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 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
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Episode's summary

What happened to the 35,000 rations that never reached Myola? Why were the Japanese so much better than the Australians at fighting in the jungle in July 1942? How did Ralph Honner rebuild the exhausted 39th Battalion before the Battle of Isurava? Join Al Murray and James Holland for part 3 of Kokoda, as the Japanese land at Buna and Gona and take Kokoda, the militiamen of the 39th fight a desperate series of withdrawals, and Brigadier Potts's 21st Brigade reaches Myola to find the promised supplies missing. With Papuan carriers and ANGAU officers like Bert Kienzle holding the supply line together, it is a story of logistics, mistakes and endurance on one of the hardest tracks in the world. 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 Senior Producer: James Regan Editor:…

Episodes

1044-

Kokoda: Countdown To Battle (Part 3)

What happened to the 35,000 rations that never reached Myola? Why were the Japanese so much better than the Australians at fighting in the jungle in July 1942? How did Ralph Honner rebuild the exhausted 39th Battalion before the Battle of Isurava? Join Al Murray and James Holland for part 3 of Kokoda, as the Japanese land at Buna and Gona and take Kokoda, the militiamen of the 39th fight a desperate series of withdrawals, and Brigadier Potts's 21st Brigade reaches Myola to find the promised supplies missing. With Papuan carriers and ANGAU officers like Bert Kienzle holding the supply line together, it is a story of logistics, mistakes and endurance on one of the hardest tracks in the world. 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 Senior Producer: James Regan Editor:…

12 Nov 2026
1043-

Kokoda: MacArthur And The Generals (Part 2)

Why did John Curtin defy Winston Churchill over Australia's returning convoy? What was the 'Badge 80' scandal that followed Thomas Blamey from the Victoria Police into the war? Why did MacArthur and Blamey discount intelligence that Japan would attack Port Moresby overland? Join Al Murray and James Holland for part 2 of Kokoda, as the politics and personalities behind the campaign take centre stage. Meet the generals, Blamey, Rowell, Herring, Allen, Vasey and Potts, follow the Pacific collapsing from Pearl Harbor to the fall of Singapore, and watch Douglas MacArthur arrive in Australia as decisions made far from the jungle set up the fight for Papua. 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: Bruno Di Castri Assistant Producer: Alfie…

10 Nov 2026
1042-

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 of the Second AIF call the militia 'choccos'? Join Al Murray and James Holland for part 1 of Kokoda, a series on the 1942 campaign in Papua. Before a shot is fired on the Track, they set the scene: the mountains and clans of Papua, the Australia of the 1920s and 30s, the disarmament and Singapore strategy that left it exposed, and the two armies, volunteers and militia, who would have to fight side by side. 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:…

05 Nov 2026
1041-

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 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/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…

03 Nov 2026
1040-

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 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 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…

29 Oct 2026