This Week on History Happy Hour: From his first visit in 1941 to his last one eighteen years later, Churchill made himself at home in the White House, sometimes staying for weeks at a time. These extended stays at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue changed the course of history. We will explore this story with Robert Schmuhl, author of Mr. Churchill in the White House: The Untold Story of a Prime Minister and Two Presidents.

Robert Schmuhl is a Professor Emeritus in American Studies and Journalism at the University of Notre Dame. He has been on the Notre Dame faculty since 1980. He’s the author or editor of fifteen books, including “The Glory and the Burden” about the US presidency.

This Week on History Happy Hour: No Guest – Just Us! We’re bringing back another edition of History Happy Talk!

What would you like us to talk about. The Battle of the Bulge? Recent trips you have been on? Who should have won the War for Independence? Send an email to info@historyhappyhour.net with your questions/topics/suggestions. Get us going! And when you tune in, we’ll have some questions for you as well. A free-flow, interactive, fun time on HHH. Just make sure you have your cocktail in hand – we sure will!

This Week on History Happy Hour: It is one of the most famous and controversial battles the British fought in Normandy. On June 13, British forces were ambushed at Villers Bocage by Waffen SS German Panzers, including one commanded by German Panzer ace Michael Wittmann. This kicked off a two-day battle that resulted in a major British withdrawal.

Chris and Rick dig into this story with Daniel Taylor author of Villers-Bocage: Operation Perch: The Complete Event. The debate still swirls: Was it a crushing British defeat, or a compelling recovery from an ambush that was misunderstood by an already nervous high command? And has Wittmann’s role been exaggerated, or was he really the hero the Nazis made him out to be?