Battleground
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 and Saul David turned their attention to the war in Ukraine, and now every Wednesday look back to the seismic events of 1945. Goalhanger Podcasts
Episodes
August 7, 2025 • 44 mins
Join Saul and Patrick as they recap the latest news from Ukraine in what was a rather chaotic week that saw Trump deploy US nuclear submarines after a tense online spat with former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.
They’ll also analyse why Trump is targeting India with new tariffs, while seemingly avoiding China, and the surprising diplomatic progress made between his envoy and Putin.
Plus, we'll cover the latest battlefield d...
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August 6, 2025 • 31 mins
In this episode of Battleground 45 Saul is joined by Evan Mawdsley to examine the final weeks of World War II from the perspective of the Soviet Union.
Together they explore Stalin’s strategic goals at the Potsdam Conference, his reaction to the successful test of the atomic bomb, and the subsequent decision to accelerate the invasion of Manchuria.
They look at why the Soviet declaration of war on Japan on August 8, 1945, may ha...
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July 31, 2025 • 50 mins
This week, Patrick Bishop and Saul David tackle the latest Ukraine news starting with a look at Donald Trump's dramatic new deadline for Putin – a mere "ten or 12 days" to achieve peace in Ukraine.
Plus, they get a unique glimpse into the war's human side with Colin Freeman, author of "The Mad and The Brave: The Untold Story of Ukraine’s Foreign Legion." Colin shares his insights into the foreign volunteers fighting on the front...
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July 29, 2025 • 39 mins
At Potsdam, the victorious Allies finalise the future of a shattered Europe while the terrifying secret of the atomic bomb forces a decision that will forever redefine warfare.
In this episode of Battleground '45 Patrick and Saul discuss the momentous decisions of Summer 1945. Firstly they delve into the Potsdam conference with the uneasy alliance, already strained, are at odds over post-war Europe.
Simultaneously, President Tru...
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July 24, 2025 • 46 mins
A week after President Trump's stunning U-turn, Saul and Patrick discuss a surge of renewed Western support for Ukraine. With Europe announcing its 18th sanctions package, imposing a landmark oil price cap to cripple Russian revenues and targeting the shadow fleet used to evade them.
However, as Western aid floods in, a tide of protest is rising on the streets of Kyiv. President Zelensky has signed a controversial law bringing in...
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July 22, 2025 • 40 mins
On this episode of Battleground 45, Saul welcomes historian Jack Bowsher to delve into the climactic final months of the Burma Campaign, and the rest of British involvement in the final phases of the war against Japan.
Together they dissect the strategic importance and brutal fighting of the Battle of Meiktila, analyse the daring amphibious assaults of Operations Dracula and Zipper, and then shift focus to the highly secret and am...
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July 17, 2025 • 45 mins
Has the tide turned for Ukraine? In this episode Saul and Patrick unpack President Trump's bold new strategy, including substantial military supplies and a looming deadline for a peace settlement backed by unprecedented tariffs on Russia's trade partners.
Is this the long-awaited turning point, or are there hidden complexities? We dissect the motivations behind this policy pivot and discuss the internal shifts within the US admin...
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July 15, 2025 • 45 mins
In this episode of Battleground '45 Saul David and Roger Moorhouse take a deep dive into a host of fascinating listeners questions on the Second World War.
These include a look at the Japanese in China, why Tito emerged victorious in Yugoslavia, and the weird and wonderful spy gadgets used and developed in World War 2.
If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - podbattleground@gmail.com
Producer: James Hodgso...
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July 10, 2025 • 34 mins
This week Patrick and Saul analyse Donald Trump's sudden policy reversal on Ukraine, pledging defensive weapons after a concerning pause. They question if it's a true change of heart or a tactical move amidst escalating Russian attacks.
They also discuss a "new axis of evil" – Iran, China, and North Korea's collaboration in supplying Russia's deadly Shahed drones.
Plus, a bizarre UK arson attack linked to the Wagner Group expos...
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July 8, 2025 • 42 mins
This week on Battleground, Saul and Patrick are stepping away from the tactics and into the narrative, discussing their picks for the best fiction books born out of the Second World War.
They delve into the literary legacy of WWII, debating and dissecting the novels that most effectively capture the human experience of the conflict.
If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - podbattleground@gmail.com
Produc...
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July 3, 2025 • 58 mins
This week on Battleground, Saul David and Patrick Bishop delve into the disappointing turn in US support. Whilst meetings last week at the NATO summit offered a glimmer of hope, the White House's abrupt decision to halt key weapons supplies, including Patriot missiles, has left Ukraine's defences vulnerable.
Additionally, we hear directly from Eddy Scott, a 28-year-old British volunteer who tragically lost an arm and a leg in a R...
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July 1, 2025 • 34 mins
In this episode of Battleground, Saul and Patrick descend into the brutal depths of the Battle of Okinawa.
Together they examine the strategic brilliance and tragic missteps on both sides, including the immense casualties that led to the deaths of both commanding generals: Lieutenant General Simon Bolivar Buckner Jr. for the Americans and Lieutenant General Mitsuru Ushijima for the Japanese.
They also take a look at the unprecede...
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June 26, 2025 • 43 mins
Join Patrick Bishop and Saul David on Battleground as they dissect the astonishing new dynamics in global power politics. Donald Trump's recent decisive actions in the Iran-Israel crisis – including a spectacular strike on Iran's nuclear program and an imposed ceasefire – has observers questioning his evolving foreign policy.
To help them answer the big question: will Trump apply this new assertive stance to Putin and the war in ...
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June 23, 2025 • 32 mins
In this episode of Battleground, Patrick Bishop sits down with former Financial Times reporter Marcus Gibson to discuss his controversial new book, The Greatest Force.
Gibson's research challenges decades of historical consensus, arguing that RAF Bomber Command was, in fact, the single most crucial factor in Germany's defeat in World War II. Prepare for a deep dive into the impact of the bombing campaign, and Marcus' claim that R...
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June 19, 2025 • 36 mins
This week on Battleground, Saul David and Patrick Bishop unpack a seismic shift in global conflict. As Israel's astonishing assault on Iran's military leadership and nuclear capabilities sends shockwaves through the Middle East, we explore its profound, and potentially beneficial, implications for the war in Ukraine, especially regarding Russia's crucial military ally and its struggling hardware.
Meanwhile, the spotlight turns to ...
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June 17, 2025 • 39 mins
In this episode of Battleground 45, Saul David speaks to Robert Lyman to delve into the meticulously planned, yet ultimately unexecuted, Allied invasion of Japan: Operation Downfall.
As the war in Europe drew to a close, the focus shifted to the Pacific, and the Allied command began preparing for an unprecedented assault on the Japanese home islands.
Together they explore the staggering scale of the proposed operation, the pro...
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June 12, 2025 • 37 mins
The world’s focus on Ukraine has been affected by the clashes in Los Angeles this week between law enforcement and protestors against Donald Trump’s immigration policies.
Saul David and Patrick Bishop discuss Donald Trump’s response to these clashes, if he is moving towards authoritarian state, his loss of interest in the peace mission between Russia and Ukraine and how his change in focus internally will affect Ukraine.
Th...
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June 9, 2025 • 33 mins
In this episode of Battleground 45, Saul is joined by, Professor Alexander V. Pantsov, a renowned historian and author specialising in 20th-century Chinese history.
Together, they delve into the complex and often controversial figure of Chiang Kai-shek, the leader of the Nationalist Party of China and a pivotal player in the tumultuous events of World War II and the Chinese Civil War.
If you have any thoughts or questions, you c...
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June 5, 2025 • 48 mins
Join Saul David and Patrick Bishop as they dissect the two audacious operations that have shocked the Kremlin and reshaped the narrative. We dive into "Operation Spider's Web," the mass drone attacks that hit five Russian air bases, crippling a third of their long-range bomber fleet.
We are also privileged to be joined by friend of the podcast Colonel Pavlo Khazan of the Ukrainian Electronic Warfare Command, to hear his thoughts a...
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June 3, 2025 • 32 mins
In this episode of Battleground '45 Saul and Patrick take a deep dive into a host of fascinating listeners questions on the second world war.
These include a look into returning POWs, preparation for soldiers heading into Germany, and Escaping Nazi's.
If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - podbattleground@gmail.com
Producer: James Hodgson
X (Twitter): @PodBattleground
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