Aspects of History

By: Oliver Webb-Carter
  • Summary

  • The editor of Aspects of History, Ollie Webb-Carter, interviews historians and authors on the past - from the ancient world right up to the modern day. In each episode, Ollie seeks to get to the bottom of a story or scrutinise a figure from history. There are bonus episodes too, from current events and anniversaries to the Aspects of History Film Club.
    Aspects of History
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Episodes
  • Operation Varsity with Saul David
    Mar 22 2025
    On the morning of 24th March 1945 the British and Canadian 6th Airborne Division and the American 17th Airborne Division began parachuting into German held territory on the eastern side of the River Rhine. So began the largest single lift airborne operation of all time as nearly 17,000 men were dropped, using nearly two thousand transport planes and defended by around 3,000 fighters. Varsity was the last major operation of the war as the allies successfully made it onto German held territory and the route to Berlin was clear, though they were behind the Soviets in that race. Joining to discuss is Saul David, bestselling military historian and author of Sky Warriors, his account of the British airborne troops during the Second World War. Saul David Links Sky Warriors Saul on X Aspects of History Links Latest Issue out - Annual Subscription to Aspects of History Magazine only $9.99/£9.99 Ollie on X Aspects of History on Instagram Get in touch: history@aspectsofhistory.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    42 mins
  • The Vietnam War, Part Two: Breakdown with Geoffrey Wawro
    Mar 19 2025
    As the Vietnam War progressed, discipline among US troops began to deteriorate, to the stage where incidents of ‘fragging’ – the practice of killing officers and NCOs with grenades – became more widespread, as did the shooting of officers when out on patrol or during contact. This phenomena encapsulates the latter half of the American presence in Vietnam as soldiers refused to engage in operations when there was no discernible objective. Joining to discuss Nixon’s Vietnam in this second episode following on from Saturday is Geoffrey Wawro, historian and author of The Vietnam War: A Military History. Geoff talks about the Vietnamese leadership as well as the reduction in troop numbers as Nixon’s secret plan is exposed. Geoffrey Wawro Links The Vietnam War: A Military History Aspects of History Links Latest Issue out - Annual Subscription to Aspects of History Magazine only $9.99/£9.99 Ollie on X Aspects of History on Instagram Get in touch: history@aspectsofhistory.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    42 mins
  • The Vietnam War, Part One: Quagmire with Geoffrey Wawro
    Mar 15 2025
    On 8 March 1965 at Da Nang in South Vietnam, 3,500 Marines landed thus marking the beginning of US combat troops in Vietnam. 8 years later the Americans would withdraw having lost more than 58,000 dead, and 300,000 wounded. The Vietnam War itself cost, and these numbers are approximate, around 300,000 South Vietnamese troops dead, 1 million North Vietnamese and Viet Cong dead and more than 3 million civilians killed. Joining today is Geoffrey Wawro, historian and author of a new military history of this tragic conflict. This is the first of a two-parter as Geoff describes the background of US involvement, the mistakes made by the military leaders, and the Nixon administration’s involvement. Part two is out on Wednesday as we discuss the war from 1968 as US troops lose discipline and the American public lost faith in the war. Geoffrey Wawro Links The Vietnam War: A Military History Aspects of History Links Latest Issue out - Annual Subscription to Aspects of History Magazine only $9.99/£9.99 Ollie on X Aspects of History on Instagram Get in touch: history@aspectsofhistory.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    43 mins

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Excellent

Fascinating insight into the life of the Stirling brothers and Paddy Maine. Would recommend for anyone who is interested in the early days of the SAS.

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