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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Dunkirk - Day Six
As the men at Dunkirk continue to be lifted in huge numbers, Al and James turn their attention to some of the fascinating details of the story. We hear about the role of British medics working desperately on the injured men, while Goering loots fine ar...
28 min
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145. Dunkirk - Day Five
Churchill’s grip on the war cabinet begins to strengthen as the news from Dunkirk continues to improve. In this episode Al and James are joined by Seb Cox, head of the Air Historical Branch.
70 min
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144. Dunkirk - Day Four
It’s a hugely significant day as 47,000 men are lifted from Dunkirk, but as the remaining soldiers run out of water on the beach they raid the cellars of local bars with predictable results. Al and James are joined by Pierre-Samuel Natanson, a military...
43 min
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143. Dunkirk - Day Three
The success of Dunkirk was considered little short of a miracle. But not every soldier made it onto the rescue ships. To help buy time for their comrades to be picked up from the beach some soldiers paid the highest price. One was Al Murray’s grandad. ...
60 min
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142. Dunkirk - Day Two
May 27th, 1940, could be described as the single most important day in the twentieth century. British war cabinet meetings this day defined the policy to fight on rather than seek peace via Italian intermediaries. It was a close run thing.Al and James...
37 min