Subscriber-only episode

**Episode on general release on Wednesday 30th October
In this episode of Nevermind the Dambusters, hosts Jane Gulliford Lowes and James Jefferies discuss the intersection of video games and military history, particularly focusing on RAF Bomber Command. Joined by Ethan Adato, they explore how video games can serve as educational tools, the ethical implications of portraying historical events, and specific games like Bomber Crew that simulate the experiences of bomber crews during WWII.
The conversation delves into the immersive nature of video games, their potential to engage younger audiences in history, and the moral complexities involved in recreating wartime scenarios. In this conversation, the speakers explore the representation of war in video games, particularly focusing on the impact of bombing on civilian populations, the challenges of accurately portraying historical events, and the ethical implications of gameplay.
They discuss how games can both educate and sanitize war, the responsibility of popular games to address historical realities, and the cultural reflections of war in media. The conversation also touches on the future of war gaming, including the potential of VR experiences and the historical context of war gaming as a whole.

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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

Subscriber-only episode

*** Episode on general release Wednesday 20th November
In this episode of Never Mind the Dambusters, hosts Jane Gulliford-Lowes and James Jefferies engage with historian Andrew Bird to explore the often-overlooked role of Coastal Command in the RAF during World War II. The conversation covers the origins and structure of Coastal Command, its critical role in the Battle of the Atlantic, and the ongoing resource struggles between Bomber Command and Coastal Command. Personal stories and casualty rates highlight the human cost of these operations, providing a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made during the war.

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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

**Episode on public release 28 August 2024
‘Even heroes have a breakdown point. Honour and moral fibre are variables. Like pain, the threshold is different in each of us.’
- Phillip Gray, Bomber Pilot.
This week, Jane discusses the issue of psychiatric casualties in Bomber Command, with Dr. Dan Ellin (University of Lincoln and International Bomber Command Centre) and Mary Brazier (mental health professional). They explore the treatment of mental health issues during World War II and the differences between psychology and psychiatry. They also discuss the RAF's lack of moral fibre policy and the stigma surrounding psychiatric casualties. The conversation touches on the comparison between the RAF and other services, such as the US Army Air Force, and the different approaches to mental health care. Jane, Mary and Dan explore the use of anaesthesia and the importance of sleep and rest in forward psychiatric units during World War II.
The team delves into the lack of moral fibre policy (and the many myths surrounding it) and how post-war understanding was influenced by changing medical beliefs and veterans' hopes for recognition. The fear of being labelled lacking in moral fibre was a real threat for aircrews and was equated with cowardice. The impact of the policy may have been exaggerated, but it was an effective deterrent. The conversation also touches on the social constructs of mental health and the challenges of language and terminology.
Further reading:
Dr Dan Ellin https://t.co/v9q3hTwfgK
Jane Gulliford Lowes https://www.justcuriousjane.com/lack-of-moral-fibre-part-2-origins/
We've listed more titles in the transcript section of the show notes.

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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

Subscriber-only episode

*** Episode on general release Wednesday 27th November
This week, Jane and James explore the training of bomber crews, and the perilous nature of life at the OTUs and HCUs. They discuss the training structure, the tragic story of a training flight that ended in disaster for the Canadian crew, and the importance of memorializing those who lost their lives in training. Jane talks about a new bomber command memorial and tells a story very close to her heart.
The episode also includes viewer questions about WAAFs on board bombers, volunteering for additional ops, post-war careers for aircrew, the Italian Star campaign medal, dual control aircraft and numerous other bits and pieces!
You can read more about the Slingley Bomber Crash here
We'll post some pictures of the new memorial to the crew on our social media. We also have a new Facebook page/group - here's the link if you want to join.

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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

We answer the question we get asked most frequently - "How do I go about researching someone who served with RAF Bomber Command?"
In this episode, we discuss how to research ancestors or family members who served with RAF Bomber Command during World War II. We provide a guide to tackling this topic and share own own experiences. We'll cover topics such as obtaining service records, using the London Gazette, exploring Squadron records, contacting Squadron Associations and utilizing genealogy websites.
Patience, persistence, and thinking outside the box when conducting research is key!
We'll explain how to access and research the service records of RAF personnel, and provide guidance on finding digitized records at the National Archives, paying for digitization services, and visiting the archives in person. We'll also be highlighting the importance of Squadron Diaries and Operational Record Books in understanding an ancestor's military service, using Commonwealth War Graves Records and the International Bomber Command Centre Losses Database, finding information on casualties, and the challenges of researching ground crew.
Finally, we answer questions from listeners about tracking complete service records and finding photographs of training units..
To make things easier for you, here's a list of links to all the resources we talk about in this episode. You can also read an article based on this episode on Jane's website, https://www.justcuriousjane.com/
Obtain UK service records
Obtain RCAF service records
Obtain RAAF service records
Obtain RNZAF service records
London Gazette
The National Archives (including Casualty files )
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
International Bomber Command Centre Losses Database
and

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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