History That Doesn't Suck

After turning our attention back to Europe in the last few episodes, it’s time to finally examine the Holocaust. Back in episode 185, we covered a broad history of antisemitism in Europe and the violent results of the first few years of Hitler’s reign in Germany, going all the way to the nationwide November pogrom (also known as Kristallnacht). But before we go any further, we present this interview with the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Director, Sara J. Bloomfield.  Sara has worked with the USHMM since its inception in the 1990s, and has led the museum for 26 years. She also serves on the International Auschwitz Council and International Treblinka Council, has been named Chevalier of the Legion of Honor by the French Republic, and is a recipient of the Officer’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland. We are also joined by HTDS executive editor, Riley Neubauer. ____ Connect with us on HTDSpodcast.com and preorder Prof. Jackson’s new book go deep into episode bibliographies and book recommendations join discussions in our Facebook community get news and discounts from The HTDS Gazette  come see a live show get HTDS merch or become an HTDS premium member for bonus episodes and other perks. HTDS is part of Audacy media network. Interested in advertising on the History That Doesn't Suck? Contact Audacyinc.com. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"My dear Duce, it’s no longer any good… At this moment you are the most hated man in Italy.”  This is the story of Operations Underworld, Mincemeat, and Husky.  On the heels of the decisive Allied victory in Africa, leaders decide to take the fight north. But Hitler and Mussolini surely know they’ll be aiming for Sicily next, right? Actually, pre-Husky Allied intelligence victories have the Germans and Italians barking up the wrong tree (shoring up the wrong island defenses), all thanks to one Major William Martin.  Meanwhile, back in mainland Europe, Germany is wondering if Italy is still 100% committed to the Fascist alliance. After all, Mussolini’s popularity is tanking, and it looks like he might get the boot any day. Things are… uncertain, to say the least. How will the combined Allied forces fare in Sicily? Which army will win the race to catch the Axis retreaters at Messina? Will George Patton get promoted again, as he so desperately wants? And perhaps most importantly—where to next?  ____ Connect with us on HTDSpodcast.com and go deep into episode bibliographies and book recommendations join discussions in our Facebook community get news and discounts from The HTDS Gazette  come see a live show get HTDS merch or become an HTDS premium member for bonus episodes and other perks. HTDS is part of Audacy media network. Interested in advertising on the History That Doesn't Suck? Contact Audacyinc.com. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“This is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is perhaps the end of the beginning.”  This is the story of the Allied campaign in North Africa.  Long under the colonial thumb of the belligerent European nations—namely, France, Italy, and Britain—North Africa becomes the sandy stage for months of ugly tank battles featuring characters like the Desert Rats (Britain’s 7th Armoured Division), and the Desert Fox (Field Marshall Erwin Rommel). By the time American reinforcements arrive in Vichy French–held African ports for Operation Torch, the Brits and the Axis powers have been chasing each other across the Saharan desert for quite a while, the latest development being a heartening Allied victory at El Alamein, Egypt.  The newly arrived G.I.s must quickly learn brutal lessons about tank warfare, but they soon come into their own after battles like Kasserine Pass and El Guettar, while simultaneously being whipped into shape by none other than "Old Blood and Guts" General George S. Patton. As U.S. forces move east into Tunisia and Bernard “Monty” Montgomery’s men continue moving west from Libya, we’ll see if this continent-wide pincer maneuver will break Rommel’s two-war winning streak, or if the Allies will finally score a hit against the thus-far (almost) unstoppable Germany.  ____ Connect with us on ⁠⁠⁠HTDSpodcast.com⁠⁠⁠ and go deep into ⁠⁠⁠episode bibliographies⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠book recommendations⁠⁠⁠ join discussions in our ⁠⁠⁠Facebook community⁠⁠⁠ get news and discounts from ⁠⁠⁠The HTDS Gazette⁠⁠⁠  come ⁠⁠⁠see a live show⁠⁠⁠ get ⁠⁠⁠HTDS merch⁠⁠⁠ or become an ⁠⁠⁠HTDS premium⁠⁠⁠ member for bonus episodes and other perks. HTDS is part of Audacy media network. Interested in advertising on the History That Doesn't Suck? Contact Audacyinc.com To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“When do we get a whack at those Germans?” This is the story of America’s entry into the European Theater. After Pearl Harbor, American foot soldiers and generals alike are eager to get in on the action in Europe, but first, they have to cross the embattled Atlantic—easier said than done with German U-boats on the prowl, sinking both military and merchant vessels in what they call an “American turkey shoot.” After stubborn U.S. Navy Admiral Ernest King finally adopts a workable convoy system, the boys are on their way to the UK, but it’s their next destination that’s really hotly debated.  U.S. Chief of Staff George C. Marshall advocates for a direct assault on France in 1942, (a plan supported by a desperate Stalin), but Churchill and co. favor a Mediterranean approach, coming up through the “soft underbelly” of Europe and avoiding turning the English Channel into “a river of blood.” And yet, whatever the high command decides, newly trained American troops will soon arrive in Ireland under the command of Dwight D. “Ike” Eisenhower, an organizationally brilliant and formerly frustrated desk jockey, now commander of all U.S. forces in Europe. ____ Connect with us on HTDSpodcast.com and go deep into episode bibliographies and book recommendations join discussions in our Facebook community get news and discounts from The HTDS Gazette  come see a live show get HTDS merch or become an HTDS premium member for bonus episodes and other perks. HTDS is part of Audacy media network. Interested in advertising on the History That Doesn't Suck? Contact Audacyinc.com. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A new episode of History That Doesn't Suck drops Monday, February 16th. It’s a continuation of our ongoing chronicle of World War II and we’ll be shifting back to the European Theater. While we put the finishing touches of episode 199, we're pleased to share a sports themed show from our network partners at Audacy. Step inside the mind of NFL legend Von Miller as he goes free range — from the gridiron to the culture at large. Each week, Von breaks down the biggest football stories, dives into the world of sports and entertainment, and chops it up with athletes, artists, and trendsetters shaping the conversation. Equal parts football IQ, locker room energy, and societal curiosity, Free Range is where game meets culture, and no topic is off-limits. You might even get some inside nuggets on this Super Bowl MVP’s chicken farm! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices