Battle Of Ortona: The Bloodiest Fighting Of The Italian Stalingrad | War Story | War Stories
Experience the harrowing tale of the Battle of Ortona, a conflict so brutal it is known as the 'Italian Stalingrad'. It was at the town of Ortona in 1943 where Canadian forces clashed with Nazi Germany's elite airborne troops. In this gripping recount, veterans of the battle recall the horrors of war as they describe the sacrifices made and the relentless determination required to overcome adversity.
00:00 The Battle Of Ortona
21:55 Italian Tank Battles
43:13 Outro
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Canada doesn't get the credit it deserves. This was an eye opener of what they accomplished and suffered.
And the Anzac troops of Australia and New Zealand! And it’s the same for WW1 and WW2.
...Dominion Nations Have Thier Character and Heroism, Unfortunately Most Times identified as English under The U.K.So Many sacrifices and Strategic Victories aren't directed back to Them , Newfoundland, New Zealand, India, South Africa, Burma, Malta, Ireland, Scotland, Australia and Canada!...Definitely made the Difference on All Fronts!!!...
@@wabankik they made a difference, not necessary “the” difference. We shouldn’t diminish the part played by anybody involved.
My great uncle said it was so bad that after the Canadian captured parts of Italy they would be pulled back and the tanks would roll in and take the credit
My father was with in a Sherman tank group of the 8th New Brunswick Hazars. He was wounded just out side of Rome and was sent home to Saskatchewan. This is the first documentary I’ve seen detailing the Canadians advance to Rome….thank-you so much for this series! RIP Dad!
Hussars perhaps
My grandfather was in the same unit. God bless.
This American vet salutes all you Canadian soldiers. God bless
🇨🇦 ✊🏻. Thank you for your service to Sir
Canadians had Ortona on the east coast, Americans had Monte Casino on the other side, both were costly.
Stop the CENSORSHIP on history stuff!!!!!!
This stuff irritates me so much!
Complain to KZhead for blocking/demonetising/age restricting gory images, which are being censored. If you want to watch this on YT, you'll have to put up with it until YT changes their policy. Stop complaining if you don't understand what you're complaining about.
How does he not understand what he's complaining about 🤔 That's a rather silly comment you made.
Blame it on lily singh.
Why do you need to see men suffering or dead? Show some Respect.
A Canadian living in the US. I am proud of all the Canadian contributions to the 2nd WW. Many, many Americans are as well. To this day, US military vets brag on any training or operations done with the Canadian Armed Forces! I have heard many times that if you want someone to stand and fight along side of you, call for the Canadians! They will ALWAYS be there.
We the dependable few
My Uncle Jack fought and died in Ortana he was killed just days before Christmas in 1943 at 23 years of age.
My great uncle Johnny was also killed at Ortona. December 23, 1943. Also aged 23. Sad.
Thank You to both of these Men for their Service R.I.P. 🙏 🇨🇦
Sad man,😢 so young .
I know these brave men will be resting in the most serene of peace. The following generations are lucky 2 have had these men 2 secure their future in freedom. The debt is huge but so is the gratitude. I salute them. From an ex squaddie in England. 🫡
I am ashamed to say I have been ignorant of this significant battle all of my 71 years! My father and his cousin were veterans of the US/Texas 36th Infantry facing similar on the western side from Salerno, Cassino and beyond. Thank you for publishing this video!
We live and learn, Sir.
@@nebojsanesic5326I pray we all never stop learning from the past.
I was about to say the same thing!! I’m only 32 but shocked I had never heard of this battle! Glad we’ve found out now, better late than never
My great uncle flew B-26 Marauders over and bombed Monte Casino before the troops went in but he rarely talked about his time at war except right before he died in 2014
God Bless You All Canadian Troopers!
Not taking away from anything but D-Day and the Pacific have almost completely overshadowed the Italian Campaign. There really need to be more in depth studies of these fierce battles and the men who fought them. Much love and respect to the Greatest Generation.
@daleupthegrove6396 Yeah it's certainly an underrated theatre.
If you showed up and contributed, you deserve recognition, on every front, and every role.
My Grandfather fought in Italy. He said that many were upset that the Italian campaign was largely forgotten after D-Day
My Uncle served in the Italian campaign. When they found out the Americans were to take Rome, he and a few others thought about shooting Gen Clarke if they saw him. So many people killed opening the road to Rome only to have another army get all the credit.
👎 if you fought like the Canadian then you got to march into Rome. Gen Clark made the wrong decision.
Typical yanks
I know My Grandfather's outfit was attached to General Mark Clarke's 5th Army. He was in The First Special Service Force. He said they lost a lot of Men during The Battle for Monte La Difensa.
It was the Stalingrad of Italy. My Uncle was a Sgt there. It shook his nerves as well as Monte Cassino. In the early 60's, I talked to an old Perth R (33 min Bold but Cautius) vet who did talk about it. I was also in the RCR's but there was no vets there who talked of Ortona which is one of their battle honours.
D Day Dodgers??? How could they be so cruel??? My word, the war was all over. Not only fought in Normandy... No mannnnn.. I as a South African salute you all for what you have done.. May you all find peace and rest in peace. Great respect, from Capetown South Africa... ❤❤😢😢
South Africans played a vital role too, much respect!
Yes It was a Very disparaging Label to be put on The Veterans of The Italian Campaign.
Massive respect to Canada.
Savage fighters. We won many fierce battles vs the Germans.
@@juicyj3819You’re just a nice bunch of people. Ice Hockey helps. Married to a Finn.
@@adamaalto-mccarthy6984 aww. Thanks eh
@@juicyj3819 good sarcasm
@@adamaalto-mccarthy6984?
Quote " *Clark wanted Rome for his own selfish aggrandizement, and it would lead him into wrecking Alexander's plans for destroying the German 10th Army south of Rome."* " A Question of Leadership: The 5th Army in Italy
The D Day dodgers thing is sick. Heroes.
A term coined by a notorious appeaser, Lady Astor, who never met a dictator she didn't like.
It’s sad to see the veterans still hurting after all these years it’s something that never leaves you no one wants to kill but war forces the hand and the pain of doing what u have to do only goes when you die 😢
They were called the "D-Day Dodgers" in Sunny Italy, and yet they faced a level of Horror few can imagine.
Heroes everyone of the Canadian regiment who fought in Ortona. No Dodgers in that battle - Heroes
They didn't dodge D-Day, they were almost wiped out at Dieppe, so devastated that they were combat ineffective for years.
@@maryholder3795 Aye, Every one of them.
@@IrishAmerican17 Any account of the Canadians in WW2, is filled with Honour. All the troops who fought in Italy were called the D-Day Dodgers. But they fought under horrific conditions where every yard was paid for in blood. Their Sacrifice should never be forgotten.
Churchill called it "The Soft Underbelly" While The Soldiers that Fought & Bled & Died up the Boot called it "The Tough Old Gut"
Give you Credit my Canadian brothers. You really should have gotten the Glory of Rome. Blame Mark Clark for that one
Clark basked in his glory for less than 2 days - the D Day happened 2 days after the liberation of Rome and all eyes looked away from Italy 🙃
Americans and many others, like Brits, Kiwis, Indians, and Poles earned the glory too. As long as the stories are told and understood, I think it's all good.
And because he went to Rome instead of cutting off the retreat of thousands of Germans, American and Canadian lives were lost fighting them all the way up Italy.
TY for a good glance into forgotten heros. Among the best work of this channel, the D-day dodgers saw more blood , and no glory. Gen. Clark was a ballerina of fake glory.
Relatives of the US 36th (Texas) Infantry are not fans of General Markie! Those veterans got a Congressional Hearing held on Clark, but he got thru the hearing without censure, perhaps with the help of Ike.
@@hutxn At least Karma got him when no one in the end gave a sh*** that he took Rome after the Allies kicked the Germans out of Normandy 🤣
Amazing story but Why do they have to censor these documentaries 😑
Some of these channels do and some of them don't. I watched a video on Battleground I think it was and nothing was censored no matter how gory it was.
@@daleupthegrove6396 Monetisation is the likely difference.
Canada has never lost a war.
Dieppe was a lost battle. But not the war
We have to be grateful for grand allies. we could not have done it without them. That said, we were great allies and partners.
Huge respect for the veterans interviewed here. What terrors they lived through! Remembrance for the Canadian troops that liberated Rome. It can't have been easy to have to relive what they went through to tell their stories. But they did so, that others might know. And likely with hope that others might endeavor to make sure it doesn't have to happen again. Because of such struggles, we enjoy freedoms today that should not be taken for granted. When we take it for granted, when we don't remain vigilant and strong, it sets the stage for such events to happen again.
My Grandfather happened to be one of The Canadians into Rome. He was a member of The U.S./Canada First Special Service Force.
"We we're the best soldiers in the world" *Canadians show up "We jumped out of windows to get away with our lives" 😂
A very fine and fascinating documentary. It is a tribute to the Canadian soldiers in World War II. I honor them as much as I honor our own WW2 veterans. And YES, Gen. Mark Clark was a glory-hound of the worst sort!
HE wanted to show Patton Mongomery and who ever else he was great he was not. His primadona actions cost thousands of lives.
Clarke was warned and told bypass casino but he ignored the advice and look how that turned out, then at Anzio he just turned for Rome like the glory useless hound he was.
@@isisnmagic1812 Ike should have sacked him!!!
Yeah, few people have good things to say about old Marky. Including American soldiers who served under him.
HUGE RESPECT to all war veterans. You can feel the pain they endured, it's in their eyes, the 1000 thousand yard stare 😢 War is the lowest creation of the human race, still seems it goes on repeating every time more deadly...
If only the politicians that started the wars had to also fight them, they would NOT be so common.
Well what a humbling experience to listen to those brave, brave men. I'm embarrassed that I knew nothing of their heroism but I do know that all our Commonwealth cousins who fought against fascism did so with extreme bravery and courage. Hats off indeed to those heroic "D-Day Dodgers"
The Germans fighting in Italy were of much better quality than those that fought Eisenhower’s troops in France, and they had mountains and rivers to help in their defense
liked evil
May all the gods bless Canada!! Lest we forget!! My love to the veterans and their families. Love from Australia!!
As a Canadian whose father-in-law flew out of India against the Japanese, much respect back to the Aussies and New Zealanders, who fought both the Japanese and Germans with ferocity and courage. The father-in-law was a bombadier in a B-24, skipping bombs into the sides of ships from 50 feet off the deck. VERY hairy stuff!
Much respect, considering how much Aus sacrificed in both world wars.
Thank you for your kind words about our Canadian Veterans 🇨🇦 Thank you as Well To The Australian Veterans 🙏🇭🇲
General Clark was the one to claim the credit to be the first to enter Rome, huh? Maybe the reason why the U.S. army gets the glory is due to many of the American soldiers, who were American Italians, was meant to be a boost in moral of the troops, as well as the civilians on the home front. I agree that the Canadian veterans deserved to inter the city of Rome first. I guess the situation was a conflict of interest.
This is the real savagery of combat.
Should have 🇨🇦 Canada in the title of this video. Thank you all for your service.
When I was about 14 I was at my friends house and his dad was watching the game on HNIC with the voume turned way up. I asked my friend why so loud and he replied that his dad suffered hearing loss serving in the Royal Canadian Artillery in Italy during WW2. My friend then added "and don't ask my dad about the war....he won't talk about it"
My grandfather served in the Durham light infantry. WW2 . Don't ask him about the war I was told.
As WW3 creeps into view it amazes me we have not learned our lessons 🫡
Lessons will never be learned when the people and the subject matter never change. It all began with the fall of humanity in the Garden of Eden when Cain killed his brother Abel. There was a time when all the people in this world spoke the same language, and that all changed at the Tower of Babel. Men tried to build a tower to the heights of heaven in an attempt to be like God. Because of the arrogance of man, God confused the language of man and scattered them all over the land. You may not believe this, but how do you account for the different languages and cultures in this world. You take the separation of men and the changing of languages and the development of different cultures and you throw in man's sinful nature and you have a toxic brew that throughout the centuries that have brought us to this point. There is no other explanation, before the fall in the garden as He created the things in the world God looked at all that He made and said it was good. We then see the creation of Adam and Eve and all was good, as a result of their sin God removed them from the garden and nothing has been the same ever since. Man has been stained by sin ever since then, passing from one generation to the next. Sin is passed on through the seed of man. How do I know that Mary the mother of Jesus was overshadowed by the Holy Spirit and since no man's seed was involved in the birth of Jesus He was sinless. What are you going to do with Jesus, he preached the gospel and fed the poor he healed the lame but He came not so much to live but to die. God came down and was born in human flesh, so why was he crucified, it says in the Bible without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin. He paid the price for humanity when God placed all the sins of the world on Him, and he shed his sinless blood while being crucified. Why did God do this, ever since the fall in the garden man's sin has separated him from God. The question I have for you if you died tonight where would you spend eternity? Would you like peace, and joy in your life, how about a new heart and new mind and eternity with God? It is a free gift of God showing us His mercy and love, as God is holy and righteous no man can stand before Him, when you reject his offer of forgiveness you're telling God that you want no part of Him. God gives you the desire of your heart an eternity separated from Him. The question is do you want to be saved? If you love your sin, keep doing what you are doing. What must a person do to be saved, confess your sins and repent of them meaning turn away from the things you're doing and make Jesus your Lord and Savior. The reason most people don't become Christians is not because of a lack of knowledge or a lack of faith it is because of pride. People aren't willing to admit to themselves that they have sinned in their life much less God. They try and save themselves through good works or religion or numbing their mind and bodies with the things of this world. Know this, the only thing you can contribute to your sin is your salvation, and God is only as far away as your knees are to the floor.
The oligarchs who want the wars never have their own families in the war.
The banks only love money. 🔯
Who's we?
It seems you're some sort of bot
A wonderful historical coverage video about Ortona battles, furious and stubbornly fought occurred between Canadian soldiers and infamous furious Germans Parachutes ...thank you for sharing
I've been blessed going through life, not having to fight in any wars in my lifetime. Knowing myself over sixty years, I know I couldn't kill. I'm probably a coward to I just can't do violence. These men on all sides we're brave men. ✌️
Not being able to kill doesn't make you a coward, friend. Just look at Desmond Doss.
I served & no sane person wants a war. Not wanting to go to war & kill doesn't make you a coward. People who don't know a damn thing about the military or war are the ones who cheer for a war.
Greatest generation ever!! Proud to be a brother in arm with these warriors!!!
Mark Zuehlke’s book “Ortona” is amazing, highly recommend if you want detail.
His whole series of books on WWII should be read.
Incredible documentary… I’m ashamed I had never heard of this battle before!
I'm assuming these were filmed about 15 years ago ? These guys are getting older and older and they all look about 85 here not 97. It's saddens me to say every year we lose more and more I am glad we've got some of these stories captured here.
Great doc, with some stuff I didn't know, and I wrote a book about Ortona! The best thing is the interviews with the vets. Man, you can see the effects of the war lingering decades afterward. That's the true cost of freedom. Sad to see these old guys pass.
Mark Clark was a dismal glory hound who cost many casualties
RIP Canadians
RIP to all our allies. 🇨🇦✊🏻
They were fighting Fallshirmjager, that's why it was so bad for them. The same was true at Monte Cassino andf many other battles in Italy. It's why the campaign lasted so long. Albert Kesselring's defensive genius combined with elite troops like the Fallshirmjager including the elite Herman Goering Division slowed the Allied advance considerably.
This is one of the best presentations on warfare that I've ever seen. It's real. It's honest. It's terrifying, especially in the words of those who fought.
I grew up in a veteran's settlement area (my Dad was in the Navy) in Ottawa called Carleton Heights. All of the streets were named after places in Europe that figured in the war. I am embarrassed to say that I know very little about any of these places save for Normandy Crescent. Watching this documentary was very enlightening as the United Church that was built in the neighbourhood, which was the cornerstone of the community, was on Melfa Crescent. Ortona Ave was one of the streets that I cycled on as a kid (as were Senio Ave, Apledorn Ave, Arnhem St to name a few). Up until now I was completely oblivious as to why Ortona and Melfa were commemorated in such a way. Thank you for this documentary and thank you to all who served.
Censoring these movies is Not doing it justice... War bloody War needs to be seen as it was. Maybe it will deter more war...
People seem to think war is an honourable thing but the reality is it’s scary very scary nothing but tragedy in war even if you win 😯 there are no winners
The winner is whoever is still standing at the end of it all. War happens when negotiation becomes impossible, either through ideology or impossible demands by one or both sides. There is only one honourable form of warfare, and that is whatever way gives you the quickest victory.
@@avroarchitect1793 some wars need to be fought but in our day and age we should look to the past to see our future and our future is looking bleak 🫡
@@lyndallsymons9767 I agree. My point is that the only moral form of war is whatever makes it shortest.
What fkry you mean there are no winners in war?
The censorship is a shame - show it how it's supposed to be seen.
It wasn’t just their troops, they had an extremely defensible position.
Casa Berardi in Ortona, Capitaine Paul Triquet of the Royal 22nd Regiment ( btw a french speaking regiment) received The Victoria Cross.
Why are parts of this censored? Why are we censoring the suffering these troops went thru? And in a sense, a bit of history as well?
My Uncle was a Master Sargent and his Lieutenant was Bob Dole, they were hit by 88s, Vernon almost lost his right leg and ended up on the Hospital Ship, the Repose.(US Army)
The Place was the Pole Valley and the Pole River, where they were hit, Recon Patrol while the 10th Mountain Division seeked out the 88s on the Pole Mountains.
RIP to the soldiers from both sides . Some died for our freedom !
Bless all of the brave souls who fought and died keeping there family's safe back home.
The fallschirmjager, after Crete, were used as ground troops piecemeal. Formidable adversaries.
Terrible to hear that enemies throwing their gund and surrendering were "wiped out". Isnt it a crime of war? Not something to brag about
Thank you so much. Watch every night. From. Sc
That glory hound Clark should have faced a court martial for his actions in Italy his "come up'ns" was that all the headlines were about d-day not Rome. It was the young men that got the Gustaf "come up'ns"
How is this battle even comparable to the battle of Stalingrad?
It’s not. I would call it a mini Stalingrad.
My father served in 1st.Fallschirmjäger Division Luftwaffe and was there in Ortona. They was sent from Marseille in France and jumped over Sicilia in summer 1943, he and his comrades fought all they way up to Monte Casino and in early 1944 his battalion was sent to Reims and then to Brest building up a new division 3rd. Fallschirmjäger Division and was in Normandy from all the summer 1944. The Green Devils. He was also part of the invasion of Crete/Greece 20 may 1941, later Russia Stalingrad and Leningrad district.
Speaking as an American, the brave Canadians should have been allowed to March into Rome alongside the Americans. I denounce LTG Matt Clark's shabby treatment of our Canadian brothers.
Glory Hound he was. You'd think the Citadel would address
I served in the Canadian infantry & my best friend in the world was a US Army Ranger. We know who our allies are.
It wasn't necessarily intentional, it was geographical. The British and Canadians went up the east side, the US went up the west side and faced Monte Casino. There was a whole mountain range between them.
I'm not defending what Mark Clark did But there was Canadians in the Liberation of Rome. My Grandfather marched into the City as a member of The U.S./Canada First Special Service Force.
Nothing like the nonsense of huge ego's, military campaigning and flying steel. It's a guaranteed nasty mess for the soldier.
This censorship nonsense should be an option based on the viewer's preference or a setting..
Agreed!
All to protect the narrative of 🏳️🌈🚩🇮🇱
Yea that annoyed me too.
Mercis🙏✨
GREAT retelling of this little known but horrible battle. Too bad about the censorship police treating history like something not to be viewed.
The Canadian soldier as usual fought above their weight in both wars. We just don't have a Hollywood to show the world like our brothers south of us. The Americans were real late getting into both wars and we had already lost a lot of good men before they arrived. Thank God they finally arrived though. Earlier would have saved many lives but such is hindsight.
the americans were not late at all.
The yanks only do something when it benefits them every time, Vietnam was a big shock to their ARROGANT ATTITUDE.
@@TheMrherbgreen America entered the war in Dec of 41. Canadians had been fighting since 39 so how do you figure that man?
@@bruce8321 explain to me why America is required to fight in wars? Was America required to be involved in the Franco Prussian war?
@@TheMrherbgreen Its a little thing called saving democracy and all of our Freedom. We all fought for that so you could spout of all you want like now. These were called WORLD WARS FOR A REASON. You need to start reading.
Incredible documentary and stories from these men. Some of them haven’t talked about the war till this interview wow I hope the can live and rest in peace now!
I hope the old us vet gets to know that answer when hes gone
The stories of the fighting are inspiring. Invigorating.
Why do you censor history. The censorship I'm America has become horrible. Let the information out and the ones that can handle it and the ones that can't grow a pair
What's your issue? Where is there censorship?
Heartbreaking
Is the censorship really necessary???? Annoying!
Please stop blurring the video, it ruins the purpose of a documentary. Show what war really is.
Great coverage, and Canda thank you!
Interesting/informative/entertaining. Excellent still-motion photography pictures/maps/veteran guest speakers. Enabling viewers to better understand what the orator is describing.😉.
32:42 There’s so much footage of Panther tanks in action, and Panzer IIs from 1940 are shown?!
Brilliantly made
Heartbreaking!!!!😢
This battle was nowhere remotely like Stalingrad. Ortona was its own unique battle.
I think the comparison was the room to room urban combat.
@@victoriaalvarez1557 A mini stalingrad
@@victoriaalvarez1557 it can be compared to Caen or Aachen.
@@Bullet-Tooth-Tony- it clearly proves of how these battles like Ortona will always be overshadowed by the Eastern Front.
@@CLARKE176 The Battle of Ortona happened in 1943 before Caen and Aachen, and so it was coined Little Stalingrad (1942) at the time
War is an evil thing 😢
Whats with the censoring of the footage! Disgraceful! So are the stupid questions.
Very interesting indeed 👍
Col. Finestone was my Dad's C.O. at Ortona.
Great Documentary
Censorship is fascism!
Thank you, as a 61 yr. Old yank, I have never heard of this before... Thank you for sharing.
Former Seaforth here. I was actually sworn it at the annual Ortona Christmas Dinner when I joined. I can't imagine what these guys went through.
My grandfather was a Seaforth who fought in Ortona. When I was real young I remember him telling me about a Christmas dinner he had in the war. I was to young to understand. I really wish he could tell me now, but Grumps passed away in 1989. If Grumps hadn't made it I would never have been born.
Are they censoring some of the images on this wonderfully educational documentary ??
Wonderful song !
Brilliant documentary, brave men. My only complaint ...4 adverts in the first 4 mins
You Tube doing what they do best. Censorship in case the Young get triggered or suffer PTSD.
Soooo , about the bury Germans who may or may not have been dead. Is that not considered to be a war crime ?.
Ruby Deutsch didn't seem to have any regrets
My Dad came into Ortona the day after it was seized by the Canadians. Dad had been locked up in Italy after being taken prisoner in Tobruk. One day the prisoners woke up to find there were no guards, and thereby learned of the Italian surrender. The guards had just gone home. He spent nine months behind German lines before he and a bunch of other escapees, either bought or stole a boat and sailed down the Adriatic to Ortano. He was hospitalised for a while before being returned to Scotland. I had no idea that the Canadians were robbed of entering Rome over the Americans. Pure politics!
7.40... the answer is "dumb luck". Now take that luck and make something of it.
In memory of Cpl. Stire Prince Edward and Hastings Regiment. K.I.A Jan 31, 1944 Ortona Italy.
Can't compare Stalingrad (5 months of fighting and 2 000 000 deaths) with Ortona (8 days of fighting and maybe a few tens of thousands deaths).
It just means it was the same concept. Brutal fighting in urban combat for an extended period of time.
Maybe not Stalingrad but Ortona was a port, needed to shorten the supply lines. Hence the fierce fighting.
Don’t F with the Canadians.
Agreed
They fought for a free Canada.....well, Canada