Battleground

While the 1942 Dieppe Raid was a catastrophic failure for the Allies, one unit achieved a flawless tactical victory against the odds. In part one of this special series, Patrick Bishop and Saul David explore the origins of the British Commandos—Winston Churchill’s "hunter class" of soldiers.

From the brutal training bogs of the Scottish Highlands to the clifftops of Varengeville, we follow No. 4 Commando’s mission to silence the Hess Battery. Led by the legendary Lord Lovat, this operation became a masterclass in Special Forces planning, featuring daring cliff climbs, the first US Army Rangers in action, and a bayonet charge that provided the only bright spot in an otherwise disastrous day.

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Producer: James Hodgson

X (Twitter): @PodBattleground
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In this episode of Battleground Ukraine, Saul David and Roger Moorhouse explore the terrifying reality of modern warfare and the unexpected heroes of the resistance.

Journalist and friend of the show Askold Krushelnycky recounts his harrowing experience surviving a drone strike in Odesa, describing the "screaming banshee" sound of a Shahed drone on its final approach.

We also hear from Boldizsár Győri about a "peculiar unit" in Zaporizhzhia—a Ukrainian "dad’s army" made up of men over the age of 60 who were turned away from the official draft but found their own way to fight for their country.

If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - [email protected]

Producer: James Hodgson

X (Twitter): @PodBattleground
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In the dramatic conclusion of this two-part special, Saul David and Patrick Bishop deconstruct the chaotic 99 minutes on the ground at Entebbe. The episode tracks the high-stakes assault from the moment the first Hercules landed in a tropical storm to the black Mercedes decoy and the controversial firefight that followed.

Together they examine the tactical blunders and friendly fire tragedies that nearly jeopardised the mission, while featuring rare eyewitness accounts—including a startling claim that the German terrorists may have ultimately spared the hostages they were ordered to kill.

Beyond the military feat, we explore the heavy price of the raid and its enduring political legacy. While the rescue of 101 hostages restored Israel’s national pride and catapulted figures like the Netanyahu family into the political spotlight, it also left a trail of unanswered questions. From the secret diplomacy required to refuel the planes to the debate over whether this victory made regional peace harder to achieve, we analyse how a single hour in Uganda changed the face of special operations and Middle Eastern politics forever.

If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - [email protected]

Producer: James Hodgson

X (Twitter): @PodBattleground
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In this episode, Patrick Bishop and Roger Moorhouse explore a week of geopolitical upheaval that marks a potential "1938 moment" for the modern world.

One year into Donald Trump’s imperial presidency, the duo discusses the stunning ultimatum issued to eight European NATO allies: accept a massive tariff hike or facilitate the American purchase of Greenland.

Roger weighs in on whether NATO can survive this direct threat to member sovereignty and the unprecedented refusal of the U.S. to rule out conflict with Denmark.

The conversation shifts to the "Donroe Doctrine" and the strategic importance of the High North. Patrick explains why this obsession with the Arctic might inadvertently pit Trump against Putin, potentially shifting the Kremlin from an admired friend to a strategic foe—a rare "bright spot" for a struggling Ukraine.

Meanwhile, they report on the worsening humanitarian crisis in Kyiv, where a million residents remain without power in sub-zero temperatures.

Interested in supporting Insulate Ukraine? Check them out here: https://www.insulate-ukraine.org/ourwindow

If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - [email protected]

Producer: James Hodgson

X (Twitter): @PodBattleground
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On June 27, 1976, Air France Flight 139 was diverted to Uganda, sparking a crisis that would redefine special operations forever. In the first of a two-part special, hosts Saul David and Patrick Bishop break down the lead-up to Operation Thunderbolt.

Saul provides a first-hand look at the "Unit"—the elite Sayeret Matkal—and the internal friction between legendary commanders like Yoni Netanyahu and Muki Betser. We dive into the chilling logistics of the hijacking, the "selektzia" that echoed the darkest days of WWII, and the secret intelligence gathered by a hostage who faked a miscarriage.

From the "Goldfinger" ruse involving a black Mercedes to the clandestine refueling deal struck in Nairobi, Part 1 covers the 48 hours of desperation and ingenuity that preceded the most daring 2,000-mile flight in military history.

If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - [email protected]

Producer: James Hodgson

X (Twitter): @PodBattleground
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