Best Canadian Combat Operations Podcasts (2025)

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S6 #101 Euclid's Army: Challenging Conventional Wisdom on Land Warfare 1:35:36

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4h ago1:35:36

1:35:36

CONTENT The guests today are Neale Smiles a former soldier now working in the defence industry and Wilf Owen also a former soldier and author of the book "Euclid's Army: Preparing Land Forces for Warfare Today." The conversation focuses on modern military doctrine, training, and equipment for Western armies, particularly challenging traditional ass…

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286 - Rhineland, 1944-45 53:45

3d ago53:45

53:45

By the autumn of 1944, the Allies had driven across France and Belgium and reached the borders of Germany. Ahead of them lay the Rhine — a vast natural barrier and the last line of defence protecting the heart of the Reich. What followed was some of the most intense and costly fighting of the war in Western Europe. From the bitter battles around Aa…

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S6 #100 British Army Combat Logistic Patrols In Afghanistan - Op HERRICK 1:04:57

7d ago1:04:57

1:04:57

CONTENT The guest today is former British Army officer Rob McAllister who discusses his military career with a focus on his challenging early life with dyslexia and his eventual decision to join the Royal Logistic Corps, after a period of academic and professional frustration. The conversation centres on his deployment to Afghanistan as a young sec…

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285 - The Nuremberg Psychiatrist 36:14

12d ago36:14

36:14

In the aftermath of the Second World War, the Allies brought twenty-four of Hitler's most senior figures to justice at Nuremberg. Among them was Hermann Göring — once Hitler's designated heir and still a commanding presence, even in defeat. Before the trial began, the U.S. Army assigned a young psychiatrist, Captain Douglas Kelley, to assess whethe…

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S6 #099 Send It - Canadian Snipers In Afghanistan 1:12:08

17d ago1:12:08

1:12:08

CONTENT The guest today is Barry Nisbet who joined the Canadian Forces in 1997. He completed RCR battle school graduating at the top of his class and was posted to the 1 Royal Canadian Regiment in Petawawa. In 2003 he completed U.S. Army Ranger School. He deployed to Kosovo in 1999 and Bosnia in 2003 as a rifleman. His first tour to Afghanistan was…

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284 - Renault FT Tank 1:01:39

20d ago1:01:39

1:01:39

In this episode of the WW2 Podcast, I'm joined by Robby Houben from the Belgian Royal Military Museum to discuss the Renault FT. This small but revolutionary French tank changed armoured warfare. Designed during the First World War, the FT introduced the fully rotating turret and tracked layout that became the blueprint for every tank that followed…

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Honour, Country, Sacrifice: Capturing the Faces of Service with Trevor Godinho 35:17

22d ago35:17

35:17

Acclaimed Toronto-based editorial photographer Trevor Godinho joins host Barry Pitcher, CEO of Commissionaires Nova Scotia, to discuss his powerful portrait series, Honour Country Sacrifice. This moving project captures the stories and faces of Canadian Armed Forces members, past and present, highlighting the diversity and humanity behind the unifo…

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283 - General Lucian Truscott 42:28

26d ago42:28

42:28

General Lucian K. Truscott was one of the United States Army's most capable commanders of the Second World War. Known for his aggressive leadership and determination, Truscott led American forces in North Africa, Sicily, at Anzio, and later in southern France and Germany. Despite his impressive record, he remains one of the lesser-known U.S. genera…

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S6 #098 RUC - UN Policing Operations In Kosovo 1999 1:05:21

28d ago1:05:21

1:05:21

CONTENT In today’s episode, I’m joined by Andy, a former officer of the Royal Ulster Constabulary. Who deployed to Kosovo with the RUC as part of the UN international peacekeeping mission. His unique perspective offers a window into what it was like to move from a domestic conflict in the UK to an international operation in the Balkans, and the cha…

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Changemaker, Justin Tyner 12:05

1M ago12:05

12:05

Introducing our bonus episode series: Changemakers. This series is dedicated to highlighting the individuals who take action to drive positive change in their communities, organizations, and beyond. Changemakers identify problems, develop innovative solutions, and inspire others to take part in meaningful transformation. These episodes will be shor…

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282 - The Battle for Arakan, Burma 1945 36:53

1M ago36:53

36:53

In early 1945, the Allies were advancing in Burma after their hard-won victories at Kohima and Imphal. The focus shifted to the Arakan, a region of dense jungle, mangrove swamps, and unforgiving terrain. For the men sent there, disease, supply difficulties, and the monsoon were as formidable as the Japanese defenders. Among the formations deployed …

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281 - Canada at War 1:07:00

1M ago1:07:00

1:07:00

When we think of the Second World War, the story is so often told through an Anglo-American lens: Britain holding out alone in 1940, the United States joining the fight in 1941, and the combined Allied effort that followed. But this perspective tends to overshadow the contributions of other nations, particularly Canada. Canada was not usually regar…

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S6 #097 A British Army Reservist’s War in Iraq – Op TELIC 4 1:05:17

1M ago1:05:17

1:05:17

CONTENT My guest is former Army Reserve infantry soldier Matt Okuhara, whose story highlights the often-overlooked role of Britain’s reservists in war. After joining the TA while working in banking, Matt was mobilised for Operation TELIC 4 and deployed to Basra, Iraq. He shares the realities of pre-deployment training, patrolling under constant thr…

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Empowering Service with Brigadier-General Mark Parsons 35:55

2M ago35:55

35:55

Brigadier-General Mark Parsons, CD, from the 5th Canadian Division, joins host Colonel Barry Pitcher, CEO of Commissionaires Nova Scotia and a senior officer in the Primary Army Reserve, for a compelling conversation about the vital role of the Canadian Reserve Force in national security and community support. Often referred to as “citizen soldiers…

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280 - MacArthur and the Philippines 47:37

2M ago47:37

47:37

Douglas MacArthur was one of the most prominent — and controversial — generals of the Second World War. As Field Marshal of the Philippines, he withdrew to Australia in 1942, famously declaring, "I shall return." That promise became central to his reputation and shaped the rest of his war. How far did MacArthur's vow influence his actions? Was he a…

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279 - The Vistula-Oder Offensive 1945 48:44

2M ago48:44

48:44

By January 1945, the war in Europe neared its final phase. In the west, the Allies had repelled the Ardennes offensive. In the east, the Red Army prepared the Vistula–Oder offensive, a huge strike that pushed German forces out of Poland. The Soviet advance carried them to the very gates of Berlin. The Vistula–Oder offensive in 1945 liberated vast a…

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S6 #096 The Mad and The Brave: Ukraine's Foreign Legion Volunteers 1:30:28

2M ago1:30:28

1:30:28

CONTENT My guest today is Colin Freeman, a journalist of 30 years of experience. Colin began his career on local papers before becoming a chief foreign correspondent for the Sunday Telegraph. His extensive career has taken him to numerous war zones and global hotspots, including Iraq, Afghanistan, the Arab Spring revolutions and the Ebola crisis in…

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278 - The Maginot Line 50:20

2M ago50:20

50:20

The Maginot Line was one of the most ambitious defensive projects of the 1930s. Built along France's eastern border, this vast system of underground forts, tunnels, and bunkers included hospitals, kitchens, telephone exchanges, electric railways, and turrets that could rise from the ground to strike at attackers. Designed to withstand artillery and…

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Canadian Defence with the Honourable Peter MacKay 46:59

2M ago46:59

46:59

In this inaugural episode, Commissionaires Nova Scotia CEO and host, Barry Pitcher, sits down with the Honourable Peter MacKay, PC, KC, to discuss the evolving security landscape and the importance of supporting Canada’s veterans. From service to defence, this conversation explores leadership, legacy and national purpose. Topics Covered: Peter MacK…

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277 - The People's War 32:44

2M ago32:44

32:44

In 2005, the BBC launched an ambitious public history project called The People's War. It aimed to collect and preserve the memories of those who lived through the Second World War, inviting the public to share their experiences online. This was long before today's social media platforms, and the scale of the response was remarkable. By the time th…

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S6 #095 The Troubles: The British Army's Hard-Won Lessons, Adaptation & Training in Northern Ireland 1:10:10

2M ago1:10:10

1:10:10

CONTENT On this episode Kev and I discuss the Army's training for Operation Banner, the nearly four-decade deployment of British forces to Northern Ireland starting in 1969. Initially intended as a temporary measure to aid the civil power, the British military was unprepared for the complexities of the conflict, lacking specific training and relyin…

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276 - The Malay Regiment 1:02:25

3M ago1:02:25

1:02:25

In this episode of the WW2 Podcast, we explore the remarkable history of the Malay Regiment during the Second World War. Formed in the 1930s as an experiment with just 25 local recruits, the regiment quickly grew into a respected fighting force. By the time of the Japanese invasion of Malaya in late 1941, it had expanded to two full battalions. The…

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275 - War, Empire and the Struggle for a New World 39:45

3M ago39:45

39:45

In this episode, we're turning our attention to British India during the Second World War. While the war in Europe and the Pacific often dominates the narrative, the role India played—both as a military contributor and as a nation on the cusp of independence—is often overlooked. I'm joined by Philip Craig, author of 1945: The Reckoning. His book lo…

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Introducing: Purpose & Protection 1:44

3M ago1:44

1:44

Commissionaires Nova Scotia proudly presents Purpose & Protection, a podcast dedicated to the people behind Canada’s security: veterans, their families, civilians and all those dedicated to keeping our communities safe.By Commissionaires Nova Scotia

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S5 #094 The Battle of Danny Boy & The Al - Sweady Inquiry 1:21:55

3M ago1:21:55

1:21:55

CONTENT My guest today is retired Brigadier Matt Maer DSO MBE, who served for 27 years in the British Army and was my guest on pod 91 where we discussed 1 PWRR’s tour of operations on Operation TELIC 4. If you haven’t already I would give that one listen when you have the time. On this episode, we discuss the Battle of Danny Boy in Iraq during May …

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274 - The Battle of Meiktila 1:04:12

3M ago1:04:12

1:04:12

What was the situation in Burma following the Allied victories at Imphal and Kohima? By the summer of 1944, those two hard-fought battles had marked a major turning point in the Burma campaign. Japanese forces were in retreat, and the initiative had passed firmly to the Allies. But pushing into central Burma would require bold strategy, speed, and …

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273 - Operation Barbarossa, June–July 1941 54:22

3M ago54:22

54:22

In this episode of the WW2 Podcast, we're turning our attention to the opening phase of one of the most brutal and vast campaigns of the Second World War—Operation Barbarossa. On 22 June 1941, Hitler launched his long-anticipated invasion of the Soviet Union. In the first two weeks, the German Wehrmacht made some of its fastest advances of the war.…

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S5 #093 Thunder Run Meiktila 1945 - War In Burma 1:15:17

4M ago1:15:17

1:15:17

CONTENT My guest today is Jack Bowsher, author of "Thunder Run: Meiktila 1945: The Greatest Combined Arms Manoeuvre Battle of WW2. Jack argues this battle was a pivotal Allied victory, predicting modern combined arms maneuver warfare, including tank and air support, in an unexpected jungle and dry plains environment. He highlights Slim's strategic …

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272 - Second Front: Anglo-American Rivalry 59:20

4M ago59:20

59:20

When we talk about the Second Front, most of us think of the Allied invasion of Northwest Europe—D-Day, June 1944. But in his new book, Second Front: Anglo-American Rivalry and the Hidden Story of the Normandy Campaign, historian Professor Marc Milner offers a different perspective. What if the real second front wasn't in Normandy, but in Washingto…

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S5 #092 New Zealand's War In Vietnam - Fighting The VC & NVA 1:10:07

4M ago1:10:07

1:10:07

CONTENT The guest today is John Tulloch a former officer in the New Zealand and British Armies. Every so often I look at the download statistics for a podcast episode and get surprised at how low some of them are considering the subject matter. This episode with John, who fought in Vietnam with the NZ army, is one of them. I have re edited the epis…

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271 - Feeding the Bear: Lend Lease to the USSR 46:57

4M ago46:57

46:57

In this episode, we're doing something a little different. I recently joined Scott Bury on his podcast Beyond Barbarossa, which takes a close look at the Eastern Front of the Second World War from a Soviet perspective. Together, we explored the topic of American aid to the USSR through the Lend-Lease program. The usual narrative often paints Lend-L…

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S5 #091 Commanding 1 PWRR Battle Group - Operation TELIC 4 (Iraq 2004) 2:12:16

4M ago2:12:16

2:12:16

CONTENT My guest today is retired Brigadier Matt Maer DSO MBE, who served for 27 years in the British Army. His distinguished career included operational tours in Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan. In addition to regimental duties, he held key intelligence roles within Defence Intelligence and the Joint Terrorism Analysis Cent…

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270 - Bruce Lockhart and the Political Warfare Executive 1:00:10

4M ago1:00:10

1:00:10

In this episode of the WW2 Podcast, I am joined by Professor James Crossland to discuss the extraordinary life of Robert Bruce Lockhart — a British diplomat, journalist, author, and secret agent. Though not a household name, Lockhart was a key figure behind the scenes of 20th-century history. His career began before the First World War and took him…

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S5 #090 SOE Jungle Warrior - Lt Col Edgar Peacock DSO MC & Bar 1:41:51

4M ago1:41:51

1:41:51

CONTENT The guests today are Duncan Gilmour, Peacock's only grandson, who has worked with Richard Duckett, the author of a compelling new biography on Peacock called, "Jungle Warrior" On this episode we discuss the incredible, yet largely unknown, story of courage, leadership, and jungle warfare in the Second World War and the life of Colonel Edgar…

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269 - The Diary of a German POW 50:41

4M ago50:41

50:41

In this episode of the WW2 Podcast, I am joined by Bernd Häber to discuss the remarkable story of his grandfather, Fritz Häber — a German soldier who became a prisoner of war in American custody at the end of World War II. During his 16 months in a U.S. POW camp, Fritz kept a diary that not only captured the daily realities of captivity but also re…

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S5 #089 Invictus, PTSD & A Washing Machine 1:07:40

5M ago1:07:40

1:07:40

CONTENT The guest today is Scotty Darroch. On this pod we discuss his challenging upbringing and decision to join the Royal Logistic Corps (RLC) at 18. He discusses his military roles, the impact of ADHD on his service, his PTSD and involvement in the Invictus Games, highlighting its significance for recovery through sport. A major focus is his rec…

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268 - The First US Army Rangers of WWII 1:02:33

5M ago1:02:33

1:02:33

In the early stages of America's involvement in the Second World War, the U.S. Army began forming a new kind of fighting force—elite units trained for speed, surprise, and special operations behind enemy lines. These were the first Army Rangers, inspired by British Commandos and destined for some of the toughest missions of the war. In this episode…

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S5 #088 John A Dailey: US Marine Corps Recon, MARSOC, & Special Operations Veteran. 1:34:46

5M ago1:34:46

1:34:46

CONTENT My guest today is John A. Dailey, retired US Marine Corps Master Sergeant and author of Tough Rugged Bastards: A Memoir of a Life in Marine Special Operations. With over two decades of service, John’s career took him from Force Recon to the front lines of America’s post-9/11 conflicts, shaping the future of Marine special operations. We dis…

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267 - The T-13 Tank Destroyer 1:14:13

5M ago1:14:13

1:14:13

During the critical interwar years, Belgium found itself walking a diplomatic tightrope—maintaining neutrality while neighbouring Germany rapidly rearmed. Faced with the growing threat of conflict, the country was forced to modernise its defences. One of Belgium's key military developments during this period was the T-13 tank destroyer—an armoured …

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266 - Robert Capa's D-Day Photographs 59:03

5M ago59:03

59:03

On the morning of June 6th, 1944, war photographer Robert Capa waded ashore on Omaha Beach during the Allied landings in Normandy. What happened next became the stuff of legend: under withering fire, Capa supposedly captured over a hundred photographs of the chaos and courage of D-Day, only for all but eleven to be lost in a darkroom accident. Thes…

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S5 #087 3 Para Battle For Mount Longdon 1:34:13

6M ago1:34:13

1:34:13

CONTENT I first recorded this as a two part interview with Parachute Regiment soldier Jimmy Morham 4 years ago as part of a discussion on his military career. This podcast has had the audio improved and focuses on the battle for Mount Longdon during the Falkland's War in 1982 and is being released as one episode on the anniversary of the battle. It…

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265 - British Tanks of the Red Army 59:48

6M ago59:48

59:48

Today, we are exploring a topic that doesn't get talked about much — the British tanks that ended up serving with the Red Army during the Second World War. We often think about the Soviet Union producing huge numbers of its own tanks like the T-34, but in the early years of the war—and even before it—the Soviets were looking abroad for armoured veh…

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S5 #086 Beyond the Battlefield: Exploring British Army Simulation Training 1:34:14

6M ago1:34:14

1:34:14

CONTENT The guest today is former soldier Neale Smiles and on this episode we have an extensive discussion on military simulation and training, particularly within the British Army. It explores the evolution of simulation technologies, including virtual reality and augmented reality, and their application in training soldiers at various levels, fro…

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264 - SAS Great Escapes, Archie Gibson 47:03

6M ago47:03

47:03

In this episode, I'm joined by bestselling author Damien Lewis to talk about one of the remarkable men featured in his new book SAS Great Escapes Four — Archie Gibson. Archie served with the Long Range Desert Group and worked closely with the SAS during some of their earliest and most daring operations. His wartime journey took him from the harsh d…

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263 - The Halbe Pocket, 1945 44:41

7M ago44:41

44:41

In the final weeks of the Second World War, as Soviet forces closed in on Berlin, tens of thousands of German soldiers and civilians found themselves encircled in what became known as the Halbe Pocket. In a desperate attempt to break out west and surrender to the Americans rather than the Soviets, brutal fighting erupted in the forests south of Ber…

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S5 #085 The Provisional IRA Campaign In Europe 36:24

7M ago36:24

36:24

CONTENT The guest today is Kim Read who was previously on pods 49 and 79 when we discussed the International Long Range Recce Patrol School and the East German Army. On this episode we talk about the Provisional Irish Republican Army's (IRA) campaign against British forces in Germany during the Troubles. The discussion highlights the increased thre…

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262 - The 7th Infantry Regiment 49:08

7M ago49:08

49:08

The 7th Infantry Regiment, known as the "Cottonbalers," is one of the oldest units in the U.S. Army, originally formed in 1812. It has fought in nearly every major American conflict, including the Civil War, both World Wars, Korea, and Iraq. Renowned for its bravery and deep traditions, the regiment remains an active combat unit to this day. I'm jo…

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S5 #084 Sleeping In The Ditch With Slobodan Milosevic 1:08:09

7M ago1:08:09

1:08:09

CONTENT The guest today is former Royal Logistic Corps soldier and author James Lee. James was my guest on podcast 38 where we discussed his first book about his tour in Afghanistan called "Licking The Taliban’s Flip Flop". In this episode we discuss his second book about his tour in Bosnia and Croatia in the 90s "Sleeping In The Ditch With Sloboda…

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261 - Agent Zo 43:52

7M ago43:52

43:52

In this episode of the WW2 Podcast, I'm joined by Clare Mulley to uncover the extraordinary story of Elżbieta Zawacka—known by her codename, "Zo"—a woman who defied the odds as a resistance fighter, courier, and special operations agent during the Second World War. Zo was the only woman to make the perilous journey from Warsaw to London as an emiss…

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S5 #083 Reassessing The German Army In WW2 1:47:09

8M ago1:47:09

1:47:09

CONTENT The guest today is Phil Blood a British historian and author specialising in military history, the Holocaust, and Nazi occupation policies. He is best known for his in-depth research on the intersection of warfare and genocide, particularly in Eastern Europe during World War II. On this episode we focus on historical perceptions of the Germ…