June 1944 was a month of allied invasion, both in Europe and the Pacific. James Holland and John McManus discuss Operation RECKLESS, the invasion of Hollandia (now New Guinea) on Humboldt Bay.   A Goalhanger Production Produced by Joey McCarthy Exec Producer: Tony Pastor Social: @WeHaveWaysPod Email: [email protected] Join our ‘Independent Company’ to watch our livestreams, get earlybird tickets and our weekly newsletter - packed with deals. Membership Club:...

Is the Spitfire the perfect plane? Al Murray and James Holland speak to Matt Jones - possibly the most experienced Spitfire pilot in the world. Matt explains to Al and James his love for the classic warbird and what it took to fly it around the world. A Goalhanger Production Produced by Joey McCarthy Exec Producer: Tony Pastor Social: @WeHaveWaysPod Email: [email protected] Join our ‘Independent Company’ to watch our livestreams, get earlybird tickets and our weekly newsletter -...

In the final episode of our epic Italy series, Al Murray and James Holland follow OPERATION DIADEM to completion. The Germans have been pushed back past the Adolf Hitler line and the final victory for the Allies is the liberation of the Eternal City. A Goalhanger Production Produced by Joey McCarthy Exec Producer: Tony Pastor Social: @WeHaveWaysPod Email: [email protected] Join our ‘Independent Company’ to watch our livestreams, get earlybird tickets and our weekly newsletter -...

Cassino is cleared, and the Allies are planning one final push to take Rome and end the war in Italy, once and for all. Ira Akers presents OPERATION STRANGLEHOLD, a bombing effort on an enormous scale- freezing the Nazi rearmament. As the ground hardens and blue skies return to the Italian countryside - OPERATION DIADEM is launched. In this penultimate episode, Al Murray and James Holland begin the road to victory in Southern Europe. They also discuss the Mafioso rule in Italy, and the...

The capturing of Monte Cassino and Cassino town was crucial to the Allied victory in Italy, so why did it take so long to break through the stubborn German resistance? Al Murray and James Holland also discuss the morale and manpower problems faced by the New Zealand troops. A Goalhanger Production Produced by Joey McCarthy Exec Producer: Tony Pastor Social: @WeHaveWaysPod Email: [email protected] Join our ‘Independent Company’ to watch our livestreams, get earlybird tickets and our...

The Nazis have assembled over 90,000 troops to counterattack under General von Mackensen’s troops, they’re beginning to amass at the Anzio beach head. The Allies' progress through Italy is slow, and pressure from Whitehall triggers a change of command in Italy. Will this turn the tide? A Goalhanger Production Produced by Joey McCarthy Exec Producer: Tony Pastor Social: @WeHaveWaysPod Email: [email protected] Join our ‘Independent Company’ to watch our livestreams, get earlybird...

As the battle heats up in Italy, Al Murray and James Holland detail of the most iconic moments in WW2 history - the Battle of Monte Cassino in February 1944. The Nazis defending the Abbey are depleted, but the Allies' attacks up narrow ridges are failing. Progress is slow, and the terrain is treacherous - will the Abbey be liberated? A Goalhanger Production Produced by Joey McCarthy Exec Producer: Tony Pastor Social: @WeHaveWaysPod Email: [email protected] Join our ‘Independent...

In the early hours of the 22nd January 1944, US Fifth Army swarmed the beaches of Anzio largely unopposed. The Nazis’ response was swift, sending the 14th Army to stop them and preventing the Allies getting any closer to Rome. Al Murray and James Holland also assess the situation at the Cassino front, the military make-up of the French Expeditionary Corps and the civilian situation in Italy both in the Nazi-occupied north, and ‘liberated’ south. A Goalhanger Production Produced by Joey...

As the launch of OPERATION SHINGLE nears, Al Murray and James Holland dig deeper into the mountains, mud and mayhem that categorised the fighting in Italy in January 1944 and take a look at the opening battles of the year. They also review the innumerable failures of German high command, from the meddling by Hitler that led to a culture of fear that engulfed all decision making, to Kesselring’s mismanagement of frontline troops. A Goalhanger Production Produced by Joey McCarthy Exec Producer:...

January 1944. The Allies have failed to reach Rome by Christmas, the ‘soft underbelly’ of Europe is reaching crisis point. To break through the Nazi’s strangle hold of Italy, the Allies plan OPERATION SHINGLE - the daring beach assault at Anzio. In the first episode of our Italy series, Al Murray and James Holland outline the reasons for recapturing Rome, Kesselring’s double lock defences at Cassino and the dangers of continuing a stalemate into Spring '44. A Goalhanger Production Produced by...

The Nazi occupation of Hungary led to the mass transportation and murder of over 400,000 Jews in 1944 and 1945. Why had Hungary's leadership sided with the Axis? Al Murray and James Holland are joined by John McManus to review the events of 80 years ago this week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Al Murray, James Holland and John McManus delve into the remarkable and often overlooked history of the Tuskegee Airmen, a group of African American pilots that defied racial barriers to become some of the most distinguished fighter pilots of World War II. A Goalhanger Production Produced by Joey McCarthy Exec Producer: Tony Pastor Social: @WeHaveWaysPod Email: [email protected] Join our ‘Independent Company’ to watch our livestreams, get earlybird tickets and our weekly newsletter...

One of the most gruelling and horrifying roles in all military history was being a grunt during the Second World War. It was so terrifying, that at least 1/5 of all soldiers admitted to losing control of their bowels on the front line. Al Murray, James Holland and John McManus discuss survival rates and American soldiers' attitudes during the war. A Goalhanger Production Produced by Joey McCarthy Exec Producer: Tony Pastor Social: @WeHaveWaysPod Email: [email protected] Join our...

Charlie Lawson, famous for playing Jim McDonald in Coronation Street shares with Al Murray and James Holland his family's history in the Second World War. Charlie's uncle, who fought with the Royal Irish Fusiliers, was incredibly close with Australian Lawrie Franklyn-Vaile. During the war they shared an incredible connection and both wrote incredibly moving letters back home. A Goalhanger Production Produced by Joey McCarthy Exec Producer: Tony Pastor Social: @WeHaveWaysPod Email:...

Throughout the 20th and 21st century, America's foreign policy has swung violently from isolationist to interventionist - how did the Second World War impact this switch? Al Murray, John McManus and James Holland answer your questions on WW2 and USA. A Goalhanger Production Produced by Joey McCarthy Exec Producer: Tony Pastor Social: @WeHaveWaysPod Email: [email protected] Join our ‘Independent Company’ to watch our livestreams, get earlybird tickets and our weekly newsletter -...

Why did Paddy Mayne earn four Distinguished Service Orders during World War 2 but no VC? Al Murray and James Holland answer your questions, including who had the best operation names - the Americans or the Nazis? A Goalhanger Production Produced by Joey McCarthy Exec Producer: Tony Pastor Social: @WeHaveWaysPod Email: [email protected] Join our ‘Independent Company’ to watch our livestreams, get earlybird tickets and our weekly newsletter - packed with deals. Membership Club:...

Al Murray, James Holland and John McManus discuss the controversial Rapido river crossing by the 36th Texan Division in January 1944. Why did General Fred Walker fail the river crossing in Italy where so many succeeded? And should it have led to a congressional hearing? A Goalhanger Production Produced by Joey McCarthy Exec Producer: Tony Pastor Social: @WeHaveWaysPod Email: [email protected] Join our ‘Independent Company’ to watch our livestreams, get earlybird tickets and our...

If the Mosquito could hold the same bomb load and had a smaller crew, why did the Americans use the bulky B17 to bomb Germany? Al Murray and James Holland talk air superiority, Nazi boffins and why there was no air support in Arnhem. A Goalhanger Production Produced by Joey McCarthy Exec Producer: Tony Pastor Social: @WeHaveWaysPod Email: [email protected] Join our ‘Independent Company’ to watch our livestreams, get earlybird tickets and our weekly newsletter - packed with...

As the Nazis waged war on Europe, Britain had to take extreme measures to protect its shores. German and Italian nationals were imprisoned across the UK, including a small community of women on the Isle Of Man. Al Murray and James Holland return to the National Archives, to discover more about this little known part of the Second World War story. Great Escapes: Remarkable Second World War Captives at The National Archives is free to visit and runs from Friday 2 February  - Sunday 21...

Over 150,000 British and Commonwealth troops were imprisoned by the Germans or Japanese during the Second World War. What were their lives like, what diseases did they suffer, and how good were their musicals? Al Murray and James Holland delve into the National Archives to find out more of the lives of POWs. Great Escapes: Remarkable Second World War Captives at The National Archives is free to visit and runs from Friday 2 February  - Sunday 21 July 2024,...

“In the end it is only people that count, all the people in the whole world. Any land is beautiful to someone. Any land is worth fighting for to someone. So it isn’t the land. It is the people.” In a new epic seven-part series inspired by the release of ‘Masters Of The Air’ on AppleTV, Al Murray and James Holland tell the true story of the Mighty 8th - one of the most courageous units in the USAAF. In our final episode on the Mighty 8th - Al Murray and James Holland chart the final months of...

“We couldn’t tell 109s from P-51s or Focke-Wulfs. We couldn’t tell which side was winning or what kind went down.  They looked like they were playing around, and then one broke off in a dive that ended when he hit the ground.” In a new epic seven-part series inspired by the release of ‘Masters Of The Air’ on AppleTV, Al Murray and James Holland tell the true story of the Mighty 8th - one of the most courageous units in the USAAF. In the penultimate episode of the series, Al Murray and James...

“I wonder if you’ve got the guts to lead a big air force. If you haven’t I’ll get someone who has.” Al Murray and James Holland have reached one of the most important events of the entire air war - Big Week. From the 21st February 1944 - Friday 25th February 1944, over 10,000 tonnes of bombs were dropped on Germany by US aircraft. In a new epic seven-part series inspired by the release of ‘Masters Of The Air’ on AppleTV, Al Murray and James Holland tell the true story of the Mighty 8th - one...

“I believe we did a good job today on this target. The flak was scattered and only accurate at one point. Sweated it out a little but we came out unscathed.” As Big Week looms, Al Murray and James Holland discuss how a change in personnel and strategy reversed the fortunes of the Mighty 8th. In a new epic seven-part series inspired by the release of ‘Masters Of The Air’ on AppleTV, Al Murray and James Holland tell the true story of the Mighty 8th - one of the most courageous units in the...