Badass Week: Leo Major and His Balls of Solid Steel

TL;DR

Leo Major, a French Canadian soldier, became a legendary figure in WWII for his bravery and exceptional sniping skills.

Transcript

Leo Major was a French Canadian man born in 1921. He probably didn’t think he was going to be more of a hero than the average soldier when he joined up with the Canadian Army at the start of World War II—supposedly he simply joined up because he wanted to show his father, with whom he had a shaky relationship, that he could do something to be prou... Read More

Key Insights

• 👍 Leo Major's motivation to join the army was not only to serve his country but also to prove himself to his father.
• ❓ Major's exceptional skills as a sniper earned him a reputation among his fellow soldiers.
• 🤔 Major's actions in Zwolle demonstrated his strategic thinking and ability to inspire fear in the enemy.
• 🛀 His refusal to accept certain awards due to personal opinions shows his uncompromising character.
• ❓ Major's achievements in both WWII and the Korean War showcased his bravery and determination.
• 🥹 Despite facing overwhelming odds, Major and his small group of snipers successfully held a key hill against thousands of enemy soldiers.
• ♌ Leo Major's selflessness is evident in his decision to prioritize recovering his friend's body before reporting to his superiors.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why did Leo Major refuse to be sent home after being wounded by a grenade?

Leo Major believed that he could still effectively use his rifle with one good eye and insisted on staying with his platoon.

Q: How did Major and his friend Willy become involved in the reconnaissance run in Zwolle?

Major and Willy volunteered to assess the number of German troops patrolling Zwolle and make contact with the Dutch resistance. Unfortunately, Willy was killed during the mission.

Q: How did Leo Major inspire fear in German soldiers during his campaign in Zwolle?

Major's actions and reputation as an excellent sniper caused German soldiers to panic, mistaking him for a large Canadian force attacking them.

Q: Why did Major refuse to accept a Distinguished Conduct Medal from Field Marshall Montgomery?

Major believed that Montgomery was incompetent and made a terrible mistake, which led to his dislike of him and refusal to accept the award from him.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Leo Major joined the Canadian Army in WWII to prove himself to his father and became known for his skills as an excellent sniper.

• In the liberation of Zwolle, Major's actions, including single-handedly causing German soldiers to flee, led to the city being freed without unnecessary civilian casualties.

• Major also achieved remarkable feats in capturing German soldiers and holding a key hill in the Korean War.