Why We Fight ~ 1944

Sasha Lehtonen (MoT)

Season two of the largest Combined, Joint, Multinational Military History effort focuses on American and Allied Forces in Europe and the Pacific through 1944.

The 1943 series ended up with 108 episodes with contributions from across all US services, as well as contributions from our British and Canadian friends, and more.

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S2 · E80
August 5 · 1 hr 47 min
US Army Tank Destroyer Doctrine in World War II
Dr. Allen Skinner joins me in this episode to talk about Tank Destroyers and how their Doctrine changed during World War II. Links The US Army 1941 GHQ Maneuvers by Dr. Christopher Gabel (CMH https://history.army.mil/Publications/Publications-Catalog/US-Army-GHQ-Maneuvers-of-1941/) Seek, Strike, Destroy: US Army Tank Destroyer Doctrine inWorld War II by Dr. Christopher Gabel (Army University Press https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Portals/7/combat-studies-institute/csi-books/gabel2.pdf) (Ike Skelton Combined Arms Research Library https://cgsc.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16040coll3/id/118/) General Lesley J. McNair with Author Mark Calhoun at the National World War II Museum (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPtaeUd1aoI) General Lesley J. McNair: Unsung Architect of the US Army byMark Calhoun (https://www.amazon.com/General-Lesley-J-McNair-Architect-ebook/dp/B00WNEWGZS?ref_=ast_author_mpb) The Tank Killers: A History of America’s World War II TankDestroyer Force by Harry Yeide (https://www.amazon.com/Tank-Killers-History-Americas-Destroyer-ebook/dp/B0041D8342/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.1B6EUdX397mUZ1_pORa_8C1y1UNNdf4HkGzwzSqwZ-zj4plQolYfcypZKqJC4Ps1roXF15zAQJSMKpp15jn84W9XCbiAk37qCp0ONWejzD_SNxojpBWRfnD_rvSXW3xun_Lb92mtx7LJCq9Zihdcv0_8p54exZKgQV9tazWzkQgtpVEiDkO5g-qs1bKBYCmSSCRLlq_TP5ve0kVurk-RfPsaoF3M5Q-LxbMh6VKvNOE.kJAZ8RvC6D2bzO-Qc7CBhRFXaBI4qnsQ3uRx6v3OL-U&dib_tag=se&keywords=tank+killers&qid=1785934890&sr=8-1) CMH Green Books and other Collections (https://history.army.mil/Research/Series-and-Collections/) TankDestroyer dot Net (https://tankdestroyer.net/things/articles/166-seek-strike-and-destroy-us-army-tank-destroyer-doctrine-in-world-war-ii/) Understanding Combined Arms Warfare (Army University Press Films https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZOGdKANL5s) H. Allen Skinner, PhD (https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/do/search/?q=(author%3A%22Harold%20Allen%20Skinner%20Jr%22%20AND%20-bp_author_id%3A%5B*%20TO%20*%5D)%20OR%20bp_author_id%3A(%22f954002c-cb1f-49fe-948d-beefef9df183%22)&start=0&context=234296) (LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/allen-skinner-phd-725a1545/) Mother of Tanks website (⁠http://www.motheroftanks.com/podcast/⁠) Bonus Content (⁠https://www.patreon.com/c/motheroftanks⁠)
S2 · E79
June 14 · 1 hr 20 min
US Army Engineers in World War II
In this episode I'm joined by now-Major Jonathan Bratten to talk about the Engineers in WWII. We also talk a bit about his grandfather's experiences during the war, and occasionally get sidetracked talking about Doctrine then and now. Links The US Army GHQ Maneuvers of 1941 by Christopher Gabel (https://history.army.mil/portals/143/Images/Publications/catalog/70-41-1.pdf) US Army Center of Military History Collections (the Green Books are largely unavailable at the moment but I will include a link to the site anyway https://history.army.mil/Research/Series-and-Collections/) Mother of Tanks website (⁠http://www.motheroftanks.com/podcast/⁠) Bonus Content (⁠https://www.patreon.com/c/motheroftanks⁠) NEW Writing Website (https://www.sashalehtonen.com/about/) Buy Me a Coffee (https://buymeacoffee.com/motheroftanks)
S2 · E78
February 9 · 1 hr 16 min
The Laws of War, Military Justice, and a Nearly Impossible Task (Part II)
In this episode, Dr. Ben Schneider returns to continue the story of military justice, and it's limitations, in the US Army during the Second World War. We mention the Biscari Massacre, which was discussed in an episode with MAJ Darren Johnson, and also the first episode on this topic, so links to both episodes are below. Links The Biscari Massacre (Apple) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-biscari-massacre/id1558636084?i=1000622558585 (Spotify) https://open.spotify.com/episode/611cquMsnHWl4ohzK2IvNH?si=7vNYYS4wQ2OXxCE1pbpCQw The Laws of War, Military Justice, and a Nearly ImpossibleTask (Part I) (Apple) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-laws-of-war-military-justice-and/id1558636084?i=1000642337839 (Spotify) https://open.spotify.com/episode/4GYfXwZURuO9SPT5jpxB3q?si=IhRPo6SLSEOZuogliMuHaQ Mother of Tanks website (⁠http://www.motheroftanks.com/podcast/⁠) Bonus Content (⁠https://www.patreon.com/c/motheroftanks⁠)
S2 · E77
February 6 · 1 hr 39 min
War Comes to Aachen: The Nazis, Churchill, and the 'Stalingrad of the West'
In this episode, Dr. Philip Blood returns to talk about the Battle of Aachen which is the subject of his latest book, War Comes to Aachen: The Nazis, Churchill, and the 'Stalingrad of the West'. Links War Comes to Aachen (Amazon ⁠https://www.amazon.com/War-Comes-Aachen-Churchill-Stalingrad/dp/1911723693⁠) WW2TV Part 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHNorlGemTE WW2TV Part 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5J_IRkeDAFs&list=PLDG3XyxGI5lA8jsUPclS-2jakJlDdp_Hk&index=3 Mother of Tanks website (http://www.motheroftanks.com/podcast/) Bonus Content (https://www.patreon.com/c/motheroftanks)
S2 · E76
Jul 20, 2025 · 1 hr 26 min
African American Service in WWII & The Story of Alonzo Swann
Dr. Regina Akers joins me in this episode to talk about African American service in the Second World War, as well as a discussion of available resources for those researching this topic. She then tells of the story of Alonzo Swann and his journey to finally receiving the Navy Cross. Links Mother of Tanks website (⁠http://www.motheroftanks.com/podcast/⁠) Bonus Content (⁠https://www.patreon.com/c/motheroftanks⁠)
S2 · E75
Jul 20, 2025 · 58 min
The Battle Off Samar
Retired US Navy Lieutenant Commander and Director of the USS Kidd Museum in Louisiana Parks Stephenson joins me to talk about the Battle Off Samar, and his experience diving for and finding the wreck of the USS Johnston. Links USS Kidd Museum Ship (https://www.usskidd.com/) Mother of Tanks website (http://www.motheroftanks.com/podcast/) Bonus Content (https://www.patreon.com/c/motheroftanks)
S2 · E74
Jul 20, 2025 · 47 min
Kamikazes in the Pacific
Navy veteran and historian Guy Nasuti joins me in this episode to talk about the Kamikazes in the Pacific during World War II. Links On the Verge of Breaking Down Completely: Surviving the Kamikaze off Okinawa, 1945 by Guy Nasuti https://www.history.navy.mil/research/publications/publications-by-subject/on-the-verge-of-breaking-down-completely.html Mother of Tanks website (http://www.motheroftanks.com/podcast/) Bonus Content (https://www.patreon.com/c/motheroftanks)
S2 · E72
Jul 20, 2025 · 1 hr 53 min
The Battle of Leyte Gulf
In this episode, Dr. James Young joins me to talk about the Battle of Leyte Gulf. James is also an author of a number of alternative history novels and his work is linked below. Links Dr. James Young -- Author (Amazon) (US Naval Institute) Mother of Tanks website (⁠http://www.motheroftanks.com/podcast/⁠) Bonus Content (⁠https://www.patreon.com/c/motheroftanks⁠)
S2 · E72
Jun 6, 2025 · 1 hr 25 min
Where There’s Foo, There’s Fire: The Mystery of the Foo Fighters Over Europe
In this episode, Ian Brown, a retired US Marine Corps pilot, joins me to talk about Foo Fighters, Unexplained Anomalous Phenomena, and other weird sightings noted by World War II Night Fighter Pilots. Links A New Conception of War: John Boyd, The U.S. Marines, and Maneuver Warfare by Ian T. Brown (https://www.usmcu.edu/Outreach/Marine-Corps-University-Press/Books-by-topic/MCUP-Titles-A-Z/A-New-Conception-of-War/) Mother of Tanks website (⁠http://www.motheroftanks.com/podcast/⁠) Bonus Content (⁠https://www.patreon.com/c/motheroftanks⁠)
S2 · E71
May 31, 2025 · 1 hr 22 min
The 82d Airborne Division in Operation Market Garden
In this episode, retired US Army Brigadier General John Aarsen, Director of the 82d Airborne Division War Memorial Museum, joins me to talk about the 82d Airborne in Operation Market Garden. Links Mother of Tanks website (⁠http://www.motheroftanks.com/podcast/⁠) Bonus Content (⁠https://www.patreon.com/c/motheroftanks⁠)
S2 · E70
May 22, 2025 · 1 hr 58 min
Preparing for Market Garden
Dr. Roger Cirillo joins me again in this episode to talk about the preparations for Operation Market Garden, as well as an overview of the operation. This episode complements the next episode will include a closer look from the perspective of the 82d Airborne Division. Roger mentions several other events and concepts for which there are related episodes so I will link to those below. Links LSCO, MDMP, Finite Resources, and Planning for Week 2 (Apple) (Spotify) The Battle of Cherbourg (Apple) (Spotify) The Red Ball Express (Apple) (Spotify) Mother of Tanks website (http://www.motheroftanks.com/podcast/) Bonus Content (https://www.patreon.com/c/motheroftanks)
S2 · E69
May 11, 2025 · 1 hr 9 min
The Battle of Noemfoor Island: Operation Cyclone & Operation Table Tennis
In this episode, Troy Lewis returns to share the story of the Battle of Noemfoor, with Operation Cyclone involving the 158th Regimental Combat Team of the Arizona Army National Guard, and Operation Table Tennis involving the 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment, which belongs to the 173rd Airborne Brigade, based at Vicenza, Italy today. The Battle of Noemfoor Island is one of the Virtual Staff Rides offered by the Army's Staff Ride Team, located at Army University Press within the Combat Studies Institute. Links Noemfoor Virtual Staff Ride – Army University Press CombatStudies Institute Staff Ride Team (https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Staff-Rides/Virtual-Staff-Ride/Noemfoor-VSR/) Staff Ride Walk Book: Battle of Noemfoor Island, 2 JUL – 31 AUG 1944 (https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Portals/7/educational-services/staff-rides/VSR/Noemfoor-VSR/2.%20Noemfoor%20Instructor%20Notes%20(Exportable)%20-%2028%20August%202024.pdf) US Army in World War II, The War in the Pacific (GreenBooks) The Approach to the Philippines by Robert Ross Smith Chapter 17: Operations on Noemfoor Island (https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USA/USA-P-Approach/USA-P-Approach-17.html) Multi-Domain Battle in the Southwest Pacific Theater of World War II by Christopher M. Rein (https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Portals/7/combat-studies-institute/csi-books/multi-domain-battle-in-the-southwest-pacific-theater-of-world-war-II.pdf) US Army Center of Military History – New Guinea 24 JAN 1943 – 31 DEC 1944 by Edward J. Drea (https://history.army.mil/Portals/143/Images/Publications/Publication%20By%20Title%20Images/C%20Img/campaigns-wwii/pdf/24.pdf) Noemfoor Island, Dutch New Guinea – Australian War Memorial (https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/OG1237) Mother of Tanks website (http://www.motheroftanks.com/podcast/) Bonus Content (⁠https://www.patreon.com/c/motheroftanks⁠)
S2 · E68
Apr 28, 2025 · 53 min
Fighters Over Europe Part II
Returning to talk US Army Air Force Fighters in Europe is Dr. Graham Cross, senior lecturer in American History at the Manchester Metropolitan University. If you missed the 1943 episode on US AAF Fighters, I will link it below, but Graham does include a bit of recap here and there when the comparison between 1943 and 1944 is necessary to understand the bigger picture. Links Fighters Over Europe: Attritional Warfare and the Americanization of the Air War in 1943 Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fighters-over-europe-attritional-warfare-and/id1558636084?i=1000637292734 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/episode/1Oky2TII3Szr5sJ5fP3X2f?si=wvE1-_znQMSUBE7WUxtz-w The Wings of Democracy: The Influence of Air Power on the Roosevelt Administration 1933-1941 by Jeffery S. Underwood (https://www.amazon.com/Wings-Democracy-Administration-Williams-Ford-University/dp/0890963886/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3536RMETOY5RU&keywords=the+wings+of+democracy&qid=1701545518&sprefix=the+wings+of+democracy%2Caps%2C492&sr=8-1) Global Mission by Henry Harley "Hap" Arnold (https://www.amazon.com/Global-Mission-Military-Classics-Harley/dp/0830640045/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1701545606&sr=8-2) Uniting Against the Reich: The American Air War in Europe (https://www.amazon.com/Uniting-against-Reich-American-Aviation-ebook/dp/B0BNWH7VM9/ref=sr_1_1?crid=12FBIQVTQCTSX&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.S2vfDtzRETrY7_DXeR4l9Q.wlqWbxFgY8IKQ5S67P0tSFcEcB63_HxVlPltYXibkj4&dib_tag=se&keywords=luke+truxal&qid=1745770194&sprefix=luke+truxal%2Caps%2C448&sr=8-1) Mother of Tanks website (http://www.motheroftanks.com/podcast/) Bonus Content (https://www.patreon.com/c/motheroftanks)
S2 · E67
Apr 20, 2025 · 59 min
Operation Cherryblossom & The US Army at Bougainville Part II
Returning to continue the story of Bougainville from the 1943 series is Troy Lewis, US Army veteran and part of the Army University Press Combat Studies Institute Staff Ride Team. Troy picks up with a brief recap from the previous episode and takes us through the end of the fighting to when the island is handed off to the Australians. Links Operation Cherryblossom & The US Army at Bougainville in 1943 (Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/episode/78tcDYYqfqBqUHjP3tEHQy) (Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/operation-cherryblossom-the-us-army-at-bougainville-1943/id1558636084?i=1000642074493) Staff Ride Walk Book: Japanese Counterattacks on Bougainville Island, 8-25 MAR 1944 (https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Portals/7/educational-services/staff-rides/VSR/Bougainville/Bougainville%20Instructor%20Notes%20(Exportable)%20-%2025%20August%202023.pdf) CSI Staff Ride Team - Bougainville: Defending the Lodgment, Virtual Staff Ride (https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Staff-Rides/Virtual-Staff-Ride/Bougainville-VSR/) US Army CMH - Northern Solomons (https://history.army.mil/Portals/143/Images/Publications/Publication%20By%20Title%20Images/C%20Img/campaigns-wwii/pdf/28.pdf) Mother of Tanks website (http://www.motheroftanks.com/podcast/) Bonus Content (https://www.patreon.com/c/motheroftanks)
S2 · E66
Mar 31, 2025 · 1 hr 13 min
The Red Ball Express
Joining me in this episode are Dr. Chris Carey and returning guest Tim Gilhool to talk about the Red Ball Express. Both Chris and Tim worked on the Army University Press film covering the Red Ball Express, and Tim is a retired Logistics Officer who currently serves as the Command Historian for CASCOM - the US Army's Combined Arms Support Command. Links The Red Ball Express: Past Lessons for Future Wars byChristopher Carey, PhD (https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Journals/Military-Review/English-Edition-Archives/March-April-2021/Carey-Red-Ball-Express/) France ’44: Combat Success & The Red Ball Express – ArmyUniversity Press (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6WCFwUrKrA) “Keep ‘em Rolling” African American Participation in the RedBall Express by Edna Freene Medfor and Michael Frazier (https://transportation.army.mil/history/studies/red_ball_express.html) Red Ball Express: The Road to Victory (https://www.fdmuseum.org/collection/online-exhibits/red-ball-express/) Mother of Tanks website (http://www.motheroftanks.com/podcast/) Bonus Content (https://www.patreon.com/c/motheroftanks)
S2 · E65
Mar 16, 2025 · 45 min
The US 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division in Southern France 1944
Dr. John McManus returns to continue the story of the US 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, which enters the fighting in France through the south during Operation Dragoon. This is one of the many stories included in Dr. McManus's book American Courage, American Carnage, which is linked below. Links American Courage, American Carnage: The 7th Infantry Regiment's Combat Experience, 1812 Through World War II by John C. McManus (https://www.amazon.com/American-Courage-Carnage-Chronicles-Experience/dp/0765320126) Mother of Tanks website (http://www.motheroftanks.com/podcast/) Bonus Content (https://www.patreon.com/c/motheroftanks)
S2 · E64
Mar 16, 2025 · 47 min
Operation Dragoon
Dr. David Murphy joins me to talk about some of the many details of Operation Dragoon, the invasion of Southern France following the invasion of Normandy. Often ignored or overlooked because it was overshadowed by the Normandy Invasion, but it is still an important part of this story and it ties in with the next episode which covers the US 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division in Southern France. Links Operation Dragoon: The Invasion of Southern France, 15 August 1944 (https://www.history.navy.mil/browse-by-topic/wars-conflicts-and-operations/world-war-ii/1944/operation-dragoon.html) First to the Rhine: The 6th Army Group in World War II by Harry Yeide and Mark Stout (https://www.amazon.com/-/es/First-Rhine-Army-Group-World/dp/0760331464) Mother of Tanks website (http://www.motheroftanks.com/podcast/) Bonus Content (https://www.patreon.com/c/motheroftanks)
S2 · E63
Mar 9, 2025 · 1 hr 32 min
Victory at Mortain: Stopping Hitler's Panzer Counteroffensive
In this episode, retired US Army Lieutenant Colonel Mark Reardon joins me to talk about Operation Lüttich, one of two counteroffensives the Germans launched following the Allied invasion at Normandy in the summer of 1944; the second being the Battle of the Bulge. Mark provides significant detail from his book, Victory at Mortain: Stopping Hitler's Panzer Counteroffensive, which I will link to below, and he also adds some additional insight he has gained since publishing the book. Links Victory at Mortain: Stopping Hitler's Panzer Counteroffensive by Mark Reardon (https://www.amazon.com/Victory-Mortain-Stopping-Hitlers-Counteroffensive/dp/0700612955) Mother of Tanks website (http://www.motheroftanks.com/podcast/) Bonus Content (https://www.patreon.com/c/motheroftanks)
S2 · E62
Feb 25, 2025 · 1 hr 2 min
India and the Second World War
In this episode, Dr. Robert Lyman joins me to talk about India, the Indian Army, and the Second World War, which is an important topic that has largely been missing from this series except for a few episodes I mention at the start of this episode and will link to below. Those three episode are with guest Christopher Kolakowski, the Director of the Wisconsin Veterans Museum, who contributed stories about the Chindits, Merrill's Marauders, and the Battles of Imphal and Kohima. Links Dr. Robert Lyman (https://robertlyman.com/about/) Merrill's Marauders (https://open.spotify.com/episode/3CDZBHcffpQgzoLlTI7ZAJ?si=_HxstZfARMq7NEeojy5STQ) The Chindits & Operation THURSDAY: Long-Range Penetration Groups in the C-B-I Theater (https://open.spotify.com/episode/4aPf5yOJCvsxbqLdbnE35Z?si=aXOgA4eOTba_Byod0zpk4Q) The Battles of Imphal & Kohima (https://open.spotify.com/episode/2QI6dJyTbp4Pdp8zZAiNKM?si=rKgzezw5RWy_2POUOg6yvg) A War of Empires: Japan, India, Burma & Britain 1941-45 by Robert Lyman (Amazon) Victory to Defeat: The British Army 1918-1940 by Richard Dannatt & Robert Lyman (Amazon) Japan's Last Bid for Victory: The Invasion of India 1944 by Robert Lyman (Amazon) Slim, Master of War: Burma and the Birth of Modern Warfare by Robert Lyman (Amazon) Nations in the Balance: The India-Burma Campaign DEC 1943 - AUG 1944 by Christopher Kolakowsi (Amazon) Mother of Tanks website (http://www.motheroftanks.com/podcast/) Bonus Content (https://www.patreon.com/c/motheroftanks)
S2 · E61
Feb 17, 2025 · 1 hr 31 min
EOD History & US Army Bomb Disposal in World War II
Retired US Army Sergeant Major Mike Vining joins me in this episode to talk about the history of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Branch and Bomb Disposal during World War II. He also talks with me about his 30 year Army career in both EOD and Delta Force and some of his accomplishments as an EOD historian. Links EOD Warrior Foundation (https://eodwarriorfoundation.org/) Retired Sergeant Major Paved Way for EOD Technicians in Elite Special Forces Unit (https://www.army.mil/article/263293/retired_sergeant_major_paved_way_for_eod_technicians_in_elite_special_forces_unit) It's A Blast! Podcast -- SGM Mike Vining: From EOD to Military Legend (https://youtu.be/5bJ30HryCEQ?si=HWur_JsXAJSn4qt3) Troop Support Supports EOD Mission as National Observance Nears -- National Explosive Ordnance Disposal Day is the first Saturday in May (DLA Article) Mother of Tanks website (http://www.motheroftanks.com/podcast/) Bonus Content (https://www.patreon.com/c/motheroftanks)

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