Crossword Help Forum
Forum Rules

THE CLUES
Requests for help should normally include the clue itself, the number of letters in the answer, and details of any you already have. Any special instructions or additional information should be included.
NB HINTS only should be given, no answers please.

THE THEME
Requests may be made here for GENTLE NUDGES only towards the theme. Please do NOT reveal the theme under any circumstances.

Early finishers should avoid any allusion - jocular or otherwise - to the theme.

Remember, the Listener is a unique puzzle and should be treated with respect. When helping, please do not give away any more than is necessary.

Thank you JFD. Very obscure, enjoyed reading about it but you really must get out more 😉
On a serious note: grid full, message extracted, two word defence located very quickly, but apart from 2 obvious candidates, totalling 12 cells, the remainder will involve too much wiki diving and grid staring and with both us testing positive earlier this week, might have to leave it. Overall, cleverly constructed clues. Just sad we can’t quite crawl over the line.

I also have grid full, message extracted and two word defence located. I can find two foreign contenders but they are not in straight lines and not all their cells touch orthogonally. Does that matter?

Yes, everything is in straight lines (look for some other elements).

I’d appreciate a hint for 1dn please

Buried answer (very asymmetrically).

I've also drawn a blank after shading 12 cells. I've also found some possibilities that read backwards or upwards - surely we're not looking for those?

Crept up to 22 cells, so 8 to go.

Like the title. My old boss as Minister of Defence "…………..springs to mind.

Post amended by Admin - deleted a name as I had a complaint it gave too much away

Thanks, drxx.
Are the straight lines all horizontal and/or vertical?

Searching for too many examples of a particular thematic element won't give the highlighted 30 cells.