Season 1
5 episodes · 2023
In 1941, the Axis powers of Germany, Italy and Japan seemed to be on the brink of conquering the entire world. World War 2 began with a series of swift, stunning and decisive victories as the Axis powers completely took the Allies off-guard. By late 1941, Adolf Hitler ruled over a vast empire that covered Europe, large parts of Russia, North Africa and the Mediterranean. Germany occupied swathes of lands with a population greater than that of the United States. Hitler's Axis ally, Japan, ruled over an empire that was even larger in size. The war, it seemed, was won. And then they lose it all. But how? In five themed episodes, How To Lose A War looks at the numerous missteps that turned the Axis powers' devastating victories into crushing defeats.
1The Men Who Gave the Orders
Explore the men in charge whose rampant egos and misguided belief in their own abilities led to their country making fatal mistakes in the war.
2The Best Laid Plans
Explore how the seeds of Japan's defeat in 1945 were sown a decade earlier with the occupation of Manchuria in China.
3Conquering Heroes
Explore how the Axis Powers' ruthless, brutal occupation and exploitation of other countries contributed to their demise.
4The Right Tools
Victory in war doesn't just require sound military strategy, vital resources and equipment are also critical. Discover how the Axis powers failed in this regard.
5The Homefront
In our final episode, we examine how each Axis Power had troubles on their own home front, leading to disaster in the final days of the war.