Bölümler
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Jane is joined by Ally Campbell-Grieve ( James isn't available this week) to debate the thorny topic of how we should deal with veteran's accounts as historical sources.
THE MEMORY MINEFIELD – VETERAN TESTIMONY AND THE SEARCH FOR THE ‘FACTS’, by Jane Gulliford Lowes
They explore the challenges historians face when analysing accounts from veterans, particularly those from Bomber Command during WWII. The conversation delves into the background of Ally's great uncle, Steve, and the discrepancies in his accounts of service during two operational tours, which culminated in his aircraft being shot down in July 1944. The episode emphasizes the importance of critical analysis of veteran narratives, the influence of memory, and the impact of popular media on how stories are told. It concludes with reflections on the need for sensitivity when dealing with family histories and the importance of questioning accepted narratives in military history.
Links:
The Veteran's Tale by by Frances Houghton
Collected Memories: Holocaust History and Postwar Testimony, by Christopher R Browning
Article:Send us a text
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Please subscribe to Never Mind The Dambusters wherever you get your podcasts. You can support the show, and help us produce great content, by becoming a paid subscriber from just $3 a month here https://www.buzzsprout.com/2327200/support . Supporters receive invitations to participate in our recording sessions as an audience member.
Thank you for listening! You can reach out to us on social media at @RAF_BomberPod (X) or @NeverMindTheDambusters (Instagram)
You can find out about James' research, articles, lectures and podcasts here .
You can read more about Jane's work on her website at https://www.justcuriousjane.com/, and listen to podcasts/media stuff here -
Subscriber-only episode
* Episode publicly available on Wednesday 18th September.
THE MEMORY MINEFIELD – VETERAN TESTIMONY AND THE SEARCH FOR THE ‘FACTS’, by Jane Gulliford Lowes
Jane is joined by Ally Campbell-Grieve ( James isn't available this week) to debate the thorny topic of how we should deal with veteran's accounts as historical sources.
They explore the challenges historians face when analysing accounts from veterans, particularly those from Bomber Command during WWII. The conversation delves into the background of Ally's great uncle, Steve, and the discrepancies in his accounts of service during two operational tours, which culminated in his aircraft being shot down in July 1944. The episode emphasizes the importance of critical analysis of veteran narratives, the influence of memory, and the impact of popular media on how stories are told. It concludes with reflections on the need for sensitivity when dealing with family histories and the importance of questioning accepted narratives in military history.
Links:
The Veteran's Tale by by Frances Houghton
Collected Memories: Holocaust History and Postwar Testimony, by Christopher R Browning
Article:Send us a text
Please subscribe to Never Mind The Dambusters wherever you get your podcasts. You can support the show, and help us produce great content, by becoming a paid subscriber from just $3 a month here https://www.buzzsprout.com/2327200/support . Supporters receive invitations to participate in our recording sessions as an audience member.
Thank you for listening! You can reach out to us on social media at @RAF_BomberPod (X) or @NeverMindTheDambusters (Instagram)
You can find out about James' research, articles, lectures and podcasts here .
You can read more about Jane's work on her website at https://www.justcuriousjane.com/, and listen to podcasts/media stuff here -
Eksik bölüm mü var?
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This week we discuss the role of RAF bomber aircraft as glider tugs in the Arnhem airlift and airborne operations. We're joined by Matt Yates, the Chief Operations Officer for the Vickers Machine Gun Collection and Research Association, and owner of the Chalk Glider Pilot Regiment Collection.
Matt provides insight into the formation of the Glider Pilot Regiment, highlighting the close collaboration between glider pilots, and their tug crews, who were normally seconded from Bomber Squadrons. We debate the challenges and successes of various airborne operations, including Operations Freshman, Husky, and Tonga.
We go on to discuss Operation Market Garden - a complex and ambitious plan to secure a foothold in Germany by capturing key bridges in the Netherlands and paving the way for a rapid advance into Germany. However, the operation faced challenges, including the loss of the element of surprise, intelligence issues, overconfidence, and a shortage of aircraft. The glider pilot regiment and their bomber crew tugs played a crucial role in transporting troops and supplies, but faced heavy anti-aircraft fire and suffered significant casualties. We also discuss the supply role of transport command. The operation ultimately fell short of its objectives, highlighting the difficulties and risks of large-scale airborne operations.
Links:
Arnhem: Myth & Reality, by Sebastian Ritchie
Jane's article: Bring Up The Piat!
Matt's recommendations:
Glider Pilots at Arnhem by Mike Peters and Luuk Buist.Arnhem Lift by Louis Hagen (a German Jew who fled Germany and joined the British Army)
The History of the Glider Pilot Regiment by Claude Smith.
Arnhem by Martin Middlebrook.
A Noble Pair of Brothers by Wing Commander DH Wood. Gives a full history
Send us a text
Support the show
Please subscribe to Never Mind The Dambusters wherever you get your podcasts. You can support the show, and help us produce great content, by becoming a paid subscriber from just $3 a month here https://www.buzzsprout.com/2327200/support . Supporters receive invitations to participate in our recording sessions as an audience member.
Thank you for listening! You can reach out to us on social media at @RAF_BomberPod (X) or @NeverMindTheDambusters (Instagram)
You can find out about James' research, articles, lectures and podcasts here .
You can read more about Jane's work on her website at https://www.justcuriousjane.com/, and listen to podcasts/media stuff here -
Subscriber-only episode
* PUBLIC RELEASE ON 11 SEPTEMBER 2024
This week we discuss the role of RAF bomber aircraft as glider tugs in the Arnhem airlift and airborne operations. We're joined by Matt Yates, the Chief Operations Officer for the Vickers Machine Gun Collection and Research Association, and owner of the Chalk Glider Pilot Regiment Collection.
Matt provides insight into the formation of the Glider Pilot Regiment, highlighting the close collaboration between glider pilots, and their tug crews, who were normally seconded from Bomber Squadrons. We debate the challenges and successes of various airborne operations, including Operations Freshman, Husky, and Tonga.
We go on to discuss Operation Market Garden - a complex and ambitious plan to secure a foothold in Germany by capturing key bridges in the Netherlands and paving the way for a rapid advance into Germany. However, the operation faced challenges, including the loss of the element of surprise, intelligence issues, overconfidence, and a shortage of aircraft. The glider pilot regiment and their bomber crew tugs played a crucial role in transporting troops and supplies, but faced heavy anti-aircraft fire and suffered significant casualties. We also discuss the supply role of transport command. The operation ultimately fell short of its objectives, highlighting the difficulties and risks of large-scale airborne operations.
Links:
Arnhem: Myth & Reality, by Sebastian Ritchie
Jane's article: Bring Up The Piat!
Matt's recommendations:
Glider Pilots at Arnhem by Mike Peters and Luuk Buist.Arnhem Lift by Louis Hagen (a German Jew who fled Germany and joined the British Army)
The History of the Glider Pilot Regiment by Claude Smith.
Arnhem by Martin Middlebrook.
A Noble Pair of Brot
Send us a text
Please subscribe to Never Mind The Dambusters wherever you get your podcasts. You can support the show, and help us produce great content, by becoming a paid subscriber from just $3 a month here https://www.buzzsprout.com/2327200/support . Supporters receive invitations to participate in our recording sessions as an audience member.
Thank you for listening! You can reach out to us on social media at @RAF_BomberPod (X) or @NeverMindTheDambusters (Instagram)
You can find out about James' research, articles, lectures and podcasts here .
You can read more about Jane's work on her website at https://www.justcuriousjane.com/, and listen to podcasts/media stuff here -
Jane is flying solo again this week so this is quite a short one!
In this episode she discusses the Norwegian campaign from April to June 1940, which is often overlooked in the history of Bomber Command and World War II.
Bomber Command's role in the campaign included bombing German air bases, attacking Kriegsmarine shipping, and mine laying. However, the operations were hampered by limited resources, inexperienced crews, and challenging terrain. The bombing raids were largely ineffective, and losses were high. The Norwegian campaign ended in failure, leading to the evacuation of Allied troops. The episode highlights the challenges faced by Bomber Command and sets the stage for the upcoming Battle of Britain.
Further reading:
The Bomber Command War Diaries, by Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Enemy Coast Ahead, by Guy Gibson
The German Invasion of Norway, by Geir Haar
Anatomy of a Campaign: The British Fiasco in Norway, 1940 by John Kiszely
Norway in the Second World War: Politics Society and Conflict, by Ole Kristian GrimnesSend us a text
Support the show
Please subscribe to Never Mind The Dambusters wherever you get your podcasts. You can support the show, and help us produce great content, by becoming a paid subscriber from just $3 a month here https://www.buzzsprout.com/2327200/support . Supporters receive invitations to participate in our recording sessions as an audience member.
Thank you for listening! You can reach out to us on social media at @RAF_BomberPod (X) or @NeverMindTheDambusters (Instagram)
You can find out about James' research, articles, lectures and podcasts here .
You can read more about Jane's work on her website at https://www.justcuriousjane.com/, and listen to podcasts/media stuff here -
Subscriber-only episode
Jane is flying solo again this week so this is quite a short one!
In this episode she discusses the Norwegian campaign from April to June 1940, which is often overlooked in the history of Bomber Command and World War II.
Bomber Command's role in the campaign included bombing German air bases, attacking Kriegsmarine shipping, and mine laying. However, the operations were hampered by limited resources, inexperienced crews, and challenging terrain. The bombing raids were largely ineffective, and losses were high. The Norwegian campaign ended in failure, leading to the evacuation of Allied troops. The episode highlights the challenges faced by Bomber Command and sets the stage for the upcoming Battle of Britain.
Further reading:
The Bomber Command War Diaries, by Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Enemy Coast Ahead, by Guy Gibson
The German Invasion of Norway, by Geir Haar
Anatomy of a Campaign: The British Fiasco in Norway, 1940 by John Kiszely
Norway in the Second World War: Politics Society and Conflict, by Ole Kristian GrimnesSend us a text
Please subscribe to Never Mind The Dambusters wherever you get your podcasts. You can support the show, and help us produce great content, by becoming a paid subscriber from just $3 a month here https://www.buzzsprout.com/2327200/support . Supporters receive invitations to participate in our recording sessions as an audience member.
Thank you for listening! You can reach out to us on social media at @RAF_BomberPod (X) or @NeverMindTheDambusters (Instagram)
You can find out about James' research, articles, lectures and podcasts here .
You can read more about Jane's work on her website at https://www.justcuriousjane.com/, and listen to podcasts/media stuff here -
‘Even heroes have a breakdown point. Honour and moral fibre are variables. Like pain, the threshold is different in each of us.’
- Phillip Gray, Bomber Pilot.
This week, Jane discusses the issue of psychiatric casualties in Bomber Command, with Dr. Dan Ellin (University of Lincoln and International Bomber Command Centre) and Mary Brazier (mental health professional). They explore the treatment of mental health issues during World War II and the differences between psychology and psychiatry. They also discuss the RAF's lack of moral fibre policy and the stigma surrounding psychiatric casualties. The conversation touches on the comparison between the RAF and other services, such as the US Army Air Force, and the different approaches to mental health care. Jane, Mary and Dan explore the use of anaesthesia and the importance of sleep and rest in forward psychiatric units during World War II.
The team delves into the lack of moral fibre policy (and the many myths surrounding it) and how post-war understanding was influenced by changing medical beliefs and veterans' hopes for recognition. The fear of being labelled lacking in moral fibre was a real threat for aircrews and was equated with cowardice. The impact of the policy may have been exaggerated, but it was an effective deterrent. The conversation also touches on the social constructs of mental health and the challenges of language and terminology.
Further reading:
Dr Dan Ellin's articles and MA thesis:
https://t.co/v9q3hTwfgK
https://t.co/k50xdX7mv6
https://t.co/uimXeVoTg5
Jane Gulliford Lowes https://www.justcuriousjane.com/lack-of-moral-fibre-part-2-origins/
We've listed more titles in the transcript section of the show notes.Send us a text
Support the show
Please subscribe to Never Mind The Dambusters wherever you get your podcasts. You can support the show, and help us produce great content, by becoming a paid subscriber from just $3 a month here https://www.buzzsprout.com/2327200/support . Supporters receive invitations to participate in our recording sessions as an audience member.
Thank you for listening! You can reach out to us on social media at @RAF_BomberPod (X) or @NeverMindTheDambusters (Instagram)
You can find out about James' research, articles, lectures and podcasts here .
You can read more about Jane's work on her website at https://www.justcuriousjane.com/, and listen to podcasts/media stuff here -
**Episode on public release 28 August 2024
‘Even heroes have a breakdown point. Honour and moral fibre are variables. Like pain, the threshold is different in each of us.’
- Phillip Gray, Bomber Pilot.
This week, Jane discusses the issue of psychiatric casualties in Bomber Command, with Dr. Dan Ellin (University of Lincoln and International Bomber Command Centre) and Mary Brazier (mental health professional). They explore the treatment of mental health issues during World War II and the differences between psychology and psychiatry. They also discuss the RAF's lack of moral fibre policy and the stigma surrounding psychiatric casualties. The conversation touches on the comparison between the RAF and other services, such as the US Army Air Force, and the different approaches to mental health care. Jane, Mary and Dan explore the use of anaesthesia and the importance of sleep and rest in forward psychiatric units during World War II.
The team delves into the lack of moral fibre policy (and the many myths surrounding it) and how post-war understanding was influenced by changing medical beliefs and veterans' hopes for recognition. The fear of being labelled lacking in moral fibre was a real threat for aircrews and was equated with cowardice. The impact of the policy may have been exaggerated, but it was an effective deterrent. The conversation also touches on the social constructs of mental health and the challenges of language and terminology.
Further reading:
Dr Dan Ellin https://t.co/v9q3hTwfgK
Jane Gulliford Lowes https://www.justcuriousjane.com/lack-of-moral-fibre-part-2-origins/
We've listed more titles in the transcript section of the show notes.Send us a text
Support the show
Please subscribe to Never Mind The Dambusters wherever you get your podcasts. You can support the show, and help us produce great content, by becoming a paid subscriber from just $3 a month here https://www.buzzsprout.com/2327200/support . Supporters receive invitations to participate in our recording sessions as an audience member.
Thank you for listening! You can reach out to us on social media at @RAF_BomberPod (X) or @NeverMindTheDambusters (Instagram)
You can find out about James' research, articles, lectures and podcasts here .
You can read more about Jane's work on her website at https://www.justcuriousjane.com/, and listen to podcasts/media stuff here -
Jane and James are joined by writer and historian Daniel Knowles to discuss the cultural memory and evolving opinions of RAF Bomber Command. They explore topics such as the role of Bomber Command in the defeat of Germany, the influence of the Dresden raids, and the moral debate surrounding area bombing.
The historiography of Bomber Command is also examined, with a focus on how perceptions have changed over time. The conversation touches on films and books that have shaped popular understanding of Bomber Command, as well as the impact of events like the Vietnam War. The conversation explores the influence of various books and historical events on the perception of Bomber Command and the bombing of Germany. It discusses the role of authors like Irving, Grayling, and Overy in shaping public opinion.
The conversation also touches on the changing perspectives on bombing strategy and the goals of the bombing campaign. The representation of aircrews and their personal views on their actions are examined, highlighting the complexity and nuance of their experiences. The discussion concludes with a reflection on the commemoration of Bomber Command and the importance of understanding the wider context of the war.Send us a text
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Please subscribe to Never Mind The Dambusters wherever you get your podcasts. You can support the show, and help us produce great content, by becoming a paid subscriber from just $3 a month here https://www.buzzsprout.com/2327200/support . Supporters receive invitations to participate in our recording sessions as an audience member.
Thank you for listening! You can reach out to us on social media at @RAF_BomberPod (X) or @NeverMindTheDambusters (Instagram)
You can find out about James' research, articles, lectures and podcasts here .
You can read more about Jane's work on her website at https://www.justcuriousjane.com/, and listen to podcasts/media stuff here -
In this episode, Jane and James have a good old chinwag about We Have Ways Fest and their own research projects. Jane chats about her upcoming book on the Lofoten Commando raids, while James reveals his exciting news of writing a book on the Augsburg Raid.
In the second half of the show, the team answer listeners' questions about the fate of crews after completing their tours, the different bomber command groups and their roles, the techniques used to maintain separation in the bomber stream, the prevalence of mid-air accidents, and the rank structure within bomber crews.Send us a text
Support the show
Please subscribe to Never Mind The Dambusters wherever you get your podcasts. You can support the show, and help us produce great content, by becoming a paid subscriber from just $3 a month here https://www.buzzsprout.com/2327200/support . Supporters receive invitations to participate in our recording sessions as an audience member.
Thank you for listening! You can reach out to us on social media at @RAF_BomberPod (X) or @NeverMindTheDambusters (Instagram)
You can find out about James' research, articles, lectures and podcasts here .
You can read more about Jane's work on her website at https://www.justcuriousjane.com/, and listen to podcasts/media stuff here -
We answer the question we get asked most frequently - "How do I go about researching someone who served with RAF Bomber Command?"
In this episode, we discuss how to research ancestors or family members who served with RAF Bomber Command during World War II. We provide a guide to tackling this topic and share own own experiences. We'll cover topics such as obtaining service records, using the London Gazette, exploring Squadron records, contacting Squadron Associations and utilizing genealogy websites.
Patience, persistence, and thinking outside the box when conducting research is key!
We'll explain how to access and research the service records of RAF personnel, and provide guidance on finding digitized records at the National Archives, paying for digitization services, and visiting the archives in person. We'll also be highlighting the importance of Squadron Diaries and Operational Record Books in understanding an ancestor's military service, using Commonwealth War Graves Records and the International Bomber Command Centre Losses Database, finding information on casualties, and the challenges of researching ground crew.
Finally, we answer questions from listeners about tracking complete service records and finding photographs of training units..
To make things easier for you, here's a list of links to all the resources we talk about in this episode. You can also read an article based on this episode on Jane's website, https://www.justcuriousjane.com/
Obtain UK service records
Obtain RCAF service records
Obtain RAAF service records
Obtain RNZAF service records
London Gazette
The National Archives (including Casualty files )
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
International Bomber Command Centre Losses DatabaseSend us a text
Support the show
Please subscribe to Never Mind The Dambusters wherever you get your podcasts. You can support the show, and help us produce great content, by becoming a paid subscriber from just $3 a month here https://www.buzzsprout.com/2327200/support . Supporters receive invitations to participate in our recording sessions as an audience member.
Thank you for listening! You can reach out to us on social media at @RAF_BomberPod (X) or @NeverMindTheDambusters (Instagram)
You can find out about James' research, articles, lectures and podcasts here .
You can read more about Jane's work on her website at https://www.justcuriousjane.com/, and listen to podcasts/media stuff here -
Jane and James discuss their upcoming talks at the We Have Ways of Making You Talk Second World War History Festival in July, and introduce their guests, Dr. Megan Kelleher and Rab Cooper, from the RAF Midlands Museum.
Megan and Rab discuss the challenges of presenting the Air War to modern audiences, including the ethical questions surrounding strategic bombing in the Second World War. They also talk about the importance of engaging with younger generations and the evolving nature of memory and scholarship. The conversation covers various topics related to the RAF Museum and the memory of the air war in Britain.
The hosts and guests discuss the importance of museums in preserving history and honouring the memory of those who served. They also mention specific objects and aircraft on display at the museum, such as Wing Commander Guy Gibson's medals and the V Bombers, and even Douglas Bader's legs! The conversation touches on the emotional impact of memorials and the stories behind them. They also talk about the research projects and exhibitions at the museum.
Keywords
We Have Ways of Making You Talk, Second World War, History Festival, talks, RAF Midlands Museum, strategic bombing, ethical questions, scholarship, heritage sector, presenting the story, generational shifts, challenges, modern audiences, engagement, technology, living memory, access to objects, conservation, artificial intelligence, public history, heritage sector, bombing war, memory, air war, museums, objects, aircraft, memorials, research projects, exhibitions
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and We Have Ways of Making You Talk Festival
03:03 Guest Introduction: Dr. Megan Kelleher and Rab Cooper
07:21 The Ethical Questions of Strategic Bombing
19:09 Memory, Scholarship, and Keeping Exhibitions Relevant
21:14 Challenges of Engaging with Younger Generations
25:45 The Importance of Museums in History Education
27:18 Memory of the Air War and Conceptualizing Memorials
31:51 Researching and Remembering Ancestors
36:44 Favourite Objects and Aircraft at the RAF Museum
43:18 Personal Stories and Emotional Connections
49:58 Future Plans for the Museum
51:06 Upcoming Episode: Researching Your Bomber Command AncestorSend us a text
Support the show
Please subscribe to Never Mind The Dambusters wherever you get your podcasts. You can support the show, and help us produce great content, by becoming a paid subscriber from just $3 a month here https://www.buzzsprout.com/2327200/support . Supporters receive invitations to participate in our recording sessions as an audience member.
Thank you for listening! You can reach out to us on social media at @RAF_BomberPod (X) or @NeverMindTheDambusters (Instagram)
You can find out about James' research, articles, lectures and podcasts here .
You can read more about Jane's work on her website at https://www.justcuriousjane.com/, and listen to podcasts/media stuff here -
In this conversation, Jane and James chat to historian and author Professor Alan Allport about the decision of the British cabinet to allow the RAF to start bombing Germany's Ruhr Valley. He explains that this decision, made in May 1940, was a watershed moment in the war and really marked the beginning of the bombing campaign 'proper'. Allport also discusses the Butt Report, which revealed the ineffectiveness of the early bombing raids, and its impact on Bomber Command. He then explores the appointment of Arthur Harris as the head of Bomber Command in the Spring of 1942, and his role in shaping the strategic and operational policies of the bombing campaign.
The team explore the policies surrounding area bombing and Harris's interpretation of the rules. They also discuss Harris's place in the collective memory and post-war historiography of Bomber Command.
Finally, the conversation touches on the effectiveness of the Fairy Battle aircraft and the importance of operational circumstances in determining an aircraft's success. Overall, the conversation challenges conventional wisdom and offers a nuanced perspective on Harris and the bombing war.
Jane and James refer to Alan's books Britain at Bay and Browned Off and Bloody Minded, as well as Arthur Harris 1947 book, Bomber Offensive.
Keywords :
World War II, Churchill, RAF, Butt Report, Arthur Harris, strategic bombing, operational policy, Bomber Command, area bombing, collective memory, post-war historiography, Fairy Battle aircraft, operational circumstances.Send us a text
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Please subscribe to Never Mind The Dambusters wherever you get your podcasts. You can support the show, and help us produce great content, by becoming a paid subscriber from just $3 a month here https://www.buzzsprout.com/2327200/support . Supporters receive invitations to participate in our recording sessions as an audience member.
Thank you for listening! You can reach out to us on social media at @RAF_BomberPod (X) or @NeverMindTheDambusters (Instagram)
You can find out about James' research, articles, lectures and podcasts here .
You can read more about Jane's work on her website at https://www.justcuriousjane.com/, and listen to podcasts/media stuff here -
Jane and James interview Dr. Sarah Louise Miller about her new book on the Avro Lancaster, The Lancaster Story. They discuss the significance of the Lancaster in RAF Bomber Command during World War II and its cultural impact. They also explore the personal stories and experiences of those involved with the Lancaster, including ground crew and WAAFs. Sarah shares her research process and the new perspectives she brings to the history of the Lancaster.
The team discuss some of the lesser-known life-saving missions of the Lancaster, such as the MANNA and EXODUS operations, which are often overshadowed by the aircraft's destructive capabilities. They also highlight the vital role of the WAAF in supporting the Royal Air Force (RAF) and challenge the narrative that women were merely support workers. The conversation touches on the importance of representing women's contributions in historical narratives and the need for more accurate and inclusive storytelling. The guests also discuss the challenges and emotional impact of researching and writing about these topics, and Sarah talks about her new project, telling the story of Hawaiian women in the aftermath of Pearl Harbor.
Keywords
Avro Lancaster, RAF Bomber Command, World War II, cultural impact, personal stories, ground crew, WAAF, research process, new perspectives, Women's Auxiliary Air Force, MANNA, EXODUS, , support workers, representation, historical narratives, challenges, emotional impactSend us a text
Support the show
Please subscribe to Never Mind The Dambusters wherever you get your podcasts. You can support the show, and help us produce great content, by becoming a paid subscriber from just $3 a month here https://www.buzzsprout.com/2327200/support . Supporters receive invitations to participate in our recording sessions as an audience member.
Thank you for listening! You can reach out to us on social media at @RAF_BomberPod (X) or @NeverMindTheDambusters (Instagram)
You can find out about James' research, articles, lectures and podcasts here .
You can read more about Jane's work on her website at https://www.justcuriousjane.com/, and listen to podcasts/media stuff here -
In this episode, Jane and James discuss RAF Bomber Command's role in Operations Neptune and Overlord, initially focusing on the preparations for the invasion, particularly the mine-laying element known as MAPLE. They explore the complexities, challenges, and successes of the mine-laying operations, highlighting the inter-service cooperation and the strategic significance of the campaign, which has been so often overlooked. ( You'll be able to learn more about Bomber Command minelaying/gardening operations in Jane's forthcoming book, Invisible Campaign - Bomber Command Minelaying 1940-1945, due to be published by Tempest Aviation at the back end of 2024).
The team then go on to discuss the wide range of bombing operations Bomber Command carried out before, during and after D-Day in support of the invasion. Jane and James delve into the success and significance of these operations, the challenges faced, and the impact on the war effort.
Dr Joseph Quinn (@ww2research on X/twitter) joins the conversation to discuss the University of Oxford's 'Their Finest Hour' project, a digitization initiative to preserve and share personal stories and materials related to the Second World War. The conversation covers the democratization of a public history project, the preservation of wartime stories, and the challenges of memory and oral history. It also delves into the stories of RAF aircrew involved in operations supporting Overlord. You can access the Their Finest Hour Website here, and the archive opens to the public at 6am on 6 June.
You can support the show, and help us produce great content, by becoming a paid subscriber from just $3 a month here https://www.buzzsprout.com/2327200/support .
Keywords
D-Day, RAF Bomber Command, Operation Overlord, Operation Neptune, Maple Minelaying Plan, mine-laying, inter-service cooperation, strategic significance, World War II, bombing, Their Finest Hour, digitization project, personal stories, war materials, public history, wartime stories, memory, oral history, veteran accounts.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Overview of Operation Overlord
11:55 The Complexity of Mine-Laying Operations: Strategic and Tactical Aspects
27:48 The Crucial Role of Mine-Laying and Bombing in World War II
43:12 Preserving Personal Stories: The 'Their Finest Hour' Project
55:22 Democratizing Public History: Crowdsourcing and Volunteer Efforts
57:18 Challenges of Memory: Oral History and Story Preservation
01:00:00 RAF Missions: Operational Details and Significance of Bomber CommandSend us a text
Support the show
Please subscribe to Never Mind The Dambusters wherever you get your podcasts. You can support the show, and help us produce great content, by becoming a paid subscriber from just $3 a month here https://www.buzzsprout.com/2327200/support . Supporters receive invitations to participate in our recording sessions as an audience member.
Thank you for listening! You can reach out to us on social media at @RAF_BomberPod (X) or @NeverMindTheDambusters (Instagram)
You can find out about James' research, articles, lectures and podcasts here .
You can read more about Jane's work on her website at https://www.justcuriousjane.com/, and listen to podcasts/media stuff here -
WARNING: This episode contains graphic descriptions of war, death and injury which some listeners may find distressing.
In this episode, Jane and James continue their discussion about the Wuppertal raid of May 1943, focusing on the experiences of two crews from 10 Squadron, Penny's Prangers and the Clarke crew, each taking part in their first operation. The concept of 'the Bomber Stream' is explored, and the team then embark upon a minute by minute account of the operation, both from the point of view of the aircrew, and three citizens from Wuppertal caught up in the raid.
The devastating impact upon the city is analysed, together with the traumatic experiences of the members of the Clarke and Pennicott crews.
Two of the German accounts appear in a book entitled Vor Funfzig Jahren: Bomben Auf Wuppertal, by Herbert Pogt (Born-Verlag, 1993), and were translated by Ian MacNee for Jane's book 'Above Us The Stars: 10 Squadron Bomber Command -The Wireless Operator's Story', which also includes a much more detailed account of the raid. The interview with Heilgard Hacker was also given for Above Us The Stars.
Additional information came from 10 Squadron ORB and diary, the log books of Jack Clyde and Bill Bradshaw, from 10 Squadron Association, and from an interview with Bill Bradshaw conducted in 2019.
The team also refer to the Bomber Command War Diaries, by Martin Middlebrook and Chris Ward (1985, 2014 - Pen & Sword).
Send us a text
Support the show
Please subscribe to Never Mind The Dambusters wherever you get your podcasts. You can support the show, and help us produce great content, by becoming a paid subscriber from just $3 a month here https://www.buzzsprout.com/2327200/support . Supporters receive invitations to participate in our recording sessions as an audience member.
Thank you for listening! You can reach out to us on social media at @RAF_BomberPod (X) or @NeverMindTheDambusters (Instagram)
You can find out about James' research, articles, lectures and podcasts here .
You can read more about Jane's work on her website at https://www.justcuriousjane.com/, and listen to podcasts/media stuff here -
In this episode, Jane and James discuss the planning of the raid on Wuppertal on 29/30 May 1943. They explore the reasons why Bomber Command targeted the Ruhr Valley and how targets were selected and operations were planned. They also focus on two rookie crews from 10 Squadron who took part in the raid, the Pennicott and Clarke crews. The episode highlights the constant activity and preparation involved in carrying out a bombing raid, as well as the young age of the crew members and the responsibilities they carried. The role of various trades on the ground is also discussed.
Jane and James take us right into the briefing hall, and consider the reactions of the crews when yet another raid on the Ruhr Valley is announced. What was it like, anticipating your first bombing operation?
The team also answer listeners' questions on cooperation between the RAF and USAAF. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the reality of strategic bombing and the impact on civilians.
More details of the Wuppertal raid and the crews involved can be found in Jane's book (Chapters 12 and 13) https://www.justcuriousjane.com/store-buy-books/ABOVE-US-THE-STARS-p191664106
For more reading on the Battle of the Ruhr, try Alan Cooper's excellent 'Air Battle of the Ruhr', and the novel 'The Happy Valley' by Jules Roy. The greatest (fictional ) work on Bomber Command is still Len Deighton's 'Bomber' ( also available on BBC Sounds)
To see the work involved in preparing and implementing a bombing raid, try Night Bombers
Key words
Bomber Command, Second WoSend us a text
Support the show
Please subscribe to Never Mind The Dambusters wherever you get your podcasts. You can support the show, and help us produce great content, by becoming a paid subscriber from just $3 a month here https://www.buzzsprout.com/2327200/support . Supporters receive invitations to participate in our recording sessions as an audience member.
Thank you for listening! You can reach out to us on social media at @RAF_BomberPod (X) or @NeverMindTheDambusters (Instagram)
You can find out about James' research, articles, lectures and podcasts here .
You can read more about Jane's work on her website at https://www.justcuriousjane.com/, and listen to podcasts/media stuff here -
100 year old RAF veteran Tom Davidson shares his experiences of flying on a Halifax in 1944-1945.
In this episode of Never Mind the Dam Busters, Jane and James discuss the Handley Page Halifax, an unsung hero of Bomber Command. They delve into the evolution of the Halifax, from the 'death-trap' early Marks to the magnificent Mk III, and its role in strategic bombing, mine laying, and other operations during World War II.
They also interview Tom Davidson, a flight engineer with 466 Squadron, who shares his experiences of flying in the Halifax and the strong bond he had with his crew. Funny, moving, and tragic - this is an episode you won't want to miss - and how can you not love that Geordie accent?
Watch out for photos of Tom, his pilot Pat and the rest of the crew on our social media.
You can read more of Tom's story, and about the Halifax and the men who flew it, in Jane's book, Above Us The Stars.
If you'd like to see a real Halifax (well, a reconstructed one), visit Yorkshire Air Museum and Friday the 13th. You can even go on a tour of the inside (well worth it!) Details here
There's also S-Sugar at the RAF Museum in Hendon, still in the same state as when it was fished out of a Norwegian fjord...a very thought-provoking sight.
Keywords
Handley Page Halifax, Bomber Command, strategic bombing, mine laying, World War II, flight engineer, air crew, sacrifice, Royal Air Force , Arthur HarrisSend us a text
Support the show
Please subscribe to Never Mind The Dambusters wherever you get your podcasts. You can support the show, and help us produce great content, by becoming a paid subscriber from just $3 a month here https://www.buzzsprout.com/2327200/support . Supporters receive invitations to participate in our recording sessions as an audience member.
Thank you for listening! You can reach out to us on social media at @RAF_BomberPod (X) or @NeverMindTheDambusters (Instagram)
You can find out about James' research, articles, lectures and podcasts here .
You can read more about Jane's work on her website at https://www.justcuriousjane.com/, and listen to podcasts/media stuff here -
In this episode, the James and Jane are joined by Dr. Dan Ellin to discuss the role of ground crew, ground personnel (there's a difference!) and Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) during World War II.
The conversation touches on the concept of the 'chop girl' and the superstitions surrounding dating aircrew. The hosts also explore the relationships between ground crew and aircrew, the risks and dangers faced by ground personnel, and the traumatic experiences they had to deal with, such as handling the remains of deceased aircrew members.
The discussion also delves into the concept of gremlins and their significance to the RAF, as well as the belief in 'scarecrow' as a psychological weapon.
Look out on our social media channels for photographs to accompany this episode. You can find us on X/twitter at @RAFBomber_Pod and on Instagram at @NeverMindTheDambusters
Further reading:
You can read Dr Dan Ellin's PhD thesis here https://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/73976/
To find out what James has been up to, click here ; Jane's website can be found at https://www.justcuriousjane.com/
If you'd like to know more about Jane's uncles (Jack -aircrew, Leo - groundcrew) their stories are told in Above Us The Stars: 10 Squadron Bomber Command - The Wireless Operator's Story
Thanks for listening!
TRIGGER WARNING: This episodes contains references to death and injury which some listeners may find distressing. It also contains discussion of 1940s attitudes to women, gender and class.Send us a text
Support the show
Please subscribe to Never Mind The Dambusters wherever you get your podcasts. You can support the show, and help us produce great content, by becoming a paid subscriber from just $3 a month here https://www.buzzsprout.com/2327200/support . Supporters receive invitations to participate in our recording sessions as an audience member.
Thank you for listening! You can reach out to us on social media at @RAF_BomberPod (X) or @NeverMindTheDambusters (Instagram)
You can find out about James' research, articles, lectures and podcasts here .
You can read more about Jane's work on her website at https://www.justcuriousjane.com/, and listen to podcasts/media stuff here -
Welcome to the first episode of Never Mind The Dambusters! In this episode James and Jane discuss the origins of their mutual interest in RAF Bomber Command, and talk about the evolution of Strategic Bombing Theory from the Great War to the late 1930s.
What did it take to build a strategic bomber force and why was it necessary? How do you build a bomber base?
James waxes lyrical about the Bristol Blenheim, and the team answer your questions, on parachutes and training ops.
Buckle up!
For further reading on air power theory, we recommend:
Professor John Buckley's Air Power in the Age of Total War (quoted by Jane in this episode)
Tami Davis Biddle's Rhetoric and Reality in Air Warfare - The evolution of British and American Ideas About Strategic Bombing 1914-1945
Richard Overy's The Air War 1939-1945, and his The Bombing War.
Thank you for listening!Send us a text
Support the show
Please subscribe to Never Mind The Dambusters wherever you get your podcasts. You can support the show, and help us produce great content, by becoming a paid subscriber from just $3 a month here https://www.buzzsprout.com/2327200/support . Supporters receive invitations to participate in our recording sessions as an audience member.
Thank you for listening! You can reach out to us on social media at @RAF_BomberPod (X) or @NeverMindTheDambusters (Instagram)
You can find out about James' research, articles, lectures and podcasts here .
You can read more about Jane's work on her website at https://www.justcuriousjane.com/, and listen to podcasts/media stuff here - Daha fazla göster
