The Second World War

In April of 1941, Germany, along with Italian and Hungarian allies, invaded Yugoslavia. This was part of German's actions in the Balkans that would include the invasion of Greece. In this episode, we look at how that invasion went and what happened after. Visit me at my website . This episode is brought to you by Athletic Greens . Support this podcast through Patreon .

The Italians failed to take Malta. Could the Germans do better? They needed to neutralize this island to allow supplies to reach North Africa. However, the British stubbornly held onto Malta and frustrated the plans of the Axis. Support this podcast through Patreon .

In a previous episode, we saw Italy struggle in its ambitions in North Africa. Could Germany succeed where Italy failed? In this episode, we look at the arrival of General Erwin Rommel and his activity with the Afrika Korps during 1941. This episode is brought to by Athletic Greens .  Please support this podcast through Patreon .

We have been focusing on Germany and Italy but what has Japan been up to? While technically not yet involved in the Second World War, they are in a fierce battle to dominate China. However, it is not going as well as they had hoped. In this episode, we catch up with Japan and what they have been up to for some of 1939-40. Support this podcast through Patreon . Thus episode is brought to you be Ath...

Italy attempts to match their German partners by attacking in numerous places in the Mediterranean area. This includes Egypt, Malta, and Greece. While they have high hopes, each of these campaigns will leave them requiring the help of the Germans. For more on military history, visit me here . Support this podcast through Patreon .

Pope Pius XII was the pope during the Second World War. There is controversy over how he responded to the crisis. Should he have openly opposed Nazism or should he have positioned himself strategically for later negotiations? This is a special crossover episode between the Second World War Podcast and the History of Christianity Podcast . If you have a business, you need a website. What’s the best...

Italy was able to take British Somaliland. Could they duplicate that success with Egypt? They would soon find that Britain was much more motivated to hold onto Egypt. For more resources, please visit my website . This episode is brought to you by Pair. If you have a business, you need a website. What’s the best way to get a website up and running? Choose a website hosting company that makes it sim...

In this episode, I talk to Rainy Horvath, who published the memoirs of her father who was a "hump pilot" during the Second World War. In this episode, you will hear about a theatre of the war and a type of mission that does not get talked about enough. Make sure to visit Rainy at her website . This episode is brought to you by Stamps.com . Save time and money this holiday season with Stamps.com. o...

So far we have been focusing on Germany but what about Italy? Mussolini still intended to build his empire. A logical place to start was British Somaliland, especially with the defeat of Britain's allies, the French. This episode is brought to you by my other podcast: The History of Christianity podcast . Make sure to check it out. Also make sure to visit me at my website .

France has fallen. Is it Britain's turn next? Germany plans Operation Sea Lion, the invasion of Britain. But to be successful, the Luftwaffe will need to eliminate the RAF. This is the Battle of Britain. Visit me at my website . Today's podcast is presented by PODGO . PODGO is the easiest way for you to monetize your podcast. Providing podcasters with a flat rate for ad space so you always know ho...

The French had fought valiantly but how how long could they resist. The Germans were using innovative tactics that the French had never conceived of. Between the panzers and the Luftwaffe, they could not catch a break. In this episode, we look at how the Battle of France ends. Please visit me at my website . This episode is brought to you by Db. We are teaming up with Db to exclusively offer our l...

With almost a quarter of a million British troops stranded at Dunkirk, the majority of Britain's land forces, it looked like there was no hope. But then something happened. In this episode, we look at the miracle of Dunkirk, the amazing rescue that was both terrifying and inspiring. Make sure to visit me at my website . This episode is brought to you by Hello Fresh! Use the code HFAFF80 to $80 off...

Previously, the Germans had attacked through Holland and Belgium, exactly what the Allies expected. Now, the Germans turn to their unexpected real plan, a thrust through the Ardennes Forest. This episode is brought to you by Omio . Use the code OMIO5 for 5% off before July 31, 2021. You can support this podcast through Patreon or by download a FREE audiobook with a FREE trial of Audible . Visit me...

In this episode, I talk to Graham Hurley, author of Last Flight to Stalingrad . Our talk ranges from the role of propaganda to the battle of Stalingrad. Make sure to visit Graham' website and find more on Military History here . 

The conflict in Norway between the Axis and Allies was only a taste of what was to come. France must fall. But how? The first (but not only) part of the invasion would come through the low countries of the Netherlands and Belgium. The French and British came to their aid but things didn't go the way of the Allies. Please support this podcast through Patreon or by downloading a FREE audiobook with...

The Second World War started with the invasion of Poland. But who was next? And what would the French and British do about it? This episode looks at the German invasion of Danish and Norway. Visit me at my website . Support this podcast through Patreon or by downloading a FREE audiobook with a FREE trial of Audible .

In the episode, I interview author Clare Mulley. Clare has written a couple of biographies related to the Second World War, telling stories that many of us have not heard before. You will enjoy our conversation. Please visit Clare at her website . Some of Clare's books: The Woman Who Saved the Children: A Biography of Eglantyne Jebb: Founder of Save the Children The Spy Who Loved: The Secrets and...

Before there was the Battle of France, before there was the Battle of Britain, there was the Winter War. Just months after the start of the Second World War, the Soviet Union invaded Finland. But it didn't go quite the way they had hoped. Please support this podcast by downloading a FREE audiobook with a FREE trial of Audible or by supporting me through Patreon . You can find other blog posts and...

In this episode, we look at the events of the first month of the Second World War. We take a snapshot of September 1939 and see the seeds for much of what would happen throughout the rest of the war. Please support this podcast by getting a FREE audio book with a FREE trial of Audible. Come and visit me at my website .

The beginning of the Second World War is generally understood as being at the invasion of Poland by Nazi Germany in September, 1939. Hitler created an excuse for invading and unleashed his forces on an outdated Polish army. Even knowing that Britain and France would not accept this, Hitler took this step, confident in the weakness of his enemies and the protection of his non-aggression pact with t...

The Second World War really starts with the German invasion of Poland. But what were Japan and Italy up to as Germany was preparing to invade? This episode looks at what was happening in China and Ethiopia in the mid to late 1930s.

Can we think of two greater monsters of the 20th century than that of Hitler and Stalin. Although the Second World War ended with them as bitter enemies, it began with them in cooperation. This episode looks at what led to the nonaggression pact.

The German invasion of Czechoslovakia was a turning point in Hitler's acts of aggression. This was the necessary step to transition from annexing fellow Germans in Austria to invading the non-German Poland, thus starting the Second World War.

Although the Second World War really begins with the invasion of Poland, Germany’s expansion began earlier with the annexation of Austria. This event, which Churchill described as “the rape of Austria,” was the first real glimpse of what Hitler intended for Eur

Between the First World War and the Second World War, there was another conflict that greatly impacted Europe. This was the Spanish Civil War. Although technically this was just a civil war between the Republicans and Nationalists, unofficially many of the nations that participated in the Second World War, were involved in the Spanish Civil War, at least unofficially. Hitler especially took advant...