History of the Second World War

In November 1940, the Royal Navy launched one of the most audacious carrier operations of the Second World War—a nighttime air attack on the Italian fleet anchored at Taranto. This episode explores the planning and preparations behind Operation Judgement, examining why Admiral Cunningham and his Mediterranean fleet turned to airpower when traditional fleet engagements proved elusive. From the capabilities of the seemingly obsolete Fairey Swordfish biplane and its torpedoes to the Italian defenses protecting their prized battleships, this episode sets the stage for an attack that would fundamentally shift the balance of naval power in the Mediterranean and foreshadow the future of carrier-based warfare.

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History of the Second World War is part of the Airwave Media podcast network.

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In Episode 246 of History of the Second World War, titled “Yugoslavia Pt. 2 – The Invasion,” we explore how the short-lived Yugoslav state collapsed under German military pressure just weeks after its own internal coup. On April 6, 1941, Nazi forces invaded from multiple directions, swiftly overwhelming the disorganized and poorly equipped Yugoslav army — leading to surrender within eleven days. The country was then partitioned between Germany and Italy, setting the stage for fierce resistance movements that would emerge across occupied Yugoslavia. We also examine how the pre-war Yugoslav government-in-exile in London struggled to gain traction amid shifting wartime alliances, limited support from Britain and the U.S., and unresolved ethnic tensions within the nation — all while the world’s attention turned toward Greece as the next major theater of war.

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History of the Second World War is part of the Airwave Media podcast network.
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In this episode of “History of the Second World War,” we explore Yugoslavia’s precarious position in the early years of WWII — a newly formed nation straddling ethnic diversity and geopolitical tension, created after WWI from the remnants of the Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman empires. As Germany surged into Poland and Italy sought to expand its influence in the Balkans, Yugoslavia found itself caught between competing powers: diplomatically aligned with France but economically entangled with Nazi Germany through vital resource trade. When Italy’s ill-fated invasion of Greece forced it to seek transit routes through Yugoslav territory — a move the neutral country refused — tensions escalated rapidly. This episode sets the stage for how Yugoslavia, despite its best efforts at neutrality, would soon become a focal point in Hitler’s broader Balkan strategy, setting the stage for one of WWII’s most dramatic and consequential invasions.

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History of the Second World War is part of the Airwave Media podcast network.
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Late last year I asked for listener questions, this is the result!

If you have First or Second World War Questions send them to [email protected].

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History of the Second World War is part of the Airwave Media podcast network.
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In this episode of “History of the Second World War,” we explore the often-overlooked but strategically significant campaign in East Africa during 1940–1941, where British and Italian forces clashed across rugged terrain. While the Western Desert dominated headlines, behind-the-scenes battles raged in Ethiopia and Somalia — fought not just by Britons and Italians, but by diverse colonial troops including Indian soldiers and African askaris serving under both empires. We’ll examine how logistical challenges, shifting alliances, and Churchill’s broader Balkan ambitions shaped British strategy in the region — even as General Wavell struggled to balance multiple fronts with limited resources.

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History of the Second World War is part of the Airwave Media podcast network.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices