In a bonus USA episode, James recounts an incredible trip to D-Day Ohio - one of the world's biggest re-enactor festivals. A Goalhanger Production Produced by Joey McCarthy Exec Producer: Tony Pastor Twitter: #WeHaveWays @WeHaveWaysPod Website: wehavewayspod.com Members’ Club: patreon.com/wehaveways Email: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From the bestselling author of Brothers in Arms comes the story of the most pivotal Allies campaign of World War II. With the invasion of France the following year taking shape, and hot on the heels of victory in Sicily, the Allies crossed into Southern Italy in September 1943. They expected to drive the Axis forces north and be in Rome by Christmas. And although Italy surrendered, the German forces resisted fiercely and the swift hoped-for victory descended into one of the most brutal battles of the war. Even though shipping and materiel were already being safeguarded for the D-Day landings, there were still huge expectations on the progress of the invading armies, but those shortages were to slow the advance with tragic consequences. As the weather closed in, the critical months leading up to Monte Cassino would inflict a heavy price for every bloody, hard fought mile the Allied troops covered. Chronicling those dark, dramatic months in unflinching and insightful detail, The Savage Storm is unlike any campaign history yet written. James Holland has always recounted the Second World War at ground level, but this version telling brings the story vividly to life like never before. Weaving together a wealth of letters, diaries, and other incredible documents, Holland traces the battles as they were fought - across plains, over mountains, through shattered villages and cities, in intense heat and, towards the end, frigid cold and relentless rain - putting readers at the heart of the action to create an entirely fresh and revealing telling of this most pivotal phase of the war. Buy The Savage Storm Now: https://linktr.ee/thesavagestormhb Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Who killed Jean Moulin, and did they get him to talk? Al Murray and James Holland discuss the final days of the resistance hero's life, and how his death has contributed to national myths about occupied France during the Second World War. The boys also discuss the mind boggling figures that surround Operation Market Garden, including some stomach churning facts about injuries in Arnhem A Goalhanger Production Produced by Joey McCarthy Exec Producer: Tony Pastor Twitter: #WeHaveWays @WeHaveWaysPod Website: wehavewayspod.com Members’ Club: patreon.com/wehaveways Email: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Why are we obsessed with the Second World War? Dermot O’Leary and James May join Al and James on stage at We Have Ways Fest to look into why we’re so gripped by the subject and it’s importance.  They also reminisce about the films and objects that first got them hooked and discuss how their obsession has carried on into adult life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the next installment of our Heritage Heroes series James joins former naval corpsman Rabbi Rob Thomas in Ohio to discuss his remarkably diverse collection of tanks and heavy armour - one of the most extensive in the US! They delve into the impact of the Second World War upon Rob's own family history, the importance of educating the public about military weaponry, and debunk myths about the war. Rob’s connection to the war is a personal one; his wife’s grandfather, as a native Yiddish speaker, acted as translator at some of the first liberated concentration camps in Germany, which is why Rob believes in the continuing value of education about the conflict.  Hear how his collection started with a couple of machine guns and a jeep on which to mount them, before escalating to Shermans and a warehouse.  See his collection for yourself at ww2armor.org Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices