Show Notes
Today, we're looking at how the Allied side – that includes the US, UK and Australia – broke the enemy's secret codes during World War II. We see how Alan Turing and General MacArthur were central to wartime code-breaking, on different sides of the world. We are joined by a special guest, author David Dufty, who wrote 'The Code Breakers of Central Bureau' and 'Radio Girl'. And we have Dad's best Dad jokes about spies! Here are some questions to see how well you understood today's episode: What's Morse code? Name of the man who invented the computer that code breakers used at Bletchley Park, in England. What was the biggest achievement of the British code breakers during World War II? What was the name of the American general who set-up the Central Bureau code breakers in Australia? What subject do you need to study hard at school if you're going to be a code breaker? What did the Central Bureau code breakers achieve in World War II? Read industry reviews of Dad's World War II novels, A Chance Kill and The Slightest Chance, at paulletters.com. Available on Kindle, as well as in paperback. Dad's first wartime novel, A Chance Kill, is a love-story/thriller based on real events in Poland, Paris, London and Prague. The Slightest Chance follows the remarkable true story of the only escape from Japanese imprisonment by a Western woman during World War II. Please rate and review us wherever you get podcasts. And share our podcast on social media and recommend it to friends – that's how we'll keep going. We'll be back on the first Monday of next month! Podcast cover art by Molly Austin All instrumental music is from https://filmmusic.io and composed by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com) License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Sound effects used under RemArc Licence. Copyright 2021 © BBC
More from Dad and Me Love History
On the 25th anniversary of 9/11, we re-released this special episode. We are joined by two wonderful guests from the town of Gander in remote Newfoundland, Canada, where locals showed amazing kindness to people from all over the world, following the terrible events of 9/11. We only briefly mention the planes that crashed into the twin towers: we focus on the heart-warming humanity that followed. This true story is sweeping the world through the award-winning musical Come From Away, and we make good use of having attained the rights to the music! Even better, we spend time with local journalist Janice Goudie and animal shelter manager Bonnie Harris, who found themselves at the centre of events – and at the centre of Come From Away. Janice was reporting on events on 11 September, 2001, as 38 planes, carrying nearly 7,000 passengers, landed at the remote Canadian town of Gander. Bonnie was determined to discover if there were any animals on board – and she received quite a surprise. The population of the town almost doubled in just a couple of hours. How would the town cope? Well, the answer to that is: remarkably! Janice now works for the Canadian Broadcasting Company, and we recommend this CBC cartoon strip resource, featuring Janice, as a way to educate suitably-aged children about 9/11. At the end of today's episode (after our outro theme song), there are bags of extras – including lots of outtakes, additional interview material and bonus music included with permission from the producers of Come From Away! Podcast cover art by Molly Austin All instrumental music is fromhttps://filmmusic.io and composed by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com) License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
The Cuban Missile Crisis brought the world close to nuclear war. But who saved the world? Was it US President Kennedy? Or was it a young Russian submarine office named Basil (in Russian, Basil = Vasily)? Check out maps and photos on https://www.dadandmelovehistory.com/ After the end theme music, you'll find these questions: Who were the two superpower countries on opposite sides to each other during the Cold War (1945-91)?
This episode is a bonus re-release in the run-up to ANZAC Day, this special extended episode was recorded over several years and first released in April 2019. It's a lot more serious than our usual fun-filled shows, but there's lots to learn for kids and adults! And if you know a teacher who could use this episode, please share it with them – and with any other friends. We go to an ANZAC service in Australia, where World War One is particularly remembered. Then we go to Remembrance Day in Hong Kong, which just over 75 years ago was invaded by the Japanese during World War Two. We are grateful to Lindisfarne Anglican College for allowing us to visit their ANZAC assembly, and thanks go to their special guest, Major Matina Jewell (retired) for the interview. Recurring at points throughout this episode is the sound of Lindisfarne's School Marching Band, led by Mr Dale Norton. And thank you, retired Sergeant Kelvin Fawcett. Questions for after you've listened: What does A-N-Z-A-C – ANZAC -- stand for? Why is Nov 11 an important date for remembering people from wars? What happened at Gallipoli in WWI? What is the Last Post? Which country is the Menin Gate in? What colour are poppies? Who wrote the poem 'In Flanders Fields'? Why is it important to remember people who died in wars? We have recorded a new show for editing in the near future, so watch this space. We're also working on a Dad & Me Love History book and are looking for an illustrator - do you know someone with the skills and the passion? See our webpage, and join us on: Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Please rate and review us wherever you get podcasts. And share our podcast on social media and recommend it to friends – that's how we'll keep going. See you in two weeks! Podcast cover art by Molly Austin Instrumental music by Kevin MacLeod Sound effects used under RemArc Licence. Copyright 2026 © BBC
Exciting news! We are writing a Dad & Me Love History book! And we need help - if you know a graphic designer with the skill and interest to add illustrations to our Dad & Me Love History book pitch, please email [email protected] On to this epsiode, where we go back through the archives and play you highlights from our original recordings of Dad (& Me) jokes, from Ancient Romans to African Moors to the invention of cars! Read industry reviews of Dad's World War II novels, A Chance Kill and The Slightest Chance, at paulletters.com. Available as e-books, as well as in paperback. Dad's first wartime novel, A Chance Kill, is a love-story/thriller based on real events in Poland, Paris, London and Prague. The Slightest Chance follows the remarkable true story of the only escape from Japanese imprisonment by a Western woman during World War II. Please rate and review us wherever you get podcasts. And share our podcast on social media and recommend it to friends – that's how we'll keep going. We will bring you episodes throughout the year, so stay subscribed on your podcast app! Podcast cover art by Molly Austin All instrumental music is from https://filmmusic.io and composed by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com) License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Sound effects used under RemArc Licence. Copyright 2026 © BBC
Did WWII really start in 1931 in Asia? Yes, it pretty much did - ten years before Pearl Harbor. Today, we investigate how and why the Japanese Empire attacked itself – and how that led to war with China and beyond! We are joined by expert historian, Quin Cho (Archival Researcher for https://www.pacificatrocities.org/). Quin has literally written the book on this: The Kwantung Army and the Japanese Occupation of Manchuria, available from September 2025. This is the second of three episodes in Dad & Me's series on modern Japan. Check out the photos from our research trip on https://www.dadandmelovehistory.com/ After the end theme music, you'll find these questions: When did World War II begin for the USA?