Battleground

The lightning war begins. Following the invasion, the North Korean military executes a devastating blitzkrieg attack, sweeping through South Korea and shattering all initial resistance. Saul and Roger are joined by experts Robert Lyman and David Allison, who help dive into the details of the chaotic early stages of the Korean War. First we look at the desperate retreat of the overwhelmed South Korean and early US forces as they are pushed towards Pusan. Then we look at the crucial global response: the newly formed UN Security Council, seizing a rare opportunity, debates and authorises a multinational intervention. Can a global force be assembled in time to halt the seemingly unstoppable North Korean war machine? The episode climaxes at the Pusan Perimeter. Battered, exhausted, and pushed to the absolute limit of the peninsula, UN and South Korean forces make a final, desperate stand. This is North Korea's furthest advance. Outnumbered, outgunned, and with their backs literally against the sea. The fate of South Korea hangs by a thread. Next time: The Tide Turns. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - podbattleground@gmail.com Producer: James Hodgson X (Twitter): @PodBattleground Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join Saul David and Roger Moorhouse as they break down a week of diplomatic upheaval, and look at the latest from the front lines with a report from Hungarian war reporter Boldi Gyori, recently returned from Donetsk. Hopes for a quick peace vanished after the US-Russia Budapest summit was scuttled by Moscow's refusal to freeze the front lines. The hosts analyse the shifting politics surrounding long-range missiles: why President Trump withheld Tomahawks, and why Washington seemingly green-lit a major Ukrainian Storm Shadow missile strike on a critical Russian chemical plant. On the home front, we examine new Western sanctions hitting Russia's oil and gas giants, reports of horrific war crimes against civilians in Donetsk and Kharkiv, and the long-term future of Ukrainian air power with the massive Swedish deal for up to 150 advanced Gripen E fighter jets. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - podbattleground@gmail.com Producer: James Hodgson X (Twitter): @PodBattleground Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Delve into Korea's turbulent history, starting with its painful division after Japanese occupation. Discover how two contrasting regimes emerged, fueled by superpower rivalries. Tensions rose along the 38th Parallel, threatening global peace. Kim Il Sung's relentless lobbying secured support from Stalin and Mao, setting the stage for conflict. Learn about the failed US policies and missteps that contributed to the looming war. This narrative weaves together personal stories and geopolitical maneuvers, revealing the complexities of a nation on the brink.

This week Roger Moorhouse and Saul David analyse a week of potential shifts in the conflict. On the frontline: Ukrainian civilians evacuate Kupiansk as security deteriorates; a UN humanitarian convoy is deliberately attacked in Kherson; and a strike hits a Kharkiv hospital. Ukraine continues hitting back, targeting the Feodosia oil terminal in Crimea amidst a potential chemical threat from a ruptured ammonia pipeline. In the diplomatic sphere, Donald Trump rattles the Kremlin by suggesting he might send Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine, prompting intense Russian warnings. Meanwhile, signs of Putin's diplomatic discomfort appear as he is forced to apologize to Azerbaijan, and early whispers of internal dissent surface in Russia's major cities. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - podbattleground@gmail.com Producer: James Hodgson X (Twitter): @PodBattleground Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The hunt is over. Black May (May 1943) marks the U-boat campaign's devastating turning point, forcing Admiral Dönitz to withdraw his "Grey Wolves" from the North Atlantic. In the final episode Saul and Roger track the U-boats' demise against overwhelming Allied technological advances. We explore the grim reality for U-boat crews—the brutal conditions and a staggering 75% casualty rate—and why advanced subs like the Type XXI "Elektroboote" arrived too late. We conclude the series by assessing the final collapse, Operation Deadlight, and the campaign's immense human cost. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - podbattleground@gmail.com Producer: James Hodgson X (Twitter): @PodBattleground Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Arnaud de Decker, a Belgian war reporter with firsthand experience in the Donbas, shares critical insights from his recent trip. He discusses the alarming advance of Russian forces towards Slovyansk and Kramatorsk, highlighting the threats posed by FPV drones and the targeting of both civilians and military. Arnaud paints a picture of overcrowded cities filled with refugees and military presence, revealing the rising tension and anxiety among civilians. He also reflects on the high casualty rates among Russian forces and his plans for a return to the region.

Roger Moorhouse, a historian and author specializing in World War II, shares his insights on the U-boat war and the pivotal Battle of the Atlantic. He discusses how German U-boats devastated Allied shipping, pushing Britain to the edge. The conversation highlights the critical technological advancements, including airborne radar and the breaking of the Enigma code, that turned the tide against U-boats. Moorhouse also elaborates on the logistics of shipbuilding and the role of coastal command in achieving an Allied victory, marking a significant shift in naval warfare.

Tensions escalate as Russia intensifies aerial assaults on Ukraine, prompting Western nations to respond. Trump is portrayed as a 'spurned lover,' frustrated by his diplomatic overtures to Putin. A critical power failure at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant raises safety concerns. The EU backs a controversial 'drone wall' using Ukrainian expertise to bolster defenses. The hosts discuss election debates in Ukraine, the complexities of NATO membership during wartime, and the implications of potential successors to Putin.

Joining the discussion is Roger Moorhouse, a distinguished historian and author known for his deep expertise in U-boat warfare. He explores the dramatic rise of Nazi Germany's U-boat campaign, revealing how the Treaty of Versailles inadvertently set the stage for their rearmament. Moorhouse delves into Admiral Dönitz's wolfpack tactics, recounts the infamous sinking of the SS Athenia, and highlights the initial successes during the 'First Happy Time,' where U-boats wreaked havoc on Allied supply lines with shocking efficiency.

Russian airspace violations escalate tensions, with NATO meeting to discuss a collective response. The hosts explore Putin's internal politics, including nepotism and a puzzling nuclear strategy. Meanwhile, Trump's surprising pivot on Ukraine challenges the status quo. The conversation touches on the lessons of drone warfare and the demographic toll of the ongoing conflict. Factors influencing NATO’s decisions and regional security strategies also come under scrutiny, highlighting the precarious balance of power in Eastern Europe.