Never Mind The Dambusters

6 Episodes

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Episode 5 The Wuppertal Raid Pt 2 - Firestorm

2024-05-2136:27

WARNING: This episode contains graphic descriptions of war, death and injury which some listeners may find distressing. In this episode, Jane and James continue their discussion about the Wuppertal raid of May 1943, focusing on the experiences of two crews from 10 Squadron, Penny's Prangers and the Clarke crew, each taking part in their first operation. The concept of 'the Bomber Stream' is explored, and the team then embark upon a minute by minute account of the operation, both f...

Episode 4 Planning a Bombing Operation: Wuppertal 1943 (Pt.1)

2024-05-0741:28

In this episode, Jane and James discuss the planning of the raid on Wuppertal on 29/30 May 1943. They explore the reasons why Bomber Command targeted the Ruhr Valley and how targets were selected and operations were planned. They also focus on two rookie crews from 10 Squadron who took part in the raid, the Pennicott and Clarke crews. The episode highlights the constant activity and preparation involved in carrying out a bombing raid, as well as the young age of the crew members and the...

Episode 3 Handley Page Halifax - A Flight Engineer's Story

2024-04-2738:13

100 year old RAF veteran Tom Davidson shares his experiences of flying on a Halifax in 1944-1945. In this episode of Never Mind the Dam Busters, Jane and James discuss the Handley Page Halifax, an unsung hero of Bomber Command. They delve into the evolution of the Halifax, from the 'death-trap' early Marks to the magnificent Mk III, and its role in strategic bombing, mine laying, and other operations during World War II. They also interview Tom Davidson, a flight engineer with 466 Squ...

Episode 2 - Erks, Chop Girls and Gremlins

2024-04-1646:51

In this episode, the James and Jane are joined by Dr. Dan Ellin to discuss the role of ground crew, ground personnel (there's a difference!) and Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) during World War II. The conversation touches on the concept of the 'chop girl' and the superstitions surrounding dating aircrew. The hosts also explore the relationships between ground crew and aircrew, the risks and dangers faced by ground personnel, and the traumatic experiences they had to deal with, such as han...

Episode 1 - Bomber Command Begins

2024-04-0244:22

Welcome to the first episode of Never Mind The Dambusters! In this episode James and Jane discuss the origins of their mutual interest in RAF Bomber Command, and talk about the evolution of Strategic Bombing Theory from the Great War to the late 1930s. What did it take to build a strategic bomber force and why was it necessary? How do you build a bomber base? James waxes lyrical about the Bristol Blenheim, and the team answer your questions, on parachutes and training ops. Buckle up! Fo...

Trailer

2024-03-2904:25

Welcome to Never Mind The Dambusters, a brand new podcast dedicated to RAF Bomber Command's wartime history. The Dams raids were perhaps amongst the most famous and daring of the Second World War, but there's so much more to Bomber Command's history.Join historians Jane Gulliford Lowes and James Jefferies fortnightly for a deep dive into Bomber Command - strategy, policy, aircraft, bombing raids, aircrew and veteran stories, the role of the ground crews, the moral debate, and the experi...

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