The sinking of the USS Scorpion and the Velvet Revolution

I’m a big fan of the History Daily podcast, where my good friend Lindsay Graham takes you back in time to explore a momentous moment that happened ‘on this day’ in history. Visit Historydaily.com or search History Daily in your podcast app to learn more. As an introduction to History Daily I have selected two … Read more

America’s Cold War Scottish Bastion

  David McKay 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! His book highlights the Scottish bases’ significant role in supporting the US military over three decades. David brings his expertise … Read more

Commanding a Cold War US Navy Nuclear Missile Submarine

    Bill Woodman is a former US Navy nuclear missile submarine commander, who shares his rich experiences from joining the US Naval Academy in 1964 to commanding two submarines, the USS James Monroe and the USS Alabama during the Cold War. Bill opens up about his initial aspirations, rigorous training at the Naval Academy, … Read more

Cold War Canadian airborne anti-submarine missions

    Colonel Terry Chester’s flying career spanned some 42 years, and 10,000 flying hours. He joined the RCAF in Sept 1964 and in 1968 was awarded Navigator Wings. Terry flew for 3,000 hrs on the Argus Maritime patrol aircraft where he spent a good portion of his RCAF career hunting for Soviet Submarines in both … Read more

Commanding a Cold War Royal Navy Polaris Nuclear Missile Submarine

  Our conversation with Rob Forsyth continues with his posting as a Lieutenant Commander or second in command to HMS Repulse, a Polaris nuclear missile submarine. We hear in detail the challenges of command on these boats, their launch procedures and the conversations Rob had with his captain about the circumstances when they might refuse … Read more

Cold War Royal Navy Diesel Submarine officer during the 1960s and 70s

    Rob Forsyth joined the Royal Navy in 1961. By March 1962 as a young officer, he joined HMS Auriga a 1945 vintage diesel submarine. Within 7 months the 22-year-old was loading live torpedoes and preparing for a war mission during the tense days of the Cuban Missile Crisis.  Robs tell of many fascinating … Read more

On Her Majesty’s Nuclear Submarine Service

  Commodore Eric Thompson MBE is the author of the book “On Her Majesty’s Nuclear Service. He is a career nuclear submarine officer who served from the first days of the Polaris missile boats until after the end of the Cold War. He joined the Navy in the last days of Empire, made his first … Read more

Cold War Royal Navy submarine missions

  Today we speak with Ian Ballantyne, the author of “Hunter Killers”, also known as “Undersea Warriors” in the United States. Hunter Killers’ tells the incredible, true inside story of the Royal Navy’s Cold War beneath the waves. Buy the book and support the podcast on the link below. We talk about the forgotten role … Read more

Life on a Polaris Nuclear Missile Submarine

As a restless and adventurous 18-year-old, Richard Humphreys joined the submarine service in 1985 and went on to serve aboard the nuclear deterrent for five years at the end of the Cold War. Buy the book here and support the podcast. Now before we start his story as I’d like to tell you about some … Read more