The History of WWII Podcast

Though faulty reports, the Americans will claim an impressive victory. Then comes a chance for something greater. Meanwhile the Japanese invasion force is waiting for their carriers to wipe out Fletcher’s Task Force 17. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With imperfect information, both sides strike at the other. Still, Adm. Fletcher’s potential to wreck havoc is greater than the Japanese. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Japanese opening move at the Battle of the Coral Sea is dealt a blow by Adm. Fletcher and the pilots of the Yorktown.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Returning to the Pacific Theater, after Pearl Harbor the Japanese run wild. But Adm. Nimitz seeks ways to sting the enemy until the U.S. is ready to bring the fight to the enemy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gen. Patton is now a hero of the War Effort and the American people. But then his temper will limit his usefulness to the American cause. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gen. Patton will order a third amphibious end run, but by now Gen. Truscott’s 3rd division is traveling faster than ever. Meanwhile, being bold the Germans and Italians manage to evacuate most of their men from Sicily. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Patton orders a second end run and Bernard’s men end up trapped atop a height. Soon they are running out of ammunition and their phone lines are cut.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bruce Henderson comes on to discuss the Bomber Crews that dropped secret agents and supplied to the French Resistance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Germans at San Fratello are holding out, so Gen. Patton wants an amphibious landing behind them to trap the enemy. But. Lt. Col. Bernard’s men land in the wrong place. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

American divisions are moving east, but soon the 45th and 1st need to be replaced. They are fatigued and some are committing act unbecoming a US Soldier. Meanwhile, Gen. Patton orders and amphibious end run to speed up the capture of Sicily. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While the Big Red One pushing east just above the Canadians, the 45th Infantry Division moves east along the north coast road. Italian units are pushed aside, but then comes a line manned by Germans. Four US Army machine gunners were sacrifice themselves. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Germans have a plan to stop the Allies from reaching Messina. Problem is, their plans end up in the hands of the Allies.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With Sicily about to fall, the Germans prepare to evacuate their troops, not so much the Italians. Meanwhile, the Allies discuss what comes next at the First Quebec Conference where someone leaves behind notes to Operation Overlord. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Monty’s plan to swing left has failed. Now he wants Patton’s help who still does not trust the British. During this a slight British officer pulls off a miracle. Meanwhile the fighting on Sicily is felt in Rome as Mussolini is voted out of power. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Monty’s 8th Army can’t push on north to Catania, so he has other forces swing to the left. But this 3 prong attack fails as well. Ordering his men to go on the defensive, Monty calls in more troops from North Africa. Meanwhile, Patton is planning his drive east, to Messina. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Durham Light Infantry will lose hundreds of men so the Primosole Bridge can be held.  This after the heavy losses of the 1st Parachute Brigade. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One bridge down, one to go for Monty’s 8th Army. But friendly fire will disrupt Operation Fustian before it starts, leaving the British paratroopers trapped by Axis forces. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With Palermo taken by the Americans, we turn to Monty’s rush up north. But first bridges had to be secured. One bridge would cost many Allied lives. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gen. Patton is free to go after Palermo, but only after telling his superior half truths. Meanwhile, Gen. Omar Bradley has to head north alone, taking on the Germans trying to retreat to Mt. Etna. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The invasion of Sicily goes well for the Allies. But soon Monty gets greedy, which slows down the offensive and upsets the Americans. Patton doesn’t scream unfair. Instead, he makes plans. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The imperfect amphibious landings by the Allies is matched by the imperfect defense of the Axis forces on Sicily. With the Allies firmly onshore, the Axis change their defensive plans. But the American’s success is marred by a horrendous friendly fire accident. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Writer Jack El-Hai's book is now a major motion picture staring Russel Crowe and Rami Malek. Hermann Goring is captured and questioned by Dr. Douglas M Kelley who discovers that what happened in 1930's Germany can happen anywhere. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Americans come ashore at three locations. Suffering relatively few deaths from Axis hands, the weather and waves were a different story. Either way, elements of Gen. Patton’s 7th Army are on Sicily. Producer Credit-Kath Hach. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In between the Allied air attacks and the invasion forces of Operation Husky, special forces come ashore. And one group is the SRS, formerly, David Sterling’s SAS, the Special Air Service. But now in charge is Maj. Paddy Mayne, The Irish Lion.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Before the main assault of Operation Husky, airborne troops need to take key positions. But the first night time glider operations will not go well. Hundreds die before the fighting can start. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices