Today, I’m joined by Peter Zablocki, a professor at Caldwell University, host of the History Shorts podcast, and author of The Death of General Sikorski.

I was introduced to Peter after I recorded the episode looking at the death of Sikorski with Chris Wroblewski. Chatting I discovered Peter had researched and written about an entirely different but fascinating subject: Private Snafu (you can read it here).

For those unfamiliar, Private Snafu was the star of a series of black-and-white animated shorts produced between 1943 and 1945. These instructional films, aimed at U.S. servicemen, combined irony and humour with serious messages. Amazingly, they were produced by Frank Capra (It’s a Wonderful Life), written by Theodor Geisel (Dr. Seuss), and voiced by Mel Blanc, the legendary voice behind Bugs Bunny. Despite their playful tone, the films served a crucial role in military training and morale during the war.

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In this episode, I’m joined by acclaimed historian and bestselling author Alex Kershaw to explore one of the most pivotal moments of the Second World War: the Battle of the Bulge.

This December marks the 80th anniversary of the battle, a critical turning point where General George S. Patton’s bold leadership and daring actions—most famously the dramatic relief of Bastogne—helped shift the tide in favour of the Allies.

Alex joins me to share fascinating insights from his latest book, Patton’s Prayer, a powerful exploration of the faith, determination, and sheer grit that defined one of America’s most legendary generals.

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In this episode, we are uncovering one of the great enigmas of the war: the tragic death of General Władysław Sikorski.

Sikorski was a towering figure in the Polish government-in-exile, a man who held together the hopes of a nation during its darkest days. His sudden death in 1943, when his Liberator aircraft crashed into the sea near Gibraltar, shocked the world and raised a swirl of questions that linger to this day. Was it an accident? Sabotage? Or something more sinister?

To help unravel this mystery, I’m joined by Chris Wroblewski, author of Sabotage!: An In-Depth Investigation of the 1943 Liberator Crash that Killed Polish General Sikorski. Chris has worked alongside WWII Air Crash Detectives' Garth Barnard to shed new light on this controversial event. Together, they’ve pieced together a gripping tale of conspiracy, wartime politics, and investigative research.

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In this episode, Ronald Drabkin joins me to uncover the fascinating yet complex story of Frederick Rutland, a First World War hero with a unique story.

Known as “Rutland of Jutland” for his bravery as an aviator in WWI, Rutland's career took an unexpected turn in the interwar years as he became a spy for Japan. This is a gripping tale of loyalty, intrigue, and a man who found himself on both sides of history.

Ronald is the author of 'Beverly Hills Spy: The Double-Agent War Hero Who Helped Japan Attack Pearl Harbor'

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In this episode, historian Taylor Downing joins me to explore the remarkable work of reconnaissance pilots and photo interpreters during the Second World War. These daring aviators flew perilous missions over Occupied Europe, risking life and limb to capture the detailed aerial photographs crucial to the Allied war effort.

But capturing the images was only half the story. On the ground, a team of brilliant and inventive photo interpreters worked tirelessly, pioneering a completely new science to decode these pictures. From developing 3D photography techniques to uncovering enemy positions and movements, their work provided invaluable intelligence that shaped the course of the war.

Taylor is the author of 'Spies In The Sky: The Secret Battle for Aerial Intelligence during World War II', and if you cast your mind back, he joined me in episode 226 to discuss allied deception plans for D-Day.

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For this episode, I'm joined by Matthew Hough, and we discuss Harold Alexander and his road to supreme command in the Mediterranean Theatre.

Matthew is a postgraduate researcher at the University of Leeds whose research examines Alexander and ideas about Supreme Command in the Mediterranean Theatre toward the end of the war.

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Borneo, the third-largest island in the world, held immense strategic value during WWII and quickly became a top priority for Japanese control. With its vast reserves of oil and rubber, the island was essential for fueling the Japanese war effort. But Borneo would also become a tragic battleground, claiming the lives of countless prisoners of war, internees, locals, and even Japanese forces.

Joining me today is John Tulloch.

John served with the Royal New Zealand Artillery before transferring to the British Royal Artillery, gaining experience across the globe and instructing on the British Army’s Jungle Warfare course. He is also the author of The Borneo Graveyard, 1941-45, which tells the story of Borneo’s occupation and the deployment—and eventual capture—of five Royal Artillery air defence sections sent to Southeast Asia.

To order your copy The Borneo Graveyard, 1941-45, email [email protected].

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When World War II began in 1939, it sparked a deadly conflict between the Axis and Allies, while also creating tense negotiations among the Allies. Diplomacy, military power, and economic decisions determined the fate of nations. In North America, the U.S. and Canada worked to build a military alliance to protect their coasts from German U-boats and the threat of Japanese invasion. Their economies became intertwined to supply weapons for Britain and other allies, and defending North America was crucial before sending forces abroad.

Joining me is Tim Cook.

Tim is the Chief Historian and Director of Research at the Canadian War Museum. He has penned numerous bestselling books which have won multiple awards. His latest being The Good Allies: How Canada and the United States Fought Together to Defeat Fascism During the Second World War.

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During the Second World War, the people of Leningrad endured a brutal 900-day siege, facing relentless bombing, shelling, and starvation. In early 1943, the Red Army broke through the blockade, marking a crucial turning point. Despite setbacks, the Soviet forces and civilians held firm, and by late 1943, the Germans, weakened by harsh conditions, began to retreat. 

In episode 202, we discussed the siege up until 1942. I'm joined once more by Prit Butar to pick up the story of the siege being lifted, which is covered in his latest book 'Hero City: Leningrad 1943–44'

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In April 1942, the Imperial Japanese Navy's Combined Fleet was at the height of its power, having delivered a crushing blow to the US Navy at Pearl Harbor just months earlier. This fleet spearheaded Japan's aggressive expansion through Southeast Asia and unleashed havoc across the South Pacific. However, the tides of war were soon to change. By June 1942, the US Navy achieved a decisive victory over this formidable force at the Battle of Midway, shifting the strategic momentum in the Pacific Theater to the Allies.

Midway stands as the most renowned naval battle of the Pacific War and one of the most storied in military history. The traditional narrative, shaped immediately after the conflict and enduring to this day, portrays an outnumbered American fleet snatching victory against overwhelming odds. While this depiction has become deeply ingrained, it oversimplifies the true nature of the battle.

Joining me is Pacific War expert Mark Stille, whose new book is Midway: The Pacific War’s Most Famous Battle, where he contends that a Japanese defeat was not only possible but likely. This perspective redefines the engagement not as a miraculous American triumph or a mere stroke of luck but as a complex confrontation where the factors at play heavily favoured the United States.

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