German Paratrooper Prison Break 1944
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- Опубликовано: 28 сен 2024
- In August 1944 a daring raid was launched from besieged Brest in France. A company of German paratroopers went 30 miles behind US lines to rescue 130 of their comrades who had been captured by the French resistance. In one of the trickiest missions of the war, the Green Devils, so nicknamed by the British who respected the German paratrooper's fighting qualities, pulled off an extraordinary coup.
Dr. Mark Felton is a well-known British historian, the author of 22 non-fiction books, including bestsellers 'Zero Night' and 'Castle of the Eagles', both currently being developed into movies in Hollywood. In addition to writing, Mark also appears regularly in television documentaries around the world, including on The History Channel, Netflix, National Geographic, Quest, American Heroes Channel and RMC Decouverte. His books have formed the background to several TV and radio documentaries. More information about Mark can be found at: en.wikipedia.o...
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Credits: RUclips Creative Commons; WikiCommons; Google Commons; Mark Felton Productions
Sources: 'Lepkowski's Prison Break' - flames of war; 'Battle for Brest' - Wikipedia.
It's unbelievable that there is no Wikipedia entry for Erich Lepkowski in the English version. There is one in the German version. Other parts of his life story are amazing. He was later wounded and literally left for dead on a pile of corpses until a doctor noticed signs of life. He went on to have patented inventions, re-enlisted, despite having lost an eye when wounded, and held a world record for nighttime parachuting.
There was a big POW camp in Northern Canada, hundreds of miles from anybody. The German prisoners escaped regularly. And went back when they got hungry.
Wow driving that far behind enemy lines to effect a rescue! That chap had a serious pair on him
Thought I knew most everything about the Normandy campaign, but I was wrong. Good job!
I don't know how he could even walk or sit down with such a pair.
We always hear about the allied raids but never the Axis ones. History should be told for both sides. Its history after all.
Perhaps in another generation or two. Just as Napoleon and his forces were regarded in the early to mid 19 Century with dread, but not at all today, so too are those of the Germans even now but time distances old taboos.
5 people decide the schools cariculem, suprisingly, they have nothing to do with education, in fact are newspaper barons, so no never will happen
When PC is pushed back we will see more . The exploits of the Vikings and of the Pirates have been discussed with out fear for some time now , it will take a while for the Germans to reach that level of discussion. This is why it is so refreshing to hear a story as this
''History is always written by the winners. When two cultures clash, the loser is obliterated, and the winner writes the history books-books which glorify their own cause and disparage the conquered foe''
You just heard about an Axis raid, so yes you do hear about them. History *is* being told for both sides.
Doesn't matter which army you fight for, that kind of a mission takes balls and nerves of steel. And only 3 men lightly wounded? Crazy!
One of my grandfather's cousins was a Fallschirmjäger in World War II. Fell on the eastern front. I still have 3 photos of him in uniform. As long as I live he will not be forgotten.
Interessant. Fallschirmjäger an der Ostfront. Weißt du wo genau und zu welchem Zeitraum er gedient hat?
The French Resistance forces were well known for executing any Germans that fell into their hands. US Army forces also freed German prisoners from the French to prevent an all out massacre of POWs.
Do you blame the french?
The French also massacred Algerians after the war
Did not know that
Does this count as war crime?
I don't want to say the French did nothing but after the Allies came they went power crazy. Although they were still vulnurable,they were doing things a superpower country far from danger would be doing.
This should be a movie!!!!! I Really mean it.
Such a good idea !!
If in Germany of the year 2019 someone would only make the suggestion to produce a film in which Wehrmacht soldiers are portrayed positively, the media will slaughter you and you will be forever decried as a Nazi.
The greatest enemy of German history are the Germans themselves. After 75 years of re-education by the Western Allies, a morbid self-hatred has set in among the Germans.
One day perhaps, when the German people have recovered from the narrative of the German collective guilt and the self-congratulation of the Western Allies, we Germans have again an objective relationship to our history. But this day is still far.
@@giostisskylas Naja es gibt zum Beispiel "Unsere Mütter, unsere Väter", wobei auch die humane Seite zweier Brüder dargestellt wird, die für ihr Vaterland kämpfen.
An outstanding German officer who deserves a special place in history and we would have never known without Mark Felton productions
True camaraderie, respect to the German paratroopers.
For many specialists, the Fallschirmjäger were the best troops of the Second World War. In regards to general Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke, he was an outstanding officer who, after being left behind during the Battle of El-Alamein, was able to get back to German lines after capturing a British convoy in the desert.
Fallschirmjager were a breed unto themselves. Their cameraderie and esprit de corps was so strong that they could outfight much larger groups of soldiers. Hail to the Green Devils!
Sounds like a brilliant operation carried out by very good soldiers. Mark Felton is an extraordinary historian of WWII.
Wow! Pardon my “French”, but those Fallschirmjaeger had some real balls!! And as a military veteran myself (U.S. Army), I would have done the same thing for my brothers in arms. It is also interesting to note that the Fallschirmjaeger treated the French resistance fighters honorably as POWs, even though they probably would have executed their German prisoners. The Luftwaffe seemed to have acted more honorably than other German branches (and Fallschirmjaeger were actually part of the Luftwaffe, not the Heer, or Army).
Your french?
You mean german.
People tend to forget the honor between soldiers of any side. Between the western allies and Germany it was an honorable war with much chivalry. Between Russia and Germany was total war with much horror. The Germans claimed it was because Russia refused to sign the Geneva convention.
One of the Fallschirmjäger's commandments was actually to give no quarter to armed civilians and guerillas and only bestow the honours of war upon enemy regular military personnel. This explains why the Kondomari reprisal took place during the invasion of Crete, following confirmed reports of German paratroopers murdered in cold blood by Cretan villagers whilst still hanging off of trees, attempting to free themselves of their parachute harness. There was, on the other hand no reported case of British & Commonwealth troops mistreated by the FJ.
The case of Lepkowski was likely different since by that point in time, the French Resistance had established themselves as an overt, militia-like force. Additionally, the timely rescue of the German Prisoners before any were executed probably played an important part in the decision, whether these had been detained in poor condition or not.
@@peterlustig6888..the term 'pardon, or excuse, my French' is used as a kind of joke when we are using bad language, impolite speech...swearing/cursing. And he is referring to his comment 'real balls' which would be considered in poor taste among polite company.
Fallschirmjaeger are crack troops, that's for sure.
I have read many escapades regards the Green Devils but never heard of this outrageously bold operation. Fantastic little story.
bravery is bravery ! even if its the enemy that carry's it out
Thank you for the vid. One tiny point, the Germans holding the ports were not doing so to contain allied troops, but to prevent the ports being used by the allies to ship in supplies for the invasion forces. A far more important role and one that justified (for once) the order to not surrender.
Excellent as always, educational and entertaining brilliant!
A few others that spring to mind are Patton's disastrous attempt to rescue his son-in-law, and 33rd Charlemagne's defense of Berlin. One battalion knocked out more than 60 soviet tanks, and held the bunker so the Soviets couldn't capture it on May 1st. Only 10% of the battalion survived, then 12 were immediately shot when they were captured by the western allies. As a Texan, I'm really tired of the censorship of history, and the propaganda. I want to hear about amazing stories like the one in this video.
Thank You, Sir, for always highlighting those stories of WWII very few had heard of. Brings a whole new charm to the topic.
Got to admire anyone with the balls to pull that off, no matter which side he's on. Respect !
damn i love your videos! you deserve way more subs, awesome content.
He will get them
Amazing story. Would love to hear about the exploits of "The Brandenburgers" who were the German equivalent of the SAS.
You have made me curious, i also love these untold stories.
It made me realize, there is much to discover regarding these untold stories.
Most American historians tend to ignore anything heroic by the Germans. Joseph Balkoski's 2008 BEACHHEAD TO BRITTANY, an account of the siege & capture of Brest by the US 29th Infantry Division, gets into nitty-gritty detail about American ops, but largely ignores German, except for failed counter-attacks & reactions to US operations.
So thanks for this addition & correction to the English language record of the battle.
Never count the Germans out of the fight!
Not many would know about this daring raid, thank you for bring this little known history to light, it is a cracking tale.
This is what happens when professional elite troops pit themselves against conscripted and amateur soldiers. Thanks for your super video.
This is an outline for what could be a REALLY good movie.
This needs to be made into a Movie!
This is becoming one of the best WW2 channels on utube , looking forward to the next time one small point that the time is so short on them
Wow my hats off to these brave and honourable German paratroopers - awesome achievement!
Another text-book fallschirmjaeger mission. Why I'am not surprised?
Why we dont hear such amazing stories of Soldiers carrying out such daring missions, Despite Hitler a fascist and fanatic dictator his army was one of best fighting force & If these operation were carriedout by Allies we would have know it in movies, games, books God knows what not. the truth is HISTORY IS ALWAYS WRITTEN BY VICTORS
Amazing story from the other side of the lines.Mark Felton has a amazing fund of stories, best of all is that they are true.
Thank you for the upload, what an amazing episode.
This HAS to be made into a movie. What a remarkable yarn.
Did not know about this one.. A real 'Boys Own' story.. Terrific..
Thank you
It took incredible courage and intelligence on the part of this young officer to rescue his comrades in arms.
Damn, yet another badass! Green Devil's indeed!
Good story! Thanks!
I've been watching your channel for a while now but have never commented. Its truly topnotch. Thanks.
The author Len Deighton wrote a book "The Eagle Has Landed". Mr Deighton does his research well, both for his historical narratives ("Fighter")as well as his historic fictional work ("Bomber"), and I can see now where he may have sourced his inclusion of German paratroopers dressed with Polish paratrooper uniforms worn over their German ones and using Allied vehicles from. Thank You Mark. Incidentally Deighton did a very good cover of The Battle of Britain (Which the Germans barely acknowledge as a mere skirmish) in his book "Fighter".
Edit/Update
I was thinking about this comment that I had made earlier in the day, and then realised that I got Len Deighton mixed up with author Jack Higgins. It was Jack Higgins that wrote "The Eagle Has Landed". Mr Higgins is another author that researches his material well.
I feel silly now, but, fair's fair, it was in the mid seventies (before you were born) that I read the book.
I find both of these authors make German soldiers human beings, instead of demonising one and all of them with the same brush. So it may have been this little known piece of history that Higgins used so well in his fiction.
I enjoy your historic tidbits, very much. I'm actually surprised by how many of them I already knew about, but then your presentations refresh my memory and, or flesh them out a bit more for me.
Thank You.
Best Regards, your new subscriber,
Carlos Allende.
Fighter blood and loads of guts... Heroes, no matter which side they were on
Sounds like the storyline from Kelly’s Heroes, 30 miles behind enemy lines, 3 Tanks, other motorised vehicles, etc, but ace piece of History.
Imo the French Resistance would be no match for the German Paras arguably their finest Troops ✌️
3 lightly wounded, that says it all...
This story needs to be made into a movie.
Salute .. Respect to the Paras and their Commander.
True movie material. Thank you Mark, you are one of a kind!
That is an amazing story. A movie would be fantastic!
Absolutely extraordinary, a great bit of soldiering, and very lucky.
Thanks.
Thanks for watching
The best airborne troops in ww2
Boldness in planning and execution. Mission accomplished. No fatalities among his men. Thanks for posting.
As always Marc, phantastic little side story of the war that cannot be found in the usual textbooks... My favorite history Channel by far. Kepp up the work, Marc, thanks a lot!
Once more a very nice report, well done
These men were well respected by the NZ soldiers who fought them, on numerous occasions .
That's a great story. Surprised they haven't made a movie about it.
As has been written Fortune favors the bold! Great story and what nerves they had to rescue their comrades.
Amazing Story.
Dankeschön
Another fascinating unknown story to come to light...
This would make a brilliant movie providing they don't use Tom cruise as the lead characters (make him a French resistance officer who is conned)...
Always look forward to seeing your videos. Great editing and narrator also. I had 13 family members that served ww2. Only two didn't make it back. My grandfather served in the west. And also was in the beginning of the Korean war, I believe in end of 1950. Father served 21 year's. Spent two years in Vetnam.
This story reminds of the Falschimrjagers freeing Mussolini, that was a daring raid as well.
Should make a film of this daring raid to save their brotherhood.
Another piece of history I’ve never heard about!
Great story, and a movie too would be fantastic, but we know Hollywood wouldn't allow this because of English and American pressure. Interesting how the German paratroopers kept the French resistance fighters POWs unlike the American and Russian who just murdered Germans through the wishes of Stalin .
@Daniel Fuqua Actually, the Germans were far worse - almost as bad as the Japanese but because the western allies held a number of German POWs they were not treated as badly.
Please don't. It's embarrassing to have to write a response to diatribe and propaganda so blatantly wrong.
Churchill and FDR did not take orders from Stalin - what a ludicrous thing to have to correct.
@Daniel Fuqua. Please cite evidence. Not one instance: evidence on a war-size scale.
Please list all the mass murders of German armed forces during WWII from 1939 to 1945.
I'm quite curious.
If your response is 'the evidence is hidden, destroyed etc etc' then you're saying you have some amazing capacity to know history without evidence.
@@patrickelliott-brennan8960 let's start here
ruclips.net/video/FqwBgqfOuEo/видео.html
Such extraordinary courage daring and loyalty deserves its place in history, irrespective of which side they fought on.
Very good story thank you very much for all you efforts in bringing alive history.
Top notch work Mark . 👍
Thanks
The Hammelburg Raid, done right!!!!
What a Great Story!!
Great job. I am proud of them. This reminds me a bit of the GSG 9 in Mogadishu liberating the passengers of the Landhut.
Great story Mark!
Crikey I’ve never come across this one before, but I bet it’s been talked about & studied in military academy’s for decades & what amazing courage.
Great video Mark!!!
I would like to see a Hollywood type movie depicting this event, getting a little tired of the Gloriest Bastards style...
Really loving the channel. Keep those videos coming. At this rate I will have watched all of em in a day or two
I always love the Fallschirmjager FG-42 paratrooper rifle.
Another great story, thanks Mark.
Thank you
Respect forever!!!
In the best tradition of any proper army! Bravo!
It truly is sad how such brave good fighters fought for the wrong side...
It's interesting to compare this exploit with the one you recently presented in which Patton tried to free a camp of US officers well behind German lines. Perhaps if his raid had involved a similar subterfuge, rather than a gung-ho charge which the Germans could monitor from an early stage, the outcome would have been more favourable.
patton was censored for risking his men for a relative held in that POW camp.
I thought I knew every story about WWII, keep it up.
Would be nice to learn more about the late Bert Trautmann he was all so paratrooper who I believe was awarded 2 iron cross but best know in UK as Manchester city goalkeeper
Those Fallschirmjägers where something else. Captured Norway airfields, knocked out Belgian fortresses, invaded Crete armed with just pistols until they found their parachuted arms canisters. Their stubborn defense of Mount Cassino gained much respect by the Allies. They rescued Mussolini, another stubborn defense of French hedgerows following D-Day, and again holding off numerically superior British (Like putting up ad-hoc battalions against British XXX Corps) in the battle of the Reichwald forest. I think they qualify as the best of the German troops, with maybe the exception of the German mountain troops. The SS were weenies compared to these guys. Glad to see the officer survived the war to rebuild the post war German paras.
Is this the same Ramcke of "Ramcke's raiders"? North Africa?
All I have to say is WOW! The falschirmjager where serious soldiers
Mark Felton FTW !
WOW, love this story!
Outstanding! Daring,well organized exploit!
Better than the book 'The Eagle has Landed'
Never heard of this. Thanks for the video. Glen
Read the Book "Erich Lepkowski,Als Fallschirmjäger an allen Fronten"A Great Book of her Life as a Green Devil.
Absolutely fascinating...these videos are great..
Should make a film about it.
It's refreshing to hear stories from the other side. "History is written by the victor" couldn't be more true in most cases. History is history. None the less, it's still brave how they went behind enemy lines solely to save their comrades as anyone else would want to do.
In wich small village were they held ?
This is fascinating. Also heard about german paratroops rescuing british paratroops from an italian pow camp on hearing that the italians intended to execute the brits.
Great content Mark. I am enjoying the whole series.
Big Brass,
To those that dare !
70 Miles into US lines :o Damnn Lepkowski
Again. in many cases. fortune favors the bold