[Shaking my head in awe and amazement!] What an astounding, audacious man! Each branch of the British military in World War II produced its share of audacious, imaginative and wildly fearless men (and the occasional woman), but the Scots seem to have been both fearless and slightly bonkers in their approach to problems! This video is proof of that!
I was fortunate to meet Tommy MacPherson many years ago. I was spectating at a veterans rugby match and there was this wee old skelf of a man who got passed the ball and went haring off down the wing. It was remarkable. He was clearly of an age when most people would be having difficulty walking quickly, let alone running and dodging tackles. When I met him after the game I discovered that he was well into his seventies. I had never heard of him at the time, but he was charming, unassuming and thoroughly good company. Anybody less likely to strike you as a war hero is hard to imagine, which is probably why he was so good at it.
The set of cajones on this Scot, the stuff of legends. I laughed heartedly, and often during this video, he did all this in France wearing his kilt! 😂😅I especially loved the fact that he was drinking wine after punching a fuel tank in his kilt at a French cafe. Well done, amigo, someone should do a screenplay for a movie about his life, add exploits, the Kilted Killer!
Haha.. he was a character.. I did not know him well but I understand that he was not the easiest of people to be around. It is quite interesting he came from a very high achieving family. His older brother was the Secretary of State for Ireland in 1919 (my great grandfather) and another brother was Scotlands greatest ever forward attacking player (flanker ) GPS MacPherson.
Glad you've done this story, definitely one of WW2 heroes, in the same mold as Mad Jack Churchill, Lord Lovat or John Frost but without the wider recognition. His book really is a fantastic read.
After as fast-paced, quick and lively presentation from the History Chap, what can I possibly say ? As a Swede, with German as my second "foreign" language, and only a minimal knowledge of French, I must admire men like Tommy Macpherson for their resourcefulness and savoir-faire. Here we have the quintessential tale of a Tommy, not Tommy Atkins then, but a British soldier nonetheless - and a man who not only became an officer, but something of a diplomat, a linguist and much more. In just a few days from now, 24th of October 2024, we can celebrate UN Day - and by "we" I mean all those who served as peacekeepers, members of different armed forces, in law enforcement or even as paramedics or firefighters. Tommy Macpherson spent time in Poland, during his captivity, but this year - as in 1941 - when his war started in earnest - we look further east. To the plainlands of Ukraine, and beyond towards the Middle East. Let us all strive for a better, more peaceful World.... And remember those who taught us, leading from the front as it were - from many different clans..
You made my day once more Chris! Never heard anything about this surrender, much obliged. Imagine the young Connery in this role, it would be great! All the best Ludwig
I went to the Edinburgh Book Festival launch of his autobiography, where he appeared alongside the journalist Richard Bath who had co-authored it. Although by that stage very elderly and not in great health, he held the audience spellbound.
I owe you an apology. The audio cutout problem is all the fault of my new smart television. There's nothing wrong with your software. Damn. Thanks for another brilliant video BTW.
You've done it again, Chris old bean (was wondering where ya were yesterday as ya didn't update then, but it did actually allow me to finish off a season of a US TV show I'm in urgent need of doing before it expires from Amazon Prime at month's end), wowing us with yet another INCREDIBLE story of a true war hero, in this case Sir Tommy Macpherson, the "kilted killer", whose 1944 war action days alone make SUCH a wowsome tale indeed, and would CERTAINLY do for a movie indeed- once again, I think to Adrian Paul, old Duncan MacLeod of the Clan MacLeod from the show of 'Highlander', or, if he was still at a young age, and considering that he played Patrick Troughton's Doctor's Scottish Highlander companion figure Jamie McCrimmon throughout the entire length of the former's Doctor Who run, save for the very first episode of course, Frazer Hines, as the two I'd certainly pick for absolute considerations for playing Tommy, or if not them then DEFINITELY either Doc 10 aka David Tennant or action actor boy Gerard Butler
A US Marine officer was in OSS in France and captured by the German after the large operation by the French resistance in 1944,he was an actor in a John Wayne film She Wore a Yellow Ribbon as an 2nd Lt.
No enemy will outfox a Scot , I love how Scottish men proudly wore their Kilts to battle/war with such pride. Tartan army do likewise when we’re lucky enough to make a tournament lol 🏴
Another fabulous story of courage and tenacity from you Sir. Thank you very much for brightening my Autumnal evening yet again! 🏴🏴🏴🇬🇧👍
brilliant sport he was and brilliant story - I loved it and many other people like this were in war and relentlessly brave and these unclaimed heroes freed Europe and we are forever grateful being Dutch my grandmother always said we celebrated D-Day in secret
I worked with and old chap in Birmingham in the 1980s who was parachuted into France behind enemy lines around D-Day .We had a lot of reserved occupation jobs where I worked and talked to several ex servicemen from the Second World War.
Reading between the lines, this demonstrates that there were a lot of Germans who knew it was all over and chose to surrender rather than die needlessly. This is not to detract in any way from the heroics of Colonel MacPherson, a regular Chad, as the kids would say.
You should do one on Popski he’s a very interesting character and you would enjoy his sorry very much his biography is in book form as “Popski’s Private Army” by Vladimir Peniakoff (Popski)
Worth pointing out that Das Reich were travelling to Normandy by road because the rail trucks they were scheduled to take had been sabotaged and that among the atrocities perpetrated by the division was the massacre at Oradour sur Glane.
What a tremendous soldier, his story is astonishing. I can imagine that in his post war career he was equally able to make the best business deals, before his rivals realised what they'd signed up to. A remarkable man.
Interesting note to disrupt German activities near Normandy. Surely they could not know D Day landings were going to happen in Normandy since there capture and torture would have caused the D Day landings to fail ?
Only 300,000 Franc bounty? If he had "armed" himself with a bagpipe, that would have tripled the bounty. As we all know, bagpipes are weapon of war!! 😲😁
French author Vincent Reynouard recently spent 13 months in a Scottish prison for writing and advertising a book about Das Reich and their journey north to Normandy through videos.
@@robinknox3569 Yes, his hearings involved consideration of whether the French Gayssot law of 1990 could be interpreted in terms of Scots law either on breach of the peace or the Communications Act 2004 (on "grossly offensive" communications). The verdict on appeal on 26 January 2024 went against him and a further edict was issued on 6 June. He's currently at liberty in France and still productive online and in print.
my grand mother always said = as I asked her once what was the best day in the war and she said of course freedom day - the 5 of May of course and then she said no D- day but we had to celebrated in secret
My mother met him my father flew him.... They didn't talk about the funny forces ... 80 years later; I still don't talk about them, or getting a bacon fry up in my Grannies Cottage
I am getting a message from google about my inappropriate comments when I click on your channel. I have no idea why , so I shall buggar on as our great leader used to say.
[Shaking my head in awe and amazement!] What an astounding, audacious man! Each branch of the British military in World War II produced its share of audacious, imaginative and wildly fearless men (and the occasional woman), but the Scots seem to have been both fearless and slightly bonkers in their approach to problems! This video is proof of that!
I was fortunate to meet Tommy MacPherson many years ago. I was spectating at a veterans rugby match and there was this wee old skelf of a man who got passed the ball and went haring off down the wing. It was remarkable. He was clearly of an age when most people would be having difficulty walking quickly, let alone running and dodging tackles. When I met him after the game I discovered that he was well into his seventies. I had never heard of him at the time, but he was charming, unassuming and thoroughly good company. Anybody less likely to strike you as a war hero is hard to imagine, which is probably why he was so good at it.
Thanks for watching my video & your feedback.
Great story. Never heard about this gentleman. I think it would be hard to find a man of his measure in the modern world. Cheers!
The set of cajones on this Scot, the stuff of legends. I laughed heartedly, and often during this video, he did all this in France wearing his kilt! 😂😅I especially loved the fact that he was drinking wine after punching a fuel tank in his kilt at a French cafe. Well done, amigo, someone should do a screenplay for a movie about his life, add exploits, the Kilted Killer!
Cojones.😅
Aye he was some lad........thrived in war time, while many cowed down, film would be superb and I would watch that also......heart of a lion.
What a man! RIP, sir. Thanks for upload.
Oh Wow! I was going to ask you to cover Tommy. He is my great grand uncle. Thank you.
Read his wartime history, what a man, you must be very proud😎👍
Haha.. he was a character.. I did not know him well but I understand that he was not the easiest of people to be around. It is quite interesting he came from a very high achieving family. His older brother was the Secretary of State for Ireland in 1919 (my great grandfather) and another brother was Scotlands greatest ever forward attacking player (flanker ) GPS MacPherson.
This was one of your best. This soldier should never be forgotten.
Very kind of you, thanks.
It's amazing how some soldiers lived through the war when the odds were completely against them. A loud "Hooah" to Sir MacPherson.
Glad you've done this story, definitely one of WW2 heroes, in the same mold as Mad Jack Churchill, Lord Lovat or John Frost but without the wider recognition. His book really is a fantastic read.
Wow! A man in a kilt really is a man and a half! Thanks for sharing Colonel Macpherson's story Chris! Now I need his book. God bless, Rob
Glad you enjoyed my video. Thanks for watching.
After as fast-paced, quick and lively presentation from the History Chap, what can I possibly say ? As a Swede, with German as my second "foreign" language, and only a minimal knowledge of French, I must admire men like Tommy Macpherson for their resourcefulness and savoir-faire. Here we have the quintessential tale of a Tommy, not Tommy Atkins then, but a British soldier nonetheless - and a man who not only became an officer, but something of a diplomat, a linguist and much more. In just a few days from now, 24th of October 2024, we can celebrate UN Day - and by "we" I mean all those who served as peacekeepers, members of different armed forces, in law enforcement or even as paramedics or firefighters. Tommy Macpherson spent time in Poland, during his captivity, but this year - as in 1941 - when his war started in earnest - we look further east. To the plainlands of Ukraine, and beyond towards the Middle East. Let us all strive for a better, more peaceful World.... And remember those who taught us, leading from the front as it were - from many different clans..
Thanks for your very interesting feedback & for watching my video.
Great presentation of the story , love your channel . Its amazing how many times we Scots feature down through history .
Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching my video.
You made my day once more Chris! Never heard anything about this surrender, much obliged. Imagine the young Connery in this role, it would be great! All the best Ludwig
Another excellent video Chris - keep it up!
I went to the Edinburgh Book Festival launch of his autobiography, where he appeared alongside the journalist Richard Bath who had co-authored it. Although by that stage very elderly and not in great health, he held the audience spellbound.
Thanks for your interesting feedback & for watching my video.
Brilliant piece of history thanks
Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching.
I owe you an apology. The audio cutout problem is all the fault of my new smart television. There's nothing wrong with your software. Damn.
Thanks for another brilliant video BTW.
Another great story. I look forward to my lunchtime with you on fridays. Your enthusiasm is catching.
Good morning, Chris, another cracking story and brilliantly told. And I purchased his book as you suggested. Love your channel. Cheers
Thank you, what a lad and great post.
Glad you enjoyed my video.
Wow! What pluck and courage !! Another tale, superbly told. Thank you.
You've done it again, Chris old bean (was wondering where ya were yesterday as ya didn't update then, but it did actually allow me to finish off a season of a US TV show I'm in urgent need of doing before it expires from Amazon Prime at month's end), wowing us with yet another INCREDIBLE story of a true war hero, in this case Sir Tommy Macpherson, the "kilted killer", whose 1944 war action days alone make SUCH a wowsome tale indeed, and would CERTAINLY do for a movie indeed- once again, I think to Adrian Paul, old Duncan MacLeod of the Clan MacLeod from the show of 'Highlander', or, if he was still at a young age, and considering that he played Patrick Troughton's Doctor's Scottish Highlander companion figure Jamie McCrimmon throughout the entire length of the former's Doctor Who run, save for the very first episode of course, Frazer Hines, as the two I'd certainly pick for absolute considerations for playing Tommy, or if not them then DEFINITELY either Doc 10 aka David Tennant or action actor boy Gerard Butler
What an awesome warrior. Thank you for sharing his story with us
Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching.
What an utterly brilliant story........great work as usual.
What a fascinating story! I would love to see this in movie theaters! Thanks for sharing Chris!!
Glad you enjoyed it.
Great episode Chris! RIP sir Tommy.
Glad you enjoyed it.
Great stuff! Quite a story about a remarkable man! Thanks for that.
Brilliant story, brilliant man. Thanks for posting. Regards, John.
Once again, a terrific tale, Chris. What a Highland Warrior was 'oor Tam!'
Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching.
Another fantastic story, thank you and stay well.
Another Amazing Video Like Always Chris. Love It!
A US Marine officer was in OSS in France and captured by the German after the large operation by the French resistance in 1944,he was an actor in a John Wayne film She Wore a Yellow Ribbon as an 2nd Lt.
Bloody Mc. Brilliant!
Glad you enjoyed it.
I read his book " behind enemy lines", in later life he was the chief of clan Chattan, he was a quiet little guy
I thoroughly enjoyed reading his book too.
Once again, an amazing story! Thank you Chris!
As always thanks so much Chris
Very interesting, thank you very much for this. Looking forward to watching more. 👍
Glad you enjoyed my video thanks for watching.
No enemy will outfox a Scot , I love how Scottish men proudly wore their Kilts to battle/war with such pride. Tartan army do likewise when we’re lucky enough to make a tournament lol 🏴
Thanks for watching my video & your feedback.
thx again, Chris
Another fabulous story of courage and tenacity from you Sir.
Thank you very much for brightening my Autumnal evening yet again! 🏴🏴🏴🇬🇧👍
People like Tommy are truly extraordinary and once again a Superb Post , Well done yet another fascinating glimpse at History Thank You .
Thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed my video.
What an awesome story, what a great soldier
Hi , whot a man ! And all these solders are so young to carry out these mission's ... Thank you for your work ...
Thanks for watching my video & your comment.
@@TheHistoryChap have a nice evening
Great. You've peaked my interest. Can you do something more about operation Jedburg ?
Regards Mick.D.
A wonderful story, well narrated. Thank you. I'm looking forward to reading the book.
I hope you enjoy it. I certainly did.
He wore a kilt because he couldn't fit those "stones" in trousers! 😂
brilliant 🤣☘☘
Classic! 😂😂😂
Jim🏴🙂
brilliant sport he was and brilliant story - I loved it and many other people like this were in war and relentlessly brave and these unclaimed heroes freed Europe and we are forever grateful being Dutch my grandmother always said we celebrated D-Day in secret
Thanks for watching my video & for your feedback.
another excellent video. keep it up. please do a video on Percy Hobart and 79th division and also the corps of Guides
Some lad. Thanks for telling his story Chris.
My pleasure.
The Clan Macpherson museum in Newtonmore is well worth a visit and has a wall devoted to this gentleman
Thanks for sharing.
Take it his was the hoose with the sentry box👍🏴
Another Brilliant video.
Cheers
Thank you.
Excellent...his book was good too....cheers....E
Brilliant!! Well done ...
Glad you enjoyed my video, thanks for watching.
what a man he was....wow! this guy is incredible
..
Thanks for watching my video, glad you enjoyed it.
Awesome work thanks for your efforts ❤
My pleasure. Thanks for watching my videos.
Such an interesting podcast!!
Thanks for listening.
I worked with and old chap in Birmingham in the 1980s who was parachuted into France behind enemy lines around D-Day .We had a lot of reserved occupation jobs where I worked and talked to several ex servicemen from the Second World War.
Thanks for watching my video & for your feedback.
Quite a story.
The fuel depot incident, was that at Decazeville? When I visited there, many years ago I heard tell of a British commando raid.
A nickname Kilted Killer makes it sound like he was a WW2 vet who became a notorious serial killer after!
Excellent...👍👍
Many thanks.
The moral, NEVER mess with a man in a kilt!
Indeed!
brilliant
Glad you enjoyed my video.
Probably half the Allied logistical resources were dedicated to carting around his knackers for him.😅
Reading between the lines, this demonstrates that there were a lot of Germans who knew it was all over and chose to surrender rather than die needlessly. This is not to detract in any way from the heroics of Colonel MacPherson, a regular Chad, as the kids would say.
awesome guy
Thanks for watching my video
You should do one on Popski he’s a very interesting character and you would enjoy his sorry very much his biography is in book form as “Popski’s Private Army” by Vladimir Peniakoff (Popski)
Thank you for the suggestion.
Worth pointing out that Das Reich were travelling to Normandy by road because the rail trucks they were scheduled to take had been sabotaged and that among the atrocities perpetrated by the division was the massacre at Oradour sur Glane.
Taking from a popular SF series by Gordon Dickson, Shai Dorsai!
Some lad he was ..
What a tremendous soldier, his story is astonishing.
I can imagine that in his post war career he was equally able to make the best business deals, before his rivals realised what they'd signed up to.
A remarkable man.
Thanks for your comments & for watching my video
Interesting note to disrupt German activities near Normandy.
Surely they could not know D Day landings were going to happen in Normandy since there capture and torture would have caused the D Day landings to fail ?
I don't think the commandos were in on the plans doe D Day, simply to make as much mayhem as possible.
Only 300,000 Franc bounty? If he had "armed" himself with a bagpipe, that would have tripled the bounty. As we all know, bagpipes are weapon of war!! 😲😁
Thanks for watching my video
A revolver being loaded with a magazine picked up from the table?
I did notice the slip of the tongue. But To be fair to Chris he’s a historian not a weapons expert
I’d like you to do something on RICHARD PAPE. I read his book BOLDNESS BE MY FRIEND.
Movie incoming surely.
Thanks for watching my video.
Am I the only to mishear "feared Panzer regiment" as "Fiat Panda regiment"?
French author Vincent Reynouard recently spent 13 months in a Scottish prison for writing and advertising a book about Das Reich and their journey north to Normandy through videos.
Interesting.
Wasn’t he imprisoned because he was awaiting extradition to France and was on the run in Scotland?
@@robinknox3569 Yes, his hearings involved consideration of whether the French Gayssot law of 1990 could be interpreted in terms of Scots law either on breach of the peace or the Communications Act 2004 (on "grossly offensive" communications). The verdict on appeal on 26 January 2024 went against him and a further edict was issued on 6 June. He's currently at liberty in France and still productive online and in print.
Oradour-sur-Glane, disrupting 2nd Panzer Division led to a massacre of civilians, not to mention Vercors.
Thanks for your feedback.
my grand mother always said = as I asked her once what was the best day in the war and she said of course freedom day - the 5 of May of course and then she said no D- day but we had to celebrated in secret
Thanks for watching my video & for your interesting feedback.
The primary lesson one learns from the telling of this mans actions......is just what a bunch of under-achievers the majority of us are !.
Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts.
🎉🎉
Absolutely amazing stuff..
What a story .
Thanks for watching
This should be made into a swashbuckling WW2 film.
Thanks for your comment.
My mother met him my father flew him....
They didn't talk about the funny forces ...
80 years later; I still don't talk about them, or getting a bacon fry up in my Grannies Cottage
Thanks for your comment & for watching my video
I am getting a message from google about my inappropriate comments when I click on your channel. I have no idea why , so I shall buggar on as our great leader used to say.
This one is showing…or at least for the moment 😀
Scottish officer confidence…
Another eccentric Brit , must have driven the Germans spare that we weren’t taking the war seriously 😊
I can't understand a Scot speaking English. Are you saying they're better at French? :D
You though he was amazing in the King's Service, you should have seen was he he accomplised as a solo-artist. 😐
Thanks for watching my video
They don't make them like that any more.
Thanks for watching my video.
James Wolfe please
Great idea. Leave it with me.
If he was german , he'd be a demon
Maybe, but he wasn't was he?
As one does
Colt “automatic revolver”. 😂
Thanks for your comment.
He was a peaceful man until someone called it a skirt.
thanks for the comment.
He would have been English though if he was born down south . Alba Gu broth
Thanks for watching my video.
MacPherson is spelled with a capital "P"...
Just saying...
Thank you for commenting.
It's pronounced mac fare son or mc fair son
Or correctly "Macferrson"
Thanks.
such hatred for Europeans.
disgusting
Thanks for watching my video.