Defending Britain with a Bayonet | Hobart's Pike

Defending Britain with a Bayonet | Hobart's Pike | The Tank Museum

Рет қаралды 39,610

4 жыл бұрын

Director Richard Smith looks at Percy Hobart and the incredible weapon he was issued on joining the Home Guard at the start of WW2; a bayonet welded to a pole. Major General Percy Hobart commanded the 79th Armoured Division and gave the revolutionary, specialised tanks used on D-Day their nickname "Hobart's Funnies". tankmuseumshop.org/
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Пікірлер: 387

@CAP198462 4 жыл бұрын

Reminds me of Blackadder Blackadder “Don’t forget your stick, lieutenant.” George “Right sir, wouldn’t want to face a machine gun without this”

@leeharveyosmond 4 жыл бұрын

True. But you'd be amazed how easy it is to intimidate people just by demonstrating you know what you're doing

@dominic6634 4 жыл бұрын

@@leeharveyosmond until you run into the guy that's not.

@Zakalwe-01 4 жыл бұрын

leeharveyosmond Like wet-spraying a pillbox with a Churchill Crocodile...😎

@daguard411 4 жыл бұрын

I truly love the Blackadder series.

@CSpiv662 4 жыл бұрын

classic black adder

@markedwards158 4 жыл бұрын

Genius, pure genius. Not Percy Hobart that’s a given but the Director of one of this country’s best museums first delivering a captivating presentation on hats and now one on a stick. But not just any stick a pointy stick belonging to Percy Hobart. As I say Genius. The tank museum must be congratulated for their efforts during the Covid 19 campaign. No other museum I can find has taken such a proactive stance in these dark times. The information and entertainment they are providing from Director, curator and Head of Collections, to name but a few, has been nothing short or remarkable. I for one can’t wait to get back down there when this is all over. Following the last video I ordered some books and very promptly they arrived so well done there especially as the RAF and Army museums have closed their shops. Outstanding.

@Davey-Boyd 4 жыл бұрын

Totally agree with every word you said

@pusspussmckitten 4 жыл бұрын

Well said 👏

@edward9674 4 жыл бұрын

If it ever ends that is...

@ottovonbismarck2443 4 жыл бұрын

Gold, pure gold.

@Peorhum 4 жыл бұрын

Actually Hobart's doctrine on armoured warfare were wrong and nearly lead to disaster in operation crusader when they were put in practice.

@BillKermanKSP 4 жыл бұрын

The director having time for this is probably the best thing about the situation the museum is in.

@cameronmcallister7606 4 жыл бұрын

That spear even has a sight on it for long range stabbing! Genius!

@paulthiessen6467 4 жыл бұрын

That’s the bayonet lug.

@cameronmcallister7606 4 жыл бұрын

@@paulthiessen6467 NOOO? REALLY/ WOW WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT? THAT'S CRAZY.

@Cloudman572 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for that, almost coughed to death on my tea when I read your comment.

@TheFreaker86 4 жыл бұрын

„Hitler is a bit difficult.“ that is a level of understatement only the Brits are able to achieve.

@norcatch 4 жыл бұрын

During the Korean war, a British unit being attacked by a much larger force signalled «it's getting a bit sticky», which the American allies didn't take too seriously. I believe this was the action when the British were reduced to throwing boxes of canned cheese at the Chinese units.

@norcatch 4 жыл бұрын

@rustybuttpate Quite so.

@cmotdibbler4454 4 жыл бұрын

"Things are a bit sticky, sir" when 600 men of the Gloucestershire regiment were surrounded by 30,000 Chinese troops in the Korean war, it being an American general that was asking did not understand British subtlety and sent no help but those 600 men lasted four days and killed in excess of 10,000 Chinese troops

@seanjoseph8637 4 жыл бұрын

You have to keep doing videos when this is over Richard, your enthusiasm is inspiring.

@arkadeepkundu4729 4 жыл бұрын

Oh god. I hope Mad Jack Churchill didnt get his hand on one of these. Then he'd have a sword, a spear AND a longbow when invading Normandy. He'd be perfectly equipped for Agincourt.

@MercenaryPen 3 жыл бұрын

you forgot the bagpipes

@anselmdanker9519 4 жыл бұрын

Percy Hobart served in Indian Sappers and Miners in WW1,awarded the MC at Neuve Chapelle,thank you for showing his pike😀

@workingguy6666 4 жыл бұрын

Just yesterday I was missing the Director ... and here he is in another absolutely wonderful video. Who knew we'd all love the Director so much?

@rogerbond7811 4 жыл бұрын

Richard please don't stop your presentations even when the museum reopens, you are better at the job than a good many on the telly. I remember my father saying at one time he only three rounds for his home guard rifle and it was best to have "one up the spout" in case the bayonet jammed in the enemy.

@P3x310 4 жыл бұрын

"A man who's built for euphemisms" has to be one of the greatest euphemisms in its own right and one of the best sentences I have heard spoken about a someone rather... controversial.

@FeedMeMister 4 жыл бұрын

A new life goal of mine is to be a man ''built for euphemisms''

@anthonyhayes1267 4 жыл бұрын

"We'll fight them with the broken ends of beer bottles, because that's bloody well all we've got"

@hansheden 4 жыл бұрын

He didn't just have a pointy stick. He also had his tea. As long as the britts have thier tea, they can't be defeated.

@timwilkinsongs 4 жыл бұрын

Richard Smith's video narratives are by far my favourite from the Tank Museum. Listening to a fellow Englishman who is unapologetic about - indeed rather proud of - being English is most refreshing.

@Cloudman572 4 жыл бұрын

Unfashionable unfortunately but you are so right.

@royalhero4608 3 жыл бұрын

The Tank Museum staff are such a great bunch

@gamiezion 4 жыл бұрын

pointy stick: the self defence weapon of choice since 200.000 BC

@FeedMeMister 4 жыл бұрын

A gun is just a shouty pointy stick.

@windwalker5765 4 жыл бұрын

Really, the only thing better than the spear was the longer spear (pike), right up until the flintlock.

@wongtsz1989 4 жыл бұрын

Richard's best presentation so far! More from this guy!

@the51project 4 жыл бұрын

"They don't like it up 'em!".

@SlideRulePirate 4 жыл бұрын

Got there before me.

@Marc83Aus 4 жыл бұрын

No sir, they don't like it up em.

@richieb7692 4 жыл бұрын

Don't Panic.!!!

@billd.iniowa2263 4 жыл бұрын

Yank from the Mid West of USA here, and I got that, lol! loved Dad's Army when it ran on Public Television.

@burlatsdemontaigne6147 4 жыл бұрын

Give 'em a bit of the cold steel!

@sammni 4 жыл бұрын

His enthusiasm is great Very interesting story!

@aleksanderdomanski222 4 жыл бұрын

Sir, Your videos are the best for me. I just do not understand why You started them just now (during quaranine) cos your stories are much more important than technical stuff. They explain us a ghost of the times. That in my opinion very important. Bloody Good Work!

@richieb7692 4 жыл бұрын

Richard, your videos are a complete joy to watch. Your enthusiasm is infectious and comes right out of the screen. Please, Please Please can you do more.

@CharlesvanDijk-ir6bl 4 жыл бұрын

I can hear the dressing down from the drill sergeant: "This is my pike and this is my spear, this is for his guts and this is for his rear!"

@avnrulz8587 4 жыл бұрын

"with a pointed stick!" Very Monty Python!

@kirkmooneyham 4 жыл бұрын

I absolutely love the Director's enthusiasm and pride.

@Gamecourie 4 жыл бұрын

I love seeing Richard Smith and his optimistic way of presenting these strange tid-bids of world war 2. Very insightfull thank you again Tank Museum. Hope you're all keeping well and staying healthy in these trying times.

@DirkDwipple 4 жыл бұрын

When I was studying the second world war. I read about Hobart's funnies. I was so impressed that I named myself Hobart of Hoboken online. A brave man doing unconventional things

@cmck472 4 жыл бұрын

I love the story about Churchill in 1941 (I think) asking Hobart to attend 10 Downing Street to discuss his future redeployment, and Hobart replying to ask should he wear his Generals uniform, his Home Guard Corporals uniform or civvies. Thats someone who is difficult!

@kenbrown2808 4 жыл бұрын

I hope Churchill's reply was "yes, please"

@Peorhum 4 жыл бұрын

Churchill was known for being a bad judge of character and favouring men like himself. Only natural he would like Hobart when the rest of the army didn't.

@Penfoldblue1 4 жыл бұрын

Ok this guy is amazing. Please let him do many more.

@markasimmons 4 жыл бұрын

"They don't like it up 'em".

@mondriaa 4 жыл бұрын

good to see these lesser known objects

@66kbm 4 жыл бұрын

Corporal Jones, Dads Army..."They dont like it up em". Wonderful story, wonderfully told. Thank you.

@mwnciboo 4 жыл бұрын

Hobart gave zero F&#@'s about danger, brave as a lion and aggressive as well as innovative and original. 11th Armoured was a fantastic Division and is given short shrift often with the Guards Armoured Division given all the glory.

@bartdegroot4826 4 жыл бұрын

Ok... that's it.. when the corona 'difficulties' are over.. i've got to visit the museum...( Kubinca would be next)

@ulrichkalber9039 4 жыл бұрын

than there is the panzermuseum munster...

@voiceofraisin3778 4 жыл бұрын

Tigerfest and Tankfest are being combined this year so the next big event will probably be in september. Last year i prepared for September rain and got microwave baked in the sun. With the way my lucks running this year it will probably be rained off.

@korbell1089 4 жыл бұрын

@@ulrichkalber9039 the big problem with the Panzermuseum in Munster is everyone wants to see WWII tanks but Germany donated all their best equipment to other museums like Aberdeen, Bovington, and Kubinka.

@Temp0raryName 4 жыл бұрын

A man armed with only a pointy stick, who is able to happily entertain an audience of tank enthusiasts. Kudos.

@WayneMoyer 4 жыл бұрын

I could have flown all the way to Bovington from the US and seen that and never thought that deeply about that object. Now when I do and see it there will be a much deeper meaning to it. Now when I go to our museums over here maybe I will stop and look at things a bit differently. Thanks.

@Cloudman572 4 жыл бұрын

Over the years my father has been to a number of military museums and mum comes along for a day out in the car. Dad reads many of the notes by the exhibits and mum being a people person normally just chats to the curator or museum staff that are around. Half the time mum ends up with more knowledge about the museum than dad! Netley on the south coast of England has a ex military hospital museum and the staff end up taking Florence Nightingale's cloak out of the cabinet and draping it around my mum's shoulders (she is an ex nurse herself). Amazing what chatting to staff can do.

@lambrokedrc5998 4 жыл бұрын

One of the Best, Hobart! Every, solder should have a good knife!

@wesleygay8918 4 жыл бұрын

When he calls it a pointed stick, I'm just stuck thinking about "self defence against fruit".

@dascommissar5264 4 жыл бұрын

Well in both cases Brits were up against tigers...

@randyschaff8939 4 жыл бұрын

This is the kind of British spirit that makes them absolutely un beatable in wartime. British “pluck” “carry on regardless” “ stiff upper lip” “keep smiling””Victory is certain” “ just a matter of time” I was raised on this stuff. I remember singing British songs in grade one at school a long long time ago. “To the tow row tow row tow row of the British Grenadiers” A portrait of our Queen Elizabeth ll in every classroom the Union Jack 🇬🇧 flying above. Greets from Canada❤️🇨🇦

@MS-hw9gd 4 жыл бұрын

i say this about almost every video I watch, you gents are almost excruciatingly British, and i love it.

@myronalcock4716 4 жыл бұрын

Director Richard Smith, Encore!

@andrewsteele7663 4 жыл бұрын

Absolutely brilliant, I was transfixed with the story as my morning coffee got cold, bugger, will need a refill and watch more, loving the format keep them coming. Cheers

@Sim.Crawford 4 жыл бұрын

Put all video up at this time. Works great for Aussies!

@Xiao_PP 4 жыл бұрын

And Kiwis haha

@garyjames1346 4 жыл бұрын

Very brave men in the day, I don't know about now !!!!

@raseli4066 4 жыл бұрын

I am so happy the director of the tank museum have the time to do this

@sigurdivar4227 4 жыл бұрын

What a fantastic object, and story around it! Only Britain could put a general i retirement, who takes up the duty as corporal in the Home Guard, ready to fight the germans with a pike, and he get recalled under the colours and creates armoured units and tanks to win the war. This was really a wonderful presentation, and it could only have been made in the UK by an Englishman. Thank you so very much!

@burlatsdemontaigne6147 4 жыл бұрын

Hobart was also a master tank tactician who was at the forefront of ideas which led to the britzkreig tactic so effectively used by the Germans.

@LeoNiehorster 4 жыл бұрын

Fantastic, as usual. Give this man a bubble gum wrapper and he will tell a fascinating story.

@anonymous2513456 4 жыл бұрын

This guy actually looks more relaxed and less formal at work than he does at home. Must be lovely to enjoy your job that much.

@AlexR2648 4 жыл бұрын

Getting Richard in front of a camera is one of the best things to come out of the pandemic.

@Klingoncodfan 4 жыл бұрын

His enthusiasm for things is very contagious.

@joetaylor486 4 жыл бұрын

What a fantastic video. I found that enthralling, which is quite an achievement when you're talking about a length of scaffold pole with a bayonet shoved in the end.

@ThroatSore 4 жыл бұрын

Director of the Tank Museum. He just won the game. And, by the looks if it, a nice chap too. 🙂

@cheyennereynoso4116 4 жыл бұрын

Yay! The Director! I’m your number one fan, mate!

@tommo258 4 жыл бұрын

His hands remind me of the Mitchell and Webb sketch about aircraft and radar where Mitchell goes absolutely ballistic with his hands while delivering a faux documentary

@wilsonj4705 4 жыл бұрын

Was anyone else waiting to see how the "stick" mounted onto the front of a tank? :-)

@kenbrown2808 4 жыл бұрын

I was sincerely hoping he would have carried it with him in the D-day assault as a reminder of what he was fighting for, or words to that effect.

@anthonyhayes1267 4 жыл бұрын

The p13 bayonet ranks among my favorites. Certainly my favorite in my collection

@mh53j 4 жыл бұрын

I envy this man his job; you can tell he loves what he does.

@deejayimm 4 жыл бұрын

You sir, have found your place in this world. Well done. Love to see more content from you.

@AudieHolland 4 жыл бұрын

From an alternate universe, where Percy Hobart remained Corporal in the Home Guard (not unlike Corporal Jones) and the Germans actually invaded. An entry from his diary: "Yesterday, Jerry rode his tanks through our village. We charged them of course and I bayonetted the lead tank. It didn't like that."

@martentrudeau6948 4 жыл бұрын

Richard Smith's enthusiasm for interesting history is infectious, we're being infected with the history-virus. Thanks Richard.

@lesslisilverman 4 жыл бұрын

The Tank Museum needs more people like this Richard Smith guy.

@diabolicalartificer 4 жыл бұрын

Brilliant. Love your passion, enthusiasm and the tangential way you have of looking at things....DA.

@NetTopsey 4 жыл бұрын

Interesting and well told as always. Your enthusiasm is infectious.

@jeffreyplum5259 4 жыл бұрын

I have long heard of "Hobart's Funnies." I have not heard much a about Gen. Hobart himself. He was clearly a Warrior, which is often a troublesome quality in peacetime. It is vital when your country or unit is facing virtually impossible odds. This particularly important on America's Memorial Day. We should actknowledge those who risk all for those who survived and thrived after them. God bless you all

@Subcomandante73 4 жыл бұрын

Your enthusiasm and knowledge come across wonderfully in these videos. Keep up the good work, you are helping us all get through the lockdown.

@bozo5632 4 жыл бұрын

Much more Richard Smith please.

@shatbad2960 4 жыл бұрын

Germany: the world's first long range ballistic missiles, jet fighters, the world's first assault rifle. Britain: a spear. I can say this because I'm British :D

@mwnciboo 4 жыл бұрын

Still shouting "Do want some? I'll give it ya!!" Whilst wielding a pike is going to give the enemy pause.

@sprPee 4 жыл бұрын

Only allied country to have jet fighters in ww2

@shatbad2960 4 жыл бұрын

@Paul Alexander So Germany didn't have jet fighters? I am confused.

@MrAnticlimate 4 жыл бұрын

@Paul Alexander - Jet propulsion was being developed in multiple countries at the start of the war. Germany and Britain are unique because they built actual airplanes during WW2.

@leeharveyosmond 4 жыл бұрын

I bet the Volkssturm was issuing spears by March 1945

@hauntedhouse7827 4 жыл бұрын

As Jonesy said, "They don't like the steel up em you know!" Dad's army rules!

@JoshuaC923 4 жыл бұрын

Awesome presentation, well done Mr Smith!

@ignacejespers8201 4 жыл бұрын

Late war Japan: write that down, quickly

@billd.iniowa2263 4 жыл бұрын

I've seen the footage... School girls being instructed by an officer during drills with spears. Good thing we didnt have to invade an island like that.

@augustopinochet2495 4 жыл бұрын

Apparently it wasn't just civilians who used pole bayonets, rear troops like cooks, truck drivers, armorers and such were instructed how to attach a bayonet to a pole to be used in times of desperation

@augustopinochet2495 4 жыл бұрын

@James Estelle honestly those late war rifles are fascinating, love to get my hands on one. the bayonets may not look as nice but they are still just as sturdily built as a pre war example.

@CSpiv662 4 жыл бұрын

@@drcornelius8275 leave the politics out of it mate. I doubt any of your professors are communists.

@CSpiv662 4 жыл бұрын

@@drcornelius8275 leave the politics out of it mate. I doubt any of your professors are communists.

@rickblackwell6435 4 жыл бұрын

What a great story teller.

@stogmot1 9 ай бұрын

fascinating video ,putting flesh on the story . I knew about the Hobarts funnies ,now i now the man

@robertschriek1353 4 жыл бұрын

brilliant presentation, thanks!

@joshabadie1431 4 жыл бұрын

I'm so pleased to see the Director give a talk where he doesn't depend on stereotypes of other countries to make a point. Great talk. Nice spear.

@oliver8928 4 жыл бұрын

Brilliant presentation. Thanks for bringing a peice of history alive.

@frankryan2505 4 жыл бұрын

Love your enthusiasm!

@mycroft1905 4 жыл бұрын

Another peerless presentation. Exquisite telling of history.

@worthymartin4008 4 жыл бұрын

splendid video! especially love the enthusiasm here

@Assassine0606 4 жыл бұрын

I have never heard someone talk so excited about a slightly gloryfied pointed stick, and never would i have expected to be so impressed and exceited with him. If the director of a museum that has highly advanced killing machines in it can excite you for a knife on a pole, you have the right person for the job

@RDEnduro 4 жыл бұрын

That was great, thanks Director

@ramseygreen808 4 жыл бұрын

Looks suspiciously like a Home Guard Croft’s Pike issued in 1942 to me....

@redgrittybrick 4 жыл бұрын

Yes, I've read Hobart was also issued with a Croft's Pike when he was a Lance Corporal in the Home Guard. Hobart didn't invent it, many men had one, so it isn't entirely clear to me why Richard Smith believes it tells us much about Hobart's character. I suppose it's just a reminder of the truly desperate state of things in that part of the war.

@Caratacus1 4 жыл бұрын

@@redgrittybrick To be fair Richard doesn't claim Hobart invented it - and it says that he was issued it in the video description at the top 👍

@ttaibe 4 жыл бұрын

@@Caratacus1 yeah but the way its been presented is a bit of myth building.

@fredygump5578 4 жыл бұрын

@@ttaibe The job of a curator....to tell a story in a way that catches people's imagination. The "myth" as you call it is the fabric that holds the facts together in what we believe is the correct relationship to each other!

@ttaibe 4 жыл бұрын

@@fredygump5578 I know that that is the historian's job, but by leaving out facts he is implying a different story than the one that happened. It was enjoyable, but I prefer facts.

@jon9021 4 жыл бұрын

What a fantastic guy!

@thomaschurch6171 4 жыл бұрын

I find Director Smith's quirky excitement about his topic entertaining and fun to watch. I hope he takes this as the compliment I mean it to be.

@Macboy62 8 ай бұрын

Richard, I will miss you very much.

@KitchenTableModeller 4 жыл бұрын

What an absolutely brilliant video, fantastic insight into a brilliant commander 👍👍👍

@markbrailsford7502 4 жыл бұрын

Great video again thank you

@06colkurtz 4 жыл бұрын

Director, when everything gets back to normal you need to keep making videos for us. You are both entertaining and educational in a manner that is significantly different from the other museum presenters.

@craigevans6156 4 жыл бұрын

Excellent as always!

@Simon_Nonymous 4 жыл бұрын

This man for Prime Minister! And on a more serious note... Gold/Sword/Juno - how many lives did he save? You only need to look at Omaha to see the benefit of his influence. Director - thank you for your passion and knowledge, I wish there were more people like you in education as well as in curating.

@chrishewitt4220 4 жыл бұрын

Great story again, thanks Richard. Oh, and please pass om my regards to the shop folk! My order for the Colditz game arrived here in Oz today! That's what I call service, I only ordered it last week!

@dascommissar5264 4 жыл бұрын

6:40 ...they floated on to Normandy precisely in the way bricks don’t.

@MrKeys57 4 жыл бұрын

thanks for this! and i have heard of Hobart before, a real bulldog he was, and brave!

@scoutdogfsr 4 жыл бұрын

Great presentation of expedient armorment. I'd still prefer "a rifle behind ever blade of grass" that dissuaded the Japanese but in an emergency a sharp stick will have to do. Keep up the fine work!