Cold War Conversations

The events of 1949 in China reverberated across the world and throughout the rest of the century. That tumultuous year saw the dramatic collapse of Chiang Kai-shek's 'pro-Western' Nationalist government, overthrown by Mao Zedong and his communist armies, and the foundation of the People's Republic of China.

I talk with author Graham Hutchings who has written a vivid, gripping account of China in 1949 and the formation of an independent Taiwan. We discuss, the politics, the military campaigns, and the legendary Amethyst Incident where a British warship became embroiled in the Chinese Civil War.

If you are enjoying the podcast, you can show your support via a monthly donation of $4, £3 or €3 via Patreon, plus you will get the sought after CWC coaster as a thank you and bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history. 

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

If a financial contribution is not your cup of tea, then you can still help us by leaving written reviews wherever you listen to us as well as sharing us on social media. It really helps us get new guests on the show.

I am delighted to welcome Graham Hutchings to our Cold War conversation…

There’s further information on this episode and a book giveaway in our episode notes which can also be found on this link. https://coldwarconversations.com/episode165

If you can’t wait for next week’s episode do visit our Facebook discussion group where guests and listeners continue the Cold War Conversation. Just search Cold War Conversations on Facebook.

Thank you very much for listening. It is really appreciated 

Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/

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

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

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

Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations

0:00 Introduction

1:02 Interview with author Graham Hutchings about the Chinese Civil War

10:32 Analysis of the Nationalist strategy and situation by 1949

17:58 British authorities' perspective on the civil war in Hong Kong

23:32 Exploration of the scale of the conflict and its impact on the lives of millions of people

26:11 Detailed discussion of the HMS Amethyst incident

30:00 Examination of the fall of the nationalist cause and the fate of the Guangxi leaders

34:37 Shift in the communist approach post-victory: from rural insurrection to urban administration

41:10 A look at a striking photograph in Graham Hutchings' book

44:44 Mao's relationship with the Soviet Union

49:00 America's effort to thwart Chinese invasion of Taiwan

52:11 Discussion on current tensions between China and Taiwan

54:01 Acknowledgement of Patrons and Supporters

2:03 How to help support the podcast

Chapters powered by PodcastAI✨

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Acclaimed author and journalist Simon Kuper, has written The Happy Traitor, the story of British spy and Soviet Union double agent George Blake, the last major British traitor of the Cold War.

In 1961, Blake was sentenced to forty-two years imprisonment – at the time, the longest sentence in modern British history. He had betrayed all the western spying operations that he knew about to the KGB. This included the names of hundreds of British agents working around the world. About forty of them are believed to have been executed. Blake is reckoned to have done as much damage to British interests as did his Moscow companions Kim Philby and Donald Maclean – perhaps more.

Today, his story is known only to a few experts, and only insofar as anything can be known for certain in the world of deceit that is spying. MI6 has never made its files on him public. Now that the master spy has died, Simon Kuper finally sets the story straight. He unravels who Blake truly was through a combination of personal interviews, research in many languages, and use of almost unseen Stasi archives. His illuminating biography tracks Blake from his beginnings as a teenage courier for the Dutch underground during the Second World War, to his sensational prison-break from Wormwood Scrubs, to his tranquil old age in a dacha outside Moscow, where Kuper caught up with and interviewed him.

There is more information in our episode notes here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode164/

Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/

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

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

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

Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations

0:00 Introduction and Sponsor: Profile Books

1:27 George Blake's early life and recruitment into the Secret Intelligence Service

10:23 Blake's role in the early stages of the Cold War and conversion to Communism

20:38 Blake's betrayal, spying activities, and impact on Cold War dynamics

31:33 Discovery of Blake's betrayal and subsequent trial

40:21 Insights from Blake's speeches to the Stasi and his life in prison

46:11 Blake's escape and new life in Russia

54:45 Blake's remorse for his actions and admiration for Britain

56:30 Simon Cooper's personal connection with Blake

58:19 Conclusion and promotion of the book "The Happy Traitor: Spies, Lies, and Exile in Russia"

Chapters powered by PodcastAI✨

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Germany has been at the heart of the British Army's story since 1945. After the Second World War, the Army helped rebuild a devastated and divided nation. It provided protection during the Cold War, and later used Germany as a base from which to deploy troops across the world. 

Foe to Friend is a major exhibition at The National Army Museum in London that follows the lives of British soldiers in Germany over the past 75 years. 

Enjoy an expert visit as Cold War Conversations co-host James takes you on a tour with the lead curator, Dr Peter Johnston

If you are enjoying the podcast, you can show your support via a monthly donation of $4, £3 or €3 via Patreon, plus you will get the sought after CWC coaster as a thank you and bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history. 

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

If a financial contribution is not your cup of tea, then you can still help us by leaving written reviews wherever you listen to us as well as sharing us on social media. It really helps us get new guests on the show.

I am delighted to welcome James and Dr Peter Johnston to our Cold War conversation…

There’s 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/episode163/

If you can’t wait for next week’s episode do visit our Facebook discussion group where guests and listeners continue the Cold War Conversation. Just search Cold War Conversations in Facebook.

0:00 Introduction

3:17 Introduction of James and Dr. Peter Johnston, and overview of the British Army's history in Germany

10:10 Discussion about the BrixMis car and other artifacts on display at the exhibition

16:05 Tales of bravery: Anthony Hall's exploration of a Soviet gunnery range

20:34 Testimonies from Lieutenant Colonel Dan Wilde and Michael Systems on the tense situation in Cold War Germany

25:10 The reality of life for British soldiers: Training, suits, and pamphlets

31:09 Living in the shadow of the Berlin Wall and the British military train

38:00 The evolution of weaponry and the role of the British Army in Germany

43:23 The impact of the Cold War on soldier and family life in Germany

51:25 Changes in Europe: A look at the maps from 1979 and 1991

Chapters powered by PodcastAI✨

Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/

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

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

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

Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Commodore Eric Thompson MBE is the author of the book “On Her Majesty’s Nuclear Service. He is a career nuclear submarine officer who served from the first days of the Polaris missile boats until after the end of the Cold War. He joined the Navy in the last days of Empire, made his first sorties in World War II type submarines, and went on to become the top Engineer in charge of the Royal Navy’s operational nuclear submarine force based at Faslane. 

In this vivid personal account of his submarine operations, he reveals top-secret submarine patrols, hush-hush scientific trials, and a chat with British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

It is essentially a human story, rich in both drama and comedy, like the Russian spy trawler that played dance music at passing submarines. There was never a dull moment. Behind the lighter moments was a deadly serious game. Eric’s chat reveals some the secretive life of submarines and the men who served on them.

If you donate monthly via Patreon or Buy Me a Coffee you will get the sought after CWC coaster and bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history.

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

If a financial contribution is not your cup of tea, then you can still help us by leaving written reviews wherever you listen to us as well as sharing us on social media. It really helps us get new guests on the show.

I’d like to thank some of our recent reviewers incldung Faye Dingaway, Syb 1, Cold War Gav and Romford Stu.

I am delighted to welcome Eric Thompson to our Cold War conversation…

There’s 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/episode162/

If you can’t wait for next week’s episode do visit our Facebook discussion group where guests and listeners continue the Cold War Conversation. Just search Cold War Conversations in Facebook.

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

Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/

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

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

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

Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Vadim was at school in Moscow during the 1970s and 80s. He attended an Advanced English Studies School where all subjects were taught, however the focus was on English.

He provides us with insights into the setup of Soviet education as well as the school life, teaching methods and pop culture.

We hear how the British newspaper “Morning Star” was a key teaching aid for Soviet English students.

Now I know some of you skip this bit, but if you want to continue hearing these Cold War stories I’m asking listeners to pledge a monthly donation of at least $4, £3 or €3 per month to help keep the podcast on the air, although larger amounts are welcome too. 

If you donate monthly via Patreon you will get the sought after CWC and bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history.

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

If a financial contribution is not your cup of tea, then you can still help us by leaving written reviews wherever you listen to us as well as sharing us on social media. It really helps us get new guests on the show.

Peter Ryan conducts the interview for us and I am delighted to welcome Vadim to our Cold War conversation…

There’s 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/episode161/

If you can’t wait for next week’s episode do visit our Facebook discussion group where guests and listeners continue the Cold War Conversation. Just search Cold War Conversations in Facebook.

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

Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/

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

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

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

Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations

0:00 Introduction and Vadim's education in the Soviet Union

2:08 Interview with Vadim begins

7:26 The impact of usage on language proficiency and importance of language education in the Soviet Union

10:19 Influence and censorship of Western music and pop culture in the Soviet Union

18:21 Exposure to Western broadcasts: BBC, Radio Free Europe, and Voice of America

20:48 Access to English language literature in the Soviet Union

30:10 Censorship and perception of English-language movies

32:10 Interactions with native English speakers and international visitors at school

43:15 Communist ideology in Soviet Education

47:20 Shift in English education after Glasnost and Perestroika

49:02 Special thanks to Patreons

49:51 How to support Cold War Conversations podcast

Chapters powered by PodcastAI✨

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We continue the story of Bill, a US Army Intelligence Analyst with Combined Analysis Detachment-Berlin (CAD-B) from episode 127. Germany has now been re-unified and Russian troops have withdrawn from East Germany. Bill tells us of the little known story of continued US Army involvement in intelligence gathering alongside the German security services, the BND.

We hear about "Operation Giraffe", described as the largest intelligence service procurement campaign of the West since the end of World War II, how Russian sources recruited during the Cold War were managed and, how Britain’s MI6 was cut out of receiving the information they had received freely during the Cold War. 

Bill tells us of a joint BND/CIA mission to monitor the disposal of Russian nuclear weapons.

It’s a fascinating look into the murky world of human intelligence gathering, corruption, and rivalry in the immediate post Cold War period.

I could really use your support to help me to continue to produce these podcasts. A monthly donation of $4, £3 or €3 via Patreon will really help and you will get the sought after Cold War Conversations coaster as a thank you and bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history.

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

Thanks to all our latest supporters including Tim Simmons, Fredrik Lundberg, Mary J O’Grady, Robert Ritchie, and Katie Brown.

If a financial contribution is not your cup of tea, then you can still help us by leaving written reviews wherever you listen to us as well as sharing us on social media. It really helps us get new guests on the show.

I am delighted to welcome Bill to our Cold War conversation…

There’s further information on this episode in our show notes which can also be found as a link in your podcast app here. 

If you can’t wait for next week’s episode do visit our Facebook discussion group where guests and listeners continue the Cold War Conversation. Just search Cold War Conversations in Facebook.

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

Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/

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

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

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

Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations

0:00 Introduction and Overview of the Episode

1:50 Sponsor: Patreon and How to Support the Podcast

3:30 Bill's Story of Intelligence Gathering and Shift in Work Post Cold War

9:00 Fear of Soviet Agents within BND and Discussion on Rosenholz Files

14:11 CIA and BND's Joint Mission and Tracking Movement of nuclear warheads out of East Germany

18:52 Cooperation with the CIA, Role of Aldrich Ames, and Friction over Source Management

24:04 Potential Risks of Espionage and the Downsizing of the Unit

28:46 Arrest of BND Team Members for Espionage and the Subsequent Trial

33:38 Bill's Visit to Zossen-Wünsdorf, Former Soviet Forces Headquarters in Germany

38:33 Bill's Aspiration to Write a Book about CAD B and the Organization Post the Allied Missions

40:02 Sponsor: Acknowledgment of Sponsors and How to Support the Podcast

Chapters powered by PodcastAI✨

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Charlie was 19 in 1956. A trip home from work by tram ended up with him being thrust into the heart of the Hungarian Revolution of 1956, a nationwide revolution against the Hungarian People's Republic and its Soviet-imposed policies, lasting from 23 October until 10 November 1956.

I’m in conversation with Charlie and his daughter Angela as Charlie describes how he and his friends attacked the Communist held Budapest radio station and graphically details his experiences and what he saw during those momentous days.

He also recalls his escape from Hungary and his later life in Wales and return visit to the country of his birth while it was still within the orbit of the Soviet Union.

I do need your help to allow me to find the time to continue producing and preserving these Cold War stories. 

I’m asking listeners to pledge a monthly donation of at least $4, £3 or €3 per month to help keep the podcast on the air, although larger amounts are welcome too. 

As a thank you you will get the sought-after Cold War Conversations drinks coaster and you bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history.

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

If a financial contribution is not your cup of tea, then you can still help us by leaving written reviews wherever you listen to us as well as sharing us on social media. It helps us get new guests on the show.

I am delighted to welcome Charlie and Angela to our Cold War conversation…

There’s further information on this episode including photos and videos in our show notes, which can also be found as a link in your podcast app here. https://coldwarconversations.com/episode159/

If you can’t wait for next week’s episode do visit our Facebook discussion group where guests and listeners continue the Cold War Conversation. Just search Cold War Conversations in Facebook.

Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/

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

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

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

Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Professor Timothy Garton Ash is a British historian, author, commentator and Professor of European Studies at Oxford University. Professor Garton Ash witnessed some of the most critical moments in the Eastern Bloc during the 1980s as these populations threw off Communist rule.

He provides us with vivid details of his time in East Germany, Gdansk, Poland where in 1980 the first free trade union in the Eastern Bloc was formed, and his time with then dissident Vaclav Havel when the Czechoslovak Communist government resigned in 1989.

Professor Garton Ash genuinely had a front row seat to history and provides us with fascinating and profound analysis of those incredible years.

I do really need your help to allow me to find the time to continue producing and preserving these Cold War stories. 

I’m asking is for listeners to pledge a monthly donation of at least $4, £3 or €3 per month to help keep the podcast on the air, although larger amounts are welcome too. 

If you donate monthly via Patreon you will get the sought after CWC and bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history.

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

If a financial contribution is not your cup of tea, then you can still help us by leaving written reviews wherever you listen to us as well as sharing us on social media. It really helps us get new guests on the show.

I am delighted to welcome Professor Garton Ash to our Cold War conversation…

UK listeners - Professor Garton Ash's books are available here

US listeners - Professor Garton Ash's books are available here

There’s 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/episode158/

If you can’t wait for next week’s episode do visit our Facebook discussion group where guests and listeners continue the Cold War Conversation. Just search Cold War Conversations in Facebook.

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

Episode photo by By Daniel Vegel (www.vegeldaniel.com) - This file has been extracted from file: Timothy-Garton-Ash-Daniel-Vegel-CEU-Lecture-2017.jpg, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=59301308

Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/

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

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

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

Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations

0:00 Introduction and background of Professor Timothy Garton Ash

2:02 Donations and support options

3:23 Professor Timothy Garton Ash's experiences and research in East Berlin

12:37 Discussion on the Stasi file and its contents

20:05 The eruption of the Solidarity movement in Poland and the strikes in Gdansk

33:20 Professor Garton Ash's involvement in the Solidarity movement

39:00 The political climate in Poland during the 1980s and the journey towards freedom

43:59 Hungary's role in the fall of the Soviet block

45:30 The Velvet Revolution in Prague and Vaslav Havel's leadership

54:07 Reflection on pivotal moments of the Cold War era in Eastern Europe

1:02:00 The regional collaboration of anti-communist groups during the Cold War

1:09:02 Acknowledgements and closing remarks from Ian Sanders

Chapters powered by PodcastAI✨

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ian Black is a former RAF Fighter Pilot with a passion for photography and motorcycles. He began his flying career with the legendary McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom in RAF Germany at the height of the Cold War. 

After three years flying as a navigator Ian underwent Pilot Training in 1984-1986 during which time he was awarded prizes for flying ability , aerobatics and unsurprisingly navigation skills. 

On completion of his flying training Ian was selected to fly the English electric Lightning in the Air Defence Role. Twenty five years earlier, Ian’s father had been one of the RAF’s first Lightning Pilots and his son was set to become the last. Serving on 11(F) Squadron. 

Now I really need your help to allow me the time to continue producing and preserving these Cold War stories. 

A monthly donation to help keep us on the air is only about $3, £3 or €3 per month (larger amounts are welcome too) plus you can get a sought after CWC coaster as a monthly financial supporter and you bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history.

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

If a financial contribution is not your cup of tea, then you can still help us by leaving written reviews wherever you listen to us as well as sharing us on social media. It really helps us get new guests on the show.

I am delighted to welcome Ian Black to our Cold War conversation…

Check our Ian's great photography books here https://www.firestreakbooks.com/

There’s further information on this episode in our show notes,plus a book giveaway which can also be found as a link in your podcast app here. https://coldwarconversations.com/episode157/

If you can’t wait for next week’s episode do visit our Facebook discussion group where guests and listeners continue the Cold War Conversation. Just search Cold War Conversations in Facebook.

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

Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/

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

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

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

Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations

0:00 Introduction to guest Ian Black and his flying career

15:45 The use of IFF identification and challenges during the Cold War

28:09 RAF's vetting process and the lack of background checks in the 70s and 80s

33:19 Realistic training methods of the RAF and struggles with pilot training

41:32 Recommendation of Cold War TV on YouTube

43:32 Ian Black's experience flying the English Electric Lightning

55:23 Interception of a Russian bomber: a life-defining moment

1:00:20 Air refueling: strategy, coordination, and challenges

1:09:24 The responsibilities and challenges of flying a single-seat Lightning

1:12:28 Ian Black's photography, Firestreak Books, and future projects

1:17:44 acknowledgement of financial supporters

1:18:33 Closing remarks and continuation of the Cold War conversation on Facebook

Chapters powered by PodcastAI✨

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Michael Zdanowski was born and raised in the UK, but his interest with the Cold War goes back generations. His grandfather having emigrated from Poland to the United Kingdom during the second world war and was a distinguished member of the RAF in the battle against Germany. 

Michael’s interest in the Cold War prompted him to pursue a doctorate focused around the Sovietisation of Estonia post-WW2, which he researched over a number of years. 

His findings indicated a wholesale imperialistic strategy that centered around language, culture and moving large numbers of Russians into Estonia. 

However, his findings also demonstrate a great deal of Estonian resistance to these efforts, with the local population finding ways of celebrating their local culture and heritage through covert means. 

It is a story of attempted social engineering that underestimated the desire of a people to be conquered.

If you can spare it I’m asking listeners to contribute at least $3 USD per month to help keep us on the air (larger amounts are welcome too) plus you can get a sought after CWC coaster as a monthly financial supporter of the podcast and you bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history.

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

Co-host Peter Ryan conducts our chat and I am delighted to welcome Michael Zdanowski to our Cold War conversation…

There’s 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/episode156/

If you can’t wait for next week’s episode do visit our Facebook discussion group where guests and listeners continue the Cold War Conversation. Just search Cold War Conversations in Facebook.

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

Help Support the podcast by shopping at Amazon.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/bestsellers/books/12447630031/ref=pd_zg_hrsr_books&tag=cwcp-21

Help support the podcast with a CWC mug or maybe a t-shirt?

https://www.redbubble.com/people/Coldwarpod/shop?asc=u

Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/

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

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

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

Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations

0:00 Introduction and Michael Zdanowski's family history

2:41 Interview with Michael Zdanowski about his interest in the Cold War

10:55 Michael's university studies and encounters with Cold War era tutors

16:48 Discussion on Soviet migration and cultural imperialism in Estonia

29:18 Resistance of Estonians against Soviet rule and preservation of culture

34:56 Independence movements in Soviet Socialist Republics

39:11 Influence of Western culture in Estonia during the Cold War

41:42 Enduring impact of the Soviet era on Estonia

45:27 Rapid fire discussion on Cold War themed books and films

52:23 Imaginary dinner party with Cold War personalities

53:51 Additional resources and donations

Chapters powered by PodcastAI✨

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices