Few operations in Cold War history capture the imagination quite like Operation Eagle Claw. I have the privilege of welcoming back James Stejskal, a Special Forces veteran, to delve into the intricacies of this audacious mission.

Operation Eagle Claw, was conceived as a daring rescue mission to free 52 US embassy staff being held hostage held in Iran. James was a member of Detachment A, a clandestine unit tasked with gathering intelligence and preparing for the mission. James reveals the undercover operations in Tehran, where operatives navigated hostile territory with nothing but their wits and false identities.

The operation itself was fraught with difficulties from the onset and James walks us through the intricate phases of the mission, from the rendezvous at Desert One to the audacious plan to storm the embassy and foreign ministry in Tehran. He captures the sense of urgency and the meticulous planning that went into every detail, highlighting the commitment of those involved.

For those intrigued by the complexities of Cold War operations and the human stories behind them, this episode is a must-listen. James's insights and personal reflections bring a unique perspective to a pivotal moment in history.

Buy the book here and support CWC https://bookshop.org/a/92195/9780063330603

Related episodes:

Special Forces Berlin - Clandestine Cold War Operations of the US Army's Elite, 1956-1990 https://pod.fo/e/19e5f

Den of Spies: The October Surprise - A Covert Cold War Operation https://pod.fo/e/283261

The Siege: The Remarkable Story of the Greatest SAS Hostage Drama with Ben Macintyre https://pod.fo/e/26909e

Episode extras here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode375/

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/ 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 Love history? Join Intohistory https://intohistory.com/coldwarpod 0:00:01 Operation Eagle Claw 0:18:47 Failed Rescue Operation and Escape Efforts 0:33:51 Joint Task Force 179 Iran Rescue 0:41:35 Podcast Updates and Thanks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices