Capture the Eiffel Tower! WW2 Conquest & Liberation

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  • čas přidán 28. 12. 2019
  • The story of how the Germans conquered the Eiffel Tower in 1940, and how the French won it back in 1944.
    Visit my new audio book channel 'War Stories with Mark Felton': • One Thousand Miles to ...
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    Disclaimer: All opinions and comments expressed in the 'Comments' section do not reflect the opinions of Mark Felton Productions. All opinions and comments should contribute to the dialogue. Mark Felton Productions does not condone written attacks, insults, racism, sexism, extremism, violence or otherwise questionable comments or material in the 'Comments' section, and reserves the right to delete any comment violating this rule or to block any poster from the channel.
    Thanks: Laurent Richard, Quora; Vania Teofilo.

Komentáře • 355

  • @formerlygay
    @formerlygay Před 4 lety +1243

    Hitler overlooking the Eiffel Tower is one of the most iconic historial images. More so than Hitler overlooking the tomb of Napoleon, whom he admired as perhaps his closest predecessor.

  • @mikaxms
    @mikaxms Před 4 lety +377

    I was let to believe that the Germans never conquered the Eiffel Tower, because the elevator was disabled. Thanks for clearing up that myth!

  • @StalinTheMan0fSteel
    @StalinTheMan0fSteel Před 4 lety +356

    After Hitler finished his tour of Paris, he said "I prefer Vienna".

  • @mikehydropneumatic2583
    @mikehydropneumatic2583 Před 4 lety +785

    Internet: How do fancy the christmas and new year days.
    Mark Felton: Hitler in Paris,

    • @mikehydropneumatic2583
      @mikehydropneumatic2583 Před 4 lety +25

      Guys guys guys.
      My comment was a joke of course.
      And it would be serously cool to have a chat with Mark in Paris about history.
      Been to La Coupole, Verdun, Ypres, Zonnebeke, St Mere Eglise, Normandy (everywhere) I have woken up to landing sight YOU WONT BELIEVE IT!. Out of the bloody hotel I was looking at OMAHA BEACH!
      Mark is a great resource for WW2 info.
      Stay out of war and a good 2020 to everybody. War is for museums and books.
      Peace V!

    • @bigblue6917
      @bigblue6917 Před 4 lety +45

      Hitler in Paris. Sounds like a musical.

    • @tedmccarron
      @tedmccarron Před 4 lety +8

      How do WHAT fancy Christmas and New Year's?

  • @vladbcom
    @vladbcom Před 4 lety +152

    Honestly that general is a kind of unsung hero for saving those historic landmarks. Cannot imagine Paris without the Eiffel Tower. What horror

  • @piekarzpaola
    @piekarzpaola Před 4 lety +679

    -Guten Tag, I want to climb the Eiffel tower!
    -Bonjour, that'll be 10 francs
    -WAS!?
    *invades France*
    *places sign "Entrance to the Eiffel Tower - 1 franc"*
    -Much besser!

    • @pierresihite8854
      @pierresihite8854 Před 4 lety +49

      Angry Frenchmen proceed to disable the towers elevator system
      Hitler:.....I never even wanted to go on it

    •  Před 4 lety +2

      Truth is that france has euros. Euros are worth nothing.

  • @korbell1089
    @korbell1089 Před 4 lety +299

    Thank you Von Choltiz. He may not have known that he would be remembered as the savior of Paris but he knew that if he obeyed Hitler's spiteful orders he would be remembered as the general who burned Paris!

    • @Anderle52134
      @Anderle52134 Před 4 lety +78

      I think French-German relations would be very different today if Von Choltitz would not have sabotaged the destruction of Paris.

  • @TheKulu42
    @TheKulu42 Před 4 lety +340

    Yet another interesting video featuring facts that I've never heard about before now. Your videos are always an education!

  • @endutubecensorship
    @endutubecensorship Před 4 lety +23

    2:35 "it could send telegraphs to the United States" very cool, didn't know that

  • @oddballsok
    @oddballsok Před 4 lety +215

    so typical french:
    "they decided to repair the lifts immediately...one year later, 1946, the lifts were fully functional".
    ONE FULL year...

  • @WatcherMovie008
    @WatcherMovie008 Před 4 lety +174

    And now the Eiffel Tower is completely blocked off with bullet proof windows 8 feet tall.

  • @crafter170
    @crafter170 Před 4 lety +44

    The German in charge had balls .He refused Hitlers order to destroy the whole city .Brave man.

  • @DARTHMAUL1994
    @DARTHMAUL1994 Před 4 lety +320

    "modern internet cafes"
    heh

    • @bigrobnz
      @bigrobnz Před 4 lety +26

      Mr Felton I think doesn"t get out much.....

    • @white-dragon4424
      @white-dragon4424 Před 4 lety +13

      Yeah, I thought they'd gone with the dodo as well.

    • @raymondcoventry1221
      @raymondcoventry1221 Před 4 lety +17

      They're still big in the developing world and I still see gaming cafes around.

    • @phill1422
      @phill1422 Před 4 lety +15

      They are still quite popular in Asia.

  • @scottlarson1548
    @scottlarson1548 Před 4 lety +11

    Von Choltitz was one of the war's enigmas. He constantly said that he hated everything about France. When he was captured he asked to be taken someplace where he wouldn't have to speak to French people, yet he did things that saved a lot of Paris from destruction.

  • @motonegros
    @motonegros Před 4 lety +127

    Q: Why are the boulevards of Paris lined with trees?
    A: Germans like to march in the shade.

    • @blitzy3244
      @blitzy3244 Před 4 lety +33

      Now they're lined with Africans begging for change

    • @planescaped
      @planescaped Před 4 lety +6

      Those jokes were funny when I was in middle school, then I realized they were incredibly ahistorical. >__>
      I blame America teaching f*** all about WW1 coupled with Britain not thinking very much of France after WW2 mostly due to the whole Vichy France refusing to do anything asked of them, and blaming them for the catastrophic defeat during the Battle of France. Led to the two English powerhouses picking on the poor -frogs- Frenchies.

  • @hshs5756
    @hshs5756 Před 4 lety +35

    I read the book _Is Paris Burning_ in my early 20's and still have it, which would make it one of the earliest additions to my library's history section, now grown to hundreds of titles 50 year's later.

  • @Administrator_O-5
    @Administrator_O-5 Před 4 lety +42

    Thank you for another awesome & valuable piece of history Dr. Felton!

  • @HollywoodMarine0351
    @HollywoodMarine0351 Před 4 lety +67

    Anything in the future on USAAF Captain William B.”Bill” Overstreet flying his P-51C Mustang “Berlin Express” under the Eiffel Tower chasing after a Messerschmitt Bf 109?

  • @camrsr5463
    @camrsr5463 Před 4 lety +201

    Before the Eiffel Tower, the tallest man made structure was the pyramid at Giza.
    took a long time to get high back then.

    • @Laotzu.Goldbug
      @Laotzu.Goldbug Před 4 lety +56

      You know that's actually not quite true. The Great Pyramid (481 ft.) was surpassed by Lincoln Cathedral (542 ft.) in 1311. Still a long time, admittedly, but not quite as long.
      I'm also pretty sure the Washington Monument was the immediate tallest right before the Eiffel Tower.

    • @rlauder7210
      @rlauder7210 Před 4 lety +26

      Lincoln Cathedral was briefly the taller than the pyramids at Giza... Until the spire fell off.

    • @michaelanon1968
      @michaelanon1968 Před 4 lety +3

      Cam RSR < um, there is ZERO proof modern day man made those structures..

    • @neinnein9306
      @neinnein9306 Před 4 lety +8

      yes.. but look what was possible without steel even in the year 1500 :)
      de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martinskirche_(Landshut)

  • @suepalin9202
    @suepalin9202 Před 4 lety +66

    Mark, Another excellent and informative video. Thank you for all the research and hard work which you put into making these productions. A happy, healthy and prosperous 2020 to you and your family.

  • @generalcody8599
    @generalcody8599 Před 4 lety +87

    Could you make a video about the capture of fort eben -emael?

  • @rascallyrabbit717
    @rascallyrabbit717 Před 4 lety +170

    Belloq:
    "It's a transmitter, a radio for speaking to God."

    • @BELCAN57
      @BELCAN57 Před 4 lety +4

      Or the Allies

    • @richardlathrop61
      @richardlathrop61 Před 4 lety +9

      Indy:You want to speak to God, let's go together.

    • @juliusraben3526
      @juliusraben3526 Před 4 lety +4

      @@BELCAN57 hope you never saw Indiana Jones, else you look silly

  • @BHuang92
    @BHuang92 Před 4 lety +19

    Dietrich von Cholitz is quite a controversial figure in Paris. The "Savior of Paris" stated why he did not carry out Hitler's order to "lie [Paris] in complete rubble." was a couple of things. One which he respected the city and its culture, the reality of carrying out such an impossible task given that there were very few German troops left, and he personally thought Hitler was batshit insane to bark out such an order.

  • @marceloromero4515
    @marceloromero4515 Před 4 lety +25

    You do a great job with these videos! Plus, you have a wonderful voice.

  • @SamuraiGhostGirl
    @SamuraiGhostGirl Před 4 lety +12

    Great video thanks Mark. I really enjoy the little known war stories you tell.

  • @fidelitypicturescom
    @fidelitypicturescom Před 4 lety +2

    Dr. Felton, thank you very much for your work and putting together videos in a very objektive way without any implizit judgement towards any side or details. Better than any national TV-Broadcasting-Station. Best regards from a german viewer!

  • @addekiller2
    @addekiller2 Před 4 lety +3

    Thank you Mark Felton. Yet again you proven to me that life is worth living. Watching your videos truly gives me the joy I need to go on carry on in this life.
    Happy new year!!! 😊

  • @Milkmans_Son
    @Milkmans_Son Před 4 lety +2

    This and the history guy are the best channels on my internet console.

  • @lordbadman9264
    @lordbadman9264 Před 4 lety +20

    Another great history lesson there and thanks for the audio books another great addition.A happy New Years to everybody

  • @cparedes2302
    @cparedes2302 Před 4 lety +14

    Many thanks for posting such an interesting video!
    I recall the movie “Is Paris Burning?”...
    Happy New Year and greetings from Guatemala!

  • @jamesfelix2096
    @jamesfelix2096 Před 4 lety +3

    Never stop Mr. Felton you are essential to forgotten history

  • @JohnDoe-cd1yy
    @JohnDoe-cd1yy Před 4 lety +6

    Thank you for all the informative and interesting videos Mark!

  • @tonihokkan9808
    @tonihokkan9808 Před 4 lety +3

    Perhaps your channel is the only 3 what I am watching day per day!
    Thank you Mark!

  • @bokke6
    @bokke6 Před 4 lety +5

    2019...Discovered Mark Felton.
    2020...Let's get Mark to 1 million Subscribers.
    Thumbs up and a happy new year to Mark and all his supporters.👍

  • @armairoes
    @armairoes Před 4 lety +47

    Man, do I love history channels that show the respect, dignity, sincerity, and devotion towards historical events.
    In Contrast, to those other history channels that make history look all comedic & less understanding.
    For example, like adding memes & etcetera..

  • @entropygenerator2646
    @entropygenerator2646 Před 4 lety +5

    I feel enormously grateful for your wonderful films.
    Happy New Year to you Mark.

  • @franciscomoutinho1
    @franciscomoutinho1 Před 4 lety +30

    Vive la France!!!
    Great work as always Mark Felton!

  • @richiecuzzz1
    @richiecuzzz1 Před 4 lety +12

    Another amazing video. Thanks for making my days better Mark Felton! Much love from the U.S.!

  • @davidlogansr8007
    @davidlogansr8007 Před 4 lety +8

    Very Nicely done Dr. Felton! The TV signal they sent from the tower could and did reach England and on s few occasions the United States! It was 441 lines same ad Deutschland was using. Britain had Settled on 405 lines, but fairly easy adjustment to the higher rate was not too hard.

  • @qtig9490
    @qtig9490 Před 4 lety +5

    Very interesting that they were able to use it to broadcast so far from the top of it and that it had a role in WWI. You find the most interesting info! Choltitz deserves some props for not listening to his lunatic boss.

  • @barkebaat
    @barkebaat Před 4 lety +6

    My father was part of the allied post-war occupying forces. I have a picture of him on leave at the top of the Eiffel Tower :-)

  • @thomasbeck9075
    @thomasbeck9075 Před 4 lety +7

    This great channel should remind us that it can happen again. History always repeats itself

    • @Shane-zo4mg
      @Shane-zo4mg Před 4 lety +2

      It already happened again buddy

    • @cgaccount3669
      @cgaccount3669 Před 4 lety +5

      Nah. The Germans will never attack through the forest a 2nd time. I mean 3rd time. Or...

  • @randyrick8019
    @randyrick8019 Před 4 lety +28

    I'm glad that you continue to give recognition to the Free French, Poles, and other partisan anti-Nazi fighters of the 2nd WW. While we in the USA give deserved homage to our own military, the heroism and sacrifices of those who struggled much longer, and through the darkest hours should not be forgotten.

  • @vladratzen7319
    @vladratzen7319 Před 4 lety +4

    i never believed hitler ordered the destruction of paris. the wehrmacht occupied many citys in europe, but the only city hitler visited after a victory was paris. hitler visited paris because he wanted to take a look at the impressive architecture of paris. he wanted to see not only the buildings, he wanted to see the structure of the city, the layout, with his own eyes.
    the visit is very well documented by Hermann Giesler who was among Hitlers entourage at the time. after i read what giesler had to say about the führer and his vist to paris, i came to the conclusion that the order to destroy paris is a myth. maybe the german commander in paris only claimed such order was given, because it turns him into "the saviour of paris", into a "good guy" who didnt obey.

  • @kuoseis
    @kuoseis Před 4 lety +29

    Hi Mark! Can you do a video about a german soldier, who was at the time 17 years old, when he took command of a panther tank and destroyed tens of sherman tanks at the battle of monte cassino in 1944.

  • @sbstoner
    @sbstoner Před 4 lety +2

    Thanks for all your work mate!

  • @goatmcgregor8951
    @goatmcgregor8951 Před 4 lety +13

    Us Europeans need to stick together and use our well-bred fighting skills to defend Europe once again against invasion and tyranny. Merry Christmas brothers

  • @Wilkse1
    @Wilkse1 Před 4 lety +6

    Brilliant as usual .

  • @agskytter8977
    @agskytter8977 Před 4 lety +19

    Trivia: The Eiffel Tower original construction drawings has just been rediscovered in the main library in Oslo, Norway. They were found as the library is currently moving to a new location.

  • @D__Lee
    @D__Lee Před 4 lety +6

    Thank you for answering another WW2 mystery! I always wondered how and why the Eiffel Tower survived knowing what it meant to the French and the German animosity toward France after it inflicted severe post-WW1 economic hardship on Germany.

  • @HeroHoundoom
    @HeroHoundoom Před 4 lety +8

    The German occupation of Paris was lax compared to the occupation of Warsaw. The French made such a big deal about it, even though the Poles suffered way worse. At least the Germans considered the French civilised, thereby giving better treatment. Though I do acknowledge that the Germans just captured and occupied Paris out of pride and for payback.

  • @grunt167
    @grunt167 Před 4 lety +4

    Very cool. The Director of the Tower did a damn good job of hindering the Germans but keeping the Tower unharmed.

    • @chrisstephens6673
      @chrisstephens6673 Před 4 lety +1

      Hmmm the germans could rebuild the dams in a few months but couldn't fix a lift in years?

    • @markfryer9880
      @markfryer9880 Před 4 lety

      @@chrisstephens6673 Yeah, puzzling isn't it?

  • @williamfelton905
    @williamfelton905 Před 4 lety +4

    Great documentary! Thank you!

  • @panzertracks
    @panzertracks Před 4 lety +4

    Shooting off an automatic is one hell of a way to let your customers know that your about the close up shop for the day.

  • @tomperkins5657
    @tomperkins5657 Před 4 lety +2

    As always, Mark, EXCELLENT!

  • @shirhanzafranbinshibly-stu8065

    Happy new year mark! Loving the vids

  • @frankwhite3406
    @frankwhite3406 Před 4 lety +8

    Excellent Episode Indeed Capture of The Eiffel !!!

  • @assessor1276
    @assessor1276 Před 4 lety +1

    Excellent video Mark - I so enjoy your work.

  • @Native_love
    @Native_love Před 4 lety +1

    Awesome video Mark! Thank you and Happy New Year!!!

  • @billhuber2964
    @billhuber2964 Před 4 lety +2

    Another interesting history lesson .happy New Year's mark.

  • @fuyu5979
    @fuyu5979 Před 4 lety +1

    Very interesting, especially the background info during WWII !
    Looking forward to your next video.

  • @avocatrobbins2189
    @avocatrobbins2189 Před 4 lety +2

    I have studied the history of the Eiffel Tower, and in fact have visited it, but I never knew before that the French before the war, and the Germans during the war, had used it for television broadcasts. Thank you for that piece of information.

  • @sarahtaggart7397
    @sarahtaggart7397 Před 4 lety +2

    VERY GOOD MARK ! MOST ENJOYABLE AND INFORMATORY !

  • @brucebello9892
    @brucebello9892 Před 4 lety +1

    Great story Mark, thank you!

  • @Ob1sdarkside
    @Ob1sdarkside Před 4 lety +1

    Great vid, learning things I've never knew.

  • @PanaehaliTut
    @PanaehaliTut Před 4 lety +28

    Another amazing story!
    But what i cant understand is why Germans couldnt repair those lift cables. Doesnt sound too heavy when you have most of the staff and engineers captured.

    • @mjvjohnson
      @mjvjohnson Před 4 lety +7

      That’s what I don’t understand either. If the French repaired it just 1 year after the war, why couldn’t the Germans in the 4 years of occupation?
      German engineering...pfft lol
      Jk jk

    • @marcoAKAjoe
      @marcoAKAjoe Před 4 lety +2

      Lol... good point

    • @markfryer9880
      @markfryer9880 Před 4 lety +13

      You know, you are absolutely right, especially when you consider all of the building works that the Nazis undertook during the war, Atlantic Wall, and the U-boat Pens, fixing a couple of lift cables and electrical switches doesn't seem to hard. So why didn't they fix it? Given the Germans love of recording everything, you would think that the answer would be in some files somewhere. Another mystery for Mark to explore.

    • @jmartin9785
      @jmartin9785 Před 4 lety +9

      Igor Aleksandrovich : l was going to ask that very question, but you got the job done. My thoughts were, that the Germans didn’t shiv a git whether that French object of national pride worked properly or not! 🙀Just Saying! 🌈lol!

    • @samsum3738
      @samsum3738 Před 4 lety +3

      Why , indeed .?Another mystery that needs to be examined .

  • @stevefowler2112
    @stevefowler2112 Před 4 lety +5

    Another great video sir...you should be in charge if the Discovery and History channels on cable TV...then we'd get something besides fake ufo and bigfoot shows.

  • @MrDyhard
    @MrDyhard Před 4 lety

    Love your work Mark

  • @52cycles.jefftarver.lakeha74

    Love your videos! Thank you

  • @misterjag
    @misterjag Před 4 lety +14

    Before the tragic fire, Notre Dame Cathedral attracted more visitors than the Eiffel Tower.

    • @markfryer9880
      @markfryer9880 Před 4 lety +8

      Oh that was so heart breaking to watch. I am glad that my Mum never had to see that happen, she used to teach French.

    • @TheWoollyFrog
      @TheWoollyFrog Před 4 lety +4

      Maybe because it is a religious symbol as well.

    • @Hillcapper1
      @Hillcapper1 Před 4 lety +3

      I visited both in 2017 and would rate them equally impressive. It is sad what happened to Notre Dame

    • @ksztyrix
      @ksztyrix Před 4 lety

      Eiffel tower - hideous technology demonstrator with nice view from top

    • @music-and-travel
      @music-and-travel Před 4 lety

      The Eiffel Tower has a natural limit of visitors (lifts) and costs about $35 to visit.... the Notre Dame was free and you could go in for only 10min.... hard to compare !

  • @christinecrockford1654

    Mark ur my hero I love all ur posts and videos thankyou so much xxx

  • @samsum3738
    @samsum3738 Před 4 lety

    Excellent video as usual .

  • @dabking94.19
    @dabking94.19 Před 4 lety +5

    Mark Mark, Muh Mark Mark, Mark Mark, Muh Mark Mark Felton!

  • @wallyplumstead614
    @wallyplumstead614 Před 4 lety +1

    Thank you Mark.

  • @mordapl1641
    @mordapl1641 Před 4 lety +6

    6:16 is actually the Saxon Palace in Warsaw

  • @iffipifi1
    @iffipifi1 Před 4 lety +2

    Awesome peice as usual, thanks

  • @steyrproof
    @steyrproof Před 4 lety +2

    Nice story. Well told !

  • @timheersma4708
    @timheersma4708 Před 4 lety +17

    Interesting...the Germans built rockets, but couldn't repair lifts ;-)

  • @marcoAKAjoe
    @marcoAKAjoe Před 4 lety +2

    I Love this channel

  • @georgefoord7240
    @georgefoord7240 Před 4 lety

    I love your videos so informative

  • @mrhamburger6936
    @mrhamburger6936 Před 4 lety +4

    Interesting story about the Eiffel tower excellent video

  • @johnnieireland2057
    @johnnieireland2057 Před 4 lety +1

    Great Video Mark! Noticed that you mentioned the allied invasion of southern France, another operation not mentioned too often in WW2 history, perhaps you could work your magic and make a video on it? Youre the best!

  • @justsomeguy3931
    @justsomeguy3931 Před 4 lety +14

    Great video, as always. I feel like I'm watching the old school History Channel, that used to rock and actually be academically credible. Before Ancient Aliens... (single tear rolls down cheek)

  • @motorTranz
    @motorTranz Před 4 lety

    Fascinating. Thanks.

  • @68air
    @68air Před 4 lety +4

    Wow those French really showed those Germans. They cut the cables to the lift!

  • @woopyass
    @woopyass Před 4 lety

    Great video!

  • @visi7754
    @visi7754 Před 4 lety +1

    Nice One plus NY Happy to you! Cheers

  • @Collectorfirearms
    @Collectorfirearms Před 4 lety

    Amazing video

  • @DoomGoober
    @DoomGoober Před 4 lety +4

    Dr. Felton: What has your research shown about Chlotitz's actual role in saving Paris and the Eiffel tower? Some sources say he had neither the men nor firepower to level Paris and given the sudden partisan uprising as well as encroaching allies he would have had a hard time doing it.

  • @gymm56
    @gymm56 Před 4 lety

    Unsurprisingly very, very detailed.

  • @krapeevids6992
    @krapeevids6992 Před 4 lety +4

    Can’t believe they almost demolished it!!! That would have been really F%#ked up!! Thank btw for always giving measurements in both metric and American standard...don’t know why the metric system never caught on here. Love your war history videos 👍 good stuff

  • @BillHalliwell
    @BillHalliwell Před 4 lety +5

    G'day again Mark, I've just read through a lot of the comments on this video. The overwhelming majority of comments deal with the reason the Nazis didn't repair the Tower's lifts. Talk about missing the point! The Nazis already had radio, TV and weapons up there. Anyone who has seen the Tower up close will know that the elevator equipment is mammoth and it took the French a year to get them going again. What was in it for the Nazis to have the lifts working? Nothing. What were they going to do; reopen the restaurants. It was excellent exercise for their soldiers to climb the thiing. Besides, containing Paris, deporting the French Jews and fending off the resistance fighters was a much more urgent agenda than elevators. Cheers, BH
    P.S. Perhaps you could confirm a point about the French police that I've read in a couple of reliable sources; that it was the police that started to round up French Jews before they were compelled to do so by the SS.

  • @jimmadonna1436
    @jimmadonna1436 Před 4 lety

    Mr Felton, do you know MR
    James Holland? I love both of you Gentlemen's work! Thanks again for your work, it greatfuly appreciated!

  • @afzalsamad8519
    @afzalsamad8519 Před 4 lety +1

    @ Good video and Remarkable information.

  • @timwolf6470
    @timwolf6470 Před 4 lety

    Thank you

  • @mhsvz6735
    @mhsvz6735 Před 4 lety

    Thank you.

  • @Kingfisherk26
    @Kingfisherk26 Před 4 lety

    Mark posts I click and thumbs up.

  • @pwb0511
    @pwb0511 Před 4 lety +8

    Amazing that Hitler also did not destroy Rome also when defeated there? The madman at least understood art and historical significance.

  • @spitfireace87
    @spitfireace87 Před 4 lety

    thank you

  • @ezrabrooks12
    @ezrabrooks12 Před 4 lety +1

    GOOD VIDEO!!!!!