Category: Podcasts
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158 – The Neo-Assyrian Empire at war
Famously warlike and imperialistic, the Neo-Assyrians cut a swathe across the ancient Near East. Surviving artwork and written sources give us clues as to how they accomplished this. The team discuss Ancient Warfare XIV.6, the Neo-Assyrian Empire at war. >>Download<<
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WSS52 – Is it real or is it fantasy?
In the last episode the Wargames, Soldiers and Strategy team touched upon ‘range’ as a concept on the tabletop. The guys thought they would revisit the topic and consider how range effects the games we play, from how far we can shoot to fudging the scale of the table. >Download<< Links Fireforge Games 7TV Fantasy…
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3010 – Artemisia of Halicarnassus
In his account of Xerxes’ invasion of Greece, the historian Herodotus goes out of his way to give an account of Artemisia, female tyrant of Halicarnassus, before, during and in the aftermath of the battle Salamis in 480 BC. This account, and Artemisia herself, are remarkable for a variety of reasons but the idea of…
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Bomb Aimers
On the heavy bombers the role of the crew members was symbiotic. The pilot needed the flight engineer to fly; the navigator got the plane to the target, and it was the bomb aimer that delivered the ordinance. Wartime films give the impression of the bomb aimer’s job being simply to look through the bombsight…
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3009 – Battle of Landguard Fort: A dreadful spectacle as ever any English man saw
There have been very few occasions since the 1300’s when a foreign navy or army have been able to damage English ports and land troops, but this occurred twice within a month during June and July 1667. The Dutch raid on the River Medway is fairly well known, a humiliating defeat for the Royal Navy. …
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Alan Brooke: Churchill’s Right-Hand Critic
Alan Brooke would take over as the British Chief of the Imperial General Staff in December 1941. For the rest of the war Brooke would organise and coordinate the British military effort, in such a role acted as Winston Churchill’s senior military advisor. Brooke’s relationship with Churchill could be tempestuous. Brooke was not a ‘yes…
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AW154 – The Sacred Band with James Romm
Murray and Mark talk to James Romm about his new book The Sacred Band: Three hundred Greek lovers fighting to save Greek freedom. The Sacred Band highlights a monumental era in history, one marked by war, ideological divide, the rise of eros in Greek public life, and the end of freedom. Romm reintroduces the tale…
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WSS51 – Favourite Game Mechanics
Is there a game mechanic that you really like? The Wargames, Soldiers and Strategy team discuss what bits of games they look for, and enjoy in a set of wargames rules. Plus from the nerve centre of Bowers Towers, Guy brings us all the latest news. >>Download<< Links Osprey – D-Day: US Sector Osprey – Oathmark:…
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3008 – The Rise of Naval Aviation and the Aircraft Carrier
For centuries naval warfare consisted of vessels in relative close proximity to one, another fighting it out. This combat might take the form of ships in the ancient world ramming, or with the development of gunpowder vessels would launch broadsides at short range into the opposition. There would be many technological advances in naval warfare,…
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The Battle for Madagascar
When France capitulated in 1940 and the Vichy government came to power many of the French colonial possessions remained loyal to the new regime. The same was true for the Island of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean. In this episode Angus is joined by Russell Phillips. Russell’s book A Strange Campaign narrates the story of the…