Behind the Bastards

Part Two: Lord Haw-Haw: Hitler's Favorite Anglo Propagandist

December 18, 2025

Key Takeaways Copied to clipboard!

  • William Joyce, the subject of this episode of Behind the Bastards, joined Oswald Mosley's British Union of Fascists (BUF) due to his phenomenal, godlike talent as an orator, which was universally acknowledged even by his political rivals. 
  • Joyce's relationship with Mosley was fraught and parasitic, culminating in Joyce leaving the BUF in 1937 to form his own National Socialist League after Mosley cut his propaganda salary following a loss of Italian funding. 
  • Joyce became the highly successful Nazi propagandist known as Lord Haw-Haw, broadcasting demoralizing news and rumors to Britain until the tide of the war turned, leading to his eventual capture by a Jewish refugee officer who shot him in the buttocks. 
  • The guest, who discussed the history of fascism and the far-right in Ireland, promoted their book titled "Burn Them Out." 
  • The hosts concluded the episode by noting that, unlike the subject of "Part Two: Lord Haw-Haw: Hitler's Favorite Anglo Propagandist," this particular story had a happy ending. 
  • The podcast "Behind the Bastards" is a production of CoolZone Media, available on various platforms including YouTube, with new episodes released every Wednesday and Friday. 

Segments

Joyce joins Oswald Mosley’s BUF
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(00:00:12)
  • Key Takeaway: William Joyce joined Oswald Mosley’s British Union of Fascists (BUF) after his previous political projects failed, drawn by Mosley’s strongman image.
  • Summary: Mosley, a former MP and fishing buddy of FDR, founded the BUF in 1932, heavily influenced by Italian fascism, adopting black uniforms and the Roman salute with the addition of shouting ‘PJ’ (‘perish Judah’). Joyce immediately joined the BUF, where he was appointed Director of Propaganda, earning a salary of £300 per year, which was more than double the average construction worker’s wage.
Joyce’s Oratory and Toxic Marriage
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(00:07:56)
  • Key Takeaway: Joyce possessed a phenomenal, godlike talent as an orator, capable of speaking for hours without faltering, which attracted both followers and opponents to his fascist rallies.
  • Summary: Joyce’s eloquence was described as terrifying and satanic, converting even left-wing opponents like John Beckett into committed fascists; his fellow blackshirts nicknamed him ’the man without a soul.’ His personal life was equally toxic, involving an affair with Margaret White, whom he married, only to engage in mutual, non-consensual cheating, alcoholism, and domestic violence.
Conflict with Mosley and Nazi Alignment
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(00:14:02)
  • Key Takeaway: Mosley viewed Joyce as a threat due to his popularity and uncompromising anti-Semitic rhetoric, which clashed with Mosley’s attempts to moderate the BUF’s public image.
  • Summary: Mosley, who referred to the 5'5" Joyce as ’the little man,’ fired him when Mussolini cut funding after the Battle of Cable Street, leading Joyce to adopt Hitler as his new messiah in 1937. Joyce then formed the National Socialist League, designing a logo featuring rolling pins resembling a ship’s wheel with the motto ‘Steer Straight,’ which the hosts likened to a ‘Pray Away the Gay Camp’ logo.
Lord Haw-Haw Propaganda Success
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(00:30:04)
  • Key Takeaway: As Lord Haw-Haw, Joyce achieved a massive listenership of 9 million nightly by providing uncensored war news and sowing fear, which the BBC could not counter due to censorship.
  • Summary: Broadcasting from Germany, Joyce’s nightly English broadcasts were highly successful, often reporting accurate war losses, including the status of ships like the Ark Royal, which the BBC refused to report. His use of photographic memory to detail specific English towns terrified listeners, leading to verified cases of suicide among his audience.
Joyce’s Capture and Trial
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(00:55:01)
  • Key Takeaway: Joyce was captured by Lieutenant Horst Pinscher, a Jewish refugee who had survived the war, after being shot twice in the buttocks while trying to bluff his identity.
  • Summary: Joyce made his final, drunken broadcast on April 30, 1945, the day Hitler died, and was later apprehended near the German-Danish border while collecting firewood. He was tried for treason based on broadcasts made before he became a German citizen in 1942, and despite his final defiant words, he was executed by hanging in January 1946.
Guest Book Promotion
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(01:09:53)
  • Key Takeaway: The guest’s book, “Burn Them Out,” details the history of fascism and the far-right specifically within Ireland.
  • Summary: The guest promoted their book, “Burn Them Out,” which is published by Bloomsbury, head of Zeus. Listeners can find the book by searching for “Burn Them Out, Fascism, Ireland.” This book focuses on the history of fascism and the far-right movement in Ireland.
Podcast Sign-off and Future
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(01:10:13)
  • Key Takeaway: The hosts confirmed the weekly release schedule and teased that the next subject might not meet the standard of having a definitive negative end like Lord Haw-Haw’s story.
  • Summary: The hosts confirmed the show’s weekly schedule, promising another subject for the following week. They noted that this episode about Lord Haw-Haw had a happy ending, contrasting it with subjects who might live long lives or die peacefully in bed. The podcast is part of the CoolZone Media network.
Podcast Production and Availability
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(01:10:30)
  • Key Takeaway: “Behind the Bastards” is available on YouTube, releasing new episodes every Wednesday and Friday, in addition to standard podcast platforms.
  • Summary: “Behind the Bastards” is a production of CoolZone Media, accessible via their website, the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or other podcast providers. The show has expanded its presence to YouTube, where new episodes drop twice weekly. The official YouTube channel is located at youtube.com/slash at behind the bastards.
Airtasker Advertisement
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(01:10:58)
  • Key Takeaway: Airtasker is a platform connecting users with local help for diverse tasks, including specialized holiday needs like gift wrapping and gingerbread house assembly.
  • Summary: Airtasker facilitates getting various tasks done, ranging from furniture assembly and cleaning to errands and pet care. During the holidays, the service can handle specific needs like setting up holiday lights or waiting in line for viral cookie drops. Users describe their needs, set a budget, and select a tasker via the app or at airtasker.com.
South by Southwest Promotion
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(01:11:40)
  • Key Takeaway: South by Southwest (SXSW) 2023 will run concurrently from March 12th through 18th in Austin, merging innovation, film/TV, and music events.
  • Summary: SXSW is hosting a seven-day event in Austin from March 12th through 18th, combining innovation, film/TV, and music programming. The event aims to showcase bold storytelling and groundbreaking ideas where creative worlds collide. Registration for the event can be completed at sxsw.com/slash iHeart.
Simon Plus Rewards Program
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(01:12:12)
  • Key Takeaway: Simon Plus offers rewards, including cashback and exclusive offers, for shopping at Simon Malls, premium outlets, and shopsimon.com.
  • Summary: The Simon Plus program rewards users for purchases made at Simon Malls, premium outlets, and the online shopsimon.com. Benefits include receiving cash back at participating stores, accessing exclusive offers, and receiving exciting surprises. Enrollment is available today at SimonPlus.com, subject to program terms.
Valpak Holiday Savings Offer
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(01:12:40)
  • Key Takeaway: Valpak is running a holiday promotion where recipients of their blue envelope have a chance to instantly win $100 Christmas cash.
  • Summary: Valpak encourages checking the blue envelope in the mail for savings on dining and holiday shopping. The promotion includes a chance to instantly win $100 Christmas cash, though rules apply regarding purchase necessity and random insertion of prizes. Additional local coupons can be found at Valpak.com.