Buy The German Soviet War: Combat, Occupation, and Legacies Edited by Jeff Rutherford and Robert von Maier here: https://www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/book/9781501781070/the-german-soviet-war/#bookTabs=4 If you are reading this before June 27, 2025 use this coupon code for 50% off: https://www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/unlock-a-world-of-knowledge-5-days-50-off-sale-june-2025/ Contact advertising@airwavemedia.com to advertise on History of the Second World War. History of the Second World War is pa...
Jun 26, 2025•29 min•Season 4Ep. 17
In this episode, we explore the pivotal moments leading up to Operation Sea Lion, examining Hitler's failed "Last Appeal to Reason" speech and the chaotic coordination struggles within the German military. Discover how conflicting priorities between the Wehrmacht branches delayed invasion planning, the critical role of radar in shaping the Battle of Britain, and the strategic miscalculations that shaped the course of the war. Contact advertising@airwavemedia.com to advertise on History of the Se...
Jun 25, 2025•23 min•Season 4Ep. 16
This episode delves into the intense aerial battles of July 1940 during the Battle of Britain, focusing on the RAF and Luftwaffe's clash over the skies as Germany sought to dominate the English Channel and cripple British shipping and naval power. From fiery dogfights on July 10th to covert bombing raids that tested Nazi morale, the episode explores the strategic gambits, weather challenges, and human cost of this pivotal moment in WWII. With gripping accounts of high-stakes maneuvers and the lo...
Jun 11, 2025•29 min•Season 4Ep. 15
This episode of _History of the Second World War_ dives into the pivotal moments of the Battle of Britain, exploring Winston Churchill’s powerful speeches that galvanized Britain during the 1940 air campaign. From vivid historical comparisons to the heroic sacrifices of RAF pilots, the episode unpacks the tension, strategy, and resilience that defined this critical conflict. Listeners will hear excerpts of Churchill’s iconic rhetoric, including his reflections on the "Few" and the daring defense...
Jun 04, 2025•38 min•Season 4Ep. 14
The Sisterhood of Ravensbrück: How an Intrepid Band of Frenchwomen Resisted the Nazis in Hitler's All-Female Concentration Camp By Lynne Olson The book is available starting June 3, 2025 published by Penguin Random House: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/749046/the-sisterhood-of-ravensbruck-by-lynne-olson/ Contact advertising@airwavemedia.com to advertise on History of the Second World War. History of the Second World War is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Learn more about you...
Jun 03, 2025•28 min•Season 4Ep. 12
In this episode of *History of the Second World War*, delve into the pivotal moment during the Battle of Britain as Britain grapples with the decision to reject German negotiations, leaving its fate hanging in the balance. Explore the high-stakes strategies employed by the Royal Air Force, from cutting-edge communication systems to coded orders like "scramble" and "vector 180 angels 10," which shaped the course of the conflict. With gripping insights into leadership, resilience, and the fog of w...
May 29, 2025•26 min•Season 4Ep. 11
This episode of _History of the Second World War_ dives into the critical moments of the Battle of Britain, exploring the German plan for invasion—Operation Sealion—and its unrealistic ambitions to cross the English Channel. As the Luftwaffe struggled with unclear strategies and fragmented operations in the summer of 1940, the episode reveals how chaos and uncertainty shaped the conflict. Listeners will uncover the high-stakes clash between Nazi ambitions and Britain’s desperate preparations, of...
May 22, 2025•30 min•Season 4Ep. 10
This episode of History of the Second World War delves into the pivotal moments of Operation Catapult, the controversial British effort to seize French naval assets in 1940 as France surrendered to Germany. Explore the tensions between Churchill’s aggressive wartime strategies and the moral dilemmas of targeting a defeated enemy’s fleet, while uncovering how this decision shaped Britain’s path in the Battle of Britain. With insights from historians like Robert Forczyk, who calls the operation a ...
May 14, 2025•23 min•Season 4Ep. 9
This episode delves into the intense strategic clashes during the Battle of Britain, focusing on the critical decisions made in late May and early June 1940 as Allied forces grappled with the deteriorating situation in France. It explores the tension between Air Chief Marshal Dowding’s warnings about keeping fighters in Britain and the urgent demands from French leaders and the BEF for more aircraft, highlighting the high stakes of resource allocation during a pivotal moment in the war. With ins...
May 07, 2025•22 min•Season 4Ep. 8
In this episode, we delve into the critical period leading up to the Battle of Britain, exploring the growing tensions between Britain, France, and Germany as Churchill and Halifax worked tirelessly to find a path forward. The discussion centers around the hesitant attempts at negotiations with Mussolini and the Italian government, alongside the strategic planning for a continued fight against Germany, ultimately leading to a pivotal decision that shaped the course of the war. Listen to discover...
Apr 30, 2025•26 min•Season 4Ep. 7
Join us as we delve into the critical role of pilot experience in the Battle of Britain! This episode explores how the skills and bravery of foreign pilots, particularly those hailing from across the British Empire, were vital to the RAF's success. From the pivotal dogfight scenarios between single-engine fighters to the impact of Winston Churchill’s leadership, we’ll uncover the stories behind the 'Few' and the extraordinary sacrifices made in the air during this crucial period of World War II....
Apr 23, 2025•27 min•Season 4Ep. 6
This episode dives deep into the often-overlooked details of the Battle of Britain, going beyond the famous aircraft to explore the technological and logistical factors that impacted the fighting. We examine the strengths and weaknesses of aircraft like the Defiant, the crucial role of high-octane fuel in providing a performance edge, and even how seemingly minor details could influence the outcome of aerial engagements. From the limitations of turret fighters to the impact of fuel quality on cl...
Apr 16, 2025•36 min•Season 4Ep. 5
This episode delves into the often-overlooked early years of Britain’s Bomber Command during 1940, revealing a story of ambitious plans, flawed assumptions, and determined aircrews. We explore how Bomber Command transitioned from pre-war theory to desperate anti-invasion efforts, laying mines and attacking German harbors as the threat of a Nazi landing loomed. Beyond the immediate crisis, we uncover the enduring belief – championed by Churchill – that strategic bombing held the key to victory, d...
Apr 09, 2025•24 min•Season 4Ep. 4
This episode delves into the fascinating, high-stakes cat-and-mouse game of radar and radio countermeasures during the Battle of Britain. Discover how British intelligence meticulously deciphered the German “Knickebein” and “X-Gerät” bombing guidance systems—starting with insights from captured soldiers and culminating in signal detection—and how they scrambled to develop countermeasures like the surprisingly simple “Aspirin” system. From strategically placed radio transmitters to deliberately s...
Apr 02, 2025•28 min•Season 4Ep. 3
In the years before the war the new technology of radar would begin to solve many of the problems of air defense, but it was not perfect. Contact advertising@airwavemedia.com to advertise on History of the Second World War. History of the Second World War is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 26, 2025•27 min•Season 4Ep. 2
The podcast is back, so it is time to talk about what you can look forward to in the near future. Contact advertising@airwavemedia.com to advertise on History of the Second World War. History of the Second World War is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 25, 2025•13 min•Season 4Ep. 1
Those plucky Brits were doing Plucky Brit things, while also being stretched to the limit because when you have a world spanning empire your enemies can come from anywhere. Contact advertising@airwavemedia.com to advertise on History of the Second World War. History of the Second World War is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 19, 2025•28 min•Season 3Ep. 96
Back again with another Summary episode, this time to discuss the evolution of Airpower during the interwar years, and the preparedness of the various Air Forces around Europe before 1939. Contact advertising@airwavemedia.com to advertise on History of the Second World War. History of the Second World War is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 12, 2025•32 min•Season 3Ep. 84
This episode sees another previously member only episode released on the main feed. War clouds on the horizon. Contact advertising@airwavemedia.com to advertise on History of the Second World War. History of the Second World War is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Feb 19, 2025•30 min•Season 3Ep. 83
This episode sees another previously member only episode released on the main feed. Naval aviation was a major topic of conversation between the RAF and the Royal Navy. Contact advertising@airwavemedia.com to advertise on History of the Second World War. History of the Second World War is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Feb 12, 2025•26 min•Season 3Ep. 82
Come check out my keynote speech on the topic of Deception in February 2025: https://intelligentspeechonline.com/Coupon Code: SECOND Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Feb 06, 2025•3 min
This episode sees another previously member only episode released on the main feed. Time to build new ships, and they had to be good. Contact advertising@airwavemedia.com to advertise on History of the Second World War. History of the Second World War is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Feb 05, 2025•24 min•Season 3Ep. 81
This week I was joined by Jack Browsher to discuss a new World War 2 Podcast The Forgotten War, which covers the events in Burma during the war. Find out more about the Forgotten War here: https://shows.acast.com/the-forgotten-war-pod Contact advertising@airwavemedia.com to advertise on History of the Second World War. History of the Second World War is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Feb 03, 2025•40 min•Season 3Ep. 80
This episode sees another previously member only episode released on the main feed. The treaties that were so important to the course of naval warfare during the interwar years would expire, what next? Contact advertising@airwavemedia.com to advertise on History of the Second World War. History of the Second World War is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jan 29, 2025•28 min•Season 3Ep. 79
This episode sees another previously member only episode released on the main feed. What were some of the events that impacted the Royal Navy during the early 1930s? Contact advertising@airwavemedia.com to advertise on History of the Second World War. History of the Second World War is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jan 22, 2025•46 min•Season 3Ep. 78
This episode sees another previously member only episode released on the main feed. The story of the interwar Royal Navy is one of trying to simply do too much with not enough resources. Contact advertising@airwavemedia.com to advertise on History of the Second World War. History of the Second World War is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jan 15, 2025•42 min•Season 3Ep. 77
In early 1942 the new Vichy French government would bring charges against 6 men in the effort to determine the reasons for France's defeat in 1942. The resulting trial would not go as planned. Come check out my keynote speech on the topic of Deception in February 2025: https://intelligentspeechonline.com/ Coupon Code: SECOND Contact advertising@airwavemedia.com to advertise on History of the Second World War. History of the Second World War is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Learn mor...
Jan 08, 2025•34 min•Season 3Ep. 76
France was defeated. Why? Who? How? Come check out my keynote speech on the topic of Deception in February 2025: https://intelligentspeechonline.com/ Coupon Code: SECOND Contact advertising@airwavemedia.com to advertise on History of the Second World War. History of the Second World War is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jan 03, 2025•28 min•Season 3Ep. 75
With the fall of the Reynaud government, Petain rapidly moved into armistice negotiations with Germany, although calling them negotiations might be inaccurate. Come check out my keynote speech on the topic of Deception in February 2025: https://intelligentspeechonline.com/ Coupon Code: SECOND Contact advertising@airwavemedia.com to advertise on History of the Second World War. History of the Second World War is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit me...
Dec 28, 2024•26 min•Season 3Ep. 74
While their other operations get most of the publicity, throughout the entire war the RAF was constantly sending bombers on missions to drop sea mines, operations code named Gardening operations. Nevermind The Dambusters: https://nevermindthedambusters.buzzsprout.com/ Come check out my keynote speech on the topic of Deception in February 2025: https://intelligentspeechonline.com/ Coupon Code: SECOND Contact advertising@airwavemedia.com to advertise on History of the Second World War. History of ...
Dec 22, 2024•43 min•Season 3Ep. 73
