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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190. AC/DC’s Brian Johnson PART 2
AC/DC frontman Brian Johnson is back with more stories from his extraordinary family history. This time we hear about his dad’s time fighting in Italy, plus his Italian mum’s fascist family past.WARNING: Some strong language.
43 min
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189. AC/DC’s Brian Johnson
The legendary lead singer of AC/DC Brian Johnson is fascinated by the Second World War. His dad fought in North Africa and Italy with the Durham Light Infantry and Brian himself joined the Territorial Army and did full parachute training.
36 min
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188. What went wrong at Arnhem
On September 17th, 1944, the Allies launched Operation Market Garden in an attempt to create an invasion route across the Rhine and into Germany.The operation failed and with it ended any hopes of finishing the war by Christmas 1944.
44 min
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187. Battle of Britain Day
James Holland and Al Murray discuss the events of September 15th, 1940, the date officially named Battle of Britain Day.
51 min
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186. Top Tanks
Al Murray and James Holland recently spent a day clambering around on restored tanks. In today’s episode they get to experience the inside of a Sherman and the full throated roar of a Cromwell.
22 min
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185. Sicily ‘43 Special
Al Murray joins James Holland to discuss Sicily ‘43 in this special edition of the podcast recorded for Waterstones.
51 min
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184. The Sherwood Rangers on D-Day
As James Holland begins researching his next book he finds himself immediately caught up in a debate about what happened to the Sherwood Rangers as they came ashore on D-Day.Our three book recommendations for September are:Normandy ’44 by James H...
34 min
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183. James and Al’s Big Tank Adventure
James Holland and Al Murray spend the day messing around in tanks. The evolution of the British tank through the early years of the Second World War is discussed and the boys get to grapple with tanks in various states of restoration.Our three book ...
39 min
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182. The Ship
C. S. Forester’s brilliant book about a Royal Navy ship fighting to get through to Malta was published in 1943 and is an enthralling account of a single day’s action against the Italian fleet. It’s one of our three book recommendations for September an...
17 min
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181. By Air and Sea
Al and James discuss the fundamental differences between being a Luftwaffe pilot and an airman in the RAF. Also, why did it take so long to train a naval officer? Could it be due to the cost of the kit he might control?
46 min
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180. Those Devils in Baggy Pants
A sneak preview of our latest audiobook Those Devils In Baggy Pants which tells the story of life in the US 82nd Airborne Division.The author, Ross S Carter, took part in every major campaign featuring the 504th Parachute Infantry, from Sicily in 1943...
18 min
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179. The Weird World of War
We asked listeners for the most curious roles their grandparents performed during the Second World War. Al Murray and James Holland explore some of the best answers. Plus, which branch of the forces would you have volunteered for?
43 min
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178. VJ Day and the Atomic Bomb
Seventy five years ago the world celebrated Victory over Japan Day as the war in the Pacific finally ended.Al Murray and James Holland discuss the big decisions taken at the time, most notably the use of the atomic bomb.
44 min
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177. VJ Day special - The Indian Army
By 1945 the British Indian Army was the largest volunteer force in history.Military historian Rob Lyman argues that Indian soldiers were not given enough credit for their efforts in helping beat the Japanese. Independent Company members ge...
49 min
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176. VJ Day special - Robin Rowland: Part 2
Robin Rowland was an officer in Slim’s Fourteenth Army, fighting at the Battle of the Admin Box and at the Battle of Kohima. In the second part of his conversation with James Holland he describes the final days of the conflict in the Far East....
41 min
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175. VJ Day special - Robin Rowland: Part 1
Robin Rowland was an officer in Slim’s Fourteenth Army, fighting at the Battle of the Admin Box and at the Battle of Kohima. Here he is in conversation with James Holland. In this first part of their discussion Robin describes how he found himself in I...
50 min
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174. VJ Day special - Fighting in the Far East
James and Al are joined by the US historian John C. McManus to discuss the final months of fighting in the Far East. John is one of America’s leading military historians and is currently working on a major two volume history of the U.S. Army in the Pac...
45 min
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173. Hitler, Sparta and the Roman Empire
How great an influence on Nazi ideology did Spartan society exert? Tom Holland joins his brother James and Al Murray to discuss ancient empires and their parallels with Hitler’s Germany.Independent Company members get £2 off our recommended books fr...
38 min
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172. Battle of Britain - Part 3
In the third episode of our trilogy James Holland and Al Murray discuss the merits of grass airfields and German plans for the invasion of Britain.Plus the boys make three new recommendations for reading over the summer.
48 min
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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
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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