Who would have thought the history of a rather obscure field division, of the hundreds raised and redesignated, could be so fascinating? Many of us are familiar with the more popular formations, like the Grossdeutschland or 10th Panzer (Rommel), but there's something about the ordinariness of units like this that belies just how important they were to the backbone of the German army.
@@HandGrenadeDivision Could you make a video about the 89th infantry division... although they were bisher by the 12th ss for their " Bad performance " they actually were quite important during operation Totalize and Tractable and fought well in the Hürtgen - forest! Would be very interesting :)
@@SuomenJaakaripataljoona yes, it was my lazy mistake. I know that he had direct command of the 10th and 21st Panzer at Kasserine, as part of his assault group. I'm glad someone is checking this!
Nope. The M-1915 stick grenade was a powerful symbol in Germany after War One, as it was associated with the young, fit, independent, and amazingly brave 'Stosstruppen' or 'Sturmtruppen' of the Western Front. These were often the most angry and bitter men after Germany's surrender, but they were also Germany's fiercest defenders in the politically chaotic time immediately after the Armistice. Many such groups formed 'Freikorps' who defended Germany from Communist insurrections and Polish invasions in scattered unofficial but vicious campaigns from 1918-1923 or thereabouts. The image of the stormtrooper was of a soldier carrying sandbags full of grenades about his neck and his rifle slung over his back, so the grenade became one of the symbols of hard-charging, aggressive soldier. The main symbol was the skull and crossbones of medieval Germany and the Prussian hussars of the Napoleonic Wars, but the stick grenade was seen as a more modern, more 'twentieth century', tool of the modern assault infantryman.
@Dominik Böhm No Dominik, I referring to the Silesian freikorp campaign of '20 and '21. Polish communists actually did try to invest territory that the Treaty of Versailles left to Germany and had chosen to remain German in elections.
@@carlhicksjr8401 That would be the Polish and Silesian christian democrats, with christian democracy being the most popular party in Silesia at the time, being led by Wojciech Korfanty - the leader of Polish christian democrats. Then again - the uprising was more national than political. A Pole is always ready - willing, even - to get into a patriotic fight. Communism was not very popular in Poland - most likely due to strong aristocratic culture and very strong national identity - with PPS (patriotic socialism), ND (nationalism), PSL (agrarianism or pro-farmer) and PSChD (christian democracy) being the most popular movements. Polish "communism" really only extended to a democracy (till '26), a bunch of worker's rights and jurisdictional egalitarianism. Communism got even less popular in Poland after the war with the Bolsheviks (fun fact - PPS members were sometimes even barred from governmental positions or straight out harassed due to being lefties) and after the '26 coup, after which the members of the CPP (Communist Party of Poland) were arrested and sent to political prisons.
Those born under the sign of the hand grenade have Increased throwing and explosives skills A fondness for northern Italy And a predisposition towards coastal duties
You are one of The best second word war youtubers that i saw in my six years in RUclips The others are gmit U and Histori secrets but gmit u is spanish
Indomitable energy Provided constant personal supervision Considered himself a military role model Didn't concern himself with being popular Sounds like good old fashion leadership to me.
The first divisional symbol, the Kugelbaum, was obviously a reference to the artillery background of its first commander during the First World War. In the Kaiser's army, the artillery did not have a pointed spike helmet like the infantry, but rather a ball on a spike (cannonball - get it?). The Kugelbaum tree looked like that.
I'm familiar with the artillery pickelhaube but was under the impression it had more to do with the fact their guns were horse-drawn, and wearing a spike on top of your head would lead to unnecessary discomfort to the animals when tending them. I've learned never to say never when it comes to military history, but on the face of it I'm not convinced. I think it would be more likely that the Kugelbaum was selected for its association with the division's recruiting area.
If you often watch the horrors of the second world war you really don't need to relive history as a school lesson .For those scholars and survivors who are familiar with the circumstances , this was a very well put together film. Alle menchen wurden bruder ..
I got asked in a PM to repeat this reply I made to a comment. Apologies if you've read this before... Regarding the tactical symbol of the 65th Infantry Division: The M-1915 stick grenade was a powerful symbol in Germany after War One, as it was associated with the young, fit, independent, and amazingly brave 'Stosstruppen' or 'Sturmtruppen' of the Western Front. These were often the most angry and bitter men after Germany's surrender, but they were also Germany's fiercest defenders in the politically chaotic time immediately after the Armistice. Many such groups formed 'Freikorps' who defended Germany from Communist insurrections and Polish invasions in scattered unofficial but vicious campaigns from 1918-1923 or thereabouts. The image of the stormtrooper was of a soldier carrying sandbags full of grenades about his neck and his rifle slung over his back, so the grenade became one of the symbols of hard-charging, aggressive soldier. The main symbol was the skull and crossbones of medieval Germany and the Prussian hussars of the Napoleonic Wars, but the stick grenade was seen as a more modern, more 'twentieth century', tool of the modern assault infantryman.
Congratulations on another excellent and informative video! I am very fortunate to have some effects from an Instandsetzung officer of Panzerjäger Abteilung 165 in my collection. My I ask why you have a particular interest in this unit?
kaczynski S there is also a Springfield (probably a marksman’s rifle, 2 Thompson’s, an m1 carbine, and interestingly, a Ross rifle (rare Canadian rifle)
hasselbraam Springfield is on the left guy. He is holding it with 3 other garlands and it is sideways. M1 carbine is on the right guy and the Ross rifle is on his back. I originally thought the sling rifle to be a Kar98 but the muzzle brake and bottom stock plate prove it to be a Ross
Lovely video. What else do you've got coming up? I'd like to see coverage of the German Feldpolizei or Militarpolizei or Feldgendarmerie or whatever they called it.
Crude Translation for 7:54: Do you like your new division symbol? You surely recognize the cow on the picture: the animal has long become a well known companion and important assistant. What would the 715. Division do without it? Yes, some time ago - to the 6. January - you still were a proud motorized unit! Then your beautiful vehicles were changed out with horses, ox and cows. Later it was said you will become motorized again, but it seems that was just toilet gossip. No, the MOT changed to HOT and MUH. When you do your Avanti, then things wont be as fast like in the good old motorized days. Hopefully your cattle doesnt fear water - or they wont get through the Po, a pretty deep and wide stream apparently. But your leadership seems to have other worries than to promote the "Avanti" Division. The big men dont care if you go to hell with trucks or ox carriages. Well, hopefully you find another way out, one that is better for every participant. Your comrades in captivity greet you. They are doing well!
Map of the 65th Division in Italy was adapted from the one included in Velten's divisional history published in 1974. The maps of the Sangro fighting and strategy for the autumn of 1944 are based on various sources, I believe mainly the Canadian official history of the Italian Campaign. The Canadian official history is available online through the Directorate of History and Heritage of Canada's Department of National Defence.
I'm currently looking into the 85th infantry regiment, but I can't seem to find barely any documented pictures and no regiment sign either. They're recorded pretty well on paper though. We're getting into reenacting the 185th pionier division, but through sources on the internet it seems near impossible. I'll keep trying and looking for that lucky reference. Do you have any tips for obscure german units?
The Lexicon der Wehrmacht site, in German, is especially good. I'm not familiar with a "pioneer division" but there is an Infanterie Regiment 85 listed - www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gliederungen/Infanterieregimenter/IR85-R.htm
This reminded me of the Durham light infantry in France and Italy. A man got a victoria cross for holding off a grenadier battalion from crossing a bridge. He did this by sitting in a shallow foxhole and about three crates of grenades, he would occasionally grab a bundle and sprint over to the unsuspecting germans and lob them at them. He continued till he was out of grenades.
If you have any photos of the 65th Infantry Division in Italy in the period September 1943 to May 1945, I will happily make use of them in future. Otherwise, some photos from Normandy, Stalingrad etc. have been used as representative of the subject.
It's a great question, the full image shows a German NCO appearing to threaten a man standing in a formation, but I've never learned the context of the photo - if it was a joke, if it looks like something it's not, if it's genuine and if so, what was the issue.
I'd love an in depth video about the "charlemange" division... If im not mistaken, they were comprised of french soldiers for the most part and i heard that in berlin they more or less fought to the last man, holding off the soviet forces as long as possible to secure wehrmacht and other ss forces and especially civillians chance to escape to the west... This would be an very heroic deed in my book but since they are part of the waffen-SS i guess that atleast some of them got innocent blood on their hands.... I'd be very interested in their story from their founding till their end, with all profen warcrimes, all alleged warcrimes and all their military achievments and failures... Notable figures? For better or worse?
By the time of the Battle of Berlin, the LVF /Charlemagne troops had already heard what DeGaulle's Free French thought of them. They were considered traitors to France and many of their families bore the brunt of their choice to fight for 'le Boche'. With their cause defeated and nothing to go home to but a noose, they might as well die fighting. There are more than a few who found refuge in the Foreign Legion, and died fighting in Indochina and Algeria, but by and large they were dead men no matter what happened to them. And by the way, Fallgiebel and Littlejohn concur that 'Charlemagne' never reached full divisional size. At most there were about 8000 on the roster at any one time. [wiki link to the unit below] en.wikipedia.org/wiki/33rd_Waffen_Grenadier_Division_of_the_SS_Charlemagne_%281st_French%29#Citations
What about the holy hand grenade division? They was tasked with searching for the holy grail on the western front from a vision from god but their conquest ended when they failed to assault a French castle which garrisoned a few rude Frenchmen and then the British swooped in and defeated and arrested the entire division. Most of the commanders of the division are still alive today.
Same situation as in my video - leadership sets the tone for the performance of the division. How different would history have been had Sir Robin made a gallant stand instead of bravely running away from the giant?
Italian for "advance" being a German joke about retreat is hilarious
Thank you algorithm. Something good quality that is actually interesting. Can’t wait to see more
Who would have thought the history of a rather obscure field division, of the hundreds raised and redesignated, could be so fascinating? Many of us are familiar with the more popular formations, like the Grossdeutschland or 10th Panzer (Rommel), but there's something about the ordinariness of units like this that belies just how important they were to the backbone of the German army.
I couldn't agree more, James, thank you for your thoughtful and well- informed comment.
@@HandGrenadeDivision Could you make a video about the 89th infantry division... although they were bisher by the 12th ss for their " Bad performance " they actually were quite important during operation Totalize and Tractable and fought well in the Hürtgen - forest! Would be very interesting :)
James P By Rommel’s Panzer Division you mean 7th?
@@SuomenJaakaripataljoona yes, it was my lazy mistake. I know that he had direct command of the 10th and 21st Panzer at Kasserine, as part of his assault group.
I'm glad someone is checking this!
Well put
And I thought the explanation would be ‘yeah so they threw grenades’
Nope. The M-1915 stick grenade was a powerful symbol in Germany after War One, as it was associated with the young, fit, independent, and amazingly brave 'Stosstruppen' or 'Sturmtruppen' of the Western Front. These were often the most angry and bitter men after Germany's surrender, but they were also Germany's fiercest defenders in the politically chaotic time immediately after the Armistice. Many such groups formed 'Freikorps' who defended Germany from Communist insurrections and Polish invasions in scattered unofficial but vicious campaigns from 1918-1923 or thereabouts.
The image of the stormtrooper was of a soldier carrying sandbags full of grenades about his neck and his rifle slung over his back, so the grenade became one of the symbols of hard-charging, aggressive soldier. The main symbol was the skull and crossbones of medieval Germany and the Prussian hussars of the Napoleonic Wars, but the stick grenade was seen as a more modern, more 'twentieth century', tool of the modern assault infantryman.
Thomas 88 yeah I thought they got it because they threw *a lot* of grenades 😂
@Dominik Böhm No Dominik, I referring to the Silesian freikorp campaign of '20 and '21. Polish communists actually did try to invest territory that the Treaty of Versailles left to Germany and had chosen to remain German in elections.
@@carlhicksjr8401 That would be the Polish and Silesian christian democrats, with christian democracy being the most popular party in Silesia at the time, being led by Wojciech Korfanty - the leader of Polish christian democrats. Then again - the uprising was more national than political. A Pole is always ready - willing, even - to get into a patriotic fight.
Communism was not very popular in Poland - most likely due to strong aristocratic culture and very strong national identity - with PPS (patriotic socialism), ND (nationalism), PSL (agrarianism or pro-farmer) and PSChD (christian democracy) being the most popular movements. Polish "communism" really only extended to a democracy (till '26), a bunch of worker's rights and jurisdictional egalitarianism. Communism got even less popular in Poland after the war with the Bolsheviks (fun fact - PPS members were sometimes even barred from governmental positions or straight out harassed due to being lefties) and after the '26 coup, after which the members of the CPP (Communist Party of Poland) were arrested and sent to political prisons.
Those born under the sign of the hand grenade have
Increased throwing and explosives skills
A fondness for northern Italy
And a predisposition towards coastal duties
Brilliant!
Someone who actually takes the time to give tribute to the unique german divisions and their stories, thank you
Fortunately, there is only one hand grenade on the insignia. If you have two, you are in trouble.
36 Waffen Grenadier Division SS
@@juliusschwencke142 aka Dirlewanger Division
I know
That is post war fantasy. Their insignia was crossed rifles over the grenade.
Well, better then crossed hand grenades.
That was a different kind of unit...
OK, now I know the correct pronunciation of "Bagration"....
Oh man that "Avanti" joke is so good
Fantastisch! This video really gave life to the subject matter that my previous readings about the 65th had not. Thanks, sir!
Bummer.
Not one video of someone throwing a grenade. 😪
I've assembled the editorial team and given a thorough tongue-lashing to all responsible for this obvious and egregious oversight.
@Hugo Holesch because in real history no one threw grenades.
Jk i get ur point
Great video history of the Hand Grenade Division! I especially like the martial music in the latter half. Keep up the good work!
What a valuable insight to recent history. Thank you for relating it. The observations just below are equally fascinating.
You are one of The best second word war youtubers that i saw in my six years in RUclips The others are gmit U and Histori secrets but gmit u is spanish
Indomitable energy
Provided constant personal supervision
Considered himself a military role model
Didn't concern himself with being popular
Sounds like good old fashion leadership to me.
History is always good no matter how bad it was, safety checks, and the course of life for those who study it.
Thnx for the video. Rip to all heros on all sides.
I think this is my new favorite youtube channel
I greatly enjoyed the video and hope you will do more similar to this one.
Excellent video! The avanti nickname stings a bit but I expect no less during this period.
Hehe....
Knowledge no clickbait🤓👐
The first divisional symbol, the Kugelbaum, was obviously a reference to the artillery background of its first commander during the First World War. In the Kaiser's army, the artillery did not have a pointed spike helmet like the infantry, but rather a ball on a spike (cannonball - get it?). The Kugelbaum tree looked like that.
I'm familiar with the artillery pickelhaube but was under the impression it had more to do with the fact their guns were horse-drawn, and wearing a spike on top of your head would lead to unnecessary discomfort to the animals when tending them. I've learned never to say never when it comes to military history, but on the face of it I'm not convinced. I think it would be more likely that the Kugelbaum was selected for its association with the division's recruiting area.
Very good video, looking forward to your future work.
Great job man, what little videos you have I have enjoyed and found educational and entertaining. I hope to see more!
Well well well done, thanks again, Sir.
If you upload more, I’ll definitely watch it. Great content.
Great analysis and research. Keep up the great work.
A history on the 8th SS "Florian Geyer" kavallerie division would be awesome. Great channel!
Very good quality history videos. Keep them up
Wow this is quality stuff. Keep up the good work.
Keep making great content!
Passo della Futa, the Cemetery is amazing.
This is awesome thanks!
If you often watch the horrors of the second world war you really don't need to relive history as a school lesson .For those scholars and survivors who are familiar with the circumstances , this was a very well put together film.
Alle menchen wurden bruder ..
Outstanding Thanks.
Really informative, can you make more of these videos about other divisions?
I got asked in a PM to repeat this reply I made to a comment. Apologies if you've read this before...
Regarding the tactical symbol of the 65th Infantry Division:
The M-1915 stick grenade was a powerful symbol in Germany after War One, as it was associated with the young, fit, independent, and amazingly brave 'Stosstruppen' or 'Sturmtruppen' of the Western Front. These were often the most angry and bitter men after Germany's surrender, but they were also Germany's fiercest defenders in the politically chaotic time immediately after the Armistice. Many such groups formed 'Freikorps' who defended Germany from Communist insurrections and Polish invasions in scattered unofficial but vicious campaigns from 1918-1923 or thereabouts.
The image of the stormtrooper was of a soldier carrying sandbags full of grenades about his neck and his rifle slung over his back, so the grenade became one of the symbols of hard-charging, aggressive soldier. The main symbol was the skull and crossbones of medieval Germany and the Prussian hussars of the Napoleonic Wars, but the stick grenade was seen as a more modern, more 'twentieth century', tool of the modern assault infantryman.
You answer all of the questions that I want to know about the wehrmacht divisions youve earned a sub.
Congratulations on another excellent and informative video! I am very fortunate to have some effects from an Instandsetzung officer of Panzerjäger Abteilung 165 in my collection. My I ask why you have a particular interest in this unit?
If you like, drop me a line at webmaster@handgrenadedivision.com and I'm happy to answer that question.
subbed plz keep the great working
Thanks enjoy your vids
1:11 - They are collecting Garands, perhaps captured after a skirmish.
kaczynski S there is also a Springfield (probably a marksman’s rifle, 2 Thompson’s, an m1 carbine, and interestingly, a Ross rifle (rare Canadian rifle)
@@prestonwhite4129 were do you see the springfield , m1 carbine and Ross rifle?
hasselbraam Springfield is on the left guy. He is holding it with 3 other garlands and it is sideways. M1 carbine is on the right guy and the Ross rifle is on his back. I originally thought the sling rifle to be a Kar98 but the muzzle brake and bottom stock plate prove it to be a Ross
Lovely video. What else do you've got coming up? I'd like to see coverage of the German Feldpolizei or Militarpolizei or Feldgendarmerie or whatever they called it.
me too. I served for a year in the m police and I have grown an appreciation for the m police of other countries and eras
@@PapagiannisWoW Especially in Germany. I still don't fully understand the German Police System, and I don't think I ever will.
Especially Luftwaffe field police!
I love your videos man, you have my sub
Love this channel, keep it up :D
1:19
"That's a nice Tree you have there. It would be a shame if someone were to... Z"
You should do other videos about different divisions in the Wermacht
We will watch your career with great interest, as my old pal palpi would say
I will endeavour to have my career have a happier ending than *that* but I appreciate the sentiments.
Fascinating stuff, please do more videos!
Please do a video on uniforms
Bet you’d be the top soldier in tbis division
Very interesting
Crude Translation for 7:54:
Do you like your new division symbol?
You surely recognize the cow on the picture: the animal has long become a well known companion and important assistant. What would the 715. Division do without it?
Yes, some time ago - to the 6. January - you still were a proud motorized unit! Then your beautiful vehicles were changed out with horses, ox and cows. Later it was said you will become motorized again, but it seems that was just toilet gossip. No, the MOT changed to HOT and MUH.
When you do your Avanti, then things wont be as fast like in the good old motorized days. Hopefully your cattle doesnt fear water - or they wont get through the Po, a pretty deep and wide stream apparently.
But your leadership seems to have other worries than to promote the "Avanti" Division. The big men dont care if you go to hell with trucks or ox carriages.
Well, hopefully you find another way out, one that is better for every participant.
Your comrades in captivity greet you.
They are doing well!
Well done
I thought you are referring to the Dirlewanger division lol
Davega ikr oskar dirlewanger had a handgrenade insigne ( symbol )
Dirlewanger bridage had two grenades crossed
michael debolt yeah i know i was just making half a comparison😂😅
Horrible murderers
Sabah Taha true he was a psycho without feelings, what he did is beyond human
Nice. Thanks.
Wehrmacht unit insignias have always been interesting to me
This guy is smart
Very good job! Keep it up!
Good video. From wich source did you get your Map-Material?
Map of the 65th Division in Italy was adapted from the one included in Velten's divisional history published in 1974. The maps of the Sangro fighting and strategy for the autumn of 1944 are based on various sources, I believe mainly the Canadian official history of the Italian Campaign. The Canadian official history is available online through the Directorate of History and Heritage of Canada's Department of National Defence.
Such a competent answer @@HandGrenadeDivision. Amazing
Solid video
I'm currently looking into the 85th infantry regiment, but I can't seem to find barely any documented pictures and no regiment sign either. They're recorded pretty well on paper though. We're getting into reenacting the 185th pionier division, but through sources on the internet it seems near impossible. I'll keep trying and looking for that lucky reference. Do you have any tips for obscure german units?
The Lexicon der Wehrmacht site, in German, is especially good. I'm not familiar with a "pioneer division" but there is an Infanterie Regiment 85 listed - www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gliederungen/Infanterieregimenter/IR85-R.htm
Fascinating .
Excellent.
Nice music
This reminded me of the Durham light infantry in France and Italy. A man got a victoria cross for holding off a grenadier battalion from crossing a bridge. He did this by sitting in a shallow foxhole and about three crates of grenades, he would occasionally grab a bundle and sprint over to the unsuspecting germans and lob them at them. He continued till he was out of grenades.
You should make a star wars channel explaining the difference between Imperial Army, Navy, Stormtrooper Corps
-_-
Very interesting.
Hand Grenade Division is the best! Well, there's the 7th Panzer, and the Großdeutschland division but they're betas compared to this chad.
Good Stuff
Hand grenate nice vid
Your Second vid. Great work
Some pics from Normandy June 1944 you mixed!
If you have any photos of the 65th Infantry Division in Italy in the period September 1943 to May 1945, I will happily make use of them in future. Otherwise, some photos from Normandy, Stalingrad etc. have been used as representative of the subject.
Nice video
5:49 what happend there?
It's a great question, the full image shows a German NCO appearing to threaten a man standing in a formation, but I've never learned the context of the photo - if it was a joke, if it looks like something it's not, if it's genuine and if so, what was the issue.
The algorithm has finally submitted to my demands for quality content. Saddam is pleased.
I'd love an in depth video about the "charlemange" division...
If im not mistaken, they were comprised of french soldiers for the most part and i heard that in berlin they more or less fought to the last man, holding off the soviet forces as long as possible to secure wehrmacht and other ss forces and especially civillians chance to escape to the west...
This would be an very heroic deed in my book but since they are part of the waffen-SS i guess that atleast some of them got innocent blood on their hands....
I'd be very interested in their story from their founding till their end, with all profen warcrimes, all alleged warcrimes and all their military achievments and failures...
Notable figures? For better or worse?
By the time of the Battle of Berlin, the LVF /Charlemagne troops had already heard what DeGaulle's Free French thought of them. They were considered traitors to France and many of their families bore the brunt of their choice to fight for 'le Boche'. With their cause defeated and nothing to go home to but a noose, they might as well die fighting. There are more than a few who found refuge in the Foreign Legion, and died fighting in Indochina and Algeria, but by and large they were dead men no matter what happened to them.
And by the way, Fallgiebel and Littlejohn concur that 'Charlemagne' never reached full divisional size. At most there were about 8000 on the roster at any one time.
[wiki link to the unit below]
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/33rd_Waffen_Grenadier_Division_of_the_SS_Charlemagne_%281st_French%29#Citations
nice video, but the music is a bit loud
What about the holy hand grenade division?
They was tasked with searching for the holy grail on the western front from a vision from god but their conquest ended when they failed to assault a French castle which garrisoned a few rude Frenchmen and then the British swooped in and defeated and arrested the entire division.
Most of the commanders of the division are still alive today.
Same situation as in my video - leadership sets the tone for the performance of the division. How different would history have been had Sir Robin made a gallant stand instead of bravely running away from the giant?
cool
Epic 😎🤠
Were the field divisions really that bad
The only reason they existed was because Goering wanted to expand the air force and because the army was having manpower shortages.
0:48 (right guy) Didn't know Putin served in WW2... on german side :O
Julian Petermann kgb spy
👍✋...
And so the 65th was redeemed at last! Please make more videos like these
Great video history of the Hand Grenade Division! I especially like the martial music in the latter half. Keep up the good work!