Cold War Conversations

Latest Episodes:

From Sydney to the Vietnam War: An Australian Soldier's Cold War Journey (367) Sep 27, 2024

Show notes

In this gripping episode of Cold War Conversations, we hear the remarkable first-hand account of John Brooker, an Australian veteran who takes us on a journey from the streets of Sydney to the battlefields of Vietnam.

John shares his experiences from joining the Citizens Military Force (CMF) to his deployment with the Royal New South Wales Lancers and the regular army.

He provides vivid details of the Tet Offensive of 1968, the intense firefights, and the harrowing experience of being mortared for the first time.

John also reflects on the challenges of returning to civilian life and the mixed reception from the Australian public and World War II veterans.

Don't miss this powerful and insightful episode!

Related episodes

Vietnam War draftee to US Army Ranger https://pod.fo/e/10388d
Just another day in Vietnam https://pod.fo/e/ac3e7
Don – Vietnam War Armoured Cavalry Platoon Leader https://pod.fo/e/a08dc
Cold War Tank Tales from the Land Down Under https://pod.fo/e/2078b9
Further Cold War Tank Tales from the Land Down Under https://pod.fo/e/20dda1
Australian Cold War Maritime Air Patrols https://pod.fo/e/21e35d

Episode extras https://coldwarconversations.com/episode367/

The fight to preserve Cold War history continues and via a simple monthly donation, you will give me the ammunition to continue to preserve Cold War history. You’ll become part of our community, get ad-free episodes, and get a sought-after CWC coaster as a thank you and you’ll bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history.

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Unveiling Cold War Secrets: Hack Green Regional Seat of Government Bunker museum (366) Sep 20, 2024

Show notes

It's 40 years since the film Threads was shown on British TV. It portrayed the effects of a nuclear attack on the city of Sheffield, England and the eventual long-term effects of nuclear war on civilization. It therefore seems apt to publish a tour I had of the Hack Green Regional Seat of Government Bunker museum.

Nestled in the heart of Cheshire, Hack Green Nuclear Bunker is a hidden gem that offers a fascinating glimpse into the Cold War era. I had the pleasure of exploring this historical site with Rod Siebert who originally bought the bunker and volunteer David Smith, who shared their extensive knowledge and passion for this remarkable place.

The bunker contains many unique artefacts such as the largest public collection of nuclear weapons casings in Europe, including Polaris, Trident, Chevaline and WE 177, the UK's last airdrop nuclear deterrent.

Other rare and unique items include the Queen's transition to war telephone, which would have been used by the UK government to communicate with Buckingham Palace in the event of war.

Hack Green is not just a museum; it's a time capsule that offers a unique and sobering insight into the Cold War era. Whether you're a history buff, a fan of military technology, or simply curious about this hidden piece of history, Hack Green is a must-visit.

Episode extras https://coldwarconversations.com/episode365/

Related episodes

How Cold War Britain prepared for Nuclear War https://pod.fo/e/172825
The man who built his own nuclear bunker https://pod.fo/e/12af02
The last voice you'd hear in a nuclear war https://pod.fo/e/186a6d
Cold War leaflets and secret documents https://pod.fo/e/157f2
Assigned to a government bunker https://pod.fo/e/13303
Visiting a Royal Observer Corps monitoring post and interview with the Chief Observer who served in the post https://pod.fo/e/f82a
Alistair McCann has preserved a Royal Observer Corps monitoring post as a museum in Northern Ireland. https://pod.fo/e/f83d

Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/

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The Siege: The Remarkable Story of the Greatest SAS Hostage Drama with Ben Macintyre (365) Sep 13, 2024

Show notes

On April 30, 1980, six heavily armed gunmen burst into the Iranian embassy on Princes Gate, overlooking Hyde Park in London. There they took 26 hostages, including embassy staff, visitors, and three British citizens.

I talk with Britain’s bestselling historian Ben Macintyre who has written a new book called “The Siege: The Remarkable Story of the Greatest SAS Hostage Drama”. The book details the tense six-day siege ensued as millions gathered around screens across the country to witness the longest news flash in British television history, in which police negotiators and psychiatrists sought a bloodless end to the standoff, while the SAS – hitherto an organisation shrouded in secrecy – laid plans for a daring rescue mission: Operation Nimrod.

Drawing on unpublished source material, exclusive interviews with the SAS, and testimony from witnesses including hostages, negotiators, intelligence officers and the on-site psychiatrist, bestselling historian Ben Macintyre takes readers on a gripping journey from the years and weeks of build-up on both sides, to the minute-by-minute account of the siege and rescue.

Recreating the dramatic conversations between negotiators and hostages, the cutting-edge intelligence work happening behind-the-scenes, and the media frenzy around this moment of international significance, The Siegeis the remarkable story of what really happened on those fateful six days, and the first full account of a moment that forever changed the way the nation thought about the SAS – and itself.

Buy the book and support the podcast https://uk.bookshop.org/a/1549/9780241675670

Episode extras https://coldwarconversations.com/episode365/

Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/

If a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, We also welcome one-off donations via the same link.

Find the ideal gift for the Cold War enthusiast in your life! Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/store/

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00:00 Start

00:51 Introduction

03:53 Why is the book unique?

08:51 What were the political motivations of the gunmen?

16:30 How did the attack start?

23:50 Who is being held hostage?

27:25 The situation in the embassy in the first few days

35:31 Police negotiations

40:55 The SAS go in!

49:06 What happens to the gunmen?

51:12 PC Trevor Locke concealed his gun for six days during hostage crisis

54:16 The ending of the siege

55:26 How the siege raised Britain's military profile

58:33 The book about the siege will be turned into a television drama

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From Sheffield to Sandhurst: A Cold War Territorial Soldier's Memories (364) Sep 06, 2024

Show notes

Chris is a former member of the Yorkshire Volunteers, part of Cold War Britain’s Territorial reserve Army. This episode is a treasure trove of personal anecdotes, historical insights, and reflections on military life, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in military history and the Cold War era.

Chris’s journey into the military began with his interest in military subjects and history. He joined the Army Cadet Force before university and later, the Officer Training Corps at Sheffield University. As a reserve unit, training included handling World War II vintage weapons including the venerable Bren gun.

Chris’s training involved long days and nights of exercises and lectures. He recalls an incident at the School of Infantry in Warminster where he inadvertently came under live fire. Despite his initial lack of physical prowess, Chris’s perseverance and dedication saw him through, eventually leading to his decision to pursue a commission as an officer.

After training and assessment at Sandhurst, Chris was commissioned as a second lieutenant. The transition from private soldier to officer was challenging, particularly as he had to command men who previously outranked him. However, Chris’s determination and growing confidence helped him establish himself as a capable leader.

Looking back, Chris reflects on the camaraderie, the challenges, and the humorous moments that defined his military service. He also discusses the reality of PTSD, sharing insights from a friend who served in Iraq.

Related episodes

Britain's 1980s Cold War Dads Army/Home Guard - The Home Service Force https://pod.fo/e/14aea3

Episode extras here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode364

Want to hear more military stories of the Cold War?

Here are all our military episodes in one convenient playlist https://open.spotify.com/playlist/22Tf4FcjFWQB1Jh4hpYJDg?si=d1cac1f026fb4783

The fight to preserve Cold War history continues and via a simple monthly donation, you will give me the ammunition to continue to preserve Cold War history.

You’ll become part of our community, get ad-free episodes, and get a sought-after CWC coaster as a thank you and you’ll bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history.

Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/

If a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, We also welcome one-off donations via the same link.

Find the ideal gift for the Cold War enthusiast in your life! Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/store/

Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/
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Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations
Love history? Join Intohistory https://intohistory.com/coldwarpod

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From East Berlin to Ireland: A Cold War Journey of Resilience (363) Aug 30, 2024

Show notes

Juli begins by recounting her early years in East Berlin, a time marked by the tragic loss of her father. Drafted into the army just days before her birth, her father continually deserted to see his family, ultimately leading to his untimely death. This early loss left Juli and her mother to

navigate a harsh landscape in East Germany alone.

Life in East Berlin was a world of contrasts. Juli describes the indoctrination she experienced in school, where lessons were steeped in socialist propaganda. The Berlin Wall, a symbol of division and oppression, loomed large in her family's life, cutting them off from relatives in the West. Despite the regime's efforts to control information, Juli's family found ways to glimpse the outside world through Western television channels, fuelling her desire for freedom.

As Juli grew older, she became increasingly aware of the regime's lies and the oppressive nature of the state. The revolutionary movements of the late 1980s, sparked by events like the Tiananmen Square massacre, galvanized her. Juli joined the Monday demonstrations in Leipzig, risking her safety to demand change.

Juli’s story doesn’t end with the fall of the Wall. She moved to Ireland, where she built a new life and family. Her reflections on transitioning from a controlled, oppressive state to a free society are profound. She speaks candidly about the challenges of adapting to a new way of life and the lingering impact of her upbringing.

East Germany episode playlist https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1gHCa6R8q5OXkUncJQmyFm?si=9cc56794cf7244bc

Episode extras https://coldwarconversations.com/episode363/

The fight to preserve Cold War history continues and via a simple monthly donation, you will give me the ammunition to continue to preserve Cold War history.

You’ll become part of our community, get ad-free episodes, and get a sought-after CWC coaster as a thank you and you’ll bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history.

Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/

If a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, We also welcome one-off donations via the same link.

Find the ideal gift for the Cold War enthusiast in your life! Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/store/

Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/

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Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations

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BRIXMIS and the Secret Cold War - Intelligence Collecting Operations Behind Enemy Lines in East Germany (362) Aug 23, 2024

Show notes

BRIXMIS and its operations behind enemy lines continue to fascinate the listeners of Cold War Conversations. In August 2024 I was honoured to be invited to the National Army Museum in London to interview Andrew Long, the author of BRIXMIS and the Secret Cold War - Intelligence Collecting Operations Behind Enemy Lines in East Germany.

The National Army Museum is a leading authority on the British Army and its impact on society past and present. It’s well worth a visit, particularly their Foe to Friend exhibition about the British Army in Germany since 1945 which is on until the end of September 2024.

In front of a sellout audience including approximately 50 BRIXMIS veterans and their families, we discuss the role, purpose and achievements of BRIXMIS. The accompanying presentation can be viewed here.

The interview starts with an introduction from former BRIXMIS officer Major General Peter Williams and Chairman of the BRIXMIS Association. I’m delighted to welcome Peter Williams, Andrew Long and a sellout audience at the National Army Museum to our Cold War Conversation.

Buy the book and support the podcast https://uk.bookshop.org/a/1549/9781399067843

Linked episodes

BRIXMIS, the defence of Cold War Berlin & Rudolf Hess https://pod.fo/e/f833
Pete – a BRIXMIS driver behind enemy lines in East Germany https://pod.fo/e/eeb4c
Arrested 11 times, plus 3 shooting incidents – a BRIXMIS officer’s diary Pt 1 https://pod.fo/e/13af96
Imprisoned in a Soviet Military gaol - a BRIXMIS officer's diary Pt 2 https://pod.fo/e/13ca90
In conversation with 7 BRIXMIS veterans – Part 1 https://pod.fo/e/1599d9
In conversation with 7 BRIXMIS veterans – Part 2 https://pod.fo/e/15b0ac
Royal Military Police versus the Soviets (SOXMIS) in Cold War West Germany https://pod.fo/e/12c9d6
Behind enemy lines in East Germany with a US Military Liaison Mission driver Part 1 https://pod.fo/e/d4229
Behind enemy lines in East Germany with a US Military Liaison Mission driver Part 2 https://pod.fo/e/d757b
Soviet and U.S. Military Liaison Missions & US Counterintelligence https://pod.fo/e/e4f55
Cold War US Army Intelligence Analyst https://pod.fo/e/1f383
US Army Intelligence gathering in the unified Germany https://pod.fo/e/b2cb3

Episode extras https://coldwarconversations.com/episode362/

Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/

If a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, We also welcome one-off donations via the same link.

Find the ideal gift for the Cold War enthusiast in your life! Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/store/

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00:00 Introduction

12:06 Post war Germany was split into four occupation zones

16:35 BRIXMIS offices in Berlin and East Germany

21:06 Contacts between Soviets and British

23:27 The tour role in East Germany

30:16 Exploiting intelligence from Soviet rubbish tips

32:15 Restricted areas in East Germany

35:55 Missions and intelligence scoops

40:04 Descriptions of special equipment

42:05 BRIXMIS Cars

44:01 James Bond switches

47:59 Photography

50:36 Overnighting in East Germany

53:25 There East German and Soviet opposition

56:58 Close scrapes and fatalities

01:02 Where to buy the book

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To Catch a Spy - How the Spycatcher Affair Brought MI5 in from the Cold (361) Aug 16, 2024

Show notes

The Spycatcher affair remains one of the most intriguing moments in the history of British intelligence and a pivotal point in the public's relationship with the murky world of espionage and security.

It lifted the lid on alleged Soviet infiltration of British services and revealed a culture of law-breaking, bugging and burgling. But how much do we know about the story behind the scandal?

Tim Tate is the author of To Catch a Spy - How the Spycatcher Affair Brought MI5 in from the Cold and in this episode he reveals the astonishing true story of the British government's attempts to silence whistleblower and ex MI5 Spycatcher Peter Wright and hide the truth about Britain's intelligence services and political elites.

This is a tale of high treason and low farce. Drawing on thousands of pages of previously unpublished court transcripts, the contents of secret British government files, and original interviews with many of the key players in the Spycatcher trials.

It draws back the curtain on a hidden world. A world where spies, politicians and Britain's most senior civil servants conspired to ride roughshod over the law, prevented the public from hearing about their actions and mounted a cynical conspiracy to deceive the world.

Related episodes

Guy Burgess and the Cambridge Spy Ring https://pod.fo/e/a5e38
Charlotte Philby talks about her grandfather Soviet spy Kim Philby https://pod.fo/e/115bd7
Spy Who Was Left Out in the Cold: The Secret History of Agent Goleniewski https://pod.fo/e/cd2e1

Episode extras https://coldwarconversations.com/episode361/

The fight to preserve Cold War history continues and via a simple monthly donation, you will give me the ammunition to continue to preserve Cold War history.

You’ll become part of our community, get ad-free episodes, and get a sought-after CWC coaster as a thank you and you’ll bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history.

Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/

If a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, we welcome one-off donations via the same link.

Find the ideal gift for the Cold War enthusiast in your life! Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/store/

Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/
Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/
Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations
Love history? Join Intohistory https://intohistory.com/coldwarpod

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The longest-held prisoner of war in American history (360) Aug 09, 2024

Show notes

Jack Downey was the longest-held prisoner of war in American history. He was a CIA officer captured in China during the Korean War and imprisoned for twenty-one years.

I speak with Barry Werth the author of Prisoner of Lies - Jack Downey's Cold War. He details Downey’s story when the CIA recruited him as a new Yale graduate in the post-World War II years. In a violation of protocol, Downey took part in an airdrop that failed and was captured over China.

US government policy forbade ever acknowledging the identity of spies, no matter the consequences. Washington invented a fictitious cover story and stood by it through four Administrations. As a result, Downey was imprisoned during the decades that Red China, as it was called, was considered by the US to be a hostile nation.

This is a harrowing, chilling story of one man whose life is at the mercy of larger forces outside of his control; in Downey’s case as a pawn of the Cold War, and more specifically the Oval Office and the State Department.

However above all, it is an inspiring story of remarkable fortitude and resilience.

Buy the book here & support the podcast https://amzn.to/3LRQyvW

Linked episodes

Gary Powers & the 1960 U2 Incident https://pod.fo/e/f830

The Chinese Civil War and the Independence of Taiwan https://pod.fo/e/b9f5d

Episode extras https://coldwarconversations.com/episode360/

Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/

If a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, We also welcome one-off donations via the same link.

Find the ideal gift for the Cold War enthusiast in your life! Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/store/

Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/

Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod

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Love history? Join Intohistory https://intohistory.com/coldwarpod

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The Soviet Sixties (359) Aug 02, 2024

Show notes

Beginning with the death of Stalin in 1953, the “sixties” era in the Soviet Union was just as vibrant and transformative as in the West. The ideological romanticism of the revolutionary years was revived, with a renewed emphasis on egalitarianism, equality, and the building of a communist utopia.

Mass terror was reined in, great victories were won in the space race, Stalinist cultural dogmas were challenged, and young people danced to jazz and rock and roll.

I speak with Robert Hornsby who has written "the Soviet Sixties" which examines this remarkable and surprising period, showing that, even as living standards rose, aspects of earlier days endured.

Censorship and policing remained tight, and massacres during protests in Tbilisi and Novocherkassk, alongside invasions of Hungary and Czechoslovakia, showed the limits of reform. The rivalry with the United States reached perhaps its most volatile point, friendship with China turned to bitter enmity, and global decolonization opened up new horizons for the USSR in the developing world.

These tumultuous years transformed the lives of Soviet citizens and helped reshape the wider world.

Buy the book here & support the podcast https://uk.bookshop.org/a/1549/9780300250527

Related episodes

My father was Nikita Khrushchev Part 1 https://pod.fo/e/f831
My father was Nikita Khrushchev Part 2 https://pod.fo/e/f82f
The Cuban Missile Crisis https://pod.fo/e/143b25
Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev https://pod.fo/e/f9094
A freedom fighter in the 1956 Hungarian Revolution https://pod.fo/e/b1813
The Prague Spring https://pod.fo/e/f83a

Episode extras https://coldwarconversations.com/episode359/

Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/

If a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, We also welcome one-off donations via the same link.

Find the ideal gift for the Cold War enthusiast in your life! Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/store/

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Low Flying the Cold War USAF F-111 Nuclear Bomber (358) Jul 27, 2024

Show notes

Due to personal circumstances, I’ve been unable to produce a new episode this week, however, you will be aware of the many gems in the back catalogue and I have chosen one of my favourites today which is a rip-roaring story of service in the USAF with Rick Shreve an F111 pilot which I know you will enjoy. Normal service should be resumed next week.

Rick Shreve was a US Air Force F 111 pilot based at RAF Lakenheath in the UK. He was trained to carry out nuclear as well as conventional missions against the Warsaw Pact forces in Europe. Rick describes his low-level training missions to attack targets in the Soviet Union and East Germany, where he recalls a near-fatal incident amongst the Scottish lochs.

Rick was also part of one of the crews that flew on Operation El Dorado Canyon, the operation to bomb Libya in April 1986 in retaliation for the West Berlin discotheque bombing ten days earlier.

Rick gives you a very frank and honest view of his role in the US Air Force and his approach to the huge responsibilities he carried.

Episode extras https://coldwarconversations.com/episode358/

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If a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, We also welcome one-off donations via the same link.

Find the ideal gift for the Cold War enthusiast in your life! Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/store/

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