WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk A Blackmarket Christmas
Dec 23, 2025
This week, dive into heartwarming wartime Christmas tales! Discover a hidden crate of oranges that brightened one family's holiday. Hear about uncles on opposite sides of battle at Arnhem and a grandfather's poignant Normandy memories. Enjoy fascinating home-front anecdotes like a fish-fed goose and butter gifts from Americans. Plus, gripping stories from B-17 crews and a mother's radar service during the war add depth to these personal histories. These stories encapsulate resilience and the spirit of the holidays amidst conflict.
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Hidden Crate Of Oranges Brings Joy
- Frank Sr found a crate of fresh oranges hidden in a hedgerow after seeing two men stash it from a car.
- The Horn family enjoyed a happy Christmas thanks to a black-market delivery of citrus during wartime rationing.
Two Uncles At Arnhem, Different Roles
- Damien's uncles were both at Arnhem on opposite sides of the river and had very different wartime roles.
- Jim served in a penal unit and watched the bridge from a distance while Joe escaped capture by stealing a boat.
A Silent Veteran Recognises The Film
- Sidney Walker landed in Normandy on D+1 as a wireless operator attached to an ammunition convoy and kept darker memories private.
- He later conceded that Saving Private Ryan matched what he'd experienced.