Big thank you today to the TimeGhost Army, for helping make this channel possible. Your commitment fuels our journey. If you are eager to be a part of this exciting journey with us, we invite you to enlist in the Timeghost Army. Together, we can make history. Join us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/TimeGhostHistory

That quote actually makes sense. It's from Jesus' parable of The Ten Virgins. Five had enough oil in their lamps and were ready. Five ran out of oil and by the time they tried to correct the mistake, it was too late as they missed the time of going in to the bridegroom. He's accusing the commander of inadequacy in preparations, and that his lamp will essentially run out of oil...

Himmler calling someone else a "butcher?" That takes nerve.

You almost have to feel sorry for Chiang Kai-Shek, he finally gets rid of Stilwell and then gets Patrick Hurley foisted on him!🤣🤣

Japan's atom bomb program lagged behind even Germany's, but enough had been researched to enable one physicist to see the destruction at Hiroshima and immediately conclude that the city had been nuked.

The virgin thing is a biblical reference. Matthew 25: 1-13 which speaks of "bridesmaids" (presumably virgins) using up all of the lamp oil and not having enough to last until the wedding banquet. They went to get more and when they came back they were refused entry because they were ... too late I guess. When they tried to get in they were told (by someone who Matthew doesn't name) 'Truly I tell you, I do not know you.' Matthew says, "the kingdom of heaven will be like this." Meaning, I guess, in this case you better hold on to your troops or you won't get into the... war?

Also worth mentioning this week (November 18th 1944) Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, a revolutionary educator who believed that the purpose of education is to create a better society, died in prison. Exactly 14 years after he founded the Soka Kyoiku Gakkai or Value Creation Society. He was imprisoned in 1942 as a "thought criminal" for openly refusing to support Japan's war effort. His closest disciple, Josei Toda was also imprisoned in wartime Japan, and won't be released until the following year.

This war has been super long, I don't think people will want a sequel

"A foolish virgin with no oil in the lamp? I don't understand." Shaka, when the walls fell. Indy, his eyes closed.

MacDonald's quote is a reference to Matthew 25:1-13. The Parable of the 10 Virgins. He's basically saying the commander failed to make the necessary preparations and the offensive will fail.

geez I knew we had made mistakes during our WW2 relationship with China, but I hadn't realized just how badly parts of it were mismanaged

A sidenote this week on November 13 1944 is that civil air service will be restored to London in the United Kingdom for the first time since the start of the war in September 1939. Railway Air Services began flight operations on a Croydon-Liverpool-Belfast route.

The political battles in China are so interesting, after the war is over I hope you guys do a special on the Chinese Civil War, the rise of the CCP and the Kuomintang retreat to Taiwan.

The Chinese front is lamentably ill known in the west.Indy does an awesome job describing what went on.I can recommend "Chinas war with Japan" by Rana Mitter,if you take a deeper interest.

Small note about this week, Lieutenant-General Harry Crerar (Commander of Canadian 1st army) is promoted to full General on the 16th. Becoming the first Canadian officer to hold that rank on tbe field.

You mentioned Terry Pratchett. If anyone here has never read anything by that author, you should remedy that. He was a wizard with words and extremely funny.

Would have never expected Terry Pratchet to get mentioned

Seeing Belfort close to be liberated feels... weird. I was born and grew up there. My family lived there. I know so many stories of local macquis who got murdered along with civilians of their local villages... Joy and sadness, celebration and grief... all mixed.

Invoking Terry Pratchett was a master stroke!

At this point, joining the Germans has a ring of someone climbing onto the Titanic at 2am.

Himmler: Im gonna build my own Red Army, with Blackjack and Hookers.

I am always positively astonished how well Indy handles the pronounciation of Polish names. For a moment there I thought "Władysław Anders" was a polish dub

I am in shock that I've gotten caught up to this hour while researching my grandfather's service. You're coming up on a few crazy weeks. He was in Stavelot during the Malmedy massacre. I've got chills! Thanks for tending to this important history.

Hanukkah anyone? Old Testament includes the following tradition: after wedding ceremonies the bride and the groom go to their new home. Several virgins (unmarried women) have the job of lighting the area near the home to great the seedy party. They have jars of oil and oil lamps. But, they can not be sure when the couple will arrive. If they light the lamps too soon, they run out of oil. If they wait too long to light the clamps, the couple could get lost. The lamp bears are celebrated and rewarded by the couple. Any virgin who runs out of oil or has not lit her lamp gets excluded from the rewards/party. Hanukkah is a celebration of a miracle one time when the couple were late but miraculously, the oil did not run out. Hence virgin whose lamp has run out of oil is a loser

The parable of the virgins and the lamps is in the Bible. It is actually quite relevant to the situation

I am always amazed at how quickly the Germans lost ground after the invasion. Even though it was bloody on both sides. The allies looked like a tidal wave of destruction, on paper at least. Proving once again an army cannot fight without air superiority, or food, or bullets. Its fortunate that Hitler decided to use his dwindling resources on wonder weapons.

My Grandfather was in the 1st Division, 26th Regiment, and his after action reports stated from November 16 to November 28, his Company (G) was at Schevenhutte, Germany, just east of Gressenich, under continuous mortar and artillery fire suffering heavy casualties. It has been a thrill following the western front in real time because of how featured the Blue Spaders of the 26th Infantry, 1st Division are factored in lots of engagements in the coming months. Thanks Timeghost for all you do!

Regarding the mysterious quote... It just means "You will be left behind for being unprepared".

At first I also didn't recognize the parable of the ten virgins reference but after others pointed it out in the comments it seems obvious to me now. I remember learning about that parable back when I was going to school.

I was not prepared for that metaphor. I was like a foolish virgin with no oil in the lamp.

This arming of "like minded soviet POWs to fight tge soviets" has similar vibes like confederacy discussions about arming slaves. It never really got off the ground, because by elevating slaves to fight in confederate army was violating that "subordination to the superior race is his natural and normal condition"-thing and undermine the reason why CSA existed. Similarly, by admitting that they need soviet soldiers, Himmler is basically admitting that "immutable racial hierarchy" might not be so immutable after all.

May we all live in boring times forever.

Himmler backpedaling on his anti-Russian racism reminds me of Jefferson Davis advocating for the Confederacy to form regiments of armed slaves near the end of the American Civil War. When you start abandoning core principles in the name of survival you cease to have any reason to survive.

I never expected Indy to reference Terry Pratchett! 🤯

7:30 that quote is so good we get it twice in the same video

I was playing a Hoi4 game when Andrey vlasov offered to join me. glad to know his background, great video

I’m in admiration of the research and preparation that goes into these episodes. I really like the graphics as well.

Operation Queen...they must’ve wanted to break free.

Nice narrative video about WW2 military circumstances...thank you for sharing

i finally caught up from the very beginning. this documentary has really put things into perspective for me. watching this thing and realizing all these conflicts are concurrent is mind boggling and shows the scale of the war. watching this chronologically unlocks a new layer of perspective. to watch the allies go from crushing defeat to having the axis on the back foot is really insane. 1939-40 feels so long ago as well

Thank you for the lesson.

A TERRY PRATCHETT REFERENCE! Never thought that would happen, but so glad it did. Terry probably would have loved it, since Hurley resembles so many of Pratchett's worst bureaucratic villains.

Thank you for the detailed reply.

Almost 30 minutes. Thanks for the treat.

Really enjoyed the talk about the Chinese political situation there between the Nationalist and Communist. These are things I had no idea about prior to this video. Just imagine how much different things could have been with a united China fighting the Japanese.

I'd love to see Indie et al do ww1 like the format they have used here. Great stuff, thanks for posting!

Very happy about the Terry Pratchett shout out.

Great WW 2 history! ALL the narrators on this channel are such consummate speakers!

Thanks!

Wait what? A Japanese atomic program? We must know more! Maybe a special episode? Great work as always Indy, Sparty, Astrid, and the whole crew! 🍻 cheers!

Crazy that the sinking of the Tirpitz is a footnote in this week's episode, with the amount of other stuff happening!

Brilliant show 👏👏👏

Always brilliant.

I'm a heathen and even I recognize the quote as some Bible business.

I think we are indeed living in interesting times. Great Video. As always

If there ever was a book written about the relations between China and USA during and after the war with Japan, it should be titled "China's road To communism. How America elevated Mao Zedong to power". Or something like that.

I love that you put in Hurley. It really needs to be emphasized how lackadaisical the US was about astute diplomacy in China. Also, a much better American official in the personage of general wedermeyer has arrived.

Chang Kai-Shrek looks like a Christmas tree …. As always, these episodes are a real terror to my nails (what’s left of them). I know how the war ended, but being in the middle of it with, bombs, bullets and grenades exploding all around and divisions, armies, battalions, galaxies and black holes marching or crawling in mud, makes the whole war very real (which is was), but real to me right now. It’s like a crime documentary where you know the serial killer was caught and barbecued in the chair, but still …. Is he out there still?!

Thank you.

Wow this was incredible

Love the Pratchett reference

The virgin without oil is a biblical reference

2:33 Might be interesting for those unaware: The man here removes a sign that says "Citisens, during artillery strike this side of street is most dangerous". - Removing this sign implies the the city won't be under artillery attack anymore. Some of those signs are left to this day as a memorial.

Brilliant as always😀👍

As the first week-by-week episode I have watched in a very, very long time because of life--five months, and then before then an even longer gap--, it is good to be back. As usual, the episode was great.

I didn't expect Terry Pratchett being mentioned!

That China bit was a great way to end it. Geez, wow... And I can feel in my bones the Battle of the Bulge teasers!

Map nerd question: At 16:21 there's a little holdout of German-held territory up against Switzerland that appears to be cut off from the Germans at Montbeliard. Is there actually a group of soldiers holding out down there, or is this just the mapping software drawing a line that interacts oddly with Switzerland?

Its insane how slow the allied advance is now compared to August

Better send that quote to Bletchley Park!

24:57 "America was well not served by its ambassador to China." For every clued in, sympathetic Averill Harriman type ambassador, the US diplomatic corp produced in WW2, it seemingly produced more offensive, unsympathetic amateurs like Patrick Herlihy or David Gray who caused mayhem and resentment towards their government, instead of sympathy.

I'm going to go ahead and notice that the map you have in the background is very close to the actual historical situation as of the date the video is about. Cudos.

Nice Pratchett call out. :)

extra like for the pratchett refference..))

I know there's a ways to go, but any chance of doing an episode after the war ends where you go over some of the set dressings used throughout the series? As a map nerd, I would be particularly interested to know what some of the indicators on the various maps meant, like all the clocks on the map during the D-Day event, or the white circles and lines on the oceans for the map you've been using recently. And for the red shaded aerofoil shape north of New Guinnea - I'm reading that shade as Japanese controlled waters, though this segment seems to be isolated from the rest of that area which makes control of that area dramatically more tenuous than the concept of controlled waters normally is. Obviously not a priority for when the main program is going on - even though things are kinda winding down, there's still a LOT to cover - but I can see the amount of effort you guys put into the presentation side of things, and I'd definitely be interested to hear something about that side of the work.

Terry Prattchet quote!

My mother actually uses that in everyday conversation

"Your homework is to use that in everyday conversation." Say no more.

Dear Indy will there be any mention of the 14th army under General Bill Slim in Burma, soon.

I had the same reaction as indy onthe siegfried line quote

Hi Indy Another wonderful and interesting week. It seems war in china is not going to end. It's dragging on. Thanks for the video.

So, my guess to the meaning of the reference to the virgin with no oil in the lamp is that it's a biblical reference to the parable of the virgins at the wedding waiting for the bridegroom to arrive so the reception can begin. The bridegroom is running late. Some of the virgins are vigilant and make sure they have enough oil. Others are not. When the bridegroom finally arrives, the latter group suddenly realized that they don't have enough oil and are told by the former group to go to town to buy some. By the time the unvigilant virgins return from town with the oil they are too late. The reception has started and they have been locked out. In the Bible, the reception is heaven. More generally, the virgins without oil have missed their chance to take advantage of an opportunity. I think this is what the writer meant.

Herman Balck commander of army group G against Patton 3rd army wrote a book Order in chaos. One very nice book to read. I recommend if you like history to check it out.

what a great quote...but I don't know what it means either

Indy interpreted that reference like an oilless virgin!

Ha you mentioned the great Pteri!

No oil in the lamp is a biblical reference to the 10 virgins. Five were foolish and brought no extra oil to light their lamps. When the hour grew late, they were left with no oil for them lamps. When the Groom arrived, they were off looking for oil and were locked out of the wedding feast. The reference, be prepared for you know not the hour or the day.

Interesting times is only part of a multi pronged curse. There are three (and possibly four) parts: May you live in interesting times. May you achieve your heart's desire. May you come to the attention of the powerful. May your name be mentioned in history books.

What I’m wondering myself when i see the map week by week. What is happening at the french Italien border in the south? At the cote d’azur? No fighting at all?

Japanese holdings in China look like Rorschach tests! 😂😂😂

The virgin quote is a Biblical reference, the Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids (or Ten Virgins depending on the translation). If you know the Parable it makes perfect sense.

Didn't expect to hear a mention about Terry Pratchett 🙂 Thanks for another great episode!

GNU Sir Terry Pratchett.

I miss Terry Pratchett. Thanks for mentioning him!

7:52 I am surprised you didn't mention it was a quote from New testament - did you even know that?

Indy, nice to know someone else who has read Terry Pratchett. Do you listen to music with rocks in it when writing these scripts. If so, just remember, "The truth will make you fret".😁

Wow, a single radio for an entire army

A Terry Pratchett reference FTW !

Probably my favorite episode of the entire series. I love, love, LOVE that these military campaigns are finally getting the coverage they deserve, as they are usually ignored in favor of the other campaigns in 1945. Plus, the Chinese and Russian political intrigue was absolute facinating to see, as they both destroy myths that Americans and Russians have about their roles during WW2.

Howdy! Thanks for another great video. I'd like to add to the events on the western front this week (shown on the map but not discussed in the video). On the 16th, Combat Command B of the US 2nd Armored Division, forming the left flank of XIX Corps, began its push towards Gereonsweiler and Linnich. The terrain here consisted of open fields turned to deep mud by recent rainy weather, which CCB accounted for by fitting their Shermans with "duck bill" extended end connectors on the tracks, though mobility was still greatly hampered. Apart from an ambush near Apweiler by Jagdpanzer 38s of the 183rd Volksgrenadier Division, which resulted in the loss of 7 Shermans, CCB advanced with surprising haste, taking Puffendorf by the end of the day. Alarmed, Manteuffel requested the release XLVII Panzer Corps, the only armored reserve in the area consisting of 9th Panzer and 15th Panzergrenadier divisions. Rundstedt approved the release and the divisions moved south the evening of the 16th, now with the 506th Heavy Panzer Battalion attached to 9th Panzer. The morning of the 17th, CCB 2.A.D advanced east out of Puffendorf to continue the offensive when they were met by Panthers of 9th Panzer and King Tigers of s.Pz.Abt.506. Caught in the open plains of the Roer, engaged at long range, and finding themselves outmaneuvered by the German tanks due to their superior floatation in the mud, CCB was forced to withdraw back to Puffendorf. By the end of the 17th, 2.A.D had suffered the loss of 38 medium tanks and 19 light tanks knocked out for the German loss of 11 tanks. The Germans were unable to capitalize on this due to a shortage of infantry and the prominence of artillery on both sides. In fact, three King Tigers were knocked out by artillery that day. XIX Corps would reach the Roer by the end of November, but the expected breakout across the river was stymied. Over the course of the offensive, 2.A.D lost 75 tanks and suffered its worst casualties of the war at that time- more than double those incurred during Overlord. However, German losses were also heavy, amounting to some 86 Armored Fighting Vehicles lost between 9th Panzer Division and 15th Panzergrenadier Division. The 506th Heavy Panzer Battalion five Tigers during the campaign, consisting of the three destroyed by artillery on the 17th and two tanks the 28th (one knocked out by an M36 GMC of 2.A.D's 702nd Tank Destroyer Battalion). While 2.A.D's experience in the Roer is rarely discussed, its impact is far-reaching. As Lida Mayo puts it in "On Beachhead and Battlefront," "After the war an Armored School report, prepared with the assistance of 2d Armored Division tank commanders who had participated in the action, stated that the most important factor in the set-back at Puffendorf on 17 November - "the biggest tank battle in 2nd Armored experience" - was "the inferiority of our tanks in guns, armor, and maneuverability." The success of Operation: Queen is a subject of contention. While the Roer was not crossed and other objectives were not reached, the Siegfried line had been punched through and the loss of territory for the Germans played a significant role in the failure of the Ardennes counteroffensive which soon followed. Unlike the US 2nd Armored Division, 9th Panzer wasn't able to renew its strength and found itself in rebuilding in reserve until the momentum in the Ardennes had already been lost. In any case, the lessons learned on both sides contributed heavily to the last months of the war and how it was fought. Sources and further reading: -Schneider, Wolfgang (2004). Tigers in Combat: Volume I -Mayo, Lida (2001) [1968]. The Technical Services: The Ordnance Department: On Beachhead and Battlefront -MacDonald, Charles B (1993). The Siegfried Line Campaign -Zaloga, Steven J (2007). Siegfried Line 1944-45: Battles on the German frontier -Yeide, Harry (2013). Panzers at Puffendorf