I had the privilege today, to be joined by Colonel Chris Starling USMC (Retired)

Chris’s family have a unique story, his father, himself, his brother and his son have all saw combat serving with the 1st Division US Marines, and today we dive into their story!

We chat Vietnam, Desert Storm, 9/11 and more as Chris shares what life was like as a Marine during some of America’s most turbulent years.


My YouTube is here- https://youtube.com/@afewminutesofhistory?si=YeE0IgiqWlqDnHTH

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Today i was proud to welcome Phil Gioia to the the show. Phil is a veteran of the Vietnam War and a successful author.

During his two deployments , Gioia received two Silver Stars for valor, a Bronze Star with “V” for valor, and two Purple Hearts. 

We chat in depth about his time as a young officer in the 82nd Airborne and the 1st Cavalry Division. Phil recounts everything from finding mass graves in Hue City to being wounded in service and so much more.


Thanks to everyone for listening to the Podcast.

If you'd like a copy of Phil's incredible book it can be found here - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Danger-Close-Vietnam-Phil-Gioia/dp/0811771202

My YouTube is also linked here - https://www.youtube.com/@afewminutesofhistory/featured

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Today i was joined by Brian Short, Brian joined the Royal Marines in 1973 not as a Commando but as a musician in the world renowned Royal Marine Band Service. in this episode we discuss his involvement with the Corp during the Falklands War mainly onboard the SS Canberra.

If you would like a copy of Brian's book, it can be found here - https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-Band-That-Went-to-War-Hardback/p/20170

Brian's Twitter - @FalklandsMusic1

Happy 2024 to everyone!

I am also have a YouTube Channel that has a variety of separate content -https://youtube.com/@afewminutesofhistory

Email me at - [email protected]

Twitter - @afewminshistory 

If you’d like me to chat about anything, just drop me a message on these platforms.

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I was joined by Dave Roberts, who is probably the biggest expert on 30 Commando Assault Unit in the world!

The brain child of naval commander Ian Fleming & Lord Louis Mountbatten, this wartime unit was a secret well kept for over 50 years after the war by the Official Secrets Act, some remains classified, see Reading. At the time, officially, they didn’t exist. The members of this unit were forbidden to discuss or document their activities, a pledge that many of the men kept even many years after the war was over, or even for their entire lives!

The Website can be found here - https://www.30au.co.uk/history

Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/share/GjRSyCxJ7bMmjP4i/?mibextid=K35XfP

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I was joined by Ricky D. Phillips (@RDPHistory on Twitter) we spoke in depth about the life of one of the worlds most famous Warships The Belgrano, we spoke about its life during the Second World War as USS Phoenix until its sinking in 1982 as The Belgrano.

If you'd like a copy of Ricky's new book it can be found here - https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?i=stripbooks&bbn=266239&rh=p_27%3AMr+Ricky+D.+Phillips

My partnership with Wartime T Shirts is in full effect, if you’re interested in taking advantage of 10% off your order, follow the link here - https://wartimetshirts.com/discount/afewminutesofhistory

Every T-shirt sold is a T-shirt donated to homeless veterans in partnership with “Helping Homeless Veterans UK”

As always you can get in touch with me via email at - [email protected]

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Among the three Alfred I. duPont Columbia Journalism Awards for Investigative Reporting, judges described his Gulf War report about the censorship of religious services for U.S. soldiers “as the story every other news organization missed.”

We discussed his work investigating weapons of mass destruction pre 9/11 and much more more!

Roberts Website is here - https://www.truecrimereporter.com/

My partnership with Wartime T Shirts is in full effect, if you’re interested in taking advantage of 10% off your order, follow the link here - https://wartimetshirts.com/discount/afewminutesofhistory

Every T-shirt sold is a T-shirt donated to homeless veterans in partnership with “Helping Homeless Veterans UK”

As always you can get in touch with me via email at - [email protected]

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In 1931, Japan invaded Manchuria and the rest of China in 1937. The Chinese airforce was in a parlous state and needed a capable commander they got one, in the form of an American, Clair Lee Chennault, who brought along 100 Pilots that successfully stopped the Japanese Airforce despite being heavily outnumbered, in less advanced aircraft and thousands of miles from home.

My partnership with Wartime T Shirts is in full effect, if you’re interested in taking advantage of 10% off your order, follow the link here - https://wartimetshirts.com/discount/afewminutesofhistory

Every T-shirt sold is a T-shirt donated to homeless veterans in partnership with “Helping Homeless Veterans UK”

This episode is also on YouTube with pictures and videos accompanying it - https://youtu.be/jeU3hxIXLRQ

As always you can get in touch with me via email at - [email protected]

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I am joined today by Tom Petch, Tom is a former SAS Officer who wrote "Speed, Aggression, Surprise: The Untold Secret Origins of the SAS" we dive into the remarkable deception campaign that turns the eccentric Dudley Clarkes idea into the most famous and best Special Forces Unit. 

Tom served with the British Army until 1997 leading small teams gathering Intelligence on the Khmer Rouge in the jungles of Cambodia and persuading the Bosnian Serbs to accept peace.

After leaving the military in 1997, he founded the UK’s leading line production company, Salt Film in 2000. He directed his first short film in 2004, and sold his first feature film script in 2006. In 2018, he founded film production company, Dark Wave Film.

To keep up with Toms work his website is here - https://www.tompetch.com/about

My YouTube is here - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4y2VEewZpgwxfHFwT0TVsQ

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Today i was joined by  Anthony Tucker-Jones who joined me to talk about his book Battle of The Cities. We dive into some of the brutal but pivotal battles for key Cities on the Eastern Front during the Second World War.

A copy of the book can be found here -  https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Battle-of-the-Cities-Hardback/p/23296

Anthony Tucker-Jones, a former intelligence officer, is an author and commentator who specialises in military history, with more than 50 books to his name. His work has also been published in an array of magazines and online. He regularly appears on television and radio programmes commenting on current and historical military matters.

As always the you can support the Podcast by heading over to YouTube and subscribing there! - https://youtube.com/@afewminutesofhistory

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Hello! Thank you all for being so patient! I am back and today i am joined once again by my good friend Jon from the fantastic YouTube Channel WW2 Wayfinder.

We discuss his trip to Normandy for the anniversary, his flight in a P-51 Mustang as well as his insane growth on YouTube and so much more!

Check out the channels YouTube here - https://youtube.com/@afewminutesofhistory

Jon's YouTube can be found here -  https://www.youtube.com/@WW2Wayfinder

The P-51 videos are here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jplRNUnRzk4&t=719s

Thank you all for your patience, I have much more content lined up!

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