We're bringing you an episode of a podcast we think you'll love: Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford. At the height of World War Two, British intelligence began receiving reports that the enemy was developing a rocket weapon. The idea seemed fantastical — resources in Nazi Germany were scarce and a rocket-building program defied economic logic.But one intelligence chief took the reports of a rocket weapon seriously and he managed to convince Winston Churchill to heed the threat too. The British Prime Minister gave the order to bomb Germany’s rocket factory to rubble, and 600 bomber planes embarked on a full-scale attempt to obliterate it.From the air, the damage appeared devastating. The British thought they had succeeded in crushing the rocket-building program. But they were wrong.For a full list of sources for this episode, see the show notes at timharford.com. Follow Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford wherever you get your podcasts.

Journalist and New York Times Bestseller Evan Thomas joins the host to discuss the end of WW2 and the role of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. They explore the key figures and decisions that led to Japan's surrender, including internal conflict, ethical considerations, and the consequences of the atomic bomb. The podcast delves into the moral dilemmas of strategic decisions during the war and the uncertainties surrounding the Japanese surrender post-WW2.

This episode contains graphic descriptions of violence and sexual assault. Over the course of 100 days in 1994, it's estimated that between 500,000 and one million ethnic Tutsis and moderate Hutus, were killed by Hutu extremists in the 1994 Rwandan Genocide. Sparked by longstanding ethnic tensions and political unrest in the country, and with actions exacerbated by the Assassination of Rwanda's Hutu president - violence swept across the country as neighbours turned on each other, families perished, and refugees fled. But how did the international community's delayed response further exacerbate the humanitarian crisis, and how has Rwanda recovered in the years since?In this episode James is joined by Dr Erin Jessee from the University of Glasgow, to share how her research and gathering of first hand testimony, has helped individuals understand one of the most devastating conflicts of modern history. Looking at how Rwanda's history influenced the events of 1994, examining first hand testimony of victims and perpetrators, and looking at issues faced by researches today - what happened in Rwanda in 1994, and how was the country rebuilt itself?Discover the past on History Hit with ad-free original podcasts and documentaries released weekly presented by world renowned historians like Dan Snow, Suzannah Lipscomb, Lucy Worsley, Matt Lewis, Tristan Hughes and more. Get 50% off your first 3 months with code WARFARE. Download the app on your smart TV or in the app store or sign up here.You can take part in our listener survey here.For more Warfare content, subscribe to our Warfare Wednesday newsletter here.

Historian Andrew Roberts joins host James Rogers to dissect the conditions, tactics, and aftermath of Napoleon's greatest victory, the Battle of Austerlitz. They explore the significance of the battle, the impact of weather and terrain, and Napoleon's clever tactics to defeat a larger enemy force.

What was it actually like to operate a tank during the Second World War?In this episode, we explore the iron belly of tank warfare through the eyes of Private Arthur Ibbotson, who enlisted in the war as a young lad in 1942, first joining the Grenadier Guards in London and who ended up involved in one of the largest allied operations of the war: Operation Market Garden.Arthur would have turned 100 years old in September this year, but sadly passed away on the 6th of June, the 79th anniversary of D Day.Together with James, Michael Ibbotson, Arthur's nephew, recounts the realities of what tank life was like, and remembers his uncle's contribution to the greatest generation.Discover the past on History Hit with ad-free original podcasts and documentaries released weekly presented by world renowned historians like Dan Snow, Suzannah Lipscomb, Lucy Worsley, Matt Lewis, Tristan Hughes and more. Get 50% off your first 3 months with code WARFARE. Download the app on your smart TV or in the app store or sign up here.You can take part in our listener survey here.

Historian James Holland joins the host to discuss the Battle of Kursk, the largest tank battle in history. They explore the motivations behind the battle, Hitler's delusions, the German offensive called Citadel, and the significance of the battle. Holland also announces his new book on the Italy Campaign.

As we get closer to the 80th anniversary of Operation Overlord and the D-Day Landings, we're beginning to witness the passing of 'living memory' from the Second World War. With more eyewitnesses, participants, and war veterans passing away every day, how can we ensure that their memories, stories, and experiences are safely preserved? The University of Oxford have launched a new project to help combat this problem: Their Finest Hour. By creating a digital history project to encourage people of all backgrounds to submit their experiences or their relatives experiences of the Second World War, they're creating an invaluable digital archive that captures moments and stories that helped define the 20th century. But why is preserving these living memories so important - and what can we learn from the people who have already submitted their tales?In this episode, James welcomes Dr Joseph Quinn to the podcast to talk about this project, and what they aim to achieve from it. Hearing stories from individuals who have already submitted oral histories, and learning about the importance of preserving living memory - why is this Oxford project so important for future historians, and what can we do to help?You can submit to the project here.Discover the past on History Hit with ad-free original podcasts and documentaries released weekly presented by world renowned historians like Dan Snow, Suzannah Lipscomb, Lucy Worsley, Matt Lewis, Tristan Hughes and more. Get 50% off your first 3 months with code WARFARE. Download the app on your smart TV or in the app store or sign up here.You can take part in our listener survey here.For more Warfare content, subscribe to our Warfare Wednesday newsletter here.

Serving continuously as either Prime Minister or President since 1999, Vladimir Putin's leadership of Russia has always dominated the geopolitical stage and made headlines. Enforcing extreme policies, engaging with dangerous allies, and hiring deadly mercenaries - it seems he isn't planning on relinquishing control of Russia, or ending the war in Ukraine, in the near future. But how has his previous experience on the world stage informed his choices today - and is it possible to predict his actions in the coming years?In the final episode of our Dictators series, James welcomes Political Scientist, Professor Daniel Treisman, to the podcast to examine Putin's leadership of Russia and his role in global politics. Looking at the tactics Putin enforced to maintain control, his treatment of opposition parties, and his reliance on fighting wars - why has Putin been in control for so long, and will Russia ever be able to move forward without him?You can buy Daniel's book here.Discover the past on History Hit with ad-free original podcasts and documentaries released weekly presented by world renowned historians like Dan Snow, Suzannah Lipscomb, Lucy Worsley, Matt Lewis, Tristan Hughes and more. Get 50% off your first 3 months with code WARFARE. Download the app on your smart TV or in the app store or sign up here.You can take part in our listener survey here.For more Warfare content, subscribe to our Warfare Wednesday newsletter here.

In August 2021, after 20 years of military presence, the United States withdrew the last of their troops from Afghanistan. With chaos quickly ensuring and the world seeing images of desperate parents handing infants to evacuating forces, and civilians trying to force their way onto evacuation flights - the world's eyes were on Afghanistan as the Taliban took control. But two years later, what's Afghanistan like for the people who live there now, and did the US withdrawal set off a chain reaction of military events around the world?In this episode, James welcomes back Dr Mike Martin to the podcast, to give an update on Afghanistan today. As a British Officer who served in Afghanistan, and now a Senior Visiting Fellow at Kings, Mike gives a detailed insight into the conflicts in the region today, and helps us to understand exactly what happened on that chaotic day two years ago.Discover the past on History Hit with ad-free original podcasts and documentaries released weekly presented by world renowned historians like Dan Snow, Suzannah Lipscomb, Lucy Worsley, Matt Lewis, Tristan Hughes and more. Get 50% off your first 3 months with code WARFARE. Download the app on your smart TV or in the app store or sign up here.You can take part in our listener survey here.For more Warfare content, subscribe to our Warfare Wednesday newsletter here.

A Yugoslav revolutionary leader, who served in every major conflict of his lifetime - Josip Broz Tito ruled Yugoslavia for 35 years. Successfully leading the establishment and maintenance of a socialist federation in Yugoslavia and balancing between the global superpowers of the Cold War, his contribution to history cannot be undermined. But his rule wasn't without controversy or violence; while he managed to balance ethnic and national tensions to some extent, his regime was criticised for human rights abuses, censorship, and limitations on individual freedoms all while Yugoslavia was under a one-party system. So who exactly was Tito, and what legacy did he leave behind?In the third episode of our Dictators series, James welcomes Robert Niebuhr to the podcast, to take a deep dive into Tito's life and policies. Looking at Tito's nonalignment policy, international relations, and the legacy he's left behind in Eastern Europe today - what happened to Tito, and how can his rule still be felt today?You can buy Robert's book here.Discover the past on History Hit with ad-free original podcasts and documentaries released weekly presented by world renowned historians like Dan Snow, Suzannah Lipscomb, Lucy Worsley, Matt Lewis, Tristan Hughes and more. Get 50% off your first 3 months with code WARFARE. Download the app on your smart TV or in the app store or sign up here.You can take part in our listener survey here.For more Warfare content, subscribe to our Warfare Wednesday newsletter here.