When the Americans landed on the Philippine island of Leyte, the Japanese Navy executed a plan intended to cut off and isolate Allied ground forces on the island.

When the Americans landed on the Philippine island of Leyte, the Japanese Navy executed a plan intended to cut off and isolate Allied ground forces on the island.

458 The Battle of Leyte Gulf

On October 20, 1944, Douglas MacArthur made good on his famous promise.

On October 20, 1944, Douglas MacArthur made good on his famous promise.

457 I Have Returned

Bernard Montgomery proposed a risky operation that just might have allowed the Allies to break through the German defensive line. Meanwhile, Adolf Hitler was planning a risky operation of his own.

Bernard Montgomery proposed a risky operation that just might have allowed the Allies to break through the German defensive line. Meanwhile, Adolf Hitler was planning a risky operation of his own.

456 A Bridge Too Far

The Western Allied advance in August 1944 was breathtaking, but it stopped short at the German border as the German Army rebuilt its defenses and Allied supply lines became strained to the limit.

The Western Allied advance in August 1944 was breathtaking, but it stopped short at the German border as the German Army rebuilt its defenses and Allied supply lines became strained to the limit.

455 Up Against the Wall

By 1944, a German defeat seemed inevitable. In August, Romania defected from the Axis and joined the Allies. Within weeks, Bulgaria followed suit, while Finland agreed to an armistice with the USSR. This left Hungary as Germany's sole remaining ally in Europe, and Hungary only stayed loyal because of German military intervention.

By 1944, a German defeat seemed inevitable. In August, Romania defected from the Axis and joined the Allies. Within weeks, Bulgaria followed suit, while Finland agreed to an armistice with the USSR. This left Hungary as Germany's sole remaining ally in Europe, and Hungary only stayed loyal because of German military intervention.

454 The Altar of Alliance

The war made life in the Soviet Union very difficult. Even by Soviet standards, the government took an unprecedented degree of control over the allocation of labor and of food. Despite food shortages, there was no mass opposition as there had been in 1917.

The war made life in the Soviet Union very difficult. Even by Soviet standards, the government took an unprecedented degree of control over the allocation of labor and of food. Despite food shortages, there was no mass opposition as there had been in 1917.

449 All For the Front

The British had to deal with many more shortages of food and fuel and consumer goods than did Americans. And they had to worry about the Luftwaffe.

The British had to deal with many more shortages of food and fuel and consumer goods than did Americans. And they had to worry about the Luftwaffe.

448 Keep Calm and Carry On

The war put Americans in the unfamiliar position of enduring limits on what they could buy or eat, even how much they could drive their cars.

The war put Americans in the unfamiliar position of enduring limits on what they could buy or eat, even how much they could drive their cars.

447 Don't You Know There's a War On?

The Allies invade southern France, close the Falaise pocket, and the German line collapses. Soon the Allies are advancing on Paris.

The Allies invade southern France, close the Falaise pocket, and the German line collapses. Soon the Allies are advancing on Paris.

446 Is Paris Burning?

When Patton's Third Army broke through the front line, the Germans had a serious problem.

When Patton's Third Army broke through the front line, the Germans had a serious problem.

445 Breakout and Pursuit

The Polish Home Army makes a last-ditch effort to assert the authority of the government in exile, while Romania successfully switches sides.

The Polish Home Army makes a last-ditch effort to assert the authority of the government in exile, while Romania successfully switches sides.

444 Tempest

Hitler exacts retribution for the assassination attempt against him, while in France, the Americans break out of Normandy.

Hitler exacts retribution for the assassination attempt against him, while in France, the Americans break out of Normandy.

443 Shoot the Works

Bloody inconclusive fighting in Normandy, and the Democratic Party nominates Roosevelt for a fourth term.

Bloody inconclusive fighting in Normandy, and the Democratic Party nominates Roosevelt for a fourth term.

442 Make Peace, You Fools

There had been grumbling about Hitler in the Army since 1938, but by 1944 a group of officers were determined to get rid of him and overthrow the Nazi government.

There had been grumbling about Hitler in the Army since 1938, but by 1944 a group of officers were determined to get rid of him and overthrow the Nazi government.

441 The Plot to Assassinate Hitler

The Soviet summer offensive of 1944, "Operation Bagration," costs the German Army virtually an entire army group.

The Soviet summer offensive of 1944, "Operation Bagration," costs the German Army virtually an entire army group.

440 The Destruction of Army Group Center

A chronicle of the history of the twentieth century, including art, music, popular culture, science, religion, and, of course, politics and war.

Share The History of the Twentieth Century

Sign up to save your podcasts

The History of the Twentieth Century

The History of the Twentieth Century episodes

About The History of the Twentieth Century

Best of The History of the Twentieth Century

More shows like The History of the Twentieth Century

In Our Time

HistoryExtra podcast

Revolutions

The History of Byzantium

The History of England

The History of English Podcast

Dan Snow's History Hit

Literature and History

Tides of History

Fall of Civilizations Podcast

History of the Second World War

The Ancients

The Rest Is History

Empire: World History

American History Hit