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. patreon.com/ww2podcast
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260 - Operation Bagration
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. patreon.com/ww2podcast
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259 - The Essex Yeomanry
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. patreon.com/ww2podcast
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258 - USN PT Boats
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. patreon.com/ww2podcast
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257 - Uncovering Berlin’s Wartime Past
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. patreon.com/ww2podcast
A military history podcast that looks at all aspects of WWII.
With WW2 slipping from living memory I aim to look at different historical aspects of the Second World War.
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