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.
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216. Falklands
Part two of our conversation with aviation writer Roland White, as he explains the challenges of flying off carriers in the South Atlantic. Roland tells Al Murray and James Holland about the role played by birds around the islands and he describes the ...
26 min
677
215. Training Day
How did the German forces shape up when it came to training? James Holland and Al Murray explore both myth and reality. Plus the boys head to the western desert to examine the Battle of Knightsbridge.
53 min
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214. Joe Ricci
Close friend of the podcast, historian Joe Ricci, joins Al and James during our Thanksgiving Specials to talk about the unsung heroes of the American War Effort - the US Coastguard.Joe Ricci runs his own history podcast 'Home Brew History'.
45 min
679
213. Nicholas Moran
Nicholas Moran is one of the world leading experts in tank warfare during the Second World War. He joins Al and James to reveal what he thinks to be the best tank used during the war.
43 min
680
212. Bob Persichitti
Bob Persichitti was a radio operator on the USS El Dorado during the Second World War. He was present at Okinawa and the invasion of Iwo Jima. James Holland interviews him as part of our Thanksgiving Specials.
43 min
681
211. Michel Paradis
Human Rights Lawyer and historian Michel Paradis talks to Al and James about his book 'Last Mission To Tokyo'. The thrilling war story-meets-courtroom-drama focuses on the Doolittle Raiders in Tokyo and attempts to try the J...
51 min
682
210. Paul Dickson
James Holland speaks to US historian Paul Dickson, writer of 'The Rise of the G.I. Army', about how the American Army was mobilized from scattered outposts two years before Pearl Harbor into the disciplined and mobile fighting force that help...
48 min
683
209. Tom Lacey
Al and James interview Battle of the Bulge veteran Tom Lacey as part of We Have Ways' Thanksgiving Specials.Tom Lacey was fascinated with aeronautics as a young boy, so naturally, he wanted to be trained to become a pilot. Instead, he was assig...
38 min
684
208. Marty Morgan
In the first of our Thanksgiving Specials, Al and James are joined by historian and weapons expert Marty Morgan. Marty talks about his experiences leading tours in Normandy and working with hit video game franchise Call of Duty as their historical advi...
51 min
685
207. Harrier
In this rare foray away from the Second World War Al Murray and James Holland are joined by aviation writer Rowland White to discuss the role of the Harrier 809 in the Falklands War.How challenging was it to fly the legendary Harrier Jump Jet and what...
31 min
686
206. Dermot O'Leary
TV presenter and radio host Dermot O’Leary joins Al and James to discuss his passion for Second World War history. The Battle of Britain and the Battle of the Atlantic are two of Dermot’s particular interests, along with a fascination for Norway’s role...
49 min
687
205. A Message from the Cook Islands
We Have Ways of Making You Talk receives a fabulous array of messages via email, Twitter and on our members’ site. None more extraordinary than the missive that arrived this week from the Cook Islands. It starts our discussion in today’s pod.
35 min
688
204. From El Alamein to the Heroes of Telemark
How great a contribution did Monty make in North Africa? And were the actions of the Heroes of Telemark vital to the effort to deny Hitler the atomic bomb?
48 min
689
203. Remembrance
Small cemeteries in faraway lands, individual stories of heartbreaking tenderness, parents paying for inscriptions on graves they will never see. Al Murray and James Holland are joined by Glyn Prysor, former historian of the Commonwealth War Graves Com...
62 min
690
202. Matt Mackinnon-Pattison - Part 3
After growing up in a Scottish orphanage Matt Mackinnon-Pattison volunteered for the army at the first opportunity and found himself fighting with a Highland regiment in Italy.In this third and final instalment, Matt describes life in Italy and how th...
29 min
691
201. Resistance
Al Murray and James Holland discuss Patrick Marnham’s book on the French Resistance. Plus, how influential was signals intelligence?
54 min
692
200. The Last 100 Years (Give or Take) And All ...
An awful lot has happened in the last 100 years or so. In fact, when you look at how much went on in the 20th century, it's amazing it didn't take longer than that. In this extract from his new book Al Murray takes a close look at the Battle ...
11 min
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199. The Messerschmitt 109
Al and James clamber around on the Messerschmitt 109 once flown by the legendary Hans-Joachim Marseille and now housed at the Heritage Hangar, Biggin Hill. Was it really better than the Spitfire? Bold engineering claims in this podcast.
23 min
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198. Matt Mackinnon-Pattison - part 2
After growing up in a Scottish orphanage Matt Mackinnon-Pattison volunteered for the army at the first opportunity and found himself fighting with a Highland regiment in Italy. In this second part of his conversation with James Holland we hear of his e...
44 min
695
197. Spitfires at Biggin Hill
Al and James visit the Heritage Hangar at Biggin Hill, the largest collection of air worthy Spitfires in the world. They discover a newly restored Spitfire once sold to the Greek airforce
48 min
696
196. Matt Mackinnon-Pattison - Part 1
Matt Mackinnon-Pattison served with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders during the war and later joined the SAS where he was parachuted behind enemy lines in northern Italy.James Holland recently interviewed Matt in Cumbria. This is the first part o...
43 min
697
195. From Iceland to Africa
James and Al get their podcast passports out as they explore stories from Iceland to Africa, via Germany. James describes his recent adventures in Germany, including his attempt to find the location of the death of Lt. Denis Elmore.
48 min
698
194. Tiger Tank
Al Murray heads to Bovington Tank Museum to talk to resident expert David Willey about the Tiger tank. Why did Nazi Germany build only 1,200 of this much feared beast and what was the true story of the men who abandoned Tiger 131 in Tunisia?
49 min
699
193. Making Maps and Propaganda
Writer and academic Jeremy Black joins James Holland and Al Murray in a wide-ranging discussion encompassing the propagandist use of maps and the challenges of flying over the Hump.
60 min
700
192. Tank Trilogy
Al Murray and James Holland explore a Second World War British ambulance as well as a vehicle kitted out as a mobile listening centre which reported from France and Holland to Bletchley Park.
18 min