I literally live just on the other side of the hill where the cameraman crossed the road. It's incredible to live so close to so many important ww2 sites and to be able to visit them when I want to. This presentation was excellent. I knew the general story of operation Pegasus because it's local history, but to have it brought into focus with a detailed presentation like this is great.
OMG, I am only half way through this story and I am absolutely captivated. A Bridge too far missed such an important mission. Digby and Dobie were still playing such an important role. The plan was so complicated yet the presenters are making it so easy to understand allowing the audience to fully appreciate the complexities. I have to admit to saying this is an unbelievable story yet we know the result. There was so much luck in carrying it through and the Dutch resistance I hope were properly rewarded after the War. Thank you guys for one of the most amazing stories of Arnhem and WW2 and I am now 60 years old having first become obsessed by A Bridge too Far when I was just 14!
This show gives you the full story of the rescue of the British Airborne and others portrayed in Band of Brothers Episode "Crossroads". Very complex and risky operation and expertly explained by Joris and Edwin from Battlefield Explorer. Another homerun from WW2TV.
The following article provides some additional context on the engineer units involved in operations Berlin, Pegasus I and Pegasus II. Probably due to the need for maximum stealth and the relatively small number of evacuees involved, it seems that the Operation Pegasus I crossings were made using paddle-driven small assault boats in lieu of the larger motor-driven storm boats which had been assigned to the Canadian 20th and 23th Field Companies, the latter units having played a major role in the original evacuation in late September (Operation Berlin). www.journal.forces.gc.ca/vo6/no4/doc/history-histoire-01-eng.pdf
Bravo, gentlemen. This was over the top well done. On-the-ground video effectively "puts you there" complemented by contemporary Google images. I'm so pleased to know more about the real story rather than relying on the truncated BOB treatment. I think BOB creators probably did the best they could given time constraints but the scenes do a disservice to this rich and inspiring story. The complexity and multiple examples of serendipity make this compelling. The breathtakingly brave acts by the Dutch--risking literally everything--is a story that needs to be told. When operations are this complex, the chance for failure is extreme. Admirable initiative and creativity by field officers, NCOs, and the resistance from start to finish. Perhaps one day, Operation Pegasus will receive the historically accurate cinematic treatment it deserves and reach a wide audience.
Thankyou for another superb presentation. After having seen this operation portrayed in A Bridge Too Far and later in the Band Of Brothers miniseries, I have wanted to know more about the daring rescue that took place. Through all of your efforts you have brought it to life. Great work.
Great video presentation of an event that happend near my birthground...i was born on the highground overlooking the uiterwaarden and the lower rhine...you can see it in the video
Really great another one on a battle field guide so to speak, just a couple of comments please, first is as many of the Brit issue boots had studs on the bottom, now don't qoute me on this,as am not 100% sure, but have sometimes wondered if they would have taken there socks off and put them on over the boots in order to minimise any noise. Another point when operating in pinch dark scenarios is that your eyes soon adjust to the environment, and you become quite a custom to the dark, in terms of what you can see, however.. As soon as you hit any kind of light, that's your night vision gone.
A good account of the operation can be found in "Airborne. The Combat Story of Ed Shames of Easy Company, by Ian Gardner". Shames, who I'm sure everyone knows was the last surviving officer of Easy Company, was the platoon leader in the sector that Dobie came ashore at. Shames delivered Dobie to Sink. According to Shames, Dobie came across on October 15. Shames also said that Dobie swam across the river. Shames didn't actually see Dobie get out of the water, so how Dobie got across is a little murky. Maybe Dobie swam, maybe he was in a boat and just went the last few feet in the water. Dobie had actually swum across the Rhine a couple of times before, so who knows. During the operation, Shames also went across the Rhine, under the command of Heyliger, for a total of 24 men from the 506th. This book gives a very good account of the operation, including planning, training, communications, etc. The book is available from Amazon, including for Kindle.
I literally live just on the other side of the hill where the cameraman crossed the road. It's incredible to live so close to so many important ww2 sites and to be able to visit them when I want to. This presentation was excellent. I knew the general story of operation Pegasus because it's local history, but to have it brought into focus with a detailed presentation like this is great.
Going back through the catalog, this is absolutely outstanding. Well done Paul, Edwin, Joris and Christian.
Very informative. Much better background and actual evac than depicted in Bridge or BoB. Great video and narration shows just how hard the evac was.
Absolutely brilliant Paul. My congratulations to all of those concerned. Please give my thanks to the Dutch camera operators. Fantastic show!
Another excellent presentation, thank you.
Thanks again!
OMG, I am only half way through this story and I am absolutely captivated. A Bridge too far missed such an important mission. Digby and Dobie were still playing such an important role. The plan was so complicated yet the presenters are making it so easy to understand allowing the audience to fully appreciate the complexities. I have to admit to saying this is an unbelievable story yet we know the result. There was so much luck in carrying it through and the Dutch resistance I hope were properly rewarded after the War. Thank you guys for one of the most amazing stories of Arnhem and WW2 and I am now 60 years old having first become obsessed by A Bridge too Far when I was just 14!
Greatly appreciate all the detail and care that has gone into this extraordinary show. Thank you all.
OMG I have read sooo many blogs from Joris. Finally see him :D great knowledge in this guy!
3 years late, but just enthralling stuff. As are most of your work. Think ill try to find and follow my Dad. AA BatteryCapt. Well done fellas.
This is superb, awesome work
Thank you! Cheers!
Breathtaking courage and heroism of so many; extraordinary presentation and historical accounts. Thank you!
This is great!
This show gives you the full story of the rescue of the British Airborne and others portrayed in Band of Brothers Episode "Crossroads". Very complex and risky operation and expertly explained by Joris and Edwin from Battlefield Explorer. Another homerun from WW2TV.
Once again well done Woody, Joris, Edwin and camera crew! Thoroughly enjoyed today's show.
Thanks Mike
Somehow I seem te have missed this show. Great show.
Fantastic effort Joris, Robert, Edwin, Chris and especially to The Dutch resistance for their efforts on our troops behalf.
Thank you Ian. There were a lot of moving parts to this show but it went pretty smoothly
Superb video!!! Thanks guys to retrace this operation so vivid!
Happy to find your channel Paul. It contains great content. ❤
Welcome aboard!
@@WW2TV Thanks a lot!
Amazing content. Thoroughly enjoyed this. Thanks guys
Great show today
Interesting operation
The following article provides some additional context on the engineer units involved in operations Berlin, Pegasus I and Pegasus II. Probably due to the need for maximum stealth and the relatively small number of evacuees involved, it seems that the Operation Pegasus I crossings were made using paddle-driven small assault boats in lieu of the larger motor-driven storm boats which had been assigned to the Canadian 20th and 23th Field Companies, the latter units having played a major role in the original evacuation in late September (Operation Berlin).
www.journal.forces.gc.ca/vo6/no4/doc/history-histoire-01-eng.pdf
Thank you - a useful document
Wow, incredible work. Thank you so much for this.
Thank you Chris
Bravo, gentlemen. This was over the top well done. On-the-ground video effectively "puts you there" complemented by contemporary Google images. I'm so pleased to know more about the real story rather than relying on the truncated BOB treatment. I think BOB creators probably did the best they could given time constraints but the scenes do a disservice to this rich and inspiring story. The complexity and multiple examples of serendipity make this compelling. The breathtakingly brave acts by the Dutch--risking literally everything--is a story that needs to be told. When operations are this complex, the chance for failure is extreme. Admirable initiative and creativity by field officers, NCOs, and the resistance from start to finish.
Perhaps one day, Operation Pegasus will receive the historically accurate cinematic treatment it deserves and reach a wide audience.
Thankyou for another superb presentation. After having seen this operation portrayed in A Bridge Too Far and later in the Band Of Brothers miniseries, I have wanted to know more about the daring rescue that took place.
Through all of your efforts you have brought it to life.
Great work.
Thank you. Even I as the host was blown away by the level of detail
Great video presentation of an event that happend near my birthground...i was born on the highground overlooking the uiterwaarden and the lower rhine...you can see it in the video
24:19 - Major Hugh Fraser was actually "F" Squadron, GHQ Liaison Regt attached to the SAS, aka SAS Phantom.
Really great another one on a battle field guide so to speak, just a couple of comments please, first is as many of the Brit issue boots had studs on the bottom, now don't qoute me on this,as am not 100% sure, but have sometimes wondered if they would have taken there socks off and put them on over the boots in order to minimise any noise.
Another point when operating in pinch dark scenarios is that your eyes soon adjust to the environment, and you become quite a custom to the dark, in terms of what you can see, however.. As soon as you hit any kind of light, that's your night vision gone.
At 9:00 mark, don't get killed, man!
Would you be able to do a show on the CMP at Arnhem please?
Do you have a suggestion for a guest historian?
Hallo Edwin Popken, ben jij de zoon van harryPopken? Je lijkt sprekend op hem n.l. Ik heb vroeger bij jullie gewoond in enschede.
A good account of the operation can be found in "Airborne. The Combat Story of Ed Shames of Easy Company, by Ian Gardner". Shames, who I'm sure everyone knows was the last surviving officer of Easy Company, was the platoon leader in the sector that Dobie came ashore at. Shames delivered Dobie to Sink. According to Shames, Dobie came across on October 15. Shames also said that Dobie swam across the river. Shames didn't actually see Dobie get out of the water, so how Dobie got across is a little murky. Maybe Dobie swam, maybe he was in a boat and just went the last few feet in the water. Dobie had actually swum across the Rhine a couple of times before, so who knows.
During the operation, Shames also went across the Rhine, under the command of Heyliger, for a total of 24 men from the 506th. This book gives a very good account of the operation, including planning, training, communications, etc. The book is available from Amazon, including for Kindle.