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The Rest Is Classified

122. Kim Philby: An Assassin In Spain (Ep 2)

The Rest Is Classified

Goalhanger

History

4.42K Ratings

🗓️ 28 January 2026

⏱️ 62 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Kim Philby has been recruited by the communists to spy on the growing fascist movement across Europe, but he can’t seem to penetrate the intelligence services. So, like all men with access to an old boys’ network in 20th century Britain, he asks a friend for a job.  In this episode, David and Gordon chart Philby’s rise as a war correspondent for The Times in London; eventually finding himself in Spain on the eve of war with the unenviable task of trying to assassinate General Franco. ------------------- Make someone a Declassified Club Member this year – go deeper into the world of espionage with exclusive Q&As, interviews with top intelligence insiders, regular livestreams, ad-free listening, early access to episodes and live show tickets, and weekly deep dives into original spy stories. Members also get curated reading lists, special book discounts, prize draws, and access to our private chat community. Just go to ⁠⁠therestisclassified.com⁠ or join on Apple Podcasts. ------------------- Get a 10% discount on business PCs, printers and accessories using the code TRIC10. Visit https://HP.com/CLASSIFIED for more information. T&C's apply. ------------------- EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ ⁠⁠https://nordvpn.com/restisclassified⁠⁠ Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee  ------------------- Email: ⁠therestisclassified@goalhanger.com ⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@restisclassified Social Producer: Emma Jackson Producer: Becki Hills Head of History: Dom Johnson Exec Producer: Tony Pastor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

For exclusive interviews, bonus episodes, ad-free listening, early access to series,

0:09.0

first look at live show tickets, a weekly newsletter, and discounted books, join the declassified

0:14.1

club at the rest is classified.com. Kim Philby being recruited ends up going to Cambridge,

0:20.4

and then he goes to Vienna.

0:21.3

He was drawn into communism by the Soviet intelligence service.

0:26.1

Mutually assured destruction in a way there, because Stalin could go after his family and

0:29.9

he's got the secret.

0:30.7

The Second World War proper as we think of it starts when Hitler invades Poland at the start

0:34.6

September 39.

0:36.1

And then finally Germany attacks France and the low countries.

0:39.6

Germans make this rapid advance through Belgium and France.

0:43.8

And very quickly, of course, those countries collapse.

0:48.5

This episode is sponsored by HP.

0:51.4

Most people are not counter-espionage experts, but that won't stop them getting targeted by

0:56.6

cyber criminals seeking to extract their secrets. H.P understands that approximately four in 10

1:02.9

UK businesses have reported cyber breaches in the past 12 months alone. That's why HP business

1:08.4

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1:11.7

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1:17.0

about dodgy emails or unexplained pop-ups. HP's independently verified Wolf Pro Security works

1:23.8

alongside your existing security tools to protect your business users and reputation from

1:29.8

malware and evolving cyber threats with your first click.

1:33.7

You don't need an alias or a secret hideout to stay safe.

...

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