Battleground - podcast cover

Battleground

Goalhanger
A history podcast that explores the narratives, turning points and characters that shape conflicts, encompassing a blend of social and military history. Following on from the series on the Falklands War, best-selling military historians Patrick Bishop and Saul David turned their attention to the war in Ukraine, and now every Wednesday look back to the seismic events of 1945. Goalhanger Podcasts
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Episodes

6. Ukraine Strikes Back

In the wake of the massive Ukrainian breakthrough in the Kharkiv area, and the recapturing of vast swathes of Ukrainian territory, we hear from the former head of the British Army General Lord Dannatt, who has been closely following events in Ukraine. Saul and Patrick also discuss what this all means going forward, as well as the alleged attempt on Putin's life. Twitter: @PodBattleground Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastc...

Sep 16, 20221 hr 11 min

5 . War crimes & 'the Reckoning'

A horrifying feature of the War in Ukraine has been the atrocities committed, particularly against the civilian population. Veteran war reporter Janine di Giovanni joins Patrick and Saul this week to discuss this and the work she is doing as part of the Reckoning Project. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 09, 202247 min

4. A Lieutenant-Colonel's frontline reality

Environmental engineer and serving Ukrainian Lieutenant Colonel - Pavlo Khazan, joins Patrick and Saul to talk about his role in commanding C4 operations on the frontline of the Russian invasion; giving insight into a new age of warfare, Ukrainian morale and the impact of Western aid. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 02, 202259 min

3. The Russian mindset

Russia's behavior in launching the invasion of Ukraine caught many in the West off guard, so Saul has been speaking to expert on Russian History - Professor Orlando Figes to understand what Putin's calculation may have been. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 26, 20221 hr 17 min

2. The Ukrainian counter-offensive

Ukrainian forces are looking to cut-off Russia's 'Land Bridge' to Crimea, with a possible large offensive being launched in the south of the country in the coming weeks. Patrick and Saul speak to Anglo-Ukrainian journalist Askold Krushelnycky, bringing up to date analysis on the geographical discrepancies in the fighting, and the considerable number of female fighters in the Ukrainian ranks. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podc...

Aug 19, 202245 min

Battleground: Ukraine

In this new series, Saul and Patrick explore the current conflict in Ukraine. They begin by looking back to the first days of hostilities in Kyiv with BBC journalist Paul Kenyon, followed by Ukrainian-American journalist Irena Chalupa giving an overview of the historic enmity between the two countries. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 12, 20221 hr 14 min

Bonus: Steve Hoyland, 148 Commando Battery

Steve Hoyland, who in 1982 was a parachute-qualified radio operator in the Royal Artillery’s 148 Commando Battery, gives a hair-raising account of his time on operations with the Special Forces during the campaign. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 02, 20221 hr 2 min

Bonus: 'Piggy' Trotter and bomb disposal

Graham 'Piggy' Trotter recounts his time as a Navy Clearance Driver during the campaign, including the heart-stopping de-fusing of a thousand pound bomb from RFA Sir Lancelot. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 25, 202238 min

16. Reflections and response

With hundreds of messages received through the course of the series, Patrick and Saul answer as many questions they can and add some responses from listeners who were involved in the campaign. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 18, 20221 hr 2 min

15. Going home

With the military action over, Saul and Patrick cover the aftermath of the war and the impact it had both on the nation and the individuals who were caught up in it. They end with personal reflections on what they've heard during the course of the series, and what's coming next. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 11, 202236 min

14. Surrender

With the Argentine forces routed in the mountains, the British task force roll into Port Stanley as the official surrender finally comes. Hear memories from the islanders, and Patrick's recollection of fellow journalist Max Hastings' legendary solo stroll to the pub. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 04, 202249 min

13. The Battle of Wireless Ridge

In the final phase of the battle for Port Stanley, the momentum of the initial assault continues as British forces assault Wireless Ridge and the Battle of Mount Tumbledown begins. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 27, 202240 min

12. The Battle for the Mountains

As the war nears its climax, British forces launch an attack on the Argentinian positions despite savage Falkland Island winter weather in the mountains surrounding Port Stanley. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 20, 202243 min

11. Disaster on the Sir Galahad

In one of the most tragic and horrifying incidents in the war for the British forces, the Sir Galahad landing craft is bombed when fully laden with Welsh Guards. Saul and Patrick explore the decisions that led to the tragedy, and the heroic defensive effort from fighter pilots David 'Mog' Morgan and Dave Smith in preventing further casualties. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 13, 202258 min

10. The race for Port Stanley

As focus turns towards the capital Port Stanley, a treacherous 'yomp' across difficult terrain and conflicting priorities from commanding officers mean the British forces are left vulnerable. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 06, 20221 hr 4 min

9. The Battle of Goose Green

As the British forces pushed into the island from their landing point at San Carlos Water, they encountered a well-defended Argentinian position in the settlement of Goose Green, leading to the most ferocious land battle of the war. Saul and Patrick explore the controversial reasoning behind the attack, with eye-witness testimony from those at the heart of the action. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 30, 20221 hr 7 min

8. The sinking of HMS Coventry and Atlantic Conveyor

After British successes in landing troops on the Falkland Islands, the Argentinian air force strike back, sinking two British ships with their bombs and French-built Exocet missiles. Saul posits a new theory about the fate of the supply ship Atlantic Conveyor, raising the possibility that it was deliberately sacrificed by British high command in order to save their tactically vital carriers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podc...

May 23, 202254 min

7. The Battle of San Carlos Water

The Argentinian Air Force mobilise and attack the landing British Task Force at San Carlos Water. Hear thrilling eye witness accounts from Mark Hankin, a 17-year-old Royal Marine tasked with machine gunning down the Argentinian jets, and Sargeant Dave Watkins, who was attempting get troops to shore in the cumbersome landing craft. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 16, 202253 min

6. The landing

After journeying for weeks through the Atlantic Ocean, the Task Force reaches the Falkland Islands and begins the difficult process of a successful amphibious landing. Having picked San Carlos Water on West Falkland as the entry point, the special forces must prepare the ground for the landings. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 09, 202243 min

5. The point of no return

As the Task Force leave Ascencion Island in the mid-Atlantic, making a shooting war inevitable, the British special forces turn their attention to a suspiciously positioned fishing trawler called Narwhal. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 02, 202235 min

4. The Sinking of the Belgrano & HMS Sheffield

It's May 1982. British Special Forces land on East Falkland and both the Argentinian cruiser Belgrano and the Royal Navy destroyer HMS Sheffield are sunk. Join Saul and Patrick for episode 4 of Battleground: The Falklands War, where they're joined by a former Special Forces operator who reveals his team's dramatic infiltration of the islands. Twitter: @PodBattleground Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...

Apr 25, 202243 min

3. Diplomacy fails, and retaking South Georgia

With the Task Force sailing towards the South Atlantic, how close did diplomatic efforts come to ending the war before a shot had been fired? Journalist Simon Jenkins, who was well-connected in the corridors of power at the time, explains the challenges Mrs Thatcher had to overcome, before Bob Headland, of the British Antarctic survey, gives an eye-witness account of the Argentine capture of South Georgia - another south Atlantic island some 900 miles from the Falklands. The retaking of South Ge...

Apr 18, 202253 min

2. The Task Force sails

Once Mrs Thatcher had resolved to send a military Task Force to the Falklands following the Argentine invasion, how easy was it for the navy to mobilise in such a short period of time? Two of the key military commanders - Rear Admiral Jeremy Larken, then captain of HMS Fearless, and Major General Julian Thompson of the Royal Marines' 3 Commando Brigade, join Patrick and Saul to discuss the 'lash-up' and the convoluted command structure under the controversial figure of Rear Admiral Sandy Woodwar...

Apr 11, 202252 min

1. A failure of intelligence

How did a small, remote group of islands in the south Atlantic spark one of Britain's most significant diplomatic and military incidents since the Second World War? Military historians Saul David and Patrick Bishop discuss the path that led to war between Argentina and the United Kingdom, and speak to Lord Luce, a foreign office minister who was at the heart of the diplomatic effort. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoic...

Apr 04, 202258 min

Trailer: The Falklands War

A history podcast that explores the narratives, turning points and characters that shape conflicts, encompassing a blend of social and military history. On its fortieth anniversary, 'Battleground' begins with a series on The Falklands War, hosted by foreign correspondent, Patrick Bishop, alongside best-selling military historian, Saul David. Goalhanger Podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 01, 20224 min
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