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 SAS selection and how PTSD has effected him and his post Army life. Woody wrote a detailed diary of his time in Afghanistan which I was lucky to get a copy of, he is the process of hopefully getting it published. If you where affected by any of the stories in this Podcast, or if Woody's honesty about his struggles with PTSD have encouraged you to wish to take action then I have linked below a few links for mental health support. Combat Stress - https://combatstress.org.uk/NHS - https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/armed-forces-community/mental-health/veterans-reservists/This episode will also be available on YouTube, Woody has kindly supplied me with some pictures which show some of his wounds and time on tour.Send us a Text Message.

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://atuckerjones.comMy YouTube is here - www.youtube.com/channel/UC4y2VEewZpgwxfHFwT0TVsQSend us a Text Message.

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/@WW2WayfinderThe Gran Sasso video is here https://youtu.be/qMtqQ0KPvj4?si=-iopJGai1KTO8cDpThank you all for supporting the channel.If you'd like to contact me as always you can find me at - afewminutespod@outlook.comSend us a Text Message.

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 a Text Message.

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 called home. Through his research and interviews with surviving veterans of the mission, Mike brings to life the story of incredible bravery and courage.His website that features interviews and more can be found here -  https://www.mikecroissant.com/To order a copy of the book - https://www.amazon.com/Bombing-Hitlers-Hometown-Untold-Bomber/dp/0806543027 - and many more websites!If you'd like to contact me as always you can find me at - afewminutespod@outlook.comSend us a Text Message.

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 Twilight can be found below!https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CWZ1WX7K?ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_dp_K794NPVMP7TMF8TX8SGT&language=en-US Send us a Text Message.

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.com/dp/B0CWZ1WX7K?ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_dp_K794NPVMP7TMF8TX8SGT&language=en-USSend us a Text Message.

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=1Email me at - afewminutespod@outlook.comIf you’d like me to chat about anything, just drop me a message on these platforms.Send us a Text Message.

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. My YouTube is here- https://youtube.com/@afewminutesofhistory?si=YeE0IgiqWlqDnHTHSend us a Text Message.

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 in Hue City to being wounded in service and so much more.Thanks to everyone for listening to the Podcast.If you'd like a copy of Phil's incredible book it can be found here - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Danger-Close-Vietnam-Phil-Gioia/dp/0811771202My YouTube is also linked here - https://www.youtube.com/@afewminutesofhistory/featuredSend us a Text Message.

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-Hardback/p/20170Brian's Twitter - @FalklandsMusic1Happy 2024 to everyone!I am also have a YouTube Channel that has a variety of separate content -https://youtube.com/@afewminutesofhistoryEmail me at - afewminutespod@outlook.comTwitter - @afewminshistory If you’d like me to chat about anything, just drop me a message on these platforms.Send us a Text Message.

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 forbidden to discuss or document their activities, a pledge that many of the men kept even many years after the war was over, or even for their entire lives!The Website can be found here - https://www.30au.co.uk/historyFacebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/share/GjRSyCxJ7bMmjP4i/?mibextid=K35XfPSend us a Text Message.

I was joined by Ricky D. Phillips (@RDPHistory on Twitter) we spoke in depth about the life of one of the worlds most famous Warships The Belgrano, we spoke about its life during the Second World War as USS Phoenix until its sinking in 1982 as The Belgrano.If you'd like a copy of Ricky's new book it can be found here - https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?i=stripbooks&bbn=266239&rh=p_27%3AMr+Ricky+D.+PhillipsMy partnership with Wartime T Shirts is in full effect, if you’re interested in taking advantage of 10% off your order, follow the link here - https://wartimetshirts.com/discount/afewminutesofhistoryEvery T-shirt sold is a T-shirt donated to homeless veterans in partnership with “Helping Homeless Veterans UK”As always you can get in touch with me via email at - afewminutespod@outlook.comSend us a Text Message.

I was joined this week by Robert Riggs, an American Investigative Reporter, Riggs was an embedded reporter with the Army unit that led the invasion of Iraq in 2003. His assignments have included covering the White House, Congress, Pentagon, and State Department during the administrations of President Ronald Reagan and President George H.W. Bush. Among the three Alfred I. duPont Columbia Journalism Awards for Investigative Reporting, judges described his Gulf War report about the censorship of religious services for U.S. soldiers “as the story every other news organization missed.”We discussed his work investigating weapons of mass destruction pre 9/11 and much more more!Roberts Website is here - https://www.truecrimereporter.com/My partnership with Wartime T Shirts is in full effect, if you’re interested in taking advantage of 10% off your order, follow the link here - https://wartimetshirts.com/discount/afewminutesofhistoryEvery T-shirt sold is a T-shirt donated to homeless veterans in partnership with “Helping Homeless Veterans UK”As always you can get in touch with me via email at - afewminutespod@outlook.comSend us a Text Message.

In 1931, Japan invaded Manchuria and the rest of China in 1937. The Chinese airforce was in a parlous state and needed a capable commander they got one, in the form of an American, Clair Lee Chennault, who brought along 100 Pilots that successfully stopped the Japanese Airforce despite being heavily outnumbered, in less advanced aircraft and thousands of miles from home.My partnership with Wartime T Shirts is in full effect, if you’re interested in taking advantage of 10% off your order, follow the link here - https://wartimetshirts.com/discount/afewminutesofhistoryEvery T-shirt sold is a T-shirt donated to homeless veterans in partnership with “Helping Homeless Veterans UK”This episode is also on YouTube with pictures and videos accompanying it - https://youtu.be/jeU3hxIXLRQAs always you can get in touch with me via email at - afewminutespod@outlook.comSend us a Text Message.

I am joined today by Tom Petch, Tom is a former SAS Officer who wrote "Speed, Aggression, Surprise: The Untold Secret Origins of the SAS" we dive into the remarkable deception campaign that turns the eccentric Dudley Clarkes idea into the most famous and best Special Forces Unit. Tom served with the British Army until 1997 leading small teams gathering Intelligence on the Khmer Rouge in the jungles of Cambodia and persuading the Bosnian Serbs to accept peace.After leaving the military in 1997, he founded the UK’s leading line production company, Salt Film in 2000. He directed his first short film in 2004, and sold his first feature film script in 2006. In 2018, he founded film production company, Dark Wave Film.To keep up with Toms work his website is here - https://www.tompetch.com/aboutMy YouTube is here - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4y2VEewZpgwxfHFwT0TVsQSend us a Text Message.

Today i was joined by  Anthony Tucker-Jones who joined me to talk about his book Battle of The Cities. We dive into some of the brutal but pivotal battles for key Cities on the Eastern Front during the Second World War. A copy of the book can be found here -  https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Battle-of-the-Cities-Hardback/p/23296Anthony Tucker-Jones, a former intelligence officer, is an author and commentator who specialises in military history, with more than 50 books to his name. His work has also been published in an array of magazines and online. He regularly appears on television and radio programmes commenting on current and historical military matters.As always the you can support the Podcast by heading over to YouTube and subscribing there! - https://youtube.com/@afewminutesofhistorySend us a Text Message.

Hello! Thank you all for being so patient! I am back and today i am joined once again by my good friend Jon from the fantastic YouTube Channel WW2 Wayfinder. We discuss his trip to Normandy for the anniversary, his flight in a P-51 Mustang as well as his insane growth on YouTube and so much more!Check out the channels YouTube here - https://youtube.com/@afewminutesofhistoryJon's YouTube can be found here -  https://www.youtube.com/@WW2WayfinderThe P-51 videos are here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jplRNUnRzk4&t=719sThank you all for your patience, I have much more content lined up!Send us a Text Message.

In todays episode, I had the privilege and honour of talking to Robin Bartlett,   he kindly recounted his extraordinary combat experiences as a 22-year-old 1st Lieutenant in the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile)  leading his 28-man platoon on search and destroy missions, firefights and helicopter combat assaults into hot landing zones at the height of the Vietnam War, as well as adapting to life as a civilian after the war.If you'd like to find out more about Robin and you'd like a copy of his incredible book, it can be found here - www.robinbartlettauthor.comSend us a Text Message.

I am joined by Ian Pegg (@cluelesspegg on Twitter) and we discuss The Royal Army Chaplains Department, from the start of the War, to the Beaches of Dunkirk, Normandy, Bergen Belsen and everything in between. Thanks to Ian for his time and i hope you all enjoy this one!Don't forget over on YouTube we have a wide collection of videos for you all as well!Send us a Text Message.