logo
episode-header-image
Jun 2025
10m 31s

World War Two’s Rome escape line

Bbc World Service
About this episode
tail spinning
Up next
Sep 2025
The Chindits
During World War Two, an unconventional special force was formed. Known as the Chindits, they fought behind enemy lines in Burma, now Myanmar during 1943 and 1944 in the war against Japan.Their leader was the charismatic Orde Wingate, a British Army officer. This programme is mad ... Show More
10m 19s
Aug 2025
Nagasaki bomb
On 9 August 1945, the United States dropped an atomic bomb on Nagasaki, Japan, killing at least 74,000 people. It led to the end of World War Two in Asia, with Japan surrendering to the Allies six days later. The Nagasaki bomb, alongside the Hiroshima bomb on 6 August, remain the ... Show More
10m 29s
May 2025
VE Day celebrations
The end of the Second World War in Europe came on 8 May 1945, after more than five years of conflict.British Prime Minister Winston Churchill announced that people could allow themselves "a brief period of rejoicing". Crowds in their thousands gathered outside Whitehall and Bucki ... Show More
9m 47s
Recommended Episodes
Nov 2024
The bloody road to Rome: liberating Italy from the Nazis in WWII
When the Allies invaded Italy in the summer of 1943 they hoped to be in Rome by Christmas. Instead, it wasn't until June 1944 that the Italian capital was liberated, following a gruelling march up the peninsula that ended with what James Holland describes as "five months of hell" ... Show More
37m 23s
Feb 2024
Enemy Aliens
As the Nazis waged war on Europe, Britain had to take extreme measures to protect its shores. German and Italian nationals were imprisoned across the UK, including a small community of women on the Isle Of Man. Al Murray and James Holland return to the National Archives, to disco ... Show More
33m 30s
Apr 2024
Cassino '44 - Rome Falls (Part 8)
In the final episode of our epic Italy series, Al Murray and James Holland follow OPERATION DIADEM to completion. The Germans have been pushed back past the Adolf Hitler line and the final victory for the Allies is the liberation of the Eternal City. A Goalhanger Production Produ ... Show More
48m 47s
Jan 2023
291: The Man Who Escaped Auschwitz
Tom and Dominic are joined by Jonathan Freedland to discuss the incredible story of Rudolf Vrba and Alfréd Wetzler, who escaped from Auschwitz in April 1944. *The Rest Is History Live Tour 2023*: Tom and Dominic are back on tour this autumn! See them live in London, New Zealand ... Show More
53m 20s
Dec 2023
399. The Savage Storm: World War II and The Battle for Italy
The Battle for Italy in 1943 proved to be one of the bloodiest and most brutal episodes of the Second World War. Following hot on the heels of their recent victory in Sicily, the Allies crossed the Straits of Messina and entered Italy in September, to fight their way up the Itali ... Show More
49m 15s
Oct 2022
The Hunt for Nazi Spies in World War II
<p>While Ireland remained neutral in the Second World War several Nazi agents were smuggled into the country. Their aims varied, some sought to establish contact with the IRA while others were spies. </p><br><p>In this episode, I interview historian Marc McMenamin about the attem ... Show More
27m 55s
Feb 2024
Prisoners Of War
Over 150,000 British and Commonwealth troops were imprisoned by the Germans or Japanese during the Second World War. What were their lives like, what diseases did they suffer, and how good were their musicals? Al Murray and James Holland delve into the National Archives to find o ... Show More
46m 52s
Oct 2023
Downfall: Mussolini’s Prison Break
In Italy, Il Duce is overthrown. So Hitler stages a daring mission to rescue his fascist partner. With the Red Army rampant, another epochal battle sends the Wehrmacht on the retreat. Soon, more bad news will reach the Berghof, as Allied troops start landing in Normandy. But with ... Show More
50m 57s