THE WW2 ALAMO! | This Battlegroup Was Destroyed on Film | Normandy WW2
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- Опубліковано 29 вер 2024
- This video is only possible thanks to the excellent research by Mike Bechthold Ph.D . To read more about this subject follow the links below:
In Normandy during the early morning hours of 9 August 1944, a battlegroup under of the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Donald Worthington (British Columbia Regiment (BCRs) and the Algonquin Regiment) set out in the dark to capture Point 195 north of Falaise.
When daylight broke, Worthington confidently reported to 4th Canadian Armoured Brigade headquarters that he was on the objective and requested immediate support to defeat the determined German attempts to dislodge him. Unbeknownst to him, his battlegroup had lost its way in the dark and ended up on a piece of high ground near Hill 140, some six and half kilometers east of its intended destination. Worthington did not realize his mistake until after he lost communications.
Their destruction was captured by chance of film - a reconnaissance aircraft took pictures of the very moment the Germans closed in on the Battlegroup.
By the end of the day his battlegroup had been destroyed at the cost of 240 casualties (85 killed, 121 wounded, and 34 captured) along with the loss of 47 tanks and numerous other armoured vehicles and half-tracks.
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As an retired armoured officer of the BCR, and qualified in tanks, I appreciate this fair analysis of the Battle. Try navigating at night in dust and under fire in a poorly mapped area where compasses do not work (due to the steel of the tank) and see how easy it is to navigate while bouncing around in the hatch of a tank trying to read a paper map in the dark. The discovery of the aerial photgraphs following the action help to show exactly where the tanks moved both prior to and during the action. Selection of the reverse-sloped position on Hill 140 could not have been better. Night attacks were not part of normal doctrine and this was an innovation ordered by our Corps Commander. The orders given by BGen Booth were late and normal battle procedure did not have time to take place. The Polish Division on the left flank had been hit by friendly fire (air bombardment) prior to the attack, and were slowed in their advance and the following units were unable to push forward to support the attack. Worthington Force fought all day unsupported by artillery but by Typhoons. Commincations between arms at this point in the war and lack of coordination at the higher level also contributed to the result. Some tanks (I think about 4-6) and wounded were able to break through back to our own lines late in the day on orders by Lt-Col Worthington prior to his death. A good number of both regiment's soldiers made it back to our own lines when night fell, breaking through the German lines, and the remainder of the wounded were taken prisioner. Lt-Col Worthington and all three Sqn Comds were killed in action and both units fighting until they were almost out of ammunition and close to being overrun. Having been converted from a Rifle Regiment in 1942, when tanks were knocked out the BCRs fought on foot supporting the Algonquins. The 28th Armoured (BCR) was reconstituted with replacements and those members LOB (Left out of Battle) and were back in action a couple of weeks later through Trun and were alongside the Poles at the closure of the Falaise Gap.
Outstanding comment. Thank you for sharing this detail. I hope you didn’t think I was overly critical. Having spent lots of time in BATUS/Suffield I can assure I’ve become ‘navigationally challenged’ on a few occasions!
Has there been any books written on Worthington Force? I couldn’t find much at all
@@thehistoryexplorer Hey, Suffield is here in Alberta where I live! So, you are a cowboy at heart, eh? LOL! 😉🤠🤠🤠
@@ToddSauveI have some very fond memories there my friend! The stampede in Calgary being right up there
@@thehistoryexplorer I live in Calgary and my family came West in 1875, when it really was the Wild West. My great grandfather used to help take wagon trains from Fort Garry to Fort Edmonton in 1876, stopping at all the NWMP forts along the way. He finally built a ranch in the Cypress Hills only 4 miles south of where NWMP Fort Walsh once stood. So I'm almost an original Westerner. It is mostly only the Plains Indian tribes who have a longer heritage here. Glad you got to spend some time with us. Where you trained at Suffield used to have millions of buffalo roaming there 150 years ago. Sometimes I wish I could have lived back then. But life was vastly harder in those days. My cousin, Jared Parsonage, is a rancher in the Cypress Hills along with a horde of other cousins. He is the Canadian bull riding champion two years running now and led for quite a while at the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas just this month until an excellent young Australian bull rider named Ky Hamilton won it all. 🤠🤠🤠
@@ToddSauveoh awesome! I really enjoyed Calgary and my trips to Banff a bit further west. I have some brilliant memories there.
On a weekend off everyone wanted to go drinking but I’d had enough so went for a hike by myself. Walked around lake Minnewanka and up to the top of cascade mountain. Perfect way to spend a day.
It’s a shame training is Suffield has stopped for armoured battle groups
When I read regularly, that the “British” took too long to breakout from Normandy, and that the Americans moved a lot faster, I get annoyed, the Brits and Canucks were up against battle hardened SS units, some of which had been fighting on the Eastern front for a number of years? The ferocity of the fighting was truly incredible. Great film you’ve put together, very informative.
Thank you so much I really appreciate the feedback. It’s true to the Brits and Canadians faced off against the armoured divisions in the east of the Normandy lodgement. Many people forget about that
@alexwilliamson1486 As WW2 veteran Bill Thompson of the 9th Royal Tank Regiment put it.
*“The Americans thought that the British and Canadians were not moving fast enough, but the fact was on our front we had against us seven and a half Panzer divisions, and the Americans were only facing one and a half.”*
@@Bullet-Tooth-Tony- well said! Not that it’s a competition but it is useful context for those who believe the myth’s perpetuated by movies like Saving Private Ryan etc
@@thehistoryexplorer Indeed Happy new year!
To put a finer point on this situation, 12th SS was largely comprised of Hitler Jugend who were untested in battle, but led by former 1st SS LSAH officers like Meyer, who were very hardened from the Ostfront.
the 12th SS Panzer Division although made up of teenage Hitler Youth members had been intensively trained and led in battle by some of the best, most experienced and battle hardened officers in any army of WW2. This division were extremely formidable foes at the best of times let alone when you are isolated behind enemy lines without crucial artillery and air support. The bravery, commitment, contribution and the ultimate sacrifices of the Canadian armed services in both world wars was incredible and will never be forgotten. As a student of the Normandy campaign I knew all about this battle but your video has brought it to life for me so many many thanks from me. I have subscribed and happy to support your channel and keep up the fantastic work you are doing.
Thank you very much indeed I really do appreciate it. I have plans for many many more series of videos from all over Europe
I wouldn't say best officers. Best Nazis maybe.
I cannot wait@@thehistoryexplorer
Wrong paths, right paths, it defiently doesn't matter. They all had one ultimate goal, and that was to help defeat the 3rd Reich. Their actions will never be forgotten, died as heros.
Excellent video, well done , thank you
Well said buddy. Thanks for the feedback
Very well said!
They got behind the Germans who had to then deal with them. That IN itself was worthy of them!
Yes if they could see their homelands now, they’d be so proud.
Yes, they were still heroes! They had to navigate a foreign terrain they had never been before! RIP, Brave 🇨🇦 Canadians. 🇺🇸
Another great on-site clear explanation of not well publicized fighting just beyond D Day in the hedge row country. And it shows a great respect for the men who died there. So many of these undocumented battles were fought on the slow journey to Berlin. And as you show, many brave men are interred there near where they fell.
Glad you enjoyed it. This is a story that needs to be told as we can learn so much from it today
I really loved all the supporting pictures and maps along with the explanations.
Thank you my friend. I was worried I went into too much detail and dragged on a bit
@@thehistoryexplorer Detail when understanding a battle never drags on. ✌️
My Grandfather was a driver of a Sherman for the BCR and was in this battle. Trooper E. Dyer, I believe F troop
Wow! What a connection. I hope you thought the video was fairly presented. I’ve become obsessed with this battle
@@thehistoryexplorer Trained with a British Tank Unit for 6 months then to a Canadian Armoured Training School in Blackdown England as a tank instructor. Trained on Sherman, Churchhill, Comlander, Ram, Stewart. Joined BCR in March 1944 Groborough England. Was wounded August 9th at Hill 140. Motor shrapnel in the back. He was setting off metal detectors the rest of his life lol. Died 22 years ago. I loved the video. Thank you for your efforts. Its surreal seeing the aerial photos. One of those tanks quite possibly had my Grandfather sitting inside. Brought tears to my eyes. He is my life long hero. He visited the battle site much latter in life and said that there where square places in the field where the tanks sat and burned where nothing has grown. Probably not so anymore with all the farming.
This highlights the immense challenge of coordinating warfare... communications, logistics, etc if any part of the machine fails it can so easily fall apart. Huge respect for any person in that position! I enjoy the site walk arounds, and the maps and overlays were very well done. The personal accounts are also very powerful and always get me... I assume he couldn't bring himself shoot George Warbank?!
Oh, and on a side note, I've never thought of 'metal roads'!! ;P @9:25
George crawled back to the position I believe! He had been left at 30 acre wood.
As for metalled roads it means roads made of successive layers of smaller stones, until the road surface was composed of small stones compacted into a hard, durable surface.
Many of the roads back in 1944 Normandy were just large tracks.
@@thehistoryexplorer That is incredible! Thanks! I'd not heard the term 'metalled roads' before.
Great video! Worthington Force is deserving of much more coverage. I find it utterly fascinating that they broke through the German line by accident. If the artillery had come online as Mike Bechthold discusses than it could have gone very differently.
A forward passage of lines through the Worthington Force with indirect fire support would have seen the Germans withdraw from the area and their forward positions likely enveloped. We may not have seen what occurred later at Falaise
I had not heard of this encounter before. So many heartache stories like this one came from WWII.
I hope you enjoyed learning about this event! Lots more to come 👍
Thank you so much mate ! You are doing a wonderful job ! Big congrats !
Thank you so much! You’ve made my day
@@thehistoryexplorer Well deserved ! And you've made mine as well 🙂Please keep going :-))))
OMG A machine gun in that Church steeple is SO deadly !!
All that open ground and brilliant line of sight
It's a pity they didn't have a FAC officer who could have communicated with the RAF and Worthington force's HQ and established their real position and arranged support. I think Bradley and Queseda had a close working relationship for operation COBRA. Perhaps for some reason this was not the case here.
That is a fantastic point. The British FOO later established communications with the British battery and was delaying reports back. They could have alerted 4th division
Brave guys, no doubt. No mention of the railway line they should have crossed before Hill 192.
There is no railway line
他們是真英雄！They are real hero!
Indeed they are. Such a shame!
So did the guy shoot his injured comrade?? Didn't really say. Good video!
No he didn’t. The soldier crawled back to the defensive position and was taken prisoner
Imagine the pilot finding out later that there was an Allied unit somewhere they weren't supposed to be and then finding out you were responsible for hitting them!.
Yes that would have been awful, the pilots actually realised and began to protect/support the battlegroup by attacking the Germans who were closing in
Today I learned that disoriented is American English and disorientated is British English🧐
I never thought about that!
I know lol. I’m an American who lived in the UK for a time. I would get confused often about the changing of the accent on words mostly. I remember once hearing someone call something a Con-trav-er-sea. I didn’t realize till I looked it up it was Contra-ver-sea. There were many but I forget. I learned to break down words differently in my head while talking to people.
Exactly 1 day after the dead of the German tank ace Michael Wittman at Gaumsnil with Tiger Tank 007 and onother 3 Tiger Tanks.
Yes and the start line was about 400m from where his tank wreck was
That's panzer Meyer in the thumbnail shouting at panzer students
Yes indeed and in this event he ordered the attack on this battlegroup
Brilliant.
Very, very well done
You're too kind. Thank you for the feedback
I recall reading that Col. Worthington called in for artillery support and when hearing the rounds landing way off to their right thought they had relayed the wrong coordinates to the artillery and to check their fire. When he heard the rounds landing way off to his right again it was at this point he realized they were on the wrong hill. I can't imagine what he must have been feeling at that moment.
Yes that must have been a horrendous feeling. Poor soldiers
He was thinking, damn, I'm an idiot, I should have went straight instead of turning left.
You must fight from wherever you are, not where you are not.@@thehistoryexplorer
I'll just never get over the immense amount of armour that was manufactured and expended during the war on all fronts. Here, in this little corner of the war . . . they lost 47 tanks in a day, as if it were nothing. Brutal.
I know exactly what you mean! During Op GOODWOOD the British lost 253 tanks although a number were quickly brought back in to action in later operations.
@@thehistoryexplorer And Hitler shared our incredulity. Have you heard that recorded conversation in Finland where he can't believe the number of tanks the Soviets were fielding (?): ua-cam.com/video/WE6mnPmztoQ/v-deo.htmlsi=5bnOA5Ir9XyXrchW&t=264
The book “freedom’s forge” covers the American war industry in depth and it is utterly incredible. I think most people today don’t comprehend the magnitude of what was accomplished in terms of manufacturing materiel.
Thank You for your efforts, clear and concise...
Sometimes numbers alone has a quality all it's own that is overwhelming
Only the previous day, August 8, 1944, Kurt Meyer and a higher officer had sent out Michael Wittmann and a strong force of Tiger tanks including other lesser tanks from Cintheaux to attack the gathering force of Canadian and British armour to their north. Wittmann was killed and three others Tigers were knocked out as well by the Sherbrooke Fusiliers and the Northhamptonshire Yeomanry as they moved north. It sounds like there were many Tigers all around there! These Normandy tank battles were very intense with immense amounts of armour being lost on every side. The 12 SS were basically annihilated in Normandy and the battle won less than two weeks later all around Falaise.
Thank you for telling the tragic story of Worthington Force. I had never heard it before. Very sad. Freedom is seldom free, is it? 🤔🤨😢
Good man, I was going to cover the Wittman event on the way but I ran out of time. I filmed this whole series in a oner which is why I am wearing the same clothes in the videos! I do hope to head back and cover the Wittman event to see where the Canadian and British were located, and where the Tigers were destroyed.
thanks for the feedback really appreciate it
@@thehistoryexplorer Here is a pretty good analysis of how Wittmann was killed and by whom. I hope it is a help for you, especially if you haven't seen it. Paul Woodadge and I natter back and forth at each other over who got Wittmann whenever we get the chance, LOL! 😉 ua-cam.com/video/uHx5Z9S9yZU/v-deo.html&
More Tigers than that were destroyed, it was 3 by the Northants Yeomanry, & at least 1 (I think it was 2) by the Sherbrookes (one being Wittmann's), let alone the other Pzr IVs & assault guns destroyed. There are aerial & ground photos on the internet.The scars on the remaining outside/garden walls of the old manor house (now gone), where the Sherbrookes fired from, next to where Wittmann was killed are still there, visible on google maps.
@@eric-wb7gj As I recall, and I don't know where from but maybe from a Radley-Walters statement, there was another gaggle of German armour moving north behind the manor where the Sherbrookes were situated. Might have been more Tigers there. Considering there was only about 110 Tigers ever in Normandy, and not all of them ever running at one time, a lot of them were lost right at this time, the second and third week of August 1944, just north of Falaise.
@@ToddSauve I don't know about this. The German armour did attack up the main road, & the attacking Poles on the Northants left, did run into German armour with unfortunately high casualties.
The Germans also lost some Tigers during the night time bombing, there is at least one photo of one upside down.
Having been lost in a APC at night on a familiar training area I know it happens, add to that the fog of war, any enemy contact and the ground as you showed I can not blame them. Respect to all involved, they fought it out till the end and inflicted casualties on the Germans that were hard to replace in Normandy. Excellent video mate.
thank you George. Having also been lost a few times myself I can well attest to the difficulty in navigating at night in an armoured vehicle!
As a Canadian I thank you for telling the story. I can’t imagine being in such a situation as these brave men were.
The worst thing is that I have made all the same mistakes that they did (obviously in training only). I think this is an excellent example to commanders today
Too bad the Britons do not appreciate real Canadian merits in this war.
@@JesusMagicPanties I’m British and I made this video
@@thehistoryexplorer Apologize.
However you probably don't belong in the mainstream. After the war, Canadians were treated almost as badly as the Poles.
@@thehistoryexplorerand I am grateful you made this wonderful film.
Amazing video. I'm Canadian and I visited this cemetery last November. I was touched by the story of Gérard Doré, a 15 year old volunteer who died on July 23 at 16 in Verrières. He was a member of the Fusilliers Mont-Royal.
Thank you, I’d love to cover the Canadian action at Verrieres
‘The Canadian Alamo’ how appropriate to give the viewer a feeling for the battle. You have done a splendid job of presenting us with a gut wrenching situation the Canadians found themselves in. How brave to have stood your ground and did your best in an impossible situation. Yes impossible! The did their best in a desperate struggle to survive the awesome might of the German counter attack. Friendly fire. What else could they have to contend with. Incredible!
You are a credit to the memories of the fallen in this sad tale of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Thank you my brave compatriots of the greatest generation for allowing this 75 year old Canadian to live in relative peace. My heart breaks, but it also beams with pride at the immense contributions this nation of 11 million.1.1 million served with distinction and honour, my father included.
This story overwhelms me and I thank you for sharing this story. I’m at a loss for words as to what these men went through. My brothers wife’s father was in US Army and was in the Normandy Invasion. He never spoke about it ever, was a joyful kind man who died about 10 yrs ago.
Thank you very much for your kind comments. This story has captivated me too
And now for something completely different!
CO died with his men. So, like you said, he's not here to explain his actions, and God bless him. Reading through the lines of history my take on it is: Lousy unrealistic orders from his boss, lousy support all round, lousy comms, lousy conditions = cluster. Lots of leaders involved needed a scapegoat, so "he got lost." I do take umbrage with that slander as you've shown it obscures what was achieved that day. You walked the ground, consider the aim of his lousy orders - reach that hill to take the ridge. In daylight, that ridgeline dominates the terrain so much so that a night attack was considered more likely to succeed than a daylight one. Even though they hadn't rehearsed something like that (crazy! No battle procedure???). He was told the route, and the village on it would be secured - but he was passed by the retreating troops tasked with doing that job. (No talk of their failure in the history books - did they get lost?) Logically, the battle group had to jog left - as you said "in contact and under fire." Approaching the ridge (which they were now also taking fire from), they would then have to swing right according to the original lousy orders - broadside to the 88s on the ridge and the fire from that village. There is no way any leader would do that. In contact, face the threat, fight! The aim of his orders was taking the high ground. Faced with the reality at hand - straight up was the only way. Like you said - achieve the breakthrough. He met the intent - he led like a warrior, setting up that defensive position to hold their gains. I ask - did any other group achieve their positions and make the ridge that night? One could also ponder - if they had got to the assigned hill, what support would they have had there - considering the massive cluster behind them. Same outcome. Col W should have gotten the VC for staying in the fight with his wounded, but all he gets from history is "that lost CO". We owe him and his Dukes more than that. Thank you for telling their story! (Run on sentences is my texting thing)
I hope you think the video was respectful as the last thing I would want to do is criticise someone who isn’t able to defend themselves and also a group of individuals from a country and a military I respect a great deal.
I didn’t have time in this video but your absolutely right about the orders, battle procedure and preliminary moves- not to mention the bombing! - what a cluster!
There is so much that went wrong and had Lt Col Worthington been supported they could have turned the Germans. I’d love to find the German account of this battle but in the short time I gave myself there wasn’t much readily available
@@thehistoryexplorer to explain my interest. One of the wounded Officers up there was left for the German medics as his back was split open and too dangerous to move. The German doctors saved him and after the war he became a HR mgr in a large firm I was trying to join (as a young man). He got me hired and I was privileged to hear his stories. Later I was also honored to lead the guard at his services. Great man.
Disorientation is possible on Salisbury Plain at night let alone whilst in contact. As you quite rightly say, those who have not served or been in close contact have no place in being critical. God bless the bravery of our Canadian cousins
Exactly buddy. Thanks for the feedback
A truly superb film you have put together there. Beautifully narrated and edited. Thank you.
Thank you very much! I’ve so glad you enjoyed it and I really appreciate the feedback
A great informative video. I thought the scenery was stunning, neatly plowed fields and green pastures.
An interesting side note Hitlerjugend staff officer Bernhard Meitzel was driving in a captured Humber scout car which was knocked out by the Canadians breaking his arm. Meitzel was captured and interrogated, the Canadians repeatedly asked him where the straight road was. When the Typhoon attack came in a number of Canadian soldiers tried to escape back to Allied lines Meitzel suggested they surrender. As he said he arrived back at his command post with 23 Canadian prisoners and a broken arm. Max Wunsche sent 2 platoons of Panthers to deal with the problem.
Thank you Frank, a great addition. I read that too in Mike’s research. You can imagine the uncertainty and confusion they must have experienced on that hill
Thank you 🙏🙏. It's another example of the Fog of War. The men did their best, but events overcame them. It happened to all sides (& still does). It was though, part of a successful operation to break through the German lines, which the Allies had been trying to do for months. Due to the confused nature of the fighting, we also don't really know how much of a diversion this brave force was to the Germans, & the resources the Germans used here, could have gone elsewhere to stop other Allied advances on the same day.
Yes exactly! Good point. I was worried I had gone on for too long so I edited out some of those details. The Germans certainly diverted resources to hill 140 which enabled the area around hill 195 to be taken
Excellent vid. So well researched and presented. Walking that field and the use of air photographs pinpointig the actual locations made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. What a great way to connect with the past. Very well done.
Glad you enjoyed it! I was so worried I had dragged on a bit that I edited so much stuff out to make this shorter. I’m starting to wish I had kept it in!
A very clear, concise explanation of the tragedy befalling Worthington Force. I’ve tried to visualize this action for a while. Your episode has helped me understand the situation more clearly. Thanks.
That’s brilliant! Glad you found it useful. Thanks for the feedback
As a British born Canadian who served in the Canadian Army Reserve (Hastings & Prince Edward Regiment, Toronto Scottish Regiment, Royal Highland Fusiliers of Canada), I appreciate the retelling of Canadian engagements in World War II. Thank you for telling it and using the video content the way you have done the retelling. A profound thanks.
You are most welcome Sir. I’m so glad you enjoyed the video
As a retired Duke, I really appreciate the video, and your take on the battle. I had the incredible honour of dining with the officer who replaced Col. Worthington, John Toogood, and his account very much jives with yours, although he was LOB that morning.
Thank you so much for your feedback it has made my day. I was very concerned about offending anyone with connections to this action and wanted to tread lightly.
I’ve become so interested in this event I’m reading more and more on it. Absolutely fascinating and a brilliant vignette I will use with those I serve with
My Grandfather was also at this battle. He was a driver. Very proud of him. Up the Dukes!
Confusion in the heat of action, conditions that produced results, and the inability of the command structure to be flexible, adapt, having the usual POOR kit radio/COMMS and uncoordinated air support is a hallmark of SHTF. The Command Structure should have been more attuned to lost elements and sussed them out. It appears the Nazis had great air support, and the Canadians the victim of, once again, POOR COMM Systems....... This lacking is a hint of what was about to really murder them in the coming months....
the Germans had practically no air cover. But communications were a serious issue. The ability to communicate with a higher headquarters, communicate with the Polish on their Eastern flank, communicate with the guns, communicate with the RAF etc etc etc. Just made things very difficult
Thanks man, you couldn't have done a better job I think. Perfect explaination of what happened. Very sad story, I agree that it's unfair to be harsh on dead soldiers who took a wrong turn and defended a hill they didn't have any information about. Let them rest in peace and let us be gratefull.
Well said and great name. Thanks for the kind feedback, really appreciate it
It seems to me if any mistake was made it was that the allied air force could not recognise their compatriots on the ground, even though they were static in a defensive position and had laid out ID markers. If the Typhoons had attacked the German armour the outcome might have been different.
@@thehistoryexplorer Haha, its my WoT and WT avatar, thanks. Just like you I love history and I have great respect for all the young men who gave theire lives for our freedom. Keep up the good work and thanks dor the awesome content! ❤️
@@catinthehat906 War is chaotic at best I'm afraid..
Thank you for sharing. Much respect for your work, research and narrative. Side note doesn't matter was side of the conflict it's young men, fathers, brothers, son, uncles etc killing each other for bankers and the ruling elite. Such a tragedy with the loss of millions of young men lifes
Absolutely. Thank you very much for your kind feedback.
Who has not gone the wrong way at night,totally understandable.
Yes exactly my friend. I’ve become navigationally challenged many times!
least they got their revenge at Falaise in the end.
Oh they definitely did!
Well done. Nightmare situation for those Canadians. The bravery of the Canadians is lesser known over here. Best from Hamburg, Germany
Thank you my friend. A very kind comment 👍
I might be biased because my sister is married to a Canadian but the Canadians have a fierce reputation in battle, very much respected. Greetings from Rotterdam, Holland.
Superb analysis. The use of visual overlays in both the video segments and the still photo segments are what separate this analysis from the rest. Keep up the good work!
Much appreciated! So glad you enjoyed it
These lesser known stories carry a lot of weight to what the individual experiences that the common soldiers faced.
Thanks John, this should definitely be a better known event though!
i wish every yt vid of every battle in hum hist would begin with the simple map graphics this one did, much obliged!!!!
I cannot watch a YT video without a ground orientation! The ground is everything! I always jump on google earth when I watch other people’s stuff 😆
Sir, please make more videos like this. They are the best in depth Military History productions on the internet. Cheers and keep ‘em coming!
You’re a gent. Thank you for the kind feedback!
"The best"? 😄 Adequate, certainly and better than I could do but I do not consider them the best. Try look at some from Mark Felton.
@@iainholding3260 you lost all credibility when you referenced Mark Felton 😅
@@thehistoryexplorer I'd rather listen to/watch him than you tbf.
@@iainholding3260 each to their own. He uses archival footage from UA-cam and reads Wikipedia as commentary. It’s a brilliant business model and more power to him as it obviously works👌
Great examination of the battle. I wasn’t aware of this action and you covered it in great detail. Another great video. Well done.
that really means a lot, thank you. I'm surprised this action isn't more widely known but it seems most commenters are not familiar with it. If it had been an American battle group I'm convinced it would have been a movie by now!
I do not recall reading of it before. Maybe in Keegan's "Six Armies in Normandy," but he was one of the historians who was broadly critical of the Canadians' overall performance in the war. He did not, and no one should, doubt the valor of the men doing the fighting at the sharp end, though. The Canadians have been overlooked for far too long. They always did everything the hard way, because that's what was given to them.
@@zeedub8560 I think you’re right. I’ve really enjoyed researching the Canadians as it isn’t too saturated like we see with US content
Thanks for a great video!!
Glad you liked it! It was my absolute pleasure to make
Hadn't heard of this battle before. Too bad I would also have paid respect too when there. Too bad things go so pear-shaped sometimes.
It always happens at the worst time, when you least expect it.
Frighteningly brought to life with tremendous sympathetic touch👍👌👏
Thank you my friend. It means the world to hear that 👍
This is an excellent appraisal and worthy of a TEWT (Tactical Excercise Without Troops) and can go into great detail from both sides. Having been on armour myself and been a crew commander I realise that these "mistakes" happen in "the fog of war" however there was also a sequence of events that lead upto this tragic turn for the Canadians (such as the FOO and others becoming lost themselves or immobilised through breakdowns.
My one or two pennies worth from my experience is
1. Where was the reconnaissance (both forward and giving the information to the CO PLUS back to Division)?
1(a) WHY could not a said recce vehicle/runner/ despatch rider have been sent back to Division to state and show where they were?
2. I realise that compass bearings are extremely difficult in an armoured vehicle...however surely others (such as infantry or accompanying forces) were (one would hope) have been reading bearings and map references too.
2(b) Perhaps they too doubted their confidence in perhaps stating to a well respected CO that they were off course..not wanting to "rock the boat"?
3. Map references must SURELY have been made not only by the CO during first and into daylight to pinpoint EXCACTLY where they were..then order 1(a) mentioned?
Like yourself..I am NOT belittling this brave and well established CO or his men, just highlighting my thoughts from experience (WITHOUT A GPS!)
PLUS..I believe to make the perfect storm complete...WHO were the Canadians facing? No stomach battalion here but very well established, methodical, experienced Commanders and crews of 12 SS and of course elements of 1st SS with their Tiger crews.
Please keep these truly excellent contributions coming. They are very enlightening
Thank you Robert what an excellent comment. All questions I asked myself as I drove along the route!
I think they wanted to quickly propel themselves down the route and reach the objective and establish their defences before the inevitable German counter attack. What I didn't have time to add was that the O Gp took place only a few hours earlier with this particular objective originally assigned to another BG. There was no time for an estimate or recce.
It was likely explained as a case of 'follow this main road south for 10km then occupy the high feature at pt195.' the lack of working radios or reports and returns was a real issue too. Ultimately they had never conducted collective training above the Bn/Regt level and seldom trained at night. A terrible day at the office
@@thehistoryexplorer Well..thank you for your kind words and very well informed answer..this explains a hell of a lot.
May I also add something my Grandfather told me..(I believe I have mentioned him before that he was captured at El Alemein by 90th Light at the end of SUPERCHARGE) He stated that the Germans were NOT to be underestimated. The Russians through LUCY had told them this.
It might also be worth mentioning that the "ring" was tightening around Falaise and there might have been an "air of nonchalance" with the Allied commanders in Normandy that the "Jerries were on the run and cornered"
Another quote from my Grandfather.."..there is nothing more dangerous than a cornered rat.." (sic..the Germans!!!)
Plus..one cannot forget...approximately a month later..Monty launched "..those coins burning a hole in SHAEFS pocket" the airborne attack Market Garden
Plus with that operation it has to be said many of the German units there were ad hoc and units (such as SS HOHESTAUFEN) were heavily depleted..down to KG (Kampfgruppe) level.
Once again..I am not demeaning the Commanders on the ground there either just implying some historical context and historical German fact
Once again..keep your SUPERB channel going with your such enthusiastic, professional and obvious military experience.
Already done as a Staff Ride
www.canada.ca/content/dam/dnd-mdn/army/lineofsight/files/articlefiles/en/B-GL-315-001-CACSC-Staff-Ride-Handbook-EN.pdf
@@HeavyDragoon Pardon me for interrupting but what most of us seem to forget is that paratroopers, be they parachute infantry of glider infantry, are essentially light infantry.
Put up against ad hoc units that do have access to heavy artillery and heavy machineguns, even the best paratrooper won't succeed.
Paratroopers are highly trained and motivated, but still light infantry.
Metal roads aren’t all that common in Normandie…
Metalled roads are those which have been compacted rather than dirt tracks
@@thehistoryexplorer See, I never knew that, and now I look like a fool ;) You learn something new everyday! Happy new year!
@@Mrtweet81 you don’t look a fool at all! I’m not even sure if metalled roads was appropriate for those tracks. Happy new year!
Thank you for this. It was a Great Video on this sad battle. God Bless these Brave men.
You are most welcome my friend. Hopefully I handled this respectfully
Thanks for this excellent video. Well done and very informative. I visited Normandy in 2017 and made sure to stop at the Worthington Memorial on my way to St Lambert Sur Dives.
It’s brilliant that you did. I get the impression because it is a bit out of the way that the location isn’t visited all that often. Thank you so much for the kind feedback
Great explanation and very fair. I like that you are not judgemental of commanders decisions. Too many historians jump far too easily to disparaging remarks about commanders decision making. Understanding the reasons for their decisions is the important thing.
Absolutely! One day that could be me having my decisions torn to pieces.
The fog of war. RIP
This was a great and very thorough examination of the battle with real world battlefield eye's view. As a serving troop leader of the British Columbia Regiment your work is much appreciated. I was made aware of this video via a link in our newsletter. Thank you!
Up the Dukes!
No way!? That was quick to appear in a news letter. I hope you thought I was fair and balanced in the video. I’ve become so interested in this event and all the myriad factors that led to the outcome. I’d love to learn more. Has the video been well received within the Unit or are there a few grumbles?
I can’t speak to The association (they’re responsible for research and posting the newsletters. Several Of them also run our fantastic museum), but I intend to bring it up for conversation at the officers mess as a point of conversation and possible professional development. The battle is often mentioned in our regimental heritage and I think it offers many teaching points about navigation, leadership, taking good defensive positions, fallback strategies and communication
The only thing they could do differently is use today's technology. Which they didn't have. If they had colored smoke bombs they could use them to mark the germans position for an air attack since they don't have artillery support. If they had radios. Or good working radios they could ask for reinforcements. It looks as though all communication is also cut off.
It's interesting to note, after the initial early morning attack by RAF Typhoons on the Canadians, that they then had air support from them for the rest of the battle once the recognition panels were out and identified..
Yes exactly, and they never thought to report the allied battlegroup location so far behind enemy lines. This could have set in motion the allies sending reinforcements and artillery to exploit the Worthington success
Great video and explanation of the action. Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it! And thank you for the very kind feedback 👍
WW2 is full of these outings due to high expectations of men and machine and blunders that made break throughs and units like this, they made a difference and distracted German units and supplies so still a winner.
I love the video's you make. Great detail and actually on the location. Respect!
Would love to have seen the view of the Germans towards the Canadians from those woods. So you can see it from both sides. Keep it up and you should collaborate with History Underground
Thank you buddy. History Underground is on another level! I had intended to go to the woods where the Germans were but I ran out of time and it was getting dark! Next time perhaps
@@thehistoryexplorer I dont agree. You are on the same level but you have not been found yet. Keep it up like this , it is relaxed and very much in detail. Dont change just try to add little parts like the Germans in the woods.... what they would have seen. All the best.
Thank you my friend. That means a lot 👍
184 SQN may have been the attackers in the morning on Worthington Force
Possibly. I’d have to look again at the resources I used
To finish work, crack open some christmas left overs and sit down to this video was a real treat. Amazing story Rob
You’re too kind. Thank you buddy and glad you enjoyed it
Please, please, PLEASE...Don't use apologetic PC rhetoric! You said, "I would never criticize a commander..." (blah-blah-blah) THEN you (correctly) criticized him for (apparently) failing to call on his officers and senior NCOs to verify his position. This was an all-to-common failing among various units, from every nation, among both Allied & Axis powers, and it still happens today. During the Battle of Midway, one attack squadron flew due west from the US carriers (as opposed th SW), missing an opportunity to adequately concentrate/coordinate their on the Japanese carriers. Why? By all reports, the 'qualified & experienced' squadron leader was an ass!
I agree that getting lost is easy... I've done it! Especially back when GPS didn't exist and when you are taking fire, in unfamiliar territory & it is dark. From my limited knowledge of this engagement, Lt Col Worthington was regarded as an experienced, aggressive, well-respected & responsible commander. But he was IN COMMAND. Therefore, the responsibility for getting his battle group to Point 195 ultimately rested on him. It is neither disrespectful nor trolling to note that he led his battle group in the WRONG direction!
Yes... there were contributing factors. But from what I understand the battle group was provided with search lights against cloud cover, as well as tracers (& other light references) into the night sky as a means to establish their bearing. His error was magnified by the fact that he incorrectly informed headquarters that he was at Point 195, and the artillery cover was being provided was fired at the wrong place. The end results were clear... 85 dead, 121 wounded and 34 captured.
I trust you understand my intent. I am not now, nor have I ever been considered politically correct. (Nor have I ever been considered necessarily tactful.) Lt Col Worthington and the men in his command honorably and bravely served their country. All of them have my respect & gratitude. Sadly, many of them MIGHT HAVE faired better & lived longer, had their commander(s) communicated better & shown better attention to detail. Even so, GOD ALONE is fit to judge.
Thank you for the very insightful and measured comment. I do agree with most of what you’ve written, less for criticising Worthington. We know he made mistakes, but he did so under extreme duress during their very first engagement. A true baptism of fire.
Having never experienced such conditions, but having been under extremely testing conditions myself, I can understand how these errors happened.
What I said is I would not blame a veteran or criticise them for their mistakes under these circumstances; I’ll leave that to historians and armchair generals who have never been under fire. By criticising Lt Col Worthington I add nothing to the discussion other than to tarnish his reputation.
I do really appreciate your comment though and I completely understand your stance
I'm surprised tanks of the era didn't have some kind of method to take a compass reading inside the tank. They had methods for ships and airplanes.
Would it surprise you to learn that some modern armies require you to jump out of the tank, take a compass bearing, and then jump back in?
My platoon Commander told me "If at any time things get chaotic and I feel like I'm losing my objective I will say 'TUMBLEWEED' and I will look for you to be my coach in my corner to get me back into the fight". He NEVER needed it BTW. The fact that he had a backup plan for his biggest nightmare gave me faith in him I thought I never had.
Armchair quarterbacks have all the time, none of the stress and possibly a tumbler full of brave juice to say how something should have happened. In a world where one second is a literal lifetime hasty decisions are made because they don't have the time, they have so much stress they can taste it and they probably lack the tumbler with brave juice.
Well bloody said. So many people criticise military commanders from the comfort of their armchair and many have never served a day in their life
Next time take a metal detector with you.
I've never experienced the fog of war so I'm a little confused about how they got lost. They needed to travel a given distance down a straight road and turn right. Instead, they traveled a shorter distance and turned left. Tank commanders generally operated out of the hatch where a compass would work. There were other vehicles besides tanks in which a compass would work. I assume that they were told to travel a certain distance down the road before turning right. Giving them a landmark to turn at in the dark wouldn't have worked. Any vehicle with an odometer would have told them where they needed to turn.
I'd like to see a "rest of the story" video that covers the Polish 1st Armored attempt to rescue the Worthington Force.
I would love to make more videos on the Polish in Normandy.
A compass can be made inaccurate even by a rifle across your chest, let alone masses of steel.
I understand how it would seem strange to get lost like this but it is actually easily done, especially if they are under fire at the time
This is who my grandfather fought with. He was a coms officer of if I recall correctly. Would get as far as talking about jumping out of his tanking and having his clothes shot up.
Wow I bet he had some stories to tell. You must be so proud of his legacy
Pin me because you love history 😅
Done!
Thank you for telling their story. 🙏
It is my honour
Oh man Canadian tankers, I made a comment about a great great Uncle being a trank driver or commander, after watching that video (the one about the Canadian house in Normandy and the New Brunswick regiment) it got me wondering where he might have started.
Ill have to ask my Grandfather who knows a little more, as I think there was something about the African campaign but I'm not 100% sure.
But I do have a name Roy Robertson, he was from Tabusintac New Brunswick I do not know his regiment etc but I tried seeing if there was any information.
There are lots of really knowledgable Canadians who follow this channel so I hope someone can help you buddy
Another great piece of work putting this together. Trying to analyse in comfort with no pressure cannot compare to the brave decisions made by the men on the day with a fraction of the resources we would have at our disposal now. Worthington and his men are true heroes.
I couldn’t agree more buddy, so glad you enjoyed it
This was so well made I feel like I understand exactly what happened. Your expertise is clear to see Rob. The maps and images are really useful. I hope you make many more videos mate
Thank you. Really appreciate the kind feedback and glad you enjoyed it
I have 2 questions, #1 How many German tanks were involved in the counter-attack & #2 How do you lose so many tanks when positioned on the high ground, hull down behind a thick hedgerow and the enemy is attacking from a lower gradient? Did the Germans just outgun them with Tigers from a longer distance?
Great question. I don’t know the exact number of tanks but I know Tigers from Quisnell woods were orders to attack from the west and Panthers attacked from the East. Likely no more than 5 of each. I honestly don’t know.
A big factor (both physically and psychologically) is the masses indirect fire they received on top of that hill.
During WW II those US made Sherman tanks were simply a piece of heavy metal (sitting ducks) for the German Tiger 1 tanks which was armed with a powerful 88mm gun used to destroyed those Sherman tanks.
They had their flaws but they also had their strengths- numbers being the main one!
That’s not true at all. The Sherman took on Tigers and won many times.
If I was driving a tank across Europe I would definitely be in a Sherman. Reliable and easy to maintain. The Tiger might make 40km before it broke down.
@@Colonel_Blimp Same
It was the German who invented “battlegroup” Kampfgruppen of remnants of skattered divisions, decimated regiments etc. So the Kampfgruppe could fight autonomously with artillery, tanks, vehicles and other weapons commanded and named after the Officer in command a colonel or generalmajor or a standartenfuhrer or brigadefuhrer from waffen ss.
That’s interesting. I wasn’t aware it originated with the Germans
Don't turn left on a straight road. Continue on your objective.
Now I am wondering if a old girlfriends Dad was in the Algonquin regiment or did other Algonquin’s serve in other Canadian outfits. He only told Me about House to House fighting carrying both a Lee Enfield and a Sten.
Good question. They were split and organised into battlegroups
..and yes..I too have been "SPARE" on exercises in BATUS and Salisbury Plain. Had a few "..WTF are we..?" Questions in my own head in Iraq too...
Thank the heavens for GPS in BATUS!
@@thehistoryexplorer absolutely....never been so happy to have tech working on my side....
Proves the importance of comms, check navigators and the fog of battle. Greta video thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it! It was a pleasure telling this story
Thank you for posting. It means so much for those of us who may mot be able to travel there to have such a well documented and visually stunning history shown to us. Thank you!
You are most welcome and I hope you got something from the video
*A few observations: First, Worthington got his men killed due to his incompetence. Secondly, perhaps even more importantly, the Germans were simply better soldiers.Sure, they lost battles here and there, but then Germany was fighting against the entire planet - and yet still almost won the war. That's because their men were bigger, tougher, smarter - and had better weapons overall. Those are the harsh facts about this conflict.*
The Germans were beaten and driven back, leading to the liberation of Falaise further to the south. Worthington got in behind the enemy and could have led to a breakthrough, it’s also argued the force drew enemy forces away from the Polish and other advances to the West (near the original hill 195)
Kurt Meyer was an SS commander and he survive the war
They fought bravely and will not be forgotten. But poor communication will cripple the mightiest armies decisively. Lesson to be learned.
Yea many many lessons learned on this day. So sad
WE WILL REMEMBER THEM!
Absolutely!
In the fog of battle its rare to have your enemy hand you a clear path to victory on a plate. Everyone not focused on their immediate jobs are acutely aware that all warfare is based on deception, and their assessment may be completely wrong.
No one wants to fuck up, or let their comrades down. Which is why I am very reluctant to criticise anyone in a forward combat position. You do your best, from moment to moment, based on the best information at hand. Can anyone ask reasonably for more?
Flying metal does not care how brave you are. The only thing I cannot stand is wilful ignorance and negligence which add up to hubris, a lack of respect for the enemy’s capability, and the existential role of timing and luck during battle.
Well said my friend 👍
Great explanation. Today I discovered that the Worthington battlegroup would have passed through my fathers unit (Lake Superior Regiment) on its fateful mission. Dad would have only been in France a week at most, at that time. Thanks for the doco!
This was the first action of the Worthington Force too, well trained but completely green. I’m so glad you could take away a personal connection from this video 👍
My father and uncle served in the Wehrmacht. There is a huge gap between what they supported - willingly or unwillingly but what does that count - and the men who I feel I have to pay my respects to. In fact, it was my grandmother who showed me around the district in Vienna where I live and pointed out the war wounds in the buildings. Of course I asked why and why there were bomber planes coming. Her answer was that there were people here who were so evil that nothing else but bombs could drive them away. Surprisingly her words made me a pacifist.
Well said my friend
I was a cold war tanker... Did war games with the German Panzer units back when we were ugly mugging the Russians over the wall. Back then you had to be able to fight every weapon system in the regiment.. Now everybody is a specialist. When it gets dark in Germany... Its so black you cant see your hand in front of your face... navigating a tank on dirt roads in the dust by the the light of one cats eye on the back of the tank in front... Its a pucker factor at anything but a slow crawl.
I hear you brother. This was their first ever action as well
There's no tankman like Valpy. Just sayin... Canada Bombardier pilots.
I hope you enjoyed the video 👍
Looks pretty dodgy command even at night. How do you go left when instructed to go right and miss crossing a major road ? 6km out is a pretty substantial amount over that distance covered.
It wasn’t a major road in 1944. They were both small roads. Both very straight. They were also dispersed so the advance guard and vanguard would have led the way, presumably with Recce ahead of them. I completely understand your point though and if Col Worthington could have his time again I’m sure he would have done things differently
Great info and well presented. Its nice to see Canadian and German sides to things as USA and English tactics have been done a bit done to death i think. My grandad went to his end on HMS Hood but i dont feel any malice towards the Germans and hold their tactics at awe on some campaigns ...Keep posting these vids sir.
Thank you very much for your kind comment. So glad people enjoy these videos
I had a drill instructor that used to always say,”you armored guys never know where the hell you are”. I guess if you don’t use a compass that makes sense.
Navigating in armour is very different to being dismounted. If you don’t have gps (which we take for granted today) you have to really pay attention to distance travelled and speed. Very difficult to get a n accurate compass bearing from the turret too
this is from the Canadian version of the battle , can you do the German version of this same battle ?
I don’t know enough about the German side here but I do plan on making more videos from the German perspective
I wonder how many soldiers have died under the fog of war in WW2. Seems like communication took a back seat to ammunition.
Communication could often be an issue. Developing technology
Your integration of real time visits combined with battlefield maps and historical photos and references is absolutely wonderful.
A pleasure to view. Thank you!
Glad you like them! Thank you very much