The History of WWII Podcast - by Ray Harris Jr

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

The planning for Operation Husky was anything but smooth and comprehensive. Everyone had a dog in this fight, but in the end, Monty won. Meanwhile, Mussolini is tempted to pull out of the war. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After the Allies decide that Sicily is the next target, first the smaller islands nearby have to be taken. Thus Operation Corkscrew begins. Meanwhile, there are those in Italy who are thinking, perhaps the time has come to talk to the Allies. And thanks to WWII Podcast Producer- Adam Dach. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Battle at Kasserine Pass is remembered as an American failure. Perhaps, but not a defeat. The Allies still held the ground and had learned much about modern warfare. Which was the point of fighting in North Africa first. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bizerte and Tunis have surrendered, but several German and Italian armies are still hiding in Tunisia. The British make sure the enemy does not retreat within the Cap Bon Peninsula, while the Americans start to rebuild Bizerte. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the Americans and French in the north and the British in the south, the last holdouts of Axis forces in Tunisia are pushed against the wall of Tunisia. Yet American mistakes and British caution will cause a few more casualties before the fighting is over. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The last battle of North Africa approaches. Problem is, everyone wants to command this battle. But the Germans aren't finished yet. Just 48 hours before Operation Strike starts, a shipment of ammunition and fuel reaches the various panzer divisions.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosts Tony Lupo and Ryan Fairfield join me as share interview clips from two veterans. A young man who saw the atrocities first hand and a pilot who flew with Chuck Yeager. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 2nd US Corps had its own large assignment, to drive east just under the northern coast. But Hill 609 dominates the area and German guns at its summit are targeting everything in reach, including Gen. Allen's Big Red One. Alternate title, American Honor Is Restored. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Before the last two port cities can be taken from the Axis, Longstop Hill has to be recovered. And here, the Germans are ready with heavy mortar teams and machine gun nests.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The final battle is coming, but first Monty and Von Arnim will try for spoiling attacks. Neither get far, thus it comes down to Operation Vulcan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Before finishing off the Axis forces in North Eastern Tunisia, Gen. Alexander wants them starved of ammunition and petrol. Thus Operation Flax is created. The land/air bridge between Sicily and Tunisia is to be severed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Axis forces in southern Tunisia retreat, the Allies follow. But miscommunication and American failures threaten Anglo-American relations, again. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Allied attack through the Tebaga Pass gets underway. It starts well until the sand storms come. Meanwhile, Patton's attack starts out well, until the American tanks run into a minefield. All this causes arguments amongst the Allied High Command. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the Mareth Line battle still uncertain and Freyberg's left flank attack still pending, Gen. Patton is called on again to attack. But the 10th Panzer Division comes at Patton's 1st US Infantry Division. The Americans are about to be tested again. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Battle of the Mareth Line begins. It starts out well, but then rain and a bad decision by the British give the Axis enough time to react. Meanwhile, Patton's tanks push closer towards the coast, hoping to relieve Monty. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Prof. David Nasaw comes on to discuss his book, The Wounded Generation: Coming Home After WWII. The GI Bill was the least Washington could do for the returning GIs, not that they were all treated equally. Mr. Nasaw brings stories and lessons that should not be forgotten. Book release-10/14/25. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Allied forces in Tunisia, now designated the 18th Army gets a new leader, Harold Alexander. He wants training and new leadership. So on his way from Casablanca is Gen. Patton. Meanwhile, Rommel is out as the North African Axis Commander. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rommel needs a spoiling attack against Monty. His attack plan is not great, but Monty's defense plan is.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rome orders a new attack plan. Rommel tries to carry it out, but the Allied forces stop him. Still, the Axis take control of the Kasserine Pass. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After some infighting, the Germans launch their attack. The Americans are completely unprepared and the 2nd US Corps is whittled down to size. Now, the Kasserine Pass is open. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ryan Fairfield and Tony Lupo from The Warrior Next Door Podcast returns to the show as we each give our Top 5 reasons why the Axis lost the war. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Now that the fighting in Northern Tunisia is on hold, the mountain passes in the southern half are the focus of both sides. And whoever controls the mountain passes has the advantages. Meanwhile, Rommel now retreats into Tunisian territory.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices