@@afewsnakes honestly, he’s only there for a cameo, he does a satisfactory job, and doesn’t break the scene for me, so I never minded. He’s better than Pete Davidson at least.
@@afewsnakes Coming from the UK and never seen Taxi it wasn't so bad at the time, I later found out who he was from watching UA-cam stuff on him, hence I still haven't seen the Taxi film with him and Queen Latifa. but I get what your saying if you knew him and saw this though.
Orange is the national color of the Netherlands after the royal House of Orange. A little detail that not many notice is when in the newly liberated Eindhoven, Winters and other officers can be seen turning up their jacket collars. They did this to hide their officer insignia in case there were snipers who would consider officers to be high value targets. The American soldiers had the advantage of having a semiautomatic rifle, the M1 Garand. It held an eight bullet clip that with each pull of the trigger would fire a round and then the automatically chamber the next round, ready to be fired. The Germans and British mainly used bolt action rifles that would require the soldier to operate the rifle's bolt to chamber the next round. You could see in the scene in the barn where Randleman surprises the German soldier, the German starts to fumble with the bolt of his rifle giving Randleman time to attack him with his bayonet.
We don't include spoilers because we remember the first time we watched it. We are reliving our experience vicariously through you. This series is hard to watch, yet you can't turn away from it. The bravery of these men has to be experienced. We must never forget the price that was paid for the freedom we enjoy. Great reaction, young lady. 👍👍
The Tiger tank was a model of heavy tank fielded by the Germans. It gained a legendary reputation for its firepower and armor early in the war. Some Allied troops were so worried about it, due to the stories they had heard, that they basically misidentified any German tank they saw as a Tiger. Nowadays opinions are split on how good it ultimately was. Some people consider it one of the best tanks of the war, others consider it one of the worst due to the weight and countless technical issues it had. There are still a lot of myths surrounding it.
I hear this debate about the Japanese Zero, too. I guess, ultimately, they lost and we won, so the Tigers and Zeros couldn't have been that invincible.
Like all weapons it's situational. I know that sounds really wishy-washy but let me explain: when the Germans had air superiority on a battlefield and could engage enemy armor at long ranges, with infantry support, the Tiger was a fantastic weapon. When you're retreating, running low on supplies, tactical support, and terrain advantages it could easily be outmaneuvered by armor or infantry. It's the same as my big diesel Surburban: great for climbing a mountain without roads, really REALLY bad in the city.
It's not that simple, Just because you won doesn't mean whatever the enemy was using was bad. So much factors contribute to ones downfall and ones success. The most important factors are Tactics, Strategy, Logistics.. that's why the Allies won. Aside from Hitler keeping his Generals in a stranglehold during much of the war and Japan's extremism in not surrendering. Newer, more modern Vehicles/Aircraft will always have the upperhand till they are beat by the next generation.
@@budwilliams6590 It's my understanding that it's a misinterpretation of the fact that the entire platoon of 5 was counted as being involved, whether or not they all assisted in taking down an enemy tank.
Seeing so many young actors in this series. Seeing McAvoy looking so very young, Tom Hardy, young Fassbender. It's just so stocked with amazing talent.
When my father died, I found a September 28, 1944, copy of the Detroit Free Press he saved for 50 years with the Front-Page Headline, “SKY TROOPS CUT TO PIECES: ONLY 1,800 OF 8,000 ESCAPE”. The entire issue is filled with articles about the actions and failures of Market Garden and Arnhem. It was incredible. I wish he would have talked to me about it when he was alive. Like so many others, he never thought of himself as doing anything amazing. War was just something that had to be done and it was his turn to do it. I am so glad Band of Brothers has this episode and the next to shed a little more light on what my father went through as a 20 year old.
"Quit looking at me like that! Am I alright??" Is one of my favorite moments. Between Winters and Nix, the care is there. Not bad for Nix, with bullet holes in his helmet, having never fired his weapon in combat. ♠
That line is my second favorite in the whole series. Joe Toye in episode 2 has my third favorite with "Jesus that's twice." My favorite comes later in the series during "Breaking Point".
Ames, now that you have THIS episode under your belt (AND having been to Eindhoven), this is a good time to watch “A Bridge Too Far”. Huge All-Star cast, and it explains what this episode was about regarding the war. I saw it the weekend it came out while I was at Ft. Bragg (now Ft. Liberty), Home of the Airborne. The testosterone was high that weekend. They showed it on every screen in every theater in Fayetteville, even at the drive-in. The lines were incredible. I saw it first in a theater, then the next night at the drive-in that use to be on Bragg Blvd. The drive-in was packed! Guys having piled into cars were everywhere. I won’t give away a spoiler, but when you see the movie, you will immediately know the scene where the cheering became deafening. “Market Garden” was an abysmal failure. It was a horrible plan t thought up by British General Montgomery and allowed to happen just to stroke his ego. Years later I participated in the Nijmegen Marches which celebrated the operation and had the opportunity to have dinner with members of the Dutch Resistance who participated in the operation and had fought the covert war against the Germans. The Dutch like to portray themselves as gentle people, which they are until you piss them off! 🫡 5:53 - the Lt (platoon leader) was colorblind, which he had to hide to be in the Airborne. That’s why he ordered Martin to tap him, he couldn’t tell red from green. I saw your expression and thought you might like to know. Oh, and if you want to experience the Eastern Front (plus gain some insight on the current Russian way of fighting), add “Enemy at the Gates” to your list. It is a Soviet telling based upon Soviet “facts”, but I think it is Judd Laws’ best performance (and Rachel Weiss is wonderful).
Agreed about a Bridge too Far if you want to learn more about what Market Garden was all about. However it is a looong movie and although I still really love it, it can drag a bit in parts. But if anyone wants to learn about the larger picture going on in this episode it is essential viewing. Col Sink is also featured in it however after seeing Dale Dyle portray him in BoB, Elliot Gould was a pretty poor choice. Otherwise a Bridge too far has an excellent all star cast of some of the biggest actors at the time. Directed by Richard Attenborough who played John Hammond in Jurassic Park.
It does make one wonder why she would go to Eindhoven. I've been to Eindhoven isn't something one hears every day. It's not like saying I've been to Chicago, Toronto, London or Paris.
@numbersasaname2291 Not sure about the colourblind fact, confusing red and green, it's usually adjacent colours/shades. Correct me if I'm wrong, just sounds like heresay. As for A Bridge Too Far, I completely agree! I love that film, great cast, black humour, sad that it's based on a true story. Must have been amazing at a drive-in cinema (we don't have those here in the UK).
Market Garden wasn't about Monty "stroking his ego" at all. You forgot that Britain had been fighting for 5 years already at this point and tens of thousands of British civilians had been killed by the Germans bombing Britain. He, like all the British were desperate to end war ASAP at this point. Eisenhower approved it because he liked the idea too. It could of worked too, but the Intelligence on German strength was off
When this series first aired I watched it with my grandfather who served in WWII. He never talked about his service prior to our watching this, and it just brought back so many memories for him that he started sharing his own experiences. (I also think he was shocked at how little I knew about the war, but he was too kind to call me a dumbass.)
My father, his 3 brothers & 2 uncles from my mother’s family all served during WWII. Usually if any of them spoke at all about their time in, it was funny stories about time with their comrades. Rarely, if ever, about any combat.
My dad was in an anti-aircraft artillery battalion. He did not do direct combat, but they still had to go through hardships. My mother had to go back to live with her parents until he came home. He was born in America, but my grandparents were all born in Germany and came to America around 1900. God bless all who serve or have served.
The intel was old and young in Holland, the higher ups had no knowledge that there were a couple of SS Panzer groups just assigned to the area that month. that intel was never passed on, or never known at the time of the jump.
@@Thunderer0872 Wasn't there also battle hardened soldiers who had been rotated out of the Eastern Front for some lighter duty in relatively quiet Holland and not the "old men and boys" that they were told were going to be there?
Loved your reactions to this fantastic episode, Ames. And isn't it great to see so many amazing American and British actors, working together, to create tv gold.
Damien Lewis has long been one of my favourite actors. He has such an amazing prescence in his leadership in this show, calm but calculated and has the priority of the mission and his men at heart. Loved him in Homeland too. As a fairly young British guy that saw him playing these American roles, I had no idea he was British until around ten years ago.
You're very observant. Alot of people don't notice most of the details you notice (like the dutch man saying "away away" because the Germans were waiting to ambush). Glad you're enjoying the series. It is a rough ride, but the end will leave you in tears from happiness :) Enjoy!
No I think he was scared and wanted to be tapped because his eyes would be closed, there are two lights red then green even if he were colour blind he know which is which as red comes on first for get ready, green is jump after a period of the red being displayed, so it has nothing to do with colour blindness, if he had been colour blind he would have failed the medical for his position, nor did he cheat the tests I think it was because he was a new Sargent and was scared of the being the first to stand at the door. p.s Colour is the UK spelling I know US is color.
Don't know how it was during ww2 but in 2004 when I went to airborne school, they specifically test you to make sure you can see red and green specifically. He mustve dodged the test somehow or maybe they didn't test for it back then.
@@Thunderer0872in french it is couleur. Also I don't think it is because he was scared. If he would be that tarrified of Heights he would have never joined the paratroopers let alone get is jumping wings were you have jump training from a plane lol. Also paratroopers were not drafted it was volunteers so he would be very stupid to volunteer jumping out of a plane if he was an acrophobe or areophobe.
Probably why the guy with 200 prophylactic kits didn't have enough strength to fight the rest of the war! 😄 ...just kidding. Pretty sure that was Talbert, and he's still here in this episode.
That is his most inaccurate impression but it's still the 2nd funniest. The funniest is obviously hiding behind the trees pretending to be General Horton. I was super impressed the very first time I watched that, and I am still equally as impressed by it today. That was an absolutely perfect impersonation.
The big one that was hiding was a Tiger I Tank, the one at 15:56 with the "stripes", I think is an SdKfz.221 scout car. And the one behind it is a StuG (Assult Gun), up-armored with track linkages on the front (the spikey things)
Or least some modern tank they doctored up to look like a Tiger. They did the same thing in Saving Private Ryan. There is only one Tiger still running, so they had to do the best they could and make modern tanks look the part. They did a pretty good job with it, IMO.
I absolutely love this series. So much that after first watching it I bought the box set on DVDs. Those were the days BS. Before streaming. 😂 I'm really enjoying taking this journey with you. Oh, when Bull took something out of the butt of his rifle in the barn, it was a cigar that he used as chewing tobacco. The attention that they put into small details makes the show so real.
Dear sir, I can now report with some certainty that the eve of battle is near at hand. Toward this end, I have ordered the evacuation of Manhattan and directed our defenses to take up stronger positions on the Brooklyn Heights. At the present time, my forces consist entirely of Haslet's Delaware Militia and Smallwood's Marylanders, a total of 5,000 troops to stand against twenty-five thousand of the enemy. And I begin to notice that many of us are lads under 15 and old men, none of whom could truly be called soldiers. One personal note to Mr. Lewis Morris of New York. I must regretfully report that his estates have been totally destroyed, but that I have taken the liberty of transporting Mrs. Morris and eight of the children to Connecticut and safety. The four older boys are now enlisted in the Continental Army. As I write these words, the enemy is plainly in sight beyond the river. How it will end, only Providence can direct. But, dear God, what brave men I shall lose before this business ends. Your obedient, G. Washington.
This is why I consider those who fought in The American Revolution to be the greatest generation, for without them we would have no country. Every veteran from WWII that I met over the years agreed. They don't consider themselves to be and really shun the idea of being considered as such .@dougearnest7590
Honestly every time i watch band of brothers I can’t help but think of sabatons cover of “1916” it’s a tribute to all soldiers “16 years old When I went to the war To fight for a land fit for heroes” “We all volunteered And we wrote down our names And we added two years to our ages”
For all your comments about you not knowing anything about this war, I do appreciate your reactions as being honest, sincere and heartfelt, and not clouded or persuaded by any preconceived notions of historical events. Very refreshing and entertaining! 👍
The episode ‘Replacements’ took place during ‘Operation Market Garden’, at that time the biggest deployment of allied airborne troops. If you are interested, check the 1977 film about Operation Market Garden ‘A Bridge Too Far’. This film was almost 3 hours long with an incredibly large cast that included Michael Caine, Sean Connery, Gene Hackman, Robert Redford, James Caan. As mentioned in the end credits, it didn’t have a good ending. Only two of the three target bridges were captured. Over 8,000 British paratroopers were lost trying to hold the ‘bridge too far’. Only about 2000 were able to survive and get out. When the film was released in my home country of the Philippines, the last third act of the film was REMOVED from the theatrical release, ending with the capture of the second bridge so it could have a triumphant ending! It wasn’t until I moved to Canada and saw it years later on TV that I saw the original ending.
Actually 24 target bridges in the operation, only three featured in the film in any detail, and a fourth bridge at Grave glimpsed briefly for just ten seconds! None of the rail bridges in the operation were shown, and many of those were blown up because they were prepared for demolition with a 'sprengkommando' stationed on them for months ssince the Allied invasion in Normandy. A number of canal bridges were also blown up very promptly as these were on canal defence lines, already prepared for demolition and with standing orders to detonate if threatened. Only the large bridges at Arnhem and Nijmegen, which were behind these defence lines, were unprepared. The Arnhem bridge was quickly captured by the British Airborne and held for four days, while the US Airborne failed to move quickly on the Nijmegen bridge while it was undefended, allowing the 10.SS-Panzer-Division to reinforce the bridges and the city of Nijmegen and impose a delay on the advance of the British tanks that sealed the fate of the Airborne at Arnhem. That's crazy about the film being cut in the Philippines like that. I can only add that if the full story had been told, it would never be in a Hollywood film made for an American audience. It's the reason the first day in Nijmegen is not shown in the film, but most people don't notice it.
Great reation Ames like always, i love this serie i have seen it duzens of times and, one detail that you miss that unnamed leutenant says the line "Tap my leg when the light turns green, Sergeant." sergeant Martin maybe its becouse that he is color blind and he was terrified of jumping and just needed to feel someone push him. In the end of this episode ends with Winters watching from a distance as Eindhoven is bombed by Germany. This grim scene a turning point in the tone of the story. While D-Day combat was tough, and combat in the weeks following it was certainly no walk in the garden, up 'til now Easy Company was always on the winning side. Here they had to make their first painful retreat. "And now stuff gets really hard" becomes the tone of the next few episodes. Keep up the good work.
I was born in Geldrop, grew up in Son, spent my teens in Oosterbeek and live to this day in Arnhem. All these places were involved with Market Garden and all have memorials to the soldiers. I attended the 50th memorial at the Airborne cemetery in Oosterbeek with prince Charles and queen Beatrix attending. Market Garden and WW2 are inextricably linked with my life, as I was born on Dutch liberation day (may 5th) as well
My dad fought with the 5th Canadian Armoured division liberating the Netherlands. When I was younger I was on a train to Amsterdam the police threw me off but would never say why. And yet the Germans treated me great. Hahahaha. life can be strange.
Yes mam. 8000 men lost by the British. Not to mention 750 Americans. Yes. These men are absolutely beasts. The Greatest Generation of our age. An keep going , so worth it in the end. Well done.
So when it says the British "lost 8000 men" they mean loss in a military sense of not fighting anymore, not necessarily dead. Of those 8000, 6400 of those were taken prisoner and 1400 died. In military terms, loss, or casualty means dead, wounded, taken prisoner, or missing. They do that a lot in this show, to the confusion of many people.
What's really crazy, besides the number of young actors in this who went on to bigger and better things, is how many of them (to this day) still feel a deep attachment to this series. There's numerous videos online of them revisiting the actual battle sites with Col. Dale Dye (the series military consultant) as well as a few of the remaining members of Easy Company. I'd highly recommend watching any of these videos or listening to the recent interviews with the actors on the Reel History channel here on UA-cam.
I always suggest the WW2 symposium from summer 2022, the history hacks zoom from 2020 with almost all the actors, and the ongoing We Happy Few 506th podcast/YT channel with Matthew Lietch who played a role in the series. Wait till it's over though.......
Found your channel recently and I'm really liking your content. Band of Brothers is such an incredible series. Looking forward to more, thanks for sharing!
Operation Market garden is the mission my grandfather was injured in & spent the rest of the war in a British hospital, he suffered parachute failure courtesy of German bullets injuring a few vertebrae but not severing his spine. He lived to the age of 65 & passed away in Feb of 81.
Tiger was the name of the tank, TigerI and Tiger II tanks was one of he largest produced by the germans. the episodes get rougher now. I do love your reactions.
Regarding the 'occupation' by the Germans and the collaborators treatment it's refreshing to watch a reactor who understands what's going on, I'd say you know more than you think you do.
For what its worth, I very much appreciate your empathy in these videos. Saw you first on your hacksaw ridge reaction and then I think the saving private ryan reaction, and now this series. It's very nice to see a woman go through different emotions while watching these than I did.
I am not ready to watch this series over again, it is such a gut punch. It is a lot easier to watch it though eyes and missing out on of some of the punching. Thank you for this? 🤕👍
Btw, this might have already been said, but at 16:25, Bull didn't have "a little bit of food" ; he's chewing tobacco that he keeps in a hole in his rifle's buttstock. Pretty badass.
Keep going. It's war. You know it's going to be hard to watch at times. But this series is such an important document of WW2. To me, this and Schindlers List are the two productions that EVERYONE should watch from a purely historical perspective. No surprise that Spielberg was involved in both.
Bob is one of favs tv-shows of all time, def in my top 10 (and Ive prob at this point seen several hundreds) and seen all the entire season from beginning to en over 20 times. This episode, replacements, most likely ranked near bottom, 9th or 10th.
@@neilgriffiths6427 Yes and no. There are distortions in the film (as with most war films) but it's not really told from an U.S. perspective. Sir Richard Attenborough, who served in the Royal Air Force, directed the film (based on the book by Irish journalist, Cornelius Ryan) and it's actually more focussed on the British experience.
@citizenghosttown The film literally ignores two Americans very much responsible for the failure. Brereton and Williams. They are literally not even mentioned. Instead Browning on screen and Montgomery off screen, get the disrespectful treatment. The film then shows the US 82nd Airborne taking the Nijmegen bridge and British tankers drinking tea. This is ridiculous.
@@lyndoncmp5751 As it happens, I just reread Ryan's book. I literally JUST put it down. (And I've read Beevor's account) And you're absolutely correct. I only meant that the film wasn't solely the creation of Americans in Hollywood. But your criticisms are on the mark. I can appreciate that in any war movie, characters have to be "condensed" but I had forgotten that Brereton had overall command of the First Allied Airborne. He bears at least as much responsibility for the operation as Monty or Browning. As for the tea-drinking, yeah, you're right. There are a lot of reasons why XXX Corps didn't reach their objective. I don't think stopping for tea for was one of them. And there's a similar scene in Band of Brothers -- though it's not quite as bad. When Sgt. Martin tells a British tank that there are German Tigers ahead, the tanker refuses to listen and stubbornly proceeds into an ambush. It's not exactly stopping for tea -- but it felt, I don't know, a bit like a stereotypical depiction of a stiff by-the book Brit as seen through the eyes of a rough-and-ready American. And uncharacteristic, because overall the Series is amazing.
Another great one! I love that the celebration in 1944/1945 of liberated Countries/Cities is still honored today. A bit off topic but the graveyard in Normandy, France full of Americans is a great example. I think Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter captured it best in "US Blues" "Wave that flag, wave it wide and high. Summertime done, come and gone, my, oh, my. I'm Uncle Sam, that's who I am; Been hidin' out in a rock and roll band. Shake the hand that shook the hand of P.T. Barnum and Charlie Chan. Shine your shoes, light your fuse. Can you use them ol' U.S. Blues? I'll drink your health, share your wealth, run your life, steal your wife. Wave that flag, wave it wide and high."
I'm glad that you took your time to read the sobering message at the end with casualty figures. Most reactors seem to read too slow and miss the especially tough fight and sacrifice of the British (and Polish!) at Arnhem. Well done. So far I've watched more than a dozen reactions to this amazing series. Men, women, adults, teens, elders, couples, from many different countries or level of WW2 knowledge. Your reaction is compassionate and heartfelt, so I'm all in for the rest of it with a sub. Thank you!
Love your videos and your genuine reactions. Great movie and series choices. I’m British and a movie geek, would be good to see you react to something from this side of the world, could you maybe do Snatch?
In 1977 Hollywood Made A movie about this Operation Market Garden it's a Very Good Movie called "A Bridge Too Far" it Stars a Lot of Famous British and American Actors of that Time of the Late 70's
Watching you, Ames.. Your reactions, facial expressions and pertinate questions are enjoyable to behold. Keep it up! There are five more episodes, you will believe you're on a roller coaster of emotions. Love from Texas.❤
Thank you for the respect you show these men. This generation I hold on very high esteem, not only for what they accomplished in WWII but going through the Depression as well. Generally speaking they had such tremendous character & fortitude. I hope you can familiarize more & remember their names, you'll have more of a connection I believe. Thank you
One of my favourite war films 'A Bridge Too Far' is an epic portrayal of Operation Market Garden from all different perspectives, definitely worth a watch!
Often overlooked, the guy at 5:47 is ordering to be told when the green light comes on because he's colorblind. He probably lied during enlistment because being colorblind would often prevent individuals from serving.
Love your reacts...my grandpa was himself a veteran in the Brazilian Expeditionary Force and they fought in Italy...lots and lots of stories...and you are right...they are/were really braaaaaave men...Saudações do Brasil😘🙏
Im appreciating your reaction to this GREAT series. Ive seen it MANY times since it first debuted, and it still never fails to deliver a huge emotional impact after all of these years. I look forward to your reaction of EPI 5.
Episode 5 coming up next might be my favorite. There's a great 1977 film about Operation Market Garden called 'A Bridge Too Far' with one of the most stacked casts ever. Sean Connery, Robert Redford, James Caan, Anthony Hopkins, Gene Hackman, Michael Caine, nearly everyone who was anyone at the time is in it.
For what it is worth...it WAS just old men and kids until literally a day before the invasion. Germany rotated some of their elite units to Holland for a break the day before the invasion. Instead of facing secondary units, the allies were facing battle-hardened veterans.The movie 'A Bridge Too Far' also depicts this, as well as the documentary 'The Victoria Cross: For Valour'
Not exactly. "Old men on bicycles and some Hitler Youth" was the often quoted remark and referred to specific intelligence on the local security unit and an SS training battalion in the Arnhem area. The units were Sicherungs-Infanterie-Bataillon 908 and SS-Panzergrenadier-Ersatz-und-Ausbildungs-Bataillon 16 respectively. SIB 908 was a unit of WW1 veteran logistics troops deemed unfit for combat duty back in 1914-18, with companies deployed to guard Deelen airfield and the bridges at Doesburg and Westervoort. SS-Pz.Gren.Ers-u-Ausb.Btl.16 had previously been designated '12' until August as it was finishing training replacements for 12.SS-Panzer-Division 'Hitlerjugend' and had changed designation to '16' in anticipation of receiving 1,600 recruits to train for 16.SS-Panzergrenadier-Division 'Reichsführer-SS'. It had been deployed on the Dutch coast, a potential invasion coast, until the Allies entered Belgium and the need to construct river defence lines in the Netherlands stripped some units from the coast and redeployed them inland. SS-Pz.Gren.Ers-u-Ausb.Btl.16 was divided in two, with three companies left on the coast and the battalion HQ, and companies 2 and 4, returned to their permanent depot in Arnhem as a reserve to the River Waal defence line. The II.SS-Panzerkorps, with the 9.SS-Panzer-Divission 'Hohenstaufen' and the 10.SS-Panzer-Division 'Frundsberg' under command, had moved into the eastern Netherlands after withdrawing from Normandy, arriving on 7/8 September, about 10 days before MARKET GARDEN started. In fact, 8 September was the day that Operation COMET was scheduled to land British 1st Airborne Division and the Polish Parachute Brigade at Arnhem, Nijmegen and Grave, but it was delayed by weather to 10 September. Montgomery received intelligence II.SS-Panzerkorps had moved into the area and cancelled COMET in the early hours of 10 September as troops were boarding their aircraft, and in a meeting with Eisenhower later that day proposed an upgraded Operation to be called MARKET GARDEN with the American divisions added, enabling 1st Airborne and the Poles to concentrate at Arnhem with their substantial compliment of anti-tank guns. The film actually creates a false impression that their opponents were all regular SS field units, when in fact it was a myriad number of training and reserve units attached to the depleted SS divisions as a command structure. The film deliberately sets out to serve the director's intent to make an "anti-war film" by making the operation seem futile, when in fact most of the German units were substandard or understrength and greatly disheartened by their own casualties. It was frankly a battle the Germans did not expect to win and they were quite surprised that they prevailed. The Allies simply made too many mistakes, the worst blunder being at Nijmegen, when the undefended bridge was not seized in the first vital hours, allowing the 10.SS-Panzer-Division to reinforce it, delaying XXX Corps' advance and sealing the fate of 1st Airborne Division at Arnhem.
Such a little detail, but I love the exchange between Sgt Martin and Lt Peacock, where the Lt tells him to tap his leg. There's a popular theory that the LT was red/green color blind and needed to be told when the light changed. Being color blind would put you out of the service, so he couldn't make his issue known to anybody.
One thing you may or may not not have noticed is when Winters and other officers turn up their collars so as not to identify themselves as officers. there were still many snipers in the area and officers were the first targets to disorganize the men if the leadership fell. This is why I love the accuracy of this series. This practice continues today which is one of the reasons why rank is no longer displayed on the collars or shoulders of all men in the field
Partly due to how the British promoted their ranks. Family name and title. Not merit. The United States only lost 750, cause we know how to train our people.
In defense of the Brits under Major General Urquhart they landed on top of 2 SS Panzer divisions as lightly armed Paratroopers - they were told they would have to wait 2 days but instead had to hold for 9. The 101st Airbourne got the support of XXX Corps (armour) so arguably they had the easier objectives. The Red Devils were amoungst the most battle hardened and well trained divisions taking part in the Operation. Market Garden failed for numerous reasons but it's their training which saved lives. @@raymondamador1487
@@raymondamador1487 Oh sod off with that arrogant BS. The British lost 8000 men because their objective (Arnhem) was at the very end of the advance and they were completely cut off from any kind of armored support.
@@raymondamador1487 Yeh you yanks was that 'good' that it was you yanks that caused one of the failures of Market Garden. If General Gavin of 82nd Airborne had actually taken Nijmegen Bridge at the beginning when there was minimal German troops at the bridge instead of taking the high ground. So yeh don't blow your trumpet too hard because you're not as good as you think you are 🙄
@@griechland British excuses are legendary. Sounds like you're making those points to justify their inferiority. I love British culture and folklore. That doesn't excuse having a shite military.
The tank commander was right not to open fire. You need to be able to see the target, but it was foolish to ignore the report. He should have deviated from his route to outflank it. He has a troop under his command and it should have manouvered into hide positions.
Another great reaction video on a harsh episode of BoB. For me as a Dutch guy, this one came the closest to my feeling as it is about a part of my country. You are right, the punches will keep coming in next episodes. Keep watching and talking about though, these stories have to be heard.
I was in the 101st from 06 to 12. I meet maj. Winters a few times. A great man. Soft spoken. I have a 101st flag signed by him right before he passed. I would suggest to watch the pacific and generation kill next.
Excellent reaction and commentary, Ames. You get it. Good job. I'm looking forward to the remaining episodes. It's always a pleasure to watch along with you. Cheers!
@@holddowna Where that British guy refused to take the American's advice, and the German tan shoots the rearmost allied tank. They hit the rearmost tank so that the others couldn't easily retreat.
@@holddowna Eisenhower should've never listened to Montgomery on this, their entire flanks was exposed, and they took fuel away from Patton and Patton had been making good progress. An elite unit of Polish troops were totally destroyed in this ill advised operation.
This episode covers Operation Market Garden. I highly reccomend the 1977 film A Bridge Too Far which also depicts the same operation. It has an amazing cast and some of the best cinematography and special effects the 70s has to offer. It rivals Star Wars A New Hope which came out the same year.
Market Garden was a classic example of "No plan survives first contact." Extremely low flexibility, an intricate timetable, and several fuck-ups along the way (the Brits at Arnhem all got radios, but no batteries, the tanks were supplied with not enough gas because somebody calculated in kilometers instead of miles, etc). An awesome movie about what happened is A Bridge Too Far.
Extremely low flexibility and intricate timetable are nonsense. 24 bridges with a minimum of 10 required to get to Arnhem on the main supply route has a great deal of flexibility, and the timetable was notional, two to three days to get to Arnhem - there were no set timings like a train timestable - that would be ridiculous. I've been reading on Market garden since 1977 and this is the first time I've heard about no batteries for radios delivered and fuel calculated in kilometres - that sounds like nonsense because Britain still uses miles even today. What are your sources? The radios at Arnhem were functionaing normally but at great reduced ranges, due to the terrain. It was not appreciated until after the war that the Veluwe region was glacial moraine with a high iron content, and this affected radio reception. There were two special VHF sets belonging to two teams from from the USAAF 306th Fighter Control Squadron for contacting aircraft that was organised in haste and had their radios delivered with the wrong crystals, but this only affected two sets. Th Royal Artillery used more powerful radios and although also affected by reduced ranges, they were still able to provide support at the gun ranges, for example at the bridge from the batteries deployed in Oosterbeek. Market Garden did not fail at Arnhem - the Arnhem highway bridge was secured on the first evening and held for 80 hours - it failed at Nijmegen, where a regiment commander failed to follow the specific instruction of the division commander to send his first battalion directly to the highway bridge after landing, which turned out to be guarded by just an NCO and seventeen men in a city otherwise deserted by the Germans. The plan would have worked if it had been followed, in spite of all the other problems.
If you want to watch a movie that covers the Market Garden operation you should check out “A bridge too far.” It’s older, made in the 70’s IIRC but it had a star studded cast for the time and goes into pretty good detail on how flawed the operation was from the start. Also the mini documentary “How to win a Victoria cross” covers British paratrooper Major Robert Caine’s ordeal during the operation and battle outside of Arnhem.
Band of Brothers doesn't address Malmedy. (And that happened in December in the Ardennes in the opening stages of the Battle of the Bulge --- in this episode, we're still in Septmember).
The short scene with Webster giving the little boy his first chocolate bar is my favorite in the series. We Americans have a peculiar sense of self-judgement and criticism of our actions as a nation (often justified, sometimes not) when we look at our past. Much of the 20th Century has given us historical acts and deeds that are controversial and sometimes shameful, however the Liberation of Western Europe undertaken as a part of the Grand Alliance of Western Democracies (as oxymoronic a description as that can be at times) is something for which I feel a justifiable sense of pride. Perhaps we were naïve in thinking we could free the world with chocolate bars, nylons and cigarettes generously handed out form the backs of Jeeps - but we sure as hell tested the theory, and you'd be hard pressed to find peoples that would have preferred a different Liberator in 1944-45 had they been given the choice.
Operation Market Garden is covered in the movie "A Bridge Too Far". Not as good as BoB...made in the day when they really couldn't "show" the reality of combat. But a big name cast. Yes...the tension ramps up from here. Thanks for covering.
Market Garden was a disaster. This is an incredible episode for me. I had family involved in WW2 and Korea. Your reaction is terrific. As we say in Texas; y'all be safe.
Unfortunately, recent scholarship lays a lot of the responsibility for the failure on Gen. Gavin who didn't immediately seize the bridge at Nijmegen (the one that had to be eventually taken via river assault in a Bridge too Far). He was perhaps too focused on seizing the Groesbeek heights after landing. Of course Monty gets his share of deserved blame for a plan that was too high risk, but the more I hear about Gavin's role, he shares in it as well.
The evidence seems to show that Gavin had instructed Colonel Lindquist of the 508th PIR to send his 1st Battalion directly to the bridge after landing, but Lindquist had failed to appreciate the need to move quickly and only sent a recon patrol, most of which got lost in the city. While the fault lies with Lindquist, who was not a good field officer and had problems in Normandy during the regiment's first combat operation, Gavin had decided to dismiss a British request to drop a battalion north of the bridge to seize it by coup de main and assign the critical Nijmegen mission to the problematic 508th instead of the more experienced and aggressive 505th. The 505th was assigned to the Reichswald sector of the division perimeter, probably reflecting Gavin's greater concern over potential counter-attacks from Germany than mission failure at Nijmegen. The airborne Operation MARKET was not planned by Montgomery or his staff at all, but Brereton's 1st Allied Airborne Army, which made a number of changes compromising Browning's original COMET plan to prioritise the safety of his own USAAF aircrews. Montgomery stated after the war that with the benefit of hindsight he regretted not intervening directly and insisting on troops being landed closer to the objectives, and Browning's potential objections had already been neutralised by Brereton over the disgraceful Operation LINNET II affair, in which Brereton planned to accept Browning's threatened resignation and replace him with Matthew Ridgway and his US XVIII Airborne Corps. Sources: The MARKET GARDEN Campaign: Allied operational command in northwest Europe, 1944 (Roger Cirillo PhD Thesis, 2001 Cranfield University) Letter General Gavin to Historical Officer Captain Westover, 17 July 1945 Box 101 Folder 10, Cornelius Ryan Collection, Ohio State University, Notes on meeting with J.M. Gavin, Boston, January 20, 1967 September Hope - The American Side of a Bridge Too Far, John C McManus (2012) Put Us Down In Hell - A Combat History of the 508th PIR in WW2, Phil Nordyke (2012)
@@Gort-Marvin0Martian - if you mean Fierce Valor by Jared Frederick (from the UA-cam channel Reel History), I intend to obtain that before too long. Having a hard time easing the shock to my bank balance obtaining volumes on the 1st Airlanding Anti-Tank Battery Troops at Arnhem while they're in stock - specialist books have limited print runs and tend to be expensive, so other books tend to slip down the priority list! As for Ron Speirs, he was a fellow Brit from Scotland originally - if his family hadn't emigrated to the States he probably would have been ideal material for the SAS! The unit has always had a disproportionate number of Scots in it and they're all like Ron Speirs!
One of the things they don't tell you in this one is that the area they dropped in to was being used as an R&R point for front line units and a staging area for troops coming into the front from Germany. A nearly full unit of SS armor had pulled in there a week before, but the Brits refused to listen to reports of it. It was distended to fail from the outset, but Ike was pushed to allow the attack by Washington who was trying to appease some hurt feelings at an American being put in overall command of the ETO over a British officer. As well as to smooth out troubles between Patton and Montgomery. One of my grandfathers was a B-17 Pilot and he wrote in his diary that even they knew that the rail yards in the area of the attack had been verry busy for many weeks and when they voiced concerns about it were told to stick to dropping bombs.
A GREAT movie that TOTALLY focused on Operation Marketgarden, "A Bridge Too Far," came out in the mid 70s. It was the first movie I saw where the allies lost. I was kinda pissed when I first saw it. I was there to be entertained, NOT educated. The funny thing is I went to college a few years later and became a History major. My perspective on that movie did a 180.
As a Dutchman, veteran Marine from Eindhoven itself: You've been in Eindhoven, or NL as a whole? :-D That's so cool Yea we in the South, if anyone in NL, know and remember all about WW II (or we should. Maybe not the youth...) Market Garden played a MAJOR role in WW II and Dutch lives. We still have the memorials especially for the Canadians, the biggest concentration in Eindhoven / Arnhem It's where the Tulip festival comes from
There was a movie made in 1977 called “a Bridge too Far”. It had an all star cast and was exclusively about this battle. Operation Market Garden. This series was great in that it hit in so many important points related to the war. The Dutch and French underground resistance was living in occupation for five years when we invaded France. Once that occurred, the resistance fighters came out of hiding and joined the fighting in open conflict. The women that slept or collaborated with the Germans were in some cases, put to death. Some were shaved and sent packing. There were also “Vichy” French that were actual fascist accomplices to the Germans. They were also executed in many cases.
The Allied losses from MARKET GARDEN was equal to 2 and a half times every man, woman, and child from my home town. People in the occupied cities across Europe suffered horribly from the brutality of the Germans. That's why you see them kissing and cheering the American soldiers wherever they arrived. P S. Thanks for getting the quote right; "no rest for the wicked". Most people get that wrong. But then, that's one of the main reasons I enjoy watching your reactions. Because, like Yogi, you're smarter than the average bear!
There's several WWII films that focus on the British fighting in and around Arnhem during Operation Market Garden, including big budget Hollywood film "A Bridge Too Far" and a really interesting movie called "Theirs is the Glory" that was filmed only a year after the war ended that was filmed on location and used a lot of actual veterans from Market Garden in the cast.
A "Tiger" was a specific model of German tank. They were built in lesser numbers, because they were considered over-engineered and too resource-hungry, but one-on-one on the battlefield, they were one of the toughest tanks of the war. They carried a heavy gun that could punch through the armour of just about all Allied tanks, while their own frontal armour was heavily resistant to the guns carried by Allied tanks (with a few exceptions).
Operation Market Garden had a lot of casualties, many not even depicted in this episode. To put things in perspective, you might want to watch a movie from the 70's "A Bridge Too Far" that was all about operation Market Garden on an epic scale. It had top notch actors of the day such as Robert Redford, Sean Connery, Michael Caine, Anthony Hopkins and many more. There was even Elliot Gould portraying Colonel Robert Sink from this series, although for some reason his name was changed to Robert Stout.
Virtually Gould's entire performance was fiction, so there may have been an objection to using Sink's name. A lot of the names in the film were changed and the thing they all have in common is a fictional performance. Sink was nowhere near the Son bridge site when the Bailey bridge was being constructed and was not involved - almost the whole 506th Regiment was in Eindhoven (apart from one platoon left for bridge security) and Sink was where he should be, commanding his regiment. The attempt at taking the bridge intact was led by Company commanders - A and B Companies from 1st Battalion along the canal bank and D Company leading 2nd Battalion down the main street in the village towards the bridge when it was blown. Regiment commanders down't lead the entire regiment from the front like Gould did any more than battalion commanders fire their rifle or throw grenades like Redford's Julian Cook. Cook was annoyed by Redford's performance because it was mostly fiction. Leading the river assault was accurate, but the rest was pure Hollywood. Also, Sink was not from Yugoslavia, as Bobby Stout claims in the film, he was born in North Carolina, although he may have had Yugoslavian ancestors.
@@davemac1197 I did think it was a bit odd that Gould's Sink (or "Stout") was leading an assault on a bridge, because you never see Sink do something like that in this series; and being a regiment commander he would not have. I was never able to get enough logistical info on operation Market Garden when it came down to individuals, so I just assumed that the movie added in personal details that we weren't aware of. Thanks for clearing up the details, a lot of things make more sense now.
@@lukasismael430 - I think where band of Brothers scores is showing the correct relationship between senior commanders and the men they command - the scene in Episode 7 in the attack on Foy where Winters wants to get involved but is ordered by Sink to stay back, and then Winters sees Speirs (who was in another company, not Easy) standing there, so Winters orders him to take over Easy Company's attack. That scene is accurate and that did actually happen the way it was shown, as far as I know. If you compare that scene to Robert Redford's personal attack on the Nijmegen bridge, firing his rifle and throwing a grenade, these were things Julian Cook did not do because he was doing his proper job of commanding his whole battalion, not leading a Company or Platoon action. The film was financed by Hollywood producer Joseph Levine by pre-selling the distribution rights to United Artists on the strength of the A-list cast being virtually guaranteed box office. That means that the stars had to have things to do, not just giving orders from a safe position, and that's where the dramatic licence comes in. Another interesting story about the film was that James Caan was offered the role of the Captain (Captain LeGrand 'Legs' Johnson, CO of Fox Company, 502nd PIR), but he preferred the role of the Sergeant, Charles 'Eddie' Dohun, because it was more heroic. Dohun was actually Johnson's Jeep driver, runner, and general gofer (I think like the character of 'Radar' from the TV classic M*A*S*H), and it was Johnson that was the tough combat veteran awarded the Silver Star for bravery in Normandy. People who knew both of them said that Johnson was ten times the man Dohun was. So they reversed the characters just to get Caan on board, and changed the name of the Captain to 'Captain Glass' in the credits, although his name is never used in the dialogue. The irony is that the true story of Charles Dohun is even more heroic, because what he did was so out of character, and it would have made an even more unbelievable scene.
There's a good movie from 1977 called A Bridge Too Far, it's about this same operation. They do a good job of portraying from the British, American, and German perspective.
Winters: "Never put yourself in a position to take from these men"
Buck: "Alright...I'll throw left handed then..." 🎯
He took his lesson
“George Luz what would I do without you?”
“2 packs gentlemen, 2 packs!”
The number of A list actors that appear early in their careers is crazy to me. It’s a great showcase for a lot of talent.
Except for Jimmy Fallon who somehow brings down his scene despite having like 2 lines.
He’s the worst.
Yeah. He is to film what Sammy Hagar is too Rock and Roll. I can't take him seriously.@@afewsnakes
Some of them became A-list actors because of BoB
@@afewsnakes honestly, he’s only there for a cameo, he does a satisfactory job, and doesn’t break the scene for me, so I never minded. He’s better than Pete Davidson at least.
@@afewsnakes Coming from the UK and never seen Taxi it wasn't so bad at the time, I later found out who he was from watching UA-cam stuff on him, hence I still haven't seen the Taxi film with him and Queen Latifa. but I get what your saying if you knew him and saw this though.
Orange is the national color of the Netherlands after the royal House of Orange.
A little detail that not many notice is when in the newly liberated Eindhoven, Winters and other officers can be seen turning up their jacket collars. They did this to hide their officer insignia in case there were snipers who would consider officers to be high value targets.
The American soldiers had the advantage of having a semiautomatic rifle, the M1 Garand. It held an eight bullet clip that with each pull of the trigger would fire a round and then the automatically chamber the next round, ready to be fired. The Germans and British mainly used bolt action rifles that would require the soldier to operate the rifle's bolt to chamber the next round. You could see in the scene in the barn where Randleman surprises the German soldier, the German starts to fumble with the bolt of his rifle giving Randleman time to attack him with his bayonet.
"What a dream role." I love how you see the little kid eating chocolate and get jealous.
Knowing production, that kid probably had to eat about 5-10 bars of chocolate to get the right take.
We don't include spoilers because we remember the first time we watched it. We are reliving our experience vicariously through you. This series is hard to watch, yet you can't turn away from it. The bravery of these men has to be experienced. We must never forget the price that was paid for the freedom we enjoy. Great reaction, young lady. 👍👍
No spoilers but we are legally required to have at least one mention of Blythe's fate and other very common things per 3 comments.
For me, the Pacific had more of the shocking to see moments.
AYE; here HEAR!!
Eindhoven. Whoop, whoop. There is where I live
The Tiger tank was a model of heavy tank fielded by the Germans. It gained a legendary reputation for its firepower and armor early in the war. Some Allied troops were so worried about it, due to the stories they had heard, that they basically misidentified any German tank they saw as a Tiger.
Nowadays opinions are split on how good it ultimately was. Some people consider it one of the best tanks of the war, others consider it one of the worst due to the weight and countless technical issues it had. There are still a lot of myths surrounding it.
I hear this debate about the Japanese Zero, too. I guess, ultimately, they lost and we won, so the Tigers and Zeros couldn't have been that invincible.
Like all weapons it's situational. I know that sounds really wishy-washy but let me explain: when the Germans had air superiority on a battlefield and could engage enemy armor at long ranges, with infantry support, the Tiger was a fantastic weapon. When you're retreating, running low on supplies, tactical support, and terrain advantages it could easily be outmaneuvered by armor or infantry. It's the same as my big diesel Surburban: great for climbing a mountain without roads, really REALLY bad in the city.
It's not that simple, Just because you won doesn't mean whatever the enemy was using was bad. So much factors contribute to ones downfall and ones success. The most important factors are Tactics, Strategy, Logistics.. that's why the Allies won. Aside from Hitler keeping his Generals in a stranglehold during much of the war and Japan's extremism in not surrendering. Newer, more modern Vehicles/Aircraft will always have the upperhand till they are beat by the next generation.
I believe it was generally understood that we needed 3 Sherman's for every tiger.
@@budwilliams6590 It's my understanding that it's a misinterpretation of the fact that the entire platoon of 5 was counted as being involved, whether or not they all assisted in taking down an enemy tank.
Seeing so many young actors in this series. Seeing McAvoy looking so very young, Tom Hardy, young Fassbender. It's just so stocked with amazing talent.
Tom Hardy was still in film school when he was cast in this.
Stephen Graham, Simon Pegg, Dominic Cooper...and those are just the ones you have seen...
It makes you wonder what future superstars are going to be in "Masters of the Sky" coming out early next year.
When my father died, I found a September 28, 1944, copy of the Detroit Free Press he saved for 50 years with the Front-Page Headline, “SKY TROOPS CUT TO PIECES: ONLY 1,800 OF 8,000 ESCAPE”. The entire issue is filled with articles about the actions and failures of Market Garden and Arnhem. It was incredible. I wish he would have talked to me about it when he was alive. Like so many others, he never thought of himself as doing anything amazing. War was just something that had to be done and it was his turn to do it. I am so glad Band of Brothers has this episode and the next to shed a little more light on what my father went through as a 20 year old.
"Quit looking at me like that! Am I alright??" Is one of my favorite moments. Between Winters and Nix, the care is there. Not bad for Nix, with bullet holes in his helmet, having never fired his weapon in combat. ♠
That line is my second favorite in the whole series. Joe Toye in episode 2 has my third favorite with "Jesus that's twice." My favorite comes later in the series during "Breaking Point".
Ames, now that you have THIS episode under your belt (AND having been to Eindhoven), this is a good time to watch “A Bridge Too Far”. Huge All-Star cast, and it explains what this episode was about regarding the war. I saw it the weekend it came out while I was at Ft. Bragg (now Ft. Liberty), Home of the Airborne. The testosterone was high that weekend. They showed it on every screen in every theater in Fayetteville, even at the drive-in. The lines were incredible. I saw it first in a theater, then the next night at the drive-in that use to be on Bragg Blvd. The drive-in was packed! Guys having piled into cars were everywhere. I won’t give away a spoiler, but when you see the movie, you will immediately know the scene where the cheering became deafening. “Market Garden” was an abysmal failure. It was a horrible plan t thought up by British General Montgomery and allowed to happen just to stroke his ego. Years later I participated in the Nijmegen Marches which celebrated the operation and had the opportunity to have dinner with members of the Dutch Resistance who participated in the operation and had fought the covert war against the Germans. The Dutch like to portray themselves as gentle people, which they are until you piss them off! 🫡
5:53 - the Lt (platoon leader) was colorblind, which he had to hide to be in the Airborne. That’s why he ordered Martin to tap him, he couldn’t tell red from green. I saw your expression and thought you might like to know.
Oh, and if you want to experience the Eastern Front (plus gain some insight on the current Russian way of fighting), add “Enemy at the Gates” to your list. It is a Soviet telling based upon Soviet “facts”, but I think it is Judd Laws’ best performance (and Rachel Weiss is wonderful).
Agreed about a Bridge too Far if you want to learn more about what Market Garden was all about. However it is a looong movie and although I still really love it, it can drag a bit in parts. But if anyone wants to learn about the larger picture going on in this episode it is essential viewing. Col Sink is also featured in it however after seeing Dale Dyle portray him in BoB, Elliot Gould was a pretty poor choice. Otherwise a Bridge too far has an excellent all star cast of some of the biggest actors at the time. Directed by Richard Attenborough who played John Hammond in Jurassic Park.
I watched that movie recently, and it isn't great. It is really slow and long. Wouldn't be a great movie to react to.
It does make one wonder why she would go to Eindhoven. I've been to Eindhoven isn't something one hears every day. It's not like saying I've been to Chicago, Toronto, London or Paris.
@numbersasaname2291 Not sure about the colourblind fact, confusing red and green, it's usually adjacent colours/shades. Correct me if I'm wrong, just sounds like heresay. As for A Bridge Too Far, I completely agree! I love that film, great cast, black humour, sad that it's based on a true story. Must have been amazing at a drive-in cinema (we don't have those here in the UK).
Market Garden wasn't about Monty "stroking his ego" at all. You forgot that Britain had been fighting for 5 years already at this point and tens of thousands of British civilians had been killed by the Germans bombing Britain. He, like all the British were desperate to end war ASAP at this point. Eisenhower approved it because he liked the idea too. It could of worked too, but the Intelligence on German strength was off
When this series first aired I watched it with my grandfather who served in WWII. He never talked about his service prior to our watching this, and it just brought back so many memories for him that he started sharing his own experiences. (I also think he was shocked at how little I knew about the war, but he was too kind to call me a dumbass.)
My father, his 3 brothers & 2 uncles from my mother’s family all served during WWII. Usually if any of them spoke at all about their time in, it was funny stories about time with their comrades. Rarely, if ever, about any combat.
Nice reaction! Do not prejudge, enter each episode and experience them as they are presented to you.
My dad was in an anti-aircraft artillery battalion. He did not do direct combat, but they still had to go through hardships. My mother had to go back to live with her parents until he came home. He was born in America, but my grandparents were all born in Germany and came to America around 1900. God bless all who serve or have served.
21:02 Nixon is the intelligence officer. Winters occasionally jabs him about the accuracy of the collected intelligence.
The intel was old and young in Holland, the higher ups had no knowledge that there were a couple of SS Panzer groups just assigned to the area that month. that intel was never passed on, or never known at the time of the jump.
@@Thunderer0872 Wasn't there also battle hardened soldiers who had been rotated out of the Eastern Front for some lighter duty in relatively quiet Holland and not the "old men and boys" that they were told were going to be there?
Nixon wasn't responsible for that bit of bad intelligence, that came right from the top.
@@Anon54387 Yes but everyone grumbles or pokes fun at the cashier not the CEO
There was also supposed to be a Jedburgh team operating in the area.
Loved your reactions to this fantastic episode, Ames.
And isn't it great to see so many amazing American and British actors, working together, to create tv gold.
Damien Lewis has long been one of my favourite actors. He has such an amazing prescence in his leadership in this show, calm but calculated and has the priority of the mission and his men at heart. Loved him in Homeland too. As a fairly young British guy that saw him playing these American roles, I had no idea he was British until around ten years ago.
You're very observant. Alot of people don't notice most of the details you notice (like the dutch man saying "away away" because the Germans were waiting to ambush). Glad you're enjoying the series. It is a rough ride, but the end will leave you in tears from happiness :) Enjoy!
He wanted to be tapped when it was green because he was color blind.
That was my takeaway as well. Color Blindness is disqualifying for Airborne and potentially any other combat role.
@will9134 a lot of guys used to memorize the answers to the color blindness test, and pass that way.
No I think he was scared and wanted to be tapped because his eyes would be closed, there are two lights red then green even if he were colour blind he know which is which as red comes on first for get ready, green is jump after a period of the red being displayed, so it has nothing to do with colour blindness, if he had been colour blind he would have failed the medical for his position, nor did he cheat the tests I think it was because he was a new Sargent and was scared of the being the first to stand at the door. p.s Colour is the UK spelling I know US is color.
Don't know how it was during ww2 but in 2004 when I went to airborne school, they specifically test you to make sure you can see red and green specifically. He mustve dodged the test somehow or maybe they didn't test for it back then.
@@Thunderer0872in french it is couleur. Also I don't think it is because he was scared. If he would be that tarrified of Heights he would have never joined the paratroopers let alone get is jumping wings were you have jump training from a plane lol. Also paratroopers were not drafted it was volunteers so he would be very stupid to volunteer jumping out of a plane if he was an acrophobe or areophobe.
Ames, you are doing such a great respectful job watching this. It is hard but worthwhile learning.
To be fair, how can a man kill Germans with dust on his jump wings?
true fact there!😆😆😆
Bulls bayonet clearly didn't have any rust on it either. Otherwise he'd be dead
Just get me another drink Luz.
Probably why the guy with 200 prophylactic kits didn't have enough strength to fight the rest of the war!
😄
...just kidding. Pretty sure that was Talbert, and he's still here in this episode.
That is his most inaccurate impression but it's still the 2nd funniest. The funniest is obviously hiding behind the trees pretending to be General Horton. I was super impressed the very first time I watched that, and I am still equally as impressed by it today. That was an absolutely perfect impersonation.
The big one that was hiding was a Tiger I Tank, the one at 15:56 with the "stripes", I think is an SdKfz.221 scout car. And the one behind it is a StuG (Assult Gun), up-armored with track linkages on the front (the spikey things)
Or least some modern tank they doctored up to look like a Tiger. They did the same thing in Saving Private Ryan. There is only one Tiger still running, so they had to do the best they could and make modern tanks look the part. They did a pretty good job with it, IMO.
I absolutely love this series. So much that after first watching it I bought the box set on DVDs. Those were the days BS. Before streaming. 😂
I'm really enjoying taking this journey with you.
Oh, when Bull took something out of the butt of his rifle in the barn, it was a cigar that he used as chewing tobacco. The attention that they put into small details makes the show so real.
Those that served in this war truly are the greatest generation
Dear sir,
I can now report with some certainty that the eve of battle is near at hand.
Toward this end, I have ordered the evacuation of Manhattan and directed our defenses to take up stronger positions on the Brooklyn Heights. At the present time, my forces consist entirely of Haslet's Delaware Militia and Smallwood's Marylanders, a total of 5,000 troops to stand against twenty-five thousand of the enemy. And I begin to notice that many of us are lads under 15 and old men, none of whom could truly be called soldiers.
One personal note to Mr. Lewis Morris of New York. I must regretfully report that his estates have been totally destroyed, but that I have taken the liberty of transporting Mrs. Morris and eight of the children to Connecticut and safety. The four older boys are now enlisted in the Continental Army.
As I write these words, the enemy is plainly in sight beyond the river. How it will end, only Providence can direct. But, dear God, what brave men I shall lose before this business ends.
Your obedient,
G. Washington.
This is why I consider those who fought in The American Revolution to be the greatest generation, for without them we would have no country. Every veteran from WWII that I met over the years agreed. They don't consider themselves to be and really shun the idea of being considered as such .@dougearnest7590
Episodes do get harder but they also get better. Keep up the great work.
Honestly every time i watch band of brothers I can’t help but think of sabatons cover of “1916” it’s a tribute to all soldiers “16 years old
When I went to the war
To fight for a land fit for heroes” “We all volunteered
And we wrote down our names
And we added two years to our ages”
Sting's "Children's Crusade" always chokes me up.
For all your comments about you not knowing anything about this war, I do appreciate your reactions as being honest, sincere and heartfelt, and not clouded or persuaded by any preconceived notions of historical events. Very refreshing and entertaining! 👍
The episode ‘Replacements’ took place during ‘Operation Market Garden’, at that time the biggest deployment of allied airborne troops. If you are interested, check the 1977 film about Operation Market Garden ‘A Bridge Too Far’. This film was almost 3 hours long with an incredibly large cast that included Michael Caine, Sean Connery, Gene Hackman, Robert Redford, James Caan. As mentioned in the end credits, it didn’t have a good ending. Only two of the three target bridges were captured. Over 8,000 British paratroopers were lost trying to hold the ‘bridge too far’. Only about 2000 were able to survive and get out. When the film was released in my home country of the Philippines, the last third act of the film was REMOVED from the theatrical release, ending with the capture of the second bridge so it could have a triumphant ending! It wasn’t until I moved to Canada and saw it years later on TV that I saw the original ending.
Actually 24 target bridges in the operation, only three featured in the film in any detail, and a fourth bridge at Grave glimpsed briefly for just ten seconds! None of the rail bridges in the operation were shown, and many of those were blown up because they were prepared for demolition with a 'sprengkommando' stationed on them for months ssince the Allied invasion in Normandy. A number of canal bridges were also blown up very promptly as these were on canal defence lines, already prepared for demolition and with standing orders to detonate if threatened.
Only the large bridges at Arnhem and Nijmegen, which were behind these defence lines, were unprepared. The Arnhem bridge was quickly captured by the British Airborne and held for four days, while the US Airborne failed to move quickly on the Nijmegen bridge while it was undefended, allowing the 10.SS-Panzer-Division to reinforce the bridges and the city of Nijmegen and impose a delay on the advance of the British tanks that sealed the fate of the Airborne at Arnhem.
That's crazy about the film being cut in the Philippines like that. I can only add that if the full story had been told, it would never be in a Hollywood film made for an American audience. It's the reason the first day in Nijmegen is not shown in the film, but most people don't notice it.
Great reation Ames like always, i love this serie i have seen it duzens of times and, one detail that you miss that unnamed leutenant says the line "Tap my leg when the light turns green, Sergeant."
sergeant Martin maybe its becouse that he is color blind and he was terrified of jumping and just needed to feel someone push him. In the end of this episode ends with Winters watching from a distance as Eindhoven is bombed by Germany. This grim scene a turning point in the tone of the story. While D-Day combat was tough, and combat in the weeks following it was certainly no walk in the garden, up 'til now Easy Company was always on the winning side. Here they had to make their first painful retreat. "And now stuff gets really hard" becomes the tone of the next few episodes. Keep up the good work.
I was born in Geldrop, grew up in Son, spent my teens in Oosterbeek and live to this day in Arnhem. All these places were involved with Market Garden and all have memorials to the soldiers. I attended the 50th memorial at the Airborne cemetery in Oosterbeek with prince Charles and queen Beatrix attending. Market Garden and WW2 are inextricably linked with my life, as I was born on Dutch liberation day (may 5th) as well
My dad fought with the 5th Canadian Armoured division liberating the Netherlands. When I was younger I was on a train to Amsterdam the police threw me off but would never say why. And yet the Germans treated me great. Hahahaha. life can be strange.
Yes mam. 8000 men lost by the British. Not to mention 750 Americans. Yes. These men are absolutely beasts. The Greatest Generation of our age. An keep going , so worth it in the end. Well done.
So when it says the British "lost 8000 men" they mean loss in a military sense of not fighting anymore, not necessarily dead. Of those 8000, 6400 of those were taken prisoner and 1400 died.
In military terms, loss, or casualty means dead, wounded, taken prisoner, or missing. They do that a lot in this show, to the confusion of many people.
Love your reactions. Liked the vid.
🌹☮️🌹
What's really crazy, besides the number of young actors in this who went on to bigger and better things, is how many of them (to this day) still feel a deep attachment to this series. There's numerous videos online of them revisiting the actual battle sites with Col. Dale Dye (the series military consultant) as well as a few of the remaining members of Easy Company. I'd highly recommend watching any of these videos or listening to the recent interviews with the actors on the Reel History channel here on UA-cam.
I always suggest the WW2 symposium from summer 2022, the history hacks zoom from 2020 with almost all the actors, and the ongoing We Happy Few 506th podcast/YT channel with Matthew Lietch who played a role in the series. Wait till it's over though.......
Found your channel recently and I'm really liking your content. Band of Brothers is such an incredible series. Looking forward to more, thanks for sharing!
Operation Market garden is the mission my grandfather was injured in & spent the rest of the war in a British hospital, he suffered parachute failure courtesy of German bullets injuring a few vertebrae but not severing his spine. He lived to the age of 65 & passed away in Feb of 81.
Tiger was the name of the tank, TigerI and Tiger II tanks was one of he largest produced by the germans. the episodes get rougher now. I do love your reactions.
Regarding the 'occupation' by the Germans and the collaborators treatment it's refreshing to watch a reactor who understands what's going on, I'd say you know more than you think you do.
There’s a great film called “A Bridge Too Far” all about Operation Market Garden that I highly recommend!
For what its worth, I very much appreciate your empathy in these videos. Saw you first on your hacksaw ridge reaction and then I think the saving private ryan reaction, and now this series. It's very nice to see a woman go through different emotions while watching these than I did.
This is a great series to review. I am looking forward to you doing more series reactions.
I am not ready to watch this series over again, it is such a gut punch. It is a lot easier to watch it though eyes and missing out on of some of the punching. Thank you for this? 🤕👍
Btw, this might have already been said, but at 16:25, Bull didn't have "a little bit of food" ; he's chewing tobacco that he keeps in a hole in his rifle's buttstock. Pretty badass.
Another great reaction, Ames!
*I was told there would be refreshing beverages and tasty snacks being served for this reaction....???*
Keep going. It's war. You know it's going to be hard to watch at times. But this series is such an important document of WW2. To me, this and Schindlers List are the two productions that EVERYONE should watch from a purely historical perspective. No surprise that Spielberg was involved in both.
Bob is one of favs tv-shows of all time, def in my top 10 (and Ive prob at this point seen several hundreds) and seen all the entire season from beginning to en over 20 times. This episode, replacements, most likely ranked near bottom, 9th or 10th.
This episode, plus A Bridge Too Far, gives you every angle on Operation Market Garden.
A Bridge Too far was filmed from entirely the Yank perspective, and full of distortions - thanks, Hollywood.
Not a great movie. Pretty boring and too long.
@@neilgriffiths6427 Yes and no. There are distortions in the film (as with most war films) but it's not really told from an U.S. perspective. Sir Richard Attenborough, who served in the Royal Air Force, directed the film (based on the book by Irish journalist, Cornelius Ryan) and it's actually more focussed on the British experience.
@citizenghosttown
The film literally ignores two Americans very much responsible for the failure. Brereton and Williams. They are literally not even mentioned. Instead Browning on screen and Montgomery off screen, get the disrespectful treatment.
The film then shows the US 82nd Airborne taking the Nijmegen bridge and British tankers drinking tea. This is ridiculous.
@@lyndoncmp5751 As it happens, I just reread Ryan's book. I literally JUST put it down. (And I've read Beevor's account) And you're absolutely correct. I only meant that the film wasn't solely the creation of Americans in Hollywood. But your criticisms are on the mark.
I can appreciate that in any war movie, characters have to be "condensed" but I had forgotten that Brereton had overall command of the First Allied Airborne. He bears at least as much responsibility for the operation as Monty or Browning.
As for the tea-drinking, yeah, you're right. There are a lot of reasons why XXX Corps didn't reach their objective. I don't think stopping for tea for was one of them.
And there's a similar scene in Band of Brothers -- though it's not quite as bad. When Sgt. Martin tells a British tank that there are German Tigers ahead, the tanker refuses to listen and stubbornly proceeds into an ambush. It's not exactly stopping for tea -- but it felt, I don't know, a bit like a stereotypical depiction of a stiff by-the book Brit as seen through the eyes of a rough-and-ready American. And uncharacteristic, because overall the Series is amazing.
“I don’t know why I’m whispering “ Just shows how invested you were in the moment!
Another great one! I love that the celebration in 1944/1945 of liberated Countries/Cities is still honored today. A bit off topic but the graveyard in Normandy, France full of Americans is a great example. I think Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter captured it best in "US Blues" "Wave that flag, wave it wide and high.
Summertime done, come and gone, my, oh, my.
I'm Uncle Sam, that's who I am; Been hidin' out in a rock and roll band.
Shake the hand that shook the hand of P.T. Barnum and Charlie Chan.
Shine your shoes, light your fuse. Can you use them ol' U.S. Blues?
I'll drink your health, share your wealth, run your life, steal your wife.
Wave that flag, wave it wide and high."
I'm glad that you took your time to read the sobering message at the end with casualty figures.
Most reactors seem to read too slow and miss the especially tough fight and sacrifice of the British (and Polish!) at Arnhem. Well done.
So far I've watched more than a dozen reactions to this amazing series. Men, women, adults, teens, elders, couples, from many different countries or level of WW2 knowledge.
Your reaction is compassionate and heartfelt, so I'm all in for the rest of it with a sub. Thank you!
Love your videos and your genuine reactions. Great movie and series choices. I’m British and a movie geek, would be good to see you react to something from this side of the world, could you maybe do Snatch?
Love Guy Ritchie. Great suggestion. Cheers! 🇺🇸🇬🇧
In 1977 Hollywood Made A movie about this Operation Market Garden it's a Very Good Movie called "A Bridge Too Far" it Stars a Lot of Famous British and American Actors of that Time of the Late 70's
When this is over you will be so glad you watched this terrific series. Job well done with this reaction!!
Watching you, Ames..
Your reactions, facial expressions and pertinate questions are enjoyable to behold. Keep it up! There are five more episodes, you will believe you're on a roller coaster of emotions.
Love from Texas.❤
Thank you for the respect you show these men. This generation I hold on very high esteem, not only for what they accomplished in WWII but going through the Depression as well. Generally speaking they had such tremendous character & fortitude. I hope you can familiarize more & remember their names, you'll have more of a connection I believe. Thank you
One of my favourite war films 'A Bridge Too Far' is an epic portrayal of Operation Market Garden from all different perspectives, definitely worth a watch!
Often overlooked, the guy at 5:47 is ordering to be told when the green light comes on because he's colorblind.
He probably lied during enlistment because being colorblind would often prevent individuals from serving.
Another outstanding reaction video 👍 📹 ❤ 🇺🇸
Love your reacts...my grandpa was himself a veteran in the Brazilian Expeditionary Force and they fought in Italy...lots and lots of stories...and you are right...they are/were really braaaaaave men...Saudações do Brasil😘🙏
Excellent reactions to this series. Thank you for your thoughtful approach to this series. Your hard work is appreciated!
Always great to watch with Ames! This was a very good episode, gave a great opportunity for Michael Cudlitz to shine.
Im appreciating your reaction to this GREAT series. Ive seen it MANY times since it first debuted, and it still never fails to deliver a huge emotional impact after all of these years. I look forward to your reaction of EPI 5.
Episode 5 coming up next might be my favorite. There's a great 1977 film about Operation Market Garden called 'A Bridge Too Far' with one of the most stacked casts ever. Sean Connery, Robert Redford, James Caan, Anthony Hopkins, Gene Hackman, Michael Caine, nearly everyone who was anyone at the time is in it.
For what it is worth...it WAS just old men and kids until literally a day before the invasion. Germany rotated some of their elite units to Holland for a break the day before the invasion. Instead of facing secondary units, the allies were facing battle-hardened veterans.The movie 'A Bridge Too Far' also depicts this, as well as the documentary 'The Victoria Cross: For Valour'
Not exactly. "Old men on bicycles and some Hitler Youth" was the often quoted remark and referred to specific intelligence on the local security unit and an SS training battalion in the Arnhem area. The units were Sicherungs-Infanterie-Bataillon 908 and SS-Panzergrenadier-Ersatz-und-Ausbildungs-Bataillon 16 respectively. SIB 908 was a unit of WW1 veteran logistics troops deemed unfit for combat duty back in 1914-18, with companies deployed to guard Deelen airfield and the bridges at Doesburg and Westervoort. SS-Pz.Gren.Ers-u-Ausb.Btl.16 had previously been designated '12' until August as it was finishing training replacements for 12.SS-Panzer-Division 'Hitlerjugend' and had changed designation to '16' in anticipation of receiving 1,600 recruits to train for 16.SS-Panzergrenadier-Division 'Reichsführer-SS'. It had been deployed on the Dutch coast, a potential invasion coast, until the Allies entered Belgium and the need to construct river defence lines in the Netherlands stripped some units from the coast and redeployed them inland. SS-Pz.Gren.Ers-u-Ausb.Btl.16 was divided in two, with three companies left on the coast and the battalion HQ, and companies 2 and 4, returned to their permanent depot in Arnhem as a reserve to the River Waal defence line.
The II.SS-Panzerkorps, with the 9.SS-Panzer-Divission 'Hohenstaufen' and the 10.SS-Panzer-Division 'Frundsberg' under command, had moved into the eastern Netherlands after withdrawing from Normandy, arriving on 7/8 September, about 10 days before MARKET GARDEN started.
In fact, 8 September was the day that Operation COMET was scheduled to land British 1st Airborne Division and the Polish Parachute Brigade at Arnhem, Nijmegen and Grave, but it was delayed by weather to 10 September. Montgomery received intelligence II.SS-Panzerkorps had moved into the area and cancelled COMET in the early hours of 10 September as troops were boarding their aircraft, and in a meeting with Eisenhower later that day proposed an upgraded Operation to be called MARKET GARDEN with the American divisions added, enabling 1st Airborne and the Poles to concentrate at Arnhem with their substantial compliment of anti-tank guns.
The film actually creates a false impression that their opponents were all regular SS field units, when in fact it was a myriad number of training and reserve units attached to the depleted SS divisions as a command structure. The film deliberately sets out to serve the director's intent to make an "anti-war film" by making the operation seem futile, when in fact most of the German units were substandard or understrength and greatly disheartened by their own casualties. It was frankly a battle the Germans did not expect to win and they were quite surprised that they prevailed. The Allies simply made too many mistakes, the worst blunder being at Nijmegen, when the undefended bridge was not seized in the first vital hours, allowing the 10.SS-Panzer-Division to reinforce it, delaying XXX Corps' advance and sealing the fate of 1st Airborne Division at Arnhem.
Really enjoy watching alongside you. Your reactions are so genuine. Peace 🙏
Such a little detail, but I love the exchange between Sgt Martin and Lt Peacock, where the Lt tells him to tap his leg. There's a popular theory that the LT was red/green color blind and needed to be told when the light changed. Being color blind would put you out of the service, so he couldn't make his issue known to anybody.
The book and film “A Bridge Too Far” does a pretty good job of detailing Operation Market Garden.
Howdy Ames. Hard to believe this was first released over 20 years ago. It is fun watching it “for the first time” again, through your eyes.
This series should be shown in every high school when our youth believe they have a hard life
More that they're expected to do 3 times the work for half the reward in comparison, than actually "hard", but sure.
"That's a bad joke, I'm sorry" and then the hard double down w/ "Never let go jack". Thank you for that 😂😂😂
One thing you may or may not not have noticed is when Winters and other officers turn up their collars so as not to identify themselves as officers. there were still many snipers in the area and officers were the first targets to disorganize the men if the leadership fell. This is why I love the accuracy of this series. This practice continues today which is one of the reasons why rank is no longer displayed on the collars or shoulders of all men in the field
Too but they were also making out with the women that was no secret
Great reactions to Bob 😊
Great reaction. Loved watching it with you . Strap in every episode from here on in hits harder and harder
I love you for watching this, it’s such a sweet trip down memory lane, I’m gonna sign up for your Patreon now, you’re absolutely worth it!
The 8000 British paratroopers were cut off and surrounded, killed and taken prisoners
THIS IS REAL HISTORY =(
Partly due to how the British promoted their ranks. Family name and title. Not merit. The United States only lost 750, cause we know how to train our people.
In defense of the Brits under Major General Urquhart they landed on top of 2 SS Panzer divisions as lightly armed Paratroopers - they were told they would have to wait 2 days but instead had to hold for 9. The 101st Airbourne got the support of XXX Corps (armour) so arguably they had the easier objectives. The Red Devils were amoungst the most battle hardened and well trained divisions taking part in the Operation. Market Garden failed for numerous reasons but it's their training which saved lives. @@raymondamador1487
@@raymondamador1487 Oh sod off with that arrogant BS. The British lost 8000 men because their objective (Arnhem) was at the very end of the advance and they were completely cut off from any kind of armored support.
@@raymondamador1487 Yeh you yanks was that 'good' that it was you yanks that caused one of the failures of Market Garden. If General Gavin of 82nd Airborne had actually taken Nijmegen Bridge at the beginning when there was minimal German troops at the bridge instead of taking the high ground. So yeh don't blow your trumpet too hard because you're not as good as you think you are 🙄
@@griechland British excuses are legendary. Sounds like you're making those points to justify their inferiority.
I love British culture and folklore. That doesn't excuse having a shite military.
The tank commander was right not to open fire. You need to be able to see the target, but it was foolish to ignore the report. He should have deviated from his route to outflank it. He has a troop under his command and it should have manouvered into hide positions.
Another great reaction video on a harsh episode of BoB. For me as a Dutch guy, this one came the closest to my feeling as it is about a part of my country. You are right, the punches will keep coming in next episodes. Keep watching and talking about though, these stories have to be heard.
I was in the 101st from 06 to 12. I meet maj. Winters a few times. A great man. Soft spoken. I have a 101st flag signed by him right before he passed.
I would suggest to watch the pacific and generation kill next.
Hello A, I'm glad that you discovered B.o.B. you do your reactions so well.
Excellent reaction and commentary, Ames. You get it. Good job. I'm looking forward to the remaining episodes. It's always a pleasure to watch along with you. Cheers!
Aw! Thanks so much for watching!!!
@@holddowna Where that British guy refused to take the American's advice, and the German tan shoots the rearmost allied tank. They hit the rearmost tank so that the others couldn't easily retreat.
@@holddowna When it comes to survival the last thing, naturally enough, on anyone's mind is whether or not a house is destroyed.
@@holddowna Eisenhower should've never listened to Montgomery on this, their entire flanks was exposed, and they took fuel away from Patton and Patton had been making good progress. An elite unit of Polish troops were totally destroyed in this ill advised operation.
Well, of course it's gonna be hard because, it's war. You're hangin' in there though.
This episode covers Operation Market Garden. I highly reccomend the 1977 film A Bridge Too Far which also depicts the same operation. It has an amazing cast and some of the best cinematography and special effects the 70s has to offer. It rivals Star Wars A New Hope which came out the same year.
Market Garden was a classic example of "No plan survives first contact." Extremely low flexibility, an intricate timetable, and several fuck-ups along the way (the Brits at Arnhem all got radios, but no batteries, the tanks were supplied with not enough gas because somebody calculated in kilometers instead of miles, etc). An awesome movie about what happened is A Bridge Too Far.
Extremely low flexibility and intricate timetable are nonsense. 24 bridges with a minimum of 10 required to get to Arnhem on the main supply route has a great deal of flexibility, and the timetable was notional, two to three days to get to Arnhem - there were no set timings like a train timestable - that would be ridiculous. I've been reading on Market garden since 1977 and this is the first time I've heard about no batteries for radios delivered and fuel calculated in kilometres - that sounds like nonsense because Britain still uses miles even today. What are your sources?
The radios at Arnhem were functionaing normally but at great reduced ranges, due to the terrain. It was not appreciated until after the war that the Veluwe region was glacial moraine with a high iron content, and this affected radio reception. There were two special VHF sets belonging to two teams from from the USAAF 306th Fighter Control Squadron for contacting aircraft that was organised in haste and had their radios delivered with the wrong crystals, but this only affected two sets. Th Royal Artillery used more powerful radios and although also affected by reduced ranges, they were still able to provide support at the gun ranges, for example at the bridge from the batteries deployed in Oosterbeek.
Market Garden did not fail at Arnhem - the Arnhem highway bridge was secured on the first evening and held for 80 hours - it failed at Nijmegen, where a regiment commander failed to follow the specific instruction of the division commander to send his first battalion directly to the highway bridge after landing, which turned out to be guarded by just an NCO and seventeen men in a city otherwise deserted by the Germans. The plan would have worked if it had been followed, in spite of all the other problems.
If you want to watch a movie that covers the Market Garden operation you should check out “A bridge too far.” It’s older, made in the 70’s IIRC but it had a star studded cast for the time and goes into pretty good detail on how flawed the operation was from the start. Also the mini documentary “How to win a Victoria cross” covers British paratrooper Major Robert Caine’s ordeal during the operation and battle outside of Arnhem.
I cant remember if band of brothers touched on it, but one of the WWII stories that has always stuck with me was the Malmedy massacre.
Band of Brothers doesn't address Malmedy. (And that happened in December in the Ardennes in the opening stages of the Battle of the Bulge --- in this episode, we're still in Septmember).
No, but there is a film that touches on it entitled "Saints and Soldiers."
The short scene with Webster giving the little boy his first chocolate bar is my favorite in the series. We Americans have a peculiar sense of self-judgement and criticism of our actions as a nation (often justified, sometimes not) when we look at our past. Much of the 20th Century has given us historical acts and deeds that are controversial and sometimes shameful, however the Liberation of Western Europe undertaken as a part of the Grand Alliance of Western Democracies (as oxymoronic a description as that can be at times) is something for which I feel a justifiable sense of pride.
Perhaps we were naïve in thinking we could free the world with chocolate bars, nylons and cigarettes generously handed out form the backs of Jeeps - but we sure as hell tested the theory, and you'd be hard pressed to find peoples that would have preferred a different Liberator in 1944-45 had they been given the choice.
As a Dutch person. I Agree
Operation Market Garden is covered in the movie "A Bridge Too Far". Not as good as BoB...made in the day when they really couldn't "show" the reality of combat. But a big name cast. Yes...the tension ramps up from here. Thanks for covering.
Next comes ep. 5 'Crossroads'. So good.
Market Garden was a disaster. This is an incredible episode for me. I had family involved in WW2 and Korea.
Your reaction is terrific.
As we say in Texas; y'all be safe.
Unfortunately, recent scholarship lays a lot of the responsibility for the failure on Gen. Gavin who didn't immediately seize the bridge at Nijmegen (the one that had to be eventually taken via river assault in a Bridge too Far). He was perhaps too focused on seizing the Groesbeek heights after landing. Of course Monty gets his share of deserved blame for a plan that was too high risk, but the more I hear about Gavin's role, he shares in it as well.
@@tomw324 Most failures with multiple parties involved can be split up. Without question.
The evidence seems to show that Gavin had instructed Colonel Lindquist of the 508th PIR to send his 1st Battalion directly to the bridge after landing, but Lindquist had failed to appreciate the need to move quickly and only sent a recon patrol, most of which got lost in the city. While the fault lies with Lindquist, who was not a good field officer and had problems in Normandy during the regiment's first combat operation, Gavin had decided to dismiss a British request to drop a battalion north of the bridge to seize it by coup de main and assign the critical Nijmegen mission to the problematic 508th instead of the more experienced and aggressive 505th. The 505th was assigned to the Reichswald sector of the division perimeter, probably reflecting Gavin's greater concern over potential counter-attacks from Germany than mission failure at Nijmegen.
The airborne Operation MARKET was not planned by Montgomery or his staff at all, but Brereton's 1st Allied Airborne Army, which made a number of changes compromising Browning's original COMET plan to prioritise the safety of his own USAAF aircrews. Montgomery stated after the war that with the benefit of hindsight he regretted not intervening directly and insisting on troops being landed closer to the objectives, and Browning's potential objections had already been neutralised by Brereton over the disgraceful Operation LINNET II affair, in which Brereton planned to accept Browning's threatened resignation and replace him with Matthew Ridgway and his US XVIII Airborne Corps.
Sources:
The MARKET GARDEN Campaign: Allied operational command in northwest Europe, 1944 (Roger Cirillo PhD Thesis, 2001 Cranfield University)
Letter General Gavin to Historical Officer Captain Westover, 17 July 1945
Box 101 Folder 10, Cornelius Ryan Collection, Ohio State University, Notes on meeting with J.M. Gavin, Boston, January 20, 1967
September Hope - The American Side of a Bridge Too Far, John C McManus (2012)
Put Us Down In Hell - A Combat History of the 508th PIR in WW2, Phil Nordyke (2012)
@@davemac1197 Excellent
I sometimes comment on remarks about Speirs, I have read the massive biography on him. He truly was special.
@@Gort-Marvin0Martian - if you mean Fierce Valor by Jared Frederick (from the UA-cam channel Reel History), I intend to obtain that before too long. Having a hard time easing the shock to my bank balance obtaining volumes on the 1st Airlanding Anti-Tank Battery Troops at Arnhem while they're in stock - specialist books have limited print runs and tend to be expensive, so other books tend to slip down the priority list!
As for Ron Speirs, he was a fellow Brit from Scotland originally - if his family hadn't emigrated to the States he probably would have been ideal material for the SAS! The unit has always had a disproportionate number of Scots in it and they're all like Ron Speirs!
One of the things they don't tell you in this one is that the area they dropped in to was being used as an R&R point for front line units and a staging area for troops coming into the front from Germany. A nearly full unit of SS armor had pulled in there a week before, but the Brits refused to listen to reports of it. It was distended to fail from the outset, but Ike was pushed to allow the attack by Washington who was trying to appease some hurt feelings at an American being put in overall command of the ETO over a British officer. As well as to smooth out troubles between Patton and Montgomery. One of my grandfathers was a B-17 Pilot and he wrote in his diary that even they knew that the rail yards in the area of the attack had been verry busy for many weeks and when they voiced concerns about it were told to stick to dropping bombs.
A GREAT movie that TOTALLY focused on Operation Marketgarden, "A Bridge Too Far," came out in the mid 70s. It was the first movie I saw where the allies lost. I was kinda pissed when I first saw it. I was there to be entertained, NOT educated. The funny thing is I went to college a few years later and became a History major. My perspective on that movie did a 180.
Really good reaction to a seriously good episode, gets a like from me 😊
As a Dutchman, veteran Marine from Eindhoven itself: You've been in Eindhoven, or NL as a whole? :-D That's so cool
Yea we in the South, if anyone in NL, know and remember all about WW II (or we should. Maybe not the youth...)
Market Garden played a MAJOR role in WW II and Dutch lives. We still have the memorials especially for the Canadians, the biggest concentration in Eindhoven / Arnhem
It's where the Tulip festival comes from
Ahum. I am from Heerlen and my grandparents were in the war we are even further south than you are lol Germany is literally in walking distance
There was a movie made in 1977 called “a Bridge too Far”. It had an all star cast and was exclusively about this battle. Operation Market Garden. This series was great in that it hit in so many important points related to the war. The Dutch and French underground resistance was living in occupation for five years when we invaded France. Once that occurred, the resistance fighters came out of hiding and joined the fighting in open conflict. The women that slept or collaborated with the Germans were in some cases, put to death. Some were shaved and sent packing. There were also “Vichy” French that were actual fascist accomplices to the Germans. They were also executed in many cases.
Came here to say this 👍
Love all ur reactions more more queen
The Allied losses from MARKET GARDEN was equal to 2 and a half times every man, woman, and child from my home town. People in the occupied cities across Europe suffered horribly from the brutality of the Germans. That's why you see them kissing and cheering the American soldiers wherever they arrived.
P S. Thanks for getting the quote right; "no rest for the wicked". Most people get that wrong. But then, that's one of the main reasons I enjoy watching your reactions. Because, like Yogi, you're smarter than the average bear!
There's several WWII films that focus on the British fighting in and around Arnhem during Operation Market Garden, including big budget Hollywood film "A Bridge Too Far" and a really interesting movie called "Theirs is the Glory" that was filmed only a year after the war ended that was filmed on location and used a lot of actual veterans from Market Garden in the cast.
Time to buckle up goin forward..
A "Tiger" was a specific model of German tank. They were built in lesser numbers, because they were considered over-engineered and too resource-hungry, but one-on-one on the battlefield, they were one of the toughest tanks of the war. They carried a heavy gun that could punch through the armour of just about all Allied tanks, while their own frontal armour was heavily resistant to the guns carried by Allied tanks (with a few exceptions).
Operation Market Garden had a lot of casualties, many not even depicted in this episode. To put things in perspective, you might want to watch a movie from the 70's "A Bridge Too Far" that was all about operation Market Garden on an epic scale. It had top notch actors of the day such as Robert Redford, Sean Connery, Michael Caine, Anthony Hopkins and many more.
There was even Elliot Gould portraying Colonel Robert Sink from this series, although for some reason his name was changed to Robert Stout.
Virtually Gould's entire performance was fiction, so there may have been an objection to using Sink's name. A lot of the names in the film were changed and the thing they all have in common is a fictional performance. Sink was nowhere near the Son bridge site when the Bailey bridge was being constructed and was not involved - almost the whole 506th Regiment was in Eindhoven (apart from one platoon left for bridge security) and Sink was where he should be, commanding his regiment.
The attempt at taking the bridge intact was led by Company commanders - A and B Companies from 1st Battalion along the canal bank and D Company leading 2nd Battalion down the main street in the village towards the bridge when it was blown. Regiment commanders down't lead the entire regiment from the front like Gould did any more than battalion commanders fire their rifle or throw grenades like Redford's Julian Cook. Cook was annoyed by Redford's performance because it was mostly fiction. Leading the river assault was accurate, but the rest was pure Hollywood. Also, Sink was not from Yugoslavia, as Bobby Stout claims in the film, he was born in North Carolina, although he may have had Yugoslavian ancestors.
@@davemac1197 I did think it was a bit odd that Gould's Sink (or "Stout") was leading an assault on a bridge, because you never see Sink do something like that in this series; and being a regiment commander he would not have. I was never able to get enough logistical info on operation Market Garden when it came down to individuals, so I just assumed that the movie added in personal details that we weren't aware of. Thanks for clearing up the details, a lot of things make more sense now.
@@lukasismael430 - I think where band of Brothers scores is showing the correct relationship between senior commanders and the men they command - the scene in Episode 7 in the attack on Foy where Winters wants to get involved but is ordered by Sink to stay back, and then Winters sees Speirs (who was in another company, not Easy) standing there, so Winters orders him to take over Easy Company's attack. That scene is accurate and that did actually happen the way it was shown, as far as I know. If you compare that scene to Robert Redford's personal attack on the Nijmegen bridge, firing his rifle and throwing a grenade, these were things Julian Cook did not do because he was doing his proper job of commanding his whole battalion, not leading a Company or Platoon action.
The film was financed by Hollywood producer Joseph Levine by pre-selling the distribution rights to United Artists on the strength of the A-list cast being virtually guaranteed box office. That means that the stars had to have things to do, not just giving orders from a safe position, and that's where the dramatic licence comes in.
Another interesting story about the film was that James Caan was offered the role of the Captain (Captain LeGrand 'Legs' Johnson, CO of Fox Company, 502nd PIR), but he preferred the role of the Sergeant, Charles 'Eddie' Dohun, because it was more heroic. Dohun was actually Johnson's Jeep driver, runner, and general gofer (I think like the character of 'Radar' from the TV classic M*A*S*H), and it was Johnson that was the tough combat veteran awarded the Silver Star for bravery in Normandy. People who knew both of them said that Johnson was ten times the man Dohun was. So they reversed the characters just to get Caan on board, and changed the name of the Captain to 'Captain Glass' in the credits, although his name is never used in the dialogue. The irony is that the true story of Charles Dohun is even more heroic, because what he did was so out of character, and it would have made an even more unbelievable scene.
There's a good movie from 1977 called A Bridge Too Far, it's about this same operation. They do a good job of portraying from the British, American, and German perspective.