Germany's Most Fierce Division: Großdeutschland | "From Sector to Sector"

Germany's Most Fierce Division: Großdeutschland | "From Sector to Sector" | WWII

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11 ай бұрын

Step back in time and delve into the gripping story of one of the most formidable military units of World War II - Infanterie-Division Großdeutschland (mot). Join us as we uncover the incredible journey of these elite warriors who left an indelible mark on the Eastern Front.
In this captivating KZfaq video, we explore the evolution of the Infantry Regiment Großdeutschland into a full-fledged division, infused with the power of mechanization. Witness the strategic reorganization and expansion of the unit, as they welcome a newly formed infantry regiment and a formidable Panzer battalion, assault gun battalion, and other supporting units.
Buy Forgotten Soldier Here! - amzn.to/45bslZe
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Music - By Scott Buckley.

Пікірлер: 391

@schwatzy6362 11 ай бұрын

An uncle of mine was a Panzer Grenadier in the Gross Deutschland. It was made up of three Panzer divisions and two infantry who were Panzer Grenadiers Total manpower of the 5 divisions was 100,000 men. Training, boot camp, was 15 months in southern France Fighting in Russia for over 3 yrs he survived and came thru the Halle Kessel, south-east of Berlin. he won an Iron Cross, first class for his defense (he became an officer thru field promotions) of a rail bridge over the Berezina River during the Germany Army's retreat during the Soviet Operation called Bagration. I congratulated him on winning the iron Cross and he dryly said, "I could have had 20 of those things" That rail bridge was exactly where Napoleon had crossed during the French retreat

@historyatwar 11 ай бұрын

Wow, I appreciate you telling! Extremely interesting🤝

@albrechtbrandenburg1837 11 ай бұрын

respect your uncle

@schwatzy6362 11 ай бұрын

@@albrechtbrandenburg1837 Thank you, he was a fine man. He made it thru 3 years fighting against the Russians in some of the most horrific fighting imaginable without so much as a scratch! Then after the war, working on a road crew repairing highways, the tar pot exploded and about 60% of his body was burned. But he lived a good life, raised a family and passed away at age 89

@norwegian1234 11 ай бұрын

@@schwatzy6362 Lots of respect from Norway. We thank the germans for their great help with the infrastructure here.

@albrechtbrandenburg1837 11 ай бұрын

@@schwatzy6362 dein Onkel ging nach Vahalla, um seine Kameraden wieder zu vereinen Ruhe in Frieden blessing Deutschland

@marcel4941 11 ай бұрын

My great grandfather was in this Division. Fought on the eastern front from 1942-1945. He fell in January 45´ while defending the Reich in eastern prussia

@historyatwar 11 ай бұрын

Wow, thank you for telling us. Rest in peace to your grandfather.

@marcel4941 11 ай бұрын

Thank you, means a lot @@historyatwar

@user-gh9hm5cb3s 7 ай бұрын

Хреново твой прадедушка защищал свой рейх т.к мой дедушка дошел до Берлина и в числе других бойцов Красной Армии в итоге захватил это фашистское логово

@nicholaslabella2253 4 ай бұрын

He must have been a true warrior . The Eastern Front was a nightmare.

@northernlight8857 3 ай бұрын

I am sorry his life was wasted by such a evil regime. So many people was lost due to greed and madness.

@FaithnGod1558 11 ай бұрын

I read The Forgotten Soldier back in 2000 and found it so riveting that I loaned it out to a friend and he “somehow forgot” to return it. I purchased another copy and the exact same thing happened again! Perplexed by this I purchased 6 more copies and “gave” 5 of those copies away to other friends. I’ve struggled to keep and maintain my last copy, only allowing others to look through or read “while in my presence,” so it doesn’t disappear. Yes, it’s THAT GOOD and by all accounts is the one book about war that comes as close to describing what real combat is like, that anyone will ever find and read. I’d have given about anything to have met and spoken with its author, Mr. Sajer!

@schwatzy6362 11 ай бұрын

You have "cheap" friends..lol

@eltonjohnson1724 11 ай бұрын

I don't lend books anymore for the exact same reason. Many people seem to think that being lent a book means that they can keep it. That's not how it works!

@shootfirst2097 11 ай бұрын

It's an amazing book. That time they were lost in a whiteout snowstorm and at the end of their physical exhaustion, they saw lights through the snow and a tank rescued them. And their only food was cold water and flour.

@lowellwhite1603 11 ай бұрын

I read it many years ago and have it in my library somewhere. Sajer was lucky to escape by sea when remnants of his unit was on the Baltic coast in the spring of 1945. He was from that area of Eastern France claimed by both France and Germany which changed hands in 1870, and after WWI. In 1940 the Germans claimed the area again and freely recruited soldiers from the area, including French speaking ones like Sajer. In 1945 the area became French again. Surprisingly, Sajer didn’t receive much in the way of punishment from the French. His book is the best first person account I have read about the Eastern Front, and I have read many.

@FelixstoweFoamForge 11 ай бұрын

I love that book.

@ccmogs5757 11 ай бұрын

10:16 That Fallschirmjager must have had balls of steel

@FaithnGod1558 11 ай бұрын

The Green Devil’s were badasses for sure!

@alonewolfhowling 10 ай бұрын

Fallschirmjager was a parachute command that was actually Luftwafen but under the control of the Heer. Different formation altogether.

@michaelsteiner6500 11 ай бұрын

Great info, my father was with the artillery of this division and lived to tell me about his life in Gross Deutschland. Cheers

@alflat885 11 ай бұрын

Tell us more!!

@TheMrmango69 11 ай бұрын

wow thats awesome, your dad was a warrior

@uwemeyer6823 11 ай бұрын

Hi Michael, my dad served with GD from beginning of 1943 until February 1945. He took part in Zitadelle (Füsilierregiment, where he was wounded on a Panther tank), then Unteroffiziersschule Eisenach, instructor in Cottbus and later back to the eastern front. He was very proud having been a GD man!

@michaelsteiner6500 11 ай бұрын

@@uwemeyer6823 Ja mein vater war auch stolz mit G.D gedient zu haben. Er ist nach einer verwundung nach frankreich versetst worden ist aber auf eigenen wunsch wieder an die ostfront gegangen. Ich bin stolz auf ihn und seine kameraden. Cheers

@uwemeyer6823 11 ай бұрын

@@michaelsteiner6500 Ich muss mal schauen, ob ich seine Fotos noch finde. Ich komme aus Südafrika. Das Meisste ist noch in Kartons. Nur die Bücher über G.D. habe ich in mein Regal gestellt. Die Jungs waren schon anders gebaut. Als ich mich zu einer Long Range Reconnaissance Einheit gemeldet habe, war er natürlich auch mächtig stolz auf mich! Auf seinem Totenbett hat er mir noch die Geschichte erzählt, wie er 1945 verletzt den Russen entkommen konnte. Ich habe das für unsere Söhne als MP3 aufgenommen.

@badgermacleod5588 11 ай бұрын

I read Forgotten Soldier four time's. I couldn't belive the carnage they went through. Memel was a hell on earth.

@karlmonet 5 ай бұрын

I have the first edition hardcover and have read it 3 times. I have never understood why Hollywood has never made it into a movie, though there was some talk years ago of it but it never came to pass. What I never forgot was Sajer's description of a group of dug-in mortars "Disappearing in fountains of earth explosions" as Katyushas (multiple barrel rocket launchers) ripple-fired onto their position a few hundred meters away. That image has always stuck in my mind.

@badgermacleod5588 5 ай бұрын

@karlmonet : Whole heartedly agree with you. It could show the brutality of the eastern front & the real cost of war. The Konotop breakout & Memel stood out for me. Most knew they were dead long before they were killed. Solid book, I can't recommend it strongly enough.

@Bullet-Tooth-Tony- 11 ай бұрын

They were known as the "fire brigade" for a reason, as they were shipped all over the Eastern Front to plug holes in buckling zones. The Soviets were terrified of them as they knew they were always in for one hell of a fight and the division almost exclusively never took prisoners. In 1945 the division was basically wiped out at the Battle of Memel and was eventually destroyed around Pillau. Both instances the Großdeutschland division didn't retreat and inflicted huge casualties on the advancing Red army.

@karlheinzvonkroemann2217 11 ай бұрын

How do you retreat from Pillau? Just curious... :)

@goodputin4324 11 ай бұрын

@@karlheinzvonkroemann2217can't you read?

@JohnEglick-oz6cd 11 ай бұрын

@@karlheinzvonkroemann2217 What was Pilaus geographic oosition ?

@JohnEglick-oz6cd 11 ай бұрын

@@goodputin4324 What was the geographical position of Pillau ? Sorry for the spelling , my key board has gone goofy .

@markgrehan3726 11 ай бұрын

"And the division almost exclusively never took prisoners" yeah not something to really boast about honestly.

@handyearly3653 11 ай бұрын

The Forgotten Solder is a fabulous book, very well written and makes you feel for Guy. It should be made into a movie, like All Quiet on the Western Front.

@georgeszaslavsky 11 ай бұрын

Excellent video. The Gross Deutschland was the elite of the Wehrmacht's division, even Wittmann and Carius considered Gross Deutschland as a division of the highest caliber.

@dentonstales2778 11 ай бұрын

Excellent video. Yes, 'The Forgotten Soldier' is a remarkable book, a must read for anyone interested in that era.

@BrianHayter-zl2uc 11 ай бұрын

Very brave men, on both sides.

@daviddoran3673 11 ай бұрын

I've read The Forgotten Soldier twice......it's essential reading on the eastern front.

@robertwindedahl4919 11 ай бұрын

I think if I was fighting in World War I would choose the answer or luftwaffe divisions to fight with on the Eastern Front against the Russian barbarians

@user-gh9hm5cb3s 7 ай бұрын

@@robertwindedahl4919 да было -бы не хреново увидеть тебя принимающим участие в параде обосравшихся немецких военнопленных в Москве если б ты конечно дожил до него и не пошел на корм жирным русским червям раньше

@jasonmussett2129 10 ай бұрын

I' ve read The Forgotten Soldier loads of times. Brilliant book.

@raginald7mars408 11 ай бұрын

my father was part of it. He only survived as a Technician repairing Tanks. A miracle he survived... imagine 20 year old young Man in HELLL he was a "Soldier Man " all of his life. I think every day of him

@richard3536 10 ай бұрын

I recommend reading the book “The Forgotten Soldier.” The story of a young German infantryman. It’s nearly unbelievable what these soldiers endured .

@christianibarbia9380 10 ай бұрын

Guy Sajer was not german... he was french, from Alsace region... at that time, every young men from this region were "voluntaries" to serve in the Werhmacht... because AH considered Alsace as a part of his Germany..

@richard3536 10 ай бұрын

@@christianibarbia9380 My father was German born . My grandfather immigrated to the US in 1930 . In Sep of 1938 my father received a letter to fight to return Germany and fight for the fatherland . He returned to Germany in 1944 as a U.S. soldier an interpreter at G2 HQ. And interrogated German prisoners of war , because he spoke high German . One young SS officer called my father a traitor to his people and said if he were in Germany he would be executed . My dad said he was so angry he was the only German prisoner I would have shot given the chance ! Never said a lot to me about the whole mess , and that most German soldiers as himself only wanted to go home .

@catharperfect7036 9 ай бұрын

@@christianibarbia9380 He was ethnically half German.

@fabian4397 11 ай бұрын

Ich empfehle das Buch von Guy Sajer "Der vergessene Soldat" der auch in dieser Division diente und wirklich packend seine Geschichte erzählt in der unsere heutigen Probleme auf einmal ihre Bedeutung verlieren.

@royroach5328 10 ай бұрын

RIP Noble men. Your honor is forever true!

@fritzs1207 11 ай бұрын

shall never be forgotten

@tobiasgriffin 11 ай бұрын

They are pretty much forgotten now in a 100 years they will be

@parkerrydbomshistorychanne9151 11 ай бұрын

Best equipped and trained unit in the Wehrmacht. Even ahead of some of the most Elite SS Divisions

@karlheinzvonkroemann2217 11 ай бұрын

Really? What elite SS Division was it "ahead of" and in what way? I can think of at least nine "elite" SS divisions that that's simply NOT true of. GD was a very good Wehrmacht Division but you're comparing apples and oranges here.

@damndirtyrandy7721 11 ай бұрын

@@karlheinzvonkroemann2217Although OP didn’t specify a particular SS unit, OP did quantify that they were better than “some” not all. Your retort about being able to name at least 9 SS units ….. makes you sound as if you didn’t completely comprehend the statement AND have some personal connection/fanboi love for SS units..

@jsd795 11 ай бұрын

The GD and 2nd Pz were better than any SS division. The 3rd,4th,5th, 6th, and 11th Pz were as good as any SS division. In fact Germany would have been far better off if there was no SS and the manpower and resources drain that it largely was would instead have been allocated to the Wehrmacht.

@Bullet-Tooth-Tony- 11 ай бұрын

@@jsd795 I think Heer divisions usually tended be a bit more versatile and flexible, compared to SS ones that just fought to the last man and never really changed their tactics. However, an SS Panzer division at times could be larger and more well equipped than even some Heer units. The 12th SS Hitlerjugend alone was around 20,000 strong ( a regular German infantry division was about 17,000 men)

@jsd795 11 ай бұрын

@@Bullet-Tooth-Tony- that is true and I think I mistook the OP for meaning better as opposed to better equipped and manned. But that does kind of make my point in that the SS men, many of whom were highly motivated, could have been put to much better use in Wehrmacht units with the added bonus of a more streamlined and efficient command, supply, training ect. system overall.

@davidbarr9343 11 ай бұрын

An elite division in every sense.

@melissawilkinson2636 11 ай бұрын

Just found your channel. Have been binge watching and adding everything else to watch later 😂 Tier 1 quality, keep it up 👍

@historyatwar 11 ай бұрын

Glad to have you here 🤝

@danpercz3414 11 ай бұрын

By far my favorite WW2 book. Great video and keep up the great work/editing.

@jpmtlhead39 11 ай бұрын

And with some of Best Leadership. Like "The Panzer Baron" General Hasso Von Manteuffel.

@Calidore1 4 ай бұрын

I feel with names like that, uniforms of classic beauty, the eternal military glory, and a legacy, the weird balance in Europe that defined us, and still does.....I wonder did God have to intervene and cool off the men he'd appointed to stop Stalinism.

@LarsLoveToMosh 11 ай бұрын

The Uncle of my Grandfather was a Gunner of a Panther Tank in this Division.

@chandlerM1999 8 ай бұрын

My great uncle was in Großedeutschland and was killed in the fighting around Moscow during December 1941-January 1942.

@Big-Reds 11 ай бұрын

Love the video, great knowledge transfers as always. Thank you!

@historyatwar 11 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed 🤝

@mauriciogutierrez2145 10 ай бұрын

This was a formidable video about formidable soldiers, hope you have a formidable day!

@somedude7520 11 ай бұрын

Thank you for doing this video. I’m a member of a Grossdeutschland reenactment unit and am always looking for more information!

@trevoratchison3904 5 ай бұрын

In Australia we have just lost the right to show or wear anything that shows or had anything to do with the SS Units of ww2. Everything I hav collected over the years cannot be shown on display or sold even worn for re-actment. There go's the memories of all good soldiers of all wars. R'I'P

@timothywood4402 11 ай бұрын

There was one other Elite German Divion in the Wehrmacht that little has been told. Feldherrnhalle

@SimonPerry-cz4ke 11 ай бұрын

i have read the Forgotten Soldier twice it was recomended to me by a Latvian who had been conscripted into the German Army.

@primordialatom1478 11 ай бұрын

Great narration and descriptions, please continue with the vids.

@jprules2578 11 ай бұрын

They fought for their very existence towards the end, alongside the remnants of the HG PzDiv. The Soviets paid a heavy price for their victory. Suffering large losses for confronting such an outnumbered enemy.

@tiagomonteiro130 11 ай бұрын

Most casualties in ww2 were at the end of the war the Germans and Japanese refused to surrender and made everyone pay for every inch taken

@JohnEglick-oz6cd 11 ай бұрын

The only way to defeat the Germans was by astronomical #ers ; much , much , much more than what the Germans had to overcome them , and losing more than the Germans , but due to astronomical ers , were able to overcome the well equiped , and well entrenched fortified positions : ie , the fighting against The Nazis in Normandy's hedgerows .

@davidjackson2179 4 ай бұрын

Wheraboo comment.

@tiagomonteiro130 25 күн бұрын

Mad tanki.@@davidjackson2179

@MrNaKillshots 11 ай бұрын

My grandmother had a longtime friend who was drafted into the 9th SS. I never asked him any questions about it. Alas, he died years ago. I wished I'd found out more. I don't even know his surname!

@greyman1987 11 ай бұрын

Respect all warriors no matter the nationality, race or religion.

@velmadawson202 10 ай бұрын

i read the book, it tells how brutal the eastern front was, living hell.

@johnwakamatsu3391 8 ай бұрын

I met a former Gross Deutschland veteran who became a teacher at Valley College in Los Angeles. He was wounded and sent home before his unit was destroyed by a very large Russian Army. I did not ask him his rank or where he was stationed, but was amazed that he emigrated to the US. I grew up in Los Angeles and was surrounded by WWII veterans who fought for the US, Germany, Japan, Italy, UK, and Russia. My father was a veteran and was a member of the 442nd RCT and fought against the Germans and Austrians in Italy and in France.

@ingosippel9653 10 ай бұрын

Thank you very much for the channel

@williamschlenger1518 11 ай бұрын

Best army & equipment ever.👍

@daviddoran3673 11 ай бұрын

Not the Democratic Ukrainians???

@TheMrmango69 11 ай бұрын

@@daviddoran3673 ukr are scum wat u saying lol

@charlesburgoyne-probyn6044 11 ай бұрын

Wehraboo fighting a war lost decades ago

@FaithnGod1558 11 ай бұрын

@@daviddoran3673lmao definitely not the corrupt Ukronazis!

@kurtschulmeyer1041 11 ай бұрын

One of my favorite units from ww2. Only a few other units from both sides were as well respected

@popcornhead3479 11 ай бұрын

Forgotten soldier is a great book

@fabian4397 11 ай бұрын

Danke für das gute Video Top!

@christopherthrawn1333 11 ай бұрын

Excellent work here Sir

@jimmilton9682 9 ай бұрын

Thank you for the book suggestion. I’m really looking forward to reading it and like always gentlemen, amazing work 👍. Glad you’re keeping history alive

@claytonshepherd 11 ай бұрын

Great Show. Lots of original footage. Amazing.

@Doones319 11 ай бұрын

Guy Sajer's book is a great read .

@sheikh.prince 11 ай бұрын

Thank you admin.. ❤ we Learn valuable information ❤️ god Bless Germany and you..❤ 🇧🇩

@hackney7106 11 ай бұрын

‘God bless’ Germany? Are you serious? They invaded,it is a shame they were not all wiped out.They also did a lot of atrocities.Think you need to research.

@tonygandee9100 11 ай бұрын

I have the book and read it again last year astonishing what the German troops went through on the Eastern front ....

@Mr.Skeleton. 11 ай бұрын

I listen to this while sparring with my friends and damn does it provide excellent motivation while working out or fighting.

@historyatwar 11 ай бұрын

Testosterone x1000

@Calidore1 4 ай бұрын

Indeed, it's power.

@brookstoner8209 11 ай бұрын

Interesting video and history!

@tasjan9190 4 ай бұрын

The world will never again witness such men. The caliber of man, from all nations across the globe, reached their apex during those turbulent years and the best of all of us were lost in the midst of the battlefields. Beautiful yet tragic beyond belief. RIP to all the brothers whom died at the hands of one another. If they had united instead of warring each other then the world would have been conquered for 10,000 years.

@Calidore1 4 ай бұрын

I know, you're right, they came to save us from communism.

@TheSpritz0 11 ай бұрын

JUST SUBSCRIBED, what a phenomenal video- BETTER than reading a book on the subject, explains everything with AMAZING video footage!!!!💯

@historyatwar 11 ай бұрын

Thank you! Glad to have you here 🤝

@michaelcodelmar9547 11 ай бұрын

No matter how good or fierce the division, you can't beat your opponent if they have the numbers and logistics

@Ealdorman_of_Mercia 11 ай бұрын

Interesting, thank you for this excellent presentation. I learnt new things.

@historyatwar 11 ай бұрын

Glad to hear 🤝

@hickokworldwide1108 11 ай бұрын

The Forgotten Soldier.

@markanthonypar-wise1499 11 ай бұрын

Could you do a video on the German paratroopers of WW2 ? Love your videos

@cameronbrown9080 11 ай бұрын

Nice to see some new videos from the battle field

@willielee5253 11 ай бұрын

❤❤ Nicely presented and unbiased ❤❤

@chrislaursen8723 11 ай бұрын

‘Forgotten Soldier’ is an excellent read!

@Tarzan747 11 ай бұрын

Nice footage ... many I never seen before

@jerryakbar6147 11 ай бұрын

I just listened to a short as audio book about WW2 Germany this guy sounds like the guy reading the book.

@daveanderson3805 11 ай бұрын

Great video. Well researched and presented. Grossdeutschland was one of the most elite formations of the Wehrmacht, equal to any Waffen SS division.

@chrisstucker1813 11 ай бұрын

Only a small number of SS divisions were considered elite anyways. Most of them were just cannon fodder

@Am_Yisrael_Chai_7 11 ай бұрын

Just found your Channel. I love it😍

@historyatwar 11 ай бұрын

Glad to have you here 🤝

@maciejniedzielski7496 11 ай бұрын

To make immersion in Großdeutschland fate I recommend "Soldat oublié" de Guy Sajer. Book autobiography of French-German volontier who was in Großdeutschland between 1943 and 1945.

@christianibarbia9380 10 ай бұрын

I read it some 40 years ago... and never forgot his history... including his mates... like "Halls" or "die Alte" for instance !

@punches4you 7 ай бұрын

Guy Sajer did not volunteer for that, he was French but had a Alsatian mother, considered as Volksdeutsche by German standards, as such he got drafted...

@TowardtheFlames 11 ай бұрын

Can we get the Panzer Lehr soon?

@historyatwar 11 ай бұрын

Already on the list my friend, lots of stuff in the works at the moment 🤝

@TowardtheFlames 11 ай бұрын

@@historyatwar Lovely stuff, thanks

@smithplus 11 ай бұрын

You forgot to mention that unlike other formations this one was formed by selecting the best 6 foot soldiers from all formations in the army. Other formations were recruited locally.

@lond2835 11 ай бұрын

You may want to include the insignia of uniform and for identifying equipment.

@arabulbulian2315 6 ай бұрын

Thanks for the video on this tough German Wehrmacht unit. I read the book and was surprised how poorly the unit's soldiers were equipped with basic needs in late 42 and onwards. They couldn't even get extra pairs of socks and underwear. Not to mention other basic needs of a soldier in an army at that time. So I can only imagine other Wehrmacht that didn't get the preferential treatment this unit got. Crazy.

@josephgonzales4802 11 ай бұрын

The Forgotten Soldier is a must read if you are fascinated about Germany's war on the Eastern Front. 😌

@BrianHayter-zl2uc 11 ай бұрын

Great book read it a few times

@daviddoran3673 11 ай бұрын

Yes....same...essential reading!

@peterscotney1 11 ай бұрын

What a fascinating story about a fascinating division, much respect to gross deutchland !

@ristorantanen5769 11 ай бұрын

There are so many cool stories from that division. Sad ending though. The cost of being one of the best units under a mad führer

@Calidore1 4 ай бұрын

He wasn't so mad that he was fooled by communism

@shootfirst2097 11 ай бұрын

02:30 Leaving out it was the worst Russian winter in 50 years

@michaelstudd533 11 ай бұрын

The best history channel here on KZfaq keep up the work guys!

@historyatwar 11 ай бұрын

Thank you 😊 🤝

@historyatwar 11 ай бұрын

Mark the 🐐

@BrianHayter-zl2uc 11 ай бұрын

Great channel, love it❤️❤️❤️👍👍👍

@kevinbrennan-ji1so 5 ай бұрын

Interesting footage of Albert Speer in a Tiger tank @8 minute mark.

@jasondrummond9451 11 ай бұрын

I read 'The Forgotten Soldier" at least once per year.

@paulrisson3780 11 ай бұрын

Pretty much same with me, since 1977. Up to my third copy having lost my previous two. This time I got the hardcopy version. Always wished that they had made it into a movie, but not a Hollywood version.

@jasondrummond9451 11 ай бұрын

My paperback is falling apart ... I didn't know there was a hardcover version. Will look for it. @@paulrisson3780

@masterchief4421 11 ай бұрын

Are you going to do a reupload of your battle of kursk footage part 2? It was taken down recently

@frankylee7442 4 ай бұрын

An English military historian wrote some years ago: „ These were men made of steel- men like these we will never see again.“

@shootfirst2097 11 ай бұрын

02:16 Shot of the soldier carrying the world's first assault rifle-- STG-44 Sturmegewehr 44. Superior German innovation as usual

@41corsair 11 ай бұрын

True but the problem with most German equipment was it was too complex and constantly broke down unlike the Soviets equipment which was very simplistic and easily serviceable

@chrisstucker1813 11 ай бұрын

@@41corsair the STG-44 was said to be quite effective. They pioneered the modern assault rifle just like they pioneered the sub machine gun in WW1 with the MP-18

@peterreimer2212 5 ай бұрын

Read the book myself and loved it

@aldosigmann419 11 ай бұрын

I thought i saw Guy Sajer on the footage! Unbelievable!

@jimrutherford2773 11 ай бұрын

In today's modern warefare we have no idea how ferocious the fighting was these German SS units were involved in especially on the eastern front.

@philiph6456 11 ай бұрын

GrossDeutschland was a Heer Division, NOT SS! There was a Deutschland SS division, not the same as this unit.

@ripvanwinkle1819 11 ай бұрын

@@philiph6456it's a pointless endeavor trying to correct on youtube (mostly fake/ disinfo anyway) especially when they got their ivory tower platform, saving private ryan glasses on. But defo, wehrmacht and luffwaffe had the best units. The SS were just so big and bad and naughty boys though😅

@chrisstucker1813 11 ай бұрын

@@philiph6456Deutschland was just a regiment - one of the original SS-VT regiments along with “Germania” and “Der Fuhrer”. Deutschland and Der Fuhrer regiments were later incorporated into the 2nd SS Das Reich division when the SS-VT became the Waffen-SS. Germania was used to form the nucleus of the 5th SS Wiking Division with the Westland and Nordland regiments which had volunteers from the Low Countries and Scandinavia respectively.

@alonewolfhowling 10 ай бұрын

@@chrisstucker1813 Originally formed in 1921 it was known as the Wachregiment Berlin[3] and served as a ceremonial guard unit and by 1939 had grown into a regiment of the combined Wehrmacht German armed forces. The regiment would later be expanded and renamed Infantry Division Großdeutschland in 1942, and after significant reorganization was renamed Panzergrenadier Division Großdeutschland in May 1943. In November 1944, while the division retained its status as a panzergrenadier division, some of its subordinate units were expanded to divisional status, and the whole group of divisions were reorganized as Panzerkorps Großdeutschland.

@christianibarbia9380 10 ай бұрын

that is right..... SS Regiment Deutschland, attached to the 2nd SS PanzerDivision DAS REICH@@philiph6456

@germany456 7 ай бұрын

Those soldiers were fiercely loyal Whst a country needs

@MrNaKillshots 11 ай бұрын

Superhuman. I'm glad I didn't have to go through all that. Bit of a pallaver.

@marcsachse7397 11 ай бұрын

Please Please Please make a Video about the panzer lehr division

@soldat2501 11 ай бұрын

The Germans hit on something primal with their named divisions. Carrying no number, they were separated and considered elite by being designated only by their name. GrossDeutschlan (Greater Germany) was one of those. Other famous named divisions were the Blue Division and Division von Manteuffel. These formations were considered elite, were well-supplied and equipped. Being part of one was considered and honor and something very special. They fought hard, were very effective and routinely were called on to counterattack where a breakthrough had occurred or was close to it. The Germans tried to rekindle the magic at the war's end by naming ersatz divisions comprised of the remnants of battered Heer units or mixed branches (Luftwaffe and Kriegsmarine) who no longer had planes or ships to tend to. They named them after heroic battles or names of famous individuals from their previous branch of service but by 1945, they couldn't train and equip them properly. So they largely failed at the same fire brigade role as the previously named divisions. Some never even got into service before the war needed.

@chief-z8077 11 ай бұрын

What happened to the Viking division video? Don't see it on your page anymore.

@gruntsffs1 11 ай бұрын

Been waiting for this one 👍🏻 off I go

@rchatte100 11 ай бұрын

If only stupid wars werent started by fools, so many young men could have had good lives.

@tiagomonteiro130 8 ай бұрын

Jrr Tolkin was a Soldier in ww1 he survived and made a great fictional world and story, imagine all the millions of young men and woman who died in ww1 and ww2 who could have also invented great things to help humanity or other works like art etc... so much was lost.

@miketrusky476 11 ай бұрын

You know at the end of this story Many Germans died, no mention is ever named as to why the Germans were there.

@tiglatus 11 ай бұрын

real badasses!!!!

@daveybyrden3936 11 ай бұрын

At 7:20 the narrator says "In May 1943 the division...received Tiger tanks." But in fact, Grossdeutschland got its first Tiger tanks back in February 1943 and those Tigers took part in the Kharkov battle. The video author is clearly not aware of this event.

@martynichols32 4 ай бұрын

I read Guy Sajer book, a good read. His Dad was german & his Mom was French.

@KoKissaki 11 ай бұрын

It was also the GD together with LSSAH signed to protect the Fuehrer HQ‘s (there were 6 in total)

@javiermartinezjr8849 11 ай бұрын

I think the fire brigade came not from there swift arrival But for job to go where the "fire was" just like the ss divisions,they were always sent to hopeless defensive positions,or places on the brink of collapse but always managed to put out rhe fire so to say

@jbol2454 5 ай бұрын

What Scott Buckley song is in this video?

@asullivan4047 11 ай бұрын

Interesting and informative. Excellent photography job enabling viewers to better understand what/whom the orator was describing. Professional class A research project. Fighting/perishing/surviving knowing certain death/debilitating wounds were often possible. Yet still advanced forward regardless of the consequences. That's true grit style determination to succeed. Unfortunately since the disillusioned amphetamine addict Hitler. Consistently over ruled his seasoned/experienced generals. Advice/planning/battle engagements. Cost immense casualties/ eventually being routed from Russian territories. Had Moscow been invaded/captured as planned in 41. Perhaps an early victory would have transpired???

@hansgruber650 11 ай бұрын

Tuff tuff soldiers.

@Nick_B_Bad 11 ай бұрын

I freaking love collecting axis weapons and Militaria.

@JohnEglick-oz6cd 11 ай бұрын

My mother's father was a major in the 2nd Waffen SS Div. " DAS REICH " , and kia mid- 7/1943 in "The Battle For Kursk" , which was the biggest tank conflict in the Earth's history .

@robertwindedahl4919 11 ай бұрын

Yes John your grandfather was among the most heroic Panzer divisions ever Das Reich where's a very disciplined organized division your grandfather was a great hero you should be very proud of him

@JohnEglick-oz6cd 11 ай бұрын

@@robertwindedahl4919 Also , my pops pop was in the USAs 508 PIR 82nd A/B Div. . He was a medic with rank of Capt. , And carried a .30 cal. Carbine , which was optional for medics in A/ B units . Grandpa fought threw Normandys bloody "Bocage " ,or hedgerow landscape , in Holland " Operation Market Garden " , and wounded in the Ardennes , and after that , helped assist the USA s Army Dr.s assisting assistants assisting concentration camp victims by mid 3/1945 . Grandpa had definite PSTD issues .

@schatzkammerein 11 ай бұрын

in you dreams

@JohnEglick-oz6cd 11 ай бұрын

@@robertwindedahl4919 I received a comment about my comment about my mothers pop being in the 2nd Waffen SS " DAS REICH " Division , and that he was kia was only in my dreams . Person was probably jealous of that history of my familliys'history .

@JohnEglick-oz6cd 11 ай бұрын

@@schatzkammerein What was in my dreams ? Was it the truthful fact that my mom's pop was a major in the 2nd Waffen SS Div. " DAS REICH " , and was kia in one of the , if not the biggest tank duel / battle on the history of this blessed earth around mid- 7/1943 ! If you have doubts , then ask any WW2 buff , or look it up on the internet !Do that , and not be in angst , or jealous Your lucky I didn't comment about my pops pop a veteran of The USAs 508 PIR 92nd A/B Div. , And partook in 3 major engagements assigned to the joint Allied A/ B Divisions in the ETO ( European Theater of Operations ) , and was wounded @ The Ardennes mid. 12/1944 " Battle Of The Bulge ".I guess that was in my dreams too , especially when pop pops reluctantly had to reveal his hellish time , especially when he had to assist assisting USA Army medics assisting concentration camp victims . Pops pop palpable PSTD issues were sad .

@andraslibal 4 ай бұрын

Romania waited until the Grossdeutschland was pulled out and transferred to Eastern Prussia, before they turned their arms on their German allies on 1944 August 23.