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The video chronicles the life and wartime achievements of Lafayette Green Pool, who inspired Brad Pitt's character "War Daddy" in the movie "Fury." As the most legendary American tank commander, Pool led his M4A1 Sherman tank, "In the Mood," and its successive versions through intense and pivotal WWII battles. Pool's military journey began after he enlisted in the Army, despite poor eyesight that had previously prevented him from joining the Navy. He quickly rose to become a sergeant and tank commander, renowned for his boxing prowess and leadership qualities.
Under Pool's command, his tank crew saw significant action post-D-Day, facing fierce German opposition and suffering substantial casualties. Their tenacity prevailed through various operations, including Operation Cobra, eventually spearheading missions that saw them destroy formidable German tanks, such as Panther Tanks and Tiger 2s. Pool's crew carried out heroic actions, earning them high military honors, although not without suffering losses and injuries themselves.
Notably, Pool's combat career ended after he was severely injured during an ambush, leading to the amputation of his leg. Despite this, Pool demonstrated resilience, later rejoining the military to train new tankers and influencing future generations at Fort Hood. His enduring legacy is marked by his tactical ingenuity, bravery under fire, and the profound impact he left on those he led and trained. Pool passed away on May 30, 1991, but his story of courage and determination continues to inspire.
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In this part of the video, the discussion highlights Lafayette Green Pool, the real-life inspiration for Brad Pitt’s character in “Fury,” known by his nickname War Daddy. Lafayette Pool is regarded as the most legendary tank commander in American history with his famous M4A1 Sherman tank, “In the Mood.” The video is sponsored by War Thunder, a realistic combat video game featuring historically accurate vehicles, including Pool’s M4A1 tank.
The narrative shifts to the early life of Lafayette and his twin brother John, born on July 23, 1919, in Texas. Lafayette was rejected from the Navy due to poor eyesight, a common fate for many WWII heroes. Unlike his peers, Pool initially decided to attend college and become an engineer while boxing on the side.
As World War II loomed, the draft was reinstituted on September 16, 1940. Lafayette, wary of the Navy’s record of his failed vision test, joined the Army instead, this time cheating on the eye exam. Excelling in training, he became a sergeant and tank commander. Known for his boxing prowess and undefeated record (41-0), Pool earned a reputation and had the privilege to select his tank crew, choosing elite members like Wilbert Richards, his driver.
00:05:00
In this part of the video, the narrative describes a group of World War II tank crew members and their backgrounds. Highlights include the youngest crew member being teased for his baby face and being the best tank driver, a former factory worker who volunteered for the war, a loader known for his speed despite his small stature, and their leader nicknamed “War Daddy.” The video recounts War Daddy’s dedication, choosing to stay with his crew rather than pursue a Golden Gloves boxing title or an officer’s position.
The crew trains hard and bonds, leading up to a morale-boosting event where their leader boxes legendary fighter Joe Lewis. Despite Lewis’ intent to just spar for morale, War Daddy takes the match seriously. After landing a hard punch, he’s taught a harsh lesson by Joe Lewis, who then defeats him decisively.
00:10:00
In this part of the video, Lafayette Pool, alongside his crew, arrives at Normandy two weeks after D-Day and begins their mission to push back the enemy using tanks and infantry. They encounter well-camouflaged German anti-tank units, leading to intense gunfire exchanges and significant losses, including Pool’s bow gunner and assistant driver, Arthur Reed. Pool’s battalion suffers a substantial casualty rate, losing 25% of its men and 18 tanks, forcing a retreat. Despite the losses, Pool, motivated by the death of his friend, demands a new tank and receives an upgraded Sherman M4A1(76)W. Pool and his crew quickly return to combat, adapting their tactics to preemptively strike potential ambush points. The fighting is arduous, advancing just five miles in a month, which leads General Omar Bradley to initiate Operation Cobra. This large-scale bombing operation significantly accelerates the Allied advance.
00:15:00
In this part of the video, “war Daddy” and his tank “In the Mood 2” face their first German Panther Tank and successfully destroy it with a single shot from their upgraded 76 mm cannon. This victory establishes war Daddy as a key figure, gaining notoriety for leading many missions and driving back the enemy. His preference for “In the Mood 2” becomes evident when he refuses to revert to an older tank, which was repaired after a mechanical issue, citing emotional reasons and its inferiority.
In a rebellious move, war Daddy drives the older tank into a lake to avoid using it. Despite this act of defiance, his superiors, recognizing his combat skills, grant him a new tank, “In the Mood 3”. Subsequently, war Daddy’s unit faces a fierce battle against an entire German armored unit. Though aided by Allied air support, the battle results in American planes accidentally bombing their own tanks, including war Daddy’s. Despite this setback, war Daddy heroically attempts to save a wounded crew member from another tank while under heavy machine gun fire. Meanwhile, his own crew members escape or take cover, showcasing war Daddy’s unwavering bravery amid chaos.
00:20:00
In this segment of the video, Bert Close hides under a tank during a firefight, listening to bombs and gunfire. Suddenly, an American soldier dives under the tank and is recognized as Close’s old friend from basic training. They reunite and catch up amid the battle. Meanwhile, another soldier named War Daddy helps a wounded tanker but realizes Close is missing. He is restrained from returning to danger to find Close. After the German armor retreats, Close and his friend return safely. Their tank, “In the Mood 3,” is destroyed, but they immediately switch to “In the Mood 2” and spearhead missions from August 18th to 26th, leading the Third Armor Division with remarkable success. On August 27th, they ambush and destroy two German trains, including four formidable Tiger 2 tanks. Their actions are pivotal, and “In the Mood 2” earns significant recognition for these feats.
00:25:00
In this part of the video, the main focus is on War Daddy and his tank crew discovering a train filled with French lingerie and perfume, originally hoping for more practical supplies like food or alcohol. They decide to bring these items to Belgium, believing it will make them heroes among the local women. Meanwhile, the chain of command recognizes War Daddy and his crew’s exemplary performance in taking out an entire German train, including Tiger 2 tanks, and considers them American war heroes. They are initially ordered to fall back, but are quickly called up to handle a critical situation at a bridge guarded by German Panthers. War Daddy’s unit efficiently disables one Panther tank and causes the others to retreat with rapid fire, allowing them to cross the bridge.
Continuing their advance, War Daddy spots a German town and targets important enemy supplies, taking out four ammo trucks. As they push further into enemy territory, they face an ambush by Panther tanks at dusk. Despite being hit twice, their tank, In the Mood 2, manages to return fire and destroy the attacking Panthers with considerable luck. The battle ends with the German forces retreating, and the crew prepares for the next day.
00:30:00
In this part of the video, War Daddy continues to lead the charge deeper into enemy territory, encountering and decimating a German supply convoy. War Daddy’s tank, “In the Mood,” achieves significant destruction, leading to the crew receiving Bronze Stars and their leader being awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, though nominated for the Medal of Honor. They proceed through towns, greeted by grateful civilians and enjoying various gifts, until they reach a larger city in Belgium. There, the soldiers indulge in celebrations, which results in chaos the next morning when ordered to move out.
Despite the party, they’re prepared for their next mission to break into Germany. However, Pool and his crew are reassigned to the rear to return home early, with Pool’s loader, Jailbird, sent for medical exams after his brother’s death. Kenneth King replaces Jailbird but struggles under fire, leading to a tragic encounter with a German Panther tank. The tank “In the Mood” gets ambushed, resulting in Kenneth King’s death and severe injuries to Pool and his crew members, as the tank retreats uncontrollably under fire.
00:35:00
In this part of the video, P gets ejected from his tank and severely injures his leg. Despite the injury, he administers a dose of morphine and attempts a makeshift amputation. American tanks destroy a German Panther tank nearby, and a fellow tank commander assists P, injecting more morphine and calling medics. The rest of P’s tank crew survives and gets reassigned. P’s leg is amputated, and he spends 22 months recovering in the hospital before being discharged from the military post-WWII. Lafette Green Pool, aka W Daddy, and his crew are credited with significant combat achievements during their 81 days in WWII. Pool, after losing his leg, later rejoined the military to train tankers and eventually became a preacher and a middle school teacher, known for his stark safety demonstrations. In retirement, he shared a close relationship with Fort Hood’s armored units. Pool passed away on May 30, 1991, coinciding with the end of Desert Storm and the safe return of his unit from Germany. The segment highlights Pool’s resilience and lasting impact.