Episode 9: With Allied Forces pushing from the west, and the Red Army making huge gains in the east, the Germans grew increasingly desperate to reach a negotiated settlement and keep the front lines out of Germany. As Hitler's hold on power became increasingly tenuous, he looked for new weapons and new tactics to change the trajectory of the war and avoid the total destruction of his country.

 

In today's episode, Dr. Andrew Wiest of the Dale Center for the Study of War and Society, joins us to discuss the final push to break the Nazis strangle-hold on Europe. He will guide us through the major battles that would ultimately end with Germany's surrender.

 

Dr. Wiest will also delve into what it was like to be a Prisoner of War in the hands of the Germans or the Japanese.

 

To his in-depth analysis, we will add the stories of Mississippians and others who fought and survived during those desperate days, including: Mary Allen of Gulfport, Patrick Carr of Paulding, MS, Thurman Clark of Laurel, Frank Forsyth of Foxworth, James Jones of Laurel, Lt. Gen. Troy Middleton of Georgetown, MS, James Mulligan of Detroit, MI, Jim Swager of Brookhaven, and Lt. Gen. Mickey Walker of Abbott, MS.

 

Special thanks to the Mississippi Humanities Council for their unwavering support of the Center for Oral History & Cultural Heritage through the years. The Humanities are for Everyone!

 

Subscribe to Voices of Our People: WWII so you don't miss a single episode!