John C.H. Lee: The Forgotten Mastermind of World War II

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  • Опубликовано: 22 мар 2024
  • The history of the United States Army presents no shortage of what may be called “colorful” characters adorning its ranks and accomplishments. During the American Revolutionary War there was the rambunctious Ethan Allen, loud, profane, and self-serving. The American Civil War produced George Armstrong Custer, one of the earliest examples of an Army commander retaining a press correspondent on his personal staff. World War I produced MacArthur, as well as the equally flamboyant George Patton, both of whom used lessons learned in that conflict to further their fame during World War II. These officers, and many others of a similar bent, shared a personal notoriety and military success.
    Another, a contemporary of MacArthur, Patton, Dwight Eisenhower, and the other military leaders of the Second World War, was John Clifford Hodges Lee, whose contribution to the Allied victory was substantial, but whose efforts are largely forgotten. Lee had the often thankless task of ensuring troops were fed, clothed, armed, and supported by medical and staff personnel, rather than leading them in battle. It was his responsibility to have trained replacements ready to step forward when needed, fuel available to support offensives, bullets for rifles, shells for tanks, and mail delivered to the men at the front. Engineers to support combat operations and build necessary roads, storage sites, fuel dumps, airfields, and other military infrastructure were also under his bailiwick.
    In accomplishing his task, he developed the reputation of being a self-absorbed martinet. Among the troops, including the senior officers deployed in Europe, his initials - JCH - were said to stand for “Jesus Christ Himself”. In Citizen Soldiers, the noted historian Stephen Ambrose described him as “The biggest jerk in ETO [European Theater of Operations]”, who had “…an exalted opinion of himself”. Yet without his successful execution of his duties, the Allied drive across Europe would have been immeasurably more difficult. He is an interesting, complicated, and sometimes comic figure, who alienated his superiors as well as the men under his immediate command. Yet he got the job done, according to Eisenhower, who said of him, “…I thought it was possible that his unyielding methods might be vital to success in an activity where an iron hand is always mandatory”.
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Комментарии • 94

  • @Biographics
    @Biographics  2 месяца назад +6

    Karl's Socials:
    Fact Fiend: www.youtube.com/@FactFiend
    Wiki Weekends: www.youtube.com/@wikiweekends
    Untitled Side Channel: www.youtube.com/@untitledsidechannel
    Twitter: twitter.com/KarlSmallwood

  • @bunyipdragon9499
    @bunyipdragon9499 2 месяца назад +6

    And all without computers, faxes or email. The man was a bloody genius at his job !

  • @diversejoe617
    @diversejoe617 2 месяца назад +15

    Nobody:
    Literally nobody:
    Not a single soul on biographics:
    Karl: *YES I HAVE A SMALL WOOD!!!!*

    • @andrewcarson5850
      @andrewcarson5850 2 месяца назад +3

      You would have thought he would have got over it by now. He must be the dullest drinking companion England ever produced.

    • @tristanhallmark2724
      @tristanhallmark2724 2 месяца назад +1

      I hate that he still says that shit, usually comment telling him to stop on every video

    • @diversejoe617
      @diversejoe617 2 месяца назад +1

      @@andrewcarson5850 Fr fr tho I find it funny personally which was why I had to point it out🤣💀

  • @JPriz416
    @JPriz416 2 месяца назад +6

    Next to Ike Lee was the most important man in Europe. Most people only see the combat side of things. Like or hate him What he had to do was beyond belief. Most offences fail because they move faster than their supply lines.

  • @johnt8441
    @johnt8441 2 месяца назад +2

    General J. C.H. Lee was a Logi (Logistics Officer) which the Army has only recently recognized as a specialty. Grant recognized as far back as the Civil War with the, possibly apocryphal statement, "I don't know what this logistics is but I want some more of it."

  • @Jayjay-qe6um
    @Jayjay-qe6um 2 месяца назад +3

    There is a large portrait of General Lee in the West Point Club at the United States Military Academy.

  • @danielsantiagourtado3430
    @danielsantiagourtado3430 2 месяца назад +11

    Love your content! You're amazing karl❤❤❤❤

  • @pinkace
    @pinkace 2 месяца назад +1

    It's hard to overstate how important he was to Overlord. That was the big one.

  • @ibtsdad
    @ibtsdad 2 месяца назад +7

    Carl diction is perfectly fine and enjoyable thank you

  • @ignitionfrn2223
    @ignitionfrn2223 2 месяца назад +3

    3:30 - Chapter 1 - Soldier & engineer
    5:55 - Chapter 2 - The peacetime army
    9:00 - Chapter 3 - Taking command
    13:15 - Chapter 4 - Operation torch
    15:55 - Chapter 5 - Buildup for D Day
    18:40 - Chapter 6 - The red ball express
    21:45 - Chapter 7 - Post war & retirement
    23:10 - Chapter 8 - The forgotten general
    24:05 - Conclusion

  • @nssmithtx1
    @nssmithtx1 Месяц назад

    The logisticians frequently get forgotten, but no fighting's getting done without those beans and bullets. Glad to see you highlight one of those guys. As per usual, great work. Soon they'll be calling you Karl Bigwood.

  • @gravitypoo8765
    @gravitypoo8765 2 месяца назад +7

    Can you please do an episode on Henry Wallace, Vice President to FDR? He is easily the most forgotten important historical figure in US History

    • @sapnamukherjee6716
      @sapnamukherjee6716 2 месяца назад

      Henry Clay, Robert LaFolette, Hannibal Hamlin, James Garfield, William Jennings Bryan were more important and yet, people forgot them

  • @grdfhrghrggrtwqqu
    @grdfhrghrggrtwqqu 2 месяца назад +2

    This guy was a flat out hero.

  • @EGSBiographies-om1wb
    @EGSBiographies-om1wb 2 месяца назад +1

    This vid was well worth my time to watch.

  • @TM-yn4iu
    @TM-yn4iu 2 месяца назад

    I found this entertaining and informative, appreciated...again...from across the pond

  • @holleycorbett5201
    @holleycorbett5201 2 месяца назад +1

    Absolutely brilliant upload, well written told and delivered bio team love the Chanel, keep up the great work everyone 🌹🌹🌹🌹

  • @-RONNIE
    @-RONNIE 2 месяца назад

    Thanks for the information

  • @michaelphillips3170
    @michaelphillips3170 2 месяца назад +3

    I could tell you was not at your best from the start. you did good. Hope you feel better soon. thanks

  • @j.a.weishaupt1748
    @j.a.weishaupt1748 Месяц назад

    I appreciate the lack of ads in this video. I’m used to seeing like 1 every 5 minutes.

  • @zaco-km3su
    @zaco-km3su 2 месяца назад +1

    The "private train" thing doesn't sound too extravagant. He needed a part of his staff to come with him and they had to live sleep somewhere, especially since the train often traveled during the evening or night. He needed to keep in touch with others so a carriage that had a communications room was necessary and that carriage had a conference room too which was another necessity. The only extravagance was the carriage that was "for the general", in other words for himself. Thing is that carriage probably had a bedroom, which was a necessity considering that the train offered traveled during the night, an office, another necessity considering that the train was used often, a bathroom and possibly a small archive.

  • @robertpolityka8464
    @robertpolityka8464 2 месяца назад

    Excellent job

  • @olga138
    @olga138 2 месяца назад +1

    The name Bedell is pronounced Bah-dell, with the emphasis on the second syllable. I love your videos, Karl, and wish you continued success.

  • @davidsmith1310
    @davidsmith1310 2 месяца назад +1

    I think a private train is perfectly sensible. He needed to travel all around the UK at a time when it had a much better rail network than road network. The only real alternative would be to fly which would mean arranging for refuelling in places all over the country, there was plenty of coal everywhere, also with that much plane travel there would be a not unsubstantial chance of a fatal crash. The problem doesn't stop with getting to different places as he would then need a car to take him round large facilities or simply around different areas, the train allowed him to take one with him whereas with a plane one would have to be arranged to meet him at each destination. And the train allowed for somewhere to sleep and somewhere to work from each of which would need to be provided for otherwise.

  • @tubewatcher721
    @tubewatcher721 2 месяца назад

    Great Job Karl & team. Love almost all your stuff... Except the bad pirate jokes. Otherwise, practically always top tier excellent stuff. Keep up the great work one and all. Cheers.

  • @markuhler2664
    @markuhler2664 2 месяца назад +1

    Jeezus, in the middle of a world war he put together a full supply & logistics command??? That is beyond incredible, and anyone who has fought in war can attest. Ike had an easier job (although Lee's quirks showed once again Ike's genius in getting the mission's success while leading a bunch of men who often acted like children).

  • @AnnaAnna-uc2ff
    @AnnaAnna-uc2ff 2 месяца назад

    Thanks.

  • @maxwirt921
    @maxwirt921 2 месяца назад

    Could you please do a video on John J Pershing? Also William Randolph Hearst.

  • @donsandsii4642
    @donsandsii4642 2 месяца назад +2

    Logistics wins war. Battle of the Bulge advance stopped when fuel ran out

  • @jaytrace1006
    @jaytrace1006 2 месяца назад +18

    Dude pissed people off, but he got the job done, and we aren’t all speaking German. Lee deserves some slack.

    • @balabanasireti
      @balabanasireti 2 месяца назад +4

      That we aren't speaking German line will always be cringe, please stop because it doesn't even make sense

    • @jaytrace1006
      @jaytrace1006 2 месяца назад

      It wouldn’t, i’m sure

    • @jumangi2322
      @jumangi2322 2 месяца назад +1

      Thank you! He came up with Ice Cream Ships! This guy is a genius!😊😊

    • @jamieholtsclaw2305
      @jamieholtsclaw2305 2 месяца назад

      I think the best judgment of Lee comes from Eisenhower. He kept Lee in his all important role even when Lee was being criticized from within and without.

    • @Ruosteinenknight
      @Ruosteinenknight 2 месяца назад

      Tbf, that basically describes every general that the allies had.

  • @FastestBison450
    @FastestBison450 2 месяца назад +1

    Nice

  • @PhoenixAscending
    @PhoenixAscending 2 месяца назад +1

    Very interesting video. I know a lot about WW2, but had actually never heard about General. Lee. Is that where Dukes of Hazard got it? 😂

  • @c2edwar
    @c2edwar 2 месяца назад

    Yall need to do Joseph Lister he was a difference maker. I have asked a few times.

  • @mojojim6458
    @mojojim6458 2 месяца назад +1

    I would have appreciated at least a quick mention near the beginning of the video about why he was a mastermind. I have just passed the ten minute mark, and it is agonizingly tedious.

  • @yeanah2571
    @yeanah2571 2 месяца назад +4

    Ice cream ships were Important because of prohibition ending a few years prior. People "used" ice cream as a social instrument, instead of booze.

    • @paulherman5822
      @paulherman5822 2 месяца назад

      Which led to the US cheese game caves, government cheese and "Got Milk?" And the US government still actively involved in the dairy industry.

  • @Andrew-df1dr
    @Andrew-df1dr 2 месяца назад

    Can you please do an episode on Prime Minister John Curtin who led Australia during the dark days of the second world war when Australia was being attacked by the Japanese?

  • @JvP519
    @JvP519 2 месяца назад +4

    Could y'all do a video on emperor Constantine?

    • @tristanhallmark2724
      @tristanhallmark2724 2 месяца назад

      Am I wrong, I thought they already had?

    • @j.a.weishaupt1748
      @j.a.weishaupt1748 Месяц назад

      @@tristanhallmark2724
      Click the search button
      Type “biographics constantine”
      There’s your answer

  • @kavadventures
    @kavadventures 2 месяца назад +1

    Why havent you do a video about Carl Jung?

  • @stephenwilhelm
    @stephenwilhelm 2 месяца назад

    Britain didn't adopt the metric system until 1965. It's more likely that different definitions would cause issues (the US gallon is smaller than the British gallon).

  • @kevinconrad6156
    @kevinconrad6156 2 месяца назад

    We need a tangent every once in awhile from Mr. Smallwood please. Spellcheck hates your name.

  • @Yousuf34020
    @Yousuf34020 2 месяца назад

    I came very close

  • @keithhargraves7497
    @keithhargraves7497 2 месяца назад

    The mastermind is who ever decided to name himself smallwood lol

  • @shanemcalister2843
    @shanemcalister2843 2 месяца назад

    The fat electrician just did this anyone who like this will love His version

  • @cwj9202
    @cwj9202 2 месяца назад

    At 19:39, 90 kph is @ 56 mph, not 70kph.

  • @altchanel9693
    @altchanel9693 2 месяца назад +1

    Hehe Smallwood.. bring back baldwood

  • @MobtacticsBruh
    @MobtacticsBruh 2 месяца назад +2

    Does Simon whistler own this channel?

  • @Parasiteve
    @Parasiteve 2 месяца назад

    with how much we were taught about WW2 in school you'd think they'd have taught us about him, even once, but nope, not once EVER lol. every year i knew 2 things were coming in history class: the cotton gin and ww2. we learned the same thing every year since 1st grade and it was so boring. sure we learned about the civil war too but like those other wars never stuck with me like ww2 did and i think its because of how much time was spent on ww2 compared to other american wars/history.
    during covid i watched history vids, its how i found this channel, and while i knew the world had issues and bad people and wars n what not....i didn't know it was THAT BAD. learned about the cambodian killing fields which was fugging horrific. learned more about mongolia which ive wanted to always do. im just mad that history class wasn't even history it was just AMERICAN HISTORY. even in HS it didn't change ffs. i think the only european stuff we learned was from mostly britain and france and it was because those 2 were so intertwined with american history when america was first "discovered".
    i mean we didn't even learn anything about WW1 and i think its because america wasn't really involved like it was in ww2. i know a little bit about it from self learning with vids n stuff but its just ridiculous we weren't taught about it more.

  • @mojojim6458
    @mojojim6458 2 месяца назад

    expedite, not expediate at 9:59

  • @Xaeravoq
    @Xaeravoq 2 месяца назад +1

    karl is king

  • @ChorusArtists
    @ChorusArtists 2 месяца назад

    Mastermind, war criminal... Semantics I guess.

    • @Rob-metoo527
      @Rob-metoo527 2 месяца назад

      Could you please give examples of his war crimes? I'm writing a book.

    • @ChorusArtists
      @ChorusArtists 2 месяца назад

      @@Rob-metoo527 Dresden.

    • @markuhler2664
      @markuhler2664 2 месяца назад

      He had operational command of Dresden? I misheard his responsibilities then. When did he order the fire bombings?

  • @theimmortalalchemist
    @theimmortalalchemist 2 месяца назад +1

    I win 🎉

  • @garyoflynn2688
    @garyoflynn2688 2 месяца назад +2

    Would you ever find a better host Please?

  • @bigwoody4704
    @bigwoody4704 Месяц назад

    J.C.H. Lee - the GIs referred to him as Jesus Christ Himself Lee

  • @Turbotaxballer
    @Turbotaxballer 2 месяца назад +2

    Where’s Simon? I miss all the random mispronunciations

    • @joeobrien196
      @joeobrien196 2 месяца назад +1

      He left the channel months ago.

  • @user-eh6th9wj5k
    @user-eh6th9wj5k 2 месяца назад

    Karl!

  • @philipcone357
    @philipcone357 2 месяца назад

    Mastermind?

  • @peterpluim7912
    @peterpluim7912 2 месяца назад

    J.C.H. Lee, Jesus Christ Himself. :)

  • @whiteandnerdytuba
    @whiteandnerdytuba 2 месяца назад +1

    Least climatic quote ever. Lbj said much worse stuff

  • @rheinhardtgrafvonthiesenha8185
    @rheinhardtgrafvonthiesenha8185 2 месяца назад

    lol mastermind huh? He must have been the guy who decided that the US should jump in on the winning side with 6 months left on the war. Let’s cut the shit here. I’m not saying that America joining the war didn’t have a dramatic effect on Germany’s chances of winning the war but let’s be honest. They had been supplying the allies for the duration of the war. To send the troops in for the last 6 months was actually unwelcomed by the British and French who saw exactly what the US was doing. But, let’s not forget when WW1 ended no foreign troops were in Germany. The defeated Russia in the East and the western front was a meat grinder that although the did have the better of it on the battlefield they were never going to win a war of attrition once America basically threw their hat in the ring. There are literally history books written during the war and shortly after which don’t even acknowledge US participation. They don’t call it the Great European War for nothing, I don’t necessarily blame America for jumping in wanting some of the glory at the end considering they had been supplying the allies for the duration. But if we admit that then it’s a little tough to argue that the sinking of the Lucitania was an unprovoked attack. Actually the German government took an add out in the newspaper saying they were going to sink the ship because it was chock full of military supplies. Let’s not be bullshitters that’s all I’m saying

  • @EGSBiographies-om1wb
    @EGSBiographies-om1wb 2 месяца назад

    83rd

  • @Bullet-Tooth-Tony-
    @Bullet-Tooth-Tony- 2 месяца назад +2

    Mastermind? He was a disaster! Was more interested in siphoning off supplies for his endeavours in Paris hotels rather than sending them to the frontlines. Look into the Black Market that was happening.

    • @markuhler2664
      @markuhler2664 2 месяца назад

      The Black Market that he himself had investigated by the IG and which cleared him? This dude apparently pissed off every man around him, up & down the chain of command. If there was dirt on him, whether personally directing or benefitting or even ignoring, no way it wouldn't have come to light. Certainly in my personal experience of IG investigations. If you have something solid that says different, I'd love to read or watch it. Who would you recommend I turn to?

  • @ratedcensored5506
    @ratedcensored5506 2 месяца назад

    Just tell the story and do away with the "virtue signalling". Yes, we get how absolutely torn up you are over military segregation during WW2. I mean, the muslim influx into the UK and the rest of Europe has been absolutely fantastic, am I right?

  • @anthonywilson7268
    @anthonywilson7268 2 месяца назад +1

    This guys voice gives me the worst feeling… almost worst then the one i get looking at him

  • @BlueWallFull4331
    @BlueWallFull4331 2 месяца назад +1

    if you have an issue talking about racial issues in the past then you are covering the wrong content. If you are not a racist then you should have no issue speaking on or qoutting these topics. you cover history dude. we all know that racism is bad and we all know its a part of alot of history throughout the world

    • @fredrickbeondo8695
      @fredrickbeondo8695 2 месяца назад +2

      I don't think of it as an issue talking about them as it is just sometimes having to quote things that include words you yourself don't agree with, best example is the white person who thinks just because they listen to or are just quoting rap lyrics that the use of certain epithets is okay...I get why Karl has an issue with those kinds of things, and if you've been watching him on his own channels, he has always covered any topic as fairly as possible but does not hide any issues he might have with them. 🤷‍♂

    • @markuhler2664
      @markuhler2664 2 месяца назад

      I get the trepidation, especially in light of quotes being falsely accused of the actual beliefs of the presenter. Otherwise, yes, you are right.

    • @joeobrien196
      @joeobrien196 2 месяца назад +1

      I think they are more concerned about RUclips. Their algorithm and the video being demonetised .

  • @andrewcarson5850
    @andrewcarson5850 2 месяца назад +2

    I know you're only an interim host, but even such a lowly figure must know that UK and US used Imperial measurements at the time of WW2, and both now use a mishmash of Imperial and metric. This is schoolboy stuff.

    • @ehorner61
      @ehorner61 2 месяца назад

      He didn’t write the script

  • @danielfortier2629
    @danielfortier2629 2 месяца назад +1

    Him AGAIN!!???
    Well now I am REALLY GOING TO UNSUBSCRIBE! I've asked you over and over to get rid of this guy and you haven't. I'm FED UP! GOODBYE!!!

  • @BradyIsAfagInHeat
    @BradyIsAfagInHeat 2 месяца назад +1

    DUDE RELAX, you're fucking giving ME anxiety.
    Just relax and read. Don't project your weaknesses or discomforts to us. Just read. Nobody notices half the shit but you.
    If you gotta read a quote, read a quote, and nobody cares about your cold, or other excuses. Just fucking read, and people will get to know and like you.