The State We're In, 5 November 2011. A British woman recounts being rescued by a Nazi U-Boat commander – the man responsible for torpedoing the ship she was on. A Dutch woman tracks down the father she never knew and finds him living on the streets in Australia. And a long-distance runner from Western Sahara competes for a nation that isn’t yet recognized.
Subscribe to podcast feed
Subscribe in iTunes 
Like us on Facebook 
Follow us on Twitter 
In 1943, Josephine Pratchett and her family were on board the RMS Laconia when it was torpedoed by a German U-boat 600 miles off the coast of west Africa.
The order was given by Commander Werner Hartenstein. When Hartenstein realised what he’d done, he ordered his men to rescue the survivors.
The long way home
After rescuing nearly 400 survivors, Commander Hartenstein radios for help. American forces think it’s a trick and attack, leaving Hartenstein no choice: he orders Josephine and other survivors back into their lifeboats.
Jo tells host Jonathan Groubert how she and her family survived an almost certain death for the second time (more photos below).
The Sinking of the Laconia is now a British-German produced TV film, written by Alan Bleasdale.
Karlene Robinson grew up in the Netherlands knowing nothing about her Australian father, other than his first name. But with help from a Dutch TV program Karlene found her dad: he was living on the streets of Sydney, Australia.
Karlene and her father, Ian, tell Jonathan what it means to have a father-daughter relationship after 30 years of no contact (more photos below).
Watch Karlene and her father Ian meet for the first time (video in Dutch)
Freedom runner
Salah Ameidan dreams of going to the Olympics, and winning gold for his country.
There’s just one problem: he’s Sahrawi, from the Western Sahara - a disputed territory that Morocco claims as its own.
Unable to represent his own people, and forced instead to run for the Moroccan national team, Salah hatched a plan that shocked his oppressors, but keeps his hopes of winning a medal, and homeland, alive. (photos below)
Teaser for The Runner, an upcoming documentary about Salah’s life and plight
More information about The Runner - Tourist with a Typewriter.
Click image for slideshow - use arrows to scroll
Email this Radio Show
Printer-friendly version
A very interesting program, which I heard on WRN but do you to have repeat it over and over and over each time a RN slot is broadcast as received here in South Africa which seemed to run for a few days. The repeats so irritated me that I have already complained to WRN. Dont get me wrong I have been an avid listener to RN since the days of Eddie Startz
Having just listened to 'Rescued by a Nazi', I must tell you how impressed I was. Not only the amazing account of Josephine Pratchett, but your excellent treatment of her and her story. This is the first time I have listend to your programme, and must commend your totally professional boradcasting gift. If only more radio interviewers were taught how to conduct an interview as you did, listening to the radio might be a better experience for all.
Thanks for all the compliments John. We don't broadcast in England, so can I ask you where you heard us?
I went to the Saharawi Refugee camps in 2005. The people and their story won my heart over. I cried while listening to this story and thinking about the joy and triumph he must have felt being able to show the world his country's flag! That was amazing! I truly hope one day they will get their land back from Morocco. Thanks for sharing this story!
Hi Melissa, glad you liked the the story! Thanks for the feedback.
Out of curiousity, what took you to the refugee camps?
Belinda Lopez (TSWI producer)
Post new comment
Please be reminded all comments must be in English, short and to the point - guideline 250 words. Abusive and inappropriate comments will be removed.