Never Mind The Dambusters
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 [email protected].
- Update frequency
- every 6 days
- Average duration
- 44 minutes
- Episodes
- 58
- Years Active
- 2024 - 2025
Episode 36 - A Question and Answer Fest!
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This week we answer (or at least attempt to answer) some of your questions - and there are some absolute corkers! Including...
How do you go to the loo in the middle of …
Episode 35 Restoring a Lancaster: The NX611 "Just Jane" Story, with Andrew Panton
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This episode is dedicated to the memory of Christopher Panton, KIA 30th March 1944.
We are delighted to welcome Andrew Panton, General Manager of the Lincolnshire Avia…
Episode 34 Writing the Bomber War - The Official Histories Controversy, with Professor Alan Allport
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Who writes history, and why?
In this episode, we are delighted to welcome back Professor Alan Allport to discuss the British "Official Histories" of the strategic bombi…
Episode 33 Bomber Command: The Chaplain's Story
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In this episode of Never Mind the Dambusters, we welcome Reverend Eleanor Rance, the first female Church of England Chaplain in the Royal Air Force. Eleanor shares her …
Episode 32 - Bomber Command VCs (pt 1) - Gray and Garland
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In a change to our usual format, this episode focuses on the Victoria Cross winners from RAF Bomber Command, specifically Sergeant Thomas Gray and Flying Officer Donald…
Episode 31 A Coastal Command Base in WW2: RAF Bircham Newton, with Jamie Heffer
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This episode has it all... Bombers in WW1, Coastal Command in WW2, Air-Sea rescue, anti-shipping operations, Balfour, Portal, Blenheims, Hudsons, Ansons, Kestrels, lif…
Episode 30 - Building The Bombers, with Andrew Rawson
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Welcome back - Series 2 is here!
In this episode of Never Mind the Dambusters, hosts Jane Gulliford Lowes and James Jefferies welcome historian Andrew Rawson to discuss …
Episode 29 Christmas on a Bomber Station 1943 - with Dr Dan Ellin
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🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄
In this final episode of the series, James Jefferies and Jane Gulliford Lowes are joined by Dr Dan Ellin to reflect on the significance of Ch…
Episode 28 - The Auschwitz Debate, with Dr Waitman Beorn
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WARNING: This episode includes discussion of issues surrounding the Holocaust and genocide which some listeners may find distressing.
In this episode, the hosts engage …
Episode 27 The Men in the Bomber: Models, Memorials, 158 Sqn & More - with Luke Turner
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In this episode, James Jefferies and Jane Gulliford Lowes engage in a lively discussion with author Luke Turner about the complexities of Bomber Command's history, mode…
Episode 26 - A Canadian Bomber Crew in Training/ Your Questions Answered
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This week, Jane and James explore the training of bomber crews, and the perilous nature of life at the OTUs and HCUs. They discuss the training structure, the tragic s…
Episode 25 - Coastal Command, with Andy Bird
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In 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 C…
Episode 24 - The African and Caribbean Airmen of Bomber Command, with John Concagh
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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 W…
Episode 23 - Did Bomber Command Succeed?
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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 bomb…
Episode 22 Bomber Command in Video Games, with Ethan Adato
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In this episode of Nevermind the Dambusters, hosts Jane Gulliford Lowes and James Jefferies discuss the intersection of video games and military history, particularly f…
Episode 21 - Bomber Command in the Battle of Britain Part 2
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Battle of Britain Part 2
This week Jane and James continue their discussion on the role of Bomber Command during the Battle of Britain. They discuss the 'Battle of the B…
Episode 20 - Bomber Command in the Battle of Britain Part 1
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At last! We finally got around to talking about Bomber Command's often overlooked role in the Battle of Britain. In the first of two episodes on this topic, we chat abo…
Episode 19 - Boy Slade: Bomber Command's Youngest Pilot, with Graham Waterton
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This week we welcome Graham Waterton, author of 'The RAF's Youngest Bomber Pilot of World War II'. The conversation delves into the life of Flight Lieutenant Brian Slad…
Episode 18 - Random Chat & Your Questions!
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We're delighted to have James back on the show and in good form... This week we're having a random chat about all sorts of stuff, from books and films to 'dream flight'…
Episode 17 - Masters of the Air, with Abby Whitlock
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This week, host Jane Gulliford Lowes engages with American historian Abby Whitlock to explore the portrayal of the bombing campaigns during World War II in the series '…