Yes because the higher ranking officer is always the first man to lower his hand . In this case the colonel lowered his hand first because he saluted the honor and respect of major winter which was a higher status than his rank of colonel , very powerful scene indeed
The Nazi Col is the higher rank by quite a bit, but he saluted the major out of respect. Major Winters respected him as a soldier, not as a man, that’s why the Col saluted first. The lower rank always salutes the higher rank first, and the lower ranking soldier holds his salute until the higher rank retires his salute.
@@leeshackelford7517 This is the “Only” case where that applies, yes you are correct. But in that scene you could tell the Col saluted Winters more out of respect than protocol
“When a man stands against you, destroy him viciously and thoroughly. But when that man surrenders stretch out a hand and help him up, or else no wise man thereafter will surrender to you”
@@LordNightCrawler "Being savages and no mercy will not help you when you have to work with the locals. Plus it makes you become what you say you fight."
Sean Chris Lewis I don’t know but it sounds similar to something Tywin Lannister once said: “When your enemies defy you, you must serve them steel and fire. When they go to their knees, however, you must help them back to their feet. Elsewise no man will ever bend the knee to you.”
In reality Dick Winters did accept the pistol and he kept it as well. There's an interview where he talks about it and keeping it clean and never firing it, a symbol for how he felt after everything was over. Very touching.
I wish they had portrayed that in the show, it was so much more meaningful. He also mentioned that he noticed the pistol had never been fired at all. And he felt that there wasn't a more perfect way to accept a surrender than to seal it with something that had no blood on it. Literally. Winters was a great man.
I think it would be difficult to capture that kind of a sentiment, given how the show was structured. The show only barely touched upon what they did after the War in Europe ended.
Sadly this didn’t happen in real life, Winters took the gun and later found out it had never been fired throughout the entire war, and vowed to never fire it.
That is true but I can understand why they changed it here. It is to convey how the war with the Germans is definitely over and now there is mutual respect. Another detail is that according to Winters, the German was a Major instead of a Colonel (I guess they made him a Colonel to make it more impressive that he would salute an American Major). One thing also mentioned in the books is that Winters meant that all military weapons needed to be handed over, but the German Major thought he meant EVERY firearm, even civilian owned, needed to be confiscated; so that's what he did.
European tradition held that during the ceremony of a surrender. The defeated commanding officer would surrender his sword to the victorious commanding officer. Protocol and honor dictated that the victorious officer refuse to take the sword, permitting the defeated to keep it. That is the tradition that this scene pays homage to.
depends on 'HOW' its done. If you doesnt take the sword by just dismissing it - its an heavy insult. IF you doesnt take the sword because the soldiers and the officer fight well - its an honor gift - and if he accept the swords its an honorable defeat
Except in reality Major Winters actually accepts the pistol, if you watch the bonus features DVD Winters talks about the incident and shows the pistol. Also the pistol turns out not to be a Luger but a Walther PP, so yeah fun facts.
Yeah but they arent that uncommon now ..and there are lugers and then there are LUGERS...very fine workmanship indeed but the design was weak and not the greatest really...I own 2 of them
The Luger was also retired due to it being pretty much objectively worse than the P38 in every way but symbolic. That's something that the Luger will never lose, no matter how old it gets.
Malarkey almost dies trying to find one in Carentan, and here is his commander being offered one! and Shifty says his loot included some "pistols" so he might have one
The Luger was never retiered by the Wehrmacht, its production was discontinued early in the war but never replaced. It was a good gun for its time, it was just too expensive to produce, the P38 won on being cheaper, a lot cheaper. Not by being significantly superior. Its worth noting that German officers of the war used just about every handgun they could find, from 1911s to pocketpistols i 32acp. Hollywood never does this justice.
Yea just a brilliant scene. And I love the change they made with him getting to keep the sidearm. Tho in real life Winters took exceptional care of the sidearm.
In real life the officer was not a colonel. Winters actually did take the gun. It had never been fired, and wished to keep it that way. It was a symbol of peace, not simply a war trophy. The series makers twisted the story to pay homage to a convoluted idea of medieval knights the defeated offering his sword etc, but thats not what actually took place.
Jumper it is totally the point of the scene. Sobel was told to salute the rank not the man because of a lack of respect.. here the respect between two men in palpable ... they were saluting the men here .
I disagree about it being the best scene. The one after, where the general (I believe; and a fine actor in his own right) addresses his troops, nearly brings me to tears every time. Same with the scene where they’re about to get in to their planes to jump on D-Day, and Brecourt Manor.
@@tinman3586I assume he means that Winers wasn't in the army as a career. Winters memoirs essentially say he volunteered so he wouldn't get drafted later, and he REALLY just wanted to go home. So yeah, he's not a "professional" soldier in the same way that German officers trained for LIFE, but it's a weird technicality to bring up - Winters was an INCREDIBLE officer. When the German Colonel says "I wonder what will happen when there are no more wars to occupy us" you can even see Winters' expression - for this Colonel, war was his entire life, but for Winters? He didn't want to be there at all. War for him wasn't something to "keep him occupied" it was something he just wanted to get done with & go home.
If you ask yourself what went wrong today find someone who has respect for you and someone who deserves yours. Aside from small pockets of people like, craftworkers, engineers, soldiers, IT-Infrastructure workers or some professional athletes I don't generally see this attitude or behavior at any point in time. People with manpurses and addidas sweat pants....
Yeah, However , after that scene Capt.Spier's took those two German officers at the back and waste them with his sub machine gun . Brrrrrt !! Ahahaha !!
And before that , after Major Winters gave back the Luger . The two German officers turn away with a " What an asshole !! "Joker face , but Capt. Spier's saw them . Unfortunately, the production cut that part out?
***** , Nothing to worry mate , Spielberg and Hanks got a lot money to spend in their lifetime. Do you know how much Tom make from Forrest Gump? $700 mil. How d'ya count that kinda money?
As Lieutenant-Colonel John Malcolm Thorpe Fleming 'Jack' Churchill of the British Army said during The Second World War; "Any officer who goes into action without his sword is improperly dressed.''
There were numerous cases in Poland and Greece when Germans would allow officers of the capitulating units to keep their swords (or sabres)in captivity. In Poland garrisons of Westerplatte, Warsaw, fortress Modlin and Gen Kleeberg's army who were the last to lay down their weapons. In Greece troops defending Metaxas Line and Kleisura Pass. In most cases though swords were confiscated once in POW camps.
Correct me if I am wrong, but I remember Hugo Boss made only SS unfiorms. The german officer in the video seems to be in the heer, I don't see any skull on his hat. Anyway, still well dressed the germans in WWII, Hugo Boss or not.
The dignity of a German officer is unparalleled! But first he started with a smirk on his face, but when Winters said he could keep his sidearm, it turned to admiration and respect. The final salute was so classy!
Later in life, Sobel became depressed, tried to commit suicide, and shot himself in the temple at just the right angle so that the bullet went through both optic nerves, blinding but not killing him, and he survived for years after. He lived a sad life after the war, have some compassion.
Wait but doesn't saluting the rank means the german colonel would put his hand down first, I'm not quite sure of the procedure, or is it anyone that initiates the salute would be the last to put their hand down?
Winters didn't respect the German Colonel, Winters did take his side arm in the end and put it on EBay. Without knowing the Colonels wife bought the Side arm for £10.99 and winters delivered the Side arm and also bent her over the kitchen table and filmed it. Winters kept showing the German Colonel the video every time he was being a naughty boy.
no people helping the elderly or the homeless or the poor, is hart warming , the Nazis or the Rich were murderers and sadists , I don't find solders who belonged to the organisation who murdered the disabled heartwarming.
@@heighwaysonthewing first off its reich and second what about you Americans you killed 90 percent of natives and 3rd yes some were sadistic but some like erwin Rommel and this man in video are both good examples that some people in a country were good people 😐I will continue if I must so please shove off
That they did Lord Farquaad . Not only locked em up but lobotomized them as well. They also used African American men as guinea pigs by deliberately infecting them with syphilis
michael holt Sobel would be like “Is that dust on your Lugers sight? How do you expect to surrender to me with a dusty sidearm? You’re surrender is revoked”
I very much get the impression from the scene that Winters thinks the Colonel is a pompous ass, but is too professional to tell him so. Winters is, after all, outside of the uniform no more than a 'clerk'. Winters had no desire to be in the war, was glad it was over, and had no trouble imagining the many things he would do aside from soldiering. When offered to return to war, Winters declined. The truth is that the Colonel was incapable of imagining the sort of man who had defeated him, and insisted on imagining Winters in the role of some sort of dashing, romantic soldier he imagined himself to be.
Simon Fork Great analogy. We had to worry about all German soldiers in WW2, even the ones that weren't Nazis, as they had to follow orders of the Nazis. Same with Muslims.
@@Evidiestv Hugo Boss produced the uniforms, they did NOT design them. Nearly all military and nazi uniforms were designed by the nazi party or the Wehrmacht itself for obvious reasons. These arent ceremonial uniforms after all.
Yes, that's what it's all about...? F*ck a nice uniform and so-called gentlemen. The nazi pigs and their following sheep left an unprecedented trail of destruction and genocide in Europe and beyond. Never forgiven, never forgotten!
@@harrycoo5739 Yeah but nazi genocides stopped... Commie genocides are still happening and they killed way way more people than nazis. Such great winners of ww2...
For those who do not know the history of the "salute", it comes from the 100-year war inbetween France and England. There were so many knights on the roads so that during any armistice a knight would open his Visor/Helmet to show a non-intent of aggression. It became a honorable sign of respect inbetween the soldiers of two warring nations. Surrendering your weapon, usually a sword as a ceremony nowdays, is a huge thing. So when he lets the German Colonel keep his weapon, it's not just the weapon, it's his honor and his "Soldiers life".
yeah. Bc of that in Poland "nie salutujesz do pustej głowy" you do not salute if you don't have something on your head, there is "nod salute' instead then, so for me Dick Winters salute looks a little bit weird
Officers lol, many are useless truly. Unless of corse they have a significant amount of experience. I.E. The Wehrmacht Colonel, its not easy to reach such a high rank and demands a lot from an individual in the Wehrmacht.
Matthew Reynolds No he doesn't...? He sees the colonel as a fellow man of war, a leader of men, who shows honor in his surrender. He shows no hint of disdain.
+Stormgebieder Well, there's a great juxtaposition here. I wouldn't necessarily call the relationship between them "mutually respectful" though there is respect there, of course. If anything it shows that the colonel fundamentally misunderstands Winters. It's clear that this colonel (probably fictional) is a man of war, someone whose family was probably from the nobility in the past and who has been trained since he was young to command in battle. For him war is a profession and a calling, and his words drip with unintentional condescension for the common soldiery...for him war is just something that "occupies us." This is in stark contrast to Winters, who clearly stated in his autobiography that he "had no desire to go to war" and volunteered for enlistment so that he wouldn't be drafted. After the war he declined an officer commission (which would have put him on a career track up the ranks) and accepted a discharge, though he did come back and trained officers in the Korean War. Winters went to war because he had to and got out of it as soon as his duty permitted. The German colonel was trained in it and gloried in it, even in defeat, and even despite all of the horrible things that happened, and he assumes that Winters is the same way simply because of his rank and level of respect accorded to him by the US forces in the area. It's a powerful juxtaposition that serves as an allegory for the difference between the fighting spirits of Germany and the US, the implication being that Germany fought because it wanted to and because it loved war, while the US fought because it had to and wanted to see that justice was returned.
dude i swear it's comments like yours that uplift me and bring me inner peace , totally worth browsing 100 vids or posts or anything just to read a comment like this. i know i might sound like i'm brown nosing but eh i got nothing to lose from giving you thumbs up and expressing my appreciation. as always i overthink and now i'm thinking maybe i should just not send this comment and say fuck it, want to type more but can't for my reasons so, thanks again for taking time to comment for what ever is my thanks worth.
+Laconic913 The German Colonel isn't being sarcastic in this scene. He really does respect Winters. How could he not respect him, since Winters and his men had just kicked the Germans ass?
I love the fact that this series emphasized the fact that the Wehrmacht was not the SS. The Heer was an army, a regular army, and there was a huge respect among their enemies.
Waffen SS were fighters too... the ones that commited crimes were the Einsatzgruppen- And if u want to debate... both sides commited war crimes... from shooting surrendering soldiers, to like the UK and the US did, sistematicaly bomb citys full of civilians not only with HE bombs but incendidary ones...
But don't make the mistake of thinking that the army was clean in any way. Yes a lot more soldiers than murderers compared with the SS but many of them were complicit in crimes against humanity on a large scale
@@chase5860 Dude... its war... British and US airforce, for me, are a bunch of war criminals too, they mass destroyed hundred of citys and killed hundred of thousands of civilians.. Why are they treated like heros?
@@_Cato_ There's a difference between a few soldiers getting carried away as opposed to the German and Japanese armies who were under orders to wipe out civilian populations. Don't try compare the two
While the warfare was brutal, it was fought by regular men, with western thinking and honor being things that existed. I believe honor still exists but our enemy now of countries of completely different thinking from western countries like the US, so similarities are harder to establish. Western culture vs Middle eastern culture.(this was mostly directed at 36th Divison Productions)
+36th Division Productions there hasn't been a war between developed nations in decades, just between a developed nation and a 3rd world country that lacks a proper military.
ARMY/MC at this point the Allies had pretty much won. Were it earlier, the Colonel.might find himself on a penal farm somewhere in Montana under heavy guard. Also the Germans allowed Allied officers to keep rank and even uniform in prison camp. The British officers in particular were even allowed to organize sports and social committees.
@@dahlski yes, i would like to translate some parts of it for you in the german version, for example winters didnt ask liebgott to translate and instead said that the general is very arrogant. liebgott then said: that he didnt know if they should give him such a podium for a speech. and that they cant omitting there heroic speeches. then he said in a sarcastic tone "yea, great fights", and that the general didnt seen like he would ever get dirty in a foxhole. after that he said at least that the general said everything what they experienced too. and thats why i like to watch the english verison of band of brothers instead of the german verison.
@@gutersindrio Clearly the German producers didn't read the books. If they did, they would know that Winters asked Liebgott to translate and Liebgott translated the General's words with respect.
Traditionally sidearms were only issued to officers and special forces commandos in those days (Of course now it is very common for enlisted men to be issued sidearms due to the nature of urban warfare and counterinsurgency). The sidearm is a very important symbolic item. An officer usually didnt carry a rifle, the rifle is for dispatching enemies, the sidearm was to prevent mutiny and disorder within his own troops. Winters allowing him to keep his sidearm was a monstrous display of respect, as that the German Colonel could still retain control of his enlisted men.
It was little touches like this that made the show so superb, even now, almost 20 years later it holds up perfectly - well acted, well written, authentic.
Always enjoyed this scene. The German here was no Nazi-- at least that's what I took from it. His was a professional soldier, a man at arms. Winters treated the man as a fellow soldier and officer... defeated to be sure...but with professional respect. And you notice the respect given by the German Colonel. He comes to attention and renders a salute to Winters... a lowering ranking officer. And the salute is an American one.
@@TheBaBaTV No, the Wehrmacht was fully stacked with cronies and was deeply integrated with SS operations. 1.3 million Soviets Jews were murdered by SS and Wehrmacht death squads working in conjuction. Notably 33,000 Jews were murdered at Babi Yar by SS and Wehrmacht units.
@@dylanabela4058Your kind always have it wrong. What about the time when Walther Wenck used his remaining soldiers of the 12th Army to save civilians? What about that one time of the Battle of Castle Itter? There were few - your kind can call it insignificant - instances when Wehrmacht weren't the demons they were portrayed to be. And calling Wehrmacht an entity incorporated with Waffen-SS means you're calling the Kriegsmarine, and the Luftwaffe as equally war criminals. Wehrmacht was a combined armed forces of the Germany at the time, a unified one armed forces with three separated entities. What about that one time KMS Admiral Hipper commander saved HMS Glowworm's crew? What about Franz Stigler when he saved a crippled B-17 when he said his commander told him shooting a parachute his commander will shoot him himself? Franz Stigler thought that shooting that crippled B-17 would be shooting at a pilot with parachute. The Wehrmacht weren't clean without a doubt, but that doesn't mean everyone in Wehrmacht are all SS and Nazis.
Damian Lewis is Brilliant in all the roles he picks! Truly a Great Actor of our time! He should have won a few awards in Band of Brothers! Top Notch Talent!
When Lee surrendered to Grant, Grant did not ask for Lees' sword and Lee did not offer it. Grant also let officers keep their sidearms and enlisted men keep their rifles after they had sworn allegiance to the USA. As an aside my uncle was in Europe in WWII as a tanker and he said that he never held personal hatred of the German Army, Navy and Air Force and German officers were shown muted respect but the SS and "Nazis" were shown no quarter.
Wow, that was intresting to read. Your uncle was a wise man, too many people think all German soldiers were Nazis, but in reality most were normal Germans dragged to the war against their will. Respect from Finland Seth.
Two warriors face to face.....Theres so much honor and courage in this 59 seconds.........I feel like under different circumstances these guys wouldve been friends.
This is the best scene of the entire series. Two soldiers, face to face. Two warriors face to face. Winters shows the highest level of resect for another soldier that is probably his equal. They are not politicians. They are soldiers.
I've always really appreciated the acting in the series. That look on the face of Winters when asked a seemingly harmless question struck him pretty deep.
Actually, you can see the discomfort in Winters face because he doesn't feel right acting chummy with this Nazi Colonel who is trying so hard to be friendly in this moment. Winters knows what the Nazis did so while he treats him with formality, it is cold and unfriendly because deep down he hates this man and what he fought for.
This was an officer of the Wehrmacht. The Wehrmacht is not the Party. The same courtesy would be shown to a staunch opponent of the Party such as Grossadmiral Raeder. At this moment, the German officer was simply a prisoner of war and would be treated as such. He had formally surrendered _as an officer of the Wehrmacht_. His personal politics were never being questioned during this scene. Winters recognizes that his counterpart is an officer, not a Nazi, in this capacity and is willing to provide the colonel the courtesy of being given the respect due to a fellow officer. What this scene displays is how Winters was able to detach himself from politics and focus on doing the job he is trained and paid to do. His foremost duty is the welfare of those in his charge, including his own mend and any prisoners of war he is responsible for,
The fact that they see each other as agressors aside, Winter hated the german because he thought that he was a trust fund kid and the German hated winter because in his eyes he is an honourless pleb who plays big guy
This message is for the family of Mr. Winters. I have watched many things on many people but watching the story of Dick Winters is truely amazing. As a veteran myself I find it remarkable how great Dick Winters was. I hope he found peace after the war and lived a nice life. I know he passed a few yrs ago but you can be assured that he is with God in heaven. We all do good and bad as well live thru good and bad. I just pray that he is in heaven living peacefully for eternity. Rip Mr.Winters and God bless your entire family. You will always be a American hero.
This is perhaps my favorite scene in this entire series. There is something so compelling about Major Winters informing the German Colonel that he can retain his side arm. Allowing him to keep his sword is the ultimate act of respect for a battle well-fought.
Really encapsulates what a formidable and determined opponent the Germans were. Zero fear from that German Colonel. Respect. Also, the Colonel asks an honest question that Winters & Co haven’t even begun to think about.
The band of brothers,was the most amazing thing I've watched ,it's a true look into how both sides lost men and kept honour and pride,regardless of war
The officer who conversed with Winters always reminds me of the one handed, eye-patched officer at the training depot on all quiet on the western front. Both very modest, but aware of themselves and the two carry themselves with such pride - despite one lacking some of himself, and I suppose the other's lacking of an element of himself that died with Germany's losing the war - so really both characters carry a defiit with them - but they similiarly refuse to let it overcome them. That's the significance of the real events that transpired in my opinion, he saw no more need for his sidearm, the war was over and even if he was bitter regarding his country's loss - he knew his actions had nothing to do with it. He won his own battle to come to terms with their defeat, and is conducting himself accordingly. I admire this ; the implication is that his own standards and rigorous expectations are of an immense depth and conviction. Great scene.
Respect between two professional soldiers. Both men, acted with such honor. Acts like these, can begin to forge peace. These two individuals probably have much in common. Very moving scene. If only governments could demonstrate this type of respect, for one and other.
@Elmer Henriquez U stupid bitch, learn some true history before u open ur mouth. Bet ur one of them brainwashed Americans who know nothing about what really happend back in the dayz
Good eye!! FYI: Has anyone noticed that “Robert Fields”, the one to have claimed he served in the Navy Seals, served 4 tours in Afghanistan, has 139 confirmed kills, wrote 11 books and interviewed Major Dick Winters, which he claims the Major told him he did not accept the German Officers weapon, no longer posts his bs lies anymore?!! See, he was found to be a fraud and is guilty of being in violation of the “Stolen Valor” Act of 2005/2013. Please be aware of losers like him who didn’t have the balls to serve, yet lies and say they did! This is a scumbag who insults everyone who has served their country with honor! These jackasses need to be called out to make the public aware of their existence!! ROBERT FIELDS IS A COMPLETE FRAUD!!! He NEVER served in the military! He NEVER wrote 11 books about the military! He NEVER interviewed Major Dick Winters! Had he actually knew anything about the 101st, Band Of Brothers, and viewed the Series, he would have seen the actual interview which Major Winters confirms he DID in fact accept the German Officers weapon. He also would have known that Major Winters kept it, brought it home with him, and confirm that the weapon was NEVER fired!! WHERE ARE YOU NOW, ROBERT FIELDS??? CREATING ANOTHER BULLS$&@“ profile to spew more of your lies I bet!!!!
This scene was a little undercut by the fact that at the end of the series, during the interviews of the actual members of the 101st, Major winters was LITERALLY showing the sidearm that he accepted.
Easily one of my favorite scene in the series. I really like the fact that the German officer shows that he is really happy that he was respected enough to keep his side arm and that he was not just disregarded as trash.
Hey superficial Gaylord, who cares the least f*cking bit about a uniform. The nazi pigs and their following sheep left an unprecedented trail of destruction and genocide in Europe and beyond. Never forgiven, never forgotten!
The fact that they see each other as agressors aside, Winter hated the german because he thought that he was a trust fund kid and the German hated winter because in his eyes he is an honourless pleb who plays big guy.But then again, you guys have no idea of social classes and how they viewed the war or war in general
What a powerful scene. Almost two hundred yesrs before, another Getman named Schiller wrote "Alle menschen werden brüder", ....all people become brothers.... There is a sense of brotherhood, of comradeship if you will, among soldiers. It goes above rank, or nationality, it trascends it. Just brothers. Winters just lived to that spirit in this scene. And the Colonel realized it.
What I love is that the respect shown here was mutual - the German colonel wanted to show respect to Major Winters by offering his sidearm rather than just walking away and handing it in without consequence. Winters recognised the gesture and returned his respect by saying he could keep it. Subtle but terrific.
This scene is so charged with subtext, it's awesome: the Colonel -- a proud, professional soldier, probably old nobility, who likely views himself as a knight of old whose very purpose is making war; Major Winters -- a humble citizen-soldier, taken from his home and his peace by men not unlike the Colonel playing the Sport of Kings one last time. I see a sort of dissonant reflection in Winters' expression as the Colonel makes his rhetorical comment... wrestling either with being unable to relate to the sentiment, or perhaps with feeling it might be accurate.
translatorjoe, A well thought out observation. Perhaps the Major was aware enough to know where decorum and a respect for the old ways fitting. It was the last war that still held on to the romance and chivalry of before. Either way a poignant moment between fighting men. Great comment, sir.
The fact that they see each other as agressors aside, Winter hated the german because he thought that he was a trust fund kid and the German hated winter because in his eyes he is an honourless pleb who plays big guy.But then again, you guys have no idea of social classes and how they viewed the war or war in general
I’ve always found it strangely honourable the trust that defeated commanders would be shown in wartime. A sort of “I acknowledge a fellow warrior. Well fought”
"I promised my kid brother a Luger." Malarkey runs out to the dead German. The Germans stop firing. "They must think he's a medic!" "He's gonna need a goddamn medic!"
One of the best scene in the show. I thought the German was fixing to show some serious emotions for treating him as a human being. As I'm sure all sides did things and seen things they would rather forget. As one person said. Its easy to want revenge but revenge is a poor excuse for Justice. As you carry it with you everywhere you go. Best to leave it on the floor and get on with living. A true sign of respect! I might add. The German knew the Major was in the 101st and what they did at Bastone. He had high respect for Major Winters and the 101st. I thing that is why he offered it too the Major. As he would understand what the cost was every time he looked at it!
“I wonder what will happen to us - to people like you and me - when there are no more wars to occupy us?” I don’t know what it is about that line that makes me choke up.
Mutual respect for a fallen enemy surrendering with honour, and courtesy. A lot of Wehrmacht officers were our version of the "Officer" class that the UK originally had; they still felt that war should be waged as a straight fight between armed combatants. In Sport the context is to "be magnanimous in victory, gracious in defeat". Winters was not ego-driven; he was a brave, but humble man. The German Colonel actually outranked him, but salutes first, respecting the victor. Winters does not display any triumphalism, or enjoyment at this moment. As others have mentioned here, his attitude is "Good, this is all over. Soon, we can go back to normal." The rest of his men are probably similarly minded. Thus, this small meeting is held with an air of mutual understanding, and respect. Winters acknowledges the German's defeat, but he doesn't smile, or look smug. Even though, in reality, he kept the pistol, it was probably accepted at the time as a consequence of the situation. The scene itself is brilliantly constructed; Damian Lewis plays Winters as a hesitant victor, slightly reticent. The German officers have a renewed respect for a foe who is obviously modest and unassuming; a true leader of his men.
Winters at 0:26 : "OHHHHH my god, oh my god, oh my GOD! Thank you SO much, I've been looking ALL over Europe for one of these, this is GREAT! YES! GUYS, LOOK! My own Luger, can you freakin' believe THIS? WOW!"
This actually states that he trusts the guy who has surrendered. He doesn’t let him appear before his men without his side arm, if he had the Colonel would have been humiliated before the men he commanded and shown to be weak. Letting him keep the side arm says that he trusts him to keep his word by ensuring he is allowed to retain his dignity. It is also a sign of respect.
I don't know how many people noticed, but Winters dropped his salute before the German officer, which is how it works when you're saluting a superior rank: Winters, major. German, colonel. Colonel over major. Subtle, and fantastic.
The superior rank drops a salute first. In this case, as the Colonel was surrendering to the Major, it is protocol that the Colonel hold his salute until the Major dropped his.
Winters took up farming, but colonel Von Kaunitz worked as a salesman for a short while before enlisting again in the NATO West German Bundeswehr with the rank of major and retired as a general. He was killed in an Autobahn accident in 1983 at the age of 74 while driving a Mercedes S class at 220 km/h against the back of a truck, while his 30 years younger second wife who was sitting beside him survived. At his funeral hs daughter, a soprano at the Stuttgart Opera, sang his favorite song ''la Golondrina''. Fiction of course, but it befits the type of man.
A nobleman working as a salesman? I am sorry to say but a German nobleman becoming a salesman in the 1950s is probably more unlikely than him doing manual labour. Engaging in mercantile activity has always been frowned upon by the European nobility (the British being a slight exception), it is not until very recently that the taboo has lifted a bit. Interestingly, the Japanese nobility frowned upon it even more than the European one, but the Japanese's taboo of it lifted during the late 1800s, earlier than the European taboo. Besides, as a Colonel he would most probably have an education that would allow him to get a job far better than being a salesman in the first place.
“We salute the rank, not the man.”
But that Colonel definitely saluted the man.
Yes because the higher ranking officer is always the first man to lower his hand . In this case the colonel lowered his hand first because he saluted the honor and respect of major winter which was a higher status than his rank of colonel , very powerful scene indeed
@@Kriegmann45 Colonel is a higher rank than Major. The Nazi officer is soluting first because he is surrendering.
The Nazi Col is the higher rank by quite a bit, but he saluted the major out of respect. Major Winters respected him as a soldier, not as a man, that’s why the Col saluted first. The lower rank always salutes the higher rank first, and the lower ranking soldier holds his salute until the higher rank retires his salute.
@@sgt_loeram1933 unless the higher rank is surrendering
@@leeshackelford7517 This is the “Only” case where that applies, yes you are correct. But in that scene you could tell the Col saluted Winters more out of respect than protocol
“When a man stands against you, destroy him viciously and thoroughly. But when that man surrenders stretch out a hand and help him up, or else no wise man thereafter will surrender to you”
"But sometimes being savages and no mercy could save your life from backstabbers."
@@LordNightCrawler "Being savages and no mercy will not help you when you have to work with the locals. Plus it makes you become what you say you fight."
what an out standing quote! where is this from?
Sean Chris Lewis I don’t know but it sounds similar to something Tywin Lannister once said: “When your enemies defy you, you must serve them steel and fire. When they go to their knees, however, you must help them back to their feet. Elsewise no man will ever bend the knee to you.”
This quote defines why the Germans did not want to surrender to the Russians.
In reality Dick Winters did accept the pistol and he kept it as well. There's an interview where he talks about it and keeping it clean and never firing it, a symbol for how he felt after everything was over. Very touching.
I wish they had portrayed that in the show, it was so much more meaningful. He also mentioned that he noticed the pistol had never been fired at all. And he felt that there wasn't a more perfect way to accept a surrender than to seal it with something that had no blood on it. Literally. Winters was a great man.
But it wasn't a luger, it was a Walther PP
@@johncataloni8552 Correct.
@@johncataloni8552 I thought it looked too small to be a PP. I thought it was a PPK.
I think it would be difficult to capture that kind of a sentiment, given how the show was structured. The show only barely touched upon what they did after the War in Europe ended.
Sadly this didn’t happen in real life, Winters took the gun and later found out it had never been fired throughout the entire war, and vowed to never fire it.
COOL.
That is true but I can understand why they changed it here. It is to convey how the war with the Germans is definitely over and now there is mutual respect. Another detail is that according to Winters, the German was a Major instead of a Colonel (I guess they made him a Colonel to make it more impressive that he would salute an American Major). One thing also mentioned in the books is that Winters meant that all military weapons needed to be handed over, but the German Major thought he meant EVERY firearm, even civilian owned, needed to be confiscated; so that's what he did.
So Hollywood is making things up about WW2? Nooo.....
mgkpraesi HBO, not Hollywood
@@WSHong-oe7bg All controlled by the same People
European tradition held that during the ceremony of a surrender. The defeated commanding officer would surrender his sword to the victorious commanding officer. Protocol and honor dictated that the victorious officer refuse to take the sword, permitting the defeated to keep it. That is the tradition that this scene pays homage to.
depends on 'HOW' its done. If you doesnt take the sword by just dismissing it - its an heavy insult. IF you doesnt take the sword because the soldiers and the officer fight well - its an honor gift - and if he accept the swords its an honorable defeat
In this case some American private will steal the Luger. A pity.
Except in reality Major Winters actually accepts the pistol, if you watch the bonus features DVD Winters talks about the incident and shows the pistol. Also the pistol turns out not to be a Luger but a Walther PP, so yeah fun facts.
This happened at the end of the Civil War as well. Lee offered Grant his sword but he declined it.
@@Andreas-wv5px *don't...not doesn't.
The german officer actually decides to give the Luger, one of the most prized souvenirs, to someone who he finds worthy of such a gift.
By the end of the war most officers carried the P38 ... the Luger was retired as the P38 became available.
Yeah but they arent that uncommon now ..and there are lugers and then there are LUGERS...very fine workmanship indeed but the design was weak and not the greatest really...I own 2 of them
The Luger was also retired due to it being pretty much objectively worse than the P38 in every way but symbolic. That's something that the Luger will never lose, no matter how old it gets.
Malarkey almost dies trying to find one in Carentan, and here is his commander being offered one!
and Shifty says his loot included some "pistols" so he might have one
The Luger was never retiered by the Wehrmacht, its production was discontinued early in the war but never replaced. It was a good gun for its time, it was just too expensive to produce, the P38 won on being cheaper, a lot cheaper. Not by being significantly superior.
Its worth noting that German officers of the war used just about every handgun they could find, from 1911s to pocketpistols i 32acp. Hollywood never does this justice.
Such great acting. The German Colonel gives such a subtle look of surprise and then a slight nod of respect in the end. Terrific scene!!!!
Yea just a brilliant scene. And I love the change they made with him getting to keep the sidearm. Tho in real life Winters took exceptional care of the sidearm.
This is the best scene in the series, because the Colonel is saluting the man, not the rank.
No really the point of the scene but ok
In real life the officer was not a colonel. Winters actually did take the gun. It had never been fired, and wished to keep it that way. It was a symbol of peace, not simply a war trophy. The series makers twisted the story to pay homage to a convoluted idea of medieval knights the defeated offering his sword etc, but thats not what actually took place.
Jumper it is totally the point of the scene. Sobel was told to salute the rank not the man because of a lack of respect.. here the respect between two men in palpable ... they were saluting the men here .
I disagree about it being the best scene. The one after, where the general (I believe; and a fine actor in his own right) addresses his troops, nearly brings me to tears every time. Same with the scene where they’re about to get in to their planes to jump on D-Day, and Brecourt Manor.
@@f.t.mckinnon5601 to be fair i''s hard to pick a best scene in a show like this.
I love how in the end it portrayed the Germans as human beings instead of monsters
+the dark goblin Well, yeah. They were Wehrmacht. Not SS
MCBEEFALICIOUS
SS weren't monsters either.
Noob Videos Like who
Google it some SS officers have been known to save jews
Lauri Allan Törni (28 May 1919 - 18 October 1965), later known as Larry Thorne
Loved the little nod from the German colonel at the end...an acknowledgement of the respect between 2 professional soldiers
Winters was not a professional soldier.
@@MH-fb5krWhat do you mean? He wasn't a draftee.
@@tinman3586I assume he means that Winers wasn't in the army as a career. Winters memoirs essentially say he volunteered so he wouldn't get drafted later, and he REALLY just wanted to go home. So yeah, he's not a "professional" soldier in the same way that German officers trained for LIFE, but it's a weird technicality to bring up - Winters was an INCREDIBLE officer.
When the German Colonel says "I wonder what will happen when there are no more wars to occupy us" you can even see Winters' expression - for this Colonel, war was his entire life, but for Winters? He didn't want to be there at all. War for him wasn't something to "keep him occupied" it was something he just wanted to get done with & go home.
If you ask yourself what went wrong today find someone who has respect for you and someone who deserves yours. Aside from small pockets of people like, craftworkers, engineers, soldiers, IT-Infrastructure workers or some professional athletes I don't generally see this attitude or behavior at any point in time. People with manpurses and addidas sweat pants....
The almost imperceptible nod of respect from the German officer portrays more than words can convey. Great acting by both men.
Takes a true soldier to show mercy and respect to his enemy after their surrender.
Yeah, However , after that scene Capt.Spier's took those two German officers at the back and waste them with his sub machine gun . Brrrrrt !! Ahahaha !!
And before that , after Major Winters gave back the Luger . The two German officers turn away with a " What an asshole !! "Joker face , but Capt. Spier's saw them . Unfortunately, the production cut that part out?
***** ,
Nothing to worry mate , Spielberg and Hanks got a lot money to spend in their lifetime. Do you know how much Tom make from Forrest Gump? $700 mil. How d'ya count that kinda money?
*****
You got that right ..
yeah gives them a cigarettes first XD
German officers very well dressed
Hugo Boss my friend, if you're going to war at least you'll go well dressed
As Lieutenant-Colonel John Malcolm Thorpe Fleming 'Jack' Churchill of the British Army said during The Second World War; "Any officer who goes into action without his sword is improperly dressed.''
There were numerous cases in Poland and Greece when Germans would allow officers of the capitulating units to keep their swords (or sabres)in captivity. In Poland garrisons of Westerplatte, Warsaw, fortress Modlin and Gen Kleeberg's army who were the last to lay down their weapons. In Greece troops defending Metaxas Line and Kleisura Pass. In most cases though swords were confiscated once in POW camps.
Correct me if I am wrong, but I remember Hugo Boss made only SS unfiorms. The german officer in the video seems to be in the heer, I don't see any skull on his hat. Anyway, still well dressed the germans in WWII, Hugo Boss or not.
Lorscia i just checked and apparently they first started with the SS and Hitlerjungen and then did uniforms for the wermarcht
The dignity of a German officer is unparalleled! But first he started with a smirk on his face, but when Winters said he could keep his sidearm, it turned to admiration and respect. The final salute was so classy!
This German Colonel demonstrated one of the best acting I have ever seen. Look at these authentic expressions.
You salute the rank, not the man.
lieutenant sobel XD
I came to the comments fully expecting to read people bitching about the salute, not understanding this. Thank you for this comment.
Ah...nice intelligent words.
Later in life, Sobel became depressed, tried to commit suicide, and shot himself in the temple at just the right angle so that the bullet went through both optic nerves, blinding but not killing him, and he survived for years after. He lived a sad life after the war, have some compassion.
Wait but doesn't saluting the rank means the german colonel would put his hand down first, I'm not quite sure of the procedure, or is it anyone that initiates the salute would be the last to put their hand down?
Love this scene. It's so powerful and thought provoking
Dittos Derek!!!!!
Derek I like to think in the end he kind of respects Winters and his humanity
I was going to just write that.....it truly does.
Winters didn't respect the German Colonel, Winters did take his side arm in the end and put it on EBay. Without knowing the Colonels wife bought the Side arm for £10.99 and winters delivered the Side arm and also bent her over the kitchen table and filmed it. Winters kept showing the German Colonel the video every time he was being a naughty boy.
Derek Mad respect.
Damn the subtle acting of the guy playing the German Colonel..so good. Hints at smiles without smiling. Mutual respect.
The man who played the German colonel nailed this scene perfectly. His actions are spotless all the way down to his face and eye movements at the end.
Honor and chivalry exemplified by both men. Heartwarming
I couldn't agree more.
no people helping the elderly or the homeless or the poor, is hart warming , the Nazis or the Rich were murderers and sadists , I don't find solders who belonged to the organisation who murdered the disabled heartwarming.
@@heighwaysonthewing first off its reich and second what about you Americans you killed 90 percent of natives and 3rd yes some were sadistic but some like erwin Rommel and this man in video are both good examples that some people in a country were good people 😐I will continue if I must so please shove off
That they did Lord Farquaad . Not only locked em up but lobotomized them as well. They also used African American men as guinea pigs by deliberately infecting them with syphilis
michael holt Sobel would be like “Is that dust on your Lugers sight? How do you expect to surrender to me with a dusty sidearm? You’re surrender is revoked”
Such a powerful scene of respect in amongst the harshest of circumstances.
But it does not show what actually happened, which is stupid, because the real story is more touching.
G. Gekko really?
How can you respect a beast like a Nazi German? The allies were too kind with the Germans, who didn't deserve it.
I very much get the impression from the scene that Winters thinks the Colonel is a pompous ass, but is too professional to tell him so.
Winters is, after all, outside of the uniform no more than a 'clerk'. Winters had no desire to be in the war, was glad it was over, and had no trouble imagining the many things he would do aside from soldiering. When offered to return to war, Winters declined.
The truth is that the Colonel was incapable of imagining the sort of man who had defeated him, and insisted on imagining Winters in the role of some sort of dashing, romantic soldier he imagined himself to be.
Simon Fork Great analogy. We had to worry about all German soldiers in WW2, even the ones that weren't Nazis, as they had to follow orders of the Nazis. Same with Muslims.
0:47 the subtle smile and expression of the actor is awesome. Relief, happiness, respect, everything at the same time.
He Is An English Actor ?.Bloody FOOLED Me And Im a LIMEY too g
The Germans really know how to make a slick looking uniform.
hugo boss did this
Yeah
@@Evidiestv Hugo Boss produced the uniforms, they did NOT design them. Nearly all military and nazi uniforms were designed by the nazi party or the Wehrmacht itself for obvious reasons. These arent ceremonial uniforms after all.
Hugo Boss
but the evil there eyes in the beginning of the war pow how stood powerless when the nazis begin the inhuman actions of the holocast
Don't worry Herr Oberst. In ten years you'll be a General in the Bundeswher.
Yeah it took about 10 years for denazification.
But decommunistification didn't even begin sadly :(
@Provocateur that's.... not a bad retirement
@@souljaboyeminem childish and naive.
@@souljaboyeminem Shut up, cryptonazi.
You can see that German Colonel is a leader and a gentleman. Respect!!!
actors
Yes, that's what it's all about...? F*ck a nice uniform and so-called gentlemen. The nazi pigs and their following sheep left an unprecedented trail of destruction and genocide in Europe and beyond. Never forgiven, never forgotten!
@@harrycoo5739 Yeah but nazi genocides stopped... Commie genocides are still happening and they killed way way more people than nazis. Such great winners of ww2...
@@harrycoo5739 Have a look at the bombings of Dresden...with firebombs. Then come back for a little talk.
Nazi apologists, so fucking predictable.
For those who do not know the history of the "salute", it comes from the 100-year war inbetween France and England. There were so many knights on the roads so that during any armistice a knight would open his Visor/Helmet to show a non-intent of aggression. It became a honorable sign of respect inbetween the soldiers of two warring nations.
Surrendering your weapon, usually a sword as a ceremony nowdays, is a huge thing. So when he lets the German Colonel keep his weapon, it's not just the weapon, it's his honor and his "Soldiers life".
Very interesting. I did not know that.
Always wondered how it came about
We already know that.
yeah. Bc of that in Poland "nie salutujesz do pustej głowy" you do not salute if you don't have something on your head, there is "nod salute' instead then, so for me Dick Winters salute looks a little bit weird
I thought it comes from medieval knight's armor closing the helmet's visor when it comes to competition
This scene gives me chills. Two brutal enemies showing each other respect after the fighting is over.
Officers respect each other. Brotherhood of Command.
Yeah, like a page out of King Arthur. The Disney version.
Winter's thinks the Colonel is a pompous ass, but he's too professional to tell him so.
Officers lol, many are useless truly. Unless of corse they have a significant amount of experience. I.E. The Wehrmacht Colonel, its not easy to reach such a high rank and demands a lot from an individual in the Wehrmacht.
Officers are a set of backstabbing assholes, late entry included. The good ones leave before they hit Colonel, the rest are politicians.
Matthew Reynolds
No he doesn't...? He sees the colonel as a fellow man of war, a leader of men, who shows honor in his surrender. He shows no hint of disdain.
Beyond the battle, there can stil be mutual respect.
+Stormgebieder Well, there's a great juxtaposition here. I wouldn't necessarily call the relationship between them "mutually respectful" though there is respect there, of course. If anything it shows that the colonel fundamentally misunderstands Winters. It's clear that this colonel (probably fictional) is a man of war, someone whose family was probably from the nobility in the past and who has been trained since he was young to command in battle. For him war is a profession and a calling, and his words drip with unintentional condescension for the common soldiery...for him war is just something that "occupies us."
This is in stark contrast to Winters, who clearly stated in his autobiography that he "had no desire to go to war" and volunteered for enlistment so that he wouldn't be drafted. After the war he declined an officer commission (which would have put him on a career track up the ranks) and accepted a discharge, though he did come back and trained officers in the Korean War.
Winters went to war because he had to and got out of it as soon as his duty permitted. The German colonel was trained in it and gloried in it, even in defeat, and even despite all of the horrible things that happened, and he assumes that Winters is the same way simply because of his rank and level of respect accorded to him by the US forces in the area. It's a powerful juxtaposition that serves as an allegory for the difference between the fighting spirits of Germany and the US, the implication being that Germany fought because it wanted to and because it loved war, while the US fought because it had to and wanted to see that justice was returned.
+Laconic913 Very nice, thanks to you I now understand what I've seen.
Stormgebieder
I can't tell if that's sarcasm or not... :P
dude i swear it's comments like yours that uplift me and bring me inner peace , totally worth browsing 100 vids or posts or anything just to read a comment like this. i know i might sound like i'm brown nosing but eh i got nothing to lose from giving you thumbs up and expressing my appreciation. as always i overthink and now i'm thinking maybe i should just not send this comment and say fuck it, want to type more but can't for my reasons so, thanks again for taking time to comment for what ever is my thanks worth.
+Laconic913 The German Colonel isn't being sarcastic in this scene. He really does respect Winters.
How could he not respect him, since Winters and his men had just kicked the Germans ass?
I love the fact that this series emphasized the fact that the Wehrmacht was not the SS. The Heer was an army, a regular army, and there was a huge respect among their enemies.
Waffen SS were fighters too... the ones that commited crimes were the Einsatzgruppen- And if u want to debate... both sides commited war crimes... from shooting surrendering soldiers, to like the UK and the US did, sistematicaly bomb citys full of civilians not only with HE bombs but incendidary ones...
But don't make the mistake of thinking that the army was clean in any way. Yes a lot more soldiers than murderers compared with the SS but many of them were complicit in crimes against humanity on a large scale
@@chase5860 Dude... its war... British and US airforce, for me, are a bunch of war criminals too, they mass destroyed hundred of citys and killed hundred of thousands of civilians..
Why are they treated like heros?
@@chase5860and so was every single army in WW2, even the Allies.
@@_Cato_ There's a difference between a few soldiers getting carried away as opposed to the German and Japanese armies who were under orders to wipe out civilian populations. Don't try compare the two
An emotional moment for a German officer of the old Prussian honour code.
brave men. all of them. I love how they respect each other and treat each other well.
While the warfare was brutal, it was fought by regular men, with western thinking and honor being things that existed. I believe honor still exists but our enemy now of countries of completely different thinking from western countries like the US, so similarities are harder to establish. Western culture vs Middle eastern culture.(this was mostly directed at 36th Divison Productions)
+36th Division Productions there hasn't been a war between developed nations in decades, just between a developed nation and a 3rd world country that lacks a proper military.
lets see if MAJ Winters were POW of Nazi COL, he would be dressed in striped robe, and be in concentration camp
ARMY/MC at this point the Allies had pretty much won. Were it earlier, the Colonel.might find himself on a penal farm somewhere in Montana under heavy guard.
Also the Germans allowed Allied officers to keep rank and even uniform in prison camp. The British officers in particular were even allowed to organize sports and social committees.
ARMY/MC No, he wouldn't.
This scene and when the general speaks to his troops are my favorite Band of Brothers moments.
by the way, in the german version of band of brothers liebgott mocked the german general instead of translating it
@@gutersindrio oooooooh that is just so wrong.
@@dahlski yes, i would like to translate some parts of it for you in the german version, for example winters didnt ask liebgott to translate and instead said that the general is very arrogant. liebgott then said: that he didnt know if they should give him such a podium for a speech. and that they cant omitting there heroic speeches. then he said in a sarcastic tone "yea, great fights", and that the general didnt seen like he would ever get dirty in a foxhole. after that he said at least that the general said everything what they experienced too. and thats why i like to watch the english verison of band of brothers instead of the german verison.
@@gutersindrio Clearly the German producers didn't read the books. If they did, they would know that Winters asked Liebgott to translate and Liebgott translated the General's words with respect.
Traditionally sidearms were only issued to officers and special forces commandos in those days (Of course now it is very common for enlisted men to be issued sidearms due to the nature of urban warfare and counterinsurgency). The sidearm is a very important symbolic item. An officer usually didnt carry a rifle, the rifle is for dispatching enemies, the sidearm was to prevent mutiny and disorder within his own troops. Winters allowing him to keep his sidearm was a monstrous display of respect, as that the German Colonel could still retain control of his enlisted men.
Love this scene. Maybe one of my favorite in the entire series.
It was little touches like this that made the show so superb, even now, almost 20 years later it holds up perfectly - well acted, well written, authentic.
Truly a timeless series.
True Warriors respect each other.
Always enjoyed this scene. The German here was no Nazi-- at least that's what I took from it. His was a professional soldier, a man at arms. Winters treated the man as a fellow soldier and officer... defeated to be sure...but with professional respect. And you notice the respect given by the German Colonel. He comes to attention and renders a salute to Winters... a lowering ranking officer. And the salute is an American one.
German army and SS Nazi were completely different regimes if you research…
@@TheBaBaTV No, the Wehrmacht was fully stacked with cronies and was deeply integrated with SS operations. 1.3 million Soviets Jews were murdered by SS and Wehrmacht death squads working in conjuction. Notably 33,000 Jews were murdered at Babi Yar by SS and Wehrmacht units.
@@TheBaBaTV Clean Wehrmacht myth
@@McDonaldsCaliforniait was a myth but they still weren’t the SS
@@dylanabela4058Your kind always have it wrong. What about the time when Walther Wenck used his remaining soldiers of the 12th Army to save civilians? What about that one time of the Battle of Castle Itter? There were few - your kind can call it insignificant - instances when Wehrmacht weren't the demons they were portrayed to be.
And calling Wehrmacht an entity incorporated with Waffen-SS means you're calling the Kriegsmarine, and the Luftwaffe as equally war criminals. Wehrmacht was a combined armed forces of the Germany at the time, a unified one armed forces with three separated entities. What about that one time KMS Admiral Hipper commander saved HMS Glowworm's crew? What about Franz Stigler when he saved a crippled B-17 when he said his commander told him shooting a parachute his commander will shoot him himself? Franz Stigler thought that shooting that crippled B-17 would be shooting at a pilot with parachute.
The Wehrmacht weren't clean without a doubt, but that doesn't mean everyone in Wehrmacht are all SS and Nazis.
Damian Lewis is Brilliant in all the roles he picks! Truly a Great Actor of our time! He should have won a few awards in Band of Brothers! Top Notch Talent!
When Lee surrendered to Grant, Grant did not ask for Lees' sword and Lee did not offer it. Grant also let officers keep their sidearms and enlisted men keep their rifles after they had sworn allegiance to the USA. As an aside my uncle was in Europe in WWII as a tanker and he said that he never held personal hatred of the German Army, Navy and Air Force and German officers were shown muted respect but the SS and "Nazis" were shown no quarter.
Wow, that was intresting to read. Your uncle was a wise man, too many people think all German soldiers were Nazis, but in reality most were normal Germans dragged to the war against their will. Respect from Finland Seth.
And in the end, even the SS conscripted...
1944-1945
@Opa Pelailee You Sir had earned a thumb up for your comment. Respect from Germany and all the best to you.
bernisweltredsun Thank you, same to you :)
The Germans are now our allies and I couldn't be prouder. They are a great people.
Suhcamara not according to your new President.
He said nothing of the sort.
I dislike Trump very much, but hes never disparaged the German people. Good try.
I don't think Trump has any problem with the German people, it's more to do with the policies of their leader.
thank you
Two warriors face to face.....Theres so much honor and courage in this 59 seconds.........I feel like under different circumstances these guys wouldve been friends.
This is the best scene of the entire series. Two soldiers, face to face. Two warriors face to face. Winters shows the highest level of resect for another soldier that is probably his equal.
They are not politicians. They are soldiers.
Having known many WWII veterans growing up, the portrayal of the Germans in this miniseries at the end is spot on.
I love how they salute each other. Men in arms. Its not personal.
A man above many.
A born leader.
A hero to all.
Respected by friend and foe alike.
Loved by his men.
Modest to a fault.
RIP Dick Winters. 🇺🇸🇬🇧
I've always really appreciated the acting in the series. That look on the face of Winters when asked a seemingly harmless question struck him pretty deep.
The US major and German colonel are two men who respect eachother as such.
Actually, you can see the discomfort in Winters face because he doesn't feel right acting chummy with this Nazi Colonel who is trying so hard to be friendly in this moment. Winters knows what the Nazis did so while he treats him with formality, it is cold and unfriendly because deep down he hates this man and what he fought for.
This was an officer of the Wehrmacht. The Wehrmacht is not the Party. The same courtesy would be shown to a staunch opponent of the Party such as Grossadmiral Raeder. At this moment, the German officer was simply a prisoner of war and would be treated as such. He had formally surrendered _as an officer of the Wehrmacht_. His personal politics were never being questioned during this scene. Winters recognizes that his counterpart is an officer, not a Nazi, in this capacity and is willing to provide the colonel the courtesy of being given the respect due to a fellow officer.
What this scene displays is how Winters was able to detach himself from politics and focus on doing the job he is trained and paid to do. His foremost duty is the welfare of those in his charge, including his own mend and any prisoners of war he is responsible for,
Colonel Von Stauffberg...
@@TheArchiveOfWonder No, it's for other reason. Don't forget that the americans back then weren't brainwashed
The fact that they see each other as agressors aside, Winter hated the german because he thought that he was a trust fund kid and the German hated winter because in his eyes he is an honourless pleb who plays big guy
gotta give it to the germans: their uniforms were swag af...
designed by Hugo Boss
Eric Chisholm the SS uniforms were.
Before everything was made in China
Tremendous amount of respect shown by both soldiers.
This message is for the family of Mr. Winters. I have watched many things on many people but watching the story of Dick Winters is truely amazing. As a veteran myself I find it remarkable how great Dick Winters was. I hope he found peace after the war and lived a nice life. I know he passed a few yrs ago but you can be assured that he is with God in heaven. We all do good and bad as well live thru good and bad. I just pray that he is in heaven living peacefully for eternity. Rip Mr.Winters and God bless your entire family. You will always be a American hero.
This is one of the most fascinating scenes I have ever seen. Every now and then I come back here to see this.
This is perhaps my favorite scene in this entire series. There is something so compelling about Major Winters informing the German Colonel that he can retain his side arm. Allowing him to keep his sword is the ultimate act of respect for a battle well-fought.
If I'm recalling correctly, Grant permitted surrendered Confederate officers to keep their sidearms.
except winters didnt do that, he took the sidearm and kept it.
@@gw62112009The comment was referring to the show.
german's uniform was so decorated and stylish
Really encapsulates what a formidable and determined opponent the Germans were. Zero fear from that German Colonel. Respect.
Also, the Colonel asks an honest question that Winters & Co haven’t even begun to think about.
The band of brothers,was the most amazing thing I've watched ,it's a true look into how both sides lost men and kept honour and pride,regardless of war
Just a warning - The further down the comment list you go the worst they get.
They were pretty bad up top.
Ha! Its true
Holly sugar-s***, I knew you were right, I just didn't know how bad.
*worse
I just went down there and , boy are you right. That's what we get for reading too many comments on the internet.
Sometimes to get respect, all you have to do is give respect.
The officer who conversed with Winters always reminds me of the one handed, eye-patched officer at the training depot on all quiet on the western front. Both very modest, but aware of themselves and the two carry themselves with such pride - despite one lacking some of himself, and I suppose the other's lacking of an element of himself that died with Germany's losing the war - so really both characters carry a defiit with them - but they similiarly refuse to let it overcome them. That's the significance of the real events that transpired in my opinion, he saw no more need for his sidearm, the war was over and even if he was bitter regarding his country's loss - he knew his actions had nothing to do with it. He won his own battle to come to terms with their defeat, and is conducting himself accordingly. I admire this ; the implication is that his own standards and rigorous expectations are of an immense depth and conviction. Great scene.
The greatest generation, all brave men from every country, they must be remembered for their service and sacrifice.
Better than the Boomers that's for sure. Even GenXer's and Millennial's are a million times better than Boomers.
A powerful scene. I didn`t see all the episodes but this scene for me is about honour and respect by two soldiers.
My favorite scene in this series.
Respect between two professional soldiers. Both men, acted with such honor. Acts like these, can begin to forge peace. These two individuals probably have much in common. Very moving scene. If only governments could demonstrate this type of respect, for one and other.
Winters wasn’t a professional soldier.
tbh. . .Germans had the best looking military uniform
they stolen from the jews
@Elmer Henriquez U stupid bitch, learn some true history before u open ur mouth. Bet ur one of them brainwashed Americans who know nothing about what really happend back in the dayz
Nah..... USMC Dress Blues are the Best!!!!
Especially when they were covered in blood
Dude I meant the pussy ass as not my Marine Brothers
OMG that german colonel was also that german cannibal in that IT Crowd episode LOL
hhaha lool, nice spot.
Thank You ! For years I have wondered where else i have seen him lol
Good eye!! FYI:
Has anyone noticed that “Robert Fields”, the one to have claimed he served in the Navy Seals, served 4 tours in Afghanistan, has 139 confirmed kills, wrote 11 books and interviewed Major Dick Winters, which he claims the Major told him he did not accept the German Officers weapon, no longer posts his bs lies anymore?!! See, he was found to be a fraud and is guilty of being in violation of the “Stolen Valor” Act of 2005/2013. Please be aware of losers like him who didn’t have the balls to serve, yet lies and say they did! This is a scumbag who insults everyone who has served their country with honor!
These jackasses need to be called out to make the public aware of their existence!! ROBERT FIELDS IS A COMPLETE FRAUD!!! He NEVER served in the military! He NEVER wrote 11 books about the military! He NEVER interviewed Major Dick Winters!
Had he actually knew anything about the 101st, Band Of Brothers, and viewed the Series, he would have seen the actual interview which Major Winters confirms he DID in fact accept the German Officers weapon. He also would have known that Major Winters kept it, brought it home with him, and confirm that the weapon was NEVER fired!!
WHERE ARE YOU NOW, ROBERT FIELDS???
CREATING ANOTHER BULLS$&@“ profile to spew more of your lies I bet!!!!
patriotpride16t I have no idea who that is...
1 year on from your comment.... holy crap you're right!
This is Samulai spirit same to western world. Be gentle and humble in success. and compassion to the people who os fall.... Gen. Macarther.
Love the crisp salutes and the little nod by the Colonel. Very satisfactory conclusion all round.
This scene is cool. As a soldier, it was wonderful to try to protect the pride of the German colonel.
This scene was a little undercut by the fact that at the end of the series, during the interviews of the actual members of the 101st, Major winters was LITERALLY showing the sidearm that he accepted.
That German uniform tho.. What an elegance!!!
mathew707 Hugo boss
One of my favorite BoB scones. Many German officers were men of integrity. This colonel had a successful life after the war, I'm sure.
Easily one of my favorite scene in the series. I really like the fact that the German officer shows that he is really happy that he was respected enough to keep his side arm and that he was not just disregarded as trash.
I am always amazed by Germans uniforms they are so elegant........
Hey superficial Gaylord, who cares the least f*cking bit about a uniform. The nazi pigs and their following sheep left an unprecedented trail of destruction and genocide in Europe and beyond. Never forgiven, never forgotten!
And did you know people were forced into the military if you want to blame anyone blame their leader
That Oberst is INSANELY highly decorated.
It’s subtle but great observation! You see his iron cross, but it’s not until he pulls his sidearm out that we get a glimpse of his other decorations
Winters got more respect from his enemy than he ever did from Sobel
THOSE ARE GORGEOUS UNIFORMS
The utmost respect from opposing sides of the war. Brilliant!
The fact that they see each other as agressors aside, Winter hated the german because he thought that he was a trust fund kid and the German hated winter because in his eyes he is an honourless pleb who plays big guy.But then again, you guys have no idea of social classes and how they viewed the war or war in general
@@kaloyandraganov9462 This comment is pure gibberish
it is quite nice to see americans and germans being nice to each other
i was 7 or 8 years old when i first saw this movie and now i'm 20 still watching BOB and this is one of my favorite scenes..lmoa
What a powerful scene.
Almost two hundred yesrs before, another Getman named Schiller wrote "Alle menschen werden brüder", ....all people become brothers....
There is a sense of brotherhood, of comradeship if you will, among soldiers.
It goes above rank, or nationality, it trascends it.
Just brothers.
Winters just lived to that spirit in this scene. And the Colonel realized it.
What I love is that the respect shown here was mutual - the German colonel wanted to show respect to Major Winters by offering his sidearm rather than just walking away and handing it in without consequence. Winters recognised the gesture and returned his respect by saying he could keep it. Subtle but terrific.
And Winters stands up from his chair.
I love that salute they both give each other at the end you could tell was mutual respect in the eyes of victory and defeat! Great scene
I like that little nod from the German. Thank you and Respect in one movement.
That German Colonel's outfit is awesome! I need to wear that to school XD
Mister Ivo there's a difference between a Wehrmacht true soldier and a SS-Waffen asshole Nazi my dude
This scene is so charged with subtext, it's awesome: the Colonel -- a proud, professional soldier, probably old nobility, who likely views himself as a knight of old whose very purpose is making war; Major Winters -- a humble citizen-soldier, taken from his home and his peace by men not unlike the Colonel playing the Sport of Kings one last time. I see a sort of dissonant reflection in Winters' expression as the Colonel makes his rhetorical comment... wrestling either with being unable to relate to the sentiment, or perhaps with feeling it might be accurate.
translatorjoe Winters was actually a volunteer, but got stuck in the army when the draft was reinstated.
"playing the Sport of Kings one last time." saddens me. :( There are no longer any great wars, no longer any great causes.
translatorjoe, A well thought out observation. Perhaps the Major was aware enough to know where decorum and a respect for the old ways fitting. It was the last war that still held on to the romance and chivalry of before. Either way a poignant moment between fighting men. Great comment, sir.
translatorjoe 9
The fact that they see each other as agressors aside, Winter hated the german because he thought that he was a trust fund kid and the German hated winter because in his eyes he is an honourless pleb who plays big guy.But then again, you guys have no idea of social classes and how they viewed the war or war in general
I’ve always found it strangely honourable the trust that defeated commanders would be shown in wartime. A sort of “I acknowledge a fellow warrior. Well fought”
"I promised my kid brother a Luger." Malarkey runs out to the dead German. The Germans stop firing.
"They must think he's a medic!"
"He's gonna need a goddamn medic!"
@@blaineedwards8078 good for you son
That little nod by the Colonel at the end said more than a dozen words could.
One of the best scene in the show. I thought the German was fixing to show some serious emotions for treating him as a human being. As I'm sure all sides did things and seen things they would rather forget.
As one person said. Its easy to want revenge but revenge is a poor excuse for Justice. As you carry it with you everywhere you go. Best to leave it on the floor and get on with living. A true sign of respect!
I might add. The German knew the Major was in the 101st and what they did at Bastone. He had high respect for Major Winters and the 101st. I thing that is why he offered it too the Major. As he would understand what the cost was every time he looked at it!
+Claude “Reviews4U” Rains Dick Winters was the ultimate soldier and gentleman. He was the Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain of WWII.
in real life major winters took the pistol...hes still has the lugar today
+clay tullos major winters passed away a few years ago.
+Robert McNally yea ik he did but he had that pistol
“I wonder what will happen to us - to people like you and me - when there are no more wars to occupy us?”
I don’t know what it is about that line that makes me choke up.
There is something so personal about a soldiers side arm. It protects you, Its a part of you and it goes everywhere you go.
Instant respect in that final second / acknowledgement from the Colonel that he was dealing with an Officer & a Gentleman.
This show was simply brilliant
Changed for the series. Winters actually kept the pistol.
lel
do you have the source?
He's right. wikiofbrothers.wikia.com/wiki/Historical_Inaccuracies
419msp
ty
419msp a very interesting read. Hollywood never did let the truth get in the way of a good story
Like 80% of this serie is Hollywood fake. Just watch Generation War instead, thats not bullshit and almost everything real.
Mutual respect for a fallen enemy surrendering with honour, and courtesy. A lot of Wehrmacht officers were our version of the "Officer" class that the UK originally had; they still felt that war should be waged as a straight fight between armed combatants. In Sport the context is to "be magnanimous in victory, gracious in defeat". Winters was not ego-driven; he was a brave, but humble man. The German Colonel actually outranked him, but salutes first, respecting the victor. Winters does not display any triumphalism, or enjoyment at this moment. As others have mentioned here, his attitude is "Good, this is all over. Soon, we can go back to normal." The rest of his men are probably similarly minded. Thus, this small meeting is held with an air of mutual understanding, and respect. Winters acknowledges the German's defeat, but he doesn't smile, or look smug. Even though, in reality, he kept the pistol, it was probably accepted at the time as a consequence of the situation. The scene itself is brilliantly constructed; Damian Lewis plays Winters as a hesitant victor, slightly reticent. The German officers have a renewed respect for a foe who is obviously modest and unassuming; a true leader of his men.
Winters at 0:26 : "OHHHHH my god, oh my god, oh my GOD! Thank you SO much, I've been looking ALL over Europe for one of these, this is GREAT! YES! GUYS, LOOK! My own Luger, can you freakin' believe THIS? WOW!"
One of my favorite series of all time.
This actually states that he trusts the guy who has surrendered. He doesn’t let him appear before his men without his side arm, if he had the Colonel would have been humiliated before the men he commanded and shown to be weak. Letting him keep the side arm says that he trusts him to keep his word by ensuring he is allowed to retain his dignity. It is also a sign of respect.
Salute the Rank Not the Man!
It's like letting a general keep his sword
I don't know how many people noticed, but Winters dropped his salute before the German officer, which is how it works when you're saluting a superior rank:
Winters, major. German, colonel.
Colonel over major.
Subtle, and fantastic.
The superior rank drops a salute first. In this case, as the Colonel was surrendering to the Major, it is protocol that the Colonel hold his salute until the Major dropped his.
Fun fact: In real life the german officer was actually a lower rank and Winters accepted the gun
Colonel surrenders the same pistol to Sobel: “Dirt on the rear sight; your weekend pass is revoked.”
Even after all the odds, this is the RESPECT among Soldier's.🌻🤝
Winters took up farming, but colonel Von Kaunitz worked as a salesman for a short while before enlisting again in the NATO West German Bundeswehr with the rank of major and retired as a general. He was killed in an Autobahn accident in 1983 at the age of 74 while driving a Mercedes S class at 220 km/h against the back of a truck, while his 30 years younger second wife who was sitting beside him survived. At his funeral hs daughter, a soprano at the Stuttgart Opera, sang his favorite song ''la Golondrina''. Fiction of course, but it befits the type of man.
A nobleman working as a salesman? I am sorry to say but a German nobleman becoming a salesman in the 1950s is probably more unlikely than him doing manual labour. Engaging in mercantile activity has always been frowned upon by the European nobility (the British being a slight exception), it is not until very recently that the taboo has lifted a bit. Interestingly, the Japanese nobility frowned upon it even more than the European one, but the Japanese's taboo of it lifted during the late 1800s, earlier than the European taboo. Besides, as a Colonel he would most probably have an education that would allow him to get a job far better than being a salesman in the first place.
Walter Taljaar6d