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
726
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
729
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
730
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
731
141. Dunkirk - Day One
May 26th, 1940, was the first day of the most important week in history.Today Al and James are joined by the head of the Naval Historical Branch,Stephen Prince
62 min
732
140. Olivia Smith - Bonus Episode
Young historian Olivia Smith shares the story of her grandmother’s early life in Nazi Germany with James.Join the We Have Ways members’ club now for £5 a month using the link below:Patreon.com/wehavewaysA Goalhanger Films productionProduced by ...
22 min
733
139. Philippe Sands - Part 2
In this second episode of our Philippe Sands interview we explore The Ratline and its central cast of characters. Otto Wächter, the Nazi on the run from justice; his wife Charlotte, avowed Nazi but loving wife and mother.
46 min
734
138. St Nazaire Raid
It was one of the most audacious raids of the Second World War. A combined Royal Navy and British Commando attack on the Normandie dry dock in German occupied France.But was it worth the high human cost to stop the German warship Tirpitz potentially b...
46 min
735
137. Philippe Sands and The Ratline
Philippe Sands, author of East West Street and The Ratline, joins Al and James to discuss the extraordinary war time stories he unearthed in his research. In this first episode he talks about Hans Frank, the Nazi ruler of Poland, and Frank’s son Niklas...
37 min
736
136. Blitzkrieg 1940
In May 1940 the German armed forces launched a massive offensive against Holland, Belgium and ultimately France.Al Murray and James Holland take a detailed look at the events which shaped the first half of the Second World War.Join the We Have Ways...
42 min
737
135. VE Day Special
Al Murray and James Holland discuss the end of the war in Europe.
30 min
738
134. Legacy and Myth
In part two of their conversation with historian Guy Walters, Al Murray and James Holland explore how the Second world War is viewed in Britain as the nation’s defining myth. Nationalism and political identity are also key themes of their discussion.
30 min
739
133. Paras and Portugal
After spending an evening watching A Bridge Too Far, both Al Murray and James Holland are keen to discuss the film’s stunning scale and also its frustrating inaccuracies. Plus why did Portugal stay neutral, despite a long standing alliance with Britain...
39 min
740
132. Hunting Evil
How great an effort was made to hunt down Nazi war criminals? Historian Guy Walters joins Al Murray and James Holland as they trace the escape route from Germany to South America.
33 min
741
131. The Gurkhas
The people of Nepal raised 40 Gurkha Battalions to fight alongside the British and Commonwealth troops during the Second World war. James Holland and Al Murray discuss the extraordinary contribution of this proud fighting force. Plus, the story of a Br...
39 min
742
130. The Life and Crimes of Joachim Peiper
He served on both the Eastern and Western Fronts and was a ruthless Nazi ideologue. After the war Peiper was found guilty of war crimes for murdering prisoners of war. Al Murray and James Holland discuss the life and violent death of the most famous Ge...
12 min
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129. One Man’s Window
In 1942 Denis Barnham flew spitfires repeatedly against enemy raids over Malta. In this extract, Al Murray reads a terrifying account of his first air battle above the island. The whole book is available at patreon.com/wehavewaysA Goalhanger Films p...
17 min
744
128. We Need Transport, Over…
James and Al discuss important issues such as the range of the Ju52 in Where Eagles Dare and answer the key question: could it really have made it to the Alps and back? Also discussed, the infamous U-48, which sunk the City of Benares. Plus Italian air...
40 min
745
127. The Black Market
Were there any good consequences of the black market in Western Europe? Al Murray and James Holland don’t think so. Especially not for the impoverished Italians.
11 min
746
126. Don’t Start at the Bottom
Did the Allies take too long winkling the Germans out of Sicily? Expect strong views from James Holland and Al Murray. Plus an extraordinary story of the captured Enigma machine from a listener who’s relative was on HMS Bulldog.Join the We Have Ways...
36 min
747
Chapter 22: The Cauldron, by Zeno
Chapter 22: The Cauldron, by ZenoIn September, 1944, the British 1st Airborne Division found itself in a fierce battle for the Dutch city of Arnhem. Al Murray reads the story of a single platoon trapped in the smoking ruins of the city. The author, ...
29 min
748
Chapter 21: The Cauldron, by Zeno
Chapter 21: The Cauldron, by ZenoIn September, 1944, the British 1st Airborne Division found itself in a fierce battle for the Dutch city of Arnhem. Al Murray reads the story of a single platoon trapped in the smoking ruins of the city. The author, ...
19 min
749
Chapter 20: The Cauldron, by Zeno
Chapter 19: The Cauldron, by ZenoIn September, 1944, the British 1st Airborne Division found itself in a fierce battle for the Dutch city of Arnhem. Al Murray reads the story of a single platoon trapped in the smoking ruins of the city.
13 min
750
Chapter 19: The Cauldron, by Zeno
Chapter 19: The Cauldron, by ZenoIn September, 1944, the British 1st Airborne Division found itself in a fierce battle for the Dutch city of Arnhem. Al Murray reads the story of a single platoon trapped in the smoking ruins of the city. The author, ...
12 min