Cold War Conversations

Cold War Tank Tales from the Land Down Under (321)

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Episode notes

Many of Tim’s family had served in WW1 and WW2 and from a young age, he was determined to follow their path.

Overcoming huge competition for places he became a driver of the Leopard AS1 MBT at 1st Armoured Regiment of the Australian Army.

Australia is largely ignored in most Cold War histories, however, we hear how the Australian Army prepared to fight the Musorians, a thinly disguised notional enemy which was obviously the Soviets or one of their satellites in everything but name.

Photos, videos and extra episode information here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode321/

Part two of our chat is here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode324/

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0:00 Introduction and Tim Whitford's early life and influences

7:48 Tim's involvement in the reserves and training details

12:16 Transition to the regular army and experience with basic training

19:41 First encounter with the Leopard tank and training experience