Former Enemies of WWII Meet 78 Years Later | History Traveler Episode 339
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- Опубликовано: 24 мар 2024
- In recent episodes of History Traveler been traveling across Germany and Belgium with four veterans of WWII. While in Germany, we had the opportunity to meet with two individuals who fought against these men in Europe, one of whom was a German nurse and the other who was in the 2nd SS Panzer Division.
This episode was produced in partnership with The Gettysburg Museum of History. See how you can support history education & artifact preservation by visiting their website & store at www.gettysburgmuseumofhistory...
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Other episodes that you might enjoy:
- A German Village DESTROYED By Artillery Fire in WWII (with a WWII Vet!!!)| History Traveler Ep. 338: • A German Village DESTR...
- Heroes of the Ardennes American Cemetery | History Traveler Episode 337: • Heroes of the Ardennes...
- What's Up With That Knocked Out Tank in Bastogne??? | History Traveler Episode 335: • What's Up With That Kn...
- Attack of the Bloody 28th Along the Hürtgen's Kall Trail | History Traveler Episode 327: • Attack of the Bloody 2...
- Into the Death Factory of the Hürtgen Forest | History Traveler Episode 326: • Into the Death Factory...
For more on Gerhard Femple's story, check out his memoir here: zeitzeugen-versand.de/
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My grandfather was 17 when he fought in WWII during 1945. He passed in 2022. They are quickly fading away now, which is why interviews such as this one are all the more important...
Men nowadays don’t hold a candle to men like your grandfather. It’s a sad truth but I look around and no one live like my grandparents and their values my grandfather born 1915 and my grandmother 1920. It blows my mind to think of things they had to go through and look at these newer generations and I shake my head. Don’t know if you are a believer but please take it as full love and respect when I say God Bless your grandfather and the men and women of their generations.
@Susiecat24 by that token, you are inferior to these men too.the whole human race should just give up now because they were as good as it gets right ?
Life is short it's the absurdity of life we don't live long. 90 years isn't that long
Yes recording their thoughts and memories on this is a treasure.
So sad for the remaining that they are present to witness today’s world. So different for what they fought for.
All of my relatives are dead
Bud recently passed. I'm glad he was able to have this closure and this will be available for future generations to see. Thanks for all you and GMOH and Andrew do for these men and for us to learn and see.
What a life! So glad he was able to share with us what he did! Requiescat in Pace!
what a great, intelligent, and well spoken hero. How old was Bud?
Rip hero! Thank you for your service! You were part of the greatest generation to ever live!
When did he pass? I am not seeing a death notice anywhere for Paul 'Bud' Haedike.
God Bless these gentleman from the Greatest Generation ❤
The nurse meeting the veterans was the sweetest.
Yes, it was. She is amazing.
It's been 80 years and the emotions are just as raw as if were yesterday. Very special moment.
@@TheHistoryUnderground I can imagine she was a good nurse. War sucks big time.
It's like the Paths of Glory ending, but in Real life.
Absolutely outstanding presentation. Couldn't help but tear up at times. Thanks for your hard work.
Jeez. All in their 90s and 100s at this point. We really don't have much time with this generation. So happy you could get this stuff on video so that their stories are preserved forever.
Yeah. I’ve been through this with the WW1 vets and, now the WW2 vets. All we can do is cherish the time we do have with them.
We have lots to learn from them and if we listen they have a lot to teach us too these folks have learned to let go of the past and to live in peace with each other they were once enemies now they share peace they show us forgiveness and most importantly how to live peacefully.
@@mikemontgomery2654 Yes I was following and learned about Florence Green, Frank Buckles, Claude Choules and rem they were all went past 100 yo ... And now the WW2 vet's age are in their 90s and 100s
Man there are only short time remaining to learn more about their life.
I realized when my dad left me in 2019... He was growing up in the 50s and when he left this world, I lost access to his untold stories, experiences, wisdom and skills... We need to learn more from people from older generations...
Don't forget anyone over 79 remembers something about the war that were in the camps. Not everyone is 100 years old smh
Very moving vid. God Bless these men. RIP Bud.🙏 Time may not heal all wounds but, it can make then easier to bare. Bless all nurses. ❤
The part with the nurse and the bombardier singing a song it German brought tears to my eyes. Priceless
One of my favorite moments from the trip. 🙂
Just beautiful!
I'm glad that Gerhard was able to meet with his former enemies. The fact that all four of the Americans agreed to speak with him as friends was absolutely priceless.
I am a military daughter. My father was an American military officer. We were stationed in Germany from 1960-1964; close enough to the war that it was still fresh on the German citizen's minds. My mother's cleaning help told her so much about the war and Hitler's SS.
One of the things she said was that people were so afraid of the SS. They had infiltrated every station of life and it was neighbor against neighbor and son against father.
My mother loved the German people and one thing that impressed her was how much they loved children. They were friendly and treated Americans well. It is always the ordinary people that are forced to fight the government's wars on all sides.
We will never have peace in this world until we stop killing each other.
While that’s a nice sentiment, peace doesn’t prevail just because the average citizen doesn’t want to fight. It’s the dictators that need to be defeated and that usually means war. Ex. The US should have been more active in prevent the Ukraine War. We didn’t support the accords enough and rumor has it that we rejected some of the terms.
@@jamesdellaneve9005how many opportunities to off Addie by the people closest to him but nope...
@@HeavilyCensoredKitty It’s easy to say from afar. Live in a Dictatorship and it’s a different story. The entire country was afraid of the SS. His closest people were committed. Look at how brutal they were for local insurgent operations. They’d kill 100 for the death of 1 German leader.
@fumblebunny1993...I lived in Germany through the 80's and early 90's. I used to have lunch on the banks of the Lech river with an old lady who used to tell me stories of how awful it was to live in NAZI controlled Germany. She told me pretty much the same things you said. She said you could not trust anyone, not even your own children. German children were indoctrinated by the state to be Hitler loyalists.
Unfortunately, history seems to be trying to repeat itself.
As long as bankers exist, war will.
When Jack met the nurse, if you didn’t get goosebumps then you’re not paying attention!!
True that!
It made me cry right along with them.
Yeah, made me tear up too, you could almost feel the memories flooding back, their journey was palpable
Nobel Peace prize for journalism material here!
Research the Nobel Prize. It's BS
YES!
Eine sehr gute Reportage.
No, that only goes to people who perpetuate war.
Mein Freund Friedrich Latendorf war auch einen Überlebender dieser Schiff der versunken wurde.
Thank you for bringing all these vets together. Bless them all in their final days that they may enjoy peace and no bitterness.
It would have been interesting to have pictures of each of these veterans as they looked 78 years ago.🇺🇸
I am a U.S Army Vet, that has been living in Germany since 1997. My Grandpa, was a Airborne soldier for the Americans during the war, so there is a special history for me here. But once you live here long enough, and the Germans have accepted you. You start to hear the stories, of Uncles and Fathers, and soldiers from then. And more often than not, the Germans where happy when the Allied troops showed up. (NOT THE RUSSIANS) Or how the family hid Jewish people helping them escape. They were not all evil. Some of course were, but the majority was not. They were forced to go with what the government rhetoric was or face horrible punishment and or death. I have heard stories, (Stories unconfirmed mind you) that the Germans would simply march into an area and remove all the young men, and Men to basically conscript them to the war effort. Most of the people just wanted to live their lives, just as anyone else in the US, or the world wants to live theirs as well. Franklin D. Roosevelt - 'War is young men dying and old men talking'
I'm so glad you shared this! Thank you!! 🙂❤️
"We defeated the wrong enemy" -General George S. Patton
@@blindenergy6694 absolutely Joseph Stalin was the true winner of the war
My father was rounded up by German in 1942 when he was 18, he was in a forced labour camp but drove German officers around and to camps, he smuggled food into the Jews and he found out the German officers were also smuggling in food. He was born in Holland but his family were German, oma didn’t dare speak anything of the war on the streets , he told me the Germans didn’t want the war either.
Sorry the nazis don't get a pass even today
My Father was in the Battle of the Bulge. They were mostly young men doing what they were told to do. He would have loved to meet like you are doing here. Thank God for those who survived.
I can say without fear of any contradiction JD that this was the most moving episode of HT that I've ever watched. I'm not ashamed to admit that it had me in tears for most of the episode.
Thank you. I really do appreciate that.
Me too!!!
Bud summed it up. "It was a blessing from God to meet him" Especially this time of year to hear about forgiveness. Jack kneeling down to meet the former nurse, just brought me to tears. The joy she has was so sweet. Thank you JD for sharing.
The fact that we're able to immortalize these moments on crystal clear video and audio is amazing. I hope future generations see this and appreciate it.
When he said "i meet people & Soliders not enemy today" i cried...this is so beautiful...thank you for everything you do JD
19:56 Powerful. In 2024 American and German veterans apologizing to each other for the damage they took part in. People and countries mature and that is what gives me hope for the future.
22:21 What a wonderful moment 😢
They met as "people and soldiers and not enemies today."
We can remember our history while putting aside the resentment of the past.
It was great to hear the view from the German perspective.
Exactly. If only more of us took that perspective on the past. Learn from the past. But don't build a house and live there. That's unhealthy for anyone
The look on two of the American veterans faces when they first meet speaks volumes. You can read about the animosity but seeing it is a whole other ballgame.
I'm not crying, You're crying! I was smiling and crying at the same time! Thank you for keeping History Alive! What a great and touching video! Great job to all those involved to bring this together for the Greatest Generation!!!! Well Done JD, Well done!
OMG, me too!!! 🥰
Thank you for bringing these stories. My grandparents were from Germany - Opa was in the Kriegsmarine and Oma was a nurse. This brings tears to my eyes. I love the statement - the men were meeting other men, not soldiers. I’m often torn being an American with strong German roots. Love this! ❤
You can't help your roots, but you can help what kind of tree you grow into. Our own actions, and character are what define us. Not those of other people.
I recall Shifty Powers at the beginning of one of the BOB episodes speaking about their adversaries.
He said "I think if I would have had the chance to know that soldier growing up we might have been good friends."
It's too bad it took a lifetime for these heroes to realize the sad reality of how life cheated them in the early 1940s.
That fishing line always stuck out to me as well
Shifty, what a wise man he was.
Thank you to all the veterans. It was great meeting.
If they can make peace with their enemies before passing, no words, brings me to tears. This is absolutely beyond awesomeness ❤
This was a huge blessing, JD. Hate destroys. It was fantastic to see these Great Great grandpas showing there is more to their lives than being a soldier. The nurse's welcoming to Jack was as sincere as one can be. God bless these folks.
This is absolutely beautiful!!! Thank you for bringing us this wonderful meeting. These are the true patriots and heroes! These are the stories we should always remember!!!
I'm 48 years old now, and I remember when these guys were in their 50s.
Tough MFrs....
What is better then to bring two former enemies together and get to talk to each other? Well done guys
I couldn't help but shed some tears during the meeting with the nurse. Just so special and amazing. JD, Eric & Andrew can't thank you all enough for these episodes with the veterans who are still alive. They are tough cookies! Sorry to hear that Bud passed away. Grammy from Texas
In the care facility where I work there is a man of 103 who is a inspiration to us all. This beautiful nurse at 102 is doing just as well. What a delight both she and the SS soldier were. So glad the four veterans had this opportunity.
I was very touched to hear that both veterans apologize to each other for what they did in war.
What a beautiful ending to that video JD. My father served in the Canadian army, Italy, Dieppe & ended the war in Holland. He never talked about it much & passed away in 1999. You have enlightened me so much on things that happened during the war & I am much indebted to you. I don't think that you might realize how much that you have given us with these series. I am in your debt. Your RUclips channel is a great source of knowledge but how you share the humanity of it all is truly touching. Great work sir.
What a great story !
Literally I just got so emotional to see those old warriors making peace after so many years !
Thank you so much for sharing this amazing story !
I read the book about Don Malarkey and a German soldier meeting; they became great friends and they really helped each other heal some of those emotional wounds of war. Nice book
I had no idea malarkey met up with a German soldier! That's wonderful to hear!
These men deserve the utmost respect...ALL these men do!
This was fascinating JD.
So touching to see these old warriors respecting each other.
The segment with the Nurse was so sweet and touching.
God Bless all who gave theirs lives, and God bless the remaining WWII Veterans.
This brought tears to my eyes. A senseless war depriving the world of too many people. A clear example of when people get sucked in to an ideology and can become dangerous. God bless the people of the greatest generation.
The only people that it really matters what they think of the veterans getting together are the veterans who went. Kudos to you for helping to facilitate it.
When Ohla (The Nurse) Said "It's a happy day" It looked like Jack experienced every single name of each of his buddies killed on the western front. Every horror came pouring into his mind, from seeing death to every bullet that wizzed by him to memories he made with them that were the happiest moments with his buddies. It looked like it took every ounce of strength to repeat that sentence back to her. Tragically beautiful moment!
Ulla, short version of Ursula
There are no winners in a war, it was a terrible war for the whole world, time does heal and those men are so brave to do what they did with that German solider and replace old horrors and dreadful memories with eternal peace, well done to all who participated to make this happen for them
Politicians. Arms dealers. Contractors. If there were no winners, there’d be no more wars.
Anybody who would criticize this episode should have their head examined. Very touching, specially the end when they visited the nurse. I had tears in my eyes.
🙂
A lot of people normies have no conscious today. It's all because of social media screwing with their Heads so there Walking like robotic Zombies. They also want to eat insects in the future instead of meat.😮 God save us all.
This may be the best episode you made.
This reminds me of the interview of Shifty Powers in BoB, "I like to fish, maybe he liked to hunt, if not for the war we might have become good friends".
Such a good series
Its a series or is a real interview? If is a interview I would like to see it
@@naraaway well it’s all acted, however all of those characters are based on real ww2 vets
While stationed in Germany in the early to mid 80's, I ran across quit a few vets, that seemed to all want to apologize for the war. watching this episode brought that memory roaring back to me.
This channel is amazing. I love to see these kinds of videos where they meet each other from enemies to friends.
The reunion with former nurse gave me tears.
Absolutely great episode J.D.
Letting these people speak is what is history preserving at its best. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
JD, Thank you for this clip. It definitely brings tears to my eyes. Thank you to all the veterans, Americans and Germans.
Fantastic job sir!! As a veteran myself I salute sir's and my respect to the nurses who helped the wounded. God bless.
This is incredible, imagine being there to witness elderly veterans of the American Civil War meeting like this. Such a monumental moment and hopefully it helps bring peace to these guys in some fashion.
Gettysburg veterans met 50 years after the battle in 1914. There's some amazing pictures.
They did mater a fact my grandfather (mom's dad) had a bowie knife that was given to him by an old confederate veteran just before Grandpa ship out to the Pacific. He carried this carried this confederate knife to Guadalcanal, Sipan, Iwo Jima, and had it on tinian.
@@michaelguy1125Did he keep it after the war and pass it on?
@terminallumbago6465 My uncle Mike has it a matter he used it in Vietnam and desert storm.
@@michaelguy1125 So that knife has seen combat in at least four different wars across over a century of history. If it could speak, the stories it would tell.
8:20 not only you sir... Jeez... I got very emotional watching this episode.
The nurse was just precious
My veteran father who passed away at 97 had spent a lot of time in Germany and met a great number of Germany veterans. Many of them were friends for years. There was nothing they couldn't solve over a few beers and good food. Loved growing up and hearing their stories. Another fantastic video JD. Thanks for all you do.
The fact that this is only a month old and there are still WWII vets alive makes me sad. Soon they’ll all be gone, and history will be lost to us. No better testimony of history than those who witnessed it.
So emotional. Got a bit teary. Thank you for this, JD.
I've been enjoying this series, and this was the best episode yet. Keep up the good work.
The 75th anniversary of the battle of Gettysburg comes to mind. Former confederate and Union soldiers, enemies in battle meeting up. Shaking hands. Sharing memories and singing songs. So beautiful.
Aloha and Mahalo! JD, for another great and touching video. As a warfighter and being wounded in Iraq,OIF2, I had no problem getting rid of evil in this world. My heart cried for the innocent and friends that were killed. War is never a good answer. Leaders need to do everything possible to avoid it. War only destroys everything/everyone involved in it. Don't get me wrong I wanted to be a soldier most of my life. Always be prepared to go to war, but a last resort and only for JUST reasons.
Much love, bruddah🤙
As a veteran of a foreign war, I’d love the opportunity to go back and meet some of the men we fought against. Thank you for sharing this 🇺🇸🫡🙏🏻
Many thanks for your service to our nation. May I ask what conflicts you participated in?
Man o man…very powerful…the tears…feelings hard to describe
This was the best show.
The German veteran and nurse were great. The American Veterans they seem to really be glad to meet the Germans.
I'm 56 and these guys have a better memory than mine! Thank you for doing this History Underground!!!
This series has been amazing-more tears-we are human-what a blessing for these men to meet.
I got goosebumps watching this!
My dad flew in the forgotten war of WWII flying cargo planes over the "HUMP" in the Himalayas from India into China to support the China against Japan from 1942 -1944. He always said if the Japanese Zeros didn't get you the altitude or weather would. They used to call it the aluminum highway because all you had to do was follow the crashed airplanes to get where you were going. His airplane was shot down over Burma where he parachuted, and after a week or so was captured by a headhunter tribe known as the Naga Hill head hunters. They traded him to a British outpost for opium and shiny things. You have a great channel but sometimes I think people tens to forget there was a viscous war in the pacific. God Bless the greatest generation.
Thank you for posting. I listen to the “Unauthorized History of the Pacific War” for information about the Pacific theater. God Bless your father and all who served.
Read that New Zealand troops carryed extra hand- grenade when fightin Japs in pacific islands.- iff they thought they were goin to be captured they would commit suicide with that grenade.- Charles Srimmegeor off Waipawa was one that did kill himself on soloman islands
Your dad was a hero
There was war on every continent except maybe North America lol…. Even in SA there were wars during that time. It REALLY was a WORLD war….
This was a wonderful video. It was a real heart tugging experience to see the Vets on both sides meeting as friends. The war is over, it was a terrible time but the world now is a better place than that in which they fought and lived.
Absolutely outstanding episode, brought a tear to my eye! Some of my family on my mother’s side came from Wolfau, Austria in the 1920s and there are stories at hat have been passed down about cousins and such, and so there has been an interest in this kind of thing for nigh on 50 years. It simply felt correct to witness these past enemies come together in Peace. Thank you,JD and all of the soldiers and nurse.
What a beautiful acene with the nurse and jack! Really lovely, tears in my eyes.
Thank you for your work and those amazing videos! Regards from South Germany
Tnx JD and the rifle for doing this. We are all just human. Coming from a dutch/german family. Were my grandfather fought along side the english and my uncle served in the SS/hitlerjugend. I enjoyed this clip very much
At this point in their life, they're more than happy to know that others have survived the war, regardless if they were enemies or not. Really beautiful
Incredibly touching to see how these people can come together in forgiveness. What an amazing experience this must have been
Thank you 🙏🏼
This video was amazing, how 2 sides can come together after 78 years and talk about their experience in the war, and to see them hug and talk with one another was so amazing, thank you J.D. this video brought tears to my eyes!! Just amazing!!!!
My father was a member of America's greatest generation in the Pacific arena. This particular episode shook me to the core. War is hell but I'm glad that these soldiers/nurse were able to get some closure with these meetings. God Bless all of them.
Really happy I found this video. My father was 82nd Airborne, 325th Glider Infantry and fought in the Bulge. What made this video special was that my mother was a German nurse and also a war bride. She met my Father when he was part of the Army of Occupation in Berlin.
This generation exemplified a level of decency that we all can learn from.
Fantastic and really moving story. The nurse lady aged 104 years was incredibly sharp!!!
JD, absolutely brilliant video! Exceptionally well done. This is a very important history lesson and should be shown in schools everywhere! Thats for all your hard work to bring this content to us.
Many thanks!
This one moved me more than any other on your channel or any channel.
Your absolute best work yet JD. What a special piece
Excellent, excellent, excellent! This episode is like none I've seen on your channel. Who wouldn't like a story of once young combatants meeting as much older/wiser men and women?! Heartwarming to see the nurse and her joy to meet our guys. I was stationed in Germany during the Cold War and have returned several times. Love the country and the people have been nothing but kind.
It's hard to believe in 2024 people the human race still engages in warfare.....
Absolutely extraordinary! These beautiful people didn’t win a lottery, they are just happy to see each other after a looong time, experienced tough times. There is a lot a lot to learn from this! 😢👏
JD that was possibly the best episode so far. great to see old enemies' sharing a beer. In the eighties i was based in Germany we had a local driving the ambulance he was also SS, he was a lovely man. Sad to read below of Bud's passing. Thank you
War is bad enough as it is. No matter when or where. No matter who the combatants are. Videos like these are incredibly important. It would be easy to learn in history books one side was good and one side was bad. What this proves is that no matter the side, there is still humanity tucked away among those who were there but sadly mostly forgotten over time. We often stand in front of memorials to pay tribute to the fallen and those who survived, soldiers and civilians alike, but do we ever really stop to think about what it really must have been like to actually be there? This is what you highlighted. In the midst of horror, humanity can still emerge. Great work!
Wow! What an incredible video JD. I was brought to tears several times. I never get tired of your videos. I wish you had your own network history show. People should know and understand not only the sacrifice of the past but the cost. You bring it alive to your viewers. Please, do not stop making your videos.
Thank you. Appreciate that. Too ugly for network tv though. :)
@@TheHistoryUndergroundNot at all. Don't sell yourself short.
This had to be one of my favorite episodes to date!
The grace displayed by these former opponents was nothing short of amazing.
The nurse singing with the US vet was the best!
I’ve seen the exact opposite from other veterans from 3 of the last 5 conflicts we have been in.
I don’t have anything bad to say about those who can’t stand arm in arm with a former foe with an extended hand.
They earned the right to feel the way they do!
It’s just really moving to see the warriors meet and greet a former foe with an open hand.
As always stay safe and healthy.
your video's are so inspiring, so much history and sadness.
Interviewing the ww2 vets like this is an absolute priority whilst They're with us ❤
Your videos never cease to amaze me. OUTSTANDING!
21:51. The gentleman going to the dog. Pulled my heartstrings
🙂
I say this about all of your videos, but this one was my favorite to date. The emotions experienced in this video can't be replicated in a book or a movie. Absolutely fantastic work.
Thanks for what should be an award-winning film. Your productions just keep getting better and better, and this one will be hard to surpass.
An incredible experience to witness former enemies sharing a beer 80 years later. This film was just unbelievable.
A special generation, we must preserve in our dearest memories. Nothing will be like them again today, they we're built different in everyway, not even the youth today could compete. I have much respect for our vets.
heartwarming and heartbreaking all at the same time. Tragically beautiful. I am glad that these men and woman had this opportunity to reconnect and possibly get closure, helping each other heal any remaining wounds after all of these decades..
This was absolutely beautiful and heartwarming. Blessings, love, honor, and respect to not only everyone in this video but to the men and women who were and are in every area of the military. Even those we saw in this video who served in the German military. This may not have sounded right but my heart means well.
To be in the presence of these gentleman had to be truly amazing
It was moving to watch the old lady and all the old soldiers who were young people at that time. Now grown old and forgiving. They were victims of that time. 😢
What a wonderful thing you did for these veterans. I'm sure they appreciated doing this. Keep up the good work. By the way, the quality of your video resolution is outstanding.
Could you ever imagine actually talking to an SS Officer! Now to get off your cloud.
Got goose bumps when they met the nurse.
This is amazing. We learn a lot about Nazi programming and who knows what this man was taught. Growing and changing is part of human nature. We can all regret things we were involved in. Thanks for sharing.
The meeting of our vets and the nurse was quite moving! It brought tears to my eyes!