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Artwork for History of the Second World War

History of the Second World War

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

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 weeklyEpisodes418Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HistoryDocumentarySociety & Culture

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Artwork for History of the Second World War

Latest Episodes

Rommel's first offensive in North Africa sends British forces retreating across Cyrenaica, but the rapid Axis advance brings mounting supply problems. This episode follows the race toward Tobruk, the role of Italian logistics and Luftwaffe support, a... more

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As German forces arrive in North Africa, the situation inherited from Operation Compass and the terrain of Cyrenaica shape the opening of Erwin Rommel's campaign. This episode examines the overstretched British position, the vital role and limitation... more

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German forces arrived in North Africa in February 1941 to shore up Italy’s collapsing position, but the limited mission conceived in Berlin soon collided with Erwin Rommel’s far more ambitious plans. This episode examines the creation of the Afrika K... more

Key Facts

Accepts Sponsors
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Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
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The WW2 Podcast
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WW2: Both Sides of The Wire
WW2: Both Sides of The WireProf. Matthias Strohn & Jesse Alexander
The Unauthorized History of the Pacific War
The Unauthorized History of the Pacific WarSeth Paridon, Jon Parshall, William Toti

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 2.2k ratings
  • Too Heavily monetized

    I really like the podcast, but the amount of episodes being released that are subscriber only is ridiculous.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Intern_
    United States2 months ago
  • 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
    Canada6 months 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 States6 months ago
  • Very detailed podcast.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Touho
    7 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 States8 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Engaging, thorough, and well-researched history that feels like a conversation.
Narration is informative and thoughtful, with strong sourcing behind claims.
Consistently high-quality, though some criticism on narration style for very long episodes.
Delivers detailed context without overwhelming the listener.
A few listeners wish for more varied voices or pacing in longer episodes.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#153
United States/History
Apple Podcasts
#124
United Kingdom/History
Apple Podcasts
#157
Canada/History
Apple Podcasts
#90
Italy/History
Apple Podcasts
#123
Australia/History
Apple Podcasts
#56
Colombia/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Listener Questions Pt. 9
Q: Did the Soviet Union actively try to join the Axis powers, and how close was it to collapsing during the initial months of the German invasion?
The Soviet Union collaborated with Germany under agreements in 1939 and 1940 but did not seriously pursue joining the Axis. Despite major military disasters in 1941, it was not close to collapse, and its position began moving toward recovery after the initial crisis.
Listener Questions Pt. 9
Q: What exactly made the difference between attacking and defending strategies during the First and Second World Wars?
In the First World War, attackers advanced slowly on foot while defenders used rail transport to move reinforcements toward the front. Motor transport and aircraft later enabled much faster advances, breakthroughs, and flanking movements, making it harder for defenders to respond in time.
Listener Questions Pt. 8
Q: How did merchant shipping generally function during World War II, particularly in terms of ownership and employment?
Shipping was a mix of government-directed control and private company operations, with the government dictating routes, cargo, and terms; many ships were owned by private companies but operated under government oversight through programs and policies, and compensation schemes varied by ship and cargo.
Listener Questions. Pt 7
Q: Why did Greece not seek a separate peace with Italy to avoid a German invasion, given the situation in 1941?
Greece's leadership faced a complex mix of threats and strategic realities; while some argued peace could have been possible by conceding Albanian territory, the Greeks were actively fighting in Albania and had not yet been overwhelmed, making a separate peace unlikely or undesirable given the broader strategic implications and Italian threats at the time.
Listener Question Pt. 5
Q: Churchill was absolutely the right man in 1940, but did the successful outcome of the war cover up major strategic missteps that lengthened the war or caused casualties?
Churchill did make mistakes in early years, constrained by British capabilities and strategic choices, but the broader context shows the decisions were intertwined with resource limitations, and some blame lies with the structural realities of the war as a whole rather than with him alone.

Audience Metrics

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

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Gender Skew
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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?

This long-running history deep-dive covers World War II with meticulous research, narrative pacing, and a clear emphasis on the chain of events, strategic decisions, and pivotal battles that shaped the era. Listeners can expect thorough context, primary-source references, and a focus on how choices at the high command level translated into real-world outcomes. The show tends to balance broad overviews with granular details, making it suitable for listeners who enjoy rigorous historical analysis without sacrificing accessibility or a engaging storytelling voice. A notable strength is the host's measured delivery and unambiguous stance on contested topics, which tends to elevate complex histories beyond a simple narrative. The format and dept... 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. WW2: Both Sides of The Wire
4. The Unauthorized History of the Pacific War
5. WW2 Stories & Real War Stories

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

History of the Second World War launched 7 years ago and published 418 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

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