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 2 - Erks, Chop Girls and Gremlins
In this episode, the James and Jane are joined by Dr. Dan Ellin to discuss the role of ground crew, ground personnel (there's a difference!) and Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) during World War II.
The conversation touches on the concept of the 'chop girl' and the superstitions surrounding dating aircrew. The hosts also explore the relationships between ground crew and aircrew, the risks and dangers faced by ground personnel, and the traumatic experiences they had to deal with, such as handling the remains of deceased aircrew members.
The discussion also delves into the concept of gremlins and their significance to the RAF, as well as the belief in 'scarecrow' as a psychological weapon.
Look out on our social media channels for photographs to accompany this episode. You can find us on X/twitter at @RAFBomber_Pod and on Instagram at @NeverMindTheDambusters
Further reading:
You can read Dr Dan Ellin's PhD thesis here https://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/73976/
To find out what James has been up to, click here ; Jane's website can be found at https://www.justcuriousjane.com/
If you'd like to know more about Jane's uncles (Jack -aircrew, Leo - groundcrew) their stories are told in Above Us The Stars: 10 Squadron Bomber Command - The Wireless Operator's Story
Thanks for listening!
TRIGGER WARNING: This episodes contains references to death and injury which some listeners may find distressing. It also contains discussion of 1940s attitudes to women, gender and class.
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 receive invitations to participate in our recording sessions as an audience member.
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
