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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. But the men in this story are determined to get her to Malta, by hook or by crook. For her fuel is the difference to whether Malta endures or...

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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, other’s not. But Adm. Syfret’s orders are that all ships are to try. And Commander Gibbs of the destroyer HMS Pathfinder and his crew enter into the...

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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, back to Pedestal as the merchant ships have been scattered. The destroyers will try to round them up, but some captains don’t want to finish the trip....

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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 were to be Axis dive bombers, torpedo bombers, high level bombers, submarines and torpedo boats. A potpourri of death for the Pedestal Convoy. Yet the...

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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 make a stand. But it’s the mistakes made by Afrika Korps that will determine the success or failure of The Desert Fox’s latest attack. Not that Rommel...

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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 Gen. Ritchie’s latest plan. Thus Auchinleck takes over the battle himself, but is frustrated by bad communications and Gen. Gott’s misreading of the...

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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 convinced that they are safe from Rommel, so agrees to another pull back to Mersa Matruh. Gen. Ritchie sets up his defenses, but Auchinleck has another line...

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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 stalked London’s dark and WWII bomb-ravaged streets, hunting for victims in the city’s bars and clubs. Using new research from police files, court...

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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 to a sad end. This allows Rommel to commence his own attack, scattering thousands of Allies troops before him. The Battle of the Cauldron was supposed...

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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 Ritchie gives Rommel days of freedom, while the Commonwealth troops set up to push on to Libya. Rommel uses this time to attack the isolated 150th...

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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 phase of the Battle of Gazala goes to The Desert Fox. But there is always the question of fuel. And of course, I had to put out an episode on the...

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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, before the British can start Operation Acrobat, the drive on Tripoli. And like a year ago, the Allies are stretched far too thin and the men are under...

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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 to the north, but when Nazi Germany occupies Denmark, the islands are on their own. Churchill, as the First Lord of the Admiralty decides that these...

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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 called, does not care for much for anything really, only flying and fighting. And in a short time, he will cause hell for the Axis pilots. However,...

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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, another convoy is attempted, but it too will fail. Gort has no choice but to reduce rations further. His biggest fear is if the Maltese people want to give...

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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 theatre as they are beyond exhausted. Still, the fight goes on. And those still defending the island are about to experience hell on earth, for months....

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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 Industries. Longtime Car and Driver editor Eddie Alterman tells the stories of the vital cars — the ones that have changed how we drive and live, whose...

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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 result, a tiny fraction of supplies will get through. Malta’s days as a forward base are coming to an end. YouTube - Watch now Facebook - Like now...

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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 how are 15 Spitfires supposed to hold back the entirety of Kesselring’s air arm of Italian and German planes. The dark time for Malta are far from...

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Episode 360-The Germans Have Returned

As winter sets in on the Eastern Front, Field Marshal Albert Kesselring is given Luftflotte 2, submarines and motor torpedo boats. His task is to subdue Malta. And he is well on his way as the Italians launch a daring underwater raid on Adm. Cunningham’s Mediterranean...

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Episode 357-Operation Halberd

Malta based subs and planes are having a surge of success against Axis shipping heading to North Africa, but increased operations means more fuel is needed. Thus, another convoy is headed to the Mediterranean. This one will be the largest so far, but the Italians will...

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Episode 354-The Battle of Valletta

Though Operation Substance successfully resupplies Malta, the Allies lost planes, ships and men. What followed was the Battle of Valletta, as the Italians try to finish off the convoy while in the Grand Harbor. Paying in kind, sub commander Shrimp Simpson will send 3...

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Episode 350-Operation Primrose

As the Battle for the Atlantic is not going well for the Allies, Churchill’s War Cabinet puts into motion a plan to steal a Nazi Enigma machine. Bletchley Park has been trying to break the German Naval codes for years, but more is needed. Meanwhile Malta is about to...

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Episode 347-Malta: Dark Days are Coming

We return to Malta as Adm. Cunningham is at his low point. Churchill wants total war, but Cunningham needs more of everything, including time. The short term answer seems to be more subs, but Malta will have to make do, for now. Doing his part is Lt. Commander Wanklyn...

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Episode 339-The Battle of Cape Matapan

The Luftwaffe keeps trying different types of bombs until they find one that works well against Maltese buildings. And their Bf109 fighters are decimating the British Hurricanes. Malta is threatened. But Adm. Cunningham will engage the Italian Navy during the Battle...

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Episode 338-The Siege of Malta Begins

Churchill wants the Italians hit hard as the German's begin bombing Malta almost daily. This will include Operation Colossus and Commander Shrimp's sub, HMS Upholder heading out to interdict supplies heading to Rommel in North Africa. Pic-Lt. Comm. Wanklyn and second...

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Episode 334-All Roads Go Through Malta

For thousands of years, Malta has had numerous masters. But as WWII seems inevitable, the British and Maltese people come together to ready themselves to take on the Axis Powers. Not until Mussolini declares war against the Allies does Malta get attacked, but even...

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Episode 331-The Doolittle Raid Pt 2

As TF 16 under Admirals Halsey and Mitscher sail closer to the Japanese Home Islands, the Allies’ naval forces loose several vessels. It’s no longer a question of will Doolittle’s Raiders succeed, but rather, will the carrier Enterprise and Hornet make it safely back...

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Episode 330-The Doolittle Raid Pt 1

President Roosevelt, like the rest of America is reeling from the attack on Pearl Harbor. But his shock is soon joined by rage. He wants the Japanese Empire taught a lesson. The lessons of war. What is needed is a strike against Tokyo itself. Adm. Ernest J. King and...

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Episode 329-The Fall of Corregidor

Gen. Wainwright has set up his defenses for Corregidor as best he can, still, all involved know the outcome. It’s only a matter of playing it out, per his order from Gen. MacArthur. The defenders have a few tricks up their sleeve as Homma’s 4th Division lands on...

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Episode 327-The Fall of Bataan

Generals Wainwright, King and Parker are seriously considering surrendering. The problem is that Gen. MacArthur has forbidden it. But the facts of the ground dominate. Months of starvation have robbed the defenders of their ability to fight any longer.

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Episode 324-The Second Battle of Bataan

Gen. Homma, now resupplied and reinforced, will come again. But this time, with MacArthur gone, the Japanese will face Gen. Edward P. King. And he is determined to hold out. But Homma’s plan is straightforward, to bombard the main defensive line to smithereens even...

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Episode 321-MacArthur I Shall Return

MacArthur finishes up his escape from Corregidor to Melbourne Australia. But the news waiting for him is not the General’s liking, basically, there are more troops back on Bataan than there are in the whole of Australia. But Gen. George Marshall will sooth MacArthur’s...

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Episode 318-Battle of the Pockets Pt 2

During the Battle of the Points, Gen. Homma would attack Gen. Wainwright's western line. This allowed 1000 Japanese troops to get through. The Allied Command staff will soon find themselves dealing with 3 enemy forces in their rear. Hopefully the main defensive will...

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Episode 317-Battle of the Pockets Pt 1

Gen. Homma has decided to hit the Allied line in two sections. Which means, in Gen. Parker's I Corps, on the eastern side of the Bataan Peninsula, Gen. Clifford Bluemel's Sector C will get all of Gen. Nara's attention. And Bluemel discovers a massive hole in his line...

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Episode 315-Battle of the Points

In attempting to smash MacArthur’s line on the Bataan Peninsula, Gen. Homma will send several amphibious end runs behind the lines. If all works out well, in this Battle of the Points, the Allies will loose all. If not, those Japanese troops may find themselves...

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Episode 313-Retreat to Bataan

As Gen. Jonathan Wainwright conducts the battle of the 5 lines, Gen. Douglas MacArthur declares Manila an open city and continues to beg Washington for supplies and reinforcements. All the while, Gen. Homma grabs up more and more of Luzon.

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Episode 312-Bataan or Bust

With the defenses of Lingayen Gulf shattered, Gen. MacArthur has decided to retreat to the Bataan peninsula, though there are no waiting supplies there. So while there is fighting to the north and south of Manila, supplies and men are moved to the final defensive...

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Episode 303-The Battle of Mandalay

The British led forces are retreating from Burma. But first they must get to Mandalay and across the Ava Bridge there, all the while keeping the Japanese at bay. The most Gen. Slim and Stilwell can hope for is to get out of the fighting, mostly intact.

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Episode 301-The Great Retreat Begins

It’s the beginning of the end for the Allied defense of Burma. While Gen. Slim’s men are pushed back, their Chinese Allies in the Shan States of attacked and scattered. Their only hope of survival is to head back home. Another seemingly Japanese victory.

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Episode 300-Battle of Yenaungyaung

Gen. William Slim will have to use all his experience and cunning to survive this latest defeat and retreat. In the balance is the entire 1st Burma Division. Fortunately for the Allies, Chinese Gen. Sun Li-jen of the 38th Division had dreamed as a boy that he would...

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Episode 298-The Battle of Prome

The British lead Allies will suffer defeat on land, sea and in the air, but Gen. Slim will not give up. Moving his men north after loosing at Prome, the defenders set up a new line further to the north. The Chinese lend another force to this new defensive line, but...

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Episode 297-10th Anniversary Episode

My web design guru Paul Finch of Scotland comes on as we discuss the WWII Podcast on its 10th Anniversary. Paul pitches the questions sent in by listeners and I answer them as best I can, with a pinch of humility. Thanks to everyone who listens and we should get this...

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Episode 295-The Battle of Toungoo

This episode brings in Gen. Joseph “Vinegar Joe” Stilwell as he “takes command” of Chinese Armies bound for Burma. Yet, as he will find, appearances can be deceiving. The RAF and AVG crews are pushed out of Burma as the Japanese 55th Division comes at Toungoo, to...

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Episode 292-The War Comes To Burma

Although the British are unprepared to defend Burma, Wavell believes that the Japanese may have extended themselves too far with this invasion. But it’s wishful thinking as the 3 most southern British airfields quickly fall. With the invaders coming ever closer to...

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Episode 289-The Invasion of New Guinea

With Rabaul taken the Japanese go after locations in NE New Guinea, but will have to deal with Vice Adm. Wilson Brown and the US carriers Lexington and Yorktown. The Americans and Australians achieve a surprise air raid on Lae and Salamaua, now owned by the Japanese,...

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Episode 288-The Fall of Rabaul

The invasions of New Britain and New Ireland get underway. But are over just as quickly. Meanwhile, Australian PM John Curtain informs Churchill that his country will now tie its wagon to the US. Gen. Douglas MacArthur will be their overall commander. Lastly, the...

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Episode 285-The Fall of Timor

Despite Allied hopes that Timor would be left alone, the Japanese Empire has need of its airfield to bomb Australia. But what the invaders were not counting on was the tough Australian Commandos who stay behind and inflict impressive casualties until the end of 1942....

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Episode 281-The Fall of Java Pt 1

With Sumatra lost, the Allies know that Java is next. Gen. Archibald Wavell, ABDA Commander gathers his meager forces, but already knows they will not win. Still with vessels like the heavy cruiser USS Houston, the best the defenders can hope for is to make the...

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Episode 280-The Fall of Sumatra

With Singapore all but taken, the Japanese start operations against Sumatra. The Dutch ask for help from ABDA Command, but it may be too little, too late. Still, the Allies have one chance to stop the invasion, as they launch 50 fighters and bombers at the coming...

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Episode 275-The Fall of Singapore

Despite a 3 to 1 advantage in men, Archibald Percival, GOC Malay, is pushed by Churchill and ABDACOM Commander Gen. Wavell to defy the Japanese in trying to take Singapore. Yet Gen. Yamashita will continue defying the odds with audacity and speed.

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Episode 274-The End of British Malaya

Bringing up the Australian 8th Infantry Division, it's hoped these fresh troops can stop the Japanese 25th Army from taking Johore and thus capturing all of the Malayan Peninsula. Yet Percival and Wavell are already thinking of abandoning the peninsula and focusing on...

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Episode 273-The Battle at Slim River

With reinforcements on the way, the British lead Commonwealth troops strive to keep the Japanese away from Singapore. And though exhausted, the Gurkhas, Punjabis, Hyderabad, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of the 11th Indian Infantry Division are on their own...

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Episode 271-The Battle of Jitra

The third of the Battle of Singapore series. The 11th Indian Infantry Division, operating on the west coast, as well as the 9th Indian Infantry Division, on the East, both find themselves unable to deal with a few Japanese Battalions and a few companies of light...

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Episode 266: The Fall of Borneo

The Japanese troops push the British led forces as well as the Dutch troops around Borneo, taking coastal towns and villages along the way. But not everything will go the invader's way, as the Dutch use their older bombers and fighters to resist. Not to mention, the...

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Episode 262-Once More, Unto the Gap

With the eastern half of Hong Kong Island practically lost, it's up to the West Brigade, under Brig. John Lawson to hold the invading Japanese troops back. But Lawson will deal with the same conditions as the defeated Brig. Wallis of the East Brigade, not enough...

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Episode 261-The Balaclava of the Sea

Gen. Sakai begins his invasion of Hong Kong, but Gen. Maltby has his troops ready and his Motor Torpedo Boats, which will hopefully stop the invasion before it can begin. Still, the Japanese reach shore and so begins Japanese atrocities and the end of Hong Kong...

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Episode 258-The Battle of Hong Kong

London had decided that Hong Kong was to be sacrificed to the Japanese, but after Canada offered up two battalions, Churchill reversed this decision. Now, the hope was that the British Colony would hold out behind the Gin Drinker's Line, manned by Canadians, Indians...

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Episode 257-The Fall of Wake Island

The marines on Wake Island are holding out, due to discipline and Japanese tactical mistakes. Yet Maj. Devereux is unaware of this and thus brings to fighting to an end. Yet the Japanese atrocities are only just beginning, against the marine and civilian POWs. As for...

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Episode 256- Massacre on Wake Island

Wake Island becomes the focal point of US resistance to Japanese aggression. Adm. Kimmel will send a relief force to Wake, but will it get there in time. Meanwhile, Rear Adm. Kajioka of the Imperial Japanese Navy, in command of the force that is to take Wake is...

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Episode 249-Japan Enters the War

As Axis victories cause colonial powers to become vulnerable in the Far East, Japan decides to enter the war. With a quick strike at Pearl Harbor, Japanese forces will make for Malaya, Thailand, Hong Kong, Guam, the Philippines, Wake Island and Midway. All this,...

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Episode 245-Operation Landcrab

The Americans continue to bomb Kiska, but the Japanese troops are not leaving. Worse, the Imperial Japanese High Command has sent reinforcements. So the US 7th Division from California, along with parts of the 13th Canadian Infantry Brigade have been chosen to land on...

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Introducing-Assassinations

Please checkout The Parcast Network's latest hit: Assassinations. One death can change the world. Assassinations recounts history’s most dramatic deaths. Through little-known facts, “what-ifs?” and examining the assassin's motives, they explore how one murder can...

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Episode 227-This Means War

On December 7, 1941, Ambassador Nomura and Special Envoy Kurusu are about to give Secretary of State Hull and FDR Japan's response to the Hull Note. But really, it's a declaration of war. That is, until the Japanese Military changes the wording. All of America will...

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Episode 219-When Diplomacy Fails

As the various issues with attacking Pearl Harbor are overcome, the Japanese Military evades telling the truth to Emperor Hirohito and PM Konoye. And they, in learn, deceive President Roosevelt's cabinet. Please support the show by checking out our sponson,...

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Episode 217-Japan-Do or Die

With Washington and Tokyo trying to bend the other to its will, President Roosevelt seeks to strangle Japan's aggression in China with a trade blockade while Adm. Isoroku Yamamoto begins to plan his attack on the U.S. Naval Base at Pearl Harbor. War seems imminent,...

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Episode 216-The World Goes to War

Chiang Kai-Shek struggles to keep China in the war, knowing the Soviet-German Non Aggression Pact can not last. The question is what will Japan do, once Russia is brought low. Meanwhile, the Japanese attack French Indochina and force Churchill to close the Burma Road....

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Episode 212-The Massacre of Nanjing

As Chiang Kai-Shek moves his capital and military Head Quarters west and Hideki Tojo becomes directly involved in the war to the north, the Japanese troops move out from Shanghai to Nanjing. There, their pent up frustration over the Nationalists refusing to concede...

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Episode 210-China’s Lost Battalion

The Japanese Expeditionary Force continues to push south to gain access to Shanghai. Meanwhile, Chiang Kai-Shek's nationalist troops continue to retreat. Yet, to show the world its defiance and courage, Chiang will leave one Battalion north of the Suzhou River, to...

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Episode 196-Stalin: Lenins Protege

The Great War is over, but the Allies don't know what to do with Russia. So, the german troops in Russian territory are ordered to remain where they are. Lenin has the task of anagazawe.net turning Marxism into a function government. Stalin faces accusations of his...

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Episode 187-Interview with Scott Miller

Mr. Miller's latest book, Agent 110: An American Spymaster and the German Resistance in WWII, covers America's attempt to build an espionage network after Pearl Harbor, which leads Allen Dulles to met up with a strange cast of characters, some want to help Germany end...

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Episode 164-Lenin’s Trigger Man

Stalin is newly married, but has little time for his wife and soon to arrive child. He is still focused on the Marxist revolution and his rise in the Bolshevik party, not to mention the destruction of the Menshevik faction. Vladimir Lenin choses the younger man to be...

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Episode 163-Stalin-Family Man

Young Stalin begins to the learn of the wider world of international politics and the intrigues that comes with it. Lenin his hero, does not measure up upon their first face to face. And Koba goes through his own metamorphosis when he returns from the 4th Congress and...

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Episode 161-Stalin Bio Part 5

Stalin, the young revolutionary, stumbles and is on the outs with the Georgian Social Democratic Worker's Party. Yet, after making another mistake, he is tepidly allowed to re-enter the group. Sent to a back water area, the workers there will soon strike and put the...

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Episode 158-Leningrad under Siege

The people of Leningrad take an affront to Nazi Germany invading their country. The men volunteer in droves for military service, the women are sent off to dig trenches. Though many of the men will die that summer of 1941, the Soviet Red Banner Baltic Fleet will...

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Episode 156-Stalin Strikes Back

Army Group South continues pressing closer towards the Soviet Capital. But General Secretary Stalin and General Zhukov attempt to defy the invaders. They are soon assisted by General Winter. Meanwhile, we catch up with Army Groups North and South, where Stalin has...

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Episode 155-Stalin Bio 2

Sixteen year old Soso (Stalin) enters the Tiflis Theological Seminary, on his way to becoming a priest. But what the boy may not know is that, he has entered an intellectual battleground and being a good Georgian, there is only one side he can choose.

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Episode 154-The Spires of Moscow

With the mud now frozen hard, Army Group Center advances on Moscow, deciding the weak link is just to the NW of the city. This guess proves correct. As November 1941 comes to an end, the leading German units are just miles from the capital and can see the spires of...

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Episode 151-Operation Typhoon Part 2

OKH Chief Franz Halder makes plans for a modest end to 1941 for Operation Barbarossa, but Hitler overrides him and orders the capture of Moscow, before the heavy snows come. Yet, Stalin, finally taking an advisor's advice, allows several armies from the Russian Far...

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Episode 142-Douglas Waller Interview

Douglas Waller's latest book, Disciples: The World War II Missions of the CIA Directors Who Fought for Wild Bill Donovan. OSS Agents penetrate Nazi Germany for information and acts of sabotage, then face the counter intelligence agents of Stalin's Soviet Russia.

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Episode 141-Stalin’s Mistake

Stalin's lack of military training causes his country to loose everything to the South, west of the Dnieper River. The German Panzers race east and make for the Crimea. Kiev is encircled, as is the 850,000 soviet troops in the area.

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Episode 138-Trading Punches

The Panzers come ever closer to Leningrad, though losing men and machines along the way. Meanwhile, Army Group Center moves toward the Dvina River. As for Kiev, the writing is on the wall, yet Stalin is the only one who can't see it. Picture-Defense works before...

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Episode 137-All Good Deeds

The German invaders are now in Russia, proper and are still advancing, but suffer heavier than expected losses. But in SE Russia, the Soviet 6th and 12th Armies become trapped, due to pathetic communications between them and Moscow.

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Episode 136-The Fall of Minsk

The three German Army Groups advance further into Russia, but Army Group Center has has the most success. Perhaps some of its panzers should be turned north or south to help the other two. But Army Group South isn't waiting for help. Field Marshal Rundstedt decides to...

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Episode 129-Lend Lease

It becomes apparant to the U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt that Britian and France are going to need American war material and financial assistance to defeat the Axis. Yet, the British Empire only has so much gold and the current laws of the U.S. make it illegal for...

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Episode 125-Operation Exporter

Churchill and the Free French get their way, Vichy controlled Syria will be invaded. But C in C Wavell's Middle East Command is stretched as it is, resources are few. Yet, Churchill will have his way and those who oppose him, begin to disapear.

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Episode 124-The End of Crete

Here is the last episode of the Battle of Crete. The Allies never contested for air superiority and thus the Germans were able to constantly push them back and eventually off the island. It was time again for another evacuation.

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Member Episodes 52/53 are Ready!

A little known battle between Russian and Japanese forces in 1939 redirects each country's directional ambitions. Russia focuses on the West, too close for Hitler's comfort and Japan turns to the South, eventually coming to the attention of the Americans.

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Episode 123- Crete Part 4

The Allied defense under Gen. Freyberg continues to back pedal on Crete. Meanwhile Adm. Cunningham continues to lose ships, although the land battle is being won by the Axis. Yet Churchill insists on more action from the Royal Navy and the ANZAC forces.

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Episode 121- Crete Part II

Gen. Student tries to figure out how to salvage the disaster that has befallen his airborne troops during the opening day of Operation Mercury. 1,800 had been lost that first day. And helping him mightily, are the ineffectual officers serving under Gen. Freyberg, who...

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Member Ep. 51 is Ready!

Here is the last Episode covering David Stirling and the SAS. I had no idea about him until recently. It just goes to show that there is still, so much to cover. By the way, most of you will not have heard about the next subject of the Member Episodes. Until then...

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Member Episode 50 is Ready!

The SAS, in its entirety, is called by to HQ. It will be a part of a massive operation against Axis Forces in North Africa. Probably is, Stirling didn’t plan it and it’s in charge.

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Episode 120-Crete, Part 1

The Germans begin, Operation Mercury, their attack on the island, to further confuse Russia and keep the British away from Hitler's oil fields. Yet as the transport planes take off, the number of defenders on the island has be recalculated from 12,000 to 48,000.

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Member Ep. 49 is Ready!

Gen. Rommel begins to truly realize what is working against him in the desert of North Africa and so assembles his own units to capture or kill the SAS.

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Episode 117-Tobruk and Iraq

Rommel is ready to have another crack at Tobruk, but Berlin is focused on Operation Barbarossa. Yet, Rommel gets permission to move ahead and finish off the British holdout. Meanwhile, Wavell's dire prediction about the Middle East starts to come true as elements of...

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Member Episode 47 is now Ready!

Stirling's SAS team get involved in politics as Churchill and Auchinleck argue over when Rommel should be attacked again. Stirling has his best day as an SAS man, but his team is betrayed to the Germans.

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Member Ep. 46 is Ready!

David Stirling and the SAS continue to hit Axis airfields in North Africa. Yet Gen. Rommel, will not let anything stop him from recapturing Benghazi.

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Episode 115-Operation Marita Part III

The Germans continue to drive south, the Greeks throw in the towell and the Allies make plans to evacuate. But wanting more Gen. Von List of the German 12th Army uses Airborne troops for a daring raid of Cornith, in trying to cut off some of the Allied troops in...

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The Allied leaders of Greece

Lieutenant General Sir Thomas Blamey, commander of Australian I Corps, Lieutenant General Sir Henry Maitland Wilson, commanding general of the Empire expeditionary force ('W' Force) and Major General Bernard Freyberg, commander of the New Zealand 2nd Division, in 1941...

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Map of Operation Marita

Greece comes under attack on the same day as Yugoslavia, yet that country's quick demise, sets up the conquest of Greece. The war in the Greek NE is over by the third day, so the Commonwealth forces fall back, yet the Greeks in Albania are loath to follow their example.

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Episode 113-Operation Marita Part 1

Greece comes under attack on the same day as Yugoslavia, yet that country's quick demise, sets up the conquest of Greece. The war in the Greek NE is over by the third day, so the Commonwealth forces fall back, yet the Greeks in Albania are loath to follow their example.

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Member Ep. 41 is Ready for Download!

The Polish Home Army finally rises up in Operation Tempest, hoping to push out the Germans before the Russians enter Warsaw. Yet the Nazis don’t leave, the Russians stay on the other side of the Vistula River and what’s more thousands of prisoners are released into...

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Member Ep. 39 is Ready!

SS Gen. Stroop is well on his way to clearing out the remaining Jews from the Ghetto. It’s time for the ZOB to leave. But the organization begins to falls apart due to the stress: Mass Suicide, lack of help from the Home Army and the loss of their leader.

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Member Ep. 37 is Ready.

The Nazi SS enter the Warsaw Ghetto to finish off the remaining 35,000 Jews, but are foiled in their attempts by the ZOB leader Angel. Now, both sides prepare for the upcoming battle.

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Membership Ep. 36 is Ready!

After more than year of being promised weapons, the Zionists Underground realize the only way they are going to get weapons is to take them from the Germans.

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Episode 108-The Germans are Coming

As the gods themselves seem to hate Mussolini and all his endeavors, with British Commonwealth forces and Greek soldiers destroying his troops, almost at will, Hitler has decided, enough is enough. The Axis has to be put right again and so, in steps Germany, in North...

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Membership Ep. 35 is Ready!

The true intentions of Nazi Policy are revealed as the wall is finished being built around the Jewish Quarter. Jewish children rise to the role of heroes as Isaac Zuckerman finds himself in thrown into a muddy cell, manned by Ukrainians who hate the Jews almost as...

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Member Ep. 34 is Ready for Download!

The Nazis and Jewish Underground move forward in their endeavors, at cross purposes obviously. A wall around the Jewish Quarter begins to emerge while the Underground finds ways to strike back at the General Government, German nationals and Nazi hired thugs.

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Member Ep. 33 is Ready!

The Nazis work to separate the new found bond between the Jews and Gentiles. The USSR and Nazi Germany work to divide Poland. Meanwhile the Jewish Underground separates into individual resistance cells to combat them both.

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Member Ep. 32 is Ready!

The war of Poland is over. But the battle for freedom has just begun. Hitler, when visiting Warsaw for the only time, drives over 500 pounds of dynamite.

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Episode 105-Up in Smoke

The disaffected British voters decide to give someone else a chance to deal with the country's dreary economy. Churchill finds he's been walking a lonely path for some time. Touring the world, Winston is in time to watch Vesuvius erupt and the NY Stock Exchange implode.

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Membership Ep. 31 is Ready!

The Polish military begins to organize its defense against Nazi Germany's invasion. But the Polish government has its own plans. Meanwhile the citizens wonder which way to run. Except those being lead by the mayor of Warsaw. He is staying and defending his home.

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Episode 102-His Cup Runneth Over

Churchill's post war years are full of success, tragedy and despair. He changes positions within the British Cabinet and takes on the issues of a Jewish Homeland, Turkey and Ireland. And by the end he looses his appendix and something else, even more valuable.

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Membership Ep. 28 is Ready!

SS Major Krueger have his men working hard, producing counterfeit British Banknotes. But all the prisoners care about his stretching out their work to continue living. They are not interested in the D-Day Landings. They just want to see tomorrow. Here is a picture of...

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Episode 100-Nazi Germany from Within

The following is my 100th Episode Celebration. After thanking those who have shared this journey with me, I interview Henry Niemann who grew up in Germany during the Nazi Period and was then drafted near the end of the war. Thank you to everyone who listens to my...

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Membership Ep. 27 is Ready!

Major Krueger begins assembling his team to forge British banknotes. But certain SS officers who out rank Krueger have their own ideas about what to do with the forged notes. Krueger is caught in between his superiors and the Jewish prisoners who have the job of...

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Membership Ep. 25 is Ready!

You know of the war between Germany and the Allies, but here is the end, sort of, of the war between IBM/Watson and Dehomag/The Nazi Party. No one gets what they want, but thus is the state of war.

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Membership Ep. 24 is Ready!

Nazi Germany is suffering economically, but continues its persecution of the Jews. Austria is annexed and the Czech state falls soon afterward and Dehomag is there to assist with its information about the Jews.

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Churchill & Roosevelt Mug

Please only use this order option for Continental US addresses only. 12.99 for each mug and 5.00 for delivery. Everyone else, please follow these steps: email me your name, mailing address and which mug you want to wwiipodcast@gmail.com. I will work up a total cost...

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Member Episode 19 is Ready!

French leader Petain, frustrated by Laval's pro-German stance, makes his move against his Vice Premier. The German occupation of Paris begins its darker phase.

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Episode 90-Winston’s Revenge

Winston, now in the House of Commons, plots his revenge against those who fought his father, Lord Randolph. Also, Churchill, goes through his own challenges as he takes on Joe Chamberlain, the PM Balfour and those abandoning Free Trade. He then crosses the gangway and...

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Episode 88 Churchill- War Correspondent

We are joined today by James Muller, professor of Political Science at the University of Alaska, Anchorage. We discuss Churchill's 2nd book published, The River War, and Mr. Muller's re-release of The River War's first edition with commentary, illustrations, with all...

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Episode 87-Jack El-Hai Book Interview

Jack El-Hai joined me today for a conversation about his latest book, The Nazi and the Psychiartrist: Hermann Goring, Dr. Douglas M. Kelley, and a Fatal Meeting of Minds at the End of WWII. Mr. El-Hai's book deals with the top 22 surviving Nazi officials and Dr....

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Episode 86-Risks and Rewards, Redux

Winston is determined to leave the Army and make his way to Parliament as a hero/correspondent. But the majority of the military establishment is set against him. Churchill finds himself in Kitchener's war in the Sudan and takes part in the last great cavalry charge...

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Membership Episode 16 is Ready!

As France is knocked out of the war and the Germans occupy Paris, the 5,000 or so Americans that decide to remain have to learn a new way of life. Pictured is the alluring singer/dancer and resistance spy, Josephine Baker.

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Membership Episode 14 is now ready!

Alfred Krupp almost loses everything just by being himself, but Wilhelm I and Chancellor Bismarck need his guns, as they start to forge a Greater Germany. Alfred decides to build himself a new home or a monument to himself, Villa Hugel as seen in the episode cover.

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Episode 82-Harrow

Churchill enters Harrow, but his defiant ways still exist. His father draws away from him but his mother will soon be coming to his side. At Harrow, young Winston breaks almost every rule: he keeps dogs, is constantly late for class, curses in front of the Headmaster...

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Membership Episode 12 is ready!

Alfred Krupp finds love and business success! And a son, whom he names after (of course) himself. The first Bertha Krupp in on the scene, but spends much of her time away from Essen, her husband and all that damn soot!

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Membership Episode 11 is Ready!

Alfred Krupp can make cast steel, but can he sell it? Also, Alfred gets his way on the family fortune and stumbles upon the idea of cast steel weapons. History is changed forever. But his first great moment comes as the first World's Fair at England's Crystal Palace....

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Membership Episode 10 is ready!

McIndoe's personal views of life find their way into The Guinea Pig Club. As such, the club is filled with love and understanding, but also, high expectations from the men of Ward 3.

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Episode 79-East Africa

The various British commands in East Africa are ready to move against the Italians. Well, not really. But as the Italians retreat after Operation Compass, the British Commonwealth forces have no choice but to advance, ready or not. The cover picture is of the Duke of...

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Episode 76-The Army of the Nile

The Italians have been pushed out of Egypt and Gen. Richard O'Connor has lost his 4th Indian Division. Still, he decides to pursue the retreating Italian 10th Army. The Italians make it to the port city of Bardia before British armor can catch them, so that is the...

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Tannafax Jelly

Member's Episode 7 is ready for download. It covers some of the medical treatments prior to 1939. The RAF finally get their seal sealing tank.

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Alfred Krupp

Alfred Krupp, the subject of Membership Episode #4 would be hailed as the "Cannon King" in his lifetime. Alfred Krupp (born Alfried Felix Alwyn Krupp), son of Friedrich Carl, was born in Essen in 1812. His father's death forced him to leave school at the age of...

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William Mitchell

The subject of Membership Episode #3. William (Billy) Mitchell (1879-1936), considered by many the father of the U.S. air force, led the American air effort during World War One. He fought the good fight, but in the end, lost. The disaster at Pearl Harbor proved him...

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Episode 72-Taranto Pt 3

The last episode covering the Battle of Taranto. The second attack wave of Swordfish make for the harbor, but only after overcoming problems of their own. Admiral Cunningham scores a major success and British moral is lifted. But the Italian Navy is not finished yet.

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Episode 71-Taranto, Pt 2

Adm. Cunningham updates the plan to attack Taranto, but then suffers several setbacks. These are over come, the Italians are confused by the massive ship movements during the first ten days of November. Then the first of two attacks are launched by Swordfish at the...

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Episode 70-The Battle of Taranto, Pt 1

British Admiral Andrew B. Cunningham, commander of the Mediterranean Fleet has his orders: Maintain the sea lanes between Gibraltar and the Suez Canal. Holding on to Malta will allow the British to recon their main target, the port of Taranto. If the Italian war ships...

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The Battle of Taranto

The Battle of Taranto took place on the night of 11–12 November 1940 during the Second World War. The Royal Navy launched the first all-aircraft ship-to-ship naval attack in history, flying a small number of obsolescent biplanetorpedo bombers from an aircraft...

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Episode 69-Greek Fire, Part II

Italy has invaded Greece, but under Prime Mister Metaxas, the Greeks are ready. The Italians are drawn in and then the defenders use their mountains to launch counter attacks. The world is impressed, but Churchill is already committed to Egypt and the U.S. is...

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Episode 68-Greek Fire, Pt. 1

Mussolini and Hitler deceive each other over desired territory, while Prime Mister Metaxas of Greece tries to stay below Italy's radar.  يلا شوت Britain is through trying to salt dough handprint separate Italy from Germany and decides to support the smaller Aegean...

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Episode 67-Mare Nostrum

Mussolini would pay back Hitler "in his own coin" by invading Greece without first telling his Axis partner. But the Greek people, for all their worldblog.net industrial limitations were angry with the Italians and their Dictator Ioannis Metaxas, had the experience to...

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Operation Compass

Operation Compass was the first major Allied military operation of the Western Desert Campaign during World War II.British and Commonwealth forces attacked Italian forces in western Egypt and eastern Libya in December 1940 to February super mario world 1941. The...

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Gen. Richard O’Connor

Sir Richard Nugent O'Connor KT, GCB, DSO & Bar, MC, ADC (21 August 1889 – 17 June 1981) was aBritish Army general who commanded the Western Desert Force in the early years of World War II. He was the field commander for Operation Compass, in which his forces...

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Lt. Gen. William Gott

William Henry Ewart Gott CB, CBE, DSO and bar, MC (13 August 1897 – 7 August 1942),nicknamed "Strafer", was a British Army officer during both the First and Second World Wars, reaching the rank oflieutenant-general when serving in the British Eighth Army. In August...

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Admiral Andrew Cunningham

Andrew Browne Cunningham, 1st Viscount Cunningham of Hyndhope, (7 January 1883 – 12 June 1963),  was widely known by his nickname, "ABC". In the Second World War, as Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean Fleet, Cunningham led British naval forces to victory in several...

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Volume 6 “Battle of Britain, Part 2″

This CD contains 10 episodes that finishes off the Battle of Britain series. It covers the events right after The Day of Eagles to The Battle of Britain Day. It wraps ups with the questioning of German and British air tactics. Length: 7 1/2 hours.

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Episode 63B-Talk History

We are joined by Luke Whitehorn, special effects artist from the movie Iron Sky. WWII and Sci Fi! What's not to love.  يلا شوت We cover episodes 62 and 63 and Luke brings a good perspective to our story so far in North Africa.

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Episode 63-October 1940

The British plan their attack against General Graziani and the Italian 10th Army. Hitler and Franco meet to discuss an attack on Gibraltar. And General Charles de Gaulle moves to restore Free France and his reputation.

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Contest and Announcement

Voting for the Podcast Awards starts November 1st. Please think of me! I'm in the Cultural/Arts category. So is Laszlo, but that's his problem. Also, listen to find out how you can win a replica newspaper from December 8, 1941.

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Episode 61-Able but Unwilling

This time, we cover the tension between Churchill and two of his three service leaders in North Africa and the Mediterranean. Marshall Graziani is poised like a statue to invade Egypt. But, like a statue, he doesn't move. And Admiral Cunningham takes his weaker naval...

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Episode 60-Sand, Saltwater and Oil

Mussolini wants his Roman Empire in Africa. But the British refuse to yield. Gen. Archibald Wavell is asked to do much, with very little. France is out of the war, so the battle for the Mediterranean Sea and North Africa is between Great Britain and Italy. For now.

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Episode 59-Miracles and Mistakes

Here is the Final Episode of The Battle of Britain series. We sum up the Luftwaffe's chances of ever really getting across the English Channel, Dowding's future, Chamberlain's end and the next step in Hitler's plan for European domination.

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Episode 58-Battle of Britain Day

The Germans are convinced that Fighter Command is on its last leg. Waiting out the foul English weather, the Luftwaffe, Kesselring and Goering, finally get their chance to wipe the RAF out of the skies. But Keith Park of 11 Group will prove to be their tactical master.

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Episode 57-German Armada

Unable to break Fighter Command by the needed date for Operation Sea Lion, the Luftwaffe changes their tactics and will go after London. Dowding and Park will do their best to protect the capital, but in a moment on honesty, are relieved that their air fields will be...

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Episode 53- Things Missed

This episode covers 4 missed or lightly treated subjects: Operation Pied Piper- the evacuation of Britain's children, the disaster of the Lancastria, the occupation of The Channel Islands by the Nazis and the Italian Conquest of British Somaliland.

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Episode 52-Moves on the Chessboard

C in C of the Luftwaffe Goering calls his young bloods to Karinhall to devise a new strategy to destroy Fighter Command. The result is a reinforced Kesselring pitted against Keith Park of 11 Group. But during a lull in the fighting, Park and his superior, Air Marshal...

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Episode 51-The Hardest Day

This episode covers August 16 to the 18th. Goering plans on finishing Fighter Command on August 18th, by using almost every fighter and bomber from Luftflottes 2 and 3. The idea is simply to overwhelm the shrinking RAF forces. But Radar still plays a major role in...

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Episode 49- Adlertag: August 8th-13th

Goering is ready for Phase Two. Fighter Command's air shield will be tested as more and more raids approach the British coasts.  And now that the Radar towers will be targeted, the RAF must fight off the raiders during the day and make repairs at night. Exhaustion...

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601 Squadron- The Millionaires Squadron

601 Squadron was formed at RAF Northolt on 14 October 1925 when a group of wealthy aristocratic young men, all of whom were amateur aviators, decided to form themselves into a Reserve Squadron of the RAF after a meeting in White's Club, London. The squadron battle...

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Volume One: “Setting the Stage”

Volume One: “Setting the Stage”- This CD contains the first 14 episodes and covers the rise of The Nazi party, Hitler’s ascension to power, and the diplomatic intrigues that led to war in Europe. It also covers the rise of Mussolini and his first 10 years as Il Duce....

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HE or High Explosive bombs

The SC 1800 Satan was one of the largest bombs in the Luftwaffe armoury during the Second World War and the largest regularly used during the Blitz. SC indicates High Explosives, 1800 the 1,800kg (3,968lb) payload and Satan was its nickname. The SC 1800 had a length...

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One of the Luftwaffe’s best- Werner Molders.

Werner Mölders was a World War II German Luftwaffe pilot and the leading German fighter ace in the Spanish Civil War. Mölders became the first pilot in aviation history to claim 100 aerial victories and was highly decorated for his achievements. He was instrumental in...

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Volume Two: “War is Upon Us”

Volume Two: “War is Upon Us”- This CD contains almost seven hours of episodes that cover the start of WWII in Europe as Poland is conquered in a mere 5 weeks. With open war in Europe, Nazi Germany goes on to conquer Denmark, Norway and begin the Battle of France &...

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New Zealander Flight Lt. Alan Deere

Alan "Al" Christopher Deere would distinguish himself in WWII, like so many other brave pilots. He fell in love with his Spitfire "Kiwi" and compared it to flying a captured Me 109. He liked the Spitfire better. He was shot down on May 28th during Dunkirk but was...

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Volume Three: “France Falls & The Miracle of Dunkirk”

Volume Three: “France Falls & The Miracle of Dunkirk”- This CD contains the most popular series so far in the podcast: the salvation of the BEF from Dunkirk. At just over 5 hours, the dramatic action on the coast and over the Channel is covered in great detail as the...

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Volume Four: “France Divided & Hitler Biography”

Volume Four: “France Divided & Hitler Biography”- This CD contains 9 episodes and deals with the end of the French Republic and the beginning of Vichy. Also included is a 3 episode arc covering the life of Hitler until the Beer Hall Putsch. Running time is almost 6...

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Major Adolf Galland of the Luftwaffe

Galland makes a brief appearance in episode 45. He leads his Geschwader against shipping in SE Britain, only to lose good men and his own plane due to Radar. However, his pilots have a surprise for the RAF fighters. He would be shot down 4 times, but have 104...

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Flame Fougasse

In readying the southern British coast for invasion, besides the usual pillboxes and barbed wire, there was also the Flame Fougasse. A camouflaged oil drum filled with petroleum, lime and tar that could be ignited and then rolled into the path of an invader. But...

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British Sea Forts

These Sea Forts helped keep a look out for incoming raiders. Three were located near Liverpool and four were in the Thames Estuary. They all had impressive artillery, like Lewis guns, Bofors, and 3.7 inch antiaircraft cannon. However, the ones close in the Thames also...

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Volume 5: “Battle of Britain, Part 1”

This CD contains 10 episodes that cover the beginning of the Battle of Britain from July, 1940 to August 13th, known as the Day of Eagles. Reichmarshal Hermann Goering, frustrated by the English weather, is ready to focus on the radar towers, although he is partially...

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12 Group Sector Operations Room at Duxford

When ordered by their Group HQ, the sector stations would "scramble" their squadrons into the air. Once airborne, the squadrons would be directed by radio-telephone (R/T) from their sector station. Squadrons could be ordered to patrol airfields or vital targets or be...

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The Dyle Plan

The Dyle Plan or D Plan was the primary war plan of the French Army to stave off the expected German attack during Fall Gelb. It was conceived by French General Maurice Gamelin in 1940. Named after the Dyle River, which flows from southern Belgium down to Antwerp, the...

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Area of 13 Group of Fighter Command

13 Group covered Great Britain to the North. Most attacks on 13 Group came from Norway. Who knows how many Luftwaffe pilots had to ditch their Me 109 or Me 110 when they ran out of fuel.

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Bentley Priory

Fighter Command's HQ where Air Marshal Dowding organized and lead The Battle of Britain. Located in Stanmore near London.

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Episode 44-Defense of the Air.

This episode covers the beginning of the RAF and Fighter Command. Air Marshal Dowding is Fighter Command's first Commander in chief. Through trial and error, radar is developed and a detection and respond system is worked out to defend the Channel coast. The Battle of...

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Episode 1-Rise of the Nazi Party.

This episode covers Germany from the end of World War I to the advent of The Great Depression.   REFERENCES:   The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich by William Shirer Delivered From Evil by Robert Leckie The Rising Sun by John Toland Mussolini by R.J.B....

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