Battleground

In this episode of Battleground '44, Saul speaks to former SAS troop commander Tom Petch - author of the book Speed, Aggression, Surprise: The Untold Secret Origins of the SAS.Together they discuss the role the SAS played in the second world war and in particular the role they played in operation Overlord.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

Ilya Nuzov, Head of Eastern Europe and Central Asia Desk for the International Federation for Human Rights, discusses efforts to combat Russian propaganda targeting Ukraine. The discussion delves into the historical roots, evolution, and dangerous implications of hate speech and incitement to violence. Nuzov explains the meticulous process of analyzing propaganda content for hate speech, presenting findings to the court and advocating for ICC arrest warrants for individuals involved in international crimes in Ukraine.

This week Saul and Patrick look at the interesting developments that have emerged both on and off the battlefield. Noticeably the results of the relaxation of the use of western weapons by Ukraine inside Russia proper, and the success of far-right parties in the recent EU elections, particularly in Germany and France - which could potentially result in declining EU support for Ukraine.We also have some fascinating correspondence from our cyber security expert David Alexander, who highlights the perilous situation that Russia's GLONASS (Global Navigation Satellite System) finds itself in.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

In this latest episode of Battleground '44, Patrick tells us of the heroic stand made by American airborne forces at the small Normandy village of Graignes, in the often forgotten and overlooked Battle of Graignes. However, there is a darker side of the story with the sobering details of the brutal reprisals that the German SS division son inflicted on the innocent villagers and injured American servicemen once they retook the village. 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

Friend of the Podcast Askold Kruchelnycky from Kyiv joins to discuss the US and NATO decision to allow long-range weapons in Ukraine, escalating tensions with Russia, impact of new rules and weaponry, air power in the conflict, evolving dynamics between China and Russia, and potential escalation towards Georgia.

This week as we hit the 80th anniversary of D-Day, Patrick is joined by friend of the podcast Tim Butcher. Tim tells the story of the capture of Pegasus bridge by D Company, 2nd (Airborne) Battalion, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, who were lead by a friend of his farther Major John Howard. The successful capture of the bridges played a crucial role in limiting German counter-attacks in the aftermath of the Normandy invasion, and is considered pivotal to the success of the Allied invasion.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

This week on Battleground: Ukraine, Saul and Patrick discuss the big news from this past week - that the NATO Parliamentary Assembly has called on members states to lift prohibitions against Ukraine using Western-provided weapons to strike targets in Russia proper. Additionally, they dive into new information about the foiled assassination plots on leading members in Ukraine's government and armed forces.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

The assault phase of D-Day - Operation Neptune, was one of the most complex amphibious operations in history, involving 7,000 ships and nearly 200,000 men. But despite this immense effort, the wider naval campaign has been broadly forgotten.In this episode of Battleground '44 Saul speaks to Naval historian Nick Hewitt and author of the fantastic new book, Normandy: the Sailors' Story: A Naval History of D-Day and the Battle for France. Nick tells us how, without the efforts of the naval campaign, D-Day would have failed.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

Historian Roger Moorhouse discusses US policy restricting Ukraine, frustrations over weapon use, and Germany potentially sending submarines. Topics include military strategy, economic battles, NATO involvement, and historical parallels in submarine donation. The podcast also touches on Georgia's geopolitical challenges and listener questions on Russian invasion scenarios and supporting Ukrainian refugees.

In our latest edition of Battleground '44 Patrick turns to the world of espionage, looking at the extraordinary story of British MI6 agent of Wilfred Biffy Dunderdale.To help Patrick he speaks to his Biographer Tim Spicer who tells his story of the complicated intrigues of the world of intelligence, and the remarkable achievements he managed to achieve in the Second World War.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