Cold War Conversations

Our guest today is Marc Voss the Founder and Executive Director of The Regimes Museum which is the culmination of an effort to collect, preserve, and archive material and artifacts from some of the most notorious regimes of the 20th century. It is both a museum and an educational institution that offers resources to scholars and students while applying lessons of the past to the present. Now I’m sure you are enjoying your weekly dose of Cold War history, and you’d like to continue to do so.  So I’m asking if you wouldn’t mind supporting us by paying at least $3 USD a month – higher amounts are welcome too. It’s very straightforward and you can stop whenever you want. Plus monthly supporters get the sought after CWC coaster too! Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ You can also help the podcast by leaving written reviews in Apple podcasts as well as sharing us on social media. Back to today’s episode, Marc & I have a varied chat about the nature of regimes, East German recycling, Romanian tech,

Regional seats of government or RSGs were a UK solution to disperse the machinery of government into the provinces, where there would be a greater chance of survival after a nuclear attack. Today we speak to Andrew who was assigned a role in an RSG and details his experiences on a week long training course at the Civil Defence college at Easingwold in Yorkshire during the 1980s. There’s some chilling details of the scenarios they had to prepare for… Now if you are enjoying your weekly dose of Cold War Conversations I’m asking if you could support us for $3 USD a month to help keep us on the air. That’s about 60 pence or 75 US cents per episode or perhaps a coffee or two a month – now that’s what I call good value. Plus, you become the envy of your friends with that sought after CWC coaster too. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ If you can’t donate financially then you can also help us by leaving a written review on Apple podcasts or wherever you listen to this podcast as well as sharing us o

What was it like to be the first western pilot to fly the most advanced Soviet fighter aircraft? At the 1989 Abbotsford Air Show, during the dying days of the Cold War, Canadian CF-18 pilot Major Bob Wade became the first Western pilot to fly a Soviet MiG-29 Fulcrum fighter aircraft. This episode tells you how he did it. Now I’m sure you are enjoying your weekly dose of Cold War history, and you’d like to continue to do so.  So I’m asking if you wouldn’t mind supporting us by paying at least $3 USD a month – higher amounts are welcome too. It’s very straightforward and you can stop whenever you want. Plus monthly supporters get the sought after CWC coaster too! Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ You can also help the podcast by leaving written reviews in Apple podcasts as well as sharing us on social media. Back to today’s episode, Bob and I talk in detail on the circumstances of the flight as well as what it was actually like to fly an aircraft you’ve never flown before with instruments in a

What are your dreams at 18 and what happens in the next 20 years? Children of the Silent Revolution is a documentary film following a tight-knit group of classmates from Bulgaria who reveal their stories over a period of 20 years, spanning the transition from communism to democracy in their country.  It’s a powerful memoir and love letter to the filmmaker’s classmates, as well as a compelling historical document about Bulgaria’s recent history. Now I’m sure you are enjoying your weekly dose of Cold War history, and you’d like to continue to do so.  So I’m asking if you wouldn’t mind supporting us by paying at least $3 USD a month – higher amounts are welcome too. It’s very straightforward and you can stop whenever you want. Plus monthly supporters get the sought after CWC coaster too! Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ You can also help the podcast by leaving written reviews in Apple podcasts as well as sharing us on social media. Back to today’s episode, we speak with Viktoria Ershova who wa

Operation Gold (also known as Operation Stopwatch by the British) was a joint operation conducted by the American Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the British MI6 Secret Intelligence Service (SIS) in the 1950s to tap into landline communication of the Soviet Army headquarters in Berlin using a tunnel into the Soviet-occupied zone.  Steve Vogel is a veteran journalist who reported for the Washington Post and the author of Betrayal in Berlin a new book that tells the story of one of the West’s greatest espionage operations of the Cold War. Now I’m sure you are enjoying your weekly dose of Cold War history, and you’d like to continue to do so.  So I’m asking if you wouldn’t mind supporting us by paying at least $3 USD a month – higher amounts are welcome too. It’s very straightforward and you can stop whenever you want. Plus monthly supporters get the sought after CWC coaster too! Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ Back to today’s episode, Steve’s dogged research unearthed recently declassi

John Tarver was born into a middle-class family. He joined the British Communist Party on his 18th birthday in 1948 because he felt the Soviet Union had made the most effective resistance to fascism. He worked as a party activist in Britain and made several trips to the GDR where he would get a job at Potsdam as head of the final year of studies in the English language. His 18 years’ work as a Communist party organizer set him apart from other Britons in the GDR and he became an informer for the Stasi. Now if this podcast was a magazine you wouldn’t mind paying a few quid or dollars a week so I’m asking you to support us for the bargain price of $3 a month. In the last few weeks John Newlove and Mike Hart have joined in helping to cover the show’s increasing costs and keep us on the air, plus they’ve got the sought after CWC coaster too. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ Special thanks to Ian Hawkins who allowed me to use these audio files from his excellent documentary “My DDR T-Shirt” whic

Jay Lieberman talks about his early childhood memories of the Cold War as well as his long career in the US Navy. He tells a fascinating story of how he obtained high security clearance in the US Navy and served at a number of classified command facilities including the 2nd Pentagon and the Fleet Ocean Surveillance Information Facility, at Rota, Spain. Now if this podcast was a magazine you wouldn’t mind paying a few quid or dollars a week so I’m asking you to support us for the bargain price of $3 a month. In the last few weeks John Newlove and Mike Hart have joined in helping to cover the show’s increasing costs and keep us on the air, plus they’ve got the sought after CWC coaster too. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ This conversation was recorded as part of the Imperial War Museum North, Voices of the Wall event commemorating 30 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall. Make sure you stay subscribed for future conversations. Jay talks about his various postings, his security clearance an

And now for something completely different... today I’m chatting with listener Peter Ryan who will be turning the tables and questioning me about my Cold War story! Now, listeners, I can see you are enjoying the podcast by the increasing listener numbers so if you’d like the podcast to continue all I’m asking for a few quid or dollars a month to help keep us on the air plus you become the envy of your friends with that sought after CWC coaster too. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ If you can’t donate financially then you can also help us by leaving a written review on Apple podcasts or wherever you consume this podcast. By the way, we’ve opened a Cold War Conversations merchandise store to help support us, just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/store/ This conversation was recorded at the Barbican Centre in London, so excuse some random noises in the background.  Peter asks me about how the podcast started, what motivates me alongside my recommended Cold War movies. We welcome Peter Ry

Manuel Alzaga returns to the podcast after his debut in episode 57 with his experiences as US Army 18-year-old assistant artillery gunner in West Germany. He tells of his first impressions of West Germany, details of the 1982 Reforger exercise (return of forces to Germany) Exercise, as well as the life expectancy of a front line soldier on the East German border, should the Cold War had turned hot. Now if this podcast was a magazine you wouldn’t mind paying a few quid or dollars a week so I’m asking you to support us for the bargain price of $3 a month.  You join a select band who help cover the show’s increasing costs, keep us on the air and bask in the warm glow of being official supporters of the podcast – they also receive the sought after CWC coaster too. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ So to today’s episode, Manuel's story starts as he steps off the plane at the Rhein-Main Air Base which was the primary airlift and passenger hub for United States forces in Europe. We welcome Manuel A

There’s an area near Bergen, Norway known as Isdalen (“Ice Valley”), but also nicknamed "Death Valley", due to the area's history of suicides in the Middle Ages, and more recent hiking accidents. In November 1970 a man and his two young daughters noting an unusual burning smell and to their horror discovered the charred body of a woman, located among some scree. Now if this podcast was a magazine you wouldn’t mind paying a few quid or dollars a week so I’m asking you to support us for the bargain price of $3 a month. In the last few weeks Pete Hobson, Richard Goyette, Hamish Macintyre, Alastair Bassett, David Roberts, James Marks and Richard Harvey have joined in helping to cover the show’s increasing costs and keep us on the air, plus they’ve got the sought after CWC coaster too. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ So back to today’s episode – We speak with Marit Higraff, an investigative reporter for the Norwegian broadcaster NRK, who has investigated this case and is the co-presenter of the

We return to Ramona Reed’s account of her father, Dean Reed who was an American actor, singer, songwriter, director, and Socialist who became a huge star in Latin America and the Eastern Bloc. Now if you like the podcast you can help to support us for the price of a couple of coffees a month. You’ll be helping to cover the show’s increasing costs and keep us on the air, plus you get the sought after CWC coaster too. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ If that’s not your cup of tea, you can also help us by placing a written review on Itunes. This helps to raise our profile and get new guests on the show. So back to today’s episode – Ramona continues the story with details of the latter years of her father’s life as well her theories about his death.  We welcome Ramona back to our Cold War conversation… Episode 1 of this interview is here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode97     If you like what you are hearing sign up to our email list at coldwarconversations.com. We have further photos

Ramona Reed’s father was Dean Reed an American actor, singer, songwriter, director, and Socialist who became a huge star in Latin America and the Eastern Bloc. Now if you like the podcast you can help to support us for the price of a couple of coffees a month. You’ll be helping to cover the show’s increasing costs and keep us on the air, plus you get the sought after CWC coaster too. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ If that’s not your cup of tea, you can also help us by placing a written review on Itunes. This helps to raise our profile and get new guests on the show. So back to today’s episode – Ramona was born in 1968 and gives insight into his life via private correspondence, but also what it was like to be the daughter of such a huge Eastern Bloc star.  We welcome Ramona to our Cold War conversation… Episode 2 of this interview is here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode98/ We have further photos and information on this episode in our episode notes at https://coldwarconversation

Today has been a difficult day. My Dad has just died. It was expected, but these things hit you nonetheless. He was a good father, a good man with many varied interests including art, photography, and history. All of which he passed onto me. In particular, it was history, which has ultimately resulted in this podcast. I hope my listeners will indulge me today as this episode is not about the Cold War but is a recording I made of a chat I had with my Dad way before I had any thought of Cold War Conversations, or maybe this chat was the genesis – who knows? It would be nice if it was and a fitting tribute, but anyway here’s me and my Dad chatting about his experiences during World War 2. We welcome Graham Sanders to our Cold War Conversation… More photos are on this link https://coldwarconversations.com/episode96/ 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.insta

Alexander ‘Sasha’ Goncharov was born in Leningrad but early in this life moved to Ukraine. After leaving school he was drafted into the Soviet Military and was based in Sevastopol where he worked in Naval Aviation servicing anti-ship weapons systems. At the end of this period, Sasha decided to stay in the military to make it a full-time career. He was sent to Moscow where he trained as a full-time linguist. He was posted to Syria and Libya facilitating interactions between local forces and their Soviet advisors.   Now if this podcast was a magazine you wouldn’t mind paying a few quid or dollars a week so I’m asking you to support us for the bargain price of $3 a month. In the last few weeks John Newlove and Mike Hart have joined in helping to cover the show’s increasing costs and keep us on the air, plus they’ve got the sought after CWC coaster too. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ So back to today’s episode – Alexander left the Russian military as a Lt Colonel and is the Co-Organiser of an

In this episode, we hear from Craig McCracken who spoke to us in episode 3. This time he tells us about the strange world of football in Cold War Romania and even if you are not interested in football it’s a fascinating chat about Cold War Romania. Craig runs the website, Beyond the Last Man, described as 20th century football writing and nostalgia in a skilled and cultured groove. He really knows his stuff. Are you liking the podcast and want to help? Well, for the price of a couple of coffees a month you can help cover the show’s increasing costs and keep us on the air, plus you get the sought after CWC coaster too. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ So back to today’s episode, we talk of the early Cold War years where pre-war clubs were dissolved in favour of the big two (Steaua & Dinamo) through to the societal breakdown of the 1980s with defections, corruption, zombie clubs and an unlikely European Cup success. I’m delighted to welcome back Craig McCracken to our Cold War Conversation… A

Our interview today is with Frederick Taylor, the author of one of my favourite books on the Berlin Wall. Using official history, archive research and personal stories he has produced one of the definitive books on the Berlin Wall. BUY THE BOOK AND SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE Now if you like the podcast you can help to support us for the price of a couple of coffees a month. You’ll be helping to cover the show’s increasing costs and keep us on the air, plus you get the sought after CWC coaster too. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ So back to today’s episode - James speaks with Fred who provides some great accounts of his personal experiences in Berlin as well as the story of the Berlin Wall and its eventual destruction.  We welcome Fred Taylor to our Cold War conversation… There’s further information on this episode in our show notes, which can also be found as a link in here your podcast app. https://coldwarconversations.com/episode93/ If you like what you are hearing sign up to our email li

We speak again with Gillian, who was our guest in episodes 42 & 48. Gillian was in Berlin the night of 9th November 1989 and describes what she saw. Now if you like the podcast you can help to support us for the price of a couple of coffees a month. You’ll be helping to cover the show’s increasing costs and keep us on the air, plus you get the sought after CWC coaster too. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ So back to today’s episode – Gillian gives us the viewpoint of a US student in Berlin on that pivotal night on 20th Century history. She tell us of her first discovery that this was going to be a night to remember and the sights and sounds of that night.  We welcome Gillian back to our Cold War conversation… We have further photos and information on this episode in our show notes which will show as a link in your podcast app. https://coldwarconversations.com/episode92/ Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Facebo

Alastair took up a teaching post in Halle, East Germany in August 1989 and continued to work in Halle for the next 9 years, seeing the unraveling of the GDR first hand.  Now if you like the podcast you can help to support us for the price of a couple of coffees a month. You’ll be helping to cover the show’s increasing costs and keep us on the air, plus you get the sought after CWC coaster too. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ So back to today’s episode – Alastair arrived just in time to see the early protests and the opening of the border with West Germany. He recounts the Wende with some great stories detailing the impact of the Wende and the effects of reunification. We welcome Alastair to our Cold War conversation…   If you like what you are hearing sign up to our email list at coldwarconversations.com. We have further photos and information on this episode in our show notes  which will show as a link in your podcast app here. https://coldwarconversations.com/episode91 Radio GDR If you a

Our interview today is in a different format. Cold war Conversations is working with the Imperial War Museum on a project called Voices of the Wall. We will be capturing personal testimonies of people’s experiences of the Cold War which will later become part of the podcast. Therefore, this episode is a composite of previous and unheard interviews of how people heard about the momentous opening of the Berlin Wall 30 year to the date this podcast is published. Now I can see a large increase in listeners of late with some of you binge listening the entire back catalogue. If this podcast was a magazine you wouldn’t mind paying a few quid or dollars a week so I’m asking you to support us for the bargain price of $3 a month. In the last few weeks Anders Ollson, Gregory Morrow, Michael Noble, Bernd Wagegg Mark Wiegers, Brian Carroll, and Scott Gregory have joined in helping to cover the show’s increasing costs and keep us on the air, plus they’ve got the sought after CWC coaster too. Just go to https://coldwarconve

Our interview today is with Iain MacGregor, the author of a new book on Checkpoint Charlie. Weaving together personal testimonies, this book is described as a gripping narrative with vivid interviews with those on all sides whose lives were directly affected by that grim symbol of the East-West divide that poisoned Europe for almost half a century. BUY THE BOOK AND SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE Now if you like the podcast you can help to support us from $3 a month. You’ll be helping to cover the show’s increasing costs and keep us on the air, plus you get the sought after CWC coaster too. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ So back to today’s episode – Iain MacGregor tells us about some great stories from the history of Checkpoint Charlie featuring a number of guests from the podcast as well as a number of stories unknown to me.  We welcome Iain Macgregor to our Cold War conversation… There’s further information on this episode in our show notes, which can also be found as a link in your podcast a