This is the first in a recap of the Eastern front. Germany’s Army Group North will cut through the Baltic states with relative ease. Still, there are a few moments of panic for the panzers that are only a foretaste of what is to come.  For images and maps to accompany this episode visit the History of WWII Podcast Website https://bit.ly/45Ek0x6 RSS – https://feeds.megaphone.fm/history-of-world-war-ii Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/wwii45 Twitter...

Here are three stories to hold you over until I can get back to the Eastern Front. Enjoy! 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 podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The conclusion of Operation Jubilee, the Dieppe Raid. The nightmare on the beach is over, but it’s repercussions have only begun in London, Ottawa and Berlin. But two years later, the Allies will be back and Dieppe will be liberated. Not that the war of words will end with the war. More information and images from this episode on our website https://bit.ly/3LKaoK1 RSS – https://feeds.megaphone.fm/history-of-world-war-ii Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/wwii45 Twitter...

With the survivors back in Britain, questions are being asked, facts and figures are being compiled. Canada has questions but they will not like the answers. Meanwhile, Churchill is meeting with Stalin about fighting Nazi Germany together. 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...

A Two Episode Special! First, NPR's Scott Simon come on to discuss his audiobook/book Swingtime for Hitler: From Goebbels’s Jazzmen to Tokyo Rose to AI, the Eternal Allure of Propaganda. And then we continue with Operation Jubilee: Blood, Toil, Tears, and Sweat. To hear Swingtime for Hitler on Scribd, go to try.scribd.com/scottsimon for a 60 day free trial, use code SIMON60. RSS – https://feeds.megaphone.fm/history-of-world-war-ii Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/wwii45 Twitter...

Operation Jubilee has failed, but now the men have to be rescued. Yet the Germans are determined not to let a single man, ship or plane leave without having fought their way out. To view supporting images and other media for this episode please visit The History Of WWII Podcast website https://bit.ly/3sFGwrw RSS – https://feeds.megaphone.fm/history-of-world-war-ii Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/wwii45 Twitter – https://twitter.com/WW2Podcaster Instagram...

Military Historian John C. McManus comes on to discuss his US Army in the Pacific Trilogy. Then, the Rileys come ashore at White Beach, but it goes no better for them. It is now a make or break moment and Gen. John “Ham” Roberts has decided to throw in his reserves. The day may yet be saved. To view supporting images and other media for this episode please visit The History Of WWII Podcast website https://bit.ly/48lRd2W RSS – https://feeds.megaphone.fm/history-of-world-war-ii Facebook...

As the flanking attacks to either side of Dieppe have had mixed results, it’s now time for the direct attack on the town. Here, the Germans are well dug in, but coming ashore are 30 Canadian tanks to challenge for supremacy of the beach. Yet there is a slight delay before the tanks land and the Germans use that to slaughter the Essex Scottish. To view supporting images and other media for this episode please visit The History Of WWII Podcast website https://bit.ly/3EkUhOY RSS...

First, interview w/ Andrew Nagorski about his latest book, Saving Freud, The Rescuers Who Brought Him to Freedom and then we continue with the Dieppe Raid. Now it’s Green Beach’s turn. Here the men will find some success, but too few get ashore and their small arms are no match for what the Germans have in store. Operation Jubilee is starting to unravel. To view supporting images and other media for this episode please visit The History Of WWII Podcast website https://bit.ly/3QWbiX6 RSS...

Now that the two attacking flanks had landed men, one went well, the other was a debacle, it was time to land men at Blue Beach, just east of Dieppe. And it would be here that would determine if Operation Jubilee would be a success or not. But the Germans were ready. Images and Maps for this episode can be found on the History of WWII Podcast website at https://bit.ly/45Baknq To view this episode with Captions view on our YouTube channel https://youtu.be/CarjMMflJao RSS -...

The Commandos land on the far flanks of Dieppe. The attack at the Orange Beaches will see their initial objectives met, but men will be lost. As for Yellow Beach to the East, the commandos will be met with death and the loss of the majority of their team. Images for this episode can be found on the History of WWII Podcast website at https://worldwariipodcast.net/2023/08/14/episode-431-the-father-and-mother-of-all-explosions/ To view this episode with Captions please subscribe to our YouTube...

Professor Tom Holm discusses Ira Hayes, his time with the Marines, his fighting on Iwo Jima and Mt. Suribachi and his tragic life after the raising of the American flag. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As the 200 plus ships of Operation Jubilee reach the French coast, a single event occurs, ruining all the plans of Combined Operations. Still, the Allied force moves forward, hoping to make the best of a bad situation. Which is when it gets much worse. Images and other media for this episode can be found on The History of WWII Podcast website https://worldwariipodcast.net/2023/08/06/episode-428-it-only-takes-one-little-mistake/ To view this episode with Captions please subscribe to our...

A desperate Churchill green lights the raid on Dieppe. And though it has been scaled back to avoid entanglements with panzers, it is still complex and dependent on everything going to plan and on time. A rare event in battle. Still, on August 18th, the ships with the Canadians, Commandos, Free French and 50 US Rangers on board, set out.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Dieppe Raid planning continues as Churchill needs something to show the Americans and Soviets. The Canadians are tapped to assist the Commandos as Combined Operations wants an overwhelming attack. But the Germans are more than prepared. But Operation Rudder will have growing pains, until it dies. Canada, this one is for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With Lord Mountbatten in charge of Combined Operations, the plan to soften up the enemy’s coastline defenses is underway. But there is much to learn and lessons here are normally accompanied by death. As Commando raids take place, the British and their Commonwealth Allies gear up for something much larger, a raid on Dieppe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In building up to Operation Sledgehammer, Mountbatten’s arrival is a whirlwind for Combined Operations. Their numbers will grow as will the number of their raids. But soon, the commandos are too few. Churchill wants larger raids, as does Mountbatten. The Canadians on the island are ready do anything to get this war over. Thus they will be tapped. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Operation Pedestal would ensure that Malta stayed in the fight. But Stalin is not appeased. He wants a Second Front. So does Gen. George Marshall and he’s coming to London to say so. The British had to come up with a plan, big enough to impress the Russian and the American, but good enough not to get everyone killed. Enter the new head of Combined Operations, Lord Louis Mountbatten. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The final episode of Operation Pedestal. Through luck and determination and American engineering, the Ohio holds together long enough, to bring her in to Valletta Harbor. And so the various machines of war on Malta have a new lease on life. They can continue to harass the supply convoys heading for Rommel. Truly an ironic turn of events. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As everyone on Malta and in Britain and in the US and in North Africa wait, the tanker Ohio, carrying much needed oil to the island, slowly crawls towards Valletta Harbor. Yet at any moment, an Axis air attack could come or the tanker may simply split in two, given her damage. The people of Malta need a miracle. Fortunately for them, it was August 15th, the day the Catholic Maltese celebrate the Feast of the Assumption. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When the sun rises on August 14th, the Stuka’s and Italian bombers are back. It would only take one bomb landing true to break the Ohio in half. But manning her AA guns are volunteers from previously lost ships who are determined, this will not happen again. Meanwhile, Churchill’s meeting with Stalin goes badly as the Prime Minister has no good news to deliver. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As the Americans enter the war after the events of Pearl Harbor, the Western Allies have to decide how to fight the war. The Americans have the industry, the British, the experience. But both will have to give to get along so that Hitlerism can be destroyed. Mr. Conroy’s book covers the Casablanca Conference and the one small detail that almost changed the war and the world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Some of the merchant ships enter Grand Harbor and Adm. Burrough turns around to make for Gibraltar. But the Maltese notice that only three ships came with Burrough. Where were the others and most importantly, where was the tanker Ohio. She was still a few hours away, with no way to move under her own power. And between the oil on board, not to mention the tons of water now inside her, from the ship’s ripped side, the destroyers were still trying to figure something out. Either way, when the...

As the escorting destroyers fill up with rescued crewmen, now it’s the Ohio’s turn as her engines give up the ghost. But the men in this story are determined to get her to Malta, by hook or by crook. For her fuel is the difference to whether Malta endures or surrenders to the not so tender mercies of the Axis Powers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Craig Nelson's book V is For Victory has it all: FDR's early days of combatting the Great Depression, restoring faith in the country and gearing up for a war that many hoped would never come. But it was FDR putting the country on the right path that got the US ready to aid the Allies and eventually enter the war. And win it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices