Commanding a Cold War Royal Navy Polaris Nuclear Missile Submarine (168)

Cold War Conversations - "vivid & compelling" The NY Times

Ian Sanders

History, Documentary, Society & Culture

4.8 • 865 Ratings

🗓️ 20 March 2021

⏱️ 85 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Our conversation with Rob Forsyth continues when he became Executive Officer - and in command on occasions - of HMS Repulse, a Polaris nuclear missile submarine. We hear in detail the challenges of command on these boats, their launch procedures and the conversations Rob had with his captain about the circumstances when they might refuse to launch the missiles. Rob tells of many fascinating incidents including a very close encounter with the Malin Head AGI, a notorious Soviet Spy trawler. We also hear about his promotion to “Teacher” or instructor for the Submarine Commanding Officers’ Qualifying Course aka “The Perisher” and his command of HMS Sceptre, a nuclear powered "hunter-killer" submarine. In the last section of our conversations, Rob tells us why his views on the British nuclear deterrent have changed. You can read more here http://www.whytrident.uk/ I could really use your support to help me to continue to produce these podcasts. A monthly donation of $4, £3 or €3 via Patreon will really help, plus you will get the sought after CWC coaster as a thank you and bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ If a financial contribution is not your cup of tea, then you can still help us by leaving written reviews wherever you listen to us as well as sharing us on social media. It really helps us get new guests on the show. I am delighted to welcome Rob Forsyth to our Cold War conversation… There’s further information on this episode in our show notes which can also be found as a link in your podcast app here. https://coldwarconversations.com/episode168/ If you can’t wait for next week’s episode do visit our Facebook discussion group where guests and listeners continue the Cold War Conversation. Just search Cold War Conversations in Facebook. Thank you very much for listening. Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations 0:00 Introduction and overview of the episode 0:59 Rob Forsyth's experiences on HMS Repulse, a Polaris nuclear missile submarine 5:43 Missile tests and weapons system readiness routine 11:19 Life on a submarine: staying active, alert, and coping with challenges 17:06 The psychological aftermath of patrols: crew members' struggles 23:47 Post-launch plans and moral implications of a nuclear attack 31:55 Anecdotes and stories from Rob's time with HMS Repulse 36:04 Rob's transition to a Perisher teacher and his experiences 49:42 Rob's command of HMS Sector and encounters with Soviet submarines 1:00:15 The financial and operational cost of Trident, and the UK's nuclear policy Chapters powered by PodcastAI✨ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Welcome to Cold War Conversations, the home of real stories of the Cold War.
0:06.1	I think there were some who felt they would never have to fire.
0:10.4	Whether they would have fired, we'll never know.
0:14.3	But I think some might have had doubts.
0:20.3	This is Cold War Conversations.
0:25.0	If you're new here, you've come to the right place to listen to first-hand Cold War
0:29.9	history accounts.
0:31.4	Do make sure you subscribe in your podcast app so that you don't miss out on future episodes.
0:36.8	Our conversation with Rob Forsyth
0:39.2	continues with his posting as a lieutenant commander or seconding command to HMS repulse, a
0:45.7	Polaris nuclear missile submarine. We hear in detail the challenges of command on these boats,
0:53.2	their launch procedures and the conversations
0:55.8	that Rob had with his captain about the circumstances where they might refuse to launch the
1:02.5	missiles. Rob tells of many fascinating incidents including a very close encounter with the
1:09.6	Malinhead AGI, a notorious Soviet spy trawler.
1:14.5	We also hear about his promotion to teacher or instructor for the submarine commanding
1:20.4	officer's qualifying course, aka the perisher, as well as his appointment as commander of
1:27.2	nuclear hunter-killer submarine HMS Scepter.
1:30.9	In the last section of our conversation, Rob tells us why his views on the British nuclear deterrent have changed.
1:39.1	I could really use your support to help me continue to produce these podcasts. A monthly donation of
1:46.0	$4, $3, 3 pounds or 3 euros via Patreon would really help. But don't take my word for it.
1:53.3	Let's hear from Tim Slansky, one of our supporters. I'm Tim from Cambridge, Massachusetts,
	...

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