So glad the chaps are doing a video series. I took my Mrs here just a few days after they filmed and told her about the toilet anecdote. She wept at the airborne graves around the fringe of the civilian cemetery which always helps bring me away from the stories and back to the people. I think the para dog and its owner are also in the CWGC cemetery next door, I cant remember. It was a nice short walk from Pegasus Bridge to Ranville, hard to imagine what it must have been like. I'm always struck by how similar the people who lived on our islands during WW2 are to us and the very personal messages left by family on their graves is a clear indication of that. They liked dancing, pop music, sports, they lived in our houses and walked our streets and lanes ... and now they rest there. I remember my grandparents. It was not long ago.
I was born only 20 years after the war. It's strange to think that twice as much time has passed since the Falklands War. The 2nd World War must have been so fresh in the minds of my Grandparents when I was born.
Such an unassuming little gate to walk through, fools you into thinking it’s going to be one of those little memorials to units or individuals dotted about Normandy. But then it opens up into the mass grave, makes you catch your breath seeing how many young men had to forever lie under the ground we walk on, especially when the journey now costs us so little.
About 15 years ago when I first visited Ranville Cemetery looking for a group of graves from my county regiment I saw a grave just behind the vegetation covered walkway to James' front/left of a soldier of a Scottish regiment (The Black Watch I think..) called 'Mann' - It was the family inscription at the base of the headstone that has stuck in my mind ever since that moment, at least in part because I had my two young sons standing with me at the time.. I'm not ashamed to admit that I immediately welled up.. That inscription reads - 'Sleep now Daddy and take your rest, we miss you most who loved you best'..
Wow lots of emotions showing the gravesites of these great Men! My Grandfather was killed in Burma it was a brutal campaign. God Bless all who served!!
This ep strikes a wonderful tone for what is ultimately an incredibly sad story on many levels. Nicely adjusted when compared with the excitement of others in the series.
@@freeminerz Thank you for the comment. We try to strike the right balance between story telling, keeping the memory of those who sacrificed so much alive and also being respectful. I think you’ll find that balance across future episodes whenever we delve into some of the more tragic stories.
This is a fascinating series, you are certainly giving plenty of ideas for when I get chance to head to Normandy this winter. KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK LADS!!!
Listen to these guys on the podcast when out and about but these clips are brilliant. I visit one of these graves the white forces ones near my home of family. Unbelievably the person in question died 1941 enemy action Aberdeen ( grave in Glasgow next to his father) he was 39 so in the service core or whatever it was being too old for action. He was Suppprt staff at a air base in Aberdeen and a German bomber dropped one single bomb on the airfield being chased . No one else was killed and when he was found there was not a mark on him but the blast had killed him. We were always told as kids that the air was sucked out of him. As his grave is close I pay my respects on the passing or making a point of visiting on the date of his death. We can’t forget the sacrifices made.
Loving it all so far - such great info & so well filmed. Great banter - could listen to you all day & then some, James... it's all so very interesting. The whole project is instilled with such passion it's infectious.
I just came back from a Royal British Legion Normandy Beaches cycle challenge and after Pegasus Bridge we stopped at Ranville cemetery. Our historian took us round to Den Brotheridge's grave but didn't mention the bullet holes so I missed them. I will be going back soon.
I really like the conversations that are recorded from behind as they walk. It’s such a refreshingly new thing to me; to have relevant and detailed discussions that aren’t rehearsed set pieces to camera in a static location. It shows the enthusiasm, knowledge, and similar conversations you have with your other afflicted friends. Someone knows a bit about that, another about something related, and then someone else will chime in with an aside about Burma when seeing that grave. This is more walking and talking the ground than anything else and I’m throughly enjoying it. Purists might bemoan the conversational manner, but the alternative is the nonsense that Al and James poke fun at. The overly dramatic “scars of war” and same 5 minutes of a hurricane firing and a Panzer I going through a pond nonsense.
Brilliant series, thanks. Like the pace and the almost one shot way it's filmed, feels like I'm walking with you. What can be done when quality broadcasters discard the silly rules of TV
I visitied Normandy in June 2016 with my good friends. We came to Pegasus bridge and Ranville church and just like you guys we foiund it both exciting and moving in equal measure. Of course w ealso had the mandatory lunch at Cafe Gondree 🙂
R E Johns is also buried at Ranville, he was a 16 year old paratrooper killed a few days after D day defending Pegasus Bridge His story is quite a remarkable one, please research and cover this
Beautifully done guys, it's a place I never get tired of visiting as history like this never ever should be forgotten my respect and admiration will never wane for those that fought and died to defeat the evil of German facisim.
My great uncle is buried here after being killed on 6th June when the glider he was in crashed after hitting some treetops near Granges. For me, a very poignant place to visit.
Touching- I’ve said it before- gods knows what my grandad saw fighting for Caen- my mum said his service record said he was shot. I know he was deaf in one ear and I wonder if this was because of the firing of ammunition? I want to find out more about him now- I have some photos of him as a captain in Belfast in 1944 in what looks to be a training battalion- I suppose he was a company commander but not sure how that fits in with Caen- the date on the photo states December 44- any ideas?
In the church graveyard, there's a soldier's grave whose date of death is 05 June 1944, and our tour guide said he's never been able to find out what the story behind it is. Does anyone know?
It’s the raised voices on the maintenance crew who were doing preparations for D-Day on the other side of the cemetery. You can hear their sander in the background of a few shots. As we reduced the wind noise/ cleaned up our chat it has done something rather strange to their shouting hasn’t it.
@WW2WalkingTheGround it did, especially as it was such a somber moment, I had my headphones on listening and the first time I heard it I thought I was going doolally, rewound it and listened again just to make sure I wasn't going senile. Good episode, if anything, I wish they were longer 👍
@@WW2WalkingTheGround That cant be right. It´s clearly a different audio track and not raised voices. Clearly it´s the ghost of one of the two brothers resting there.
I’m disappointed there was no mention of why Den Bretheridge and the other 8-10 fallen are in the Catholic graveyard and not in the CWG cemetery adjacent to the church graveyard
Isn't Schmeisser used colloquially to describe any WW2 German machine pistol, even the ones not designed by the brothers themselves? In the same way people still do the hoovering with a Dyson.
Technically, you’re quite right - it was either an MP38 or an MP40. But Allied troops always referred to them as ‘Schmeissers’ just as they always called MGs ‘Spandaus’. We’re just using the colloquialism.
I’m sorry to say that I find this way of presenting the events somewhat blasé and disrespectful, all things considered. The narrative is also not 100% correct. Not just for this presentation, but also the Pegasus Bridge episode (and no doubt others). I had a great deal more respect for James Holland prior to this series. But this ‘slick’ and flamboyant means of portraying the events could and should have been thought through with consideration for those who fought and fell; and for those who continue to travel to these sites every year to pay their respects to friends and relatives lost in the Normandy campaign.
I understand your feelings. Do you listen to the podcast? Not a lot different. Their hearts are in the right place but this was a very grim time, for sure.
So glad the chaps are doing a video series. I took my Mrs here just a few days after they filmed and told her about the toilet anecdote. She wept at the airborne graves around the fringe of the civilian cemetery which always helps bring me away from the stories and back to the people. I think the para dog and its owner are also in the CWGC cemetery next door, I cant remember. It was a nice short walk from Pegasus Bridge to Ranville, hard to imagine what it must have been like. I'm always struck by how similar the people who lived on our islands during WW2 are to us and the very personal messages left by family on their graves is a clear indication of that. They liked dancing, pop music, sports, they lived in our houses and walked our streets and lanes ... and now they rest there. I remember my grandparents. It was not long ago.
I was born only 20 years after the war. It's strange to think that twice as much time has passed since the Falklands War. The 2nd World War must have been so fresh in the minds of my Grandparents when I was born.
Such an unassuming little gate to walk through, fools you into thinking it’s going to be one of those little memorials to units or individuals dotted about Normandy. But then it opens up into the mass grave, makes you catch your breath seeing how many young men had to forever lie under the ground we walk on, especially when the journey now costs us so little.
Love this historical and respectful content , chaps , kudos mamimus !!
About 15 years ago when I first visited Ranville Cemetery looking for a group of graves from my county regiment I saw a grave just behind the vegetation covered walkway to James' front/left of a soldier of a Scottish regiment (The Black Watch I think..) called 'Mann' - It was the family inscription at the base of the headstone that has stuck in my mind ever since that moment, at least in part because I had my two young sons standing with me at the time.. I'm not ashamed to admit that I immediately welled up.. That inscription reads - 'Sleep now Daddy and take your rest, we miss you most who loved you best'..
Wow lots of emotions showing the gravesites of these great Men! My Grandfather was killed in Burma it was a brutal
campaign. God Bless all who served!!
Enjoying the series, good job 👍
This ep strikes a wonderful tone for what is ultimately an incredibly sad story on many levels. Nicely adjusted when compared with the excitement of others in the series.
@@freeminerz Thank you for the comment. We try to strike the right balance between story telling, keeping the memory of those who sacrificed so much alive and also being respectful. I think you’ll find that balance across future episodes whenever we delve into some of the more tragic stories.
This is a fascinating series, you are certainly giving plenty of ideas for when I get chance to head to Normandy this winter.
KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK LADS!!!
Listen to these guys on the podcast when out and about but these clips are brilliant. I visit one of these graves the white forces ones near my home of family. Unbelievably the person in question died 1941 enemy action Aberdeen ( grave in Glasgow next to his father) he was 39 so in the service core or whatever it was being too old for action. He was Suppprt staff at a air base in Aberdeen and a German bomber dropped one single bomb on the airfield being chased . No one else was killed and when he was found there was not a mark on him but the blast had killed him. We were always told as kids that the air was sucked out of him. As his grave is close I pay my respects on the passing or making a point of visiting on the date of his death. We can’t forget the sacrifices made.
Very good, gents. I like your candid and gently simplistic approach. It’s like walking the ground with two (very) knowledgable mates.
This is great stuff. Fantastic production, banter and tunics.
Loving it all so far - such great info & so well filmed. Great banter - could listen to you all day & then some, James... it's all so very interesting. The whole project is instilled with such passion it's infectious.
I just came back from a Royal British Legion Normandy Beaches cycle challenge and after Pegasus Bridge we stopped at Ranville cemetery. Our historian took us round to Den Brotheridge's grave but didn't mention the bullet holes so I missed them. I will be going back soon.
thank you for video
So glad I found your channel. Love the history in all your chats!
I really like the conversations that are recorded from behind as they walk. It’s such a refreshingly new thing to me; to have relevant and detailed discussions that aren’t rehearsed set pieces to camera in a static location. It shows the enthusiasm, knowledge, and similar conversations you have with your other afflicted friends. Someone knows a bit about that, another about something related, and then someone else will chime in with an aside about Burma when seeing that grave.
This is more walking and talking the ground than anything else and I’m throughly enjoying it. Purists might bemoan the conversational manner, but the alternative is the nonsense that Al and James poke fun at. The overly dramatic “scars of war” and same 5 minutes of a hurricane firing and a Panzer I going through a pond nonsense.
This is a really good addition to the podcast gentlemen. Thank you
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you
Very nice series. Thank you for doing it.
Glad you enjoy it!
I was there when Herbie related that story, such a character !!!
Excellent stuff, fellas. Long overdue a series like this. Looking forward to seeing Al in Chester and James in Warwick over the next few weeks 👍
Great work. Sad seeing all those graves.
Brilliant series, thanks. Like the pace and the almost one shot way it's filmed, feels like I'm walking with you. What can be done when quality broadcasters discard the silly rules of TV
I was there last June but i did learn something from this vid very informative, and it is hard looking at those headstones.
Really enjoyed the video
Solid work, guys.
I visitied Normandy in June 2016 with my good friends. We came to Pegasus bridge and Ranville church and just like you guys we foiund it both exciting and moving in equal measure. Of course w ealso had the mandatory lunch at Cafe Gondree 🙂
Fascinating. Wish I’d seen this before going there in June!
Love the story about a para taking a #2. Heard it from James before and I still love it.
R E Johns is also buried at Ranville, he was a 16 year old paratrooper killed a few days after D day defending Pegasus Bridge
His story is quite a remarkable one, please research and cover this
Very moving
Hope you get to Merville at some point
We shall remember them.
Beautifully done guys, it's a place I never get tired of visiting as history like this never ever should be forgotten my respect and admiration will never wane for those that fought and died to defeat the evil of German facisim.
Very moved.
My great uncle is buried here after being killed on 6th June when the glider he was in crashed after hitting some treetops near Granges. For me, a very poignant place to visit.
Touching- I’ve said it before- gods knows what my grandad saw fighting for Caen- my mum said his service record said he was shot. I know he was deaf in one ear and I wonder if this was because of the firing of ammunition? I want to find out more about him now- I have some photos of him as a captain in Belfast in 1944 in what looks to be a training battalion- I suppose he was a company commander but not sure how that fits in with Caen- the date on the photo states December 44- any ideas?
Love this.... Not a lecture more a chat.
Caddick-Adams, Peter
Sand and Steel
pp.434
Nom de guerre Sergeant Ramage
Apparently it was a Sten.
Voice at 7:24?
In the church graveyard, there's a soldier's grave whose date of death is 05 June 1944, and our tour guide said he's never been able to find out what the story behind it is. Does anyone know?
Please tell me you're going to do the Merville Battery
Walking hallowed ground.
Lads what up with the freeky audio blip 7.20 in when speaking about Scholes and his brother?
It’s the raised voices on the maintenance crew who were doing preparations for D-Day on the other side of the cemetery. You can hear their sander in the background of a few shots. As we reduced the wind noise/ cleaned up our chat it has done something rather strange to their shouting hasn’t it.
@WW2WalkingTheGround it did, especially as it was such a somber moment, I had my headphones on listening and the first time I heard it I thought I was going doolally, rewound it and listened again just to make sure I wasn't going senile.
Good episode, if anything, I wish they were longer 👍
@@WW2WalkingTheGround That cant be right. It´s clearly a different audio track and not raised voices. Clearly it´s the ghost of one of the two brothers resting there.
What is that sound around 7:20 ?? Replay it 😮
It’s bizzare
Ghost
Never fired an mp40 then....
I guess you never did when you were in a panic 🤷♂️
Very poignant 😢
After seeing this it makes you understand DropZone ! But the Germans didnt Dropping in the Drop Zone .
Just our of interest have either of you ever served in the forces and if you have what units were you both in
👍
Did the Airborne (or British Army generally) call the Germans Krauts?
No, mainly it was the Americans who called the Germans ‘krauts’ - Brits tended to call them ‘Jerries.’
Hands in pockets ! 🤬
They’re not on parade.
I’m disappointed there was no mention of why Den Bretheridge and the other 8-10 fallen are in the Catholic graveyard and not in the CWG cemetery adjacent to the church graveyard
its not a Schmeisser its an MP$)!!!!!! will people please get it right
Isn't Schmeisser used colloquially to describe any WW2 German machine pistol, even the ones not designed by the brothers themselves?
In the same way people still do the hoovering with a Dyson.
Technically, you’re quite right - it was either an MP38 or an MP40. But Allied troops always referred to them as ‘Schmeissers’ just as they always called MGs ‘Spandaus’. We’re just using the colloquialism.
I’m sorry to say that I find this way of presenting the events somewhat blasé and disrespectful, all things considered.
The narrative is also not 100% correct. Not just for this presentation, but also the Pegasus Bridge episode (and no doubt others).
I had a great deal more respect for James Holland prior to this series. But this ‘slick’ and flamboyant means of portraying the events could and should have been thought through with consideration for those who fought and fell; and for those who continue to travel to these sites every year to pay their respects to friends and relatives lost in the Normandy campaign.
I understand your feelings. Do you listen to the podcast? Not a lot different. Their hearts are in the right place but this was a very grim time, for sure.
You don’t get it. It’s two knowledgable blokes walking the ground sharing their thoughts. I like the candid approach.
Hard disagree. I didn't find this remotely disrespectful, quite the opposite in fact