https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ww2-escapes--7294780
Each episode reconstructs one escape in full, cinematic detail: the capture, the camp and its routines, the plan built gram by gram under the guards' noses, the night of the breakout, and the run across hostile country where every stranger was a coin flip. No host chatting between clips, no panel debating strategy. Just one complete story, narrated start to finish, built from debriefs, camp records, and the escapers' own accounts.

You will crawl through the great WW2 tunnel breakouts, walk with airmen passed hand to hand along resistance lines, and follow prisoners who escaped not once but three, four, five times. Some episodes follow a single night minute by minute; others trace an escaper's whole war from first capture to final border. All of them treat WW2 escapes as what they were: acts of defiance that tied down enemy divisions and gave the men behind the wire a reason to endure.

If you are drawn to WW2 escapes that read like thrillers because they were, this is built for you. New episodes drop regularly. Subscribe now so the next escape lands the moment it goes live.]]>enHistoryCopyright OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENThttps://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/0c1ec7c1c1ef68a1934909187d1a8b2c.jpghttps://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ww2-escapes--7294780Sun, 30 Aug 2026 08:03:52 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTOBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTcreators@obomedia.comWW2 escapes were wars in miniature: one prisoner, one fence, and an entire occupied continent between a camp and home. Tunnels dug with spoons, uniforms sewn from blankets, papers forged by candlelight — this show tells the true stories of WW2 escapes...
Each episode reconstructs one escape in full, cinematic detail: the capture, the camp and its routines, the plan built gram by gram under the guards' noses, the night of the breakout, and the run across hostile country where every stranger was a coin flip. No host chatting between clips, no panel debating strategy. Just one complete story, narrated start to finish, built from debriefs, camp records, and the escapers' own accounts.

You will crawl through the great WW2 tunnel breakouts, walk with airmen passed hand to hand along resistance lines, and follow prisoners who escaped not once but three, four, five times. Some episodes follow a single night minute by minute; others trace an escaper's whole war from first capture to final border. All of them treat WW2 escapes as what they were: acts of defiance that tied down enemy divisions and gave the men behind the wire a reason to endure.

If you are drawn to WW2 escapes that read like thrillers because they were, this is built for you. New episodes drop regularly. Subscribe now so the next escape lands the moment it goes live.]]>falsedaae8f78-a3ee-5f23-a7c5-d684135feea4episodichttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/you-chose-to-hold-the-controls-and-let-seven-men-live--74685351
You chose to hold the controls and let seven men live

In this episode, we hear the story of Frederick Walker Walker and the four minutes on Christmas Eve 1944 when he faced a life-or-death choice aboard a B-17 over occupied Belgium. The episode traces his life from West Point and industry to command in the Eighth Air Force, and asks how his past shaped the decision he made in the sky.

Person: Frederick Walker Walker
Date: December 24, 1944
Location: Over occupied Belgium
Event: Right wing fire on a burning B-17
Status: Seven crewmen escaped; Walker did not

- Baptized with Henry H. Arnold as godfather, Walker entered life already connected to American air power.
- Graduated West Point seventh in his class, known for precision and quiet command rather than showmanship.
- Worked at Sperry on electric gun turrets and the Norden bombsight before being recalled to build the Eighth Air Force in England.
- Took command of the 94th Bomb Group in June 1943, restoring discipline and order to a fractured unit through steady, exacting decisions.
- On Christmas Eve 1944, with the right wing ablaze, Walker chose to stay at the controls rather than jettison bombs over Allied-held territory, enabling seven men to escape.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74685351Mon, 31 Aug 2026 08:00:02 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA burning B‑17 over occupied Belgium: a pilot must choose between jettisoning his bombs to save himself or holding the controls so seven crewmen can escape. What would you do? You chose to hold the controls and let seven men live In this...
You chose to hold the controls and let seven men live

In this episode, we hear the story of Frederick Walker Walker and the four minutes on Christmas Eve 1944 when he faced a life-or-death choice aboard a B-17 over occupied Belgium. The episode traces his life from West Point and industry to command in the Eighth Air Force, and asks how his past shaped the decision he made in the sky.

Person: Frederick Walker Walker
Date: December 24, 1944
Location: Over occupied Belgium
Event: Right wing fire on a burning B-17
Status: Seven crewmen escaped; Walker did not

- Baptized with Henry H. Arnold as godfather, Walker entered life already connected to American air power.
- Graduated West Point seventh in his class, known for precision and quiet command rather than showmanship.
- Worked at Sperry on electric gun turrets and the Norden bombsight before being recalled to build the Eighth Air Force in England.
- Took command of the 94th Bomb Group in June 1943, restoring discipline and order to a fractured unit through steady, exacting decisions.
- On Christmas Eve 1944, with the right wing ablaze, Walker chose to stay at the controls rather than jettison bombs over Allied-held territory, enabling seven men to escape.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>973falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/you-run-a-mile-in-sand-before-takeoff-which-seat-do-you-give--74685348
You run a mile in sand before takeoff - which seat do you give?

This episode covers the early life and military service of Louis Zamperini, an Olympic runner whose wartime experiences defied belief. It explores the extraordinary resilience of a man facing impossible odds.

Person: Louis Zamperini
Date: January 26, 1917 (birth)
Location: Torrance, California
Event: Second World War
Aircraft: B-24 Liberator

- Louis Zamperini, born to Italian immigrants in Olean, New York, moved to Torrance, California, at age two.
- As a child, he was known for stealing, drinking, and frequent arrests, until his older brother Pete encouraged him to try running.
- At seventeen, Louis set a national high school mile record of 4 minutes, 21.3 seconds, earning a scholarship to USC.
- He qualified for the 1936 Berlin Olympics in the 5000 meters, where he met Adolf Hitler after finishing eighth.
- In 1943, after his B-24 Liberator "Super Man" was riddled with 594 bullet holes, Zamperini was reassigned to the notoriously unreliable "Green Hornet" for a search-and-rescue mission.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74685348Sun, 30 Aug 2026 08:00:03 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA bomber returns with 594 bullet holes, but its crew chief walks away. Weeks later, he's given a worse plane for a search-and-rescue mission. You run a mile in sand before takeoff - which seat do you give? This episode covers the early life and...
You run a mile in sand before takeoff - which seat do you give?

This episode covers the early life and military service of Louis Zamperini, an Olympic runner whose wartime experiences defied belief. It explores the extraordinary resilience of a man facing impossible odds.

Person: Louis Zamperini
Date: January 26, 1917 (birth)
Location: Torrance, California
Event: Second World War
Aircraft: B-24 Liberator

- Louis Zamperini, born to Italian immigrants in Olean, New York, moved to Torrance, California, at age two.
- As a child, he was known for stealing, drinking, and frequent arrests, until his older brother Pete encouraged him to try running.
- At seventeen, Louis set a national high school mile record of 4 minutes, 21.3 seconds, earning a scholarship to USC.
- He qualified for the 1936 Berlin Olympics in the 5000 meters, where he met Adolf Hitler after finishing eighth.
- In 1943, after his B-24 Liberator "Super Man" was riddled with 594 bullet holes, Zamperini was reassigned to the notoriously unreliable "Green Hornet" for a search-and-rescue mission.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1417falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-sixteenth-birthday-that-shaped-a-life-of-flight--74685346
The Sixteenth Birthday That Shaped a Life of Flight

This episode explores the early life and military career of Dick Rutan, a pilot who repeatedly faced danger and survived. It delves into the experiences that forged his extraordinary resilience and his relentless pursuit of the edge.

Person: Dick Rutan
Born: July 1, 1938
Location: Loma Linda, California
Military Service: US Air Force
Rank: Lieutenant Colonel (retired)

- Dick Rutan meticulously planned his first solo flight to coincide with his sixteenth birthday.
- He served as a radar intercept officer and navigator before earning his pilot wings in December 1966.
- Rutan flew 325 combat missions in the F-100 Super Sabre during the Vietnam War as a Misty FAC.
- He was shot down over Vietnam, ejected from his aircraft, and received a Purple Heart.
- While stationed in England, Rutan ejected a second time after an F-100 engine failed.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74685346Sat, 29 Aug 2026 08:00:02 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA young man plans his first solo flight for his sixteenth birthday. What drives a pilot who keeps flying after two ejections? The Sixteenth Birthday That Shaped a Life of Flight This episode explores the early life and military career of Dick...
The Sixteenth Birthday That Shaped a Life of Flight

This episode explores the early life and military career of Dick Rutan, a pilot who repeatedly faced danger and survived. It delves into the experiences that forged his extraordinary resilience and his relentless pursuit of the edge.

Person: Dick Rutan
Born: July 1, 1938
Location: Loma Linda, California
Military Service: US Air Force
Rank: Lieutenant Colonel (retired)

- Dick Rutan meticulously planned his first solo flight to coincide with his sixteenth birthday.
- He served as a radar intercept officer and navigator before earning his pilot wings in December 1966.
- Rutan flew 325 combat missions in the F-100 Super Sabre during the Vietnam War as a Misty FAC.
- He was shot down over Vietnam, ejected from his aircraft, and received a Purple Heart.
- While stationed in England, Rutan ejected a second time after an F-100 engine failed.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1359falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/you-take-the-test-flight-he-refused-one-seat-one-runway--74685344
You Take the Test Flight He Refused - One Seat, One Runway

In this episode, we follow the life and career that led Lonnie Raymond Moore to a single January morning where a routine test flight became a decisive moment. We trace his combat record, test-pilot assignments, and the unanswered question about whose test preceded his.

Person: Lonnie Raymond Moore
Date: January 10, 1956
Location: Eglin Air Proving Base, Florida / runway
Topic: test pilot career and fatal test flight
Event: long combat service, test assignments, and a first flight in a new aircraft

- Born July 13, 1920 in Groesbeck, Texas; raised in San Antonio and entered service by age 21.
- Flew the B-26 Marauder in WWII: 54 combat missions, shot down twice and evaded capture both times.
- Assigned to Air Proving Ground Command at Eglin as a test pilot after WWII; evaluated new jets and weapons.
- In Korea volunteered for operational testing of the F-86F-2 with the M39 cannon; scored two MiG-15 kills on first mission.
- On January 10, 1956, he flew an unfamiliar aircraft on a Florida runway-the same pilot who routinely went first for others.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74685344Fri, 28 Aug 2026 08:00:03 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA decorated test pilot faces a first flight in a new jet on a Florida runway where his survival record will be tested. Keyphrase: test flight You Take the Test Flight He Refused - One Seat, One Runway In this episode, we follow the life and...
You Take the Test Flight He Refused - One Seat, One Runway

In this episode, we follow the life and career that led Lonnie Raymond Moore to a single January morning where a routine test flight became a decisive moment. We trace his combat record, test-pilot assignments, and the unanswered question about whose test preceded his.

Person: Lonnie Raymond Moore
Date: January 10, 1956
Location: Eglin Air Proving Base, Florida / runway
Topic: test pilot career and fatal test flight
Event: long combat service, test assignments, and a first flight in a new aircraft

- Born July 13, 1920 in Groesbeck, Texas; raised in San Antonio and entered service by age 21.
- Flew the B-26 Marauder in WWII: 54 combat missions, shot down twice and evaded capture both times.
- Assigned to Air Proving Ground Command at Eglin as a test pilot after WWII; evaluated new jets and weapons.
- In Korea volunteered for operational testing of the F-86F-2 with the M39 cannon; scored two MiG-15 kills on first mission.
- On January 10, 1956, he flew an unfamiliar aircraft on a Florida runway-the same pilot who routinely went first for others.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>994falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-dying-plane-that-kept-attacking-anyway--74685343
The Dying Plane That Kept Attacking Anyway

This episode explores the story of Samuel Robert Johnson, a fighter pilot shot down over North Vietnam. It delves into his capture and the harrowing experience of being a prisoner of war, prompting reflection on human resilience.

Person: Samuel Robert Johnson
Date: April 16, 1966
Location: North Vietnam
Event: F-4 Phantom II shot down
Status: Prisoner of War

- Samuel Johnson, a seasoned combat veteran, flew his F-4 Phantom II into heavy antiaircraft fire during a twilight mission.
- Despite his aircraft sustaining "mortal damage," Johnson continued his attack before ejecting at a dangerously low altitude.
- He was captured immediately upon hitting the ground with a broken arm and a broken back.
- Johnson was held in a three-by-nine-foot cell for 42 months, with constant light and leg irons.
- He was one of eleven American POWs identified as resisters and held in the Alcatraz facility, separate from the main Hanoi Hilton.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74685343Thu, 27 Aug 2026 08:00:04 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA fighter pilot is shot down and captured, beginning 42 months in a three-by-nine-foot cell. What would you do to survive as a prisoner of war? The Dying Plane That Kept Attacking Anyway This episode explores the story of Samuel Robert Johnson,...
The Dying Plane That Kept Attacking Anyway

This episode explores the story of Samuel Robert Johnson, a fighter pilot shot down over North Vietnam. It delves into his capture and the harrowing experience of being a prisoner of war, prompting reflection on human resilience.

Person: Samuel Robert Johnson
Date: April 16, 1966
Location: North Vietnam
Event: F-4 Phantom II shot down
Status: Prisoner of War

- Samuel Johnson, a seasoned combat veteran, flew his F-4 Phantom II into heavy antiaircraft fire during a twilight mission.
- Despite his aircraft sustaining "mortal damage," Johnson continued his attack before ejecting at a dangerously low altitude.
- He was captured immediately upon hitting the ground with a broken arm and a broken back.
- Johnson was held in a three-by-nine-foot cell for 42 months, with constant light and leg irons.
- He was one of eleven American POWs identified as resisters and held in the Alcatraz facility, separate from the main Hanoi Hilton.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1090falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/you-seated-in-a-burning-phantom-chose-to-drop-the-bombs-first--74685342
You, seated in a burning Phantom, chose to drop the bombs first

This episode explores the story of Leon Francis Ellis, a 24-year-old first lieutenant who made a critical choice under extreme duress during the Vietnam War. It delves into the profound question of what one holds onto when everything is on fire, both literally and figuratively.

Person: Leon Francis Ellis
Date: November 7, 1967
Location: North Vietnam
Aircraft: F-4C Phantom
Status: Prisoner of War

- Leon Ellis, at age five, declared his future career after sitting in a World War Two aircraft on display in Commerce, Georgia.
- He graduated from the University of Georgia with a history degree and was commissioned into the United States Air Force.
- As a junior man in the 390th Tactical Fighter Squadron, he flew F-4C Phantoms from Da Nang Air Base.
- On his 53rd mission, his aircraft took fire and began to burn over North Vietnam.
- Faced with an unflyable jet, Ellis chose to release his bombs on target before ejecting.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74685342Wed, 26 Aug 2026 08:00:03 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA young airman faces a split-second decision in a burning F-4C Phantom over North Vietnam: eject to survive, or complete the bombing run first? You, seated in a burning Phantom, chose to drop the bombs first This episode explores the story of...
You, seated in a burning Phantom, chose to drop the bombs first

This episode explores the story of Leon Francis Ellis, a 24-year-old first lieutenant who made a critical choice under extreme duress during the Vietnam War. It delves into the profound question of what one holds onto when everything is on fire, both literally and figuratively.

Person: Leon Francis Ellis
Date: November 7, 1967
Location: North Vietnam
Aircraft: F-4C Phantom
Status: Prisoner of War

- Leon Ellis, at age five, declared his future career after sitting in a World War Two aircraft on display in Commerce, Georgia.
- He graduated from the University of Georgia with a history degree and was commissioned into the United States Air Force.
- As a junior man in the 390th Tactical Fighter Squadron, he flew F-4C Phantoms from Da Nang Air Base.
- On his 53rd mission, his aircraft took fire and began to burn over North Vietnam.
- Faced with an unflyable jet, Ellis chose to release his bombs on target before ejecting.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1122falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/you-vaulted-for-a-tunnel-would-you-risk-a-joke-to-buy-freedom--74685341
You Vaulted for a Tunnel - Would You Risk a Joke to Buy Freedom?

In this episode, we follow Peter Butterworth from a downed Fairey Albacore to Stalag Luft III and trace how an improvised concert and gymnastic vaulting became essential cover for a tunnel escape. What did keeping a photograph and a stage of bad jokes cost him - and could you do the same?

Person: Peter Butterworth
Date: 21 June 1940
Location: Stalag Luft III, Sagan (German-occupied Poland)
Event: Concert group and vaulting used as cover for tunnelling escapes
Film: The Wooden Horse (1949) - Butterworth auditioned and was rejected

- Shot down over the Wadden Sea in a Fairey Albacore, Butterworth was captured and sent to Stalag Luft III.
- Prisoners formed a concert group to create deliberate noise aboveground while men dug tunnels beneath the barracks.
- Butterworth and Talbot Rothwell created a two-man act where intentionally bad comedy masked the sound of shovels.
- Butterworth performed vaulting on a wooden gymnastic horse while diggers worked inside its hollow base for years.
- He kept a black-and-white photograph of men in prison-camp costumes as evidence of what he had already done.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74685341Tue, 25 Aug 2026 17:48:35 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA lieutenant in a German POW camp becomes a deliberately terrible comedian to hide a tunnel; could you risk a joke to buy freedom? You Vaulted for a Tunnel - Would You Risk a Joke to Buy Freedom? In this episode, we follow Peter Butterworth from...
You Vaulted for a Tunnel - Would You Risk a Joke to Buy Freedom?

In this episode, we follow Peter Butterworth from a downed Fairey Albacore to Stalag Luft III and trace how an improvised concert and gymnastic vaulting became essential cover for a tunnel escape. What did keeping a photograph and a stage of bad jokes cost him - and could you do the same?

Person: Peter Butterworth
Date: 21 June 1940
Location: Stalag Luft III, Sagan (German-occupied Poland)
Event: Concert group and vaulting used as cover for tunnelling escapes
Film: The Wooden Horse (1949) - Butterworth auditioned and was rejected

- Shot down over the Wadden Sea in a Fairey Albacore, Butterworth was captured and sent to Stalag Luft III.
- Prisoners formed a concert group to create deliberate noise aboveground while men dug tunnels beneath the barracks.
- Butterworth and Talbot Rothwell created a two-man act where intentionally bad comedy masked the sound of shovels.
- Butterworth performed vaulting on a wooden gymnastic horse while diggers worked inside its hollow base for years.
- He kept a black-and-white photograph of men in prison-camp costumes as evidence of what he had already done.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>805falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/when-the-best-pilot-was-wrong-the-three-seconds-that-killed-583--74685339
When the Best Pilot Was Wrong: The Three Seconds That Killed 583

In this episode, we trace the decisions, conditions, and communications inside Los Rodeos Airport on March 27, 1977 that set two jumbo jets on a collision course. What choices did experienced crews and controllers make under fog, congestion, and pressure - and what happened in the three-second gap that mattered most?

Person: Jacob Veldhuyzen van Zanten
Person: Victor Grubbs
Date: March 27, 1977
Location: Los Rodeos Airport, Tenerife
Event: Two Boeing 747s blocked on one runway in heavy fog

- KLM Flight 4805 was fully refueled on the apron, adding forty-five tonnes while parked nose-to-tail with Pan Am 1736.
- The fuel truck’s position completely blocked Pan Am’s ability to taxi, leaving the two 747s separated by roughly 3.5 metres.
- Los Rodeos sat at 633 metres elevation where Atlantic moisture frequently descended as sudden, dense fog that reduced visibility to about 500 metres.
- The airport had a single runway, one parallel taxiway, four short exits, and no ground radar to track movements in low visibility.
- Multiple radio transmissions from different sources arrived simultaneously; a critical two-word overlap produced a three-second cancellation during takeoff preparations.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74685339Tue, 25 Aug 2026 17:48:32 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA seasoned KLM captain prepares his fully fueled 747 on a foggy Tenerife runway - three seconds of radio silence will decide who lives? When the Best Pilot Was Wrong: The Three Seconds That Killed 583 In this episode, we trace the decisions,...
When the Best Pilot Was Wrong: The Three Seconds That Killed 583

In this episode, we trace the decisions, conditions, and communications inside Los Rodeos Airport on March 27, 1977 that set two jumbo jets on a collision course. What choices did experienced crews and controllers make under fog, congestion, and pressure - and what happened in the three-second gap that mattered most?

Person: Jacob Veldhuyzen van Zanten
Person: Victor Grubbs
Date: March 27, 1977
Location: Los Rodeos Airport, Tenerife
Event: Two Boeing 747s blocked on one runway in heavy fog

- KLM Flight 4805 was fully refueled on the apron, adding forty-five tonnes while parked nose-to-tail with Pan Am 1736.
- The fuel truck’s position completely blocked Pan Am’s ability to taxi, leaving the two 747s separated by roughly 3.5 metres.
- Los Rodeos sat at 633 metres elevation where Atlantic moisture frequently descended as sudden, dense fog that reduced visibility to about 500 metres.
- The airport had a single runway, one parallel taxiway, four short exits, and no ground radar to track movements in low visibility.
- Multiple radio transmissions from different sources arrived simultaneously; a critical two-word overlap produced a three-second cancellation during takeoff preparations.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1179falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-extra-fuel-that-made-a-plane-a-missile--74685337
The extra fuel that made a plane a missile

This episode explores the hijacking of Air France Flight 8969, a Christmas Eve incident in 1994. It delves into the escalating tensions in Algeria and the chilling intent behind the hijacking.

Date: December 24, 1994
Location: Algiers, Algeria
Aircraft: Airbus A300 (F-GBEC)
Hijackers' Group: GIA (Groupe Islamique Armé)
Passengers and Crew: 173

- The flight was scheduled to carry 220 people from Algiers to Paris Orly.
- The plane was loaded with 27 tons of jet fuel, three times the required amount for the flight.
- Four men in Algerian presidential police uniforms boarded the plane, carrying documents and wearing plausible insignia.
- The hijackers had two packs of dynamite, each with ten sticks, laid along the cabin and connected by a single detonator cable.
- The GIA leader for this operation was 25-year-old Abdul Abdullah Yahia, a former petty thief.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74685337Tue, 25 Aug 2026 17:48:27 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTTwenty-seven tons of jet fuel are loaded onto a plane that needs nine. For 54 hours, 173 people are trapped on a hijacked flight. The extra fuel that made a plane a missile This episode explores the hijacking of Air France Flight 8969, a...
The extra fuel that made a plane a missile

This episode explores the hijacking of Air France Flight 8969, a Christmas Eve incident in 1994. It delves into the escalating tensions in Algeria and the chilling intent behind the hijacking.

Date: December 24, 1994
Location: Algiers, Algeria
Aircraft: Airbus A300 (F-GBEC)
Hijackers' Group: GIA (Groupe Islamique Armé)
Passengers and Crew: 173

- The flight was scheduled to carry 220 people from Algiers to Paris Orly.
- The plane was loaded with 27 tons of jet fuel, three times the required amount for the flight.
- Four men in Algerian presidential police uniforms boarded the plane, carrying documents and wearing plausible insignia.
- The hijackers had two packs of dynamite, each with ten sticks, laid along the cabin and connected by a single detonator cable.
- The GIA leader for this operation was 25-year-old Abdul Abdullah Yahia, a former petty thief.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1036falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-fallen-propeller-blade-gives-you-nine-minutes-to-choose--74685336
A fallen propeller blade gives you nine minutes to choose

In this episode, we follow Atlantic Southeast Airlines Flight 529 from takeoff to the moment a propeller blade separates and the crew faces a shrinking window to act. The episode traces the mechanical failure, the prior refurbishing history, and the nine-minute choices that decided who lived and who did not - what would you have done in a burning cockpit with minutes to spare?

Person: Captain Edwin Gannaway
Person: First Officer Matthew Warmerdam
Date: August 21, 1995
Aircraft: Embraer EMB-120 RT Brasilia (N256AS)
Event: Outboard propeller blade separation leading to in-flight emergency

- At 12:43:25 the outboard section of the left-engine propeller separated with a sound passengers compared to a baseball bat hitting a trash can.
- The detached blade fell into tall grass near Burwell, Carroll County, Georgia, where it lay undiscovered for three weeks.
- Fourteen months earlier the same blade had failed an ultrasonic test, was sent to Hamilton Standard for refurbishing, and was returned to service.
- A similar design failure in 1991 (ASA Flight 2311) had already exposed the vulnerability but had not yet led to a mandatory inspection protocol.
- From blade separation to impact the crew and 29 people onboard had nine minutes and twenty seconds to respond while the engine tore itself apart.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74685336Tue, 25 Aug 2026 17:48:23 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA propeller blade peels away midflight over Georgia - a commuter plane becomes a choice between survival and surrender; what would you do? A fallen propeller blade gives you nine minutes to choose In this episode, we follow Atlantic Southeast...
A fallen propeller blade gives you nine minutes to choose

In this episode, we follow Atlantic Southeast Airlines Flight 529 from takeoff to the moment a propeller blade separates and the crew faces a shrinking window to act. The episode traces the mechanical failure, the prior refurbishing history, and the nine-minute choices that decided who lived and who did not - what would you have done in a burning cockpit with minutes to spare?

Person: Captain Edwin Gannaway
Person: First Officer Matthew Warmerdam
Date: August 21, 1995
Aircraft: Embraer EMB-120 RT Brasilia (N256AS)
Event: Outboard propeller blade separation leading to in-flight emergency

- At 12:43:25 the outboard section of the left-engine propeller separated with a sound passengers compared to a baseball bat hitting a trash can.
- The detached blade fell into tall grass near Burwell, Carroll County, Georgia, where it lay undiscovered for three weeks.
- Fourteen months earlier the same blade had failed an ultrasonic test, was sent to Hamilton Standard for refurbishing, and was returned to service.
- A similar design failure in 1991 (ASA Flight 2311) had already exposed the vulnerability but had not yet led to a mandatory inspection protocol.
- From blade separation to impact the crew and 29 people onboard had nine minutes and twenty seconds to respond while the engine tore itself apart.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>969falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/you-have-23-minutes-to-choose-whether-262-people-live-or-die--74685335
You have 23 minutes to choose whether 262 people live or die

In this episode, the flight crew of British Airways Speedbird Nine confronts an impossible emergency when every engine stops at cruise altitude and the instruments offer no explanation. The story follows their minutes-long decisions, the limits of training, and the invisible hazard they flew into-what choices did they make when the map ran out?

Person: Captain Eric Moody
Person: Senior First Officer Roger Greaves
Person: Flight Engineer Barry Townley‑Freeman
Date: June 24, 1982
Location: 37,000 feet above the Indian Ocean

- The Boeing 747 City of Edinburgh cruised from Kuala Lumpur to Perth with 247 passengers and 15 crew when the crisis began.
- Mount Galunggung had been erupting and sending dry volcanic ash into the upper atmosphere for weeks before the flight.
- Aircraft weather radar detects moisture, not dry pulverized rock; the crew’s radar and instruments showed clear skies.
- Engine four stopped cleanly at 13:42 UTC, then engine two, then engines one and three ceased almost simultaneously.
- At 37,000 feet a 747 glides roughly 15:1, giving the crew about 91 nautical miles of forward range and 23 minutes to act.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74685335Tue, 25 Aug 2026 17:48:20 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA 747 crew at 37,000 feet has 23 minutes and instruments that say everything is fine while all four engines quietly fail-what would you do? You have 23 minutes to choose whether 262 people live or die In this episode, the flight crew of British...
You have 23 minutes to choose whether 262 people live or die

In this episode, the flight crew of British Airways Speedbird Nine confronts an impossible emergency when every engine stops at cruise altitude and the instruments offer no explanation. The story follows their minutes-long decisions, the limits of training, and the invisible hazard they flew into-what choices did they make when the map ran out?

Person: Captain Eric Moody
Person: Senior First Officer Roger Greaves
Person: Flight Engineer Barry Townley‑Freeman
Date: June 24, 1982
Location: 37,000 feet above the Indian Ocean

- The Boeing 747 City of Edinburgh cruised from Kuala Lumpur to Perth with 247 passengers and 15 crew when the crisis began.
- Mount Galunggung had been erupting and sending dry volcanic ash into the upper atmosphere for weeks before the flight.
- Aircraft weather radar detects moisture, not dry pulverized rock; the crew’s radar and instruments showed clear skies.
- Engine four stopped cleanly at 13:42 UTC, then engine two, then engines one and three ceased almost simultaneously.
- At 37,000 feet a 747 glides roughly 15:1, giving the crew about 91 nautical miles of forward range and 23 minutes to act.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1492falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/alone-in-a-cockpit-what-would-you-do-against-six-enemy-jets--74685333
Alone in a cockpit: What would you do against six enemy jets?

This episode tells the story of Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon, who flew alone against six enemy aircraft over Srinagar in 1971. It explores the split-second decision that defined his legacy and the question of what one person can do when faced with overwhelming odds.

Person: Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon
Date: December 14, 1971
Location: Srinagar, Kashmir
Aircraft: Folland Gnat
Enemy Aircraft: F-86 Sabre jets

- On December 14, 1971, witnesses near Srinagar saw a cockpit canopy separate from a spinning fighter jet, indicating an attempted ejection.
- Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon, assigned to No. 18 Squadron "The Flying Bullets," was 26 years old and flew a Folland Gnat.
- His father, Tarlochan Singh Sekhon, served as a Master Warrant Officer in the Indian Air Force, making military life familiar to Nirmal.
- During Operation Chengiz Khan, six F-86 Sabre jets from Pakistan's Twenty-Sixth Squadron were tasked with striking Srinagar airfield.
- Sekhon launched as Number Two in a two-Gnat formation, but his lead, Flight Lieutenant Ghumman, lost visual contact immediately after takeoff.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74685333Tue, 25 Aug 2026 17:48:15 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA lone pilot faces six enemy jets over a burning airfield, his wingman gone. What would you do when the odds are impossible? Alone in a cockpit: What would you do against six enemy jets? This episode tells the story of Flying Officer Nirmal Jit...
Alone in a cockpit: What would you do against six enemy jets?

This episode tells the story of Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon, who flew alone against six enemy aircraft over Srinagar in 1971. It explores the split-second decision that defined his legacy and the question of what one person can do when faced with overwhelming odds.

Person: Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon
Date: December 14, 1971
Location: Srinagar, Kashmir
Aircraft: Folland Gnat
Enemy Aircraft: F-86 Sabre jets

- On December 14, 1971, witnesses near Srinagar saw a cockpit canopy separate from a spinning fighter jet, indicating an attempted ejection.
- Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon, assigned to No. 18 Squadron "The Flying Bullets," was 26 years old and flew a Folland Gnat.
- His father, Tarlochan Singh Sekhon, served as a Master Warrant Officer in the Indian Air Force, making military life familiar to Nirmal.
- During Operation Chengiz Khan, six F-86 Sabre jets from Pakistan's Twenty-Sixth Squadron were tasked with striking Srinagar airfield.
- Sekhon launched as Number Two in a two-Gnat formation, but his lead, Flight Lieutenant Ghumman, lost visual contact immediately after takeoff.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>874falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/if-your-chute-opens-over-occupied-france-would-you-cut-it--74685332
If your chute opens over occupied France, would you cut it?

This episode recounts the extraordinary life of Heinrich Mors, a decorated fighter pilot who faced death multiple times. It explores the question of what it means to survive the unsurvivable, only to be taken in an unexpected way.

Person: Heinrich Mors
Date of Birth: March 23, 1921
Location of Birth: Sigmaringen, Germany
Confirmed Aerial Victories: Sixty
Aircraft: Messerschmitt Bf 109

- Heinrich Mors was born in Sigmaringen, a town on the Danube River, far from the Arctic Ocean.
- By 1941, Mors was flying fighter missions on the Arctic Front, one of the most hostile operational theaters of the war.
- His flight leader on early missions was Theodor Weissenberger, whose role in Mors's story is significant.
- Mors accumulated sixty confirmed aerial victories, a number that placed him among a specific tier of Luftwaffe pilots.
- He survived a previous bailout over the Arctic, vanishing for three days before being found and returning to fly again.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74685332Tue, 25 Aug 2026 17:48:11 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA fighter pilot bails out over occupied France, his parachute opens, and a single bullet finds him. What would you do if you had already survived the impossible? If your chute opens over occupied France, would you cut it? This episode recounts...
If your chute opens over occupied France, would you cut it?

This episode recounts the extraordinary life of Heinrich Mors, a decorated fighter pilot who faced death multiple times. It explores the question of what it means to survive the unsurvivable, only to be taken in an unexpected way.

Person: Heinrich Mors
Date of Birth: March 23, 1921
Location of Birth: Sigmaringen, Germany
Confirmed Aerial Victories: Sixty
Aircraft: Messerschmitt Bf 109

- Heinrich Mors was born in Sigmaringen, a town on the Danube River, far from the Arctic Ocean.
- By 1941, Mors was flying fighter missions on the Arctic Front, one of the most hostile operational theaters of the war.
- His flight leader on early missions was Theodor Weissenberger, whose role in Mors's story is significant.
- Mors accumulated sixty confirmed aerial victories, a number that placed him among a specific tier of Luftwaffe pilots.
- He survived a previous bailout over the Arctic, vanishing for three days before being found and returning to fly again.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>944falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-missing-victory-that-won-t-let-go-of-the-record--74685330
The missing victory that won't let go of the record

This episode explores the extraordinary combat career of Karl-Heinz Kempf, a German fighter pilot during World War II, whose life ended abruptly before his final mission. It delves into the discrepancy in his credited aerial victories and the human story behind the cold precision of wartime records.

Person: Karl-Heinz Kempf
Date: September 3, 1944
Location: Grimbergen Airfield, Belgium
Conflict: Second World War
Aircraft: Focke-Wulf 190

- Karl-Heinz Kempf joined the Luftwaffe in 1937 at age seventeen, training as a fighter pilot during the Reich's pre-war rehearsals.
- By May 1940, he was flying over France, achieving his first aerial victory against a British Hurricane near Brussels.
- He participated in the Battle of Britain, downing multiple aircraft and earning the Iron Cross, both classes.
- In June 1941, he flew his first mission over Soviet territory, marking the opening of the Eastern Front for him.
- During one engagement over Latvia, Kempf shot down four Tupolev SB bombers in a single fight, protecting exposed Panzer columns.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74685330Tue, 25 Aug 2026 17:48:07 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA decorated Luftwaffe fighter pilot survives 444 missions, only for his war to end before takeoff. A missing aerial victory leaves his combat record unresolved. The missing victory that won't let go of the record This episode explores the...
The missing victory that won't let go of the record

This episode explores the extraordinary combat career of Karl-Heinz Kempf, a German fighter pilot during World War II, whose life ended abruptly before his final mission. It delves into the discrepancy in his credited aerial victories and the human story behind the cold precision of wartime records.

Person: Karl-Heinz Kempf
Date: September 3, 1944
Location: Grimbergen Airfield, Belgium
Conflict: Second World War
Aircraft: Focke-Wulf 190

- Karl-Heinz Kempf joined the Luftwaffe in 1937 at age seventeen, training as a fighter pilot during the Reich's pre-war rehearsals.
- By May 1940, he was flying over France, achieving his first aerial victory against a British Hurricane near Brussels.
- He participated in the Battle of Britain, downing multiple aircraft and earning the Iron Cross, both classes.
- In June 1941, he flew his first mission over Soviet territory, marking the opening of the Eastern Front for him.
- During one engagement over Latvia, Kempf shot down four Tupolev SB bombers in a single fight, protecting exposed Panzer columns.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>766falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-film-that-shows-you-killing-a-friend--74685329
The film that shows you killing a friend

This episode explores the life of Sergeant William Henry Franklin, a celebrated Battle of Britain ace, and the five months following a critical incident. It delves into the complexities of excellence and error in the unforgiving skies of wartime.

Person: Sergeant William Henry Franklin
Date: July 7, 1940
Location: English Channel
Conflict: Battle of Britain
Aircraft: Spitfire Mark I

- William Henry Franklin was born in Mile End, East London, in 1911, and his father was killed in France in 1917.
- He joined the Royal Air Force in 1929 as an aircraft apprentice, training as an engine fitter at RAF Halton.
- Franklin earned his pilot's aircrew brevet after years on the ground, understanding aircraft in a way many officers did not.
- By March 1939, he transitioned to flying Spitfire Mark I aircraft with No. 65 Squadron at RAF Hornchurch.
- In May 1940, Franklin engaged in multiple combats over Calais and Dunkirk, destroying several enemy aircraft.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74685329Tue, 25 Aug 2026 17:48:04 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA decorated British sergeant pilot, an ace of the Battle of Britain, is recommended for a medal the same week he destroys a friendly aircraft. What would you do with a man like that? The film that shows you killing a friend This episode explores...
The film that shows you killing a friend

This episode explores the life of Sergeant William Henry Franklin, a celebrated Battle of Britain ace, and the five months following a critical incident. It delves into the complexities of excellence and error in the unforgiving skies of wartime.

Person: Sergeant William Henry Franklin
Date: July 7, 1940
Location: English Channel
Conflict: Battle of Britain
Aircraft: Spitfire Mark I

- William Henry Franklin was born in Mile End, East London, in 1911, and his father was killed in France in 1917.
- He joined the Royal Air Force in 1929 as an aircraft apprentice, training as an engine fitter at RAF Halton.
- Franklin earned his pilot's aircrew brevet after years on the ground, understanding aircraft in a way many officers did not.
- By March 1939, he transitioned to flying Spitfire Mark I aircraft with No. 65 Squadron at RAF Hornchurch.
- In May 1940, Franklin engaged in multiple combats over Calais and Dunkirk, destroying several enemy aircraft.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1371falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/you-had-a-parachute-would-you-ditch-to-save-strangers--74685327
You Had a Parachute - Would You Ditch to Save Strangers?

This episode tells the story of Steven Bennett, an aeronautical engineer and Air Force pilot, who made a fateful decision over the Gulf of Tonkin. It explores the extreme circumstances that led to his choice and asks what you would do in a similar situation.

Date: June 29, 1972
Person: Steven Bennett
Aircraft: OV-10 Bronco
Location: Gulf of Tonkin
Specialization: Aeronautical Engineering

- Steven Bennett was a 26-year-old Air Force captain with a degree in aeronautical engineering.
- He was flying an OV-10 Bronco, an observation plane used for forward air control at low altitudes.
- Bennett's mission involved coordinating naval gunfire and air support for ground troops in Quảng Trị province.
- On June 29, 1972, a South Vietnamese unit was cut off and about to be overrun by North Vietnamese Army regulars.
- With conventional options exhausted, Bennett decided to use his OV-10's light weapons system to protect the surrounded unit.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74685327Tue, 25 Aug 2026 17:48:00 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTAn Air Force pilot with a functioning parachute faces a terrible choice: ditch his crippled plane to save himself, or attempt a desperate maneuver to save strangers. You Had a Parachute - Would You Ditch to Save Strangers? This episode tells the...
You Had a Parachute - Would You Ditch to Save Strangers?

This episode tells the story of Steven Bennett, an aeronautical engineer and Air Force pilot, who made a fateful decision over the Gulf of Tonkin. It explores the extreme circumstances that led to his choice and asks what you would do in a similar situation.

Date: June 29, 1972
Person: Steven Bennett
Aircraft: OV-10 Bronco
Location: Gulf of Tonkin
Specialization: Aeronautical Engineering

- Steven Bennett was a 26-year-old Air Force captain with a degree in aeronautical engineering.
- He was flying an OV-10 Bronco, an observation plane used for forward air control at low altitudes.
- Bennett's mission involved coordinating naval gunfire and air support for ground troops in Quảng Trị province.
- On June 29, 1972, a South Vietnamese unit was cut off and about to be overrun by North Vietnamese Army regulars.
- With conventional options exhausted, Bennett decided to use his OV-10's light weapons system to protect the surrounded unit.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1233falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/you-fly-a-spitfire-under-the-irish-tricolour-which-side-do-you-choose--74685326
You fly a Spitfire under the Irish tricolour - which side do you choose?

This episode tells the story of Timothy Vigors, an Anglo-Irish pilot who flew for the RAF during World War II with his national flag painted on his Spitfire. It explores the tension between his commitment to the war effort and his preserved identity.

Person: Timothy Vigors
Date: June 4, 1940
Location: English Channel
Aircraft: Spitfire
Conflict: World War II

- Timothy Vigors was born in 1921, educated at Eton, and enrolled in the Royal Air Force College at Cranwell in January 1939 at age seventeen.
- His family were landowners in County Carlow, Ireland, and maintained a stud at Tullamaine Castle in County Tipperary.
- In February 1940, Vigors joined No. 222 Squadron RAF, flying Spitfires out of RAF Duxford, and three months later, the squadron was over Dunkirk.
- During the Dunkirk evacuation, Vigors shot down his first Bf 109 on May 30 and his first Heinkel 111 on May 31.
- On June 4, the final day of the evacuation, he flew sorties over Dunkirk, landed, and then attended Eton's Fourth of June celebration.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74685326Tue, 25 Aug 2026 17:47:55 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA 19-year-old Spitfire pilot hunts German aircraft over the English Channel, his plane bearing an Irish tricolour. What would you do to stay true to yourself? You fly a Spitfire under the Irish tricolour - which side do you choose? This episode...
You fly a Spitfire under the Irish tricolour - which side do you choose?

This episode tells the story of Timothy Vigors, an Anglo-Irish pilot who flew for the RAF during World War II with his national flag painted on his Spitfire. It explores the tension between his commitment to the war effort and his preserved identity.

Person: Timothy Vigors
Date: June 4, 1940
Location: English Channel
Aircraft: Spitfire
Conflict: World War II

- Timothy Vigors was born in 1921, educated at Eton, and enrolled in the Royal Air Force College at Cranwell in January 1939 at age seventeen.
- His family were landowners in County Carlow, Ireland, and maintained a stud at Tullamaine Castle in County Tipperary.
- In February 1940, Vigors joined No. 222 Squadron RAF, flying Spitfires out of RAF Duxford, and three months later, the squadron was over Dunkirk.
- During the Dunkirk evacuation, Vigors shot down his first Bf 109 on May 30 and his first Heinkel 111 on May 31.
- On June 4, the final day of the evacuation, he flew sorties over Dunkirk, landed, and then attended Eton's Fourth of June celebration.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1059falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/you-and-the-hollow-silver-dollar-press-the-needle-or-let-fourteen-missiles-hit--74685325
You and the hollow silver dollar: press the needle or let fourteen missiles hit

This episode explores the story of Francis Gary Powers, a U-2 pilot shot down over the Soviet Union, and the profound personal cost of his survival. It delves into the ethical dilemmas of espionage and the burden of loyalty when your country disavows you.

Person: Francis Gary Powers
Date: May 1, 1960
Location: Soviet Union
Aircraft: Lockheed U-2
Mission: Espionage

- Francis Gary Powers, the only son among six children, decided the sky was the opposite of his father's coal mining life.
- At 26, Powers found himself aged out of commercial aviation, creating an opening for CIA recruiters.
- He signed on with the CIA in May 1956, flying the Lockheed U-2, an aircraft designed to fly higher than Soviet defenses.
- On May 1, 1960, Powers took off from Peshawar, Pakistan, for the first complete solo crossing of the Soviet Union.
- Fourteen surface-to-air missiles were launched over Sverdlovsk, with one detonating close enough to destroy the U-2's tail.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74685325Tue, 25 Aug 2026 17:47:52 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA CIA pilot on a top-secret Cold War espionage mission faces an impossible choice: use a suicide device or face capture by the Soviets. You and the hollow silver dollar: press the needle or let fourteen missiles hit This episode explores the...
You and the hollow silver dollar: press the needle or let fourteen missiles hit

This episode explores the story of Francis Gary Powers, a U-2 pilot shot down over the Soviet Union, and the profound personal cost of his survival. It delves into the ethical dilemmas of espionage and the burden of loyalty when your country disavows you.

Person: Francis Gary Powers
Date: May 1, 1960
Location: Soviet Union
Aircraft: Lockheed U-2
Mission: Espionage

- Francis Gary Powers, the only son among six children, decided the sky was the opposite of his father's coal mining life.
- At 26, Powers found himself aged out of commercial aviation, creating an opening for CIA recruiters.
- He signed on with the CIA in May 1956, flying the Lockheed U-2, an aircraft designed to fly higher than Soviet defenses.
- On May 1, 1960, Powers took off from Peshawar, Pakistan, for the first complete solo crossing of the Soviet Union.
- Fourteen surface-to-air missiles were launched over Sverdlovsk, with one detonating close enough to destroy the U-2's tail.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1160falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/if-you-were-the-soaked-man-outside-the-u-s-embassy-would-you-swim-again--74685321
If you were the soaked man outside the U.S. Embassy, would you swim again?

This episode tells the story of Lý Tống, a fighter pilot whose country ceased to exist while he was a prisoner of war. It explores the relentless pursuit of freedom that defined his life, even as the world around him changed dramatically.

Person: Lý Tống
Born: September 1, 1945
Military Branch: Republic of Vietnam Air Force
Aircraft: Cessna U-17, A-37 Dragonfly
Event: Fall of Saigon

- Lý Tống was born on the day Japan formally surrendered, but his country, South Vietnam, never knew peace.
- He joined the Republic of Vietnam Air Force in 1965, flying combat missions during the Vietnam War.
- In April 1975, he was shot down, captured, and taken prisoner just weeks before Saigon fell.
- After five years in a re-education camp, he escaped and traveled illegally through Southeast Asia.
- He swam the Johor Strait at night to reach Singapore, where he sought asylum at the U.S. Embassy.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74685321Tue, 25 Aug 2026 17:47:47 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA soaking wet man flags a taxi to the U.S. Embassy after swimming a strait in the dark. His country is gone, but his fight for freedom is not. If you were the soaked man outside the U.S. Embassy, would you swim again? This episode tells the...
If you were the soaked man outside the U.S. Embassy, would you swim again?

This episode tells the story of Lý Tống, a fighter pilot whose country ceased to exist while he was a prisoner of war. It explores the relentless pursuit of freedom that defined his life, even as the world around him changed dramatically.

Person: Lý Tống
Born: September 1, 1945
Military Branch: Republic of Vietnam Air Force
Aircraft: Cessna U-17, A-37 Dragonfly
Event: Fall of Saigon

- Lý Tống was born on the day Japan formally surrendered, but his country, South Vietnam, never knew peace.
- He joined the Republic of Vietnam Air Force in 1965, flying combat missions during the Vietnam War.
- In April 1975, he was shot down, captured, and taken prisoner just weeks before Saigon fell.
- After five years in a re-education camp, he escaped and traveled illegally through Southeast Asia.
- He swam the Johor Strait at night to reach Singapore, where he sought asylum at the U.S. Embassy.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>928falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-kindergarten-that-forgave-a-killer--74685320
The Kindergarten That Forgave a Killer

This episode explores the extraordinary life of Kaname Harada, a highly decorated Japanese fighter pilot during World War II, and his unexpected path to running a kindergarten in his later years. It delves into the profound question of how one reconciles a past of destruction with a future dedicated to nurturing life.

Person: Kaname Harada
Date of Birth: August 11, 1916
Location of Birth: Asajawa, Nagano Prefecture, Japan
Military Service: Imperial Japanese Navy
Role: Zero fighter pilot

- Kaname Harada joined the Imperial Japanese Navy as infantry at 17 in 1933, later becoming a pilot.
- He graduated first in his class from the 35th pilot training course in February 1937.
- Harada witnessed Japanese troops killing Chinese civilians during his posting to China in 1937.
- He was a Zero pilot aboard the carrier Sōryū during the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, flying protective patrols.
- Harada survived the Battle of Midway in June 1942, losing two carriers, the Sōryū and the Hiryū, while he was airborne.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74685320Tue, 25 Aug 2026 17:47:43 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA legendary Japanese Zero pilot spends his final decades running a kindergarten. What does a man do with a lifetime of violence? The Kindergarten That Forgave a Killer This episode explores the extraordinary life of Kaname Harada, a highly...
The Kindergarten That Forgave a Killer

This episode explores the extraordinary life of Kaname Harada, a highly decorated Japanese fighter pilot during World War II, and his unexpected path to running a kindergarten in his later years. It delves into the profound question of how one reconciles a past of destruction with a future dedicated to nurturing life.

Person: Kaname Harada
Date of Birth: August 11, 1916
Location of Birth: Asajawa, Nagano Prefecture, Japan
Military Service: Imperial Japanese Navy
Role: Zero fighter pilot

- Kaname Harada joined the Imperial Japanese Navy as infantry at 17 in 1933, later becoming a pilot.
- He graduated first in his class from the 35th pilot training course in February 1937.
- Harada witnessed Japanese troops killing Chinese civilians during his posting to China in 1937.
- He was a Zero pilot aboard the carrier Sōryū during the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, flying protective patrols.
- Harada survived the Battle of Midway in June 1942, losing two carriers, the Sōryū and the Hiryū, while he was airborne.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1060falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/you-watched-the-noon-guard-rotation-and-chose-one-cockpit-one-seat-one-chance--74685318
You watched the noon guard rotation and chose one cockpit, one seat, one chance

This episode tells the story of Mikhail Devyataev, a Soviet fighter pilot who became a prisoner of war and found himself at a German rocket facility. It explores the distance between heroism and recognition, and the instinct for survival that drove him.

Person: Mikhail Devyataev
Date: February 1945
Location: Usedom Island, Baltic coast
Status: Prisoner of War
Event: Escape from Peenemünde

- Mikhail Devyataev was the thirteenth child of a Mokshan peasant family, born in 1917, and decided to fly after seeing an air ambulance at age seventeen.
- He graduated from the Chkalov Flying School as a lieutenant and fighter pilot in 1940, immediately entering combat in World War II.
- During his first combat sortie, his I-16 was shot down, and he survived a Luftwaffe pilot's attempt to shoot him while he parachuted.
- After being wounded and reassigned, he returned to fighter aviation in 1944, destroying nine enemy aircraft before being shot down again.
- As Prisoner 11024 at Peenemünde, he observed the guards' routines and the layout of the German rocket facility, noticing that his fellow laborers were all Soviet prisoners.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74685318Tue, 25 Aug 2026 17:47:39 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA Soviet fighter pilot, downed and imprisoned, sees a chance for an impossible escape from a Nazi weapons facility. What would you risk for freedom? You watched the noon guard rotation and chose one cockpit, one seat, one chance This episode...
You watched the noon guard rotation and chose one cockpit, one seat, one chance

This episode tells the story of Mikhail Devyataev, a Soviet fighter pilot who became a prisoner of war and found himself at a German rocket facility. It explores the distance between heroism and recognition, and the instinct for survival that drove him.

Person: Mikhail Devyataev
Date: February 1945
Location: Usedom Island, Baltic coast
Status: Prisoner of War
Event: Escape from Peenemünde

- Mikhail Devyataev was the thirteenth child of a Mokshan peasant family, born in 1917, and decided to fly after seeing an air ambulance at age seventeen.
- He graduated from the Chkalov Flying School as a lieutenant and fighter pilot in 1940, immediately entering combat in World War II.
- During his first combat sortie, his I-16 was shot down, and he survived a Luftwaffe pilot's attempt to shoot him while he parachuted.
- After being wounded and reassigned, he returned to fighter aviation in 1944, destroying nine enemy aircraft before being shot down again.
- As Prisoner 11024 at Peenemünde, he observed the guards' routines and the layout of the German rocket facility, noticing that his fellow laborers were all Soviet prisoners.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1127falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-card-that-promised-intact-return-and-saved-him--74685316
The card that promised intact return and saved him

This episode explores the incredible journey of Andrew William "Nicky" Barr, a man who consistently chose the harder path, from the rugby field to the cockpit. It delves into the decisions that shaped his wartime experience and the unexpected circumstances that kept him alive.

Person: Andrew William "Nicky" Barr
Date: March 1944
Location: North Africa, Italy, Alps
Event: World War II
Topic: Prisoner of War

- Andrew William "Nicky" Barr weighed 55 kilograms when he reached Allied lines after two years of being hunted and imprisoned.
- He was court-martialled for murder after escaping a POW camp and striking an Italian customs official with a rock.
- Barr was born in Wellington, New Zealand, and moved to Melbourne, excelling in sprints and playing hooker for Victoria in rugby.
- He joined the Royal Australian Air Force in 1940, deliberately missing bombing targets to be assigned to fighters.
- In North Africa, he received a "goolie chit," a card promising payment for his safe and intact return if found by locals.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74685316Tue, 25 Aug 2026 17:47:36 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA downed pilot is hunted across North Africa and the Alps, court-martialled for murder, and nearly sentenced to death. Can a stranger save him? The card that promised intact return and saved him This episode explores the incredible journey of...
The card that promised intact return and saved him

This episode explores the incredible journey of Andrew William "Nicky" Barr, a man who consistently chose the harder path, from the rugby field to the cockpit. It delves into the decisions that shaped his wartime experience and the unexpected circumstances that kept him alive.

Person: Andrew William "Nicky" Barr
Date: March 1944
Location: North Africa, Italy, Alps
Event: World War II
Topic: Prisoner of War

- Andrew William "Nicky" Barr weighed 55 kilograms when he reached Allied lines after two years of being hunted and imprisoned.
- He was court-martialled for murder after escaping a POW camp and striking an Italian customs official with a rock.
- Barr was born in Wellington, New Zealand, and moved to Melbourne, excelling in sprints and playing hooker for Victoria in rugby.
- He joined the Royal Australian Air Force in 1940, deliberately missing bombing targets to be assigned to fighters.
- In North Africa, he received a "goolie chit," a card promising payment for his safe and intact return if found by locals.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1401falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/nine-minutes-and-twenty-seconds-what-would-you-do--74685314
Nine Minutes and Twenty Seconds: What Would You Do?

This episode recounts the events of Atlantic Southeast Airlines Flight 529, which experienced a catastrophic propeller blade failure. It explores the human decisions and systemic gaps that led to a repaired blade being returned to service, and the harrowing choices faced by the crew in the final moments.

Aircraft: Embraer EMB-120 RT Brasilia
Flight: Atlantic Southeast Airlines Flight 529
Date: August 21, 1995
Route: Atlanta to Gulfport-Biloxi, Mississippi
Crew: 3

- A farmer discovered a propeller blade 35 miles from the crash site of ASA Flight 529, indicating it separated mid-flight.
- The blade had undergone ultrasonic inspection on May 19, 1994, was rejected due to a flaw, and sent for repair.
- Hamilton Standard incorrectly repaired the blade, which was then reinstalled on September 30, 1994, and returned to commercial service.
- The NTSB later determined Hamilton Standard's inspection and repair techniques were inadequate, and the FAA did not require recurring ultrasonic inspections for in-service blades.
- Captain Edwin Gannaway, First Officer Matthew Warmerdam, and Flight Attendant Robin Fech were the crew on the routine Monday morning flight.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74685314Tue, 25 Aug 2026 17:47:31 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA propeller blade found 35 miles from a crash site exposes a safety flaw. What would you do with nine minutes and twenty seconds to save 29 lives? Nine Minutes and Twenty Seconds: What Would You Do? This episode recounts the events of Atlantic...
Nine Minutes and Twenty Seconds: What Would You Do?

This episode recounts the events of Atlantic Southeast Airlines Flight 529, which experienced a catastrophic propeller blade failure. It explores the human decisions and systemic gaps that led to a repaired blade being returned to service, and the harrowing choices faced by the crew in the final moments.

Aircraft: Embraer EMB-120 RT Brasilia
Flight: Atlantic Southeast Airlines Flight 529
Date: August 21, 1995
Route: Atlanta to Gulfport-Biloxi, Mississippi
Crew: 3

- A farmer discovered a propeller blade 35 miles from the crash site of ASA Flight 529, indicating it separated mid-flight.
- The blade had undergone ultrasonic inspection on May 19, 1994, was rejected due to a flaw, and sent for repair.
- Hamilton Standard incorrectly repaired the blade, which was then reinstalled on September 30, 1994, and returned to commercial service.
- The NTSB later determined Hamilton Standard's inspection and repair techniques were inadequate, and the FAA did not require recurring ultrasonic inspections for in-service blades.
- Captain Edwin Gannaway, First Officer Matthew Warmerdam, and Flight Attendant Robin Fech were the crew on the routine Monday morning flight.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>932falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/you-watched-him-set-the-stradivarius-on-the-chair-would-you-speak-up--74685313
You watched him set the Stradivarius on the chair - would you speak up?

In this episode, we follow a single intermission at Carnegie Hall in 1936 and the disappearance that followed, then widen to the choices a celebrated violinist made as Europe unraveled and he tried to build an orchestra in Palestine. What happened in that empty dressing room, and what would you have done in the moment?

Person: Bronisław Huberman
Date: February 28, 1936
Location: Carnegie Hall, New York City
Instrument: 1713 Stradivarius (the Gibson)
Event: Theft during a 45-minute intermission

- Huberman performed at Carnegie Hall, set the Gibson Stradivarius in his dressing room, and left it unattended for the 45-minute intermission.
- The Gibson had been made in 1713, previously stolen in 1919 and recovered three days later before coming into Huberman’s hands.
- Huberman publicly refused invitations to play in Nazi Germany in 1933 and began organizing what became the Palestine Symphony Orchestra.
- Nearly a thousand musicians and their families were later given papers and positions through Huberman’s recruitment and fundraising efforts.
- After the 1936 theft, Lloyd’s of London paid a $30,000 insurance claim while the instrument itself remained missing for decades.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74685313Tue, 25 Aug 2026 17:47:27 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA violin worth a lifetime is left alone in a Carnegie Hall dressing room during intermission - you watched him set the Stradivarius on the chair; would you speak up? You watched him set the Stradivarius on the chair - would you speak up? In this...
You watched him set the Stradivarius on the chair - would you speak up?

In this episode, we follow a single intermission at Carnegie Hall in 1936 and the disappearance that followed, then widen to the choices a celebrated violinist made as Europe unraveled and he tried to build an orchestra in Palestine. What happened in that empty dressing room, and what would you have done in the moment?

Person: Bronisław Huberman
Date: February 28, 1936
Location: Carnegie Hall, New York City
Instrument: 1713 Stradivarius (the Gibson)
Event: Theft during a 45-minute intermission

- Huberman performed at Carnegie Hall, set the Gibson Stradivarius in his dressing room, and left it unattended for the 45-minute intermission.
- The Gibson had been made in 1713, previously stolen in 1919 and recovered three days later before coming into Huberman’s hands.
- Huberman publicly refused invitations to play in Nazi Germany in 1933 and began organizing what became the Palestine Symphony Orchestra.
- Nearly a thousand musicians and their families were later given papers and positions through Huberman’s recruitment and fundraising efforts.
- After the 1936 theft, Lloyd’s of London paid a $30,000 insurance claim while the instrument itself remained missing for decades.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>821falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/you-refuse-mike-todd-s-seat-and-hear-on-the-radio-it-killed-everyone-else--74685311
You refuse Mike Todd's seat-and hear on the radio it killed everyone else

In this episode we follow the moments that could have ended one man's story and the stubborn choices that kept it going. We trace how small decisions-from a refused plane seat to a kindergarten recital-set the course of a life and ask what force kept him walking away from death.

Person: Kirk Douglas (born Issur Danielovitch)
Date: March 23, 1958
Location: Palm Springs; New Mexico (plane crash)
Event: Mike Todd offered Kirk his plane seat the night before the flight
Person: Anne (Kirk's wife) - urged him not to go

- Kirk heard on the car radio that Mike Todd's plane had gone down and everyone on board was killed after he had declined the invitation.
- The night before the flight Todd casually offered Kirk the seat after a tennis game in Palm Springs and Kirk and Anne argued about it.
- Born Issur Danielovitch on December 9, 1916 in Amsterdam, New York, he grew up on Eagle Street as the son of a ragman and an enduring mother, Bryna.
- A kindergarten recital where he heard applause ignited his ambition, leading him to sell newspapers, earn a partial wrestling scholarship to St. Lawrence, and change his name to Kirk Douglas.
- At the American Academy of Dramatic Arts he received help from classmate Betty Joan Perske (Lauren Bacall), later served in the Navy, was injured in 1944 and returned to build a stage and film career.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74685311Tue, 25 Aug 2026 17:47:23 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA Hollywood star hears his nearly-taken plane crashed-he said no; what does a life stitched from near-misses cost and buy? (Kirk Douglas) You refuse Mike Todd's seat-and hear on the radio it killed everyone else In this episode we follow the...
You refuse Mike Todd's seat-and hear on the radio it killed everyone else

In this episode we follow the moments that could have ended one man's story and the stubborn choices that kept it going. We trace how small decisions-from a refused plane seat to a kindergarten recital-set the course of a life and ask what force kept him walking away from death.

Person: Kirk Douglas (born Issur Danielovitch)
Date: March 23, 1958
Location: Palm Springs; New Mexico (plane crash)
Event: Mike Todd offered Kirk his plane seat the night before the flight
Person: Anne (Kirk's wife) - urged him not to go

- Kirk heard on the car radio that Mike Todd's plane had gone down and everyone on board was killed after he had declined the invitation.
- The night before the flight Todd casually offered Kirk the seat after a tennis game in Palm Springs and Kirk and Anne argued about it.
- Born Issur Danielovitch on December 9, 1916 in Amsterdam, New York, he grew up on Eagle Street as the son of a ragman and an enduring mother, Bryna.
- A kindergarten recital where he heard applause ignited his ambition, leading him to sell newspapers, earn a partial wrestling scholarship to St. Lawrence, and change his name to Kirk Douglas.
- At the American Academy of Dramatic Arts he received help from classmate Betty Joan Perske (Lauren Bacall), later served in the Navy, was injured in 1944 and returned to build a stage and film career.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1213falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-copilot-s-dark-decision-saved-paris--74685310
A copilot's dark decision saved Paris

This episode covers the 1994 hijacking of Air France Flight 8969, a meticulously planned mission that aimed to detonate an aircraft over the Eiffel Tower. It explores the circumstances that led to this audacious act and the extraordinary decisions made under immense pressure.

Event: Air France Flight 8969 Hijacking
Date: December 24, 1994
Location: Algiers International Airport, Marseille
Aircraft: Airbus A300
Hijackers: Armed Islamic Group (GIA)

- 173 people boarded a Christmas Eve flight from Algiers to Paris, unaware of the true intentions of four men in counterfeit uniforms.
- The Algerian government's cancellation of election results and banning of the Islamic Salvation Front led to a civil war, with the GIA emerging as a ruthless faction.
- French intelligence had flagged the Algiers-Paris route as high-risk for months, with concerns about shoulder-fired missiles.
- The hijackers loaded two bundles of dynamite, totaling 220 pounds, onto the aircraft, one in the cockpit and one beneath passenger seating.
- France's elite GIGN commandos began mobilizing, rehearsing their intervention on an identical Airbus A300 in Palma de Mallorca.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74685310Tue, 25 Aug 2026 17:47:20 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA Christmas Eve flight to Paris becomes a hostage crisis when hijackers with 220 pounds of dynamite reroute it to the sky above the city. A copilot's dark decision saved Paris This episode covers the 1994 hijacking of Air France Flight 8969, a...
A copilot's dark decision saved Paris

This episode covers the 1994 hijacking of Air France Flight 8969, a meticulously planned mission that aimed to detonate an aircraft over the Eiffel Tower. It explores the circumstances that led to this audacious act and the extraordinary decisions made under immense pressure.

Event: Air France Flight 8969 Hijacking
Date: December 24, 1994
Location: Algiers International Airport, Marseille
Aircraft: Airbus A300
Hijackers: Armed Islamic Group (GIA)

- 173 people boarded a Christmas Eve flight from Algiers to Paris, unaware of the true intentions of four men in counterfeit uniforms.
- The Algerian government's cancellation of election results and banning of the Islamic Salvation Front led to a civil war, with the GIA emerging as a ruthless faction.
- French intelligence had flagged the Algiers-Paris route as high-risk for months, with concerns about shoulder-fired missiles.
- The hijackers loaded two bundles of dynamite, totaling 220 pounds, onto the aircraft, one in the cockpit and one beneath passenger seating.
- France's elite GIGN commandos began mobilizing, rehearsing their intervention on an identical Airbus A300 in Palma de Mallorca.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1553falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/promoted-the-day-he-died-the-welsh-observer-shot-down-by-a-future-ace--74685309
Promoted the Day He Died: The Welsh Observer Shot Down by a Future Ace

In this episode, we follow the path that led Tom Rees from a Brecon hill farm to the forward nacelle of an F.E.2b on 17 September 1916, and trace the decisions and conditions that put him in the sky that morning. Why was he promoted the day he died, and how did the tactics and machines of 1916 create the moment that changed two young men's lives?

Person: Tom Rees
Date: 17 September 1916
Location: return leg over Marcoing
Aircraft: F.E.2b serial 7018
Unit: No. 11 Squadron RFC

- He was born at Cefnbrynich farm in the Brecon Beacons and raised speaking Welsh, the youngest of six children.
- Rees volunteered twice: first to the Royal Welch Fusiliers (21 January 1915), then to the Royal Welch Corps in November 1915.
- As an observer he sat in the forward nacelle of the F.E.2b, exposed and unable to see threats coming from below and behind.
- On the Marcoing raid eight BE.2c bombers and six escorts set out; about twenty German fighters from Jasta 2 attacked on the return.
- Rees’s promotion to captain was promulgated by the Royal Welch Corps the same morning his death was recorded in five words by the German pilot who engaged him.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74685309Tue, 25 Aug 2026 17:47:16 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA Welsh farmer’s son promoted to captain the morning he climbs into an F.E.2b nacelle and never returns-what would you do with a rank received at death? Promoted the Day He Died: The Welsh Observer Shot Down by a Future Ace In this episode, we...
Promoted the Day He Died: The Welsh Observer Shot Down by a Future Ace

In this episode, we follow the path that led Tom Rees from a Brecon hill farm to the forward nacelle of an F.E.2b on 17 September 1916, and trace the decisions and conditions that put him in the sky that morning. Why was he promoted the day he died, and how did the tactics and machines of 1916 create the moment that changed two young men's lives?

Person: Tom Rees
Date: 17 September 1916
Location: return leg over Marcoing
Aircraft: F.E.2b serial 7018
Unit: No. 11 Squadron RFC

- He was born at Cefnbrynich farm in the Brecon Beacons and raised speaking Welsh, the youngest of six children.
- Rees volunteered twice: first to the Royal Welch Fusiliers (21 January 1915), then to the Royal Welch Corps in November 1915.
- As an observer he sat in the forward nacelle of the F.E.2b, exposed and unable to see threats coming from below and behind.
- On the Marcoing raid eight BE.2c bombers and six escorts set out; about twenty German fighters from Jasta 2 attacked on the return.
- Rees’s promotion to captain was promulgated by the Royal Welch Corps the same morning his death was recorded in five words by the German pilot who engaged him.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1279falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-second-pass-that-grounded-a-hero--74685308
The second pass that grounded a hero

In this episode, we follow Thomas Lynch from a Pennsylvania mill town to the skies of the Southwest Pacific and trace the decisions that led him to fly one more attack over Aitape. What motivated a decorated pilot to press a second pass after the mission was already complete?

Person: Thomas Lynch
Date: March 8, 1944
Location: Aitape harbor
Aircraft: Lockheed P-38 Lightning
Background: Eagle Scout, chemical engineering graduate, Fighter ace

- Born and raised in Catasauqua, Pennsylvania, third of seven children in a practical mill-town family.
- Earned Eagle Scout, boxed at University of Pittsburgh, and graduated in 1940 before joining ROTC and aviation cadets.
- Flew P-39s early in the war, survived a bailout over water on June 16, 1942 with a broken arm, then returned to combat.
- Transitioned to the twin-engine P-38 Lightning in mid-1942 and led aggressive attacks that boosted squadron morale, including Dec 27, 1942 over Buna.
- On March 8, 1944 he made a second pass over a burning Japanese barge in Aitape; his P-38 was hit, he bailed too low, and his remains were never recovered.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74685308Tue, 25 Aug 2026 17:47:11 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA P-38 pilot in Aitape turns back for a second pass after a mission ends, risking everything when a burning barge marks success. What would you do? The second pass that grounded a hero In this episode, we follow Thomas Lynch from a Pennsylvania...
The second pass that grounded a hero

In this episode, we follow Thomas Lynch from a Pennsylvania mill town to the skies of the Southwest Pacific and trace the decisions that led him to fly one more attack over Aitape. What motivated a decorated pilot to press a second pass after the mission was already complete?

Person: Thomas Lynch
Date: March 8, 1944
Location: Aitape harbor
Aircraft: Lockheed P-38 Lightning
Background: Eagle Scout, chemical engineering graduate, Fighter ace

- Born and raised in Catasauqua, Pennsylvania, third of seven children in a practical mill-town family.
- Earned Eagle Scout, boxed at University of Pittsburgh, and graduated in 1940 before joining ROTC and aviation cadets.
- Flew P-39s early in the war, survived a bailout over water on June 16, 1942 with a broken arm, then returned to combat.
- Transitioned to the twin-engine P-38 Lightning in mid-1942 and led aggressive attacks that boosted squadron morale, including Dec 27, 1942 over Buna.
- On March 8, 1944 he made a second pass over a burning Japanese barge in Aitape; his P-38 was hit, he bailed too low, and his remains were never recovered.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>985falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-parachute-that-did-not-open-fully-what-would-you-have-done--74685307
The parachute that did not open fully: What would you have done?

This episode tells the story of Karl-Wilhelm Hofmann, a German fighter pilot during World War II, focusing on his experiences from joining the Luftwaffe to commanding a Staffel. It explores the brutal realities of aerial combat and the question of how his war ultimately ended.

Person: Karl-Wilhelm Hofmann
Date: June 11, 1942 (first assignment)
Location: Saint-Omer-Arques, occupied France
Unit: Jagdgeschwader Twenty-Six (JG 26)
Aircraft: Focke-Wulf 190

- Karl-Wilhelm Hofmann was a 21-year-old from Reichelsheim, Germany, when he was transferred to JG 26 in occupied France in 1942.
- His first confirmed aerial victory was on October 11, 1942, downing a Spitfire near Cassel.
- On December 9, 1942, Hofmann's Focke-Wulf 190 suffered an engine failure over France, leading to a forced landing and severe injuries.
- After months of hospitalization, he returned to active duty on March 31, 1943, on the Eastern Front.
- Hofmann assumed command of the Eighth Staffel on February 27, 1944, at the age of 23, after his commander was killed in action.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74685307Tue, 25 Aug 2026 17:47:07 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA fighter pilot survives countless missions-then his parachute fails. Was his death an accident, or was he killed by his own side? The parachute that did not open fully: What would you have done? This episode tells the story of Karl-Wilhelm...
The parachute that did not open fully: What would you have done?

This episode tells the story of Karl-Wilhelm Hofmann, a German fighter pilot during World War II, focusing on his experiences from joining the Luftwaffe to commanding a Staffel. It explores the brutal realities of aerial combat and the question of how his war ultimately ended.

Person: Karl-Wilhelm Hofmann
Date: June 11, 1942 (first assignment)
Location: Saint-Omer-Arques, occupied France
Unit: Jagdgeschwader Twenty-Six (JG 26)
Aircraft: Focke-Wulf 190

- Karl-Wilhelm Hofmann was a 21-year-old from Reichelsheim, Germany, when he was transferred to JG 26 in occupied France in 1942.
- His first confirmed aerial victory was on October 11, 1942, downing a Spitfire near Cassel.
- On December 9, 1942, Hofmann's Focke-Wulf 190 suffered an engine failure over France, leading to a forced landing and severe injuries.
- After months of hospitalization, he returned to active duty on March 31, 1943, on the Eastern Front.
- Hofmann assumed command of the Eighth Staffel on February 27, 1944, at the age of 23, after his commander was killed in action.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1120falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/you-strap-into-the-hurricane-with-a-shattered-shoulder-do-you-fly--74685306
You strap into the Hurricane with a shattered shoulder - do you fly?

This episode tells the story of Wing Commander John Scatliff Dewar, a decorated RAF officer who disappeared during the Battle of Britain. It explores his background, his critical role in developing the very aircraft he flew, and the circumstances surrounding his final flight.

Person: Wing Commander John Scatliff Dewar
Date: September 11, 1940
Location: English Channel
Conflict: Battle of Britain
Aircraft: Hurricane fighter

- John Dewar was born in Lahore, British India, in 1907 and joined the Royal Air Force College at Cranwell in 1926.
- He spent two years at RAF Martlesham Heath, testing prototype aircraft like the Hurricane and Spitfire, and helped define their combat capabilities.
- In May 1940, during the Battle of France, Dewar sustained a severe shoulder injury when his Hurricane nosed over on landing.
- Despite his injury, he returned to flying within days and was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for confirmed kills.
- On September 11, 1940, Dewar, at 33 years old, flew east from RAF Exeter and never arrived at his destination.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74685306Tue, 25 Aug 2026 17:47:03 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA Royal Air Force Wing Commander vanishes over the English Channel, leaving behind only a jacket on a Sussex beach. What happened to the highest-ranking officer lost in the Battle of Britain? You strap into the Hurricane with a shattered shoulder -...
You strap into the Hurricane with a shattered shoulder - do you fly?

This episode tells the story of Wing Commander John Scatliff Dewar, a decorated RAF officer who disappeared during the Battle of Britain. It explores his background, his critical role in developing the very aircraft he flew, and the circumstances surrounding his final flight.

Person: Wing Commander John Scatliff Dewar
Date: September 11, 1940
Location: English Channel
Conflict: Battle of Britain
Aircraft: Hurricane fighter

- John Dewar was born in Lahore, British India, in 1907 and joined the Royal Air Force College at Cranwell in 1926.
- He spent two years at RAF Martlesham Heath, testing prototype aircraft like the Hurricane and Spitfire, and helped define their combat capabilities.
- In May 1940, during the Battle of France, Dewar sustained a severe shoulder injury when his Hurricane nosed over on landing.
- Despite his injury, he returned to flying within days and was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for confirmed kills.
- On September 11, 1940, Dewar, at 33 years old, flew east from RAF Exeter and never arrived at his destination.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>774falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/you-hear-the-guns-you-run-thirty-times-for-water-and-live-with-the-choice--74685305
You hear the guns; you run thirty times for water and live with the choice

This episode explores the story of Raymond James Paul Baker, a young Australian who sought to serve his country as a mechanic but was instead thrust into the heart of aerial combat. It delves into the profound gap between the life he asked for and the life he was given.

Person: Raymond James Paul Baker
Born: 1897
Location: Adelaide, South Australia
Unit: No. 4 Squadron, Australian Flying Corps
Period: World War I

- Raymond Baker's chief hobby was building model aeroplanes, demonstrating a meticulous understanding of their construction.
- He initially applied to be a mechanic in the Australian Flying Corps, wanting to maintain aircraft on the ground.
- During heavy shelling, Baker made thirty repair runs across open ground and carried water from shellholes under fire.
- He was also involved in safely handling three hundred rounds of ammunition that were at risk of catastrophic explosion.
- The Australian Flying Corps, observing his actions, assessed him as a pilot and transferred him to combat flying duties.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74685305Tue, 25 Aug 2026 17:46:59 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA young man enlists for a quiet life of military aviation mechanics, but the Western Front has other plans for him. What would you do when your chosen path vanishes? You hear the guns; you run thirty times for water and live with the choice This...
You hear the guns; you run thirty times for water and live with the choice

This episode explores the story of Raymond James Paul Baker, a young Australian who sought to serve his country as a mechanic but was instead thrust into the heart of aerial combat. It delves into the profound gap between the life he asked for and the life he was given.

Person: Raymond James Paul Baker
Born: 1897
Location: Adelaide, South Australia
Unit: No. 4 Squadron, Australian Flying Corps
Period: World War I

- Raymond Baker's chief hobby was building model aeroplanes, demonstrating a meticulous understanding of their construction.
- He initially applied to be a mechanic in the Australian Flying Corps, wanting to maintain aircraft on the ground.
- During heavy shelling, Baker made thirty repair runs across open ground and carried water from shellholes under fire.
- He was also involved in safely handling three hundred rounds of ammunition that were at risk of catastrophic explosion.
- The Australian Flying Corps, observing his actions, assessed him as a pilot and transferred him to combat flying duties.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>744falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-secret-document-that-demanded-the-truth--74685304
The Secret Document That Demanded the Truth

This episode delves into the extraordinary story of Delmar Taft Spivey, a man who meticulously recorded his experiences during World War II, including a secret meeting with an SS general. It explores the profound question of what it means to bear witness when the world around you is collapsing.

Person: Delmar Taft Spivey
Date: August 9, 1905
Location: Gatesville, North Carolina
Period: World War II
Event: Capture over the Ruhr Valley

- Delmar Taft Spivey, a methodical and patient man, was born in Gatesville, North Carolina, in 1905 and graduated from West Point in 1928.
- His early career in the Air Corps was marked by an unusual ability to survive multiple aircraft failures, including three emergency landings in two days in 1930.
- By 1942, Spivey commanded Buckingham Field, training gunners for heavy bombers and becoming an expert in aerial defense.
- On August 12, 1943, he flew as an observer on a B-17 over the heavily defended Ruhr Valley to study turret performance in combat.
- The B-17, call sign P-YO and nicknamed the USS Aliquippa, was shot down over northwestern Germany, leading to Spivey's capture and imprisonment in Stalag Luft III.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74685304Tue, 25 Aug 2026 17:46:56 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA man secretly documents the truth of his aerial warfare experiences from inside a German POW camp, knowing it could cost him his life. What would you do? The Secret Document That Demanded the Truth This episode delves into the extraordinary...
The Secret Document That Demanded the Truth

This episode delves into the extraordinary story of Delmar Taft Spivey, a man who meticulously recorded his experiences during World War II, including a secret meeting with an SS general. It explores the profound question of what it means to bear witness when the world around you is collapsing.

Person: Delmar Taft Spivey
Date: August 9, 1905
Location: Gatesville, North Carolina
Period: World War II
Event: Capture over the Ruhr Valley

- Delmar Taft Spivey, a methodical and patient man, was born in Gatesville, North Carolina, in 1905 and graduated from West Point in 1928.
- His early career in the Air Corps was marked by an unusual ability to survive multiple aircraft failures, including three emergency landings in two days in 1930.
- By 1942, Spivey commanded Buckingham Field, training gunners for heavy bombers and becoming an expert in aerial defense.
- On August 12, 1943, he flew as an observer on a B-17 over the heavily defended Ruhr Valley to study turret performance in combat.
- The B-17, call sign P-YO and nicknamed the USS Aliquippa, was shot down over northwestern Germany, leading to Spivey's capture and imprisonment in Stalag Luft III.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1044falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/you-hear-boots-in-the-valley-do-you-stay-still-or-run--74685302
You Hear Boots in the Valley - Do You Stay Still or Run?

In this episode, we follow Captain Scott O'Grady after his F-16 was struck over Bosnia and he crashed into hostile territory. The episode traces his six days of evasion, the decisions that kept him alive, and the mounting effort to find one missing pilot - what would you have done in his place?

Person: Captain Scott O'Grady
Date: June 2, 1995 (crash)
Location: Hills above Mrkonjić Grad, Bosnia
Event: Aircraft shot down by SA-6 surface-to-air missile
Topic: Six-day survival and evasion after crash

- He landed in a forested valley after his F-16 exploded at twenty thousand feet and split in two.
- His flight lead, Captain Robert Wright, saw the aircraft break apart but observed no parachute or sign of a survivor.
- Bosnian Serb forces recovered the tangled parachute and began searching the area for a live pilot.
- O'Grady used SERE training, a survival radio, a sidearm, and improvised tools like plastic bags to hide and survive on insects and rainwater.
- Over six days NATO and Marine units prepared and launched a complex search-and-rescue effort into hostile airspace to retrieve one man.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74685302Tue, 25 Aug 2026 17:46:51 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA lone downed F-16 pilot hides in a Bosnian forest as enemy troops find his parachute - do you stay utterly still or try to run and risk being seen? You Hear Boots in the Valley - Do You Stay Still or Run? In this episode, we follow Captain...
You Hear Boots in the Valley - Do You Stay Still or Run?

In this episode, we follow Captain Scott O'Grady after his F-16 was struck over Bosnia and he crashed into hostile territory. The episode traces his six days of evasion, the decisions that kept him alive, and the mounting effort to find one missing pilot - what would you have done in his place?

Person: Captain Scott O'Grady
Date: June 2, 1995 (crash)
Location: Hills above Mrkonjić Grad, Bosnia
Event: Aircraft shot down by SA-6 surface-to-air missile
Topic: Six-day survival and evasion after crash

- He landed in a forested valley after his F-16 exploded at twenty thousand feet and split in two.
- His flight lead, Captain Robert Wright, saw the aircraft break apart but observed no parachute or sign of a survivor.
- Bosnian Serb forces recovered the tangled parachute and began searching the area for a live pilot.
- O'Grady used SERE training, a survival radio, a sidearm, and improvised tools like plastic bags to hide and survive on insects and rainwater.
- Over six days NATO and Marine units prepared and launched a complex search-and-rescue effort into hostile airspace to retrieve one man.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>876falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-tin-can-fire-that-made-them-wait-two-hours--74685301
The Tin Can Fire That Made Them Wait Two Hours

This episode recounts the incredible survival story of Benjamin Hardin Hardin, a pilot shot down over the Pacific in WWII. It explores the harrowing wait for rescue and the extraordinary circumstances that led him to enlist and fight.

Person: Benjamin Hardin Hardin
Date: July 22, 1943
Location: Kahili Airfield, Bougainville Island
Aircraft: P-39 Airacobra
Status: Missing in action

- Benjamin Hardin Hardin was born in Fayetteville, Arkansas, in December 1919 and worked as a welder before enlisting.
- He became an aviation cadet in February 1942, earning his wings just eight months later.
- Hardin was assigned to the 339th Fighter Squadron, 347th Fighter Group, and deployed to Guadalcanal.
- He named his P-39 Airacobra "Matilda" after his mother.
- On an escort mission over Kahili Airfield, his aircraft was hit, and he ditched off Kotulu Island.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74685301Tue, 25 Aug 2026 17:46:47 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTLost for 58 days, a downed pilot lights a tin can fire, hoping a circling rescue plane will see him and land. Will the signal be enough? The Tin Can Fire That Made Them Wait Two Hours This episode recounts the incredible survival story of...
The Tin Can Fire That Made Them Wait Two Hours

This episode recounts the incredible survival story of Benjamin Hardin Hardin, a pilot shot down over the Pacific in WWII. It explores the harrowing wait for rescue and the extraordinary circumstances that led him to enlist and fight.

Person: Benjamin Hardin Hardin
Date: July 22, 1943
Location: Kahili Airfield, Bougainville Island
Aircraft: P-39 Airacobra
Status: Missing in action

- Benjamin Hardin Hardin was born in Fayetteville, Arkansas, in December 1919 and worked as a welder before enlisting.
- He became an aviation cadet in February 1942, earning his wings just eight months later.
- Hardin was assigned to the 339th Fighter Squadron, 347th Fighter Group, and deployed to Guadalcanal.
- He named his P-39 Airacobra "Matilda" after his mother.
- On an escort mission over Kahili Airfield, his aircraft was hit, and he ditched off Kotulu Island.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1006falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-desk-the-germans-sat-on-that-hid-a-tunnel-to-freedom--74685300
The Desk the Germans Sat On That Hid a Tunnel to Freedom

This episode tells the story of Bill Fowler, an RAF officer who endured capture, multiple escape attempts, and imprisonment during World War II. It explores the mindset of a man who repeatedly sought out peril even after achieving freedom.

Person: Bill Fowler
Date: May 15, 1940
Location: Colditz Castle
Status: Prisoner of War
Event: Shot down over France

- Bill Fowler was born in London in 1916, a descendant of Sir Henry Ayers, who inspired the naming of Ayers Rock.
- In May 1940, Fowler's aircraft was shot down over France, leading to his capture by the Germans.
- While imprisoned at Stalag Luft I, Fowler is credited with coining the term "goons" for the German guards.
- His first escape attempt involved a false uniform and a plan to stow away on a ship from Sassnitz.
- At Colditz Castle, a high-security prison, Fowler joined a group of officers planning an audacious tunnel beneath a German sergeant major's desk.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74685300Tue, 25 Aug 2026 17:46:43 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA man escapes Nazi Germany, crosses three borders, and survives a Spanish prison, only to return to danger. Why would he keep walking toward it? The Desk the Germans Sat On That Hid a Tunnel to Freedom This episode tells the story of Bill...
The Desk the Germans Sat On That Hid a Tunnel to Freedom

This episode tells the story of Bill Fowler, an RAF officer who endured capture, multiple escape attempts, and imprisonment during World War II. It explores the mindset of a man who repeatedly sought out peril even after achieving freedom.

Person: Bill Fowler
Date: May 15, 1940
Location: Colditz Castle
Status: Prisoner of War
Event: Shot down over France

- Bill Fowler was born in London in 1916, a descendant of Sir Henry Ayers, who inspired the naming of Ayers Rock.
- In May 1940, Fowler's aircraft was shot down over France, leading to his capture by the Germans.
- While imprisoned at Stalag Luft I, Fowler is credited with coining the term "goons" for the German guards.
- His first escape attempt involved a false uniform and a plan to stow away on a ship from Sassnitz.
- At Colditz Castle, a high-security prison, Fowler joined a group of officers planning an audacious tunnel beneath a German sergeant major's desk.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1069falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/his-danish-mapped-a-country-he-never-saw--74685299
His Danish Mapped a Country He Never Saw

This episode explores the extraordinary life of Arnold Christensen, a New Zealand journalist whose knowledge of Danish became crucial during his time as a prisoner of war. It delves into the series of events that led him to a pivotal moment, leaving the listener to ponder the nature of survival and fate.

Person: Arnold George Christensen
Date: March 24, 1944
Location: Stalag Luft III, Sagan
Event: The Great Escape
Aircraft: North American Mustang AL977

- Arnold Christensen, a journalist from Hastings, New Zealand, learned Danish from his father, who was born in Randers.
- He joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force at 18 and became a pilot, flying reconnaissance missions over France.
- During Operation Dieppe, his Mustang's engine seized, forcing him to ditch in the English Channel and endure two days adrift before being captured.
- As a prisoner in Stalag Luft III, Christensen was assigned to intelligence work, mapping Denmark due to his fluency in the language.
- On the night of March 24, 1944, he was one of 76 men who escaped through a 330-foot tunnel.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74685299Tue, 25 Aug 2026 17:46:39 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA young journalist, a prisoner of war, maps a country he has never seen. His survival against impossible odds leads to a fateful list. His Danish Mapped a Country He Never Saw This episode explores the extraordinary life of Arnold Christensen, a...
His Danish Mapped a Country He Never Saw

This episode explores the extraordinary life of Arnold Christensen, a New Zealand journalist whose knowledge of Danish became crucial during his time as a prisoner of war. It delves into the series of events that led him to a pivotal moment, leaving the listener to ponder the nature of survival and fate.

Person: Arnold George Christensen
Date: March 24, 1944
Location: Stalag Luft III, Sagan
Event: The Great Escape
Aircraft: North American Mustang AL977

- Arnold Christensen, a journalist from Hastings, New Zealand, learned Danish from his father, who was born in Randers.
- He joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force at 18 and became a pilot, flying reconnaissance missions over France.
- During Operation Dieppe, his Mustang's engine seized, forcing him to ditch in the English Channel and endure two days adrift before being captured.
- As a prisoner in Stalag Luft III, Christensen was assigned to intelligence work, mapping Denmark due to his fluency in the language.
- On the night of March 24, 1944, he was one of 76 men who escaped through a 330-foot tunnel.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>808falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-plane-crash-that-remade-a-filmmaker-s-faith--74685298
The plane crash that remade a filmmaker's faith

This episode explores the life and career of Ron Ormond, a prolific filmmaker whose path took an unexpected turn after a plane crash in 1966. It delves into the decisions and experiences that shaped his unique approach to filmmaking and his eventual pivot to faith-based cinema.

Person: Ron Ormond (Victor Narro)
Born: August 29, 1910
Location: Nashville, Tennessee
Event: Plane crash
Year: 1966

- Victor Narro adopted the name Ron Ormond from magician Ormond McGill, a decision reflecting his pragmatic approach to identity.
- Ron Ormond married June Carr three weeks after meeting her, recognizing her understanding of the entertainment industry.
- The Ormonds formed Western Adventure Productions, Inc., with Ron receiving his first producing credit in 1948 and directing debut in 1950.
- Their son, Tim Ormond, received a screenwriting credit at one year old, highlighting the family's functional approach to film production.
- Ron Ormond partnered with Robert L. Lippert to shoot six Westerns simultaneously in 21 days, prioritizing volume and speed in his filmmaking.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74685298Tue, 25 Aug 2026 17:46:35 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA filmmaker famed for cheap spectacle crashes his plane, then turns to religious films. What happened in that field? The plane crash that remade a filmmaker's faith This episode explores the life and career of Ron Ormond, a prolific filmmaker...
The plane crash that remade a filmmaker's faith

This episode explores the life and career of Ron Ormond, a prolific filmmaker whose path took an unexpected turn after a plane crash in 1966. It delves into the decisions and experiences that shaped his unique approach to filmmaking and his eventual pivot to faith-based cinema.

Person: Ron Ormond (Victor Narro)
Born: August 29, 1910
Location: Nashville, Tennessee
Event: Plane crash
Year: 1966

- Victor Narro adopted the name Ron Ormond from magician Ormond McGill, a decision reflecting his pragmatic approach to identity.
- Ron Ormond married June Carr three weeks after meeting her, recognizing her understanding of the entertainment industry.
- The Ormonds formed Western Adventure Productions, Inc., with Ron receiving his first producing credit in 1948 and directing debut in 1950.
- Their son, Tim Ormond, received a screenwriting credit at one year old, highlighting the family's functional approach to film production.
- Ron Ormond partnered with Robert L. Lippert to shoot six Westerns simultaneously in 21 days, prioritizing volume and speed in his filmmaking.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>823falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-burning-cabin-asks-would-you-have-walked-away--74685296
The burning cabin asks: Would you have walked away?

This episode explores the life of David Koch, a man who survived a catastrophic plane crash and went on to become a major political donor and philanthropist. It delves into the question of whether such a near-death experience fundamentally changes a person or simply provides a new narrative for who they already are.

Person: David Koch Koch
Date: February 1991
Location: Los Angeles International Airport
Event: USAir Flight 1493 collision
Company: Koch Industries

- David Koch was born in 1940 in Wichita, Kansas, one of four sons to Fred Chase Koch, who built Koch Industries.
- He attended Deerfield Academy and MIT, earning bachelor's and master's degrees in chemical engineering and setting a basketball scoring record.
- Koch joined Koch Industries in 1970, founded the New York City office, and became president of Koch Engineering by 1979.
- In 1980, he ran for Vice President of the United States as the Libertarian Party candidate, donating $100,000 to his own campaign.
- By 1983, David and his brother Charles consolidated their stake in Koch Industries by buying out their brothers for $1.1 billion.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74685296Tue, 25 Aug 2026 17:46:31 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA USAir jetliner collides with a commuter plane, leaving a chemical engineer alive. What does a man do with a second chance and vast fortune? The burning cabin asks: Would you have walked away? This episode explores the life of David Koch, a man...
The burning cabin asks: Would you have walked away?

This episode explores the life of David Koch, a man who survived a catastrophic plane crash and went on to become a major political donor and philanthropist. It delves into the question of whether such a near-death experience fundamentally changes a person or simply provides a new narrative for who they already are.

Person: David Koch Koch
Date: February 1991
Location: Los Angeles International Airport
Event: USAir Flight 1493 collision
Company: Koch Industries

- David Koch was born in 1940 in Wichita, Kansas, one of four sons to Fred Chase Koch, who built Koch Industries.
- He attended Deerfield Academy and MIT, earning bachelor's and master's degrees in chemical engineering and setting a basketball scoring record.
- Koch joined Koch Industries in 1970, founded the New York City office, and became president of Koch Engineering by 1979.
- In 1980, he ran for Vice President of the United States as the Libertarian Party candidate, donating $100,000 to his own campaign.
- By 1983, David and his brother Charles consolidated their stake in Koch Industries by buying out their brothers for $1.1 billion.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>915falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/you-read-0270-as-270-do-you-trust-your-instruments-or-your-eyes--74685295
You read 0270 as 270 - do you trust your instruments or your eyes?

This episode recounts the harrowing journey of Varig Flight 254, which flew for hours in the wrong direction due to a misread flight plan. It explores how a subtle change in notation, combined with human perception, created a trap that nearly cost everyone their lives.

Event: Varig Flight 254
Date: September 3, 1989
Aircraft: Boeing 737-200
Pilot: Captain Cézar Augusto Padula Garcez
First Officer: Nilson de Souza Zille

- Captain Garcez, an experienced pilot, read the heading "0270" as 270 degrees, believing it meant due west.
- The correct heading was 27.0 degrees, meaning north-northeast towards Belém.
- Varig had recently introduced a new four-digit heading notation system where the decimal point was implied, not printed.
- While Garcez was on vacation, the new system was implemented, and he was informed through a training program upon his return.
- When investigators later presented the same flight plan to 21 international pilots, 15 of them made the identical misreading.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74685295Tue, 25 Aug 2026 17:46:28 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA pilot reads four digits, setting a course into the Amazon. But a missing decimal point means 54 people are flying into the deepest jungle on Earth. You read 0270 as 270 - do you trust your instruments or your eyes? This episode recounts the...
You read 0270 as 270 - do you trust your instruments or your eyes?

This episode recounts the harrowing journey of Varig Flight 254, which flew for hours in the wrong direction due to a misread flight plan. It explores how a subtle change in notation, combined with human perception, created a trap that nearly cost everyone their lives.

Event: Varig Flight 254
Date: September 3, 1989
Aircraft: Boeing 737-200
Pilot: Captain Cézar Augusto Padula Garcez
First Officer: Nilson de Souza Zille

- Captain Garcez, an experienced pilot, read the heading "0270" as 270 degrees, believing it meant due west.
- The correct heading was 27.0 degrees, meaning north-northeast towards Belém.
- Varig had recently introduced a new four-digit heading notation system where the decimal point was implied, not printed.
- While Garcez was on vacation, the new system was implemented, and he was informed through a training program upon his return.
- When investigators later presented the same flight plan to 21 international pilots, 15 of them made the identical misreading.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1380falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-contact-lens-bottle-that-held-nitroglycerin--74685294
A contact lens bottle that held nitroglycerin

This episode recounts the harrowing events aboard Philippine Airlines Flight 434, where a seemingly ordinary item concealed a deadly device. It explores the incredible resilience of the flight crew and the terrifying realization that this incident was merely a prelude to a much larger plot.

Person: Ramzi Yousef
Date: December 11, 1994
Location: Philippine Airlines Flight 434
Aircraft: Boeing 747
Route: Manila to Tokyo

- A man boarded the Manila-to-Cebu leg of the flight under the alias "Armaldo Forlani."
- He assembled a bomb in the lavatory, using components hidden in his shoes and a modified Casio Databank watch.
- The explosive was liquid nitroglycerin, carried in a contact lens fluid bottle, indistinguishable from a toiletry item.
- He set the timer for four hours and placed the device in the life vest pocket under seat 26K.
- After landing in Cebu, he disembarked with domestic passengers, leaving the bomb behind for the international flight to Tokyo.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74685294Tue, 25 Aug 2026 17:46:24 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA contact lens bottle containing liquid nitroglycerin passes airport security, but the real danger isn't the bomb itself. It's the chilling discovery that this flight is just a rehearsal. A contact lens bottle that held nitroglycerin This...
A contact lens bottle that held nitroglycerin

This episode recounts the harrowing events aboard Philippine Airlines Flight 434, where a seemingly ordinary item concealed a deadly device. It explores the incredible resilience of the flight crew and the terrifying realization that this incident was merely a prelude to a much larger plot.

Person: Ramzi Yousef
Date: December 11, 1994
Location: Philippine Airlines Flight 434
Aircraft: Boeing 747
Route: Manila to Tokyo

- A man boarded the Manila-to-Cebu leg of the flight under the alias "Armaldo Forlani."
- He assembled a bomb in the lavatory, using components hidden in his shoes and a modified Casio Databank watch.
- The explosive was liquid nitroglycerin, carried in a contact lens fluid bottle, indistinguishable from a toiletry item.
- He set the timer for four hours and placed the device in the life vest pocket under seat 26K.
- After landing in Cebu, he disembarked with domestic passengers, leaving the bomb behind for the international flight to Tokyo.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1329falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-symbols-in-the-sand-asked-am-i-alive--74685293
The symbols in the sand asked, Am I alive?

This episode explores the disappearance of Michael Scott Speicher, a US Navy pilot whose plane went down during Operation Desert Storm. It delves into the conflicting accounts of his fate and the unsettling discoveries that raised questions about whether he survived.

Person: Michael Scott Speicher
Date: January 17, 1991
Location: Iraqi desert
Aircraft: F/A-18 Hornet
Event: Operation Desert Storm

- Michael "Spike" Speicher, a Lieutenant Commander, launched from the USS Saratoga on the opening night of Operation Desert Storm, heading towards a target west of Baghdad.
- The Navy initially declared Speicher killed in action in May 1991, leaving his wife Joanne with two young children.
- Conflicting government documents emerged regarding what brought down his plane, with one citing a surface-to-air missile and another an Iraqi MiG-25.
- When the wreckage was found in 1993, investigators noted the canopy was far from the fuselage, suggesting the pilot had ejected.
- Satellite photographs from 1994 revealed human-made symbols in the sand near the crash site, matching escape-and-evade codes used by downed pilots.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74685293Tue, 25 Aug 2026 17:46:19 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA US Navy pilot vanishes over Iraq, declared dead. But when wreckage is found, evidence suggests he ejected, and a desert message asks: is he alive? The symbols in the sand asked, Am I alive? This episode explores the disappearance of Michael...
The symbols in the sand asked, Am I alive?

This episode explores the disappearance of Michael Scott Speicher, a US Navy pilot whose plane went down during Operation Desert Storm. It delves into the conflicting accounts of his fate and the unsettling discoveries that raised questions about whether he survived.

Person: Michael Scott Speicher
Date: January 17, 1991
Location: Iraqi desert
Aircraft: F/A-18 Hornet
Event: Operation Desert Storm

- Michael "Spike" Speicher, a Lieutenant Commander, launched from the USS Saratoga on the opening night of Operation Desert Storm, heading towards a target west of Baghdad.
- The Navy initially declared Speicher killed in action in May 1991, leaving his wife Joanne with two young children.
- Conflicting government documents emerged regarding what brought down his plane, with one citing a surface-to-air missile and another an Iraqi MiG-25.
- When the wreckage was found in 1993, investigators noted the canopy was far from the fuselage, suggesting the pilot had ejected.
- Satellite photographs from 1994 revealed human-made symbols in the sand near the crash site, matching escape-and-evade codes used by downed pilots.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>944falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/one-empty-cockpit-one-passenger-which-seat-would-you-take--74685292
One Empty Cockpit, One Passenger: Which Seat Would You Take?

This episode explores the life of Hiroyoshi Nishizawa, a Japanese ace pilot known for his extraordinary skill in the Zero fighter. It delves into the profound question of what happens when a person's defining ability is suddenly taken away.

Person: Hiroyoshi Nishizawa
Date: October 26, 1944
Aircraft: Nakajima Ki-49
Location: Mindoro Island

- Hiroyoshi Nishizawa, a Japanese ace pilot, had 86 confirmed kills before being assigned to a transport plane.
- His closest friend, Saburō Sakai, described Nishizawa's aerobatics as "breathtaking, brilliant, totally unpredictable, impossible, and heart-stirring."
- Nishizawa joined the Imperial Japanese Navy at 16 in 1936, enduring one of the world's most demanding aviation training pipelines.
- Despite being chronically ill with tropical diseases for most of the war, Nishizawa continued to fly combat missions.
- Along with Saburō Sakai and Toshio Ōta, Nishizawa was part of the "Cleanup Trio," known for finishing engagements.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74685292Tue, 25 Aug 2026 17:46:16 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA legendary fighter pilot with 86 kills is grounded, a passenger in a transport plane. When enemy fighters appear, he can do nothing. One Empty Cockpit, One Passenger: Which Seat Would You Take? This episode explores the life of Hiroyoshi...
One Empty Cockpit, One Passenger: Which Seat Would You Take?

This episode explores the life of Hiroyoshi Nishizawa, a Japanese ace pilot known for his extraordinary skill in the Zero fighter. It delves into the profound question of what happens when a person's defining ability is suddenly taken away.

Person: Hiroyoshi Nishizawa
Date: October 26, 1944
Aircraft: Nakajima Ki-49
Location: Mindoro Island

- Hiroyoshi Nishizawa, a Japanese ace pilot, had 86 confirmed kills before being assigned to a transport plane.
- His closest friend, Saburō Sakai, described Nishizawa's aerobatics as "breathtaking, brilliant, totally unpredictable, impossible, and heart-stirring."
- Nishizawa joined the Imperial Japanese Navy at 16 in 1936, enduring one of the world's most demanding aviation training pipelines.
- Despite being chronically ill with tropical diseases for most of the war, Nishizawa continued to fly combat missions.
- Along with Saburō Sakai and Toshio Ōta, Nishizawa was part of the "Cleanup Trio," known for finishing engagements.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1089falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-twin-empty-seats-that-arrived-at-his-daughter-s-party--74685291
An eighty-year-old man waits for two sons who boarded a small plane to fly to their sister's fortieth birthday party. Behind that afternoon lies a life that had already survived a cockpit shot down over Tobruk, a fence at Stalag Luft III, and the floor of the House of Commons — but nothing in eighty years had prepared him for what didn't arrive. What does a man do with a life this full when the people who gave it meaning are taken from him one by one?

In this episode, we trace Aidan Crawley's path from a record-breaking cricket career at Oxford and Lord's through wartime intelligence work, imprisonment, Parliament, and British television, asking how one man's extraordinary public life sat alongside private losses almost too heavy to name.

Person: Aidan Merivale Crawley
Location: Buckinghamshire and the skies over Tobruk, Silesia, and Britain
Date: summer 1988
Case: the small plane carrying his two sons that never landed
Status: both sons died; Crawley died in 1993, described as virtually penniless

- In the 1926 Eton v Harrow match at Lord's, an 18-year-old Crawley scored 87 runs, which Wisden called the best innings in the match for many years
- Shot down near Tobruk in July 1941, he was held at Stalag Luft III in Silesia and was inside the camp during the March 1944 mass escape, in which 50 of the 76 escapees were shot on Hitler's orders
- He won Buckingham for Labour in the 1945 election, serving as Under-Secretary of State for Air, later crossed to the Conservatives and won West Derbyshire in a 1962 by-election
- He became the first editor-in-chief of Independent Television News in 1955, introducing the American-style newscaster format to British screens
- In summer 1988, his sons Andrew (41) and Randall (38) died when their small plane failed to arrive at sister Harriet's 40th birthday party; both men's wives were seven months pregnant at the time

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74685291Tue, 25 Aug 2026 17:46:11 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTThe twin empty seats that arrived at his daughter's party An eighty-year-old man waits for two sons who boarded a small plane to fly to their sister's fortieth birthday party. Behind that afternoon lies a life that had already survived a cockpit...
An eighty-year-old man waits for two sons who boarded a small plane to fly to their sister's fortieth birthday party. Behind that afternoon lies a life that had already survived a cockpit shot down over Tobruk, a fence at Stalag Luft III, and the floor of the House of Commons — but nothing in eighty years had prepared him for what didn't arrive. What does a man do with a life this full when the people who gave it meaning are taken from him one by one?

In this episode, we trace Aidan Crawley's path from a record-breaking cricket career at Oxford and Lord's through wartime intelligence work, imprisonment, Parliament, and British television, asking how one man's extraordinary public life sat alongside private losses almost too heavy to name.

Person: Aidan Merivale Crawley
Location: Buckinghamshire and the skies over Tobruk, Silesia, and Britain
Date: summer 1988
Case: the small plane carrying his two sons that never landed
Status: both sons died; Crawley died in 1993, described as virtually penniless

- In the 1926 Eton v Harrow match at Lord's, an 18-year-old Crawley scored 87 runs, which Wisden called the best innings in the match for many years
- Shot down near Tobruk in July 1941, he was held at Stalag Luft III in Silesia and was inside the camp during the March 1944 mass escape, in which 50 of the 76 escapees were shot on Hitler's orders
- He won Buckingham for Labour in the 1945 election, serving as Under-Secretary of State for Air, later crossed to the Conservatives and won West Derbyshire in a 1962 by-election
- He became the first editor-in-chief of Independent Television News in 1955, introducing the American-style newscaster format to British screens
- In summer 1988, his sons Andrew (41) and Randall (38) died when their small plane failed to arrive at sister Harriet's 40th birthday party; both men's wives were seven months pregnant at the time

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>977falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-book-a-six-year-old-found-drove-him-to-steal-a-war--74685290
In the autumn of 1918, a death certificate arrived at a house in Jacksonville, Florida, for a man his family believed had just burned alive over the Western Front. He mailed it back himself, with a note about Mark Twain scrawled across the top. How does a man who was declared dead by his own government end up, decades later, on the deck of a battleship watching a war end?

In this episode, we trace the documentary record of Merian C. Cooper, from a boyhood discovery in a Florida library to prison camps on two continents and a fictional monster that outlived him, asking how one man's life came to contain so many separate near-endings.

Person: Merian C. Cooper
Location: Jacksonville, Florida
Date: September 26, 1918
Case: a government death certificate mailed home after his plane was shot down over France
Status: survived, later decorated, imprisoned again, and eventually became a Hollywood producer

- Born October 24, 1893, in Jacksonville, the youngest child of lawyer John C. Cooper and Mary Caldwell
- Shot down by German fire on September 26, 1918, and taken to a prisoner reserve hospital with burned hands
- Shot down a second time on July 13, 1920, while flying for the Kościuszko Squadron against Soviet forces, then held prisoner for nine months before escaping to Latvia
- Interviewed in the Soviet POW camp by writer Isaac Babel, and later awarded Poland's

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74685290Tue, 25 Aug 2026 17:46:07 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTThe Book a Six‑Year‑Old Found Drove Him to Steal a War In the autumn of 1918, a death certificate arrived at a house in Jacksonville, Florida, for a man his family believed had just burned alive over the Western Front. He mailed it back himself,...
In the autumn of 1918, a death certificate arrived at a house in Jacksonville, Florida, for a man his family believed had just burned alive over the Western Front. He mailed it back himself, with a note about Mark Twain scrawled across the top. How does a man who was declared dead by his own government end up, decades later, on the deck of a battleship watching a war end?

In this episode, we trace the documentary record of Merian C. Cooper, from a boyhood discovery in a Florida library to prison camps on two continents and a fictional monster that outlived him, asking how one man's life came to contain so many separate near-endings.

Person: Merian C. Cooper
Location: Jacksonville, Florida
Date: September 26, 1918
Case: a government death certificate mailed home after his plane was shot down over France
Status: survived, later decorated, imprisoned again, and eventually became a Hollywood producer

- Born October 24, 1893, in Jacksonville, the youngest child of lawyer John C. Cooper and Mary Caldwell
- Shot down by German fire on September 26, 1918, and taken to a prisoner reserve hospital with burned hands
- Shot down a second time on July 13, 1920, while flying for the Kościuszko Squadron against Soviet forces, then held prisoner for nine months before escaping to Latvia
- Interviewed in the Soviet POW camp by writer Isaac Babel, and later awarded Poland's

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1039falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-flight-suit-he-never-changed-betrayed-him-at-dawn--74685289
A man stands in a Sussex field at six twenty-five in the morning, still wearing the clothes he'd been sitting around in when the scramble order came, arguing with a local policeman about which side of the war he's on. Two aircraft have just come down in the same patch of farmland — his and the enemy's — and the German crew has already been arrested. What does it take to prove you belong on the right side of the wire when the wreckage around you doesn't care?

In this episode, we follow Flight Lieutenant Thomas Frederick Dalton-Morgan from a Cardiff family descended from privateers and civil war generals through the opening day of the Battle of Britain's Eagle Attack and beyond, asking what kind of record a man leaves behind when his work is measured in seconds, in kills, and in the losses he can't control.

Person: Thomas Frederick Dalton-Morgan
Location: a field between Guildford and Brighton, England
Date: August 13, 1940
Case: a Hurricane pilot and a shot-down German bomber crew landing in the same field
Status: he proved his identity to a local policeman and returned to his squadron the same day

- Commissioned as an acting pilot officer on probation on October 21, 1935, at eighteen years old
- Shared in the destruction of a Heinkel He 111 on July 12, 1940, his first confirmed kill
- His Distinguished Flying Cross was gazetted on September 6, 1940, the same day he was wounded in the face and knee and forced to crash-land
- Shot down three Luftw

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74685289Tue, 25 Aug 2026 17:46:03 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTThe flight suit he never changed betrayed him at dawn A man stands in a Sussex field at six twenty-five in the morning, still wearing the clothes he'd been sitting around in when the scramble order came, arguing with a local policeman about which...
A man stands in a Sussex field at six twenty-five in the morning, still wearing the clothes he'd been sitting around in when the scramble order came, arguing with a local policeman about which side of the war he's on. Two aircraft have just come down in the same patch of farmland — his and the enemy's — and the German crew has already been arrested. What does it take to prove you belong on the right side of the wire when the wreckage around you doesn't care?

In this episode, we follow Flight Lieutenant Thomas Frederick Dalton-Morgan from a Cardiff family descended from privateers and civil war generals through the opening day of the Battle of Britain's Eagle Attack and beyond, asking what kind of record a man leaves behind when his work is measured in seconds, in kills, and in the losses he can't control.

Person: Thomas Frederick Dalton-Morgan
Location: a field between Guildford and Brighton, England
Date: August 13, 1940
Case: a Hurricane pilot and a shot-down German bomber crew landing in the same field
Status: he proved his identity to a local policeman and returned to his squadron the same day

- Commissioned as an acting pilot officer on probation on October 21, 1935, at eighteen years old
- Shared in the destruction of a Heinkel He 111 on July 12, 1940, his first confirmed kill
- His Distinguished Flying Cross was gazetted on September 6, 1940, the same day he was wounded in the face and knee and forced to crash-land
- Shot down three Luftw

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1031falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-orderly-who-carried-von-richthofen-s-compliment-saved-a-pilot-s-future--74685288
A twenty-one-year-old pilot lies wounded on captured ground near Villers-Bretonneux as a German orderly approaches with a message: the personal compliments of Manfred von Richthofen. Decades later, a room full of controllers and plotters at Hornchurch aerodrome leans toward one steady voice on the headset. What connects the wounded prisoner of 1918 to the man calmly directing Spitfires through the summer of 1940?

In this episode, we trace Ronald George Hinings Adams's journey from a theatrical childhood through night defence flights over blacked-out London, his shooting down and capture near Villers-Bretonneux, eight months in hospitals and prison camps, and his rebuilding of a life in theatre management before returning to the RAF as a fighter controller in World War II, asking what combination of survival and stagecraft produced a voice that test pilot Jeffrey Quill called incalculable to the outcome of the Battle of Britain.

Person: Ronald George Hinings Adams
Location: Hornchurch aerodrome, Essex
Date: 7 April 1918
Case: the compliments passed by a german orderly after adams's capture near villers-bretonneux
Status: became a wing commander and fighter controller during the battle of britain, later playing a group controller on film

- Born 31 December 1896 in Bromyard, Herefordshire, into a theatrical family.
- Commissioned as temporary second lieutenant on 2 December 1914 in the 15th Reserve Battalion, Middlesex Regiment, at age seventeen.
- Flew Sopwith Camel night defence missions against Zeppelin raids with No. 44 Squadron at Hainault Farm, later serving with No. 73 Squadron in France.
- Shot down and captured on 7 April 1918 near Villers-Bretonneux, aged twenty-one; von Richthofen died fourteen days later, on 21 April 1918; the other named possible pilot, Hans Kirschstein, died in a flying accident in July 1918.
- Not repatriated until 17 December 1918, after eight months in hospitals and prison camps.
- Managed the Embassy Theatre in London from April 1932, producing over 150 new productions and revivals, with 30 transferring to the West End.
- Published wartime novels Readiness at Dawn (1941) and We Rendezvous at Ten (1942) under the pseudonym Blake, his father's first name, and a further memoir, To You the Torch, in 1948.
- Cast as the Group Controller in the 1952 film Angels One Five, a role mirroring his actual wartime position.
- Awarded the OBE in 1946; made his Broadway debut in 1951; appeared in over 140 postwar film and television productions until 1978.
- Died on 28 March 1979, aged eighty-two.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74685288Tue, 25 Aug 2026 17:46:00 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTThe orderly who carried von Richthofen's compliment saved a pilot's future A twenty-one-year-old pilot lies wounded on captured ground near Villers-Bretonneux as a German orderly approaches with a message: the personal compliments of Manfred von...
A twenty-one-year-old pilot lies wounded on captured ground near Villers-Bretonneux as a German orderly approaches with a message: the personal compliments of Manfred von Richthofen. Decades later, a room full of controllers and plotters at Hornchurch aerodrome leans toward one steady voice on the headset. What connects the wounded prisoner of 1918 to the man calmly directing Spitfires through the summer of 1940?

In this episode, we trace Ronald George Hinings Adams's journey from a theatrical childhood through night defence flights over blacked-out London, his shooting down and capture near Villers-Bretonneux, eight months in hospitals and prison camps, and his rebuilding of a life in theatre management before returning to the RAF as a fighter controller in World War II, asking what combination of survival and stagecraft produced a voice that test pilot Jeffrey Quill called incalculable to the outcome of the Battle of Britain.

Person: Ronald George Hinings Adams
Location: Hornchurch aerodrome, Essex
Date: 7 April 1918
Case: the compliments passed by a german orderly after adams's capture near villers-bretonneux
Status: became a wing commander and fighter controller during the battle of britain, later playing a group controller on film

- Born 31 December 1896 in Bromyard, Herefordshire, into a theatrical family.
- Commissioned as temporary second lieutenant on 2 December 1914 in the 15th Reserve Battalion, Middlesex Regiment, at age seventeen.
- Flew Sopwith Camel night defence missions against Zeppelin raids with No. 44 Squadron at Hainault Farm, later serving with No. 73 Squadron in France.
- Shot down and captured on 7 April 1918 near Villers-Bretonneux, aged twenty-one; von Richthofen died fourteen days later, on 21 April 1918; the other named possible pilot, Hans Kirschstein, died in a flying accident in July 1918.
- Not repatriated until 17 December 1918, after eight months in hospitals and prison camps.
- Managed the Embassy Theatre in London from April 1932, producing over 150 new productions and revivals, with 30 transferring to the West End.
- Published wartime novels Readiness at Dawn (1941) and We Rendezvous at Ten (1942) under the pseudonym Blake, his father's first name, and a further memoir, To You the Torch, in 1948.
- Cast as the Group Controller in the 1952 film Angels One Five, a role mirroring his actual wartime position.
- Awarded the OBE in 1946; made his Broadway debut in 1951; appeared in over 140 postwar film and television productions until 1978.
- Died on 28 March 1979, aged eighty-two.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1136falsefull