North Africa & Europe 1942 - 1943

Episode 4:  By the time America entered the conflict in Europe, it was clear that this war would be waged in radically different ways from the previous war, which had been fought primarily from trenches.   The development of heavy, high-altitude bombers meant that devastating destruction could be delivered far behind the front lines to homes and factories alike.   Meanwhile, Allied leaders strategized on the best way to liberated Europe from Axis forces, and soon, untested American soldiers would face off with the legendary Desert Fox, Field Marshal Erwin Rommel for the first time, in a place called the Kasserine Pass in Tunisia.    Once again, host Bill Ellison calls upon Dr. Andrew Wiest of the Dale Center to bring an in-depth perspective to this duel in the desert, as well as the invasions of Sicily and Italy. He will also discuss Allied bombers and the brutal air campaigned intended to cripple German's capacity to make war.    To his commentary, we will add the stories of soldiers and airmen who experienced it all, including: Brig. General Elmo Bell of Wiggins, Patrick Carr of Paulding, MS, Taylor Howard of Gulfport, Al Key of Meridian, G. R. Sullivan of Raleigh, MS, Phil McGuire of Macon, MS.   Special thanks to the Mississippi Humanities Council for their unwavering support of the Center for Oral History & Cultural Heritage through the years. The Humanities are for Everyone!   Subscribe to Voices of Our People: WWII so you don't miss a single episode!