I was privileged to be one of the Royal Navy sailors to take Lord Mountbatten back to St Nazaire shown in your video (1:17:03) After the service in the town he mustered our crew and told us all the story of how the raid was planned and how it played out. He thanked us all with a tot of navy rum. "Splice the main brace" P.S. also proud to have one of the 1300 V.Cs in our family.
I would like to put out there that as this documentary is quite old now that the last man alive that took part in this operation died a couple of years ago. RIP to them all, they were all very brave men. ❤
war veteran's are morons fighting and killing people that has never done no harm to them and fought for a country that doesn't care about them because they didn't fight and die for king and country but for the military industrial complex ,if you can not understand what you are reading then good Knight go back to sleep
I know death is inevitable but it's sad to hear the last man involved passed away. I suppose we can only hope that their memory lives forever. Which can of course only happen if we all make sure to teach our kids about sure extraordinary men.
You have to love the way they describe commando tactics: “spoil his prospects”, such a delightful term for ‘kicking him as hard as you can in the nuts’ 😫😂
This is my favourite documentary ever. Clarkson is well known in the U.K. as a motoring journalist & he’s been very successful but in my opinion this is his best work to date. They should show this in high schools. Well done for covering this 👍❤️
He really is a despicable human being. He offends everyone, including those that deserve respect. Even his wife left him because of his obnoxious attitude.
@@jimmyfiddlesticks337 He wished certain people to be killed. Yeah I was offended. He is scum. From what his ex wife said about him she agrees with me too.
Lord Louis Mountbatten's subordinate in Royal Navy Intelligence was Ian Fleming, the future James Bond author, who organized the Dieppe raid and the raid on Telemark in Norway amongst others.
Funnily enough at one point Ian Flemings' subordinate when stationed in Washington DC in early to mid 1941 was a young RAF Hurricane ace who had been permanently grounded due wounds. A man by the name of Roald Dahl.
@Russell Coight and a man who worked with all of them at one point was a bloke called Christopher Lee, who went and worked for RAF Intelligence and was the part-inspiration for a character created by Fleming... called James Bond
@@nickjames3055 when Fleming was in America his assistant was a grounded Spitfire pilot wounded in the middle east called Roald Dahl. Christopher Lee was a really shady character who asked about his activities during the war would ask "Can you keep a secret?" When the person said yes, he would say "So can I!" Christopher Lee's cousin was Patrick McNee, who was commanding a Motor Torpedo Boat in the Channel and South Coast against the raiding German E boats before later ending up as a Royal Navy Officer in the film Battle of the River Plate and most famously as John Steed in the Avengers alongside Diana Rigg.
@@kaymackay3519 details on what they did exactly are a bit sketchy but from what Fleming said Dahl was great at being the young handsome tall charming war hero during parties with diplomats and politicians in Washington DC. Basically he was aiming to make the US politicians more sympathetic to the British Commonwealth war effort. Bit of a pity he never wrote a follow up book to Going Solo about his time working with Fleming and Lee.
Stories like these honestly bring tears to my eyes. I'm a Brit, but it's not a patriotism thing, it's just being proud to be human and seeing what men like this were capable of.
@@meme4013 wow, what a synically sociopathic response. I for one am more than capable of reconigising the "heroic achievements" of the soldiers of most countries. The Soviets, French, Finnish, Americans... You might consider what you've said here and realise how telling it is of your mentality.
Another great documentary that I'm glad to see you react too. Jeremy's war documentaries are truly some of his greatest works, and he does great justice to the stories of those people involved.
Nice reaction. As a side note you didn't 'loan' us anything. It was all Lend Lease and we made the final payment under Gordon Brown when he was in charge a few years ago. A family member went down with one of these ships which broke up off the coast of Wales. Several of them did that.
To add to this, the land lease was the greatest transfer of wealth of all time, before ww2 the UK was by far the richest country there had ever been. Directly after it was the US. Before the war we had a pacifist government thinking after the first world war there was little to no chance we'd ever have another.. leaving our military/country massively under prepared for what was to come. Forcing us to turn primary to the Americans and their enormous capacity for producing weapons and food (we'd also largely stopped farming/producing our own food and instead importing much of what we needed from the empire that was about to be cut of by the Germans) which thankfully they were more then happy to send our way even after the money ran dry resulting in us continuing to make payments right up to recent years. Only just started watching your reaction, but already know it's going to be a good one... And just what I needed after a stressful/shit day.
Actually, the loan of these 50 Destroyers predates Lend-Lease. This Loan was agree in Late 1940 and involved the US loaning the Royal Navy 50 old, clapped out Destroyers. In return, the US got a 99 year lease on various British Bases, some of which they still occupy.
@@Adrian-qk2fn I made no mention of the 50 destroyers, only the lend lease itself and the cost/transfer of wealth. It's been a long day and I'm assuming you were replying to the original comment not mine so will walk back my statement 😅 and thank you for the extra info I didn't know.
What a amazing story of human Endeavour The bravery of these man is unsurpassed… thank you Jeremy Clarkson bringing to light this extraordinary event in our history 🇬🇧🇺🇸
I thought you would know us better by now, Daniel. Understated achievements and narration. "I'll take that old man", "There you are, four minutes late", "decidedly unhealthy here", arm shot up "I'll have to escape but it will have to wait, I don't feel up to it at present", "Oh, please don't shout and just get on with it", the VC decidedly understated, any surprise that the memorial is understated? There is a memorial at Portsmouth to the X-Craft submariners of D-Day, also understated. Jim Booth, the last of these brave men who spent 48 hours under the waves off the coast of Normandy, showing the way for the landings, died last year at 101 years old. He was a relative of mine and didn't talk of his exploits, when I asked why he had two Croix de Guerre's his reply was also understated, "Oh, I don't talk about such things".
Its strange isn't it. Your last line sounds similar to how my grandfather was apparently (he died before I was born) but my mum always said whenever they would ask him about the war he would just tell them "you don't need to know" We found out he was there when they liberated Belsen... so God knows what horrors he saw and what he kept locked away
@@garethbattersby Jesus Christ! My grandfather was a Pole who fought with the British (and loved them) at Cassino, his family knew all about the USSR starvation of the Ukraine. And in WW2 He literally was sent to Siberia. So many people have seen so many things in a not to distant past.
So good to see you guys do this one so quickly after the Victoria Cross. When seeing people react to the VC documentary there's a fascinating pattern to observe. Reactors have their styles and personalities and they play to these for about the first twenty minutes. Then the silence descends and the sense of awe grows right up to the reveal at the end that Robert Kane was Clarkson's father in law. You guys have a channel that revels in being able to take the piss. Seeing you both, especially Spencer, give so much respect to the tales being told was humbling. In doing this one so quickly after, you knew up front that it was going to generate similar awe and respect, so I'm fully appreciative that you did so from the opening. I'm old enough to have worked with men who were at many of the important engagements in WWII and it took a lot of trust for them to open up even a little. Your respect here is really appreciated. Thanks for doing both of these. The events described are now 80 years behind us and we must never forget what we owe.
As a Brit,this is what WE do,no boasting,no showing off,just doing the job we are told to do,and thats why Im so proud,despite our failings to be BRITISH.
I've grown up and lived in Falmouth for probably 15 years, walked past that car park monument countless times without knowing the true story until watching this. Absolutely incredible. Loved the reaction guys especially your gritted teeth and fingers clawing at your seat, Spencer!
Another wonderfully respectful show on the incredibly brave young men who are slowly drifting into history without anywhere near enough recognition. Thanks guys for highlighting this. ❤
I've been here since the oasis days,but for me,who watches everything you do,this channel has just soared up so much,and I've seen this video before,but your respect Spencer,and your insight Daniel was something very special
Really enjoyed to see this stream what you have to remember Britain had been at war for 2 years and was fighting for its existence with little food etc. so evrryone tried to do their bit!
You guys should see the documentary (I think was called) 13 hours that saved Britain, it's a documentary about the battle of Britain and how close we were to losing ww2
Gents, great that you reacted to this. I've seen this several times and it's always a pleasure seeing someone react to it, and anticipating the reactions to the various amusing or shocking things that are said. Thank you for giving it the respect it deserved and Daniel thank you for your service.
The story about the sinking of the Tirpitz was touched on at the end of this film.. if you ever get a chance to watch Channel 4's "The Dambuster's Great Escape" it fills in that part. 617sqn Lancasters sank the ship using supersonic Tallboy earthquake bombs. Earlier attempts flew from Arctic Russia, the successful raid "accidentally" used Swedish airspace to get behind German air defences.
I said to react to this and you both would be humbled. Respect costs nothing but is hard to earn. I am proud to be English and that shows you both why. Thank God America and England are friends in these troubled times. Thank you both for taking the time to look at this
Excited to see y'all jump into this one! Not necessarily a reaction recommendation, but you guys would love some crazy pow stories that came out of Colditz in WW2. For the unfamiliar, it was the camp where the most prolific allied escapers were held.
@@highcountrydelatite you're in the running for most pointless YT comment of the week, because you've omitted to include............ ....... ........ The punchline, or any substantiating details to back up your wild outrageous claim. Be warned, that I have the Cockleshell Heroes in reserve in my back pocket.
There is a respectfully sized and well kept monument in decent surroundings in Saint Nazaire in France, ceremonies are held there from time to time. The monument in the UK has been upgraded and moved to a more suitable location by the local council after this documentary was released, but in my opinion it's disgraceful that the national Government has not done more to recognise the bravery sacrifice of these men.
Thanks so much for this reaction guy's, was so excited when the notification was received, plugged the laptop into the TV, this reaction deserves Big viewing, you guys did not disappoint 😁👍
I live in falmouth and they have moved the memorial and they now also have 5 vc’s dotted around it in the ground. Also there is a small parade for it each year in the town
Another great reaction guys, I remember watching the film of this raid when I was a kid. Another raid to look for is Operation Frankton, otherwise know as The Cockleshell Heroes, about a Royal Marines raid at Bordeaux to blow up ships in the harbour.
There is a film based on this raid called The Gift Horse .It is a classic British film about a totally classic British expedition .The saying "mad dogs and English men go out in the midday sun " comes to mind .
A Black Adder Plan!!! Perfect descripion! I almost wet myself laughing. Now you know where Rowan Atkinson and the boys got their inspiration for that bit of comedy.
I've watched this 3 times so far. I am flabbergasted by the human spirit and the bravery of these men. I agree absolutely with your conclusion about the miserly rock in the carpark looking odd and insignificant. Let people have this experience and be inspired and in awe learning about the 'Greatest Raid of All Time' it should be on the school curriculum. Jeremy Clarkson well done too❤🙏😊 Respect to you both for hosting and reacting to this story. 😊❤🙏👍
This is more a solumn respectful salute to the sheer bravery they showed, than a 2 thumbs up. At time like this I really wish there was a full video on RUclips of a mini-series called "The Heroes" from 1988, it was a joint Australian/British mini-series about Operation Jaywick which is where a disguised Japanese fishing boat was sailed into Singapore harbour to destory a floatila of Japanese ships and make it back home. If this was available I would've recommended it, as it is it's hard to even find a DVD copy that you can order to ship outside of Australia.
I live in England and had never heard of the St Nazaire raid until this documentary, all I knew it is was a road in Chelmsford just near Arnhem Road, Alamein Road, Cassino Road and Tobruk Road so it might have something to do with WW2! This is probably the only documentary I have watch more than once or twice, I think it is 5 or 6 times now
Have you ever heard of the battle of Rorke's Drift? There were 11 VC's awarded for that. Probably a documentary somewhere about it...or there's the film 'Zulu' which is fairly accurate. Fantastic reaction!
Regarding the monument: In the city I live in, Edinburgh, the capital city of Scotland, there is a simple statue of an American soldier, a ranker not an officer, sitting down and resting his (period) rifle across his knees. Tourists don't see it unless they go looking for it. It's by the wall of one of the walkways in the Princes St Gardens, below the castle rock... The dedication is to all the US soldiers who joined and fought beside Scots regiments in WW1. Locals honor it with flowers every year, as part of our celebration of remembrance. It doesn't need a big monument for us not to forget.
I had to laugh at the blackadder bit because when you paused i knew what was coming . It was like General Melchetts stark raving plan going ahead because that would be the last thing theyd be expecting , so comparing it to Blackadder was spot on !
So glad to see you watch this documentary it’s 1 of my most favourite stories of ww2 the commandos done amazing things and even though jack Churchill wasn’t in this raid he summed up what it took to be a commando
I've watched this documentary probably 15 times and it never fails to make me feel both immensely proud and pathetically weak. I'm sure you've seen it recommended before, but 'The 13 Hours That Saved Britain' is another great hour-long documentary about the Battle of Britain. It's not Clarkson narrating but it's similar to this, interviews with people who were there, both pilots and eye-witnesses. It's another documentary that fills you with pride at these great young men who stood up to the test when it mattered and *literally* saved our country in a single day. The US has never really been threatened in a way that England was in WW2 with the Blitz, so it may not hit as hard for you emotionally, but the German bombers were legit taking off less than 100 miles away from our capital city during a World War. For context, France was closer to London than Philadelphia is to Washington DC. Imagine Russia trying to destroy Washington and having air bases in Richmond, Wilmington and Atlantic City and them organising one big bombing attack on the capital in one day. That's how big a threat it was to ordinary people in London at the time.
What brave men. Thank you for showing this they deserve to be remembered. Their training style for elite solider and general soldiers train in alike. There were no assort courses form training until them
No idea on the time line whether the Enigma code had been broken by then (yes I know a Pole had done something) but a little story. My sister had just been to see the Imitation Game movie about Alan Turning and the Enigma cracking, she told our Father saying its a wonderful move, now bering in mind this was in the last decade, my Father replied with " I worked with Alan Turing for a while". My Father rarely talked about work (evidently he was not allowed, so much so he would not allow my sister to learn Russian at school), but to hold this secret for all those years was amazing. Oh before that we did find out that when he moved to Manchester in the 50's he was in digs with Duncan Edwards (died in the Munich air disaster) was tiped to be the greatest footballer ever. He kept coming out with these stories and names from time to time when something prompted him, I wonder what we never found out and he took to his grave with him. As for VC's 11 were awarded at Rorke's Drift in the Boer War, now thats another battle you must review, and the movie Zulu is amazing.
WRONG! Enigma was not broken until 1954 by a pole-even though the FIRST Enigma machine was captured by the British acting upon intelligence fgrom The Poles (Despite LYING Americans films to the contaray- looking at YOU Yanks and your U571 film!) What was cracked was THE LORENZ CYPHER by Alan Turin and TOMMY Flowers with the Collossus machine. YES YANKS we BRITISH invented the first electronic programmable computer
Amazing what some people manage to keep secret their whole lives! By the way, Rorke's Drift was during the Anglo-Zulu Wars, not the Boer War (which came later).
@@dorothyramser7805 I live near Bletchley Park and volunteered for a few months at the museum of computing they have on the grounds, got to talk to the guy who headed the team that recreated one of the Collossus computers, really interesting chap. Absolutely fantastic work they did in cooperation with the Poles to make the process easier and faster so that messages could be decrypted and passed along to the top brass with enough warning to make it useful intel. Apparently there's some lost bars of silver buried somewhere around here that Alan Turing buried and couldn't crack his code telling him where it was, probably underneath some new housing development by now.
Guys your comment about special Units not needing the strict discipline and how new this was to the Army was very intelligently put. The USA given the hard task of Omaha and the prospect of scaling cliffs sent the Rangers to the Commando Training in Scotland. On completion mutual respect ensued. Years later an officer from the USA visited to do the SAS course he passed and took the Principles back to form Delta Force. Today all these Units train and work together at times to our Mutual benefit. I enjoy your videos you make some good observations. Cheers😊
If you want to know more about Colditz, the best thing to see is a 2000 3 part doc called Escape from Colditz which is on RUclips. In short Colditz was the prison that only the most high ranking & important allied prisoners were sent. It was so well known that after the war, a board game was made & named after it.
“Top Gear: Ayrton Senna Tribute HD” Jeremy narrates a 17 minute video about senna. It’s pretty moving. The Senna movie is more amazing - it moved me and a lot of people to tears.
Probably one of the best "mini special" segments that Top Gear ever produced. Hard to keep a dry eye as an F1 fan. I still remember watching the race that weekend
If you're unsure what Senna meant to people, Google "Ayrton Senna funeral". It's not about the numbers as such but when was the last time you saw an athlete touch the lives of so many people across so many generations.
24:39 Don't worry mate, Britain basically bankrupted itself paying for all the materials & equipment that were purchased. You got your money back and then some.
Lord Louis Mounbatten, the Commander of Combined Operations, is an interesting character. Related to Royalty; (he was Prince Philip's uncle), he was Captain (D) of the 5th Destroyer Flotilla at the start of the War and personally commanded HMS Kelly. During the next two years his ship was mined, bombed, rammed and torpedoed before finally being sunk during the Batlle of Crete on 23rd May 1941. After serving as Head of Combined Operations he became Supreme Allied Commander South East Asia during the final years of the War. After the War he was the last Viceroy of India before it was granted its Independence. He then returned to the Royal Navy becoming the First Sea Lord; (a position his father had held at the start of the First World War) before becoming Chief of the Defence Staff following reorganisation into a single Ministry. He was murdered by the Provisional IRA on 27th August 1979.
And the Commandos revolutionised how militaries train hell even the US Army Rangers were born from this because the US saw how effective Commandos were.
It's not that cut and dry unfortunately. There actually used to be more commando units before the british government tidied up the system after the war The SAS, SBS, SOE, RAFC and Aux units( along with about 20 other regiments) were all designated "commando" forces with different functions. SAS, SBS were the ones that were retained.
The sas were born out of layforce, 3 commando units sitting on their arses in the middle east getting stood down all the time or doing nothing and were bored. Also the sas were also disbanded after ww2 and reformed in the 50s under mad Mike calvert and Tony Dean Drummond to fight a secret war in the jungle in Malaya.
@@lewisb85 the SAS were formed from members originally of Layforce a composite brigade sized formation made up of the Commando units following WW2 only the SBS and the Royal Marine Commandos were maintained the SAS formed once more from the Artist rifles in Malaya as a TA unit almost instantly after the war it was realised that Amphibious support arms would still be needed leading to the reformation of 29 Commando RA 58 Commando RE and the Commando Logistic Regiment
Hey guys. I'm only part way through so far, but already humbled by your reactions, Tbh, I often am - always a lot deeper, and more considered, than folk might at first (totally wrongly) assume. And so often giving the lie to what so many people (wrongly) think about our friends and allies across the pond. I never realised before, though, that that one of you two great guys was an Army Vet. Wow, straight away, right to the top rank of my most-respected favourites. Anyone who puts on a uniform for their country has my total respect, and bows to no-one who has not. Ever. I know what is coming. And yes, this probably WAS the greatest raid, certainly of the war. I rather think I know what your reaction will be. I sure know what mine has always been. Love, peace and HUGE respect, guys, from a proud Brit who is proud to have discovered and subscribed to your channel. Even more so, now.
And yes, it was exactly as I expected from you two. Thank you. But these guys need no memorial, despite what they so thoroughly deserve. Our freedom today is their memorial. Well done, both of you. You have just done your great country proud.
I enjoyed watching the reactions to this and the VC video. I am ex Australian Army (126 SF, Signals Commando corps) and Navy Radio Operator. 18 years before a medical discharge and then so bored with life. Once again I enjoyed the videos
You mentioned canoes - look up Operation Frankton where 10 commandoes canoed up the Gironde river to blow up German ships. They were known as the Cockleshell Heroes.
Regarding the Chart in the Cabinet War Rooms, each of the pinholes represent a Convoy Movement. Whilst, as you said a Convoy has a multitude of ships the pins would denote their positions at different times on their voyage. So one convoy would be represented by multiple pin holes; the more pinholes the longer the journey. There were still a LOT of convoys, though with thousands upon thousands of ships.
Thankfully, and respectfully so, the monument has at last, now been much improved. It is a little more fitting for heroes. RIP to all the brave souls who took part.
another great video, I know you are not adding films to your list but you may want to watch the Imitation Game about Alan Turing and the breaking of the Enigma code and possibly a documentary about the dam busters
Hi Guys, great to see you react to this documentary as well. For a naval perspective you could watch the 1960 British film (Sink The Bismark !) & see how much effort was put into that operation in 1941. The Tirpitz from this story was the sister ship of the Bismark. Bear in mind, this not only helped make more secure the supplies from the U.S. but also, the troop transports. Which was paramount for things such as Operation Torch 8 months later & the build up for the later D-Day operations from our South coast. For another great documentary checkout (13 Hours That Saved Britain), this is about the most decisive day in 1940. Which led to the German Operation Sealion (the amphibious invasion of Britain), being indefinitely postponed.
The calm and matter of fact manner in which these great veterans are explaining this war decisive situation is just so very AWESOME! Thank you all you great gentlemen🙏👏👏
If you’re interested in the VC winners look at Rorke’s Drift. I believe there were 11 awarded out of 152 soldiers there. They faced around 3,000 Zulus and managed to win. That’s the same number of winners as Arnhem and St Nazaire combined.
Important to not ignore the George cross. They both have equal status but the VC is won in the presence of the enemy and the GC not in the presence of the enemy. Typically medical staff often win a GC but most famously was the one presented to Malta which is displayed on the Maltese flag
I confess when the intro to this said that not many knew of this raid I was somewhat surprised because I am sure I was not alone to have been a boy who built a model of the H.M.S. Campbeltown - after all the action was famous enough that Airfix made a kit for her!
I wish you could come over to the UK. All these hand written notes are available to read anything. We have it locked away but ask to see it and it will be fetched for you.
"It was on loan!" Correct. "Lost in war operation's". Don't forget the specifics of those operations... Those operations were disabling the vessel (Tirpitz) which was assigned to targeting American Merchant ships in the Atlantic and it's loss was compensated in Gold bullion.
i'd highly reccomend watch a documentary about operation mincemeat 'the man who never was' .a good doc rather than a short few mins.will go into all the details, deception and results from it. the planning and details are fascinating
I want to give props to the model work in this documentary. The Campbeltown hitting the lock gates and blowing up. That was not CGI, that was done with models.
Keep them coming guys, these are gold and it’s clear watching you both that you love them too. We have a military Historian called Dan Snow, he’s made some absolutely brilliant military documentary’s well worth your time 🍻🫶🏼👍🏼
I think this might be your best watch a long lads. I mean the comedy ones are great but this one is fantastic. Love your interactions aswell, like the black adder plan. Defo 1 of your best.
Commando training was by W E Faibairn. A Royal Marine who, after service learned his trade from the Japanese while serving in the colonial police in Shanghai.
If you mention Willian Fairbairn you really need to include the other part of the “Heavenly Twins”, E A Sykes. Aside from being among the first to formally introduce eastern martial arts to the British army the pair developed the Fairbairn Sykes commando knife which still remains with the Royal Marines. They were also very open to alternative techniques. For example “Just fold it diagonally until it tightens into a point, then drive it right under the chin. Simple, really” - Eric Sykes explaining how to kill a man with a folded newspaper.
Glad to see that the memorial for this has been updated/moved in Falmouth, it’s no longer just a rock in a car park, it’s a much better memorial now saw it when was in Falmouth last summer
In respect of the monument there was some discussion but commandos being commandos didn't want it, I saw micky burn speak after the documentary (he died in 2010), He said he was glad more people knew about what he did thanks to Jeremy's documentary, there was also a documentary about Micky's life called "Turned Towards the Sun," (same title as his book) which is also a great watch.
I always thoroughly enjoy your reaction shows, guys, and I really appreciate the respect you always give to the blokes who deserve it...more power to you, well done, and thanks! You can always see the respect Jeremy Clarkson has for the men he is telling us about, and his documentaries are always excellent................ cheers!
Thanks guys. As mentioned, the 13 hours that saved Britain is good. There's also the dambuster raids, Trafalgar, operation Nimrod (or any SAS missions for that matter) operation Black Buck, and many more. That's probably why our war monuments aren't that great, there's so many victories against the odds (and huge mess ups) we'd probably sink under the weight of them if they were grandiose.
That "Little rock in cornwall", Trust me it is respected, I live not long from there and used to fish down the way, Everytime you pass it by hand touch to the top. Decent lads.
Jeremy Clarkson is the greatest story teller ever, his motorsport stories from top gear are just the tip of an iceberg Edit: if you ever get a chance to watch clarksons top gear mini documentary on Ayrton Senna you wouldn’t be disappointed
I was privileged to be one of the Royal Navy sailors to take Lord Mountbatten back to St Nazaire shown in your video (1:17:03) After the service in the town he mustered our crew and told us all the story of how the raid was planned and how it played out. He thanked us all with a tot of navy rum. "Splice the main brace" P.S. also proud to have one of the 1300 V.Cs in our family.
I would like to put out there that as this documentary is quite old now that the last man alive that took part in this operation died a couple of years ago. RIP to them all, they were all very brave men. ❤
war veteran's are morons fighting and killing people that has never done no harm to them and fought for a country that doesn't care about them because they didn't fight and die for king and country but for the military industrial complex ,if you can not understand what you are reading then good Knight go back to sleep
I know death is inevitable but it's sad to hear the last man involved passed away. I suppose we can only hope that their memory lives forever. Which can of course only happen if we all make sure to teach our kids about sure extraordinary men.
True Heroes. Men of the highest character.
I would have loved to sit down and have a pint with Tiger Watson.
You have to love the way they describe commando tactics: “spoil his prospects”, such a delightful term for ‘kicking him as hard as you can in the nuts’ 😫😂
@@NeilusNihilus this is how most of America still thinks we talk to this day. Not even close. But it is a good metaphor
Classic British understatement
As a fellow Brit, I fully agree with this.
@@NeilusNihilus nobody besides those rare older people and the stupidly wealthy speaks like they're out of a Charles dickens book.
Don't ever fuck with the British army.
The humility in the way these heroes speak is just something I will never be able to show enough respect for
This is my favourite documentary ever. Clarkson is well known in the U.K. as a motoring journalist & he’s been very successful but in my opinion this is his best work to date. They should show this in high schools. Well done for covering this 👍❤️
Clarkson gets into trouble for offending people who demand respect they haven’t earned, but he’s incredibly respectful of those who earned it.
He really is a despicable human being. He offends everyone, including those that deserve respect. Even his wife left him because of his obnoxious attitude.
@@Davey-Boyd he hasn't offended me. So not everyone.
@@meme4013 Sorry yeah, my bad English. I meant anyone.
@@Davey-Boyd Something tells me you allowed yourself to get offended by things he said.
@@jimmyfiddlesticks337 He wished certain people to be killed. Yeah I was offended. He is scum. From what his ex wife said about him she agrees with me too.
Lord Louis Mountbatten's subordinate in Royal Navy Intelligence was Ian Fleming, the future James Bond author, who organized the Dieppe raid and the raid on Telemark in Norway amongst others.
Funnily enough at one point Ian Flemings' subordinate when stationed in Washington DC in early to mid 1941 was a young RAF Hurricane ace who had been permanently grounded due wounds. A man by the name of Roald Dahl.
@Russell Coight and a man who worked with all of them at one point was a bloke called Christopher Lee, who went and worked for RAF Intelligence and was the part-inspiration for a character created by Fleming... called James Bond
@@nickjames3055 when Fleming was in America his assistant was a grounded Spitfire pilot wounded in the middle east called Roald Dahl.
Christopher Lee was a really shady character who asked about his activities during the war would ask "Can you keep a secret?" When the person said yes, he would say "So can I!"
Christopher Lee's cousin was Patrick McNee, who was commanding a Motor Torpedo Boat in the Channel and South Coast against the raiding German E boats before later ending up as a Royal Navy Officer in the film Battle of the River Plate and most famously as John Steed in the Avengers alongside Diana Rigg.
@@goodshipkaraboudjan I knew about Ian Fleming's background but never knew the connection with Roald Dahl. Fascinating! Thank you for sharing.
@@kaymackay3519 details on what they did exactly are a bit sketchy but from what Fleming said Dahl was great at being the young handsome tall charming war hero during parties with diplomats and politicians in Washington DC. Basically he was aiming to make the US politicians more sympathetic to the British Commonwealth war effort. Bit of a pity he never wrote a follow up book to Going Solo about his time working with Fleming and Lee.
Stories like these honestly bring tears to my eyes. I'm a Brit, but it's not a patriotism thing, it's just being proud to be human and seeing what men like this were capable of.
Nothing wrong with patriotism. But I'm not a big fan of trying to pass off the heroic achievements of BRITS to wider humankind.
@@meme4013 wow, what a synically sociopathic response.
I for one am more than capable of reconigising the "heroic achievements" of the soldiers of most countries. The Soviets, French, Finnish, Americans...
You might consider what you've said here and realise how telling it is of your mentality.
@@Snakebloke xenophile. The story was about Brits. Praise the Brits, it won't kill you.
If im going to War? i want the Brits on my side.
Jolly good shout. Lovely sentiment 😊
We're always ready to muck in with you guys 👍
You'd want the Australian or British SAS beside you
I'm from Carluke in Scotland à town they call courage we have 3 Victoria crosses Cameron Caldwell and Angus
@@patrioticaussiesams8581several miles In front of you already engaged with the enemy
Preferably
This documentary was made around 2004 so all those men have passed away, also the memorial has been made much grander
Another great documentary that I'm glad to see you react too. Jeremy's war documentaries are truly some of his greatest works, and he does great justice to the stories of those people involved.
Nice reaction. As a side note you didn't 'loan' us anything. It was all Lend Lease and we made the final payment under Gordon Brown when he was in charge a few years ago. A family member went down with one of these ships which broke up off the coast of Wales. Several of them did that.
To add to this, the land lease was the greatest transfer of wealth of all time, before ww2 the UK was by far the richest country there had ever been. Directly after it was the US.
Before the war we had a pacifist government thinking after the first world war there was little to no chance we'd ever have another.. leaving our military/country massively under prepared for what was to come. Forcing us to turn primary to the Americans and their enormous capacity for producing weapons and food (we'd also largely stopped farming/producing our own food and instead importing much of what we needed from the empire that was about to be cut of by the Germans) which thankfully they were more then happy to send our way even after the money ran dry resulting in us continuing to make payments right up to recent years.
Only just started watching your reaction, but already know it's going to be a good one... And just what I needed after a stressful/shit day.
Actually, the loan of these 50 Destroyers predates Lend-Lease. This Loan was agree in Late 1940 and involved the US loaning the Royal Navy 50 old, clapped out Destroyers. In return, the US got a 99 year lease on various British Bases, some of which they still occupy.
@@Adrian-qk2fn I made no mention of the 50 destroyers, only the lend lease itself and the cost/transfer of wealth.
It's been a long day and I'm assuming you were replying to the original comment not mine so will walk back my statement 😅 and thank you for the extra info I didn't know.
Reckon this is how USA came out of the Great Recession and GB was broke…
@@DrCookie6996p We had to give up much of our empire. If we were Germans we would have been pissed off
What a amazing story of human Endeavour The bravery of these man is unsurpassed… thank you Jeremy Clarkson bringing to light this extraordinary event in our history 🇬🇧🇺🇸
58:28 "knock him down, spoil his prospects"😂😂 never heard a kick to the balls referred to like that. What am image
After this documentary was shown there was an out cry over the Monument and a new Monument has since opened displaying the 5 'VC'' recipients !!
Anything narrated by Jeremy Clarkson history wise will be good. He’s a true patriot.
Good video guys
I thought you would know us better by now, Daniel.
Understated achievements and narration. "I'll take that old man", "There you are, four minutes late", "decidedly unhealthy here", arm shot up "I'll have to escape but it will have to wait, I don't feel up to it at present", "Oh, please don't shout and just get on with it", the VC decidedly understated, any surprise that the memorial is understated?
There is a memorial at Portsmouth to the X-Craft submariners of D-Day, also understated.
Jim Booth, the last of these brave men who spent 48 hours under the waves off the coast of Normandy, showing the way for the landings, died last year at 101 years old. He was a relative of mine and didn't talk of his exploits, when I asked why he had two Croix de Guerre's his reply was also understated, "Oh, I don't talk about such things".
Its strange isn't it. Your last line sounds similar to how my grandfather was apparently (he died before I was born) but my mum always said whenever they would ask him about the war he would just tell them "you don't need to know"
We found out he was there when they liberated Belsen... so God knows what horrors he saw and what he kept locked away
@@garethbattersbyRespect to that great man.
@@garethbattersby Jesus Christ! My grandfather was a Pole who fought with the British (and loved them) at Cassino, his family knew all about the USSR starvation of the Ukraine. And in WW2 He literally was sent to Siberia.
So many people have seen so many things in a not to distant past.
So good to see you guys do this one so quickly after the Victoria Cross.
When seeing people react to the VC documentary there's a fascinating pattern to observe. Reactors have their styles and personalities and they play to these for about the first twenty minutes. Then the silence descends and the sense of awe grows right up to the reveal at the end that Robert Kane was Clarkson's father in law.
You guys have a channel that revels in being able to take the piss. Seeing you both, especially Spencer, give so much respect to the tales being told was humbling.
In doing this one so quickly after, you knew up front that it was going to generate similar awe and respect, so I'm fully appreciative that you did so from the opening. I'm old enough to have worked with men who were at many of the important engagements in WWII and it took a lot of trust for them to open up even a little. Your respect here is really appreciated. Thanks for doing both of these. The events described are now 80 years behind us and we must never forget what we owe.
As a Brit,this is what WE do,no boasting,no showing off,just doing the job we are told to do,and thats why Im so proud,despite our failings to be BRITISH.
I've grown up and lived in Falmouth for probably 15 years, walked past that car park monument countless times without knowing the true story until watching this.
Absolutely incredible.
Loved the reaction guys especially your gritted teeth and fingers clawing at your seat, Spencer!
Another wonderfully respectful show on the incredibly brave young men who are slowly drifting into history without anywhere near enough recognition. Thanks guys for highlighting this. ❤
I've been here since the oasis days,but for me,who watches everything you do,this channel has just soared up so much,and I've seen this video before,but your respect Spencer,and your insight Daniel was something very special
Really enjoyed to see this stream what you have to remember Britain had been at war for 2 years and was fighting for its existence with little food etc. so evrryone tried to do their bit!
You guys should see the documentary (I think was called) 13 hours that saved Britain, it's a documentary about the battle of Britain and how close we were to losing ww2
Yes a must see
I think they did it last year.
Ignore me that was the Eclectic Beard. You’re right they should do it.
Definitely
If that’s the one we’re they break it down week to week , hour by hour. It’s an amazing documentary I need to find the name too lol 😂
Gents, great that you reacted to this. I've seen this several times and it's always a pleasure seeing someone react to it, and anticipating the reactions to the various amusing or shocking things that are said. Thank you for giving it the respect it deserved and Daniel thank you for your service.
The story about the sinking of the Tirpitz was touched on at the end of this film.. if you ever get a chance to watch Channel 4's "The Dambuster's Great Escape" it fills in that part. 617sqn Lancasters sank the ship using supersonic Tallboy earthquake bombs. Earlier attempts flew from Arctic Russia, the successful raid "accidentally" used Swedish airspace to get behind German air defences.
I said to react to this and you both would be humbled. Respect costs nothing but is hard to earn. I am proud to be English and that shows you both why. Thank God America and England are friends in these troubled times. Thank you both for taking the time to look at this
As you have said , I'd love to know the story behind those 5 who escaped travelling 350 miles over the border to Spain
Excited to see y'all jump into this one!
Not necessarily a reaction recommendation, but you guys would love some crazy pow stories that came out of Colditz in WW2. For the unfamiliar, it was the camp where the most prolific allied escapers were held.
The Germans I believe claimed Colditz to be "escape proof"
The prisoners set out to test that theory.
David Stirling, creator of the SAS, spent 43-45 at Colditz, so it's safe to assume it was inescapable.
Daniel, served 9 years involving numerous operational tours in the British Army. Much respect for your service brother.
@@highcountrydelatite you're in the running for most pointless YT comment of the week, because you've omitted to include............
.......
........
The punchline, or any substantiating details to back up your wild outrageous claim.
Be warned, that I have the Cockleshell Heroes in reserve in my back pocket.
This is an amazing story, you guys are going to be blown away
There is a respectfully sized and well kept monument in decent surroundings in Saint Nazaire in France, ceremonies are held there from time to time. The monument in the UK has been upgraded and moved to a more suitable location by the local council after this documentary was released, but in my opinion it's disgraceful that the national Government has not done more to recognise the bravery sacrifice of these men.
Thanks so much for this reaction guy's, was so excited when the notification was received, plugged the laptop into the TV, this reaction deserves Big viewing, you guys did not disappoint 😁👍
I live in falmouth and they have moved the memorial and they now also have 5 vc’s dotted around it in the ground. Also there is a small parade for it each year in the town
Another great reaction guys, I remember watching the film of this raid when I was a kid. Another raid to look for is Operation Frankton, otherwise know as The Cockleshell Heroes, about a Royal Marines raid at Bordeaux to blow up ships in the harbour.
I was privileged enough to serve on the namesake HMS Campbeltown (F86) and St.Naziare was on her battle honours
THE ARCTIC CONVOY story is another great episode. ✌🇮🇪
Oh my gawd,2 years now with you two,I adore you both,you were 1 of my first 3 reactioners,thank you,I'd give more if I could
Really enjoyed this one guys. I recommended this one to you after you watching the VC one. This is why we're proud to be British. 🇬🇧
Was hoping you'd follow up the VC reaction with this one. Good job chaps
There is a film based on this raid called The Gift Horse .It is a classic British film about a totally classic British expedition .The saying "mad dogs and English men go out in the midday sun " comes to mind .
A Black Adder Plan!!! Perfect descripion! I almost wet myself laughing. Now you know where Rowan Atkinson and the boys got their inspiration for that bit of comedy.
Ever in London, the war rooms are brilliant to visit
I find the fascinating thing about documentaries likes this is the tale of ordinary people doing extraordinary things.
I've watched this 3 times so far. I am flabbergasted by the human spirit and the bravery of these men. I agree absolutely with your conclusion about the miserly rock in the carpark looking odd and insignificant. Let people have this experience and be inspired and in awe learning about the 'Greatest Raid of All Time' it should be on the school curriculum. Jeremy Clarkson well done too❤🙏😊 Respect to you both for hosting and reacting to this story. 😊❤🙏👍
This is more a solumn respectful salute to the sheer bravery they showed, than a 2 thumbs up.
At time like this I really wish there was a full video on RUclips of a mini-series called "The Heroes" from 1988, it was a joint Australian/British mini-series about Operation Jaywick which is where a disguised Japanese fishing boat was sailed into Singapore harbour to destory a floatila of Japanese ships and make it back home. If this was available I would've recommended it, as it is it's hard to even find a DVD copy that you can order to ship outside of Australia.
I live in England and had never heard of the St Nazaire raid until this documentary, all I knew it is was a road in Chelmsford just near Arnhem Road, Alamein Road, Cassino Road and Tobruk Road so it might have something to do with WW2!
This is probably the only documentary I have watch more than once or twice, I think it is 5 or 6 times now
Have you ever heard of the battle of Rorke's Drift? There were 11 VC's awarded for that. Probably a documentary somewhere about it...or there's the film 'Zulu' which is fairly accurate. Fantastic reaction!
Regarding the monument: In the city I live in, Edinburgh, the capital city of Scotland, there is a simple statue of an American soldier, a ranker not an officer, sitting down and resting his (period) rifle across his knees. Tourists don't see it unless they go looking for it. It's by the wall of one of the walkways in the Princes St Gardens, below the castle rock... The dedication is to all the US soldiers who joined and fought beside Scots regiments in WW1. Locals honor it with flowers every year, as part of our celebration of remembrance. It doesn't need a big monument for us not to forget.
I had to laugh at the blackadder bit because when you paused i knew what was coming . It was like General Melchetts stark raving plan going ahead because that would be the last thing theyd be expecting , so comparing it to Blackadder was spot on !
Love the respect you guys show in your videos of this type. There are so many stories from the wars that seem to never end.
Incredible men , such heroic action by them preserved our freedom.
We are truly blessed to have what we have today .
Thank you grandad 🇬🇧
So glad to see you watch this documentary it’s 1 of my most favourite stories of ww2 the commandos done amazing things and even though jack Churchill wasn’t in this raid he summed up what it took to be a commando
You nailed ot when you said it secured the atlantic. Thats exactly it. D day would never been possible if not for this.
I've watched this documentary probably 15 times and it never fails to make me feel both immensely proud and pathetically weak.
I'm sure you've seen it recommended before, but 'The 13 Hours That Saved Britain' is another great hour-long documentary about the Battle of Britain. It's not Clarkson narrating but it's similar to this, interviews with people who were there, both pilots and eye-witnesses. It's another documentary that fills you with pride at these great young men who stood up to the test when it mattered and *literally* saved our country in a single day.
The US has never really been threatened in a way that England was in WW2 with the Blitz, so it may not hit as hard for you emotionally, but the German bombers were legit taking off less than 100 miles away from our capital city during a World War. For context, France was closer to London than Philadelphia is to Washington DC. Imagine Russia trying to destroy Washington and having air bases in Richmond, Wilmington and Atlantic City and them organising one big bombing attack on the capital in one day. That's how big a threat it was to ordinary people in London at the time.
What brave men. Thank you for showing this they deserve to be remembered. Their training style for elite solider and general soldiers train in alike. There were no assort courses form training until them
This is the war movie we need! No extra drama needed.
No idea on the time line whether the Enigma code had been broken by then (yes I know a Pole had done something) but a little story. My sister had just been to see the Imitation Game movie about Alan Turning and the Enigma cracking, she told our Father saying its a wonderful move, now bering in mind this was in the last decade, my Father replied with " I worked with Alan Turing for a while". My Father rarely talked about work (evidently he was not allowed, so much so he would not allow my sister to learn Russian at school), but to hold this secret for all those years was amazing. Oh before that we did find out that when he moved to Manchester in the 50's he was in digs with Duncan Edwards (died in the Munich air disaster) was tiped to be the greatest footballer ever. He kept coming out with these stories and names from time to time when something prompted him, I wonder what we never found out and he took to his grave with him. As for VC's 11 were awarded at Rorke's Drift in the Boer War, now thats another battle you must review, and the movie Zulu is amazing.
WRONG! Enigma was not broken until 1954 by a pole-even though the FIRST Enigma machine was captured by the British acting upon intelligence fgrom The Poles (Despite LYING Americans films to the contaray- looking at YOU Yanks and your U571 film!) What was cracked was THE LORENZ CYPHER by Alan Turin and TOMMY Flowers with the Collossus machine. YES YANKS we BRITISH invented the first electronic programmable computer
Amazing what some people manage to keep secret their whole lives! By the way, Rorke's Drift was during the Anglo-Zulu Wars, not the Boer War (which came later).
@@phillipridgway8317 yes of course, thanks for the correction.
Breaking the Naval codes was done in Bletchley Park and the more sophisticated Lorenz codes.
@@dorothyramser7805 I live near Bletchley Park and volunteered for a few months at the museum of computing they have on the grounds, got to talk to the guy who headed the team that recreated one of the Collossus computers, really interesting chap.
Absolutely fantastic work they did in cooperation with the Poles to make the process easier and faster so that messages could be decrypted and passed along to the top brass with enough warning to make it useful intel.
Apparently there's some lost bars of silver buried somewhere around here that Alan Turing buried and couldn't crack his code telling him where it was, probably underneath some new housing development by now.
Guys your comment about special Units not needing the strict discipline and how new this was to the Army was very intelligently put. The USA given the hard task of Omaha and the prospect of scaling cliffs sent the Rangers to the Commando Training in Scotland. On completion mutual respect ensued. Years later an officer from the USA visited to do the SAS course he passed and took the Principles back to form Delta Force. Today all these Units train and work together at times to our Mutual benefit. I enjoy your videos you make some good observations. Cheers😊
If you want to know more about Colditz, the best thing to see is a 2000 3 part doc called Escape from Colditz which is on RUclips. In short Colditz was the prison that only the most high ranking & important allied prisoners were sent. It was so well known that after the war, a board game was made & named after it.
“Top Gear: Ayrton Senna Tribute HD” Jeremy narrates a 17 minute video about senna. It’s pretty moving. The Senna movie is more amazing - it moved me and a lot of people to tears.
Probably one of the best "mini special" segments that Top Gear ever produced. Hard to keep a dry eye as an F1 fan. I still remember watching the race that weekend
If you're unsure what Senna meant to people, Google "Ayrton Senna funeral". It's not about the numbers as such but when was the last time you saw an athlete touch the lives of so many people across so many generations.
@@Leon-zc4ef Yes. This.
Thank you for taking the time & sharing with the rest of the world a tiny, but historic piece of history.
24:39 Don't worry mate, Britain basically bankrupted itself paying for all the materials & equipment that were purchased. You got your money back and then some.
Lord Louis Mounbatten, the Commander of Combined Operations, is an interesting character. Related to Royalty; (he was Prince Philip's uncle), he was Captain (D) of the 5th Destroyer Flotilla at the start of the War and personally commanded HMS Kelly. During the next two years his ship was mined, bombed, rammed and torpedoed before finally being sunk during the Batlle of Crete on 23rd May 1941.
After serving as Head of Combined Operations he became Supreme Allied Commander South East Asia during the final years of the War.
After the War he was the last Viceroy of India before it was granted its Independence. He then returned to the Royal Navy becoming the First Sea Lord; (a position his father had held at the start of the First World War) before becoming Chief of the Defence Staff following reorganisation into a single Ministry.
He was murdered by the Provisional IRA on 27th August 1979.
The SAS were born out of The Commandos. The worldwide concept of Special Forces was born out of the SAS.
And the Commandos revolutionised how militaries train hell even the US Army Rangers were born from this because the US saw how effective Commandos were.
Now, that is soldiering.
It's not that cut and dry unfortunately. There actually used to be more commando units before the british government tidied up the system after the war The SAS, SBS, SOE, RAFC and Aux units( along with about 20 other regiments) were all designated "commando" forces with different functions. SAS, SBS were the ones that were retained.
The sas were born out of layforce, 3 commando units sitting on their arses in the middle east getting stood down all the time or doing nothing and were bored. Also the sas were also disbanded after ww2 and reformed in the 50s under mad Mike calvert and Tony Dean Drummond to fight a secret war in the jungle in Malaya.
@@lewisb85 the SAS were formed from members originally of Layforce a composite brigade sized formation made up of the Commando units
following WW2 only the SBS and the Royal Marine Commandos were maintained
the SAS formed once more from the Artist rifles in Malaya as a TA unit
almost instantly after the war it was realised that Amphibious support arms would still be needed leading to the reformation of 29 Commando RA 58 Commando RE and the Commando Logistic Regiment
Hey guys. I'm only part way through so far, but already humbled by your reactions, Tbh, I often am - always a lot deeper, and more considered, than folk might at first (totally wrongly) assume. And so often giving the lie to what so many people (wrongly) think about our friends and allies across the pond. I never realised before, though, that that one of you two great guys was an Army Vet. Wow, straight away, right to the top rank of my most-respected favourites. Anyone who puts on a uniform for their country has my total respect, and bows to no-one who has not. Ever.
I know what is coming. And yes, this probably WAS the greatest raid, certainly of the war. I rather think I know what your reaction will be. I sure know what mine has always been. Love, peace and HUGE respect, guys, from a proud Brit who is proud to have discovered and subscribed to your channel. Even more so, now.
And yes, it was exactly as I expected from you two. Thank you. But these guys need no memorial, despite what they so thoroughly deserve. Our freedom today is their memorial. Well done, both of you. You have just done your great country proud.
I enjoyed watching the reactions to this and the VC video. I am ex Australian Army (126 SF, Signals Commando corps) and Navy Radio Operator. 18 years before a medical discharge and then so bored with life.
Once again I enjoyed the videos
You mentioned canoes - look up Operation Frankton where 10 commandoes canoed up the Gironde river to blow up German ships. They were known as the Cockleshell Heroes.
And the film of the same name is a gem.
Regarding the Chart in the Cabinet War Rooms, each of the pinholes represent a Convoy Movement. Whilst, as you said a Convoy has a multitude of ships the pins would denote their positions at different times on their voyage. So one convoy would be represented by multiple pin holes; the more pinholes the longer the journey.
There were still a LOT of convoys, though with thousands upon thousands of ships.
Thankfully, and respectfully so, the monument has at last, now been much improved. It is a little more fitting for heroes. RIP to all the brave souls who took part.
My dad was torpedoed on the Atlantic Crossing and survived. Hence me,existing, thanks to these guys and Alan Turing.
My dad was in the North Atlantic convoys Google L.E.LEVETT brave men
The film you're thinking of is known in the UK as "Attack on the Iron Coast." It is a heavily fictionalised telling of this story.
I think the film Spencer is quoting, is the fictional "Guns of Navarone". A much more widely known film than "Attack on the Iron Coast".
The best film version of this raid is the 1950's The Gift Horse - Trevor Howard, James Donald & Richard Attenborough
"That is a Black Adder plan" Yes! Wonderful, lol.
another great video, I know you are not adding films to your list but you may want to watch the Imitation Game about Alan Turing and the breaking of the Enigma code and possibly a documentary about the dam busters
Thank you so much for your genuine appreciation of these brave men. It's heartfelt.
Hi Guys, great to see you react to this documentary as well. For a naval perspective you could watch the 1960 British film (Sink The Bismark !) & see how much effort was put into that operation in 1941. The Tirpitz from this story was the sister ship of the Bismark. Bear in mind, this not only helped make more secure the supplies from the U.S. but also, the troop transports.
Which was paramount for things such as Operation Torch 8 months later & the build up for the later D-Day operations from our South coast. For another great documentary checkout (13 Hours That Saved Britain), this is about the most decisive day in 1940. Which led to the German Operation Sealion (the amphibious invasion of Britain), being indefinitely postponed.
The calm and matter of fact manner in which these great veterans are explaining this war decisive situation is just so very AWESOME! Thank you all you great gentlemen🙏👏👏
If you’re interested in the VC winners look at Rorke’s Drift.
I believe there were 11 awarded out of 152 soldiers there. They faced around 3,000 Zulus and managed to win. That’s the same number of winners as Arnhem and St Nazaire combined.
Really glad you reacted to this. One of my favorite documentaries and I was just add gobsmacked as you at the guts and audacity of the commandos xxx
Important to not ignore the George cross. They both have equal status but the VC is won in the presence of the enemy and the GC not in the presence of the enemy. Typically medical staff often win a GC but most famously was the one presented to Malta which is displayed on the Maltese flag
These two boys have great respect for what they did for all us, its nice to see
I confess when the intro to this said that not many knew of this raid I was somewhat surprised because I am sure I was not alone to have been a boy who built a model of the H.M.S. Campbeltown - after all the action was famous enough that Airfix made a kit for her!
I wish you could come over to the UK. All these hand written notes are available to read anything. We have it locked away but ask to see it and it will be fetched for you.
FYI, this documentary is a few years old; the monument has been upgraded in recent years.
"It was on loan!"
Correct. "Lost in war operation's".
Don't forget the specifics of those operations... Those operations were disabling the vessel (Tirpitz) which was assigned to targeting American Merchant ships in the Atlantic and it's loss was compensated in Gold bullion.
i'd highly reccomend watch a documentary about operation mincemeat 'the man who never was' .a good doc rather than a short few mins.will go into all the details, deception and results from it. the planning and details are fascinating
I want to give props to the model work in this documentary. The Campbeltown hitting the lock gates and blowing up. That was not CGI, that was done with models.
Keep them coming guys, these are gold and it’s clear watching you both that you love them too. We have a military Historian called Dan Snow, he’s made some absolutely brilliant military documentary’s well worth your time 🍻🫶🏼👍🏼
I think this might be your best watch a long lads. I mean the comedy ones are great but this one is fantastic. Love your interactions aswell, like the black adder plan. Defo 1 of your best.
Commando training was by W E Faibairn. A Royal Marine who, after service learned his trade from the Japanese while serving in the colonial police in Shanghai.
If you mention Willian Fairbairn you really need to include the other part of the “Heavenly Twins”, E A Sykes.
Aside from being among the first to formally introduce eastern martial arts to the British army the pair developed the Fairbairn Sykes commando knife which still remains with the Royal Marines.
They were also very open to alternative techniques. For example “Just fold it diagonally until it tightens into a point, then drive it right under the chin. Simple, really” - Eric Sykes explaining how to kill a man with a folded newspaper.
Fairbairn was one half of Fairbairn Sykes.... As in the Fairbairn Sykes Fighting Knife. World known as the perfect killing implement
Glad to see that the memorial for this has been updated/moved in Falmouth, it’s no longer just a rock in a car park, it’s a much better memorial now saw it when was in Falmouth last summer
In respect of the monument there was some discussion but commandos being commandos didn't want it, I saw micky burn speak after the documentary (he died in 2010), He said he was glad more people knew about what he did thanks to Jeremy's documentary, there was also a documentary about Micky's life called "Turned Towards the Sun," (same title as his book) which is also a great watch.
I always thoroughly enjoy your reaction shows, guys, and I really appreciate the respect you always give to the blokes who deserve it...more power to you, well done, and thanks! You can always see the respect Jeremy Clarkson has for the men he is telling us about, and his documentaries are always excellent................ cheers!
Thanks guys.
As mentioned, the 13 hours that saved Britain is good.
There's also the dambuster raids,
Trafalgar, operation Nimrod (or any SAS missions for that matter) operation Black Buck, and many more. That's probably why our war monuments aren't that great, there's so many victories against the odds (and huge mess ups) we'd probably sink under the weight of them if they were grandiose.
These stories certainly make you think twice about using the word hero. Great reaction as always guys. Double thumbs up 👍🏻👍🏻😁
Mad Jack Churchill would be another epic story to blow your minds. The man went into battle in WW2 with a sword and longbow 🤯
Great respect guys I have seen this many times and watched along with you both gives that extra perspective of their bravery.
…Since that documentary was made they installed a bigger monument to recognise the huge sacrifices & achievements
That "Little rock in cornwall", Trust me it is respected, I live not long from there and used to fish down the way, Everytime you pass it by hand touch to the top. Decent lads.
Jeremy Clarkson is the greatest story teller ever, his motorsport stories from top gear are just the tip of an iceberg
Edit: if you ever get a chance to watch clarksons top gear mini documentary on Ayrton Senna you wouldn’t be disappointed
He is, perhaps, the greatest storyteller... in the world.
*Gazes off into the distance*
@@liamailiam You need a longer pause!