
Battleground
A history podcast that explores the narratives, turning points and characters that shape conflicts, encompassing a blend of social and military history. Following on from the series on the Falklands War, best-selling military historians Patrick Bishop and Saul David turned their attention to the war in Ukraine, and now every Wednesday look back to the seismic events of 1944.Goalhanger Podcasts
Latest episodes

Jul 24, 2024 • 44min
180. Battleground '44 - Killing Hitler
In the first of two episodes on the attempts to assassinate Hitler, Saul is joined by close friend of the show, Roger Moorhouse. Together they discuss the numerous different discussions, plans, and attempts that were made to take out the Nazi leader.Ranging from derailing Hitler's train, to targeting him at his Bavarian Alpine retreat, they talk through the failed attempts and also look at the dilemmas faced as to whether or not targeting Hitler was even a good idea at all.If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - podbattleground@gmail.comProducer: James HodgsonX (Twitter): @PodBattleground Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 19, 2024 • 60min
179. Is Russia overstretching itself?
This week to help Patrick and Saul assess what has been a dramatic past week, and tomake some sense of it, they welcome back to the podcast veteran journalist and political commentator Robert Fox. They also take a look at Trump's choice for Vice President - should he be elected - J.D. Vance - and what his appointment could mean for European security.If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - podbattleground@gmail.comProducer: James HodgsonX (Twitter): @PodBattleground Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 17, 2024 • 55min
178. Battleground '44 - The Liberation of Paris
With the Allied armies now in France, the fate of Paris and it's inhabitants was in the air, for many residents, even those who had so far co-operated or even actively helped the occupying Germans, had tough decisions to make - keep their heads down or rise up.In this episode Patrick and Saul speak live from the Chalke History festival, taking the story of Paris onwards from where it was left last week, to its liberation in august 1944. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - podbattleground@gmail.comProducer: James HodgsonX (Twitter): @PodBattleground Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 12, 2024 • 34min
177. Fractured Families
In this latest episode of Battleground Ukraine, Saul and Patrick take a look at the latest developments from the war in Ukraine and discuss what is likely to come out from Nato’s 75th anniversary conference in Washington D.C.They also look at responses to a question from last week, concerning the relationship between relatives in Ukraine and Russia and how the war has strained these family ties. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - podbattleground@gmail.comProducer: James HodgsonX (Twitter): @PodBattleground Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 10, 2024 • 43min
176. Battleground '44 - Paris under occupation
In the first of two episodes Patrick delves into the remarkable tale of the events in French capital Paris during the Second World War, a place at the time was one of the most significant cultural and political hubs in the world.Drawing on his knowledge from his new book Paris '44: The Shame and the Glory Patrick sets out the scene of the capital under occupation in the lead up to liberation. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - podbattleground@gmail.comProducer: James HodgsonX (Twitter): @PodBattleground Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 5, 2024 • 37min
175. How Will the Current Elections Affect the War in Ukraine?
This week Saul and Patrick will be concentrating on three elections whose outcomes will have profound effects on the war in Ukraine. The British general election which took place on Thursday, the French parliamentary elections, the second round of which will be held on Sunday and the US presidential elections where the balance has been tipped in Donald Trump’s favour following the televised presidential debate, which has caused turmoil inside the Democratic Party over whether President Joe Biden can be allowed to go ahead as their candidate following his poor performance.If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - podbattleground@gmail.comProducer: James HodgsonX (Twitter): @PodBattleground Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 3, 2024 • 34min
174. Battleground '44 - The pow experience in the Far East
The conditions for allied servicemen in Japanese prisoner of war camps were notoriously brutal, with the pow's having to deal with malnutrition, rampant diseases, and cruelty at the hands of their captors.Joining Patrick to discuss his farther's experiences after he was captured by the Japanese at Signapore is Simon de Wardener.If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - podbattleground@gmail.comProducer: James HodgsonX (Twitter): @PodBattleground Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 28, 2024 • 56min
173. Explaining UK-led training programme for Ukrainian infantry
Discussions on threats to cut weapons supplies to Ukraine under a potential Donald Trump presidency, Nigel Farage's controversial statements on NATO and the EU, and UK-led training programs for Ukrainian infantry. Also, insights on General Rommel's tactics in North Africa during WWII, reflections on the Warsaw Uprising, and strategic considerations in the Ukrainian conflict.

Jun 26, 2024 • 44min
172. Battleground 44' - Operation Bagration
A matter of weeks after the western allies landed on the beaches in Normandy and began their offensive in the west of Europe, the Soviet Red Army began a larger and probably more significant offensive on the Eastern front - Operation Bagration. Joining Patrick to discuss the epic strategic offensive operation is broadcasting legend Jonathan Dimbleby, who has just written about it in his latest book Endgame 1944: How Stalin Won The WarIf you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - podbattleground@gmail.comProducer: James HodgsonX (Twitter): @PodBattleground Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 21, 2024 • 50min
171. How significant is Russia's Alliance with North Korea
This week Vladimir Putin met with fellow autocrat - the North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Un in another public demonstration of what is being touted as another step in the construction of a new security block to challenge the dominance of the West. Patrick and Saul discuss what this means for the war in Ukraine and how worried should we be? To help them answer this they talk to Roger Boyes, veteran foreign correspondent and very distinguished Diplomatic Editor of the London Times.If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - podbattleground@gmail.comProducer: James HodgsonX (Twitter): @PodBattleground Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.