Surveillance and shortages: A British teacher in 1960s Cold War Communist Romania (377)

Robert Perschmann describes himself as an anti-Cold War activist. His political views started to form while serving in the US Air Force during the Vietnam War period where he saw first hand the toll on the US military and the racism prevalent in the American South.  An interview with a Soviet journalist which was broadcast on PBS radio (the US equivalent of the BBC) was the catalyst for an almost one-man campaign to reduce tensions between the two superpowers. At this point, Robert was working as a US Mailman where he financed numerous visits to the Soviet Union to foster a better understanding between the two systems and became friends with many Soviet personalities including Dean Reed and legendary Soviet journalist Vladimir Posner. If you are enjoying the podcast please leave a written review in Apple podcasts or share us on social media. By telling your friends you can really help us grow the number of listeners. If you can spare it I’m asking listeners to contribute at least $3 USD per month to help keep us on the air (larger amounts are welcome too) plus you can get a sought after CWC coaster as a monthly financial supporter of the podcast and you bask in the warm glow of knowing you helping preserve Cold War history. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ Thanks to our latest supporters including Greg Collins, Derek Worthington, Craig Donald, Janet Kelley, David O’Leary, STepwolf, Paul Hatzer, Chris Cock, Jon Forsyth, & James Roberts Back to today's episode, we welcome Robert Perschmann to our Cold War conversation… There’s further information on this episode in our show notes, which can also be found as a link in your podcast app here. https://coldwarconversations.com/episode131/ If you can’t wait for next week’s episode do visit our Facebook discussion group where guests and listeners continue the Cold War Conversation. Just search Cold War Conversations on Facebook. Thank you very much for listening. It is really appreciated – goodbye. 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 0:00 Introduction and Robert Pershman's unexpected call from FBI 2:26 Sponsor: Fundraising plea for the podcast 3:16 Robert's experience in the US Air Force and his exposure to racism 8:42 Experiences of racism in the American South and impact of Martin Luther King on Robert's life 15:35 Robert's transition from military to civilian life and anti-cold war activism 20:07 First impressions of Aeroflot and the Soviet Union, meeting and connecting with Vitali Chirkin 28:40 Robert's perspective on living conditions and work in the Soviet Union 35:36 Dealing with the FBI due to Soviet connections, encounters with the KGB 43:56 Activism efforts during the Cold War, meeting Dean Reed 51:55 Changing family dynamics due to Soviet connections, meeting Svetlana Starodubtseva 1:00:57 Discussion about the Soviet Union's role in World War II, Robert's views on the Soviet Union's post-war actions 1:06:31 Closing remarks and acknowledgements Chapters powered by PodcastAI✨ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

17 Jul 20201h 11min

Susan Morrison is Professor of English at Texas State University. In the late 1980’s she taught in Rostock in the former GDR and then lived in West Berlin but frequently crossed back into the East to teach and meet friends. In this episode we talk to her about her experiences and her impression of the two Germanys in 1989.  During her time in Rostock, Susan got in trouble with the authorities over bulletin board known as ‘The Wall’; the way she was censured by senior academics in the GDR sheds a valuable light on how people lived within the strict system of control by using humour and compromise.  Susan talks about finding the humanity in the GDR and how, as she watched the wall fall in 1989, that she wondered if unification would truly benefit all Germans. Susan also retrieved her personal Stasi File and talks about how they tracked and monitored her during her time in the GDR and the assumptions that they made (not always successfully!). If you are enjoying the podcast please leave a written review in Apple podcasts or share us on social media. By telling your friends you can really help us grow the number of listeners. If you can spare it I’m asking listeners to contribute at least $3 USD per month to help keep us on the air (larger amounts are welcome too) plus you can get a sought after CWC coaster as a monthly financial supporter of the podcast and you bask in the warm glow of knowing you helping preserve Cold War history. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ James our co-host is the interviewer as we welcome Susan to our Cold War conversation… There’s further information on this episode in our show notes, which can also be found as a link in your podcast app here. https://coldwarconversations.com/episode130/ If you can’t wait for next week’s episode do visit our Facebook discussion group where guests and listeners continue the Cold War Conversation. Just search Cold War Conversations in Facebook. Thank you very much for listening. It is really appreciated – goodbye. Radio GDR If you are interested in East Germany we can highly recommend our friends over at Radio GDR. 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 0:00 Introduction and Susan Morrison's first encounter with the East German 2:43 Susan's journey as a graduate student in East Germany 6:49 Susan's role as the editor of the wall newspaper and potential conflict with GDR authorities 11:09 The repercussions of posting a controversial article and the aftermath 14:31 Susan's complex feelings about her time in East Germany 18:08 Susan's discovery of her Stasi file and its references to the controversy 26:01 Susan's extended stay in Berlin and her travels to East Germany 34:35 Susan's experience living in West Berlin during the fall of the wall 46:21 Being detained at the border and misinterpretations by the East German government 56:53 The night the Berlin Wall came down and meeting with Angela after the fall 1:09:31 Feminist scholars' perspective on the change and the story of the Stasi car 1:20:05 Closing conversation with Susan Morrison and Ian Sanders wraps up the episode. Chapters powered by PodcastAI✨ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

11 Jul 20201h 25min

Hans de Vreij is a Dutch journalist who has worked in Berlin , Brussels, Geneva and Prague. Whilst working at the United Nations in Geneva Hans was the subject of attempted recruitment by the KGB to develop an ‘agent of influence’ to disseminate Soviet points of view. In addition, they analysed the ‘targeted journalist’ in terms of possible blackmail: ‘kompromat‘ (compromising material). This especially held true for journalists who later might find themselves in an important position, such as press spokesman at a ministry. We later talk about Hans’ visit to a Soviet chemical weapons facility and testing ground on the Volga, some 750 kms southeast of Moscow as well as his service in the Dutch Army. If you are enjoying the podcast please leave a written review in Apple podcasts or share us on social media. By telling your friends you can really help us grow the number of listeners. If you can spare it I’m asking listeners to contribute at least $3 USD per month to help keep us on the air (larger amounts are welcome too) plus you can get a sought after CWC coaster as a monthly financial supporter of the podcast and you bask in the warm glow of knowing you helping preserve Cold War history. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ Back to today’s episode, we welcome Hans to our Cold War conversation… There’s further information on this episode in our show notes, which can also be found as a link in your podcast app. https://coldwarconversations.com/episode129/ If you can’t wait for next week’s episode do visit our Facebook discussion group where guests and listeners continue the Cold War Conversation. Just search Cold War Conversations in Facebook. Thank you very much for listening. It is really appreciated – goodbye. 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 0:00 Introduction and meeting with Soviet diplomat Mikhail Petrukhov 1:51 Sponsor message and request for donations 3:57 Hans de Vreij's career journey and focus on human rights and arms control 10:49 The envelope incident and potential for blackmail 16:33 Conclusion and reflections on the old-fashioned tactics of Soviet intelligence 20:14 An unusual request from a KGB agent 29:15 Understanding KGB tradecraft 35:01 Invitation to see a chemical weapons facility in the Soviet Union 53:01 Hans de Vreij's time in the Dutch Army 55:38 Closing remarks and call to action: Show notes, donations, and the Facebook discussion group 56:16 Podcast sign off by Ian Sanders Chapters powered by PodcastAI✨ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

3 Jul 20201h

How can we go beyond the films, books, and photos to learn more about the Cold War? Films are certainly evocative and certainly inform but how can we go beyond that and immerse ourselves to see what it felt like to be there. The two technologies of Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality may allow us to do this. Robin Hardenberg is a Berlin-based filmmaker who has developed ’The Berlin Wall App’ which uses Augmented Reality to bring the drama of the division of Berlin to those who are able to walk around the City. Patrick Furlong is Head of Factual at Remarkable TV and has produced VR content for YouTube’s Virtually History series about the Berlin Wall. These programs allow you to immerse yourself in key episodes in Berlin’s Cold War history from your own home.  If you are enjoying the podcast please leave a written review in Apple podcasts or share us on social media. By telling your friends you can really help us grow the number of listeners. If you can spare it I’m asking listeners to contribute at least $3 USD per month to help keep us on the air (larger amounts are welcome too) plus you can get a sought after CWC coaster as a monthly financial supporter of the podcast and you bask in the warm glow of knowing you helping preserve Cold War history. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ Back to today’s episode, we welcome James, Robin & Patrick to our Cold War conversation… There’s VR videos and further information on this episode in our show notes, which can also be found as a link in your podcast app.https://coldwarconversations.com/episode128/ If you like what you are hearing, please leave reviews in Apple podcasts and share us on social media. If you can’t wait for next week’s episode do visit our Facebook discussion group where guests and listeners continue the Cold War Conversation. Just search for Cold War Conversations in Facebook. Thank you very much for listening. It is really appreciated – goodbye. 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 0:00 Introduction and meeting with Soviet diplomat Mikhail Petrukhov 1:51 Sponsor message and request for donations 3:57 Hans de Vreij's career journey and focus on human rights and arms control 10:49 The envelope incident and potential for blackmail 16:33 Conclusion and reflections on the old-fashioned tactics of Soviet intelligence 20:14 An unusual request from a KGB agent 29:15 Understanding KGB tradecraft 35:01 Invitation to see a chemical weapons facility in the Soviet Union 53:01 Hans de Vreij's time in the Dutch Army 55:38 Closing remarks and call to action: Show notes, donations, and the Facebook discussion group 56:16 Podcast sign off by Ian Sanders Chapters powered by PodcastAI✨ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

26 Jun 202047min

Bill was a US Army Intelligence Analyst. In 1986 he was assigned to Order of Battle Branch, Soviet Section where for three years he studied the Warsaw Pact armies working closely with the US Military Liaison Mission (USMLM) in Berlin which led to a transfer there in November 1989 Stationed in Potsdam he became an Order of Battle Analyst and participated in a handful of collection tours with the USMLM as the “back seater”.  He tells of the little know history of USMLM during this period and the continued monitoring of Soviet Forces in Germany post the opening of the Berlin Wall and even post reunification to the Soviet’s eventual withdrawal in 1994.  If you are enjoying the podcast please leave a written review in Apple podcasts or share us on social media. By telling your friends you can really help the podcast grow. If you can spare it I’m asking listeners to contribute at least $3 USD per month to help keep us on the air (larger amounts are welcome too) plus you can get a sought after CWC coaster as a monthly financial supporter of the podcast and you bask in the warm glow of knowing you helping preserve Cold War history. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ Back to today’s episode, we welcome Bill to our Cold War conversation… There’s further information on this episode in our show notes, which can also be found as a link in your podcast app. https://coldwarconversations.com/episode127/ If you like what you are hearing, please leave reviews in Apple podcasts and share us on social media. If you can’t wait for next week’s episode do visit our Facebook discussion group where guests and listeners continue the Cold War Conversation. Just search Cold War Conversations in Facebook. Thank you very much for listening. It is really appreciated – goodbye. 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 0:00 Introduction and guest background 0:50 Bill's role as a US Army intelligence analyst 2:27 Importance of financial support for the podcast 6:24 Tracking Soviet units and military liaison missions 16:04 The fall of the Berlin Wall and its impact on intelligence operations 22:13 Observing a Soviet installation firsthand and interacting with East German civilians 31:01 The end of three-power control of Berlin and the deactivation of USMLM 35:24 German intelligence services, BND, and their collaboration with USMLM 38:25 Formation of the Combined Analysis Detachment Berlin (CAD B) and surveillance operations 56:36 Handling of Russian nuclear weapons storage facilities and shift to human intelligence 1:06:30 Episode closing remarks Chapters powered by PodcastAI✨ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

19 Jun 20201h 11min

We talk again to Mark Brayne who worked as a Reuters & BBC journalist during the Cold War. This time we are in Romania in December 1989 where riots, street violence and murder in several cities over the course of roughly a week led the Romanian leader Nicolae Ceaușescu to flee the capital city on 22 December with his wife. We hear the challenges of being a journalist in what was effectively a war zone without the risk assessments and protective gear of the present day. If you are enjoying the podcast please leave a written review in Apple podcasts or share us on social media. By telling your friends you can really help the podcast grow. If you can spare it I’m asking listeners to contribute $3 USD per month to help keep us on the air (larger amounts are welcome too) plus you can get a sought after CWC coaster as a monthly financial supporter of the podcast and you bask in the warm glow of knowing you helping preserve Cold War history. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ Thanks to latest Patreons  Back to today’s episode, part 3 of three episodes with Mark and it’s been an honour for Mark to share his stories with us in such an honest and revealing fashion…  We welcome Mark Brayne back to our Cold War conversation… There’s further information on this episode in our show notes, which can also be found as a link in your podcast app. https://coldwarconversations.com/episode126 If you like what you are hearing, please leave reviews in Apple podcasts and share us on social media. If you can’t wait for next week’s episode do visit our Facebook discussion group where guests and listeners continue the Cold War Conversation. Just search Cold War Conversations in Facebook. Thank you very much for listening. It is really appreciated. 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 0:00 Introduction and welcome 0:16 Interview with Mark Brayne: Recollections of Romania in 1989 2:15 Sponsor: Call for listener support and donations 9:24 First-hand reporting from Bucharest during the Romanian revolution 14:44 Mark Brayne's diagnosis of Asperger's and fearlessness during the Cold War 19:14 Witnessing the aftermath of protests in Bucharest 23:50 Mark Brayne's personal life post-Cold War and transition into psychotherapy 27:08 Off-the-record conversation with Vasil Biliak about his early years in communism 34:32 Anecdotes from the 4+2 negotiations 39:06 Producing a documentary on the psychology of the Cold War 41:49 Ian Sanders: Wrapping up the episode and promoting content on Cold War Conversations website Chapters powered by PodcastAI✨ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

12 Jun 202047min

We talk to Mark Brayne again in a wide ranging chat about his career as a Reuters & BBC journalist including details of his Stasi file, his time in the Soviet Union, Hungary & Poland as well as the perils of editing analogue tape in a non-digital age. Among his interviewees we talk about the Dalai Lama, Lech Walesa as well the ordinary people of the Warsaw Pact countries. If you are enjoying the podcast please leave a written reviews in Apple podcasts or share us on social media. By telling your friends you can really help the podcast grow. If you can spare it I’m asking listeners to contribute $3 USD per month to help keep us on the air (larger amounts are welcome too) plus you can get a sought after CWC coaster as a monthly financial supporter of the podcast and you bask in the warm glow of knowing you helping preserve Cold War history. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ Thanks to latest Patreons  Back to today’s episode, part 2 of three episodes with Mark and as you will hear we have a lot of fun recording this...  We welcome Mark Brayne to our Cold War conversation… There’s further information on this episode in our show notes, which can also be found as a link in your podcast app. https://coldwarconversations.com/episode125/ If you like what you are hearing, please leave reviews in Apple podcasts and share us on social media. If you can’t wait for next week’s episode do visit our Facebook discussion group where guests and listeners continue the Cold War Conversation. Just search Cold War Conversations in Facebook. Thank you very much for listening. It is really appreciated – goodbye. Radio GDR If you are interested in East Germany we can highly recommend our friends over at Radio GDR. 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 0:00 Introduction and overview of Mark Brayne's career 2:30 Discussion on Mark Brayne's Stasi files and experiences in East Berlin 10:18 Examination of Mark's Stasi files, including photos and recorded details 20:21 Mark Brayne shares his experiences with Russian dissident Andrei Sakharov and reflections on his time in Russia 27:30 Conversation about Mark Brayne's time in Romania and his role as BBC Central European correspondent 31:38 Mark Brayne's time in China and interview with the Dalai Lama 43:22 Mark Brayne's ban from Romania and transition to China 51:42 Mark Brayne on covering the Gorbachev visit and the Tiananmen Square incident 53:05 Teaser for Mark Brayne's story about Romania in 1989 53:28 Closing remarks by Ian Sanders and information about the podcast's Facebook discussion group Chapters powered by PodcastAI✨ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

5 Jun 202058min

In Britain and the Bomb Bill Nuttall considers Britain's national journey from Empire to Europe and the transition of British nuclear weapons from the Royal Air Force to the Royal Navy. If you are enjoying the podcast please leave a written reviews in Apple podcasts or share us on social media. By telling your friends you can really help the podcast grow. It costs money and time to produce this podcast so I’m asking listeners to contribute $3 USD per month to help keep us on the air (larger amounts are welcome too) plus you can get a sought after CWC coaster as a monthly financial supporter of the podcast and you bask in the warm glow of knowing you helping preserve Cold War history. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ Thanks to latest Patreons including Chris Pearson, Dave Parry, John Rafferty, This is Rammy, John Helsinki Scott G, Graham Horlock and Mister Giles. Back to today’s episode, the story pivots around a single day in April 1965. The recently-established Labour government very publicly cancelled the much-vaunted TSR2 nuclear strike bomber, causing dismay among aviation enthusiasts. The passing decades have done little to diminish the controversy and a pervasive sense of nostalgic melancholy about a lost Britain.  We welcome Bill Nuttall to our Cold War conversation… There’s further information on this episode in our show notes, which can also be found as a link in your podcast app.https://coldwarconversations.com/episode124/ If you like what you are hearing, please leave reviews in Apple podcasts and share us on social media. If you can’t wait for next week’s episode do visit our Facebook discussion group where guests and listeners continue the Cold War Conversation. Just search Cold War Conversations in Facebook. Thankyou very much for listening. It is really appreciated – goodbye. 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 0:00 Introduction and overview of the episode 0:37 Bill Nuttall's role in the German Democratic Republic and discussion on "Britain and the Bomb" 2:04 Sponsor: Request for listener support and acknowledgment of patrons 2:31 The cancellation of TSR2 nuclear strike bomber: Insights and Context 7:01 Deep dive into the advanced features and significance of the TSR2 aircraft 12:23 Impact of Duncan Sandy's white paper on the Air Force and industrial policy 15:48 Consequences of Gary Powers incident and the development of standoff missiles 21:28 The Cold War as a technological chess game: Strategic decisions and technological advancements 26:17 Change in UK government and its impact on nuclear decision making 31:53 Understanding nuclear deterrence, Britain's debate, and defense of Moscow 35:17 The impact of technology cancellations on Britain's national image and identity 39:06 Closing remarks and podcast outro Chapters powered by PodcastAI✨ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

29 Mai 202044min