Why We Fight ~ 1944

Joining me in this episode is Christopher Kolakowski, the director of the Wisconsin Veterans Museum. Chris tells the story of Merrill's Marauders, a unit akin to a task force - a unit that had no identity, no past, and was intended to have no future - and how that unit is connected to our modern day 75th Ranger Regiment. Links United States Army in World War II: China-Burma-India Theater Stilwell's Mission to China (https://history.army.mil/html/books/009/9-1/CMH_Pub_9-1.pdf) Stilwell's Command Problems (https://history.army.mil/html/books/009/9-2/CMH_Pub_9-2.pdf) Time Runs Out in CBI (https://history.army.mil/html/books/009/9-3/CMH_Pub_9-3.pdf) Why We Fight Bonus Content (https://www.patreon.com/motheroftanks)

In this episode, Lt.Col. Brian Kerg tells the story of the Battle of Kwajalein, part of Operation Flintlock. The Battle of Kwajalein began on 31 JAN 1944 and continued for several days into February. At this time we see the US Army and US Marine Corps commanders applying the lessons learned just a couple of months earlier at Tarawa, as well as some comparisons to what the Americans and Allies are experiencing in Italy around the same time. Links Coral and Brass by Holland M. Smith (https://www.amazon.com/Coral-Brass-Holland-M-Smith/dp/1548048631) Eastern Mandates: The US Army Campaigns in World War II (https://history.army.mil/html/books/072/72-23/CMH_Pub_72-23.pdf) The Eastern Mandates Campaign: A Staff Ride Guide for Operation FLINTLOCK - The Seizure of Kwajalein Atoll (https://www.smdc.army.mil/Portals/38/Documents/Publications/History/Staff%20Ride/CompleteBook.pdf) The United States Army in World War II - The War in the Pacific: Seizure of the Gilberts and Marshalls (https://history.army.mil/html/books/005/5-6-1/CMH_Pub_5-6-1.pdf) Marines in World War II - Commemorative Series Breaking the Outer Ring: Marine Landings in the Marshall Islands (https://www.usmcu.edu/Portals/218/Breaking%20the%20Outer%20Ring-Marine%20Landing%20in%20the%20Marshall%20Islands%20PCN%2019000312400.pdf?ver=2018-10-30-102929-470) Why We Fight Bonus Content (https://www.patreon.com/motheroftanks)

Joining me in this episode is Dr. John Curatola, the Samuel Zemurray Stone Senior Historian at the National World War II Museum. John talks about "Big Week" which took place 80 years ago this week, from 20 to 25 February 1944, and how this began the shift in how we employed our air forces to try to better utilize this important "tool of war". We also see a shift in the Luftwaffe as they begin to accept the reality that they can no longer realistically keep up with the losses they are suffering, which is undermining the Axis ability to utilize their air power as a "tool of war". Links National WWII Museum Digital Resources (https://www.ww2online.org/) John Curatola, PhD (https://www.nationalww2museum.org/contributors/john-curatola-phd) Autumn of Our Discontent: Fall 1949 and the Crisis in American National Security (https://www.amazon.com/Autumn-Our-Discontent-American-National/dp/1682476200/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1701003497&sr=8-1) Bigger Bombs for a Brighter Tomorrow: The Strategic Air Command and the American War Plans at the Dawn of the Atomic Age, 1945-1950 (https://www.amazon.com/Bigger-Bombs-Brighter-Tomorrow-Strategic/dp/0786494190/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1701003552&sr=8-3) No Quarter Given: The Change in Strategic Bombing Application in the Pacific Theater During World War II (https://www.amazon.com/No-Quarter-Given-Strategic-Application-ebook/dp/B06XGJ2DQM/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2U36YERQFF9IO&keywords=no+quarter+given%2C+the+change+in+strategic+bombing&qid=1701003598&sprefix=no+quartr+given%2C+the+change+in+strategic+bombing%2Caps%2C158&sr=8-1) Why We Fight Bonus Content (https://www.patreon.com/motheroftanks)

Returning in this episode is historian and genealogist Dave Gutierrez to continue the story of his cousin and the only Mexican-American US Army unit to fight in World War II, the subject of his book "Patriots from the Barrio". Toward the end of the episode, Dave also talks about his upcoming book about Oscar Perdomo and his fellow fighter pilots in WWII. Links Author Dave Gutierrez (https://authordavegutierrez.com/) Patriots from the Barrio: The Story of Company E, 141st Infantry - The Only All Mexican American Army Unit in World War II (https://www.amazon.com/Patriots-Barrio-Company-Infantry-American/dp/1594163286/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1704031977&sr=8-1) P-47 Restoration (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQGDkIjZDyQ) Oscar Perdomo (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oscar_F._Perdomo) Why We Fight Bonus Content (https://www.patreon.com/motheroftanks)

Dr. Sanders Marble returns in this episode to talk about US Army Hospitals and Medical Care at Anzio in January 1944, the typical emergency care process for soldiers injured in the fighting or falling ill during this battle, medical evacuations, and the medical care options available near the front thanks to Army Hospitals that were set up at the Anzio Beachhead. We also talk about the presence of Army Nurses (all women) at these Anzio Beachhead hospitals, providing medical and surgical care with fighting just miles away. Links United States Army in World War II - The Technical Services The Medical Department: Medical Service in the Mediterranean and Minor Theaters (https://history.army.mil/html/books/010/10-8/CMH_Pub_10-8.pdf) 56th Evacuation Hospital (https://www.med-dept.com/unit-histories/56th-evacuation-hospital/) 95th Evacuation Hospital (https://www.med-dept.com/unit-histories/95th-evacuation-hospital/) Why We Fight Bonus Content (https://www.patreon.com/motheroftanks)

Dr. John McManus joins me in this episode to continue the story of the US 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, as they fight at Anzio starting in January 1944. 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/) Why We Fight Bonus Content (https://www.patreon.com/motheroftanks)

Joining me in this episode is COL Bryan Gibby, Associate Professor and Deputy Head of the Department of History at West Point. COL Gibby talks about the Battle of Anzio, Operation Shingle, in January/February 1944, and some of the tough lessons we were learning at this time 80 years ago. Links Anzio Beachhead (https://history.army.mil/html/books/100/100-10/CMH_Pub_100-10.pdf) Anzio 1944 (https://history.army.mil/html/books/072/72-19/CMH_Pub_72-19.pdf) Anzio Maps (https://history.army.mil/html/bookshelves/resmat/wwii/part03ETO/anzio/sec04.html) General Lucas at Anzio (https://history.army.mil/books/70-7_13.htm) Why We Fight Bonus Content (https://www.patreon.com/motheroftanks)

Kicking off the 1944 series, I'm joined by British Army veteran and Italy Battlefields tour narrator Frank de Planta to talk about the first of four Battles of Monte Cassino, the impact this battle was intended to have on Operation Shingle, the landings at Anzio, the impact that actually resulted, and the mess we find ourselves in 80 years ago in January 1944. Links Cassino Battlefields (http://www.cassinobattlefields.co.uk/about/) US Army Center of Military History - Italy WWII Maps (https://history.army.mil/html/bookshelves/resmat/wwii/part03ETO/anzio/sec04.html) US Army CMH Video - Anzio Landings in Italy, Monte Cassino, Russian Offensive in Romania WWII Newsreel 70842 (https://history.army.mil/html/bookshelves/resmat/wwii/part03ETO/anzio/sec05.html) Anzio Beachhead (https://history.army.mil/html/books/100/100-10/CMH_Pub_100-10.pdf) Anzio (https://history.army.mil/html/books/072/72-19/CMH_Pub_72-19.pdf) Series Website (www.motheroftanks.com) Bonus Series Content on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/motheroftanks)

The conclusion of the Battle of Ortona with Dr. Lee Windsor and Major Jayson Geroux, and also the conclusion of the Why We Fight ~ 1943 series :)

In this last 2-part episode of the 1943 series, Canadian Army Major Jayson Geroux and Dr. Lee Windsor (University of New Brunswick, Gregg Centre) join me to talk about this important urban warfare battle that took place in December 1943. Part II will be out shortly and then we will dive into the 1944 series.