The WW2 Podcast

Latest Episodes:

36 - Volunteers and Pressed Men Feb 01, 2017

Show notes

In this episode we'll looking at how Britain found the manpower to fight the war. By the end at least four and a half million had served from Britain, if we add to that figure Empire and Commonwealth forces we're looking it perhaps upwards of ten million. Its an astounding figure….

I'm joined by Roger Broad. Rogers New book Volunteers and Pressed Men looks at recruitment during both the First and second World War in both Britain and its Empire.

35 - Air Campaigns on the Eastern Front Jan 15, 2017

Show notes

In this episode I'm talking to Edward Hooton and we're looking at the air war over the Eastern Front, a topic I'm not familiar with. From my own point of view it's always been overshadowed by the ground war.

Edward has written a number of books on aviation history during WWII. His latest book "War over the Steppes: The air campaigns on the Eastern Front 1941-45" is a fascinating look at the air operations carried out by both the Russians and Germans during the war.

34 - Surviving the Nazis, Gulags and Soviet Communism Jan 01, 2017

Show notes

In this episode we're looking at the plight of those Jews fleeing Poland who headed east into Russia after the German invasion of 1939. It's a story I wasn't at all familiar with.

I'm joined by Annette Libeskind Berkovits. Annettes father Nachman fled the Polish City of Lodz, he had an incredible life… She tells his story in the most remarkable book I think I've read in a long time, "In the Unlikeliest of Places"

33 - The American St Nick Dec 15, 2016

Show notes

With the holiday season upon us I've a festive episode for you.

The US 28th Infantry Division landed in France in July of 1944. After fighting through the Bocage and taking part in the parade through Paris to mark its liberation they were sent to the Hürtgen Forest.

Badly shot up they we're withdrawn and sent to a small town in Luxembourg called Wiltz.

To tell the story of the American St Nick I'm joined by Peter Lion whose book "The American St Nick" tells the story.

32 - Operation Sea Lion - The invasion of Britain Dec 01, 2016

Show notes

We're looking at the Operation Sea Lion, the German invasion plan for Britain in the latest podcast.

I'm joined by Robert Forczyk.

Robert is a prolific author and military historian. His latest book "We march against England: Operation Sea Lion 1940/41" is a fresh look at the German plans to invade Britain and what they might have faced.

31 - Shadow Warriors: Daring Missions of WWII by Women of the OSS and SOE Nov 15, 2016

Show notes

In this episode we're looking at women in the secret services, SOE and OSS during WWII. Women played a crucial role a number operating in the field as agents. In occupied countries it was easier for them to blend in than young men of military age.

I'm joined by Greg Lewis.

With Gordon Thomas he is the author of Shadow Warriors: Daring Missions of World War II by Women of the OSS and SOE. Don't forget you can support the show on patreon.

30 - Lucky 666: The Impossible Mission Nov 01, 2016

Show notes

In 1943 a lone B-17 Bomber set off on a solo reconnaissance mission, it was to be a 1200 mile round trip. Passing within range of Japanese airbases they were swarmed by Zero fighters...

It would be only plane of the war where two of the personal would win the Medal of Honor.

I'm joined by Bob Drury, co-author of Lucky 666: The Impossible Mission.

29 - Selling Hitler Oct 15, 2016

Show notes

In this episode I'm talking to Nicholas O'Shaughnessy. Nicholas is is currently Visiting Professor in the Centre for Strategic Communication at King's College London. His new book Selling Hitler examines the Nazi's use of propaganda and argues Hitler was one of the few politicians who understood that persuasion was everything and was the central to creating an all encompassing strategy...

28 - Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina Oct 01, 2016

Show notes

In this episode I'm joined by Matt Dearden and we're looking at the iconic WWII Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina flying boat.

We look at both the history of he plane, and how it flies!

Matt is a co-ownder of Miss Pick Up and a qualified pilot. You can find more information on the plane here.

27 - Anthropoid: Assassination of Reinhard Heydrich Sep 15, 2016

Show notes

I'd seen the 1975 film Operation Daybreak and was aware of the assassination of Reinhard Heydrich, but what I wasn't aware of was the utter destruction of the village of Lidice as an act of vengeance and how the Staffordshire miners helped with the rebuilding of the village after the war. That was until Russell Phillips shot me an email.

Russell's book is A Ray of Light: Reinhard Heydrich, Lidice and the North Staffordshire Miners. Its not a long read but is a book that everyone should read!

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected