Never Mind The Dambusters

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(Buy tickets for Jane's talk at the International Bomber Command Centre, Lincoln, on 5 March 2026 here ) 
In this episode, Jane Gulliford Lowes is joined by historian Professor Alan Allport for a wide-ranging discussion of his new book, Advance Britannia, which re-examines Britain’s war effort from 1942 onwards — a period when the nation moved from survival to sustained, large-scale offensive operations.
From the rapid expansion of RAF Bomber Command to the mounting moral, political, and human questions surrounding the bombing war, Advance Britannia offers a fresh perspective on how Britain fought, endured, and understood the later years of the Second World War.
Alan Allport brings his characteristic clarity and depth to topics including:
Why 1942 marks a turning point in Britain’s war effort
Bomber Command at the height of its power and controversy
How the bombing campaign was understood by the British public at the time
Moral debate, doubt, and dissent within wartime Britain
Britain’s changing role within the Allied coalition alongside the USAAF
How victory shaped post-war memory and reckoning
What Advance Britannia adds to our understanding of Britain’s wartime experience
This episode situates Bomber Command within a broader social, political, and cultural history, offering listeners a deeper understanding of how the air war was fought — and how it has been remembered.
Advance Britannia is available as a hardback book, an ebook, and on Audible. See Links here

About the Guest
Professor Alan Allport is a historian of modern Britain and a frequent guest on Never Mind the Dambusters. He is the author of several acclaimed books, including Demobbed, Browned Off and Bloody-Minded, and Britain at Bay. His work focuses on the social and cultural history of war, with particular attention to morale, memory, and lived experience.
Coming Up Next
In the next episode, Jane will be joined by Mike Peters from the Mighty Eighth Podcast to discuss the USAAF daylight bombing raids on Schweinfurt, examining their objectives, their cost, and what they reveal about the American approach to the air war.

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 get early access to episodes and invitations to livestreams.

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

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In this episode, Jane Gulliford Lowes is joined by author and military historian Sean Feast to examine one of the most strategically important — and morally complex — operations of the bombing war: RAF Bomber Command’s attack on the German V-weapons research centre at Peenemünde in August 1943.
Peenemünde was no ordinary target. As the heart of Germany’s V-1 and V-2 programme, it represented a direct threat to Britain and forced Allied planners to attempt an unprecedented level of precision under combat conditions. The raid, known as Operation Hydra, played a crucial role in the development of the Master Bomber concept and highlighted both the possibilities and limitations of precision bombing in 1943.
Sean draws on decades of research to explore:
Why the V-weapons programme alarmed Allied leaders
The intelligence picture behind identifying and targeting Peenemünde
How Operation Hydra differed from routine bombing operations
The evolution and operational role of the Master Bomber
What the raid was like for the aircrews who flew it
Bomber Command losses and the human cost of the operation
The raid’s short- and long-term impact on the V-1 and V-2 programmes
How Peenemünde is remembered today, and what it reveals about the moral complexity of the bombing war
This episode goes beyond operational history to focus on the lived experience of Bomber Command aircrew, the pressures they faced, and the difficult balance between innovation, necessity, and sacrifice.
About the Guest
Sean Feast began his career in journalism in the mid-1980s and is now a highly respected military historian and author of more than twenty books. His works include Master Bombers, Heroic Endeavour, and A Pathfinder’s War. He is a regular contributor to FlyPast and Aeroplane Monthly, and his research has significantly shaped modern understanding of RAF Bomber Command and its aircrews.
Sean is also the co-host of the new aviation history podcast Fighting High, which explores the air war through expert discussion and deep historical insight.
You can find Fighting High here:
👉 https://fightinghighpodcast.com
(or via your usual podcast platforms)
Coming Up Next
In the next episode, Jane will be joined by Professor Alan Allport to discuss his new book Advance Britannia, examining Britain’s war effort from 1943 onwards and how the conflict has been remembered and interpreted.

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 get early access to episodes and invitations to livestreams.

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

Send us a message or question!
Episode Description / Show Notes:
In this episode of Never Mind the Dambusters, host Jane Gulliford Lowes is joined by John Lilley from the People’s Mosquito Project to explore the extraordinary story of one of the Second World War’s most innovative and versatile aircraft: the de Havilland Mosquito.
Often described as “the wooden wonder,” the Mosquito defied conventional thinking with its largely wooden construction, exceptional speed, and remarkable adaptability. From precision bombing and Pathfinder duties to reconnaissance and special operations, the Mosquito played a unique and vital role within RAF Bomber Command — and far beyond it.
John discusses the origins and development of the Mosquito, its operational use during the bombing campaign, and the experiences of the crews who flew this fast, agile, and demanding aircraft. We also explore some of the Mosquito’s most famous raids, the aircraft’s place in popular memory, and why it continues to capture the imagination more than 80 years on.
The conversation then turns to the People’s Mosquito Project, an ambitious and inspiring effort to restore a Mosquito to flying condition in the UK. John explains how the project began, the challenges of restoring such a unique aircraft, and how listeners can support or get involved.
This episode offers both historical insight and a powerful reminder of the importance of preserving aviation heritage for future generations.
Topics Covered:
The development and design of the de Havilland Mosquito
Why wooden construction was both radical and effective
The Mosquito’s role within RAF Bomber Command
Precision raids and notable Mosquito operations
Life as a Mosquito aircrew member
The aircraft’s legacy and place in popular memory
Inside the People’s Mosquito Project
Restoring a Mosquito to flight in the 21st century
Guest:
John Lilley
Chairman, The People’s Mosquito Project
Links & Further Reading:
The People’s Mosquito Project: https://www.peoplesmosquito.org.uk/

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 get early access to episodes and invitations to livestreams.

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

Send us a message or question!
In this episode of Never Mind the Dambusters, host Jane Gulliford Lowes is joined by Jonathan Falconer, a leading authority on the RAF and the Second World War, to discuss the Short Stirling, Bomber Command's first four-engine heavy bomber. They explore its development, operational history, and the unique challenges it faced. Jonathan shares insights into the aircraft's design, its role in key operations, and its eventual transition to transport and special duties roles. The conversation also touches on the legacy of the Stirling and the men who flew it, highlighting its often overlooked contributions to the war effort.
You can read more about Jonathan's work here
The titles referenced in this episode: 
Short Stirling Owner's Workshop Manual (Haynes)
https://amzn.eu/d/1TFE4JV
Handley Page Halifax Owner's Workshop Manual (Haynes)
https://amzn.eu/d/cyCLs9O
RAF Bomber Command Operations Manual 
https://amzn.eu/d/cyCLs9O
Bomber Command Crewman
https://amzn.eu/d/g3ZyFQ7
Stirling Wings
https://amzn.eu/d/dPwKkse
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 get early access to episodes and invitations to livestreams.

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

Send us a message or question!
Welcome back and a happy new year ! 
🇨🇦 In this episode of "Never Mind the Dambusters," host Jane Gulliford Lowes is joined by Dr. Dan Ellin and Canadian historian Greg Kopchuk . The team explore the Canadian contribution to RAF Bomber Command, and the formation of 6 Group, from the perspective of 429 Bison Squadron. Greg explains how the Squadron got off to a fairly rocky start, with a CO who wouldn't fly and a very high casualty rate. 
Greg's book on 429 Sqn is available here
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 get early access to episodes and invitations to livestreams.

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