WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk

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 Tank!, by Ken Tout. A Goalhanger Films Production #WeHaveWays Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 And No Birds Sang, by Farley Mowat. A Goalhanger Films production Produced by Joey McCarthy and Harry Lineker Exec producer Tony Pastor Twitter: #WeHaveWays Email [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 Quartered Safe Here, by George MacDonald Fraser. A Goalhanger Films production Produced by Joey McCarthy and Harry Lineker Exec producer Tony Pastor Twitter: #WeHaveWays Email [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 Pyle A Goalhanger Films production Produced by Joey McCarthy and Harry Lineker Exec producer Tony Pastor Twitter: #WeHaveWays Email [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. A Goalhanger Films production Produced by Joey McCarthy and Harry Lineker Exec producer Tony Pastor Twitter: #WeHaveWays Email [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 Goalhanger Films production Produced by Joey McCarthy and Harry Lineker Exec producer Tony Pastor Twitter: #WeHaveWays Email [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 Produced by Joey McCarthy and Harry Lineker Exec producer Tony Pastor Twitter: #WeHaveWays Email [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. A Goalhanger Films production Produced by Joey McCarthy Exec producer Tony Pastor Twitter: #WeHaveWays Email [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 Goalhanger Films production Produced by Joey McCarthy and Harry Lineker Exec producer Tony Pastor Twitter: #WeHaveWays Email [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 production Produced by Joey McCarthy Twitter: #WeHaveWays Email: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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? A Goalhanger Films production Produced by Joey McCarthy and Jon Gill Exec producer Tony Pastor Twitter: WeHaveWays Email: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 Goalhanger Films Production Produced by Joey McCarthy Exec Producer Tony Pastor Twitter: #WeHaveWays Email: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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; plus the importance of the Arctic Convoys. A Goalhanger Films production Produced by Joey McCarthy & Jon Gill Exec Produced by Tony Pastor #WeHaveWays [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 production Produced by Harry Lineker Exec Producer Tony Pastor #WeHaveWays [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 Production Produced by Joey McCarthy Exec Producer Tony Pastor #WeHaveWays [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 by the German Kriegsmarine proved decisive. A Goalhanger Films Production Produced by Joey McCarthy Exec Producer Tony Pastor #WeHaveWays [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 entries of a German, an Italian and an American involved in the battle. A Goalhanger Films production. Produced by Joey McCarthy Exec producer Tony Pastor #WeHaveWays [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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? Other subjects up for debate are Britain’s offer to create a union with France and the German Halt Order in 1940. A Goalhanger Films production Produced by Harry Lineker Executive producer Tony Pastor Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 production Producer: Joey McCarthy Exec producer: Tony Pastor Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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). #WeHaveWays [email protected] Producers: Harry Lineker & Joey McCarthy Exec Producer: Tony Pastor A Goalhanger Films Production Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 appearance #WeHaveWays. A Goalhanger Films Production Produced by Joey McCarthy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 Production Produced by Harry Lineker Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 and describes the key characters and action. A Goalhanger Films Production Produced by Joey McCarthy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Burma and Operation Varsity James 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 Arnhem. A Goalhanger Films production Produced by Harry Lineker and Joey McCarthy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 episode of We Have Ways of Making You Talk. A Goalhanger Films Production. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. A Goalhanger Films production Produced by Harry Lineker & Joey McCarthy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 production Produced by Joey McCarthy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

No German military leader of World War Two has a greater reputation than Erwin Rommel. Such was his perceived threat to Hitler and the Nazi hierarchy that on October 14th, 1944, he was pushed to commit suicide rather than face a trial for alleged involvement in the plot to assassinate the Führer. Seventy five years on from his death James Holland and Al Murray assess Rommel’s war time record and debate the truth of his reputation as an apolitical and decent man. A Goalhanger Films production Produced by Harry Lineker and Joey McCarthy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the autumn of 1944 German troops murdered more than 700 Italian civilians in one village. James Holland visits the scene seventy five years on. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Al Murray and James Holland discuss the terrible price paid by Poland in World War Two. Also, why is there a Russian tank on London’s Old Kent Road? Plus the lads discuss the role and reputation of Field Marshall Alan Brooke. A Goalhanger Films production Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Did Russia have aspirations to march the Red Army all the way to Paris? Al Murray and James Holland debate Soviet intentions in 1945. The lads also name their favourite war museums and look back on their time in Arnhem and Nijmegen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Al Murray and James Holland stand on the banks of the Neder-Rijn in the exact spot that the remnants of the 1st Airborne Division rowed and swam back across the river after nine days of hell in Arnhem. Was the operation doomed from the start? Or a risk worth taking? A Goalhanger Films production. Recorded in Holland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Why did General Gavin not take the vital bridge at Nijmegen as soon as his 82nd Airborne Division landed in Holland? A hugely controversial decision to concentrate instead on the Groesbeek Heights is debated here by James Holland and Dutch historian R G Poulussen. A Goalhanger Films production. Produced in Nijmegen, Holland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On day four of Operation Market Garden, British commanding officer Roy Urquhart gave up trying to relieve John Frost at Arnhem bridge and instead ordered his remaining men to form a defensive perimeter around the village of Oosterbeek. Al Murray explores the small pocket in which three thousand British troops grimly hung on waiting for a relief force that would never arrive. A Goalhanger Films production. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In September 1944 the Allied ground troops of Operation Market Garden smashed their way north towards the beleaguered British troops holding on in Arnhem. Seventy five years later James Holland rides in a Sherman tank up the same road outside Nijmegen and towards the Groesbeek Heights. A Goalhanger Films Production. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan Snow chats with James Holland by the bridge in Arnhem. The two historians discuss the battle’s iconic place in British history. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Al Murray and James Holland walk across the famous John Frost bridge at Arnhem while describing the intense fighting which took place there 75 years ago. The boys explore the locations of the buildings held by John Frost and his men before climbing up onto the bridge itself. #WeHaveWays A Goalhanger Films Production. Recorded and edited in Arnhem. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Al Murray describes a single day in Arnhem as events turn decidedly against the British airborne troops. #WeHaveWays [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the first of our special episodes to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Arnhem, Al Murray is at the Hartenstein Hotel. He is joined by battlefield tour expert Paul Reed to discuss the history of what became 1st Airborne Division’s Headquarters and relive what the fighting was like on the streets of Oosterbeek. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On September 17th, 1944, British and American forces launched one of the most audacious operations of World War Two. In this first of nine episodes devoted to Operation Market Garden, Al Murray and James Holland discuss the build up to the battle. Al and James recorded this episode in London before flying out to Holland. The remainder of the series will be recorded on Hell’s Highway, in Nijmegen and in Arnhem. Don’t miss a single episode as the lads rediscover the key sites of one of the war’s most famous battles. We Have Ways of Making You Talk is a Goalhanger Films Production. Twitter: #WeHaveWays Email: [email protected] Follow James Holland and Al Murray on twitter using @James1940 @almurray Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Al Murray and James Holland debate the controversial decision taken by General Mark Clark to liberate Rome. Also up for discussion are the mysterious Foo Fighters and the wartime experiences of comedian Spike Milligan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s 80 years since the outbreak of war. James and Al discuss the build up to the German invasion of Poland and the British and French response. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is Paris burning? James Holland and Al Murray discuss the liberation of Paris and the final days of the Normandy campaign. Plus, what role did the mafia play in the invasion of Sicily? Were the Allies made an offer they couldn’t refuse? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Al Murray and James Holland discuss the drugs used by the Germans to keep submariners awake. Plus what would have happened if the German army had fought in Asia, while the Japanese were defending the Normandy beaches? A fascinating if preposterous debate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Al Murray and James Holland take to the stage at the Edinburgh fringe to debate the great last stands of World War Two. Plus who was Wojtek the bear? And can we justify the bombing of Dresden? The boys answer some challenging audience questions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Al Murray and James Holland discuss the challenges of maintaining morale in the Allied armies. Plus James answers the question of why Malta was denied Spitfires in the island’s greatest hour of need. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

James Holland joins Al Murray from Bavaria, where he sits in the shadow of Hitler's infamous summer residence, the Eagle's Nest. Al discusses his recent trip to Maquis country, plus the boys answer questions about forces and suncream; the toughest unit in WW2; the Japanese bombing of Australia; and their team selection for a do or die assault on an impregnable Nazi fortress. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Al Murray and James Holland look back on a murderous incident on D-Day plus one. Plus the lads use hindsight to decide which World War II regiment, squadron or ship they would choose to serve with or on. Also up for discussion are Operations Epsom, Goodwood and the much maligned Italian forces. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

James Holland and Al Murray debate the wisdom of collecting all the Allies’ most escape-minded prisoners of war in one place. Also up for discussion are bombing tactics, the Battle of the Atlantic and Monty’s autograph book. Plus Al and James’s recommended reading for the summer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this bonus episode there’s a chance to hear Franklin D Roosevelt’s speech after Pearl Harbour as performed by American actor Chaz Mena. Legendary broadcaster Ed Murrow and World at War narrator Laurence Olivier also get a run out. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices