Podcast review: Afterburners
Podcast review
Dr Victoria Taylor's Afterburners successfully merges her previous in-person lectures into an audio podcast format. [1] Afterburners introduce the listener to the Nazi Party's relationship with the Luftwaffe and other aviation organisations. Crucially, Afterburners covers German historical perspectives previously unpublished in the Anglo Speaking World.
People who purchase access to Afterburners enjoy the flexibility of accessing the material at their chosen pace and schedule at a low cost. The listener selects from a broad range of in-depth historical analyses at their leisure without advertising interrupting Taylor's narration.
Afterburners continue debunking the Clean Wehrmacht Myth by painting a nuanced picture of the Luftwaffe. Luftwaffe personnel displayed a range of character traits and behaviour toward Nazi ideology. But ultimately, those who displayed ambivalence or defied Nazi ideology served in the same Air Force that participated in the Holocaust and committed other atrocities. [2]
How wartime Germany portrayed the Air Battle for England is a historical propaganda case study. * Afterburners illustrate German propaganda outlet's narratives with contradictory backflips in the mix with deranged Nazi ideology. Put another way; the listener glimpses a window into how Nazi media spin and fabrications operated. [3]
This reviewer was intrigued by the Luftwaffe aircrew's disconnect between Nazi Propaganda and their combat experiences. Repeated and false claims of the RAF's destruction didn't match the unfolding air campaign over England. [4]
Afterburners provides one other standout to this reviewer. The Female Luftwaffe Assistants' (Luftwaffenhelferinnen) broad range of wartime roles was ignored by male historians. [5] From air defence to nursing, these women served in many places. Although the one thing they shared in common with their male counterparts was their service to the criminal Nazi regime. [6]
This reviewer gained insights into the impact of those historians overlooking Female Luftwaffe Assistants' importance to the German war effort. How those historians solely focused on the German men at the frontlines left an incomplete historical record.
Ultimately, those who served with the Luftwaffe or in associated auxiliary roles are eternally dammed to history's dark side. However, Afterburners shines a light on understanding the people and tools that served the Nazi regime. Moreover, Taylor's thought-provoking, nuanced historical assessments are a thread across Afterburners' diverse topical range. [7]
Taylor's Afterburners brilliantly blends her scholarship into podcasts. Her perspectives offer English-speaking people new opportunities to study the Luftwaffe informally. This reviewer hopes Afterburners will move solely to podcast format and explore many untapped subjects.
References
[1]
Dr Victoria Taylor:
https://spitfirefillyaviation.com/about
https://twitter.com/SpitfireFilly
Afterburners:
https://spitfirefillyaviation.com/afterburners
[2]
Afterburners: Episode 7 - 'The Führer's Hammer': National Socialism and the Luftwaffe
The Clean Wehrmacht Myth:
https://www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/the-clean-wehrmacht-making-a-myth/
[3]
Afterburners: Episode 3 - Paper Victories: the Battle of Britain in Nazi Propaganda
*
From the Luftwaffe's standpoint, the Air Battle for England began with their attacks against Channel convoys. But in the English-speaking world, the Battle of Britain starts with Eagle Day, the assault against radar stations and RAF airfields.
[4]
Ibid
[5] Afterburners: Episode 9 - Female Luftwaffe Assistants in the Second World War
[6]
Ibid
[7]
Afterburners also cover The Luftwaffe Mediterranean, the Balkans & North Africa in 1941, lesser-known elements of the Blitz and how the Germans and the British view Operation Chastise.
Additionally, the Nazi Party's ties to youth aviation cadet organisations are explored.
https://spitfirefillyaviation.com/afterburners
A great critique Luke! 🙏🙏🙏 So many awesome podcasts out there. So little time.