Welcome to Episode 4 of our limited series on Number 788, hosted and produced by South African media figure Desmond Latham. Desmond, known for his History of South Africa podcast, brings his expertise and narrative skill to this series, guiding listeners through the defining missions and experiences of Max Lauker’s career in Swedish special operations.

In this episode, Desmond and Max dive into Max's deployment in the Balkans—a transformative chapter in his career. Max reflects on the complex shift from his early cowboy days in Colombia to the high-stakes reality of the Balkans. He recounts the mission dynamics in Kosovo, where he found himself in covert cross-border operations, navigating alliances with Italian and German forces, and conducting intelligence-gathering missions with high-risk stakes.

The conversation also explores the moral and tactical complexities of unsanctioned raids, the psychological challenges of long-term surveillance, and the unexpected discovery of Soviet-era weaponry on the Serbian border. Desmond’s probing questions reveal the formative impact of these experiences, shaping Max’s understanding of real-world intelligence work and operational patience.

Join us as we uncover the grit, decisions, and high-stakes realities that defined Max's Balkan deployment and set the stage for his subsequent missions.

In the next episode, Max will delve further into the evolution of his unit and the impact these early experiences had on his approach to special operations and intelligence.

Links:

Desmond Latham’s Blog: https://desmondlatham.blog/

History of South Africa Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2uDa0tQjGe3GpFKDGjMMAm?si=2d2812af232742da

Number 788 on Amazon: https://a.co/d/is4FcIx

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