Episodes

  • Episode 01: The Soldier Who Didn't Know World War II Was Over

    Episode 01: The Soldier Who Didn't Know World War II Was Over
    16 Oct 2026
    Episode DescriptionWorld War II ended in 1945. But for one Japanese soldier, the war continued for nearly three more decades.Deep in the jungles of the Philippines, Hiroo Onoda remained convinced that his mission was not over. Despite newspapers, announcements, and countless attempts to convince him otherwise, he refused to surrender until 1974.In the first episode of History That Shouldn't Be Real, host Nathaniel Brooks uncovers the extraordinary true story of a soldier trapped by his orders, his beliefs, and a war the rest of the world had left behind.Discover how Onoda survived for 29 years, why he refused to believe the war had ended, and the devastating consequences of his prolonged resistance.Some stories sound impossible. This one actually happened.This podcast was created with the assistance of artificial intelligence and is based on historical research.
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    18 min