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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66. George MacDonald Fraser - Quartered Safe Ou...
Merry Christmas from We Have Ways of Making You Talk, over the next 12 days Al and James are reading you extracts from some of their favourite books about the war. Today, Al is reading from Quartered Safe Here, by George MacDonald Fraser
20 min
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65. Ernie Pyle - Brave Men
Merry Christmas from We Have Ways of Making You Talk. Over the next 12 days Al and James are reading extracts from some of their favourite books about the Second World War. Today James is reading from Brave Men, by Ernie PyleA Goalhanger Films produ...
17 min
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64. Spike Milligan - Mussolini: His Part in My ...
Merry Christmas from We Have Ways of Making You Talk. Over the next 12 days Al and James are reading extracts from some of their favourite books about the Second World War. Today Al is reading from Mussolini: His Part in My Downfall, by Spike Milligan....
16 min
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63. Johannes Steinhoff - Straits of Messina
Merry Christmas from We Have Ways of Making You Talk. Over the next 12 days Al and James are reading extracts from some of their favourite books about the Second World War. Today James is reading from Straits of Messina, by Johannes Steinhoff.A Goal...
36 min
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62. Zeno- The Cauldron
Merry Christmas from We Have Ways of Making You Talk. Over the next 12 days Al and James are reading extracts from some of their favourite books about the Second World War. Today Al is reading from The Cauldron, by Zeno.A Goalhanger Films production...
12 min
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61. War Planes
Al Murray heads to Lincolnshire to visit the RAF’s stunning collection of working World War Two aircraft. Al gets to explore a Spitfire, a Hurricane, a Dakota, and a Lancaster, while quizzing Squadron Leader Mark Discombe and Bomber Leader Neil Farrell...
41 min
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60. Nazi Home Movies
James Holland and Al Murray discuss newly revealed German home movies. From Hitler Youth camps to burning villages on the eastern front and the cold-blooded murder of civilians, the footage illustrates the moral bankruptcy of life under the Nazis.A ...
48 min
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59. Before the Bulge
Seventy five years on from the most brutal battle involving US troops in World War Two, Battle of the Bulge expert Peter Caddick-Adams talks to James about the circumstances leading up to the conflict.A Goalhanger Films productionProduced by Joey M...
49 min
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58. The Khaki Election and the Sherman Tank
Was Churchill’s defeat in the 1945 election really a surprise?Al Murray and James Holland discuss the significance of sending the Beveridge Report to every serviceman. Plus the boys make a case for their favourite tank. Was it the Sherman what won it?...
42 min
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From D-Day to Bastogne
James ‘Pee-wee’ Martin parachuted into Normandy on D-Day; fought on Hell’s Highway during Market Garden; and at Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge.He recently spent time with James Holland retelling his extraordinary story. Not to be missed.A ...
57 min
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56. Convoys on Land and Sea
James Holland and Al Murray discuss the famous convoy system known as the Red Ball Express, which supplied Allied forces moving across the continent after D-Day. The lads also discuss the Scheldt Campaign which opened up the shipping route to Antwerp; ...
38 min
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55. Paris in Wartime
James Holland chats with Mike Neiberg, historian of war and peace at the US Army War College, about the final days of occupation in Paris.A Goalhanger Films productionProduced by Harry LinekerExec Producer Tony Pastor#WeHaveWays
41 min
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54. Stories From Auschwitz
Dr Alex Richie tells James Holland the harrowing story of her father-in-law Władysław Bartoszewski, a Polish Jew who was one of the first men to be sent to Auschwitz.A Goalhanger Films ProductionProduced by Joey McCarthyExec Producer Tony Pastor#...
60 min
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53. Racial Divisions and the War at Sea
Al Murray and James Holland discuss the issues of race in the US armed forces during World War Two, including the little known Battle of Bamber Bridge. Also up for discussion is the importance of the war at sea as James explains how the wrong approach ...
31 min
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52. Inside the Archives
James Holland reports from Washington as he continues to research his forthcoming book on the battle for Sicily.Reporting from inside the US archives, James explains his research methods and reads from the forgotten accounts and intriguing diary entri...
28 min
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51. Lessons of War
Al Murray and James Holland discuss the post war historical debate in Germany.Plus, is it true that Winston Churchill offered Northern Ireland to the Republic in exchange for Irish support in the war?
36 min
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50. Hitler v Churchill
Did Adolf Hitler and Winston Churchill have a grudging respect for each other? Al Murray and James Holland discuss the two war leaders, contrasting their styles and comparing their similarities.A Goalhanger Films productionProducer: Joey McCarthyE...
17 min
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49. Remembrance Day
Al Murray and James Holland mark Remembrance Day by reading an extract of Keith Douglas’s military memoir Alamein to Zem Zem and his poem Vergissmeinnicht (Forget-me-not).#WeHaveWayswehavewayspodcast@gmail.com
14 min
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48. Omaha Beach
Leading military historian John McManus describes the situation facing American soldiers on Omaha Beach on D-Day. He also talks to James Holland about the the current appetite in the States for studying World War Two. And Jim Gavin makes his customary ...
39 min
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47. The Battle for Poland
Al Murray and James Holland take a deep dive into the events of 1939 as first the Germans and then the Russians invade Poland.A Goalhanger Films ProductionProduced by Harry Lineker
30 min
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46. The Battle of Midway
At the start of June, 1942, the Japanese navy ruled the Pacific. A week later US forces had won a decisive battle that would change the course of the war.Leading US historian Craig Symonds tells James Holland why the Battle of Midway was so decisive...
45 min
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45. Burma and Operation Varsity
Burma and Operation VarsityJames Holland describes the role of General Slim in turning round the fortunes of the British forces in Burma. Al Murray explains how the airborne success of Operation Varsity was principally built on the lessons learnt in...
33 min
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44. Memories Of War - Part 2
Major-General Stuart Watson describes his experiences on Sword Beach on D-Day to James Holland. He also recounts the sights and smells of the Falaise Pocket. Finally he tells James about his journey with XXX Corps to the bridge at Nijmegen.A bonus e...
31 min
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43. Spike Milligan and the Italian Campaign
Al Murray reads an extract from Spike Milligan’s war time memoir Mussolini: His Part in My Downfall. Al and James then discuss the effects of the war on Milligan’s mental health and James provides historical context to the author’s time in Italy.
30 min
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42. Memories of War - Part 1
Major-General Stuart Watson landed on Sword Beach on D-Day. In this bonus episode of We Have Ways of Making You Talk Major-General Watson tells James Holland about his training with amphibious tanks in anticipation of the invasion.A Goalhanger Films...
26 min