The Dessert War or Western Desert Campaign was one of the two major stages of the North Africa Campaign of WW2. The Western Desert was crucial to the allied forces being able to continue their fight against the Germans following allied defeats and losses in Greece and Crete. It was imperative that the Western Desert remained in the control of allied forces. The first Major Allied Operation of the Western Desert Campaign was codenamed Operation Compass. Dur: 14mins File: .mp3

To commemorate our 6 millionth download this week, we've gone back in the archives and edited a two-parter from season 10 together on Lettow-Vorbeck. Enjoy!... The lasting image of the First World War is that of trench warfare. However, far away from the trenches of the Western Front an extraordinary struggle was fought in a remote corner of Africa. When Germany went to war in August 1914 it possessed but few colonial possessions mainly situated in Africa. Dur: 52mins File: .mp3

The Battle of Adowa stands out during the scramble for Africa of the 19th century. It was was that rare event of a native African army defeating a well equipped, modern European force. Dur: 18mins File: .mp3

Few ancient states could match the scope and power of the Seleucid Empire. Founded in the late 4th century BC by Seleucus Nikator, a former officer of Alexander the Great, the Seleucid Empire at its peak included the modern states of Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Iraq, Iran, and Afghanistan. The expanse of Seleucid rule bridged worlds, encompassing Buddhists and Jews, Greeks and Persians, walled cities and nomadic tribes. The Seleucid king might deal with an embassy from an Indian dynasty one day and a delegation of Roman senators the next. Dur: 20mins File: .mp3

Following the Civil War, Mackenzie reverted to the rank of Captain and rejoined the Corps of Engineers in New Hampshire, improving fortifications along the Atlantic coast. However, after spending the last two years in a combat command, engineering no longer held his interest. He wished to return to the field and advance his career. In early 1867, Mackenzie headed to Washington to petition General Grant to send him west. Dur: 42mins File: .mp3

For a year Britain and her Commonwealth stood alone against Germany, in June 1941 Hitler launched Operation Barbarossa, invading Russia. Churchill was desperate for allies, and Stalin had been openly hostile to Capitalist Britain but now as the Wehrmacht romped across Russia that summer Stalin's attitude changed. Dur: 21mins File: .mp3