Behind enemy lines in East Germany with a US Military Liaison Mission driver Part 2 (185)

We return to the 2nd part of Tom Favia’s story with the US Military Liaison Mission which the Soviet Union permitted to operate in East Germany, ostensibly for monitoring and furthering better relationships between the Soviet and Western occupation forces. The British & French also had missions as did the Soviets in West Germany. 

Part 1 is here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode183/

As you would expect there are some incredible incidents that Tom shares with us including one with a drunk Soviet Major who tries to defect. Tom was with USMLM when the Wall opened in Nov 1989 and describes the uncertainty of the time with Soviet soldiers selling parts of tanks and munitions. 

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I am delighted to welcome back Tom Favia to our Cold War conversation…

There’s further information on this episode can be found here. https://coldwarconversations.com/episode185

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Radio GDR

If you are interested in East Germany we can highly recommend our friends over at Radio GDR.

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0:00 Introduction and Tom Favia's experiences with the US military liaison mission

1:23 Request for donations and benefits for monthly supporters

2:56 Tensions and incidents with the Soviets

7:36 Dealing with Stasi and interactions with East German citizens

13:19 Disclosure of mission details and important findings

21:30 The opening and aftermath of the Berlin Wall

27:11 Challenges post the fall of the Berlin Wall and other intelligence organizations

31:33 Experiences leading up to unification day in East Germany

34:07 Recruitment into the on-site inspection agency and working out of Frankfurt

38:33 Cold War souvenirs and remembering fallen comrades

43:25 Episode wrap up, acknowledgements of patrons, and sign off

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