I would always turn the channel dial around as a kid until I could find something to watch. I always stayed on Victory at Sea when I encountered it. Lol. Retired Navy later in life too.
I am watching this on May 29, 2020. Watched it when it first aired about 1953 to 55. Not everybody had a TV .A bunch of us guys ( all WW 2 Vets would gather on a Sat to watch at one guys home, he had been a Navy cameraman and did some of this original filming. UNDER FIRE! We lived in Lompoc, CA. Got the program from CHANEL 3 Santa Barbara. Half hour each week. Now I live in Avila Beach, CA DON WW 2 VET NAVY, APD 101
I watched it with my Dad in the early 50's. He served in North Africa @ Oran Algeria, and in many parts of Italy. Spent the night in Mussolini's palace in Rome. He came home at the end of the war in 1945. I bought the set when I returned from Vietnam. Always loved the music!
It was valuable to show the more personal side of ship life of the British Sailors during their long time at sea. It is very humbling to look at all the young men in these videos knowing that many of them never made it home.
The Merchant Navy of the British Commonwealth & Empire lost more than 30,000 men & boys dead with Royal Navy, Royal Australian Navy, Royal Canadian Navy, Royal Indian Navy, Royal New Zealand Navy, etc combined lost more than 55,000 mem & boys dead.
I visited Malta in 1957, great place !! When I visited H MS Eagle in Istanbul harbor in 1958 and had tea in the mess deck....and walked amongst hammocks with men sleeping from the night watch.
Yeah, watch AGAIN! My Dad Navy Avn - recall my Dad telling me diff islands he on. Think 1958 or so ... Mr Grave's voice WAS GREAT! Greatest generation for sure
The great narrative voice of Leonard Graves who had a small part as Lt Cook in Pork Chop Hill. You can hear his voice when he tells Lt Clemons “ just send the bill to Love Company.” Maurice HBank
I remember watching this as a little boy with my family. My father fought in Europe and was later a POW. He made sure we understood what happened. So did my mother. When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor everyone was fearful of a west coast invasion.
Would you knock it off already with them negative waves?? Why can't you dig how beautiful it is here now? Why can't you say something righteous and hopeful for a change? Plus what the heck are you talking about???
It's easy for Malta to stand up when the Germans when the Germans make no attempt to TAKE Malta. The tiny island was trapped and caught in a position where it could have easily have been taken. For the Italian Navy actually DOMINATED the central Mediterranean for much of the war. It's only in 1943 with the capture of Libya, Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia that the Italian Navy was really put on its back foot. This left Malta vulnerable. However the Italians never really developed amphibious warfare capabilities, and while the Germans had paratroopers, for whatever reason the Germans gave up using them for airborne drops following the fighting on Crete. This then left Malta, an island, relatively safe from invasion. Had Germany actually attacked Malta beyond air raids... Malta would have fallen. As for the French... their contributions to the war on the whole are often overlooked. Who defended Bir Hakeim and inflicted greater casualties than they took? Who broke the Gustav Line alongside the Poles after the German defenses had broken the British and Americans? Who provided critical intelligence, without which Normandy would have been far bloodier than it was?
Ispent a bit of time in Malta i wish i had spent more time looking at the history instead of checking out the bars i feel i missed out all over the world from Narvik to the Faulklands and every where inbetween .
What has recently come out in the last 20 years is Admiral Canaris role in the saving of Gibraltor from German attack. Canaris was a good friend of Franco of Spain and urged him to remain neutral instead of joining the Axis powers, because he knew that Germany couldn't win the war. For his reward Canaris was hanged by his own government just days before the Allied Armies could have saved him for treason to the Hitler's Nazi government. Canaris was a true hero to the German people.
As a very amateur historian, I have always regretted the loss of the French fleet. It would have given the allies absolute dominance of the Med and the Atlantic
They seem to have omitted any mention of the attack on the (Vichy) French fleet at Oran by the Royal Navy. Agonizing over moral ambiguities and difficult decisions isn't as uplifting as keeping Malta going against tough odds.
if the british did not strategically evacuate 300 000 plus soldiers then who would do you think would later defeat the germans. that was the greatest victory of the war up to the surrender in 1945. my family lived in britian during the war. after the evacuation of dunkirk britian had left 75000 of its 80000 vehicles in france. Better to live and fight another day
Wellington said something like, "Oh they all run away at times, what's important is that you get them back". I'm paraphrasing it's from memory, but you get the idea. The navy has had a bit of tradition since Byng who was an admiral executed, for withdrawing his fleet from action against a superior French fleet *That's* how you build a tradition.
Roosevelt was a democrat. It was the conservatives who wanted us to stay out of the war. Including Henry Ford, who spent money on the Americas First movement. Ford had a picture of Hitler on his desk; Hitler had a picture of Ford on his. You need to learn some history.
Makes me sick the way this commentary refers to England. England's sailors etc. This was British and commonwealth. I know the North Americans eventually joined the the Canadians and Mexicans were very helpful.... Get the point.?
This series is nice, but it's too one sided. I'm not suggesting sympathy for the Axis. Just a new series, which is more objective. The Allied view, and actions, but also the Axis view and actions. Who won, who lost, the good, the bad, and the ugly.
how is it one sided? how ever you cut it the germans, the italians, and the japanese were brutal opportunistic aggressors with much innocent blood on their collective hands. yes sometimes their soldiers, airmen, and sailors showed great skill and courage - but that doesn't change the narrative of skill and bravery in the service of evil.
@@vaughnpatania506 I understand your view point. I grew up with it, in the 60's and 70's. It's still extremely one sided. World war II was eighty years ago. Rehashing the myopic prejudices, of the 50s, an 60s isn't very useful today. As a student of history, I prefer a more accurate and academic approach. I'm not talking about white washing the cruelty of war. Just the opposite. After all, demonizing nations whom are currently our allies? Has the impact of rubbing unneeded salt, into old wounds.
@@scottjackson5173 And what would this more balanced approach look like in regard to this TV series? Its a reflection of its time and place and the emotions of the men and women who directly participated or at least experienced some aspect of the conflict. Would you censor it to somehow make it kinder to our former enemies now valued allies? And how would you do that? The Axis countries threw themselves as a whole into the war. There are very few "bright lights" to focus on for balance. Could you give an example of this myopic prejudice that you're referring to?
@@vaughnpatania506 Lol! If you can't see the myopic prejudices in this video? Then any other example will likewise go right over your head. Take a university course in understanding history. Perhaps then, you'll be able to understand what I'm talking about. This old series is ok for the intended audience in the 1950s. But, without the Japanese view point? It's very one sided. Japan was busy building it's own colonial empire. That view point! Why they would want that?
Ben Knowles Somewhere,Ben, it is the period music which enhances the impact of the show. I guess we could ask you tube to put a text version so you can get the most out of the import of the show🎸
MUSIC IS subjective. And sorry something so simple doesn't bring you joy. The composer surely must have agonized over wondering if one person in the future would react negatively about his music via a public messaging system.
I would always turn the channel dial around as a kid until I could find something to watch. I always stayed on Victory at Sea when I encountered it. Lol. Retired Navy later in life too.
I am watching this on May 29, 2020. Watched it when it first aired about 1953 to 55. Not everybody had a TV .A bunch of us guys ( all WW 2 Vets would gather on a Sat to watch at one guys home, he had been a Navy cameraman and did some of this original filming. UNDER FIRE! We lived in Lompoc, CA. Got the program from CHANEL 3 Santa Barbara. Half hour each week.
Now I live in Avila Beach, CA
DON WW 2 VET NAVY, APD 101
Can’t find it anywhere in AMC or Hist Channel. I wish they would air it.
I watched it with my Dad in the early 50's. He served in North Africa @ Oran Algeria, and in many parts of Italy. Spent the night in Mussolini's palace in Rome. He came home at the end of the war in 1945. I bought the set when I returned from Vietnam. Always loved the music!
I bought the full series on DVD a few years ago.
@@claudiacotner1638it's on a DVD set.
What a great musical score.
It was valuable to show the more personal side of ship life of the British Sailors during their long time at sea. It is very humbling to look at all the young men in these videos knowing that many of them never made it home.
The Merchant Navy of the British Commonwealth & Empire lost more than 30,000 men & boys dead with Royal Navy, Royal Australian Navy, Royal Canadian Navy, Royal Indian Navy, Royal New Zealand Navy, etc combined lost more than 55,000 mem & boys dead.
More than the Bomber crews?
@@geoffreymowbray6789 nobody cares
@@knockhello2604then why are you here?
@@knockhello2604 Sad but true. This generation couldn't care less.
I visited Malta in 1957, great place !! When I visited H MS Eagle in Istanbul harbor in 1958 and had tea in the mess deck....and walked amongst hammocks with men sleeping from the night watch.
@Robert Bonneau I would see you as a jolly SOB :)
I was in Malta in 1957 - great place!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yeah, watch AGAIN! My Dad Navy Avn - recall my Dad telling me diff islands he on. Think 1958 or so ... Mr Grave's voice WAS GREAT! Greatest generation for sure
The great narrative voice of Leonard Graves who had a small part as Lt Cook in Pork Chop Hill. You can hear his voice when he tells Lt Clemons “ just send the bill to Love Company.” Maurice HBank
I remember watching this as a little boy with my family. My father fought in Europe and was later a POW. He made sure we understood what happened. So did my mother. When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor everyone was fearful of a west coast invasion.
I also knew a guy who was a pow, he was a radio operator on a b17. My uncle was also in WW2 but relatively safe in England at a general hospital.
its unbelivable this footage is real... makes you understand a lot of things
When I visited HMS Eagle (1951 build) I saw a few hammocks, amazing. I was on Malta in 1957.
Absolutely the tops.
Winston Churchill said it best we will teach them a lesson they are the and the world will not forget and we haven't forgot today
@T S no you have that all wrong without America he wouldn't have won the war
I'm not sure the Communist have learned from the mistakes of the Germans.
Let's not forget the Welsh, the Scots and those of N. Ireland.
American patriotism lavished on the British. It's fun to watch. The world has changed and become so jaded from those times.
Lend Lease paid the USA
Would you knock it off already with them negative waves?? Why can't you dig how beautiful it is here now? Why can't you say something righteous and hopeful for a change? Plus what the heck are you talking about???
Great series. Something not to forget. Despite the brain-comments from the deadbeat here it is entertaining and informative.
spent 6 months 55-56 lived in a Quonset hut, VP24 was our squadron.
I was in Malta in 1957 flying on the great Ambassador planes. I see some FW-190s here.
The Maltese people deserve recognition for their bravery and loyalty thtough the horrible bombings
They did. Did you watch this video? Plus, the entire nation was knighted for their bravery by the king.
Malta was a colony of Great Britain at the time. They fought for King George VI
The King honored the Maltese with his presence. They stood up to the Nazis a lot more than the French with their million man army!
It's easy for Malta to stand up when the Germans when the Germans make no attempt to TAKE Malta. The tiny island was trapped and caught in a position where it could have easily have been taken. For the Italian Navy actually DOMINATED the central Mediterranean for much of the war. It's only in 1943 with the capture of Libya, Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia that the Italian Navy was really put on its back foot. This left Malta vulnerable.
However the Italians never really developed amphibious warfare capabilities, and while the Germans had paratroopers, for whatever reason the Germans gave up using them for airborne drops following the fighting on Crete. This then left Malta, an island, relatively safe from invasion. Had Germany actually attacked Malta beyond air raids... Malta would have fallen.
As for the French... their contributions to the war on the whole are often overlooked. Who defended Bir Hakeim and inflicted greater casualties than they took? Who broke the Gustav Line alongside the Poles after the German defenses had broken the British and Americans? Who provided critical intelligence, without which Normandy would have been far bloodier than it was?
And poor leadership!
The French government were short of backbone but they had great underground personal who more often than not gave the ultimate. Some generals aswel.
@@peterwebb2658
Stark similarity to the present situation in France.
@@stephenarling1667 just checked the news, no news about Germany or other nations invading now. Please elaborate.
Yes, its true to say Hitler got rid of anybody who disagreed with him. In this way, he lost good high command officers.
Ispent a bit of time in Malta i wish i had spent more time looking at the history instead of checking out the bars i feel i missed out all over the world from Narvik to the Faulklands and every where inbetween .
What has recently come out in the last 20 years is Admiral Canaris role in the saving of Gibraltor from German attack. Canaris was a good friend of Franco of Spain and urged him to remain neutral instead of joining the Axis powers, because he knew that Germany couldn't win the war. For his reward Canaris was hanged by his own government just days before the Allied Armies could have saved him for treason to the Hitler's Nazi government. Canaris was a true hero to the German people.
Sounds like a traitor to me
@Harry Rockwell Your Evidence please
@Harry Rockwell Oh it must be true then.
As a very amateur historian, I have always regretted the loss of the French fleet. It would have given the allies absolute dominance of the Med and the Atlantic
Would have been invaluable to the Axis as well. Thank God they didn't get it.
When Patton landed on Africa his first battle was with the French. Better their ships were creating reefs for the fish. . .
You are absolutely right.
Note that Malta did not have any Spitfires until April 1942.
At 13:50, man are those seas rough!
What is it about the English....so proper and calm, even when attacked???
Walter Moriarty stiff upper lip I guess
Keep calm and carry on!
They were attacked by everyone from the Romans to Nazi Germany, they developed a thick skin through history. 🇬🇧
That Maltese produce excellent fireworks.
"All wars begin in the boardrooms of banks", Sydney Reily.
stupid, no they don't! Was there a bank in Spartacus day, was the Civil War started in a bank, Stupid!
They seem to have omitted any mention of the attack on the (Vichy) French fleet at Oran by the Royal Navy. Agonizing over moral ambiguities and difficult decisions isn't as uplifting as keeping Malta going against tough odds.
In WW2, the Turks gave the Greeks and others sanctuary even though Turkey's means were difficult.
Someone forgot to turn on the captions!
Next is episode 3 :)
Does anyone know the name of the Italian naval march which begins @ approx. 3:02?
I do not think it is an Italian Navy march
@@ferdinandocelotto I agree. It was obviously written by Richard Rodgers.
Would not miss all the extra credit Empire retro propaganda.
Its like WWII with a soundtrack. Kinda weird.
The World has progressed(?) from this to teaching Critical Race Theory to all military personnel (sheep).
I didn't see even one boat overloaded with Muslims!
you are weird- you do not understand this about WW2.
Britain knows no retreat what about Dunkirk
if the british did not strategically evacuate 300 000 plus soldiers then who would do you think would later defeat the germans. that was the greatest victory of the war up to the surrender in 1945. my family lived in britian during the war. after the evacuation of dunkirk britian had left 75000 of its 80000 vehicles in france. Better to live and fight another day
@Marcos 989 To never retreat is to lose maneuver. Ask Hitler's generals.
Watch it again, the narrator says "the Royal Navy knows no retreat".
They advanced in another direction!
Wellington said something like, "Oh they all run away at times, what's important is that you get them back".
I'm paraphrasing it's from memory, but you get the idea.
The navy has had a bit of tradition since Byng who was an admiral executed, for withdrawing his fleet from action against a superior French fleet
*That's* how you build a tradition.
Hitler was a fool for not taking Malta. Rommel tried his best to tell him.
MrBilly would have us just lay down our arms and surrender to Hitler and his hordes. Your a good Democrat Billy, or is it Socialist!
so why are you not making videos - you must be a TROLL - all should ignore this person :)
Gran
I have to ignore him, I have no idea what he is banging on about.
Roosevelt was a democrat. It was the conservatives who wanted us to stay out of the war. Including Henry Ford, who spent money on the Americas First movement. Ford had a picture of Hitler on his desk; Hitler had a picture of Ford on his. You need to learn some history.
Only ONE member of Congress wanted us to stay neutral in WW2, U.S. Rep. Jeannette Rankin (R-MT).
And McCormick of Chicago Tribune along with Lindbergh the Nazi lover!
Makes me sick the way this commentary refers to England. England's sailors etc. This was British and commonwealth. I know the North Americans eventually joined the the Canadians and Mexicans were very helpful.... Get the point.?
Ok sorry, Apu now get me some salty snacks.
This series is nice, but it's too one sided. I'm not suggesting sympathy for the Axis. Just a new series, which is more objective. The Allied view, and actions, but also the Axis view and actions. Who won, who lost, the good, the bad, and the ugly.
I recommend the British 1974 documentary series "The World At War".
how is it one sided? how ever you cut it the germans, the italians, and the japanese were brutal opportunistic aggressors with much innocent blood on their collective hands. yes sometimes their soldiers, airmen, and sailors showed great skill and courage - but that doesn't change the narrative of skill and bravery in the service of evil.
@@vaughnpatania506 I understand your view point. I grew up with it, in the 60's and 70's. It's still extremely one sided. World war II was eighty years ago. Rehashing the myopic prejudices, of the 50s, an 60s isn't very useful today.
As a student of history, I prefer a more accurate and academic approach. I'm not talking about white washing the cruelty of war. Just the opposite. After all, demonizing nations whom are currently our allies? Has the impact of rubbing unneeded salt, into old wounds.
@@scottjackson5173 And what would this more balanced approach look like in regard to this TV series? Its a reflection of its time and place and the emotions of the men and women who directly participated or at least experienced some aspect of the conflict. Would you censor it to somehow make it kinder to our former enemies now valued allies? And how would you do that?
The Axis countries threw themselves as a whole into the war. There are very few "bright lights" to focus on for balance. Could you give an example of this myopic prejudice that you're referring to?
@@vaughnpatania506 Lol! If you can't see the myopic prejudices in this video? Then any other example will likewise go right over your head. Take a university course in understanding history. Perhaps then, you'll be able to understand what I'm talking about.
This old series is ok for the intended audience in the 1950s. But, without the Japanese view point? It's very one sided. Japan was busy building it's own colonial empire. That view point! Why they would want that?
I love good propaganda.
Wish I could enjoy the entire Victory at Sea collection, but can't stand the music so overbearing
Ben Knowles Somewhere,Ben, it is the period music which enhances the impact of the show. I guess we could ask you tube to put a text version so you can get the most out of the import of the show🎸
The music is what made it great. Watch "The World At War." Another excellent documentary series from the 50's or 60's.
MUSIC IS subjective. And sorry something so simple doesn't bring you joy. The composer surely must have agonized over wondering if one person in the future would react negatively about his music via a public messaging system.
Or ok sorry Perry Como.
the music makes it all work and stands on its own as a great work of composition and orchestration.
Meryl Streep call this propaganda.
Meryl Streep is an idiot
you are just somebody who makes comments - well, you are weird.
What did she say?
Nothing - they have the real 'TDS'. t-Rump has deranged their thinking.. Very sad for the whole nation.
@@curtusdanton61 TDS = trump delusional syndrome??? Lol!!!