I watch a lot of these American reacts videos, and id like to congratulate you on being he first to correctly reference the Queen Elizabeth Tower, most call it Big Ben
At the start of the war, the government declared that church bells were only to be rung in case of an invasion, but after the battle of El Amian, Churchill had the bells rung to celebrate the victory.
You were on about the age of the buildings, my stone built farmhouse was built in 1688 and the oldest shed was sometime early 1600s. So yes, it's amusing I have a cow shed older than the United States.
Yup. Until 20 years ago it was used to store farm equipment. Now it's been renovated and is used for education and events like theatre and weddings. The roof is like a wooden cathedral, it's beautiful. Still smells of pigeon poo though
The BBC had a monopoly on radio broadcasts until 1973. During the wartime period, BBC Radio presenters mostly spoke what was called "received pronunciation" English. Which was considered to be the acceptable accent of the "educated" and aspiring middle classes. There would have been very few strong regional accents heard at all on the radio. "In 1941, the BBC first allowed a Northern (Yorkshire) accent onto the air waves in the shape of news reader Wilfred Pickles. Some listeners were less inclined to believe the news when Pickles was reading it. This was not an early attempt at appealing more to the general public, but actually a move to make it more difficult for Nazis to impersonate BBC broadcasters!"
A major reason for received pronunciation on the radio was due to the audio quality. Given how poor it was, the accent of the speaker needed to be easily understood no matter what the listener's own accent was. it was also believed to be an accent that no part of the UK would think of as a joke.
We have a castle here where I’m from in Durham northeast U.K. that began being built in 1072. Even as a Brit who sees it almost every day it still blows my mind seeing it.
Loved this video. I am a big fan of military history and I have not seen this one before. The thing that many people underestimate about us brits is the "Island mentality" if you are not fighting someone, you are fighting the weather. Regards JB, South coast UK.
Or your fighting the blokes from the next village because of that thing what happened back in 1806, Bottom line is. fight is in the DNA, Welsh , Irish , Scottish , English. We fight each other to stay match fit for the next time we need to fight for real. Eta , Of course once we have all come together to fight a common enemy, The cousins have to get involved, So the Aussies cant stand the idea of the Brits having a ruck where they arent involved, Canada wakes up at the very voicing the word war, and the Kiwis say yeah fuck it ok, why not sounds like fun
@@frogmaster83 Other schools, other teams fans, other Regiments. Other countries obviously fancied a shot at the world title but never really came up to scratch did they 😉
In history it was quite common for Church bells to ring out in celebration of a great victory. A funny example is in my hometown, when news came of victory at Trafalgar, the Church bells rang non stop for so long that the vibrations severely damaged the bell tower, which had to be almost completely rebuilt
I'm British and I don't blame you one bit. Churchill was right when he called it a disaster. The only good thing about it was that it gave us another precious year to prepare for the inevitable, especially with air defence systems.
@@johntomlinson6849 the border forts are still standing each in the line of sight to the other all along the borders - they are a spooky reminder of the price of freedom and of the fragility of aliences ...
If you like this kind of archive content can't recommend Peter Jackson's "they shall not grow old" enough. Remastered footage from ww1 from the perspective of British soldiers using interviews with survivors from the 60s.
Church bells ringing at 19:23 . This was significant because after the fall of France, church bells in Great Britain never rang again. As the country braced itself for imminent German invasion, the bells were to be used as a warning signal of the enemy landing. Only when the threat of immediate invasion had passed, and with the defeat of Germany and Italy in North Africa were church bells rung again in a national celebration and moment of thanksgiving. Victory in the Battle of Britain had seen off the immediate expectation of invasion (though the Blitz continued), but North Africa was the first glimmer of real hope in winning the war. Germany had been roundly defeated and pushed back on the battlefield.
Cricket explained: You have two sides, one out in the field and one in. Each man that’s in the side that’s in the field goes out and when he’s out comes in and the next man goes in until he’s out. When a man goes out to go in, the men who are out try to get him out, and when he is out he goes in and the next man in goes out and goes in. When they are all out, the side that’s out comes in and the side that’s been in goes out and tries to get those coming in out. Sometimes there are men still in and not out. There are men called umpires who stay out all the time, and they decide when the men who are in are out. Depending on the weather and the light, the umpires can also send everybody in, no matter whether they’re in or out. When both sides have been in and all the men are out (including those who are not out), then the game is finished.
Many church bells were melted down for industry. The remainder were silenced, only to be used as invasion warnings. Once the Battle of Britain was won, and Monty basically wiped out the Afrika Korp, opening up the soft underbelly of the Reich, and giving the Germans a solid uppercut, the bells were rung in celebration.
The Trafalgar square lions that you was referencing is actually really interesting. The lions are actually from melted cannons from the BATTLE OF TRAFALGAR in 1805 hence (Trafalgar square named after the battle and admiral HORATION NELSON who was killed on the day) cannons used to sink/damage Spanish and French warships during that battle.
Another detail about Nelson's column in London. The statue of Nelson is much larger than life-size so it could be seen, and is looking South, towards Portsmouth, the largest Naval base. Along the road to the South from his column and Trafagar Square, all the lamp-posts have a ship model on top: all are different and represent all the ships at the battle.
In a small corner of Hyde Park in London is a place called "Speakers Corner" where anyone can get on his/her soapbox and speak about whatever they want to. The Elizabeth Tower has now had the recent scaffolding taken down. Great video; my father was only 20 in 1939 and he joined the Royal Navy, but he suffered with nightmares as a result of what he'd seen. My parents married during the war when my dad was on leave. My mum was a nurse in an intern hospital for prisoners of war. When I asked my mum if she was scared my dad wouldn't return from the war, she replied that she wasn't afraid of that. They didn't have the media coverage that we enjoy today. Great video, thank you. As a child growing up in the 1950's we had a TV from 1952 and many programmes were dedicated to the war. Rationing of food in this country did end until around 1955.
It is fascinating seeing the film made by the US military for the benefit of the US soldiers heading over to the front, seeing it from the perspective of people literally living the times is fascinating. Also that they knew it to be important for their soldiers to understand the context behind what they were doing, why they were doing it and whom they would be fighting alongside. An excellent video, really pleased your viewing this. Seeing the perspective of a current day US servicemen viewing an information video designed for US servicemen of the past is very interesting and cool thing to see.
I can wholeheartedly recommend the other movies in the series, they're just as fascinating as windows back in time. For obvious reasons they start straying into what we'd now consider kinda racist territory from time to time with the ones on our enemies for the war (particularly Japan), but that's something from the past we just have to acknowledge as well. Every last one is incredible to watch.
I like the ones where the Americans are explaining how we Brits treated black people like normal human beings and to not go off at black soldiers as we would be VERY unimpressed!
The BBC recently produced a series called 'Rogue Warriors' about the roots and beginnings of the SAS, includes memories and interviews with original members and access to the SAS own war diaries. Fascinating. You should watch it.
Definitely look at El Alamein. The point where we stopped retreating after a string of shocking and embarrassing and avoidable defeats and started going forward. Britain usually gets caught with its pants down and takes a while to regroup but comes back strong. The Germans did the opposite.
Not all of them were as avoidable as you claim. Many people even amongst us Brits forget that the British Army is traditionally small and professional. That was just as true in the first years of both WWI and WWII as it is today. Rapid expansion of your army ALWAYS leads to problems. Problems in training, in equipment level and other such things. Add that to the fact that Dunkirk meant the BEF had to leave pretty much everything bar their personal weapons and it meant that that not only had to be replaced, but the UK had to manufacture enough on top to arm the rapid expansion of its army. This is NOT an easy thing to do, and it means that in the first years of a major war you HAVE to make compromises about where equipment and troops go. It also means that you have to promote people rapidly, and sometimes those people do not work out. Not saying that some of those defeats were avoidable, some were, but others unfortunately were a result of the simple and brutal fact that the UK simply did not have the resources to defend everything. It had to make choices. And unfortunately some of the people promoted should not have been.... Looking at you Arthur Percival!!! Hong Kong for example was essentially unviable, in the event of a Japanese attack Hong Kong literally could not be defended. It was too far away, too isolated, too close to the enemies main theatre of operations. There was no way we could have held it. Frankly it should have been abandoned. And Britain did not just retreat, 30 odd thousand British troops smashed an Italian army of over 150,000 in North Africa, but again, the issue was getting troops and especially equipment there, as well as that rapid expansion, which led to a degradation of training in the first years of the war. Not saying you are entirely wrong here, just saying you are not entirely right either :)
My father served in the 8th Army, "The Desert Rats". He was part of the entire North Africa campaign. From both battles of El Alamein right across to the Middle East. Then across to Sicilly and the Italy Campaign. Then on and on through to D-Day, the Normandy Landings and somewhere in France where he became a Casualty of War and was returned back to Blighty. I have all his War medals. They will pass to my sons when I pass.
My dad was in the battle of Crete and told us all about his experience there….The battle on the beach when the German troops parachuted in, the march when they were forced to retreat when, in the pitch black night he got attached to a New Zealand Company when they asked him to take one end of a stretcher, The long trek to the other side of the island when any water they could find tasted to like nectar after their long thirst. His detailed account was taken and stored in the Imperial War Museum in London U.K. He also told us of his luck in being “imprisoned” at a country farm as a worker and of his escape attempts. SO glad that my stories are of completely different experiences !
My grandad was a desert rat signed up at the start of the war he also went through Africa to Greece to Italy He was involved in North Africa in battle of El Alamein before he went to Italy.
If you want good ww2 original footage then I highly recommend the documentary series a world at war. It is in my opinion the best ww2 documentary series ever created.
It certainly is, I used to watch it with my WW2 veteran grandad, it wa smade whilst many were still with us so they were interviewed for their personal stories. Outstanding series.
The Brits of the mid 30s to mid 40s - a relatively poor people - end of empire. At home, trying to mind their own business. Had no desire for war. Almost went too far in avoiding it. And then a people on an Island - whom would not bend, nor yield. The white cliffs of dover. The sound of planes flying. A spiritual moment in human history and a beacon for free people everywhere. Our greatest generation. Ever grateful to America for aid, and help in our darkest hour. Today our friendship is built on that rock. An understanding when ever a Brit and American meet. The English speaking world, for all its faults - for all its issues, sits at the centre of freedom of speech, of liberty. I look today across Europe. And I see horrible echoes of Czech 1938 in Ukraine. We will soon likely be forced to fight a war once more, where we are reticent. Against an implacable dictator. Let him pray he does not face an enraged Lion, and a raging Bald Eagle.
Better idea... America stays out of European wars. They've made a long and rich cultural history out of slaughtering each other and we should leave them to it.
We must also give great credit to Canada, Australia,New Zealand, India and many from conquered countries who came to Britain and also fought from the start.
@@eyup2646 you are leaving out what the Canadian navy did. But yes that is my biggest gripe with the government when it comes to our military. Perfectly willing to fight wars but doesn't Stay ready. Beginning of ww1 we had about 3k troops. Had to build up. Build that up to 650k fighting men. During ww1 Canadians won 2 of the most important battles. Then because of the way canada fought it really becomes a nation and is given the right to its own national affairs. And instead of thinking oh we are our own country we need to build upon this military we have. They dismantle it. Flash forward to ww2 Britain declares war on Germany. A week later canada does. But do they have a war ready military? No canada does not. So canada goes back into war mode. I am sure you are aware of what was built here. Anyways canada punches way above its weight in the war and by the end of it comes out with the 4 strongest navy, 4 strongest airforce and 5th strongest military over all. But does canada take the lesson of being ready for the next one? You guessed it, nope. They dismantle it so now comes Korea. And again canada declares war when they are not ready. Our troops had to be taken over there with the brits and the yanks. So again we build up. And again we dismantle. And it has been this way for every war ever since. When we left Afghanistan we were the 10th strongest military. Now we are 23rd. Canadian have always been willing to volunteer in mass to fight. But our governments fail us. So at the start of wars more Canadians die then should.
As for church bells they where intended to be a invasion warning sign so they stopped ringing. However, they where rang in celebration of the battle of El Alimein.
I went on a cruise around the West Indies from Fort Lauderdale a few years ago and I was getting drunk with these American Guys every day. They laughed at us and we laughed at them and we all had a great time. Great video I enjoyed it.
You asked about the bells. In 1940, after the fall of France, it was decided that Church bells were to be used as the alarm for the expected German invasion. For that reason, the ringing of church bells for any other reason was banned. An exception was made in November 1942 when the British defeated the Germans at El Alamein. That's why hearing church bells was such a big deal - nobody had heard them for over two years! Alamein was the first big British victory and was regarded as the turning point of the war. Winston Churchill later said, "Before Alamein we never had a victory. After Alamein we never had a defeat."
My grandfather served in North Africa and Italy in REME (engineers). I remember he told that there were huge convoys of American trucks that moved at incredible speed, they communicated by using their indicators, in some sophisticated code to signal turns ahead and the like.
If you would like a good little piece on a part of the North Africa campaign I’d highly recommend you check out LindyBeige’s 1942: 21 anti-tank guns against 100 tanks, who won?
As an old anti-tank man mesen I've seen lindy awhile now, always a good watch, TIK is also a channel I would highly recommended. As a County Durham lad mesen we had the Wakenshaw gun in our regimenral museum, DLI, the Durham Light Infantry, it was a 6 pounder anti-tank gun, it took 12 of Rommels Tanks out by one man, Mr Wakenshaw, all rest of the battery were destroyed and their crews either dead or wounded, this is the day he won his VC, and it was the German tank commander that recommended him for the countries highest award for Valour. God bless the Faithful Durhams. Best regards from County Durham
It's not set in the 1940's, it's from the 1940's. They used to show the GI's it before they came over here. There are houses in my town that aren't just older than your constitution. They are older than the declaration of independence.
I like what you say about the bond between the two nations. An easy way to know if the Brits like/accept you is if they are roundly taking the piss out of you :)
Intrusting and amusing little note... When the RAF first started bombing Germany they actually didn't have enough bombs! So rather than send empty aircraft they would load the bombers with anything that was vaguely bomb shaped!!! Britain used to have many many antique cannon decorating towns, the old naval cannon in particular was just the right shape and so was removed from displays and loaded into the bombers and dropped on the Germans! .....I love the idea that there is s slight chance an unsuspecting Nazi had a old cannon dropped on his head that dated back to the Battle of Trafalgar!
I'm British. I don't understand Cricket. I used to work for a book makers, if I took a wager for cricket, I'd have to telephone my boss to find out who won.Horses, Greyhounds, Football, would it snow on Christmas Day. Aliens would get in touch with us ( honest). within a year.No problem. But 🏏 Cricket, No.
The small church in my childhood village in the middle of the Lincolnshire countryside dates back to 1068 and is grade 1 listed. When people from other countries think about the long history of the UK they think of things like the Tower of London as an example of this long history but they don't understand that there are visible examples of the UK's long history literally everywhere you look. There is a house just a few miles from where I live that is inhabited to this day that was originally built in the 1400s. This is not uncommon here in the UK.
@@andreww2098 not a regiment in The British Army that doesn't have some trinkets taken from vanquished foes. One of the Cavalry mobs still has and toasts from Napoleon's chamber pot ( 15/19 KRH possibly)
Hi there from Northern Ireland. I must admit having lived in the states for a few years I really enjoyed your public service announcements and films like this. We dont really have the same thing over here so I found them interesting. Stumbled across your video and I have to say it's really nice to see your reaction to this. Very entertaining lol You made a comment during the video wondering why the people were gathered 23:30. It's called speakers corner. The most famous one is in Hyde Park in London. Its an open space where people are allowed to gather and give speeches on what ever they like. It is one of the ways we practice our freedom of speech :) If you ever get a chance to visit the Uk again I'd highly recommend you check it out and if you make your way over the pond, ill buy you a pint of guiness x
The reason the bells rang was because their mobile 📱 all ran out of batteries! I do love your content its great to here an American reaction 😊 Keep em coming
if you're ever here in the uk again you should visit the midlands as there are a lot of things that happened here during the war for example theres birmingham where the famous spitfires were built to coventry where the cathedral was bomd during the blitz and is still in ruin
That's one thing that I missed about Britain when I lived in Houston for 5 years, the old buildings and architecture. My local British pub is 400 years old! Just one example...
Great little video and tends to garner similar reactions from many of our US Allies. Glad you got around to it - probably better now after the numerous other reactions that have helped with context and change..
Eisenhower slept in the woods behind my old house...the woods were also very, very full of ammo and equipment in the build up to D day....could have gone a bit wrong
That guy standing on a box and talking to the crowd is at Speakers Corner, London. It was, and still is, a place where ordinary people go to debate current affairs. Anyone can stand on the box and address the gathered public. It is quite an experience when there is a good debate raging.
I know my grandad fought in Burma and Egypt we have a pic of him stood on the sphinx haha apparently capture by the japanese wasn't much fun tho. Great video loved the content.
The Lions around Nelsons column (1840) were cast from French and Spanish canons defeated in the Battle of Trafalgar and are reputed to ‘awaken if Big Ben where to ever strike chimes 13 times!……
I have a pub in my home town called "ye olde man and scythe" which dates back to 1251, the earliest recorded mention of its name is in a charter from that year so it could be older but no ones knows by how much.
Church bells were forbidden to ring as they were to be used as the signal that an invasion of Britain was actually happening, or that Victory had come. After the Battle of El Alamein, when the German and Italian armies were routed all the way to the Atlantic ocean, it was announced that the risk of invasion was gone, and that we had a major Victory in North Africa. So the church bells rang. It happened again at the start of July in 1945. - and again in August when Japan surrendered.
6:15 just means its easier for us to a have a nie day trip to the seaside where in some places we have holiday camps such as butlins and haven and unfortunately pontins
I know this sounds silly and it's based mainly on an American protagonist (because how dare an American made game focus on a British wartime protagonist!!!) but the video game "Sniper Elite 3" gives you some perspective of the North Africa part of the war. It's a really good game too. You just have to step away from all the Call Of Duty malarkey and accept it for what it is.
That public Square speeches is our equivalent now of like Twitter post or Social Media videos etc. And Twitch streams to talk to public its kinda cool though back then that you really have to debate someone in person to proove a point.
Only just found your reaction and can agree, many people even here in the Uk do not realise just how old some things are like the main building of my school was built in 1066 making it nearly 4x older than the US.
On the double decker buses I believe it’s because even back then so many people would have used public transport and with so many people in London more busses probably wasn’t an option so the double decker was introduced
I wouldn't blame the G I s for being puzzled when they got here. Many were young men and naturally homesick. Some were billetted in British homes, and largely enjoyed being part of the family. They quickly adapted to beans on toast etc. I read about a V1 hit in the centre of London, and a very young GI took part in rescue, carrying injured, dead and seeing all kinds of horror. A van was set up to make tea and sandwiches for the workers. The GI banged on the door for the lady to let him in. He washed cups, made tea and helped her. The truth was he wanted his Mom, and the lady in there was an excellent substitute. Very touching.
You need to watch the ashes cricket series pal. You'll get it once you see them. Your football came from rugby n baseball came from cricket/rounders, basketball from netball and lacrosse from snooker
I'm 61 and for a large part of my working life I was still paying of the war debt. It's grinds my gears when some people critasise us british and say we should be more like moden Germany. They had massive reconstruction after the war while we had people living in prefabricated buildings for decades. It's often said we won the war and lost the peace.
Sees Americans playing American football on a gridiron wearing helmets “they must be playing rugby because he threw it forward” - rugby the only game where you CAN’T throw it forward. Lol mate wtf.
Hi Theo, I really enjoy these vlogs your showing regarding how different countries react to and with each other during the 2nd world war and it shows even though there were differences between us regarding language, culture, behaviors and attitudes everything worked out great, oh by the way the GI at the beginning of the vlog showing the V for victory sign should be turned around so that his palm is facing the camera, the way he’s doing it is a rude gesture, any how thanks for the vlog I’m looking forward to the next one.🇬🇧👍🏻
You absolutely can cheer in cricket but especially in test cricket the cheering is pretty spaced out! The real enjoyment of cricket come mostly from the strategy of the game
I watch a lot of these American reacts videos, and id like to congratulate you on being he first to correctly reference the Queen Elizabeth Tower, most call it Big Ben
To be fair, most Brits call it Big Ben too.
Me to
big ben is the bell
🏴 All brits call the clock big Ben me included
Even thou its the bell.
@@davidprice6811 - spot on - even many Brits don't know that! :)
At the start of the war, the government declared that church bells were only to be rung in case of an invasion, but after the battle of El Amian, Churchill had the bells rung to celebrate the victory.
You were on about the age of the buildings, my stone built farmhouse was built in 1688 and the oldest shed was sometime early 1600s. So yes, it's amusing I have a cow shed older than the United States.
Yep I live in a house built in the early 1700's and it don't need insulating
The oldest barn in my village (near Bristol) was built in the 14th century.
@kreator is Alive But is it still usable? ;)
Yup. Until 20 years ago it was used to store farm equipment. Now it's been renovated and is used for education and events like theatre and weddings. The roof is like a wooden cathedral, it's beautiful. Still smells of pigeon poo though
Just to put a thought in your mind, why do you think your farmhouse is older than the US. I mean it was there before the pilgrims came along.
The BBC had a monopoly on radio broadcasts until 1973. During the wartime period, BBC Radio presenters mostly spoke what was called "received pronunciation" English. Which was considered to be the acceptable accent of the "educated" and aspiring middle classes. There would have been very few strong regional accents heard at all on the radio. "In 1941, the BBC first allowed a Northern (Yorkshire) accent onto the air waves in the shape of news reader Wilfred Pickles. Some listeners were less inclined to believe the news when Pickles was reading it. This was not an early attempt at appealing more to the general public, but actually a move to make it more difficult for Nazis to impersonate BBC broadcasters!"
A major reason for received pronunciation on the radio was due to the audio quality. Given how poor it was, the accent of the speaker needed to be easily understood no matter what the listener's own accent was. it was also believed to be an accent that no part of the UK would think of as a joke.
Good poem by a Scottish bloke about that
We have a castle here where I’m from in Durham northeast U.K. that began being built in 1072. Even as a Brit who sees it almost every day it still blows my mind seeing it.
I'll add that; we had the second-oldest university in the world. Oxford University was established in 1096.
Same with both Carlisle Castle and the Cathedral!
Americans haven't got a clue!!!!!
wish there was more stuff in general about our part of the uk, least my home of newcastle seems to be doing stuff
Stat that blows my mind is Oxford Uni was founded BEFORE the ancient Aztec Empire@@ornatus9616
I used to walk past the cathedral every day going to university. good times.
Loved this video. I am a big fan of military history and I have not seen this one before. The thing that many people underestimate about us brits is the "Island mentality" if you are not fighting someone, you are fighting the weather. Regards JB, South coast UK.
Or your fighting the blokes from the next village because of that thing what happened back in 1806, Bottom line is. fight is in the DNA, Welsh , Irish , Scottish , English. We fight each other to stay match fit for the next time we need to fight for real.
Eta , Of course once we have all come together to fight a common enemy, The cousins have to get involved, So the Aussies cant stand the idea of the Brits having a ruck where they arent involved, Canada wakes up at the very voicing the word war, and the Kiwis say yeah fuck it ok, why not sounds like fun
@@Beefy5039 Spot on. 👍
@@Beefy5039 we were always having scraps with the other local school when I was a kid. 😁
@@frogmaster83 Other schools, other teams fans, other Regiments. Other countries obviously fancied a shot at the world title but never really came up to scratch did they 😉
@@Beefy5039 not really, until I got arrested then I was out of the game for a while. 😂
In history it was quite common for Church bells to ring out in celebration of a great victory. A funny example is in my hometown, when news came of victory at Trafalgar, the Church bells rang non stop for so long that the vibrations severely damaged the bell tower, which had to be almost completely rebuilt
I'm Czech and let me tell you, we are still pissed about Munich 38. All our border defences gift-wrapped for Hitler to take....
I'm British and I don't blame you one bit. Churchill was right when he called it a disaster. The only good thing about it was that it gave us another precious year to prepare for the inevitable, especially with air defence systems.
@@johntomlinson6849 the border forts are still standing each in the line of sight to the other all along the borders - they are a spooky reminder of the price of freedom and of the fragility of aliences ...
Definitely learn more on the 8th army my uncle served along paddy mayne and was selected by David Stirling to join the sas on creation
If you like this kind of archive content can't recommend Peter Jackson's "they shall not grow old" enough. Remastered footage from ww1 from the perspective of British soldiers using interviews with survivors from the 60s.
Most definitely recommended, I second this.....
Church bells ringing at 19:23 . This was significant because after the fall of France, church bells in Great Britain never rang again. As the country braced itself for imminent German invasion, the bells were to be used as a warning signal of the enemy landing. Only when the threat of immediate invasion had passed, and with the defeat of Germany and Italy in North Africa were church bells rung again in a national celebration and moment of thanksgiving. Victory in the Battle of Britain had seen off the immediate expectation of invasion (though the Blitz continued), but North Africa was the first glimmer of real hope in winning the war. Germany had been roundly defeated and pushed back on the battlefield.
Cricket explained:
You have two sides, one out in the field and one in.
Each man that’s in the side that’s in the field goes out and when he’s out comes in and the next man goes in until he’s out.
When a man goes out to go in, the men who are out try to get him out, and when he is out he goes in and the next man in goes out and goes in.
When they are all out, the side that’s out comes in and the side that’s been in goes out and tries to get those coming in out.
Sometimes there are men still in and not out.
There are men called umpires who stay out all the time, and they decide when the men who are in are out.
Depending on the weather and the light, the umpires can also send everybody in, no matter whether they’re in or out.
When both sides have been in and all the men are out (including those who are not out), then the game is finished.
this is one of the most respectful documentaries done about another nations determination and will, I have ever seen.
Watched this when I was researching the home guard. As an Englishman I'm glad to have the U.S on our side. Keep up the good work huzzah
The piece of music being played at the introduction is called “Heart of Oak”. This is the official marching tune of the Royal Navy.
huge respect from the uk to our american friends. i do wish we'd actually let each other in without needing visas and all that
Many church bells were melted down for industry. The remainder were silenced, only to be used as invasion warnings. Once the Battle of Britain was won, and Monty basically wiped out the Afrika Korp, opening up the soft underbelly of the Reich, and giving the Germans a solid uppercut, the bells were rung in celebration.
Dope, thanks!
The Trafalgar square lions that you was referencing is actually really interesting.
The lions are actually from melted cannons from the BATTLE OF TRAFALGAR in 1805 hence (Trafalgar square named after the battle and admiral HORATION NELSON who was killed on the day) cannons used to sink/damage Spanish and French warships during that battle.
Thanks!
Another detail about Nelson's column in London. The statue of Nelson is much larger than life-size so it could be seen, and is looking South, towards Portsmouth, the largest Naval base. Along the road to the South from his column and Trafagar Square, all the lamp-posts have a ship model on top: all are different and represent all the ships at the battle.
@@stevetheduck1425 Devonport is the largest navel base I believe not just in the U.K. but Western Europe.
Wow that's kind of a flex 🦁
In a small corner of Hyde Park in London is a place called "Speakers Corner" where anyone can get on his/her soapbox and speak about whatever they want to.
The Elizabeth Tower has now had the recent scaffolding taken down.
Great video; my father was only 20 in 1939 and he joined the Royal Navy, but he suffered with nightmares as a result of what he'd seen. My parents married during the war when my dad was on leave. My mum was a nurse in an intern hospital for prisoners of war. When I asked my mum if she was scared my dad wouldn't return from the war, she replied that she wasn't afraid of that. They didn't have the media coverage that we enjoy today.
Great video, thank you.
As a child growing up in the 1950's we had a TV from 1952 and many programmes were dedicated to the war. Rationing of food in this country did end until around 1955.
It is fascinating seeing the film made by the US military for the benefit of the US soldiers heading over to the front, seeing it from the perspective of people literally living the times is fascinating. Also that they knew it to be important for their soldiers to understand the context behind what they were doing, why they were doing it and whom they would be fighting alongside. An excellent video, really pleased your viewing this. Seeing the perspective of a current day US servicemen viewing an information video designed for US servicemen of the past is very interesting and cool thing to see.
The people & defenders of our country at that time are known as the greatest & bravest generation, & rightly so.
I can wholeheartedly recommend the other movies in the series, they're just as fascinating as windows back in time. For obvious reasons they start straying into what we'd now consider kinda racist territory from time to time with the ones on our enemies for the war (particularly Japan), but that's something from the past we just have to acknowledge as well. Every last one is incredible to watch.
I like the ones where the Americans are explaining how we Brits treated black people like normal human beings and to not go off at black soldiers as we would be VERY unimpressed!
The BBC recently produced a series called 'Rogue Warriors' about the roots and beginnings of the SAS, includes memories and interviews with original members and access to the SAS own war diaries. Fascinating. You should watch it.
Definitely look at El Alamein. The point where we stopped retreating after a string of shocking and embarrassing and avoidable defeats and started going forward.
Britain usually gets caught with its pants down and takes a while to regroup but comes back strong. The Germans did the opposite.
Not all of them were as avoidable as you claim. Many people even amongst us Brits forget that the British Army is traditionally small and professional. That was just as true in the first years of both WWI and WWII as it is today. Rapid expansion of your army ALWAYS leads to problems. Problems in training, in equipment level and other such things. Add that to the fact that Dunkirk meant the BEF had to leave pretty much everything bar their personal weapons and it meant that that not only had to be replaced, but the UK had to manufacture enough on top to arm the rapid expansion of its army.
This is NOT an easy thing to do, and it means that in the first years of a major war you HAVE to make compromises about where equipment and troops go. It also means that you have to promote people rapidly, and sometimes those people do not work out. Not saying that some of those defeats were avoidable, some were, but others unfortunately were a result of the simple and brutal fact that the UK simply did not have the resources to defend everything. It had to make choices. And unfortunately some of the people promoted should not have been.... Looking at you Arthur Percival!!!
Hong Kong for example was essentially unviable, in the event of a Japanese attack Hong Kong literally could not be defended. It was too far away, too isolated, too close to the enemies main theatre of operations. There was no way we could have held it. Frankly it should have been abandoned.
And Britain did not just retreat, 30 odd thousand British troops smashed an Italian army of over 150,000 in North Africa, but again, the issue was getting troops and especially equipment there, as well as that rapid expansion, which led to a degradation of training in the first years of the war.
Not saying you are entirely wrong here, just saying you are not entirely right either :)
There's an old saying: "In a war, the British lose every single battle - except the last one!"
My father served in the 8th Army, "The Desert Rats". He was part of the entire North Africa campaign. From both battles of El Alamein right across to the Middle East.
Then across to Sicilly and the Italy Campaign.
Then on and on through to D-Day, the Normandy Landings and somewhere in France where he became a Casualty of War and was returned back to Blighty.
I have all his War medals. They will pass to my sons when I pass.
@@pedanticlady9126 the tales he must have had to tell. You’re honouring his legacy.
My dad was in the battle of Crete and told us all about his experience there….The battle on the beach when the German troops parachuted in, the march when they were forced to retreat when, in the pitch black night he got attached to a New Zealand Company when they asked him to take one end of a stretcher, The long trek to the other side of the island when any water they could find tasted to like nectar after their long thirst.
His detailed account was taken and stored in the Imperial War Museum in London U.K. He also told us of his luck in being “imprisoned” at a country farm as a worker and of his escape attempts. SO glad that my stories are of completely different experiences !
My grandad was a desert rat signed up at the start of the war he also went through Africa to Greece to Italy He was involved in North Africa in battle of El Alamein before he went to Italy.
Absolutely love the Preston North End cameo! My forever Football Manager team.
If you want good ww2 original footage then I highly recommend the documentary series a world at war. It is in my opinion the best ww2 documentary series ever created.
It certainly is, I used to watch it with my WW2 veteran grandad, it wa smade whilst many were still with us so they were interviewed for their personal stories. Outstanding series.
I used to watch it as a child with my dad. The music, and burning photos, is still one of the most haunting opening credits ever known, in my opinion.
Glad I wasn't the only child traumatised by that opening them
You're so down to earth and respectful man. It's so refreshing.. Kind regards.
For those wondering, the opening music is "Hearts of Oak"
The Brits of the mid 30s to mid 40s - a relatively poor people - end of empire. At home, trying to mind their own business. Had no desire for war. Almost went too far in avoiding it. And then a people on an Island - whom would not bend, nor yield. The white cliffs of dover. The sound of planes flying. A spiritual moment in human history and a beacon for free people everywhere.
Our greatest generation.
Ever grateful to America for aid, and help in our darkest hour. Today our friendship is built on that rock. An understanding when ever a Brit and American meet.
The English speaking world, for all its faults - for all its issues, sits at the centre of freedom of speech, of liberty.
I look today across Europe. And I see horrible echoes of Czech 1938 in Ukraine. We will soon likely be forced to fight a war once more, where we are reticent. Against an implacable dictator.
Let him pray he does not face an enraged Lion, and a raging Bald Eagle.
🇺🇲🇬🇧💪
@@CombatArmsChannel UMGB>?
Better idea... America stays out of European wars. They've made a long and rich cultural history out of slaughtering each other and we should leave them to it.
M
Yeah, UK builders don't always have the best rep. I'm pretty sure the scaffolding around the big-ben in the footage is the same you saw on your trip..
We must also give great credit to Canada, Australia,New Zealand, India and many from conquered countries who came to Britain and also fought from the start.
Hitler thought he was fighting Britain but he was fighting the entire British Empire! He never stood a chance!
We always do.
One cool thing at 3:21. The V is for victory guy (not peace) has an American flag patch. There are only 48 stars. This was before Hawaii and Alaska.
One of the best army educational reels still is "Don't Be a Sucker" | 1947. Sadly always ever so relevant.
Britain was not alone. 1 million Canadians and a ton of men from other commonwealth countries
Great people and thanks to every one of them ! My father did his air-crew training in Canada and was keen to go back there. He had fond memories !
@@SpookyFox1000 my family was in the uk at the time of the war so fought for the British. They immigrated to Canada in 77.
Absolutely, the wonderful Canadians, Australians South Africans, Czechs Polish, all who helped. The French Resistance too! God bless them all! 🤗🤗🤗🤗
@@serenityflies1462 I am afraid that the time is coming when we all will be called upon to fight again
@@eyup2646 you are leaving out what the Canadian navy did. But yes that is my biggest gripe with the government when it comes to our military. Perfectly willing to fight wars but doesn't Stay ready. Beginning of ww1 we had about 3k troops. Had to build up. Build that up to 650k fighting men. During ww1 Canadians won 2 of the most important battles. Then because of the way canada fought it really becomes a nation and is given the right to its own national affairs. And instead of thinking oh we are our own country we need to build upon this military we have. They dismantle it. Flash forward to ww2 Britain declares war on Germany. A week later canada does. But do they have a war ready military? No canada does not. So canada goes back into war mode. I am sure you are aware of what was built here. Anyways canada punches way above its weight in the war and by the end of it comes out with the 4 strongest navy, 4 strongest airforce and 5th strongest military over all. But does canada take the lesson of being ready for the next one? You guessed it, nope. They dismantle it so now comes Korea. And again canada declares war when they are not ready. Our troops had to be taken over there with the brits and the yanks. So again we build up. And again we dismantle. And it has been this way for every war ever since. When we left Afghanistan we were the 10th strongest military. Now we are 23rd.
Canadian have always been willing to volunteer in mass to fight. But our governments fail us. So at the start of wars more Canadians die then should.
As for church bells they where intended to be a invasion warning sign so they stopped ringing. However, they where rang in celebration of the battle of El Alimein.
I’m so glad you’re reacting to this!!!
I went on a cruise around the West Indies from Fort Lauderdale a few years ago and I was getting drunk with these American Guys every day. They laughed at us and we laughed at them and we all had a great time.
Great video I enjoyed it.
Another good video (from which the pub guide was taken) is How to Behave in Britain.
if you're interested in the SAS in North Africa I highly recomend 'SAS Rogue Heroes' they were absolute mad men.
Love watching your vids and your reactions are priceless, long live our alliance and thanks for the work you put in “John Britain 😁👍
You asked about the bells. In 1940, after the fall of France, it was decided that Church bells were to be used as the alarm for the expected German invasion. For that reason, the ringing of church bells for any other reason was banned. An exception was made in November 1942 when the British defeated the Germans at El Alamein. That's why hearing church bells was such a big deal - nobody had heard them for over two years! Alamein was the first big British victory and was regarded as the turning point of the war. Winston Churchill later said, "Before Alamein we never had a victory. After Alamein we never had a defeat."
The main difference between the British and Americans is, an American thinks 200 years is a long time and a Brit thinks 200 miles is a long way.
My grandfather served in North Africa and Italy in REME (engineers). I remember he told that there were huge convoys of American trucks that moved at incredible speed, they communicated by using their indicators, in some sophisticated code to signal turns ahead and the like.
Well the "victory V" Definitely means something different these days lol
Cricket: lots of runs, few outs. Baseball: Lots of outs, few runs. I love both!
If you would like a good little piece on a part of the North Africa campaign I’d highly recommend you check out LindyBeige’s 1942: 21 anti-tank guns against 100 tanks, who won?
As an old anti-tank man mesen I've seen lindy awhile now, always a good watch, TIK is also a channel I would highly recommended. As a County Durham lad mesen we had the Wakenshaw gun in our regimenral museum, DLI, the Durham Light Infantry, it was a 6 pounder anti-tank gun, it took 12 of Rommels Tanks out by one man, Mr Wakenshaw, all rest of the battery were destroyed and their crews either dead or wounded, this is the day he won his VC, and it was the German tank commander that recommended him for the countries highest award for Valour. God bless the Faithful Durhams. Best regards from County Durham
My great grandfather was a tank driver in the desert rats and was in North Africa, Italy, and on d day and survived
Really interesting watch! Loved getting the American perspective of the Brits at the time.
It's not set in the 1940's, it's from the 1940's. They used to show the GI's it before they came over here.
There are houses in my town that aren't just older than your constitution. They are older than the declaration of independence.
I like what you say about the bond between the two nations. An easy way to know if the Brits like/accept you is if they are roundly taking the piss out of you :)
Intrusting and amusing little note... When the RAF first started bombing Germany they actually didn't have enough bombs! So rather than send empty aircraft they would load the bombers with anything that was vaguely bomb shaped!!! Britain used to have many many antique cannon decorating towns, the old naval cannon in particular was just the right shape and so was removed from displays and loaded into the bombers and dropped on the Germans! .....I love the idea that there is s slight chance an unsuspecting Nazi had a old cannon dropped on his head that dated back to the Battle of Trafalgar!
I'm British. I don't understand Cricket. I used to work for a book makers, if I took a wager for cricket, I'd have to telephone my boss to find out who won.Horses, Greyhounds, Football, would it snow on Christmas Day. Aliens would get in touch with us ( honest). within a year.No problem. But 🏏 Cricket, No.
The small church in my childhood village in the middle of the Lincolnshire countryside dates back to 1068 and is grade 1 listed.
When people from other countries think about the long history of the UK they think of things like the Tower of London as an example of this long history but they don't understand that there are visible examples of the UK's long history literally everywhere you look.
There is a house just a few miles from where I live that is inhabited to this day that was originally built in the 1400s. This is not uncommon here in the UK.
You don't cheer when watching cricket, you fall asleep!
Nicely Done You👍✨ looking forward to the next 🤗
Theres another one of these made for American troops stationed in Australia. Its called "Australia is like this" You should check it out!
The pub in my village was built in 1585 The Crown Inn, Groombridge.
Something you might be interested in is the raid on Taranto, which effectively became the prototype for Pearl Harbor.
The history of Sterling's mob (SAS) is interesting and at times humorous. Why they stole a piano remains a mystery.
No mystery, because they could :)
The SAS are like Magpies, they saw something Shiny and took it! they've liberated a lot of stuff from enemies and allies alike!
@@andreww2098 not a regiment in The British Army that doesn't have some trinkets taken from vanquished foes. One of the Cavalry mobs still has and toasts from Napoleon's chamber pot ( 15/19 KRH possibly)
@@Beefy5039 the SAS stole a plane from the Argentinians!
Hi there from Northern Ireland. I must admit having lived in the states for a few years I really enjoyed your public service announcements and films like this. We dont really have the same thing over here so I found them interesting. Stumbled across your video and I have to say it's really nice to see your reaction to this. Very entertaining lol You made a comment during the video wondering why the people were gathered 23:30. It's called speakers corner. The most famous one is in Hyde Park in London. Its an open space where people are allowed to gather and give speeches on what ever they like. It is one of the ways we practice our freedom of speech :) If you ever get a chance to visit the Uk again I'd highly recommend you check it out and if you make your way over the pond, ill buy you a pint of guiness x
That’s not actually Churchel talking on the radio that the actor
The reason the bells rang was because their mobile 📱 all ran out of batteries!
I do love your content its great to here an American reaction 😊
Keep em coming
if you're ever here in the uk again you should visit the midlands as there are a lot of things that happened here during the war for example theres birmingham where the famous spitfires were built to coventry where the cathedral was bomd during the blitz and is still in ruin
That's one thing that I missed about Britain when I lived in Houston for 5 years, the old buildings and architecture. My local British pub is 400 years old! Just one example...
Great little video and tends to garner similar reactions from many of our US Allies. Glad you got around to it - probably better now after the numerous other reactions that have helped with context and change..
Eisenhower slept in the woods behind my old house...the woods were also very, very full of ammo and equipment in the build up to D day....could have gone a bit wrong
brothers across the pond my good man hope your keeping well new subscriber here. greetz from wolverhampton uk
That guy standing on a box and talking to the crowd is at Speakers Corner, London. It was, and still is, a place where ordinary people go to debate current affairs. Anyone can stand on the box and address the gathered public. It is quite an experience when there is a good debate raging.
I know my grandad fought in Burma and Egypt we have a pic of him stood on the sphinx haha apparently capture by the japanese wasn't much fun tho. Great video loved the content.
The Lions around Nelsons column (1840) were cast from French and Spanish canons defeated in the Battle of Trafalgar and are reputed to ‘awaken if Big Ben where to ever strike chimes 13 times!……
Britain is actually about 15,000 square miles larger than Idaho!. From the South coast of the UK, up to the Northern coast, is over 800 miles.
I have a pub in my home town called "ye olde man and scythe" which dates back to 1251, the earliest recorded mention of its name is in a charter from that year so it could be older but no ones knows by how much.
loved it wake me up when part 2 is out
Church bells were forbidden to ring as they were to be used as the signal that an invasion of Britain was actually happening, or that Victory had come.
After the Battle of El Alamein, when the German and Italian armies were routed all the way to the Atlantic ocean, it was announced that the risk of invasion was gone, and that we had a major Victory in North Africa.
So the church bells rang.
It happened again at the start of July in 1945.
- and again in August when Japan surrendered.
Double decker busses are also in Canada
6:15 just means its easier for us to a have a nie day trip to the seaside where in some places we have holiday camps such as butlins and haven and unfortunately pontins
I know this sounds silly and it's based mainly on an American protagonist (because how dare an American made game focus on a British wartime protagonist!!!) but the video game "Sniper Elite 3" gives you some perspective of the North Africa part of the war.
It's a really good game too. You just have to step away from all the Call Of Duty malarkey and accept it for what it is.
I value the friendship the UK and USA have its a very longstanding relationship over many many years
Hand signal 3 mis 9 is offensive when fingers face that way. Not the peace sign
That public Square speeches is our equivalent now of like Twitter post or Social Media videos etc. And Twitch streams to talk to public its kinda cool though back then that you really have to debate someone in person to proove a point.
always appreciate your react..good job!
At 3:23 the GI gives a gesture which is very very rude in Britain, Australia etc. It is "Up yours"
The American serviceman at approx 3.14 is saying f*ck off. I know he means "victory" haha .
Love your channel.👍
Only just found your reaction and can agree, many people even here in the Uk do not realise just how old some things are like the main building of my school was built in 1066 making it nearly 4x older than the US.
Ironically, Baseball is an English(from England) game😜 It was meantioned in a book before America even existed, so, Baseball is older than America👍
On the double decker buses I believe it’s because even back then so many people would have used public transport and with so many people in London more busses probably wasn’t an option so the double decker was introduced
I wouldn't blame the G I s for being puzzled when they got here. Many were young men and naturally homesick. Some were billetted in British homes, and largely enjoyed being part of the family. They quickly adapted to beans on toast etc. I read about a V1 hit in the centre of London, and a very young GI took part in rescue, carrying injured, dead and seeing all kinds of horror. A van was set up to make tea and sandwiches for the workers. The GI banged on the door for the lady to let him in. He washed cups, made tea and helped her. The truth was he wanted his Mom, and the lady in there was an excellent substitute. Very touching.
should really react to the battle of bamber bridge
Might sound d like a weird suggestion but honey can be very nice in tea. Just a dash of runny honey tastes lovely when mixed in.
I did not know big Ben was called the elizabeth tower and I'm English scaffolding is down now cool vids man
I am very proud to tell you that me dad was a bomb aimer in a Lancaster and my mum worked as a fire warden in Liverpool 😊😊
after WW2 im so glad that we are know allies. dran, drauf, drüber!
You need to watch the ashes cricket series pal. You'll get it once you see them. Your football came from rugby n baseball came from cricket/rounders, basketball from netball and lacrosse from snooker
you should see if you can find the 70's series 'The World at War'
I'm 61 and for a large part of my working life I was still paying of the war debt. It's grinds my gears when some people critasise us british and say we should be more like moden Germany. They had massive reconstruction after the war while we had people living in prefabricated buildings for decades. It's often said we won the war and lost the peace.
The bells rang for victory
Sees Americans playing American football on a gridiron wearing helmets
“they must be playing rugby because he threw it forward” - rugby the only game where you CAN’T throw it forward.
Lol mate wtf.
Hi Theo, I really enjoy these vlogs your showing regarding how different countries react to and with each other during the 2nd world war and it shows even though there were differences between us regarding language, culture, behaviors and attitudes everything worked out great, oh by the way the GI at the beginning of the vlog showing the V for victory sign should be turned around so that his palm is facing the camera, the way he’s doing it is a rude gesture, any how thanks for the vlog I’m looking forward to the next one.🇬🇧👍🏻
You absolutely can cheer in cricket but especially in test cricket the cheering is pretty spaced out! The real enjoyment of cricket come mostly from the strategy of the game
I have noticed it tends to get Australian, new Zealand and Canadian backs up when things say we were alone