Alle afleveringen van World War II with Tom Hanks

The Hunt for Adolf Eichmann: Case Closed (from History's Greatest Mysteries)

9 september 2026 · 41 min

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Introducing History's Greatest Mysteries—a new History Channel podcast from Rewind Studios—available wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes every Wednesday. Lees meer

At the end of World War II, many Nazi officials were captured and tried for their crimes. But one of the architects of the Holocaust, Adolf Eichmann, slipped through the cracks… repeatedly eluding Nazi hunters from around the globe. How was Adolf Eichmann finally captured after fifteen years on the run?

Fall Out

28 juli 2026 · 38 min

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The war is over, and the Allies are triumphant. The United States and the Soviet Union initially work together to establish a new world order, but over the course of the next four years these two nations will go from Allies of convenience to ideological adversaries, launching the next phase of global conflict under the shadow of nuclear war. Lees meer

This episode features interviews with (in order of appearance):

Michel Paradis, professor, Columbia University

Jon Meacham, presidential historian

Simon Sebag Montefiore, historian and author

Timothy Naftali, senior research scholar, Columbia University

Sarada Peri, presidential speechwriter and political analyst

Phillips O’Brien, professor, University of St. Andrews

Alexandra Richie, professor, Collegium Civitas

Dan Carlin, podcaster, Hardcore History

Michael Kimmage, professor, Catholic University of America

Michael Neiberg, professor, US Army War College

Dan Snow, historian and broadcaster

A.J. Baime, journalist and author

Robert Citino, senior historian, National WWII Museum

Endgame

28 juli 2026 · 37 min

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The U.S. determines by early 1945 that Japan will never surrender and will need to be subdued by force. Newly sworn-in President Truman must authorize an invasion of the Japanese home islands at a terrible cost to American lives. Emperor Hirohito hopes to avoid the destruction of his land and people, but his generals are agitating for war. Both men seek a way out, but only one can deploy the most terrible weapon the world has ever seen. Lees meer

This episode features interviews with (in order of appearance):

Jon Meacham, presidential historian

Dan Carlin, podcaster, Hardcore History

Craig L. Symonds, military historian and author

Christopher Harding, senior lecturer, University of Edinburgh

Saul David, military historian and author

Noriko Kawamura, professor, Washington State University

Yuki Tatsumi, senior director, Institute for Indo-Pacific Security

Jonathan Parshall, military historian, US Naval War College

Robert Citino, senior historian, National WWII Museum

Martin Morgan, military historian and author

A.J. Baime, journalist and author

Sarada Peri, presidential speechwriter and political analyst

Colonel Douglas Douds, professor, US Army War College

Bradley Hart, military historian, National WWII Museum

Dr. Rebecca Grant, national security analyst

Last Days of the Reich

21 juli 2026 · 36 min

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In the winter of 1944, as American and British armies are advancing across western Europe, Hitler plans one last major offensive attempt through the Ardennes forest - the Battle of the Bulge - to swing the tide of the war back in Germany’s favor. Meanwhile, the Soviet Red Army is swiftly moving across Eastern Europe to fulfill Stalin’s ultimate wish of taking Berlin. Lees meer

This episode features interviews with (in order of appearance):

Robert Citino, senior historian, National WWII Museum

Dan Carlin, podcaster, Hardcore History

James Holland, military historian and author

Dr. Peter Lieb, military historian and author

Martin Morgan, military historian and author

Geoffrey Wawro, professor, University of North Texas

Paul Woodadge, author and Normandy battlefield guide

Colonel Douglas Douds, professor, US Army War College

Michel Paradis, professor, Columbia University

Sarada Peri, presidential speechwriter and political analyst

Alexandra Richie, professor, Collegium Civitas

Sean McMeekin, professor, Bard College

Simon Sebag Montefiore, historian and author

Jon Meacham, presidential historian

Dan Snow, historian and broadcaster

No Surrender

21 juli 2026 · 39 min

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In 1944-45, as Allied victory in Europe seems all but assured, the fighting in the Pacific intensifies. The U.S. and Japan suffer terrible losses in the Philippines and on Iwo Jima. Roosevelt understands what ordinary Americans are only beginning to realize: in a clash between a nation which demands unconditional surrender and a nation which refuses to surrender, the worst is still to come. Lees meer

This episode features interviews with (in order of appearance):

Jon Meacham, presidential historian

Robert Citino, senior historian, National WWII Museum

Jonathan Parshall, military historian, US Naval War College

Dan Carlin, podcaster, Hardcore History

A.J. Baime, journalist and author

Bradley Hart, military historian, National WWII Museum

Noriko Kawamura, professor, Washington State University

Christopher Harding, cultural historian, University of Edinburgh

Dr. Rebecca Grant, national security analyst

Anand Toprani, military historian, U.S. Naval War College

Colonel Douglas Douds, professor, US Army War College

Sarada Peri, presidential speechwriter and political analyst

Martin Morgan, military historian and author

Resistance

14 juli 2026 · 38 min

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Resistance to Nazi occupation and oppression has been a constant throughout the war. In the summer of 1944, two cities revolt against the Nazis but meet very different outcomes. And some, living and dying through the Holocaust, take their fate into their own hands and mount organized resistance in the direst of circumstances. Lees meer

This episode features interviews with (in order of appearance):

Colonel Douglas Douds, professor, US Army War College

Robert Citino, senior historian, National WWII Museum

Dan Snow, historian and broadcaster

Alexandra Richie, professor, Collegium Civitas

Michael Neiberg, professor, US Army War College

Marco Aterrano, associate professor, University of Naples Federico II

Martin Morgan, military historian and author

Simon Sebag Montefiore, historian and author

Anand Toprani, military historian, U.S. Naval War College

James Bulgin, historian, Imperial War Museum

Rebecca Erbelding, historian, United States Holocaust Museum

Home Front

14 juli 2026 · 39 min

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As the tide begins to turn against the Axis powers, the leaders of Germany and Japan deploy opposite strategies on their home fronts. Hitler and his propaganda minister do everything in their power to shield the German people from the war, while Hideki Tojo asks the Japanese to sacrifice more and more to support the war effort. But both governments’ demands of their people will grow more intense – and deadly. Lees meer

This episode features interviews with (in order of appearance):

Robert Citino, senior historian, National WWII Museum

Alexandra Richie, professor, Collegium Civitas

Nicholas Stargardt, historian and author

Martin Morgan, military historian and author

Colonel Douglas Douds, professor, US Army War College

Sheldon Garon, professor, Princeton University

Yuki Tatsumi, senior director, Institute for Indo-Pacific Security

Christopher Harding, cultural historian, University of Edinburgh

Dan Carlin, podcaster, Hardcore History

Jonathan Parshall, military historian, US Naval War College

Jeremy Yellen, historian and author

Noriko Kawamura, professor, Washington State University

Bradley Hart, military historian, National WWII Museum

Louise Young, professor, University of Wisconsin-Madison

How Higgins and His Boats Won the War (from HISTORY This Week)

9 juli 2026 · 31 min

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For more stories just like these, check out HISTORY This Week wherever you get your podcasts. Lees meer

June 6, 1944. As thousands of Allied soldiers prepare to storm the beaches of Normandy, they climb down rope nets into small wooden landing craft bobbing in the dark waters of the English Channel. Within hours, these boats will carry them into the largest amphibious invasion in history.

The craft are known as Higgins boats, named for their inventor, Andrew Higgins: a hard-driving New Orleans boatbuilder who built his reputation designing vessels that could speed through swamps, crash through obstacles, and go places other boats couldn't. Higgins was stubborn, abrasive, and relentless. The Navy repeatedly dismissed his ideas. He refused to go away.

How does a small-time New Orleans boatbuilder force his way into the military industrial complex? And what exactly is so special about these boxy little Higgins boats?

Special thanks to Dr. John Curatola, Samuel Zemurray Stone Senior Historian at the National WWII Museum in New Orleans, Louisiana. His book is Armies Afloat: How the Development of Amphibious Operations in Europe Helped Win World War II.

You can find the rest of the books we used to research this episode at historythisweekpodcast.com.

Long Road to Tokyo

7 juli 2026 · 39 min

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The B-29 bomber is the Allies’ best chance to strike Japan, and they turn to China as a potential air base. But Japan launches its largest land offensive of the war to gain control of Asia, leading to brutal fighting in the jungles and plains of South Asia. All the while, the U.S. Navy is speeding through the Pacific towards the Mariana Islands, another potential future B-29 base. Lees meer

This episode features interviews with (in order of appearance):

Colonel Douglas Douds, professor, US Army War College

Dr. Rebecca Grant, national security analyst

A.J. Baime, journalist and author

Robert Citino, senior historian, National WWII Museum

Dan Carlin, podcaster, Hardcore History

Geoffrey Wawro, professor, University of North Texas

James Holland, military historian and author

Dan Snow, historian and broadcaster

Sarada Peri, presidential speechwriter and political analyst

Jon Meacham, presidential historian

Jonathan Parshall, military historian, US Naval War College

Christopher Harding, cultural historian, University of Edinburgh

Noriko Kawamura, professor, Washington State University

Overlord

7 juli 2026 · 38 min

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After years of discussion over how to take the fight directly to Germany, the Allies set a target for a cross-channel invasion: Normandy, spring of 1944. But the road to Operation Overlord is no easy journey, with Hitler lying in wait. For the Allies, it’s a race to pull off one of the most complicated operations in military history. Lees meer

This episode features interviews with (in order of appearance):

Dan Snow, historian and broadcaster

Robert Citino, senior historian, National WWII Museum

Craig L. Symonds, military historian and author

Sarada Peri, presidential speechwriter and political analyst

Dan Carlin, podcaster, Hardcore History

Jon Meacham, presidential historian

Michel Paradis, professor, Columbia University

Geoffrey Wawro, professor, University of North Texas

Dr. Peter Lieb, military historian and author

James Holland, military historian and author

Colonel Douglas Douds, professor, US Army War College

Dr. Rebecca Grant, national security analyst

Martin Morgan, military historian and author

Paul Woodadge, author and Normandy battlefield guide

Battle for the Skies

30 juni 2026 · 40 min

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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. Lees meer

This episode features interviews with (in order of appearance):

Robert Citino, senior historian, National WWII Museum

Dan Snow, historian and broadcaster

A.J. Baime, journalist and author

Martin Morgan, military historian and author

John Curatola, military historian, National WWII Museum

Colonel Douglas Douds, professor, US Army War College

Dr. Rebecca Grant, national security analyst

Dan Carlin, podcaster, Hardcore History

Jon Meacham, presidential historian

Anand Toprani, military historian, U.S. Naval War College

Italy

30 juni 2026 · 38 min

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In the summer of 1943, after a successful campaign in North Africa, Churchill convinces Lees meer

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 broadcaster

Robert Citino, senior historian, National WWII Museum

Sarada Peri, presidential speechwriter and political analyst

Jon Meacham, presidential historian

Simon Sebag Montefiore, historian and author

Dan Carlin, podcaster, Hardcore History

Saul David, military historian and author

Colonel Douglas Douds, professor, US Army War College

Martin Morgan, military historian and author

Marco Aterrano, associate professor, University of Naples Federico II

Alexandra Richie, professor, Collegium Civitas

Stalingrad

23 juni 2026 · 40 min

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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. Lees meer

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 College

Robert Citino, senior historian, National WWII Museum

Sir Antony Beevor, military historian

Alexandra Richie, professor, Collegium Civitas

Sean McMeekin, professor, Bard College

Simon Sebag Montefiore, historian and author

Dan Carlin, podcaster, Hardcore History

Geoffrey Wawro, professor, University of North Texas

Jadwiga Biskupska, associate professor, Sam Houston State University

Secrets and Lies

16 juni 2026 · 40 min

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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… Lees meer

This episode features interviews with (in order of appearance):

Dan Snow, historian and broadcaster

Robert Citino, senior historian, National WWII Museum

David O’Keefe, professor, Marianopolis College

Nicholas Reynolds, historian and former CIA officer

David Abrutat, Official Historian, GCHQ

Sir Dermot Turing, writer and speaker

Matthew Hefler, intelligence historian, King’s College London

Tessa Dunlop, historian and author

Guy Walters, historian and author

Katrin Paehler, professor, Illinois State University

Robert Hutchinson, intelligence historian

Operation Torch

16 juni 2026 · 40 min

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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. Lees meer

This episode features interviews with (in order of appearance):

Robert Citino, senior historian, National WWII Museum

Jonathan Parshall, military historian, US Naval War College

General Wesley Clark, US Army, Ret.

Colonel Douglas Douds, professor, US Army War College

Saul David, military historian and author

Dan Snow, historian and broadcaster

Cameron Zinsou, associate professor, Command and General Staff College

Michael Neiberg, professor, US Army War College

Alexandra Richie, professor, Collegium Civitas

Jon Meacham, presidential historian

Darkness Falls

9 juni 2026 · 41 min

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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. Lees meer

This episode features interviews with (in order of appearance):

Waitman Wade Beorn, assistant professor, Northumbria University

Jadwiga Biskupska, associate professor, Sam Houston State University

Alexandra Richie, professor, Collegium Civitas

Daniel Greene, adjunct professor, Northwestern University

James Bulgin, Imperial War Museum

Rebecca Erbelding, historian and author

Simon Sebag Montefiore, historian and author

Robert Citino, senior historian, National WWII Museum

Guadalcanal

9 juni 2026 · 39 min

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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. Lees meer

This episode features interviews with (in order of appearance):

General Wesley Clark, US Army, Ret.

Jonathan Parshall, military historian, US Naval War College

Robert Citino, senior historian, National WWII Museum

Saul David, military historian and author

Dan Snow, historian and broadcaster

Christopher Harding, cultural historian, University of Edinburgh

Dan Carlin, podcaster, Hardcore History

Takima Melber, the University of Heidelberg

Colonel Douglas Douds, professor, US Army War College

Geoffrey Wawro, professor, University of North Texas

The War at Sea

2 juni 2026 · 38 min

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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. Lees meer

This episode features interviews with (in order of appearance):

Dan Snow, historian and broadcaster

Phillips O'Brien, professor, University of St. Andrews

Max Brooks, fellow, Modern War Institute, West Point

Robert Citino, senior historian, National WWII Museum

Jon Meacham, presidential historian

Leah Wright Rigueur, associate professor, Johns Hopkins University

Geoffrey Wawro, professor, University of North Texas

Colonel Douglas Douds, professor, US Army War College

Jonathan Parshall, military historian, US Naval War College

Dan Carlin, podcaster, Hardcore History

Pearl Harbor

2 juni 2026 · 40 min

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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. Lees meer

This episode features interviews with (in order of appearance):

Geoffrey Wawro, professor, University of North Texas

Noriko Kawamura, professor, Washington State University

Takima Melber, the University of Heidelberg

Robert Citino, senior historian, National WWII Museum

Dan Carlin, podcaster, Hardcore History

Colonel Douglas Douds, professor, US Army War College

Christopher Harding, cultural historian, University of Edinburgh

Jon Meacham, presidential historian

Leah Wright Rigueur, associate professor, Johns Hopkins University

Jonathan Parshall, military historian, US Naval War College

Max Brooks, fellow, Modern War Institute, West Point

Barbarossa

26 mei 2026 · 39 min

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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. Lees meer

This episode features interviews with (in order of appearance):

Simon Sebag Montefiore, historian and author

Sean McMeekin, professor, Bard College

Colonel Douglas Douds, professor, US Army War College

Alexandra Richie, professor, Collegium Civitas

Robert Citino, senior historian, National WWII Museum

Jadwiga Biskupska, associate professor, Sam Houston State University

Dan Carlin, podcaster, Hardcore History

General Wesley Clark, US Army, Ret.

Sir Antony Beevor, military historian

Blitz

26 mei 2026 · 40 min

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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. Lees meer

This episode features interviews with (in order of appearance):

Ludivine Broch, historian, University of Westminster

Cameron Zinsou, associate professor, Command and General Staff College

Michael Neiberg, professor, US Army War College

Saul David, military historian and author

Geoffrey Wawro, professor, University of North Texas

Dan Snow, historian and broadcaster

Alexandra Richie, professor, Collegium Civitas

Dan Carlin, podcaster, Hardcore History

Robert Citino, senior historian, National WWII Museum

Jon Meacham, presidential historian

Leah Wright Rigueur, associate professor, Johns Hopkins University

The Beginning

26 mei 2026 · 40 min

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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. Lees meer

This episode features interviews with (in order of appearance):

Dan Carlin, podcaster, Hardcore History

Alexandra Richie, professor, Collegium Civitas

Robert Citino, senior historian, National WWII Museum

Cameron Zinsou, associate professor, Command and General Staff College

Geoffrey Wawro, professor, University of North Texas

Jadwiga Biskupska, associate professor, Sam Houston State University

Simon Sebag Montefiore, historian and author

Roger Moorhouse, historian and author

Leah Wright Rigueur, associate professor, Johns Hopkins University

James Bulgin, Imperial War Museum

General Wesley Clark, US Army, Ret.

Sean McMeekin, professor, Bard College

World War II with Tom Hanks

18 mei 2026 · 1 min

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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. Lees meer