Eyewitness History

In this episode of Key Battles of American History, host James Early and Sean follow a long-established Key Battles tradition by giving brief overviews of the postwar lives and careers of the major leaders, Axis and Allies, discussed in the series. Subscribe to Key Battles of American History!Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3nCfZZySpotify: https://spoti.fi/3nIwO5cListen to more episodes of Key Battles of American History!The Longest Day: D-Day and the Normandy Campaign: https://apple.co/46jPeuw / https://sptfy.com/P2g7Saving Private Ryan: https://apple.co/3Q9z0i4 / https://sptfy.com/P2g6 Hitler’s Last Gambit: The Battle of the Bulge: https://apple.co/3tprLJN / https://sptfy.com/P2g4See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we are privileged to host Esther Basch, a survivor of Auschwitz, one of the most notorious concentration camps of World War II. At just 16 years old, Esther was sent to Auschwitz in a cattle car, marking the beginning of her incredible and harrowing journey.After enduring the unimaginable horrors of Auschwitz, Esther was faced with a Death March to the Salzwedel Concentration Camp in April 1945. Miraculously, three days later, her life took a transformative turn when American soldiers liberated her and her fellow prisoners.Remember to subscribe, rate, and review Eyewitness History.Follow the Show on Social Media!Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EyewitnessHistoryTwitter: https://twitter.com/EyewitnessPodSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Between 1940 and 1943, Polish diplomats based in Bern, Switzerland, engaged in a remarkable – and until now, almost completely untold – humanitarian operation. This operation, which has only recently come to light, was one of the largest actions to aid Jews of the entire war. In concert with two Jewish activists, these diplomats masterminded a systematic program of forging documents for Latin American countries that were smuggled into occupied Europe, in an attempt to save the lives of thousands of Jews facing extermination in the Holocaust. Today, I speak with renowned WW2 historian Roger Morehouse. Roger is the author of the books Killing Hitler, Berlin at War: Life and Death in Hitler's Capital, 1939-45, and The Devils' Alliance: Hitler's Pact with Stalin, 1939-1941. Here, we discuss his new book The Forgers which chronicles the work of the diplomats in a little known story about WW2.Remember to subscribe, rate, and review Eyewitness History.Follow the Show on Social Media!Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EyewitnessHistoryTwitter: https://twitter.com/EyewitnessPodSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we gain a firsthand perspective on the Israel-Hamas conflict from Peta Pellach, an Australian expatriate and a current eyewitness to the horrors occurring in Israel.Peta shares her unique insights as an eyewitness to the recent Hamas attack on Israel, emphasizing the historical implications of this conflict.Her firsthand experience sheds light on the atrocities currently taking place in Israel.Remember to subscribe, rate, and review Eyewitness History.Follow the Show on Social Media!Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EyewitnessHistoryTwitter: https://twitter.com/EyewitnessPodSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The first episode of "Saturday Night Live" (SNL) aired on October 11, 1975. It was the beginning of a long-running and iconic late-night sketch comedy and variety show that has remained a staple of American television ever since. In recognition of this, I want to dig into the vault and present, once again, my interview with Hugh Fink.While serving as a writer on NBC's Saturday Night Live alongside luminaries such as Will Ferrell, Maya Rudolph, Norm MacDonald, Tina Fey, and Tracy Morgan, Hugh Fink not only gained acclaim for fearlessly satirizing pop culture but also made appearances as a commentator on the show's Weekend Update. In a crowning achievement during his final season at SNL, Hugh Fink was honored with the prestigious Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Program. He recently made a triumphant return to SNL as a guest writer, generously sharing his wealth of expertise with the newest crop of cast members and writers.In this conversation, we delve into his eventful tenure as an SNL writer, his involvement in the infamous Eddie Murphy controversy, and his unique experience scripting the last sketch in which the legendary Chris Farley appeared, among other fascinating insights.Remember to subscribe, rate, and review Eyewitness History.Follow the Show on Social Media!Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EyewitnessHistoryTwitter: https://twitter.com/EyewitnessPodSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many of the WW2 generation faced hardship in their youth (they did spend their childhood in the Great Depression), but few had as bad of an early life as Denis Elliott, who became an RAF Flight Lieutenant. At age three he was placed in a brutal and abusive orphanage in London and was later subject to beatings by his first foster father. It wasn’t until the Second World War that everything in Denis’s life began to change — he finally overcame the lack of confidence and self-esteem that had plagued his childhood in Kent and went on to become a skilled, confident, brave pilot flying operations against Japanese forces in Burma, Malaya and Thailand.He spent two stints serving in the RAF, which saw him posted across Africa, the Middle East, the Far East and Europe, flying B-24 Liberators and Avro Lancasters.Today’s guest is Phillip Martin, author of “From Orphan to High-Flyer.” We discuss these stories, along with those of Denis’s personal growth, friendship and overcoming adversity.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joel Turner has been a Police Officer, Firearms and Archery Instructor, and Sniper Team Leader on a SWAT Team in the State of Washington for over twenty years. He became the Lead Firearms Instructor at the Basic Law Enforcement Academy in 2009.Remember to subscribe, rate, and review Eyewitness History.Follow the Show on Social Media!Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EyewitnessHistoryTwitter: https://twitter.com/EyewitnessPodSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Holocaust survivor, Ben Lesser, has a remarkable story that is a testament to the indomitable human spirit. Join us as we explore his experiences during this dark period, including his upbringing, his time at Auschwitz and Dachau, the infamous Death Train, and the grueling death march, all leading to his eventual liberation.Segment 1: The Essence of Survival: Step into the heart of Ben Lesser's incredible journey through the Holocaust. His story is a testament to courage, resilience, and the unbreakable bond of family. We delve into the essence of survival as Ben shares his early life and the events that led him to the horrors of the Holocaust.Segment 2: Auschwitz and the Death Train to Dachau: In this segment, we shine a light on the darkest corners of history. Ben Lesser recounts his time at Auschwitz and the chilling experience of being transported on the infamous Death Train to Dachau. These are stories of unimaginable hardship and endurance, where the human spirit persevered against all odds.Segment 3: The Grueling Death March and Liberation: Join us as Ben Lesser shares his harrowing journey during the grueling 7-week death march, a testament to human determination and the will to survive. We also discuss the ultimate liberation at Dachau and the emotions that came with it. Ben's story is a reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring power of hope.Remember to subscribe, rate, and review Eyewitness History.Follow the Show on Social Media!Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EyewitnessHistoryTwitter: https://twitter.com/EyewitnessPodSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we delve into Thorne Dreyer's background and the intriguing factors that led him into the world of the underground press. We'll also explore the dynamic social and political climate of the 1960s and 1970s that provided fertile ground for the emergence of the underground press movement. Additionally, we'll uncover how these underground publications fearlessly challenged mainstream narratives, offering alternative viewpoints that resonated with counterculture movements and activism. We'll spotlight some of the key underground publications that left an indelible mark on this era. Amid the passionate pursuit of alternative journalism, underground publications faced formidable hurdles, from persistent censorship to financial struggles. We'll gain insights from Thorne Dreyer's own experiences during this period and the profound impact of his work. Lastly, we'll touch upon the fate of the underground press movement, examining what transpired in the wake of this transformative period in media history.Remember to subscribe, rate, and review Eyewitness History.Follow the Show on Social Media!Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EyewitnessHistoryTwitter: https://twitter.com/EyewitnessPodSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this deeply moving episode, we journey into the pages of "Inseparable: The Hess Twins' Holocaust Journey through Bergen-Belsen to America." Our guide through this poignant narrative is journalist and writer Faris Cassell, who skillfully illuminates the remarkable story of Stefan and Marion Hess, young twins whose lives were forever altered amidst the horrors of the Holocaust. Segment 1: The Essence of "Inseparable" Step into the heart of "Inseparable" with Faris Cassell as she introduces us to the extraordinary journey of Stefan and Marion Hess. Through courage and love, they navigated the unimaginable challenges of the Holocaust. Segment 2: Navigating Despair: Bergen-Belsen Join us in exploring the depths of despair as Faris Cassell vividly describes the landscape of Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. Stefan and Marion's indomitable spirit shines even in the face of unimaginable adversity. Segment 3: Family, Sacrifice, and Survival Uncover the heroic sacrifices and unwavering determination of the Hess family. Faris Cassell weaves historical details and personal anecdotes into a gripping account of their remarkable ordeal. Discover the art behind "Inseparable" as Faris Cassell shares her approach to capturing history's nuances. Meticulous research and emotional resonance come together to create an authentic and compelling narrative. For those moved by this poignant tale, "Inseparable" by Faris Cassell offers a deeper exploration of the legacy of Stefan and Marion Hess. Remember to subscribe, rate, and review Eyewitness History. Follow the Show on Social Media!Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EyewitnessHistoryTwitter: https://twitter.com/EyewitnessPodSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.