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October 17Wall-to-Wall: The Birth of Continental Tactics at Pell’s Point
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On October 18, 1776, General William Howe launched a major amphibious maneuver, landing 4,000 British light infantry, grenadiers, and Hessians at Pell's Point (Pelham Manor) to bypass American positions. Spotting the landing, Colonel John Glover moved his 750-man brigade to contest the advance along Split Rock Road.
Utilizing the perpendicular stone fences as successive defensive strongpoints, Glover's regiments held their fire until the crown forces advanced to within 30 yards before delivering lethal volleys and falling back in disciplined sequence. This "break-and-rally" defense held off a force more than four times their size, buying Washington the time he needed to evacuate Manhattan and retreat safely to White Plains.

In this episode we talk about...
General Howe’s Amphibious Flank Maneuver: Bypassing Manhattan's northern fortifications by moving troops via Long Island Sound.
Glover’s 14th Marblehead & Unit Cohesion: The unique makeup of Glover's brigade, highlighting the 14th Continentals as an integrated regiment where roughly a third of the men were African American, Native American, or Hispanic.
Wall-to-Wall Tactical Defense: How 750 Continentals used the terrain to delay 4,000 British and Hessian troops. .
Myth vs. Reality of Casualties: Comparing inflated American claims with official casualty returns and primary accounts of the battle.
🔒 War Room Exclusive: Talking Points (Uncut Version)
The Tactical Blueprint for Cowpens & Guilford: How Glover’s linear "break-and-rally" technique established the core tactical playbook for the Continental Army.
Fog of War: The reasons why casualty number routinely get overstated during this period and it's effects.
European Parallels & Bounding Tactics: Comparing Glover's defense to Seven Years' War Freikorps fighting in Europe and modern military concepts.

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57 min
October 12Fire, Fog, and the Fighting Retreat: The Battle of Rocoux
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Recommended Reading
The War of the Austrian Succession, By Reed Browning
Guibert: Father of Napoleon's Grande Armée, By Jonathan Abel
Ep 7: The Battle of Fontenoy
On October 11, 1746, over 200,000 soldiers clashed along the banks of the River Meuse in one of the largest land engagements of the 18th century. Following his conquests of Brussels, Antwerp, and Namur, French Marshal Maurice de Saxe sought to crush the remaining Allied forces defending the Austrian Netherlands and gain a decisive bargaining chip for ongoing European peace negotiations.
Arrayed against Saxe was a fragile 80,000-man Allied coalition composed of British, Dutch, Hanoverian, Hessian, and Austrian troops under Prince Charles of Lorraine. Hampered by political bickering over command precedence and the "posts of honor," the Allies found themselves backed against the Meuse River with their left flank exposed after the townspeople of Liège opened their gates to the French..
As heavy morning fog lifted over rain-soaked fields, Saxe launched massed infantry columns supported by mobile 8- and 12-pounder artillery batteries against the stone-walled "breakwater" villages of Lier, Varoux, and Rocoux. What resulted was hours of brutal, close-quarters combat. Though the villages eventually fell under overwhelming weight of numbers, a masterclass delaying action by Sir John Ligonier and Prince Waldeck allowed the Allied army to extricate itself across the Meuse in good order, preserving their force to defend the fortress of Maastricht .
What you're missing...
Patreon subscribers in The War Room unlock a full uncut episode (an additional 20 minutes) exploring the broader operational and historiographical significance of Rocoux:
The Peak of 18th-Century Army Sizes: Why Flanders was one of the few European theaters capable of logistically sustaining 200,000 men, and why field armies would not reach this scale again until the Napoleonic Wars.
Proto-Corps & Task-Specific Formations: How Saxe and his Chief of Staff, Crémille, managed an unmanageable army by pioneering semi-independent task forces—the evolutionary ancestor of the modern corps system [104–106, 116–121].
The Art of Contesting Villages: A deep-dive analysis comparing village strongpoints at Rocoux to later engagements like Ligny, Waterloo, and Leuthen.
Chapter Timestamps
00:00 – Cold Open & Introduction: High stakes on the River Meuse
03:45 – Post-Fontenoy Landscape: Saxe’s conquests & French peace-table bargaining
08:15 – Command Friction: Prince Charles of Lorraine & the dispute over the "posts of honor"
14:30 – The Princeling Problem: How Saxe managed insubordinate Royal Princes Conti & Clermont
19:50 – Fog, Rain, & The Fall of Liège: Damp terrain and open town gates
25:10 – The Breakwater Villages: Defensive preparation in Lier, Varoux, & Rocoux.
31:40 – Saxe’s Offensive: Massed infantry columns and mobile heavy guns
38:00 – Ligonier’s Masterclass: Saving the Allied army across the Meuse
44:15 – [WAR ROOM EXCLUSIVE] Why 18th-Century Armies Peak at Rocoux
50:30 – [WAR ROOM EXCLUSIVE] Proto-Corps & Divisional Task-Groups
56:45 – [WAR ROOM EXCLUSIVE] Methodists in Redcoats: Samson Staniforth’s Journal

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1 hr 12 min
October 01Blood on the Lobosch: The Battle of Lobositz
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Recommended Reading
Frederick the Great: A Military Life By: Christopher Duffy
Research on Saxon Army Loyalty & Desertion By: Markus von Salisch
Episode Summary
In October 1756, the Seven Years' War in Europe opened at Lobositz along the Elbe River. Fearing an anti-Prussian coalition, Frederick the Great launched a pre-emptive invasion of neutral Saxony, blockading 20,000 Saxons at Pirna. When Austrian Field Marshal Ulysses Maximilian von Browne marched north with 35,000 men to relieve them, the two armies collided in heavy morning fog
Blinded by mist, Frederick mistook the main Austrian army for a weak rearguard and launched ill-fated cavalry charges into marshy ground. Meanwhile, a brutal infantry brawl raged through the stone-walled vineyards of the Lobosch mountain. Believing the battle lost, Frederick departed, leaving command to Field Marshal James Keith. Subordinate commander August Wilhelm von Braunschweig-Bevern rallied ammunition-depleted Prussian battalions to charge with fixed bayonets, pushing back the Austrians and securing a costly tactical victory. The win delayed Austrian relief long enough to force the total surrender of the Saxon army at Pirna, turning occupied Saxony into Prussia’s vital war chest.
Chapter Timestamps
00:00 – Intro & Geography: Setting the stage in the Elbe River Valley
03:15 – The Pirna Blockade: Frederick’s invasion of Saxony & the race against time
07:30 – Meet the Commanders: Frederick, Keith, & Bevern vs. Von Browne & Hadek
12:45 – Fog of War: 5:30 AM reconnaissance & the Homocaburg heavy battery
17:20 – The Cavalry Blunder: General Kyau’s 59 squadrons charge into marshy ground
22:10 – The Vineyard Scrum: Close-quarters brawling on the Lobosch mountain
27:45 – "Skewer the Dogs": Bevern’s bayonet charge & ammunition redistribution
32:30 – House-to-House Fight: Clearing Lobositz & Von Browne’s orderly retreat
37:15 – Desertion & Aftermath: The story of Swiss mercenary Ulrich Bracher
41:50 – The Surrender at Pirna: Capturing Saxony as Prussia's financial war chest
Exclusive Patron Content: What’s Missing in the Free Version?
The full, uncut version contains over 30 minutes of strategic context and command analysis cut from the public release:
[46:30] The Diplomatic Revolution: Kaunitz's anti-Prussian alliance & Maria Theresa's military reforms.
[51:15] Frederick’s Forced-Draft Mistake: Drafting 20,000 captured Saxons into the Prussian army, triggering mass desertions.
[55:40] Modern Command Lessons: Small-unit initiative, ammo management, and bayonet charges, drawing direct parallels to Joshua Chamberlain at Gettysburg.

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1 hr 2 min
September 20The Anatomy of a Coastal Disaster: The Lorient Expedition
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Following the 1745 capture of Louisbourg, British ministers redirected General James St. Clair's Quebec-bound army to launch a surprise amphibious assault on Lorient, the primary Atlantic depot and shipyard of the French East India Company (Compagnie des Indes). Co-commanded by St. Clair and the contentious 70-year-old Admiral Richard Lestock, the 1746 Lorient Expedition quickly devolved into a logistical fiasco. Discover how this "feeble and fruitless" raid, naval duels in Quiberon Bay, and flawed strategic lessons directly shaped British military policy throughout the War of the Austrian Succession and the Seven Years' War.
Key Discussion Points
Redirecting the Canadian Invasion: How shipping bottlenecks aborted the 1746 Quebec campaign and forced ministers to pick Lorient off a map.
Amphibious Friction at Anse Pouldu: The mechanics of a smooth beach landing ruined by a lack of artillery transport and militia ambushes on Brigadier O'Farrell's column.
Naval Duels & The Loss of the Ardent: The engagement between HMS Exeter and the crippled French 64-gun warship Ardent, culminating in its accidental burning by civilian transport crews.
Flawed Strategic Lessons: How French troop transfers from Flanders convinced British planners that coastal raids were a silver-bullet strategy for the next decade.

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1 hr 3 min
September 07Eclipsing the Sun King: The Relief of Turin
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Recommended Reading:
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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1 hr 5 min
August 27Outflanked: The Defense and Capture of Long Island
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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:
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.
Failure in the South: We talk about the British failed expedition to the southern colonies and how it effected the New York Campaign.
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.
Maryland Regt: We talked about the famous Marylanders who held the line against the British Army and allowed the American Army to escape.
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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1 hr 5 min
August 17The Empire's Armada: The 1776 Invasion of New York
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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:
Howe’s Snarky Rhymes: The full details of Howe’s "chicken scratchy" handwriting and his dry, witty sense of humor.
The 2,000 Dead Hessians Myth: Debunking of the claim that 2,000 Hessians were killed at Pels Point.
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.
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.
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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1 hr 17 min
August 10Montcalm’s First Victory: The Fall of Fort Oswego
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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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1 hr 17 min
July 16A Guide to the Holy Roman Empire: The Kingdom of Prussia, Part I
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Recommended Reading:
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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1 hr 3 min
July 04The Misunderstood Enemy: Hessians in North America
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Episode Resources & Links
Unlock the Full Uncut Episode
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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1 hr 13 min

About Prime and Load!

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Welcome to the Prime & Load Podcast!

This podcast is dedicated to exploring the pivotal wars, battles, strategies, and figures that shaped the 18th century. From the rise of powerful…