Stay ConnectedSeason 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.
Copyright: © 474917
This is part one of three episodes contributed to the D-Day part of the 1944 series by retired US Army Lieutenant Colonel Steve Clay, who recently retired from the Staff Ride Team at the Army University Press Combat Studies Institute. Steve contributed last year in the 1943 series and has multiple contributions for 1944 starting with this episode on the 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division following the Sicily Campaign when the Division moved to the UK and began training for the invasion of France. Steve prepared a PowerPoint Presentation to go with the episode and you can find the download here, at the bottom of the Podcast notes, right above the embedded podcast episodes: http://www.motheroftanks.com/podcast/
Links
Army University Press Combat Studies Institute: Invasion of Normandy Virtual Staff Ride
No Sacrifice Too Great: The 1st Infantry Division in World War II
Seven Months to D-Day: An American Regiment in Dorset
Lineage and Honors Information: 16th Infantry Regiment
A Historical Examination of Military Records of US Army Suicide, 1819-2017
Why We Fight Bonus Content (https://www.patreon.com/motheroftanks)
***Language Warning***
In this episode, I'm joined by retired Sergeant Major Ken Ramos, of U.S Army W.T.F! Moments fame, to talk about the Ghost Army. This recording is actually nearly double the length, but some of our commentary got off the Ghost Army topic, though still all related, so I am releasing the full episode on Patreon for those that want to listen to "Mother of Tanks" and "The IO Guy" banter for nearly 3 hours. In the linked below, there are some of the things mentioned in the recording incase anyone wants to see what Ken is talking about when he mentions Operation Copperhead and the Monty look-alike.
Links
Military Deception (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_deception)
Operation Copperhead (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Copperhead)
M. E. Clifton James (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M._E._Clifton_James)
A Genius for Deception: How Cunning Helped the British Win Two World Wars
Message Drafter by GEN Eisenhower in Case the D-Day Invasion Failed
Air Force, Army Permit Wear of Uniforms Off Base (FEB 2022)
U.S Army W.T.F! Moments (https://www.facebook.com/usawtfm)
The IO Guy (https://twitter.com/TheIOGuy)
Why We Fight Bonus Content (https://www.patreon.com/motheroftanks)
In this episode I'm joined by US Army Major Paul Hill to help talk about Military Deception (MILDEC) and other efforts leading up to D-Day in June 1944 in an effort to ensure success for the Allies. This is one of two episodes that discuss MILDEC efforts for D-Day.
Links
Military Deception (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_deception)
A Genius for Deception: How Cunning Helped the British Win Two World Wars
Why We Fight Bonus Content (https://www.patreon.com/motheroftanks)
Returning to talk more US First Infantry Division history is retired US Army Colonel Greg Fontenot, author of No Sacrifice Too Great: The 1st Infantry Division in World War II. In last year's 1943 series, COL Fontenot talked about the history if 1ID and their experiences in the North Africa and Sicily Campaigns before they were given orders to the UK. In this episode, COL Fontenot continues the story of the First Division, telling of their time in England preparing for D-Day, including the integration of replacements and dispelling some common myths.
Links
No Sacrifice Too Great: The 1st Infantry Division in World War II
Why We Fight Bonus Content (https://www.patreon.com/motheroftanks)
Dr. Bill Nance joins me with some back history to help us better appreciate what we're talking about now, essentially explaining how we got the US Army we had in June 1944 going into Normandy. In the course of that discussion, there are topics of contemporary relevance too, such as Large Scale Combat Operations (LSCO), the Military Decision Making Process (MDMP), the impact of finite resources, and planning for what happens in week two. Several publications are mentioned so they are linked below, and Dr. Steve Waddell is also mentioned, the guest in the preceding episode. Links Command Decisions by Kent Roberts Greenfield The 90-Division Gamble by Maurice Matloff America's First Battles 1776-1965 by Charles E. Heller and William A. Stofft (editors) Commanding Professionalism: Simpson, Moore, and the Ninth US Army by Dr. William Stuart Nance Why We Fight Bonus Content (https://www.patreon.com/motheroftanks) Building an American Army 1939-1941 (Saved Threads from the first series)
With Dr. Steve Waddell joining me, this episode includes details of the logistical needs and efforts that supported the D-Day landings and the Normandy Campaign 80 years ago in 1944. This is one of a sequence of episodes discussing the Normandy Campaign and its various aspects. Dr. Waddell mentions Cherbourg and the Mulberries, both of which have episodes coming up, and there is an episode with Dr. Bill Nance who will mention working with Dr. Waddell also. Links By Dr. Steve Waddell
By Dr. David Dworak
From the Center of Military History
Why We Fight Bonus Content (https://www.patreon.com/motheroftanks)
In this episode, Niels Henkemans joins me to talk about the German preparations prior to the invasion of France in June 1944. Niels is a historian who has conducted extensive research into the Germans and the Allies at Normandy and helps fill the important gap of what the Germans were doing in the months leading up to the invasion. His books are linked below, along with a couple of books from the US Army's Center of Military History which are mentioned in the episode. Links Defending Normandy, Vol. 1A: German Chain of Command, LXXXIV A.K. & Infantry Divisions on the Contentin
Defending Normandy, Vol. 1B: German Infantry Divisions on the Contentin - Part II
Why We Fight - Bonus Content (https://www.patreon.com/motheroftanks)
In this first episode of the D-Day 80 part of the Why We Fight series, Dr. Roger Cirillo joins me to talk about the planning for Operation Overlord and the invasion of northwestern France, which was initially planned for May 1944, then scheduled for 5 June and postponed a day due to weather. Roger talks about how the planning actually began years before the Allies even committed to a timeline and date for the operation. Links Ardennes-Alsace: 16 December 1944 - 25 January 1945 by Roger Cirillo (https://history.army.mil/html/books/072/72-26/CMH_Pub_72-26(75th-Anniversary).pdf) Why We Fight Bonus Content (https://www.patreon.com/motheroftanks)
In this episode, Melissa Davis, Director of Library and Archives at The George C. Marshall Foundation, joins me to talk about General Marshall and his personal life, including a family tragedy that took place 80 years ago in 1944, less than a week before Operation Overlord commenced with D-Day. Links Follow Melissa on Twitter @MelissasLibrary The Death of LT Allen Brown (https://www.marshallfoundation.org/articles-and-features/allen-brown/) "I Was A Fair Army Wife" (https://www.marshallfoundation.org/articles-and-features/i-was-a-fair-army-wife/) Why We Fight Bonus Content (https://www.patreon.com/motheroftanks)
Back again is Kevin Hymel to continue the story of General Patton. This time we talk about Patton's trip to England, some colorful behavior, and Willie the dog. If you missed Kevin's episode in last year's 1943 series, it's season 1 episode 47. Links Patton's War: An American General's Combat Leadership Vol. 1 Patton's War: An American General's Combat Leadership Vol. 2 Patton's Photographs: War as He Saw It Historian Kevin Hymel's Article on the 6888th Being Made into a Movie 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion "No Mail, Low Morale": The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion Why We Fight Bonus Content
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