Cold War Conversations

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The most damaging female spy in US history (277) Feb 11, 2023

Show notes

Ana Montes was the most damaging female spy in US history.

For nearly 17 years, Montes was one of the government's top Cuba experts, with easy access to classified documents. By night, she was working for Fidel Castro's Cuba, listening to coded messages over shortwave radio, passing US secrets to handlers in local restaurants, and slipping into Havana wearing a wig.

Her only sister, Lucy, worked for the FBI helping the FBI flush Cuban spies out of the United States. Little did Lucy or her family know that the greatest Cuban spy of all was sitting right next to them at Thanksgivings, baptisms, and weddings.

I speak with investigative journalist Jim Popkin whose book Code Name Blue Wren, weaves the tale of two sisters who chose two very different paths and reveals the making of a traitor- a woman labelled "one of the most damaging spies in U.S. history" by America's top counter-intelligence official.

After more than two decades in federal prison, Montes was freed in January 2023.

0:00 Introduction to Anna Montes and her spying activities

10:15 Anna Montes' radicalization and move to Washington

18:10 Anna's trip to Cuba and her spy training

26:12 Anna's entry into the DIA and her unique method of passing information

33:14 Anna's communication methods with Cuba and her siblings joining the FBI

42:01 Colleagues' perception of Anna and her personality changes

49:37 The FBI's success in Cuban counterintelligence operations and suspicions about Anna

54:42 Agent S's identity and the investigation into Agent S

1:02:19 Building the case against Ana Montes and the evidence found

1:07:20 Ana Montes' promotion, arrest, and prosecution

1:15:22 Anna Montes' unapologetic stance and her sentence

1:18:08 Jim's book: Code Name Blue Ren

1:19:07 Cold War Conversations Facebook Group and store promotions

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Buy the book here https://amzn.to/3l9s47k

Episodes mentioned

Number stations https://coldwarconversations.com/episode239/

Photos and videos relating to this episode https://coldwarconversations.com/episode277/

The battle to preserve Cold War history is ongoing and your support can provide me with the ammunition to continue to keep this podcast on the air. Via a simple monthly donation, you’ll become part of our community 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/

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The 1989 US Invasion of Panama & the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre (276) Feb 08, 2023

Show notes

Every weekday on the History Daily podcast, Lindsay Graham takes you back in time to explore a momentous moment that happened ‘on this day’ in history.

1989 was a pivotal year for the Cold War. The fall of the Berlin Wall, free elections in Poland, and the almost bloodless revolutions in the other Warsaw Pact countries apart from Romania.

However, two other important events occurred in 1989 and this bonus episode will cover those events.

So here is the 1989 US Invasion of Panama and the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre courtesy of our friends at History Daily. Just search History Daily in your podcast app for further episodes. https://www.historydaily.com/

We have two full episodes for you.

1989 US Invasion of Panama

December 20, 1989. President George H.W. Bush launches a US invasion of Panama to depose the country's dictator, and former CIA informant, Manuel Noriega.

The Tiananmen Square Massacre

June 3, 1989. In a bloody government crackdown on dissent, Chinese troops storm Beijing's Tiananmen Square and open fire on a pro-democracy demonstration, killing hundreds of unarmed civilians.

Related videos here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode276/

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Missile away, missile away! - A Cold War US Peacekeeper nuclear missile launch officer (275) Feb 04, 2023

Show notes

Tim Lyon was an officer assigned to the 400th Strategic Missile Squadron located in Cheyenne Wyoming. The Squadron was maintained 50 Peacekeeper ICBM missiles based in underground silos in farmers’ fields in remote areas of Wyoming.

Tim was one of two launch officers who were responsible for 10 of these missiles. He and his colleague would descend forty to sixty feet below ground to a concrete capsule that housed the Launch Control Centre. There he would spend 24-hour alerts ready to launch 100 nuclear warheads — each with twenty times the explosive force of the Hiroshima bomb at speeds of 15,000 mph.

We hear in detail about his training, the testing procedures, security, and how he handled such a huge responsibility. Tim also describes launching one of these missiles from a test site in the US.

Episodes mentioned:

Commanding a Royal Navy Polaris Nuclear Missile Submarine https://coldwarconversations.com/episode168/

Cold War history is disappearing; however, a simple monthly donation will keep this podcast on the air. You’ll become part of our community 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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Episode notes here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode275/

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Red Elvis on tour, aka Dean Reed the US Cold War music star (274) Jan 28, 2023

Show notes

Warning: This episode does cover the subject of suicide. If you need help please use these links:

UK https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/
Rest of the World https://findahelpline.com/i/iasp

Dean Reed was an American actor, singer and songwriter, director, and Socialist who became a huge star in Latin America and the Eastern Bloc.

Neil Jacobs is a guitarist who first met Dean Reed briefly while renting accommodation from Will Roberts, who directed the documentary of Dean Reed called “American Rebel”.

Neil served on the US Cultural Delegation to the Moscow World Youth Festival in 1985 and unlike most of the participants, he was assigned by the Soviets. I did not go through any of the screening processes that the American Delegation had undergone, and therefore has a unique perspective on the event. It was at this event he began his friendship with Dean Reed.

Additionally, he traveled with Dean Reed extensively both in the US and in the Eastern Bloc from 1985 -1986 and was one of the last people to see him before his death.

0:00 Introduction and Content Warning

4:46 Neil's first meeting with Dean Reed and their friendship

7:03 Filming and Screening of "American Rebel"

11:26 Dean Reed's Mentoring and Support for Neil

15:00 Dean Reed's experiences at the World Youth Festival

20:18 Dean Reed's Relationship with Host, Ian Sanders

24:44 Dean Reed's Struggle to Reestablish a Career in the US

28:19 Dean Reed's Controversial Stance on the Berlin Wall

32:46 Discussion on German Fascination with American Western Cowboy Culture

41:21 Dean Reed's Unexpected Death and Speculations

46:19 Mysterious Deaths of Celebrities in East Germany

51:54 Fears and Speculations about Dean Reed's Death

54:14 Impact of the Chernobyl Incident on Dean Reed's State of Mind

55:06 Closing Remarks and Acknowledgments to Supporters

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Listen to our other Dean Reed episodes here

https://coldwarconversations.com/episode97/

https://coldwarconversations.com/episode98/

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Photos and videos relating to this episode https://coldwarconversations.com/episode274/

Neil Jacobs web site https://www.neiljacobs.com/

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The Bridge of Spies spy (273) Jan 21, 2023

Show notes

On 10 February 1962, Gary Powers, the American pilot whose U2 spy plane was shot down in Soviet airspace, was released on “The Bridge in Spies” in Berlin by his captors in exchange for one Colonel Rudolf Abel, aka Vilyam Fisher - one of the most extraordinary characters in the history of the Cold War.

Born plain William Fisher in Newcastle upon Tyne, in the UK this British grammar schoolboy was the child of revolutionary parents who had fled tsarist oppression in Russia. Their son returned to his spiritual homeland, the newly formed Soviet Union, and became a spy, embarking on a mission to New York, where he ran the network that stole America's atomic secrets.

In 1957, Willie's luck ran out and he was arrested and sentenced to thirty years in prison. Five years later, the USSR's regard for his talents was proven when they insisted on swapping him for Gary Powers.

I speak with Vin Arthey, the author of “Abel. The true story of the spy they traded for Gary Powers” Vin Arthey has traced Willie's tale from the most unlikely of beginnings in Newcastle, to Moscow, the streets of New York, and back again, a story of Cold War espionage to rival anything in fiction.

0:00 Introduction and discussion about Willie Fisher's spy work

10:26 Willie Fisher's upbringing and education in England

18:49 Fisher's move to Russia and his early years in Soviet society

25:33 Fisher's entry and rise in the intelligence services

38:41 Fisher's significant operations during the Great Patriotic War

42:52 Fisher's training and espionage work in the US

57:42 Fisher's capture, trial, and the role of his defense lawyer, Jim Donovan

1:08:26 The spy exchange, Fisher's imprisonment, and contact with his family

1:14:23 Fisher's life post-exchange in the Soviet Union and his role in the KGB

1:19:15 Fisher's final moments and the KGB's surveillance of him

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Episodes mentioned

The Rosenberg’s https://coldwarconversations.com/episode184/

Portland Spy Ring https://coldwarconversations.com/episode138/ https://coldwarconversations.com/episode139/

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Videos and further infor here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode273/

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Two weddings and a teaching post in Cold War Berlin (272) Jan 14, 2023

Show notes

Marie-Claude Hawkes continues her story with her return to Berlin in 1985 as a French teaching assistant at the Havel School RAF Gatow, teaching French and taking part in school activities in West and East Berlin.

Between September 86 and August 87 Marie-Claude was employed as a cartoonist for the Berlin Bulletin, the weekly magazine for the British Forces in Berlin.

Marie Claude describes her experiences as a French citizen working for the British Army as well as the challenges of being a French civilian in Berlin marrying a British citizen.

In February 1988 Marie-Claude started work as the Director of Extra-Mural Studies at 46 AEC (Army Education Corps), Smuts Barracks in Spandau.

While organising various classes for service men/women and their ‘dependents’, she also provided interpreting and trips to East Berlin for various purposes, one illegal…

It’s a fascinating view of Cold War Berlin from a perspective not heard before.

7:14 Marie-Claude Hawkes' experiences in Berlin and role at the Harvard School

14:39 Marie-Claude Hawkes' post-marriage life and career in the Army Education Corps

17:28 Life in Berlin, cultural barriers, and infamous locations

20:49 Marie-Claude Hawkes' role in the Education Center and adventures in East Berlin

30:06 Unique rules and regulations of living in Berlin: 'Berlinology'

33:37 Discussions on Berlin defense and encounters with Soviet officers

38:53 Marie-Claude Hawkes' wedding and experience on the French military train

46:26 Inquiry about Stasi files and reflections on being a part of history

48:16 Sponsor: Episode extras and gratitude to financial supporters

48:50 Closing remarks and preview of next episode

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Episodes mentioned:

The Defence of RAF Gatow https://coldwarconversations.com/episode257/

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The girl in a Cold War East German coal mine (271) Jan 07, 2023

Show notes

In 1981 Marie-Claude Hawkes was an 18-year-old living in Amiens, France when she embarked on a trip to East Germany looking for adventure…

Among her experiences was working in a lignite coal mine. Lignite is considered the lowest rank of coal and the most harmful coal to human health but was a major fuel source for East German power stations.

Marie-Claude travelled from Paris to Leipzig on an overnight train, staying at the International Youth Camp in Borna. From there she travelled every day to work in the open lignite mine at Espenhain, about 16 miles from Leipzig.

She describes working at the mine, weekends off, visits to Leipzig, Magdeburg, Weimar, and a potato peeling factory...!

It’s a fascinating view of East Germany away from the capital Berlin.

0:00 Introduction and Mary Claude Hawkes' initial experiences in East Germany

2:06 Sponsor: Promotion of Cold War Conversations and listener's testimonial

4:51 Mary Claude Hawkes' journey to East Germany and arrival at the International Youth Camp

13:43 Work and life in the International Youth Camp

22:37 Leisure time: visits to Leipzig and after-work activities

25:51 Travel experiences and evening entertainment in East Germany

29:01 Political experiences and visits to various factories

33:11 Working conditions and run-in with authorities

40:01 Impressions of Magdeburg and East Berlin

44:13 Return to Paris and plans for future visits to Berlin

45:23 Sponsor: Thanks to financial supporters and invitation to join the Facebook Discussion Group

46:19 Closing remarks and mention of the Cold War Conversations store

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Check out the episode related photos and videos here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode271/

Radio GDR

If you are interested in East Germany we can highly recommend our friends over at Radio GDR.

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In conversation with 7 BRIXMIS veterans - Part 2 (270) Jan 04, 2023

Show notes

Part 2, of a two part recording.

Part 1 is here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode268

In October of 2022, I was asked by the West Pennines Military Vehicle Trust to moderate a Q&A session with a number of BRIXMIS veterans.

Attending were Drivers Neil Walton, Pete Curran, Dave Collins and Kev Smith, plus Sandy Saxton-Warne (Joint operations & weapons) , Mike Hill (Tour officer), Mike Corcoran (Weapons), and Dave Butler (Senior Non Commissioned Officer, Tourer).

It was an amazing afternoon of reminiscing about their experiences and viewing the amazing collections they had from that time.

My good friend Colin Dyter was a massive help with the recording, but a quick note that the audio is not up to the usual quality of Cold War Conversations, due to background noise, but I think the events and activities described definitely make it worth listening to.

0:00 Introduction and background on the episode's guests

2:15 BRIXMIS veterans and their stories

6:44 Importance of safeguarding sensitive equipment and intelligence gathering

14:52 Identifying and tracking Soviet equipment

24:06 Scavenging procedures and notable discoveries

30:22 Operation Tomahawk and the risks of tour driving

39:35 Confrontations with Russians and successful escapes

46:17 Use of maps and marking points of interest in the Cold War

58:10 Collecting memorabilia and living conditions in the DDR

1:02:14 Closing remarks and episode extras

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Cold War history is disappearing; however, a simple monthly donation will keep this podcast on the air. You’ll become part of our community 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.

Episode notes here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode270

Support the show

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Able Archer - The military exercise that almost started World War 3 - a look in the archives (269) Dec 31, 2022

Show notes

In 1986 Soviet Leader Mikhail Gorbachev said “Never perhaps, in the post-war decades has the situation in the world been explosive and hence more difficult and unfavourable as in the first half of the 1980s. “

He was referring to a period of immense tension between the Soviet Union and NATO when in 1983 a NATO exercise called Able Archer was believed to have almost accidentally started World War 3.

We delve into the Able Archer archives to talk about the most recent documents with Francesca Akhtar, a researcher whose main research interests are US Cold War foreign policy, intelligence history and defence.

Francesca has written a dissertation entitled “The most dangerous Soviet-American confrontation since the Cuban Missile Crisis?” An analysis of the origins, nature, and impact of the Able Archer 83 incident.

0:00 Introduction and context about Able Archer

1:07 Overview of Able Archer and its potential to start World War 3

2:15 Sponsor message and call for donations

3:19 The changes in Able Archer in 1983 and misconceptions

6:51 Context of shooting down of Korean airliner in 1983 and comparison with the Cuba missile crisis

10:31 Status of UK archives on Able Archer and challenges in obtaining information

14:11 Discussion on the cancellation of Able Archer in 1990 and continuation despite potential misunderstandings

21:11 Introduction to the revealing documents in the February state department release and discussion on Perroots' letter

32:11 The letter that sparked an investigation and possible preemptive strike

35:03 Post-exercise NSA message, Soviet readiness, and criticism of US intelligence

41:17 Soviet side and access to information and concluding remarks on the Cold War scare

47:16 Acknowledgement of the episode extras and appreciation of financial supporters

48:30 Closing remarks and promotion of the Cold War Conversations store

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Regular listeners will remember that Francesca talked about Able Archer 83 previously in Episode 19.

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View the actual Able Archer intelligence briefing documents here as well as videos, and extra information https://coldwarconversations.com/episode269/

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In conversation with 7 BRIXMIS veterans - Part 1 (268) Dec 28, 2022

Show notes

In October of 2022, I was asked by the West Pennines Military Vehicle Trust to moderate a Q&A session with a number of BRIXMIS veterans.

Part 2 is here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode270

It was an amazing afternoon of reminiscing about their experiences and viewing the amazing collections they had from that time. Don’t miss part 2 which follows next week.

0:00 Introduction and story from Dave Collins

5:25 Dave Collins recounts the night the wall came down

8:47 Neil Walton talks about their communication system and shares stories of challenging situations

15:41 Monitoring equipment and weapon remnants in East Germany

21:21 An encounter with the MFS during a tour

28:20 Discussion about different units and experiences in the army

39:04 Understanding 'tarpology' and recognizing Soviet equipment

44:35 Special permits and fast driving experiences

54:04 Using thermal imaging in the Cold War

1:01:14 Cliffhanger - The discovery about the missile

1:01:42 Acknowledgement of financial supporters and call for donations

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