WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk

January 1944. The Allies have failed to reach Rome by Christmas, the ‘soft underbelly’ of Europe is reaching crisis point. To break through the Nazi’s strangle hold of Italy, the Allies plan OPERATION SHINGLE - the daring beach assault at Anzio. In the first episode of our Italy series, Al Murray and James Holland outline the reasons for recapturing Rome, Kesselring’s double lock defences at Cassi...

The Nazi occupation of Hungary led to the mass transportation and murder of over 400,000 Jews in 1944 and 1945. Why had Hungary's leadership sided with the Axis? Al Murray and James Holland are joined by John McManus to review the events of 80 years ago this week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Al Murray, James Holland and John McManus delve into the remarkable and often overlooked history of the Tuskegee Airmen, a group of African American pilots that defied racial barriers to become some of the most distinguished fighter pilots of World War II. A Goalhanger Production Produced by Joey McCarthy Exec Producer: Tony Pastor Social: @WeHaveWaysPod Email: wehavewayspodcast@gmail.com Join our...

One of the most gruelling and horrifying roles in all military history was being a grunt during the Second World War. It was so terrifying, that at least 1/5 of all soldiers admitted to losing control of their bowels on the front line. Al Murray, James Holland and John McManus discuss survival rates and American soldiers' attitudes during the war. A Goalhanger Production Produced by Joey McCarthy...

Charlie Lawson, famous for playing Jim McDonald in Coronation Street shares with Al Murray and James Holland his family's history in the Second World War. Charlie's uncle, who fought with the Royal Irish Fusiliers, was incredibly close with Australian Lawrie Franklyn-Vaile. During the war they shared an incredible connection and both wrote incredibly moving letters back home. A Goalhanger Producti...

Throughout the 20th and 21st century, America's foreign policy has swung violently from isolationist to interventionist - how did the Second World War impact this switch? Al Murray, John McManus and James Holland answer your questions on WW2 and USA. A Goalhanger Production Produced by Joey McCarthy Exec Producer: Tony Pastor Social: @WeHaveWaysPod Email: wehavewayspodcast@gmail.com Join our ‘Inde...

Why did Paddy Mayne earn four Distinguished Service Orders during World War 2 but no VC? Al Murray and James Holland answer your questions, including who had the best operation names - the Americans or the Nazis? A Goalhanger Production Produced by Joey McCarthy Exec Producer: Tony Pastor Social: @WeHaveWaysPod Email: wehavewayspodcast@gmail.com Join our ‘Independent Company’ to watch our livestre...

Al Murray, James Holland and John McManus discuss the controversial Rapido river crossing by the 36th Texan Division in January 1944. Why did General Fred Walker fail the river crossing in Italy where so many succeeded? And should it have led to a congressional hearing? A Goalhanger Production Produced by Joey McCarthy Exec Producer: Tony Pastor Social: @WeHaveWaysPod Email: wehavewayspodcast@gmai...

If the Mosquito could hold the same bomb load and had a smaller crew, why did the Americans use the bulky B17 to bomb Germany? Al Murray and James Holland talk air superiority, Nazi boffins and why there was no air support in Arnhem. A Goalhanger Production Produced by Joey McCarthy Exec Producer: Tony Pastor Social: @WeHaveWaysPod Email: wehavewayspodcast@gmail.com Join our ‘Independent Company’...

As the Nazis waged war on Europe, Britain had to take extreme measures to protect its shores. German and Italian nationals were imprisoned across the UK, including a small community of women on the Isle Of Man. Al Murray and James Holland return to the National Archives, to discover more about this little known part of the Second World War story. Great Escapes: Remarkable Second World War Captives...

Over 150,000 British and Commonwealth troops were imprisoned by the Germans or Japanese during the Second World War. What were their lives like, what diseases did they suffer, and how good were their musicals? Al Murray and James Holland delve into the National Archives to find out more of the lives of POWs. Great Escapes: Remarkable Second World War Captives at The National Archives is free to vi...

“In the end it is only people that count, all the people in the whole world. Any land is beautiful to someone. Any land is worth fighting for to someone. So it isn’t the land. It is the people.” In a new epic seven-part series inspired by the release of ‘Masters Of The Air’ on AppleTV, Al Murray and James Holland tell the true story of the Mighty 8th - one of the most courageous units in the USAAF...

“We couldn’t tell 109s from P-51s or Focke-Wulfs. We couldn’t tell which side was winning or what kind went down.  They looked like they were playing around, and then one broke off in a dive that ended when he hit the ground.” In a new epic seven-part series inspired by the release of ‘Masters Of The Air’ on AppleTV, Al Murray and James Holland tell the true story of the Mighty 8th - one of the mo...

“I wonder if you’ve got the guts to lead a big air force. If you haven’t I’ll get someone who has.” Al Murray and James Holland have reached one of the most important events of the entire air war - Big Week. From the 21st February 1944 - Friday 25th February 1944, over 10,000 tonnes of bombs were dropped on Germany by US aircraft. In a new epic seven-part series inspired by the release of ‘Masters...

“I believe we did a good job today on this target. The flak was scattered and only accurate at one point. Sweated it out a little but we came out unscathed.” As Big Week looms, Al Murray and James Holland discuss how a change in personnel and strategy reversed the fortunes of the Mighty 8th. In a new epic seven-part series inspired by the release of ‘Masters Of The Air’ on AppleTV, Al Murray and J...

“We love fighting. Fighting is a grand sport.” For so much of the war, the vicious fighter planes that we obsess over to this day were being mis-used. In a new epic seven-part series inspired by the release of ‘Masters Of The Air’ on AppleTV, Al Murray and James Holland tell the true story of the Mighty 8th - one of the most courageous units in the USAAF. In today’s episode, Al Murray and James Ho...

“Day bombing is the bold, the aggressive, the offensive thing to do. “It is the method and the practice which will put the greatest pressure on Germany, work the greatest havoc to his wartime industry and the greatest reduction to this air force.” General Ira Eaker was determined for his USAAF to bomb Germany during the day and specifically industrial targets.  Why did he disagree with Bomber Harr...

“Your friends and comrades that have been lost and that will be lost today are depending on you. Their sacrifice must not be in vain.  “Good luck. Good shooting and good bombing.” These were the final words of General Fred Anderson of the Eighth Air Force before sending his men to Schweinfurt on the 14th October 1943. The mission became known as Black Thursday. In a new epic seven-part series insp...

JOIN ON APPLE PODCASTS: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/channel/we-have-ways/id6475583516 JOIN ON PATREON: patreon.com/wehaveways On Tuesday, we're launching our first major podcast series of the year. It’s all about the build up and result of Big Week, the largest air assault in human history- featuring thousands of crews battling over the skies of Nazi Germany. We’re following a single group of me...

In a special preview of the landmark new Apple TV series 'Masters Of The Air', Al Murray and James Holland speak to the show's co-executive producer and writer, - John Orloff. Based off the book of the same name by Donald L. Miller, 'Masters Of The Air' is the story of the 100th Bomb Group and their incredible bravery throughout the latter stages of the Second World War. A Goalhanger Production Pr...

In the final episode of Al Murray and James Holland's naval odyssey, they document the final hours of the mighty Scharnhorst. Was it British Naval excellence, or German incompetence that sunk the infamous vessel? A Goalhanger Production Produced by Joey McCarthy Exec Producer: Tony Pastor Social: @WeHaveWaysPod Email: wehavewayspodcast@gmail.com Join our ‘Independent Company’ to watch our livestre...

What was more significant for America in the 20th century - the crushing of Nazism in Europe, or their multiple campaigns for democracy across Asia? Al Murray, James Holland and John McManus answer this, plus explore the delicate balance of supply and demand achieved during the Second World War. A Goalhanger Production Produced by Joey McCarthy Exec Producer: Tony Pastor Social: @WeHaveWaysPod Ema...

Christmas Eve 1943, Admiral Sir Bruce Fraser and the men of Convoy JW55B are in a tense holding pattern up against the Nazi U-boats. Al Murray and James Holland document the final days before The Battle Of The North Cape, and the sinking of the infamous Scharnhorst. A Goalhanger Production Produced by Joey McCarthy Exec Producer: Tony Pastor Social: @WeHaveWaysPod Email: wehavewayspodcast@gmail.co...

One of the most dramatic naval battles of the Second World War - high in the Arctic Circle on Boxing Day, 1943. Al Murray and James Holland set sail for another Naval adventure as they track the sinking of the mighty Scharnhorst. Setting the scene for the Boxing Day 1943 battle - the boys lay out the need for the Arctic Convoy, the characters involved, and ask a question that has vexed many ever s...

James Holland and John McManus review the war in the Pacific 1944 - the year in which the US truly becomes the most powerful nation in the world. John discusses the duplicitous nature of America's relationship with China and how the differing aims of MacArthur and Stilwell creates so much tension in the Pacific. A Goalhanger Production Produced by Joey McCarthy Exec Producer: Tony Pastor Social: @...