Skip to content
TrackPodcasts
historyJan 28, 202632:06pending

366. Blunders, Bullets, and the Black Mercedes: Entebbe part 2

Battleground

About this episode

In the dramatic conclusion of this two-part special, Saul David and Patrick Bishop deconstruct the chaotic 99 minutes on the ground at Entebbe. The episode tracks the high-stakes assault from the moment the first Hercules landed in a tropical storm to the black Mercedes decoy and the controversial firefight that followed. Together they examine the tactical blunders and friendly fire tragedies that nearly jeopardised the mission, while featuring rare eyewitness accounts—including a startling claim that the German terrorists may have ultimately spared the hostages they were ordered to kill. Beyond the military feat, we explore the heavy price of the raid and its enduring political legacy. While the rescue of 101 hostages restored Israel’s national pride and catapulted figures like the Netanyahu family into the political spotlight, it also left a trail of unanswered questions. From the secret diplomacy required to refuel the planes to the debate over whether this victory made regional peace harder to achieve, we analyse how a single hour in Uganda changed the face of special operations and Middle Eastern politics forever. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - [email protected] Producer: James Hodgson X (Twitter): @PodBattleground Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Get every episode summarized

Each time Battleground publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.

Email me new episodes

Free for 3 shows. No card needed.

Hosts & guests

No transcript yet

This episode has not been transcribed. Request it and it moves to the front of the queue.

366. Blunders, Bullets, and the Black Mercedes: Entebbe part 2

Battleground

0:00
32:06

More episodes

More from Battleground

View all episodes →