World War II with Tom Hanks
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World War II with Tom Hanks
Coming May 26th: World War II with Tom Hanks reexamines history?s most devastating conflict for a new century. Across twenty hours, the series traces the war?s full arc?from the rise of fascism to Hiroshima?uncovering the decisions, hidden networks, and lasting consequences that continue to shape our world.
Link to episode
Barbarossa
Operation Barbarossa, Nazi Germany?s surprise invasion of the Soviet Union, launches on June 22, 1941. In what is the largest military operation in history, Hitler aims to capture the Soviet Union?s vast economic resources, enslave its populations, and expand Germany east. It is the beginning of a brutal campaign that will ultimately help decide the war in Europe.
This episode features interviews with (in order of appearance):
Simon Sebag Montefiore, historian and authorSean McMeekin, professor, Bard CollegeColonel Douglas Douds, professor, US Army War CollegeAlexandra Richie, professor, Collegium CivitasRobert Citino, senior historian, National WWII MuseumJadwiga Biskupska, associate professor, Sam Houston State UniversityDan Carlin, podcaster, Hardcore HistoryGeneral Wesley Clark, US Army, Ret.Sir Antony Beevor, military historianLink to episode
Blitz
After defeating Poland, Hitler looks west, planning an attack into France that will take advantage of a weak point in their defences. France is overrun and new British Prime Minister Churchill scrambles to evacuate Allied troops from the coast. Shocked by the defeat of France, Roosevelt calls to mobilize the US while German planes bombard Britain from the sky. The Germans are pushed back as Roosevelt establishes the US as the ?arsenal of democracy? in the war against tyranny.
This episode features interviews with (in order of appearance):
Ludivine Broch, historian, University of WestminsterCameron Zinsou, associate professor, Command and General Staff CollegeMichael Neiberg, professor, US Army War CollegeSaul David, military historian and authorGeoffrey Wawro, professor, University of North TexasDan Snow, historian and broadcasterAlexandra Richie, professor, Collegium CivitasDan Carlin, podcaster, Hardcore HistoryRobert Citino, senior historian, National WWII MuseumJon Meacham, presidential historianLeah Wright Rigueur, associate professor, Johns Hopkins UniversityLink to episode
The Beginning
In September 1939, enabled by a secret pact between Adolf Hitler and Josef Stalin, Germany invades Poland with its lightning style of tank warfare, plunging Europe back into war. Adolf Hitler can now pursue his longed-for racial war, as the world watches in horror, and the stage is set for global conflict.
This episode features interviews with (in order of appearance):
Dan Carlin, podcaster, Hardcore HistoryAlexandra Richie, professor, Collegium CivitasRobert Citino, senior historian, National WWII MuseumCameron Zinsou, associate professor, Command and General Staff CollegeGeoffrey Wawro, professor, University of North TexasJadwiga Biskupska, associate professor, Sam Houston State UniversitySimon Sebag Montefiore, historian and authorRoger Moorhouse, historian and authorLeah Wright Rigueur, associate professor, Johns Hopkins UniversityJames Bulgin, Imperial War MuseumGeneral Wesley Clark, US Army, Ret.Sean McMeekin, professor, Bard CollegeLink to episode
Pearl Harbor
Driven by their desire for resources and an Asian empire, Japan invades China. The US joins the global outcry as Japanese troops brutally destroy the Chinese capital of Nanking. FDR responds with a crippling oil embargo, but Japan refuses to back down, propelling them towards an attack on Pearl Harbor that will change the trajectory of WWII and the world.
This episode features interviews with (in order of appearance):
Geoffrey Wawro, professor, University of North TexasNoriko Kawamura, professor, Washington State UniversityTakima Melber, the University of HeidelbergRobert Citino, senior historian, National WWII MuseumDan Carlin, podcaster, Hardcore HistoryColonel Douglas Douds, professor, US Army War CollegeChristopher Harding, cultural historian, University of EdinburghJon Meacham, presidential historianLeah Wright Rigueur, associate professor, Johns Hopkins UniversityJonathan Parshall, military historian, US Naval War CollegeMax Brooks, fellow, Modern War Institute, West PointLink to episode
The War at Sea
In 1940, German U-boats are sinking British hopes of victory. From the sidelines, FDR loans Britain much needed aid and maneuvers US patrols to the edge of an ?undeclared war? with Germany. Meeting at a game-changing summit, Churchill and FDR align their goals. But as America and Britain get closer, so do the German U-boats. Once at war, the US will face not only German ships but the might of the Japanese empire. At Midway, America?s young and inexperienced forces will fight for control of the sea.
This episode features interviews with (in order of appearance):
Dan Snow, historian and broadcasterPhillips O'Brien, professor, University of St. AndrewsMax Brooks, fellow, Modern War Institute, West PointRobert Citino, senior historian, National WWII MuseumJon Meacham, presidential historianLeah Wright Rigueur, associate professor, Johns Hopkins UniversityGeoffrey Wawro, professor, University of North TexasColonel Douglas Douds, professor, US Army War CollegeJonathan Parshall, military historian, US Naval War CollegeDan Carlin, podcaster, Hardcore HistoryLink to episode
Darkness Falls
Under Adolf Hitler's leadership, anti-Semitic policies escalate from discrimination to widespread genocide. The state-sponsored persecution features mobile killing squads conducting mass shootings, and then purpose-built death camps, where millions of men, women and children are murdered by poison gas.
This episode features interviews with (in order of appearance):
Waitman Wade Beorn, assistant professor, Northumbria UniversityJadwiga Biskupska, associate professor, Sam Houston State UniversityAlexandra Richie, professor, Collegium CivitasDaniel Greene, adjunct professor, Northwestern UniversityJames Bulgin, Imperial War MuseumRebecca Erbelding, historian and authorSimon Sebag Montefiore, historian and authorRobert Citino, senior historian, National WWII MuseumLink to episode
Guadalcanal
America?s ?day of infamy? at Pearl Harbor is the birth of a new Japanese empire. Japan launches unprecedented attacks across Asia, proclaiming ?Asia for the Asians? and pushing out Western colonial powers. Fueled by ideology, Japan?s armies are seemingly unstoppable ? until a confrontation with the 1st Marine Division of the United States at Guadalcanal becomes a testing ground in a war without mercy.
This episode features interviews with (in order of appearance):
General Wesley Clark, US Army, Ret.Jonathan Parshall, military historian, US Naval War CollegeRobert Citino, senior historian, National WWII MuseumSaul David, military historian and authorDan Snow, historian and broadcasterChristopher Harding, cultural historian, University of EdinburghDan Carlin, podcaster, Hardcore HistoryTakima Melber, the University of HeidelbergColonel Douglas Douds, professor, US Army War CollegeGeoffrey Wawro, professor, University of North TexasLink to episode
Operation Torch
In 1942, Eisenhower leads the first joint U.S.-British operation of the war ? Operation Torch ? successfully landing thousands of untested U.S. troops on the Vichy-controlled shores of North Africa. The Allies race to trap the German forces in Tunisia, resulting in fearsome tank battles against the famed ?Desert Fox,? German Field Marshall Erwin Rommel and his battle-tested Afrika Korps.
This episode features interviews with (in order of appearance):
Robert Citino, senior historian, National WWII MuseumJonathan Parshall, military historian, US Naval War CollegeGeneral Wesley Clark, US Army, Ret.Colonel Douglas Douds, professor, US Army War CollegeSaul David, military historian and authorDan Snow, historian and broadcasterCameron Zinsou, associate professor, Command and General Staff CollegeMichael Neiberg, professor, US Army War CollegeAlexandra Richie, professor, Collegium CivitasJon Meacham, presidential historianLink to episode
Secrets and Lies
Amid World War II?s chaos, a hidden battle rages ? a war of espionage, deception, and codebreaking. At Bletchley Park, Alan Turing and his team race to crack Germany's "unbreakable" Enigma Code in a bid to thwart Nazi plans and save Britain from invasion. But as the codes evolve, daring missions and deadly risks intensify?
This episode features interviews with (in order of appearance):
Dan Snow, historian and broadcasterRobert Citino, senior historian, National WWII MuseumDavid O?Keefe, professor, Marianopolis CollegeNicholas Reynolds, historian and former CIA officerDavid Abrutat, Official Historian, GCHQSir Dermot Turing, writer and speakerMatthew Hefler, intelligence historian, King?s College LondonTessa Dunlop, historian and authorGuy Walters, historian and authorKatrin Paehler, professor, Illinois State UniversityRobert Hutchinson, intelligence historianLink to episode
Stalingrad
In 1942, Hitlers launches his second offensive in the Soviet Union: Operation Blue. Quickly becoming impatient, Hitler splits his force in an attempt to capture both the Caucasus oil fields and Stalingrad.
Initially successful, the German Sixth Army captures up to 90% of the city until they are trapped by General Zhukov?s men. The Soviet attacks and the unforgiving Russian winter steadily wipe out the German troops until their leader, General Paulus, surrenders. Furious, Hitler launches his final attack, ending all hopes for a German victory on the Eastern Front.
This episode features interviews with (in order of appearance):
Colonel Douglas Douds, professor, US Army War CollegeRobert Citino, senior historian, National WWII MuseumSir Antony Beevor, military historianAlexandra Richie, professor, Collegium CivitasSean McMeekin, professor, Bard CollegeSimon Sebag Montefiore, historian and authorDan Carlin, podcaster, Hardcore HistoryGeoffrey Wawro, professor, University of North TexasJadwiga Biskupska, associate professor, Sam Houston State UniversityLink to episode
Battle for the Skies
In 1942, the Allies are eager to challenge the Luftwaffe?s superiority in the air. The RAF and U.S. Army Air Forces combine operations to bomb the industrial heart of Germany and destroy German air power ahead of the upcoming Allied invasion of France. Airmen on both sides will suffer grievous losses ? and so will civilians below.
This episode features interviews with (in order of appearance):
Robert Citino, senior historian, National WWII MuseumDan Snow, historian and broadcasterA.J. Baime, journalist and authorMartin Morgan, military historian and authorJohn Curatola, military historian, National WWII MuseumColonel Douglas Douds, professor, US Army War CollegeDr. Rebecca Grant, national security analystDan Carlin, podcaster, Hardcore HistoryJon Meacham, presidential historianAnand Toprani, military historian, U.S. Naval War CollegeLink to episode
Italy
In the summer of 1943, after a successful campaign in North Africa, Churchill convinces
Roosevelt that the best way forward is an invasion of the island of Sicily. But what is thought to be a quick and decisive attack instead becomes a months-long slog up the Italian peninsula, as Hitler has no intention of giving up this key part of his empire without a fight.
This episode features interviews with (in order of appearance):
Dan Snow, historian and broadcasterRobert Citino, senior historian, National WWII MuseumSarada Peri, presidential speechwriter and political analystJon Meacham, presidential historianSimon Sebag Montefiore, historian and authorDan Carlin, podcaster, Hardcore HistorySaul David, military historian and authorColonel Douglas Douds, professor, US Army War CollegeMartin Morgan, military historian and authorMarco Aterrano, associate professor, University of Naples Federico IIAlexandra Richie, professor, Collegium CivitasLink to episode