The Second World War

The Second World War

By Stephen BedardSociety & Culture
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The Second World War episodes

  • 48 - Japan’s Blitz Across Asia and the Pacific

    When we think of Japan and December 1941, we think of Pearl Harbor. But Japan had much more up their sleeve than just one attack. That same day saw surprise attacks by Japanese forces on American, British, and Thai territories. In this episode, we look at those attacks.

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    Visit me at http://www.stephenjbedard.com/secondworldwar

    Look for my other podcast "History of Christianity" on your favourite podcast provider.

    11 min
  • 47 - The Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor

    December 7, 1941. A day that will live in infamy. The Japanese attack Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. This would forever change the course of the Second World War. In this episode, we look at the broad strokes of what happened that day.

    Please visit me at ⁠https://www.stephenjbedard.com/secondworldwar⁠ and consider supporting me at ⁠http://www.patreon.com/hopesreason⁠.

    10 min
  • 46 - The Road to Pearl Harbor: Japan in 1941

    We have been primarily following the German war machine during 1941. However, this year was to radically change the face of the Second World War before it ended. This would be the fateful day of December 7, 1941 and the attack on Pearl Harbor.

    But before we get to that, we catch up with Japan and what it has experienced during 1941. This context is essential for us to understand the attack on Pearl Harbor.

    Please visit me at https://www.stephenjbedard.com/secondworldwar and consider supporting me at http://www.patreon.com/hopesreason.

    10 min
  • 45 - Before the Storm: America on the Eve of War

    In this episode of Echoes of the Past, we explore the United States between September 1939 and December 1941 — the tense years leading up to Pearl Harbor. While Americans focused on recovering from the Great Depression, debates raged between isolationists and interventionists over whether to enter the growing global conflict. We examine the nation's cultural mood, shifting political landscape, and evolving foreign relationships with Britain, the Soviet Union, Germany, and Japan. As economic pressures mounted and global tensions rose, the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor brought a reluctant but determined America into World War II.

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    Support me at http://www.patreon.com/hopesreason


    6 min
  • 44 - From War Hero to Spy: The Story of Frederick Rutland

    In this episode of the podcast, I talk to Ronald Drabkin, the author of Beverly Hills Spy. In this excellent book, the author takes us through the story of Frederick Rutland, a man who was a British hero from the Great War, a companion of Hollywood stars, and a spy that gave the Japanese valuable intelligence that helped them in their attack on Pearl Harbour.

    I encourage you to pick up Beverly Hills Spy through this Amazon affiliate link: https://amzn.to/4hPM6eP

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    Consider supporting me at http://www.patreon.com/hopesreason

    25 min
  • 43 - Catching Up With the Germans on the Eve of Pearl Harbor

    The Germans have been busy during 1941. Not only had they invaded the Soviet Union and continued the Battle of the Atlantic, they also had occupied several countries and were still trying to deal with Britain. This included a bombing campaign, as well as the war in North Africa. This episode brings us to the eve of Pearl Harbor as the Second World War prepares for another major change.

    This episode is brought to you by Fiverr. Visit https://www.stephenjbedard.com/Fiverr


    Please visit me at https://www.stephenjbedard.com/secondworldwar and follow me at https://x.com/WW2_Podcast.

    Consider supporting me at http://www.patreon.com/hopesreason

    19 min
  • 42 - The Battle of the Atlantic: Chapter Two

    The podcast episode provides a detailed overview of the Battle of the Atlantic from June 1941 to December 1941, highlighting the struggle between the Allies and German U-boats, as well as the growing involvement of the United States. This period, though marked by some Allied progress, still saw heavy losses as Germany sought to knock Britain out of the war.

    1. German Strategy and Wolf Pack Tactics:

      • Germany, heavily engaged on the Eastern Front, still prioritized defeating Britain by targeting its supply lines.
      • Admiral Karl Dönitz intensified U-boat attacks, employing wolf pack tactics, where multiple U-boats coordinated nighttime attacks on Allied convoys. Escorts, when diverted to one U-boat, left the convoys vulnerable to others.
      • Allied Challenges:

        • The Allies struggled with the mid-Atlantic gap, a vast area beyond the range of aircraft, where U-boats operated with relative impunity.
        • Despite improved convoy protection by the Royal Navy and Royal Canadian Navy, the Allies suffered significant shipping losses.
        • Significant Engagements:

          • Convoy HX 112 (June 1941): Heavy Allied losses, but the British managed to sink U-100 and U-99, capturing high-ranking German commanders.
          • Convoy SC 42 (September 1941): German U-boats sank 16 of 65 ships, but escorts destroyed 2 U-boats.
          • Convoy HG 73 (September 1941): 10 Allied ships were sunk, but 1 U-boat was destroyed.
          • Losses:

            • Germans sank 433 Allied merchant ships (approximately 2.1 million tons of shipping) during this period.
            • The Allies sank 24 U-boats, reflecting improved tactics and experience in anti-submarine warfare, but the Germans remained dominant.
            • U.S. Involvement and the Atlantic Charter:

              • Atlantic Charter (August 1941): U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill outlined eight principles for a post-war world, emphasizing freedom, self-determination, economic cooperation, and disarmament. While not a formal alliance, it signaled U.S. support for Britain.
              • American warships began escorting convoys and providing material aid, including the Consolidated B-24 Liberator bombers. These long-range bombers helped close the mid-Atlantic gap by targeting U-boats with radar and depth charges.
              • The Balance of Power:

                • Despite Allied advancements in anti-U-boat warfare and U.S. support, the Germans were still winning the Battle of the Atlantic, inflicting severe losses on Allied shipping by the time the U.S. entered the war after Pearl Harbor.
                • The episode concludes with the Allies making slow progress but facing significant challenges as German U-boats continued to dominate the Atlantic.

                  My recommended book is: Battle of the Atlantic: Gauntlet to Victory (Amazon affiliate link)

                  Visit me at http://www.stephenjbedard.com/secondworldwar

                  Support me through Patreon at http://www.patreon.com/hopesreason

                  Follow me at https://x.com/WW2_Podcast

                  10 min
                • 41 - Operation Barbarossa: Part Three

                  It is October and November of 1941. The weather is getting colder and only so much can be done before General Winter makes his appearance. Can the Germans make it to Moscow? In this episode, we look at Operation Typhoon and Germany's attempt to gain a major victory while they still have time.

                  My recommended book is The First Soldier: Hitler as Military Leader by Stephen Fritz. You can purchase it at this Amazon affiliate link: https://amzn.to/4hTcHbW

                  Visit me at http://www.stephenjbedard.com/secondworldwar

                  Follow me at https://x.com/WW2_Podcast

                  11 min
                • 40 - From Biplanes to Fast Jets

                  In this episode, I speak with Mark Aedy, son of Ken Aedy. Ken served in the Royal Air Force (RAF), beginning his career during the Second World War and wrote his story, which became From Biplanes to Fast Jets. Unlike many of his peers, Ken did not release after the war but continued to fly, including some of the first Jets in the RAF.

                  Get From Biplanes to Fast Jets here: https://amzn.to/3XVdBNd (Amazon affiliate link)
                  Visit me at http://www.stephenjbedard.com/secondworldwar
                  Support me at http://www.patreon/hopesreason  
                  Follow me at https://x.com/WW2_Podcast and http://www.facebook.com/secondworldwarpodcast  

                  16 min
                • 39 - Operation Barbarossa: Part Two

                  In this episode, we look at the summer of 1941, specifically the battles for Smolensk, Leningrad, and Kiev. The Germans move forward and the Soviets attempt to push back.

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                  Support me through Patreon.


                  21 min

                About The Second World War

                From the publisher's feed

                A Podcast all about the second world war hosted by Stephen Bedard.

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