The WW2 Podcast

In this episode of the WW2 Podcast, I am joined by Professor James Crossland to discuss the extraordinary life of Robert Bruce Lockhart — a British diplomat, journalist, author, and secret agent. Though not a household name, Lockhart was a key figure behind the scenes of 20th-century history. His career began before the First World War and took him from revolutionary Russia to wartime Britain, often placing him near the centre of power and influence. During the Second World War, he served as Director-General of the Political Warfare Executive, the organisation responsible for coordinating all British propaganda efforts against the Axis powers. Lockhart’s life reads like a spy thriller, full of intrigue, diplomacy, and covert operations. James Crossland, author of Rogue Agent: From Secret Plots to Psychological Warfare – The Untold Story of Robert Bruce Lockhart [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1783969059/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=%201472848985&linkCode=as2&tag=thehistoryn0a-20&linkId=d6f99998ab1dab5a39f91ed597aa4b53], sheds light on the man whose influence was far greater than his fame.   patreon.com/ww2podcast [https://www.patreon.com/ww2podcast] https://www.patreon.com/ww2podcast

In this episode of the WW2 Podcast, I am joined by Bernd Häber to discuss the remarkable story of his grandfather, Fritz Häber — a German soldier who became a prisoner of war in American custody at the end of World War II. During his 16 months in a U.S. POW camp, Fritz kept a diary that not only captured the daily realities of captivity but also reflected on his wartime experiences and personal history. Now published as Fritz Häber: The Complete Diary – 16 Months in an American POW Camp [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1956203427/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=%201472848985&linkCode=as2&tag=thehistoryn0a-20&linkId=d6f99998ab1dab5a39f91ed597aa4b53], the account provides a rare and honest perspective from the losing side of the conflict. Bernd shares insights into his grandfather’s life, the motivations behind the diary, and the legacy it represents — a deeply human story of reflection, identity, and the long shadow of war. You can find more about Fritz at 16monthsaspow.com [https://www.16monthsaspow.com/]   patreon.com/ww2podcast [https://www.patreon.com/ww2podcast] https://www.patreon.com/ww2podcast

In the early stages of America’s involvement in the Second World War, the U.S. Army began forming a new kind of fighting force—elite units trained for speed, surprise, and special operations behind enemy lines. These were the first Army Rangers, inspired by British Commandos and destined for some of the toughest missions of the war. In this episode, I’m joined by historian and author Mir Bahmanyar to talk about the formation and deployment of these early Rangers, from their beginnings in North Africa and Sicily to their fateful engagement at Cisterna in 1944, a battle that ended in disaster for two Ranger battalions. Mir is the author of ‘Houdini Club: The Epic Journey and Daring Escapes of the First Army Rangers of WWII’ [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1635769787/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=%201472848985&linkCode=as2&tag=thehistoryn0a-20&linkId=d6f99998ab1dab5a39f91ed597aa4b53], a book that sheds light on the origins, ethos, and early missions of these extraordinary soldiers.   patreon.com/ww2podcast [https://www.patreon.com/ww2podcast] https://www.patreon.com/ww2podcast

During the critical interwar years, Belgium found itself walking a diplomatic tightrope—maintaining neutrality while neighbouring Germany rapidly rearmed. Faced with the growing threat of conflict, the country was forced to modernise its defences. One of Belgium’s key military developments during this period was the T-13 tank destroyer—an armoured vehicle that, although modest by international standards, played a vital role in the country's attempt to resist the German invasion in 1940. In this episode, we head to Brussels to uncover the story of the T-13 with Robby Houben from the Belgian Royal Military Museum.   Patreonpatreon.com/ww2podcast [https://www.patreon.com/ww2podcast] https://www.patreon.com/ww2podcast

On the morning of June 6th, 1944, war photographer Robert Capa waded ashore on Omaha Beach during the Allied landings in Normandy. What happened next became the stuff of legend: under withering fire, Capa supposedly captured over a hundred photographs of the chaos and courage of D-Day, only for all but eleven to be lost in a darkroom accident. These surviving images, the so-called “Magnificent Eleven,” helped define the visual memory of D-Day and cemented Capa’s reputation as the greatest war photographer of the 20th century. But what if the story we've long accepted isn't entirely true? In his book Back into Focus: The Real Story of Robert Capa's D-Day [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1636244734/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=%201472848985&linkCode=as2&tag=thehistoryn0a-20&linkId=d6f99998ab1dab5a39f91ed597aa4b53], Charles Herrick takes a forensic look at the events of that day, unraveling inconsistencies in Capa's own account and challenging the myths that have grown around his legacy. Drawing on official military records, eyewitness testimony, and detailed photo analysis, Herrick offers a new—and at times controversial—perspective on one of the most iconic moments in photojournalism history. I’m delighted to welcome Charles to the podcast today to talk about what really happened on D-Day, how the legend of Robert Capa was built, and what his findings mean for how we understand both history and heroism.   patreon.com/ww2podcast [https://www.patreon.com/ww2podcast] https://www.patreon.com/ww2podcast