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.

Map: Here is a map giving an overview of the locations featured in this episode.

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Tracesofwar - “Gleiwitz Incident”.

With the battle over, peace reigns across Leipzig.

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]

Sources used for the series:

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".

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.

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.

April 1945: American forces, led by US V Corps, advance across central Germany, seeking to crush the Third Reich once and for all.

Map: Here is a map giving an overview of the important locations featured in the series.

An introduction to the Battle of Leipzig, including an overview of the importance of the city to the Third Reich’s war effort.

Map: Here is a map giving an overview of the important locations featured in the series.

Völkerschlachtdenkmal (Battle Of The Nations monument). 

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.

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).

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.

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…

Map: Here is a map giving an overview of the important locations featured in the series.

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.

Map: Here is a map giving an overview of the important locations featured in the series.