First Into The Reich - Seven US Soldiers Invade Germany
Which Western Allied unit was first to cross into Germany during WWII, and how did they manage it? This is the story of how seven GIs gained the record of being the first onto German soil in a daring raid behind enemy lines.
Dr. Mark Felton FRHistS, FRSA is a well-known British historian, the author of 22 non-fiction books, including bestsellers 'Zero Night' and 'Castle of the Eagles', both currently being developed into movies in Hollywood. In addition to writing, Mark also appears regularly in television documentaries around the world, including on The History Channel, Netflix, National Geographic, Quest, American Heroes Channel and RMC Decouverte. His books have formed the background to several TV and radio documentaries. More information about Mark can be found at: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Fe...
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Disclaimer: All opinions and comments expressed in the 'Comments' section do not reflect the opinions of Mark Felton Productions. All opinions and comments should contribute to the dialogue. Mark Felton Productions does not condone written attacks, insults, racism, sexism, extremism, violence or otherwise questionable comments or material in the 'Comments' section, and reserves the right to delete any comment violating this rule or to block any poster from the channel.
Primary Source: 'UNITED STATES ARMY IN WORLD WAR II: The European Theater of Operations: THE SIEGFRIED LINE CAMPAIGN,' by Charles B. MacDonald, CENTER OF MILITARY HISTORY UNITED STATES ARMY: WASHINGTON, D. C., 1990
Credits: US National Archives; Library of Congress; Bundesarchiv; PlayMistyForMe
In 1996 I was returning to my base by train when the conductor stopped and asked if I were an American. I replied that I was in the Air Force and going back to the base after some sightseeing in Trier. He then sat down and begin to thank me for what America had done after the war was over. He was a young boy but his family had received several CARE boxes containing food when they were starving. He said it made all the difference to his family to have something to eat. I was honored to be the recipient of his thanks, but it was really thanks to every American. I thought you would like to know.
The treatment of West Germany from the Western allies was definitely influenced by the Cold War that was taking shape already then. There is a lot of talk about the Marshal Plan, and how it helped Germany recover compared to the harsh treatment after WWI, however, if the USSR had not been what it was, I think Germany would have been left to rot, while countries i Eastern Europe would have been better off without the Russian occupation (that lasted 50 years). But of course the American help did so much good, and helped create a better (half) Europe in the long run. And it was crucial for those starving of course.
good You have not visted Afghanistan or iraq you would have heard otherwise.. No offense it is what it is..
@@ThePrincejoyI spent years in Afghanistan, Iraq, and elsewhere in the Middle East and Central Asia. Afghans (Daris, Uzbeks, etc.) as well as Iraqis (including Kurds, Chaldeans, Yazids, etc.) live near me. We are in contact with people living there now. Many people, if not most, who weren't Pashtuns were glad the USA and coalition forces Killed and drove out the Taliban who were Pakistani (ISI) backed Pashtuns who dominated the rest after the end of the war against the USSR that ended in 1988. The USA was viewed as a counter balance to Pakistan, Iran, and Communist China. Sadly, politicians in the USA and elsewhere refused to pursue a Counterinsurgency aligned with the interests of the "Northern Alliance" and a tiny presence of US armed forces. Instead the Politicians and Bureaucracies complied with Cronies and "nation builders" focused on $$$$$$ who Profited no matter results on the ground. In Iraq the majority Shia Arabs, Kurds, Assyrians, Turkmen, Yazidi, etc. were glad we toppled Saddam Hussain al-Tikriti and the Sunni Tikriti Clan. Of course few people are happy if by intent or accident the USA Killed family members or friends. However, the vast majority of people were killed by Islamists Extremists, not least of which were members of the Iranian IRG (Iranian Revolutionary Guard) Quods Force. Many times I was told, "We want you Americans to leave. But NOT before the Persians and Wahabists (Saudis), or in Afghanistan Pashtuns/Pakistanis to leave First!" They don't want to be "Americans" but are more concerned about Saudis, Persians, Pakistani, Turks, Chinese, who were committing most of the violence before 2001, during our presence, and sill are today.
That's effectively setting up a "what if" scenario that's so large in scale and duration, "what if there had been no Cold War," after the war in Europe ended that any suggestion or idea what might have happened next is anybody's guess. It would be an exercise without end but to what end? An academic one perhaps but ultimately who's to say what might have been.
@@57thorns funny how we’re still supporting them with our military budget. They haven’t paid their fair share of defense for decades - well since WW2 ended. Germans are good people, but I think the government has been run by a bunch of freeloaders.
Thanks again Mark. My grandfather was drafted at 34yo as a replacement, leaving behind his business, his wife, & 3 boys under age 8 & placed on the front line. He was KIA March 7, 1945 capturing the bridge @ Remagen. These stories help to put in perspective what life was like as a soldier during WW2.
Hello from the UK. The likes of your grandfather are the reason we have the freedoms we do today, they're in my opinion, the finest and bravest of generations. Thanks for grandfather's service, amazing men, and women.
My father was in the anti-aircraft artillery in the Battle of Remagen.
We Europeans owe our freedom to men like your grandfather.
@@themerchantofenglandwhat freedoms? They are being given away at an increasing rate. We are being overrun without a shot being fired. RIP to the OPs grandfather
Clearly a brave man and all for nothing. Our freedoms are given away and our country is being invaded with no resistance
My father's 100th birthday is on Feb. 13. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge and Battle of Remagen- US anti-aircraft artillery.
Happy birthday hope there is a drink or Two on the day.....
He fought for trans rights
@@pooppoop1619He’s rolling over in his grave right now knowing that.
@@JRZ67 cry about it
Thank him for letting women, blacks & the trans vote.
My Grandfather was Vincent Cantrill, the first British soldier to cross ❤ thanks for the video
If %100 of the german troops,fighting on the eastern front,had been in western europa,your grandfather would have surrendered without firing a single shot even
@@michaelram3411neo-nazi wannabe.
@@michaelram3411shut up wehraboo
He has one helluva smile on his face.
Maybe. Until D-Day the Red Army inflicted over 90% of al German casualties in Europe. After D-Day it fell to 70%. We should not forget their efforts regardless of Joseph Stalin's cruel tyranny. Good of you to remind us! @@michaelram3411
Also congrats on 2mil subs
I wonder what the future holds for genuine high quality content on the internet !! it seems to be coming back to the surface.
What you get paid for 2 million subs
@@Johnjohn-dt6hwgoogle it. It’s against KZhead policy to disclose income from what I understand
@@Johnjohn-dt6hw2 billion KZhead dollars
@@Johnjohn-dt6hwI don't know what adverts are shown with his videos because I pay not to buy that's the primary KZhead income stream.
Thank you Mark. I live in Vianden. I write this looking through my living room window over the River Our into Germany, sipping my morning coffee. It sends a tingle down my spine to think that the only reason i can do this is the actions of these brave men and those like them 80 years ago. Every time now that i cycle round to Stolzembourg to fish the River Our, from the Luxembourgish side or the German side, i will remember this event and these people.
Moien, ech sin och vun hei....Schin hei en anere Veiner ze fannen.
Another great history episode by Mark Felton. At the beginning of this video Mark mentions the US 5th Armored Division. I had a wonderful friend, Marlon "Red" Bingaman, who was a member of the 5th. He commanded a tank from Normandy to Luxemburg. He lost three tanks during the war. In 2004 he was received in Luxembourg City as a national hero. He was 79years old at the time. He told the large crowd, that had greeted him on his return, that he was proud that he could help liberate their country. He said he would do it all over again if the need ever arose. Red was very special......
Thank you, Dr. Felton. My Grandfather was an MP in the 5th Armored. It's nice to see "The Victory Division" get some recognition!
If %100 of the german troops,fighting on the eastern front,had been in north africa and western europa,your grandfather would have deserted out of fear,I hope you understand what I mean
Another great historical event covered by the great Dr. Mark Felton. Thank you, sir!
I always find the period between June 44 and Jan 45 fascinating. Far from being the march on Germany, it was a gruelling, bloody, desperate fight for dominance on one side and survival on the other. Always appreciate these little details. Also, as others have stated, congratulations on the 2.08M subs. Excellent work.
Just 8 months. Crazy to think about now, how much happened in just those 8 months.
Eight months of hard fought combat, which was only made possible by years of logistics preparation.@@elliottbutts153
Intro music always gets me. Keep up the great work Mark!
@jacklockemeyer Me too and I always want to find the full piece to listen too. @Mark Felton, can you tell us what it is please?
@@Patrick_B687-3it's the generic 'epic movie' music from iMovie
@@Patrick_B687-3 Well I'm not sure what happened to my first reply, but the music is the 'epic movie' music from iMovie. I remember using it on a school project in sixth grade.
Redemtion’s Last Chance. Elijah Robert
@@magnusfranzonuvebrant9519 Thank you, good sir !
I like how Mark can dig into a dust filled vault and pull out an untold story. Keep 'em coming!!!
To go from being shot at the beach in France to entering Germany that's grit.
Some still living Soviet veterans now grumbled.
Would one say True Grit?
I mean, not to say that it was easy, but as far as WW2 goes they had it very easy. If the whole German army faced them they likely would have been pushed back to the sea.
The allies had more than some luck with the invasion on some parts. Rommel wasn't there. Hitler was sleeping. And you could go on.
Some as early as North Africa 🌍 🌍
I have always been a military history junkie and now that I'm retired I cannot get enough of Dr. Feltons presentations. You are the best at keeping history exciting and alive and I'm extremely grateful for Dr. Felton. Keep up the outstanding work.
Always a treat when Dr. Felton uploads a video!
Congratulations on the 2 million subscribers. Your videos are records of this part of military history that's not taught in school. It adds to the experience of what it was like then. Thank you for these films!
Hi. Great film as usual. But as I can see there is 1 editing error. The Beek (close to Maastricht) is not the Beek close to Arnhem. Same name, different village. The Beek you mention is east of Arnhem and Nijmegen, in the province of Gelderland, on the German border. The Beek you show on the map is in Limburg province, and quite as far from Arnhem you can be while still being in Holland.
wanted to make the same observation, you're right. You'd be 100% right if you had called our country by it's proper name, the Netherlands
Dear Bart … the full name is The Kingdom of the Netherlands. But that’s too much of a mouthful. And bovendien confusing, because the Netherlands does include (historically) most of Belgium. I am a Zeeuw, and we always call it Holland. So do most Anglo-Saxons, the French and others. But you are of course right and on official documentation etc I steadfastly use The Netherlands. Vriendelijke groeten en knolraap en lof, schorseneren en prei
…. And the Beek as shown on the map was still firmly in German hands at that time.
I do so love your channel Mr.Felton. TY for keeping history alive and very well informed.
Another fine show today. My mother's friend was in the Battle of the Bulge.He said they ate beans for a month. He had nothing but praise for General Bradley.
Ahaha. My uncle Louis was an Army cook at the Battle of the Bulge. He lost 3 toes and a finger to frostbite. And had to "carry a rifle and fight." He could make a mean pot of pork and beans...
@@escaped1534 One of my great uncles was infantry in that battle. He got caught behind the push and spent a week in a Jeep with 3 other soldiers evading the Germans before they could get back on the proper side of the line.
@@escaped1534- I thank him for his service opening those cans of beans, lol. Sorry he lost those toes, very painful at some point. All those soldiers suffered to varying degrees. My uncle had said he went out on a 7 man patrol, he was the only one who came back the others were killed, he suffered a gunshot wound in his leg. He never talked about the war, told that story just once to his sister.
If %100 of the german troops,fighting on the eastern front,had been on the western front,you americans would have just been ''poor little kitties'' against the germans
@@michaelram3411 And if Caesar had tripped on the bank of the Rubicon and hit his head on a stone, the Germans wouldn't have had Kaisers. What's your point?
Thank you for another great piece of historical content Dr. Felton!
I look forward to watching your videos the most of any KZheadr Dr. Felton! Well done!
Mark Felton has the best channel for historical documentaries. Always detailed and always interesting. Thank you, Mr. Felton for the great work you do.
A Canadian relative of mine fell that day serving under Monty. Thanks for another great video
Quality as always, professor. Keep up the good work.
I know you did a video on Marines in Europe during WWII, but Peter Ortiz, USMC, was an amazing man who deserves his own video by you. He lived such an exceptional life, you’d think it was fiction.
Amazing ! Simply amazing how Mark Feltong comes up time and again with these gem trivia stories that never fail to captivate me. Well done Sir!
I highly recommend George Wilson's memoirs, "If You Survive". He was a Lt. from St. Lo through the Hürtgen and then Ardennes to the end. He was in the 4th Army and recounts reaching the Siegfired Line at rhe French border in early September. They attacked a few days later with a batallion and got through with ONE company. They moved on about a mile, wiped out another 2 companies poorly encamped who obviously were undertrained. But they were required to pull back due to mounting German resistance and lack of supply. Opportunity thrown away. This book is very good because it showcases the monumental incompetence of senior officers ordering attacks with improper or no recon. Underteained replacements retreating en masse when under a few artillery rounds. Troops so poorly prepared at the Bulge that they didn't know how to properly take care of their weapons. Entire company nearly wiped out due to bad orders, miscommunication, poor training. Too many draft exceptions after Normandy meant, a sudden widening of the draft from 18 to 40! Shortened 6 week training, no training on how to waterproof the suede like boots, epidemic trench foot...
At one point, it wasn’t even 6 weeks. My dad told me about having to help train “30 day wonders” when he was in the USAAF. Yeah, they were using people from the Army Air Force to help train infantry.
Great video as always. At 8:18 I suspect you meant to show Beek-Ubbergen, between Nijmegen and Kleef (also see the road signs).
Indeed, Beek (Limburg) which is shown on the map is not on the border and was liberated by US troops.
Also strange that he would describe it as being south of Arnhem! Haha, more the 20 kilometers, two rivers and 3 villages apart!
Beek Ubbergen is the correct Beek
Looks like the keep-mounted scout section troopers at 3:31 are armed with an M1 carbine (in the back of the jeep), an M3 submachine gun (the prone trooper) and a Browning M1919 air-cooled light machine gun (mounted on the passenger side of the jeep). Thank you for all of these fabulous videos. Please keep it up!
I couldn't have described them all but I also noticed the array of weapons on that jeep - sometimes called "armed to the teeth" !
Another well done presentation! Bravo!
Really really interesting, Dr. Felton. I wonder how you're able to dig up these fascinating stories? Catching your videos is always a rewarding experience. Thank you again.
Quite amazing that you turn out these quirky war facts on such a regular basis.
Thanks for this story Mark. I have learned that no matter how minor one of your video's title may seem, I am always glad I watched it.
Always a great day when Dr. Felton posts a new video. He even briefly mentions the Luftwaffe Field Divisions. What a DAY!!!
A lot of my family is from Fort Atkinson, WI! Yet again another thing I’d have never known without Mark!!! Thank you.
Thank you, Dr. Felton, for yet more facts I can randomly bring up in everyday conversations.
Absolutely fascinating, Dr. Felton. Thank you.
babe wake up Mark Felton just dropped
Gyatt to acknowledge Mark Felton rizz
It is amazing how Mark Felton keeps coming up with these obsure, WWII military stories - keep the good work Mark. you are amazing!
Congratulations Dr. Felton on 2 million subscribers, also , 1100 views of this video in 8 minutes after its release! Cheers.
Your videos are great. Thank you!
Thank you sir After a very difficult night this helps a lot. Much Appreciated
Thanks for another fascinating video, Mark.
Always enjoy the content truly. Thank you
An excellent acccount of lesser known WW2 history. Thank you Dr. Felton. Well done (as usual).
Congrats on 2M subs Dr. Felton 😎
Thank you for another history lesson ❤❤❤
Another interesting video! Thank you, Dr. Felton!
Another great video, sir! Thank you!
Congrats on 2MIL! 🙌
Your videos bring me a level of joy I can’t describe thank your Dr Felton!
Twice now I've put on one of your videos and started checking my email. Then I check the clock thinking 'this sure is a long 20 minute video' and turns out you've been on autoplay for three hours. Your production and presentation perfectly compliment the excellent contents and research. I'm now tempted to commision an A.I. version of you to read audiobooks to me.
Part of the reason this channel is so great is because it acts like a magnet to not only those interested in Military History but also people who lived through it and those that knew them, their children and grandchildren for instance. The tales and anecdotes they leave in the comments section are a delight in themselves.
Always interesting. Thank you.
Greetings from Luxembourg, great to watch your video and recognise the landscape :)
Congrats on 2M!🍾
Of course, as we all know, a few days before this , a small group of US soldiers crossed into Germany to rob a bank!
"Kilroy was here..."
I don't get this and Google doesn't turn anything up. I assume a movie or song reference?
Kelly’s Heroes is the movie starring Clint Eastwood, Telly Savalas, Donald Sutherland, Don Rickles and many more.
felicitations to your Dr. Felton, 2 million subscribers is a remarkable achievement
very interesting history lesson and thank you for posting
Congrats on 2 mil subscribers !!
Very interesting video, photographs and maps. 👍
Congratulations on 2m subs! 👍
a great very interesting video Mr Felton as always.have a good one.
great report, thanks again!
Another educational, entertaining, historical video, thanks.
Great video! Some WW2 topics I would love to see covered in future videos: The Battle of Vienna and the Wannsee Conference
Thanks Dr. Felton!
...Absolutely love your in-depth and historical videos Mark👌
Thanks for the history lesson, Dr. Felton. This is one I didn't know and I feel a bit ashamed at my former ignorance. Shout out to the memory of Werner Holzinger, an adopted Cheesehead in my home state of Wisconsin. He was a member of a very bold and gutsy part of the US Army, the lightly-armed eyes and ears of his division, corps and army group. I live in Milwaukee, just a short distance from Fort Atkinson.
Lately I've been bingeing your videos and there are so many fascinating facts such is this one. Definitely my new favorite channel. Thank you Dr. Felton. Greetings from Mexico.
Thanks Mark!! That was a great topic!!
Always interesting, thank you.
Good day to be watching this in Wisconsin
Lucky for Mark the guy was from Ft. Atkinson. Can you imagine poor Mark struggling with our Oconomowoc, Sheboygan, Kewaunee or Ashwaubenon? 😆
My father was also in the 5th Armoured Division in WW2 Europe. Like Holzinger he was also from Wisconsin -- a very German state.
Hi Mr Felton, I think you made a small error at 08:12. I think the border crossing you are talking about took place at Beek, a small village near the city of Nijmegen. This village is close to the dutch german border and near the Market Garden theatre. The map shows a different Beek, Beek in the Limburg province
Great video as always. Would love a mark felton video on the Kelly’s heroes movie story
Thank you Dr Felton for another great, informative video report on little known events of WW II 👍 I'm always learning something new.
Thank you Mark! One thing that I am astounded by is the sheer amounts of CONCRETE that the Germans were able to obtain, and pour into these bunker, pillbox, fortification forms. Omaha beach and U-Boat docking bays, pillboxes... these fortifications are EVERYWHERE it appears. The logistics and means to place that amount of concrete would be a fascinating story itself.
There are lots of man made lakes in Germany all dating back to the 3rd Reich the sand extracted from these lakes was used for concrete to construct the Autobahn in the 30s.
They had slave labour though. The Todt Organisation for example. Still yes it's fascinating how these fortifications have stood the test of time, especially on the Atlantic Wall. I've seen them not only in Calais but also around Ijmuiden in the Netherlands.
@@simonh6371many were useless wasted production
There would have been many more defensive structures had the dambuster raid ( Op Chastise) not taken place the repair of these dams used a huge amount of material.
The German military industrial complex knew how to use slave labor...POWs, Jews, and everyone else that the Nazis regime considered sub-human were forced to work in deplorable conditions, fed very little food and buried in mass graves when they expired. Sad but true.
Your presentation skills are the best.
Another great story. Congratulations Mark on 2M subscribers.
Fantastic story. Thanks for sharing.
Love your content Mark, amazing
Thank you for telling us another forgotten history.
I always like learning about these micro events in the ETO. Great stuff 👍
In the movie "Patton," after being notified that fuel and munitions were being diverted to the British, Patton claimed the Siegfried Line wasn't manned and he could rip right through. According to this episode he was right. American strategy was find a weakness and exploit it. I wonder had the Allies attacked in force then and not given the go ahead for Market Garden what would have happened?
Ike promoted the Broad Front strategy which means no single division should advance too far beyond another. All supplies were being trucked from Normandy beaches until Antwerp was taken, so there were constant supply problems with this strategy.
Yes, Patton was same as Rommel in one thing; stretch their line of communication too far
great content as usual
Would love to learn more on Gen Earl Rudder's men
Thanks for sharing.
Mark Congrats on 2M subs ♥️
Love some Felton. The music. The voice. The history!
I served in the 109th 50 years later, and my grandfather served in the 110th during WWII.
Congratulations Dr. Felton on 2 million subs!
hello mark good to see you around on KZhead
Awesome video!!!!!!
I was an Infantry Scout . We used M151s originally. I saw a lot of the German countryside. Fun Friday, Coffee and Doc Felton. Great stuff. Thanks.
Great video Mark.
Thank you for the lesson.
Excellent, as always.
2 million subscribers, Wow!! Congratulations Doctor Felton!!!
Brilliant as always.
Your videos are always amazing. Thanks for your research and posting them. One note: @ 7:21 it should probably be "Reichsmark" instead of Deutschmark.