Cold War Conversations

V-Bombers: Britain's Nuclear Frontline in the Cold War is a new book by Dr Tony Redding that takes a deep dive into Britain's V-bomber force's operational nuclear war role.

Tony reveals the intense preparations and the stark realities faced by the aircrews, who lived in a perpetual state of wartime readiness despite being in a country at peace. The narrative intertwines technical analysis and personal accounts, offering a comprehensive view of the crews' complex systems and psychological burdens.

His meticulous research and vivid anecdotes from the veterans themselves paint a fascinating picture of the V force's potential impact in a nuclear war scenario.

It's a must-listen for anyone fascinated by the delicate Cold War balance of deterrence and the harrowing responsibilities entrusted to the men of the V bomber force.

Buy Tony’s book on this link and support the podcast at the same time! https://uk.bookshop.org/a/1549/9781911667872

Enter the book giveaway draw here https://coldwarconversations.com/giveaway/

Episode extras here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode335/

The fight to preserve Cold War history continues and via a simple monthly donation, you will give me the ammunition to continue to preserve Cold War history. You’ll become part of our community, get ad-free episodes, and get a sought-after CWC coaster as a thank you and you’ll bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history.

Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/

If a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, we welcome one-off donations via the same link.

Find the ideal gift for the Cold War enthusiast in your life! Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/store/

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Love history? Check out Into History at this link https://intohistory.com/coldwarpod

00:00 Introduction

00:35 Dr. Tony Redding's Deep Dive into V Bombers

05:59 The V Force: Britain's Nuclear Deterrent in the Cold War

11:22 The Evolution of Nuclear Deterrence: From Bombers to Submarines

24:10 The V Force's Combat Readiness and Training Rigors

34:26 Surviving a Nuclear Strike: The V Force's Strategic Planning

38:57 Airborne vs. Ground Alert: The Strategic Dilemma

40:12 The Impracticality of V Bombers in Nuclear Strikes

40:56 The Struggle for Airborne Endurance and Refueling

41:25 Exploring Overseas Basing and Tanker Fleet Limitations

42:46 Soviet Fears

44:19 Security Measures and Vulnerabilities at RAF Bases

47:46 Humorous and Harrowing Tales from the Aircrew

52:13 The Mental and Emotional Toll on Aircrews

57:31 Vetting and Security Concerns within the V Force

01:00:48 Navigating Soviet Defenses: A Hypothetical Mission

01:05:13 The Unique Challenges and Strategies of V Bombers

01:10:11 Secret Agreements and the Route Over Sweden

01:11:45 The Grim Realities of a Nuclear Mission

01:18:52 Decoy Tactics and Morale Issues

01:21:29 Conclusion and Further Resources

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Timo takes us on a journey through the tumultuous events of the 1991 Soviet coup attempt, as experienced from the streets of the Baltic States.

As the coup unfolds, Timo finds himself in Lithuania, planning to covertly visit the closed city of Kaliningrad. He shares the tension sharing a dining table with a Soviet officer, unknowingly on the eve of the coup.

As the coup escalates, Timo's narrative becomes a vivid street-level account of the Estonian people's defiance. He describes the formation of human walls against Soviet tanks, the strategic significance of the TV tower, and the Estonians' ingenious methods of maintaining communication despite Russian interference.

Timo's reflections on the morality of his curiosity, the fear of violence, and the spirit of resistance that pervaded Estonia during those critical hours are a testament to the resilience of a nation on the brink of reclaiming its freedom.

Timo’s book “Tanks & Roaches” is only currently available in Finnish, Estonian and Slovak and can be purchased on the links here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode334/



The fight to preserve Cold War history continues and viaa simple monthly donation, you will give me the ammunition to continue to preserve Cold War history. You’ll become part of our community, get ad-free episodes, and get a sought-after CWC coaster as a thank you and you’ll bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history.Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/If a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, we welcome one-off donations via the same link.

Find the ideal gift for the Cold War enthusiast in your life! Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/store/

Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod

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Love history? Check out Into History at this link https://intohistory.com/coldwarpod

00:00 Introduction

01:38 Timo’s summer in Estonia during the Cold War

09:52 The 1991 Soviet Coup and its impact on Estonia

20:34 Tom joins a demonstration

29:47 The confrontation between Estonian and Russian troops near the occupied TV tower

40:36 Estonians switched off the TV signal to calm down the Russians

41:57 The bravery of the four Estonian men who were locked inside the tv tower during the Soviet invasion

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Timo takes us to the remote Finnish border town of Kuusamo. He paints a vivid picture of a childhood overshadowed by his grandparent’s memories of their home lost during World War II and their proximity to the Soviet Union.

As a child, he was fascinated by the invisible line that marked the end of the world— the heavily guarded border with the USSR. Timo recounts a tense encounter with border guards while visiting his grandparents, and his meeting with a Soviet escaper.

He travels to Moscow and Eastern Europe as a young man which further fuels his curiosity about life on the other side of the Iron Curtain. Timo recalls the austere streets of Prague to the bureaucratic maze in Budapest and a harrowing night at the Romanian border.

Timo’s book “Tanks & Roaches” is only currently available in Finnish, Estonian and Slovak but can be purchased via our episode extras page here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode333/

The fight to preserve Cold War history continues and via a simple monthly donation, you will give me the ammunition to continue to preserve Cold War history. You’ll become part of our community, get ad-free episodes, and get a sought-after CWC coaster as a thank you and you’ll bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history.

Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/

If a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, we welcome one-off donations via the same link.

Find the ideal gift for the Cold War enthusiast in your life! Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/store/

Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/

Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations

Love history? Check out Into History at this link https://intohistory.com/coldwarpod

00:00 Intro

01:26 Timo's early life

04:41 Timo's grandparents' experiences of World War II

08:59 Incidents of people coming over the border

08:56 Estonian man's escape

28:32 Timo's trip to Moscow with his father in 1977

32:03 Finns remaining in areas handed over to the Soviet Union

39:34 Visits to Prague, Hungary and Romania

41:34 First Impressions of Prague

43:18 The challenges of Hungarian visitor registration

45:49 Trouble getting into Romania from Hungary

54:37 Polish smugglers on the train

59:04 Timo's fascination with Estonia.

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Leigh joined the RAAF in 1978 to train as a pilot but was scrubbed after a few months and transitioned to training as an Air Electronics Officer (AEO) at the RAAF School of Air Navigation.

He flew on the P-3C Orion and was employed in operations across the Indo-Pacific region on maritime patrol surveillance operations in the region - which included both usual surface surveillance of the region and operations alongside the US against Soviet submarines transiting the area.

He also had the opportunity to track Soviet SSBNs in the NE Pacific operating with the US Navy.

He details many incidents during his career including an “archaeological” mission, accidentally causing a diplomatic incident, as well as monitoring the splash-down and recovery of re-entry vehicles used to test the heat tiles for the Soviet Buran space shuttle.

I’m delighted to welcome Leigh Collins to our Cold War Conversation.

Episode extras including book recommendations, videos and photos here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode332/

The fight to preserve Cold War history continues and via a simple monthly donation, you will give me the ammunition to continue to preserve Cold War history. You’ll become part of our community, get ad-free episodes, and get a sought-after CWC coaster as a thank you and you’ll bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history.

Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/

If a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, we welcome one-off donations via the same link.

Find the ideal gift for the Cold War enthusiast in your life! Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/store/

Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/

Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations

Love history? Check out Into History at this link https://intohistory.com/coldwarpod

00:00 Intro

01:49 Early interest in aviation and the military

02:47 Aspirations in the RAAF

04:08 Failure as a pilot

06:43 Length of Orion missions

09:05 Soviet naval activity around Australia in the 1980s

16:52 RAF 617 Squadron held their annual reunion in Australia

20:42 Use of GPS on the Orion

24:23 Use of astral navigation using a Sextant

27:59 Viewing the cockpit of the Vulcan

31:10 Monitoring a Russian diesel submarine

33:13 Soviet trawlers during exercises

34:23 Exercise Silent Pearl

43:49 Soviet Buran Space shuttle test bed recoveries

52:52 Incident just out of Darwin where the crew ditched

56:50 Operation Gateway, Australia's long-standing anti-piracy operation

01:03:39 Threat of China during the cold war

01:07:53 September 1993 deployment as a submarine observer

01:12:23 Leigh worked with Sue Boyd from episode 151

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In this deeply personal episode, our guest, Norbert, vividly recounts his traumatic childhood journey from Cold War Poland to the United States.

With vivid recollections, he describes the struggles of his parents amid food shortages and the poignant decision of the family to leave everything behind for an uncertain future in the United States.

We also explore the cultural shock and the struggle to find identity in a new world, as Norbert navigates life as a Polish immigrant in 1980s America. From his first bewildering day at an American school to his father's relentless work ethic in pursuit of the American dream, we witness the sacrifices and choices that shape an immigrant's life.

Norbert's narrative unfolds against the backdrop of the Cold War, where his family's German heritage in Poland subjected them to suspicion and prejudice. Our episode starts with his Grandfather’s story in World War 2.

Photos and video extras here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode331/

The fight to preserve Cold War history continues and via a simple monthly donation, you will give me the ammunition to continue to preserve Cold War history. You’ll become part of our community, get ad-free episodes, and get a sought-after CWC coaster as a thank you and you’ll bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history.

Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/

If a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, we welcome one-off donations via the same link.

Find the ideal gift for the Cold War enthusiast in your life! Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/store/

Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/

Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations

Love history? Check out Into History at this link https://intohistory.com/coldwarpod

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Dan served in the War Plans office of the US Army VII Corps working on counterattack plans and reorganization of the US Army’s General Defence Plan.

He describes the debriefing of a Polish Special Forces operator who had defected to the West and who revealed surprising knowledge of US plans and order of battle.

Dan also details his experiences on the Able Archer 83 exercise and his views about how dangerous that was.

In addition to his work in the War Plans office, we discuss terror attacks on the US Army in West Germany including the bombing of the LaBelle disco in West Berlin where 2 US soldiers and one Turkish woman were killed and 79 wounded.

The terrorist threat to US Forces was significant and this is highlighted by the attempted assassination of General Kroesen commander of United States Army Europe by the Red Army Faction aka The Baader-Meinhof Group. Dan describes his own experiences in the immediate aftermath of the attack., including the issuing of live ammunition to US Forces in the field.

Extra info here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode330/

 0:00 Introduction

1:32 Dan's Insights in the War Plans Office

10:29 The defector's shocking intel on US plans

18:13 Reflections on Able Archer 83

24:33 Terrorism and the attack on the La Belle disco

33:21 Red Army Faction attempted assassination of General Kroesen

42:20 The impact of these events on US forces

58:41 Dan's views on the sudden changes in Eastern Europe

1:13:38 Podcast extras, appreciation for financial supporters, and closing remarks

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In August 1989, a group of Hungarian activists did the unthinkable: they entered the forbidden militarised zone of the Iron Curtain - and held a picnic.

Word had spread of what was going to happen. On wisps of rumour, thousands of East German 'holiday-makers' had made their way to the border between Hungary and Austria, awaiting an opportunity, fearing prison, surveilled by lurking Stasi agents.

The stage was set for the greatest border breach in Cold War history: that day hundreds would cross from the Communist East to the longed-for freedom of the West. The fall of the Berlin Wall, the end of the Soviet Union - the so-called end of history - all would flow from those dramatic hours.

Drawing on dozens of original interviews with those involved - activists and border guards, escapees and secret police, as well as the last Communist prime minister of Hungary Matthew Longo's book  "The Picnic - An Escape to Freedom and the Collapse of the Iron Curtain" reconstructs this world-shaping event and its tumultuous aftermath.

Freedom had been won but parents had been abandoned and families divided. Love affairs faltered and new lives had to be built from scratch.

The Picnic is the story of a moment when the tide of history turned. It shows how freedom can be both a dream and disillusionment and how all we take for granted can vanish instantly...

Book giveaway info here https://coldwarconversations.com/giveaway/

Buy the book and support the podcast here https://uk.bookshop.org/a/1549/9781847927798

The fight to preserve Cold War history continues and via a simple monthly donation, you will give me the ammunition to continue to preserve Cold War history. You’ll become part of our community, get ad-free episodes, and get a sought-after CWC coaster as a thank you and you’ll bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history.

Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/

If a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, we welcome one-off donations via the same link.

Find the ideal gift for the Cold War enthusiast in your life! Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/store/

Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/

Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations

Love history? Check out Into History at this link https://intohistory.com/coldwarpod

0:00 Introduction to the episode by Ian Sanders

4:47 Discussion on the political situation in Hungary in the late 80s

13:11 Gorbachev's view on Hungary's reforms and changes

23:26 Reaction of Hungarian hardliners to Imre Nagy's reburial

29:41 The tense atmosphere at the Warsaw pact meeting in Bucharest

37:49 The origin of the idea for a European picnic at the border

48:02 The impact on the Berlin Wall

57:23 The fatal shooting of Werner Schultz

1:00:38 The rapid changes that followed the opening of the border

1:07:42 Victor Orban's reimagining of history

1:11:53 Conclusion and promotion of Matthew Longo's book, The Picnic

1:12:33 Acknowledgements and closing remarks

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Dan served as a lieutenant and captain in a US Army air defence artillery battalion in West Germany from 1980 until 1985.

He describes details of Soviet overflights deep into West Germany and we discuss how the Warsaw Pact attempted to track their units.

Now who knew that the US Army experimented with geese for perimeter security?! Dan reveals details of this little-known specialist unit.

Dan worked with the improved Hawk anti-aircraft missile system. We talk about its capabilities, the challenges of working with 1980s electronics, its deployment and exercises. He describes a live firing exercise where an errant missile almost wiped out a group of VIPS.

Don’t miss part 2 in a couple of weeks where Dan describes his experiences in the war plans office of the general staff.

Do make sure you check out the episode extras at https://coldwarconversations.com/episode328/

The fight to preserve Cold War history continues and via a simple monthly donation, you will give me the ammunition to continue to preserve Cold War history. You’ll become part of our community, get ad-free episodes, and get a sought-after CWC coaster as a thank you and you’ll bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history.

Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/

If a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, We also welcome one-off donations via the same link.

Find the ideal gift for the Cold War enthusiast in your life! Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/store/

Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/

Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations

Love history? Check out Into History at this link https://intohistory.com/coldwarpod

0:00 Introduction and background of Dan

1:32 The Improved Hawk missile system and its capabilities

10:29 Deployment to field locations and the challenges faced

18:13 Encounters with Soviet aircraft and military liaison missions

24:33 The innovative use of intruder geese for security

33:21 Live firing exercises and the dangers involved

42:20 The deactivation of an air defence unit and its implications

58:41 Reflections on service

1:13:38 Podcast extras, appreciation for financial supporters, and closing remarks

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The Jodrell Bank observatory in Cheshire in the UK played a significant secret role during the Cold War. It was established in 1945 by Bernard Lovell, a radio astronomer at the university, to investigate cosmic rays after his work on radar in the Second World War.

We hear some intriguing details of the site’s Cold War roles including being Britain’s first nuclear attack early warning station and its signals intelligence collaboration with GCHQ, the UK’s Government Communications Headquarters.

Even more surprisingly it’s also revealed how Soviet Scientists also worked at the site and that the Soviets attempted to get Bernard Lovell to defect during a visit to the Soviet Union.

I’m given a tour of the non-public areas by Tim O'Brien who is a Professor of Astrophysics.

Do make sure you check out the extensive photos I took at https://coldwarconversations.com/episode327/

The fight to preserve Cold War history continues and via a simple monthly donation, you will give me the ammunition to continue to preserve Cold War history. You’ll become part of our community, get ad-free episodes, and get a sought-after CWC coaster as a thank you and you’ll bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history.

Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/

If a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, We also welcome one-off donations via the same link.

Find the ideal gift for the Cold War enthusiast in your life! Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/store/

Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/

Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations

Love history? Check out Into History at this link https://intohistory.com/coldwarpod

0:00 Introduction to the podcast

1:00 Jodrell Bank Observatory's role in the Cold War and its establishment

10:08 The birth and evolution of radio astronomy

15:50 The construction and purpose of the world's biggest radio telescope

32:46 The telescope's role during the Cuban missile crisis and its implications

51:05 The mission of GCHQ at Jodrell Bank and intercepting signals from the Soviet Union

1:04:21 Touring the secret tunnel and discussing its potential uses

1:14:51 Recounting the Soviet Luna 15 mission during the American moon landing and the role of Jodrell Bank

1:29:18 Episode extras and thanking financial supporters

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In the mid-1980s Dag was a T72 tank commander in the NVA, the East German Army and is now a volunteer at the Tank Museum at Bovington in

the UK.  

He describes his initial tank commander training, the battle readiness of the NVA, and the challenges of a conscript army as well as a startling revelation about a significant change in doctrine in 1987.

We also dig deep into the technical details of the T72, including the autoloader, deep water wading, radio communication and its advantages and disadvantages versus NATO tanks.

Dag also talks about how Soviet WW2 learnings were applied into the NVA, and his regiment’s role and deployment area in the event of war.

Dag shares a frank view and great insight into life in the NVA as a tank commander and the challenges of life beyond the NVA as the Wall opens and all he has known disappears.  

Make sure you check out the videos here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode326/

The fight to preserve Cold War history continues and via a simple monthly donation, you will give me the ammunition to continue to preserve Cold War history. You’ll become part of our community, get ad-free episodes, and get a sought-after CWC coaster as a thank you and you’ll bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history.

Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/

If a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, We also welcome one-off donations via the same link.

Find the ideal gift for the Cold War enthusiast in your life! Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/store/

Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/

Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations

Love history? Check out Into History at this link https://intohistory.com/coldwarpod

0:00 Introduction

10:29 Briefing on NATO armour and perception of NATO as the enemy

18:13 Planning for potential conflict and readiness in the NVA

24:33 Understanding the roles and challenges in a conscript army

33:21 Performance and operational details of the T72 tank

42:20 Training, battlefield strategies and preparations

58:41 East German-Soviet relations and Warsaw Pact exercises

1:13:38 Reflections on service in the NVA and potential conflict with NATO

1:23:59 Reaction to the opening of the Berlin Wall and post-service encounters

1:27:34 Life post-unification: Expectations, reality and personal growth

1:31:28 Podcast extras, appreciation for financial supporters and closing remarks

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