The History of WWII Podcast

With us for this episode is writer Kathryn J. Atwood, arthor of Women Heroes of World War II and editor of Code Name Pauline: Memoirs of a World War II Special Agent and it is the later book we will be discussing. The protagonist, Pearl, Code Named Pauline, came from humble beginnings to do her part to as an SOE agent, behind enemies lines in Occupied France, to thwart the Nazi's before and after D-Day. For all those looking for strong female role models, Mrs. Atwood's books fit the bill beautifully. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 attempt at bringing this amazing story to the current generation and podcasting world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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The Great War comes to an end. Churchill's family grows and life as Winston knew it, has been erased forever. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Churchill is cleared of the Dardanelles disaster, gets himself back into the governement, but then almost loses it all as he finds himself at the front when Gen. Ludendorff launches his great offensive in the West. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Warning! No history is covered here. But somehow, Laszlo of The China History Podcast ended up on the East Coast, in Virginia, in Charlottesville, 30 minutes from me. So... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Winston's career seems all but over. Still, he finds solace in his family, painting and life in the trench. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Dardanelles Campaign starts off well enough, but through bad luck, worse weather and weaker souls, it collapses on itself. Then the British world collapses on Churchill. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The British War Council decides on a Second Front to hopefully alter the slaughtering in France. Winston, with his personality, becomes of the face of the Aegean Campaign. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the outbreak of war, Churchill is ready, though the same can not be said of the rest of Britain. Winston will experience the lime light and the highs and lows of battle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The events of Sarajevo cause diplomatic tension to build throughout Europe but Churchill is determined that Britain will be ready, come what may. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Churchill gets promoted to the Home Office, starts out well, but then becomes his own worst enemy. Now in the Admiralty, Winston comes into his own. Fortunately for Britain as Germany seeks to challenge G.B. on the seas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Winston finds love, fights the Tories, gets promoted, nearly dies three times and humbles some Lords. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 becomes a Liberal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Churchill’s life is covered until the death of Queen Victoria. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 of its original text. The first edition has not been seen in over 100 years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Kelley, an American Army Psychiatrist who was placed in charge of their mental health. His job was to ready the men for the Nuremberg Trails, but saw an opportunity to discover, if it existed, the Nazi personality. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 of the British Empire. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Churchill, having decided his course, willingly risks his life for his ultimate goal, the House of Commons. But he has to survive India first. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Winston loses those in his life he holds most dear. And to defeat boredom, he travels to Cuba to see war up close, as the Spanish try to putdown a rebellion. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Winston makes it into Sandhurst, taking a curious route. He nearly dies at least twice, but in the end another family member is taken from his life. And after Sandhurst, he is left up to his own devices. He is now a man at large. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 and blows up a building. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode covers Winston Churchill’s birth, his early school years and his parent’s or lack thereof, influence on the boy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode takes us through the war in East Africa through February 1941, which is the high water mark for The British Empire fighting the Axis without the Russians or America. The cover photo is of the Dongolaas Gorge. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Aosta. AND I will be on Reddit.com June 19th, noon, EST. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gen. O’Connor is planning his next attack when the Italians decide to abandon Cyrenaica. The Race is on! Also, the Replica Newspaper contest. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The British 13th Corps continues pushing west, now it’s Tobruk’s turn. The situation in East Africa causes only more tension between Wavell and Churchill. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 next place the Allies will attack, this time using Gen. MacKay’s Australians. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here is an Mp4 episode of my recent trip to the Military Aviation Museum in Virginia Beach, VA. Amazing place! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After 6 months of planning, the British are ready to move against Marshal Graziani. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Greek soldiers continue to dominate and push the Italian invaders back into Albania and closer to the sea. The RAF makes its presence felt by downing dozens of Italian aircraft. Mussolini can’t hide the backsliding of his troops from Hitler but Prime Minister Metaxas shields his own secret from his men and the world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Italian harbor. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 there can be neutralized, the Suez stays safe, Crete remains out of Axis hands and Britain’s vital passage to the far East remains open. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are joined by Steven Guerra of The History of the Papacy Podcast to discuss Italy’s attack on Greece, the Battle of Taranto and some of the what if’s of WWII. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 committed to Britain. General Prasca’s leadership will last only 15 days. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 power, despite the prevailing opinion that the outcome will be nothing more gamf.net than a quick Italian victory. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 salt dough handprint ready his people and country to their limit. The photo is of Greek Dictator Metaxas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here is an overview of my recent visit to the D-Day Memorial in Bedford, VA. This episode is in an Mp4 format, so please enjoy the pictures. At the end, is the drawing anagazawe.com for the replica newspaper from December 8, 1941. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

By 1940, Great Britain had several possessions in the anagazawe.com Mediterranean Sea, that they would use to project power against the Axis. But exactly how did Britain obtain them? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andrew Lambert, Laughton Professor of Naval History in the Department of War Studies at King’s College London, joins us to discuss the Royal Navy’s position in the Mediterranean Sea. Outgunned but not outmanned, the British Navy under Admiral Cunningham takes the fight to the Italian Fleet and quickly dominates the Eastern and Central Med. Until the Luftwaffe and U-boats arrive. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Marshall Graziani FINALLY moves into Egypt, but then stops. Gen. De Gaulle is in place to take Dakar in West Africa. Finally, a quick look at the Italian Navy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The events of Sarajevo cause diplomatic tension to build throughout Europe but Churchill is determined that Britain will be ready, come what may. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 vessels and reminds the Italians what war means. The cover photo is of Graziani. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 spared. Now the people of London must [...] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices