
Sign up to save your podcasts
Or


“The crime scene had been left unguarded for two weeks”. What really happened in the Douma massacre? This episode is a diversion from the story of the life and death of James Le Mesurier. It’s about one of the most contested events in the war - the chemical attack in the town of Douma in 2018. Unravelling what really happened there takes us to the heart of the global race to control the narrative of the Syrian war. Mayday tells the extraordinary real story of the man who organised the White Helmets – rescuers who film themselves pulling survivors from bombed out buildings in rebel-held areas of Syria – and investigates claims that, far from being heroes, they are part of a very elaborate hoax. James Le Mesurier – his detractors say – was a British secret agent, pulling the strings. So when his body was found by worshippers on their way to morning prayers, there were a lot questions.
This episode contains a description of the aftermath of a chemical attack.
This episode has been edited since original publication following a complaint.
Produced, written and presented by Chloe Hadjimatheou
By BBC Radio 44.5
170170 ratings
“The crime scene had been left unguarded for two weeks”. What really happened in the Douma massacre? This episode is a diversion from the story of the life and death of James Le Mesurier. It’s about one of the most contested events in the war - the chemical attack in the town of Douma in 2018. Unravelling what really happened there takes us to the heart of the global race to control the narrative of the Syrian war. Mayday tells the extraordinary real story of the man who organised the White Helmets – rescuers who film themselves pulling survivors from bombed out buildings in rebel-held areas of Syria – and investigates claims that, far from being heroes, they are part of a very elaborate hoax. James Le Mesurier – his detractors say – was a British secret agent, pulling the strings. So when his body was found by worshippers on their way to morning prayers, there were a lot questions.
This episode contains a description of the aftermath of a chemical attack.
This episode has been edited since original publication following a complaint.
Produced, written and presented by Chloe Hadjimatheou

7,912 Listeners

524 Listeners

1,070 Listeners

298 Listeners

5,579 Listeners

234 Listeners

752 Listeners

354 Listeners

327 Listeners

82 Listeners

3,237 Listeners

454 Listeners

266 Listeners

2,581 Listeners

77 Listeners

3,455 Listeners

665 Listeners

1,004 Listeners

557 Listeners

134 Listeners

255 Listeners

630 Listeners

1,080 Listeners

391 Listeners

620 Listeners

244 Listeners

30 Listeners

50 Listeners

284 Listeners

118 Listeners

80 Listeners

116 Listeners

160 Listeners

189 Listeners

34 Listeners