D-Day: The Battle for Strongpoint Hillman | June 1944
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- čas přidán 29. 08. 2024
- On the 6 June 1944, the British 3rd Division landed on Sword Beach in Normandy, France. Among the units involved was the 1st Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, whose task it was to capture a formidable German position known as Strongpoint Hillman.
This video is dedicated to the loving memory of Snowy. Always in our hearts
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I am super proud to announce the release of an eBook project I have been working on over the past few months!
This book is part one of a series that will cover the histories of every Division that was active in the British Army from September 1939 - January 1947. Part one covers the Armoured & Cavalry Divisions.
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You appear to have overlooked an important detail concerning the surrender of the German strongpoint WN17.
In reality, not counting any casualties men who fled the position during the night only about 50 or so prisoners taken by 20h15 on the 6th June. The site was mostly in allied hands. Mostly!
It was not until Daybreak on the 7th of June that the Command bunker surrendered, when dozens more men led by Colonel Krug and other officers appeared from their positions and lay down their arms to the disbelief of the British they historically made their way towards them belongings in hand. The 736 Grenadier regiment ceased to exist as a fighting force.
My father, Hauptmann Henry Kuhtz, was Chief of Staff of the 736. Regiment. He was wounded by a shrapnell at the so called „pakgarage“ at Hillman by noon on June 6th. He became a PW and returned home March 1946. Thank you for this interesting and detailed documentation.
Wow, great story, im glad he made it back,was you already born then or not? greetings from 🏴...
@@wor53lg50 I am born August 1944. My knew until Sep. 1944 only that he is missing in action. Than she received a postcard from him via Red Cross informing that he is wounded and PW in UK.
I'm amazed. One reinforced company (A company Suffolks) removed a well dug-in, prepared and defended enemy regimental position. This action indicates extraordinary valor, courage and sacrifice. My respect and honor to the fallen and the victors.
Excellent video.
Whilst serving in the British Army I was fortunate enough to accompany some veterans of the Suffolk Regiment's attack on Hillman on a battlefield tour of Normandy. Hillman was one of the locations we visited. It was truly humbling to hear some of the first hand accounts of the battle and the modest way in which the veterans talked about what they did was something I had a great deal of respect for. Stabilis.
We Will Remember Them
sadly our new progressive culture are trying everything they can to make us forget
@@retrohaggis7969 I still remember the sacrifice and consider it my responsibility to teach my children the same. They will never be forgotten
I won’t forget retro, brave men
My most humble thanks to those who fought and died eighty years ago to free the world from tyranny. You shall never be forgotten.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them.
They fought and died so people can be a he/she/they/them/their
One of the most important days in human history, we will remember.
Fewer remember
Their bravery should never go unnoticed
@@gordonshrubb7155 Well, it's up to you, and me, all of us to remember. It's our duty to share the stories we know of the heroes we didn't. Be proud and show blatant unabashed patriotism, whatever country you're from. That humble pride and patriotism and remembrance of what those that have come before us did is very contagious. =)
I shall name my first son Strongpoint Hillman to honour this day
Wers d action.
Losing your tank and/or crew members to a mine, must be so heart breaking and frustrating. Imagine going through all of that training and preparation, only to go out like that. Bless those engineers who cleared them.
My Grandpa was in the 2nd Suffolk Regt in Burma. He fought a similar battle in Burma against a dug in Japanese position with 1pill boxes. My Grandpa got a Military Cross in that battle.
I mentiom this because both battalions where in the same regiment so from the same region of England and its part of their regimental history.
My dad was Private James Richard “Tich” Hunter DCM. He knocked out the cupola at Hillman and is mentioned in this video. Thank you for creating and uploading this video.
My grandfather was in the 2nd wave onto Omaha Beach. He survived the war and was awarded the Purple Heart and 2 Bronze Stars with a V for Valor. Staff Sergeant J. L. Winstead, you are missed, but always remembered.
He was one of the few to survive 'Bloody Omaha.' My hat's off to him.
@@alexanderleach3365 for him to be in the 2nd wave and survive, that’s amazing.
@@FFEMTB08 indeed
Brilliant to see a British Story from D-Day, normally always centred around Omaha beach.
What I’ve been wanting is some more focus on Canada. We never hear about Juno and it was the second hardest beach but had the most success
@@frostyvr9805 I always hear Canadians talking about it 😄 but in all fairness you're right, 3rd Canadian Division did really well on D-Day
Very true, I bet most people think the British and Canadians never even took part in the Normandy landings. In my opinion, Hollywood is responsible for this with big budget films and TV programmes that don't mention this at all.
Very true, I bet most people think the British and Canadians never even took part in the Normandy landings. In my opinion, Hollywood is responsible for this with big budget films and TV programmes that don't mention this at all.
Thanks for this. Because Omaha was the "worst" and an American beach (which means Hollywood focuses on it), the sacrifice of of the Suffolks, RE's, and Hussars to open the way, along with many others, should still liveth forevermore, and not be forgotten.
Also, "Ringing your bell" has a whole new meaning for me when I picture a Sherman Firefly pumping multiple rounds of 17-pdr AP into a steel cupola blockhouse. Headache indeed, ha!
The honest Tommy is always taken for granted. We have Canadians/Australians/Poles etc all clamouring and clawing for all the attention when the bulwark of the "Commonwealth" effort was and always has been Tommy Atkins.
@@doug6500 what a strange comment. Have you forgotten that the Battle of Normandy was an ALLIED campaign? e.g. the late historian & writer Robyn Neillands interviewed thousands of veterans, none of which disparaged ANY of the efforts & sacrifices of Allied troops under a different flag.
@@bluerock4456 I don’t think Doug is disparaging any of the allied soldiers who served. However there are MANY partisan views complaining that their servicemen never get a mention, and a never ending stream of author /historians who very often have an “agenda” and an axe to grind in order to profit from their target audience.
@@californiadreamin8423 This. Thanks.
@@doug6500 You’re welcome.
The roll of honour strikes a chord in the heart… what a time to be a young Brit… the honour and glory are eternally theirs…
Chord.
@@skepticalbadger thanks
on a visit to hillman a few years back we noticed a very old man looking in and around some bushes ,we were a little concerned because he was alone and looked a little lost , we walked over to ask if he was ok , his reply was that he was looking for his name written on a wall from when he fought on this very spot on the big day, he had some great stories to tell us .
My Dad was with R.E.M.E. and although he wasn't part of the initial landing force, he did land on June 9th as part of the follow up force. He died in 1985, but I always recall him mentioning the sight he saw when approaching the newly installed harbour. He said the sea was black with ships as far as you could see in either direction. There was no way this was going to fail. They were there to stay.....and finish the job. He said the numbers of trucks, supplies, thousands more men and armoured vehicles etc, still going ashore 3 days after the initial assault was mind blowing......
Their actions that day allowed us to be free. The bravery and determination of our armed forces is incredible.
Yes, free to continue under the heel of the banksters and their shonky fiat currency
Depends how you define freedom!
I realise that this upload is mainly about the Suffolks but I was pleased to see the South Lancs get a mention at the start , the reason being my father was probably in that particular landing on Sword beach on 6th of June being part of the South Lancs . I am very proud of him as he fought at Dunkirk and El Alamein as well. Any other videos involving the South Lancs I would love to hear about please. And god bless all those who fought for liberty and freedom. You are supermen
Good Lord - your father was at those three massive battles. I hope that he survived the war.
June 6 should be a stat holiday.
Merry Overlord Day to everyone!
I don't mean that as a joke.
On D day my mother was starving in the Netherlands and my father was starving and slaving for Krupp in Buchenwald. D day meant the world to them.
I was amazed at realising how much May 5th still means to Dutch people. I used to live in Enschede.
I suppose that when they heard of the invasion, it must have given them hope, hope that deliverance was near. Although it took another 11 months before the final defeat of the Nazis.
these little action stories are excellently done thank you. It shocks me how many British people have No knowledge of the significance of 06.06 44.
My friend Neil Gallagher was wounded three times. He was an officer in the 80th division became a congressman. So proud to have known him! He was left and I was right, we never had a crossword between us.
Truly; the greatest generation!
It was the gritty defence of Hillman, and one or two other strong points, that prevented Caen being reached on the first day. Though it was an ambitious goal.
I went to Normandy in 2011, I walked on the sands of Omaha, Utah and Gold beaches. Walked on the cliffs of Pointe de Huc and went to the town of St. Sainte-Mère-Église, and the city of Caen.
Am off there next Monday, can't wait!
@@rogerkay8603 Good for you! Be sure to take lots of pictures.
@@alexanderleach3365 Had a fantastic tour on my motorbike. Did all the beaches, the US and Canadian cemetries, the battery at Merville, St Marie Eglis, Pegasus Bridge, Dead Man's corner, stunning and sobering. So glad I did it.
If you ever have the chance, visit the Normandy beaches. Truly a moving experience.
I'm just happy as a tick on a blood hound that you are teaching/sharing "must know" history to other generations!
History books didn't stay real current in my day, estimate 20 years before it became printed history in schools. In '76, focus was still WWII bc Korea was labeled a "policing action". Similar to Putin calling the Ukraine war something besides war.
War is war.
I'm 63 & the most recent printed history for high school was WWII with a touch of Korea by mid-late '70's. Vietnam wasn't in books yet, it was on the news every night - when you ONLY HAD 3 CHANNELS!
1st war broadcasted on the nightly news.
So anyway, great video and keep on educating us all, your very good at it!
I feel like the British had it the toughest in many of the battles of WW2 and they always held fast. There’s a reason why the Brit’s are some of the toughest warriors on earth and why the SEALs adopted their system of training.
Edit: Delta Force was the branch that adopted SAS training.
The Brits are tough, but the Navy SEALS didn't adopt British training. SEAL training is actually American developed. DELTA Force, however, DID copy British SAS training.
@@wilb6657 thanks for the correction bro.
@@jellymop No prob!
The Brits got bailed out by the Americans and ussr in world war 2
@@RoCK3rAD Bailed out where?
As a Suffolk lad can I say thank you for taking the trouble to explain the whole action in such marvellous detail. It’s the best account I have seen. Splendid
For me DDay is the most important day of all to celebrate . On that day most of the hero's were British and that's a fact !. The thing that grips me more than anything is those countries which were liberated at the cost of British blood , Today can't wait to stick the knife in and and offend us . If only our government's of passed and present had balls of steel . Just like the men of Briton on DDay . There are no words in the English language that can describe how proud I am of our troops then and Now . 🇬🇧 Thank you for my liberty .
There was heroism all 'round on June 6, & for the rest of the campaign.
From memory:
Strong point Morris was surrendered with minimal resistance due to it being manned by Polish troops in Whermacht service. They were under the control of a German officer.
Once they saw the invasion they turned on the German and then surrendered. Hence minimal resistance from this strong point. A lucky break for the English soldiers.
Each German strong point was code named after an English car manufacturer.
Morris, Hillman.
Hillman strong point was only taken once the Germans had run out of ammunition (a common occurance on D Day).
The Commander contacted his headquarters and asked what should he do and was replied to do what all Senior German officers should do in this type of instance (commit suicide).
He chose to surrender believing he and his men had fulfilled their duty and delayed the enemy advance to all of their capabilities.
The car manufacturer Hillman, honoured Hunter by naming a Hillman model after him, this being the Hilman Hunter.
There is always some little rat taking away from anything the British achieved either in Normandy or more generally. The minimal resistance seems to have cost 10 lives, 24 injuries and 4 tanks. All these lucky breaks. The Americans had plenty of lucky breaks during Cobra having to dodge all those flowers as the motored through villages. Meanwhile 21st AG were lucky enough to have to deal with the bulk of the German army in France.
The sacrifice of so many in ww2 rest in peace
RIP brothers 🙏 💔
We will remember them 🇬🇧🙏🏻🕊
My grandfather served in the 1st Suffolks though the whole war was at Dunkirk and sword beach
Love your content! Its so good to have a play by play of these battles and special operations that you cover. Helps to understand the flow of battle and what these brave men and women faced and face today. Thank you so much.
The saddest part of all of this is the ignorance. Here in the USA, most of those under 40 have no idea who fought in WW II, why they fought, where they fought and not much more than generic flag waving if they think about the sacrifice at all. I hope our Brit cousins have taught their schoolkids about the War and D-Day. Our public schools (state schools in Brit English) with notable exceptions, are as you Brits say "bloody awful". Incompetents in the teaching profession, more interest in sports than academics. Acquisition of knowledge? Sure in the private schools and a few elite upper income places, but generally a disaster elsewhere. Perhaps a few will learn things from excellent channels such as yours.
I think the British do a better job of remembering this sort of stuff than Americans do, partly due to the proximity of the countries. In America, it's easy to just think it was "over there"...
...and over half seem to think the Nazis were extreme leftist.
Great video. I’d love to see one for the Suffolk 1st Regiment. Loads of first hand detail in the book “Suffolk 1st Regiment: D-Day to Berlin”. These days are perfectly outlined with amazing detail! You’d love it.
They shall not grow old
I've re-watched this and looking at the German defences I can't believe only 10 men were killed. god bless everyone of them. I don't think I could have gone through with that.
This channel has the most excellent reporting of WWII campaigns, etc on CZcams. Would love to see more videos of the British troops in WWII. Greetings from The Netherlands, you made some great episodes of British campaigns in my country.
Fantastic video. A day that lives on as a true expression of those brave men's will
And today, instead of teaching and learning from these events (so they don't happen again) modern society wants it erased and forgotten about. No doubt we will make the same mistakes again....
Impressive Company by Company Fighting . It surprised me how big the gaps in the German defenses were ( apart from isolated Strongpoints). Surprising how the Navy intermediary died with no back up and the Army have no other way of contacting them for the first few days
that was a huge screw up that cost lives. That strongpoint had to have been known and should have been shelled and bombed mercilessly in the weeks preceeding the invasion.
Very well presented...
I can only imagine being one of them...
Quite the battle! Thanks for a great video.
I didn't need a guide when I visited Normandy and sought out Hillman. Other than the three of us, the place was entirely deserted. Even on a bright day, it's a very depressing prospect to be stuck there, awaiting an onslaught. At least the defenders did not have the misfortune of their colleagues at Gold Beach in "entertaining" Stan Hollis VC.
Very good video, all the essential contextual setting and clear graphics explaining the details of the action. We visited the site about 5 years ago, and found it well maintained and interpreted.
I am a patreon of this excellent channel.
What noise does an opera singer make when practicing for the show
Superb absolutely fantastic as ever, would like to see a Brit band of brothers made...
You should do a video on the Battle of Hill 112 - Operation Jupiter.
Gawd Bless em each and every one. and Thank you
During the subsequent battle for Caen, "the anvil of victory," the Orne turned red from all the bodies bleeding out in it.
Thanks mate, great vids, as always.
A fine presentation of a difficult and dangerous action! Well done! 👍🏻👍🏻
Maj Gen. Tom Rennie's Confidence in his officers and men is shown so much in his cheery "good Luck". he knew they'd get the job done in good time and with the best outcome possible.
Always quality videos 👍🏻
great video as always
My Lord, fantastic reseaerch. An reoect to every on of those brave ldas!. Not sure if I could do it but you never know?
I will always remember and be eternally grateful. Their courage and sacrifice stopped evil in it's tracks.
What a generation of men (and women!). Balls of steel.
Every day is remembrance day.
Amazing men
Thank you
Wait. The British actually fought and won battles? I thought they just sat around drinking tea while the Yanks and Aussies did all the fighting. I can’t believe the American and Australian movies misrepresented the World Wars!
I think the Jubilee has overshadowed the D-Day commemorations, unfortunately.
My father was in the 2nd East Yorks and was part of that first landing on Sword.
Outstanding presentation! You gained a sub with this greatness!
Extremely brave men.
Lest we forget
I have visited Hillman. The photos don't do justice to the strength of the fortifications. Even if they had been bombed, the infantry would still have had to get in there to clear it out. Those bunkers are massive. They are still there because they are too strong to destroy.
the Germans attached a lot of importance to Caen, and put up a heck of a fight for it. In that way, the British bore much of the brunt of the D-Day battles...
First Suffolks not One Suffolks!
You should do a video on the Château De La Londe
Good video. I respectfully think you shouldn't miss use a Churchill quote about Battle of Britain Pilots for this. Sadly for the PBI, this was just another day at the office for a further 11 months to come.
Just saying but there’s a chance that I might be going to Normandy in 2024 for the 80th anniversary of D Day and I am going with the bagpipe and drum band that I am in.
THIS DAY THEY WILL BE REMEMBERED .
Good vid!
OP = Observation Post, not out-post!
Do we know why us Americans missed the air bombardment on this area?
Heavy cloud cover played a major role
Cloud cover. Most of the bombs ended up way inland instead of on the strongpoints.....
Excellent remembrance
Bless those young men.
Thanks to those who served to save our today!
Outstanding
I love ART patches
The 'Iron' Division.
Keep the Lancashire lads and the Yorkshire lot together cos we'll wanna prove who's better and kick arse like we saw regardless of casualties
Laconic British wit regarding headaches lol
Bless them all.
I was there last june, it was probably as important as the Merville battery.
Looks like the Triforce in the top right corner, what's the three black triangles meant to actually represent?
Please do about Indian sf next
OP is Observation Post - not Outpost.
My uncle George Wainfird was in Italy call their selves the DDay dodgers
If you want to know what it was really like read, Brothers in Arms, story of Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry ,
God Bless Them All..... GSTK (as it was back then)...
Lest we forget…..
been there
I wonder what these guys would think of the country that we have become today, where most of our young people are taught to be ashamed of it?
My Dad - who landed in France on June 9th, three days after the initial assault, once saw a punk with bright blue hair. He said he thought he looked like a complete clown, but he said he would always be prepared to *defend* the lad's right to look that way if he chose to. A fair point I thought....... My Dad passed away in 1985.....(cancer)
Should be "lads"
🌠👍🙏
Ask 4 commando what they found when they landed
I think you need to learn how the army speaks. For example; it is not one Suffolks, it is the first Suffolks. Also time. It is not zero seven forty five, it is oh forty five. Apart from that , good 👍
REspect