Someone Talked!

Jennet Conant is the New York Times best-selling author of Tuxedo Park, 109 East Palace, The Irregulars, The Great Secret, and the critically acclaimed Man of the Hour. She returns to Someone Talked! to discuss her latest work Fierce Ambition: The Life and Legend of War Correspondent Maggie Higgins.

James Scott, a celebrated author and World War II historian, dives into the harrowing firebombing of Tokyo and its implications for nuclear warfare. He shares gripping accounts of B-29 bomber crews facing immense technical and emotional challenges. The discussion shifts to Japan's wartime decisions and the tragic human costs, especially for civilians in the Philippines. Scott also reflects on the trauma of war and its connection to the civil rights movement, highlighting how the struggles of that era shaped future generations.

Eight decades after giving their lives in the cause of freedom, the National D-Day Memorial's necrology research team identified fifteen men who fell on D-Day. These additions and other updates bring the the number of names on the Memorial's wall to 4,426 - the most complete accounting of D-Day fallen in the world.

Our hosts reflect on the 80th anniversary of D-Day commemorations in both Normandy, France and Bedford, Virginia.

We wrap up our 80th anniversary commemoration month episodes with the return of Sand and Steel author Peter Caddick-Adams.Caddick–Adams was born in London in 1960 and educated at Shrewsbury School, Sandhurst and Wolverhampton University, where he gained First Class Honours in War Studies; he received his PhD from Cranfield University. He worked in the House of Commons, then taught at Oxford and Birmingham Universities before being appointed Lecturer in Military and Security Studies at the UK Defence Academy in 1998, and Lecturer in Air Power Studies at RAF Halton since 2012. Concurrently, he pursued a second career in the UK Regular and Reserve Forces, was commissioned in 1979 and joined the Reserves in 1985.He has extensive experience of various war zones, including the Balkans, Iraq and Afghanistan. During 1996–7 he was the official NATO Historian in Bosnia, based in Sarajevo, and was also the UK Historian during the Iraq War of 2003.

On the eve of the 80th anniversary of D-Day, our hosts are joined by renowned military historian Peter Caddick-Adams to discuss his 2019 book Sand and Steel.Caddick–Adams was born in London in 1960 and educated at Shrewsbury School, Sandhurst and Wolverhampton University, where he gained First Class Honours in War Studies; he received his PhD from Cranfield University. He worked in the House of Commons, then taught at Oxford and Birmingham Universities before being appointed Lecturer in Military and Security Studies at the UK Defence Academy in 1998, and Lecturer in Air Power Studies at RAF Halton since 2012. Concurrently, he pursued a second career in the UK Regular and Reserve Forces, was commissioned in 1979 and joined the Reserves in 1985.He has extensive experience of various war zones, including the Balkans, Iraq and Afghanistan. During 1996–7 he was the official NATO Historian in Bosnia, based in Sarajevo, and was also the UK Historian during the Iraq War of 2003.

Broadcasting live from Bedford, Virginia, and Normandy, France, the National D-Day Memorial presents Someone Talked! featuring special guest Paul Woodadge.Recorded LIVE on May 17, 2024.

The Paratrooper Generals author Mitch Yockelson returns with more on Matthew Ridgway and Maxwell Taylor. The 2020 book is the first book to explore in depth the significant role these two division commanders played on D-Day, describing the extraordinary courage and leadership they demonstrated throughout the most important American campaign of World War II.Yockelson is the author of 6 books and as the Investigative Archivist Manager leading the Archival Recovery Program for the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), he investigates theft and fraud cases of America's protected government records and historical artifacts.

Author Mitch Yockelson joins us with insights from his latest work, The Paratrooper Generals: Matthew Ridgway, Maxwell Taylor, and the American Airborne from D-Day through Normandy.Generals during World War II usually stayed to the rear, but not Matthew Ridgway and Maxwell Taylor. During D-Day and the Normandy campaign, these commanders of the 82nd “All-American” and the 101st “Screaming Eagle” Airborne Divisions refused to remain behind the lines and stood shoulder-to-shoulder with their paratroopers in the thick of combat.Yockelson is the Investigative Archivist Manager for the National Archives and Records Administration, a historian, and professor.