Battleground

In the first our four-part Tunisgrad series, Saul sets the scene by covering the North African campaign from September 1940 to November 1942. Beginning with the Italian invasion of Egypt, the initial British successes, and the arrival of Rommel's Afrika Korps. We then track the brutal back-and-forth struggle across the desert, culminating in the Axis high-water mark of mid-1942. The episode climax...

This week on Battleground, Saul David and Patrick Bishop analyse why recent diplomatic summits have failed to move the needle on peace in Ukraine. They also discuss two surprising developments: new details about a potential US security commitment to a post-war Ukraine, and the US imposition of heavy tariffs on India to punish it for buying Russian oil. With the tariffs already devastating key Indi...

In the final episode of our Battleground '45 series Saul and Patrick tie up some loose ends by answering listeners' questions on all things Second World War-related. Together they discuss why Spain remained neutral, the role of Latin American countries in the war, and why the Luftwaffe was nowhere to be seen when 617 Squadron of the RAF sank the Tirpitz in November 1944. If you have any thoughts o...

In this episode, host Patrick Bishop welcomes back friend of the show and veteran journalist, Julius Strauss. Just back from the Donbas in Eastern Ukraine, Julius shares his account of the current situation on the ground and the mood They also dissect the recent geopolitical manoeuvres, breaking down the implications of the controversial Trump-Putin summit, and analysing the results, if any, of th...

In this episode of Battleground 45 , Saul and Patrick delve into the dark history of the ratlines, a system of escape routes used by high-ranking Nazi officials and collaborators to flee Europe after World War II. We explore how these fugitives, including infamous figures like Adolf Eichmann and Klaus Barbie, evaded justice by traveling through a network that stretched from Germany to safe havens...

In this special reaction episode, we break down the key takeaways from the White House meeting, including the surprising possibility of a Putin-Zelenskyy face-to-face, Trump's sudden openness to security guarantees for Ukraine. We also explore the fascinating diplomatic charm offensive launched by Zelenskyy to win over his American hosts. Is this a real breakthrough or simply "smoke and mirrors"?...

Welcome to Battleground! In this special episode, Patrick Bishop and Saul David unpack the stunning outcome of the Alaska summit between President Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. After waiting for details to emerge, the hosts react to what was quickly dubbed "the anticlimax in Anchorage." While there was no ceasefire, the meeting was hugely important—and not in a good way. Together they discuss h...

As Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin prepare to meet, Patrick and Saul dissect the unsettling details of a proposed peace deal for Ukraine, including Trump's suggested "land-swapping," which could force Ukraine to cede critical territory, including the heavily fortified "fortress belt" in Donetsk. They also discuss a controversial proposal to model the deal after Israel's occupation of the West Bank...

In this episode of Battleground 45, Saul and Patrick explore the Nuremberg Trials, examining their significance in delivering justice after World War II. Join us as we delve into the courtroom proceedings, the key figures involved, and the lasting impact of these landmark trials on international law and human rights. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - podbattleground@gma...

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...

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...

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 forei...

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 Europ...

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 signe...

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...

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 in...

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@g...

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 l...

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 - pod...

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 tragic...

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...

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 assertiv...

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...

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....

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 t...