Shows / WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk
WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk
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…
Episodes
- WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk
Kokoda: Why Was Australia So Unprepared For The Pacific War? (Part 1)
Why was Australia so unprepared for war in the Pacific? How did the Great Depression shape the men who would fight on the Kokoda Track? Why did the volunteers…
- WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk
Bridging Operation Market Garden: Keeping Up With The Joneses (Part 2)
Who was Lieutenant Tony Jones MC, and what did he find on Nijmegen road bridge? How did British sappers help the US 82nd Airborne cross the Waal in assault…
- WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk
Bridging Operation Market Garden: A Nice Little Problem (Part 1)
What does a Commander Royal Engineers actually do for an armoured division? How much bridging kit did 30 Corps have to line up to cross the rivers and canals…
- WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk
Barbarossa In Ukraine: The Encirclement Of Kiev (Part 4)
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…
- WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk
Barbarossa In Ukraine: Stagnation (Part 3)
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…
- WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk
Barbarossa In Ukraine: Capitalism To The Rescue (Part 2)
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…
- WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk
Barbarossa In Ukraine: Trouble At The Top (Part 1)
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…
- WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk
What We Get Wrong About WW2
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…
- WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk
A Polish Odyssey
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…
- WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk
Stalingrad Of The Adriatic: The Town (Part 4)
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?…
- WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk
Stalingrad Of The Adriatic: The Gully (Part 3)
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…
- WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk
Stalingrad Of The Adriatic: Death On The Moro (Part 2)
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…
- WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk
Stalingrad Of The Adriatic: The Sangro (Part 1)
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…
- WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk
Beneath The Coventry Blitz
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…
- WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk
The Most Important Date Of The Second World War
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…
WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You TalkOne Man's War: Fighting Through Italy (Part 4)
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…
WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You TalkIntroducing: Bear Hunt
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…
WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You TalkOne Man's War: Rommel & Gazala (Part 3)
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…
WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You TalkOne Man's War: Operation Compass (Part 2)
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…
WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You TalkOne Man's War: Deserted In The Desert (Part 1)
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…
- WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk
British Band Of Brothers: Disaster At Berjou (Part 8)
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?…
- WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk
British Band Of Brothers: Battle Of Bloody Ridge (Part 7)
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…
- WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk
British Band Of Brothers: Operation Bluecoat (Part 6)
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…
- WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk
British Band Of Brothers: Back In Action (Part 5)
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?…
- WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk
Before The Storm: Midnight Approaches (Part 4)
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…
- WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk
Before The Storm: The Nazi Myth (Part 3)
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…
- WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk
Before The Storm: Drumbeat Of War (Part 2)
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…
- WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk
Before The Storm: The Phoney War Begins (Part 1)
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…
- WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk
Operation Barbarossa: Winning To Death (Part 8)
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…
- WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk
Operation Barbarossa: One Man's War (Part 7)
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…
- WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk
Operation Barbarossa: The Surge (Part 6)
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…
- WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk
Operation Barbarossa: Barbarossa Unleashed (Part 5)
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…
- WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk
1000th Episode Special
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…
- WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk
WW2 & The World Cup
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…
- WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk
North African Odyssey: To Hell And Back (Part 3)
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…
WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You TalkAntony Beevor: Downfall In Berlin
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…
- WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk
North African Odyssey: Blood On The Sand (Part 2)
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…
- WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk
North African Odyssey: Disaster At Oudna (Part 1)
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…
- WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk
Operation Barbarossa: Countdown (Part 4)
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…
- WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk
Operation Barbarossa: To The Brink (Part 3)
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…
- WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk
Operation Barbarossa: Planning The Impossible (Part 2)
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…
- WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk
Operation Barbarossa: Seeds of Calamity (Part 1)
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…
- WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk
Naval Battle of Narvik: Annihilation (Part 3)
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?…
- WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk
Naval Battle Of Narvik: Confusion (Part 2)
Why did the British Admiralty miss a crucial opportunity to attack the Kriesgmarine in Norway? How did HMS Glowworm fire the first shots of the Norwegian…
- WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk
Naval Battle of Narvik: Plans & Schemes (Part 1)
Why did Hitler launch his conquest of Norway and Denmark in April 1940? How did WW1 influence the Kriegsmarine hierarchy? What was the British naval response…
- WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk
British Band Of Brothers: Tiger, Tiger! (Part 4)
What did Allied forces do when encountering elite SS tank units of Panther and Tiger tanks? How did British defenders successfully repel German counterattacks?…
- WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk
British Band Of Brothers: The Fight For Point 103 (Part 3)
Why was there a lot of churn among British tank crews after D-Day? How did British armoured units use specialised tanks like Fireflies and Churchill AVREs?…
- WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk
British Band Of Brothers: From Open Seas To Open Fields (Part 2)
How was fighting in the Normandy Bocage dangerous for Allied forces after D-Day? Why were German panzers considered by some to be superior tanks? What was…
WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You TalkBritish Band Of Brothers: D-Day (Part 1)
What did a British tank squadron look like in The Second World War? Why were weather conditions so important for the Allies on D-Day? How was a yeomanry…
- WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk
Heist From The Sky: A Bloody Hero (Part 4)
When did the British know the raid had been a success? What air and sea forces were used to help the paratroopers? How was this used to boost morale by the…
- WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk
Heist From The Sky: Hell Breaks Loose (Part 3)
What Nazi resistance was there to the British paratrooper raid? Why didn't the paras have any heavy support during the attack? When did the Royal Navy come to…
- WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk
Heist From The Sky: The Raid Begins (Part 2)
How did British paratroopers train for the Bruneval Raid? What role did intelligence play in helping plan for the airborne operation? Why did the Germans not…
- WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk
Heist From The Sky: The Bruneval Raid (Part 1)
When did Operation Biting happen? Why was this so important for the British war effort? What did British paratroopers hope to achieve? Join Al Murray and James…
- WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk
A Buffalo Soldier In Italy
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…
WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You TalkWinston Churchill, Dominic Sandbrook, & Philippe Sands
Was Churchill the greatest Briton of all time? Why are people like Boris Johnson so keen to be seen like Churchill? How did Nazi war criminals start new lives…
- WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk
The Visionaries: One War Ends, Another Begins (Part 6)
When did Harry S. Truman become President of The United States? How was Truman different to FDR? What were the causes of the Cold War between the US and USSR?…
- WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk
The Visionaries: Planning For Peace (Part 5)
Why is the Bretton Woods conference so important to today's economies? How did the US dollar become the global currency, replacing the British pound sterling?…
- WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk
The Visionaries: A Global War (Part 4)
Why did Roosevelt enter World War Two? What was Atlantic Charter? How did the USSR defeat Operation Barbarossa? Join Al Murray and James Holland for part 4 of…
- WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk
The Visionaries: Total Defence (Part 3)
Why was the Fall of France in 1940 such a surprise? How did FDR get the USA ready to fight in WW2? What did Churchill do to encourage American entry on the…
- WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk
The Visionaries: From Recovery To Rearmament (Part 2)
Why was there a stock market crash in 1929? How did The Great Depression help extremist political parties like the Nazis in Germany gain power? What did…