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"WHY WE FIGHT - 1943"

The 3rd Year-Long Series by Mother of Tanks

With the US Army Combined Arms Center and the Center for Military History

Every Tuesday & Saturday.

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~ MoT

 

Join us as we learn about this important period in our history.

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The "Building an American Army" series can still be accessed at this link.

In Their Footsteps: Family History, Guided Tours, and the 83rd Infantry Story
In Their Footsteps: Family History, Gui...
This episode turned out slightly different than expected but it's a great one! Dr. Myra Miller joins me to share t...
01:10:24
January 20, 2025
Churchill and Eisenhower: Not Quite Besties but More than Colleagues
Churchill and Eisenhower: Not Quite Bes...
In this episode, Dr. Mitchell Yockelson joins me to talk about the history between American General Dwight D. Eise...
01:17:40
January 19, 2025
The American Experience
The American Experience
Dr. John McManus joins me again, this time talking about the American Experience in World War II, with an emphasis...
00:50:52
January 18, 2025
A Battle of Wills: FDR and Douglas MacArthur - 1944
A Battle of Wills: FDR and Douglas MacA...
In this episode, Paul Sparrow joins me to talk about the interesting and often challenging relationship between Pr...
00:35:04
January 18, 2025
Admiral Nimitz and Leadership in the Pacific - 1944
Admiral Nimitz and Leadership in the Pa...
Joining me in this episode is historian Trent Hone, continuing to share stories and insight of Admiral Nimitz in t...
01:06:43
January 12, 2025
The Battle of Saipan and Army-Marine Leadership Conflict in the Pacific
The Battle of Saipan and Army-Marine Le...
In this episode, Lt.Col. Brian Kerg joins me to talk about the Battle of Saipan in June/July 1944, and the leaders...
01:41:28
January 11, 2025
Jassy-Kishinev Offensives (Part II)
Jassy-Kishinev Offensives (Part II)
Dr. Grant Harward and Dr. Luke Truxal join me to continue this talk about the Jassy-Kishinev raids. Other episod...
01:36:48
January 01, 2025
Jassy-Kishinev Offensives (Part I)
Jassy-Kishinev Offensives (Part I)
In this first of two parts, Dr. Grant Harward and Dr. Luke Truxal join me to talk about the April / May 1944 raids...
01:16:26
December 26, 2024
The Brazilian Expeditionary Force (Part I)
The Brazilian Expeditionary Force (Part...
In this episode, Brazilian Army Colonel Giorgio Pizzani joins me to talk about the Brazilian Expeditionary Force f...
00:58:59
December 13, 2024
Assist. Protect. Defend. US Army Military Police in 1944 & the Challenges of Future Force Structure
Assist. Protect. Defend. US Army Milita...
In this episode, Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Evans joins me to talk about the Military Police at Normandy and i...
01:10:58
December 10, 2024
Lieutenant General George S. Patton Jr. (Part III)
Lieutenant General George S. Patton Jr....
Kevin Hymel joins me again to continue Patton's story in the war. In this episode, Kevin starts around the Knutsfo...
00:50:35
December 07, 2024
Shot Down! The Incredible Story of Howard Snyder, the Susan Ruth, and Brave Resistance Members in France and Belgium
Shot Down! The Incredible Story of Howa...
In this episode, Steve Snyder joins me to talk about his book SHOT DOWN: The True Story of Pilot Howard Snyder and...
00:49:01
December 07, 2024
Triumph of the Dead and the Special Roles of Norman Women in World War II
Triumph of the Dead and the Special Rol...
In this episode, Dr. Kate Lemay talks about some incredible women of Normandy, risking their lives and safety to p...
00:49:01
December 03, 2024
Charles de Gaulle and the French Resistance
Charles de Gaulle and the French Resist...
Dr. Cameron Zinsou joins me in this episode to talk about Charles de Gaulle and the French Resistance, to help add...
00:43:09
December 01, 2024
Post D-Day Operations from Normandy to Saint-Lô
Post D-Day Operations from Normandy to ...
Returning in this episode is retired US Army Colonel Greg Fontenot, continuing the story of the 1st Infantry Divis...
00:45:22
November 30, 2024
The Battle of Cherbourg
The Battle of Cherbourg
In this episode, MAJ Jonathan Curran joins me to talk about the Battle of Cherbourg in June 1944 and what that mea...
01:13:10
November 30, 2024
US Army Medicine at Normandy
US Army Medicine at Normandy
In this episode, Dr. Sanders Marble returns to talk about Army Doctors, Nurses, and Medics at Normandy. Links H...
00:59:48
November 18, 2024
The US Navy at Normandy
The US Navy at Normandy
Dr. Ryan Wadle returns in this episode to talk about the US Navy in Operation Neptune — before, during, and a li...
01:00:13
November 17, 2024
But for the Coast Guard...
But for the Coast Guard...
In this episode I'm joined by retired US Coast Guard Commander Gary Thomas who offers us a taste of the many MANY ...
01:16:36
October 20, 2024
Mulberries and Rhino Ferries at Normandy
Mulberries and Rhino Ferries at Normand...
Joining me in this this episode is Dr. Frank Blazich Jr. Frank spoke with me last year about the pontoons used to ...
01:14:25
October 18, 2024
The Airborne at Normandy - June 1944
The Airborne at Normandy - June 1944
In this episode, Dr. Rob Williams joins me to talk about the US Army Airborne forces at Normandy in June 1944. Rob...
01:10:10
October 09, 2024
Utah Beach
Utah Beach
Continuing the Normandy 1944 coverage, in this episode I'm joined by Dr. Curtis King, retired US Army Armor Office...
01:44:08
October 05, 2024
The 29th Infantry Division (Part I): "Twenty-Nine, Let's Go!"
The 29th Infantry Division (Part I): "T...
In this episode, historian Joseph Balkoski joins me to talk about the history of the 29th Infantry Division, some ...
01:18:50
September 22, 2024
Omaha Beach Part II: Plans vs Reality
Omaha Beach Part II: Plans vs Reality
Rounding out his 3-part coverage of the Normandy Invasion, Steve Clay returns to tell us what happened at Omaha Be...
01:43:43
September 10, 2024
Omaha Beach Part I: Tactical & Operational Environments, Order of Battle, and Plans
Omaha Beach Part I: Tactical & Operatio...
Continuing his three-episode coverage of the preparations for and execution of the invasion of Normandy, in this e...
01:44:36
August 14, 2024
"Seven Months to D-Day" with the US 1st Infantry Division
"Seven Months to D-Day" with the US 1st...
This is part one of three episodes contributed to the D-Day part of the 1944 series by retired US Army Lieutenant ...
01:24:30
July 31, 2024
The Ghost Army
The Ghost Army
***Language Warning*** In this episode, I'm joined by retired Sergeant Major Ken Ramos, of U.S Army W.T.F! M...
01:34:36
July 21, 2024
Military Deception, Imaginary Spy Rings, FUSAG, Rupert, and Ghost Armies: Allied Efforts to Ensure D-Day Success
Military Deception, Imaginary Spy Rings...
In this episode I'm joined by US Army Major Paul Hill to help talk about Military Deception (MILDEC) and other...
01:12:48
July 21, 2024
US First Infantry Division (Part IV): 1ID in the UK Before D-Day
US First Infantry Division (Part IV): 1...
Returning to talk more US First Infantry Division history is retired US Army Colonel Greg Fontenot, author of No S...
00:44:33
July 03, 2024
LSCO, MDMP, Finite Resources, and Planning for Week 2: How We Got the Army We Had in June 1944
LSCO, MDMP, Finite Resources, and Plann...
Dr. Bill Nance joins me with some back history to help us better appreciate what we're talking about now, esse...
01:20:07
June 24, 2024
U.S. Army Logistics in the Normandy Campaign
U.S. Army Logistics in the Normandy Cam...
With Dr. Steve Waddell joining me, this episode includes details of the logistical needs and efforts that supporte...
01:07:14
June 19, 2024
German Preparations for the Invasion of France
German Preparations for the Invasion of...
In this episode, Niels Henkemans joins me to talk about the German preparations prior to the invasion of France in...
01:29:58
June 16, 2024
Planning for D-Day
Planning for D-Day
In this first episode of the D-Day 80 part of the Why We Fight series, Dr. Roger Cirillo joins me to talk about th...
01:36:10
June 06, 2024
A General's Grief: General George C. Marshall and Family Loss in 1944
A General's Grief: General George C. Ma...
In this episode, Melissa Davis, Director of Library and Archives at The George C. Marshall Foundation, joins me to...
00:51:14
June 02, 2024
Lieutenant General George S. Patton Jr. (Part II)
Lieutenant General George S. Patton Jr....
Back again is Kevin Hymel to continue the story of General Patton. This time we talk about Patton's trip to Englan...
00:43:01
May 29, 2024
The 38th Irish Brigade in Italy in Early 1944 and a Family Story
The 38th Irish Brigade in Italy in Earl...
In this episode I'm joined by Richard and Eddie O'Sullivan to share more of the story of the 38th Irish Brigade al...
01:44:35
May 28, 2024
The "One-Puka-Puka" (Part II): The Japanese-American 100th Infantry Battalion in Early 1944
The "One-Puka-Puka" (Part II): The Japa...
Joining me again are LTC Ben Griffin and US Army veteran Daniel Kim to help continue the story of the "One-Pu...
00:55:21
May 22, 2024
Controversies in Italy and the Failure of Allied Command
Controversies in Italy and the Failure ...
I'm joined again by COL Bryan Gibby, this time to discuss Operation Diadem and the breakout from Anzio, controvers...
01:19:54
May 20, 2024
Operation Chesterfield
Operation Chesterfield
Frank de Planta joins me again, this time to talk about Operation Chesterfield, an attack on the Hitler Line in la...
00:41:41
May 20, 2024
Operation Diadem and the Fourth Battle of Monte Cassino
Operation Diadem and the Fourth Battle ...
Back to talk about Operation Diadem and the final battle of Monte Cassino is Frank de Planta. Frank talks about th...
00:38:46
May 20, 2024
"Climb to Glory" (Part IV): 90-lb. Rucksacks, Mountain Warfare, and Type 3 Fun
"Climb to Glory" (Part IV): 90-lb. Ruck...
In this episode, Dr. Lance Blyth, Command Historian for the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and U...
01:25:43
May 05, 2024
"Climb to Glory" (Part III): The 10th Mountain Division is Tested
"Climb to Glory" (Part III): The 10th M...
Returning to continue the story of the 10th Mountain Division are Doug Schmidt, Curator at the 10th Mountain Divis...
01:13:24
April 28, 2024
The Nuremberg Raid - March 1944
The Nuremberg Raid - March 1944
In this episode, Dr. Thomas Bradbeer talks to me about the Royal Air Force raid on Nuremberg at the end of March i...
01:46:43
April 13, 2024
The Battles of Imphal and Kohima
The Battles of Imphal and Kohima
In this episode, Christopher Kolakowski returns to tell the story of the Battles of Imphal and Kohima in March-Jul...
00:31:59
March 31, 2024
The Third Battle of Monte Cassino
The Third Battle of Monte Cassino
Frank de Planta joins me again to continue the story of the Allies fighting the Battles of Monte Cassino. Links ...
00:27:09
March 17, 2024
The Chindits & Operation THURSDAY: Long-Range Penetration Groups in the C-B-I Theater
The Chindits & Operation THURSDAY: Long...
Back again is Christopher Kolakowski, the director of the Wisconsin Veterans Museum, this time to talk about the C...
00:35:20
March 17, 2024
The Second Battle of Monte Cassino
The Second Battle of Monte Cassino
Back again is Frank de Planta to continue the story of the Allies fighting the Battles of Monte Cassino. Links ...
00:29:43
March 12, 2024
Merrill's Marauders
Merrill's Marauders
Joining me in this episode is Christopher Kolakowski, the director of the Wisconsin Veterans Museum. Chris tells t...
00:40:48
March 03, 2024
Operation Flintlock: Battle of Kwajalein - JAN-FEB 1944
Operation Flintlock: Battle of Kwajalei...
In this episode, Lt.Col. Brian Kerg tells the story of the Battle of Kwajalein, part of Operation Flintlock. The B...
01:29:40
February 26, 2024
"Big Week" - February 1944: The US Army Air Force as a Tool of War
"Big Week" - February 1944: The US Army...
Joining me in this episode is Dr. John Curatola, the Samuel Zemurray Stone Senior Historian at the National World ...
00:51:05
February 20, 2024
"Patriots from the Barrio" (Part II)
"Patriots from the Barrio" (Part II)
Returning in this episode is historian and genealogist Dave Gutierrez to continue the story of his cousin and the ...
00:53:54
February 17, 2024
US Army Hospitals and Medical Care at Anzio
US Army Hospitals and Medical Care at A...
Dr. Sanders Marble returns in this episode to talk about US Army Hospitals and Medical Care at Anzio in January 19...
00:38:47
February 11, 2024
The US 7th Infantry Regiment & 3rd Infantry Division at Anzio, Italy 1944
The US 7th Infantry Regiment & 3rd Infa...
Dr. John McManus joins me in this episode to continue the story of the US 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Divi...
01:02:58
February 06, 2024
Learning Tough Lessons at Anzio in early 1944
Learning Tough Lessons at Anzio in earl...
Joining me in this episode is COL Bryan Gibby, Associate Professor and Deputy Head of the Department of History at...
01:15:29
February 06, 2024
The First Battle of Monte Cassino
The First Battle of Monte Cassino
Kicking off the 1944 series, I'm joined by British Army veteran and Italy Battlefields tour narrator Frank de Plan...
00:46:41
January 24, 2024
The Battle of Ortona, Italy 1943 (Part II)
The Battle of Ortona, Italy 1943 (Part ...
The conclusion of the Battle of Ortona with Dr. Lee Windsor and Major Jayson Geroux, and also the conclusion of th...
01:02:36
January 22, 2024
The Battle of Ortona, Italy 1943 (Part I)
The Battle of Ortona, Italy 1943 (Part ...
In this last 2-part episode of the 1943 series, Canadian Army Major Jayson Geroux and Dr. Lee Windsor (University ...
01:36:13
January 21, 2024
The Laws of War, Military Justice, and a Nearly Impossible Task
The Laws of War, Military Justice, and ...
***Trigger Warning*** For anyone who might be sensitive to it, this episode does include talk of sexual assault at...
01:19:54
January 20, 2024
Consolidating Gains, Civil Affairs, & the Allied Military Government - in Theory and in Practice - Italy 1943
Consolidating Gains, Civil Affairs, & t...
In this episode, Dr. Cindy Brown (University of New Brunswick, The Gregg Centre) and Dr. Greg Hospodor (US Army TR...
01:25:33
January 20, 2024
US Navy Ice Cream Pirates in the Pacific in 1943
US Navy Ice Cream Pirates in the Pacifi...
Joining me again is Dr. Ryan Wadle, suckered into another episode after I saw a short video on YouTube about the U...
01:05:56
January 18, 2024
Operation Cherryblossom & the US Army at Bougainville 1943
Operation Cherryblossom & the US Army a...
In this episode I'm joined by Troy Lewis, a member of the Army University Press Combat Studies Institute Staff Rid...
00:31:08
January 18, 2024
The Marines at Bougainville and Cape Gloucester in 1943
The Marines at Bougainville and Cape Gl...
Joining me in this episode is Kater Miller, curator with the National Museum of the United States Marine Corps, th...
01:01:36
January 18, 2024
Tanks & Alligators at Tarawa
Tanks & Alligators at Tarawa
In this episode, Jon Bernstein, the Arms & Armor Curator at the National Museum of the United States Marine Corps,...
01:01:59
January 15, 2024
With the Marines at Tarawa: "The Price We Had to Pay for a War We Didn't Want..."
With the Marines at Tarawa: "The Price ...
In his final episode for the 1943 series, Lt. Col. Brian Kerg returns to tell the story of the Marines at Tarawa i...
01:24:10
January 14, 2024
Typhus, Trenchfoot, and Command Responsibility in Preventive Medicine in Italy 1943
Typhus, Trenchfoot, and Command Respons...
Joining me again is Army Medical Department Center of History and Heritage historian Dr. Sanders Marble, this time...
00:37:11
January 12, 2024
Dispersion, Decentralization, Chaos, & LGOPs: US Army Airborne Culture & Operations in Italy 1943
Dispersion, Decentralization, Chaos, & ...
In this episode, historian and US Army veteran Dr. Rob Williams joins me to talk about the 82d Airborne Division j...
01:11:38
January 08, 2024
"Climb to Glory" (Part II): Camp Hale and the 10th Mountain Division
"Climb to Glory" (Part II): Camp Hale a...
Joining me in this episode is History Colorado's Dr. Chris Juergens to talk more 10th Mountain Division history up...
01:24:05
January 08, 2024
"Climb to Glory" (Part I): The Beginnings of the 10th Mountain Division
"Climb to Glory" (Part I): The Beginnin...
In this episode I'm joined by Doug Schmidt, a 10th Mountain Division veteran and curator at the 10th Mountain Divi...
01:15:35
January 02, 2024
The US 7th Infantry Regiment & 3rd Infantry Division in Italy 1943
The US 7th Infantry Regiment & 3rd Infa...
Back again is Dr. John McManus to continue the story of the US 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, in It...
01:16:17
January 01, 2024
“Patriots from the Barrio” (Part I): The Only Mexican American US Army Unit in WWII
“Patriots from the Barrio” (Part I)...
In this episode, genealogist and historian Dave Gutierrez shares the first part of the story of the only Mexican-A...
00:53:17
December 31, 2023
Massacre of the 33d Acqui Division: One of the First Acts of Italian Resistance in WWII
Massacre of the 33d Acqui Division: One...
In this episode, Damián Valle joins me to talk about the massacre of the Italian 33d Acqui Division after the Arm...
00:52:25
December 30, 2023
The Armistice of Cassibile: Becoming a Cobelligerent Nation and Recovering Honor
The Armistice of Cassibile: Becoming a ...
Joining me again is Giulio Poggiaroni, this time to discuss the Armistice of Cassibile, which brought Italy out of...
00:40:29
December 30, 2023
Tule Lake, Martial Law, and Civ-Mil Relations on the American Homefront in 1943
Tule Lake, Martial Law, and Civ-Mil Rel...
Joining me again is Dr. Stephanie Hinnershitz to talk about the Japanese-American camp at Tule Lake, the use of Ma...
00:58:09
December 29, 2023
The "One-Puka-Puka": The Japanese-American 100th Infantry Battalion in 1943
The "One-Puka-Puka": The Japanese-Ameri...
Joining me again is LTC Ben Griffin along with US Army veteran Daniel Kim to talk about the 100th Infantry Battali...
01:02:19
December 28, 2023
The Cairo Conference (Sextant) and the Tehran Conference (Eureka) in 1943
The Cairo Conference (Sextant) and the ...
In this episode I'm joined by Dr. Cameron Zinsou to talk about the Cairo (Sextant) and Tehran (Eureka) Conferences...
00:45:11
December 26, 2023
The Kuban Bridgehead and Romania in WWII
The Kuban Bridgehead and Romania in WWI...
Dr. Grant Harward joins me again, this time to talk about Romania in WWII, up to this point in the war, and the ev...
01:19:16
December 26, 2023
Uprisings, Ghetto Liquidations, and the Nazi Genocidal Project
Uprisings, Ghetto Liquidations, and the...
In this episode, Dr. Waitman Beorn shares his expertise on what he refers to as "the Nazi genocidal project" which...
01:29:16
December 22, 2023
Our Promise to the Dead: 100 Years of the American Battle Monuments Commission
Our Promise to the Dead: 100 Years of t...
Joining me in this episode is Ben Brands to talk about the American Battle Monuments Commission or ABMC, the work ...
01:01:22
December 18, 2023
The Nuanced Neutrality of Ireland and the 38th (Irish) Brigade in 1943
The Nuanced Neutrality of Ireland and t...
In this episode, Dr. David Murphy joins me to talk about the Irish contributions to the Second World War, includin...
00:41:13
December 10, 2023
Allied and Axis Armor Technology in 1943
Allied and Axis Armor Technology in 194...
In this episode, Nicholas Moran aka "The Chieftain" joins me to talk about Armor Technology in 1943, foc...
01:18:01
December 09, 2023
Fighters Over Europe: Attritional Warfare and the Americanization of the Air War in 1943
Fighters Over Europe: Attritional Warfa...
In this episode, Dr. Graham Cross joins me to talk about the Fighters over Europe, particularly VIII Fighter Comma...
01:40:51
December 02, 2023
Black Week – October 1943: A Low Point and a Turning Point for the Strategic Bombing Campaign in Europe
Black Week – October 1943: A Low Poin...
In this episode, I'm joined again by Dr. John Curatola to talk about the Strategic Air War in Europe, with a parti...
00:56:24
November 26, 2023
The Combined Bomber Offensive & Family Connections to World War II
The Combined Bomber Offensive & Family ...
In this episode, US Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Alex Moon joins me to talk about some interesting family connecti...
01:00:46
November 25, 2023
The Luftwaffe's Aerial Defense Over Germany
The Luftwaffe's Aerial Defense Over Ger...
In this episode, Dr. Rich Muller talks about the aerial defense of Germany during World War II, and how the German...
01:09:40
November 19, 2023
Schweinfurt, Regensburg, and Operation Starkey: Inflated Numbers, Wrong Conclusions, and False Confidence
Schweinfurt, Regensburg, and Operation ...
In this episode, Dr. Luke Truxal joins me for his third and final 1943 episode to talk about the Schweinfurt / Reg...
01:57:43
November 14, 2023
Semper Paratus: The Greenland Patrol and the US Coast Guard in 1943
Semper Paratus: The Greenland Patrol an...
In this episode, I'm joined by USCG Atlantic historian Dr. Bill Thiesen to talk about US Coast Guard history and i...
00:47:34
November 12, 2023
Marine Corps Amphibious Operations, Command Culture, and Operation Cherryblossom
Marine Corps Amphibious Operations, Com...
Joining me again is Lt.Col. Brian Kerg, this time to talk Marine Corps history. This was actually the first episod...
01:00:21
November 10, 2023
Six Degrees of Vietnam: World War II and the Vietnam War
Six Degrees of Vietnam: World War II an...
In this episode I'm joined by Dr. Rob Thompson to talk about the Vietnam War and how that conflict is connected to...
01:00:09
November 08, 2023
The Sunburst Division – 40th Infantry, California Army National Guard (Part I)
The Sunburst Division – 40th Infantry...
In this episode, Brigadier General Robert Wooldridge and Sergeant Major Daniel Sebby help us learn a bit about the...
00:50:35
November 05, 2023
The Battle of Kiska
The Battle of Kiska
In this episode, I'm joined by Archaeologist Kirk Freeman to talk about the Battle of Kiska, in the Aleutian Islan...
01:30:27
November 01, 2023
Bonus Halloween Episode: Zone Troopers (1985)
Bonus Halloween Episode: Zone Troopers ...
In this Bonus episode for Halloween, I'm joined again by Lt. Col. Brian Kerg and we discuss the 1985 film Zone Tro...
00:42:16
October 31, 2023
Admiral Nimitz Reconfigures the Staff
Admiral Nimitz Reconfigures the Staff
Joining me again is Naval Historian Trent Hone and this time we talk about Admiral Nimitz and his efforts to recon...
00:56:41
October 25, 2023
Night Battles in the Solomon Islands
Night Battles in the Solomon Islands
Joining me in this episode is Naval Historian Trent Hone and we talk about the US Navy (and Allies) involved in ni...
00:59:32
October 23, 2023
Battle of Munda Point: Fighting the Plan vs. Fighting the Enemy
Battle of Munda Point: Fighting the Pla...
Steve Wuensche, US Army veteran and current member of the Army University Press Combat Studies Institute (CSI) Sta...
01:52:14
October 22, 2023
Battle of Kula Gulf
Battle of Kula Gulf
Joining me in this episode is Jon Bernstein, US Army veteran and the Arms and Armor Curator at the National Museum...
00:50:52
October 22, 2023
OPERATION TOENAILS
OPERATION TOENAILS
Joining me again is Kater Miller, this time to talk about OPERATION TOENAILS, part of the New Georgia Campaign in ...
01:27:47
October 22, 2023
Marine Raiders in the Pacific
Marine Raiders in the Pacific
Joining me again is Kater Miller, USMC veteran and curator at the National Museum of the United States Marine Corp...
01:30:13
October 16, 2023
The Vikings: The Story of the 99th Infantry Battalion (Separate)
The Vikings: The Story of the 99th Infa...
In this episode, Dr. Bill Convery, Director of Research at the Minnesota Historical Society in St. Paul, tells us ...
00:49:25
October 10, 2023
Monuments Men, the MFAA, and Continuing Efforts to Put Things Right
Monuments Men, the MFAA, and Continuing...
This Belongs in a Museum! In this episode, LTC (ret.) Nikki Dean joins me to talk about the very important Monum...
01:34:20
October 08, 2023
US Army History and Historians
US Army History and Historians
In this episode, Dr. Erik Villard, Digital Historian for the US Army's Center of Military History, joins me to tal...
00:40:34
October 06, 2023
Hollywood and the American War Effort in 1943
Hollywood and the American War Effort i...
In this episode, Ken Campbell talks about two Hollywood movies that came out in 1943 and their impact on the Ameri...
01:51:59
October 02, 2023
A Look at Contested Logistics in North Africa
A Look at Contested Logistics in North ...
In this episode, Dr. David Dworak tells of both Axis and Allied experiences with contested logistics in North Afri...
00:38:04
September 27, 2023
Quadrant: The First Quebec Conference in August 1943
Quadrant: The First Quebec Conference i...
Paul Sparrow returns to help share the story of the First Quebec Conference, Codenamed "Quadrant", which took plac...
00:33:20
September 24, 2023
Leadership Challenges, Ambition, and the Allied Campaign in Italy 1943
Leadership Challenges, Ambition, and th...
In this episode, US Army Colonel Bryan Gibby, Deputy Head of the Department of History at West Point, talks about ...
01:08:14
September 23, 2023
How the Allies Got to Italy and the Beginning of the Italian Campaign
How the Allies Got to Italy and the Beg...
Joining me in this episode is Frank de Planta, a British Army veteran (retired Lt. Col.) and an Italian battlefiel...
00:52:06
September 17, 2023
The Allied Invasion of Mainland Italy (Part II)
The Allied Invasion of Mainland Italy (...
Part II of this episode - if you missed Part I, you'll want to go back and listen to it first since this one jumps...
00:51:16
September 14, 2023
The Allied Invasion of Mainland Italy (Part I)
The Allied Invasion of Mainland Italy (...
With the magic of technology, this episode brings together Dr. Lee Windsor and Dr. Cindy Brown, both with the Univ...
01:27:23
September 11, 2023
The Axis Forces' Retreat from Sicily 1943
The Axis Forces' Retreat from Sicily 19...
Joining me in this episode wrapping up the Sicily Campaign is Lt.Col. Brian Kerg. This is actually the second epis...
00:46:14
September 09, 2023
Administering the Mediterranean Theater of Operations
Administering the Mediterranean Theater...
Dr. David Dworak joins me again, this time to talk about how we administer a theater of operations, using the Alli...
00:56:03
September 09, 2023
Bridging the Gap with "Miraculous American Pontoons"
Bridging the Gap with "Miraculous Ameri...
In this episode, Dr. Frank Blazich Jr. joins me to talk about magic boxes, military innovation, and "miraculous Am...
01:02:21
September 06, 2023
The US 7th Infantry Regiment & 3rd Infantry Division in Sicily 1943
The US 7th Infantry Regiment & 3rd Infa...
In this episode, Dr. John McManus joins me to talk about the 7th Infantry Regiment (the "Cottonbalers") and the 3r...
01:08:16
September 03, 2023
"Guns and Leaders to the Front": Using the Story of the 82d Airborne Division in Sicily to Train Soldiers Today
"Guns and Leaders to the Front": Using ...
Joining me in this episode is retired Brigadier General John Aarsen who is currently the Director of the 82d Airbo...
01:20:21
September 03, 2023
Airborne & Glider Ops and Armored Warfare in Sicily 1943
Airborne & Glider Ops and Armored Warfa...
In this episode I'm joined by Dirk Ringgenberg, US Army Veteran and Assistant Professor of Military History at the...
01:30:32
August 27, 2023
Operation Hydra and the Space Force Connection to 1943
Operation Hydra and the Space Force Con...
In this episode I'm joined by Dr. Mike Pavelec, Director of the Schriever Space Scholars US Space Force education ...
00:52:23
August 24, 2023
LTG Patton, the Infamous Slapping Incidents, and Changes in the Army's Approach to Combat Psychiatry
LTG Patton, the Infamous Slapping Incid...
TW: This episode does mention suicide at least once in reference to someone Patton knew. In this episode I'm join...
01:08:21
August 19, 2023
Patton's Leadership in Sicily 1943
Patton's Leadership in Sicily 1943
Joining me in this episode is retired US Army Colonel John Antal, author of some of my favorite books and also app...
00:38:42
August 15, 2023
Lieutenant General George S. Patton Jr. (Part I)
Lieutenant General George S. Patton Jr....
TW: This episode includes mention of someone taking their own life and also mention of the accusing of Black Frenc...
01:18:34
August 14, 2023
The 56th Medical Battalion (Corps) in Sicily 1943
The 56th Medical Battalion (Corps) in S...
Joining me in this episode is Dr. Grant Harward to share the story of the US Army's 56th Medical Battalion, also i...
01:00:37
August 13, 2023
The Relief of Major General Terry de la Mesa Allen
The Relief of Major General Terry de la...
Following the Battle of Troina on Sicily, MG Terry Allen is relieved of command, along with his Deputy, Teddy Roos...
01:37:14
August 06, 2023
Operation Tidal Wave
Operation Tidal Wave
In this episode, Dr. Luke Truxal joins me again to talk Air Power in 1943 – this time we talk about Operation Ti...
01:45:59
August 06, 2023
The Biscari Massacre
The Biscari Massacre
In this episode Major Darren Johnson, an Active-Duty Infantry Officer teaching history at West Point, joins me aga...
00:45:06
July 27, 2023
Studying Operation Husky & Learning Hard Lessons in Sicily
Studying Operation Husky & Learning Har...
In this episode, MAJ Darren Johnson, an Active-Duty Infantry Officer teaching history at West Point, tells us abou...
00:36:28
July 27, 2023
Complicated Relations and Mussolini Gets Sacked
Complicated Relations and Mussolini Get...
In this episode I'm joined by Giulio Poggiaroni to talk about the Italians in Sicily in 1943 and Mussolini get...
00:57:06
July 25, 2023
The Thunderbird Division in Sicily
The Thunderbird Division in Sicily
Joining me in this episode is Dr. Denise Neil, Executive Director of the Oklahoma National Guard Museum. Dr. Neil ...
00:56:07
July 24, 2023
Combat Action and the Impact of Terrain in Sicily in 1943
Combat Action and the Impact of Terrain...
Joining me in this episode is Steven Clay who works with the Army University Press Combat Studies Institute Staff ...
01:19:56
July 23, 2023
US Army Transportation in 1943
US Army Transportation in 1943
In this episode, I'm joined by Matthew Fraas, the US Army Transportation Museum's Education Specialist, an...
01:04:46
July 22, 2023
Operation Husky & the Battle for Sicily (Part II)
Operation Husky & the Battle for Sicily...
With the help of Dr. Greg Hospodor and Dr. Lee Windsor, here is part two of two episodes that tell the story of th...
00:44:31
July 20, 2023
Operation Husky & the Battle for Sicily (Part I)
Operation Husky & the Battle for Sicily...
With the help of Dr. Greg Hospodor and Dr. Lee Windsor, here is part one of two episodes that tell the story of th...
01:48:11
July 20, 2023
The Story of CPT Joseph Berry at Gela, Sicily
The Story of CPT Joseph Berry at Gela, ...
Andrew Woods from the First Division Museum at Cantigny Park joins me again to talk more Army History, this time h...
00:28:31
July 16, 2023
US First Infantry Division (Part III): 1ID in Operation Husky & the Sicily Campaign
US First Infantry Division (Part III): ...
In this episode, retired US Army Colonel Greg Fontenot shares the third of three episodes on First Infantry Divisi...
00:53:39
July 15, 2023
US First Infantry Division (Part II): Gaining Experience
US First Infantry Division (Part II): G...
In this episode, retired US Army Colonel Greg Fontenot returns for the second of three episodes on First Infantry ...
00:59:04
July 15, 2023
US First Infantry Division (Part I): Interwar Changes Shaping the US Army
US First Infantry Division (Part I): In...
In this episode, retired US Army Colonel Greg Fontenot shares the first of three episodes on First Infantry Divisi...
00:32:28
July 15, 2023
Learning Organizations Under Fire
Learning Organizations Under Fire
In this episode, on the 80th anniversary of the start of Operation Husky, Dr. John Curatola, US Marine Corps veter...
01:26:41
July 10, 2023
Planning for Operation Husky & Joint Coalition Warfare
Planning for Operation Husky & Joint Co...
In this episode, Dr. Greg Hospodor, US Army TRADOC Chief of Military History Education and Curriculum, and Dr. Lee...
01:52:33
July 09, 2023
Panthers, Elephants, Tigers, and Guns: The Battle of Kursk and the German-Soviet Conflict
Panthers, Elephants, Tigers, and Guns: ...
Working alone, I have largely had to ignore the German-Soviet Conflict ("Eastern Front") because of bandwidth, but...
01:03:10
July 05, 2023
Zoot Suits, Housing, and Summer Heat: Racial Tensions on the Homefront in 1943
Zoot Suits, Housing, and Summer Heat: R...
TW: This episode does include discussion of violence, both real and in unsubstantiated rumors spread at the time. ...
01:26:39
July 04, 2023
National Mobilization, the Office of Emergency Management, and Unity of Effort
National Mobilization, the Office of Em...
Joining me in this episode is Quin Lucie, a Marine Corps veteran, lawyer, and senior policy analyst in the Office ...
01:23:00
July 02, 2023
Sustainment of a Theater of Operations
Sustainment of a Theater of Operations
In this episode, Dr. David Dworak, Provost of the US Army War College, shares how the Army learned to sustain a th...
00:47:20
June 30, 2023
Luck of the Draw
Luck of the Draw
In this episode I am joined by Chloe Melas, granddaughter of Frank Murphy who is the author of "Luck of the Draw: ...
00:31:29
June 29, 2023
Architect of Air Power: General Laurence S. Kuter
Architect of Air Power: General Laurenc...
Dr. Brian Laslie, Command Historian of the United States Air Force Academy, joins me in this episode to talk about...
00:42:17
June 27, 2023
OODA Loops, Optimism, and How Armies Learn: Lessons from the North Africa Campaign
OODA Loops, Optimism, and How Armies Le...
In this episode, Dr. Samuel Wallace helps explain the way the Allies were learning in 1942-43 throughout the final...
01:56:42
June 25, 2023
U-Boats, Wolfpacks, and the Hazards of Submarine Warfare
U-Boats, Wolfpacks, and the Hazards of ...
In this episode I'm joined by Alexander Dumont, a British Army Officer working at the US National Training Cen...
01:18:40
June 23, 2023
The US Navy in 1943
The US Navy in 1943
In this episode I am joined by Dr. Ryan Wadle, Associate Professor with the John B. Hattendorf Center for Maritime...
01:32:03
June 19, 2023
A Day in the Life of an RAF Bomber Crew
A Day in the Life of an RAF Bomber Crew
In this episode, historian and author Jane Gulliford Lowes tells us about the daily lives of Royal Air Force Bombe...
00:43:34
May 30, 2023
The Fly Girls Revolt
The Fly Girls Revolt
In this episode I'm joined by Dr. Eileen Bjorkman, retired US Air Force Colonel and author of the book The Fly Gir...
00:34:19
May 23, 2023
Command Relationships and Multinational Partnerships
Command Relationships and Multinational...
Dr. Christopher Rein joins me again, this time to talk about Command Relationships in 1943, although we got a litt...
01:18:26
May 23, 2023
Japanese-American Incarceration in WWII
Japanese-American Incarceration in WWII
Dr. Stephanie Hinnershitz, senior historian with the Institute for the Study of War and Democracy at the National ...
01:01:01
May 18, 2023
The American Air Campaign in North Africa
The American Air Campaign in North Afri...
In this episode I'm joined by Dr. Christopher Rein, a US Navy and US Air Force veteran, military historian, and ma...
01:04:45
May 15, 2023
The Story of Lieutenant Colonel Charles Denholm
The Story of Lieutenant Colonel Charles...
Andrew Woods from the First Division Museum at Cantigny Park joins me again to talk more Army History, this time h...
00:29:12
May 11, 2023
US Army Hospitals, Nurses, and Medical Units in the North Africa Campaign
US Army Hospitals, Nurses, and Medical ...
In this episode I am joined by Jessica Waszak, Assistant Curator at the First Division Museum at Cantigny Park. Je...
00:50:48
May 08, 2023
Operation Barclay, Operation Mincemeat, and Military Deception in 1943
Operation Barclay, Operation Mincemeat,...
In this episode I am joined by LTC Devon Cockrell, Deputy Commander of the 2nd Psychological Operations Group, and...
01:01:34
May 02, 2023
First Division at the Battle of El Guettar
First Division at the Battle of El Guet...
In this quick episode, I am joined by Andrew Woods, research historian at the First Division Museum at Cantigny Pa...
00:32:45
April 29, 2023
"Uniting Against the Reich"
"Uniting Against the Reich"
Dr. Luke Truxal joins me to talk about American Airpower in 1943 and the impact of the Casablanca Conference (Janu...
02:25:40
April 20, 2023
The "Jewish Question", the "Final Solution", and the Holocaust
The "Jewish Question", the "Final Solut...
TW: Holocaust episode In this episode, Dr. Benjamin Schneider shares the story of the Holocaust, which is somethi...
01:03:30
April 02, 2023
Hitler's Luftwaffe in Poland
Hitler's Luftwaffe in Poland
Trigger Warning: This episode discusses the Nazis and, although not graphic, we do talk about some of the violenc...
01:39:03
March 24, 2023
Brutal Things, Horrific Violence, and a Responsibility to the Victims
Brutal Things, Horrific Violence, and a...
Trigger Warning: This episode discusses the Nazis and, although not graphic, we do talk about some of the violence...
01:12:01
March 16, 2023
Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP)
Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP)
Dr. Sarah Myers joins me to talk about these amazing women pilots, fighting for their right to serve during WWII a...
00:57:20
March 08, 2023
Guadalcanal and the Pacific Theater
Guadalcanal and the Pacific Theater
In this first episode on the Pacific Theater of Operations (PTO), I'm joined by Kater Miller, a Marine Corps veter...
01:16:54
March 04, 2023
After Kasserine Pass
After Kasserine Pass
Dr. William Nance joins me in this episode to talk about the "growing up" we had to do following the losses in Feb...
01:03:12
February 26, 2023
The Tuskegee Airmen
The Tuskegee Airmen
Dr. Angela Riotto joins me to provide a good overview of the creation and challenges of the Tuskegee Airmen and wh...
01:01:16
February 20, 2023
The German Offensive, Sidi Bou Zid, and Kasserine Pass
The German Offensive, Sidi Bou Zid, and...
In this episode I'm joined by Dr. Mark Calhoun, a military historian with the Jenny Craig Institute for the Study ...
00:56:42
February 17, 2023
The 442d Infantry Regiment: Japanese-Americans in the US Army
The 442d Infantry Regiment: Japanese-Am...
Joining me is MAJ Benjamin Griffin, the Chief of the Military History Division at the US Military Academy (West Po...
00:45:28
February 11, 2023
FDR, Churchill, and the Casablanca Conference
FDR, Churchill, and the Casablanca Conf...
In this first episode of the Why We Fight ~ 1943 podcast, Paul Sparrow joins me to talk about FDR, Churchill, and ...
00:40:29
February 02, 2023
Why We Fight ~ 1943: Introduction
Why We Fight ~ 1943: Introduction
This is the Why We Fight ~ 1943 series podcast which features historians, experts, Army leaders, and other special...
00:15:25
January 29, 2023