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 nmtdambusters@gmail.com.
Never Mind The Dambusters
Episode 7 - The Avro Lancaster, with Dr Sarah-Louise Miller
Jane and James interview Dr. Sarah Louise Miller about her new book on the Avro Lancaster, The Lancaster Story. They discuss the significance of the Lancaster in RAF Bomber Command during World War II and its cultural impact. They also explore the personal stories and experiences of those involved with the Lancaster, including ground crew and WAAFs. Sarah shares her research process and the new perspectives she brings to the history of the Lancaster.
The team discuss some of the lesser-known life-saving missions of the Lancaster, such as the MANNA and EXODUS operations, which are often overshadowed by the aircraft's destructive capabilities. They also highlight the vital role of the WAAF in supporting the Royal Air Force (RAF) and challenge the narrative that women were merely support workers. The conversation touches on the importance of representing women's contributions in historical narratives and the need for more accurate and inclusive storytelling. The guests also discuss the challenges and emotional impact of researching and writing about these topics, and Sarah talks about her new project, telling the story of Hawaiian women in the aftermath of Pearl Harbor.
Keywords
Avro Lancaster, RAF Bomber Command, World War II, cultural impact, personal stories, ground crew, WAAF, research process, new perspectives, Women's Auxiliary Air Force, MANNA, EXODUS, , support workers, representation, historical narratives, challenges, emotional impact
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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