American Reacts to What Does It Take To Earn The British Medal Of Honor? The Victoria Cross
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- Опубликовано: 14 июн 2021
- American Reacts to What Does It Take To Earn The British Medal Of Honor? The Victoria Cross
In this video I react to American Reacts to What Does It Take To Earn The British Medal Of Honor? The Victoria Cross. A look at the history of the Victoria Cross, the British Medal of Honor for Valor in battle. The video focuses on Major Robert Henry Cain while touching on stories of other winners as well.
Original Video: • The Incredible Stories...
#VictoriaCross #HenryCain #AmericanReacts
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I'm an old British Army veteran. I like the way you pause and gather your thoughts before saying something and continuing. Very respectful and well done sir.
My thoughts exactly.
I agree. Hes The most respectful RUclipsr. I'm a veteran myself brother. Thanks for your service
I agree Mr. Wick (Cool name by the way 💪). He is clearly not faking it.
Love and respect from a Norwegian Navy soldier 👊
ya should post the tank killer up a other mad brit..with balls of steal..
Agree.
I edited the Jeremy Clarkson film. It was probably the most satisfying film I’ve ever worked on. So much fascinating footage and a very small team put it together, I remember cutting all those sequences very clearly . It’s very rewarding to see it still provoking thought and being well received, thanks.
Its 1 of the best war/medal stories iv ever seen
Thank you for doing such a great job!
Mr Hey, you are right to feel proud of this. A great piece of work by all concerned. There are so many great tales behind all these medals it must have been a real struggle to decide which stories NOT to include.
I thought it was rather bizarre, the way it was framed and omitted so many VCs. Talked as if the VC was a UK medal, while talking about the British Empire. Seemed more like a pommie ego trip framed as history.
Nice job brother!
My neighbour's great grandfather won a VC for his actions in 1918. He returned home and, when the time came, re-elisted again for WWII and retired a major after the war. He died in 1972 and is one of New Zealand's most decorated officers. The medal itself is so small in many respects but what it represents is enormous. I was lucky enough to actually hold his medal, many years ago now, when the family looked after it briefly before it went on display at the Army museum in Waiuru. There is nothing to compare to actually seeing, let alone having the privilege of holding, a VC knowing just what was done to win it.
RIP Reginald Judson. New Zealand Army.
How proud you must be .God bless
6 machine gun posts and twelve soldiers.
The story of Lachimann Gurung gives me goosebumps every time I read it. If there ever was a human who was simply 'built different', he was. Clarkson doesn't really do his story justice in this.
Tasked with defending a machine gun post with a few soldiers as 200 enemies attack, cut-off from reinforcements and having a grenade blow off your hand and injure your body and also blinded in one eye, to still have the wherewithal to calmly load a rifle one-handed (his non-dominant hand). At one point, he thrust his kukri (knife) into the ground and screamed "Come and fight a Gurkha!" into the night. Left all alone, with no resources, no right hand, no backup, no artillery support. Just one man and his rifle against a battalion of Japanese soldiers. When the dust settled, he emerged having killed at least 31 (there's no way of really knowing). Imagine being a Japanese soldier thinking you've got one enemy left and you take a strategic position and a small, already mortally wounded Burmese man *literally* single-handedly decimates your entire battalion, occasionally screaming "COME AND FIGHT ME" into the darkness.
He would lose his right eye and the use of his right hand but stayed on to serve with the Gurkhas after WW2, later moving to London and living out the rest of his life in peace. Quite simply, one of the most badass human beings to ever live. It's like, how has that not been made into a film? It almost sounds as it something a Hollywood producer would dream of.
This makes the man sound like an absolute spartan
200 men is essentially company strength not a battalion. A lot of the citations for vc , DCM, mc etc make for interesting reading.
This I do believe to be one of the most amazing things I've ever reacted to. The stories told are just awe inspiring. I took utmost care to show immense respect to the stories being told within the video. I came away with a deeper respect and thirst for hearing more of the stories of those awarded the VC. Please remember, I'm American, I will make comparison or correlation to what I know and I know this medal is awarded, not won as I stated and tried to clarify within the video. Please overlook my shortcomings in the manner of speech I can have at times to hear these remarkable stories.
Yes, that was an incredible video. Cain's tale was fascinating but that Australian chap who rescued 40 comrades stopped me in my tracks.
EB your reaction was, as always, exemplary. Well done mate. 👍
There are only 3 men who have won the VC twice, two in the First World War and one in the Second World War. Surgeon Captain Arthur Martin-Leake, Captain Noel Cavasse and Captain Charles Upham.
Another WW2 achievement you might like to find out about, although not related to the VC, is The Dambusters. They used bouncing bombs to destroy 3 dams on the Ruhr in Germany.
ruclips.net/video/DZGkTX445o0/видео.html
simon weston last man i heard won VC medal in Falklands war
I thought your reaction was not only very insightful but showed the utmost respect, too.
A wiser man then me once said "Bravery isn't about not being scared, its about being terrified but doing it anyway"
I've looked into it and apparently several people have been credited with that quote including
Mark Twain
Oprah Winfrey
General "stormin Norman Schwartzkopf.
I heard it years ago while serving in the military and its so true, it also goes hand in hand with the other phrase "There is a thin line between Bravery and Stupidity"
There is also stupid 'bravery' - like trying to save someone without thinking first.
I nearly did that years ago while hiking in the mountains. A guy I had only met that day slipped and was falling off a cliff. Without thinking I dived and grabbed him, but was being dragged over with him. Luckily 2 of my friends were close enough to grab my ankles. Everyone said I was brave, but I insisted that I was just an idiot.
Winston Churchill: "Fear is a reaction. Courage is a decision."
@@gregculverwell Cool story Bro...
As a side note, since this documentary was made there have been a further 4 VC’s awarded, 1 in Iraq (Johnson Beharry, Princess of Wales Royal Regiment), and 3 in Afghanistan (Bryan Budd, Joshua Leaky, Parachute Regiment, and James Ashworth, Grenadier Guards), all 4 are incredible stories and uphold the tradition of the Victory Cross of beating almost impossible odds and totally selfless.
Also four more in Australia and one in New Zealand, which have issued their own versions of the VC since 1991. Canada also switched to issuing its own series of VC in 1993 but none have yet been issued.
Its also worth considering some of the George crosses awarded since, As much of the time British troops were in Iraq nobody was actually eligible for a VC as the VC can only be won when under "enemy fire".
For much of the time British troops were in Iraq nobody was actually shooting at them, The example being Major Peter Allen Norton. GC who won his gallantry award refusing treatment for wounds suffered in an IED blast because he suspected more devices were present and wasn't going to leave until he was sure everyone in the area was also safe from further blasts. Or the medal was awarded for a blue on blue incident, as was the case for Christopher Finney, GC who its believed was actually nominated for a VC but because his scimitar came under fire from a pair of American A-10's rather than enemy aircraft his returning to the vehicle multiple times to rescue his fellow crewmen despite having been hit in the back and legs by an A-10, while not knowing if the aircraft were going to come back for another pass. Fun fact Finney is now Chairman of the Victoria Cross and George Cross Association.
Gurkhas are the most badass soldiers around. I've had the pleasure of meeting some of them. The most kind humble people you will ever meet. The perfect soldier. Will always have the upmost respect for them. ❤️🙏
You know what the G in Gurkha stands for? It stands for GTFO or else you will face a shit storm the likes that one could not imagine.
And Lachimann Gurung was the very finest they had to offer
Everyone of those Gurkhas are so strong, ferocious, tough and best soldiers ever.
Say what you want about Jeremy Clarkson. But not only is he a great presenter, but you can tell he has the upmost respect for the bravery and sacrifices made by the greatest generation.
Clarkson plays a character on Top Gear/TGT, even in his news columns. He is an incredibly good presenter with a ton of knowledge that I wish was put to more use by the BBC. He is not the buffoon he pretends to be
Yes, absolutely, he’s a pretty good journalist tbh, it’s just a shame that a lot of this gets lost in the clowning around, he has done a better job than I imagined in the revamped WWTBAM 😊
Also remember that Major Cain was JC’s father-in-law.
yeah I recognised his voice immediately. He portrays himself as a right-wing buffoon but he's more complicated than that.
@@seedhillbruisermusic7939 no, no, no, he isn't
I'm Irish, and while we were neutral during WW2, it was very standard for Irish lads to go over and join the British army. My Great Grandad was awarded the Victoria Cross during WW2 but no one in the family ever even knew why, or where he was buried because that information wasn't allowed to be given to Irish civilians. My Mum was the first one to look into it and finally found his grave after years of searching.... in Belgium.
From a Scots-Irish Londoner ❤
The Irish government treated Irish citizens who enlisted in British service in WW2 despicably after the war. It's an untold disgrace.
If you contact the UK's national archives at Kew, you'll be able to get his service records.
Irish action? Joining British soldiers in war? TheyAmbivalents
They were a different breed back then. Just glad there not around to see what they were fighting for in this day and age. All my Respect to him.
I am afraid you misunderstood what your mother told you. Only one VC winner from Ireland, Donald Garland, is buried in Belgium. He was born in Ireland but grew up in London, he was 21 when he died, and as far as I can tell, he never married and had no children. There were several Irishmen who won the VC posthumously, and a few of them - Edward Fogarty Fegen, Eugene Esmonde - were famous. Even in WW2, there would have been no difficulty finding a copy of the London Gazette to read the citation. Somebody's pulling someone's leg.
It was so great to see an American revisiting this topic. I was blown away by your genuine reverence and humble appreciation of these extraordinary men. It was refreshing to see your approach in covering the British sacrifices during WW2 instead of the usual U.S "we won the war" mentality. I was delighted and humbled by your humility my friend and enjoyed this episode immensely, Thank you.
Great immensely brave guy
Cain, along with all VC winners are exceptional individuals. I served with the 2nd Bn Parachute Regt (2Para) in the South Atlantic (Falklands campaign), 1982. There were many in my company who (I considered) worthy of honours, but were seemingly unrecognised. I didn't see the end of this conflict - I was blown up, losing both lower limbs - but for P company mentality, considered this was nothing compared to those who gave their lives. Personally lost 6 friends in that fight; out of 251 British lost in total, that's quite a percentage - I'll never forget the fallen, as long as I draw breath. Of course, if you consider the millions lost in the First & Second World Wars - as well as Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf ( I & II) wars, it might seem to pale into insignificance - that is not so. Grateful thanks for your contribution, here - always appreciated.
Take care & stay safe, Sir.
Thanks for your service, much appreciated 🙏
Thank you, Mark.
My brothers best mate, Neil Grose (3 Para), fought at Mt Longdon and never came home.
I remember young men like Neil and their Gallantry under fire. I would like to thank every single armed forces member for their service and welcoming persons like me in to their ranks.
& you have it, Five-Eyes.
I'll say it again, a Big Thank you
For as much as Clarkson hoons about in Top Gear & Grand Tour, and often the character he shows off can be very offputting, his documentaries on the VC and the Greatest Raid of all are absolutely fantastic. He speaks with reverence in both of these, and has a genuine deep respect that comes across.
Just what I was thinking! Clarkson can be a right dick at times, but not here.
They are I cried watching it
There is a third one about PQ17 the artic convoy. It's very good too.
I was about to comment the same.
Celtic guy; well said. I loved top gear but I wished at the time he'd had done more like this.
You were lost for words, but your eyes spoke of the respect and awe…
Yep, very true. The eyes are the windows to the soul, so they say, and EBs eyes at various points, especially toward the end showed s very caring, respecting honourable Chap who, along with many of us I am sure, was incredibly moved by the takes of true heroism that came out in that video.
You put it perfectly brov👊🇬🇧🏴
As an Englishman I just wanted to say that your respect for these stories is very much appreciated, it seems you are going in these with an open mind, as we know different countries get taught different versions of history so often what we think we know is true turns out to be totally different. Thank you, I wish more contributors showed the same fairness you do.
Well Said Rod.
Nicely put.
My Grandfather used to be a hair dresser until he
fought at Arnhem, he was in the parachute regiment and landed in a glider. He was shot in the knee, made deaf by gunshots /explosions and then had to swim across the rhine despite the injuries.
He kept a small museum of arhem artefacts for the rest of his life and went back every year to see the dutch people. going back one last time after his death so he could be buried with his comrades in arms in oosterbeek cemetery
I'm in floods of tears watching this. The bravery of these men is so very humbling and yet they don't feel they did anything special - it's awe inspiring.
John Cruickshank did get his VC in case you thought he didn't. He's still alive. He recently had his 101st birthday.
Good lad
Excellent news, regarding a valiant Human Being. God bless him and watch over him still. Thank you very much for this information, I appreciate it.
Wounded 72 times and reaches 101 - his Guardian Angel must be working overtime!
And the "degree of self-perservation" is clearly undermined by the fact that he stayed in the air for an hour, with seventy-two wounds, in order to maximise the chances of survival for his crew, whilst vastly lowering his own.
Sir, I salute you..you are a greater man than me!.😔🙏
This was 1 hour 26 minutes and 5 seconds well spent.
Very humbling to hear of this truly unreal level of bravery and all brilliantly presented by Clarkson and equally brilliantly and respectfully reacted to by you 👍🏻
I really loved this.My dads brother..my uncle served in the 1st Airborne Division Parachute Regiment in WW2...He was at Arhem in Holland ..and he was one of the few who made it back..We are all incredibly proud of him..he served for the whole of the war..He has many medals.."The Star of Arnhem" was a medal close to him..he lost so many friends there ..My uncle died last year aged 96..He lived a full and happy life and all the family adored him...Our own hero
My grandad was there too. Unfortunately, he never really spoke of it to anyone and he was suffering from alzheimer's by the time I was old enough to appreciate the situation. So I was never able to ask him about his experiences.
Utrinque Paratus, Chic !👍
My friend is a British soldier. He went to Iraq. He came back. Everything about him changed. He really was a lovely, funny guy. (I thought he'd be a comedian) He came back quiet and sullen. I talked with him, he told his story. I will not tell you his story. It is his story, not my story to tell.
Only his friends/family know his name. I will remember my friend's name, face, everything about him for as long as I live. The bravest man I have ever met.
I can't give him The Victoria Cross. I can't give him a medal but I can give him my love and respect. He taught me not to hate anyone. "Hate is useless," He told me.
I have known a few lads British and American and its the same story over and over,
Marikio D, lovely words my friend. Love how this US guy takes an effort to understand us, more than we often give the US credit for. Thanks
@@atlasjames3324 Thank you for a lovely compliment. It is much appreciated.
I like Eclectic Beard also. He seems down to Earth and the type of chap who is not judgemental. Seems like an all-around nice person.
No problem at all, may I say, your writing is excellent, too. Hope your friend is okay and looked after by the State.
@@atlasjames3324 My friend is fine now and is still in service. He has raised in the ranks and has gained a lot of respect from his fellow soldiers.
He's just one of those people who attract others to them. Charisma? He doesn't demand respect. He earned it.
I'm sure he is a fine soldier. I'm not in military service...So I haven't served with him...But if I ever had to serve, it would be an honour to serve with him.
Charles Hazlitt Upham, was a recipient of the Victoria Cross not once but twice! And the only fighting combatant, That guy was truly extraordinary big shout out to New Zealand!! 😁
And he quietly went back to being a sheep farmer in North Canterbury after the war.
Bravo, to the fine people of the 'Land of the Long White Cloud', a warrior people from both Poles live there. Hardy Scots and Hardy Maori. Humble, yet fearsome once roused. God bless them.
They wear all fighting....
One of 3 people to get the medal twice.
@@davidqbs The other two were doctors. Most would argue getting it while not being able to defend yourself is a higher honor, on the flip side Charles is distinguished because he was a combatant and that honor wasn't normally given to combat soldiers. Either way you look at it all three of them are extraordinary.
one kiwi soldier won the vc twice, when the second one was awarded the king was reluctant to give someone a second vc considering he never died, and asked his commanding officer did he really deserve it, his CO said he probably should get another half dozen
Only 3 people won two VC's. two won their second one in WW1, Charles Upham one his in WW2 and was the only combat soldier to win 2 (the other two winners were medical officers). Read the article on Charles Upham 'Badass of the week' amazing reading of an incredible humble man.
He, (to his credit, truly did, make this statement.
Proud to be a kiwi
Just following on from that documentary, as many Commonwealth countries move to more independent positions on military matters new Zealand, no doubt among others, has reviewed it's honours system, the Victoria Cross is still available to our troops but is now the Victoria Cross of new Zealand and is awarded by the NZ govt.
The Officer in question was Major General Howard Kippenberger, I live just around the corner from where he lived before the War. Charles Upham should have been award another one for his actions during the breakout from Minqar Qaim in Libya. I have the book Mark of a Lion, the biography of Charles Upham, I also have a book on the breakout from Minqar Qaim, in which the Germans complained bitterly about the actions of the New Zealanders during the breakout, Geobbels himself complained that the Kiwis fought like Bolsheviks who'd drank too much vodka.
"It can never be taken away. You can go to the gallows wearing it. And no matter how many letters you have after your name, VC always comes first."
That just says something about being a VC winner.
Although not actually a requirement even the Chiefs Of Staff will salute any rank including Privates etc. who has the VC. That's the level of respect it commands
There is a big difference between the V,C and the congressional medal of honor, since its inception over 900 medals of honor have been rescinded (mostly through doubt cast over the validity of the actions of the recipient) but not a single V,C has ever been rescinded, what Clarkson said at the beginning is absolutely true, once you've got one no one can take it away, initially there were circumstances in which you would forfeit the medal but this was stopped by the opinion of king George V
"The King feels so strongly that, no matter the crime committed by anyone on whom the VC has been conferred, the decoration should not be forfeited. Even were a VC to be sentenced to be hanged for murder, he should be allowed to wear his VC at the gallows".
Fabulous and so it should
@@whovianhistorybuff I've given a similar reply below, I just couldn't remember which King it was, but a few were rescinded before his time. I recall that it was also King George that made the VC awardable post-humously.
Actually, it is required in QR (unless the Chief of Staff also holds a VC) as a VC has seniority over all ranks when saluting. Queen & HRHs only ones with higher seniority.
When my Dad was doing his national service in the 50's, the postman who delivered the mail to Woolwich Arsenal was a Victoria Cross recipient from the Second World War.
The guard would turn out and salute him when he arrived. Every day.
So, the video was produced in 2003. Since then, there have been 4 VCs awarded - Pte Johnson Beharry, Princess of Wales Royal Regiment (2004, Al-Amarah, Iraq); Cpl Bryan Budd, Parachute Regiment (2006, Helmand Province, Afghanistan); L/Cpl James Ashworth, Grenadier Guards (2012, Nahari Saraj District, Afghanistan); L/Cpl Joshua Leakey (2013, Helmand Province, Afghanistan). The awards to Cpl Budd and L/Cpl Ashworth were both postumous.
It,s not the first VC in Josh Leakeys family, Nigel Leakey was awarded the VC posthumously in 1941.
An Australian SAS Corpral as well in 2011 from action in Afghanistan.
@@mrh678 Australia has am honours system wholly seperate from the UK.
@@f0rth3l0v30fchr15t it's still the same gallantry award, eligible to any commonwealth solider, sailor or airman, from that same lump of metal, awarded by the crown. Thats like saying only British one's are genuine and they only count. All are equally worthy of praise and acknowledgment.
@@mrh678 No, it's not available to any Commonwealth soldier. India remains a member of the Commonwealth, but their highest gallantry award is the Param Vir Chakra. Indian soldiers are not eligible for any flavour of the Victoria Cross (and there are 4; the Victoria Cross for Australia, the Victoia Cross for New Zealand, the Victoria Cross (Canada) and the plain old Victoria Cross), because - like Australia - they operate their own honours system.
I've read a number of citations for VC recipients, I've always described it to people as something out of a video game, done in real life. Absolute respect to all of them.
Beautiful words at the end, my friend. We all love the heroes that died for us in such incredibly brave ways.
I'm British, and SOOOOOO proud to know of these Hero's, and family that fought in WW2 and die for their Country.
The VC winners are all legends every single one.
The mindfullness and thoughtfulness in your video, whilst speaking about those who have sacrificed, is in itself a mark of great respect. I hope that generations to come will remember our true hero's and give as much thought to their efforts and sacrifices as individuals such as yourself.
Jeremy Clarkson did a wonderful job doing this Documentary. The Twist at the end is Simply Superb
Brilliant documentary. His follow up "The Greatest Raid of All Time" about the St. Nazaire raid is compelling viewing.
I was going to suggest the same.
The Greatest Raid is must see viewing.
My grandad was actually on that raid and got captured. Unbelievably proud of that.
The Greatest Raid AMAZING STORY !
Highly recommended.
Anyone who can carry out light admin straight after having their leg blown off, deserves a medal.
I remember seeing Johnson beharry at a local rememberence parade. He was a private when he won the VC. I remember pointing out to a colleague that all senior ranks have to salute a VC winner first, simply because if you've done something that earns you a vc then everyone owes you respect.
Well, technically they don't *have* to, but they often do simply out of respect as you say.
There have actually been 4 VCs awarded since this documentary was aired. Of those four, two - Johnson Beharry (in Iraq) and Joshua Leakey (in Afghanistan) are alive, and the other two (Bryan Budd and James Ashworth, both Afghanistan) were posthumous.
Alan this may be your best reaction, truely touched me your heart felt sorrow and awe ..........ty brother
Jeremy Clarkson, the presenter, is an utter genius when it comes to story telling, I highly recommend his documentary “the greatest raid of them all”
Great docu
And his documentary on PQ17
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
🙏🏼🌹
Good to see Binyon's words as written. They were mangled in 'The Family of Blood'
I've seen this documentary numerous times, and as a Brit, I still choke up with pride hearing about these heroes.
your silence was potent, just shows how impactful their stories are.
god bless all who fought for us, and those who still are fighting.
Private Wakenshaw was from my home town. He was awarded the VC for firing his 2 pounder anti tank gun at German tanks. His position was shelled & he lost an arm but kept loading & firing til he was killed. There's a stained glass window in Newcastle Cathedral celebrating his gallantry.
That is pretty amazing. The ones that fight even when others would have given up, especially after losing a limb, before losing their life. Astounding.
For our tomorrow he gave his today, what a brave man....E
@@TheEclecticBeard I would recommend that you watch ‘The Greatest Raid Of All’ or the Chindits.
I've actually seen his VC & his 2 pounder gun when they were on display in the Durham Light Infantry museum.
Has a road named after him aswell.👍
Beard, you have to mention a man dear to my heart and my city of Liverpool. His name is Noel Chevasse. One of only 3 men to ever win 2 victoria crosses and the highest decorated soldier in british history. Were talking about the first world war. He wasn't from my city of Liverpool, but was a doctor and medical officer with the Liverpool Scottish regiment. He continually went into no mans land under fire, to rescue the injured or dead. After being seriously injured in the battle of Guillemont , he recovered from his injuries and continued going out into no mans land to recover the injured. He sadly died in the early stage of the battle of Passchendaele in August 1917, to gain a second Victoria Cross, and to become the most highly decorated British officer of the first world war. I' m 65 years old and we learnt about this in school. Many pubs still have photgraphs of this man upon their wall. We have in my city, a small park in Liverpool city centre called Chavasse Park and a statue of the man in Liverpool's university south quarter, in Abercromby Square. If you ask all of the young people or students who walk past the statue, I guarantee none of them will know who he is, or even care. They will be more interested in the Kardashians. This is sad.
Watch the story of Noel Chevase, a medic from the Liverpool Scottish regiment. This man had true bravery, was awarded 2 Victoria crosses, but was mortally wounded while rescuing injured soldiers.
This documentary and Clarksons other one 'the greatest raid of all' are The best stories I've ever watched ❤ so happy to see you react to this fabulous story x
Totally agree 100% I'd love to see more documentaries from Clarkson.
He did another documentary about the Arctic convoys. Well worth a watch.
love that one 100% should watch
Would highly recommend
Agree both documentary’s by Clarkson are brilliant
I've seen this programme about 5 times & i still get tears in my eyes every time, there are just no words to describe these people or their story's . Utter respect! Thank you EB for a great video!
Just watched this video of yours reacting to this brilliant documentary. I personally had the pleasure to meet our Australian hero Keith Payne VC who is featured in this video. I knew of him as I was a nurse at a Vietnam Veterans Hostel, he was humble and quiet and still had that steely look in his eyes. At no stage did he ever speak of his medal and was just interested in the men we had there and how they were and if they needed anything, this is the essence of a hero always thinking of others at all times. Ty for your reaction
Keep Safe Keep Strong 🦘🦘🦘🦘❤❤👍👍
Legends all of them. It takes an extremely brave man to win a VC.
Some people are mentioning ‘A bridge to far’ for the events of operation market garden but a better film is ‘Theirs is the glory’ as it is filmed by the very soldiers that that took part in the battle but it’s also filmed a year afterwards so all the destruction is still there. It’s available on RUclips and is just over an hour long.
In the film there are NO actors or over dramatised events just soldiers documenting what happened during that battle.
I prefer A bridge too far but I'm bias. They were shooting it in my hometown as I was being born.
John Frost was one of the Military Advisers on a Bridge too Far. In one scene he said to Anthony Hopkins (who played Frost) “you got that wrong.”. “What did I do wrong there?” “No British officer would duck, let alone run, to avoid enemy fire!”
The movie does a decent job of conveying what happened. As a companion to Cornerlius Ryan's excellent book A Bridge Too Far, I think it does the job.
What a great shout. I watched that only a few weeks ago
Thanks for the tip, great to know.
My Father was taken prisoner in Arnhem. He was treated with a great deal of respect by German soldiers.
My great uncle fought there as well when I told him I was joining the army he was dead against it
WW2 history is full of anti-German propaganda.
@@vaxfiles9529 well they did start it
@@vaxfiles9529 genocide will do that! The fact you cannot differentiate between the country as a whole and an individual beggers belief
@@vaxfiles9529 Victor's write history
This just went to show how much of the victory in WW2 was down to the average man on the ground and their common valour as opposed to top brass a thousand miles away. As for
Medals being sold, as they chap says, they become priceless, most often ending up on display in museums after the death of the recipient. And I 100% agree about that soldier, with gonads of pure steel like that they could make a medal 2000% tougher than any made from a canon 🤣 also this is a bit out of date the latest winner was lance corporal (now sergeant) Leaky of the paras, for utterly astounding bravery in Afghanistan.
Lance Cpl Leakey won the VC in 2015. His story is incredible, his action saved an American commander as well as those he served with from heavy fire. If I remember rightly, he ran through machine gun fire to get hold of 2 of their own MG's to suppress enemy fire to aid the evacuation. I don't want to lessen his story, I'd ask people to read up on him though. Immense.
I think he is still serving too.
Interesting thought from King George V "The King feels so strongly that, no matter the crime committed by anyone on whom the VC has been conferred, the decoration should not be forfeited. Even were a VC to be sentenced to be hanged for murder, he should be allowed to wear his VC on the scaffold."
As for selling a VC, It could be a way to raise funds after falling on hard times, or families selling It so as not to argue over it.
These days if a winner was found to have said something not PC there would be a clamour for it to be taken off them. The balance and context no longer exists in our society
@@redf7209 Yes, I'm sure modern "cancel culture" would burn down their own neighbourhood to demand it be rescinded.
At least 2 men sold their VC's during their lifetimes. One, as far as I remember, did so to raise money to re-roof his cottage.
@@redf7209 not true, it still cannot be removed.
@@fivenine5905 I never said it could be, but this wouldn't stop the victim industry campaigning for it
This might be the best reaction video I've ever seen
Watching someone else truly _appreciate_ something really warms my salty British heart
After seeing that programme i feel a absolute rsole for the thoughts and feelings iv'e had for Clarkson. All i can say is I'm ashamed of myself and brilliantly presented. Thank you Mr Clarkson.
The greatest tribute I've seen done to their father-in-law.
Anyone that has VC after their name deserves everyone's total respect. Thanks for watching this.
In my (worthless) opinion this is your finest reaction yet.
As an Englishman that has never served but lost a grandfather and a great-grandfather to WW1 and WW2 I have an endless respect for these men. and your reactions, stunned and silent as they oft times were. replaced a thousand useless words.
Beautifully and respectfully done Sir.
Thank you.
Brit here. I stumbled upon your video - and I'm incredibly glad I did. First of all your appreciation for how so many of our documentaries are made can really be felt. Having not seen this previously I'm incredibly humbled by it, and by extension, your reactions to it. Reaction videos done right. Godspeed EBR. Wonderful video. All the very best.
The VC is much, much harder to win than any other medal awarded by any country in the world. All British Soldiers look upon any holder as something akin to a god, someone inspirational, someone who deserves the utmost respect.
My Dad's cousin Sgt Stan Bralee was a glider pilot on the Arnhem raid and was killed there. While I was serving with the RAF in Germany I went to see the memorial which his name is inscribed.
The most potent line from this whole thing is the statistic about how many of these men were the responsible elder brother in a single-parent or large family. They're someone who's grown up fast, got used to sacrificing their own needs for those of the people in their care, and when they see these people they love getting cut down, they will do ANYTHING to stop that happening. It's not about death or glory, it's about family.
Jeremy Clarkson might be considered a knob in Top Gear, but here he has a respect for these heroes. Cudos Jezza!
@@stevehughes6627 Well he is a bit of a tosser but he's also very entertaining and a great presenter. I'm not sure I'd like to know him, but I definitely like watching him on TV.
Similarly, I thought I liked James May until I saw a clip from in Japan where he had a completely juvenile argument about a shot and for some reason included it in the cut. I now know I'd think he's a wanker in person (as his crew probably does), but I still enjoy watching his stuff.
Show me the responsible child in a family, either the oldest or youngest and I will show you a potential hero
The greatest hero to deserve the Victoria Cross has to be Noel Chavase, who was a medic during the first world war. He served in the Liverpool Scottish regiment, my home city. He won 2 Victoria crosses, one of only 3 men to ever do this. My city has a statue to honour this man and a small area of the city centre is called Chavase Park.
Read his story. He walked into no man's land unarmed, to rescue injured soldiers, he was seriously injured and crawled over half a mile to his line. He spent a long time recovering and went back to the front line to rescue injured soldiers, where he died.
Noel Chavase also has a bust in Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral. Ironic, as his father was the Anglican Bishop of Liverpool who was instrumental in getting this wonderful building constructed.
Even if this medal is won by the lowest ranker, EVERY rank, from fellow private to Field Marshall will salute first. They are saluting the medal as much as the man who won it.
I had the great privilege and pleasure to become friends with Ray Sherrif, a veteran of the Western Desert, the landings in Sicily and a survivor of the battle of Arnhem. He was in his eighties when I got to know him, but was still incredibly active, cycling long distances on the back of a tandem with accompanied by a sighted rider and often to be seen on his exercise bicycle in his garage. As far as I can remember, I think he was 83 when he did his last parachute jump into Arnhem to mark the 60th anniversary of the battle.
I was teaching in the school next door and, as smoking was forbidden on the campus, a group of us ended up on the street round the corner. Betty, Ray's wife, saw us and invited us into their garden and to use their garage if it was raining. Wonderful people! Ray's account of his service was always delivered with humour and with absolutely no regrets, despite his horrific injuries.
He told me of the moment he was shot in the chest in the desert -
"I rolled down the back of a dune and lay there. The Sergeant Major came up to me and asked me what had happened. 'Shot in the chest, Sgt Major,' I answered." To which the Sergeant Major replied, asking him why he hadn't shaved that morning . . . He couldn't stop laughing when he told me this. And, his description of his experiences at Arnhem, his injuries and the fact that he credited the German doctors for saving his life were spell binding.
When he died, I attended his funeral at Brighton Crematorium. There was an Honour Guard of young soldiers from the Parachute Regiment and many friends there to say their farewells.
An amazing man!
Here's a link to an article, giving more detail of his life and service. I hope it works: www.paradata.org.uk/people/raymond-g-sheriff
My great grandfather got the victoria cross in first world war , he saved lives and came back to yorkshire with sickness from damage to his lungs by mustard gas , laura
You must be very proud and I expect you are a remarkable woman.
Amazing the gift our forbears gave to us at such great cost to themselves 💫
Respect.
That's horrendous, soldiers now are very lucky it's a war crime to use gas attacks now
@@HappyBear376 FFS, just because she is a female you are on the prowl. "I expect you are a remarkable woman". Jesus, you don't even know her. What? You expecting a conversation and then maybe a phone number??? 😂 Absolute sad.
My great grandfather never won the VC but similar to yours was gassed in the war and retuned home after his service with damaged lungs which affected his health until his death from the damage in the 1920's. His hand coloured photograph hangs in my mothers hallway, when she passes, it will hang in mine and my daughter and nieces are determined it will hang in one of theirs after my passing. I have his service medals and his silver plated cigarette case given to him by a German serviceman.
i love how clarkson is so good at telling these storys just rewatched this vid today its so good
One of the best reactions I’ve seen….we can clearly see what you were feeling, genuine emotion there….keep doing what your doing, respect 👍🏻🇬🇧
Initially the V,C was going to be inscribed with the words
"For Bravery"
but queen Victoria actually overruled this by saying that the word didn't separate its recipient from the pack as in her words "all my soldiers are brave" so instead they went with the words
"For Valour"
and in the official statement for the criteria of receipt they use the word gallantry instead of bravery.
They were ordinary People, until their decisions & actions in a desperate, situation.. Turned them into extraordinary People! ... Thank You for reacting to this Eclectic, Your Humanity shines through as always! 👍🇬🇧🇺🇸
Again, deep respect to you for making the effort react to meaningful content - This was just exceptional... It's taken me twice the length of the video to get through it because I have to keep going back. Your "react" videos are not like most other "react" videos - You seem to be one of the rarer kind who make a sincere attempt to provide a service. Most react videos appear to be short changing the viewer. You're a good guy.
Peter de la Billière, bravo 👏 what a career that man had as well. Commanded the SAS during the Iranian embassy siege along with many other commands. Guys a legend in his own right.
Hi Alan! I love your reactions but your heartfelt reaction and real feeling on what is a sacred ground subject made me feel pride and, humble two! My Dad was a Bofors Layer, (front left seat) and part of 30 corps.; 123LAA RA. He landed on the 2nd wave on Sword Beach aged 20 and was later part of operation ‘Market Garden’. He had a very tough time, particularly at Nijmegen! He was in battle with the US 101 and 82nd Airborne. I was born in 1964, and grew up with my Dad screaming at night, most nights! I love him and miss him so much! I always think: WHAT WOULD DAD DO”! The US and British fought and died together and still do.! Thank you Alan, your reaction means so much to me! When you get to come to the UK I would be privileged to take your family at ‘The Ritz’. You and I can have a few bottles of champagne, (not Moët). Keep doing what you do Alan!!! I’m crying but I’m grateful too! Take care Mate and keep safe!
Good to see another Eamonn out there... Mrs C ,s uncle RIP who served with the East Lancashire regiment at Nijmegen sadly succumbed to his wounds ,her dad was with the Chindits, my dad was with the RAF ,Egypt Libya and Malta and finally in Germany, best wishes from the wirral...E
@@eamonnclabby7067 Hi Eamonn! Total respect and gratitude to your wife’s Uncle, her Dad and your Dad! May they sleep soundly, at last, and finally at peace! These are the Hero’s!!!
Many thanks ,sir,peace and love from the wirral....E
What a lovely reply. I agree with you about the respect he gave our troops listening to J Clarkson presenting.
This documentary was made in 2003, in the years since only 7 more have been awarded. 5 of which were to New Zealand and Australian troops who now get their own VC rather than the British one.
I think if you consider the intensity of operations that troops from Britain, New Zealand and Australia have been involved in since 2003 it more than adequately demonstrates the level of valour recipients demonstrate.
Still a British medal awarded by a British Queen.
They wouldn't get it if they weren't in the commonwealth.
May I say as a British chap myself, you showed this documentary the honourable men in it and the Victoria Cross the degree of respect that I in turn respected, often you see these American Generals with most there uniform covered in medal ribbon but the British are so much more reserved in giving out medals 🎖️ as we don’t tend to give them out for Willy nilly like for guarding a car park (car lot). 😂
My great uncle won the second highest in the Military Medal in WW1 for bravery he was about 20 or 21 years old and literally walked into German lines and bought back to the British side 3 wounded soldiers...THREE TIMES!!!...no one knew about this until the day he died where the medal and citation were found in a drawer. He never even spoke about it.. he has passed now but a brave brave man, and has my utmost respect.
I had the pleasure of knowing a gentlemen that was honoured with the Victoria Cross WW2 served with the Indian Army
And they never say, humble and brave
Almost an hour and half dedicated to the awarding of the VC and not 10 mins shows exactly how respectful you are. Fantastic stuff. Thank you
Alan,I applaud your understated reaction to this video given with the respect it deserves. Thank you for understanding the honour iin which we in Britain hold these brave men.
These people are a breed apart!! Their stories are magnificent and humbling!! Their bravery is awe inspiring!!
My dear departed father had been in the British army since he was 14 years old. During the war, he earned, one of the few, the DCMs (Distinguished Conduct Medal) and was presented to King George. So very proud of him. He would never tell me why he earned that medal.
He is lucky to be departed, finally he got to be away from that sh1t nation, only to return to be given that medal, that sucks. If it were me i would decline that medal and say rather than a medal i would like to see this country fall to crumbles. Then he would have my respect. Failure nation you live in is a clown country.
My Grandfather, a WW2 veteran once said "the difference between heroism and stupidity is often just the outcome" , he probably had a nuanced opinion on it being an MM holder.
Rifleman Gurung's story is even more incredible when you consider that this was the era of bolt-action rifles. Back then you didn't fire thirty shots before reloading like with a modern military rifle, you had to cycle it manually between each shot like a hunting rifle.
I live in Bury,home of the Lancashire Fusiliers.One of their proudest claims is the regiment earned six VCs before breakfast on one terrible day in April 1915 as they stormed the beach at Gallipoli.One thousand men landed and six hundred of them were killed or wounded.No other regiment can possibly equal this reward for their bravery.
honestly its so humbling to hear of these stories and i love to hear everything that is Great about my great country and it truly makes me feel proud to call myself a Great British Citizen as i am able to say these are the stories of my fellow countrymen and i hope all that i do in my life makes their sacrifice worth it.
The highest amount of Victoria’s Crosses were awarded at the battle of Rorke’s drift when just over 100 men defended a garrison against thousands of Zulu warriors definitely something worth reacting to.
Or, more recently - the battle of Mirbat.
@@wessexdruid5290 Absolutely! The whole squad's actions were phenomenal, but how Sgt. Talaiasi Labalaba didn't get a V.C mystifies me.
@@bigal6352 Because it would have shone a light on a war that was supposed to be hidden, to try and prevent it becoming another Vietnam.
the most VCs won in the shortest time goes to the lancashire fuseliers at gallipoli their proud boast is ,, six VCs ...... before breakfast
They don't teach that history in our schools anymore...man our history classes were interesting
I truly appreciated the reverence, humility and quite emotion you've shown in presenting this program. Thank you.
The American Unknown soldier from WW1 was awarded the VC posthumously.A lot of Soldiers sell their medals,because Governments treat them like shit after they've given their bodies and sanity for mostly unnecessary wars.
And the British unknown soldier was also awarded the MoH
What is almost more incredible than the acts they done to receive the VC is the unreal level of humbleness of the recipients. It blows my mind how humble they are and often feel like they didn’t deserve to receive it for doing the most extraordinary deeds. Every single recipient is beyond worthy of that recognition
Very humbled to see the admiration from the presenter.
I've followed you maybe 2 years I love the way your comment when it's comedy or historic, you come across a good man with true beliefs of life
Laura Bradford God bless the memory of your Great Grandfather, we who live in Great Britain thank him for his service
Jeremy needs to make more historical documentaries
he has done so, from Normandy to Berlin...no doubt it is searchable
@@rmcguire7033 I think they just want more, so do I.
Good shout on those two though!
"Only" between a fifth and a sixth of Medals of Honour are awarded posthumously. About a quarter of VCs are awarded posthumously. Although the British have been far more heavily involved militarily since the medals were instituted in 1856 and 1861, far fewer VCs have been awarded.
Of the Few VC's Awarded in my lifetime, Johnson Beharry's Story has to be the most Inspirational, That Man has a Head so Tough that the next Generation of Tank Armour should be named after Him. Highly recommend reading His Autobiography.
I've visited the city of Arnhem and the Memorial to the Airborne troops.
Through out the city the Winged Pegasus flag of the airborne division fly, the people have never forgotten the sacrifice made to try to free them. Each year on the anniversary Dutch school children lay flowers on the graves of the fallen at the War cemetery.
totally agree... their dedication to remember our dead, as well as the Polish and Americans who participated in Market Garden is fantastic
However ,if only the British high command and general boy browning had listened to the Dutch underground,and understood from Dutch milltary exercises prior to 1940 that the thrust down one highway like thirty corps did... Well none of this would have happened...maybe a broad Patton inspired attack would have been better... Afterall the gun was cooked by this staged...and all over by the shouting...
That's so nice of them.
@@roybennett6330 Please don't insult this conversation and the bravery of the people we are honouring here by mentioning the Patton. The man was an egotistical, self gratifying moron who would ignore orders if it suited him or he just took fright (like at Falaise). He was a danger to his own men and especially any Brits he was supposedly fighting with (like in Sicily). Ike made his biggest mistakes in not firing him in the 3 chances he had.
A German General who fought on both the Eastern and Western fronts, said that British Paras were by far the best soldiers he faced during the entire war.
Willhelm Bittrich
@@Bullet-Tooth-Tony- Is that the name of the General, if it was, thanks.
@@ianpodmore9666 Yes. the quote was "In all my years as a soldier, i have never seen men fight so hard"
Do we know the creation of SAS was an English derived idea after WW1 for A Specialized Service Unit in future Arenas.
This first SAS unit comprised mainly of NZ Soldiers.
Since, our SAS Has operated covertly in most Arenas of Warfare with massive praise !
Would I be right to think you have served your country on the battlefield, for whatever the reason?
You may be keen on our view of the NZ SAS Recruiting Program, truly hard & humble Killers!
NZ SAS RECRUITMENT DOCO!
Would be interested in you're veiw!
Keep up the good work!
What an amazing documentary! I also enjoyed your reactions to this.
The morning that the north end of the bridge fell there was one radio transmission made that was short and simple “ out of ammunition, god save the king”
Brilliant reaction Alan, mate. One of your very best. You simply HAVE to do the follow up docco to this. The Raid on Saint Nazaire. It was the ultimate suicide mission and is utterly astonishing. The bravery shown in the face of death is incredible. You couldn't write it.