Why We Fight ~ 1944

This is part one of three episodes contributed to the D-Day part of the 1944 series by retired US Army Lieutenant Colonel Steve Clay, who recently retired from the Staff Ride Team at the Army University Press Combat Studies Institute. Steve contributed last year in the 1943 series and has multiple contributions for 1944 starting with this episode on the 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division following the Sicily Campaign when the Division moved to the UK and began training for the invasion of France.

Links

No Sacrifice Too Great: The 1st Infantry Division in World War II

Blood and Sacrifice: The History of the 16th Infantry Regiment from the Civil War through the Gulf War

Seven Months to D-Day: An American Regiment in Dorset

Lineage and Honors Information: 16th Infantry Regiment

A Historical Examination of Military Records of US Army Suicide, 1819-2017

Why We Fight Bonus Content (https://www.patreon.com/motheroftanks)

***Language Warning***

In this episode, I'm joined by retired Sergeant Major Ken Ramos, of U.S Army W.T.F! Moments fame, to talk about the Ghost Army. This recording is actually nearly double the length, but some of our commentary got off the Ghost Army topic, though still all related, so I am releasing the full episode on Patreon for those that want to listen to "Mother of Tanks" and "The IO Guy" banter for nearly 3 hours. In the linked below, there are some of the things mentioned in the recording incase anyone wants to see what Ken is talking about when he mentions Operation Copperhead and the Monty look-alike.

Links

Military Deception (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_deception)

Operation Copperhead (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Copperhead)

M. E. Clifton James (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M._E._Clifton_James)

The Ghost Army of World War II: How One Top-Secret Unit Deceived the Enemy with Inflatable Tanks, Sound Effects, and Other Audacious Fakery

A Genius for Deception: How Cunning Helped the British Win Two World Wars

Message Drafter by GEN Eisenhower in Case the D-Day Invasion Failed

Air Force, Army Permit Wear of Uniforms Off Base (FEB 2022)

U.S Army W.T.F! Moments (https://www.facebook.com/usawtfm)

The IO Guy (https://twitter.com/TheIOGuy)

Why We Fight Bonus Content (https://www.patreon.com/motheroftanks)

In this episode I'm joined by US Army Major Paul Hill to help talk about Military Deception (MILDEC) and other efforts leading up to D-Day in June 1944 in an effort to ensure success for the Allies. This is one of two episodes that discuss MILDEC efforts for D-Day.

Links

Military Deception (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_deception)

The Ghost Army of World War II: How One Top-Secret Unit Deceived the Enemy with Inflatable Tanks, Sound Effects, and Other Audacious Fakery

A Genius for Deception: How Cunning Helped the British Win Two World Wars

Why We Fight Bonus Content (https://www.patreon.com/motheroftanks)

Returning to talk more US First Infantry Division history is retired US Army Colonel Greg Fontenot, author of No Sacrifice Too Great: The 1st Infantry Division in World War II. In last year's 1943 series, COL Fontenot talked about the history if 1ID and their experiences in the North Africa and Sicily Campaigns before they were given orders to the UK. In this episode, COL Fontenot continues the story of the First Division, telling of their time in England preparing for D-Day, including the integration of replacements and dispelling some common myths.

Links

No Sacrifice Too Great: The 1st Infantry Division in World War II

Why We Fight Bonus Content (https://www.patreon.com/motheroftanks)

Dr. Bill Nance joins me with some back history to help us better appreciate what we're talking about now, essentially explaining how we got the US Army we had in June 1944 going into Normandy. In the course of that discussion, there are topics of contemporary relevance too, such as Large Scale Combat Operations (LSCO), the Military Decision Making Process (MDMP), the impact of finite resources, and planning for what happens in week two. Several publications are mentioned so they are linked below, and Dr. Steve Waddell is also mentioned, the guest in the preceding episode.

With Dr. Steve Waddell joining me, this episode includes details of the logistical needs and efforts that supported the D-Day landings and the Normandy Campaign 80 years ago in 1944. This is one of a sequence of episodes discussing the Normandy Campaign and its various aspects. Dr. Waddell mentions Cherbourg and the Mulberries, both of which have episodes coming up, and there is an episode with Dr. Bill Nance who will mention working with Dr. Waddell also.

By Dr. David Dworak

From the Center of Military History

Why We Fight Bonus Content (https://www.patreon.com/motheroftanks)

In this episode, Niels Henkemans joins me to talk about the German preparations prior to the invasion of France in June 1944. Niels is a historian who has conducted extensive research into the Germans and the Allies at Normandy and helps fill the important gap of what the Germans were doing in the months leading up to the invasion. His books are linked below, along with a couple of books from the US Army's Center of Military History which are mentioned in the episode.