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Artwork for History of the Second World War

History of the Second World War

Wesley Livesay
World War II
U-Boats
Kriegsmarine
Battle Of the Atlantic
Germany
Royal Navy
Norway
Admiral Graf Spee
HMS Courageous
SS Athenia
Anti-Submarine Warfare
Gunther Prien
France
British Royal Navy
Nazi Occupation
Poland
Narvik
Soviet Union
Battle Of the River Plate
Quisling Government

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.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes380Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DocumentarySociety & CultureHistory

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Artwork for History of the Second World War

Latest Episodes

As the spring of 1941 approaches, the war in Greece enters a critical new phase. The Italians launch a major offensive in Albania, staking everything on capturing the heavily defended Hill 731, only to suffer over 12,000 casualties and gain essential... more

The Italo-Greek War, which began as a purely regional conflict in October 1940, would transform into a broader European confrontation as both Germany and Britain made the fateful decision to intervene in Greece. For the Germans, concerns about protec... more

YouTube

For this interview I was joined by Timothy Manion to discuss his upcoming book Why Barbarossa Failed: Germany and Russia in the Second World War which released March 5, 2026.

www.helion.co.uk/military-history-books/why-barbarossa-failed-germ... more

YouTube

Because so many questions were sent in for the first Questions episode, I had to make another.

If you have First or Second World War Questions send them to historyofthesecondworldwar@outlook.com.

Contact advertising@airwavemedia.com to advertise on... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Sponsors
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People also subscribe to these shows.

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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 Stanisław Maczek
Episode: Interview 36: General Stanisław 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 2.1k ratings
  • 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 States7 days ago
  • “ you also might like”

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

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Scot2944
    United Statesa month ago
  • I had my reasons

    🧌🧌🧌🧌🧌🧌🧌🧌🧌🧌🧌🧌🧌🧌🧌🧌🧌🧌

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Hitler :)
    United States3 months ago
  • Very good

    I really like the podcast and I just finished the Battle of Britain series, really wish there are more naval stuff. Keep up the good work.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Intern_
    United States3 months ago
  • Exceptional

    Very detailed, organized and thorough.

    Wesley thoughtfully reminds listeners that hindsight is often a poor indicator (in a vacuum) to judging history.

    Bravo!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Fifth Maze
    United States5 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
#153
United States/History
Apple Podcasts
#111
United Kingdom/History
Apple Podcasts
#162
Canada/History
Apple Podcasts
#109
Australia/History
Apple Podcasts
#211
Germany/History
Apple Podcasts
#45
Finland/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
Interview 52: Why Barbarossa Failed with Timothy Manion
Q: What was the reason that you wrote this book?
Manion explains that the aim was to illuminate the army-to-army dimension of Barbarossa, challenging the dominant focus on logistics, terrain, and weather, and to explore how German doctrinal shifts and leadership decisions shaped the campaign's outcomes.
Listener Questions Pt. 2
Q: How valuable were shipments to Russia from the Allies, and were they the primary factor in Soviet victory?
The shipments were highly valuable, providing equipment and supplies that supported Soviet offensives, but the host emphasizes they were an accelerant rather than the sole cause of Soviet victory, which depended on Soviet manpower, industry, and sacrifice; American and British support amplified Red Army capabilities and strategic outcomes.
Listener Questions Pt. 2
Q: Could the Allies have defeated Japan without the US?
The host explores a hypothetical where Germany is dealt with and Russia and Britain remain in a vulnerable position; in that alternate timeline, Japan might have retained some possessions and avoided a direct confrontation with the United States, implying a much longer or different conflict in the Pacific without US involvement.
Listener Questions Pt. 2
Q: Was the outcome inevitable once the United States entered the war?
The host argues that while US entry massively reshaped the strategic landscape, the Germans and Japanese faced insurmountable structural challenges that would have been difficult to overcome, suggesting inevitability is nuanced but the Allies' industrial and political power made Allied victory highly likely, especially after Soviet and Allied pressures compounded Germany's strategic problems.

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

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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. The Unauthorized History of the Pacific War
4. WW2: Both Sides of The Wire
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 380 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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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.

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