Wars of The World

The Gestapo: Hitler's Secret Police... In today’s episode we will investigate the horrifying legacy of The Gestapo; Hitler’s secret police force; whose reign of terror during the Second World War was one of torture; mass surveillance and murder. So; who were The Gestapo? What was their purpose during those tumultuous years? What were their techniques and methods of law enforcement? And what happened to them after Hitler was defeated? Join us as we try to understand the mind-set and behaviours of ‘The Gestapo’. This is Wars of the World. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s episode will focus on one of the biggest – and most important – turning points in world history; the Battle of Gettysburg. The three-day battle occurred during the American Civil War; a major conflict between the Northern and Southern states, led by the Union and Confederate armies. Between July 1st and July 3rd, 1863 thousands of men – from both sides of the divide - engaged in a bloody and tactical battle in the borough and town of Gettysburg in the state of Pennsylvania. The ferocious onslaught resulted in the end of the Confederacy's intentions to inaugurate an independent nation after the Union – led by Major General George Meade - defeated General Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia, forcing them to retreat and eventually surrender. Join us as we investigate what happened before (and during) those frantic three days; resulting in how the United States of America – and the world – changed forever. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every war has its battles for the cities and in 2003 as US forces, aided predominantly by the United Kingdom, invaded Saddam Hussein’s Iraq, planners in Washington knew that at some point their troops would have to go into the Iraqi capital of Baghdad if they were to ever oust the middle eastern dictator and his government as was the mission objective of Operation Iraqi Freedom. No one was under any illusions that Baghdad would be a tough nut to crack and despite the technological advantage enjoyed by US forces, years of operational experience from Vietnam to Somalia told US commanders that in the end it would largely be down to the skill andfighting spirit of the infantry. This is the story of the Fall of Baghdad. Welcome to Wars of the World Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Officially known as the German Reich, Nazi Germany was the German state between 1933 and 1945, when it was headed by Adolf Hitler and his Nazi Party, who governed by way of a totalitarian dictatorship. The term ‘Third Reich’ means ‘Third Realm’ or ‘Third Empire’, and refers to the Nazi declaration that Nazi Germany was the successor to both the Holy Roman Empire and the German Empire, the latter of which took place between 1871 and 1918.  In Nazi Germany, life was difficult. Though there was little unemployment, workers were subject to poor wages and bad conditions. Women were to stay at home and produce children while children were indoctrinated with political propaganda as soon as they entered education. And, of course, many who didn’t fit the so-called ‘norms’ of society - whether it was due to their sexuality, religion, ethnicity, race, disabilities or unwillingness to fight in war - were punished and persecuted. Join us for this documentary as we explore the rise and fall of the Third Reich. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the spring of 1945, The Battle of Iwo Jima raged between the US Marines and Navy, and the Imperial Japanese Army. Tasked with capturing the Japanese island and its accompanying airfields, the US launched a five-week assault that ultimately became one of the bloodiest conflicts of the Pacific War, leading to the deaths of almost 7000 US soldiers and as many as 18,375 Japanese troops. Though the US would ultimately succeed, the clash between the two countries was not without its controversies. Join us for this documentary as we examine The Battle of Iwo Jima.  Welcome to Wars of the World Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices