The History of WWII Podcast

Operation Citadel is over, now its Moscow’s turn. What follows is a series of hammer blow counter attacks by Moscow. Some succeed, some fail, but they all bleed the German invaders. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Published: 27 June 2025

With the German pincers bogged down, Moscow launches two massive counter attacks. One will attempt to trap the German 9th Army at Orel, the other will seek to shatter the 1st Panzer Army of Army Group South. Berlin has to shift its ever shrinking supply of men and panzers, again. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 24 June 2025

On July 12, 1943, Soviet Armies come at the SS 2nd Panzer Army. The Germans have attack plans, but the Soviets have attacking numbers. And then the German Army High Command gets horrible news. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 20 June 2025

Gen. Hoth’s 4th Panzer Army reaches the Psel River, which threatens both the city of Prokhorovka and Oboyan. But taking from their Reserve forces, the Soviets launch a massive counter attack. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 16 June 2025

Checkout this incredible story of US Marine Corps fighter pilot Jefferson DeBlanc, who was shot down over the Solomon Islands. From there his story had just begun. Medal of Honor Podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 9 June 2025

In the north Gen. Model releases his panzers. To the south, a new type of tank killing plane is tested by the Germans. Still, whoever controls the heights controls the battle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 6 June 2025

The panzers of Gen. Hoth’s 4th Panzer Army of the southern pincer start off well, thanks to most Soviet defenders being to the north. Still, its a long way to Oboyan and enemy reinforcements are coming in fast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 3 June 2025

Battle has begun. In the north the Germans advance. In the south, there’s the battle before the battle and Gen. Hoth had decided to change the attack plan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 30 May 2025

The last of men and material are put into place. And though still doubting, the German leader orders Operation Citadel to begin.  Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/wwii45 TikTok-@wwiiguy Instagram - rayharrisjr youtube- https://www.youtube.com/@historyofwwiipodcast8712 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 27 May 2025

British writer Laurence Rees comes on the show to cover the 12 warnings he has learned from studying WWII. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 23 May 2025

While both Moscow and Berlin focus on the Kursk salient, Operation Mincemeat convinces the Germans to focus troops in the wrong place. Meanwhile, Zhukov convinces Stalin to let the enemy attack first, for they will be ready. Want to go beyond the battlefield with The History of WWII Podcast? Dive deeper into the war with exclusive bonus episodes, expert interviews, and commercial-free listening for just $5/month! Every penny supports the show and keeps the history coming. Sign up now.  Donations are always welcome and help keep the History of WWII Podcast free for all. Follow The History of WWII Podcast: RSS – https://feeds.megaphone.fm/history-of-world-war-ii Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/wwii45 Twitter – https://twitter.com/WW2Podcaster Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/rayharrisjr/ TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@wwiiguy YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@historyofwwiipodcast8712 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 19 May 2025

Manstein overcame Hitler’s objections and then two Soviet Fronts. By early March 1943, Kursk was exposed and open to attack. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 17 May 2025

Manstein overcame Hitler’s objections and then the two Soviet Fronts. By early March 1943, Kursk was exposed and open to attack. Want to go beyond the battlefield with The History of WWII Podcast? Dive deeper into the war with exclusive bonus episodes, expert interviews, and commercial-free listening for just $5/month! Every penny supports the show and keeps the history coming. Sign up now.  Donations are always welcome and help keep the History of WWII Podcast free for all. Follow The History of WWII Podcast: RSS – https://feeds.megaphone.fm/history-of-world-war-ii Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/wwii45 Twitter – https://twitter.com/WW2Podcaster Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/rayharrisjr/ TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@wwiiguy YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@historyofwwiipodcast8712 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 16 May 2025

Having tasted defeat and now victory, Stalin wants more operations in southern Russia. And what he gets will change the course of the war on the Eastern Front. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 13 May 2025

The Axis retreat from the Don River was haphazard. Armies were lost as was much equipment. Army Group South would regroup and form another line, but it was much reduced and the Soviets were only getting stronger. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 9 May 2025

Writer Becky Aikman tells the story of American female pilots that chose to go to Britain, to fly for the Air Transport Auxiliary. While flying Spitfires and Hurricanes, they live their lives to the fullest. It's a new land and a new chance to reinvent themselves. But not all will make it to the end. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 6 May 2025

As the Stavka made the South its main area of operations in 1942, saving Stalingrad was only the beginning. Next, the Italians were wiped out, then the Romanians were finished off. Now, it was the Hungarian’s turn and what was coming at them was a tidal wave of steel, shot and shell. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 2 May 2025

With the 8th Italian Army destroyed, the Soviets will now focus on the German forces SE of Stalingrad and the 2nd Hungarian Army. The US liaison officer will see the results of these battles and report the slaughter to FDR. Meanwhile, Gen. Manstein is forced to order a pull back of all forces. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 29 April 2025

Picking another weak point of the Axis defensive line to the NW of Stalingrad, the Italian 8th, the Hungarian 2nd and what remained of the Romanian 3rd Armies would be attacked. Then the airfield feeding Gen. Paulus’ 6th Army would be raided. The German forces would be tied down and unable to assist. Punch by punch Army Group South is losing its strength. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 25 April 2025

Operation Mars was the sister Soviet counter attack to Uranus, which freed Stalingrad. But Mars would end very differently for the Soviets. When it was all over, the Stavka would turn their attention back to the south.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 22 April 2025

Author Jonathan Horn’s Book, The Fate of Generals: MacArthur, Wainwright and the Epic battle for the Philippines, covers the experiences of both generals during the war. Yet, one is remembered by history, the other, not so much. This book seeks to rectify this. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 18 April 2025

Gen. von Manstein is sent north to capture Leningrad. But days before his attack is launched, the Soviets launch their own. And the results of this battle will be felt all the way to Stalingrad. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 14 April 2025

The German 17th Army on the Taman peninsula is bending, but not breaking. Then the Soviets realize, they don’t have to win, just hold. For events at Kursk will decide the fate of the Caucasus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 11 April 2025

With the building up of troops on the Taman Peninsula, the Germans realize they need an all out attack to drive the enemy back into the Black Sea. Thus Operation Neptune is born. Yet as the Germans look into their cupboard for reserves, they are shocked by what they find. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 7 April 2025

Now that Stalingrad is liberated, the Stavka decide to clear the Caucasus of Axis troops. Which means annihilating the German 17th Army and the Romanian 3rd Army. But Soviet mistakes will start things off badly for the, now attackers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 3 April 2025

With overwhelming forces, the German 6th Army is trapped by the Soviets and then reduced. Paulus does not want to surrender, but the call is not his to make. The 6th Army is no more and Army Group South is very much weakened for it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 31 March 2025

With overwhelming forces, the German 6th Army is trapped by the Soviets and then reduced. Paulus does not want to surrender, but the call is not his to make. The 6th Army is no more and Army Group South is very much weakened for it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 31 March 2025

The Soviets squeeze the trapped German 6th Army even more. Axis air fields are attacked, making it impossible to feed Paulus’ men. By January of 1943, the Russian winter now has its grip on the Axis soldiers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 28 March 2025

As Gen. Manstein readies for Operation Thunderclap, the breakout of the German 6th Army, the Soviets attack again. This time, against the Italian 8th Army. They will be no more successful in resisting, than were the Romanians. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 24 March 2025

Operation Uranus is launched. The Axis forces, caught unawares, fall back. Berlin makes plans, but they simply do not have the means to counter the Soviet attack, not that they realize this yet. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 20 March 2025

While Stalingrad holds out, additional Soviet Armies are being assembled nearby. And in mid November they would be launched, to either side of Gen. Paulus’ 6th Army. If all goes well, those German troops within and near Stalingrad would be surrounded. But the trap must first be set. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 17 March 2025

Stalingrad’s defenders are pushed to the breaking point. Worse, they are only sometimes given help by Zhukov. The Germans attack again and the defense all but collapses. Fortunately, the attackers get tired and the Russians hang on. Meanwhile, while Zhukov is making moves behind the lines, certain German officers realize, how weak the Romanian divisions are. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 13 March 2025

The attack against northern Stalingrad fairs well, still the defenders on holding on. But Stalin is unsatisfied, he wants counter attacks. It will waste men and ammunition, but no one argues with Stalin. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 10 March 2025

As Gen. Paulus’ second major attack on Stalingrad gets underway, he’s even more impatient as he had been offered a promotion. But first, he must take the city. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 6 March 2025

Now that German forces are inside Stalingrad, the fighting centers around the Main Ferry Terminal, the Grain Elevator and the heights of Mamayev Kurgan Park. Both sides will take these locations only to lose them again and again. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 3 March 2025

Axis forces enter Stalingrad. But the Germans, unused to urban warfare, adapt as best they can. Whereas the new local commander of the defenders, Vasily Chuikov, will fight like a cornered rat and will quickly devise tactics to counter German advantages. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 27 February 2025

Though Army Group B approaches Stalingrad, all does not go according to plan. Thus Gen. Paulus calls on Field Marshal Wolfram von Richthofen and his Fliegerkorps 8 to bomb Stalingrad for 48 hours. The destruction is terrible, still, the defenders will not yield. And while Marshal Zhukov readies Stalingrad’s defenses, Berlin starts taking men from Army Group South as they are needed elsewhere. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 24 February 2025

Dividing Army Group South, both the Baku Oil Fields and Stalingrad are to be captured. Berlin believes this will weaken Soviet Russia’s war effort. But between Gen. Zhukov’s leadership and Lend Lease material reaching Russia by June 1942, Gen. Paulus’ 6th Army is in for a surprise. Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/wwii45 Twitter @WW2Podcaster TikTok-@wwiiguy Instagram - rayharrisjr youtube- https://www.youtube.com/@historyofwwiipodcast8712 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 21 February 2025

First, a summary of Stalin’s late winter, early spring 1942 counter attacks, along the entire Eastern Front. They mostly fail and cost hundreds of thousands of Soviet lives, but the Germans are checked once again. Then we turn to the Axis losing one of their own, in Operation Anthropoid. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 17 February 2025

First, a summary of Stalin’s late winter, early spring 1942 counter attacks, along the entire Eastern Front. They mostly fail and cost hundreds of thousands of Soviet lives, but the Germans are checked once again. Then we turn to the Axis losing one of their own, in Operation Anthropoid. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 17 February 2025

As President Roosevelt knew his New Deal policies would be unpopular with the business owners, he sought to explain himself directly to the people. Thus his fireside chats were born. But then came another crisis, the outbreak of WWII. Over the years, FDR would keep his fellow citizens informed of the country’s failures and successes, but ever striving for victory. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 11 February 2025

Using overwhelming artillery, the Germans close in on Sevastopol. Petrov does what he can, but the Stavka stop giving him reinforcements, thinking, the enemy can’t attack for more than 2 weeks at a time. But through daring risks, the Germans get closer, though lose staggering amounts of men, enough, to disrupt Hitler’s larger plans for the area. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 7 February 2025

During WWII many civilians became resisters, rebels and they would strike at their oppressive governments in any way they could. For some, it will be boycotts, for others, they will choose to pick up weapons. Tyranny should never be allowed an easy victory. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 3 February 2025

Though outmanned, Gen. Manstein will brilliantly use what he has to out maneuver the Soviet forces on the eastern half of Crimea. It will take time, but soon the defenders are bottled up, their reinforcements cut off by the Luftwaffe. And on May 8, 1941, the final blows start against Gen. Kozlov’s forces. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 28 January 2025

Of all Gen. Manstein’s Infantry Divisions, Maj. Gen. Ludwig Wolff’s 22nd Division will get the closest to Sevastopol. But Petrov’s regular flow of reinforcements will devour these wolves seeking to take the vital port city. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 24 January 2025

Masters of Propaganda, the German state employs William Joyce to broadcast news, in a taunting tone, to the Allied Nations. His objective, to demoralize the Allied soldiers and the civilians supporting them, to give up the fight. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 20 January 2025

With the Battle of Ishun lost, the Soviets retreat, in all directions. Soon, Crimean cities are falling and prisoners are being scooped up in the thousands. At Sevastopol, the first line of defense is lost, but does that mean defeat for the massive port city. One man thinks, no. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 14 January 2025

The German 11th Army comes at Ishun, but Gen. Kuznetsov is ready or as ready as he can be. But with three attacking forces, Gen. Erich von Manstein only needs one to get through. What follows is Russian mistakes, followed by folly, followed by German determination. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 10 January 2025

After a quick and merciless victory just above the Sea of Azov, Gen. Eric Hansen readies his 6 infantry divisions to take the Crimea. But the naval infantrymen of Odessa are shipped over. The battle ground is marshy and limited so the Germans will attack all three land bridges and hope one of them is a winner. Meanwhile, Gen. Kuznetsov deploys his men and hopes for the best as well. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 6 January 2025

Army Group South reaches the opening of the Crimea. But waiting for the invaders are 3 lines of defense. Yet as there is no other way to gain access, the Germans will come straight at the Tatar Wall. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 30 December 2024