Why We Fight ~ 1944

Joining me in this episode wrapping up the Sicily Campaign is Lt.Col. Brian Kerg. This is actually the second episode we recorded but the first to be released in the series. In the course of recording the other episode, Brian let slip that he covered the Axis retreat from Sicily in August 1943 when he attended the Marine Corps' School of Advanced Warfighting (SAW) and I twisted his arm to cover it for this series. He also gives a fantastic overview of the school and its benefits, and encourages other officers, Marine and otherwise, to consider it. Definitely stick around for that part at the end!

Dr. David Dworak joins me again, this time to talk about how we administer a theater of operations, using the Allied invasion of Sicily and the Mediterranean Theater of Operations (MTO) as the example for 1943. If you missed Dr. Dworak's earlier episode on sustaining a theater of operations, that was episode 26 of this year's 1943 series. And if you're interested in learning more about the MTO, maybe check out Dr. Dworak's book War of Supply: World War II Allied Logistics in the Mediterranean, and the US Army's Center of Military History publications on Logistics, Sustainment, and related aspects of WWII operations. Links War of Supply: World War II Allied Logistics in the Mediterranean (https://www.amazon.com/War-Supply-Logistics-Mediterranean-Military/dp/0813183774) The US Army Center of Military History has quite a few books on Army Logistics, Sustainment, and other aspects of the war, for anyone looking to learn more: https://history.army.mil/books/wwii/11-9/11-9c.htm www.motheroftanks.com

In this episode, Dr. Frank Blazich Jr. joins me to talk about magic boxes, military innovation, and "miraculous American pontoons". Dr. Blazich is a fantastic storyteller and he will be back soon to talk about War Pigeons too. Links Inventors and Innovators: Naval Lighterage and Anglo-American Success in the Amphibious Invasions of German-Occupied Europe (https://tnm.journals.yorku.ca/index.php/default/article/view/155 You can download the article here - https://tnm.journals.yorku.ca/index.php/default/article/download/155/149/211) US Navy Pontoon Technology at HUSKY and OVERLORD presented by Dr. Frank A. Blazich Jr., PhD, Curator (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lI3U0ekCLO8) Frank Blazich, Curator, Military History - National Museum of American History (https://americanhistory.si.edu/profile/1298)

In this episode, Dr. John McManus joins me to talk about the 7th Infantry Regiment (the "Cottonbalers") and the 3rd Infantry Division in Sicily in 1943, their difficult fight through the island, and a bit of foreshadowing as the units prepare to head into Italy. John has another episode that will continue this story for 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd ID in Italy through the end of 1943. Links Dr. John McManus (https://johncmcmanus.com/) The 7th Infantry Regiment - Combat in an Age of Terror: The Korean War Through the Present (https://johncmcmanus.com/books/the-7th-infantry-regiment-combat-in-an-age-of-terror-the-korean-war-through-the-present/) The Deadly Brotherhood: The American Combat Soldier in World War II (https://johncmcmanus.com/books/the-deadly-brotherhood-the-american-combat-soldier-in-world-war-ii/) Somebody Talked! The Official Podcast of the National D-Day Memorial (https://www.dday.org/someone-talked-podcast/) We Have Ways USA (https://wehavewayspod.com/episodes/) Autobahn to Berchtesgaden: A Combat Soldier's View of His Role in World War II as Seen From the Lower Ranks Looking Up by LTC Sherman W. Pratt (https://www.amazon.com/Autobahn-Berchtesgaden-combat-soldiers-looking/dp/B0006EZ5RI) http://www.motheroftanks.com/

Joining me in this episode is retired Brigadier General John Aarsen who is currently the Director of the 82d Airborne Division War Memorial Museum located at Fort Liberty in North Carolina. John shares how he uses the story of the 82d Airborne Division in Sicily to help train Soldiers today. Links Museum Website (https://www.82ndairbornedivisionmuseum.com/)

In this episode I'm joined by Dirk Ringgenberg, US Army Veteran and Assistant Professor of Military History at the Command and General Staff College (CGSC). Dirk talks to us about the Airborne jumps made by the 505th and 504th Parachute Infantry from the 82d Airborne Division as part of Operation Husky, the Allied Invasion of Sicily in 1943. He also discusses the challenges of both Airborne and Armored Warfare in Sicily at this time. Links https://armyuniversity.edu/cgsc/cgss/dmh/Faculty Pershing Lecture Series: The Evolution of Battlefield Communications (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BAaaQAC6yU) Operation Northern Delay: The US Airborne Invasion of Iraq (The Dole Institute) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDe8ghOq86U)

In this episode I'm joined by Dr. Mike Pavelec, Director of the Schriever Space Scholars US Space Force education at Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). We talk about Operation Crossbow, and more specifically Operation Hydra -- the RAF raid on Peenemunde. This was an interesting twist because I was not expecting a US Space Force contribution to this series on World War II, but here we are! Enjoy :) Links You can find Dr. Pavelec's books here: https://www.amazon.com/Books-S-Mike-Pavelec/s?rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3AS.+Mike+Pavelec US Space Force Schriever & West Space Force Scholars Program (ILE & SLE) Schriever Space Scholars Program - ILE (https://sais.jhu.edu/admissions/masters-program-admissions/how-apply/us-military-and-veteran-applicants/us-space-force-schriever-west-space-scholars-program-ile-sle/intermediate-level-education)

TW: This episode does mention suicide at least once in reference to someone Patton knew. In this episode I'm joined by Dr. Sanders Marble from the Army Medical Department Center of History and Heritage. Dr. Marble helps tell the story of the infamous slapping incidents involving LTG George Patton during the Sicily Campaign in 1943, but he doesn't stop there. Links AMEDD Center of History & Heritage (https://achh.army.mil/)

Joining me in this episode is retired US Army Colonel John Antal, author of some of my favorite books and also appeared in the documentary series Patton 360. COL Antal talks with us about Patton in Sicily, with emphasis on Patton's leadership and what made Patton a great leader and what makes the Sicily Campaign worth studying. "Every battle that Patton fought was a case study in how to fight combined arms and Joint operations." Links Next War: Reimagining How We Fight (https://amzn.to/3YzYlnD) Infantry Combat: The Rifle Platoon - An Interactive Exercise in Small-Unit Tactics and Leadership (https://amzn.to/3QDzPA4) Armor Attacks: The Tank Platoon - An Interactive Exercise in Small-Unit Tactics and Leadership (https://amzn.to/3OWmotX) Combat Team: The Captain's War - An Interactive Exercise in Company Level Command in Battle (https://amzn.to/3OuWT1k) 7 Leadership Lessons of D-Day (https://amzn.to/3QFFJAO) http://www.motheroftanks.com/ads-sponsors-and-affiliate-links/

TW: This episode includes mention of someone taking their own life and also mention of the accusing of Black French soldiers of sexual assault. These are not graphic in nature, just adding a trigger warning in case anyone is sensitive to these topics. Historian and author Kevin Hymel joins me in this episode to talk about George S. Patton Jr. This is marked a "Part I" as Kevin has promised to come back and continue the story. He will also talk about the "Six-Triple-Eight" Postal Battalion, about which he wrote an article that inspired an upcoming Netflix film made by Tyler Perry. Kevin is also an Ambrose Historical Tours guide leading the "In Patton's Footsteps" tour. Links Patton's War: An American General's Combat Leadership Vol. 1 (https://amzn.to/459qGUg) Patton's War: An American General's Combat Leadership Vol. 2 (https://amzn.to/3OCx2V8) Patton's Photographs: War as He Saw It (https://amzn.to/3YxSbV2) Historian Kevin Hymel's Article on the 6888th Being Made into a Movie (https://stephenambrosetours.com/historian-kevin-hymels-article-on-the-6888th-to-be-made-into-a-movie/) 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion (https://armyhistory.org/6888th-central-postal-directory-battalion/) "No Mail, Low Morale": The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion (https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Journals/Military-Review/English-Edition-Archives/Jan-Feb-2019/Warrington-Mail/) http://www.motheroftanks.com/ads-sponsors-and-affiliate-links/