This country is at war with Germany.

We shall go on to the end.

I remember the sheets of flame which came up and almost blinded us from our guns.

The 7th Infantry Regiment, as the Cotton Berlers is one of the oldest units in the US Army, originally formed in 1812.

It has fought in nearly every major American conflict, including Civil War, both World War's career in Iraq.

Renown for its bravery and deep traditions,

the regiment remains an active combat unit to this day.

For this episode, I'm joined by Professor John McManus,

whose 2009 book, American Courage, American Carnage,

chronicles the unit's remarkable history.

During World War II, the seventh landed in North Africa as part of Operation Torch, fought through Sicily and Italy, stormed the beaches of southern France in Operation

Dragoon and ended the war as the first American unit to reach Hitler's mountain retreat at Berksgarten.

The regiment also takes centre stage in the upcoming computer game, Burn of Command,

where John served as a historical advisor. And if you'd like to hear more about the game,

head over to patreon.com slash www2 podcast. John, thanks for joining me. As I mentioned in the introduction,

sort of the 7th,

the 7th Infantry Regiment is one of the Army's oldest units.

How did you first become interested in them?

The way this all came about is, you know,

I'm certainly an infantry-oriented historian and whatever,

and my wife asked me one night many years ago. We were

having dinner. And she said, is there any infantry unit that traces its lineage all the way back

...