The Real Life and Tragic End of Captain Herbert Sobel | Band of Brothers

Captain Herbert Sobel, portrayed by David Schwimmer, is the commanding officer of Easy Company in “Band of Brothers” and is depicted as a petty tyrant. The paratroopers in the series, including Dick Winters (Damian Lewis), develop a deep hatred of Captain Sobel, but is the series’ portrayal of Sobel during WWII historically accurate? We explain why HBO’s “Band of Brothers” presents a one-sided and exaggerated view of the real Herbert Sobel. We reveal what some of the Easy Company veterans had to say about his depiction in both the Stephen Ambrose book and the HBO miniseries, which deviate somewhat from the true story. We also explain what happened to Herbert Sobel after WWII, including the tragic ending to his life. #bandofbrothers #herbertsobel #ww2 #dickwinters #easycompany #wwii

[jimscardsandcollectibles]

He also served honorably in the Korean war and was awarded a Bronze Star. Thank you for this video. May LtCol Sobel rest in peace.

[MichaelAnthonyParker]

It is good to know that Sobel’s son received some ease of comfort by some gracious and honorable men who served with his father.

[harryknickerbocker]

I'm former Marine and a Vietnam Vet and I can honestly say that the training we received, as brutal as it was, didn't fully prepare us for the extremely harsh reality of combat. The training is tough because fighting a war is the most brutal experience in the entire world.

[J.DiPietro]

I can honestly relate to this same story. I had a warrant officer who drove our section mad in the time prior to our first deployment. Everyone hated him. The Command, the staff and the joes under him. We hated him because he would only do the right thing. He challenged the old folks who kept doing it the wrong way for decades (This was a guard unit for reference - If you know... you know what i mean). He shook things up and he was always shown in a poor light. Command even tried to get rid of him. I had a heart to heart talk with him and after spending the 500+ day deployment with him I came to know him and see why he was the way he was. I was so inspired by him and the uphill battle he faced that I went to OCS after the deployment and became an officer. During OCS it became so very clear on why he was trying to instill the teamwork cohesion in the joes. How much more he did for us to prepare us for our war-time job and overall survival than our NCOIC. He took every opportunity to ensure we got the best training he could. Even outranking him from LT to MAJ, I still call him sir as a sign of respect and we still talk to this day and this was 20 years ago.

[RileySkye]

It's also worth noting that David Schwimmer, who portrayed Sobel, had some concerns about Sobel's portrayal in the book and HBO from an interview he was about a decade ago. He mentioned that he sympathized with Sobel.

[tpol]

As a fan of Band of Brothers, a novice historian of World War II and a former U.S. Air Force veteran, I highly commend the excellent job you have done filling in the blanks about what happened to Captain Herbert Sobel after the war. It is sad that Hollywood would present such a fine and honorable man in such a dim light. But now we have a truth-telling in this video production about this man to warm our hearts and give credit where credit is due. Now we know the kind of man and leader Captain Sobel really was. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and the legacy created by the men of Easy Company which was addressed to his son long after the war. Rest in peace, Sir.

[w.rustylane]

Being a United States Marine, I can understand the complex makeup of Capt. Sobel. I'm a Vietnam vet and the training we received at Paris Island was brutal to say the least, but was a necessary preparation for what was to come. As I look back at my time at Paris Island I more understand why the drill instructors made us do the things they did. After boot camp in 1969 I knew I was headed for Vietnam. Thank God I survived. I just hate the tragic end of Capt. Sobel. His toughness saved lives in WWII. Cheers from eastern TN

[brettbambouturton]

Dying of malnutrition as a Veteran is disgraceful and despicable.

[tuono]

I think the movie did a good job of showing that Sobel cared "too much", not that he was sadistic. I love that scene where the men are running up Currahee Mountain and he's yelling something at them, only this time the men sort of glide past in unison, unbothered. Sobel stops running and the look on his face is like he realizes he's built a strong group of men. Thanks for the cool video!

[RiverCat]

I guess every story needs a villain; but, I've always found that people are often much more complex than you think. Thanks for setting the record straight and balancing the slate. Great video.

[davidcalderwood]

This is excellent. Thank you so much for doing this. I was an Infantry captain myself. Captain Winters was a great example of leadership in combat. We all have different strengths and leadership style. What Capt Sobel did for Easy Company during training was the right way at that time. What works in some situations does not work in others. So sorry that Sobel died that way or even attempted suicide. My best friend, Vern, who joined SF with me died with a self inflicted gunshot wound. Think about him often. The hurt is real.

[sigh-cosis]

I'm glad I clicked on this video. I really only know of Easy Company's members through the show and this really helps bring some humanity to a tragic person

[ldbll]

The fact that Captain Sobel died of malnutrition says everything about the real treatment of veterans.

[NoOne-fodi]

As a veteran, I'm glad you made this video. It's incredibly sad that HBO and others have done this to this mans memory, not to mention his family. I've had idiots and/or assholes in command of me who would actually deserve to be treated like this, but Captain Sobel doesn't deserve to have his memory trashed like this. The part that's really sad is that this is a true story, and they did this to a real person. If you only watch the show, you will think that is who this man was. I did until I watched this video, but not everyone who sees the show will do any further investigation on it. So sad

[HoleReviews]

So much of military service is difficult to explain, and even more difficult is how a man's character is permanently remembered through mere months of his interactions with others. Humans change, it's a part of growing up and learning. 
Thank you for acknowledging that CPT Sobel was a human being with this video.

[matteng]

When I originally watched that series, I absolutely despised him. Thank you for sharing this, as a marine veteran of the 90s, my heart is absolutely broken for him.

[thornie]

The series did him dirty. How he was a good father and husband was pretty sweet. Sad he died alone, blinded and a shell of himself.

[cjyou]

Thank you for setting the record straight. Captain Sobel deserves that.

[omeara]

Thank you for this. Love the series, and from a story telling perspective I understand why they portrayed Sobel the way they did, but at the same time, they could’ve given him more redemption later in the series as well. Glad you put this together.

[michael]

Years ago, I read a short account about Sobel after the war. Can't remember the name of the book now. It stated that Sobel committed suicide. I never knew that he survived the suicide attempt. Thanks for keeping the record straight.