Episodes
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The great city of Aachen was of key strategic importance during the Second World War. The seat of the Holy Roman Emperor Charlamagne is a wonderfully beautiful baroque city of stunning architecture, best exemplified by its cathedral. However early on in the war the RAF began a bombing campaign that had devastating consequences, not only for the civilian population, but also for US troops who would endure fighting reminiscent of Stalingrad at the end of 1944.
Friend of the show Philip Blood joins to discuss a fascinating episode in the last year of the war as he talks about his book War Comes to Aachen.
Episode Links
War Comes to Aachen: The Nazis, Churchill and the 'Stalingrad of the West'
Putin’s War, Russian Genocide, Edited by Philip W. Blood
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Charlie Higson joins, he's a comedy legend, actor, author of the young Bond novels and presenter of a successful podcast Willy Willy Harry Stee, which covers all the monarchs over several series so do check it out.
Episode Links
Willy Willy Harry Stee
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As we all now are aware, Donald Trump will be the next American president. This episode looks into the intelligence and foreign policy implications, taking into account the US and UK’s shared history. As we’ve seen in the past few weeks, historians are the ones to listen to, not so called political experts, and so Michael Smith, author of The Real Special Relationship joins to discuss the new Trump appointments, Trump’s plans for the Middle East and Ukraine, and what may happen vis a vis China and Taiwan. Michael is a long standing journalist, former intelligence operative and historian of many books on espionage.
Episode Links
The Real Special Relationship
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In 1937 a seventeen year old German arrived at Liverpool St station in London, not speaking the language, but with a strong sense of freedom considering the place he had left. Claus Ascher was Jewish and had found safety, but sadly his father was not so lucky. Claus became Colin Anson and joined the British Army, then became a Commando, becoming one of Churchill’s special forces conducting ungentlemanly warfare. Historian and author Helen Fry joins to discuss his life.
Episode Links
Why I Became an X Troop Commando: A Life of Colin Anson, the German who Fought for Churchill, by Helen Fry
Invasion of Sicily
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On the 30th April 1980 six armed Kuzhestanis burst into the Iranian Embassy at no.16 Prince’s Gate, in the smart London neighbourhood of Kensington. So began a six day siege that ended in dramatic scenes, broadcast on live TV, as members of the SAS smashed their way into the British consciousness, and the building, bringing to an end the terrorist attack in a ruthlessly executed operation.
Joining me is bestselling author Ben Macintyre as we discuss Operation Nimrod, the SAS, the hostages and the significance of the event to Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
Episode Links
The Siege with Ben Macintyre
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Remember, remember, the 5th of November,
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason
Why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot.
Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes, 'twas his intent
To blow up the King and the Parliament
Three score barrels of powder below
Poor old England to overthrow
By God's providence he was catch'd
With a dark lantern and burning match
Holler boys, holler boys, let the bells ring
Holler boys, holler boys
God save the King!
Joining to discuss is Peter Tonkin, historian and novelist of the period and author of Shadow of Treason.
Episode Links
Shadow of Treason
Richard Hammond blows up Parliament
Examples of torture
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Early on the 10th July 1943, advance units of elite British troops landed on the island of Sicily, and began series of raids against the Germans to allow the larger force to land on the beaches, and so began the invasion of Sicily. The unit tasked with this key job was the SAS, now a ruthless fighting force. joins to discuss.
Joining to discuss is Gavin Mortimer author of The SAS in 1943: Operations in Sicily and Italy.
Episode Links
The SAS in 1943: Operations in Sicily and Italy
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This month’s film club is the epic Alexander, directed by Oliver Stone, starring Colin Farrell, Angelina Jolie and Val Kilmer.
Links
Alexander on IMDB
Alexander on Wikipedia
Alexander the Great, by Robin Lane Fox
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Blair Paddy Mayne was one of the most decorated soldiers of the Second World War, and one of the original members of the SAS. After David Stirling was captured he commanded the regiment and carried out incredible acts of heroism, but controversially was never awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry. He also battled demons as his war experiences, including discovering concentration camps, had a big effect on his mental health.
Joining to discuss Paddy Mayne is Damien Lewis, author of SAS Daggers Drawn as we look at the psychological impact on Mayne and his comrades during the war.
Episode Links
SAS Daggers Drawn
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On the 21st October 1805, 27 ships of the line of the Royal Navy, under the command of Admiral Horatio Nelson engaged the combined fleets of France and Spain. Nelson sent the signal, ‘England Expects every man to do his duty’ and over the next few hours, under terrible fighting conditions, the British fleet overcame their enemy and won a famous victory, but at a cost.
Joining to discuss the battle of Trafalgar is naval historian and hydrographer Michael Barritt, author of Nelson’s Pathfinders as we discuss the conditions, the seamanship and the hydrography, the discipline of naval intelligence, the method to chart sea beds – it’s worth remembering the Royal Navy lost twice as many ships to shipwreck as to battle.
Episode Links
Nelson's Pathfinders: A Forgotten Story in the Triumph of British Sea Power
Breaking the Line - Map of the battle
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On the evening of 21st October 1805 Great Britain won perhaps her finest military victory, defeating the navies of France and Spain in one of the bloodiest naval battles at Trafalgar, not far from Gibraltar. In command was Admiral Horatio Nelson, who had tragically been shot by a cowardly French sharpshooter, though as his life ebbed away, he was consoled that victory was his. When the news reached England, the country was plunged into grief, despite the result.
Joining me to discuss the great man is Dominic Sandbrook. He has written a fantastic new book, Nelson: Hero of the Seas, and is one half of a very well-known podcast. Coming up on Tuesday I have naval historian Michael Barritt talking Trafalgar on the anniversary.
Episode Links
Nelson: Hero of the Seas
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On the 11th September 1683, at the great city of Vienna, the armies of the Ottoman Empire were preparing to storm the city, but their scouts to the west noticed a vast cavalry force approaching. The next day Christian horsemen (Poles, Lithuanians, Germans of the Holy Roman Empire and Cossacks) swept down upon the troops of the Caliph and swept them away in one of the most stunning military victories of all time. But what lay at the heart of this clash between Christendom and the Caliphate, West vs. East, Christianity vs. Islam?
Joining to discuss is historian of the Middle East Simon Mayall. We talk about the past’s influence on today’s fanatics, the conquests of Spain and the Levant by the Moors and the Crusaders and much much more.
Episode Links
The House of War: The Struggle between Christendom and the Caliphate
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Publius Ovidius Naso was a Roman poet much of whose life coincided with the reign of Augustus. He was the most famous poet during this time, a genuine superstar, and his works dealing with sex, violence and mythology have meant he continues to attract study, translations and books today - Metamorphoses being his most famous work.
Joining me today is Fiona Forsyth, author of Poetic Justice, who discusses the poet’s life, his work and his legacy, as well as a recommended translation.
Episode Links
Poetic Justice
Metamorphoses, transl. Stephanie McCarter
Ovid Banished from Rome, JWM Turner
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Within months of the allies liberation of Naples in October of 1943 the city was plunged into the horrors of disease, starvation, prostitution and racketeering. How did this happen, who was responsible, what about the mafia and what was the impact on a city that is despised by the rest of Italy, and itself views the world very differently from other Mediterranean cities.
Joining is Keith Lowe, author of Naples 1944, an account of the chaos that resulted from what was supposed to be a release from the misery of occupation.
Episode Links
Naples 1944: War, Liberation and Chaos
The Skin, by Curzio Malaparte
DDT
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On the 25th October 1415 Henry V led the English army onto the field of Agincourt. There he defeated the flower of French chivalry to win perhaps the finest victory of the medieval period, made famous by Shakespeare’s play. But who was Henry V? Brilliant general, skilled politician or simply a warmonger? And is there a figure from the past that he most resembles?
Dan Jones, the author of a new biography of Henry joins to answer these and many more questions as we try to get to the bottom of who Henry V was.
Episode Links
Henry V: The Astonishing Rise of England's Greatest Warrior King, Dan Jones
YouTube video of young Henry's surgical procedure to remove the arrowhead
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Our Operation Market Garden series concludes with a chat on the 1977 classic directed by Richard Attenborough.
Joining is Roger Moorhouse, author of The Forgers, and film maker Tim Hewitt.
Links
ChatDMZ - Market Garden
A Bridge Too Far on IMDB
A Bridge Too Far on Wikipedia
Dirk Bogarde Interview
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Roger on X
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At 3 o’clock in the afternoon on the 20th September 1944 in Nijmegen, Holland, men of the 504th regiment, US 82nd Airborne embarked in canvas rowing boats and began an amphibious assault that was one of the most heroic in military history. Facing the well defended objective on the north end of the Nijmegen bridge over the river Waal, 134 men were killed or wounded in the crossing, more than half the force, but the attack was a success and the bridge was captured. The road to Arnhem was the final jigsaw in Operation Market Garden. Or was it?
Joining me are two historians to discuss the operation as a whole, from the airborne forces tasked with capturing Eindhoven, Nijmegen and Arnhem, to XXX corps and the German troops facing them. Gordon Corrigan takes the allied side, and Philip Blood the German.
Episode Links
It Never Snows in September, Kershaw
Sky Warriors, David
A Bridge Too Far, Ryan
Airborne Carpet, Farrar-Hockley
Arnhem 1944, Middlebrook
Arnhem, Beevor
Arnhem: Black Tuesday, Murray
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On Sunday the 17th September 1944 the 1st Airborne Division began dropping into Arnhem to begin a battle that remains iconic to this day. Within 2 days progress was proving difficult and on Tuesday the 19th, Black Tuesday, things had come to a head. The commander, Roy Urquhart had gone missing, his subordinates were squabbling over command, only 1 battalion had made it to the objective, Arnhem Bridge, and the paras had come up against stiff resistance.
Continuing our Operation Market Garden special, historian and comedian Al Murray joins to talk about that most heroic of failures, the Battle of Arnhem, and focusing on one day when success or failure was decided.
Al Murray Links
Arnhem: Black Tuesday
Command: How the Allies Learned to Win the Second World War
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Arnhem was one of the greatest battles fought by the British in World War Two. 10,000 men went in, but only 2,000 came out. We’re at the 80th anniversary and Saul David joins to discuss the plan, the personalities involved and the action itself in this special series on Operation Market Garden. Saul is the author of Sky Warriors, which is an account of British Airborne Forces throughout the war. Today we’ll get Saul’s take on the plan, the intelligence, and whether everyone did their job.
This is the first in a series. Next Al Murray joins to talk Black Tuesday, the 19th September, then Gordon and Philip discuss the wider operation as a whole, and finally the Film Club revisits A Bridge Too Far.
Saul David Links
Sky Warriors
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On the 12th March 1938 German troops crossed the border into Austria, thus completing the Anschluss, the annexation by Germany. Resistance was non existent, in fact the Wehrmacht was greeted by cheering crowds as Nazi flags were draped over the beautiful city of Vienna.
The referendum that followed may have achieved a 99.7% approval, but many in Europe were fearful of a coming war.
Jane Thynne, author of Midnight in Vienna, joins to discuss the city during the 1930s and that feeling of foreboding as communists, Nazis and spies mixed in the City of Music as it is known.
Jane Thynne Links
Midnight in Vienna
The Words I Never Wrote
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