246. Ian Fleming was neither desk jockey nor action hero with Dave Roberts
This week on History Rage, host Paul Bavill is joined by military historian and expert on Ian Fleming, Dave Roberts, as they delve into the intriguing world of wartime intelligence and the often-overlooked contributions of Fleming during the Second World War. Together, they dismantle the myths surrounding Fleming's role, revealing the truth behind the man who created James Bond and his significant impact on British Naval Intelligence.The Real Ian Fleming:Beyond the Desk: Dave discusses the misconceptions that portray Fleming as merely a desk-bound author, highlighting his pivotal role in shaping Naval Intelligence and his innovative ideas that contributed to the war effort.Wartime Operations: Explore Fleming's involvement in the formation of 30 Assault Unit, an elite intelligence unit tasked with capturing enemy secrets and technology, showcasing his strategic mind and leadership abilities.Operation Ruthless:A Wild Plan: The episode reveals the audacious Operation Ruthless, where Fleming proposed a daring scheme to capture German Enigma machines by crash-landing a Heinkel bomber in the English Channel, demonstrating his bold and unconventional thinking.Capturing Secrets: Learn about the successes of 30 Assault Unit in securing vital intelligence, including Enigma machines and Italian naval charts, that played a crucial role in the Allies' strategic planning.Fleming's Legacy:A Man of Influence: Dave articulates how Fleming's charm and connections made him an indispensable figure within British intelligence, proving that his contributions went far beyond his literary fame.Recognition: The discussion emphasises the need to acknowledge Fleming's wartime achievements, which have been overshadowed by his later success as the author of the iconic James Bond series.Guest Information:Discover more about Dave Roberts and his work with 30 Assault Unit at 30au.co.uk.Follow Dave on Twitter at @ihistorical for insights and updates.If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review for History Rage on Apple, Spotify, or Podchaser! Join the 'Angry Mob' on Patreon for early episodes, exclusive content, and the coveted History Rage mug. Subscribe at www.patreon.com/historyrage.Follow the Rage:- Twitter: @HistoryRage- Instagram: @historyrage- Facebook: History Rage For all the latest episodes and updates, visit our website at www.historyrage.com.Stay Angry, Stay Informed - History Rage Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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245. Britain Plays a Major Role in the Cold War with Fraser McCallum | Imperial War Museum Podcast Live Festival
Britain’s Cold War story is bigger than you ever knew.In this explosive episode of History Rage, host Paul Bavill sits down with historian and author Fraser McCallum to uncover the often-overlooked story of Cold War Britain. Too often reduced to a superpower showdown between the United States and the Soviet Union, the Cold War was a global conflict — and Britain was absolutely central to it.Fraser, author of Cold War Britain: 50 Years in the Shadow of the Bomb, reveals how the Cold War reshaped the UK — from British intelligence and its notorious spy scandals to the rise of protest movements like CND and the Greenham Common protests. He shows how Britain’s nuclear ambitions, NATO involvement, and cultural life all intertwined with a conflict that defined half a century.You’ll discover:Why Britain’s role in the Cold War was far greater than most people realiseHow the UK was vital to the creation of NATO and the success of the Berlin AirliftThe devastating truth behind British nuclear weapons testing and its human costHow British intelligence in the Cold War was rocked by class privilege and spy scandals such as the Cambridge FiveThe way Cold War protests like Aldermaston and Greenham Common shaped politics and public debateHow the Cold War left its mark on British culture, television, music, and everyday lifeWhy the Cold War’s legacy still influences British politics and society todayFrom the NHS scaling back services to fund the bomb to Margaret Thatcher turning “Iron Lady” into her personal brand, this episode reveals the Cold War as a British story — one of espionage, nuclear strategy, protest, and pop culture.If you’ve ever thought of the Cold War as a distant standoff between Washington and Moscow, Fraser McCallum will change your mind. The story of Cold War Britain is one of courage, compromise, scandal, and survival — and it still shapes our world today. 🎟️ Don’t miss the chance to engage with history live! Join us at the Imperial War Museum Podcast Live Festival on 1st November: https://www.iwm.org.uk/events/podcast-live 📚 Connect with Fraser MacCallum:Follow him on Instagram: @fraser_mcca11umFind him on X (Twitter): @fmcca11umPurchase his book: Cold War: 50 Years in the Shadow of the Bomb: https://shop.iwm.org.uk/products/cold-war-britain-fifty-years-in-the-shadow-of-the-bomb?srsltid=AfmBOoobMcNPt3aIzk7bpNozuodXXP973Amue5pjiI7NddhTvz9l-No-🔥 Support History Rage for ad-free episodes and exclusive content:Subscribe for just £3/month on Apple or PatreonUnlock additional perks for £5/month: patreon.com/historyrageSpread the word and bring more listeners into the Rage! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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244. The U-Boat War Was Not a Close Run Thing with Roger Moorhouse
Think the WWII U-Boat War was Britain’s closest brush with defeat? Think again. In this live History Rage special, historian Roger Moorhouse – author of Wolfpack: Inside Hitler’s U-Boat War – joins host Paul Bavill to torpedo one of the Second World War’s most persistent myths.Drawing on brand-new research from the German perspective, Roger reveals why the Battle of the Atlantic was not the near-disaster Churchill’s famous quote suggests. He walks us through:Why most English-language histories ignore the German side of the U-boat campaign.How a brief “happy time” in 1940–41 shaped Britain’s self-image as plucky underdog.The statistics showing how Liberty ships and countermeasures reversed the threat.Inside the cramped, stressful life aboard a Type VII U-boat — from “tin can rage” to PTSD-like symptoms.The propaganda, recruitment and astonishing casualty rates of the Kriegsmarine’s submarine arm.Enigma, aerial radar, hedgehog mortars and other Allied innovations that made 1943 the turning point.It’s WWII history as you’ve never heard it before — directly from the other side of the periscope. If you’re fascinated by Second World War naval history, military myths, or the Battle of the Atlantic, this episode is a must-listen. Roger Moorhouse blends gripping stories with hard data to show how the real U-boat war unfolded — and why understanding it matters.Roger’s new book Wolfpack: Inside Hitler’s U-Boat War (out 9 October) is the definitive account of Germany’s submarine campaign told from the inside.🔗 Listen now to bust the “close-run” myth of the U-boat war.📚 Pre-order Roger Moorhouse’s book: Wolfpack: Inside Hitler’s U-Boat Warhttps://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9780008644895💬 Join the History Rage Live community – for £5/month on Patreon you can take part in monthly livestreams, ask your own questions, win prizes and bag the coveted History Rage mug.👉 Subscribe on your favourite podcast app and leave us a 5-star review to help more history fans find the show.Connect with Roger Moorhouse:- Follow Roger on Twitter: @roger_moorhouseStay connected with History Rage on social media:- Twitter: @HistoryRage- Instagram: @historyrage- Facebook: HistoryRageStay curious, stay passionate, and most importantly, stay angry! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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243. Wild West Woes: How Hollywood's Cowboys Misled a Nation with Jem Duducu
In this gripping episode of History Rage, host Paul Bavill is joined by historian and author Jem Duducu, who returns to tackle the myths surrounding the Wild West. Together, they delve into the fantastical narratives spun by Hollywood and how these portrayals have distorted our understanding of American history. Myth vs. Reality:- Jem passionately argues that the glorified image of cowboys and gunfights has overshadowed the true complexities of life on the frontier, revealing how the reality was far less glamorous than the movies suggest.The Role of the US Army:- Discover the uncomfortable truths about the US Army’s role in the westward expansion and how it contributed to the displacement and suffering of Native American populations.Rethinking Cowboys:- Explore the actual duties of cowboys, who were primarily ranch hands, and learn how their portrayal in film has led to a misunderstanding of their lives and contributions.Hollywood's Influence:- Jem critiques the Western genre, highlighting how films have shaped popular perceptions of historical events while often sacrificing accuracy for entertainment value.Unpacking Cultural Representation:- The conversation also touches on the representation of women and people of colour in Westerns, challenging the simplistic narratives that have dominated the genre.Join us for an enlightening discussion that not only dissects the myths of the Wild West but also encourages a deeper understanding of the historical realities that shaped it. Jem's latest book, History of Western Movies, will be available this September, and you can catch more of his insights on the Condensed Histories podcast.Connect with Jem:- Follow Jem on Instagram: @jemduducu and on Bluesky: @jemduducuBuy the book: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9781538177068 Support History Rage:If you’re enjoying this episode, consider joining the 'Angry Mob' on Patreon at patreon.com/historyrage for exclusive content, early access, and the iconic History Rage mug.Follow the Rage:- Twitter: @HistoryRage- Instagram: @historyrage- Facebook: History Rage From all of us at History Rage, stay curious, stay passionate, and most importantly, stay angry! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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242. We Should Understand The Troubles More with Oliver Webb-Carter | Imperial War Museum Podcast Live Festival
The Troubles remain one of the most defining and misunderstood chapters in modern British and Irish history. In this powerful episode of History Rage, host Paul Bavill is joined by Oliver Webb-Carter, host of the Aspects of History podcast, to confront the myths, explore the roots of conflict, and reveal why Britain has too often turned a blind eye to Northern Ireland’s past.Oliver explains how partition, systemic discrimination, and political mismanagement created a cycle of unrest that escalated into 30 years of violence. From the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s to the IRA split, from Bloody Sunday in 1972 to the shocking events of Mad March 1988—including the Gibraltar shootings, Milltown Cemetery attack, and Enniskillen bombing—this conversation cuts through euphemism to show the real human and political cost of the Troubles.For Oliver, the rage is clear: too many in mainland Britain still ignore Irish history, even though its legacy shapes politics and society today. His passion is matched with deep historical knowledge, making this essential listening for anyone who wants to understand the path that eventually led to the Good Friday Agreement.🎟️ Be part of the conversation live! Get your tickets now for the Imperial War Museum Podcast Live Festival on 1st November at IWM London: https://www.iwm.org.uk/events/podcast-live📚 Find out more from Oliver Webb-Carter:Listen to the Aspects of History podcast wherever you get your podcastsVisit www.aspectsofhistory.comFollow on X (Twitter): @AspectsHistory🔥 Support History Rage and never miss an episode:Subscribe ad-free for just £3/month on Apple or PatreonUnlock extras, live streams, book draws, and the coveted History Rage mug for £5/month: www.patreon.com/historyrageFollow on X: @HistoryRageShare the show and bring another listener into the Rage! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Think history is boring? That’s because you’ve only ever heard the fake version.On History Rage, professional historians come in swinging — smashing the myths, clichés, and half-truths that keep getting recycled in classrooms, documentaries, and TikToks. Vikings with horned helmets? Nope. Britain standing alone in 1940? Wrong. Medieval people never bathed? Rubbish.Why listen? Because the truth is way more exciting. You’ll leave every episode with jaw-dropping stories, killer facts to shut down pub bores, and the smug satisfaction of knowing what really happened.🎧 Episodes drop every Monday. 📲 Follow now and get the history they don’t teach you — raw, raging, and real. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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