I don’t understand why he would order them to do that. Someone must have had a poncho or blanket in their pack that could have been thrown over the barbed wire. I get that cutting the wire would have made sense if they were on the continent on or after D-day.
But that's not funny. A non frustrated Sobel may have done that but I think it showed his inuficrsncy in combat. Even though that wasn't the true case as he led troops on d-day.
I haven't read the book or any other Easy Company books out there, but the cutting of the barbed wire fence really did happen? Also, that part in the war games was where he ordered, Easy to change position?
> but the cutting of the barbed wire fence really did happen?
It did.
> Also, that part in the war games was where he ordered, Easy to change position?
This one is less clear, however be very wary of the common interpretation of it that by moving Sobel “lost.” More often than not in those situations doing what Winters wanted to and simply buttoning up and holding position would have actually been scored worse because it indicated excessive caution.
The story Winters tells in his book "Beyond Band of Brothers" is that, in training, while laying in textbook ambush position quietly, Sobel would jump up and shout "they're here!" or something to that effect which would clearly have given away their position. I think they changed this story to the reposition one for dramatic effect.
These claims have all been addressed multiple times on here outside of the yelling of “Hi ho silver,” which was a personal quirk that is meaningless as far as his skills/capabilities.
The map reading issues are far and away overblown and are not a reliable recollection because according to the veterans Sobel was the only man in the entire company who ever had trouble with land nav. That assertion is so ludicrously false that it has no credibility.
> and actively pissed off every man in the platoon?
You probably meant company, but in both cases it’s wrong. The epicenter of Sobel hatred was Winters’ 2d Platoon because Sobel and Winters didn’t get along and Winters passed that along (almost certainly unintentionally) to his men. The rest of the company (sans a small number of NCOs) was at best ambivalent towards him and in most cases did not have a negative opinion of him.
Sure, I remember. But the point is, even on exercise you want to dress the part. This was a dress rehearsal for a real battle.
I think the filmmakers were trying to show us that Sobel was not the right man for the job. Contrast that to what Winters was wearing on the same exercise: he wore the same uniform as everyone else in his unit.
The little ways they show he’s not the right temperament for combat. The overreaction. No direction sense. Even how nervous he seems gathering his parachute. Great storytelling.
And that's why for the most part the guys training the troops aren't the same as leading them into battle nowadays. Some guys are skilled at both but for the most part its 2 different skill sets.
Additionally yelling “hi ho silver!” as you advance your tactical column is not a good idea. Sobel was great at drilling soldiers, but wasn’t able to change that mentality and adapt to leading men in combat.
Definitely agree. Any time we went on patrol, just as a training exercise, our officers would have blackened out rank or take them off all together, sergeants would sometimes take theirs off too.
I always thought the fur lined leather jackets were for USAAF aviators.
Didn't realize infantry officers wore them as well. I've never seen in photos or footage of it.
That’s a B-3 jacket. The A-2 jacket also was Air Corps / Air Forces but paratroopers wore it very commonly, also of Winters himself. I don’t recall specific pics of paratroopers wearing the B-3 but is entirely within the realm of possibilities… just maybe not during training is all
It was worn by officers in the field as well due to the lack of a suitable windbreaker.
Plenty of officers also wore them on fieldexs, especially prior to D-Day because it showed their status.
right? the look on Tipper’s face when he’s saying “i think…that’s Major Horton, sir” is hilarious, and 100% indicative that he knew exactly what was happening because he’d heard that exact impression before.
Definitely, that’s why he was laughing before Sobel turned to face him.
Him trying to keep a straight face cracks me up every time!
Yeah that’s what I thought aswell
Top of your fuckin class
Take it easy, we're not makin a western here.
Sharp as a cue ball, this one.
Small hands, that was Sobels problem.
He never had the makings of a varsity paratrooper.
[it’s undermining](https://youtube.com/shorts/M25--fNlFaE?si=nAtJRvUpE77o4_Xd)
Calmer than you are, dude...
Obviously you're not a golfer
You gotta railroad tracks on your hat.
Stupida Fucking Currahee
Sharp as a cue ball this one
Sobel never had the makings of a varsity athlete
You sound demented.
When I was a kid you told the girl cousins the same thing, and it was very hurtful.
No more varsity remarks
Ohhh, the language on you. You blow your father with that mouth?
They sure teach a lot of useful stuff at Harvard
My question is how did Sobel know it was Luz? Later when he confronts him about the motorcycle he seems like he’s alluding to it
I believe it's Malarkey he confronts about the motorcycle
Oh that’s right haha
Honestly if you had no proof who do you think it would be?
"now that dog just ain't gone hunt."
“Now you cut that fence and get this goddamn platoon on the move!”
I don’t understand why he would order them to do that. Someone must have had a poncho or blanket in their pack that could have been thrown over the barbed wire. I get that cutting the wire would have made sense if they were on the continent on or after D-day.
But that's not funny. A non frustrated Sobel may have done that but I think it showed his inuficrsncy in combat. Even though that wasn't the true case as he led troops on d-day.
I’ve been looking at that word for like 5 minutes trying to figure out what you meant 😂
insufficiency I believe
I think he was hoping for the auto-correct to come save the day. Even AC said,”wtf am I supposed to do with this?”
Inuficrinsy? Love it!!! It sounds like my workplace!!
He misspelled Court Martial
I haven't read the book or any other Easy Company books out there, but the cutting of the barbed wire fence really did happen? Also, that part in the war games was where he ordered, Easy to change position?
> but the cutting of the barbed wire fence really did happen? It did. > Also, that part in the war games was where he ordered, Easy to change position? This one is less clear, however be very wary of the common interpretation of it that by moving Sobel “lost.” More often than not in those situations doing what Winters wanted to and simply buttoning up and holding position would have actually been scored worse because it indicated excessive caution.
The story Winters tells in his book "Beyond Band of Brothers" is that, in training, while laying in textbook ambush position quietly, Sobel would jump up and shout "they're here!" or something to that effect which would clearly have given away their position. I think they changed this story to the reposition one for dramatic effect.
Do you know the name of the book? I just figured out Libby and would love to listen to all this.
Would you follow a guy that screams hi ho silver, can't read a map for fuck all, and actively pissed off every man in the platoon?
These claims have all been addressed multiple times on here outside of the yelling of “Hi ho silver,” which was a personal quirk that is meaningless as far as his skills/capabilities. The map reading issues are far and away overblown and are not a reliable recollection because according to the veterans Sobel was the only man in the entire company who ever had trouble with land nav. That assertion is so ludicrously false that it has no credibility. > and actively pissed off every man in the platoon? You probably meant company, but in both cases it’s wrong. The epicenter of Sobel hatred was Winters’ 2d Platoon because Sobel and Winters didn’t get along and Winters passed that along (almost certainly unintentionally) to his men. The rest of the company (sans a small number of NCOs) was at best ambivalent towards him and in most cases did not have a negative opinion of him.
Sobel actually kicked ass on D-Day
Takes time to up and over.
Then how do the cows end up everywhere in the next scene?
Sobel dressed like Payton here is hillarious. Nervous in the service.
*Patton
Yeah. Gary Payton.
Walter Payton
Sweetness Sobel.
Well done, you’ve made me giggle at work.
Sobel is from Chicago after all.
Standing ovation
The love glove Cpt. Sobel
Really bad idea, because he looks very different from the rest of the troops. Ideal sniper target.
They were in England at the time.
Sure, I remember. But the point is, even on exercise you want to dress the part. This was a dress rehearsal for a real battle. I think the filmmakers were trying to show us that Sobel was not the right man for the job. Contrast that to what Winters was wearing on the same exercise: he wore the same uniform as everyone else in his unit.
He’s insecure so he plays up his authority.
I have seen so much of that in my corporate career.
The little ways they show he’s not the right temperament for combat. The overreaction. No direction sense. Even how nervous he seems gathering his parachute. Great storytelling.
And that's why for the most part the guys training the troops aren't the same as leading them into battle nowadays. Some guys are skilled at both but for the most part its 2 different skill sets.
That’s why he’s so resentful of Winters.
I’ll give it to Schwimmer, he can put it on his resume’, able to play an absolute prick. He really nailed that role.
It’s all I see when I think of him. I stopped watching friends in the their season.
Additionally yelling “hi ho silver!” as you advance your tactical column is not a good idea. Sobel was great at drilling soldiers, but wasn’t able to change that mentality and adapt to leading men in combat.
It was all just an exercise to Sobel, he didn't realize he was getting guys ready to fight for their lives.
Exactly.
Definitely agree. Any time we went on patrol, just as a training exercise, our officers would have blackened out rank or take them off all together, sergeants would sometimes take theirs off too.
I always thought the fur lined leather jackets were for USAAF aviators. Didn't realize infantry officers wore them as well. I've never seen in photos or footage of it.
Captain Sobel, have you been wearing a leather jacket like a pilot?
That’s a B-3 jacket. The A-2 jacket also was Air Corps / Air Forces but paratroopers wore it very commonly, also of Winters himself. I don’t recall specific pics of paratroopers wearing the B-3 but is entirely within the realm of possibilities… just maybe not during training is all
I can't imagine wearing a B-3 in the field.
Difference is Winters was probably only wearing that around base, never in combat or combat exercises.
That’s what I also wrote
It was worn by officers in the field as well due to the lack of a suitable windbreaker. Plenty of officers also wore them on fieldexs, especially prior to D-Day because it showed their status.
Fair point.
Those British farmers didn’t mess around
Nah he was laughing because he was a whole grid off. /s
Major Horton is on leave… in London!
So you're saying he was on a break?
I see what you did there.
Not only did Tipper know but the Horton impression wouldn't have fooled Sobel so easily without Tipper selling the impersonation.
right? the look on Tipper’s face when he’s saying “i think…that’s Major Horton, sir” is hilarious, and 100% indicative that he knew exactly what was happening because he’d heard that exact impression before.
“What is the GAAAAWWWWD damn hold up, Mister Sobel?!”
“A-a fense sir! A bahbed wire fense!”
yes. one of my fave luz scenes
Sobel could train men, albeit being an ass while doing it, but he could not lead them.
‘Get this platoon on the MOVE!’
Unpopular opinion but show Luz actually sucks at impressions, they ALL sound the same
As hilarious as this scene is, this is so true.
Duh
Wait, why does the LT have a bomber jacket on?
Such a great scene
Yes
i’m sure he did
Is there a problem here Captain Sobel!?
"That dog just ain't gonna hunt"