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Lyt når som helst, hvor som helst 

Ian Sanders

Experience the Cold War like never before through award-winning, real-life stories told by those who lived it.
Each week, we bring you firsthand accounts from soldiers, spies, civilians, and more, capturing the full spectrum of Cold War experiences.
Host Ian Sanders takes you beyond the history books, delivering raw, personal stories where every breath, pause, and emotion adds depth to understanding this pivotal era.
This is Cold War history, told from the inside.
We cover subjects such as spies, spying, the Iron Curtain, nuclear weapons, warfare, tanks, jet aircraft, fighters, bombers, transport aircraft, aviation, culture, and politics.
We also cover personalities such as Fidel Castro, JFK, Ronald Reagan, Nikita Khrushchev, Leonid Brezhnev, Yuri Andropov, Mikhail Gorbachev, Konstantin Chernenko, Margaret Thatcher, John F. Kennedy, Josef Stalin, Richard Nixon, Lech Walesa, General Jaruzelski, Nicolae Ceaușescu.
Other subjects include Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Romania, Checkpoint Charlie, Berlin, West Berlin, East Berlin, Cuban missile Crisis, Berlin Airlift, Bay of Pigs, SALT, Perestroika, Space Race, superpower, USSR, Soviet Union, DDR, GDR, East Germany, SDI, Vietnam War, Korean War, Solidarność, Fall of the Wall, Berliner Mauer, Trabant, Communist, Capitalist, Able Archer, KGB, Stasi, STB, SB, Securitate, CIA, NSA, MI5, MI6, Berlin Wall, escape, defection, Cuba, Albania, football, sport, Bulgaria, Soviet Union, Poland, China, Taiwan, Austria, West Germany, Solidarity, espionage, HUMINT, SIGINT, OSINT, IMINT, GEOINT, RAF, USAF, British Army, US Army, Red Army, Soviet Army, Afghanistan, NVA, East German Army, KAL007, T-72, T-64, Chieftain, M60
The podcast is for military veterans, school teachers, university lecturers, students and those interested in Cold War history, museums, bunkers, weapons, AFVs, wargaming, planes, A Level, GCSE students

Cold War Conversations

Join our East-West tank crew reunion that offers a rare glimpse into the lives of those who served on opposite sides of the Iron Curtain. The episode features Al and Mick, former Chieftain tank crew members from the British Army, alongside Dag, an ex-East German T72 tank commander. 

Together, they delve into their personal experiences, providing insights into the military strategies, challenges, and camaraderie that defined their service during the Cold War.
As the discussion unfolds, the trio explores the intricacies of military life, from the training regimes and unit cohesion to the technical specifications of their respective tanks.

Dag provides an intriguing account of the T72's capabilities, highlighting its strengths and limitations. Meanwhile, Al and Mick reflect on their experiences with the Chieftain tank, offering a Western perspective on tank warfare during the Cold War.

The episode is punctuated with personal anecdotes and reflections, adding depth and humanity to the historical narrative. Dag's candid admission of his reluctance to serve at the border and his refusal to shoot at defectors offers a poignant reminder of the moral complexities faced by those in uniform. Similarly, Al and Mick's recollections of training exercises and the camaraderie among their fellow soldiers highlight the bonds forged in service.

Related episodes:

Crewing the Cold War Chieftain tank https://pod.fo/e/155bb4

Cold War Chieftain tank deployment at the East German Border https://pod.fo/e/157641

The East German Tank Commander https://pod.fo/e/210cee

Episode extras here including Dag's vehicle recognition manual https://coldwarconversations.com/episode379/

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/

Follow us on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/coldwarpod.bsky.social

Follow us on Threads https://www.threads.net/@coldwarconversations

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

 
00:00 Introduction
02:35 How do you become an East German Tank commander?
07:28 Selection and training for British tank crew
08:51 Were you selected for the East German border guards?
12:39 Differences in training areas and exercises
18:20 Unit cohesion - differences between conscript and professional armies
21:42 Enemy vehicle recognition
24:17 Benefits of a professional army and all arms training in Canada
28:30 Doctrines of each army - defence vs attack
31:00 Change of East German doctrine to a defensive posture
33:55 Plan to Attack Poland in 1981
38:10 If the East German army had crossed the West German border
43:02 Challenges of breaking through the border fortifications
45:03 East German view of the Soviets
51:26 What was the T72 like to operate?
56:44 Benefits of Chieftain's thermal imaging system
59:52 Training of the Chieftain crew if the thermal imaging system failed.
01:04:57 The British Army's secret weapons - the boiling vessel
01:09:51 Refuelling & ammunition replenishment
01:14:34 T72 autoloader
01:19:13 T72 snorkel
01:25:14 Final comments between the crews
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Foes to Friends: Cold War British and East German Tank crew together in conversation (379)

Today we are transported back to a pivotal moment in history that occurred 35 years ago this month - the Romanian Revolution of 1989. 

This episode is from our archive and features, Mark Brayne, a former Reuters and BBC journalist, who provides a gripping first-hand account of the tumultuous events that led to the fall of Nicolae Ceausescu. As Mark recounts his experiences, listeners are given a rare glimpse into the life of a journalist reporting from a war zone.

He embarks on a perilous journey to Bucharest, navigating roadblocks and dodging bullets to report on the revolution. His determination to capture the story amidst chaos and danger is a testament to the courage and resilience of journalists who risk their lives to bring us the news.

Beyond the historical events, Mark shares personal reflections on how these experiences shaped his life and career. The emotional intensity of covering such significant moments led him to a new path as a psychotherapist, helping others navigate their own traumas.

This episode is not just a recounting of history but an exploration of the human stories behind the headlines. It highlights the bravery of journalists like Mark, who venture into the unknown to bring us closer to the truth. For anyone interested in history, journalism, or the human condition, this episode is a must-listen.

Related episodes:

Mark - A UK Journalist in the Soviet Union & GDR https://pod.fo/e/1c4ef

Mark - A British Journalist under Stasi Surveillance https://pod.fo/e/1e111

The Human Factor: Gorbachev, Reagan, and Thatcher, and the End of the Cold War https://pod.fo/e/17bf8

Reporting on the 1989 Revolution in Romania and the Czechoslovak Velvet Revolution https://pod.fo/e/2544b1

Episode extras here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode380/

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/

Follow us on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/coldwarpod.bsky.social

Follow us on Threads https://www.threads.net/@coldwarconversations

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

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

Under Fire: A Journalist's Story of the 1989 Romanian Revolution (380)

Experience the Cold War through the voices of the people who were there. 

From soldiers to spies and civilians there are hundreds of unique stories told with humour, sadness, and all the emotions in between. 

Listen at coldwarconversations.com or search Cold War Conversations in your podcast app.

Cold War Conversations is a unique award-winning project dedicated to creating an archive of first-hand accounts of the Cold War. Many of our stories have never been heard before.

Visit our website here for further information. https://coldwarconversations.com/

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

Cold War Conversations trailer

Welcome to the first full episode of Cold War Conversations where we start with a fascinating eyewitness account of Berlin during the Cold War. 

Michael lived in Berlin as a child of US Airforce personnel in the 1960s and 70s and then subsequently joined the US Airforce himself and worked in Signals Intelligence during the 1980s. 

In a wide-ranging chat, we talked about life for American families and their kids in Berlin during the 1960s and 70s as well as his time in signals intelligence in Berlin in the 1980s. We also talked about the Stasi spy in Michael’s unit, Kennedy’s visit to Berlin, Baader Meinhof attacks on US Forces, and much more.

Our guest’s unit was described by the Commander in Chief US Airforce Europe as “his eyes and ears to the East.” 
See the show notes with lots of extra information at coldwarconversations.com
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/
Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/
Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations
Love history? Check out Into History at this link https://intohistory.com/coldwarpod
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Berlin during the 1960s and 70s and Signals Intelligence (2)

Welcome to Episode 3 of Cold War Conversations where we hear about the strange world of football in East Germany and even if you are not interested in football it’s a fascinating chat. 

Craig McCracken runs the website, Beyondthelastman.com, described as 20th century football writing and nostalgia in a skilled and cultured groove. 

One of his areas of interest is football in the GDR and from our conversation you’ll realise he is a fount of knowledge from BSG Rotation Babelsberg to FC Hansa Rostock and all stops between. 

We talk about the nefarious activities of Stasi Chief Erich Mielke and his favourite team, and we cover the only competitive game where the GDR played West Germany in the 1974 World Cup. Craig also describes a Stasi chase through the bazaars of Istanbul to stop player defections and a suspicious death of a former GDR player in West Germany. 

Show notes are on this link

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
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The Strange World of East German Football (3)

Welcome to episode 4 (part 1) of Cold War Conversations. Today we’re talking about Cold War espionage, East Germany and Berlin with Spybrary host, Shane Whaley.
 Shane runs the Spybrary podcast at spybrary.com. Their goal is to encourage people to read new spy novels, revisit an old espionage classic and discuss them with our community of like minded spy fans. It’s great fun if you like spy books I highly recommend his podcast.
 Settle in for a wide ranging and hopefully interesting conversation with my good friend Shane Whaley.
 We could have gone on for hours and indeed we did, so I have split this interview into two parts 

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

Espionage, East Germany and Berlin with Spybrary host Shane Whaley - Part 1 (4)

Welcome to episode 5 which is part 2 of our Cold War Conversation with Shane Whaley of Spybrary . 
Show notes at coldwarconversations.com/episode5/ 
We talked for some time ,so I have split this interview into two parts. 
I hope you find this second half as interesting as I did – settle in for a wide ranging and hopefully interesting conversation with my good friend Shane Whaley. 

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

5 - Espionage, East Germany and Berlin with Spybrary host Shane Whaley - Part 2

We talk about the relatively little known Uprising of 1953 in East Germany. 
A lot of focus justifiably is on the fall of the Berlin Wall, but it can be argued that the Uprising of 1953 sowed the seeds for the eventual demise of the GDR.We chat with Dr Richard Millington who has studied the Uprising and shares with us some fascinating research including eyewitness accounts and details from the Stasi files of the period. 

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
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The 1953 Cold War East German Uprising with Dr Richard Millington (6)

We speak with David Young who has written the Stasi Child - Karin Müller series of crime thrillers set in East Germany in the mid 1970s.

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
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7 - Interview with Stasi Child author - David Young

Welcome to Episode 8 of Cold War Conversations where we talk about the armoured fighting vehicles of the Warsaw Pact. 
 Russell Phillips has written several books on Warsaw Pact military equipment and our conversation is an interesting exchange covering the evolution in design, tactics and the deployment of Warsaw Pact armoured forces should the Cold War have turned hot. 
 It also covers a slightly off topic conversation about saunas and swimming pools in Soviet submarines and Frankie Goes to Hollywood! 

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
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The 1953 Cold War East German Uprising with Dr Richard Millington (6)

The 1953 Cold War East German Uprising with Dr Richard Millington (6)

Lyt når som helst, hvor som helst

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