On this episode of Our American Stories, in 1943, the Allied victory in North Africa opened the door to the next move against the Axis. American and British leaders debated their best path forward. Some wanted a direct invasion of France, while others argued for a southern push through Italy to weaken German defenses and knock Italy out of the war. The result was a compromise: prepare for a massive assault on France while launching a smaller but still fierce campaign up the Italian peninsula. Here’s the late, great historian Stephen Ambrose with the story.

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