Battleground

Goalhanger

A history podcast that explores the narratives, turning points, and characters that shape conflicts, encompassing a blend of social and military history. Following on from the series on the Falklands War, best-selling military historians Patrick Bishop, Saul David, and Roger Moorhouse turn their attention every Friday to the war in Ukraine, and every Wednesday look back at the significant wars, events, and figures from conflicts around the world.Goalhanger Podcasts

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444 episodes
Updated Thursday

Episodes444

Newest first

Sep 9, 2022 · 42 min
5 . War crimes & 'the Reckoning'
A horrifying feature of the War in Ukraine has been the atrocities committed, particularly against the civilian population. Veteran war reporter Janine di Giovanni joins Patrick and Saul this week to discuss this and the work she is doing as part of the Reckoning Project.  <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more infor
Sep 2, 2022 · 54 min
4. A Lieutenant-Colonel's frontline reality
Environmental engineer and serving Ukrainian Lieutenant Colonel - Pavlo Khazan, joins Patrick and Saul to talk about his role in commanding C4 operations on the frontline of the Russian invasion; giving insight into a new age of warfare, Ukrainian morale and the impact of Western aid. <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.<
Aug 26, 2022 · 1 hr 12 min
3. The Russian mindset
Russia's behavior in launching the invasion of Ukraine caught many in the West off guard, so Saul has been speaking to expert on Russian History - Professor Orlando Figes to understand what Putin's calculation may have been. <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.
Aug 19, 2022 · 40 min
2. The Ukrainian counter-offensive
Ukrainian forces are looking to cut-off Russia's 'Land Bridge' to Crimea, with a possible large offensive being launched in the south of the country in the coming weeks. Patrick and Saul speak to Anglo-Ukrainian journalist Askold Krushelnycky, bringing up to date analysis on the geographical discrepancies in the fighting, and the considerable number of female fighters in the Ukrainian ranks.  <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;'
Aug 12, 2022 · 1 hr 9 min
Battleground: Ukraine
In this new series, Saul and Patrick explore the current conflict in Ukraine. They begin by looking back to the first days of hostilities in Kyiv with BBC journalist Paul Kenyon, followed by Ukrainian-American journalist Irena Chalupa giving an overview of the historic enmity between the two countries. <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for
Aug 2, 2022 · 1 hr
Bonus: Steve Hoyland, 148 Commando Battery
Steve Hoyland, who in 1982 was a parachute-qualified radio operator in the Royal Artillery’s 148 Commando Battery, gives a hair-raising account of his time on operations with the Special Forces during the campaign. <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.
Jul 25, 2022 · 33 min
Bonus: 'Piggy' Trotter and bomb disposal
Graham 'Piggy' Trotter recounts his time as a Navy Clearance Driver during the campaign, including the heart-stopping de-fusing of a thousand pound bomb from RFA Sir Lancelot. <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.
Jul 18, 2022 · 57 min
16. Reflections and response
With hundreds of messages received through the course of the series, Patrick and Saul answer as many questions they can and add some responses from listeners who were involved in the campaign. <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.
Jul 11, 2022 · 31 min
15. Going home
With the military action over, Saul and Patrick cover the aftermath of the war and the impact it had both on the nation and the individuals who were caught up in it. They end with personal reflections on what they've heard during the course of the series, and what's coming next. <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.
Jul 4, 2022 · 44 min
14. Surrender
With the Argentine forces routed in the mountains, the British task force roll into Port Stanley as the official surrender finally comes. Hear memories from the islanders, and Patrick's recollection of fellow journalist Max Hastings' legendary solo stroll to the pub. <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.
Jun 27, 2022 · 35 min
13. The Battle of Wireless Ridge
In the final phase of the battle for Port Stanley, the momentum of the initial assault continues as British forces assault Wireless Ridge and the Battle of Mount Tumbledown begins. <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.
Jun 20, 2022 · 38 min
12. The Battle for the Mountains
As the war nears its climax, British forces launch an attack on the Argentinian positions despite savage Falkland Island winter weather in the mountains surrounding Port Stanley.   <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.
Jun 13, 2022 · 53 min
11. Disaster on the Sir Galahad
In one of the most tragic and horrifying incidents in the war for the British forces, the Sir Galahad landing craft is bombed when fully laden with Welsh Guards. Saul and Patrick explore the decisions that led to the tragedy, and the heroic defensive effort from fighter pilots David 'Mog' Morgan and Dave Smith in preventing further casualties. <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://aca
Jun 6, 2022 · 59 min
10. The race for Port Stanley
As focus turns towards the capital Port Stanley, a treacherous 'yomp' across difficult terrain and conflicting priorities from commanding officers mean the British forces are left vulnerable. <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.
May 30, 2022 · 1 hr 2 min
9. The Battle of Goose Green
As the British forces pushed into the island from their landing point at San Carlos Water, they encountered a well-defended Argentinian position in the settlement of Goose Green, leading to the most ferocious land battle of the war. Saul and Patrick explore the controversial reasoning behind the attack, with eye-witness testimony from those at the heart of the action. <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener nore
May 23, 2022 · 49 min
8. The sinking of HMS Coventry and Atlantic Conveyor
After British successes in landing troops on the Falkland Islands, the Argentinian air force strike back, sinking two British ships with their bombs and French-built Exocet missiles. Saul posits a new theory about the fate of the supply ship Atlantic Conveyor, raising the possibility that it was deliberately sacrificed by British high command in order to save their tactically vital carriers. <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_b
May 16, 2022 · 48 min
7. The Battle of San Carlos Water
The Argentinian Air Force mobilise and attack the landing British Task Force at San Carlos Water. Hear thrilling eye witness accounts from Mark Hankin, a 17-year-old Royal Marine tasked with machine gunning down the Argentinian jets, and Sargeant Dave Watkins, who was attempting get troops to shore in the cumbersome landing craft. <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privac
May 9, 2022 · 38 min
6. The landing
After journeying for weeks through the Atlantic Ocean, the Task Force reaches the Falkland Islands and begins the difficult process of a successful amphibious landing. Having picked San Carlos Water on West Falkland as the entry point, the special forces must prepare the ground for the landings. <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more in
May 2, 2022 · 30 min
5. The point of no return
As the Task Force leave Ascencion Island in the mid-Atlantic, making a shooting war inevitable, the British special forces turn their attention to a suspiciously positioned fishing trawler called Narwhal. <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.
Apr 25, 2022 · 38 min
4. The Sinking of the Belgrano & HMS Sheffield
It's May 1982. British Special Forces land on East Falkland and both the Argentinian cruiser Belgrano and the Royal Navy destroyer HMS Sheffield are sunk. Join Saul and Patrick for episode 4 of Battleground: The Falklands War, where they're joined by a former Special Forces operator who reveals his team's dramatic infiltration of the islands. Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/PodBattleground" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@PodBattleground</a><b