On 10 February 1962, Gary Powers, the American pilot whose U2 spy plane was shot down in Soviet airspace, was released on “The Bridge in Spies” in Berlin by his captors in exchange for one Colonel Rudolf Abel, aka Vilyam Fisher - one of the most extraordinary characters in the history of the Cold War.

Born plain William Fisher in Newcastle upon Tyne, in the UK this British grammar schoolboy was the child of revolutionary parents who had fled tsarist oppression in Russia. Their son returned to his spiritual homeland, the newly formed Soviet Union, and became a spy, embarking on a mission to New York, where he ran the network that stole America's atomic secrets.

In 1957, Willie's luck ran out and he was arrested and sentenced to thirty years in prison. Five years later, the USSR's regard for his talents was proven when they insisted on swapping him for Gary Powers. 

I speak with Vin Arthey, the author of “Abel. The true story of the spy they traded for Gary Powers” Vin Arthey has traced Willie's tale from the most unlikely of beginnings in Newcastle, to Moscow, the streets of New York, and back again, a story of Cold War espionage to rival anything in fiction.

0:00 Introduction and discussion about Willie Fisher's spy work

10:26 Willie Fisher's upbringing and education in England

18:49 Fisher's move to Russia and his early years in Soviet society

25:33 Fisher's entry and rise in the intelligence services

38:41 Fisher's significant operations during the Great Patriotic War

42:52 Fisher's training and espionage work in the US

57:42 Fisher's capture, trial, and the role of his defense lawyer, Jim Donovan

1:08:26 The spy exchange, Fisher's imprisonment, and contact with his family

1:14:23 Fisher's life post-exchange in the Soviet Union and his role in the KGB

1:19:15 Fisher's final moments and the KGB's surveillance of him

Table of contents powered by PodcastAI✨

Buy the book here https://amzn.to/3D9di6B

Episodes mentioned

The Rosenberg’s https://coldwarconversations.com/episode184/

Portland Spy Ring https://coldwarconversations.com/episode138/ https://coldwarconversations.com/episode139/

The battle to preserve Cold War history is ongoing and your support can provide me with the ammunition to continue to keep this podcast on the air. Via a simple monthly donation, you’ll become part of our community 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.

Videos and further infor here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode273/

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