Comin' In on a Wing and a Prayer - Bombs Away and Barely Making It Back

In this episode, Lili Redman and Tom Carradine explore the rich history of wartime songs, focusing on 'Coming in on a Wing and a Prayer.' They pay tribute to John Paddy Hemingway, discuss the impact of the musician strike during WWII, and delve into the cultural significance of these songs. The conversation highlights personal stories, the diversity within the RAF, and the legacy of wartime music, showcasing how these melodies provided hope and resilience during challenging times.

To listen to all the songs mentioned in the episode please visit their Spotify playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1FQDrBphYqYLAuN6Jm01PN

REFERENCES

Paddy John Hemmingway Obituary
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/mar/30/john-hemingway-obituary

Winston Tastes Good Like a Cigarette Should (Aeroplane Advert)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9o5i9eNPhY

The damaged port-side fuselage of Armstrong Whitworth Whitley Mark V, P5005 'DY-N', of No. 102 Squadron RAF, after returning from a bombing raid to the Ruhr on the night of 12/13 November 1940.
https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205209994

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction to Wartime Songs
01:46 Tribute to John Paddy Hemingway
02:43 Exploring 'Coming in on a Wing and a Prayer'
04:57 The Song Spinners and Their Impact
07:34 The Musician Strike of 1942-1944
10:16 Censorship and Reception of Wartime Songs
12:55 The Context of 1943 in WWII
15:33 Heroic Stories of RAF Bombers
18:20 The Inspiration Behind the Song
21:10 The Legacy of 'Coming in on a Wing and a Prayer'
23:14 Wartime Music and Cultural Reflections
25:35 Exploring the Song's Origins
26:18 The Impact of Bomber Command
28:11 Diversity in the RAF
29:12 Musical Interpretations of the Song
31:55 Versions of 'Coming in on a Wing and a Prayer'
38:45 Comparing Iconic Performances
40:44 Aviation Songs and Their Legacy

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

You can follow the podcast on social media:
http://instagram.com/warsongspod
https://www.facebook.com/warsongspod

Find more information about Lili Redman here:
https://liliredman.com/
https://www.instagram.com/lili__redman/
https://www.facebook.com/ScalaLil

Or Tom Carradine here:
https://www.tomcarradine.com/
https://www.instagram.com/tomcarradine
https://www.facebook.com/mrtomcarradine

CONTACT THE PODCAST

If there's a wartime song that you think they should discuss, or if you have a personal or family story connected to one, drop them a line at [e-mail]  to be "Mentioned in Dispatches".

LISTENING LINKS

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7ktQ4nyudmPRLcCNyNxEfv?si=ac9e1babe6834f2b

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-a-to-z-of-wartime-song/id1806037318

If you’ve enjoyed this episode Lili and Tom would be grateful if you’d leave a review and make sure you’ve subscribed and turned on notifications so you’ll never miss an episode.