Transcripts For CSPAN3 American Artifacts U.S. In France Chateau-Thierry Belleau Wood 20240711

Up next, we travel to northeastern france to trace the steps of american soldiers during the spring and summer of 1918. But first, a portion of the 1960 u. S. Army film that describes the military situation at the time. The germans roll across the defenses, and a driving, relentless force. In three days, the german tide had reached the marne river, less than 40 miles from paris. Pershing moved the second and Third Divisions to help stem this onslaught. Both divisions responded with spectacular spirit and success. The turk division wrote one of the most brilliant pages of military annals. The Second Division, holding the road between paris, began pushing the germans back. U. S. Marines, fighting with the Second Division, reclaimed important ground in a fierce contest known to history now as the battle of belleu wood. American history tv visited key monuments and cemeteries in northeastern france. To begin, we visit this monument about 60 miles from paris to learn why u. S. Forces were in the region and how they helped the french. Directly behind me is the chateau monument, on hill 204. The hill is 204 meters high. The significance of this monument is to honor the american troops who fought here. There was significant engagement in between the two rivers, from the end of may through the middle of july of 1918. The monument is being restored in honor of the world war i centennial taking place for the american contribution from 2017 to 2018. On the opposite side of the monument where im standing are statues of two women. One american, one french, who are Holding Hands in honor of their sons, brothers, uncles and fathers who risked their lives here in the area during the war. The monument was dedicated in 1937. Its one of three significant american monuments on the western front established by the american Monuments Commission and remains under their guidance. The monument itself lists some of the villages the americans liberated. Below that are the divisions, ten of them, plus two corps, the first and third, engaged in this area. That includes belleu wood and directly in front of me, the city of chateau terri, that had been largely untouched during the war, including the first battle of the marne. However, that would change on may 31, 1918, when german troops broke through the french lines, penetrated past here, in hopes of crossing the river, and heading directly to paris. The french were in a panic and concerned that they didnt have enough troops to block the germans, so they contacted jennifer shing ageneral pershin his help. He had been fighting to keep the americans as an independent unit, hoping to form his own army at some point. He recognized the peril of the situation and offered the french two decisions, which were in an area not far from paris. One was the Second Division, the other was the Third Division. An American Division at that time was a little more than 27,000 officers and men. That was twice the size of the french and even the german forces. And the british forces. The Second Division headed in the direction of belleu wood, while the Third Division headed to chateau terri, leaving first on may 30th was the seventh machine gun battalion, a motorized unit attached to the Third Division. They left the area, headed on highways that were packed with civilians who knew the germans were in the vicinity. The roads were clogged. It was difficult for the troops to get to the area. Further troubling their efforts was the fact that they were driving truck ford trucks and v ones that had been made in england with lesser quality parts, described as flimsy with horrible tires that along the trip, which took 22 hours to reach an area nearby here, the tires would often go flat, and the troops would have to stop and change the tires. But they eventually made it, and the 7th machine gun was shifted along the river bank of the marne at chateau terri where they helped the french prevent the germans from crossing. The american monument on hill 204 can be seen from the city. We moved our camera to continue the story. Directly behind me is a monument in tribute to the Third Division, not only in the First World War where they stopped the germans from crossing the river, but the Third Division sen br penetrated this area and sent the germans from penetrating further. The grateful french placed this monument and keep it protected in memory of the americans who were in this area during both world wars. There were two bridges that crossed over here. The only crossing points within five miles to get across the marne. The germans had fought the americans handtohand here in the town, but the 7th machine gun battalion were able to get across the river on the south side and block further penetration from the germans. The germans made it into the north part of the city where they were engaged by the americans and the french. Meanwhile, the french had placed detonations underneath the two bridges and blew them up, one on june 1, the other on joune 3rd, preventing the germans from going further, and the americans were able to hold the germans back. After the battle, the Third Division earned the well deserved moniker of the rock of the marne. Our next stop is about six miles from the town in belleu wood. The forest is on a hill above the cemetery. We are standing right in the heard of belleu wood, renamed after the battle which ended june 26, 1918, the brigade of marines, by the french. The battle itself is iconic in marine corps history. There is no other world war i battlefield for the americans that set up like a National Park service battlefield in the united states. In 1955, it was this monument was dedicated, the archetype of a marine. Hes looking top with his shirt off. There were two regiments of marines that fought in this area, part of the second u. S. Division. It was an army division. The marines probably had more experience than the army at the time of world war i. Marines had been deployed around the world in the caribbean. But general pershing, the commander of the American Forces, didnt want the marines to be part of the aef. It took heavy lobbying by congress with help from secretary of the navy, the commandant of the marine corps. Finally pershing acquiesced and allowed two regiments that became part of the Second Division. They would make their stand here and suffer heavily over a month of fighting. During that period, they lost almost 10,000 wounded and killed, about 1800 of those marines were killed. Lets take a look at some of the areas that show how the marines fought during that period of june 5th through june 26th of 1918. Now were heading towards one of the three isolated german artillery pieces. The one that im approaching is an 1896 model field gun that could fire everything from high shrapnel, shrapnel and gas. These guns wreaked havoc on the american and french troops try to break through. You see these field guns, which were the workhorse of the german army throughout the western front, and the germans were masters of the defense and used these when they were attacked, when the allies took the offensive and caused significant casualties. What we have here is the workhorse of the french army, and the americans for that matter, because this is the 75 millimeter artillery piece. This gun and many others like it were used throughout the western front by the french. It had been used as early as the 1870s. It was a valuable piece of machinery for the americans. The americans didnt have their own artillery but relied on the french to provide artillery pieces in this part of the western front. Not only the 75, but the 105 and 110. Artillery was used heavily during the battle, fired deep into the woods, which allowed an opening which the 5th and 6th marines took advantage of. The marines launched an attack, and the americans are forced to go across hedges and heavy rows of wheat, which is now in full bloom in june. It will take another two weeks before the americans are able to penetrate to the south end of the woods and finally on june 24th, a major thrust takes the marines through the woods, handtohand fighting. On june 25th, the marines have penetrated deep into the woods, but the germans havent fully retreated. Finally by that evening, the 26th, the marines have full control of the woods. The commamarines have now been victorious. By the 26th, the marines have captured belleu wood and prevented the germans from going any further in their offensive towards paris. The field pieces that we see here and the other markers throughout the woods were placed in honor of the marines. This was, again, their iconic battle. Certainly before world war ii, when you know about the marines fighting in the pacific, the battle of belleu wood stood as the main marine corps battle for heroism. And this was basically designed as a part to honor the marines who fought in this area. Standing behind me is one of the icons of the belleu wood battle. Youll see the structure in many photographs, paintings and depick shuns of this land mark battle for the marines. It was a private hunting preserve. The owners would come out here from paris, hunt wild boar and other animals. It had been occupied by the germans and used as an observation post. And then american and french artillery shattered it where it was no longer usable by the family after the war. Here youre looking at an artillery shell hole fired by either the americans or the french, most likely using the 75 millimeter. To my right is a deep crevice, which is a german trench they had constructed in late may when they started occupying belleu wood. It was through these trench where is the germans were well defended, that the americans and with the french, had to fire the artillery and eventually move forward with a machine gun, rifles, and handtohand fighting to drive them deep from within the woods. Along this path, besides where the trenchlines are, and the artillery shells, the Marine Corps Historical Division placed markers. The markers show the advance of the 5th and 6th marine regiments during the course of the battle to honor the sacrifices made during that battle in june 1918. Were heading through the Second Division line on the battlefield. And you can see how steep the hills are, and how the troops of the Second Division, including two regiments of marines, had to fight their way up this hill while being raked by german machine gunfire. Of course, these trees that are here now, would not have been here at the time. Any foliage would have been completely decimated. This marker commemoratines the capture of belleu wood. Finally it was in american hands. The Second Division with the ig cig kn star was put up to show that it was the Second Division that reached this part of the line. Im standing in one of the abandoned german trempbl trench by german fire. By june 26th, the Second Division troops stayed in this area and were able to have a line of sight across the valley to the farm occupied by the germans. The americans used this to observe the german movements, as they started to attack chateau theiry where they had been driven from. But by july, the americans had driven them from there and it was now back in american and french hands. The allies pressed the counterattack forward. By the end of july, the tide had now turned. The initiative had passed to allied hands, where it would remain. Eight u. S. Divisionsed a participated in the successful counteroffensive, and their performance met their commanders expectations and exceeded all others. Behave bravo, young americans. The dough boy had proved his ability as a fighter, and it was obvious to all that the constantly increasing American Forces were to be the decisive factor in the war. As we head down the hill, well see the cemetery, which includes many of the more than 1800 marines that were killed during the battle. There was a temporary cemetery up on this ridge, and you can see what the cemetery looked like from this faded photograph. There were wooden crosses that were marked by dog tags. Each soldier in world war i, the first time dog tags were used, they were provided two of them. When a soldier was killed and buried, one of the neck, the otd to the wooden cross, for later identification. As we will learn we get to the cemetery, and especially going to the chapel, there are more than 1100 names of soldiers and marines who fought, not just at belleau would, or chateauthierry, and other areas around, are missing. We know who these individuals were, we knew there units, we dont know what happened to them. We could only assume they were killed and buried in isolated graves that werent found, or because of the heavy artillery sheltering, they were buried and never seen again. The remnants of belleau what battlefield are on a hill above the cemetery. The final resting place for 2300 americans who died in this region in 1918 and 1919. Mitchell yockelson visited to talk with shane williams, the u. S. Air force veteran who was employed by the American Battle Monuments Commission as superintendent of the cemetery. Its a pointed for american visitors to realize this is their taxpayer dollars at work, overseas, to tell the story of what took place here with the memory of the fallen. Having said that, this is but 40 . The headstones you see here are approximately 40 of those lives lost in this geographic region, all wool world war one. Its not just a battle of belleau. Thats what most are surprised to understand at this aisnemarne cemetery. We are on the battlefield where primarily u. S. Marine corps took over three weeks of very bloody combat in june of 1918, but in fact, they were relieved by u. S. Army troops who continued the fight, many of who fell into fields to my left here. Beautiful french countryside as it was in 1918. So, youve got a lot of stories here of u. S. Marine corps, u. S. Army, we have our navy medal of honor recipient very just behind the camera here. So many stories to tell, and we are trying to find ways to make that connection with a visitor who has a very limited time at the sites. How about memorial, is that under your direction as well . This office here, we manage the battlefield of belleau wood, 200 acres approximately of the original battle site of belleau, and hill 204 is we call it the american monument, but its on the hill 204 for the meter height, 204 meters high. Its a french american monument, the way it commemorates. Built and maintained by the American Battle Monuments Commission, but if you take a detailed look at the villages, the names of the villages that are inscribed on the monument, and also why it was built, its commemorating the french and american soldiers who fought and died side by side in world war i. Its a interesting way to show franco American History and shared like you just alluded back to 1918. You mentioned being on the belleau wood battlefield, some of the battlefield is mark, which is kind of unique for an American Battlefield in france. We are used to this in the united states, through National Park service states. Can you talk to us about why the battlefield was marked and that its important people to walk through it . Always trying to find a way to where we can walk in history, essentially. Going back, literally, in the same footsteps as an example for belleau wood battlefield, the marines, when they came through the fields on the 6th of june, 1918, took a relatively small sector, but at harry very heavy cost. I always found, when i go back to the site as, well to even the National Parks, getting in touch with something thats physical. Walking in the footsteps of history. That is why i was pleased that, in a very early 19 twenties, american visitors found value in preserving that site. If not for those american visitors who came over on these war tourism, essentially, tours, perhaps that battlefield would not be preserved as it is today. Thats kind of another sidebar history that actually had nothing at all to do the American Battle Monuments Commission at the beginning, but in fact it was deemed ultimately to maintain as it is today. That wasnt done until the 1930s. Again, the belleau wood association, thank you to those who has since passed on, who will [inaudible] with american money and purchased those, woods in order to preserve it. Because that needed to the abmc . It is dated to the American Government for maintenance and perpetuity. The ground we are standing on, which is the cemetery, how many grave sites are there . Over 3000 men, but there are 2289 burials, and over 1000 1060 missing in action. Their names are inscribed inside the memorial chapel. So, they could very well be buried in one of these unmarked lots . In, fact we have 251 unknown soldiers, or sailors, airman, marines that are buried here. About 10 of the burials are actually unknowns. Their names are very likely on the wall here, but they could be on another wall or tablet of missing in one of the other american cemeteries. At other cemeteries, where, since the wall was constructed, that some of those unknowns have actually been recovered. Is that the case here . There have been. A total of seven of the 1006 you have been found since the wall was completed in 1930, the chapel was completed in 1930, you for those of you listening out who got to an overseas american cemetery, if you go to the tablet or wall of the missing it in any of the abmc, and you see a bronze, small bronze rosette next to the name, that means that man or woman perhaps was found and identified. Doesnt mean theyre necessarily buried at that, site but buried somewhere. How does the abmc cemetery differentiate from another cemetery shutters arlington . There are some shared challenges we talk about maintenance, and the way we want to make connections with a visitor. A lot of shared ideas and exchanging that way. Having said, one of the differences all of the men and women who are honored or buried at the overseas sites, they felt wall serving their country overseas. So, they are not specifically war cemeteries, because we have men and women who have died of illness, or accidents, perhaps, but again, thats the difference. Where, back in the states, at arlington, or the National Military cemetery, or the National Cemeteries that the Veterans Affairs manages, the do some great work, but those are eligible for spouses, for independence of a turn as well. Was this particular plot of land originally a temporary cemetery . Yes. We are kind of sort of on the site of one of the temporary cemeteries that rang the battlefield of belleau wood. Here, behind the camera, again, and hopefully we will get a shot of that, to marry cemetery of 1764. There were over 2000 actual burial sites, last temporary cemetery post world war one, from a nice little burial to a temporary cemetery like 1764. A lot of history there with greens registration, italians building the sites out, and the repatriation of about 60 of american warhead from world war i, back to the states, at request of family. At government expense, the family were given a choice of where to whether to accept their loved ones remains back in a private cemetery or a National Military cemetery, or keep them serving, like 2000 and 289 here. The burials, the temporary, was that right at the time of the battle, or did they a lot of the guys, sure, they would have been buried off the battlefield burials, isolated burials, they would attempt to bury the fallen at a temporary cemetery if they could. That wasnt always possible. Sometimes he would not have even been found if it was finished. Sometimes even postwar. A lot of interesting history, which is why just building the sites out, they almost didnt exist at the end of the day. It was almost there was a big push to bring all of the fallen home. For multiple reasons, it was not the case for all the families were given a choice, and thats what you see here today. The site could have been twice the size or it couldve never existed. One was a cemetery dedicated . The cemetery, just like the monument until 204, it was not dedicated until 1937. A few reasons for that one was they had to figure out how do they repatriate the war dead . This is done in early 19 twenties, so if they needed to have within a few hundred final number of how many barrels there would be at a permanent site, at that point, we had to find good architects, but plans together, a lot of thought went into how the cemetery site would be set up, as an example. This is one of nine world war i cemeteries, it is the only one, i believe, that has curvature in the plot. Each of the roads are actually curved. A lot of thought went into it. Those types of trees, perhaps mueller site wouldnt have all of that. Thats why 1937, the site was more or less completed by the mid 19 twenties. They built the buildings, the chapel, talked about 1930, but again, 1937 is because the big American Legion delegation came over. That helped as well, especially at the heel 204 monument. Do you know if the general came to the dedication . He came to both. General person came to the dedication at the cemetery, and also the money would hill 204. This region is particularly interesting to americans, because here, in may 1908 were sunk by the second and third American Division. The second at belleau wood and the third at the pier. The belleau wood and the campaign were significant for world war i in american participation. How do the individual divisions or regiments commemorate that that continuing today . Each of the individual state division sometimes even regimental size they decided that there was a differ way to commemorate as far as building monuments, or putting plaques in different places, that country is the path of where they advanced. Or, perhaps, where they train before combat. A couple examples would be the Second Division boulders. Theres over 30 throughout france, of which the marines are half. You can trace their a guess, in of the way, footsteps through france and different times. Theres a couple of them that surround the battlefield of belleau wood. On the flip side, the unit that relieved the marines after the battle of belleau wood, the 26 division, they decided to build but one monument. It happened to be the Village Church of belleau wood, which was largely destroyed when the 26th division ended up taking the village of belleau wood in july. Postwar, they fundraised and helped rebuild the Village Church in a new location, just outside of the cemetery. There is not just the cemeteries to discover in these areas, there are others sites of commemoration or memory that americans, 100 years ago now, built. Again, they are available to ive got the key to the Village Church, or i can put you in the direction of a Second Division boulders, whatever you find of interest. There are a lot of history here. Shane, why dont you show us some of the greater markers your most familiar with . Right this way. I found the story, thanks to a family visitor, i just happened to be working, it was the element of april, i remember it, 2016. About a year and a half ago, just over here, if i wouldve walked by his headstone on the 10th of april, before this visit we will talk about, i wouldve been able to tell you who is a member of the 102nd machine battalion, 26 division, yankee division, the unit that relieves the marines here and belleau wood, from the state of vermont. He was killed or died on the 20th of july, 1818. I couldnt have told you much more than that. I can tell you a whole lot more, and i could show you a photo of him now, thanks to the family visit. I happen to be here working, it was a weekend, and two ladies and a man came through the gates from the state of ohio, that in fact, they came packing his story. She was the great niece, and the great great niece, her daughter. But was really interesting is that they had kept his letters, diary, photos in the family. They made high quality copies across, and kept his story alive, and if not for that family also sharing with me, perhaps, his story would be lost. The family, thats an important connection. I get to tell his story, a little bit about what he was thinking, what he was feeling, what he was doing. We could always guess when a young soldier, a Young Private from vermont, you are just celebrated his 20th birthday in 1918. He lived only to be 20 years old. We could get as most of the guys were thinking, about going home, about how miserable they, were they had to see this through, even if they agreed that, yes, this is something weve got to fight for, a common cause, with our french allies. I can tell you, all those things were true with ludger. He kept talking about this is the final birthday id have to celebrate from home. As it were, he didnt get to use the return ticket he was provided. He never lived to see past day three of combat in the area. I use his story as an example, because he could have a similar story with a guy who is buried on his left or right, but i dont know. I can tell, you with his letters, with his words, and i can look just down, past that red tiled farm, up the ravine to the right, he would have fallen somewhere right up there. 10 15 minute walk from right here. We can literally walk intended 15 minutes, and be right in the area where he was killed. That was after the battle of belleau wood, when the 26th division came in . Exactly. He is one of those u. S. Joe boys, right . Not a marine, but i dont boy who knew belleau wood as well. He wouldve relieved the rains early july, had weeks to prepare defenses, and on the 18th of july, off they went on the big aisnemarne offensive, that the germans had taken over in the late spring of 1918. Ultimately successful, but ludger as one of many who fell in that area. Its important to bring it up, because many people who know something about belleau wood, think the battle ended on june 26th, and that was it. In reality, the fighting continued on through a good part of july. I am careful to remind people that the marines who fought and, i did a very heavy casual rate compared to the size of their brigade. On the left, for french, fighting and dying, in on the right were u. S. Army all the same time. We keep in mind that the battle of belleau wood, and it was an important battle, a pitched battle, but on the right, the third brigade, u. S. Army, theyre fighting to take some villages to the right. They could see each, other and there was some mixing there between the lines. Again, i try to be fair and balanced, its an important story to tell, but its one of many stories here in the area. Especially, when i got a group of marines, especially some rain to come over, they make me feel old now, because i am pushing 40 myself, and some of these guys, you know, and gals, 19, 20 years old, but they are serving their country. I tried to tell a story i think would fit for maybe where they are in their military career. Hes buried over this way, his name is walter cornell. Most called him cornell, in fact. He was a member of the six regiment, he was killed day two of the battle in belleau wood. Thats not really for me. The interesting part of the story, thats the factual side of it. What was interesting, is that gun or cornell, all of the Young Marines and his company looked to him for leadership. U. S. Marines, at that, point that was an all volunteered force. Most had never seen combat before, not this guy. This guy had been around the world, literally, fighting under the flag. Hed been in china, all over the place, all these Little Islands as the marine corps before 1917. They were doing constable for ships and security, base side, all of that. Walter cornells story for me, for gunner cornell, as he was known to young rains. His story, for me, he showed leadership in those first few days of combat, when these Young Marines were looking to somebody for direction. Looking for leadership, but it comes down to he was a marine sniper. Longrange rifle fire, very effective, hed come in every night, and with more notches on his stock of his rifle. Hed been injured relatively severely on the 6th of june, he was shot in the side, in his ear, hes got part of his earshot and off. But he received more than basic medical attention, and went up the next morning on the 7th of june, and they laid a box barrage over him, bombarded his position, because theyre taking heavy casualties. They knew he was a sniper. They never find out exactly how he died, but up until that point of his death, he was look to for leadership at as many of the Young Marines said, if they cant get cornell, they couldnt get us. The thought a bit hard those first few days of combat. As you can see, he was awarded the distinguished service cross, and maybe cross. He is one of the more awarded here at the cemetery. Again, he did last too long in france. A couple days in combat. I talk a lot about new england, because of the 26th division, the yankee division, new England National guard, and to let people to remind people that it was not just the u. S. Marine corps fighting in this area. Having said that, sometimes, there were marines that came from massachusetts. He was a newly hes a marine, Second Lieutenant thomas ashley, young guy, mid twenties, he was killed pretty early in the battled for phil 142, a member of the fifth rigid marines, the regiment that took what is essentially the northern part of the battlefield of belleau wood, the half that is managed by the abmc, it was primarily the fifth regiment. He would have never seen belleau wood, at least not closeup. He didnt live long enough to get there. He was killed in taking at one of the german machine guns on hill 142. Its not just belleau wood, for the marine corps, the marine corps but at the farm, and in belleau wood, in that first summer of june. The gold star mother pilgrimages, do you know when they came here to the cemetery, and it was before the cemetery was dedicated, right . The gold star pilgrimages, another great part of American History that, i think, is largely lost. It doesnt get all of the play that i think it deserves. The u. S. Government first off gave the families of the fallen choice we talk about to bring their loved ones remains home, for those who chose not to, you chose to keep them overseas, theyre provided the choice to come over, and in the early 19 thirties, to visit their loved ones headstone, and visit the battlefield, do some other things. Laid wreaths at [inaudible] did some shopping trips, and of the things that were nonworld war i, nonwar related. That was over four different summer, its 1930 through 33. I dont know how many came to the site, but i know hope i have my numbers right 6693, i think thats the number. Under 7000 total women came over on the trip. Interestingly enough, men were not eligible, and said they often call it the gold star mother pilgrimages. Its the gold star pilgrimages because it was often mothers who lost their son. Sometimes with us as well. Most of the guys never got a chance to marry, but if they had a widow, the widow is actually the one eligible. The american abmc superintendent, at that point, when it welcomed them, and and taken it out. If memory serves, me it was approximately a threeweek voyage from doortodoor on a steam cruise liner, with nice tablecloths and all of that. But, it took a while to get here. Thats where that three weeks wasnt really three weeks in country. They were careful to separate the groups out, a couple different ways. We will talk about that. This would be a group a fouryear, always done in summer months, say have a longer season, better weather, although in france, you never know, even in the summer. They would have a military escort, u. S. Army escort with them during the state to make them as comparable as possible. Interestingly, these are the segregated integrated sites. So, there are black soldiers buried next to white soldiers, next to officers, all states, all many of them first generation immigrants, and all that. By point in saying that, they were gold star groups of African American women. So, segregated during their pilgrimages as well. Its an interesting part of history that needs to be told that they were still provided the ability to come over, but in fact, still segregated at that point. Sometimes, when i talk about, i might show during a guided visit, a photo of a mother coming to the headstone of her son, i know next to nothing of her son, except perhaps was on the headstone, and next nothing but her, except a have her name on the log, and a photo of her, but its in the way of making the connection that the information is out, there and it happened. She came to the same exact site. What i learned, many of your mysteries are french citizens. Thats true. What is it about the cemetery to them, you, think that brings them here . Theres been a connection with the french americans, especially going back to 1918, that i know of. We could always go back to 1776 as well, many people do that as well. What is interesting, to see the turnout of the first few memorial days here of the local community, very high, all the school children, all the local officials came out to honor the fallen. It hasnt changed. Last year, we had over 3000, and i know we will have more in 2018. Thats a link. We are talking 100 years on, and we still have great local communities support. Visitors, when we walk through the gate, here a lot of people are struck by how beautiful it is, and how long maintained it is. All of it is true, but a lot of work goes into it. Theres a lot of history behind the scenes of what took place to make this site when it is today. We have multi generational visitors, and sometimes employees who work and maintain the sites. Often, their father or grandfather work before them at some of these sites. There is a lot of different ways of making the connection. I can tell you, the french have not forgotten what took place here to free them behind 1918, and of course, as i worked as well, many world war ii cemeteries in france and elsewhere. The locals, its pretty comment to see a great local communities support for the sites. You are watching American History tv. Every weekend on cspan 3, explore our nations past. Cspan 3, created by americas Cable Television company as a public service, and brought to you today by your television provider. Weeknights estimate, we are featuring American History tv programs as a preview of what is available every weekend on cspan 3. Tonight, we look back at the island victories in both european and pacific theaters with author and historian right rick atkinson. 2020 marxism to this anniversary at the end of world war ii. Thats at 8 pm eastern. Enjoy American History tv, this week and every weekend on cspan 3. She spends podcast the weekly looks at the electoral college, with the votes and president ial elections still being counted. We look into challenges facing the electoral college, and potential reforms. Our guest is a manager of election law reform at the heritage foundation, and an assistant professor of law. Fine to see spends the weekly wherever you get your podcasts. Author John Wukovits discusses his book dogfight over tokyo the final air battle of the pacific and the last four men to die in world war ii. The book tells a story of a group of american aviators he took off from the carrier uss york town on august 15th 1945. They were attacked over japan, shortly after receiving word that the war had ended. The National World War Ii Museum posted this online event, and provided the video. Thank you all for joining us today, for what will be a great conversation about a really engaging and a book that maybe should have been written before john got to, it in the last some five years since the