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.

Hello and welcome to the World War II podcast.

For this episode, we're doing something a little different.

Rather than focusing on a single topic, we're opening the floor to your questions.

Over the past few weeks, I asked patrons of the podcast to send in questions they've always wanted to ask about the Second World War, from strategy and leadership to memory, myth, and the smaller details that

still provoke curiosity today. To help tackle those questions, I'm joined by two returning

guests. First, John McManus. John is a military historian

specialising in the United States Army in the Second World War. He is the author of numerous books

where his research combines operational history with the human experience of the war.

And also joining me is Kevin Hemel.

Kevin is a historian and biographer of George S. Patton,

with a third in the trilogy due in 26.

He's also a battlefield tour guide.

John and Kevin are also the hosts of a new podcast called World War II Live,

which features a regular segment called Stump the Chumps,

where listeners send in challenging or unusual questions for them to wrestle with.

I know it's that idea that is inspired today's episode.

Chaps, it's a pleasure to have you both back, so let's get started.

Here's my first question.

As we move further away from the first world,

...