Episode 45 - Flying into the Storm: Early War Bombers, with Chris Sams

This episode has EVERYTHING! (even the Titanic).

This week, Jane and James engage in a rich and absorbing discussion with historian Chris Sams about  his book, Flying into the Storm, about the early war bombers of the RAF. The conversation covers personal anecdotes, the significance of various bombing operations, and the challenges faced by bomber crews. They delve into specific events such as the Nickel Raids, the Battle of Heligoland Bight, the Battle of France, the tragic sinking of the Lancastria,  bombers in North Africa and even in Burma and Malaya.  The team also consider defensive operations by the Luftwaffe, and Chris shares personal stories from his research.

The discussion concludes with insights into Chris's future projects and his passion for military aviation history.

You can find Chris on X here: https://x.com/jerijerod14?lang=en ,  His bluesky profile is https://bsky.app/profile/jerijerod14.bsky.social and his linktree:  https://t.co/e9Maqwj7k6

Chris also does a fantastic podcast on maritime history, and you might want to have a listen to his most series on the Battle of Narvik.

Takeaways

• Chris Sams specializes in the Luftwaffe and early war bombers.
• The Nickel Raids were a unique approach to psychological warfare.
• The Battle of Heligoland was a disastrous engagement for the RAF.
• Bomber Command played a crucial role but unrecognised role in the Battle of Britain.
• The Lancastria disaster resulted in a tragic loss of life.
• Charles Lightoller had a remarkable story during WW1 and WW2
• The Luftwaffe's collapse was influenced by the German army's strategies.
• Chris is working on a new book about Bristol Beauforts.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates
02:59 Exploring Historical Museums and Maritime Heritage
05:48 Introducing Chris Sams and His Work
08:21 The Role of Early War Bombers
10:59 Nickel Raids and Their Significance
13:29 The Battle of Heligoland and Its Aftermath
17:10 Bomber Command's Role in the Battle of Britain
19:36 The Tragic Story of the Lancastria
22:29 Personal Stories and Reflections on War History
25:21 The Legacy of Charles Lightoller
27:18 RAF Strategies and Early Engagements
31:08 Luftwaffe Defenses and Tactical Evolution
33:41 Campaigns in Greece and the Western Desert
37:07 Challenges in Malaya and Burma
40:32 The Luftwaffe's Strategic Dilemmas
41:47 Personal Anecdotes and Lesser-Known Stories
47:12 Future Projects and