+timkiller 888, Well said. Even tho people are fighting against you, they are just like you. Following orders, to serve their country. trying to survive for their life.
Bullshit, we'd probably discriminate by on different colored eyes, or noses, lips, or just where we live. Nothing would really change. We'd just skip from focusing to one type of discrimination to the next,
James White - it would be laughable if it wouldn't be so sad that you need to actually spell that out for your Americans and other nationalities high off their own patriotic Kool Aid. It is sickening that such a thing needs to be typed out in this age. I'm afraid humanity will never truly progress. Abraham Rivera - how does the nazis murdering the "Reich's enemies" conflict with the idea of regular drafted German men fighting against Soviet and Anglo-American invasion? Especially at the point of the war this scene is depicting? Are you saying all Germans really _were_ monsters? If you are, then you truly _have_ learned something from WWII: you have learned how to think like a nazi.
Abraam Rivera, these men had a choice, they were given the choice to fight for their country and for their people or to be lined up and shot as cowards. Most were no different to the Allied soldiers, some believed in what was happening, some did not. The same can be said for Allied soldiers, up until a certain point many of the Allied countries allowed the atrocities to go on. In war there is no clear cut side that is right or wrong, in war everyone is a saint and everyone is a sinner, it all just depends from which side you are looking from.
Abraham Rivera Only high ranking SS members knew about the genocide, the regular soldiers(wehrmacht) knew nothing about it and was only showed to them after the war Edit: i get it, wehrmacht are not innocent. this is 2 years ago. you can now stop hurling insults at me.
All these anti German commentators should be embarrassed with themselves. As a Brit, I'm proud that we have people like the Germans in the world. To suggest that all Germans are Nazis is like suggesting that all Muslims are extremist... its completely ridicules. German culture is beautiful, as is its people and without the pioneering spirit that Germany has shown over the ages, things like rockets, jet aircraft, x-ray along with vast amounts of medical advancements would not have been found. Its a shame that the ignorant and weak minded have larger voices than the sensible because we would commonly see Germany as a force for good rather than refer back to its moment of madness in the past.
I like how the German general still keeps his head high and struts proudly even in defeat. While he's giving the speech, you can see the respect his men had for him.
@@Philotus I don't think they had much choice if they wanted to survive. They didn't have the luxury of independent means and choosing to walk away. The entire Wermacht had to swear allegience. That didn't mean that they believed in the Nazi ideologies or methods. In fact there are several well-documented examples of the Wermacht standing up to the SS's atrocities and - in one famous case - fighting the SS alongside the US army.
Credit where credit's due, the kraut bastards fought a hell of a war. It took the combined weight of the US, the USSR, and the British Commonwealth to defeat them. Overall, they were probably the best trained, best led Soldiers of the war. I say this as a retired Military professional. They fought with courage, and a commitment and dedication you'd have a hard time equalling in the history of warfare. The tragedy of it all is they gave all that serving monsters.
You notice how when Liebgott is translating at first there is some mockery in his voice yet as he continues he starts to realize the meaning of the speech and his tone goes from mockery to complete seriousness and understanding.
Had this speech been given by one of the allied commanders it would have been the cheesiest moment of the series, but by having it being given by the German commander it adds another layer to the story; that as the American troopers listen to it they understand that they had the exact same experience as their enemies, and that makes it in my opinion the greatest moment of the whole series.
I think it's also the reason why there is such a difference in perception of the European and Pacific theaters of war. To many, the fight for Europe was liberation, connection and understanding of a culture the majority of those who fought it came from. There was an inherent connection that no matter the atrocities there could be a recognition of the enemy as human. In the Pacific war, it was an attack of retribution against an enemy the majority could not relate to, feared and hated. There was no understanding or common ground between Japanese and Americans.
@@MrHikerToYou There is no difference there. Maybe americans didn't demonize the Germans, we (Greeks) most certainly did, as did Poles, Central Europeans, later on the French, etc. I am 28 years old and most people at my age have grandfathers who fought, and I am confident that almost all of them hated the Germans till they died. This is true for most East europeans I've talked to as well, and I doubt the French of the age saw them as "fellow europeans", considering how they treated them after the war. Absolutely no common ground here.
It's incredible how Liebgott starts translating with a tone of mockery and disdain but quickly shifts to a more serious and understanding tone when he starts seeing so much of him in them. War is hell and while many deserve the pain it brings, most are just ordinary men fighting for the brother next to him, trying to get it done as soon as possible so they can come back home.
The german version sadly got a weird dub of that scene... libegotts traranslation got replaced by comments instead of a translation due to everyone speaking german in a german dub obivously. The comments however are more like "they simply cannot refrain from their speeches of a heroic nature" and after the "i am proud to have served with you"-line liebgott says " The way he looks, he's never been lying in the dirt". It also makes no sense that liebgott speaks everytime a german soldier/person speaks... they literally could have just cut the parts or replaced the comments with something usefull. The concentration camp scene is worse... his comments make no sense sometimes and the whole conversation is just weird.
@@joeybomba9808 I don't know where i have heard that but a american soldier said that there were german soldiers and there were nazis and you could tell the difference. He couldn't describe what the difference was, he could just say that there was a difference.
What you're doing is whitewashing of the Germans! Most were just ordinary men? Are you suggesting that only a small minority were criminals? Wrong! No, those were tens of millions who murdered tens of millions. Since at least 1935 the vast majority of Germans had been followers and supporters of the German Nazi government, thus they were Nazis. Because that is the definition of Nazi. Follower and supporterof the Nazi government. What applied for the vast majority of Germans also applied to the vast majority of German soldiers. The vast majority were Nazis! So they believed in Nazi dieology! So this Nazi soldier believed that the Nazi soldiers have the right to commit various genocides and to destroy cities. And all the other crimes committed by the Nazi nation including the enslavement of 20 million. These ordinary people were the Nazi perpetrators! Ordinary civilians were the watchdogs for the slave laborers in the factories and farms, tormenting and killing them. Ordinary soldiers also murdered civilians. 60% of civilians in Poland were murdered by ordinary Wehrmacht soldiers. So stop washing this Nazi murderer gang white.
Men, it's been a long war. It's been a tough war. You've fought bravely, proudly for your country. You're a special group. You've found in one another a bond that exists only in combat, among brothers. You've shared foxholes, held each other in dire moments. You've seen death and suffered together. I'm proud to have served with each and every one of you. You all deserve long and happy lives in peace.
@@arminvoneckerberg hop off that ass sniffing high horse and look up dresden. War makes monsters of us all. If you feel the need to strip all the humanity out of a moment meant to illustrate how we all suffer and bleed as humans, than you share more in common with mengele than the colonel who historically gave this speech, child.
@@emerald10005 I expected the question. Yes, unfortunately, I know it firsthand through the terrible history of a part of my family with their terrible crimes against humanity.
Germans know how to make some gorgeous uniforms. edit: omg thanks for the 5.4k likes!..........oh wait, comment likes don't actually mean anything. Nevermind.
I don't like it. Sure not every german soldier was a war criminal, but the fact is that a significant amount of german soldiers participated in horrific massacres, rapes, and war crimes aside from the holocaust. Comparing them to US troops is laughable. Not saying that every american soldier was a saint, but american and british war crimes were few and far between, while german war crimes were the norm, not the exception. These troops were fighting for a hateful ideology, and whether they were aware of the specifics of the holocaust, they were all well aware of the ideology they were fighting for.
@@xilefka9467 Really? How so? The Germans murdered and abused Polish and Russian civilians that have not wronged them in anyway, as @john davis said, war crimes were a norm for the German army and they were proud of their treatment for those they deemed as "lesser people". Americans and Brits were not saints, (The Russians were probably at the same level as the Germans by the time they turned the tables) none are at times of war but they did not fight this war in order to kill any specific group, only to end the war. Yes USA did nuke Japan but one need to understand the amount of hatred and lack of sympathy the Americans already felt towards the Japanese by that time, that same hatred was generated by the Japanese brutal and insane way of war and treatment of US POW, not to mention the insanity that drove this nation not to surrender even after all their allies in the Axis already had.
I love Band of Brothers for many reasons. But as a German, I'm especially thankful that in this series, the German soldiers are not presented as a bunch of bloodthirsty, evil animals and idiots that are mowed down by the dozen by the Allied heroes. BoB is just amazingly good TV.
Curious what your thoughts are about "Generation War"? I think it had a different name in the German (original) version, something like "our mothers and fathers" or similar.
Love how completely professional the German general is here. Acknowledges the US major first, since he's the highest in rank there, and immediately deals with the Lt -- with no rancor or being offended -- when indicated. Addressed him as one officer to another, and graciously accepted being allowed to address his men.
You know that it is only a fictional film and it was invented to show Germans like that because they are to this day part of NATO... and for most German soldiers the capitulation was not the end it was just beggining of suffering as the Soviets did not forget about them and used them as slaves for years and i have serious doubt that any German general was as optimistic in that time as this actor is here.
These men were not impisoned by the Soviets because they surrendered to the Americans, im the Western zone. This speech was given by a real general. These events are autobiographical. It has nothing to do with NATO.
Shit for brains! It doesn’t apply to all sides. It’s an American movie! How dare you bunch together this German scum that massacred millions of innocents, or simply stood by and watched it happen with heroes like my grandfather who fought for your freedom??? The Wehrmacht could have put a stop to the holocaust within a few days, had there been but one ounce of decency amongst all of these men!
War sucks only because of the stupid egoistic politicians, or people in charge that care nothing but themselves and their own interests. Brainwashing the shit out of everyone else under them.
@JohnsonNorthman Indeed…prayers for peace across the world! Greetings to you and yours from the Texas Hill Country which has a heavy Germanic heritage among our many small towns & hamlets, such as Fredericksburg, New Braunfels, Gruene, Boerne, Kerrville (my town), among others. 🤠
@@SnookynibblesDanke! Liebe Grüße aus Norddeutschland,aus der Nähe der Stadt KIEL,in der übrigens der Schauspieler der hier den General (Wolf Kahler) spielt geboren ist! 😁👍 🇺🇸 🤝 🇩🇪
The general was based on Major General Theodor Tolsdorff. What the scene got right: the real General Tolsdorff did received the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds. And he did surrendered to Lt. Lipton. What this scene didn't get right (or rather, modified to serve the story), General Tolsdorff was only 36 at that time, having had a progressed from captain back in 1941 during Barbarrossa. Also, this happened on VE Day in Bavaria, Germany, while this scene was shown at the end of Episode 10 when they were in Austria (months after VE Day). And they didn't mention Pvt Heffron opened one of his suitcases of, well... go read it yourself.
@@yatsumleung8618 he surrended in Austria on the 8th of May, his army (LXXXII Army Corps) was stationed in Bavaria when he got promoted to Generalleutnant
Valhalla or Bust - they don't need your forgiveness. I'm sure if the majority of them were alive they'd say to you "You're welcome" - only reason you're free to spout your bullshit is because of them. That's coming from someone who doesn't agree with how Israel behaves, but is also devoid of a tinfoil hat. People talk about this shit as if it would have been an entirely different scenario had the Nazis won. No, it'd be the same scenario with different parameters. People who make these comments (i.e. you, and Poopoo Peepee) always seem to assume they'd be immune from the consequences. No doubt if the Nazis had won, Europe would have less "diversity", and other things - thing is, and you're too dumb to see this: it'd also be a world where people were LITERALLY (not figuratively as we have now) treated as disposable. The Nazis want to do some experiments to accelerate research? Might be you they choose. They want to build something? Might be you they kill through forced labour to do it. Some war needs to be won, but it takes throwing bodies into the grinder until they win? Might be you. Honestly, wake up, you have the thinking of a 12 year old that read 1984 yesterday. A good book, and one that has a lot of lessons to tell, just making a point. Oh and just to be clear, if this shit (extreme right wing Nazi ideology) ever rears it's ugly head again in any form that can be taken as a serious threat, the good people of this world will be there to beat your ass down, just like they did before. Remember ISIS, the closest thing we've had to Nazis in modern times? Yeah, my memory of them is fading too. At least the Nazis didn't become a violent insurgency, they just stuck to talking shit on the internet.
Most of those men were only following orders. They would have been shot on the sport otherwise. Many German Generals died while trying to kill the monster called Hitler. These men, for the most part were victims of this war as much as any other. And before you criticize them, put yourselves in their place. And if you never served your country, you have NO place to criticize because you were never put in the position to fight or die
Yes you had the Wehrmacht the Prussian Tradition and the SS the Political Soldiers nonetheless soldiers did what they were told as once you make that oath to fatherland you do whatever order is required as they say honour is found in loyalty to your country and loved ones no matter who is in power.
My father fought in WW2 on the German side. He always told us: I have seven sons and the only thing I wish for them is that they never have to fight in a war.
I always remember what Shifty Powers said about the Germans, "That man and I might have been good friends. We might have had a lot in common. We might've like to fish, ya know. He might've liked to hunt. You never know, ya know? Course they were doing what they're supposed to do, and I was trying to do what I was supposed to do. But uh, under different circumstances we might have been good friends."
Yep 👍 It’s not the politicians who start these wars who do the killing it’s the grunts who probably would have gotten along fine with the “enemy “ in different circumstances
Come to that, wasn't there a brief time during the first World War when a cease fire was declared right around Christmas, and the German soldiers on one side of the battle lines came out to greet the British soldiers on the _other_ side of the battle lines, hung out together, chatted with each other and even got some games of football/soccer going between them? Then the cease fire ended and they went right back to shooting each other. Men who normally _wouldn't_ try to kill each other - and might even befriend each other - are forced to do so because somebody in their respective ivory towers commanded them to go out and kill the other guys. War is saddening like that.
@@BloodyBay yeah, afaik that incident is also why high command put extra harsh penalties on fraternization with the enemy into place. Cannot have that in a total war.
When I was first starting my second tour in Germany as a young Sergeant from the 101st we had to go through the "Kontact" training that welcomed young troops to Germany, gave us some basic language and culture skills and at the end, took us to a town to let us put them into practice. Once the guided part of the tour was over we were cut loose to sight-see or pub hop on our own for a couple of hours. The younger guys split for the nearest "Discotheque" and I went in search of a quiet, local pub. The place I chose was nearly empty and went dead silent when I walked in wearing my Class A's and jump boots. I ordered a beer (Hefe mitt zitronen, Weihenstephaner, personal favorite) and stood at the bar as the conversations fired up again. When I was approaching the bottom of my first glass, an older German who had been sitting alone stood and began walking towards me. The bar went dead silent again and the worried look on the bartender raised a red flag so I turned as the man got closer. He came to attention with a sharp heel click and gave my uniform a quick, professional once over. Having stood and given a few inspections, I saw what was going down and popped to myself. When he saw the Screaming Eagle, his eyes lit up and there was a quick lift at each corner of his mouth. "Fallschirmjaeger?" he asked. "Jawohl" He motioned to a barstool, occupied one himself. He fired off some rapid German to the bartender and turned to me rolling up one of his sleeves to reveal a tattoo with the emblem of the 5th Fallschirmjaeger. We chatted a bit and when it came time for me to pay up and go hook up with the rest of the folks from the tour, the bartender refused my money. "It's paid" was all he said.
I was stationed in Germany in the late 1980s to 1991. Best station I ever had, some fine people who I still love. My landlord was a Leutnant on the Russian Front but had the good fortune to be home on furlough the day that American troops were taking Kaiserslautern. He told me once that he had jumped over a stone wall fence to avoid an American patrol and nearly got run over by an American jeep coming around the corner. He spent the rest of the war as a "Kriegsgefangen." He told me that was the best thing that ever happened to him during the war. My wife and I went there in 2019 and hope to go there again in a few years. Ich liebe Deutschland. Pleased to meet you Dale.
My grandfather fought for the Wehrmacht in the Battle of Stalingrad. He was captured and held as a POW in Russia for years then had to walk back home to Germany at the end of the war. Eventually he burned his uniform became a doctor and moved to the US. He always told me how terrible the war was and how many of his comrades were against the cause. I always wondered if he carried shame for fighting on the German side and how he dealt with it. He would often have night terrors but seeing this video I see some sort of a silver lining in his service. I hope and believe, that while the war was terrible and his side's cause was as well, he found some sort of comradery and brotherhood amongst the men he served with. He passed away in 2016 making him one of the last survivors of the Battle of Stalingrad, the largest battle to have ever taken place. I am so proud to call him my grandfather.
God bless your grandfather. I had a Great Grandfather who fought in World War II and he saw one of the concentration camps in France and was horrified of what the Nazis did. I never met him, but if I did, he would have the exact same experience your father had seen.
I have an uncle that commanded a Wellington Bomber for the Royal New Zealand Airforce. His airplane was downed over Croatia, his crew survived, picked up by Axis forces and were repatriated to NZ after the war. What became of my uncle was never known and there was a suspicion that he may have been captured by advancing Soviet troops and sent to who knows where. For twenty years my Grandmother held out hope that this was the case and her son would one day return. He never did.
Best speech ever. Easy to address to a vitorious army, but what to say to a defeated one??? This brilliant speech rescue the lost dignity of these soldiers.
It's the sort of speech that gives one hope, that past enemies can become future friends. They had a hell of a job ahead of them, trying to make long, happy lives in peace, but those who ended up in the western part of the country went on to build a fine country of which they could be proud.
And not only that but you can see the American soldiers listening to the American interpreter and realize that what the German General is saying mirrors how they all feel. Respect for a vanquished but noble and brave enemy!
he was also in many many videogames from the mid 90s to the early 2000s. very unique voice. biggest role was propably in the german metal gear solid 1 version where he did the voices of revolver ocelot, donald anderson and this guy towards the end who is working for the state.
@@Mr.HeisenbergTheCook the character Karl Ernst Rasch from Crysis 3 is actually directly modeled after him (face and all) - which completely blew my mind when i first noticed. and they even bothered to hire him as voice actor for the german version too. pretty cool that hes voice acting again in a video game - propably in english eh?
Anthony Ricci The basic video material from this video is from a documentary of the German state owned TV channel ZDF. The German ZDF is the German equivalent to the British BBC. There is also a upload of the original ZDF broadcast here on YT. BTW, be shure that the history division of the ZDF only broadcasts ony 100% certified material, otherways the "HISTORY" series sold wordlwide would get a reputation damage.
@@NAVI_KIaus_coc It is a bit confusing. He is a 2-star-General for the time, because the german Wehrmacht didn't have the Brigadier General. So while today in the german army the Generalleutnant is equal to the Lieutenant General (3 Stars), he only has two.
This is very emotional. Before my dad was killed in Afghanistan, I'll always remember his letter talking about the enemy, and how that man thought he was fighting for his cause, and reflecting on if he had a family and children, and they were both on the other side trying to survive by killing each-other first.
Dang I am sorry you’ve had to endure such a huge loss from someone who was a major part of your life. Your father may he 🇺🇸 RIP 🇺🇸 makes a really strong truthful point. If it wasn’t for our governments, would we even have enemies? Now a days in present time it’s our governments telling us who are enemies are and most of the time it’s all based on lies.
That humanization runs deep man. Major respects to the people behind this show for putting this in. Not many movies/shows care to humanize the "enemy" like this.
I love how this speech was made by a German General. Nice irony, that the enemy is the one giving a summary of essentially what us viewers watched the Americans went through and summarized the whole plot of what "Band of Brothers" is about. At least in my mind it's a very artistic decision.
Sorry in advance if my english is horrible. German here. :D Yes this is why i love the original version of it. The German dubbing on our TV is horrible. Its not only everyone speaking German. Another thing is the translation in this specific scene where the WHOLE translation is just shit talk. i mean, why the fuck do they have to do this? Ruin a fine Scene with this bullshit.
It creates a very humanistic view of a war. That a war isn't only fought by generals pushing bricks on a map, but human beings, brave men and women who are on the ground. That despite which side a soldier is on, we are all the same, and we share the same companionship, challenges and hell of war and combat.
Being Austrian and having listened to my grandfather's story who went to fight in WW2 and spent 5 years as a prisoner of war in Russia, this gives me goosebumps. In the end, we are all humans.
KK: Actually, you sound quite reasonable now, and if I misjudged you, please accept my apology. But most often, a Nazi sympathizer will at once deny that the Nazis, (the nation that was under their total control) did anything wrong and then immediately also try to say that other countries were at least as bad if not much worse! And they won't budge on either point, despite the contraction. I saw that it your comment, and immediately took out my flamethrower, maybe too soon! As for the Wehrmacht, it is simply a myth that they did not participate in the the holocaust, fully, and on every level. I would get into this some more, but I am sort of time right now. Maybe later?
My favorite part of this scene is the dichotomy between the German General and Capt. Sobel. The German general approaches Winters, who is the highest ranking officer, until Winters directs him to his subordinate. The General affords the same respect he would to an equivalent officer when they speak, and then respectfully addresses Winters before he leaves. Sobel pathetically attempts to look away so he can avoid saluting his former subordinate, who not only out ranks him now, but has proved himself a true combat leader.
My Grandfather was an officer in WW2 with the Desert Rats. He was way from the UK from 1941 to 1946. He said he always respected the German soldiers. They were fine soldiers and they had good equipment.
The North Africa campaign is generally regarded as the theatre where traditional respect for the enemy was best observed - partly because of Rommel, partly because of the absence of SS troops. A 1 hour ceasefire was observed outside of battles to allow the soldiers a game of football or whatever they wanted to do.
My Grandfather was a sailor in the Kriegsmarine and his ship sank. He was saved by a british ship and was brought back to Germany later. He has only spoke once about the war but said the same thing as you just wrote…they respected each other as men, only divided by Uniform and language, doing what they were told to do
my uncle was also in the desert with montgomery he said at night when it was bitch black they would listen to the german soldiers singing lily marlene from linda in scotland
If anyone is wondering the general is based on a real life General who surrendered his men in Austria to the Americans. He was Generalleutnant Theodor Tolsdorff. Very highly decorated, one of only a few to receive the "Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub, Schwertern und Brillanten", there were 27 men in total. He was nicknamed "Tolsdorff the Mad" by his men. He was quite young for a genral too, about 35 years old by the war's end.
“The enemy? His sense of duty was no less than yours, I deem. You wonder what his name is, where he came from. And if he was really evil at heart. What lies or threats led him on this long march from home. If he would not rather have stayed there in peace. War will make corpses of us all.” - J.R.R. Tolkien
That is a Faramir quote, not a J. R. R. Tolkien quote. Do you also quote Saruman's lines of evil and attribute them to Tolkien? Tolkien wrote it, but it is the words of the character Faramir, not Tolkien himself. Of course Tolkien can and should be *credited* for writing them, but not *quoted.*
"I've thought about this often. That man [any German soldier] and I might've been good friends. We might've had a lot in common. He might've liked to fish, he might've liked to hunt. You never know. Of course, they were doing what they were supposed to do, and I was trying to do what I was supposed to do. But, under different circumstances, we might've been good friends." - Shifty
All things being equal the actor playing Captain Sobel ( David Swchwimmer) should’ve won an Oscar because the hatred for him is palpable and present in almost every scene this young man has done an excellent job at his job! Imagine being told You have been cast this great miniseries but you have to be the most evil mean person and then being able to do it, he did it expertly!
@ I wonder why he got to keep his sidearm in the movie tho, IRL that was a major and winters took the pistol and had it (he even showed it to the fil crew and it was a P38 and not a luger either. welp dunno why the scene would have benn even better with the pistol surrendered. This pistol the real winters said did never fire a shot.
@ ruclips.net/video/uxv3s7xTYHU/видео.html Hanks did an awesome job on BoB tho, id just relly liked the real story in the series. Much more moving then the fictional one.
He is an officer of the Reich's Heer, the German Army. Just because he is surrendering to the enemy is no cause to not be polite, professional and courteous to the officers of said enemy.
@@chiefrabbischlomosteinberg4953 “A new consciousness is developing which sees the earth as a single organism and recognizes that an organism at war with itself is doomed. We are one planet. One of the great revelations of the age of space exploration is the image of the earth finite and lonely, somehow vulnerable, bearing the entire human species through the oceans of space and time.” ― Carl Sagan
Terribly wrong. This is true when the "enemies" belong to the same culture but, in civilization wars, like the Crusades or the Siege of Lepanto/Costantinople, there is true hate and desire to wipe out the enemy from the face of the earth between the opposite forces.
My grandpa talked about how, at the end of the day, the Germans were just regular people, people he could’ve been friends with if things had been different. He fell for a German girl, and wanted to bring her home. Lucky for me he came home and met my grandma instead.
Just regular people setting out to exterminate the Jews. It took a whole lot of people for that to happen. It wasn't just Himmler and so on. It was train workers, people who categorized looted belongings. The people that stood up and lost their lives are the ones I have respect for. Or the priest who volunteered to die to take the place of a man with a family. The man survived til the age of 95. Or Witold Pilecki who got captured on purpose to go to Auschwitz and report on conditions. He escaped and got the info to the Allies.
My father was over there in Holland and Belgium. Said that the Germans were "just scared kids, like we were." I really respected that he could view an enemy that way. Meanwhile, a neighbor was in the Pacific, and to his dying day, absolutely hated anything Japanese. He must have seen some very bad things, and it's sad that it affected him the rest of his life.
My best friends grandpa (a black man) brought home a German bride from the war and it was a huge deal amongst everyone. They both died in 2019 but were extremely happy until then. War can also bring out the best in humanity.
@@kurtbilinski1723 Japanese were way worse than Germans. Unlike Germans who were filled with extreme hate and racial superiority by Hitler and his Nazi Party to commit war crimes. Japanese soldiers were basically enjoying m*rdering and r*ping civilians and that too before WW2 even began in Europe. They enjoyed torturing others like it was some kind of game. Just search Nanking massacre or their treatment of POWs or their war crimes in Korea and SouthEast Asia.
@@alexworldfan Yes I did get paid as an extra. Wasn't much, about £80. The experience of being on a real film set was great. Wolf Kahler (playing a Wehrmacht General) let me take my photo with him. He also starred in Raiders of the Lost Ark. David Schwimmer (Captain Herbert Sobel) was having a few retakes in a jeep behind me.
The actor portraying the General is Wolf Kahler, born 3 April 1940 (age 75) in Kiel, Germany, A Classic Looking German only due to stereo typing. he was also in Raiders of the Lost Ark, Barry Lyndon, The Dirty Dozen: Next Miss, The Sea Wolves, The Dirty Dozen: The Deadly M. And right when he was starting out in acting, in 1976 he portrayed an SS Captain, one of two henchmen, coming for COL Riedel at the end of the movie. He is usually not credited for this role. We love you Wolf! Hope you are doing well.
The dignity of the General was awe inspiring. And then to hear him speak as he would have had he commanded Easy Company. It was a great testimony to the humanity to be found in the worst of wars. We are all people, after all.
Always had problems with how this scene was presented on screen. Firstly, Tolsdorff was only in his mid-30s, 25 years younger than the excellent Wolf Kahler who plays him here, and had only been promoted to general rank 3 months earlier - not the paternal and vastly experienced older general portrayed here. But mostly because it feeds into the myth of the clean wehrmacht. Yes, individual soldiers did relate to each other at a personal level, but we should not forget the role the wehrnacht played. And Tolsforff, as a member both of the Junker and military officer classes came from two of the groups primarily responsible for destroying the Republic, bringing Hitler to power, enabling him to take complete dictatorial control and drive Europe to war.
@@andythompson3777 you realize a large portion of the Junkers and Military officers despised Hitler and what he was doing to the Wehrmacht right? almost all of them considered Hitler a cancer
Probably the most powerful scene of many in this series. As a veteran I can completely relate to the General’s speech. The General did not even mention the war was lost, but spoke of his pride in how they served their country and each other. And that is exactly what being a soldier is about.
🎉🎉❤ yess! For all: Krieg = keine Sieger! Da ist nur Leid und Elend! And then, all the kids in Germany have no Parents, so meny children of the ugly Ideologie from the Germany People! War is ending? Welcome to the next War in the neverending Story of dumbness 😮😅
My father used to say the German soldier was second to none. They fought just as American boys did. With the exception of the SS, he never had a bad word to say about them. He was wounded at the Battle of The Bulge in the capacity of medic. He never spoke of the war until his war buddy visited from time to time and only then. He made us salute the flag during parades and other such occasions. I never forgot that and it wasn’t until I served several tours myself that I understood his reasoning. War is made by politicians and fought by the youth. I hope we someday learn the folly of all this. I’m in my seventies now and will leave this world knowing war is so wasteful….
“We salute the rank, not the man.” in the background, Nixon is dabbing. Lieb is doing a sick flip on his skateboard. The entirety of Easy company is hollering. Winters is putting on his shades. Sobel is on the ground, dead. In the distance, airhorns.
I visited the German cemetery in Normandy just prior to the American cemetery. It is a humbling experience. They were mostly young men in both cemeteries. My daughter wrote the most beautiful comments from her visit to the American cemetery. I cry every time I read it: “9,387 of our countrymen are buried at the American cemetery in normandy. when you walk up to the sea of white, you can't see any names - all of the crosses are facing the other way. all of them are facing home. this time the freedom they paid for wasn't just ours but the world's. they fought alongside their brothers not just of country but of humanity. all the same, there's something peculiarly sacrificial about being laid to rest on foreign soil. a strange kind of permanent longing. these boys truly never went home. all in service to a peaceful world. thank you. i am honored to have stepped foot as the free woman on the hallowed shores where you paid for that freedom. thank you. @ Omaha Beach”
I've also been to the American cemetery in Normandy, it really is one of the most sobering sights you can possibly see. Nowhere else have I ever seen a place with so many people be so utterly silent, a huge sea of white headstones and an atmosphere that seems to absorb all noise except the wind and birds. It's an experience that really hammers home some perspective on the sacrifices made during WW2, normally the media only shows us the glory and glamour.
@@DarkFenix2k5 America knows how to do that sort of thing very well indeed. And the scale of American sacrifice, for the sake of freedom in Europe (even if it was delayed in the eastern part), really does merit gratitude.
That actually brought tears to my eyes, and I didn't cry at my own fathers' funeral. I say that not to brag or sound falsely macho, but to convey to you the power of what your daughter wrote. Specifically, the first three sentences. Those are powerful words. Please tell your daughter that she made this veteran (USAF) - who it has been said has a heart of stone - actually choke up. Well done!
Side note: The general portrayed in this part was lieutenant General (Generalleutnant ) Theodor Tolsdorff of 1st Infantry Division (1. Infanteriedivision). On 8th May 1945, he surrendered in Austria to Lt. Carwood Lipton and Robert F. Sink of the 101st Airborne Division.
@@KR-jt4ut not according to Wiki he wasn’t- says he was tried for the execution of a junior officer on 3rd May 1945. There is no mention of war crimes proceedings.
This scene is a huge payment of respect to those germans who fought during WWII. I dont think most people realize that though. Its not just the speech the german General was allowed to hold for his men. Its the fact that the german General was portrayed as a man of honor and military code. He acknowledged Major Winters first, correctly, with honor and correctness. Wich American Cpt. Sobel even didnt manage to do. Then the General held a short but very honorable speech, to his soldiers. German soldiers. Young german men. Not tyrants. Men, conscripts, fighting for their country. The scene shows, between the german General, Cpt. Sobel and Maj. Winters, that not all germans were bad, and not all americans/allied troops, were good. Its a bit, of an honorable nod, to old german veterans, watching this series. Its beautiful.
Nope. Speaking objectively as a historian, the Wehrmacht were nazis through and through. They acted along side and worked hand in hand with the SS, more specifically the einsaztgruppen, and not only knew what they were doing, but made preparations to make it easier for them. The Wehrmacht committed just as many warcrims was the ss(though it must be mentioned mostly not cruel or nearly on the same scale) and definitely knew about the concentration camps as most german civilians did. The myth that the average german soldier wasnt a nazi is exactly that: A MYTH. This myth was conjured the germans in the 50s during a process called Denazification so that they could seperate themselves from hitler, the nazis, and the crimes of all germans in the military. Not saying they were as bad as the ss, but they were not blind to their surroundings. Some might have just been fighting for their country, but a vast majority believed in hitler and that what they were doing was right. Again, speaking objectively as a historian.
"Men its been a long war, its been a tough war. You fought bravely, proudly for your country. You are a special group. You found in one another a bond that exists only in combat. Among brothers, you've shared foxholes, held each other in dire moments. You've seen death and suffered together. I am proud to have served with each and every one of you. You deserve long and happy lives in peace.
My late mentor, flight instructor and dear friend, Rudy Tomasik, (bronze star, silver star, Purple Heart, WW2) didn’t talk about it much, but he once opened up to a bunch of us around a campfire. He said, “I saw buddies killed and I killed their buddies too, to stop more of my buddies from getting killed. That’s what fucking war boils down to in the end, young men killing other young men who we have more in common with after the smoke clears, than the old rich asshole politicians who ordered us there.” It was very profound.
System of a Down very astutely asks; why don't presidents fight the war? If a law was passed that said that 1% of the 1% will be drafted, the wars would all end tomorrow.
@@santaclaws6633 As Black Sabbath said in their War pigs: Politicians hide themselves away They only started the war Why should they go out to fight? They leave that role to the poor, yeah
Yes, I totally agree. Did you notice Major Winters look on his face during the speech? As the general described what his men went through Winters came to the realization that his men went through the same experiences and that they were doing a job just as they were. Also, even though they were the enemy, they just wanted to go home to live in peace as well. That was my take on it. I thought it was a brilliant piece of acting/scripting in my opinion.
@@davidwong4 David that is true if you only knew I wish I could have said the same in Afghanistan but thank you so much because at least you understand
How noble the Nazi officer is portrayed. But this is actually totally superfluous in the movie. But this corresponds to the Western agenda, of German white wash. Western pro-German propaganda has many facets, one of which is using the term Nazi instead of the actual nation! In fact, Western pro-German propaganda is very consistent in using the term Nazis. The Nazis are the bad guys and the real Germans are their victims. The use of the term Nazis instead of Germans also in Hollywood movies actually serves to whitewash the Germans. The fact that the term Nazis is used instead of Germans has a reason that most people are not even aware of. This is why this German whitewashing propaganda is so very successful that most people worldwide now use the term Nazis and not the term Germans in connection with the 2nd World War. It is necessary to clarify why the term Nazi is even used for to understand all this. So it is necessary o clarify who a Nazi even was for to understand all this. Who is referred to as Nazis by western propaganda at all in this context. All Germans? Definitely not! No, the western propaganda differentiates very precisely between the evil Nazis and the other "good" Germans. The western pro-German propaganda spreads the lying myth of the few Nazis who were guilty and responsible, because it is generally concealed that the overwhelming majority of Germans since 1935 at the latest were follower and supporters of the German Nazi government, thus they were Nazis. So the overwhelming majority of Germans were since 1935 at the latest Nazis. It is concealed the fact that the vast majority were Nazis, giving the impression that it was the other way around, that contrary to historical truth there was only a relatively small minority of Nazis. So the synonym Nazi would actually be justified for this nation. BUT...the intention to use Nazis instead of German has a very specific intention. Just for to whitewashing of the Germans. Because from this lying western propaganda the myth is even produced that the vast majority of Germans were actually victims of the evil Nazis themselves and that the Nazis were just a small minority. For this reason alone they differentiate between Germans and Nazis! The propagandists even claim that the Germans were liberated in 1945. I have read and heard this lie more often that the Germans were allegedly liberated. LIBERATED! As e.g. the title of this RUclips video shows. "Liberation of Munich April 30 1945" ruclips.net/video/RtCvjD56Kkc/видео.html the title is not the occupation of Munich by the Americans, which would correspond to historical facts. No, a lie is being spread about liberation! An unbelievable lie in which from the victory over this evil Nazi nation with the subsequent multi-annual occupation is made a LIBERATION. This is actually the end goal of that whitewashing campaign. Separating the nation from the evil Nazis and making the nation victims of the Nazis. This can also be seen from the fact that certain Germans are referred to as non-Nazis, such as Nazi general Erwin Rommel who was a willing tool of the German Nazi government and fought doggedly for the victory of this Nazi government. This way the Western propaganda distinguishes very conscious between the bad Nazis and the other good Germans like Rommel. It is then stated that Rommel was not a member of the Nazi party and thus he was not a Nazi. Because that's the common lie that's being spread, that only the Nazi party members were Nazis. A very useful lie. But in reality the correct definition of Nazi is supporters and follower of the German Nazi government and that was the vast majority of Germans at least since 1935 thus they were all Nazis. That was also Rommel, who made a great effort to ensure that the German Nazi government wins this war. He also benefited from his hard work for the Nazi regime and was promoted to Field Marshal. But despite this, Western propaganda and Hollywood portray him as a non-Nazi. Like Rommel, the vast majority of Germans had been followers and supporters of the german nazi government since 1935 at the latest, so they were Nazis. But these historical facts are not being propagated by Western propaganda, but the lie of the relatively few guilty Nazis! Why is it done that way? Why is the lie being spread of the few Nazis who were responsible for the crimes so that most people by now say Nazis instead of the name of the really guilty nation? At first in 1945, the Americans had the right attitude regarding the Germans, as this educational film shows for the US Army. „Your Job in Germany - RUclips" ruclips.net/video/7OUR5uvs9aw/видео.html Then pragmatism prevailed over justice! Because after the war, the Americans believed the Germans would be useful as allies! So in the 50s, most of Germans became the ally of the West. (West Germany). However the problem was that this Nazi nation was completely megalomaniac, mad, criminal, amoral and degenerated! The West could not be allied to a morally degenerate Nazi nation that has murdered millions of children, among other crimes. So they were practically systematically washed clean to be tolerable as allies. So they were washed clean by propaganda (Western historians / media / politicians / Hollywood etc.) and the blame was put on relatively few Nazis. So the term Nazis is deliberately used by propaganda, i.e. the media, historians, politicians, Hollywood to differentiate between the Germans and the Nazis. It is then said that only a minority were Nazis. But this does not correspond to the historical facts, because the vast majority of Germans were followers and supporters of the German Nazi government at least since 1936, thus they were Nazis. In fact, the Nazis is actually a synonym for the entire nation, but it is definitely not used that way, by the Western pro-German propaganda including Hollywood. A very successful propaganda! This is way also most people around the world because of this propaganda now use the term Nazis and not German in connection with the 2nd World War and the crimes. Yes, there are always good Germans in Hollywood movies about World War II. It was only logical that a movie was given the title "The Good German". There really is such a movie with the title "The Good German". Mind you in connection with the 2nd World War! Thus the completely megalomaniac, mad, criminal, amoral and degenerated Nazi nation was whitewashed by the Western propaganda machine, which Hollywood is a part of. But that propaganda didn't work for everyone, because Poles actually always say with reference to the Second World War, the German occupation, etc. GERMANS and not Nazis. Because the Poles know against whom was fought in this war. Because it was fighting the entire nation and a not only a political party.
Fighting for freedom is one thing terrorism is another. If you aim at or do not care for civilians in your path of destruction, you are a terrorist. Period. A soldier can be a terrorist too. Honourable soldiers not only cares for people who are not armed they also respect their enemy. Like the veterans of both sides depicted in this scene.
@@Sappre the « resistance » in France consisted of mostly bombing surprise attacks on trains and tossing grenades to high profile Germans during parades. This would be called terrorism yet in story books it’s mentioned as resistance
@@Sappre This. While US soldiers showed respect to Wehrmacht soldiers in this scene, I doubt they would see SS members the same way, especially after the liberation of concentration camps.
Aussie Tit: Nonsense. Know what a German soldier wished for in World War 2? Food as good as the British. Uniforms as good as the Russian's. Weapons as good as the American's. And enemies as good as the Italians! And their cars are overrated too.
@@callsofscv Disagree. They were all fighting to get themselves and their brothers home, and nothing more. The outcomes are for the politicians and higher military officials to worry about.
It's a great scene that shows nothing is black and white in this world. There were no cowards among soldiers on the both sides. Soldiers on the both sides served their nations to the best of their abilities and sacrifices were made on both sides. This shows that despite their opinions and acts, the German soldiers were just as brave as American soldiers.
I read somewhere that the germans at some point were outnumbered 9 to 1. Really makes you think about their skill and courage holding on for so long. Respect.
That's a very generalised statement. Look at a book written by people who were there, many rear echelon soldiers were just thugs and cowards whilst the SS were brutal. My father-in-law was a Flakhelfer and my own father was in the Navy. My father-in-law saw disarray and retreat whilst my father had a couple of nice boat trips and saw the inside of a TB ward. My uncle however was shot down and murdered in Dachau. Both my grandfathers were in the trenches and hated the boredom. You are seeing a clip from a TV series, not war.
BUT NOT FIGHTING FOR THE RIGHT CAUSE DONT FORGET THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THE GERMANS CAUSE DEATH AND DESTRUCTION IN TWO GENERATIONS!! MY MOTHER LOST 3 BROTHERS UNNECESSARILY THROUGH GERMAN UPPER SECT S
My Dad was at Bastogne. He succumbed to frost bite and a Belgium family took him in and cared for him until he could walk. He was a machine-gunner. 25 years old.
The message and words of the German general are moving and heartfelt. When he says he has been honored to serve with his troops, he uses the term “euch,” the German word for “you” reserved for those who are family or close friends. How fitting. I hope my Opa Heinrich, a WWII draftee, was fortunate to have served under a General like this man.
It was in all probability a word for word translation from an English script so that choice to use the informal "euch" was probably made by the actor himself. He also uses the word "Fuchslöcher", the exact translation of "foxholes". But Germans don't call those holes "Fuchslöcher"! They're called "Schützenloch", "Schützenmulde", "Kampfstand" or, most likely, just "Loch". I have never heard my grandfather or any other vet use the word "Fuchsloch". That's more an American word afaik.
Watched this series with my dad when I was young and when they do the interviews before each episode one stood out to me. They talk about how they started to view the German soldiers less like monsters and how if it wasn’t for the circumstances of war there’s a chance that the allies and the Germans could have been friends with lots in common. This speech and their reactions to it hammer that home.
He didn't throw his weight around, he simply reminded a junior officer of the requirements of military customs and courtesies. It's part of officership.
@@ReviewWingsDSP, saluting is not "required" by "military law", or as we veterans call it, the UCMJ (Uniform Code of Military Justice). But yes, it IS a required custom and courtesy.
i'm tired of people saying America won the war or that Russia won the war or whatever. the fact is they were allies for a reason, they needed each other! so you know who won world war 2? the Allies
Africa and Italy, minor Campaings. During D-day everything was alrdy decided in the east, like maaaany years before. The allies came to prevent russia reaching the english channel..dont be naive. Anyway Im not doubting about the huge effort the states put in both theatres, but if a single nation must be named, those are BY FAR, the russians. If you wanna talk numbers we can... How many people in the states talk about the Chinese contribution to the pacific theatre, ohh the double standards are amazing in your society pal...
14 million views to date. Stephen Ambrose provided a great service to humanity by keeping the story of Easy Company alive. In particular, this brief clips gives us another view of Major Winter's extraordinary, timeless leadership.
The best part about this is that the actor who plays the General, Wolf Kahler, is known to portray unsympathetic or evil Nazis, like Sepp Dietrich in Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark. He's a wonderful actor.
5 лет назад+1
Lord Alkair He was also in The Remains of the Day as the German ambassador. Yes, a fine actor.
I like the captain nodding at "I am proud to have served with each and every one of you," that was the nod of someone thinking "He's saying exactly what I would be, if I were in his shoes."
I think that's the essence of this scene - which is superbly done. The German Commander is describing everything Easy Company experienced...and the subminal message is that everyone in that scene is part of a Band of Brothers.
I wish we could of heard the whole speech here. Gave me goosebumps! I felt like the German General was talking to his troops and the American troops as well. Strength and honor!
I've watched this series every year the week leading up to Memorial Day for the last 18 years. It still hits hard each and every time. The stories, cast, synergy and emotion depicted by each actor is nothing short of a visual masterpiece. The part of the DVD that shows the names of the veterans who talk before each episode at the end of the series makes me tear up every time. Unbelievable that men were put in this position. I honestly cannot even begin to imagine. One of the greatest books I've read I bought in a small bookstore in San Diego was *Conversations with Major Dick Winters* by Cole Kingseed. Incredible read. Paints an extremely vivid picture of the man Maj. Richard Winters was.
I mean...not for France/England/USA. Since they were technically Aryan.... Germany occupied almost all of Europe during the war, Western Euros were treated nice, eastern Euros were not.
There are not enough of them honestly in films. The best way to honor the fallen is not to turn the defeated into Villains. Our Enemy is more valuable to us as an Ally than a Foe. Even the Defeated should be treated with respect. We failed to do this after The Great War. We Failed Again after WWII. I hope one day that if another war of this scale comes, Politician do not get to decide it's outcome.
It really is. I always try and watch it in its entirety once a year around Memorial day. As a former Marine I should be all about "The Pacific" but BoB is just phenomenal.
What a series. Most amazing television series I've ever seen. And that speech by the General was like a cherry on top of the cake. Band of Brothers....PERFECTION in cinema!
My grandpa then 17 and his friend 21 where captured by US and British Forces in germany in 1945. he often told me " oh boy, we were so stupid, we wanted to win the war on bicycles against the allies, because we believed in hitler" they catched them between magdeburg and hannover and imprisoned them in a field camp for weeks. my grandpa was released home and his friend was shipped to canada later. he worked in a lumber camp for about 18 mounths and then was also released home. for him captivity in canada was one of the best times in his life. enough to eat and to drink and good people. friendship and contact to canada lasted a long time until both died in peace. I would`nt be around here without the humanity and mercy of these us and british troops. Thank you.
My stepdad served in WW2. He had no animosity what so ever towards the common German soldier, the Gestapo and the SS was a different matter. Lawrence D Blanscet Africa Sicily Italy- Anzio Omaha Beach- Second Wave Battle of the Bulge Germany RIP DAD
It is my high honor to have personally known Dick Winters and several of his comrades. He was...is my lifelong hero and he is sorely missed. God blessed them all.
this was the German army not the SS, the Wehrmacht. The Nazi's designed the SS uniforms. The Wehrmacht design is based off the original ww1 design but with a few different things updated. Not all Germans were Nazis and the Wehrmacht and the SS were known to not get along. Shouldn't group them in all together like that.
Those are basically Reichswehr uniform with the Nazi eagle. Nothing was made by the Nazis, it is Prussian traditional uniforms. Germany should return to them and to use the Waffenfarbe correctly.
+Black Onyx >>> It should have been obvious to everyone that the general was in a class above everyone else in the scene. His speech was so profound that the original members of the US company insisted that it be included in the series.
I’m a German and we are destroyed two times. Now we are tired of sick wars. We life more than 80 years in pace with our neighbours, we have fun together, we engineer together and we enjoy the good side of live together. Let’s do it again again again for the next 1000 years, on the spaceship names earth 🌍 It’s the only place we have.
Subtly showing Soble being an arrogant jerk, despite being American, before the defeated German General's noble speech was a great touch. Great writing. Back when storyteller's assumed we weren't dumb as rocks and could interpret nuance.
LOL. Yeah, the translation for the closed captions was truly horrible. While no expert, I do know enough German, living in Germany for over a decade (Heidelerg, Mannheim, Germersheim, Idar-Oberstein, etc), to realize that.
That moment when you realize your bitter enemy is nothing but a man, with the same fears, hopes, and struggles that you yourself have gone through.
+timkiller 888, Well said. Even tho people are fighting against you, they are just like you. Following orders, to serve their country. trying to survive for their life.
That moment when u realize your bitter enemy is the ussr...
timkiller 888 lol
No shit. What else would they be? Aliens?
Bullshit, we'd probably discriminate by on different colored eyes, or noses, lips, or just where we live. Nothing would really change. We'd just skip from focusing to one type of discrimination to the next,
Not all Germans were monsters, and not all Americans were saints. Great series. Honest and unvarnished.
James White - it would be laughable if it wouldn't be so sad that you need to actually spell that out for your Americans and other nationalities high off their own patriotic Kool Aid. It is sickening that such a thing needs to be typed out in this age. I'm afraid humanity will never truly progress.
Abraham Rivera - how does the nazis murdering the "Reich's enemies" conflict with the idea of regular drafted German men fighting against Soviet and Anglo-American invasion? Especially at the point of the war this scene is depicting? Are you saying all Germans really _were_ monsters? If you are, then you truly _have_ learned something from WWII: you have learned how to think like a nazi.
How did americans when they carpet bombed half of german citites, and napalm and nuke bombed whole citys in japan?
Abraam Rivera, these men had a choice, they were given the choice to fight for their country and for their people or to be lined up and shot as cowards. Most were no different to the Allied soldiers, some believed in what was happening, some did not. The same can be said for Allied soldiers, up until a certain point many of the Allied countries allowed the atrocities to go on. In war there is no clear cut side that is right or wrong, in war everyone is a saint and everyone is a sinner, it all just depends from which side you are looking from.
Abraham Rivera Only high ranking SS members knew about the genocide, the regular soldiers(wehrmacht) knew nothing about it and was only showed to them after the war
Edit: i get it, wehrmacht are not innocent. this is 2 years ago. you can now stop hurling insults at me.
TheLastApplePie I find that hard to believe but of course they would say they had no idea it was going on
All these anti German commentators should be embarrassed with themselves. As a Brit, I'm proud that we have people like the Germans in the world. To suggest that all Germans are Nazis is like suggesting that all Muslims are extremist... its completely ridicules. German culture is beautiful, as is its people and without the pioneering spirit that Germany has shown over the ages, things like rockets, jet aircraft, x-ray along with vast amounts of medical advancements would not have been found. Its a shame that the ignorant and weak minded have larger voices than the sensible because we would commonly see Germany as a force for good rather than refer back to its moment of madness in the past.
Thank your for this comment
Also Finland wouldn't be sovereign country without German help.
Wonderful comment.
***** The EU isn't exactly a good thing, far from it, but I take your point.
What happened under the Third Reich was gross, I daresay a horror of all horrors. But there is much to commend to the Germanic People.
I like how the German general still keeps his head high and struts proudly even in defeat. While he's giving the speech, you can see the respect his men had for him.
And from Winters and his men, as the scene develops. A realisation of a shared experience.
Even though he swore to serve Hitler.
@@Philotusbecause they were forced to? Hitler didn't even make them say the oath, it was one general who changed the oath to gain favor with Hitler
@@Philotus I don't think they had much choice if they wanted to survive. They didn't have the luxury of independent means and choosing to walk away. The entire Wermacht had to swear allegience. That didn't mean that they believed in the Nazi ideologies or methods. In fact there are several well-documented examples of the Wermacht standing up to the SS's atrocities and - in one famous case - fighting the SS alongside the US army.
Credit where credit's due, the kraut bastards fought a hell of a war. It took the combined weight of the US, the USSR, and the British Commonwealth to defeat them.
Overall, they were probably the best trained, best led Soldiers of the war. I say this as a retired Military professional.
They fought with courage, and a commitment and dedication you'd have a hard time equalling in the history of warfare. The tragedy of it all is they gave all that serving monsters.
You notice how when Liebgott is translating at first there is some mockery in his voice yet as he continues he starts to realize the meaning of the speech and his tone goes from mockery to complete seriousness and understanding.
Didn't catch this the first time I watched it. Glad I saw this comment. Really adds another layer to the show.
Yeah. Lieb realizes that he has experienced the same thing but only from another side
Ähh,yeah,thats why we love the scene....
Great comment, wouldnt have caught this otherwise. I only heard the salute part. But this humanizes the whoile thing
I didn’t catch any mockery in his voice at all
Had this speech been given by one of the allied commanders it would have been the cheesiest moment of the series, but by having it being given by the German commander it adds another layer to the story; that as the American troopers listen to it they understand that they had the exact same experience as their enemies, and that makes it in my opinion the greatest moment of the whole series.
That's why people rewatch these moments again again.
We tend to dehumanize our enemies , and not discuss the fact that they are people too, and they also fought a war.
I think this is a real speech given by a real general, as noted in an autobiography from one of these guys, if I remember correctly.
I think it's also the reason why there is such a difference in perception of the European and Pacific theaters of war. To many, the fight for Europe was liberation, connection and understanding of a culture the majority of those who fought it came from. There was an inherent connection that no matter the atrocities there could be a recognition of the enemy as human. In the Pacific war, it was an attack of retribution against an enemy the majority could not relate to, feared and hated. There was no understanding or common ground between Japanese and Americans.
@@MrHikerToYou There is no difference there. Maybe americans didn't demonize the Germans, we (Greeks) most certainly did, as did Poles, Central Europeans, later on the French, etc. I am 28 years old and most people at my age have grandfathers who fought, and I am confident that almost all of them hated the Germans till they died. This is true for most East europeans I've talked to as well, and I doubt the French of the age saw them as "fellow europeans", considering how they treated them after the war. Absolutely no common ground here.
It's incredible how Liebgott starts translating with a tone of mockery and disdain but quickly shifts to a more serious and understanding tone when he starts seeing so much of him in them. War is hell and while many deserve the pain it brings, most are just ordinary men fighting for the brother next to him, trying to get it done as soon as possible so they can come back home.
They lived in Germany most of the men to be forced to fight my family come from Germany anyone of us could have been one of them at that time
I never noticed that before, there is a definite change in his attitude by the time the speech approaches the end. Good eye, my friend.
The german version sadly got a weird dub of that scene... libegotts traranslation got replaced by comments instead of a translation due to everyone speaking german in a german dub obivously. The comments however are more like "they simply cannot refrain from their speeches of a heroic nature" and after the "i am proud to have served with you"-line liebgott says "
The way he looks, he's never been lying in the dirt". It also makes no sense that liebgott speaks everytime a german soldier/person speaks... they literally could have just cut the parts or replaced the comments with something usefull. The concentration camp scene is worse... his comments make no sense sometimes and the whole conversation is just weird.
@@joeybomba9808 I don't know where i have heard that but a american soldier said that there were german soldiers and there were nazis and you could tell the difference. He couldn't describe what the difference was, he could just say that there was a difference.
What you're doing is whitewashing of the Germans! Most were just ordinary men? Are you suggesting that only a small minority were criminals? Wrong! No, those were tens of millions who murdered tens of millions. Since at least 1935 the vast majority of Germans had been followers and supporters of the German Nazi government, thus they were Nazis. Because that is the definition of Nazi. Follower and supporterof the Nazi government. What applied for the vast majority of Germans also applied to the vast majority of German soldiers. The vast majority were Nazis! So they believed in Nazi dieology! So this Nazi soldier believed that the Nazi soldiers have the right to commit various genocides and to destroy cities. And all the other crimes committed by the Nazi nation including the enslavement of 20 million. These ordinary people were the Nazi perpetrators! Ordinary civilians were the watchdogs for the slave laborers in the factories and farms, tormenting and killing them. Ordinary soldiers also murdered civilians. 60% of civilians in Poland were murdered by ordinary Wehrmacht soldiers. So stop washing this Nazi murderer gang white.
"It is well that war is so terrible, otherwise we should grow too fond of it."
Robert E. Lee
Laughs in Military Industrial Comlpex.
Grant was better
Applies to men on the ground, not the ones with warmed seats. And thus war happens again.
He had also grown too fond of another terrible thing. Slavery.
@alanruiz7822 You right
Men, it's been a long war. It's been a tough war. You've fought bravely, proudly for your country. You're a special group. You've found in one another a bond that exists only in combat, among brothers. You've shared foxholes, held each other in dire moments. You've seen death and suffered together. I'm proud to have served with each and every one of you. You all deserve long and happy lives in peace.
and just forget about the 60 million dead you are responsible for
@@arminvoneckerberg hop off that ass sniffing high horse and look up dresden.
War makes monsters of us all. If you feel the need to strip all the humanity out of a moment meant to illustrate how we all suffer and bleed as humans, than you share more in common with mengele than the colonel who historically gave this speech, child.
@@Leisurelee53 Do not judge a person if you do not know him. Otherwise you are no better than .......
@@emerald10005 I expected the question. Yes, unfortunately, I know it firsthand through the terrible history of a part of my family with their terrible crimes against humanity.
@Rickie j I don't know what planet you are from. Here on earth this is bullshit, or clearer fat lie.
Germans know how to make some gorgeous uniforms.
edit: omg thanks for the 5.4k likes!..........oh wait, comment likes don't actually mean anything. Nevermind.
Homeslice that's because Hugo Boss made them.
Hugo boss
Hugo boss designed the uniforms and produced by other party
Yeah, if you think looking like a mass murdering loser is gorgeous.
Emanresuadeen U can say the same for the allies
That German Generals jawline was carved out by angels.
Probably why he's been playing Nazis since Indiana Jones...
A true Aryan
@@johnslugger Arnold's from Austria dude.
@@johnslugger fair point, can't really argue that. 😉
@@bertlammens4392 i wonder who that was... 🤣
“ Long and happy lives in peace”
I wish that for all of us today …
US Veteran
The MAGA Movement is not about to let that happen.
@@kosmokritikos9299 bruh.
God bless you bro i was 3 years in AFG for Germany i wish u and all of us freedom and peace!
@@kosmokritikos9299You got that backwards, leftists are the ones trying to bring down America and the West.
@@kosmokritikos9299 How do you figure that?
It was a brilliant move to make the “villain” of the show the one to tell the main theme of this story, friendship, brotherhood, sacrifice...
True
The Band of Brothers speech.
Do you know this is the actual story of the members of easy company it wasn’t a move its what actually happened.
@@evelinaazogue Any source for that? Be curious to read it.
@@kevinswift8654 the series is based of the book "band of brothers"
Germany won the fashion war. Change my mind.
Only Aryans (100% germanic D-N-A and Nordic face structure) were allowed to wear those uniforms back in the Third Reich era
@@overlord5068 I don’t think that’s true because they would barely have a few thousand men.
@@bigmoniesponge In total there were 1 000 000 (General S S + Germanic Divisions of the WAFFEN S S) so nope. You're wrong.
Hugo Boss
The baggy pants are actually modeled after British riding pants.
Band of Brothers, ends with the German Band of Brothers. Brilliant.
Every one there is. Well, except for the FNGs
I don't like it. Sure not every german soldier was a war criminal, but the fact is that a significant amount of german soldiers participated in horrific massacres, rapes, and war crimes aside from the holocaust. Comparing them to US troops is laughable. Not saying that every american soldier was a saint, but american and british war crimes were few and far between, while german war crimes were the norm, not the exception. These troops were fighting for a hateful ideology, and whether they were aware of the specifics of the holocaust, they were all well aware of the ideology they were fighting for.
@@strongman325 that was the stupidest thing i read this month
@@xilefka9467 Really? How so? The Germans murdered and abused Polish and Russian civilians that have not wronged them in anyway, as @john davis said, war crimes were a norm for the German army and they were proud of their treatment for those they deemed as "lesser people".
Americans and Brits were not saints, (The Russians were probably at the same level as the Germans by the time they turned the tables) none are at times of war but they did not fight this war in order to kill any specific group, only to end the war.
Yes USA did nuke Japan but one need to understand the amount of hatred and lack of sympathy the Americans already felt towards the Japanese by that time, that same hatred was generated by the Japanese brutal and insane way of war and treatment of US POW, not to mention the insanity that drove this nation not to surrender even after all their allies in the Axis already had.
The German General's jaw line is freaking legendary. The man is more jaw than anything.
easily chinned
Same actor in Raiders of the Lost Ark.
Max Headroom
he has nothing on the Manic Cop actor though (the Conan from Tango and Cash).
Yes
I love Band of Brothers for many reasons. But as a German, I'm especially thankful that in this series, the German soldiers are not presented as a bunch of bloodthirsty, evil animals and idiots that are mowed down by the dozen by the Allied heroes. BoB is just amazingly good TV.
@ Mature comment.
@ There always has to be some troll to ruin everything.
@ Oh, one of those guys with a lack of gray matter!
@ you need to be over 13 to be on youtube, so please go play with your mommy till you grow up
Curious what your thoughts are about "Generation War"? I think it had a different name in the German (original) version, something like "our mothers and fathers" or similar.
Love how completely professional the German general is here.
Acknowledges the US major first, since he's the highest in rank there, and immediately deals with the Lt -- with no rancor or being offended -- when indicated. Addressed him as one officer to another, and graciously accepted being allowed to address his men.
You know that it is only a fictional film and it was invented to show Germans like that because they are to this day part of NATO... and for most German soldiers the capitulation was not the end it was just beggining of suffering as the Soviets did not forget about them and used them as slaves for years and i have serious doubt that any German general was as optimistic in that time as this actor is here.
Biały the film is based on true events you dipshit, this scene is particular is very real and did happen as it was noted in an autobiography
These men were not impisoned by the Soviets because they surrendered to the Americans, im the Western zone. This speech was given by a real general. These events are autobiographical. It has nothing to do with NATO.
Biały yeah was clear that some pole comes around only to speak the German general down
It shows that the general was a good leader like Winters, setting up the idea that all the soldiers are brothers no matter which side.
I love how his speech doesn't just apply to his own soldiers, but to all soldiers from all sides.
And to ALL soldiers through out history.
Shit for brains! It doesn’t apply to all sides. It’s an American movie! How dare you bunch together this German scum that massacred millions of innocents, or simply stood by and watched it happen with heroes like my grandfather who fought for your freedom??? The Wehrmacht could have put a stop to the holocaust within a few days, had there been but one ounce of decency amongst all of these men!
Yea problem is germany started this war by gassing people and exterminating whole countries. I don't care about "what they feel" lol
War sucks only because of the stupid egoistic politicians, or people in charge that care nothing but themselves and their own interests.
Brainwashing the shit out of everyone else under them.
@Klemheist not really whenever Spielberg is involved with something there will ALWAYS be an anti Nazi message in it....because he is a jew
Peace for all people in the World!
Greetings from Germany 🇩🇪
@JohnsonNorthman Indeed…prayers for peace across the world! Greetings to you and yours from the Texas Hill Country which has a heavy Germanic heritage among our many small towns & hamlets, such as Fredericksburg, New Braunfels, Gruene, Boerne, Kerrville (my town), among others. 🤠
@@SnookynibblesDanke! Liebe Grüße aus Norddeutschland,aus der Nähe der Stadt KIEL,in der übrigens der Schauspieler der hier den General (Wolf Kahler) spielt geboren ist! 😁👍 🇺🇸 🤝 🇩🇪
Greetings and hugs from southern california.
@@roadwarrior144 Bless you and best regards! 🇺🇸 🤝 🇩🇪
Deutschland!!! 🇩🇪🇩🇪🇩🇪
That General is very highly decorated. Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds is extremely rare. Only 27 were ever decorated with such
The general was based on Major General Theodor Tolsdorff.
What the scene got right: the real General Tolsdorff did received the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds. And he did surrendered to Lt. Lipton.
What this scene didn't get right (or rather, modified to serve the story), General Tolsdorff was only 36 at that time, having had a progressed from captain back in 1941 during Barbarrossa. Also, this happened on VE Day in Bavaria, Germany, while this scene was shown at the end of Episode 10 when they were in Austria (months after VE Day).
And they didn't mention Pvt Heffron opened one of his suitcases of, well... go read it yourself.
@@yatsumleung8618 he surrended in Austria on the 8th of May, his army (LXXXII Army Corps) was stationed in Bavaria when he got promoted to Generalleutnant
Age has also got the best of him, since he was in his mid 30's when he surrendered to the Allies.
@@yatsumleung8618 Man i was expecting a suitcase full of golden teeth, ears or fingers but dude xD The General couldn't leave his stash behind
@Billy The Kid I know, I was just poking fun at the fact that they portraied a 30 some year old guy like if he was 60
Both sides are shown as human beings. That's the mark of a good war movie.
Bullshit, this changes the game: ruclips.net/video/sHcJtU9dr6I/видео.html
Valhalla or Bust - they don't need your forgiveness. I'm sure if the majority of them were alive they'd say to you "You're welcome" - only reason you're free to spout your bullshit is because of them. That's coming from someone who doesn't agree with how Israel behaves, but is also devoid of a tinfoil hat.
People talk about this shit as if it would have been an entirely different scenario had the Nazis won. No, it'd be the same scenario with different parameters. People who make these comments (i.e. you, and Poopoo Peepee) always seem to assume they'd be immune from the consequences. No doubt if the Nazis had won, Europe would have less "diversity", and other things - thing is, and you're too dumb to see this: it'd also be a world where people were LITERALLY (not figuratively as we have now) treated as disposable. The Nazis want to do some experiments to accelerate research? Might be you they choose. They want to build something? Might be you they kill through forced labour to do it. Some war needs to be won, but it takes throwing bodies into the grinder until they win? Might be you.
Honestly, wake up, you have the thinking of a 12 year old that read 1984 yesterday. A good book, and one that has a lot of lessons to tell, just making a point.
Oh and just to be clear, if this shit (extreme right wing Nazi ideology) ever rears it's ugly head again in any form that can be taken as a serious threat, the good people of this world will be there to beat your ass down, just like they did before. Remember ISIS, the closest thing we've had to Nazis in modern times? Yeah, my memory of them is fading too. At least the Nazis didn't become a violent insurgency, they just stuck to talking shit on the internet.
Series not movie, but yes I agree
thank you, I could not agree more.
Absolutely.
I love it how they showd germans not nazis ,men not cowards
I couldn't agree more
Most of those men were only following orders. They would have been shot on the sport otherwise. Many German Generals died while trying to kill the monster called Hitler. These men, for the most part were victims of this war as much as any other. And before you criticize them, put yourselves in their place. And if you never served your country, you have NO place to criticize because you were never put in the position to fight or die
Aidan Militaria Even some of the SS did.
Matt D never new that
Yes you had the Wehrmacht the Prussian Tradition and the SS the Political Soldiers nonetheless soldiers did what they were told as once you make that oath to fatherland you do whatever order is required as they say honour is found in loyalty to your country and loved ones no matter who is in power.
My father fought in WW2 on the German side. He always told us: I have seven sons and the only thing I wish for them is that they never have to fight in a war.
Die beste!
I always remember what Shifty Powers said about the Germans, "That man and I might have been good friends. We might have had a lot in common. We might've like to fish, ya know. He might've liked to hunt. You never know, ya know? Course they were doing what they're supposed to do, and I was trying to do what I was supposed to do. But uh, under different circumstances we might have been good friends."
The part that's left unspoken is; but instead, them and us, we killed each other.
I'm glad those circumstances are now
Yep 👍 It’s not the politicians who start these wars who do the killing it’s the grunts who probably would have gotten along fine with the “enemy “ in different circumstances
Come to that, wasn't there a brief time during the first World War when a cease fire was declared right around Christmas, and the German soldiers on one side of the battle lines came out to greet the British soldiers on the _other_ side of the battle lines, hung out together, chatted with each other and even got some games of football/soccer going between them? Then the cease fire ended and they went right back to shooting each other.
Men who normally _wouldn't_ try to kill each other - and might even befriend each other - are forced to do so because somebody in their respective ivory towers commanded them to go out and kill the other guys. War is saddening like that.
@@BloodyBay yeah, afaik that incident is also why high command put extra harsh penalties on fraternization with the enemy into place. Cannot have that in a total war.
When I was first starting my second tour in Germany as a young Sergeant from the 101st we had to go through the "Kontact" training that welcomed young troops to Germany, gave us some basic language and culture skills and at the end, took us to a town to let us put them into practice. Once the guided part of the tour was over we were cut loose to sight-see or pub hop on our own for a couple of hours. The younger guys split for the nearest "Discotheque" and I went in search of a quiet, local pub.
The place I chose was nearly empty and went dead silent when I walked in wearing my Class A's and jump boots. I ordered a beer (Hefe mitt zitronen, Weihenstephaner, personal favorite) and stood at the bar as the conversations fired up again. When I was approaching the bottom of my first glass, an older German who had been sitting alone stood and began walking towards me. The bar went dead silent again and the worried look on the bartender raised a red flag so I turned as the man got closer.
He came to attention with a sharp heel click and gave my uniform a quick, professional once over. Having stood and given a few inspections, I saw what was going down and popped to myself. When he saw the Screaming Eagle, his eyes lit up and there was a quick lift at each corner of his mouth. "Fallschirmjaeger?" he asked. "Jawohl"
He motioned to a barstool, occupied one himself. He fired off some rapid German to the bartender and turned to me rolling up one of his sleeves to reveal a tattoo with the emblem of the 5th Fallschirmjaeger. We chatted a bit and when it came time for me to pay up and go hook up with the rest of the folks from the tour, the bartender refused my money. "It's paid" was all he said.
Thank you for sharing your story, Dale.
Wow, amazing story. Do you have any more stories like this from Germany?
That's pretty cool.. Thanks for sharing.
I was stationed in Germany in the late 1980s to 1991. Best station I ever had, some fine people who I still love. My landlord was a Leutnant on the Russian Front but had the good fortune to be home on furlough the day that American troops were taking Kaiserslautern. He told me once that he had jumped over a stone wall fence to avoid an American patrol and nearly got run over by an American jeep coming around the corner. He spent the rest of the war as a "Kriegsgefangen." He told me that was the best thing that ever happened to him during the war. My wife and I went there in 2019 and hope to go there again in a few years. Ich liebe Deutschland. Pleased to meet you Dale.
True brotherhood. Bad-ass.
My grandfather fought for the Wehrmacht in the Battle of Stalingrad. He was captured and held as a POW in Russia for years then had to walk back home to Germany at the end of the war. Eventually he burned his uniform became a doctor and moved to the US. He always told me how terrible the war was and how many of his comrades were against the cause. I always wondered if he carried shame for fighting on the German side and how he dealt with it. He would often have night terrors but seeing this video I see some sort of a silver lining in his service. I hope and believe, that while the war was terrible and his side's cause was as well, he found some sort of comradery and brotherhood amongst the men he served with. He passed away in 2016 making him one of the last survivors of the Battle of Stalingrad, the largest battle to have ever taken place. I am so proud to call him my grandfather.
God bless your grandfather. I had a Great Grandfather who fought in World War II and he saw one of the concentration camps in France and was horrified of what the Nazis did. I never met him, but if I did, he would have the exact same experience your father had seen.
I have an uncle that commanded a Wellington Bomber for the Royal New Zealand Airforce. His airplane was downed over Croatia, his crew survived, picked up by Axis forces and were repatriated to NZ after the war.
What became of my uncle was never known and there was a suspicion that he may have been captured by advancing Soviet troops and sent to who knows where. For twenty years my Grandmother held out hope that this was the case and her son would one day return.
He never did.
Danke, dass dus mit uns teilst.
That sounds like a plot from a movie; are you sure you didn’t get this from a film
ich hatt einen Kameraden
Best speech ever. Easy to address to a vitorious army, but what to say to a defeated one??? This brilliant speech rescue the lost dignity of these soldiers.
A Defeated Army - that yet still Marches is not
It's the sort of speech that gives one hope, that past enemies can become future friends. They had a hell of a job ahead of them, trying to make long, happy lives in peace, but those who ended up in the western part of the country went on to build a fine country of which they could be proud.
And not only that but you can see the American soldiers listening to the American interpreter and realize that what the German General is saying mirrors how they all feel. Respect for a vanquished but noble and brave enemy!
Fun Fact: The same german actor is the voice actor for the Wehrmacht announcer in Company of Heroes 2 multiplayer.
And was in Raiders of the Lost Ark and the original Ferrero Rocher 'Ambassadors party' advert.
he was also in many many videogames from the mid 90s to the early 2000s. very unique voice. biggest role was propably in the german metal gear solid 1 version where he did the voices of revolver ocelot, donald anderson and this guy towards the end who is working for the state.
He plays roles in Crysis 2 and Battlefield V as well
@@Mr.HeisenbergTheCook the character Karl Ernst Rasch from Crysis 3 is actually directly modeled after him (face and all) - which completely blew my mind when i first noticed. and they even bothered to hire him as voice actor for the german version too.
pretty cool that hes voice acting again in a video game - propably in english eh?
@@dmer-zy3rb If i am correct he spoke the commander in the last tiger campaign completly in german not english
'...and thank god we aren't surrendering to the Russians!'
Andrew Joseph That was not much worse:
watch?v=hbp61fOVFaE
Anthony Ricci The basic video material from this video is from a documentary of the German state owned TV channel ZDF. The German ZDF is the German equivalent to the British BBC. There is also a upload of the original ZDF broadcast here on YT.
BTW, be shure that the history division of the ZDF only broadcasts ony 100% certified material, otherways the "HISTORY" series sold wordlwide would get a reputation damage.
Omg you hit that on the head lol
Rick2010100 1.9 million prisoners, around 5000 died because of fights starvation
Johnogormandjur1 The red cross said that 350.000 German POW died in western POW-camps.They calculated just the official in-out lists.
in case y'all are wondering, that General's rank is equivalent to a 3 star General
This film, it’s 2 star.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodor_Tolsdorff
@@NAVI_KIaus_coc It is a bit confusing. He is a 2-star-General for the time, because the german Wehrmacht didn't have the Brigadier General. So while today in the german army the Generalleutnant is equal to the Lieutenant General (3 Stars), he only has two.
@@NAVI_KIaus_coc Lieutenant General but he got the iron cross. This means very very much!
@@damon8810 He has the Knight's Cross, Oak Leaves, and Swords. He is HIGHLY decorated.
This is very emotional. Before my dad was killed in Afghanistan, I'll always remember his letter talking about the enemy, and how that man thought he was fighting for his cause, and reflecting on if he had a family and children, and they were both on the other side trying to survive by killing each-other first.
Dang I am sorry you’ve had to endure such a huge loss from someone who was a major part of your life. Your father may he 🇺🇸 RIP 🇺🇸 makes a really strong truthful point. If it wasn’t for our governments, would we even have enemies? Now a days in present time it’s our governments telling us who are enemies are and most of the time it’s all based on lies.
Respect to your Dad.
Sorrow for your loss.
Damn! Sorry! my sincere condolences! 2 times in the monkey land... 06 and 09, german light infantry
Möge er in Frieden ruhen
Iam sorry for your loss. God bless!
That humanization runs deep man. Major respects to the people behind this show for putting this in. Not many movies/shows care to humanize the "enemy" like this.
I love how this speech was made by a German General. Nice irony, that the enemy is the one giving a summary of essentially what us viewers watched the Americans went through and summarized the whole plot of what "Band of Brothers" is about. At least in my mind it's a very artistic decision.
This why this is my favorite scene in Band of Brothers.
JustaKoreanGuy The point is that all of this men answered the call to fight for their country and their not so different.
Yоu cаn wаtсh Bаnd оf Brоthers hеrе twitter.com/49bb372e1ed617bb4/status/795841109083570176 HBО Band оf Brоthеrs Gеrmаn Gеnerаaal s sреесh
Sorry in advance if my english is horrible. German here. :D
Yes this is why i love the original version of it. The German dubbing on our TV is horrible. Its not only everyone speaking German. Another thing is the translation in this specific scene where the WHOLE translation is just shit talk. i mean, why the fuck do they have to do this? Ruin a fine Scene with this bullshit.
It creates a very humanistic view of a war. That a war isn't only fought by generals pushing bricks on a map, but human beings, brave men and women who are on the ground. That despite which side a soldier is on, we are all the same, and we share the same companionship, challenges and hell of war and combat.
The jawline on that dude
Same guy who played Herman Dietrich in Indiana Jones. His jawline is literally how I recognized him, seeing has he's substantially older in this show.
he always gets the nazi roles thats funny
Chad tier jawline
Jawline longer than the state of Florida! 😆
Must be David Coulthard´s uncle
Being Austrian and having listened to my grandfather's story who went to fight in WW2 and spent 5 years as a prisoner of war in Russia, this gives me goosebumps. In the end, we are all humans.
Amen
he prob knew the poster above G Father
That had to be Hell
But there are some more humans than others. Some are closer to good humans and some closer to being monsters.
Except the Nazis. Those Gestapo SS fuqs forfeited their humanity the moment they saw themselves as above the rest of mankind.
Germans had the best uniforms of WW II. Fact!
The uniform of the most dishonorable military in history. Fact!
Emanresuadeen Bullshit! What about red army or US army?
KK: If you are not a neo-Nazi that is great. But you were certainly sounding like one.
Emanresuadeen How do I sound like a neo nazi, please tell me!
KK: Actually, you sound quite reasonable now, and if I misjudged you, please accept my apology. But most often, a Nazi sympathizer will at once deny that the Nazis, (the nation that was under their total control) did anything wrong and then immediately also try to say that other countries were at least as bad if not much worse! And they won't budge on either point, despite the contraction. I saw that it your comment, and immediately took out my flamethrower, maybe too soon!
As for the Wehrmacht, it is simply a myth that they did not participate in the the holocaust, fully, and on every level. I would get into this some more, but I am sort of time right now. Maybe later?
When the final boss's speech is so good that you don't even want to fight him.
@@prot07ype87 hey don't talk shit that's how copper wire was invented!
The final boss lost, shithead
@@NormAppleton For the time being.
Very good and talented speaker with physics of giant. He can lift you off the floor and throw you around.
@@NormAppleton It took the whole world to do it...twat.
My favorite part of this scene is the dichotomy between the German General and Capt. Sobel.
The German general approaches Winters, who is the highest ranking officer, until Winters directs him to his subordinate. The General affords the same respect he would to an equivalent officer when they speak, and then respectfully addresses Winters before he leaves.
Sobel pathetically attempts to look away so he can avoid saluting his former subordinate, who not only out ranks him now, but has proved himself a true combat leader.
Yeah. There's respect for greatness and contempt for it. Great scene!
Btw , that Guy that Play as German General also Fill voice in Game, WW2 game Company Of Heroes 2, as Announcer of Wehrmacht Faction.
@@powerdanger7315 i didn't notice that and i was hard fan of the game 🤔
Thanks for sharing
@@sirserious2790 i didnt either but i totally recognize it now.
@@powerdanger7315 Wow, damn knowing that just gave me goosebumps...i play the game a lot!
I like how the general talks with conviction and sincerity to his soldiers. Great actor!
My Grandfather was an officer in WW2 with the Desert Rats. He was way from the UK from 1941 to 1946. He said he always respected the German soldiers. They were fine soldiers and they had good equipment.
The North Africa campaign is generally regarded as the theatre where traditional respect for the enemy was best observed - partly because of Rommel, partly because of the absence of SS troops. A 1 hour ceasefire was observed outside of battles to allow the soldiers a game of football or whatever they wanted to do.
At the western front there indeed the rules of war were kept most times.
While the eastern front went full warhammer 40k
My Grandfather was a sailor in the Kriegsmarine and his ship sank. He was saved by a british ship and was brought back to Germany later.
He has only spoke once about the war but said the same thing as you just wrote…they respected each other as men, only divided by Uniform and language, doing what they were told to do
my uncle was also in the desert with montgomery he said at night when it was bitch black they would listen to the german soldiers singing lily marlene from linda in scotland
If anyone is wondering the general is based on a real life General who surrendered his men in Austria to the Americans. He was Generalleutnant Theodor Tolsdorff. Very highly decorated, one of only a few to receive the "Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub, Schwertern und Brillanten", there were 27 men in total. He was nicknamed "Tolsdorff the Mad" by his men. He was quite young for a genral too, about 35 years old by the war's end.
Old Skool Wax thanks for the information Sir.
I
the ritterkreuz ? sorry for my lack of german
Ritter = Knight, Kreuz = Cross. Knight's Cross with Oakleaves, Swords & Diamonds.
@@OldSkoolWax Wasn't Hans-Ulrich Rudel the one and only recipient of this specific version of the Ritterkreuz?
“The enemy? His sense of duty was no less than yours, I deem. You wonder what his name is, where he came from. And if he was really evil at heart. What lies or threats led him on this long march from home. If he would not rather have stayed there in peace. War will make corpses of us all.”
- J.R.R. Tolkien
Faramir
Turin Turambar
Tolkien fought in the trenches in WWI.
Movie Nerd and the Lord Of The Rings was born
That is a Faramir quote, not a J. R. R. Tolkien quote. Do you also quote Saruman's lines of evil and attribute them to Tolkien? Tolkien wrote it, but it is the words of the character Faramir, not Tolkien himself. Of course Tolkien can and should be *credited* for writing them, but not *quoted.*
"I've thought about this often. That man [any German soldier] and I might've been good friends. We might've had a lot in common. He might've liked to fish, he might've liked to hunt. You never know. Of course, they were doing what they were supposed to do, and I was trying to do what I was supposed to do. But, under different circumstances, we might've been good friends." - Shifty
All things being equal the actor playing Captain Sobel ( David Swchwimmer) should’ve won an Oscar because the hatred for him is palpable and present in almost every scene this young man has done an excellent job at his job! Imagine being told You have been cast this great miniseries but you have to be the most evil mean person and then being able to do it, he did it expertly!
It was a show he couldn't have won an Oscar. He could have gotten a golden globe though.
god i love the german uniforms, weapons,equipment and vehicles under this time
***** Tiger, focke wulf and like you said Stg 44
jabo109 If you're going to war, march in with Hugo Boss designed threads. Serious guys, look it up. How do you think they hit the big time ?
victor johnson Yeah Hugo Boss is a pretty good clothing designer, really radiates authority
+DowellForPASenate Stg44 was the first assault rifle i think
+jabo109 Obviously not the best....
I don’t remember this episode of Friends.
The one with the genocide
The one with the nazis
The one where Winters is plowing rachel day & night
The one with Ross' Past life
LOL
I really appreciate the respect the German general gives at the beginning by nodding to Winters and Lipton. Humble defeat
@ I wonder why he got to keep his sidearm in the movie tho, IRL that was a major and winters took the pistol and had it (he even showed it to the fil crew and it was a P38 and not a luger either. welp dunno why the scene would have benn even better with the pistol surrendered. This pistol the real winters said did never fire a shot.
@ ruclips.net/video/uxv3s7xTYHU/видео.html Hanks did an awesome job on BoB tho, id just relly liked the real story in the series. Much more moving then the fictional one.
He is an officer of the Reich's Heer, the German Army. Just because he is surrendering to the enemy is no cause to not be polite, professional and courteous to the officers of said enemy.
That humble defeat was a tradidional way in Europe until 1918..
Its just a serires lok
"You deserve long and happy lives in peace."
They should have picked butter from the get go but listening to a mad man gets you what you get
they won Europe in the end, by controlling the EU via Brussels, which is Berlin’s rubber-stamp parliament
@@dotdashdotdash What a stupid comment, they fought communism.
@jojan jojan troll
@@jeremy2948 why is a troll ?
*"All wars are civil wars, because all men are brothers"* - Francois Fenelon
After all, we’re all part of the same race. The human race.
@@chiefrabbischlomosteinberg4953
“A new consciousness is developing which sees the earth as a single organism and recognizes that an organism at war with itself is doomed. We are one planet. One of the great revelations of the age of space exploration is the image of the earth finite and lonely, somehow vulnerable, bearing the entire human species through the oceans of space and time.”
― Carl Sagan
@@Bughit69 Except we are the exception to the rule and deserve our own ethnostate, just for us, of course.
Terribly wrong. This is true when the "enemies" belong to the same culture but, in civilization wars, like the Crusades or the Siege of Lepanto/Costantinople, there is true hate and desire to wipe out the enemy from the face of the earth between the opposite forces.
A point to the contrary, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emu_War
Man, still gives me goosebumps. God bless all of those who has served and pay the ultimate sacrifice.
My grandpa talked about how, at the end of the day, the Germans were just regular people, people he could’ve been friends with if things had been different. He fell for a German girl, and wanted to bring her home. Lucky for me he came home and met my grandma instead.
Just regular people setting out to exterminate the Jews. It took a whole lot of people for that to happen. It wasn't just Himmler and so on. It was train workers, people who categorized looted belongings. The people that stood up and lost their lives are the ones I have respect for. Or the priest who volunteered to die to take the place of a man with a family. The man survived til the age of 95. Or Witold Pilecki who got captured on purpose to go to Auschwitz and report on conditions. He escaped and got the info to the Allies.
My father was over there in Holland and Belgium. Said that the Germans were "just scared kids, like we were." I really respected that he could view an enemy that way. Meanwhile, a neighbor was in the Pacific, and to his dying day, absolutely hated anything Japanese. He must have seen some very bad things, and it's sad that it affected him the rest of his life.
My best friends grandpa (a black man) brought home a German bride from the war and it was a huge deal amongst everyone. They both died in 2019 but were extremely happy until then. War can also bring out the best in humanity.
@@brandocalrissian3294 It can also bring about worst in Humanity. Just search Eastern front(Soviets) and Pacific Front(Japanese). Scary stuff.
@@kurtbilinski1723 Japanese were way worse than Germans. Unlike Germans who were filled with extreme hate and racial superiority by Hitler and his Nazi Party to commit war crimes. Japanese soldiers were basically enjoying m*rdering and r*ping civilians and that too before WW2 even began in Europe. They enjoyed torturing others like it was some kind of game. Just search Nanking massacre or their treatment of POWs or their war crimes in Korea and SouthEast Asia.
I was a German extra in this scene with some colleagues from work whilst he gave this speach. It was a fun day out.
did you get paid
Have you had a long and happy life in peace? You deserve it.
@@alexworldfan Yes I did get paid as an extra. Wasn't much, about £80. The experience of being on a real film set was great. Wolf Kahler (playing a Wehrmacht General) let me take my photo with him. He also starred in Raiders of the Lost Ark. David Schwimmer (Captain Herbert Sobel) was having a few retakes in a jeep behind me.
@@MarkCW How do you become an extra in a movie/show? Do you sign up for it?
@One of eight billion Yes they had a canteen and they laid on some good food for us.
The actor portraying the General is Wolf Kahler, born 3 April 1940 (age 75) in Kiel, Germany, A Classic Looking German only due to stereo typing. he was also in Raiders of the Lost Ark, Barry Lyndon, The Dirty Dozen: Next Miss, The Sea Wolves, The Dirty Dozen: The Deadly M. And right when he was starting out in acting, in 1976 he portrayed an SS Captain, one of two henchmen, coming for COL Riedel at the end of the movie. He is usually not credited for this role. We love you Wolf! Hope you are doing well.
He also read das boot on audio tape,an incredibly soothing voice. Unfortunately I only have it on cassette and cannot find a digital version.
He's in Raiders! I knew I recognised him from somewhere
He was fantastic as Colonel Herman Dietrich in Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)!
He was in War and Remembrance, as an SS officer
He also played a KGB agent in Firefox. So he wasn't just typecast as Nazis 😂
The dignity of the General was awe inspiring. And then to hear him speak as he would have had he commanded Easy Company. It was a great testimony to the humanity to be found in the worst of wars. We are all people, after all.
Always had problems with how this scene was presented on screen. Firstly, Tolsdorff was only in his mid-30s, 25 years younger than the excellent Wolf Kahler who plays him here, and had only been promoted to general rank 3 months earlier - not the paternal and vastly experienced older general portrayed here. But mostly because it feeds into the myth of the clean wehrmacht. Yes, individual soldiers did relate to each other at a personal level, but we should not forget the role the wehrnacht played. And Tolsforff, as a member both of the Junker and military officer classes came from two of the groups primarily responsible for destroying the Republic, bringing Hitler to power, enabling him to take complete dictatorial control and drive Europe to war.
Easy Company vs Yeezy Company who winning
@@andythompson3777 , I did not even know that person existed!
@@andythompson3777 you're an idiot
@@andythompson3777 you realize a large portion of the Junkers and Military officers despised Hitler and what he was doing to the Wehrmacht right? almost all of them considered Hitler a cancer
That German General's JAW LINE could have won the war all by itself.
Probably the most powerful scene of many in this series. As a veteran I can completely relate to the General’s speech. The General did not even mention the war was lost, but spoke of his pride in how they served their country and each other. And that is exactly what being a soldier is about.
Being a soldier is about killing people.
🎉🎉❤ yess! For all: Krieg = keine Sieger! Da ist nur Leid und Elend! And then, all the kids in Germany have no Parents, so meny children of the ugly Ideologie from the Germany People! War is ending? Welcome to the next War in the neverending Story of dumbness 😮😅
My father used to say the German soldier was second to none. They fought just as American boys did. With the exception of the SS, he never had a bad word to say about them. He was wounded at the Battle of The Bulge in the capacity of medic. He never spoke of the war until his war buddy visited from time to time and only then. He made us salute the flag during parades and other such occasions. I never forgot that and it wasn’t until I served several tours myself that I understood his reasoning. War is made by politicians and fought by the youth. I hope we someday learn the folly of all this. I’m in my seventies now and will leave this world knowing war is so wasteful….
In the movie, Troy, Odysseus tells Achilles, "Forget the politics. Wars are made by old men and fought by young men."
@@julianmarsh1378 the equation never changes it’s true. Alas, for far too many of us (once young men), we don’t learn the lesson early enough. Thanks!
Even the Wehrmacht hated the SS.
@@zeropoint546 That was mostly professional rivalry.
The Waffen SS were soldiers like any others.
ruclips.net/video/ml0i9a4Yhak/видео.html
It's just Allied narrative that they were "evil".
“We salute the rank, not the man.”
in the background, Nixon is dabbing. Lieb is doing a sick flip on his skateboard. The entirety of Easy company is hollering. Winters is putting on his shades. Sobel is on the ground, dead. In the distance, airhorns.
You ruined the whole effect of this scene with your stupid shit
Oscar Neis XD chill the fuck out
No.
i actually dont know if youre trolling or not
I’m not trolling, just think it was quite unnecessary to add in such an immature comment in a very impactful scene.
I visited the German cemetery in Normandy just prior to the American cemetery. It is a humbling experience. They were mostly young men in both cemeteries.
My daughter wrote the most beautiful comments from her visit to the American cemetery. I cry every time I read it:
“9,387 of our countrymen are buried at the American cemetery in normandy. when you walk up to the sea of white, you can't see any names - all of the crosses are facing the other way.
all of them are facing home.
this time the freedom they paid for wasn't just ours but the world's. they fought alongside their brothers not just of country but of humanity. all the same, there's something peculiarly sacrificial about being laid to rest on foreign soil. a strange kind of permanent longing. these boys truly never went home. all in service to a peaceful world. thank you. i am honored to have stepped foot as the free woman on the hallowed shores where you paid for that freedom. thank you. @ Omaha Beach”
Amazing. Thank you so much.
I've also been to the American cemetery in Normandy, it really is one of the most sobering sights you can possibly see. Nowhere else have I ever seen a place with so many people be so utterly silent, a huge sea of white headstones and an atmosphere that seems to absorb all noise except the wind and birds. It's an experience that really hammers home some perspective on the sacrifices made during WW2, normally the media only shows us the glory and glamour.
Sounds like you raised a daughter with a good head on her shoulders.
@@DarkFenix2k5 America knows how to do that sort of thing very well indeed. And the scale of American sacrifice, for the sake of freedom in Europe (even if it was delayed in the eastern part), really does merit gratitude.
That actually brought tears to my eyes, and I didn't cry at my own fathers' funeral. I say that not to brag or sound falsely macho, but to convey to you the power of what your daughter wrote. Specifically, the first three sentences. Those are powerful words. Please tell your daughter that she made this veteran (USAF) - who it has been said has a heart of stone - actually choke up.
Well done!
"You will be my enemy tomorrow."
"You are still my enemy tonight...but even enemies can show respect"
There are no pacts between lions and men!
Troy
Troy
some british generals didnt showed respect with a handshake... pathetic
King Priam.
Side note: The general portrayed in this part was lieutenant General (Generalleutnant ) Theodor Tolsdorff of 1st Infantry Division (1. Infanteriedivision). On 8th May 1945, he surrendered in Austria to Lt. Carwood Lipton and Robert F. Sink of the 101st Airborne Division.
Is he the one who gave this profound speech?
@@zwambari I think this speech was made for the series by the producer. We don't know whether Tolsdorff actually gave this speech or not.
He was condemned for war crimes.
@@KR-jt4ut not according to Wiki he wasn’t- says he was tried for the execution of a junior officer on 3rd May 1945. There is no mention of war crimes proceedings.
And IIRC, he was actually only in his 30s at the time.
This scene is a huge payment of respect to those germans who fought during WWII. I dont think most people realize that though. Its not just the speech the german General was allowed to hold for his men. Its the fact that the german General was portrayed as a man of honor and military code. He acknowledged Major Winters first, correctly, with honor and correctness. Wich American Cpt. Sobel even didnt manage to do. Then the General held a short but very honorable speech, to his soldiers. German soldiers. Young german men. Not tyrants. Men, conscripts, fighting for their country. The scene shows, between the german General, Cpt. Sobel and Maj. Winters, that not all germans were bad, and not all americans/allied troops, were good. Its a bit, of an honorable nod, to old german veterans, watching this series. Its beautiful.
Agreed
Great comment!
Nope. Speaking objectively as a historian, the Wehrmacht were nazis through and through. They acted along side and worked hand in hand with the SS, more specifically the einsaztgruppen, and not only knew what they were doing, but made preparations to make it easier for them. The Wehrmacht committed just as many warcrims was the ss(though it must be mentioned mostly not cruel or nearly on the same scale) and definitely knew about the concentration camps as most german civilians did. The myth that the average german soldier wasnt a nazi is exactly that: A MYTH. This myth was conjured the germans in the 50s during a process called Denazification so that they could seperate themselves from hitler, the nazis, and the crimes of all germans in the military. Not saying they were as bad as the ss, but they were not blind to their surroundings. Some might have just been fighting for their country, but a vast majority believed in hitler and that what they were doing was right. Again, speaking objectively as a historian.
@@brarob2089 go away
@@brarob2089 agree
"Men its been a long war, its been a tough war. You fought bravely, proudly for your country. You are a special group. You found in one another a bond that exists only in combat. Among brothers, you've shared foxholes, held each other in dire moments. You've seen death and suffered together. I am proud to have served with each and every one of you. You deserve long and happy lives in peace.
A great speech by a good leader. Nazi or not, they're still men and alot of them didn't even want to be there or believed in Hitlers cause.
My late mentor, flight instructor and dear friend, Rudy Tomasik, (bronze star, silver star, Purple Heart, WW2) didn’t talk about it much, but he once opened up to a bunch of us around a campfire. He said, “I saw buddies killed and I killed their buddies too, to stop more of my buddies from getting killed. That’s what fucking war boils down to in the end, young men killing other young men who we have more in common with after the smoke clears, than the old rich asshole politicians who ordered us there.” It was very profound.
System of a Down very astutely asks; why don't presidents fight the war?
If a law was passed that said that 1% of the 1% will be drafted, the wars would all end tomorrow.
Outstanding. Truer words never spoken.
@@santaclaws6633 As Black Sabbath said in their War pigs:
Politicians hide themselves away
They only started the war
Why should they go out to fight?
They leave that role to the poor, yeah
Dress me up for battle,
When all I want is peace,
Those of us who pay the price,
Come with the least,
Isley Brothers, Harvest For The World
Many thanks to all who served. May you truly enjoy the life in peace you so richly earned.
Cant believe this is 11 years old. Possibly the best series ever. Definitely the best story. Thankyou to the 101.
The series originally aired in 2001. scary
the pacific was good as well
Yeah, this was out before Iraq round 2, (3/3/2003) "recruitment" etc..
I feel that this is one of the best speeches! The German general had humility yet maintained his dignity.
Very well put! Thanks you are a good human being.
Yes, I totally agree. Did you notice Major Winters look on his face during the speech? As the general described what his men went through Winters came to the realization that his men went through the same experiences and that they were doing a job just as they were. Also, even though they were the enemy, they just wanted to go home to live in peace as well. That was my take on it. I thought it was a brilliant piece of acting/scripting in my opinion.
@@davidwong4 Yeah I thought so too. He was thinking it was the exact speech he should be giving.
@@davidwong4 David that is true if you only knew I wish I could have said the same in Afghanistan but thank you so much because at least you understand
How noble the Nazi officer is portrayed. But this is actually totally superfluous in the movie. But this corresponds to the Western agenda, of German white wash. Western pro-German propaganda has many facets, one of which is using the term Nazi instead of the actual nation! In fact, Western pro-German propaganda is very consistent in using the term Nazis. The Nazis are the bad guys and the real Germans are their victims. The use of the term Nazis instead of Germans also in Hollywood movies actually serves to whitewash the Germans. The fact that the term Nazis is used instead of Germans has a reason that most people are not even aware of. This is why this German whitewashing propaganda is so very successful that most people worldwide now use the term Nazis and not the term Germans in connection with the 2nd World War. It is necessary to clarify why the term Nazi is even used for to understand all this. So it is necessary o clarify who a Nazi even was for to understand all this. Who is referred to as Nazis by western propaganda at all in this context. All Germans? Definitely not! No, the western propaganda differentiates very precisely between the evil Nazis and the other "good" Germans. The western pro-German propaganda spreads the lying myth of the few Nazis who were guilty and responsible, because it is generally concealed that the overwhelming majority of Germans since 1935 at the latest were follower and supporters of the German Nazi government, thus they were Nazis. So the overwhelming majority of Germans were since 1935 at the latest Nazis. It is concealed the fact that the vast majority were Nazis, giving the impression that it was the other way around, that contrary to historical truth there was only a relatively small minority of Nazis. So the synonym Nazi would actually be justified for this nation. BUT...the intention to use Nazis instead of German has a very specific intention. Just for to whitewashing of the Germans. Because from this lying western propaganda the myth is even produced that the vast majority of Germans were actually victims of the evil Nazis themselves and that the Nazis were just a small minority. For this reason alone they differentiate between Germans and Nazis! The propagandists even claim that the Germans were liberated in 1945. I have read and heard this lie more often that the Germans were allegedly liberated. LIBERATED! As e.g. the title of this RUclips video shows. "Liberation of Munich April 30 1945" ruclips.net/video/RtCvjD56Kkc/видео.html the title is not the occupation of Munich by the Americans, which would correspond to historical facts. No, a lie is being spread about liberation! An unbelievable lie in which from the victory over this evil Nazi nation with the subsequent multi-annual occupation is made a LIBERATION. This is actually the end goal of that whitewashing campaign. Separating the nation from the evil Nazis and making the nation victims of the Nazis. This can also be seen from the fact that certain Germans are referred to as non-Nazis, such as Nazi general Erwin Rommel who was a willing tool of the German Nazi government and fought doggedly for the victory of this Nazi government. This way the Western propaganda distinguishes very conscious between the bad Nazis and the other good Germans like Rommel. It is then stated that Rommel was not a member of the Nazi party and thus he was not a Nazi. Because that's the common lie that's being spread, that only the Nazi party members were Nazis. A very useful lie. But in reality the correct definition of Nazi is supporters and follower of the German Nazi government and that was the vast majority of Germans at least since 1935 thus they were all Nazis. That was also Rommel, who made a great effort to ensure that the German Nazi government wins this war. He also benefited from his hard work for the Nazi regime and was promoted to Field Marshal. But despite this, Western propaganda and Hollywood portray him as a non-Nazi. Like Rommel, the vast majority of Germans had been followers and supporters of the german nazi government since 1935 at the latest, so they were Nazis. But these historical facts are not being propagated by Western propaganda, but the lie of the relatively few guilty Nazis!
Why is it done that way? Why is the lie being spread of the few Nazis who were responsible for the crimes so that most people by now say Nazis instead of the name of the really guilty nation? At first in 1945, the Americans had the right attitude regarding the Germans, as this educational film shows for the US Army. „Your Job in Germany - RUclips" ruclips.net/video/7OUR5uvs9aw/видео.html Then pragmatism prevailed over justice! Because after the war, the Americans believed the Germans would be useful as allies! So in the 50s, most of Germans became the ally of the West. (West Germany). However the problem was that this Nazi nation was completely megalomaniac, mad, criminal, amoral and degenerated! The West could not be allied to a morally degenerate Nazi nation that has murdered millions of children, among other crimes. So they were practically systematically washed clean to be tolerable as allies. So they were washed clean by propaganda (Western historians / media / politicians / Hollywood etc.) and the blame was put on relatively few Nazis. So the term Nazis is deliberately used by propaganda, i.e. the media, historians, politicians, Hollywood to differentiate between the Germans and the Nazis. It is then said that only a minority were Nazis. But this does not correspond to the historical facts, because the vast majority of Germans were followers and supporters of the German Nazi government at least since 1936, thus they were Nazis. In fact, the Nazis is actually a synonym for the entire nation, but it is definitely not used that way, by the Western pro-German propaganda including Hollywood. A very successful propaganda! This is way also most people around the world because of this propaganda now use the term Nazis and not German in connection with the 2nd World War and the crimes. Yes, there are always good Germans in Hollywood movies about World War II. It was only logical that a movie was given the title "The Good German". There really is such a movie with the title "The Good German". Mind you in connection with the 2nd World War! Thus the completely megalomaniac, mad, criminal, amoral and degenerated Nazi nation was whitewashed by the Western propaganda machine, which Hollywood is a part of.
But that propaganda didn't work for everyone, because Poles actually always say with reference to the Second World War, the German occupation, etc. GERMANS and not Nazis. Because the Poles know against whom was fought in this war. Because it was fighting the entire nation and a not only a political party.
My favorite quotes about war are.... 'the first casualty in war is the truth' and 'one man's freedom fighter is another man's terrorist'
Fighting for freedom is one thing terrorism is another. If you aim at or do not care for civilians in your path of destruction, you are a terrorist. Period. A soldier can be a terrorist too. Honourable soldiers not only cares for people who are not armed they also respect their enemy. Like the veterans of both sides depicted in this scene.
@@Sappre the « resistance » in France consisted of mostly bombing surprise attacks on trains and tossing grenades to high profile Germans during parades.
This would be called terrorism yet in story books it’s mentioned as resistance
@@Sappre This. While US soldiers showed respect to Wehrmacht soldiers in this scene, I doubt they would see SS members the same way, especially after the liberation of concentration camps.
im german and i really need to say that our WW2 Uniforms looked damn good !
To the rest of humanity those uniforms epitomize absolute evil.
Aussie Tit: Nonsense. Know what a German soldier wished for in World War 2? Food as good as the British. Uniforms as good as the Russian's. Weapons as good as the American's. And enemies as good as the Italians! And their cars are overrated too.
Give it a rest
Emanresuadeen speak for yourself.
Serj: Bet you have a swastika tattoo! Is it on your arm, or on your forehead?
general has a knightscross with oakleaves and swords....damn!.
He's a general what do expect? lol.
Bullshit. Only a few thousand were given while millions served.
This man is supposed to represent this Guy :en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodor_Tolsdorff#World_War_II
Yeah that's him
Oakleaves, swords and diamonds, if you look closely.
The moment they all realized that the only thing dividing them was a uniform.
Well; not exactly... both sides share a common experience fighting for two totally different outcomes.
@@callsofscv Disagree. They were all fighting to get themselves and their brothers home, and nothing more. The outcomes are for the politicians and higher military officials to worry about.
@@uuuuuu8373 "we're here, fuck politics" as my old CO used to say back in Desert Storm.
And one fought for the extermination of the entire race and another fought for freedom
Well, the uniform and a whole WORLD of ideology!
I watched Band of Brothers few months ago. I started it again. It's the best show ever.
It's a great scene that shows nothing is black and white in this world. There were no cowards among soldiers on the both sides. Soldiers on the both sides served their nations to the best of their abilities and sacrifices were made on both sides. This shows that despite their opinions and acts, the German soldiers were just as brave as American soldiers.
yea its never the soldieres always always the leaders .....
I read somewhere that the germans at some point were outnumbered 9 to 1. Really makes you think about their skill and courage holding on for so long. Respect.
Not quite. Even without Romanian and other Axis partners, it would require an invading Army of 30 million plus to have that ratio.
That's a very generalised statement. Look at a book written by people who were there, many rear echelon soldiers were just thugs and cowards whilst the SS were brutal. My father-in-law was a Flakhelfer and my own father was in the Navy. My father-in-law saw disarray and retreat whilst my father had a couple of nice boat trips and saw the inside of a TB ward. My uncle however was shot down and murdered in Dachau. Both my grandfathers were in the trenches and hated the boredom. You are seeing a clip from a TV series, not war.
BUT NOT FIGHTING FOR THE RIGHT CAUSE DONT FORGET THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THE GERMANS CAUSE DEATH AND DESTRUCTION IN TWO GENERATIONS!! MY MOTHER LOST 3 BROTHERS UNNECESSARILY
THROUGH GERMAN UPPER SECT S
My Dad was at Bastogne. He succumbed to frost bite and a Belgium family took him in and cared for him until he could walk. He was a machine-gunner. 25 years old.
Sorry for your loss . How old are you now
¿Cuántos años tienes tú ahora???😮
The message and words of the German general are moving and heartfelt. When he says he has been honored to serve with his troops, he uses the term “euch,” the German word for “you” reserved for those who are family or close friends. How fitting. I hope my Opa Heinrich, a WWII draftee, was fortunate to have served under a General like this man.
He uses the familiar plural "Euch" instead of the formal plural "Ihnen". That one word conotates brotherhood.
It was in all probability a word for word translation from an English script so that choice to use the informal "euch" was probably made by the actor himself. He also uses the word "Fuchslöcher", the exact translation of "foxholes". But Germans don't call those holes "Fuchslöcher"! They're called "Schützenloch", "Schützenmulde", "Kampfstand" or, most likely, just "Loch". I have never heard my grandfather or any other vet use the word "Fuchsloch". That's more an American word afaik.
I called my grandfather Opa, too. I miss him.
Watched this series with my dad when I was young and when they do the interviews before each episode one stood out to me. They talk about how they started to view the German soldiers less like monsters and how if it wasn’t for the circumstances of war there’s a chance that the allies and the Germans could have been friends with lots in common. This speech and their reactions to it hammer that home.
I love how this moment with Sobel is literally the only time in the series that humble Dick Winters chooses to throw his weight around.
He didn't throw his weight around, he simply reminded a junior officer of the requirements of military customs and courtesies. It's part of officership.
@@fredpearson5204 Very well put
It is custom and courtesy. By military law you are required unless a document says otherwise.
@@ReviewWingsDSP, saluting is not "required" by "military law", or as we veterans call it, the UCMJ (Uniform Code of Military Justice). But yes, it IS a required custom and courtesy.
@@fredpearson5204 wrong, you can be reprimanded unless told to not to Salute in certain scenarios. anytime slide on in.
i'm tired of people saying America won the war or that Russia won the war or whatever. the fact is they were allies for a reason, they needed each other! so you know who won world war 2? the Allies
Cali Méro America, France, Australia and Canada did.
Russia won over the european theatre, US on the pacific.. and thats about it
Rico Cori
Yep, and the African, Sicilian, Italian, and Western Campaigns didn't happen.
Africa and Italy, minor Campaings. During D-day everything was alrdy decided in the east, like maaaany years before. The allies came to prevent russia reaching the english channel..dont be naive.
Anyway Im not doubting about the huge effort the states put in both theatres, but if a single nation must be named, those are BY FAR, the russians. If you wanna talk numbers we can...
How many people in the states talk about the Chinese contribution to the pacific theatre, ohh the double standards are amazing in your society pal...
Rico Cori They actually talk about the Chinese contribution to the pacific a lot in APUSH here in the USA.
I have learnt enough German to understand most of what he said and it was so inspiring. Such a brilliant show!
english subtitles
Niemcy wrzucali dzieci do ognia. Pacyfikacja Dąbrowy Dolnej - Irena Winiarska. Świadkowie Epoki
Band of Brothers is an absolute masterpiece
14 million views to date. Stephen Ambrose provided a great service to humanity by keeping the story of Easy Company alive. In particular, this brief clips gives us another view of Major Winter's extraordinary, timeless leadership.
Thank you for being the one sane, non Goebbles parroting person in the comment's section.
The best part about this is that the actor who plays the General, Wolf Kahler, is known to portray unsympathetic or evil Nazis, like Sepp Dietrich in Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark. He's a wonderful actor.
Lord Alkair He was also in The Remains of the Day as the German ambassador. Yes, a fine actor.
He's also the Wehrmacht Ostheer announcer in Company of Heroes 2!
Oh my God I never recognized him as one of the Nazis from raiders! Good eye.
Wait thats Dietrich?!?!
He has that perfect "german soldier" look. Great actor to play this kind of character.
I like the captain nodding at "I am proud to have served with each and every one of you," that was the nod of someone thinking "He's saying exactly what I would be, if I were in his shoes."
I think that's the essence of this scene - which is superbly done. The German Commander is describing everything Easy Company experienced...and the subminal message is that everyone in that scene is part of a Band of Brothers.
I wish we could of heard the whole speech here. Gave me goosebumps! I felt like the German General was talking to his troops and the American troops as well. Strength and honor!
I've watched this series every year the week leading up to Memorial Day for the last 18 years.
It still hits hard each and every time.
The stories, cast, synergy and emotion depicted by each actor is nothing short of a visual masterpiece.
The part of the DVD that shows the names of the veterans who talk before each episode at the end of the series makes me tear up every time.
Unbelievable that men were put in this position. I honestly cannot even begin to imagine.
One of the greatest books I've read I bought in a small bookstore in San Diego was *Conversations with Major Dick Winters* by Cole Kingseed. Incredible read. Paints an extremely vivid picture of the man Maj. Richard Winters was.
That's a powerful moment of humanization right there
germany humilliate all allies one country against all and u with lucky win ridiculous
A Soldier is an Soldier.
-ization US English, -isation British English.
I mean...not for France/England/USA. Since they were technically Aryan....
Germany occupied almost all of Europe during the war, Western Euros were treated nice, eastern Euros were not.
There are not enough of them honestly in films. The best way to honor the fallen is not to turn the defeated into Villains. Our Enemy is more valuable to us as an Ally than a Foe. Even the Defeated should be treated with respect. We failed to do this after The Great War. We Failed Again after WWII. I hope one day that if another war of this scale comes, Politician do not get to decide it's outcome.
How is every second of this show so unbelievably good.
It really is. I always try and watch it in its entirety once a year around Memorial day. As a former Marine I should be all about "The Pacific" but BoB is just phenomenal.
Damned good writing and it came from unbelievably awesome source material.
The German general in this band of brothers episode was Colonel Dietrich from Raiders of the lost Ark
Good to see that Colonel Dietrich survived that head crushing incident with the Ark and got promoted to General.
Brilliant obscure comment. I'll be using this material at my earliest opportunity...
Portrayed by the same actor: Wolf Kahler.
Thank you. I got a good laugh out of this.
"we got a nazi who wants to die for country! Obliiiiige him"
Dietrich must be doing pretty well these days.
What a series. Most amazing television series I've ever seen. And that speech by the General was like a cherry on top of the cake. Band of Brothers....PERFECTION in cinema!
My grandpa then 17 and his friend 21 where captured by US and British Forces in germany in 1945. he often told me " oh boy, we were so stupid, we wanted to win the war on bicycles against the allies, because we believed in hitler" they catched them between magdeburg and hannover and imprisoned them in a field camp for weeks. my grandpa was released home and his friend was shipped to canada later. he worked in a lumber camp for about 18 mounths and then was also released home. for him captivity in canada was one of the best times in his life. enough to eat and to drink and good people. friendship and contact to canada lasted a long time until both died in peace. I would`nt be around here without the humanity and mercy of these us and british troops. Thank you.
My stepdad served in WW2. He had no animosity what so ever towards the common German soldier, the Gestapo and the SS was a different matter.
Lawrence D Blanscet
Africa
Sicily
Italy- Anzio
Omaha Beach- Second Wave
Battle of the Bulge
Germany
RIP DAD
That's THE GENERAL who appreciate his mans lives ! I would be honoured to serve under his command .
Just like Erwin Rommel. The only German Churchill respected.
so you would be honored to serve under a WWII German General, dont let one nice speech at the end of a war make you forget that this man is no saint.
@@OmarVI999 Are gen Schwartzkopf a saint ? Are you a serviceman or an ex one ?
If not keep your yap shut bcos you can't understand .
@@attilathehun181 Just because I dont simp over a nazi doesnt mean I support the US
@@OmarVI999 Told you before : you can't understand this .
It is my high honor to have personally known Dick Winters and several of his comrades. He was...is my lifelong hero and he is sorely missed. God blessed them all.
you are a fortunate man.
He translates, "You have fought proudly, bravely for your country," but I'm pretty sure the General said, "for the Fatherland."
Yes, he said Fatherland.
Edward Wood mein vaterland means my home, my country or my homeland
So, what's the difference anyway...
there is none. but words like mother- and fatherland are often connected to fascists.
kommo1 Pretty sure the words have a longer tradition than 20th century's fascism.
The German General looks as if He's been Mewing since Birth. His Jawline makes Him an *Absolute Unit.*
My god the nazi's made fantastic looking uniforms.
Hugo Boss....
this was the German army not the SS, the Wehrmacht. The Nazi's designed the SS uniforms. The Wehrmacht design is based off the original ww1 design but with a few different things updated. Not all Germans were Nazis and the Wehrmacht and the SS were known to not get along. Shouldn't group them in all together like that.
I wish Germany would still use those uniforms.
Those are basically Reichswehr uniform with the Nazi eagle. Nothing was made by the Nazis, it is Prussian traditional uniforms. Germany should return to them and to use the Waffenfarbe correctly.
I wish the US military had those uniforms.
That General uniform though. Goddamn that is nice.
+Black Onyx >>> It should have been obvious to everyone that the general was in a class above everyone else in the scene. His speech was so profound that the original members of the US company insisted that it be included in the series.
He looks like a scumbag criminal. Probably because that what they were.
@@Emanresuadeen low quality bait
I’m a German and we are destroyed two times. Now we are tired of sick wars.
We life more than 80 years in pace with our neighbours, we have fun together, we engineer together and we enjoy the good side of live together.
Let’s do it again again again for the next 1000 years, on the spaceship names earth 🌍 It’s the only place we have.
Well put, Uwe!! 👍👍
Time to be proud of Germany again!
You will soon have another kind of war--- cultural war. That would be the Third World War.
@@sunnyyadav5065, let us hope not.
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Subtly showing Soble being an arrogant jerk, despite being American, before the defeated German General's noble speech was a great touch. Great writing. Back when storyteller's assumed we weren't dumb as rocks and could interpret nuance.
I made a horrible mistake of hearing the General's speech with captions on.
LOL. Yeah, the translation for the closed captions was truly horrible. While no expert, I do know enough German, living in Germany for over a decade (Heidelerg, Mannheim, Germersheim, Idar-Oberstein, etc), to realize that.
I laughed when the general said diamond phone
"Folks, her limit is hardened"
It is sound based translation (Will associate sounds to form closest ENGLISH word) not translator lol
"yeah, top phone starts for our fatherland contempt fun"