The History of WWII Podcast - by Ray Harris Jr

The following is my 100th Episode Celebration. After thanking those who have shared this journey with me, I interview Henry Niemann who grew up in Germany during the Nazi Period and was then drafted near the end of the war. Thank you to everyone who listens to my attempt at bringing this amazing story to the current generation and podcasting world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Despite a 3 to 1 advantage in men, Archibald Percival, GOC Malay, is pushed by Churchill and ABDACOM Commander Gen. Wavell to defy the Japanese in trying to take Singapore. Yet Gen. Yamashita will continue defying the odds with audacity and speed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode covers the early life of Mussolini.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As the Japanese bombs and bullets begin to destroy American equipment and lives, the mostly young men are about to find out what they're made of. This episode focuses on the American's response at Kaneohe Bay Naval Air Station, the Marines' Mooring Mast Field at Ewa and Bellows Field. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dr. David Stahel discusses his latest book, Retreat from Moscow, A New History of Germany's Winter Campaign, 1941-1942, in where he takes a new line on Operation Barbarossa's first winter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Washington and Tokyo continue their diplomatic dance but neither side is willing to give in. The Americans have broken the Japanese Diplomatic cypher codes, but so have the Japanese, of American Diplomatic codes. Then the Japanese Army finishes occupying the rest of French Indo-China. Of FDR's many responses, one is to reactivate Douglas MacArthur and send him to the Philippines.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Back with us is Flint Whitlock as we discuss his book Depths of Courage:American Submariners at War with Japan, 1941-1945. With America's surface fleet and air arm crippled after Pearl Harbor, the few subs in the Pacific were tasked with keeping the Japanese Navy at bay. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As the Nazi menace grows across Europe, President Roosevelt knows that America will be threatened one day. His best plan for keeping the United States out of the conflict is by helping Churchill defeat Hitler. But in his way are his country's neutrality laws and the isolationists.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The marines on Wake Island are holding out, due to discipline and Japanese tactical mistakes. Yet Maj. Devereux is unaware of this and thus brings to fighting to an end. Yet the Japanese atrocities are only just beginning, against the marine and civilian POWs. As for Adm. Frank Fletcher's task force to save Wake, that suffers too, from the equally timid Vice Adm. Pye. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The leaders of the combatant countries react to Nazi Germany invading Soviet Russia. We also cover Army Group North and South's initial assaults.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Earlier than most people think, Hilter started planning his war against Soviet Russia and Stalin. Operation Barbarossa begins to take shape during the Battle of Britain. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As the gods themselves seem to hate Mussolini and all his endeavors, with British Commonwealth forces and Greek soldiers destroying his troops, almost at will, Hitler has decided, enough is enough. The Axis has to be put right again and so, in steps Germany, in North Africa (Rommel) and in Greece. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode covers Mussolini from the end of WWI to his being elevated to power. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Marines on Wake Island are down to four Wildcat fighters, but are determined to resist any Japanese invasion, no matter the odds. "Hammering Hank" and Maj. Putnam and their pilots score hit after hit, but the Japanese bombers and transports keep coming. Meanwhile Maj. Devereux comes up with his own surprises for the invaders. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bringing up the Australian 8th Infantry Division, it's hoped these fresh troops can stop the Japanese 25th Army from taking Johore and thus capturing all of the Malayan Peninsula. Yet Percival and Wavell are already thinking of abandoning the peninsula and focusing on the island of Singapore. Even then, Churchill wants the island fortress held until there is protracted fighting among the ruins of Singapore City. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chiang Kai-Shek struggles to keep China in the war, knowing the Soviet-German Non Aggression Pact can not last. The question is what will Japan do, once Russia is brought low. Meanwhile, the Japanese attack French Indochina and force Churchill to close the Burma Road. 1941 goes by with the U.S. and Japanese Empire negotiating, hoping to bring the other to heel. Neither side is participating in good faith.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Germans come ever closer to Leningrad, so Stalin sends his best general to cope, Zhukov.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nazi Germany launches its war against the USSR. As such, FDR hopes Germany's attention will slacken on the Atlantic. Yet, if Soviet Russia collapses, then Japan would be free to attack Siberia or Western held territory in Asia. FDR must decide it now is the time to move forcefully against Hitler. Meanwhile Churchill and FDR learn of the slaughter of the Jews in Poland.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Great War is over, but the Allies don't know what to do with Russia. So, the german troops in Russian territory are ordered to remain where they are. Lenin has the task of turning Marxism into a function government. Stalin faces accusations of his time in Tsaritsyn.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The third of the Battle of Singapore series. The 11th Indian Infantry Division, operating on the west coast, as well as the 9th Indian Infantry Division, on the East, both find themselves unable to deal with a few Japanese Battalion and a few companies of light tanks. Within a week, half the Malayan peninsula is lost. Soon, Singapore will be open to direct bombing by nearby, land based enemy bombers. The order of the day is retreat. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices