WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk Spy Family
Oct 8, 2025
Listeners share fascinating family stories from World War II, featuring daring adventures like a miraculous horse ride in Burma and a young US tank commander's harrowing experiences in Europe. Tales of honor emerge, such as a soldier's promise to care for a fallen comrade's sister. Captivating accounts highlight the brutal realities faced by POWs on the Thai-Burma Railway, along with a mysterious secret linked to a flight lieutenant. These captivating narratives bring personal connections to the global conflict.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Bolting Horse In Burma
- Norman Bell recounts his father Les's horse bolting in Burma and miraculously returning him to the stable still mounted.
- Les returned with a lifelong phobia of snakes and a lasting hatred of the Japanese.
Promise Kept After Sacrifice
- Peter Finch tells of Private David Roberts who died in Italy after promising friend Des to look after his sister Joan.
- Des kept the promise, later marrying Joan, and their family remembers David as a hero.
Young Tank Commander In Europe
- Will Hogan shares Samuel Hogan's leadership as the youngest US tank battalion commander in WWII and his unit's major actions in Europe.
- He recounts a lighthearted moment likened to Hogan's Heroes after freeing a POW camp and taking a British major along for the ride.
