BRIXMIS and its operations behind enemy lines continue to fascinate the listeners of Cold War Conversations. In August 2024 I was honoured to be invited to the National Army Museum in London to interview Andrew Long, the author of BRIXMIS and the Secret Cold War - Intelligence Collecting Operations Behind Enemy Lines in East Germany.

The National Army Museum is a leading authority on the British Army and its impact on society past and present. It’s well worth a visit, particularly their Foe to Friend exhibition about the British Army in Germany since 1945 which is on until the end of September 2024.

In front of a sellout audience including approximately 50 BRIXMIS veterans and their families, we discuss the role, purpose and achievements of BRIXMIS. The accompanying presentation can be viewed here.

The interview starts with an introduction from former BRIXMIS officer Major General Peter Williams and Chairman of the BRIXMIS Association. I’m delighted to welcome Peter Williams, Andrew Long and a sellout audience at the National Army Museum to our Cold War Conversation.

Buy the book and support the podcast https://uk.bookshop.org/a/1549/9781399067843

Linked episodes

BRIXMIS, the defence of Cold War Berlin & Rudolf Hess https://pod.fo/e/f833

Pete – a BRIXMIS driver behind enemy lines in East Germany https://pod.fo/e/eeb4c

Arrested 11 times, plus 3 shooting incidents – a BRIXMIS officer’s diary Pt 1 https://pod.fo/e/13af96

Imprisoned in a Soviet Military gaol - a BRIXMIS officer's diary Pt 2 https://pod.fo/e/13ca90

In conversation with 7 BRIXMIS veterans – Part 1 https://pod.fo/e/1599d9

In conversation with 7 BRIXMIS veterans – Part 2 https://pod.fo/e/15b0ac

Royal Military Police versus the Soviets (SOXMIS) in Cold War West Germany https://pod.fo/e/12c9d6

Behind enemy lines in East Germany with a US Military Liaison Mission driver Part 1 https://pod.fo/e/d4229

Behind enemy lines in East Germany with a US Military Liaison Mission driver Part 2 https://pod.fo/e/d757b

Soviet and U.S. Military Liaison Missions & US Counterintelligence https://pod.fo/e/e4f55

Cold War US Army Intelligence Analyst https://pod.fo/e/1f383

US Army Intelligence gathering in the unified Germany https://pod.fo/e/b2cb3

Episode extras https://coldwarconversations.com/episode362/

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00:00 Introduction12:06 Post war Germany was split into four occupation zones16:35 BRIXMIS offices in Berlin and East Germany21:06 Contacts between Soviets and British23:27 The tour role in  East Germany30:16 Exploiting intelligence from Soviet rubbish tips32:15 Restricted areas in East Germany35:55 Missions and intelligence scoops40:04 Descriptions of special equipment42:05 BRIXMIS Cars44:01 James Bond switches47:59 Photography  50:36 Overnighting in East Germany53:25 There East German and Soviet opposition 56:58 Close scrapes and fatalities01:02 Where to buy the book Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices