Cold War Conversations

By: Ian Sanders
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  • Summary

  • Experience the Cold War like never before through award-winning, real-life stories told by those who lived it. Each week, we bring you firsthand accounts from soldiers, spies, civilians, and more, capturing the full spectrum of Cold War experiences. Host Ian Sanders takes you beyond the history books, delivering raw, personal stories where every breath, pause, and emotion adds depth to understanding this pivotal era. This is Cold War history, told from the inside. We cover subjects such as spies, spying, the Iron Curtain, nuclear weapons, warfare, tanks, jet aircraft, fighters, bombers, transport aircraft, aviation, culture, and politics. We also cover personalities such as Fidel Castro, JFK, Ronald Reagan, Nikita Khrushchev, Leonid Brezhnev, Yuri Andropov, Mikhail Gorbachev, Konstantin Chernenko, Margaret Thatcher, John F. Kennedy, Josef Stalin, Richard Nixon, Lech Walesa, General Jaruzelski, Nicolae Ceaușescu. Other subjects include Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Romania, Checkpoint Charlie, Berlin, West Berlin, East Berlin, Cuban missile Crisis, Berlin Airlift, Bay of Pigs, SALT, Perestroika, Space Race, superpower, USSR, Soviet Union, DDR, GDR, East Germany, SDI, Vietnam War, Korean War, Solidarność, Fall of the Wall, Berliner Mauer, Trabant, Communist, Capitalist, Able Archer, KGB, Stasi, STB, SB, Securitate, CIA, NSA, MI5, MI6, Berlin Wall, escape, defection, Cuba, Albania, football, sport, Bulgaria, Soviet Union, Poland, China, Taiwan, Austria, West Germany, Solidarity, espionage, HUMINT, SIGINT, OSINT, IMINT, GEOINT, RAF, USAF, British Army, US Army, Red Army, Soviet Army, Afghanistan, NVA, East German Army, KAL007, T-72, T-64, Chieftain, M60 The podcast is for military veterans, school teachers, university lecturers, students and those interested in Cold War history, museums, bunkers, weapons, AFVs, wargaming, planes, A Level, GCSE students
    © 2024 Cold War Conversations
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Episodes
  • Under Fire: A Journalist's Story of the 1989 Romanian Revolution (380)

    Under Fire: A Journalist's Story of the 1989 Romanian Revolution (380)
    Dec 21 2024
    Today we are transported back to a pivotal moment in history that occurred 35 years ago this month - the Romanian Revolution of 1989. This episode is from our archive and features, Mark Brayne, a former Reuters and BBC journalist, who provides a gripping first-hand account of the tumultuous events that led to the fall of Nicolae Ceausescu. As Mark recounts his experiences, listeners are given a rare glimpse into the life of a journalist reporting from a war zone. He embarks on a perilous journey to Bucharest, navigating roadblocks and dodging bullets to report on the revolution. His determination to capture the story amidst chaos and danger is a testament to the courage and resilience of journalists who risk their lives to bring us the news. Beyond the historical events, Mark shares personal reflections on how these experiences shaped his life and career. The emotional intensity of covering such significant moments led him to a new path as a psychotherapist, helping others navigate their own traumas. This episode is not just a recounting of history but an exploration of the human stories behind the headlines. It highlights the bravery of journalists like Mark, who venture into the unknown to bring us closer to the truth. For anyone interested in history, journalism, or the human condition, this episode is a must-listen. Related episodes: Mark - A UK Journalist in the Soviet Union & GDR https://pod.fo/e/1c4ef Mark - A British Journalist under Stasi Surveillance https://pod.fo/e/1e111 The Human Factor: Gorbachev, Reagan, and Thatcher, and the End of the Cold War https://pod.fo/e/17bf8 Reporting on the 1989 Revolution in Romania and the Czechoslovak Velvet Revolution https://pod.fo/e/2544b1 Episode extras here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode380/ 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 thank you and you’ll bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ If a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, we welcome one-off donations via the same link. Find the ideal gift for the Cold War enthusiast in your life! Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/store/ Follow us on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/coldwarpod.bsky.social Follow us on Threads https://www.threads.net/@coldwarconversations 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 Love history? Join Intohistory https://intohistory.com/coldwarpod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    47 mins
  • Foes to Friends: Cold War British and East German Tank crew together in conversation (379)

    Foes to Friends: Cold War British and East German Tank crew together in conversation (379)
    Dec 14 2024
    Join our East-West tank crew reunion that offers a rare glimpse into the lives of those who served on opposite sides of the Iron Curtain. The episode features Al and Mick, former Chieftain tank crew members from the British Army, alongside Dag, an ex-East German T72 tank commander. Together, they delve into their personal experiences, providing insights into the military strategies, challenges, and camaraderie that defined their service during the Cold War. As the discussion unfolds, the trio explores the intricacies of military life, from the training regimes and unit cohesion to the technical specifications of their respective tanks. Dag provides an intriguing account of the T72's capabilities, highlighting its strengths and limitations. Meanwhile, Al and Mick reflect on their experiences with the Chieftain tank, offering a Western perspective on tank warfare during the Cold War. The episode is punctuated with personal anecdotes and reflections, adding depth and humanity to the historical narrative. Dag's candid admission of his reluctance to serve at the border and his refusal to shoot at defectors offers a poignant reminder of the moral complexities faced by those in uniform. Similarly, Al and Mick's recollections of training exercises and the camaraderie among their fellow soldiers highlight the bonds forged in service. Related episodes: Crewing the Cold War Chieftain tank https://pod.fo/e/155bb4 Cold War Chieftain tank deployment at the East German Border https://pod.fo/e/157641 The East German Tank Commander https://pod.fo/e/210cee Episode extras here including Dag's vehicle recognition manual https://coldwarconversations.com/episode379/ 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 thank you and you’ll bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ If a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, we welcome one-off donations via the same link. Find the ideal gift for the Cold War enthusiast in your life! Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/store/ Follow us on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/coldwarpod.bsky.social Follow us on Threads https://www.threads.net/@coldwarconversations 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 Love history? Join Intohistory https://intohistory.com/coldwarpod 00:00 Introduction 02:35 How do you become an East German Tank commander? 07:28 Selection and training for British tank crew 08:51 Were you selected for the East German border guards? 12:39 Differences in training areas and exercises 18:20 Unit cohesion - differences between conscript and professional armies 21:42 Enemy vehicle recognition 24:17 Benefits of a professional army and all arms training in Canada 28:30 Doctrines of each army - defence vs attack 31:00 Change of East German doctrine to a defensive posture 33:55 Plan to Attack Poland in 1981 38:10 If the East German army had crossed the West German border 43:02 Challenges of breaking through the border fortifications 45:03 East German view of the Soviets 51:26 What was the T72 like to operate? 56:44 Benefits of Chieftain's thermal imaging system 59:52 Training of the Chieftain crew if the thermal imaging system failed. 01:04:57 The British Army's secret weapons - the boiling vessel 01:09:51 Refuelling & ammunition replenishment 01:14:34 T72 autoloader 01:19:13 T72 snorkel 01:25:14 Final comments between the crews Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 35 mins
  • From Vulcan Bases to Communist Bucharest: A Tale of Cold War Intrigue (378)

    From Vulcan Bases to Communist Bucharest: A Tale of Cold War Intrigue (378)
    Dec 7 2024
    Ron Mackay further recounts his experiences in Romania, a country teetering between Soviet influence and a desire for independence, offering a fascinating glimpse into a time of uncertainty and intrigue. Among many stories, Ron visits an RAF base in the UK where his brother was a crew member of a Vulcan bomber, Britain’s nuclear deterrent at the time. The RAF quizzes Ron in detail about the locations he has visited in Romania. Back in Romania Ron navigates the intricacies of its society and shares stories of friendships forged under the watchful eyes of the Securitate, Romania's feared secret police. Ron describes his interactions with various characters, each with their own motivations and secrets. From a duck shooting party at a Communist Party hunting lodge to a tense encounter with tanks near the Soviet border, Ron's stories are filled with suspense and unexpected twists. Buy Ron's book here and support CWC https://amzn.to/3Om8kZt Episode extras here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode378/ Related episodes: Hitchhiking behind the 1960s Iron Curtain https://pod.fo/e/2098ae A Childhood under the Eye of the Secret Police https://pod.fo/e/a4730 My life laid bare through secret police files https://pod.fo/e/12e45f A Hungarian Childhood in Cold War Romania https://pod.fo/e/1190aa Escaping from Cold War Romania https://pod.fo/e/11ad63 Emanuela - a Cold War Romanian Childhood https://pod.fo/e/f0376 Reporting the 1989 Romanian Revolution https://pod.fo/e/1ea8c 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 thank you and you’ll bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ If a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, we welcome one-off donations via the same link. Find the ideal gift for the Cold War enthusiast in your life! Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/store/ Follow us on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/coldwarpod.bsky.social Follow us on Threads https://www.threads.net/@coldwarconversations 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 Love history? Join Intohistory https://intohistory.com/coldwarpod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 11 mins

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personal accounts of cold war

good subjects and fascinating guests from both sides of the wall. Intelligent questions and insights from those who lived it.

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