The History of WWII Podcast

Episode 514-Zhukov Arrives at Stalingrad

24 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Though Army Group B approaches Stalingrad, all does not go according to plan. Thus Gen. Paulus calls on Field Marshal Wolfram von Richthofen and his F...

Episode 513-Stalingrad or Bust

21 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Dividing Army Group South, both the Baku Oil Fields and Stalingrad are to be captured. Berlin believes this will weaken Soviet Russia’s war effort. ...

Episode 512-Operation Anthropoid

17 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

First, a summary of Stalin’s late winter, early spring 1942 counter attacks, along the entire Eastern Front. They mostly fail and cost hundreds of t...

Episode 511- FDR's Fireside Chats

11 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As President Roosevelt knew his New Deal policies would be unpopular with the business owners, he sought to explain himself directly to the people. Th...

Episode 510-The Fall of Sevastopol

07 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Using overwhelming artillery, the Germans close in on Sevastopol. Petrov does what he can, but the Stavka stop giving him reinforcements, thinking, th...

Episode 509-Resist Today, Resist Tomorrow, Resit Until It’s Done

03 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

During WWII many civilians became resisters, rebels and they would strike at their oppressive governments in any way they could. For some, it will be ...

Episode 508-The Fall of Kerch

28 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Though outmanned, Gen. Manstein will brilliantly use what he has to out maneuver the Soviet forces on the eastern half of Crimea. It will take time, b...

Episode 507-Wolf Killers

24 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Of all Gen. Manstein’s Infantry Divisions, Maj. Gen. Ludwig Wolff’s 22nd Division will get the closest to Sevastopol. But Petrov’s regular flow ...

Episode 506-Lord Haw-Haw

20 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Masters of Propaganda, the German state employs William Joyce to broadcast news, in a taunting tone, to the Allied Nations. His objective, to demorali...

Episode 505-Catch Me, If You Can

14 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

With the Battle of Ishun lost, the Soviets retreat, in all directions. Soon, Crimean cities are falling and prisoners are being scooped up in the thou...

Episode 504-Demanding Miracles, Ignoring Reality

10 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The German 11th Army comes at Ishun, but Gen. Kuznetsov is ready or as ready as he can be. But with three attacking forces, Gen. Erich von Manstein on...

Episode 503-A Desperate Defense If Ever There Was One

06 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

After a quick and merciless victory just above the Sea of Azov, Gen. Eric Hansen readies his 6 infantry divisions to take the Crimea. But the naval in...

Episode 502-The Wolf is at the Door

30 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Army Group South reaches the opening of the Crimea. But waiting for the invaders are 3 lines of defense. Yet as there is no other way to gain access, ...

Episode 501-The Other Crimean War

23 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The story of the Crimea had seen tragedies for centuries. Nothing would improve with Operation Barbarossa. Yet, the why of the importance of the Crime...

Episode 500-Too Much, Too Soon

17 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Rzhev salient seems to be contained, but the new threat is near Vyazma. Can the Germans hold onto it, for the Soviets have the man power to attack...

Episode 499-The Wild West of the Eastern Front

09 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As the Germans keep attacking the Rzhev Salient, another Soviet thrust comes up at Vyazma from the South East. Both sides are undermanned and under eq...

Episode 498-Living Through Hell in the Middle of Winter

03 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Though Stalin’s great counter attack has failed, he refuses to see it as such. More attacks are ordered but the Heer or German Army is getting stron...

Episode 497-My Leader, Who Commands 9th Army? You or Me?

26 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Stalin sought an encirclement of the northern half of Army Group Center. Instead he would get two encirclements, the second, larger than the first. Bu...

Episode 496-Interview w/Betina Anton: Hiding Mengele: How a Nazi Network Harbored The Angel of Death

21 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Journalist Betina Anton comes on the show to discuss her book, Hiding Mengele: How a Nazi Network Harbored The Angel of Death. After experimenting and...

Episode 495-Fight, Lose, Retreat, Repeat

18 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Stalin’s second wave of massive counter attacks get underway in January 1942. Yet the Germans are a bit more prepared this time. Not that Gen. von K...

Episode 494-Veteran's Voices-The Guys from The Warrior Next Door Podcast Return!

10 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ryan Fairfield and Tony "The Tiger" Lupo return to the show, bringing interview clips from WWII Veterans. We cover incredible moments from D-Day and t...

Episode 493-The Rzhev Meat Grinder

04 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As both sides still think they can win in the East, Germany and Soviet Russia will clash along the entire line of fighting. But no where more intensel...

Episode 492-The Battle of Volkhov River: Leningrad is to be Saved

23 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Stalin, not giving up winning the war by early 1942 has ordered a massive attack across the Volkhov River, to the SE of Leningrad. Meanwhile, Hitler’...

Episode 491-The Russians Are Coming!

15 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Stalin, tasting a bit of success, now launches massive counter attacks up and down the line of all three German Army Groups. Yet, he will find out, in...

Episode 490-Between Stalin's Hammer and Hitler's Anvil

09 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Army Group Center commander Von Kluge goes round and round with Hitler about retreating. Hitler’s reasons become more wild, but events on the ground...

Episode 489-2 Ep Special! Interview w/ Jan Davis: Air Born: Two Generations in Flight & Retreat or Die

30 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Astronaut Jan Davis' book tells of her father's time as a B-17 pilot and POW. His can do attitude that gets challenged in a German prisoner Camp. Then...

Episode 488-One Shot, One Kill: Soviet Snipers of the Eastern Front

23 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

From painful experiences during the Spanish Civil War and the Winter War against Finland, Soviet Russia started several sniper schools. Hence when the...

Episode 487-A 2 Episode Special! Interview with Shannon Monaghan: A Quiet Company of Dangerous Men. Then, Merry Christmas From the Eastern Front

17 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

2 Ep Special! 1st, Interview with Shannon Monaghan about her book, A Quiet Company of Dangerous Men: The Forgotten British Special Operations Soldiers...

Episode 486-Interview w/ Robert Hutton: The Illusionist: The True Story of the Man Who Fooled Hitler

10 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Writer Robert Hutton comes on to discuss his latest book, The Illusionist: The true story of the man who fooled Hitler. Early in the war, the British ...

Episode 485-No More Dead Heroes

03 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As Hitler battles his generals about when to stop retreating, Gen. Zhukov starts his phase 2 of the great counter attack. For Army Group Center has a ...

Episode 484-Hitler Cleans House

27 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Hitler is determined to make a stand with Army Group Center. And those that do not share his resolve or see his wisdom will be removed. Positions are ...

Episode 483-Not One Single Step Back

20 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As Army Group Center continues its retreat, clearly, the momentum has shifted. But Berlin needs it back or the Army Group will disintegrate. Thus Hitl...

Episode 482-Stalin's Dreams Almost Come True

14 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Just as Army Group Center goes over to a defensive stance, Stalin launches his counter attack. The first battle goes well, so more units are activated...

Episode 481-Victoring Itself to Death

09 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As Army Group Center winds down its offensive during Operation Typhoon, due to a lack of supplies, exhaustion and cold, the Soviets around Moscow are ...

Episode 480-Japanese Americans at War

06 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Out of the Internment Camps, thousands of Nisei Japanese Americans volunteer for the U.S. Armed Forces. Their contributions will save thousands of GI’...

Episode 479-America's Internment Camps

31 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The attack on Pearl Harbor was a dark day for the U.S. But this was followed by another bleak period in the U.S. The creation and forced removal of Ja...

Episode 478-Operation Typhoon Comes to an End

25 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Army Group Center is finally making a play for Moscow, but their advance will grind to a halt. The question then is, what comes next. But before Field...

Episode 477-Who Has Who Surrounded?

15 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Soviet front around Kiev is crumbling fast. Over 40 divisions are cut off and surrounded. No help is coming and Stalin has forbade a retreat. Most...

Episode 476-Strange Inventions of WW2

09 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Many new innovations were created during the war. Some were good, some were bad. This is the story of the less than perfect ones. Want to go beyond ...

Episode 475-Top 5 WW2 Movies

02 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ryan Fairfield and Tony Lupo, hosts of The Warrior Next Door Podcast come back on, this time invited, to discuss the Top 5 WW2 movies. You may not agr...

Episode 474-Kiev is Trapped

24 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As Gen. Guderian comes south and Gen. von Kleist rushes north, if no one stops them, then Kiev and all its defenders will be trapped. Thus soviet troo...

Episode 473-Guderian Approaches

18 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As Axis forces build up to capture Kiev, the bridges over the Dnieper River are contested. Fierce fighting follows, but in the end, the Germans take e...

Episode 472-Keep Them Guessing

11 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

So far, Army Group South had done a tremendous job, but now they come upon Kiev. And protecting Kiev’s western approaches in almost 20 miles of anti...

Episode 471-My Tank is Thicker Than Your Tank

05 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Operation Barbarossa is launched, but the soviets don’t have their best men in place as they have been killed by Stalin’s purges. In time they wil...

Episode 470-Interview: Michel Paradis, The Light of Battle, Eisenhower, D-Day, and the Birth of the American Superpower

31 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Michel Paradis returns to the show to discuss his latest book, The Light of Battle: Eisenhower, D-Day, and the Birth of the American Superpower. A new...

Episode 469-Interview: From Biplanes to Fast Jets: A Pilot’s Life in the Royal Air Force 1942–1973

26 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ken Aedy was a teenager when WW2 broke out. He joins the RAF and his life is changed forever. His son Mark joins me to discuss his father's many adven...

Episode 468-The Comics of WW2

20 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Even before the attack on Pearl Harbor, Superman and Batman were declaring themselves against Hitler and his ways, while the American Bund, a pro Nazi...

Episode 467-Interview w/ Damien Lewis about his book Churchill's Secret Warriors

14 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Historian Damien Lewis comes on to discuss his book about Churchill’s secret warriors who will take the fight to the Nazis. Now a major motion film ...

Episode 466-Odessa Has Fallen

07 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The final episode of the Siege of Odessa. The port city will fall, but not before tying down over 300,000 Axis troops for months. Odessa will be the f...

Episode 465-Tanks for the Memories

01 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Both sides pull tricks out of their hats, trying to gain an advantage. The result, the Axis dominate the Black sea and the air, the Soviets, the groun...

Episode 464: 2 Ep Special! Interview with Jason Bell about his book Cracking the Nazi Code. Then, All Hell Breaks Loose

24 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

First, Jason Bell comes on to discuss his book, Cracking the Nazi Code: The Untold Story of Agent A12 and the Solving of the Holocaust Code. Then, bac...

Episode 463-Attrition: A Game the Entire Country Can Play

18 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As Army Group South advances east, Berlin needs Odessa taken. But the defenders of that Black Sea port city are willing to give all to deny this. What...

Episode 462-When Fighting For Your Life, You Can Never Go Too Far

08 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Wave after wave of Romanian troops come at Odessa’s defenses. Also, squadrons of Messerschmidt’s attempt to dominate the skies above. But organiza...

Episode 461-Odessa Prepares for its Fate

03 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As 11 German and Romanian divisions, with 100 tanks and 100 airplanes come at Odessa, the people there, military and civilian, indeed, school children...

Episode 460: A 2 Episode Special! Interview w/ Mike Croissant about his book, Bombing Hitler's Hometown and then, Defying the Odds: The Soviets versus Romania

27 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A 2 Episode Special! First, an interview w/ Mike Croissant, author of Bombing Hitler’s Hometown. Then, before the Siege of Odessa began, a small Sov...

Episode 459-The Siege of Odessa Begins

18 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Focusing on the southern most part of Operation Barbarossa, we watch as the Black Sea city of Odessa stands defiant against Army Group South and the R...

Episode 458-The Trapped Soviet Soldiers at Uman

13 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As it seems Kiev is about to fall, the panzers suddenly turn south and head for Uman. There, a massive soviet response is building, but will it be eno...

Episode 457-Operation Munich

04 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Backing up a bit, we cover the Romanian’s early involvement in Barbarossa. But before Kiev can be taken, the Romanians want their lands back, taken ...

Episode 456: The Stalin Line-Merely the Shadow of A Dream

26 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The fighting only grows in intensity, with Kiev being threatened. But the German’s right flank is holding operations up. Still, in time, but with mu...

Episode 455-Race to the Stalin Line

20 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Soviet Gen. Kirponos does reasonably well in defending his SW Front, when he is told what is going on. But that is irregular at best. Soon, Lvov falls...

Episode 454-Army Group South is on the March

09 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Army Group South advances but Stalin believes the main German thrust will happen here, so plans accordingly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit m...

Episode 453-Operation Barbarossa: What's Plan B?

30 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Gen. Zhukov has outsmarted and outlasted Gen. Von Bock to the north, south and now, in front of Moscow. The Germans will take a rest. But then the Sov...

Episode 452-Operation Typhoon: All or Nothing

23 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

With the panzers attacking on the flanks, Von Bock’s main thrust is coming right at Moscow. But between the weather, a lack of fuel and Gen. Zhukov’...

Episode 451-Interview w/ James Holland. His book, The Savage Storm, The Battle For Italy 1943

18 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

First, historian James Holland comes on to discuss Italy’s final phase as an Axis Partner. However, bad timing on the Allies part will cause the Ita...

Episode 450-Moscow: Dark Days Are Coming

13 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Operation Typhoon is launched. Surely, there can’t be that many defenders still before Moscow. But what Berlin will miss is when Stalin starts recal...

Episode 449-Killing Their Way to Moscow

02 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Though desiring an economic knockout blow provided by his panzers, Hitler will eventually return to the capture of Moscow. Which means Army Group Cent...

Episode 448-When an Unstoppable Force Meets an Immovable Object

20 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Battle of Smolensk is over. Another German victory, but before the panzers can move out again, many of them are sent to help the other Army Groups...

2 Episode Special-Episode 447-Interview w/ T. Martin Bennett about his book Wounded Tiger and Hitler Versus His Generals

11 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

First, T. Martin Bennett comes on to talk about how faith helps the man who led the attack against Pearl Harbor finds peace after his country is defea...

Episode 446-All Roads Lead to Moscow

01 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Army Group Center is surging ahead. But Stalin will keep throwing in entire armies to stop the invaders from reaching Moscow. By the end of June, Hitl...

Episode 445-Interview w/ Louise Endres Moore about her book Alfred:The Quiet History of a WWII Infantryman

22 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Louise Endres Moore comes on to talk about her dad’s combat journey as she finds out he was more than a barber and translator. He operated a machine...

Episode 444-Army Group Center

15 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Still catching up to where we left off on the Eastern Front, now we turn to Army Group Center. At first, Moscow was not von Bock’s main goal, but ra...

Episode 443: Two Episode Special! Angus Konstam Interview and The Clash of Titans

09 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Two Episodes! First, Historian Angus Konstam comes on to discuss his newest book, The Convoy: HG-76: Taking the Fight To Hitler's U-Boats and then we ...

Episode 442-Interview w/ Roger Moorhouse about his book, The Forgers: The Forgotten Story of the Holocaust's Most Audacious Rescue Operation

02 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Historian Roger Moorhouse comes on to discuss the incredible story of the Polish Ambassador in Switzerland who tried to save trapped Jews in Soviet oc...

Episode 441-When Barbarossa Begins, the World Will Hold It's Breath

18 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This is the first in a recap of the Eastern front. Germany’s Army Group North will cut through the Baltic states with relative ease. Still, there ar...

Episode 440-Can a Warship be Cursed?

11 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Here are three stories to hold you over until I can get back to the Eastern Front. Enjoy! RSS – https://feeds.megaphone.fm/history-of-world-war-ii...

Episode 439-Dieppe Was Avenged

03 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The conclusion of Operation Jubilee, the Dieppe Raid. The nightmare on the beach is over, but it’s repercussions have only begun in London, Ottawa a...

Episode 438-The Longest One Day Casualty List in Canadian History

25 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

With the survivors back in Britain, questions are being asked, facts and figures are being compiled. Canada has questions but they will not like the a...

Episode 437-Interview w/ Scott Simon about his book Swingtime for Hitler & then Operation Jubilee

15 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A Two Episode Special! First, NPR's Scott Simon come on to discuss his audiobook/book Swingtime for Hitler: From Goebbels’s Jazzmen to Tokyo Rose to...

Episode 436-Retreat Yes. But How?

11 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Operation Jubilee has failed, but now the men have to be rescued. Yet the Germans are determined not to let a single man, ship or plane leave without ...

Episode 435-Two Episode Special! Interview w/John C. McManus about his Pacific War Trilogy and we continue w/ Operation Jubilee

05 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Military Historian John C. McManus comes on to discuss his US Army in the Pacific Trilogy. Then, the Rileys come ashore at White Beach, but it goes no...

Episode 434-Red Beach-To Move is to Die

31 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As the flanking attacks to either side of Dieppe have had mixed results, it’s now time for the direct attack on the town. Here, the Germans are well...

Episode 433-Two Episode Special! Interview w/ Andrew Nagorski about his book Saving Freud and we return to Operation Jubilee

26 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

First, interview w/ Andrew Nagorski about his latest book, Saving Freud, The Rescuers Who Brought Him to Freedom and then we continue with the Dieppe ...

Episode 432-Blood on Blue Beach

20 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Now that the two attacking flanks had landed men, one went well, the other was a debacle, it was time to land men at Blue Beach, just east of Dieppe. ...

Episode 431-The Father and Mother of All Explosions

14 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Commandos land on the far flanks of Dieppe. The attack at the Orange Beaches will see their initial objectives met, but men will be lost. As for Y...

Episode 430-Interview w/Tom Holm about his book, Ira Hayes: The Akimel O'odham Warrior, WWII and the Price of Heroism

10 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Professor Tom Holm discusses Ira Hayes, his time with the Marines, his fighting on Iwo Jima and Mt. Suribachi and his tragic life after the raising of...

Episode 429-It Only Takes One Little Mistake

06 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As the 200 plus ships of Operation Jubilee reach the French coast, a single event occurs, ruining all the plans of Combined Operations. Still, the All...

Episode 428-Churchill's Shell Game

01 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A desperate Churchill green lights the raid on Dieppe. And though it has been scaled back to avoid entanglements with panzers, it is still complex and...

Episode 427-Operation Rudder-Less

26 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Dieppe Raid planning continues as Churchill needs something to show the Americans and Soviets. The Canadians are tapped to assist the Commandos as...

Episode 426-Kill Or Be Killed

11 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

With Lord Mountbatten in charge of Combined Operations, the plan to soften up the enemy’s coastline defenses is underway. But there is much to learn...

Episode 425-Here Come the Commandos

07 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In building up to Operation Sledgehammer, Mountbatten’s arrival is a whirlwind for Combined Operations. Their numbers will grow as will the number o...

Episode 424-Operation Sledgehammer

28 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Operation Pedestal would ensure that Malta stayed in the fight. But Stalin is not appeased. He wants a Second Front. So does Gen. George Marshall and ...

Episode 423-Pedestal: The Final Curtain

23 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The final episode of Operation Pedestal. Through luck and determination and American engineering, the Ohio holds together long enough, to bring her in...

Episode 422-By the Skin of Her Teeth

20 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As everyone on Malta and in Britain and in the US and in North Africa wait, the tanker Ohio, carrying much needed oil to the island, slowly crawls tow...

Episode 421-It's Today or Nothing

16 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When the sun rises on August 14th, the Stuka’s and Italian bombers are back. It would only take one bomb landing true to break the Ohio in half. But...

Episode 420-Interview w/ James B. Conroy, about his book, The Devils Will Get No Rest

13 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As the Americans enter the war after the events of Pearl Harbor, the Western Allies have to decide how to fight the war. The Americans have the indust...

Episode 419-Across the Finish Line

06 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Some of the merchant ships enter Grand Harbor and Adm. Burrough turns around to make for Gibraltar. But the Maltese notice that only three ships came ...

Episode 418-The Show Must Go On

31 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As the escorting destroyers fill up with rescued crewmen, now it’s the Ohio’s turn as her engines give up the ghost. But the men in this story are...

Episode 417-Interview w/ Craig Nelson about his book V is For Victory

23 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Craig Nelson's book V is For Victory has it all: FDR's early days of combatting the Great Depression, restoring faith in the country and gearing up fo...

Episode 416-The Terrifying Had Become Commonplace

18 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When the sun rose on August 13th, the Axis forces in the Mediterranean knew they had one last day to stop Operation Pedestal. As such, the Axis air fo...

Episode 415-Ships That Sink In The Night

08 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Within a four hour period of darkness, Pedestal will lose many ships. By morning, 7 of the 14 merchants were gone. Still if the rest can get through, ...