Ham and Jam - The WW2 British Airborne Podcast

Was Arnhem the end of the British 1st Airborne Division and what of its survivors? John Greenacre has a seat with Andy and Kev in the Horsa & Groom to discuss operations involving 1st Airborne and how it ended the war on a high note rather than "a bridge too far."

Andy and Kev discuss Boy Browning. Is his reputation a prisoner of the film A Bridge Too Far? The lads chat about Browning's history and his influence on the British Airborne in the lead up to Operation Market Garden, the Operation itself, and Browning's post Arnhem and Second World War career.....

In a return to their 'Airborne Personalities ' series, Andy and Kev discuss Brigadier James Hill DSO. A Parachute Regiment legend and one of the founding fathers of the regiment.

How important were the Airborne Chaplains and did their duties include more than religious services? Ham & Jam's own padre, Ian Pegg has a seat with Andy and Kev in the Horsa and Groom to discuss the role of chaplains throughout the war, and what was asked of airborne chaplains during the Normandy and Arnhem battles?

Arnhem has five Victoria Cross recipients. Who are they and what is each individual story? Mark Green joins Andy and Kev in the virtual pub for a chat on the Arnhem VC recipients. 

BRING UP THE PIAT! The anti-tank weapon has become iconic. But was it really a rubbish weapon, and what was the process of its development? Matthew Moss, of Fighting on Film and author of the book "The PIAT, Britain's Anti-tank Weapon of WWII" joins Andy and Kev at the Horsa and Groom to discuss Britain's WW2 tank-buster.

Dr John Greenacre returns to "Ham & Jam" , this time to discuss with Andy and Kev the little known and not often discussed, Operation MANNA - The 2nd Independant Parachute Brigades drop into Greece in 1944. An operation that still resonates into the 21st century.....

On this one year anniversary, a special guest joins the lads at the Horsa and Groom. Al Murray sits down and has a chat with Andy and Kev about his connection to the British Airborne, was it easy to create, research, and write Arnhem Black Tuesday? Take a listen as Al celebrates one year of Ham and Jam Podcast with Andy and Kev. 

What happened at the battle for Breville Ridge, and why was it so crucial? Ben Mayne joins the lads to discuss the importance of the capture of Breville and the ridge by the 6th Airborne Division as related to the grand scheme for the Battle of Normandy.

It's the lads first road trip of the podcast. Andy takes Kev to his workplace at the Army Flying Museum for a tour and a chat with Susan Lyndsay, Museum Curator, and Henry Whitington, Museum Archivist, about the museum's history. What is it like to work there and interact with history on a daily basis. Will Andy get Kev away from the Horsa?

Andy and Kev land on another LZ , this time it's Arnhem. Jan Berend Heitink joins the lads for a pint to discuss his family's wartime experiences, what it's like growing up in The Netherlands with the Arnhem story, and what it means for the Dutch.

Andy & Kev drop in to the newly named "Horsa & Groom" Pub and reminisce about attending Al Murray and James Holland's "WE HAVE WAYS FESTIVAL" with the Glider Pilot Regiment Society, visiting the Army Flying Museum, and finding an unexpected guest in their tent.....

What happened to the 10th Parachute Battalion after landing on the Ginkel Heath? Historian, author, and Battlefield tour guide, Niall Cherry joins Andy and Kev for a pint to discuss events during the Battle of Arnhem surrounding the 10th Parachute Battalion. What happened after the men landed, and what was the disposition of the battalion after the evacuation?

Andy and Kev make another landing in Arnhem, but it's with Bart Steenkamer, a local Dutch battlefield tour guide who specializes in personalized tours. Bart has a drink with the lads and talks about the Battle of Arnhem entirely from a tour guide perspective.

Who was Napier Crookenden and what did he mean to the 6th Airlanding Brigade and 9th Parachute Battalion? In the second episode of Airborne personalities, John Greenacre sits down with Andy and Kev to have a pint and discuss Crookenden's role in the history of the British Airborne.

Lights, camera, action!! Andy and Kev sit down and have a pint with the lads from Fighting on Film, Robbie McGuire and Matthew Moss, to discuss British Airborne on film. Is A Bridge Too Far the greatest British Airborne film or is it The Red Beret? Let the debate begin!!!!!Don't forget to LIKE and FOLLOW!

In part two of our General F.A.M. Browning episodes, we discuss Boys involvement in the Arnhem disaster, the fall out from it, and his post war career and legacy....Don't forget to LIKE and FOLLOW 🍻

Before Tonga/Mallard, Market Garden, or Varsity - there was Ladbroke. Andy and Kev glide into Sicily as they sit down, have a pint, and chat with Mike Peters about Operation Ladbroke - the 1st Airlanding Brigade's assault to capture the Ponte Grande Bridge.Don't forget to LIKE and FOLLOW 🍻

Before Operations LADBROKE and FUSTIAN, there was Operation BEGGAR, or as the Glider Pilots called it "Operation Turkey Buzzard". Join Andy and Kev as they chat over a pint with Mike Peters about the mission to ferry vital Horsa Gliders from the UK to North Africa in 1943...

Join Andy and Kev for an impromptu bonus episode. We talk about Andy walking the ground in Normandy, what's coming up in future episodes, and "going Commando" - literally! Don't forget to COMMENT and FOLLOW!

In the final part of our D-Day themed episodes commemorating the 81st Anniversary, we welcome back to the Podcast ,author and 6th Airborne expert, Neil Barber. This time to talk about the assault on the Merville Battery by the 9th Parachute Battalion in the early hours of the 6th of June 1944.....

D-DAY SPECIAL COMMEMORATIVE EPISODE - Sitting down and chatting with the boys about the assault on Pegasus Bridge are Jane Barkway-Harney, daughter of Glider Pilot Geoff Barkway, and Kerry Ricketts, granddaughter of Major John Howard. What does it mean to be related to the men who participated in one of the most famous assaults of the Second World War, and why Pegasus Bridge and the veterans who were there are so special....

As part of our Normandy D-Day special episodes, friend of the podcast, Norma Graham, returns to chat with the boys about 1st Canadian Parachute Battalions drop into Normandy. Find out why it was such a tough nut to crack, and why they were right for the task....

Andy and Kevin are joined by Stephen Wright, author of the classic "One Night In June" and nephew of WW2 glider pilot Billy Marfleet. A very interesting look at the 6th Airborne paratrooper and glider assault on Normandy, 6th of June 1944 - D-Day...

Andy and Kev discuss Boy Browning. Is his reputation a prisoner of the film "A Bridge Too Far"? The lads chat about Brownings history and his influence on the British Airborne in the lead up to Operatiom Market Garden.

A very poignant and personal episode, where Andy and Kevin are joined once again by special guest James Daly. This time we talk about his Grandfather and the tragedy of the 11th Battalion the Parachute Regiment at Arnhem...

Andy and Kevin are joined by guest Kallan Kriewall, a living historian from the USA who has a primary interest in telling the story of the British Airborne and the 9th Parachute Battalion. Before the famed PIAT, there was the Boys anti-tank rifle. Take a listen as Kallan discusses the development and history of the predecessor to the PIAT....

Andy and Kev are joined by 6th Airborne in Normandy " Guru" - Author Neil Barber - to talk about the critical D-Day assault on "Pegasus and "Horsa" bridges in the early hours of 6th of June 1944...

In the 2nd of our episodes dedicated to the 80th Anniversary of Operation "Varsity" - the Rhine crossing of March 1945 - we talk to Norma Graham about 6th Airborne's 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion, and their part in the largest single-day Airborne assault of the Second World War.....

In the 80th Anniversary year of the last great Airborne assault of the Second World War, Andy and Kevin are joined by Mike Peters for the first of two episodes dedicated to this battle for the Rhine River. We discuss the Glider Pilot Regiments involvement , whether the lessons from the disaster at Arnhem had been learned, and in the end was this Operation actually needed?

Andy and Kevin return with a pint in hand! This episode we discuss OPERATION FUSTIAN, the 1st Parachute Brigade's assault on the Primosole Bridge in Sicily 1943. It's an Operation that brings up many questions and what if's...?

Andy & Kevin are joined by esteemed Author, Historian and Battlefield Guide, Niall Cherry. The topic of discussion - the very first parachute raid carried out by British Forces, on the Tragino aquaduct , Italy 1941........

Andy and Kevin are joined on this episode by Historian and Author, James Daly. A fascinating delve into the many cancelled Airborne Operations of 1944 that culminated with Operation Market Garden and the battle for Arnhem.....

Kevin and Andy are joined by special guest Ben Mayne - Historian, Battlefield guide and ambassador for the Veterans Taxi Charity - to discuss the 6th Airbornes battle for the Breville Ridge in Normandy 1944.......

Andy and Kevin return to discuss their backgrounds in Living History and find that all roads lead from "A Bridge Too Far"........

Andy and Kevin are joined by very special guest Michael Hurst, whos father , William, served with 156 Parachute Battalion during the battle for Arnhem & Oosterbeek. A very special episode where we find out what William's experiences were during the battle, his horrific wounding and subsequent time as a prisoner of war......

Andy and Kevin wish everyone a Happy New Year! We also have a brief review of 2024 and the exciting content coming to the podcast in 2025.....

The eternal debate.....Lt. Col Rock or Lt. Col Chatterton ? Both were Commanding Officers of the Glider Pilot Regiment during WW2, but who were they are what were the diffrerences between these two founding fathers of the GPR?

Andy and Kevin are joined by Paul "Woody" Woodadge from the excellent WW2TV Youtube channel for chat about Normandy, Battlefield Tours and Living History...Plenty of rabbit holes to be had in this one, its a blast!

In episode one of the relaunched podcast series - we introduce our new co-host, wax lyrical about our recent visit to Arnhem , whats coming up in future episodes and about Andy's trip to the USA. for a WW2 living history event. All over a couple of pints! Rack 'em up and lets get this show on the road (or in the air!)..........