For some reason this video has blown up recently and I want to address some misunderstandings I see in the comments. Though I intended for this video to be enjoyable and informative on its own, it's _also_ the finale of a nine-part series about Jewish perspectives on the First World War. Out of that series, this is the _third_ episode in which the ANZACs play a major role and the _only_ episode in which I discuss the Americans in significant detail. So if you're interested in more like this, do check out the rest of the playlist here: ruclips.net/p/PLSmG0ySpQbe7Byz_-X8VkI4teeeZ4PkCV&si=2n64fWX1LIugZ_vc And no, this is not evidence of a Putin-style Victory Cult that some weirdos in the rest of the Anglosphere seem to assume exists in the US. We are taught about the Allies of both world wars in great detail and that is nothing new. The hardcore American chauvinism you sometimes encounter is mostly the result of an ultranationalist counter-elite that considers itself to be at war against public education.
Heck... doesn't even have to be a world War. RUclipsr Ryan McBeth constantly says about the Russo-Ukrainian War, "There is no winners and losers in war. Only one side losing a little less."
As an Aussie, I'm so happy to see Monash mentioned here! I'd forgotten just how important he was. I know I learned about him in school, but I just remembered he was a good Australian-Jewish General in WW1. Now I'm even more proud of him.
Honestly the paltry state of Australian's education about Australia itself is probably at fault. I myself can barely recall being taught much more than the broad strokes of Aussie history in school, and hell the vast majority of Australians are woefully unaware of Aussie history as is. Tell me, can you recall the first Aussie PM off the top of your head? Probably not, yet you can most likely name the first US president!! Makes me sad. That's why we should all read the 'Girt' series of Aussie history :)
@@weevilstevil9901 I was surprised by this. In my research about Monash I read a lot of handwringing from Australian politicians/intellectuals about how seemingly impossible it is to make Australian history feel relevant to New Australians. This baffled me for two reasons. (1) I'm American, and we're _very_ good at teaching immigrants and their children that our history matters to them. (2) John Monash is, like, _the model New Australian_ before the concept existed. This should be easy.
@@weevilstevil9901 Edmund Barton. I didn't even have to look it up. Unfortunately I only remember because he was cited as a counterpoint to George Washington for how irrelevant/forgotten he is. Not that that's necessarily _wrong:_ like I said, Australia was a _state_ well before it was truly a _nation,_ and its nationhood is very much a product of the World Wars which were after his time. Additionally, the US President isn't a fair comparison because he's also the ceremonial figurehead, and Washington has even more significance as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army and was basically drafted to be President based on that. A prime minister is just one of many dispensable public servants, which I actually prefer.
@@SamAronow Honestly it is unfathomable to me, even as someone that grew up in Australia, how little Australians seem to care about being Australian. Very well done on the Barton recollection! You've now achieved more than what 98.37%* of Aussies are capable of. I suppose that you've plucked at exactly the errant chord. Symbols. Australia cares precious little for her symbolic characters and stories that may aid in nation-building (sans Gallipoli and Ned Kelly, of course). *Actual figure may differ.
@@SamAronow Another factor which isnoften overlooked is the odd shadow of Australia's fourth most famous foundational Jew. Sir Isaac Isaacs*. Isaacs was desperate to frame himself as having rejected his Jewish heritage, especially in a way that tied him to Zionism and responsibility to his community. This, coming so soon after Monash's support of Zionism in the postwar-years, and his fledgling identification as a symbol of Australian multiculturalism, muted Monash's memory outside of his martial achievements. The enforcement of the White Australia Policy during the second Yellow Scare come WW2, as well as the rather public refutation of the Kimberly scheme didn't help matters either. It's only since the 80's that Monash has been more widely recognised for his cultural and national symbolism and legacy rather than just martial. I hope Australia gets better at enjoying its own history. *A yid so nice they named him twice!
This is a brilliant video about a great Australian. John Monash has so much named for him here in Victoria, Australia, but he was, and is, so deserving of the recognition.
@@SamAronow like father like son I guess. I know it sounded a bit reductive and libelous but that is what they choose to be. Libelous tabloidmongers ala the hearsts
@@patdan123At any rate libel against libel is probably much less condemned as libel against truth, and understandably so. When one is demonstrably shown to be untruthful, other rumors against him hold greater weight, as honesty is a commonly-known enduring sign of character to most of us.
And also if we disregard the present-day footage used in early episodes, like of the 1st Temple-era aqueducts and the house in Jaffa in the Jesus episode.
As an Aussie, great to finally see Monash, and almost in time for ANZAC Day too. They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old, Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them.
Since this is the last WWI video and as such an end of a chapter on your channel I wanted to say that this chapter was brilliant and what an incredible way to end it. By this time most of my great grandparents were young teens living in Warsaw, Eastern Galicia, Vienna, Morocco and Tunisia I know some of their parents were recruited especially my Moroccan and Tunisian ancestors
It may be the end of WW1, but our great-grandparents in Galicia wouldn't get a break for another couple of years, which I suspect will be covered in the coming episodes. Polish-Soviet border went quiet in 1921.
@@milobem4458 I am well aware both of my branches in Galicia just so happened to live in the border regions of Galicia one branch on the Galicia-Volhyna border to the north and the other on the Galicia-Podolia border to the East.
I really like how you show the Jewish perspective on events from so many different sides. Really shows well how Jews at this time were mostly very attached to the countries they lived in. On one side you've got Victor Klemperer the German nationalist already writing in his diary, on the other side Alfred Dreyfus (and his entire family) were proving themselves to be the staunchest French patriots. I look forward to videos about Jews in the USSR - my great-grandfather massively profited from the Bolshevik takeover, eventually rising to lieutenant-colonel. Lieutenant Colonel David Khoder - who could have imagined such a thing when he was a boy growing up in a shtetl? Our family only left the former USSR in the 21st century. In previous videos, many people commented with stories about ancestors who left, and it will be nice to find out more about the people who stayed.
@@SamAronow I am not sure I understand. I didn't mean it like that. I meant that I didn't think the Murdoch family reached as far back as World War I in terms of their chicanery.
I feel surprised and unsurprised at the same time considering Keith Murdoch's son, Rupert Murdoch, being involved with Fox News and the Tabloid industry.
I’m American, and a student of the war and era, and yet learned who Monash was only a few years ago. Wow. He all but invented multinational interoperative cooperative combined arms warfare. Today, that concept is core to collective security and NATO. Australia should be very proud.
Sam Aronow, can you please make videos on these following topics: - History of Jewish communities in Penang, Singapore and Manado (that way you can talk about Singapore's David Marshall) - History of Yemeni Jews - History of Sephardic Jews in Suriname and the Caribbean - History of Montreal's Jewish community (that way you can talk about Montreal bagels and Mordecai Richler) - History of Jewish communities in Latin America (that way you can talk about Don Francisco, Alejandro Jodorowsky, Jacobo Timerman and Silvio Santos) - History of South Africa's Jewish community (that way you can talk about Helen Suzman and Harry Schwarz) Thank you very much and please accept my requests.
The arc is at an end! How fantastic! Also mister Aronow, I commented on an old video and shall do so here to keep up to speed. I just found John Henry Patterson's grave in Moshav Avichayil!!! HOW COOL!!??
Just wanna say, this is some of the best historical videos I’ve ever seen. Learned more stuff about WWI than I did in community college. Keep up the amazing work💯🙌
My great grandfather served in the "Lost Battalion". He was in Company H of the 308th Infantry. However, he was wounded in action about a month before the 77th division launched their attack into the Argonne. We have his two journals from the war, along with a series of letters and photos from his service and the purple heart he later received.
Being an American video, you may be excused from mentioning that Pershing didn't want any of his American troops participating in the battle of Le Hamel. 4,000 American troops were supposed to take part, but in the end, only 2,000 took part. General Pershing wanted to draw the war out until 1919 when he would have all of his troops available.
The remaining American troops were kept in reserve after Pershing disobeyed orders. They didn’t see much fighting, except from where they were sitting. Pershing revealed his character as a cowardly grub, who accepted battle honours from Foch, as did Haig, to the exclusion of the Australians. He should have been court-martialled instead.
The US Senate started an inquiry into Pershings' behaviour on 11/11/18. Many US troops unnecessarily lost their lives in the morning leading up to the Armistace. The inquiry was stopped.
Wow I remember a couple of years ago writing in your comments about Australian Judaism and Monash in particular. Sam you’ve made my day, month and half year.
Amazing episode and very much long awaited! I'm originally from Melbourne and my family has a very strong connection to the Monashs. John Monash's congregation (also happens to be my family's) is one of the oldest in Melbourne and is a gorgeous looking synagogue!!
Legend means untrue. Besides there has been enough bullshit about Monash. The Last Hundred Days was not masterminded by a mere Lt General. It was five British Armies advancing rapidly and by the 11th of November the Australians were 60 miles behind the final front line.
What are the cities at 33:18? I recognize Berlin, Istanbul, the no clue what the third one is, London, Paris, and again no clue, Sofia, Alexandria, Jerusalem, no clue, new york, Tel aviv, DC.
I love irony. And the irony is a Prussian jew, who would have had opportunities restricted in Germany, was given the opportunity to flourish in an egalitarian Australia to his personal benefit, Australia's benefit, and indeed the World's benefit.
Opening with Ecclesiastes like an absolute savant ! Right out of the gate you know its going to be a good history-buff episode. Thank you for your awesomeness, Sam.
Well, that was the most comprehensive look at John Monash I've seen. I've never studied him but what you have presented here is an inspiration to learn more. Thank you.
Hey Sam have been greatly enjoying all of these videos. It's very interesting to me having watched this entire series how well Jewish History works as a lens for all of human history both in terms of longevity and geographic spread. It doesn't work perfectly of course as places like Ancient America and swathes of Africa and Asia are ignored or are at least of lesser importance but still fascinating.
For the battle at Le Hamel it was originally planned to have 10 American companies involved in the battle but Pershing got wind of it and, according to author Roland Perry, did not want his troops distributed amongst British divisions and out of his command. Hence he ordered them back to barracks. Communications being what they were at the front not all the messages arrived as intended, probably deliberately, thus 4 American companies took part in the battle.
Sir John Monash was the best general on the western front, and if it’s not him it’s Arthur Currie of the Canadian force. I’ve often wondered what would have happened had they been in say Henry Rawlinson’s and Hugh Gough’s positions in charge of whole armies not just corps and divisions. Similar in ww2 how different the pacific war would have been with genuinely talented and capable generals like Sir Leslie Morshead and general Robert Eichelberger in the position of the arrogant and incompetent Thomas Blamey and Douglas McArthur respectively.
Thanks for a great video. I was a little surprised that you didn’t mention that the US Army’s first MoH of the war was awarded to Corporal Pope of the 33rd (Illinois) Division at Hamel, the first infantry MoH of the war. By the way, the date of 4 July for the Hamel attack was no coincidence. Monash deliberately chose that date as a way to acknowledge the involvement of US companies.
The majority of the American troops given to Monash were disappointed to be withdrawn just before the battle by Pershing who didn’t want his troops used peacemeal by the British. The only American troops able to take place were those on the front line who couldn’t (and probably didn’t want to) be withdrawn. Since July 4th 1918 Australia and America have fought together in every other war.
Love learning some Australian history in this one, even though my mum's side of the family is Australian I was raised in America so the only Australian history I ever learned growing up was the general, half-remembered stuff I got from them lol
Out of curiosity Sam, how did you come across the primary source of the NYT op-ed published on 06/10/1917? What was your process? I'm fascinated by how you are able to weave so many sources together. Kol hakavod!
I got an NYT subscription for one day, looked in their archives, and immediately canceled. It was surprisingly cheap, so I'll probably use that tactic again.
Watching this in 2024 after synagogues were burnt with parishoners inside in Melbourne, that bit about "in australia we have no jewish question" definitely hits different
At Hamel after blsck jack nixed US participation in the anzac assault .some dougboys (not to be left out) actually donned Aussie gear to be in the game .. knowing that it took class to travel with the southern cross .. ref ."The Doughboys" book account.
Bean and Murdoch’s opinion of Monash is fairly accurate in this video, though I’m not sure if Bean disliked Monash for being a Jew or his self promotion and forthrightness. I think he preferred the reserved demeanour of British officers. Later on he wrote that he was wrong about Monash.
Great video! I found it interesting that the last thing in your list of achievements at 37:17 that Monash was the (first) President (and one of the founders) of the ZFA. With his fierce Australian nationalism I think his presidency here is an interesting decision. On another note, as we are in the late 1910s, youth movements such as Blau-Weiss, Hashomer Hatzair and Dror are beginning to emerge. Will you be delving into youth movements in a later video?
What a fantastic show. Here in Melbourne we have a Monash university and a district called Monash and a Highway called the Monash freeway. He was brilliant and saved a lot of Aussie lives by the way he saw war. If he was in charge at the start of the war maybe it would not have gone so long. But the British didn't like Aussies doing well every time we won a battle it was always written up as a British victory.
At Hamel, Pershing ordered his troops to do a runner, and they did. Monash was furious and even more disparaging of the Americans in the coming months as they were useless to the point that Rawlinson recommended their complete withdrawal. The way Foch had slighted the Australians by giving battle honours for Hamel only to Haig and Pershing made Monash even more determined to ensure that his way of warfare would succeed. It’s to the credit of the King that he had Rawlinson sideline Haig and to ignore the French and the hapless Americans to have Monash and his commanders plan and give their troops the lead to break the German lines to bring on the Armistice. The intellectual breakthrough and organisation of the Australians who had developed combined arms warfare turned their attack into mobile warfare, which was completely contradictory to the British and French tactics of static warfare in a contest of endurance. Monash was simply a genius, who came from the only developed democracy to fight in WWI with an influence on the victories that far outweighed its tiny population of 4.5 million. He and his men were simply freaks from the future that Europeans still couldn’t see coming until revolutions upended the old order.
Great Comments totally agree. By the time the Americans arrived to do battle in 1918 the Germans were cooked they were not the fighting force they were from 1915-1917 if the Americans faced them then they would have been destroyed lucky they didn't.
I can also add another peculiar featue. Check out the letters to Smith's Weekly, a popular magazine in Australia in the late 1920s and early 1930s and you will find many letters arguing for a fascist dictatorship in Australlia. Most of them argued for Monash to be the dictator. To be fair, Monash repudiated these suggestions. But it's funny that would be fascists in Australia wanted a Jewish Fuhrer.
Fun fact: there is village in Israel named after Monash - "Kfar Monash". It was built in 1946, by Jews who served in the Corps of Royal Engineers, using funds from Australian Jews.
I love this Channel. Many thanks. In a few weeks, I Will share with you the story of my family. Some were the Wasserbergers and Landaus of Krakow. From the other side, the Reichmanns. The 1933 Bernheim Petition was issued from the desk of my grand grandfather, Marek. He never told us that. I discovered researching for myself, last year.
Im from Melbourne and mix with the jewish communities there, this isvery important Australian history that is relevant to Europe and USA today. Thanks for this well done story
I would point out that the word Nationalists meant something different at the time in Australia, as can be seen by PM Billy Hughes being a Nationalist... after being the Labour leader.... and becoming the Labour leader again later We still have a major party called the Nationals
Chauvel was a better Australian general, with greater responsibilities, and many more victories, including the epic Beersheba and the capture of Jerusalem and Damascus. But we don’t hear much about him.
As a non-Jewish Australian (and graduate of Monash university in Melbourne), I have always been very proud of Sir John Monash. Jewish people elsewhere may feel the same, I'm not qualified to venture an opinion. But in 2025, when the current Australian Government has adopted an overtly anti-Israel position in the UN, and declined to enforce anti-racism legislation against anti-semitic acts, Monash stands as an example of honourable behaviour.
Funny,I noticed that out of the 19 Jewish generals there werent any British ones. I understand America and their small armies at the start of the war, and other commonwealth nations since they either had a small army like NZ or a small jewish community but Britian I do not, especially wince they had a jewish generalin 1887 like you mentioned in the previous episode in the comments.
Isaac Rosenberg was an English poet who was Jewish. Omitting a person's nationality in this context and just describing them as Jewish encourages views of the Jews as separate and a threat to the nation
I'm Australian. John Monash is a national hero. He was Jewish? I had no idea, not that it makes any difference to me, to us. He is what he was and what he did.
Sorry to tell you but Pershing refused permission for US soldiers to fight at Hamel. Some disobeyed and mixed in Australian units. Pershing was furious and caused some bad blood.
Youve rightly given credit to Monash, but not enough to Australian troops in general, who were key ti stopping the Germans at Amiens, winning the Palestine battles, and along with the Canadians spear heading the 100 day advance. They were elite troops.
What does "The hundred days" refer to? This must be something obvious to people from some cultural backgrounds but not to me, and I haven't noticed explanation in the video.
@@SamAronow Thank you for quick response, and congratulations on your 50k. I've been following your channel for couple of years and never checked the counter, always assuming you were already much higher than that. While kind of a niche subject, at the same time, everybody and their aunt already has opinions on it.
For some reason this video has blown up recently and I want to address some misunderstandings I see in the comments. Though I intended for this video to be enjoyable and informative on its own, it's _also_ the finale of a nine-part series about Jewish perspectives on the First World War. Out of that series, this is the _third_ episode in which the ANZACs play a major role and the _only_ episode in which I discuss the Americans in significant detail. So if you're interested in more like this, do check out the rest of the playlist here:
ruclips.net/p/PLSmG0ySpQbe7Byz_-X8VkI4teeeZ4PkCV&si=2n64fWX1LIugZ_vc
And no, this is not evidence of a Putin-style Victory Cult that some weirdos in the rest of the Anglosphere seem to assume exists in the US. We are taught about the Allies of both world wars in great detail and that is nothing new. The hardcore American chauvinism you sometimes encounter is mostly the result of an ultranationalist counter-elite that considers itself to be at war against public education.
“That’s the thing about world wars, even the winners lose” might be the best line
That's not an original; I got it from HistoriaCivilis and I'm sure he got it from other sources.
@@SamAronow Still an epic line on the sheer carnage of WW1.
Heck... doesn't even have to be a world War.
RUclipsr Ryan McBeth constantly says about the Russo-Ukrainian War, "There is no winners and losers in war. Only one side losing a little less."
I mean... the US's and USSR's superpower status were entirely confirmed by WW2. The US economy had vertiginal growth.
NAH IT WAS THE "JOHN MONASH IS ON THE $100 FUCKING BILL"
As an Aussie, I'm so happy to see Monash mentioned here!
I'd forgotten just how important he was. I know I learned about him in school, but I just remembered he was a good Australian-Jewish General in WW1. Now I'm even more proud of him.
Honestly the paltry state of Australian's education about Australia itself is probably at fault. I myself can barely recall being taught much more than the broad strokes of Aussie history in school, and hell the vast majority of Australians are woefully unaware of Aussie history as is.
Tell me, can you recall the first Aussie PM off the top of your head? Probably not, yet you can most likely name the first US president!!
Makes me sad. That's why we should all read the 'Girt' series of Aussie history :)
@@weevilstevil9901 I was surprised by this. In my research about Monash I read a lot of handwringing from Australian politicians/intellectuals about how seemingly impossible it is to make Australian history feel relevant to New Australians. This baffled me for two reasons. (1) I'm American, and we're _very_ good at teaching immigrants and their children that our history matters to them. (2) John Monash is, like, _the model New Australian_ before the concept existed. This should be easy.
@@weevilstevil9901 Edmund Barton. I didn't even have to look it up. Unfortunately I only remember because he was cited as a counterpoint to George Washington for how irrelevant/forgotten he is. Not that that's necessarily _wrong:_ like I said, Australia was a _state_ well before it was truly a _nation,_ and its nationhood is very much a product of the World Wars which were after his time. Additionally, the US President isn't a fair comparison because he's also the ceremonial figurehead, and Washington has even more significance as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army and was basically drafted to be President based on that. A prime minister is just one of many dispensable public servants, which I actually prefer.
@@SamAronow Honestly it is unfathomable to me, even as someone that grew up in Australia, how little Australians seem to care about being Australian.
Very well done on the Barton recollection! You've now achieved more than what 98.37%* of Aussies are capable of. I suppose that you've plucked at exactly the errant chord. Symbols. Australia cares precious little for her symbolic characters and stories that may aid in nation-building (sans Gallipoli and Ned Kelly, of course).
*Actual figure may differ.
@@SamAronow Another factor which isnoften overlooked is the odd shadow of Australia's fourth most famous foundational Jew. Sir Isaac Isaacs*. Isaacs was desperate to frame himself as having rejected his Jewish heritage, especially in a way that tied him to Zionism and responsibility to his community.
This, coming so soon after Monash's support of Zionism in the postwar-years, and his fledgling identification as a symbol of Australian multiculturalism, muted Monash's memory outside of his martial achievements. The enforcement of the White Australia Policy during the second Yellow Scare come WW2, as well as the rather public refutation of the Kimberly scheme didn't help matters either.
It's only since the 80's that Monash has been more widely recognised for his cultural and national symbolism and legacy rather than just martial.
I hope Australia gets better at enjoying its own history.
*A yid so nice they named him twice!
This is a brilliant video about a great Australian. John Monash has so much named for him here in Victoria, Australia, but he was, and is, so deserving of the recognition.
An Australian Murdoch lying on the news? Preposterous!
His father.
@@SamAronowI suppose the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree
@@SamAronow like father like son I guess. I know it sounded a bit reductive and libelous but that is what they choose to be. Libelous tabloidmongers ala the hearsts
@@patdan123At any rate libel against libel is probably much less condemned as libel against truth, and understandably so. When one is demonstrably shown to be untruthful, other rumors against him hold greater weight, as honesty is a commonly-known enduring sign of character to most of us.
@@SamAronowLachlan’s grandfather also?
I applaud the use of the Bleucher horse whinny. Also, was this the first episode with video footage? Mazal tov on completing the WW1 arc.
Film footage was first used in "The Dreyfus Affair," but not to this extent. Thanks!
I think you mean Bleucher [horse whinny]
And also if we disregard the present-day footage used in early episodes, like of the 1st Temple-era aqueducts and the house in Jaffa in the Jesus episode.
As an Aussie, great to finally see Monash, and almost in time for ANZAC Day too.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old,
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.
Well done. A century later John Monash is well remembered and is still held in the very highest regard by Australians.
It's worth also mentioning that the German offensive was ended by the 15th Australian Brigade in a counterattack at Villers-Bretonneux.
Since this is the last WWI video and as such an end of a chapter on your channel I wanted to say that this chapter was brilliant and what an incredible way to end it.
By this time most of my great grandparents were young teens living in Warsaw, Eastern Galicia, Vienna, Morocco and Tunisia I know some of their parents were recruited especially my Moroccan and Tunisian ancestors
It may be the end of WW1, but our great-grandparents in Galicia wouldn't get a break for another couple of years, which I suspect will be covered in the coming episodes. Polish-Soviet border went quiet in 1921.
@@milobem4458 I am well aware both of my branches in Galicia just so happened to live in the border regions of Galicia
one branch on the Galicia-Volhyna border to the north and the other on the Galicia-Podolia border to the East.
I really like how you show the Jewish perspective on events from so many different sides. Really shows well how Jews at this time were mostly very attached to the countries they lived in. On one side you've got Victor Klemperer the German nationalist already writing in his diary, on the other side Alfred Dreyfus (and his entire family) were proving themselves to be the staunchest French patriots. I look forward to videos about Jews in the USSR - my great-grandfather massively profited from the Bolshevik takeover, eventually rising to lieutenant-colonel. Lieutenant Colonel David Khoder - who could have imagined such a thing when he was a boy growing up in a shtetl? Our family only left the former USSR in the 21st century. In previous videos, many people commented with stories about ancestors who left, and it will be nice to find out more about the people who stayed.
Murdoch Family origin story was unexpected. Great video.
especially with all the conspiracies that they are "part of the Jewish elite"
@@SamAronow I am not sure I understand. I didn't mean it like that. I meant that I didn't think the Murdoch family reached as far back as World War I in terms of their chicanery.
@@ElvingsMusingsI was responding to someone else whose comment is gone.
@@SamAronow Ah ok. Thanks.
I feel surprised and unsurprised at the same time considering Keith Murdoch's son, Rupert Murdoch, being involved with Fox News and the Tabloid industry.
I’m American, and a student of the war and era, and yet learned who Monash was only a few years ago. Wow. He all but invented multinational interoperative cooperative combined arms warfare. Today, that concept is core to collective security and NATO. Australia should be very proud.
we are thanks
Sam Aronow, can you please make videos on these following topics:
- History of Jewish communities in Penang, Singapore and Manado (that way you can talk about Singapore's David Marshall)
- History of Yemeni Jews
- History of Sephardic Jews in Suriname and the Caribbean
- History of Montreal's Jewish community (that way you can talk about Montreal bagels and Mordecai Richler)
- History of Jewish communities in Latin America (that way you can talk about Don Francisco, Alejandro Jodorowsky, Jacobo Timerman and Silvio Santos)
- History of South Africa's Jewish community (that way you can talk about Helen Suzman and Harry Schwarz)
Thank you very much and please accept my requests.
He's usually much more active on Reddit than in RUclips comments
It is so bizzare to me that Yemen was not even mentioned once until now especially in zionism, since basically all early zionism was Yemeni
@@smorcrux426Yemen has actually been mentioned; see for example the India and Ethiopia videos.
What about South Africa’s Jody Scheckter, F1 world champion
If the talks about Montreal he should also talk about Sam Steinberg and Sam Bronfman (the former was my great grandfather)
The arc is at an end! How fantastic! Also mister Aronow, I commented on an old video and shall do so here to keep up to speed. I just found John Henry Patterson's grave in Moshav Avichayil!!! HOW COOL!!??
woah
The quality of these videos just keeps improving, both content and production value. Thank you!
I love the art style, humbleness, professionalism and proper sourcing of your videos. You can't help but enjoy them.
Just wanna say, this is some of the best historical videos I’ve ever seen. Learned more stuff about WWI than I did in community college.
Keep up the amazing work💯🙌
My great grandfather served in the "Lost Battalion". He was in Company H of the 308th Infantry. However, he was wounded in action about a month before the 77th division launched their attack into the Argonne. We have his two journals from the war, along with a series of letters and photos from his service and the purple heart he later received.
Being an American video, you may be excused from mentioning that Pershing didn't want any of his American troops participating in the battle of Le Hamel. 4,000 American troops were supposed to take part, but in the end, only 2,000 took part. General Pershing wanted to draw the war out until 1919 when he would have all of his troops available.
The remaining American troops were kept in reserve after Pershing disobeyed orders. They didn’t see much fighting, except from where they were sitting. Pershing revealed his character as a cowardly grub, who accepted battle honours from Foch, as did Haig, to the exclusion of the Australians. He should have been court-martialled instead.
The US Senate started an inquiry into Pershings' behaviour on 11/11/18. Many US troops unnecessarily lost their lives in the morning leading up to the Armistace. The inquiry was stopped.
Wow I remember a couple of years ago writing in your comments about Australian Judaism and Monash in particular. Sam you’ve made my day, month and half year.
Amazing episode and very much long awaited! I'm originally from Melbourne and my family has a very strong connection to the Monashs. John Monash's congregation (also happens to be my family's) is one of the oldest in Melbourne and is a gorgeous looking synagogue!!
Jewish Australian here, had no idea why John Monash was famous. Thanks for the education.
Derrr…
He was definitely top 10 of all Australians.... Basically ended trench war fare
Monash deserves a miniseries.
To quote Australians, he's a fucking legend!
Legend means untrue.
Besides there has been enough bullshit about Monash. The Last Hundred Days was not masterminded by a mere Lt General. It was five British Armies advancing rapidly and by the 11th of November the Australians were 60 miles behind the final front line.
@@anthonyeaton5153 calling someone a legend is a compliment in Australia.
Exactly
And while Wilson made Europe safe for democracy, he did otherwise back home .
What are the cities at 33:18? I recognize Berlin, Istanbul, the no clue what the third one is, London, Paris, and again no clue, Sofia, Alexandria, Jerusalem, no clue, new york, Tel aviv, DC.
Berlin, Istanbul, Lisbon, London, Paris, Thessaloniki, Vienna, Alexandria, Jerusalem, Melbourne, New York, Tel Aviv, Washington.
I thought that was Haifa and not Tel Aviv @@SamAronow
I love irony. And the irony is a Prussian jew, who would have had opportunities restricted in Germany, was given the opportunity to flourish in an egalitarian Australia to his personal benefit, Australia's benefit, and indeed the World's benefit.
"How many Sabaton songs will be referenced in this video?"
"Yes"
Enlighten me.
"The Lost Batallion"
Sam, you can't expect us to listen to your narration with the banger "Over There".
It is nice to see that people do know more about this man.
As we say "A Bloody Legend!"
This is a wonderful documentary. I enjoyed watching this!
You are doing a great job of storytelling.
>19 Jewish generals in the first world war
This list is fascinating for the states which are absent on it.
My great-grandfather fought in St. Mihiel. Cool that you mentioned it.
In addition to the actual content and presentation of your channel, can I point out that you have some of the BEST maps out there?
So good, again and again you make such incredible videos, thank you Sam!
Opening with Ecclesiastes like an absolute savant ! Right out of the gate you know its going to be a good history-buff episode. Thank you for your awesomeness, Sam.
Well, that was the most comprehensive look at John Monash I've seen. I've never studied him but what you have presented here is an inspiration to learn more. Thank you.
Absolutely delightful. I would pay so much for a feature film about Monash
What a fascinating man. I love the role that Monash and Currie and even Smuts played in the war
A great encapsulation of his story. I have in my collection, many books on his leadership style.
Awesome as usual .you wouldn't believe how much I look for ward to your editions
15:01 I disagree, his plans werent overambitious.
Moving his drinking cabinet 12 inches closer to Berlin isnt that ambitious
That wasn't his intention. He was trying to advance like 20 miles every day. That was the problem.
@@SamAronow and all he got is a desk size dirt advancment.
With a little worm on it
Hey Sam have been greatly enjoying all of these videos. It's very interesting to me having watched this entire series how well Jewish History works as a lens for all of human history both in terms of longevity and geographic spread. It doesn't work perfectly of course as places like Ancient America and swathes of Africa and Asia are ignored or are at least of lesser importance but still fascinating.
For the battle at Le Hamel it was originally planned to have 10 American companies involved in the battle but Pershing got wind of it and, according to author Roland Perry, did not want his troops distributed amongst British divisions and out of his command. Hence he ordered them back to barracks. Communications being what they were at the front not all the messages arrived as intended, probably deliberately, thus 4 American companies took part in the battle.
"yadda yadda ... Operation Blucher"
* NNNNEIGH! *
Damn it, Sam, that got me. XD
You summarize and give a better narrative end to WW1 then some documentaries that focus on the war do
Very good summation of the last hundred days
Sir John Monash was the best general on the western front, and if it’s not him it’s Arthur Currie of the Canadian force. I’ve often wondered what would have happened had they been in say Henry Rawlinson’s and Hugh Gough’s positions in charge of whole armies not just corps and divisions. Similar in ww2 how different the pacific war would have been with genuinely talented and capable generals like Sir Leslie Morshead and general Robert Eichelberger in the position of the arrogant and incompetent Thomas Blamey and Douglas McArthur respectively.
An outstandingly good video.
Monash now joins the ranks of fascinating characters like Trumpeldor and Sarah Ahronsohn that I've never heard of prior to Sam Aranow's videos!
If only he had accepted the proto-Israel proposal...
You need an Australian $100 bill Monash is Australian and Jewish
Thanks for a great video. I was a little surprised that you didn’t mention that the US Army’s first MoH of the war was awarded to Corporal Pope of the 33rd (Illinois) Division at Hamel, the first infantry MoH of the war. By the way, the date of 4 July for the Hamel attack was no coincidence. Monash deliberately chose that date as a way to acknowledge the involvement of US companies.
Very well written video.
The majority of the American troops given to Monash were disappointed to be withdrawn just before the battle by Pershing who didn’t want his troops used peacemeal by the British.
The only American troops able to take place were those on the front line who couldn’t (and probably didn’t want to) be withdrawn.
Since July 4th 1918 Australia and America have fought together in every other war.
Pershing nearly derailed the whole attack- it actually succeeded despite the American General.
Love learning some Australian history in this one, even though my mum's side of the family is Australian I was raised in America so the only Australian history I ever learned growing up was the general, half-remembered stuff I got from them lol
Terrific video
Out of curiosity Sam, how did you come across the primary source of the NYT op-ed published on 06/10/1917? What was your process? I'm fascinated by how you are able to weave so many sources together. Kol hakavod!
I got an NYT subscription for one day, looked in their archives, and immediately canceled. It was surprisingly cheap, so I'll probably use that tactic again.
Would you make a video about the Balfour Declaration? If so, then I can't wait for that topic!!
It's in the WWI playlist: "The Jewish Legion (1917-1918)."
Watching this in 2024 after synagogues were burnt with parishoners inside in Melbourne, that bit about "in australia we have no jewish question" definitely hits different
Who was arrested for torching the synagogue ?
SUPER episode! 👍👍
At Hamel after blsck jack nixed US participation in the anzac assault .some dougboys (not to be left out) actually donned Aussie gear to be in the game .. knowing that it took class to travel with the southern cross .. ref ."The Doughboys" book account.
I’m assuming we’re talking about Rosa Luxembourg next?
The 77th Infantry still exists, as the 77th Sustainment Brigade, based in Fort Dix, NJ.
Oh yes, a nice addition in the middle of Pesach!
I wish I'd known about ANZAC Day so I could release it yesterday.
@@SamAronow Still a good timing!
Bean and Murdoch’s opinion of Monash is fairly accurate in this video, though I’m not sure if Bean disliked Monash for being a Jew or his self promotion and forthrightness. I think he preferred the reserved demeanour of British officers. Later on he wrote that he was wrong about Monash.
Great video! I found it interesting that the last thing in your list of achievements at 37:17 that Monash was the (first) President (and one of the founders) of the ZFA. With his fierce Australian nationalism I think his presidency here is an interesting decision.
On another note, as we are in the late 1910s, youth movements such as Blau-Weiss, Hashomer Hatzair and Dror are beginning to emerge. Will you be delving into youth movements in a later video?
Great work with Monash here - a clearly underrated general in a war full of donkey leaders.
What a fantastic show. Here in Melbourne we have a Monash university and a district called Monash and a Highway called the Monash freeway. He was brilliant and saved a lot of Aussie lives by the way he saw war. If he was in charge at the start of the war maybe it would not have gone so long. But the British didn't like Aussies doing well every time we won a battle it was always written up as a British victory.
At Hamel, Pershing ordered his troops to do a runner, and they did. Monash was furious and even more disparaging of the Americans in the coming months as they were useless to the point that Rawlinson recommended their complete withdrawal. The way Foch had slighted the Australians by giving battle honours for Hamel only to Haig and Pershing made Monash even more determined to ensure that his way of warfare would succeed. It’s to the credit of the King that he had Rawlinson sideline Haig and to ignore the French and the hapless Americans to have Monash and his commanders plan and give their troops the lead to break the German lines to bring on the Armistice. The intellectual breakthrough and organisation of the Australians who had developed combined arms warfare turned their attack into mobile warfare, which was completely contradictory to the British and French tactics of static warfare in a contest of endurance. Monash was simply a genius, who came from the only developed democracy to fight in WWI with an influence on the victories that far outweighed its tiny population of 4.5 million. He and his men were simply freaks from the future that Europeans still couldn’t see coming until revolutions upended the old order.
Great Comments totally agree. By the time the Americans arrived to do battle in 1918 the Germans were cooked they were not the fighting force they were from 1915-1917 if the Americans faced them then they would have been destroyed lucky they didn't.
Great video, learnt alot. What is the name of the accordion song, starting at 34:25? Thank you
"Kass' Theme" from BOTW. All music is listed in the end credits of each video.
In news completely unrelated to this video the Padres are one game back from the NL West.
For something about John Monash nice to see we’re talking about America first
The Rainbow Division appeared after the storm
Murdoch is Rupert Murdoch's (owner of Fox) father.
Exactly
I can also add another peculiar featue. Check out the letters to Smith's Weekly, a popular magazine in Australia in the late 1920s and early 1930s and you will find many letters arguing for a fascist dictatorship in Australlia. Most of them argued for Monash to be the dictator. To be fair, Monash repudiated these suggestions. But it's funny that would be fascists in Australia wanted a Jewish Fuhrer.
Keith Murdoch. Any relation to Rupert?
He's Rupert's father
Thank you.
Fun fact: there is village in Israel named after Monash - "Kfar Monash". It was built in 1946, by Jews who served in the Corps of Royal Engineers, using funds from Australian Jews.
That is awesome!!
Why are comments on the next video turned off?
Because it's just a promo. Why, have you found a technical issue with the survey? I'd be happy to address it.
I love this Channel. Many thanks. In a few weeks, I Will share with you the story of my family. Some were the Wasserbergers and Landaus of Krakow. From the other side, the Reichmanns. The 1933 Bernheim Petition was issued from the desk of my grand grandfather, Marek. He never told us that. I discovered researching for myself, last year.
Didnt even know this was up, i didnt get a notification
Im from Melbourne and mix with the jewish communities there, this isvery important Australian history that is relevant to Europe and USA today. Thanks for this well done story
How about Currie and the last 100 days
I had no idea George V was a pirate
There is a moshav called Kfar Monash.
13:36 Fascinating that twenty years after Dreyfus, France has more Jewish generals than all other powers combined
I would point out that the word Nationalists meant something different at the time in Australia, as can be seen by PM Billy Hughes being a Nationalist... after being the Labour leader.... and becoming the Labour leader again later
We still have a major party called the Nationals
Yes, I was going to say his nationalism was more Bob Hawke than Pauline Hanson.
You should do a video on Jewish Racing drivers, like Stirling Moss and Jody Scheckter
17:52 I think j just did the most sarcastic auidble gasp of my life
Chauvel was a better Australian general, with greater responsibilities, and many more victories, including the epic Beersheba and the capture of Jerusalem and Damascus.
But we don’t hear much about him.
As a non-Jewish Australian (and graduate of Monash university in Melbourne), I have always been very proud of Sir John Monash. Jewish people elsewhere may feel the same, I'm not qualified to venture an opinion. But in 2025, when the current Australian Government has adopted an overtly anti-Israel position in the UN, and declined to enforce anti-racism legislation against anti-semitic acts, Monash stands as an example of honourable behaviour.
Enjoyed the video, but why the expletive over the 100dollar note?
Emphasis.
37.00 Monash was governor of Victoria!
And architect and first chairman of the SEC.
Funny,I noticed that out of the 19 Jewish generals there werent any British ones. I understand America and their small armies at the start of the war, and other commonwealth nations since they either had a small army like NZ or a small jewish community but Britian I do not, especially wince they had a jewish generalin 1887 like you mentioned in the previous episode in the comments.
Isaac Rosenberg was an English poet who was Jewish. Omitting a person's nationality in this context and just describing them as Jewish encourages views of the Jews as separate and a threat to the nation
I'm Australian. John Monash is a national hero. He was Jewish? I had no idea, not that it makes any difference to me, to us. He is what he was and what he did.
Sorry to tell you but Pershing refused permission for US soldiers to fight at Hamel. Some disobeyed and mixed in Australian units. Pershing was furious and caused some bad blood.
Youve rightly given credit to Monash, but not enough to Australian troops in general, who were key ti stopping the Germans at Amiens, winning the Palestine battles, and along with the Canadians spear heading the 100 day advance. They were elite troops.
The Americans have a lot to thank us Australians for, in getting their trooos ready for battle and holding their hand through their first engagements.
What does "The hundred days" refer to? This must be something obvious to people from some cultural backgrounds but not to me, and I haven't noticed explanation in the video.
Sorry, I should have realized that. This refers to the Hundred Days Offensive, the final offensive of the Western Front that began with Amiens.
@@SamAronow Thank you for quick response, and congratulations on your 50k. I've been following your channel for couple of years and never checked the counter, always assuming you were already much higher than that. While kind of a niche subject, at the same time, everybody and their aunt already has opinions on it.
11:57
I think that was every General in that era
Where is third aliya video?