World War 2 LIVE

By Mark Fastoso

Welcome to World War II Live!

Join historians John C. McManus and Kevin Hymel each week for an entertaining, informal, and cutting-edge dive into the history of the Second World War.

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· History

4.8

2828 ratings

FAQs about World War 2 LIVE:

How many episodes does World War 2 LIVE have?

The podcast currently has 48 episodes available.

Best of World War 2 LIVE

The most played episodes among Podcast App listeners.

Number 1: POINTE DU HOC: Debunking D-Day's Biggest Myth
POINTE DU HOC: Debunking D-Day's Biggest Myth | World War II Live The guns were gone by the time the Rangers scaled the cliffs — but that fact has fueled one of the most persistent myths of D-Day. Dr. John C. McManus and Kevin Hymel take aim at the idea, popularized by Cornelius Ryan's The Longest Day and cemented in the 1962 film of the same name, that the mission was a pointless waste because the guns "weren't there." In this episode, John and Kevin dig into what actually happened to the German battery at Pointe du Hoc: how French Resistance intelligence tracked the guns before the invasion, why the Germans moved them inland after relentless Allied bombing, and how Rangers Leonard Lomell and Jack Kuhn tracked down and destroyed the relocated guns anyway. They also unpack why taking the point still mattered even without the guns in place, how "perishable" intelligence shaped the mission, and how a gripping first draft of history can calcify into myth once it hits the big screen. Plus: a favorite World War II movies update, a reading-race check-in, and a book recommendation on the role of freed people during Sherman's March. 🎖️ Hosted by Dr. John C. McManus and Kevin Hymel, with producer Mark Filoso 👍 Like, subscribe, and drop a comment with your take on the Pointe du Hoc controversy 📘 Join our new World War II Live Facebook group for behind-the-scenes content 🎙️ Catch us live at We Have Ways Fest #WWII #DDay #PointeDuHoc #Normandy #MilitaryHistory #Rangers #WorldWarIILive Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
September 11, 20261h 6min
Number 2: THE FORGOTTEN SOLDIER: Can We Believe This Russian Front Memoir?
Is The Forgotten Soldier one of the greatest firsthand accounts of World War II—or is it a story we can't completely trust? Guy Sajer's The Forgotten Soldier has become one of the best-known memoirs of the German experience on the Russian Front. For generations of readers, it has offered a gripping, often brutal account of combat on the Eastern Front. But how accurate is it? In this episode of World War 2 Live, John, Kevin and Mark take a closer look at the book, its extraordinary claims, the details that have been questioned, and the debate over whether Sajer's account can be taken at face value. Kevin considers it one of the best firsthand accounts of the war. John points to details that are difficult to document—or demonstrably questionable. And somewhere in between those two positions is a fascinating question: Can we believe The Forgotten Soldier? Have you read the book? What did you think? Let us know in the comments. And if you enjoy World War 2 Live, consider subscribing and joining the conversation with the World War 2 Live community on Facebook. That's where we'll be sharing behind-the-scenes material, asking for your questions, and bringing you along to events like We Have Ways Fest. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1841249357237679 #WorldWar2 #TheForgottenSoldier #WWII #EasternFront #RussianFront #WW2History #WorldWar2Live Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
September 06, 20261h 9min
Number 3: Omaha Beach in 3D: The Story Behind Keith Rocco's Incredible Diorama
What happens when World War 2 Live meets Someone Talked at the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia? You get a special crossover episode—and a fascinating look at one of the most ambitious D-Day projects we've been involved with. The centerpiece of this episode is Keith Rocco's extraordinary Omaha Beach diorama, created with dioramist Bernie Kempinski. The massive 3D recreation captures Omaha Beach in remarkable detail, from the landing craft and soldiers to the terrain and German gun positions. John and Kevin discuss how the diorama was created, the historical research behind it, and how closely it reflects what actually happened on Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944. The project also includes historical videos featuring John and Kevin, explaining details shown in the diorama and helping visitors understand the history behind what they're seeing. And, of course, Mark is still involved—but he's calling in from the beach! That means it's time for everyone's favorite part of the show: Stump the Chumps. If you're anywhere near Bedford, the Omaha Beach diorama will be on display at the National D-Day Memorial through the end of 2026. Watch, learn, and then tell us: what detail of the Omaha Beach diorama caught your eye? #WorldWar2 #WWII #DDay #OmahaBeach #KeithRocco #WorldWar2Live #SomeoneTalked #DDayMemorial #MilitaryHistory Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
August 28, 20261h 4min
Number 4: The Battle of Guadalcanal – Episode 1: The Landings
When U.S. Marines hit the beaches of Guadalcanal in August 1942, the Pacific War entered a new phase. This wasn’t just another landing—it was the beginning of a brutal, months-long struggle across jungle, sea, and sky that would test everything the Allies had. In this episode of World War 2 Live, Dr. John C. McManus and Kevin Hymel break down the opening of the Guadalcanal campaign: • Why Guadalcanal mattered strategically • What the Marines faced in the first landings • The early naval and air battles that shaped the fight • Japanese miscalculations—and how they responded • How coordination (and miscoordination) defined the opening phase This is where the tide in the Pacific began to turn. 🎯 Stump the Chumps Returns! Stick around for our viewer Q&A segment where we tackle your questions. We also finally reveal the answer to one of our most intriguing questions yet: What’s the story behind that mysterious Nazi flag a viewer asked about? 📩 Got a question for Stump the Chumps? Send it to: [email protected] If you enjoy the episode, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share—and join us as we continue breaking down the most important battles of World War II. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
March 27, 20261h
Number 5: The Sicilian Campaign Episode 5: The End
John C. McManus and Kevin Hymel discuss the significant events following the Sicilian campaign in World War II, including Mussolini's fall from power, the strategic decisions made by Eisenhower regarding the Italian campaign, and the complexities of partisan warfare in the Balkans. They delve into leadership changes within the U.S. Army, particularly the transition from General Terry Allen to General Clarence Huebner, and the controversies surrounding General Patton, including his infamous slapping incidents. The conversation also touches on the Italian armistice negotiations, the economic impact of the black market during the war, and the strategic necessity of retaking the Aleutian Islands. Finally, they reflect on Patton's legacy and the cultural representations of war in movies and literature. Send us your questions for Stump the Chumps to: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
March 20, 20261h 3min