Key Battles of American History

In this episode, Jacob and James conclude their discussion of the 1992 film The Last of the Mohicans, concluding the review (as always!) by rating the film on a scale of 0 to 5. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode Jacob and James discuss the epic 1992 film The Last of the Mohicans, which provides a fictionalized account of the 1757 French siege of Fort William Henry. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After the French defeat of British forces led by George Washington in 1754 and Edward Braddock in 1755, things did not improve for the British. In 1756 and 1757, French forces captured the British forts Bull, Ontario, Oswego, and WIlliam Henry, while the French navy blocked a British attempt to capture Louisbourg. Meanwhile, in London, the King searched for a leader who could turn the tide in Nort...

After the French refused the young George Washington’s request that they leave the Ohio Country, Washington took a greater force and tried again. It did not go well. The next year, the British sent a still larger force under General Edward Braddock to expel the French by force. Did Braddock succeed? Listen, and Jacob and James will let you know! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

By 1754, Great Britain and France had been fighting each other off and on for centuries. In the early seventeenth century, both empires began establishing colonies in North America, and both empires’ presence in the region grew over the next 150 years. As the British colonies looked to expand west and the French pushed south and east, conflict became inevitable. Join Jacob and James as they explor...

In this episode, James and new cohost Jacob Herr kick off a new series on the French and Indian War. You’ll want to catch every action-packed episode of this narrative of a little-known but crucial war for control of the region that later became the United States of America. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Sean and James conclude their discussion of the epic 2023 biopic Oppenheimer. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, James and Sean discuss the first half of the epic 2023 biopic Oppenheimer. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In February 1945, Major Rosenthal's plane is shot down over Berlin; he parachutes into no man's land and is rescued by the Red Army. The Germans evacuate Stalag Luft III, forcing the prisoners to march in freezing conditions; they are taken via train to Nuremberg before being interned at Stalag XIII. Cleven and two other officers escape, and Cleven makes it to Allied lines. Egan and the other pris...

In this episode, James and Sean McIver briefly tell the story of the Manhattan Project, the history-changing effort to develop an atomic bomb and end the Second World War. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Sean and James discuss Part 8, which introduces the heroic Tuskegee Airmen into the story. In June 1944, Captain Crosby conducts operational planning for two hundred bombing missions against Wehrmacht positions in France in preparation for Operation Overlord. Working for three straight days, he passes out and sleeps through D-Day. There is virtually no resistance from the Luftwaff...

In this episode, James welcomes historian, author, and YouTuber Jared Frederick back to the podcast. James and Jared discuss Jared’s exciting new book Into the Cold Blue, coauthored with WW2 veteran John Homan, who flew 35 missions as copilot of a B-24 bomber crew during 1944. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the Spring of 1944, the men of the 100th are upset to learn that the number of missions required for a crew to be discharged is being increased to twenty-eight. Captain Rosenthal completes his twenty-fifth mission, but decides to reenlist. Rosenthal is placed in command of the 350th. Captain Crosby begins an affair with ATS officer Westgate. Sgts. Quinn and Bailey return to base and are exempte...

In this episode, James interviews Carl Archer, an attorney, history buff, and Colonel in Early’s Raiders, about the war crimes tribunals that occurred after the Second World War. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Sean and James discuss Part 6, which takes us with Egan and Cleven into a German POW camp. October 1943; Major Egan is taken prisoner and almost dies after he and other downed pilots are attacked by civilians while being marched through a bombed town. He is taken to Dulag Luft for interrogation before being transferred to Stalag Luft III. There, he meets other comrades from the 10...

When you think about key centers of code breaking activity in the Second World War, what places come to mind? How about Bermuda? It has been said Bermuda was Britain’s number-one listening post during World War II.  In this episode, commissioned by Early's Raiders Major Joan Bellfort, James discusses the British Imperial Censorship Station on Bermuda, whose censors (many of whom were women) reveal...

The 100th returns from the Bremen mission after taking heavy casualties. Lt. Crosby replaces Captain Payne as the lead navigator and is promoted. Major Egan leads another bombing raid to Münster just days after the Bremen mission. The mission ends disastrously for the 100th after they are intercepted by swarms of fighters. All but one B-17, piloted by Lt. Rosenthal, are shot down. Having bailed fr...

In this episode, commissioned by Early's Raiders Col. Matt Schaper, James gives an overview of the 1832 U. S. Army war with Sac and Fox leader Black Hawk and his band of warriors. This war is little known, but it had a major impact on the history of the midwestern states and on the United States as a whole. Three future American presidents participated in the war. See omnystudio.com/listener for p...

In this episode, Sean and James discuss Part 4, a transitional episode. In October 1943, fresh B-17 crews, including Lt. Robert Rosenthal, arrive. The 100th bombs Bremen once again. Feeling the effects of combat exhaustion, Major Egan is sent on leave to London, where he has a one-night stand with a Polish war widow. Learning that Major Cleven did not return from Bremen, Egan returns to duty early...

In 1911, the U. S. Navy opened the Naval Training Station, Great Lakes, on the shore of Lake Michigan.  During the First World War, about 125,000 sailors trained there.  Later, during the Second World War, approximately one million naval personnel learned their skills at Great Lakes.  These included thousands of aviators, who practiced takeoffs and landings on three aircraft carriers that floated...

Discover the intricate balance between tradition and vulnerability in America's presidential succession process with legal scholar Roy E. Brownell II in this compelling bonus episode from "This American President" Stay informed and engaged with thought-provoking content from "This American President." Subscribe now to ensure you never miss an episode and follow on Apple or Spotify for updates, ins...

In August 1943, the 100th participates in the Schweinfurt–Regensburg mission to destroy aircraft manufacturing plants deep within Germany before traveling to meet the Twelfth Air Force in North Africa. Lt. Biddick and his co-pilot are killed when they crash trying to make an emergency landing in a forest clearing. Sergeant Quinn parachutes to safety after his B-17 is destroyed; he lands in Belgium...

On April 25, 1945, the U. S. 15th Air Force conducted the final major bombing run of an Axis-controlled city. The target was Linz, Austria. Linz was one of Nazi Germany's most vital assets. Not only was it a crucial transportation hub and communications center, it was also claimed by Hitler as his home town.  Linz was also heavily defended, making the raid hell for the American air crews.  In this...

Sean and James continue their discussion of Masters of the Air, this time reviewing Part 2, in which the 100th copes with its first combat losses. At a pub, RAF members challenge the American tactic of daytime raids; feeling disrespected, Lieutenant (Lt.) Curtis Biddick defeats a British pilot in a bare-knuckle boxing match. When Major Marvin Bowman is incapacitated by illness, Major Cleven is tas...

In this episode, Sean and James discuss the Battleship Texas’ service in World War II, its brief postwar service, its conversion to a museum ship, and the many efforts to refurbish it and keep it alive. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.