Afleveringen
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Apple Podcasts Description for This Episode
🔥The Winter War: When Finland Defied Stalin ❄️
In the brutal winter of 1939, the Soviet Union expected to crush Finland in weeks. Instead, they walked into a frozen nightmare. Finnish soldiers, outnumbered nearly 3 to 1, used the forests, the cold, and sheer resilience to hold off Stalin’s war machine. Snipers likeSimo Häyhä—The White Death racked up hundreds of kills, while ski troops and guerrilla tactics shredded Soviet forces. But even the most determined defense can’t hold forever.
In this episode ofHearthside History, we dive into thefull story of the Winter War—from its origins and Finland’s impossible resistance to the final Soviet offensives that forced Finland to the negotiating table. How did this tiny nation stand against one of the largest armies in history? And how did the lessons of this war influence Hitler’s invasion of the Soviet Union just a year later?
Join host Ben Harwood as we unravel one of WWII’s most overlooked yet crucial conflicts.
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🔎Looking for more gripping history? Check out other shows fromPastCast Studios for deep dives into ancient civilizations, medieval warfare, Cold War espionage, and more.
Next Episode: The Fall of France & The Dunkirk Evacuation — The world watched in shock as Hitler’s forces swept through France in just six weeks. But on the beaches of Dunkirk, against all odds, a desperate evacuation changed history. Don’t miss it!
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On September 1, 1939, Germany launched a devastating invasion of Poland, unleashing Blitzkrieg—a revolutionary form of warfare that stunned the world. As Polish forces fought desperately against overwhelming odds, another betrayal was already in motion. Just weeks later, the Soviet Union invaded from the east, sealing Poland’s fate and ensuring its complete collapse. But what if Stalin had stayed out of the fight? Could Poland have held out longer? Would Britain and France have finally intervened?
In this episode of Hearthside History, we break down the invasion from the secret Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact to the siege of Warsaw and the brutal occupation that followed. We uncover the forgotten battles, the heroic resistance, and the devastating human cost of the war’s opening campaign.
Would Poland have stood a chance if the Soviets had never invaded? Listen now to find out.
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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Join Hearthside History as we unravel the pivotal moments that led to the outbreak of World War II. From the Spanish Civil War—a proving ground for ideologies and alliances—to the controversial policy of appeasement, we’ll uncover how efforts to preserve peace only emboldened aggressive powers.
Dive into the Munich Agreement, a defining example of diplomacy gone wrong, and explore how the failure of international negotiations left Europe on the brink of catastrophe.
This episode is part of our comprehensive series, exploring World War II from its very beginning to its dramatic conclusion, uncovering the events, decisions, and stories that reshaped the world forever.
TikTok: @HearthsideHistory
Instagram: @Hearthside.History
YouTube: @HearthsideHistory
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Join Hearthside History for an in-depth exploration of the Treaty of Versailles and its impact on the aftermath of World War I, tracing how economic hardship and political unrest fueled the rise of fascism in Italy and Germany.
We’ll examine the ascent of leaders like Benito Mussolini and Adolf Hitler, uncovering how nationalist fervor and punitive post-war conditions laid the groundwork for another global conflict.
We’ll also delve into Japan’s imperial ambitions in Asia, highlighting the strategic moves and expansions that further destabilized the fragile peace. Tune in to understand how these intertwined forces set the stage for World War II and reshaped the 20th century.
TikTok: @Hearthside.History
Instagram: @Hearthside.History
Twitter: @Hearthside.History
Youtube: @Hearthside.History
