper burial after the fleeing tank ran over her in the counterattack battle that happened after the photo of her being treated by medics
I just finished the book and my eyes were wet at the end.
My Mum's brother was a tank commander in north Africa, a bomb from a JU87 went under the tank blowing him up and out killing his friends.
He was MIA to his family for 6 months.
He came home gave his medals to my Mum and never talked about it.
every night it returned to him, the horror of war
His youth was taken and with age he suffered so much
RIP. Your heart is pure. Be at peace Sir.
The poor man, God bless and comfort him.
A good and decent man, in a horrible situation.
He let that young girl die on side of road he is no hero
Thank you for your service sir. You will never be forgotten.
That poor grocery clerk on side of road dying alone. Awful war criminal stuff
I had an older cousin who never got over the 21 German soldiers he had killed. He knew because he had seen them over the sights of his M1. He lamented that they had never done anything to him and yet he killed them because they were the enemy." He never allowed himself any slack and yet spoke of an older man he had not killed. An old man with a black and white scarf struggling with the cold near Bastogne in Dec 44. Later he saw the man in a POW camp and said it felt good that he had not taken his life, but the 21 never left him!!
We who have never been in combat, killed and seen men killed, cannot know the sights, & sounds & smells that haunt veterans in the still small hours of the night.
I just finished the book Spearhead which is about Clarence Smoyer and the 3rd Division's Rush through Germany.....and about the very famous Tank Duel. I wouldn't have thought that a book about a tank duel could be touching and heartwarming and gripping and overwhelming....but it is. The book is a Prize. But when you watch this video and see Katrina lying on the sidewalk with her head resting on her brief case full of HER personal possessions....the sadness and pain of the situation really resonates. The book is fantastic. The video makes it all too real.
From all outward appearances, my father-in-law, a WWII veteran (Anzio, and other places) led a happy and productive life. But just bring up the war, and his mood darkened: "I don't want to talk about it. I'll spend the rest of my life trying to forget about it." All we know is that he returned from the war with a Purple Heart, two Bronze Stars, many other medals, and scars both physical and emotional. We tend to look at WWII veterans as heroes of the war. But they were also victims of its carnage.
My wife's grandfather was the same. "That's something you don't talk about," is what he would say.
My father would not talk about his experiences either, except the funny stuff! He fought in Abyssinia, N. Africa and Italy.
@@patrickporter6536 that's true even with today's vets. :(
I know a SADF soldier who killed a little boy in SWA. I lost touch with him, but I believe he eventually killed himself.
War changes you forever both mentally and physically.
I have become harder and less able to care for my fellow man.
No one wins in war for all have lost.
Peace....
The bankers win.
Silly statement. Of course someone wins.
Nathaniel Lionheart I know you don’t really believe that.
Gubba Bump That was my point.
Spoken like someone who knows nothing of war because others have always stood in his place.
I hate war, but the Guardian only exists because the predator does. There will always be those who prey on the weak and unwary, and there will always be those who fight to defend them. The only way to prevent war from touching those you love is by excelling at it to such an extent that the wolves keep their distance, and choose other prey. If it were possible to reason with the wolves we would.
In war someone will always appear to suffer needlessly, but the cold truth is its either their people suffering or yours, and they are the ones who wanted war so they can bury theirs.
Thanks for your service. Thanks to all of the veterans of all wars for their service.
Soul crushing for him to find out that it wasn't the enemy. Tragic, all the way around.
@Incerthose A. IntoBee The people aren't the enemy lame. The armies were. In war, its between politicians, armies and property. Not people, but judging by your profile GIF. You wouldn't have known that living for that section 8 check for your trailer home, while you stuff you face with Walmart cheeseballs and 2 liters of soda...
The "enemy"? Who or what really is the enemy in war??
Clarence, I hope you find a way to forgive yourself and find peace and serenity. You may not have even fired the shot that injured her.
Prayers for you, Clarence. You are obviously a good, caring man. May God grant you peace.
Heart rendering story.
I am an eighty year old veteran, I once heard a philosopher say " a person is smart, people are stupid"! To me that sums up all the reasoning for ALL wars!!!
My grandfather was in the airborne during WW2, he was shot several times during the battle in Bastogne (I am probably spelling the city name incorrectly and for that I apologize) survived, and when he came home he never spoke a single word about his time in the military.
What a beautiful human being.
Clarence you didn't do that deliberately with intentions of murdering her , unfortunately she became another casualty of the war , I'm certain God forgave you now forgive yourself .
If God exist, he is the only guilty for the wars conducted by humans he created..
Don't be so sure. He likely saw the woman through the windows of the automobile, knowing passengers were civilians before firing. Enflamed emotions of survival and anger co-mingle in combat. This would explain his guilt. As we age, and reach our mortal end, we seek to reconcile. I also carry blood-guilt of taking human life. This veteran needs to know he can hav forgiveness through our savior Yeshuah.
@@tonykeith76 dumb comment.
Spearhead is one of the best books I've ever read. May God forgive them
He couldn’t possibly know that that girl was in the car he’s hot at.This man has a heart as big as a house and is a beautiful person.Its sad to think that he has carried that weight for all his life!
Hand salute and a strong,encouraging hug! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
This is my uncle Clarence. Humble man caring loving so kind. Never boasted about himself
@@kathythompson8642 Your related the smoyers?
@@jaymessmoyer340 yes Clarence was my uncle.
Sadly he passed away September 30 2022
@@kathythompson8642 Oh, well you probably know more about the smoyer family history even though I'm a smoyer but. So smoyer comes from the schmoyer German surname. Yet my dads family is where I get my smoyer heritage from and they are all Italian while my moms side is Irish/polish. So clearly the amoyer family tree has gotta into a pretty big mix 🤔
@@jaymessmoyer340my side of the family is Italian, Indian and German. Yes quite a mix. Yes my uncle is mostly German heritage.
Clarence, May you find the peace you deserve.
We're fools to make war on our brothers.
Our brothers were fools to start the war.
Blame Hitler.
Jeffrey Edwards Pearl Harbor is what brought the US into ww2. Japan was Germany’s ally and Hitler found out about Pearl Harbor the same way America did.
@@SantaWorshipers Germany started the war by invading Poland, Germany were allies of Japan.
Should "our brothers" just take it. If they don't, do they then become fools?
One of the most touching stories I’ve seen. In the horrors of war, there’s only the people who initiate the war who are at fault, not the heroes trying to end it.
The World War two veterans are the greatest generation! Thank you for your service!
What an incredibly sad story. One of millions from that time. Poor beautiful lady. A shame and a waste. May she rest in peace and may Mr. Smoyer find his own peace.
I just finished reading Adam Makos' book "Spearhead" and the final chapter features Clarence Smoyer's and his battle with PTSD from the 1945 Battle in Cologne, Germany..
Many of these comments below are so embarrassing to me as a human. While I do not condone disabling comments I can understand why it is done. This is a deeply touching story and yet so many use it as a place to post their stupid.
I know i agree with you. People are posting awful things in a specific thread because of somebody's profile picture. Some justifying specific actions. They wouldn't have the freedom to say that under their cumulated beliefs. Makes me so sad to hear people preaching the words that the menace and adversary of these brave WW2 veterans risked their lives to fight against.
Like Katarina's relative said, he doesn't think there's fault for one death in a war like that. But if any fault was to be made, it should fall directly upon the store owner Katarina worked for, who was driving the car. All they had to do was wait a few more hours, or until the next day at most, and they all would've lived. It was absolutely crazy & dumb beyond all reasoning for him to be driving a car at all on that day- it was his fault entirely; and trying to get to a bridge to cross over to another part of town was pure insanity! Any bridge in that situation would be about the most dangerous place thinkable to be near!
So any blame deservedly should be upon her boss. RIP.
This great WWII hero has been tormented by the memory ever since solely due to Katarina's boss!
Matthew Hamersly Really it was Hitler’s fault for starting the whole damn thing. Imagine how many would have lived out their lives.
Matthew Hamersly you cannot really determine who’s fault it really was. Yes it was war and driving a car on a street where tanks where fighting isn’t just a smart idea but think of the grocery stores owner for a second. Can you? You never know what went through his head that day. What would you have done? I probably just wanted to get out of there into a safer zone. Just saying..
@@garage9283 You're really stretching that one...out on a limb.
What would I do? Hide like 98% of the others did until the city had been completely liberated; certainly no drive around in a car through mostly impassible streets while hellatious fighting was going on. It was OBVIOUS to all the city would be entirely freed soon.
So, to summarize, YES...I can, and do blame the store owner. They'd survived occupation, repeated bombings, shellings and street fighting for quite a long time by not doing anything stupid(irrational/insane/etc). One day more would not have been difficult.
@@THE-HammerMan yeah just stay put... read the reply above in the comments section from stormlaker1975... staying put didn't work for them. Nevermind the rapes, lootings, murders (accidental and otherwise), committed by allied forces, yes including the Americans. I probably tried to get out as well. When you say liberated, that's your view. To the Germans living there, it was being conquered.
According to the video I saw by Hermann Rheinsdorf (in German) about this incident, the young woman wanted to flee then because her fiance was just on the other side of the Rhein and I believe they might have been trying to get to him and over the Rhine before the Germans blew the bridge. See ua-cam.com/video/GUDT9flAOpA/v-deo.html&bpctr=1609452338 for an English language version.
Just found this story and will purchase the book "Spearhead". Incredibly moving, thank you.
Thank you for your service Clarence. Because of you and your fellow service men. I have never had to endure your horrific memories. Your humanity will be remembered. Katerina has left her mark on history as well. I hope our leaders will see this clip.
A man coming to grips with what he had to do. I admire what he was trying to do, guilt is a terrible thing to have as a burden.
May God bring peace and forgiveness to both old Warriors.
The book “spearhead” is so good! Must read
It hurts deep down to know i will never match up to this man or any others in that frame of time
What a mans they are .... it makes me cry ....I'm honoured to know that story
"Spearhead" is a fantastic book. A must read.
So many civilians died like this in WW2 and in other wars... Sad story.
I read SPEARHEAD and it's very very good. I recommend y'all read it to learn more about Clarence. I wish I could meet him.
Clarence's humanity shows here. He regrets his role in perhaps killing Katherina and that is very understandable. She had a full life ahead of her that was never lived. Rest in peace Katherina and thanks for your service Clarenence.
God Bless these Brave Men, give them Peace.
I hope that we never have to go through, what these men went through!
My great uncle Claude a WW1 veteran saw my great uncle Frank dead on a stretcher he had leave after the battle of Argonne forest. He was supposed to see his brother he didn’t know he was dead until he saw him his body muddy and bloodied . Thank God we have a Redeemer !
I'm a German who is born and living in Cologne. I know this story due to a documentary about Cologne during the war. Really touching to see Clarence had bad memories about Katharina his whole life. Rest in peace! I'm reading now the book "Spearhead".
My father was stationed in Cologne in 46. This is so sad
This is truly an amazing video. The news coverage was just incredible. It was war time and there were collateral damages. Mr. Smoyer was doing his duty in the heat of battle and everything was not clear, especially who was in the car. It was a very sad and unfortunate incident of which he should not blame himself. I hope Mr. Smoyer can find peace within himself. And thank you Mr. Smoyer for your service to our country.
This guy's one of my heroes. Way to go captain America!;
This is heartbreaking story. I think this man is a role model. He did what he had to do in very difficult times and he cannot be blamed for what happened. I hope he found peace. From Germany.
The book is the greatest war historical I have read,. Moving touching. Buy it.
Rest in Peace soldier
Her terrible and accidental death, historical testament of the futility of War.
This kind of love and regret doesn’t exist in humanity today, he’s an amazing man and if she does exist beyond this world, she forgives you.
Wayne you're right. Never goes away.
Only Jesus can help this gentleman. I had a dear friend that fought in Vietnam and always wept over killing children; problem was they were shooting at him while he was clearing an LZ with his gunship so he shot back to save his own life.
Same thing in Iraq, strapping bombs to young children, having them run up to vehicles and toss grenades inside.
This is a moving and touching story, and important. We need to remember history. This was a famous tank fight in the ending days of WW2 in March 1945. The backdrop was the fight between a Sherman and new Pershing versus a Panther.
The Sherman was relatively poeerless against the Panther but the Pershing was the first new US Army tank on equal footing with Tigers and Panthers. The tank footage was famous but it wasn’t until a few years ago that the footage of the young woman Kathirina Esse was taken out of archives and that brought out new research, memories and reconnections. Her sister Anna recognized Kathi. A documentary was made and historian Alex Makos wrote a book and brought former enemies in touch. It’s an amazing story and while truly sad and tragic, it is important we remember them. Kathi could have survived. The war was days from ending so it makes you think about the what ifs?
Here is an excerpt from the doc on the tank battle and Kathirina Esse. You can watch it in full on Apple, Prime, etc Its called “March 1945 Duel at the Cathedral”
ua-cam.com/video/FFU4q2KkVmA/v-deo.html
my father was a royal marine commando in ww2 and when ever a war time conversation would come up with anyone about ww2 his words would be you do not know what war means
Out of the roughest rocks and filthiest dirt...sometimes...you get the most resilient stems of beautiful flowers.
May all the worlds warriors find peace from the horrors of war.
A lifetime of guilt should be rewarded with forgiveness and rest. Are hells chains not unbound by grace?
6:28 that transition shot from interview to that fateful day decades ago really hits hard.
thats so sad, but what a good man he is. he obviously has a big heart and i couldn't imagine what those guys endured, but i think it's very interesting.
So sad to see the young woman die on the street like that so many innocent lives lost !!!
As you live on I hope you finally have peace. God will forgive you as well as her family. You can now live on in peace. Thank you for your service and I hope you will live in peace for now on. I am a veteran myself but never seen the things you did. Saying that I wish you nothing but happiness.
I think that I saw a documentary about this story.
Facinating story.
i wish nothing but peace to all sides,all those still alive,all those that lost their lives early
May The Gentle Soul Of Mr Richard Overton Keep On Resting In Perfect Peace
Glad she has a grave. Apparently the machine gunner in the Panther also felt he could have been responsible.
Very sad, and sadness is the common factor in war.
I wish we could see more stories like this made public - the media seems so interested in making everyone seem like heartless goons
they enjoy spreading hatred and paranoia into the public. it's great for money and clicks.
The causes of war's created by others, but the burdens of actually fighting them and the life dealing with the affects felt by others. I hope this descent man can somehow find peace because he has had a lifetime of pain. A special man.
We owe you a debt, Sir, that can never be repaid. May you find peace.
A wonderful human being.
oh my god, i can't believe they have footage of it
the footage is incredible
And it just so happened to be captured on video. I almost can't believe it. Wow.
God bless you, sir. Comfort to your heart.
Um, I've seen another side to this event.. Apparently Katerina who was shot during that battle was attended to by medics but wasn't actually dead. Whilst she was left on the side of the road, (not sure how long for) during a battle in that same area another Allied tank was passing through and had run over her and that car, crushing her which led to her actually passing away from that tragic event. I am not making this up. Can anyone clarify this? What I speak of is also in a documentary you can find on YT.
I have seen the same documentary and in it locals confirmed seeing a second tank run over her. The tank was under fire from German army units that had moved back into the street, which the US forces had believed now to be safe. The 2nd tank crew made a dash for cover and in the panic did not see her lying on the ground at the tide of the car. If anyone is to blame, it is the first unit ( including the medics ) for not evacuating her to safer ground or out of the combat area. Just to leave her there alone without a guard was unforgivable to many people. When you see other units moving up the road and looking at her and just passing by, does not say a lot about any empathy to German civilians. I wonder if by that stage in the war, did US army units have very little sympathy towards the civilian population at all?
Richard Tierney you obviously never been in combat, where would she been safe ? A house she would of died there too. Personally I never second guess a man’s decision under fire. Everyone a humanitarian when they are in their home
...but how many lives to you unintentionally save, sir? It's incalculable. Thank you for your service.
The allies were the bad guys.
Sadly he didnt save anything, but doomed europe and the entire west.
Very touching, thank you.
God bless you Old Soldier.
Its not your fault, Clarence. Its was war, though tragic her fate was it was just an unfortunate circumastance. She would have appreciate your gestures for atonement.
By the way neither of these men killed her. No one moved the woman from the street and a tank ran her over and dismembered her.
THE GREATEST GENERATION
Dear God....I feel so bad for this man. I feel bad for all soldiers who saw and did things that they would never want to remember including my Dad and after my Dad's death from cancer, my stepfather. God bless our soldiers always. I wish there was a way to wipe their memories clean.
😢 so sad. War brings the worst in people, but it also brings out the best in people. Nobody ever wins during a time of war.
I read the book by Makos. Very interesting to read about what took place throughout the war.
bless this man! and the smoyer and esser families!
Thank you Sir....
Great story !!
Thanks
War leaves memories only.
Adam Makos has written two other very fine books: "A Higher Call" and "Devotion". Look 'em up. Check 'em out. Well worth your time. The stories will stick with you.
May God Almighty give you peace and healing.
If our current leadership had 1/10th of 1% of the integrity, humility, and humanity of this man, the US would be a much better place.
The battles never end in our minds...
We all have our struggles with our past. I'm no different than my Father before me WWII Marine in the Pacific...
Beirut, Sons in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Memories can be so great and also so haunting. It's a person's conscience that determines how they process their memories. Obviously, this man has battled his memories for decades. I hope he forgave himself.