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The History of WWII Podcast
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The History of WWII Podcast

Author: Ray Harris Jr

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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.



515 Episodes
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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
Episode 506-Lord Haw-Haw

Episode 506-Lord Haw-Haw

2025-01-2033:501

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
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Comments (44)

Saba Qamar

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Feb 9th
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Marziye Moafi

Hello I have a serious problem with this podcast, I can't download or play any episode of it and every time I try this message apears that an error occured, please try again later but this problem has existed for a long time. Help me please... Thank you

Jun 16th
Reply (1)

Hugh Braddock

Great pod on an amazing WW2 story. Savoia Marchetti SM 79 Sparviero - Sparrow HAWK 👍👍

Mar 11th
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Hector Dyck

good podcast

Jan 29th
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Barry Wilson

Ray is great. I've listened for years, and it's always informative, but just by coincidence I was listening to Dan Snow cover this subject with this same contributer who has knowledge to burn today, and while that podcast was 35 mins Ray gave us an hour more and was a brilliant listen. Massively informative and entertaining his interviews have upped the game of this podcast, I'm just sorry I'm not in a position to financially support you, but please keep up the good work. Essential download

Jan 17th
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Fleetwood McDuecen25

Ray Harris jr.: Gold standard of ww2 pods. Fact. 🤛

Jun 5th
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Terry Lassle

is that all we're going to get from now on is just interviews?

Feb 25th
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Bruce Tait

New to the Pod. I have some real catching up to do but so far so good! Keep up the great work!

Dec 27th
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CroBaraba

I love podcasts like these you definitely deserve more recognition 👏

Jul 10th
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barnstorm@sympatico.ca

I am worried that I will die before you ever get back to Europe. Do you have any idea when that might be?

Jan 28th
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Manish Mehta

In the 1940s, some 1,000 Polish children owed their lives to a Maharaja in Jamnagar, Gujarat. Now, 76 years later, six of them, aged nearly 90, are returning to the place that provided them refuge from Nazi and Soviet occupation of Poland during World War II. During World War II, an Indian king set up a home away from home for Polish refugees and orphans: a Little Poland in India. His efforts saved the lives of more than 640 women and children. The ravages of the Second World War left Poland a shadow of the country it once was. The nation was torn apart by destructive forces, its people held captive in concentration camps and countless of its children left orphans. Overcoming grave obstacles and challenges, hundreds of Polish children (and women) managed to escape the dire circumstances in their country. Contradictory reports exist on how the kids planned their escape. However, it is known that they were turned away from every country they approached for help. When their ship docked in

Dec 8th
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alan hibberson

interesting!

Sep 30th
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Cristian Butusina

If interested in WW2 check "History of the Second World War" by Wesley Livesay. To me it seems less biased.

May 1st
Reply (1)

damned skeptic

forgot to mention that the Pole's had large amounts of anti tank riffles, they never changed tanks with calvery.

Mar 5th
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El Pinto Grande

I'd be really interested to learn what fel sorcery was performed to allow the guest to cram a metric-ton of lazy cliches into such a confined package! though, tbh, I'll sit through just about anything for the pleasure of watching naval combat on the big screen (even Battleship).

Feb 12th
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Nicholas Bohlen

extraordinary podcast!

Jan 8th
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Jon G. Aichs

We need today more than ever a NSDAP. Europe is dying especially our beloved ancestral home Germany. She must rise from the ashes of multiculturalism and bolshevik rule and take her place once again above the all others on the world stage. this time we Will Win.

Oct 7th
Reply (3)

Navid Hosseini

greatly

Oct 4th
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Jeremy Cartwright

My grandfather fought in this campaign. This was a great summary of this series of events around the Aluetian Islands. Thanks!

Sep 13th
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Pedro Hernandez

Was a big fan, told my history loving friends about the show. first noticed a change a couple of months back, now I'm getting shows I have no interest in being down loaded instead of your show. Unsubscribing.

May 25th
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