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Goalhanger

A history podcast that explores the narratives, turning points and characters that shape conflicts, encompassing a blend of social and military history. Following on from the series on the Falklands War, best-selling military historians Patrick Bishop and Saul David turned their attention to the war in Ukraine, and now every Wednesday look back to the seismic events of 1945.

Goalhanger Podcasts

Battleground

In this episode of Battleground 45 Saul is joined by Evan Mawdsley to examine the final weeks of World War II from the perspective of the Soviet Union. 

Together they explore Stalin’s strategic goals at the Potsdam Conference, his reaction to the successful test of the atomic bomb, and the subsequent decision to accelerate the invasion of Manchuria.

They look at why the Soviet declaration of war on Japan on August 8, 1945, may have been the decisive factor for the Japanese leadership's surrender. We'll delve into the lightning-fast invasion of Manchuria and Korea, the Soviet's thwarted plans to co-occupy Japan, and what the end of the fighting meant for the Soviet Union's future geopolitical ambitions.

If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - podbattleground@gmail.com

Producer: James Hodgson

X (Twitter): @PodBattleground
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311. More Than the Bomb: The Soviet Factor in Japan's Surrender

This week, Patrick Bishop and Saul David tackle the latest Ukraine news starting with a look at Donald Trump's dramatic new deadline for Putin – a mere "ten or 12 days" to achieve peace in Ukraine. 

Plus, they get a unique glimpse into the war's human side with Colin Freeman, author of "The Mad and The Brave: The Untold Story of Ukraine’s Foreign Legion." Colin shares his insights into the foreign volunteers fighting on the front lines, including what motivates them and how effective are they for the Ukrainians.

If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - podbattleground@gmail.com

Producer: James Hodgson

X (Twitter): @PodBattleground
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310. Trump's Ultimatum & Ukraine's Foreign Fighters

At Potsdam, the victorious Allies finalise the future of a shattered Europe while the terrifying secret of the atomic bomb forces a decision that will forever redefine warfare.

In this episode of Battleground '45 Patrick and Saul discuss the momentous decisions of Summer 1945. Firstly they delve into the Potsdam conference with the uneasy alliance, already strained, are at odds over post-war Europe. 

Simultaneously, President Truman grapples with an unthinkable power: the atomic bomb. As Japan refuses to surrender, the brutal choice between a costly invasion and unleashing the ultimate weapon looms. 

If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - podbattleground@gmail.com

Producer: James Hodgson

X (Twitter): @PodBattleground

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309. Battleground '45: The Shadow of the Atom Bomb

A week after President Trump's stunning U-turn, Saul and Patrick discuss a surge of renewed Western support for Ukraine. With Europe announcing its 18th sanctions package, imposing a landmark oil price cap to cripple Russian revenues and targeting the shadow fleet used to evade them. 

However, as Western aid floods in, a tide of protest is rising on the streets of Kyiv. President Zelensky has signed a controversial law bringing independent anti-corruption agencies under his control, sparking the largest public dissent since the full-scale invasion and drawing serious warnings from the EU about Ukraine's membership path.

Plus, we look at Putin's plan to create a "digital Gulag" with a new mandatory spy app, 'Max', designed to monitor all Russians.

And we speak to friend of the podcast Julius Strauss, who has just returned from a trip to the Baltics.

If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - podbattleground@gmail.com

Producer: James Hodgson

X (Twitter): @PodBattleground
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308. Is Kyiv Risking Western Support?

On this episode of Battleground 45, Saul welcomes historian Jack Bowsher to delve into the climactic final months of the Burma Campaign, and the rest of British involvement in the final phases of the war against Japan.

Together they dissect the strategic importance and brutal fighting of the Battle of Meiktila, analyse the daring amphibious assaults of Operations Dracula and Zipper, and then shift focus to the highly secret and ambitious British involvement in the plans for the invasion of mainland Japan, exploring how the UK envisioned its role in the war's ultimate conclusion.

If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - podbattleground@gmail.com

Producer: James Hodgson

X (Twitter): @PodBattleground
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307. Burma's End and the Road to Operation Downfall

Has the tide turned for Ukraine? In this episode Saul and Patrick unpack President Trump's bold new strategy, including substantial military supplies and a looming deadline for a peace settlement backed by unprecedented tariffs on Russia's trade partners. 

Is this the long-awaited turning point, or are there hidden complexities? We dissect the motivations behind this policy pivot and discuss the internal shifts within the US administration. Furthermore, we examine the remarkable diplomatic progress between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and how their newfound pursuit of peace is challenging Russia's long-standing influence in the region.

If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - podbattleground@gmail.com

Producer: James Hodgson

X (Twitter): @PodBattleground

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306. Ukraine's Unexpected Boost

In this episode of Battleground '45 Saul David and Roger Moorhouse take a deep dive into a host of fascinating listeners questions on the Second World War.

These include a look at the Japanese in China, why Tito emerged victorious in Yugoslavia, and the weird and wonderful spy gadgets used and developed in World War 2. 

If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - podbattleground@gmail.com

Producer: James Hodgson

X (Twitter): @PodBattleground
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305. Battleground '45 Your Questions Answered

This week Patrick and Saul analyse Donald Trump's sudden policy reversal on Ukraine, pledging defensive weapons after a concerning pause. They question if it's a true change of heart or a tactical move amidst escalating Russian attacks. 

They also discuss a "new axis of evil" – Iran, China, and North Korea's collaboration in supplying Russia's deadly Shahed drones. 

Plus, a bizarre UK arson attack linked to the Wagner Group exposes the varied nature of Russian influence.

If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - podbattleground@gmail.com

Producer: James Hodgson

X (Twitter): @PodBattleground
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304. The New Axis of Evil: Russia, China, Iran & North Korea

This week on Battleground, Saul and Patrick are stepping away from the tactics and into the narrative, discussing their picks for the best fiction books born out of the Second World War.

They delve into the literary legacy of WWII, debating and dissecting the novels that most effectively capture the human experience of the conflict. 

If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - podbattleground@gmail.com

Producer: James Hodgson

X (Twitter): @PodBattleground
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303. Fiction's Finest Hour - Unpacking the Best WWII Literature

This week on Battleground, Saul David and Patrick Bishop delve into the disappointing turn in US support. Whilst meetings last week at the NATO summit offered a glimmer of hope, the White House's abrupt decision to halt key weapons supplies, including Patriot missiles, has left Ukraine's defences vulnerable. 

Additionally, we hear directly from Eddy Scott, a 28-year-old British volunteer who tragically lost an arm and a leg in a Russian drone attack while evacuating civilians from the front-line town of Pokrovsk. Eddy shares his harrowing experience and the circumstances that led him to volunteer in Ukraine.

To find out more about superhumans see here: https://rebuildukraine-health.in.ua/en/unp/superhumans

To find out more about The R. T. Weatherman Foundation see here: https://www.weathermanfoundation.org/

We want YOUR input on what we should cover next! Please follow the link below to fill out our poll.

https://forms.gle/DK4RMN3y1ugCXxxN8

If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - podbattleground@gmail.com

Producer: James Hodgson

X (Twitter): @PodBattleground
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302. America First, Ukraine Last?

Joining Patrick and Saul on this week's Big Interview is Alan Philps, who has worked as a reporter in Moscow on and off since he was the Reuters trainee there in 1979. He has a deep knowledge of the country and provides some fascinating insight into the senior Russian military leadership, the internal power struggles within the Russian hierarchy, and the way Russia has conducted itself in the past 30 years. 
If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - battlegroundukraine@gmail.com
Producer: James Hodgson
Twitter: @PodBattleground

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64. Putin's Paranoia

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