The History of WWII Podcast
History
About
A biweekly history podcast covering the last great war. Join Ray Harris Jr as he explores World War Two in intimate detail. The History of WWII Podcast is produced and narrated 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.
Episodes
- Episode 629-Mop Up The Americans
With Marines on Guadalcanal, Adm. Yamamoto orders an overwhelming response. He wants the Americans chased away. Japanese air craft arrive first, but the Wildcat fighters of Enterprise and Saratoga are waiting for them. Want to go beyond th…
- Episode 628-Interview w/ Anthony Maras: Director of Pressure
Director, editor and co-writer of the D-Day film Pressure, Anthony Maras shares behind the scenes tidbits and little known gems of the final hours before D-Day was launched. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- Episode 627-Interview with Dave R. Holland
Dave Holland, author of Guadalcanal: The Pivotal Battles of the Matanikau Front, comes on to get us started on Operation Watchtower. Why was Guadalcanal chosen by the U.S. as a starting point to take on the Japanese. Learn more about your…
- Episode 626-Operation Watchtower Begins
US Marines land in the Guadalcanal area. The plan is to march up the Solomon Islands. But first they have to survive the coming Japanese counter attack. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- Episode 625-Next Stop: Guadalcanal
The US decides its next steps after Midway, as Japan lands on Guadalcanal. The episode explores the ensuing command decision between Nimitz and MacArthur.
- Episode 624-The Battle of Midway Comes To An End
In Episode 624 of The History of WWII Podcast, the Battle of Midway concludes with Spruance opting to continue the pursuit. Meanwhile, Japanese submarine I-168 targets the damaged USS Yorktown.
- Episode 623-And The Hiryu Makes Four
The History of WWII Podcast, Episode 623, covers the American discovery of the last enemy aircraft carrier, the Hiryu, and the subsequent final attack by the Enterprise and Hornet.
- Episode 622-Yorktown: Abandon Ship
The History of WWII Podcast episode "Yorktown: Abandon Ship" covers the Yorktown
- Episode 621-Did Japan Start WWII?
In episode 621, Ray hosts Jake Clapham of Flashback History to discuss Japan's 1931 invasion of China. They explore how this event set in motion the circumstances that would eventually lead to the attack on Pearl Harbor.
- Episode 620: The Hiryu Strikes Back
In Episode 620, the Japanese seek further engagements with American forces despite the loss of three aircraft carriers.
- Episode 619-Flight to Nowhere
Episode 619 discusses the aircraft attacks on Nagumo's Kido Butai by the Enterprise and Yorktown. It also notes that the majority of the Yorktown's aircraft did not engage any targets.
- Episode 618-Midway: Nagumo's Dilemma
In episode 618, The History of WWII Podcast covers Adm. Nagumo
- Episode 617-Top 5 Technologies of WWII
Ryan Fairfield and Tony Lupo, hosts of The Warrior Next Door Podcast, join the show to discuss the five most significant technological improvements or discoveries made during World War II.
- Episode 616-Midway: First Blood
Episode 616 details the Battle of Midway, where Adm. Fletcher's Yorktown confronts Adm. Nagumo's 1st Air Fleet. The battle involved strategic mistakes from both sides, resulting in significant losses.
- Episode 615-Battle of Midway: Prelude
This episode covers Adm. Yamamoto's planning for the Battle of Midway and Adm. Nimitz's counter-strategy, noting the influence of the Battle of the Coral Sea.
- Episode 614-The Lexington is Lost
Episode 614 discusses the loss of the American carrier Lexington, which occurred during an engagement that also foiled Japanese plans for Port Moresby. The Japanese Striking Force was ordered to pursue and destroy the Yorktown.
- Episode 613-The First Carrier Battle
In Episode 613, titled "The First Carrier Battle," air strikes were launched by both American and Japanese carrier groups against each other. The outcome of this engagement had significant implications for the Southwest Pacific and the sec…
- Episode 612-Death of a Carrier
Episode 612 discusses an American victory claimed through faulty reports and a subsequent opportunity. It also covers the Japanese invasion force waiting for carrier support to eliminate Fletcher’s Task Force 17.
- Episode 611-Battle of the Coral Sea: First Blood
Episode 611 of The History of WWII Podcast covers the Battle of the Coral Sea. With limited information, both American and Japanese forces engaged, though Adm. Fletcher
- Episode 610-Fletcher's Tulagi Air Raid
This episode covers the Japanese opening move at the Battle of the Coral Sea, detailing the air raid on Tulagi led by Adm. Fletcher and the pilots of the Yorktown.
- Episode 609-Prelude to The Battle of the Coral Sea
This episode discusses the period after Pearl Harbor in the Pacific Theater, detailing the Japanese advance and Admiral Nimitz's efforts to find ways to counter the enemy until the United States was prepared to engage fully.
- Episode 608-Patton's Slapping Spree
General Patton, celebrated as a hero, experiences limitations to his service due to his temper.
- Episode 607-The Axis Escapes Sicily
In episode 607, Gen. Patton plans a third amphibious landing as Gen. Truscott's 3rd division moves rapidly through Sicily. German and Italian forces manage to evacuate the majority of their troops from the island.
- Episode 606-Patton's Second End Run
Episode 606 details Patton's order for a second end run, leading to Bernard's men becoming trapped on a height. They faced shortages of ammunition and severed phone lines.
- Episode 605-Bruce Henderson Book Interview-Midnight Flyboys
Bruce Henderson interviewed on The History of WWII Podcast about Bomber Crews that dropped secret agents and supplied the French Resistance.
- Episode 604-Patton's End Run
In Episode 604 of The History of WWII Podcast, Gen. Patton plans an amphibious landing to trap German forces at San Fratello. However, the landing occurs in an unintended location.
- Episode 603-One Bloody Advance After Another
Episode 603 discusses the eastward advance of American divisions in Sicily, noting the fatigue of the 45th and 1st divisions, some of whose soldiers committed acts unbecoming. General Patton ordered an amphibious end run to hasten the isla…
- Episode 602-Victory at Mt. Etna
Episode 602 of The History of WWII Podcast covers the advance of the 45th Infantry Division in Sicily, detailing their engagement with German defenses at Mt. Etna and the sacrifices made by US machine gunners.
- Episode 601-Operation Hardgate
In Episode 601,
- Episode 600-First Quebec Conference
The 600th episode of The History of WWII Podcast covers the First Quebec Conference, where Allied leaders discussed future plans as German troops prepared to evacuate Sicily. Notes related to Operation Overlord were discovered at the confe…
- Episode 599-Mussolini Leaves the Stage, For now
Monty’s plan to swing left has failed and he seeks Patton’s assistance. A British officer accomplishes a miracle, and fighting in Sicily contributes to Mussolini being voted out of power.
- Episode 598-Monty Can't Keep His Promise
Episode 598 details the stalled advance of Monty's 8th Army towards Catania. The episode covers the failure of a three-pronged attack, Monty's decision to shift to a defensive stance, and Patton's concurrent plans for an eastward push to M…
- Episode 597-Blood on Primosole Bridge
Episode 597 discusses the Battle of Primosole Bridge, where the Durham Light Infantry sustained hundreds of casualties in an attempt to secure the bridge after the 1st Parachute Brigade's losses.
- Episode 596-The First Bridge Too Far
One bridge down, one to go for Monty’s 8th Army. But friendly fire will disrupt Operation Fustian before it starts, leaving the British paratroopers trapped by Axis forces. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- Episode 595-3 Commando Bridge: The Fallen
This episode of The History of WWII Podcast discusses the securing of bridges during Monty's northern advance after the American capture of Palermo, highlighting one bridge that resulted in significant Allied casualties.
- Episode 594-The Truscott Trot
In
- Episode 593-Patton Plans His Revenge
In "Patton Plans His Revenge," the narrative follows the Allied invasion of Sicily. When British General Montgomery's ambition hinders the offensive's pace, American General Patton begins to devise alternative strategies.
- Episode 592-Friendly Fire Massacre
Episode 592 covers the Allied amphibious landings in Sicily and the Axis defensive adjustments. The success of the American forces was overshadowed by a severe friendly fire incident.
- Episode 591-Jack El-Hai Interview: The Nazi and the Psychiatrist
This episode features writer Jack El-Hai discussing his book, The Nazi and the Psychiatrist, which served as the basis for a film starring Russell Crowe and Rami Malek. The book details Dr. Douglas M Kelley's questioning of Hermann Goring.
- Episode 590-The American Landings on Sicily
The American landings on Sicily are discussed, with elements of Gen. Patton’s 7th Army reaching the island. The episode notes that while Axis resistance caused few deaths, weather and waves were significant factors.
- Episode 589:The Return of Paddy Mayne
Episode 589 covers the SRS, formerly David Sterling’s SAS, coming ashore between Allied air attacks and Operation Husky, under the command of Maj. Paddy Mayne, known as The Irish Lion.
- Episode 588-Operation Ladbroke
Episode 588 discusses Operation Ladbroke, the initial nighttime glider assault by airborne troops preceding Operation Husky. The operation resulted in hundreds of deaths before the main fighting.
- Episode 587: Operation Husky Could Have Been Huskier
The podcast episode discusses the troubled planning of Operation Husky, noting that Montgomery ultimately succeeded. It also touches on Mussolini
- Episode 586-Operation Corkscrew
Episode 586 of The History of WWII Podcast covers Operation Corkscrew, the initial phase of taking smaller islands near Sicily. It also touches on internal Italian discussions about engaging with the Allies.
- Episode 585-Kasserine Pass: Humiliating Defeat or Strategic Victory?
The Battle of Kasserine Pass is often viewed as an American failure. However, this episode considers it potentially a strategic victory, as the Allies retained ground and gained crucial insights into modern warfare during the North African…
- Episode 584-The Tunisian Thermopylae
In Episode 584 of The History of WWII Podcast, the surrender of Bizerte and Tunis is discussed, with remaining Axis armies in Tunisia. British forces block a retreat into the Cap Bon Peninsula, while American forces begin the reconstructio…
- Episode 583-We Are The Masters Of The North African Shore
Axis forces in Tunisia are surrounded by Allied advances. Despite being pushed against the wall, American mistakes and British caution result in avoidable casualties before the end of the fighting.
- Episode 582-Who Shall Have The Honor?
The History of WWII Podcast discusses the approaching final battle of North Africa, detailing the competition for command among Allied forces and a late resupply of ammunition and fuel to German Panzer divisions before Operation Strike.
- Episode 581-WWII Veteran Interviews from The Warrior Next Door Podcast
Tony Lupo and Ryan Fairfield join The History of WWII Podcast to share interview clips from two veterans: one who witnessed firsthand atrocities and a pilot who flew with Chuck Yeager.
- Episode 580-Battle of Hill 609
Episode 580 discusses the Battle of Hill 609, where the 2nd US Corps faced German artillery. The summit of Hill 609 was a key strategic point, targeting Allied movements.