Podcast

WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk

From Goalhanger Films History, Society & Culture

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

History chart
#50
Episodes
1,037
Releases
Twice a week
Typical length
49 min
On air since
2019
Latest episode
1 day ago

Episodes

1,037 episodes, newest first

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

    Season 1, Episode 1030

    Show notes

    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 boats? Why couldn't 30 Corps push on the moment the bridge was taken?

    Join Al Murray and James Holland for part 2 of Hurrah for the CRE, as the sappers' story reaches Nijmegen. Brigadier Jones finds assault boats for the Americans' river crossing, while his namesake Tony Jones, a young lieutenant in the van with the Grenadier Guards, rides across the road bridge to cut wires and clear demolition charges, taking 81 prisoners along the way.

    Start your free trial at ⁠patreon.com/wehaveways⁠and 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 WHW Merch here!

    A Goalhanger Production

    Produced by James Regan

    Editor: James Clayden

    Assistant Producer: Alfie Norris

    Exec Producer: Tony Pastor

    Social: @WeHaveWaysPod

    Social Producer: Harry Balden

    Email: wehaveways@goalhanger.com

    Membership Club: patreon.com/wehaveways

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    40 min
  2. Bridging Operation Market Garden: A Nice Little Problem (Part 1)

    Season 1, Episode 1029

    Show notes

    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 of the Netherlands? Why is the Bailey Bridge an offensive weapon?

    Join Al Murray and James Holland for part 1 of Hurrah for the CRE, a two-part series on the sappers of Operation Garden, the land-borne half of Market Garden. Meet Brigadier Charles Phibbs Jones, Commander Royal Engineers of Guards Armoured Division, as they tally up the 9,000 engineers, the 2,000-plus vehicles on standby and the stockpiled bridging columns behind the advance, and watch his sappers build a 110-foot Bailey bridge at Son in a single night.

    Start your free trial at⁠patreon.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 WHW Merch here!

    A Goalhanger Production

    Produced by James Regan

    Editor: Charlie Rodwell

    Assistant Producer: Alfie Norris

    Exec Producer: Tony Pastor

    Social: @WeHaveWaysPod

    Social Producer: Harry Balden

    Email: wehaveways@goalhanger.com

    Membership Club: patreon.com/wehaveways

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    45 min
  3. Barbarossa In Ukraine: The Encirclement Of Kiev (Part 4)

    Season 1, Episode 1028

    Show notes

    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 with an exclusive 5th episode for Patreon members, as we return to the diary of Wilhelm Prüller to see the Kiev encirclement and the coming of the autumn rains from a soldier's point of view.

    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 WHW Merch here!

    A Goalhanger Production

    Produced by James Regan

    Editor: Charlie Rodwell

    Assistant Producer: Alfie Norris

    Exec Producer: Tony Pastor

    Social: @WeHaveWaysPod

    Social Producer: Harry Balden

    Email: wehaveways@goalhanger.com

    Membership Club: patreon.com/wehaveways

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    59 min
  4. Barbarossa In Ukraine: Stagnation (Part 3)

    Season 1, Episode 1027

    Show notes

    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.

    Become a Patreon member to unlock an exclusive 5th episode of The Road to Kiev, following the war on the ground through the eyes of Wilhelm Prüller, an Austrian soldier fighting his way across Ukraine.

    Start your free trial at ⁠patreon.com/wehaveways⁠and 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 WHW Merch here!

    A Goalhanger Production

    Produced by James Regan

    Editor: Bruno Di Castri & Lorcan Moullier

    Assistant Producer: Alfie Norris

    Exec Producer: Tony Pastor

    Social: @WeHaveWaysPod

    Social Producer: Harry Balden

    Email: wehaveways@goalhanger.com

    Membership Club: patreon.com/wehaveways

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    59 min
  5. The Road To Kiev: Capitalism To The Rescue (Part 2)

    Season 1, Episode 1026

    Show notes

    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 directly.

    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 WHW Merch here!

    A Goalhanger Production

    Produced by James Regan

    Editor: Oli Ortega

    Assistant Producer: Alfie Norris

    Exec Producer: Tony Pastor

    Social: @WeHaveWaysPod

    Social Producer: Harry Balden

    Email: wehaveways@goalhanger.com

    Membership Club: patreon.com/wehaveways

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    58 min
  6. The Road To Kiev: Trouble At The Top (Part 1)

    Season 1, Episode 1025

    Show notes

    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 the greatest encirclements in history.

    Become a Patreon member to unlock an exclusive 5th episode of The Road to Kiev, which follows one soldier's experience of the campaign.

    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 WHW Merch here!

    A Goalhanger Production

    Produced by James Regan

    Editor: Charlie Rodwell

    Assistant Producer: Alfie Norris

    Exec Producer: Tony Pastor

    Social: @WeHaveWaysPod

    Social Producer: Harry Balden

    Email: wehaveways@goalhanger.com

    Membership Club: patreon.com/wehaveways

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    58 min
  7. What We Get Wrong About WW2

    Season 1, Episode 1024

    Show notes

    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!

    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 WHW Merch here!

    A Goalhanger Production

    Produced by James Regan

    Editor: James Clayden

    Assistant Producer: Alfie Norris

    Exec Producer: Tony Pastor

    Social: @WeHaveWaysPod

    Social Producer: Harry Balden

    Email: wehaveways@goalhanger.com

    Membership Club: patreon.com/wehaveways

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    40 min
  8. A Polish Odyssey

    Season 1, Episode 1023

    Show notes

    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

    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 WHW Merch here!

    A Goalhanger Production

    Produced by James Regan

    Editor: Gabriela Gibbs

    Assistant Producer: Alfie Norris

    Exec Producer: Tony Pastor

    Social: @WeHaveWaysPod

    Social Producer: Harry Balden

    Email: wehaveways@goalhanger.com

    Membership Club: patreon.com/wehaveways

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    24 min
  9. Stalingrad Of The Adriatic: The Town (Part 4)

    Season 1, Episode 1022

    Show notes

    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.

    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 WHW Merch here!

    A Goalhanger Production

    Produced by James Regan

    Editor: Charlie Rodwell

    Assistant Producer: Alfie Norris

    Exec Producer: Tony Pastor

    Social: @WeHaveWaysPod

    Social Producer: Harry Balden

    Email: wehaveways@goalhanger.com

    Membership Club: patreon.com/wehaveways

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    43 min
  10. Stalingrad Of The Adriatic: The Gully (Part 3)

    Season 1, Episode 1021

    Show notes

    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'.

    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 WHW Merch here!

    A Goalhanger Production

    Produced by James Regan

    Editor: Oli Ortega

    Assistant Producer: Alfie Norris

    Exec Producer: Tony Pastor

    Social: @WeHaveWaysPod

    Social Producer: Harry Balden

    Email: wehaveways@goalhanger.com

    Membership Club: patreon.com/wehaveways

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    1 hr
  11. Stalingrad Of The Adriatic: Death On The Moro (Part 2)

    Season 1, Episode 1020

    Show notes

    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'.

    Start your free trial at ⁠patreon.com/wehaveways⁠and 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 WHW Merch here!

    A Goalhanger Production

    Produced by James Regan

    Editor: Bruno Di Castri

    Assistant Producer: Alfie Norris

    Exec Producer: Tony Pastor

    Social: @WeHaveWaysPod

    Social Producer: Harry Balden

    Email: wehaveways@goalhanger.com

    Membership Club: patreon.com/wehaveways

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    54 min
  12. Stalingrad Of The Adriatic: The Sangro (Part 1)

    Season 1, Episode 1019

    Show notes

    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 behind-the-scenes insights.

    Get your WHW Merch here!

    A Goalhanger Production

    Produced by James Regan

    Editor: Charlie Rodwell

    Assistant Producer: Alfie Norris

    Exec Producer: Tony Pastor

    Social: @WeHaveWaysPod

    Social Producer: Harry Balden

    Email: wehaveways@goalhanger.com

    Membership Club: patreon.com/wehaveways

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    53 min
  13. Beneath The Coventry Blitz

    Season 1, Episode 1018

    Show notes

    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.

    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 WHW Merch here!

    A Goalhanger Production

    Produced by James Regan

    Editor: Gabriela Gibbs

    Assistant Producer: Alfie Norris

    Exec Producer: Tony Pastor

    Social: @WeHaveWaysPod

    Social Producer: Harry Balden

    Email: wehaveways@goalhanger.com

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    27 min
  14. The Most Important Date Of The Second World War

    Season 1, Episode 1017

    Show notes

    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.

    Get your WHW Merch here!

    A Goalhanger Production

    Produced by James Regan

    Editor: Charlie Rodwell

    Assistant Producer: Alfie Norris

    Exec Producer: Tony Pastor

    Social: @WeHaveWaysPod

    Social Producer: Harry Balden

    Email: wehaveways@goalhanger.com

    Membership Club: patreon.com/wehaveways

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    46 min
  15. One Man's War: Fighting Through Italy (Part 4)

    Season 1, Episode 1016

    Show notes

    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 deals and behind-the-scenes insights.

    Get your WHW Merch here!

    A Goalhanger Production

    Produced by James Regan

    Editor: Charlie Rodwell

    Assistant Producer: Alfie Norris

    Exec Producer: Tony Pastor

    Social: @WeHaveWaysPod

    Social Producer: Harry Balden

    Email: wehaveways@goalhanger.com

    Membership Club: patreon.com/wehaveways

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    41 min
  16. Introducing: Bear Hunt Bonus

    Show notes

    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 worked with current and former military and defence professionals to shape the most accurate and daring mission conceivable: a forensic exploration of what it takes, in the modern age, to kill the President of the Russian Federation.

    Search and follow Bear Hunt now for weekly episodes straight into you feed.

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    11 min
  17. One Man's War: Rommel & Gazala (Part 3)

    Season 1, Episode 1015

    Show notes

    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 behind-the-scenes insights.

    Get your ticket for We Have Ways Fest 6 here!

    Get your WHW Merch here!

    A Goalhanger Production

    Produced by James Regan

    Editor: Charlie Rodwell

    Assistant Producer: Alfie Norris

    Exec Producer: Tony Pastor

    Social: @WeHaveWaysPod

    Social Producer: Harry Balden

    Email: wehaveways@goalhanger.com

    Membership Club: patreon.com/wehaveways

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    42 min
  18. One Man's War: Operation Compass (Part 2)

    Season 1, Episode 1014

    Show notes

    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 packed with book deals and behind-the-scenes insights.

    Get your ticket for We Have Ways Fest 6 here!

    Get your WHW Merch here!

    A Goalhanger Production

    Produced by James Regan

    Editor: Bruno Di Castri

    Assistant Producer: Alfie Norris

    Exec Producer: Tony Pastor

    Social: @WeHaveWaysPod

    Social Producer: Harry Balden

    Email: wehaveways@goalhanger.com

    Membership Club: patreon.com/wehaveways

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    39 min
  19. One Man's War: Deserted In The Desert (Part 1)

    Season 1, Episode 1013

    Show notes

    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. 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!

    Get your WHW Merch here!

    A Goalhanger Production

    Produced by James Regan

    Editor: Charlie Rodwell

    Assistant Producer: Alfie Norris

    Exec Producer: Tony Pastor

    Social: @WeHaveWaysPod

    Social Producer: Harry Balden

    Email: wehaveways@goalhanger.com

    Membership Club: patreon.com/wehaveways

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    40 min
  20. British Band Of Brothers: Disaster At Berjou (Part 8)

    Season 1, Episode 1012

    Show notes

    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’.

    Start your free trial at ⁠patreon.com/wehaveways⁠and 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!

    Get your WHW Merch here!

    A Goalhanger Production

    Produced by James Regan

    Editor: Vasco Andrade

    Assistant Producer: Alfie Norris

    Exec Producer: Tony Pastor

    Social: @WeHaveWaysPod

    Social Producer: Harry Balden

    Email: wehaveways@goalhanger.com

    Membership Club: patreon.com/wehaveways

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    51 min