World War Two - Season 2

First aired: 1/5/2019 52 episodes

WW II year 1940

Episodes

1. Week 019 - The Finns Strike Again and Japan Strikes Back - WW2 - January 5 1940

Aired: 1/5/2019

In Finland the invading Red Army suffers catastrophic casualties, while in China the Nationalists are divided as Japan uses diplomacy to strike back.

2. Week 020 - The Red Army Regroups to Crush Finland - WW2 - January 12 1940

Aired: 1/12/2019

After the chaotic invasion and catastrophic losses of the first weeks of the Winter War, the Soviet Army has learnt their lesson. Further west the Wehrmacht is ready to move, as long as the skies stay clear.

3. Week 021 - Swedes not Sweden to Finland's Rescue - WW2 - January 19 1940

Aired: 1/19/2019

As the Winter War rolls on the only help the Finns are getting are from volunteers. The Western Allies still have their thoughts on Norway, little do they know that the Phoney War almost ends this week...

4. Week 022 - The Enigma of Germany's Wartime Economy - WW2 - January 26 1940

Aired: 1/26/2019

his week shows the Allies first attempts to break the German Enigma code. Meanwhile, the German war economy shows some flaws and the Soviets are massing artillery in an effort to break the Finnish defences. As the Winter War rolls on the only help the Finns are getting are from volunteers. The Western Allies still have their thoughts on Norway, little do they know that the Phoney War almost ends this week...

5. Week 023 - The Soviet Hammer Strikes Hard at Finland - WW2 - February 2 1940

Aired: 2/2/2019

The Soviet forces revive their winter offensive this week. More men, more tanks and more artillery are brought in to try to force a breakthrough in the Finnish lines. Meanwhile, Churchill encounters resistance to his plan to cut of the German iron trade with Sweden.

6. Week 024 - Stalemate in China, Bombs over Finland - WW2 - February 9 1940

Aired: 2/9/2019

While the Winter War rages on in Finland, Japan is confronted with a dilemma. Keep fighting the Chinese and face huge problems feeding the populace in Japan and their newly conquered territories or withdraw and face your own populace to whom you've promised a glorious victory.

7. Week 025 - Finland’s Desperate Fight - WW2 - February 16 1940

Aired: 2/16/2019

After more than a week of preliminary bombardments and attacks, the Red Army finally attacks the Finnish defensive positions on the Karelian Isthmus en masse. They throw thousands of troops at the Finns at the entire width of their lines, even exceeding them. The Finns defend the best as they can, but their winning streak seems to come to an end.

8. Week 026 - Manstein Makes a Plan and Hitler has a Man Crush - WW2 - February 23 1940

Aired: 2/23/2019

German Genral Erich von Manstein has a cunning plan. And as it happens, it's just how Hitler likes it. This week, the German war plans change quite drastically. In the meantime, the Soviet Red Army continues it push through the Finnish Mannerheim line, except for a stubborrn Finnish pocket of resistance at Taipale.

9. Week 027 - Hitler Plans His New Wars - Fall Gelb - WW2 - March 2 1940

Aired: 3/2/2019

The German plans for the invasion of Western Europe start taking shape. Mansteins plan is innovative, bold and controversial, but Hitler likes it. If everything goes according to his plan, the Germans will be celebrating their victory in Paris come spring.

10. Week 028 - Finnish Winter is Almost Over - WW2 - March 9 1940

Aired: 3/9/2019

The French promise to send troops to aid Finland, though the majority is planned to go to Norway or Sweden. In return, the Finns postpone their peace talks with the Soviets. It is at that moment that the Finns realize that the French are playing tricks and the Soviets are not to be messed with. It's deal or no deal, and they need to decide quick.

11. Week 029 - The Soviets Finish a Costly Winter War - WW2 - March 16 1940

Aired: 3/16/2019

The Winter War is over. The Allies tried to stall the Finns for as long as possible to justify their invasion of Norway, but the Finns have had it and don't trust the British and French to come to their aid. This week, the Finns sign a peace agreement with the Soviet in Moscow.

12. Week 030 - Il Duce and der Führer Have a Date - The Axis War Plans - WW2 - March 23 1940

Aired: 3/23/2019

French Prime Minister Daladier overplays his hand and is replaced after his vision regarding Scandinavia wasn't widely shared in the French parliament. Meanwhile, the French and British in France are preparing for a German attack. If Hitler gets it his way, they will also have to prepare for an attack in the south as Hitler tries to persuade Mussolini to join his invasion.

13. Week 031 - Allies Plan to Hit the Nazis Where it Hurts - WW2 - March 30 1940

Aired: 3/30/2019

Newly appointed French Prime Minister Paul Reynaud and his British counterpart Neville Chamberlain spend the week looking for ways to harm the Germans. Not just by targeting their direct opponent directly, but also by exploring the idea of expanding the war into much bigger territory. In the meantime, the French prepare for the expected invasion and the Allies are laying the foundations of what might one time become a weapon of mass destruction.

14. Week 032 - Germans and British make their way to the North - WW2 - April 6 1940

Aired: 4/6/2019

While China gets a new government, or at least in the eyes of Japan, the British are trying to cope with the rationing of meat and dairy products by trying out some new recipes. More importantly, Germany seems to be very serious about invading Norway. However, the British also plan to move closer to Norway.

15. Week 033 - The Invasion of Norway and Denmark - WW2 - April 13 1940

Aired: 4/13/2019

This week, the Phoney War seems to come to an end when Germany invades Denmark and Norway. The Allies seek confrontation with the Germany in the hope to at least deny them full access to the Swedish Iron mines. Nevertheless, the Germans are prepared and have been planning this for weeks. It looks like it will cost a lot to put a stop to this.

16. Week 034 - The Scramble For Norway - WW2 - April 20 1940

Aired: 4/20/2019

The German Invasion of Norway is still very much in full swing. The German Wehrmacht is moving north from Oslo, where a Norwegian force is trying to halt them in anticipation of Allied reinforcements. The British do land in Norway, but don't necessarily rush to relief the Norwegian army. Meanwhile, Norwegian 'traitor' and 'failure' Vidkun Quisling rises to be the new leader of Norway – only to get rejected by Hitler again. Numerous powers are now trying to grab, restore or consolidate military or political power in Norway. It's a mess.

17. Week 035 - Norway is Burning - WW2 - April 27 1940

Aired: 4/27/2019

The Invasion and subsequent Battle of Norway has only just begun when the British decide to pull back. Poor planning and misfortune after misfortune harms the British campaign, which becomes very apparent this week while the fighting continues. Almost everywhere, except for in the far north, the Allied troops pull back under heavy German pressure.

18. Week 036 - Retreat in Norway, Preparations in Western Europe - WW2 - May 4 1940

Aired: 5/4/2019

Allied plans to take Trondheim in Norway to allow for larger reinforcements and even bigger aerial support to come in are disbanded as the troops approaching Trondheim are pulled back from Norway. While the Allied efforts in Norway lose force there, the Allied forces in Western Europe are prepared for a German invasion through the Benelux countries. The Japanese too are determined to continue their campaign in China, and send thousands more young men into the battlefields.

19. Week 037 - Hitler Strikes in the West - The Invasion of the Benelux - WW2 - May 11 1940

Aired: 5/11/2019

As the Allied troops in Central Norway are evacuated and the Norwegian troops there surrender to the Germans, the Allied position around Narvik is still quite strong. With the addition of roughly 5000 Polish soldiers, the French, British and Norwegian force will prove to be a formidable foe for the Germans up North. This week however, the war drastically changes as not three but four Neutral countries are invaded. The Phoney War is ultimately over.

20. Week 038 - Blitzkrieg in the West - The Invasion of France - WW2 - May 18 1940

Aired: 5/18/2019

The German invasion of Western Europe has been going for over a week now, and the Neutral and Allied countries are in disarray. The Netherlands, despite putting up fierce resistance on some occasions, faces overwhelming powers while Belgium, France and the British feel the pressure from an organised and armoured assault from the Ardennes. And still, the German tanks, soldiers and aircraft are not all the Allies have to fear, as many of their losses are caused by their own command.

21. Week 039 - The Allied Clusterf**k - The Battle of France - WW2 - May 25 1940

Aired: 5/25/2019

While the massive invasion of the Benelux countries and France was going down last week, things were also developing on the fronts in Norway and China. But this week, the German beast is let loose. After breaking through its cage at Sedan last week, nothing seems strong enough to block its way to the English Channel. And if one thing becomes clear, it is that the Allied command structure and the way they communicate is one big smoking mess...

22. Week 040 - The First Brexit? - The Dunkirk Evacuation - WW2 - June 1 1940

Aired: 6/1/2019

When the Germans Panzers move north from Calais, the British Expeditionary Force and France's soldiers still fighting in Belgium and Northern France are trapped between a numerically superior German army. A big operation code-named 'Dynamo' is set up to evacuate as many as possible from Dunkirk.

23. Week 041 - Will Britain Remain?! - WW2 - June 8 1940

Aired: 6/8/2019

As the battle for France is still raging but looks like a ringing victory for Nazi Germany, and the encircled troops in Dunkirk have been evacuated, will Great Britain remain in the war? If so will British forces remain in continental Europe? In fact will Great Britain even be able to remain an independent nation, or also fall to the Nazis?

24. Week 042 - Britain Votes to Leave - WW2 - June 15 1940

Aired: 6/15/2019

The fighting in France isn't over, not even when Paris falls, as the Germans advance and Italy joins the fight. But the Brits now have their back to yet another ocean and see no option but out. Further east Stalin uses the chaos in the West as cover to start moving in on his neighbours.

25. Week 043 - Nazi Europe?! - The Fall of France - WW2 - June 22 1940

Aired: 6/22/2019

While the fighting subsides in much of France, the Italians invade in the south, while tension continues to grow in the Baltic states as the Red Army increases its presence and the USSR makes plans for coups.

26. Week 044 - Hitler ❤️Paris - German Victory in France - WW2 - June 29 1940

Aired: 6/29/2019

Hitler goes to Paris, while Stalin occupies more territory... but something is on Stalin's mind. News of the sudden success of the Wehrmacht in the West is not what he had hoped for. Churchill also looks to the West for help while a German invasion of the British Isles seems imminent. Far East the Japanese are on the advance.

27. Week 045 - Do the Brits hate the French?! - The Bombing of Mers-el-Kébir - WW2 - July 6 1940

Aired: 7/6/2019

The repercussions of the fall of France are not yet seen in full. But this week Britain makes it clear it isn't about to give up, even if it will mean some really hard decisions.

28. Week 046 - The Dictator of France - The Rise of Philippe Pétain - WW2 - 046 - July 13 1940

Aired: 7/13/2019

The Germans and the French in Vichy consolidate their newly acquired power as the British deal with the remnants of the French navy. The Battle of Britain begins with fighting above the English Channel, a battle with great consequences for the future of Europe.

29. Week 047 - Good People on Both Sides? - Hitler's Peace Offer to the Allies - WW2 - July 20 1940

Aired: 7/20/2019

Peace seems to slowly return to the European mainland, but not for long, as the Germans move their airplanes to the French coast to Battle Britain in the skies while they make invasion plans, and the Soviets are entering the Baltics after 'elections' invited them to.

30. Week 048 - No Deal... Herr Hitler! - The Battle of Britain Begins - WW2 - July 27 1940

Aired: 7/27/2019

Hitler searches for ways to force Britain out of the war, but the British sit safely behind their cliffs, their channel and their Royal Navy. Engaging the navy and invading Britain would require a major air-superiority. As a result, the Germans plan to knock the British out of the skies. This is the Battle of Britain.

31. Week 049 - The Hippo vs. the Bulldog - The Battle of Britain Heats Up - WW2 - August 3 1940

Aired: 8/3/2019

As the Kanalkampf comes to a close, the Battle of Britain heats up. Hitler wants Britain out of the war. But before the Germans can invade Britain, it will have to deal with the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy.

32. Week 050 - Hail Mussolini, Haile Selassie's Usurper - The War in Somaliland - WW2 - August 10 1940

Aired: 8/10/2019

This week, the war spreads to Africa, when the Italians invade the British Colony of British Somaliland. While this might seem trivial, it might have tremendous consequences on the remainder of the war.

33. Week 051 - Il Duce Kicks Churchill Where it Hurts - The British Lose Somaliland - WW2 - August 17 1940

Aired: 8/17/2019

As the Battle of Britain reaches not seen before levels of intensity, one of the British colonies is lost to the Italians.

34. Week 052 - The Battle of Britain is a Bitch - WW2 - August 24 1940

Aired: 8/24/2019

This week, the communists attack the Japanese in the Battle of 100 Regiments. Meanwhile, in Europe, the Battle of Britain enters phase three with the Luftwaffe actively targeting British airfields.

35. Week 053 - 366 Days of Crushed Hopes, Suffering and Death - WW2 - August 31 1940

Aired: 8/31/2019

As the war turns one year old, there seems to be no end in sight. The Luftwaffe starts targeting civilian areas of London, the peoples of Eastern Europe switch country without moving houses, in occupied territory the population continues to be terrorized, and an end to the Chinese war that has been raging on for years now seems ever further away.

36. Week 054 - Burn London, Burn - The Blitz Begins - WW2 - 054 - September 07 1940

Aired: 9/7/2019

This week, the battle in the skies of Britain enters a new, even deadlier phase, as the crowded streets of London turn into a war zone. It is the start of the Blitz.

37. Week 055 - The Nazi Invasion of Britain?! - Operation Sealion - WW2 - September 14 1940

Aired: 9/14/2019

The Blitz continues as the German army seems close to the execution of Operation Sea Lion: The Invasion of Britain.

38. Week 056 - The Brits teach the Germans to bugger off! - WW2 - September 21 1940

Aired: 9/21/2019

The Battle of Britain continues as planes fight over the South-English shorelines and large parts of London are targeted during the Blitz. However, this week the ultimate goal of this air battle is postponed. The invasion of Britain, Operation Sea Lion, is called off. For now at least.

39. Week 057 - An Axis of Evil is Complete - Japan Joins Italy and Germany - WW2 - September 28 1940

Aired: 9/28/2019

This week, the factions of World War Two begin to crystallize as the Japanese join the Axis powers.

40. Week 058 - Hitler and the Art of the Deal - German Negotiations with Spain - WW2 - October 5 1940

Aired: 10/5/2019

Hitler is trying to get new Axis Powers on board in his fight against Britain, promising them all huge territorial gains.

41. Week 059 - It’s Raining Bombs, Keep Calm and Carry On - Life During the Blitz - WW2 - October 12 1940

Aired: 10/12/2019

The Blitz continues while Chinese Communists are fighting Chinese Nationalist in China. But the mass bombing of civilian targets does not really do what it is supposed to.

42. Week 060 - USA enters WW2 in 1940?! - WW2 - October 19, 1940

Aired: 10/19/2019

The World War seems to get bigger and bigger as Italy plans to invade Greece and the USA takes a stance.

43. Week 061 - Hitler is Disappointed by his Allies - WW2 - October 26, 1940

Aired: 10/26/2019

Hitler finds out that not everyone is ready to do his bidding. Much to the frustration of Hitler, Franco, Petain and Mussolini all have their reasons to take the high road.

44. Week 062 - Mussolini plays Hitler like a Fiddle - The Invasion of Greece - WW2 - November 2, 1940

Aired: 11/2/2019

A new front opens up in Greece as the Italians invade, while the Battle of Britain seems to come to an end.

45. Week 063 - Britain’s First Victory, Germany Plunders Europe & Mussolini’s Folly - WW2 - November 9, 1940

Aired: 11/9/2019

The Battle of Britain is finished, but the war is far from over. New German plans are being made for the Balkans and Greece, where the Italian offensive is not as successful as planned.

46. Week 064 - Britain shows Japan how to Attack Pearl Harbor - Battle of Taranto - WW2 - November 16, 1940

Aired: 11/16/2019

Japan has two wins this week, and one might turn out to be very consequential for the rest of the war. In the meantime, the British RAF fights the Luftwaffe and Italy struggles in their offensive against Greece.

47. Week 065 - Cracks in the Soviet-Nazi Alliance - WW2 - 065 - November 23, 1940

Aired: 11/23/2019

As the Greek campaign continues, Hitler points his attention eastwards. While he can't invade the Soviet Union just yet, his dependence on it is making him nervous.

48. Week 066 - The German Plan to Destroy French Culture - The Occupation of France - WW2 - November 30, 1940

Aired: 11/30/2019

While Hitler consolidates his power in occupied France, Japanese and Italian forces try to get an edge, but fail. The war is not looking too well for anyone at this point.

49. Week 067 - The Road to Moscow - German Invasion Plans - WW2 - December 7, 1940

Aired: 12/7/2019

Wilhelm Canaris once again disturbs Hitler's plans to drag Spain into the war, as the Germans finalize their plan for the Invasion of the Soviet Union which is scheduled for the summer of 1941. Meanwhile, the Greek counter-offensive into Albania loses steam and the Pope objects to the German T-4 euthanasia program.

50. Week 068 - The Empire Strikes Back - Britain’s Operation Compass - WW2 - December 14, 1940

Aired: 12/14/2019

The First British offensive of the War begins in North Africa. Meanwhile, the German Knickebein system is designed for bombers to accurately bomb British targets at night. This is what the Brits do to stop them.

51. Week 069 - Red Beard’s Ghost Returns - German Invasion Plans - WW2 - December 21 1940

Aired: 12/21/2019

What Adolf Hitler expects to be his Magnum Opus offensive is still 6 months in the future, but it's going to need plans and more plans. The British, though, are seeing success right now on two fronts far to the south.

52. Week 070 - Winter is Coming, Peace is Not - The Frozen Fronts - WW2 - December 28, 1940

Aired: 12/28/2019

Italy finds itself in a dire position in Albania as Christmas is celebrated in a war-torn Europe and fighting continues in China.