Cold War Conversations Podcast

What was it like to be the first western pilot to fly the most advanced Soviet fighter aircraft? At the 1989 Abbotsford Air Show, during the dying days of the Cold War, Canadian CF-18 pilot Major Bob Wade became the first Western pilot to fly a Soviet MiG-29 Fulcrum fighter aircraft. This episode tells you how he did it. Now I’m sure you are enjoying your weekly dose of Cold War history, and you’d like to continue to do so. So I’m asking if you wouldn’t mind supporting us by paying at least $3 USD a month – higher amounts are welcome too. It’s very straightforward and you can stop whenever you want. Plus monthly supporters get the sought after CWC coaster too! Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ You can also help the podcast by leaving written reviews in Apple podcasts as well as sharing us on social media. Back to today’s episode, Bob and I talk in detail on the circumstances of the flight as well as what it was actually like to fly an aircraft you’ve never flown before with instruments in a language you don’t understand and only 10 minutes of briefing… We welcome Major Bob Wade 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 here. https://coldwarconversations.com/episode106/ Bob is RCAF Association Honorary President for the Province of Alberta. He is also on the Board of Directors at the Military Museums RCAF Museum Society of Alberta. Their web site is at: www.rcaf.museum and they have an excellent Cold War Exhibit currently featuring an F86 Sabre, CF104 Starfighter and CF 18 Hornet. Bob is leading an effort to more than double the size of the display area to include NORAD assigned fighters including the CF100 Cannuck, CF101 Voodoo and a T-33 aircraft. They are in the fundraising phase at the moment and the web site has an option where interested viewers can contribute if they feel inclined. https://www.rcaf.museum/visit/coldwar-museum 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. Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What are your dreams at 18 and what happens in the next 20 years? Children of the Silent Revolution is a documentary film following a tight-knit group of classmates from Bulgaria who reveal their stories over a period of 20 years, spanning the transition from communism to democracy in their country. It’s a powerful memoir and love letter to the filmmaker’s classmates, as well as a compelling historical document about Bulgaria’s recent history. Now I’m sure you are enjoying your weekly dose of Cold War history, and you’d like to continue to do so. So I’m asking if you wouldn’t mind supporting us by paying at least $3 USD a month – higher amounts are welcome too. It’s very straightforward and you can stop whenever you want. Plus monthly supporters get the sought after CWC coaster too! Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ You can also help the podcast by leaving written reviews in Apple podcasts as well as sharing us on social media. Back to today’s episode, we speak with Viktoria Ershova who was born and raised in Kazanlak, Bulgaria until she went to the United States at age 18. Children of the Silent Revolution is her debut feature film. We welcome Viktoria Ershova 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/episode105 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/ Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Operation Gold (also known as Operation Stopwatch by the British) was a joint operation conducted by the American Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the British MI6 Secret Intelligence Service (SIS) in the 1950s to tap into landline communication of the Soviet Army headquarters in Berlin using a tunnel into the Soviet-occupied zone. Steve Vogel is a veteran journalist who reported for the Washington Post and the author of Betrayal in Berlin a new book that tells the story of one of the West’s greatest espionage operations of the Cold War. Now I’m sure you are enjoying your weekly dose of Cold War history, and you’d like to continue to do so. So I’m asking if you wouldn’t mind supporting us by paying at least $3 USD a month – higher amounts are welcome too. It’s very straightforward and you can stop whenever you want. Plus monthly supporters get the sought after CWC coaster too! Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ Back to today’s episode, Steve’s dogged research unearthed recently declassified documents in U.S., British and German archives, many of them secret for half a century. He interviewed dozens of key participants many of whom had never spoken before about their roles. We welcome Steve Vogel 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 here. https://coldwarconversations.com/episode103/ 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. 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/ Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

John Tarver was born into a middle-class family. He joined the British Communist Party on his 18th birthday in 1948 because he felt the Soviet Union had made the most effective resistance to fascism. He worked as a party activist in Britain and made several trips to the GDR where he would get a job at Potsdam as head of the final year of studies in the English language. His 18 years’ work as a Communist party organizer set him apart from other Britons in the GDR and he became an informer for the Stasi. Now if this podcast was a magazine you wouldn’t mind paying a few quid or dollars a week so I’m asking you to support us for the bargain price of $3 a month. In the last few weeks John Newlove and Mike Hart have joined in helping to cover the show’s increasing costs and keep us on the air, plus they’ve got the sought after CWC coaster too. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ Special thanks to Ian Hawkins who allowed me to use these audio files from his excellent documentary “My DDR T-Shirt” which will feature in the show notes. John Tarver talks openly about his personal, political and professional life in Britain and East Germany/GDR. He also talks about his commitment to Communism, the work he did as a Stasi agent, the fall of the Berlin Wall, the collapse of the GDR and his return in recent years to the Catholic faith. We welcome John Tarver to our Cold War conversation… There’s the full version of the "My DDR T-Shirt" documentary, further information and links on this episode in our show notes, which can also be found as a link in your podcast app. https://coldwarconversations.com/episode104/ 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/ Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jay Lieberman talks about his early childhood memories of the Cold War as well as his long career in the US Navy. He tells a fascinating story of how he obtained high security clearance in the US Navy and served at a number of classified command facilities including the 2nd Pentagon and the Fleet Ocean Surveillance Information Facility, at Rota, Spain. Now if this podcast was a magazine you wouldn’t mind paying a few quid or dollars a week so I’m asking you to support us for the bargain price of $3 a month. In the last few weeks John Newlove and Mike Hart have joined in helping to cover the show’s increasing costs and keep us on the air, plus they’ve got the sought after CWC coaster too. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ This conversation was recorded as part of the Imperial War Museum North, Voices of the Wall event commemorating 30 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall. Make sure you stay subscribed for future conversations. Jay talks about his various postings, his security clearance and what it was like to have such a ringside view of the Cold War. We welcome Jay Lieberman 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 here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode102/ 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. Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

And now for something completely different... today I’m chatting with listener Peter Ryan who will be turning the tables and questioning me about my Cold War story! Now, listeners, I can see you are enjoying the podcast by the increasing listener numbers so if you’d like the podcast to continue all I’m asking for a few quid or dollars a month to help keep us on the air plus you become the envy of your friends with that sought after CWC coaster too. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ If you can’t donate financially then you can also help us by leaving a written review on Apple podcasts or wherever you consume this podcast. By the way, we’ve opened a Cold War Conversations merchandise store to help support us, just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/store/ This conversation was recorded at the Barbican Centre in London, so excuse some random noises in the background. Peter asks me about how the podcast started, what motivates me alongside my recommended Cold War movies. We welcome Peter Ryan 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 here. https://coldwarconversations.com/episode101/ 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/ Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Manuel Alzaga returns to the podcast after his debut in episode 57 with his experiences as US Army 18-year-old assistant artillery gunner in West Germany. He tells of his first impressions of West Germany, details of the 1982 Reforger exercise (return of forces to Germany) Exercise, as well as the life expectancy of a front line soldier on the East German border, should the Cold War had turned hot. Now if this podcast was a magazine you wouldn’t mind paying a few quid or dollars a week so I’m asking you to support us for the bargain price of $3 a month. You join a select band who help cover the show’s increasing costs, keep us on the air and bask in the warm glow of being official supporters of the podcast – they also receive the sought after CWC coaster too. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ So to today’s episode, Manuel's story starts as he steps off the plane at the Rhein-Main Air Base which was the primary airlift and passenger hub for United States forces in Europe. We welcome Manuel Alzaga back to our Cold War Conversation... Don't miss extra videos on our show notes page at https://coldwarconversations.com/episode100 Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There’s an area near Bergen, Norway known as Isdalen (“Ice Valley”), but also nicknamed "Death Valley", due to the area's history of suicides in the Middle Ages, and more recent hiking accidents. In November 1970 a man and his two young daughters noting an unusual burning smell and to their horror discovered the charred body of a woman, located among some scree. Now if this podcast was a magazine you wouldn’t mind paying a few quid or dollars a week so I’m asking you to support us for the bargain price of $3 a month. In the last few weeks Pete Hobson, Richard Goyette, Hamish Macintyre, Alastair Bassett, David Roberts, James Marks and Richard Harvey have joined in helping to cover the show’s increasing costs and keep us on the air, plus they’ve got the sought after CWC coaster too. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ So back to today’s episode – We speak with Marit Higraff, an investigative reporter for the Norwegian broadcaster NRK, who has investigated this case and is the co-presenter of the Death in Ice Valley podcast. Welcome Marit to our Cold War conversation Well I hope that’s whetted your appetite to explore the Death in Ice Valley podcast. There’s further information and links on this episode in our show notes, which can also be found as a link in your podcast app. https://coldwarconversations.com/episode99/ 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. Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We return to Ramona Reed’s account of her father, Dean Reed who was an American actor, singer, songwriter, director, and Socialist who became a huge star in Latin America and the Eastern Bloc. Now if you like the podcast you can help to support us for the price of a couple of coffees a month. You’ll be helping to cover the show’s increasing costs and keep us on the air, plus you get the sought after CWC coaster too. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ If that’s not your cup of tea, you can also help us by placing a written review on Itunes. This helps to raise our profile and get new guests on the show. So back to today’s episode – Ramona continues the story with details of the latter years of her father’s life as well her theories about his death. We welcome Ramona back to our Cold War conversation… Episode 1 of this interview is here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode97 If you like what you are hearing sign up to our email list at coldwarconversations.com. We have further photos and information on this episode in our show notes which will show as a link in your podcast app. https://coldwarconversations.com/episode98 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/ Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ramona Reed’s father was Dean Reed an American actor, singer, songwriter, director, and Socialist who became a huge star in Latin America and the Eastern Bloc. Now if you like the podcast you can help to support us for the price of a couple of coffees a month. You’ll be helping to cover the show’s increasing costs and keep us on the air, plus you get the sought after CWC coaster too. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ If that’s not your cup of tea, you can also help us by placing a written review on Itunes. This helps to raise our profile and get new guests on the show. So back to today’s episode – Ramona was born in 1968 and gives insight into his life via private correspondence, but also what it was like to be the daughter of such a huge Eastern Bloc star. We welcome Ramona to our Cold War conversation… Episode 2 of this interview is here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode98/ We have further photos and information on this episode in our episode notes at https://coldwarconversations.com/episode97/ 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/ Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today has been a difficult day. My Dad has just died. It was expected, but these things hit you nonetheless. He was a good father, a good man with many varied interests including art, photography, and history. All of which he passed onto me. In particular, it was history, which has ultimately resulted in this podcast. I hope my listeners will indulge me today as this episode is not about the Cold War but is a recording I made of a chat I had with my Dad way before I had any thought of Cold War Conversations, or maybe this chat was the genesis – who knows? It would be nice if it was and a fitting tribute, but anyway here’s me and my Dad chatting about his experiences during World War 2. We welcome Graham Sanders to our Cold War Conversation… More photos are on this link https://coldwarconversations.com/episode96/ Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alexander ‘Sasha’ Goncharov was born in Leningrad but early in this life moved to Ukraine. After leaving school he was drafted into the Soviet Military and was based in Sevastopol where he worked in Naval Aviation servicing anti-ship weapons systems. At the end of this period, Sasha decided to stay in the military to make it a full-time career. He was sent to Moscow where he trained as a full-time linguist. He was posted to Syria and Libya facilitating interactions between local forces and their Soviet advisors. Now if this podcast was a magazine you wouldn’t mind paying a few quid or dollars a week so I’m asking you to support us for the bargain price of $3 a month. In the last few weeks John Newlove and Mike Hart have joined in helping to cover the show’s increasing costs and keep us on the air, plus they’ve got the sought after CWC coaster too. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ So back to today’s episode – Alexander left the Russian military as a Lt Colonel and is the Co-Organiser of an Anglo-Russian charity which looks to bring Russians who fought in World War II to the UK to visit. We welcome Lt Colonel Alexander Goncharov 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/episode95/ If you like what you are hearing please leave reviews in Apple podcasts and share us on social media. Can’t you wait for next week’s episode? Do visit our facebook discussion group where guests and listeners continue the Cold War Conversation. https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, we hear from Craig McCracken who spoke to us in episode 3. This time he tells us about the strange world of football in Cold War Romania and even if you are not interested in football it’s a fascinating chat about Cold War Romania. Craig runs the website, Beyond the Last Man, described as 20th century football writing and nostalgia in a skilled and cultured groove. He really knows his stuff. Are you liking the podcast and want to help? Well, for the price of a couple of coffees a month you can help cover the show’s increasing costs and keep us on the air, plus you get the sought after CWC coaster too. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ So back to today’s episode, we talk of the early Cold War years where pre-war clubs were dissolved in favour of the big two (Steaua & Dinamo) through to the societal breakdown of the 1980s with defections, corruption, zombie clubs and an unlikely European Cup success. I’m delighted to welcome back Craig McCracken to our Cold War Conversation… As you can hear Craig really knows his stuff and I highly recommend a visit to his web site, Beyond The Last Man for numerous Cold War Football stories. We have a link to his site and various Romanian football videos in our show notes at https://coldwarconversations.com/episode94/ which will show in your podcast app. If you can’t wait for the next episode do visit our facebook discussion group where our guests and listeners like yourselves continue the Cold War Conversation. Just search Cold War Conversations.https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Thank you very much listening, it is really appreciated – goodbye! Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Our interview today is with Frederick Taylor, the author of one of my favourite books on the Berlin Wall. Using official history, archive research and personal stories he has produced one of the definitive books on the Berlin Wall. BUY THE BOOK AND SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE Now if you like the podcast you can help to support us for the price of a couple of coffees a month. You’ll be helping to cover the show’s increasing costs and keep us on the air, plus you get the sought after CWC coaster too. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ So back to today’s episode - James speaks with Fred who provides some great accounts of his personal experiences in Berlin as well as the story of the Berlin Wall and its eventual destruction. We welcome Fred Taylor 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 here your podcast app. https://coldwarconversations.com/episode93/ If you like what you are hearing sign up to our email list at https://coldwarconversations.com/ 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/ Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We speak again with Gillian, who was our guest in episodes 42 & 48. Gillian was in Berlin the night of 9th November 1989 and describes what she saw. Now if you like the podcast you can help to support us for the price of a couple of coffees a month. You’ll be helping to cover the show’s increasing costs and keep us on the air, plus you get the sought after CWC coaster too. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ So back to today’s episode – Gillian gives us the viewpoint of a US student in Berlin on that pivotal night on 20th Century history. She tell us of her first discovery that this was going to be a night to remember and the sights and sounds of that night. We welcome Gillian back to our Cold War conversation… We have further photos and information on this episode in our show notes which will show as a link in your podcast app. https://coldwarconversations.com/episode92/ Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alastair took up a teaching post in Halle, East Germany in August 1989 and continued to work in Halle for the next 9 years, seeing the unraveling of the GDR first hand. Now if you like the podcast you can help to support us for the price of a couple of coffees a month. You’ll be helping to cover the show’s increasing costs and keep us on the air, plus you get the sought after CWC coaster too. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ So back to today’s episode – Alastair arrived just in time to see the early protests and the opening of the border with West Germany. He recounts the Wende with some great stories detailing the impact of the Wende and the effects of reunification. We welcome Alastair to our Cold War conversation… If you like what you are hearing sign up to our email list at coldwarconversations.com. We have further photos and information on this episode in our show notes which will show as a link in your podcast app here. https://coldwarconversations.com/episode91 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/ Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Our interview today is in a different format. Cold war Conversations is working with the Imperial War Museum on a project called Voices of the Wall. We will be capturing personal testimonies of people’s experiences of the Cold War which will later become part of the podcast. Therefore, this episode is a composite of previous and unheard interviews of how people heard about the momentous opening of the Berlin Wall 30 year to the date this podcast is published. Now I can see a large increase in listeners of late with some of you binge listening the entire back catalogue. If this podcast was a magazine you wouldn’t mind paying a few quid or dollars a week so I’m asking you to support us for the bargain price of $3 a month. In the last few weeks Anders Ollson, Gregory Morrow, Michael Noble, Bernd Wagegg Mark Wiegers, Brian Carroll, and Scott Gregory have joined in helping to cover the show’s increasing costs and keep us on the air, plus they’ve got the sought after CWC coaster too. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ So back to today’s episode – We have some great some stories from that momentous day in 1989 Welcome to our Cold War conversation There’s further information on this episode and other other Berlin Wall episodes in our show notes, which can also be found as a link in your podcast app. https://coldwarconversations.com/episode90/ Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Our interview today is with Iain MacGregor, the author of a new book on Checkpoint Charlie. Weaving together personal testimonies, this book is described as a gripping narrative with vivid interviews with those on all sides whose lives were directly affected by that grim symbol of the East-West divide that poisoned Europe for almost half a century. BUY THE BOOK AND SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE Now if you like the podcast you can help to support us from $3 a month. You’ll be helping to cover the show’s increasing costs and keep us on the air, plus you get the sought after CWC coaster too. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ So back to today’s episode – Iain MacGregor tells us about some great stories from the history of Checkpoint Charlie featuring a number of guests from the podcast as well as a number of stories unknown to me. We welcome Iain Macgregor 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 here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode89 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/ Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, we continue Andrej’s story with his sometimes, harrowing memories of how he became a child refugee in West Germany. Now if you like what your hearing then for the price of a couple of coffees a month you’ll be helping to cover the show’s increasing costs and keep us on the air, plus you get the sought after CWC coaster too. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ So back to today’s episode – Andrej starts with the gradual building of unrest in East Germany and his family’s dramatic move to West Germany. It’s a sad story in parts, but ultimately you hear of Andrej’s triumph over adversity working for the US Forces in Germany. We welcome back Andrej to our Cold War conversation… I do hope you found Andrej’s story interesting. We have further photos and information in our show notes which are at https://coldwarconversations.com/episode88/ or will show as a link in some podcast apps. Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dr Peter Johnston is the Head of Collections Research and Academic Access at the National Army Museum in London and the author of a lavishly illustrated military and social history of the British forces in Germany during the Cold War. BUY THE BOOK AND SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE Now if you like the podcast you can help to support us for the price of a couple of coffees a month. You’ll be helping to cover the show’s increasing costs and keep us on the air, plus you get the sought after CWC coaster too. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ So back to today’s episode - James speaks with Peter who provides some great accounts of the experiences of British soldiers Germany. We welcome Peter to our Cold War conversation… We have further photos, videos and information on this episode in our show notes here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode87/ Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Andrej's father served with the Soviet Army in Germany. He grew up on a military base and shares his childhood memories as East Germany began to disintegrate. So would you like one of those Cold War Conversations coasters you keep hearing me talk about? Well it's easy, just sign up to https://www.patreon.com/coldwarpod and for the price of a couple of coffees a month you'll be helping to cover the costs of the show and keep us on the air plus you get that sought after coaster of to you just go to Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ So back to you today's episode. Andrej's father was a lieutenant in Signals and Andrej provides a fascinating child's eye view of life on the base and in his East German kindergarten as well as insight into the changing mood of some of the East German population to the Soviets as the GDR began to disintegrate. Next week they'll be a second episode with Andrej where we hear his experiences as a child refugee in West Germany after the Wall fell. Do make you are subscribed via your favorite podcast app so you don't miss that. I'm delighted to welcome Andrej to our Cold War Conversation... I do hope you found Andrej’s story interesting. We have further photos, videos and information in our show notes which are at https://coldwarconversations.com/episode86/ or will show as a link in some podcast apps. 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/ Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Balint grew up in Hungary right next to the border with Austria. Part of his family escaped in 1956 and went to Australia. Balint’s grandfather survived 4 years in a Gulag camp. Would you like a CWC Coaster? It’s easy, sign up to Patreon and for the price of a couple of coffees a month you’ll be helping to cover the show’s increasing costs and keep us on the air, plus you get the sought after CWC coaster too. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ Back to today episode, Balint’s home village was a hot spot for escapes being so close to the border. The locals knew the area well and helped many people across for money. He tells that his Dad used to play right next to the fence with his friends often messing with the border guards. They could see tractors in the Austrian side working the fields. One quick note before we start, Balint now lives in Ireland, hence the Irish accent you will hear in the recording. We welcome Balint to our Cold War conversation… We have further photos and information in our show notes which are at https://coldwarconversations.com/episode85 or will show as a link in some podcast apps. Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As a restless and adventurous 18-year-old, Richard Humphreys joined the submarine service in 1985 and went on to serve aboard the nuclear deterrent for five years at the end of the Cold War. Now before we start his story as I’d like to tell you about some of our fans who are helping the podcast financially such as Liam Doyle, Sarah Ampolsk, Philippe Branco, Victor Osprey and Richard Orman. So how do you join this select band? Then sign up to Patreon. For the price of a couple of coffees a month you help to cover the show’s increasing costs and keep us on the air, plus you get the sought after CWC coaster too. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ Back to today episode, Richard has just published his book called “Under Pressure” described by historian James Holland as “'An utterly fascinating and wonderfully detailed insight into the hidden - and frequently disorientating and claustrophobic - world of the modern submariner, this richly compelling and hugely entertaining memoir brilliantly conveys the tension, huge responsibility, culture and, of course, humour, of being a crewman on the nuclear deterrent.” You can have the chance to win a free copy via the information in our show notes here. https://coldwarconversations.com/episode84/ The show notes also contains a documentary film of life aboard one of these boats. We welcome Richard Humphreys to our Cold War conversation. Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mark Baker was a journalist in Vienna who covered Czechoslovakia during the 1980s. In a wide ranging conversations we discuss the events of 1989 with Mark providing some vivid accounts of his experiences and how events were viewed at the time. Now as I’m sure you know some of our fans who are helping the podcast financially, so if you’d like to join this select band? Then sign up to Patreon. For the price of a couple of coffees a month you help to cover the show’s increasing costs and keep us on the air, plus you get the sought after CWC coaster too. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ Mark is now an independent journalist and travel writer who’s lived in Central Europe for more than two decades. He loves the history, literature, culture, and mystery of this often-overlooked corner of Europe, and makes his living writing articles and guidebooks about the region. Do visit his excellent Eastern Europe Blog which contains a number of Cold War stories here Visit the show notes here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode83/ Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In 1986 GDR student Antje met a British guy who was installing sewing machines in the hosiery companies in East Germany. Unusually he was given quite a bit of freedom to socialise locally and he eventually asked Antje to marry him. However, with her prospective husband being a citizen of the capitalist West the process was far from simple… Now talking of the Capitalist West I’m sure you know some of our fans who are helping the podcast monthly via Patreon, so if you’d like to join this select band? Then head over to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ plus you get the sought after CWC coaster too. Back to today’s episode, Antje describes her early life in the GDR and how romance blossomed between East & West, despite the best efforts of East German bureaucracy to thwart the union. Now the story does have somewhat of a twist towards the end so make sure you keep listening. If you enjoyed this episode here is the other side of the coin. Genuine laugh out loud moments. "A 22 year old Briton working in East Germany (170)" We recorded our chat at The Barbican Centre in London, so excuse any background noise, I’m delighted to welcome Antje to Cold War Conversations 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/ Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As a 24-year-old Kieran Williams was in Moscow staying with Soviet friends when the 1991 Moscow Coup occurred. He is a Professor at Drake University in the United States and previously he taught for nine years at University College London's School of Slavonic and East European Studies, where he was an associate professor in politics as well as a frequent consultant to the UK Foreign Office. He is a specialist in the politics of Central and Eastern Europe, he has authored or co-authored four books, including a prize-winning account of the 1968 events in Czechoslovakia and a biography of the writer-statesman Václav Havel. Now as I’m sure you know some of our fans who are helping the podcast financially, so if you’d like to join this select band? Then sign up to Patreon. For the price of a couple of coffees a month you help to cover the show’s increasing costs and keep us on the air, plus you get the sought after CWC coaster too. Just go to Patreon.com/coldwarpod Back to today’s episode, Kieran gives a rich eyewitness account of those edgy days with vivid descriptions of what he saw and felt during those tumultuous days. I’m delighted to welcome Kieran Williams to Cold War Conversations Do visit our show notes at https://coldwarconversations.com/episode81 These include Kieran's photos of the Coup and some amazing audio he recorded in the streets of Moscow at the time - well worth a look! Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Col. William "Greg" Gregory served in the U.S. Army Air Corps and saw extensive combat over North Africa and Europe during World War 2. When the Air Force was created he continued his role as a pilot and eventually became part of the clandestine U-2 spy plane program, rising to the position of squadron commander. It was his squadron that flew many of the spy missions over Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He was later awarded a medal by the CIA for his service, as well as a letter of appreciation by President Kennedy. However…before we start I have to thank our fans who are helping the podcast financially. So how do you join this select band? Well sign up to Patreon for the price of a couple of coffees a month you help to cover the show’s increasing costs and keep us on the air, plus you get the sought after CWC coaster too. Just go to Patreon.com/coldwarpod Today’s episode is brought in conjunction with The Cold War Museum and I’m delighted to welcome Col William Gregory to Cold War Conversations. It was such an honour to speak to Greg and hear first-hand from someone so deeply involved in the Cuban Missile Crisis. Thanks again to the Cold War Museum for arranging the conversation. If you’d like to learn more then head over to our show notes which are at coldwarconversations.com/episode80 or will show as a link in some podcast apps. The show notes also have some videos relating to this Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today we have James taking the helm again with a fascinating chat with Bridget Kendall, the BBC's Moscow correspondent from 1989 to 1995 when she was witness to the power struggles in the Soviet Communist party as Mikhail Gorbachev tried to introduce reform. However…before we start I have to thank our fans who are helping the podcast financially. So how do you join this select band? Well sign up to Patreon for the price of a couple of coffees a month you help to cover the show’s increasing costs and keep us on the air, plus you get the sought after CWC coaster too. Just go to Patreon.com/coldwarpod So back to today’s episode. I’m delighted to welcome back James and his Cold War Conversation with Bridget Kendall. If you’d like to learn more and maybe didn’t get a chance to write down those book recommendations then head over to our show notes which are at https://coldwarconversations.com/episode79 or will show as a link in some podcast apps. Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today we’re at the Wende Museum in Los Angeles at their Watching Socialism exhibition. Organized in collaboration with British-Slovenian media historian Sabina Mihelj and British cultural historian Susan Reid, this exhibition focuses on the impact of Cold War-era television programming in Eastern and Western Europe on private lives. Now many of our fans are the proud owners of a Cold War Conversations Coaster, a gift from me to thank them for helping the podcast financially. So how do you join this select band? Well for the price of a couple of coffees a month to cover the show’s increasing costs and keep us on the air you can get a coaster too. Just go to Patreon.com/coldwarpod So back to today’s episode. I’m delighted to welcome Anna Rose Canzano of the Wende Museum to Cold War Conversations. If you’d like to learn more and see photos of the Wende museum and exhibition then head over to our show notes which are at coldwarconversations.com/episode78 or will show as a link in some podcast apps. The show notes also have some videos relating to this episode. Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Phil Logan served in the US Army from 1986-1991. He went through infantry school at Fort Benning, Georgia was sent to Germany and assigned to the ground defence force for the Pershing II tactical nuclear missiles. He describes in some detail defence tactics including against Special Forces, the Red Army Faction and anti-nuclear demonstrators. Phil was also there when the INF disarmament treaty was signed and recalls the Soviet inspectors visiting to verify the treaty obligations. Now many of our fans are the proud owners of a Cold War Conversations Coaster, a gift from me to thank them for helping the podcast financially. So how do you join this select band? Well for the price of a couple of coffees a month to cover the show’s increasing costs and keep us on the air you can get a coaster too. Just go to Patreon.com/coldwarpod So back to today’s episode. I’m delighted to welcome Phil Logan to Cold War Conversations. Check out the videos relating to this episodein our show notes which are here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode77/ Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Richard Easton is the co-author of GPS Declassified which examines the development of GPS or Sat Nav as some of us call it now, from its secret, Cold War military roots. Roger Easton, Richard's father, assisted in laying the foundations for the GPS system. However, Roger Easton worked also on the early US space program and Richard vividly describes his childhood when his father was working on the early US satellites. Visit the show notes here for videos and more information. Now before we start a special thanks to our select band of supporters who are helping us financially for the price of a cup of coffee a month to cover our increasing costs and keep us on the air. They are the proud owners of a CWC coaster- this years must have household accessory! Click here for more information. We welcome Richard Easton to Cold War Conversations. Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today we’re talking to Alison Lewis, a professor in German at the University of Melbourne. She is the author of several books, including one in German about love and gender in literature during Germany's reunification and a book in German about the Stasi's infiltration of the literary underground. We spoke to Alison in episode 71. In this episode we talk about her latest collaboration a new book called "Cold War Spy Stories from Eastern Europe." The book brings together a wide range of accounts compiled from the East German Stasi, the Romanian Securitate, and the Ukrainian KGB files. Now many of our fans are the proud owners of a Cold War Conversations Coaster, a gift from me to thank them for helping the podcast financially. In July Peter Lawaetz Winkler, Simon Curtis, Remy Louviere, Hack Green Secret Nuclear Bunker and Thomas Pohlentz joined this select band. For the price of a couple of coffees a month to cover the show’s increasing costs and keep us on the air you can get a coaster too? Just go to Patreon.com/coldwarpod So back to today’s episode. We recorded in Manchester Central Library so do forgive us for any weird background noises. I’m delighted to welcome Prof Alison Lewis to Cold War Conversations. Show notes available here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode75/ Buy the book on this link and help support the podcast. Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

I’m here today at the RAF Burtonwood Heritage Centre, near Warrington in the UK. Based on what was once the largest and longest-running military airbase in Britain. The Heritage Centre was established to preserve and uphold the history of the men, women and activities that occurred here. Now many of our fans are the proud owners of a Cold War Conversations Coaster, a gift from me to thank them for helping the podcast financially. For the price of a cup of coffee a month to cover the show’s increasing costs and keep us on the air you can get a coaster too? Just go to Patreon.com/coldwarpod Over 8,500 Americans were based at RAF Burtonwood during WW2 and over 70,000 service personnel served here during its 54-year history until closure in 1993. The heritage centre packs a lot of history in and make sure your listen to my visit to the cockpit of an actual C54 Skymaster as used in the Berlin Airlift – an unforgettable experience. Back to today’s episode, we welcome John Coterill, the Heritage Centre Manager at RAF Burtonwood to our Cold War Conversation Visit the show notes here. Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We speak today with Alistair Coleman who joined BBC Monitoring as a technician in 1989, just in time for the Berlin Wall. He was on a console night shift at Caversham, on the night of the coup against Soviet Leader Gorbachev in 1991 and describes that night as the highlight of his career at the time. Thanks to Andrew Adolfson, Rick Mason, Mike Smith, Ade Bryant and Ole Bjørsvik, the latest members of our select band of supporters who are helping us financially for the price of a cup of coffee a month to help keep us on the air. They will shortly be the proud owners of a CWC coaster- don’t you want one too? Just click here Back to today’s episode, Alistair spent 15 years in short wave radio, radio telegraphy and satellite reception and research, providing the signals for monitors and editors to see foreign media. He tells a fascinating story of how the BBC obtained information about activity behind the Iron Curtain. We welcome Alistair Coleman to our Cold War Conversation. Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In a world divided by the ideological struggles of the Cold War, the Vietnam War and the Civil Rights Movement, more than one-fifth of the people on the planet paused to watch the live transmission of the Apollo 11 mission. To watch as humanity took a giant leap forward exactly 50 years ago. Now before we start a special thanks to our select band of supporters who are helping us financially for the price of a cup of coffee a month to cover our increasing costs and keep us on the air. They are the proud owners of a CWC coaster- this years must have household accessory! Click here for more information. Today we speak with Robert Stone an Oscar- and Emmy-nominated documentary filmmaker and Alan Andres co-authors of the book “Chasing the Moon” companion book to the landmark documentary series on BBC TV, PBS and other channels around the world. We Welcome Robert Stone and Alan Andres to Cold War Conversations There’s loads more content including videos, audio and links to the book and documentary in the show notes - just click here. Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode we speak with Dr Alison Lewis is Professor of German in the School of Languages and Linguistics, The University of Melbourne, Australia. She is the a co-author of Cold War Spy Stories from Eastern Europe which is published in August 2019. Now several of our fans are the proud owners of a Cold War Conversations Coaster, a gift from me to thank them for helping the podcast financially. For the price of a couple of coffees a month to cover the show’s increasing costs and keep us on the air you can get a coaster too? Just go click here Back to today’s episode Dr Lewis is also author of The Art of Betrayal: Prenzlauer Berg and State Security published in 2003 which is the subject of this episode. If you can’t wait for the next episode do visit our Facebook discussion group where our guests and listeners like yourselves continue the Cold War Conversation. 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/ Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

During the Cold War, six Dutch submarines secretly gathered intelligence about the Soviet Navy. Only a handful of people outside the Royal Netherlands Navy were aware of these operations, as they were not NATO operations. Thanks to our latest financial supporters Victor Osprey, Joe Collins, Eric Telander and Andrew Tyler who are helping us financially for the price of a cup of coffee or two a month to cover our increasing costs and keep us on the air. They will shortly be the proud owners of a CWC coaster- don’t you want one too? Click here For the first time, In Deepest Secrecy describes these top-secret deployments in detail. On the basis of interviews and archival research, Jaime Karremann reveals how the Dutch submarines followed, photographed and listened to Soviet ships unnoticed, from the freezing Arctic Ocean to shallow waters near Egypt. Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We continue the story of Victor Grossman the US Army soldier who defected to East Germany. He tells us of his life in the GDR, his close friendship with Dean Reed “The Red Elvis”, of shortages, his views on Egon Krenz and his first trip back to the US in the 1990s. Thanks to our select band of supporters who are helping us financially for the price of a cup of coffee a month to cover our increasing costs and keep us on the air. They are the proud owners of a CWC coaster- don’t you want one too? Click here. Visit the show notes here. We welcome Victor Grossman back to Cold War Conversations 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/ Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We talk with Vince Houghton – Curator of the International Spy Museum who has just written a new book called “Nuking the Moon & Other Intelligence Schemes & Military Plots left on the Drawing Board" If you’d to send us a few quid to help me run the podcast click here. Thankyou so much to our latest Supporters Leaving reviews on Itunes also helps so thanks to our latest reviewers Cheeses Word 101, Martini Glass Bob, Zach 1998!, GM0WDD, Balint Kaman, Trilbyhat, Skjip1969, Peteyinmontreal, GDR Objectified So back to today’s episode, do listen to the end as we talk Cold War Espionage whilst Vince answers my “Quick Fire” questions. We welcome Vince Houghton to our Cold War Conversation Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Todays episode is different, the interviewer is not me, but one of our listeners who contacted me to help produce content for the podcast. This gave me the idea for a new area of the podcast called “Cold War Contributions” where listeners can send in audio interviews for broadcast on the show. Email me at [email protected] if you are interested. If you’d to send us a few quid to help me run the podcast click here. Thank you so much to our latest Supporters Leaving reviews on Itunes also helps so thanks to our latest reviewers Cheeses Word 101, Martini Glass Bob, Zach 1998!, GM0WDD, Balint Kaman, Trilbyhat, Skjip1969, Peteyinmontreal, GDR Objectified So back to today's episode. James has been a fan of the show from the start and in this episode he speaks with a work colleague who lived in East Germany. We give a warm welcome to James our latest Cold War Conversations Host…. 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/ Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gareth Rubin is an author and journalist and today we’re talking to him about his latest novel, Liberation Square set in a Soviet occupied UK in the 1950s. Thanks to our select band of supporters who are helping us financially for the price of a cup of coffee a month to cover our increasing costs and keep us on the air. They are the proud owners of a CWC coaster- don’t you want one too? Just click here to learn more. So back to Gareth’s novel, After the disastrous failure of D-Day, Britain is occupied by Nazi Germany, and only rescued by Russian soldiers arriving from the east and Americans from the west. The two superpowers divide the nation between them, a wall running through London like a scar. We welcome Gareth Rubin to our Cold War Conversation. Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode we visit RAF Upper Heyford for a photography tour for Cold War enthusiasts … The episode is in three parts, the first is some audio from the tour, followed by an interview with Ric Batson a former member of the USAF 20th Security Police Squadron and tour guide as well as an interview with his wife who is also a tour guide covering some aspects of the challenges of being the British wife of USAF service personnel. If you are enjoying the podcasts then a few dollars, pounds of euros a month you can help us cover our increasing costs and keep us on the air as well as receive a Cold War Conversations coaster- this year’s sought after household accessory! Just go to https://www.patreon.com/coldwarpod. Thankyou so much to our current and latest Patrons Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Laurie Hawn is a retired Canadian Member of Parliament and former career fighter pilot in the Royal Canadian Air Force. Laurie tells the story of low level delivery of nuclear weapons via the Starfighter as well as conventional missions. Also we get insight into the escape, evasion and interrogation training given to NATO pilots. As the podcast gets more popular our costs of hosting and running the podcast increase. If you are enjoying what you hear a few dollars, pounds or roubles a month help keep us on the air. Head over our web site to learn more. Thank you so much to all our fans that are supporting us – it is really appreciated! Now back to today’s episode where you won't want to miss the story of how Laurie got his nickname of "Hawnski". Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode we speak with Dr Becky-Alexis Martin who is a lecturer in Cultural and Political Geography at Manchester Metropolitan University and author of Disarming Doomsday – The Human Impact of Nuclear Weapons since Hiroshima. If you like what you’re hearing then from the price of a cup of coffee a month you can help us cover our increasing costs and keep us on the air as well as receive a Cold War Conversations coaster- this year’s sought after household accessory! Just click here. Thank you so much to our current and latest Patrons. We welcome Dr Becky Alexis-Martin to our Cold War Conversation. Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What could make a privileged 24-year-old American serving in the US Army in Germany in 1952 to swim across the Danube River to what was then the Soviet Zone? Victor Grossman who was born Stephen Wechsler but changed his name after defecting to the GDR. A child of the Depression, Grossman grew up in an environment that nurtured a commitment to left-wing causes. He continued his involvement with Communist activities as a student at Harvard in the late 1940s and after graduation, when he took jobs in factories in Buffalo, New York and tried to organize their workers. After being drafted into the US Army and fearful of his discovery as a communist Grossman ended up in GDR with other Western defectors, He was able to establish himself as a freelance journalist, lecturer and author. Travelling through East Germany he saw the failures as well as the successes of the GDR's "socialist experiment". While some of you will disagree with Victor's views, his first-hand account of his experiences is an important part of Cold War history. We start my Cold War Conversation with Victor telling us about this early life in the United States. Episode 2 is here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode69/ 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/ Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode we speak with Colin Munro who has had an extensive career with the British Diplomatic Service. Today we speak about his time as Head of Chancery in Bucharest, Romania between 1981 to 1982. He provides a vivid view of a country initiating a policy of total repayment of the foreign debt by imposing austerity that impoverished the population and exhausted the economy. If you like what you’re hearing then from the price of a cup of coffee a month you can help keep us on the air. Just click here for more information . Thankyou so much to our latest Patron, Jamie Williams. Now back to today’s episode where we start with Colin describing his role within the embassy. Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode we speak with Mark Wiegers who travelled on the Trans-Siberian Railway in the late 1980s. His story tells of trouble with officialdom, the unexpected kindness of strangers and the beauty of a Soviet Union on the cusp of major change. Mark has taken a stunning set of photos on his journey which you can view below. I really recommend you take a look via our show notes here. If you want to help us out with the costs of hosting and running the podcast then from the price of a cup of coffee a month you can really make a difference. Click here. Thankyou so much to our latest Patrons, Daniel Neville, Brendan, Lloyd Watkin & Tim Brown. Now back to today’s episode where we start with Mark and his friend in East Berlin. Join our Facebook group here. Or follow us on twitter here. Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, we welcome back John Green to talk further about his covert journalism for East Germany. His story continues with his account of the Portuguese Carnation Revolution and a dangerous assignment to Pinochet’s Chile where he comes face to face with the infamous Dictator. We join my Cold War Conversation with John Green in Portugal. Can't wait for the next episode? Visit our discussion group here 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/ Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today we speak to Manuel Alzaga who as a 17 year old joined the US Army in 1981. Manuel signed up to the artillery and tells his story from life of poverty in Los Angeles through to deployment in West Germany for a Reforger exercise. Before we get going you can really help us get more listeners by leaving reviews on Itunes or with your favourite podcast provider. This really helps raise our profile and get guests on the show. If you’d like to support us with a few dollars, pounds or roubles then head over to cwc.com and click here to learn more. Thank you so much to all our fans that are supporting us – it is really appreciated! Now back to today’s episode. We start by talking about Manuel’s early life. Can't wait for the next episode? Visit our discussion group here Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We speak to 98 year old Gail Halvorsen aka "The Candy Bomber" who flew in the Berlin Airlift in 1948. The Soviets had started a 11-month land blockade against West Berlin. The blockade was broken by a massive U.S.-British airlift of vital supplies to West Berlin. Gail tells an incredible story of an iconic humanitarian mission at the dawn of the Cold War. Now if you’d like to support our operating costs with a few dollars, pounds or roubles then head click here to learn more. Thank you so much to all our fans that are supporting us – it is really appreciated! If that’s not your cup of tea then you can really help us by leaving reviews on Itunes or with your favourite podcast provider. This really helps raise our profile and get guests on the show. Now back to today’s episode. The line wasn’t great, but I felt so honoured to be able to speak with Gail. Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices