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In the final episode of this series, hosts James Jefferies and Jane Gulliford Lowes are joined by the head of the Norwegian War Graves Service, Haakon Vinje, to explore the often-overlooked contributions of Norwegian airmen in RAF Bomber Command during World War II. They discuss the Norwegian War Graves Service, the invasion of Norway, and share poignant personal stories of bravery and sacrifice, including the legacy of Nordal Grieg.

The team also talk about some of the RAF Bomber crews who now lie at rest in Norway, and Jane shares her reflections from her visits to the war cemeteries in Narvik and Trondheim.

The episode concludes with reflections on the importance of remembering these heroes and their stories.

Jane and James will be back in the early summer with series 3.

Takeaways

RAF Bomber Command included a multinational force, including Norwegians.
The Norwegian War Graves Service maintains war graves in Norway.
Norwegian airmen faced great risks to join the RAF during WWII.
Herman Becker's story highlights the personal sacrifices of airmen.
Nordal Grieg is a legendary figure in Norway's history.
The invasion of Norway had significant strategic implications during WWII.
Norwegian airmen were involved in key operations like D-Day.
War graves serve as a reminder of the sacrifices made by airmen.
The podcast aims to shed light on lesser-known stories of Bomber Command.
The hosts express gratitude for their listeners' support.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to RAF Bomber Command
01:31 The Role of Norwegians in RAF Bomber Command
04:09 Understanding the Norwegian War Graves Service
05:53 The Invasion of Norway and Its Aftermath
08:05 Norwegian Air Force and Its Contributions
10:04 Personal Stories of Norwegian Airmen
14:31 The Story of Lancaster ND815 and D-Day
18:15 The Life and Legacy of Nordal Grieg
23:05 War Graves of RAF Bomber Command Crewmen
26:58 Conclusion and Reflections
30:09 Show intro.wav

Support the show

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 get early access to episodes and invitations to livestreams.

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

Send us a message or question!

In this episode of Never Mind the Dambusters ( the penultimate episode of the current series), hosts Jane Gulliford Lowes and James Jefferies engage with Dave Gilbert, the losses archivist at the International Bomber Command Centre in Lincoln, England. Dave explains the background to the development of the centre, and relates how he (and a team of volunteers) went about compiling the details of over 58,000 men and women who died while serving with, or in support of, RAF Bomber Command.

The team debate the emotional impact of this work, and the importance of providing some biographical detail about every single person listed.

The conversation then turns into the development of navigational technology aboard both RAF and Luftwaffe aircraft.

You can visit the International Bomber Command Centre Losses Database here , and you learn more about the work of the centre here.

Dave's book, written in conjunction with Steve Darlow, Epitaphs of Bomber Command, can be pre-ordered here.

Takeaways

• RAF Bomber Command had the highest casualty rate during the war.
• The International Bomber Command Centre serves as a memorial and educational resource.
• The losses database is the world's largest free-to-access database of RAF Bomber Command casualties.
• Inclusivity in documenting losses includes ground crew and associated personnel.
• Accessing historical records can be challenging due to location and processing issues.
• The Wall of Names at the IBCC allows families to connect with their loved ones.
• The emotional weight of the work can be overwhelming for archivists.
• Epitaphs provide personal insights into the lives of those lost.
• Technological advancements significantly impacted bombing strategies during the war.
• Navigational training gave RAF crews an edge over their German counterparts.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to RAF Bomber Command
03:20 The Role of the International Bomber Command Centre
06:08 The Losses Database: Origins and Development
08:28 Inclusivity in Documenting Losses
09:48 Sources of Information for the Database
12:02 The Wall of Names: A Memorial to the Fallen
14:14 Emotional Impact of the Work
16:30 Future of the Database and Ongoing Research
20:55 The Epitaphs of Bomber Command
23:53 Advancements in Bomber Technology
33:21 The Significance of Navigational Techniques
37:46 Engaging Audiences Through Technology
39:25 Show intro.wav

Support the show

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 get early access to episodes and invitations to livestreams.

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

Send us a message or question!

*** (Part 2 of 2)

Summary

Jane and James continue their discussion about Bomber Command minelaying operations, to mark the publication of Jane's book, The Invisible Campaign: Bomber Command Gardening Operations 1940-1945. In the episode the team consider the strategic importance of these operations, their impact on the Battle of the Atlantic, the Channel Dash, the U-boat campaign, and personal stories from those involved. Jane and James compares the effectiveness of mine laying to direct attacks on enemy shipping, emphasizing the significant disruption caused to German naval operations. The conversation concludes with reflections on the historiographical neglect of mine laying and its crucial role in the broader context of the war.

You can order Jane's book here: https://mortonsbooks.co.uk/book/the-invisible-campaign-bomber-command-gardening-operations-19401945

If you'd like a signed copy, email the team at nmtdambusters@gmail.com

Takeaways

• Mine laying operations were crucial in disrupting enemy naval activities.
• The impact of mine laying on U-boat operations was significant.
• Personal stories from mine laying crews highlight the dangers they faced.
• The Channel Dash operation illustrated the effectiveness of mine laying.
• Bomber Command's mine laying was more effective than direct attacks on shipping.
• Statistics show that mine laying sunk around 750 vessels during the war.
• Mine laying was a strategic component of Bomber Command's overall strategy.
• The historiography of mine laying is often neglected by historians.
• Gardening operations were considered successful but overlooked in narratives.
• The resource allocation for mine laying was well integrated into Bomber Command's efforts.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Mine Laying Operations
00:52 Impact of Mine Laying on U-boat Operations
01:16 Personal Stories from Mine Laying Missions
04:35 The Channel Dash and Mine Laying's Role
11:27 Comparative Analysis of Allied and Luftwaffe Mining Operations
16:40 Mine Laying in Preparation for D-Day
23:59 Evolution of Mine Laying Strategies Throughout the War
25:45 Wider Implications of the Mine Laying Campaign
28:27 The Journey of U-1273
29:46 Disaster Strikes: The Fate of U-1273
31:47 The Impact of Mines on German Logistics
33:35 Assessing the Success of Mine Laying Campaigns
36:08 Statistics of Bomber Command's Mine Laying Efforts
37:54 The Strategic Importance of Mine Laying
41:08 Historians' Perspectives on Mine Laying

Support the show

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 get early access to episodes and invitations to livestreams.

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