It's the beginning of the end for the Allied defense of Burma. While Gen. Slim's men are pushed back, their Chinese Allies in the Shan States of Eastern Burma are set upon and scattered.. Their remnants head back to China. Still, Gen. Slim wants to stay and fight and plans to build on Gen. Joseph Stilwell's string of victories, but even these can not alter the course of the wider war. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gen. William Slim will have to use all his experience and cunning to survive this latest defeat and retreat. In the balance is the entire 1st Burma Division. Fortunately for the Allies, Chinese Gen. Sun Li-jen of the 38th Division had dreamed as a boy that he would win a great victory and bring glory to China. The Sun was about to shine bright! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Michel Paradis joins us to talk about his book, Last Mission to Tokyo: The Extraordinary Story of The Doolittle Raiders and Their Final Fight for Justice. A few of the pilots are captured by the Japanese, tortured and sentenced to death. And it will be those Japanese officers connected with this cruelty, that will be tried by the American Government. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The British lead Allies will suffer defeat on land, sea and in the air, but Gen. Slim will not give up. Moving his men north after loosing at Prome, the defenders set up a new line further to the north. The Chinese lend another force to this new defensive line, but what arrives is a far cry than the tough 500th Division. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

My web design guru Paul Finch of Scotland comes on as we discuss the WWII Podcast on its 10th Anniversary. Paul pitches the questions sent in by listeners and I answer them as best I can, with a pinch of humility. Thanks to everyone who listens and we should get this wrapped up...in another 10 years! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bryan Rigg talks about his book Flamethrower: Iwo Jima Medal of Honor Recipient and US Marine Woody Williams and His Controversial Award, Japan's Holocaust and the Pacific War. Iwo Jima must fall to the Americans to allow more intense bombing of the Japanese Home Islands. But Lt. Gen. Tadamichi Kuribayashi, the commander on Iwo Jima will move Heaven and Earth, not to mention break all precedent to inflict staggering casualties on the approaching US Marines. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode brings in Gen. Joseph “Vinegar Joe” Stilwell as he “takes command” of Chinese Armies bound for Burma. Yet, as he will find, appearances can be deceiving. The RAF and AVG crews are pushed out of Burma as the Japanese 55th Division comes at Toungoo, to begin the battle of central Burma. But in their way, is the Chinese 200th Division of the 5th Army, the best that Chiang Kai-Shek has to offer. Oh and this is my 10th Anniversary Episode! Thanks for listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode introduces Gen. William Slim of BurCorps. It would be his job to turn the tables on the Japanese in Burma, by working with American Gen. Joseph "Vinegar Joe" Stilwell. But first, we look back at Slim's experiences in the Middle East as the Allies subdue Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Iran. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Japanese 15th Army invades Burma, hoping to use speed to reach Rangoon. But several British officers hope to hold them off until reinforcements can arrive. The episode covers the fighting retreat from the Salween River, the fighting retreat from the Bilin River and the Battle of Sittang River, where the 17th Indian Division looses more than half of its troops due to bad planning and even worse communication. The situation is most dire before the arrival of Gen. William Slim and Gen. Joseph "Vinegar Joe" Stilwell. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Although the British are unprepared to defend Burma, Wavell believes that the Japanese may have extended themselves too far with this invasion. But it’s wishful thinking as the 3 most southern British airfields quickly fall. With the invaders coming ever closer to Rangoon, it’s up to the Flying Tigers and RAF pilots at Rangoon to give hope to the Allies. And these men will deliver impressive defeats to the Japanese Air Arm. But the Japanese and Thai ground troops are still getting closer to the Burmese capital, where the Lend Lease material is waiting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This potpourri of an episode has lots from early 1942 in the Pacific. Covering the Admiralty, Marshall, Gilbert, Mariana, Caroline and Solomon Islands, we cover more Japanese victories, but also Washington's desire to strike back. Then asking the question, what was the turning point in the Pacific Campaign, Midway or the Solomon Islands Campaign. And finally, ending with Adm. Halsey and Adm. Fletcher as they lead air raids against the Marshall and Gilbert Islands. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Japanese determine that Burma must be occupied to protect their new possession of Malaya. It's up to Chiang Kai-Shek, American Gen. Joe Stilwell and British Gen. Wavell to stop them. The problem is the Allies don't trust each other, in regards to Burma's future. Churchill doesn't care about China right now, but FDR needs the massive country to stay in the fight. Or else the many Japanese divisions in China might be turned on Australia and the US General Staff have determined that Australia has to hold out, to serve as a base. From their Gen. Douglas MacArthur will plan his return to the Philippines. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With Rabaul taken the Japanese go after locations in NE New Guinea, but will have to deal with Vice Adm. Wilson Brown and the US carriers Lexington and Yorktown. The Americans and Australians achieve a surprise air raid on Lae and Salamaua, now owned by the Japanese, but the later will not be deterred from planning their next strike against Port Moresby. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The invasions of New Britain and New Ireland get underway. But are over just as quickly. Meanwhile, Australian PM John Curtain informs Churchill that his country will now tie its wagon to the US. Gen. Douglas MacArthur will be their overall commander. Lastly, the incredible story of the Lost Women of Rabaul is covered. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joining us is Damien Lewis, to talk about his latest book Churchill's Shadow Raiders: The Race to Develop Radar, WWII's Invisible Secret Weapon. Operation Biting's goal was to steal a German Radar Device, yet because of that very device, the Germans knew the British Commandos were coming. And as the raid is launched, Churchill's cabinet can not forget the first airborne operation, which many thought ended in disaster, Operation Colossus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With much of SE Asia conquered, the Japanese now focus on New Guinea, staring with the islands of New Britain and New Ireland. Lark Force at Rabaul will be sacrificed, but will do their duty. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Despite Allied hopes that Timor would be left alone, the Japanese Empire has need of its airfields to bomb Australia. But what the invaders were not counting on was the tough Australian Commandos who stay behind and inflict impressive casualties until the end of 1942. Col. Doi, the Japanese officer in charge therefore, calls in the Tiger of Singapore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Final of the Java series. East Java falls and what is left of the Java Allied Defense is trapped in the south at Tjilatjap. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Japanese come at Java but first must deal with the Combined Fleet of Dutch, Australian, British and American vessels. What follows is The Battle of the Java Sea and The Battle of Sundra Straight. Then the fall of western Java. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Peter Lion joins up to talk about the incredible George Mergenthaler, the sole heir to a vast fortune, but after Pearl Harbor, he joined the US Army as a buck private, only wanting to do his part. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With Sumatra lost the Allies know that Java is next. ABDA Commander Gen. Archibald Wavell prepares his meager forces as best he can. One asset is the heavy cruiser the USS Houston, but can this make up for the overwhelming Japanese forces coming their way. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With Singapore all but taken, the Japanese start operations against Sumatra. The Dutch ask for help from ABDA Command, but it may be too little, too late. Still, the Allies have one chance to stop the invasion, as they launch 50 fighters and bombers at the coming invasion force. Yet the Japanese have their own surprise in store, paratroopers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Writer, Wes Tooke joins us to talk about the film Midway. We cover this pivotal turning point in the Pacific War, lead by Adm. Chester Nimitz. Young men like Dick Best, Wade McClusky and Clarence Dickinson lead the charge after the disastrous attack on Pearl Harbor. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Needing another airfield to attack Java, the Japanese quickly work up a plan to take Bali. Dutch Rear Adm. Karel W. Doorman and ABDA Command respond with three separate naval groups of Dutch and American vessels to stop the invasion. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

During World War II, thousands of Axis prisoners of war were held throughout Nebraska in base camps that included Fort Robinson, Camp Scottsbluff and Camp Atlanta. Many Nebraskans did not view the POWs as "evil Nazis." To them, they were ordinary men and very human. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With Singapore captured, the Japanese Empire sets its sights on Sumatra and Java. But first, the Celebes and Maluku Islands must fall, so Australia and other nearby locations can be targeted. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Despite a 3 to 1 advantage in men, Archibald Percival, GOC Malay, is pushed by Churchill and ABDACOM Commander Gen. Wavell to defy the Japanese in trying to take Singapore. Yet Gen. Yamashita will continue defying the odds with audacity and speed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bringing up the Australian 8th Infantry Division, it's hoped these fresh troops can stop the Japanese 25th Army from taking Johore and thus capturing all of the Malayan Peninsula. Yet Percival and Wavell are already thinking of abandoning the peninsula and focusing on the island of Singapore. Even then, Churchill wants the island fortress held until there is protracted fighting among the ruins of Singapore City. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With reinforcements on the way, the British lead Commonwealth troops strive to keep the Japanese away from Singapore. And though exhausted, the Gurkhas, Punjabis, Hyderabad, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of the 11th Indian Infantry Division are on their own against Lt. Gen. Yamashita's 25th Army. It's a race between the arrival of help versus the capture of the port city. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Japanese 25 Army continues pushing the Malaya Command further south, ever closer to Singapore. But the latest stand will take place near Kampar yet here, the defenders have the enviable position of having their guns on the heights. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The third of the Battle of Singapore series. The 11th Indian Infantry Division, operating on the west coast, as well as the 9th Indian Infantry Division, on the East, both find themselves unable to deal with a few Japanese Battalion and a few companies of light tanks. Within a week, half the Malayan peninsula is lost. Soon, Singapore will be open to direct bombing by nearby, land based enemy bombers. The order of the day is retreat. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Acting Admiral Sir Tom Phillips of the British Royal Navy, hopes to begin a campaign that will save SE Asia. If he can stop the invasion of southern Thailand and Northern Malaya, then one day, Singapore could be the starting point of retaking western possessions. Yet it's not the invading Japanese force Phillips fears or the convoy carrying it, it's the land based bombers in southern Indo-China. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. David Stahel discusses his latest book, Retreat from Moscow, A New History of Germany's Winter Campaign, 1941-1942, in where he takes a new line on Operation Barbarossa's first winter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Though the British plans to defend Singapore with the Royal Navy and Air Force never materialize, Air Marshal Brooke-Popham and GOC Percival still want the British Far East possessions to hold out as long as possible. So Operation Matador and Operation Krohcol are created. But one will not be viable and the other, will be too little, too late. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Professor Mikhal Dekel joins me to talk about her book, covering Jewish Polish refugees, as 1000 children make an incredible 13,000 mile journey from Eastern Europe to Palestine, via Tehran. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Japanese troops push the British led forces as well as the Dutch troops around Borneo, taking coastal towns and villages along the way. But not everything will go the invader's way, as the Dutch use their older bombers and fighters to resist. Not to mention, the US Navy makes an appearance. Still the Japanese win out. But then, both the defenders and the invaders have to content with the locals and some of them are headhunters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After the raid on Pearl Harbor, the Japanese send 2 destroyers to damage the American facilities at Midway Island. Then the island of Borneo is attacked and the British and Dutch forces there have no choice but surrender, but will first make the invaders work for their victory. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Broken by overwhelming numbers, Gen. Maltby and Gov. Young surrender the cause of Hong Kong. But in some ways, the battle over the island is just beginning, as Chinese Communists and Nationalists come together to harass the occupiers of China and Hong Kong. Then comes the tragic tale of the Lisbon Maru, full of Commonwealth POWS, but sunk by an American sub. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As Christmas approaches, the overwhelming Japanese forces reduce the British holdings throughout Hong Kong. Still, Gen. Maltby is unwilling to give up. One counter attack after another is launched. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the eastern half of Hong Kong Island practically lost, it's up to the West Brigade, under Brig. John Lawson to hold the invading Japanese troops back. But Lawson will deal with the same conditions as the defeated Brig. Wallis of the East Brigade, not enough troops and overwhelming enemy forces. Still, both sides will bleed over the Wongneichong Gap. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gen. Sakai begins his invasion of Hong Kong, but Gen. Maltby has his troops ready and his Motor Torpedo Boats, which will hopefully stop the invasion before it can begin. Still, the Japanese reach shore and so begins Japanese atrocities, but the end of Hong Kong resistance.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the Gin Drinker's Line pierced, Gen. Maltby pulls back his men to Hong Kong Island. The Japanese will ask the Commonwealth forces to surrender, but Gov. Young and Maltby give a one word answer, no. Now Gen. Sakai prepares to invade Hong Kong with a bombardment to weaken British defenses. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the Japanese military has been able to take the port cities of China by 1941, the British held Hong Kong is still free. But now its turn has come and Gen. Christopher Maltby and his mix of Canadian, British, Indian and Eurasians troops will try to hold out as long as possible. The Gin Drinkers Line, Maltby's first line of defense will be tested.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

London had decided that Hong Kong was to be sacrificed to the Japanese, but after Canada offered up two battalions, Churchill reversed this decision. Now, the hope was that the British Colony would hold out behind the Gin Drinker's Line, manned by Canadians, Indians and the men from a Hong Kong Chinese Regiment. Still, the odds were going to be 4 to 1. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The marines on Wake Island are holding out, due to discipline and Japanese tactical mistakes. Yet Maj. Devereux is unaware of this and thus brings to fighting to an end. Yet the Japanese atrocities are only just beginning, against the marine and civilian POWs. As for Adm. Frank Fletcher's task force to save Wake, that suffers too, from the equally timid Vice Adm. Pye. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wake Island becomes the focal point of US resistance to Japanese aggression. Adm. Kimmel will send a relief force to Wake, but will it get there in time. Meanwhile, Rear Adm. Kajioka of the Imperial Japanese Navy, in command of the force that is to take Wake is reinforced by two of the carriers that led the Pearl Harbor attack. Pictured-1st Lt. John Kinney works himself into exhaustion trying to keep the marine's remaining Wildcat fighters operational. Who will get to Wake first, the Japanese or Task Force 14? This episode brought to you by ridgewallet.com/ww2. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Marines on Wake Island are down to four Wildcat fighters, but are determined to resist any Japanese invasion, no matter the odds. "Hammering Hank" and Maj. Putnam and their pilots score hit after hit, but the Japanese bombers and transports keep coming. Meanwhile Maj. Devereux comes up with his own surprises for the invaders. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With MacArthur's airfields still smoldering, the Japanese attack Guam and Wake Island. But the Marines on Wake, though staggered after the first strike are determined to fight on. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices