Key Battles of American History
Salem Radio
War has played a key role in the history of the United States from the nation’s founding right down to the present. Wars made the U. S. independent, kept it together, increased its size, and established it as a global superpower. Understanding America’s wars is essential for understanding American history. In the Key Battles of American History, host James Early discusses American history through the lens of the most important battles of America’s wars. James is an Adjunct Professor of History at San Jacinto College in Pasadena, TX. He has published one book and two scholarly articles. He is also the cohost (with Scott Rank) of the Presidential Fight Club, Key Battles of the Civil War, Key Battles of the Revolutionary War, and Key Battles of World War I podcasts.
Location:
United States
Genres:
History Podcasts
Description:
War has played a key role in the history of the United States from the nation’s founding right down to the present. Wars made the U. S. independent, kept it together, increased its size, and established it as a global superpower. Understanding America’s wars is essential for understanding American history. In the Key Battles of American History, host James Early discusses American history through the lens of the most important battles of America’s wars. James is an Adjunct Professor of History at San Jacinto College in Pasadena, TX. He has published one book and two scholarly articles. He is also the cohost (with Scott Rank) of the Presidential Fight Club, Key Battles of the Civil War, Key Battles of the Revolutionary War, and Key Battles of World War I podcasts.
Language:
English
Episodes
Bombing Hitler's Hometown with Mike Croissant
5/22/2024
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 special episode, James interviews Mike Croissant, author of Bombing Hitler's Hometown, the exciting story of the April 25 bombing raid on Linz.
Duration:00:47:31
Masters of the Air Episode 2
5/18/2024
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 tasked with leading the 100th on their second mission: bombing German U-boat pens in Norway. Lt. Harry Crosby, despite airsickness, successfully navigates the mission. Lt. Biddick's B-17 is damaged; the other planes reduce airspeed to stay with Biddick's, which makes a controlled landing without power in Scotland.
Duration:00:38:16
The Battleship Texas with Sean McIver (Part 2)
5/15/2024
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.
Duration:00:52:40
Masters of the Air Episode 1
5/11/2024
In this episode, Sean and James discuss the initial episode of the recently-released Apple TV+ series, Masters of the Air, which tells the story of the 100th Bomb Group, part of the Eighth Air Force that bombed Germany during World War II. In June 1943, the 100th, comprising four squadrons of B-17s from RAF base Thorpe Abbots, is sent on a daytime bombing mission to destroy targets in Bremen, Germany. Despite the use of the advanced Norden Bombsight the bombardiers are unable to confirm the targets due to heavy cloud cover, and the mission is aborted. The 100th is forced to fly through heavy anti-aircraft fire, and is then attacked by German fighter pilots. The failed mission results in the loss of three B-17s and thirty men, while the 100th commanding officer is relieved of command due to illness.
Duration:01:26:26
The Battleship Texas with Sean McIver (Part 1)
5/8/2024
In this two-part topical episode, Sean McIver returns to the podcast! Sean and James discuss the origin of modern battleships, the history-making introduction of the HMS Dreadnought, the first ships called Texas, and the modern USS Texas’ service prior to World War II.
Duration:00:48:37
G13: Epilogue to Guadalcanal
5/1/2024
In this epilogue to the Guadalcanal series, Dave and James discuss the human and material costs of the battle for Guadalcanal. They also evaluate the performance of both sides and the short-and long-term significance of the campaign.
Duration:00:56:20
The Thin Red Line (with Steve Guerra)
4/27/2024
During a war, combatants often ponder the deep existential questions of life. These questions form the basis of Terence Malick’s 1998 war drama The Thin Red Line. On one level, The Thin Red Line is about a U. S. Army division’s attempt to take a hill on the island of Guadalcanal; however, the film also explores many age-old questions, including “How did evil enter the world?”, “Why are humans at war with nature?”, “Why do humans fight and kill each other?”, and “Given all the evil and suffering in the world, how can there be a loving creator?” Join James and Steve Guerra as they discuss this intellectually and emotionally deep film. Note: this episode originally appeared on Steve’s Podcast Beyond the Big Screen.
Duration:01:14:04
G12: The Final Offensive and Operation KE
4/24/2024
In January 1943, American forces began slowly but surely pushing west as the Japanese mounted an effort to deceive the Americans into thinking another major offensive was coming. In reality, the Japanese were executing Operation KE, a plan to retreat westward and evacuate all survivors from Guadalcanal. In early February, American forces reached the northwestern tip of the island, only to find that the main body of the Japanese army was gone. The Guadalcanal Campaign was over. In this final regular episode of the series, Dave and James narrate the exciting finish to the 6-month struggle for Guadalcanal.
Duration:00:57:49
Guadalcanal Diary
4/20/2024
In this episode, Dave and James discuss the 1943 World War II war film Guadalcanal Diary, directed by Lewis Seiler. The film is based on the book of the same name by Richard Tregaskis. The film recounts the fight of the United States Marines in the Guadalcanal Campaign, which occurred only a year before the movie's release. While the film has notable battle scenes, its primary focus is on the characters and back stories of the Marines.
Duration:00:58:26
G11: The Battle of Tassafaronga and the December Decision
4/17/2024
In this episode, Dave and James discuss the Battle of Tassafaronga, the final major naval battle of the Guadalcanal Campaign. They also narrate the Americans’ November Matanikau offensive (yes, another one!) and the beginning of the final American ground offensive. Finally, your intrepid hosts discuss the Japanese December 1942 decision to…well, listen, and you will find out what!
Duration:00:49:35
G10: The Naval Battle of Guadalcanal
4/10/2024
Undeterred by the failure of their October attempt to capture Henderson Field, the Japanese high command ordered that yet another, still bigger, attempt be made in November. This resulted in two massive ship-to-ship battles between November 13 and 15, in which dozens of warships and planes, plus over 3500 soldiers, sailors, and airmen were lost. Join Dave and James as they tell the exciting story of this epic naval clash, which has come to be known simply as the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal.
Duration:00:47:07
G9: The Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands and More American Offensives
4/3/2024
On October 26, American and Japanese naval forces clashed northeast of Guadalacanal in the fourth carrier battle of the war. Soon after this, General Vandegrift ordered offensives designed to extend the Marine perimeter both eastward and westward. And on November 4, the Second Marine Raider Battalion landed on the northeastern part of Guadalcanal and soon began chasing a Japanese force of 3000 that was trying to march to the west side of the island. The Raiders’ march, known now as the “Long Patrol,” would make Carlson’s Raiders legendary in the annals of war. In this episode, Dave and James narrate the thrilling stories of the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands, the fourth Matanikau offensive, the Battle of Koli Point, and the Long Patrol.
Duration:01:05:16
The Pacific, Part 2
3/30/2024
In this episode, Dave and James discuss the second episode of HBO’s The Pacific. This episode deals primarily with the Battle of Henderson Field, especially Sgt. John Basilone’s role in the battle. Basilone and the Seventh Marines land on Guadalcanal to bolster the defenses around Henderson Field. During the Japanese attack on the Marine perimeter, Basilone, attempting to relocate his machine gun to a better position, bare-handedly cradles the hot barrel and severely burns his arms. Despite this, he continues fighting and kills scores of Japanese troops. Later, Basilone is awarded the Medal of Honor for his conduct during the battle.
Duration:00:44:47
Trans Oceanic Contact Theories
3/30/2024
Have you ever wondered if there was a group to reach North America before Christopher Columbus? Find out more in today's bonus episode from another Parthenon podcast "History of North America." Join host Mark Vinet as he discusses the search for the first non-indigenous explorers to reach the North American continent prior to Christopher Columbus’ 1492 voyage.
If you like what you hear, subscribe to "History of North America" on Apple or Spotify and look for it on Parthenonpodcast.com
Duration:00:14:41
G8: The High Speed Convoy and the Battle for Henderson Field
3/27/2024
The Japanese defeat at the Battle of Edson’s Ridge did not deter the Japanese high command, who immediately began planning an even bigger effort to retake Henderson Field and to remove the Americans from Guadalcanal. The new operation was christened “Plan X” and would include massive air, sea, and land attacks on American positions. On the ground, this time an entire division would assault the American perimeter. The American defenders were spread thin and outnumbered. Would the heroic efforts of Col. Chesty Puller, Sgt. John Basilone, Sgt. Mitchell Paige, and countless other Marines and soldiers be enough to stop the Japanese onslaught? Join Dave and James as they tell this exciting story.
Duration:01:13:44
G7: The Battles of the Matanikau and the Battle of Cape Esperance
3/20/2024
After the American victory at Edson’s Ridge, the Marines on Guadalcanal were reinforced by the 7th Marine Regiment, which brought the total US strength on the island to about 20,000. The American ground commander General Alexander Vandegrift decided to expand the Marines’ perimeter westward by attacking Japanese positions at the Matanikau River. In addition, an American naval force met a Japanese fleet at Cape Esperance, near the site of the disastrous American defeat at Savo Island. How did these engagements turn out? Dave and James will let you know!
Duration:00:50:18
G6: The Battle of Edson’s Ridge
3/13/2024
On September 12, a Japanese force of several thousand attacked the Marines’ perimeter from three directions. The most effect assault occurred south of the perimeter, near a position that became known as Edson’s Ridge. The Marine defenders, including the First Raider Battalion under Col. Merrit Edson, were greatly outnumbered but were on good ground and were supported by highly effective heavy artillery. Join Dave and James as they discuss this latest chapter in the struggle for control of Guadalcanal.
Duration:00:51:50
G5: The Battle of the Eastern Solomons and the Tokyo Express
3/6/2024
After the disaster at Alligator Creek, the Japanese decided to launch a larger effort to recapture Guadalcanal. The objective of this combined air, sea, and land operation was to wipe out the US carrier fleet and the Cactus Air Force and to land enough soldiers to defeat the Marines on the island. In this episode, Dave and James discuss the ongoing Japanese attempts to regain control of Guadalcanal in late August, including the Battle of the Eastern Solomons, which delayed, but did not prevent Japanese reinforcement efforts.
Duration:00:39:21
Silent Cavalry and Surprising Civil War Stories
3/2/2024
Learn more about the Alabama Unionist soldiers in the Civil War with this exclusive interview from History Unplugged, hosted by Scott Rank.
Continue listening to History Unplugged:
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3Ysc7Zg
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3j0QRJy
Parthenon: https://www.parthenonpodcast.com/history-unplugged-podcast
Duration:00:50:49
The Pacific - Part 1
3/2/2024
In this episode, Dave and James discuss and review Part 1 of the epic 2010 HBO miniseries The Pacific, which follows the lives and wartime actions of three well-known Marines who served in the Pacific Theater: John Basilone, Robert Leckie, and Eugene Sledge. In Episode 1 of The Pacific, we are introduced to the three main characters and we witness the initial Marine landing on Guadalcanal, the Battle of Alligator Creek, and the Battle of Savo Island.
Duration:01:11:44