The History of WWII Podcast

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The story of the Crimea had seen tragedies for centuries. Nothing would improve with Operation Barbarossa. Yet, the why of the importance of the Crimea to Hitler was the Stavka’s own doing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Rzhev salient seems to be contained, but the new threat is near Vyazma. Can the Germans hold onto it, for the Soviets have the man power to attack from multiple vectors. German professionalism will be tested as will the heart of every Russian soldier. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the Germans keep attacking the Rzhev Salient, another Soviet thrust comes up at Vyazma from the South East. Both sides are undermanned and under equipped. It is a time for heroes, as long as the hero doesn’t mind sacrificing himself. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Though Stalin’s great counter attack has failed, he refuses to see it as such. More attacks are ordered but the Heer or German Army is getting stronger by the day. The german troops around Rzhev even start up their own newspaper. Clearly, they plan to stay here until winter is over. But Stalin has thousands of more men to throw at them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stalin sought an encirclement of the northern half of Army Group Center. Instead he would get two encirclements, the second, larger than the first. But then fate, inexperience, bad weather and seemingly personal vendettas stepped in. The situation changed rapidly from there. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Journalist Betina Anton comes on the show to discuss her book, Hiding Mengele: How a Nazi Network Harbored The Angel of Death. After experimenting and killing thousands of people in Auschwitz, Mengele flees Europe and hides in South America. As the years go by, various agencies hunt for the SS Doctor. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stalin’s second wave of massive counter attacks get underway in January 1942. Yet the Germans are a bit more prepared this time. Not that Gen. von Kluge will not have to fire numerous commanders as Army Group Center is threatened with encirclement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ryan Fairfield and Tony "The Tiger" Lupo return to the show, bringing interview clips from WWII Veterans. We cover incredible moments from D-Day and the 8th Army Air Force. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As both sides still think they can win in the East, Germany and Soviet Russia will clash along the entire line of fighting. But no where more intensely than Rzhev. It will become a black hole of human lives and war equipment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stalin, not giving up winning the war by early 1942 has ordered a massive attack across the Volkhov River, to the SE of Leningrad. Meanwhile, Hitler’s troops have finally cut the rail line feeding supplies to Leningrad. The Russians have the numbers and the desire, but they lack practically everything an army needs to stay in the fight. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stalin, tasting a bit of success, now launches massive counter attacks up and down the line of all three German Army Groups. Yet, he will find out, in war, as in life, some things can not be rushed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Army Group Center commander Von Kluge goes round and round with Hitler about retreating. Hitler’s reasons become more wild, but events on the ground take over. And while Stalin is happy to take arms from the Western countries, he did all he could to make sure war would erupt between the U.S. and the Empire of Japan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Astronaut Jan Davis' book tells of her father's time as a B-17 pilot and POW. His can do attitude that gets challenged in a German prisoner Camp. Then, Army Group Center is under constant attack. There are breaches and encirclements along 4th Army’s lines. So whether official or not, Kluge starts ordering pull backs as his suspects the OKH of not telling Hitler the full story. But when 4th Army’s entire line starts to pull back, Stalin orders an increase in attacks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From painful experiences during the Spanish Civil War and the Winter War against Finland, Soviet Russia started several sniper schools. Hence when the Axis came and the Eastern Front was born, these men and women took the fight to the enemy. But not as much as their greatest sniper, Ivan Sidorenko. He was self taught and would go on to teach hundreds more of the craft of snipping. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2 Ep Special! 1st, Interview with Shannon Monaghan about her book, A Quiet Company of Dangerous Men: The Forgotten British Special Operations Soldiers of WW2. Then, as Christmas approaches, the Germans continually fall back, unable to face the onslaught of Zhukov’s attacks. The Holiday will be bleak for the fighting men, but rather lively for the officers far away. And Hitler will find out that his defiant speeches have been for nothing as he is told his men lack enough of anything, but mostly, winter clothing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Writer Robert Hutton comes on to discuss his latest book, The Illusionist: The true story of the man who fooled Hitler. Early in the war, the British need every advantage they could get, including military deception, which brings in Dudley Clarke. And of all his tricks, his greatest is tricking Rommel right before Monty attacks at El Alamein. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As Hitler battles his generals about when to stop retreating, Gen. Zhukov starts his phase 2 of the great counter attack. For Army Group Center has a weak point and the Soviets have found it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hitler is determined to make a stand with Army Group Center. And those that do not share his resolve or see his wisdom will be removed. Positions are soon vacated. Whereas Gen. Zhukov wants to keep attacking Army Group Center, to which Stalin is agreeable. But Zhukov will be given no additional troops. Stalin has plans for them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As Army Group Center continues its retreat, clearly, the momentum has shifted. But Berlin needs it back or the Army Group will disintegrate. Thus Hitler will make a bold decision, shocking the Wehrmacht. 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

Just as Army Group Center goes over to a defensive stance, Stalin launches his counter attack. The first battle goes well, so more units are activated. Stalin is ready to attack the entirety of Army Group Center, but Gen. Zhukov tempers his ambition. The Germans can be beaten for now, but now destroyed. That will have to wait. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As Army Group Center winds down its offensive during Operation Typhoon, due to a lack of supplies, exhaustion and cold, the Soviets around Moscow are building up their reserves and they all have adequate clothing. Hence on December 5th, Gen. Zhukov will launch a massive counter attack, to drive the enemy away from the Communist Capital. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Out of the Internment Camps, thousands of Nisei Japanese Americans volunteer for the U.S. Armed Forces. Their contributions will save thousands of GI’s and shorten the war. Here are some of their exploits during and after the war. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The attack on Pearl Harbor was a dark day for the U.S. But this was followed by another bleak period in the U.S. The creation and forced removal of Japanese Americans along the West Coast, to be placed in Interment Camps. Fear gripped the nation and the reaction was extreme and illegal, but tolerated by many. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Army Group Center is finally making a play for Moscow, but their advance will grind to a halt. The question then is, what comes next. But before Field Marshal Von Bock can get his men going again, the Soviets make their move. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Soviet front around Kiev is crumbling fast. Over 40 divisions are cut off and surrounded. No help is coming and Stalin has forbade a retreat. Most of these men will perish, but the real question is, how many of the enemy can they take with them? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices