
History of the Second World War
History of the Second World War is a weekly podcast which will cover World War 2, beginning with the tumultuous years after the First World War, continuing into the descent into war during the 1930s, through the war years, and then into the post war aftermath.
Latest episodes

Jun 26, 2025 • 29min
Interview 40: The German-Soviet War with Jeff Rutherford
Buy The German Soviet War: Combat, Occupation, and Legacies Edited by Jeff Rutherford and Robert von Maier here: https://www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/book/9781501781070/the-german-soviet-war/#bookTabs=4
If you are reading this before June 27, 2025 use this coupon code for 50% off: https://www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/unlock-a-world-of-knowledge-5-days-50-off-sale-june-2025/
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Jun 25, 2025 • 23min
221: The Battle About Britain Pt. 5 - A Simple River Crossing
In this episode, we explore the pivotal moments leading up to Operation Sea Lion, examining Hitler's failed "Last Appeal to Reason" speech and the chaotic coordination struggles within the German military. Discover how conflicting priorities between the Wehrmacht branches delayed invasion planning, the critical role of radar in shaping the Battle of Britain, and the strategic miscalculations that shaped the course of the war.
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Jun 11, 2025 • 29min
220: The Battle About Britain Pt. 4 - The Channel Battle
This episode delves into the intense aerial battles of July 1940 during
the Battle of Britain, focusing on the RAF and Luftwaffe's clash over
the skies as Germany sought to dominate the English Channel and cripple
British shipping and naval power. From fiery dogfights on July 10th to
covert bombing raids that tested Nazi morale, the episode explores the
strategic gambits, weather challenges, and human cost of this pivotal
moment in WWII. With gripping accounts of high-stakes maneuvers and the
looming threat of Operation Sea Lion, it’s a must-listen for history
enthusiasts eager to uncover the drama that nearly changed the course of
the war.
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History of the Second World War is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 4, 2025 • 38min
219: The Battle About Britain Pt. 3 - The Three Speeches
This episode of _History of the Second World War_ dives into the pivotal moments of the Battle of Britain, exploring Winston Churchill’s powerful speeches that galvanized Britain during the 1940 air campaign. From vivid historical comparisons to the heroic sacrifices of RAF pilots, the episode unpacks the tension, strategy, and resilience that defined this critical conflict. Listeners will hear excerpts of Churchill’s iconic rhetoric, including his reflections on the "Few" and the daring defense of British skies, all while uncovering the lesser-known details that shaped one of history’s most defining battle.
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History of the Second World War is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 3, 2025 • 28min
Interview 39: Sisterhood of Ravensbrück with Lynne Olson
The Sisterhood of Ravensbrück: How an Intrepid Band of Frenchwomen Resisted the Nazis in Hitler's All-Female Concentration Camp By Lynne Olson
The book is available starting June 3, 2025 published by Penguin Random House: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/749046/the-sisterhood-of-ravensbruck-by-lynne-olson/
Contact advertising@airwavemedia.com to advertise on History of the Second World War.
History of the Second World War is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 29, 2025 • 26min
218 - The Battle About Britain Pt. 2 - What Are We Doing Now?
In this episode of *History of the Second World War*, delve into the pivotal moment during the Battle of Britain as Britain grapples with the decision to reject German negotiations, leaving its fate hanging in the balance. Explore the high-stakes strategies employed by the Royal Air Force, from cutting-edge communication systems to coded orders like "scramble" and "vector 180 angels 10," which shaped the course of the conflict. With gripping insights into leadership, resilience, and the fog of war, this episode reveals how Britain’s defiance became a turning point in the fight against Nazi Germany. Don’t miss the behind-the-scenes look at the chaos and courage that defined this historic battle!
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History of the Second World War is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 22, 2025 • 30min
217 - The Battle About Britain Pt. 1 - What Are We Doing Next?
This episode of _History of the Second World War_ dives into the critical moments of the Battle of Britain, exploring the German plan for invasion—Operation Sealion—and its unrealistic ambitions to cross the English Channel. As the Luftwaffe struggled with unclear strategies and fragmented operations in the summer of 1940, the episode reveals how chaos and uncertainty shaped the conflict. Listeners will uncover the high-stakes clash between Nazi ambitions and Britain’s desperate preparations, offering a gripping look at the turning point that defined the war’s outcome
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History of the Second World War is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 14, 2025 • 23min
216: The Battle Before Britain Pt. 8 - Operation Catapult
This episode of History of the Second World War delves into the pivotal moments of Operation Catapult, the controversial British effort to seize French naval assets in 1940 as France surrendered to Germany. Explore the tensions between Churchill’s aggressive wartime strategies and the moral dilemmas of targeting a defeated enemy’s fleet, while uncovering how this decision shaped Britain’s path in the Battle of Britain. With insights from historians like Robert Forczyk, who calls the operation a "nadir of British strategy," this episode challenges listeners to rethink the complexities of leadership, sacrifice, and the fog of war during WWII.
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History of the Second World War is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 7, 2025 • 22min
215: The Battle Before Britain Pt. 7 - Attrition Over France
This episode delves into the intense strategic clashes during the Battle of Britain, focusing on the critical decisions made in late May and early June 1940 as Allied forces grappled with the deteriorating situation in France. It explores the tension between Air Chief Marshal Dowding’s warnings about keeping fighters in Britain and the urgent demands from French leaders and the BEF for more aircraft, highlighting the high stakes of resource allocation during a pivotal moment in the war. With insights into Churchill’s War Cabinet debates and the looming threat of invasion, the episode unpacks how these choices shaped the course of the conflict and the future of Britain’s defense.
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History of the Second World War is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 30, 2025 • 26min
214: The Battle Before Britain Pt. 6 - An Easy Way Out
In this episode, we delve into the critical period leading up to the Battle of Britain, exploring the growing tensions between Britain, France, and Germany as Churchill and Halifax worked tirelessly to find a path forward. The discussion centers around the hesitant attempts at negotiations with Mussolini and the Italian government, alongside the strategic planning for a continued fight against Germany, ultimately leading to a pivotal decision that shaped the course of the war. Listen to discover the challenges and uncertainties faced by the British government as they prepared for the monumental battle ahead.
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History of the Second World War is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices