In this latest episode of Battleground, Saul David and Patrick Bishop take a step back as the full-scale war in Ukraine approaches its second anniversary and look at the wider picture surrounding the conflict. Including the impact of Ukraine's new military command, questions over continuing western support, and the upcoming Russian presidential elections. They also answer some thought provoking listeners questions, including on the huge abundance of natural resources in Ukraine. If you have...

In this instalment of Battleground '44, Saul and Patrick look at the dramatic social impact that the mass arrival of American soldiers and Airmen had on UK society during the second world war and the legacy that lasts until today. The American's brought with them Hollywood glamour and impressive fighting kit, but also a segregated military, which marked the start of modern day British race relations in popular society. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to -...

In this latest episode of Battleground, Saul and Patrick react to the highly significant news that Ukraine's commander-in-chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi has been sacked. They asses what this means going forward as well as reflecting on the controversial Tucker Carlson interview with Vladimir Putin. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - [email protected] Producer: James Hodgson X (Twitter): @PodBattleground Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...

In this episode of Battleground '44, Saul is joined by James Holland, the Historian and co-host of our sister podcast We Have Ways of Making You Talk - to talk about the pivotal Battle of Anzio which took place 80 years ago this month. They delve into the significance, the difficulties, and the controversy that surrounds the battle and its legacy. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - [email protected] Producer: James Hodgson X (Twitter): @PodBattleground Learn...

In this episode of Battleground we have the full interview with friend of the podcast - American Journalist Joe Lindsey - who speaks to Saul and Patrick from the Eastern Ukrainian City of Kharkiv, just 30 miles from the Russian border. Joe describes the mood in Ukraine at the moment, with growing uncertainty over the future of western support, continuing Russian attacks on Ukrainian Cities, and tensions rising between the politicians and military commanders in Ukraine. If you have any...

In this episode of Battleground Saul and Patrick discuss the big news of this week, that President Zelensky of Ukraine tried to sack his highly-regarded armed forces chief, General Valery Zaluzhny, but has been forced to reinstate him. They also look at the significance of Hungary dropping its veto of 50 billion euros in EU loans and grants for Ukraine, and speak to old friend of the podcast - American journalist Joe Lindsey - from the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv. If you have any...

In this instalment of our Battleground '44 series, the subject of discussion is the epic 872 day long siege on Leningrad (present-day Saint Petersburg), where hundreds of thousands of civilians perished, and starvation led to some residents resorting to cannibalism. To delve deeper into the story of this horrific and bloody siege, Patrick speaks to Anna Reid, author of the book Leningrad: The Epic Siege of World War II: 1941-1944. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to -...

In this episode of Battleground Saul and Patrick assess the headline story of the week - the downing of a Russian transport plane inside Russia north east of Belgorod. Which at first sight this looks like a tragic error by Ukraine because on board were 65 captured Ukrainian soldiers who were on their way to being exchanged for Russian prisoners of war. They also discuss the growing nervousness surrounding a possible Trump presidency, and the growing tensions in the Middle East following more...

In this instalment of our Battleground '44 series, Saul speaks to Historian Matthew Parker - Author of the book "Monte Cassino: The Hardest Fought Battle of World War II". Together they go through the four stages of this extraordinary battle, between a vast array of multinational allies against the German army defending an ancient Monastery on the summit of Monte Cassino. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - [email protected] Producer: James Hodgson X...

In this episode of Battleground, Saul David and Patrick Bishop discuss the big event in Ukraine this week - the shooting down of a Russian surveillance aircraft by a Ukrainian missile with a Russian command and control plane being badly damaged in the same attack. They also delve into the encouraging announcement of two separate aid packages from Germany and the UK, as the future of U.S. funding for Ukraine is uncertain. Iran's role in the growing tensions and hostilities in the Middle East...

In this episode of Battleground 44 Saul David and Patrick Bishop are discussing the Battle of Berlin. The epic struggle by RAF’s Bomber Command and its ruthless and dynamic leader Air Marshal Arthur Harris to bring Germany to its knees by bombing Berlin flat, which was at its height when 1944 opened. It was the moment when Harris and the RAF establishment were given their chance to prove their contention that bombing alone could win the war. What followed was a terrible ordeal for the RAF...

In the latest episode of Battleground, Patrick Bishop and Saul David, will be looking at how Ukraine sees the year ahead, with the help of some very revealing comments made in a recent interview by President Zelensky. They'll also be asking how it is that his arch enemy President Putin has been able to ride the political troubles that have come in the wake of his war and asking whether that is likely to change soon. They also look at the latest from Gaza front, discussing whether the spate of...

In the opening episode of our special Battleground ’44 series, Patrick Bishop and Saul David look at a character who cast a long shadow over the war in the west. The American general and later U.S. President - Dwight D. Eisenhower. In this episode Saul and Patrick delve into Eisenhower's story: his background, his meteoric rise through the U.S. Military ranks, his personality and experiences, and why all that led to him and not others being selected for the top job. If you have any...

Today we have a fascinating interview where Patrick speaks to former Middle East correspondent Tim Butcher, who covered the 2006 Lebanon War. Tim provides some insightful analysis on the impact the 2006 War had on Israel and the IDF, and significantly how this has impacted on what is happening in Gaza today. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - [email protected] Producer: James Hodgson Twitter: @PodBattleground Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...

In our second Battleground podcast of 2024 Saul and Patrick return to the war in Ukraine, as in the past week has seen a tit for tat of missile and drone strikes – the majority, needless to say, fired from Russia. They also discuss both the possibility and the feasibility of recent reports that Russian President Vladimir Putin is using backchannels and intermediaries to signal his interest in a ceasefire. As ever we answer your listeners questions on both the conflict in Ukraine and in...

Introducing our new series - Battleground 44. This year to mark the 80th anniversary of probably the most momentous year of the Second World War - 1944 - Patrick, Saul, and some special guests will be drawing on their vast knowledge and expertise on the subject to talk you through the big events and personalities that shaped the conflict and the world we live in today. In this first episode they set the scene at the start of 1944 and look ahead at some of the most significant moments and...

Welcome to the last Battleground podcast of the year with Saul David and Patrick Bishop, who both think military historians will look back on 2023 as a very significant year with two major wars whose outcomes will have a significant effect on the future of world events. The conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza are far from over of course. But in this episode we’ll be revisiting the major events of the year in both theatres and trying to give some sense of where they might go in the year ahead....

On today's episode we focus on the issue of accountability for war crimes, what finding justice looks like for Ukraine, and the challenges Ukraine faces in this field. To discuss this Saul speaks to Dr Iva Vukusic - assistant professor in International History at Utrecht University and a research fellow at War Studies at Kings college London. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - [email protected] Producer: James Hodgson Twitter: @PodBattleground Learn more...

This week President Zelensky confessed that the Ukrainian army has asked for an extra 450-500,000 people to be mobilised to fight the war, but he had yet to be convinced that such a huge call-up was necessary. Discussing the implications of this Saul and Patrick, also take a look at the delay in US aid for Ukraine, as well as the growing criticism of the IDFs conduct in Gaza. They also address some insightful listeners comments and questions- including on recent poling conducted inside...

In a now annual Battleground tradition, for a special Christmas treat we've recorded a special festive episode discussing the standout history books of the year, and the wider stories that surround them. Patrick, Saul, and Roger are joined by friends of the podcast - fellow historian Jessie Childs and publicist and historical novelist Richard Foreman. Producer: James Hodgson Twitter: @PodBattleground Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Battleground Saul and Patrick report on the latest news from Ukraine, with things recently not going Kyiv’s way. The US Congress has blocked a $61 billion aid package for Ukraine and President Volodymyr Zelensky this week visited Washington in an attempt to persuade Republican politicians to change their mind. But will he succeed? Meanwhile Russia has hardened its bargaining position by demanding that Ukraine withdraws its troops from ‘Russian territory’ as a pre-requisite...

In this episode of Battleground Saul and Patrick discuss the announcement from Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu that the beginning of the end of Hamas is in sight in Gaza and presumably victory for the Israelis is imminent. They’ll be asking whether he’s right and whether a military victory can actually produce circumstances that bring an end to the overall conflict. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - [email protected] Producer: James Hodgson Twitter:...

In this episode of Battleground Ukraine Saul speaks to independent Russian journalist Maria. She discusses the trails of Ukrainian prisoners of war being held in the occupied regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, the effect sanctions are having on the Russian population, and on the wider feeling among Russians about the war in Ukraine. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - [email protected] Producer: James Hodgson Twitter: @PodBattleground Learn more about your ad...

In this episode of Battleground Saul and Patrick react to the news that the ceasefire in Gaza has collapsed, with Israel resuming its air and ground offensive and civilians continuing to die in large numbers. They also discuss the mood inside Israel, with some criticism of the Israeli government strategy coming from inside Israel because of concerns over the risks a resumption of hostilities brings to the hostages that Hamas are still holding. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can...

In this episode of Battleground Ukraine, Saul David speaks to David Patrikarakos from our sister podcast Disorder. David has just returned from Ukraine where he has been reporting on and off since the initial Russian Invasion in 2014. He discusses what he's witnessed recently and over the whole of his time in Ukraine and how the nature of warfare is changing both on the battlefield and on the propaganda front. If you're interested in listening to David's own podcast Disorder - you can find...