The History of WWII Podcast

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 the battlefield with The History of WWII Podcast? Dive deeper into the war with exclusive bonus episodes, expert interviews, and commercial-free listening for just $5/month! Every penny supports the show and keeps the history coming. https://worldwariipodcast.net/members/ Donations are always welcome and help keep the History of WWII Podcast free for all. https://bit.ly/3UuTZxU  Follow The History of WWII Podcast: RSS – https://feeds.megaphone.fm/history-of-world-war-ii Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/wwii45 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 megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

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 ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

With Midway over the U.S. has to decide how to proceed. But the Japanese make the decision for them, by landing on Guadalcanal. But who will get the command, Nimitz or MacArthur? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The main victory of Midway has been accomplished, but Spruance goes for more. Meanwhile, Japanese sub I 168 stalks the wounded Yorktown. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Through a stroke of luck, the Americans find the last enemy carrier. Despite a series of mistakes, the Enterprise and Hornet launch their final attack. Want to go beyond the battlefield with The History of WWII Podcast? Dive deeper into the war with exclusive bonus episodes, expert interviews, and commercial-free listening for just $5/month! Every penny supports the show and keeps the history coming. https://worldwariipodcast.net/members/ Donations are always welcome and help keep the History of WWII Podcast free for all. https://bit.ly/3UuTZxU  Follow The History of WWII Podcast: RSS – https://feeds.megaphone.fm/history-of-world-war-ii Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/wwii45 Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/rayharrisjr/ TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@wwiiguy YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8KH03RhhjTi15XVnO0b4lQ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Though hit with 3 bombs the Yorktown seems to have survived. But then comes 10 Kate Torpedo Bombers. Want to go beyond the battlefield with The History of WWII Podcast? Dive deeper into the war with exclusive bonus episodes, expert interviews, and commercial-free listening for just $5/month! Every penny supports the show and keeps the history coming. https://worldwariipodcast.net/members/ Donations are always welcome and help keep the History of WWII Podcast free for all. https://bit.ly/3UuTZxU  Follow The History of WWII Podcast: RSS – https://feeds.megaphone.fm/history-of-world-war-ii Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/wwii45 Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/rayharrisjr/ TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@wwiiguy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jake Clapham of Flashback History joins Ray to discuss Japan's 1931 invasion of China, setting off a chain of events that will lead to Pearl Harbor. Listen on your usual podcast player or watch the video on YouTube  https://worldwariipodcast.net/  https://youtu.be/H0AXg4i_XlI?si=BIVrXCmcXMHO-caN  Want to go beyond the battlefield with The History of WWII Podcast? Dive deeper into the war with exclusive bonus episodes, expert interviews, and commercial-free listening for just $5/month! Every penny supports the show and keeps the history coming.  https://worldwariipodcast.net/members-sign-up/  Follow The History of WWII Podcast: Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/rayharrisjr/  TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@wwiiguy  YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@historyofwwiipodcast8712  Donations are always welcome and help keep the History of WWII Podcast free for all. https://bit.ly/3Jcu7Aq  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Japanese, down 3 carriers, still seeks combat with the Americans.  YouTube Live event: https://studio.youtube.com/video/Z1kmrD7qhnM/livestreaming. June 6, 2026. 7-9pm. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While the various aircraft from Enterprise and Yorktown attack Nagumo’s Kido Butai, the majority of the Yorktown’s fly elsewhere, engaging no one. AND, join us on June 6th, from 7 to 9pm to share your family’s WWII Stories. YouTube Live event: https://studio.youtube.com/video/Z1kmrD7qhnM/livestreaming Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adm. Nagumo, after his first raid on Midway, has 15 minutes to decide if he should launch another one. But the continuous attacks from Midway and the US carriers take his options away.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Hosts of The Warrior Next Door Podcast, Ryan Fairfield and Tony Lupo, join me as we discuss the Top 5 technological improvements or discoveries of WWII.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adm. Fletcher will have the Yorktown with him as he battles Adm. Nagumo’s 1st Air Fleet. Both sides will make mistakes, but one will make less. Both will lose much.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adm. Yamamoto makes his plans for Midway, but Adm. Nimitz sees the Cherub that sees them and plans accordingly.  The Ghosts of the Battle of the Coral Sea will be felt. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Americans lose a carrier, Lady Lex, but the Japanese plan to take Port Moresby is also ruined. Meanwhile, the Japanese Striking Force is to follow and finish off the Yorktown. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Both the American and Japanese carrier groups launch air strikes at the other. The outcome will affect the SW Pacific and Australia’s security. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Though faulty reports, the Americans will claim an impressive victory. Then comes a chance for something greater. Meanwhile the Japanese invasion force is waiting for their carriers to wipe out Fletcher’s Task Force 17. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With imperfect information, both sides strike at the other. Still, Adm. Fletcher’s potential to wreck havoc is greater than the Japanese. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Japanese opening move at the Battle of the Coral Sea is dealt a blow by Adm. Fletcher and the pilots of the Yorktown.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Returning to the Pacific Theater, after Pearl Harbor the Japanese run wild. But Adm. Nimitz seeks ways to sting the enemy until the U.S. is ready to bring the fight to the enemy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gen. Patton is now a hero of the War Effort and the American people. But then his temper will limit his usefulness to the American cause. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gen. Patton will order a third amphibious end run, but by now Gen. Truscott’s 3rd division is traveling faster than ever. Meanwhile, being bold the Germans and Italians manage to evacuate most of their men from Sicily. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Patton orders a second end run and Bernard’s men end up trapped atop a height. Soon they are running out of ammunition and their phone lines are cut.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bruce Henderson comes on to discuss the Bomber Crews that dropped secret agents and supplied to the French Resistance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Germans at San Fratello are holding out, so Gen. Patton wants an amphibious landing behind them to trap the enemy. But. Lt. Col. Bernard’s men land in the wrong place. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

American divisions are moving east, but soon the 45th and 1st need to be replaced. They are fatigued and some are committing act unbecoming a US Soldier. Meanwhile, Gen. Patton orders and amphibious end run to speed up the capture of Sicily. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While the Big Red One pushing east just above the Canadians, the 45th Infantry Division moves east along the north coast road. Italian units are pushed aside, but then comes a line manned by Germans. Four US Army machine gunners were sacrifice themselves. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Germans have a plan to stop the Allies from reaching Messina. Problem is, their plans end up in the hands of the Allies.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With Sicily about to fall, the Germans prepare to evacuate their troops, not so much the Italians. Meanwhile, the Allies discuss what comes next at the First Quebec Conference where someone leaves behind notes to Operation Overlord. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Monty’s plan to swing left has failed. Now he wants Patton’s help who still does not trust the British. During this a slight British officer pulls off a miracle. Meanwhile the fighting on Sicily is felt in Rome as Mussolini is voted out of power. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Monty’s 8th Army can’t push on north to Catania, so he has other forces swing to the left. But this 3 prong attack fails as well. Ordering his men to go on the defensive, Monty calls in more troops from North Africa. Meanwhile, Patton is planning his drive east, to Messina. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Durham Light Infantry will lose hundreds of men so the Primosole Bridge can be held.  This after the heavy losses of the 1st Parachute Brigade. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

With Palermo taken by the Americans, we turn to Monty’s rush up north. But first bridges had to be secured. One bridge would cost many Allied lives. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gen. Patton is free to go after Palermo, but only after telling his superior half truths. Meanwhile, Gen. Omar Bradley has to head north alone, taking on the Germans trying to retreat to Mt. Etna. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The invasion of Sicily goes well for the Allies. But soon Monty gets greedy, which slows down the offensive and upsets the Americans. Patton doesn’t scream unfair. Instead, he makes plans. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The imperfect amphibious landings by the Allies is matched by the imperfect defense of the Axis forces on Sicily. With the Allies firmly onshore, the Axis change their defensive plans. But the American’s success is marred by a horrendous friendly fire accident. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Writer Jack El-Hai's book is now a major motion picture staring Russel Crowe and Rami Malek. Hermann Goring is captured and questioned by Dr. Douglas M Kelley who discovers that what happened in 1930's Germany can happen anywhere. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Americans come ashore at three locations. Suffering relatively few deaths from Axis hands, the weather and waves were a different story. Either way, elements of Gen. Patton’s 7th Army are on Sicily. Producer Credit-Kath Hach. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In between the Allied air attacks and the invasion forces of Operation Husky, special forces come ashore. And one group is the SRS, formerly, David Sterling’s SAS, the Special Air Service. But now in charge is Maj. Paddy Mayne, The Irish Lion.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Before the main assault of Operation Husky, airborne troops need to take key positions. But the first night time glider operations will not go well. Hundreds die before the fighting can start. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The planning for Operation Husky was anything but smooth and comprehensive. Everyone had a dog in this fight, but in the end, Monty won. Meanwhile, Mussolini is tempted to pull out of the war. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After the Allies decide that Sicily is the next target, first the smaller islands nearby have to be taken. Thus Operation Corkscrew begins. Meanwhile, there are those in Italy who are thinking, perhaps the time has come to talk to the Allies. And thanks to WWII Podcast Producer- Adam Dach. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Battle at Kasserine Pass is remembered as an American failure. Perhaps, but not a defeat. The Allies still held the ground and had learned much about modern warfare. Which was the point of fighting in North Africa first. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bizerte and Tunis have surrendered, but several German and Italian armies are still hiding in Tunisia. The British make sure the enemy does not retreat within the Cap Bon Peninsula, while the Americans start to rebuild Bizerte. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the Americans and French in the north and the British in the south, the last holdouts of Axis forces in Tunisia are pushed against the wall of Tunisia. Yet American mistakes and British caution will cause a few more casualties before the fighting is over. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The last battle of North Africa approaches. Problem is, everyone wants to command this battle. But the Germans aren't finished yet. Just 48 hours before Operation Strike starts, a shipment of ammunition and fuel reaches the various panzer divisions.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosts Tony Lupo and Ryan Fairfield join me as share interview clips from two veterans. A young man who saw the atrocities first hand and a pilot who flew with Chuck Yeager. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 2nd US Corps had its own large assignment, to drive east just under the northern coast. But Hill 609 dominates the area and German guns at its summit are targeting everything in reach, including Gen. Allen’s Big Red One. Alternate title, American Honor Is Restored. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices