Why We Fight ~ 1944

In this episode I'm joined by US Army Major Paul Hill to help talk about Military Deception (MILDEC) and other efforts leading up to D-Day in June 1944 in an effort to ensure success for the Allies. This is one of two episodes that discuss MILDEC efforts for D-Day. Links Military Deception (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_deception) The Ghost Army of World War II: How One Top-Secret Unit Deceived the Enemy with Inflatable Tanks, Sound Effects, and Other Audacious Fakery A Genius for Deception: How Cunning Helped the British Win Two World Wars Why We Fight Bonus Content (https://www.patreon.com/motheroftanks)

Returning to talk more US First Infantry Division history is retired US Army Colonel Greg Fontenot, author of No Sacrifice Too Great: The 1st Infantry Division in World War II. In last year's 1943 series, COL Fontenot talked about the history if 1ID and their experiences in the North Africa and Sicily Campaigns before they were given orders to the UK. In this episode, COL Fontenot continues the story of the First Division, telling of their time in England preparing for D-Day, including the integration of replacements and dispelling some common myths. Links No Sacrifice Too Great: The 1st Infantry Division in World War II Why We Fight Bonus Content (https://www.patreon.com/motheroftanks)

Dr. Bill Nance joins me with some back history to help us better appreciate what we're talking about now, essentially explaining how we got the US Army we had in June 1944 going into Normandy. In the course of that discussion, there are topics of contemporary relevance too, such as Large Scale Combat Operations (LSCO), the Military Decision Making Process (MDMP), the impact of finite resources, and planning for what happens in week two. Several publications are mentioned so they are linked below, and Dr. Steve Waddell is also mentioned, the guest in the preceding episode. Links Command Decisions by Kent Roberts Greenfield The 90-Division Gamble by Maurice Matloff America's First Battles 1776-1965 by Charles E. Heller and William A. Stofft (editors) Commanding Professionalism: Simpson, Moore, and the Ninth US Army by Dr. William Stuart Nance Why We Fight Bonus Content (https://www.patreon.com/motheroftanks) Building an American Army 1939-1941 (Saved Threads from the first series)

With Dr. Steve Waddell joining me, this episode includes details of the logistical needs and efforts that supported the D-Day landings and the Normandy Campaign 80 years ago in 1944. This is one of a sequence of episodes discussing the Normandy Campaign and its various aspects. Dr. Waddell mentions Cherbourg and the Mulberries, both of which have episodes coming up, and there is an episode with Dr. Bill Nance who will mention working with Dr. Waddell also. Links By Dr. Steve Waddell United States Army Logistics: The Normandy Campaign, 1944 United States Army Logistics: From the American Revolution to 9/11 By Dr. David Dworak War of Supply: World War II Allied Logistics in the Mediterranean From the Center of Military History The Organization and Role of the Army Service Forces Logistics in World War II: Final Report of the Army Service Forces United States Army Logistics: 1775-1992 Global Logistics and Strategy, 1940-1943 Global Logistics and Strategy, 1943-1945 Why We Fight Bonus Content (https://www.patreon.com/motheroftanks)

In this episode, Niels Henkemans joins me to talk about the German preparations prior to the invasion of France in June 1944. Niels is a historian who has conducted extensive research into the Germans and the Allies at Normandy and helps fill the important gap of what the Germans were doing in the months leading up to the invasion. His books are linked below, along with a couple of books from the US Army's Center of Military History which are mentioned in the episode. Links Defending Normandy, Vol. 1A: German Chain of Command, LXXXIV A.K. & Infantry Divisions on the Contentin Defending Normandy, Vol. 1B: German Infantry Divisions on the Contentin - Part II Cross-Channel Attack Breakout and Pursuit Why We Fight - Bonus Content (https://www.patreon.com/motheroftanks)

In this first episode of the D-Day 80 part of the Why We Fight series, Dr. Roger Cirillo joins me to talk about the planning for Operation Overlord and the invasion of northwestern France, which was initially planned for May 1944, then scheduled for 5 June and postponed a day due to weather. Roger talks about how the planning actually began years before the Allies even committed to a timeline and date for the operation. Links Ardennes-Alsace: 16 December 1944 - 25 January 1945 by Roger Cirillo (https://history.army.mil/html/books/072/72-26/CMH_Pub_72-26(75th-Anniversary).pdf) Why We Fight Bonus Content (https://www.patreon.com/motheroftanks)

In this episode, Melissa Davis, Director of Library and Archives at The George C. Marshall Foundation, joins me to talk about General Marshall and his personal life, including a family tragedy that took place 80 years ago in 1944, less than a week before Operation Overlord commenced with D-Day. Links Follow Melissa on Twitter @MelissasLibrary The Death of LT Allen Brown (https://www.marshallfoundation.org/articles-and-features/allen-brown/) "I Was A Fair Army Wife" (https://www.marshallfoundation.org/articles-and-features/i-was-a-fair-army-wife/) Why We Fight Bonus Content (https://www.patreon.com/motheroftanks)

Back again is Kevin Hymel to continue the story of General Patton. This time we talk about Patton's trip to England, some colorful behavior, and Willie the dog. If you missed Kevin's episode in last year's 1943 series, it's season 1 episode 47. Links Patton's War: An American General's Combat Leadership Vol. 1 Patton's War: An American General's Combat Leadership Vol. 2 Patton's Photographs: War as He Saw It Historian Kevin Hymel's Article on the 6888th Being Made into a Movie 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion "No Mail, Low Morale": The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion Why We Fight Bonus Content

In this episode I'm joined by Richard and Eddie O'Sullivan to share more of the story of the 38th Irish Brigade along with their father's story of serving with this unit during the Second World War. You can follow and support Richard and Eddie on Twitter @irishbrigadeww as well as their own website, which are linked below. Links Irish Brigade: The story of the 38th (Irish) Brigade in the Second World War (https://www.irishbrigade.co.uk/) @irishbrigadeww (https://twitter.com/irishbrigadeww) MoT Website (http://www.motheroftanks.com/podcast/) Why We Fight Bonus Content (https://www.patreon.com/motheroftanks) Army University Press Podcast Dropzone (https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Podcasts/#why-we-fight)

Joining me again are LTC Ben Griffin and US Army veteran Daniel Kim to help continue the story of the "One-Puka-Puka" or the 100th Infantry Battalion, comprised of Japanese-Americans, fighting their way through Italy in early 1944. Links Why We Fight Bonus Content (https://www.patreon.com/motheroftanks) Asian-Pacific Americans in the U.S. Army: 442d Regimental Combat Team (https://history.army.mil/html/topics/apam/442rct.html) Go For Broke: The 442nd Regimental Combat Team (National WWII Museum Article)