Cold War Conversations

Brian Regal entered the US Army in 1977 and served on the M60A1 tank initially as a driver. The M60A1 was America's primary main battle tank during the Cold War, with initial deployment in 1960 and combat service through to 1991.After tank school, Brian was sent to West Germany where he was assigned to the 3/35 Armor in the Bamberg Garrison as part of the 1st Armored Division US Army, where the 3/35 was tasked to fight a Warsaw Pact attack across the Czechoslovak and East German borders. Brian was also his company’s nuclear, biological and chemical warfare specialist.He describes in detail his training, how patrols were conducted along the borders, an incident with a Soviet Military Liaison mission car, the war games amongst the West German civilians, as well as practice alerts.It’s a great chat and Brian is frank about his role and the scant expectations for survival if war did come. He is now Dr. Brian Regal, Professor for the History of Science, Technology, and Medicine at Kean University, New Jerseyweb page: https://sites.google.com/a/kean.edu/brian-regal-phd/0:00 Introduction and Brian Regal's initial days in the US Army1:53 Request for donations to support the podcast7:00 Brian's decision to join the Army and training experiences23:41 Arrival at the first duty station in Bamburg Garrison, Bavaria28:57 Introduction to M60A1 tank and its features37:56 NBC training and nuclear chemical defense52:54 Practice alerts and close calls during the Cold War1:01:05 Rules of engagement at the border and description of fortifications1:07:58 Interaction with German civilians and Soviet military during service1:31:08 Journey to becoming a tank commander1:35:48 Episode extras and appreciation for financial supportersTable of contents powered by PodcastAI✨The fight to preserve Cold War history continues and via a simple monthly donation you will give me the ammunition to keep this podcast on the air. You’ll become part of our community 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.Extra photos and videos here. https://coldwarconversations.com/episode282/Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPodFacebook 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 1987 Martin received a letter informing him of his conscription into the Dutch Army. A number of European NATO countries had conscription during the Cold War. Holland’s applied to men over the age of 18 and included service for about a year, after which you were placed on the reserve. Martin objected to military service as a conscientious objector on religious grounds. Conscientious objectors could perform alternative civilian service instead of military service. However to get to be an official “conscientious objector” you had to pass multiple military courts and military procedures which was especially challenging for someone aged 17 years old. Martin is very honest about his beliefs and his experiences. During the Cold War he was seen by some as an enemy because he refused to bear arms to protect his country.You may disagree with his views, but it’s a Cold War topic that is little covered elsewhere and I’m sure you will find my conversation with Martin as fascinating and powerful as I did.  0:00 Introduction to Cold War Conversations and Martin's military interaction0:58 Conscription during the Cold War and Martin's conscientious objection2:13 Sponsor message and user testimony4:30 Martin's family's experiences and his draft notice10:54 Process and challenges of becoming a conscientious objector22:07 Martin's moral position and Ian's comments24:10 Attempts to avoid conscription and Dutch law29:37 Anti-nuclear movement in Holland and soldiers' participation33:39 Martin's gratitude for the law and public reaction to his conscientious objection41:19 Perception of conscientious objectors and Martin's replacement service48:26 Current status of conscription in the Netherlands53:05 Martin's perspective on defending his country and serving humanity56:51 Podcast extras, call for support, and closing remarksTable of contents powered by PodcastAI✨.Cold War history is disappearing; however, a simple monthly donation will keep this podcast on the air. You’ll become part of our community 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.Episode notes here https://coldwarconversations.com/281The foundation Martin works for as a volunteer is: https://www.emmy.foundation/ Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPodFacebook 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 featured in episode 9 where he told us about working in Czechoslovakia in the 1980s as a journalist for a small publishing company called Business International (BI). He was the company’s Czechoslovakia expert and with his Czech minder Arnold he travelled to Prague and other cities to report on significant economic and political developments.In 2021, he published “Čas Proměn” (“Time of Changes”), written in Czech, it is a collection of stories about Central and Eastern Europe in the 1980s and early ‘90s.Over the Christmas 2021 holidays, as he was visiting family in Ohio, he received a surprise email from a Czech academic. He was writing to Mark that he had finished reading the book and that he liked it. But then he added, cryptically, that Mark might want to revise part of it for future editions as he had found Mark’s Czechoslovak secret police surveillance file… We hear about the plans the Czechoslovak secret police had for Mark and the secret of Operation Oheň, aka Operation Fire.0:00 Introduction to Mark Baker's story2:40 Mark's journey as a journalist in Czechoslovakia5:59 Discovering Arnold's collaboration with the secret police and Mark's own surveillance file14:14 Reflection on the photographs from Mark's surveillance file19:45 Decoding the secret language and understanding the code names in the file24:01 Unveiling Mark's first appearance on the secret police radar44:15 Mark Baker: Operation Ohen and the infiltration of US Embassies45:00 Changes after the fall of the Berlin Wall and end of STB operations48:59 Ian Sanders: Closing remarks, reminders and invitation to join the discussion groupTable of contents powered by PodcastAI✨Now if you think there is a vast army of research assistants, audio engineers and producers putting together this podcast you’d be wrong. This podcast relies on your support to enable me to continue to capture these incredible stories and make them available to everyone for free. If you’d like to help to preserve Cold War history and enable me to continue to produce this podcast you can via one off or monthly donations.Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/for more details.Listen to mark's previous episode here https://pod.fo/e/f83fMark's blog is available here. https://markbakerprague.com/part-1-introducing-our-man-interSupport the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPodFacebook 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 Dirk’s story from episode 278 with a move to East Berlin following his mother’s divorce from his father.Dirk finds school life more relaxed where pupils are allowed to wear Western clothing and to speak more openly, even questioning their teachers about the existence of the Berlin Wall.After leaving school, Dirk starts work in a factory from which he can see into West Berlin and he longs for a life away from the restrictions of East Germany.His mother’s new partner is a conscripted border guard who advises him not to attempt an escape over the Wall.However, as East Germany starts to implode in November 1989 Dirks sees a chance to escape… We also hear of his and his family’s life in the new Germany where at school reunions the children of Stasi families reveal their secrets and his mother sees the contents of her Stasi file.0:00 Introduction and Dirk's life in East Berlin7:24 Dirk's career and encounters with international leaders15:33 Dirk's changing perspectives on East Germany and life near the Berlin Wall20:06 The risks of escaping East Germany and Dirk's involvement in 1989 demonstrations24:18 Dirk's escape to West Germany30:32 Arrival in West Germany and the reunion with his mother36:43 The adjustment to the reunification of Germany39:59 Post-reunification life and Dirk's connections with school friends42:17 Discoveries from Stasi files and the impact on Dirk's family44:53 Closing remarks and promotion of episode extrasTable of contents powered by PodcastAI✨Dirk's previous episode https://coldwarconversations.com/episode278/Cold War history is disappearing; however, a simple monthly donation will keep this podcast on the air. You’ll become part of our community 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.Episode notes here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode279Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPodFacebook 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

Dirk lived in the town of Bernau about 15 miles from East Berlin. Just outside Bernau was Wandlitz the residential estate of the East German leadership. As a result, Bernau had one of the highest densities of Stasi facilities in East Germany.Dirk shares details of his childhood growing up in a Plattenbau block of flats where his school friends were children of NVA officers, Stasi officers, and Soviet Army officers.He shares some fascinating details of school life and visits the homes of his school friends in Bernau. However, his parents clashed with his school teachers as they bullied Dirk for wearing western clothing.We also hear how his parent's anti-soviet view originated with his grandparents fleeing the World War 2 Soviet invasion of East Prussia and an Uncle who was arrested and disappeared in Berlin in 1945. 0:00 Introduction and Dirk's early life in East Germany8:45 Impact of the Berlin Wall on Dirk's family and visits from West German relatives16:22 Confrontations with teachers over Western influences and passive resistance to East German authorities22:36 Discretion about Western influences and maintaining friendships with children of East German and Soviet army officers27:38 Visiting the homes of Russian friends and experiences with Russian conscripts35:21 Treatment of Soviet conscripts as observed by British troops and daily life amidst the Soviet and East German armies41:09 Hidden bunkers, bases in East Germany, and Stasi surveillance of Dirk's family45:01 Discussion about escaping East Germany and family visits to West Germany47:06 Preview of Dirk's story in the next episode and acknowledgmentsTable of contents powered by PodcastAI✨Cold War history is disappearing; however, a simple monthly donation will keep this podcast on the air. You’ll become part of our community 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.Videos and extra episode info here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode278Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPodFacebook 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

Ana Montes was the most damaging female spy in US history.For nearly 17 years, Montes was one of the government's top Cuba experts, with easy access to classified documents. By night, she was working for Fidel Castro's Cuba, listening to coded messages over shortwave radio, passing US secrets to handlers in local restaurants, and slipping into Havana wearing a wig.Her only sister, Lucy, worked for the FBI helping the FBI flush Cuban spies out of the United States. Little did Lucy or her family know that the greatest Cuban spy of all was sitting right next to them at Thanksgivings, baptisms, and weddings. I speak with investigative journalist Jim Popkin whose book Code Name Blue Wren, weaves the tale of two sisters who chose two very different paths and reveals the making of a traitor- a woman labelled "one of the most damaging spies in U.S. history" by America's top counter-intelligence official.After more than two decades in federal prison, Montes was freed in January 2023.0:00 Introduction to Anna Montes and her spying activities10:15 Anna Montes' radicalization and move to Washington18:10 Anna's trip to Cuba and her spy training26:12 Anna's entry into the DIA and her unique method of passing information33:14 Anna's communication methods with Cuba and her siblings joining the FBI42:01 Colleagues' perception of Anna and her personality changes49:37 The FBI's success in Cuban counterintelligence operations and suspicions about Anna54:42 Agent S's identity and the investigation into Agent S1:02:19 Building the case against Ana Montes and the evidence found1:07:20 Ana Montes' promotion, arrest, and prosecution1:15:22 Anna Montes' unapologetic stance and her sentence1:18:08 Jim's book: Code Name Blue Ren1:19:07 Cold War Conversations Facebook Group and store promotionsTable of contents powered by PodcastAI✨Buy the book here https://amzn.to/3l9s47kEpisodes mentionedNumber stations https://coldwarconversations.com/episode239/Photos and videos relating to this episode https://coldwarconversations.com/episode277/The battle to preserve Cold War history is ongoing and your support can provide me with the ammunition to continue to keep this podcast on the air. Via a simple monthly donation, you’ll become part of our community 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.Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPodFacebook 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

Every weekday on the History Daily podcast, Lindsay Graham takes you back in time to explore a momentous moment that happened ‘on this day’ in history. 1989 was a pivotal year for the Cold War. The fall of the Berlin Wall, free elections in Poland, and the almost bloodless revolutions in the other Warsaw Pact countries apart from Romania.However, two other important events occurred in 1989 and this bonus episode will cover those events.So here is the 1989 US Invasion of Panama and the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre courtesy of our friends at History Daily. Just search History Daily in your podcast app for further episodes. https://www.historydaily.com/We have two full episodes for you.1989 US Invasion of PanamaDecember 20, 1989. President George H.W. Bush launches a US invasion of Panama to depose the country's dictator, and former CIA informant, Manuel Noriega.The Tiananmen Square MassacreJune 3, 1989. In a bloody government crackdown on dissent, Chinese troops storm Beijing's Tiananmen Square and open fire on a pro-democracy demonstration, killing hundreds of unarmed civilians.Related videos here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode276/Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPodFacebook 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

Tim Lyon was an officer assigned to the 400th Strategic Missile Squadron located in Cheyenne Wyoming. The Squadron was maintained 50 Peacekeeper ICBM missiles based in underground silos in farmers’ fields in remote areas of Wyoming.Tim was one of two launch officers who were responsible for 10 of these missiles. He and his colleague would descend forty to sixty feet below ground to a concrete capsule that housed the Launch Control Centre. There he would spend 24-hour alerts ready to launch 100 nuclear warheads — each with twenty times the explosive force of the Hiroshima bomb at speeds of 15,000 mph. We hear in detail about his training, the testing procedures, security, and how he handled such a huge responsibility. Tim also describes launching one of these missiles from a test site in the US.Episodes mentioned:Commanding a Royal Navy Polaris Nuclear Missile Submarine https://coldwarconversations.com/episode168/Cold War history is disappearing; however, a simple monthly donation will keep this podcast on the air. You’ll become part of our community 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.Episode notes here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode275/Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPodFacebook 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

Warning: This episode does cover the subject of suicide. If you need help please use these links: UK https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/ Rest of the World https://findahelpline.com/i/iasp Dean Reed was an American actor, singer and songwriter, director, and Socialist who became a huge star in Latin America and the Eastern Bloc.Neil Jacobs is a guitarist who first met Dean Reed briefly while renting accommodation from Will Roberts, who directed the documentary of Dean Reed called “American Rebel”.Neil served on the US Cultural Delegation to the Moscow World Youth Festival in 1985 and unlike most of the participants, he was assigned by the Soviets. I did not go through any of the screening processes that the American Delegation had undergone, and therefore has a unique perspective on the event. It was at this event he began his friendship with Dean Reed.Additionally, he traveled with Dean Reed extensively both in the US and in the Eastern Bloc from 1985 -1986 and was one of the last people to see him before his death.0:00 Introduction and Content Warning4:46 Neil's first meeting with Dean Reed and their friendship7:03 Filming and Screening of "American Rebel"11:26 Dean Reed's Mentoring and Support for Neil15:00 Dean Reed's experiences at the World Youth Festival20:18 Dean Reed's Relationship with Host, Ian Sanders24:44 Dean Reed's Struggle to Reestablish a Career in the US28:19 Dean Reed's Controversial Stance on the Berlin Wall32:46 Discussion on German Fascination with American Western Cowboy Culture41:21 Dean Reed's Unexpected Death and Speculations46:19 Mysterious Deaths of Celebrities in East Germany51:54 Fears and Speculations about Dean Reed's Death54:14 Impact of the Chernobyl Incident on Dean Reed's State of Mind55:06 Closing Remarks and Acknowledgments to SupportersTable of contents powered by PodcastAI✨Listen to our other Dean Reed episodes herehttps://coldwarconversations.com/episode97/https://coldwarconversations.com/episode98/The battle to preserve Cold War history is ongoing and your support can provide me with the ammunition to continue to keep this podcast on the air. Via a simple monthly donation, you’ll become part of our community 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.Photos and videos relating to this episode https://coldwarconversations.com/episode274/Neil Jacobs web site https://www.neiljacobs.com/Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPodFacebook 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

On 10 February 1962, Gary Powers, the American pilot whose U2 spy plane was shot down in Soviet airspace, was released on “The Bridge in Spies” in Berlin by his captors in exchange for one Colonel Rudolf Abel, aka Vilyam Fisher - one of the most extraordinary characters in the history of the Cold War. Born plain William Fisher in Newcastle upon Tyne, in the UK this British grammar schoolboy was the child of revolutionary parents who had fled tsarist oppression in Russia. Their son returned to his spiritual homeland, the newly formed Soviet Union, and became a spy, embarking on a mission to New York, where he ran the network that stole America's atomic secrets. In 1957, Willie's luck ran out and he was arrested and sentenced to thirty years in prison. Five years later, the USSR's regard for his talents was proven when they insisted on swapping him for Gary Powers. I speak with Vin Arthey, the author of “Abel. The true story of the spy they traded for Gary Powers” Vin Arthey has traced Willie's tale from the most unlikely of beginnings in Newcastle, to Moscow, the streets of New York, and back again, a story of Cold War espionage to rival anything in fiction.0:00 Introduction and discussion about Willie Fisher's spy work10:26 Willie Fisher's upbringing and education in England18:49 Fisher's move to Russia and his early years in Soviet society25:33 Fisher's entry and rise in the intelligence services38:41 Fisher's significant operations during the Great Patriotic War42:52 Fisher's training and espionage work in the US57:42 Fisher's capture, trial, and the role of his defense lawyer, Jim Donovan1:08:26 The spy exchange, Fisher's imprisonment, and contact with his family1:14:23 Fisher's life post-exchange in the Soviet Union and his role in the KGB1:19:15 Fisher's final moments and the KGB's surveillance of himTable of contents powered by PodcastAI✨Buy the book here https://amzn.to/3D9di6BEpisodes mentionedThe Rosenberg’s https://coldwarconversations.com/episode184/Portland Spy Ring https://coldwarconversations.com/episode138/ https://coldwarconversations.com/episode139/The battle to preserve Cold War history is ongoing and your support can provide me with the ammunition to continue to keep this podcast on the air. Via a simple monthly donation, you’ll become part of our community 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.Videos and further infor here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode273/Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPodFacebook 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