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
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Episode 286-The Battle of Rabaul-Prelude
With much of SE Asia conquered, the Japanese now focus on New Guinea, staring with the islands of New Britain and New...
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....
Episode 284-The Fall of Java Pt 3
The Final of the Java series. East Java falls and what is left of the Java Allied Defense is trapped in the south at...
Episode 283-The Fall of Java Pt 2-The Battle of the Java Sea
Episode 282-Interview with Peter Lion about his book-Merg
Peter Lion joins up to talk about the incredible George Mergenthaler, the sole heir to a vast fortune, but after Pearl...
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,...
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,...
Episode 279-Interview with Wes Tooke, writer and producer of the film Midway
Writer, Wes Tooke joins us to talk about the film Midway. We cover this pivotal turning point in the Pacific War, lead...
Episode 278-The Fall of Bali and The Battle of Badung Straight
Needing another airfield to attack Java, the Japanese quickly work up a plan to take Bali. Dutch Rear Adm. Karel W....
Episode 277- An interview with Melissa Amateis about her book, Nebraska POW Camps, A History of WWII Prisoners in the Heartland
During World War II, thousands of Axis prisoners of war were held throughout Nebraska in base camps that included Fort...
Episode 276-The Fall of The Celebes and Maluku Islands
With Singapore captured, the Japanese Empire sets its sights on Sumatra and Java. But first, the Celebes and Maluku...
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....
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...
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....
Episode 272-Courage Yet Defeat: The Battle of Kampar
The Japanese 25th Army continues pushing the Malaya Command further south, ever closer to Singapore. But the latest...
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...
Episode 270-The Battle for Singapore: Force Z comes to the Rescue
Acting Admiral Sir Tom Phillips of the British Royal Navy, hopes to begin a campaign that will save SE Asia. If he can...
Episode 269-Interview with David Stahel about his book, Retreat from Moscow
Dr. David Stahel discusses his latest book, Retreat from Moscow, A New History of Germany's Winter Campaign,...
Episode 268-The Battle for Malaya and Singapore
Though the British plans to defend Singapore with the Royal Navy and Air Force never materialize, Air Marshal...
Episode 267-An interview with Mikhal Dekel about her book, Tehran Children, A Holocaust Refugee Odyssey
Professor Mikhal Dekel joins me to talk about her book, covering Jewish Polish refugees, as 1000 children make an...
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...
Episode 265-The Battle of Borneo-Resistance Comes in Many Forms
After the raid on Pearl Harbor, two Japanese destroyers are sent to damage the American facilities at Midway Island....
Episode 264-Black Christmas: The Fall of Hong Kong
Broken by overwhelming numbers, Gen. Maltby and Gov. Young surrender the cause of Hong Kong. But in some ways, the...
Episode 263-A Thousand Cuts
As Christmas approaches, the overwhelming Japanese forces reduce the British holdings throughout Hong Kong. Still,...
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...
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...
Episode 260-Hong Kong: Retreat but No Surrender
With the Gin Drinker's Line pierced, Gen. Maltby pulls back his men to Hong Kong Island. The Japanese will ask the...
Episode 259-Operation C: Japan Attacks Hong Kong
As the Japanese military has been able to take the port cities of China by 1941, the British held Hong Kong is still...
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,...
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...
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...
Episode 255-The Marines of Wake Island Don’t Know Quit
The Marines on Wake Island are down to four Wildcat fighters, but are determined to resist any Japanese invasion, no...
Episode 254-Guam Falls. Wake Island, the Alamo of the Pacific is Next
With MacArthur's airfields still smoldering, the Japanese attack Guam and Wake Island. But the Marines on Wake, though...
Episode 253-Gen. MacArthur-Everything is in Readiness-The Philippines and Singapore
Gen. Douglas MacArthur, in command of all U.S. forces in The Philippines, is convinced that the Japanese will not...
Episode 252- The Japanese are Coming: Thailand Falls
As Japan launches Operation No. 1, the invasion of SE Asia, numerous transport ships head out to attack The...
Episode 251-An Interview with Walter Borneman about his book Brothers Down
Author Walter Borneman joins us to talk about his book, Brothers Down: Pearl Harbor and The Fate of the Many Brothers...
Episode 250- A Date Which Will Live in Infamy
As the Japanese invasion fleet comes closer to Malaya, the various plans established by each side will be tested. Yet,...
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...
Introducing Espionage
Here is the first part of the first episode of Espionage, the latest podcast from Parcast. Podcast.com/espionage
Episode 248-Post Pearl Harbor: The American Giant is Awakened
With details of the Pearl Harbor attack still coming in, President Roosevelt knows he needs to inform but also calm...
Episode 247-Pearl Harbor: American Perspective Pt 2
The Second attack wave comes and goes at Pearl Harbor. Now, FDR, Adm. Nimitz, Adm. Halsey and Gen. Douglas MacArthur...
Episode 246-The End of the Aleutian Campaign
The Americans with Canadian help attempt to drive away or capture the Japanese troops stationed on Attu and Kiska. Yet...
Episode 245-Operation Landcrab
The Americans continue to bomb Kiska, but the Japanese troops are not leaving. Worse, the Imperial Japanese High...
Episode 244: The Aleutian Campaign: The Kiska Blitz
As the Japanese grab a second Aleutian Island, the US military, though denying the Japanese advance, makes plans to...
Episode 243-The Aleutian Islands Campaign
Adm. Yamamoto wants to occupy the Midway Islands, but first needs to confuse his opponent Adm. Chester Nimitz with a...
Episode 242-Interview with Steve Snyder about his book Shot Down: The True story of Pilot Howard Snyder and the crew of the B 17 Susan Ruth
Shot Down covers the events leading up to and after the crew of the B 17 Susan Ruth is shot down over the...
Episode 241-Air Raid, Pearl Harbor. This is No Drill!
As the carrier USS Enterprise is late for its return to Pearl Harbor, Adm. Bull Halsey sends on ahead Scouting and...
Episode 240-An Interview with Dr. Jonathan Fennell about his new book, Fighting the People’s War: The British and Commonwealth Armies and The Second World War
Dr. Jonathan Fennell discusses the big battles and issues such as morale, doctrine and social change in his latest...
Episode 239-Pearl Harbor, The American Perspective, Pt 1
As the Japanese bombs and bullets begin to destroy American equipment and lives, the mostly young men are about to...
Episode 238-An Interview with Andrew Roberts about his book of Winston Churchill
This episode is a crossover from The Cold War Podcast that I co-host with Cameron Reilly. With us is historian Andrew...
Episode 237-The Thin Gray Line, the US Pacific Submarine fleet after Pearl Harbor
Back with us is Flint Whitlock as we discuss his book Depths of Courage:American Submariners at War with Japan,...
Episode 236-Claire Chennault and the Flying Tigers
Laszlo Montgomery of The China History Podcast joins me to discuss Claire Chennault and the Flying Tigers. Just after...
Introducing-Assassinations
Please checkout The Parcast Network's latest hit: Assassinations. One death can change the world. Assassinations...
Episode 235-An Interview with Flint Whitlock about his book Desperate Valour: Triumph at Anzio
With the Allies being held up in southern Italy by The Gustav Line, near the end of 1943, Gen. Mark Clark decides to...
Episode 234-Pearl Harbor Attack-The 2nd Japanese Air Strike
The 2nd Air Wave comes at Pearl Harbor to finish what the First Wave started. Yet, their target selection will be...
Episode 233-An interview with Frederic Martini about his book: Betrayed- Secrecy, Lies and Consequences
While the official government story has always been that no Allied POWs were held in German concentration camps, 168...
Episode 232-Pearl Harbor: The First Attack Wave
This episode covers the first attack wave of Japanese aircraft, from the Japanese point of view. Battleship Row is...
Episode 231-Tora, Tora, Tora, The Attack on Pearl Harbor
The first air wave of attacking Japanese warplanes reaches Oahu, on their way to Pearl Harbor. But before they reach...
Episode 230-Interview with Robin Hutton-War Animals-The Unsung Heroes of WWII
Writer Robin Hutton talks about her latest book which tells of the animals who contributed to the Allied effort of...
Episode 229-The United States’ First Shot of WWII
In the predawn darkness, the Japanese Strike Force has prepared to launch its first wave of bombers and fighters....
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
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