Podcasts · World War II with Tom Hanks

Last Days of the Reich

21 Jul 2026 · 36 min · S1 E18

In the winter of 1944, as American and British armies are advancing across western Europe, Hitler plans one last major offensive attempt through the Ardennes forest - the Battle of the Bulge - to swing the tide of the war back in Germany’s favor. Meanwhile, the Soviet Red Army is swiftly moving across Eastern Europe to fulfill Stalin’s ultimate wish of taking Berlin.

This episode features interviews with (in order of appearance):

• Robert Citino, senior historian, National WWII Museum • Dan Carlin, podcaster, Hardcore History • James Holland, military historian and author • Dr. Peter Lieb, military historian and author • Martin Morgan, military historian and author • Geoffrey Wawro, professor, University of North Texas • Paul Woodadge, author and Normandy battlefield guide • Colonel Douglas Douds, professor, US Army War College • Michel Paradis, professor, Columbia University • Sarada Peri, presidential speechwriter and political analyst • Alexandra Richie, professor, Collegium Civitas • Sean McMeekin, professor, Bard College • Simon Sebag Montefiore, historian and author • Jon Meacham, presidential historian • Dan Snow, historian and broadcaster