Cold War Conversations

Latest Episodes:

Berlin: Capital of Spies (207) Nov 06, 2021

Show notes

For almost half a century, the hottest front in the Cold War was right across Berlin. From summer 1945 until 1990, spying was part of everyday life in both East and West Berlin.

I speak with historian Bernd von Kostka of the Allied Museum in Berlin-Dahlem who has co-authored with Sven Felix Kellerhoff the book Capital of Spies: Intelligence agencies in Berlin during the Cold War recently published by Casemate.

The book describes the spectacular successes and failures of the various secret services based in the city and in this episode we will concentrate on one of the chapters detailing the work of the various Allied listening stations.

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This podcast relies on listener support to enable me to continue to capture these incredible stories and make them available for free. You can support my work and help to preserve Cold War history via one off or monthly donations

Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/for more details.

Do join our Facebook discussion group where the cold war conversation continues between episodes. Just search Cold War Conversations on Facebook.

I am delighted and honoured to welcome back Bernd von Kostka to our Cold War conversation…

There’s further information here. https://coldwarconversations.com/episode207/

Thank you very much for listening. It is really appreciated – goodbye.

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0:00 Introduction and discussion on Berlin's role in the Cold War

2:42 Historical significance of Teufelsberg in Berlin

9:14 Listening stations in Berlin: Marienfelde and Templehof

16:28 Collaboration between the Western powers in Berlin

20:47 Technology and operations at Teufelsberg

27:47 Infiltration of Field Station Berlin by Soviet and East German agents

38:32 US counterintelligence's awareness of spy activities

43:33 Exposure and fate of the spies post-arrest

47:59 Fate of Teufelsberg after the Wall opened

50:07 Sponsor: Promotion for Bernd's book "Capital of Spies"

51:57 Closing remarks and promotion for the Cold War Conversations store

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How a Soviet conscript became a NATO General (206) Oct 29, 2021

Show notes

In 1985, an eighteen-year-old named Riho Terras arrived at the Soviet armed forces’ large conscript assessment facility in Tallinn obeying his conscription orders.

Little did he know that 26 years later he would be a NATO General.

Riho shares his experiences in the Soviet Navy with us in some detail. We hear about his service on the Soviet frigate Zadornyy including trips to the Mediterranean and Cuba as well as monitoring NATO warships.

Riho also shares his experiences of Estonian independence and the challenges of converting the country into an independent nation.

I’m extremely grateful to Elisabeth Braw, a resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute who facilitated this interview via her Englebert Ideas essay.

Thanks to all of you for listening to the podcast. It is an absolute passion for me to save these stories from being forgotten and sharing them weekly for free for everyone to hear.

Whilst this is a passion, I am asking if each listener could make either a one-off or better still sign up for monthly donations to help me to find the time to produce and finance the project.

If you’d like to know more 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 Riho Terras to our Cold War conversation…

There’s further information about this episode here. https://coldwarconversations.com/episode206/

If you can’t wait for next week’s episode do visit our Facebook discussion group where guests and listeners continue the Cold War Conversation. Just search Cold War Conversations in Facebook.

Thank you very much for listening. It is really appreciated – goodbye.

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

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

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0:00 Introduction and Riho Terras' early life in Estonia

1:41 Sponsor: Call for listener support and donations

9:06 Riho's military draft notice and initial experiences in the Soviet Navy

16:41 Riho's unique experience as an artist in the Navy and decision to join a naval ship

22:37 Riho's role and experiences on the Soviet naval ship in the Mediterranean

27:43 Riho's experiences in Cuba and encounters with NATO warships

36:19 Riho's return to Estonia, observations on its independence movement and joining the national guard

47:39 Transitioning from Soviet Union to independent Estonia and its economic changes post-independence

51:03 Riho joining the Estonian Armed Forces and progression through the ranks

54:51 Influence of Riho's Soviet military experience on his career in the Estonian Armed Forces

56:43 Conclusion and acknowledgements to patrons

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Terrorism in the Cold War (205) Oct 22, 2021

Show notes

I talk with the writers and editors of Terrorism in the Cold War a new two volume book that uses a wide range of case studies including Polish Military Intelligence and Its Secret Relationship with the Abu Nidal Organization and Gladio – Myth and Reality: The Origins and Function of Stay Behind in the Case of Post-war Austria.

The book sheds new light on the relations between state and terrorist actors, allowing for a fresh and much more insightful assessment of the contacts, dealings, agreements and collusion with terrorist organizations undertaken by state actors on both sides of the Iron Curtain.

You will learn that these state-terrorism relationships were not only much more ambiguous than much of the older literature had suggested but are, in fact, crucial for the understanding of global political history in the Cold War era.

If you are enjoying the podcast I could use some support to enable me to continue recording these incredible stories. If you become a monthly supporter via Patreon, you will get the sought after CWC coaster as a thank you and bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history.

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

If you can’t wait for next week’s episode do visit our Facebook discussion group where guests and listeners continue the Cold War Conversation. Just search Cold War Conversations in Facebook.

There's more in the episode notes here coldwarconversations.com/episode205/

I am delighted to welcome Thomas Riegler, Przemyslaw Gasztold and Adrian Hänni to our Cold War conversation…

Thank you very much for listening. It is really appreciated.

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0:00 Introduction

0:10 Examination of state terrorism relationships during the Cold War era

4:15 Debunking myths around Cold War terrorism

10:23 Discussion on Eastern Bloc nations and their dealings with terrorist organizations

17:16 Examination of the Italian Red Brigades' relationship with the Soviet Bloc

23:23 Introduction to the case studies: Abu Nidal Organization and its leader

33:51 Research into Polish military intelligence's relationship with the Abu Nidal Organization

41:07 Introduction to Thomas Riegler's chapter: Gladio Myth and Reality

53:46 The United Kingdom's development of a stay-behind network during the Cold War

55:05 Acknowledgements and closing remarks

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Emanuela - a Cold War Romanian Childhood (204) Oct 15, 2021

Show notes

Emanuela Grama was born in the mid-1970s’ in a small provincial town in Eastern Romania. She provides us with a great insight into life in the Romanian provinces during the 1980s.

Emanuela lived in a small two-bedroom flat and tells of her parents working in a factory while her grandparents looked after her.

Her father listened secretly to Radio Free Europe and collected stamps so he could legitimately write to people in the West.

Her parents told her not to talk at school about what was said at home and to be very careful what she said to friends.

Emanuela vividly recalls the day the revolution started in 1989, Emanuela was at home alone and she described the instant atmosphere of change and the weeks and months after.

We also hear about Emanuela’s book, Socialist Heritage: The Politics of Past and Place in Romania which traces the transformation of Bucharest’s Old Town district where under socialism, politicians and professionals used the district’s historic buildings to emphasize the city’s Romanian past and erase its ethnically diverse history.

I’m asking listeners to support my work and enable me to continue recording these incredible stories. If you become a monthly supporter via Patreon, you will get the sought after CWC coaster as a thank you and bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history.

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

If you can’t wait for next week’s episode, visit our Facebook discussion group where guests and listeners continue the Cold War Conversation. Just search Cold War Conversations on Facebook.

Further details , including photos are in our episode notes at https://coldwarconversations.com/episode204/

James Chilcott is our host and I am delighted to welcome James and Emanuela to our Cold War conversation…

Thank you very much for listening. It is really appreciated.

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

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

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0:00 Introduction and background of Emanuela Grama

4:49 Absence of Jewish history in Romanian education and Emanuela's early life

14:40 Emanuela's childhood, influence of Western literature, and school experience under communist regime

26:55 Revelation of the fall of Ceausescu regime and experience during the revolution

34:22 Introduction to Emanuela Grama's book 'Socialist Heritage' and discussion on political changes in Romania

40:49 The state of Romanian high schools post 1990 and reflections on Romania's past and present

46:24 Understanding ethnographic research and the ethnic diversity in Romania

49:30 The rise of the secondhand clothes market and longing for Western media in Romania

55:43 Emanuela's published poem and changes made by editors

59:22 Closing remarks and mention of Cold War Conversations store

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Pete - a BRIXMIS driver behind enemy lines in East Germany (203) Oct 08, 2021

Show notes

Pete Curran served with BRIXMIS, the British Military Liaison Mission in East Germany. Their operation was established by a post-WWII Allied occupation forces' agreement, where British, US and French missions had relative freedom to travel and collect intelligence throughout East Germany from 1947 until 1990.

Pete’s story starts with details of his vetting interview, driver training, and his first tour in East Germany. We also hear of the intelligence scoops he was involved in and some of his close scrapes while evading both the Soviets and the Stasi including one with a Soviet helicopter.

We also hear of the role of the driver in the three-man teams, the incredible camaraderie of the unit, as well as the pressure on their loved ones.

I know from my stats that a lot of you really enjoy the podcast. It is an absolute passion for me to save these stories from being forgotten and sharing them weekly for free for everyone to hear.

Whilst this is a passion, I am asking if each listener could make either a one-off or better still sign up for monthly donations to help me to find the time to produce and finance the project.

If you’d like to know more just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/

I am delighted to welcome Pete Curran to our Cold War conversation…

UK BRIXMIS books https://amzn.to/3ljkK6I

US BRIXMIS books https://amzn.to/3ae2HZs

There’s further information including videos here. https://coldwarconversations.com/episode203

If you can’t wait for next week’s episode do visit our Facebook discussion group where guests and listeners continue the Cold War Conversation. Just search Cold War Conversations in Facebook.

Thank you very much for listening. It is really appreciated.

Radio GDR

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

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0:00 Introduction and guest introduction: Pete Curran

3:00 Pete Curran's journey into BRIXMIS and training experiences

8:40 Pete's first posting to Berlin and impressions

15:21 Role of the Mission House and Pete's first mission to East Germany

20:02 Interactions with other military liaison missions and vehicle maintenance

24:45 Driver's decision-making authority and tour operations

28:07 Memorable incidents during tours: The Halle Incident and evading a helicopter

35:40 Reflections on the Andreotti incident and sharing experiences with other drivers

41:40 Interactions with East German citizens and encounters with UK civilian vehicles

45:29 The day the Berlin Wall came down and aftermath

54:06 The camaraderie amongst the BRIXMIS and souvenirs from the time

56:14 Acknowledgment of patrons and closing remarks

57:21 Store advertisement and final goodbye

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MKUltra - the CIA’s mind control project & the mysterious death of Frank Olson (202) Oct 01, 2021

Show notes

Frank Olson was an American bacteriologist, biological warfare scientist, and employee of the United States Army Biological Warfare Laboratories. In 1953 at a meeting in rural Maryland, he was covertly dosed with LSD by his boss Sidney Gottlieb, who was the head of the CIA's MKUltra mind control program.

Nine days later, Olson plunged to his death from the window of the Hotel Statler. The U.S. government first described his death as a suicide, and then as misadventure, while others allege murder. The story was made into the Netflix film "Wormwood".

I speak with Paul Vidich, the acclaimed author of The Coldest Warrior, An Honorable Man, The Good Assassin and The Mercenary. He is also the nephew of Frank Olson.

UK link to Paul Vidich Books

US link to Paul Vidich Books

Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ for more details.

I am delighted to welcome Paul Vidich to our Cold War conversation…

Further information on this episode https://coldwarconversations.com/episode202/

If you can’t wait for next week’s episode do visit our Facebook discussion group where guests and listeners continue the Cold War Conversation. Just search Cold War Conversations in Facebook.

Thank you very much for listening. It is really appreciated – goodbye.

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

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

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

Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations

0:00 Introduction and background of Frank Olsen

2:22 Introduction to guest, Paul Vidich and his book, "The Coldest Warrior"

5:29 Frank's involvement in the Artichoke Committee and MK Ultra

18:40 Frank's psychological turmoil and the lead up to his mysterious death

24:55 Investigation into Sydney Gottlieb's motives and the aftermath of Frank's death

33:02 The Olsen family's pursuit for truth and meeting with President Ford

38:04 Political implications of the Olsen case for President Ford's administration

42:42 Connection between the Olsen case and harsh interrogation programs

45:48 Meetings with key figures from the MK Ultra project

50:38 Exhumation and examination of Frank Olsen's body

57:01 Thanks to patrons, episode notes, Facebook group, and store

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Flying into nuclear mushroom clouds (201) Sep 24, 2021

Show notes

Squadron Leader John Robinson AFC (ret’d) was an RAF pilot who was tasked to fly into the mushroom clouds of nuclear bomb tests to capture samples at Operation Buffalo at Maralinga in 1956, and Operation Grapple, at Christmas Island in 1957.

He tells of his recruitment into RAF, initial training and his cloud sampling missions as well his experiences of watching the tests from as little as five miles away.

It is reckoned that over 22,000 British servicemen participated in the British and American nuclear tests and clean-ups between 1952-1965, along with scientists from the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment and civilians. The majority of men have passed away, and around a tenth of the men remain.

I was honoured that the British Nuclear Test Veterans Association (BNVTA) invited me to their annual reunion and enabled me to capture some of their veterans’ stories.

I could really use your help to support my work and enable me to continue producing the podcast. If you become a monthly supporter, you will get the sought after CWC coaster as a thank you and bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history.

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

I am delighted to welcome John Robinson to our Cold War conversation…

There’s further information including videos on this link https://coldwarconversations.com/episode201/

If you can’t wait for next week’s episode do visit our Facebook discussion group where guests and listeners continue the Cold War Conversation. Just search Cold War Conversations in Facebook.

Thank you very much for listening. It is really appreciated – goodbye.

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

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

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

Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations

0:00 Introduction and Squadron Leader John Robinson's Cold War journey

2:03 Sponsor: Cold War Conversations' Patron Support

4:13 John Robinson's early career and Cold War aircraft training

15:11 Special duties in Australia and encounter with atom bombs

28:30 The mission into the mushroom cloud and gathering radiation data

34:33 Life in Christmas Island and preparations for larger weapons

45:52 Post atom bomb missions and John's illness

48:19 John Robinson's radiation exposure and journey back home

52:04 High altitude sampling and ditching the aircraft plan

53:42 Closing remarks by Ian Sanders and appreciation for patrons

54:50 Cold War Conversations store reminder

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Life in the underground Soviet music scene Part 3 (200) Sep 17, 2021

Show notes

We hear of Joanna's heartbreak when her visa is refused, preventing her from marrying Yuri. However, using an ingenious method she manages an emotional reunion and eventual marriage as the Soviet Union begins to dissolve.

Details of the book giveaway are here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode200/

Part one is here and part 2 here

Joanna’s book, Red Wave written with her singer/songwriter daughter, Madison, includes Stingray’s extensive collection of photographs, artworks, and interviews with the musicians.

Buy the book and support the podcast here

UK listeners https://amzn.to/3rwItSz

US listeners https://amzn.to/3zyvbHX

If you are enjoying the podcasts I’m asking for donations to support my work and enable me to continue producing the podcast. If you become a monthly supporter via Patreon, you will get the sought after CWC coaster as a thank you and bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history.

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

I am delighted to welcome Joanna Stingray to our Cold War conversation

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

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

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

Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations

0:00 Introduction and book giveaway announcement

2:54 Interview with Joanna Stingray begins

12:08 Joanna's risky journey to Leningrad with her mother

24:34 Joanna's reunion and NBC coverage in Russia

30:19 Joanna's dilemma about leaving Russia and her marriage

34:03 Rise of rock bands amidst political changes in Russia

39:16 Joanna's unconventional Russian wedding

46:07 Impact of Glasnost and fall of communism on Russian bands

51:05 Shift in Russian society and music taste in the 90s

53:53 Closing remarks and patron acknowledgements

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Life in the underground Soviet music scene Part 2 (199) Sep 14, 2021

Show notes

Joanna is questioned by the KGB and the FBI, falls in love with Yuri and starts to smuggle the bands' music out of the Soviet Union to produce the album.

Details of the book giveaway are here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode199/

Part one is here and part 3 here

Joanna’s book, Red Wave written with her singer/songwriter daughter, Madison, includes Stingray’s extensive collection of photographs, artworks, and interviews with the musicians.

Buy the book and support the podcast here

UK listeners https://amzn.to/3rwItSz

US listeners https://amzn.to/3zyvbHX

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

I am delighted to welcome Joanna Stingray to our Cold War conversation…

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

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

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

Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations

0:00 Introduction and Joanna Stingray's background

3:15 Joanna Stingray's first encounter with the KGB

9:27 Joanna's experiences with the band Kino and living in Soviet Union

15:11 The idea of bringing Soviet music to the US and collaboration with David Bowie

20:12 Struggles with record companies and signing with Big Time Records

22:29 Dealing with the FBI and KGB while collecting content for the album

26:57 Reception of the Red Wave album and its impact

31:20 Smuggling the Red Wave album into the Soviet Union

40:10 Meeting with the KGB and proposal from Yuri

46:38 Joanna Stingray's changing relationship with Russia and the music scene

54:00 Preview of the next episode and closing remarks

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Life in the underground Soviet music scene Part 1 (198) Sep 10, 2021

Show notes

Joanna Stingray was only 23 years old when she first set foot in the USSR and started meeting now-legendary musicians and artists of the Soviet underground. By 1985, she was writing and recording with them, and smuggling their music to the West in order to produce the groundbreaking album Red Wave: 4 Underground Bands from the USSR.

This is her testimony of youthful fortitude and rebellion, her love story, and proof of the power of music and youth culture over stagnancy and oppression.

Details of the book giveaway are here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode198/

Part 2 is here and part 3 here

Joanna’s book, Red Wave written with her singer/songwriter daughter, Madison, includes Stingray’s extensive collection of photographs, artworks, and interviews with the musicians.

Buy the book and support the podcast here

UK listeners https://amzn.to/3rwItSz

US listeners https://amzn.to/3zyvbHX

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

I am delighted to welcome Joanna Stingray to our Cold War conversation…

If you can’t wait for next week’s episode do visit our Facebook discussion group where guests and listeners continue the Cold War Conversation. Just search Cold War Conversations in Facebook.

Thank you very much for listening. It is really appreciated – goodbye.

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0:00 Introduction and Joanna Stingray's journey into the Soviet Underground

1:23 Sponsor: Patreon introduction and shoutout

2:46 Joanna's initial career plans and first visit to Russia