WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk

WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk

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 battles. Expect historical insights, lively tangents, and discussions on iconic second world war events like Operation Barbarossa, the Pacific Theatre, and the North African campaign. Join our membership club for extra content, livestreams and ad-free listening: patreon.com/wehaveways For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com

Episodes

August 6, 2025 58 mins
What was the Manhattan Project? How accurate is the movie Oppenheimer? Why was the world's first nuclear weapon dropped on Hiroshima? Join James Holland, Al Murray, and Iain MacGregor for Part 1 as they explore the monumental decisions that led to the world's first atomic bomb being dropped at the end of WW2. SUBSCRIBE FOR A FREE WEEK AND GET EPISODE 2 NOW - go to patreon.com/wehaveways A Goalhanger Production Produced ...
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Who was the forgotten general in the Burma campaign? When was he made the last Chief of the Imperial General Staff and a Field Marshal? How understrength and ad-hoc were battalions fighting in Burma? Join James Holland and Al Murray for a bonus episode to the Burma '45 series, as they finish exploring the forgotten victories of commander Bill Slim and the 14th Army at the end of a bloody Burma Campaign in WW2, with a very perso...
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July 30, 2025 52 mins
Who won the race to liberate Rangoon: Mountbatten or Slim? When was Operation Dracula in 1945? Why was the treatment of Slim so bad after his incredible achievements? Join James Holland and Al Murray for Part 6 of this series, as they explore the forgotten victories of commander Bill Slim and the 14th Army at the end of a bloody Burma Campaign in WW2, where the biggest enemy wasn't the Japanese but the remote landscape of jungl...
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July 28, 2025 40 mins
How did Allied air superiority and mechanisation contribute to the liberation of Central Burma? In what ways did Heitarō Kimura and William Slim compare as commanders? When did Punch Cowan's 17th Indian Infantry Division capture Meiktila? Join James Holland and Al Murray for Part 5 of this series, as they explore the forgotten victories of commander Bill Slim and the 14th Army at the end of a bloody Burma Campaign in WW2, where...
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July 23, 2025 63 mins
How did Slim and the Allies plan to deceive Japanese forces in Burma? What was the true worth of the Chindits under Orde Wingate? When did the Allies attack Mandalay? Join James Holland and Al Murray for Part 4 of this series, as they explore the forgotten victories of commander Bill Slim and the 14th Army at the end of a bloody Burma Campaign in WW2, where the biggest enemy wasn't the Japanese but the remote landscape of jungle...
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July 21, 2025 55 mins
Why did different Allied commanders clash in their goals and methods to win the Burma campaign? What happened to the Japanese forces that tried to swim away from Ramree Island? How did the British supply forces in Burma, hundreds of miles from bases in India? Join James Holland and Al Murray for Part 3 of this series, as they explore the forgotten victories of commander Bill Slim and the 14th Army at the end of a bloody Burma Ca...
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July 16, 2025 57 mins
How did Mountbatten and South East Asia Command marshall new forces and tactics to retake Burma? What were conditions life for soldiers fighting in Burma? When did the Allies plan to go on the offensive against Japanese forces? Join James Holland and Al Murray for Part 2 of this series, as they explore the forgotten victories of commander Bill Slim and the 14th Army at the end of a bloody Burma Campaign in WW2, where the biggest...
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July 14, 2025 59 mins
What was war like in Burma in 1944 and 1945? How did British and allied forces overcome the difficulties of jungle warfare and tropical disease? When did the Allies master fighting in the jungle during this campaign? Join James Holland and Al Murray for Part 1 of this series, as they explore the forgotten victories of commander Bill Slim and the 14th Army at the end of a bloody Burma Campaign in WW2, where the biggest enemy wasn...
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July 9, 2025 45 mins
How did the Potsdam Conference lead to the Marshall Plan, NATO, and The Warsaw Pact? What was The Long Telegram and the US policy of Containment? When did the Big Three of WW2 stop being antifascist allies and start being ideological enemies? Join James Holland, Al Murray, and guest Giles Milton for Part 2 on this exploration of the Potsdam Conference, as they discuss the superpowers at the end of World War Two, and how dictator...
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July 7, 2025 47 mins
How did President Truman help America become the leader of the free world? In what ways did Stalin's Communist USSR win WW2? When did Atlee replace Churchill at the Potsdam Conference? Join James Holland, Al Murray, and guest Giles Milton in Part 1 on this exploration of the Potsdam Conference, as they discuss the superpowers at the end of World War Two, and how dictators like Stalin set the stage for the Cold War. PART 2 IS ...
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July 2, 2025 20 mins
As a part of our ongoing 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 dubious rabbit pies, liberating Belsen, and playing hooky during the Blitz. With thanks to David Alexander, Henry Faulkner, Dennis Anderson, Andrew Broxham, St...
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Why did superpowers try to limit the growth of their navies? What impact does this have on international politics with Iran today? How were some German PoWs being treated in America? Join James Holland and Al Murray as they discuss a broad range of topics in this show, including exploring Italian Cemeteries and the Australian politician who beat Liz Truss... BONUS CONTENT IS AVAILABLE FOR MEMBERS - SIGN UP AT patreon.com/weha...
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June 25, 2025 55 mins
What mistakes were made during the fight for Okinawa in 1945? How did the campaign finally end? How many service personnel and civilians from both sides died at Okinawa? Join James Holland, Al Murray, and John McManus for Part 4 of this series as they explore the brutal land and sea fighting on both sides at Okinawa, and the experiences that shaped the fateful decision to drop the atomic bombs. SERIES ARE AVAILABLE FOR MEMBER...
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June 23, 2025 54 mins
What was the fighting like for Americans on Okinawa in 1945? How many days did young marines like Bill Pierce & Dick Whitaker survive on the island? In what ways did civilians on Okinawa suffer during the invasion? Join James Holland and Al Murray for Part 3 of this series as they explore the brutal land and sea fighting on both sides at Okinawa, and the experiences that shaped the fateful decision to drop the atomic bombs. T...
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June 18, 2025 50 mins
How was the the Yamato the mightiest warship in history? What did the Americans do to prevent Imperial Japanese forces from getting to Okinawa in April 1945? In what ways were Kamikaze attacks doomed to fail? Join James Holland and Al Murray for Part 2 of this series as they explore the brutal land and sea fighting on both sides at Okinawa, and the experiences that shaped the fateful decision to drop the atomic bombs. THE ENT...
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June 16, 2025 50 mins
How were the Japanese preparing to defend Okinawa? What pacific naval forces did the Americans have for the invasion? In what ways did the amphibious assault surpass even the 1944 D-Day Invasion? Join James Holland and Al Murray for Part 1 of this series as they explore the brutal land and sea fighting on both sides at Okinawa, and the experiences that shaped the fateful decision to drop the atomic bombs. THE ENTIRE SERIES IS...
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June 11, 2025 48 mins
How many Allied soldiers were rescued at Dunkirk? What support did the RAF give to Operation Dynamo? In what ways did the weather help the evacuation from the mole at Dunkirk? Join James Holland and Al Murray for Part 4 of this Dunkirk series as they deep dive into the intense cabinet debates of Churchill, Chamberlain, and Halifax in May 1940 - the closest time Britain came to surrendering to Nazi Germany in WW2. SERIES ARE A...
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June 9, 2025 53 mins
How did the split between Churchill and Halifax decide the outcome of the Second World War? When did the Belgian king decide to surrender to Germany? Why did politicians rally around Churchill and his calls for no surrender? Join James Holland and Al Murray for Part 3 of this Dunkirk series as they deep dive into the intense cabinet debates of Churchill, Chamberlain, and Halifax in May 1940 - the closest time Britain came to sur...
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June 4, 2025 52 mins
How many BEF troops did Churchill think could be rescued? When did Halifax seek peace terms from Mussolini's Fascist Italy? Why did King George VI call for a National Day Of Prayer? Join James Holland and Al Murray for Part 2 of this Dunkirk series as they deep dive into the intense cabinet debates of Churchill, Chamberlain, and Halifax around May 1940 - the closest time Britain came to surrendering to Nazi Germany in WW2. TH...
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June 2, 2025 46 mins
How did British and Allied troops end up surrounded at Dunkirk? When did France try to surrender in May 1940? Why did Hitler order a halt to the Blitzkrieg, and let the BEF escape? Join James Holland and Al Murray for the first part of a new series on Dunkirk as they deep dive into the intense cabinet debates of Churchill, Chamberlain, and Halifax around May 1940 - the closest time Britain came to surrendering to Nazi Germany in...
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