WWII Veteran Recounts the Horrors of War (D-Day 80)

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WWII Veteran Recounts the Horrors of War (D-Day 80) | History Traveler Episode 360

Рет қаралды 13,398

Ай бұрын

While in Normandy, we had the opportunity to sit down with WWII veteran Bill Soule, who was witness to some the most extreme elements of the war in Europe. Bill not only has the stories from his experiences in Europe, but he also has the photos that he took while he was there. In this episode, Bill share with us both the stories and the photos to help us better understand the war.
Note: this video contains content that falls within the guideline's for KZfaq's EDSA exception. The content of this video is for educational purposes only and provides a vital first person account of events that are critical for learning and understanding both the past and the present.
For more on The Rifle, visit: thewwiirifle.com
This episode was produced in partnership with The Gettysburg Museum of History. See how you can support history education & artifact preservation by visiting their website & store at www.gettysburgmuseumofhistory...
Support the effort to expand history education on PATREON: / historyunderground
Other episodes that you might enjoy:
- D-Day 80: The Ceremony + Reflections of a WWII Normandy Veteran | History Traveler Episode 358: • The Ceremony + Reflect...
- D-Day 80: German Armor & the Normandy Victory Museum | History Traveler Episode 357: • German Armor & the Nor...
- D-Day 80: What You Didn't Know From Angoville au Plain | History Traveler Episode 356: • What You Didn't Know F...
- D-Day 80: A Normandy Veteran's Return to Utah Beach | History Traveler Episode 355: • A Normandy Veteran's R...
- D-Day 80: A Veteran Visit to the Normandy American Cemetery | History Traveler Episode 354: • A Veteran Visit to the...

Пікірлер: 93

@marylynnmazzocco5367 Ай бұрын

One of your best, letting this gentleman tell his story with only a few questions was very effective and sensitive.

@jeffe9842 Ай бұрын

I continue to be impressed and amazed by how these veterans have such vivid memories of the war 80 years later. The clarity of veterans' memories today is no different from what it was 50-60 years ago when I heard various veterans' stories.

@TheBear351 Ай бұрын

It's hard to forget mate.

@glennbray4695 27 күн бұрын

I'm a veteran you never forget even when it would really healthy to do so

@plkangus Ай бұрын

Thanks to Bill for his stories.

@tod2992 Ай бұрын

What a nice man

@marionjohansson4235 Ай бұрын

That is an extremely good interview. The youngster from Thuringia, was a good contrast, and support , and the veteran had a fabulous memory.Just wow, captivated the whole way through. All those photos! I hope they get documented. Well done JD.

@perryj8850 Ай бұрын

Phenomenal!! These wonderful vets are living encyclopedias.

@frenchfan3368 Ай бұрын

These interviews with veterans from the Second World War are a priceless treasure that will educate for generations and generations to come. Well done J. D.!

@MrBradleyDavid Ай бұрын

What a treasure. He’s full of stories.

@barrydysert2974 Ай бұрын

At the beginning it seemed like He was very proud of His truck and really wanted to tell You about it! God bless Bill and all those other dear boys !:-) 🙏💜⚡

@BeachHunter2024 Ай бұрын

I absolutely love these videos where you have fairly extensive interviews with G.I.’s who were able to recall what they went through during the war. Sadly, we’re losing so many of them every day to old age. They truly were the greatest generation!

@JaymesEaston Ай бұрын

JD, I think this is one of your best videos. And what makes it so poignant is your German compatriot asking what and how were his fellow were acting. He wasn't there to make fellow German citizens look good- he actively wanted to know what they really were like. When he asked about Thuringia he was asking about his ancestors. This is where it travels from a documentary to discovery of one's roots. Thank you for an outstanding job. G--Bless one and all.

@TheHistoryUnderground Ай бұрын

👍🏻

@dimwitt461 Ай бұрын

JD, I got to say this is one of the best videos you’ve done covering WW2 and all that it entailed. In fact it was one of my top 5 that you’ve done, and I’ve seen them all. Thank you for sharing your experiences and the experiences of these brave heroes with us.

@TheHistoryUnderground Ай бұрын

Thank you!

@rickreasoner8664 Ай бұрын

He lit up when he started talking about souvenirs. Some of the more satisfying memories.

@TheHistoryUnderground Ай бұрын

😅

@sbishop6450 Ай бұрын

Bill was fantastic. His stories so fresh in his mind. So glad these are being recorded and so they won’t be forgotten. He’s right. The history and stories of WW2 and the sacrifice of those boys need to be taught at high school and the kids asked how they would feel if they had to go to war. Thank you JD for bringing us these men’s memories.

@johngray9669 Ай бұрын

This is a great video. You're preserving memories and reminding us of the cost of our freedom.

@tommmarree3689 Ай бұрын

HAPPY 4TH J.D.........THANKYOU for ALL you do.. UTTERLY FANTASTIC !!!!

@JeanineKing Ай бұрын

I agree with this statement! Thanks!

@robynw6307 8 күн бұрын

The peaceful sound of birdsong in the background of these stories shows how wonderfully different this place is now. How amazing to hear Bill's stories and see his photos.

@emilygardner4829 Ай бұрын

Both yours and Andy's snippets from that week on Facebook and Instagram, I just LOVE Mr. Soule! What an amazing, kind man!

@greggriffin1 Ай бұрын

Camp Maxie is north of Paris TX. and is still used for N.G. Always enjoy your content and never miss them, thank you

@Chris-Nico Ай бұрын

Thank you JD! And a special thanks to a great American warrior, Bill! Your story is a national treasure and should be celebrated for all to listen and learn.

@1psychofan Ай бұрын

Here we go with another brilliant episode!

@johnstup4479 Ай бұрын

Love hearing these stories from these veterans. Thank you JD for recording this history and sharing with us all.

@bonnieperkins6296 Ай бұрын

The photos he took are amazing! I hope they will end up in a museum someday.

@scottsuydam3349 Ай бұрын

I love this series and all these gentlemen’s stories. I’m glad you were able to document these tales. Great job JD.

@johngray9669 Ай бұрын

I love the question: What can the generation today learn from your generation...?

@stevesloat6544 28 күн бұрын

I found myself sitting on the edge of my seat soaking this video in.....I am 69 years old...like a 5 year old back in the day watching a western on black and white TV waiting for the next episode....my dad WW2 veteran...he and my mom buried at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Michigan

@pauldouglas3084 Ай бұрын

Really enjoyed the video mate can't wait for the next one

@1psychofan Ай бұрын

I keep watching this, how wonderful to hear his stories and see his photos! VERY SPECIAL

@joshgoodin4943 28 күн бұрын

So many stories that aren't part of the "official" history. This was great to see and his picture collection is a priceless treasure

@thomasweigenant2032 29 күн бұрын

One of your all-time best episodes, JD. Bill is a national treasure and still as sharp as someone half his age. Definitely epitomizes the greatest generation and how they earned that title. I bet he has some stories he could tell but may not want to admit to! Sounds loke he was a hell raiser in his day!

@user-fc8km4ix3z 25 күн бұрын

What an amazing man. His comment about educating young people as to what happened rings so very true. This interview was one of the best

@dawndickson2156 26 күн бұрын

I hope someone makes copies of his photos and turns them into a book. Just letting him talk JD was amazing. What a gift to history for years to come. Blessings to all involved with this.

@bethschenk2851 Ай бұрын

Extraordinary! Thank you so very much, Mr. Soule, for your brave service. We cannot thank you & your comrades enough. Thank you, J.D. & Andy, for these incredible first-hand stories from these brave, incredible men. I will never forget them. ❤❤❤

@Wreckdiver59 Ай бұрын

Thanks JD, it's so great that you were able to let him share his memories with us. The pictures he took added so much to his stories. The names of the towns brought back some memories of the time I spent in Germany 30 years ago. I spent a lot of time in Saarbrücken which is near Metz and Nancy just over the border in Germany (the whole area went back and forth between Germany and France over the years). I got to travel a lot on the weekends to different places in Germany, France, the Netherlands and Belgium. I just wish I was a little more interested in WWII back then.

@debrasams2362 Ай бұрын

Amazing. It is so interesting to hear someone who lived this tell his story. I'm not sure being in a war you would ever forget certain details. A scary time, not knowing if you'd live or die. I cry hearing how many innocent people died. So sad. Thanks so much for sharing this. It is so very special. This man was amazing.😊

@brendanthornton1634 Ай бұрын

Wow what an epic watch, this is why your channel is the best for this content on KZfaq. Thanks JD .

@TheHistoryUnderground 29 күн бұрын

Thank you.

@richb8282 Ай бұрын

I like this guy. Very sharp still, tells how it was. No bs or fluffing

@TheHistoryUnderground Ай бұрын

👍🏻

@TribeTaz 29 күн бұрын

JD, this has to be one of your best videos. His memory was amazing. What he witnessed in those camps. Loved his pictures

@ronbednarczyk2497 26 күн бұрын

I wonder if Bill was telling you stories that he never told his family. This video is a treasure for them.

@beckaroobanzai2777 Ай бұрын

So amazing to hear his stories and see the eyewitness photos.🇺🇸💝🪖

@lesjay6968 Ай бұрын

Ty so much ,what a great interview!!

@WWII-Skipabeat 29 күн бұрын

A witness to so much history - thanks JD for another good one!

@CoreHockey19 Ай бұрын

Sharp as a tack! So much Respect!!!

@joansemenec1387 29 күн бұрын

Truly one of your greatest videos because it shows how sensitive you were to his story and how he told it. I met a WW2 vet around 2009 or so who helped liberate Dachau concentration camp. Hearing his story was very powerful because it made me realize that cruelty and abuse comes in all forms - in peace time and also during war - no matter who commits the atrocities against someone else and no matter who swoops in to do the rescuing/liberation in a way that says, "I'm here to help. You're free from the atrocities and abuse you've suffered. Let's get you out of here to full safety." The fact that Bill helped save so many people towards the end of the war by helping to liberate a concentration camp is so amazing. Thank you, Bill Soule for your service and welcome home!! WW2 vets are part of a great generation!! Again, thanks for posting this and helping me learn about someone who helped liberate a concentration camp!!

@user-steve Ай бұрын

Great watch mate

@tomboustead7588 29 күн бұрын

I love how this video is a dialogue and this is one of the best videos on the channel

@TheHistoryUnderground 29 күн бұрын

@@tomboustead7588 Thanks!

@calvanoni5443 Ай бұрын

This is awesome!

@sscinamon Ай бұрын

Great interview. Thanks JD

@wildcolonialman Ай бұрын

Fabulous man, fabulous effort. Fine telling. God Bless you Sir.

@garyturner2272 Ай бұрын

This guy is sharp as a tack - - great memory

@j1st633 Ай бұрын

Wonderful memories. Great photos.

@dankorolyk5917 29 күн бұрын

Very moving and informative episode

@csaint6780 Ай бұрын

loved this video, Thanx!!

@TheHistoryUnderground Ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

@philsgarage64 11 күн бұрын

Merci Monsieur. 🫡🇺🇸🇫🇷

@megancrager4397 16 күн бұрын

Man, those birds are like, "we're gonna be KZfaq famous!" 😅 Beautiful setting. Wonderful guy.

@TheHistoryUnderground 15 күн бұрын

Ugh. Those birds.

@zekesgirl100 Ай бұрын

Bill was a truck driver. My father, also named Bill, was a truck driver.

@billharshaw4739 29 күн бұрын

Great video, JD. Those birds, tho. What a BIRDen.

@duanelawrence78 Ай бұрын

Great video thanks J.D. the birds were on steroids there!!✌️🇺🇲

@danferrell674 Ай бұрын

Sounded like the birds were in the room with me , I kept looking for them.

@luckyguy600 Ай бұрын

Ghosts from times gone by, and pictures fade into the future. Life always goes on. The names change and are forgotten by those who follow all of us.

@MrWhitelightning73 Ай бұрын

Excellent video…but like when I’m trying to sleep in with the windows open , the birds were annoying ☹️

@goldenveinband3620 23 күн бұрын

In the convoys would he be referring to the Canadian corvette boats? Seems like it to me they were a badass bunch. Thanks for all you do JD

@katiemyers4174 Ай бұрын

Thank you Bill. JD - May I ask what the weather was like in Normandy at this time? I've noticed many wearing jackets. And boy! The birds were extremely chatty in most of your videos! :)

@j33pfyn4tik6 Ай бұрын

Not all, but most of the youth today could care less about this war, these heroes, their stories, or their sacrifices. History WILL repeat itself.

@KAZSANable Ай бұрын

❤

@achildr1 26 күн бұрын

Loved this…BUT… My kids just yelled at me from upstairs because the bird noise was so loud, lol. I know the struggle (videographer myself)…but might want to either invest in a good directional mic or try to convince any of the guys that wearing a lav mic would be a good idea.

@TheHistoryUnderground 26 күн бұрын

I actually was using a directional mic. The birds were just that loud, which was annoying. I almost used a lav mic but opted not to because there were going to be three of us talking. Did the best I could. 🤷🏻‍♂️

@danferrell674 Ай бұрын

Amazing what the supply chain must have been. Food, gas, water, ammunition, etc.

@ronbednarczyk2497 26 күн бұрын

JD, Where is this chateau that the veterans were staying in?

@jacobplaster7264 29 күн бұрын

Really wish the subtitles worked better on KZfaq

@TheHistoryUnderground 29 күн бұрын

I’ll get some better subtitles up when I get time.

@emmaier8478 Ай бұрын

wait... there were living survivors of ohrdruf? my grandpa was with the 550th anti aircraft, attached to the 89th... he said no one survived the camp

@TheHistoryUnderground Ай бұрын

One thing that I’ve learned from interviewing a number of veterans is that in many cases, they only knew what they saw right in front of them and what they may have heard through the grapevine. Firsthand accounts most certainly have their place and are of great value, but they also have to be balanced with other sources and accounts.

@emmaier8478 Ай бұрын

@@TheHistoryUnderground yeah that makes sense, and my grandpa didn't talk about it much at all... just interesting to know he was wrong about that particular detail

@lenardhenderson9674 Ай бұрын

I thoroughly enjoy your KZfaq vlog I listen to them any chance and every chance I get I watch and imagine myself walking beside you I can't get enough of the World War II conflict and the men that had to endure thank you again for your Channel I hope you keep it up for a long time

@CiCiKensey02 Ай бұрын

You are so right, sir. They should teach it in schools. Unfortunately, they are more concerned about Pride Month and wokeness. How about honoring our WWII vets for a month? Of course, they are not going to do that. SMH. Thank you for your service, sir!

@EGSBiographies-om1wb 28 күн бұрын

80th

@Cabmaker Ай бұрын

Those damn birds made it difficult to hear

@TheHistoryUnderground Ай бұрын

Yeah, they were a bit annoying.

@user-qs7gx7rp7m Ай бұрын

Lived and breathed WWII because all males on both sides of the family enlisted en-mass in a part of Canada with the very highest per capita enlistment rate. All were 100% active 'Front Line' types. Romanced them while I could in time, aided by serious archival research that proved none were ever liars. Fondest memories are ca 1970-75, when this young 'Boomer' was 1st treated as an adult friend to a Canadian Legion, after prudes went home and the lively gang got singing well loved outrageous 'Baudy Songs' not fit for print or airing today. Was both a shock and a parental revelation A pity, learned much about natural human nature and the kind of man and woman who can fully celebrate what life is all about . . . Not war but the wonderful eternal struggle between the sexes that makes life worth while if collobration is made easier. My parents were perfect. Sure do miss them and deeply regreat I will not see their like again in my life time.