Never Mind The Dambusters

Subscriber-only episode*** Episode on general release Wednesday 20th NovemberIn this episode of Never Mind the Dambusters, hosts Jane Gulliford-Lowes and James Jefferies engage with historian Andrew Bird to explore the often-overlooked role of Coastal Command in the RAF during World War II. The conversation covers the origins and structure of Coastal Command, its critical role in the Battle of the Atlantic, and the ongoing resource struggles between Bomber Command and Coastal Command. Personal stories and casualty rates highlight the human cost of these operations, providing a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made during the war.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 week's episode, hosts James Jefferies and Jane Gulliford Lowes discuss the significant contributions of African and Caribbean men in RAF Bomber Command during World War II. They are joined by historian John Concagh, who shares insights into the motivations behind these men joining the RAF, the challenges they faced, and their experiences during and after the war. The conversation highlights individual stories of notable airmen, and their struggles against racism. This conversation explores the experiences of Caribbean aircrew in the RAF during WWII, focusing on personal growth, institutional prejudice, and the lasting impact of their service. It highlights the stories of individuals like Johnny Smyth, Ulric Cross, Cy Grant and Errol Barrow, and discusses the broader implications of their contributions to military desegregation and post-war political landscapes.Further reading:John's website and articles : https://jconcagh.weebly.com/Ulric Cross https://www.rafbf.org/news-and-stories/raf-history/black-history-month-remarkable-legacy-squadron-leader-ulric-crossThere's also a film about Ulric Cross currently showing on BBC iplayerCy Grant, his life and work: https://cygrant.com/project/war-memoirJohnny Smythe https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/blog/from-sierra-leone-to-the-short-stirling-the-story-of-johnny-smythe/Errol Barrow https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/research/online-exhibitions/pilots-of-the-caribbean/heroes-and-sheroes/stateman-flying-officer-errol-walton-barrow/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 on general release Wednesday 13th NovemberIn this week's episode, hosts James Jefferies and Jane Gulliford Lowes discuss the significant contributions of African and Caribbean men in RAF Bomber Command during World War II. They are joined by historian John Concagh, who shares insights into the motivations behind these men joining the RAF, the challenges they faced, and their experiences during and after the war. The conversation highlights individual stories of notable airmen, their struggles against racism, and their lasting impact on military history. This conversation explores the experiences of Caribbean aircrew in the RAF during WWII, focusing on personal growth, institutional prejudice, and the lasting impact of their service. It highlights the stories of individuals like Johnny Smyth, Ulric Cross, Cy Grant and Errol Barrow, and discusses the broader implications of their contributions to military desegregation and post-war political landscapes.Further reading: John's website and articles : https://jconcagh.weebly.com/Ulric Cross https://www.rafbf.org/news-and-stories/raf-history/black-history-month-remarkable-legacy-squadron-leader-ulric-cross There's also a film about Ulric Cross currently showing on BBC iplayer Cy Grant, his life and work: https://cygrant.com/project/war-memoirJohnny Smythe https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/blog/from-sierra-leone-to-the-short-stirling-the-story-of-johnny-smythe/Errol Barrow https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/research/online-exhibitions/pilots-of-the-caribbean/heroes-and-sheroes/stateman-flying-officer-errol-walton-barrow/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 of Never Mind the Dambusters, hosts Jane Gulliford-Lowes and James Jefferies delve into the complexities  and controversies of the Allied strategic bombing campaign during World War II.  Did the campaign succeed? How is success measured? They explore the ongoing debate regarding its effectiveness, the shifting objectives of the campaign, the aims of the Casablanca and Point Blank Directives, and the impact on German war production and civilian morale. Through a detailed analysis of historical surveys and perspectives, the conversation highlights the nuanced nature of military strategy and its consequences. This conversation delves into the complexities of the bombing campaigns during World War II, focusing on their impact on workforce morale, the diversion of resources, and the eventual destruction of the Luftwaffe. The discussion highlights the challenges in measuring the effectiveness of bombing on civilian morale and the war economy, as well as the strategic implications of resource allocation and air superiority.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