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Whether you’re interested in learning more about the real Band of Brothers, or exploring the people, places and things associated with a wide range of World War II battles, the “We’re Not Lost, Private” Podcast is the pod for you. We focus on telling the stories of the members of the Greatest Generation who served at the bayonet point and were involved in the battles that helped define the 20th Century and beyond. We’ll talk with historians, authors, battlefield guides and family members of the men and women that were there during one of the most climactic events in human history. Learn what it was like for these service members to take part in a combat parachute assault, an amphibious assault on an enemy held beach, knocking out an enemy strong point, or countless other actions across the breath and width of World War II. The “We’re Not Lost, Private” Podcast puts you right next to them during that action.
61 Episodes
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Send us a text Have you ever just wanted to grab a drink and sit down with a couple of like-minded folks and talk WWII history? Well, grab a pint and tuck in for this show as Joe is joined by old friends Paul Woodadge and Reg Jans as they discuss WWII history, battles, and veterans that they have met and befriended over the years. The only thing missing is the pub’s dartboard, countertop and soggy bar rag, and crackling fire in the fireplace! Enjoy! If you'd like to become a Patr...
Send us a text A day late and a dollar short, only we’re neither since the Battle of the Bulge officially ended on 25 January 1945. Join Joe and special guest, Reg Jans, as they examine the opening phase of the battle and some of the key fights that fueled the German offensive and the Americans’ response. They look at factors influencing the battle such as fuel and manpower shortages, as well as key personalities both sides and German planning. It’s a great overview with one of the battle’s f...
Send us a text Donald Hoobler, Easy Company stalwart, heavily featured in the miniseries Band of Brothers. There’s so much incorrect information out there about how he died. Between Wikipedia, guesswork, and the miniseries, it all contributes to the inaccuracy. Sit down with Joe for a quick hit episode that busts the myths surrounding the death of this extremely popular soldier. From his interviews with Company members, and the written accounts of others, Joe has assembled the most accurate d...
Send us a text During World War II, Elzbieta Zawacka was the only woman to reach London as an emissary of the Polish Home Army command. In Britain, she became the only woman to join the Polish elite Special Forces, known as the "Silent Unseen.” She was secretly trained in the British countryside, and then she was the only female member of these forces to be parachuted back behind enemy lines to Nazi-occupied Poland. There, while being hunted by the Gestapo (who arrested her entire family), sh...
Send us a text Many of you have probably read about the Duplex Drive Shermans, one of “Hobart’s Funnies.” The myths and urban legends about their launching and deployment on D-Day have persisted for decades. Author and historian Charles Herrick joins the pod again, this time to lift the shroud from the mystery about how the orders and decisions made by almost every level of leadership led to the uneven performance and sadly, the deaths of many DD crews off Omaha Beach on D-Day. Check in to he...
Send us a text Patreon supporter Andrew sent me a question about what happens to a paratrooper’s extra gear and dress uniforms when they are training or deployed on a combat operation. Check out this short to find out! Support the show
Send us a text Noncommissioned Officers, or NCOs, have long been considered the backbone of the Marine Corps. But the crucible of combat in World War II tested the NCO corps like no other event. They acted as the continuity, institutional knowledge and experience, and many times, the moral compass for the young Leathernecks in their charge. Steven McCloud returns to the pod to discuss with Joe the immense value of these men and their contributions to the overall success of the Marine Corps in...
Send us a text The 101st Airborne left behind a legacy with their service in World War II and their actions gained them a fame that has continued to this day. Much attention has been focused on their storied combat actions like Normandy and Bastogne, while their time spent in England in 1943/44 is less well known. Through a wealth of sources, testimonies and period photographs, Matthew Pellett has brought that lesser-known period in the Division’s history to the fore. Join Joe and Matthew as ...
Send us a text For years the United States Marine Corps has had a recruiting tool called the ‘Buddy Program.’ Using the program, you could join with a friend and essentially be guaranteed to go through recruit training together. During World War II, eight young men from Weslaco, Texas took that theory to the extreme, joining the Marine Corps to serve their nation. One of those young men was Iwo Jima flag raiser, Harlan Block. In a continuation of our Pacific Theater programming, Andrew Booher...
Send us a text Due to the popularity of John Basilone and the Battle of Alligator Creek, the Battle for Guadalcanal looms large in the public eye regarding World War II in the Pacific. The Pacific miniseries reinforced those popular images. But like most battles in the war, much more information is required to get a complete understanding of what happened. Dave Holland, through his popular “Guadalcanal – Walking a Battlefield” Facebook page, has begun lifting the shroud from the Battle of Gua...
Send us a text The 29th Infantry Division was one of the earliest National Guard units to be federalized after the attack on Pearl Harbor. They would soon ship to England where they would train until D-Day. After landing on France that fateful day, they would essentially remain ‘one the line’ until V-E Day. Joe is joined by esteemed author and historian, Joe Balkoski to help explore the combat mindset of the men of the division as they activate, ship out, take part in one of the most famous a...
Send us a text When Marine Air Group 2 was stationed at Ewa Airfield on the island of Honolulu, none of the Marines there could have anticipated what would happen on the morning of December 7th, 1941. Join Joe and Josh Donohue as they examine significance of Ewa and the actions of both the Japanese attackers and Marine defenders on that fateful day. It’s an attack that has long been overshadowed by the one that took place at Battleship Row, but one that the Marines that withstood it would nev...
Send us a text The seesaw fight for Le Ferme Delaunay and Les Droueries. Despite launching multiple concerted attacks against German positions, LTC Robert Ballard found himself and his 2nd Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry in a death struggle. It was a test of will between the Americans and German grenadiers and Fallschirmjäger. Repeatedly taking and giving up ground and even being hit by their own naval gunfire support couldn’t prevent these Geronimo paratroopers from winning. In the secon...
Send us a text Sometimes interesting history topics develop out of nothing more than a quick conversation. In this case, an offhand comment from his father-in-law led Joe to an amazing story of how a Tuskegee Airman, shot down during his 64th mission, found refuge in two small villages in northern Croatia. Check out the area where Robert Martin was sheltered and cared for by the people of the small village of Cetingrad and later evacuated back to the United States. It’s a remarkable story and...
Send us a text It was a battle that was never meant to be. Two Robert’s, Ballard and Wolverton, each commanded a battalion in the 101st Airborne, and each was tasked with capturing bridges over the Douve River. But before the battalions could accomplish their missions, they’d have to clear the area around their drop zone of enemy troops. Les Droueries was located near the drop zone and the flooded grounds around it would become the scene of bitter fighting. In the first of a two-part series, ...
Send us a text Second time’s a charm. Join Joe as he deep dives some of the currently circulating myths and misconceptions created and promoted by an unscrupulous YouTuber. It’s all about educating and informing folks as to the truth about Easy Company and not someone’s interpretations of it. Part 1 of what will likely be a multi-part series was wildly popular, and the WNLP followers have asked for more. So, tune in for Episode 41 to learn more about what is likely World War II’s most talked ...
Send us a text Kasserine Pass. The fighting for that geographic novelty has an almost mystical aura around it as it was the US Army’s first large-scale battle against the Germans in North Africa. And they fared poorly. But did you know about the smaller, yet no less important battle for Sidi Bou Zid? It essentially set the stage for Kasserine, and those two battlefield setbacks would result in the firing of a US corps commander, and herald the arrival of General George S. Patton to II Corps. ...
Send us a text Have you ever wondered if you have a famous relative? We all have at some point thought about the possibility, especially if you ran across someone with a similar last name. In this episode, Joe examines the cases of three members of the 3rd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, and runs down the myths and urban legends associated with them and their possible famous relatives. He also looks at their service during the war and what happened to them. Enjoy! If you'd...
Send us a text It happens more often than most fans of Band of Brothers would like. YouTube channels and podcasts pop up with poorly contextualized, subpar content designed as clickbait. It’s frustrating for both real historians and genuine fans of the book and miniseries. In this episode, Joe works through a number of sensationalized Easy Company-related topics in order to separate the wheat from the chaff, and bring the truth about Band of Brothers’ topics that seem to attract these less-th...
Send us a text I was able to bookend visits to the Museum of the Mighty 8th and the UDT/Navy SEAL Museum during a recent vacation. I had previously visited the Mighty 8th, but had never done so with the the SEAL Museum. Both are high quality with wonderful displays related to World War II. Masters of the Air has kickstarted the popularity and pending expansion of the Mighty 8th, and the Naval Combat Demolition Units of WWII have their genesis at Fort Pierce where the museum is located. Stop b...
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