Imprisoned in a Soviet Military gaol - a BRIXMIS officer's diary Pt 2 (251)

This is the 2nd part of my interview with Lt Col. Stephen Harrison, MBE who served for two years as a full-time Touring Officer with BRIXMIS. The tours were hazardous three-man, vehicle-borne patrols collecting intelligence on the Warsaw Pact forces in East Germany for up to five days and nights over a series of four-month patrolling periods. In this episode, we hear of Stephen’s imprisonment in a Soviet Army gaol, following detention in a Soviet Army garrison town as well as East German and Soviet Army press coverage about his activities. Stephen’s speciality was using his language skills to engage and befriend opposition troops and thereby gaining valuable intelligence. He used to go into bars frequented by Soviet officers and recalls one particular drunken night in Potsdam.. We also hear about his visit to the infamous World War 2 prison camp of Colditz castle where he befriends the staff enabling other BRIXMIS tours to visit regularly. Stephen also shares details of the top-secret Operation Tomahawk, a particularly unpleasant mission which may not be for those of a sensitive disposition. In later years Stephen obtained his Stasi file which reveals that the surveillance on him was far closer than he’d ever believed. 0:00 Introduction and Stephen Harrison's role in BRIXMIS 10:21 Stephen's arrest and time in a Soviet military cell 15:48 Stephen's role as interpreter and socializing with Soviet officers 22:53 Stephen's experiences during town and cultural tours 27:38 Stephen's Stasi files and the accuracy of their reports 33:25 Stephen's work and dealing with detentions 38:49 Operation Tomahawk: Exploiting Soviet military rubbish tips 47:57 Reflecting on the human side of intelligence gathering 49:45 Podcast end notes, acknowledgments and donation information 50:15 Invitation to join the Cold War Conversations Facebook group Table of contents powered by PodcastAI✨ Cold War history is disappearing; however, a simple monthly donation will keep this podcast on the air. You’ll become part of our community and get a sought after CWC coaster as a thank you and you’ll bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ If a financial contribution is not your cup of tea, then you can still help us by leaving written reviews wherever you listen to us as well as sharing us on social media. It really helps us get new guests on the show. I am delighted to welcome Stephen to our Cold War conversation… Episode notes here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode251/ Follow us on Twitter here https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ There is nothing like hearing history from those that were there... Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices