I highly recommend this podcast series to EVERYONE! It changed the way I think of life and forced a paradigm shift in my view of World War 2.

This podcast series looks at the Eastern Front – the confrontation between the USSR and Germany during World War 2. Despite what Western history textbooks say about Normandy and the British/American/French/Canadian efforts, which were heroic, the Eastern Front was the defining theater of World War 2. The Eastern Front drained Germany of its tactical capability and culled so much of its military that by the time the beaches at Normandy were stormed Germany was already a shadow of its former self.

The Eastern Front cut the legs off the German military, but not without massive sacrifice. With approximately 27 million military and civilian deaths (roughly 50/50 split) the USSR suffered more casualties than all allied forces combined, and the Eastern Front remains the biggest military confrontation in world history.

The confrontation between the USSR and Germany was one of ideology, with both viewing their enemy as sub-human. Consequently, fighting was unbelievably vicious and vengeful. This was a fight to eradicate an ideological enemy, and for many death was the best they could hope for.

What hit me most was the speed at which humanity devolved into barbarianism, and the total lack of empathy for human suffering. Two groups of people were made to hate each other so much that they fought the most evil conflict of all time.

Bookmark this page. These are long shows, so make sure you have some time (and peace and quiet) before you start. Invest the time – I promise you’ll be glad you did.

Ghosts of the Ostfront, hosted and researched by Dan Carlin:

Ghosts of the Ostfront I (1:05)

Part One covering the conflict between the Germans and the Soviet Union in the Second World War. Dan gives an introduction to the subject and discusses the causes and opening moves of Operation Barbarossa.

Ghosts of the Ostfront II (1:28)

In Part Two of the Ostfront series covering WW2 on the Eastern Front, Dan looks at the attempt to take Moscow and the many compelling stories surrounding the momentous1941 German offensive.

Ghosts of the Ostfront III (1:30)

In Part Three of the Ostfront series covering WW2 on the Eastern Front, Dan looks at the situation in the U.S.S.R. during 1942 and early 1943, including the dreadful Battle of Stalingrad.

Ghosts of the Ostfront IV (1:39)

In the final episode of the horror story that is the Eastern Front the tale descends into unimaginable darkness as vengeance is called down on Germany. This graphic episode is not for young ears.