PODCAST · history
Never Mind The Dambusters
by Jane Gulliford Lowes and James Jefferies
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 veteran
Episodes
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Episode 79 - What Bomber Command Did Next : 1945-1968, with Erik Parker
Send us a message or question! What happened to RAF Bomber Command after the Second World War? In this episode, Jane Gulliford Lowes and guest co-presenter Jamie Heffer from the RAF Bircham Newton Heritage Centre are joined by Erik Parker to explore the command's evolution from 1945 until its...
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Episode 78 - Churchill's Pirates, Pathfinders and Kamikaze Hunters, with Will Iredale
Send us a message or question! In this episode of Never Mind the Dambusters, Jane Gulliford Lowes is joined by bestselling author and journalist Will Iredale to talk about his new book, Churchill’s Pirates. The book tells the story of the Royal Naval Patrol Service – the men who served in what…
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Episode 77 - LANCASTER: 24 Hours on a Squadron, with Mike Napier
Send us a message or question! The Lancaster is probably the most recognisable aircraft associated with RAF Bomber Command. But what did an ordinary 24 hours actually look like on a Lancaster squadron? In this episode of Never Mind the Dambusters, Jane Gulliford Lowes is joined by military…
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Episode 76 Secret Projects of the Luftwaffe, with Dan Sharp
Send us a message or question! Jane Gulliford Lowes welcomes author, editor, and aviation historian Dan Sharp to dig into the Luftwaffe’s bomber plans, from prewar requirements to late war jet concepts. The conversation focuses on how German bomber strategy was shaped by speed, range, and...
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Episode 75 - Stanley Booker: Airman, Prisoner, Saviour, Spy, with Sean Feast
Send us a message or question! Ep. 75 – Stanley Booker: Airman, Prisoner, Saviour, Spy, with Sean Feast How does a young RAF observer go from flying operations with 10 Squadron to becoming one of the few Allied airmen imprisoned in a Nazi concentration camp? In this episode of Never Mind the...
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Episode 74 – Easy Elsie: The Battle to Save a Lost Lancaster, with Dave King
Send us a message or question! Ep. 74 – Easy Elsie: The Battle to Save a Lost Lancaster What happens when a wartime Lancaster disappears into a Swedish bog—and eight decades later, a dedicated team sets out to bring her home? In this episode of Never Mind the Dambusters, Jane Gulliford Lowes is...
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Episode 73 - "A Memory Owed": Bringing Bomber Command to the Big Screen
Send us a message or question! Ep. 73 – A Memory Owed: Bringing Bomber Command to the Big Screen How do you tell the story of RAF Bomber Command in a way that resonates with modern audiences while remaining faithful to the experiences of those who served? In this special episode of Never Mind the...
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Episode 72 Karlsruhe: Life Under the Bombs, with Kathy Quinlan-Flatter
Send us a message or question! Ep. 72 – Karlsruhe: Life Under the Bombs With Kathy Quinlan-Flatter What was it like to live beneath the bomber stream? In this episode of Never Mind the Dambusters, Jane Gulliford Lowes and James Jefferies explore the air war from a perspective we don't often hear:...
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Series 5 Trailer
Send us a message or question! Welcome Back to Never Mind the Dambusters! We're delighted to tell all our listeners that series 5 will be launching on 15/16 July - paid subscribers can gain early access from 11 July. So much to look forward to ! Support the show Please subscribe to Never Mind The...
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Episode 71 - Internment of Allied Airmen in Neutral Countries, with Andrew White
Send us a message or question! Episode available on general release on Wednesday 1st April. Episode Summary In the final episode of Series 4, Jane and James are joined by historian and former RAF intelligence officer Andrew White to explore a lesser-known aspect of the Second World War air war…
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Ep.70 - Q and A Chat Part 2: More Questions Answered!
Send us a message or question! Join us for a deep dive into the nuanced and often overlooked areas of RAF Bomber Command during WWII. In this episode, we answer listener questions, discuss key incidents, and explore technological debates shaping strategic bombing. Main Topics Covered: Details of...
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Episode 69 - Q & A Chat Part 1: Your Questions Answered!
Send us a message or question! This week Jane and James have a good old chinwag and answer YOUR questions, on some very diverse topics: Why wasn't Harris replaced after Nuremberg or the Battle of Berlin? Which aircraft would've benefited from Merlin engines? What were Special Recognition Flights?...
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Episode 68 - Cold War Bombers, with Joe Wilding (extended episode)
Send us a message or question! Hosts: Jane Gulliford & James Jefferies (although Jane disappears after the intro due to tech issues!) Guest: Joe Wilding Episode Summary In this episode of Never Mind the Dambusters, Jane and James are joined by aviation enthusiast and aircraft designer Joe Wilding...
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Episode 67 - After the Firestorm: Bomb Disposal in Wartime Hamburg, with Thomas Rost
Send us a message or question! After the Firestorm – Bomb Disposal in Wartime Hamburg With Thomas Rost Never Mind the Dambusters – Series 4 Content Note This episode includes discussion of forced labour, concentration camp inmates, and civilian casualties. Listener discretion is advised. In this...
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Episode 66 - 2 Group and the Rotterdam Raid, with Erik Parker
Send us a message or question! 2 Group Bomber Command and the Rotterdam Raid With Erik Parker Never Mind the Dambusters – Series 4 In this episode, Jane Gulliford Lowes and James Jefferies turn their attention to a little-known Bomber Command raid on Rotterdam, carried out during the early years…
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Episode 65 : Hitting the Target: Bomb Aiming with Matt Doncaster
Send us a message or question! Hitting the Target – Bombing Accuracy, Altitude, and the Physics of Air Power With Matt Doncaster Never Mind the Dambusters – Series 4 In this episode, Jane Gulliford Lowes and James Jefferies are joined by Matt Doncaster, a former RAF Harrier pilot, for a deep dive...
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Episode 64 - USAAF and the Schweinfurt Raids, with Mike Peters
Send us a message or question! The Schweinfurt Raids With Mike Peters Never Mind the Dambusters – Series 4 Presented by Jane Gulliford Lowes and James Jefferies In this episode, Jane Gulliford Lowes and James Jefferies turn their attention to the USAAF bombing raids on Schweinfurt, among the most...
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Episode 63: "Advance Britannia" - Bomber Command & Britain's War 1942-1945, with Professor Alan Allport
Send us a message or question! (Buy tickets for Jane's talk at the International Bomber Command Centre, Lincoln, on 5 March 2026 here ) In this episode, Jane Gulliford Lowes is joined by historian Professor Alan Allport for a wide-ranging discussion of his new book, Advance Britannia, which...
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Episode 62 Peenemunde: The Attack on Hitler's V-Weapons, with Sean Feast
Send us a message or question! In this episode, Jane Gulliford Lowes is joined by author and military historian Sean Feast to examine one of the most strategically important — and morally complex — operations of the bombing war: RAF Bomber Command’s attack on the German V-weapons research centre…
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Episode 61: The Wooden Wonder - The De Havilland Mosquito, with John Lilley
Send us a message or question! Episode Description / Show Notes: In this episode of Never Mind the Dambusters, host Jane Gulliford Lowes is joined by John Lilley from the People’s Mosquito Project to explore the extraordinary story of one of the Second World War’s most innovative and versatile...
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Episode 60: The Short Stirling, with Jonathan Falconer
Send us a message or question! In this episode of Never Mind the Dambusters, host Jane Gulliford Lowes is joined by Jonathan Falconer, a leading authority on the RAF and the Second World War, to discuss the Short Stirling, Bomber Command's first four-engine heavy bomber. They explore its...
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Episode 59: Oh Canada! RCAF, 6 Group & 429 Bison Sqn, with Greg Kopchuk
Send us a message or question! Welcome back and a happy new year ! 🇨🇦 In this episode of "Never Mind the Dambusters," host Jane Gulliford Lowes is joined by Dr. Dan Ellin and Canadian historian Greg Kopchuk . The team explore the Canadian contribution to RAF Bomber Command, and the formation of…
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Series 4 Trailer
Send us a message or question! SERIES 4 OF NEVER MIND THE DAMBUSTERS IS ON THE WAY! Brand new episodes drop Wednesday January 7th 2026 (available from Saturday 3rd for our paid subscribers). We're returning with our most ambitious series yet — filled with new interviews, untold stories, and...
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Episode 57: The U-boat War - Wolfpack, with Roger Moorhouse
Send us a message or question! Have we got a treat for you...Something different - U-boats instead of aircraft! In our final episode of this series, “The U-boat War - Wolfpack,” we explore the U-Boat War from the German perspective with historian and author Roger Moorhouse, whose new book…
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Episode 56: Rough Justice - The Murder of Allied Airmen, with Thomas Rost
Send us a message or question! In Episode 56 ( the penultimate episode of series 3), we delve into a chilling chapter of World War II history: the murders of Allied airmen in Germany. As the war raged on, downed airmen often found themselves at the mercy of their captors - military, civilian...
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Episode 55 - Operation Pimento: Escape, Evasion and Resolution, with Adam Hart
Send us a message or question! This week, we're joined by Adam Hart, to discuss his new book about a downed Halifax pilot, who also happens to be his great-grandfather. Operation Pimento is a riveting story of courage, defiance, and survival. Centered on his great-grandfather, Frank Griffiths…
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Episode 54 - (Part 2) Above Us The Stars : 10 Squadron Bomber Command - The Wireless Operator's Story.
Send us a message or question! (Available on general release on 10 September) In this episode James and Jane continue their chat about Jane's book, Above Us The Stars: 10 Squadron Bomber Command - The Wireless Operator's Story. Jane continues the story of the Pennicott crew, through the summer…
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Episode 53 - Above Us the Stars: 10 Squadron Bomber Command - The Wireless Operator's Story (part 1)
Send us a message or question! This week James interviews Jane about her first Bomber Command book, "Above Us the Stars: 10 Squadron Bomber Command - The Wireless Operator's Story." We can't believe it's taken us 53 episodes to finally get around to discussing it! Jane shares with listeners the...
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Episode 52 - Listeners' Questions
Send us a message or question! This week on Never Mind the Dambusters, we answer YOUR questions, on a whole host of issues, including: Could a heavy bomber fly without a full crew? What was Operation Dodge? Mosquito v Lancaster, Lancaster v Halifax Gibson v Cheshire B17s in the RAF Do keep…
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Episode 51 - Aircrew Flying Kit, with Daniel Richards
Send us a message or question! In this episode of Never Mind the Dambusters, I take a deep dive into the fascinating and often overlooked world of RAF Bomber Command during the Second World War—through the lens of the airmen's personal flying kit. I'm joined by Daniel Richards an RAF Living…
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Episode 50 50th Episode Special: The Dambusters' Legacy, with Dr Dan Ellin
Send us a message or question! This week, we celebrate our 50th episode by welcoming Dr Dan Ellin of the University of Lincoln and the International Bomber Command Centre, back to the show. Dan joins us to explore the legacy of the Dambusters , and in particular how the 1955 film has shaped the...
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(EARLY ACCESS) Episode 50 50th Episode Special: The Dambusters' Legacy, with Dr Dan Ellin.
Send us a message or question! ***Episode on general release Wednesday 13 August This week, we celebrate our 50th episode by welcoming Dr Dan Ellin of the University of Lincoln and the International Bomber Command Centre, back to the show. Dan joins us to explore the legacy of the Dambusters…
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Episode 49 - Len Deighton's "Bomber" : Telling Stories, with Adrian Bean
Send us a message or question! (Apologies - no James this week due to technical issues!) This week, Jane is joined by Adrian Bean, a writer and director with a passion for military history. They explore the complexities of RAF Bomber Command, the challenges of adapting Len Deighton's 'Bomber' for...
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Episode 48 - "Desert Island Books" : Our Top 10 Bomber Command Reads
Send us a message or question! This week we each share our top 5 Bomber Command books in the categories of popular history, memoir, academic, fiction and we also throw in a wild card! What are your favourites? Do you love or hate our picks? Spoiler alert: If you don't want to know what we chose,...
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Episode 47 - Remembering the Bombing War in Normandy, with Paul Woodadge
Send us a message or question! This week, we tackle some thorny issues with our with guest Paul Woodadge, the host of YouTube show WW2TV about the multifaceted history of RAF Bomber Command during World War II. Growing up near former USAAF airbases in Suffolk, just across the border from Essex…
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(EARLY ACCESS) Episode 47 - Remembering the Bombing War in Normandy, with Paul Woodage
Send us a message or question! This week, we tackle some thorny issues with our with guest Paul Woodadge, the host of YouTube show WW2TV about the multifaceted history of RAF Bomber Command during World War II. Growing up near former USAAF airbases in Suffolk, just across the border from Essex…
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Episode 46 From the Channel Dash to the Long March: The Navigator's Story, with Stuart Green.
Send us a message or question! This week, hosts Jane Gulliford Lowes and James Jefferies chat to Stuart Green, who shares the remarkable story of his father Alan, a Bomber Command navigator on Wellingtons and Stirlings. Alan Green took part in some of the most famous operations of the war,...
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Episode 45 - Flying into the Storm: Early War Bombers, with Chris Sams
Send us a message or question! 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,...
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Episode 44 - The Greatest Enemy - Meteorological Flights, with Jamie Heffer
Send us a message or question! Welcome to Series 3! In the first episode of the new series of Never Mind the Dambusters, hosts James Jefferies and Jane Gulliford Lowes discuss the often-overlooked role of meteorology in RAF Bomber Command during World War II. Joined once more by Jamie Heffer from...
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Episode 43 - Norwegian Heroes of Bomber Command, with Haakon Vinje
Send us a message or question! 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....
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Episode 42 - Bomber Command Losses Database / Navigational Technology, with Dave Gilbert
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...
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Episode 41 - The Invisible Campaign (Part 2): Bomber Command Gardening Operations
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…
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Episode 40 - The Invisible Campaign: Bomber Command Gardening Operations (Part 1)
Send us a message or question! *** PART 1 OF 2 ***Subscribers can listen to Part 2 now. In this episode of Never Mind the Dam Busters, host James Jefferies and guest Jane Gulliford Lowes delve into the often-overlooked history of RAF Bomber Command's gardening operations during World War II. They...
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Episode 39 - Night Fighter Offensive, with Stuart Burbridge
Send us a message or question! Summary In this episode of Never Mind the Dambusters, hosts Jane Gulliford-Lowes and James Jefferies are joined by historian Stuart Burbridge to discuss the often-overlooked aspect of the RAF Bomber Command's offensive against Luftwaffe night fighters during World…
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Episode 38 - A German Jew in Bomber Command: Escape, Evasion & Revenge, with Marc Stevens
Send us a message or question! *** Episode on general release on Wednesday 12th March 2025. In this episode of Never Mind the Dambusters, we have an incredible conversation with Marc Stevens as he shares the extraordinary story of his father, the man he knew as Squadron Leader Peter Stevens, MC.…
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Episode 37 - Operations Manna and Exodus, with Dr Sarah-Louise Miller
Send us a message or question! In this episode of Never Mind the Dambusters, we join historian Dr. Sarah-Louise Miller to explore her research on WWII operations, including Operation Manna and Operation Exodus in the Spring and early summer of 1945. We examine the emotional impact of war stories,...
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Episode 36 - A Question and Answer Fest!
Send us a message or question! This week we answer (or at least attempt to answer) some of your questions - and there are some absolute corkers! Including... How do you go to the loo in the middle of a bombing operation? Which operations counted towards your tour total? Where did spent ammo...
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Episode 35 Restoring a Lancaster: The NX611 "Just Jane" Story, with Andrew Panton
Send us a message or question! This episode is dedicated to the memory of Christopher Panton, KIA 30th March 1944. We are delighted to welcome Andrew Panton, General Manager of the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre. Together, we explore Andrew's deep-rooted family history with the Lancaster...
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Episode 34 Writing the Bomber War - The Official Histories Controversy, with Professor Alan Allport
Send us a message or question! Who writes history, and why? In this episode, we are delighted to welcome back Professor Alan Allport to discuss the British "Official Histories" of the strategic bombing campaign. We explore the origins, authors, and public perception of these histories, as well as...
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Episode 33 Bomber Command: The Chaplain's Story
Send us a message or question! In this episode of Never Mind the Dambusters, we welcome Reverend Eleanor Rance, the first female Church of England Chaplain in the Royal Air Force. Eleanor shares her personal experiences from her time on deployment with the RAF in Iraq, and insights into the…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
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 veteran
HOSTED BY
Jane Gulliford Lowes and James Jefferies
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Never Mind The Dambusters have?
Never Mind The Dambusters currently has 83 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Never Mind The Dambusters about?
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...
How often does Never Mind The Dambusters release new episodes?
Never Mind The Dambusters has 83 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Never Mind The Dambusters?
You can listen to Never Mind The Dambusters on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Never Mind The Dambusters?
Never Mind The Dambusters is created and hosted by Jane Gulliford Lowes and James Jefferies.
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