Join us as Robert Balch shares what it was like to be the tip of the spear for the 14th Armored division during WW2. 

Beginning with a brutal baptism by fire in Gertwiller in November 1944, his platoon advanced as the spearhead column, crossing the German border at Wissembourg and conducting high-stakes scouting missions directly against the Dragon's Teeth of the Siegfried Line. 

The unit faced severe physical and psychological strain, enduring freezing foxholes during a tense "battle of nerves" near Bitche, before being forced into a chaotic, full-scale tactical withdrawal when hit by a massive German counter-offensive during Operation Nordwind, the last German counter offensive of the war. 

Robert reflects on their service during the post-war occupation of Germany, members of the platoon fiercely defended the purpose and conduct of the American GI, emphasizing that their resolve was permanently forged by the trauma of combat and the firsthand horrors of liberating concentration camps like Dachau and Buchenwald. 

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The World War II Story Share live Zoom event, hosted on July 9th by the Ray Harris Jr. of This History of WW2 Podcast and Tony Lupo and Ryan Fairfield of The Warrior Next Door Podcast, with special guest and moderator Shaun Hall of the Veterans Breakfast Club, provided an interactive platform for participants to honor the legacies of the war. 

The two-hour recorded program brought together members of their audience to share personal and family accounts of bravery, sacrifice, and wartime experiences, ensuring these historical narratives remain preserved. In addition to fostering community connection and historical remembrance among attendees, select stories shared during the live broadcast were earmarked for potential feature spots on future podcast episodes!

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Join us as Robert Balch shares what it was like to be the tip of the spear for the 14th Armored division during WW2. 

Beginning with a brutal baptism by fire in Gertwiller in November 1944, his platoon advanced as the spearhead column, crossing the German border at Wissembourg and conducting high-stakes scouting missions directly against the Dragon's Teeth of the Siegfried Line. 

The unit faced severe physical and psychological strain, enduring freezing foxholes during a tense "battle of nerves" near Bitche, before being forced into a chaotic, full-scale tactical withdrawal when hit by a massive German counter-offensive during Operation Nordwind, the last German counter offensive of the war. 

Robert reflects on their service during the post-war occupation of Germany, members of the platoon fiercely defended the purpose and conduct of the American GI, emphasizing that their resolve was permanently forged by the trauma of combat and the firsthand horrors of liberating concentration camps like Dachau and Buchenwald. 

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Part 3 of our discussion of the Hemevez Massacre of six 82nd Airborne paratrooper on DDAY 1944 with subject matter expert and historian Marty Morgan.

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Part 2 of our discussion of the Hemevez Massacre of six 82nd Airborne paratrooper on DDAY 1944 with subject matter expert and historian Marty Morgan.

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Part 1 of our discussion of the Hemevez Massacre of six 82nd Airborne paratrooper on DDAY 1944 with subject matter expert and historian Marty Morgan.

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As one of 11 remaining Pearl Harbor Survivors, Earl "Chuck" Kohler was honored at the PBS Annual Memorial Day event held on May 24th, 2026. 

On Dec 7th, 1941, Chuck was working at the PBY Flying Boat base on Pearl Harbor where he was one of the few who were able to fight back against the Japanese raiders. He would continue fighting the Japanese in the Pacific Theatre supporting the deadly "Black Cats" PBY squadrons that decimated Japanese shipping and warships.

Listen in as Chuck tells us about his recollection of events that very few still alive today are able to do! 

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As one of 11 remaining Pearl Harbor Survivors, Earl "Chuck" Kohler was honored at the PBS Annual Memorial Day event held on May 24th, 2026. 

On Dec 7th, 1941, Chuck was working at the PBY Flying Boat base on Pearl Harbor where he was one of the few who were able to fight back against the Japanese raiders. He would continue fighting the Japanese in the Pacific Theatre supporting the deadly "Black Cats" PBY squadrons that decimated Japanese shipping and warships.

Listen in as Chuck tells us about his recollection of events that very few still alive today are able to do! 

Support the show

As one of 11 remaining Pearl Harbor Survivors, Earl "Chuck" Kohler was honored at the PBS Annual Memorial Day event held on May 24th, 2026. 

On Dec 7th, 1941, Chuck was working at the PBY Flying Boat base on Pearl Harbor where he was one of the few who were able to fight back against the Japanese raiders. He would continue fighting the Japanese in the Pacific Theatre supporting the deadly "Black Cats" PBY squadrons that decimated Japanese shipping and warships.

Listen in as Chuck tells us about his recollection of events that very few still alive today are able to do! 

Support the show

As one of 11 remaining Pearl Harbor Survivors, Earl "Chuck" Kohler was honored at the PBS Annual Memorial Day event held on May 24th, 2026. 

On Dec 7th, 1941, Chuck was working at the PBY Flying Boat base on Pearl Harbor where he was one of the few who were able to fight back against the Japanese raiders. He would continue fighting the Japanese in the Pacific Theatre supporting the deadly "Black Cats" PBY squadrons that decimated Japanese shipping and warships.

Listen in as Chuck tells us about his recollection of events that very few still alive today are able to do! 

Support the show