The Unconventional Soldier

• S6 #097 A British Army Reservist’s War in Iraq – Op TELIC 4

  CONTENTMy guest is former Army Reserve infantry soldier Matt Okuhara, whose story highlights the often-overlooked role of Britain’s reservists in war. After joining the TA while working in banking, Matt was mobilised for Operation TELIC 4 and deployed to Basra, Iraq. He shares the realities of pre-deployment training, patrolling under constant threat of IEDs and militia attacks, and the contact that changed everything.We also discuss the challenges of returning to civilian life, the loss of comrades, and how he channelled his experiences into writing Basra and Back: The Memoir of an Infantryman in the Iraq War.On Desert Island Dits, Matt chooses A Thousand Shall Fall by Murray Peden, while I select his own book, Basra and Back.WHERE TO GET OUR DESERT ISLAND DITS BOOK CHOICESMost of our book recommendations can be bought via the Unconventional Soldier Bookshop. 10% of each purchase supports the pod and helps independent book stores on line sales. "BUY ME A COFFEE"If you want to support the podcast you can buy me a coffee here.SOCIAL MEDIAInstagram @the_unconventional_soldier_pod.Facebook @lateo82. Twitter @TheUCS473.Download these and other platforms via Link Tree.Email us: [email protected]. This episode brought to you in association with ISARR a veteran owned company.Warrior photo credit - Reuters/Pool/Mark RichardsBook photo credit - Author. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• S6 #096 The Mad and The Brave: Ukraine's Foreign Legion Volunteers

  CONTENTMy guest today is Colin Freeman, a journalist of 30 years of experience. Colin began his career on local papers before becoming a chief foreign correspondent for the Sunday Telegraph. His extensive career has taken him to numerous war zones and global hotspots, including Iraq, Afghanistan, the Arab Spring revolutions and the Ebola crisis in West Africa. Colin also covered the Somali piracy crisis, during which he was kidnapped and held at gunpoint for six weeks. More recently, he has been covering the war in Ukraine for the past three years as a freelancer for the Daily Telegraph. It was during this time that he conceived the idea for his book, "The Mad and the Brave: The Untold Story of Ukraine's Foreign Legion".In this episode, we discuss the fascinating and often harrowing world of foreign volunteers fighting in Ukraine. Colin's book explores the diverse motivations that drive these individuals to drop their civilian lives and join a conflict unlike anything seen since World War II. We discuss everything from those defending democracy and seeking personal redemption to the Walter Mittys totally unprepared for the realities of war. Colin shares insights into the challenges of reporting from Ukraine, including the reporters embedded system and the inherent dangers of the front lines. He also reveals the chaos and disorganization within the International Legion during its early days, the issues of unqualified individuals and vetting failures, and how these internal challenges sometimes posed a greater threat than the enemy.We also discuss the accounts of torture and psychological manipulation faced by foreign volunteers in Russian captivity. Colin reflects on the difficult readjustment process for returning fighters, highlighting issues like PTSD, the lack of understanding from civilians, and the absence of official support systems for those who fight without government backing. We explore the complex paradox of foreign volunteers risking their lives while some Ukrainians leave the country, and discuss the perceived impact of their actions on the war. Finally, Colin offers his perspective on the future of the war in Ukraine and suggests changes he believes could maximize the Legion's effectiveness.His book choice on Desert Islands Dits is "An Evil Cradling" by Brian Keenan. My choice is Colin's Book "The Mad and the Brave: The Untold Story of Ukraine's Foreign Legion".WHERE TO GET OUR DESERT ISLAND DITS BOOK CHOICESMost of our book recommendations can be bought via the Unconventional Soldier Bookshop. 10% of each purchase supports the pod and helps independent book stores on line sales. "BUY ME A COFFEE"If you want to support the podcast you can buy me a coffee here.SOCIAL MEDIAInstagram @the_unconventional_soldier_pod.Facebook @lateo82. Twitter @TheUCS473.Download these and other platforms via Link Tree.Email us: [email protected]. This episode brought to you in association with ISARR a veteran owned company.Photo credit: Ukrainian International Support Legion Morale 3D PVC Patch - Foreign Solidarity Ukraine - Etsy UK Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• S6 #095 The Troubles: The British Army's Hard-Won Lessons, Adaptation & Training in Northern Ireland

  CONTENTOn this episode Kev and I discuss the Army's training for Operation Banner, the nearly four-decade deployment of British forces to Northern Ireland starting in 1969. Initially intended as a temporary measure to aid the civil power, the British military was unprepared for the complexities of the conflict, lacking specific training and relying on outdated counter-insurgency tactics from former colonies. The conversation highlights key events like the introduction of the "yellow card" rules of engagement, the disastrous reintroduction of internment, and Bloody Sunday, all of which significantly alienated the Catholic population and bolstered the PIRA. It also details the evolution of British Army training and tactics, emphasising the shift towards intelligence-led operations, the development of specialist units, and sophisticated countermeasures against IEDs. Finally, the discussion underscores the importance of continuous learning, adaptation, and the unique challenges of a domestic counter-insurgency, acknowledging both successes and failures, and the lasting legacy of the conflict on military doctrine and operations.The book choice on Desert Island Dits is "Death in Derry: Martin McGuinness and the Derry IRA's war against the British" by Jonathan Trigg.Reference publication: Operation BANNER - An Analysis of Military Operations In Northern Ireland, Army Code 71842, July 2006.WHERE TO GET OUR DESERT ISLAND DITS BOOK CHOICESMost of our book recommendations can be bought via the Unconventional Soldier Bookshop. 10% of each purchase supports the pod and helps independent book stores on line sales. "BUY ME A COFFEE"If you want to support the podcast you can buy me a coffee here.SOCIAL MEDIAInstagram @the_unconventional_soldier_pod.Facebook @lateo82. Twitter @TheUCS473.Download these and other platforms via Link Tree.Email us: [email protected]. This episode brought to you in association with ISARR a veteran owned company. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• S5 #094 The Battle of Danny Boy & The Al - Sweady Inquiry

  CONTENTMy guest today is retired Brigadier Matt Maer DSO MBE, who served for 27 years in the British Army and was my guest on pod 91 where we discussed 1 PWRR’s tour of operations on Operation TELIC 4. If you haven’t already I would give that one listen when you have the time. On this episode, we discuss the Battle of Danny Boy in Iraq during May 2004. He provides historical context, explaining the rise of the Mahdi Army and the significance of the Danny Boy road junction, which was near the site of a prior incident where six British Royal Military Police soldiers were murdered. The discussion then details the complex, multi-faceted engagement of the battle itself, highlighting the bravery and discipline of British soldiers in taking prisoners and the unusual order to recover enemy dead for identification, leading to a decade-long legal inquiry. Despite the emotional and financial toll, the inquiry ultimately vindicated the soldiers, affirming their professionalism and concluding that the allegations of misconduct were baseless lies.No Desert Island Dits on this episode as Matt was a guest previously.WHERE TO GET OUR DESERT ISLAND DITS BOOK CHOICESMost of our book recommendations can be bought via the Unconventional Soldier Bookshop. 10% of each purchase supports the pod and helps independent book stores on line sales. "BUY ME A COFFEE"If you want to support the podcast you can buy me a coffee here.SOCIAL MEDIAInstagram @the_unconventional_soldier_pod.Facebook @lateo82. Twitter @TheUCS473.Download these and other platforms via Link Tree.Email us: [email protected]. This episode brought to you in association with ISARR a veteran owned company. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• S5 #093 Thunder Run Meiktila 1945 - War In Burma

  CONTENTMy guest today is Jack Bowsher, author of "Thunder Run: Meiktila 1945: The Greatest Combined Arms Manoeuvre Battle of WW2. Jack argues this battle was a pivotal Allied victory, predicting modern combined arms maneuver warfare, including tank and air support, in an unexpected jungle and dry plains environment. He highlights Slim's strategic brilliance in adapting to the terrain and Japanese tactics, emphasizing the transformation of the British and Indian armies into a highly effective fighting force capable of aggressive, deep operations behind enemy lines. The discussion also touches on the diverse composition and significant contributions of the Indian and African soldiers in the campaign, and why this crucial chapter of the war has been largely forgotten in Western narratives.Jack's book choice on Desert Islands Dits is "Defeat Into Victory" by Field Marshall Viscount Slim. My choice is Jack's book.WHERE TO GET OUR DESERT ISLAND DITS BOOK CHOICESMost of our book recommendations can be bought via the Unconventional Soldier Bookshop. 10% of each purchase supports the pod and helps independent book stores on line sales. "BUY ME A COFFEE"If you want to support the podcast you can buy me a coffee here.SOCIAL MEDIAInstagram @the_unconventional_soldier_pod.Facebook @lateo82. Twitter @TheUCS473.Download these and other platforms via Link Tree.Email us: [email protected]. This episode brought to you in association with ISARR a veteran owned company. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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