Behind the Bastards Part Two: Lord Haw-Haw: Hitler's Favorite Anglo Propagandist
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Dec 18, 2025 Padraig, a history writer specializing in fascism, delves into the life of William Joyce, known as Lord Haw-Haw, and his rise as a Nazi propagandist. He discusses Joyce’s captivating speaking skills that garnered him a cult following, and the tensions with Oswald Mosley over antisemitism. Joyce’s strategic use of propaganda from Germany demoralized British listeners, despite ultimately becoming a figure of ridicule. The podcast covers his tumultuous marriage, tragic demise, and the lingering influence of his legacy among neo-Nazi groups.
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Oratory Made Joyce Powerful
- William Joyce rose from an obscure, embittered teacher to a mesmerizing fascist orator in the BUF under Oswald Mosley.
- His exceptional public-speaking skill made him influential despite his small following and personal dysfunction.
Toxic Marriages Fueled His Extremism
- Joyce entered a volatile sexual relationship with Margaret White and kept cheating with fascist admirers like Sylvia Morris.
- Their marriage devolved into mutual humiliation, alcoholism, and violence documented by biographer Nigel Farndale.
Propaganda Filled An Information Vacuum
- Nazi broadcasts exploited wartime censorship by offering more accurate and sensational news than the BBC, drawing massive audiences.
- Joyce used better information, humor, and terror to reach some 9 million British listeners nightly.