Old WW1 Veterans who Kept Fighting in WW2

Simple History
10 Nov 202311:35
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThis video script tells the remarkable stories of three elderly World War I veterans who continued to serve with distinction in World War II. Walter Ernest Wall-E Brown, aged 56, lied about his age to re-enlist, ultimately sacrificing himself heroically in Singapore. Adrien Carton de Wiart, despite losing an eye and a hand in WWI, returned to combat in WWII, even escaping from an Italian POW camp at the age of 65. George S. Patton, known as 'Old Blood and Guts,' was a tenacious commander in WWII, but his aggressive nature led to controversy with the infamous slapping incidents. Each veteran's tale exemplifies their dedication and the changing nature of warfare across the two World Wars.

Takeaways
  • πŸ† Walter Ernest Wall-Brown, a World War I veteran, showed exceptional bravery during both World Wars, earning the Victoria Cross for his actions and demonstrating tenacity even at the age of 56.
  • πŸ” Wall-Brown, despite being discharged after WWI, lied about his age to serve in WWII, showing his dedication to military service and his refusal to be deterred by age.
  • πŸ’Ό Exter is a company that designs sustainable wallets, bags, and accessories, with a focus on innovation, style, security, and environmental sustainability.
  • πŸ› The Parliament wallet by Exter is a slim, compact wallet that can hold over 12 cards and cash, featuring a quick card access trigger mechanism and RFID blocking technology.
  • 🎨 Exter offers a range of stylish colors for their wallets, using vegan Italian leather, which not only looks good but also aligns with their commitment to sustainability.
  • πŸŽ‰ Exter is currently offering a Black Friday sale with a 55% discount from November 10th to the 26th, using the code 'simple history'.
  • πŸŽ– Adrien Carton de Wiart was another WWI veteran who continued to serve with distinction in WWII, despite numerous injuries and being the youngest Brigadier General in the Allies.
  • ✈️ Carton de Wiart survived multiple plane crashes during WWII and even escaped from an Italian POW camp, showcasing his resilience and determination.
  • πŸ‘΄ George S. Patton, known as 'Old Blood and Guts,' was an aggressive and tenacious commander in WWII, advocating for audacious attacks and leading successful campaigns.
  • 🀬 Patton's behavior, including the infamous slapping incidents, revealed a controversial side to his leadership, with some actions being seen as outrageous and abusive towards soldiers suffering from battle fatigue.
  • πŸ“š The interim years between the World Wars seemed to harden Patton's aggressive nature, and he remained confident in his abilities, even stating that troops under his command would have had the most successful campaign in history.
Q & A
  • What was the name of the Australian sergeant who fought in both World War I and II?

    -Walter Ernest Wall-E Brown

  • How old was Wally when he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force during World War I?

    -Wally enlisted at the age of 30 in 1915.

  • What award did Wally receive for his actions during the Battle of PoziΓ¨res in World War I?

    -Wally received the Distinguished Conduct Medal.

  • What was Wally's notable action during the Battle of Villers-Bretonneux?

    -Wally stood in front of an enemy post, demanding their surrender, which led to the capture of 11 soldiers and an officer.

  • What award did Wally receive for his actions at Villers-Bretonneux?

    -He was later awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions.

  • What was the name of the company mentioned in the transcript that specializes in sustainable wallets and accessories?

    -Exter

  • What feature does the Parliament wallet by Exter have that allows for quick access to cards?

    -The Parliament wallet features a quick card access trigger mechanism.

  • What kind of material does Exter use for their products to ensure environmental sustainability?

    -Exter uses environmentally friendly materials like vegan Italian leather.

  • How old was Adrien Carton de Wiart when he fought in World War I?

    -Adrien Carton de Wiart was 34 years old at the start of World War I.

  • What injury did Adrien Carton de Wiart sustain that led to the amputation of his hand?

    -Adrien Carton de Wiart's hand was blown apart by a shell, leading to its amputation.

  • What was Adrien Carton de Wiart's rank at the end of World War I?

    -Adrien Carton de Wiart became the youngest Brigadier General in the Allies.

  • What was George S. Patton's nickname during World War II?

    -George S. Patton was nicknamed 'Old Blood and Guts'.

  • What incident involving Patton during World War II was considered controversial?

    -The 1943 slapping incidents, where Patton slapped and verbally abused soldiers suffering from battle fatigue (now known as PTSD).

Outlines
00:00
πŸ… Heroic WWI Veteran Walter Ernest Wall-E Brown's Military Exploits

Walter Ernest Wall-E Brown, a distinguished WWI veteran, rose to the rank of sergeant in the Australian Imperial Force at age 30. He ingeniously transferred to cavalry and participated in the Battle of Passchendaele, earning the Distinguished Conduct Medal. In a daring act of bravery, he demanded the enemy's surrender at a post, capturing 11 soldiers and an officer, for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross. Despite his heroics, he was discharged in 1920. However, when WWII broke out, he lied about his age to re-enlist and served until his death in Singapore in 1942, where he chose to confront the enemy lines with grenades, uttering his last words, 'No surrender for me,' and was never seen again.

05:01
πŸŽ– Resilient Warrior Adrien Carton de Wiart's Remarkable Military Career

Adrien Carton de Wiart, who fought in both World Wars, was a tenacious soldier who continued to serve despite multiple injuries, including the loss of an eye, an ear wound, and a hand blown apart. He was awarded the Victoria Cross for his leadership and bravery in battle. Wiart became the youngest Brigadier General in the Allies and later volunteered for service in WWII, where he survived a plane crash, was captured by the Italians, and famously escaped from a POW camp at the age of 65. His memoirs reflect his love for battle and his belief in the changing nature of warfare, which became more devastating to civilians. Wiart's resilience and refusal to be deterred by age or injury are legendary.

10:02
🀬 Controversial Leadership of General George S. Patton

General George S. Patton, known as 'Old Blood and Guts,' was an aggressive and successful military commander during WWII, playing key roles in the D-Day Landings and the Battle of the Bulge. Despite his military prowess, Patton was known for his controversial behavior, including slapping a soldier suffering from battle fatigue, an act that was widely criticized. He was ordered to apologize and feared being forced into retirement. Patton's confidence in his own abilities and aggressive approach to warfare were hallmarks of his leadership style, though his behavior towards soldiers with psychological trauma was seen as outrageous and indicative of the lack of understanding of PTSD at the time.

Mindmap
Keywords
πŸ’‘World War I veterans
World War I veterans refers to individuals who served in the military during the First World War. In the video's context, it highlights the tenacity of these veterans who, despite their age, continued to serve in World War II, showcasing their courage and dedication to their country.
πŸ’‘Conscription
Conscription is the mandatory enlistment of individuals into the armed forces. The video mentions that during World War II, a new generation was conscripted, while older men who had fought in World War I also served, illustrating the widespread impact of the war on society.
πŸ’‘Sergeant Walter Ernest Wall-E Brown
Sergeant Walter Ernest Wall-E Brown, also known as 'Wally', is an example of a World War I veteran who continued to serve in World War II. He is noted for his bravery and leadership, earning the Victoria Cross for his actions. His story exemplifies the heroism and commitment of veterans in times of war.
πŸ’‘Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. In the video, Wally and Adrien Carton de Wiart are both mentioned as recipients of this honor, emphasizing their exceptional valor and service.
πŸ’‘Trackable Wallets
Trackable Wallets are a product designed to enhance everyday carry essentials with features like slim profiles and RFID blocking technology. The video transitions to a commercial about Exter, a company that creates sustainable wallets and accessories. This section is a departure from the historical narrative, focusing on modern innovation and security.
πŸ’‘Sustainability
Sustainability in the context of the video refers to the use of environmentally friendly materials in the production of goods, such as Exter's wallets made from vegan Italian leather. This concept ties into a broader theme of considering the environmental impact of consumer products.
πŸ’‘Adrien Carton de Wiart
Adrien Carton de Wiart was a British Army officer who served in both World War I and II. Despite numerous injuries, he continued to serve with distinction, even escaping from a prisoner of war camp. His story in the video underscores the resilience and determination of military leaders.
πŸ’‘George S. Patton
George S. Patton was a prominent American general during World War II known for his aggressive command style. The video discusses his military successes as well as the controversy surrounding his conduct, particularly the slapping incidents, which highlight the complexities of his character and leadership style.
πŸ’‘Battle Fatigue (PTSD)
Battle Fatigue, now recognized as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), is a mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing life-threatening events. The video references Patton's interaction with a soldier suffering from this condition, reflecting the historical lack of understanding and support for mental health in the military.
πŸ’‘RFID Blocking Tech
RFID Blocking Tech is a security feature that prevents unauthorized scanning of RFID chips in cards, thus protecting against data theft. This technology is mentioned in the context of Exter's wallets, showing how modern products integrate security measures to safeguard users' personal information.
πŸ’‘Black Friday Sale
A Black Friday Sale is a significant promotional event that occurs the day after Thanksgiving in the United States, traditionally marking the beginning of the Christmas shopping season. The video includes a promotional offer from Exter, illustrating how businesses use such events to attract customers and boost sales.
Highlights

Walter Ernest Wall-E Brown, a 56-year-old World War I veteran, fought in World War II by lying about his age

During World War I, Brown quickly took charge and rescued wounded soldiers under heavy fire, earning the Distinguished Conduct Medal

Brown also captured 11 enemy soldiers single-handedly at the Battle of Villers-Bretonneux, winning the Victoria Cross

In World War II, Brown chose to revert to the rank of Gunner rather than be promoted after his age was discovered

Brown's last known words were 'No surrender for me' as he walked toward enemy lines in Singapore in 1942 and was never seen again

Adrien Carton de Wiart, who fought in both World Wars, was wounded in the eye and ear and lost a hand during World War I

De Wiart became the youngest Brigadier General in the Allies and received the Victoria Cross for his heroism at the Battle of Jutland

Despite numerous injuries, de Wiart returned to fight in World War II and survived a plane crash

De Wiart famously said 'Frankly, I had enjoyed the war' and continued to serve in various military roles

In World War II, de Wiart was captured by the Italians but escaped from a POW camp at the age of 65

George S. Patton, known as 'Old Blood and Guts', was an aggressive and tenacious commander in World War II

Patton played crucial roles in the D-Day landings and the Battle of the Bulge

Patton was involved in controversial 'slapping incidents' where he struck and berated soldiers suffering from battle fatigue

Patton was forced to apologize for his behavior and feared he would be forced to retire

Between the World Wars, Patton advocated for aggressive tactics and studied the use of tanks

Exter is a company that creates sustainable, stylish wallets, bags and accessories to elevate everyday carry

Exter's Parliament wallet is compact yet holds up to 12 cards and cash, with RFID blocking technology to protect personal information

Exter is offering a 55% discount on their products from November 10-26 using the code 'simple history'

Transcripts
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