For in war, just as in loving, you must keep on shoving, or you'll never get your reward.

For if you are dilatory, in the search for lust or glory, you are up shit creek, and that's the truth, oh Lord.

George Patton

Welcome to the history of the 20th century.

Thank you. The

The Episode 390, Benito and Finito.

In May 1943, Hitler and Stalin and their respective military commanders were plotting their

1943 offensives.

That same month, Winston Churchill came to Washington to meet with Franklin Roosevelt for the third

time.

The UK and the U.S. were plotting their own

joint-1943 offensive as well. They had already agreed that the next step would be an invasion

of Sicily, but their military leaders were once again at odds over what should come afterward.

You'll recall that American military commanders agreed to the invasion of North Africa only reluctantly.

Did I say agreed? No, they never actually agreed. Operation Torch only happened because Churchill had convinced Roosevelt,

who in turn ordered his military to proceed with the invasion against their better judgment.

But that was all behind them now. The Americans had grudgingly agreed to go forward with the next operation proposed by the British,

the invasion of Sicily. Operation Husky, they were calling it.

The Chief American Military Commanders, General Marshall and Admiral King,

were once again feeling that the British were selling them a bill of goods.

Sicily? Okay, the rationale for invading Sicily was hard to argue with.

The Luftwaffe and the Regia aeronautica were using the island as a sort of giant aircraft carrier,

...