Europe At War: A WW2 Podcast

On the night of the 31st of August 1939, as Europe stood on the brink of war, Nazi Germany staged a series of false-flag attacks along the German-Polish border, carefully choreographed to provide a pretext for their invasion of Poland.

The most notorious of these operations unfolded at the radio station in Gleiwitz, where German operatives disguised as Polish insurgents stormed the transmitter and broadcast a fabricated call for rebellion in Polish.

But Gleiwitz was no isolated incident, because that same night, similar staged assaults were carried out near the small towns of Hochlinden and Pitschen, creating the illusion of a major Polish incursion.

Dramatic in intent yet clumsy in execution, these false-flag attacks helped usher Europe into war…

Map: Here is a map giving an overview of the locations featured in this episode.

If you have any comments or questions about the show, please get in touch via [email protected]

You can also follow me on instagram at davidsumnerhistory or visit my site davidsumnerhistory.com

Cover photo: Wikimedia

Sources used:

Dennis Whitehead, "The Gleiwitz Incident", Issue 142, "After The Battle" magazine, Battle of Britain International Ltd, 2009.

Tracesofwar - “Gleiwitz Incident”.

With the battle over, peace reigns across Leipzig.

However, the American occupation forces are confronted with a new set of challenges in the city.

The dead must be buried, the destroyed buildings must be rebuilt, and if possible, Leipzig’s return to democracy must be achieved.

But whatever challenges the people of Leipzig faced under the Americans, nothing can prepare them for the arrival of the Soviets…

Map: Here is a map giving an overview of the important locations featured in the series.

If you have any comments or questions about the show, please get in touch via [email protected]

You can also follow me on instagram at davidsumnerhistory or visit my site davidsumnerhistory.com

Cover photo: AP-Wirephoto

Sources used for the series:

German-language:

Jürgen Möller, "Die letzte Schlacht–Leipzig 1945", Verlag Rockstuhl, 2014.

Manfred v. Ungern-Sternberg, "Spaziergang nach Leipzig: Beitrag zur Leipziger Stadtgeschichte. Ein Bericht zum Kriegsende 1945. Erlebnisse eines Thomaners", Shaker Media GmbH, 2020.

"Leipzig am Ende des Krieges" - Eine Ausstellung des Stadtarchivs Leipzig (PDF), 2005.

Leipziger Volkszeitung, "Kriegsende vor 80 Jahren in Leipzig: Leserinnen und LVZ-Leser berichten von harten Zeiten".

Leipziger Volkszeitung, "Leipzigs vergessener Bürgermeister".

Leipziger Volkszeitung, "Wie der US-Stadtkommandant von Leipzig das Frühjahr 1945 erlebte".

English-language:

Karel Margry, "The battle for Leipzig", Issue 130 "After The Battle" magazine, Battle of Britain International Ltd, 2005.

Michael E. Haskew, "Last Stand at Völkerschlachtdenkmal: The Battle of Leipzig, 1945", Warfare History Network, 2019.

American forces have captured most of Leipzig, but key strongholds throughout the city remain in German hands.

For example, at the Völkerschlachtdenkmal, a German garrison led by the fanatical Colonel Von Poncet refuses to surrender, leading to a tense stand-off with the Americans…

Dates covered: 19th - 20th of April 1945.

Map: Here is a map giving an overview of the important locations featured in the series.

American assault plan for Leipzig/Phase lines overview.

If you have any comments or questions about the show, please get in touch via [email protected]

You can also follow me on instagram at davidsumnerhistory or visit my site davidsumnerhistory.com

Cover photo: AP-Wirephoto

With Leipzig surrounded on all sides by American forces, the US 2nd Infantry Division and the 69th Infantry Division launch their assault on the city.

In the face of such unrelenting American military strength, one of Leipzig’s leaders tries to surrender the city…with farcical results.

Date covered: 18th of April 1945.

Map: Here is a map giving an overview of the important locations featured in the series.

American assault plan for Leipzig/Phase lines overview.

Robert Capa’s “Last Man To Die” photo.

More Battle of Leipzig photos from Robert Capa.

If you have any comments or questions about the show, please get in touch via [email protected]

You can also follow me on instagram at davidsumnerhistory or visit my site davidsumnerhistory.com

Cover photo: AP-Wirephoto

April 1945: American forces, led by US V Corps, advance across central Germany, seeking to crush the Third Reich once and for all.

With Leipzig now clearly within the crosshairs of the Americans, the city's military and civil leadership panic over how exactly to defend Leipzig from the impending American attack…

Map: Here is a map giving an overview of the important locations featured in the series.

If you have any comments or questions about the show, please get in touch via [email protected]

You can also follow me on instagram at davidsumnerhistory or visit my site davidsumnerhistory.com

Cover photo: AP-Wirephoto