The History of WWII Podcast
A biweekly history podcast covering the last great war. Join Ray Harris Jr as he explores World War Two in intimate detail. The History of WWII Podcast is produced and narrated by Ray Harris Jr. Ray has a degree in history from James Madison University. I’ve been obsessed with the events and people from WWII since I first learned of them. I’ve been waiting years for someone to do a podcast on WWII and couldn’t wait any longer.
Episodes
May 20, 2024 • 29 mins
Even before the attack on Pearl Harbor, Superman and Batman were declaring themselves against Hitler and his ways, while the American Bund, a pro Nazi organization, wanted the U.S. to be more like Nazi Germany. After Pearl Harbor, those same comic book heroes and many more were encouraging everyone to buy War Bonds to fight the Axis Powers. Meanwhile, Captain America is letting his fists do the talking for him.
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May 14, 2024 • 47 mins
Historian Damien Lewis comes on to discuss his book about Churchill’s secret warriors who will take the fight to the Nazis. Now a major motion film starring Henry Cavill, we cover the brave men and women of Operation Postmaster and other operations that wear down the Axis in Europe.
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May 7, 2024 • 36 mins
The final episode of the Siege of Odessa. The port city will fall, but not before tying down over 300,000 Axis troops for months. Odessa will be the first Hero City of the Soviet Union. And in their evacuation, the Soviets leave several nasty surprises for the city’s new owners.
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May 1, 2024 • 26 mins
Both sides pull tricks out of their hats, trying to gain an advantage. The result, the Axis dominate the Black sea and the air, the Soviets, the ground around Odessa. Through ingenuity and a can do attitude, the soviets turn their tractors into tanks, which contributes to Odessa’s high water mark of defense.
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First, Jason Bell comes on to discuss his book, Cracking the Nazi Code: The Untold Story of Agent A12 and the Solving of the Holocaust Code. Then, back to the Siege of Odessa. The Romanians, fearing German anger, throw everything they have at the Soviet city.
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April 18, 2024 • 23 mins
As Army Group South advances east, Berlin needs Odessa taken. But the defenders of that Black Sea port city are willing to give all to deny this. What follows is unbelievable carnage just beyond Odessa’s defensive lines.
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April 8, 2024 • 26 mins
Wave after wave of Romanian troops come at Odessa’s defenses. Also, squadrons of Messerschmidt’s attempt to dominate the skies above. But organization and determination tell and the invaders are held off, but for how long?
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April 3, 2024 • 25 mins
As 11 German and Romanian divisions, with 100 tanks and 100 airplanes come at Odessa, the people there, military and civilian, indeed, school children, prepare their city to defy the enemy. It will be a siege that will test the endurance of both sides.
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A 2 Episode Special! First, an interview w/ Mike Croissant, author of Bombing Hitler’s Hometown. Then, before the Siege of Odessa began, a small Soviet offensive took place against Romania, which explains why the Axis right flank was so slow. But in the end, the Soviet Rifle divisions are ordered to pull back. As for the southern end of Barbarossa, Odessa would be the next target and even harder to crack.
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March 18, 2024 • 21 mins
Focusing on the southern most part of Operation Barbarossa, we watch as the Black Sea city of Odessa stands defiant against Army Group South and the Romanians. This will cause a delay in Berlin’s plans, which will require Gen. Guderian and his panzers to come help take Kiev.
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March 13, 2024 • 27 mins
As it seems Kiev is about to fall, the panzers suddenly turn south and head for Uman. There, a massive soviet response is building, but will it be enough to save Kiev, Uman and stop the Axis Forces from crossing the River Bug?
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March 4, 2024 • 27 mins
Backing up a bit, we cover the Romanian’s early involvement in Barbarossa. But before Kiev can be taken, the Romanians want their lands back, taken by Stalin in 1939.
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February 26, 2024 • 26 mins
The fighting only grows in intensity, with Kiev being threatened. But the German’s right flank is holding operations up. Still, in time, but with much loss, Gen. Kirponos pulls back his men and sets up a new defensive line, from Kiev to Uman.
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February 20, 2024 • 29 mins
Soviet Gen. Kirponos does reasonably well in defending his SW Front, when he is told what is going on. But that is irregular at best. Soon, Lvov falls and all know that the next major battle will take place along the Stalin Line.
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February 9, 2024 • 28 mins
Army Group South advances but Stalin believes the main German thrust will happen here, so plans accordingly.
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January 30, 2024 • 19 mins
Gen. Zhukov has outsmarted and outlasted Gen. Von Bock to the north, south and now, in front of Moscow. The Germans will take a rest. But then the Soviets say, my turn.
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January 23, 2024 • 21 mins
With the panzers attacking on the flanks, Von Bock’s main thrust is coming right at Moscow. But between the weather, a lack of fuel and Gen. Zhukov’s determination, Army Group Center can’t seem to close the deal.
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January 18, 2024 • 76 mins
First, historian James Holland comes on to discuss Italy’s final phase as an Axis Partner. However, bad timing on the Allies part will cause the Italian Campaign to become a long slog. Then back to the regular series: Stalin reinforces the lines in front of Moscow, but the Germans miss this. So launch their supposed final attack against Stalin’s capital. Despite the lack of fuel and winter clothing, the Germans can’t help but think...
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January 13, 2024 • 27 mins
Operation Typhoon is launched. Surely, there can’t be that many defenders still before Moscow. But what Berlin will miss is when Stalin starts recalling entire experienced divisions from the Far East. And one group of soviet fighters figures out a way to combat the dreaded panzers.
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January 2, 2024 • 29 mins
Though desiring an economic knockout blow provided by his panzers, Hitler will eventually return to the capture of Moscow. Which means Army Group Center will need to destroy whatever is in front of them. But Moscow has learned a thing or two and will salvage what they can before the battle of Moscow begins.
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