Podcast

John Rhodes on History

John Rhodes is a historian who writes about World War II. He grew up playing in the wreckage of bombed-out buildings in post-war London and got hooked on history at Cambridge.

His podcast recounts the great battles of that era, from the Battle of Britain to Pearl Harbor to D Day. Each episode explores a major battle—not just what happened but who and how and why, and the historical context.

These podcasts are for people who want to know more about world history. Why? Because Churchill said that ‘those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.’ So, join John and let’s learn.

Latest Episodes

Operation Mission House — The Bombing of Tokyo

Episode 10 — March 15, 2025

In March 1945, 80 years ago this month, the US Air Force launched an attack even more destructive than Hiroshima or Nagasaki. In the episode, John explores the firebombing of Tokyo.

Operation Plate Rack — The Bombing of Dresden

Episode 9 — February 21, 2025

John explores the controversial bombing of the city of Dresden in 1945, 80 years ago this month.

WWII — The Big Three at Yalta

Episode 8 — February 7, 2025

John analyses the Yalta conference and its long-term impact on the Cold War.

WWII — HAPPY NEW YEAR, IKE!

Episode 7 — January 24, 2025

John examines Eisenhower’s risks and opportunities at the beginning of 1945.

WWII – A Bridge So Close But Yet Too Far

Episode 6 — September 26, 2024

John examines the joint Anglo-American airborne operation Market Garden, the biggest paratroop operation of Word War II.

WWII – LIBERATION OF PARIS

Episode 5 — August 28, 2024

John describes how Paris was liberated during the global conflict that was World War II and the major players involved.

D DAY – A GLOBAL CONFLICT

Episode 4 — July 18, 2024

John describes some of the crucial battles that were also raging in other parts of the world at the same time as the Allies and Hitler’s armies were fighting in Normandy in the summer of 1944.

D DAY – AIRBORNE ASSAULT

Episode 3 — July 3, 2024

John tells the stories of the airborne troops who landed in Normandy on the night before D Day and paid a fearsome price. The American 82nd and 101st Airborne landed to the west of the beaches and the British 6th Airborne to the east.

D DAY – OPERATION OVERLORD

Episode 2 — June 20, 2024

John takes you to the five D Day beaches in Normandy. Through his eyes, we see the men who landed and fought there, the men who tried to repel them, and what happened that fateful day.

D DAY – EIGHTY YEARS AGO

Episode 1 — June 6, 2024

The invasion of Normandy in June 1944 was one of the greatest battles in history. John begins the story by examining Adolf Hitler’s rise to power and the events that made D Day necessary and inevitable.

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