The Black Ops Unit to Stop WW3 - Detachment A
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- čas přidán 25. 08. 2024
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In the early 1970s, Sidney Shachnow commanded an elite unit of covert operators in Berlin to prevent the outbreak of World War III against the Soviet Union.
The Major General was born in Lithuania and survived both the Communist regime of the Soviet Union and the Nazi sovereignty during World War II.
After escaping from a concentration camp with his family, he reached American-occupied Nuremberg and eventually fled to the United States when he was only 16.
Shachnow then joined the Army and fought in the Vietnam War as a Special Forces operator.
It was after serving two tours there that he would risk his life to prevent another devastating global catastrophe.
- As images and footage of actual events are not always available, Dark Docs sometimes utilizes similar historical images and footage for dramatic effect. I do my best to keep it as visually accurate as possible. All content on Dark Docs is researched, produced, and presented in historical context for educational purposes. We are history enthusiasts and are not always experts in some areas, so please don't hesitate to reach out to us with corrections, additional information, or new ideas. -
I was his HHC 1st SOCOM commander in the early 80's...he was a pleasure to work for and always supported my difficult job as a captain supporting a major HQ.
You were lucky to know him so well.
Sure.
Very cool!
why you lying like that lol the man retired at 60 in 2004 his commander dead by now 😂💀
he retired in 2004, this guy knew him in the 80s. Your comment makes no sense.
As a former member of the Berlin Brigade I hope these stories do not fade into nothing. There is a lot to be learned.
I'm from Fulda and I can tell you these historical accounts are being distorted into half-truths and outright lies by younger (GenY/Millennial) teachers and their students don't know what to believe when they hear from people like us.
@Alpha Momentum sadly you might be right. Let’s just pray that if WW3 does come, that the world can refrain from using nuclear weapons. If not, then humanity needn’t worry about history repeating itself in a distant 80 year cycle, post WW3.
@@Dweller415 forgot who said it , it went something like I don’t know what WW3 will be fought with but I know WW4 will be fought with sticks and stones !!
There's a great book about you guys called Special Forces: Berlin by James Stejskal. My buddy got me onto it. It's really good, at least from the perspective of somebody that has no prior knowledge of the matter
@@johnscanlon2598 Yes I've heard that one too. It has quite an ominous ring to it.
In 1989 General Sachnow became the Commander of the entire Berlin Brigade. I have some Berlin Brigade Vet friends that served under his command. They all speak highly of him and were saddened by his passing.
Private to general, that’s pretty amazing.
Starved concentration camp prisoner to Private to General.
Is that not how every general starts though? 🧐
@Kevin Nix Without direct commission, they would still have to achieve rank through being active wouldn’t they? Generally speaking. I’m sure there’s ways around it that I don’t know lol.
@Kevin Nix AH, all the confusionz 😂. I was saying no matter how you enter the service, you still have to climb the rank ladder some how wouldn’t you? I know technically someone could be put in at any rank, but don’t most have to put the time in, & earn that rank? Even if your appointed, you’ve still had to do something to have qualifications to hold a higher rank.
@@CornPopsDood you can't be put in at any rank.
Served in Berlin 1984-1987 in an conventional infantry battalion and saw members of Det. A training at Rose Range there. Long hair, extreme moustaches, cool weapons. We knew who they were and didn't talk about them except amongst ourselves. My first company commander had come over from leading a Det. A team and really knew how to train us.
Great story that shows how far someone is willing to go not only for freedom, but to achieve one's goals
Top Blokes. They never fire a single shot in anger. Amazing stuff.
So they're like the french
@@r.m.5548 the French just yell overused insults and think they’re the best country in Europe. To be honest, if Italy weren’t in Europe they would be the best country in the EU considering the UK left. Although the UK could never beat Italy
NeVeR sHoT iN AnGeR shut up 😂
@@TripleLayerLemonCake The UK is most definitely not among the best in Europe? That’s laughable.
@@AngloImperial uk is tiny and insignificant. Usa had to bail you out TWICE from total destruction
We need more generals like him now because we sure as heck need to lose a few that we do have
Milley should be the first to go. Then the rest of the current U.S. president and his cabinet need to go. Imagine if Trump handled the Afghan pullout so poorly, leaving 100 to 200 U.S. citizens behind, giving the Taliban a list of names of Americans AND even worse Afghan interpreters. I say even worse because they were letting Americans leave unharmed but those Afghani translators that worked for any Coalition nation are huge targets! Trump would have already been impeached and rightfully so, but he didn't create any of this chaos, the really stupid one did. Evident by his declining approval rates.
Aiding a foreign power
during ww2 during Barbarossa, the Soviets were being over ran in this area commanded by a 3 star general. the general did not want to fall back and when a plane came to take him away he put his staff on board and stayed to the bitter end. he was surrounded and died fighting. the germans buried him and apparently gave him a brief ceremony.
@Henzo88 yea man, he's a danger the our national security and even worse a danger to the entire planet. They need some young guys in there who actually fought in recent wars, Afghan, Iraq, Bosnia, etc. I'm sure Miley saved but he's an old head, we need some young conservatives imo. I guess they not necessarily need to be "conservative" but as a person with such military power, I'd rather him be just that.
I'm 75 and I served in the Marine Corps for 21 years with 3 years in combat as an infantry officer. It is not well known that select units of Green Berets were tasked to transport small tactical nuclear weapons in a backpack configuration. This was the B-54 Special Atomic Demolition Munition (SADAM) which came into operation in the mid-1960's. It was about a foot and a half tall, about a foot in diameter, and it weighed about 100 pounds. It's maximum yield was about 1 kiloton.
They were stationed in NATO and in the event of war with the Soviet Union, they would deploy these devices at strategic locations to slow the Soviet advance or destroy strategic targets.
The Soviets had a similar device the size of a suitcase. A former Soviet general revealed that about 250 were built but that about 100 of them remain unaccounted for. Food for though.
Interesting times.
Let's assume that it is just the tip of the iceberg also, you guys weren't on your own...
I hope you are wrong about the Russians losing of misplacing 100 nuclear bombs? And i thought Broken Arrow was complete fiction.
These are the kind of historical events that need to be taught in schools! But I guess it's a bit late for that!
It is if everyone thinks that
Yeah now days they want to fill your children's heads with non. Sense how good socialism is and all the benefits of the one world government. They could care less about the freedom fighters who spilled their guts on the battlefields of ww2 Vietnam and even up till today unless your name is che or Fidel Castro. GOD BLESS OUR COUNTRY.
@@pedenmk Fark dude. DO you even know what socialism is? If you did, you may be less willing to give up those benefits. 'One world Gov? Ever heard of Brexit, or USA's protectionist policies under Trump? The evidence for both of your claims is nil and your last comment is just stupid. WW2 and Vietnam had conscripts that were neither fighting for freedom or your stupid country. They were fighting for each other. Penultimately, please learn some basic punctuation and finally update your 1960s understanding for the world.
@@BenState Little known fact, 60 % of the troops that went to Vietnam were volunteers. And WW2 wasn't fighting for freedom? Have you read ANYTHING about what Germany and Japan did during that time? The litteral millions of innocencent people they murdered. You know nothing at all if you can say that. Please go study some history.
Yep!
Wow, what a life. The things he saw. Hardships he overcame. Truly amazing.
Best Dark history segment yet.
I was in 5th SFG when MG Shachnow was Special Forces Command CO. I've met him once when he came to 5th group in Ft. Campbell, Ky to give us a pep talk.
Do you & Mr. Dino Papas? He commented here that he was his Commander in the early 80's...Respects to all of you!
I have a signed copy of Sid's memoir. Its one of my most prized posessions.
Was it ever published for public release, other than his book?
@@dieselscience I have a signed copy of his book. Thats what I meant.
Can't find it anywhere
What the book called?
A prime example of a "No" man. His type is sorely missed.
Bespoke box? Just what I need! A company to send me a box of random of junk that I will use once (at best) and then it will just clutter up my house until I throw it away. Sheesh.
General Schachnow would not have ANYTHING good to say about Milley today.
Milley’s a hero for risking his career to stop a tyrant from destroying the world.
*"As a civilian who's two sons have served in the USMC and the USN as Officers; I am humbled and grateful that people are willing to put their lives and freedom on the line to protect myself, other civilians and especially LIBERTY! God Bless them!"*
Watching this video footage reminds me of my interaction with a group of young men about ten years ago that I was tasked with briefing over a week long period on items of a "technical nature". I was never told who they were, and they all dressed like engineers, but having been in recon in The Corps when i was a puppy I recognized special ops men when I saw them. I never asked but after being around them for a week I took them as tier 1 level trained operators who probably all possessed hard science degrees. That is all I will say, but there are certainly highly trained specialized units out there in our military that are highly compartmentalized and completely unpublicized similar to the unit that is the subject of this video (a Ph.D. Chemical and Aerospace Engineer who recently retired from a large American defense contractor.
I was stationed in Berlin, we would here stories back then about a secret covert unit. The rumors were they never truly left until the final days of Berlins deactivation in 1994.
5:30 I got goosebumps just hearing about this mans story coming to this country and being such a patriot after seeing what it was about
Slowly, the secrets and stories from Cold War Berlin emerge. Everyone assigned to Berlin knew the the Cold War was still hot in then 80's . Det A left in 84 just before I got there. You didn't mention the man pack nukes.
Several units from different countries were involved also, we will never know the complete picture ,been buried deep.
The Major General was & is a Shinning example of someone that learned to take advantage of everything got Married & should have a movie made of his life!
I couldn't agree more with you about the movie 🍿🎥! We need more of our younger generation to see what it means to to fight for ones love of self & country 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸.
Some people have it all, they do it all, and you can forget about ever being like them because you'll never come close.
The fact that he was given herman georings old quarters is very great. Good over evil.
Yes because the nazis were the moooost evil worst bad guys in history lol
Actually there were werse or just as bad enemies throughout history.
@@jaydwy8069 ya
@@Azrayl why even comment if you dont understand what's being said?
God bless men like this. The did the job quietly ready at moments notice to step in the line. It would have been a privilege to serve with this man.
Great as always, this one special for me. I had the pleasure of working with one of the generals’ men once upon a time. They were highly skilled individuals
That man lived one hell of a life !
This is the first time I’ve ever heard of this unit. Thanks once again for giving something that I didn’t know I needed.
Angel: Shaknow? Lets open up the old book and see what did you do with your life. ...oh... oh... oh... come on in sir. Here, let me hold the door for you.
Father was stationed there 79-82 as part of det a. Fun times at the rod and gun club, skeet range, DYA as a kid. Similar to him my father was born in Romania and the family immigrated in the 50’s to the US. It will be nice to show my children this since he’s not here to share his stories.
For more information about The Unit's ops and accomplishments, read "Special Forces Berlin: Clandestine Cold War Operations of the US Army's Elite 1956-1990" by James Stejskal. Detachment A (39th Special Forces Operation Detachment) at Andrews Barracks was deactivated in 1984, while the personnel were closing down the unit, known to the Soviets by then, a new unit was stood up at Roosevelt Barracks (by the Army Post Office) as the US Army Physical Security Support Element-Berlin (410th Special Forces Detachment) from 1984 until the Reunification of Germany 1990.
This is the ultimate definition of dedication, determination and duty all buy the age of 60, what an amazing man.
For those who want more information about this group. Look for the following book on Amazon: Special Forces Berlin: Clandestine Cold War Operations of the US Army's Elite, 1956-1990 by James Stejskal
That's an awesome book
Anyone confused about the jump from E to O during you can be commissioned in combat jobs (not sure if you can still be but during this time period it was totally possible).
An article talking about the Berlin Brigade stated that some of the members from Hungarian refugees from 1956. I found that to be very interesting because some of the members actually fought directly against Russian troops in Budapest and knew how to do it.
So, they were a classified, covert unit. But the Soviets knew who he was and they got together often?
Just came up in my rec’s. We need these guys right now.
Thats awesome story, i am also Lithuanian serving in US military! just ordered his book
Stationed in Berlin Brigade 1972-74 at Andrews Barracks we saw these Detachment a guys running in they're blue jogging outfits we in the Army Security Agency knew what these guys were and what they did later as a department of the army civilian in Berlin I inadvertently aided in there mission in East Berlin
Black is for the night we fear ... (inside joke)
Simply amazing! What a fascinating story, thank you, Dark.
I have no snarky sarcasm.
-
Just admiration.
Is it safe?
Three Cheers for Sid, 📣 📣 📣.
DarkDocs, fantastic show… again!👍
Back when just getting a bachelors degree could land you as a field officer, sheesh. Sidney definitely earned his ranks, don't get me wrong, but today's standards make it seem like you need a master's just to be a company's butter bar.
I wonder if his unit had anything to do with NATO’s gladio units? They carried out false flag operations throughout the Cold War in Europe to foster a “strategy of tension”. Y’all should do a dark doc on that👍🏻
As a Lithuanian I am proud to learn about this man unfortunately most of educational systems fail to see great men like him.
Proud to hear his story hope to spread it if possible.
Yeah, its sad how many people dont know that lithuania exists.
A very rare, remarkable individual.
This guy is tom Clancy's Real John Clark!
The General KICKED-ASS his whole life, God Bless and Thank You Sir for your service!
GREAT story!! Never heard of this before. Thanks for telling it!
Now I know why I was born in Berlin in 1970 he was a green beret in Vietnam my dad went there a year later after his in in 69
Sounds like he loved his beautiful America. Sounds like a beautiful American. A true patriot! Editing this. EXCELLENT VIDEO!
Narrating is amazing ! Thank you for the hard work!!
5:29 - "Join the New World, America, the melting pot.
Have you even taken a step into this world?
You both live in the past."
I already love this guy, and it's only 5:29 into the video.
PFC to SGT 1stc ...... That's a hell of a jump
That man had more fight in his piss then most men will have in their entire lives.
Such an inspirational story.
Success, no WWIII yet.
I would argue that the Allied pilots in the Battle of Britain donated more to peace, stability and freedom.
The real A-Team
He was commander of "Det A" Berlin......not the Berlin Brigade (I was in 3/6 inf, Berlin Bde) then I went SF after that...I was an instructor at Bragg when he was SWCS Commander, he used to come down to the school house and hang out every now and then.
Two Silver Stars.
That says it all
I was in the BBDE, 1981-1983, assigned to the 42D Engineer Company, at Andrews Kaserne Finckenstein Allee, West Berlin. Actually Det.A was assigned to the same building our barracks were in, the next door over even. Just behind the old swimming pool used by the Nazi's during the 36' Olympics. Those were the days. I remember talking to a few Det A soldiers back then. Were pretty cool people. Oh, until a bunch of our guys next door partied too much and played their too loud. They didn't like that too good😂
His book is a must read!
These are the most important American citizens. The ones who come here for the freedom and stay for the freedom. Where would Washington be without his Hamilton? Where would the army be without it'd Sidneys? We need these citizens who weren't born here and understand The Constitutions importance because they came from places that didn't have Constitutions like ours. Sometimes we need people who can remind us who it is that we are exactly.
We might need this again.
It was people like him that insured that to this day we live in a free country and continue to speak English and go practice the religions that we care for to follow. Thank you for your service Sir.
There's should be a movie about this brigade.
Why is this documentary not made into a Movie? This Story is Gold!
Thank god for these men we need stop WW3 units and special super soilders
Stopping WW3?
Black Ops Pentagon theme starts.
It shows how successful the cold war was, we are alive!!
How is this not a movie?
Great story. Great man.
As a member of 10th SFG 69 - 72 it is great to see this bit of history and tribute shared. Thank you.
I'm curious about Sid's response to his Soviet counterpart's remark over his odd circumstances. I mean, they make a good point, his life took an ironic path in some ways.
But consider had he remained in Eastern Europe, under the yoke of communism, do you suppose he would have achieved what he had in the US? Of course not. Him and his family would have been lucky to survive.
He could have replied that it was the Nazis who were evil not Germany, just like the communists who were oppressing Russia and who have killed more Soviet Union citizens than Hitler ever did.
@@Simonsvids Someone else who understands history is a nice sight. Good day sir.
I look at our being allies in WW2 with the USSR as a marriage of convenience. They had the numbers of people. After all, they lost more people than all the other countries. I believe, combined. But the US and Germany actually did do operations together in WW2. All covert ops for sure. But we did them none the less.In WW2 yes, we were fighting to stop Germany and Japan. But like all countries, we were in it for ourselves. Just like the British holding onto the Zimmerman telegraph until just the right time. Instead of telling us right away that Germany was trying to get Mexico into the war on their side. So, our relationship with Stalin's USSR was all for our benefit. The age old question, should we have nuked Japan?, I don't know for sure. But knowing what I know now, in Truman's shoes, I still would have. Even though it was all known that the USSR was going to declare war on Japan and that alone would have ended it. Patton wanted to take Berlin. Eisenhower said no. Let the Russians take it because he knew it would have killed a million US men. It DID kill over a million Russians and half a million or more Germans. Mostly boys. Berlin was nothing short of horrific. Anyone who wouldn't, or couldn't fight were basically killed. And in the aftermath both us and Russia had the German civilian population cleaning up the mess. Children included.Germans were surrendering to us before having to lie under the Russians. The eastern front was just nasty. Intentionally. German soldiers being told that they would not be prosecuted for war crimes was just a nod telling them to do it. And the Russians just never gave 2 shits. They had actual hatred for each other, rather than just being tasked with killing the enemy because they were enemy. So, I believe the Russian making fun of the good general's situation with who he was allied with was more of a joke on him. Because we weren't fighting Germany so much as fighting Nazi's. And truth be told, we were actually allied with Germany and our relationship with Russia really wasn't there.MY thinking on this comes with the Berlin airlift. We were taking care or Germans and helping THEM rebuild, but we did none of that for the USSR, even though they were our "ally".
@@trombone113 Thanks for your account, very illuminating. We are all waiting for your full thesis on the matter 😂
Good story, and an amazing man clearly...but I don't get how doing a little bit of double agent work managed to stop WWIII???
What an amazing life this man lived.
Spent a little time in Germany with 8th Infantry. With the military resources based in East Germany, I highly doubt this unit would have been able to do much if war broke out? But having known a few Green Beret, I'm pretty sure his unit would have proved me wrong?
There is a book called "Special Forces Berlin" about that very detachment. It existed from 1956-1990.
No it ended in 1983 or 84 when the Germans learned of suitcase nukes being trained with for war in Germany by SF Units to include Det A.
@@lisamcdonald7828 rumor was they never really left and were operational till the very end. (Under different unit name) Even after the wall was down secret squirrel shit was still going on.
Pat McNamara talks about it from time to time too during interviews.
God bless the true heroes!
I learn more hear than I ever did in school
God bless all who served and still serve
That KGB officer was spot on though.
I would hardly call soviet rule "liberating"
@ 09:59 Anyone else notice the guy at the front take a couple of hot brass to the face? That rifle needs a redesign 😂
The General is a BEAST
Hell of a history lesson.
Wow! Amazing story. His rise through rhe ranks. Interestingly at the beginning he had little direction on his career goals, but acconplished so much by the time
his career wind down. Kudos for upload. Looking forward to ur next one.
Great story. I'd love to hear more about his exploits in VN. I need to get his book.
Survives everything, escapes, says fuck them motherfuckers and joins to go fight.
A truly amazing man to whom we all owe a debt of gratitude to for his service in keeping the world safe from the spread of communist oppression.
How?
CRT
BLM
Aoc
CIA
FBI
All communist, marxists, extremists
@@dr.floridaman4805 BLM isn't communist
@@bobbyb4024 wealth redistribution,
Cancel culture,
Government ownership of production.
CRT
Land redistribution
Re-education programs
Second class citizens without rights.
You are sheep
When opportunity knocks.
Cool saying but maybe add
"Put down your beer" and answer the door.
Just a though
A truck driver that worked with me once carried a backpack nuke around Europe. Probably was with this outfit
I don't think Det A guys did that, it was probably 10th Group.
And what about both the British and French that were involved in Berlin Peace Keeping?
What’s done while under the veil of national security in the U.K. And France, will remain in secret until the 12th of never. Charles DeGualle
Interesting story. When I was in the USN(‘61-‘63)there were a number of ways you could move from enlisted to officer but this is an amazing tale. I don’t think it would have been possible at any other time in history(@ least in the American military).
It's men like the who guard freedom best. They know what it's like not to have it.
That's fading away with the distortions created by the Islamic clans who control most Europe's narcs operation. The government should legalize it, make a deal with Brazil and cripple every clan before they weaken the stability that we have.
04:51 he was age 16 for an awfully long time!
U have the dates mixed up. If he was born in 34 he was twenty not sixteen when the family immigrated in 54?
His book was a very good read and tells his whole story from his childhood through years years of service in the US military.
As someone from Salem, MA, I had no clue someone this important lived there at one point!
Thanks for supporting dukduks
The man did more by age 16 than most do in their lifetime.
Interesting story but they had nothing to do with “stopping WW3”. They were there to act if war started.
Thanks
Thanks for your service!