History of the Second World War27 Aug 2025

230: The Battle of Britain Pt. 5 - Shifting Focus

In this pivotal episode of the Battle of Britain series, we explore the mounting pressures faced by both British and German forces as September 1940 unfolds. While the RAF continues its desperate defense against daily Luftwaffe raids, behind the scenes both nations are dealing with critical resource challenges and strategic dilemmas. The British struggle with pilot shortages and factory production disruptions caused by constant air raid warnings, leading to new policies that increase worker risk but maintain essential aircraft production. Meanwhile, German intelligence faces a mathematical crisis as their estimates of British fighter strength prove wildly inaccurate, with the RAF continuing to field strong resistance despite German claims of destroying over 1,100 fighters. As Hitler's September 10th deadline for Operation Sea Lion approaches, the Luftwaffe shifts focus from airfields to London itself, culminating in the massive September 7th bombing raid that marks the beginning of the London Blitz - a devastating new phase that would see the city bombed for 57 consecutive days and nights, forever changing the character of the Battle of Britain. Contact advertising@airwavemedia.com to advertise on History of the Second World War. History of the Second World War is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Episoder(368)

275: War at Sea '41 Pt. 13 - Lucky Strike

After Bismarck slips away from her British pursuers, the Royal Navy launches a desperate search before dwindling fuel supplies force the chase to end. This episode follows the intelligence breakthroug...

16 Sep 29min

Listener Questions. Pt 7

Greece, First World War Blockade Breaking, Crete, and WW2 Main Battery shell reliability. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

11 Sep 25min

274: War at Sea '41 Pt. 12 - On a Wing and a Prayer

With Bismarck damaged and making for France, the Royal Navy concentrated an enormous collection of ships to contain and destroy her while Admiral Lütjens worked to release Prinz Eugen and escape his p...

9 Sep 24min

273: War at Sea '41 Pt. 11 - The End of the Mighty Hood

The Battle of the Denmark Strait opened with British fire directed at the wrong German ship before Bismarck and Prinz Eugen concentrated their guns on Hood. This episode follows Hood’s catastrophic de...

2 Sep 24min

272: War at Sea '41 Pt. 10 - On the Eve of Battle

As Hood and Prince of Wales raced toward Bismarck and Prinz Eugen, worsening weather, uncertain contact reports, and the limitations of Hood’s armor shaped Admiral Holland’s plan of attack. This episo...

26 Aug 25min

271: War at Sea '41 Pt. 9 - Found and Followed

As Bismarck and Prinz Eugen entered the Denmark Strait, the cruisers Suffolk and Norfolk made contact and began the difficult task of shadowing them through fog, ice, and dangerous proximity to the Ge...

19 Aug 22min

270: War at Sea '41 Pt. 8 - The Operation Begins

As Bismarck and Prinz Eugen departed for the Atlantic, British reconnaissance exposed their presence in Norway and set the Royal Navy’s response in motion. This episode follows the German ships throug...

14 Aug 27min

269: War at Sea '41 Pt. 7 - This Seems Risky

In May 1941, the German battleship Bismarck prepared for its first and only wartime cruise into the Atlantic. This episode examines the strategic pressures behind Operation Rheinübung, the compromises...

6 Aug 24min