On the morning of June 6th, 1944, war photographer Robert Capa waded ashore on Omaha Beach during the Allied landings in Normandy. What happened next became the stuff of legend: under withering fire, Capa supposedly captured over a hundred photographs of the chaos and courage of D-Day, only for all but eleven to be lost in a darkroom accident. These surviving images, the so-called "Magnificent Eleven," helped define the visual memory of D-Day and cemented Capa's reputation as the greatest war photographer of the 20th century.

But what if the story we've long accepted isn't entirely true? In his book Back into Focus: The Real Story of Robert Capa's D-Day, Charles Herrick takes a forensic look at the events of that day, unraveling inconsistencies in Capa's own account and challenging the myths that have grown around his legacy. Drawing on official military records, eyewitness testimony, and detailed photo analysis, Herrick offers a new—and at times controversial—perspective on one of the most iconic moments in photojournalism history.

I'm delighted to welcome Charles to the podcast today to talk about what really happened on D-Day, how the legend of Robert Capa was built, and what his findings mean for how we understand both history and heroism.

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Today, we are exploring a topic that doesn't get talked about much — the British tanks that ended up serving with the Red Army during the Second World War.

We often think about the Soviet Union producing huge numbers of its own tanks like the T-34, but in the early years of the war—and even before it—the Soviets were looking abroad for armoured vehicles to strengthen their forces. Britain, with its long history of tank development stretching back to the First World War, was one of the countries they turned to.

Joining me is Peter Samsonov, who's spent a lot of time researching Soviet armoured warfare and is the author of 'British Tanks of the Red Army'.

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In this episode, I'm joined by bestselling author Damien Lewis to talk about one of the remarkable men featured in his new book SAS Great Escapes Four — Archie Gibson.

Archie served with the Long Range Desert Group and worked closely with the SAS during some of their earliest and most daring operations. His wartime journey took him from the harsh deserts of North Africa to the rugged terrain of Yugoslavia, where he operated alongside local resistance fighters behind enemy lines.

We also delve into the ongoing campaign to award SAS legend Paddy Mayne a posthumous Victoria Cross, recognition he was controversially denied during the war.

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In the final weeks of the Second World War, as Soviet forces closed in on Berlin, tens of thousands of German soldiers and civilians found themselves encircled in what became known as the Halbe Pocket. In a desperate attempt to break out west and surrender to the Americans rather than the Soviets, brutal fighting erupted in the forests south of Berlin. The result was one of the bloodiest and most chaotic battles of the war's final days.

Joining me is David Sumner. David is a British-German World War II historian and podcaster based in Berlin. He's the producer and host of Europe At War, a weekly podcast that explores lesser-known battles and stories of the Second World War, with a particular focus on the Eastern Front.

You can find David at davidsumnerhistory.com.

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The 7th Infantry Regiment, known as the "Cottonbalers," is one of the oldest units in the U.S. Army, originally formed in 1812. It has fought in nearly every major American conflict, including the Civil War, both World Wars, Korea, and Iraq. Renowned for its bravery and deep traditions, the regiment remains an active combat unit to this day.

I'm joined by Professor John McManus, whose 2009 book American Courage, American Carnage chronicles the unit's remarkable history. During World War II, the 7th landed in North Africa as part of Operation Torch, fought through Sicily and Italy, stormed the beaches of Southern France in Operation Dragoon, and ended the war as the first American unit to reach Hitler's mountain retreat at Berchtesgaden.

The regiment also takes centre stage in the upcoming computer game Burden of Command, where John serves as the historical advisor. If you'd like to hear more about the game, head over to patreon.com/ww2podcast.

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In this episode of the WW2 Podcast, I'm joined by Clare Mulley to uncover the extraordinary story of Elżbieta Zawacka—known by her codename, "Zo"—a woman who defied the odds as a resistance fighter, courier, and special operations agent during the Second World War.

Zo was the only woman to make the perilous journey from Warsaw to London as an emissary of the Polish Home Army. After completing secret training in Britain, she became the only female agent to parachute into Nazi-occupied Poland. There, with the Gestapo hunting her and her family arrested, she played a crucial role in the resistance, fighting in the Warsaw Uprising and working toward Poland's liberation.

After the war, despite being one of Poland's most decorated female soldiers, the Soviet-backed communist regime imprisoned Zo, and her story was buried for decades. Now, thanks to new archival research and exclusive interviews, Clare brings her remarkable life back into the spotlight in the excellent book Agent Zo.

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For this episode, I am by Prit Buttar to discuss Operation Bagration—the massive Soviet offensive launched in the summer of 1944 that shattered the German Army Group Centre. While the D-Day landings in Normandy dominate the narrative of mid-1944, events on the Eastern Front were just as decisive, if not more so, in determining the course of the war in Europe.

Prit's latest book in his series looking at the Eastern Front during WWII is Bagration 1944: The Great Soviet Offensive.

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With a history stretching back to the late 18th century, the Essex Yeomanry had seen action in the First World War, but in WWII, they found themselves in the thick of the fighting once again. From the Western Desert and the Italian Campaign to the beaches of Normandy and the advance into Germany, the Essex Yeomanry played a part in some of the war's most crucial battles.

My guest is Stephen Keoghane, author of 'Shield and Protect: An Illustrated History of the Essex Yeomanry'. Drawing on extensive archival research and first-hand accounts, his book explores the regiment's wartime experiences and challenges as they transitioned from their cavalry roots to modern mechanised warfare.

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The vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean was a battleground unlike any other during the Second World War. While massive aircraft carriers and battleships dominated the headlines, a different kind of naval warfare was fought in the shadows—one of speed, stealth, and surprise. Armed with torpedoes and machine guns, the small but deadly PT boats waged a relentless fight against Japanese convoys, warships, and outposts, proving that size wasn't everything in naval combat.

Mark Stille, a naval historian and author of PT Boats vs IJN Destroyer, is joining me for this episode. We'll be exploring the role of these fast attack boats in the Pacific, their successes and challenges, and how they squared off against the Imperial Japanese Navy's formidable destroyers.

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Berlin is a city steeped in history, with its streets, buildings, and scars bearing witness to the dramatic events of the 20th century. From the rise and fall of the Third Reich to the Cold War divisions that shaped the modern city, Berlin remains a living museum of its past. Yet, beyond the well-known landmarks, countless hidden stories lie waiting to be uncovered.

Joining me today is Peter Graham, a historian and guide who runs walking tours of Berlin, offering visitors an in-depth look at the city's wartime history. He also manages the popular Facebook page Berlin Battle Damage, which explores the lasting marks of war still visible today. We'll be discussing his work, the fascinating remnants of history that can be found across Berlin, and how walking the city's streets brings the past to life.

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