238: North Africa 1940 Pt. 2 - The Key to Empire

238: North Africa 1940 Pt. 2 - The Key to Empire

Author: Wesley Livesay November 5, 2025 Duration: 23:47
While the Italians were preparing for war, what were the British doing? This episode dives into the British perspective on the North African campaign in 1940. We'll explore the strategic importance of the Suez Canal, the desperate attempts to keep Italy out of the war, and the state of the British army in Egypt. Led by the often-underestimated General Wavell, the British were about to embark on a campaign that would defy all expectations. 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
Listener Questions Pt. 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:00
Because so many questions were sent in for the first Questions episode, I had to make another. If you have First or Second World War Questions send them to historyofthesecondworldwar@outlook.com. Contact advertising@airw…
250: Greece Pt. 2 - After the Failure [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:07
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249: Greece Pt. 1 - Plans and Preparations [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:35
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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
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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…