World on Fire: A History of the Second World War

In January 1943, the United States Army Air Forces would enact a new strategic bombing campaign against Nazi Germany. Their plan was simple, use a plane that could defend itself against ariel attackers and throw as many bombers as possible at one specific target. Unescorted Daylight Bombing would prove to be incredibly useful, but at what cost? Over 26,000 American airmen would lose their lives in...

On December 16th, 1944. After months of fighting in the Hurtgen and attempting to cross the Seigfried Line, the Germans launched their final major offensive of the war. Ultimately known as the Battle of the Bulge we will be discussing why it happened and why the City of Bastogne became such a focal point for the German Army on their push to Antwerp. In the mist of their own fight, the Waffen SS ca...

79 years ago today, over 350,000 soldiers and sailors began as Allied Supreme Commander, General Dwight D. Eisenhower said, the great crusade. Across 5 beach heads and dozens of drop zones across France, the Allies began their liberation of Western Europe. Spearheaded by the best available leaders, we will discuss the reason behind the landings and ultimate the fate of the men who landed feet firs...

In the second episode of our series on the Battle of the Hurtgen Forest, we will look directly to one signular command in the Allied push East. The 28th Infantry Division is one of the most storied American fighting divisions in the history of the US Army. The Pennsylvania National Guardsmen would be called upon to relive the 9th Infantry Division during the Battle of the Hurtgen under the command...

On September 19th, 1944 the United States Army officially launched their longest battle in history. The Battle of the Hurtgen Forrest would be a true testament of how desperate Nazi Germany was in defending their homeland. The push into the green abyss would generate over 33,000 casualties for the Americans. In the first part of this three-part series we will be discussing the man behind the plann...