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42 episodes

WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk

by Goalhanger · English

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

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Kokoda: Countdown To Battle (Part 3)

The third part of the Kokoda Trail campaign (July–August 1942), focusing on why Australia is underprepared, how the Japanese land on Papua’s north coast, and how fighting shifts from Kokoda to Deniki…

12 Nov 2026 · 52m · 22 chapters

Kokoda: MacArthur And The Generals (Part 2)

Part 2 of the Kokoda Trail story, focusing on (1) the senior Australian command team behind the 6th and 7th Divisions and (2) how Australia’s preparations for war in Papua were dangerously…

10 Nov 2026 · 56m · 22 chapters

Kokoda: Why Was Australia So Unprepared For The Pacific War? (Part 1)

Part 1 of a Kokoda Trail series explaining why Australia was unprepared for the Pacific War, focusing on the 1942-43 Papua New Guinea campaign context and the long pre-war history shaping it.

5 Nov 2026 · 55m · 19 chapters

Bridging Operation Market Garden: Keeping Up With The Joneses (Part 2)

Part 2 of “Bridging Operation Market Garden” focuses on the Nijmegen Wall/road-bridge crossing and the combat engineering needed to seize and secure the bridge (including assault boats, anti-tank…

3 Nov 2026 · 40m · 12 chapters

Bridging Operation Market Garden: A Nice Little Problem (Part 1)

Part 1 of a two-part series on Operation Market Garden from the perspective of the Corps of Royal Engineers (CRE) attached to Guards Armoured Division, focusing on assault sapping and bridging needed…

29 Oct 2026 · 45m · 17 chapters

Barbarossa In Ukraine: The Encirclement Of Kiev (Part 4)

Part 4 of “The Road to Kiev” (Barbarossa in Ukraine) covering German advances toward Kiev in early/mid September 1941, the widening of the Kiev salient, and the Soviet command crisis that prevents a…

27 Oct 2026 · 59m · 17 chapters

Barbarossa In Ukraine: Stagnation (Part 3)

Late-August to early-September 1941 Barbarossa crisis. The episode tracks German operational overreach and Soviet disruption: Luftwaffe-supported German advances in the north (Novgorod, Tallinn)…

21 Oct 2026 · 59m · 24 chapters

Barbarossa In Ukraine: Capitalism To The Rescue (Part 2)

Part 2 of “The Road To Kiev” (Barbarossa, August 1941) argues that both Hitler and Stalin are making muddled decisions, while Soviet survival depends on Western support.

19 Oct 2026 · 58m · 16 chapters

Barbarossa In Ukraine: Trouble At The Top (Part 1)

Late July–late August 1941 on the Eastern Front: German plans for a “road to Kiev” derail through Hitler’s interference, Soviet misreading of German intentions, and crippling German logistics.

14 Oct 2026 · 58m · 21 chapters

What We Get Wrong About WW2

The episode mixes (1) a discussion of what people get wrong about WWII—especially the Normandy weather decision behind the film Pressure—and (2) a conversation about WWII/Cold War military history…

12 Oct 2026 · 40m · 13 chapters

A Polish Odyssey

Family Stories episode about how World War II affected ordinary people across Britain and Poland—evacuation and local defense preparations, farming life under bombing, Polish survival after the 1939…

7 Oct 2026 · 24m · 9 chapters

Stalingrad Of The Adriatic: The Town (Part 4)

The battle for Ortona, Italy (Dec 1943), focusing on Christmas Eve/Day fighting in the ruined town—diversionary attacks, brutal house-to-house urban combat, and the toll on Canadian units as Ortona…

5 Oct 2026 · 43m · 18 chapters

Stalingrad Of The Adriatic: The Gully (Part 3)

The Canadian breakout attempt from a fragile bridgehead near San Leonardo and the wider battle for Ortona, focusing on the “Gully” landscape feature—steep, wooded ravines that hide German defenders…

30 Sep 2026 · 1h · 23 chapters

Stalingrad Of The Adriatic: Death On The Moro (Part 2)

Part 2 of “Stalingrad of the Adriatic” follows the Eighth Army’s push from the Sangro to the Moro valley and the opening of the Battle of Ortona.

28 Sep 2026 · 54m · 21 chapters

Stalingrad Of The Adriatic: The Sangro (Part 1)

The Allied push up Italy’s Adriatic coast toward Pescara and Rome, focusing on the Sangro River crossing and the opening fight for bridgeheads (Part 1 of “Stalingrad of the Adriatic: The Sangro”).

23 Sep 2026 · 53m · 14 chapters

Beneath The Coventry Blitz

“Family Stories” episode connecting Second World War experiences through family archives, focusing on a sailor sunk off Lisbon, an Anzac digger’s Burma survival and silence, and a forgotten letter…

21 Sep 2026 · 27m · 8 chapters

The Most Important Date Of The Second World War

This War Waffle episode argues that 17 September 1939 is the most consequential WWII date because the Soviet invasion of Poland (despite the non-aggression pact) sets events in motion leading toward…

16 Sep 2026 · 46m · 24 chapters

One Man's War: Fighting Through Italy (Part 4)

Sam Bradshaw’s return from North Africa and his later service in Italy with a reconnaissance unit, focusing on letters, morale, leadership, combat, and the trauma of homecoming.

14 Sep 2026 · 41m · 10 chapters

Introducing: Bear Hunt

A fictional “Bear Hunt” episode that links two eras: 2025 UK/NATO aviation and GNSS spoofing over the North Sea, and a 2010 Afghanistan (Helmand) sniper/ROE escalation during Operation Moshtarak.

10 Sep 2026 · 11m · 2 chapters

One Man's War: Rommel & Gazala (Part 3)

Sam Bradshaw’s WWII tank war continues from Operation Crusader into the disastrous Gazala battles, culminating in the Knightsbridge “vice” and the regiment’s retreat to the Alamein line, then early…

9 Sep 2026 · 42m · 13 chapters

One Man's War: Operation Compass (Part 2)

Sam Bradshaw’s early WWII service after his tank battle in Libya, focusing on his training and first overseas postings, then the lead-up to Operation Compass (Part 2).

7 Sep 2026 · 39m · 11 chapters

One Man's War: Deserted In The Desert (Part 1)

Part 1 of “One Man’s War” follows Sam Bradshaw, a Liverpool/Wigan-area British Army tank lance corporal in the 6th Royal Tank Regiment, during Operation Crusader (Nov 21, 1941) near Tobruk.

2 Sep 2026 · 40m · 13 chapters

British Band Of Brothers: Disaster At Berjou (Part 8)

Part 8 of “British Band Of Brothers: Disaster At Berjou” covers Allied operations after Operation Bluecoat, the postponement of Blackwater, and the Sherwood Rangers’ disastrous tank-led assault…

31 Aug 2026 · 51m · 18 chapters

British Band Of Brothers: Battle Of Bloody Ridge (Part 7)

Operation Bluecoat in Normandy (late July–early August 1944), focusing on the Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry’s tank-and-infantry advance, coordination failures, German anti-tank weapons, and the fight for…

26 Aug 2026 · 1h 1m · 20 chapters