The Highland Scotsmen Who Suckered Hitler

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  • Опубликовано: 12 апр 2024
  • When 51st Highland Regiment troops were captured in France three men from Ballachulish planned to make an escape. Scottish history tour guide Bruce Fummey tells their story.
    Upcoming Live shows www.brucefummey.co.uk/shows.aspx
    Another WW2 Highlander video • Forgotten Highlanders ...
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    My videographer is Matt Ward. You'll get him at thesassenachs.co.uk
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    Videography by Matt Ward at www.visualsofscotland.co.uk
    Scotland History Tours is here for people who want to learn about Scottish history and get ideas for Scottish history tours. I try to make videos which tell you tales from Scotland's past and give you information about key dates in Scottish history and historical places to visit in Scotland. Not all videos are tales from Scotland's history, some of them are about men from Scotland's past or women from Scotland's past. Basically the people who made Scotland. From April 2020 onward I've tried to give ideas for historic days out in Scotland. Essentially these are days out in Scotland for adults who are interested in historical places to visit in Scotland.
    As a Scottish history tour guide people ask: Help me plan a Scottish holiday, or help me plan a Scottish vacation if your from the US. So I've tried to give a bit of history, but some places of interest in Scotland as well.

Комментарии • 241

  • @ScotlandHistoryTours
    @ScotlandHistoryTours  Месяц назад +11

    Upcoming Live shows www.brucefummey.co.uk/shows.aspx
    Another WW2 Highlander video ruclips.net/video/G1bUb9Gzqsw/видео.html
    Buy me coffee at www.buymeacoffee.com/ScottishBruce

    • @lynnemurphy114
      @lynnemurphy114 Месяц назад

      How come you've got 6,000 people that have seen this gets there's not even 1000 have hit the like button I told you you should be on TV I've got a good feeling when someone tries to put you down something pushes you up I don't know what it is but you're gonna be fine❤

  • @derekweir7692
    @derekweir7692 Месяц назад +25

    When my uncle Charlie Weir was shot down over France in May 1944, he used Gaelic that he had learnt at Musselburgh Grammar School when he was stopped by a German Soldier en route to Freteval Forest. He said that it was the only non English language he knew, and the German couldn't understand him so he just motioned for him to move on. He was 19 at the time, he made it to the forest and was liberated by the Americans in August 44. His life saved by knowing Gaelic.

    • @thomasshepard6030
      @thomasshepard6030 Месяц назад +2

      I worked with an old painter in Oban in 1973 he told me the same story about him and his mate who had escaped from a pow camp they were stooped by German road block and when they were as who they were the started speaking Scottish 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 GAELIC THEY MANAGED TO GET HOME

    • @user-gp5wj8dr3m
      @user-gp5wj8dr3m Месяц назад +1

      Well done Bruce, they should make a movie, comedy, drama 😊

  • @joiedevivre2005
    @joiedevivre2005 Месяц назад +38

    What an incredible story! And why hasn't this been made into a movie yet? Disney, Netflix, Hulu, HBO...are you listening? The world needs this story in movie form ASAP! With Bruce as the narrator!

    • @LimeyRedneck
      @LimeyRedneck Месяц назад +3

      I thought the same and turns out there was talk of one in 2017, but can't find anything since.
      The production company's website and Twitter is silent 😔

  • @frankgellenthin3733
    @frankgellenthin3733 Месяц назад +29

    They were seriously thinking on their feet. Seems llike the Scots talent for pulling clever pranks had a very practical use for those three.
    Thanks for another wonderful story, Bruce!

  • @Allastrology
    @Allastrology Месяц назад +19

    Holy crap! I have come to appreciate Scotland's people and its historical contributions on a whole other level. These folks were able to pivot, be inventive and keep moving forward. Whether in war times or not they stand out!! Thank you Bruce

  • @gadgetman_nz4092
    @gadgetman_nz4092 Месяц назад +68

    Now come on now, Bruce, do you really expect us to believe there was a ginger from Scotland? Who would believe such a thing?

  • @jotw180
    @jotw180 Месяц назад +41

    One of the best history channels on RUclips. Put this on the box and you'd blow mainstream out the water. Keep on truckin'!

  • @anthonyhargis6855
    @anthonyhargis6855 Месяц назад +33

    Another "Great Escape." I love it. Needs to be a movie.

    • @ScotlandHistoryTours
      @ScotlandHistoryTours  Месяц назад +8

      You'd think so

    • @pjmoseley243
      @pjmoseley243 Месяц назад

      @@ScotlandHistoryTours I remember being in Balahulish in 1965 a bit of adventure training, the loch was cold swimming in it, my swim lasted 0.5 of a second.

    • @ScotlandHistoryTours
      @ScotlandHistoryTours  Месяц назад

      @@pjmoseley243 Sounds like 0.5 sec too long to me😂😂

  • @Wee_Langside
    @Wee_Langside Месяц назад +20

    Another good reason to learn Gaelic🫡
    Thank you for telling the story Bruce .
    I don't know if this is the story from my youth but I had it in my head that 2 escaped POWs travelled across some part of occupied Europe speaking to each other in Gaelic, escaping attention as just some workers from somewhere in the new German Empire.

  • @TransRadioUK_Andrea
    @TransRadioUK_Andrea Месяц назад +10

    This is an incredible story that needs to be told and ideally as a Scottish made film with Caelic speakers in it. I would pay to watch it. Thank you Bruce for bring this story to light.

  • @danielwgorrie6087
    @danielwgorrie6087 Месяц назад +32

    Morning!! Being of Scottish heritage makes me so proud! Love your videos

  • @alansmithee8831
    @alansmithee8831 Месяц назад +12

    A'reyt Bruce. Great Scots! A tale of cossacks from near the Trossachs!
    I had an uncle that had his teeth knocked out by an Italian rifle butt on recapture in Italy, having been taken prisoner attacking behind the lines in North Africa. He later got away from German captivity in a Silesian POW coal mine, through the eastern front to a Turkish ship in Odessa. A Polish work colleague pointed out that another colleague's dad had been made to march to Germany from Silesia, but my uncle was back in UK for VE day. He met some celebrating Italian POWs and a disagreement led to them getting hurt, apparently. As a result, I am told he was not demobilised, but made an MP and sent to look after Nasties in Nuremberg.
    Tell the kids today ...

  • @chris8612
    @chris8612 Месяц назад +15

    I love how passionately your talk about history.

  • @Novacastrian
    @Novacastrian Месяц назад +13

    What a story, amazing how far you can get with a bit of guile and determination,In both world wars Scott’s paid an integral part,The Tyneside Scottish sent two battalions of Men to WW1,they fought bravely and a permanent memorial was erected at La Boisselle,Somme and unveiled by Marshal Foch ,Its known as The Seat of the Tyneside Scottish,Scotsmen and sons of Scotsmen,Geordies doing their bit! Great video Bruce

    • @ScotlandHistoryTours
      @ScotlandHistoryTours  Месяц назад +6

      One t in Scots. Sorry it's a bugbear

    • @Novacastrian
      @Novacastrian Месяц назад

      @@ScotlandHistoryTours
      I always assumed it to be the same as the surname, I stand corrected, that’s Gateshead’s infamous education system for you!

  • @callumgordon1668
    @callumgordon1668 Месяц назад +22

    I’d heard the story before and wondered when the Gaelic was going to come into it.
    You didn’t disappoint and the story was most entertaining in your telling.

  • @melissavancleave8686
    @melissavancleave8686 Месяц назад +4

    I never tire of hearing your wonderful stories of courageous Scots. No matter the era, they are fierce and brave. Thanks again.

  • @autiejedi5857
    @autiejedi5857 Месяц назад +7

    Amazing story! Thanks Bruce 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿💜

  • @janetmackinnon3411
    @janetmackinnon3411 Месяц назад +5

    You're doing something important in making these stories better known. THank you.

  • @nancyholcombe8030
    @nancyholcombe8030 Месяц назад +3

    Very cool story Bruce! I'm not sure which about it is more amazing; that three escaped POWs got all the way across France, Spain and the Atlantic to freedom, or that they were more intelligent and calmer than every German soldier they ran into!😃 I was so pleased that they are praised and cherished to this day! It's these small stories of very brave people that truly make a war, or any larger historical story, come to life. Thank you for researching and bringing them to us. Y'all take care now!😊

  • @resourcedragon
    @resourcedragon Месяц назад +6

    I'd heard a very much cut-down version of that story, in which there were just two highlanders.
    I didn't realise that the Germans had a Polish speaker among their interpreters, because that was really cutting it close to the bone. Ukrainian and Polish may not be wholly mutually comprehensible but there is a fairly large shared vocabulary (even if there is also a significant number of 'false friends' within that shared vocabulary).
    Nor did I realise that the three highlanders were captured a second time and that they'd claimed a different nationality again.
    That story totally needs to be made into a film, I am only surprised that it hasn't been to date.

  • @-SueT
    @-SueT Месяц назад +5

    Holy Moly what an incredible tale! Thanks once again Bruce for another FAB video 😊❤

  • @larryargent503
    @larryargent503 Месяц назад +9

    I do love it. Your passion is contagious and I'm jelly of your ability to speak Gaelic. It's no easy. lol

  • @user-bq5li9pd4i
    @user-bq5li9pd4i Месяц назад +7

    Another cracking video Bruce. Hope ye have a bari time ower in Canada

  • @gailsears2913
    @gailsears2913 Месяц назад +3

    What an interesting story! Thanks, Bruce!

  • @northernlight8857
    @northernlight8857 Месяц назад +2

    Scotland housed many of my countrymen during WW2. Even the famous guys from Operation Gunnerside from Kompani Linge. They executed one of the best commando raids in WW2 and they wanted no other place than Scotland to train for their future missions behind enemy lines.
    Arisaig House, Inverailort became a Commando training school. Many other country houses in the area were requisitioned to provide accommodation and training facilities for the men and women who were to serve in the Special Operations Executive. Reading about their training and exercises they were glad that the Scots were such gracious and overbearing hosts.

  • @paulstone9667
    @paulstone9667 Месяц назад +8

    Once again another fantastic video by yourself.😊

  • @Hsalf904
    @Hsalf904 Месяц назад +2

    Haha love this story! From Nova Scotia and I speak Gaelic whenever I need to get out of a tricky situation or a telemarketer calls

  • @gray4481
    @gray4481 Месяц назад +1

    You’re story telling is just so captivating I can’t even watch just a clip without getting lured in. I love learning about my ancestors and the way you tell it is so incredible!

  • @user-st7wb3yf3d
    @user-st7wb3yf3d Месяц назад +4

    Another part of history very well told.

  • @jenohogan9254
    @jenohogan9254 Месяц назад +3

    What an intense story. That could be a movie.

  • @haraldtheyounger5504
    @haraldtheyounger5504 Месяц назад +3

    Hey Bruce, another great show.

  • @kurtvanderweg9147
    @kurtvanderweg9147 Месяц назад +2

    Absolutely astonishing! Thanks.

  • @covenantor663
    @covenantor663 Месяц назад +4

    You must do one on SOE’s The Kilted Killer, Tommy McPherson.
    Germans had something like F300,000 reward on his head.
    After the war he had an audience with Tito who said, “at last I meet the man I have tried so hard to kill!”

  • @brucemcintosh2773
    @brucemcintosh2773 Месяц назад

    Hello, Bruce! I've had tickets to your Toronto show for ages. I can't wait to see you in person, and I hope I get a chance to shake your hand and thank you for all you do.

  • @djalba1163
    @djalba1163 Месяц назад +1

    Proud but not surprised being Scottish, quick thinking and braveness is in our dna, an amazing story, Alba gu Brath

  • @TheTimelord62
    @TheTimelord62 Месяц назад +1

    That was a brilliant peace Bruce. I had to listen to it twice. Am sending it in to relatives in Canada in clouding my sister. Am sure she will pass it from there to my family all over Canada. Think there are more of the family there now than left in Scotland.

  • @buckodonnghaile4309
    @buckodonnghaile4309 Месяц назад +1

    You have a gift for telling a tale. Good on you.

  • @lilibetp
    @lilibetp Месяц назад +2

    Weird this was posted today. A few minutes ago, the word Ballachulish came into my head, out of nowhere.

  • @jameshorne9351
    @jameshorne9351 Месяц назад

    Thank you Bruce for another great story, with out a doubt, these are my favorite kind of videos because you are a great story teller... 💙🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

  • @hunterblackforesthy5980
    @hunterblackforesthy5980 Месяц назад +2

    my great uncle was part of the 51st highlanders he was at dunkirk

  • @jamieblanche3963
    @jamieblanche3963 Месяц назад

    Only just found this channel! What a belter! You really should be on the telly!!

  • @HappyHedgehog1
    @HappyHedgehog1 Месяц назад +2

    NO MORE BROTHERS WARS
    "WE FOUGHT THE WRONG ENEMY" - GENERAL PATTON

  • @arlenesobhani8739
    @arlenesobhani8739 Месяц назад

    What an incredibly thrilling story. It leaves me wanting more!

  • @angieallen4884
    @angieallen4884 Месяц назад

    I have a particular interest in all things WWII so found this doubly fascinating. Excellent content, as always.

  • @brianjohnson7212
    @brianjohnson7212 Месяц назад +1

    I love your storytelling, even from a McDonald who also married a Campbell, a mere couple hundred years after the slaughter you taught me about

  • @harryishatless
    @harryishatless Месяц назад +2

    Still laughing at the thought of three Scottish guys keeping a prison awake by singing Gaelic songs.

  • @kentait66
    @kentait66 Месяц назад +3

    Sensational presentation again, Bruce...
    (What an account!)
    I wonder if you'd ever done one of Fitzroy MacLean? (Forgive me if you'd already covered that... I'm not quite sure)😊
    I know he was very much part of 'the Establishment' down there🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿, but if perhaps for just his celebrated Heritage... 😊
    Btw, Dunblane...
    (You lucky beggar!)😁
    What a lovely wee toon... ❤
    (Near enough to both the lovely Ochils n Trossachs for me)
    😎👍
    Best of luck over here🇨🇦

    • @Strength-in-Union
      @Strength-in-Union 18 дней назад

      Erm... excuse me Ken... Dunblane is a wee city.
      And please don't feel the need to be critical of 'the establishment' in England. Very many of us Scots (including those who live in Dunblane), are proud of our Scottish history (and service in The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders!), and are not particularly impressed by 'plastic jockery' and anti-Britishness from thousands of miles away.
      If you are so proud of your Scots heritage, why don't you pack up and come 'home'? Am sure you'd be made very welcome strutting along George Street in Dunblane - in 'yer bonnie kilt and bunnet'.
      Hoots Mon!
      Freedum!

  • @raydriver7300
    @raydriver7300 Месяц назад +5

    I love your stories, Bruce, told so well. Now, aren’t people imaginative - what shall we call this place we’ve emigrated to? I know, New Glasgow. And you didn’t make any reference to stereotypes during that video, did you 😂🌞

  • @nicknellany2336
    @nicknellany2336 Месяц назад +1

    The Germans called the Highlanders devils in skirts.

  • @NoOneUNo
    @NoOneUNo Месяц назад +2

    Good Day and thank you kindly Bruce with another great story. Can you spin one about the ww1 memorial in Well Park, Greenock? I was told I am related to 1 or 2 of the names listed on it when I was a wee lad. Greenock was my grandparents hometown and grandpa and kin built ships there before joining the KOSB and Seaforth Highlanders going to France in January 1915. As always, many thanks

  • @unclenogbad1509
    @unclenogbad1509 Месяц назад +1

    Amazing story. I swear, though, Bruce, if it was anyone but you telling it, I might not even believe them. Another great video, thanks.

  • @mairiconnell6282
    @mairiconnell6282 5 дней назад

    I had family in Ballachulish and this story was often told within my family.

  • @vickiepower6201
    @vickiepower6201 Месяц назад

    Thank you Bruce just love your stories ❤ From Perth Australia

    • @ScotlandHistoryTours
      @ScotlandHistoryTours  Месяц назад +1

      See you when I'm back in town to perform at Fringeworld next year

  • @EliRedman
    @EliRedman Месяц назад

    I love this story! Thank you Bruce and safe travels to you.

  • @spikeyflo
    @spikeyflo Месяц назад +3

    Great story.

  • @josiahfinley9075
    @josiahfinley9075 Месяц назад

    What a great story , thank you bruce.

  • @Wlf5953
    @Wlf5953 Месяц назад

    Excellent story Bruce,thanks for sharing. As a US citizen never would have heard this if I wasn’t interested in history from other countries.

  • @davidarchibald50
    @davidarchibald50 Месяц назад +3

    A great yarn Bruce, told in only the way ye can. Arohanui

  • @muffinman2889
    @muffinman2889 Месяц назад

    Really enjoyed this 👌 natural story teller 😎

  • @gijgij4541
    @gijgij4541 Месяц назад +4

    WHAT-A-STORY!

  • @paulapridy6804
    @paulapridy6804 Месяц назад +1

    These survivors used everything they had. Being Scottish, they had more than the average bear. As we say in the States. Incredible.😮

  • @Triple265
    @Triple265 Месяц назад

    I hated history lessons at school, now im hooked! thank you for making it really interesting

  • @deejayk5939
    @deejayk5939 Месяц назад +1

    I love the part where they catch a ride! Great story❤

  • @lindastreet-ely9780
    @lindastreet-ely9780 Месяц назад

    Excellent episode!

  • @daz4158
    @daz4158 Месяц назад +1

    I love your videos to bits pal keep em up 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

    • @mcmurphy3690
      @mcmurphy3690 Месяц назад

      Mate just a quick question who is he pal?

  • @moto_scotland
    @moto_scotland Месяц назад

    Bruce, what a fabulous wee story and superbly crafted. If you don’t already know it, please check out The Beaches of St Valery by the Battlefield Band. A beautiful song, sung by the late great Davy Steele of Prestonpans. 💙

  • @mauricejohnston8454
    @mauricejohnston8454 Месяц назад

    Brilliant story,,so well told.. should be a film

  • @ramsnover3599
    @ramsnover3599 Месяц назад

    God Bless those Amazing men, I escaped Detroit to California,love and respect Bruce.

  • @jbearmcdougall1646
    @jbearmcdougall1646 23 дня назад

    My grandfather was in that force on the maginot line.. he escaped on the way to Poland to a pow camp.. stole a horse got to the sea and he and 2 others stole a boat and made it back to the uk… lance corporal Thomas Grimes of the black watch was only 18. My grandfather…… he died in 2006.

  • @chrissaltmarsh6777
    @chrissaltmarsh6777 Месяц назад +2

    Grand story. I hope they got to see Bidean nam Bian again.

  • @macdodd
    @macdodd Месяц назад +2

    Affy fine story Bruce, a fair liked it

  • @colinmitchell6492
    @colinmitchell6492 Месяц назад

    Another cracking episode,👍

  • @DayZer1987
    @DayZer1987 Месяц назад

    My grandad was 51st HD black watch, caught at St Valery. Spent the war in POW camps XXA and XXB. Then put on the death march back to Germany so they could be used to build defences around Berlin, but they never got there thanks to allied forces. He was a broken man after the war.

  • @gordontickle1673
    @gordontickle1673 Месяц назад +4

    Fab story

  • @geraldgrieve4106
    @geraldgrieve4106 Месяц назад +1

    Shows it's great to know a second language, especially a fairly obscure one.

  • @musingwithreba9667
    @musingwithreba9667 Месяц назад +2

    See you in Toronto on the 27th! 😁

  • @JohndEdmond-oy9lj
    @JohndEdmond-oy9lj Месяц назад

    Beautiful backdrop.

  • @cindchan
    @cindchan Месяц назад

    What an amazing story!!

  • @stanleybuchan4610
    @stanleybuchan4610 Месяц назад

    First I've heard of this Bruce thanks. Not sure if today's generations would have the courage and guile to carry this out.

  • @junesmith852
    @junesmith852 Месяц назад

    Hey Bruce, I'm a little late to the party (nowt new there).. I'm watching from a very wet perth ( bet you're not missing the Scottish weather 😉) it's the 29th April so you'll have already started your busy tour..wishing you all the best with it, have fun and safe travels 🥃🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

  • @johnclayden1670
    @johnclayden1670 Месяц назад

    Great tale great telling. Thanks,

  • @AnimatedCardboard
    @AnimatedCardboard Месяц назад +3

    Enjoyed seeing you in Cumbernauld last Saturday, enjoy North America and do let me know if you find anymore of Bruce's descendants! 😉🤣

  • @crazychickSHENA
    @crazychickSHENA Месяц назад +1

    German army wêre in Scotland and made there way to England 😮🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇬🇧 that's very scary.

  • @KukLuv
    @KukLuv Месяц назад

    We are peaceful proud people of Scotland. I am so proud of my History. More English people need to watch your posts. Don't be mistaken if need be WE the four Nations will rise TOGETHER to protect our Family, Homes, Religion and Fredoms. We will fight for our Island til death, just like our Ancestors did protect our Island of Britain without a doubt together 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🥃

  • @macfiercesome
    @macfiercesome Месяц назад +4

    Stoatir, Bruce, evir thocht o daen a vid aboot Gentle Johnny Ramensky?

  • @gijgij4541
    @gijgij4541 Месяц назад +3

    Morning!

  • @neilbush9873
    @neilbush9873 Месяц назад

    We had an old freind who served in Africa, he told us that the british schoolboy french was so badly pronounced that it could be spoken in wireless comunication without the jerries understanding it😅

  • @lauralott2741
    @lauralott2741 Месяц назад

    My mother’s uncle and his friend were also trapped behind enemy lines in WW2 Germany. He and his friend walked out of Germany because they just spoke Gaelic the whole way. I wish I knew what escapades they encountered on their way?

  • @iLoveBeingDelusional4U
    @iLoveBeingDelusional4U Месяц назад +2

    How about telling a story of the SNP rooting for Hitler and supporting the Nazis, to a point Churchill ordered a nation news black out in fear of a knock on effect on morale.

    • @baldy3405
      @baldy3405 Месяц назад

      Aye just like English parties as well. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🍻

  • @paulwilkinson7977
    @paulwilkinson7977 Месяц назад +1

    Great video ..always had the utmost respect for the Scottish regiments ..being from the North East of England we seem to have a mutual respect when in the forces ...

  • @007JHS
    @007JHS Месяц назад

    Great tale.

  • @divi2747
    @divi2747 Месяц назад

    thanks!

  • @user-gz7wv4kh7f
    @user-gz7wv4kh7f Месяц назад

    Great video! Looking forward to seeing you in May. Just so you know, Moncton, NB is not spelled with a "k". 😸

    • @KateGladstone
      @KateGladstone Месяц назад

      New Brunswick is not spelled with a “k”?

    • @user-gz7wv4kh7f
      @user-gz7wv4kh7f Месяц назад

      ​@@KateGladstoneNew Brunswick is, but Moncton isn't.

  • @McConnachy
    @McConnachy Месяц назад

    Really enjoyed this, thank you. I read about this before, but they pointed to Finland and got deported to there, or maybe that was another group?

  • @LimeyRedneck
    @LimeyRedneck Месяц назад

    Very scary and cool story!! 🤠💜

  • @HD-Funk
    @HD-Funk Месяц назад

    Wish I could be home to catch your Hali show... Tell the lads Jonesy says Tioraidh, chi sinn sibh a-rithist ;-) Sit yerself at the SEA PIG a spell as well (Seahorse tavern), as you'll love it, doubtless.

  • @craigevans6156
    @craigevans6156 Месяц назад

    An amazing story, what courageous men.

  • @thomasshepard6030
    @thomasshepard6030 Месяц назад

    My uncle Jim Matthew was captured at st valery he was with the BLACK WATCH ROYAL HIGHLANDERS HE WAS MARCHED TO A POW CAMP IN TESCHEN POLAND HE ESCAPED 3 times he actually lived with a German woman who was a member of the Nazi party my father who was in the RAF he spent a year looking for him after the war when he eventually returned he went back into the railway and he became a driver in 1974 i started with BR and became his fireman we spent many shifts together and the story’s he told me were amazing he lived right into his eighties when he passed in 2002 he could speak fluent German

  • @dough740
    @dough740 Месяц назад

    The whole history of the 51st is stunning. They were sacrificed at Dunkirk as the rearguard, but became the go-to division for difficult fighting - North Africa, Italy. The only similar force was Frieberg's Kiwis, who were another division who fought well above their weight. Worth researching

    • @Strength-in-Union
      @Strength-in-Union 18 дней назад

      The 51st Highland Division wasn't sacrificed at Dunkirk. It wasn't at Dunkirk.
      And to add a little extra detail (which will put a lot of folks' gas in a peep), as some of the 51st managed to get away, and the remainder rounded up into captivity at St Valery, the 52nd Lowland Division was landing further down in France at Cherbourg and St Malo.
      I wish Nationalists (and plastic Jocks from the colonies) would stop moaning about Churchill's sacrifice of Highlanders. They were soldiers of the British Army, and that was the task the Division was allocated. Does anyone complain about the reconstituted 51st being dealt an 'easy' hand and dodging D-Day (whilst having fought across North Africa and up through Sicily and Italy)? What about the 2nd A and SH abandoned in Singapore?
      Accept the fact that the 51st Highland Division (including many non-Highlanders - even Englishmen!) played its part in the fighting withdrawal from France. Those soldiers (Regular and Territorial) fought bravely and fought well. Their stoic fight deserves respect - not third-hand whinges about victimism and anti-Scottishness on the part of the 'English government'.
      I do agree with your praise of Freyberg's (he was English!) New Zealanders, but there were brave and fierce bodies of men from all parts of the United Kingdom, it's Empire (now Commonwealth) and the other Allied nations. It was a team effort - and our team won. Praise to them all!

    • @dough740
      @dough740 18 дней назад

      @@Strength-in-Union Not sure where my comment implied "nationalism", "plastic jocks", "victimism" or "anti-Scottishness on the part of the 'English government' ". The point was to praise the whole ethos of the 51st Highland, and nothing political. There is a time and place for politics, and this wasn't it.

    • @Strength-in-Union
      @Strength-in-Union 18 дней назад +1

      ​@@dough740OK. Thank you for your reply. If my response was incorrectly directed at your comment, then please accept my apology.

  • @leslieross8708
    @leslieross8708 Месяц назад

    Lots of Scottish descendants, including me, in western North Carolina. Maybe a US east coast tour, please, please, please?