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PODCAST

The WW2 Podcast

A military history podcast that looks at all aspects of WWII. With WW2 slipping from living memory I aim to look at different historical aspects of the Second World War.

history

All Episodes

43:52

261 - Agent Zo

The WW2 Podcast ·

2025/04/21

In this episode of the WW2 Podcast, I’m joined by Clare Mulley to uncover the extraordinary story of Elżbieta Zawacka—known by her codename, "Zo"—a woman who defied the odds as a resistance fighter, courier, and special operations agent during the Second World War. Zo was the only woman to make the perilous journey from Warsaw to London as an emissary of the Polish Home Army. After completing secret training in Britain, she became the only female agent to parachute into Nazi-occupied Poland. There,

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53:04

260 - Operation Bagration

The WW2 Podcast ·

2025/04/15

For this episode, I am by Prit Buttar to discuss Operation Bagration—the massive Soviet offensive launched in the summer of 1944 that shattered the German Army Group Centre. While the D-Day landings in Normandy dominate the narrative of mid-1944, events on the Eastern Front were just as decisive, if not more so, in determining the course of the war in Europe. Prit’s latest book in his series looking at the Eastern Front during WWII is Bagration 1944: The Great Soviet Offensive.

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51:20

259 - The Essex Yeomanry

The WW2 Podcast ·

2025/04/01

With a history stretching back to the late 18th century, the Essex Yeomanry had seen action in the First World War, but in WWII, they found themselves in the thick of the fighting once again. From the Western Desert and the Italian Campaign to the beaches of Normandy and the advance into Germany, the Essex Yeomanry played a part in some of the war’s most crucial battles. My guest is Stephen Keoghane, author of 'Shield and Protect: An Illustrated History of the Essex Yeomanry'. Drawing on extensive

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40:34

258 - USN PT Boats

The WW2 Podcast ·

2025/03/24

The vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean was a battleground unlike any other during the Second World War. While massive aircraft carriers and battleships dominated the headlines, a different kind of naval warfare was fought in the shadows—one of speed, stealth, and surprise. Armed with torpedoes and machine guns, the small but deadly PT boats waged a relentless fight against Japanese convoys, warships, and outposts, proving that size wasn’t everything in naval combat. Mark Stille, a naval historian and

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51:39

257 - Uncovering Berlin’s Wartime Past

The WW2 Podcast ·

2025/03/15

Berlin is a city steeped in history, with its streets, buildings, and scars bearing witness to the dramatic events of the 20th century. From the rise and fall of the Third Reich to the Cold War divisions that shaped the modern city, Berlin remains a living museum of its past. Yet, beyond the well-known landmarks, countless hidden stories lie waiting to be uncovered. Joining me today is Peter Graham, a historian and guide who runs walking tours of Berlin, offering visitors an in-depth look at the

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49:20

256 - Bomber Command Minelaying Operations

The WW2 Podcast ·

2025/03/10

Aerial mining by RAF Bomber Command played a crucial role in the Allied war effort, sinking far more Axis shipping than direct attacks by either Coastal Command or Bomber Command itself. Minelaying operations began in April 1940 and expanded significantly throughout the war, yet today, this critical campaign—along with its impact on Axis merchant vessels, Kriegsmarine warships, and U-boats—remains largely overlooked. Joining me today is Jane Gulliford Lowes, author of The Invisible Campaign:

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45:07

255 - Caen, Cobra and Confusion

The WW2 Podcast ·

2025/03/01

General Montgomery was a complex figure, and his legacy remains the subject of debate among historians. In this episode, I’m joined by Andrew Harrison, author of Caen, Cobra and Confusion, to examine the controversies surrounding Monty’s leadership during the Normandy campaign. Central to our conversation are the misunderstandings about Monty’s intentions for Caen and the American breakout at Operation Cobra, misconceptions that have played a significant role in shaping his legacy. We’ll explore

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49:37

254 - Macau

The WW2 Podcast ·

2025/02/24

In this episode, we discuss the role of Macau, the Portuguese colony in South China, and the experiences of John Reeves, the British Consul stationed there. Despite Portugal's official neutrality, Macau found itself caught in the geopolitical struggles of the Pacific War. With Japanese forces surrounding the colony, John Reeves had the difficult task of representing British interests while navigating an increasingly precarious situation. His work included intelligence gathering, aiding refugees, and

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01:07:36

253 - Fortress Britain

The WW2 Podcast ·

2025/02/15

Alone, unprepared, and weak—these are the words often used to describe Britain's position in 1940, a narrative that has persisted since the end of World War II. But is that the whole truth? The reality might surprise you. In this episode, we uncover the fascinating story of Britain’s secret defences during the dark days of 1940. Joining me is Andrew Chatterton, author of Fortress Britain 1940: Britain's Unsung and Secret Defences on Land, Sea, and in the Air. We delve into the vital yet

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47:40

252 - Canadian Airmen in the Battle of Britain

The WW2 Podcast ·

2025/02/01

In 1940, for 113 harrowing days, Nazi Germany’s Luftwaffe unleashed relentless attacks on Great Britain, aiming to secure an early victory in World War II. The defence of southern England fell to the brave pilots of the Royal Air Force, joined in their hour of need by over 100 Canadian airmen. These men, hailing from all walks of life—some from prominent families, others fresh off the farm—served with distinction in 47 different Battle of Britain squadrons. In this episode, Ted Barris, author of

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48:24

251 - Fighting Vichy from Horseback

The WW2 Podcast ·

2025/01/15

In 1939, incredibly, the British Army still fielded cavalry units that had yet to be mechanised, relying on horses as they prepared for war. When conflict broke out, these regiments—many of them Territorial Army Yeomanry units—were mobilised, with horses being requisitioned to meet the demand. By 1940, the 1st British Cavalry Division was deployed to the Middle East, where they would play a significant role in Operation Exporter, the Allied invasion of Vichy-controlled Syria. Today, I’m joined by

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53:19

250 - The Home Intelligence Unit

The WW2 Podcast ·

2025/01/01

During the Second World War, the Home Intelligence Unit—a branch of the Ministry of Information—was tasked with monitoring public attitudes on the home front. They compiled confidential reports on the state of popular morale, which were circulated among decision-makers in Whitehall. These reports offer a fascinating insight into how ordinary people coped with the stresses of wartime life, their hopes for victory, and their fears about what the post-war world might bring. Joining me today is Jeremy

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41:13

249 - Private Snafu

The WW2 Podcast ·

2024/12/22

Today, I’m joined by Peter Zablocki, a professor at Caldwell University, host of the History Shorts podcast, and author of The Death of General Sikorski. I was introduced to Peter after I recorded the episode looking at the death of Sikorski with Chris Wroblewski. Chatting I discovered Peter had researched and written about an entirely different but fascinating subject: Private Snafu (you can read it here). For those unfamiliar, Private Snafu was the star of a series of black-and-white animated

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52:17

248 - Patton and the Battle of the Bulge

The WW2 Podcast ·

2024/12/15

In this episode, I’m joined by acclaimed historian and bestselling author Alex Kershaw to explore one of the most pivotal moments of the Second World War: the Battle of the Bulge. This December marks the 80th anniversary of the battle, a critical turning point where General George S. Patton’s bold leadership and daring actions—most famously the dramatic relief of Bastogne—helped shift the tide in favour of the Allies. Alex joins me to share fascinating insights from his latest book, Patton’s

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41:43

247 - The Mysterious Death of Wladyslaw Sikorski

The WW2 Podcast ·

2024/12/09

In this episode, we are uncovering one of the great enigmas of the war: the tragic death of General Władysław Sikorski. Sikorski was a towering figure in the Polish government-in-exile, a man who held together the hopes of a nation during its darkest days. His sudden death in 1943, when his Liberator aircraft crashed into the sea near Gibraltar, shocked the world and raised a swirl of questions that linger to this day. Was it an accident? Sabotage? Or something more sinister? To help unravel this

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38:36

246 - Frederick Rutland: The Double-Agent War Who...

The WW2 Podcast ·

2024/12/01

In this episode, Ronald Drabkin joins me to uncover the fascinating yet complex story of Frederick Rutland, a First World War hero with a unique story. Known as “Rutland of Jutland” for his bravery as an aviator in WWI, Rutland's career took an unexpected turn in the interwar years as he became a spy for Japan. This is a gripping tale of loyalty, intrigue, and a man who found himself on both sides of history. Ronald is the author of 'Beverly Hills Spy: The Double-Agent War Hero Who Helped Japan

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01:05:59

245 - Spies in the Sky

The WW2 Podcast ·

2024/11/25

In this episode, historian Taylor Downing joins me to explore the remarkable work of reconnaissance pilots and photo interpreters during the Second World War. These daring aviators flew perilous missions over Occupied Europe, risking life and limb to capture the detailed aerial photographs crucial to the Allied war effort. But capturing the images was only half the story. On the ground, a team of brilliant and inventive photo interpreters worked tirelessly, pioneering a completely new science to

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57:47

244 - Harold Alexander and the road to Supreme Command

The WW2 Podcast ·

2024/11/15

For this episode, I'm joined by Matthew Hough, and we discuss Harold Alexander and his road to supreme command in the Mediterranean Theatre. Matthew is a postgraduate researcher at the University of Leeds whose research examines Alexander and ideas about Supreme Command in the Mediterranean Theatre toward the end of the war. patreon.com/ww2podcast

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01:15:36

243 - Borneo

The WW2 Podcast ·

2024/11/01

Borneo, the third-largest island in the world, held immense strategic value during WWII and quickly became a top priority for Japanese control. With its vast reserves of oil and rubber, the island was essential for fueling the Japanese war effort. But Borneo would also become a tragic battleground, claiming the lives of countless prisoners of war, internees, locals, and even Japanese forces. Joining me today is John Tulloch. John served with the Royal New Zealand Artillery before transferring to the

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40:58

242 - The Good Allies: Canada and the USA

The WW2 Podcast ·

2024/10/20

When World War II began in 1939, it sparked a deadly conflict between the Axis and Allies, while also creating tense negotiations among the Allies. Diplomacy, military power, and economic decisions determined the fate of nations. In North America, the U.S. and Canada worked to build a military alliance to protect their coasts from German U-boats and the threat of Japanese invasion. Their economies became intertwined to supply weapons for Britain and other allies, and defending North America was

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