Europe At War: A WW2 Podcast

On the night of the 31st of August 1939, as Europe stood on the brink of war, Nazi Germany staged a series of false-flag attacks along the German-Polish border, carefully choreographed to provide a pretext for their invasion of Poland. The most notorious of these operations unfolded at the radio station in Gleiwitz, where German operatives disguised as Polish insurgents stormed the transmitter and broadcast a fabricated call for rebellion in Polish. But Gleiwitz was no isolated incident, because that same night, similar staged assaults were carried out near the small towns of Hochlinden and Pitschen, creating the illusion of a major Polish incursion. Dramatic in intent yet clumsy in execution, these false-flag attacks helped usher Europe into war… Map: Here is a map giving an overview of the locations featured in this episode. If you have any comments or questions about the show, please get in touch via [email protected] You can also follow me on instagram at davidsumnerhistory or visit my site davidsumnerhistory.com Cover photo: Wikimedia Sources used: Dennis Whitehead, "The Gleiwitz Incident", Issue 142, "After The Battle" magazine, Battle of Britain International Ltd, 2009. Tracesofwar - “Gleiwitz Incident”.

With the battle over, peace reigns across Leipzig. However, the American occupation forces are confronted with a new set of challenges in the city. The dead must be buried, the destroyed buildings must be rebuilt, and if possible, Leipzig’s return to democracy must be achieved. But whatever challenges the people of Leipzig faced under the Americans, nothing can prepare them for the arrival of the Soviets… Map: Here is a map giving an overview of the important locations featured in the series. If you have any comments or questions about the show, please get in touch via [email protected] You can also follow me on instagram at davidsumnerhistory or visit my site davidsumnerhistory.com Cover photo: AP-Wirephoto Sources used for the series: German-language: Jürgen Möller, "Die letzte Schlacht–Leipzig 1945", Verlag Rockstuhl, 2014. Manfred v. Ungern-Sternberg, "Spaziergang nach Leipzig: Beitrag zur Leipziger Stadtgeschichte. Ein Bericht zum Kriegsende 1945. Erlebnisse eines Thomaners", Shaker Media GmbH, 2020. "Leipzig am Ende des Krieges" - Eine Ausstellung des Stadtarchivs Leipzig (PDF), 2005. Leipziger Volkszeitung, "Kriegsende vor 80 Jahren in Leipzig: Leserinnen und LVZ-Leser berichten von harten Zeiten". Leipziger Volkszeitung, "Leipzigs vergessener Bürgermeister". Leipziger Volkszeitung, "Wie der US-Stadtkommandant von Leipzig das Frühjahr 1945 erlebte". English-language: Karel Margry, "The battle for Leipzig", Issue 130 "After The Battle" magazine, Battle of Britain International Ltd, 2005. Michael E. Haskew, "Last Stand at Völkerschlachtdenkmal: The Battle of Leipzig, 1945", Warfare History Network, 2019.

American forces have captured most of Leipzig, but key strongholds throughout the city remain in German hands. For example, at the Völkerschlachtdenkmal, a German garrison led by the fanatical Colonel Von Poncet refuses to surrender, leading to a tense stand-off with the Americans… Dates covered: 19th - 20th of April 1945. Map: Here is a map giving an overview of the important locations featured in the series. American assault plan for Leipzig/Phase lines overview. If you have any comments or questions about the show, please get in touch via [email protected] You can also follow me on instagram at davidsumnerhistory or visit my site davidsumnerhistory.com Cover photo: AP-Wirephoto

With Leipzig surrounded on all sides by American forces, the US 2nd Infantry Division and the 69th Infantry Division launch their assault on the city. In the face of such unrelenting American military strength, one of Leipzig’s leaders tries to surrender the city…with farcical results. Date covered: 18th of April 1945. Map: Here is a map giving an overview of the important locations featured in the series. American assault plan for Leipzig/Phase lines overview. Robert Capa’s “Last Man To Die” photo. More Battle of Leipzig photos from Robert Capa. If you have any comments or questions about the show, please get in touch via [email protected] You can also follow me on instagram at davidsumnerhistory or visit my site davidsumnerhistory.com Cover photo: AP-Wirephoto

April 1945: American forces, led by US V Corps, advance across central Germany, seeking to crush the Third Reich once and for all. With Leipzig now clearly within the crosshairs of the Americans, the city's military and civil leadership panic over how exactly to defend Leipzig from the impending American attack… Map: Here is a map giving an overview of the important locations featured in the series. If you have any comments or questions about the show, please get in touch via [email protected] You can also follow me on instagram at davidsumnerhistory or visit my site davidsumnerhistory.com Cover photo: AP-Wirephoto

An introduction to the Battle of Leipzig, including an overview of the importance of the city to the Third Reich’s war effort. In this episode I also outline the military situation facing the Americans in Germany in 1945 - and how that directly impacted the subsequent American decision to assault (and capture) Leipzig.   Map: Here is a map giving an overview of the important locations featured in the series. Völkerschlachtdenkmal (Battle Of The Nations monument).  If you have any comments or questions about the show, please get in touch via [email protected] You can also follow me on instagram at davidsumnerhistory or visit my site davidsumnerhistory.com Cover photo: AP-Wirephoto

With defeat now inevitable for the Germans and the Soviet capture of Berlin all but complete, General Weidling enters into final surrender negotiations with the Soviets. In the meantime, the breakout groups continue in their attempt to fight their way out of the capital. Epilogue: Once the fighting ends, the victors, the defeated, and the people of Berlin, all take stock after the battle. Berliners who survived the battle, are now subjected to a new struggle, as their city lies in ruins. And from the rubble, a new Berlin will arise… Map: Here is a map giving an overview of the important locations featured in the series. Map: Here is a map showing the route taken by Mohnke’s breakout group. (Source: akg-images / Peter Palm). If you have any comments or questions about the show, please get in touch via [email protected] You can also follow me on instagram at davidsumnerhistory or visit my site davidsumnerhistory.com Sources used for the series: Anonymous, A Woman In Berlin, Virago, 2011. Anthony Beevor, Berlin: The Downfall 1945, Viking Penguin, 2002. Tony Le Tissier, The Battle of Berlin, The History Press Ltd, 2008. Roger Moorhouse, Berlin At War, Vintage, 2011. Cornelius Ryan, The Last Battle, Simon & Schuster, 1966. Volker Ulrich, 8 Days In May, Penguin, 2022.

With the rapidly diminishing Berlin garrison forces trapped in an ever-decreasing pocket in the centre of the city, Goebbels, as the new Chancellor, decides to start negotiating with the Soviets. But rather than delivering a quick-end to the fighting, these negotiations quickly descend into farce. Meanwhile, breakout groups launch desperate attempts to escape Berlin, before the city is handed over to the Soviets… Map: Here is a map giving an overview of the important locations featured in the series. If you have any comments or questions about the show, please get in touch via [email protected] You can also follow me on instagram at davidsumnerhistory or visit my site davidsumnerhistory.com

The Red Army launches its long-awaited assault on the Reichstag. But all Stalin wants to know is whether or not the building will be captured before May Day… Meanwhile, in the bunker, Hitler bites the bullet.  Map: Here is a map giving an overview of the important locations featured in the series. Map: Here is a map of the Soviet assault on the Reichstag. If you have any comments or questions about the show, please get in touch via [email protected] You can also follow me on instagram at davidsumnerhistory or visit my site davidsumnerhistory.com

Red Army forces brave fire and fury as they launch their assault across the Landwehr Canal, whilst Soviet riflemen establish a foothold in the Diplomatic Quarter after successfully crossing the Moltkebridge. The Reichstag now lies within touching distance for the Soviets… For the Berlin garrison forces, it seems the only thing holding back the Soviet advance are the foreign SS volunteers, who are determined to hold their ground to the last man. Meanwhile, General Wenck contacts OKW with some bombshell news… Map: Here is a map giving an overview of the important locations featured in the series. Map: Here is a map of the Soviet assault on the Reichstag. If you have any comments or questions about the show, please get in touch via [email protected] You can also follow me on instagram at davidsumnerhistory or visit my site davidsumnerhistory.com