Goalhanger

WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk

History EN ↓ 1003 episodes

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 bat...

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Episodes

52. Inside the Archives 21.11.2019 31:52

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 Pasto...

51. Lessons of War 19.11.2019 40:13

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 Past...

50. Hitler v Churchill 14.11.2019 19:15

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/adch...

49. Remembrance Day 11.11.2019 16:28

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 wehavewayspodcast@gmail.com 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 choi...

48. Omaha Beach 07.11.2019 42:32

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 m...

47. The Battle for Poland 05.11.2019 33:42

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

46. The Battle of Midway 31.10.2019 48:43

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...

45. Burma and Operation Varsity 29.10.2019 36:13

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...

44. Memories Of War - Part 2 24.10.2019 34:57

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 abou...

43. Spike Milligan and the Italian Campaign 22.10.2019 32:52

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 you...

42. Memories of War - Part 1 17.10.2019 30:20

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 podcastchoi...

41. The Life and Death of the Desert Fox 15.10.2019 35:58

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 d...

40. The Massacre of Monte Sole 10.10.2019 23:34

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

39. Poland's Plight 08.10.2019 32:13

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

38. Stalin in Paris 01.10.2019 45:07

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

37. A Bridge Too Far? 25.09.2019 18:36

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 you...

36. Lost at Nijmegen 24.09.2019 25:03

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 a...

35. Al Murray walks the Oosterbeek Perimeter 23.09.2019 39:15

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 pro...

34. XXX Corps 22.09.2019 55:08

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...

33. Market Garden with Dan Snow 21.09.2019 15:50

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

32. The Battle for Arnhem Bridge 20.09.2019 38:06

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 in...

31. Twenty Four Hours in Arnhem 19.09.2019 38:00

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

30. The Hartenstein Hotel 18.09.2019 44:41

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 mor...

29. Operation Market Garden - Day 1 17.09.2019 44:48

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 a...

28. The Capture of Rome 10.09.2019 38:55

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