Steve Weiss

History

Dr Stephen J Weiss, a former Research Associate at the Centre for Defence Studies holds two MA degrees, the first in Clinical Psychology from Goddard College, Vt., the second in War Studies from Kings College London. He was awarded his PhD. in War Studies from Kings in 1995. Dr. Weiss served as a first scout in an American infantry rifle squad in Italy, France, and Germany. He landed on D-Day in Southern France. Listed as Missing In Action' in France, he served with the French Resistance and an OSS Operational Group behind enemy lines. For these exploits, he was awarded the French Resistance Medal, two Croix de Guerre, and the American Bronze Star. President Jacques Chirac presented him with the Legion d’ Honneur in 1999. On 22nd June 2007 he was made an Officier de la Leigon d’ Honneur. Dr Weiss also worked as a licensed California clinical psychotherapist in Los Angeles. As a former photographer and music editor, he spent many years in American network broadcast television. In his lectures, he brings his war experiences directly into the class room. Dr Weiss is conducting research on and assessment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in a select group of World War Two Veterans. The Canadian landings in Normandy on D-Day is another project under investigation. His recent book,Second Chance: In Combat with the US 'Texas' Infantry, the OSS, and the French Resistance during the Liberation of France, 1943-1946 was published in September 2011 by Military History Publishing.

Movies

Battle of the Bulge: Siege of Bastogne
Battle of the Bulge: Siege of Bastogne
Presenter
With the Fifth Panzer Army fighting its way towards the River Meuse, the cross roads town of Bastogne, vital for the success of Hitler's last attempt to check the Allies in the west, the Americans rushed reinforcements to hold it. 101st US Airborne Division was resting in reserve near Paris when the call for immediate deployment to the Ardennes came and reached Bastogne just before the German ring around the town closed. Wearing only normal uniforms, the 101st joined the other garrison troops in a siege where they fought not only the enemy's panzers but the freezing, snowy, cold to hold the vital road junction. Filmed on the ground we tell the story of the heroic defence of Bastogne.
Battle of the Bulge: Panzer Marche - The Dash for Bastogne
Battle of the Bulge: Panzer Marche - The Dash for Bastogne
Himself - Presenter and Veteran
In this programe we examine the background to the campaign with a leading American historian before following the advance of one of Hitler's most successful panzer commanders, Hasso von Manteuffel, Fifth Panzer Army. We will travel in wintery conditions from the German border into the lightly held US front line. From the outset small groups of GIs did their best to delay the advance of the panzers, buying time for the vital crossroad town of Bastogne to be reinforced by 101st US Airborne Division. Under the cloak of bad weather, the Germans initially advanced successfully but more slowly than planned However, Germany's chronic lack of fuel hamstrung the advance. The British XXX Corps deployed to the River Meuse amidst controversy over Montgomery's role and injudicious words but the panzer spearheads were halted short of the river as the skies cleared and the feared fighter bombers returned.