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
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296. Jewish Resistance: Selma van de Perre, Part 2
Part two of our extraordinary interview with Selma van de Perre, a Dutch resistance fighter who was 17 years old when the Second World War began.Using an alias and fake ID she risked her life travelling across the Netherlands, delivering Allied news...
41 min
577
295. Family Stories - Ep 12
In this edition of We Have Ways of Making You Talk we hear of an escape from Singapore, a mysterious woman on a crashed bomber, and a chance encounter in France.
20 min
578
294. Jewish Resistance: Selma van de Perre, Part 1
Selma van de Perre was a Dutch resistance fighter who was just 17 years old when the Second World War began.Using an alias and fake ID she risked her life travelling across the Netherlands, delivering Allied newspapers and helping Jews evade the Nazis...
45 min
579
293. Mutiny
A listener’s recent discovery that his uncle may have been one of the 258 British soldiers accused of mutiny in Malaya sends the podcast down an intriguing rabbit hole.
45 min
580
292. Family Stories - Ep 11
Listeners to We Have Ways of Making You Talk write the scripts for our Sunday morning podcasts, as Al Murray and James Holland read out their family stories from the Second World War.
21 min
581
291. Irish Fighters
Although Ireland remained neutral during the war it didn’t stop Irish men joining the British Armed Forces.Joseph Quinn joins Al Murray and James Holland to discuss why so many Irish men joined the British Army and the damage this could do to their re...
57 min
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290. Veritable, Trombones and The Chindits
James Holland and Al Murray get their hands on the post-operation report of Veritable, review the success of the Chindits and dig deeper into the extraordinary story of some missing brass instruments.A Goalhanger Films productionProduced by Joey Mc...
54 min
583
289. Family Stories - Ep 10
This week we hear more of your war time family stories. Including the story of a ship on an undercover mission; a German woman working in the UK during the war; and a flight crew returning to base long after they were presumed missing in action.With...
21 min
584
288. The Hitler Years
With historian Frank McDonough and actor Paul McGann.Between 1940 and 1945 the Third Reich fell from the pinnacle of its power to devastating collapse. Historian Frank McDonough, author of The Hitler Years, joins James Holland and Al Murray, along w...
44 min
585
287. The War Beneath the Waves
Fascination with the threat of U-boats has deflected attention from the effectiveness of allied submariners. James Holland and Al Murray take a deep dive to explore the impact in the Pacific.
54 min
586
286. Family Stories - Ep 9
This week in our Family Stories series we hear your tales of uncovering a staggering stash of champagne, finding yourself behind enemy lines and discovering a sailor’s incredible story after coming into possession of their ditty box.With thanks to C...
22 min
587
285. Hitler’s Henchman
Hans Globke was the civil servant responsible for framing the Nuremberg anti-Jewish race laws. Yet somehow he returned to post war government and became an architect of the modern German state.
32 min
588
284. Winter Mud
The battles of late 1944 are examined as James Holland and Al Murray explore the front line post Market Garden. Also up for discussion are the Polish soldiers who survived the hardships of the Russian gulag.
55 min
589
283. Family Stories - Ep 8
This week in our Family Stories series we hear your tales of a daring mission to recover a V-2 missile, surviving the atom bomb dropped on Nagasaki and a mysterious explosion on HMS Dasher.With thanks to Mark Curzon, Tim Foley, Ron Hukari, Darren Li...
20 min
590
282. Spitfire!
The world’s most iconic aircraft is celebrating its 85th birthday. Not that we need an excuse to revel in the beauty and engineering brilliance of the Spitfire. Historian and broadcaster Paul Beaver joins James Holland and Al Murray to discuss the Spit...
44 min
591
281. Nightmare at Nijmegen
Why did General Jim Gavin, commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, not prioritise the capture of the bridge at Nijmegen as part of Operation Market Garden?
49 min
592
280. Family Stories - Ep 7
This week in our Family Stories series we hear your tales of a friendship with Douglas Bader, the sinking of the Wallasea and a powerfully evocative poem from a Chindit.With thanks to Mike Atkinson, Mike King, Alex McKenzie, James McNeill and John W...
22 min
593
279. Civilian Soldiers
The British Army in Normandy are the focus as Al Murray and James Holland are joined by historian and author Jonathan Ware.In Jonathan’s book 'Jocks, Dragons and Sospans: Through Normandy with 53rd Welsh Division' he questions the Allies...
58 min
594
278. Big Week
In February 1944 the combined air forces of Britain and the US launched a huge series of raids against Nazi Germany. What did they hope to achieve and how successful was the campaign?
56 min
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277. Family Stories - Ep 6
This week in our Family Stories series we hear your tales of Russian convoys, the Dunkirk evacuation and a Yugoslav fighting for the Germans.With thanks to Stefan Breg, Lindsay Gordon, Robert Largan, Mark Turner and Philip Woods for sharing their st...
27 min
596
276. German Hardware
We’re talking German hardware and army units with military YouTuber Bernhard Kast. Wehrmacht doctrine, machine guns and riflemen groups are all up for discussion.We Have Ways has a membership club which includes a live version of the podcast streame...
52 min
597
275. Western Approaches
There was no more important field of conflict in the Second World War than the Battle of the Atlantic. On February 17th, 1941, Western Approaches HQ opened in Liverpool to co-ordinate the Royal Navy and 15 Group Costal Command.On its 80th anniversary ...
39 min
598
274. Good for Morale
Terrifying tank battles and entertaining the troops are two topics for discussion as Al Murray and James Holland delve into the experience of life in the British Amed forces during the Second World War.
48 min
599
273. Family Stories - Valentine’s Day
A special edition of Family Stories today to mark Valentine’s Day.While researching his new book James uncovered letters from Bill Wharton, who fought with the Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry.
21 min
600
272. British Resistance
Britain was the only country to prepare a resistance movement before it was needed. Andrew Chatterton joins Al and James to discuss the history of the auxiliary units, men who would operate behind the lines should the Nazis invade Britain.
58 min