Never Mind The Dambusters

Subscriber-only episode*** Episode on general release Wednesday 18 December 2024In this final episode of the series, James Jefferies and Jane Gulliford Lowes are joined by Dr Dan Ellin to reflect on the significance of Christmas during the Second World War, particularly for RAF Bomber Command crews during the winter of 1943.They discuss personal stories, listener contributions, and the harsh realities faced by airmen and ground staff during the festive season. The episode highlights the contrast between the holiday spirit and the grim realities of war, while also sharing humorous anecdotes and family memories.Special thanks to Bill Dawson, Heather Evans and Stuart Bertie for sharing their family stories. Send us a textPlease 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

WARNING: This episode includes discussion of  issues surrounding the Holocaust and genocide which some listeners may find distressing.In this episode, the hosts engage in a profound discussion with Dr. Waitman Beorn about the controversial topic of whether the Allies could and should have bombed Auschwitz during World War II. They explore the historical context, the knowledge the Allies had about the Holocaust, the technological capabilities of air power at the time, and the moral implications of such a decision. The conversation delves into the complexities of wartime decision-making and the tragic consequences of inaction, ultimately questioning the Allies' response to the Holocaust.You can read more about Waitman's work hereMarching into Darkness: The Wehrmacht in BelarusAlso discussed in this episode: Michael Neufeld (Editor): The Bombing of Auschwitz.Send us a textSupport the showPlease 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

Subscriber-only episode***Episode available on general release on Wednesday 11 December 2024WARNING: This episode includes discussion of  issues surrounding the Holocaust and genocide which some listeners may find distressing. In this episode, the hosts engage in a profound discussion with Dr. Waitman Beorn about the controversial topic of whether the Allies could and should have bombed Auschwitz during World War II. They explore the historical context, the knowledge the Allies had about the Holocaust, the technological capabilities of air power at the time, and the moral implications of such a decision. The conversation delves into the complexities of wartime decision-making and the tragic consequences of inaction, ultimately questioning the Allies' response to the Holocaust.You can read more about Waitman's work hereMarching into Darkness: The Wehrmacht in BelarusAlso discussed in this episode: Michael Neufeld (Editor): The Bombing of Auschwitz. Send us a textPlease 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

In this episode, James Jefferies and Jane Gulliford Lowes engage in a lively discussion with author Luke Turner about the complexities of Bomber Command's history, model-making, the legacy of the Dambusters film, his fascination with 158 Squadron, and the personal stories of individuals like Bertram Warr. They explore themes of masculinity, memory, and the importance of memorials, while also addressing the overshadowing of lesser-known squadrons and operations. The conversation highlights the need for a nuanced understanding of war narratives and the human experiences behind them.Luke  Turner is a writer and editor, the author of Out of the Woods, and the fabulous Men at WarSend us a textSupport the showPlease 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