On this week's Battleground: Ukraine, Saul and Patrick assess the significance of Ukraine finally receiving the US package of 61 billion dollars worth of military aid. They’ll also be talking to Canadian investigative journalist Justin Ling who will be talking to us about the extraordinary technological developments he found on his recent trip to Ukraine and how they are shaping the battlefield and the course of the war. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - podbattlegrou...
Apr 26, 2024•38 min
In this special edition of Battleground ’44, to coincide with the publication of Saul’s new book - Sky Warriors: British Airborne Forces in the Second World War, we thought we’d devote a special episode to discussing the book and, more specifically, the role British Airborne played in the D-Day landings which took place 80 years ago. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - podbattleground@gmail.com Producer: James Hodgson X (Twitter): @PodBattleground Learn more about your ...
Apr 24, 2024•51 min
What is the significance for Ukraine of Iran's attack on Israel? In this episode Saul and Patrick discuss how the war in Ukraine is inextricably linked to what is happening in the Middle East where the the shockwaves of the Israel Palestine war ripple outwards to stoke regional conflict. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - podbattleground@gmail.com Producer: James Hodgson X (Twitter): @PodBattleground Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
Apr 19, 2024•34 min
In the latest instalment of our warlord series, where we look at the great leaders of the Second World War, we look into the titanic figure of Sir Winston Churchill. Patrick is joined by probably the historian best placed to discuss the great man, Andrew Roberts - Author of the acclaimed biography - Churchill: Walking with Destiny. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - podbattleground@gmail.com Producer: James Hodgson X (Twitter): @PodBattleground Learn more about your ad...
Apr 17, 2024•29 min
In this episode of Battleground: Ukraine Saul speaks to friend of the show Julius Strauss, veteran journalist, Russian speaker and former bureau chief for the Daily Telegraph in Moscow, who has just returned to Kyiv after touring Eastern Ukraine. Patrick and Saul also look into the the latest news surrounding the war in Ukraine, including Russia and China looking to strengthen their strategic partnership and UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron's recent trip to the US. If you have any thoughts or ...
Apr 12, 2024•50 min
In this episode of Battleground 44' we kick of our warlords series - first up perhaps the most complex character of them all - Soviet leader Joseph Stalin. To gain insight into this remarkable figure Patrick speaks to internationally bestselling historian Giles Milton, who has just written the book The Stalin Affair: The Impossible Alliance That Won the War. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - podbattleground@gmail.com Producer: James Hodgson X (Twitter): @PodBattlegrou...
Apr 10, 2024•36 min
In this episode of Battleground Saul and Patrick speak to distinguished reporter, author and political analyst Tim Judah, who has just returned from a month in Ukraine. They also dive into the latest news from the war in Ukraine including the significant news that Volodymyr Zelensky has succumbed to the inevitable and signed a bill to lower the mobilisation age for combat duty from 27 to 25. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - podbattleground@gmail.com Producer: James H...
Apr 05, 2024•45 min
In this episode of Battleground 44' Saul and Patrick take a deep dive into a host of fascinating listeners questions, anecdotes, and family stories from the Second World War. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - podbattleground@gmail.com Producer: James Hodgson X (Twitter): @PodBattleground Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Apr 03, 2024•42 min
In this episode of Battleground Saul and Patrick discuss what the ramifications of the deadly terror attack that happened last Friday at the Crocus concert hall in Moscow. Patrick also speaks to veteran journalist and Russia expert Alan Philps, asking does Putin need to worry about ISIS K, and does his leadership face questions as the FSB failed to prevent this deadly terrorist attack. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - podbattleground@gmail.com Producer: James Hodgson...
Mar 29, 2024•47 min
This episode of Battleground 44' explores the incredible story of Polish resistance fighter Elzbieta Zawacka, who ended the second world war as one of the most highly decorated women in Polish history. To delve deeper into her experieces Saul speaks to historian and author Clare Mulley who has recently written the book Agent Zo: The Untold Story of Fearless WW2 Resistence fighter Elzbieta Zawacka. Agent Zo was the only woman to reach London from Warsaw during the Second World War as an emissary ...
Mar 27, 2024•34 min
In this episode of Battleground - in the wake of Putin's "re-election" - Patrick Bishop and Saul David, ask how much that support is actually genuine and just how solid are the foundations of Putin’s rule? They also take a look at the cyber warfare scene, accusations by Russia that NATO troops are operating in Ukraine, and the effectiveness of Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian territory. Plus, Saul speaks to Irish filmmaker Johny O'Reilly about a fascinating documentary project he's working on ...
Mar 22, 2024•51 min
In this episode of Battleground 44' Saul takes us through the extraordinary but relatively unknown story of the heroic stand made by the 50th Indian Parachute Brigade at the Battle of Shangshak. This crucial battle took place in the mountainous frontier between India and Burma, as Japanese forces sought to invade India, in the lead up to the battle of Imphal 80 years ago. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - podbattleground@gmail.com Producer: James Hodgson X (Twitter): ...
Mar 20, 2024•59 min
Today Russians go to the polls to select a president for the next six years, with only one result to come - the re-election of President Vladimir Putin for a record fifth term in office. To help Saul and Patrick better understand the reality of the Presidential elections in Russia they speak to veteran journalist and Russia expert Alan Philps. They also assess the controversial statements made by Pope Francis on the ongoing war in Ukraine and look at the latest news regarding Ukraine getting it'...
Mar 15, 2024•50 min
On this edition of Battleground 44' Saul and Patrick speak to the historian Richard Overy, about the vast and devastating theatre of war that was the European Eastern front. They discuss what the situation was in 1944 as the Soviet Red Army was looking to push the Axis Armies out of Soviet territory and into axis territory, and look at the tactics and logic behind the events on this vast front. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - podbattleground@gmail.com Producer: Jame...
Mar 13, 2024•29 min
This week on Battleground, Saul and Patrick will be speaking to German Historian Katja Hoyer who will be shedding light on both German political attitudes towards Ukraine and the latest governmental situation in light of the revelation that Russian intelligence penetrated a high level German military discussion on sending Taurus long range cruise missiles to Ukraine. They also discuss the news that a missile strike came close to hitting Ukrainian President Zelensky in Odesa, plus hearing more fr...
Mar 08, 2024•42 min
The 1963 film The Great Escape immortalised the audacious real-life mass escape of 76 Allied airmen in March 1944 from the German Luftwaffe prisoner of war camp Stalag Luft III in eastern Germany, now Poland. But what was the reality of the escape, who were the characters involved, and was it worth it? To help Saul and Patrick dig deeper into the story they are joined by Journalist, Historian, and author of the book The Real Great Escape. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them ...
Mar 06, 2024•42 min
As we enter the third year of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Saul and Patrick delve into the latest developments in the conflict, with the news emerging in the past week looking a little better on the side of Ukraine. They look at the significance of Sweden becoming the 32nd member of NATO, and the refusal of French president Macron to rule out the deployment of Western troops in Ukraine in the future. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - podbattleground@gmail....
Mar 01, 2024•45 min
In this latest episode of Battleground ’44 with Saul David and Patrick Bishop, the subject is Resistance and in particular the French Resistance. Their importance to the struggle in the West at least was limited. However with the clock counting down to the great invasion of Normandy their significance grew. They look at the role they played in the upcoming battles and what role should they play in the political scene once that battle was won. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send t...
Feb 28, 2024•53 min
With the second anniversary of Russia’s full scale invasion upon us, it is, it must be said a rather gloomy occasion. Saul and Patrick take a look back over the past two years and delve into the many significant stories that have emerged in the past week. They’re also joined by guest and friend of the podcast, Anglo-Ukrainian journalist Askold Krushelnycky who is speaking to us from the Zaporizhia Oblast front lines. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - podbattleground@g...
Feb 23, 2024•1 hr 6 min
In this episode of Battleground 44' Saul and Patrick turn to look at the Pacific theatre where, the attention of the Americans was focused on after the traumatic surprise Japanese attack on the US fleet at Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941 that brought their country into the war. Before getting to events of 1944, they revisit what has been happening in the Pacific theatre, before Saul takes us through the dramatic story of K company of the 1st Marine Division's hard fought battles on New Britain. ...
Feb 21, 2024•46 min
In this latest episode of Battleground, Saul David and Patrick Bishop take a step back as the full-scale war in Ukraine approaches its second anniversary and look at the wider picture surrounding the conflict. Including the impact of Ukraine's new military command, questions over continuing western support, and the upcoming Russian presidential elections. They also answer some thought provoking listeners questions, including on the huge abundance of natural resources in Ukraine. If you have any ...
Feb 16, 2024•38 min
In this instalment of Battleground '44, Saul and Patrick look at the dramatic social impact that the mass arrival of American soldiers and Airmen had on UK society during the second world war and the legacy that lasts until today. The American's brought with them Hollywood glamour and impressive fighting kit, but also a segregated military, which marked the start of modern day British race relations in popular society. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - podbattleground...
Feb 14, 2024•50 min
In this latest episode of Battleground, Saul and Patrick react to the highly significant news that Ukraine's commander-in-chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi has been sacked. They asses what this means going forward as well as reflecting on the controversial Tucker Carlson interview with Vladimir Putin. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - podbattleground@gmail.com Producer: James Hodgson X (Twitter): @PodBattleground Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoi...
Feb 09, 2024•47 min
In this episode of Battleground '44, Saul is joined by James Holland, the Historian and co-host of our sister podcast We Have Ways of Making You Talk - to talk about the pivotal Battle of Anzio which took place 80 years ago this month. They delve into the significance, the difficulties, and the controversy that surrounds the battle and its legacy. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - podbattleground@gmail.com Producer: James Hodgson X (Twitter): @PodBattleground Learn mo...
Feb 07, 2024•1 hr 3 min
In this episode of Battleground we have the full interview with friend of the podcast - American Journalist Joe Lindsey - who speaks to Saul and Patrick from the Eastern Ukrainian City of Kharkiv, just 30 miles from the Russian border. Joe describes the mood in Ukraine at the moment, with growing uncertainty over the future of western support, continuing Russian attacks on Ukrainian Cities, and tensions rising between the politicians and military commanders in Ukraine. If you have any thoughts o...
Feb 05, 2024•35 min
In this episode of Battleground Saul and Patrick discuss the big news of this week, that President Zelensky of Ukraine tried to sack his highly-regarded armed forces chief, General Valery Zaluzhny, but has been forced to reinstate him. They also look at the significance of Hungary dropping its veto of 50 billion euros in EU loans and grants for Ukraine, and speak to old friend of the podcast - American journalist Joe Lindsey - from the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv. If you have any thoughts ...
Feb 02, 2024•33 min
In this instalment of our Battleground '44 series, the subject of discussion is the epic 872 day long siege on Leningrad (present-day Saint Petersburg), where hundreds of thousands of civilians perished, and starvation led to some residents resorting to cannibalism. To delve deeper into the story of this horrific and bloody siege, Patrick speaks to Anna Reid, author of the book Leningrad: The Epic Siege of World War II: 1941-1944. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - pod...
Jan 31, 2024•44 min
In this episode of Battleground Saul and Patrick assess the headline story of the week - the downing of a Russian transport plane inside Russia north east of Belgorod. Which at first sight this looks like a tragic error by Ukraine because on board were 65 captured Ukrainian soldiers who were on their way to being exchanged for Russian prisoners of war. They also discuss the growing nervousness surrounding a possible Trump presidency, and the growing tensions in the Middle East following more str...
Jan 26, 2024•42 min
In this instalment of our Battleground '44 series, Saul speaks to Historian Matthew Parker - Author of the book "Monte Cassino: The Hardest Fought Battle of World War II". Together they go through the four stages of this extraordinary battle, between a vast array of multinational allies against the German army defending an ancient Monastery on the summit of Monte Cassino. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - podbattleground@gmail.com Producer: James Hodgson X (Twitter): ...
Jan 24, 2024•47 min
In this episode of Battleground, Saul David and Patrick Bishop discuss the big event in Ukraine this week - the shooting down of a Russian surveillance aircraft by a Ukrainian missile with a Russian command and control plane being badly damaged in the same attack. They also delve into the encouraging announcement of two separate aid packages from Germany and the UK, as the future of U.S. funding for Ukraine is uncertain. Iran's role in the growing tensions and hostilities in the Middle East is a...
Jan 19, 2024•48 min
