237: North Africa 1940 Pt. 1 - Italian Aspirations

237: North Africa 1940 Pt. 1 - Italian Aspirations

Author: Wesley Livesay October 29, 2025 Duration: 28:21
In the summer of 1940, with the fall of France, the war in North Africa began in earnest. On one side, the Italian army in Libya, massive in number but beset by industrial and logistical problems. On the other, a small British force in Egypt, tasked with defending the Suez Canal. This episode explores the Italian war effort in the opening months of the North African campaign, from the strategic decisions made in Rome to the realities of the desert war. Was the Italian army a paper tiger, or a force to be reckoned with? Contact advertising@airwavemedia.com to advertise on History of the Second World War. History of the Second World War is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Podcast Episodes
248: Taranto Pt. 2 - The Attack [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:56
On the night of November 11, 1940, the HMS Illustrious launched two waves of Swordfish torpedo bombers against the Italian fleet anchored at Taranto. Despite losing formation in the clouds and facing intense anti-aircraf…
247: Taranto Pt. 1 - Plans and Preparations [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:19
In November 1940, the Royal Navy launched one of the most audacious carrier operations of the Second World War—a nighttime air attack on the Italian fleet anchored at Taranto. This episode explores the planning and prepa…
246: Yugoslavia Pt. 2 - The Invasion [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:10
In Episode 246 of History of the Second World War, titled “Yugoslavia Pt. 2 – The Invasion,” we explore how the short-lived Yugoslav state collapsed under German military pressure just weeks after its own internal coup.…
245: Yugoslavia Pt. 1 - Belgrade's Impossible Position [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:43
In this episode of “History of the Second World War,” we explore Yugoslavia’s precarious position in the early years of WWII — a newly formed nation straddling ethnic diversity and geopolitical tension, created after WWI…
Listener Questions Pt. 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:12
Late last year I asked for listener questions, this is the result! If you have First or Second World War Questions send them to historyofthesecondworldwar@outlook.com. Contact advertising@airwavemedia.com to advertise on…
244 - East Africa [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:32
In this episode of “History of the Second World War,” we explore the often-overlooked but strategically significant campaign in East Africa during 1940–1941, where British and Italian forces clashed across rugged terrain…
243: North Africa 1940 Pt. 7 - Beda Fomm [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:41
In Episode 243 of History of the Second World War, we explore the pivotal Battle of Beda Fomm in North Africa during January 1941 — the decisive follow-up to the British victory at Bardia that shattered Italian morale an…
242: North Africa 1940 Pt. 6 - Bardia [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:23
In Episode 242 of History of the Second World War, we dive into Operation Compass, Britain’s first major offensive in North Africa in late 1940 — specifically focusing on the critical assault on Bardia, an Italian strong…
241: North Africa 1940 Pt. 5 - Operation Compass [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:24
In Episode 241 of “History of the Second World War,” dive into the explosive opening of Operation Compass — Britain’s first major offensive in North Africa during WWII, launched in December 1940 against Italian fortified…
Interview 51: Pearl Harbor with Mark Stille [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:34
For this interview I was joined by Mark Stille to discuss his latest book, Pearl Harbor: Japan's Greatest Disaster. https://www.ospreypublishing.com/us/pearl-harbor-9781472865311/ Contact advertising@airwavemedia.com to…