The conflict between China and Japan escalates as the Battle of Shanghai breaks out. James Holland and Al Murray explore a battle that is often considered the beginning of the Second World War in Asia.

Merry Christmas from We Have Ways of Making You Talk. Over the next 12 days Al and James are reading extracts from some of their favourite books about the Second World War. Today Al is reading from The Cauldron, by

Dutch civilians suffered horrifically during the final winter of the war as the Germans sought to punish them for assisting the allied forces attempting to liberate Holland. Al and James are joined by Dutch historian Hans Onderwater to discuss the

June 6th remains one of the most iconic dates in history. James Holland and Al Murray look back on D-Day with a particular reverence for British naval power.