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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171. Sicily ’43
In July 1943 the Allies launched Operation Husky. The subsequent thirty-eight-day Battle for Sicily was one of the most dramatic of the entire Second World War.James Holland reads an exclusive extract from his upcoming book 'Sicily '43: Th...
35 min
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170. The Battle of Britain - Part 2
What was the civilian experience as the Battle of Britain raged in the skies? And how realistic was the German aim to gain air supremacy? Al Murray and James Holland explore the summer of 1940 in further detail.
49 min
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169. Stan Perry Special - Part Two
Part Two of James Holland's interview with veteran Stan Perry about his wartime experiences in the Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry. Stan arrived in France shortly after D-Day and was twice wounded during the final year of the war in the west.
49 min
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168. The Battle of Britain
“Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.”Well that was Winston Churchill’s view.Now, 80 years on, Al Murray and James Holland offer a modern perspective on the events of the summer of 1940.
48 min
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167. Stan Perry Special
James Holland interviews veteran Stan Perry about his wartime experiences in the Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry. Stan arrived in France shortly after D-Day and was twice wounded during the final year of the war in the west.
66 min
706
166. Hitler Myths
Did Hitler really die in a Berlin bunker? Yes of course he did. But this simple truth hasn’t stopped a host of conspiracy theorists claiming the Nazi leader made it safely to South America. So why have these stories taken a hold on the public imaginati...
53 min
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165. Day of Days
Al Murray and James Holland speak to Band of Brothers scriptwriter John Orloff.John wrote episode two, Day of Days, as well as episode nine, Why We Fight. He describes the origins of the hugely popular series and recounts his conversations with the ve...
49 min
708
164. Sweden and Spies
Just how neutral was Sweden in the Second World War? Al Murray and James Holland debate this as well recounting the role of an unusual Scottish spy.Join the We Have Ways members’ club now for £5 a month using the link below:Patreon.com/wehaveways...
41 min
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163. Where the War was Won - Part 2
In the second part of Al Murray and James Holland's conversation with historian Phillips O'Brien they discuss the largely forgotten US Admiral William Leahy and his attitude to the use of the atomic bomb in Japan.Join the We Have Ways memb...
28 min
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162. Where the War was Won - Part 1
Historian Phillips O'Brien explains to James Holland and Al Murray his theory that land battles did not make a significant contribution to the outcome of the war. If you think Stalingrad and the Eastern Front were pivotal, think again. ...
28 min
711
161. The History of Concrete
Stonemason Andrew Ziminski takes Al and James on an unusual historical journey through the medium of concrete and stonemasonry. The lads discuss the origins of Stonehenge.Join the We Have Ways members’ club now for £5 a month using the link below:P...
43 min
712
160. Operation Bagration
Al and James speak to Dr Alex Richie about the the Eastern Front. Red Army tactics, POW deaths and Operation Bagration are up for discussion.Join the We Have Ways members’ club now for £5 a month using the link below:Patreon.com/wehavewaysA Go...
57 min
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159. Inside a Russian Tank
Al Murray and James Holland get to drive round the Wiltshire countryside in a T34 Russian tank. The boys explore its crude but effective engineering and enjoy the sounds and smells from inside the tank.Join the We Have Ways members’ club now for £5 ...
34 min
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158. Gary Sheffield
Day four of We Have Ways of Making You Chalke and historian Gary Sheffield joins Al and James to explore the interwar period and discuss the rise of European nationalism. Join the We Have Ways members’ club now for £5 a month using...
48 min
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157. Peace in Our Time?
Tim Bouverie, author of Appeasing Hitler, joins Al Murray and James Holland to discuss history’s assessment of Neville Chamberlain. Join the We Have Ways members’ club now for £5 a month using the link below:Patreon.com/wehavewaysA Goal...
46 min
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156. Nora Krug
In the second episode of We Have Ways of Making You Chalke German-American writer Nora Krug joins Al Murray and James Holland to debate the problems of national identity.
56 min
717
155. Tea With Monty
Each day this week James Holland and Al Murray will be joined by a celebrated historian on We Have Ways of Making You Chalke. With the Chalke Valley History Festival cancelled some of the top historians have instead agreed to come on the pod.Today his...
58 min
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154. Mosquito Missions
Colin Bell carried out 50 bombing raids over Germany, 13 of them to Berlin.In this special edition of the podcast RAF veteran Colin tells Al and James about his love of flying Mosquitos and of some of the terrifying scrapes he found himself involved i...
26 min
719
153. Save our Spits
Production of the most important aircraft in history did not always run smoothly. Al Murray and James Holland discuss the industrial challenges of producing the Spitfire; plus the boys ponder the likelihood of collaboration in the event of a successful...
36 min
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152. Home Front Heroes
Nurse Ethel Lote was just 18 years old when she was thrown into the war effort, caring for troops returning from Dunkirk.In this special episode Ethel describes her experiences to Al Murray, including how she fell in love with her future husband durin...
29 min
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151. Convoys and Submarines
Al Murray and James Holland launch seafaring operations on the podcast as they examine the effectiveness of the British submarine effort. The boys also enjoy the book used as a basis for the new Tom Hanks movie Greyhound, and they offer their opinions ...
34 min
722
150. D-Day Special
June 6th remains one of the most iconic dates in history. James Holland and Al Murray look back on D-Day with a particular reverence for British naval power.
43 min
723
149. Britain's War Machine
Al and James are joined by historian and writer David Edgerton to discuss industry and innovation during the war. Famous for taking on the ‘declinists’, David offers a unique perspective on the power of industrial Britain in the 1930s and 40s.
52 min
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148. Dunkirk - Day Eight
Al and James discuss the implications for the Mediterranean and North Africa and describe Churchill flirting with disaster as he flies home from France.
50 min
725
147. Dunkirk - Day Seven
As clouds lift over Dunkirk the evacuation has to be suspended during daylight hours. Al and James are joined by US military historian Michael Neiberg to look at Dunkirk and the fall of France from an American perspective.
58 min