WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk

Why did King George VI award Malta the George Cross? How did the 'Target Date' of starvation and surrender affect morale on the island? Were the Anti-Aircraft defences enough to blunt Kesselring's blitz on the island? Join James Holland and Al Murray for part 4 of this thrilling series on the siege of Malta, and how the very course of WW2 depended on the defence of this small island in the Mediter...

Why was the arrival of RAF Spitfires so important to Malta's defence? How did the Fall Of Singapore impact the situation in Malta? Was the British leadership on Malta incompetent? Join James Holland and Al Murray for part 3 of this thrilling series on the siege of Malta, and how the very course of WW2 depended on the defence of this small island in the Mediterranean. Start your free trial at ⁠patr...

Why was Malta such a threat to Nazi plans? What made HMS Upholder the most successful British submarine of WW2? How did British submarines disrupt Axis shipping routes and invasion plans? Join James Holland and Al Murray for part 2 of this thrilling series on the siege of Malta, and how the very course of WW2 depended on the defence of this small island in the Mediterranean. Start your free trial...

Why was Malta attacked in WW2? Where in the world is Malta? How did the British fail to build up Malta's defences before Italy entered the war on Nazi Germany's side? Join James Holland and Al Murray for part 1 of this thrilling series on the siege of Malta, and how the very course of WW2 depended on the defence of this small island in the Mediterranean. Start your free trial at ⁠patreon.com/wehav...

What made British tank steel so superior? Why do people think British tanks were so bad in WW2? How was the Centurion the peak of British tank engineering? Join James Holland and Al Murray as they dispel the many pervasive myths that surround the history of British tank design and procurement in WW2, showing conclusively it was often ahead of Nazi German production. Start your free trial at ⁠patre...

What happened after the war to the communities around Monte Sole? Why did SS troops execute civilians, including women and children? How did survivors try to move on with their lives? Join James Holland and Al Murray for part 3 as they explore the story of the largest mass killing of civilians in Western Europe outside of the camps, and try to understand why the tragedy is so poorly known. *This e...

How did the SS units fight back against the Italian partisan brigades? When was the Marzabotto massacre? What happened to the leaders of the Stella Rossa, and their families? Join James Holland and Al Murray for part 2 as they explore the story of the largest mass killing of civilians in Western Europe outside of the camps, and try to understand why the tragedy is so poorly known. *This episode co...

Where is Monte Sole in Italy? Why was the Stella Rossa such a successful partisan group? What resistance did Italians engage in to fight Nazi Germany? Join James Holland and Al Murray for part 1 as they explore the story of the largest mass killing of civilians in Western Europe outside of the camps, and try to understand why the tragedy is so poorly known. *This episode contains content that may...

As a part of our continuing effort to commemorate the incredible global story of WW2, we present our ongoing ‘Family Stories’ series. This series tells YOUR relatives’ stories of derring do - both on the front line and home front. In this episode we hear your tales of bucking broncos, Hogan's heroes, and adventures with The Chindits. With thanks to Norman Bell, Peter Finch, Will Hogan, Malcolm All...

Did Daphne du Maurier design the paratroopers' maroon beret? Why was the defence of Malta so poor? What do the Army Air Corps do? Join James Holland and Al Murray as they discuss a broad range of topics in this show, including the hagiography of RAF ace, Sir Douglas Bader, and some top WW2 book recommendations. Start your free trial at ⁠patreon.com/wehaveways⁠ and unlock exclusive content and more...

Why did Hitler give up on Operation Sealion and look East for conquest? What longterm consequences did British victory have for the wider war? When did the intensity of air attacks over Britain lessen? Join James Holland and Al Murray for part 6 of this new series on The Battle Of Britain as they explore the decisive aerial battles over Britain in summer 1940, and the dogged defence that stopped t...

When was the worst day for RAF casualties in The Battle Of Britain? Why did bombing London mean relief for RAF Fighter Command? What happened on September 7th 1940? Join James Holland and Al Murray for part 5 of this new series on The Battle Of Britain as they explore the decisive aerial battles over Britain in summer 1940, and the dogged defence that stopped the Nazi warmachine. Start your free t...

What made a fighter pilot an ace in aerial combat? Why did Nazi Germany switch to bombing British cities? When did Polish and Czech pilots join the frontline in The Battle Of Britain? Join James Holland and Al Murray for part 4 of this new series on The Battle Of Britain as they explore the decisive aerial battles over Britain in summer 1940, and the dogged defence that stopped the Nazi warmachine...

What was Eagle Day? Why was German intelligence about British defences so poor? Was British success due to 'The Few'? Join James Holland and Al Murray for part 3 of this new series on The Battle Of Britain as they explore the decisive aerial battles over Britain in summer 1940, and the dogged defence that stopped the Nazi warmachine. Start your free trial at ⁠patreon.com/wehaveways⁠ and unlock exc...

What was The Dowding System? Why was Chain Home pivotal to the defence of Britain in WW2? How many hours of training did RAF pilots have on average? Join James Holland and Al Murray for part 2 of this new series on The Battle Of Britain as they explore the decisive aerial battles over Britain in summer 1940, and the dogged defence that stopped the Nazi warmachine. Start your free trial at ⁠patreon...

When did the Luftwaffe begin the Kanalkampf phase of The Battle Of Britain? How many fighters and bombers did Nazi Germany have for the air war over Britain in Summer 1940? What was Operation Sealion called before the name was changed? Join James Holland and Al Murray for part 1 of this new mythbusting series on The Battle Of Britain as they explore the decisive aerial battles over Britain in the...

Who was known as 'Smiling Albert'? Why is von Manstein overrated? What makes Model such a good general? Join James Holland and Al Murray for part 6 as they run through the best leadership of the Western Theatre in WW2, and the best generals may surprise you. If you're ready to go beyond the books and walk in the footsteps of heroes - visit ⁠legerbattlefields.co.uk/whwf⁠ Visit ⁠ospreypublishing.com...

Which Prussian general wore a kilt and tricked British units with his excellent English? Why did Halder lose command even after his successes in Poland and France? Who refused to wear their general insignia after the Second World War, and became a humble mechanic? Join James Holland and Al Murray for part 5 as they run through the best leadership of the Western Theatre in WW2, and the best general...

How many times was George S. Patton fired by his superiors? Why isn't Lucian Truscott better known? Was Ridgway the most effective airborne commander of the Second World War? Join James Holland and Al Murray for part 4 as they run through the best land forces leadership of the Western Theatre in WW2 - and their answers may surprise you. Start your free trial at ⁠patreon.com/wehaveways⁠ and unlock...

Was General Eisenhower the best US general of WW2? What decision impacts the reputation of Jumpin' Jim Gavin? When did General Mark Clark capture Rome? Join James Holland and Al Murray for part 3 as they run through the best land forces leadership of the Western Theatre in WW2 - and their answers may surprise you. Start your free trial at ⁠patreon.com/wehaveways⁠ and unlock exclusive content and m...

Was Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery a bad general? Why isn't Richard O'Connor known for his stunning victories? When did Horrocks take command of XXX Corps? Join James Holland and Al Murray for part 2 as they run through the best land forces leadership of the Western Theatre in WW2 - and their answers may surprise you. Start your free trial at ⁠patreon.com/wehaveways⁠ and unlock exclusive content...

Was Harold Alexander the best land forces commander the British Empire had? Why was Field Marshal Alan Brooke called Lord Alanbrooke? What's so funny about Percy Hobart? Join James Holland and Al Murray for part 1 as they run through the best land forces leadership of the Western Theatre in WW2 - and their answers may surprise you. Start your free trial at ⁠patreon.com/wehaveways⁠ and unlock exclu...

As a part of our continuing effort to commemorate the incredible global story of WW2, we present our ongoing ‘Family Stories’ series. This series tells YOUR relatives’ stories of derring do - both on the front line and home front. In this episode we hear your tales of being washed up in Barbados, accidental parachute deployments, and lost summer loves. With thanks to Andrew, Peter Ivermee, Carla G...

When was WW2 over? How did different leaders behave at the end of the war? Why was the surrender on the deck of the USS Missouri? Join James Holland, Al Murray, and John McManus for Part 4 of the Hiroshima mini-series as they explore the end of WW2, 80 years on. Start your free trial at ⁠patreon.com/wehaveways⁠ and unlock exclusive content and more. Enjoy livestreams, early access to podcast episo...

Why was the second atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki? How did Japanese mutineers in government try to keep the war going? When did the Emperor Hirohito admit defeat? Join James Holland and Al Murray for Part 3 as they explore the monumental decisions that led to the world's first atomic bomb being dropped at the end of WW2. Start your free trial at patreon.com/wehaveways and unlock exclusive content...