The WW2 Podcast

In the aftermath of the Second World War, the Allies brought twenty-four of Hitler's most senior figures to justice at Nuremberg. Among them was Hermann Göring — once Hitler's designated heir and still a commanding presence, even in defeat. Before the trial began, the U.S. Army assigned a young psychiatrist, Captain Douglas Kelley, to assess whether these men were mentally fit to stand trial. For Kelley, it was the professional opportunity of a lifetime: a chance to explore the minds of the Nazi elite and discover what made them capable of such atrocities. What he found was far more complex and unsettling than expected. Kelley's professional curiosity evolved into a disturbing psychological duel, especially with Hermann Göring — a man both monstrous and magnetic, whose personality thrived even in captivity. In this episode, I speak with Jack El-Hai, author of The Nazi and the Psychiatrist: Hermann Göring, Dr. Douglas Kelley, and a Fatal Meeting of Minds at the End of WWII. Jack draws on Kelley's long-hidden papers and medical records to tell this extraordinary story, which has also inspired the upcoming 2025 film Nuremberg.   patreon.com/ww2podcast  

In this episode of the WW2 Podcast, I'm joined by Robby Houben from the Belgian Royal Military Museum to discuss the Renault FT. This small but revolutionary French tank changed armoured warfare. Designed during the First World War, the FT introduced the fully rotating turret and tracked layout that became the blueprint for every tank that followed. We talk about its design, its service life between the wars, and how it was still seeing action when the Second World War began. You can see an original Renault FT on display at the Belgian Royal Military Museum in Brussels. Robby also shares his passion for armoured vehicles on YouTube — check out his channel Two Dudes Talking Tanks. If you enjoy the show, remember — it's just me here behind the mic. I research, record, and edit every episode myself. Your support on Patreon helps keep the podcast going. Patrons get ad-free listening and bonus excerpts from interviews that didn't make it into the main episodes.  Find out more at patreon.com/ww2podcast    

General Lucian K. Truscott was one of the United States Army's most capable commanders of the Second World War. Known for his aggressive leadership and determination, Truscott led American forces in North Africa, Sicily, at Anzio, and later in southern France and Germany. Despite his impressive record, he remains one of the lesser-known U.S. generals of World War Two. In this episode of the WW2 Podcast, I'm joined by military historian Glyn Harper, emeritus professor of war studies at Massey University in New Zealand. Glyn is the author of General Lucian K. Truscott: "Quite a Talent for Fighting", a new biography that explores Truscott's remarkable career and lasting contribution to the Allied victory in Europe.   patreon.com/ww2podcast  

In early 1945, the Allies were advancing in Burma after their hard-won victories at Kohima and Imphal. The focus shifted to the Arakan, a region of dense jungle, mangrove swamps, and unforgiving terrain. For the men sent there, disease, supply difficulties, and the monsoon were as formidable as the Japanese defenders. Among the formations deployed was Britain's 3 Commando Brigade, working alongside Indian and West African divisions of XV Corps in a campaign that tested endurance as much as combat skill. In this episode of the WW2 Podcast, I'm joined by military historian Lucy Betteridge-Dyson. Lucy is the author of Jungle Commandos: The Battle for Arakan, Burma 1945, which tells the story of the Commandos who fought in this overlooked theatre, culminating in the ferocious struggle for Hill 170. Drawing on first-hand accounts, her work reveals the realities of jungle warfare and the contribution of these specialist troops to the final Allied victories in Burma.   Jungle Commandos is also available on Audible and Spotify. patreon.com/ww2podcast  

When we think of the Second World War, the story is so often told through an Anglo-American lens: Britain holding out alone in 1940, the United States joining the fight in 1941, and the combined Allied effort that followed. But this perspective tends to overshadow the contributions of other nations, particularly Canada. Canada was not usually regarded as a global military power, yet its role in the war was both significant and far-reaching. From the skies over Europe to the convoys crossing the Atlantic and the soldiers who landed on D-Day, Canadian forces made an impact far greater than their country's population might suggest. In this episode of the WW2 Podcast, I am joined by historian David Borys to look more closely at Canada's military in the Second World War. We discuss how Canada approached the conflict, the part it played within the wider Allied war effort, and how its contribution is remembered today. David is a Canadian academic, author of Punching Above Our Weight: The Canadian Military at War Since 1867, and host of Curious Canadian History. His new podcast, Conflict and Culture, explores the intersections of war and society, and we'll touch on that later in our conversation.   patreon.com/ww2podcast  

Douglas MacArthur was one of the most prominent — and controversial — generals of the Second World War. As Field Marshal of the Philippines, he withdrew to Australia in 1942, famously declaring, "I shall return." That promise became central to his reputation and shaped the rest of his war. How far did MacArthur's vow influence his actions? Was he an effective commander, strategist, and leader in the Pacific campaign? These questions continue to divide historians. In this episode of the WW2 Podcast, I'm joined by Peter Mansoor, author of Redemption: MacArthur and the Campaign for the Philippines. We discuss MacArthur's leadership in the Second World War, his successes, failures, and his lasting legacy.   patreon.com/ww2podcast  

By January 1945, the war in Europe neared its final phase. In the west, the Allies had repelled the Ardennes offensive. In the east, the Red Army prepared the Vistula–Oder offensive, a huge strike that pushed German forces out of Poland. The Soviet advance carried them to the very gates of Berlin. The Vistula–Oder offensive in 1945 liberated vast areas, including Auschwitz. It also created the springboard for the final assault on Germany. Stalin wanted more than battlefield victory. He pushed Soviet borders west, reclaimed imperial lands, and shaped Poland's fate before the war ended. The Wehrmacht resisted fiercely. German forces launched a desperate counterattack, their last major armoured offensive on the Eastern Front. In this episode of the WW2 Podcast, I talk with Prit Buttar, author of Into the Reich: The Red Army's Advance to the Oder in 1945.   Into the Reich is also available on Spotify and Audible patreon.com/ww2podcast    

The Maginot Line was one of the most ambitious defensive projects of the 1930s. Built along France's eastern border, this vast system of underground forts, tunnels, and bunkers included hospitals, kitchens, telephone exchanges, electric railways, and turrets that could rise from the ground to strike at attackers. Designed to withstand artillery and even chemical weapons, it represented the cutting edge of military engineering. Yet when Germany invaded in May 1940, France fell in just six weeks. The Maginot Line has since become a byword for failure — an expensive defensive shield that seemed useless against Blitzkrieg. But was it really such a mistake, or have we misunderstood its role in the Second World War? In this episode of the WW2 Podcast, I'm joined by Professor Kevin Passmore, author of The Maginot Line: A New History. Together, we explore how the defences were built, how they performed in 1940, and what the Maginot Line can really tell us about the fall of France.   patreon.com/ww2podcast  

In 2005, the BBC launched an ambitious public history project called The People's War. It aimed to collect and preserve the memories of those who lived through the Second World War, inviting the public to share their experiences online. This was long before today's social media platforms, and the scale of the response was remarkable. By the time the project closed in 2006, over 650,000 contributions had been submitted. Although the site is now frozen in time, it remains a wonderful resource filled with small, personal vignettes of the war — stories that might otherwise have been lost. It's something I've dipped into myself many times over the years. My guest for this episode is John Willis, who was the BBC's Director of Factual when The People's War project was launched. John has now curated a selection of these submissions in his new book, The People's War.   patreon.com/ww2podcast  

In this episode of the WW2 Podcast, we explore the remarkable history of the Malay Regiment during the Second World War. Formed in the 1930s as an experiment with just 25 local recruits, the regiment quickly grew into a respected fighting force. By the time of the Japanese invasion of Malaya in late 1941, it had expanded to two full battalions. These soldiers would be thrown into the heart of the fighting during the desperate defence of Singapore in early 1942. To help tell this story, I am joined by Stuart Lloyd, author of The Malay Experiment: The Colonial Origins and Homegrown Heroics of the Malay Regiment. His book examines how the regiment was created, its role in the war, and the lasting legacy it left behind in Malaysia's military history.   patreon.com/ww2podcast  

In this episode, we're turning our attention to British India during the Second World War. While the war in Europe and the Pacific often dominates the narrative, the role India played—both as a military contributor and as a nation on the cusp of independence—is often overlooked. I'm joined by Philip Craig, author of 1945: The Reckoning. His book looks at the global repercussions of the war, including the political and social upheavals that reshaped the world in its aftermath. One of the key stories is how India's experience during the conflict accelerated its path to independence.   patreon.com/ww2podcast  

What was the situation in Burma following the Allied victories at Imphal and Kohima? By the summer of 1944, those two hard-fought battles had marked a major turning point in the Burma campaign. Japanese forces were in retreat, and the initiative had passed firmly to the Allies. But pushing into central Burma would require bold strategy, speed, and coordination across air, land and river. I'm joined by Jack Bowsher, author of Thunder Run: Meiktila 1945. We will be discussing the dramatic and fast-paced battle for Meiktila, a pivotal moment in the Allied drive south that contributed significantly to the conclusion of the Burma campaign.   patreon.com/ww2podcast  

In this episode of the WW2 Podcast, we're turning our attention to the opening phase of one of the most brutal and vast campaigns of the Second World War—Operation Barbarossa. On 22 June 1941, Hitler launched his long-anticipated invasion of the Soviet Union. In the first two weeks, the German Wehrmacht made some of its fastest advances of the war. Panzer groups surged deep into Soviet territory, clashing with Russian armoured forces—encounters that were sometimes unexpected and, for both sides, revealing. To explore this dramatic opening stage of the war in the East, I'm joined by Richard Hargreaves, author of Opening the Gates of Hell, which examines the scale, speed, and shock of Barbarossa's beginning.   patreon.com/ww2podcast  

When we talk about the Second Front, most of us think of the Allied invasion of Northwest Europe—D-Day, June 1944. But in his new book, Second Front: Anglo-American Rivalry and the Hidden Story of the Normandy Campaign, historian Professor Marc Milner offers a different perspective. What if the real second front wasn't in Normandy, but in Washington? Milner argues that while Britain fought alongside the United States on the battlefields of Europe, it was also engaged in a very different kind of struggle across the Atlantic: a political and diplomatic battle to retain its influence over an increasingly dominant America. By the time Allied troops landed in France, the United States had not only become the senior partner in the alliance but had begun reshaping the postwar world, often at the expense of British interests.  But as we'll hear, this wasn't just about wartime politics or military planning. The roots of Anglo-American rivalry ran much deeper, stretching back to the way each nation remembered the First World War. Joining me to discuss all this is Professor Marc Milner.

In this episode, we're doing something a little different. I recently joined Scott Bury on his podcast Beyond Barbarossa, which takes a close look at the Eastern Front of the Second World War from a Soviet perspective. Together, we explored the topic of American aid to the USSR through the Lend-Lease program. The usual narrative often paints Lend-Lease as the lifeline that saved the Soviet Union. But, as with most things in history, the reality is far more complex. While Lend-Lease undeniably made a difference—especially in the war's later stages—its impact, timing, and strategic value are worth examining more closely. So, in this episode, we dig into what was actually sent, when it arrived, how it was used, and whether or not it really was decisive in turning the tide on the Eastern Front.   patreon.com/ww2podcast  

In this episode of the WW2 Podcast, I am joined by Professor James Crossland to discuss the extraordinary life of Robert Bruce Lockhart — a British diplomat, journalist, author, and secret agent. Though not a household name, Lockhart was a key figure behind the scenes of 20th-century history. His career began before the First World War and took him from revolutionary Russia to wartime Britain, often placing him near the centre of power and influence. During the Second World War, he served as Director-General of the Political Warfare Executive, the organisation responsible for coordinating all British propaganda efforts against the Axis powers. Lockhart's life reads like a spy thriller, full of intrigue, diplomacy, and covert operations. James Crossland, author of Rogue Agent: From Secret Plots to Psychological Warfare – The Untold Story of Robert Bruce Lockhart, sheds light on the man whose influence was far greater than his fame.   patreon.com/ww2podcast  

In this episode of the WW2 Podcast, I am joined by Bernd Häber to discuss the remarkable story of his grandfather, Fritz Häber — a German soldier who became a prisoner of war in American custody at the end of World War II. During his 16 months in a U.S. POW camp, Fritz kept a diary that not only captured the daily realities of captivity but also reflected on his wartime experiences and personal history. Now published as Fritz Häber: The Complete Diary – 16 Months in an American POW Camp, the account provides a rare and honest perspective from the losing side of the conflict. Bernd shares insights into his grandfather's life, the motivations behind the diary, and the legacy it represents — a deeply human story of reflection, identity, and the long shadow of war. You can find more about Fritz at 16monthsaspow.com   patreon.com/ww2podcast  

In the early stages of America's involvement in the Second World War, the U.S. Army began forming a new kind of fighting force—elite units trained for speed, surprise, and special operations behind enemy lines. These were the first Army Rangers, inspired by British Commandos and destined for some of the toughest missions of the war. In this episode, I'm joined by historian and author Mir Bahmanyar to talk about the formation and deployment of these early Rangers, from their beginnings in North Africa and Sicily to their fateful engagement at Cisterna in 1944, a battle that ended in disaster for two Ranger battalions. Mir is the author of 'Houdini Club: The Epic Journey and Daring Escapes of the First Army Rangers of WWII', a book that sheds light on the origins, ethos, and early missions of these extraordinary soldiers.   patreon.com/ww2podcast  

During the critical interwar years, Belgium found itself walking a diplomatic tightrope—maintaining neutrality while neighbouring Germany rapidly rearmed. Faced with the growing threat of conflict, the country was forced to modernise its defences. One of Belgium's key military developments during this period was the T-13 tank destroyer—an armoured vehicle that, although modest by international standards, played a vital role in the country's attempt to resist the German invasion in 1940. In this episode, we head to Brussels to uncover the story of the T-13 with Robby Houben from the Belgian Royal Military Museum.   Patreonpatreon.com/ww2podcast  

On the morning of June 6th, 1944, war photographer Robert Capa waded ashore on Omaha Beach during the Allied landings in Normandy. What happened next became the stuff of legend: under withering fire, Capa supposedly captured over a hundred photographs of the chaos and courage of D-Day, only for all but eleven to be lost in a darkroom accident. These surviving images, the so-called "Magnificent Eleven," helped define the visual memory of D-Day and cemented Capa's reputation as the greatest war photographer of the 20th century. But what if the story we've long accepted isn't entirely true? In his book Back into Focus: The Real Story of Robert Capa's D-Day, Charles Herrick takes a forensic look at the events of that day, unraveling inconsistencies in Capa's own account and challenging the myths that have grown around his legacy. Drawing on official military records, eyewitness testimony, and detailed photo analysis, Herrick offers a new—and at times controversial—perspective on one of the most iconic moments in photojournalism history. I'm delighted to welcome Charles to the podcast today to talk about what really happened on D-Day, how the legend of Robert Capa was built, and what his findings mean for how we understand both history and heroism.   patreon.com/ww2podcast