PIAT vs Stug: The Stand of Fusilier Francis Jefferson | Victoria Cross | May 1944

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  • Опубликовано: 8 сен 2024
  • In May 1944, the 2nd Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, was ordered to secure a ridgeline as part of Operation Diadem. No sooner had the Battalion secured the ridgeline did the Germans try to regain possession of it and it during this action that Fusilier Francis Jefferson displayed the utmost gallantry and prevented his Company from being overrun.
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Комментарии • 112

  • @ericgrace9995
    @ericgrace9995 2 года назад +52

    My father was in the Lancashire Fusiliers in WW2. He's passed now and watching this saddened me, but it made me very proud too.
    Thanks.

    • @alonsocushing2263
      @alonsocushing2263 2 года назад +8

      And so you should be. Extraordinary men, from an extraordinary generation.

    • @albertojoseyanespantin2803
      @albertojoseyanespantin2803 Год назад +1

      @@alonsocushing2263 Those men were ordinary men, who ascended to extraordinary status due to the extraordinary things they did. No amount of respect or admiration tho those fine men would ever be enough for me.

    • @alonsocushing2263
      @alonsocushing2263 Год назад

      @@albertojoseyanespantin2803 True.

  • @lokischildren8714
    @lokischildren8714 2 года назад +97

    As a former fusilier myself it's a honor to have men like this in our unit history

    • @residentelect
      @residentelect 2 года назад +2

      Now then mate, did you end up at Basra in '03 with 1RRF?

    • @james9311
      @james9311 2 года назад +1

      🔴🌕🔴

    • @jimmyhillschin9987
      @jimmyhillschin9987 3 месяца назад

      Sorry to be an arse, but it's 'honour' in this country.

  • @expandedhistory
    @expandedhistory 2 года назад +72

    Outstanding Video Liveth For Evermore! As a History channel and lover, there's always something new to learn. That is what makes history my passion and my hobby. I never even considered or knew about this story until you told it with this exceptional video!

    • @sethkoch7921
      @sethkoch7921 2 года назад +10

      Couldn’t have said it any better! Also I’m really shocked that your military history channel isn’t bigger! You’re an extremely underrated history channel. Keep the work up.

  • @The-RA-Guy
    @The-RA-Guy 2 года назад +27

    Outstanding courage presented superbly here. You do their memory great honour (that's with a 'u'🙂). Firing a PIAT from the shoulder deserves a medal on it's own. Utmost respect to his memory. Thank you for your work LVEM

  • @alexanderleach3365
    @alexanderleach3365 2 года назад +15

    That was true courage under fire. Saving his fellow fusiliers with a PIAT.

  • @1701enter
    @1701enter 2 года назад +13

    Thank you for reminding us of the brave men who did so much for us

  • @TheWombat123
    @TheWombat123 2 года назад +6

    Very good piece. I attended his old school, and there was a memorial tablet in the main hall paying tribute to his immense bravery

  • @user-itschad1954
    @user-itschad1954 2 года назад +58

    He was definitely British then, balls the size of melons. Such a shame he died so young. My glass, charged with good whisky, israised to his memory and to ALL our brave service men and women who lead by honour and a sense of duty. Bless them all.

    • @residentelect
      @residentelect 2 года назад +8

      Bless you right back mate.
      Enjoy that tot of the good stuff 🥃

    • @dougreid2351
      @dougreid2351 Год назад +1

      Here here!
      DOUGout

    • @georgesakellaropoulos8162
      @georgesakellaropoulos8162 Год назад

      The Brits are absolute madlads in the defense. On offense, too, but that tends to be more costly. I wouldn't have any problem sharing a foxhole with them. They have what Napoleon called that 3 O' clock in the morning courage.

  • @PersonalityMalfunction
    @PersonalityMalfunction 2 года назад +18

    The best man I ever met was a Fusilier. RIP Corporal John Fullen.
    LFEM, I've developed an interest in the exploits of Indian and Sikh regiments in the Queens service. Any chance of an episode covering their exploits in the war?

  • @AtheAetheling
    @AtheAetheling Год назад +1

    You know, I often felt like there has been a concerted effort by some historians, who I won't name as I don't want to cause an argument, to belittle the professionalism and ability of British, or indeed Allied soldiers in general during WW2.
    Stories like this are so important as a result. Superb channel.

    • @andrewcombe8907
      @andrewcombe8907 2 месяца назад

      It’s an effort by American revisionist historians who have an axe to grind against British forces and leaders especially Monty.

  • @maquettemusic1623
    @maquettemusic1623 2 года назад +32

    Frank Jefferson VC is an exemplar of what selfless commitment means. His bravery under fire proves that ordinary men often do extraordinary things for the ones they love.
    Also looks ally as fuck stood there with hero sleeves and a PIAT in front of his target.

  • @roysimmons3549
    @roysimmons3549 2 года назад +3

    Well done sir. My father served with the 78th Division East Surrey's.

  • @cheesenoodles8316
    @cheesenoodles8316 2 года назад +5

    Outstanding. The Piat and a brave soldier, brave and determined.

  • @Bullet-Tooth-Tony-
    @Bullet-Tooth-Tony- 2 года назад +6

    When it comes to taking on tanks, Robert Henry Cain springs to mind

  • @stuartbrown8697
    @stuartbrown8697 2 года назад +5

    Flipping hell, they brought a tear to my eye. Died young too.

  • @woodybenjam
    @woodybenjam 2 года назад +6

    Wow what a story, what a guy. Incredible!

  • @peterjones3557
    @peterjones3557 2 года назад +4

    Thanks for the great story! Thanks also for the clear graphics and animations, a great help to get perspective.

  • @canuslupis3343
    @canuslupis3343 2 года назад +8

    An incredibly brave man.
    I’d like to.call out Lt Col Eric Wakeling RE who served as bomb disposal in WW2. An absolutely genuine man who was incredibly brave.

  • @paladin56
    @paladin56 Год назад +2

    Never hear about anyone firing a PIAT from the shoulder before. Extraordinary courage and a measure of how potent the PIAT was against armour.

  • @nickturner6709
    @nickturner6709 Год назад

    My Grandad was in the 78th and was at Monte Cassino. So interesting to see details specific to the Division's actions. Outstanding work

  • @rogerkay8603
    @rogerkay8603 2 года назад +3

    A brave lad, thank you Francis for your service. I was D Coy, 4th Batt, Queens Lancashire Regt (TA) myself. Both the Fusiliers and the QLR are now amalgamated into other regiments which is a real shame in my view.

    • @robertchubb1518
      @robertchubb1518 2 года назад +1

      A travesty is what I call it Roger...at the stroke of a pen by pen pushers who have NEVER even stepped onto a parade square..let alone onto and into a battle(field)

    • @rogerkay8603
      @rogerkay8603 2 года назад +2

      @@robertchubb1518 Agreed Robert :)

  • @anselmdanker9519
    @anselmdanker9519 2 года назад +4

    Thank you for covering his Victoria Cross action, great work.

  • @thepianoman1010
    @thepianoman1010 2 года назад +1

    What a bloke!! Fantastic!

  • @craigmcdonald2110
    @craigmcdonald2110 2 года назад +3

    A big thank you.
    Utrinque Paratus

  • @jackieking1522
    @jackieking1522 2 года назад +1

    Thank you.... I would hope that there is some sort of permanent depository for these stories

  • @colinmartin2921
    @colinmartin2921 2 года назад +3

    The old American saying 'When the going gets tough, the tough get going' is so apt. It is funny how some people stand up and do something when the situation seems lost.

  • @MegaBloggs1
    @MegaBloggs1 2 года назад +1

    what an absolute legend-a well deserved VC

  • @tomkavulic7178
    @tomkavulic7178 2 года назад +11

    You might be cool, but you'll never be "posing in front of the stug you just knocked out with a PIAT" cool.

  • @dougreid2351
    @dougreid2351 Год назад +1

    Truely gallant.
    Thank you.
    DOUGout

  • @ChristianThePagan
    @ChristianThePagan 2 года назад +1

    This story is very impressive and and I don’t want to trivialise this story but I once heard another British PIAT operator describe his interaction with a German Tiger or Panther. It basically boiled down to him lobbing several rounds at the tank with what he called: “my little PIAT” only to find that the tank “didn’t seem to notice” until finally musing something to the effect that “I must have annoyed it because it turned it’s main gun in my direction and shot at me”. He woke up a while later amazed to find he was still alive and not missing any limbs. I’d hazard to suggest that’s more typical of what happened when a PIAT took on a modern German tank. Thumbs up to Fusileer Jefferson for succeeding in saving his comrades despite having nothing but a PIAT to do it with.

    • @thepianoman1010
      @thepianoman1010 2 года назад

      Kristján Rúnarsson ... I read that story years ago ... do you have any more details of it that I can look up? Thanks!

    • @ChristianThePagan
      @ChristianThePagan 2 года назад +1

      @@thepianoman1010 I saw an interview with the guy in some Normandy invasion documentary.

    • @thepianoman1010
      @thepianoman1010 2 года назад

      Thanks!

  • @philipryan25
    @philipryan25 2 года назад +3

    Thank you 👍

  • @geordie1032
    @geordie1032 2 года назад +2

    An excellent video. Thank you

  • @deanstuart8012
    @deanstuart8012 2 года назад +9

    It's incredibly sad that Jefferson ended up committing suicide shortly after his VC was stolen.

  • @thomasd6652
    @thomasd6652 2 года назад +1

    wonderfully done

  • @GP30277
    @GP30277 2 года назад +2

    Thanks for another great video!

  • @mickmaxtube
    @mickmaxtube 2 года назад +3

    He should get a bar for his VC for firing a PIAT while standing upright.

  • @JoeFrancisCaptures
    @JoeFrancisCaptures 2 года назад +2

    Great video as always!

  • @Kyleinasailing
    @Kyleinasailing 2 года назад +1

    Great man.

  • @booquefius6713
    @booquefius6713 2 года назад +2

    Love the videos mate keep up the great content

  • @kenjackson5685
    @kenjackson5685 2 года назад +1

    1st class ...thanks for sharing

  • @AB-os5vj
    @AB-os5vj 2 года назад

    These videos are incredible! Keep them coming! Everyone needs to hear!

  • @benwilson6145
    @benwilson6145 2 года назад +1

    Thank you

  • @weeman9869
    @weeman9869 2 года назад +1

    I've said it before and ill say it again. Do not stop making these videos!

  • @MrEsMysteriesMagicks
    @MrEsMysteriesMagicks 2 года назад +1

    This is especially noteworthy when one considers what an awful weapon the PIAT actually was.

  • @OpaKnows
    @OpaKnows 2 года назад +1

    Brilliant stuff, mate.

  • @mace8873
    @mace8873 2 года назад +2

    Wow, did he really take out a StuG using nothing but a Piat? I'm sure Günther Viezenz would be most impressed, most impressed indeed...

  • @The3Lego3Freak
    @The3Lego3Freak 2 года назад +1

    Great content, keep it up

  • @doctoronishispsychosislab1474
    @doctoronishispsychosislab1474 2 года назад

    I belive the Thumbnail was a correct representation of the size of this mans gun ^^

  • @Rabmac1UK
    @Rabmac1UK Год назад

    Well Done That Man, and your Lost and Wounded Brothers
    /Sulute

  • @jabloko992
    @jabloko992 Год назад

    "...who later recalled" Nice, this time the guy survives.

  • @roybennett9284
    @roybennett9284 2 года назад +1

    Maybe a medal just for luging the piat around , getting close to a target,then firing it,and then recocking it if it had not done.. blimey and they used it after the war too...well done that man.

  • @markb3180
    @markb3180 2 года назад +2

    Lest we forget.

  • @rob7566
    @rob7566 2 года назад +4

    Thay shall not grow old as we that are left grow old, at the going down of the sun, and in the morning, we will REmember them.

    • @gangleweed
      @gangleweed 2 года назад

      I doubt anyone remembers the "heroes" that fought at Waterloo......time erases all memories.

  • @che71che
    @che71che 2 года назад +4

    Selfless what an act of love for his troop

  • @seanokeefe703
    @seanokeefe703 2 года назад +2

    Any accounts of Fusiliers at the Anzio beachhead over run by Tiger tanks ?

  • @napoleonibonaparte7198
    @napoleonibonaparte7198 2 года назад +2

    It could take one man to save an operation.

  • @richardchadwick4028
    @richardchadwick4028 Год назад

    Hello does anyone know H Banks, lived in Standish and Wigan .Severed just prior to this ..

  • @wekapeka3493
    @wekapeka3493 2 года назад +1

    Than you fusilier Jefferson.

  • @rileyernst9086
    @rileyernst9086 Год назад

    No wonder why the Germans began to withdraw. They saw him fire the first one standing up, dusted himself off and ran to find another bomb for the damned thing. Against someone like that what can you do?

  • @TNMN12
    @TNMN12 2 года назад

    Must have gotten over that river quick it’s got you rhyming 00:52 - 01:00 Dr Seuss vibe haha great vid mate 👌🏻

  • @bobyouel7674
    @bobyouel7674 2 года назад +2

    REspect

  • @user-rf9mx4qf7z
    @user-rf9mx4qf7z 2 года назад +1

    Just leaving a comment here for the RUclips algorithm.

  • @bastogne315
    @bastogne315 2 года назад +1

    Is a PIAT spring loaded?

    • @WanderlustZero
      @WanderlustZero 2 года назад

      Spring-loaded spigot that fires into the back of the loaded round and detonates its launching charge (said charge then *hopefully* recocks the spigot)

  • @5amH45lam
    @5amH45lam 2 года назад +4

    LANCASHIRE-TRA-LA-LAAAA!!
    LANCASHIRE TRA-LA-LAAAA!!

  • @whitepony8443
    @whitepony8443 2 года назад

    LOL, It's so big, I can't concentrate.

  • @damienelliott4906
    @damienelliott4906 2 года назад +1

    Fuckin love this channel...Great work and research 🇬🇧🖤

  • @ttrestle
    @ttrestle 2 года назад +3

    Bravo Zulu LE

  • @hiramabiff2017
    @hiramabiff2017 2 года назад

    Fantastic story ! But after reading about the Russian cook who destroyed a German panzer with just a axe , having a PIAT (peashooter ) was remarkable but nowhere near as crazy as the mad Ruskkie and his axe.

  • @ROOSTER333
    @ROOSTER333 2 года назад

    1st, also just my opinion but your channel is completely put together man. The narration and editing is cool as fvck. I'm a fan and wish you the best

  • @marxel4444
    @marxel4444 2 года назад +4

    4:32
    "i thought it was time that something was done about it"
    gets up,gets a fucking piat, gets into the open field to blow the tank to kingdom come

  • @Kriegter
    @Kriegter 2 года назад +2

    Cool

  • @tbwpiper189
    @tbwpiper189 Год назад

    Please keep up the sterling work LFM. These iconic people deserve to be remembered and respected for their service to the country and their unit mates.

  • @MicMc539
    @MicMc539 2 года назад

    That's what we're paid for ! Yes brave, but just doing the job we're PAID for.

  • @flashman2
    @flashman2 2 года назад

    The wording at the end to small and disappears to fast.
    But thank you for this recognition of valour

  • @randommadness1021
    @randommadness1021 2 года назад +1

    "An-tie tank weapons"
    Spoken like a true yank.
    I mean Britain!!

    • @chrisnewton5126
      @chrisnewton5126 2 года назад

      it's closer to "an-tea tank weapons" for this yank or simply bazooka :)

    • @randommadness1021
      @randommadness1021 2 года назад

      @Chris Newton This is the first time I've heard a brit pronunciation of it that sounds yank (you are the exception) we usually pronounce it as Anty, like duty...

    • @chrisnewton5126
      @chrisnewton5126 2 года назад

      @@randommadness1021 I think we're on the same page. "an - tea" with tea pronounced like "what would you like in your cup of tea".

    • @randommadness1021
      @randommadness1021 2 года назад

      @Chris Newton In my head tea and tay have different sounds. I'm Scottish tbf, but I'm sure that all UK folk say (

  • @0Turbox
    @0Turbox 2 года назад

    I first thought, he did it with a crowbar. But without him, 2 Stugs and some infantry would have otherwise thrown the allies back into the sea.....

  • @skelafeti
    @skelafeti 2 года назад

    You know what is more impressive? Citizens of Ukraine standing in front of Russian tanks and not allowing them to move. Stealing their tanks and towing them away. That is impressive.

  • @ulflyng
    @ulflyng 2 года назад +2

    Pheyyy----
    Wonder how many of these time woke men could do this

    • @thepianoman1010
      @thepianoman1010 2 года назад +1

      ulf lyng .. forget it mate!

    • @ulflyng
      @ulflyng 2 года назад +1

      @@thepianoman1010 Good advice. But difficault to follow

    • @thepianoman1010
      @thepianoman1010 2 года назад

      @@ulflyng Not really ... it depends on the "wokeness" and there was none back then!

  • @david-hf3dk
    @david-hf3dk Месяц назад

    This is what should be taught in history lessons in British schools instead of the woke rubbish.

  • @Drpermer
    @Drpermer 2 года назад

    "Soft Underbelly of Europe", sometimes armies succeed in spite of idiotic national leadership.

  • @fusilier9276
    @fusilier9276 2 года назад

    OAFAAF

  • @jp-um2fr
    @jp-um2fr 2 года назад

    The Piat was the worst weapon ever developed during WW2. The projectile was ejected by a spring, most of the time. It was impossible to load without standing up and the range was less that a stones throw. Whoever developed this pile of junk was working for the other side.

  • @CandieyestudioCoUkPhotographer

    Good Work Fella! x

  • @chrisscott1731
    @chrisscott1731 Год назад

    See ....seals-scott 😁❤️
    Fiddy 2 🌓🟠❤️❤️