Military History Podcast

Military History Podcast episodes:

• 02.18.2008

  Lincoln's Assassination

  President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth, a southern sympathizer and a self-proclaimed modern-day Brutus, on April 14th, 1865 (five days after the end of the Civil War). Booth snuck into Lincoln's viewing Booth at the Ford's Theater while Lincoln was watching...

  
• 01.13.2008

  Iraq's Environment

  This episode is an analysis of the environmental impacts of the current war in Iraq.  There are several major categories, each of which will be discussed.  This episode is meant to be an overview of the rarely-discussed ecological situation in Iraq, rather than...

  
• 01.01.2008

  The John McCains

  John McCain Sr: Admiral, Commander of Fast Carrier Task Force in South Pacific during WWII John McCain Jr: Admiral, Commander of Pacific Command during Vietnam War John McCain III: Navy aviator, shot down in Hanoi, tortured as a prisoner of war for 5.5...

  
• 12.26.2007

  Sports - War minus the Shooting

  The title of this episode comes from the following George Orwell quote: “Serious sport has nothing to do with fair play. It is bound up with hatred, jealousy, boastfulness, disregard for all rules and sadistic pleasure in witnessing violence: in other words it...

  
• 12.16.2007

  Food of WWII

  This episode is written by Russell Holman of Merrimack, New Hampshire.  If you would like to submit a script to Military History Podcast, please send me an email at [email protected] The mighty American military during WWII would have been nothing without its surprisingly-important rationing...

  
• 12.02.2007

  War in Bosnia

  After the fall of the Soviet Union, the former Yugoslavian countries began to divide along ethnic lines.  Of the five states (Serbia and Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, and Slovenia), three of them began waging war: Serbia (Orthodox Christians) under Slobodan MilosevicBosnia (Muslims)...

  
• 11.24.2007

  Operation Downfall

  Operation Downfall was the proposed invasion of mainland Japan by Allied Forces near the end of WWII.  It was canceled because the atomic bombs were dropped and Japan surrendered, thereby removing the need for a military conquest.  It would have been the largest...

  
• 11.10.2007

  The Peloponnesian War (Part Two)

  The Peloponnesian War was fought by Athens and Sparta in the late 5th century BC.  It was an epic war between two superpowers, and the similarities to the Cold War are numerous.  Since most people know about the Cold War, since it was...

  
• 11.10.2007

  The Peloponnesian War (Part One)

  The Peloponnesian War was fought by Athens and Sparta in the late 5th century BC.  It was an epic war between two superpowers, and the similarities to the Cold War are numerous.  Since most people know about the Cold War, since it was...

  
• 11.04.2007

  The 100 Best Clips of MHP (51-100)

  This episode is the 101st episode of Military History Podcast. It is a compilation of 100 MHP clips, tidbits, and funfacts. It is split into two parts: this is part two.  Feel free to post any clips that I failed to mention in...

  
• 10.30.2007

  The 100 Best Clips of MHP (1-50)

  This episode is the 100th episode of Military History Podcast.  It is a compilation of 100 MHP clips, tidbits, and funfacts.  It is split into two parts: this is part one. Military History Podcast is sponsored by Armchair General Magazine and the US...

  
• 10.20.2007

  Canadians at Vimy Ridge

  The Battle of Vimy Ridge (April 1917) was a turning point in WWI. It was the first great allied victory. It also continues to be the greatest event in modern Canada's military history. The 100,000 Canadians of the Canadian Corps were commanded by...

  
• 10.11.2007

  The Most Dangerous Man in Europe

  "The Most Dangerous Man in Europe" was how Eisenhower described Otto Skorzeny, Nazi Germany's most famous commando and special operations leader.  Before he became the leader of Jagdverbande 502 (a special operations unit), Skorzeny fought on the Eastern Front and even won an Iron...

  
• 09.29.2007

  The Sword of Allah (Part Two)

  The Sword of Allah refers to Khalid ibn al-Walid, the prophet Mohammad's top general. Khalid commanded over 100 battles and never lost, making him the most undefeated general in history. He usually fought in the front lines either as a cavalry commander or...

  
• 09.23.2007

  The Sword of Allah (Part One)

  The Sword of Allah refers to Khalid ibn al-Walid, the prophet Mohammad's top general.  Khalid commanded over 100 battles and never lost, making him the most undefeated general in history.  He usually fought in the front lines either as a cavalry commander or...

  
• 09.15.2007

  Warsaw Uprisings - Contemnit Procellas

  Warsaw is the capital of Poland.  It's motto is "Contemnit Procellas", which means "it defies the storms".  It is a fitting motto because Warsaw continues to be the site of many uprisings, rebellions, and power shifts.  Two of them were especially devastating: Warsaw Ghetto...

  
• 09.03.2007

  DARPA's Revolution in Military Affairs

  The Defense Department's Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) was founded in 1958 in order to ensure that the science gap remained in the US's favor.  Many great empires, such as the Mongols, Chinese, Ottomans, Mughals, and later, the Soviets, fell from grace because...

  
• 08.25.2007

  Scorpion Down

  This episode is a summary of the USS Scorpion incident of 1968 and a review of the book, Scorpion Down, by Ed Offley (Published by Perseus Books). The USS Scorpion, a Skipjack-class nuclear submarine, was heading from the Mediterranean Sea to Norfolk, Virginia,...

  
• 08.21.2007

  Major General Andrew Jackson

  Andrew Jackson was the 7th President of the United States.  He had the fourth highest rank of all the presidents, below Washington, Eisenhower, and Grant.  He is also considered to be the nation's ninth greatest president, after Lincoln, FDR, Washington, Jefferson, Teddy Roosevelt, Wilson,...

  
• 08.04.2007

  MacArthur - American Caesar (2)

  As Supreme Allied Commander of the Southwest Pacific Area, Douglas MacArthur led an island-hopping campaign (Operation Cartwheel) known as "hit em where they aint".  He avoided major Japanese garrisons and conquered from Australia, up through New Guinea, and to the...

  
• 07.29.2007

  MacArthur - American Caesar (1)

  Douglas MacArthur was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1880.  He was the grandson of a former governor of Wisconsin, and the son of a medal-of-honor-winning military governor of the Philippines.  He attended West Point and graduated first in his...

  
• 07.21.2007

  The British Empire (Part 2)

  The British Empire is the largest (14.1 million square miles) and most populous (532 million people) empire in history. It is the reason why English is one of the world's most important languages, why 1/3 of the world drives on the left, and...

  
• 07.15.2007

  The British Empire (Part 1)

  The British Empire is the largest (14.1 million square miles) and most populous (532 million people) empire in history.  It is the reason why English is one of the world's most important languages, why 1/3 of the world drives on the left, and...

  
• 07.08.2007

  Blitzkrieg

  Blitzkrieg (lightning war) was the military doctrine of Germany during the first half of WWII.  It consisted of an all-mechanized army blowing through the enemy lines (via air support and artillery support) so fast that the enemy would be overwhelmed and defeated.  Blitzkrieg...

  
• 06.29.2007

  Falklands War (1982)

  The Falklands War is one of the few modern wars between two modern adversaries (in this case, Argentina and Britain).  The war was over the Falkland Islands, off of the southeastern coast of Argentina which Britain held and Argentina claimed. General Leopold Galtieri, leader...

  
• 06.23.2007

  Iran-Iraq War

  The Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988), also known as Saddam's Qadisiyyah, the Holy Defense, and the Iraqi-Imposed War, had a devastating effect on both participants.  The war features many attacks and counterattacks, though in the end, nothing changed.  Some causes of the war include: Khuzestan Border...

  
• 06.18.2007

  Nader Shah-Napoleon of Persia

  Nader Shah was the founder of the Afsharid Dynasty of Persia, lasting from 1736 to 1747.  During this time, this "second Alexander" returned Persia to its Sassanid-era borders.  After pushing the anti-Safavid Afghan invaders out of Persia, Nader invaded Afghanistan and took the cities...

  
• 05.24.2007

  Shamil Basayev-Chechnya's Bin Laden (2)

  Shamil Basayev became involved in the nearby Dagestan War after he lost his bid for president. This prompted Vladimir Putin to launch the Second Chechen War, which successfully reclaimed Grozny for the Russians. Since then, Chechnya has been officially under Russian control, but there...

  
• 05.18.2007

  Shamil Basayev-Chechnya's Bin Laden (1)

  Shamil Basayev is a politician and self-proclaimed terrorist fighting for Chechnya's independence from Russia. Chechnya is a small Muslim republic in southern Russia. Basayev has ties to Al Qaeda, the Mujahideen, and many other terrorist networks. He was active in the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict, where his...

  
• 05.03.2007

  Area 51

  This episode was written by Brian Liddicoat, a real estate attorney in Northern California. The words �Groom Lake� and �Area 51� have achieved an almost myth-like quality thanks to interest in UFOs and shows like the X-Files. But the real history...

  
• 04.27.2007

  Invading Iraq (2003)

  This episode will only cover the period between March 2003 and May 1 2003. Reasons for Invading Iraq: Iraq's possession of WMDs Saddam's link to Al QaedaIraq's failure to respect no-fly zonesTyrannical part of the Axis of Evil The United States Congress supported military...

  
• 04.14.2007

  Defense of the Pacific Northwest

  The Pacific Northwest has many military facilities.  Washington State, specifically, has: Naval Base Kitsap: Holds nuclear submarines, a carrier battle group, and a navy region command centerNaval Station Everett: Holds a carrier battle groupMcChord Air Force Base: Holds a Western Air...

  
• 04.01.2007

  Iranian Hostage Crisis (1979)

  The Iranian Revolution of 1979 was fought between Shah Pahlevi (supported by America and hated for his pro-American beliefs) and Ayatollah Khomeini (and anti-American Islamist).  Khomeini succeeded in taking power from the Shah and created the Islamic Republic of Iran.  During the turbulent years...

  
• 03.23.2007

  Hot Gates of Thermopylae

  The battle of Thermopylae was fought between 7000 Greeks under Leonidas (including 300 Spartans) and 500,000-2.5 million Persian troops under Xerxes. Xerxes had marched across the Hellespont towards Greece because he wanted Greece to become a satrapy of his and submit to his...

  
• 03.17.2007

  Hashshashin Assassins

  The Hashshashins (where we get our word "assassins") were active during the Abbasid Era of the Arab Period of Hegemony within the Islamic Period of Hegemony. The Hashshashins were Nizari Ismaili Shiite Muslims. They were led by Hassan-i-Sabah who, through the use of hashish,...

  
• 03.03.2007

  Knights Templar

  The Knights Templar was a Christian military order founded during the Crusades in order to protect Christian pilgrims traveling to the Holy Land.  These "Monks of War" were highly disciplined and they participated at many major battles during all nine Crusades, including the pivotal...

  
• 02.25.2007

  War Animals

  Animals have been used throughout war and it is impossible to name them all.  Excluding pack animals, there are several main ones (both ancient and modern).  All are discussed in the episode: SmallCockroachesBluegill FishBeesButterfliesPigeonsBats MediumDolphinsDogsCatsPigs LargeElephants For more...

  
• 02.17.2007

  Ancient Rome and Modern America

  eriHistorians referenced in the episode: Gibbons, Vegetius, Bark, Toynbee, Ward-Perkins, Heather, McNeill, Bury Comparisons between the fall of Rome and America now: Military ConquestRome: Conquest by Germans under Odoacer Loss of IdentityRome: Germanization of Army and empireAmerica: Hispanic Immigration...

  
• 01.27.2007

  Eisenhower's 1957

  1957 was defined by the Cold War and defined by the Eisenhower Presidency.  1957 was when Eisenhower was inaugurated for a second term in office, and during this term, the Eisenhower Doctrine (US defense against all Soviet aggression), NASA, the European Economic Community, and...

  
• 01.20.2007

  European Martial Arts

  Despite the fact there is a more than 2,400-year-old military tradition within Western civilization of close-combat...

  
• 01.13.2007

  The Chinese PLA Threat

  China's People's Liberation Army is threatening to the United States Armed Forces because it is fighting a "People's War" (7 million Chinese troops vs. 2.5 million US troops) under "modern conditions" (China's GDP will exceed America's by 2011). China also has significant international backing...

  
• 12.30.2006

  Iraq Study Group Recommendations

  The Iraq Study Group Report's Recommendations Sections gives a total of 79 recommendations for how the US should proceed in Iraq.  Diplomatically, the US should do more by launching the New Diplomatic Offensive accompanied by the creation of a Support Group (full of regional...

  
• 12.23.2006

  Iraq Study Group Assessment

  The Iraq Study Group Report's Assessment section is an excellent summary of post-war Iraq.  Some topics addressed include the division of the country into Kurd, Shiite, and Sunni regions, the lack of unity in Parliament, the powerful hold that Muqtada Al-Sadr has on...

  
• 12.18.2006

  US Secret Service

  The United States Secret Service was originally founded (in 1865) as an anti-counterfeiting unit in the Treasury Department.  However, once President McKinley was assassinated, the Secret Service assumed presidential protection duties.  As of 2002, the Secret Service (Special Agents and the Uniformed Division) is...

  
• 12.10.2006

  Merchant of Death

  Viktor Anatolyevich Bout is the world's most notorious arms dealer since the end of the Cold War.  His success lies in the fact that Russia had many arms depots and planes lying around after the end of the arms race.  Bout was able...

  
• 11.25.2006

  The Lion of the North

  Listen to "The Lion of the North" Gustavus Adolphus II the Great, the Lion of the North, was an innovator as the king of Sweden and the commander of its armies.  His innovations include the conscription system, the tribute system, the squadron-based organization system,...

  
• 11.18.2006

  Medal of Honor in Iraq

  There have only been two medal of honor winners in Operation Iraqi Freedom thusfar (despite the Iraqi War having lasted just as long as US involvement in WWII, when there were 464 medals awarded).  They are the 3rd and 4th medals awarded since...

  
• 11.11.2006

  English Longbowmen

  In the history of archery, the title for most important invention probably goes to the English Longbowmen (or the Mongolian Recurve Bow which you can learn more about in the "Mongolian Fighting Tactics" episode).  English Longbowmen brought about the end of the cavalry-dominated era...

  
• 10.29.2006

  The Third Naval Age

  The Naval Ages: Galleys, Sails, Steam, Missiles.  This episode focuses on the third naval age, the Naval Age of Steam. The Third Naval age began with ironclad battleships, also known as pre-dreadnoughts, which effectively used artillery guns, iron plating, and steam power.  The...

  
• 10.23.2006

  Operation Enduring Freedom

  Operation Enduring Freedom, specifically the 2001 war in Afghanistan, was the first step to President Bush's war on terror.  It is known as the greatest special forces war ever fought because of the US's heavy reliance on a few highly-trained operatives on the...