History Date Night: A WWII Podcast

Episode 27 - Enough Ground to Bury Our Dead

On this episode of History Date Night: The Winter War is over, but its consequences are only beginning. As hundreds of thousands of Finns abandon their homes, Britain quietly abandons its plan to intervene in Finland and instead turns its attention toward Norway. Germany reaches the same conclusion, setting both sides on a collision course that will soon ignite a new campaign in Scandinavia. This week we follow the evacuation of Finnish Karelia, the first British civilian killed by a German bomb, Sumner Welles' failed diplomatic mission across Europe, Winston Churchill's growing frustration with the Phoney War, the appointment of Fritz Todt to reorganize Germany's war industry, the assassination of Sir Michael O'Dwyer by Udham Singh, and the meeting between Hitler and Mussolini at the Brenner Pass that moves Italy one step closer to entering the war. The fighting in Finland may have ended, but the war across Europe is gathering momentum.

Episode 26 - May Wither the Hand

On this episode of History Date Night the Winter War comes to an end. After 105 days of brutal fighting, Finland signs the Moscow Peace Treaty, ceding territory but preserving its independence. We examine the final desperate defense of Viipuri, the evacuation of 400,000 civilians, and the haunting words of President Kyösti Kallio as he signs away part of his country: "May wither the hand that has signed a paper like this." Meanwhile, Sumner Welles concludes his diplomatic mission across Europe after meeting Hitler, Mussolini, Churchill, and King George VI, returning to Washington convinced that peace is impossible. We also cover Britain's alarming lack of anti-aircraft defenses, the first German U-boat sunk by an RAF air attack, France quietly shipping its gold reserves to Canada, and the death of Russian author Mikhail Bulgakov.

Episode 25 - A Closed and Stupid Mind

On this episode of Histroy Date Night, the Winter War enters its final days as Finland faces an impossible choice between continuing the fight and preserving its independence. This week, Sumner Welles continues his European tour convinced that peace is impossible, Simo Häyhä falls after becoming the deadliest sniper in military history, Stalin signs the order that leads to the Katyn Massacre, and Germany adopts the revolutionary "Sickle Stroke" plan that will soon bring France to the brink of collapse. We also cover the arrival of RMS Queen Elizabeth in New York, the first order for the legendary de Havilland Mosquito, Britain's seizure of Italian coal ships, and the surprising debut of Robin, the Boy Wonder, in the middle of one of history's darkest years. Join us as we continue our chronological journey through World War II, one week at a time.

Episode 24 - No Terms, No Time

This episode of History Date Night covers Feb 23-29, 1940: London celebrates its first wartime victory with HMS Exeter and Ajax, Finland faces harsh Soviet peace terms and is abandoned by Sweden, the RMS Queen Elizabeth departs secretly for New York, and the Manstein Plan is set. Sartre reflects on French morale, Mussolini appears worn, Carbon-14 is discovered, Hattie McDaniel wins a historic Oscar, and the Graf Spee's wreck becomes a British intelligence asset.

Episode 23 - The Baedeker Invasion

In February 1940, Manstein's daring plan for the invasion of France gets Hitler's approval, Finland's defenses falter as Sweden refuses military aid, and the first cavity magnetron marks a leap in radar technology. The German invasion of Norway is planned from a tourist guidebook, Gestapo and NKVD coordinate in Poland, Kretschmer's U-boat sinks HMS Daring, and Operation Wikinger ends in German disaster by friendly fire and mines. Amidst these events, a five year old is enthroned as Dalai Lama.