Battle for the Skies

Resistance to Nazi occupation and oppression has been a constant throughout the war. In the summer of 1944, two cities revolt against the Nazis but meet very different outcomes. And some, living and dying through the Holocaust, take their fate into their own hands and mount organized resistance in the direst of circumstances.This episode features interviews with (in order of appearance):Colonel Douglas Douds, professor, US Army War CollegeRobert Citino, senior historian, National WWII MuseumDan Snow, historian and broadcasterAlexandra Richie, professor, Collegium CivitasMichael Neiberg, professor, US Army War CollegeMarco Aterrano, associate professor, University of Naples Federico IIMartin Morgan, military historian and authorSimon Sebag Montefiore, historian and authorAnand Toprani, military historian, U.S. Naval War CollegeJames Bulgin, historian, Imperial War MuseumRebecca Erbelding, historian, United States Holocaust Museum

As the tide begins to turn against the Axis powers, the leaders of Germany and Japan deploy opposite strategies on their home fronts. Hitler and his propaganda minister do everything in their power to shield the German people from the war, while Hideki Tojo asks the Japanese to sacrifice more and more to support the war effort. But both governments’ demands of their people will grow more intense – and deadly.This episode features interviews with (in order of appearance):Robert Citino, senior historian, National WWII MuseumAlexandra Richie, professor, Collegium CivitasNicholas Stargardt, historian and authorMartin Morgan, military historian and authorColonel Douglas Douds, professor, US Army War CollegeSheldon Garon, professor, Princeton UniversityYuki Tatsumi, senior director, Institute for Indo-Pacific SecurityChristopher Harding, cultural historian, University of EdinburghDan Carlin, podcaster, Hardcore HistoryJonathan Parshall, military historian, US Naval War CollegeJeremy Yellen, historian and authorNoriko Kawamura, professor, Washington State UniversityBradley Hart, military historian, National WWII MuseumLouise Young, professor, University of Wisconsin-Madison

For more stories just like these, check out HISTORY This Week wherever you get your podcasts.June 6, 1944. As thousands of Allied soldiers prepare to storm the beaches of Normandy, they climb down rope nets into small wooden landing craft bobbing in the dark waters of the English Channel. Within hours, these boats will carry them into the largest amphibious invasion in history.The craft are known as Higgins boats, named for their inventor, Andrew Higgins: a hard-driving New Orleans boatbuilder who built his reputation designing vessels that could speed through swamps, crash through obstacles, and go places other boats couldn't. Higgins was stubborn, abrasive, and relentless. The Navy repeatedly dismissed his ideas. He refused to go away.How does a small-time New Orleans boatbuilder force his way into the military industrial complex? And what exactly is so special about these boxy little Higgins boats?Special thanks to Dr. John Curatola, Samuel Zemurray Stone Senior Historian at the National WWII Museum in New Orleans, Louisiana. His book is Armies Afloat: How the Development of Amphibious Operations in Europe Helped Win World War II.You can find the rest of the books we used to research this episode at historythisweekpodcast.com.

The B-29 bomber is the Allies’ best chance to strike Japan, and they turn to China as a potential air base. But Japan launches its largest land offensive of the war to gain control of Asia, leading to brutal fighting in the jungles and plains of South Asia. All the while, the U.S. Navy is speeding through the Pacific towards the Mariana Islands, another potential future B-29 base.This episode features interviews with (in order of appearance):Colonel Douglas Douds, professor, US Army War CollegeDr. Rebecca Grant, national security analystA.J. Baime, journalist and authorRobert Citino, senior historian, National WWII MuseumDan Carlin, podcaster, Hardcore HistoryGeoffrey Wawro, professor, University of North TexasJames Holland, military historian and authorDan Snow, historian and broadcasterSarada Peri, presidential speechwriter and political analystJon Meacham, presidential historianJonathan Parshall, military historian, US Naval War CollegeChristopher Harding, cultural historian, University of EdinburghNoriko Kawamura, professor, Washington State University

After years of discussion over how to take the fight directly to Germany, the Allies set a target for a cross-channel invasion: Normandy, spring of 1944. But the road to Operation Overlord is no easy journey, with Hitler lying in wait. For the Allies, it’s a race to pull off one of the most complicated operations in military history.This episode features interviews with (in order of appearance):Dan Snow, historian and broadcasterRobert Citino, senior historian, National WWII MuseumCraig L. Symonds, military historian and authorSarada Peri, presidential speechwriter and political analystDan Carlin, podcaster, Hardcore HistoryJon Meacham, presidential historianMichel Paradis, professor, Columbia UniversityGeoffrey Wawro, professor, University of North TexasDr. Peter Lieb, military historian and authorJames Holland, military historian and authorColonel Douglas Douds, professor, US Army War CollegeDr. Rebecca Grant, national security analystMartin Morgan, military historian and authorPaul Woodadge, author and Normandy battlefield guide

In 1942, the Allies are eager to challenge the Luftwaffe’s superiority in the air. The RAF and U.S. Army Air Forces combine operations to bomb the industrial heart of Germany and destroy German air power ahead of the upcoming Allied invasion of France. Airmen on both sides will suffer grievous losses – and so will civilians below.This episode features interviews with (in order of appearance):Robert Citino, senior historian, National WWII MuseumDan Snow, historian and broadcasterA.J. Baime, journalist and authorMartin Morgan, military historian and authorJohn Curatola, military historian, National WWII MuseumColonel Douglas Douds, professor, US Army War CollegeDr. Rebecca Grant, national security analystDan Carlin, podcaster, Hardcore HistoryJon Meacham, presidential historianAnand Toprani, military historian, U.S. Naval War College

In the summer of 1943, after a successful campaign in North Africa, Churchill convincesRoosevelt that the best way forward is an invasion of the island of Sicily. But what is thought to be a quick and decisive attack instead becomes a months-long slog up the Italian peninsula, as Hitler has no intention of giving up this key part of his empire without a fight.This episode features interviews with (in order of appearance):Dan Snow, historian and broadcasterRobert Citino, senior historian, National WWII MuseumSarada Peri, presidential speechwriter and political analystJon Meacham, presidential historianSimon Sebag Montefiore, historian and authorDan Carlin, podcaster, Hardcore HistorySaul David, military historian and authorColonel Douglas Douds, professor, US Army War CollegeMartin Morgan, military historian and authorMarco Aterrano, associate professor, University of Naples Federico IIAlexandra Richie, professor, Collegium Civitas

In 1942, Hitlers launches his second offensive in the Soviet Union: Operation Blue. Quickly becoming impatient, Hitler splits his force in an attempt to capture both the Caucasus oil fields and Stalingrad.Initially successful, the German Sixth Army captures up to 90% of the city until they are trapped by General Zhukov’s men. The Soviet attacks and the unforgiving Russian winter steadily wipe out the German troops until their leader, General Paulus, surrenders. Furious, Hitler launches his final attack, ending all hopes for a German victory on the Eastern Front.This episode features interviews with (in order of appearance):Colonel Douglas Douds, professor, US Army War CollegeRobert Citino, senior historian, National WWII MuseumSir Antony Beevor, military historianAlexandra Richie, professor, Collegium CivitasSean McMeekin, professor, Bard CollegeSimon Sebag Montefiore, historian and authorDan Carlin, podcaster, Hardcore HistoryGeoffrey Wawro, professor, University of North TexasJadwiga Biskupska, associate professor, Sam Houston State University

Amid World War II’s chaos, a hidden battle rages — a war of espionage, deception, and codebreaking. At Bletchley Park, Alan Turing and his team race to crack Germany's "unbreakable" Enigma Code in a bid to thwart Nazi plans and save Britain from invasion. But as the codes evolve, daring missions and deadly risks intensify…This episode features interviews with (in order of appearance):Dan Snow, historian and broadcasterRobert Citino, senior historian, National WWII MuseumDavid O’Keefe, professor, Marianopolis CollegeNicholas Reynolds, historian and former CIA officerDavid Abrutat, Official Historian, GCHQSir Dermot Turing, writer and speakerMatthew Hefler, intelligence historian, King’s College LondonTessa Dunlop, historian and authorGuy Walters, historian and authorKatrin Paehler, professor, Illinois State UniversityRobert Hutchinson, intelligence historian

In 1942, Eisenhower leads the first joint U.S.-British operation of the war – Operation Torch – successfully landing thousands of untested U.S. troops on the Vichy-controlled shores of North Africa. The Allies race to trap the German forces in Tunisia, resulting in fearsome tank battles against the famed “Desert Fox,” German Field Marshall Erwin Rommel and his battle-tested Afrika Korps.This episode features interviews with (in order of appearance):Robert Citino, senior historian, National WWII MuseumJonathan Parshall, military historian, US Naval War CollegeGeneral Wesley Clark, US Army, Ret.Colonel Douglas Douds, professor, US Army War CollegeSaul David, military historian and authorDan Snow, historian and broadcasterCameron Zinsou, associate professor, Command and General Staff CollegeMichael Neiberg, professor, US Army War CollegeAlexandra Richie, professor, Collegium CivitasJon Meacham, presidential historian