By the end of 1948, the airlift was faltering. Supplies were running dangerously low, Berliners were bracing for the worst, and the Soviets were still watching the skies.

In this final episode, veterans reflect on how a fragile operation held its nerve, how cold weather, hostile threats and tight air corridors tested every crew, and how the lessons learned in those months would shape aviation for generations to come.

You'll hear how the Allied response — improvised at first, then relentless — forced Stalin to blink first, and how those who served were later welcomed back to Berlin by the very people they helped to keep alive.

Featuring first-hand accounts from: Tom Holland, John Curtis, Dick Arscott, Fred Danckwardt, Freddie Montgomery, and William Ball.

This podcast was made possible thanks to the dedication, skill and expertise of some wonderful volunteers.

• Podcast Executive Producer: Scott McDonald
• Series Advisers: Martin Bisiker, Kate Haddock
• Series Researchers: Danny Booth, Eamonn Bownes, David Mishan
• Audio Production: Will Graves, Liz White
• Music: Iain Kitching, Tim Laulik-Walters
• Narrator: Alfie Jepp

If you value our work, please consider supporting the Legasee Archive: www.patreon.com/LegaseeEducationalTrust.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The scale of the Berlin Airlift was almost unimaginable, and so were the risks. With West Berlin on the brink and winter setting in, Allied forces had to move fast, adapt quickly, and work against the odds.

In this episode, veterans recall the early days of Operation Plainfare: the crushing shortfall in supplies, the perilous flying conditions, and the loss of comrades. You'll hear how aircraft began landing every three minutes, how a disused airstrip became a vital new airport in record time, and how even the lakes of Berlin were pressed into service.

But it wasn’t just about logistics. This was a battle of wills, a moment when Anglo-American cooperation, German resilience and French ingenuity were put to the test under the shadow of Soviet pressure.

Featuring first-hand accounts from: John Eddy, Dick Arscott, Leo Hatcher, Larry Lamb, David Edwards and Fred Danckwardt.

This podcast was made possible thanks to the dedication, skill and expertise of some wonderful volunteers.

• Podcast Executive Producer: Scott McDonald
• Series Advisers: Martin Bisiker, Kate Haddock
• Series Researchers: Danny Booth, Eamonn Bownes, David Mishan
• Audio Production: Will Graves, Liz White, Tim Laulik-Walters
• Music: Iain Kitching, Tim Laulik-Walters
• Narrator: Alfie Jepp

If you value our work, please consider supporting the Legasee Archive: www.patreon.com/LegaseeEducationalTrust.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In June 1948, the Soviet Union blockaded all road, rail and river routes into Western-controlled Berlin, cutting off trade and food supplies in a bold attempt to force the Western Allies out of the city. With just 45 days' worth of provisions left, two million Berliners faced the terrifying prospect of starvation. Allied troops stationed in Berlin were vastly outnumbered; the only way to reach the city was by air.

Within just three days, Britain and America launched an unprecedented operation. What followed was the first battle of the Cold War: a relentless, round-the-clock airlift to keep a city alive.

In this episode, Jean Eastham, Leo Hatcher, David Edwards, Len Hurst, Tom Holland and Fred Danckwardt share their vivid recollections. To listen to any of their interviews in full, visit www.legasee.org.uk

This podcast was made possible thanks to the dedication, skill and expertise of some wonderful volunteers.

• Podcast Executive Producer: Scott McDonald
• Series Advisers: Martin Bisiker, Kate Haddock
• Series Researchers: Danny Booth, Eamonn Bownes, David Mishan
• Audio Production: Will Graves, Liz White
• Music: Iain Kitching, Tim Laulik-Walters
• Narrator: Alfie Jepp

If you value our work, please consider supporting the Legasee Archive: www.patreon.com/LegaseeEducationalTrust.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Just a few years after surviving the Blitz, many military personnel found themselves back in Germany — not as conquerors, but on a humanitarian mission amid a fragile peace. Germany, and Berlin in particular, had been split into four sectors, a measure designed to prevent any future German aggression. However, from the start, deep divisions emerged between the Allies and the Soviet Union, each with sharply different visions for post-war Europe and reparations.

Berlin, located deep within the Soviet zone, became a focal point of growing hostility. The introduction of the Deutsche Mark by the Western Allies in 1948 triggered a breakdown in relations with the Soviets, escalating tensions and signalling that a new conflict might be on the horizon. In the first of four episodes on the Berlin Airlift, we hear first-hand testimonies from those who witnessed these rising tensions. Terence Crowley, Jean Eastham, Tom Holland, Tom Henshaw and Fred Danckwardt share their memories of life in post-war Germany and the uncertain days leading up to the Berlin Blockade. To listen to any of the interviews in full, visit www.legasee.org.uk.

This podcast was made possible thanks to the dedication, skill and expertise of some wonderful volunteers.

• Podcast Executive Producer: Scott McDonald
• Series Advisers: Martin Bisiker, Kate Haddock
• Series Researchers: Danny Booth, Eamonn Bownes, David Mishan
• Audio Production: Will Graves, Liz White
• Music: Iain Kitching, Tim Laulik-Walters
• Narrator: Alfie Jepp

If you value our work, please consider supporting the Legasee Archive: www.patreon.com/LegaseeEducationalTrust.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

WRAC Trailblazers: Julia M Crockett

For decades, the Women’s Royal Army Corps (WRAC) was the main route for women into the British Army. Their motto—"Gentle in Manner, Resolute in Deed"—reflected their professionalism, but their service demanded far more. From Cold War frontlines to Northern Ireland and the Gulf, these women helped keep armies moving and intelligence flowing. Yet, their contributions are often overlooked.

In this episode, we hear from Julia Crockett, who joined the WRAC at 17 and went on to serve the nation in the intelligence corps at GCHQ. Julia shares her journey—serving in West Germany and then GCHQ — her work involved intense mapping and monitoring of foreign forces and she left the WRAC a changed woman, to serve in the Metropolitan Police. Her story is one of resilience and determination in some of the most personally challenging situations.

This podcast is part of the WRAC Trailblazers project, an oral history series capturing the stories of women who paved the way for today’s female soldiers. It has been made possible thanks to funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

• Podcast Producer: Emilie Stewart
• Executive Producer: Kate Haddock
• Music: Iain Kitching, Tim Laulik-Walters & Pond5
• Special Thanks: Julia M Crockett for sharing her story

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For decades, the Women’s Royal Army Corps (WRAC) was the main route for women into the British Army. Their motto—"Gentle in Manner, Resolute in Deed"—reflected their professionalism, but their service demanded far more. From Cold War frontlines to Northern Ireland and the Gulf, these women helped keep armies moving and intelligence flowing. Yet, their contributions are often overlooked.

In this episode, we hear from Sharon Broderick MBE, who joined the WRAC at 17 and went on to become the first female Master Chef in the British Army. Sharon shares her journey—from intense training and breaking gender barriers in the military kitchen to serving in Northern Ireland during the Troubles. Her story is one of resilience, determination, and leadership in the face of deep-seated challenges.

This podcast is part of the WRAC Trailblazers project, an oral history series capturing the stories of women who paved the way for today’s female soldiers. It has been made possible thanks to funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

• Podcast Producer: Georgina Close-Smith
• Executive Producer: Kate Haddock
• Music: Iain Kitching & Tim Laulik-Walters
• Special Thanks: Sharon Broderick MBE for sharing her story

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.