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428 An Idea of Simple Genius

The History of the Twentieth Century

Release Date: 12/14/2025

433 The Longest Day II show art 433 The Longest Day II

The History of the Twentieth Century

In this episode we look at the Normandy amphibious landings generally, then focus on the US assault on Utah Beach.

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432 The Longest Day I show art 432 The Longest Day I

The History of the Twentieth Century

The Normandy landings began at dawn on June 6, 1944, but the night before three Allied airborne divisions were dropped into Normandy to help prepare the way for the amphibious landings.

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431 Bombing Your Allies show art 431 Bombing Your Allies

The History of the Twentieth Century

The German military was occupying many European countries, which put British and American bomber commanders in the awkward position of bombing nations that were supposedly their allies.

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430 Question Time II show art 430 Question Time II

The History of the Twentieth Century

In this Christmas bonus episode, I answer listener questions.

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429 The Fall of Rome show art 429 The Fall of Rome

The History of the Twentieth Century

In May 1944, Allied forces in Italy began an offensive that finally broke the Gustav Line. Soon Americans were marching into Rome. At the same time, Allied forces in Britain were making final preparations for the invasion of France.

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428 An Idea of Simple Genius show art 428 An Idea of Simple Genius

The History of the Twentieth Century

In this episode, we look at some of the preparations both sides' militaries were making for the coming invasion of France, as well as the tricky problem the Allies faced in keeping Charles de Gaulle on board.

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427 Half American show art 427 Half American

The History of the Twentieth Century

As America geared up for war, and then entered the war, African Americans fought to claim a role in the battle against fascism.

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426 Incomparably More Difficult show art 426 Incomparably More Difficult

The History of the Twentieth Century

During the interwar period, African Americans pushed back against the US military's explicit racism.

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425 Eight to the Bar show art 425 Eight to the Bar

The History of the Twentieth Century

Boogie-woogie went mainstream in America during the war, as evidenced by the music of Glenn Miller and the Andrews Sisters.

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424 From Z to A show art 424 From Z to A

The History of the Twentieth Century

The Americans were on the offensive in the Southwest Pacific, and after Tarawa, in the Central Pacific. As they advanced, Japanese military leaders scrambled to find a way to stop the Americans.

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In this episode, we look at some of the preparations both sides' militaries were making for the coming invasion of France, as well as the tricky problem the Allies faced in keeping Charles de Gaulle on board.