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

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

Рет қаралды 11,836

9 күн 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: 88

@marylynnmazzocco5367 7 күн бұрын

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

@plkangus 8 күн бұрын

Thanks to Bill for his stories.

@jeffe9842 7 күн 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 7 күн бұрын

It's hard to forget mate.

@glennbray4695 4 күн бұрын

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

@marionjohansson4235 7 күн 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.

@MrBradleyDavid 7 күн бұрын

What a treasure. He’s full of stories.

@perryj8850 8 күн бұрын

Phenomenal!! These wonderful vets are living encyclopedias.

@frenchfan3368 7 күн 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.!

@BeachHunter2024 7 күн 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 7 күн 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 7 күн бұрын

👍🏻

@tod2992 8 күн бұрын

What a nice man

@barrydysert2974 8 күн 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 !:-) 🙏💜⚡

@emilygardner4829 8 күн бұрын

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

@sbishop6450 7 күн 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.

@rickreasoner8664 7 күн бұрын

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

@TheHistoryUnderground 7 күн бұрын

😅

@dimwitt461 7 күн 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 7 күн бұрын

Thank you!

@johngray9669 8 күн бұрын

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

@greggriffin1 8 күн 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

@scottsuydam3349 7 күн бұрын

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

@tommmarree3689 8 күн бұрын

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

@JeanineKing 7 күн бұрын

I agree with this statement! Thanks!

@Chris-Nico 7 күн 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.

@joansemenec1387 6 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-fc8km4ix3z 2 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

@johnstup4479 7 күн бұрын

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

@bonnieperkins6296 7 күн бұрын

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

@1psychofan 8 күн бұрын

Here we go with another brilliant episode!

@1psychofan 7 күн бұрын

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

@Wreckdiver59 7 күн 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.

@dawndickson2156 3 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.

@brendanthornton1634 6 күн бұрын

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

@TheHistoryUnderground 6 күн бұрын

Thank you.

@thomasweigenant2032 6 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!

@debrasams2362 7 күн 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.😊

@bethschenk2851 7 күн 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. ❤❤❤

@johngray9669 8 күн бұрын

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

@joshgoodin4943 4 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

@TribeTaz 6 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

@stevesloat6544 5 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 8 күн бұрын

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

@richb8282 7 күн бұрын

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

@TheHistoryUnderground 7 күн бұрын

👍🏻

@ronbednarczyk2497 3 күн бұрын

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

@tomboustead7588 6 күн бұрын

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

@TheHistoryUnderground 6 күн бұрын

@@tomboustead7588 Thanks!

@WWII-Skipabeat 5 күн бұрын

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

@beckaroobanzai2777 6 күн бұрын

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

@lesjay6968 8 күн бұрын

Ty so much ,what a great interview!!

@user-steve 7 күн бұрын

Great watch mate

@CoreHockey19 7 күн бұрын

Sharp as a tack! So much Respect!!!

@wildcolonialman 6 күн бұрын

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

@calvanoni5443 7 күн бұрын

This is awesome!

@luckyguy600 7 күн 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.

@csaint6780 7 күн бұрын

loved this video, Thanx!!

@TheHistoryUnderground 7 күн бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

@garyturner2272 7 күн бұрын

This guy is sharp as a tack - - great memory

@sscinamon 7 күн бұрын

Great interview. Thanks JD

@j1st633 7 күн бұрын

Wonderful memories. Great photos.

@dankorolyk5917 6 күн бұрын

Very moving and informative episode

@zekesgirl100 7 күн бұрын

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

@billharshaw4739 6 күн бұрын

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

@duanelawrence78 7 күн бұрын

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

@danferrell674 6 күн бұрын

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

@katiemyers4174 6 күн 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 7 күн 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.

@MrWhitelightning73 8 күн бұрын

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

@achildr1 3 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 3 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. 🤷🏻‍♂️

@lenardhenderson9674 7 күн 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

@KAZSANable 8 күн бұрын

❤

@ronbednarczyk2497 3 күн бұрын

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

@danferrell674 6 күн бұрын

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

@jacobplaster7264 5 күн бұрын

Really wish the subtitles worked better on KZfaq

@TheHistoryUnderground 5 күн бұрын

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

@CiCiKensey02 7 күн 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!

@emmaier8478 7 күн 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 7 күн 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 7 күн 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

@EGSBiographies-om1wb 4 күн бұрын

80th

@Cabmaker 7 күн бұрын

Those damn birds made it difficult to hear

@TheHistoryUnderground 7 күн бұрын

Yeah, they were a bit annoying.

@user-qs7gx7rp7m 7 күн 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.