I was a deep cover KGB spy Part 1 (140)

Sep 18, 2020

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If you’ve seen the TV drama series, “The Americans” you’ll be fascinated by this episode. Albrecht Dittrich was an East German graduate student and a true believer in the Communist cause when he was recruited by the KGB in 1970. He spent ten years as an undercover KGB agent in the United States.

He is the longest surviving known member of the KGB illegals programme that operated during the Cold War.

In this episode we talk about his first days his early life in East Germany as well as his recruitment and training in Berlin & Moscow.

It’s an amazing insight into the mind and personality of a secret agent and the immense pressures he was under in the 10 years he served his KGB masters.

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

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

I am delighted to welcome Jack Barsky to our Cold War conversation…

UK Fans can buy Jack's book here & support the podcast https://amzn.to/2FKAbmj

US Fans can buy Jack's book here & support the podcast https://amzn.to/3hLQoVs

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/episode140/

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0:00 Introduction of Jack Barsky and his relationship with the KGB

1:25 Jack Barsky's recruitment and training by the KGB

2:06 Fundraising request for the podcast

2:36 Jack Barsky's early life and education in East Germany

11:41 Barsky's journey to becoming a KGB agent

36:15 The romanticization of spies and the reality of spy life in East Germany

51:00 The dangers, risks, and impacts of being a spy

37:05 Jack Barsky's belief in the socialist ideal and the tenets of Marxism

40:02 Jack Barsky's training mission to West Berlin and intensive training in Moscow

59:48 Jack Barsky's transition to a new identity in the US

1:00:38 Closing remarks by Ian Sanders and additional content information.

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