18:04 Doc Roe yelling at two commisioned officers, and Winters and Welsh not complaining because they understand that Doc Roe is right. I love that scene.
My grandfather fought in WW2 in the British Army. He never spoke to anyone his entire life about his service. For some reason in his final years and i was a teenager, he asked to speak to me. He told me about his time in the war, how he served in North Africa and in Western Europe. He said he has one memory that he cannot forget. This episode reminds me of it. He said that there was an embankment that had stairs either side that met at the top, he went up the stairs and coincidentally a young German soldier was doing the same one the other side. They met at the top and both froze. My grandfather shot him in the stomach first and then stood over him as he died. He said he was just a boy, perhaps 17-18. After he told me that, he never spoke about any of it again.
In September 1944 a wounded American had been left behind. He was right across from a German machine gun squad led by Lt. Friedrich Lengfeld. Lengfeld led a couple of men across the mine field to help the wounded American. On the way back Lt. Lengfeld trip a mine and was killed. Today at the entrance to the Hurtgen Cemetery there is a plaque above Lieutenant Friedrich Lengfeld's gave that reads in both English and German, "No greater love hath a man that he layth down his life for his enemy." It was placed there by the US 22nd Infantry.❤😊
"You oughta! You are officers and you are grownups!, you oughta know!" is the second best line from this episode (and series) behind "we're paratroopers lieutenant: we're supposed to be surrounded."
3:50, you have to remember that indoor plumbing was a relatively new thing. Normally, only large cities or the wealthy could afford a home built with working indoor toilets. Homes out in the country still relied on outhouses. So instead of putting your boots on and walking out in the cold night, many people (especially drunks like Nixon) would use the old chamber pot method. Doing their business in a jar or pot and then throwing it out in the morning.
Hate to break it to you but it’s still common to do that on deployments, but in a disposable bottle. This is because you have to get dressed and sometimes walk a ways to get to a bathroom (Cadillac, latrine)
@plaid11 I understand that there are situations in which you'll still piss in a bottle. However, I was talking about civilian homes, as they are obviously being housed by the population here and are not in a barracks or on base.
I love how Nixon floats the idea of not hiding his booze in Winter's footlocker and says, "for Christ's sake." When Winters replies he changed it to "Pete's sake."
Winters only cusses when he is trying to get Blythe to man up in episode 3. Remember he promised God after the 2nd epi that he would find a quiet piece of land. He is not a church goer but definitely is religious somewhat.
The method of addressing the stress, intricacies of leadership & PTSD are so well done in this episode. Add to that two scenes that stick out to me as an aside; Doc Roe sees the expression on Winters after Col Sink informs him of the promotion & gives him a cup of coffee & then chews out Winters, Nixon & Welsh after Moose is shot. What a guy.
I absolutely love the way this episode was done. Following Winters' recollections of the recent events after his promotion. Not only only did it serve as an interesting way to see the recent events leading up to the deployment to Bastogne, it really helped us see even further into Winters' character. Getting a glimpse of how each moment impacted him emotionally
Winters has been effectively bumped up a whole level. He's now the S-2 (Operations or executive officer "XO") of 2nd battalion. He's now in charge of Dog, Easy, AND Fox companies (and will make Major if he lives long enough for the paperwork to get through). But it's more abstract as a position, he won't be leading patrols much (he'll tell the captains under him to arrange patrols), or going out on the front line (but he may well set the location of the front line). But he'll still be in danger (his predecessor was KIA after all).
This is my favorite episode of the entire series. I love the focus on Winters and his leadership. As a Veteran myself, he is the type of leader I can respect and follow. And I love the friendship between Winters and Nixon. There are two excellent books about Richard Winters, Beyond Band of Brothers, which he co-authored, and The Biggest Brother. The German attack that led to the 101 going to Bastogne is known today as the Battle of the Bulge, so named because the hole the Germans punched into the Allied position looked like a big bulge when drawn on a map. The attack caught the Allies completely by surprise. Ultimately it was a failure for the Germans as they did not have enough fuel for their vehicles and they did not take as much ground as originally planned.
8:31 A few years ago, Mark Lawrence, the actor who played Dukeman went to The Netherlands and went to the place Dukeman got hit to thank him. There’s a video of it on RUclips somewhere. There was an interview with the actor that I saw where he talks about how Band of Brothers led to him meeting his wife.
Richard Winters had described Liebgott as "a good soldier, but he was a killer" hence why he had him drop his ammo so he wouldn't murder all of the German prisoners. And if Winters says that about someone, you know it's the truth.
As I mentioned after Carentan, it surprised me to see Liebgott treating Tipper with such care after Tipper was caught in that storefront explosion. Joe WAS a stone-cold killer, but a great comrade. We'll see more great Liebgott scenes in future episode.
Don't really think it's PTSD, it's just a glimpse into how war stays with you, and you keep the images with you -- Winters handled his experiences quite well in fact Buck is the real victim of PTSD
My understanding is that there was actually no delay in the others following Winters in the charge across the open ground. He just outran everyone by a good margin. I've read some comments saying that Winters probably went into a kind of a fugue state, that they recogized that type of hyper-adrenalized experience. The Operations Room youtube channel has a video "Easy Company Assaults the Crossroads" if anyone is interested in seeing more about how this played out. It's a really outstanding channel.
Jimmy Fallon was portraying Second Lt. George C. Rice from the 10th Armored Division. Rice made several trips to bring the paratroopers supplies, his last one was when Bastogne was already surrounded. He was getting ready to make another supply run when his commanding officer ordered him to stop.
This is by far my favorite episode, directed by Tom Hanks himself. Captain Winters put on a master class of infantry tactics, and this was his proudest moment for Easy. It exemplified small unit leadership, marksmanship, communication, fires, and they were able to take two SS companies by complete surprise effectively eliminating them overnight. Captain Winters' promotion to Battalion gave him more responsibility, but his job was now to be in charge of the Battalion, so 4 times as many men to lead. He wouldn't be leading anymore bayonet charges. Also, tiny historical inaccuracy; from what people can remember of the assault, Winters didn't throw a faulty grenade, and Peacock didn't order a hold for the signal. Winters simply outran everyone, but everyone had adrenaline going, so recalling those memories are difficult.
The historical inaccuracy is there for the audience. Im sure it has been addressed before that winters outran everyone but would have been hard to show on camera to the audience. they made a few creative decisions like that and even downplayed some events as although they were real they seemed unbelievable to the audience. There is one later in the series where they create a bit of dialogue for a decision that was made in winters' head. The important bits are still the same even although details may not be 100% accurate.
@@klonkimo Agreed, its understandable that they made the mistake as the men of easy did think that he had died not long after the war, but its been over 20 years since it was first broadcast and they havent corrected it. it would be as easy as simply removing or editing the final caption
There are places in American history that just to mention the name evokes a range of emotions. Valley Forge, the Alamo, Gettysburg… and now we add Bastogne to the list.
Showing the way trauma haunts people is one of the most important things this mini-series does. One aspect of it they didn't portray is the nightmares. I had dreams for twenty years about things I experienced when I was eighteen. I'm 65 now and I can still see it in my mind's eye as if it was yesterday. Captain Winters (he's a captain now, not a lieutenant) got moved up to be the executive officer of the battalion - that means he's second in command over three companies with Easy being just one of the three. He can't go back to leading Easy because he's responsible for looking after the whole battalion. Winters was definitely ambivalent about that promotion. It meant he had a lot of administrative duties instead of leading from the front. Being an XO is a pain in the butt - a lot of admin, behind a desk as Guarnere put it. It can be intensely frustrating. He has to watch someone else (Lieutenant Dike now) lead Easy. I was in a position where I led a company, then got moved up and had to watch someone who wasn't very good in charge of the company I thought of as my Marines. They would see me and come up and complain to me in private, and I couldn't do anything about it.
Please watch the 11th episode "we stand alone together". It is comprised of more of the interviews you see at the start of each episode. On a unrelated note that dress looks amazing on you
06:04 From what I've read, there's never been a definitive explanation for why the German MG-42 was apparently just firing off into the distance, giving away their position. Most military historians now just kind of chalk it up to them getting spooked, thinking they saw an American patrol when in fact, Winters and his men were at their flank.
A beret was the hat the British wore. Initially worn by the British tank regiment with gift from a French girls school which was liberated by the British Tank regiment in ww1. The Tank regiment wore black to hide grease marks.
My understanding is that a lot of the British 1st Para's went into battle wearing their red Berets and was given the nickname of the Red Devils. They got hammered bad at Arnhem but they gave the Germans one hell of a fight.
@@angelrogo She already knows he’s wounded, I’m not telling her what happens to him or in the next episodes, just not to forget who he is, so stop crying.
@@andreshernandez1180 It is, and I could explain why, but that would be a spoiler. If you'd think beyond "Look at me! Look at me!", you might figure it out, scooter.
My uncle served w the 4th Armored in Patton's army from summer 44 through the Bulge. I grew up on stories about the Battle of the Bulge. Every time I see the scene of them walking into the darkness toward the Germans, my eyes well up. They didn't know or care they were going to be legends. Also, it wasn't that they didn't have a shipment, they just moved out so fast because the situation was so dire that there wasn't time to stock up normally
A lot of BoB episodes have huge, intense firefights and I love watching that. But what makes this episode special is the direction/editing and character focus on Winters. It stands out amongst the chaos and carnage as a really special look into his mentality
I always had a question about a scene in this episode until I saw a deleted scene. When Winters comes over the rise and shoots the guard, it looks like the guard is rising from the ground with a bit of a smile. Turns out in the real action Winters tossed a grenade at the guard who also threw a grenade. Neither one exploded, so it kind of makes sense the guard as is looking at him like,”Can you believe this?”
“Well you oughta. You know, you’re officers… you’re grownups. You OUGHTA know.” Typically, that kind of insubordination from a lesser rank would get you thrown into the pokey. But when it comes from a medical man, the only thing you should do is stand there humble. They did. Because they were ashamed. Later on in the series you’ll see how that affects Dick Winters and his decision making. Everybody learns under fire.
@9:15 Yes, he has to make the first move and they have no choice but to conduct a frontal assualt on the germans. @11:10 they were hunkering down because what they didnt show is that Winters had machine guns firing between the platoons to gain fire superiority as they made their way through the open feild.
The MG-42 machine gun fired approximately 1,200 rounds per minute. It was preceded by the MG-34. I believe the rate of fire for the MG-34 was about 1000 rounds per minute.
A higher-ranked officer (Winters) doesn't replace a lower-ranked officer (Moose) if they go down, someone of equal or lower rank will have to step up (or be appointned). The higher-ranked officer has more on their plate. If Winters took over Easy Company, there'd be nobody to be the executive officer of the battalion (3-5 companies). It's easier to find a replacement to lead a company than replace a Battallion XO. What he'd prefer to do is of significantly less importance than what his superiors need from him.
Pee was in the jar because houses didn't have indoor toilets back then, at least in a rural place like that. People didn't want to have to go outside to pee in the middle of the night, so chamber pots were really common back then. My grandfather who was born in 1918 still had a chamber pot in the early 1990s (I was shocked when I stumbled upon it as a kid), even though the house they built in the 1950s always had indoor toilets.
Kaliwali, what is your background with military experience? You always notice small details that go unnoticed to many reactors, for example 7:50 noticing they are using iron sights. I am always impressed with your attention to detail.
This is one of my favorites. Possibly my favorite episode just wanted to mention that sometimes New watchers don’t get is that anytime you see a tracer around there are 3 to 4 more rounds that you don’t see. They normally loaded on belts three rounds to one tracer. Enjoying watching you learn and hearing your observations in perspective.
I was a Royal Green Jacket, for us it was 4 rounds, every 5th was a tracer. That was only when using a GPMG, we never used them in our SLR's unless we where trying to direct fire onto a target.
This is the episode when Tom Hanks literally takes the reigns in the series...becoming more introspective with Winters. The back and forth between the gunfire, typewriter and memory is done brilliantly. Long before PTSD was even taken seriously. General Patton famously addressed it with the back of his hand on a soldiers face. Oh and if any of you come across any bacon sandwiches, let me know. Currahee ♠
There were actually volunteers from every occupied territory. That doesn't make them any less SS. In fact some of the last defenders of the Government District including the Reich's Chancellery and Hitler's bunker were French. Go figure.
It was writing a book about 'Operation Pegasus' that interested Stephen Ambrose in writing Easy Company's story in the book that this series is based on. He was also a majot contributor to a 1970s UK Documentary series about WWII called A World at War, kerk
Buckle up. Things pick up real fast starting next episode. Really a powerful scene as you see the hundreds of infantry retreating, and you see them all march straight into danger. Under the stoic gaze of Winters.
You need to watch the series THE PACIFIC and another movie featuring Tom Hanks, GREYHOUND. GREYHOUND is about the Battle of the Atlantic. It's historically accurate and very entertaining. It will keep you on the edge of your seat.
All officers had the vertical stripe on the back of their helmets, NCO's had a vertical stripe. Us Brits never needed anything to distinguish our officers and NCO's.
Berets (the maroon caps worn by the Paras) were worn when not under active fire, or in immediate danger. Sometimes they were worn in dangerous situations for morale (it can’t be that bad if we aren’t wearing helmets!). Pretty much always in helmets when jumping out of a plane.
I’m surprised you took Captain Winters promotion to Executive Officer (EO) as a good thing and something he wanted. Just the part where he said he knew could handle the men in the field was enough for me to know that’s where he wanted to stay. Then when he looked around at the guys, paused, and asked who would take over for Easy Company. I’ve always taken that smile at the end of the conversation as more of a nervous/not liking the decision kind of a smile and not happy.
Actually next episode, episode 6 and 7 deals with the Battle of the Bulge!! This episode (five) is still taking place in Holland before the Battle of the Bulge, which is Belgium!!! But your info in regards to the Battle of the Bulge is correct!!
History nerd here with an anti-French officer take. This is 1944. In 1940 when it was England and France vs. Germany, the Germans did the same thing. They invaded Belgium and beat up the French troops sent to stop them. You saw how Colonel Sink describe Bastogne as 7 roads in and 7 roads out. Didn't need to be a genius to notice that and defend Bastogne with whatever you have, In 1944 it was undersupplied paratroopers. In 1940 the French officers saw that and decided to not take troops from the Maginot line WW2 would be a European affair if the French had the sense they were born with.
There are several instances in the series where they modified events because they were afraid the truth would breach the audience suspension of disbelief and destroy immersion. One such instance is in the second episode when Malarkey is talking to the German prisoner from Oregon that Speirs eventually shoots. In the episode Malarky says they were working the same job 100 miles apart, but in reality he and that German PoW he ran into by random in the middle of a warzone on a different continent had actually been working the same job literally across the street from each other. Another is in this episode. Winters outrunning the entire company had nothing to do with the smoke grenade he threw or waiting for the signal, Winters was just a really, really, really fast runner. But including that would have made it look like they were trying to set him up as some sort of superhuman or something so they changed it up a bit.
Winters was the captain of a company (easy). He has now moved up to the next level, battalion (battalion has multiple companies under it, including Easy).
Near the beginning, when Nixon said we should have taken Antwerp and we would have been well supplied. The Allies had Antwerp the port city, but the Germans held the Scheld region, which was the river estuary to the port.
To give you a perspective on the strategy. Hitler gambled on a thrust through Allied lines to split the US and British troops. Germans struck through heavily forested country. Believed to be impossible to do. They easily overran the green troops stationed there. The 101st was one of the only combat experienced units that could be sent in. They soon found themselves surrounded during the colfest winter in Europe in 100yrs.
Movie notes! This episode tells us quite a bit more about Winter and his excellent leadership abilites, but also highlights another side of a soldier's (or at least an officer's) life: lots of paperwork! Bureaucracy runs deep in the military to this day. Regarding the SS soldiers claiming to be Polish: Originally, the SS was sort of an elite unit and had very strict rules for membership (with physical, ideological and ancestral criteria). However, as the war went on, these rules were watered down significantly and the SS would conscript foreigners into their ranks as well and could hardly be called an elite unit any longer. Well, I guess this was indeed a somewhat calmer episode with more introspection. We shall see whether it stays calm... See you next time, Kali!
Fun Fact: Tom Hanks has an uncredited cameo in this Episode. You actually showed part of where he appears, but his face was largely concealed by another trooper.
One thing you need to watch and you’ve probably been told this already there is a mini documentary about easy company called we stand alone together what you see at the beginning with the veterans or snippets from this documentary but it’s a must watch
When you finish Episode 10, please, please, please watch "We Stand Alone Together." Consider it episode 11. The old veterans you see speaking at the beginning of the episodes? Those are small excerpts from "We Stand Alone Together." You get a lot more of that.
8:52 E Company is surrounded on 3 sides and are in the open and primed to be ambushed. Its like a 3 on 1 fight. You pick one and hit 'em as hard as you can and deal with what's left. Hence the charge across the field.
Europe during that time period didn't have flushing toilets outside of the major cities. Nixon didn't want to go to the outhouse at night after a night of drinking.
The troops pulling out put up one hell of a fight and slowed the Germans down enough for the 101st and other units to get into position. They were heavily outnumbered and outgunned.
Anyone who wants to order men into combat should have to watch this and Band of Brothers. The other big thing about the end of this episode is the number of replacements. Veterans have a hard time trusting the new, green guys joining them, because those men haven't seen combat. But they did ok - Bastogne will forever have a place of honor in the history of the 101st.
Some of the phrases you use and what you know about leadership or grasp at the tactical level often makes me wonder if you’re prior service. I *think* you’re not, but every so often you do come across that way, like: “Wow. Over iron sights.” My head hit ‘pause’ at that one. So a tip of my old helmet to you, young lady!
No actual spoilers, but the next two episodes cover the events that raised the 101st Airborne from a famous unit to legendary. Combat legends are expensive in blood and heartache.
Just a heads up, the next episode focuses on the company's medic. It's... brutal. This next one is really tough to watch. So brace yourself. Winter is coming. (Sorry, I had to lol)
Winters was furious about the Paris scenes because he thought it made him look like we was trying to pick up the kid on the train. None of that happened btw, Winters had no flashbacks or PTSD during the war (according to himself). Also Heyliger was shot by his own sentry because he forgot the password. 50 years later he could still not remember it lol Buck Compton did not have any problems until he got to Bastogne. The writers brought his PTSD forward somewhat. One last thing, the vets said that the lighting of gasoline at night at Bastogne was one of the stupidest things the writers came up with. When they first arrived at Bastogne they had no idea where the Germans were so lighting fires in the area was unthinkable.
I know you don't reply and that's ok. I have said that you will start feeling like your part of Easy and I can see it happening with you. You are doing a great job . May God bless you
18:04 Doc Roe yelling at two commisioned officers, and Winters and Welsh not complaining because they understand that Doc Roe is right. I love that scene.
dont mess with eugene
When Doc yells, you best listen regardless of rank. He's the one keeping everyone alive.
Also a precursor to Ep 6 and his role, which is a nice way introducing his importance
Every time I see that scene in 5, and episode 6, I can’t help but think of Hacksaw Ridge. The importance of the medic is tantamount.
I always remember that line since becoming a warrant officer. No excuses of “I didn’t know” you’re an officer now.
My grandfather fought in WW2 in the British Army. He never spoke to anyone his entire life about his service. For some reason in his final years and i was a teenager, he asked to speak to me. He told me about his time in the war, how he served in North Africa and in Western Europe. He said he has one memory that he cannot forget. This episode reminds me of it. He said that there was an embankment that had stairs either side that met at the top, he went up the stairs and coincidentally a young German soldier was doing the same one the other side. They met at the top and both froze. My grandfather shot him in the stomach first and then stood over him as he died. He said he was just a boy, perhaps 17-18. After he told me that, he never spoke about any of it again.
In September 1944 a wounded American had been left behind. He was right across from a German machine gun squad led by Lt. Friedrich Lengfeld. Lengfeld led a couple of men across the mine field to help the wounded American. On the way back Lt. Lengfeld trip a mine and was killed.
Today at the entrance to the Hurtgen Cemetery there is a plaque above Lieutenant Friedrich Lengfeld's gave that reads in both English and German, "No greater love hath a man that he layth down his life for his enemy." It was placed there by the US 22nd Infantry.❤😊
"You oughta! You are officers and you are grownups!, you oughta know!" is the second best line from this episode (and series) behind "we're paratroopers lieutenant: we're supposed to be surrounded."
Best line in the series is, "You've done it now Yanks, you've captured me."
3:50, you have to remember that indoor plumbing was a relatively new thing. Normally, only large cities or the wealthy could afford a home built with working indoor toilets.
Homes out in the country still relied on outhouses. So instead of putting your boots on and walking out in the cold night, many people (especially drunks like Nixon) would use the old chamber pot method. Doing their business in a jar or pot and then throwing it out in the morning.
Hate to break it to you but it’s still common to do that on deployments, but in a disposable bottle. This is because you have to get dressed and sometimes walk a ways to get to a bathroom (Cadillac, latrine)
@plaid11 I understand that there are situations in which you'll still piss in a bottle. However, I was talking about civilian homes, as they are obviously being housed by the population here and are not in a barracks or on base.
The British paratroopers wore the red beret when not wearing their helmet and were nicknamed the Red Devils.
17:25 At night soldiers often prefer to wear a beret or a simple field cap than a steel helmet because you can hear less under a helmet.
Also depends on the type of night, helmets can reflect light and give away your position.
I love how Nixon floats the idea of not hiding his booze in Winter's footlocker and says, "for Christ's sake." When Winters replies he changed it to "Pete's sake."
he's probably a Quaker
Why have I never noticed this?!??
Winters only cusses when he is trying to get Blythe to man up in episode 3. Remember he promised God after the 2nd epi that he would find a quiet piece of land. He is not a church goer but definitely is religious somewhat.
@@dragonage2112he also takes the Lord’s name in vain in Ep. 7, before he calls for Spiers.
The method of addressing the stress, intricacies of leadership & PTSD are so well done in this episode. Add to that two scenes that stick out to me as an aside; Doc Roe sees the expression on Winters after Col Sink informs him of the promotion & gives him a cup of coffee & then chews out Winters, Nixon & Welsh after Moose is shot. What a guy.
I absolutely love the way this episode was done. Following Winters' recollections of the recent events after his promotion. Not only only did it serve as an interesting way to see the recent events leading up to the deployment to Bastogne, it really helped us see even further into Winters' character. Getting a glimpse of how each moment impacted him emotionally
Winters has been effectively bumped up a whole level. He's now the S-2 (Operations or executive officer "XO") of 2nd battalion. He's now in charge of Dog, Easy, AND Fox companies (and will make Major if he lives long enough for the paperwork to get through). But it's more abstract as a position, he won't be leading patrols much (he'll tell the captains under him to arrange patrols), or going out on the front line (but he may well set the location of the front line). But he'll still be in danger (his predecessor was KIA after all).
This is my favorite episode of the entire series. I love the focus on Winters and his leadership. As a Veteran myself, he is the type of leader I can respect and follow. And I love the friendship between Winters and Nixon. There are two excellent books about Richard Winters, Beyond Band of Brothers, which he co-authored, and The Biggest Brother. The German attack that led to the 101 going to Bastogne is known today as the Battle of the Bulge, so named because the hole the Germans punched into the Allied position looked like a big bulge when drawn on a map. The attack caught the Allies completely by surprise. Ultimately it was a failure for the Germans as they did not have enough fuel for their vehicles and they did not take as much ground as originally planned.
Winters told people that what upset him the most was the kid smiled at him. Winters said he was obviously the lookout, but wasn't doing his job.
Great reaction! You commented on so many details that most don't catch. Bravo! 🎉
8:31 A few years ago, Mark Lawrence, the actor who played Dukeman went to The Netherlands and went to the place Dukeman got hit to thank him. There’s a video of it on RUclips somewhere.
There was an interview with the actor that I saw where he talks about how Band of Brothers led to him meeting his wife.
Richard Winters had described Liebgott as "a good soldier, but he was a killer" hence why he had him drop his ammo so he wouldn't murder all of the German prisoners. And if Winters says that about someone, you know it's the truth.
As I mentioned after Carentan, it surprised me to see Liebgott treating Tipper with such care after Tipper was caught in that storefront explosion. Joe WAS a stone-cold killer, but a great comrade. We'll see more great Liebgott scenes in future episode.
The scene with Winters on the train is perhaps the most hauntingly relatable depiction of PTSD ever put to film....
Don't really think it's PTSD, it's just a glimpse into how war stays with you, and you keep the images with you -- Winters handled his experiences quite well in fact
Buck is the real victim of PTSD
My understanding is that there was actually no delay in the others following Winters in the charge across the open ground. He just outran everyone by a good margin. I've read some comments saying that Winters probably went into a kind of a fugue state, that they recogized that type of hyper-adrenalized experience. The Operations Room youtube channel has a video "Easy Company Assaults the Crossroads" if anyone is interested in seeing more about how this played out. It's a really outstanding channel.
Jimmy Fallon was portraying Second Lt. George C. Rice from the 10th Armored Division. Rice made several trips to bring the paratroopers supplies, his last one was when Bastogne was already surrounded. He was getting ready to make another supply run when his commanding officer ordered him to stop.
The funny part is that Fallon can't drive a stick shift. They had to have crew members push the Jeep into the scene.
@@randyronny7735 You Americans... it's Manual* 😉
This is by far my favorite episode, directed by Tom Hanks himself. Captain Winters put on a master class of infantry tactics, and this was his proudest moment for Easy. It exemplified small unit leadership, marksmanship, communication, fires, and they were able to take two SS companies by complete surprise effectively eliminating them overnight.
Captain Winters' promotion to Battalion gave him more responsibility, but his job was now to be in charge of the Battalion, so 4 times as many men to lead. He wouldn't be leading anymore bayonet charges.
Also, tiny historical inaccuracy; from what people can remember of the assault, Winters didn't throw a faulty grenade, and Peacock didn't order a hold for the signal. Winters simply outran everyone, but everyone had adrenaline going, so recalling those memories are difficult.
The historical inaccuracy is there for the audience. Im sure it has been addressed before that winters outran everyone but would have been hard to show on camera to the audience. they made a few creative decisions like that and even downplayed some events as although they were real they seemed unbelievable to the audience. There is one later in the series where they create a bit of dialogue for a decision that was made in winters' head. The important bits are still the same even although details may not be 100% accurate.
@@spiderbootsy I'm totally okay with that, gotta make the story fit the screen. No forgiveness for Blythe though, he didn't deserve that.
@@klonkimo Agreed, its understandable that they made the mistake as the men of easy did think that he had died not long after the war, but its been over 20 years since it was first broadcast and they havent corrected it. it would be as easy as simply removing or editing the final caption
"We're paratroopers Lt..We're supposed to be surrounded." Love that line
There are places in American history that just to mention the name evokes a range of emotions. Valley Forge, the Alamo, Gettysburg… and now we add Bastogne to the list.
Showing the way trauma haunts people is one of the most important things this mini-series does. One aspect of it they didn't portray is the nightmares. I had dreams for twenty years about things I experienced when I was eighteen. I'm 65 now and I can still see it in my mind's eye as if it was yesterday.
Captain Winters (he's a captain now, not a lieutenant) got moved up to be the executive officer of the battalion - that means he's second in command over three companies with Easy being just one of the three. He can't go back to leading Easy because he's responsible for looking after the whole battalion. Winters was definitely ambivalent about that promotion. It meant he had a lot of administrative duties instead of leading from the front. Being an XO is a pain in the butt - a lot of admin, behind a desk as Guarnere put it. It can be intensely frustrating. He has to watch someone else (Lieutenant Dike now) lead Easy.
I was in a position where I led a company, then got moved up and had to watch someone who wasn't very good in charge of the company I thought of as my Marines. They would see me and come up and complain to me in private, and I couldn't do anything about it.
Please watch the 11th episode "we stand alone together". It is comprised of more of the interviews you see at the start of each episode. On a unrelated note that dress looks amazing on you
06:04 From what I've read, there's never been a definitive explanation for why the German MG-42 was apparently just firing off into the distance, giving away their position. Most military historians now just kind of chalk it up to them getting spooked, thinking they saw an American patrol when in fact, Winters and his men were at their flank.
A beret was the hat the British wore. Initially worn by the British tank regiment with gift from a French girls school which was liberated by the British Tank regiment in ww1. The Tank regiment wore black to hide grease marks.
My understanding is that a lot of the British 1st Para's went into battle wearing their red Berets and was given the nickname of the Red Devils. They got hammered bad at Arnhem but they gave the Germans one hell of a fight.
Remember Webster, we won’t see him again until episode 8 and this causes many reactors to not remember who he is.
DON'T MAKE SPOILS!!!
@@angelrogo She already knows he’s wounded, I’m not telling her what happens to him or in the next episodes, just not to forget who he is, so stop crying.
@@andreshernandez1180 Stop being a jerk. It's a spoiler.
@@Educated2Extinction Stop whining, it’s not.
@@andreshernandez1180 It is, and I could explain why, but that would be a spoiler. If you'd think beyond "Look at me! Look at me!", you might figure it out, scooter.
Love the Mass Effect music at the end.
I just recognized Jimmy Fallon as the guy in the Jeep who brought ammo at 25:27. I had no idea that Jimmy Fallon was an actor!
My uncle served w the 4th Armored in Patton's army from summer 44 through the Bulge. I grew up on stories about the Battle of the Bulge. Every time I see the scene of them walking into the darkness toward the Germans, my eyes well up. They didn't know or care they were going to be legends. Also, it wasn't that they didn't have a shipment, they just moved out so fast because the situation was so dire that there wasn't time to stock up normally
A lot of BoB episodes have huge, intense firefights and I love watching that. But what makes this episode special is the direction/editing and character focus on Winters. It stands out amongst the chaos and carnage as a really special look into his mentality
I always had a question about a scene in this episode until I saw a deleted scene. When Winters comes over the rise and shoots the guard, it looks like the guard is rising from the ground with a bit of a smile. Turns out in the real action Winters tossed a grenade at the guard who also threw a grenade. Neither one exploded, so it kind of makes sense the guard as is looking at him like,”Can you believe this?”
I always thought that it was a "come on then... get it over with and shoot me." type of mentality from the German.
“Well you oughta. You know, you’re officers… you’re grownups. You OUGHTA know.” Typically, that kind of insubordination from a lesser rank would get you thrown into the pokey. But when it comes from a medical man, the only thing you should do is stand there humble. They did. Because they were ashamed. Later on in the series you’ll see how that affects Dick Winters and his decision making. Everybody learns under fire.
@9:15 Yes, he has to make the first move and they have no choice but to conduct a frontal assualt on the germans. @11:10 they were hunkering down because what they didnt show is that Winters had machine guns firing between the platoons to gain fire superiority as they made their way through the open feild.
The MG-42 machine gun fired approximately 1,200 rounds per minute. It was preceded by the MG-34. I believe the rate of fire for the MG-34 was about 1000 rounds per minute.
A higher-ranked officer (Winters) doesn't replace a lower-ranked officer (Moose) if they go down, someone of equal or lower rank will have to step up (or be appointned). The higher-ranked officer has more on their plate. If Winters took over Easy Company, there'd be nobody to be the executive officer of the battalion (3-5 companies). It's easier to find a replacement to lead a company than replace a Battallion XO. What he'd prefer to do is of significantly less importance than what his superiors need from him.
Pee was in the jar because houses didn't have indoor toilets back then, at least in a rural place like that. People didn't want to have to go outside to pee in the middle of the night, so chamber pots were really common back then. My grandfather who was born in 1918 still had a chamber pot in the early 1990s (I was shocked when I stumbled upon it as a kid), even though the house they built in the 1950s always had indoor toilets.
Kaliwali, what is your background with military experience? You always notice small details that go unnoticed to many reactors, for example 7:50 noticing they are using iron sights. I am always impressed with your attention to detail.
No military experience! Honestly, I just used to play a lot of Tarkov 😂
@@kaliwali tarkov gameplay when? :D
This is one of my favorites. Possibly my favorite episode just wanted to mention that sometimes New watchers don’t get is that anytime you see a tracer around there are 3 to 4 more rounds that you don’t see. They normally loaded on belts three rounds to one tracer. Enjoying watching you learn and hearing your observations in perspective.
I was a Royal Green Jacket, for us it was 4 rounds, every 5th was a tracer. That was only when using a GPMG, we never used them in our SLR's unless we where trying to direct fire onto a target.
This is the episode when Tom Hanks literally takes the reigns in the series...becoming more introspective with Winters. The back and forth between the gunfire, typewriter and memory is done brilliantly. Long before PTSD was even taken seriously. General Patton famously addressed it with the back of his hand on a soldiers face. Oh and if any of you come across any bacon sandwiches, let me know. Currahee ♠
There were actually volunteers from every occupied territory. That doesn't make them any less SS. In fact some of the last defenders of the Government District including the Reich's Chancellery and Hitler's bunker were French. Go figure.
I always recommend watching generation kill and the pacific along with band of brothers
This is one of the best episodes of one of the best series!
Looking forward to seeing you react to Bastogne.
27:52- "Had to be me. Someone else might have gotten it wrong."
It was writing a book about 'Operation Pegasus' that interested Stephen Ambrose in writing Easy Company's story in the book that this series is based on. He was also a majot contributor to a 1970s UK Documentary series about WWII called A World at War, kerk
Shoutout to the Mass Effect outro song
Yeah Tali`s song. I am surprised that noone has mentioned it earlier.
Buckle up. Things pick up real fast starting next episode. Really a powerful scene as you see the hundreds of infantry retreating, and you see them all march straight into danger. Under the stoic gaze of Winters.
7:50 Ironsights for the win! Belaya Smert!
You need to watch the series THE PACIFIC and another movie featuring Tom Hanks, GREYHOUND. GREYHOUND is about the Battle of the Atlantic. It's historically accurate and very entertaining. It will keep you on the edge of your seat.
All officers had the vertical stripe on the back of their helmets, NCO's had a vertical stripe. Us Brits never needed anything to distinguish our officers and NCO's.
Berets (the maroon caps worn by the Paras) were worn when not under active fire, or in immediate danger. Sometimes they were worn in dangerous situations for morale (it can’t be that bad if we aren’t wearing helmets!). Pretty much always in helmets when jumping out of a plane.
The scene where Winters throws urine on Nixon actually happened. It was mentioned in the book.
I’m surprised you took Captain Winters promotion to Executive Officer (EO) as a good thing and something he wanted. Just the part where he said he knew could handle the men in the field was enough for me to know that’s where he wanted to stay. Then when he looked around at the guys, paused, and asked who would take over for Easy Company. I’ve always taken that smile at the end of the conversation as more of a nervous/not liking the decision kind of a smile and not happy.
This is the "Battle of the Bulge", 600,000 American soldiers would fight in this battle. It was the turning point of the war in Europe.
Actually next episode, episode 6 and 7 deals with the Battle of the Bulge!!
This episode (five) is still taking place in Holland before the Battle of the Bulge, which is Belgium!!!
But your info in regards to the Battle of the Bulge is correct!!
Kursk or Stalingrad were more the turning point. Bastone would have been a turning point (the wrong turn) had it not been for the 101st.
History nerd here with an anti-French officer take. This is 1944. In 1940 when it was England and France vs. Germany, the Germans did the same thing. They invaded Belgium and beat up the French troops sent to stop them. You saw how Colonel Sink describe Bastogne as 7 roads in and 7 roads out. Didn't need to be a genius to notice that and defend Bastogne with whatever you have, In 1944 it was undersupplied paratroopers. In 1940 the French officers saw that and decided to not take troops from the Maginot line WW2 would be a European affair if the French had the sense they were born with.
Tom Hanks directed this one, he is a collector of old typewriters...hence the typing scenes.
The white stripes on helmets designated leaders. Officers had vertical, NCO, (sergeants) horizontal. It allowed men to tell who was who when following
There are several instances in the series where they modified events because they were afraid the truth would breach the audience suspension of disbelief and destroy immersion. One such instance is in the second episode when Malarkey is talking to the German prisoner from Oregon that Speirs eventually shoots. In the episode Malarky says they were working the same job 100 miles apart, but in reality he and that German PoW he ran into by random in the middle of a warzone on a different continent had actually been working the same job literally across the street from each other. Another is in this episode. Winters outrunning the entire company had nothing to do with the smoke grenade he threw or waiting for the signal, Winters was just a really, really, really fast runner. But including that would have made it look like they were trying to set him up as some sort of superhuman or something so they changed it up a bit.
Wow, you know what iron sights are? 😍
She literally plays Red Dead redemption on this channel.
I enjoy watching your reaction to what is one of my favourite TV series.
Winters was the captain of a company (easy). He has now moved up to the next level, battalion (battalion has multiple companies under it, including Easy).
Near the beginning, when Nixon said we should have taken Antwerp and we would have been well supplied. The Allies had Antwerp the port city, but the Germans held the Scheld region, which was the river estuary to the port.
To give you a perspective on the strategy. Hitler gambled on a thrust through Allied lines to split the US and British troops. Germans struck through heavily forested country. Believed to be impossible to do. They easily overran the green troops stationed there. The 101st was one of the only combat experienced units that could be sent in. They soon found themselves surrounded during the colfest winter in Europe in 100yrs.
Movie notes!
This episode tells us quite a bit more about Winter and his excellent leadership abilites, but also highlights another side of a soldier's (or at least an officer's) life: lots of paperwork! Bureaucracy runs deep in the military to this day.
Regarding the SS soldiers claiming to be Polish: Originally, the SS was sort of an elite unit and had very strict rules for membership (with physical, ideological and ancestral criteria). However, as the war went on, these rules were watered down significantly and the SS would conscript foreigners into their ranks as well and could hardly be called an elite unit any longer.
Well, I guess this was indeed a somewhat calmer episode with more introspection. We shall see whether it stays calm...
See you next time, Kali!
Fun Fact: Tom Hanks has an uncredited cameo in this Episode. You actually showed part of where he appears, but his face was largely concealed by another trooper.
Officers had the white vertical stripe on their helmets and Non-Commissioned Officers, sergeants and corporals, had horizontal stripes.
3:52 Soldiers have been doing it forever. I had plenty of “piss bottles” in Afghanistan myself. But I did not collect them like some people…
One thing you need to watch and you’ve probably been told this already there is a mini documentary about easy company called we stand alone together what you see at the beginning with the veterans or snippets from this documentary but it’s a must watch
Yes, they do wear a beret into combat.
They are Paras. :)
When you finish Episode 10, please, please, please watch "We Stand Alone Together." Consider it episode 11. The old veterans you see speaking at the beginning of the episodes? Those are small excerpts from "We Stand Alone Together." You get a lot more of that.
You have such smart takes always! I love it!
Thanks for another compassionate reaction!
8:52 E Company is surrounded on 3 sides and are in the open and primed to be ambushed. Its like a 3 on 1 fight. You pick one and hit 'em as hard as you can and deal with what's left. Hence the charge across the field.
Not really. Germans were only to their front, and you don't break contact out in the open, so his only choice was a frontal assault.
Europe during that time period didn't have flushing toilets outside of the major cities. Nixon didn't want to go to the outhouse at night after a night of drinking.
Its his job to do after action reports every time. He's an officer.
Love your channel ❤️
glad you're loving it here :) happy friday!!
@@kaliwali TGI Fridays just filed for bankruptcy 😔
Great reaction. I enjoyed your response.
You are a very attractive woman, but the fact that you knew "iron sights", made you even more attractive!!! Great reaction!!!
The troops pulling out put up one hell of a fight and slowed the Germans down enough for the 101st and other units to get into position. They were heavily outnumbered and outgunned.
Anyone who wants to order men into combat should have to watch this and Band of Brothers. The other big thing about the end of this episode is the number of replacements. Veterans have a hard time trusting the new, green guys joining them, because those men haven't seen combat. But they did ok - Bastogne will forever have a place of honor in the history of the 101st.
Some of the phrases you use and what you know about leadership or grasp at the tactical level often makes me wonder if you’re prior service. I *think* you’re not, but every so often you do come across that way, like: “Wow. Over iron sights.” My head hit ‘pause’ at that one. So a tip of my old helmet to you, young lady!
The Pacific is also a great series
Winters was a Captain at this point
No actual spoilers, but the next two episodes cover the events that raised the 101st Airborne from a famous unit to legendary. Combat legends are expensive in blood and heartache.
Winters is a Captain at this point. 1 rank above a 2nd LT
Lieutenant Dyke is the new Easy Company Commander
Just a heads up, the next episode focuses on the company's medic. It's... brutal. This next one is really tough to watch.
So brace yourself. Winter is coming. (Sorry, I had to lol)
Rest of the show gonna hit hard
Winters was furious about the Paris scenes because he thought it made him look like we was trying to pick up the kid on the train. None of that happened btw, Winters had no flashbacks or PTSD during the war (according to himself).
Also Heyliger was shot by his own sentry because he forgot the password. 50 years later he could still not remember it lol
Buck Compton did not have any problems until he got to Bastogne. The writers brought his PTSD forward somewhat.
One last thing, the vets said that the lighting of gasoline at night at Bastogne was one of the stupidest things the writers came up with. When they first arrived at Bastogne they had no idea where the Germans were so lighting fires in the area was unthinkable.
ahh!! So happy to see another episode 🙏 i love your videos!!
Kaliwali Awesome Video Today!!🔥🐐🐐💎
Buckle up. The next few episodes get a little "bumpy."
Famous battle incoming.
Most intelligent commentary.
he is a captain
Love this channel 💯
I'm looking forward to seeing you react to Ronald Spears.
I know you don't reply and that's ok. I have said that you will start feeling like your part of Easy and I can see it happening with you. You are doing a great job . May God bless you
Outstanding Ma’am!!!,great reactions!!, enjoying watching!!,thanks for sharing 😊👏👏👏👍✌️🇺🇸🇮🇱
I guess with your youthful look, you wouldn't have listened to Prince's song Raspberry Beret. The type of had the British Commandos were wearing.
yeah next one might be heavy...