The History of WWII Podcast - by Ray Harris Jr

The brave men and women behind the RAF pilots and Fighter Command. The British people come together to defend their island: Anti-Aircraft guns, balloon barrage, BAM Fuel, Private companies working ahead of the government, the Air Transport Auxiliary and the Home Guard. The Battle of Britain is covered through August 1st, when Hitler issues Directive #17, the destruction of the RAF.

This episode gives a glimpse into the daily routine of Luftwaffe pilots fighting over the English Channel. The Straights of Dover are now being called Hellfire Corner from the number of sunken convoy ships. Also July 26th-28th of the Battle of Britain is covered. Dowding rests his men and their aircraft, while Luftwaffe leader Goering tries to coax the RAF fighters into the sky. Flying Ace Major Werner Moelders of the Luftwaffe returns after a being a POW of France and gets a proper welcome from the RAF.

The Me 109E will bring Nazi Germany to greatness and to the water's edge at the English Channel. It came before the Hurricane and Spitfire and was faster. But it was also without armor, at first. The Luftwaffe is still testing the RAF: its air craft, pilots and RDF system. Both sides will draw blood as Adlertag and Operation Sea Lion comes closer. The Battle of Britain, July 23-25.

This episode covers the beginning of the RAF and Fighter Command. Air Marshal Dowding is Fighter Command's first Commander in chief. Through trial and error, radar is developed and a detection and respond system is worked out to defend the Channel coast. The Battle of Britain, from July 20th to July 22nd. The Spitfire and Hurricane hold their own as the Luftwaffe rethinks its strategy and tactics.

German tactics, English weather and the Spitfire.

A close up of the Hawker Hurricane and the Battle of Britain, July 11th-15th.

Battle of Britain- July 10, 1940.

Hitler is ready to end the war, but not Churchill.

Hitler until the Beer Hall Putsch.

Hitler through the end of WWI.

The early life of Adolf Hitler.

Petain and the New France.

Britain and France clash and Churchill settles the question of the French fleet once and for all.

Petain's government signs the Armistice Treaty with Nazi Germany.

Petain rushes to find peace, giving little thought of the price.