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I love your channel and your co-operation with Sabathon. Here is a quote from Mackensen about the serbs: Von Mackensen appears to have had great respect for the Serbian army and Serbians generally. Before departing to the Serbian front in 1915, he had spoken to his men: You are not going to the Italian, Russian, or French front. You are going into battle against a new enemy - dangerous, tough, fearless and sharp. You are going to the Serbian front and Serbia. Serbs are people who love their freedom, and who will fight to the last man. Be careful this small enemy does not cast a shadow on your glory and compromise your successes.
There's a small mistake. Mackensen, was ennobled, making him _"von"_ Mackensen, in 1899. So long before the war and his military achievements as a general.
I saw a political cartoon from a French magazine issue right after the treat of Versaille was signed. A bunch of diplomats shaking hands around a table in the background, most of them identifiable national caricatures. In the foreground, hiding behind a pillar, weeping into his hands was a New Year Baby, with the sash reading 'Class of 1940'.
One man lived to see Germany's rise to becoming a worldpower, and by the time he died he did so alongside all of the German ambitions he had witnessed in one lifetime.
@@bluesclues132...... i once worked at a hospital where a Spanish American war vet was. There was a guy i heard about that was born about 1797 and died, i think, about 1906. Imagine living in 3 different centuries....it's fun talking to elderly people about their experiences like this old guy, now dead, telling me about a 500 mile journey in a stage coach. If you can, seek out some elderly people, maybe at a nursing or senior home, and talk to them, it's informative and history from the "horse's mouth".....
I find it amazing how people like him grew up in the mid 1800s and got to live through the fast modernization of the early 1900s. He grew up with black powder single shot rifles and horses, then saw the rise of flight, cars, and repeating rifles with smokeless powder. Or even more stark, the changes from wood and iron sailing ships where coal boilers were still uncommon, then by WWI there were dreadnaughts and submarines.
Wait. If he lived until 1945, even more astounding: he saw the end of the age of sail, and may have seen the first jet fighters, or at least known about them. Wow.
Von Mackensen passed away in November of 1945. The atomic bombings of Japan happened four months prior, in August. Imagine his reaction: “Good luck with this brave new world. I’m out.”
Perhaps, but it doesn't leap in the same sense. It is more incremental, in the same fields. Going from cavalry to aircraft is an enormous change... and then jets. A person growing up today would feel less out of place in 1935 than a person from 1945 would at Mackensen's youth.
Jonas Drøjdahl very true, today isnt too much different from the 80's or even the 70's.... in terms of revolutionary technology. phones, cars, buses, trains, television,computers, jet planes , helicopters, space age equipment like satellites and stations etc, its just new and improved more of the same.
@Old Man Jenkins Dafuq is wrong with you, germans weren't degenerates, we're all the same people essentially. Today both prussians and other germans are degenerates though haha ( I'm germany myself ).
The Hussar skull and crossbones does not mean "No mercy" it means "No surrender" or "Loyal until death". Most Hussar regiments in Europe had this symbol, as it represented their loyalty to the Monarch.
@@solidus1995 No the opposite actually. "No mercy" means you will take no prisoners, and kill anyone that surrenders to you. "No surrender" or "Loyal until death" means YOU will never let yourself be taken prisoner, and will fight to last man standing.
I read something about some british soldiers who very briefly "captured" Mackensen at the end of WWII. When british forces occupied a village the locals told them that there was a field marshal at some house. When they entered that house an older women was already waiting and told hem that the field marshal was ready to surrender to them. She led them into a salon and there was Mackensen, still in his hussar uniform. The british soldiers saluted, turned around and left.
The story isn't true. The real story is that British soldiers looted the house in the name of "confiscating weapons" and war material. They absolutely did not salute him. They also didn't take a sick 95 year old man into custody. The story of his capture was played for laughs in various ways in the international media which is the source for most of the odd accounts of the incident. CBS for example presented him an old joke in a comic uniform who was foolishly concerned about the allied soldiers stealing his chickens. When he died later in 1945, the British authorities expressly forbid anything other than a simple funeral for him. The display of anything of a military nature (including specifically his Marshall's baton and his military medals) or any sort of private honors being given him was expressly forbidden.
@@Jim-Tuner What, exactly, is "foolish" about being concerned about soldiers stealing his chickens? He was 95 years old, for Christ's sake! At 95 his duty had been more than done 100 times over; one can expect no more than that a man of that age would be interested solely in his private life.
Too bad you haven't mentioned that Mackensen lifted a monument to Serbian defenders of Belgrade on which it was written ''Here lay Serbian heroes''. Before the 1915. campaign against Serbia Mackensen said this to his troops: ''You are not going to Italian, Russian or French front. You are going into fight against the new enemy, dangerous, tough, brave and sharp. You are going on Serbian front and against Serbia, and Serbs are people who love freedom and who fight and sacrifice to the last. Be careful that this (numerically) small enemy doesn't cloud your glory and compromise your achievements made to this day.''
Soldiers, exactly at three o'clock, the enemy is to be crushed by your fierce charge, destroyed by your grenades and bayonets. The honor of Belgrade, our capital, must not be stained. Soldiers! Heroes! The supreme command has erased our regiment from its records. Our regiment has been sacrificed for the honor of Belgrade and the Fatherland. Therefore, you no longer need to worry about your lives: they no longer exist. So, forward to glory! For the King and the Fatherland! Long live the King, Long live Belgrade! Officer Dragutin Gavrilović
Several generals opposed them but in many cases it wasn't because of some humanist ideals. Many officers were of the opnion that allowing troops to massacre civilans, to rape and plunder unchecked would be bad for discipline and morale and thereby reduce the fighting value of their units.
But then after the end of WW2 August von Mackensen witnessed the Polish ethnically cleansing a quarter of his German homeland including the city of Danzig that Mackensen and over 400,000 other German's had lived in. 14 million Germans were ethnically cleansed from Eastern Germany 1945-1951 and over 2 million mostly women, children and elderly Eastern German civilians were killed.
Borussia Germania Directed by the soviets, the polish people's republic was a puppet regime, nobody in their right mind wanted a soviet inspired government, specially in Poland..
lol according to wikipedia there actually was mackensen's sort of action figure: "Mackensen's distinctive public profile, in his black Life Hussars uniform, was even recognized by the Hausser-Elastolin company, which produced a 7-cm figure of him in its line of Elastolin composition soldiers"
''Soldiers, you are not going to the Italian front, nor Russian, or French. You are going into a battle against a new enemy, dangerous, tough and brave. You are going to the Serbian front, against Serbia, Serbs love their freedom, and kiss their fatherland and fight and sacrifices till the last. Watch out, so this little enemy doesn't blacken the glory and damage the successes of the famous german army.'' *-August von Mackensen 1915.*
Sr. RussianDoge No bro I'm not, We build him a small monument after the war, and he built one for us during the war. We were enemies but he respected us more then any other nation we are small but we defeated three Austrian Imperial armies.
I am german but we never learned about such interesting personalities inschool or elsewhere. Thats should say something about the state the german politic system is in.
You are sad that allies did not do what Adolf was planing? Sterilization and forcefull abortion of pregnant women? Your german politic system never paid anything to Poland for all the destruction, death and sufering that your nation caused in Poland. And laws for Polish minorities in Germany that was voided by Adolf was not reestablished to this day...
Why he didn't say nothing about Battle Marasesti ? It is one of the greatest german defeat in the war and largest defeat of Mackensen , this battle have save Romania , before the battle Mackensen have said that in one week he wilk be in Iasi , and after to Odessa , after the battle he said that he had soldiers like the romanians he would won the war
@@apavietii6677 the Marasesti, Marati, Oituz battles were insignificant for the course of the war. Romanians with Russian and French help were throwing themselves at what was basically reserve forces. They advanced a few km , but with huge losses, then they surrendered when the Russians retreated.
I always find people living through huge changes in history fascinating, imagine people who were born in the 1900's, they went from horse and carriages, to automobiles, to airplanes, to the cell phones, Internet etc.. it's pretty amazing. Love the channel, keep up the great work!
+Admiral LongStash Haven't found source in English and Greek sources, I don't know German. I believe he was either held in Karabournaki or Villa Allatini, the former house of the ministry of Macedonia-Thrace
Must say that after he did enter in Belgrade he ordered making of monument of brave Serbian soldiers who defended the city.It was rare example in history when enemy has build a monument for the brave oponent.Must give him a credit for that.
The servs were easily defeated by him and as video said he planned to cease serbia out of existences after the war. That is how much he " respected " you. Any proof he built a monument, besides some you tube comments?
@@adolphbismark4331 Kosutnjak park, WWI monument erected by German Field Marshal August von Mackensen to the Serbian defenders of Belgrade. The inscription reads "Here rest Serbian heroes". : wikipédia and him don't expecting serbia existence After wwi has nothing to do with direspect.
He lived long enough to see a victorious and rising Germany humiliated due to her hubris, and then utterly destroyed when she stupidly decided to try again.
PuraguCryostato more like had no other choice when the Gestapo came knocking on neighboring doors. Mackensen even issued notices for the army to act humanely to the occupied civillians.
@@ledichang9708 germany was entirely justified in both wars. know your history. most of what people in the west read is the allied propagandic account of these wars and it shows. the entire western world has been steadily declining in social cohesiveness as a direct result of world war two, because the villains won. russia's rise caused immense suffering throughout eastern europe(patton believed we should have fought russia instead of germany), england lost it's empire, europe and america are being flooded with non-europeans and are headed for blood. all of these nations lost the war alongside axis powers. the only people that won world war two are currently vastly overrepresented in positions of power and wealth wherever they are found, and make themselves out to be the largest victims of the war through their control over media.
But at the same time, we have to pay 10£ for a dlc that adds something that mods have added already and some gameplay features. Paradox acts like they are adding something amazing and it seems amazing, but it's really just an overpriced polish.
Tomstar Hoi4 and More Well from I heard it's included in the season pass, I believe it's the last one that will be, and of course there is the steam sales.
Pretty sure that they only had them as allies for their military and because there wasnt any other option, and also pretty sure they loved the west and hated islam.
I looked Fredericks II burial wish up. And (unsurprisingly) your claim is false. He wished to be buried alongside his greyhounds on the vinyard terrace of his palace Sanssouci. So my question is: From where did you get the information that he wanted to be buried according to muslim tradition?
No I was answering to Robert walpole's claim. RUclips just notifies everyone in a comment chain when someone answers which is quite annyoing in my opinion and can cause a lot of confusion.
While I agree with the assertion that history is written by the victors, questioning the "narrative", when the "narrative" is based on fact and reason, leads only to ignorance and lunacy.
"The victors tell the story" is unfortunately one of the most told lies today. Do you know who we in the west got most of our information on the eastern front from? The defeated German generals and soldiers. Which is one of the reason myths such as "the clean Wehrmacht" and "soviet humans waves" still exist and persist to this day.
Pretty sure it wasn't like that, as the SS were a good representation of his beliefs. Like anti-semitism, love for the fatherland, and not being democrats. Actually I should check if he tried to get back in the army once the nazis rose to power.
Mackensen and hindenburg were the old prussian generation and generals of WW1, Hitler and the founders of NSDAP the new generation of ruling class were the young soldiers who had fought in WW1, there was a bit of resentment between the two. It didnt help that Hitler and NSDAP was changing certain traditions and customs that the stubborn older elite lived by.
"Any peace should be a German peace worthy of the sacrifice of his men." Such a simple sentence but so masterfully worded. It seems to sum up Mackensens motivations for fighting the war perfectly. You are a master, Indy!
Gracias por dar a conocer la biografia de este hombre, un personaje muy notable con clara conciencia de la epoca y las necesidades que le toco vivir. Excelente narracion y muy bonitas fotografias.
In the german command system, staffwork was always teamwork. A commander had to work hand in hand together with his chief of staff. Finding two characters, that could work well together was therefore crucial. The commander needed to have a strong character and be calm, experienced, sometimes even lazy and willing to make a decision and stick to that decision, whereas the cheif of staff needed to be intelligent and industrious. His Chief of staff was Hans von Seekt, a very gifted genius, who later layed the foundation for Germanys quick reamament and first successes in World War II as chief of staff of the Reichswehr, deserves a lot of credit.
It is remarkable that he was called to join the general staff without spending three years at the military academy or taking the three examinations, but he was probably unusual among 19th century soldiers in having studied at university (he started out at Halle in agriculture, but switched to military studies after returning with an Iron Cross) and was also a published military historian. He was considered to be diplomatic, and probably was not an irascible martinet, unlike the Kaiser (and his doppelganger Sir Hector MacDonald).
Von Lettow=Vorbeck was the commander of German forces in Africa. He held out for five years against 350,000 British troops . No supplies from Germany. He had about 7,000 German troops and a regiment of Askaris (African troops). He kept on moving, harassing superior forces, capturing their supplies. No film was ever made about his exploits. He surrendered several months after Germany had surrendered. Poor communications at the time.
So sad for him and the rest of Germany... Germany was treated wretchedly after the first war, the treaty of Versailles should have been cause enough for another war... ohps...
Yes, and our Belgian troops following the French in their occupation of the Ruhrgebiet to enforce the impossible repair payments of monsieur Clemenceau's "diplomatic masterpiece" of Versailles drove Germans into desperate action. The "Clemenceau" is still a French warship, which tallies with a long lasting parasitic mentality.
This is such a great series and makes history more interesting. Many children say they don't like history and don't learn from it because they think its boring however if schools adapted there teaching styles to use videos like these a lot more young people would be interested in history.
It should be pointed out that the person at 1:35 is princess Victoria Louise of Prussia, youngest child of the Kaiser. She is pictured in her uniform as the honorary Colonel of the 2nd Prussian Life Hussars Regt. She was named after her father's grandmother, Queen Victoria (of the UK) and died in 1980.
Just today, in work I was asking myself if you made some special episode about this interesting character. I came home and tadaaa! Thank you fo another great episode!
After Belgrade fell von Mackensen had a small monument made for the defenders of Belgrade which read: -hier ruchen serbischen helden - here rest serbian heroes. I remember when i was a kid in school our history teacher had a lot of respect when he talked about him. Same for my history teacher in high school. A lot of reguimes, ideologies and governments changed here since 1915 but that monument always stood there. Mackensen was indeed a great man. Greetings from Serbia.
1:35 if anyone is wondering who she was that was Princess Victoria Louise of Prussia daughter Kaiser Wilhelm II. Von Mackensen was also her mentor ( if am not wrong) and like a true Prussian she was very interested in warfare and always wanted to lead troops into battle.
I quote his letter: On 4 February 1940, Mackensen wrote to Field Marshal Walther von Brauchitsch: "As a man becomes older, he has to watch carefully that age has not reduced his creativity. After reaching the age of 90, I have decided not to involve myself any longer with matters that are not concerned with my private life. However, I am still the most senior German officer. Many turn to me, sometimes with wishes, but more often with their concerns. During these weeks our concern is with the spirit of our unique and successful Army. The concern results from the crimes committed in Poland, looting and murder that take place before the eyes of our troops, who appear unable to put an end to them. An apparent indifference has serious consequences for the morale of our soldiers and it is damaging to the esteem of our Army and our whole nation. I am sure that you are aware of these events and that you certainly condemn them. These lines intend to convey my daily growing concern at the reports that constantly reach me, and I have to ask you to take up this matter with the highest authority. The messages I receive are so numerous, many come from high ranking persons and from witnesses. As the most senior officer I cannot keep them to myself. In transmitting them to you, I fulfil my duty to the Army. The honour of the Army and the esteem in which it is held must not be jeopardised by the actions of hired subhumans and criminals. *Salute given *saluation.
Thanks for telling about August von Mackenson. I always love the historical pictures and videos that you include in your video for the report. The peoples faces & Their clothes and uniforms from back then. I think it marvellous how you find so much information and these pictures and videos from the past. Brilliant work you do.
Awesome - been looking forward to this a special on Mackensen for ages!!! Always tease my friends by asking them “Who was the best General of WW1?” They nearly always say “Haig!” but they’re always wrong...
my ancestors were also anti catholic, they were strong evangelic like the huge majority of prussians and the Kaiser family too. When WW1 was lost the pope said "finally Luther lost the war..."
Kiritescu mentions one interesting detail - it seems it was Schmettow’s (under Falkenhayn) men that first entered Bucharest, even though Mackensen was the one who sent an ultimatum to the city. This explains the situation that Vasile Cancicov mentions - Bucharest officials went to Bragadiru (south of the capital) to surrender, only to find out Germans had entered the town from the North. So there was some rivalry among the German generals.
Dear Indy, Suggestion: When we reach that fateful last episode a year from now, why not start a sub-series about the interim events that lead up to WWII? That time period is probably just as misunderstood as the Great War . . . .
Wow you are super brilliant . This story of a man coming up the ranks and living out most of the easy of Germany coming and going . What respect I have for this old tiger 👍
Outstanding episode. What a life ! The Central Powers suspended operations elsewhere in 1916 to concentrate on helping von Mackensen defeat Romania quickly. I suspect this was to control the Romanian oil and grain. Although it has been discussed to some extent in past episodes a special on the vital role of oil in the war would be appreciated. " The Allies floated to victory on a sea of oil " - Lord Curzon. Securing an oil supply seems to have been the main driver behind the British and French plans for the Middle East.
The only enemy commander that Serbs respect to this day. His name is respected even in schools in history classes. Even he defeated Serbian army, he is revered for his respect for Serbian troops and people in general.
btw. Japan leaders after Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact was convinced that Germans/Prussians have no honor... so its funny that you trying to compare Prussia to Japan. heh
stetes ehrendes Andenken an diesen großen Kämpfer für Deutschlands Freiheit und Ehre. ich schätze mich glücklich, auch von ihm einen originalen Autographen (=Unterschrift) zu besitzen. R.I.P.
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Let's all agree
I was best Hussar
>:)
I love your channel and your co-operation with Sabathon. Here is a quote from Mackensen about the serbs:
Von Mackensen appears to have had great respect for the Serbian army and Serbians generally. Before departing to the Serbian front in 1915, he had spoken to his men:
You are not going to the Italian, Russian, or French front. You are going into battle against a new enemy - dangerous, tough, fearless and sharp. You are going to the Serbian front and Serbia. Serbs are people who love their freedom, and who will fight to the last man. Be careful this small enemy does not cast a shadow on your glory and compromise your successes.
Amen to that
There's a small mistake. Mackensen, was ennobled, making him _"von"_ Mackensen, in 1899. So long before the war and his military achievements as a general.
"a bad peace would bring another war" oh how right he was
jackpot :P
Almost every general kn ew it wouldn't last.
I saw a political cartoon from a French magazine issue right after the treat of Versaille was signed. A bunch of diplomats shaking hands around a table in the background, most of them identifiable national caricatures. In the foreground, hiding behind a pillar, weeping into his hands was a New Year Baby, with the sash reading 'Class of 1940'.
Wonder if anyone even gave him 2 points for that atlest:D?
So true!
Hands down the best hat of the war
I use his pic for my cell number because of the hat
Thank Russia
Levvy russia?
In Russia there was no hussars.
@@an_tom801 Isnt hussars jst light cavelerie?
One man lived to see Germany's rise to becoming a worldpower, and by the time he died he did so alongside all of the German ambitions he had witnessed in one lifetime.
you see so much in a long life. When i was a kid there were still Civil War veterans alive......
@@verticallogic5909 wow...
@@bluesclues132 ... do you think that some day you will say that when you were younger, "vertical logic" was still alive ??.......nah.........
@@verticallogic5909 last ww1 veteran died in my youth so, i guess there is that.
@@bluesclues132...... i once worked at a hospital where a Spanish American war vet was. There was a guy i heard about that was born about 1797 and died, i think, about 1906. Imagine living in 3 different centuries....it's fun talking to elderly people about their experiences like this old guy, now dead, telling me about a 500 mile journey in a stage coach. If you can, seek out some elderly people, maybe at a nursing or senior home, and talk to them, it's informative and history from the "horse's mouth".....
I find it amazing how people like him grew up in the mid 1800s and got to live through the fast modernization of the early 1900s. He grew up with black powder single shot rifles and horses, then saw the rise of flight, cars, and repeating rifles with smokeless powder. Or even more stark, the changes from wood and iron sailing ships where coal boilers were still uncommon, then by WWI there were dreadnaughts and submarines.
Wait. If he lived until 1945, even more astounding: he saw the end of the age of sail, and may have seen the first jet fighters, or at least known about them. Wow.
Von Mackensen passed away in November of 1945. The atomic bombings of Japan happened four months prior, in August. Imagine his reaction: “Good luck with this brave new world. I’m out.”
Dead Baron now the progress is even faster, so enjoy it while you can.
Perhaps, but it doesn't leap in the same sense. It is more incremental, in the same fields. Going from cavalry to aircraft is an enormous change... and then jets. A person growing up today would feel less out of place in 1935 than a person from 1945 would at Mackensen's youth.
Jonas Drøjdahl very true, today isnt too much different from the 80's or even the 70's.... in terms of revolutionary technology. phones, cars, buses, trains, television,computers, jet planes , helicopters, space age equipment like satellites and stations etc, its just new and improved more of the same.
Most men carry the burden of war on their shoulders but von Mackensen carried his burdens with his eyebrows
And moustache
True, HIS FACIAL HAIR IS UP THERE WITH THE GREATS
He died not because of his age of 95, he died when he saw what happened to Prussia.
@Old Man Jenkins Meanwhile with worldwide degenerates, my friend.
@Old Man Jenkins Dafuq is wrong with you, germans weren't degenerates, we're all the same people essentially. Today both prussians and other germans are degenerates though haha ( I'm germany myself ).
The Hussar skull and crossbones does not mean "No mercy" it means "No surrender" or "Loyal until death". Most Hussar regiments in Europe had this symbol, as it represented their loyalty to the Monarch.
Same thing more or less
@@solidus1995 No the opposite actually. "No mercy" means you will take no prisoners, and kill anyone that surrenders to you. "No surrender" or "Loyal until death" means YOU will never let yourself be taken prisoner, and will fight to last man standing.
I read something about some british soldiers who very briefly "captured" Mackensen at the end of WWII. When british forces occupied a village the locals told them that there was a field marshal at some house. When they entered that house an older women was already waiting and told hem that the field marshal was ready to surrender to them. She led them into a salon and there was Mackensen, still in his hussar uniform. The british soldiers saluted, turned around and left.
True story ? Sounds really nice...
I read that too. The British had hoped that the marshal wanting to surrender was Herman Göring, but it turned out to be Mackensen.
Oh, a movie beginning, told with flashbacks...how in the youtube world did I happen on this tale☺?...
The story isn't true. The real story is that British soldiers looted the house in the name of "confiscating weapons" and war material. They absolutely did not salute him. They also didn't take a sick 95 year old man into custody.
The story of his capture was played for laughs in various ways in the international media which is the source for most of the odd accounts of the incident. CBS for example presented him an old joke in a comic uniform who was foolishly concerned about the allied soldiers stealing his chickens.
When he died later in 1945, the British authorities expressly forbid anything other than a simple funeral for him. The display of anything of a military nature (including specifically his Marshall's baton and his military medals) or any sort of private honors being given him was expressly forbidden.
@@Jim-Tuner What, exactly, is "foolish" about being concerned about soldiers stealing his chickens? He was 95 years old, for Christ's sake! At 95 his duty had been more than done 100 times over; one can expect no more than that a man of that age would be interested solely in his private life.
Best Hats of WWI special episode soon?
Needed!
So a hole episode about how badass August von Mackensens hat is then:)
we all know the winner
first place mckensen
second place mckensen
third place mckensen
XD
RippedUpRunway Do we also need a Dilf list of WW1?
XD
Too bad you haven't mentioned that Mackensen lifted a monument to Serbian defenders of Belgrade on which it was written ''Here lay Serbian heroes''. Before the 1915. campaign against Serbia Mackensen said this to his troops: ''You are not going to Italian, Russian or French front. You are going into fight against the new enemy, dangerous, tough, brave and sharp. You are going on Serbian front and against Serbia, and Serbs are people who love freedom and who fight and sacrifice to the last. Be careful that this (numerically) small enemy doesn't cloud your glory and compromise your achievements made to this day.''
They mentioned it in the 1915 episode when Belgrade fell.
Thank you bro gota respect the facts!
Grenadier on beans he said that because he was in the first world war ... Stalingrad was 25 years away
Soldiers, exactly at three o'clock, the enemy is to be crushed by your fierce charge, destroyed by your grenades and bayonets. The honor of Belgrade, our capital, must not be stained. Soldiers! Heroes! The supreme command has erased our regiment from its records. Our regiment has been sacrificed for the honor of Belgrade and the Fatherland. Therefore, you no longer need to worry about your lives: they no longer exist. So, forward to glory! For the King and the Fatherland! Long live the King, Long live Belgrade!
Officer Dragutin Gavrilović
@@Grnization would have been better to just surrender. needless waste of human life
Fun Fact: Despite his dislike of the Poles in the German Empire, Mackensen did opposed the atrocities committed during the 1939 Invasion of Poland.
Several generals opposed them but in many cases it wasn't because of some humanist ideals. Many officers were of the opnion that allowing troops to massacre civilans, to rape and plunder unchecked would be bad for discipline and morale and thereby reduce the fighting value of their units.
But, with Mackensen's case he did respect his opponents and never attacked civilians during his time in the Great War.
But then after the end of WW2 August von Mackensen witnessed the Polish ethnically cleansing a quarter of his German homeland including the city of Danzig that Mackensen and over 400,000 other German's had lived in. 14 million Germans were ethnically cleansed from Eastern Germany 1945-1951 and over 2 million mostly women, children and elderly Eastern German civilians were killed.
Borussia Germania Well out of all nations who suffered in WW2 they deserved it the most
Borussia Germania Directed by the soviets, the polish people's republic was a puppet regime, nobody in their right mind wanted a soviet inspired government, specially in Poland..
91?! in the 40's! WOW . Healthy indeed.
chrisw443 95*
because presevatives and sugary foods are not much popular to them,except for hams and cakes,but this man is a healhy man,bro.
Not even Death wanted to wage a war against him
rick delapaz ah I forgot thats why the average age was at least 10 years less then today. That makes sense
@@flyingdutchman9053 The rise in average age has more to do with the decline of infant mortality than anything else.
This guy needs an action figure
lol according to wikipedia there actually was mackensen's sort of action figure: "Mackensen's distinctive public profile, in his black Life Hussars uniform, was even recognized by the Hausser-Elastolin company, which produced a 7-cm figure of him in its line of Elastolin composition soldiers"
Dare I say, an August Von Mackention Figure?
Possibly better than the G.I.Joe :O
Will he have head bobbing, karate-chop action?
@@nicholaspatton5590 no,but he does have a kung fu grip.
Kudos to this presenter. He is well organized, articulate, and gets to the essential facts in a concise timely manner.,
''Soldiers, you are not going to the Italian front, nor Russian, or French. You are going into a battle against a new enemy, dangerous, tough and brave. You are going to the Serbian front, against Serbia, Serbs love their freedom, and kiss their fatherland and fight and sacrifices till the last.
Watch out, so this little enemy doesn't blacken the glory and damage the successes of the famous german army.''
*-August von Mackensen 1915.*
Yes we do love freedom .And he made a great monument to fallen heroic defenders of Belgrade .
ye unfortunately though i dont believe that serbia still exists today, it was demolished with Yugoslavia. Sorry for the loss though
Y gotta be kidding ?
Orkun Çınar Serbia exists, how come everyone thinks Serbia doesn't exist?
Orkun Çınar After Yugoslavia was demolished Serbia returned...
When the last Hussar arrived
Coming down the mountainside
DaPankakeEmperor listen to the song "Winged Hussars" by Sabaton ;)
Hussars were different formation.
@Luca Nitsche It's a reference. Flew straight over your head too, it seems.
@@thenewcaesar2668
Then the last hussar arrived
With his men they turned the tide
Shouldn't this be titled, August von Mackensen, the man or the hat? | WHO DID WHAT IN WW1?
themajor Nah you messed it up, WHAT DID WHO IN WW1
Nah because we all know the answer... the hat
Oddly enough us Serbs build a monument to him after the war.
IndjijaTsar was it because he treated the Serbs humanely during the occupation?
A worthy opponent...
IndjijaTsar he was sarcastic, everybody knows Serbs never won a war
You are being sarcastic, right?
Sr. RussianDoge No bro I'm not, We build him a small monument after the war, and he built one for us during the war. We were enemies but he respected us more then any other nation we are small but we defeated three Austrian Imperial armies.
I am german but we never learned about such interesting personalities inschool or elsewhere. Thats should say something about the state the german politic system is in.
You are sad that allies did not do what Adolf was planing? Sterilization and forcefull abortion of pregnant women? Your german politic system never paid anything to Poland for all the destruction, death and sufering that your nation caused in Poland. And laws for Polish minorities in Germany that was voided by Adolf was not reestablished to this day...
.Biały lol why should you get paid ?
@@Bialy_1 Germany paid enough and that with blood...
@@Bialy_1 oh yeah, poland, the "special" state of europe, pretty much what was albania during otoman's empire.
@@Mizzurani The whole of Europe is paying rightnow. Like Patton said, we fought the wrong enemy.
Damn that von Mackensen what a dude, His biography is going on my reading list
He was the "Heinie Mac"!
Interesting indeed
A true story of rags to riches
Durr Plant not really rags
Rags to giant fur hat
Drew Dixon more like a story of rising to greatness.
Why he didn't say nothing about Battle Marasesti ? It is one of the greatest german defeat in the war and largest defeat of Mackensen , this battle have save Romania , before the battle Mackensen have said that in one week he wilk be in Iasi , and after to Odessa , after the battle he said that he had soldiers like the romanians he would won the war
@@apavietii6677 the Marasesti, Marati, Oituz battles were insignificant for the course of the war. Romanians with Russian and French help were throwing themselves at what was basically reserve forces. They advanced a few km , but with huge losses, then they surrendered when the Russians retreated.
I always find people living through huge changes in history fascinating, imagine people who were born in the 1900's, they went from horse and carriages, to automobiles, to airplanes, to the cell phones, Internet etc.. it's pretty amazing. Love the channel, keep up the great work!
+The Stowaway Lettow-Vorbeck died when the Beatles started playing in Hamburg
Much anticipated!
V. Athanasiou Do you by ny chance know where he as held at in Thessaloniki when captured after the war?
Admiral LongStash I Believe at Karaburnaki, it would be spooky to keep him in Yedi Kule. I'll search it
V. Athanasiou Anything worth mentioning yet? I assume he was interned somewere matching his generalship.
+Admiral LongStash Haven't found source in English and Greek sources, I don't know German. I believe he was either held in Karabournaki or Villa Allatini, the former house of the ministry of Macedonia-Thrace
Must say that after he did enter in Belgrade he ordered making of monument of brave Serbian soldiers who defended the city.It was rare example in history when enemy has build a monument for the brave oponent.Must give him a credit for that.
Thanks for the interesting side-note - I didn't know that.
The servs were easily defeated by him and as video said he planned to cease serbia out of existences after the war.
That is how much he " respected " you.
Any proof he built a monument, besides some you tube comments?
@@adolphbismark4331 you moron...
@@adolphbismark4331 Kosutnjak park, WWI monument erected by German Field Marshal August von Mackensen to the Serbian defenders of Belgrade. The inscription reads "Here rest Serbian heroes". : wikipédia and him don't expecting serbia existence After wwi has nothing to do with direspect.
We didn't move graveyard for his soldiers in return. It was only German military graveyard outside Germany until 1944
He lived long enough to see his country humiliated in one World War. And then be utterly razed to the ground in another one.
DarkFlameDragonSlayer at least he was able to witness Germany/Prussia's great victories over Austria and France, has to count for something I guess
He lived long enough to see a victorious and rising Germany humiliated due to her hubris, and then utterly destroyed when she stupidly decided to try again.
It must be truly dad to devote ones life to serving his country and to see it fall Twice and be raised to the ground...
PuraguCryostato more like had no other choice when the Gestapo came knocking on neighboring doors. Mackensen even issued notices for the army to act humanely to the occupied civillians.
@@ledichang9708 germany was entirely justified in both wars. know your history. most of what people in the west read is the allied propagandic account of these wars and it shows. the entire western world has been steadily declining in social cohesiveness as a direct result of world war two, because the villains won. russia's rise caused immense suffering throughout eastern europe(patton believed we should have fought russia instead of germany), england lost it's empire, europe and america are being flooded with non-europeans and are headed for blood. all of these nations lost the war alongside axis powers. the only people that won world war two are currently vastly overrepresented in positions of power and wealth wherever they are found, and make themselves out to be the largest victims of the war through their control over media.
I am so anxious for the next espansion in HOI4,you will be able to revolt against NSDAP regime,and Mackensen will lead the provisional government.
Ooh! Ooh! I want to be the one who pots Goering!
ruclips.net/video/bYhuF2UEI6E/видео.html
But at the same time, we have to pay 10£ for a dlc that adds something that mods have added already and some gameplay features. Paradox acts like they are adding something amazing and it seems amazing, but it's really just an overpriced polish.
Pedro Biondi orgasmic yes!
Tomstar Hoi4 and More Well from I heard it's included in the season pass, I believe it's the last one that will be, and of course there is the steam sales.
Even on sale we have to pay £5+ for a bundle of features we should either already have or don't need.
His badass level is over 9000!
Just like his losses at Gumbinnen
AND THE DEATH-HEAD HUSSARS ARRIVED !
Pretty sure that they only had them as allies for their military and because there wasnt any other option, and also pretty sure they loved the west and hated islam.
I would like to know from where you got that.
Remember who the original Hussars were. The Magyars!
I looked Fredericks II burial wish up. And (unsurprisingly) your claim is false. He wished to be buried alongside his greyhounds on the vinyard terrace of his palace Sanssouci.
So my question is: From where did you get the information that he wanted to be buried according to muslim tradition?
No I was answering to Robert walpole's claim. RUclips just notifies everyone in a comment chain when someone answers which is quite annyoing in my opinion and can cause a lot of confusion.
1:37 Kaiser’s daughter Victoria Louise😍!
Immense respect to this great man. To think the amount of grief with which he died saddens me to my very core.
Must have been pretty sad to live through two lost world wars. Seeing the nation you love (well, not the nazis) decimated twice.
CybranM espacially because when he died in '45 no one actually knew if germany would even exist anymore in the futur
While I agree with the assertion that history is written by the victors, questioning the "narrative", when the "narrative" is based on fact and reason, leads only to ignorance and lunacy.
"The victors tell the story" is unfortunately one of the most told lies today. Do you know who we in the west got most of our information on the eastern front from? The defeated German generals and soldiers. Which is one of the reason myths such as "the clean Wehrmacht" and "soviet humans waves" still exist and persist to this day.
Well,at least in the first world war germans do not suffer in their own territory
On the second on the other hand...
August hated the jew much like basically everyone in those days.
Don't fall for false narratives
I am pretty sure he hated the SS for stealing his regiments uniform design. Black uniforms and the exact same skull design are kind of obvious copies.
Pretty sure it wasn't like that, as the SS were a good representation of his beliefs. Like anti-semitism, love for the fatherland, and not being democrats. Actually I should check if he tried to get back in the army once the nazis rose to power.
Mackensen did support Hindenburg against Hitler in the German presidential election of 1932, though.
Mackensen and hindenburg were the old prussian generation and generals of WW1, Hitler and the founders of NSDAP the new generation of ruling class were the young soldiers who had fought in WW1, there was a bit of resentment between the two. It didnt help that Hitler and NSDAP was changing certain traditions and customs that the stubborn older elite lived by.
......are we the baddies?
The armored divisions wore Totenkopfs as well. Before the SS.
Excellent work for all of us that love History!! Thank you very much!!
Mackensen is one of my favorite figures in WWI/WWII. That man certainly had seen a lot in life.
1:40 That 20's mustache tho. He had swag.
"Any peace should be a German peace worthy of the sacrifice of his men." Such a simple sentence but so masterfully worded. It seems to sum up Mackensens motivations for fighting the war perfectly. You are a master, Indy!
Gracias por dar a conocer la biografia de este hombre, un personaje muy notable con clara conciencia de la epoca y las necesidades que le toco vivir. Excelente narracion y muy bonitas fotografias.
verry remarkable to be the best general when he never went to the military accedemy. I gues some people are just born for some jobs.
In the german command system, staffwork was always teamwork. A commander had to work hand in hand together with his chief of staff. Finding two characters, that could work well together was therefore crucial.
The commander needed to have a strong character and be calm, experienced, sometimes even lazy and willing to make a decision and stick to that decision, whereas the cheif of staff needed to be intelligent and industrious.
His Chief of staff was Hans von Seekt, a very gifted genius, who later layed the foundation for Germanys quick reamament and first successes in World War II as chief of staff of the Reichswehr, deserves a lot of credit.
It is remarkable that he was called to join the general staff without spending three years at the military academy or taking the three examinations, but he was probably unusual among 19th century soldiers in having studied at university (he started out at Halle in agriculture, but switched to military studies after returning with an Iron Cross) and was also a published military historian. He was considered to be diplomatic, and probably was not an irascible martinet, unlike the Kaiser (and his doppelganger Sir Hector MacDonald).
Von Lettow=Vorbeck was the commander of German forces in Africa. He held out for five years against 350,000 British troops . No supplies from Germany. He had about 7,000 German troops and a regiment of Askaris (African troops). He kept on moving, harassing superior forces, capturing their supplies. No film was ever made about his exploits. He surrendered several months after Germany had surrendered. Poor communications at the time.
What a remarkable, impressive and respectful history of life... Thanks, great video!
So sad for him and the rest of Germany... Germany was treated wretchedly after the first war, the treaty of Versailles should have been cause enough for another war... ohps...
Yes, and our Belgian troops following the French in their occupation of the Ruhrgebiet to enforce the impossible repair payments of monsieur Clemenceau's "diplomatic masterpiece" of Versailles drove Germans into desperate action. The "Clemenceau" is still a French warship, which tallies with a long lasting parasitic mentality.
What a badass, why were the prussians so perfect
SpikyDane the p stands for perfect there just perfect Russia. Lol
Aryan master race
They are not
Cause of Prussian 150% discipline
They had to fight Rome first that's why
I'm proud to say that he was godfather to one of my ancestors
This is such a great series and makes history more interesting. Many children say they don't like history and don't learn from it because they think its boring however if schools adapted there teaching styles to use videos like these a lot more young people would be interested in history.
But was he a Winged Hussar at the Battle of Vienna in 1683? I believe not.
KrólMaciuśPierwszy-KingoftheSlavs we well never know
Króla Maciuś Pierwszy was King of children not Slavs ;)
That's the comment I was looking for haha
Neither a Pole nor a Lithuanian. Next.
KrólMaciuśPierwszy-KingoftheSlavs So he did not, in fact, arrive.
Thank you for making this video, it was an awesome piece of history.
He is the epitome of Prussian honor. What a soldier, what a leader. I desperately miss these despised "old, white men" in modern times.
Aaaand folks like you are precisely the reason we are better off without such people.
Feb 2021 Indiana. Regarding your Aug von Macensen delivery, very well-researched and presentation. Refreshing. I did not know about him. Thank you.
It should be pointed out that the person at 1:35 is princess Victoria Louise of Prussia, youngest child of the Kaiser. She is pictured in her uniform as the honorary Colonel of the 2nd Prussian Life Hussars Regt. She was named after her father's grandmother, Queen Victoria (of the UK) and died in 1980.
Just today, in work I was asking myself if you made some special episode about this interesting character. I came home and tadaaa! Thank you fo another great episode!
After Belgrade fell von Mackensen had a small monument made for the defenders of Belgrade which read: -hier ruchen serbischen helden - here rest serbian heroes. I remember when i was a kid in school our history teacher had a lot of respect when he talked about him. Same for my history teacher in high school.
A lot of reguimes, ideologies and governments changed here since 1915 but that monument always stood there.
Mackensen was indeed a great man.
Greetings from Serbia.
This was one of the greatest presentations on this topic that I have ever seen. Bravo!!! Well done!!! I thoroughly enjoyed this!!!
1:35 if anyone is wondering who she was that was Princess Victoria Louise of Prussia daughter Kaiser Wilhelm II. Von Mackensen was also her mentor ( if am not wrong) and like a true Prussian she was very interested in warfare and always wanted to lead troops into battle.
Great show, guys!
as a german i can tell you these people of us are wiped out in our history books and lessons.
Everyone needs s Bismarck :(
He always had a plan.
@@eddgrs9193 like the Olsen gang
Merkel❌
Bismarck✔️
May he RIP , and all the German patriots
I quote his letter:
On 4 February 1940, Mackensen wrote to Field Marshal Walther von Brauchitsch: "As a man becomes older, he has to watch carefully that age has not reduced his creativity. After reaching the age of 90, I have decided not to involve myself any longer with matters that are not concerned with my private life. However, I am still the most senior German officer. Many turn to me, sometimes with wishes, but more often with their concerns. During these weeks our concern is with the spirit of our unique and successful Army. The concern results from the crimes committed in Poland, looting and murder that take place before the eyes of our troops, who appear unable to put an end to them. An apparent indifference has serious consequences for the morale of our soldiers and it is damaging to the esteem of our Army and our whole nation. I am sure that you are aware of these events and that you certainly condemn them. These lines intend to convey my daily growing concern at the reports that constantly reach me, and I have to ask you to take up this matter with the highest authority. The messages I receive are so numerous, many come from high ranking persons and from witnesses. As the most senior officer I cannot keep them to myself. In transmitting them to you, I fulfil my duty to the Army. The honour of the Army and the esteem in which it is held must not be jeopardised by the actions of hired subhumans and criminals. *Salute given *saluation.
mark mcgary
could you bring citation.?
I can not imagine how happy were the romanians when they stopped him at Mărășești and Oituz in 1917...
verdun xD ? In your dreams
1 Ki akart a Jasi mocsarakba utánatok menni?
2 Megint átálltatok hozzánk. Akkor meg minek háboruzzunk veletek?
Thanks for telling about August von Mackenson. I always love the historical pictures and videos that you include in your video for the report. The peoples faces & Their clothes and uniforms from back then. I think it marvellous how you find so much information and these pictures and videos from the past. Brilliant work you do.
Thanks.
In my game HOI 4 he overthrew Hitler and put the Kaiser back in power....
Also I’m glad I’ve found this channel. Subscribed
As a history buff, I love this channel! Thanks again.
Wow, seeing how it was difficult for a commoner to make a career officer in the imperial germany, the guy must have really showed stellar skills !
This is what I was waiting for!! Thanks Indy and team!
Salut to the great general! Once a Black Hussar - always a Black Hussar! Champagne to the Fallen!
I have been waiting for this for so long!
This guy lived so long that he was both crucial to both 19th-and 20th century German History and saw almost all of it
Thanks for that. I enjoyed that little video immensely
Mackensen won the Franco-Prussian War by himself. The French surrendered when they saw Mackensen staring at them.
@Kite Flying Pooh well they would also surrender if they see an Ant starting at them but you have a point there
they actually surrendered once they heard the trains coming to them
Awesome - been looking forward to this a special on Mackensen for ages!!!
Always tease my friends by asking them “Who was the best General of WW1?”
They nearly always say “Haig!” but they’re always wrong...
my ancestors were also anti catholic, they were strong evangelic like the huge majority of prussians and the Kaiser family too. When WW1 was lost the pope said "finally Luther lost the war..."
That's interesting. Could you post a source? Sounds like a nice background.
Thanks for putting this together. Quick and to the point. Just the facts.
His hat is absolutely glorious
I love your channel keep up the great stuff!
Never Clicked so fast.
This is seriously becoming my new favorite channel!
A great figure, this Mackensen
Man talk about living life to the fullest! August von Mackensen lived quite a busy life!
Kiritescu mentions one interesting detail - it seems it was Schmettow’s (under Falkenhayn) men that first entered Bucharest, even though Mackensen was the one who sent an ultimatum to the city. This explains the situation that Vasile Cancicov mentions - Bucharest officials went to Bragadiru (south of the capital) to surrender, only to find out Germans had entered the town from the North. So there was some rivalry among the German generals.
After almost 30 years I know this information about von Mackensen. Thanks so much.
Dear Indy,
Suggestion: When we reach that fateful last episode a year from now, why not start a sub-series about the interim events that lead up to WWII? That time period is probably just as misunderstood as the Great War . . . .
Wow you are super brilliant . This story of a man coming up the ranks and living out most of the easy of Germany coming and going . What respect I have for this old tiger 👍
One of the most interesting World War 1 generals. Hands down.
omg. I'm wearing the socks and this episode comes out??
He was the best general of Great War, man with instinct of hunter
About time, and THANK YOU!
Hoi4 Non aligned magnificent leader
Im suprised no one commented this before
What a truly amazing life story...
Otherwise, he was since 1899 "von" Mackensen. His noble-motto was: Memini initii. (I remember of the beginning).
Thank you very much for your excellent work
1:36 Waifu
That isn't a woman.
Erich Falkenhayn then its a trap
+Erich Falkenhayn She is, princess victoria
You'd end up the waifu mate, and shown no mercy hahaha
Fan Yechao That's very surprising.
Outstanding episode. What a life !
The Central Powers suspended operations elsewhere in 1916 to concentrate on helping von Mackensen defeat Romania quickly. I suspect this was to control the Romanian oil and grain. Although it has been discussed to some extent in past episodes a special on the vital role of oil in the war would be appreciated. " The Allies floated to victory on a sea of oil " - Lord Curzon. Securing an oil supply seems to have been the main driver behind the British and French plans for the Middle East.
The only enemy commander that Serbs respect to this day. His name is respected even in schools in history classes. Even he defeated Serbian army, he is revered for his respect for Serbian troops and people in general.
wooow.. What a great video, short but very complete and interesting, thanks.
Prussia, the Japan of Europe.
Must bring honoru to famiru or commit sudoku.
I often got the same impression; there are many commons among the Japanese and us - well, back then !
Japan, the Prussia of Asia
@@Marcus001 Agreed.
@@palomino73 next time without italy^^
btw. Japan leaders after Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact was convinced that Germans/Prussians have no honor... so its funny that you trying to compare Prussia to Japan. heh
Someone should make a movie of this man. Icon!
stetes ehrendes Andenken an diesen großen Kämpfer für Deutschlands Freiheit und Ehre. ich schätze mich glücklich, auch von ihm einen originalen Autographen (=Unterschrift) zu besitzen. R.I.P.
A life less ordinary, is certainly a spot on assessment.
Salaute and Respect to General August Von Mackhansen
a great man a great career a lion hearted person
August von Mackensen loved Watching Sunday Baseball.