In this episode, Sean and James discuss the classic 1960 movie The Alamo, directed by and starring John Wayne.

The Alamo (1960)

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.

History

Society & Culture

In the Spring of 1944, the men of the 100th are upset to learn that the number of missions required for a crew to be discharged is being increased to twenty-eight. Captain Rosenthal completes his twenty-fifth mission, but decides to reenlist. Rosenthal is placed in command of the 350th. Captain Crosby begins an affair with ATS officer Westgate. Sgts. Quinn and Bailey return to base and are exempted from further missions due to their knowledge of the escape lines. In Stalag Luft III, Major Cleven and other prisoners of war build a crystal radio to tune into the BBC news. A large group of British prisoners escape; Cleven, Egan and the other American officers are threatened that the camp will be turned over to the SS and Gestapo if there are further escape attempts.  Join Sean and James as they discuss this exciting episode.

Masters of the Air Episode 7

In this episode, James interviews Carl Archer, an attorney, history buff, and Colonel in Early’s Raiders, about the war crimes tribunals that occurred after the Second World War.

World War 2 War Crimes Tribunals with Carl Archer

In this episode, Sean and James discuss Part 6, which takes us with Egan and Cleven into a German POW camp. October 1943; Major Egan is taken prisoner and almost dies after he and other downed pilots are attacked by civilians while being marched through a bombed town. He is taken to Dulag Luft for interrogation before being transferred to Stalag Luft III. There, he meets other comrades from the 100th, including Cleven. Meanwhile, Lt. Rosenthal and his crew are sent to a country estate for relaxation and counseling, which Rosenthal resists. Captain Crosby attends a conference at the University of Oxford where he meets a British ATS officer whom he bonds with before she is unexpectedly called away.

Masters of the Air Episode 6

When you think about key centers of code breaking activity in the Second World War, what places come to mind? How about Bermuda? It has been said Bermuda was Britain’s number-one listening post during World War II.  In this episode, commissioned by Early's Raiders Major Joan Bellfort, James discusses the British Imperial Censorship Station on Bermuda, whose censors (many of whom were women) revealed a major plot to damage American merchant convoys to the U. K.

Bermuda Code Breakers

The 100th returns from the Bremen mission after taking heavy casualties. Lt. Crosby replaces Captain Payne as the lead navigator and is promoted. Major Egan leads another bombing raid to Münster just days after the Bremen mission. The mission ends disastrously for the 100th after they are intercepted by swarms of fighters. All but one B-17, piloted by Lt. Rosenthal, are shot down. Having bailed from his doomed plane, Major Egan parachutes alone into the German countryside of Westphalia. Join Sean and James as they discuss this second transitional episode, in which  Lt. “Rosie” Rosenthal replaces Cleven and Egan as the heart and soul of the “Bloody 100th”

The Alamo (1960)

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