The Battle of Stalingrad was the deadliest battle of the Second World War, seeing 1.2 million killed, and thousands more wounded. One of the most brutal clashes in history, the battle raged between the forces of Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia for five months from August 1942 to February 1943. A key turning point of World War Two, Stalingrad played host to some the fiercest urban warfare ever seen throughout history, and left a devastating legacy.

In this episode, 80 years on from the siege ending, James is joined by historian Iain MacGregor, to reveal the hidden truths at the heart of the Battle. Looking at the historical context and the significance it still holds today, what can we learn from the Battle of Stalingrad 80 years on?

Iain's book The Lighthouse of Stalingrad is available here.

Senior Producer: Elena Guthrie. Assistant Producer: Annie Coloe. Edited and mixed by Aidan Lonergan.

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