In his book it's mentioned that in his later years he would fire his M1 from the front porch, even though he didn't see well and spent a lot of time listening to the audible Bible. Another interesting story was him noticing a tree that suddenly appeared, the Germans put up a fake tree as an observation post and no one noticed except Shifty. Seems everyone remembers him as a class act.
Shifty was my favorite in 2001, I was 13 and my dad had gotten me a garand to shoot. He was soft spoken and a great shot, he also seemed to be extremely humble. Keep em coming.
One of the things i admired about B of B was the short commentary from the actual men portrayed in the series. Mr Powers comments about not having hard feelings for the Germans was interesting to me. I remember him saying, in a different situation him and the Germans might have been friends and could have had things in common. As Shifty put it, he was just doing his job and the Germans were doing their job. Interesting perspective.
From what i remember, the boys felt that the Germans were the closest in standard of living to them. Indoor plumbing etc. I guess other countries still had out houses…
Yes, but remember most of the guys felt that way until they liberated a concentration camp. Maj. Winters, himself of German descent, often stated he admired them as soldiers, but never forgot that they were the enemy. Please know that when some of these guys were going through elementary school, the teachers often taught in both German and English. Perhaps like now, when so many teachers speak Spanish and English in class. At least that was the case here in PA. (So-called High German.) I think people loved Shifty and Popeye because they were so modest. Shifty never even told his kids what he did during the war. They found out when BOB came out.
I love these extra stories we get about the men of Easy Company that weren't in the documentary. I gotta say that when I first signed up for the Army in 1988 I picked Airborne Infantry. After thinking it over I switched my MOS to 13f which is a forward observer lol. I just couldn't see myself jumping out of an airplane so I have a ton of respect for those men.
What a boss!!! Always loved shifty in band of brothers. It infuriates me that all his stuff from the war was stolen after he got in the accident in Germany
Happened a lot. My Grandad came back from North Africa with a kit bag full of souveniers - daggers, pistols, medals... when he got off the troopship his kitbag had been cut open by the merchant marine and everything was gone.
Shifty has to be one of the favourite true characters Band of Brothers. I recall one other UA-cam video in which Shifty’s keen power of observation was mentioned. The story goes that during the Battle of the Bulge, Shifty told Captain Winters one morning that a tree had appeared in the distance overnight that had not been there the previous afternoon. Captain Winters called in an artillery strike on the offending tree 🌲 which turned out to be camouflage for a German position, which from memory included an artillery piece. I also understand that the nickname SHIFTY came from his prowess on the basketball court. It’s such a great nickname. ✅👍
CORRECTION: I notice that another viewer mentioned the tree 🌲 that sprung up overnight and referred to it as an observation post. That makes complete sense. If artillery had been under the tree the position would have been given away as soon as the first shell was fired. The comments beneath these excellent videos are always worth reading! ✅
Shifty was the Hawkeye for easy company, if he would’ve been properly trained as a sniper he would’ve been a force to be reckon with.. although he had the fundamentals down to the core.
I met Shifty when i was performing a static display when i was stationed in Hawaii. I was wearing a desert ghillie that need a bit better redye. He told me 'plenty of Germans are buried in Bastogne for wearing one of those. The snow sticks to the trees and the ground. It doesnt make big blobs and move around." He inspected my rifle an M21. And we all took a group pic. I was lucky enough to meet my military hero while I was in and 2 Infantrymen had a knowledge transfer.
@@War_And_Truth ...it happened that during my military training I was stationed at the barracks of the Austrian Infantry Training School in Saalfelden/Salzburg where Easy Comp. was after the war. But that times are long gone, but surprisingly is the connection.
You’re a hell of a fine solider Shifty 🫡 (him not talking about it makes sense after that scene). Glad he got to reconnect w Easy after BoB. I bet a lot of soldiers we know and love wouldn’t have made it if shifty didn’t take out snipers.
My grandfather was in easy company. If I’m not mistaken, shifty shot of German right under my grandfather‘s feet during the fight in Bladstone. And I believe he also called my grandfather over in new Holland before mortar took out the position he was in. So in theory, he might’ve saved my grandfather’s life twice. Daniel Burdette West.
I really didn't know or want to hear the last part of this. I didn't know some dirtbag stole all of his war souvenirs. I guess back then you could still count on there being a scumbag thief around. AIRBORNE ALL THE WAY SHIFTY!
The military was no different. Heck in Stalingrad, some of the officers took all of the food and supplies for themselves while their men starved to death.
The commanders of the Airborne expected results so high it was difficult to get anything above a Silver Star. For Winters to lead a small group against a 50 man German defensive position, destroy its four guns which were killing plenty on Utah Beach, kill 6 men himself and go back for a second time to clear out the position must be worthy of a Medal of Honor. But some silly agreement made by the division commanders thwarted it.
@@War_And_Truth Winters and Spiers both deserved a Medal of Honor for separate actions, winters on D day, and Spiers the day he took over as CO of Easy Company. Unfortunately there were agreements made higher up that prevented it
You’re doing a great job of filling in bits and pieces. I understand you use AI for commentary because you are deaf. It never bothered me because of the great content.
Such an example of the men of that true “Generation”. Thank you for this video.
In his book it's mentioned that in his later years he would fire his M1 from the front porch, even though he didn't see well and spent a lot of time listening to the audible Bible. Another interesting story was him noticing a tree that suddenly appeared, the Germans put up a fake tree as an observation post and no one noticed except Shifty. Seems everyone remembers him as a class act.
Yes he was a very popular member of Easy
A good article to read is "A rifle for Shifty" It was in First Shot magazine by the CMP, where they got a M1 together and presented it to Shifty
His book is a great read.
Man oh man - the uncategorized, unexpected talents our men had ! Awesome.
What a guy!
It was an honor to call Darrel my Friend
Shifty. A country boy, Hero and loyal warrior. 😢 RIP soldier.
Shifty was my favorite in 2001, I was 13 and my dad had gotten me a garand to shoot. He was soft spoken and a great shot, he also seemed to be extremely humble.
Keep em coming.
Shifty was one of my favorites in Band of Brothers along with Winters and Speirs. 👍
One of the things i admired about B of B was the short commentary from the actual men portrayed in the series. Mr Powers comments about not having hard feelings for the Germans was interesting to me. I remember him saying, in a different situation him and the Germans might have been friends and could have had things in common. As Shifty put it, he was just doing his job and the Germans were doing their job. Interesting perspective.
Shifty was the best man of the company IMO
From what i remember, the boys felt that the Germans were the closest in standard of living to them. Indoor plumbing etc. I guess other countries still had out houses…
Yes, but remember most of the guys felt that way until they liberated a concentration camp. Maj. Winters, himself of German descent, often stated he admired them as soldiers, but never forgot that they were the enemy.
Please know that when some of these guys were going through elementary school, the teachers often taught in both German and English. Perhaps like now, when so many teachers speak Spanish and English in class. At least that was the case here in PA. (So-called High German.)
I think people loved Shifty and Popeye because they were so modest. Shifty never even told his kids what he did during the war. They found out when BOB came out.
He should have had a larger part in the miniseries
I love these extra stories we get about the men of Easy Company that weren't in the documentary. I gotta say that when I first signed up for the Army in 1988 I picked Airborne Infantry. After thinking it over I switched my MOS to 13f which is a forward observer lol. I just couldn't see myself jumping out of an airplane so I have a ton of respect for those men.
What a boss!!! Always loved shifty in band of brothers. It infuriates me that all his stuff from the war was stolen after he got in the accident in Germany
Such a shame that happened to Shifty.
Happened a lot. My Grandad came back from North Africa with a kit bag full of souveniers - daggers, pistols, medals... when he got off the troopship his kitbag had been cut open by the merchant marine and everything was gone.
@@War_And_Truth Vietnam I suspect even in the gulf wars and Afghanistan but there were lotta Stuff that was stolen.
Love his story!!❤❤❤
Thieves !!! Steal stuff and brag about they were in the Airborne....they were probably most likely kitchen Rangers...in a Leg unit ...😢😢😢😢
Thanks for bringing these stories to life
Glad you like them!
This channel is absolutely fantastic! Your narration and research are spot on and you're not biased.. Something that's hard to find. Subbed!
Welcome aboard!
This is becoming one of my favorite channels on UA-cam. The research and story telling that are put into these videos is amazing. Thank you!
Glad you like them!
Shifty has to be one of the favourite true characters Band of Brothers. I recall one other UA-cam video in which Shifty’s keen power of observation was mentioned. The story goes that during the Battle of the Bulge, Shifty told Captain Winters one morning that a tree had appeared in the distance overnight that had not been there the previous afternoon. Captain Winters called in an artillery strike on the offending tree 🌲 which turned out to be camouflage for a German position, which from memory included an artillery piece. I also understand that the nickname SHIFTY came from his prowess on the basketball court. It’s such a great nickname. ✅👍
CORRECTION: I notice that another viewer mentioned the tree 🌲 that sprung up overnight and referred to it as an observation post. That makes complete sense. If artillery had been under the tree the position would have been given away as soon as the first shell was fired. The comments beneath these excellent videos are always worth reading! ✅
@@KOHTAOMURDERSDEATHISLAND Yes! I learn a lot from you guys.
Popeye asked for his $5 back ...yeah most army thing i heard lol
They repped him well in BoB, thanks much for the history. Take care.
Shifty was the Hawkeye for easy company, if he would’ve been properly trained as a sniper he would’ve been a force to be reckon with.. although he had the fundamentals down to the core.
2009, the same year my WWII Seabee dad passed. RIP, Shifty. "You were a good soldier."
I met Shifty when i was performing a static display when i was stationed in Hawaii. I was wearing a desert ghillie that need a bit better redye. He told me 'plenty of Germans are buried in Bastogne for wearing one of those. The snow sticks to the trees and the ground. It doesnt make big blobs and move around." He inspected my rifle an M21. And we all took a group pic. I was lucky enough to meet my military hero while I was in and 2 Infantrymen had a knowledge transfer.
You are a lucky man. What a legend Shifty was.
@@War_And_Truth honored.
Love these, thank you for creating them.
Thanks. RIP. God Bless
Did not see the movie, but like to hear the short stories here. They are very impressive. Looking forward to others. Greetings from Austria - Gerhard
Thanks from Australia
@@War_And_Truth ...it happened that during my military training I was stationed at the barracks of the Austrian Infantry Training School in Saalfelden/Salzburg where Easy Comp. was after the war. But that times are long gone, but surprisingly is the connection.
Thanks! Keep it coming, you are doing a good job 😊
Thank you! Will do!
I love your videos. Thank you so much.
I'm glad you like them!
Sobel may have turned “Easy” into a good company but without proper leadership in the field they would not have lasted long in a war zone.
Great info on Power's later life. BTW, Ed Shames last name is pronounced "shamuhs" still with the long "a" but with "es" added as a syllable.
Thanks for that.
God bless Shifty Powers.
Thanks!
Thank you so much
You’re a hell of a fine solider Shifty 🫡 (him not talking about it makes sense after that scene). Glad he got to reconnect w Easy after BoB. I bet a lot of soldiers we know and love wouldn’t have made it if shifty didn’t take out snipers.
My grandfather was in easy company. If I’m not mistaken, shifty shot of German right under my grandfather‘s feet during the fight in Bladstone. And I believe he also called my grandfather over in new Holland before mortar took out the position he was in. So in theory, he might’ve saved my grandfather’s life twice. Daniel Burdette West.
Great history
@@War_And_Truth my grandfather is in that famous picture standing in front of the fountain. In the middle of the book. God bless.
God Bless your Grandfather. RIP.
I really didn't know or want to hear the last part of this. I didn't know some dirtbag stole all of his war souvenirs. I guess back then you could still count on there being a scumbag thief around. AIRBORNE ALL THE WAY SHIFTY!
The military was no different. Heck in Stalingrad, some of the officers took all of the food and supplies for themselves while their men starved to death.
Can you imagine he served with a group of men where it could be said that he only earned a bronze star
The commanders of the Airborne expected results so high it was difficult to get anything above a Silver Star. For Winters to lead a small group against a 50 man German defensive position, destroy its four guns which were killing plenty on Utah Beach, kill 6 men himself and go back for a second time to clear out the position must be worthy of a Medal of Honor. But some silly agreement made by the division commanders thwarted it.
@@War_And_Truth Winters and Spiers both deserved a Medal of Honor for separate actions, winters on D day, and Spiers the day he took over as CO of Easy Company. Unfortunately there were agreements made higher up that prevented it
@@JasonGroom Yes Speirs definitely deserved one for Foy as well.
@@War_And_Truth that is one of those things that the show makers thought was so unbelievably that they hesitated to include it even
I heard it was Earl McClung who shot the sniper(s) who shot Walter Gordon. Not Mr. Powers.
Did we ever hear why he was called Shifty?
Always wondered that too
@@taraskshevchenko He doesn't comes across as 'shifty'. Far from it.
Something about being a shifty player on the baseball field. Not a bad thing but Something good.
He was a very 'nimble' basketball player apparently.
Youre right, but it was basketball.
You’re doing a great job of filling in bits and pieces. I understand you use AI for commentary because you are deaf. It never bothered me because of the great content.
I appreciate that!
Rest in peace hero.
Shifty was basically a superhero with his eyesight