This week’s family stories include an act of outstanding bravery on the high seas, a trans-Atlantic friendship, a plate of dodgy sandwiches and a so-called ‘ordinary’ soldier’s war. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Dec 05, 2021•29 min•Ep 399•Transcript available on Metacast The Battle of the Atlantic was the most important theatre of the war, so why don’t we ever talk about it? Military and Naval historian, Marc Milner, joins Al and James to navigate their way through the often snubbed battle. A Goalhanger Films production Produced by Vasco Andrade Exec Producer Tony Pastor Twitter: #WeHaveWays @WeHaveWaysPod Website: www.wehavewayspod.com Email: wehavewayspodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choice...
Dec 02, 2021•1 hr•Ep 398•Transcript available on Metacast Al and James debate whether the British produced the best tanks during the war. They also discuss the key characters involved in the development of the Maginot Line and read extracts from the Alanbrooke Diaries. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nov 30, 2021•55 min•Ep 397•Transcript available on Metacast In today’s Family Stories we hear about a young Englishwoman who found herself in Germany in 1936 and went to hear Hitler speak. Plus stories from South Africa, Australia and the Scottish Isles. Read by Al Murray and James Holland, these extraordinary stories of normal people’s wartime adventures were sent in by you, our listeners. Email your stories to wehavewayspodcast@gmail.com or leave them on the Family Stories page of our members’ site: patreon.com/wehaveways A Goalhanger Films production ...
Nov 28, 2021•29 min•Ep 396•Transcript available on Metacast James Holland and James Petrie walk the hills and caves around the River Ebro, site of the final battle of the Spanish Civil War. A Goalhanger Films production Produced by Joey McCarthy Exec Producer Tony Pastor Twitter: #WeHaveWays @WeHaveWaysPod Website: www.wehavewayspod.com Email: wehavewayspodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nov 25, 2021•45 min•Ep 395•Transcript available on Metacast Al Murray and James Holland discuss Dwight Eisenhower's decision not to cross the Rhine at the end of 1944. Al also questions James on his love for Battle Dress. A Goalhanger Films production Produced by Harry Lineker Exec Producer Tony Pastor Twitter: #WeHaveWays @WeHaveWaysPod Website: www.wehavewayspod.com Email: wehavewayspodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nov 23, 2021•58 min•Ep 394•Transcript available on Metacast A new series of Family Stories, the podcast written by you, our listeners. Each week Al Murray and James Holland read out the stories you send us describing the war experiences of your relatives. Email your stories to wehavewayspodcast@gmail.com or leave them on the Family Stories page of our members’ site: patreon.com/wehaveways A Goalhanger Films production Script: Robin Scott-Elliot Produced by Harry Lineker Exec Producer Tony Pastor Twitter: #WeHaveWays @WeHaveWaysPod Website: www.wehaveways...
Nov 21, 2021•25 min•Ep 393•Transcript available on Metacast What common mistakes do people make about the Nazis and the Red Army? Alex Richie, Katja Hoyer and Waitman Wade Beorn talk about the atrocities that happened on the Eastern Front during the Second World War A Goalhanger Films production Produced by Vasco Andrade Exec Producer Tony Pastor Twitter: #WeHaveWays @WeHaveWaysPod Website: www.wehavewayspod.com Email: wehavewayspodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastc...
Nov 18, 2021•1 hr 7 min•Ep 392•Transcript available on Metacast James Holland joins us from Spain where he is exploring the battle sites of the Spanish Civil War. Meanwhile Al Murray has his mind changed about the Typhoon. A Goalhanger Films production Produced by Harry Lineker Exec Producer Tony Pastor Twitter: #WeHaveWays @WeHaveWaysPod Website: www.wehavewayspod.com Email: wehavewayspodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nov 16, 2021•58 min•Ep 391•Transcript available on Metacast Each year on November 11th we pause to remember those who have died in the line of duty. In this Remembrance Day special, Al Murray and James Holland remember the family and friends of our listeners. We Have Ways’ members club, the Independent Company, now has 15 regional hubs in which members meet to discuss the history of the Second World War, frequently with a pint of beer in their hand. If you’d like to join like-minded people for lots of war-jaw join us at patreon.com/wehaveways and tell us...
Nov 11, 2021•31 min•Ep 390•Transcript available on Metacast The British Army relied heavily on public school boys for its officer class at the start of the war but was forced to abandon its class prejudice as the conflict took its toll. Al Murray and James Holland explore the way in which the war forced a more egalitarian approach to army recruitment. We Have Ways’ members club, the Independent Company, now has 15 regional hubs in which members meet to discuss the history of the Second World War, frequently with a pint of beer in their hand. If you’d lik...
Nov 09, 2021•54 min•Ep 389•Transcript available on Metacast Hans Frank ran Poland for the Nazis during the Second World War and was found guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity at Nuremberg. His son Niklas was seven years old when Frank was hanged. In this extraordinarily candid conversation Niklas Frank talks to James Holland about living with his father’s legacy. Hold the date: WarFest 2022 will take place near Silverstone from July 22 to July 24. A Goalhanger Films production Produced by Vasco Andrade Exec Producer Tony Pastor Twitter: #WeHa...
Nov 04, 2021•1 hr 7 min•Ep 388•Transcript available on Metacast What was the real reason for the creation of the Home Guard and is the Dad’s Army image fair? James Holland and Al Murray look beyond Captain Mainwaring and Private Pike to examine the Home Guard. Plus the lads break down the British Army in numbers. Hold the date: WarFest 2022 will take place near Silverstone from July 22 to July 24. A Goalhanger Films production Produced by Harry Lineker Exec Producer Tony Pastor Twitter: #WeHaveWays @WeHaveWaysPod Website: www.wehavewayspod.com Email: wehavew...
Nov 02, 2021•58 min•Ep 387•Transcript available on Metacast For many British people the Second World War is the nation’s modern founding story. But in Germany it remains difficult to talk about and very rarely features in popular culture. German historian Katja Hoyer joins Al Murray to record a live version of the pod at the British Museum. Hold the date: WarFest 2022 will take place over the weekend July 22 - 24. Tickets announced soon. A Goalhanger Films production Produced by Harry Lineker Exec Producer Jon Gill Twitter: #WeHaveWays @WeHaveWaysPod Web...
Oct 28, 2021•45 min•Ep 386•Transcript available on Metacast Black soldiers, airmen and sailors contributed hugely to the Allied war effort. Al Murray and James Holland are joined by John Concagh, who has extensively researched the subject, to explore the role of African, Caribbean and black British forces in the Second World War. A Goalhanger Films production Produced by Harry Lineker Exec Producer Tony Pastor Twitter: #WeHaveWays @WeHaveWaysPod Website: www.wehavewayspod.com Email: wehavewayspodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for m...
Oct 26, 2021•1 hr 3 min•Ep 385•Transcript available on Metacast James Holland is a keen advocate of walking the ground to gain a deeper understanding of the events of the Second World War. In this special podcast James walks us around some of the key sites in Valletta, Mdina and the old Ta’Qali airbase as he explores the locations which informed much of his writing in Fortress Malta. A Goalhanger Films production Produced by Rotimi Kolapo Exec Producer Tony Pastor Twitter: #WeHaveWays @WeHaveWaysPod Website: www.wehavewayspod.com Email: wehavewayspodcast@gma...
Oct 21, 2021•51 min•Ep 384•Transcript available on Metacast Following on from last week’s examination of US General George S Patton, Al Murray and James Holland dig deeper into his writings to gain a greater understanding of his actions and ideas. Also up for discussion is Operation Jedburgh. A Goalhanger Films production Produced by Harry Lineker Exec Producer Tony Pastor Twitter: #WeHaveWays @WeHaveWaysPod Website: www.wehavewayspod.com Email: wehavewayspodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your...
Oct 19, 2021•51 min•Ep 383•Transcript available on Metacast There are few stories more extraordinary than that of General Stanisław Sosabowski, commander of the Polish Parachute Brigade. After fighting fiercely against the German invaders of Poland he was captured, escaped and made his way to Britain. He later led his men at Market Garden and is perhaps most widely known for being played by Gene Hackman in A Bridge Too Far. His great grandson, Hal Sosabowski, tells the General’s story, and also that of the General’s son, who was instrumental in the fight...
Oct 14, 2021•38 min•Ep 382•Transcript available on Metacast Few military leaders of the Second World War divide opinion quite so much as George S Patton. His decisive leadership drove the Third Army rapidly through France in 1944 and after the Battle of the Bulge he continued deep into Nazi Germany. But his expletive laden speeches and controversial slapping of shell-shocked soldiers caused serious concerns among others in high command. Al Murray and James Holland examine Patton, his methods and his reputation. A Goalhanger Films production Produced by H...
Oct 12, 2021•1 hr 3 min•Ep 381•Transcript available on Metacast Stan Perry was the last living troop commander of the legendary Sherwood Rangers. Injured in Normandy and again in Germany, he recently attended We Have Ways Fest where he discussed his extraordinary war time experiences on stage with James Holland. Sadly, Stan passed away yesterday, Wednesday, October 6th. Stan Perry 1923 - 2021 A Goalhanger Films production Produced by Vasco Andrade Exec Producer Tony Pastor Twitter: #WeHaveWays @WeHaveWaysPod Website: www.wehavewayspod.com Email: wehavewayspo...
Oct 07, 2021•1 hr 12 min•Ep 380•Transcript available on Metacast How politicised was the Luftwaffe? Second World War aviation expert Victoria Taylor joins Al Murray and James Holland to examine the history of German airmen, Hermann Göring and the Nazification of the Luftwaffe. A Goalhanger Films production Produced by Joey McCarthy Exec Producer Tony Pastor Twitter: #WeHaveWays @WeHaveWaysPod Website: www.wehavewayspod.com Email: wehavewayspodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit po...
Oct 05, 2021•1 hr 3 min•Ep 379•Transcript available on Metacast Colin Bell flew thirteen missions to Berlin in his beloved Mosquito as part of Bomber Command. The 100-year-old veteran pilot joined James Holland on stage at We Have Ways Fest to describe restarting his engines over the city after surviving a full on attack, dodging away from German jet fighters, and being woken up on the way home by an exploding shell fired from an all-female training centre. To see a video of this interview plus a huge amount of additional content join our members club at www...
Sep 30, 2021•40 min•Ep 378•Transcript available on Metacast When the 82nd Airborne jumped into Nijmegen they had high hopes of being the final link in the chain for XXX Corps on the road to Arnhem. But things went badly wrong and General Gavin’s men failed to grab the bridge until the operation was already doomed. John C McManus, US military historian and author, joins Al and James to discuss the 'other bridge'. A Goalhanger Films production Produced by Joey McCarthy Exec Producer Tony Pastor Twitter: #WeHaveWays @WeHaveWaysPod Website: www.wehavewayspod...
Sep 28, 2021•57 min•Ep 377•Transcript available on Metacast It took a certain type of courage to serve in a tank in World War Two. Encased in steel, surrounded by highly explosive shells, a big and slow-moving target, every crew member was utterly vulnerable to enemy attack from all sides. Living - and dying - in a tank was a brutal way to fight a war. Al Murray reads a chapter of James Holland’s new book Brothers in Arms. A Goalhanger Films production Produced by Harry Lineker Exec Producer Tony Pastor Twitter: #WeHaveWays @WeHaveWaysPod Website: www.we...
Sep 23, 2021•38 min•Ep 376•Transcript available on Metacast What can we learn from exploring original training manuals? Aviation historian Christoph Bergs and YouTube historian Bernhard Kast join James and Al to discuss documents and doctrine. Stuka - The Doctrine of the German Dive Bomber http://stukabook.com/ The Assault Platoon of the Grenadier-Company November 1944 (StG 44) - http://sturmzug.com/ » Army Regulation Medium Panzer Company 1941 - http://www.hdv470-7.com/ A Goalhanger Films production Produced by Harry Lineker Exec Producer Tony Pastor Tw...
Sep 21, 2021•59 min•Ep 375•Transcript available on Metacast Shortly after the war a Buffalo LVT (Landing Vehicle Tracked) was taken to Lincolnshire to help with food defences. The vehicle was swept away and sank in a hole. Al Murray and James Holland visit the unearthed vehicle and hear the story of its excavation. The lads also get to speak to a veteran LVT driver. A Goalhanger Films production Produced by Joey McCarthy Exec Producer Tony Pastor Twitter: #WeHaveWays @WeHaveWaysPod Website: www.wehavewayspod.com Email: wehavewayspodcast@gmail.com Hosted ...
Sep 16, 2021•41 min•Ep 374•Transcript available on Metacast If Hugo Boss didn't design Nazi uniforms, who did? Al Murray and James Holland take a deep sartorial dive into what the Wermacht wore. Al and James also discuss the upcoming festival and cardboard tanks. A Goalhanger Films production Produced by Joey McCarthy Exec Producer Tony Pastor Twitter: #WeHaveWays @WeHaveWaysPod Website: www.wehavewayspod.com Email: wehavewayspodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoi...
Sep 14, 2021•48 min•Ep 373•Transcript available on Metacast Although Spain remained neutral in the Second World War, a number of Spanish citizens volunteered to fight for the British Army. Al Murray and James Holland are joined by historian Séan Scullion, to recount the tales of six extraordinary men A Goalhanger Films production Produced by Vasco Andrade Exec Producer Tony Pastor Twitter: #WeHaveWays @WeHaveWaysPod Website: www.wehavewayspod.com Email: wehavewayspodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more ab...
Sep 09, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Ep 372•Transcript available on Metacast The conflict between China and Japan escalates as the Battle of Shanghai breaks out. James Holland and Al Murray explore a battle that is often considered the beginning of the Second World War in Asia. A Goalhanger Films production Produced by Harry Lineker Exec Producer Tony Pastor Twitter: #WeHaveWays @WeHaveWaysPod Website: www.wehavewayspod.com Email: wehavewayspodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoice...
Sep 07, 2021•58 min•Ep 371•Transcript available on Metacast Two years before the start of the Second World War in the west China and Japan entered into a bloody military conflict which would result in millions of casualties. In the first of a two-part series James Holland and Al Murray discuss the build up to the Second Sino-Japanese War. A Goalhanger Films production Produced by Harry Lineker Exec Producer Tony Pastor Twitter: #WeHaveWays @WeHaveWaysPod Website: www.wehavewayspod.com Email: wehavewayspodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/priv...
Sep 02, 2021•51 min•Ep 370•Transcript available on Metacast