Deep Cover Cold War Spies: How Russia’s Illegal Agents Penetrated the West (397)
In 2010, two decades after the Cold War had ended, ten Russian spies were arrested in America, having hidden their true identities from their friends, neighbours and even their children.
They were part of a spy programme that had begun nearly a century earlier, when the revolutionary Bolshevik government began sending Soviet citizens abroad to pose as foreign aristocrats, merchants and students.
These deep-cover missions - some remarkable feats of espionage, others high-profile failures - could last for decades.
Drawing on hundreds of hours of interviews, as well as newly discovered archival material, Shaun Walker brings this history to life in The Illegals: Russia's Most Audacious Spies and the Plot to Infiltrate the West, a page-turning tour de force that goes to the heart of what became the most ambitious espionage programme in history.
Enter the book giveaway https://coldwarconversations.com/giveaway1/
Episode extras https://coldwarconversations.com/episode397/
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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.
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1:11:26
A Black US Basketball Virtuoso in Cold War Poland (396)
The Communist Polish press called it "Kentomania!"—the excitement surrounding a 23 year old, called Kent Washington who made history as the first American—and the first Black American—to sign a professional sports contract behind the Iron Curtain.
Stepping off the plane in Poland, Kent was immediately struck by how different everything felt. Yet, it was on the basketball court where he found common ground with the Polish people.
His creative and electrifying gameplay won over audiences, earning him admiration and respect.
But beyond basketball, the warmth and hospitality of the Polish people left a lasting impression, making him a beloved figure in the country’s sports history.
As a result, Kent was inspired to write a memoir, ‘Kentomania: A Black Basketball Virtuoso in Communist Poland’.
BUY THE BOOK HERE
Episode extras https://coldwarconversations.com/episode396/
The fight to keep Cold War history alive continues, and with your support, I can ensure these incredible stories are never forgotten. A simple monthly or annual donation gives me the resources to continue uncovering and sharing the untold history of this fascinating era.
As a valued supporter, you’ll become part of our exclusive community, enjoy ad-free episodes, and receive the coveted CWC coaster as a token of my appreciation. Plus, you'll have the satisfaction of knowing you're playing a vital role in preserving Cold War history for future generations.
Join us now at: https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/
Prefer a one-time contribution? Every bit helps! You can make a one-off donation at the same link.
Thank you for keeping Cold War history alive!
Find the ideal gift for the Cold War enthusiast in your life! Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/store/
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1:25:46
Agent Zo - From War Hero to Enemy: When Cold War Poland Turned on Its Own (395)
In a world where history often overlooks the contributions of women, the story of Agent Zo stands out as a beacon of bravery and resilience. I spoke with Claire Mulley about her book Agent Zo: the Untold Story of a fearless World War II resistance fighter.
From the first day of the war to the German surrender, Zo organised efforts to resist the Nazi invasion of Poland, displaying extraordinary courage and leadership. However, the aftermath of the war brought new challenges.
Despite her heroic actions, Zo and many others faced persecution from the new communist authorities of Poland.
Buy the book here https://uk.bookshop.org/a/1549/9781399601061
Don’t miss the link to the videos and photos in the episode information here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode395
The fight to keep Cold War history alive continues, and with your support, I can ensure these incredible stories are never forgotten. A simple monthly or annual donation gives me the resources to continue uncovering and sharing the untold history of this fascinating era.
As a valued supporter, you’ll become part of our exclusive community, enjoy ad-free episodes, and receive the coveted CWC coaster as a token of my appreciation. Plus, you'll have the satisfaction of knowing you're playing a vital role in preserving Cold War history for future generations.
Join us now at: https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/
Prefer a one-time contribution? Every bit helps! You can make a one-off donation at the same link.
Thank you for keeping Cold War history alive!
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
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1:02:41
In Conversation with Margot Honecker (394)
I speak with Jon Benjamin who recounts his meetings with Margot Honecker, the unrepentant architect of East Germany’s education system and widow of GDR leader Erich Honecker then living in exile in Chile.
In 2012 and 2013, when Jon was British Ambassador to Chile, he had three long meetings with Margot Honecker, third wife of longtime East German leader, Erich Honecker, and Minister of Education of the German Democratic Republik (GDR) in her own right from 1963 to 1989.
You can read more about his meetings at History Reclaimed here
Episode extras here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode394
The fight to keep Cold War history alive continues, and with your support, I can ensure these incredible stories are never forgotten. A simple monthly or annual donation gives me the resources to continue uncovering and sharing the untold history of this fascinating era.
As a valued supporter, you’ll become part of our exclusive community, enjoy ad-free episodes, and receive the coveted CWC coaster as a token of my appreciation. Plus, you'll have the satisfaction of knowing you're playing a vital role in preserving Cold War history for future generations.
Join us now at: https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/
Prefer a one-time contribution? Every bit helps! You can make a one-off donation at the same link.
Thank you for keeping Cold War history alive!
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
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31:38
The Cuban Missile Crisis Suicide Missions (393)
Richard F Kaufman is the author of A One-Way Trip to Death A Survivor’s View of Cruise Missiles in the Cuban Missile Crisis
In the 1950s he served in the Korean War, where he was shot down and provides a vivid snapshot of flying in that conflict.
On his way to Korea Richard meets a Japanese Kamikaze pilot. The pilot’s reflections on life and death left a lasting impact on Richard, shaping his perspective as he began training for effectively suicide missions guiding nuclear missiles to the Soviet Union.
He describes the fear and uncertainty surrounding the Cuban Missile Crisis and the belief that war was imminent as the Last Rites are read to him while preparing for what he believed was his final mission.
BUY THE BOOK HERE
Don’t miss the link to the videos and photos in the episode information here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode393
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
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Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/
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Love history? Join Intohistory https://intohistory.com/coldwarpod
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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 studying Superpower Relations and the Cold War.
New Zealand