467 episodes

A biweekly podcast covering the last great war. Join Ray Harris Jr as he explores World War Two in intimate detail.

The History of WWII Podcast - by Ray Harris Jr Recorded History Podcast Network

    • History
    • 4.4 • 3.7K Ratings

A biweekly podcast covering the last great war. Join Ray Harris Jr as he explores World War Two in intimate detail.

    Attrition: A Game the Entire Country Can Play

    Attrition: A Game the Entire Country Can Play

    As Army Group South advances east, Berlin needs Odessa taken. But the defenders of that Black Sea port city are willing to give all to deny this. What follows is unbelievable carnage just beyond Odessa’s defensive lines.
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    • 23 min
    When Fighting For Your Life, You Can Never Go Too Far

    When Fighting For Your Life, You Can Never Go Too Far

    Wave after wave of Romanian troops come at Odessa’s defenses. Also, squadrons of Messerschmidt’s attempt to dominate the skies above. But organization and determination tell and the invaders are held off, but for how long?

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    • 26 min
    Odessa Prepares for its Fate

    Odessa Prepares for its Fate

    As 11 German and Romanian divisions, with 100 tanks and 100 airplanes come at Odessa, the people there, military and civilian, indeed, school children, prepare their city to defy the enemy. It will be a siege that will test the endurance of both sides.
    RSS – https://feeds.megaphone.fm/history-of-world-war-ii
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    YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@historyofwwiipodcast8712
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    • 25 min
    A 2 Episode Special! Interview w/ Mike Croissant about his book, Bombing Hitler's Hometown and then, Defying the Odds: The Soviets versus Romania

    A 2 Episode Special! Interview w/ Mike Croissant about his book, Bombing Hitler's Hometown and then, Defying the Odds: The Soviets versus Romania

    A 2 Episode Special! First, an interview w/ Mike Croissant, author of Bombing Hitler’s Hometown. Then, before the Siege of Odessa began, a small Soviet offensive took place against Romania, which explains why the Axis right flank was so slow. But in the end, the Soviet Rifle divisions are ordered to pull back. As for the southern end of Barbarossa, Odessa would be the next target and even harder to crack.

    More at https://bit.ly/3Vznbop
    RSS – https://feeds.megaphone.fm/history-of-world-war-ii
    Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/wwii45
    Twitter – https://twitter.com/WW2Podcaster
    Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/rayharrisjr/
    TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@wwiiguy
    YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@historyofwwiipodcast8712
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    • 1 hr 13 min
    The Siege of Odessa Begins

    The Siege of Odessa Begins

    Focusing on the southern most part of Operation Barbarossa, we watch as the Black Sea city of Odessa stands defiant against Army Group South and the Romanians. This will cause a delay in Berlin’s plans, which will require Gen. Guderian and his panzers to come help take Kiev.
    More at https://bit.ly/4cpA0HJ
    RSS – https://feeds.megaphone.fm/history-of-world-war-ii
    Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/wwii45
    Twitter – https://twitter.com/WW2Podcaster
    Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/rayharrisjr/
    TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@wwiiguy
    YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@historyofwwiipodcast8712
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    • 21 min
    The Trapped Soviet Soldiers at Uman

    The Trapped Soviet Soldiers at Uman

    As it seems Kiev is about to fall, the panzers suddenly turn south and head for Uman. There, a massive soviet response is building, but will it be enough to save Kiev, Uman and stop the Axis Forces from crossing the River Bug?
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    • 27 min

Customer Reviews

4.4 out of 5
3.7K Ratings

3.7K Ratings

beanholestat ,

Great podcast

Very detailed, gnitty gritty look into WW2. For those who want a deep dive.

My only complaints are the 10+ episodes on Churchill, probably one of the most overrated political figures in history, who didn’t really do much besides talk (an orchestrate a famine in India then laugh it off). So many WW2 documentaries are made by Brits who love to fetishize Churchill. There’s a reason the guy was immediately out of power once the job called for more than sounding bullish on the radio.

Would have rather had a deep dive on Stalin, the guy who’s country actually won the war.

Hughbert G. Rection ,

Engrossing and full of detail

I love the way Ray goes into details about obscure theaters of the war that I am only vaguely familiar with. The only downside is because of the audio format, sometimes it’s hard to follow the level of detail, such as which infantry brigade is in which city as described in the narrative. But well worth a listen for World War II fans, even though with extensive knowledge.

WombatWarrior1 ,

Great podcast, just a little joke about episode 41.

If land is the first dimension, the sea the second, and the air the third, then is space the fourth?

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