
Christmas during World War Two!
2025-12-22 | 1 h 1 min.
In this episode, the hosts discuss the significance of Christmas during World War II, focusing on the contrasting experiences of 1941 and 1944. They explore the emotional impact of the war on holiday celebrations, the visit of Winston Churchill to the U.S., and the stories of kindness that emerged amidst the chaos. The conversation also touches on the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen compared to Easy Company, highlighting the importance of morale and the human experience during wartime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Invasion of Sicily Begins: John C. McManus & Kevin Hymel Break It Down
2025-12-19 | 55 min.
Join military historians John C. McManus and Kevin Hymel on World War 2 Live as they dive into the dramatic opening phase of the Allied invasion of Sicily in 1943—Operation Husky. In this episode, they break down the strategy behind the landings, the challenges on the beaches and in the air, and why Sicily became the crucial first step in prying open Hitler’s Fortress Europe.You’ll hear battlefield stories, logistical insights, and the kind of context you don’t get from a textbook, all grounded in John and Kevin’s decades of research and tour experience.Have a World War II question you’d like answered on our Stump the Chumps segment?📩 Email us at: [email protected] you enjoy the show, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share to help more history fans find World War 2 Live. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Did We Fight the Soviets? And Who Named D-Day’s Beaches?
2025-12-10 | 12 min.
In this Stump the Chumps segment, historians John C. McManus and Kevin Hymel tackle two fascinating viewer questions that shed new light on the final months of World War II and the planning for D-Day.First Question: Did the U.S. Army and the Soviet Army ever fight each other at the end of World War II?John and Kevin explore the tense, chaotic final weeks of the European war, examining where U.S. and Soviet forces collided—politically, geographically, and potentially on the battlefield. Their answer reveals how close the Allies came to unintentional conflict as Germany collapsed.Second Question: Who actually named the beaches for D-Day?From “Omaha” to “Utah,” the origins of these iconic names are often misunderstood. Kevin and John break down how the invasion beaches received their codenames, who created them, and why these choices mattered for Operation Overlord.Join us for another lively and informative round of Stump the Chumps, where great questions lead to great history.📌 Have a question you want answered on the show? Leave it in the comments!📌 Subscribe for weekly conversations with top WWII historians. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Operation Husky: Planning the Allied Assault
2025-12-06 | 51 min.
We kick off our series on the Sicilian Campaign with a look at the Allied planning. John and Kevin take you into the minds of the Allied planners for Operation Husky. They also take viewer question in Stump the Chumps....including looking at the issue of British tea breaks during Operation Market Gardern.Send us questions at [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From the Vault: Patton’s Private WWII Images
2025-11-28 | 1 h 7 min.
In this episode of World War II Live, Kevin Hymel takes viewers deep inside General George S. Patton’s personal archive to uncover a remarkable treasure: previously unseen photographs from World War II. Kevin reveals how he found these rare images, what they show about Patton’s leadership and personality, and why they change our understanding of his legacy.Join Kevin and John C. McManus as they explore these stunning visual discoveries and discuss what they reveal about one of America’s most iconic commanders.Get Kevin's book here: https://www.amazon.com/Pattons-Photographs-War-He-Saw/dp/1574888722Send us questions for Stump the Chumps at: worldwar2live @gmail.com Check out Mark's historical war gaming YouTube channel at Mark's Game Room: https://www.youtube.com/@MarksGameRoom/featured Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.



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