History Book Club

After the Second World War the SAS was disbanded, but when a communist insurgency broke out in the British Imperial possession of Malaya, the SAS was reformed. In the years following the Regiment came under the command of an extraordinary soldier, George Lea, veteran of Arnhem and known as the soldier’s General.

Joining today is Rupert Hague Holmes, author of Lea’s biography as we discuss the man and the Special Air Service as it evolved from a distrusted regiment to a finely tuned counter-insurgency unit, and the envy of the United States.

Don't forget, get in touch with Rupert here for a signed copy.

Rupert Hague Holmes Links

The Soldier's General

⁠The Soldier's General⁠ - Signed Copy

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⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Paean to Patrick Leigh Fermor⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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During the Second World War the cause of Indian independence was placed on hold for the Congress party, but one man, Subhas Chandra Bose was impatient for freedom, and so in a dramatic escape from a British prison, he travelled to Nazi Germany and Japan to throw his lot in with empires committed to fighting Britain.

When the Japanese threatened to invade the British Raj 2.5million Indians volunteered to fight against them, but Bose led around 40,000 of his own countrymen against them.

Joining today is Phil Craig, author of 1945: The Reckoning – War, Empire and the Struggle for a New World as we chat about Bose, the great Indian general Timmy, the Bengal Famine and much more.

Phil Craig Links

1945: The Reckoning – War, Empire and the Struggle for a New World

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⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Paean to Patrick Leigh Fermor⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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My guest today is the broadcaster and political commentator Iain Dale who has edited a new book, Generals, 69 commanders written by 69 different authors. So we find Montgomery; Napoleon; Patton; Gordon of Khartoum; Themistocles and plenty others.

We discuss the political situation in the wake of Kier Starmer’s resignation, the current British attitude to defence and plenty more.

Iain Dale Links

The Generals

Where Politics Meets History Podcast⁠

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⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Paean to Patrick Leigh Fermor⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Bonus: History Book Club at Chalke

Chats with authors in 35 degree heat – we talk Cricket / Gout / U Boats and Espionage with:

Annie Chave – Cricket Changed My Life

Vic Marks – England Captains 1979-2025

Roland Butcher – Breaking Barriers

Simon Hughes – A Lot of Hard Yakka

Dorian Haskard – The Gout

Roger Moorhouse – The U Boat War

Charles Cumming – Icarus 17

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⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Paean to Patrick Leigh Fermor⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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A quick bonus episode for my wonderful listeners, in the wake of the British Prime Minister resigning, I got Robert Lyman on to discuss the state of the country’s military. Robert is a former officer and now writes history books, and we chat the parlous state of our nation’s defences. I hope you enjoy, and if you have any comments, go ahead and let me know.

Links Discussed

The AJAX Saga

Mark Urban Substack

Robert Lyman Links

Victory to Defeat

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⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Who Cares Who Wins? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Paean to Patrick Leigh Fermor⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Email me: owcpods@gmail.com
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