The History of WWII Podcast

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. But between Gen. Zhukov’s leadership and Lend Lease material reaching Russia by June 1942, Gen. Paulus’ 6th Army is in for a surprise. Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/wwii45 Twitter @WW2Podcaster TikTok-@wwiiguy Instagram - rayharrisjr youtube- htt...

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 thousands of Soviet lives, but the Germans are checked once again. Then we turn to the Axis losing one of their own, in Operation Anthropoid. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As President Roosevelt knew his New Deal policies would be unpopular with the business owners, he sought to explain himself directly to the people. Thus his fireside chats were born. But then came another crisis, the outbreak of WWII. Over the years, FDR would keep his fellow citizens informed of the country’s failures and successes, but ever striving for victory. Learn more about your ad choices....

Using overwhelming artillery, the Germans close in on Sevastopol. Petrov does what he can, but the Stavka stop giving him reinforcements, thinking, the enemy can’t attack for more than 2 weeks at a time. But through daring risks, the Germans get closer, though lose staggering amounts of men, enough, to disrupt Hitler’s larger plans for the area. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm...

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 boycotts, for others, they will choose to pick up weapons. Tyranny should never be allowed an easy victory. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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, but soon the defenders are bottled up, their reinforcements cut off by the Luftwaffe. And on May 8, 1941, the final blows start against Gen. Kozlov’s forces. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 of reinforcements will devour these wolves seeking to take the vital port city. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Masters of Propaganda, the German state employs William Joyce to broadcast news, in a taunting tone, to the Allied Nations. His objective, to demoralize the Allied soldiers and the civilians supporting them, to give up the fight. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 thousands. At Sevastopol, the first line of defense is lost, but does that mean defeat for the massive port city. One man thinks, no. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 only needs one to get through. What follows is Russian mistakes, followed by folly, followed by German determination. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 infantrymen of Odessa are shipped over. The battle ground is marshy and limited so the Germans will attack all three land bridges and hope one of them is a winner. Meanwhile, Gen. Kuznetsov deploys his men and hopes for the best as well. Learn more abo...

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, the Germans will come straight at the Tatar Wall. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The story of the Crimea had seen tragedies for centuries. Nothing would improve with Operation Barbarossa. Yet, the why of the importance of the Crimea to Hitler was the Stavka’s own doing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 from multiple vectors. German professionalism will be tested as will the heart of every Russian soldier. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 equipped. It is a time for heroes, as long as the hero doesn’t mind sacrificing himself. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 stronger by the day. The german troops around Rzhev even start up their own newspaper. Clearly, they plan to stay here until winter is over. But Stalin has thousands of more men to throw at them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoice...

Stalin sought an encirclement of the northern half of Army Group Center. Instead he would get two encirclements, the second, larger than the first. But then fate, inexperience, bad weather and seemingly personal vendettas stepped in. The situation changed rapidly from there. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 killing thousands of people in Auschwitz, Mengele flees Europe and hides in South America. As the years go by, various agencies hunt for the SS Doctor. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Kluge will not have to fire numerous commanders as Army Group Center is threatened with encirclement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 the 8th Army Air Force. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 intensely than Rzhev. It will become a black hole of human lives and war equipment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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’s troops have finally cut the rail line feeding supplies to Leningrad. The Russians have the numbers and the desire, but they lack practically everything an army needs to stay in the fight.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoic...

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 war, as in life, some things can not be rushed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 take over. And while Stalin is happy to take arms from the Western countries, he did all he could to make sure war would erupt between the U.S. and the Empire of Japan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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, Army Group Center is under constant attack. There are breaches and encirclements along 4th Army’s lines. So whether official or not, Kluge starts ordering pull backs as his suspects the OKH of not telling Hitler the full story. But when 4th Army’s...