Battle for the Skies
6/30/202640 min
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.
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
Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsJeremy Reagan0:00
The History Channel original podcast.
Tom Hanks0:02
[suspenseful music] In 1942 and into 1943, hundreds of thousands of Americans descend on the east of England to live, fight, and maybe die in the joint effort to defeat Nazi Germany from the air. Combat at 25,000 feet and 300 miles per hour has never been attempted before. The physical, mental, and emotional challenges will be unique. Victory in World War II will be largely determined by who controls the skies, the German Luftwaffe or the Allied Air Forces.
Jeremy Reagan0:41
[plane engines roaring] This is World War II with Tom Hanks, episode 12, Battle for the Skies.
Tom Hanks0:53
[suspenseful music] 1942, the Third Reich is building elaborate coastal defenses in Europe. As they continue to battle the Soviets in the East, the Germans know that it's only a matter of time before Britain and America attack from the West. From the English Channel to the plains of Russia, Germany controls most of Europe.
Robert Citino· Guest1:21
Hitler has turned Europe into an apparently impregnable fortress.