Never Mind The Dambusters

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In this episode of Never Mind the Dambusters, host Jane Gulliford Lowes is joined by Jonathan Falconer, a leading authority on the RAF and the Second World War, to discuss the Short Stirling, Bomber Command's first four-engine heavy bomber. They explore its development, operational history, and the unique challenges it faced. Jonathan shares insights into the aircraft's design, its role in key operations, and its eventual transition to transport and special duties roles. The conversation also touches on the legacy of the Stirling and the men who flew it, highlighting its often overlooked contributions to the war effort.
You can read more about Jonathan's work here
The titles referenced in this episode: 
Short Stirling Owner's Workshop Manual (Haynes)
https://amzn.eu/d/1TFE4JV
Handley Page Halifax Owner's Workshop Manual (Haynes)
https://amzn.eu/d/cyCLs9O
RAF Bomber Command Operations Manual 
https://amzn.eu/d/cyCLs9O
Bomber Command Crewman
https://amzn.eu/d/g3ZyFQ7
Stirling Wings
https://amzn.eu/d/dPwKkse
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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

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Welcome back and a happy new year ! 
🇨🇦 In this episode of "Never Mind the Dambusters," host Jane Gulliford Lowes is joined by Dr. Dan Ellin and Canadian historian Greg Kopchuk . The team explore the Canadian contribution to RAF Bomber Command, and the formation of 6 Group, from the perspective of 429 Bison Squadron. Greg explains how the Squadron got off to a fairly rocky start, with a CO who wouldn't fly and a very high casualty rate. 
Greg's book on 429 Sqn is available here
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

Send us a message or question!
SERIES 4 OF NEVER MIND THE DAMBUSTERS IS ON THE WAY!
Brand new episodes drop Wednesday January 7th 2026 (available from Saturday 3rd for our paid subscribers). 
We're returning with our most ambitious series yet — filled with new interviews, untold stories, and in-depth explorations of RAF Bomber Command.
Here’s a glimpse of what’s coming up:
✈️ The Short Stirling with historian Jonathan Falconer
🪵 The de Havilland Mosquito with John Lilley from the People’s Mosquito project
🇨🇦 429 Bison Squadron and the RCAF with Greg Kopchuck
🎯 The Peenemünde Raid & the Master Bomber with Sean Feast
🇺🇸 USAAF Schweinfurt missions with Mike Peters of the Mighty Eighth podcast
💣 Bomb disposal in wartime Hamburg with Thomas Rost
📚 Professor Alan Allport on his new book Advance Britannia
🔥 Erik Parker on the Rotterdam raids
…and much more to come.
If you’re fascinated by the aircraft, the crews, the tactics, or the debates that still surround Bomber Command, you won’t want to miss this.
Make sure to follow the page, join our discussion group, and subscribe on your favourite podcast app so you’re ready for takeoff!
#NeverMindTheDambusters #WW2History #BomberCommand #AviationHistory #Podcast
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

Send us a message or question!
Have we got a treat for you...Something different - U-boats instead of aircraft!
In our final episode of this series, “The U-boat War - Wolfpack,” we explore the U-Boat War from the German perspective with historian and author Roger Moorhouse, whose new book Wolfpack: Inside Hitler’s U-Boat War will be published on 9 October 2025. Hosts James Jefferies and Jane Gulliford-Lowes dive into what life was really like aboard German U-boats, the shifting strategies of the Battle of the Atlantic,  the human stories behind the steel hulls, the role of Ultra Intelligence, the impact of Allied bombing and developments in technology. 
By looking at the war through the eyes of the U-boat crews, this episode reveals a side of World War II history that’s often overlooked. Join us for a fascinating conversation that brings these powerful and complex narratives to life.
Further reading: 
You can read Jane's articles on Ultra Intelligence in the Battle of the Atlantic and How to Survive Being Sunk by a U-Boat here. 
Never Mind the Dambusters Merchandise is now available at https://never-mind-the-dambusters.teemill.com/
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

Send us a message or question!
In Episode 56 ( the penultimate episode of series 3), we delve into a chilling chapter of World War II history: the murders of Allied airmen in Germany. As the war raged on, downed airmen often found themselves at the mercy of their captors - military, civilian authorities and sometimes ordinary citizens.
This episode uncovers the fate of one Allied airman, missing in action in January 1945. We are joined by German historian Thomas Rost, and together we explore the complex web of wartime  and post-war justice, and the search for the truth.  A thought -provoking discussion about crime, justice, due process, human responses and revenge.
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