Shows / World War 2 LIVE
World War 2 LIVE
Welcome to World War II Live!
Join historians John C. McManus and Kevin Hymel each week for an entertaining, informal, and cutting-edge dive into the history of the Second World War.
These aren’t just any hosts—John is a professor of U.S. military history, author of fifteen award-winning books, and one of the nation’s top experts. Kevin has written five acclaimed books (including a trilogy on Patton), consults on films and documentaries, and brings the battlefields to life with his tours.
On…
Episodes
World War 2 LIVEWhy Allied Bombers Missed Omaha Beach on D-Day
Why did hundreds of American bombers fail to hit the German defenses at Omaha Beach on D-Day? And why was the bombing at Utah Beach so much more effective? In…
World War 2 LIVEOperation Market Garden: The American Story They Missed
What was the American experience of Operation Market Garden—and is there more to the story than A Bridge Too Far tells us? In this episode of World War 2 Live…
World War 2 LIVEA Bridge Too Far: Are the Battle Scenes Accurate?
You voted A Bridge Too Far your favorite World War II movie. Now it’s time to get into the action! In Part 2 of our look at this classic 1977 film, John C…
World War 2 LIVEOur Fans Chose the Greatest WWII Movie — A Bridge Too Far
Our fans have spoken: A Bridge Too Far is the greatest World War II movie ever made. After months of voting, World War 2 Live viewers chose the 1977 epic A…
World War 2 LIVEFROM NORTH AFRICA TO CORREGIDOR: The Evolution of American Airborne Warfare
The first American combat parachute drop of World War II was a disaster. By the end of the war, American airborne forces were conducting extraordinarily…
World War 2 LIVEWe Took World War 2 Live to We Have Ways Fest
What happens when World War 2 Live leaves the studio and meets its audience? John McManus, Kevin Hymel and producer Mark Fastoso headed to We Have Ways Fest in…
World War 2 LIVEPOINTE DU HOC: Debunking D-Day's Biggest Myth
POINTE DU HOC: Debunking D-Day's Biggest Myth | World War II Live The guns were gone by the time the Rangers scaled the cliffs — but that fact has fueled one…
World War 2 LIVETHE FORGOTTEN SOLDIER: Can We Believe This Russian Front Memoir?
Is The Forgotten Soldier one of the greatest firsthand accounts of World War II—or is it a story we can't completely trust? Guy Sajer's The Forgotten Soldier…
World War 2 LIVEOmaha Beach in 3D: The Story Behind Keith Rocco's Incredible Diorama
What happens when World War 2 Live meets Someone Talked at the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia? You get a special crossover episode—and a…
World War 2 LIVEHow REAL is GREYHOUND?
How realistic is Greyhound? John McManus and Kevin Hymel take a close look at the Tom Hanks WWII movie and separate Hollywood from the reality of the Battle of…
World War 2 LIVEThe Italian Campaign Debate | WW2 Hot Takes
Was the Italian Campaign Worth It? John McManus and Kevin Hymel Debate Was the Allied campaign in Italy a necessary step toward victory in Europe—or a costly…
World War 2 LIVEGuadalcanal Was Only Half the Story | WW2 Hot Takes
Most accounts of the Pacific War treat Guadalcanal and New Guinea as two separate campaigns. But from the Japanese perspective, they were part of the same…
World War 2 LIVEWas the Invasion of Anzio Worth It?
Why did one of the boldest Allied operations in Italy turn into months of brutal stalemate? In this episode of World War 2 Live, Dr. John C. McManus and Kevin…
World War 2 LIVEThe WWII Story That Brought America to Tears: Ernie Pyle & Captain Waskow
What makes a great leader in combat? In this episode of World War 2 Live, Dr. John C. McManus and Kevin Hymel explore one of the most moving stories to emerge…
World War 2 LIVEPatton vs. Rommel: Who Was the Better General?
Why did two of World War II's most famous generals become legends—and do they deserve their reputations? In this episode of World War 2 Live, Dr. John C…
World War 2 LIVERommel vs. Kesselring: How Should Germany Defend Italy?
After surviving the brutal landings at Salerno, the Allies faced a new challenge: breaking through some of the strongest defensive terrain in Europe. In this…
World War 2 LIVESalerno: The Invasion That Nearly Failed
Before the Allies could fight their way up Italy, they first had to survive one of the most dangerous amphibious operations of World War II. In this episode of…
World War 2 LIVEWWII Hot Takes: Should the Allies Have Raced for Berlin?
Before the war in Europe ended, Allied armies stood poised on the borders of Germany while the Red Army raced toward Berlin from the east. But should the…
World War 2 LIVED-Day's Most Important Forecast? The Real Story Behind Pressure
Could the fate of D-Day really have come down to a weather forecast? In this episode of World War 2 Live, Dr. John C. McManus and Kevin Hymel examine the true…
World War 2 LIVENew Secrets of General Patton? | Kevin Hymel’s New Book
General George Patton remains one of the most studied—and controversial—American commanders of World War II. But even after decades of scholarship, are there…
World War 2 LIVEBehind the WWII Photos You See in History Books
Every iconic World War II photograph tells a story—but how do historians actually find the right images to bring history to life? In this episode of World War…
World War 2 LIVEHow Historians Create WWII Battle Maps
How do historians turn battlefield chaos into maps readers can actually understand? In this episode of World War 2 Live, Dr. John C. McManus and Kevin Hymel…
World War 2 LIVEThe Doolittle Raid: America Strikes Back
The Doolittle Raid was one of the most daring—and improbable—operations of World War II. In this episode of World War 2 Live, Dr. John C. McManus and Kevin…
World War 2 LIVEThe Battle of Guadalcanal - Episode 4: Halsey Takes Command
The struggle for Guadalcanal reached a critical turning point when a new commander stepped in. In this episode of World War 2 Live, Dr. John C. McManus and…
World War 2 LIVEThe Thin Red Line: What It Gets Right About Guadalcanal
What does The Thin Red Line get right about war—and where does it take artistic license? In this episode of World War 2 Live, Dr. John C. McManus and Kevin…
World War 2 LIVEThe Battle of Guadalcanal - Episode 3: Rescue Plane Down
In the chaos of Guadalcanal, one little-known story captures something essential about the American war effort: they didn’t leave their own behind. In this…
World War 2 LIVEThe Battle of Guadalcanal – Episode 2: Hanging in the Balance
When the Marines secured their foothold on Guadalcanal, the battle was far from over. What followed was not a quick victory—but a brutal, back-and-forth…
World War 2 LIVEThe Battle of Guadalcanal – Episode 1: The Landings
When U.S. Marines hit the beaches of Guadalcanal in August 1942, the Pacific War entered a new phase. This wasn’t just another landing—it was the beginning of…
World War 2 LIVEThe Sicilian Campaign Episode 5: The End
John C. McManus and Kevin Hymel discuss the significant events following the Sicilian campaign in World War II, including Mussolini's fall from power, the…
World War 2 LIVEDiving into Band of Brothers Episode 3 - CARENTAN
In this episode, John C. McManus and Kevin Hymel delve into the intricacies of the Band of Brothers series, focusing on the Battle of Carentan and its…
World War 2 LIVEDiving into Band of Brothers Episode 2 - DAY OF DAYS
In this episode, John C. McManus and Kevin Hymel delve into the second part of the Band of Brothers series, exploring the complexities of D-Day, the…
World War 2 LIVEBand of Brothers Episode 1: What It Gets Right (and Wrong)
In this episode, John and Kevin delve into the iconic miniseries 'Band of Brothers,' exploring its themes, character dynamics, and the historical context of…
World War 2 LIVEThe Fall of Bataan: How the Pacific War Turned Brutal
When American and Filipino forces surrendered on Bataan in April 1942, the Pacific War entered a darker phase. What followed—the Bataan Death March—was not…
World War 2 LIVEThe Real Fury - A Real Tanker Talks
John and Kevin into the experiences of Irving Bromberg, a World War II tanker. The discussion highlights the realities of tank warfare, the psychological toll…
World War 2 LIVEThe Race to Messina | Battle for Sicily – Episode 4
John and Kevin delve into the Battle of Sicily, focusing on the strategic decisions made by General Patton, the challenges faced during amphibious assaults…
World War 2 LIVEFire and Fortitude: John C. McManus on the Book That Reframed the U.S. Army in WWII
Kevin interviews John about FIRE AND FORTITUDE, his seminal work on the US Army in the Pacific War. They delve into the often-overlooked contributions of…
World War 2 LIVEDid Patton HATE the Infantry
John and Kevin delve into the complexities of General George Patton's legacy, particularly his relationships with infantry divisions and his command style…
World War 2 LIVESpeedrunning Sicily: The Truscott Trot
In this episode, Dr. John C. McManus and Kevin Hymel discuss the complexities and tragedies of the Battle of Sicily during World War II, highlighting the…
World War 2 LIVEChristmas during World War Two!
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…
World War 2 LIVEThe Invasion of Sicily Begins: John C. McManus & Kevin Hymel Break It Down
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…
World War 2 LIVEDid We Fight the Soviets? And Who Named D-Day’s Beaches?
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 2 LIVEOperation Husky: Planning the Allied Assault
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…
World War 2 LIVEFrom the Vault: Patton’s Private WWII Images
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…
World War 2 LIVEInside WWII Battlefield Tours with McManus & Hymel
In this episode of World War II Live, hosts John C. McManus and Kevin Hymel engage in a lively discussion about their experiences leading battlefield tours…
World War 2 LIVEWhy WWII Veterans Swore By Their M1 Garands
John C. McManus and Kevin Hymel chat about the US Army's small arms during World War 2. Why the switch from the bolt action Springfield to the semi-auto M1…
World War 2 LIVEHenry Sledge Finds His Father’s Bunker on Peleliu | The Real Story Behind The Pacific
For a deeper look at Henry Sledge’s journey, visit Mark’s Game Room on YouTube to watch the in-depth interview that Mark Fastoso and George Luz Jr. conducted…
World War 2 LIVEPeleliu: The Forgotten Hell of the U.S. Army | John C. McManus & Kevin Hymel
Join historians Kevin Hymel and John C. McManus for a fascinating deep dive into one of World War II’s most intense and misunderstood battles — Peleliu. In…
World War 2 LIVEThe Truth Behind With The Old Breed: Henry Sledge Talks with John C. McManus
Check out Mark Fastoso's video about Sledge's War Souvenirs here: https://youtu.be/3ei2UMxZYXs Watch George Luz and Mark interview Henry here…
World War 2 LIVERommel vs. America: Kasserine Pass – The Battle That Shocked the Allies
John C. McManus and Kevin Hymel delve into the Battle of Kasserine Pass, exploring the leadership challenges faced by American commanders, the dynamics of the…
World War 2 LIVEPatton at Casablanca | Vichy France vs. America
John C. McManus and Kevin Hymel dive into General George Patton's leadership during the North African campaign, the experiences of troops during invasions, and…
World War 2 LIVEWhy George C. Marshall may be WW2's most under-rated leader.
John and Kevin take deep dive into the life and legacy of George C. Marshall. How his leadership set a course for the world. In out Stump the Chumps section we…
World War 2 LIVEPatton in Morocco
Patton was so concerned about the Torch Landings in Morocco that he prayed to an Hawaiian war god. It even followed him to the landing beaches. John and Kevin…
World War 2 LIVEOmaha Beach with John McManus
Welcome to the very first episode of World War II Live! 🎥 Historians John C. McManus and Kevin Hymel kick things off with a deep dive into the myths and…