Military History Podcast

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) under Alija IzetbegovicCroatia (Roman Catholics) under Franjo Tudjman Initially, both Croatia and Serbia desired to take land from Bosnia.  However, as the war progressed, Croatia took the side of Bosnia in order to push Serbia out of the region.  Ethnic cleansing (especially by the Serbs) was commonplace, and it wasn't until Croatian intervention (on the ground with Operation Storm) and NATO intervention (in the air with Operation Deliberate Resolve) that the war slowed down.  Eventually, after a four-year long siege of Sarajevo (the Bosnian capital), the Dayton Accords were signed. However, the ethnic cleansing continued, most notably at Kosovo.  After another NATO intervention led by General Wesley C

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 amphibious invasion in history, and it would have been the first time that a foreign power had set foot on mainland Japanese soil (in the country's 2500 year history).  Operation Downfall had two parts: Operation Olympic (Nov 1945) and Operation Coronet (March 1946).  Both were commanded by MacArthur and supported by Nimitz.  Operation Olympic involved the I, V, IX, and XI Corps storming the beaches of Kyushu (the southern main island) and taking airbases to support Operation Coronet.  Operation Coronet involved the First Army and the Eighth Army, as well as numerous British Commonwealth units, storming the beaches of Honshu near the capital city of Tokyo.  On the opposing side was Operation Ketsu Go, the Japanese defense of its main islands.  Mos

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 so recent, I will summarize this episode via comparisons between it and the Peloponnesian War. This second episode covers the Amphipolis Campaign/Cuban Missile Crisis to the surrender of Athens. The Participants: Athens/United States: wealthy, democratic, powerful navy, supported by numerous smaller states (Delian League/NATO)Initially led by Pericles/FDR: rulers during the expansion of their respective nations' geopolitical status Sparta/USSR: communist, totalitarian, powerful army, supported by numerous smaller states (Peloponnesian League/Warsaw Pact)Initially led by Archidamus II/Stalin: rulers during the expansion of their respective nations' geopolitical status Thebes/China: Weaker third power allied with Sparta/USSR Timeline: Persian Wars/WWII: Sparta/USSR

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 so recent, I will summarize this episode via comparisons between it and the Peloponnesian War. This first episode covers the beginning through the Amphipolis Campaign/Cuban Missile Crisis. The Participants: Athens/United States: wealthy, democratic, powerful navy, supported by numerous smaller states (Delian League/NATO)Initially led by Pericles/FDR: rulers during the expansion of their respective nations' geopolitical status Sparta/USSR: communist, totalitarian, powerful army, supported by numerous smaller states (Peloponnesian League/Warsaw Pact)Initially led by Archidamus II/Stalin: rulers during the expansion of their respective nations' geopolitical status Thebes/China: Weaker third power allied with Sparta/USSR Timeline: Persian Wars/WWII: Sparta/USSR and Athens/US

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 the episode.Military History Podcast is sponsored by Armchair General Magazine

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 Navy Reserve

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 Arthur Currie. Currie began numerous preparations including:Giving maps to all Canadian troops, not just the officersTraining all Canadian troops on a replica of Vimy RidgeBuilding an elaborate tunnel system underneath no man's land in order to carry men to the enemy front lines more quicklyUse air support (including the famous Billy Bishop, a Canadian flying ace) to protect against German recon The actual battle began with a creeping barrage attack, in which over 1 million shells were fired by Canadian artillerymen. The creeping barrage was followed by 20,000 charging Canadian troops, who successfully all four trenches on Vimy Ridge. By midday on April 9th, Hill 145 and the Pimple (a high point) were taken.Four Victoria Crosses were awarded in the battle. 3000 Canad

"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 Cross for bravery. His most famous mission was Operation Oak, the search and rescue of Benito Mussolini, who had been captured and imprisoned by his rivals in the Italy.  Skorzeny led a glider assault on Gran Sasso Mountain, where Mussolini was being held, and captured him without having to fire a single shot.  Skorzeny brought Mussolini back to Hitler.  Hitler was overjoyed.  Skorzeny was tasked to lead many other commando missions including: Operation Rosselsprung: Kidnap Josip Tito (the future leader of communist Yugoslavia)Operation Panzerfaust: Kidnap the son of Miklos Horthy (king of Hungary) to persuade him to stay in the AxisOperation Greif: Infiltrate behind allied lines at the battle of the bulge and spread chaos and c

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 as a champion dueler. This is the first of a two-part episode. This part will cover Khalid's conquest of Byzantine Syria:Some famous battles on the Syrian front include: Bosra, Ajnadayn, and Damascus. The Siege of Damascus saw the first use of Khalid's unit of elite cavalrymen, the Mobile Guard. However, the greatest battle in the theater was the Battle of Yarmouk. Khalid had removed from command by Umar (Abu Bakr's successor) but he still had operational command because the nominal commander respected him so much. The Battle of Yarmouk was fought between 100,000 Byzantines and 30,000 Arabs along a battle line 12 miles long. After a series of significant duels (including one where Khalid personally persuaded an enemy commander to convert to Islam), the main

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 as a champion dueler.  This is the first of a two-part episode.  This part will cover Khalid's conquests of Arabia and Persia: Khalid ibn al-Walid originally fought with the Meccan Quraiysh tribe against Mohammad and the Muslims.  However, he converted after the Battle of the Trench and joined the forces of Mohammad.  His first campaign as a Muslim commander was into Ghassanid Territory to fight the Battle of Mutah, in which he led an expert retreat after the first three Muslim commanders were killed.  His second campaign involved attacking south and east in order to conquer the Arabian Peninsula.  He participated in the conquest of Mecca and in the Battle of Hunayn.  After Mohammad's death, Abu Bakr took over and formed the Rashidun Caliphate (the fir

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 Uprising (1943): Led by Mordecai Anielewicz of the ZOB and the ZZW.  1000 Jewish resistance fighters vs. 2842 German SS forces.  Jews are defeated, and deportations to extermination camps continue.  Warsaw Uprising (1944): The largest underground movement in all of WWII.  Poland's attempt to assist the Allied war effort and make a statement to the USSR that they are not interested in being occupied.  The Polish Home Army (AK) manages to hold off the Germans for a while but, without Russian or Western assistance, the resistance crumbles. Eventually, the war ended and Poland became part of the Warsaw Pact (signed in Warsaw).  45 years later, Poland would be the first country to revolt from Soviet rule.  Warsaw is now the 8th most populou

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 they missed out on major military revolutions, such as the Gunpowder Revolution, the Two Industrial Revolutions, and the Information Revolution.  America was determined to not let it happen to them.  Since its creation in 1958, DARPA has been at the forefront of technology and innovation.  It's inventions since 1958 include: Satellites GPS M-16 Rifle ARPANET (predecessor to the Internet) Stealth Fighters (F-117, B-2, F-22) Cruise Missiles UAVs (Predator, Global Hawk) UGVs (SWORDS, TALON, Packbot) DARPA now focuses on nine major areas: Robust, Secure, Self-Forming Networks Detection, Precision ID, Tracking, and Destruction of Elusive Targets Urban Area Operations Advanced Manned and Unmanned Systems

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, when it mysteriously sank, making it only the second nuclear submarine that the US Navy has ever lost. The US Navy and other authors claimed that the USS Scorpion and its 99 crew members were lost because of a weapons accident or because of mechanical failure. However, according to Ed Offley, the USS Scorpion was sunk by the Soviets in retaliation for the US sinking the Soviet K-129 diesel-electric sub a few months before. The book is written by an experienced and well-qualified author. It is a must-read for anybody who was involved with the submarine or with the search, and it is a recommended read for any submarine enthusiasts or conspiracy theory enthusiasts. To purchase, visit www.scorpiondown.com. Military History Podcast is sponsored by Armchair

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, and Truman.  Therefore, he is the second greatest warrior-president in US History, after only George Washington, himself. Andrew Jackson's military career began in the War of 1812.  First, he defeated Chief Red Eagle of the Creek Indians at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend.  Then, he defeated Sir Pakenham of the British at the Battle of New Orleans.  Even though the war was over at this point, Jackson delivered Britain one of its greatest defeats in history, while only suffering 21 casualties.  In the Seminole War that followed soon after, Andrew Jackson captured Spanish Florida and became its territorial governor, thereby founding the state of Florida, which is currently America's fourth most powerful state. Andrew Jackson's

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 Philippines.  Upon wading ashore at Leyte during the Battle of Leyte, he proclaimed "I have returned".  MacArthur was chosen to lead Operation Downfall (the invasion of Japan), but the war ended before the campaign began.  After being present at the signing of the Japanese surrender aboard the USS Missouri, MacArthur became the military governor of Japan and led the reconstruction and occupation.  One of his most famous acts as the governor was to exonerate Emperor Hirohito. In 1950, MacArthur became the commander of UN Forces in the Korean War.  After North Korea had pushed the South Koreans all the way to Pusan, MacArthur led a giant amphibious left hook into Inchon.  He cut off the North Korean supply lines and pushed them all the way back to th

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 class.  After a brief stint as an aide to his father, he became the chief of staff of the 42nd Rainbow Infantry Division in France during WWI.  He led the division through the Meuse-Argonne Offensive and the Battle of St. Mihiel.  During the war, he developed a bad relationship with General Pershing.After the war, he became the superintendent of West Point.  Then, he was charged with breaking up the Bonus Army, which had gathered in Washington DC to protest Hoover's treatment of them.  After that, he became the head of FDR's Civilian Conservation Corps.  Then, he became US Army Forces Commander in the Far East and was stationed in the Philippines.  When WWII rolled around for the United States, he led the failed defense of the Philippines.  Although he did not do the

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 why much of the world uses the parliamentary system. Another testament to its power is the fact that one of its former colonies, the United States of America, is the current hyperpower.In addition to colonizing the British Isles and North America (discussed in part one), Britain colonized islands in the South Atlantic, the South Pacific, and the Mediterranean (for the purpose of Royal Navy bases). Britain also colonized Australia as a penal colony. A joint-stock company, the British East India Company, also controlled India from 1600 to 1857, when power was transferred to the British crown as a result of the Sepoy rebellion. Significant territorial gains were also made in Africa after the Berlin Conference of 1884 during the Scramble for Africa time period. However, all o

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 why much of the world uses the parliamentary system.  Another testament to its power is the fact that one of its former colonies, the United States of America, is the current hyperpower. The British Empire began in 1066 with the Battle of Hastings, where William of Normandy defeated King Harold II of the Saxons.  Since then, England has consolidated power by annexing Wales, Scotland, Ireland, the crown dependencies, and numerous other territories and colonies around the world.  For example, thanks to Francis Drake's defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588, the United Kingdom has been able to expand throughout the New World.  In North America, Britain founded 13 colonies along the eastern seaboard of the modern-day United States.  North of these colonies, Britain founded th

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 relied on a highly mobile and highly professional army.  It was developed after WWII by Heinz Guderian, author of Achtung: Panzer. Blitzkrieg warfare was applied in five major places: Spanish Civil War, Invasion of Poland, Battle of France, North Africa Campaign, Operation Barbarossa.  Each time, Germany's enemy was too surprised to effectively defend itself.  However, as the German war machine ran out of resources and technical superiority, blitzkrieg methodology began to disappear (at least in the German form). However, German blitzkrieg was neither the first nor the last use of maneuver tactics in a combined arms fashion.  Other examples include: German Schlieffen Plan in WWI, Russian Deep Operations in WWII, Operation Shock and Aw

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 of Argentina, decided to act because he needed something to justify his military government.  He launched Operation Azul to successfully capture the islands.  Margaret Thatcher, leader of Britain, decided to respond militarily. Air War: Operation Black Buck (UK) conducts air raids against Argentinean targets.  Argentina attempts to respond with its own air force but fails.Sea War: ARA General Belgrano is sunk by the HMS Conqueror (the first and only nuclear submarine kill in history).  The HMS Sheffield is sunk by an Exocet missile.Ground War: SAS conducts successful raid against Pebble Island Airfield.  Main Royal Marines force lands in East Falkland Islands and defeats Argentinean defenders at Goose Green, Top Malo, Mount Harriet, Two