Cold War Conversations

Liz Kohn has been researching Alice Glasnerová, who was imprisoned as part of the early Cold War Czechoslovak show trials known as the Slansky trials. These were among the most notorious show trials of the 20th century, with the prosecution and sentencing to death of Rudolf Slánský, general secretary of the Czechoslovak Communist party, and 10 other defendants, who had been arrested in a brutal purge ordered by Stalin.Alice Glasnerová was Liz’s father’s first wife. When Liz started researching Alice’s life she had never seen a picture of her and had never read a word she had written. All I knew was that she had been married to her father and had been a member of the communist party. Liz has pieced together a tragic story of a couple although deeply in love, who were separated by the difference in their political views which ultimately resulted in pain, disillusion and betrayal.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. If a financial contribution is not your cup of tea, then you can still help us by leaving written reviews wherever you listen to us as well as sharing us on social media. It really helps us get new guests on the show.0:00 Introduction to Liz Kohn and her research on Alice Glasnerova6:17 Alice Glasnerova's political journey and experiences in the Soviet Union14:58 Alice's experiences in Spain and the aftermath17:13 Alice's journey to America and the impact of Anti-Semitism20:02 Alice's return to Czechoslovakia and involvement in the war27:21 The communist takeover in Czechoslovakia and its impact on Alice's life31:04 Alice's arrest and her involvement with Noel Field43:38 The notorious Slansky trial and its outcomes49:21 Helena's trial, imprisonment, and post-release struggles1:00:52 Future plans for the story of Alice and Helena1:01:59 Closing remarks, appreciation for patrons, and invitation to join the Facebook groupTable of contents powered by PodcastAI✨ You can read more about Liz’s research on her blog https://lookingforalice.com/There are further videos, photos and information on this episode here. https://coldwarconversations.com/episode226/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 1978, Ieva Lesinska was a university student in Soviet Latvia with dreams of becoming a writer. She had just spent a heady month in New York visiting her father, Imants Lesinskis, a Soviet translator working at the United Nations. However, he was an employee of the KGB and a member of the Communist Party. During her trip to the US, Ieva’s father informed her that he and his wife Rasma were about to defect. He offered her a blunt choice: take a taxi to the Soviet Embassy and denounce him as a traitor, or stay with him and never see her mother or her homeland of Latvia again. She chose to stay.The new family officially became East German immigrants with new identities: Peter and Linda Dorn, and their daughter Evelyn. They were citizens of nowhere who possessed re-entry permits but no passports. In 1985, soon after Mr Lesinskis publicly disclosed confidential items on various KGB operations in Latvia, he died under mysterious circumstances.Watch the film about Ieva story here: UK https://amzn.to/3In12Ra US https://amzn.to/3xRZsBX This podcast relies on listener support to enable me to continue to capture these incredible stories and make them available for free. You can support my work and help to preserve Cold War history via one-off or monthly donationsJust go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ for more details.Do join our Facebook discussion group where the cold war conversation continues between episodes. Just search Cold War Conversations on Facebook.I am delighted to welcome Ieva Lesinska to our Cold War conversation…There’s further information here. https://coldwarconversations.com/episode225/0:00 Introduction and story of Ieva Lesinska's parents as sleeper agents2:26 Ieva Lesinska on her childhood and family history in Soviet Latvia17:03 Revelation of Ieva's father's KGB affiliation and defection plans23:02 Ieva Lesinska's journey to the United States and her decision to stay39:13 Ieva Lesinska's adjustment to new life and identity in the US50:13 Ieva's academic journey in the US, from Ohio State University to University of Colorado57:42 Maintaining contact with her mother and dealing with homesickness1:00:39 Ieva's father's mysterious death and his double life as a CIA and KGB agent1:08:17 Reunion with her mother and her life after liberation in Latvia1:14:04 Her story being adapted into a film and rejection of the victim narrative1:17:41 Ieva Lesinska's current life as a journalist and translator1:19:13 Acknowledging and thanking patronsTable of contents powered by PodcastAI✨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

The British Nuclear Test Veterans Association (BNTVA) is the Charity for UK Nuclear Veterans and last year they very kindly invited me to the annual conference. I met many veterans including Peter Lambourne and this is his story.Peter joined the Royal Navy aged 15. He describes those early days including serving on HMS Wizard during the Cod War with Iceland in 1961.In 1962 Peter was then posted to HMS Resolution which was the codename for the nuclear bomb testing base on Christmas Island. Peter’s base was less than 20 miles away from where hydrogen bombs were being detonated and he shares his experiences of those detonations.Many servicemen and islanders who were present at Christmas Island from 1957 to 1962 later reported severe health problems, which they attributed to the nuclear bomb tests – from cancers to organ failure. Whilst Peter’s health has appeared unaffected, his children and grandchildren have suffered from cancers. In 2023 the UK finally awarded a medal to the nuclear test veterans.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.Do join our Facebook discussion group where the cold war conversation continues between episodes. Just search Cold War Conversations on Facebook.0:00 Introduction and Peter Lambourne's background1:06 Peter's posting to HMS Resolution and nuclear bomb testing on Christmas Island2:29 Call for podcast support and donations3:33 Peter's experience in the Cod War with Iceland and posting to Christmas Island12:10 Witnessing hydrogen bomb detonations on Christmas Island17:06 The terrifying contingency plans and impracticality of their landing crafts21:01 Lack of protective clothing and radiation tracking24:33 Recreational activities and dynamics of the Navy group on Christmas Island29:47 The mystery of the "big black line" in Peter's service record and the classified nature of the mission34:05 The health effects of radiation exposure and the government's avoidance of liability38:09 Reflections on Christmas Island as part of Peter's naval career42:57 Closing remarks and thanks to patronsTable of contents powered by PodcastAI✨The British Nuclear Test Veterans Association (BNTVA) is the Charity for UK Nuclear Veterans https://www.bntva.com/There’s further information including videos and photos on this episode here. https://coldwarconversations.com/episode224Thank you very much for listening. It is really appreciated – goodbye.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 1982 the East German Ministry for State Security is hunting for creative new weapons in the war against the class enemy – and their solution is stranger than fiction. Rather than guns, tanks, or bombs, the Stasi develop a programme to fight capitalism through rhyme and verse, winning the culture war through poetry – and the result is the most bizarre book club in history.I speak with Philip Oltermann the author of The Stasi Poetry Circle. Philip has used unseen archival material and exclusive interviews with surviving members to tell the incredible hidden story of a unique experiment: weaponising poetry for politics. 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. Do join our facebook discussion group where the cold war conversation continues between episodes. Just search Cold War Conversations in Facebook.I am delighted to welcome Philip Oltermann to our Cold War conversation…Book giveaway and further information here. https://coldwarconversations.com/episode223/0:00 Introduction with Philip Oltermann6:09 Discussion on GDR's policies towards arts and culture13:22 The Stasi's involvement with writing circles and their shift in approach21:01 Role of poetry and culture as a weapon in the Cold War28:37 The story of Annegret Gollin and Stasi's fear of subversive literature34:57 Stasi's recruitment process and the impact on Annegret Gollin.39:03 Introduction to Alexander Ruika, a talented poet and spy44:27 Discussion on the fear of nuclear war in the 1980s49:39 Introduction to Uwe Berger, the teacher of the Stasi poetry circle57:43 The decline of the GDR and impact on the writing circle1:02:13 Book giveaway announcement1:03:12 Acknowledgement of the podcast's patrons and promotion of the Facebook group1:06:03 Closing remarks and promotion of the podcast's storeTable of contents powered by PodcastAI✨Radio GDRIf 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/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

The phrase “history is human” was coined by two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning author and historian David McCullough. He says “History is about life. It isn't just about dates and quotations from obscure treaties and the like; it's about people", which is exactly what Cold War Conversations is about.I discovered this phrase listening to the History Daily podcast presented and narrated by Lindsay Graham. This podcast takes you back in time to explore a momentous moment that happened "on this day" in history using fully immersive, sound design, original music and a compelling narrative style. I really enjoy it and I'm sure you will too. I am sharing two short Cold War episodes on this bonus episode. If think you'd enjoy the History Daily podcast follow or subscribe by searching “History Daily Podcast”. or click on this link https://pod.link/1591095413Support 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

Frank Baldwin was commissioned into the Royal Artillery in 1979 and served for ten years, rising to the rank of Major. The first battlefield study he planned was in 1989 for HQ 4th Armoured Division. Since then, he has been a guide or historian for over 200 realities of war tours, battlefield studies and staff rides. Frank reels off lots of great anecdotes as he takes us through the initial years of the BAOR and the British Army’s plans for the defence of West Germany. He talks about the evolution of doctrines, on both the Soviet and NATO sides including their nuclear war-fighting techniques.Frank also describes working with Warsaw Pact observers of NATO military exercises and the British view of the effectiveness of other NATO armies as well as the armies of the Warsaw Pact.Maps and material to accompany this episode are here https://www.staffrideservices.com/?p=461Now if you are enjoying these podcasts I’m asking for you to support my work with a small monthly donation. Your donations enable me to continue to capture these incredible stories and make them available for free to others. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ for more details.Do join our Facebook discussion group where the cold war conversation continues between episodes. Just search Cold War Conversations on Facebook.I am delighted to welcome Frank Baldwin to our Cold War conversation…Battlefield tour websiteStory of a BAOR Cold war tourMaps and material on BAOR and the Cold war. Cold war background materialFrank Baldwin's blog The Observation Post0:00 Introduction and overview of the episode2:37 Discussion on the planning and strategy during the Cold War8:50 The concept of flexible response and the shift in NATO's planning19:39 Tactics and maneuvers in the face of Russian forces27:14 The Battle Group trainer and war simulation33:04 Introduction of CSC and Stockholm agreement, and experiences during Iron Hammer exercise37:07 Interaction with officers from the Warsaw pact and insights into Russian training methods46:23 Perception of East Germans and experiences in East Germany53:00 Post-cold war British army engagements and core values56:31 Civilian evacuation during the Cold War and the role of German transport1:00:34 Supporter acknowledgement and episode closingTable of contents powered by PodcastAI✨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

When the Cold War split Berlin in half, between East and West, one neighbourhood was trapped in the middle and became a symbol of Cold War tensions. For more than twenty years, the hamlet of Steinstücken was caught in a tug-of-war between the Americans, the Soviets and the East Germans. Steinstücken officially belonged to the U.S. Occupation Sector of Berlin. But, it was located outside the city boundaries, completely surrounded by East German territory. No West Berlin-owned roads or trails connected it to the city. It was a de facto Western island in a Communist sea.We speak with Cold War veteran Don Smith the author of Steinstuecken: A Little Pocket of Freedom, a photo and fact-packed book which describes the challenges America faced in occupied Berlin and the personal stories of the citizens of Steinstücken who faced East German soldiers on a daily basis. Buy the book here and support the podcastUK listeners https://amzn.to/3Aux9dWUS listeners https://amzn.to/3r47PZiDon’s web site http://steinpocket.com/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. Do join our Facebook discussion group where the cold war conversation continues between episodes. Just search Cold War Conversations on Facebook.I am delighted to welcome Don Smith to our Cold War conversation…There’s further information including videos here. https://coldwarconversations.com/episode220/0:00 Introduction and background of Steinstücken5:21 History and life in Steinstücken during the Cold War14:03 The unique nature of German farming and how Steinstücken got its name16:10 East Germany's attempt to annex Steinstücken and America's response20:47 The political dynamics in Steinstücken during the Cold War30:25 Impact of the Berlin Wall on Steinstücken38:17 The refugee situation and U.S. military operations in Steinstücken45:37 Economic and societal implications in Steinstücken and the 4 power agreement1:01:15 Post Cold War integration of Steinstücken into West Berlin1:07:04 Podcast patrons and invitation to join the Facebook groupTable of contents powered by PodcastAI✨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

You will remember Karl-Heinz from our episode 218 where he talked about being a signaller on the West German destroyer "Hamburg" in the late 70s. Today we follow his post navy life as a travelling supporter of football club HSV Hamburg where he followed them all over the Soviet bloc talks about watching them play Dynamo Berlin the Stasi side and drinking with Liverpool, Newcastle and Hamburg legend Kevin Keegan in a hotel bar in Tiblisi. And his Cold War encounters don’t stop there. While working in Chile he met General Pinochet, the military dictator of Chile from 1973 to 1990 and living across the street from Margot Honecker the wife of East German leader Erich Honecker who was also an influential member of that country's Communist regime until 1989.If you have listened this far, I know you are enjoying the podcasts so I’m asking for one-off or monthly donations to support my work and enable me to continue producing the podcast. If you become a monthly supporter via Patreon, you will get the sought after CWC coaster as a thank you, audio and other extras as well as basking in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history.Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/If a financial contribution is not your cup of tea, then you can still help us by leaving written reviews wherever you listen to us as well as sharing us on social media. It really helps us get new guests on the show.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.I am delighted to welcome Karl-Heinz to our Cold War conversation…There’s further information on this episode here including videos here . https://coldwarconversations.com/episode219/0:00 Introduction to the episode and Karl Heinz's experiences with the KGB2:02 Request for donations and support for the podcast4:01 Karl Heinz's recollections of visits to East Berlin and encounters with fans9:44 Karl Heinz's trip to Tbilisi, Georgia for a football match and interactions with locals17:32 Encounter with potential KGB agents and misunderstandings with locals20:38 Karl Heinz's football game experiences in East Berlin24:57 Karl Heinz's experience in Chile during the time of Pinochet and meeting with Pinochet30:16 Meeting with Margaret Honecker and her continued belief in the communist cause32:04 Acknowledgement of patrons and their contributionsTable of contents powered by PodcastAI✨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

Karl-Heinz served in the Bundesmarine as a Signalman on the West German destroyer "Hamburg" in the late 70s. He talks of his training, his role and shares details of manoeuvres in the North Sea and Baltics involving East German and Soviet ships.He also speaks about a cruise to West Africa where the sailors were briefed to stay away from any East German merchant marine sailors and not to engage with them in any form – he and his mates didn’t keep to the rules…If you have listened this far, I know you are enjoying the podcasts so I’m asking for one-off or monthly donations to support my work and enable me to continue producing the podcast. If you become a monthly supporter via Patreon, you will get the sought after CWC coaster as a thank you, audio and other extras as well as basking in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history.Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/If a financial contribution is not your cup of tea, then you can still help us by leaving written reviews wherever you listen to us as well as sharing us on social media. It really helps us get new guests on the show.I am delighted to welcome Karl-Heinz to our Cold War conversation…There’s further information on this episode in our show notes here. https://coldwarconversations.com/episode218/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.0:00 Introduction and Overview of the Episode2:29 Sponsor: Request for Donations and Support3:15 Karl Heinz's Entry and Role in the West German Navy10:56 Karl Heinz's Posting to the Destroyer Hamburg and West Africa Tour18:03 Interaction with East German Sailors22:27 Military Drills and Exercises in the North Sea and the Baltic28:00 Anti Submarine Warfare Practice and Duration of Service30:41 Cold War Travel Restrictions30:49 Acknowledgments to Patreon Supporters32:01 Engaging with the Podcast and Closing RemarksTable of contents powered by PodcastAI✨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

After service in the US Army during the Vietnam War Bob Wallace was recruited into the CIA. In the CIA his initial assignments were as a field case officer. He rose through the ranks at the agency and was Chief of Station in three locations where he directed the full range of CIA activities. In 1995 Bob became deputy director of the Office of Technical Service and in 1998 was appointed its director responsible for creating spy devices and capabilities necessary to conduct clandestine operations with safety and security. In other words, Bob was the "Q" of the CIA.Buy Bob's book hereUK listeners https://amzn.to/3pBDrF4US listeners  https://amzn.to/3qvX0xDThis podcast relies on listener support to enable me to continue to capture these incredible stories and make them available for free. You can support my work and help to preserve Cold War history via one-off or monthly donationsJust go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/for for more details.Do join our Facebook discussion group where the cold war conversation continues between episodes. Just search Cold War Conversations on Facebook.I am delighted to welcome Bob Wallace to our Cold War conversation…There’s further information here. https://coldwarconversations.com/episode217/0:00 Introduction and Bob's journey to the CIA7:00 The professional career training program at the CIA14:21 Use of technology in clandestine operations in the 1970s20:07 Development of devices for espionage operations42:04 Role as Director of The CIA's Office of Technical Service48:41 The science of disguise and examples of successful disguises54:31 The role of Hollywood in disguise techniques58:31 Reflections on the Cold War era and thoughts on the future of espionage1:00:24 Inspiration from James Bond movies and spy fiction1:02:31 Closing remarks and appreciationTable of contents powered by PodcastAI✨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