The WW2 Podcast

Mar 31 2025 262 ep. 50 mins 11.5k

The WW2 Podcast artwork

A military history podcast that looks at all aspects of WWII. With WW2 slipping from living memory I aim to look at different historical aspects of the Second World War.

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259 - The Essex Yeomanry

Mar 31 2025 51 mins

With a history stretching back to the late 18th century, the Essex Yeomanry had seen action in the First World War, but in WWII, they found themselves in the thick of the fighting once again. From the Western Desert and the Italian Campaign to the beaches of Normandy and the advance into Germany, the Essex Yeomanry played a part in some of the war’s most crucial battles. My guest

258 - USN PT Boats

Mar 23 2025 40 mins

The vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean was a battleground unlike any other during the Second World War. While massive aircraft carriers and battleships dominated the headlines, a different kind of naval warfare was fought in the shadows—one of speed, stealth, and surprise. Armed with torpedoes and machine guns, the small but deadly PT boats waged a relentless fight against Japanes

257 - Uncovering Berlin’s Wartime Past

Mar 14 2025 51 mins

Berlin is a city steeped in history, with its streets, buildings, and scars bearing witness to the dramatic events of the 20th century. From the rise and fall of the Third Reich to the Cold War divisions that shaped the modern city, Berlin remains a living museum of its past. Yet, beyond the well-known landmarks, countless hidden stories lie waiting to be uncovered. Joining me toda

256 - Bomber Command Minelaying Operations

Mar 10 2025 49 mins

Aerial mining by RAF Bomber Command played a crucial role in the Allied war effort, sinking far more Axis shipping than direct attacks by either Coastal Command or Bomber Command itself. Minelaying operations began in April 1940 and expanded significantly throughout the war, yet today, this critical campaign—along with its impact on Axis merchant vessels, Kriegsmarine warships, a

255 - Caen, Cobra and Confusion

Feb 28 2025 45 mins

General Montgomery was a complex figure, and his legacy remains the subject of debate among historians. In this episode, I’m joined by Andrew Harrison, author of Caen, Cobra and Confusion, to examine the controversies surrounding Monty’s leadership during the Normandy campaign. Central to our conversation are the misunderstandings about Monty’s intentions for Caen and the Am

254 - Macau

Feb 23 2025 49 mins

In this episode, we discuss the role of Macau, the Portuguese colony in South China, and the experiences of John Reeves, the British Consul stationed there. Despite Portugal's official neutrality, Macau found itself caught in the geopolitical struggles of the Pacific War. With Japanese forces surrounding the colony, John Reeves had the difficult task of representing British interes

253 - Fortress Britain

Feb 14 2025 67 mins

Alone, unprepared, and weak—these are the words often used to describe Britain's position in 1940, a narrative that has persisted since the end of World War II. But is that the whole truth? The reality might surprise you. In this episode, we uncover the fascinating story of Britain’s secret defences during the dark days of 1940. Joining me is Andrew Chatterton, author of Fortr

252 - Canadian Airmen in the Battle of Britain

Jan 31 2025 47 mins

In 1940, for 113 harrowing days, Nazi Germany’s Luftwaffe unleashed relentless attacks on Great Britain, aiming to secure an early victory in World War II. The defence of southern England fell to the brave pilots of the Royal Air Force, joined in their hour of need by over 100 Canadian airmen. These men, hailing from all walks of life—some from prominent families, others fresh

251 - Fighting Vichy from Horseback

Jan 14 2025 48 mins

In 1939, incredibly, the British Army still fielded cavalry units that had yet to be mechanised, relying on horses as they prepared for war. When conflict broke out, these regiments—many of them Territorial Army Yeomanry units—were mobilised, with horses being requisitioned to meet the demand. By 1940, the 1st British Cavalry Division was deployed to the Middle East, where they

250 - The Home Intelligence Unit

Dec 31 2024 53 mins

During the Second World War, the Home Intelligence Unit—a branch of the Ministry of Information—was tasked with monitoring public attitudes on the home front. They compiled confidential reports on the state of popular morale, which were circulated among decision-makers in Whitehall. These reports offer a fascinating insight into how ordinary people coped with the stresses of wa