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Operation Fortitude, the Allied deception effort in advance of D-Day…a peer of mine called it, “elegant,” but the proper description might have been encompassing. And it truly was. A multi-discipline effort utilizing a host of deception efforts, from signals, to decoy equipment and personas, to targeting bombing raids, to the use of double agents, Fortitude was all of that and then some. Join Joe as he pulls the threads on Fortitude, looking at it from strategic inception, all the way through its employment. He looks at its complexity, its completeness, and yes, its elegance. All told, its an amazing piece of D-Day history and one that’s only been told in bits and pieces, until now.

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To order a copy of Joe’s book, Jump into the Fight, Volume I: The Complete, Unabridged History of Easy Company, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne, head over to the link: https://ssgtmooch.wixsite.com/joe-muccia/jump-into-the-fight-vol1

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It’s time for another museum trip report, this time Joe is off to Jacksonville, North Carolina to visit the brand, spanking new Carolina Museum of the Marine. Opened in June of this year, the CMotM is focused on the service of Marines from North and South Carolina, specifically those that served aboard Camp Lejeune, Camp Geiger, New River Air Station and Cherry Point Air Station. Because those bases generally opened to coincide with the nation’s entry into World War II, the history covered by the CMotM begins in the 20th Century. Join Joe as he gives his review of the museum and its displays. And for those Marines listening or viewing, Semper Fidelis!

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To order a copy of Joe’s book, Jump into the Fight, Volume I: The Complete, Unabridged History of Easy Company, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne, head over to the link: https://ssgtmooch.wixsite.com/joe-muccia/jump-into-the-fight-vol1

If you’re interested in finding out more about the Carolina Museum of the Marine, or scheduling a visit, you can check out their website: https://www.museumofthemarine.org/

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Pegasus Bridge…the Orne River Bridge…Merville Battery…actions that capture the imagination and interest of everyone from serious historians and avid history buffs, but those were just three of multiple actions executed by the British and Canadian paratroopers during the Normandy campaign…and the foremost historian and author of the Red Devils is Neil Barber. Join Joe and Neil as they discuss the performance of the Red Devils in Normandy, the gateway drug which is The Longest Day, busting some myths of those actions featured in the movie, and several other keynote engagements. Neil brings years of experience and knowledge of these men and their actions. Listen to the men in their own words and gain new insights due Neil’s relationships with these heroes.

If you’d like to learn more about Neil, his tours and speaking engagements, or to purchase his books, stop by his website: https://pegasus-bridge.co.uk/

If you’d like to listen to LTC Terence Otway’s interview with the Imperial War Museum, you can find it at this link: https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/80024294

If you’d like to listen to Brigadier James Hill’s interview with the Imperial War Museum, you can find it at this link: https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/80012081

If you'd like to become a Patreon supporter of The "We're Not Lost, Private" Podcast, check us out here: https://patreon.com/WereNotLostPrivatePodcast

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To order a copy of Joe’s book, Jump into the Fight, Volume I: The Complete, Unabridged History of Easy Company, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne, head over to the link: https://ssgtmooch.wixsite.com/joe-muccia/jump-into-the-fight-vol1

Audio clips of Wally Parr and Terence Otway appear courtesy of the Eyewitness D-Day audio series.

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There’s a lot of misconceptions about the Pacific Theater of Operations, and many have to do with the U.S. Army and its level of participation, and proficiency. Dr. John McManus has written a trilogy of books examining the performance of the Army in the PTO. Fire and Fortitude is the first of the three, and during this episode, John sits down with Joe to discuss the Army starting in 1941 at Pearl Harbor and continues through 1942, looking at actions in far reaching locations like the Philippines, Guadalcanal, Attu, and Makin, and so many more. Fire and Fortitude is a multi-domain, multi-discipline look at all aspects of the theater environment and how it affected the U.S. Army and its performance during those two critical years. Join Joe and John for the first of this three-part series.

If you’d like to check out John’s books, media availability or tour scheduling, head over to his website for more information: https://johncmcmanus.com/

If you'd like to become a Patreon supporter of The "We're Not Lost, Private" Podcast, check us out here: https://patreon.com/WereNotLostPrivatePodcast

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To order a copy of Joe’s book, Jump into the Fight, Volume I: The Complete, Unabridged History of Easy Company, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne, head over to the link: https://ssgtmooch.wixsite.com/joe-muccia/jump-into-the-fight-vol1

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In the fourth installment of our “Lore of the Battlefield” series, Joe looks at three ghost stories involving the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment during the Normandy Campaign. See how two Currahee troopers, killed early on D-Day, have interactions with three different 101st Airborne men, only well-after they had been killed in action. Learn who they were, details of their service, and the chilling encounters experienced by those who knew and met them on the field of battle.

To order a copy of Jump into the Fight, Volume I: The Complete, Unabridged History of Easy Company, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne, head over to the link: https://ssgtmooch.wixsite.com/joe-muccia/jump-into-the-fight-vol1

If you'd like to become a Patreon supporter of The "We're Not Lost, Private" Podcast, check us out here: https://patreon.com/WereNotLostPrivatePodcast

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It’s been a long time coming, but Joe finally got to sit down with Henry Sledge. Over the course of an hour, the pair discusses Henry’s father, Eugene “Sledgehammer” Sledge, his WWII classic memoir, With the Old Breed, Henry’s relationship with his father, Eugene’s relationship with the Marine Corps, Henry’s latest projects, and last but not least, Henry’s book, The Old Breed: The Complete Story Revealed. Join Joe and Henry for this fascinating discussion.

To pre-order Henry’s upcoming book, The Things That Remain: The Artifacts of Eugene B. Sledge, head over to the link: https://www.amazon.com/Things-That-Remain-Artifacts-Eugene/dp/B0H3BCBS4T/

If you'd like to become a Patreon supporter of The "We're Not Lost, Private" Podcast, check us out here: https://patreon.com/WereNotLostPrivatePodcast

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I grew up with two grandfathers that had served in the Pacific Theater of Operations. One of them, my maternal grandfather Byron, was a crewman on the USS Ticonderoga. The Big “T” fought at Leyte, and in the South China Sea. She was kamikazed off of Formosa and my grandfather was there for all it. In this episode, I recount the Ticonderoga’s wartime history, it’s outstanding skipper, Dixie Keifer, and examine so of the things my grandfather wore and carried during his time in the service. I also take look through his handmade scrapbook. Stop by and check it out.
PS This episode is best viewed on YouTube due to the items and visuals presented.

If you'd like to become a Patreon supporter of The "We're Not Lost, Private" Podcast, check us out here: https://patreon.com/WereNotLostPrivatePodcast

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What did you think of the first three episodes of World War II with Tom Hanks? Join Joe as he drops a few thoughts on this highly anticipated series.

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