The History of the Twentieth Century

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461 Wacht am Rhein Oct 11, 2026

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On December 16, 1944, the German Army began a last-ditch offensive on the Western Front, triggering what became known as "The Battle of the Bulge."

460 Question Time III Oct 04, 2026

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Once again, I answer questions sent in by listeners.

459 Autumn Mist Sep 27, 2026

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On the Western Front, the Allies were probing the German defensive line. On the Eastern Front, the Red Army advanced past the 1939 border and into Germany itself.

458 The Battle of Leyte Gulf Sep 13, 2026

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When the Americans landed on the Philippine island of Leyte, the Japanese Navy executed a plan intended to cut off and isolate Allied ground forces on the island.

457 I Have Returned Sep 06, 2026

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On October 20, 1944, Douglas MacArthur made good on his famous promise.

456 A Bridge Too Far Aug 30, 2026

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Bernard Montgomery proposed a risky operation that just might have allowed the Allies to break through the German defensive line. Meanwhile, Adolf Hitler was planning a risky operation of his own.

455 Up Against the Wall Aug 16, 2026

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The Western Allied advance in August 1944 was breathtaking, but it stopped short at the German border as the German Army rebuilt its defenses and Allied supply lines became strained to the limit.

454 The Altar of Alliance Aug 09, 2026

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By 1944, a German defeat seemed inevitable. In August, Romania defected from the Axis and joined the Allies. Within weeks, Bulgaria followed suit, while Finland agreed to an armistice with the USSR. This left Hungary as Germany's sole remaining ally in Europe, and Hungary only stayed loyal because of German military intervention.

453 The Panacea Target Aug 02, 2026

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The British view on aerial bombing over Germany held that area attacks on German cities were the only effective form of attack. The Americans preferred to target specific sites crucial to the German war effort, an approach the head of RAF Bomber Command dismisses as "panacea targets."

452 The Double V Jul 19, 2026

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The Second World War offered African Americans new opportunities and new political clout.

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