Resources/People/Articles Mentioned in Podcast The takeaways Adam got from writing this story.The homecoming that Clarence finally received as a 95-year-old.Clarence’s feelings - 75 years later even - on his heroics in that battle.Gustav, the German tanker, and why he’s easy to root for.How Clarence cemented his role as a gunner (despite not wanting it).Why America’s tank technology lagged behind.How Adam found the story of Clarence Smoyer.How Adam got started writing WWII history books as a young guy.We end our conversation discussing what happened when Clarence and Gustav recently met up as old men, and the lessons Adam thinks members of the social media age can take from the veterans of the Big One. He then gives us an engaging rundown of tank warfare in WWII, and walks us through Clarence’s hero’s journey and the epic battles he faced with calm commitment and a love for his team of tankers. Adam shares how he became interested in WWII history as a kid and how he found Clarence’s story. Spearhead follows the story of Clarence Smoyer - a quiet kid from Pennsylvania coal country who became one of the greatest tank gunners in World War II history - and how his life crossed paths with an enemy tanker, Gustav Schaefer, during the Battle of Cologne. Makos, the author of A Higher Call and Devotion, was here in T-Town to discuss his most recent book, Spearhead: An American Tank Gunner, His Enemy, and a Collision of Lives in World War II. It took place at Magic City Books here in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and joining me for the interview was two-time past guest Adam Makos. Recently, I participated in the AoM podcast’s first live audience interview.

Tank battles of wwii