We speak with author Giles Milton about his new book Checkmate in Berlin: The Cold War Showdown that Shaped the Modern World.

In 1945 at the end of World War 2 the Soviet Red Army captured Berlin. For the next four years, a handful of charismatic but flawed individuals – British, American and Soviet – fought an intensely personal battle over the future of Germany, Europe and the entire free world.

Checkmate in Berlin tells this exhilarating, high-stakes tale of grit, skullduggery, and raw power. From the high politics of Yalta to the desperate scramble to break the Soviet stranglehold of Berlin with the greatest aerial operation in history, this is the epic story of the first battle of the Cold War and how it shaped the modern world.

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I am delighted to welcome Giles Milton to our Cold War conversation…

There’s a book giveaway and further information on this episode in our show notes which can also be found as a link in your podcast app here. https://coldwarconversations.com/episode180/

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Thank you very much for listening. It is really appreciated – goodbye.

Radio GDR

If you are interested in East Germany we can highly recommend our friends over at Radio GDR.

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0:00 Introduction and Giles Milton's new book "Checkmate in Berlin" discussion

2:34 Interview with Giles Milton and introduction of key players in Berlin (1945-1949)

7:53 Occupation of Berlin and agreement at Yalta for the occupation of Berlin

15:48 Management of Berlin through the "Kommandatura" and key disagreements

23:41 The looming showdown and the Defection of Igor Gouzenko

27:28 Formation of political parties in occupied Berlin and Soviet strategy to control Berlin's administration

33:01 Cultural and propaganda battles in Berlin

35:24 Differing views on managing post-war Germany and the shift from dismantling to rebuilding Germany

43:35 The concept of a siege: The Soviets' strategy to control Berlin and the dangers of the air corridors

51:17 The Berlin airlift, its challenges and involvement of Lucius Clay, Colonel Frank Howley and Bill Turner

1:08:25 Invitation to join the Facebook discussion group

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