Cold War Conversations

Leigh joined the RAAF in 1978 to train as a pilot but was scrubbed after a few months and transitioned to training as an Air Electronics Officer (AEO) at the RAAF School of Air Navigation.He flew on the P-3C Orion and was employed in operations across the Indo-Pacific region on maritime patrol surveillance operations in the region - which included both usual surface surveillance of the region and operations alongside the US against Soviet submarines transiting the area.He also had the opportunity to track Soviet SSBNs in the NE Pacific operating with the US Navy.He details many incidents during his career including an “archaeological” mission, accidentally causing a diplomatic incident, as well as monitoring the splash-down and recovery of re-entry vehicles used to test the heat tiles for the Soviet Buran space shuttle.I’m delighted to welcome Leigh Collins to our Cold War Conversation.Episode extras including book recommendations, videos and photos here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode332/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 Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPodInstagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversationsLove history? Check out Into History at this link https://intohistory.com/coldwarpod00:00 Intro 01:49 Early interest in aviation and the military02:47 Aspirations in the RAAF04:08 Failure as a pilot06:43 Length of Orion missions09:05 Soviet naval activity around Australia in the 1980s16:52 RAF 617 Squadron held their annual reunion in Australia20:42 Use of GPS on the Orion24:23 Use of astral navigation using a Sextant27:59 Viewing the cockpit of the Vulcan31:10 Monitoring a Russian diesel submarine33:13 Soviet trawlers during exercises34:23 Exercise Silent Pearl43:49 Soviet Buran Space shuttle test bed recoveries52:52 Incident just out of Darwin where the crew ditched56:50 Operation Gateway, Australia's long-standing anti-piracy operation01:03:39 Threat of China during the cold war01:07:53 September 1993 deployment as a submarine observer01:12:23 Leigh worked with Sue Boyd from episode 151 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Norbert recounts his traumatic journey from Cold War Poland to the US, highlighting struggles of food shortages, cultural shock in 1980s America, and sacrifices of Polish immigrants. The narrative unfolds against the backdrop of the Cold War, showcasing the family's German heritage and challenges they faced.

Dan served in the War Plans office of the US Army VII Corps working on counterattack plans and reorganization of the US Army’s General Defence Plan.He describes the debriefing of a Polish Special Forces operator who had defected to the West and who revealed surprising knowledge of US plans and order of battle.Dan also details his experiences on the Able Archer 83 exercise and his views about how dangerous that was.In addition to his work in the War Plans office, we discuss terror attacks on the US Army in West Germany including the bombing of the LaBelle disco in West Berlin where 2 US soldiers and one Turkish woman were killed and 79 wounded.The terrorist threat to US Forces was significant and this is highlighted by the attempted assassination of General Kroesen commander of United States Army Europe by the Red Army Faction aka The Baader-Meinhof Group. Dan describes his own experiences in the immediate aftermath of the attack., including the issuing of live ammunition to US Forces in the field.Extra info here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode330/ 0:00 Introduction1:32 Dan's Insights in the War Plans Office10:29 The defector's shocking intel on US plans18:13 Reflections on Able Archer 8324:33 Terrorism and the attack on the La Belle disco33:21 Red Army Faction attempted assassination of General Kroesen42:20 The impact of these events on US forces58:41 Dan's views on the sudden changes in Eastern Europe1:13:38 Podcast extras, appreciation for financial supporters, and closing remarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In August 1989, a group of Hungarian activists did the unthinkable: they entered the forbidden militarised zone of the Iron Curtain - and held a picnic.Word had spread of what was going to happen. On wisps of rumour, thousands of East German 'holiday-makers' had made their way to the border between Hungary and Austria, awaiting an opportunity, fearing prison, surveilled by lurking Stasi agents. The stage was set for the greatest border breach in Cold War history: that day hundreds would cross from the Communist East to the longed-for freedom of the West. The fall of the Berlin Wall, the end of the Soviet Union - the so-called end of history - all would flow from those dramatic hours.Drawing on dozens of original interviews with those involved - activists and border guards, escapees and secret police, as well as the last Communist prime minister of Hungary Matthew Longo's book  "The Picnic - An Escape to Freedom and the Collapse of the Iron Curtain" reconstructs this world-shaping event and its tumultuous aftermath. Freedom had been won but parents had been abandoned and families divided. Love affairs faltered and new lives had to be built from scratch.The Picnic is the story of a moment when the tide of history turned. It shows how freedom can be both a dream and disillusionment and how all we take for granted can vanish instantly...Book giveaway info here https://coldwarconversations.com/giveaway/Buy the book and support the podcast here https://uk.bookshop.org/a/1549/9781847927798The 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 Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPodInstagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversationsLove history? Check out Into History at this link https://intohistory.com/coldwarpod0:00 Introduction to the episode by Ian Sanders4:47 Discussion on the political situation in Hungary in the late 80s13:11 Gorbachev's view on Hungary's reforms and changes23:26 Reaction of Hungarian hardliners to Imre Nagy's reburial29:41 The tense atmosphere at the Warsaw pact meeting in Bucharest37:49 The origin of the idea for a European picnic at the border48:02 The impact on the Berlin Wall57:23 The fatal shooting of Werner Schultz1:00:38 The rapid changes that followed the opening of the border1:07:42 Victor Orban's reimagining of history1:11:53 Conclusion and promotion of Matthew Longo's book, The Picnic1:12:33 Acknowledgements and closing remarksChapters powered by PodcastAI✨ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A former lieutenant and captain in the US Army shares his experiences in West Germany during the Cold War, including Soviet overflights, Warsaw Pact tracking attempts, and the use of geese for perimeter security. The podcast also covers the improved Hawke anti-aircraft missile system and its deployment in exercises. Discussions include tracking military and civilian aircraft, fragility and challenges in electronics, special unit patch, sponsorship, missile system, defense career, deployment locations and rotations, US Army division air defense mechanisms, deactivating a highly proficient air defense unit, and next steps after deactivation of advanced Hawk unit.

The Jodrell Bank observatory in Cheshire in the UK played a significant secret role during the Cold War. It was established in 1945 by Bernard Lovell, a radio astronomer at the university, to investigate cosmic rays after his work on radar in the Second World War.We hear some intriguing details of the site’s Cold War roles including being Britain’s first nuclear attack early warning station and its signals intelligence collaboration with GCHQ, the UK’s Government Communications Headquarters.Even more surprisingly it’s also revealed how Soviet Scientists also worked at the site and that the Soviets attempted to get Bernard Lovell to defect during a visit to the Soviet Union.I’m given a tour of the non-public areas by Tim O'Brien who is a Professor of Astrophysics.Do make sure you check out the extensive photos I took at https://coldwarconversations.com/episode327/ 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 also 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 Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPodInstagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversationsLove history? Check out Into History at this link https://intohistory.com/coldwarpod0:00 Introduction to the podcast1:00 Jodrell Bank Observatory's role in the Cold War and its establishment10:08 The birth and evolution of radio astronomy15:50 The construction and purpose of the world's biggest radio telescope32:46 The telescope's role during the Cuban missile crisis and its implications51:05 The mission of GCHQ at Jodrell Bank and intercepting signals from the Soviet Union1:04:21 Touring the secret tunnel and discussing its potential uses1:14:51 Recounting the Soviet Luna 15 mission during the American moon landing and the role of Jodrell Bank1:29:18 Episode extras and thanking financial supportersChapters powered by PodcastAI✨ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the mid-1980s Dag was a T72 tank commander in the NVA, the East German Army and is now a volunteer at the Tank Museum at Bovington inthe UK.  He describes his initial tank commander training, the battle readiness of the NVA, and the challenges of a conscript army as well as a startling revelation about a significant change in doctrine in 1987.We also dig deep into the technical details of the T72, including the autoloader, deep water wading, radio communication and its advantages and disadvantages versus NATO tanks.Dag also talks about how Soviet WW2 learnings were applied into the NVA, and his regiment’s role and deployment area in the event of war. Dag shares a frank view and great insight into life in the NVA as a tank commander and the challenges of life beyond the NVA as the Wall opens and all he has known disappears.  Make sure you check out the videos here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode326/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 also 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 Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPodInstagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversationsLove history? Check out Into History at this link https://intohistory.com/coldwarpod0:00 Introduction10:29 Briefing on NATO armour and perception of NATO as the enemy18:13 Planning for potential conflict and readiness in the NVA24:33 Understanding the roles and challenges in a conscript army33:21 Performance and operational details of the T72 tank42:20 Training, battlefield strategies and preparations58:41 East German-Soviet relations and Warsaw Pact exercises1:13:38 Reflections on service in the NVA and potential conflict with NATO1:23:59 Reaction to the opening of the Berlin Wall and post-service encounters1:27:34 Life post-unification: Expectations, reality and personal growth1:31:28 Podcast extras, appreciation for financial supporters and closing remarksChapters powered by PodcastAI✨ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kate is sent to Moscow in 1985 to write articles for The Morning Star, a left-wing British daily newspaper founded in 1930 as the Daily Worker by the Communist Party of Great Britain. She lives in a block of flats alongside Soviet citizens and enrols her 3 children in Soviet schools.Three weeks after Kate arrives Mikhail Gorbachev comes to power and she finds herself having to cover the disorientating number of rapid reforms and attacks on the Soviet system by its leadership for a newspaper, that had always supported the Soviet Union.Kate is fluent in Russian, speaks with Soviet citizens on the bus or at the shops, and visits every Soviet republic bar one of the then-largest countries on Earth. In 1986 she reported on the Chernobyl disaster and was one of the first journalists to arrive in the area.Buy the book here https://www.bannisterpublications.com/product-page/twilight-of-the-soviet-unionThe 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 also 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 Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPodInstagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversationsLove history? Check out Into History at this link https://intohistory.com/coldwarpod0:00 Introduction and background of Kate Clark1:32 Journey to becoming a Moscow correspondent and life in Soviet Union11:09 Placing Ket's children in Soviet schools and their adaptation15:10 Bureaucratic challenges18:08 Shopping habits and emergence of supermarkets in Soviet Union21:00 Impact of Mikhail Gorbachev's leadership and his policies33:34 Cultural accessibility, promotion and diversity in the Soviet Union44:36 Covering the Chernobyl disaster and its aftermath57:17 Relations with the British embassy and dealings with Soviet security services1:04:47 Visit to Afghanistan and reflections on its political challenges1:09:31 Reflections on the collapse of the Soviet Union and the role of Yeltsin1:15:30 Kate's book, "Twilight of the Soviet Union", and closing remarksChapters powered by PodcastAI✨ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tim participates in Kangaroo 89, a huge military exercise with the entire Australian Army using an area the size of Western Europe and we hear about the Australian equivalent of Wolfgang the Bratty Man who used to turn up on British exercises in Germany.Tim was also part of an exchange program with the British Army and he describes his experiences there and the advantages and disadvantages between Leopard 1 and the British Challenger 1 tankTim also worked with the Bundeswehr where he had a fascinating encounter with a former East German tank commander. This is part two of my chat with Tim., Part one is episode 321 here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode321/ Photos, videos and extra episode information here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode324/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 also 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 Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPodFacebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversationsLove history? Check out Into History at this link https://intohistory.com/coldwarpod0:00 Introduction1:03 Kangaroo 89: Large-scale military exercise and logistical challenges9:37 Leopard 1 vs Challenger 1: A comparison and discussion of their advantages20:26 Evaluation of Russian/Chinese armoured vehicles and Soviet tanks22:45 Discussion about the arms industry and British involvement in upgrading Iraqi tanks28:28 Life in the field: Food, rations, and interaction with the local population34:11 Night fighting capability of Leopard AS1 and limitations of infrared technology39:24 Cold War tactics and concerns about signals intelligence45:02 Exchange with the Bundeswehr and bonding with an ex-NVA senior NCO51:59 Cold War-themed films recommendations and Australian contribution during the Cold War54:02 Importance of individual Cold War stories and episode extras55:00 Closing remarks and invitation to join the Facebook discussion groupChapters powered by PodcastAI✨ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Since 1985, Ana Montes has been an asset of the Cuban intelligence service. In that time, she’s risen through the ranks to become one of the Pentagon’s most respected voices on Cuban affairs with easy access to classified documents. Peter Lapp reveals Montez's tradecraft and how the FBI found the proverbial "needle in a haystack".To learn more about the woman labelled "one of the most damaging spies in U.S. history" by America's top counter-intelligence official listen to episode 277. Buy the book here https://uk.bookshop.org/a/1549/9781915603326Extra Photos and videos here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode323Enter the book giveaway here https://coldwarconversations.com/giveaway/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 also 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 Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPodInstagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversationsLove history? Check out Into History at this link https://intohistory.com/coldwarpod0:00 Introduction to Anna Montez and her role in the Cuban Intelligence Service7:48 The process of identifying a spy within the US intelligence community16:43 Introduction of Scott Carmichael and his role in the investigation28:34 The potential involvement of Anna Montez's family in espionage34:51 A mistake and the realities of surveillance41:00 The importance of the Toshiba computer in Anna's arrest52:22 Arrest of Ana Montez56:18 The process of reaching an agreement with Ana Montez1:03:16 Public perception and recognition of Ana Montez post-arrest1:04:11 Introduction of the book giveawayChapters powered by PodcastAI✨ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices