Podcasts by Korean War Podcast

Episode 8.15 from 2023-12-09T15:00

Cuban exiles with the secret support of the American Government would in 1961, attempt a landing on the south coast of Cuba at the Bay of Pigs.  The invasion was crushed by the Cuban Army, Presi...

Episode 8.14 from 2023-12-02T15:00

When Fidel Castro took power in Cuba in 1959, his mask of being a liberal and a democrat fell.  There would be no free elections in Cuba.  Those who had fought in the Cuban revolution for a free...

Episode 8.13 from 2023-11-25T15:00

1958 saw the Guerrilla armies in Cuba grow in number.  The Cuban Army was sent to crush Fidel Castro and his rebels in operation summer, it nearly success but Fidel Castro led his men out of a t...

Episode 8.12 from 2023-11-18T15:00

During 1957, Fidel Castro guerrilla band would grow in numbers, they attacked isolated Army garrisons in Eastern Cuba and the Cuban Army would abandon parts of the countryside to the rebels.  Fi...

Episode 8.11 from 2023-11-11T15:00

Fidel and Raul Castro would form a small army of Cuban exiles in Mexico, to train and return to Cuba, to try to overthrow the Cuban dictatorship.  They would be joined by an Argentina doctor Che...

Episode 8.10 from 2023-11-10T15:15:21

Fidel Castro in 1952, when Cuba fell under a military dictatorship.  He founded the Movement an underground resistance to the Cuban Dictatorship.  The Movement in July 1953 launched an attack on...

Episode 8.9 from 2023-10-28T14:00

After the Spanish - American War, Americans dominated Cuba's economy.   Elections are often were marred by fraud.  In 1933 a revolution brought in a left wing Government but it lasted only a hun...

Episode 8.8 from 2023-10-21T14:00

The story of Latin America's most brutal dictator Trujillo who govern the Dominican Republic for 31 years and killed 50,000 of his people.  Yet even after his death the country was political uns...

Episode 8.7 from 2023-10-14T14:00

A political review of the states of South and Central America between 1945 and 1965.  Sadly it will be a story mainly of dictators, repression, unstable political environments, corruption and po...

Episode 8.6 from 2023-10-07T14:00

American involvement in Central America in the first half of the 20th Century.  The story of two countries, in the post war period which the Americans supported coups, one in Costa Rica, which e...

Episode 8.5 from 2023-09-30T14:00

The story of the early years of the American Central Intelligence Agency and it most important director Allan Dulles.  The CIA go on from a disappointing start during the Korean War to became th...

Episode 8.4 from 2023-09-23T14:00

When Eisenhower ran for President in 1952, the Korean War was an important issue during the election campaign.  When he became President he tried to end the Korean War, at first time without suc...

Episode 8.3 from 2023-09-16T14:00

For years President Truman had failed to invest in South Korea's defence, the North Korea invasion invasion in June 1950 came as a shock but Truman decided to commit American troops to the defen...

Episode 8.2 from 2023-09-09T14:00

The rise and fall of Senator Joe McCarthy, a biography of him is given.  Following a speech by him in 1950 he became the most famous anti-communist in American.  Hearing he chaired destroy the r...

Episode 8.1 from 2023-09-02T14:00

By 1945, the Soviet Union had established a highly effective spy ring operating in the United States.  Many of their spies were key figures within the American Government, they also spies in the...

Episode 7.20 from 2023-01-20T15:00

In 1964, Brezhnev ousts Khrushchev from the Soviet leadership in a coup.  A biography of Brezhnev is given.  He would firmly establish his leadership in 1965 and afterwards and remained leader u...

Episode 7.19 from 2023-01-14T15:00

The  Soviets bring down an American U2 spy plane over the Soviet Union and capture the pilot, this leads an international incident.  The building of the Berlin Wall in 1961, dividing the City of...

Episode 7.18 from 2023-01-07T15:00

A review of the course of the Cold War in Asia between 1945 and 1965.  This review will briefly deal with the effects of the Chinese Civil War, the First Indochina War, the Korean War, the start...

Episode 7.17 from 2022-12-24T15:00

General Khan the military ruler of Pakistan decided to go to war against India in 1965.  The war began in Kashmir but soon was being fought along the border between West Pakistan and India.  Bot...

Episode 7.16 from 2022-12-17T15:00

In this second episode on the Sino - Indian War of 1962, I look at the fighting in the Aksai Chin region in Eastern Kashmir where Chinese troops defeated the Indian Army and occupied the region....

Episode 7.15 from 2022-12-10T15:00

In October 1962 at the time of the Cuban Missile Crisis, Chinese troops attacked Indian along their disputed border.  This episode looks at the fighting in the North east frontier Area.  A biogr...

Episode 7.14 from 2022-12-03T15:00

A biography of Indian Prime Minister Nehru and the story of his work with the international non aligned movement which attached a great deal of support from the newly independent third world nat...

Episode 7.13 from 2022-11-26T15:00

India and Pakistan between 1947 and 1949 fight their first war against each other for control of Kashmir.  The population of the area was mainly Muslim but its ruler was not., he tried to keep K...

Episode 7.12 India's Wars from 2022-11-19T15:00

In 1947 India was to gain its independence but it had to broken up into two nations, India and Pakistan known as Partition.  In the run up to this the India was to witness an outbreak of murder,...

Episode 7.11 Queen Elizabeth II from 2022-11-12T15:00

This is a special one off tribute to Queen Elizabeth the Second who died in September.  It tells of her life and the British armed forces which she commanded from 1952 to 1965, when British troo...

Episode 7.10 China under Mao from 2022-11-05T14:00

In this episode I will tell of the rule of Mao over China following the Communist victory in the civil war to his death.  It was a very bloody period with millions of Chinese dying during this t...

Episode 7.9 China and the Korean War from 2022-10-29T14:00

An overview of the Chinese military intervention into the Korean War and how the Chinese military developed during the Korean War.  Improvements in the Chinese logistic system and the ability to...

Episode 7.8 Tibetan Uprising from 2022-10-22T14:00

An account of Tibetan resistance to Chinese control of Tibet.  In 1959 this would led to the Tibetan uprising in which over eighty thousand people would be killed.  The Dai Lai would go into exi...

Episode 7.7 Chinese Civil War from 2022-10-17T12:46:27

The Chinese Communists saw Tibet as part of China.  Talks between the Chinese and Tibetan Government failed to reach an agreement.  The People's Liberation Army defeats a Tibetan Army led by Nga...

Episode 7.6 Chinese Civil War from 2022-10-08T14:00

The Chinese Communists overrun the Nationalists in Southern Chain and capture the island Hainan.  They then defeat the warlords in Northern Western China.  The Nationalist flee to Taiwan where C...

Episode 7.5 Chinese Civil War from 2022-10-01T14:00

Chiang Kai - Shek is removed from power as Nationalist leader. Stalin suggest a cease fire but the Chinese Communists reject it.  A British warship is trapped by Communist artillery in the River...

Episode 7.4 Chinese Civil War from 2022-09-24T14:00

After the Communist victory in Manchuria, they march into Eastern China.  The capital Beijing falls to them after a 40 day siege.  The Communist win another major victory in a battle in Eastern ...

Episode 7.3 Chinese Civil War from 2022-09-17T14:00

Chiang Kai-Shek in June 1946 sends his Nationalist Army into North China and Manchuria to destroy the Communists.  The American Government imposed an arms embargo which includes, new motor lorri...

Episode 7.2 Chinese Civil War from 2022-09-10T14:00

After the Japanese surrender in August 1945, the Chinese Nationalist reoccupied the cites of Eastern Police along with them came their secret police led by Dai Li, known as the Chinese Himmler, ...

Episode 7.1 Chinese Civil War from 2022-09-03T15:28:31

The Long March to Civil War

The background to the Chinese Civil War, the fighting between the Nationalists and the Communists, in the twenties and thirites.  The Long Mar...

Episode 6.20 (Vietnam 1955 - 1965) from 2022-01-15T15:00

The American bombing of North Vietnam is halted over the 1965 Christmas period.  In this final episode of this series, I look at the state of the American military effort in South Vietnam at the...

Episode 6.19 (Vietnam 1955 -1965) from 2022-01-08T17:00

Military actions in South Vietnam during November and December 1965.  The American Army launch a series of search and destroy operations including operation Hump to find and kill the Viet Cong, ...

Episode 6.18 (Vietnam 1955 - 1965) from 2022-01-01T17:00

The first major battle between regular American soldiers from the 1st Cavalry Division and regular North Vietnamese troops.  There re two major engagements, one at landing zone X-Ray,  biography...

Episode 6.17 (Vietnam 1955 - 1965) from 2021-12-25T15:00

Military operations in South Vietnam in September and October 1965.  Australian and New Zealand military involvement in South Vietnam in 1965.  A biography of Major Charles Beckworth an American...

Episode 6.16 (Vietnam 1955 - 1965) from 2021-12-18T15:00

At first American troops in South Vietnam simply protect American bases but General Westmoreland get permission to change their role to include search and destroy operations to go out an fin the...

Episode 6.15 (Vietnam 1955-1965) from 2021-12-11T15:00

In this episode, I deal with the Viet Cong and the North Vietnamese Army their effective use of ambushes and bobby traps..  I compare their main gun the AK47 and the American M14 rifle and why t...

Episode 6.14 (Vietnam 1955 - 1965) from 2021-12-04T15:00

In this episode I look at the American Army in South Vietnam in 1965 as it builds up its resources in the country and begins to fight the Viet Cong and the North Vietnamese Army.  I shall deal w...

Episode 6.13 (Vietnam 1955 - 1965) from 2021-11-27T15:00

American ground forces build up in South Vietnam, air fields and barracks are built, to cope with the needs of an army from across the Pacific Ocean.  A biography of key figure in the Government...

Episode 6.12 (Vietnam 1955 -1965) from 2021-11-20T15:00

President Johnson orders the bombing of North Vietnam first during Operation Flaming Dart and then Rolling Thunder which would last until 1968 to force North Vietnam to give up its war in the So...

Episode 6.11 (Vietnam 1955 - 1965) from 2021-11-13T15:00

President Johnson decides to commit American Ground Troops to South Vietnam and to bomb North Vietnam, that is despite his own doubts as to whether a war in South Vietnam can be won, that is sha...

Episode 6.10 (Vietnam (1955 - 1965) from 2021-11-06T14:00

A biography of General Westmoreland the commander of the American military in South Vietnam from 1964 to 1968.  The Viet Cong launch several attacks in the latter part of 1964 but for the first ...

Episode 6.9 (Vietnam 1955 -1965) from 2021-10-30T14:00

North Vietnamese torpedo boats attack an American Destroyer in the Gulf of Tonkin, the attack fails.  However it is reports of a second attack which did not take place which makes the congress p...

Episode 6.8 (Vietnam 1955- 1965) from 2021-10-23T14:00

A profile of American Secretary of Defence Robert Mac Namara.  The gap between the positive view of how the war was going by General Harkins and MACV using doubtful data and that far less rosy v...

Episode 6.7 (Vietnam 1955 - 1965) from 2021-10-16T14:00

Following the murder of Diem there is political chaos in South Vietnam, there is a second coup within just two months as the South Vietnamese Army Generals struggle for power between themselves....

Episode 6.6 (Vietnam 1955 - 1965) from 2021-10-09T14:00

As Buddhist protests against President Diem grow in South Vietnam.  After much debate President Kennedy agrees to the demand of ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge to arrange a coup to bring down presi...

Episode 6.5 (Vietnam 1955 - 1965) from 2021-10-02T14:00

Even with the Viet Cong revolt in the south going badly for the Government.  President Diem now picks a fight with the majority Buddhist population, this leads to violent protest in the Cities o...

Episode 6.4 (Vietnam 1955 - 1965) from 2021-09-25T14:00

Events in Vietnam and Laos in 1962 and the first week of 1963.  Despite the increase in American military support for the South Vietnamese Government, the Viet Cong revolt grows in scale.  This ...

Episode 6.3 (Vietnam 1955 - 1965) from 2021-09-18T14:00

Event in Vietnam and Laos in 1961.  A biography of President Kennedy.  President Kennedy greatly increases the number of American military personnel from less than  thousand to over sixteen thou...

Episode 6.2 Vietnam 1955 - 1965 from 2021-09-11T14:00

Events in Vietnam and Laos in 1959 and 1960.  In 1959 the National Liberation Front is formed by the Communist they became commonly known as the Viet Cong with aid from North Vietnam the Communi...

Episode 6.1 Vietnam 1955 - 1965 from 2021-09-04T14:00

In this first of twenty episodes dealing with Vietnam between 1955 to 1965.  I look at the history of South Vietnam up to 1958 and its leader President Diem, for a short the country seemed stabl...

Introduction to Season six from 2021-08-07T14:00

Season six of this podcast season begin on Saturday September 4th.  It will deal with the military and political events in Vietnam and Laos between 1955 and 1965.  From the end of the First Indo...

Episode 5.35 from 2021-05-01T14:00

This episode deals with the Civil War in North Yemen and the final years of Nasser's rule in Egypt and the two subjects are highly interconnected because seventy thousand Egyptian troops would s...

Episode 5.34 from 2021-04-24T14:00

This episode deals with the Civil War in the Congo between 1960 and 1965 following independence from Belgium.  It became a proxy war of the cold war with the United States and the Soviet Union s...

Episode 5.33 from 2021-04-17T14:00

The British Army fought three guerrilla wars in the middle eastern region.  In Cyprus the British Army was involved in a guerrilla war against EOKA who fought for your union between Cyprus and G...

Episode 5.32 Suez Crisis 10 from 2021-04-10T14:00

Nasser reaps the rewards from the Suez Crisis.  British and French power in the middle east declines.  A biography of the new British Prime Minster Harold Macmillan.  The end of the British Empi...

Episode 5.31 Suez Crisis 9 from 2021-04-03T14:00

After just two days of fighting, the British Prime Sir Anthony Eden orders a cease fire, this would be followed by a humiliation withdraw from Port Said by British and French Forces.  Why, well ...

Episode 5.30 Suez Criisis 8 from 2021-03-27T14:00

British and French para-troops are landed around Port Said at the northern end of the Suez Canal.  Landings by a Royal Marine Brigade are brought forward to the next day, helicopters are used fo...

Episode 2.29 Suez Crisis 7 from 2021-03-20T14:00

The Royal Air Force and the French Air Force strike at the Egyptian military quickly destroying the Egyptian Air Force as an effective military force, helping the Israeli military in their campa...

Episode 5.28 Suez Crisis 6 from 2021-03-13T15:00

As had been agreed between the Israeli, British and French Government, the Israeli Army invades the Sinai, dropping para-troops near to the Suez Canal.  The Israeli Army defeats the Egyptian Arm...

Episode 5.27 Suez Crisis 5 from 2021-03-06T15:00

British public opinion is heavily divided by the decision of the Eden Government to commit British Armed Forces to an invasion of the Suez Canal.  The Labour Party is totally opposed to the use ...

Episode 5.26 Suez Crisis 4 from 2021-02-27T15:00

The British and French build up their military forces in Malta and Cyprus, ready for an invasion of the Suez Canal.  Senior members of the British, French and Israeli Government meet in secret t...

Episode 5.25 Suez Crisis 3 from 2021-02-20T15:00

President Nasser of Egypt links with the West grow worse, while his ties with the Soviet Union improve, the Communist block supplies new modern weapons to Egypt.  American and British Government...

Episode 5.24 Suez Crisis 2 from 2021-02-13T15:00

King Fakour of Egypt is deposed.  Within a few months, Nasser becomes the Egyptian leader, at first with American support.  A biography of Nasser is given. Britain agrees to remove its military ...

Episode 5.23 Suez Crisis 1 from 2021-02-06T15:00

The Suez Canal is built in 1869, it becomes a vital sea link for Britain who later occupy Egypt.  Britain takes military action to defend the Suez Canal in two world war and maintain a large mil...

Episode 5.22 Algerian War of Independence 10 from 2021-01-30T14:00

De Gaulle agrees to Algerian independence.  A million Pied Noir leave Algeria, most go to France, some to Spain, Canada and Israel.  A history of Algeria since 1962, FLN seize power and the coun...

Episode 5.21 Algerian War of Independence 9 from 2021-01-25T14:28:25

The senior Army leadership becomes increasingly disturbed by the policy of French President Charles De Gaulle towards Algeria.  Fearing that De Gaulle was moving towards giving Algeria independe...

Episode 5.20 Algerian War of Independence 8 from 2021-01-16T17:00

Militant Pied Noir leaders anger at De Gaulle talk of Algerian self determination stage a revolt in Algiers in January 1960, there is violence and the revolt last a week before it is ended.  A b...

Episode 5.19 Algerian War of Independence 7 from 2021-01-09T15:00

The French Army launch a series of offensive against the FLN.  A biography of French Army commander General Challe.  Attempts by French President Charles De Gaulle to reach out to Algerian Natio...

Episode 5.18 Algerian War of Independence 6 from 2021-01-02T15:00

The French built a wall between Algeria and Tunisia to prevent the flow of arms into Algeria.  The French Army and the Pied Noir grow angry with the Governments of the French Fourth Republic.  T...

Episode 5.17 Algerian War of Independence 5 from 2020-12-26T15:00

The French Tenth Para-troop Division is sent to Algiers to combat FLN terrorism in the City.  A biography of General Massu, the commander of the Tenth Para-troop Division.  The French para-troop...

Episode 5.16 Algerian War of Independence 4 from 2020-12-19T15:00

The number of French troops sent to Algeria increase to a massive half a million but they even large a force can not defeat the FLN.  The FLN begins a campaign of terrorism in the City of Algier...

Episode 5.15 Algerian War of Independence 3 from 2020-12-12T15:00

French Army reinforcements are sent to Algeria but they can not defeat the FLN.  A biography of FLN military leader Krim.  In August 1955, in and around the town of Phillipeville the FLN carry o...

Episode 5.14 Algerian War of Independence 2 from 2020-12-05T15:00

Proposed reforms for Algeria, are frustrated by the French Colonial Officials.  Young Algerian Muslims begin to believe that can be no chance of equality with independence and that can only achi...

Episode 5.13 Algerian War of Independence 1 from 2020-11-28T15:00

In,1830, France begin a conquest of Algeria.  European immigrants move to Algeria, they would be known as the Pied Noir, they were granted French citizenship, not so the Algerian Muslims.  The S...

Episode 5,12 Iran 1953 from 2020-11-21T15:00

The Iranian oil industry was controlled by the British.  Iranian Prime Minister Mosaddegh nationalise the Oil industry, the British try to boycott the sale of Iranian Oil.  A biography of Mosadd...

Episode 5.11 First Arab - Israeli War 10 from 2020-11-14T15:00

The peace talks between Israel and the Arab states which ended the war.  The plight of refugees from Palestine.  The expulsion of hundreds of thousands of Jews. from the Arab states.  Why the go...

Episode 5.10 First Arab - Israeli War 9 from 2020-11-07T16:00

The Israeli Army wins control of the Western Negev.  The Israeli Army then invades the Sinai, the British Government threatens war if the Israelis did not withdrew from the Sinai, so David Ben G...

Episode 5.9 First Arab - Israeli War 8 from 2020-10-31T14:00

The third ad final phase of the war begins in October 1948, with the Israeli Army concentrating its forces in the south against the Egyptian Army.  The Israeli Army encircle the Egyptian Fourth ...

Episode 5.8 First Arab - Israeli War 7 from 2020-10-24T14:00

The story of the second United Nations Cease Fire between July and October 1948, the life and murder of UN peace maker Count Bernadotte.  The end of the Arab enclave of the Little Triangle, sout...

Episode 5.7 First Arab - Israeli War 6 from 2020-10-17T14:00

The first UN backed cease fire breaks down and it takes ten days to arrange a second cease fire.  In the ten days of fighting the Israeli Army captures Nazareth, Ramla and Southern Judea but att...

Episode 5.6 First Arab - Israeli War 5 from 2020-10-10T14:00

The Israeli Army suffered a series of defeats in the West Bank, an attempt to take the town of Jenin is beaten by the Iraqi Army.  Jordan's Arab Legion beat off Israeli attacks on Latrum and Rad...

Episode 5.5 First Arab - Israeli War 4 from 2020-10-03T14:00

The Syrian Army invades North Eastern Israel but they are firmly repulsed.  The commander of the Israeli forces is Mosha Daylan a biography of him.  The Egyptian Army advances along the coast to...

Episode 5.4 First Arab Israeli War3 from 2020-09-26T14:00

The state of Israel was created in May 1948, it was a state born in battle for it would be attacked by the Arab states.  However the Arab armies were a poor shape to conduct a modern war.  A rev...

Episode 5.3 First Arab - Israeli War 2 from 2020-09-19T14:00

In the led up to the end of the British mandate, the level of violence between the Jewish and Arab community grows in scale.  The both sides prepare for war.  Jewish forces captured Arab cities ...

Episode 5.2 First Arab - Israeli War 1 from 2020-09-12T14:00

The history of the British mandate in Palestine from 1917 to 1947.  Jewish immigration into Palestine.  The Arab revolt between 1936 and 1939.  After the Second World War growing violence in Pal...

Episode 5.1 Africa 1945 - 1956 from 2020-09-05T14:00

In the this first episode of season five dealing with the Cold War in Africa and the Middle East.  I talk of two colonial wars, the Madagascan uprising against the French and the Mau Mau revolt ...

Episode 4.27 The Military Balance from 2020-03-14T14:00

In this last episode of season four, i discuss the Military Balance in Europe between 1945 and 1956.  After the Second World War ended the Soviets maintained a much larger military force than th...

Episode 2.26 Hungarian Revolution 10 from 2020-03-07T15:00

The history of the rest of Kadar dictatorship of Hungary until the fall of Communism.  Then a brief history of Hungary from 1988 to the present date.  A biography of the Catholic Archbishop of H...

episode 4.25 Hungarian Revolution 9 from 2020-02-29T15:00

Following the crushing of the Hungarian Revolution by the Soviet Army., the Hungarian Communist Government of Kadar takes revenge, thousands are imprisoned and hundreds are hanged.  Many spend y...

Episode 2.24 Hungarian Revolution 8 from 2020-02-22T15:00

On Sunday 4th November 1956, the Soviet Army assaults  Budapest to crush the Hungarian revolution.  In a one sided battle against poorly armed and poorly trained Hungarian revolutions, the Sovie...

Episode 4.23 Hungarian Revolution 7 from 2020-02-15T15:00

The events of Thursday 1st November until Saturday 3rd November 1956.  The Soviet Army reinforces its tanks and troops in Hungary and prepares for an assault on Budapest to crush the Hungarian R...

Episode 4.22 Hungarian Revolution 6 from 2020-02-08T15:00

The events of Wednesday 30th October and Thursday 31st October 1956.  The revenge killing of AVH secret policeman carries on.  Prime Minister Imre Nagy promises dramatic democratic reforms for t...

Episode 4.21 Hungarian Revolution 5 from 2020-02-01T15:00

The events of Friday 26th October until Monday 29th October 1956.  the revolution in the rest of Hungary outside of Budapest a biography of Attila Szigetthy leader of the revolution in Western H...

Episode 4.20 Hungarian Revolution 4 from 2020-01-25T15:00

The events of Wednesday 24th October and Thursday 25th October 1956.  Soviet troops and tanks are sent into Budapest to crush the popular revolt against the Hungarian Communist regime.  However ...

Episode 4.19 Hungarian Revolution 3 from 2020-01-18T15:00

The events of Tuesday 23rd October 1956.  A student march in Budapest grows into a mass protest of two hundred thousand people as the Citizens of Budapest take the chance to protest against the ...

Episode 4.18 Hungarian Revolution 2 from 2020-01-11T15:00

Reformist Hungarian Prime minister Imre Nagy tries to bring in reforms but is partly blocked by Communist leader Rakosi.  The Soviets remove both men from power.  A biography of Imre Nagy a key ...

Episode 4.17 Hungarian Revolution 1 from 2020-01-04T15:00

The story of Hungary from the Soviet occupation in 1944 to 1953.  Stalin decides upon Rakosi to be the Hungarian Communist ruler, he imposes a harsh repressive regime upon the country, with a se...

Episode 4.16 East German People Revolt from 2019-12-21T15:00

In 1953 workers in East Berlin went on strike to protest against new higher production demands set by the Communist East German Government.  The strikers marched though East Berlin.  The strikes...

Episode 4.15 Kim Philby from 2019-12-14T15:00

The Albania Communist Party seized control of the country in late 1944.  However the Albanian Communist Party would be greatly weakened by internal purges.  After the break between Tito and Stal...

Episode 4.14 Berlin Airlift from 2019-12-07T15:00

In the summer of 1948, Stalin decides to cut road, rail and river transport into West Berlin, to force the Western allies out of the City.  However the Americans and British began an operation t...

Episode 4.13 Empire of the Red Czar from 2019-11-30T15:00

The story of how the Soviets occupied Eastern Europe at the end of the Second World War.  Stalin effectively runs an empire that runs from Central Europe to the Pacific Ocean an empire greater t...

Episode 4.12 Trieste Crisis 2 from 2019-11-23T15:00

Lack of support from Stalin forces Tito to withdraw from Trieste in 1945.  However in 1946 a crisis over control of the city flares up after the Yugoslavs shot down two American planes, war seem...

Episode 4.11 Trieste crisis 1 from 2019-11-16T15:00

At the end of the Second World War Churchill and Truman agree to send the Second New Zealand Division on a race to reach the city of Trieste before the Yugoslav Communist can reach.  However the...

Episode 4.10 from 2019-11-09T15:00

The largest and mostly costly battle of the Greek Civil War takes places in August 1949 in the Vitsi and Grammos mountain range, it results in a victory for the Greek Government forces.  The Gre...

Episode 4.9 from 2019-11-02T14:00

The most important factor in the defeat of the Greek Communist was the spilt between Yugoslavian leader Tito and Stalin.  A biography of Tito and a the nature of the spilt.  The Greek Communist ...

Episode 4.8 from 2019-10-26T14:00

The Communist Democratic army of Greece launches a conversational war offensives against several Greek towns, however they are badly beaten at the Battle for the town of Florina in Northern Gree...

Episode 4.7 from 2019-10-19T14:00

The Communist Democratic Army of Greece is reorganised to take part in conversational warfare.  The Greek Government's National Army receives weapons and equipment from the American Government. ...

Episode 4.6 from 2019-10-12T14:00

In 1947 the Greek Civil War becomes much more intense and wider in scale than in 1946.  American military advisors find the Greek National Army in a poor state to fight a guerrilla war against t...

Episode 4.5 from 2019-10-05T14:00

The United States Government replaces the British Government has the main backer of the Greek Government.  In March 1947 President Harry S Truman addresses congress to announce large scale help ...

Episode 4.4 from 2019-09-28T14:00

In March 1946, a Communist guerrilla raid upon a town is seen in hindsight as the start of the Greek Civil War, yet it would be many months before most Greek people realised they there was a civ...

Episode 4.3 from 2019-09-21T14:00

Any hope that the Greek Left could take part in the Greek political system is prevented by a campaign of harassment against the Left.  Thousands of Leftist are imprisoned and others are attacked...

Episode 4.2 from 2019-09-14T14:00

The Battle of Athens between the British Army and Greek Communists carries on.  British reinforcements and firepower began to turn the tide of the battle in their favour.  A biography of Lieuten...

Episode 4.1 from 2019-09-07T14:00

The Communist controlled ELAS becomes the strongest resistance movement against Axis occupation of Greece during the Second World War.  When in late 1944 the German army pulls out of Greece the ...

Introduction to season four from 2019-08-10T14:00

An introduction to season four of this podcast which will deal with the Cold War in Europe between 1944 to 1956.  It will begin on Saturday 7th September will a ten part weekly series on Greece ...

Episode 3.15 from 2019-03-30T14:00

In 1946 the Philippines becomes independent but there is much corruption and Police oppression.  A rural revolt begins, the Communist do not support it until May 1948.  When the Korean War start...

Episode 3.14 from 2019-03-23T14:00

There is growing distrust between Indonesian President Sukarno and the Communist towards the Army Generals.  After a failed left wing coup in October 1965, the Generals turn on the Communists ki...

Episode 3.13 from 2019-03-16T14:00

Indonesian troops launch raids against the Malaya mainland.  In North Borneo there are several firefights between Indonesian and Commonwealth troops.  The war goes badly for the Indonesians, it ...

Episode 3.12 from 2019-03-09T15:00

The left wing revolt in North Borneo in 1962 is defeated by the British Army.  Indonesian President Sukarno sends Indonesian regular troops to fight in North Borneo in 1963. The battle of Long J...

Episode 3.11 from 2019-02-02T15:00

The Indonesian War of Independence against the Dutch.  A biography of Indonesian President Sukarno, he slide into dictatorship.  Sukarno growing links with Communism at home and aboard.  Sukarno...

Episode 3.10 from 2018-11-02T14:32:22

Malaysia becomes an independent state.  A biography of Henry Lee a senior member of the Government of Malaysia.  The emergency comes to an end in 1960, the Communist guerrillas having been defea...

Episode 3.9 from 2018-10-27T14:00

The British Army and Malay Police grind down the Communist guerrillas, increasing amounts of Malaya are declared free of Communist terrorism.  The Malay Communist Party seek a peace deal with th...

Episode 3.8 from 2018-10-20T14:00

High Commissioner Gerald Templer creates so called 'white areas' free of Communist terrorism where the emergency regulations can be ended.  The British Army push the Communists back into the jun...

Episode 3.7 from 2018-10-13T14:00

Gerald Templer becomes the new High Commission and Director of Operations in Malaya.  He dismisses officials who have been block to good cooperation between the Army and civil administration.  T...

Episode 3.6 from 2018-10-06T14:00

The life and death of Sir Henry Gurney, who is murdered in a Communist ambush.  The rising level of Communist terrorism in Malaya.  The disappointing results for the British military in 1951.  A...

Episode 3.5 from 2018-09-29T14:00

The military campaign in 1950 in Malaya.  A look at the Communist tactics against British Army patrols and what life was like in a Communist camp.  Sir Harold Briggs arrives in Britain to become...

Episode 3.4 from 2018-09-22T14:00

The war in Malaya between the British Army and the Communists in 1949. The growing level of Communist terrorist activity. The British Colonial Government recruits ethnic Malays to fight the main...

Episode 3.3 from 2018-09-15T14:00

The war in Malaya between the British Army and the Communists begins in June 1948 with the killing of three British rubber planters.  The British killed the military commander of the Communist f...

Episode 3.2 from 2018-09-08T14:00

The Communist Malay People's Anti Japanese Army fight a guerrilla war against the Japanese occupation and are armed by the British.  In 1945 British troops reoccupy Malaya but their policy of th...

Episode 3.1 from 2018-09-01T14:00

A short history of the growing British economic and political power in Malaya during the 18th, 19th and early 20th Century.  The large scale immigration of Chinese and Indians to work in British...

Episode 2.20 from 2018-03-03T15:00

At the Geneva Peace conference in 1954, an agreement is reached to end the war in Indochina.  Vietnam would be divided, the Communist gaining control of the north.  The French Army leave Hanoi a...

Episode 2.19 from 2018-02-24T15:00

On May 1st General Giap orders the Viet Minh army to attack the remaining French defensive positions, most of the attacks are successful. The French are greatly outnumbered and even the wounded ar...

Episode 2.18 from 2018-02-17T15:00

The Viet Minh took some weeks to restock their supply of Artillery and Mortar shells and received new recruits into their infantry to replace the losses they had suffered. A biography of Colonel A...

Episode 2.17 from 2018-02-10T15:00

Lieutenant Colonel Langlais assumes effective control of the French garrison at Dien Bien Phu, a biography of him. The Viet Minh attack the eastern defences of the French base, most of which are s...

Episode 2.16 from 2018-02-03T15:00

On March 1954, the Viet Minh launched an artillery barrage upon the French garrison. In the evening Viet Minh infantry attacked the Beatrice defensive position, capturing it an destroying a Foreig...

Episode 2.15 from 2018-01-27T15:00

The French Army build a defensive positions around Dien Bien Phu, with blockhouse protected by barbed wire and trenches. The French Army raids into the surrounding countryside become more difficul...

Episode 2.14 from 2018-01-20T15:00

On November 20th 1953, the French Army drop parachute troops into the area of Dien Bien Phu. The French win control of the area after a battle with local Viet Minh forces. An airstrip is built an...

Episode 2.13 from 2018-01-13T15:00

Opposition to the war in France grows. General Henri Navarre is appointed as the new commander of the French Army in Indochina. He plans to expand both French forces and those of his Vietnamese a...

Episode 2.12 from 2018-01-06T15:00

General Salan becomes the new commander of the French Army in Indochina, a biography of him. The French Army sends men to train the hill tribesmen to fight the Viet Minh. The French Army launches...

Episode 2.11 from 2017-12-30T15:00

The commander of the French Army in Indochina, General De Lattre improves relations with the Americans. The French Army captures the town of Hoa Binh but the Viet Minh fight to cut the supply rout...

Episode 2.10 from 2017-12-23T15:00

General Giap decides to defeat the French Army in a open battle within the Red River Delta. The appointment of the French Army commander in Indochina General De Lattre, a biography of him. He ord...

Episode 2.9 from 2017-12-16T15:00

There is a lack of proper coordination between the French Army in Indochina and the American Military Mission in Saigon. An account a guerrilla camp in outside of Saigon. The French Army is bett...

Episode 2.8 from 2017-12-09T15:00

As a result of the Communists winning the Chinese Civil War, the border is opened up for the supply of heavy weapons to the Viet Minh. The Viet Minh also set training schools in southern Chin...

Episode 2.7 from 2017-12-02T15:00

At last the French Government agrees to grant a nominal form of independence to a Government in Vietnam under the leadership of the former emperor. There is heavy fighting along highway four clos...

Episode 2.6 from 2017-11-17T17:27:21

As the war drags on there are outrages carried out by both sides. In France, the war became known as the dirty war. There is heavy fighting along Highway Four, near to the border with China. A b...

Episode 2.5 from 2017-11-17T17:06:20

The Viet Minh launch a guerrilla war against the French bur avoid an all out battle. The different types of types of troops within the French Army. Why the French Government refused to reach a pe...

Episode 2.4 from 2017-11-17T17:05:52

The French military stage their coup to regain control of North Vietnam. In November 1946, the French Army with naval support seize the port of Haiphong. In December the French Army defeat the Vi...

Episode 2.3 from 2017-11-17T17:05:13

The French Army commander General Leclerc reaches an uneasy peace deal with Ho Chi Minh., which allows the French Army to return to its former bases in the North. However the General is replaced b...

Episode 2.2 from 2017-11-11T15:00

In August 1945, the Japanese Empire surrenders. In Vietnam, Nationalist seize the cities. In Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh declares the independence of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. and exercises cont...

Episode 2.1 from 2017-11-04T14:00

The French occupy Indochina and use exploit the resources of the country, trying to crush any form of Vietnamese Nationalism. A biography of Ho Chi Minh, the leader of the Vietnamese Communist Par...

Special Edition from 2017-10-25T15:05:24

A special edition regarding the current crisis in Korea over the North Korean atomic bomb and missile programs.

Episode 68 from 2016-12-17T15:00

In the final episode of this podcast series, I tell of some of the major incidents along the Demilitarised Zone and off the seas of Korea that have occurred since the end of the Korean War.

Episode 67 from 2016-12-10T16:00

In this the second of three special episode to wrap up on the Korean War, I shall attempt to answer question sent to me by listeners.

Episode 66 from 2016-12-03T16:00

In the first of three special episode, I tell the stories of some of the winners of the congressional medal of honour and the Victoria Cross won during the Korean War. 

Episode 65 from 2016-11-26T16:00

At last the final day of the Korean War arrives.  An armistice is signed at Panmunjon between Nam Il and Harrison.  However there are still artillery and air attacks even on this last day.  Both...

Episode 64 from 2016-11-19T16:00

The peace talks at Panmunjon make slow but steady progress to reaching a cease fire deal to end the Korean War.  However there still time for the Chinese Army to successfully launch their summer...

Episode 63 from 2016-11-12T16:00

Fighting along the front line in June 1953.  The South Korean President Rhee orders that 25,000 North Korean Prisoners of War who do not wish to return to North Korea are to be helped to escape....

Episode 62 from 2016-11-05T15:00

Fighting along the front line in May 1953 but the Korean War was not ended on the battlefield but at the peace talks at Panmunjon.  The peace began again and make slow but steady progress.  A bi...

Episode 61 from 2016-10-29T16:00

The Chinese Army overruns Old Baldy and American attempts to recapture it fails.  General Maxwell Taylor the commander of the Eighth Army decides to halt any further counter attacks.  The battle...

Episode 60 from 2016-10-22T16:00

Stalin's health is poor due to old age but he blames the Doctors, so begins the Doctors Plot and the arrest of hundreds of doctors.  In March 1953, after a heavy drinking Stalin suffers a stroke...

Episode 59 from 2016-10-15T16:00

The fighting along the front line in January and February 1953.  The failure of the American attack upon Spud Hill.  The life of an American infantryman in the Korean War.  Van Fleet is replaced...