Hey guys, welcome back to the Why Wars Happened History Podcast, where you learn about the causes of wars and things like, why did it happen? Was it inevitable? Who was involved?

Sometimes I go back hundreds of years just so we can understand what happened in our narrative episodes covering the long course of a war and the background of the war. And if you want to talk more about war, we also have authors, historians, war generals, royalty, actors, filmmakers, a whole bunch of people come on as guests and we talk about everything about before, during, and after war. So let's go!

The Why Wars Happened History Podcast covers The American Revolution, World War I, World War II, Medieval Wars in England, The Habsburg Empire, The War in Iraq, Scottish wars, The War of the Roses, The Cuban Missile Crisis, The Cold War, The Thirty Years War, The Hundred Years War, The American Civil War, and many others.

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Inside the 8th Air Force: WWII History and ‘Masters of the Air’

Welcome back to Why Wars Happened! This episode takes a deep dive into the incredible history of the 8th Air Force and the legendary 100th Bomb Group with historian Donald L. Miller and HBO producer Kirk Saduski. We explore the harrowing experiences of American bomber crews in WWII, the challenges they faced in the skies over Europe, and how these real-life stories were brought to the screen in Apple TV+’s Masters of the Air.

From the brutal realities of aerial combat to the painstaking research behind the show’s production, this conversation is packed with insights for history buffs and war film fans alike. Subscribe for more expert discussions on the wars that shaped our world!

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to Why Wars Happened

00:37 Meet the Guests: Donald L. Miller & Kirk Saduski

01:45 The 8th Air Force and the 100th Bomb Group

02:33 The Evolution of Bomber Warfare

03:56 Turning Real Stories into a TV Series

08:20 The Struggle for Authenticity in War Dramas

14:27 Personal Stories and Emotional Depth

26:15 WWII Veterans' Firsthand Accounts

27:05 Fear and Courage in the Air

27:29 What Exit Interviews Revealed About the Air Force

27:53 The Commander’s Perspective

28:53 How Actors Prepared for Their Roles

30:05 Behind the Scenes of the D-Day Filming

30:56 The Importance of Historical Accuracy

32:40 Connecting Emotionally to the Past

34:20 Realism in Masters of the Air’s Flight Scenes

35:32 What It’s Like to Fly in a B-17

36:49 The Brutal Reality of Frostbite and Combat

37:57 Comparing WWII Experiences Across Fronts

40:40 Upcoming History Projects and Podcasts

44:02 New Civil War Book Announcement

45:48 Closing Thoughts

#whywarshappened #whywarshappen #Thepacific #Bandofbrothers #wwII #worldwarii #ww2 #worldwar2 #HistoryPodcast #MilitaryHistory #WWII #WorldWar2 #MilitaryHistory #8thAirForce #100thBombGroup #MastersOfTheAir #BomberWar #AerialCombat #WWIIHistory #WWIIPodcast #WarDocumentary #HistoryBuff #WWIIAviation #USAirForce #WWIIHeroes #AppleTV #BandOfBrothers #WWIIStories #HistoricalAccuracy #B17Bomber #WarFilms #WWIIEurope #WWIIVeterans #WWIIResearch #spielberg #tomhanks #appletvshows #europeanhistory

Hey guys, welcome back to the Why Wars Happened History Podcast, where you learn about the causes of wars and things like, why did it happen? Was it inevitable? Who was involved?

Sometimes I go back hundreds of years just so we can understand what happened in our narrative episodes covering the long course of a war and the background of the war. And if you want to talk more about war, we also have authors, historians, war generals, royalty, actors, filmmakers, a whole bunch of people come on as guests and we talk about everything about before, during, and after war. So let's go!

The Why Wars Happened History Podcast covers The American Revolution, World War I, World War II, Medieval Wars in England, The Habsburg Empire, The War in Iraq, Scottish wars, The War of the Roses, The Cuban Missile Crisis, The Cold War, The Thirty Years War, The Hundred Years War, The American Civil War, and many others.

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INTERVIEW: Nazi POWs in America: The Forgotten Camps with William Geroux

This episode of Why Wars Happened uncovers a forgotten chapter of World War II: the Nazi POWs held in the United States. Host dives into the shocking reality of over 370,000 German soldiers—equivalent to four entire armies—detained in camps across America. Historian and author William Geroux joins the discussion to explore his book, The Fifteen: Murder Retribution and the Forgotten Story of Nazi POWs in America, revealing how these prisoners lived under Geneva Convention rules, the unexpected ways they impacted local communities, and the Nazi influence that remained inside the camps. From laboring on farms to daring escapes and violent conflicts, this episode brings to light a hidden part of history.

If you’re fascinated by World War II, military history, or untold war stories, don’t miss this episode. Subscribe for more deep dives into the past!

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to Why Wars Happened

00:46 Introducing Today's Guest: William Geroux

01:07 Nazi POWs in America: An Overview

01:57 Life in American POW Camps

02:27 Geneva Convention and POW Treatment

03:35 Concerns and Criticisms of POW Treatment

11:19 Escaping POWs and Jim Crow Laws

15:22 German POWs in the US: A Valuable Labor Force

17:23 Farmers' Mixed Feelings About Nazi POWs

18:50 American Soldiers' Reactions to POW Treatment

19:46 Introducing Leon Jaworski: The Army Prosecutor

21:34 Researching the Hidden History of Nazi POW Camps

27:02 Nazi Ideology and Violence in POW Camps

29:19 Future Writing Projects and Closing Remarks

#Nazis #Nazi #POWcamps #POWs #POW #Prisonersofwar #ruralamerica #americanhistory #whywarshappened #whywarshappen #wwII #worldwarii #ww2 #worldwar2 #HistoryPodcast #MilitaryHistory #WorldWar2 #MilitaryHistory #WWIIHistory #WWIIPodcast #WarDocumentary #HistoryBuff #WWIIStories #WWIIResearch #UShistory

Hey guys, welcome back to the Why Wars Happened History Podcast, where you learn about the causes of wars and things like, why did it happen? Was it inevitable? Who was involved?

Sometimes I go back hundreds of years just so we can understand what happened in our narrative episodes covering the long course of a war and the background of the war. And if you want to talk more about war, we also have authors, historians, war generals, royalty, actors, filmmakers, a whole bunch of people come on as guests and we talk about everything about before, during, and after war. So let's go!

The Why Wars Happened History Podcast covers The American Revolution, World War I, World War II, Medieval Wars in England, The Habsburg Empire, The War in Iraq, Scottish wars, The War of the Roses, The Cuban Missile Crisis, The Cold War, The Thirty Years War, The Hundred Years War, The American Civil War, and many others.

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INTERVIEW: Unraveling the End of the Civil War with Michael Vorenberg

In this episode of Why Wars Happened, host Emily Ross sits down with historian and award-winning author Michael Vorenberg to explore the complexities of ending the Civil War. They dive into his book, Lincoln's Peace: The Struggle to End the American War, discussing key events like the Hampton Roads Conference, the Confederacy’s push for international recognition, and the surrender agreements at Appomattox and in North Carolina. Vorenberg also unpacks the global impact of the war, the role of honor in post-war negotiations, and his upcoming book on military prisons. A must-listen for anyone fascinated by the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln, and military history.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 – Welcome to Why Wars Happened

00:46 – Meet Michael Vorenberg

01:02 – Lincoln’s Peace and the Fight to End the War

01:32 – The Challenges of Declaring Peace

02:39 – The Hampton Roads Conference

07:35 – The Confederacy’s Diplomatic Efforts Abroad

11:04 – Confederate Ties to the Mexican Civil War

17:00 – Economics and the War’s End

18:14 – Post-War Reflections & Debates

18:41 – Defining the End of the Civil War

20:14 – The Appomattox Surrender and Its Impact

22:04 – Sherman’s Controversial Surrender Terms

25:20 – Comparing Military Strategies Across History

29:06 – How Lincoln’s Assassination Changed Everything

31:46 – Michael Vorenberg’s Upcoming Book on Military Prisons

35:08 – Closing Thoughts

#CivilWar #WhyWarsHappened #AmericanHistory #USHistoricalEvents #AbrahamLincoln #MilitaryHistory #ushistory #americancivilwar #podcast #history #historypodcast #historyinterview #civilwarbook #whywarshappen