In a series tracing the decisive moments in the early years of the Cold War, Bridget Kendall tells the story of the Communist takeover of Czechoslovakia in 1948 - and hears from three people who lived through it.

At the beginning of 1948 Czechoslovakia had been the only parliamentary democracy left in East Europe. But within a couple of months it was part of the Soviet bloc. Not through the invasion of Soviet tanks -that would come later, in 1968 - but through the actions of local Communists, with the influence of the Soviet Union looming in the shadows.

Featuring Karel Janovicky, John Palka and Sylva Simsova.

Music: Variations on the Theme of Brigadier H. Smith by Karel Janovicky

Producer: Martin Williams. Show less