"He never thought to mention it". sums up that great generation of men.

Obviously Jeremy is hilarious with James and Richard but I love it when he does these serious documentaries

I lived in Arnhem all my life, currently in Oosterbeek where this story took place. Im from 1991, I walked the Airbourne event in september 25 times now (got 5 medals) and my grandma worked at the Airbourne museum for 50+ years as volunteer and been royally crowned for it. In this town, stories like theres will NEVER be forgotten, Americans, British, Canadian and Polish (and other) veterans will always be remembered and welcomed with us. (Yes, also from the German side) to remember together. I walk daily with my dogs near a deep ditch in the forest called the pit of hell, its where a handfull of allied soldiers that were ambushed, have taken cover, and fought off german fire for over 36 hours, and won. There are so many untold warstories all over the world, heroes who will never be heard. Lest we forget.

Jeremy has such a good voice for things like this, and he's always been a huge history buff. He's often accused of being an idiot or insensitive but he has a huge amount of respect for people like this and as far as I've seen in his private life he's a pretty good person.

"He never thought to mention it" That was outstandingly presented. Standing applause Jeremy.

Jeremy talked about John Cruickshank the Catalina pilot who won the VC so I looked it up and much to my amazement he's still alive and in 7 days time he celebrates his 100th birthday wow,I seriously hope he's not alone and there are despite the coronavirus,family and people close by to him

A marketgarden veteran once told me : "it was not a bridge to far, it was to far from the fucking bridge "

I watch this probably once a month and still get goosebumps every time Jeremy mentions the street in Canada with 3 Victoria Cross winners. The street in Winnipeg used to be called Pine Street but was renamed to Valour Road in honor of the 3 men who all won their VC's during WW1, 2 of them posthumously.

who'd have thought that Jeremy Clarkson's father in law would be a bearer of the Victoria Cross; and he never even thought to mention it, that is what you call humble.

There have been 4 VCs awarded to British soldiers since this documentary was filmed. Pvt Johnson Beharry VC. Princess of Wales Royal Regiment, Iraq 2004. (Awarded in 2005) Cpl Bryan Budd VC. Parachute Regiment, Afghanistan 2006. (Awarded posthumously) L/Cpl James Ashworth VC. Grenadier Guards, Afghanistan 2012. (Awarded posthumously) L/Cpl Joshua Leakey VC. Parachute Regiment, Afghanistan 2013. (Awarded in 2015)

Its ALWAYS worth reminding ourselves of just how incredibly rare a V.C is, and how incredibly brave the V.C recipients are.

Americans seem to go to great lengths to honour and respect their vets. Even the simple 'Thank you for your service' to a stranger. I wish we did more of that on this side of the Atlantic.

Jeremy Clarkson is honestly a story teller masterclass. Such simple actions/movements and shots give these historical scenes such depth and meaning.

Having met with and spoken to Keith Payne VC was a great honour, what was both amazing and horrifying was that the Australian Department of Veterans Affairs refused to give him a pention for PTSD because as they reasoned "You are a VC winner, you cannot have PTSD because you're a hero" The Australian government refused him the support he deserved because of his extraordinary bravery.

As an American, I wish more of my countrymen would get out of their world and see the rest of the world. I enjoyed this because I got to see WWII from the British perspective. Thank you.

Jeremy, I know this doc is now quite old but it doesn’t change the fact that this is perhaps your finest work. Your closing statement left me stunned, and to us mere mortals the bravery shown by all recipients mentioned in this doc brought tears to my eyes

This is 17yrs old? What a great documentary.

Utter goosebumps when he said his daughter only found out he won the VC after he died. What a bloke he was! And the fact JC married his daughter was a little special too, the documentary was a great commemoration for the VC awardees who those majority of people don't know about.

The first and only VC awarded to a member of the RAN (as at 25 Apr 2021) was recently awarded to Ordinary Seaman Edward "Teddy" Sheen VC who ignored the abandon ship order and remaining alone on his sinking ship firing the AA gun at the enemy aeroplanes over Darwin Harbour in 1942 to help save others. This brave very young Tasmanian went down with the ship.

"On that bombshell, it's time to end," seems appropriate with that ending.

That last bit that was said in the narration particularly struck a chord with me. Although he never served at Arnhem, nor did he win a VC, it reminded me of my late Grandfather. I didn't know that he served a supporting role in the D-day landings until after he died in 2016. He, in his own small way contributed to the freedom of those who were under occupation at the time. I knew he served in the navy from his navy issue tatoo, but I didn't know he contributed to one of the most significant moments of the war. It made me think, "what horrors did he see that he never thought to mention?"

"Hero" is the most abused word today. This word is most deserving to those who truly do things worthy of this word.

He might fool around a bit on Top Gear or the Grand Tour, but given a serious subject like this and he absolutely nails it.

Jermey needs to do more of these history programs. So say we all!

Simply one of the finest documentaries ever made. Enough said.

I remember seeing this years ago on TV, one of the best thing to have never been repeated, thanks for uploading it

Superbly said, Jeremy. 'The highest medal for galantry in the world'.

A fantastic documentary, I couldn't stop watching it! He never even told his daughter he had won the VC! Amazing! My father in law survived 30 missions as a tail gunner and navigator in a Lancaster but never spoke of it!

-Fun- Interesting fact: The most recent VC winner was Joshua Leakey for his part in a joint UK-US raid in Afghanistan in 2013. The offical citation of his VC: "Between May and December 2013, Lance Corporal Leakey was deployed in Afghanistan as a member of a Task Force conducting operations to disrupt insurgent safe-havens and protect the main operating base in Helmand province. The majority of operations took place in daylight in non-permissive areas, attracting significant risk. On the 22nd August 2013, Lance Corporal Leakey deployed on a combined UK / US assault led by the United States Marine Corps into a Taliban stronghold to disrupt a key insurgent group. After dismounting from their helicopters, the force came under accurate machine gun and rocket propelled grenades fire resulting in the Command Group being pinned down on the exposed forward slope of a hill. The team attempted to extract from the killing zone for an hour, their efforts resulting in a Marine Corps Captain being shot and wounded and their communications being put out of action. Lance Corporal Leakey, positioned on the lee of the hill, realising the seriousness of the situation and with complete disregard for his own safety, dashed across a large area of barren hillside which was now being raked with machine gun fire. As he crested the hill, the full severity of the situation became apparent: approximately twenty enemy had surrounded two friendly machine gun teams and a mortar section rendering their critical fire support ineffective. Undeterred by the very clear and present danger, Lance Corporal Leakey moved down the forward slope of the hill, and gave first aid to the wounded officer. Despite being the most junior commander in the area, Lance Corporal Leakey took control of the situation and initiated the casualty evacuation. Realising that the initiative was still in the hands of the enemy, he set off back up the hill, still under enemy fire, to get one of the suppressed machine guns into action. On reaching it, and with rounds impacting on the frame of the gun itself, he moved it to another position and began engaging the enemy. This courageous action spurred those around him back into the fight; nonetheless, the weight of enemy fire continued. For the third time and with full knowledge of the extant dangers, Lance Corporal Leakey exposed himself to enemy fire once more. Weighed down by over 60 lbs of equipment, he ran to the bottom of the hill, picked up the second machine gun and climbed back up the hill again: a round trip of more than 200 metres on steep terrain. Drawing the majority of the enemy fire, with rounds splashing around him, Lance Corporal Leakey overcame his fatigue to re-site the gun and return fire. This proved to be the turning point. Inspired by Lance Corporal Leakey's actions, and with a heavy weight of fire now at their disposal, the force began to fight back with renewed ferocity. Having regained the initiative, Lance Corporal Leakey handed over the machine gun and led the extraction of the wounded officer to a point from which he could be safely evacuated. During the assault 11 insurgents were killed and 4 wounded, but the weight of enemy fire had effectively pinned down the command team. Displaying gritty leadership well above that expected of his rank, Lance Corporal Leakey's actions single-handedly regained the initiative and prevented considerable loss of life, allowing a wounded US Marine officer to be evacuated." He's not even the first member of his family to be awarded the VC. His second cousin twice removed, Nigel Leakey, was posthumously awarded it during WWII.

There are heroic people alive today. In every generation, there are people who when called upon, will do extraordinary, selfless, honorable things and you will never know their names. It's in their bones.

The sound going down on two separate occasions ruined a brilliant film...well done!

Just been to Arnhem. My Grandad was captured there. What a story, well told.

Lt George Burdon McKean was awarded a VC in 1918. He was born in the small town where I live. A memorial sculpture was unveiled a couple of years ago. Brave men, all of them.

This. Or The greatest raid, could be Clarksons finest work. Awesome film.

The greatest documentary series….IN THE WORLD

I watched this in February 2021 and I have several comments to make. Firstly I’m an ex Australian soldier. I’m a Top Gear / The Grand Tour fan. I’m a lover of history, especially military history so this documentary is right up my alley. First off, I disapprove of the term “win” when it comes to the VC. A soldier is “awarded” the medal, they don’t “win” it. It’s not a competition, but I can let that one go through to the keeper! Secondly, I’ve often wondered why Jeremey has such an affiliation to the military. I now know. To live in the shadow of such men must be a truly humbling experience. Well done Jeremey Clarkson!👍. And to the 300 that gave thumbs down to this documentary, may the Hounds of Hell urinate on you from a great height!🖕🖕🖕

The use of the word 'awesome' is actually accurate in this context. Truly humbled by this individual description which is so emblematic of persistent and thoughtful courage throughout the ages. Brilliantly told by Clarkson. Definitely his forte.

Clarkson at his best, please Jeremy do some more.

I like how the VC isn’t awarded for like “well done, you killed loads of the enemy!” It’s awarded for you acting in a way that’ll will most likely lead to your death, but will benefit the squad/platoon/company as a whole. That’s true bravery, not just “I ran into enemy lines and killed loads of them” in the sake of seeking glory.

This carries an even more important message about soldiers in general - they're just human. They don't want praise, or to be constantly reminded of what they did. Treat them well, give them support, and may they live the best damn lives they can, cause they've fucking earned it.

More clarkson documentaries please

I often come back to this documentary. The courage and example that the VC recipients set is extraordinary.

Victoria Cross ... Medal of Honor ... Not one as been awarded to a man that thought he deserved it. And that is in itself bespeaks of a man that is indeed a hero.

Robert must be a absolute mad lad. He hasn't slept, ate or drank for 4 days yet he loaded something that needed 2 men. Insane

I've just watched this and am in tears, I can't write anymore at the moment as I'm in awe of all the selflessness of those men. Clarkson you have done them proud.

Wish he would do more documentaries as I think he is brilliant and doing them.

Jeremy Clarkson is a FANTASTIC documentary presenter.

27:31 is such an inspiring quote from Clarkson. The VC has proven that not anyone can be extraordinary but instead that an extraordinary person can come from anywhere.

Absolutely amazing. From a Canadian

I have a relative who was awarded the VC at Rorke's drift, and if family history is to be believed then he falls under Clarkson's category of rouges and scoundrels.

Holy Snickeys, Clarkson was his son in law.....Jeremy is a Gemstone to British documentaries of History. I love this show.

There are only 7 living recipients of the Victoria Cross. I find that quite incredible. I don't know how many MoH receivers are still alive but I think it's 67. There were 473 medals of honor awarded during WW2. And there were only 182 Victoria Crosses awarded. It's not fair to compare medals, but I think in nearly every category, from the total number awarded in history, the number awarded during the war, number of living recipients since the war, to the number awarded since WW2, to the number of people who have been awarded it more than once - the Victoria Cross has been more rarely awarded. Even though I've lived in the UK for more than 30 years, I'm still a proud American, and proud of my country, and I'm not going to belittle the MoH. They are all heroes in my eyes. But I do think, we have been a bit generous with the MoH compared to the VC. And the fact that Medal of Honor receivers get paid $1,400 per month benefit, an extra 10% pension, and free health insurance collectively worth more than $22,000 - is kind of missing the point of the medal. Being proud of receiving it ought to be benefit enough. VC receivers up until very recently, only received a very small annuity worth around £50 per week. No other benefits were inferred. The government have said that this will rise to about £192 to future VC receivers but not for existing holders. No other benefits will be given. I do think that pride should be the real value of bravery.

So glad this popped up in my recommended. This was one of the best documentaries I’ve seen in a long time.

Those three Canadians (Leo Clarke, Robert Shankland, and Frederick Hall) from the same street were from my hometown of Winnipeg on a street originally called Pine Street. In their honour, the street was renamed to Valour Road in 1925.

That's one of the powerfullest closing statements on any documentary I've watched

I wish the audio cut outs weren’t there. This is such an interesting show with a wonderful storyteller to lead us through it. Such a shame.

Wow. I'm speechless and emotional. Such great men, but ordinary men.

Jeremy, ffs keep doing this kind of documentary, it's a masterclass series and you're a natural for it. (What an absolute gem the lady Ms. Didy Grahame is).

i have to say "the Greatest Raid of All" is truly one of the most enjoyable documentaries I have ever watched.

A masterclass of a documentary. Great storytelling and presenting from Clarkson - even though I’m a massive Top Gear fan this is certainly his finest work/journalism. What a story. It makes me put all the problems in my life into perspective. if I was in Robert Cains shoes I would’ve got out of there as soon as possible; the bravery he demonstrated was simply unbelievable. A mindset that completely disregarded surrender, retreat or self-preservation and just focused on getting the job done no matter what it took. This documentary has made me re-define the term ‘hero’. The VC winners, and indeed all the soldiers who fought, were TRUE heroes and should never be forgotten for the sacrifices they made for us. Thank you lads

"He never thought to mention it" so glad you did Mr Clarkson, thank you

My father was a bomber pilot during the war. Later on, he volunteered to fly gliders and was subsequently trained on the Horsa. As things turned out, the airborne operations came to an end before he actually went into action flying his Horsa. Luckily for me!

I love that Jeremy, who jokes around and pokes fun at a lot of things, is presenting this. No jokes, no kidding around, it really shows the administration he has for these great men.

Goosebumps twist in the last few seconds, that you couldn't get unless you watch the whole thing. Well done the researchers, and a top class presentation by Jeremy.

True hero's all of them. Clarkson truly shows respect in the way he presented this programme. Wish there was more made

Magnificent story of Maj. Cain's heroism. By all accounts a truly extraordinary man during an extraordinary time. Thanks so much for posting this program. A tiny glimpse into one real facet of the event called "A Bridge Too Far".

It`s the value of the medal ,not the value of what the medal is made of . brilliant .

The last minute of this episode is .... something of a kind.

Fascinating--These programmes with Jeremy as narrator are absolutely gripping !!!!

I could imagine anyone else but Jeremy Clarkson doing these Documentaries. His ability to be serious yet put a little humor into it is absolutely wonderful. I love hearing these stories. Three uncles of mine where Marines in WWII and all over the Islands fighting the Japanese. Our soldiers during these times were the True Super Hero's.

I've watched this and the Greatest Raid about 10 times in total. Such excellent programming.

A remarkable documentary about a remarkable man who like many was so humble and understandably was unable to talk about the horrific events they went through

Without doubt , the greatest generation ! Jeremy's presenting on here is top notch , you can sense the respect and admiration he has for them ....

"had his leg blown off and removed it as it jammed the controls"

I'm a civvie from the States, but wow. My hat is off to these men.

What an amazing story, wow. I had NO IDEA of what it took to win a VC. The Story of Major Cain was an example of bravery I could have never imagined one soldier could achieve. The fact that he never even told his own daughter that he won the VC was the most surprising ending to this story. Thank you!

My grandparents lived in Arnhem and they always told us about hiding in their basement whilst Germans and British soldiers were shooting at each other through the house. I am so proud of my grandparents and family. My grandparents hid jews in the attic and transported British airmen using an ambulance. My great uncle was executed in 1944 for killing dozens of Germans and disabling flack numerous times in order to pave the way for allied bombers. My other grandfather had a scar between his eyes caused by a German bayonet belonging to a soldier who did not live to tell the story.

Men like this , set the bar for courage so high we others can see it only with binoculars. Thank you each and every one.

This, and The Greatest Raid, always manage to bring tears to my eyes. Thank you Clarkson for making some amazing war documentaries sir!

A friend of mine was one of the paras who was taken prisoner at Arnhem. He promptly escaped and was recaptured and sent to a stalag where he escaped once more and made it back to allied lines.

I would love to see Jeremy Clarkson do an up todate version of this. Their stories need to be told.

Thank you Jeremy for letting know this amazing story which shows the courage and highest qualities of the human beings who were part of these extraordinary exploits. Thank you again. Juan Carlos from Argentina

That reveal at the end was quite unexpected

Those Ghurkas, what can you say. Absolute LEGENDS!

Thank you for presenter such extraordinary story

Jezza should have done many more of these. So many stories.

I find Jeremy Clarkson documentaries very watchable. He makes a brilliant question master as well. Very talented gentleman

My grandad always used to praise the Gurkhas to high heaven.. he never did tell me the stories though..

One of the most interesting programmes I have ever watched. And what a good choice of music!!!

One of my favorite movies that I watch every year at Remembrance Day. Than you for sharing this amazing story of an amazing man.

"Now let's not get bogged down with hoo did wot to hoo............." this documentary is a superb example of the excellence that is Jezza

Simply brilliant. Been a fan of Jeremy for years and this is a side that he rarely shows; intelligent, thoughtful, and thought provoking.

Jeremy really does a marvellous job with these great stories, true stories of the bravest of the brave.

Clarksons passion projects are far better than most documentary films

Please Jeremy, if you read these, I want more Docs like this, The Greatest Raid and Brunel. Astounding and supremely educational.

All heroes,with balls of steel,these,and all that fought in the wars,should NEVER be forgotten 😔

This is what storytelling, history and honor are all about - unearthing the facts and details, drama and emotion are somewhat secondary - the human beings and their context are the subject matter - bravo, Mr Clarkson! This is priceless

My Grandfather Tommy Deakin was a tank driver and i was and am so proud of him and my grandmother was in the radar rooms directing our guns to shoot down planes both amazing people who i love dear blossom Deakin xx

I remember seeing this when it was shown on TV. Absolutely incredible story.

A truly awe-inspiring documentary about some incredible men and their actions. Stumbled across it by accident but I did not move a muscle while I watched it. I'm going to watch it again right now.