Best Dambusters Podcasts (2024)

1
Episode 13 Combat Stress, Psychological Casualties, & 'Lack of Moral Fibre' - Dr Dan Ellin & Mary Brazier 50:13

2h ago50:13

50:13

‘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 he…

1
(Premium) Episode 13 Combat Stress, Psychiatric Casualties, & 'Lack of Moral Fibre' - Dr Dan Ellin & Mary Brazier 50:13

24h ago50:13

50:13

**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 …

1
Ep.209 - Cold War Coastal Command Avro Shakleton MR2 WR693 52:02

2h ago52:02

52:02

There is a Shackleton that still ‘Growls’ and this chapter features Shackleton MR2 WR963, currently based at Coventry but with a major project underway to move her to Elvington and the Yorkshire Air Museum. We speak to Richard Woods the driving forcebehind the project all about the aircraft and how to engineer the airframe when very few original en…

1
Episode 12 Cultural Memory and Moral Debate, with Daniel Knowles 36:04

1d ago36:04

36:04

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 …

1
Ep.208 – Cold War Coastal Command Chapter 11: The Old Grey Lady 48:31

2h ago48:31

48:31

In this feature we talk to Ian Chisolm, Secretary of the Coastal Command and Maritime Air Association, about the RAF’s Avro Shackleton. Ian logged over 3,000 hours as an Air Electronics Officer (AEO) in charge of a team of five SNCO Air Electronics Operators who manned the Radio, Radar and Underwater Acoustics systems as well as the 20mm Hispano ca…

1
Episode 11 Your Bomber Command Questions Answered! 43:42

10d ago43:42

43:42

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 …

1
Ep.207 - Cold War Coastal Command Chapter 10 - The Threat 47:29

2d ago47:29

47:29

At the end of World War Two RAF Coastal Command faced the same challenges of all the British military services, one of reduction, cutbacks and a return to a peaceful world. The threat from the axis powers had been effectively squashed but there was a new threat emerging, in the form of the Soviet Union. Coastal Command had to start learning about n…

1
Ep.206 - International Airshow Marketing 45:16

9d ago45:16

45:16

Ever wondered how you go about marketing one of the worlds premier airshows, an air display act, or an airport? Helen Webb, Founder and Director at International Airshow Marketing, joins us to tell us how it all fits together. Recorded 30th July 2024 Contact Us: ⁠GetInvolved@aviation-Xtended.co.uk⁠ Xtended Link Tree https://linktr.ee/aviationxtende…

1
Episode 10 Researching Your Bomber Command Ancestor 59:17

1M ago59:17

59:17

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 …

1
Ep.205 - Elevate(Her) 44:07

1M ago44:07

44:07

We speak to the inspirational founder of Elevate(Her), Katherine Maloney. Katherine eloquently speaks up for a more diverse workforce across the aviation sector. Elevate(Her) is growing exponentially due to the demand for the work they do, encouraging, nurturing and assisting the future generations of aviation employees. Recorded 18th July 2024 Con…

1
Episode 9 Behind the Scenes at the RAF Museum 48:51

2M ago48:51

48:51

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 str…

1
Episode 8 - Arthur Harris and Area Bombing, with Professor Alan Allport 47:16

2M ago47:16

47:16

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…

1
Ep.204 - Liberators and Sabotage 1:05:32

2M ago1:05:32

1:05:32

We talk to Chris Wroblewski and Garth Barnard about their in depth investigation of the 1943 B-24 Liberator crash, that killed Polish General Sikorski and dispel the myths and conspiracies around assassination or accident being the cause. Recorded 4th June 2024 Contact Us: GetInvolved@aviation-Xtended.co.uk You can buy a copy of the book at our boo…

1
Episode 7 - The Avro Lancaster, with Dr Sarah-Louise Miller 33:18

2M ago33:18

33:18

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…

1
Ep.203 - Two hundred missions up 1:01:53

3M ago1:01:53

1:01:53

The Xtended team finally all assemble to talk about 200 episodes of the podcast, recent sad news from the aviation world, Ellie's trip to Normandy for the D-Day 80th commemorations and more. Believe it or not, this is the first time all four members of the team have managed to record together - hopefully we will do it again soon! Recorded 3rd June …

1
Episode 6 Bomber Command and D-Day (extended episode) 1:05:27

3M ago1:05:27

1:05:27

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…

1
Ep.202 - Solo 2 Darwin 49:32

3M ago49:32

49:32

Amanda Harrison has always wanted to recreate the footsteps of Amy Johnson, flying solo in a Tiger Moth from the UK to Darwin, Australia in just 20 Days. Listen in as she tells us the tale of the attempt and how things unfolded. From Dracula’s Castle to Mediterranean wonders! Although a professional pilot, Amanda is also dyslexic, an additional cha…

1
Episode 5 The Wuppertal Raid Pt 2 - Firestorm 36:27

3M ago36:27

36:27

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 opera…

1
Episode 4 Planning a Bombing Operation: Wuppertal 1943 (Pt.1) 41:28

4M ago41:28

41:28

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 h…

1
Ep.201 - three authors and a publication (aviation history roundtable) 1:02:05

4M ago1:02:05

1:02:05

Mick Oakey, Robert Forsyth and Chris Gibson come back to the History Round Table to answer listener questions. We discuss what books do not get written, what they would love to read, their proudest work and what do they think about graphics and photos in books and articles. Along with advice for budding aviation authors this is an enjoyable roundta…

1
Episode 3 Handley Page Halifax - A Flight Engineer's Story 38:13

4M ago38:13

38:13

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…

1
Ep.200 - Bomber Command and 'Never Mind The Dambusters' 1:00:07

4M ago1:00:07

1:00:07

There is a new podcast focused on RAF Bomber Command in World War Two hosted by Writer and Military Historian Jane Gulliford Lowes and Historian and co host James Jefferies. It is of course 'Never Mind The Dambusters'! In this, our landmark 200th episode, we get the opportunity to talk to Jane and James about Bomber Command and the challenges the a…

1
Episode 2 - Erks, Chop Girls and Gremlins 46:51

5M ago46:51

46:51

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…

1
Ep.199 - Tuskegee Airmen with Samuel de Korte 55:57

5M ago55:57

55:57

Samuel de Korte is a graduate student of Utrecht University, where he studied an MA in the Cultural History of Modern Europe. He wrote his Master's thesis about the representation of black Americans during the Second World War, indicating that although they formed a substantial part of the American armed forces, they don't receive an equal share in…

1
Episode 1 - Bomber Command Begins 44:22

5M ago44:22

44:22

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 b…

1
Ep.198 - Air Traffic Control at NATS using Data and AI 51:06

5M ago51:06

51:06

Finalising our focus on how the use of AI, data and machine learning is changing the sector, we are joined by Andy Taylor, the Chief Solutions Officer at NATS. NATS it is the UK's leading provider of air traffic control services as well as providing air traffic services to airports, airlines, air traffic service providers and governments across par…

1
Trailer 4:25

5M ago4:25

4:25

Welcome to Never Mind The Dambusters, a brand new podcast dedicated to RAF Bomber Command's wartime history. The Dams raids were perhaps amongst the most famous and daring of the Second World War, but there's so much more to Bomber Command's history. Join historians Jane Gulliford Lowes and James Jefferies fortnightly for a deep dive into Bomber Co…

1
Ep.197 - Wings Over Britain - The Return 50:35

5M ago50:35

50:35

In 2023 Dave Homewood from the Wings Over New Zealand podcast visited the UK to record and document Kiwi aviation involvement in World War Two by visiting some of our historic aircraft, museums, airfields and memorials. Dave is returning in 2024 but with a slightly different agenda. We caught up with Dave as he planned the return ‘Wings Over Britai…

1
Ep.196 - Operation Gratitude and 'Target Hong Kong' 59:16

6M ago59:16

59:16

Steven Bailey discovered that the story of the U.S. Navy airstrikes on Japanese-held Hong Kong during the final year of World War II had never been told. Operation Gratitude involved nearly 100 U.S. Navy warships and close to a thousand planes. His new book ‘Target Hong Kong’ brings this massive operation down to a human scale, recounting the air r…

1
Ep.195 - V Bombers, Britain's nuclear frontline 54:32

6M ago54:32

54:32

Dr Tony Redding is a military historian and author with a particular interest in RAF Bomber Command. He joins us to talk us through the operational capability and credibility of Britain’s airborne nuclear deterrent during the peak years of the Cold War. Recorded 23rd Feb 2024 Contact Us: GetInvolved@aviation-Xtended.co.uk You can order a copy of th…

1
Ep.194 - the perfect aircraft pit-stop 52:25

6M ago52:25

52:25

Continuing our focus on how data and technology has changed the aviation sector we welcome Diana Franganillo Luque from Indra and Udi Segall from Intell-Act to discuss an exciting project to integrate all airport, airline and air traffic data using AI to streamline the ‘Perfect Aircraft Pit-stop. Recorded 7th Feb 2024 Contact Us: GetInvolved@aviati…

1
Ep.193 - Holland 1940 1:06:31

7M ago1:06:31

1:06:31

Ryan Noppen joins to help us understand the overlooked air battle between the Netherlands and Germany that thwarted the German invasion of Holland in 1940 for five days. Ryan is a military author with a Master of Arts degree in European history. Ryan is a scholar of Dutch, German and Central European history and the author of ‘Holland 1940, The Luf…

1
Ep.192 - Britain's greatest Test Pilot 1:09:04

7M ago1:09:04

1:09:04

Paul Beaver joins us to talk about Britain’s Greatest Test Pilot, Captain Eric ‘Winkle’ Brown. His best selling book, reprinted 5 times and last year’s Biography of the Year is ‘Winkle: The Extraordinary Life of Britain’s Greatest Pilot’. Paul gives us an insight to this amazing mans life. This is a fascinating feature. Don’t miss it! Recorded 31st…

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