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*** PART 1 OF 2

*** Episode on general release Wednesday 26 March 2025. 

***Subscribers can listen to Part 2  now. 

In this episode of Never Mind the Dam Busters, host James Jefferies and guest Jane Gulliford Lowes delve into the often-overlooked history of RAF Bomber Command's gardening operations during World War II. They discuss Jane's new book, 'The Invisible Campaign', which sheds light on the complexities and significance of mine laying operations. The conversation covers the mechanics of mines, the aims of the campaign, the types of aircraft used, and the coordination between the RAF and the Royal Navy. They also address myths surrounding gardening operations, the experiences of the crews involved, and the public perception of these missions.

You can order Jane's book here: https://mortonsbooks.co.uk/book/the-invisible-campaign-bomber-command-gardening-operations-19401945

If you'd like a signed copy, contact us at [email protected] 

Takeaways

Gardening operations involved laying aerial mines in enemy waters.
The term 'gardening' was a code for mine laying to confuse the enemy.
Mines were designed to create pressure waves to destroy vessels.
The campaign aimed to disrupt enemy shipping and trade routes.
Bomber Command's mine laying operations began in April 1940.
The geographical scope of mine laying extended across Northwestern Europe.
Various aircraft were adapted for mine laying throughout the war.
Coordination between the RAF and Royal Navy was crucial for success.
Myths about gardening operations being easy or for inexperienced crews are unfounded.
Public perception of mine laying operations was often overshadowed by bombing raids.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Bomber Command and Myths
03:07 Jane's Journey and Previous Works
05:54 Understanding Gardening Operations
08:46 The Mechanics of Mines
11:26 Aims of the Mine Laying Campaign
13:42 The Evolution of Mine Laying
16:15 Geographical Scope of Mine Laying
18:05 Types of Aircraft Used for Mine Laying
20:39 Coordination Between RAF and Royal Navy
26:45 The Importance of Naval Expertise in Mine Warfare
27:51 Coastal Command's Role and Challenges
30:06 Debunking Myths: Gardening Operations
37:25 Typical Gardening Operations: Training and Execution
41:08 Crew Sentiments on Gardening Operations
43:44 Researching the History of Mine Laying
47:53 Harris's Perspective on Gardening Operations
50:33 Public Perception of Gardening Operations
53:22 Show intro.wav

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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