The 7th Infantry Regiment, known as the "Cottonbalers," is one of the oldest units in the U.S. Army, originally formed in 1812. It has fought in nearly every major American conflict, including the Civil War, both World Wars, Korea, and Iraq. Renowned for its bravery and deep traditions, the regiment remains an active combat unit to this day.
I'm joined by Professor John McManus, whose 2009 book American Courage, American Carnage chronicles the unit's remarkable history. During World War II, the 7th landed in North Africa as part of Operation Torch, fought through Sicily and Italy, stormed the beaches of Southern France in Operation Dragoon, and ended the war as the first American unit to reach Hitler’s mountain retreat at Berchtesgaden.
The regiment also takes centre stage in the upcoming computer game Burden of Command, where John serves as the historical advisor. If you’d like to hear more about the game, head over to patreon.com/ww2podcast.
In this episode of the WW2 Podcast, I’m joined by Clare Mulley to uncover the extraordinary story of Elżbieta Zawacka—known by her codename, "Zo"—a woman who defied the odds as a resistance fighter, courier, and special operations agent during the Second World War.
Zo was the only woman to make the perilous journey from Warsaw to London as an emissary of the Polish Home Army. After completing secret training in Britain, she became the only female agent to parachute into Nazi-occupied Poland. There, with the Gestapo hunting her and her family arrested, she played a crucial role in the resistance, fighting in the Warsaw Uprising and working toward Poland’s liberation.
After the war, despite being one of Poland’s most decorated female soldiers, the Soviet-backed communist regime imprisoned Zo, and her story was buried for decades. Now, thanks to new archival research and exclusive interviews, Clare brings her remarkable life back into the spotlight in the excellent book Agent Zo.
For this episode, I am by Prit Buttar to discuss Operation Bagration—the massive Soviet offensive launched in the summer of 1944 that shattered the German Army Group Centre. While the D-Day landings in Normandy dominate the narrative of mid-1944, events on the Eastern Front were just as decisive, if not more so, in determining the course of the war in Europe.
Prit’s latest book in his series looking at the Eastern Front during WWII is Bagration 1944: The Great Soviet Offensive.
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 is Stephen Keoghane, author of 'Shield and Protect: An Illustrated History of the Essex Yeomanry'. Drawing on extensive archival research and first-hand accounts, his book explores the regiment’s wartime experiences and challenges as they transitioned from their cavalry roots to modern mechanised warfare.
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 Japanese convoys, warships, and outposts, proving that size wasn’t everything in naval combat.
Mark Stille, a naval historian and author of PT Boats vs IJN Destroyer, is joining me for this episode. We’ll be exploring the role of these fast attack boats in the Pacific, their successes and challenges, and how they squared off against the Imperial Japanese Navy’s formidable destroyers.
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 today is Peter Graham, a historian and guide who runs walking tours of Berlin, offering visitors an in-depth look at the city’s wartime history. He also manages the popular Facebook page Berlin Battle Damage, which explores the lasting marks of war still visible today. We’ll be discussing his work, the fascinating remnants of history that can be found across Berlin, and how walking the city’s streets brings the past to life.
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, and U-boats—remains largely overlooked.
Joining me today is Jane Gulliford Lowes, author of The Invisible Campaign: Assessing Bomber Command's Minelaying Operations 1940-1945. We explore the RAF’s minelaying efforts during the war, their strategic importance, and why they’ve been so often forgotten.
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 American breakout at Operation Cobra, misconceptions that have played a significant role in shaping his legacy. We’ll explore how events beyond the battlefield, as well as the perspectives of historians, have influenced how Montgomery’s decisions are viewed today.
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 interests while navigating an increasingly precarious situation. His work included intelligence gathering, aiding refugees, and balancing diplomacy with survival in an environment where Japan’s influence was ever-present.
I'm joined by Peter Rose author of 'The Good War of Consul Reeves, which focuses on wartime Macau.
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 Fortress Britain 1940: Britain's Unsung and Secret Defences on Land, Sea, and in the Air.
We delve into the vital yet often-overlooked roles played by the Pillboxes, the Home Guard, auxiliary units, and other covert organisations in preparing to resist invasion.
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 off the farm—served with distinction in 47 different Battle of Britain squadrons.
In this episode, Ted Barris, author of Battle of Britain: Canadian Airmen in their Finest Hour, joins me to explore their incredible contributions during this pivotal chapter of the war.
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 would play a significant role in Operation Exporter, the Allied invasion of Vichy-controlled Syria.
Today, I’m joined by Jonathan Washington, author of Fighting Vichy from Horseback: British Mounted Cavalry in Action, Syria 1941, to explore this fascinating chapter of military history.
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 wartime life, their hopes for victory, and their fears about what the post-war world might bring.
Joining me today is Jeremy Crang, Professor of Modern British History at the University of Edinburgh. Together with his late colleague, Paul Addison, Jeremy has edited three volumes of these reports (Our People's War, The Spirit of the Blitzand Listening to Britain), bringing to light the voices and concerns of wartime Britain.
Today, I’m joined by Peter Zablocki, a professor at Caldwell University, host of the History Shorts podcast, and author of The Death of General Sikorski.
I was introduced to Peter after I recorded the episode looking at the death of Sikorski with Chris Wroblewski. Chatting I discovered Peter had researched and written about an entirely different but fascinating subject: Private Snafu (you can read it here).
For those unfamiliar, Private Snafu was the star of a series of black-and-white animated shorts produced between 1943 and 1945. These instructional films, aimed at U.S. servicemen, combined irony and humour with serious messages. Amazingly, they were produced by Frank Capra (It’s a Wonderful Life), written by Theodor Geisel (Dr. Seuss), and voiced by Mel Blanc, the legendary voice behind Bugs Bunny. Despite their playful tone, the films served a crucial role in military training and morale during the war.
In this episode, I’m joined by acclaimed historian and bestselling author Alex Kershaw to explore one of the most pivotal moments of the Second World War: the Battle of the Bulge.
This December marks the 80th anniversary of the battle, a critical turning point where General George S. Patton’s bold leadership and daring actions—most famously the dramatic relief of Bastogne—helped shift the tide in favour of the Allies.
Alex joins me to share fascinating insights from his latest book, Patton’s Prayer, a powerful exploration of the faith, determination, and sheer grit that defined one of America’s most legendary generals.
In this episode, we are uncovering one of the great enigmas of the war: the tragic death of General Władysław Sikorski.
Sikorski was a towering figure in the Polish government-in-exile, a man who held together the hopes of a nation during its darkest days. His sudden death in 1943, when his Liberator aircraft crashed into the sea near Gibraltar, shocked the world and raised a swirl of questions that linger to this day. Was it an accident? Sabotage? Or something more sinister?
To help unravel this mystery, I’m joined by Chris Wroblewski, author of Sabotage!: An In-Depth Investigation of the 1943 Liberator Crash that Killed Polish General Sikorski. Chris has worked alongside WWII Air Crash Detectives' Garth Barnard to shed new light on this controversial event. Together, they’ve pieced together a gripping tale of conspiracy, wartime politics, and investigative research.
In this episode, Ronald Drabkin joins me to uncover the fascinating yet complex story of Frederick Rutland, a First World War hero with a unique story.
Known as “Rutland of Jutland” for his bravery as an aviator in WWI, Rutland's career took an unexpected turn in the interwar years as he became a spy for Japan. This is a gripping tale of loyalty, intrigue, and a man who found himself on both sides of history.
Ronald is the author of 'Beverly Hills Spy: The Double-Agent War Hero Who Helped Japan Attack Pearl Harbor'
In this episode, historian Taylor Downing joins me to explore the remarkable work of reconnaissance pilots and photo interpreters during the Second World War. These daring aviators flew perilous missions over Occupied Europe, risking life and limb to capture the detailed aerial photographs crucial to the Allied war effort.
But capturing the images was only half the story. On the ground, a team of brilliant and inventive photo interpreters worked tirelessly, pioneering a completely new science to decode these pictures. From developing 3D photography techniques to uncovering enemy positions and movements, their work provided invaluable intelligence that shaped the course of the war.
Taylor is the author of 'Spies In The Sky: The Secret Battle for Aerial Intelligence during World War II', and if you cast your mind back, he joined me in episode 226 to discuss allied deception plans for D-Day.
For this episode, I'm joined by Matthew Hough, and we discuss Harold Alexander and his road to supreme command in the Mediterranean Theatre.
Matthew is a postgraduate researcher at the University of Leeds whose research examines Alexander and ideas about Supreme Command in the Mediterranean Theatre toward the end of the war.
Borneo, the third-largest island in the world, held immense strategic value during WWII and quickly became a top priority for Japanese control. With its vast reserves of oil and rubber, the island was essential for fueling the Japanese war effort. But Borneo would also become a tragic battleground, claiming the lives of countless prisoners of war, internees, locals, and even Japanese forces.
Joining me today is John Tulloch.
John served with the Royal New Zealand Artillery before transferring to the British Royal Artillery, gaining experience across the globe and instructing on the British Army’s Jungle Warfare course. He is also the author of The Borneo Graveyard, 1941-45, which tells the story of Borneo’s occupation and the deployment—and eventual capture—of five Royal Artillery air defence sections sent to Southeast Asia.
To order your copy The Borneo Graveyard, 1941-45, email johnsmtulloch@gmail.com.
When World War II began in 1939, it sparked a deadly conflict between the Axis and Allies, while also creating tense negotiations among the Allies. Diplomacy, military power, and economic decisions determined the fate of nations. In North America, the U.S. and Canada worked to build a military alliance to protect their coasts from German U-boats and the threat of Japanese invasion. Their economies became intertwined to supply weapons for Britain and other allies, and defending North America was crucial before sending forces abroad.
Joining me is Tim Cook.
Tim is the Chief Historian and Director of Research at the Canadian War Museum. He has penned numerous bestselling books which have won multiple awards. His latest being The Good Allies: How Canada and the United States Fought Together to Defeat Fascism During the Second World War.
During the Second World War, the people of Leningrad endured a brutal 900-day siege, facing relentless bombing, shelling, and starvation. In early 1943, the Red Army broke through the blockade, marking a crucial turning point. Despite setbacks, the Soviet forces and civilians held firm, and by late 1943, the Germans, weakened by harsh conditions, began to retreat.
In episode 202, we discussed the siege up until 1942. I'm joined once more by Prit Butar to pick up the story of the siege being lifted, which is covered in his latest book 'Hero City: Leningrad 1943–44'
In April 1942, the Imperial Japanese Navy's Combined Fleet was at the height of its power, having delivered a crushing blow to the US Navy at Pearl Harbor just months earlier. This fleet spearheaded Japan's aggressive expansion through Southeast Asia and unleashed havoc across the South Pacific. However, the tides of war were soon to change. By June 1942, the US Navy achieved a decisive victory over this formidable force at the Battle of Midway, shifting the strategic momentum in the Pacific Theater to the Allies.
Midway stands as the most renowned naval battle of the Pacific War and one of the most storied in military history. The traditional narrative, shaped immediately after the conflict and enduring to this day, portrays an outnumbered American fleet snatching victory against overwhelming odds. While this depiction has become deeply ingrained, it oversimplifies the true nature of the battle.
Joining me is Pacific War expert Mark Stille, whose new book is Midway: The Pacific War’s Most Famous Battle, where he contends that a Japanese defeat was not only possible but likely. This perspective redefines the engagement not as a miraculous American triumph or a mere stroke of luck but as a complex confrontation where the factors at play heavily favoured the United States.
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Released in 1977, A Bridge Too Far stands as the last grand-scale WWII film produced by the Hollywood studio system. The film ambitiously sought to bring to life Operation Market-Garden, the bold but ultimately doomed Allied campaign of September 1944, culminating in the failed attempt to capture the Arnhem bridge.
Producer Joseph E. Levine gathered an incredible ensemble cast, featuring legends like Anthony Hopkins, Robert Redford, Sean Connery, James Caan, Michael Caine, Elliott Gould, Dirk Bogarde, and Laurence Olivier. The movie was shot on location in Holland, with the town of Deventer doubling as Arnhem to recreate the intense and chaotic battle scenes.
In this episode of the WW2 Podcast, I’m joined by Simon Lewis, author of Making 'A Bridge Too Far.'
In this episode, we'll examine the 6th Airborne Division and its combat effectiveness, focusing on how its commanding officer, Richard Gale, meticulously trained and developed the unit. The 6th Airborne was the second British airborne division to be formed, and it would first see action during the Normandy invasion. Gale’s leadership and the culture he instilled were crucial in shaping the airborne soldier’s capabilities and forging the division's cohesive fighting force.
Joining me is Andrew Wheale.
Andrew is the author of 'Ham & Jam: 6th Airborne Division in Normandy - Generating Combat Effectiveness: November 1942 - September 1944'.