Sabaton History Season 1, Episode 11: Saboteurs – Norwegian Heavy Water Sabotage

1

40:1 - The Battle of Wizna

Sabaton wrote a song about the Battle of Wizna, called 40:1. When the Germans invaded Poland in 1939, they met determined and fierce resistance. Multiple battles show the steadiness of the Polish defenders, in contrast to the common narrative about the Polish defence. One of these Battles is the Battle of Wizna, where a Polish defensive force managed to hold off a much larger German army for several days.

16 min

2

Blood of Bannockburn – War of Scottish Independence

Sabatons song Blood of Bannockburn is about the First War of Scottish Independence and one of it's key figures, Robert the Bruce. He fought the English King Edward who invaded Scotland when Bruces revolutionary force forced all Scottish nobles to join his cause or lose their lands. Edward moved on Bruces army while they were besieging Stirling Castle, but his plans to overwhelm the Scottish was opposed by Bruce.

13 min

3

Panzerkampf – The Battle of Kursk

In Panzerkampf, Sabaton sings about the German offensive on the Kursk salient in the summer of 1943. We dive into the details of the Battle of Kursk and the one biggest tank battles in world history, the Battle of Prokhorovka.

14 min

4

To Hell and Back – Audie Murphy

In to Hell and Back, Sabaton sings about an actor, singer and one of the most remarkable heroes of World War Two. Audie Murphy served and fought in many different locations of the Second World War, which resulted in him being the most decorated soldier in the US army during WW2. To Hell and Back is about his actions at and after the landings at Anzio during the Allied campaign in Italy.

13 min

5

Last Dying Breath – The Defence of Belgrade

When the Austro-Hungarians invaded Serbia in 1914, the Serbian defenders managed to set up an effective defence. A year later, a combined Austro-Hungarian and German offence is launched to take Belgrade for once and for all. The Serbs mount a final defence as a last stand against the Central Powers.

11 min

6

Talvisota – The Winter War

This war is modern version of David versus Goliath. The Sabaton song 'Talvisota' is about the Winter War that took place in late 1939 till the early spring of 1940 between Finland and the Soviet union. Against all odds, and an overwhelming amount of Red Army Soldiers, the Finnish army manage to hold off the Soviet advance for longer than anyone could have foreseen.

14 min

7

Shiroyama – The Satsuma Rebellion

What will you do when your traditional way of life is threatened by a powerful force in your native lands? The samurai didn't hesitate to answer this question with: our swords. During the Satsuma Rebellion, the samurai and its leader Saigō Takamori fought the Japanese Imperial Government. Their rebellion ended with the Battle of Shiroyama, where in 1877 the samurai prepared for a last stand.

13 min

8

Smoking Snakes – Brazilian Expeditionary Force

You don't generally think about Brazil when talking about World War Two. Still, they joined the Allied powers in 1942, after which the Brazilian Expeditionary Force played a role in the Invasion of Italy. The Sabaton song Smoking Snakes is about the Brazilian effort during World War Two and especially about three Brazilian soldiers who wouldn't surrender.

16 min

9

The Carolean's Prayer – Soldiers of the Swedish Kings

The Swedish Kings had to rely on the quality of their armies, often facing foes that had superior numbers. A special soldier class was created. Admired in Sweden and feared on the battlefield, the Caroleans were the secret weapon of the Swedish army. The Sabaton song 'The Carolean's Prayer' is about these remarkable soldiers and their heroic status.

14 min

10

Fields of Verdun – The Battle of Verdun

One of the bloodiest battles in the history of humankind was fought out on the hills in Northern France. Verdun was a tactical and symbolical city with great value to France. In 1916, the German army launched a massive attack, accompanied by a tremendous artillery bombardment, upon which the French defenders put their foot down, stating that 'on ne passe pas!', they shall not pass.

15 min

11

Saboteurs – Norwegian Heavy Water Sabotage

As the scientific masterminds of the early 1940's discover the destructive capabilities of splitting atoms, some of them try to weaponise it. One special product is important in the creation of such a weapon: heavy water. The Norwegians have a plant that produces heavy water at Vemork. The Allies, desperate to slow down the German progress towards the development of a nuclear weapon, decide to sabotage it. The Sabaton song 'Saboteurs' is about the dangerous mission that is conducted by the British and Norwegians in the winter of 1940 to sabotage the Norwegian Heavy Water production for the Nazis.

16 min

12

Bismarck – Battle of the Atlantic

Despite restrictions that were put on the German navy after the Treaty of Versailles, the Kriegsmarine rebuilt in the 1930s with one goal: to be bigger and better than ever. Two powerful Bismarck-class battleships formed the pinnacle of the German naval warship production. When the British caught wind that the Bismarck was out in the open in May 1941, they in turn formulated a goal of their own: to take it down for once and for all. The Sabaton song 'Bismarck' sings about the chase, the battle in the Atlantic and consequent fate of the Bismarck.

17 min

13

The Lost Battalion – The Meuse-Argonne Offensive

In the last months of the Great War, the Americans join the fighting on the Western Front in an effort to break through the German Lines for once and for all. The Americans launch their Meuse-Argonne Offensive in the fall of 1918. As part of the offensive, nine companies of the United States 77th Division under command of Major Charles White Whittlesey pushes through the German lines with remarkable ease. Little did they know that the German lines were not abandoned, but that they simply found a hole. The Lost Battalion was surrounded and the men had to fight for days, awaiting their rescue.

17 min

14

Counterstrike – The Six-Day War

When Egyptian president Nasser closes an important sea route for their neighbouring state of Israel in May 1967, Israel argues that a military attack on Egypt is justified. During the following six days in June 1967, Israel embarks on a war against Egypt, Syria and Jordan. The Sabaton song 'Counterstrike' describes this short but influential and controversial conflict.

17 min

15

The Red Baron – The Great War

The Red Baron is one of the, if not THE MOST iconic heroes of The Great War. He simultaneously embodies the mechanisation of modern war and a romanticised version of war with his individual skill and heroism. Indy goes beyond the legend to tell the history of Manfred von Richthofen, a.k.a The Red Baron, the latter of which also is the name of a Sabaton song that will feature on their upcoming album The Great War.

16 min

16

No Bullets Fly – Charlie Brown and Franz Stigler

Heroism isn’t always measured in blood or danger. Sometimes, to spare your foe is the honourable thing to do. A dramatic example comes in the shape of the American Charlie Brown and German Franz Stigler. Brown was flying his heavily damaged B17 ‘Flying Fortress’ bomber home after a demanding bombing run on Bremen when Franz Stigler in his fighter plane caught sight of its tail. This story is about the encounter between the two enemies and the song that Sabaton wrote about it, called ‘No Bullets Fly’.

15 min

17

Hearts of Iron – The Battle of Berlin

The Sabaton song Hearts of Iron tells the story of a German commander who is ordered to relieve Berlin in face of an overwhelming attack from the east and the west. Berlin is almost fully surrounded, but instead of following orders from his superiors who have clearly lost touch with reality, he decides to use his men to get as many civilians as possible out of Berlin.

14 min

18

A Ghost in the Trenches – Francis Pegahmagabow

As a ghost he roamed the trenches, effectively taking out his enemies one by one. He was the deadliest sniper of The Great War, with over 300 confirmed kills on his name. He is Canadian soldier Francis Pegahmagabow, born in an indigenous First Nations family, and the The Sabaton Song ‘A Ghost in the Trenches’ is about his life and adventures.

18 min

19

Great War – World War One

The title track of the upcoming Sabaton Album 'The Great War' is about the conflict in general. The horrors, modern techniques and tactics and the differences with other conflicts.

14 min

20

Rise of Evil – Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party

After the Great War, many different movements and parties tried to replace the by many despised Weimar Republic. One of them was the NSDAP, the National Socialist German Workers Party. Headed by Adolf Hitler, the NSDAP transformed Germany into a country that would once again bring war and destruction to Europe. The Sabaton Song ‘Rise of Evil’ is about Hitlers rise to power, and in this video we dive into the historical context behind the song.

17 min

21

Gott Mit Uns – The Thirty Years War

The Sabaton Song 'Gott Mit Uns' is about the Battle of Breitenfeld, fought between the Swedish under command of King Gustavus Adolphus and the Holy Roman Empire under Count Tilly. This battle was hugely influential in the Thirty Years War and the religious wars that were plaguing Europe in the 17th century.

15 min

22

Far From The Fame – Karel Janoušek

The life of Karel Janoušek is anything but ordinary. Throughout his live, he serves in the militaries and air forces of multiple countries, but time and again he ends up fighting for his native Czechoslovakia heritage. The Sabaton song Far from the Fame describes his life, his adventures and his experiences.

15 min

23

Devil Dogs – U.S. Marines

The United States entered the battlefields of Europe in 1918. Among the first Americans to participate in the fight are the U.S. Marines, who quickly adopt the names Devil Dogs. One of their most notable engagements is the Battle of Belleau Wood in June 1918, where the Marines fought the battle-hardened Germans for 26 days.

15 min

24

Long Live the King – Swedish King Karl XII

The Sabaton song Long Live the King is about the aftermath of the Battle of Poltava in June 1709. The future of Sweden lay in the hands of the parliament at home while the King was in voluntary exile with the Ottomans. What followed was a dark time in Swedish history where everything was uncertain, with an unexpectedly dark ending.

15 min

25

Attero Dominatus – The Battle of Berlin

The Sabaton Song Attero Dominatus is about the Soviet advance on Berlin in the last months of World War Two. As the Soviets approach Berlin, two commanders, General Zhukov and General Konev, try their best to be the ones to take the centre of the German capital. Meanwhile, thousands of Germans are raped or murdered by the Soviets in retaliation to the atrocities that the Germans committed in the east.

17 min

26

Screaming Eagles – Battle of the Bulge

When the Germans launched their last western offensive through the Belgian Ardennes in the winter of 1944, it was up to the American 101st Airborne Division to defend the key city of Bastogne. Surrounded by camouflaged German soldiers and endless artillery bombardments, the 101st, a.k.a the Screaming Eagles, endured.

15 min

27

Purple Heart – US Military Decoration

The Purple Heart is arguably one of the most iconic military decorations in the American military. The Sabaton Song 'Purple Heart' is about the origins and story behind the famous medal.

15 min

28

White Death – Finnish Sniper Simo Häyhä

One of the deadliest snipers ever to roam the face of the earth was Simo Häyhä, who fought on the Finnish side during the Winter War in 1939 and 1940. He was also known as White Death, as he killed an estimated 500 Russians in the cold snowy winter.

16 min

29

82nd All The Way – Alvin York

When the Americans joined the Great War in Europe, the 82nd 'All American' division was the division that would engage in heavy fighting at St Mihiel. Among them was Alvin York, leading his battalion at the ferocious Battle of Hill 223.

15 min

30

Stalingrad – World War Two

The Sabaton song ‘Stalingrad’ is about the devastating Battle of the Russian City of Stalingrad, which lasted for 5 months from August 1942 till February 1943. The Battle is infamous for its brutal street fighting and high casualties on both sides.

21 min

31

A Lifetime of War – Thirty Years War

The Sabaton song A Lifetime of War is about the Thirty Years War, which influenced many lives of Northern-European soldiers, mercenaries, farmers and city-dwellers.

14 min

32

Cliffs of Gallipoli Part 1 – The Great War

While the British were already dying by the thousands in the trenches in Western Europe, their high command decided to try to break the stalemate with an attack on the Ottoman Empire in the Dardanelles. This is the first episode on the Sabaton song Cliffs of Gallipoli about the Allied landings on the shores off Gallipoli.

17 min

33

Cliffs of Gallipoli Part 2 – The Great War

The second part of our coverage of the Sabaton song Cliffs of Gallipoli is about the brutal fighting that took place once the landings had come to a standstill. A stalemate similar to the Western Front caused thousands of Ottoman and Allied soldiers to have to endure endless charges, barrages, sniper fire in addition to the hot summer climate of South-Eastern Europe.

16 min

34

En Livstid i Krig – The Thirty Years War

The Swedish version of 'Lifetime of War' is called En Livstid i Krig and has a different perspective on the Thirty Years War than its English counterpart. The song is about the many men and women who were born during the Thirty Years War, lived through the war and most possibly also died in that war.

21 min

35

Metal Crüe – The History of Metal

This is a little different from our usual videos. We dive into the Sabaton Song Metal Crüe, an ode to the Metal Legends that inspired Sabaton. Indy gives his subjective take on the musicians that defined a genre.

17 min

36

Midway – The Battle of Midway

The Battle of Midway in June 1942 was one of the decisive battles on the Pacific front during World War Two. The Sabaton song 'Midway' is about that battle and the men who sailed, flew, fought and died there.

17 min

37

Angels Calling – Trench Warfare

Trench Warfare was the reality for countless soldiers fighting on the the fronts of World War One. It was a hell on earth. Soldiers had to endure mud, cold, stench of decaying bodies, endless artillery and gas barrages and enemy raiding parties. The Sabaton Song 'Angels Calling' is about daily life on the frontlines of The Great War.

15 min

38

Rorke's Drift – The Anglo-Zulu War

The Battle of Rorke's Drift was the Last Stand for the British Defenders, facing thousands of Zulu fighters with only a a few hundred of their own.

17 min

39

Unbreakable – Guerrilla Warfare

The exact topic of Sabatons song 'Unbreakable' will forever be a mystery. But we do know that it has to do with Guerrilla Warfare, which is what Indy will dive into in this episode.

17 min

40

1648 – The Thirty Years War

Europe had grown weary of war by the summer of 1648 and after much deliberation, peace talks in Westphalia had reached their final stages. Warlords across the entire continent were preparing for peace but not all of them agreed. The exceptionally ruthless German-Swedish General Königsmarck advanced into Bohemia to lay siege to Prague.

16 min

41

Sparta – The Battle of Thermopylae

The Battle of Thermopylae of 480 BCE may be one of the most famous battles in Ancient History. King Leonidas and his 300 Spartans were certainly not as alone in their last stand against the spartans, but are nevertheless remembered as being an underdog who would rather die than lose their freedom.

15 min

42

Inmate 4859 – Witold Pilecki

Join Indy and Joakim as they dive into the out-of-life story of Witold Pilecki during the Second World War, that has made for this awesome song.

18 min

43

Reign of Terror – Operation Desert Storm

After Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait in 1990, most of the whole world gets together to avenge this attack. This will be the basis for Operation Desert Storm - one of the largest battles since the Second World War.

18 min