When the Wall Fell

June 21, 2023 00:35:47
When the Wall Fell
The Spear
When the Wall Fell

Jun 21 2023 | 00:35:47

/

Show Notes

As a new military police platoon leader, Robin Fontes unexpectedly found herself present at a turning point of strategic significance. Assigned to the Berlin Brigade, Fontes and her soldiers were part of the American effort to maintain an outpost in the German capital, keep tabs on the Soviets, and stay ready for the start of World War III—all while citizens across Eastern Europe were increasingly demanding additional freedoms and political representation from their communist governments. As tensions inside East Germany continued to rise, Fontes had a front-row view. When the Berlin Wall came down in October 1989, she found herself thrust into a delicate balancing act in the midst of geostrategic uncertainty in a profoundly historic moment.

Other Episodes

Episode

August 22, 2017 00:32:23
Episode Cover

Operation Blowfish

In 2010, Col. Jonathan Neumann commanded 1/17 Infantry Battalion, deployed in Kandahar province, Afghanistan. Near the end of the deployment, the battalion received intelligence...

Listen

Episode

July 12, 2018 00:53:39
Episode Cover

The Battle of Wanat

On July 13, 2008, around two hundred Taliban fighters ambushed American and Afghan soldiers in a remote area of eastern Afghanistan. The ensuing fight...

Listen

Episode

December 05, 2024 00:48:27
Episode Cover

The A-10 At War

In this episode, retired US Air Force Col. Kim Campbell joins to share a story from 2003. A career A-10 pilot, her squadron was...

Listen