Battleground
Goalhanger
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 1945.Goalhanger Podcasts
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jun 20, 2022 • 41min
12. The Battle for the Mountains
As the war nears its climax, British forces launch an attack on the Argentinian positions despite savage Falkland Island winter weather in the mountains surrounding Port Stanley. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jun 13, 2022 • 56min
11. Disaster on the Sir Galahad
In one of the most tragic and horrifying incidents in the war for the British forces, the Sir Galahad landing craft is bombed when fully laden with Welsh Guards. Saul and Patrick explore the decisions that led to the tragedy, and the heroic defensive effort from fighter pilots David 'Mog' Morgan and Dave Smith in preventing further casualties. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jun 6, 2022 • 1h 2min
10. The race for Port Stanley
As focus turns towards the capital Port Stanley, a treacherous 'yomp' across difficult terrain and conflicting priorities from commanding officers mean the British forces are left vulnerable. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 30, 2022 • 1h 5min
9. The Battle of Goose Green
As the British forces pushed into the island from their landing point at San Carlos Water, they encountered a well-defended Argentinian position in the settlement of Goose Green, leading to the most ferocious land battle of the war. Saul and Patrick explore the controversial reasoning behind the attack, with eye-witness testimony from those at the heart of the action. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 23, 2022 • 52min
8. The sinking of HMS Coventry and Atlantic Conveyor
After British successes in landing troops on the Falkland Islands, the Argentinian air force strike back, sinking two British ships with their bombs and French-built Exocet missiles. Saul posits a new theory about the fate of the supply ship Atlantic Conveyor, raising the possibility that it was deliberately sacrificed by British high command in order to save their tactically vital carriers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 16, 2022 • 51min
7. The Battle of San Carlos Water
The Argentinian Air Force mobilise and attack the landing British Task Force at San Carlos Water. Hear thrilling eye witness accounts from Mark Hankin, a 17-year-old Royal Marine tasked with machine gunning down the Argentinian jets, and Sargeant Dave Watkins, who was attempting get troops to shore in the cumbersome landing craft. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 9, 2022 • 41min
6. The landing
After journeying for weeks through the Atlantic Ocean, the Task Force reaches the Falkland Islands and begins the difficult process of a successful amphibious landing. Having picked San Carlos Water on West Falkland as the entry point, the special forces must prepare the ground for the landings. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 2, 2022 • 33min
5. The point of no return
As the Task Force leave Ascencion Island in the mid-Atlantic, making a shooting war inevitable, the British special forces turn their attention to a suspiciously positioned fishing trawler called Narwhal. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Apr 25, 2022 • 41min
4. The Sinking of the Belgrano & HMS Sheffield
It's May 1982. British Special Forces land on East Falkland and both the Argentinian cruiser Belgrano and the Royal Navy destroyer HMS Sheffield are sunk.Join Saul and Patrick for episode 4 of Battleground: The Falklands War, where they're joined by a former Special Forces operator who reveals his team's dramatic infiltration of the islands.Twitter: @PodBattleground Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Apr 18, 2022 • 51min
3. Diplomacy fails, and retaking South Georgia
With the Task Force sailing towards the South Atlantic, how close did diplomatic efforts come to ending the war before a shot had been fired? Journalist Simon Jenkins, who was well-connected in the corridors of power at the time, explains the challenges Mrs Thatcher had to overcome, before Bob Headland, of the British Antarctic survey, gives an eye-witness account of the Argentine capture of South Georgia - another south Atlantic island some 900 miles from the Falklands. The retaking of South Georgia by British forces was the first major action of the conflict. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
