History of WWII Podcast
The History of WWII Podcast is produced and narated 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.

Latest podcasts
Listen to the podcast in your browser, or for the best experience and to get automatic updates when a new episode is released subscribe to the podcast using the RSS link or click the links above to find the podcast on the most common networks.Â
Episode 418-The Show Must Go On
As the escorting destroyers fill up with rescued crewmen, now it’s the Ohio’s turn as her engines give up the ghost....
Episode 417-Interview w/ Craig Nelson about his book V is For Victory
Craig Nelson's book V is For Victory has it all: FDR's early days of combatting the Great Depression, restoring faith...
Episode 416-The Terrifying Had Become Commonplace
When the sun rose on August 13th, the Axis forces in the Mediterranean knew they had one last day to stop Operation...
Episode 415-Ships That Sink In The Night
Within a four hour period of darkness, Pedestal will lose many ships. By morning, 7 of the 14 merchants were gone....
Episode 414-In the Lap of the Gods
As August 13th turns into the 14th, more ships of Pedestal are lost. Some fought bravely during their last moments,...
Episode 413-I Was Always Grateful to Mussolini
The ships of Pedestal have entered The Narrows. Waiting for them are Italian E-boats that rule the night. But Keith...
Episode 412-Courage and Cowardice
Churchill visits Stalin for the first time, only to give him bad news. There will be no Second Front in 1942. Then,...
Episode 411-The Deadly Game of Dodge Bomb
As Pedestal nears the Narrows, more escorts and merchant ships are lost to Axis planes and submarines. The convoy had...
Episode 410-Four Torpedoes Can Make All the Difference
As Force Z leaves Force X and Pedestal to their fate, Italian subs and torpedo boats line up in the narrow Sicilian...
Episode 409-Will This Day Never End?
It’s still August 12, 1942 and after two large attacks, the Axis now launch their main attack, that afternoon. There...
Watch Ray Harris jnr on ‘In the Hanger’ on the Taking Off YouTube Channel
Ray Harris Jnr joins host Daniel Millican on the Taking Off YouTube Channel to cover one of the 'Best' and also...
Episode 408-Operation Pedestal: One Hell of an Afternoon
The early afternoon of August 12th would be hell for the defenders of Pedestal. Several air attacks take place, in...
Episode 407-Interview w/Chloe Melas about Frank Murphy’s book: Luck of the Draw
Chloe Melas, granddaughter of the author, comes on to discuss the book, Luck of the Draw. Frank Murphy, a navigator...
Episode 406-Operation Pedestal: One Hell of a Morning
It’s August 12, 1942 and it’s a beautiful day. Which makes Axis reconnaissance flights ideal. Soon, Rome knows all it...
Episode 405-Operation Pedestal: Slow Gets You Killed
HMS Furious having delivered its Spitfires to Malta, turns around with its escort. But they are not out of danger yet....
Episode 404-Operation Pedestal: First Blood
Churchill pushes to have the largest convoy thus far, sent to Malta. Yet the Germans and Italians are ready. Before...
Introducing Grey History Podcasts: The French Revolution
Join me in listening to the first episode of William Clark's exploration of The French Revolution, from Grey History...
Episode 403-Rommel is Stopped in His Tracks
Rommel gathers his panzers in the south for another attack. But he has gone to the well, one time too many. Monty...
Episode 402-Monty Sets the Stage for Rommel
Monty comes to grips with the type of fighter Rommel is and plans accordingly. More men are brought forward and a trap...
Episode 401-Interview with Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch about The Nazi Conspiracy & Churchill Gives British 8th Army to Monty
First, Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch come to discuss The Nazi Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill Roosevelt, Stalin and...
Episode 400-The Second Battle of Ruweisat Ridge
Though both sides are depleted, Churchill wants Auchinleck to attack again, so he does. As not much has changed, the...
Episode 399-The First Battle of Ruweisat Ridge
With the First Battle of El Alamein over, the two generals settle for smaller battles while their reinforcements...
Episode 398-First Battle of El Alamein
With the First Battle of El Alamein, Rommel’s building desperation clashes with Auchinleck’s determination to finally...
Episode 397-Interview w/ Iain MacGregor: The Lighthouse of Stalingrad & Prelude to the 1st Battle of El Alamein
Another 2 Episode Special! First, my interview with Iain MacGregor about his book, The Lighthouse at Stalingrad: The...
Episode 396-The Battle of Mersa Matruh
As Tobruk has fallen, the next defensive line is set up at Mersa Matruh, but C in C, ME Auchinleck has little faith in...
Episode 395-The Gazala Gallop
With Tobruk lost, 8th British Army falls back to the Egyptian border. But C in C Claude Auchinleck is still not...
Episode 394-Warrior Next Door Podcast Interview & Tobruk Has Fallen
First, Ryan Fairfield and Tony Lupo, the hosts of The Warrior Next Door Podcast return to share more clips of WWII...
Episode 393-Interview w/ James Shone: Host of Taiwan Through Time Podcast & Operation Harpoon
Two Episode Special! James Shone comes on to share what Taiwan, then Formosa, was going through during, but also,...
Episode 392-Interview w/ Dr. Paul Gill Jr: Armageddon in The Arctic Ocean and Tobruk is Surrounded
Another two episode special! First, Dr. Paul Gill Jr. comes on to talk about his dad’s book about his life and war...
Ep 291: Two Episode Special! Interview w/ Taylor Downing about his book 1942: Winston Churchill and Britain’s Darkest Hour and then, The British 8th Army is Outfoxed
First, historian Taylor Downing comes on to talk about his new book, 1942: Winston Churchill and Britain’s Darkest...
Episode 390-The Battle of Knightsbridge Box
With the Battle of Bir Hakeem over Rommel is ready to drive on Tobruk, but first he has to get passed the...
Episode 389-Interview w/ Saul David about his book Devil Dogs
Historian Saul David talks about his latest book, Devil Dogs: From Guadalcanal to the Shores of Japan. King...
Bad Women: The Blackout Ripper
Here’s a preview of Bad Women: The Blackout Ripper. Over a single week in February 1942, a depraved serial killer...
Episode 388-The Battle of Bir Hakeem: The Redemption of French Honor
Now that the Battle of the Cauldron was over, Rommel could come for the Free French at Bir Hakeem, to his SW. With...
Episode 387-The Battle of The Cauldron
Rommel anticipates British 8th Army’s attack and prepares. The attack, Operation Aberdeen is launched, but will come...
Episode 386-Damien Lewis discusses his book, Agent Josephine: American Beauty, French Hero, British Spy
Writer Damien Lewis returns to discuss his latest book about the beautiful Josephine Baker. She has found everything...
Episode 385-The Cauldron
Rommel’s lunge at Tobruk causes his panzers to get trapped. So the Desert Fox changes his plans and 8th Army Commander...
Episode 384-The English GI: A Yorkshire Schoolboy’s Adventures in the US and Europe
This graphic novel by Jonathan Sandler covers the story of a young Jewish British citizen on vacation in NY when Pearl...
Episode 383-Rommel Comes For Tobruk
The day of battle is here. Both sides have made flawed plans. The question is who can adapt faster. Still, the first...
Episode 382-Dale Jenkins discusses The Battles of Coral Sea and Midway
Retired Naval Officer Dale A. Jenkins, who served in the Pacific has a book coming out in December: Diplomats and...
Episode 381-The Battle at Gazala: The Waiting is All
As The Allies and Axis prepare for a battle at Gazala, Rommel and Gen. Ritchie both feel confident that their plan is...
Episode 380-The British 8th Army vs The Desert Fox
Rommel is able to take Cyrenaica back from the British 8th Army, but between his fuel issues and C in C, ME...
Episode 379-Rommel Strikes Back
With the failure of Gen. Auchinleck's Operation Crusader, at the end of 1941, Rommel resupplies and heads out again,...
Episode 378-West Africa and Charles De Gaulle
Before moving on to Operation Pedestal and then the Eastern Front, Gen. Charles De Gaulle’s moves in West Africa have...
Episode 377-Iceland: A Peaceful Invasion
In this one off episode, Iceland and Greenland’s participation in the war is covered. Denmark leads these two islands...
Episode 376-The Falcon of Malta
In the mold of Adrian Warburton, one George Beurling comes to Malta in July. Like Warby, George or Screwball as he is...
Episode 375-Starvation and Betrayal
Lord Gort will have his own Quisling to deal with as a Malta youth comes ashore to spy for Mussolini. Meanwhile,...
Episode 374-Churchill: Malta’s Patron Saint
As Field Marshall Kesselring loses some of his planes to other theaters, Malta, thanks to Churchill, gets a large...
Episode 373-Malta: A Thunderstorm of Steel
As April 1942 comes to an end, a spot of hope is dashed as the Axis continue their daily bombing of Malta. The ships...
Episode 372-Malta Loses A Hero
As Field Marshall Albert Kesselring ramps up his attacks on Malta, Adm. Andrew Cunningham and others will leave the...
Episode 371-Interview w/ Thomas McKenna about his book Moro Warrior
MORO WARRIOR tells the remarkable true story of the Philippine Muslim (Moro) resistance fighters of World War II—the...
Episode 370-Interview w/ Peter Bradley about his book, The Last Train: A Family History of the Final Solution
Former Labour MP Peter Bradley discusses his book that covers the events of his Jewish parents and extended family, as...
Car Show! Episode: The Jeep During WWII
We’re shaking things up today and sharing a preview from Car Show!, a new podcast from our friends at Pushkin...
Ep 369-Interview w/ Paul Brandus about FDR’s Use of Media and Midway
Writer and White House Correspondent Paul Brandus comes on the show to cover FDR's brilliant use of the media, before...
Episode 368-Interview w/ Damien Lewis about his book, Churchill’s Great Escapes: Seven Incredible Escapes Made by WWII Heroes
Writer Damien Lewis comes on the show to discuss his new book Churchill's Great Escapes: Seven Incredible Escapes Made...
Episode 367-The Second Battle of Sirte
Desperate, Adm. Cunningham arranges another convoy for Malta. But the Italian Fleet and German Air Arm are ready. The...
Episode 366-Interview w/ Brandon Gauthier about his book, Before Evil
Professor Brandon Gauthier comes on to discuss his book Before Evil, where he examines the making of 20th Century’s...
Episode 365-The Spitfires are Coming!
The RAF on Malta actually run out of Hurricane fighters on March 3rd. Fortunately, the promised Spitfires arrive. But...
Episode 364-Mussolini’s PR Nightmare
As 1942 opens up the Axis have the upper hand. Still, those in London make plans to invade Sicily. What follows only...
Episode 363-Guest Host Lindsay Graham of History Daily Recounts the Attack on Pearl Harbor
The host of several well known podcasts, Lindsay Graham, of History Daily, American Scandal and American History...
Churchill Mug
The famous Winston Churchill mug from the History of WWII Podcast. Help support the podcast by buying a mug, free delivery within the USA*.
*Shipping outside the USA will incur an additional $7 charge.
$19.99
24+Â Free episodes per year
