The History of WWII Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 392: Interview w/ Dr. Paul Gill Jr. about his father’s book: Armageddon in the Arctic Ocean. 2nd Ep: Tobruk is Surrounded Nov 08, 2022

Show notes

First, Dr. Paul Gill Jr. comes on to talk about his dad’s book about his life and war time adventures, Armageddon in The Arctic Ocean: Up the Hawse Pipe from Galley Boy to Third Mate on a Legendary Liberty Ship in the Biggest Convoy Battle of WWII and then the North Africa campaign continues with Tobruk is Surrounded.

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Episode 391-Two Episode Special! Interview w/ Taylor Downing about his book 1942: Winston Churchill and Britain's Darkest Hour and The British 8th Army is Outfoxed Nov 02, 2022

Show notes

First, historian Taylor Downing comes on to talk about his new book, 1942: Winston Churchill and Britain’s Darkest Hour and then we pick up with Rommel and Ritchie battling it out in North Africa. The Desert Fox will push his men to the breaking point, but the Axis Forces will win the Battle of Gazala.

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Episode 390-The Battle of Knightsbridge Box Oct 27, 2022

Show notes

With the Battle of Bir Hakeem over Rommel is ready to drive on Tobruk, but first he has to get passed the Knightsbridge Box, where the 2nd and 4th Armored Brigades are waiting. What follows is mistakes by both sides, but Rommel reacts more quickly because he is with his men. Meanwhile, 8th Army Commander Ritchie is far away and has no idea what’s going on.

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Episode 389-Interview w/ Saul David about his book Devil Dogs Oct 21, 2022

Show notes

Historian Saul David talks about his latest book, Devil Dogs: From Guadalcanal to the Shores of Japan. King Company of the legendary 1st Marine Division will take part in 4 major battles in the Pacific; Guadalcanal, New Britain, Peleliu and Okinawa. But first comes the Canal. The Marines were only meant to establish a beach head and pave the way for others to fight. Instead, they will be on Guadalcanal for 4 long months with never enough food, support or men. Still, they have a job to do, hold at all costs.

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Bad Women: The Blackout Ripper Stalks London’s War-Torn Streets Oct 18, 2022

Show notes

Here’s a preview of Bad Women: The Blackout Ripper. Over a single week in February 1942, a depraved serial killer stalked London’s dark and WWII bomb-ravaged streets, hunting for victims in the city’s bars and clubs. Using new research from police files, court transcripts and exhaustive genealogical studies, season 2 of Hallie Rubenhold’s Bad Women reconstructs the lives of the women The Blackout Ripper brutally attacked and murdered. These were women who were dismissed as asking for trouble for choosing to lead independent lives. Bad Women: The Blackout Ripper examines what placed these women at the margins of society and why the war years were perilous for so many women. Listen to Bad Women at https://podcasts.pushkin.fm/bwblackout?sid=war.

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Episode 388-The Battle of Bir Hakeem: The Redemption of French Honor Oct 12, 2022

Show notes

Now that the Battle of the Cauldron was over, Rommel could come for the Free French at Bir Hakeem, to his SW. With this outpost removed, Africa Corps would be free to drive to the NE and take Tobruk. But the Desert Air Force would strive mightily to save the French, now dubbed, The Fighting French. And those men, a mixed bag of nationalities would show the Nazis and the world, the heart of a warrior.

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Episode 387-The Battle of the Cauldron Sep 29, 2022

Show notes

Rommel anticipates British 8th Army’s attack and prepares. The attack, Operation Aberdeen is launched, but will come to a sad end. This allows Rommel to commence his own attack, scattering thousands of Allies troops before him. The Battle of the Cauldron was supposed to be the beginning of end of The Desert Fox. Instead, it will be the beginning of the end of Gen. Neil Ritchie.

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Episode 386-Damien Lewis talks about his book, Agent Josephine: American Beauty, French Hero, British Spy Sep 23, 2022

Show notes

Writer Damien Lewis returns to discuss his latest book about the beautiful Josephine Baker. She has found everything she wanted in France, but soon the country is over run by Nazis. Now she will be enlisted to spy for the Allies so France can, one day, return to its position as one of Europe's most powerful countries.

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Episode 385-The Cauldron Sep 15, 2022

Show notes

Rommel’s lunge at Tobruk causes his panzers to get trapped. So the Desert Fox changes his plans and 8th Army Commander Ritchie gives Rommel days of freedom, while the Commonwealth troops set up to push on to Libya. Rommel uses this time to attack the isolated 150th Brigade Group over and over.

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Episode 384-The English GI: A Yorkshire Schoolboy's Adventures in the US and Europe Sep 09, 2022

Show notes

This graphic novel by Jonathan Sandler covers the story of a young Jewish British citizen on vacation in NY when Pearl Harbor is attacked. Soon he is swept up in the US Army fighting for Uncle Sam, while his family back in Leeds worries over his safety. The story is taken from the main character’s real wartime experiences and unofficial memoir.

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