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

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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]

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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.

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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

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In another classic USA episode, the boys are joined by American historian Kevin Hymel. Kevin has spent his career writing the quintessential biography of General Patton, in this wide ranging discussion they chat about his legacy, his achievements and his unreadable handrwriting

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With just a few days to go until the biggest event of the podcast's calendar, Al Murray and James Holland speak about their excitement for We Have Ways Fest Drei.

They also chat about airborne operations, their undying love for Second World War history and James unearths a 1940s training manual.

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We know that the British are still obsessed with the Second World War, but what about the other side of the pond?

James Holland and John McManus look at the way that the memory of war has impacted US society - from High School students to D-Day re-enactors.

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Al and Jim end up on the subject of the Savage Storm, James' new book about the Allied campaign in southern Italy in late 1943, but not before they've caught up with the Westland Whirlwind, the RAF's cannon fighter hot-rod.

A Goalhanger Films Production

Produced by Joey McCarthy

Exec Producer: Tony Pastor

Twitter: #WeHaveWays @WeHaveWaysPod

Website: wehavewayspod.com

Members’ Club: patreon.com/wehaveways

Email: [email protected]

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How did the battles in the Philippines impact the struggle between the US and Japanese forces? Al Murray and James Holland are joined by our regular US expert John McManus to take a deep dive into the Philippines campaign.

A Goalhanger Films Production

Produced by Joey McCarthy

Exec Producer: Tony Pastor

Twitter: #WeHaveWays @WeHaveWaysPod

Website: wehavewayspod.com

Members’ Club: patreon.com/wehaveways

Email: [email protected]

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Was the sole purpose behind Arthur Harris' Bomber Command to kill German citizens?

Was German violence within the army due to radicalisation or desensitisation?

And how did the one feed into the other? 

Al Murray and James Holland explore methods and morale in 1943

A Goalhanger Films Production

Produced by Joey McCarthy

Exec Producer: Tony Pastor

Twitter: #WeHaveWays @WeHaveWaysPod

Website: wehavewayspod.com

Members’ Club: patreon.com/wehaveways

Email: wehavewayspodc[email protected]

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