DiscoverWW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk
WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk
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WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk

Author: Goalhanger

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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

953 Episodes
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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 Austrian POWs, Norwegian pranksters, and Italian partisans. With thanks to Alina Cleaver, Dag-Rune Gundersen, Dave King, Craig Green, Nick Clark, Lorenzo Grecomoro, and Karol Tereszczuk. Start your free trial at ⁠patreon.com/wehaveways⁠ and unlock exclusive content and more. Enjoy livestreams, early access, ad-free listening, bonus episodes, and a weekly newsletter packed with book deals and behind-the-scenes insights. Members also get priority access and discounts to live events. A Goalhanger Production Produced by James Regan Assistant Producer: Alfie Norris Exec Producer: Tony Pastor Social: @WeHaveWaysPod Email: wehaveways@goalhanger.com Membership Club: patreon.com/wehaveways Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Why do ships and planes paint their interiors green? How did the cold winters of the 1940s lead to the Fall of France? How did FDR break convention with his third and fourth presidential terms? Join James Holland and Al Murray for a classic war waffle episode, which includes a look at all the major events of every January 20th during WW2. Start your free trial at ⁠patreon.com/wehaveways⁠ and unlock exclusive content and more. Enjoy livestreams, early access, ad-free listening, bonus episodes, and a weekly newsletter packed with book deals and behind-the-scenes insights. Members also get priority access and discounts to live events. A Goalhanger Production Produced by James Regan Assistant Producer: Alfie Rowe Exec Producer: Tony Pastor Social: @WeHaveWaysPod Email: wehaveways@goalhanger.com Membership Club: patreon.com/wehaveways Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Why should people remember the Holocaust? When did people start to commemorate the Holocaust? How do different countries around the world engage with Holocaust education? Listen to this exclusive extract from Waitman Wade Beorn and Alex Maws' talk from the latest We Have Ways Festival on the role and power of memory in Holocaust education. Start your free trial at ⁠⁠patreon.com/wehaveways and listen more festival talks, as well as other subscriber perks. Enjoy livestreams, early access to podcast episodes, ad-free listening, bonus episodes, and a weekly newsletter packed with book deals and behind-the-scenes insights. Members also get priority access and discounts to live events. A Goalhanger Production Produced by James Regan Assistant Producer: Alfie Norris Exec Producer: Tony Pastor Social: @WeHaveWaysPod Email: wehaveways@goalhanger.com Membership Club: patreon.com/wehaveways Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
When did Hood and Bismarck begin firing at each other? Why did the battle end so quickly? How fast did the result of the battle spread across the world? Join James Holland and Al Murray for Part 4 of this series on the titanic clash between two mighty warships that represented the pride of the British Royal Navy and the Nazi German Kriegsmarine. Start your free trial at ⁠patreon.com/wehaveways⁠ and unlock exclusive content and more. Enjoy livestreams, early access, ad-free listening, bonus episodes, and a weekly newsletter packed with book deals and behind-the-scenes insights. Members also get priority access and discounts to live events. A Goalhanger Production Produced by James Regan Editor: Charlie Rodwell Exec Producer: Tony Pastor Social: @WeHaveWaysPod Email: wehaveways@goalhanger.com Membership Club: patreon.com/wehaveways Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Why was HMS Hood considered the peak of British sea power? Who was the commander of HMS Hood during The Battle of the Denmark Strait? When was HMS Hood built? Join James Holland and Al Murray for Part 3 of this series on the titanic clash between two mighty warships that represented the pride of the British Royal Navy and the Nazi German Kriegsmarine. Start your free trial at ⁠patreon.com/wehaveways⁠ and unlock exclusive content and more. Enjoy livestreams, early access, ad-free listening, bonus episodes, and a weekly newsletter packed with book deals and behind-the-scenes insights. Members also get priority access and discounts to live events. A Goalhanger Production Produced by James Regan Editor: Charlie Rodwell Exec Producer: Tony Pastor Social: @WeHaveWaysPod Email: wehaveways@goalhanger.com Membership Club: patreon.com/wehaveways Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Why was the Battleship Bismarck so feared? How well prepared were the British to fight the Bismarck? Is the Bismarck overrated? Join James Holland and Al Murray for Part 2 of this series on the titanic clash between two mighty warships that represented the pride of the British Royal Navy and the Nazi German Kriegsmarine. Start your free trial at ⁠patreon.com/wehaveways⁠ and unlock exclusive content and more. Enjoy livestreams, early access, ad-free listening, bonus episodes, and a weekly newsletter packed with book deals and behind-the-scenes insights. Members also get priority access and discounts to live events. A Goalhanger Production Produced by James Regan Editor: Charlie Rodwell Exec Producer: Tony Pastor Social: @WeHaveWaysPod Email: wehaveways@goalhanger.com Membership Club: patreon.com/wehaveways Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Why was Bismarck such a threat to British sea power? Who was the commander of the Bismarck task force? When was Operation Rheinübung? Join James Holland and Al Murray for Part 1 of this series on the titanic clash between two mighty warships that represented the pride of the British Royal Navy and the Nazi German Kriegsmarine. Start your free trial at ⁠patreon.com/wehaveways⁠ and unlock exclusive content and more. Enjoy livestreams, early access, ad-free listening, bonus episodes, and a weekly newsletter packed with book deals and behind-the-scenes insights. Members also get priority access and discounts to live events. A Goalhanger Production Produced by James Regan Editor: Charlie Rodwell Exec Producer: Tony Pastor Social: @WeHaveWaysPod Email: wehaveways@goalhanger.com Membership Club: patreon.com/wehaveways Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Why did the Soviets bring a brass band to Finland? What is the significance of the Arcadia Conference in WW2? When was Operation Bodenplatte? Join James Holland and Al Murray as they discuss the major events of each January 1st in WW2. To watch the ad-free, video-supported, version of this episode, please head to our Patreon page directly. A Goalhanger Production Produced by James Regan Assistant Producer: Alfie Norris Exec Producer: Tony Pastor Social: @WeHaveWaysPod Email: wehaveways@goalhanger.com Membership Club: patreon.com/wehaveways Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
How To Commemorate WW2

How To Commemorate WW2

2025-12-3041:19

Why is remembrance still important now? Were Germans the 'bad guys' in WW2? What do relatives think of Montgomery and his legacy now? Join James Holland and Al Murray as they interview Henry Montgomery and Angela Findlay on the role remembrance plays in making a lasting peace in the 21st Century, and the important WW2 lessons Democracies can learn in 2026. A Goalhanger Production Produced by James Regan Editor: Charlie Rodwell Exec Producer: Tony Pastor Social: @WeHaveWaysPod Email: wehaveways@goalhanger.com Start your free trial at ⁠patreon.com/wehaveways⁠ and unlock exclusive content and more. Enjoy livestreams, early access to podcast episodes, ad-free listening, bonus episodes, and a weekly newsletter packed with book deals and behind-the-scenes insights. Members also get priority access and discounts to live events. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Did my family fight in WW2? What did people do at home during WW2? What was life like in WW2? Join James Holland and Al Murray as they explore the fascinating Ancestry archives available to families wanting to learn more about family members and what they did during WW2. You can follow along & start exploring your family history at www.ancestry.co.uk/newyear A Goalhanger Production Produced by James Regan Editor: Charlie Rodwell Exec Producer: Tony Pastor Social: @WeHaveWaysPod Email: wehaveways@goalhanger.com Membership Club: patreon.com/wehaveways Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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 fishy goose, Christmas party war stories, and generous helpings of American butter! With thanks to Robert Horne, Damien, Neil, John Pilkington, Mike Griffin, and Chris Weall. Make someone a We Have Ways Club Member this Christmas – unlock the full WHW experience with exclusive live-streams, ad-free listening, early access to episodes and live show tickets, a newsletter with book deals, model discounts and extra behind the scenes information. Just go to wehavewayspod.co.uk And of course, you can still join for yourself any time at https://www.patreon.com/wehaveways A Goalhanger Production Produced by James Regan Assistant Producer: Alfie Rowe Exec Producer: Tony Pastor Social: @WeHaveWaysPod Email: wehaveways@goalhanger.com Membership Club: patreon.com/wehaveways Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
What happened to the Fairey Swordfish after Taranto? What was life like on the Arctic Convoys? How did aircrew cope with the polar conditions in an open cockpit? Join James Holland and Al Murray for part 4 of this exploration of the Fairey Swordfish biplane torpedo bomber, and the brave crews of the Fleet Air Arm who achieved incredible victories in an 'obsolete' airframe. Make someone a We Have Ways Club Member this Christmas – unlock the full WHW experience with exclusive live-streams, ad-free listening, early access to episodes and live show tickets, a newsletter with book deals, model discounts and extra behind the scenes information. Just go to wehavewayspod.co.uk And of course, you can still join for yourself any time at https://www.patreon.com/wehaveways A Goalhanger Production Produced by James Regan Editor: Charlie Rodwell Exec Producer: Tony Pastor Social: @WeHaveWaysPod Email: wehaveways@goalhanger.com Membership Club: patreon.com/wehaveways Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
How many Italian ships were damaged or destroyed during the Taranto raid? Why did the British cancel the second day of attacks for Operation Judgement? When did the Italian fleet recover from the attack? Join James Holland and Al Murray for part 3 of this exploration of the Fairey Swordfish biplane torpedo bomber, and the brave crews of the Fleet Air Arm who achieved incredible victories in an 'obsolete' airframe. To watch the ad-free, video-supported, version of this episode, please head to our Patreon page directly. Make someone a We Have Ways Club Member this Christmas – unlock the full WHW experience with exclusive live-streams, ad-free listening, early access to episodes and live show tickets, a newsletter with book deals, model discounts and extra behind the scenes information. Just go to wehavewayspod.co.uk And of course, you can still join for yourself any time at https://www.patreon.com/wehaveways A Goalhanger Production Produced by James Regan Editor: Charlie Rodwell Exec Producer: Tony Pastor Social: @WeHaveWaysPod Email: wehaveways@goalhanger.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
What happened in the Battle Of Taranto? Did the raid on Taranto catch the Italian defenders by surprise? How many Swordfish attacked the Italian fleet stationed at Taranto? Join James Holland and Al Murray for the second part of this mini-series exploring the Fairey Swordfish biplane torpedo bomber, and the brave crews of the Fleet Air Arm who achieved incredible victories in an 'obsolete' airframe. Make someone a We Have Ways Club Member this Christmas – unlock the full WHW experience with exclusive live-streams, ad-free listening, early access to episodes and live show tickets, a newsletter with book deals, model discounts and extra behind the scenes information. Just go to wehavewayspod.co.uk And of course, you can still join for yourself any time at https://www.patreon.com/wehaveways A Goalhanger Production Produced by James Regan Editors: Charlie Rodwell & Bruno Di Castri Exec Producer: Tony Pastor Social: @WeHaveWaysPod Email: wehaveways@goalhanger.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
How did naval aviation develop out of The First World War? Why was the Fairey Swordfish so good? What is the nickname of a Fairey Swordfish? Join James Holland and Al Murray for part 1 of this exploration of the Fairey Swordfish biplane torpedo bomber, and the brave crews of the Fleet Air Arm who achieved incredible victories in an 'obsolete' airframe. Start your free trial at ⁠patreon.com/wehaveways⁠ and unlock exclusive content and more. Enjoy livestreams, early access to podcast episodes, ad-free listening, bonus episodes, and a weekly newsletter packed with book deals and behind-the-scenes insights. Members also get priority access and discounts to live events. A Goalhanger Production Produced by James Regan Editors: Charlie Rodwell & Bruno Di Castri Exec Producer: Tony Pastor Social: @WeHaveWaysPod Email: wehaveways@goalhanger.com Membership Club: patreon.com/wehaveways Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
How did destroyers and escort groups protect convoys from U-Boat attack? When did convoy HX112 encounter the U-Boat 'Wolfpack' of Kretschmer and Schepke? What is a 'Pocket Battleship'? Join James Holland and Al Murray for part 6 of this deep dive on the war in the Atlantic, the most vital theatre of war in WW2 and the long-running campaign between the British Royal Navy and the Nazi German Kriegsmarine. Start your free trial at ⁠patreon.com/wehaveways⁠ and unlock exclusive content and more. Enjoy livestreams, early access to podcast episodes, ad-free listening, bonus episodes, and a weekly newsletter packed with book deals and behind-the-scenes insights. Members also get priority access and discounts to live events. A Goalhanger Production Produced by James Regan Assistant Producer: Alfie Rowe Exec Producer: Tony Pastor Social: @WeHaveWaysPod Email: wehaveways@goalhanger.com Membership Club: patreon.com/wehaveways Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
How did the British government overhaul the port system to process convoys? What is a corvette? Why was life on an Atlantic convoy so dangerous? Join James Holland and Al Murray for part 5 of this deep dive on the war in the Atlantic, the most vital theatre of war in WW2 and the long-running campaign between the British Royal Navy and the Nazi German Kriegsmarine. Start your free trial at ⁠patreon.com/wehaveways⁠ and unlock exclusive content and more. Enjoy livestreams, early access to podcast episodes, ad-free listening, bonus episodes, and a weekly newsletter packed with book deals and behind-the-scenes insights. Members also get priority access and discounts to live events. A Goalhanger Production Produced by James Regan Assistant Producer: Alfie Rowe Exec Producer: Tony Pastor Social: @WeHaveWaysPod Email: wehaveways@goalhanger.com Membership Club: patreon.com/wehaveways Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Forget what you think you know about reality. The Rest Is Science is a mind-bending new show from Goalhanger that tears down familiar ideas… time, randomness, beauty, it will reveal just how bizarre the world truly is. Join Professor Hannah Fry and science creator Michael Stevens (aka Vsauce) twice a week to explore big, small and surprising questions as they deep dive into theories, concepts, objects and thoughts and take us on a journey into the unexpected. If you love digging into details that usually get skipped over, this is the show that proves reality is stranger than fiction. Click here to subscribe to The Rest Is Science Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
What was so important about Cyril Thompson and the British Shipbuilding Commission in the USA? When was the first Liberty ship made? How did Hitler and the Luftwaffe prevent the U-Boats from becoming more effective in The Atlantic Ocean? Join James Holland and Al Murray for part 4 of this deep dive on the war in the Atlantic, the most vital theatre of war in WW2 and the long-running campaign between the British Royal Navy and the Nazi German Kriegsmarine. Start your free trial at ⁠patreon.com/wehaveways⁠ and unlock exclusive content and more. Enjoy livestreams, early access to podcast episodes, ad-free listening, bonus episodes, and a weekly newsletter packed with book deals and behind-the-scenes insights. Members also get priority access and discounts to live events. A Goalhanger Production Produced by James Regan Exec Producer: Tony Pastor Social: @WeHaveWaysPod Email: wehaveways@goalhanger.com Membership Club: patreon.com/wehaveways Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Why was this period known as 'The Happy Time' for Germany's U-Boats? How much merchant tonnage did the Allies lose to Nazi U-Boat aces? Has the impact of U-Boats on the Allied war effort been overstated in history since 1945? Join James Holland and Al Murray for part 3 of this deep dive on the war in the Atlantic, the most vital theatre of war in WW2 and the long-running campaign between the British Royal Navy and the Nazi German Kriegsmarine. Start your free trial at ⁠patreon.com/wehaveways⁠ and unlock exclusive content and more. Enjoy livestreams, early access to podcast episodes, ad-free listening, bonus episodes, and a weekly newsletter packed with book deals and behind-the-scenes insights. Members also get priority access and discounts to live events. https://www.patreon.com/wehaveways/membership?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode_description&utm_content=link_cta A Goalhanger Production Produced by James Regan Exec Producer: Tony Pastor Social: @WeHaveWaysPod Email: wehaveways@goalhanger.com Membership Club: patreon.com/wehaveways Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Comments (87)

z a

Hello, thank you for your work. Iran is in the middle of a nationwide uprising, and people urgently need international attention and support. The government has shut down the internet to suppress information and cover up widespread violence against civilians, while much of the mainstream media remains silent. Your platform can help amplify Iranian voices and bring global awareness to what is happening. Public attention saves lives. Thank you for considering this. You can save lives.

Jan 11th
Reply

Peter Maruff

please stop waffling on about what you did on the weekend.

Oct 25th
Reply

Louis Zaretzki

I'm first

Aug 1st
Reply

Colin Mackie

.d

Jul 30th
Reply

New Jawn

one of the most insightful discussions I've heard in a very long time.

May 31st
Reply

louis zaretzki

I can't understand this dude! how the hell is he on tv?

Apr 25th
Reply

New Jawn

I had no idea. Truly brutal fighting for weeks without end.

Mar 27th
Reply

David Lee Ferns

I wish y'all would put the names and authors of books you refer to in description. I listen whilst driving and can't write them down. Love the pod.

Mar 4th
Reply (1)

louis zaretzki

HELLO from Waterbury CT. (which is in what we call New England.) My little city is nicknamed "The Brass City" because of the large amount of machine shops started in the war effort. As I write this, I'm listening to your podcast with the volume full blast because machine #B-61 is extremely loud.lol! Keep the podcast coming, they are very interesting. AND KEEP MAKING FUN OF S-hitler because your Jewish listeners....me.....LOVE EVERY MINUTE! LOL Louis J. Zaretzki

Feb 25th
Reply

SteelConsul44

Accepting that it was a quick answer to a question from six years ago, the argument that the war would have ended earlier if Hitler had attempted Sealion in 1941 completely fails to appreciate the wider scope of the rest of the war. Yes, a failed invasion of Britain would have caused a lot of damage to Nazi military might and indeed have placed Hitler in a more precarious position politically which might have led to a coup by the military, but equally a failed Sealion both might have delayed Barbarossa and the Soviets opening up a second front in the East, but also would have potentially done enough damage to the nascent recovery of the British Armed Forces in 1941 to mean that they were a lot more risk averse and defensive in their doctrine and tactics in the years afterwards, rather than having the space and support that no Sealion gave to reconfigure the economy and doctrine towards the kind of offensive warfare which led to the successful liberations of North Africa, Italy and then

Jan 2nd
Reply

Mark Joslyn

another great year of podcasts, really enjoyed walking the ground at Arnhem on YouTube really highlighted the issues the para's had. Great work fantastic stuff.

Dec 22nd
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David Christian Larsen

v disappointed in this superficial treatment of this subject...

Sep 28th
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Steve Walton

Again, a good compliment to the book.

Jun 24th
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Steve Walton

A good compliment to the great book.

Jun 24th
Reply

David Lee Ferns

Pardon my language, but this guy is fucking awesome!

Jun 13th
Reply

Abdul aziz

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Feb 9th
Reply

Hugh Braddock

Yet a other great episode, but the Dornier 217 wasn't a seaplane, chaps. That would be a Dornier 24 or 26. Keep it going - best WW2 pod out there !!

Jan 16th
Reply

Adam Bennett

I've been listening to these podcasts since they started and they are getting better and better

Oct 27th
Reply

Charles Lloyd

Really enjoyed the Stilwell episode! How about more CBI shows, especially about Bill Slim?

Oct 23rd
Reply

Andrew Tuley

Hi.... I have just listened to this and I know it is a year old but I would like to comment.... My father was a Dispatch Rider in the Royal Signals. He road across North Africa, Sicily and then the Mud, Rain, Bullets and Bombs in Italy. He saw Friends, Colleagues and Senior Ranks killed and blown up. He felt they weren't given the credit they so richly deserved and I feel too many people don't know about the actions in Italy. I would like to thank both Al and James for highlighting this.

Oct 10th
Reply