Bletchley Park

By: Bletchley Park
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  • Summary

  • Bletchley Park is the home of British codebreaking and a birthplace of modern information technology. It played a major role in World War Two, producing secret intelligence which had a direct and profound influence on the outcome of the conflict. The site is now a museum and heritage attraction, open daily. The Bletchley Park Podcast brings you fascinating stories from Veterans, staff and volunteers on the significance and continued relevance of this site today.
    ©Bletchley Park Trust
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Episodes
  • E172 - Hunting the Beast Part 1

    E172 - Hunting the Beast Part 1
    Nov 22 2024
    November 2024

    On 12 November 1944 Germany’s largest battleship – Tirpitz – was sunk by British RAF Lancaster bombers off Tromso in Norway.

    Ever since its deployment to the region back in January 1942, the battleship had posed a threat to Arctic convoy operations. A large part of the Royal Navy’s Home Fleet as well as US vessels were tied up protecting convoys from this ship that Winston Churchill christened ‘The Beast’.

    Despite Tirpitz having never fired its guns in anger at Allied warships, its presence was threat enough. Intelligence experts continued the difficult work of tracking its location and state of readiness.

    The analysts of Bletchley Park’s Naval Section followed the ship for nearly three years, and played a key part in her final destruction. In this ‘It Happened Here’ episode, we are joined by Dr David Kenyon, Bletchley Park’s Research Historian and author of ‘Arctic Convoys: Bletchley Park and the War for the Seas’.

    Many thanks to Dr Ben Thomson for voicing our archival documents.

    Image: Naval History and Heritage Command Catalog #: NH 71318

    #BPark, #Bletchleypark, #WW2, #Enigma, #Tirpitz,
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    45 mins
  • E171 - Bletchley Park & Bomber Command Part 2

    E171 - Bletchley Park & Bomber Command Part 2
    Nov 8 2024
    November 2024

    The crews of RAF Bomber Command had one of the most hazardous jobs of the war. Flying by night to their targets in occupied Europe, they were alone and vulnerable to the prowling German night-fighters.

    Helping them reach their targets was one of the least-known, but most significant achievements of the signals intelligence operation at Bletchley Park. Analysis of the night-fighters’ communications revealed priceless insights into the German defensive system – and how it could be evaded, outwitted and ultimately manipulated.

    In this ‘It Happened Here’ episode, Bletchley Park Research Officer Dr Thomas Cheetham tells us about one of Bletchley Park’s most important contributions to Britain’s total war against Nazi Germany.

    Many thanks to Mr Lindsay Spence for voicing our archival documents.

    Image: Herbert Olivier, Operations Room: Bomber Command Conference. Oil on canvas, 1944. From the Collection: Air Historical Branch, MOD, on long loan to the RAF Museum as part of the Second World War Official War Artists’ collection.

    #BPark, #Bletchleypark, #WW2, #Enigma, #BomberCommand,
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    40 mins
  • E170 – Bletchley Park & Bomber Command Part 1

    E170 – Bletchley Park & Bomber Command Part 1
    Oct 25 2024
    October 2024

    The crews of RAF Bomber Command had one of the most hazardous jobs of the war. Flying by night to their targets in occupied Europe, they were alone and vulnerable to the prowling German night-fighters.

    Helping them reach their targets was one of the least-known, but most significant achievements of the signals intelligence operation at Bletchley Park. Analysis of the night-fighters’ communications revealed priceless insights into the German defensive system – and how it could be evaded, outwitted and ultimately manipulated.

    In this ‘It Happened Here’ episode, Bletchley Park Research Officer Dr Thomas Cheetham tells us about one of Bletchley Park’s most important contributions to Britain’s total war against Nazi Germany.

    This episode features the following Veteran from our Oral History archive:
    Sir Arthur Bonsall

    Many thanks to Dean Annison & Mr Lindsay Spence for voicing our archival documents.

    Image: ©Bletchley Park Trust 2024. Staff of Bletchley Park night fighter section in 1943. L-R standing: Pat Smith, Edith Davidson, Janet Smith, Florence Brooke, Vincent Chapman. Seated: Molly Blakeley, Catherine Payne, Brenda Gough. Front: Joy Parker, Jeanne Phillips.

    #BPark, #Bletchleypark, #WW2, #Enigma, #BomberCommand,
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    46 mins

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Profile Image for T. J. Gluckman

Historical analysis oft v.g. +ongoing reports

Very informative: if you are interested in Bletchley Park, then you will enjoy. A mixture of A) analysis of WW2 principally BP's contribution; B) reports on interviews with BP veterans; C) potpourris of e.g. what truth is there in various urban legends re BP.
What I find of particular interest is that the historical analysis of the role BP (and similar org.s) played in actionable intelligence e.g. in the victory at El Alamein late 1942. The speakers know their subjects very thoroughly and are in a position to evaluate state-of-the-art assessments of e.g. the so-called "Battle of Britain", campaigns in N. Africa, UK's problems in the Far East and S Asia in the face of Japan's militarism. The tone of the exegeses is never chauvinistic but scholarly instead.
I don't agree with everything but nevertheless find it fascinating and a great listen.

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Profile Image for Elizabeth_E

Simply the best

Detailed, engaging, empathetic, and informing. What a team! This is a must-have on any Follow
List.

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Profile Image for Dr. Michael P. Clarke

Fascinating

a great variety of stories and topics. it is lovely to hear it in the words of people who were there.

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