I currently live in Arnhem, the British paratroopers are honoured every year. The bridge that Clarkson mentioned is now called the John Frost bridge, after the major who led the defence of the British positions. He and Cain are both regarded as heroes in Arnhem.
I recommend any American to watch 'Name a country... We have defeated them', and 'Al Murray vs Americans' (RUclips), to bring them back down to earth ("because yer dreamers, arn't ya?"), but someone like Theo who does take the time and trouble to educate himself beyond the limits of the parochial American school system would take those videos in the intended good (British) humour and enjoy them immensely along with the rest of us. I think he already knows us very well from his working with the best of British (is anyone funnier than the average British Army squaddie?) I have no higher repect than for anyone who serves their country, whichever country it is.
@@CombatArmsChannel The Brits managed to negotiate not to go to Vietnam - the man talking was an Australian but he was eligible for the VC since the Queen is still Queen of Australia
@@RB-747 "Officially" not there... unofficially the SAS were there, and Brits also helped train US and South Vietnamese troops in counter-insurgency in the early days of the conflict.
My great grandfather won one in world war I, but he never came home. My great grandmother went to Buckingham palace to be given it by King George 5th in 1919. I only found out when my grandad found me watching this documentary a few years ago and told me that his dad won one. I actually got to see it up close it is a lovely understated medal and I am very proud to say my great grandfather earned one in world war one.
My great uncle served in France in WW1, he won one as well but also never made it home. I believe he got it for something like sneaking behind enemy lines and gathering information which helped French and British forces win a battle. I don't remember much.
General Eisenhower (future president) said that the British soldiers fighting at Arnheim was the bravest action of the entire war. I think this is the 4th time I've watched this documentary, it's incredible. Good video.
@David Marks Yes, the Commando raid on St Nazaire was amazing and they made an excellent documentary on that too, which I think is still available on More 4. Watch the series called "Commando", its' about 15-20 years old but brilliant.
@David Marks it definitely bears in comparison. Although the commandos embarked on what was nothing less than a suicidal raid and willingly went, Arnhem saw 9 days of pure violence and carnage (men were literally going stark mad by the end)
Modest men back then If I was honoured enough to have a Victory Cross I would be telling everyone I could every minute I got.I would literally be wearing it daily.
My uncle had a DCM we only discovered after his death, my father never spoke much of his time in the forces, we had the odd mention - such as a parachute which didn't open and the war that never was - turned out that was the battle of mirbat I think the whole they didn't see themselves as doing something anyone else wouldn't have done is right. They did what they felt had to be done, not for reward but for those with them
You should take a look at Jeremy Clarkson`s documentary about the attack on St. Nazaire its called "The Greatest Raid of All" it is one of my favorite documentaries on any subject, i think Clarkson should of made more documentaries because he drags you into the story like no one else.
@@jono_cc2258 I've tried to find that one. Not sure if it's been copy right claimed already but I can't find it which is a shame as I'd love to hear his insight into it. I've seen his video on the animated version of it that he done a while ago but can't find the one he did with Jeremy
I know you have reacted to a video on the St Nazaire Raid but you have to watch Jeremy Clarkson's video/documentary on The Greatest Raid of All. A brilliant follow up to his Victoria Cross video.
Please note; the General talking throughout the documentary, Peter de la Billière, was an SAS Commanding Officer and later Director SAS. It was during this command the Iranian Embassy siege occurred. He is well known for convincing Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf (who was initially sceptical) to allow the use of the SAS and other special forces in significant roles in the Gulf War.
I served alongside Peter de la Billiere in Oman during the Dhofar rebellion back in the early 70s.. He was a kind thoughtful guy who was very helpful to myself and my unit... A good man....!
There's an apocryphal story that the Israeli's were so worried about the scuds during the Gulf War that they were ready to send in fighter bombers to start taking them out before the coalition was ready. But Schwarzkopf knew that if a single Israeli plane crossed the border the Arab allies would likely cancel the whole deal. To calm them down he told them that special forces were already behind enemy lines. What special forces? they asked British SAS The Israeli's backed down Then Bravo Two Zero happened
When you go to the Palace to receive the VC, you are always presented first. Officers, no matter what their rank ,Lords and Royalty all have to wait for you.
Unless an officer is also getting a VC in which case the officer is awarded first, sir leonard cheshire actually stopped the king and ask that the other VC recipient be awarded their VC before him as he thought they were more worthy. Unfortunately I can’t off the top of my head remember the other guys name but I do remember they were an RAF Sgt and they climbed into the wing of a flying plane to try to put out a engine fire.
30:00 The British didn't go to Vietnam - WO Keith Payne VC is Australian. Many of the Commonwealth Realms continued to award British honours for decades after becoming fully independent. Payne was the last Australian to win the original VC. Australia, Canada and New Zealand now all have their own versions of the Victoria Cross named after (and formed in the same manner as) the original British one.
Humbling. Not many in the UK of that caliber these days. Our previous generations were a different breed and I am incredibly proud of them! My parents lived through WW2 and my father served in the war. I miss them and the stories they told of those days. Some compare the pandemic to the wars .....it's nothing like what they endured! Love your videos and appreciate the respect you have for the forces.
"In 1921, the British Unknown Warrior was awarded the US Medal of Honor and reciprocally, the Victoria Cross was presented to the American Unknown Soldier. This is the only ungazetted VC award and is included in the total of 1,358 awards" fun fact
@@davidskeet6220 Treading with care here, the George Cross is sometimes called the "civilian" Victoria Cross and accorded the same status. The key bit in the citations concerns actual contact with the enemy. For example, a bomb disposal operative who performed an exceptional act of valour might be awarded the George Cross on the basis that the enemy is not physically present. I struggle a little with that, as the enemy's intent is certainly present and might be physically present in some sophisticated IT fusing. Also in the case of Malta, regular visits by the Luftwaffe and Regia Aeronautica unloading a tonnage of HE on the Island really is contact with the enemy.
4:11 He's talking about post-nominal letters, say your name was John Smith and you won a Victoria Cross, you could write your name as, "John Smith, VC", say John Smith was also a member of parliament (MP), and had a bachelor's degree (BA). His name would be written, John Smith, VC MP BA, the VC is the most prestigious so it goes first. Post-nominal letter are placed after a person's name to indicate that the individual holds a position, academic degree, accreditation, office, military decoration, or honour, or is a member of a religious institute or fraternity.
Great to see you doing a video on my favourite subject, the battle of Arnhem. This operation has fascinated me since reading Cornelius Ryan's A Bridge Too Far, while I was in school back in 1977, a few months before the Hollywood movie came out. The movie is only about 50% accurate, so this whole topic is a huge rabbit hole that can take your whole life if you're not careful. This video about Robert Cain is just one of the great stories to come out of this. You seem to be a bit surprised by gliders being used. They were a way to get complete units into battle without the dispersal of paratroop drops, but the landings could be very dangerous with some total losses involved. After the war, the glider was ditched for the more flexible helicopter. Like the two US Airborne Divisions in the operation (82nd and 101st), the British 1st Airborne Division had a glider infantry element called an Airlanding Brigade, consisting of 1st Battalion The Border Regiment, 2nd Battalion The South Staffordshire Regiment, and 7th (Galloway) Battalion The King's Own Scottish Borderers. Robert Cain was commander of B Company in the Staffords. His unit flew in on Day 1 of the operation, but his glider had a problem in England and he had to restart with the second lift on Day 2 to join his Company. Airlanding battalions were more heavily equipped than a parachute battalion as they could take Jeeps and anti-tank guns that were organic to their units. Each Airspeed Horsa glider could carry a full platoon of 26 men (4 x 26 man platoons per Rifle Company, plus Company support and HQ elements, instead of 3 x 34 man platoons in a Parachute Company). British doctrine was gliders in first, paratroops land second. The Airlanding battalions secured the landing zones, while the paratroops arrived an hour later and moved to secure the bridge objectives. In the US Divisions, they landed all three of their Parachute Infantry Regiments first to secure objectives, then the Glider Infantry Regiment would land in a later lift to reinforce them. The American WACO gliders could only carry 13 men, so the unit carried would be based on a single squad. The WACO could carry a Jeep and a couple of men, or an artillery piece, while the Horsa could carry two Jeeps, or one Jeep and a trailer, or a Jeep and light artillery piece. The British also had large Hamilcar gliders that could carry two Universal Carriers (an armoured tracked vehicle used to carry stores, two allocated to each line Battalion) or a heavy 17pdr Anti-Tank Gun with Morris C8 Commercial Tractor, with the full gun crew riding in the tractor! American Army Air Force Troop Carrier Squadrons had pilots trained to fly the gliders, but they had minimal combat training and arms, so they had to be evacuated as soon as contact was made with ground forces. The British Glider Pilot Regiment was trained and equipped as light infantry, and the equivalent of two battalions went to Arnhem to fight, either as complete units, or as protection to the artillery units they carried. Great to see 10:09 Jack Reynolds MC of the South Staffords interviewed in this. The last time he was probably on film was a German propaganda film made when he was taken prisoner at Arnhem, and Jack is seen walking past flicking a defiant V-sign at the camera. Those images are also in a lot of books on Arnhem. He's a great character. Thanks for doing a reaction to this video and welcome to the Arnhem rabbit hole!
@@lotuselise4432 - I had no idea he took a factory job after the war. That is a horrendous comedown after his military career before and during the war. I don't really understand why he was scapegoated in the way that he was. It appears that the Polish Brigade was at first praised for its bravery at Arnhem, including by Montgomery, and then suddenly there was a change in attitude from senior British officers. As far as I can see the only problem with the Brigade, apart from Sosabowski's outspoken criticism of the Market Garden plan, was that the Polish troops had a tendency to go at the Germans in an undisciplined way, including firing on German medics wearing the Red Cross insignia. The Germans did not trust the Poles one bit and thought this was unusual behaviour by the British until they realised the Airborne troops they were facing south of the Rijn had different insignia on their British uniforms and were in fact Poles. This ties in with stories from the Battle of Britain in which Polish pilots still undergoing training would go after any German planes they saw, ignoring orders to disengage and return to base. Sosabowski's criticism of his British superior officers was probably regarded as an unforgivable lack of discipline, and the perception of being proved right when Market Garden failed probably made it even worse. In my view, there is no doubt the failure of Market Garden was not due to the myriad things that normally happen when a plan makes contact with reality, but was due to the American failure to secure the critical Nijmegen bridges in the first few hours, when the bridges were defended by just a few Luftwaffe Flak crews. Contrary to the impression created by the Hollywood film A Bridge Too Far, the operation was still on schedule for XXX Corps to reach Arnhem in 48 hours, but they found the bridges at Nijmegen still in German hands when they arrived there within 45 hours, with just 11 more miles to Arnhem. When the blame game started after the operation ended in failure and the virtual destruction of the British 1st Airborne Division at Arnhem, the Americans blamed the British for the plan, the intel, the weather, and anything else they could think of, and the British it seems were reluctant to point the finger at their American allies, so they seemed to have chosen to pick on Sosabowski and the Poles instead. This was also grossly unfair because the Polish drop was delayed (by weather) until the point where it was reinforcing a defeat, and Market Garden was probably beyond saving by then, whatever the Poles did.
@@davemac1197 Sosobowski told them the plan would fail but he still went in, he gained experience during WWI and was badly wounded. Remember, "The worst thing that a subordinate can do is to question orders and to be proved right." Do a search on Laguna's Spitfire as a friend of my cousins is running the project its about Laguna from 303, my Mother served in 305 and my Father was a Navy man ended up on the worst Journey on Earth aka The Russian Convoys, he was a stoker the worst job on a ship during war time. Also Sosobowski's co workers never new about his past and my mates Father was also working at that factory, he was an ex cavalry officer. Watch Jeremy Clarkson's What it takes to win the Victory Cross. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanisław_Sosabowski Also watch Tony Hibbert's youtube vid You also have to remember the Poles had a hatred for German's, ruclips.net/video/POi3b2QHrc0/видео.html
@@lotuselise4432 - and yet the plan nearly worked. The real bridge too far was at Nijmegen and not Arnhem. I've seen Tony Hibbert's video interview and have a lot of respect for his views - he was the Brigade Major at the Arnhem bridge and he certainly doesn't think they failed at Arnhem, although he was disappointed that his Brigadier rejected his suggestion over the radio that 3rd Battalion push on for the bridge on the first night, when the German positions in the town were still fluid. I think Hibbert was absolutely right. Interesting article about the Polish Spitfire. I currently live just six miles from the old Castle Bromwich factory where it was built - it now produces Jaguar cars for JLR and the Spitfire sculpture on the roundabout at the Castle Vale end of the plant is known locally as "Spitfire Island".
Thanks for showing this brother 🙏 this is my Great Uncles VC - his brother's my Grandad John Cain, James and Andrew Cain Won the Military Cross in WW2, my Father Thomas Cain Won the Military Cross in Korea and then went on the the SAS his written accounts are also amazing 👍🏻 thanks again for sharing this as I feel that all Veterans should be recognised and remembered more 🌟🙏 I will be doing a tribute next year for the 80th Anniversary of Arhnem!
We have the National Memorial Arboretum and "Historic England listed more than 2,500 war-memorials over the centenary period 2014-2018" most towns and villages have their own.
But most of our war dead are buried in Military Cemeteries overseas, in lands that they fell. I have an uncle in the Rangoon cemetery killed in WW2 as a Chindit. As a British soldier in Cyprus I was part of a working party cleaning up Military Cemetery in Nicosia - actually in no-mans land land between the Greeks and Turks - for a Remembrance parade.
It’s hard for me to watch these videos without breaking down... I’m in awe and very grateful for such folk and it never ceases to amaze me what these young lads did for the greater good, with such humility and integrity. Poor or posh... the ultimate. Thank you
Over the last few decades, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand have created their own Victoria Crosses, so their soldiers are no longer eligible for the British one. The Australian and New Zealand VCs look exactly like the British one; because it’s bilingual, Canada’s is inscribed in Latin, PRO VALORE instead of FOR VALOUR in English.
Im sure a few others have already mentioned but Clarkson's follow up documentary, the greatest raid of all time is an absolute must watch. Brilliant video as always mate.
Thank you for your respect that you gave on this video, and the respect you have shown to all the recipients of the VC. To you sir I say a massive thank you
The British army didn't participate in the Vietnam war. The US had stated a battalion of british troops would be worth a billion pounds as the UK wasn't doing well financially at the time and could probably use the cash injection. The UK government decided it was a fools errand (also the US president & British Prime Minister did not like eachother) and declined to participate. An offer was made to offer training to the US troops in jungle warfare but the US declined. The Australians participated though so I'd imagine the VC receipient at 30:00 is an Aussie rather than a Brit.
Indeed. Our local hero in the small town where I grew up, was John Brunt who won the VC - his day of bravery started when he picked up a Bren and killed 14 Hermann Goering Division troops in Italy en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Brunt
Smokey Smith, a Seaforth Highlander of Canada, also put a Piat to good use taking out tanks on the Moro River slogging through the mud and water up the east side of Italy. He also was awarded the VC. Sadly, we have no living recipients.
It is a point of pride for me to say that, my grandfather fought at Arnhem as a part of the Airborne Reconnaissance jeep squadron. He made it to the bridge, and was eventually shot in the wrist and captured. But he survived the war and came home. There is so much to learn about the battle itself at the individual level, even now. Great video dude!
Thank you for doing your reaction to this documentary about a great award, I've watched it many, many times, thank you for the respect you have shown 🇬🇧🇺🇸🇬🇧🇺🇸
I love hearing market garden getting coverage. I have a very personal connection to it. I have a family member who survived D-Day, Normandy, Holland, Belgium and the battle of the Sheldt, but it was in Nijmegen where he was surrounded and outgunned, and eventually met his future wife who helped his unit out with the Dutch resistance. I have family who would not be alive today if Market Garden hadn’t of taken place.
There is a 1977 film about operation 'market garden' called 'A bridge too far' about the attempt to take the bridge at Arnhem, The Netherlands. Many famous actors in the film. Worth watching
As a British Army veteran, you don’t fight for for anything else, other than the guy next to you, THEY are your family & you do absolutely anything to keep them safe regardless of your own. Those guys in WW2 were a different breed and each and every one of them has my maximum respect and gratitude for the sacrifices they made. ❤️🇬🇧 🇺🇸
Thanks for showing us some love and respect man. Having served alongside the US navy as a submariner I can firmly say there’s nothing but mutual respect between both sides. It makes me laugh when you see other military video comment sections arguing about who has the better trained forces etc, I can almost guarantee none of those people are actually in the forces. I for one am extremely proud to call the US one of our closest allies 👊🏼
Were a VC winner to be still serving, an example of the tradition and reverence shown to him by his comrades is that if he passed the drill square which had a parade being performed on it, any parade, whoever is in charge of the parade, ceremoniously calls the parade to attention and salutes him. In the 50's when I joined the army there was a Private VC in one of the Light Infantry Regiments who used to march past any parade being performed just so he got saluted. He apparently enjoyed it even more when the Colonel was in charge.
Arnhem is in The Netherlands. We have war graves everywhere. We have something called The National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire and when someone dies, the main memorial is closed whilst a name is added in the presence of the family with full military honors. The Victoria Cross is awarded for valour in the presence of the enemy but The George Cross is also given for valour when the enemy isnt present.
@@CombatArmsChannel I think they youngest winner of the georges cross (or the medal that became the georges cross) was an 11 year old girl who fought of a mountain lion that was attacking her 8 year old friend. It attacked her first, tearing a large chunk of her scalp off before her friend tried to help and it turned on him. She jammed her fingers in its eyes and stuck her arm in its mouth to stop it being able to bite down on her friend and eventually it retreated.
Just to add to Denises comment.The ‘commonwealth war graves commission’ look after the overseas military cemeteries worldwide. Where the vast majority of the fallen were buried.
thank you soo much for reacting to this video. i've seen it several times, but it's soo worth while taking time to respect those that have made huge sacrifice in the service of their nation. i'm not keen on jeremy clarkson, but i think the reverence and respect he brings to this (and his other vc video) is soo good. i only wish i had the courage the vc winners did. something to aspire to. i used to deliver fuel oil to residential properties in remote areas, and one day, one of my regular chaps wasn't there, only his good lady. he had passed on. on going through his documents, it turned out that he had been awarded the vc and never mentioned it. i have been privileged enough to hold a vc awarded to a brave soldier, and i'll never forget that amazing moment. i must admit, i was in tears at the time.
Like so many they never talk about winning a VC, I personally know the Australian man Keith Payne VC who won his VC in Vietnam and who was speaking in this brilliant documentary, I met him while nursing at a Vietnam Hostel for soldiers. Upon meeting this pleasant quiet man at an event I found a man who was interesting yet so humble. And it was only after speaking with him someone told me who he was. He never ever spoke about the events that won him a VC, too him it was something he had too do for his mates. You asked about referring to WINNING a VC, well that is just a term for being awarded or earning the medal. Yes a few have been won in recent years, but what has happened is countries who are part of the Commonwealth of Great Britain were authorised by Queen Elizabeth 2nd to award the VC with her approval, so here you win the VC Australia or in Canada say you win the VC Canada, all must still get her approval to be awarded. This was and still is a great Documentary, and that humble piece of used bronze is still the ultimate Medal to win, and like many it is not winning the medal that is tough they say it is living with it, as you become a symbol and are expected to always live up to its high standard.
I'm so overwhelmed, speachless, proud and honestly feel rather emotional when I hear stories like this. And respect to you for wanting to do this video irregardless of whether you earn from it or not. You're awesome mate, keep it up and I hope you enjoyed London
So glad you finally got to my joint favourite documentary of all time. Seeing your face with its obvious first time awe at how the VC,Mjr 'won' (hate that term too, achieved is more appropriate) his medal was a joy to see on your face Theo, mine was similar first time too. Glad you done the full documentary and were massively respectful to how this video was made was also great to see you learn why we Brit's hold this medal as the top medal in the world and need to point out that it has been won by many men from many countries (an Aussie and a Ghurka were both interviewed in this video as a small example but there's too many countries to mention here who have produced men of unbelievable calibre who have also been awarded this medal fighting for the HRH UK military, I salute all of them and also understand that they weren't actually fighting for our Monarchy, but their own friends and countrymen.) So was great to see you learn a little bit of its history. Obviously with it coming from that last bit of metal from that cannon makes it a finite medal to be given out which makes it that little bit extra special, at least to me. Hopefully never get to see what replacement it will get in my lifetime. Thanks Theo, was never sure if you would do this or not because of its length but would like to see you react to the other one Clarkson had done. "The greatest raid of all time" I think it's called, am sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong?. It has the most amount of VC's won in a single action ever and is my joint number 1 documentary on all war docs I've ever seen. It's a must watch even if you don't react to it but it has commandos being commandos which I know you will enjoy with the military background you have. If you're still in the UK, I hope it's living up to what you imagined and I hope you make it up here to Scotland but know that will be difficult with being based in London, although it's only an hours flight to get up here. Probably take you longer to get to the airport lol. Anyway, sorry for the book but you did finally do my favourite reaction video of all time here so deserves a decent comment. Of your back home now, hope you enjoyed your stay and finally... Adios amigo. Love from Scotland, UK to Washington, USA 🏴🇬🇧🤝🇺🇸💯❤
MP (Member of Parliament), americas equivalent of a senator. The statue near the start was of Queen Victoria which is infront of Buckingham Palace, she was the great great grandmother or great grandmother of the late Queen Elizabeth. Every year when planting and harvesting spuds near Telford i drive by those military buildings where the metal is kept and they are huge.
There have been 4 VCs awarded to British soldiers since this documentary was filmed. Pvt Johnson Beharry VC. Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment, Iraq 2004. (Awarded in 2005) Cpl Bryan Budd VC. Parachute Regiment, Afghanistan 2006. (Awarded posthumously) L/Cpl James Ashworth VC. Grenadier Guards, Afghanistan 2012. (Awarded posthumously) L/Cpl Joshua Leakey VC. Parachute Regiment, Afghanistan 2013. (Awarded in 2015)
Yea we do there’s the aldershot military cemetery Hamilton war cemetery royal naval cemetery Cambridge American cemetery Lowestoft cemetery Pembroke doc cemetery brookwood cemetery st Charles war cemetery and a lot more but I can’t fit them all on one text but there’s hundreds up and down Britain
In response to one of your questions, we have the National Memorial Arboretum near Alrewas. I must take a trip to see it. I watched this video with through mixture of tears of pride, admiration, and laughter at the mental image Clarkson portrayed of the scenes. Your reaction at "the twist" near the end was priceless! And brilliant to see. Thanks for sharing.
There are war cemeteries in the UK, but many of them are actually in the areas where they fell. The graves at El Alamein were amazing. But US soldiers are also buried overseas (e.g. in Normandy). * "Awarded" is more common, but "won" is not seen as derogatory.
Clarkson can often be an annoying and arrogant git but this documentary is 'by far' one of the best i've seen. Stunningly presented and a real tribute to the VC recipients it portrays. Sadly, there were undoubtedly many more hero's who's bravery went unseen or unrecognised. Respect to you all ❤
Oh my Gosh, I watched this a couple weeks ago and I had the exact same reaction as you did when he just nonchalantly at the end announced that this man was his father in law lol. I was like WHAT????? Twist is an absolute understatement for sure!!!! Awesome documentary, I hope he makes more like this about these people!
At 7:00 Clarkson was talking about how pre-Victoria Cross there was no medal for the rank-and-file soldier, only an acknowledgement in “Dispatches” (basically a printed mention) along with a multitude of other names of battle-participant soldiers. He was simply likening this with today’s newspaper-printed notification of students passing their Chartered Accountancy exams.
7:10 Chartered accountant is a professional license, kind of like passing the bar for a lawyer. Generally they have a degree in accountancy or finance or something similar. By the way, at 10:10 the man being interviewed (Jack Reynolds MC) has an MC after his name as it stands for 'Military Cross', the third highest award for gallantry. Equivalent to the US Silver Star. One important thing to realise is that the British VC was awarded to Commonwealth soldiers up until the 1990's. This excerpt from Wikipedia explains. "Beginning with the Centennial of Confederation in 1967, Canada, followed in 1975 by Australia and New Zealand, developed their own national honours systems, separate from and independent of the British or Imperial honours system. As each country's system evolved, operational gallantry awards were developed with the premier award of each system-the Victoria Cross for Australia, the Canadian Victoria Cross and the Victoria Cross for New Zealand". The Australian, Canadian, and New Zealand VC's were established in 1991, 1993 and 1999 respectively and have been awarded five times, never, and once respectively. 46:40 You're right it is old, clearly pre-2004 when the first VC for the Iraq and Afghanistan campaigns were awarded. Private [now Colour Sergeant] Johnson Beharry VC, Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment (Iraq 2004). Corporal Bryan Budd VC, Parachute Regiment, (Afghanistan 2006 - Posthumous). Lance Corporal James Ashworth VC, Grenadier Guards (Afghanistan 2012 - Posthumous). Lance Corporal [now Sergeant] Joshua Leakey VC, Parachute Regiment (Afghanistan 2013).
Always inspiring to hear the first hand accounts from the men who where there in the thick of it. Many “Amazing” stories (depending on how you look at it). Another great reaction to go along with it as well, great video!
lad im so glad i found this i was just watching the raid vid just about to comment this and i found it this is prob my favorite doc especially Clarckson
I can watch this and the greatest raid on repeat, another part in history that always fascinates me is the pipers of WW1. There was a Piper that won a VC he was ordered to play the pipes but he didn't just play them he got out the trench, walking up and down playing to the men, inspiring them into battle, it worked they stormed the German trench at speed going hand to hand combat untill the line was won and then onto the 2nd line, the Piper was with them over no man's land, no weapon just his pipes playing. His name is Daniel Logan Laidlaw VC nickname "The Piper Of Loos".
My great uncle was in the Para's fought in Arnhem. He hated talking about the war which sucked because I love the old stories. My grandad was in the royal artillery based in England, he was a gunner shooting down the German planes. Ww2 is so amazing and should never be forgotten 🇬🇧❤️
If I remember correctly, he requested in his Will for his ashes to be scattered on Hill 217, but Korean law didn't permit that to happen, so they are interred at the UN Memorial Cemetery in Busan.
2:10 The closest we have is Westminster Abbey, but that's not really for veterans. As far as I know, the only ex-military body is the Unknown Warrior, equivalent to your Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
“Winning” a VC is not intended in a competitive manner. It’s just a turn of phrase used (I think peculiar to the British) to mean having (often unintentionally) achieved such an accolade.
Earn or win doesn't matter, what matters is the award and joining the ranks of legend, of bravery and sacrifice...the names of the few. Love this long format.
As other's have said, you now need to watch the other Clarkson documentary, 'The Greatest raid Of All Time'. Truly amazing and horrific at the same time!
Thanks for this one Theo, such outstanding selflessness and bravery in the face of certain death is truly astonishingly heroic and coming from a millitary background I can honestly say I have the utmost respects and gratitude for all millitary servicemen/woman past and present. On a side note my father served in the British army for 36 years and saw action many times and was wounded in Cyprus, when he retired he joined the Royal Auxiliary Airfoce and was awarded in 1991 the M.B.E by her majesty for services rendered.
must have watched this at least 10 times now, it never gets old, same as the greatest raid, which you need to do next. always fills me with pride that the ghurkas choose to fight for us, mighty tigers from a distant land each with a sharp steele claw
I am blown away by how respectful and genuinely curious you are about other countries militaries, their honours and traditions. Thank you for reacting to this documentary. As a Kiwi I must also mention Charles Upham VC, the only combat soldier and 1 of just 3 recipents to receive 2 VC's or a VC medal with a bar. The other 2 were doctors I believe. It's widely believed Upham could have won at least 1 more VC for his actions in Crete (I think) but I'm not sure why this never came to be. I'm reading his new biography Searching For Chalire by Tom Scott now. Incidentally, NZ, Australia and Canada have their own separate VC's that are cast from the same Chinese cannonball as the British one. I've been honoured to meet Willie Apiata, NZ's first VC since WW2, Mark Donaldson and Ben Roberts Smith.
The was one Vc awarded in either Iraq or Afghanistan where a vehicle got attacked and one of the crew men with the vehicle on fire he had been shot in the head despite this he went back and got everybody out. If I remember correctly that’s what happened and remember it being on the news when he was awarded the Victoria cross at the MOD the senior officer who gave him the medal gave him a big hug which was unheard of
Johnson Beharry VC COG awarded 18th March 2005. Citation is here www.armytigers.com/persons/johnson-beharry-vc Massive head injuries and being on fire were no deterrent to this fine young man.
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I currently live in Arnhem, the British paratroopers are honoured every year. The bridge that Clarkson mentioned is now called the John Frost bridge, after the major who led the defence of the British positions. He and Cain are both regarded as heroes in Arnhem.
Thats great. Shame nobody mentioned things like this when the media went mad about Brexit lies. Thumbs up to tall Dutch friends everywhere.
Beautiful! ❤
Thank you for adding this. Id loves to visit Arnhem. Love from England 🏴
Thank you
@@Boric78I tried its shit
Let’s just take a moment to throw up some respect for combat arms channel for his continuous recognition of the UK and it’s warriors 👌🏻👌🏻
I recommend any American to watch 'Name a country... We have defeated them', and 'Al Murray vs Americans' (RUclips), to bring them back down to earth ("because yer dreamers, arn't ya?"), but someone like Theo who does take the time and trouble to educate himself beyond the limits of the parochial American school system would take those videos in the intended good (British) humour and enjoy them immensely along with the rest of us. I think he already knows us very well from his working with the best of British (is anyone funnier than the average British Army squaddie?) I have no higher repect than for anyone who serves their country, whichever country it is.
Always a pleasure 🤙
@@CombatArmsChannel The Brits managed to negotiate not to go to Vietnam - the man talking was an Australian but he was eligible for the VC since the Queen is still Queen of Australia
@@RB-747 "Officially" not there... unofficially the SAS were there, and Brits also helped train US and South Vietnamese troops in counter-insurgency in the early days of the conflict.
@@MrMairu555 That was the Aus/NZ SAS not the British SAS - although the British one did train personnel and perform some reconnaissance I believe
My great grandfather won one in world war I, but he never came home. My great grandmother went to Buckingham palace to be given it by King George 5th in 1919. I only found out when my grandad found me watching this documentary a few years ago and told me that his dad won one. I actually got to see it up close it is a lovely understated medal and I am very proud to say my great grandfather earned one in world war one.
My great uncle won one in North Africa, his picture is in Edinburgh Castle
My great uncle served in France in WW1, he won one as well but also never made it home. I believe he got it for something like sneaking behind enemy lines and gathering information which helped French and British forces win a battle. I don't remember much.
Respect and thanks for your families hard won VC members.
So glad you watched this! Watch Clarkson's other doc, The Greatest Raid of All, it's just as good.
Here, here!! That is a must!!
I've always thought The Greatest Raid Of All was even better
its a must see
Tibit, "i'll take it from here old boy". Classic british calm under pressure. The greatest generation we will ever know. Thank you.
The Greatest Raid is a must see documentary.
General Eisenhower (future president) said that the British soldiers fighting at Arnheim was the bravest action of the entire war. I think this is the 4th time I've watched this documentary, it's incredible. Good video.
@David Marks Yes, the Commando raid on St Nazaire was amazing and they made an excellent documentary on that too, which I think is still available on More 4. Watch the series called "Commando", its' about 15-20 years old but brilliant.
@David Marks it definitely bears in comparison. Although the commandos embarked on what was nothing less than a suicidal raid and willingly went, Arnhem saw 9 days of pure violence and carnage (men were literally going stark mad by the end)
Quick correction: Arnhem
I have never met clarkson but I know his ex wife Francie, she confirmed that no one in the family knew her father had a VC until he passed away.
So crazy haha
Modest men back then
If I was honoured enough to have a Victory Cross I would be telling everyone I could every minute I got.I would literally be wearing it daily.
My uncle had a DCM we only discovered after his death, my father never spoke much of his time in the forces, we had the odd mention - such as a parachute which didn't open and the war that never was - turned out that was the battle of mirbat
I think the whole they didn't see themselves as doing something anyone else wouldn't have done is right. They did what they felt had to be done, not for reward but for those with them
@@JD-eo7dr Why ? You certainly wouldn't have anything to prove to anyone .
@@Seany-boy Not about proving anything. They are all just all amazing story's
You should take a look at Jeremy Clarkson`s documentary about the attack on St. Nazaire its called "The Greatest Raid of All" it is one of my favorite documentaries on any subject, i think Clarkson should of made more documentaries because he drags you into the story like no one else.
Also 'Convoy PQ17' 🇬🇧
I wholeheartedly agree it’s very good 👍
I watched this twice in one day, the original and then this whole reaction video!
Did not expect a reaction to the whole thing, thats awsome
Probably will result in a strike, but I hope not.
Jeremy Clarkson's documentary on the greatest raid of all is well worth a watch as well
He's already done a video on that one, worth a watch for sure
@@jono_cc2258 I've tried to find that one. Not sure if it's been copy right claimed already but I can't find it which is a shame as I'd love to hear his insight into it. I've seen his video on the animated version of it that he done a while ago but can't find the one he did with Jeremy
And the one he did of the artic convoys
I know you have reacted to a video on the St Nazaire Raid but you have to watch Jeremy Clarkson's video/documentary on The Greatest Raid of All. A brilliant follow up to his Victoria Cross video.
Please note; the General talking throughout the documentary, Peter de la Billière, was an SAS Commanding Officer and later Director SAS. It was during this command the Iranian Embassy siege occurred. He is well known for convincing Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf (who was initially sceptical) to allow the use of the SAS and other special forces in significant roles in the Gulf War.
I served alongside Peter de la Billiere in Oman during the Dhofar rebellion back in the early 70s..
He was a kind thoughtful guy who was very helpful to myself and my unit...
A good man....!
@@johnbaxter8569 That's impressive.
There's an apocryphal story that the Israeli's were so worried about the scuds during the Gulf War that they were ready to send in fighter bombers to start taking them out before the coalition was ready. But Schwarzkopf knew that if a single Israeli plane crossed the border the Arab allies would likely cancel the whole deal.
To calm them down he told them that special forces were already behind enemy lines.
What special forces? they asked
British SAS
The Israeli's backed down
Then Bravo Two Zero happened
@@darkalman Yes, I've heard that, and though it may be apocryphal, it's plausible. BTZ was a travesty for a range of reasons.
i looked him up, looks like he doesn't have the stain of Ulster on him to. Was he involved in The Troubles?
When you go to the Palace to receive the VC, you are always presented first. Officers, no matter what their rank ,Lords and Royalty all have to wait for you.
Unless an officer is also getting a VC in which case the officer is awarded first, sir leonard cheshire actually stopped the king and ask that the other VC recipient be awarded their VC before him as he thought they were more worthy. Unfortunately I can’t off the top of my head remember the other guys name but I do remember they were an RAF Sgt and they climbed into the wing of a flying plane to try to put out a engine fire.
The chap I mentioned was called Norman Cyril Jackson.
@@mweston25 Sounds like James Ward V.C.
@@tgapete01 it was Norman Cyril Jackson, but thank you for mentioning James Allen Ward, he is a VC recipient I hadn’t read about before.
@@mweston25 Yes, he climbed out onto the wing of a Wellington to put out a burning engine as well.
30:00 The British didn't go to Vietnam - WO Keith Payne VC is Australian. Many of the Commonwealth Realms continued to award British honours for decades after becoming fully independent.
Payne was the last Australian to win the original VC.
Australia, Canada and New Zealand now all have their own versions of the Victoria Cross named after (and formed in the same manner as) the original British one.
Humbling. Not many in the UK of that caliber these days. Our previous generations were a different breed and I am incredibly proud of them! My parents lived through WW2 and my father served in the war. I miss them and the stories they told of those days. Some compare the pandemic to the wars .....it's nothing like what they endured! Love your videos and appreciate the respect you have for the forces.
"In 1921, the British Unknown Warrior was awarded the US Medal of Honor and reciprocally, the Victoria Cross was presented to the American Unknown Soldier. This is the only ungazetted VC award and is included in the total of 1,358 awards" fun fact
Didn't the Island of Malta get a VC for holding out in WW2?
I believe Malta was awarded the George Cross and it features in their flag.
@@davidskeet6220 correct sir Malta got the George cross
(I found this information on a wikipedia plunge into VC recipients, there is a whole bunch of really cool information on this stuff on wiki 🤯)
@@davidskeet6220 Treading with care here, the George Cross is sometimes called the "civilian" Victoria Cross and accorded the same status. The key bit in the citations concerns actual contact with the enemy. For example, a bomb disposal operative who performed an exceptional act of valour might be awarded the George Cross on the basis that the enemy is not physically present. I struggle a little with that, as the enemy's intent is certainly present and might be physically present in some sophisticated IT fusing. Also in the case of Malta, regular visits by the Luftwaffe and Regia Aeronautica unloading a tonnage of HE on the Island really is contact with the enemy.
Great job choosing this one! Arnhem is in the Netherlands.
4:11
He's talking about post-nominal letters, say your name was John Smith and you won a Victoria Cross, you could write your name as, "John Smith, VC", say John Smith was also a member of parliament (MP), and had a bachelor's degree (BA). His name would be written, John Smith, VC MP BA, the VC is the most prestigious so it goes first.
Post-nominal letter are placed after a person's name to indicate that the individual holds a position, academic degree, accreditation, office, military decoration, or honour, or is a member of a religious institute or fraternity.
97 Canadians were awarded the Victoria Cross. The first 3 were issued during the 2nd Boer War.
Great to see you doing a video on my favourite subject, the battle of Arnhem. This operation has fascinated me since reading Cornelius Ryan's A Bridge Too Far, while I was in school back in 1977, a few months before the Hollywood movie came out. The movie is only about 50% accurate, so this whole topic is a huge rabbit hole that can take your whole life if you're not careful. This video about Robert Cain is just one of the great stories to come out of this.
You seem to be a bit surprised by gliders being used. They were a way to get complete units into battle without the dispersal of paratroop drops, but the landings could be very dangerous with some total losses involved. After the war, the glider was ditched for the more flexible helicopter.
Like the two US Airborne Divisions in the operation (82nd and 101st), the British 1st Airborne Division had a glider infantry element called an Airlanding Brigade, consisting of 1st Battalion The Border Regiment, 2nd Battalion The South Staffordshire Regiment, and 7th (Galloway) Battalion The King's Own Scottish Borderers. Robert Cain was commander of B Company in the Staffords. His unit flew in on Day 1 of the operation, but his glider had a problem in England and he had to restart with the second lift on Day 2 to join his Company.
Airlanding battalions were more heavily equipped than a parachute battalion as they could take Jeeps and anti-tank guns that were organic to their units. Each Airspeed Horsa glider could carry a full platoon of 26 men (4 x 26 man platoons per Rifle Company, plus Company support and HQ elements, instead of 3 x 34 man platoons in a Parachute Company).
British doctrine was gliders in first, paratroops land second. The Airlanding battalions secured the landing zones, while the paratroops arrived an hour later and moved to secure the bridge objectives. In the US Divisions, they landed all three of their Parachute Infantry Regiments first to secure objectives, then the Glider Infantry Regiment would land in a later lift to reinforce them.
The American WACO gliders could only carry 13 men, so the unit carried would be based on a single squad. The WACO could carry a Jeep and a couple of men, or an artillery piece, while the Horsa could carry two Jeeps, or one Jeep and a trailer, or a Jeep and light artillery piece. The British also had large Hamilcar gliders that could carry two Universal Carriers (an armoured tracked vehicle used to carry stores, two allocated to each line Battalion) or a heavy 17pdr Anti-Tank Gun with Morris C8 Commercial Tractor, with the full gun crew riding in the tractor!
American Army Air Force Troop Carrier Squadrons had pilots trained to fly the gliders, but they had minimal combat training and arms, so they had to be evacuated as soon as contact was made with ground forces. The British Glider Pilot Regiment was trained and equipped as light infantry, and the equivalent of two battalions went to Arnhem to fight, either as complete units, or as protection to the artillery units they carried.
Great to see 10:09 Jack Reynolds MC of the South Staffords interviewed in this. The last time he was probably on film was a German propaganda film made when he was taken prisoner at Arnhem, and Jack is seen walking past flicking a defiant V-sign at the camera. Those images are also in a lot of books on Arnhem. He's a great character.
Thanks for doing a reaction to this video and welcome to the Arnhem rabbit hole!
My parents where friends with Sosobowski who ended up working at the CAV/Lucas factory in Acton, got totally screwed over by the British.
@@lotuselise4432 - I had no idea he took a factory job after the war. That is a horrendous comedown after his military career before and during the war. I don't really understand why he was scapegoated in the way that he was. It appears that the Polish Brigade was at first praised for its bravery at Arnhem, including by Montgomery, and then suddenly there was a change in attitude from senior British officers.
As far as I can see the only problem with the Brigade, apart from Sosabowski's outspoken criticism of the Market Garden plan, was that the Polish troops had a tendency to go at the Germans in an undisciplined way, including firing on German medics wearing the Red Cross insignia. The Germans did not trust the Poles one bit and thought this was unusual behaviour by the British until they realised the Airborne troops they were facing south of the Rijn had different insignia on their British uniforms and were in fact Poles. This ties in with stories from the Battle of Britain in which Polish pilots still undergoing training would go after any German planes they saw, ignoring orders to disengage and return to base. Sosabowski's criticism of his British superior officers was probably regarded as an unforgivable lack of discipline, and the perception of being proved right when Market Garden failed probably made it even worse.
In my view, there is no doubt the failure of Market Garden was not due to the myriad things that normally happen when a plan makes contact with reality, but was due to the American failure to secure the critical Nijmegen bridges in the first few hours, when the bridges were defended by just a few Luftwaffe Flak crews. Contrary to the impression created by the Hollywood film A Bridge Too Far, the operation was still on schedule for XXX Corps to reach Arnhem in 48 hours, but they found the bridges at Nijmegen still in German hands when they arrived there within 45 hours, with just 11 more miles to Arnhem.
When the blame game started after the operation ended in failure and the virtual destruction of the British 1st Airborne Division at Arnhem, the Americans blamed the British for the plan, the intel, the weather, and anything else they could think of, and the British it seems were reluctant to point the finger at their American allies, so they seemed to have chosen to pick on Sosabowski and the Poles instead. This was also grossly unfair because the Polish drop was delayed (by weather) until the point where it was reinforcing a defeat, and Market Garden was probably beyond saving by then, whatever the Poles did.
@@davemac1197 Sosobowski told them the plan would fail but he still went in, he gained experience during WWI and was badly wounded.
Remember, "The worst thing that a subordinate can do is to question orders and to be proved right."
Do a search on Laguna's Spitfire as a friend of my cousins is running the project its about Laguna from 303, my Mother served in 305 and my Father was a Navy man ended up on the worst Journey on Earth aka The Russian Convoys, he was a stoker the worst job on a ship during war time.
Also Sosobowski's co workers never new about his past and my mates Father was also working at that factory, he was an ex cavalry officer.
Watch Jeremy Clarkson's What it takes to win the Victory Cross.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanisław_Sosabowski
Also watch Tony Hibbert's youtube vid
You also have to remember the Poles had a hatred for German's,
ruclips.net/video/POi3b2QHrc0/видео.html
@@lotuselise4432 - and yet the plan nearly worked. The real bridge too far was at Nijmegen and not Arnhem. I've seen Tony Hibbert's video interview and have a lot of respect for his views - he was the Brigade Major at the Arnhem bridge and he certainly doesn't think they failed at Arnhem, although he was disappointed that his Brigadier rejected his suggestion over the radio that 3rd Battalion push on for the bridge on the first night, when the German positions in the town were still fluid. I think Hibbert was absolutely right.
Interesting article about the Polish Spitfire. I currently live just six miles from the old Castle Bromwich factory where it was built - it now produces Jaguar cars for JLR and the Spitfire sculpture on the roundabout at the Castle Vale end of the plant is known locally as "Spitfire Island".
Thanks for showing this brother 🙏 this is my Great Uncles VC - his brother's my Grandad John Cain, James and Andrew Cain Won the Military Cross in WW2, my Father Thomas Cain Won the Military Cross in Korea and then went on the the SAS his written accounts are also amazing 👍🏻 thanks again for sharing this as I feel that all Veterans should be recognised and remembered more 🌟🙏 I will be doing a tribute next year for the 80th Anniversary of Arhnem!
We have the National Memorial Arboretum and "Historic England listed more than 2,500 war-memorials over the centenary period 2014-2018" most towns and villages have their own.
But most of our war dead are buried in Military Cemeteries overseas, in lands that they fell. I have an uncle in the Rangoon cemetery killed in WW2 as a Chindit. As a British soldier in Cyprus I was part of a working party cleaning up Military Cemetery in Nicosia - actually in no-mans land land between the Greeks and Turks - for a Remembrance parade.
It’s hard for me to watch these videos without breaking down... I’m in awe and very grateful for such folk and it never ceases to amaze me what these young lads did for the greater good, with such humility and integrity. Poor or posh... the ultimate. Thank you
Since this documentary was made in 1993 only 4 more Victoria Cross have been awarded, truly exceptional.
A real pleasure watching that documentary with your reaction making it like a night in watching TV with an old friend.
Keith Payne VC is an Aussie not a Brit, that's why he was fighting in Vietnam.
Keith Payne. His VC is legend like All are. Carrying over 40 wounded out of a firefight and thensome
Over the last few decades, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand have created their own Victoria Crosses, so their soldiers are no longer eligible for the British one. The Australian and New Zealand VCs look exactly like the British one; because it’s bilingual, Canada’s is inscribed in Latin, PRO VALORE instead of FOR VALOUR in English.
Aussie, brit, an incredibly brave man,
@@stevetaylor5933 Agreed. Just clarifying that it was the Aussies who fought alongside them in Vietnam, not the British.
@@arwelp I was not aware of that, thanks.
Im sure a few others have already mentioned but Clarkson's follow up documentary, the greatest raid of all time is an absolute must watch.
Brilliant video as always mate.
Thank you for your respect that you gave on this video, and the respect you have shown to all the recipients of the VC. To you sir I say a massive thank you
The British army didn't participate in the Vietnam war. The US had stated a battalion of british troops would be worth a billion pounds as the UK wasn't doing well financially at the time and could probably use the cash injection. The UK government decided it was a fools errand (also the US president & British Prime Minister did not like eachother) and declined to participate. An offer was made to offer training to the US troops in jungle warfare but the US declined.
The Australians participated though so I'd imagine the VC receipient at 30:00 is an Aussie rather than a Brit.
British Special Forces did provide training to US fellas
The number of VC commendations which began with "he picked up a Bren/PIAT gun is really quite astonishing".
Indeed. Our local hero in the small town where I grew up, was John Brunt who won the VC - his day of bravery started when he picked up a Bren and killed 14 Hermann Goering Division troops in Italy en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Brunt
Smokey Smith, a Seaforth Highlander of Canada, also put a Piat to good use taking out tanks on the Moro River slogging through the mud and water up the east side of Italy. He also was awarded the VC. Sadly, we have no living recipients.
Such an underrated channel. Its rare to see someone look at our history objectively and is transparent with his veiws! So refreshing to see.
It is a point of pride for me to say that, my grandfather fought at Arnhem as a part of the Airborne Reconnaissance jeep squadron.
He made it to the bridge, and was eventually shot in the wrist and captured. But he survived the war and came home.
There is so much to learn about the battle itself at the individual level, even now.
Great video dude!
Thank you for this video. 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧. So proud of these men. And my country
Thank you for doing your reaction to this documentary about a great award, I've watched it many, many times, thank you for the respect you have shown 🇬🇧🇺🇸🇬🇧🇺🇸
I love hearing market garden getting coverage. I have a very personal connection to it. I have a family member who survived D-Day, Normandy, Holland, Belgium and the battle of the Sheldt, but it was in Nijmegen where he was surrounded and outgunned, and eventually met his future wife who helped his unit out with the Dutch resistance. I have family who would not be alive today if Market Garden hadn’t of taken place.
There is a 1977 film about operation 'market garden' called 'A bridge too far' about the attempt to take the bridge at Arnhem, The Netherlands. Many famous actors in the film. Worth watching
Awesome movie
As a British Army veteran, you don’t fight for for anything else, other than the guy next to you, THEY are your family & you do absolutely anything to keep them safe regardless of your own. Those guys in WW2 were a different breed and each and every one of them has my maximum respect and gratitude for the sacrifices they made. ❤️🇬🇧 🇺🇸
You are an amazing, honourable and humble man. God bless you sir.
Thanks for showing us some love and respect man. Having served alongside the US navy as a submariner I can firmly say there’s nothing but mutual respect between both sides.
It makes me laugh when you see other military video comment sections arguing about who has the better trained forces etc, I can almost guarantee none of those people are actually in the forces. I for one am extremely proud to call the US one of our closest allies 👊🏼
Were a VC winner to be still serving, an example of the tradition and reverence shown to him by his comrades is that if he passed the drill square which had a parade being performed on it, any parade, whoever is in charge of the parade, ceremoniously calls the parade to attention and salutes him. In the 50's when I joined the army there was a Private VC in one of the Light Infantry Regiments who used to march past any parade being performed just so he got saluted. He apparently enjoyed it even more when the Colonel was in charge.
Arnhem is in The Netherlands. We have war graves everywhere. We have something called The National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire and when someone dies, the main memorial is closed whilst a name is added in the presence of the family with full military honors.
The Victoria Cross is awarded for valour in the presence of the enemy but The George Cross is also given for valour when the enemy isnt present.
Thanks 👍
@@CombatArmsChannel I think they youngest winner of the georges cross (or the medal that became the georges cross) was an 11 year old girl who fought of a mountain lion that was attacking her 8 year old friend.
It attacked her first, tearing a large chunk of her scalp off before her friend tried to help and it turned on him. She jammed her fingers in its eyes and stuck her arm in its mouth to stop it being able to bite down on her friend and eventually it retreated.
Just to add to Denises comment.The ‘commonwealth war graves commission’ look after the overseas military cemeteries worldwide. Where the vast majority of the fallen were buried.
Damn I really enjoyed that man! Thanks for taking one for the team with the eventual strike mate😉
😅👍
I understand that although it is not a requirement, ALL ranks up to and including Chief of Staff salute a private or NCO Victoria Cross winner.
thank you soo much for reacting to this video. i've seen it several times, but it's soo worth while taking time to respect those that have made huge sacrifice in the service of their nation. i'm not keen on jeremy clarkson, but i think the reverence and respect he brings to this (and his other vc video) is soo good. i only wish i had the courage the vc winners did. something to aspire to. i used to deliver fuel oil to residential properties in remote areas, and one day, one of my regular chaps wasn't there, only his good lady. he had passed on. on going through his documents, it turned out that he had been awarded the vc and never mentioned it. i have been privileged enough to hold a vc awarded to a brave soldier, and i'll never forget that amazing moment. i must admit, i was in tears at the time.
Like so many they never talk about winning a VC, I personally know the Australian man Keith Payne VC who won his VC in Vietnam and who was speaking in this brilliant documentary, I met him while nursing at a Vietnam Hostel for soldiers. Upon meeting this pleasant quiet man at an event I found a man who was interesting yet so humble. And it was only after speaking with him someone told me who he was. He never ever spoke about the events that won him a VC, too him it was something he had too do for his mates. You asked about referring to WINNING a VC, well that is just a term for being awarded or earning the medal. Yes a few have been won in recent years, but what has happened is countries who are part of the Commonwealth of Great Britain were authorised by Queen Elizabeth 2nd to award the VC with her approval, so here you win the VC Australia or in Canada say you win the VC Canada, all must still get her approval to be awarded. This was and still is a great Documentary, and that humble piece of used bronze is still the ultimate Medal to win, and like many it is not winning the medal that is tough they say it is living with it, as you become a symbol and are expected to always live up to its high standard.
I'm so overwhelmed, speachless, proud and honestly feel rather emotional when I hear stories like this. And respect to you for wanting to do this video irregardless of whether you earn from it or not. You're awesome mate, keep it up and I hope you enjoyed London
Gotta give Clarkson his due. He may be a bumbling Bafoon most of the time but he does have the utmost respect to anything and anyone military.
So glad you finally got to my joint favourite documentary of all time. Seeing your face with its obvious first time awe at how the VC,Mjr 'won' (hate that term too, achieved is more appropriate) his medal was a joy to see on your face Theo, mine was similar first time too.
Glad you done the full documentary and were massively respectful to how this video was made was also great to see you learn why we Brit's hold this medal as the top medal in the world and need to point out that it has been won by many men from many countries (an Aussie and a Ghurka were both interviewed in this video as a small example but there's too many countries to mention here who have produced men of unbelievable calibre who have also been awarded this medal fighting for the HRH UK military, I salute all of them and also understand that they weren't actually fighting for our Monarchy, but their own friends and countrymen.) So was great to see you learn a little bit of its history. Obviously with it coming from that last bit of metal from that cannon makes it a finite medal to be given out which makes it that little bit extra special, at least to me.
Hopefully never get to see what replacement it will get in my lifetime.
Thanks Theo, was never sure if you would do this or not because of its length but would like to see you react to the other one Clarkson had done. "The greatest raid of all time" I think it's called, am sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong?.
It has the most amount of VC's won in a single action ever and is my joint number 1 documentary on all war docs I've ever seen.
It's a must watch even if you don't react to it but it has commandos being commandos which I know you will enjoy with the military background you have.
If you're still in the UK, I hope it's living up to what you imagined and I hope you make it up here to Scotland but know that will be difficult with being based in London, although it's only an hours flight to get up here. Probably take you longer to get to the airport lol. Anyway, sorry for the book but you did finally do my favourite reaction video of all time here so deserves a decent comment. Of your back home now, hope you enjoyed your stay and finally...
Adios amigo. Love from Scotland, UK to Washington, USA 🏴🇬🇧🤝🇺🇸💯❤
MP (Member of Parliament), americas equivalent of a senator. The statue near the start was of Queen Victoria which is infront of Buckingham Palace, she was the great great grandmother or great grandmother of the late Queen Elizabeth. Every year when planting and harvesting spuds near Telford i drive by those military buildings where the metal is kept and they are huge.
The George Cross is an award for civilians, Malta was awarded one for its heroism during WW2
It’s also awarded for the same gallantry as that would receive a Victoria cross but not in the presence of the enemy
Only country to ever receive it
What a fantastic reaction ..... the "whoa-whoa-whoa-wh-a-a-a-a-t" ....Priceless !!!!!! Brilliant stuff.
Another excellent video, I appreciate how you treat my country’s history with such respect 🙏🏻🇬🇧🇺🇸
There have been 4 VCs awarded to British soldiers since this documentary was filmed.
Pvt Johnson Beharry VC. Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment, Iraq 2004. (Awarded in 2005)
Cpl Bryan Budd VC. Parachute Regiment, Afghanistan 2006. (Awarded posthumously)
L/Cpl James Ashworth VC. Grenadier Guards, Afghanistan 2012. (Awarded posthumously)
L/Cpl Joshua Leakey VC. Parachute Regiment, Afghanistan 2013. (Awarded in 2015)
Yea we do there’s the aldershot military cemetery Hamilton war cemetery royal naval cemetery Cambridge American cemetery Lowestoft cemetery Pembroke doc cemetery brookwood cemetery st Charles war cemetery and a lot more but I can’t fit them all on one text but there’s hundreds up and down Britain
In response to one of your questions, we have the National Memorial Arboretum near Alrewas. I must take a trip to see it.
I watched this video with through mixture of tears of pride, admiration, and laughter at the mental image Clarkson portrayed of the scenes.
Your reaction at "the twist" near the end was priceless! And brilliant to see. Thanks for sharing.
Really enjoyed your reaction and commentary.
There are war cemeteries in the UK, but many of them are actually in the areas where they fell. The graves at El Alamein were amazing.
But US soldiers are also buried overseas (e.g. in Normandy).
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"Awarded" is more common, but "won" is not seen as derogatory.
ruclips.net/video/smEK8A98zdg/видео.html
Clarkson can often be an annoying and arrogant git but this documentary is 'by far' one of the best i've seen. Stunningly presented and a real tribute to the VC recipients it portrays. Sadly, there were undoubtedly many more hero's who's bravery went unseen or unrecognised. Respect to you all ❤
I agree 100%, I find him annoying ...BUT in this Doc he is brilliant and perfect for it
Checkout his doc inventions that changed the world: the gun
So glad you have got to watch this video it makes it's point so well.
The Legendary Commando Raid At St. Nazaire | The Greatest Raid Of All Time | Timeline is also a great story
Oh my Gosh, I watched this a couple weeks ago and I had the exact same reaction as you did when he just nonchalantly at the end announced that this man was his father in law lol. I was like WHAT????? Twist is an absolute understatement for sure!!!! Awesome documentary, I hope he makes more like this about these people!
At 7:00 Clarkson was talking about how pre-Victoria Cross there was no medal for the rank-and-file soldier, only an acknowledgement in “Dispatches” (basically a printed mention) along with a multitude of other names of battle-participant soldiers.
He was simply likening this with today’s newspaper-printed notification of students passing their Chartered Accountancy exams.
Ohh snap! Haha ok thanks
respect for reacting even though you knew you'd get copyrighted. class act
The Vietnam guy was Australian. Australia used to use the VC, in 1991 they replaced it with their own equivalent medal.
This is without doubt the most gobsmacked awe I've ever felt, Robert Kane VC just incredible
7:10 Chartered accountant is a professional license, kind of like passing the bar for a lawyer. Generally they have a degree in accountancy or finance or something similar.
By the way, at 10:10 the man being interviewed (Jack Reynolds MC) has an MC after his name as it stands for 'Military Cross', the third highest award for gallantry. Equivalent to the US Silver Star.
One important thing to realise is that the British VC was awarded to Commonwealth soldiers up until the 1990's. This excerpt from Wikipedia explains.
"Beginning with the Centennial of Confederation in 1967, Canada, followed in 1975 by Australia and New Zealand, developed their own national honours systems, separate from and independent of the British or Imperial honours system. As each country's system evolved, operational gallantry awards were developed with the premier award of each system-the Victoria Cross for Australia, the Canadian Victoria Cross and the Victoria Cross for New Zealand".
The Australian, Canadian, and New Zealand VC's were established in 1991, 1993 and 1999 respectively and have been awarded five times, never, and once respectively.
46:40 You're right it is old, clearly pre-2004 when the first VC for the Iraq and Afghanistan campaigns were awarded.
Private [now Colour Sergeant] Johnson Beharry VC, Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment (Iraq 2004).
Corporal Bryan Budd VC, Parachute Regiment, (Afghanistan 2006 - Posthumous).
Lance Corporal James Ashworth VC, Grenadier Guards (Afghanistan 2012 - Posthumous).
Lance Corporal [now Sergeant] Joshua Leakey VC, Parachute Regiment (Afghanistan 2013).
Thanks for the info!
One of the best programs that’s ive ever watched tbh 👍🏻
One of my favourite documentarys
Always inspiring to hear the first hand accounts from the men who where there in the thick of it. Many “Amazing” stories (depending on how you look at it). Another great reaction to go along with it as well, great video!
Thank you for posting s great reaction video. Helped me with work
Great Video as always , thankyou for educating me on this amazing story.
Incredible choice of video to react to man. 👍
lad im so glad i found this i was just watching the raid vid just about to comment this and i found it this is prob my favorite doc especially Clarckson
Loving this been waiting for this for ages!!!
I can watch this and the greatest raid on repeat, another part in history that always fascinates me is the pipers of WW1. There was a Piper that won a VC he was ordered to play the pipes but he didn't just play them he got out the trench, walking up and down playing to the men, inspiring them into battle, it worked they stormed the German trench at speed going hand to hand combat untill the line was won and then onto the 2nd line, the Piper was with them over no man's land, no weapon just his pipes playing. His name is Daniel Logan Laidlaw VC nickname "The Piper Of Loos".
Nooo I just watched someone else react to this yesterday!! I need to just get to all your comments! Haha so glad you did it though!
My great uncle was in the Para's fought in Arnhem. He hated talking about the war which sucked because I love the old stories. My grandad was in the royal artillery based in England, he was a gunner shooting down the German planes. Ww2 is so amazing and should never be forgotten 🇬🇧❤️
Bill Speakaman VC, the gentle giant and Korean veteran passed away 2018 RIP
If I remember correctly, he requested in his Will for his ashes to be scattered on Hill 217, but Korean law didn't permit that to happen, so they are interred at the UN Memorial Cemetery in Busan.
when hes not being a tool he does GREAT dopcumentories! he did another brilliant 1 about the st nazziere raid to blow up the dry dock gates in france
also has a fun behind the scenes to show how they made lots of the models and stuff
@@VeryFastRodi got a link for that?
@@Scoobydcs ruclips.net/video/PW5v7l3Rgt0/видео.html
Glad I'm not the only one to recommend that documentary. That raid was INSANE!
2:10 The closest we have is Westminster Abbey, but that's not really for veterans. As far as I know, the only ex-military body is the Unknown Warrior, equivalent to your Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Nice video mate, my grandad was a para in market garden.. tough basstard right up until his passing in his 90s
No doubt about that
@@CombatArmsChannelwww.photobox.co.uk/my/photo/full?photo_id=504009968278 happy to send you a spare copy if you want bud.
“Winning” a VC is not intended in a competitive manner. It’s just a turn of phrase used (I think peculiar to the British) to mean having (often unintentionally) achieved such an accolade.
yes... terminology used throughout Commonwealth forces to this day.
Earn or win doesn't matter, what matters is the award and joining the ranks of legend, of bravery and sacrifice...the names of the few. Love this long format.
As other's have said, you now need to watch the other Clarkson documentary, 'The Greatest raid Of All Time'. Truly amazing and horrific at the same time!
Amazing story and twist in the end...
True brave men never tell...
44m 15sec.. I might as well use the bloody things!.. what a humble hero!!!❤️
Gurkha’s are absolute warriors. Mad men.
What a fantastic story and thanks for presenting it so well.
Absolutely amazing! Great reaction thanks so much for sharing this.
Thanks for this one Theo, such outstanding selflessness and bravery in the face of certain death is truly astonishingly heroic and coming from a millitary background I can honestly say I have the utmost respects and gratitude for all millitary servicemen/woman past and present. On a side note my father served in the British army for 36 years and saw action many times and was wounded in Cyprus, when he retired he joined the Royal Auxiliary Airfoce and was awarded in 1991 the M.B.E by her majesty for services rendered.
Fantastic video! Nice little "what in tarnation" at the end 😂🤣
must have watched this at least 10 times now, it never gets old, same as the greatest raid, which you need to do next.
always fills me with pride that the ghurkas choose to fight for us, mighty tigers from a distant land each with a sharp steele claw
The Vietnam bloke was Australia not British but a Commonwealth soldier is eligible for a VC
Loved this. Awesome content
Robert Henry Cain - Legend.
Love these longer reactions!
@combatArms another amazing reaction video to another amazing video
Awesome video yet again, brilliant channel.
I am blown away by how respectful and genuinely curious you are about other countries militaries, their honours and traditions. Thank you for reacting to this documentary. As a Kiwi I must also mention Charles Upham VC, the only combat soldier and 1 of just 3 recipents to receive 2 VC's or a VC medal with a bar. The other 2 were doctors I believe. It's widely believed Upham could have won at least 1 more VC for his actions in Crete (I think) but I'm not sure why this never came to be. I'm reading his new biography Searching For Chalire by Tom Scott now. Incidentally, NZ, Australia and Canada have their own separate VC's that are cast from the same Chinese cannonball as the British one. I've been honoured to meet Willie Apiata, NZ's first VC since WW2, Mark Donaldson and Ben Roberts Smith.
The was one Vc awarded in either Iraq or Afghanistan where a vehicle got attacked and one of the crew men with the vehicle on fire he had been shot in the head despite this he went back and got everybody out.
If I remember correctly that’s what happened and remember it being on the news when he was awarded the Victoria cross at the MOD the senior officer who gave him the medal gave him a big hug which was unheard of
Johnson Beharry VC COG awarded 18th March 2005. Citation is here www.armytigers.com/persons/johnson-beharry-vc
Massive head injuries and being on fire were no deterrent to this fine young man.
Nice, been waiting on this one!