A Few Minutes of History

Thank you to the team over at Fact Slap for their research and help that went into making this video! The link for their Facebook page is here - https://www.facebook.com/share/1c6h5J6J6F/?mibextid=wwXIfr On the 2nd of May 1982 The Falklands War heats up and the small last chance of a diplomatic solution to the Argentinian invasion of the Islands is over with the sinking of the ARA General Belgrano...

Today i was joined by Will Eichler, Will is one of the managing partners of HistoryFix, a fantastic streaming platform dedicated to bringing History to you.  In his day job, Will is a Director Of Photography in the motion picture industry, and has worked on several large scale productions.  I myself have worked with Will and the team at HistoryFix to bring exclusive content to the platform, if you...

This is the audio version of my latest YouTube video, which can be found here  https://youtu.be/FwebKyWDqes?si=fRLfI_mj8cZpy3EP During World War Two, a plethora of special forces and clandestine units were formed by the Allies. Many are well known, such as the SAS, SBS, SOE and the OSS. One of the lesser known was Z Special Unit, also known as Z Force, and today, we shall be exploring some of the...

I was joined today by the brilliant Paul Bruno. Paul has spent the last 20 years gathering information about Second World War Jeeps.  The Jeep is arguably one of the most famous, and most important vehicles of the war. And don't just take my word for it, General Eisenhower called the Jeep one of the 3 vehicles that won the war! Owning a 1944 Ford GPW, i could not pass up the chance to chat to...

I was joined by Robert O'Connor. Robert is an Author who wrote the fantastic novel "Jeep Show: A Trouper at the Battle of the Bulge" The novel follows the story of Jim Tanzer as he enlists in the U.S. Army’s Morale Corps in WWII. Along with Private Mickey Rooney and others, he is detailed to entertain soldiers in combat zones. Jim gets caught up in the Battle of the Bulge, one of th...

Today I was joined by Mike Atherton, Mike is an author who writes Historical Fiction novels. Including those based on his own relatives experiences in the First World War. Before becoming an author, Mike spent several years in the British Army serving as a Nurse, we discussed his time in the Army, including nursing an aging Nazi Rudolf Hess inside Spandau Prison in the early 1980's. We chatte...

I was joined today by Martin Bennett, an author who has wrote the superb "Wounded Tiger" the true story of the pilot "Mitsuo Fuchida" who led the Pearl Harbor attack on the United States in December 1941, whose life was changed by an American prisoner and by a girl he never met. The book covers several important topics, including faith, loyalty and forgiveness, all which are in...

This is an audio upload from my YouTube Video - “Britains Greatest General”  If you where to ask the average Britain on the street, to name a British military leader from days gone by, names like, Montgomery, the Duke of Wellington and Nelson are bound to crop up, Chances are that few people would name, or even have heard of the man who is the subject of todays video, a man who turned the fortune...

I was honoured to be joined by Peter Mathews, Peter is originally from The Hague in The Netherlands, but found himself taking part in America's War in Vietnam. He was awarded the Bronze Star after saving a critically wounded soldier. Peter spent a year in country with the 1st Cavalry Division and towards the end of his tour found a diary belonging to a Vietnamese Soldier on Hill 724 after the...

Today i was joined by Podcast Regular Anthony Tucker-Jones, join us as we discuss an often overlooked part of the life of Winston Churchill, his role in the The Cold War. We discuss Operation Unthinkable and the plan to attack the Soviet Union, his relationship with the Royal Family, the conflicts around the world and so much more. Thank you once again Anthony for joining me, and if you enjoyed th...

I was joined today by Jerry Glazer, Jerry is a veteran of the Vietnam War, being drafted into the Army shortly after graduating from College.  Jerry never intended to be a soldier, much less lead a special Operations Team, fighting for survival in war He served in Special Ops with Airborne Units, 1st Cav, the Marines, and Special Operations Groups. The missions took him and his unit deep into enem...

I was joined today by Lieutenant Colonel Tim Spicer OBE. We spoke about his upcoming book about the life of the most extraordinary man - Wilfred "Biffy" Dunderdale. A 17-year-old Wilfred ‘Biffy’ Dunderdale is working for his father, taking submarines from Vladivostok to St Petersburg for the Russian Imperial Navy. He takes a submarine out for sea trials along with a naval dockyard crew h...

Today i was joined by Jim Carter. Jim is an author who wrote the fantastic Hearts of Steel. Hearts of Steel explores the time of the Royal Navy from the end of World War 1 to the Battle of Crete in May 1941. During this period the Royal Navy was taking the fight to the German war machine. There were losses, but great victories too. It was a time of developing tactics and a growing realisation that...

Today I was joined by my friend Kieran "Woody" Haywood. Woody served for 21 Years in the British Army in The Royal Green Jackets and The Rifles. He saw active combat in Iraq and Afghanistan where he was shot in the face by the Taliban during a firefight. We spoke about his life in the Army where he had a varied career that included winning various Boxing Championships, attempting brutal...

I was joined once again by the fantastic Historian Anthony Tucker-Jones to talk about the events of 1945 and the Battle of Berlin. We discuss the fall of the Third Reich, the events of the Seelow Heights, Hitler's descent into madness as well as some of the tragic individual tales from the worlds most turbulent period. Anthony's new book is out soon, to keep up to date with him - https:/...

I was joined today by Jon from the WW2 Wayfinder YouTube Channel. We discussed his travels to Italy to view the sites at Monte Cassino, Gran Sasso and more, we chat about the incredible difficulties that the Allies and Axis troops faced fighting in Italy. Jon's fantastic channel can be found here https://www.youtube.com/@WW2Wayfinder The Gran Sasso video is here https://youtu.be/qMtqQ0KPvj4?s...

I shall be talking about the only man to be awarded the VC twice during the First World War, his name was Noel Chavasse.  His first honour came at the Somme. His second, at Passchendaele, cost him his life. An incredible man who left behind an incredible legacy of how far Medical Staff will go to help their patients.  If you’d like to get in touch email me at:  afewminutespod@outlook.com  Send us...

I was joined today by the Mike Croissant who is a former CIA Officer and Author. Mike's book " Bombing Hitler's Hometown: The Untold Story of the Last Mass Bomber Raid of World War II in Europe"  tells the incredible story of the airmen of the Fifteenth Air Force who embarked on a deadly mission to bomb one of Europe’s most heavily defended targets—Linz, Austria—the town Hitler...

In todays Podcast, I am joined by Michael G. Stroud once again as we tackle the American Civil War in Part 2 of our 3 Part series. We discuss the likelihood of a Confederate victory, the key battles and so much more! Big thanks to everyone listening and downloading, the Podcast has charted in several countries recently and its amazing to see! The linkto Michaels new book on the Byzantium's Tw...

I was joined today by my good friend and long time collaborator Michael G Stroud. This is Episode 1 in a 3 part series on the American Civil War. Today we discuss the prelude to the American Civil War, why it happened and what factors played a part in the Confederacy breaking away from the union. The Link to Michaels new book on the Byzantium's Twilight can be found below! https://www.amazon....

Something abit different today, I hope you enjoy it!  Thanks to everyone subscribing, listening and downloading, we recently hit the charts in Ireland, and Sri Lanka! So fingers crossed we can keep that up! The YouTube channel is linked below  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4y2VEewZpgwxfHFwT0TVsQ?sub_confirmation=1 Email me at - afewminutespod@outlook.com If you’d like me to chat about anything...

I had the privilege today, to be joined by Colonel Chris Starling USMC (Retired) Chris’s family have a unique story, his father, himself, his brother and his son have all saw combat serving with the 1st Division US Marines, and today we dive into their story! We chat Vietnam, Desert Storm, 9/11 and more as Chris shares what life was like as a Marine during some of America’s most turbulent years. M...

Today i was proud to welcome Phil Gioia to the the show. Phil is a veteran of the Vietnam War and a successful author. During his two deployments , Gioia received two Silver Stars for valor, a Bronze Star with “V” for valor, and two Purple Hearts.  We chat in depth about his time as a young officer in the 82nd Airborne and the 1st Cavalry Division. Phil recounts everything from finding mass graves...

Today i was joined by Brian Short, Brian joined the Royal Marines in 1973 not as a Commando but as a musician in the world renowned Royal Marine Band Service. in this episode we discuss his involvement with the Corp during the Falklands War mainly onboard the SS Canberra. If you would like a copy of Brian's book, it can be found here - https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-Band-That-Went-to-War...

I was joined by Dave Roberts, who is probably the biggest expert on 30 Commando Assault Unit in the world! The brain child of naval commander Ian Fleming & Lord Louis Mountbatten, this wartime unit was a secret well kept for over 50 years after the war by the Official Secrets Act, some remains classified, see Reading. At the time, officially, they didn’t exist. The members of this unit were fo...