Cold War Conversations

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Cold War US Army Intelligence Analyst (127) Jun 19, 2020

Show notes

Bill was a US Army Intelligence Analyst. In 1986 he was assigned to Order of Battle Branch, Soviet Section where for three years he studied the Warsaw Pact armies working closely with the US Military Liaison Mission (USMLM) in Berlin which led to a transfer there in November 1989

Stationed in Potsdam he became an Order of Battle Analyst and participated in a handful of collection tours with the USMLM as the “back seater”.

He tells of the little know history of USMLM during this period and the continued monitoring of Soviet Forces in Germany post the opening of the Berlin Wall and even post reunification to the Soviet’s eventual withdrawal in 1994.

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Back to today’s episode, we welcome Bill to our Cold War conversation…

There’s further information on this episode in our show notes, which can also be found as a link in your podcast app. https://coldwarconversations.com/episode127/

If you like what you are hearing, please leave reviews in Apple podcasts and share us on social media.

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 guest background

0:50 Bill's role as a US Army intelligence analyst

2:27 Importance of financial support for the podcast

6:24 Tracking Soviet units and military liaison missions

16:04 The fall of the Berlin Wall and its impact on intelligence operations

22:13 Observing a Soviet installation firsthand and interacting with East German civilians

31:01 The end of three-power control of Berlin and the deactivation of USMLM

35:24 German intelligence services, BND, and their collaboration with USMLM

38:25 Formation of the Combined Analysis Detachment Berlin (CAD B) and surveillance operations

56:36 Handling of Russian nuclear weapons storage facilities and shift to human intelligence

1:06:30 Episode closing remarks

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Reporting the 1989 Romanian Revolution (126) Jun 12, 2020

Show notes

We talk again to Mark Brayne who worked as a Reuters & BBC journalist during the Cold War. This time we are in Romania in December 1989 where riots, street violence and murder in several cities over the course of roughly a week led the Romanian leader Nicolae Ceaușescu to flee the capital city on 22 December with his wife.

We hear the challenges of being a journalist in what was effectively a war zone without the risk assessments and protective gear of the present day.

If you are enjoying the podcast please leave a written review in Apple podcasts or share us on social media. By telling your friends you can really help the podcast grow.

If you can spare it I’m asking listeners to contribute $3 USD per month to help keep us on the air (larger amounts are welcome too) plus you can get a sought after CWC coaster as a monthly financial supporter of the podcast and you bask in the warm glow of knowing you helping preserve Cold War history.

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

Thanks to latest Patreons

Back to today’s episode, part 3 of three episodes with Mark and it’s been an honour for Mark to share his stories with us in such an honest and revealing fashion…

We welcome Mark Brayne back to our Cold War conversation…

There’s further information on this episode in our show notes, which can also be found as a link in your podcast app. https://coldwarconversations.com/episode126

If you like what you are hearing, please leave reviews in Apple podcasts and share us on social media.

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.

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0:00 Introduction and welcome

0:16 Interview with Mark Brayne: Recollections of Romania in 1989

2:15 Sponsor: Call for listener support and donations

9:24 First-hand reporting from Bucharest during the Romanian revolution

14:44 Mark Brayne's diagnosis of Asperger's and fearlessness during the Cold War

19:14 Witnessing the aftermath of protests in Bucharest

23:50 Mark Brayne's personal life post-Cold War and transition into psychotherapy

27:08 Off-the-record conversation with Vasil Biliak about his early years in communism

34:32 Anecdotes from the 4+2 negotiations

39:06 Producing a documentary on the psychology of the Cold War

41:49 Ian Sanders: Wrapping up the episode and promoting content on Cold War Conversations website

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A British Journalist under Stasi Surveillance (125) Jun 05, 2020

Show notes

We talk to Mark Brayne again in a wide ranging chat about his career as a Reuters & BBC journalist including details of his Stasi file, his time in the Soviet Union, Hungary & Poland as well as the perils of editing analogue tape in a non-digital age.

Among his interviewees we talk about the Dalai Lama, Lech Walesa as well the ordinary people of the Warsaw Pact countries.

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Thanks to latest Patreons

Back to today’s episode, part 2 of three episodes with Mark and as you will hear we have a lot of fun recording this...

We welcome Mark Brayne to our Cold War conversation…

There’s further information on this episode in our show notes, which can also be found as a link in your podcast app. https://coldwarconversations.com/episode125/

If you like what you are hearing, please leave reviews in Apple podcasts and share us on social media.

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.

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 overview of Mark Brayne's career

2:30 Discussion on Mark Brayne's Stasi files and experiences in East Berlin

10:18 Examination of Mark's Stasi files, including photos and recorded details

20:21 Mark Brayne shares his experiences with Russian dissident Andrei Sakharov and reflections on his time in Russia

27:30 Conversation about Mark Brayne's time in Romania and his role as BBC Central European correspondent

31:38 Mark Brayne's time in China and interview with the Dalai Lama

43:22 Mark Brayne's ban from Romania and transition to China

51:42 Mark Brayne on covering the Gorbachev visit and the Tiananmen Square incident

53:05 Teaser for Mark Brayne's story about Romania in 1989

53:28 Closing remarks by Ian Sanders and information about the podcast's Facebook discussion group

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Cold War Britain & The Bomb (124) May 29, 2020

Show notes

In Britain and the Bomb Bill Nuttall considers Britain's national journey from Empire to Europe and the transition of British nuclear weapons from the Royal Air Force to the Royal Navy.

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It costs money and time to produce this podcast so I’m asking listeners to contribute $3 USD per month to help keep us on the air (larger amounts are welcome too) plus you can get a sought after CWC coaster as a monthly financial supporter of the podcast and you bask in the warm glow of knowing you helping preserve Cold War history.

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

Thanks to latest Patreons including Chris Pearson, Dave Parry, John Rafferty, This is Rammy, John Helsinki Scott G, Graham Horlock and Mister Giles.

Back to today’s episode, the story pivots around a single day in April 1965. The recently-established Labour government very publicly cancelled the much-vaunted TSR2 nuclear strike bomber, causing dismay among aviation enthusiasts. The passing decades have done little to diminish the controversy and a pervasive sense of nostalgic melancholy about a lost Britain.

We welcome Bill Nuttall to our Cold War conversation…

There’s further information on this episode in our show notes, which can also be found as a link in your podcast app.https://coldwarconversations.com/episode124/

If you like what you are hearing, please leave reviews in Apple podcasts and share us on social media.

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.

Thankyou 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 overview of the episode

0:37 Bill Nuttall's role in the German Democratic Republic and discussion on "Britain and the Bomb"

2:04 Sponsor: Request for listener support and acknowledgment of patrons

2:31 The cancellation of TSR2 nuclear strike bomber: Insights and Context

7:01 Deep dive into the advanced features and significance of the TSR2 aircraft

12:23 Impact of Duncan Sandy's white paper on the Air Force and industrial policy

15:48 Consequences of Gary Powers incident and the development of standoff missiles

21:28 The Cold War as a technological chess game: Strategic decisions and technological advancements

26:17 Change in UK government and its impact on nuclear decision making

31:53 Understanding nuclear deterrence, Britain's debate, and defense of Moscow

35:17 The impact of technology cancellations on Britain's national image and identity

39:06 Closing remarks and podcast outro

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A UK Journalist in the Soviet Union & GDR (123) May 22, 2020

Show notes

Mark Brayne studied in Moscow 71-72, travelling the country with fellow UK students and spending silly amounts of time in the bathhouses with salted fish and very poor quality beer. He returned in 1974-75 as Reuters trainee journalist where he became very close to Andrei Sakharov, the father of the Soviet hydrogen bomb and Soviet-era dissident.

East Berlin was his first solo posting for Reuters, where he and his wife Jutta both sang in the East Berlin Cathedral choir for four years, including two as BBC Berlin, with the honorary status of Lieut Col.

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Many thanks to our latest Patreons!

Back to today’s episode, part 1 of three episodes with Mark and I’m sure you will find his story as equally interesting as I did...

We welcome Mark to our Cold War conversation…

There’s further information on this episode in our show notes, which can also be found as a link in your podcast app. https://coldwarconversations.com/episode123/

If you like what you are hearing, please leave reviews in Apple podcasts and share us on social media.

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.

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 guest Mark Brayne's relationship with Andre Sakharov

8:18 Discussion on Mark Brayne's first visit to East Berlin and rowing with the Karl Marx University rowing club

14:33 Mark Brayne's experiences singing in the East Berlin Cathedral choir

22:14 Mark Brayne's sources of information in East Germany and interactions with other expatriates

28:10 Mark Brayne's scoop about East Germany purchasing VW Golfs from West Germany

31:04 Mark Brayne's memorable interview in East Germany and an incident in 1977

33:56 Transition from East Berlin to West Berlin and reflection on radio reporting

40:37 Mark Brayne's honorary status in the British military government in West Berlin

44:57 Mark Brayne's experiences with Western secret services and favourite Cold War story

51:00 Discussion on border dynamics and Mark Brayne's admiration for Germany's post-Cold War recovery

57:08 The lasting psychological impact of East Germany's Cold War experience

59:22 Episode wrap-up and thanks to listeners

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A 23 year old Cold War nuclear missile commander (122) May 15, 2020

Show notes

Scott was a Pershing 2 nuclear missile Fire Control Officer which meant he was responsible for the launch of the missile. Aged 23 he was made platoon commander and responsible for 3 of these deadly weapons.

The Pershing II was a mobile, intermediate-range ballistic missile deployed by the U.S. Army at American bases in West Germany beginning in 1983. It was aimed at targets in the western Soviet Union. Each Pershing II carried a single, variable-yield thermonuclear warhead with an explosive force equivalent to 5-50 kilotons of TNT. Under the terms of the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty between the United States and the Soviet Union, all Pershing IIs and their support equipment were removed from the inventory and rendered inoperable

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Back to today’s episode, guest host Peter Ryan chatted with Scott and you will remember from Peter episode 101 where he interviewed me about the podcast.

We welcome Scott & Peter to our Cold War conversation…

There’s further information on this episode in our show notes, which can also be found as a link in your podcast app. https://coldwarconversations.com/episode122/

If you like what you are hearing, please leave reviews in Apple podcasts and share us on social media.

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.

Thankyou very much for listening.

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

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

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0:00 Introduction and Background of Scott, a Pershing 2 nuclear missile fire control officer

1:52 Call for listener support and donations

2:38 Scott's journey in the US Military and his role as a Pershing 2 nuclear missile fire control officer

7:15 Briefings on the East Bloc, precautions and surveillance by East Bloc agents

10:57 Scott's experiences near the GDR border and overview of the Pershing 2 missile

13:23 Scott's promotion and the significance of the missile system in ending the Cold War

16:08 Comparisons of real-life launch procedures with popular culture and communication in the field

20:37 Maintenance procedures and orders after launching missiles

26:42 Off-duty activities and relaxation in Germany, travel opportunities

30:45 Quick-fire portion: Scott's favourite Cold War memories and memorabilia

44:34 Wrapping up the conversation with Scott and closing remarks by Ian Sanders

45:33 End of the episode

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The Last Days of Cold War East Germany (121) May 08, 2020

Show notes

Michael Paterson first visited East Germany just after the fall of the Berlin Wall and provides a vivid account of its subsequent decline and fall during the move to reunification with West Germany. Michael is a military historian, author, researcher and illustrator. He began his career with the military magazine 'Battlefields Review' as a writer and illustrator, before working in the printed books department at the Imperial War Museum, London. Michael has lectured frequently on military history and related subjects.

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Don’t miss those in the show notes which can also be found as a link in your podcast app here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode121/

We welcome Michael Paterson to our Cold War conversation…

Radio GDR

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

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Special Forces Berlin - Clandestine Cold War Operations of the US Army's Elite, 1956-1990 (120) May 01, 2020

Show notes

James Stejskal served for 23 years with US Special Forces, including two tours in Berlin. Special Forces Berlin was a small detachment of 100 highly trained soldiers who, should hostilities break out, were to wreak havoc behind Warsaw Pact lines.

The US government only acknowledged its existence in 2014 and John has written an incredible story of how these unsung heroes would have fought and died on what was effectively a one way mission.

If you are enjoying the podcast please leave a written reviews in Apple podcasts or share us on social media. By telling your friends you can really help the podcast grow.

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Thanks to latest Patreons Ian Crangle, Steve Minegar, Ryan King, Claudia Morgenstern, Mike Cser, Graham Randall, Iain Mckay Dall, Mike Chapman, Michael ODonnell, Robert Krom, & Jeffrey Jones.

Don’t forget we have a book giveaway of Special Forces Berlin, so make sure you listen through to the end for details of how to enter.

Back to today’s episode, the story starts with James’ initial recruitment into the US Army.

We welcome James to our Cold War conversation…

There’s further information on this episode in our show notes, which can also be found as a link in your podcast app. https://coldwarconversations.com/episode120/

If you like what you are hearing, please leave reviews in Apple podcasts and share us on social media.

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.

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Alan - Working in the GDR and the Soviet Union (119) Apr 24, 2020

Show notes

Alan Baker worked and studied in the GDR and the USSR from the 1970s through to the end of the Soviet Union and the emergence of the Russian Federation as we know it today.

In Moscow, Alan had the opportunity to live and study in the well-known Moscow State University as well as the opportunity to attend the 54th anniversary of the Russian Revolution Parade in 1971 in Moscow.

In addition, Alan was awarded a Peace Scholarship to study in Leipzig at the Karl-Marx-Universität and worked for the Novosti News Agency in London which meant travelling extensively in the USSR visiting Star City and the construction of Trans-Siberian pipeline

Our reviews help the podcast grow, so if you are enjoying our content please leave a written review in Apple podcasts or share us on social media.

If you can spare it I’m asking listeners to contribute $3 USD per month to help keep us on the air (larger amounts are welcome too) plus you can get a sought after Cold War Conversations coaster as a monthly financial supporter of the podcast and you bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping preserve Cold War history.

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

Thanks to latest Patreons

Back to today’s episode, our co-host James interviews Alan as he talks of his experiences in the USSR and the GDR as well as his efforts to promote trade between the UK and the Soviet Union and the Russian Federation.

We welcome Alan to our Cold War conversation…

There’s further information on this episode in our show notes, which can also be found as a link in your podcast app. https://coldwarconversations.com/episode119/

If you like what you are hearing, please leave reviews in Apple podcasts and share us on social media.

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 on 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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Cold War Warsaw Bureau Chief for Time Magazine 1981-83 (118) Apr 17, 2020

Show notes

Richard Hornik was the Warsaw Bureau Chief for Time Magazine from 1981-1983. He carried out numerous interviews with Solidarity Free Trade Union leader Lech Wałęsa including his last interview before martial law was declared in December 1981.

He shares the stories of 1980s Poland as well as the interviews he carried out with the Solidarity leadership and the leaders of Communist Poland.

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Thank you so much to our 89 generous supporters who help keep the podcast available for you all to listen to.

In today’s episode, Richard and I talk about his interview with General Jaruselski and his meeting with Father Jerzy Popieluszko as well as his challenges with the SB Polish Security Service.

We welcome Richard to our Cold War conversation…

There’s further information on this episode in our show notes, which can also be found as a link in your podcast app.

If you like what you are hearing, please leave reviews in Apple podcasts and share us on social media.

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.

Thankyou very much for listening. It is really appreciated – goodbye.

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