Cold War Conversations

Today’s episode is brought to you by Osprey publishing and we’re speaking with Michael Napier, the author of “In Cold War Skies – NATO and Soviet airpower 1949-89”. Michael also flew the Tornado during the Cold War and served during the 1980s at 14 Sqn and 31 Sqn at RAF Brüggen in West Germany where he talks about nuclear QRA, low-level training in Germany, Canada and Exercise Red Flag in the US plus lots more. His book is packed with first-hand accounts of operational flying during the Cold War as well as stunning photos.You can buy the book and support the podcast on this link https://amzn.to/3bELNDaIf you want to support our work in preserving Cold War history then only about $3, £3 or €3 per month helps keep us on the air (larger amounts are welcome too) plus you can get a sought after CWC coaster as a monthly financial supporter and you bask 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 Michael Napier to our Cold War conversation…There’s further information on this episode in our show notes,plus a book giveaway which can also be found as a link in your podcast app here. https://coldwarconversations.com/episode142/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.Thank 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/@ColdWarConversations0:00 Introduction and guest Michael Napier's personal experiences during the Cold War3:12 Discussion about Michael Napier's RAF career and counter air plans6:07 Insight into the training and exercises during the Cold War13:08 Reflection on the end of the Cold War and fraternizing with former enemies16:22 The genesis and structure of Michael Napier's book on the Cold War21:44 The advancement of aircraft technology and intelligence gathering during the Cold War27:34 The cyclic nature of history, military organization, and the comparison of aircraft32:22 The Arab Israeli war's impact on warfare tactics and the evolution of different aircraft40:06 Researching for the book and neutrality of nations during the Cold War47:30 The human cost of the Cold War and preserving the stories of the era53:13 Review of "In Cold War Skies: NATO and Soviet AirPower, 1949" and book giveaway54:42 Closing remarks and appreciation to listeners and financial supportersChapters powered by PodcastAI✨ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This is part 2 of our chat with Jack Barsky who 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 in the US, his mission and how he managed build his cover enabling him to live and work as a US citizen. He honestly and candidly talks about the impact his secret life had on those closest to him and the moment of his arrest by the FBI.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…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/episode141/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.Thank you very much for listening. It is really appreciated 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/@ColdWarConversations0:00 Introduction and Jack Barsky's life as a KGB agent2:18 Support for the Cold War Conversations podcast8:18 Living undercover in the United States15:15 Communication methods with the KGB18:13 Shift in mission and life as a computer programmer24:27 Impact of family life on his mission32:11 Discovery of Jack's identity and confrontation with the FBI40:20 Revealing his past to his family44:51 Reunion with his abandoned son and friendship with FBI agent49:22 Reflections on his decisions and the impact of his past51:15 Closing remarks and acknowledgements to patronsChapters powered by PodcastAI✨ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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/2FKAbmjUS Fans can buy Jack's book here & support the podcast https://amzn.to/3hLQoVsThere’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/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 or click here https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/Thank you very much for listening. It is really appreciated.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/@ColdWarConversations0:00 Introduction of Jack Barsky and his relationship with the KGB1:25 Jack Barsky's recruitment and training by the KGB2:06 Fundraising request for the podcast2:36 Jack Barsky's early life and education in East Germany11:41 Barsky's journey to becoming a KGB agent36:15 The romanticization of spies and the reality of spy life in East Germany51:00 The dangers, risks, and impacts of being a spy37:05 Jack Barsky's belief in the socialist ideal and the tenets of Marxism40:02 Jack Barsky's training mission to West Berlin and intensive training in Moscow59:48 Jack Barsky's transition to a new identity in the US1:00:38 Closing remarks by Ian Sanders and additional content information.Chapters powered by PodcastAI✨ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This is the 2nd episode with Trevor Barnes, the author of “Dead Doubles, a new book on the Portland Spy Ring, one of the most infamous espionage cases of the Cold War.The story continues with the dramatic arrest of three of the KGB spies outside the Old Vic theatre in London and the discovery of the amazing espionage career of the Krogers, the innocent-looking couple in suburbia…We also talk about the revelation that the Portland spy ring was larger than thought and that at least two members escaped capture.UK Fans can buy the book here & support the podcast https://amzn.to/2Gp50gDUS Fans can buy the book here & support the podcast https://amzn.to/3jHRpiyIf 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 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 Trevor Barnes to our Cold War conversation…There’s further information on this episode in our show notes,plus a book giveaway which can also be found as a link in your podcast app here. https://coldwarconversations.com/episode139/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 or click here https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpodThank you very much for listening. It is really appreciated 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/@ColdWarConversations0:00 Introduction and arrest of Gordon Lonsdale2:26 Interview begins with Trevor Barnes: Background on the arrest of Lonsdale, Houghton, and Gee15:13 The arrest of Gordon Lonsdale, Houghton, and Gee: Discussion on the Krogers' arrest and espionage equipment33:29 Discovery of further espionage equipment: The Krogers' false identities and their histories as spies38:02 Court case: Attempts to turn Lonsdale and identifying his real name46:43 Negotiations with Lonsdale and the Krogers: The deal offered to Lonsdale54:50 Establishing Lonsdale's real identity: Unveiling the true identity of Konon Molody1:02:27 Discussions on Molody becoming a double agent for the British: The futile negotiations with Molody1:04:31 Spy swap: Molody's journey to freedom and the spy exchange at the Glienicke Bridge1:12:22 Details on the wider ring of spies controlled by Lonsdale: Successful penetration of the Porton Down research centre1:23:03 Acknowledgement of financial supportersChapters powered by PodcastAI✨ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode we talk with Trevor Barnes, the author of “Dead Doubles, a new book on the Portland Spy Ring, one of the most infamous espionage cases of the Cold War.In 1960 it was discovered that crucial secrets from the world-leading submarine research base at Portland in Dorset were being stolen by a British man and his mistress. The couple were tailed by MI5 'watchers' to a covert meeting with a Canadian businessman, Gordon Lonsdale. The unsuspecting Lonsdale in turn led MI5's spycatchers to an innocent-looking couple in suburban Ruislip called the Krogers…UK Fans can buy the book here & support the podcast https://amzn.to/2Gp50gDUS Fans can buy the book here & support the podcast https://amzn.to/3jHRpiyIf 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 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 Trevor Barnes to our Cold War conversation…There’s further information on this episode in our show notes,plus a book giveaway which can also be found as a link in your podcast app here. https://coldwarconversations.com/episode138/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.Thank 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/@ColdWarConversations0:00 Introduction and Background of Trevor Barnes1:03 Overview of the Portland Spy Ring and Trevor Barnes' book "Dead Doubles"9:14 Investigation and Surveillance of the Krogers and Portland Spy Ring13:32 Missed Opportunities and Gender Bias in the 1950s25:24 Introduction to Rafter Technology Used for Surveillance32:54 MI5's Surveillance Strategy and Role of Women35:30 Moral Dilemmas Faced by MI5 During the Investigation37:22 Investigation into the Search Family43:04 Trevor Barnes' Approach to Historical Accuracy in His Book46:44 Closing Remarks and AcknowledgmentsChapters powered by PodcastAI✨ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This is the 2nd part of our conversation with Major General Sir Robert Corbett, KCVO, CB who was the last Commandant of the British Sector in Berlin.We join as I ask what were the British Army’s plans in the event of a Warsaw Pact invasion of West Berlin. We also talk about the momentous night of 9th November 1989 and a fascinating tale of a situation, which if handled differently could have sent the history of that night in a very different direction...Sir Robert also recollects his experiences at the Checkpoint Charlie closure ceremony and at the Tag der Deutschen Einheit when on 3 October 1990 the two Germanies were officially reunified.If you are enjoying the podcast please leave a written review in Apple podcasts or share us on social media. By telling your friends you can really help us grow the number of listeners.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 helping preserve Cold War history.Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/I am delighted to welcome back Major General Sir Robert Corbett to our Cold War conversation…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/episode137/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.Thank you very much for listening. It is really appreciated 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/@ColdWarConversations0:00 Introduction and Major General Sir Robert Corbett's experience in West Berlin7:17 British army's plans and readiness for a potential Warsaw packed invasion13:15 Major General Sir Robert Corbett's visits and experiences in East Germany23:01 Recollection of the moment the Berlin Wall opened and the ensuing chaos28:34 Interactions with Soviet soldiers and the changing relationship with East German border guards36:37 Soviet reaction to the unfolding events and the bond between enemy soldiers41:18 Major General Sir Robert Corbett's ongoing connection with Russia and Berlin44:03 The departure of British troops from Berlin and the change in their status47:05 The close-call confrontation at Checkpoint Charlie in 1961 and stories about German reunification51:36 Reflections on the peaceful resolution of the Cold War and the importance of recording Cold War historyChapters powered by PodcastAI✨ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Major General Sir Robert Corbett, KCVO, CB was the last Commandant of the British Sector in Berlin.We start his story with the description of his first experience of Berlin as a young Army officer commanding a military train across East Germany into West Berlin just weeks after the Berlin Wall had been built. We also talk about his subsequent Army career including his interview with British Foreign Secretary Geoffrey Howe and his early days as the Commandant of the British Sector in Berlin.If you are enjoying the podcast please leave a written review in Apple podcasts or share us on social media. By telling your friends you can really help us grow the number of listeners.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 helping preserve Cold War history.Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/I am delighted to welcome Major General Sir Robert Corbett to our Cold War conversation…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/episode136/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.Thank 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/@ColdWarConversations0:00 Introduction to Cold War Conversations and guest Major General Sir Robert Corbett2:38 Corbett's firsthand account of the fall of the Berlin Wall and early experiences in Berlin9:56 Confrontation with East German railway police and Ian Sanders' reflections16:38 Observations on West Berlin's atmosphere, reconstruction, and damage from World War 222:03 Corbett's decision to join the army, career progression, and appointment in Berlin30:24 Trust and collaboration among commanders during the Cold War and interview with British Foreign Minister Jeffrey Howe33:43 Interaction with local government and freedom to change things under occupation in West Berlin39:43 Purpose and importance of the Cold War Conversations podcast42:06 Demolition of Spandau Prison and construction of British forces supermarket44:03 Closing remarks and acknowledgmentsChapters powered by PodcastAI✨ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Born in Communist Czechoslovakia, Eva Caletkova has written an honest and unflinching account of her childhood in Bratislava.Eva’s parents were Catholics, and the communist regime began to persecute the Catholic Church right from the start in 1948. They had to hide their faith from anyone outside of their home.Eva provides us with an insightful and emotional conversation that captures her experiences of life in Communist Czechoslovakia and the resulting trauma.Do check out her book “Forgiveness & Violets” available on this link. https://amzn.to/2CwB0NXIf you are enjoying the podcast please leave a written review in Apple podcasts or share us on social media. By telling your friends you can really help us grow the number of listeners.If you can spare it I’m asking listeners to contribute at least $3, £3, €3.50 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 preserve Cold War history.Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ If you are affected by mental health issues we describe in this episode and want assistance you can visit The Samaritans in the UK https://www.samaritans.org/ or Befrienders Worldwide https://www.befrienders.org/ websites. 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/episode135/You can also visit Eva's web site here https://evacaletkova.com/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 use the link below.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

Werner Stiller’s spectacular defection to the West in 1979 inflicted one of the Cold War’s most serious blows to the Stasi.At the time he was working as a case officer for the Main Directorate for Reconnaissance, the Stasi’s foreign intelligence division, where he was in charge of scientific espionage in the West.We speak with Stiller’s son Andy, who although he was 11 months old at the time of his father’s defection met his father in later life. Also included is Scott Calonico, who is producing a documentary film with Andy, covering his father’s abandonment of his family and his country, as well as the story of a young man and his journey to discover the man who was his father, the spy…If you are enjoying the podcast please leave a written review in Apple podcasts or share us on social media. By telling your friends you can really help us grow the number of listeners.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 helping preserve Cold War history.Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/We welcome filmmaker Scott Calonico and Andy to our Cold War conversation…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/episode134/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.Thank you very much for listening. It is really appreciated – goodbye.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/@ColdWarConversations0:00 Introduction and backstory of Scott and Andy0:54 The story of Werner Stiller, Andy's father, and his defection2:24 Request for listener donations4:41 Werner's role in East German intelligence services and his motivations10:35 Examination of Werner's personal life and its impact on his career14:28 Werner's contact with the BND and his attempts to escape30:10 Werner's final escape to West Berlin and its aftermath34:11 Revealing of Marcus Wolf's identity and the aftermath of Werner's defection41:13 Andy's discovery of his father's past and their relationship post-defection54:57 Discoveries from the Stasi archives and plans for Scott's documentary1:00:16 Closing remarks and promotion of Cold War conversations on FacebookChapters powered by PodcastAI✨ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tim Phillips travelled the route of the former Iron Curtain from deep inside the arctic circle to the meeting point in Azerbaijan, Armenia and Turkey. On his journey, he explored both the surviving traces of the Iron Curtain and the Berlin Wall.The people he meets bear vivid witness to a time of change. There are some who now look on the Cold War with nostalgia and affection, but many more who still despise it unable to forgive the hard and sometimes lost decades that their families, friends, and nations had to endure.Strikingly a large and increasing proportion of these populations no longer has any personal recollection of this defining 20th Century conflict. They were still too young or not even born when the curtain and the wall came down.Buy Tim's book here and support CWC https://amzn.to/3Ud9MirIf you are enjoying the podcast please leave a written review in Apple podcasts or share us on social media. By telling your friends you can really help us grow the number of listeners.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 helping preserve Cold War history.Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/Back to today’s episode, we welcome Tim to our Cold War conversation…There’s further information on this episode in our show notes, which can also be found as a link in your podcast app. https://coldwarconversations.com/episode133/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.Thank 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/@ColdWarConversations0:00 Introduction and anecdotes from Tim Phillips2:06 Call for listener support and introduction to Tim Phillips' story4:45 Discussion on NATO countries bordering the Soviet Union17:24 The concept of Finlandisation and Finnish neutrality during the Cold War27:10 Soviet occupation of Bornholm34:51 Journey from the Baltic to Marienborn38:47 The transformation of the border area into a nature reserve post-Cold War44:55 The role of the church in the East German dissident movement51:15 Exploring the border in the Czech Republic and Slovakia1:00:31 The British naval incident near the island of Corfu1:05:53 Turning the trip into a book1:08:10 Cold War Conversations Coasters and donationsChapters powered by PodcastAI✨ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices