Battleground

In this episode of Battleground 44' we return to our warlord series to look at the figure who many historians consider the greatest American president of the 20th century - Franklin D. Roosevelt. To help Patrick and Saul look into perhaps one of the important figures of the second world war they speak to award winning American historian Evan Mawdsley. 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

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 - podbattleground@gmail.com Producer: James Hodgson X (Twitter): @PodBattleground Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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

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 choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 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

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): @PodBattleground Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 Hodgson X (Twitter): @PodBattleground Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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

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 X (Twitter): @PodBattleground Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 of the Polish Home Army command, and then in Britain she became the only woman to join the Polish elite Special Forces, known as the 'Silent Unseen'. 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

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 focused on the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson. If you are interested in supporting the project you can get in touch here: info@snapshot-films.com 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

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): @PodBattleground Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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's much needed F-16's 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

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: James Hodgson X (Twitter): @PodBattleground Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 from Historian and journalist Guy Walters on Operation Interflex the British-led multinational military operation to train and support the Armed Forces of Ukraine. 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

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 to - podbattleground@gmail.com Producer: James Hodgson X (Twitter): @PodBattleground Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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.com Producer: James Hodgson X (Twitter): @PodBattleground Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 them to - podbattleground@gmail.com Producer: James Hodgson X (Twitter): @PodBattleground Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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@gmail.com Producer: James Hodgson X (Twitter): @PodBattleground Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices