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 14 - Bomber Command in the Norwegian Campaign, 1940
Jane is flying solo again this week so this is quite a short one!
In this episode she discusses the Norwegian campaign from April to June 1940, which is often overlooked in the history of Bomber Command and World War II.
Bomber Command's role in the campaign included bombing German air bases, attacking Kriegsmarine shipping, and mine laying. However, the operations were hampered by limited resources, inexperienced crews, and challenging terrain. The bombing raids were largely ineffective, and losses were high. The Norwegian campaign ended in failure, leading to the evacuation of Allied troops. The episode highlights the challenges faced by Bomber Command and sets the stage for the upcoming Battle of Britain.
Further reading:
The Bomber Command War Diaries, by Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Enemy Coast Ahead, by Guy Gibson
The German Invasion of Norway, by Geir Haar
Anatomy of a Campaign: The British Fiasco in Norway, 1940 by John Kiszely
Norway in the Second World War: Politics Society and Conflict, by Ole Kristian Grimnes
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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
