KZhead

D-Day Ranger Assaults Nazi Artillery Batteries, VERY Intense Combat

American Veterans Center
2023 ж. 12 Мау.
189 158 Рет қаралды
Жүктеу

Become an AVC Patreon member to receive an annual calendar, early access to videos, exclusive content, and several other perks. This funding goes directly into helping us capture more incredible stories with our nation's veterans: / americanveteranscenter
Part II of our interview with General Raaen, the last living D-Day Ranger Officer who was amongst the first to hit the beaches on June 6, 1944 and break into Fortress Europe.
After successfully landing on Omaha and establishing a beachhead, then Captain Raaen begins his mission to push inland into the Norman hedgerows and flush out the remaining Germans.
Raaen's fighting would continue from D+1 until December of 1944, when a Jeep accident would leave him wounded and unable to return to combat.
Interview recorded on February 15, 2023
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  • See General Raaen's PART ONE interview here: kzhead.info/sun/iL2AmJlpkZmLaKM/bejne.html

    @americanveteranscenter@americanveteranscenter10 ай бұрын

    • Plain to see why this man was a General ! Cream of the crop!

      @frankbisceglia2958@frankbisceglia29588 ай бұрын

  • This was the best narrative I have ever seen by a participant in the war. It is hard to believe that this man is so sharp at his age. We are fortunate to get this first hand narrative.

    @Blimpie1000@Blimpie100011 ай бұрын

    • A Major General at that!

      @sellyshootsandscores9300@sellyshootsandscores930011 ай бұрын

    • You are so correct.I didn't make my comment because you stated your comment so well.😊

      @markpaul-ym5wg@markpaul-ym5wg11 ай бұрын

    • He is a hero with a photographic memory and he took me back to 1944. It is an amazing slice of history...

      @miketwomey4923@miketwomey492311 ай бұрын

    • In just a few years they will all be gone very sad to think about it. Wish I could do more to preserve there stories and these videos are so important to keep there stories of the greatest generation living on so much wisdom and knowledge will be lost once there all gone from this earthly life. God bless!

      @larryb982@larryb98211 ай бұрын

    • I totally agree. This guy is sharp as a whip. It's rare to find an officer from ww2. It would be interesting to see how many officers are left. I could listen to him all day. 😊

      @dmihm7295@dmihm729511 ай бұрын

  • One of the best D-Day interviews I have seen. The Generals mind is still sharp as a razor.

    @michaelkneale3825@michaelkneale382510 ай бұрын

    • And the strength in his voice yet…just amazing!

      @jeffk1482@jeffk148210 ай бұрын

    • Encyclopedic level of recall. What an impressive man.

      @threadripper979@threadripper979Ай бұрын

  • What a fantastic American, soldier, and man. Respect to General Raaen.

    @jshepard152@jshepard15211 ай бұрын

  • Men like this man is why we prevailed in World War 2. And they truly are our greatest generation God bless you Sir

    @keithbusick6859@keithbusick685911 ай бұрын

    • 🎉looking oolongs to pliu

      @davidfrisch773@davidfrisch7738 ай бұрын

    • 😂

      @davidfrisch773@davidfrisch7738 ай бұрын

    • 🎉

      @davidfrisch773@davidfrisch7738 ай бұрын

  • General Raaen somehow reminds me of my grandfather, Colonel Arthur LaSalle Smith, who served in both World Wars. What a wonderful storyteller!

    @stevecastro1325@stevecastro132510 ай бұрын

  • who wouldn’t love this man?! i’ve been in the military for 30 yrs, and i’ve had a lot of commanders, i can say i would have followed this man to hell and back! We are truly blessed to have had such men and women!

    @johnchildress6112@johnchildress611211 ай бұрын

  • It's a privilege to hear this man speak. We're incredibly lucky to have these accounts preserved on film for future generations. What an absolute legend. I am humbled.

    @maxpayne9988@maxpayne998811 ай бұрын

  • Wow! My niece is stationed in Germany and she with her husband took us to Bastion, Versailles, Omaha beach, Point de Hoc and Utah beach last April. We were there in the places he talks about! It’s so easy to visualize and see what they experienced. We also took the Band of Brothers tour, amazing!

    @marciewright9670@marciewright967011 ай бұрын

  • Such a sharp memory. Salute sir!

    @MYU214@MYU21411 ай бұрын

  • Thank you for your service🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

    @Soulreaper8181@Soulreaper818111 ай бұрын

  • This gentleman’s recall and ability to convey exactly what happened then is likened to watching a movie. He understandably earned and deserved his rank. The world was rid of tyranny because of individuals such as this. Thank you sir and thanks to AVC keeping these stories alive. Now we must compel new generations to know those who came before and appreciate what was handed them.

    @krautyvonlederhosen@krautyvonlederhosen8 ай бұрын

  • This account is incredible. His memory is impeccable. Thank you for all you’ve done 🇬🇧

    @stuartellison6895@stuartellison689511 ай бұрын

  • My grandfather was an African American veteran and drove on the Redball Express. They saw a lot of action as well. Unfortunately, their stories have gone into the grave with them. He drunk himself to death

    @damotherFNman@damotherFNman11 ай бұрын

    • God bless him sir

      @patricklarkin9666@patricklarkin966611 ай бұрын

    • RIP grandpa.

      @andrewrivera4029@andrewrivera402911 ай бұрын

    • I'm sorry how he passed but anyone who knows how the war was won it was supplied by the RedBall Express. I'm an old fat white guy but I know about this and it was amazing what they did, they wouldn't let them fight but they delivered everything that the white dudes needed to stay alive and fight and they never got proper recognition for what they did. There was a cool movie that I think was called the RED Ball Express...

      @miketwomey4923@miketwomey492311 ай бұрын

    • Yes there needs to be more of there stories told. They did so much for there fellow man. I'd love to see some interviews from those guys.

      @larryb982@larryb98211 ай бұрын

    • God bless your grandfather

      @leearensdorf1393@leearensdorf139310 ай бұрын

  • Defi ately shows he was a MG. Very Sharp and well spoken man from the greatest generation

    @jjwegs6412@jjwegs641211 ай бұрын

  • Wow. He reminds me of my grandfather who was a TSgt with the 17th Tank Battalion in 44-45. Spoke clearly, sharply and passed away with a cigar in his hand in his garden at age 97 in 2017. He wanted to speak and share his experiences. God bless this generation. It's so heartbreaking to know this breed is almost gone.

    @danschneider9921@danschneider99219 ай бұрын

  • These guys are just the cream of the crop. I wonder if we have the strength in us today that these fellows did? Courageous, brave men.

    @hongo3870@hongo387011 ай бұрын

    • hell no, this isn't the same country. The next big US war will be fought by LGBT, women and minorities. Descendants of white men like Raaen have been ideologically alienated in their own homeland. The culture that built men like this Ranger does not exist. If you aren't gay or black, your opinion means less.

      @turtlesarecool1488@turtlesarecool148811 ай бұрын

    • Few and far between. I'll go forth!

      @larryb982@larryb98211 ай бұрын

    • Believe me they thought the same way before WW 2. I would advise everyone to read DDAY by Steve Ambrose . Don’t ever believe Americans wont defend their country.

      @geraldmiller3383@geraldmiller338311 ай бұрын

    • I think a world war is what turned these folks into the cream of the crop. We would need something similar to create comparable hardship which had developed this kind of widespread character in their generation.

      @CoreyJason@CoreyJason10 ай бұрын

    • @@CoreyJason I agree. They also learned to work hard through the depression though, so they had the "perfect" upbringing and environmental factors to make them into what we know.

      @MindfulMaterialism@MindfulMaterialism10 ай бұрын

  • This is one remarkable man who went through hell and took care of all of his men. From one veteran to another I salute you sir with the highest respect. 25:54

    @dotell3359@dotell335911 ай бұрын

  • Thank You so much for your service and lovely dedications to Our Beautiful America Dear American Sir, Semper Fi!!!!🥰😍🤗🙏❤🤍💙💪👍

    @anlerden4851@anlerden485111 ай бұрын

  • I could listen to him all day long

    @sethfrazier7327@sethfrazier732711 ай бұрын

  • Absolutely amazing how sharp this man is. From the min he started speaking, he had me locked in until his last words about band of brothers.

    @atamagashock@atamagashock11 ай бұрын

  • This was a great interview. God bless General Raen!!

    @jonmajarucon51@jonmajarucon5111 ай бұрын

  • What an astounding memory! Thanks for being part of the Greatest Generation.

    @emcarn8187@emcarn81879 ай бұрын

  • God Bless you Sir along with a heart felt gratitude for you’re service,sacrifice and courage to fight for freedom ❤🇺🇸

    @xvsj5833@xvsj583311 ай бұрын

  • Great memory! He is an excellent narrator. He is so matter of fact talking about combat that was in the thick of the action.

    @rudymikula7129@rudymikula71299 ай бұрын

  • Loved this one! His description of the three different movies hit it on the nose. Anyone who has been in the military knows there is a lot of hurry up wait moments, it's not always all out action like the movies show. There is a lot I would like to say but it would include too much personal information, thank you very much for showing this part of this man's experience in WWII!

    @tommychew6544@tommychew654411 ай бұрын

  • It’s crazy how recognizable Greg’s voice is, I’ve been watching American veteran center for years and to hear him in his interviews brings back memories.

    @dong7474@dong747410 ай бұрын

  • God bless this true American hero. Thank you sir. I'm left speechless. I simply cannot imagine. And I've been through my war. But I didn't do that. I'm so glad you survived. When so many didn't. Thank you, sir! 💯💯💯🇺🇸

    @dwaynekoblitz6032@dwaynekoblitz603211 ай бұрын

  • Immediately starts off with a Bouncing Betty. Oi! Wow, this man's man is an un believable badass.

    @gideonevans9717@gideonevans971711 ай бұрын

  • Thank you, MEN. We need your courage more than ever.

    @AJohnSmith@AJohnSmith11 ай бұрын

  • Excellent interview... did not interrupt the war hero... did not make it about the interviewer or satisfy some personal desire.. . just let the Hero tell his magnificent story... this is what this type of thing should be.

    @jimburnsjr.@jimburnsjr.10 ай бұрын

  • That was a great account. He was such an accomplished storyteller. One of the best on KZhead.

    @Chiller01@Chiller0111 ай бұрын

  • This shows how luck plays a huge role in survival in war. The number of close calls and duds this man encountered and survived is incredible!

    @jayfrank1913@jayfrank191310 ай бұрын

    • Only the dead know the end of War

      @AnthonyOMulligan-yv9cg@AnthonyOMulligan-yv9cg5 ай бұрын

  • Thanks for sharing this video. I could listen to him talking about his experiences all day. It’s a honour to listen to him. Another representative of the greatest generation

    @ianlast6722@ianlast672211 ай бұрын

  • I'm just in awe of this man and his brothers in arms. He describes combat like it was yesterday in the most humble, matter of fact way. I feel we must spend everyday earning what they did for us. Being humble, decent, genuine and tough as nails in the hope that we are even worthy enough to hold these guy's beer is the least we can do.

    @rickyal9810@rickyal981010 ай бұрын

    • Salute

      @joewhitley7437@joewhitley74379 ай бұрын

  • an excellent interview,i have not seen better

    @lerch122@lerch12211 ай бұрын

  • Would love to listen to many hours of his tales! God bless you

    @PurposePlastics@PurposePlastics11 ай бұрын

  • Interesting and informative. Special thanks to the major veteran ranger. Sharing personal information/combat experiences making this documentary more authentic and possible. Fighting/perishing/surviving knowing certain death/debilitating wounds were often possible. Yet still advanced forward regardless of the consequences. That's true grit style determination to succeed. Another shout out to the French resistance underground.

    @asullivan4047@asullivan40479 ай бұрын

  • Amazing story.

    @funsmasher7018@funsmasher701811 ай бұрын

  • Bless you buddy. You are my hero.

    @vppnbrent@vppnbrent10 ай бұрын

  • Thanks for all your hard work bringing these men to light again

    @rictaracing2736@rictaracing273611 ай бұрын

  • Much respect Sir!!

    @chillis28@chillis2811 ай бұрын

  • Great content 👌🏼

    @louislochner5713@louislochner571311 ай бұрын

  • This man is not only brave, but intellgent! From my hometown/rural County, those from the Southern end were sent to Europe, and the Northern end sent to the Pacific. My future FIL and his brother fought in the Phillipenes (MIL built F6F's). My own Uncle was captured at the Buldge. All these brave men passed on the definition of service to your country. I have two brothers retired from the military, one an E9 Master Chief (a true deep ocean sailer) and the other a Captain directing Nuke missle silos. It is people like this all, who kept us, and most of the world -free.

    @johnshields9110@johnshields911011 ай бұрын

  • OUTSTANDING. What memory. I'm sure there is more to this interview. Hope you make PT 2

    @warskye5686@warskye568610 ай бұрын

    • This is part 2. There is a previous interview.

      @edadams1693@edadams1693Ай бұрын

  • Reminds me of my grandfather. He served as a supply sergeant. Don't know how he did it, but he was able to get his hands on virtually anything you needed.

    @charlessaint7926@charlessaint792610 ай бұрын

    • In the military steal means Strategic Transfer of Equipment to Alternate Locations.

      @aaronmorrison7716@aaronmorrison77169 күн бұрын

  • Sir, I would be proud and honored to shake your hand. Thank you endlessly for your service and may God bless you always!!!!! ✝️🇺🇲

    @rikijett310@rikijett31010 ай бұрын

  • Crazy what these men went through. At some point we will have to understand how to stop fighting ourselves. I know it won’t happen anytime soon. The warlike nature of man has always been there. We evolved in the hunter gatherer society afterall. Is what it is. I am very glad you were there good sir to fight against the oppression that was upon us in this time. As a child of the 80’s I can only say that you are Rad and Bad and worthy of recognition. ☮️

    @daviswall3319@daviswall331911 ай бұрын

  • Ammunition is heavy but you'll be glad you're carrying it when a firefight starts

    @laurenced2916@laurenced291611 ай бұрын

  • Fantastic interview, ty Gen. Raaen and AVC!

    @Stew357@Stew35711 ай бұрын

  • This man is a living, breathing, walking piece of history. Glad his story could be recorded for us to see.

    @oregonosha3676@oregonosha36768 ай бұрын

    • Well said!!

      @jscho8674@jscho86747 ай бұрын

  • Absolutely astonishing that he is still able to tell the story so clearly and vividly. Thank you for your service, Major General Raaen. You are a hero.

    @Yanked_Angling24@Yanked_Angling248 ай бұрын

  • Forever Grateful to the Greatest Generation, and Families, for their Service, Courage and Sacrifice. and endless Generosity as able- to share their Awe inspiring, Amazing Stories. With Gratitude and Respect, Thank You General.

    @easyyog1185@easyyog11853 ай бұрын

  • Very sharp gentleman.

    @Mag_Aoidh@Mag_Aoidh10 ай бұрын

  • God Bless all of you Veterans. Thank you for your service

    @thophunter614@thophunter6148 ай бұрын

  • I could listen to this forever

    @bensmitt7088@bensmitt70889 ай бұрын

  • Such precise details! Amazing account from a great man with his memory 100% intact!

    @scarletred8888@scarletred88889 ай бұрын

  • "The GREATEST Generation." Without a doubt, anyone who values freedom & liberty owes a debt of gratitude that cannot be paid. The best we can do is live our lives to the fullest & stand up against oppression in every way, large or small. God bless you, Sir. It can't be overstated how important & precious it is to document & preserve these stories for generations to come. Those who fail to acknowledge history are doomed to repeat it.

    @Koldeman@Koldeman2 ай бұрын

  • Don't " bleep" or censor in any way this man's testimony. I weary at the censorship. We are supposed to have a free society, which includes the Freedom of Speech. EXACTLY why this man fought for our Freedom! His testimony is too valuable and , we are all adults here.

    @kilcar@kilcar9 ай бұрын

  • Thank you for your service sir!!!

    @squint04@squint049 ай бұрын

  • This guy was a bloody soldier and an academic. I mean, what the hell did he learn in H.S. and the Academy that he just popped into Nuke school John Hopkins... That sort of mind is why his is still intact at the age he was when this was filmed. I will never envy these sort of people, but I sure as hell will admire them.

    @petergreenwald9639@petergreenwald963911 ай бұрын

    • My father served in 1944 in the DCLI and said little of his experience but he told me that " without the "yanks" we would have been in trouble. At one stage he was assigned an amphibian vehicle for a short time which he used as a taxi/ supply vehicle until it broke down and was pushed off the road and abandoned. So...thanks for your service Sir.

      @adriansolomon6805@adriansolomon680511 ай бұрын

  • This mans recall is second to none. An incredible interview!

    @tysonvanwagoner57@tysonvanwagoner5710 ай бұрын

  • Bless you!

    @olivias.3071@olivias.307111 ай бұрын

  • What an amazing man! 100 years old with such amazing recall for such historical details. a treasure trove of information for historians to notate. I’m trying to remember all the details from corporate directives from last week !

    @danielerickson5175@danielerickson51752 ай бұрын

  • As hard as it would be to be an infantryman in WW2 I can't possibly imagine what it must have been like to command dozens or hundreds of 18-20 year old fighting men, knowing full well that they could die obeying your orders.

    @lucas82@lucas8211 ай бұрын

  • Just a wildly bright man. Thank god for men like him

    @boydingo8658@boydingo865810 ай бұрын

  • Thank you for your service and sacrifice. God bless you Sir

    @hawk1548@hawk154811 ай бұрын

  • What a great clear mind. Wonderful interview. Another of the Greatest Generation Men.

    @davidkimmel4216@davidkimmel42162 ай бұрын

  • Mad respect for this man and his comrades! A great American

    @casablanca2745@casablanca27459 ай бұрын

  • THAT WAS A Warning FROM GOD#! Thank you for your service. It's so hard to see the beginnings AGAIN #!

    @judywilliams1928@judywilliams192811 ай бұрын

  • This has to be one of the better war stories I’ve ever heard

    @2North0Star6@2North0Star610 ай бұрын

  • Reading the General’s after action reports would be some of the most interesting reading. Thanks Again General.

    @davidkimmel4216@davidkimmel42162 ай бұрын

  • I just wish a date would come added to these interviews

    @louismarucci9056@louismarucci905610 ай бұрын

  • 37:25 General Raaen weighs in on Band of Brothers.

    @jshepard152@jshepard15211 ай бұрын

  • Absolutely superb stories and a great overview of the challenges the Rangers faced. Great work by AVC for bringing these important interviews to new audiences.

    @jonnyref3475@jonnyref34755 ай бұрын

  • The cold-fish meeting with Rudder is a great story.

    @thesaneparty4079@thesaneparty407910 ай бұрын

  • The man is why WE THE PEOPLE citizen soldiers take the oath

    @davelane4055@davelane405511 ай бұрын

    • This is a real man who fought for the freedom that is being eroded. This is why all people here in the UK and US need to stand up for these heroes.

      @adriansolomon6805@adriansolomon680511 ай бұрын

  • Quite a bit turns up when you Google this interesting fellow General Raaen, the last living D-Day Ranger Officer

    @TheNextGoogification@TheNextGoogification8 ай бұрын

  • Gotta add this to my favorites, this was amazing

    @Convoycrazy@Convoycrazy10 ай бұрын

  • ty for your service in ww2 General Raaen merry Christmas and happy new year to you and your family sir.

    @saschayufer2474@saschayufer24744 ай бұрын

  • Sharper than people half his age. An amazing gentleman.

    @Dougie1350@Dougie135011 ай бұрын

  • When I listened to his stories, I wish someone out there could recreate a few of the "Holy Cow!"combat incidences he described, maybe in the soon to be released WWII mod to Arma III. Salute!

    @KevinLee-hu1lj@KevinLee-hu1lj10 ай бұрын

  • Unbelievable recall of detail ! Incredible !!!

    @donlaity4801@donlaity48016 ай бұрын

  • Wish I coulda met my great grandfather. He was ran over by a friendly tank while he was in his tent..

    @tbird3685@tbird368510 ай бұрын

  • wow, I'm truly enjoying this channel and hearing these heroes explain their truly bad-ass stories ! These were THE MEN

    @masterkraft4746@masterkraft4746Ай бұрын

  • Thank you for your service sir

    @EricD-ve4cx@EricD-ve4cx4 ай бұрын

  • SALUTE SIR 🌹🇺🇸🌹

    @markevanger4791@markevanger479111 ай бұрын

  • It was an honor to listen to this amazing man tell his story. Thank you so much.

    @jscho8674@jscho86747 ай бұрын

  • Awesome video !!

    @pattysoucie24@pattysoucie249 ай бұрын

  • Great Vidieo ! Thank you

    @shafur3@shafur39 ай бұрын

  • For those who don't know, this guy was pretty much the equivalent of Tom Hanks Character in Saving Private Ryan... Except wayy more badass and the real deal

    @tnreprasentog7769@tnreprasentog776910 ай бұрын

    • Was Tom hanks an officer? I thought he was an NCO?

      @seanmurry6903@seanmurry6903Ай бұрын

    • @@seanmurry6903 nah Tom Hanks character was a captain in the rangers like this guy

      @tnreprasentog7769@tnreprasentog7769Ай бұрын

    • @@seanmurry6903 Tom Sizemore's character on the other hand was an NCO.. He was a Staff SGT

      @tnreprasentog7769@tnreprasentog7769Ай бұрын

  • This general has to be close to 100 years old and sharp as a tack.

    @thophunter614@thophunter6148 ай бұрын

  • Great story, GOD bless

    @dexculpepper-py1jr@dexculpepper-py1jr10 ай бұрын

  • Full respect to this true American hero from the UK

    @aegontargaryen9322@aegontargaryen932210 ай бұрын

  • And still sharp as a TACK!!!😁

    @markmorgan3091@markmorgan309111 ай бұрын

  • Amazing miracles this veteran has seen! Thank God for men like them! 🇺🇲

    @WASRGP@WASRGP8 ай бұрын

  • How sharp his mind is yet, how strong and confident his voice! Gen. Raaen today: barks orders Today’s troops: “Sir, yes sir!!!”

    @jeffk1482@jeffk148210 ай бұрын

  • Sir, thank you!!!

    @kevbrix9686@kevbrix96865 ай бұрын

  • Thank you for your service!!! The craziest part is when you realize that most of the guys fighting in these wars are 15-25 😕. So much trauma to endure while still practically a child

    @erinallport1@erinallport16 ай бұрын

  • Just the organizational detail is amazing…

    @weschaffin@weschaffin6 ай бұрын
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