Policing the Berlin Wall with the Royal Military Police (405)

Cold War Conversations Podcast

Ian Sanders

Society & Culture, Documentary, History

4.8 • 758 Ratings

🗓️ 30 May 2025

⏱️ 82 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Simon Wood served in the British Army’s Royal Military Police in Berlin during the1980s. He describes the unique challenges he faced patrolling the Berlin Wall and policing British troops in the divided city. Discover the political tensions, the camaraderie with fellow soldiers, and the surreal moments such as being present at the post-mortem of Hitler’s deputy Rudolf Hess. We also hear about life at Checkpoints Charlie and Bravo, interactions with East German forces, and taking part in Flag Tours in East Berlin which resulted in various confrontations with Soviet troops. Episode extras ⁠⁠⁠https://coldwarconversations.com/episode405/⁠⁠⁠ The fight to preserve Cold War history continues and via a simple monthly donation, you will give me the ammunition to continue to preserve Cold War history. You’ll become part of our community, get ad-free episodes, and get a sought-after CWC coaster as a thank you and you’ll bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history. Just go to ⁠⁠⁠https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/⁠⁠⁠ If a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, we welcome one-off donations via the same link. Find the ideal gift for the Cold War enthusiast in your life! Just go to ⁠⁠⁠https://coldwarconversations.com/store/⁠⁠⁠ Follow us on BlueSky ⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/coldwarpod.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠ Follow us on Threads ⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@coldwarconversations⁠⁠⁠ 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 Love history? Join Intohistory ⁠⁠⁠https://intohistory.com/coldwarpod⁠ 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.
0:06.4	Prime video brings thrilling entertainment.
0:09.8	Watch heavyweight detective Reacher, season three included with Prime.
0:13.7	Exactly how much danger is this job putting me in.
0:16.9	Treat yourself to the lovably chaotic Bridget Jones mad about the boy available to buy.
0:21.6	Did you have sex? Did you have sex? Did you have sex last night?
0:24.7	Yes, and it was amazing!
0:28.7	Whatever you're into, it's right here. Prime Video.
0:32.8	Click or tap the banner to find out more.
0:36.1	Get a handgun at the back of the head and it's a Soviet officer there so I'm backing off
0:41.6	in my hands up.
0:42.5	Ooh, what's that?
0:44.7	This is Cold War Conversations.
0:48.3	If you're new here, you've come to the right place to listen to first-hand Cold War
0:52.8	history accounts.
0:53.6	Do make sure you follow us in your podcast app so you don't miss future episodes.
0:59.0	Simon Woods served in the British Army's Royal Military Police in Berlin during the 1980s. He describes the unique challenges he faced patrolling the Berlin Wall and policing British troops in the divided
1:11.6	city. Discover the political tensions, the camaraderie with fellow soldiers and the surreal moments
1:18.1	such as being present at the post-mortem of Hitler's deputy Rudolf Hess. We also hear about life
1:24.5	at checkpoints Charlie and Bravo, interactions with East German forces and taking part in flag tours in East Berlin,
1:31.9	which resulted in various confrontations with Soviet troops.
1:35.9	I'm delighted to welcome Simon Wood to our Cold War conversation.
	...

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