It’s Halloween on Prime & Load! — and we’re diving into the darker side of 18th-century warfare. From French soldiers sent to hunt monsters in the countryside, to Eastern European patrols investigating reports of vampires, to Hessians in America spotting UFOs, these are the stranger campaigns may never read about in the history books.

In this lighthearted but historically grounded special, we explore the real primary sources behind these eerie tales and what they reveal about the fears, folklore, and imagination of the 18th century. Were these stories born from superstition — or something else entirely?

Grab your lantern and musket, and join us for a Halloween march through the uncanny world of military legend.

 And don’t forget — share this episode with a friend (if they’re brave enough to listen after dark).

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General Recommended Reading

The Military Experience in the Age of Reason, By Christopher Duffy

Infantry in Battle 1733-1783, By Alexander Burns

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