
Show Notes
As we get closer to the 80th anniversary of Operation Overlord and the D-Day Landings, we're beginning to witness the passing of 'living memory' from the Second World War. With more eyewitnesses, participants, and war veterans passing away every day, how can we ensure that their memories, stories, and experiences are safely preserved? The University of Oxford have launched a new project to help combat this problem: Their Finest Hour. By creating a digital history project to encourage people of all backgrounds to submit their experiences or their relatives experiences of the Second World War, they're creating an invaluable digital archive that captures moments and stories that helped define the 20th century. But why is preserving these living memories so important - and what can we learn from the people who have already submitted their tales?
In this episode, James welcomes Dr Joseph Quinn to the podcast to talk about this project, and what they aim to achieve from it. Hearing stories from individuals who have already submitted oral histories, and learning about the importance of preserving living memory - why is this Oxford project so important for future historians, and what can we do to help?
You can submit to the project here.
Discover the past on History Hit with ad-free original podcasts and documentaries released weekly presented by world renowned historians like Dan Snow, Suzannah Lipscomb, Lucy Worsley, Matt Lewis, Tristan Hughes and more. Get 50% off your first 3 months with code WARFARE. Download the app on your smart TV or in the app store or sign up here.
You can take part in our listener survey here.
For more Warfare content, subscribe to our Warfare Wednesday newsletter here.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
More from Warfare
We're bringing you an episode of a podcast we think you'll love: Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford. At the height of World War Two, British intelligence began receiving reports that the enemy was developing a rocket weapon. The idea seemed fantastical — resources in Nazi Germany were scarce and a rocket-building program defied economic logic.
The Second World War officially ended on September 2nd 1945 - and it's estimated that around 3% of the Earth's population perished during the conflict. But what ultimately bought WW2 to an end - and how vital a role did the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki play in obtaining a Japanese surrender?
This episode contains graphic descriptions of violence and sexual assault.
December 2nd is a special date for those fascinated by Napoleon Bonaparte. Not only is this the date he crowned himself Emperor of France in 1804, but also the date of his greatest victory a year later, the Battle of Austerlitz. James Rogers is joined by world-leading historian Andrew Roberts to dissect the conditions, tactics and aftermath of Napoleon's greatest battle.
What was it actually like to operate a tank during the Second World War?