WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk
byGoalhanger
EducationHistorySocietyCulture
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...
Episodes(40 episodes)
S1E952 - Sink The Bismarck! Sink The Bismarck (Part 3)
When was the Bismarck sunk? How did British destroyers contribute to the sinking of the Bismarck? Why did Bismarck take so much damage in order to sink?
Join Al Murray and James Holland for Part 3 as they recount the thrilling chase of the battleship Bismarck, pride of the Nazi German Kriegsmarine, and the men and ships of Britain's Royal Navy determined to sink her.
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 news...
Published: Feb 3, 2026Duration: 1:06:37
S1E951 - Sink The Bismarck! Stringbags vs Bismarck (Part 2)
What resources did the British deploy to hunt the Bismarck? How did British air power contribute to the sinking of the Bismarck? When did Bismarck get attacked by Fairey Swordfish torpedo planes?
Join Al Murray and James Holland for Part 2 as they recount the thrilling chase of the battleship Bismarck, pride of the Nazi German Kriegsmarine, and the men and ships of Britain's Royal Navy determined to sink her.
Start your free trial at patreon.com/wehaveways and unlock exclusive content and more. Enjoy livestreams, early access, ad-free listening, bonu...
Published: Jan 29, 2026Duration: 46:18
S1E950 - Sink The Bismarck! Pursuit (Part 1)
How did the Bismarck try to escape after sinking HMS Hood? Why was the Bismarck so hard to find in the Atlantic? When would Bismarck be safe from Royal Navy surface vessels?
Join Al Murray and James Holland for Part 1 as they recount the thrilling chase of the battleship Bismarck, pride of the Nazi German Kriegsmarine, and the men and ships of Britain's Royal Navy determined to sink her.
Start your free trial at patreon.com/wehaveways and unlock exclusive content and more. Enjoy livestreams, early access, ad-free listening, bonu...
Published: Jan 27, 2026Duration: 59:35
S1E949 - Polish Heroism At Monte Cassino
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/weha...
Published: Jan 22, 2026Duration: 33:40
S1E948 - Atlantic Crossings, French Morale, & American Inaugurations
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...
Published: Jan 20, 2026Duration: 40:37
How To Remember The Holocaust
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 pack...
Published: Jan 16, 2026Duration: 21:07
S1E947 - Hood vs Bismarck: Battle of the Denmark Strait (Part 4)
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...
Published: Jan 15, 2026Duration: 40:28
S1E946 - Hood vs Bismarck: The Mighty Hood (Part 3)
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 pack...
Published: Jan 13, 2026Duration: 47:10
S1E945 - Hood vs Bismarck: Passage (Part 2)
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...
Published: Jan 8, 2026Duration: 55:28
S1E944 - Hood vs Bismarck: The Chase (Part 1)
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 insig...
Published: Jan 6, 2026Duration: 39:53
S1E943 - Swordfish, Stalingrad, & Uniting Nations
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
...
Published: Jan 1, 2026Duration: 37:51
S1E942 - How To Commemorate WW2
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<...
Published: Dec 30, 2025Duration: 41:57
S1E941 - What Did My Family Do In WW2?
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
...
Published: Dec 25, 2025Duration: 44:23
S1E940 - A Blackmarket Christmas
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 C...
Published: Dec 23, 2025Duration: 26:15
S1E839 - Arctic Patrol: Stringbags (Part 4)
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 sh...
Published: Dec 18, 2025Duration: 41:47
S1E938 - The Battle Of Taranto Ends: Stringbags (Episode 3)
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.
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Published: Dec 16, 2025Duration: 53:48
S1E937 - The Battle Of Taranto Begins: Stringbags (Part 2)
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 an...
Published: Dec 11, 2025Duration: 34:40
S1E936 - How the Navy Learned to Fly: Stringbags (Part 1)
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 news...
Published: Dec 9, 2025Duration: 1:06:16
S1E935 - Atlantic War: The Loss Of Three Aces (Part 6)
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-f...
Published: Dec 4, 2025Duration: 45:40
S1E934 - Atlantic War: The Turning Point (Part 5)
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 epis...
Published: Dec 2, 2025Duration: 45:58