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.
Episodes
July 2, 2025 • 26 mins
This episode delves into the high-stakes planning behind Operation Sea
Lion, exploring how German military strategists grappled with the
immense challenges of invading Britain in 1940. As the Luftwaffe battled
for air superiority, the planners faced a critical dilemma: balancing
the necessity of an invasion with the uncertain feasibility of achieving
the required dominance over the Royal Air Force. Tensions mounted
between th...
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June 26, 2025 • 28 mins
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June 25, 2025 • 23 mins
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.
Co...
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June 11, 2025 • 29 mins
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
mom...
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June 4, 2025 • 38 mins
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 rhetor...
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June 3, 2025 • 28 mins
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/
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History of the Second World...
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May 29, 2025 • 25 mins
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. Wit...
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May 22, 2025 • 30 mins
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 clas...
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May 14, 2025 • 23 mins
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 insight...
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May 7, 2025 • 22 mins
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...
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April 30, 2025 • 25 mins
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 pivot...
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April 23, 2025 • 26 mins
Join us as we delve into the critical role of pilot experience in the Battle of Britain! This episode explores how the skills and bravery of foreign pilots, particularly those hailing from across the British Empire, were vital to the RAF's success. From the pivotal dogfight scenarios between single-engine fighters to the impact of Winston Churchill’s leadership, we’ll uncover the stories behind the 'Few' and the extraordinary sacri...
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April 16, 2025 • 35 mins
This episode dives deep into the often-overlooked details of the Battle of Britain, going beyond the famous aircraft to explore the technological and logistical factors that impacted the fighting. We examine the strengths and weaknesses of aircraft like the Defiant, the crucial role of high-octane fuel in providing a performance edge, and even how seemingly minor details could influence the outcome of aerial engagements. From the l...
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April 9, 2025 • 23 mins
This episode delves into the often-overlooked early years of Britain’s Bomber Command during 1940, revealing a story of ambitious plans, flawed assumptions, and determined aircrews. We explore how Bomber Command transitioned from pre-war theory to desperate anti-invasion efforts, laying mines and attacking German harbors as the threat of a Nazi landing loomed. Beyond the immediate crisis, we uncover the enduring belief – championed...
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April 2, 2025 • 28 mins
This episode delves into the fascinating, high-stakes cat-and-mouse game of radar and radio countermeasures during the Battle of Britain. Discover how British intelligence meticulously deciphered the German “Knickebein” and “X-Gerät” bombing guidance systems—starting with insights from captured soldiers and culminating in signal detection—and how they scrambled to develop countermeasures like the surprisingly simple “Aspirin” syste...
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March 26, 2025 • 27 mins
In the years before the war the new technology of radar would begin to solve many of the problems of air defense, but it was not perfect.
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March 25, 2025 • 12 mins
The podcast is back, so it is time to talk about what you can look forward to in the near future.
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History of the Second World War is part of the Airwave Media podcast network.
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March 19, 2025 • 28 mins
Those plucky Brits were doing Plucky Brit things, while also being stretched to the limit because when you have a world spanning empire your enemies can come from anywhere.
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History of the Second World War is part of the Airwave Media podcast network.
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March 12, 2025 • 32 mins
Back again with another Summary episode, this time to discuss the evolution of Airpower during the interwar years, and the preparedness of the various Air Forces around Europe before 1939.
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History of the Second World War is part of the Airwave Media podcast network.
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February 19, 2025 • 29 mins
This episode sees another previously member only episode released on the main feed. War clouds on the horizon.
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