Never Mind The Dambusters

Jane Gulliford Lowes and James Jefferies
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Never Mind The Dambusters…It’s The Bomber Command Podcast! Join historians and authors Jane Gulliford Lowes and James Jefferies as they delve into the world of RAF Bomber Command during the Second World War. In this weekly podcast  (episodes released every Wednesday), Jane and James explore strategy, policy, and the events which shaped one of the most controversial campaigns of the war.   Despite their iconic status, Bomber Command's history extends far beyond the famed Dambusters raid of 1943 and the Avro Lancaster. Through insightful discussions, expert analysis of the strategic bombing campaign and first hand accounts by veterans and civilians on the ground, Never Mind the Dambusters offers listeners a comprehensive exploration of Bomber Command's operations and the diverse aircraft it employed, as well as tackling some tough topics. Jane and James will be joined by leading academics, historians, aircraft enthusiasts, technicians and engineers and veterans' family members. Expect  discussions on relevant books and films and  a spotlight on a different aircraft in each episode. Please send in your questions to us on X (twitter) at @RAFBomber_Pod and on Instagram at @NeverMindTheDambusters. You can email the show at nmtdambusters@gmail.com, and continue the conversations in our Facebook group.  Never Mind the Dambusters Merchandise is now available at https://never-mind-the-dambusters.teemill.com/

  1. 1日前

    Episode 73 - "A Memory Owed": Bringing Bomber Command to the Big Screen

    Send us a message or question! Ep. 73 – A Memory Owed: Bringing Bomber Command to the Big Screen How do you tell the story of RAF Bomber Command in a way that resonates with modern audiences while remaining faithful to the experiences of those who served? In this special episode of Never Mind the Dambusters, Jane Gulliford Lowes and James Jefferies are joined by Martin Hemingway-Moseley, writer and director of the new Bomber Command film A Memory Owed, and Zoe Lewin, the film's producer. Together, they discuss the inspiration behind the project, the challenges of creating an independent historical film, and why the story of Bomber Command still matters more than eighty years after the end of the Second World War. The conversation explores everything from researching the screenplay and recreating life aboard a Lancaster, to tackling difficult subjects such as Lack of Moral Fibre (LMF) and ensuring that the experiences of veterans are portrayed with honesty, dignity and compassion. Whether you're a lifelong student of Bomber Command or simply interested in how history is brought to the screen, this is a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at a remarkable production dedicated to preserving memory through film. In this episode The origins of A Memory Owed and the story that inspired the film.How writer and director Martin Hemingway-Moseley approached telling a Bomber Command story for a modern audience.The practical challenges of producing an independent historical film, from funding to filming with historic aircraft.Why historical authenticity mattered throughout the production.Exploring the difficult subject of Lack of Moral Fibre (LMF) and why it forms an important part of the narrative.The influence of classic WW2 and Bomber Command films including The Dambusters and Appointment in London.The emotional responsibility of portraying the experiences of Bomber Command veterans.Martin and Zoe reflect on the moments from production that have stayed with them most.About our guests Martin Hemingway-Moseley is the writer and director of A Memory Owed, an award-winning short film exploring the human story of RAF Bomber Command through the themes of memory, sacrifice and remembrance. (Buzzsprout) Zoe Lewin is the producer of A Memory Owed, helping bring the project from concept to screen while balancing historical authenticity with the realities of independent filmmaking. (Buzzsprout) Watch the film A Memory Owed is now available to watch in full on YouTube: Watch A Memory Owed on YouTube Related listening If you enjoyed today's discussion, you may also like our earlier episode exploring the remarkable story of Lancaster NX611 "Just Jane" and the work of the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre with Andrew Panton. Episode 35 – Restoring a Lancaster: The NX611 "Just Jane" Story Join the conversation What role do films play in preserving the history of RAF Bomber Command? Should more stories like A Memory Owed be brought to the screen? Join the discussion in the Never Mind the Dambusters Facebook group, or connect with us across our social media channels. 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

  2. 7月14日

    Episode 72 Karlsruhe: Life Under the Bombs, with Kathy Quinlan-Flatter

    Send us a message or question! Ep. 72 – Karlsruhe: Life Under the Bombs With Kathy Quinlan-Flatter What was it like to live beneath the bomber stream? In this episode of Never Mind the Dambusters, Jane Gulliford Lowes and James Jefferies explore the air war from a perspective we don't often hear: that of the German civilians who endured RAF bombing raids firsthand. Joining us is journalist and historian Kathy Quinlan-Flatter, who has lived in and around the Karlsruhe region and spent years researching the city's wartime experience through police reports, eyewitness testimony, local archives, and personal accounts. Together, we examine how one German city experienced the realities of strategic bombing — from the terror of air raids and the struggle to protect civilians, to the long process of rebuilding after the war. In this episode: ✈️ Karlsruhe before the bombs fell Discover how this distinctive fan-shaped city became an important industrial and transportation hub — and why it found itself in Bomber Command's sights. 🔥 The "Night of Fire" and the raids of 1942 Drawing on contemporary police reports, Kathy reveals what happened during some of Karlsruhe's most devastating attacks and how ordinary citizens experienced the destruction unfolding around them. 🎭 Decoys, deception and civil defence How did German authorities attempt to fool RAF crews? We explore Karlsruhe's decoy sites, air raid precautions, and the city's extensive network of shelters and bunkers. 🧒 The Flak Boys Who were the teenage boys drafted into Germany's air defence system? Kathy shares the stories of a generation whose lives were shaped by war long before they reached adulthood. 🏭 Bombing, morale and daily life How did repeated attacks affect Karlsruhe's industry, transport networks, public services, and civilian morale? Did people continue to believe victory was possible? 🏳️ The end of the war From the arrival of French and American forces to the challenges of reconstruction, we examine Karlsruhe's final months of war and its remarkable recovery in the post-war years. Guest Kathy Quinlan-Flatter is a journalist, researcher, and historian whose work focuses on the wartime experiences of civilians in south-west Germany, particularly in the Karlsruhe region.  Thank you for listening!  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

  3. シーズン 5、エピソード 72 予告編

    Series 5 Trailer

    Send us a message or question! Welcome Back to Never Mind the Dambusters!  We're delighted to tell all our listeners that series 5 will be launching on 15/16 July  - paid subscribers can gain early access from 11 July.  So much to look forward to !  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

  4. 3月31日

    Episode 71 - Internment of Allied Airmen in Neutral Countries, with Andrew White

    Send us a message or question! Episode available on general release on Wednesday 1st April.  Episode Summary In the final episode of Series 4, Jane and James are joined by historian and former RAF intelligence officer Andrew White to explore a lesser-known aspect of the Second World War air war: the internment of Allied airmen in neutral countries. When aircraft came down in neutral territory, aircrew entered a complex legal and diplomatic grey area — neither prisoners of war nor free to return home. Drawing on Andrew’s research and experience, this episode examines how internment worked in practice, how different countries interpreted their obligations, and what life was like for the men caught in between war and neutrality. We explore the legal framework governing internment, the countries involved, the lived experiences of interned airmen, and the moral and political tensions that shaped their treatment. The discussion also touches on escape attempts, repatriation, and the controversial question of whether some airmen may have sought internment deliberately. As Series 4 draws to a close, this episode reflects the podcast’s wider aim — to go beyond operations and aircraft, and to uncover the human stories and complexities behind the bombing war. What We Cover  What internment meant under international law during WWII  Which nations interned British and Allied airmen  Living conditions and day-to-day experiences of interned crews  How politics and neutrality influenced treatment  Changes in policy as the war progressed  Repatriation and the duration of internment  Escape attempts from neutral countries  The controversial idea of “choosing” internment About Our Guest Andrew White is a retired RAF intelligence officer (Wing Commander) who served from 1985 to 2011, including operational tours in Northern Ireland, Bosnia, and Iraq. He now works as a battlefield guide and military historian, and is the author of three published biographies of airmen from the First and Second World Wars. Series 4 This episode marks the final instalment of Series 4 of Never Mind the Dambusters. Across the series, we’ve explored a wide range of topics, including:  RAF Bomber Command operations and strategy  The Short Stirling and De Havilland Mosquito  The Peenemünde raids and V-weapons programme  The USAAF bombing campaign over Schweinfurt  Bomb disposal in Hamburg  Cold War bombers and evolving air strategy Thank you to all our guests — and to everyone who has listened, supported, and joined the conversation along the way.  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

  5. 3月25日

    Ep.70 - Q and A Chat Part 2: More Questions Answered!

    Send us a message or question! Join us for a deep dive into the nuanced and often overlooked areas of RAF Bomber Command during WWII. In this episode, we answer listener questions, discuss key incidents, and explore technological debates shaping strategic bombing. Main Topics Covered: Details of the July 1941 raid on Scharnhorst at La Palis and its significanceThe complexities of bombing accuracy: Norden vs. British bomb sightsGround crew allocations, tours, and their vital role in wartime operationsThe psychology of bailout decisions and crew perceptionsThe evolving technology of bombs, mines, and aircraft adaptationsThe often-forgotten British operations in 1941 and their strategic importanceThe dynamic between American and British bombing doctrines and technologiesPost-ops careers and the roles of veteran airmen after their toursSupport 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

  6. 3月18日

    Episode 69 - Q & A Chat Part 1: Your Questions Answered!

    Send us a message or question! This week Jane and James have a good old chinwag and answer YOUR  questions, on some very diverse topics: Why wasn't Harris replaced after Nuremberg or the Battle of Berlin?Which aircraft would've benefited from Merlin engines?What were Special Recognition Flights?Why weren't bomber streams supported by more night-fighter escorts or intruder ops?Why wasn't the transportation plan implemented earlier?How did Bomber Command get the enormous amounts of fuel, bombs, ammunition etc out to airfields? The discussion will be continued next week too, so continue to send in your questions!  Here's the episode Jane mentioned about RAF Night fighters, with Stu Burbridge: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2327200/episodes/16780446 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

  7. 3月11日

    Episode 68 - Cold War Bombers, with Joe Wilding (extended episode)

    Send us a message or question! Hosts: Jane Gulliford & James Jefferies (although Jane disappears after the intro due to tech issues!) Guest: Joe Wilding Episode Summary In this episode of Never Mind the Dambusters, Jane and James are joined by aviation enthusiast and aircraft designer Joe Wilding to explore the evolution of the bomber during the Cold War — a period that lasted nearly half a century and transformed aerial warfare more dramatically than any era before it. Rather than treating the Cold War as a single, static moment, we look at how bomber aircraft and nuclear strategy evolved across decades of rapid technological change. From post-war piston aircraft still rooted in the Second World War, through the arrival of jet propulsion and swept-wing designs, to the era of stand-off weapons and supersonic experimentation, this episode charts the shifting role of the bomber in a world shaped by nuclear deterrence. We discuss how definitions of “bomber,” “fighter,” and “strike aircraft” became increasingly blurred, how nuclear weapons reshaped design priorities, and why many Cold War bombers never saw combat yet remained central to national defence strategies. The episode also explores the rise of the nuclear triad, the impact of surface-to-air missiles, and the enduring relevance of aircraft such as the B-52 and Tu-95 — both of which remain in service today. This is a wide-ranging look at aircraft, strategy, and geopolitics in a period where preparation for war often mattered more than war itself. What We Cover Why the Cold War should be seen as a constantly evolving period rather than a single phaseWhat defines a “bomber” — and how that definition changed after 1945The impact of nuclear weapons on aircraft design and strategyPost-war piston bombers and the transition to jetsFirst-generation jet bombers and their limitationsThe arrival of swept-wing jet bombers in the 1950sThe British V-bombers and the development of the UK nuclear deterrentAmerican and Soviet bomber development, including the B-47, B-52, and Tu-95The impact of surface-to-air missiles and electronic countermeasuresWhy bombers remained central to deterrence even when they rarely saw combatJoe Wilding joins us from Colorado and brings a deep interest in aviation history, strategy, and Cold War aircraft development. In this episode he helps unpack the technological and strategic shifts that defined bomber aviation from the late 1940s through the early nuclear age. 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

  8. 3月4日

    Episode 67 - After the Firestorm: Bomb Disposal in Wartime Hamburg, with Thomas Rost

    Send us a message or question! After the Firestorm – Bomb Disposal in Wartime Hamburg With Thomas Rost Never Mind the Dambusters – Series 4 Content Note This episode includes discussion of forced labour, concentration camp inmates, and civilian casualties. Listener discretion is advised. In this episode, Jane Gulliford Lowes turns to a largely hidden chapter of the bombing war: bomb disposal in Hamburg during and after the Second World War. While the Battle of Hamburg in mid-1943 — known to the Allies as Operation Gomorrah — is often remembered for the scale of destruction and the firestorm that engulfed the city, far less attention is paid to what followed. Long after the raids ended, unexploded bombs continued to pose a deadly threat, demanding dangerous and morally complex work on the ground. Joining Jane is Thomas Rost, a German historian and returning guest on the podcast, whose research examines bomb disposal in Hamburg and the career of Walter Merz, a central figure in this story. In this episode, we discuss: How Germany prepared for bomb disposal before the warWho was responsible for clearing unexploded ordnanceThe roles of organisations such as the Reichsluftschutzbund, Luftwaffe, Luftschutzpolizei, and Sicherheits- und HilfsdienstHow bomb disposal functioned once the bombing war intensifiedThe use of forced labourers and prisoners for dangerous clearance workWalter Merz’s background and rise as a bomb disposal specialistBomb disposal during and after the Gomorrah raids on HamburgThe SS’s use of concentration camp inmates for unexploded bomb clearanceWhy bomb disposal continued long after 1945The 1957 Hamburg-Harburg detonation and renewed public attentionMerz’s later life, public profile, and memorial workWhether unexploded bombs remain a threat in Hamburg todayNewsreel of the Harburg Incident: The Harburg incident starts at minute 1:42 https://digitaler-lesesaal.bundesarchiv.de/video/31072/721973   A 25 minute feature in German:  https://www.ardmediathek.de/video/norddeutsche-geschichte-n/sprengmeister-merz/ndr/Y3JpZDovL25kci5kZS9lMTE1MzQxZC04ZmJjLTRjYjEtYTMxMC00NjcxNTU0NTgwNGU 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

すべて見る（78）

予告編

番組について

Never Mind The Dambusters…It’s The Bomber Command Podcast! Join historians and authors Jane Gulliford Lowes and James Jefferies as they delve into the world of RAF Bomber Command during the Second World War. In this weekly podcast  (episodes released every Wednesday), Jane and James explore strategy, policy, and the events which shaped one of the most controversial campaigns of the war.   Despite their iconic status, Bomber Command's history extends far beyond the famed Dambusters raid of 1943 and the Avro Lancaster. Through insightful discussions, expert analysis of the strategic bombing campaign and first hand accounts by veterans and civilians on the ground, Never Mind the Dambusters offers listeners a comprehensive exploration of Bomber Command's operations and the diverse aircraft it employed, as well as tackling some tough topics. Jane and James will be joined by leading academics, historians, aircraft enthusiasts, technicians and engineers and veterans' family members. Expect  discussions on relevant books and films and  a spotlight on a different aircraft in each episode. Please send in your questions to us on X (twitter) at @RAFBomber_Pod and on Instagram at @NeverMindTheDambusters. You can email the show at nmtdambusters@gmail.com, and continue the conversations in our Facebook group.  Never Mind the Dambusters Merchandise is now available at https://never-mind-the-dambusters.teemill.com/

情報

  • クリエイター
    Jane Gulliford Lowes and James Jefferies
  • 配信期間
    24年 - 26年
  • エピソード
    78
  • 制限指定
    不適切な内容を含む
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Never Mind The Dambusters
  • 番組のWebサイト
    Never Mind The Dambusters