WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk

Why did Stalin sack Budenny and forbid Kirponos from retreating as the trap closed? How did a tiny battlegroup under Walter Model help to seal the biggest encirclement in military history? Why was Hitler's great victory at Kiev also a catastrophe for Germany?

Join Al Murray and James Holland for part 4 of The Road to Kiev, the final chapter in our coverage of Operation Barbarossa, as the German pincers meet at Lokhvitsa, four Soviet armies are trapped, and Hitler turns his attention back to Moscow.

Then continue the story...

Why were Guderian's panzers so short of fuel, trucks and tanks when they finally struck south in late August 1941? How did the Germans capture an intact 800-metre bridge over the Desna? Why did Bock decide to abandon the Yelnya salient after weeks of bloody fighting?

Join Al Murray and James Holland for part 3 of The Road to Kiev, the culmination of our coverage of Operation Barbarossa, as Guderian's drive south struggles on, Zhukov hammers the German centre at Yelnya, and the Wehrmacht begins to bleed itself white.

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Why did Roosevelt back aid to Stalin despite fierce opposition in Congress? What happened when Harry Hopkins met Stalin alone in Moscow? How did Britain and America come to the rescue of the Soviet Union's communist regime?

Join Al Murray and James Holland for part 2 of The Road to Kiev, the culmination of our coverage of Operation Barbarossa, as Britain and America rush supplies to Stalin, and Army Group North closes in on Leningrad.

To watch the ad-free, video-supported, version of this episode, please head to our Patreon page...

Why did Stalin sack Zhukov for warning that Kiev might have to be given up? How did Hitler talk Guderian into turning his panzers south, hours after he'd called the plan impossible? Why were German tank units already running out of men, fuel and machines in August 1941?

Join Al Murray and James Holland for part 1 of The Road to Kiev, a four-part series that brings our coverage of Operation Barbarossa to its culmination, as Hitler overrules his generals, Stalin ignores his own Chief of the General Staff, and both sides blunder towards one of...

Is the film Pressure accurate? Was Matthew Ridgeway a good general? And, how did WW2 shape the early leadership of NATO?

In this special episode, recorded live at We Have Ways Festival 2026, Jim and Al are joined by John McManus to discuss tanks, films, Monty, and more!

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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 about British civilians preparing for guerilla war, bombs that remained hidden until the 1950s, a Polish pilot above Italy, and a moving final letter from beyond the grave.

With thanks to Brian, David, Karl, and Richard

...

How did the men of the Canadian Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment experience the fighting for Ortona? What was Christmas 1943 like for men on the frontline? Were Commonwealth and British forces finally able to take the town?

Join James Holland and Al Murray for part 4, as they explore the terrible Italian battle known as the 'Stalingrad Of The Adriatic'.

To watch the ad-free, video-supported, version of this episode, please head to our Patreon page directly.

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What was the reaction of Nazi leadership to Allied attacks at Ortona? Why did Germans always counter-attack? When did Kesselring take full control of German forces in Italy?

Join James Holland and Al Murray for part 3, as they explore the terrible Italian battle known as the 'Stalingrad Of The Adriatic'.

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What does Harry Wilson’s diary tell us about the fight for Ortona? Why was the Italian Campaign ‘not for the faint hearted’? How did German troops experience the battle for the River Moro?

Join James Holland and Al Murray for part 2, as they explore the terrible Italian battle known as the 'Stalingrad Of The Adriatic'.

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How did the fight for Ortona become known as the 'Stalingrad Of The Adriatic’? What was the role of Commonwealth and British Empire troops in the Italian Campaign? And, why was crossing the River Sangro so difficult?

Join James Holland and Al Murray for part 1, as they explore the terrible Italian battle known as the 'Stalingrad Of The Adriatic'.

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 be...

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 being sunk off Lisbon, jungle warfare in Burma, letters from the Coventry Blitz, and reflections on Australian digger life during the New Guinea campaigns

With thanks to Will, Norn, Mitchell, and Stuart.

Star...

Why was September 17th the most important date in WW2? What was the significance of the Anglo-Soviet invasion of Iran? How did British tank procurement change during and after the war?

Join Jim and Al for a classic 'war waffle' episode, sharing their latest WW2 musings, recommendations, and research on exciting series coming up.

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.

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What happened to Sam to get sent home from Italy? When did Sam's war end? How did Sam feel when he went home and saw his family?

Join Jim and Al for part 4 of a new series focussing on one man's war, as they follow the exploits of Sam Bradshaw in 6th Royal Tank Regiment in North Africa and Italy.

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 deal...

350 British civilians are dead and Russia is responsible. Number 10 hits back as a hapless Prime Minister plays his hand in the age of regime decapitation.Bear Hunt is a technically rigorous action drama exploring the political manoeuvres, operational challenges and conflict expertise required to assassinate a head of state.

Billed as a British Bourne, this geopolitical thriller pulls listeners into the white-hot corridors of power in Westminster and Washington. To the battlefields where the nation’s best learnt their killing trade. And to the mission itself, deep behind enemy lines.

Goalhanger’s award-winning drama team work...

How did Rommel reverse Allied fortunes in North Africa? What was the importance of The Gazala Line in WW2? When was The First Battle Of Alamein?

Join Jim and Al for part 3 of a new series focussing on one man's war, as they follow the exploits of Sam Bradshaw in 6th Royal Tank Regiment in North Africa and Italy.

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...

Why was Operation Compass such a success for Allied forces in North Africa? When was Operation Compass? How did Sam Bradshaw and his friends survive in the early desert war?

Join Jim and Al for part 2 of a new series focussing on one man's war, as they follow the exploits of Sam Bradshaw in 6th Royal Tank Regiment in North Africa and Italy.

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...

Why did young British men like Sam Bradshaw end up fighting overseas in North Africa? When was the situation in North Africa at the start of The Second World War? How did Allied forces do against Italians in North Africa during WW2?

Join Jim and Al for part 1 of a new series focussing on one man's war, as they follow the exploits of Sam Bradshaw in 6th Royal Tank Regiment in North Africa and Italy.

Start your free trial at ⁠patreon.com/wehaveways⁠ and unlock exclusive content and more. Enjo...

What were American forces doing during the Battle of Normandy? How did the Sherwood Rangers deal with SS units? What high jinks did the men get up to on leave?

Join Jim and Al for part 8, as they follow the trail of the Sherwood Rangers, Britain’s own ‘Band Of Brothers’.

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How did the Sherwood Rangers defeat Nazi Jagdpanthers? What was Hitler's Operation Luttich? And, were the men affected by the casualties they witnessed?

Join Jim and Al for part 7, as they follow the trail of the Sherwood Rangers, Britain’s own ‘Band Of Brothers’.

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.

Get your ticket for We Have Ways Fest 6 here!

What was the Battle of Hottot? Who is Stan Perry? Why was Operation Bluecoat planned?

Join Jim and Al for Part 6, as they follow the trail of the Sherwood Rangers, Britain’s own ‘Band Of Brothers’.

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.

Get your ticket for We Have Ways Fest 6 here!

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How did the Sherwood Rangers recuperate after D-Day? Why were the Germans struggling in Normandy? What were the physical and mental demands on tank commanders?

Join Jim and Al for part 5 as they continue the epic story of the Sherwood Rangers, Britain’s own ‘Band Of Brothers’.

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.

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What were Britain's 'shadow factories'? Why did the allies plan to intervene in the Finno-Soviet Winter War? How did Germany hope to meet it's desperate need for resources?

Join Al Murray and James Holland for part 4 of this new series on the 'Phoney War', and how complacency and hubris led to the shock fall of Western Europe to the Nazi German war machine in Spring 1940.

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 week...

Why does the fantasy of Nazi economic success still remain prominent? What did Mussolini and Ciano think about joining the war? How did Britain rapidly become self-sufficient in food?

Join Al Murray and James Holland for part 3 of this new series on the 'Phoney War', and how complacency and hubris led to the shock fall of Western Europe to the Nazi German war machine in Spring 1940.

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...

What was the state of the French Army in 1939 ? Why was Belgium so against Britain and France reinforcing defences there? How did the press cover the beginning of the war?

Join Al Murray and James Holland for part 2 of this new series on the 'Phoney War', and how complacency and hubris led to the shock fall of Western Europe to the Nazi German war machine in Spring 1940.

Start your free trial at ⁠patreon.com/wehaveways⁠ and unlock exclusive content and more. Enjoy livestreams, early access, ad-free listening, bonus episodes, and...

What is the truth behind the Nazi myth of German technological superiority? Why were German generals planning to kill Hitler? How well was Britain prepared for war in 1939?

Join Al Murray and James Holland for part 1 of this new series on the 'Phoney War', and how complacency and hubris led to the shock fall of Western Europe to the Nazi German war machine in Spring 1940.

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 week...

What was so important about The Smolensk Pocket? Why did Guderian try overambitious battle plans despite a lack of adequate resources? How did Hitler and Halder disagree on the plans around capturing Moscow?

Join Al Murray and James Holland for part 8 of this titanic new series on the brutal Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union, and how mistakes by warmongers on both sides led to untold tragedies on the Eastern Front during WW2.

To watch the ad-free, video-supported, version of this episode, please head to our Patreon page directly.<...

How were young men like Wilhelm Prüller radicalised by Nazi propaganda and ideology? What did troops think of the invasion of the USSR? When did the soldiers think the campaign would be over, and why?

Join Al Murray and James Holland for part 7 of this titanic new series on the brutal Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union, and how mistakes by warmongers on both sides led to untold tragedies on the Eastern Front during WW2.

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What happened to Russian resistance once German units reached the Dneiper river? Why were units like Panzer Group Guderian suffering from success? How did Nazi Germany deal with Soviet partisans and PoWs?

Join Al Murray and James Holland for part 6 of this titanic new series on the brutal Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union, and how mistakes by warmongers on both sides led to untold tragedies on the Eastern Front during WW2.

To watch the ad-free, video-supported, version of this episode, please head to our Patreon page directly.

Why did Nazi Germany invade the Soviet Union in June 1941? What were the 3 main army groups and their objectives once they advanced Russian territory? How did Stalin react to news that Hitler had begun an attack on the USSR?

Join Al Murray and James Holland for part 5 of this titanic new series on the brutal Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union, and how mistakes by warmongers on both sides led to untold tragedies on the Eastern Front during WW2.

To watch the ad-free, video-supported, version of this episode, please...

Why did James Holland and Al Murray start a WW2 Podcast? How did bats build a media empire? What are some of the most memorable bits of WW2 Pod: We Have Ways Of Making You Talk?

Join Jim and Al - and guests - for an affectionate look back at the world's biggest WW2 history show, which has been proudly spreading war waffle to an international community of 'afflicted' since April, 2019.

Start your free trial at ⁠patreon.com/wehaveways⁠ and unlock exclusive content and more. Enjoy livestreams, early access, ad-f...

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 1966 World Cup footballs, Neil Armstrong over Korea, and the mystery of HMAS Sydney revisited.

With thanks to Will, Alfie, Tim, Scott, and Konrad.

Start your free trial at ⁠patreon.com/wehaveways⁠ and unlock...

How did the men of 2 Para make it to British lines? What did axis troops do to captured paratroopers? And, did the disaster at Oudna spell the end for paratroop operations?

Join Al Murray and James Holland for part 3 of this thrilling story as John Frost and the heroes of Bruneval endure an epic trek for survival across Axis-held Tunisia.

To watch the ad-free, video-supported, version of this episode, please head to our Patreon page directly.

Start your free trial at ⁠patreon.com/wehaveways⁠ and...

Was The Battle of The Bulge a delay in the fall of Nazi Germany? Why did Western Allies like Eisenhower not race to capture Berlin? How did Soviet generals waste their own forces in order to conquer Nazi Germany faster?

Listen to this exclusive extract from Antony Beevor and James Holland's talk from last year's We Have Ways Festival, as well as hear more about James May's talk, Saul David on North Africa, and WW2's best Western Theatre Commander...

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How did 2 Para end up abandoned at Oudna? What was their strategy to survive the German onslaught? Was poor planning the cause of the disaster?

Join Al Murray and James Holland for part 2 of this thrilling story as John Frost and the heroes of Bruneval endure an epic trek for survival across Axis-held Tunisia.

To watch the ad-free, video-supported, version of this episode, please head to our Patreon page directly.

Start your free trial at ⁠patreon.com/wehaveways⁠ and unlock exclusive content and more. Enjo...

Why did British airborne forces have such limited kit? What did the Oudna operation plan to achieve? When was Operation Torch?

Join Al Murray and James Holland for part 1 of this thrilling story as John Frost and the heroes of Bruneval endure an epic trek for survival across Axis-held Tunisia.

To watch the ad-free, video-supported, version of this episode, please head to our Patreon page directly.

Start your free trial at ⁠patreon.com/wehaveways⁠ and unlock exclusive content and more. Enjoy livestreams, early access, ad-f...

Why did Hitler shift the aim of Barbarossa to one of extermination? What intelligence was Stalin receiving that warned him of imminent German attack? How many panzers were mobilised for the invasion of the USSR?

Join Al Murray and James Holland for part 4 of this titanic new series on the brutal Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union, and how mistakes by warmongers on both sides led to untold tragedies on the Eastern Front during WW2.

To watch the ad-free, video-supported, version of this episode, please head to our Patreon...

Why did the Nazi high command underestimate the challenges of fighting The USSR? How did low mechanisation affect German preparations? What was Stalin doing to strengthen his relationship with Japan?

Join Al Murray and James Holland for part 3 of this titanic new series on the brutal Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union, and how mistakes by warmongers on both sides led to untold tragedies on the Eastern Front of WW2.

Summer sale is here: get 33% off an annual membership with code SUMMER26. That's ad-free listening, every bonus episode, and...

How did the interwar years contribute to Germany's ability to successfully invade Russia? Why was Nazi Germany so reliant on trade with The Soviet Union? When did Hitler decide to betray his pact with Stalin?

Join Al Murray and James Holland for part 2 of this titanic new series on the brutal Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union, and how mistakes by warmongers on both sides led to untold tragedies on the Eastern Front of WW2.

To watch the ad-free, video-supported, version of this episode, please head to our Patreon...

Why was Hitler planning an invasion of the USSR during The Battle Of Britain? What impact did the Nazi-Soviet Pact have on WW2? How was Stalin expanding communist influence in Eastern Europe?

Join Al Murray and James Holland for part 1 of this titanic new series on the brutal Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union, and how mistakes by warmongers on both sides led to untold tragedies on the Eastern Front of WW2.

To watch the ad-free, video-supported, version of this episode, please head to our Patreon page directly.

How did the British sink the German ship Georg Thiele? What role did stringbags play in the naval battle? Why did Captain Warburton Lee win his Victoria Cross?

Join Al Murray and James Holland for part 3 of this gripping new series on Britain's naval fight at Narvik, and the Royal Navy's response to the German invasion of Norway.

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 behi...