Rephonic
Artwork for History of the Second World War

History of the Second World War

Wesley Livesay
World War II
Battle Of Britain
Germany
Luftwaffe
France
Royal Navy
Royal Air Force
Second World War
British Army
Dunkirk
RAF Fighter Command
Italy
German Army
Maginot Line
Operation Sea Lion
Operation Compass
Kriegsmarine
U-Boats
Italian Army
Greece

History of the Second World War is a weekly podcast which will cover World War 2, beginning with the tumultuous years after the First World War, continuing into the descent into war during the 1930s, through the war years, and then into the post war aftermath.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes387Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HistoryDocumentarySociety & Culture

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for History of the Second World War

Latest Episodes

As the first day of the German invasion of Crete drew to a close on May 20th, 1941, neither side held the clear advantage they had hoped for — the Germans had failed to secure their primary objectives, while the British commander General Freyberg str... more

YouTube

The first day of the German airborne invasion of Crete, May 20th, 1941, saw paratroopers drop not only around the critical airfield at Maleme but across three other sectors of the island. Near Chania, German forces landing in Prison Valley were held ... more

YouTube

At dawn on May 20, 1941, the German airborne assault on Crete began — the largest parachute operation in history to that point. This episode covers the opening day of the battle at Maleme, where a combination of German intelligence failures and disas... more

YouTube

Following the Allied defeat on the Greek mainland, thousands of British, Australian, and New Zealand troops were evacuated to the island of Crete in late April 1941, many arriving without their heavy weapons and with morale badly shaken. This episode... more

Key Facts

Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

The WW2 Podcast
The WW2 PodcastAngus Wallace
WW2: Both Sides of The Wire
WW2: Both Sides of The WireProf. Matthias Strohn & Jesse Alexander
Key Battles of American History
Key Battles of American HistoryKey Battles of American History

Recent Guests

Timothy Manion
Author of Why Barbarossa Failed
Episode: Interview 52: Why Barbarossa Failed with Timothy Manion
Mark Stille
Author of 'Pearl Harbor, Japan's Greatest Disaster'
Episode: Interview 51: Pearl Harbor with Mark Stille
Dr. Alan Allport
Historian and author of 'Advance Britannia: How the Second World War Was Won, 1942 to 1945'
Episode: Interview 47: Advance Britannia with Dr. Alan Allport
Jack Bowsher
Author of Thunder Run: Meiktila 1945
Episode: Interview 42: Thunder Run: Meiktila 1945 with Jack Bowsher
Robert Lyman, MBE
Premier historian of the Burma campaign and biographer of Lieutenant General Bill Slim
Episode: Interview 38: The Forgotten War with Jack Bowsher
Jane Guilliford Lowes
Writer and historian, producer and co-host of a podcast called Never Mind the Dambusters
Episode: Interview 37: RAF Gardening Operations with Jane Guilliford Lowes
Jenny Grant
Editor of The Price of Victory, memoir of the commander of the First Polish Armored Division, General StanisƂaw Maczek
Episode: Interview 36: General StanisƂaw Maczek with Jenny Grant
Ted Barris
Author of Battle of Britain, Canadian Airmen in Their Finest Hour
Episode: Interview 34: Battle of Britain: Canadian Airmen in their Finest Hour with Ted Barris
Richard Evans
Renowned historian and author of 'Hitler's People, The Faces of the Third Reich'
Episode: Interview 31: Hitler's People: The Faces of the Third Reich with Richard Evans

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 2.2k ratings
  • Fantastic podcast

    This, and the Great War podcast that preceded it are both a fantastic dive on 2 of the landmark events of the 20th century. Having just finished the current(to May 20, 2026) episode I can HEARTILY endorse your condemnation of Clan Jade Falcon.

    If you ever decide to branch off and give the history of the various wars of the Inner Sphere the same treatment as actual history I know I for one would avidly listen. 😂

    Keep up the fantastic work!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jerek_Kerwyn
    Canada9 days ago
  • A Masterclass in Bringing History to Life

    If you have even a passing interest in World War II, this podcast deserves a spot at the top of your playlist. The narrator has a genuine gift for making decades-old events feel immediate and urgent — it never feels like a lecture, it feels like a conversation you don’t want to end.

    The research is clearly extensive, with primary sources and firsthand accounts woven together to give even familiar topics a fresh perspective. Dense with detail but never overwhelming, this is history podcasting at ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    5fhd
    United Statesa month ago
  • Very detailed podcast.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Touho
    2 months ago
  • Habit Forming

    There is an incredible amount of information and analysis packed into every episode. Wesley is easy to listen to and although it’s a serious subject, doesn’t take himself too seriously. On my second round and learn something new every listen.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    CTBurke
    United States2 months ago
  • “ you also might like”

    Please stop clogging my feed with podcast. I don’t want to listen to.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Scot2944
    United States3 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some criticisms center on pacing or delivery but not the research quality.
Listeners praise deep research and clear delivery.
Fans appreciate nuanced takes and strong sourcing.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#129
United States/History
Apple Podcasts
#114
Canada/History
Apple Podcasts
#120
United Kingdom/History
Apple Podcasts
#132
Australia/History
Apple Podcasts
#87
Finland/History
Apple Podcasts
#104
Japan/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Listener Questions Pt. 3
Q: Finally, Scott asked about evaluating British commanders in World War II compared to World War I, and whether your views have evolved with new evidence.
The evaluation shifts toward recognizing systemic political and leadership constraints in London that affected strategic decisions; while some British leaders performed well, many strategic missteps resulted from aristocratic and political pressures rather than pure military incompetence, and the overall assessment evolves as new histories revisit the Western Front and subsequent campaigns.
Listener Questions Pt. 3
Q: Listener Brad asked about Yugoslav infrastructure and whether it impeded both sides during the invasion; how did infrastructure affect German plans and defense there?
Infrastructure deficiencies did pose challenges for both sides, but the Germans still had greater mobility with armored units; in Yugoslavia, the vastness and terrain limited rapid reinforcement, and the German attack exploited these limitations to push quickly while defenders struggled to mount timely responses.
Listener Questions Pt. 3
Q: Have you heard of sources discussing James Doolittle's Raiders while they were in Eglin Field training for the Tokyo raid, and could you point me to archival materials?
There are several books and archival materials, including oral histories such as those by Richard Dick Cole and James Herb Masseyia, which offer valuable perspectives, though oral histories must be read with an eye toward potential embellishment or myth; the show notes include links to these sources for broader context.
Listener Questions Pt. 3
Q: Quote, I've always been told that Republican guerrillas held out until the early 1950s, after the fall of Madrid and the destruction of the Spanish Republic. Is that true?
Yes. There were scattered Republican guerrillas that continued to resist the Francoist regime not only into the 1950s but even into the 1960s; many who fought for the Republic avoided surrender and continued clandestine resistance for years after the civil war, with some returning to activity around 1943 and later.
Interview 52: Why Barbarossa Failed with Timothy Manion
Q: Do you think victory disease or hubris played a role in the failure of Barbarossa, and how does that compare to earlier campaigns?
He argues that while victory disease is not the main driver, a combination of overconfidence, adherence to outdated doctrines, and the failure to adapt to Soviet resilience and strategic realities were decisive factors that stalled the German advance.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About History of the Second World War

What is History of the Second World War about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Through a broad sweep of World War II history, this program presents deep-dive look-ins on pivotal campaigns, battles, and strategic decisions. Episodes frequently dissect military doctrine, logistics, and leadership choices, often challenging conventional narratives with careful sourcing and nuanced analysis. The show covers a wide geographic and thematic scope—from Barbarossa and Greece to Taranto, North Africa, and broader wartime diplomacy—while maintaining a clear, research-focused narration that appeals to history enthusiasts and professionals seeking context-rich storytelling. A notable strength is the host's ability to balance thorough detail with accessible explanations, making complex military history approachable for engaged list... more

Where can I find podcast stats for History of the Second World War?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for History of the Second World War. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to History of the Second World War and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does History of the Second World War get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for History of the Second World War, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for History of the Second World War?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for History of the Second World War, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does History of the Second World War have?

To see how many followers or subscribers History of the Second World War has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to History of the Second World War?

These podcasts share a similar audience with History of the Second World War:

1. The History of WWII Podcast
2. The WW2 Podcast
3. WW2: Both Sides of The Wire
4. The Unauthorized History of the Pacific War
5. Key Battles of American History

How many episodes of History of the Second World War are there?

History of the Second World War launched 6 years ago and published 387 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact History of the Second World War?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for History of the Second World War?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for History of the Second World War from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for History of the Second World War?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of History of the Second World War. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on History of the Second World War?

Recent guests on History of the Second World War include:

1. Timothy Manion
2. Mark Stille
3. Dr. Alan Allport
4. Jack Bowsher
5. Robert Lyman, MBE
6. Jane Guilliford Lowes
7. Jenny Grant
8. Ted Barris

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days