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00:00:02,503 --> 00:00:05,715
As an American private covers
the retreat of his fellow soldiers,
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00:00:08,301 --> 00:00:11,345
a blast from a German tank
throws him off his feet.
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00:00:14,599 --> 00:00:18,561
The explosion destroys his machine gun
and breaks his glasses.
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00:00:20,063 --> 00:00:23,232
He retrieves a rifle and
continues to hold the line.
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00:00:26,527 --> 00:00:32,575
On June 6th, 1944 allied forces
finally land troops in Normandy.
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{\an8}To open the western front.
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But Nazi fanatics
and diehards continue
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00:00:41,375 --> 00:00:43,836
to fight ferociously for survival.
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00:00:49,300 --> 00:00:51,511
D-Day was a battle.
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They still need to win the war.
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January 9th, 1945.
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The Alsace region, France.
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American Private First-Class
Glenn Schmidt scrambles through
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the snow clutching a
Browning automatic rifle.
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Germans ambushed his patrol outside
the French town of Hatten.
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In the firefight, Schmidt’s B.A.R.
jammed and he’s shot twice.
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One blast knocked off his helmet
and another bloodies his face.
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He’s the sole survivor.
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The patrol Schmidt is
on is extraordinarily unlucky.
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{\an8}They're doing something
that's pretty routine,
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{\an8}and they just happen to be out
there when the Germans are about
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to launch their attacks.
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With enemy
soldiers in pursuit,
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Schmidt must get word
to a commanding officer.
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In this case, the information
you've gathered is firsthand information.
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Schmitt is kind of lucky
to even get out of there
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more or less unscathed
compared to many others.
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The Germans are in the midst of
the Battle of the Bulge.
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00:02:12,425 --> 00:02:15,136
As Wacht Am Rhein loses momentum,
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Hitler decides to attack at
a weaker part of the front.
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00:02:19,557 --> 00:02:24,145
{\an8}This would mean that the American and
the British attention
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00:02:24,145 --> 00:02:27,190
{\an8}is drawn away
from the northern battles.
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00:02:28,482 --> 00:02:31,319
For this operation,
known as Nordwind,
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00:02:31,319 --> 00:02:33,154
Hitler appoints Heinrich Himmler,
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00:02:33,154 --> 00:02:37,450
Reichsfuhrer and head of the SS,
in his first military command.
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00:02:38,701 --> 00:02:42,788
As the war progresses,
Hitler trusts less and less people.
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00:02:42,788 --> 00:02:45,208
However, there's
one exception, Himmler,
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00:02:45,208 --> 00:02:48,794
and he knows for sure that Himmler will
always be loyal to him.
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00:02:49,921 --> 00:02:54,550
Himmler is eager to impress
and mark Hitler’s anniversary as Fuhrer.
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00:02:54,550 --> 00:02:58,930
Himmler's goal is to
recapture Strasbourg and present it to
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Hitler as a gift for the
12th anniversary of the seizure
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of power on the 30th of January.
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00:03:07,063 --> 00:03:09,774
As the
capital of the Alsace region,
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Strasbourg had been liberated in
late November by free French troops.
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Himmler’s success...
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Would mean a major blow for
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00:03:18,449 --> 00:03:21,077
the American French alliance.
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25 miles
northeast of Strasbourg,
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outside the village of Hatten,
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00:03:31,087 --> 00:03:33,965
Private Schmidt races
for the American line.
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Suddenly the night
erupts in white light.
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Schmidt is struck.
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00:03:45,893 --> 00:03:50,564
His back burns and he rolls over
in the snow to cool the heat.
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00:03:52,608 --> 00:03:54,235
He must have
been frightened out of his wits.
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00:03:54,235 --> 00:03:57,697
He's wounded in several places.
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00:03:57,697 --> 00:03:59,991
He's tattered and torn up.
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The new wounds are from
American phosphorus grenades
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00:04:03,619 --> 00:04:08,040
and mortars fired by U.S. defenders
into the Germans behind him.
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00:04:14,797 --> 00:04:20,344
Still smoldering, he stumbles toward the
safety of a bunker to join defenses there.
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00:04:23,889 --> 00:04:28,769
At Pillbox nine, Schmidt reaches a
section of the famous Maginot Line.
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00:04:31,147 --> 00:04:33,482
{\an8}The
Maginot Line is a fortified line
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00:04:33,482 --> 00:04:36,319
{\an8}that the French army
erected after World War I,
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00:04:36,319 --> 00:04:38,863
{\an8}and it covered from
roughly the Swiss border
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{\an8}all the way up to
the Belgian frontier.
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00:04:42,783 --> 00:04:46,454
It contains massive
reinforced concrete bunkers.
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00:04:46,454 --> 00:04:49,832
Some of these bunkers
were essentially underground cities.
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00:04:49,832 --> 00:04:51,834
{\an8}You'd have large
personnel bunkers.
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00:04:51,834 --> 00:04:54,170
{\an8}You'd have all sorts of
gun herds that would pop up
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00:04:54,670 --> 00:04:56,088
on top of the bunkers.
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00:04:56,088 --> 00:04:59,633
You'd have tunnels that
would go between bunkers.
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00:04:59,633 --> 00:05:03,137
The concrete could
be more than 11 feet thick.
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00:05:03,137 --> 00:05:05,514
So, they could be
bombarded by aircraft bombs,
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00:05:05,514 --> 00:05:09,769
by artillery, and yet the troops
within would still be protected.
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00:05:10,811 --> 00:05:14,148
The problem was
when Germany invaded in 1940,
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00:05:14,148 --> 00:05:16,025
they just went around it.
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00:05:16,025 --> 00:05:18,778
So, the Germans never
got through the Maginot Line.
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00:05:18,778 --> 00:05:20,738
They instead avoided the
Maginot Line and went through
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00:05:20,738 --> 00:05:23,407
Belgium where the
Maginot Line did not exist.
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00:05:25,034 --> 00:05:27,495
American forces now
occupy the bunkers which must
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00:05:27,495 --> 00:05:33,417
once again protect the French border
against German attackers from the east.
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00:05:44,512 --> 00:05:48,808
Oberstleutnant Karl Proll and his 35th
Panzergrenadier Regiment
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00:05:49,183 --> 00:05:51,352
spearhead the
assault into Hatten.
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00:05:55,064 --> 00:05:58,609
Karl Proll is a former
NCO who commissioned later.
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00:05:58,609 --> 00:06:02,321
He gets promoted very quickly
due to his command performance
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00:06:02,321 --> 00:06:04,323
on the eastern front.
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00:06:04,323 --> 00:06:08,327
And he's the holder of some of the highest
German military decorations.
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00:06:17,420 --> 00:06:19,839
From the woods,
the Panzergrenadiers cross
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00:06:19,839 --> 00:06:22,633
a large field
toward the pillboxes.
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00:06:26,262 --> 00:06:29,140
The Germans believe
that the bunkers are unmanned,
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00:06:29,140 --> 00:06:32,351
but suddenly, they run
into a fierce resistance.
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00:06:34,395 --> 00:06:37,231
The lead elements come
under fire from American mortar,
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00:06:37,231 --> 00:06:39,442
machine guns and artillery.
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00:06:43,404 --> 00:06:46,782
They suffer very heavy casualties in
the frontal attack.
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00:06:58,794 --> 00:07:01,630
The survivors
retreat back to the trees.
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00:07:03,466 --> 00:07:06,469
Proll, who is a
veteran from the eastern front,
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00:07:06,469 --> 00:07:08,345
knows he must be
flexible now and
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00:07:08,345 --> 00:07:10,764
change his tactics and pivot.
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00:07:17,229 --> 00:07:19,440
Proll’s men and
tanks must find a path between
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00:07:19,440 --> 00:07:22,568
the American bunkers to
attack Hatten directly.
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00:07:25,613 --> 00:07:28,324
{\an8}Pillbox nine is one of a
series of fortifications which
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00:07:28,324 --> 00:07:31,827
{\an8}extend out up to a mile from
the eastern edge of Hatten.
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00:07:34,914 --> 00:07:36,790
{\an8}From a command
post in the village,
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{\an8}A Company commander
captain William Corson,
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coordinates the defenses.
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Pillbox five, come in.
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They’re connected through
telephone lines with radio back up.
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00:07:46,675 --> 00:07:50,846
Word trickles in from across the
front about the German attacks.
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00:07:52,056 --> 00:07:54,058
{\an8}Corson is doing what any
commander wants to do in this
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00:07:54,058 --> 00:07:56,519
{\an8}kind of circumstance,
which is to gather as much
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00:07:56,519 --> 00:07:58,479
{\an8}relevant information as he can.
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00:07:58,479 --> 00:08:00,564
{\an8}And to do that, you
have to stay in touch.
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00:08:01,857 --> 00:08:04,777
His unit from
the 242nd Infantry Regiment,
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00:08:04,777 --> 00:08:09,156
of the 42nd Division, only
recently arrived in Europe.
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00:08:10,866 --> 00:08:13,619
American command sent
them to the Alsace to finish
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00:08:13,619 --> 00:08:16,580
their training in what
should’ve been a quiet sector.
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00:08:19,291 --> 00:08:21,752
The 42nd Division has
these kind of strengths
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00:08:21,752 --> 00:08:23,128
and weaknesses in that respect.
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00:08:23,128 --> 00:08:26,298
The weakness is the inexperience,
the kind of lack of organization,
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00:08:26,298 --> 00:08:27,925
maybe the lack of confidence.
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00:08:27,925 --> 00:08:32,179
But I think the strength is the,
the newness of it might create a
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00:08:32,179 --> 00:08:35,474
level of enthusiasm for fighting
that may not be present in,
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00:08:35,474 --> 00:08:37,309
in more hard-bitten units.
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00:08:40,062 --> 00:08:44,358
In response to the attacks,
headquarters staff of the 242nd prepare
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00:08:44,358 --> 00:08:47,069
improvised defenses
in the village.
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00:08:50,364 --> 00:08:54,952
Personnel lay mines to prevent
German vehicles from passing through.
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00:09:00,416 --> 00:09:02,084
Their minefield
blocks the road in front of
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00:09:02,084 --> 00:09:05,462
the first battalion command post
just across from the church.
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00:09:12,428 --> 00:09:16,015
Above the minefield, soldiers
with bazookas take up position
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00:09:16,015 --> 00:09:18,100
in the church steeple.
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00:09:25,774 --> 00:09:29,194
They join an American artillery observer
who has been there all morning.
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00:09:29,194 --> 00:09:32,323
To direct fire
in support of the Pillboxes.
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00:09:32,781 --> 00:09:35,409
The Artillery Observer,
besides maybe the Commander,
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00:09:35,409 --> 00:09:39,079
is arguably the most important person in
a, in a World War II fight.
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00:09:39,079 --> 00:09:40,998
The Artillery Observer
is the person controlling
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00:09:40,998 --> 00:09:44,668
the most important firepower,
the deadliest firepower,
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00:09:44,668 --> 00:09:46,462
especially on the American side,
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00:09:46,462 --> 00:09:49,173
where the artillery is
just a fearsome weapon.
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00:09:51,300 --> 00:09:55,262
Back at Pillbox nine,
Sergeant Alvin Cahoon,
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00:09:55,262 --> 00:09:59,933
of A Company, had
thrown back the first waves of
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00:09:59,933 --> 00:10:02,311
the German assault against
third Platoon’s position...
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00:10:02,311 --> 00:10:04,229
Fire!
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00:10:04,980 --> 00:10:07,566
With help from
artillery and mortar fire.
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00:10:08,525 --> 00:10:12,821
But to the south, he observes a
dangerous development.
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00:10:12,821 --> 00:10:17,618
German tanks and infantry break through
between Pillboxes four and five.
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00:10:25,918 --> 00:10:29,963
As the German tanks roll up,
they have a chance to flank the bunkers,
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00:10:29,963 --> 00:10:32,216
and make a
straight shot into Hatten.
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00:10:40,849 --> 00:10:46,689
But suddenly, American bazooka
rounds blast into their armor
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from high in the village church.
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00:10:49,566 --> 00:10:51,527
It’s the best
place to see any German units
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that are on the move.
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00:10:52,736 --> 00:10:54,571
{\an8}German commander
would certainly grasp that,
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00:10:54,571 --> 00:10:56,865
{\an8}appreciate it, and would
fixate immediately on that
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00:10:56,865 --> 00:11:00,035
{\an8}church steeple as the, as the
likely spot for an observer.
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The Germans return fire,
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00:11:04,832 --> 00:11:06,917
and destroy the tower.
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00:11:08,293 --> 00:11:10,379
The shots eliminate
the bazooka teams
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00:11:10,379 --> 00:11:13,215
and the U.S. Artillery
observer posted there.
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00:11:14,133 --> 00:11:16,301
This means the Americans
can no longer count on
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00:11:16,301 --> 00:11:18,178
accurate artillery support.
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00:11:18,178 --> 00:11:21,348
The losses weaken their
defenses in the village.
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00:11:24,643 --> 00:11:27,813
Below the steeple, personnel at
the first Battalion Command Post
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00:11:27,813 --> 00:11:30,858
take up positions to
actively defend Hatten.
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00:11:41,076 --> 00:11:45,539
Private First-Class Vito Bertoldo is
one of the guards.
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He has bad eyesight,
which obviously can be an issue
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and yet he wants to be there.
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00:11:50,335 --> 00:11:51,837
So, he had volunteered.
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00:11:51,837 --> 00:11:53,589
He had tried very hard
to get into the Army.
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00:11:53,589 --> 00:11:54,590
Initially, they turned him away.
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00:11:54,590 --> 00:11:58,135
Of course, as the war unfolds
the standards get a little lower
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and they need more people,
so he gets in on that basis,
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but he becomes a cook.
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Bertoldo wasn’t really
happy in this supporting role.
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00:12:06,769 --> 00:12:09,813
Bertoldo has already
been something of a problem child
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00:12:09,813 --> 00:12:11,440
for his Mess Sergeant.
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00:12:11,440 --> 00:12:14,610
If you have a soldier
you perceive as a problem or
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00:12:14,610 --> 00:12:17,070
not that good, you’re going to
want to put him where you think
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00:12:17,070 --> 00:12:18,280
he’s going to do the least harm.
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00:12:18,697 --> 00:12:20,073
After arriving in Europe,
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00:12:20,073 --> 00:12:23,285
Bertoldo’s senior officer,
Captain William Corson,
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00:12:23,744 --> 00:12:26,497
transfers him to
guard duty in Hatten.
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00:12:27,289 --> 00:12:29,416
The transfer is
not a promotion at all.
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00:12:29,416 --> 00:12:31,710
It’s kind of a
sidelining in a way.
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00:12:36,465 --> 00:12:39,134
But for Bertoldo,
as a guard he’s one step closer
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00:12:39,134 --> 00:12:40,761
to fighting Germans.
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00:12:42,179 --> 00:12:44,097
Bertoldo has been
bragging to his buddies
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00:12:44,097 --> 00:12:47,351
about how, you know, if he gets
a crack at the Germans, man,
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00:12:47,351 --> 00:12:49,394
what a hero he’s going to be.
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00:12:49,394 --> 00:12:50,896
There’s so many
stories like that,
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00:12:50,896 --> 00:12:54,441
and the end of that story is
almost always this guy talked
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00:12:54,441 --> 00:12:56,944
a big game, but
when the bullets flew,
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00:12:56,944 --> 00:12:59,029
he was, you know, in a ditch.
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00:13:00,072 --> 00:13:02,324
The former cook
now sets up a machine gun in
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00:13:02,324 --> 00:13:04,117
the doorway and waits.
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00:13:11,708 --> 00:13:14,336
As German rounds pepper
the Battalion Command Post...
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00:13:22,886 --> 00:13:23,929
Sergeant!
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00:13:23,929 --> 00:13:27,391
Enemy artillery knocks
out the communication system.
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00:13:27,891 --> 00:13:30,686
Before the attack,
Captain Corson had direct lines
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00:13:30,686 --> 00:13:32,479
to each of the Pillboxes.
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00:13:34,690 --> 00:13:36,775
Now he’s cut off.
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00:13:36,775 --> 00:13:41,280
The Commander always has to decide where
to place himself on the battlefield.
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00:13:41,280 --> 00:13:43,448
So, where is it
appropriate for him to be?
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00:13:47,661 --> 00:13:49,538
Corson leaves the command post.
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00:13:51,248 --> 00:13:55,502
He sets out to re-connect with his
forward troops in the Pillboxes.
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00:13:59,131 --> 00:14:03,260
As American artillery falters,
Oberstleutnant Karl Proll’s men
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00:14:03,260 --> 00:14:06,054
renew their attacks
on the northern bunkers.
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00:14:11,768 --> 00:14:14,313
Pillbox nine holds out,
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00:14:15,772 --> 00:14:18,317
but other U.S.
positions give way.
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00:14:30,662 --> 00:14:32,789
Further south...
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00:14:32,789 --> 00:14:35,667
{\an8}The Jagdtiger was
the largest, most powerful
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00:14:35,667 --> 00:14:37,419
{\an8}armored vehicle of World War II.
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00:14:39,004 --> 00:14:42,633
{\an8}The basic chassis was the same
as the Royal Tiger heavy tank,
212
00:14:42,633 --> 00:14:46,053
{\an8}except that instead of having a turret
with an 88-millimeter gun,
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00:14:46,053 --> 00:14:50,140
{\an8}it had a fixed superstructure
with even thicker armor and
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00:14:50,140 --> 00:14:53,894
an even more
powerful 128-millimeter gun.
215
00:14:53,894 --> 00:14:56,563
{\an8}Used to
attack and kill enemy tanks,
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00:14:56,563 --> 00:15:00,484
{\an8}the 128-millimeter gun
weighs five and a half tons
217
00:15:00,484 --> 00:15:03,779
{\an8}and can penetrate seven and a half feet
of concrete at a range
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00:15:03,779 --> 00:15:05,781
{\an8}of over half a mile.
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00:15:07,532 --> 00:15:09,618
During the
time of the fighting in Alsace,
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00:15:09,618 --> 00:15:11,912
the German troops
started to run into
221
00:15:11,912 --> 00:15:14,831
the old Maginot Line
bunkers for defense.
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00:15:14,831 --> 00:15:17,125
Adolf Hitler heard
about this, and he said,
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00:15:17,125 --> 00:15:19,252
"Ah-ha, I have the ideal weapon.
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00:15:19,252 --> 00:15:22,381
Send some Jagdtigers down and
have these powerful Jagdtigers
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00:15:22,381 --> 00:15:24,383
blast away at the bunkers."
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00:15:30,097 --> 00:15:32,140
As tanks and
Panzergrenadiers attack
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00:15:32,140 --> 00:15:35,310
along the line, the
American Pillboxes fall.
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00:15:41,358 --> 00:15:44,653
Captain William Corson
speeds toward Pillbox nine,
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00:15:44,653 --> 00:15:47,114
hoping to
re-establish communications.
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00:15:48,740 --> 00:15:50,033
As he nears the bunker...
231
00:15:51,660 --> 00:15:53,412
The jeep comes under fire.
232
00:15:54,663 --> 00:15:58,083
They bail out and find refuge
in an empty mortar position.
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00:16:01,753 --> 00:16:04,756
Corson decides to
make a run for the Pillbox.
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00:16:05,924 --> 00:16:08,593
This incident is a classic example of
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00:16:08,593 --> 00:16:10,387
something you see
in ground combat.
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00:16:10,387 --> 00:16:13,181
Simple things
become really difficult.
237
00:16:13,181 --> 00:16:15,559
He gets pinned down; he
doesn’t know what’s going on.
238
00:16:15,559 --> 00:16:17,561
The communications are spotty.
239
00:16:17,561 --> 00:16:19,312
{\an8}Now, the simplest things become
240
00:16:19,312 --> 00:16:21,231
{\an8}extraordinarily
difficult and deadly.
241
00:16:22,274 --> 00:16:23,984
He leaves a
walkie-talkie with one of
242
00:16:23,984 --> 00:16:27,195
his men at the jeep, to act
as a relay for messages back
243
00:16:27,195 --> 00:16:29,740
to first Battalion in Hatten.
244
00:16:33,285 --> 00:16:35,996
With the Americans at the Pillboxes in a
fight for their lives,
245
00:16:35,996 --> 00:16:37,998
German tanks
and Panzergrenadiers
246
00:16:37,998 --> 00:16:40,417
press further into the village.
247
00:16:41,960 --> 00:16:44,171
This is supposed
to be in a rear area.
248
00:16:44,171 --> 00:16:46,131
I mean, technically, okay?
249
00:16:46,131 --> 00:16:47,799
So, here’s the first
thing that’s gone wrong,
250
00:16:47,799 --> 00:16:51,011
all of a sudden, the Germans
are there at this command post,
251
00:16:51,386 --> 00:16:53,680
a place where they
were never supposed to be.
252
00:17:23,001 --> 00:17:25,420
{\an8}Fortunately, the
makeshift minefield outside
253
00:17:25,420 --> 00:17:28,381
{\an8}the U.S. 242nd
Infantry Regiment,
254
00:17:28,381 --> 00:17:32,094
first battalion command post
halts the German advance.
255
00:17:45,357 --> 00:17:48,610
Oberstleutnant Karl Proll’s
Panzergrenadiers move out front
256
00:17:48,610 --> 00:17:50,779
to clear the mines.
257
00:17:56,034 --> 00:17:58,120
Private First-Class
Vito Bertoldo doesn’t have
258
00:17:58,495 --> 00:18:01,123
a clear shot from the
command post doorway.
259
00:18:04,167 --> 00:18:06,586
He decides to
find a better angle.
260
00:18:06,586 --> 00:18:11,091
They take the machine gun into the
middle of the street and set it up.
261
00:18:25,522 --> 00:18:26,439
Here!
262
00:18:26,439 --> 00:18:28,733
In full sight
of attacking enemy soldiers,
263
00:18:28,733 --> 00:18:31,528
American Private
First-Class Vito Bertoldo
264
00:18:31,528 --> 00:18:34,030
opens fire with his machine gun.
265
00:18:39,870 --> 00:18:42,497
He targets the German panzer
units who attempt to clear
266
00:18:42,497 --> 00:18:45,667
a minefield that blocks
the advance of their tanks.
267
00:18:53,175 --> 00:18:56,386
Bertoldo forces their retreat.
268
00:19:00,557 --> 00:19:04,019
He and his assistant pick up
the machine gun to relocate.
269
00:19:05,979 --> 00:19:08,857
{\an8}Bertoldo, has been
trained like any other soldier,
270
00:19:08,857 --> 00:19:12,277
{\an8}that a, an effective
machine gunner displaces.
271
00:19:12,277 --> 00:19:14,821
Because of course, a machine gun is the
target for the enemy.
272
00:19:14,821 --> 00:19:16,907
It's a deadly weapon.
273
00:19:20,827 --> 00:19:23,788
Outside Hatten,
Captain William Corson breaks
274
00:19:23,788 --> 00:19:27,167
through the German fire
and arrives at Pillbox nine.
275
00:19:28,793 --> 00:19:32,297
He finds Sergeant Alvin Cahoon and
other members of A Company,
276
00:19:32,297 --> 00:19:35,467
of the 242nd Infantry Regiment.
277
00:19:37,594 --> 00:19:38,762
But they’re low
on ammunition and
278
00:19:38,762 --> 00:19:41,640
have many wounded
who need evacuation.
279
00:19:44,392 --> 00:19:46,853
By this time, most of
the American defenses along
280
00:19:46,853 --> 00:19:49,606
{\an8}their sector of the
Maginot Line have crumbled,
281
00:19:50,065 --> 00:19:53,276
{\an8}but Pillbox nine in the
north continues to resist.
282
00:19:55,445 --> 00:19:58,281
Corson relays
the regimental orders;
283
00:19:58,281 --> 00:20:01,576
to continue to
hold at all costs.
284
00:20:01,910 --> 00:20:04,037
We are
requesting artillery support.
285
00:20:04,037 --> 00:20:05,205
Copy.
286
00:20:05,205 --> 00:20:07,791
He also tries
to contact his relay man at
287
00:20:07,791 --> 00:20:11,211
the jeep but can’t get through.
288
00:20:13,630 --> 00:20:15,298
He decides to
wait until dark and
289
00:20:15,298 --> 00:20:17,801
then return to
Hatten to get help.
290
00:20:21,263 --> 00:20:23,598
{\an8}If the Pillbox falls
and Hatten can be flanked from
291
00:20:23,598 --> 00:20:26,559
{\an8}the north, it makes the Alsace region
292
00:20:26,559 --> 00:20:29,938
{\an8}and its newly liberated
capital Strasbourg, vulnerable.
293
00:20:33,483 --> 00:20:35,819
In the early part
of operation Nordwind,
294
00:20:35,819 --> 00:20:37,821
Supreme commander
Dwight D. Eisenhower
295
00:20:37,821 --> 00:20:42,158
was ready to yield territory here,
including Strasbourg.
296
00:20:43,493 --> 00:20:45,954
Eisenhower is
really focused on attacking Germany from
297
00:20:45,954 --> 00:20:49,374
the north and the
Alsace region is too far south
298
00:20:49,374 --> 00:20:52,794
{\an8}he doesn't consider it to be
particularly important and so
299
00:20:52,794 --> 00:20:54,546
{\an8}for Eisenhower it would
actually make more sense just
300
00:20:54,546 --> 00:20:56,965
to simply withdraw from
that front all together,
301
00:20:56,965 --> 00:21:00,885
and really put the focus
on the rush to Berlin.
302
00:21:03,096 --> 00:21:06,516
The proposal nearly causes a
mutiny amongst French forces.
303
00:21:09,311 --> 00:21:11,688
The Alsace region,
it's been going back and forth
304
00:21:11,688 --> 00:21:14,441
between the French and
the Germans for centuries,
305
00:21:14,441 --> 00:21:17,610
but what's so very important
about it in this period is that
306
00:21:17,610 --> 00:21:21,948
the free French have liberated
Strasbourg and so of course it's
307
00:21:21,948 --> 00:21:25,076
emotionally very, very
important and a potent symbol
308
00:21:25,076 --> 00:21:28,955
for the French and they're damned if
they're going to give it up again.
309
00:21:40,884 --> 00:21:42,969
In Hatten,
German infantry and tanks
310
00:21:42,969 --> 00:21:46,806
launch a fresh attack against the
first Battalion headquarters.
311
00:21:49,309 --> 00:21:50,935
Under covering fire,
312
00:21:50,935 --> 00:21:55,565
Panzergrenadier troops once again move
forward to clear the minefield.
313
00:21:56,858 --> 00:21:59,861
Which anchors the
American defenses in the sector.
314
00:22:01,154 --> 00:22:03,782
The minefield is how
you're going to restrict German mobility,
315
00:22:03,782 --> 00:22:05,283
it's how you're
going to buy time.
316
00:22:05,283 --> 00:22:06,951
And that's a big part
of the battle of Hatten,
317
00:22:06,951 --> 00:22:09,829
is to, to buy time,
to get reinforcements.
318
00:22:10,663 --> 00:22:12,374
And it
could be better.
319
00:22:13,708 --> 00:22:15,293
{\an8}What you hope,
from the American standpoint,
320
00:22:15,293 --> 00:22:17,337
{\an8}is that a tank comes
in and blows off a mine,
321
00:22:17,337 --> 00:22:19,214
blows a tread, is immobilized,
322
00:22:19,214 --> 00:22:21,966
and now becomes a kind
of a nice roadblock there.
323
00:22:23,093 --> 00:22:24,969
In a house from which
they can monitor the approach to
324
00:22:24,969 --> 00:22:29,516
the command post
and the minefield,
325
00:22:29,516 --> 00:22:31,684
Private First-Class
Vito Bertoldo and
326
00:22:31,684 --> 00:22:34,270
his assistant set
up their machine gun.
327
00:22:35,605 --> 00:22:37,148
{\an8}The gunner's assistant
does a number of things.
328
00:22:37,607 --> 00:22:41,027
{\an8}The most obvious is that he
helps feed the ammunition into
329
00:22:41,027 --> 00:22:44,406
{\an8}the machine gun, but he has
a secondary role of defending
330
00:22:44,864 --> 00:22:48,368
the machine gun against
approaching enemy troops.
331
00:22:49,119 --> 00:22:51,329
They secure
the weapon to a table.
332
00:22:53,039 --> 00:22:55,458
A light machine gun
is usually mounted on a tripod.
333
00:22:55,458 --> 00:22:58,253
It has little feet on the end
of it to dig into the ground.
334
00:22:58,253 --> 00:23:00,338
So, by strapping
it to the table,
335
00:23:00,338 --> 00:23:02,340
he could keep the
machine gun stable
336
00:23:02,340 --> 00:23:04,384
and therefore,
fire more accurately.
337
00:23:11,850 --> 00:23:15,228
Bertoldo opens up
with his tabletop machine gun.
338
00:23:25,905 --> 00:23:27,907
Once more, his
fierce fire forces
339
00:23:27,907 --> 00:23:30,410
the German troops to pull back.
340
00:23:33,913 --> 00:23:37,792
But this time, the enemy tank
pinpoints Bertoldo’s position.
341
00:23:38,460 --> 00:23:42,088
And from 75 yards,
fires directly at his window.
342
00:23:42,088 --> 00:23:43,131
Fire!
343
00:23:48,928 --> 00:23:51,598
The tank round
punches through the room.
344
00:23:53,766 --> 00:23:54,726
As the dust settles,
345
00:23:54,726 --> 00:24:00,607
Private First-Class Vito Bertoldo and
his assistant are thrown back,
346
00:24:00,607 --> 00:24:02,817
but amazingly, remain unhurt.
347
00:24:03,359 --> 00:24:06,154
He gets a little lucky
because the tank is firing
348
00:24:06,154 --> 00:24:08,156
an armor piercing round.
349
00:24:08,156 --> 00:24:12,076
{\an8}It's not pleasant when a shell
comes into your room like that.
350
00:24:12,076 --> 00:24:14,704
{\an8}Uh, the concussive
effect is, is terrific.
351
00:24:15,121 --> 00:24:17,999
But it's not as deadly
as it would be if it were
352
00:24:18,416 --> 00:24:19,876
a high explosive round.
353
00:24:20,668 --> 00:24:23,421
Bertoldo crawls back to the table.
354
00:24:24,672 --> 00:24:27,759
The tank still sits
just beyond the minefield.
355
00:24:30,178 --> 00:24:33,515
When he reaches the machine gun,
he opens fire again.
356
00:24:36,142 --> 00:24:37,685
Firing a
machine gun at a tank,
357
00:24:37,685 --> 00:24:40,021
there's a level
of insanity to that.
358
00:24:40,438 --> 00:24:42,440
You are not going
to penetrate the tank.
359
00:24:42,857 --> 00:24:44,901
You're going to
give away your position.
360
00:24:47,529 --> 00:24:51,741
A German Tank Commander emerges
from the hatch to get a better look.
361
00:24:53,493 --> 00:24:55,870
Bertoldo grabs a rifle.
362
00:24:56,246 --> 00:24:59,165
At a range of 75 yards,
he takes a shot...
363
00:25:00,959 --> 00:25:03,294
And kills the German officer.
364
00:25:08,049 --> 00:25:10,593
Bertoldo continues his
defense of the minefield to
365
00:25:10,593 --> 00:25:13,137
hold the German armor at bay.
366
00:25:14,806 --> 00:25:16,516
How the battle
is going to turn out,
367
00:25:16,933 --> 00:25:20,019
that's really still up
in the air at this stage.
368
00:25:20,019 --> 00:25:24,107
A lot’s going to depend on
what happens next with Bertoldo,
369
00:25:24,524 --> 00:25:27,026
whether he's able to, to stop
any kind of German push deeper
370
00:25:27,026 --> 00:25:29,821
into Hatten and whether there's
going to be any reinforcements
371
00:25:29,821 --> 00:25:32,323
in a reasonable amount of time.
372
00:25:35,326 --> 00:25:38,204
Meanwhile at Pillbox nine,
373
00:25:38,204 --> 00:25:42,000
Captain William Corson waits for
dark to sneak back into Hatten.
374
00:25:43,918 --> 00:25:46,629
He moves to an aperture to
observe the German assault and
375
00:25:46,629 --> 00:25:49,549
gauge the status of
the nearby Pillboxes.
376
00:25:51,509 --> 00:25:54,846
He hopes when he gets back to the village,
with access to a radio,
377
00:25:54,846 --> 00:25:58,308
he can call in artillery positions,
send ammunition,
378
00:25:58,308 --> 00:26:00,893
and alleviate the
pressure on the Pillbox.
379
00:26:05,148 --> 00:26:09,736
Without warning, an artillery blast
hits the turret and sends Corson flying.
380
00:26:20,830 --> 00:26:22,040
As the sun sets,
381
00:26:22,040 --> 00:26:25,752
German Panzergrenadiers
close in on Pillbox nine.
382
00:26:26,419 --> 00:26:28,087
As an elite infantry unit,
383
00:26:28,087 --> 00:26:31,257
Oberstleutnant Karl Proll’s
troops fill the gaps between
384
00:26:31,257 --> 00:26:33,509
tanks and other armor
with their weapons
385
00:26:33,509 --> 00:26:36,346
and respond quickly
as the battle evolves.
386
00:26:40,516 --> 00:26:44,896
Armor is rarely effective
in fighting directly against bunkers.
387
00:26:44,896 --> 00:26:48,650
Much better, suited
are armored infantry,
388
00:26:48,650 --> 00:26:52,320
or Panzergrenadiers, because
when they fought dismounted,
389
00:26:52,320 --> 00:26:56,157
{\an8}they can recognize better the
weak spot in the defense system
390
00:26:56,157 --> 00:26:59,744
{\an8}and also protect
tanks in the flanks.
391
00:27:11,297 --> 00:27:12,882
With Captain Corson wounded,
392
00:27:12,882 --> 00:27:16,552
Sergeant Alvin Cahoon
faces difficult choices.
393
00:27:19,180 --> 00:27:21,974
The intensity of the
German fire increases.
394
00:27:26,646 --> 00:27:28,981
With the men outside
running out of ammunition
395
00:27:28,981 --> 00:27:30,983
and the wounded piling up,
396
00:27:30,983 --> 00:27:34,987
Cahoon orders them to return to
the relative safety of the bunker.
397
00:27:36,572 --> 00:27:37,865
We tend to think
of these bunkers
398
00:27:37,865 --> 00:27:39,450
and Pillboxes in World War II
399
00:27:39,450 --> 00:27:42,495
as these incredible,
impervious fortifications.
400
00:27:42,495 --> 00:27:44,622
But I think it's important to
kind of step back and remember,
401
00:27:44,622 --> 00:27:47,667
there's just scared
groups of men in there.
402
00:27:47,667 --> 00:27:53,339
And their view of the world is really
limited to the small apertures they got.
403
00:27:58,302 --> 00:28:01,347
In the darkness, Cahoon
and his men hear sounds around,
404
00:28:01,347 --> 00:28:03,850
and on the roof of their bunker.
405
00:28:16,279 --> 00:28:20,241
Trapped inside the Pillbox, they
listen as German engineers stuff
406
00:28:20,241 --> 00:28:22,910
explosives down
the ventilation tubes.
407
00:28:24,662 --> 00:28:25,955
Between the time
they were built in the 1930s
408
00:28:26,414 --> 00:28:30,626
{\an8}and the time they saw
combat in 1945, in many cases,
409
00:28:30,626 --> 00:28:33,880
{\an8}the German army had come in and stripped
out a lot of the steel work
410
00:28:34,297 --> 00:28:37,925
to be put into the Atlantic wall
along the Normandy coast.
411
00:28:37,925 --> 00:28:40,344
And so, they suddenly
became vulnerable to attacks
412
00:28:40,344 --> 00:28:42,388
from unusual directions.
413
00:28:42,388 --> 00:28:46,768
On some of these bunkers, the ventilation
shafts could be an Achilles heel.
414
00:28:48,060 --> 00:28:50,605
Cahoon has
no way to fight back.
415
00:28:50,605 --> 00:28:53,858
If the explosives detonate,
they won’t survive.
416
00:28:55,485 --> 00:28:57,987
He's run out of ammo,
he's not in communication with
417
00:28:57,987 --> 00:29:01,032
larger units that he knows
are going to come and help him.
418
00:29:01,032 --> 00:29:03,159
He can't get his
people out of there.
419
00:29:06,204 --> 00:29:08,790
He consults with
his Captain William Corson,
420
00:29:08,790 --> 00:29:10,792
who’s injured, but alive.
421
00:29:11,918 --> 00:29:13,211
The Germans
are basically everywhere,
422
00:29:13,211 --> 00:29:15,213
and he feels
there's no purpose in,
423
00:29:15,213 --> 00:29:18,716
{\an8}you know, just dying there and
destroying the lives of his men.
424
00:29:18,716 --> 00:29:20,927
{\an8}And so, he decides to surrender.
425
00:29:29,268 --> 00:29:31,270
Corson agrees.
426
00:29:38,778 --> 00:29:41,697
Cahoon shouts to the
Germans on the roof.
427
00:29:45,535 --> 00:29:48,913
The remains of A Company
file out of Pillbox nine with
428
00:29:48,913 --> 00:29:51,457
their wounded
comrades and commander.
429
00:29:56,963 --> 00:29:59,882
As the last of the Maginot Line
defenders in the sector,
430
00:29:59,882 --> 00:30:02,343
they’re captured
as prisoners of war.
431
00:30:07,265 --> 00:30:10,476
With the American resistance eliminated
outside of the village,
432
00:30:10,476 --> 00:30:13,563
the Germans can
sweep into Hatten unopposed.
433
00:30:19,652 --> 00:30:22,238
On the
night of January 9th, 1945,
434
00:30:22,238 --> 00:30:24,657
in northeastern France,
435
00:30:27,159 --> 00:30:29,495
the new main line of
resistance for U.S. forces
436
00:30:29,495 --> 00:30:32,790
in the region becomes
the village of Hatten itself.
437
00:30:37,461 --> 00:30:39,547
{\an8}After the fall of Pillbox nine,
438
00:30:39,547 --> 00:30:42,008
{\an8}command posts of
the first and second Battalions,
439
00:30:42,008 --> 00:30:44,552
{\an8}242nd Infantry Regiment,
440
00:30:44,552 --> 00:30:47,430
{\an8}still hold the line in
the eastern part of town.
441
00:30:49,140 --> 00:30:51,309
But they need reinforcements.
442
00:30:53,853 --> 00:30:55,855
When the Germans
launched one of these local attacks,
443
00:30:55,855 --> 00:30:58,024
the Americans then react
and then they come back
444
00:30:58,024 --> 00:31:00,860
with more stuff,
more firepower, more people.
445
00:31:00,860 --> 00:31:03,321
{\an8}So, it's a
very uncomplicated, unambiguous.
446
00:31:03,738 --> 00:31:06,991
{\an8}Go back in, take the town and just sort of
reverse the situation.
447
00:31:08,993 --> 00:31:11,621
In the meantime,
first Battalion relocates its
448
00:31:11,621 --> 00:31:15,458
command post away from the church to a
more secure position.
449
00:31:20,129 --> 00:31:22,590
Private First-Class
Vito Bertoldo volunteers to
450
00:31:22,590 --> 00:31:26,052
remain on guard duty through
the night to cover the move.
451
00:31:32,892 --> 00:31:34,894
Why does he do it?
452
00:31:34,894 --> 00:31:37,730
I would doubt that he does
it because he has a death wish.
453
00:31:38,981 --> 00:31:44,111
But I think that he’s ready to embrace
death if that’s what it takes.
454
00:31:44,111 --> 00:31:47,657
And that is a really
amazing thing to consider.
455
00:31:51,786 --> 00:31:54,455
Just after dawn,
the Germans are first off
456
00:31:54,455 --> 00:31:58,626
the mark and launch their own
attack before the Americans get started.
457
00:32:00,002 --> 00:32:03,005
The Germans are eager
to push the Americans out of Hatten
458
00:32:03,005 --> 00:32:06,133
and advance further
towards Strasbourg.
459
00:32:06,550 --> 00:32:10,179
{\an8}It has got a very
high symbolical value.
460
00:32:10,179 --> 00:32:14,016
The capital of Alsace
should remain German,
461
00:32:14,016 --> 00:32:17,228
this is the way the Nazis think.
462
00:32:24,235 --> 00:32:27,738
Arriving American reinforcements
block the German advance,
463
00:32:29,073 --> 00:32:31,117
but can’t push far
enough into Hatten to relieve
464
00:32:31,117 --> 00:32:33,411
Bertoldo and the command posts.
465
00:32:40,167 --> 00:32:45,172
As the day wears on, Bertoldo remains in
his position in front of the minefield.
466
00:32:55,683 --> 00:32:58,227
German troops try repeatedly
to clear the mines which block
467
00:32:58,227 --> 00:33:00,980
the road and
hold back the tanks.
468
00:33:04,650 --> 00:33:09,363
Bertoldo uses bursts from his
machine gun to drive them off.
469
00:33:17,371 --> 00:33:20,499
The German soldiers
scatter and the tank backs away.
470
00:33:23,127 --> 00:33:27,590
Bertoldo and his assistant gunner
reload and wait for the next assault.
471
00:33:28,966 --> 00:33:30,176
Bertoldo and his buddy are,
472
00:33:30,176 --> 00:33:32,428
you know, chalking on the
wall or writing on the wall,
473
00:33:32,428 --> 00:33:35,931
to keep track of the damage
they think they've inflicted.
474
00:33:35,931 --> 00:33:38,309
If that helped pass the time,
475
00:33:38,309 --> 00:33:39,435
if that helped
keep the, the mind,
476
00:33:39,435 --> 00:33:42,521
you know, all good, great.
477
00:33:43,981 --> 00:33:49,028
All of a sudden,
the lull is shattered,
478
00:33:49,028 --> 00:33:50,988
and the room ripped apart.
479
00:33:50,988 --> 00:33:53,991
A blast knocks Bertoldo down.
480
00:33:57,870 --> 00:34:01,457
After the explosion he crawls over to aid
his assistant gunner,
481
00:34:01,457 --> 00:34:03,667
despite being injured himself.
482
00:34:07,630 --> 00:34:10,508
His buddy is
pretty badly wounded, and so,
483
00:34:10,508 --> 00:34:13,803
he helps patch him
up and get him out of there,
484
00:34:14,220 --> 00:34:16,305
all of which had
to be very difficult.
485
00:34:22,061 --> 00:34:25,773
With his assistant out of harm’s
way and the dust clearing,
486
00:34:25,773 --> 00:34:31,654
Bertoldo looks out and sees the
barrel of an enemy tank
487
00:34:31,654 --> 00:34:33,697
which had crept up a side road.
488
00:34:34,990 --> 00:34:39,787
Before he can act, the
tank bursts into flames.
489
00:34:41,914 --> 00:34:43,916
An American bazooka
team on the second floor
490
00:34:43,916 --> 00:34:46,502
scores a direct hit.
491
00:34:48,129 --> 00:34:51,048
Blazing, the panzer
kicks into reverse.
492
00:34:54,093 --> 00:34:56,971
Bertoldo opens up
with his machine gun.
493
00:35:00,307 --> 00:35:03,060
There's
an anger side to what he does.
494
00:35:06,397 --> 00:35:07,898
It's time to inflict damage
on the Germans because of what
495
00:35:07,898 --> 00:35:10,067
they had done to his buddy.
496
00:35:12,027 --> 00:35:14,238
The battle's just become
personal for Bertoldo.
497
00:35:21,412 --> 00:35:22,997
Holding them
responsible for the wounds
498
00:35:22,997 --> 00:35:24,790
suffered by his
assistant gunner,
499
00:35:24,790 --> 00:35:27,334
Private First-Class
Vito Bertoldo targets
500
00:35:27,835 --> 00:35:30,671
the German soldiers
who flee the burning tank.
501
00:35:45,102 --> 00:35:48,230
By 2300 hours on January 10th,
502
00:35:50,441 --> 00:35:55,237
orders come down for the remains of the
242nd Infantry Regiment
503
00:35:55,237 --> 00:35:59,533
to retreat from Hatten to the
safety of another village to the west.
504
00:36:00,284 --> 00:36:02,494
The depleted battalions
have held out since the attack
505
00:36:02,494 --> 00:36:04,914
started early the day before.
506
00:36:06,332 --> 00:36:07,875
They come
back in small groups.
507
00:36:07,875 --> 00:36:10,753
They're, one person
covering another,
508
00:36:10,753 --> 00:36:13,797
filtering through the buildings,
going through the shadows.
509
00:36:13,797 --> 00:36:15,132
Take it out with a grenade.
510
00:36:15,132 --> 00:36:17,468
However you can escape,
you are going to do it.
511
00:36:17,468 --> 00:36:18,886
Move! Move! Move!
512
00:36:18,886 --> 00:36:20,429
To add
to the confusion,
513
00:36:20,429 --> 00:36:23,724
replacement units fight their
way forward at the same time.
514
00:36:34,902 --> 00:36:37,238
Bertoldo, now
without his assistant,
515
00:36:37,238 --> 00:36:42,159
once more volunteers to provide covering
fire for the retreating troops.
516
00:36:43,994 --> 00:36:47,289
{\an8}The looming question for anybody
who's covering withdrawal is,
517
00:36:47,289 --> 00:36:48,666
{\an8}you know, when the time comes,
518
00:36:48,666 --> 00:36:51,168
{\an8}am I myself going to
be able to get away?
519
00:36:53,879 --> 00:36:55,589
In the dark,
German soldiers reach
520
00:36:55,589 --> 00:36:59,843
the battalion command post and
advance beneath Bertoldo’s line of fire.
521
00:37:01,595 --> 00:37:05,557
From this position, he doesn’t have a
shot with his machine gun.
522
00:37:11,105 --> 00:37:14,441
Instead, he reaches for
some phosphorus grenades.
523
00:37:16,610 --> 00:37:19,363
Weapons containing the
element phosphorus are often
524
00:37:19,363 --> 00:37:22,408
used to create
smokescreens for concealment.
525
00:37:23,742 --> 00:37:27,204
When phosphorus comes into
contact with oxygen in the air,
526
00:37:27,204 --> 00:37:29,999
it ignites spontaneously
and burns at temperatures over
527
00:37:30,457 --> 00:37:34,378
1,400 degrees Fahrenheit
to create thick smoke.
528
00:37:36,171 --> 00:37:38,716
Phosphorus grenades and
artillery rounds can also be
529
00:37:38,716 --> 00:37:42,344
used as an incendiary
to set targets on fire.
530
00:37:42,511 --> 00:37:45,306
Humans are often
caught up in the flames.
531
00:37:45,306 --> 00:37:47,057
It's
a terrifying weapon too,
532
00:37:47,057 --> 00:37:49,518
because it doesn't take
much to cause some damage.
533
00:37:49,518 --> 00:37:53,272
The white phosphorous grenade
has a pretty decent radius of,
534
00:37:53,272 --> 00:37:56,775
you know, 20 or so yards in
which the shards could come
535
00:37:56,775 --> 00:37:59,820
and get on you and start to
burn through your skin.
536
00:38:00,446 --> 00:38:02,406
While water
puts the flames out,
537
00:38:02,406 --> 00:38:05,534
phosphorus will
reignite when it evaporates.
538
00:38:23,218 --> 00:38:26,472
Soldiers scatter
from Bertoldo’s salvo.
539
00:38:29,058 --> 00:38:31,852
The Germans must eliminate the
American opposition which still
540
00:38:31,852 --> 00:38:33,854
holds up their advance.
541
00:38:39,943 --> 00:38:43,447
And once more,
Bertoldo’s thrown from his feet.
542
00:38:45,407 --> 00:38:46,742
It's
possible that maybe there is,
543
00:38:46,742 --> 00:38:51,538
on the German side, somebody directing the
fire of the tank to where he is.
544
00:38:51,538 --> 00:38:53,916
Especially after the
white phosphorous grenades
545
00:38:53,916 --> 00:38:58,003
have come into play, and this creates
perhaps more urgency to get the guy.
546
00:38:59,254 --> 00:39:02,091
A German tank
has locked on to his window.
547
00:39:04,593 --> 00:39:07,179
Concussion again had to be terrific.
548
00:39:07,179 --> 00:39:10,099
I don't know what it
meant on an auditory level,
549
00:39:10,099 --> 00:39:13,894
but it couldn't have done anything
good for his ears and his hearing.
550
00:39:15,354 --> 00:39:19,191
But of course, more immediate, for him,
is it destroys his glasses.
551
00:39:20,275 --> 00:39:23,153
And renders
his machine gun inoperable.
552
00:39:23,153 --> 00:39:26,407
Bertoldo refuses to concede.
553
00:39:26,407 --> 00:39:31,078
He switches to a rifle and continues
to target German soldiers in the street.
554
00:39:39,378 --> 00:39:41,755
Bertoldo has
fought with everything he has.
555
00:39:41,755 --> 00:39:44,258
He's used some nice,
innovative thinking.
556
00:39:44,258 --> 00:39:47,511
He's brought plenty
of courage to the table.
557
00:40:09,575 --> 00:40:11,952
Finally, after
defending the minefield for
558
00:40:11,952 --> 00:40:16,498
two days, Bertoldo is
told to withdraw himself.
559
00:40:42,608 --> 00:40:46,320
Bertoldo and members of
the 242nd Infantry Regiment,
560
00:40:46,320 --> 00:40:49,281
prevent the Germans from
sweeping through Hatten.
561
00:40:53,619 --> 00:40:57,247
The grueling battle continues in
the village for ten more days.
562
00:40:59,249 --> 00:41:02,461
The delay thwarts the
march to recapture Strasbourg.
563
00:41:04,046 --> 00:41:09,176
Fighting throughout January
in 1945 is absolutely vicious.
564
00:41:09,176 --> 00:41:12,471
{\an8}There's bitter street to street,
house to house fighting.
565
00:41:12,471 --> 00:41:14,973
And of course not only is
this terribly destructive for
566
00:41:14,973 --> 00:41:18,769
the population, but also for the
infrastructure of these beautiful towns.
567
00:41:18,769 --> 00:41:20,854
Some of them are
completely destroyed.
568
00:41:21,480 --> 00:41:23,732
Himmler’s
plan ultimately fails,
569
00:41:23,732 --> 00:41:26,443
and he can’t deliver Strasbourg
to the Fuhrer to commemorate
570
00:41:26,443 --> 00:41:29,696
the 12th anniversary
of the third Reich.
571
00:41:32,032 --> 00:41:35,077
This doesn't hinder
Hitler from promoting Himmler
572
00:41:35,077 --> 00:41:40,123
again to take over command of army
group Weichsel on the eastern front.
573
00:41:40,123 --> 00:41:43,627
{\an8}So, Himmler pursues his
military career despite the fact
574
00:41:43,627 --> 00:41:46,880
{\an8}that he has utterly
failed in his first job.
575
00:41:48,674 --> 00:41:50,259
Captain William Corson,
576
00:41:50,259 --> 00:41:54,388
Sergeant Alvin Cahoon, Private First-Class
Glenn Schmidt
577
00:41:54,388 --> 00:41:57,933
and the other Americans captured at
Pillbox nine serve out the war
578
00:41:57,933 --> 00:42:00,269
in prisoner of war camps.
579
00:42:03,605 --> 00:42:07,192
First Battalion of the 242nd
earns a distinguished unit
580
00:42:07,192 --> 00:42:10,320
citation for their
staunch defense of Hatten,
581
00:42:10,904 --> 00:42:14,908
to acknowledge the casualties of
more than 500 men and officers,
582
00:42:14,908 --> 00:42:17,995
nearly 70% of the
rookie battalion’s strength.
583
00:42:22,332 --> 00:42:28,130
Oberstleutnant Karl Proll continues
the attack into Hatten until January 19th.
584
00:42:28,255 --> 00:42:32,968
His first Battalion is also devastated,
with only 100 survivors.
585
00:42:33,885 --> 00:42:37,431
He earns the Iron Cross with
oak leaves for the operation
586
00:42:37,431 --> 00:42:41,685
and the citation reports he
repelled 35 American attacks.
587
00:42:42,769 --> 00:42:45,647
They announce the honor
before the end of January.
588
00:42:46,315 --> 00:42:47,983
There can
be various reasons for that.
589
00:42:47,983 --> 00:42:51,778
First, one might be that his
performance was so outstanding
590
00:42:51,778 --> 00:42:56,158
that it was clear cut that he must be
awarded with this higher decoration.
591
00:42:56,158 --> 00:42:59,161
Or quite often,
it’s the contrary.
592
00:42:59,161 --> 00:43:01,330
The Germans just
want to conceal, um,
593
00:43:01,330 --> 00:43:04,875
an actual defeat, but award
someone with a higher medal
594
00:43:04,875 --> 00:43:07,961
so that it looks
like a heroic defeat.
595
00:43:10,047 --> 00:43:12,424
Private First-Class Vito Bertoldo earns
596
00:43:12,424 --> 00:43:16,720
the highest award; the
Congressional Medal of Honor
597
00:43:16,720 --> 00:43:19,473
for his tenacity and bravery.
598
00:43:21,725 --> 00:43:24,728
His commanding officer,
Captain William Corson learns of
599
00:43:24,728 --> 00:43:28,231
the award from the newspapers,
when he returns stateside.
600
00:43:28,774 --> 00:43:34,112
His ne’er-do-well cook had proved
himself a formidable soldier.
601
00:43:35,947 --> 00:43:37,824
It had to be a
bit of a head spinner.
602
00:43:37,824 --> 00:43:40,702
"How did I, get
this guy so wrong?”
603
00:43:41,745 --> 00:43:43,163
Hitler’s operations;
604
00:43:43,163 --> 00:43:48,669
{\an8}Wacht am Rhein and Nordwind
continue into January of 1945,
605
00:43:48,669 --> 00:43:52,798
{\an8}but they don’t deal the decisive blow
Hitler had hoped for.
606
00:43:52,798 --> 00:43:56,343
{\an8}Instead they’re forced back to
the German border to prepare
607
00:43:56,343 --> 00:44:00,722
{\an8}and make the Allies pay heavily for
every advance onto German soil.
608
00:44:03,767 --> 00:44:07,854
{\an8}The war in Europe will still rage f
or another three and a half months.