WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk
The World War II podcast with comedian Al Murray and historian James Holland.
We Have Ways of Making You Talk dives deep into WWII history, exploring key battles, forgotten front lines, and incredible untold stories. Whether you're fascinated by the Battle of Britain, the D-Day landings, or the Eastern Front, this show offers a rich, detailed look at the war that shaped the modern world.
Al and James bring a unique blend of expert knowledge and humour, discussing everything from the Third Reich, Churchill's leadership, and the Fall of Berlin, to World War 2 tanks, fighter planes, and naval battles. Expect historical insights, lively tangents, and discussions on iconic second world war events like Operation Barbarossa, the Pacific Theatre, and the North African campaign.
Join our membership club for extra content, livestreams and ad-free listening: patreon.com/wehaveways
For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com
551
321. Axis Sally
Mildred Gillars, or Axis Sally as she was known, was an American broadcaster employed by Nazi Germany as a radio propagandist during The Second World War. Al Murray and James Holland are joined by Harvard professor Jill Lepore to discuss Nazi propagand...
49 min
552
320. The Battle for Crete
The assault on Crete led to a pyrrhic German victory and much finger pointing on the part of the Allies. Was Major-General Bernard Freyberg to blame or did a failure of communication lead to the defeat of British, New Zealand and Australian forces?
51 min
553
319. Family Stories - Ep 19
This week we hear more of your war time family stories. Including the incredible details of an Australian soldier’s experiences in a Japanese POW camp and the Sandakan death marches; hiding an illegal printing press as part of the Danish resistance.
26 min
554
318. The Sappers in the D-Day Gliders
In this special edition of the podcast Al Murray reads an article written by his father, Ingram Murray, known to regular listeners as The Colonel.It tells the story of a group of men with a very specialised task in the days after D-Day.
22 min
555
317. Ronny Scott
While Argentina remained neutral throughout the Second World War, around 4,000 Argentinians volunteered to fight for the Allies.One of them was the extraordinary Ronny Scott. Now 103 years old, the veteran pilot joins Al Murray and James Holland.
28 min
556
316. Propaganda Troops
British soldiers famously loved a night of entertainment in the field, as Spike Milligan’s books attest. But how were German troops entertained? James Holland and Al Murray discuss the Wehrmacht Propaganda Troops, who were not noted for their cross dre...
48 min
557
315. Family Stories - Ep 18
This week on our Family Stories episode we hear more wide-ranging tales including how a priest joined the Belgian resistance and was ultimately captured; a first-hand account of the first nocturnal “kill” made by a Spitfire; and the sad story of a fata...
23 min
558
314. Electing Hitler
How did the Nazis come to power in 1933? German historian Katja Hoyer joins Al Murray and James Holland to talk about the fragmented German national identity and the how it still affects the country today.We Have Ways has a membership club ...
45 min
559
313. Fall Gelb
On the anniversary of the German tanks rolling into the Low Countries on their way to France, Al Murray and James Holland wonder if events could have taken a very different turn.
44 min
560
312. Family Stories - Ep 17
This week we hear more of your war time family stories. Including how a Belgian family survived in the basement of a bakery; a sailor who survived the Arctic Convoys and a fair few scuffles; and a ‘Tail End Charlie’ celebrating his 100th birthday.Wi...
28 min
561
311. Family Secrets
Author and publisher Vicky Unwin joins James Holland to discuss her extraordinary family story.While researching her parents’ war time experiences Vicky unearthed an intriguing narrative which travelled from Egypt to Germany, including the secret of...
46 min
562
310. David Baddiel
Comedian and writer David Baddiel joins Al Murray and James Holland to discuss his family’s experiences during the war, which included being interned on the Isle of Man. David also discusses his new book Jews Don’t Count and his documentary work surrou...
46 min
563
309. Family Stories - Ep 16
This is the show written by our listeners. It includes five remarkable war time stories of hidden airmen in Holland, Germans on the Eastern Front, and the horrors of a U-boat attack in the mid Atlantic.
26 min
564
308. Bletchley Girls
Betty Webb spent the war working as a code breaker at Bletchley Park, working on captured German and Japanese radio messages.After the war she moved to Washington DC to assist the Americans with their ongoing fight in the Pacific. Betty join...
45 min
565
307. Anzac Day
The myth suggests Britain stood alone but the truth was different. In the week of Anzac Day Al Murray and James Holland discuss the roles of Australian and New Zealand soldiers in the war against the Axis Powers.
50 min
566
306. Family Stories - Ep 15
This week we hear more of your war time family stories. Including an account of a daring air mission that ended in dramatic fashion; being commanded by Hollywood star David Niven; and a father and son that won the same award in two different wars.Wi...
28 min
567
305. Guy Martin - Battle of Britain
Adrenaline junkie Guy Martin tells Al Murray and James Holland about his new series for Channel 4 in which he trains to fly a Hurricane and then takes part in a dogfight with a Messerschmitt.Guy discusses the complexities of flying war planes and his ...
36 min
568
304. Stalingrad and The Wehrmacht
The Eastern Front is our focus as German historian Jens Wehner joins Al Murray and James Holland.Jens is curator of the Dresden Military History museum, but his focus in this podcast is further east and the desperate battle for the city of Stalingrad....
50 min
569
303. Enigma and Escapees
Britain’s war time intelligence operations are the subject of discussion as Al Murray and James Holland exchange notes on their latest reading matter, Behind the Enigma: The Authorised History of GCHQ.
41 min
570
302. Family Stories - Ep 14
This week we hear more of your war time family stories. Including the story of an alarming experience in a London hospital’s labour ward during an air raid; how a prisoner in a labour camp in Nagasaki didn’t even notice the atom bomb falling; and how n...
26 min
571
301. The Remains of War
Steve Ballinger MBE removes ordnance from former sites of conflict. He has spent the last decade removing 60,000+ mines, shrapnel and ordnance from the tiny island of Peleliu. He talks to James and Al about the complicated role, the history of the batt...
48 min
572
300. Prince Philip
In the wake of his death, Al Murray and James Holland discuss the Duke of Edinburgh's war record and his role in the Royal Navy. They also answer questions on Civilian Affairs and Hanz Speidels' drinking habit.We Have Ways has ...
52 min
573
299. Family Stories - ep 13
Al Murray and James Holland read family stories sent in by listeners to We Have Ways of Making You Talk.These wartime experiences took place in the seas off Norway, in the skies over Bremen and on the airfields of both northern and southern Africa....
20 min
574
298. Small Arms
What makes the best gun and how complicated is the development of small arms? Al Murray and James Holland are joined by Dr Matthew Ford from the University of Sussex to talk about the small arms used during the Second World War.We Have Ways has a me...
56 min
575
297. Lack of Moral Fibre
You could volunteer to fly but you couldn’t volunteer to stop.Dr Dan Ellin, of the International Bomber Command Centre, talks to Al and James about the way in which men were judged and treated as they faced the trauma of war.We Have Ways has a me...
44 min