CONTENT

The guest today is former Royal Logistic Corps soldier and author James Lee. James was my guest on podcast 38 where we discussed his first book about his tour in Afghanistan called "Licking The Taliban’s Flip Flop". In this episode we discuss his second book about his tour in Bosnia and Croatia in the 90s "Sleeping In The Ditch With Slobodan Milosevic".

James's book choice on Desert Islands Dits is "The Hitch-Hiker's Guide to The Galaxy" by Douglas Adams. My choice is James's book "Sleeping In The Ditch With Slobodan Milosevic".

Offer code to get 25% off James's book is TUSP25.

Get in touch with James at:

Author Website

https://www.jamesleeauthor.co.uk/

Book Store

https://james-lee.sumupstore.com/

Flying Website

https://www.buddysaviation.club/

WHERE TO GET OUR DESERT ISLAND DITS BOOK CHOICES

Most of our book recommendations can be bought via the Unconventional Soldier Bookshop. 10% of each purchase supports the pod and helps independent book stores on line sales.

"BUY ME A COFFEE"

If you want to support the podcast you can buy me a coffee here.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Instagram @the_unconventional_soldier_pod.

Facebook @lateo82.

Twitter @TheUCS473.

Download these and other platforms via Link Tree.

Email us: unconventionalsoldier@gmail.com.

This episode brought to you in association with ISARR a veteran owned company.

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

CONTENT

The guest today is Phil Blood a British historian and author specialising in military history, the Holocaust, and Nazi occupation policies. He is best known for his in-depth research on the intersection of warfare and genocide, particularly in Eastern Europe during World War II. On this episode we focus on historical perceptions of the German army during World War II and compare it to the British Army. The discussion begins by questioning the post-war narrative that often idealised German professionalism at the expense of the British. Phil, drawing on his military background and historical research, challenges this view, asserting that British soldiers were more capable than often portrayed, especially as the war progressed and their professionalism increased. The conversation then delves into various factors influencing these perceptions, including wartime propaganda, Sydney Jary's classic book "18 Platoon", the impact of specific battles (like Normandy and Arnhem), the performance and limitations of German equipment (like Tiger tanks), and the contrasting training and effectiveness of both armies. Ultimately, the dialogue questions the enduring myth of German military superiority and seeks to provide a more nuanced understanding of the fighting forces involved in the conflict.

Phil has written several books on WW2 including:

Hitler’s Bandit Hunters: The SS and the Nazi Occupation of Europe, which explores the brutal anti-partisan campaigns conducted by the SS and Wehrmacht, revealing their integral role in the Holocaust and war crimes.

Birds of Prey:Hitler’s Luftwaffe, Ordinary Soldiers and the Holocaust in Poland, reveals how the Luftwaffe, were perpetrators of Lebensraum and genocide.

War Comes to Aachen: The Nazis, Churchill and the 'Stalingrad of the West narrates the tumultuous era of total war through the fate of Aachen. Imperial Germany’s seat of power for 600 years, site of Charlemagne’s coronation as Holy Roman Emperor, and a place with greater geopolitical significance for Adolf Hitler in 1944 than Stalingrad in 1943.

He has contributed to academic and military institutions and is recognized for his meticulous archival research and ability to uncover new perspectives on well-studied conflicts. His work continues to influence both scholarly and public understanding of Nazi occupation and military policy.

Phil's book choice on Desert Islands Dits is "United States: Essays 1952-1992" by Gore Vidal. My choice is Phil's Book "Hitler’s Bandit Hunters: The SS and the Nazi Occupation of Europe".

WHERE TO GET OUR DESERT ISLAND DITS BOOK CHOICES

Most of our book recommendations can be bought via the Unconventional Soldier Bookshop. 10% of each purchase supports the pod and helps independent book stores on line sales.

"BUY ME A COFFEE"

If you want to support the podcast you can buy me a coffee here.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Instagram @the_unconventional_soldier_pod.

Facebook @lateo82.

Twitter @TheUCS473.

Download these and other platforms via Link Tree.

Email us: unconventionalsoldier@gmail.com.

This episode brought to you in association with ISARR a veteran owned company.

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

CONTENT

The guest today is former soldier Chris Binch. After serving 7 years with 2 PARA he left to work in the Private Security Industry before joining the fire service. He is the host of the The Old Paratrooper Podcast. We discuss military experiences, the transition to civvi street and perspectives on current conflicts. We also delve into the realities of army life, including training, operational tempo, and the impact of combat, alongside reflections on the private security industry. Finally, we explore evolving attitudes towards military service and the stark contrast between past and present depictions of warfare on social media, culminating in a shared interest in podcasting as a platform for open dialogue and supporting the veteran community.

Chris's book choices on Desert Islands Dits are “The Watchman” by Chris Ryan and “Mad, Bad and Dangerous to Know" by Ranulph Fiennes. My choice is “Regarding The Pain Of Others” by Susan Sontag.

Follow Chris on Instagram @theoldparatrooper.

Contact Chris: chrisbinch10@gmail.com

WHERE TO GET OUR DESERT ISLAND DITS BOOK CHOICES

Most of our book recommendations can be bought via the Unconventional Soldier Bookshop. 10% of each purchase supports the pod and helps independent bookstores online sales.

"BUY ME A COFFEE"

If you want to support the podcast you can buy me a coffee here.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Instagram @the_unconventional_soldier_pod.

Facebook @lateo82.

Twitter @TheUCS473.

Download these and other platforms via Link Tree.

Email us: unconventionalsoldier@gmail.com.

This episode brought to you in association with ISARR a veteran owned company.

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

CONTENT

The guest today is Mark "Splash" Aston. Splash joined the Gloucester Regiment in 1964 as a teenager. He later passed selection for 22 SAS as a Colour Sergeant in the late 1970s joining Mountain Troop of D Squadron. On this episode discuss his early army life, training for selection and the Falklands war in 1982 when his squadron was instrumental in key operations against Argentine forces. Splash took part in various missions during Op CORPORATE, including the landing on Fortuna Glacier, the successful capture of South Georgia, and the assault on Pebble Island airstrip. He was one of the survivors of the Sea King helicopter crash which claimed the lives of 22 fellow soldiers. Despite his injuries Splash refused medical evacuation and returned to the squadron to take part in further operations on Mount Kent and West Falkland. We also discuss his post war visits to the Falklands, what it was like to be an instructor at the International Long Range Recce Patrol School in Germany and why he wrote his book SAS: Sea King Down.

Splash's book choice on Desert Islands Dits is "The Warlord Chronicles" series by Bernard Cromwell. My choices are Splash's book "SAS: Sea King Down, The Extraordinary True Story Of The SAS At War In The Falklands" and "Across an Angry Sea: The SAS in the Falklands War" by Lt General Cedric Delves.

WHERE TO GET OUR DESERT ISLAND DITS BOOK CHOICES

Most of our book recommendations can be bought via the Unconventional Soldier Bookshop. 10% of each purchase supports the pod and helps independent book stores on line sales.

"BUY ME A COFFEE"

If you want to support the podcast you can buy me a coffee here.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Instagram @the_unconventional_soldier_pod.

Facebook @lateo82.

Twitter @TheUCS473.

Download these and other platforms via Link Tree.

Email us: unconventionalsoldier@gmail.com.

This episode brought to you in association with ISARR a veteran owned company.

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

CONTENT

On this episode I will be discussing jungle warfare with Kev and we cover; how Britain transformed its army into an effective jungle fighting force in WW2 after an inauspicious start, why jungle warfare training is relevant in the 21st century, Exercise IRON LANCE a typical jungle training course in the early 90s run by 22 SAS.

Finally we take a look at two books, the classic The Jungle Is neutral by Freddie Spencer Chapman and Jungle Soldier: the true story of Freddy Spencer Chapman, an autobiography by Brian Moynahan

WHERE TO GET OUR DESERT ISLAND DITS BOOK CHOICES

Most of our book recommendations can be bought via the Unconventional Soldier Bookshop. 10% of each purchase supports the pod and helps independent book stores on line sales.

"BUY ME A COFFEE"

If you want to support the podcast you can buy me a coffee here.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Instagram @the_unconventional_soldier_pod.

Facebook @lateo82.

Twitter @TheUCS473.

Download these and other platforms via Link Tree.

Email us: unconventionalsoldier@gmail.com.

This episode brought to you in association with ISARR a veteran owned company.

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

CONTENT

The guest today is Kim Read who appeared on episode #49 when we talked about training at the LRRP school in the 1980s. On this pod we discuss life in Germany during and after the Cold war. What it was like to go on exercise and some of the remarkable conversations we had with German WW2 veterans we met. Kim lives in Germany and tells me about former work mates who served in the East German army including a T55 tank driver, an SS21 commander and another who worked for the infamous Stasi. We also discuss how the War in Ukraine is viewed by the Germans.

No Desert Island Dits this week as Kim has been on the pod before.

WHERE TO GET OUR DESERT ISLAND DITS BOOK CHOICES

Most of our book recommendations can be bought via the Unconventional Soldier Bookshop. 10% of each purchase supports the pod and helps independent book stores on line sales.

"BUY ME A COFFEE"

If you want to support the podcast you can buy me a coffee here.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Instagram @the_unconventional_soldier_pod.

Facebook @lateo82.

Twitter @TheUCS473.

Download these and other platforms via Link Tree.

Email us: unconventionalsoldier@gmail.com.

This episode brought to you in association with ISARR a veteran owned company.

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

CONTENT

My guest today is Lilian van Mourik. On this episode we dicuss the recovery of Stirling bomber BK716 and its seven crew members as part of the remarkable Dutch national programme for WW2 aircraft recoveries which was set up in 2019 and aims to unearth 30 aircraft over the next decade. We also discussed Dutch wartime remembrance culture, the morality of area bombing, the deprivations of the hunger winter and how the sacrifices made in WW2 are relevant today. Keep an ear out for our competition question and the chance to win a book about BK 716 and also a few beers that were brewed to commemorate the crew. All competition entries should be sent to: unconventionalsoldier@gmail.com.

Lilian's book choice on Desert Islands Dits is "Luchtmeisjes (Sky Girls)" by Ingrid van der Chijs. My choice is "Bomber" by Len Deighton.

For more information on BK716 use the following links:

E-magazine : https://www.bk716.their-story.org/

Documentary: https://www.vliegenoverpolderlijnen.com/

Government website aircraft recovery programme - https://www.government.nl/topics/second-world-war/wreckage-recovery-of-second-world-war-aircraft

The Aircraft Recovery Group, who initially found the aircraft and a huge part for the families of the dead airmen https://www.arg1940-1945.nl/en.htm

Books: https://www.almere.nl/over/historie/erfgoedhuis/boeken

Brewery: https://www.brouwerijstijl.com/

For more information Lilian can be contacted at: info@their-story.org

WHERE TO GET OUR DESERT ISLAND DITS BOOK CHOICES

Most of our book recommendations can be bought via the Unconventional Soldier Bookshop. 10% of each purchase supports the pod and helps independent book stores on line sales.

"BUY ME A COFFEE"

If you want to support the podcast you can buy me a coffee here.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Instagram @the_unconventional_soldier_pod.

Facebook @lateo82.

Twitter @TheUCS473.

Download these and other platforms via Link Tree.

Email us: unconventionalsoldier@gmail.com.

This episode brought to you in association with ISARR a veteran owned company.

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

CONTENT

On pod # 070 we interviewed the author Andrew Long about his book “The Story Of BRIXMIS And The Secret Cold War - Intelligence Gathering Operations Behind East Germany”. This episode continues our examination of Cold War espionage focusing on BRIXMIS members operating deep inside Soviet occupied East Germany. Our guest is Nick a former member of the Intelligence Corps. We talk about his remarkable career in the Corps when he joined as a private soldier and completed his Colour service as a Lieutenant Colonel.

Nick details his experiences and operations as part of BRIXMIS and the discussion includes insights into training, the significant intelligence gathering of the unit, as well as their interactions with Soviet and East German forces. It highlights the challenges faced, including the risk of detainment, and the inherent dangers of operating unarmed in hostile environments. Additionally, Nick provides anecdotal accounts of acting as an interpretor for the infamous Nazi Rudolf Hess and reflects on how the Cold War's lessons remain relevant today in Ukraine.

Nick's book choice on Desert Islands Dits is "The Spy Who Came In from the Cold" by John Le Carre. The team's choices are "Dead Men Risen" by Toby Harnden and "We Win They Lose: Republican Foreign Policy And The New Cold War" by Matthew Kroenig and Dan Negrea.

Corrections: A couple of post production corrections. The Spandau role came to the Mission in 1982, when the British Military Government interpreter, Mr Sanders, finally asked to be allowed to retire - he had previously agreed to serve on beyond his retirement date 'until the prisoner has died', but Hess appeared to be immortal. Mr Sanders retired and BRIXMIS stepped into his role and continued until Hess died in 1987. Also three former Intelligence Corps junior soldiers retired as Lt Lieutenant Colonels not four.

WHERE TO GET OUR DESERT ISLAND DITS BOOK CHOICES

Most of our book recommendations can be bought via the Unconventional Soldier Bookshop. 10% of each purchase supports the pod and helps independent book stores on line sales.

"BUY ME A COFFEE"

If you want to support the podcast you can buy me a coffee here.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Instagram @the_unconventional_soldier_pod.

Facebook @lateo82.

Twitter @TheUCS473.

Download these and other platforms via Link Tree.

Email us: unconventionalsoldier@gmail.com.

This episode brought to you in association with ISARR a veteran owned company.

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