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The War of the Spanish Succession by James Falkner

Prince Eugene of Savoy by James Falkner

Episode Summary

For continental European powers in 1706, fighting against France was like being in a cage match with an 800-pound gorilla. Unlike the British, who had the English Channel to keep the French at arm's length, smaller states like Piedmont-Sardinia faced a life-and-death struggle against the towering ambition of Louis XIV. Join hosts Lee Gugino, Dr. Alex Burns, and Dr. Andrew Bamford as they venture into the critical Italian theater of the War of the Spanish Succession.

In this episode, we dissect the monumental Siege of Turin, where a massive French army of 60,000 men besiege the capital of the Sabaudian lands. We also trace how Victor Amadeus II broke out of the besieged city to link up with the legendary Habsburg general Prince Eugene of Savoy. Together, they executed a remarkable 300-mile relief march in just 24 days. From the intense underground war of counter-mining to the final, bloody bayonet charge of the Prussian troops, we cover how a smaller allied force managed to shatter the lines of a superior enemy in one of the most decisive victories of the era.

"What Are You Missing?" (Edited vs. Uncut Edition)

To keep the public feed moving, we've focused primarily on the grand strategy and the main battle. However, our War Room members on Patreon get the full, uncut experience, including 10 minutes of exclusive content and host banter:

• Habsburg Arms: Andrew and Alex discuss how this battle is a high point in Austrian military history and how that effects later battles.
• Modern Leadership Lessons: Alex talks about the lessons, from this historic battle, that can be useful to modern leaders.

Episode Highlights & Timestamps

• [00:00] – The Cage Match: The geopolitical stakes of the War of the Spanish Succession.
• [15:15] – The House of Savoy: Victor Amadeus II and the militarized Sabaudian lands.
• [31:30] – Eclipsing the Sun King: The solar eclipse of May 12 and its psychological impact.
• [45:45] – Pietro Micca’s Sacrifice: Tunnels, gunpowder charges, and the defense of the Citadel.
• [1:05:00] – The Lightning Campaign: Prince Eugene of Savoy's rapid 200-mile relief march.
• [1:22:15] – Storming the Lines: Leopold van Anhalt-Dessau, the Prussian advance guard, and the heavy toll of the assault.
• [1:38:00] – The Aftermath & Superga: Why Victor Amadeus II built one of northern Italy’s most spectacular basilicas.

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Episode Summary

Today in 1776 General Sir William Howe launched his attack on Washington's army on Long Island. In this episode, hosts Dr. Alex Burns, Dr. Andrew Bamford, and Lee Gugino are joined once again by National Park Service historian Jason Wickersty. 

In this episode, we'll talk about how the British lost the initial race to  occupy New York and how Charles Lee turned the city into a fortress. We'll also talk about the Howe brothers' preparation and experience made them well suited for the operation. Then, we'll dive straight into the tactical movement: Grant’s feint on the left, the Hessian push in the center, and Howe's silent night march through the unguarded Jamaica Pass.

"What Are You Missing?" 

To keep the public feed moving, we’ve focused on the tactical timeline. However, our War Room members on Patreon get the full UNCUT experience, including over 20 minutes of content:

1. Clinton's "Genius": Historians often sight Sir Henry Clinton as the real military genius but we discuss how at the time of the Battle of Long Island he did not inspire much confidence from his superior. 
2. Failure in the South: We talk about the British failed expedition to the southern colonies and how it effected the New York Campaign.
3. Strategic and Operational Differences: Jason explains how Howe's and Lord Germain's expectations for the campaign differed and how that effected the course of the operation. 
4. Maryland Regt: We talked about the famous Marylanders who held the line against the British Army and allowed the American Army to escape.
5. Modern Equivalencies: Lee and Jason discuss how the tactics of the British Army on Long Island mirror tactics outlined in modern military publications.

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Recommended Reading:

The Howe Brothers and the American Revolution by Ira Gruber

Episode Summary

Was Sir William Howe a sluggish, indolent commander more interested in  Mrs. Loring than winning a war, or was he the most sophisticated logistician of the 18th century? On this 250th anniversary of the 1776 New York Campaign, hosts Dr. Alex Burns, Dr. Andrew Bamford, and Lee Gugino are joined by National Park Service historian Jason Wickersty to talk about the New York Campaign.

By reconstructing Howe's lost correspondence from nearly 1,000 scattered letters, our panel reveals a commander obsessed with the logistics of his era, wagon trains, meat barrels, and the sustainment of 24,000 troops. We examine the military mind of Sir William Howe, the "pinnacle of amphibious warfare" at Kips Bay, and the tactical reproductions of the Battle of Brooklyn. This is the story of how the British established a foothold in the colonies and why taking New York was more critical than chasing the Continental Army.

"What Are You Missing?" 

To keep the public feed moving, we’ve focused on the tactical timeline. However, our War Room members on Patreon get the full UNCUT experience, including over 45 minutes of content:

1. Howe’s Snarky Rhymes: The full details of Howe’s "chicken scratchy" handwriting and his dry, witty sense of humor.
2. The 2,000 Dead Hessians Myth: Debunking of the claim that 2,000 Hessians were killed at Pels Point. 
3. Jason's Path: Jason’s personal story of how he started as a "Jersey Militia" fan and ended up becoming "the man" for General Howe’s British perspective.
4. Fort Wadsworth Fogs: A visceral discussion on the "thick harbor fogs" that roll into Staten Island and how they truly enabled Washington’s famous escape from Long Island.
5. The Capture of Fort Washington: We dive into the heartbreaking story of the Hessian assault on Fort Washington, their reactions to the fighting, and the effects it had on them after the battle.

Episode Highlights & Timestamps

• [00:00] – Introduction: Re-evaluating the 250th anniversary of 1776.
• [12:15] – The Howe "Rabbit Hole": Reconstructing 1,000 letters from the "fire".
• [28:00] – Theater Opening Strategy: Why New York was the British headquarters of choice.
• [45:30] – The Logistical Red Ball Express: Building a land transport corps from scratch.
• [1:02:00] – Kips Bay: Lord Howe, French descents, and the pinnacle of amphibious doctrine.
• [1:18:00] – The Siege of Fort Washington: Clambering up glacial boulders and the trauma of the 16th of November.
• [1:35:00] – The Retreat Across the Jerseys: Why 1776 was a "British curb-stomping session".
• [1:50:00] – Lessons for Today: Why professional officers must study logistics above all else.

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Recommended Reading:

Glories to Useless Heroism: The Seven Years War in North America from the French Journals of Comte Maurès De Malartic, 1755-1760 Translated by: William Raffle

Montcalm's Crushing Blow, French and Indian Raids along New York's Oswego River 1756 by René Chartrand

Episode Summary

In 1756, the shores of the Oswego River became a critical flashpoint that would determine the mastery of Lake Ontario. While the world’s attention was fixed on European battlefields, a vital British trading post and fortification, Fort Oswego, stood as the only obstacle to French dominance of the Great Lakes. Join hosts Dr. Alex Burns, Dr. Andrew Bamford, and Lee Gugino as they welcome guest expert Will Raffel to deconstruct Montcalm’s first major victory in the New World.

In this episode, we explore the miltary capabilities of New France and explore the realities of logitical operations in North America. We delve into the failed British expiditions in 1755 and the garrison that were left to rot through a "nasty winter" of privation and disease. Discover how the Marquis de Montcalm utilized over 600 bateaux and captured British cannonballs from the Monongahela to shatter British defenses and secure French control over Lake Ontario.

"What Are You Missing?" (Edited vs. Uncut Edition)

Our War Room members have access to an additional 30 minutes of exclusive content, including:

• The Physicality of Space: Will’s deep dive into Malartic’s journal, detailing the sheer muscle required to haul bread ovens and heavy artillery through the Canadian swamp.
• Captain Broadley’s Revenge: The full story of the Royal Navy commander who tried to burn his own fleet rather than let it fall into French hands, and his subsequent fight to clear his name at a British court-martial.
• The Sky Woman’s Sons: A detailed breakdown of the Iroquoian creation myths that perfectly characterized the "Good" rivers and "Evil" portages of the frontier.
• The Scalped Drunk: The harrowing but darkly comedic tale of an Oswego soldier who was so intoxicated he didn't realize he had been scalped until the next morning.

Episode Highlights & Timestamps

• [00:00] Orientation: The Great Lakes bottleneck and the power of the fur trade.
• [15:30] The "B-Team" Garrison: Shirley, Pepperell, and the American-raised regulars.
• [32:45] Logistical Warfare: Birchbark canoes vs. the European bateau.
• [50:00] The Siege Begins: Montcalm’s landing and the accidental death of Engineer de Combeau.
• [1:10:00] Fort Ontario Falls: The retreat to the old Stone House and the death of Colonel Mercer.
• [1:25:00] The Massacre: The breakdown of European POW protocols and the fate of the hospital wounded.
• [1:40:00] Strategic Impact: Why the British presence on Lake Ontario was wiped out for three years.

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Iron and Blood by Peter Wilson 

The Army of Frederick the Great by Christopher Duffy

Episode Summary

How did a "pancake flat" swamp in Northern Germany transform into the most formidable military machine in Europe? For much of the early 18th century, the Austrian Habsburgs mocked the Prussian military as an eccentric "pet project" of "toy soldiers". Yet, under a lineage of increasingly focused monarchs, this "parade ground army" evolved into a force that would eventually challenge the very foundations of the Holy Roman Empire

In the first part of our deep dive into Prussia, hosts Dr. Alex Burns and Dr. Andrew Bamford trace the origins of the Hohenzollern dynasty from the ashes of the Thirty Years' War. We explore the "Great Elector's" administrative genius, the "Soldier King" Frederick William I's obsession with his "Tall Boys" (Langer Kerl), and the revolutionary Canton System that turned Prussia into a "paradigm army"
more_horiz. Discover why Prussia was the Emperor’s biggest "headache" and how the military began to penetrate every level of Prussian village life

"What Are You Missing?" (Edited vs. Uncut Edition)

While the edited episode provides the foundational history, our War Room members get the full, uncut episode including 20 minutes of exclusive content and tangents:

Episode Highlights & Timestamps

• [00:00] – Introduction: The "Snow King" myth vs. the reality of 1701
• [15:30] – Devastation as Origin: How the 30 Years' War created the Prussian need for a standing army
• [32:45] – The Soldier King: Frederick William I, the "Tobacco Parliament," and the "Man’s Man" culture of the Prussian court
• [50:00] – The Long Boys: The weird, eccentric, and potentially "crazy like a fox" obsession with kidnapping 8-foot-tall soldiers
• [1:10:00] – The Canton System: How conscription districts enabled Prussia to win wars of attrition
• [1:25:00] – Social Autonomy: Why being a soldier actually gave peasants the confidence to stand up to their landlords
• [1:40:00] – Looking Ahead: The transition from a peacetime army to the "Great Captain" era of Frederick II

Does Prussia hold the weather gauge of your historical interest? Help us grow by sharing this episode with a friend! Your support ensures we can continue these massive deep dives. Subscribe to the War Room today to unlock the full episode and join the conversation in our Patreon War Room

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Episode Resources & Links

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Recommended Reading:

The Hessians by Dr. Friederike Baer 

The Hessian Mercenary State by Charles Ingrao

A Generous and Merciful Enemy by Daniel Krebs

Episode Summary

"He is at this time transporting large armies of foreign mercenaries to complete the works of death, desolation, and tyranny." With those words in the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson fixed the image of the "Hessian" in the American mind for 250 years. But were they really the cruel, bumbling hirelings of pop history?

In this special 250th-anniversary episode, hosts Dr. Alex Burns, Dr. Andrew Bamford and Lee Gugino strip away the propaganda of 1776 to reveal the tactical reality of the 37,000 German soldiers who fought for the British Crown. We explore North American service through the eyes of the most militarized societies in Europe. From the complex "subsidy treaties" that funded the small German principalities to the professional adaptation of skirmishers in the North American wilderness, we deconstruct how these units actually functioned on the battlefield. Discover the truth about the "drunk at Trenton" myth, the surprising Hessian sympathy for enslaved African Americans, and why many of these "enemies" eventually chose to become Americans.

"What Are You Missing?" (Edited vs. Uncut Edition)

To ensure we stay within our upload limits, the public version of this episode focuses on the broad narrative. However, our War Room members have access to an additional 15 minutes of deep-dive content, including:

• The German Native American: The incredible, true story of Baron Riedesel encountering a Native American warrior in the wilderness who was born in Heidelberg and spoke fluent German.
• Turkish Bands & Prestige: A look into the 18th-century obsession with "Moorish" regimental bands and the specific fate of the 100+ African Americans who returned to Germany with Hessian units.
• The "Piece of Excrement" Duel: The visceral story of a fatal sword duel between a Hessian Jäger and a British soldier triggered by a drunken insult.

Episode Highlights & Timestamps

• [00:00] – The 250th Anniversary: Reading the Declaration of Independence as a military document.
• [12:15] – The Misnomer: Why they weren't all Hessians and they weren't really mercenaries.
• [25:30] – "The Army is our Peru": How small German states turned the "soldier trade" into a national industry.
• [42:00] – Prussian Schools: Training, uniforms, and the elite Jäger culture.
• [1:05:00] – Tactical Adaptation: Two-rank lines and the rise of the skirmisher.
• [1:22:00] – Social Shock: Hessian reactions to American material wealth and the horrors of slavery.
• [1:40:00] – Desertion & Legacy: Why 12-18% of the force stayed in America to become citizens.

Love the history? Help us celebrate the 250th by sharing this show with a friend! Your support helps us climb the charts and keep these archives growing. Subscribe today to unlock the full "War Room" archives and get the history the textbooks leave out!

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Episode Resources & Quick Links

• Unlock the Full Uncut Episode Here!

Recommended Reading:

• The Wooden World by N.A.M. Rodger

Episode Summary

Can a single lost island lead to the execution of a British Admiral by his own government? In 1756, a spark in the North American wilderness ignited a global conflict that would become the Seven Years' War. The French set their sights on the strategic "key to the Mediterranean": the British-held island of Minorca. Join hosts Dr. Alex Burns, Dr. Andrew Bamford, and Lee Gugino as they deconstruct the land operations, the controversial naval clash between Admiral John Byng and the Marquis de La Galissonnière, and the political fallout that shook the British Admiralty to its core.

In this episode, we explore the "Lizard" geography of the Balearics and the strategic importance of Port Mahon. We delve into the reality of a Royal Navy struggling with a peace establishment and the technological shift in ship design between French 74s and obsolete British 80-gunners. Discover how Byng successfully seized the weather gauge only to see his line of battle collapse following a "critical hit" on HMS Intrepid. This is a story of tactical nuance, the focusing power of French mission doctrine, and the grim origins of mayonnaise.

What Are You Missing? (Edited vs. Uncut Edition)

Our regular listeners know we often blow past our upload limits to bring you the full tactical reality. By joining the War Room on Patreon, you’ll unlock an additional 10 minutes of exclusive content, including:

• The "Peace Dividend" Decay: A deep dive into why the British garrison was a skeleton force of understrength battalions with their officers home on leave.
• The HMS Ramillies Pedigree: The fascinating story of Byng’s flagship, which officially started life in 1664 as the Royal Catherine and was "rebuilt" into a three-decker over 90 years.
• The Handkerchief Signal: The full, harrowing account of Byng’s execution on the quarterdeck of HMS Monarque, including his refusal to have his eyes bound and the signal he gave to the firing squad.
• Captain Gardner’s Revenge: The "postscript" story of Byng’s flag captain who eventually died capturing the very French flagship that had defeated them at Minorca.
• The "Encourage the Others" Debate: An uncut discussion on whether the threat of execution actually created the "steely determination" that characterized the later Royal Navy.

Episode Highlights & Timestamps

• [00:00] Orientation: Port Mahon and the "Lizard" of the Mediterranean.
• [12:15] Global Context: How a frontier skirmish in America triggered a European war.
• [25:30] Naval Hardware: French 74s vs. British 60-gun ships.
• [40:45] The Naval Clash: Seizing the weather gauge and the confusion of flag signals.
• [58:00] The Siege of Fort St. Philip: Conventional sapping and the capture of Colonel Jeffreys.
• [1:15:00] The Scapegoat: Why Byng was acquitted of cowardice but sentenced to death anyway.
• [1:30:00] The Culinary Legacy: The surprising origin of Mahonnaise (Mayonnaise).

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Recommended Reading:

The '45 by Christopher Duffy 

In Fight for a Throne by Christopher Duffy 

Episode Summary

The smoke has cleared over Culloden Moor, but for the Jacobite cause, the disaster is only beginning. While popular memory often ends with the final charge, the reality of the "'45" was a protracted, harrowing aftermath of dispersed regiments and a Prince on the run. Join hosts Dr. Alexander Burns, Dr. Andrew Bamford and Lee Gugino as they welcome back resident expert Dr. Aaron Johnston to close out our six-part series with the definitive account of the rebellion’s final hours.

In this episode, we deconstruct why Culloden was a decisive logistical endpoint rather than just another defeat, exploring the "cat with nine lives" that finally ran out of resources, money, and space. We follow Prince Charles Edward Stuart through the Hebrides, analyze the government’s horrific exploitation of victory in Inverness, and examine the legal "hammer" of the Dress Act and Act of Prescription that changed the Highlands forever.

What Are You Missing? (Edited vs. Uncut)

To provide maximum value to our War Room members, the Full Uncut Edition contains nearly 45 minutes of exclusive content not found in this edited release:

• The Decoy of Roderick McKenzie: The grim story of the Prince’s "dead ringer" who was killed by government forces to protect the real Charles Edward.
• The "French Picket" Loophole: A detailed look at the legal to-ing and fro-ing over which prisoners were "rebellious subjects" and which were "French soldiers" eligible for repatriation.
• Historical Memory & Modern Politics: An uncut deep dive into how the '45 is remembered in 2026, its connection to Scottish national identity, and what the Prince might have thought of modern politics.
• The Preservation Crisis: Dr. Johnston’s expert take on the "Pashton project" and the ongoing battle to protect the Culloden battlefield from modern development.
• Johnny Cope’s Fiddle: The bizarre, true story of the British General’s traveling fiddle and how it ended up in a tiny Highland museum.

Episode Timestamps

• [00:00] – Recap: The immediate fallout of the disaster at Culloden.
• [12:15] – Logistical Death: Why the army couldn't recover a "tenth life".
• [25:30] – Securing Inverness: The brutal military occupation of the Highland hub.
• [40:45] – The Great Escape: How the Jacobite leadership "soaked" back into the hills.
• [58:00] – Betty Burke: The Prince’s "Irish Maid" disguise and the treachery of the Hebrides.
• [1:15:00] – The Act of Prescription: Disarming the Highlands and the ban on male Highland dress.
• [1:30:00] – Closing the Book: Final thoughts on the legacy of the Stuarts.

Meet the Expert

Dr. Aaron Johnston: The director of the Preston Pans Battlefield Museum, Dr. Johnston is a leading authority on Jacobite material culture and the military history of the 1745 Rising.

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Old Fort Niagara's 300th Birthday!

Recommended Reading:

Memoir Upon the Late War in North America by Pierre Pouchot 

The Siege of Fort Niagara 1759 by Brian Leigh Dunnigan

Episode Summary

For three centuries, a lone fortress has stood guard at the mouth of the Niagara River, witnessing the rise and fall of empires. In this special 300th-anniversary episode, the tables are turned as producer Lee Gugino steps into the expert seat to guide hosts Dr. Alex Burns and Dr. Andrew Bamford through the "Key to a Continent." From its 1726 origins as a "trading house" to its role as a massive logistical hub during the American Revolution and a frontline combat zone in the War of 1812, Old Fort Niagara is one of America's most unique surviving windows into the 18th century

We explore the strategic "bottleneck" of the Niagara Portage, the architectural defiance of the Maison du Machicolas (the French Castle), and the engineering skills of Pierre Pouchot. Discover how a site designed to overawe native nations evolved into a professional Vauban-style fortress that helped determined the fate of North America

What Are You Missing?

While the edited version provides a comprehensive 300-year overview, the Full Uncut Edition (available to our War Room members) contains over 40 minutes of additional deep-dive content, including:

• Sir William Johnson & the "Erasure" of History: A heated discussion on the controversial Indian Agent’s role in the 1759 siege and the "HBO-style" drama of the British command collapse
• The Drummer on the Cliff: The harrowing story of a 1763 ambush where a British soldier survived a 200-foot plunge into the Niagara Gorge by his drum sling
• The Fortified Causeway: Detailed tactical analysis of the British "DMZ" along Portage Road, featuring redoubts placed every 800 meters to protect supply lines
• Dining with the Enemy: The full, gracious story of General Isaac Brock finishing his dinner with American officers after receiving word that the War of 1812 had been declared
• The Nike Missile Era: Extended history of the fort’s transition from an 18th-century stone castle to a Cold War command center for surface-to-air missiles

Episode Timestamps

• [00:00] – Introduction: Why Niagara is the "real" colonial fort.
• [12:15] – The Portage: Controlling 1,400 miles of interior waterways
• [25:30] – The French Castle: Building a four-foot-thick "storehouse" in 1726
• [42:00] – Pierre Pouchot: Converting a frontier post into a world-class fortress
• [1:05:00] – 1759 Siege: The 19-day struggle and the Battle of La Belle Famille
• [1:20:00] – Revolutionary Hub: Handling 2,000 refugees and projecting western power
• [1:35:00] – 1812 Ingenuity: Why the Americans stripped the castle roof to mount cannons

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Recommended Reading: 

Great and Glorious Days by James Faulkner

 Marlborough as Military Commander by David Chandler

The Art of Warfare in the age of Marlborough by David Chandler

Episode Summary

Could a single afternoon shatter the hegemony of the "Sun King" and reshape the map of Europe? In May 1706, the War of Spanish Succession hung on a knife’s edge as the French army left its defensive lines to seek a decisive engagement. Join hosts Dr. Alexander Burns, Dr. Andrew Bamford and Lee Gugino as they welcome back General Ewan Carmichael to deconstruct the Battle of Ramillies, a tactical masterpiece of 18th-century warfare.

In this episode, we apply the modern military framework of find, fix, strike, and exploit to examine how the Duke of Marlborough lured the French into a deadly trap. We explore the "Revolution in Military Affairs" triggered by the socket bayonet and flintlock musket, the brutal infantry struggle in the Ramillies churchyard, and the earth-shaking collision of 25,000 cavalrymen. Discover how Marlborough's ability to "lead from the front" and his obsession with logistics turned a polyglot coalition into the most feared force in the "Cockpit of Europe".

Meet the Expert

General Ewan Carmichael: A veteran military professional and historian, General Carmichael brings a unique perspective on the War of Spanish Succession. His expertise bridges the gap between 18th-century "war of posts" and modern tactical doctrine.

What am I missing?

To keep the free version focused on the primary battle narrative, several deep-dive discussions are exclusive to the Uncut Edition. By joining the War Room, you’ll unlock an additional 40 minutes of content, including:

• The "Wild Geese": A detailed look at the Irish Jacobite exiles (Clare’s Dragoons) fighting for the French and their desperate quest to "right the wrongs" of the previous century.
• Ethnic Regiments & "Portable" Skills: An in-depth debate on the mix of English, Scots, and Irish soldiers across both armies and the "topsy-turvy" world of 18th-century mercenaries.
• The Modern Staff System: Exclusive analysis of the Marlborough-Cadogan partnership, which General Carmichael identifies as the birth of the modern military staff and a key to Marlborough's success.
• Marlborough’s Near-Death Experience: The full, harrowing account of Marlborough being unhorsed and his aide, Colonel Bringfield, being "messily decapitated" by a cannonball while helping the Duke into his saddle.

Episode Highlights & Timestamps

• [00:00] – The "Fatal Avenue": Why the geography of Belgium made it the "Cockpit of Europe".
• [12:15] – Balance of Power: Queen Anne, Louis XIV, and the fight for the Spanish throne.
• [25:30] – Finding & Fixing: Marlborough’s use of Cadogan for reconnaissance and the deceptive attack on the French left.
• [45:00] – The Ramillies Hinge: The brutal infantry assault on the manor farm and churchyard.
• [1:05:00] – The Great Cavalry Scrum: 25,000 horses colliding on the open watershed.
• [1:25:00] – "Beef and Beer": Why Marlborough’s focus on logistics and spare shoe soles made him "Corporal John" to his men.

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