Archive for 2021

On Point of the Spear it is all about the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment


Join Robert Child for a conversation with author Frank van Lunteren. Frank was born and raised in Arnhem, the Netherlands. His interest in military history dates to the 1980’s, when as a child he first visited the Airborne Museum in Oosterbeek. He went on to study political history at the Radboud University in Nijmegen, while privately researching the exploits of American paratroopers. He’s written a trilogy of books about the 504th PIR with a 4th book planned in the spring.





Purchase this book and help support your local book store at the link below.

USA Shop

https://bookshop.org/lists/books-from-authors-on-point-of-the-spear-podcast

UK Shop

https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/books-from-authors-on-point-of-the-spear

 

Wednesday
Posted by Robert Child

Christmas Week on Point of the Spear

It's a Revolutionary Christmas on Point of the Spear. First, on December 22nd join Robert Child for a conversation with Managing Editor of the Journal of the American Revolution Don Hagist. Don is an independent researcher specializing in the demographics and material culture of the British Army in the American Revolution and has published a number of articles in academic journals.

Then on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Point of the Spear Special Presentation The Christmas Crossing.
Late December 1776 – A ragged Continental army has now put an icy river between themselves and the pursing British army. The men in blue and buff uniforms have known nothing but defeat and had once again made a narrow escape while the Congress at Philadelphia reflecting no confidence in their troops prepare to evacuate to Baltimore. Washington’s besieged men reflect the state of a nation weary of war and a cause on the brink of extinction. They are an army in waiting - waiting for ammunition, blankets and reinforcements. But others, nearly half, are simply waiting for their enlistments to be up on January 1, 1777. Within days Washington would have no men with which to fight and the cause and the dream of independence would be over. This is the backdrop of one of the most daring surprise attacks in American history - Washington's crossing of the Delaware and the subsequent victory at Trenton. Told in an urgent narrative style, Washington's Crossing: America's First D-Day, reveals the cast of characters and many untold aspects of the Crossing that made the victory even that much more incredible.


This presentation is part of a much longer audiobook. America’s First D-day available at the links below.
Audible.com USA
https://www.audible.com/pd/B00F3HX1LK/?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWT-BK-ACX0-010526&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_010526_rh_us
Audible.com UK
https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/B00F3HZ6HW/?source_code=AUKFrDlWS02231890H6-BK-ACX0-010526&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_010526_rh_uk
Thank you for listening and Happy Holidays!
Saturday
Posted by Robert Child

The author of Nazis on the Potomac Comes to Point of the Spear

Join Robert Child for a conversation with retired National Park Service historian and author Robert Sutton about his book, Nazis on the Potomac: The Top-Secret Intelligence Operation that Helped Win WWII. Sutton  guest spent 33 years with the National Park Service and retired recently as their Chief Historian.

Purchase this book and help support your local book store at the link below.

https://bookshop.org/lists/books-from-authors-on-point-of-the-spear-podcast






Friday
Posted by Robert Child

This Coming Week Catch Robert Child LIVE! on WW2TV on Youtube


This coming Wednesday December 15th at 2P EST watch Robert Child in conversation with host Paul Woodadge on WW2TV on Youtube. Robert will be discussing his landmark film, The Wereth Eleven, which aired on National Geographic Channel.

The story, which was told on film subsequently became the book, The Lost Eleven co-written with Denise George.  WATCH BELOW.



The Story:

Shortly after the outbreak of Hitler's Ardennes Offensive or Battle of The Bulge in 1944, members of the all-black 333rd Artillery Battalion were just eleven miles behind the front lines. With the rapid advance of the Germans the 333rd was ordered to withdraw further west but C and Service Battery were ordered to stay behind to give covering fire to the 106th Infantry Division.

On Dec 17th the 333rd were overrun with most killed or captured. The remnants of the unit were ordered to Bastogne and incorporated into its sister unit the 969th Field Artillery Battalion. Both units provided fire support for the 101st Airborne Division in the Siege of Bastogne, subsequently being awarded the Presidential Unit Citation.

11 soldiers, however, from the 333rd were separated from the unit shortly after they were overrun by the Germans. These men wound up in the little Belgian hamlet of Wereth, just 25 kilometers southwest of Malmedy, Belgium, site of another much more well known WWII atrocity.

At about 3 pm on Dec 16, 1944, the 11 men approached the first house in the nine-house hamlet of Wereth, owned by Mathius Langer. A friend of the Langer's was also present. The men were cold, hungry, and exhausted after walking cross-country through the deep snow. They had two rifles between them. The Langer family welcomed them and gave them food. But this small part of Belgium did not necessarily welcome Americans as “Liberators.” This area had been part of Germany before the First World War and many of its citizens still saw themselves as Germans and not Belgians.

Word leaked out from a Nazi sympathizer in the area that the men had been sheltered and were hiding in the Langer home. When the SS troops approached the house about 4 pm that day, the eleven Americans surrendered quickly, without resistance. The Americans were made to sit on the road, in the cold, until dark. The Germans then marched them down the road and gunfire was heard in the night. In the morning, villagers saw the bodies of the men in a ditch at the corner of a cow pasture. Because they were afraid that the Germans might return, they did not touch the dead soldiers. The snow covered the bodies and they remained entombed in the snow until January when villagers directed members of the 99th Div. I&R platoon to the site.

In the official US Army report it was revealed that the men had been brutalized, with broken legs, bayonet wounds to the head, and fingers cut off. And It was apparent that one man was killed as he tried to bandage a comrade's wounds.

In 2001, three Belgium citizens embarked on the task of creating a fitting memorial to these men and additionally to honor all Black GI’s of World War II. With the help of Norman Lichtenfeld, whose father fought and was captured in the Battle of the Bulge, a grassroots publicity and fund-raising endeavor was begun. The land was purchased and a fitting memorial was created There are now road signs indicating the location of the memorial, and the Belgium Tourist Bureau lists it in the 60th Anniversary “Battle of the Bulge” brochures. The dedication of the memorial was held in 2004 in an impressive military ceremony.

It is believed that this is the only memorial to Black G.I.s, and their units, of World War II in Europe. Norman's goal is to make the Wereth 11 and all Black G.I.’s “visible” to all Americans and to history. They, like so many others, paid the ultimate price for our freedom. Please visit his site www.wereth.org where you can learn more about this dark and virtually unknown chapter from WWII.

Saturday
Posted by Robert Child

Katja Hoyer Comes to Point of the Spear

Join Robert Child for a conversation with author Katja Hoyer about her book, Blood and Iron. Hoyer is a German-British historian specializing in modern German history. She was born in East Germany and is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society in London, a Visiting Research Fellow at King's College London, and has written for the Washington Post, History Today, and the BBC's History Extra.







Wednesday
Posted by Robert Child

LTC Ed Sherwood Speaks on a Hidden Battle in Vietnam Saturday on Point of the Spear

Join Robert Child for a conversation with author and retired US Army LTC Ed Sherwood about his book, Courage Under Fire. Sherwood led an infantry platoon at Tam Ky in Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 501st Infantry, fighting with the 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division He was wounded in action on June 2, 1969. After Vietnam, he continued serving as an infantry officer He retired from active duty as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1988 due to medical reasons.







Friday
Posted by Robert Child

Watch the full Video Podcast of Point of the Spear with Author John C. McManus

 


Join Robert Child for a conversation with author John C. McManus about his new book, Island Infernos. McManus is one of America’s leading military historians, and a recipient of the prestigious Gilder Lehrman Prize for Military History. He is in demand as a speaker and expert commentator on CNN, Fox News, Discovery, Smithsonian Channel and many other networks.

Watch the full video podcast of the episode below.






Posted by Robert Child

Just Released Episode - Author John C. McManus on Point of the Spear


Join Robert Child for a conversation with author John C. McManus about his new book, Island Infernos. McManus is one of America’s leading military historians, and a recipient of the prestigious Gilder Lehrman Prize for Military History. He is in demand as a speaker and expert commentator on CNN, Fox News, Discovery, Smithsonian Channel and many other networks. Watch this interview as a video podcast at this link https://youtu.be/vi_6EoQx2f4







Posted by Robert Child

All About the Ghost Army on Point of the Spear November 27th

Join Robert Child for a conversation with author and television producer Rick Beyer about his Ghost Army Legacy Project. Beyer is as a New York Times bestselling author and documentary filmmaker and has produced programs for The History Channel, A&E, National Geographic, the Smithsonian, PBS and more. He is based in Chicago.









Thursday
Posted by Robert Child

Saturday on Point of the Spear #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Tom Clavin



Join Robert Child for a conversation with author Tom Clavin about his latest book, Lightning Down: A World War II Story of Survival. Tom has received awards from the Society of Professional Journalists, Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, and National Newspaper Association. Four of his books have been New York Times best sellers: The Heart of Everything That Is, Dodge City, Halsey’s Typhoon, and The Last Stand of Fox Company.





Posted by Robert Child

It's Viking Week on Point of the Spear

Join Robert Child for a conversation with Don Hollway, author of The Last Viking: The True Story of King Harald Hardrada. Don is an historian, illustrator, historical re-enactor and classical rapier fencer. For over 25 years his writing on history, aviation, and re-enacting has appeared in magazines ranging from Aviation History, Excellence, History Magazine, Military Heritage, Military History, Wild West, and World War II to Muzzleloader.


Monday
Posted by Robert Child

Second Half of November Guests on Point of the Spear

The month of November finishes up strong on Point of the Spear as we head towards Thanksgiving. Be sure to check out these forthcoming episodes starting this week with The Last Viking.


NOVEMBER 17TH



Don Hollway


Join Robert Child for a conversation with Don Hollway on his new book, The Last Viking: The True Story of King Harald Hardrada. 


Don is an historian, illustrator, historical re-enactor and classical rapier fencer. For over 25 years his writing on history, aviation, and re-enacting has appeared in magazines ranging from Aviation History, Excellence, History Magazine, Military Heritage, Military History, Wild West, and World War II to Muzzleloader.









NOVEMBER 20TH



Tom Clavin


Join Robert Child for a conversation with Tom Clavin on his new book, Lightning Down: A World War II Story of Survival. 


Tom is a bestselling author who has worked as a newspaper and web site editor, magazine writer, TV and radio commentator, and a reporter for The New York Times covering entertainment, sports, and the environment. He has received awards from the Society of Professional Journalists, Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, and National Newspaper Association. Four of his books have been New York Times best sellers: THE HEART OF EVERYTHING THAT IS, DODGE CITY, HALSEY'S TYPHOON, and THE LAST STAND OF FOX COMPANY.






NOVEMBER 24TH



Robert Gaudi


Join Robert Child for a conversation with Robert Gaudi on his new book, The War of Jenkin's Ear. 


Robert is a writer, historian and journalist. His work has appeared in the Washington Post, the Washington Examiner, Harper's, Landscape Architecture Magazine, and Tri-Quarterly, among other publications. He has variously worked for the National Endowment for the Arts, sold tickets at a movie theater, tended bar and managed a classic car restoration shop. He graduated from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville and attended the University of Southern California's Graduate Film School and The University of Iowa's Writers Workshop. He lives with his children in Washington D.C. 








NOVEMBER 27TH


Rick Beyer

Join Robert Child for a conversation with Rick Beyer on his book and film, Ghost Army.


Rick Beyer is an author and documentary filmmaker specializing in history. He has produced films for The History Channel, National Geographic, and The Smithsonian, among others. He is also the author of the popular Greatest Stories Never Told series of history books. He lives in Lexington, MA. 

Sunday
Posted by Robert Child

December Guests Coming to Point of the Spear Podcast



Join Robert Child in December on Point of the Spear when he welcomes many outstanding guests including authors John C. Mcmanus, Katja Hoyer, Air Force Colonel Mark Vlahos, and more.


 

Tomorrow Nov 13th Paul Woodadge of WW2TV on Point of the Spear



TOMORROW -SATURDAY Join me on Point of the Spear for a lively #WWII discussion with Paul Woodadge of @WW2TV

The episode will also be released as a video podcast on Youtube.






Friday
Posted by Robert Child

Veterans Day Video Podcast Full Interview with with the Cofounder of Creativets on Point of the Spear


This is a very special Veterans Day Video Podcast episode of Point of the Spear. Join Robert Child for his full interview with the cofounder and executive director, Richard Casper of Creativets.

There are more than 17 million veterans in the United States It is estimated that there are 20 veteran suicides a day and 14 of those never seek help. One organization that is helping wounded veterans release their trauma and pain through songwriting and art is Creativets. Visit them at Creativets.org



Thursday
Posted by Robert Child

Veterans Day Special on Point of the Spear - Creativets

Join Robert Child for a conversation with Richard Casper. He is cofounder of an  organization that helps wounded veterans release their trauma and pain through music and art called Creativets. Casper, a wounded combat Marine himself, suffered traumatic brain injuries after four separate IED incidents in Iraq. Find out more about the Nashville-based nonprofit at creativity.org








Tuesday
Posted by Robert Child

November 10th on Point of the Spear we showcase the film, Sixth of June

As part of a special Veterans' Week celebration, Point of the Spear showcases an exceptional WWII documentary, which is a thematic and emotional exploration of the D-Day commemorations in Sainte-Mère-Église, France, Sixth of June. 

It is an urgent plea to realize that the boys who stormed the beaches and dropped from the skies in Normandy are now old men who are dying every day. And the time is now to capture their stories before they are forever lost. In this episode film producer, Rylan Soref discusses what went into the making of the film and the reasons behind it. 





Posted by Robert Child

Coming Up Nov 3rd on Point of the Spear Col. Keith Nightingale, Just Another Day in Vietnam

Join me on November 3rd for a conversation with Colonel Keith Nightingale, author of Just Another Day in Vietnam. Colonel Nightingale is a “Special Operations legend” he served two tours in Vietnam with Airborne and Ranger units and commanded airborne battalions in both the 509th and 82nd airborne. He received four Bronze Stars for Valor, the Vietnamese Medal of Honor, and is a member of the Ranger Hall of Fame. 


Monday
Posted by Robert Child

November Guests Coming to Point of the Spear - Full List

NOVEMBER 3RD




Colonel Keith Nightingale


Join Robert Child for a conversation with Colonel Keith Nightingale, author of Just Another Day in Vietnam. Colonel Nightingale is a “Special Operations legend” he served two tours in Vietnam with Airborne and Ranger units. He commanded airborne battalions in both the 509th and 82nd airborne. He received four Bronze Stars for Valor, the Vietnamese Medal of Honor, and is a member of the Ranger Hall of Fame. 




NOVEMBER 6TH




Dr. Gregory Urwin

Special Episode: The Yorktown Tragedy: Washington's Slave Roundup


Join Robert Child for a conversation with Dr. Gregory Urwin, author of the recent article in the Journal of the American Revolution, The Yorktown Tragedy: Washington’s Slave Roundup. Dr. Urwin is a professor of history at Temple University, a past president of the Society for Military History, a fellow in both the Company of Military Historians and the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies. He has appeared in numerous documentaries, and assisted in making the Civil War epic, Glory. 





NOVEMBER 10TH


Rylan Soref


Join Robert Child for a conversation with film producer, Rylan Soref on his Tribeca Film Festival screened documentary, Sixth of June. 



Rylan Soref is a music supervisor, producer and creative strategist. He is founder of Obay Media, a creative strategy agency, and a co-founder of Songs For Film & TV, a music services agency specializing in music supervision, music production and music curation. Clients include: Scooter Braun Projects, Facebook, Live Nation and HBO, Showtime.









VETERANS DAY SPECIAL: CREATIVETS - NOV. 11TH


CREATIVETS


Join Robert Child for a very special Veteran's Day episode and a conversation with Richard Casper, founder of Creativets.


CreatiVets’ goal is to offer opportunities for relief and healing for the men and women who have sacrificed so much for our country.  Their purpose is to use various forms of art, including songwriting, visual arts, music, and creative writing, to help disabled veterans cope with service-related trauma (i.e., post-traumatic stress, or PTS) by fostering self-expression in a way that allows them to transform their stories of trauma and struggle into an art form that can inspire and motivate continued healing.



NOVEMBER 17TH



Don Hollway


Join Robert Child for a conversation with Don Hollway on his new book, The Last Viking: The True Story of King Harald Hardrada. 


Don is an historian, illustrator, historical re-enactor and classical rapier fencer. For over 25 years his writing on history, aviation, and re-enacting has appeared in magazines ranging from Aviation History, Excellence, History Magazine, Military Heritage, Military History, Wild West, and World War II to Muzzleloader.









NOVEMBER 20TH



Tom Clavin


Join Robert Child for a conversation with Tom Clavin on his new book, Lightning Down: A World War II Story of Survival. 


Tom is a bestselling author who has worked as a newspaper and web site editor, magazine writer, TV and radio commentator, and a reporter for The New York Times covering entertainment, sports, and the environment. He has received awards from the Society of Professional Journalists, Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, and National Newspaper Association. Four of his books have been New York Times best sellers: THE HEART OF EVERYTHING THAT IS, DODGE CITY, HALSEY'S TYPHOON, and THE LAST STAND OF FOX COMPANY.






NOVEMBER 24TH



Robert Gaudi


Join Robert Child for a conversation with Robert Gaudi on his new book, The War of Jenkin's Ear. 


Robert is a writer, historian and journalist. His work has appeared in the Washington Post, the Washington Examiner, Harper's, Landscape Architecture Magazine, and Tri-Quarterly, among other publications. He has variously worked for the National Endowment for the Arts, sold tickets at a movie theater, tended bar and managed a classic car restoration shop. He graduated from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville and attended the University of Southern California's Graduate Film School and The University of Iowa's Writers Workshop. He lives with his children in Washington D.C. 








NOVEMBER 27TH


Rick Beyer

Join Robert Child for a conversation with Rick Beyer on his book and film, Ghost Army.


Rick Beyer is an author and documentary filmmaker specializing in history. He has produced films for The History Channel, National Geographic, and The Smithsonian, among others. He is also the author of the popular Greatest Stories Never Told series of history books. He lives in Lexington, MA. 

Thursday
Posted by Robert Child

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