WW2: Both Sides of The Wire
Prof. Matthias Strohn & Jesse Alexander
World War 2: Both Sides of the Wire is the podcast that takes you beyond the familiar and dives deep into the untold stories and surprising truths of the Second World War from the Allied and Axis perspectives.
Join us as we lift the lid on one of the most pivotal periods in human history, busting myths and unraveling the complexities of a conflict that still shapes our world today.
Host: Prof. Matthias Strohn & Jesse Alexander
More about Matthias & Jesse: https://battleguide.co.uk/bsow#host
Support us and what we do:
To comment and ask questions, please join our community: https://both-sides-of-the-wire.com/supporters
Use our code: DEEPDARKWOODS and get one month free as a Captain, or join as a free member.
Support via Paypal: https://battleguide.co.uk/bsow-paypal
Merchandise and Shop: https://both-sides-of-the-wire.com/collections/all
Do you like our podcast?
Then please leave us a review, it helps us a lot!
Our WW1 Podcast: https://listen.not-so-quiet.com
General Enquiries: [email protected]
Battle Guide Website: https://battleguide.co.uk/bsow
Battle Guide YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@BattleGuideVT
If you want to keep your finger on the pulse of what the team at Battle Guide have been getting up to, why not sign up to our monthly newsletter: https://battleguide.co.uk/newsletter
BlueSky:
@jessealexander.bsky.social
Twitter:
@BattleguideVT
Credits:
- Host: Prof. Dr. Matthias Strohn & Jesse Alexander
- Production & Editing: Linus Klaßen
Join us as we lift the lid on one of the most pivotal periods in human history, busting myths and unraveling the complexities of a conflict that still shapes our world today.
Host: Prof. Matthias Strohn & Jesse Alexander
More about Matthias & Jesse: https://battleguide.co.uk/bsow#host
Support us and what we do:
To comment and ask questions, please join our community: https://both-sides-of-the-wire.com/supporters
Use our code: DEEPDARKWOODS and get one month free as a Captain, or join as a free member.
Support via Paypal: https://battleguide.co.uk/bsow-paypal
Merchandise and Shop: https://both-sides-of-the-wire.com/collections/all
Do you like our podcast?
Then please leave us a review, it helps us a lot!
Our WW1 Podcast: https://listen.not-so-quiet.com
General Enquiries: [email protected]
Battle Guide Website: https://battleguide.co.uk/bsow
Battle Guide YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@BattleGuideVT
If you want to keep your finger on the pulse of what the team at Battle Guide have been getting up to, why not sign up to our monthly newsletter: https://battleguide.co.uk/newsletter
BlueSky:
@jessealexander.bsky.social
Twitter:
@BattleguideVT
Credits:
- Host: Prof. Dr. Matthias Strohn & Jesse Alexander
- Production & Editing: Linus Klaßen
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 21, 2026 • 1h 5min
Episode 117: Frederick the Great and Prussia’s Rise to Power
How did a poor, fragmented state become a European superpower? Explore Frederick the Great’s troubled rise, enlightened ideals, and transformation into a relentless warrior king. From the dazzling victory at Leuthen to the disaster at Kunersdorf and the “Miracle of Brandenburg,” this story follows Prussia’s military revolution and the surprising afterlife of Frederick’s legend in Hitler’s Germany and beyond.
Oct 14, 2026 • 1h 4min
Episode 116: The 1941 Preventive War Theory
Was Germany’s 1941 invasion truly a preventive war? This discussion investigates Soviet military planning, Bolshevik expansion fears, the Nazi-Soviet Pact, and revisionist claims of an impending Soviet attack. It explores archival debates, war games, Red Army readiness, Stalin’s caution, and German intelligence failures, separating contingency plans and military doctrine from actual political intent.
Oct 7, 2026 • 1h 1min
Episode 115: The Free French: Resistance, Rivalries & Liberation
In today’s episode, we’re going to talk about the Free French – which, it turns out, involves more than just De Gaulle’s famous speeches.
James Taub is a historian specialising in French and US military history, and a regular guest on our sister podcast Not So Quiet on the Western Front.
Check out our brand new book INFERNO: https://lnk.to/inferno_book
Join our community!
The steps are simple:
- Visit: https://both-sides-of-the-wire.com/Select your rank – (Captain comes with one month free)
- Fill in your details and use promo code: DEEPDARKWOODS
- Enjoy ad-free podcasts and exclusive content with us!
- Don’t forget, you can change your tier, upgrade or cancel at any time.
Thanks so much for your support!
Support via Paypal: https://battleguide.co.uk/bsow-paypal
E-Mail: [email protected]
Website: https://battleguide.co.uk/bsow
Battle Guide YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@BattleGuideVT
Our WW1 Podcast: https://battleguide.co.uk/nsq
If you want to keep your finger on the pulse of what the team at Battle Guide have been getting up to, why not sign up to our monthly newsletter: https://battleguide.co.uk/newsletter
BlueSky: @jessealexander.bsky.social
Twitter: @BattleguideVT
Credits:
- Host: Prof. Dr. Matthias Strohn & Jesse Alexander
- Production: Linus Klaßen
- Editing: Linus Klaßen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 30, 2026 • 1h 6min
Episode 114: The Last President of the Third Reich: Karl Dönitz
In today’s episode, we’ll continue the story of Grand Admiral Karl Doenitz and the discussion about his politics and time as last President of the German Reich.
INFERNO is available now.Hardcover or eBook available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Inferno-gripping-account-battles-century/dp/000881886X/
Audiobook narrated by Dan Hill: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Inferno-Battles-World-Shaped-Century/dp/B0GMZTJGMH/
Join our community!
The steps are simple:
- Visit: https://both-sides-of-the-wire.com/Select your rank – (Captain comes with one month free)
- Fill in your details and use promo code: DEEPDARKWOODS
- Enjoy ad-free podcasts and exclusive content with us!
- Don’t forget, you can change your tier, upgrade or cancel at any time.
Thanks so much for your support!
Support via Paypal: https://battleguide.co.uk/bsow-paypal
E-Mail: [email protected]
Website: https://battleguide.co.uk/bsow
Battle Guide YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@BattleGuideVT
Our WW1 Podcast: https://battleguide.co.uk/nsq
If you want to keep your finger on the pulse of what the team at Battle Guide have been getting up to, why not sign up to our monthly newsletter: https://battleguide.co.uk/newsletter
BlueSky: @jessealexander.bsky.social
Twitter: @BattleguideVT
Credits:
- Host: Prof. Dr. Matthias Strohn & Jesse Alexander
- Production: Linus Klaßen
- Editing: Linus Klaßen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 23, 2026 • 46min
Episode 113: Karl Dönitz and His Rise to Power
Karl Dönitz’s journey stretches from bourgeois Prussia and Imperial Navy service to the forefront of Germany’s U-boat campaign. Explore his World War I experiences, controversial politics, role in rearmament, development of wolfpack tactics, and rise over rival naval commanders. His growing influence ultimately led to the grand admiralty and succession to Hitler.
Sep 16, 2026 • 57min
Episode 112: Operation Felix - The Capture of Gibraltar
Explore Hitler’s ambitious plan to seize Gibraltar and shut Britain out of the Mediterranean. The discussion covers the fortress’s tunnels, naval power, British defenses, German mountain troops, air attacks, and a daring infiltration proposal. It also examines Franco’s refusal, Axis logistical problems, and the alternate-history consequences of an assault that never took place.
Sep 9, 2026 • 57min
Episode 111: Listeners' Q&As – From Brazil's Navy to Soviet Manpower
In today’s episode, we will once again reach into our bag of questions from our supporter community – from German tank counterfactuals to South American neutrals to Soviet manpower.
Join our community!
The steps are simple:
- Visit: https://both-sides-of-the-wire.com/Select your rank – (Captain comes with one month free)
- Fill in your details and use promo code: DEEPDARKWOODS
- Enjoy ad-free podcasts and exclusive content with us!
- Don’t forget, you can change your tier, upgrade or cancel at any time.
Thanks so much for your support!
Support via Paypal: https://battleguide.co.uk/bsow-paypal
E-Mail: [email protected]
Website: https://battleguide.co.uk/bsow
Battle Guide YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@BattleGuideVT
Our WW1 Podcast: https://battleguide.co.uk/nsq
If you want to keep your finger on the pulse of what the team at Battle Guide have been getting up to, why not sign up to our monthly newsletter: https://battleguide.co.uk/newsletter
BlueSky: @jessealexander.bsky.social
Twitter: @BattleguideVT
Credits:
- Host: Prof. Dr. Matthias Strohn & Jesse Alexander
- Production: Linus Klaßen
- Editing: Hunter Christensen & Linus Klaßen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 2, 2026 • 1h 2min
Episode 110: The Spanish Civil War: The War That Shaped Modern Spain
In today’s episode, Matthias returns to the Spanish Civil War to follow the conflict from the fighting around Madrid and the battles of Jarama and Brunete to Guernica, the Ebro offensive, and Franco’s final victory in 1939. We also explore the role of the International Brigades, German and Italian intervention, the development of combined-arms warfare, and the lasting political legacy of the war in Spain.
Join our community!
The steps are simple:
- Visit: https://both-sides-of-the-wire.com/Select your rank – (Captain comes with one month free)
- Fill in your details and use promo code: DEEPDARKWOODS
- Enjoy ad-free podcasts and exclusive content with us!
- Don’t forget, you can change your tier, upgrade or cancel at any time.
Thanks so much for your support!
Support via Paypal: https://battleguide.co.uk/bsow-paypal
E-Mail: [email protected]
Website: https://battleguide.co.uk/bsow
Battle Guide YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@BattleGuideVT
Our WW1 Podcast: https://battleguide.co.uk/nsq
If you want to keep your finger on the pulse of what the team at Battle Guide have been getting up to, why not sign up to our monthly newsletter: https://battleguide.co.uk/newsletter
BlueSky: @jessealexander.bsky.social
Twitter: @BattleguideVT
Credits:
- Host: Prof. Dr. Matthias Strohn & Jesse Alexander
- Production: Linus Klaßen
- Editing: Hunter Christensen & Linus Klaßen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
4 snips
Aug 26, 2026 • 56min
Episode 109: The Spanish Civil War: How It Began
A tour of Spain in the 1930s, from the fall of the monarchy to the chaotic Second Republic. Political assassinations and a planned military uprising that fractured the nation. The rise of Franco and the Nationalist coalition. International intervention from Germany, Italy and the Soviet Union and the arrival of the International Brigades.
Aug 19, 2026 • 1h 2min
Episode 108: Erwin Rommel's Politics & Legacy
In today’s episode, we’ll wrap up our journey through the life and times of Erwin Rommel by tackling thew most controversial aspects: his politics, his connection to atrocities, and his role in the Hitler assassination attempt of July 1944.
Join our community!
The steps are simple:
- Visit: https://both-sides-of-the-wire.com/Select your rank – (Captain comes with one month free)
- Fill in your details and use promo code: DEEPDARKWOODS
- Enjoy ad-free podcasts and exclusive content with us!
- Don’t forget, you can change your tier, upgrade or cancel at any time.
Thanks so much for your support!
Support via Paypal: https://battleguide.co.uk/bsow-paypal
E-Mail: [email protected]
Website: https://battleguide.co.uk/bsow
Battle Guide YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@BattleGuideVT
Our WW1 Podcast: https://battleguide.co.uk/nsq
If you want to keep your finger on the pulse of what the team at Battle Guide have been getting up to, why not sign up to our monthly newsletter: https://battleguide.co.uk/newsletter
BlueSky: @jessealexander.bsky.social
Twitter: @BattleguideVT
Credits:
- Host: Prof. Dr. Matthias Strohn & Jesse Alexander
- Production: Linus Klaßen
- Editing: Hunter Christensen & Linus Klaßen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
