WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk

We take a brief pause in our Market Garden 80 series to celebrate the launch of Al Murray's latest book 'Arnhem: Black Tuesday'. James Holland interviews Al about his love for the subject, the best places to find new information and whether his dad has given any notes. A Goalhanger Production Produced by Joey McCarthy & Becki Hills Exec Producer: Tony Pastor Social: @WeHaveWaysPod Email: wehaveway...

Al Murray and James Holland return to the streets of Arnhem, where the battle intensifies. The chaos deepens as the British forces, now reinforced by the South Staffords, face relentless German counterattacks. XXX Corps' delayed arrival adds to the uncertainty, while Frost’s men at the bridge fight desperately to hold their ground. Will they manage to secure Arnhem, or is it already too late? Dive...

Join Al Murray and James Holland as they continue their deep dive into Operation Market Garden with the challenges faced by the 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions. In this episode, they explore the critical decisions and unexpected setbacks on the ground as Allied forces race to secure vital bridges. Meanwhile, XXX Corps begins its push through the Dutch countryside, facing its own trials as they a...

Al Murray and James Holland kick off their deep dive into Operation Market Garden, focusing on the intense and chaotic first day at Arnhem. What made the British airborne forces push forward despite the odds? Discover the tactical decisions, the unexpected German resistance, and the slender margins that shaped this historic battle. Could it have all gone differently? Join us as we explore the triu...

In this final episode in our Burma 44 series, Al and James turn their attentions a little further north and to the astonishing Battle of Kohima. Surrounded and besieged, the small garrison held out but as Al and Jim discover, it was a very close run thing indeed, but this - and other heroics - ensured General Slim and his Fourteenth Army won a crushing victory from which the Japanese in Burma woul...

In this fifth episode, Al and James look at the progress of the Battle of Imphal and how the Japanese prompted several deep crises as Slim’s men desperately fought to halt the multi-pronged enemy attacks. They also focus on the extraordinary - and battle-saving - actions at Sangshak and Numgshigum. But a further great threat looks at Kohima… A Goalhanger Production Produced by Joey McCarthy Exec P...

In this fourth episode, Al and James turn their attention to the Assam front and the major battle being planned by the Japanese. General Mutaguchi Renya’s aims were nothing less than the destruction of the Allies in South East Asia and the conquest of India, but General Slim’s plans were also ambitious: to destroy the Japanese 15th Army around Imphal and only then cross back into Burma. A Goalhang...

It was one of the defining battles of 1944, but what really happened at the Admin Box - and where was it? In this gripping series, they explore the extraordinary challenges faced by the British and Indian forces under the command of General Bill Slim as they confronted relentless Japanese offensives in the harsh jungles and unforgiving terrain of Southeast Asia. From the pivotal defence of Imphal...

To overcome the devastating retreat in Burma, Major Bill Slim had to devise a cunning tactical plan to beat the Japanese. From airpower to armour - Al Murray and James Holland detail the Brummie’s masterplan. In this gripping series, they explore the extraordinary challenges faced by the British and Indian forces under the command of General Bill Slim as they confronted relentless Japanese offensi...

Al Murray and James Holland introduce the extraordinary challenge of fighting in the Middle East. As Louis Mountbatten is appointed Supreme Allied Commander - he discovers a new jewel in the Empire’s crown: General Bill Slim. In this gripping series, they explore the extraordinary challenges faced by the British and Indian forces under the command of General Bill Slim as they confronted relentless...

James Holland and John McManus examine the fierce fighting around Saint-Lô, a vital crossroads in the Normandy campaign. As American forces struggle through the dense hedgerows and fortified German positions, the battle becomes a grim test of endurance and strategy. The hosts unpack the grueling conditions and tactical innovations that defined this critical but often overlooked battle, shedding li...

What is the greatest Airfix Model kit that has never been sold? How did tommies make their ration packs edible while out in the field? Al Murray and James Holland answer listener questions. A Goalhanger Production Produced by Joey McCarthy Exec Producer: Tony Pastor Social: @‌WeHaveWaysPod Email: wehavewayspodcast@gmail.com Join our ‘Independent Company’ to watch our livestreams, get earlybird tic...

As the dust settles on #WHWF24, Al Murray and James Holland are joined by John McManus to reflect on a superb weekend of WW2 lectures and living history. Warning: Contains shameless self-congratulation! Join our Patreon to hear all talks from We Have Ways Fest 2024 in the coming weeks. A Goalhanger Production Produced by Joey McCarthy Exec Producer: Tony Pastor Social: @‌WeHaveWaysPod Email: wehav...

The US mission in July 1944 was simple, create a series of airbases across Tinnian, Saipan and Guam - making an of attack within Japan's ring of defence. But, despite the awesome levels of Allied bombardment - landing in Guam was not quite plain sailing. James Holland and John McManus discuss. A Goalhanger Production Produced by Joey McCarthy Exec Producer: Tony Pastor Social: @‌WeHaveWaysPod Emai...

How much do you know about the disastrous Maquis plan to protect the Vercors Massif during July 1944 - ending in the deaths of over 650 resistance fighters? Al Murray and James Holland join forces after We Have Ways Fest 2024 to look at what was happening across the globe - this time 80 years ago. A Goalhanger Production Produced by Theo Young-Smith and Ross Buchanan Exec Producer: Tony Pastor Soc...

Al, Jim and the brilliant John Buckley take a look at the nature of the fighting in Normandy, the challenges for both sides and the different approaches both sides took battling in this terrain. Recorded at We Have Ways Fest 2024, join our Patreon or Apple member's club to hear all talks from the weekend. A Goalhanger Production Produced by Joey McCarthy Exec Producer: Tony Pastor Social: @‌WeHave...

It’s one of the most iconic battles of the war and it’s a salivating prospect to have two master historians discussing a subject they have both written about and know intimately well. John McManus and Peter Caddick-Adams band together to delivery this scintillating festival talk - recorded at #WHWF24. Missed a talk at the festival? Join our Patreon or Apple Member's club to hear all talks recorded...

Picking up seconds after the clam shell bomb detonates - Al Murray, James Holland and Roger Moorhouse detail the aftermath of the courageous July bomb plot. As conspirators are slaughtered with piano wire, they ask whether the assassination was destined to fail and if history misremembers Stauffenberg’s politics. A Goalhanger Production Produced by Joey McCarthy Exec Producer: Tony Pastor Social:...

July 20th. 1944. Wolf's Lair. Claus von Stauffenberg sets in motion a plot to assassinate Hitler and overthrow the Nazi high command. What were the reasons behind Stauffenberg’s conspiracy, how was it planned and what was the ‘Secret Germany’ he aspired for. A Goalhanger Production Produced by Joey McCarthy + India Dunkley Exec Producer: Tony Pastor Social: @WeHaveWaysPod Email: wehavewayspodcast@...

As war raged on land in Western Europe in June 1944, the island of Saipan witnessed a naval bombardment never seen before. John McManus leads James Holland in a crash course on the first objective of Operation Forager - the brave battle of the US Marines and 27th Infantry Division to occupy the Marianas. A Goalhanger Production Produced by Joey McCarthy Exec Producer: Tony Pastor Social: @‌WeHaveW...

As Al Murray and James Holland return on English shores, they look back at their Normandy podcast series - the way we think about war, and the foolish decision made by former PM Rishi Sunak to leave D-Day commemorations early. A Goalhanger Production Produced by Joey McCarthy Exec Producer: Tony Pastor Social: @‌WeHaveWaysPod Email: wehavewayspodcast@gmail.com Join our ‘Independent Company’ to wat...

Al Murray and James Holland delve into the Battle of Hill 192 - a crucial fight between the 2nd Infantry Division and German 3rd Fallschirmjäger Division to capture this key strategic point near Saint-Lô. A Goalhanger Production Produced by Joey McCarthy Exec Producer: Tony Pastor Social: @WeHaveWaysPod Email: wehavewayspodcast@gmail.com Join our ‘Independent Company’ to watch our livestreams, get...

Securing the high ground was key to victory in Normandy. Al Murray and James Holland continue their journey in the footsteps of Allied soldiers from 80 years ago. Through idyllic fields, thick forest and deep hedgerows - they pick out individual stories of the first joined up operation after the 6th June landings. A Goalhanger Production Produced by Joey McCarthy Exec Producer: Tony Pastor Social:...

The Battle for Normandy didn’t end with D-Day. James Holland is re-united with Al Murray to retrace the steps of the Allied Operation EPSOM - 80 years to the day. Through idyllic fields, thick forest and deep hedgerows - they pick out individual stories of the first joined up operation after the 6th June landings. A Goalhanger Production Produced by Joey McCarthy Exec Producer: Tony Pastor Social:...

Will we lose a tangible connection to WW2 once the final veteran dies? Is Europe sleepwalking into another monumental war? Continuing our on-the-ground Normandy series, James Holland meets up with friends and historians to chat about the legacy of Operation OVERLORD. A Goalhanger Production Produced by Joey McCarthy Exec Producer: Tony Pastor Social: @WeHaveWaysPod Email: wehavewayspodcast@gmail.c...