Podcast di Ray Harris

Adm. Cunningham begins to believe that he may loose Malta. The Germans are gone, but he only has half his normal fleet and the Axis are not slowing down in transporting men to Rommel in North Africa. Picture-HMS Olympus, a part of the Magic Carpet Service. She lost all but 9 men of her crew and passengers out of 98 on May 8, 1942, 7 miles out from …

Ray Boomhower has written about 3 important war correspondents, Richard Tregaskis, Ernie Pyle and Robert L. Sherrod. Today we discuss the young Tregaskis as he covers events like Midway, Guadalcanal, and the invasion of Sicily. Tregaskis will almost die in Italy, but will return to the Pacific to cover the approach to the Japanese home islands. Lea…

Scott Rank comes on the show to discuss the more impactful events of the Pacific Campaign: The East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere, The Battle of Midway, the Fire Bombing of Tokyo and the likely casualties of an Allied invasion onto the main Japanese Islands. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices…

As the Battle for the Atlantic is not going well for the Allies, Churchill’s War Cabinet puts into motion a plan to steal a Nazi Enigma machine. Bletchley Park has been trying to break the German Naval codes for years, but more is needed. Meanwhile Malta is about to get a reprieve from the Germans who are preparing for Operation Barbarossa. But one…

Stories you never knew you never knew. From Campside Media, ECLIPSED is a new weekly narrative history podcast. Hosted by writer Bijan Stephen (The Verge, The Believer), each episode features a story hidden in the shadow of another event. Lakes disappear, sailors cry, and pop stars go into battle on this season of ECLIPSED. Learn more about your ad…

With Crete falling so quickly Churchill and Adm. Cunningham have to assume that Malta is next. Still, ABC expects his subs, like the Upholder, to hold the line until Malta can be reinforced. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesDi Recorded History Podcast Network

Author Scott Bury joins us to talk about his Eastern Front Trilogy. The story centers around Maurice Bury, a Canadian who is forced to fight for Soviet Russia against Nazi Germany. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesDi Recorded History Podcast Network

We return to Malta as Adm. Cunningham is at his low point. Churchill wants total war, but Cunningham needs more of everything, including time. The short term answer seems to be more subs, but Malta will have to make do, for now. Doing his part is Lt. Commander Wanklyn and the sub HMS Upholder. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.…

Today's offering is an episode from Gary Arndt's Podcast, Everything Everywhere Daily. On this show, he covers the important contribution of Native Americans using their language to stump the Nazi Intelligence services from breaking the Allied Code. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices…

Today on the show, I talk to Tony Lupo and Ryan Fairfield about their show, The Warrior Next Door Podcast. Listen to the oral histories of World War II veterans from interviews conducted by Tony and Ryan as they provide historical context. Their efforts will help the experiences of these brave warriors live forever. Twitter - @WW2Podcaster. www.the…

Artist Joe Lee comes on the show to talk about his book, Forgiveness: The Story of Eva Kor, Survivor of The Auschwitz Twin Experiments. Find out what happens to Dr. Josef Mengele, the tormentor of Eva, her sister Miriam and the other twins of Auschwitz and the founding of Candles-Children of Auschwitz Nazi Deadly Lab Experiments Survivors. Learn mo…

Jeffrey Jackson, professor of history at Rhodes College comes on the show to tell us about Lucy and Suzanne’s courage in defying the nazi occupation of the channel island Jersey. These two lovers, having developed their avant garde artistry in 1920 and 1930’s Paris, will put all their skill to work, when undermining the enemy troops on their island…

Former Ambassador to Luxembourg and before that, the Director of Policy Planning at the US department of State, Ambassador McKean is currently the senior fellow at the German Marshall Fund of the US in Washington, DC. Today he joins us to talk about how all but one of FDR’s ambassadors in Europe misjudged Hitler and his intentions. Cyber Month Deal…

War reporter Jack Fairweather comes on to discuss his latest book A Rebel in Auschwitz. The story is of Witold Pilecki, a member of the Polish Resistance who is chosen to purposefully get arrested to be taken to the camp. Upon seeing the daily cruelty, Witold has to let the world know what is happening to the vanquished Polish people and later, the…

PM Churchill wants Adm. Andrew Cunningham to sink supply ships heading for Rommel's North African Army. Cunningham wants more ships, but is told to make do with what he has. So in mid April, Cunningham sends out 4 destroyers under the Flagship HMS Jervis, with Capt. Phillip Mack in command. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com…

Writer and lecturer Chris Berman joins us to discuss the Night Witches, the female soviet pilots, cultural perceptions of warfare and the lady pilots of The United States and Great Britain. Check out his latest book, A White Star in a Red Sky. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices…

The Luftwaffe keeps trying different types of bombs until they find one that works well against Maltese buildings. And their Bf109 fighters are decimating the British Hurricanes. Malta is threatened. But Adm. Cunningham will engage the Italian Navy during the Battle of Cape Matapan to help even the odds. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podc…

Churchill wants the Italians hit hard as the German's begin bombing Malta almost daily. This will include Operation Colossus and Commander Shrimp's sub, HMS Upholder heading out to interdict supplies heading to Rommel in North Africa. Pic-Lt. Comm. Wanklyn and second in command Tubby Crawford. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.…

After the successful raid against the Italy Naval Fleet at Taranto, Cunningham and Churchill wonder when the Italians will strike back and when Hitler’s Luftwaffe will join them. They will not have to wait long. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesDi Recorded History Podcast Network

Malta goes stronger each day, with Churchill's help and Adm. Cunningham's persistence. Still, the clouds grow darker as Mussolini invades Greece, which prompts Hitler to get involved in the Mediterranean. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesDi Recorded History Podcast Network

As Malta is pounded by Mussolini's Air Force, PM Churchill is determined not to give up on the island or any of the Mediterranean Sea. And Adm. Andrew Cunningham is in full agreement as the Battle of Calabria gets underway. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesDi Recorded History Podcast Network

For thousands of years, Malta has had numerous masters. But as WWII seems inevitable, the British and Maltese people come together to ready themselves to take on the Axis Powers. Not until Mussolini declares war against the Allies does Malta get attacked, but even then, her defenses are far from strong. Thus the Siege of Malta has begun. Twitter @W…

As most of Doolittle's Raiders make it home safely, one crew is soon in Stalin's hands and two others are captured by the Japanese. After this, go back and listen to Episode 299, to hear the end of the tale. Pic-Doolittle with President Roosevelt. Twitter-@WW2Podcaster. Facebook-A History of World War II Podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. V…

This episode covers the flight paths of the 16 Doolittle Raiders. A solid hour of hell is visited upon The Japanese Empire. Adm. Yamamoto and his Combined Fleet will send 6 carriers to chase down Adm. Halsey’s Task Force 16, but it is long gone. Tokyo learns that war is a two way street. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/ad…

As TF 16 under Admirals Halsey and Mitscher sail closer to the Japanese Home Islands, the Allies’ naval forces loose several vessels. It’s no longer a question of will Doolittle’s Raiders succeed, but rather, will the carrier Enterprise and Hornet make it safely back to Pearl Harbor. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoi…

President Roosevelt, like the rest of America is reeling from the attack on Pearl Harbor. But his shock is soon joined by rage. He wants the Japanese Empire taught a lesson. The lessons of war. What is needed is a strike against Tokyo itself. Adm. Ernest J. King and his staff will answer the president’s call, by figuring out how to launch a bombing…

Gen. Wainwright has set up his defenses for Corregidor as best he can, still, all involved know the outcome. It’s only a matter of playing it out, per his order from Gen. MacArthur. The defenders have a few tricks up their sleeve as Homma’s 4th Division lands on Corregidor. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices…

After Gen. Edward King’s surrender of Bataan, the Japanese focus on Corregidor and the three smaller islands below it. And now that the Battle of Bataan is over, Gen. Homma will send numerous Detachments to the Southern Islands. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesDi Recorded History Podcast Network

Generals Wainwright, King and Parker are seriously considering surrendering. The problem is that Gen. MacArthur has forbidden it. But the facts of the ground dominate. Months of starvation have robbed the defenders of their ability to fight any longer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices…

Gordon Joseph Lippman was only 18 years old when he joined the army in 1943. Earning a spot in the 517th Parachute Regimental Combat Team, he would see action in Italy, Southern France and help Easy Company in The Battle of the Bulge. After the war, he would stay in the Army and fight in Korea and Vietnam. The winner of 17 Commendations, Gordon Lip…

During the second battle of Bataan, Gen. Homma has a specific plan, whereas the Allies are simply trying to hold onto their defensive line. But the men on the line are far too weak to offer any real resistance. Sector D has been crushed and its Sector C’s turn. If it falls the war is all but over. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoi…

Gen. Homma, now resupplied and reinforced, will come again. But this time, with MacArthur gone, the Japanese will face Gen. Edward P. King. And he is determined to hold out. But Homma’s plan is straightforward, to bombard the main defensive line to smithereens even before his men attack. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/ad…

As Gen. Homma’ reinforcements come in, his confidence grows. Yet his plan to conquer southern Bataan and Corregidor is flawed. Meanwhile, Gen. Jonathan Wainwright is doing all he can to prepare his men to fight the enemy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesDi Recorded History Podcast Network

As Gen. Homma, commander of the Japanese forces in The Philippines brings in reinforcements and food, the American Government is finding it all but impossible to resupply Gen. Jonathan Wainwright, the new commander on Corregidor. Meanwhile, MacArthur is still trying to control the defense of Bataan from Australia. Learn more about your ad choices. …

MacArthur finishes up his escape from Corregidor to Melbourne Australia. But the news waiting for him is not the General’s liking, basically, there are more troops back on Bataan than there are in the whole of Australia. But Gen. George Marshall will sooth MacArthur’s wounded pride with The Medal of Honor. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit po…

It's time for MacArthur to leave Corregidor, but how? Submarine, plane or boat. MacArthur chooses an early departure over safety, thus he and his will suffer for 600 miles on a PT Boat. But the net around Corregidor is being drawn ever tighter by the Japanese. It's now or never. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices…

With the war of Bataan coming to a standstill, FDR and Army Chief of Staff Gen. George Marshall start to think of the future. MacArthur is too popular to let be captured by the Japanese. Besides, someone will have to lead US Army forces in the SE Pacific and there is only one man the American public would accept in that post, Gen. Douglas MacArthur…

During the Battle of the Points, Gen. Homma would attack Gen. Wainwright's western line. This allowed 1000 Japanese troops to get through. The Allied Command staff will soon find themselves dealing with 3 enemy forces in their rear. Hopefully the main defensive will hold while this threat is being dealt with. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit…

Gen. Homma has decided to hit the Allied line in two sections. Which means, in Gen. Parker's I Corps, on the eastern side of the Bataan Peninsula, Gen. Clifford Bluemel's Sector C will get all of Gen. Nara's attention. And Bluemel discovers a massive hole in his line just before the attack. The battle of Trail 2 gets underway. Learn more about your…

I am joined today by Richard Lim, host of This American President Podcast to discuss Franklin Roosevelt. Now that the Japanese have struck at Pearl Harbor, FDR must lead the U.S. to victory. But what kind of man and politician was FDR. Join us to find out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices…

In attempting to smash MacArthur’s line on the Bataan Peninsula, Gen. Homma will send several amphibious end runs behind the lines. If all works out well, in this Battle of the Points, the Allies will loose all. If not, those Japanese troops may find themselves sacrificed, with nothing to show for it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcast…

Gen. Homma sends his forces at MacArthur's defensive line on Bataan. For days the line holds, until it doesn't. Falling back, the Allied try to keep cohesion, in order to stave off destruction. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesDi Recorded History Podcast Network

As Gen. Jonathan Wainwright conducts the battle of the 5 lines, Gen. MacArthur declares Manila an open city and continues to pressure Washington to send him supplies and reinforcements. All the while, Gen. Homma comes to control more and more of Luzon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices…

With the defenses of Lingayen Gulf shattered, Gen. MacArthur has decided to retreat to the Bataan peninsula, though there are no waiting supplies there. So while there is fighting to the north and south of Manila, supplies and men are moved to the final defensive position. Yet, Gen. Homma increases the pressure with a fresh invasion at Lamon Bay. L…

With MacArthur’s alteration to the American defensive plan for the Philippines left in tatters, he reverts back to Plan Orange: to move all available troops to the Bataan Peninsula. But first, he has to give his command staff enough time to make this happen. Thus a series of defensive lines will be set up between the Japanese troops and Manila, but…

The main Japanese attack comes to Luzon on December 22nd, but Gen. Douglas MacArthur is overly confident. Besides, Gen. George Marshall is unable to help, as much as he wants to. This leaves the under trained and ill-equipped Philippine troops to guard the beaches of Lingayen Gulf. Also, the Asiatic Fleet will be of little help as their torpedoes, …

As northern and southern Luzon becomes Japanese controlled territory, Gen. Douglas MacArthur finds himself trapped, besides which, his air arm has been devastated. The Allies’ only chance for survival are reinforcements, which are on their way from Pearl Harbor. But will this convoy make it to Manila. Meanwhile, Air Commander Gen. Brereton and Adm.…

Even with a seven hour warning Gen. Douglas MacArthur seems paralyzed by the shocking news from Pearl Harbor. Commander of the air forces in The Philippines, Gen. Lewis Brereton knows how he wants to react, but is unable to get the green light from MacArthur or his chief of staff Gen. Richard Sutherland. Thus the initiative passes to the Japanese i…

With the Japanese Empire deciding to invade to the south, the American fighters and bombers, under Gen. Douglas MacArthur's command in The Philippines must be taken out first. Previously, the American defense plan had been to fight a holding action, but MacArthur has changed this to meet the enemy on the beaches of Luzon. Only time would tell if th…

As Gen. William Slim deals with the remains of Burma Corps, the American general Joseph "Vinegar Joe" Stilwell also has to find a way out. But the American commander of Chinese forces in Burma has decided he will walk out of the war zone, with his men. If he can make it out alive. Meanwhile Chiang Kai-shek's government feeds the American press fals…