I recently attended the We Have Ways Fest, where I ran into Séan Scullion, a friend of the podcast. You might remember him from episode 135, where we discussed Spaniards in the British army. His book, "Churchill’s Spaniards," is about to be released.

At this year’s We Have Ways Fest, Sean was scheduled to speak about the British Middle East Commandos. We found a supposedly quiet corner to chat, though it turned out to be less quiet than anticipated.

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It was only as Harry S. Truman was sworn in as the 33rd president of the United States that he was told of the Manhattan Project. In this episode, we embark on a journey through one of the most controversial and consequential decisions in modern history: Truman's choice to drop atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II.

The story of this decision is complex, marked by intense debates, ethical dilemmas, and immense geopolitical stakes. As the war in Europe concluded with the defeat of Nazi Germany, the Pacific Theater continued to rage with brutal intensity. American forces faced fierce resistance from Japanese troops, and the prospect of a prolonged and bloody invasion of Japan loomed large.

In this episode, we'll explore the multifaceted considerations that influenced Truman's decision. We'll examine the military strategies, the political pressures, and the moral questions that weighed on the shoulders of the 33rd President of the United States.

I'm joined by Edward Aldrich, the author of The Partnership: George Marshall, Henry Stimson, and the Extraordinary Collaboration That Won World War II. To learn more about Marshall and Stimson, go back to episode 164.

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In this episode of the WW2 podcast, we'll explore the Royal Navy from 1918 to the end of the Second World War and one man's career. Not an officer, but a regular sailor: Herbert Leeder, who chalk up 27 years of service. Following the career of one sailor is an interesting way to view the Royal Navy. It gives us a slightly potted history, but Herbert took part in a number of major actions during the Second World War, and it brings home how one man can be a witness to many great events.

I’m joined by James Carter. After working as a volunteer researcher for a local history project during the centenary of the First World War, James was inspired to seek out the history of his own great-grandfather when his mother handed him a four-page summary of Herbert Leeders's career. The outcome of that research is Hearts of Steel, which tracks Herbert's career and the Royal Navy in which he served.

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