Cold War Conversations

In the late 1960s European club football competitions were thriving However unexpected events in 1968 threatened its survival. I delve into the fascinating world of European football during the Cold War era with Craig McCracken, a self-described peddler and purveyor of quasi obscure retro football nostalgia via the 'Beyond The Last Man' blog. We explore the political tensions that influenced European football in the 1960s, and the dramatic events of 1968 when the Prague Spring was crushed by Soviet and Warsaw Pact forces. Discover how these geopolitical events impacted clubs like Celtic, the Milan clubs, and Real Madrid, and the unprecedented decisions UEFA had to make. This episode is a gripping tale of football, politics, and the power struggles that shaped the beautiful game. Episode extras https://coldwarconversations.com/episode370 Craig's excellent blog https://beyondthelastman.com/ All our Cold War Sport episodes in one convenient playlist https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2OoAtLN7sHYdCgCNhms1Kl

Flying at high speed and low level, RCAF pilot Allen French was at the sharp end of potential nuclear bombing missions during the Cold War. Born at the dawn of the baby boomer era, Allen delves into his early inspirations, his father's service in the Royal Canadian Air Force, and the pivotal moments that led him to join the Air Force. From training on the Canadair CT-114 Tutor to flying the iconic F-86 Sabre and CF-104 Starfighter, Allen shares firsthand accounts of Cold War tensions, nuclear deterrence strategies, and the challenges of high-speed, low-level navigation across Europe. Around 50% of over 200 Canadian Starfighters were lost in accidents. You’ll hear about Allen’s near-death experience at a West German airbase and many other personal anecdotes that bring history to life. Thanks to Bernardo Scheliga who put me in contact with Allen. He and Allen are volunteers at the Canadian Museum of Flight. You can find details here  https://canadianflight.org/ Episode extras https://coldwarconversat

In the sleepy suburb of Ruislip in London during the late 1950s, life was anything but exciting for Gay Search, a 15-year-old girl. Little did she know, her mundane existence was about to be shattered by a shocking revelation that would turn her world upside down. This is the gripping tale of suburban espionage, the story begins with the seemingly ordinary Kroger family—Helen and Peter—who live just a stone's throw away from Gay. However, beneath their friendly facade lay a dark secret. The Krogers were, in fact, Soviet spies, part of the infamous Portland Spy Ring. Episode extras https://coldwarconversations.com/episode368 All our spy episodes in one convenient playlist https://open.spotify.com/playlist/40wb3AyJ6oUep10YKXLhtm?si=c72eba540bee4ba4 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 than

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

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 Buckingha

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 th

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

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 massacr

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 aud

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

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 ab

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 th

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 responsib

Allan Little recounts his journey from his student days in Edinburgh to working as a journalist the front lines of Cold War history in Eastern Europe and beyond. In 1989 he found himself on the night shift at the BBC’s Today programme in London when the Berlin Wall fell. Witnessing the world change in real time Allan’s desire to be part of these monumental events grew stronger. He shares is his experience as a journalist during the Velvet Revolution in Czechoslovakia. Allan describes the electrifying atmosphere of Wenceslas Square and the fear of a violent crackdown. Allan also takes us to Romania during the fall of Nicolae Ceaușescu's brutal regime. He recounts in detail the chaos, the gunfire, and the bloody reality of the revolution’s human cost . The episode also delves into his time covering the 1991 Gulf War in Baghdad. He describes the eerie experience of watching the city being bombed from his hotel room and the resilience of the people around him. As the episode draws to a close, Allan reflects

Thomas Maier an investigative journalist is our guide to the shadowy world of organized crime and espionage where shares insights from his extensive research and writing, including his latest book and drama documentary "Mafia Spies," which explores the unlikely alliance between the CIA and the Mafia in their attempts to assassinate Fidel Castro. We dive into the lives of two central figures in "Mafia Spies": Sam Giancana and Johnny Roselli. Giancana, the head of the Chicago mob in the early 1960s, and Roselli, the mafia's fixer in Hollywood, had a complex relationship that intertwined with the glamorous world of celebrities and the dark underworld of organized crime. Thomas elaborates on Giancana's personal turmoil following the sudden death of his wife and his increasing involvement with Roselli in Las Vegas. We explore the intriguing character of Judy Campbell, who was introduced to Frank Sinatra and eventually to John F. Kennedy, becoming a key player in this intricate web of relationships. The episode

Bärbel was born in a village near Magdeburg in 1962, She explores her personal and professional life growing up in East Germany. We delve into her family's views on the East German government, her journey to becoming a teacher, and her experiences teaching English. We cover gender roles and the pressures to become a member of the communist party. Also discussed are the ideological and societal differences between East and West Germany, as well as the impact of the Berlin Wall's fall. Bärbel reflects on her career transition post-reunification, her family's life, the significant changes in Magdeburg and details her first trip to the UK. Highlighting the joy and challenges she faced, the episode provides a comprehensive insight into the daily life and career of a teacher in East Germany. Episode extras https://coldwarconversations.com/episode355/ 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.

Cold War RAF pilot Jeremy Lane, shares his gripping experiences, from nuclear bombing missions to a close encounter with a UFO. He was trained to fly the Canberra aircraft on nuclear bombing missions and describes how the American weaponry they would have used required dual control from both the President of the United States and the British Prime Minister. Jeremy also describes the Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) duties where aircraft were always on standby, ready to fly their nuclear missions at a moment's notice. He shares his experiences with escape and evasion training, designed to prepare pilots for the possibility of being shot down over enemy territory. The training was gruelling, involving everything from water survival exercises, evading capture in the wilderness and how to stand up to interrogation. It was a stark reminder of the risks these pilots faced daily. However, it wasn't all tension and drills. Life on the squadron had its moments of camaraderie and even humour. Our guest recounts how young

Jeremy Lane’s fascination for aviation was nurtured by countless childhood hours watching aircraft at Staverton Airport and North Weald. He shares his experiences flying the Jet Provost and later, the Canberra. He describes the capabilities of this versatile and iconic aircraft, from high-speed reconnaissance to its nuclear role. The Canberra's design, with its twin jet engines and rudimentary navigation equipment, required high skill and constant attention. The stories of flying at low levels, navigating with minimal aids, and the ever-present risk of engine failure provide a gripping insight into the life of an RAF pilot. This episode is a treasure trove of aviation history and personal anecdotes. Whether you're an aviation enthusiast or simply curious about the life of an RAF pilot, this episode offers a compelling and immersive experience. Tune in next week part 2 where we go into detail about the challenges of nuclear operations along the edge of the Iron Curtain. Episode extras https://coldwarconve

In this comprehensive narrative, Imre recounts his life from his birth in 1936 in Hungary to his emigration to the West after the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. He discusses the influence of his family’s Hungarian and German heritage, his father’s work in the oil industry, and the impact of World War II and communist rule on his upbringing. The account vividly describes his education, military training, and involvement in the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. He also highlights his subsequent escape to Austria and eventual resettlement in England including living with Bridget’s parents who featured in episode 322   Imre elaborates on the hardships faced by his family due to political changes and the repressive regime, as well as his educational and professional journey in the UK, culminating in a successful international career. His narrative provides a poignant look at the personal ramifications of leaving your country and the impact on relatives left behind. Episode extras https://coldwarconversations.com/episode352/

In this riveting account, Tilo recounts his experiences as an East German soldier during the final months of East Germany. He details the rising political awareness among soldiers, and his fear that his unit will be asked to shoot on demonstrators also provides a personal perspective on the pivotal moments leading up to and following the fall of the Berlin Wall, including attending massive protests and his first visit to West Berlin. Spurred by a broadcasted precedent of concession to striking soldiers in another barrack, Tilo and his comrades orchestrated what can only be described as a mutiny: a demand for rights, dignity, and acknowledgement of the transformative tide sweeping through East Germany. The fall of the Berlin Wall is often recounted in grand narratives of geopolitical shifts, but regular Cold War Conversations listeners will know that it is stories like Tilo's that remind us that behind monumental changes are individuals and communities. Episode extras here https://coldwarconversations.com/epis