Eliza Lynch, Francisco Solano Lopez's mistress and the virtual First Lady of Paraguay is one of the most famous - and infamous - figures in the history of South America. And she played a starring role in the Paraguayan War. Was she a national icon, a greedy prostitute, a wicked queen, a tragic heroine or something else? Will the real Eliza Lynch please stand up? Sources : https://www.unknownsoldierspodcast.com/post/unknown-soldiers-podcast-episodes-47-51-the-paraguayan-war-series-sources Social ...
Nov 13, 2023•40 min•Season 2Ep. 27
The Paraguayan War is in a stalemate. Paraguay and the Triple Alliance grapple with questions of war economy, homefront morale, and national will as the conflict becomes a war of attrition. And both sides are tested to their limits in the climactic struggle, the bitter grapple for the fortress of Humaitá - the Gibraltar of the South. Sources : https://www.unknownsoldierspodcast.com/post/unknown-soldiers-podcast-episodes-47-51-the-paraguayan-war-series-sources Maps: https://www.unknownsoldierspod...
Oct 30, 2023•2 hr•Season 2Ep. 26
As the main action of the Paraguayan War took place far to the south, the Brazilian government sent an expedition overland to recapture the occupied province of Mato Grosso. This disastrous campaign was a roadshow of human misery that somehow became a legendary Brazilian epic, and also a great demonstration of why you should never ignore the Iron Hand of Logistics. Sources : https://www.unknownsoldierspodcast.com/post/unknown-soldiers-podcast-episodes-47-51-the-paraguayan-war-series-sources Map:...
Oct 02, 2023•32 min•Season 2Ep. 25
In 1866, Paraguay stood on the defensive as the Triple Alliance prepared to invade. The great battles of that year, bloodbaths like Tuyutí, Boquerón, and Curupayty, accomplished very little in military terms. But the largest and bloodiest battles in South American history etched themselves into national memories, and set the war on the road to Armageddon. Sources : https://www.unknownsoldierspodcast.com/post/unknown-soldiers-podcast-episodes-47-51-the-paraguayan-war-series-sources Maps: https://...
Sep 25, 2023•2 hr 2 min•Season 2Ep. 24
In 1865, Francisco Solano Lopez's armies and navies were on the offensive. Three nations joined the war against Paraguay: Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay, a combination that came to be known as the Triple Alliance. Alliances have their problems, but Paraguay was fighting all alone...and as it turned out, that was worse. Especially when they had to fight naval battles with canoes. Sources : https://www.unknownsoldierspodcast.com/post/unknown-soldiers-podcast-episodes-47-51-the-paraguayan-war-serie...
Aug 21, 2023•2 hr 4 min•Season 2Ep. 23
19th-Century South America was a dangerous place for new nations. One of these was a small, landlocked, deeply weird country called Paraguay. And in 1864, Paraguay's dictator made some of the worst foreign policy decisions in modern history, kicking off South America's longest and most terrible war. And you thought your political leaders were bad. Sources: https://www.unknownsoldierspodcast.com/post/unknown-soldiers-podcast-episodes-47-51-the-paraguayan-war-series-sources Maps: https://www.unkno...
Jul 10, 2023•2 hr•Season 2Ep. 22
Today’s story spans thousands of years across the globe. Our protagonists make decisions that determine the lives of thousands, wield unimaginable powers of destruction, decide the fate of nations, even as they are blind, paralyzed, shackled…by the chains of command. Let’s look through the eyes of four generals from the ancient world to the modern day. Sources: https://www.unknownsoldierspodcast.com/post/unknown-soldiers-podcast-episode-46-the-chains-of-command-sources Audible Recommendation: ht...
May 29, 2023•1 hr 58 min•Season 2Ep. 21
Some of the greatest soldiers of the American Revolution remain unknown. The women of America, both extraordinary and ordinary, worked, suffered, took action, and sometimes even fought to guarantee their new nation’s freedom. And in the process, something else would be born: the seeds of a second revolution. Sources: https://www.unknownsoldierspodcast.com/post/unknown-soldiers-podcast-episode-45-daughters-of-liberty-sources Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/unknownsoldierspodcasthttps://twi...
Apr 24, 2023•1 hr 53 min•Season 2Ep. 20
World War I is at its climax in 1918, when the Americans arrive in France. Among them are the African-American 369th Infantry Regiment. They descend into the Western Front...and ascend into legend as the Harlem Hellfighters. But they have to wage two wars: one against the Germans in the trenches; the other against racism at home. Sources: https://www.unknownsoldierspodcast.com/post/unknown-soldiers-podcast-episode-44-hellfighters-sources Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/unknownsoldierspodc...
Mar 27, 2023•1 hr 59 min•Season 2Ep. 19
Inheritance disputes always bring out the worst in a family. In 1135, King Henry I of England died, plunging his realm into civil war. Let's take a look at the complexities of medieval warfare, as the grandchildren of William the Conqueror fight for his throne...but unlike the HBO show based on these events, no dragons are involved. (But there is castration, so it evens out.) Sources: https://www.unknownsoldierspodcast.com/post/unknown-soldiers-podcast-episode-43-house-of-the-conqueror-maps-and-...
Feb 27, 2023•1 hr 55 min•Season 2Ep. 18
Brief update on the current status and future direction of the Unknown Soldiers Podcast. No episode this week, but more to come soon! Check the Website: https://www.unknownsoldierspodcast.com/ Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/unknownsoldierspodcast https://twitter.com/unksoldierspod
Feb 13, 2023•9 min
The Roman Empire under Augustus Caesar was at the peak of its power in the last years BC, when it decided to turn its attention to the dark forests across the Rhine - a place they called Germania. Betrayal, disaster, and destiny await the Legions and their imperialist hubris in the dark shadows of the Teutoburg Forest. Maps & Sources: https://www.unknownsoldierspodcast.com/post/unknown-soldiers-podcast-episode-42-give-me-back-my-legions-maps-and-sources Social Media: https://www.facebook.com...
Jan 30, 2023•1 hr 58 min•Season 2Ep. 17
When World War I broke out in Africa, the Kaiser's only warship in the area - the light cruiser SMS Konigsberg - found a new hiding place in an African jungle. The British had a new mission: track down and destroy the Kaiser's African Queen. The Battle of the Rufiji Delta would be one of history's longest - and craziest - naval battles. Where did I get my info? Here are my sources: https://www.unknownsoldierspodcast.com/post/unknown-soldiers-podcast-41-the-kaiser-s-lions-maps-and-sources-you-guy...
Jan 23, 2023•28 min•Season 2Ep. 16
When the Great War broke out in 1914, Germany's overseas African colonies were swept up in the maelstrom. In German East Africa, a daring Prussian officer and his remarkable Black soldiers, the Askaris, held the British Empire at bay for four long years. Welcome to the First World War in Africa...as seen by the Africans themselves. Sources: https://www.unknownsoldierspodcast.com/post/unknown-soldiers-podcast-41-the-kaiser-s-lions-maps-and-sources-you-guys-might-need-some-maps Social Media: https...
Jan 16, 2023•1 hr 59 min•Season 2Ep. 15
In the aftermath of the Spanish-American War, it was clear that the US Army was in desperate need of reform. Its salvation would come in the form of a sarcastic, kinda mean New York lawyer named Elihu Root. Let's get into some spicy, exciting, adrenaline-soaked military reform! Where did I get my info? Here are my sources: https://www.unknownsoldierspodcast.com/post/unknown-soldiers-podcast-episode-37-40-the-philippine-war-series-sources Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/unknownsoldierspodc...
Dec 26, 2022•30 min•Season 2Ep. 14
The Philippine War ends not with a glorious triumph, but a descent into America's heart of darkness in Batangas, Samar and the Moro Provinces. When the people of the United States confront the truth, will they accept the reality...or cling to a glorious image? The end of the war is only the beginning. Map of the Final Campaigns: https://www.unknownsoldierspodcast.com/post/unknown-soldiers-podcast-episodes-39-and-49-philippine-war-parts-iii-iv-maps Sources: https://www.unknownsoldierspodcast.com/...
Dec 19, 2022•2 hr•Season 2Ep. 13
Women served on both sides in the Philippine War, in capacities as varied as they were surprising. American women were activists, teachers, nurses and Army wives; Filipinas were revolutionaries, camp followers, and even warriors. But in the end, what truly made them different was their relationship to colonialism and empire. Check out my maps: https://www.unknownsoldierspodcast.com/post/unknown-soldiers-podcast-episode-37-the-philippine-war-part-i-american-empire-map Where did I get my info? Her...
Dec 05, 2022•29 min•Season 2Ep. 12
By 1900, the Americans seemed to have defeated the Philippine resistance...but the war had actually shifted into Phase 2. Ambushes, atrocities, and presidential politics swirl around America's new empire as the war gets bitter and ugly. Is it possible for America to defeat an insurgency? Map of the Campaigns of 1900: https://www.unknownsoldierspodcast.com/post/episode-38-the-philippine-war-part-2-shock-and-awe-maps Sources: https://www.unknownsoldierspodcast.com/post/unknown-soldiers-podcast-epi...
Nov 28, 2022•1 hr 58 min•Season 2Ep. 11
The Buffalo Soldiers, the African-American regiments, might have been the U.S. Army's elite units of its imperial age. But Black Americans had a different experience and different reaction to the conflict, and it wasn't always positive. How did America's racial history intersect with the Philippine War? Check out my maps: https://www.unknownsoldierspodcast.com/post/unknown-soldiers-podcast-episode-37-the-philippine-war-part-i-american-empire-map Where did I get my info? Here are my sources: http...
Nov 21, 2022•30 min•Season 2Ep. 10
The United States has decided to civilize the people of the Philippines, but the Filipinos beg to differ. The campaigns of 1899 will show war in all its glory and all its ugliness. It's time to bring freedom to the Philippines...whether they want it or not. Map of the Campaigns of 1899: https://www.unknownsoldierspodcast.com/post/episode-38-the-philippine-war-part-2-shock-and-awe-maps Sources: https://www.unknownsoldierspodcast.com/post/unknown-soldiers-podcast-episode-37-40-the-philippine-war-s...
Nov 14, 2022•1 hr 58 min•Season 2Ep. 9
The United States Army and Marine Corps were in a transitional period during the Philippine-American War. They had strengths and weaknesses on many different levels, but at the end of the day they were an imperial army...and they did what imperial armies do. Check out my maps: https://www.unknownsoldierspodcast.com/post/unknown-soldiers-podcast-episode-37-the-philippine-war-part-i-american-empire-map Where did I get my info? Here are my sources: https://www.unknownsoldierspodcast.com/post/unknow...
Nov 07, 2022•31 min•Season 2Ep. 8
The United States has won the Spanish-American War, and finds itself in control of the Philippine Islands. The Filipinos think they're being liberated, but the Yankees have other ideas. Will America stay true to its values, or succumb to the temptation of empire? Map of the Philippines in 1898: https://www.unknownsoldierspodcast.com/post/unknown-soldiers-podcast-episode-37-the-philippine-war-part-i-american-empire-map Sources: https://www.unknownsoldierspodcast.com/post/unknown-soldiers-podcast-...
Oct 31, 2022•1 hr 56 min•Season 2Ep. 7
A brief introduction to the upcoming Philippine-American War series, debuting October 31. Don't know your McKinleys from your McDoubles? Find the answers here! Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/unknownsoldierspodcast https://twitter.com/unksoldierspod
Oct 28, 2022•27 min•Season 2Ep. 6
In today's Unfiltered Soldiers, it's time to crack open some more myths...this time about the American Civil War. The turning points of the war, slavery, guerrilla warfare, Grant and Lee...all sorts of fun stuff! And what was the Civil War even about? (Slavery. 100%. Let's get that one out of the way.) Check the website: https://www.unknownsoldierspodcast.com/ Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/unknownsoldierspodcast https://twitter.com/unksoldierspod...
Oct 17, 2022•1 hr 58 min•Season 2Ep. 5
The American Civil War was not just North versus South. In modern day Oklahoma, the American Indians of the Indian Territory find themselves caught in the middle and have to pick a side. Their internal civil wars are no less fierce than the big one. You may not be interested in war, but war is interested in you. Maps and Sources; https://www.unknownsoldierspodcast.com/post/episode-36-between-blue-and-gray-maps-and-sources Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/unknownsoldierspodcast https://twit...
Oct 03, 2022•1 hr 56 min•Season 2Ep. 4
In 1932, Australia had an emu problem. They decided to solve it with soldiers and machine guns. They lost. That's it. That's the summary. Check the website: https://www.unknownsoldierspodcast.com/ Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/unknownsoldierspodcast https://twitter.com/unksoldierspod
Sep 26, 2022•28 min•Season 2Ep. 3
The story of Australia in World War II is one of a country finding its identity, and the keystone of this story is the Kokoda Track Campaign of 1942. The Australian militia that battled the Japanese in the jungles of New Guinea would ascend into legend. Maps & Sources: https://www.unknownsoldierspodcast.com/post/unknown-soldiers-podcast-episode-35-the-legend-of-kokoda-maps-and-sources Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/unknownsoldierspodcast https://twitter.com/unksoldierspod Music: "Wor...
Sep 19, 2022•1 hr 52 min•Season 2Ep. 2
In 1878, after 36 years of peace between their countries, the British Empire invaded Afghanistan once again. Some people never learn. The Second Anglo-Afghan War would shake the Empire...and the Afghans...to their foundations. Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/unknownsoldierspodcast https://twitter.com/unksoldierspod Music: Jalandhar Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/Music promoted by https:/...
Sep 05, 2022•1 hr 56 min•Season 2Ep. 1
Coming September 5 - SEASON 2 of the Unknown Soldiers Podcast! Premiering with Episode #34, "Return to the Graveyard of Empires". Check the website: https://www.unknownsoldierspodcast.com/ Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/unknownsoldierspodcast https://twitter.com/unksoldierspod
Aug 29, 2022•3 min
A surprise Special Edition episode from the Unknown Soldiers Podcast! Military logistics is one of the least sexy but most important aspects of warfare. This episode contains four case studies: Xerxes in Greece, Sherman in Georgia, Hitler in Russia, Eisenhower in France...that lay out the challenges imposed by the Iron Hand of Logistics. Sources: https://www.unknownsoldierspodcast.com/post/unknown-soldiers-podcast-episode-33-the-iron-hand-of-logistics-sources Social Media: https://www.facebook.c...
Aug 08, 2022•1 hr 59 min•Season 1Ep. 36
