Peter Lion joins up to talk about the incredible George Mergenthaler, the sole heir to a vast fortune, but after Pearl Harbor, he joined the US Army as a buck private, only wanting to do his part. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The History of WWII Podcast - by Ray Harris Jr

Episode 282-Interview with Peter Lion about his book: Merg

Celebrities, royals, heirs and heiresses—you may think you know them, you may think you envy them, but you have no idea what really goes on behind the scenes. Wondery’s new series Even the Rich pulls gives you a hilarious behind-the-scenes look at the stories of some of the greatest family dynasties in history. From the Murdochs to the Royals, and the Kardashians to the Kennedys, Even the Rich is part history, part comedy, part gossip, and all fascinating.Listen today: wondery.fm/historyofwwiiETR Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Even the Rich

With Sumatra lost the Allies know that Java is next. ABDA Commander Gen. Archibald Wavell prepares his meager forces as best he can. One asset is the heavy cruiser the USS Houston, but can this make up for the overwhelming Japanese forces coming their way. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 281-The Fall of Java Pt 1

With Singapore all but taken, the Japanese start operations against Sumatra. The Dutch ask for help from ABDA Command, but it may be too little, too late. Still, the Allies have one chance to stop the invasion, as they launch 50 fighters and bombers at the coming invasion force. Yet the Japanese have their own surprise in store, paratroopers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 280-The Fall of Sumatra

Writer, Wes Tooke joins us to talk about the film Midway. We cover this pivotal turning point in the Pacific War, lead by Adm. Chester Nimitz. Young men like Dick Best, Wade McClusky and Clarence Dickinson lead the charge after the disastrous attack on Pearl Harbor. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 279-Interview with Wes Tooke, writer and producer of the film Midway

Needing another airfield to attack Java, the Japanese quickly work up a plan to take Bali. Dutch Rear Adm. Karel W. Doorman and ABDA Command respond with three separate naval groups of Dutch and American vessels to stop the invasion. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 278-The Fall of Bali and The Battle of Badung Straight

During World War II, thousands of Axis prisoners of war were held throughout Nebraska in base camps that included Fort Robinson, Camp Scottsbluff and Camp Atlanta. Many Nebraskans did not view the POWs as "evil Nazis." To them, they were ordinary men and very human. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 277- An interview with Melissa Amateis* about her book, Nebraska POW Camps, A History of WWII Prisoners in the Heartland

With Singapore captured, the Japanese Empire sets its sights on Sumatra and Java. But first, the Celebes and Maluku Islands must fall, so Australia and other nearby locations can be targeted. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 276-The Fall of The Celebes and Maluku Islands

Despite a 3 to 1 advantage in men, Archibald Percival, GOC Malay, is pushed by Churchill and ABDACOM Commander Gen. Wavell to defy the Japanese in trying to take Singapore. Yet Gen. Yamashita will continue defying the odds with audacity and speed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 275-The Fall of Singapore

Bringing up the Australian 8th Infantry Division, it's hoped these fresh troops can stop the Japanese 25th Army from taking Johore and thus capturing all of the Malayan Peninsula. Yet Percival and Wavell are already thinking of abandoning the peninsula and focusing on the island of Singapore. Even then, Churchill wants the island fortress held until there is protracted fighting among the ruins of Singapore City. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 274-The End of British Malaya

With reinforcements on the way, the British lead Commonwealth troops strive to keep the Japanese away from Singapore. And though exhausted, the Gurkhas, Punjabis, Hyderabad, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of the 11th Indian Infantry Division are on their own against Lt. Gen. Yamashita's 25th Army. It's a race between the arrival of help versus the capture of the port city. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 273-The Battle at Slim River

The Japanese 25 Army continues pushing the Malaya Command further south, ever closer to Singapore. But the latest stand will take place near Kampar yet here, the defenders have the enviable position of having their guns on the heights. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 272-Courage Yet Defeat: The Battle of Kampar

The third of the Battle of Singapore series. The 11th Indian Infantry Division, operating on the west coast, as well as the 9th Indian Infantry Division, on the East, both find themselves unable to deal with a few Japanese Battalion and a few companies of light tanks. Within a week, half the Malayan peninsula is lost. Soon, Singapore will be open to direct bombing by nearby, land based enemy bombers. The order of the day is retreat. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 271-The Battle of Jitra

Acting Admiral Sir Tom Phillips of the British Royal Navy, hopes to begin a campaign that will save SE Asia. If he can stop the invasion of southern Thailand and Northern Malaya, then one day, Singapore could be the starting point of retaking western possessions. Yet it's not the invading Japanese force Phillips fears or the convoy carrying it, it's the land based bombers in southern Indo-China. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 270-The Battle of Singapore: Force Z to the Rescue

Dr. David Stahel discusses his latest book, Retreat from Moscow, A New History of Germany's Winter Campaign, 1941-1942, in where he takes a new line on Operation Barbarossa's first winter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 269-Interview with David Stahel about his book, Retreat from Moscow

A biweekly podcast covering the last great war. Join Ray Harris Jr as he explores World War Two in intimate detail.

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The History of WWII Podcast - by Ray Harris Jr

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