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How Did Exploding Rats Help Win WW2?

Greg James and Bella Mackie don their best spy gear for a WW2 History lesson from Miss Patel - all about the secretive Special Operations Executive (SOE).

Greg James and Bella Mackie don their best spy gear for a lesson in wartime espionage from History teacher Miss Patel.

Greg (Codename: Agent BaeWhizz) and Bella (00-PAL) learn how wartime recruits to the secretive Special Operations Executive (SOE) were trained up and prepared for covert activities in occupied Europe. They’ll acquire cover stories, costumes and gadgets – possibly including some exploding rats – and discover how much these real-life stories, like the amazing Noor Inayat Khan and Virginia Hall, inspired the likes of James Bond and the modern-day SAS.

Bad students of all ages are welcome. Expect brilliant teachers, captivating subjects but absolutely no homework.

Get in touch with your funny school stories - email us at teachme@bbc.co.uk

Available now

42 minutes

Broadcasts

  • Sun 23 Jan 2022 20:00
  • Sat 18 Jun 2022 20:00

Podcast