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 World War II Live, we’re here to answer your questions—big or small—while also sharing behind-the-scenes stories from their research, their tours, and their time working with documentaries. Expect a mix of serious insights, surprising details, and a touch of humor as they explore every corner of the war and what it means to us today.
Subscribe, send in your questions, and join the conversation—because this is your chance to talk history with the experts
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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 World War II Live, we’re here to answer your questions—big or small—while also sharing behind-the-scenes stories from their research, their tours, and their time working with documentaries. Expect a mix of serious insights, surprising details, and a touch of humor as they explore every corner of the war and what it means to us today.
Subscribe, send in your questions, and join the conversation—because this is your chance to talk history with the experts
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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 II and the planning for D-Day.
First Question: Did the U.S. Army and the Soviet Army ever fight each other at the end of World War II?
John and Kevin explore the tense, chaotic final weeks of the European war, examining where U.S. and Soviet forces collided—politically, geographically, and potentially on the battlefield. Their answer reveals how close the Allies came to unintentional conflict as Germany collapsed.
Second Question: Who actually named the beaches for D-Day?
From “Omaha” to “Utah,” the origins of these iconic names are often misunderstood. Kevin and John break down how the invasion beaches received their codenames, who created them, and why these choices mattered for Operation Overlord.
Join us for another lively and informative round of Stump the Chumps, where great questions lead to great history.
📌 Have a question you want answered on the show? Leave it in the comments!
📌 Subscribe for weekly conversations with top WWII historians.
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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 Husky. They also take viewer question in Stump the Chumps....including looking at the issue of British tea breaks during Operation Market Gardern.
Send us questions at worldwar2live@gmail.com
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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: previously unseen photographs from World War II. Kevin reveals how he found these rare images, what they show about Patton’s leadership and personality, and why they change our understanding of his legacy.
Join Kevin and John C. McManus as they explore these stunning visual discoveries and discuss what they reveal about one of America’s most iconic commanders.
Get Kevin's book here: https://www.amazon.com/Pattons-Photographs-War-He-Saw/dp/1574888722
Send us questions for Stump the Chumps at: worldwar2live @gmail.com
Check out Mark's historical war gaming YouTube channel at Mark's Game Room:
https://www.youtube.com/@MarksGameRoom/featured
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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, the significance of personal connections to history, and the challenges of military logistics. They share insights from recent tours, including memorable meals and interactions with participants, and delve into the complexities of intelligence and strategic decisions during the war. In the 'Stump the Chumps' segment they tackle listener questions and explore counterfactual scenarios related to World War II.
Send us questions at: worldwar2live @gmail.com
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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 Garand? In our Stump the Chumps segment hear how they start to research a new topic!
Send in your WW2 questions for Stump the Chumps at: worldwar2live@gmail.com
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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 with him.
LINK: https://youtu.be/ceGbkcE4xfY
In this episode, Kevin Hymel, John C. McManus, and Henry Sledge delve into the personal and historical significance of Peleliu during World War II. They explore Henry's emotional journey to the island, the impact of his father's experiences, and the reception of Henry's book, 'The Old Breed: The Complete Story Revealed.' The discussion also touches on the portrayal of the Pacific War in the miniseries 'The Pacific' and the lasting legacy of these historical events.
Send us your WW2 questions to: worldwar2live@gmail.com
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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 this episode, they uncover the Army’s overlooked role in the Pacific, revealing stories of courage, sacrifice, and strategy that history often leaves behind.
From the rivalry between the Army and Marines, to the critical importance of logistics and the leadership choices that shaped the battle, Kevin and John bring new insight to a campaign long overshadowed by myth and misunderstanding. They also explore how Hollywood’s portrayals influence our view of history—and why audience engagement is key to keeping these stories alive.
🎖️ Discover the real story behind Island Infernos and the soldiers who fought it.
📚 Hosted by the team at World War II Live — where history comes alive, one battle at a time.
Send up questions at: worldwar2live@gmail.com
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Check out Mark Fastoso's video about Sledge's War Souvenirs here:
https://youtu.be/3ei2UMxZYXs
John C. McManus and Kevin Hymel discuss the profound impact of Eugene Sledge's memoir, 'With the Old Breed,' and its companion piece by his son, Henry Sledge. They explore the emotional journey of writing, the realities of war, and the importance of storytelling in preserving history. The discussion highlights personal anecdotes, the challenges of capturing the soldier's experience, and the legacy left behind by veterans. Henry shares insights into his father's life, the process of writing his book, and the reactions from fellow veterans and readers alike.
Send us your questions at:
worldwar2liv@gmail.com
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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 the complexities of military communication. The discussion also touches on the surrender of French forces in Casablanca, Patton's controversial decisions, and the impact of media portrayals of the war. Additionally, Stump the Chumps explores the controversial battle of Iwo Jima and the implications of decisions made during the war, including the liberation of Prague.
Send us question for Stump the Chumps at: worldwar2live@gmail.com
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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 contemplate the North Platte Canteen!!!
Send your WW2 questions for John and Kevin to:
worldwar2live@gmail.com
We would love to hear from you!
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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 take you along as they walk in the footsteps of General George S. Patton ... starting with him walking ashore in Morocco.
Stump the Chumps has some great questions:
What was the worse things each
major power did during World War Two?
Which battles in World War Two are over-credited
in their significance and which battles are under-credited
and are actually more important than the widely understood.
What two or three aspects of World War Two are
gradually fading from the narrative of the war
over time?
If you have WW2 questions for John and Kevin you can email them to:
worldwar2live@gmail.com
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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 realities of D-Day at Omaha Beach—one of the most famous, misunderstood, and hotly debated battles of World War II. They recall visiting the beach and how walking the ground can change your perspective.
But that’s not all. Stick around for our fan-favorite segment, Stump the Chumps, where YOU get to put the historians on the spot with your toughest World War II questions. From surprising modern questions to new twists on topics you thought you knew, you’ll see John and Kevin tackle questions they didn’t see coming.
📅 New episodes drop each a week—join us for a mix of sharp history, good humor, and straight answers from two of the leading experts on the Second World War.
👉 Don’t forget to subscribe and hit the bell so you never miss an episode!
👉 Have a question for Stump the Chumps? Send an email to: worldwar2live@gmail.com
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