Britain's Secret Atomic Tests in Australia

Britain's Secret Atomic Tests in Australia

During the 1950s, in the remote expanses of Australia's outback, the British government conducted a series of clandestine nuclear tests. These were the early years of the Cold War, and Britain was determined to expand its atomic capabilities and shore up its great power status. But these tests came at a harrowing cost to Aboriginal communities and site personnel, who were not sufficiently protected from the deadly nuclear fallout. The full extent of the harm done by these detonations is still not known.


We're joined by Elizabeth Tynan, author of 'The Secrets of Emu Field: Britain’s Forgotten Atomic Tests in Australia'. She explains the reasons for these tests, the damage they did, and what they tell us about the peculiar bonds of colonialism.


Produced by James Hickmann and edited by Dougal Patmore.


For more episodes on the history of nuclear weapons:


  1. Oppenheimer - https://shows.acast.com/dansnowshistoryhit/episodes/oppenheimer
  2. How to Prepare for Nuclear War - https://shows.acast.com/dansnowshistoryhit/episodes/how-to-prepare-for-nuclear-war
  3. The Decision to Use the Atomic Bomb - https://shows.acast.com/dansnowshistoryhit/episodes/the-decision-to-use-the-atomic-bomb


Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Sign up HERE for 50% off for 3 months using code ‘DANSNOW’.


We'd love to hear from you - what do you want to hear an episode on? You can email the podcast at ds.hh@historyhit.com.


You can take part in our listener survey here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episoder(1485)

The Surrender of Japan

The Surrender of Japan

On the morning of August 15th, 1945, Emperor Hirohito's voice crackled over Japanese airwaves to announce the unthinkable - the surrender of Japan. Today we delve into the complex story behind that su...

12 Aug 202529min

Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Castle

From its origins as a Bronze Age settlement, to a battleground for Robert the Bruce’s men during the Wars of Independence, and a refuge for Mary, Queen of Scots, this castle has stood witness to thous...

10 Aug 202541min

The Great Train Robbery

The Great Train Robbery

Did the "heist of the century" really happen the way the robbers say it did? In the summer of 1963, a gang of masked robbers executed a daring plan to intercept a Royal Mail train carrying millions of...

7 Aug 202556min

Hiroshima: As It Happened

Hiroshima: As It Happened

This episode contains descriptions of graphic violence and may not be suitable for all listeners.On the morning of August 6th, 1945, a single American bomber unleashed a weapon unlike anything the wor...

5 Aug 202558min

Notre Dame

Notre Dame

Join Dan Snow in the heart of Paris as he kicks off his summer series exploring Europe’s greatest historic sites. From a leafy Montmartre café to the towering Gothic Cathedral of Notre-Dame, Dan teams...

3 Aug 202539min

5 Reasons the Allies Won the War

5 Reasons the Allies Won the War

What really tipped the scales in the Allies’ favour during World War II? In this episode, we break down five critical reasons behind the Allied victory - from strategic coordination to Hitler’s own ca...

31 Jul 202545min

Emperor Titus

Emperor Titus

In this episode, we explore the remarkable - and often overlooked - life of Emperor Titus. We uncover the dramatic events that defined his life and reign: from the bloody conquest of Jerusalem to the ...

29 Jul 202544min

Churchill vs Attlee: The Election That Changed Britain

Churchill vs Attlee: The Election That Changed Britain

It was one of the most dramatic political upsets in British history. Just weeks after leading Britain to victory in Europe, wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill was defeated in a landslide by Clem...

27 Jul 202544min

Populært innen Historie

rss-dette-ma-aldri-skje-igjen
henrettelsespodden
rss-historiske-romanser
rss-katastrofe
historier-som-endret-norge
rss-nadelose-nordmenn-gestapo
sektledere
rss-benadet
historier-som-endret-verden
aftenposten-historie
rss-frontkjemperne
rss-strid-de-norske-borgerkrigene
rss-gamle-greier
med-egne-oyne
vare-historier
sannhet-eller-konspirasjon
historiepodden-ww2
undersattene
rss-alt-var-bedre-for
rss-historiepodden-ww2