Cold War Conversations

Latest Episodes:

Defending RAF Gatow - Britain's airbase in Cold War Berlin (257) Oct 14, 2022

Show notes

Trevor Howie’s role at RAF Gatow was advising the Station Commander on Station defence during times of war, tension or terrorist threat as well as the defence of 26 Signals Unit at the Teufelsberg listening post.

RAF Gatow’s western side was located right against the Berlin Wall which was clearly visible from the control tower. Beyond the Wall was the Döberitz training area for the Soviet and East German Army.

Soviet jets regularly overflew West Berlin emitting sonic booms to underline the immediate threat from their forces.

To gain intelligence about the opposition Trevor used the resident De Havilland Chipmunk aircraft to see across the Wall and observe the neighbouring Soviet and East German forces. He describes the defence plans and exercises such as Exercise Grizzly Bear where every member of the air station would have played a part in its defence.

Trevor vividly describes how he heard that the Wall had opened on 9th November 1989.

It’s a fascinating view of British forces in Berlin and their plans should the Cold War have turned hot.

0:00 Introduction and Trevor Howie's role at RAF Gatow

3:53 The role and responsibilities of a station regiment officer

8:21 The vulnerability of the base and the plan in case of an attack

13:37 Life in Berlin during the Cold War

19:50 Discovery of a Stasi spy on the base and introduction to British Services Security Organization

23:50 Preparations for Exercise Grizzly Bear and the realization of the fall of the Berlin Wall

31:24 Enhanced security measures post-fall of the wall

37:27 Impact of the fall of the wall on Berliners and the beginning of the exit of Soviet forces

43:10 Discovery of World War 2 ammunition and relics in the base

46:10 Podcast extras, appreciation of financial supporters

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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/episode257/

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Guarding Britain's nuclear weapons and RAF Akrotiri during the Cold War (256) Oct 07, 2022

Show notes

Following his RAF Regiment officer training Trevor Howie was posted to 34 Sqn at Raf Akrotiri in Cyprus, commanding C Flight. The RAF regiment was effectively the Royal Air Force’s infantry, providing ground defence for air operations.

34 Sqn had a dual role of providing defence at Akrotiri and in the event of war at RAF Wildenrath in Germany.

Trevor vividly describes his time at Akrotiri, including terrorist threats and realistic anti-riot training exercises the enthusiasm of the Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders required a hospital ward to be kept available for casualties.

In 1986 Trevor became involved in Nuclear Weapon Security training, where the training techniques he introduced were the subject of complaints. His service also includes stints at RAF Greenham Common where he describes providing support to the US nuclear-armed cruise missile deployment there.

Don’t miss next week’s episode where Trevor is posted to RAF Gatow in West Berlin as the Station Regiment Officer, responsible for advising the Station Commander on how to defend the Station during times of war, tension or terrorist threat.

0:00 Introduction and brief about Trevor Howie's role during the Cold War

2:31 Trevor Howie's training and role in Cyprus

14:17 Description of weaponry and tactics used during the Cold War

22:30 Potential terrorist incident and precautions taken

30:04 Security and transportation of Britain's nuclear weapons

35:43 Evolution of military readiness and training for competence

42:15 Use and criticism of physical punishment in military training

46:08 Transforming challenges into rewarding experiences during training

48:03 Role in protecting cruise missiles at Greenham Common

54:24 Conclusion: Episode extras and thanking financial supporters

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The 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis with Sir Max Hastings (255) Sep 30, 2022

Show notes

The 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis is reckoned to be one of the most perilous events in history, when the World faced a looming nuclear collision between the United States and Soviet Union. During those weeks, the world gazed into the abyss of potential annihilation.

I speak with Sir Max Hastings whose new history Abyss: The Cuban Missile Crisis 1962 tells the story from the viewpoints of national leaders, Russian officers, Cuban peasants, American pilots and British disarmers. The period is brought to life with eye-witness interviews, archive documents and diaries, White House tape recordings, and top-down analysis. More than purely a focus on the 13 days of the crisis, the book provides context through the Cold War experiences of Fidel Castro’s Cuba, Nikita Khrushchev’s Russia, and Kennedy’s America.

Among the areas we discuss are how Cuba became a crisis, the failure of intelligence on both sides, and those nail-biting Thirteen Days in which Armageddon beckoned.

Buy the book and support the podcast https://amzn.to/3rlPLsM

0:00 Introduction and discussion on the Cuban missile crisis

7:35 Examination of the decision-making approaches during the Cuban Missile Crisis

15:07 Analysis of Jack Kennedy's political considerations and the missile gap myth

25:58 Comparison of Nikita Khrushchev's wisdom and Putin's actions in Ukraine

33:30 Analysis of fear's role in decision-making during the Cuban missile crisis

40:29 Discussion on the portrayal of military leaders in the Cold War

43:05 Exploration of communication failures and the impact of technology during crises

48:08 Cultural context and perspectives of the missile crisis era

52:10 Personal memories and humor in the face of the missile crisis

57:05 Conclusion and details about Max Hastings' book, "Abyss"

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Episode notes here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode255/

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“Houston, we’ve had a problem” interview with Fred Haise, Apollo 13 astronaut (254) Sep 23, 2022

Show notes

Fred Haise was one of the three astronauts on the ill-fated Moon mission when a design fault caused an oxygen tank to explode mid-mission putting the Apollo 13 crew in mortal danger on April 13th, 1970. This was the seventh crewed mission in the Apollo space program and the third meant to land on the Moon.

Now as you can imagine I’m genuinely excited to be speaking with one of the Apollo astronauts. Fred and I talk about his life and his almost accidental entry into flying. We cover his admission into the astronaut programme, the family impact, and as you can imagine go into some detail about his experiences on the Apollo 13 mission.

Many of you will know of this mission via the Film “Apollo 13” starring Tom Hanks, and Fred shares his views on the film and corrects some of the inaccuracies.

Buy Fred's new book Never Panic Early: An Apollo 13 Astronaut's Journey and support the podcast here https://amzn.to/3DvCRzN

0:00 Introduction

6:14 Fred Haise's journey to becoming an astronaut and role in Apollo 11

16:39 Selection and preparation for Apollo 13 mission

32:41 The Apollo 13 crisis: the explosion, aftermath, and survival

51:21 Critical maneuvers to correct trajectory back to Earth

1:03:42 Activation of the command module and return journey

1:11:12 Splashdown and immediate aftermath

1:18:48 Analysis of Apollo 13 film and Fred Haise's book 'Never Panic Early'

1:25:17 Episode extras, acknowledgment of financial supporters, and closing remarks

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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.

I am delighted to welcome Fred Haise to our Cold War conversation…

Episode notes here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode254

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

Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/

All audio/video/photos courtesy of NASA.

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An 18 year old US Military Policeman in Cold War West Berlin (253) Sep 16, 2022

Show notes

Richard Blevins enlisted aged 18 in the US Army in March of 1987. He completed Basic Training & Military Police School training in July of 1987 and was posted to West Berlin as a United States Military Policeman.

He describes his selection for Berlin duty while at Rhine-Main AFB in Frankfurt and his first journey across East Germany on the US Duty train to West Berlin.

Richard’s first year consisted of patrol duties and combat training as well as serving at Checkpoints Bravo and Charlie as the assistant to the Non-commissioned Officer in Charge.

He also got selected as a traffic accident investigator in 1988 where he would patrol with the West Berlin Police and respond to all car accidents involving US military, dependents, and civilian workers as well as West German nationals.

Richard also describes how he heard the news on November 8th, 1989, that Erich Honecker had lifted all travel restrictions on East Germans starting at midnight.

He is a close friend of Michael Rafferty who appeared in episode 13 with his account of the last days of Checkpoint Charlie. Don’t miss Michael’s video of 1980s Berlin in the episode notes.

0:00 Introduction with Richard Blevins

5:00 Richard's journey to Berlin and first encounter with Soviet troops

15:00 Contrasting West and East Berlin and living conditions

25:00 Richard's assignment to 3rd platoon: Patrol duties, training, and interactions with Royal Military Police

35:00 Liaising with Soviets and training with British units

45:00 Duties at checkpoints Bravo and Charlie

55:00 Living near the Berlin Wall and its transformation post-fall

1:05:00 Friendship with Michael Rafferty and plans to revisit Berlin

1:10:00 Security measures for soldiers and interactions with locals

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

If a financial contribution is not your cup of tea, then you can still help us by leaving written reviews wherever you listen to us as well as sharing us on social media. It really helps us get new guests on the show.

I am delighted to welcome Richard Blevins to our Cold War conversation…

Episode notes here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode253

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A trip across Central Europe on a East German MZ motorbike (252) Sep 09, 2022

Show notes

MZ was an East German motorcycle manufacturer located in Zschopau, Saxony. The acronym MZ stands for Motorenwerke Zschopau GmbH (German for Zschopau engine factory).

In the 1980s MZ was regarded by the British motorcycle press as producing ugly and old-fashioned (if worthy) motorcycles however, there was a hard-core set of UK fans who loved this relatively, cheap and easy-to-repair bike.

Julian Howe was a big fan of the MZ bike. He tells of a bizarre honeymoon of fellow MZ club members which involved MZ bike fans from across the UK touring Western Europe and the Warsaw Pact Countries.

From sharing drinks with border guards to being on the receiving end of CS gas in Krakow it’s a tour through late 1980s Europe on the back of a two-stroke MZ motorbike.

0:00 Introduction and background on MZ motorcycles

1:21 Call for donations and testimonial from a supporter

5:28 The journey begins - crossing the border into East Germany

11:26 Interaction with an East German border guard and reflections on environment

15:20 Entering Poland and experiences with locals

22:19 Crossing through Czechoslovakia into Hungary and visit to a private museum

26:12 Visit to Prague and interactions with locals

29:37 Return journey through East Germany and humorous encounter at the border

33:47 Julian's most memorable experience from his trip and favorite media recommendations

38:29 Closing remarks and appreciation for financial supporters

39:02 Encouragement to join the Facebook group and continue the conversation

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I am delighted to welcome Julian Howe to our Cold War conversation…

Episode notes here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode252

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Imprisoned in a Soviet Military gaol - a BRIXMIS officer's diary Pt 2 (251) Sep 02, 2022

Show notes

This is the 2nd part of my interview with Lt Col. Stephen Harrison, MBE who served for two years as a full-time Touring Officer with BRIXMIS. The tours were hazardous three-man, vehicle-borne patrols collecting intelligence on the Warsaw Pact forces in East Germany for up to five days and nights over a series of four-month patrolling periods.

In this episode, we hear of Stephen’s imprisonment in a Soviet Army gaol, following detention in a Soviet Army garrison town as well as East German and Soviet Army press coverage about his activities.

Stephen’s speciality was using his language skills to engage and befriend opposition troops and thereby gaining valuable intelligence. He used to go into bars frequented by Soviet officers and recalls one particular drunken night in Potsdam..

We also hear about his visit to the infamous World War 2 prison camp of Colditz castle where he befriends the staff enabling other BRIXMIS tours to visit regularly.

Stephen also shares details of the top-secret Operation Tomahawk, a particularly unpleasant mission which may not be for those of a sensitive disposition.

In later years Stephen obtained his Stasi file which reveals that the surveillance on him was far closer than he’d ever believed.

0:00 Introduction and Stephen Harrison's role in BRIXMIS

10:21 Stephen's arrest and time in a Soviet military cell

15:48 Stephen's role as interpreter and socializing with Soviet officers

22:53 Stephen's experiences during town and cultural tours

27:38 Stephen's Stasi files and the accuracy of their reports

33:25 Stephen's work and dealing with detentions

38:49 Operation Tomahawk: Exploiting Soviet military rubbish tips

47:57 Reflecting on the human side of intelligence gathering

49:45 Podcast end notes, acknowledgments and donation information

50:15 Invitation to join the Cold War Conversations Facebook group

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

I am delighted to welcome Stephen to our Cold War conversation…

Episode notes here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode251/

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

Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/

There is nothing like hearing history from those that were there...

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Arrested 11 times, plus 3 shooting incidents - a BRIXMIS officer's diary Pt 1 (250) Aug 26, 2022

Show notes

Lt Col. Stephen Harrison, MBE served for two years as a full-time Touring Officer with BRIXMIS. These Tours were hazardous three man, vehicle-borne patrols collecting intelligence on the Warsaw Pact forces in East Germany for up to five days and nights over a series of four-month patrolling periods.

They lived in the field and did not carry weapons while Soviet and East German troops were nearly always armed, and their ever-present sentries carried live ammunition. The Tours operated in the closest proximity to these hostile and aggressive Warsaw Pact troops whose orders permitted them to use whatever force necessary, including opening fire, to protect the property they are guarding.

We hear in detail about Stephen’s experiences in these demanding and frequently dangerous situations, as well as how he used his language skills to engage and befriend opposition troops gaining valuable intelligence which made him a particular threat to the Soviets.

Don’t miss part 2 here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode251/

0:00 Introduction and Background of Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Harrison

2:19 How to Donate to Cold War Conversations

5:27 Stephen's Experiences and Roles During the Cold War

15:05 Techniques and Strategies Used on Tours

23:14 Emergency Situations and Adaptations During Tours

30:10 Interactions with East German Population and Soviet Troops

41:13 Encounter with Soviet Air Defense System and Other Incidents

47:39 Reflections on Risk-Taking during Operations

47:58 Closing Remarks and Acknowledgements of Financial Supporters

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

I am delighted to welcome Stephen to our Cold War conversation…

Episode notes here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode250/

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

Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/

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Life in the forbidden zone at the East/West German border (249) Aug 19, 2022

Show notes

A young Claudia Bierschenk lived at the edge of a world called the GDR, in a village surrounded by hills, valleys and thick forests.

Her great uncle lives in the Forbidden Zone, the area where the East German border is a few metres away from West Germany. This is where the villages are like ghosts towns and inhabitants need special permits to enter.

Claudia provides a vivid and unique description of entering the Forbidden Zone for the first time after being granted special permits to visit her Great Uncle on his 80th birthday. His house is the last house before the final border fences and Claudia describes up close to the fences, while her grandfather tells her about “rabbit discos”…

We also hear more of her life in this isolated area, including strange sports activities and Claudia’s experience of being trained as a 12-year-old Para medic.

We end the episode talking about how she and her family experienced the momentous events of 1989 when the border opens, and East Germans are free to cross into West Germany.

Claudia has distilled these stories into a book, Never Mind, Comrade, published by Tangerine Press

Don’t miss our previous episode with Claudia here https://pod.fo/e/137f1e

0:00 Introduction

1:00 Life and experiences in East Germany featuring Claudia Biashek

10:07 Claudia's family history during World War 2

17:10 Claudia's journey to the restricted zone and first sight of the Berlin Wall

25:35 Claudia's family decision to emigrate and the fears associated

34:35 Claudia's experience during the opening of the borders and crossing into the West

44:27 Adaptation to life in the West

46:00 Introduction to Claudia's book, "Nevermind Comrade"

46:24 Acknowledging financial supporters of the podcast

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I am delighted to welcome Claudia to our Cold War conversation…

Enter the draw to win a copy of the book here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode249/

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

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Radio GDR

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

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The girl at the edge of the World - an East German childhood at the West German Border (248) Aug 12, 2022

Show notes

A young Claudia Bierschenk lived in a village surrounded by hills, valleys and thick forests at the edge of a world called the GDR. It could be beautiful, but the Iron Curtain runs through it, like a tectonic plate separating East and West and Claudia from her West German relatives.

She tells of her life in this isolated area, of village life, far away from the socialist showpiece of East Berlin, where there are only two types of yoghurt in the village store.

In a series of snapshots, we re-live her childhood of secretly watching West German TV, learning “Marxism-Leninism for kids” at school, and the rare joy of a phone call from the West.

We also hear of her parents’ challenges. For her father, it’s his home village, but he is criticised for his liberal views and for wearing Western braces to school. Locals see her mother as an outsider, and she yearns for a life in the West with her sister in West Berlin.

Claudia has distilled these stories into a book, Never Mind, Comrade, published by Tangerine Press. Buy the book here https://uk.bookshop.org/a/1549/9781910691700

0:00 Introduction and Claudia Bierschenk's early life in the GDR

6:50 Claudia's family occupations and life in a small town

14:08 Education and the system of punishment and reward in East German schools

24:06 Viewing Western television and maintaining contact with relatives in West Germany

33:07 Claudia's family experiences with the Berlin Wall and escape attempts

38:42 School experiences and navigating discussions in East Germany

44:13 Tightening of border controls and holidays in Hungary

49:56 After school activities and sports under the ideology ofEast Germany

51:30 "Nevermind Comrade" book by Claudia Bierschenk

52:00 Acknowledgement of financial supporters and call to action

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Cold War history is disappearing; however, a simple monthly donation will keep this podcast on the air. You’ll get a sought-after CWC coaster as a thank you and bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping preserve Cold War history.

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

If a financial contribution is not your cup of tea, then you can still help us by leaving written reviews wherever you listen to us and sharing them on social media. It really helps us get new guests on the show.

I am delighted to welcome Claudia Bierschenk to our Cold War conversation…

Listen to the 2nd part of this interview here. https://pod.fo/e/1395f8

Extra episode info here. https://coldwarconversations.com/episode248

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

Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/

Radio GDR

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

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

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

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/

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