25 Best Pacific War Podcasts to Listen to (2026)

The Unauthorized History of the Pacific War Podcast is the creation of Seth Paridon and Bill Toti. Seth is a World War II historian with over 20 years experience who's many roles also was serving as a chief historian for The National WWII Museum for 15 years. Bill is not a historian, but is a retired submarine commodore and military planner with a special interest in the Pacific War. Bill has a unique perspective to offer as one who spent more than a decade sailing those same waters where the action in 'The Unauthorized History of the Pacific War' took place.Each week, Bill and Seth dive deep into topics pertaining to the Pacific War during World War II. We dissect the battles, tactics, strategies, and personalities that drove the United States' victory on the largest battlefront in human history.Seth and Bill bring out the hard facts about the war that resonates deeply today, some 80 years after the war was fought. New episodes are released on this channel every Tuesday, and the audio versions of each episode are released at the same time everywhere you receive your podcasts. Make sure you subscribe to get notifications of every fresh upload and new show!If you prefer an audio-only version of 'The Unauthorized History of the Pacific War,' it can be heard here: And for those of you interested in the transition from active duty to industry, Bill's book 'From CO to CEO: A Practical Guide for Transitioning from Military to Industry Leadership' is available in hardback at Amazon and other resellers, in eBook format on Kindle and Apple, and in audiobook format on Audible. more

The Pacific War - week by week 80 years after

The definitive podcast about the Burma Campaign of World War Two. Join historians and authors Dr Robert Lyman MBE & Jack Bowsher as they take you through dripping monsoon and jungles, across parched plains, and over rivers and mountains sharing the incredible and often brutal story of the war against Japan in Southeast Asia. In Series One (Spring 2025) Rob and Jack did a general broad brush narrative of the campaign. Series Two began in June 2025 and includes interviews with historians, relatives of veterans, and plenty of narratives by Jack and Rob, all about the retreat in 1942. Later series will be much of the same, covering anything and everything related to the Burma Campaign - or the China-Burma-India Theatre as it is known in the USA. Sponsored by The Burma Star Memorial Fund, Sampan Travel, The Kohima Educational Trust, and Guidl. You can follow the pod on Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter (X), the handle for all is @forgottenwarpod You can also email Rob and Jack at ****@gmail.com By the hosts: Robert Lyman - Slim Master of War (2003), Japan's Last Bid for Victory (2016), A War of Empires (2021), Victory to Defeat (with General Lord Dannatt, 2023), Korea War Without End (with General Lord Dannatt, 2025), and many more. Jack Bowsher - Forgotten Armour: Tank Warfare in Burma (2024), Thunder Run: Meiktila 1945 (2025) Produced and Edited by Robbie Maguire *Note from the hosts: In some episodes there may be the use of language that is outdated in the modern world. This is only ever said in the show as quotations by individuals who lived at the time when those phrases were in common usage across the world.* Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. more

The World War II podcast with comedian Al Murray and historian James Holland.We Have Ways of Making You Talk dives deep into WWII history, exploring key battles, forgotten front lines, and incredible untold stories. Whether you're fascinated by the Battle of Britain, the D-Day landings, or the Eastern Front, this show offers a rich, detailed look at the war that shaped the modern world.Al and James bring a unique blend of expert knowledge and humour, discussing everything from the Third Reich, Churchill's leadership, and the Fall of Berlin, to World War 2 tanks, fighter planes, and naval battles. Expect historical insights, lively tangents, and discussions on iconic second world war events like Operation Barbarossa, the Pacific Theatre, and the North African campaign.Join our membership club for extra content, livestreams and ad-free listening: patreon.com/wehavewaysFor more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com more

Hundreds of letters, written between brothers fighting in the Pacific during World War II. Almost one a day, for every day of the war. In this podcast, you'll hear the story of these brothers — the Eyde brothers — and of World War II, as told through their letters, in their own words. Bringing the letters to life are modern U.S. military veterans. At key moments in the story, we'll talk to them about how these letters compare to their own experiences — what's universal about war and what's changed. And why everyone who picks up these letters feels like the Eyde brothers become a part of their family. more

Trapped is a six part series about a group of Australian airmen stranded on Japanese-occupied Timor during the Second World War. Using diaries of the airmen, wartime records and interviews with survivors, Trapped brings to life one of the greatest stories of survival and escape of the Pacific War. A true story of leadership, courage, mateship, and, at times, cruelty and violence that played out on a remote tropical island during one of history's bloodiest conflicts. more

Season two of the largest Combined, Joint, Multinational Military History effort focuses on American and Allied Forces in Europe and the Pacific through 1944. The 1943 series ended up with 108 episodes with contributions from across all US services, as well as contributions from our British and Canadian friends, and more. more

Deep dives into the Pacific War and other Histories

The Echoes of War Podcast covers military history from antiquity to the modern age.

The MacArthur Memorial Podcast covers a variety of topics related to the life and times of General Douglas MacArthur (1880-1964). From the triumphs and controversies of MacArthur's career to the latest scholarship on the Spanish-American War, the Philippine-American War, the World Wars, the Occupation of Japan, and the Korean War, the MacArthur Memorial Podcast is constantly exploring fascinating history. The MacArthur Memorial is located in Norfolk, VA and is dedicated to preserving and presenting the legacy of General MacArthur and the millions of men and women who served with him. more

The 'Indictment of the Pearl Harbor 5', is a podcast based on the book of the same name written by Donald J. Young. It carefully details and rightfully places the blame for the unpreparedness of the December 7, 1941, Pearl Harbor disaster, on the heads of the U.S. Navy and War Departments in Washington DC. 'Indictment of the Pearl Harbor 5, ' is available on Amazon.com.Donald J. Young is a military historian, author and lecturer, who writes on the pre-Midway period of World War II in the Pacific. His books on the subject include 'The Battle of Bataan,' 'The First 24 Hours of War in the Pacific,' 'Final Hours in the Pacific,' 'The Bitter End,' and 'Fall of the Philippines.' He has also authored a dozen stories in military history magazines, including 'Aviation History,' 'Military Heritage,' and 'WWII Magazine.' Mr. Young is also the co-founder and first director of the Fort MacArthur Museum in San Pedro, California, which highlights its distinguished role in the defense of our nation. more

The memoirs of the four Quant brothers of little, New London, Wisconsin as they served their country during World War II from the date of entry (enlistment or draft) through to the date of discharge in the United States Army and Army Air Corps. The four brothers' experiences fighting in both Europe and the South Pacific Theatre will be told in factual, vivid detail (good, bad, and even humorous and sarcastic at times). This particular podcast is ideal for history buffs (American history and World history), WW2 history buffs, students (college, graduate school, and even high school). more

WW2 in Focus: Echoes Through AI brings you the raw, human side of World War 2—battles, strategy, heroes, villains, and the chaos in between. Told with the help of AI and guided by U.S. Navy veteran Hector Sanchez, each episode dives into the war's turning points and forgotten moments. From D-Day to the Pacific, from Churchill to Hitler, we explore the war that shaped our world. For fans of WW2 history, military strategy, and AI-powered storytelling. more

Uncover the unvarnished truth of World War II's Pacific theater in Pacific Front Untold, a podcast produced by Pacific Atrocities Education. This series exposes the full spectrum of the war—from the calculated brutality of Japanese imperial forces across Asia to the desperate courage of those who resisted.Go beyond the beaches of Iwo Jima and the bombs over Hiroshima. Hear the silenced voices of the Rape of Nanjing, the Bataan Death March, the hellships, Unit 731's biological horrors, and the 'comfort women' system that enslaved tens of thousands. Alongside these atrocities, discover the guerrilla fighters of the Philippines, the Flying Tigers over China, the codebreakers at Station HYPO, and the Indigenous scouts who turned jungles into battlegrounds.Each episode draws on declassified records, survivor testimonies collected by Pacific Atrocities Education, and interviews with historians and descendants. We confront the war crimes, honor the resilience of victims, and reveal how these events still shape Asia-Pacific relations today.For educators, students, and anyone seeking the complete story, Pacific Front Untold is your guide to a war that was never just American. Subscribe and remember what must never be forgotten. more

Get closer to the untold forgotten history of the Pacific Asia War with Damian Abernathy. Learn more about topics like bioweapon in Unit 731, Japan before Pearl Harbor, and more. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pacific-atrocities-education/support more

War and Family:Letters Home What if a letter your grandfather wrote—one you never even knew existed—suddenly turned up in the world? That's what this podcast is about: real letters written home by U.S. servicemen and women during World War II. Each one is a time capsule, carrying the voice of someone far from home, writing from a foxhole, a bunk, a ship, or a field hospital. My mission is simple: to bring these voices back to the families they belong to—one letter, one story at a time. And who knows? Maybe today, you'll hear a familiar name or a place. Maybe this letter was meant for you. During WW2 men and women were deployed throughout Europe and the Pacific and their only means to communicate home was through letters, handwritten notes to assure those at home they were alright and waiting for letters from their loved ones to provide semblance of support and normalcy. Over the years I have collected letters with the intention of returning to family - but first I'd like to share who these men were, where were they from and the context of where the soldiers were and what role they played in the War. Please sit back and get to know these members of the greatest generation. It is my hope that All letters in these podcasts will return to family. If you recognize the soldiers or families, please reach out to me at ****@outlook.com and help me get the letters home Visit us also on Facebook! War and Family, Letters Home https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090294016439&mibextid=LQQJ4d Thank you for listening! more

Its December 8, 1941, and on the remote Wake Island—a small, vital outpost nestled between Hawaii and Guam—Marines of the 1st Defense Battalion are gearing up for another grueling day of war preparations that have consumed them for weeks. Meanwhile, the majestic Pan American Airways Philippine Clipper takes to the skies, soaring across the lagoon formed by the islets of Peale, Wake, and Wilkes, bound for Guam. However, this trans-Pacific journey will never reach its destination. - Summary by Robert Cressman more

The battle of Okinawa, a grueling three-month conflict spanning a 700-mile stretch from Formosa to Kyushu, involved over a million combatants, including Americans, Japanese, British, and native Okinawans. This monumental clash was not only the largest but also the most costly single operation of the Pacific War, rivaling the Normandy invasion that had occurred just months earlier. Throughout its 82 days of intense combat, the battle claimed an average of 3,000 lives daily—both from the fighting forces and tragic non-combatants. (Joseph H. Alexander) more

By early 1944, the United States Marine Corps had already made significant strides in their campaign to reclaim territories lost to Japanese forces during World War II. Following pivotal victories in the Southwest Pacific—beginning with Guadalcanal in August 1942 and continuing at Tarawa in November 1943—American forces were poised to take the next crucial step assaulting the islands held by Japan prior to 1941. These strategically important islands, mandated to the Japanese by the League of Nations after World War I, were shrouded in mystery and speculation. With outsiders barred and illegal fortifications suspected, any push toward Japans inner defense ring had to navigate these uncertainties. The Marshall Islands emerged as the primary target, a geographic key identified by Marine planners as far back as 1921. - Summary by John C. Chapin more

WWII Pacific Theater history. Each episode covers the battles, campaigns, and decisions that shaped the war in the Pacific. My focus covers three areas: the island-hopping campaigns that defeated Japan, the cultural forces that made Japanese soldiers fight to the death, and the survival stories of those caught behind enemy lines. The amphibious assaults, the strategic decisions, and the human cost of victory. What matters are the real experiences—Real warfare. Real warriors. Real history. more

Jack Maddox examines the Battle of Okinawa—the Pacific's bloodiest 82 days—through strategic military decisions, civilian catastrophe, and staggering casualties that exceeded Hiroshima and Nagasaki combined. Explore how cave warfare, kamikaze attacks, and unimaginable human cost shaped the atomic decisions that ended World War II. For more content like this, visit QuietPlease.ai more

In this podcast, we will look at the lesser known part of World War Two, the war in the pacific. Each episode we will look at a different month of the war. Welcome to PacificTheatre! more

Embark on a gripping journey through the harrowing yet heroic experiences of Marines during the pivotal battles in the Central Solomons, as suggested by the title 'Up The Slot: Marines in the Central Solomons.' This podcast delves into the strategic importance of the Pacific Theater during World War II, highlighting the courage, tenacity, and sacrifice of those who fought to reclaim vital territories. With each episode featuring a new complete audiobook, listeners will encounter a diverse array of narratives that capture the complexities of warfare, the camaraderie among soldiers, and the relentless pursuit of victory against formidable odds. This is not a single story but a series of unique explorations that invite you to immerse yourself in the realities of military strategy and the human spirit. Discover a new book with every episode and deepen your understanding of this critical chapter in history. This show includes AI-generated content. more

In the three decades leading up to the Pacific War, the United States dedicated significant effort to envisioning what a conflict with Japan might entail. However, the reality of the Pacific War diverged sharply from these meticulously crafted plans, particularly War Plan Orange. Both American and Japanese strategies were heavily influenced by Alfred Thayer Mahans theories on sea power and decisive battles, despite the absence of such climactic naval confrontations in the Great War. The Pacific War further strayed from the Naval War Colleges expectations, as battleships were quickly overshadowed by aircraft carriers. Initially driven by necessity, the evolving capabilities of planes and the refinement of carrier doctrine soon illuminated the carriers dominance in shaping naval engagements. Hector Charles Bywaters Sea-Power in the Pacific, published in 1921, along with his 1925 novel The Great Pacific War, surprisingly predicts aspects of the conflict more accurately than many interwar naval strategies. While the extent of their influence in the United States remains uncertain, journalist William H. Honan noted in a 1970 article that both works were translated into Japanese and circulated among naval officers during this crucial time. The cover features Yamashita Gentarō, then chief of the Navy General Staff, who was part of the Fleet Faction opposing the contentious Washington Naval Treaty. This faction played a pivotal role in the Navy General Staffs swift translation and distribution of Bywaters book upon its release. Although the precise impact of Sea-Power in the Pacific on Japanese military thought is unclear, it undeniably influenced the political dynamics within the Imperial Navy throughout the 1920s. - Summary by Alister This show includes AI-generated content. more

World War II was not merely a war; it was a global cataclysm that redrew borders, toppled empires, and unleashed technologies that still define our world. From the first shots at Westerplatte to the atomic fire over Hiroshima, Lucas and Luna guide listeners through the conflict that reshaped civilization. They examine the ideological struggle between fascism and democracy, the harrowing Eastern Front where Operation Barbarossa cost millions of lives, and the Pacific theater's island-hopping campaign. The show delves into the war's origins in the Treaty of Versailles, the appeasement at Munich, and the rise of Hitler, Mussolini, and Tojo. It explores key turning points: the Battle of Britain, Stalingrad, Midway, and D-Day. Also covered are the Holocaust and other war crimes, the home fronts in America, Britain, Germany, Japan, and the Soviet Union, and the roles of leaders like Churchill, Roosevelt, Stalin, and de Gaulle. The war's aftermath—the Nuremberg trials, the Marshall Plan, the division of Europe, and the dawn of the Cold War and nuclear age—is examined for its enduring impact. Why did this war happen? Could it have been prevented? What does it mean for us today? This show offers a comprehensive, gripping narrative of humanity's deadliest conflict.#WorldWarII #WWIIHistory #AdolfHitler #WinstonChurchill #FranklinRoosevelt #JosephStalin #Holocaust #BattleOfBritain #OperationBarbarossa #PearlHarbor #DDay #PacificTheater #EasternFront #NurembergTrials #AtomicBomb #MarshallPlan #History #FexingoHistoryKeep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo more