Portland Spy Ring Part 2 (139)

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

Ian Sanders

History, Documentary, Society & Culture

4.8 • 865 Ratings

🗓️ 11 September 2020

⏱️ 85 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

This is the 2nd episode with Trevor Barnes, the author of “Dead Doubles, a new book on the Portland Spy Ring, one of the most infamous espionage cases of the Cold War. The story continues with the dramatic arrest of three of the KGB spies outside the Old Vic theatre in London and the discovery of the amazing espionage career of the Krogers, the innocent-looking couple in suburbia… We also talk about the revelation that the Portland spy ring was larger than thought and that at least two members escaped capture. UK Fans can buy the book here & support the podcast https://amzn.to/2Gp50gD US Fans can buy the book here & support the podcast https://amzn.to/3jHRpiy If you can spare it I’m asking listeners to contribute at least $3 USD per month to help keep us on the air (larger amounts are welcome too) plus you can get a sought after CWC coaster as a monthly financial supporter and you bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ I am delighted to welcome Trevor Barnes to our Cold War conversation… There’s further information on this episode in our show notes,plus a book giveaway which can also be found as a link in your podcast app here. https://coldwarconversations.com/episode139/ 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 or click here https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod Thank you very much for listening. It is really appreciated 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 arrest of Gordon Lonsdale 2:26 Interview begins with Trevor Barnes: Background on the arrest of Lonsdale, Houghton, and Gee 15:13 The arrest of Gordon Lonsdale, Houghton, and Gee: Discussion on the Krogers' arrest and espionage equipment 33:29 Discovery of further espionage equipment: The Krogers' false identities and their histories as spies 38:02 Court case: Attempts to turn Lonsdale and identifying his real name 46:43 Negotiations with Lonsdale and the Krogers: The deal offered to Lonsdale 54:50 Establishing Lonsdale's real identity: Unveiling the true identity of Konon Molody 1:02:27 Discussions on Molody becoming a double agent for the British: The futile negotiations with Molody 1:04:31 Spy swap: Molody's journey to freedom and the spy exchange at the Glienicke Bridge 1:12:22 Details on the wider ring of spies controlled by Lonsdale: Successful penetration of the Porton Down research centre 1:23:03 Acknowledgement of financial supporters 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.
0:06.2	The cars roared up. There was obviously a screeching of rubber.
0:11.1	George Smith himself grabbed Gordon Lonsdale, put him into the lead car, saying,
0:17.4	it's Scotland Yard for you, my boy.
0:21.5	This is Cold War Conversations. If you're new here, you've come to the right place to listen to first-hand Cold War history accounts.
0:31.4	Do make sure you follow us in your podcast app or join our emailing list at cold warconversations.com.
0:39.9	This is our second episode with Trevor Barnes, the author of Dead Doubles, a new book on the
0:46.7	Portland spy ring, one of the most famous espionage cases of the Cold War. The story continues
0:53.9	with the dramatic arrest of three of the KGB spies outside the Old Vic Theatre in London
0:59.9	and the discovery of the amazing espionage career of the Krogas, the innocent-looking couple in suburbia.
1:08.2	We also talk about the revelation that the Portland spy ring was larger than we thought
1:13.2	and that at least two members escaped capture. If you can spare it, I'm asking listeners to
1:20.6	contribute at least three US dollars per month to help keep us on the air. Larger amounts are
1:26.8	welcome to. Plus, you can get that
1:29.7	sought after Cold War Conversations drinks coaster as a monthly financial supporter. Plus,
1:35.9	you bask in the warm glow of knowing that you're helping to preserve Cold War history.
1:42.0	Just go to Cold Warconversations.com slash donate.
1:46.4	If you're enjoying our content, then a written review wherever you listen to this podcast
1:53.1	would be much appreciated.
1:55.8	I'm delighted to welcome back, Trevor Barnes, to our Cold War conversation.
2:04.3	So the intelligence services are forced to roll up the ring because of the imminent
2:11.6	defection of sniper.
	...

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