Season 2019

E1. Week 019 - The Finns Strike Again and Japan Strikes Back - WW2 - January 5 1940

Jan 5, 2019 · 11m

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

E2. Week 020 - The Red Army Regroups to Crush Finland - WW2 - January 12 1940

Jan 12, 2019 · 11m

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.

E3. Week 021 - Swedes not Sweden to Finland's Rescue - WW2 - January 19 1940

Jan 19, 2019 · 12m

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...

E4. Week 022 - The Enigma of Germany's Wartime Economy - WW2 - January 26 1940

Jan 26, 2019 · 12m

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...

E5. Week 023 - The Soviet Hammer Strikes Hard at Finland - WW2 - February 2 1940

Feb 2, 2019 · 11m

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.

E6. Week 024 - Stalemate in China, Bombs over Finland - WW2 - February 9 1940

Feb 9, 2019 · 12m

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.

E7. Week 025 - Finland’s Desperate Fight - WW2 - February 16 1940

Feb 16, 2019 · 11m

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.

E8. Week 026 - Manstein Makes a Plan and Hitler has a Man Crush - WW2 - February 23 1940

Feb 23, 2019 · 10m

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.

E9. Week 027 - Hitler Plans His New Wars - Fall Gelb - WW2 - March 2 1940

Mar 2, 2019 · 11m

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.

E10. Week 028 - Finnish Winter is Almost Over - WW2 - March 9 1940

Mar 9, 2019 · 13m

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.

E11. Week 029 - The Soviets Finish a Costly Winter War - WW2 - March 16 1940

Mar 16, 2019 · 11m

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.

E12. Week 030 - Il Duce and der Führer Have a Date - The Axis War Plans - WW2 - March 23 1940

Mar 23, 2019 · 11m

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.

E13. Week 031 - Allies Plan to Hit the Nazis Where it Hurts - WW2 - March 30 1940

Mar 30, 2019 · 11m

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.

E14. Week 032 - Germans and British make their way to the North - WW2 - April 6 1940

Apr 6, 2019 · 11m

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.

E15. Week 033 - The Invasion of Norway and Denmark - WW2 - April 13 1940

Apr 13, 2019 · 13m

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.

E16. Week 034 - The Scramble For Norway - WW2 - April 20 1940

Apr 20, 2019 · 11m

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.

E17. Week 035 - Norway is Burning - WW2 - April 27 1940

Apr 27, 2019 · 12m

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.

E18. Week 036 - Retreat in Norway, Preparations in Western Europe - WW2 - May 4 1940

May 4, 2019 · 12m

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.

E19. Week 037 - Hitler Strikes in the West - The Invasion of the Benelux - WW2 - May 11 1940

May 11, 2019 · 13m

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.

E20. Week 038 - Blitzkrieg in the West - The Invasion of France - WW2 - May 18 1940

May 18, 2019 · 20m

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.

E21. Week 039 - The Allied Clusterf**k - The Battle of France - WW2 - May 25 1940

May 25, 2019 · 14m

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...

E22. Week 040 - The First Brexit? - The Dunkirk Evacuation - WW2 - June 1 1940

Jun 1, 2019 · 12m

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.

E23. Week 041 - Will Britain Remain?! - WW2 - June 8 1940

Jun 8, 2019 · 13m

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?

E24. Week 042 - Britain Votes to Leave - WW2 - June 15 1940

Jun 15, 2019 · 14m

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.

E25. Week 043 - Nazi Europe?! - The Fall of France - WW2 - June 22 1940

Jun 22, 2019 · 14m

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.

E26. Week 044 - Hitler ❤️Paris - German Victory in France - WW2 - June 29 1940

Jun 29, 2019 · 12m

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.

E27. Week 045 - Do the Brits hate the French?! - The Bombing of Mers-el-Kébir - WW2 - July 6 1940

Jul 6, 2019 · 12m

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.

E28. Week 046 - The Dictator of France - The Rise of Philippe Pétain - WW2 - 046 - July 13 1940

Jul 13, 2019 · 12m

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.

E29. Week 047 - Good People on Both Sides? - Hitler's Peace Offer to the Allies - WW2 - July 20 1940

Jul 20, 2019 · 12m

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.

E30. Week 048 - No Deal... Herr Hitler! - The Battle of Britain Begins - WW2 - July 27 1940

Jul 27, 2019 · 12m

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.