GRANBY: The Storm in the Desert

How dangerous was it to fly a tornado in the skies above Kuwait? What goes through your mind as you put a gas mask on in the desert? How did it feel to be under permanent threat of a Scud missile attack? Listen as the decision makers, military commanders and ordinary soldiers, sailors and airmen all reflect on their roles in the 1991 Gulf War, 30 years on. Coming soon. Subscribe no

It’s August 1990. The Berlin Wall has fallen and the Cold War has come to an end. British troops stationed in Germany aren’t expecting to go into battle, but in five months’ time they will be involved in the biggest build-up of military hardware since the Second World War. Listen as the decision makers, military commanders and ordinary soldiers, sailors and airmen all reflect

Thousands of British troops are heading to the Gulf to fight Saddam Hussein’s forces. But getting “desert ready” is no easy task when you’ve spent the 1980s preparing to defend Europe from Soviet invasion. There are tanks to prepare, aircraft to paint, uniforms to buy and everyone needs to be vaccinated to protect them from diseases such as anthrax and bubonic plague. On to

Thousands of British troops are primed and ready to fight Saddam’s forces in the gulf. The training is done and now it’s time to wait. It’s a bit boring though, especially as smartphones haven’t been invented yet. So to lift morale they read their blueys from home, eat their NAAFI chocolate and tune in to their very own radio station. Listen as the decision makers, military

Saddam Hussein has not withdrawn his forces from Kuwait and the UN deadline has passed. The air war is getting underway and the RAF takes to the skies adding to the firepower of the coalition. This is the real thing, not a movie and there is danger ahead for pilots, navigators and ground crew. Listen as the decision makers, military commanders and ordinary soldiers, sailors and air

The air war intensifies but it’s still not enough to defeat Saddam. It’s time to bring in the ground forces. British Challenger tanks begin pushing towards Iraq as part of Stormin' Norman’s “left hook” manoeuvre. But it seems some soldiers are already behind enemy lines… This is an original podcast series from BFBS. Presented by Jade Callaway. Produced by Jade Callaway

Coalition forces have crossed into Iraq and Kuwait is liberated. But there is devastation. Oil fields are ablaze, lit by Saddam’s troops as they retreat. Was it the right time to stop? For some it’s time to go home, but others are in for the long haul and many will be back again. This is an original podcast series from BFBS. Presented by Jade Callaway. Produced by Jade Callaway

Jade and the team behind the podcast introduce some more (slightly random) stories from Operation Granby including: A Gurkha running into trouble, boozy shampoo, secret police shenanigans and tank art serendipity. Presented by Jade Callaway. Produced by Jade Callaway and Jess Bracey Sound design by Joe Carden Edited by Josella Waldron With thanks to: Lt Col Tim Purbrick for sharing

A brand new podcast following former soldier and BFBS video producer, Darren Coventry as he talks to men and women who have received the UK’s highest military honours has been released.