The King's WWII Secret - Did George VI Abuse His Power?
My thanks to HM The King for kind permission to reproduce documents from The Royal Archives at Windsor Castle.
In 1945, a top secret mission was ordered by King George VI, a mission to help some of his German relatives, some of whom had been close to Hitler or had fought against the Allies. This mission was covered up until now, when, following exhaustive research, I finally found the truth, a truth that gives us a different and new perspective on Britain's wartime king.
Special thanks to Mr. Geoff Crump of the Cheshire Regiment Museum for all of his very kind research assistance. Thanks also to Gavin Gardiner for answering my questions regarding the McConnell shotguns.
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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Credits: The Royal Archives; US National Archives; Library of Congress; Cambridge University Library; Cheshire Regiment Museum; Chris Reynolds; WyrdLight; Diliff; Carston Steger; GZagatta; Wolkenkratzer; Dguendel; JurecGermany; Gavin Gardiner; National Army Museum; Vivimeri; Huis Doorn
Maybe the King didn't want to repeat what the family did when they didn't help Nicholas and his family in Russia. They were family, too.
True.
A communist
But King George V already has problems in England and he didn’t want Czar Nicholas to escalate the problem.
King George V actually forced the British government to rescind the offer to the Tsar & family to come to the UK fearing that such a move would imperil the status & security of the Royal family. He left his cousin to his fate.
@@bunk95 be wierd at your own place
If that is the worst that King George did, then he was, by FAR, the better choice between him and Edward...... VERY Interesting information, and Thank you to HM King Charles for allowing access to this info.
I realise the King has other matters before him at the mo, but I wonder if he mayt recall pulling in to one side at the far end of Iver one afternoon, 69ish, to view the Ghurkas from Windsor, officiating as the Red Lion was being renamed as The Ghurka? Many years back but I remember it. Has since reverted to the Red Lion, apparently.....
The Soviets would have confiscated everything, so I don't see how he did anything wrong. Protecting the property rights of civilians should be the aim of every free government in the world, and any organization that threatens that should be stopped. Socialism and communism are antithetical to human nature, that is why the only people that believe in it are either losers, criminals, or naive. The criminals always overtake the other two. This has happened in the Soviet Union all the way to the CHAZ.
Well, Edward was a Nazi sympathizer, and bordering on being a traitor.... that is not a very high bar to clear.
You're most welcome my dear chap. I always find it amusing reading the absolutely spiffing comments of my subjects under my assumed internet monikers! Eddy & 'Simpy' (as we used to call her) were a bit of a let down for we Royal Highnesses. Cheerio- Chas the 3rd 🤴
Blood is always thicker than water.
I used to work with a guy who was part of the “recovery team”. He was an army HGV driver. He spent 4 weeks driving a lorry filled with art treasures and personal objects from the castle to various other castles. Some was even brought back to the UK and taken, he believed to Buckingham Palace and other Royal residences in Britain. It might be a secret that was never written down, but it was talked about by those involved. Neither did they object or complain! It was seen as a cushy posting. No combat, decent surroundings, no night work and a chance to pocket the odd trinket to sell on and make a few bob. Interesting story, well told. Thank you.
Hummmmmm mark something smells fishy in Denmark
I imagine the Cheshire's found it a welcome change from being shot at by the Germans....
@@Grayman58To be fair, the war was over. It was probably an interesting detail, though, with opportunities for a bit of "ow the loot! Bloomin' loot! That's the thing that makes the boys stand up and shoot!"
If the Captain finished with 2 shotguns and a hunting rifle, I guess the other Cheshire men got something out of it too and wouldn't complain. Successful cover-ups always involve hush money.
Btw, the King served his country very well, too. Britain's post-war project was to turn Germany into an ally. They had to gain the sympathy of prominent German aristocrates for that project. King George VI did his duty, served his country, while also helped his family. Good.
To be fair, while the King was behind it I'm sure that HE didn't issue the orders. Rather "Winston, I need a small favor". "No problem your majesty, it will be done".
When the King says "Jump".....
I agree. Withholding any mention of this from the recording keeping bureaucracy could not have been accomplished without orders from the highest level.
It's quite clear in the video HE did order it. The cover up wouldn't have worked without government/palace collusion though. A lot was covered up in those days particularly with Edward VIII.
There was a general election on July 5th, 1945 that saw Clement Attlee replace Winston Churchill.
@@BrainWrap42 yes but I think he would have been "caretaker" PM for a bit longer
Queen Frederika's involvement actually adds another dimension to this story. In saving the Blankenberg effects from the Soviets, King George was aiding relatives of the Greek royal family, and the Greeks had been Britain's allies.
Prince Phillip?
Ah, I didn’t consider that. Then why the secrecy?
Not true Greeks, what is known as Greek Royal Family, where place there and are part of the Viking Norman Royal Families of Europe
I believe helping out family members is OK. Just look at Mussolini, who didn't lift a finger to help Eddna Ciano save her husband. Not a nice thing to do. Or rather not do, to your own daughter.
Great work. As a former serviceman myself, it’s not entirely unheard of that an order has come directly from royalty. I’ve been part of a team that were given “orders from high”, that had us scratching our heads! But orders are orders. Although I am surprised that the former King George VI made this order, especially given the background of his cousin. Everything’s fine as long as things remain hush hush! As for the troops of the Cheshire Regiment acting as removal men, it was probably a nice change of pace from their usual routine. What would I have done if I was King George VI? Probably the exact same thing, because I’d be King George VI 😂
I live in Eastern Poland, and nearby Krasiczyn Castle, one of the finest renaissance palaces in Europe, was utterly ransacked by Soviet troops. The building is still being restored to this day, but the art can never be replaced. I have no doubt the art in Blankenburg Castle would've also ended up in the pyre. So the King pulled a few strings for a relative... look, I guess ethically we shouldn't do that, but we all do it to some extent, don't we.
Exactly!
Art is culture. It is an extension of the human mind. Saving it is always worth it.
Culture is a replenishable resource. In this case it was a pittance and certainly not warranting this abuse of power.
It was because the Polish dared to be sovereign in defiance of their Russian overlords, who had claimed to be the protectors of the Slavic race. No one asked them for protection, least of all Poland, a country with a long-standing history of its own which was more grand than anything in the Russians past. Plus, all communists are one of three things, criminals, losers, or naive.
I agree with you .Hardly high treason
You can count on Mr.Felton to uncover the most obscure stories and secrets of WW2. Really very interesting!
But as is often the case, good researchers don’t necessarily make good (succinct) writers or engaging narrators.
@@vintedge9721is that why you've come here?
@@MRMK24yes, I came here for concise, accurate, engaging information. Sadly, that’s not always the case.
@@vintedge9721 would you say lack of animation and jokes factored into your decision?
et dieu sait si il y en beaucoup .
"My thanks to HM The King for kind permission to reproduce documents from The Royal Archives at Windsor Castle." Mark, thank you so much for all of your work and effort, I have learned a lot from your documentaries. Recently I learned that my grandfather fought in the Luftwaffe across Europe, and later joined the CIA as a secret agent in operations RED BIRD and CAUTERY, we learned all of that from a book written about him and other inmates in a Warsaw prison (where he was eventually executed), he also tamed wild cats in a circus and was a drug addict. His wife (not my grandmother) was also in the same CIA OP but they did not know of each others involvement with the agency at all. He was CAUTERY-3 she was CAUTERY-10
Fascinating family history .
Wow. What a story that is! Amazing that you learned it all!
@@littlebrookreader949 weirldy enough I was sitting on the info for years but never looked into it until I did
What a vivid imagination you have.
"The same George III that American viewers may be familiar with." Among the many things I love about Dr. Felton, his dry sense of humor is definitely at the top!
Being an American I like this comment too! Always makes me laugh that they called the movie The Madness of King George, because the III would have confused us into thinking it was the end of a trilogy LOL
@@larryplummer1843that was a good one! And accurate as well, no doubt
Who hired Prussian soldiers to fight in America, paying them with silver Thalers. Thaler = Dollar
@@larryplummer1843 The madness, is believed to have been caused by cyanide within the wigs worn by the King. Well, one of the many theories that is. The cyanide, may have seeped through into the King's blood stream.
@@AnEnemy100 Hessians, not Prussians. Two of my wife's direct ancestors were Hessians, captured and made POWs, who stayed in America after the Revolution.
Fascinating! And very British to casually acknowledge the King giving permission to review and copy important documents.
No, it isn't. Andrew Lownie faces frequent obstruction in accessing documents about the royal family for his books.
King Charles is an intelligent and inquisitive person. Kindly & Generous also. I worked on the aftermath of the palace fire and the family often visited to enjoy seeing the restoration, change's.
@@AnthonyOMulligan-yv9cg No apostrophe please
@@AnthonyOMulligan-yv9cgNot my King.
@@AnthonyOMulligan-yv9cg😂
It continues to amaze me how you manage to uncover all these nuggets of history which help provide a fully authentic picture of this period. You must put in an enormous amount of time and effort to do all this. Thank you so much.
Well done to our present King, Charles III for not preventing Mark from conducting his research at Windsor Archives. No family is without fault, and transparency is always the best option. 😊
Not so sure this was a fault. This was making a hard decision during a difficult time.
0:15 Confirmed: The King watches Mark Felton videos! "By all means, Dr Felton - reproduce whatever documents you see fit if it means more of these fascinating videos! But on one condition - Don't change that introductory music, it really rocks my casbah!"
Yeah, but the Shareef don't like it,
😂😂😂
Well, Dr. Felton is a historian in the Royal Society, yes?
The “royals” sympathising with, and aiding the enemy? Tell us something we don’t know.
@@richardhart9204 The war was over, at least, in Europe.
As you mentioned, King George VI was a constitutional monarch. I suggest that this was a request that was accepted by those in position to make it happen, rather than an order. That the German relatives would see it as an order most likely reflects their different views of how monarchy worked in GB vs what had past been true in the Kaisers's Germany. Overall, if the alternative was putting it in the hands of the Soviets, I have no problem with it.
Obviously the govt of the day was involved in allowing the army to undertake such an operation
There are requests. Then there are Royal Requests.
@@ant7936Exactly. The idea that the UK is really a constitutional monarchy is a little suspect to say the least. There are many occasions when it really doesn't seem to be the case. The UK is built on smoke and mirrors.
Wel you say that, but most historians now agree that the role of Kaiser was far more similar to the role of the British Monarch (i.e. a formality) than Berlin would ever admit.
Royalist apologist
Thanks for the reply. The exact “constitution” of Britain has always fascinated me as an American. The U.S. Constitution is a neat, 3 page instruction sheet. A person online summed up Britain for me once. There are some laws, a lot more traditions, and everyone just sort of “knows how it works”.
Nothing quite like picking up a porcupine and trying to avoid the quills! Great report, Dr. Felton! Thanks again for your very interesting work!
Amazing work, Mark. And props to King Charles III for granting you permission to reproduce documents from the Royal Archives,
Just when you think you've heard it all about WWII, another intriguing tidbit comes up! Thank you, Dr. Felton!
Naughty little tidbits. Just love em, mate.
Not a doctor. Does not practice medicine.
@@user-ru9gf7ky2y Yet lots of people who practice medicine don't use the title. My FIL was an NHS consultant for over half a century, but always used the title 'Mr'.
@@user-ru9gf7ky2y Have you ever heard the term "doctor of philosophy"? No? What a shame.
@@user-ru9gf7ky2y Not every Doctorate involves Medicine...
NOW THIS IS HOW YOU RESEARCH A TOPIC.!!! You don't list to some crack pot online or read an article that just wants to get your clicks and make you mad. You go to the source!!! Brilliant work Mark
This is the most significant addition to WWII history I've seen in a long time.
'...with a certain failed Austrian painter and his friends' That made me laugh out loud!
CORRECTION! Hitler was not a "Failed" painter. He could paint the rooms of a two bedroom flat in only one day. Two coats!
Even Mark Felton is not safe from the long arm of YT's [redacted]
A GREAT PAINTER...A VISIONARY.
I prefer "Charlie Chaplin impersonator"
Dunno if you’ll ever see this, but your videos are the only thing that keeps me going throughout the workday. Makes the 12 hour shifts just a bit more bearable. Wish I was in a position to donate to your patreon, but I just wanted to show my appreciation for all the hard work you put into these amazing videos. Thank you Mr Felton.
If you watch the commercials you’re pulling your weight
Bro working 60 hours a week and can't afford 5 bucks a month
@@ThisIsNotYourFriendthat’s unchecked capitalism for you mate
Being ex UK armed forces, when I joined the RAF in 1991, I pledged allegiance to the Queen and not to the government. So if the head of the Royal family had requested the use of their armed forces to carry out a similar task and my chain of command had requested my participation then I would do my duty and serve those I had pledged to serve and defend. This event happened at a time when all participants were playing it by ear and working out what the best way forwards was on a daily basis.
It is my humble opinion that this was an intelligence operation (Authorized at the highest level, with Churchill approval) that was all about the capture of the German Foreign Office Documents, whose exposure would have been much more harmful to the royal family than the Duke´s furniture. I think that HM The King knew quite well what was on stake here, and he played the role with his usual dignitiy and loyalty. Thank you very much for this superb investigation, Dr. Felton! Regards!
What you're describing is an abuse of process. We were meant to be fighting AGAINST tyranny and dictatorship.. not allowing the richest in our land to dip their hands into the pockets of the rest of us when it suited them.
the king is the highest level of authority when you join the british arm forces who do you swear loyalty to ?
@@nozyy5684 Why not do some reading about the English civil wars and the menaing of the phrase "Constitutional monarch" before making completely uninformed comments in a public forum. It'll prevent you from typing total nonsense in future.
Dr. Felton, your research abilities are outstanding and unmatched! It is absolutely amazing you encountered this bit of historical information about King George! Kudos!
Hear, hear!
Not only about King George, but also the power of Hitler’s brainwhasing on entire German society.
I expect that every time you walk into a museum's archive, the staff nervously await your discoveries! No stone left unturned! Thanks Mark.
Great doco Mark. I'd have probably done the same as George VI. And I did really like "The same George III that American viewers may be familiar with!" What a line!
As an American, I don’t know what British sensibilities are, but I think that George VI did the right thing as a compassionate relative. A little forgiveness goes a long way. And I must say that it is impressive that King Charles thinks highly enough of your work that he has permitted you to research the Royal Archives at Windsor castle.
Yes it’s very generous of Hus Majesty to allow the rest of us to know our nation’s history.
I’m also American and disagree. I think it George VI made a terrible move and his action offers yet one more example supporting republican rule -where individual merit dictates circumstance more than bloodlines.. Indeed, I find it difficult to comprehend why any modern nation would continue to support a parasitic monarchy.
I remember watching and enjoying the 2014 film The Monuments Men and I wondered at the time if any other such rescue operations of art treasures might have taken place. I would never have imagined that King George VI would have been so involved in another "rescue" from the Soviet looters. Once again Dr. Felton in 2024 has uncovered another nugget of WWII history. Good job
He was Commander In Chief of all British Forces. He had the legal power to request or "order" them to do anything he desired. The Sovereign is the ONLY person in Britain who can declare war. Which is exactly what he did in WW2. Saving family heirlooms from the Soviets was within his scope power. I don't he abused his power in the least. Nor does the constitutional Monarchy's role laid out by Parliament.
It’s also HM FORCES not the British Government Army!!
Read the book. The film was atrocious
Had King George VI abused his powers in such a way as to cost soldiers' lives, I would find this abuse of power worth being indignant about. As it translates, for the regular army grunt, as just another "bulls••t" assignment from a galaxy of bulls••t assignments, I acknowledge the "abuse of power," but not much beyond that.
Also the British moved the boundary, what he did makes perfect sense. It should also be considered that the Hanovers were part of the British Royal family till Queen Victoria, so therefore it was part of the Royal collection he was saving from Russian hands.
@@paddyleblancYeah, yeah. The war was over. As long as it was something that didn't involved getting shot at or bombed, I doubt the regular soldiers cared.
@@stephenhemingway8218 Victoria was in fact the last Hanoverian British monarch. Only Edward VII and George V were of the House of Saxe Coburg Gotha.
@@1slotmech I agree. Only thing I would have been Interested in was going home to my family. Peace everyone.
@@ktipuss See Useful Charts .- ? something about male preference/ no females allowed on certain thrones ?
Brunswick Palace (in 8:09 is a picture of it) was destroyed in WWII. About 600 elements of masonery were saved and in 2006 the palace was rebuilt. It is now home to a mall (the "Schloss" as we call it, plus the bigger building it is combined with) and the library of Braunschweig. Even a replica of the Quadriga (The chariot pulled by four horses on top of the building) was made (sponsored by the Borek-Stiftung wich helped many art and culture projects). It is about 9 meters high and weighs over 25.000 kg. (Source: am from Braunschweig and able to google 😅)
It's amazing, so much time has passed since this painful time in human history. However we're still learning new things, spawned by a pair of shotguns... Fantastic work.
It’s a good job they used the Cheshire Regiment, if it had been the Green Howards that treasure would have found its way to every Pawn shop in Middlesbrough.
And very quickly too
“Green Howards” is a reference to whom?
@@johndough1703 to the Green Howards Light Infantry Regiment.
Green Howard’s were line infantry not light infantry .
@@JohnHannigan-wx8ng sorry I was thinking of the Royal Green Jackets
To add a bit of perspective, in March 1945 US Gen. Patton ordered a raid on Hammelburg Oflag XIII-B POW camp to rescue his son-in-law, Col. John K. Waters, who was a POW there. It was a disaster. Only 20 of the 300 soldiers sent on this mission returned. The King's overreach seems quaint by comparison.
The great Patton however failed even WORSE than what you have mentioned !! Patton FAILED to rescue Col. Hogan and his "heroes" from their brutal captivity at the nearby Luft Stalag !!
One more reason he had to be sacked
Never heard this Patton Story ?
That is shocking! 280 men sacrificed to save the life of one! 😥
@@carolannemckenzie3849 How many lives will be lost by all the Weapons Joe Biden abandoned in Afghanistan ?
Very informative. Dr. Felton does it again.
Great Find Mark!! Looking forward to future videos! Take care & carry on.
Wow! Mark… what a great find on your part. Learning something “new” like this about that War almost 80 years later is amazing. Your research abilities are incredible. More proof as to why your videos are some of the best on KZhead. Great work.
"For God's sake! I'm as English as Queen Victoria"! "So your Father's German, your Mother's German, and you married a German..."
Captain Darling!
Jeremy Clarkson: James the queen is German, but i dont see your going Deutschland Deutschland über alles. James may: i do. Richard Hammond: yes he does
We are nearly all descendants of the Angles and Saxons, those areas of Europe now in Germany, England means Land of the Angles and has been known as Angland and Angleland at times through history, still Angleterre in French. The Saxons got overlooked, as did the Jutes from Jutland.
In fact, so called "Windsors" are in fact not even German. They are hodge-podge of various "noble" families with no real nationality.
Every British monarch since George II has been born in Britain and identify as British. As far as I am concerned that makes them British.
Thank you for digging these great stories out for us!
What An interesting story. You surely proved once again that you are a true historian of a high admiarable level, with an outstanding Tenacious like investigation skill. Thank you mr. Felton for sharing. Concerning the King: i would have done the same..after all it was family. ...
More background history and thanks to the King for his assistance in this video that was not further viewed till now. Well done Dr. Felton
Here, here!
@@skyden24195 Hear (listen to), not here. It's a shortened version of, 'Hear him! Hear him!', meaning, listen to the speaker because what he is saying makes sense. Sorry to be the Grammar Police, but it's as easy to get it right as it is to get it wrong. Once you understand the origin of the phrase it makes perfect and obvious sense.
@@sirderam1 thanks. I actually did think I was probably giving the wrong spelling as I have never been inclined to use the phrase before so was unsure of the context(?) of its meaning. Now I know. Always good to learn new things.
Once again Mark, you bring us a story that could not have been told by anyone other than you. As the son of a man who fought in WWII, and who would not talk to us about the painful memories, I really cannot get enough of your fascinating content.
Many thanks for your Grandfather’s service ❤
A bit of a history check for the Brits holding on the 'The Brits won WW2- it was in fact the USA- solders and money that won the Allied victory.
@@francisravenscroft-dw6giyeah that would be true, except when USA said they weren't interested in helping UK help keep people of Europe remain alive from Nazi, Fascist or Japenese for the 3 years they had been fighting with many other countries in the world. If rest of world had same attitude as u Americans, Europe, Africa and Asia would have had no hope for 3 years.
I'm Irish, I'm 32, I would say im still young. Can you believe we weren't thought about WW2 at all. I know my country remained "natural", but allowed the allies to stop and refuel here, and any Irish men and women who went to fight with the British. They were ostracised when they came home, which disgusts me. They fought for our freedom but fought alongside the British, so we're considered traitors. So sad, I regret to even think what they had to go through after a war, to then come home and be misunderstood and hated. I had to research ww2 as an adult and have had an obsession with all information since then. I'm sorry you weren't able to find out what your dad went through. The pain must have to been too much. I thank him and all the Irish forgotten heroes, who fought for all our freedom. They truly were the best generation. Rest in peace.
He showed more compassion than his own Father, King George V.
Its just crazy how every production of Dr. Felton just gets better and better, Due to his extensive research... We are truly blessed and So appreciative of all the hard work you give to bring us such knowledgeable i information. Thank you Dr. Felton...
Another fascinating longer episode. Thank you. Loved it.
While I understand Dr. Felton's unease with the King coloring (colouring?) outside the line, I think any treasures saved from the Soviets were certainly a net good, regardless of ownership.
why? What's the difference? so what if some Nazi aristocrats artwork ends up in Moscow?
@@rickyp6815that's the neat thing it wouldn't. 😂
@@ohio948 ignorance and lack of education! obviously you never been to The Hermitage!! besides the British Museum is FULL OF STOLEN TREASURES... i guess the druids were not very cultured. took away from their beer and plunder........
@@rickyp6815 Most of the German royalty couldn't stand the Nazis. His attempts to buddy up with them could very well have been politics. Plus, much of the art captured by the Soviets simply disappeared.
@@rickyp6815 You ought to bone up more on what the 'heroic' Red Army did to the people it 'liberated'. The camps were pretty much the only place they were genuinely the heroes.
"Blood is thicker than water"... this shows the King's loyalty and compassion to family, even wayward relatives... one shouldn't misjudge him for his kindness and dedication to his kin.
Except for the hemophiliac relatives. Their blood is thinner than water.
The full saying is “The blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of womb” essentially stating it is who one’s chooses rather than mere tangential relations to people. But I quite agree with your sentiment
“Wayward relatives “. You mean Nazis right? They were Nazis who murdered thousands of British people because they were Nazis.
Eben
Regardless of his motives, it was a misuse of power that he shouldn't have had in the first place.
Glad that the current Monarch gallantly yields to historical research. The mindset of those Royals born prior to WWI is a world apart from that of most of those born after the end of the 2nd World War. The "sin" of the King in 1945 is vanishingly small compared to the "accommodations" that his elder brother might have been willing to make had he still been King in June of 1940... YP
Another historic gem. Great researching Mark, thankyou for the very interesting video.
We are used to Mark Felton's retellings or bringing out half-forgotten war histories but in this case we are in front of a completely new discovery. It is quite understandable that King George VI wanted to keep this affair secret, as it is understandable that he was also a human being for whom his extended family meant something, even if they have been in the recent time in the opposite camp. Edit: of course is 'understandable', I type from a Spanish language phone and almost every English word is underlined as a typo, so I more aware when a correction is made than when is not.
Amidst the carnage and destruction of World War 2, I am strangely moved that their was still a family connection. That it had not utterly died like so much else in those terrible years. Be careful of the sins you condemn people for - which would you choose? Prince Andrew + Jeffrey Epstein or King George VI helping his German cousins retain their family belongings. In conclusion: God Save The King!
usually, I very much enjoy his videos but at 7:05 MF twists the facts a bit too much: the kaiser _didn't start that terrible war_ nor was Germany 'responsible' for WW1 as the _Treaty of Versailles_ stipulated by insistence of the French. there are so many good books out there from distinguished historians explaining what happened in the summer of 1914 and how it all came about (e.g. _The Sleepwalkers_ )
It is "understandable" that he wanted to conceal his own criminal behavior, no doubt.
@@embreis2257Exactly. The Kaiser was appalled that mobilisation had already begun on the orders of the military high command, and had attained too great a momentum to be stopped.
When it comes to preventing the Soviets from capturing priceless items, the ends justify the means in every instance.
The soviets had murders there relatives.
your use of the present tense is somewhat concerning
@@dxb338😂 Meet the new boss. Same as the old one.
@@dxb338There's a Red Army in Ukraine stripping it bare right now...
Some served with the Nazis . . . @@heitors.3917
Mark thank you for bringing this remarkable story to our attention. Maybe it is worthy of a movie.
I think it was the right thing to do, forget the constitution and the fact that troops were used. This is a man who literally gave his life for his country. He was naturally a Nervous Man, not suited to being a king, but he did everything his country asked of him to the detriment of his own health during a life and death struggle with one of history’s most evil men. So he gets a pass from me on this one. Mark, thankyou for your tireless work on this subject matter, this is a discovery of historical proportions, well done 👏👏
Gave his life for his country? Oh give over.
the constitution should be followed to the letter. leaders face a burden, such is life.
@@walterkronkitesleftshoe6684 I’m sure he done more for his country than you’ve ever done for yours, unfortunately for you being a keyboard warrior doesn’t count👍
@@13leaguestotwomorethanyou that’s your opinion, mines is different but I respect yours👍
Even HM King Charles III is a subscriber to Mr Felton's youtube channel.
Have you investigated Charles III, out-of-wedlock child when he was 17 and the woman was 18 at the time, that woman being the King's Consort Camilla. This might get very interesting when Charles die if true, mind you when you see the picture of this person you will have no doubts that it is his son
Marky Mark has one of the best KZhead channels out there for world war II history. Very few are equal, but in my opinion none are better.
@@southerneruk Do you have some links for that - it would be interesting to be able to follow that up.
😆😆😆👏👏👏 That one got me good! lol!
HM the King is cool! 👍
I'm not quite finished with the full video, but...... I'm actually GLAD that the King stepped in and kept these Treasures OUT of the hands of the Soviet Communist! I certainly understand your attitude about it being a ROYAL ORDER, etc. But, under the prevailing circumstances? He did the only think he logical could.
You are right. Russians never give anything back, ever. Romania never managed to recover its National Treasure (120 tonnes of gold and precious items) it evacuated to Russia in WW1.
QUITE RIGHT A D MAKES UP FOR HIS FATHER ABANDO I G THE TSAR TO THE RUSSIANS
And why exactly keeping German "treasures out of hands of the soviet communist" is a good thing? American looting of German treasures gives you no moral qualms but Russian does? Interesting...
No, he kept these treasures in the hands of a private citizen. Private wealth protected by private means and many a Private of a citizen army carrying it on their backs for their betters!
@@timdinch5598 What?
As I remember, Winston Churchill managed to secure an M1 carbine as a personal weapon for the King just in case the Germans did manage to invade. A Mark Felton documentary on the King's personal weapons would be nice. (As I recall, Churchill added in his memoirs that his own weapons "were good," but didn't get specific.)
No trace i can find of that, do you have links? I can find records of Churchill having one, likely given to him in 1944 and sold in 1975, but nothing about King George the VI being given or possessing one
Brilliant work, Mr. Felton. I appreciate (in addition to your detective skills) your pronunciation of German names and places.
The most explosive Mark Felton video yet! The content is always top notch, but this one really brings history back to life.
It would certainly have been an explosive revelation in 1945 or 1946 but today? Not so much.
You mustn't have seen his videos concerning Hitler's prosthodontia.
Along with his video describing how it was proposed that Edward VIII become the new King of Germany in 1946.
TY-Herr Felton, Best work out there, as usual for you. Looking at this new matter makes me suspect HM King George VI knew exactly what he was doing when he gave the transport order , in that by doing so he removed the guilt from all others involved. As king he knew the truth would come out in time, as it always does, so I see only a string of good outcomes, rather than bad pr. HM still has a Nobel air 50 + years after death.
“Nobel” air or “Noble” air? There is a bit of a difference.
Ignoble air
What's noble about abuse of power?
Mark, I can't imagine have access to the royal archives! Another nugget of history you have researched and shared with us.
Any serious writer can apply for, and probably receive, permission to see documents in the Royal Archive. However, you can't just browse through the contents. You have to need to see something specific and can only see that. There is a very good catalogue. However, you have to climb to the top of the Round Tower at Windsor Castle. It's about 140 steps with no lift. It's worth it though. Incredible contents and the staff are always very helpful. You have to write to The King's private secretary, who is also Keeper of the Royal Archive and it's ultimately The King who grants permission.
Great job Mark. To address your last question; What I have come to observe in life, sometimes it’s not what I believe is right or wrong, it’s whether I understand it. I understand why he did what he did. That’s all I can say.
Remarkable Mark, fascinating and your question at the end, “what would you have done?” Yes indeed.
I think if the prime minister concurred with the operation, I don’t see any issue with that.
I think Winston would have approved. That's assuming he didn't know about it in the first place! @@petershen6924
Great video. Congratulations Dr Felton. Your premise that King George VI exceeded his constitutional role in ordering this is undoubtedly true as are your apposite comments on his motivations and the potential views of the tommies involved and the wider British public had his involvement been realised at the time. However, at a guess, and with the benefit of hindsight, his actions here will, very understandably, be approved of by many, if not most, of your audience. A fantastic piece of research. You are a wonderful historian.
Absolutely. Had these artifacts been left to the Soviets, there's no doubt in my mind that they would have ended up looted or destroyed.
@@pierrebegley2746 No doubt? Why do you think the Soviets would have destroyed them?
A very interesting bit of historical investigative journalism Mr Felton!!
Outstanding work yet again Dr Felton thank you.
I can not believe Churchill , Field Marshal Montgomery did not know!... great as always!
I think perhaps it was Mr Atlee who would have been in the know?
They did know, just they been told to be silent. P.S. Montgomery did find out after they did the job.
Churchill lost the 5 July 1945 General Election, Attlee was PM at the time, but irrelevant as the monarch has the sole prerogative on matters regarding the leadership, deployment, and actions of their armed forces.
FYI: Under a CONSTITUTIONAL monarchy powers are split between reserved, prerogative, statutory, and judicial powers. In the territories of the British Empires the monarch has sole reserved prerogative powers on all matters dealing with the leadership, disposition and deployment of their armed forces (they are their sworn bodies to do with as they please). The monarch also notionally has the sole prerogative power to enter treaties with foreign entities, say a cousin, or go to war, with a cousin, but have often delegated that to their Prime Minister, as the monarchs is empowered to have a sworn subject do something in their name, rather than sign treaties themselves. Parliament's statutory and the Courts judicial powers are limited to the jurisdiction of Kingdom they sit in, and to the powers they have asked the monarch to delegate to them, through statute. What the monarch has his army do in a foreign part, is constitutionally nothing to do with the UK, Canadian, Australian, ... parliament, or the respective territorial courts.
Great detective work. One of the main factors that brings me back to your videos is how impartial, objective and factual they are. Thank you.
Amazing work, top notch yet again, thank you!
I love history especially that time period. It was nice to learn something that I did not know. Thanks
Wow, this is amazing amazing amazing research. I don’t think any of us can truly appreciate how blessed we are to have men like Mark researching for hours to produce this outstanding content. Great work.
Mr Felton, this is honestly one of the most if not the most stellar historical investigations outside of researching for a book I’ve come across. Outstanding investigation, analysis and presentation of a small but highly revealing episode in British history. Thank you for your channel Mark it brings me hours of enjoyment and learning.
Sir Mark Felton always delivers the best content! 🏆
In James Pope-Hennessy's superlative biography of Queen Mary commisioned by HM Queen Elizabeth in 1959 'Queen Mary', and in the 2018 book by Hugo Vickers 'The Quest For Queen Mary' which details Pope-Hennesy's interviews etc in the writing of his original biography using access to PH's notes that had been embargoed for decades, it is mentioned a number of times how Queen Mary would correspond with the deposed Kaiser. I remember being quite surprised that this would occur. Also, up to the point he was interned by UK in WW2 (he'd fled here), the Kaiser's grandson Prince Frederick would regularly meet with QM. She was very fond of him apparently. Henry 'Chips' Channon speaks about this a lot in his recently released unexpurgated diaries which had also been embargoed for 60 years. He died in 1958. Seriously recommend the Channon diaries to anyone interested in the goings on of High Society/Royalty from the 20s through to mid 50's obvs including WW2...quite the eye-opener!
As a Canadian waterfowl and upland game bird hunter I like the way the Duke of Brunswick tips the mover . That 7mm looks sweet too
A handsome tip indeed
And thanks to KENTUCKYBALLISTICS I now know what the concept of 'bore' means with regards to those guns. He has a 4 Bore rifle that basically looks like it should have a mini tank built around it.
Bird murderer
@@GH-hh8cm 😂😂
@@GH-hh8cm Likely geese, which are prolific vermin in Canada. Tasty though. 😋
Thank you! You have gained my respect with your exhaustive historical research and balanced perspective!
Brilliant find, Professor Felton. The world is a very small place indeed.
I love your channel Mark. I consider you as the best KZhead Historian to Date.
I will admit when I saw the title of this video I was a interested in what George VI could have done that was so secretive. And as an American watching this, I would first assume it was hiding relatives that were Nazis or something far worse. Thankfully that was not the case. Looking at this from a modern perceptive, I personally have no problem with George VI exerting his authority to save the art work and help the Duke of Brunswick. The reasons are as follows. First, it allowed the safe transportation of priceless artifacts away from the hands of the Soviets. It is well documented that any rare artifacts and artwork that was recovered by the Red Army was then given to the NKVD and basically held hostage in Russia. Any of the artifacts that exist to this day are either in Russian museums, in private collections, or in parts unknown. Secondly (and arguably the most important of the two), George VI's personal orders for this operation is certainly out of the ordinary. However that doesn't mean it was unapproved or fully frowned upon by the higher echelons of British High Command or the Government (at least not that we know of). Almost certainly this operation would have been know by Churchill. Otherwise a more substantial paper trial would be presentable, including notes by high ranking officials. More likely there are still pages pertaining to this operation that have not been released yet to the general public. It is also worth noting that even though George VI overextended his authority as a constitutional monarch in this matter, he never did so again (that we know of). If such actions were to be repeated after this operation, then there would be cause for concern. Thankfully this was one of those "one and done" occurrences. Thank you Dr. Felton for sharing this knowledge and I always look forward to your videos.
Well stated. I agree with each point you make.
@@caeruleusvm7621 Well we dont know, and we dont know what cover-ups for other things there might have been. Perhaps , for now, it is best not to know.
I think we have to remember it was the actions of German nobility vs the ordinary peasant/worker that gave rise to the writings and philosophy of Marx and Engels - and that nobility amassed those treasures on the efforts of such peasants , they also failed to work with Britain post WW1 (though Britain could hardly work with itself and demanded uneconomic reparations after WW1), one way or another there has been about a 1000 years of war between the European Powers - despite the Family connections between most of them - and the lot of the foot soldier becomes kill or be killed, at best this would be an interuption to normal duties , and a hope to get back home.
This unlikely uncovering of the monarchs help to a relative would never have been exposed without Mark's eagle eye realising that the fine 16 guage shotguns had interesting provenance(to be investigated furthe) and hence the monarch's involvment in the affair .A fine bit of work ,Mark
Fair shout Sir. 👍📚☘️
Outstanding detective work and great credit to King Charles. Begs the question: what other secrets the Monarchy of the UK, await to be uncovered. Keep up the good work.
It makes you wonder. Charles has also indictated he would be open to DNA testing the princes in the tower which QE blocked.
@@commodorezero The late Queen lived long enough to become aware of more scandals that she thought would be best left lying undisturbed.
He should find the letters the Nazi Duke Windsor wrote to his cousin in Kronberg Castle. Those are the ones Blount stole and supposedly sent to Windsor Castle. I am sure the Queen Mum burnt them. What she didn't know is that Blount photographed them and gave the film to the Soviets. Mark, maybe you ought to ask Putin if he will give you access to the photos, since I am sure that if you ask the Royal Archives, they will say they have no such letters.
I believe Queens Elizabeth II, being a very traditional Christian, was not comfortable with the exhumation of bodies from royal tombs. She was supposedly worried that granting permission would set a precedent for opening other royal crypts for research (including her family). Each time a royal crypt is opened, it requires royal permission and by setting a precedent she could expose herself to pressure to do it again. On that basis, it is theorised that she decided that anyone buried there should remain undisturbed, regardless of who they were. It’s unlikely it’s for any sinister reasons since there is enough of a departure from the old House of York and the modern House of Windsor that any revelations would not have affected her personally. As said, Charles III has a different outlook on life and religion and is likely to be more open to the idea.
@@commodorezero Yup! The Archer.
Great research and historical work. Definitely "family" treasures. I love the question at the end. I would have helped my family, as did the King.
This is one of the few times I'm going to disagree with Dr. Felton. Wilhelm II didn't start WW1. The Treaty of Versailles required Germany to take full responsibility for the entire war. Germany was the last of the Axis powers to surrender. The last full year & a half of the war was the Allies against Germany alone. Looking at the causes of the WW1, ALL the nations of Europe kept trying to get the other to start a war to try out the new weapons all the nations were building. The assassination of the heir to the Austria-Hungary throne, a non-entity to all the royals of Europe at the time, in a backwater country in the Balkans that meant nothing to ANY of the governments of Europe at the time was nothing more than an excuse for the Britain, France, Belgium, Russia, Germany, Austria-Hungary & the Ottoman Empire to try out their new weapons. There was no one person responsible for WW1. ALL of Europe was responsible for WW1.
Being an American, it was a little hard for me to follow all the royal lines and connections but this was a fascinating story, as always. Thanks for taking the time to do the necessary research Doc!
Just know they are all related
"it's a Big Club. And you and I are not in the Big Club" Personally. I wouldn't want to be associated with any of this bunch/ Nor government big wigs either.
@@luckyguy600 yes they are a horrible lot all round,always were and always will be and hate the great unwashed.
@@luckyguy600 To be fair most Americans can't even find their own country on a map. So we don't expect you to understand
Yeah this was very easy to follow and understand. Dont be an asshole.
Excellent work !! I've said it before, but I'll say it again : you never cease to amaze me Dr. Felton 👍 Greetings from the Netherlands ✌, TW.
Very interesting…great that you refer to so many primary sources
American troops looted many of the surviving castles in their sector. In particular, the famous Hesse Heist at Kronberg Castle targeted priceless jewels and works of art the von Hessen dynasty, who also had connections with the British royal family. Nearly, all of them were sent back to the US by two corrupt Third Army officers and never recovered. They were subsequently jailed back in the US.
Wow what an epic amount of research regarding such an obscure and unknown situation brought to light. As always, great reporting!!
I thought this also, magnificent investigative work.
Your interpretation of the limits of the monarch's reserve powers is quite wrong Mark. Queen Elizabeth II made an error when she took the prime minister's advice to prorogue parliament under Boris Johnson. The monarch can override a minister's advice where necessary - that ability to override or act independently is essential to preventing Westminster democracies from becoming elective dictatorships. (See Mountbatten exercising power after Indian Independence and the removal of Whitlam's government in Australia). Officers in the armed forces swear their allegiance to the monarch and not the government of the day for the same reasons.
whitlam was an elected dictator??
Johnson lied to the Queen but ordinarily she had to act on the PM's advice, and would assume it was on good faith.
My late father was in the RASC in Calais and Paris in 1947 and 1948. He told us that during his time in Paris, he was given a task to take a number of crates that came from Germany and take them to Windsor Castle. The details was for four or five men including an escort who had come from Germany with the crates. My dad commented it stuck in his mind as it was the first time they had been issued sten guns.
Absolutely brilliant discovery…. Thank you for making this lost/hidden history possible. Who knows what else is out there to be stumbled upon…..
I just wanted to congratulate you on a really nice find in the archives. Even if this doesn’t exactly rewrite history, it must have been exciting to find something that was genuinely new information. Nice work!
Dr Felton asked the King if he could discuss this and the reply he got was 'I'm all ears'.
Lol
All ears and sausage fingers.
Well... I see what you did there... 🤣
Fine detective work, sir. Interesting as always...
What an excellent posting this is. I am not surprised about all of this however because Queen Mary during the first war used to communicate regularly with her many German relatives via Sweden and in the early days of the war, by telephone. She was a very domineering woman and tended to push Bertie around and think it pretty certain that she was behind this sleazy enterprise. I am pretty certain the Late Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother knew nothing of this business because as is well known she did not like Germans and would have been extremely angry at all this. What does surprise me is the fact the HM the King was willing to release these papers to you. Perhaps he wants to clear the field during his reign. I am hopeful that he permits access to the Duke of Windsor files but I think it unlikely because he was very fond of Edward and referred to the Duchess as, "Aunt Wallis". Anyway, you have done us proud once more with this superb video. Keep up the good work.
Fascinating and so well-done! A video that's just like stepping back in-time to witness a secret! This might be your best video yet and that's saying a lot! Keep up the great work and flawless research! This is quickly becoming one of my favorite channels.
I learned early on that the powerful and wealthy are always much closer to each other than they are to "their people" - the employees that work for them or the people/citizens they lead. This is expressed by language (some monarchs hardly spoke the language of the country they led but could converse with other monarchs, in French, without problem), and social status and customs (again, closer to another monarch than to the commoners in their own country). When I look at the "social elite" today, the Kochs and Bilderbergs and others, not much has changed.
That's the reason of having two different words in English for the same thing as meal and as the living animal used for that meal. The name for the animal is of British origin, because the people working in farms were Britons. The name for the meal was imported, because the people who tasted those meals without having worked a single second to breed the animal were the new lords who invaded England in 1066 or earlier to get more lands and serfs.
True , they live in their own bubble whatever country they reside in ..............
I found it quite interesting that the famous “Willy-Nicky” letters between the German and Russian emperors just before WWI were written in English…
Because they were all educated here and spoke fluent English with cut-glass accent and the Saxe Coburgs spoke fluent German.
Excellently done and very fascinating. Many thanks. RM
Much respect to you doctor Felton, for reporting history as it actually was , without any whitewashing.
Another very intersting video. Great work Dr. Felton.
Marienburg castle looks absolutely amazing, especially surrounded by all those trees. Wouldn't mind sipping my morning coffee watching the sunrise from one of those balcony's.
Luckily the American Eighth Air Force didn't flatten it like it did the Focke Wulf plant and airbase there. A very costly endeavour that trip/ trips. I guess they were pretty good shots.
The Marienburg was sold in 2018 for €1 by Ernst August von Hannover. The new owner is the federal state of Lower Saxony. He sold the castle, because repairs with costs of 30 million were pending. Double-digit million amounts would also have had to be invested in the next few decades.
@@Rick2010100| Very old and odd-shaped roofs need repairing or restoration, regardless of one's bank account. It was the smart thing to do to preserve the structure.
@@k.r.baylor8825 My family once had 11 castles, palces and possessions. We reduced them to four and the roofing of the main palace caused expenses of 1.7 M Euros. The family possession include a real estates and farm land, forrests wich are leased. We try to keep the income of the historic possessions to maintain them, but you will not get rich with it, because the old buildings eat more money than a hord of horses eat hey.
Astounding research, Mr. Felton. I love your history videos. Thank you. G Ire PS The saving of the works of art and household goods stands in sharp contrast to the refusal in WWI of Czar Nikolas' request to be shipped out of Russia.... Maybe the RF regretted their earlier stance.
Another good job, Mark. Perhaps helpful for a wider audience in today's tense Europe, to know more about the murky nonsense that went on in the 20th Century, even behind the blatant slaughter and destruction. As an Australian, I don't feel inclined to cut him any slack for anything that family did back in the 20th century or during this one. But great detective work by you - and brilliantly put together.