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Every episode
The Unauthorized History of the Pacific War
30 episodes
The End on Bataan: April 1942 - Episode 611
Ep 11 · Aug 11, 2026 · 1 hr 32 min
This week Seth Paridon and John Parshall take a look at the unfortunate, but inevitable, end of the defense of Bataan. After months of defending the peninsula valiantly, and short on everything but guts, the defenders finally capitulate under the guns and relentless assault of the Japanese army. Sick, exhausted, demoralized, and flat worn out, the Americans and Filipinos do the best they can against the fresh troops of General Homma’s 14th army. Unfortunately for General Jonathan Wainwright's me…
The Battle of the Pockets and MacArthur’s Departure – Episode 610
Ep 10 · Aug 4, 2026 · 1 hr 45 min
This week Seth Paridon and John Parshall dig into the Battle of the Pockets on Bataan in February 1942. As the Japanese continue to try and push their advantage along the rear battle position, after having forced the Fil-American forces to retreat from their main line of resistance, the month before, The previously victorious Japanese run into a buzz saw of defensive lines. The Japanese continue to try to push their advantage but make absolutely no headway, and before long, begin to run out of m…
Episode 612 – Guadalcanal’s Forgotten Fight: The US Army’s Crucial Role with Dave Holland
Ep 12 · Jul 28, 2026 · 1 hr 26 min
This week, Seth Paridon and Jon Parshall welcome back their good buddy author and historian Dave Holland to the show to talk about Dave's new book. In his second book, Dave takes on the underappreciated and largely misunderstood role of the United States Army on Guadalcanal. For years, the narrative history of Guadalcanal always states that the United States Marines were the only ones ashore, and fought and won the battle single-handedly. That could not be farther from the truth. Coming ashore i…
Shooting the Breeze Between Shows and Future Ideas
Jul 26, 2026 · 44 min
This week Seth Paridon and Jon Parshall get together to shoot the breeze in between shows, talk about future ideas and just generally hang out. The guys get into some new books that are coming out or are already out, talk about Jon's new book that just got released, Seth's new book that is at the publisher currently. and a rather startling revelation about a personal injury and the story that goes with it. Next week, we will return to our regularly scheduled programming, but we wanted to just ha…
The Last Charge and The Battle of the Points: Jan-Feb 1942 on Bataan – Episode 609
Ep 9 · Jul 21, 2026 · 1 hr 41 min
This week Seth Paridon and John Parshall dig deep into the actions of I Corps on the western coast of Bataan in January 1942. The guys discuss the tactical and strategic situation facing Wainwright's men and discuss the heroic, if not romantic, death of the American horse cavalry with the 26th Cav’s last horse charge at Morong. Following the end of the cavalry, the guys get into what has become known as the Battle of the Points. Towards the end of January in an effort to wrap up the campaign on…
The First Attacks on the Bataan Peninsula: January 1942 – Episode 608
Ep 8 · Jul 14, 2026 · 1 hr 38 min
This week, Seth Paridon and Jon Parshall take up the topic of the first Japanese attacks on the Fil-American lines in January 1942. With Manila now in his hands, Japanese General Homma feels that an end to the campaign on Luzon is in sight and feels that an attack with the units he has on hand will bring the Fil-American line crashing down. The valiant defense put up by American General Parker’s II Corps proves just how wrong Homma was. In a series of sharp fights along the Abucay Line, Parker’s…
Japanese Archival Footage from the Philippines 1942 – Episode 607
Ep 7 · Jul 7, 2026 · 1 hr 8 min
This week Seth Paridon and Jon Parshall take a look at some fairly rare and very important archival footage from 1942. While scenes of the Fil-American disaster on Luzon are few and far between, there are some shots of the campaign, and as one would suspect, they are from the Japanese point of view. This week we look at footage from the final Japanese assault on Bataan in April 1942, as well as some eerie footage of the Bataan Death March as it began near Mariveles and made its way through the p…
Holding the Door Open: The Battles Towards Bataan – Episode 606
Ep 6 · Jun 30, 2026 · 1 hr 38 min
This week Seth Paridon and Jon Parshall take a deep dive into the withdrawal actions fought by General Jonathan Wainwright’s troops of the Northern Luzon Force from December 24, 1941 through January 1, 1942. The guys get into the actions of some of the men who, quite literally, held the door open so that General Parker’s Southern Luzon Force could escape into Bataan during the latter portion of 1941. Wainwright’s battered troops of the 11th and 91st Filipino Divisions as well as the American tan…
The Withdrawal to Bataan with John McManus – Episode 605
Ep 5 · Jun 23, 2026 · 1 hr 12 min
This week Seth Paridon and Jon Parshall welcome back their buddy John McManus to discuss the situation facing Douglas MacArthur’s troops from Christmas Eve, 1941 through the New Year as Wainwright and his beleaguered men begin the phased withdrawal from their fighting positions to the Bataan Peninsula. Among the many topics the guys get into is the leadership of General Jonathan Wainwright and how so very important he was to the overall plan in late 1941 in the Philippines. The logistics situati…
Japanese Landings on Luzon-December 1941 with John McManus - Episode 604
Ep 4 · Jun 16, 2026 · 1 hr 11 min
This week Seth Paridon, Jon Parshall and their buddy, John McManus, talk about the initial Japanese landings on Luzon in December 1941. The guys get into the very real panic that was in Manila following the debacle at Clark Field and how the citizenry reacted to the news that the Japanese were indeed going to invade. The landings at Aparri, Legaspi and Vigan are discussed as are the main Japanese landings at Lingayen Gulf and MacArthur's response to those landings and the actions that follow. Th…
Disaster at Clark Field: Air Raid Philippines 1941 - Episode 603
Ep 3 · Jun 9, 2026 · 1 hr 53 min
This week Seth Paridon and Jon Parshall take a deep dive into the debacle that occurs at Clark Field in December 1941 as war comes to the Philippines and General Douglas MacArthur. The series of missteps from General Lewis Brereton, to Dick Sutherland all the way to MacArthur himself all lead down the road to disaster as the Japanese catch Mac's major defensive/offensive assets with their pants down. In one of the most humiliating performances by the American Army Air Corps in the entire war, th…
Intro to the Philippine Campaign of 1942 - Episode 602
Ep 2 · Jun 2, 2026 · 1 hr 45 min
This week Seth Paridon and Jon Parshall take a deep dive into the realm of the pre-war Philippines. The guys dig into the ever-revolving question that flew through defense circles in the 1920’s and 30’s as to whether or not the US should defend the Philippines in any way. Then, with defense a definite, the guys get into War Plan Orange, WPO-3, and Douglas MacArthur’s own plan for defense and the preparations for said defense. All of these topics set us up for the in-depth series of videos coming…
VMF-221: The Fighting Falcons in the Pacific War with guest Pete Owen - Episode 601
Ep 1 · May 26, 2026 · 1 hr 12 min
This week Seth Paridon and Jon Parshall open up Season 6 with friend, author and historian Pete Owen. Pete, a retired United States Marine, and Naval Academy graduate, brings us the story of VMF-221's Pacific War odyssey. 221 first saw combat at Midway in June 1942, then went on to Guadalcanal after a lengthy rebuild. After the Canal, and flying the F4U Corsair, the Falcons flew in the Solomons before finally ending up aboard USS Bunker Hill (CV-17) in 1945. Pete gives us the low-down on the squ…
The Fleet That Came to Stay
Ep 56 · May 19, 2026 · 23 min
This week, Seth is introducing another documentary from his massive film archive. This time its the USN and USCG produced, The Fleet That Came to Stay. The title is obvious and this film is filled with awesome archival footage. Check it out and get ready for Season Six that debuts next week! #wwiihistory #ww2 #usnavy #usa #usarmy #medalofhonor #enterprise #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #cv6 #midway #wwii #wwiihistory #ww2 #worldwar2 #usnavy #usnavyseals #usmc #usmarines #saipan #usa #usarmy #aircraf…
Appointment in Tokyo
Ep 55 · May 12, 2026 · 56 min
This week Seth introduces a really good documentary film produced right after the war by General MacArthur's command entitled Appointment in Tokyo. The film focuses on Mac's theater of the Pacific war from the Fall of the Philippines to the surrender aboard USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay in 1945. Another couple weeks before the start of Season Six. Stand by! #wwiihistory #ww2 #usnavy #usa #usarmy #medalofhonor #enterprise #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #cv6 #midway #wwii #wwiihistory #ww2 #worldwar2 #usn…
The Battle for Wake Island
Ep 54 · May 5, 2026 · 3 hr 26 min
This week we are combining both Wake Island episodes as Seth and Jon prep for Season 6. Enjoy. #wwiihistory #ww2 #usnavy #usa #usarmy #medalofhonor #enterprise #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #cv6 #midway #wwii #wwiihistory #ww2 #worldwar2 #usnavy #usnavyseals #usmc #usmarines #saipan #usa #usarmy #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #battleship #battleships #ussenterprise #aircraftcarriers #museum #essex #halsey #taskforce38 #wwii #wwiihistory #ww2 #usnavy #usa #usarmy #medalofhonor #enterprise #aircraft #air…
Come Hang out Seth and Jon at The National Museum of the Pacific War on October 16-17, 2026.
May 1, 2026 · 3 min
Special Announcement here gang: Both Jon and myself, along with John McManus , will be at The National Museum of the Pacific War's annual conference in October. The museum's annual conference will conference will feature several speakers, including both of us. Jon and my session will be Friday October 16, 2026 at 5 pm. Jon will be speaking separately the following day. The entire conference is Friday through Saturday October 16-17, 2026 in Fredericksburg, Texas. Seats are limited so make sure yo…
Attack on Pearl Harbor--The First Wave
Ep 52 · Apr 28, 2026 · 2 hr 17 min
This week Seth Paridon and Jon Parshall take a look at the attack on Pearl Harbor, the first wave in this super-long episode. We've combined the two parts of the first wave into this massive episode while we prepare for Season 6. Enjoy.
Touring the National Naval Aviation Museum
Ep 51 · Apr 21, 2026 · 1 hr 8 min
This week Seth Paridon, and his son, take you through the National Naval Aviation Museum located on NAS Pensacola in Pensacola, Florida. Yours truly and my son take an annual "History with Dad" trip, and my boy selected P'Cola as this year's destination. This is one of, if not the, finest museum in the entire country. The aircraft collection is amazing and the artifacts, including some from CV6, are inspiring. In this video we will see an F4B4, SBD, FF1, F4F3, PBY and many, many others. Check it…
Season 5 Finale--Questions and Answers on the Pacific War
Ep 50 · Apr 14, 2026 · 2 hr 15 min
This week Seth Paridon and Jon Parshall wrap up Season 5 with a Q&A episode with their good buddy and Q&A emcee-Shawn Bergstrom. The team wraps up the massive amount of questions sent in with some really thought provoking answers to some excellent questions. See if you made the cut. #wwiihistory #ww2 #usnavy #usa #usarmy #medalofhonor #enterprise #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #cv6 #midway #wwii #wwiihistory #ww2 #worldwar2 #usnavy #usnavyseals #usmc #usmarines #saipan #usa #usarmy #aircraft #aircra…
Shipbuilding and Fleet Repair in the PTO with Sal Mercogliano – Episode 549
Ep 49 · Apr 7, 2026 · 1 hr 57 min
This week Seth Paridon and Jon Parshall welcome back buddy Sal Mercogliano @wgowshipping to talk about US Navy shipbuilding and fleet repair in the Pacific theater of Operations. The guys get into several Admirals you’ve probably never heard of and dive into the Navy’s shipbuilding programs that began during the mid-1930’s and rolled through to the Two Ocean Navy Act. The sheer amount of vessels constructed is mind blowing! Then the guys get into the absolutely fascinating topic of at sea, or in…
Task Force 58 Under Attack 1943-45 Archival Footage – Episode 548
Ep 48 · Mar 31, 2026 · 1 hr 48 min
This week Seth Paridon and Jon Parshall take a look at some utterly awesome archival footage. Remember when we said that the airspace over Task Force 58 was the most deadly anti-aircraft envelope on the planet in 44-45? Well, after watching this, you will understand why we are right. The sheer amount of lead flying through the air from the likes of USS Washington, USS Lexington, USS Hornet, USS Bennington, USS Quincy, and several Cleveland-class light cruisers is simply mind-blowing. We also del…
The Dangerous Shore with Sara Vladic – Episode 547
Ep 47 · Mar 24, 2026 · 1 hr 28 min
This week Seth Paridon and Jon Parshall welcome author and historian Sara Vladic to the show to discuss her new book, The Dangerous Shore: How a Motley Crew of Scientists, Mobsters, Double Agents, Retirees, Volunteer Pilots (and a Boy Scout) Stopped the Invasion of America. I bet you never thought you would ever hear the name Lucky Luciano or Meyer Lansky on this show. Well, just sit back and watch. This is our first foray, if you will, into the homefront with our pal Sara, and believe me, it do…
Pacific War Historians Chat with John McManus - Episode 546
Ep 46 · Mar 17, 2026 · 1 hr 45 min
This week Seth Paridon and Jon Parshall welcome their good friend John McManus to the show to talk research. Jon and I get stacks of emails every week asking where to look, how to look, what to look for, etc when it comes to researching a subject, person, photo, what have you. As we begin the wrap-up of Season 5, we thought it would be a good idea to have our buddy on to discuss that very topic. Hope this helps those budding historians and writers. #wwiihistory #ww2 #usnavy #usa #usarmy #medalof…
Fast Oilers and Logistics in the Pacific War with Sal Mercogliano – Episode 545
Ep 45 · Mar 10, 2026 · 1 hr 49 min
This week Seth Paridon and Jon Parshall are delighted to welcome Sal Mercogliano from What’s Going on With Shipping to the show to discuss US Navy fast oilers and the logistic issues in the Pacific during 1942. Seth and Jon give Sal the wheel and he drives us through an absolutely fascinating presentation on the US Navy’s oiler situation in late 1941 and through 1942.You guys will be absolutely amazed at how much just a handful of oilers mattered when it came to the overall scheme of making war…
Campaign in Burma 1942: The Fall of Rangoon to The End in 42 - Episode 543
Ep 43 · Feb 24, 2026 · 1 hr 26 min
This week Seth Paridon and Jon Parshall wrap up the campaign in Burma with the fall of Rangoon, and the subsequent Japanese advance north into central Burma. British General Harold Alexander takes over for the fired Thomas Hutton and we also see the introduction of two of the more famous allied characters of the war, British General William Slim and American General Joseph “Vinegar Joe” Stilwell. The Japanese literally walk into Rangoon and then spin north and launch an offensive that smacks Sti…
The Burma Campaign: Japanese Invasion to Sittang Bridge - Episode 542
Ep 42 · Feb 17, 2026 · 1 hr 27 min
This week Seth Paridon and Jon Parshall bring the Burma campaign, or the beginning of it anyway, to the table. The guys get into the strategic setup for the campaign, and talk about the British defensive forces, or lack thereof. Jon dishes on Iida Shojiro, Japanese CO of the 15th Army, and the guys get into the series of defenisive battles fought by the Commonwealth forces that occur in the beginning of the Japanese invasion. The fate of the heroic 17th Indian Division at Sittang Bridge will mak…
Japanese Archival Footage from 1942 - Episode 541
Ep 41 · Feb 10, 2026 · 1 hr 22 min
This week Seth Paridon and Jon Parshall take a fascinating look at some Japanese archival footage from 1942 (and a bit from 43). The guys look at footage, that for the most part, they have never seen before. There are some really amazing shots of Japanese aircraft including, Jakes and Mavis', as well as some glorious shots of Japanese heavy cruisers like Tone, Haguro, and the Mogami class, as well as carriers Junyo and Zuiho at sea. Japanese camermen take us from Indonesia, Burma, and Rabaul to…
Questions and Answers on the PTO Round 5 – Episode 540
Ep 40 · Feb 3, 2026 · 2 hr 27 min
This week Seth Paridon, Jon Parshall and Shawn Bergstrom get into more of your listener questions as we take one more dive into the email inbox. Topics range all over the map and are frankly too numerous to list, the conversation is lively, fun and engaging. Hope you made the cut as we round out the q&a’s for this season.Thanks to all of the Nerderati who sent in the amazing questions. We hope we did you proud.
Questions and Answers on the Pacific War Round 4 - Episode 539
Ep 39 · Jan 27, 2026 · 1 hr 50 min
This week Seth Paridon, Jon Parshall and Shawn Bergstrom tackle more of your listener questions as we wade through round four of the Q&A episodes. Questions dealing with POWs, brutality in the PTO, who was replaceable, hidden conversations, and even the dreaded counter-factuals are tackled in this deep dive. Check it out, maybe your question made the cut.
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