The first English-language podcast that focuses on the history of the Eastern Front of the Second World War in Europe.
Operation Barbarossa, Germany’s invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941, was the biggest military invasion on land in history. The war that followed between Hitler’s Germany and Stalin’s USSR was the largest part of the Second World War in Europe—by far. By June 1944, Germany committed nearly ten times the troops and other materiel the eastern front compared to the western.
And yet, the Eastern Front does not get nearly as much attention in the West. While most people in the English-speaking world know of the Battle of Britain, Anzio, Tobruk and Operation Market Garden, fewer know about the Battle of Kursk, the Lvov–Sandomierz offensive or the Battle of Narva.
This podcast will help to rebalance that.
Launching on June 22, 2022—the 81st anniversary of the start of the war between these two tyrannies—Beyond Barbarossa shines a spotlight on this part of World War II. It describes the progress from the first day to the end of the war in 1945. And because it goes beyond Barbarossa, the podcast will also explore the context: the trends and forces leading up to the war, the concurrent events of the war in the Mediterranean, Africa, Italy, France, Britain, Scandinavia, the Pacific and more.
And the podcast also looks into the long-term ramifications and consequences after the war—the consequences that have largely defined the world order for the eight decades since.
Bonus episodes for supporters delve into important events that had significant impacts on the confrontation between Germany and the USSR: the invasion of Poland in 1939, the Winter War between Finland in 1939 to 1940, development of powerful, terrible weapons, and the lives of the people who suffered occupation, oppression and destruction of their homes.
Become a supporter
From May 15 to June 20, 2022, a Kickstarter campaign aims to raise a modest amount of funding for the equipment needed for a professional quality podcast. Things like a professional microphone, headphones and other sound equipment; graphics and design; podcast and web hosting, and more.
You can find and support the Kickstarter campaign starting May 15, 2022, at https://www.kickstarter.com/profile/easternfrontpodcast.
Supporters get swag!
In addition to the warm glow you get from knowing you’re supporting the spread of knowledge in the world, supporters of the podcast get some cool thank-yous from me, Scott Bury:
- For $10 US and more: a one-year subscription to the podcast, which includes the bonus episodes, AND a shout-out in the first episode.
- $25 US and up: the three volumes of The Eastern Front Trilogy in the e-book format of your choice: Army of Worn Soles, Under the Nazi Heel and Walking Out of War, plus the subscription and bonus episodes.
- $50 and up: a personalized, signed paperback copy of The Eastern Front Trilogy, plus the subscription and bonus episodes.
- $75 and up: a commemorative coffee mug, plus the e-books, subscription and bonus episodes.
- $150 or more: all the above, PLUS a special commemorative t-shirt.
The Kickstarter campaign ends on June 15, 2022. One week later, the podcast itself launches. Listeners will be able to continue to support the podcast through subscriptions, donations and memberships—and to get cool swag.
If you can support, we greatly appreciate you.
Visit the Kickstarter campaign: https://www.kickstarter.com/profile/easternfrontpodcast