Advertise on podcast: Why We Fight ~ 1944

Dr. Allen Skinner joins me in this episode to talk about Tank Destroyers and how their Doctrine changed during World War II. Links The US Army 1941 GHQ Maneuvers by Dr. Christopher Gabel (CMH https://history.army.mil/Publications/Publications-Catalog/US-Army-GHQ-Maneuvers-of-1941/)Seek, Strike, Destroy: US Army Tank Destroyer Doctrine inWorld War II by Dr. Christopher Gabel (Army University Press https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Portals/7/combat-studies-institute/csi-books/gabel2.pdf)(Ike Skelton Combined Arms Research Library https://cgsc.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16040coll3/id/118/)General Lesley J. McNair with Author Mark Calhoun at the National World War II Museum (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPtaeUd1aoI)General Lesley J. McNair: Unsung Architect of the US Army byMark Calhoun (https://www.amazon.com/General-Lesley-J-McNair-Architect-ebook/dp/B00WNEWGZS?ref_=ast_author_mpb)The Tank Killers: A History of America’s World War II TankDestroyer Force by Harry Yeide (https://www.amazon.com/Tank-Killers-History-Americas-Destroyer-ebook/dp/B0041D8342/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.1B6EUdX397mUZ1_pORa_8C1y1UNNdf4HkGzwzSqwZ-zj4plQolYfcypZKqJC4Ps1roXF15zAQJSMKpp15jn84W9XCbiAk37qCp0ONWejzD_SNxojpBWRfnD_rvSXW3xun_Lb92mtx7LJCq9Zihdcv0_8p54exZKgQV9tazWzkQgtpVEiDkO5g-qs1bKBYCmSSCRLlq_TP5ve0kVurk-RfPsaoF3M5Q-LxbMh6VKvNOE.kJAZ8RvC6D2bzO-Qc7CBhRFXaBI4qnsQ3uRx6v3OL-U&dib_tag=se&keywords=tank+killers&qid=1785934890&sr=8-1) CMH Green Books and other Collections (https://history.army.mil/Research/Series-and-Collections/)TankDestroyer dot Net (https://tankdestroyer.net/things/articles/166-seek-strike-and-destroy-us-army-tank-destroyer-doctrine-in-world-war-ii/)Understanding Combined Arms Warfare (Army University Press Films https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZOGdKANL5s) H. Allen Skinner, PhD (https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/do/search/?q=(author%3A%22Harold%20Allen%20Skinner%20Jr%22%20AND%20-bp_author_id%3A%5B*%20TO%20*%5D)%20OR%20bp_author_id%3A(%22f954002c-cb1f-49fe-948d-beefef9df183%22)&start=0&context=234296)(LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/allen-skinner-phd-725a1545/)Mother of Tanks website (⁠http://www.motheroftanks.com/podcast/⁠) Bonus Content (⁠https://www.patreon.com/c/motheroftanks⁠)

In this episode I'm joined by now-Major Jonathan Bratten to talk about the Engineers in WWII. We also talk a bit about his grandfather's experiences during the war, and occasionally get sidetracked talking about Doctrine then and now. Links The US Army GHQ Maneuvers of 1941 by Christopher Gabel (https://history.army.mil/portals/143/Images/Publications/catalog/70-41-1.pdf) US Army Center of Military History Collections (the Green Books are largely unavailable at the moment but I will include a link to the site anyway https://history.army.mil/Research/Series-and-Collections/) Mother of Tanks website (⁠http://www.motheroftanks.com/podcast/⁠)   Bonus Content (⁠https://www.patreon.com/c/motheroftanks⁠) NEW Writing Website (https://www.sashalehtonen.com/about/) Buy Me a Coffee (https://buymeacoffee.com/motheroftanks)

In this episode, Dr. Ben Schneider returns to continue the story of military justice, and it's limitations, in the US Army during the Second World War. We mention the Biscari Massacre, which was discussed in an episode with MAJ Darren Johnson, and also the first episode on this topic, so links to both episodes are below. Links The Biscari Massacre (Apple) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-biscari-massacre/id1558636084?i=1000622558585(Spotify) https://open.spotify.com/episode/611cquMsnHWl4ohzK2IvNH?si=7vNYYS4wQ2OXxCE1pbpCQwThe Laws of War, Military Justice, and a Nearly ImpossibleTask (Part I) (Apple) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-laws-of-war-military-justice-and/id1558636084?i=1000642337839(Spotify) https://open.spotify.com/episode/4GYfXwZURuO9SPT5jpxB3q?si=IhRPo6SLSEOZuogliMuHaQMother of Tanks website (⁠http://www.motheroftanks.com/podcast/⁠) Bonus Content (⁠https://www.patreon.com/c/motheroftanks⁠)

In this episode, Dr. Philip Blood returns to talk about the Battle of Aachen which is the subject of his latest book, War Comes to Aachen: The Nazis, Churchill, and the 'Stalingrad of the West'. Links War Comes to Aachen (Amazon ⁠https://www.amazon.com/War-Comes-Aachen-Churchill-Stalingrad/dp/1911723693⁠) WW2TV Part 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHNorlGemTE WW2TV Part 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5J_IRkeDAFs&list=PLDG3XyxGI5lA8jsUPclS-2jakJlDdp_Hk&index=3 Mother of Tanks website (http://www.motheroftanks.com/podcast/) Bonus Content (https://www.patreon.com/c/motheroftanks)

Dr. Regina Akers joins me in this episode to talk about African American service in the Second World War, as well as a discussion of available resources for those researching this topic. She then tells of the story of Alonzo Swann and his journey to finally receiving the Navy Cross. Links Mother of Tanks website (⁠http://www.motheroftanks.com/podcast/⁠) Bonus Content (⁠https://www.patreon.com/c/motheroftanks⁠)

Retired US Navy Lieutenant Commander and Director of the USS Kidd Museum in Louisiana Parks Stephenson joins me to talk about the Battle Off Samar, and his experience diving for and finding the wreck of the USS Johnston. Links USS Kidd Museum Ship (https://www.usskidd.com/) Mother of Tanks website (http://www.motheroftanks.com/podcast/) Bonus Content (https://www.patreon.com/c/motheroftanks)

Navy veteran and historian Guy Nasuti joins me in this episode to talk about the Kamikazes in the Pacific during World War II. Links On the Verge of Breaking Down Completely: Surviving the Kamikaze off Okinawa, 1945 by Guy Nasuti https://www.history.navy.mil/research/publications/publications-by-subject/on-the-verge-of-breaking-down-completely.html Mother of Tanks website (http://www.motheroftanks.com/podcast/) Bonus Content (https://www.patreon.com/c/motheroftanks)

In this episode, Dr. James Young joins me to talk about the Battle of Leyte Gulf. James is also an author of a number of alternative history novels and his work is linked below. Links Dr. James Young -- Author (Amazon) (US Naval Institute) Mother of Tanks website (⁠http://www.motheroftanks.com/podcast/⁠) Bonus Content (⁠https://www.patreon.com/c/motheroftanks⁠)

In this episode, Ian Brown, a retired US Marine Corps pilot, joins me to talk about Foo Fighters, Unexplained Anomalous Phenomena, and other weird sightings noted by World War II Night Fighter Pilots. Links A New Conception of War: John Boyd, The U.S. Marines, and Maneuver Warfare by Ian T. Brown (https://www.usmcu.edu/Outreach/Marine-Corps-University-Press/Books-by-topic/MCUP-Titles-A-Z/A-New-Conception-of-War/) Mother of Tanks website (⁠http://www.motheroftanks.com/podcast/⁠) Bonus Content (⁠https://www.patreon.com/c/motheroftanks⁠)

In this episode, retired US Army Brigadier General John Aarsen, Director of the 82d Airborne Division War Memorial Museum, joins me to talk about the 82d Airborne in Operation Market Garden. Links Mother of Tanks website (⁠http://www.motheroftanks.com/podcast/⁠)   Bonus Content (⁠https://www.patreon.com/c/motheroftanks⁠)

Dr. Roger Cirillo joins me again in this episode to talk about the preparations for Operation Market Garden, as well as an overview of the operation. This episode complements the next episode will include a closer look from the perspective of the 82d Airborne Division. Roger mentions several other events and concepts for which there are related episodes so I will link to those below. Links LSCO, MDMP, Finite Resources, and Planning for Week 2 (Apple) (Spotify)The Battle of Cherbourg (Apple) (Spotify)The Red Ball Express (Apple) (Spotify) Mother of Tanks website (http://www.motheroftanks.com/podcast/) Bonus Content (https://www.patreon.com/c/motheroftanks)

In this episode, Troy Lewis returns to share the story of the Battle of Noemfoor, with Operation Cyclone involving the 158th Regimental Combat Team of the Arizona Army National Guard, and Operation Table Tennis involving the 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment, which belongs to the 173rd Airborne Brigade, based at Vicenza, Italy today. The Battle of Noemfoor Island is one of the Virtual Staff Rides offered by the Army's Staff Ride Team, located at Army University Press within the Combat Studies Institute. Links   Noemfoor Virtual Staff Ride – Army University Press CombatStudies Institute Staff Ride Team (https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Staff-Rides/Virtual-Staff-Ride/Noemfoor-VSR/) Staff Ride Walk Book: Battle of Noemfoor Island, 2 JUL – 31 AUG 1944 (https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Portals/7/educational-services/staff-rides/VSR/Noemfoor-VSR/2.%20Noemfoor%20Instructor%20Notes%20(Exportable)%20-%2028%20August%202024.pdf)  US Army in World War II, The War in the Pacific (GreenBooks) The Approach to the Philippines by Robert Ross Smith Chapter 17: Operations on Noemfoor Island (https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USA/USA-P-Approach/USA-P-Approach-17.html)   Multi-Domain Battle in the Southwest Pacific Theater of World War II by Christopher M. Rein (https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Portals/7/combat-studies-institute/csi-books/multi-domain-battle-in-the-southwest-pacific-theater-of-world-war-II.pdf)  US Army Center of Military History – New Guinea 24 JAN 1943 – 31 DEC 1944 by Edward J. Drea (https://history.army.mil/Portals/143/Images/Publications/Publication%20By%20Title%20Images/C%20Img/campaigns-wwii/pdf/24.pdf) Noemfoor Island, Dutch New Guinea – Australian War Memorial (https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/OG1237) Mother of Tanks website (http://www.motheroftanks.com/podcast/) Bonus Content (⁠https://www.patreon.com/c/motheroftanks⁠)

Returning to talk US Army Air Force Fighters in Europe is Dr. Graham Cross, senior lecturer in American History at the Manchester Metropolitan University. If you missed the 1943 episode on US AAF Fighters, I will link it below, but Graham does include a bit of recap here and there when the comparison between 1943 and 1944 is necessary to understand the bigger picture. Links Fighters Over Europe: Attritional Warfare and the Americanization of the Air War in 1943 ​Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fighters-over-europe-attritional-warfare-and/id1558636084?i=1000637292734 ​Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/episode/1Oky2TII3Szr5sJ5fP3X2f?si=wvE1-_znQMSUBE7WUxtz-w The Wings of Democracy: The Influence of Air Power on the Roosevelt Administration 1933-1941 by Jeffery S. Underwood (https://www.amazon.com/Wings-Democracy-Administration-Williams-Ford-University/dp/0890963886/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3536RMETOY5RU&keywords=the+wings+of+democracy&qid=1701545518&sprefix=the+wings+of+democracy%2Caps%2C492&sr=8-1) Global Mission by Henry Harley "Hap" Arnold (https://www.amazon.com/Global-Mission-Military-Classics-Harley/dp/0830640045/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1701545606&sr=8-2) Uniting Against the Reich: The American Air War in Europe (https://www.amazon.com/Uniting-against-Reich-American-Aviation-ebook/dp/B0BNWH7VM9/ref=sr_1_1?crid=12FBIQVTQCTSX&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.S2vfDtzRETrY7_DXeR4l9Q.wlqWbxFgY8IKQ5S67P0tSFcEcB63_HxVlPltYXibkj4&dib_tag=se&keywords=luke+truxal&qid=1745770194&sprefix=luke+truxal%2Caps%2C448&sr=8-1) Mother of Tanks website (http://www.motheroftanks.com/podcast/) Bonus Content (https://www.patreon.com/c/motheroftanks)

Returning to continue the story of Bougainville from the 1943 series is Troy Lewis, US Army veteran and part of the Army University Press Combat Studies Institute Staff Ride Team. Troy picks up with a brief recap from the previous episode and takes us through the end of the fighting to when the island is handed off to the Australians. Links Operation Cherryblossom & The US Army at Bougainville in 1943 (Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/episode/78tcDYYqfqBqUHjP3tEHQy) (Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/operation-cherryblossom-the-us-army-at-bougainville-1943/id1558636084?i=1000642074493) Staff Ride Walk Book: Japanese Counterattacks on Bougainville Island, 8-25 MAR 1944 (https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Portals/7/educational-services/staff-rides/VSR/Bougainville/Bougainville%20Instructor%20Notes%20(Exportable)%20-%2025%20August%202023.pdf) CSI Staff Ride Team - Bougainville: Defending the Lodgment, Virtual Staff Ride (https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Staff-Rides/Virtual-Staff-Ride/Bougainville-VSR/) US Army CMH - Northern Solomons (https://history.army.mil/Portals/143/Images/Publications/Publication%20By%20Title%20Images/C%20Img/campaigns-wwii/pdf/28.pdf) Mother of Tanks website (http://www.motheroftanks.com/podcast/) Bonus Content (https://www.patreon.com/c/motheroftanks)

Joining me in this episode are Dr. Chris Carey and returning guest Tim Gilhool to talk about the Red Ball Express. Both Chris and Tim worked on the Army University Press film covering the Red Ball Express, and Tim is a retired Logistics Officer who currently serves as the Command Historian for CASCOM - the US Army's Combined Arms Support Command. Links The Red Ball Express: Past Lessons for Future Wars byChristopher Carey, PhD (https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Journals/Military-Review/English-Edition-Archives/March-April-2021/Carey-Red-Ball-Express/)   France ’44: Combat Success & The Red Ball Express – ArmyUniversity Press (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6WCFwUrKrA) “Keep ‘em Rolling” African American Participation in the RedBall Express by Edna Freene Medfor and Michael Frazier (https://transportation.army.mil/history/studies/red_ball_express.html) Red Ball Express: The Road to Victory (https://www.fdmuseum.org/collection/online-exhibits/red-ball-express/) Mother of Tanks website (http://www.motheroftanks.com/podcast/) Bonus Content (https://www.patreon.com/c/motheroftanks)