35th Annual Admiral Nimitz Symposium - 2022: Jonathan Parshall Keynote Speaker

"1942: Crux of War"
1942 was truly the hinge point of all of WWII, in that during this one year, both the Axis and Allies had the ability to create the long-term conditions for ultimate victory. It represented the point of maximum danger for the Allied alliance. Jonathan Parshall describes the totality of the war situation in the first half of the year from both the Allied and Axis perspectives, so as to create a broader context for understanding the issues in the Pacific.

Speaker bio:

Special Thanks to Symposium Donors and Sponsors:
Humanities for Texas
Fischer and Weiser
Hilmy Cellars
and several private donors.

Book: Shattered Sword

This is a recording from the 35th Annual Admiral Nimitz Symposium: 2022.
For more information about symposiums, webinars, and our mission please visit us online:
NMPW Copyright 2022

[jamestamu]

The first 30-minutes of his presentation is the finest summation of WW2 that I've ever heard! And I've been reading about WW2 for over 40-years. Wow!! This should be shown to all high school students. He truly brings history alive!

[paulrugg]

John is among the most relatable historians, and possessed of a broad range of subject, . A credit to his profession, and a golden opportunity for those who partake of his gifts.

[kevinmoore]

I’ve watched this lecture 3 times now and still marvel at its clarity and scope. Parshall has a talent for distilling the important essence from his subject and making his audience feel what it was really like. This particular lecture should be required viewing in each and every high school history class.

[egonzinc]

John combines his amazing knowledge of the subject with a clear and concise delivery. Fantastic presentation!

[halking]

That is about the best WWII presentation I ever heard. Considering that I watch several every week, that's saying something.

[christopherclayton]

Mr Parshall Is really, really good value. Thank you.

[jamesthompson]

Excellent job Jon!!! Always look forward to hearing you speak! You are the man!

[curtgomes]

My wife and I just visited the Nimitz WWII museum in Fredericksburg Texas. A beautiful town with so much to see and do. I highly recommend this as a stop for anyone traveling near the area.

[dancolley]

Wow!!! Other than a rather small group of historians, who in the entire theater of world opinion had any idea how narrow and slippery the knife's edge truly was? Certainly not me, and I once considered myself to be reasonably well read. One clear concept surfaces: it matters whose writing one reads. Many times, there is no real choice in the selection and it appears that might be the case here. Thank God for those who who failed to drink the Kool Aid.

We cannot forget that we are reading history, not current events. There does, however, resonate an idea that those who fail to understand our history are dooms us to repeat its failures and I'm beginning to see more of that as the clock ticks off its inexorable march toward the future.

An AMAZING revelation to me, Jon. Thank you.

[tracygallaway]

This is masterful. Johnathan Parshall shines light into often ignored areas of this global war. He explains in such insightful manner how events in any one place and time will affect those in another front and time. Just brilliant! Thanks!

[JoshuaC]

I would like to say thank you for posting such lectures online for us to listen and learn from

[joshwhite]

Really looking forward to Jonathan Parshall's "1942" book

[bobl]

Superb! Brillant! Looking forward your next book.

[jimsilvey]

That was an absolutely incredible presentation.

[davidvonkettering]

I read Nimitz' Gray Book a couple of years ago, and if you love the history of the Pacific War, you will be well-rewarded for undertaking the task of consuming these eight volumes. The feeling of real-time involvement is so pristine that, upon reading in the reports Admiral Nimitz' plane had crashed at Alameda Air Base I actually felt a wave of despair and trepidation in that instant. Mr. Parshall's presentations on this combat theater are as captivating as the experience I found from the Nimitz records.
Thanks to the US Navy and Marines, who really were the victors in this crucial part of the war. Happy New Year!
Love,
David

[danielgiusti]

I have found my new favorite WWII historian!

[Italian_Military_Archives]

Really outstanding! One does not easily find an analysis that interconnects all these theatres and their maritime supply lines

[joesmith]

When we talk about American re-armament we should remember that it started back around June 1940 - year and a half before Pearl Harbor. As examples: The first flight of the P-51 was in October 1940; the USA ordered three Essex class carriers in July 1940 and eight more in September 1940.

[Doodloper]

Excellent lecture by the legendary Jonathan ""Field Marshall" Parshall

[paduapeted]

A truly insightful overview of the vital importance of the global development and prosecution of the war from 1942 onwards, for all the main Allied powers. The war in 1942 was a very close run thing, in the Atlantic, in the Mediterranean, in North Africa, in Europe and in Asia.

The existential naval supply lines to and from Britain to the USSR, to North Africa and Asia as a whole, including the Pacific war, were undeniably interdependent. A British collapse or surrender following the fall of France was likely to have unleashed the full might of Germany on the USSR, with German air and naval forces essentially intact. 1940 saw the destruction of a sizeable part of German air forces over Britain. This staved off the defeat of Britain but was not as yet a decisive turning point in the prosecution of the European war.

The massive military production of the US from 1942 onwards had to be supplied to Britain and the USSR across the Atlantic - or round Africa. Britain too supplied the USSR with thousands of tanks and of aircraft as well as munitions, as its own military production of these factors increased to a wartime peak which in itself surpassed that of Germany.

At the same time much Soviet production (including the grain, coal and steel of the Ukraine etc.) was lost, destroyed or hastily removed further East. Much of this production was the result of rapid industrialisation - and at times highly disruptive agricultural collectivisation - in the 1930s. By 1942, the remaining Soviet populations were indeed close to starvation and - in the main areas of warfare - exposed to the elements as well as military destruction.

Beyond US/UK supplies of tanks and aircraft through 1942, US supplies of military vehicles, trucks, jeeps, etc., essentially motorised the Red Army for later battles. The air war over Germany drew thousands of German (dual purpose) AA/AT guns and flak weapons back to Germany for air defence, which would otherwise have been used for tank busting in the East. It was indeed all interconnected. The collapse of Soviet food supply in 1942 may well have resulted in economic and military collapse.

This is by far the best overall analysis and marshalling of solid fact and information on World War 2 I've seen yet. Much respect to you Sir - and I have to say I was in awe at numerous points. Even after watching for the second time.