Berlin

From Cold War Berlin to Belfast – A Para’s Story Pt 2

  David Mackay is a former Cold War special forces officer and author of Bubbleheads, SEALs and Wizards: America’s Scottish Bastion in the Cold War. Listen on Apple PodcastsListen on SpotifyListen on YouTubeBecome a Patron! The conversation extends to further experiences in East Berlin, West Germany, Nigeria, and Northern Ireland, highlighting the varied roles and … Read more

9th November 1989 Memories of the opening of the Berlin Wall

  I’m working on an episode of people’s memories of the opening of the Berlin Wall on 9th November 1989. If you’d like to participate, please record your memories via the voice message feature below or record on your mobile phone and send me the file at ian “at” coldwarconversations.com. Thanks    

The ultimate guide to Cold War locations in Berlin

  Jonny Whitlam has been a Berlin tour guide since 2010, and since then he’s been showing travellers from across the world the fascinating history of Berlin. Listen on Apple PodcastsListen on SpotifyListen on Google PodcastsBecome a Patron! We met via social media after I noticed his great videos describing well-known and lesser know 20th-century … Read more

Volker – The Berlin Wall Escape Helper

  It’s 1966 in Berlin and the city has now been divided for 5 years by an almost impenetrable wall erected by the communist German Democratic Republic. West German student Volker Heinz joins a group looking for ways to help would-be fugitives escape from East to West. Their search ends at Checkpoint Charlie, the most … Read more

In conversation with 7 BRIXMIS veterans – Part 2

Part 2, or a two part recording. Part 1 is here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode268 Listen on Apple PodcastsListen on SpotifyListen on Google PodcastsBecome a Patron! In October of 2022, I was asked by the West Pennines Military Vehicle Trust to moderate a Q&A session with a number of BRIXMIS veterans. Attending were Drivers Neil Walton, Pete Curran,  Dave … Read more

In conversation with 7 BRIXMIS veterans – Part 1

In October of 2022, I was asked by the West Pennines Military Vehicle Trust to moderate a Q&A session with a number of BRIXMIS veterans. Listen on Apple PodcastsListen on SpotifyListen on Google PodcastsBecome a Patron! Part 2 is here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode270 Attending were Drivers Neil Walton, Pete Curran,  Dave Collins, and Kev Smith,  plus Sandy Saxton-Warne … Read more

Guarding Rudolf Hess, Hitler’s Deputy Führer

Dave Phillips is a Yeoman Warder at the Tower of London. The Yeoman Warders have been guarding the Tower since Tudor times. Dave joined the British Army aged 16 into the Royal Irish Rangers. We hear of his early years in the Army in Northern Ireland and his posting to West Berlin. In West Berlin … Read more