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Hey Reservos! This week, we are discussing the action packed, nostalgic gangster film, The Roaring Twenties (1939). Listen as we breakdown this incredible story of a country that left its soldiers behind after WW1, leaving these men no choice but to put their lives back together in the underbelly of the bootlegging industry. Enjoy!

Last time we spoke about the battle of Luodian. Following a significant counter-offensive, the initial optimism waned as casualties escalated and morale plummeted. The strategically vital town of Luodian became a pivotal battleground, with the Chinese determined to defend it at all costs. Despite heroic efforts, including a daring nighttime assault, the overwhelming Japanese forces employed superior tactics and artillery, steadily gaining ground.  As September progressed, Japanese reinforcements flooded the frontline, exacerbating the already dire situation for the Chinese defenders. By late September, the fierce struggle to control Luodian culminated in a forced retreat by the Chinese forces, marking a significant turning point in the fight for Shanghai. Though they withdrew, the Chinese army earned newfound respect, having showcased their tenacity against a formidable adversary. The battle became a testament to their resilience amid overwhelming odds, setting the stage for the tumultuous conflict that lay ahead in their fight for sovereignty.   #160 The Battle of Shanghai Part 5: Fighting along the Wusong Creek Welcome to the Fall and Rise of China Podcast, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about the history of Asia? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on history of asia and much more  so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel where I cover the history of China and Japan from the 19th century until the end of the Pacific War. The tides of warfare had shifted in Shanghai. In late September, the Japanese high command dispatched three divisions to the Shanghai area, starting with the 101st Division landing on September 22. This was followed by the 9th and 13th Divisions, bolstering Japan's military presence to five divisions in the city, despite the Chinese forces numbering over 25 divisions. However, the true dynamics of the confrontation revealed a complex picture: while the Chinese boasted numerical superiority, the Japanese divisions, each comprising around 15,000 soldiers, were supported by nearly 90,000 troops when including marines and infantry. China's units, often as small as 5,000 men, made their effective deployment difficult. The Japanese forces also leveraged their advantages in materials, aircraft, and naval artillery, which could effectively target critical positions along the Chinese front. With these reinforcements in place, Japanese commanders, including Matsui, devised a bold strategy: to execute a powerful thrust across Wusong Creek and advance toward Suzhou Creek. The goal was to encircle and annihilate the main Chinese force in a maneuver they had envisioned since their arrival in China.  Ogishima Shizuo, a reservist of the 101st division had just been through his first night at the front. Within his trench, soldiers leapt up from their slumber to a hail of bullets. Ogishima looked over the edge of the trench. It was still dark, making it hard to discern what was happening, but he thought he saw a flash of a helmet in a foxhole near the creek's edge. It wasn't a Japanese helmet. Suddenly, it hit him that the gunfire wasn't a mistake. “It's the enemy! The enemy!” he yelled. Others began to shout as well. “The enemy! They're behind us! Turn around!” Under the cloak of darkness, a Chinese unit had managed to bypass the Japanese lines and launch an attack from the rear. The sound of aggressive gunfire erupted, and a Japanese heavy machine gun joined in the fray. However, most of the bullets were fired haphazardly into the night. A force of 50 Chinese were firing on them. Japanese officers ordered the men to storm their positions, seeing infantrymen leap over their trench into the barrage. The Japanese and Chinese fired at each other and tossed grenades when close enough. The Japanese jumped into the Chinese foxholes and stabbed at them with bayonets. Ogishima thrust his bayonet into the belly of a Chinese soldiers, marking his first kill. He felt no emotion. Within minutes the little battle was over, every Chinese soldier lay dead, it was a suicide mission. Ogishima saw countless comrades dead around him, it was a scene of carnage. It was the morning of October 7, the 101st Division had crossed Wusong Creek from the north in the early hours of October 6, specifically, only half of the division had made it across. The other half remained on the far side, unable to get their boats past the 300 feet of water protected by unseen Chinese machine guns and mortar crews that would open fire at the slightest hint of movement on the northern bank. Dozens of corpses floated in the murky water, serving as grim evidence of the carnage from the previous 24 hours. Ogishima, alongside tens of thousands of Japanese soldiers were entering the most brutal part of the Shanghai campaign. Matsui's vision of a quick and decisive end to the Shanghai campaign, would not come to be. Matsui detailed his plans in an order issued on September 29. The attack was to be conducted from west to east by the 9th, 3rd, and 101st Infantry Divisions. The 11th Infantry Division was assigned to follow the 9th Division, securing the right flank against potential Chinese counterattacks from the west. The 13th Infantry Division would serve as the reserve. The objective was to capture Dachang, an ancient town encircled by a medieval-style wall, and then advance as quickly as possible to breach the Chinese lines north of Suzhou Creek. Matsui had arranged an unusually high concentration of troops; the three divisions were aligned along a front that spanned only three miles. This meant that each division had less than half the front length that the Japanese field manual typically recommended. The decision to compress the divisions into such a narrow front was partly to compensate for the artillery shortcomings that were still hindering the Japanese offensive. The Japanese attackers confronted a formidable and well-prepared enemy. After extensive discussions, the Chinese commanders ultimately recognized that they had no choice but to shorten their front line. Defending Liuhang, a town situated along the route from Luodian to Dachang, had proven too costly, offering no prospect of victory. Chen Cheng, the commander of the Chinese left wing, had often visited Liuhang and understood how dire the situation was. He repeatedly urged that the unwinnable battle be abandoned and that valuable troops be withdrawn to stronger positions. However, his pleas initially went unheeded. Chiang Kai-shek was primarily driven by the belief that war was about securing territory, and he insisted on maintaining control over Liuhang at all costs. Meanwhile the Chinese positions north of Wusong Creek had been breached in numerous places during late September and this caused Chiang Kai-Shek to finally relent. A fighting retreat began on the night of October 1st and would be completed by dawn of the 3rd. The new defensive line extended just over a mile west of the road from Luodian to Dachang, providing the Chinese defenders with excellent opportunities to harass the advancing Japanese Army with flanking fire for several miles as they moved south. At Wusong Creek, the Chinese line curved eastward and followed the southern bank for several miles. The creek provided a significant advantage to the Chinese defenders; despite its name, it would be more accurate to describe it as a river. It reached widths of up to 300 feet in some areas, and in several spots, the southern bank formed a steep six-foot wall. Anyone attempting to scale this barrier under intense mortar fire would be met at the top by rows of barbed wire and heavy machine gun fire. For a full mile south of the creek, the Chinese had spent weeks constructing a dense network of defenses, transforming farm buildings into formidable fortifications linked by deep trenches. They had learned valuable lessons from their German mentors, many veterans of the battles of Somme and Verdun, and they applied these lessons effectively. The Japanese took Liuhang on the 3rd and were met with counterattacks, but these were easily repelled. More confident, Matsui issued new orders on the 4th for the 3rd, 9th and 101 divisions to cross the Wusong Creek and advance a mile south. Beginning on the 5th, the 3 divisions crossed and carved out a narrow bridgehead under heavy resistance. The Chinese were frantic now, as after the Wusong Creek, the last remaining natural obstacle was the Suzhou Creek. Two miles west of the key road from Luodian to Dachang,  battalion commander Yan Yinggao of the 78th Division's 467th Regiment awaited the anticipated Japanese assault. The regiment had fortified three villages near a creek, reinforced with sandbags, barbed wire, and cleared fields of fire, along with deep trenches for troop movement. The 1st Battalion occupied the westernmost village, the 3rd Battalion held the other two, while the 2nd Battalion remained in reserve. The initial Japanese attack began with a heavy artillery bombardment. Despite facing significant casualties, their infantry was forced to withdraw from all three villages. They returned later in the afternoon with an even fiercer artillery assault. The 1st Battalion suffered devastating losses, including its commander, leading to the loss of the village to the Japanese. Yan Yinggao, observing from the rear, dispatched a reinforcement company, but it was quickly annihilated within ten minutes. Simultaneously the Chinese 3rd battalion at Tangbeizhai were nearly encircled. Yan received orders for his regiment to advance over to relieve them, but as they did a Japanese column of 60 soldiers approached from the opposite direction. A battle ensued over the smoking rubbled of the bombed out village. The few survivors of the 3rd battalion made a last stand, allowing the 2nd battle to fight their way in to take up their position. It was a small and temporary victory. Units arriving to the Shanghai theater were being tossed right into the front lines, such as the Tax Police Division. Despite its name they were a fully equipped military formation and quite well training consisting of 6 regiments, roughly 25,000 armed men. Their officers had previously served under the young marshal, Zhang Xueliang. They were rushed to Tangqiaozhan, lying on the road from Luodian to Dachang, bridged by the Wusong Creek. The bridge was crucial to the entire operation, as holding it would enhance the Chinese's chances of delaying the Japanese advance. The Tax Police, stationed at the northern end of the bridge, became surrounded on three sides. Intense fighting ensued, occasionally escalating to hand-to-hand combat. By the second day after their arrival, casualties had escalated significantly, forcing the Tax Police units to retreat south across the bridge, which ultimately fell to the advancing Japanese forces. A crisis atmosphere surrounded the meeting of the 3rd War Zone staff, chaired by Chiang Kai-shek, in Suzhou on October 11. Everyone agreed the previous efforts to halt the Japanese advance south across Wusong Creek had utterly failed. Each engagement resulted in Chinese troops being repelled without regaining significant territory. Chen Cheng proposed an attack in his sector, specifically targeting the area around Luodian. However, most felt that such an operation would not effectively influence the Japanese advance at Wusong Creek and ultimately dismissed the suggestion. Bai Chongxi, whom at this point held an informal advisory role, called for simultaneous attacks along both banks of Wusong Creek, thrusting into the right flank of the advancing Japanese. This would require an enormous amount of troops if there was to be any chance of success. Bai Chongxi was pushing to take 4 divisions from Guangxi, already in transit to Shanghai for the task. Chiang Kai-Shek liked the idea of a single decisive blow and agreed to Bai's idea. The German advisors were not so keen on this one. In fact the Germans were getting depressed over a concerning issue. It seemed the Chinese staff simply talked too much, taking far too long to produce very few decisions. There were a lot of reasons for this, a lot of these figures held to many positions. For example Gu Zhuong, Chiang Kai-Sheks deputy in Suzhou, was a chief of staff and also held two advisory roles. Then there were these informal generals, such as Bai Chongxi. A man such as Bai had no formal command here, yet he was providing views on operational issues. To the Germans who held clear military hierarchies as the bible, it looked obviously chaotic. There was notable hope though. The Germans acknowledged the Chinese were improving their artillery situation. For the first time since the battle for Shanghai began, 6 artillery battalions were moved into positions in the vicinity of Nanxiang, under the unified command of the headmaster of the Tangshan artillery school near Nanjing. From there they could coordinate barrages in the area south of the Wusong Creek.  Sun Liren got off at Nanxiang railway station on October 7th. At 36 he was leading one of China's best units, the 4th regiment of the Tax Police. Within confusion he was assigned to the 88th division, who were fighting the heaviest battles in the campaign. By noon of the next day, nearly all of Sun Liren's regiment were cannibalized, sent as reinforcements to the 88ths front lines. Afterwards all the was left was Sun and a group of 20 orderlies and clerks. At 2pm he got a call from th division, they needed more reinforcements at the front or else a small bridge north of Zhabei would be taken, collapsing their lines. Sun replied he had no troops left only to be told “its an order. If you disobey, you'll be courtmartialed”.  Without any choice, Sun hastily organized dozens of soldiers and marched them to the bridge. As they arrived, his men saw Chinese troops withdrawing away from the bridge. He asked one man what was going on “the officers have all left, we also don't want to die”. To this Sun said he was an officer and would stay and fight with them. The Japanese in pursuit were shocked to see the Chinese turn around attack them. In general the Japanese were surprised by the sudden resilience of the Chinese around the Wusong Creek. Many assaults were being beaten back. In the Zhabei district, much more urbanized, foreigners were watching in awe. A war correspondent wrote “Every street was a defense line and every house a pocket fort. Thousands of holes had been knocked through walls, linking the labyrinth of lanes into a vast system of defense in depth. Every intersection had been made into a miniature fortress of steel and concrete. Even the stubs of bomb-battered walls had been slotted at ground level for machine guns and rifles. No wonder the Japanese Army was months behind its boasts”.  East of the Huangpu River at Pudong, Sun Shengzhi commanded an artillery regiment whom began launching a barrage across the river upon the Gongda airfield, that had been allowing the Japanese air forces to support their infantry. Meanwhile Chinese soldiers rolled a battery of 8 bofor guns 300 yards from the riverbank and at dawn began firing upon aircraft taking off. They reported 4 downed Japanese aircraft and 7 damaged. By mid-October the 88th division took advantage of a lull in the fighting and prepared a ambitious attack aimed at cutting off the Sichuan North road, which the Japanese were using to as a supply line from the docks to units north of the city. The German advisors developed this attack using Stosstruppen tactics taken from WW1. For stosstruppen, the main means of weakening the enemy line was via infiltration, rather than a massive frontal attack. The attack was unleashed on the 18th after a bombardment by artillery and mortars as lightly armed Chinese stormed down the streets near the North railway station and took the Japanese there by complete surprise. They quickly occupied a segment of the Sichuan North Road cutting the Japanese supply chain for many days. Back on the 13th, Kuse Hisao led a company of the Japanese 9th division to perform an attack on Chenjiahang, located due north of Wusong Creek. It was a strategic and heavily fortified stronghold that obstructed the southward advance. As Kuse's men reached its vicinity they stopped to rest with orders to begin the assault at 1pm. The Japanese artillery kicked off the fight and was soon met with much larger Chinese artillery. This was an unpleasant surprise for the Japanese, whom to this point had always had superiority in artillery. Regardless the assault went ahead seeing wave upon wave of attackers fighting through cotton fields and bullets. Kuse's men were forced to crawl through the field. Kuse crawled his way to a small creek to discover with horror it was full of Japanese and Chinese corpses at various stages of decomposition.  The assault on Chenjiahang bogged down quickly. Kuse and his men spent a night amongst the rotting dead. The following day orders arrived for two neighbouring units to renew the assault as Kuse's fell back into the reserve. That day's attempt fared no better, simply piling more bodies upon the field and waterways. The next day Kuse watched Japanese flamethrower units enter the fray as they led an attack over a creek. Men jumped into waist deep water, waded across to fight up slopes through mazes of Chinese trenches. Then to all of their surprise they stormed and unoccupied Chenjiahang without firing a shot. Kuse and his men suddenly saw a grenade come flying at them. Kuse was injured and taken out by comrades to the rear. Chenjiahang and been bitterly fought over for weeks. Alongside Yanghang it was considered two key points necessary for the Japanese to be able to advance against Dachang further south.  Meanwhile Sichuanese troops were being pulled back for the fresh 4 Guangxi divisions to come in. They wore lighter brown uniforms with British styled tin hat helmets. One of their divisions, the 173rd was sent straight to Chenjiahang, arriving before dawn of the 16th. While the handover of positions was taking place, the Japanese launched an intense aerial and artillery bombardment causing significant casualties before the 173rd could even deploy. Later that day, one of their regiments engaged the Japanese and were slaughtered on the spot. Two-thirds of their men became casualties. The battle raged for four days as the 3 other Guangxi divisions moved to the front. There was no break on either side, as one Guanxi officer recalled, “I had heard the expression ‘storm o f steel' before, but never really understood what it meant. Now I do.” By mid October, Matsui's optimism about his southern push was waning. Heavy rain over the past week had slowed his men down considerably. Supplies were taking much longer to reach the front. Intelligence indicated the senior Chinese commanders had moved from Suzhou to Nanxiang, with some in Shanghai proper. To Matsui this meant they were nowhere near close to abandoning Shanghai. Matsui wrote in his diary “It's obvious that earlier views that the Chinese front was shaken had been premature. Now is definitely not the time to rashly push the offensive.” During this rainy time, both sides received some rest as a no-mans land formed. Winter uniforms were arriving for the Japanese 3rd and 11th divisions, causing some encouragement. The 3rd division had already taken 6000 casualties, but received 6500 reinforcements. Matsui estimated their combat strength to only by one-sixth of its original level.  On the 19th Matsui received reports that soldiers from Guangxi were arriving in Shanghai and deploying around Wusong Creek. To relieve some pressure the IJN sent a mock invasion force up the Yangtze to perform a 3 day diversion mission. 8 destroyers and 20 transport vessels anchored 10 miles upriver from Chuanshakou. They bombarded the area to make it seem like a amphibious invasion was imminent. Meanwhile both nations were fighting a propaganda war. On October 14th, China filed a complaint at the League of Nations accusing Japan of using poison gas in Shanghai. To this the Japanese accused them of using gas, specifically mentioning at the battle for Chenjiahang. Early in the campaign they accused the Chinese of using sneezing gas, a chemical adopted during WW1. To this accusation, Shanghai's mayor Yu Hongjun stated to reporters ‘The Japanese sneeze because they've got cold feet.” Back to our friend Ogishima with the 101st. His unit crossed the Wusong Creek early on. Afterwards the fighting became confused as the Chinese and Japanese started across 150 yards of no man's land. Every now and then the Japanese would leap out of trenches and charge into Chinese lines, but the attacks all ended the same. Rows of the dead cut down by machine guns. It was just like the western front of WW1. The incessant rain kept the trenches drenched like knee-deep bogs. Officers who had read about the western front routinely had their men line up for health checks. Anyone trying to fake a disease risked being branded a deserter, and deserters were shot. As Ogishima recalled “The soldiers in the frondine only have one thought on their minds. They want to escape to the rear. Everyone envies those who, with light injuries, are evacuated. The ones who unexpectedly get a ticket back in this way find it hard to conceal their joy. As for those left in the frontline, they have no idea if their death warrant has already been signed, and how much longer they have to live.” Nohara Teishin with the 9th division experienced pure hell fighting entrenched Chinese firing through holes in walls of abandoned farm buildings. Japanese officers urged their men to charge over open fields. Out of 200 men he fought with, 10 were able to fight after the battle. As Nohara recalled “All my friends died there. You can't begin to describe the wretchedness and misery of war.” Watanabe Wushichi, an officer in the 9th division was given orders to secure water supplies for the front line troops. A task that seemed simple enough given the sheer amount of creeks and ponds in the area. However they were all filled with corpses now. For many troops dying of thirst, it became so unbearable when anyone came across an unpolluted well, they would crown around it like zombies turning into a mud pool. Officers were forced to post guards at all discovered water sources. Watanabe was shocked by the Chinese fierceness in battle. At one point he was attacked pillboxes and upon inspecting the captured ones he was horrified to see how many Chinese bodies lay inside still clutching their rifles.  International outcry mounted over the invasion. On October 5th, president Franklin Roosevelt made a speech in Chicago calling for concrete steps to be taken against Japan. “It would seem to be unfortunately true that the epidemic of world lawlessness is spreading. When an epidemic of physical disease starts to spread the community approves and joins in a quarantine of the patients in order to protect the community against the spread of the disease.” Meanwhile Chiang Kai-Shek pushed the international community to sanction Japan and deprive her of oil, iron, steal, all materials needed for waging her illegal war. The League of Nations proved completely inept. On October 21st, Japanese foreign minister Hirota Koki approached the German ambassador in Tokyo, Herbert von Dirksen, asking if China was willing to negotiate. Germany declared she was willing to act as mediator, and to this Japan sent demands. Japan sought for Chinese concessions in north China and a demilitarized zone around Shanghai. Germany's ambassador to Nanjing, Oskar Trautmann conveyed this to Chiang Kai-Shek. Instead of replying Chiang asked the German what he thought. Trautmann said he considered the demands a basis for further talks and gave the example of what happened to his nation at the negotiating table during WW1. To this Chiang scoffed and made it clear he intended to restore the situation to its pre-hostile state before any talks.  Back at the front, Bai Chongxi planned his counterattack into the right flank of the Japanese. The attack was set for the 21st. The Guangxi troops at Chenjiahang were extricated and sent to assembly points. Matsui wrote in his diary on the 23rd “The enemy will launch a counterattack along the entire front tonight. It seems the planned attack is mainly targeted at the area south of Wusong Creek. It will give us an opportunity to catch the enemy outside of his prepared defenses, and kill him there. At 7pm the Chinese artillery began, an hour later troops were advancing east. The left wing of the Chinese attack, led by the 176th Guangxi Division north of Wusong Creek, initially advanced swiftly. However, it soon encountered significant obstacles, including numerous creeks and canals that disrupted progress. Concerned about supply trains lagging behind, the vanguard decided to relinquish much of the ground it had gained as dawn approached, hoping to reclaim it later that night. Meanwhile, the 174th Guangxi Division's assault south of Wusong Creek also struggled. It met unexpectedly strong resistance and had difficulty crossing the canals due to insufficient bridge-building materials. Fearing artillery and air attacks before dawn, this division retreated to its starting line, abandoning the hard-won territory from the previous night. Both divisions then dug in, preparing to withstand a counterattack during the daylight hours, when the Japanese forces could fully leverage their air superiority. As anticipated, the counterattack occurred after sunrise on October 22. In the 176th Division's sector, Japanese forces surrounded an entire battalion by noon, resulting in its complete destruction, including the battalion commander. The main success for the day came from a Guangxi unit that, despite facing an attack from Japanese infantry supported by five tanks, managed to hold its ground. Initially on the verge of collapse, they organized a rapid defense that repelled the Japanese assault. One tank was destroyed, two became stuck in a canal, and two others retreated, highlighting the challenges of tank warfare in the riverine terrain around Shanghai. An after-action report from the Guangxi troops read  “The Japanese enemy's army and air force employed every kind of weapon, from artillery to tanks and poison gas,” it said. “It hit the Chinese front like a hurricane, and resulted in the most horrific losses yet for the army group since it entered the battle.” As the sun rose on the 23rd, Japanese airplanes took to the skies. At 9:00 a.m., they targeted the already battered 174th Guangxi Division south of Wusong Creek. A Guangxi general who survived the assault recounted the devastation: “The troops were either blown to pieces or buried in their dugouts. The 174th disintegrated into a state of chaos.” Other units suffered similarly catastrophic losses. By the end of October 23, the Chinese operation had incurred heavy casualties, including two brigade commanders, six regimental commanders, and around 2,000 soldiers, with three out of every five troops in the first wave either killed or injured. Consequently, the assault had to be called off. Bai Chongxi's counterattack was a complete disaster. Many Guangxi veterans would hold grudges for years for what was seen as a senseless and hopeless battle.  Meanwhile in Zhabei Zhang Boting, the 27th year old chief of staff of the 88th division came to the headquarters of General Gu Zhutong, urging him to move to a safer location, only to be told “Chiang Kai-shek wants your division to stay in Zhabei and fight. Every company, every platoon, every squad is to defend key buildings in the city area, and villages in the suburbs. You must fight for every inch of land and make the enemy pay a high price. You should launch guerrilla warfare, to win time and gain sympathy among our friends abroad.” The command had more to do with diplomacy than any battlefield strategy. The Nine-Powers Conference was set for Brussels the following week and it was important China kept a spectacle going on in Shanghai for the foreigners. If the war advanced into lesser known hamlets in the countryside there would be no talk amongst the great powers. To this explanation Zhang Boting replied “Outside o f the streets of Zhabei, the suburbs consist o f flat land with little opportunity for cover. It's not suitable for guerrilla warfare. The idea o f defending small key points is also difficult. The 88th Division has so far had reinforcements and replacements six times, and the original core of officers and soldiers now make up only 20 to 30 percent. It's like a cup o f tea. If you keep adding water, it becomes thinner and thinner. Some of the new soldiers we receive have never been in a battle, or never even fired a shot. At the moment we rely on the backbone o f old soldiers to train them while fighting. As long as the command system is in place and we can use the old hands to provide leadership, we'll be able to maintain the division as a fighting force. But if we divide up the unit, the coherence will be lost. Letting every unit fight its own fight will just add to the trouble.” Zhang Boting then rushed east to the 88th divisional HQ inside the Sihang Warehouse laying just across from the International settlement. Here a final stand would be made and whose participants would be known as the 800 heroes, but that's a story for a later podcast.  Zhang Boting had returned to his HQ on October 26th, by then the Shanghai situation had deteriorated dramatically. The stalemate around Wusong Creek had suddenly collapsed. The IJA 9th division broke the Guangxi forces and now Matsui planned for a major drive south against Dachang. Before he even had time to meet with his colleagues the 3rd and 9th divisions reached Zoumatang Creek, which ran west to east two miles south of Wusong Creek. In preparation for the continued advance, the Japanese began dropping leaflets over the Chinese positions. Each one offered the soldiers who laid down their arms 5 Chinese yuan each, roughly half a US dollar each at the time. This did not meet much results, as the Chinese knew the Japanese rarely took prisoners. Instead the Guangxi troops continued to retreat after a brutal week of combat. Most of them were moving to prepared positions north and south of the Suzhou Creek, the last remaining natural obstacle to stop the Japanese conquest of Shanghai. In the early hours of the 25th the Japanese gradually realized the Chinese were withdrawing. The Japanese unleashed hundreds of aircraft and employed creeping barrages with their artillery. This may have been the first instance they employed such WW1 tactics during the campaign. The barrage was kept 700 yards in front of the advancing Japanese forces, giving the Chinese ample time to emerge from cover and re-man positions they had abandoned under artillery fire. Despite a general withdrawal, the Chinese also mounted a strong defense around Dachang.  Two strategic bridges across Zoumatang Creek, located west of Dachang, were defended by one division each. The 33rd Division, a recent arrival in Shanghai, was tasked with securing the westernmost bridge, Old Man Bridge, while the 18th Division, also newly arrived, was stationed near Little Stone Bridge, closer to Dachang. However, neither division was capable of stopping the advancing Japanese forces. On October 25, a Japanese column, led by more than 20 tanks, overwhelmed the 33rd Division's defenses and captured Old Man Bridge. As the Chinese division attempted a fighting retreat toward Dachang, it suffered severe casualties due to superior Japanese firepower. By mid-afternoon, only one in ten of its officers and soldiers remained fit for combat, and even the division commander had been wounded. The Japanese force then advanced to Little Stone Bridge, and after intense fighting with the 18th Division that lasted until sunset, they captured the bridge as well. Meanwhile, the 18th Division fell back into Dachang, where their commander, Zhu Yaohua, received a blunt order from Gu Zhutong to hold Dachang at all costs, warning that disobedience would lead to court-martial. Concerned that losing Little Stone Bridge might already jeopardize his position, Zhu Yaohua quickly organized a nighttime counterattack to reclaim it. However, the Japanese had anticipated this move and fortified their defenses near the bridge, leading to a disastrous failure for the Chinese. On October 26, the Japanese unleashed all available resources in an all-out assault on Dachang. The town had been nearly reduced to rubble, with only the ancient wall remaining as evidence of its former population. Up to 400 airplanes, including heavy bombers, targeted Chinese troops in and around Dachang, causing significant casualties among both soldiers and pack animals. A Western correspondent watching from afar described it as the “fiercest battle ever waged in Asia up to that time. A tempest of steel unleashed by Japanese planes, which flew leisurely overhead while observation balloons guided them to their targets. The curtain of fire never lifted for a moment from the Chinese trenches”. Following the aerial assault, more than 40 Japanese tanks emerged west of Dachang. The Chinese forces found themselves defenseless against this formidable armored column, as they had already relocated their artillery to safer positions behind the front lines. Left to fend for themselves, the Chinese infantry was quickly overwhelmed by the advancing wall of enemy tanks. The defending divisions, including Zhu Yaohua's 18th Division, stood no chance against such material superiority and were swiftly crushed. After a brief skirmish, the victorious Japanese forces marched in to claim Dachang, which had become a sea of flames. Matsui observed the scene with deep satisfaction as the Rising Sun banner flew over the smoldering ruins of the town. “After a month of bitter fighting, today we have finally seen the pay-off,”. In stark contrast, Zhu Yaohua faced immediate criticism from his superiors and peers, many of whom believed he could have done more to resist the Japanese onslaught. The weight of this humiliation became unbearable for him. Just two days after his defeat at Dachang, he shot himself in the chest ending his life. I would like to take this time to remind you all that this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Please go subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry after that, give my personal channel a look over at The Pacific War Channel at Youtube, it would mean a lot to me. In late September, the Battle of Shanghai intensified as Japanese forces surged with reinforcements, pressing against Chinese defenses in Luodian. Amidst chaos, Japanese soldiers like Ogishima fought bravely in the trenches, witnessing unimaginable carnage. As October began, the battle's brutality escalated, with waves of attacks resulting in devastating casualties on both sides. However, the Chinese forces showcased remarkable resilience, adapting their strategies and fortifying defenses, marking a significant chapter in their struggle for sovereignty against overwhelming odds.  

For our 250th episode of the podcast, and as part of our continuing Air War series, we are joined by aviation historian and author Andy Saunders to look at the life, and death, of Edward 'Mick' Mannock VC DSO & Two Bars, MC & Bar and the search for his potential burial place on the Western Front. Is the grave of an Unknown Aviator at Laventie British Cemetery Mick Mannock's final resting place?Andy's book: Mannock: The Life and Death of Major Edward Mannock VC, DSO, MC, RAF by Frank, Norman and Saunders, Andy. (Grub Street 2008)Got a question about this episode or any others? Drop your question into the Old Front Line Discord Server or email the podcast.We now have a shop for Old Front Line Merch: Old Front Line shop.Send us a textSupport the show

Wilfred Owen's infamously chilling poem, written about a gas attack in WW1, is still a stark reminder of the brutality of war over 100 years later. A small segment of Dulce et Decorum est reads, “Men marched asleep. Many had lost their boots,But limped on, blood-shod. All went lame; all blind,Drunk with fatigue, deaf even to the hoots,Of gas-shells dropping softly behind”…Was the physical and mental trauma of such horrors enough to drive a young man to kill when he returned home from war?…*** LISTENER CAUTION IS ADVISED *** This episode was researched and written by Rosanna Fitton.Edited by Joel Porter at Dot Dot Dot Productions.Illustrations and production direction also by Rosanna FittonNarration, script editing, additional audio editing and mixing by Benjamin Fitton. To get early ad-free access, including Season 1, sign up for They Walk Among PLUS, available from Patreon or Apple Podcasts.More information and episode references can be found on our website https://theywalkamonguspodcast.comMUSIC: Causality by ShimmerLord Of The Dead by CJ0 The Search by CJ0 The Last Straw by CJ Oliver Every Life Matters by Cody Martin Loaves & Fish by Cody Martin Fleet Street by Stephen Keech Gravity by Caleb Etheridge Distances by Salon Dijon Harvester by Wicked Cinema Infiltration by Wicked Cinema No Escape by Wicked Cinema Throughout History by Wicked Cinema SOCIAL MEDIA: https://linktr.ee/TheyWalkAmongUsSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/theywalkamongus. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Morse code transcription: vvv vvv Gaza UK and 27 other nations condemn Israel over civilian suffering Reform UKs Nigel Farage proposes sending prisoners overseas Officer convicted in Breonna Taylor raid gets 33 month sentence Ibiza Rocks pauses events after British men die at venue Man who dumped remains in suitcases is guilty of double murder Water bill rises needed after years of low investment, says report Divers find lost Royal Navy warship 109 years after WW1 sinking Weak password allowed hackers to sink a 158 year old company Ulrika Jonsson hits back at people offended by ageing face Rule breaking ministers to lose exit pay outs

Morse code transcription: vvv vvv Weak password allowed hackers to sink a 158 year old company Man who dumped remains in suitcases is guilty of double murder Officer convicted in Breonna Taylor raid gets 33 month sentence Rule breaking ministers to lose exit pay outs Ulrika Jonsson hits back at people offended by ageing face Gaza UK and 27 other nations condemn Israel over civilian suffering Divers find lost Royal Navy warship 109 years after WW1 sinking Water bill rises needed after years of low investment, says report Ibiza Rocks pauses events after British men die at venue Reform UKs Nigel Farage proposes sending prisoners overseas

Morse code transcription: vvv vvv Divers find lost Royal Navy warship 109 years after WW1 sinking Gaza UK and 27 other nations condemn Israel over civilian suffering Reform UKs Nigel Farage proposes sending prisoners overseas Ulrika Jonsson hits back at people offended by ageing face Weak password allowed hackers to sink a 158 year old company Man who dumped remains in suitcases is guilty of double murder Water bill rises needed after years of low investment, says report Ibiza Rocks pauses events after British men die at venue Officer convicted in Breonna Taylor raid gets 33 month sentence Rule breaking ministers to lose exit pay outs

Send us a textWelcome to the first Trench Talk of the season, where Taff Gillingham joins me.  Taff is a military historian and specialist historical advisor for the film, TV and theatre industries and has worked as an advisor on many well-known productions from Downton Abbey to the film 1917.Taff is an expert on WW1 uniforms and kit, and in this fascinating and wide-ranging conversation, he shares his encyclopedic knowledge. Support the podcast:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/footstepsbloghttps://footstepsofthefallen.com/gallery/

For the start of our War in the Air Month, we begin with a look at the real story of the 'Twenty Minuters', the Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force in the First World War. We look at its history from formation in 1912, its role in the opening months of the conflict, and how the war on the Western Front changed military aviation forever.A good overview of the Air War from the Imperial War Museum: What impact did the First World War have on aircraft and aerial warfare?Photographs of some of the aircraft mentioned in the podcast can be found here: Old Front Line website.Got a question about this episode or any others? Drop your question into the Old Front Line Discord Server or email the podcast.Send us a textSupport the show

Send us a textIn this month's episode, in the run up to the Three Choirs Festival, Col Andy Taylor and Revd Paul Roberts explore the fascinating and poignant story of brothers Claude and Percy Hull of Hereford.  Claude a member of the Herefordshire Rifle Volunteers served in the Boer War, emigrated to Canada and served during the First World War with Canadian Forces.His brother Percy, sang in Hereford Cathedral Choir where he later became Assistant Organist.  He found himself in Germany at the outbreak of the First World War and was interned along with thousands of other men - musicians, sportsmen, businessmen and merchant seaman among them - at Ruhleben Internment Camp, west of Berlin.  Hear about the fascinating self-governing community at Ruhleben, including the story of professional footballer and coach Stephen Bloomer.After the war Percy became Organist at Hereford Cathedral and was instrumental in restarting the Three Choirs Festival.  He was later knighted for similar efforts restarting this oldest musical festival in the world after the Second World War.Support the showIf you like what you hear, don't forget to like and subscribe to help us reach a wider audience. Visit our website - Herefordshire Light Infantry Museum; follow us on Facebook Herefordshire Regimental Museum | Facebook or visit our Youtube channel Herefordshire Regimental Museum - YouTube.Support the Museum? Become a Patreon supporter or a Become a FriendTheme Tune - The Lincolnshire Poacher, performed by the outstanding Haverhill Silver Band. This podcast generously supported by the Army Museums Ogilby Trust.

Vortex's Ian Klemm, the “King of Collectable Firearms,” drops in with one made for a Prince. Tune in to hear all about this petite double rifle and the sleuthing Ian did to learn its royal heritage.As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation™ podcast by asking us on Instagram @vortexnationpodcast

In this episode, we discuss the impact of conflict and war on commodities markets through the lens of a brand new book by Dennis Voznesenski: War and Wheat. Dennis is an agricultural economist at the Commonwealth Bank of Australia and prior to that at Rabobank. Thoroughly researched, War and Wheat tells the story of how the agricultural markets fared during World War I, World War II and the recent Russian invasion of Ukraine and elucidates key learnings on how commodity markets function and how commodity traders can better navigate the more volatile times ahead.  The book is available here: https://www.amazon.com.au/War-Wheat-Navigating-markets-conflict/dp/1763580938 

For our latest questions submitted by podcast listeners, we examine what my first visit to the battlefields of the Great War with my school meant to me, ask what the Wiltshire Regiment did in the First World War, what sources in English can we look at to understand the German side of WW1 and what did British veterans think of their German foe?Brigadier E.A. James book - British Regiments 1914-1918. Main image: Group portrait of officers of the 1st Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment, after their return from fighting at Thiepval, photographed at Bouzincourt, September 1916. (IWM Q1151 - photo by Ernest Brookes)Got a question about this episode or any others? Drop your question into the Old Front Line Discord Server or email the podcast.Send us a textSupport the show

Edition No185 | 11-07-2025 - Today, an exploration of Grok's extreme political rants, that have enraged vatniks and Z-Patriots, especially about Russia's invasion of Ukraine. For those who may live under a rock, and not know what Grok is, it's the AI assistant on Elon Musk's ‘X' platform. And like its creator it seems to court controversy and have something of a split personality. Here are the juiciest viral responses, also with some speculation about the ethics of AI censorship. ----------Pour a cup of tea and prepare to delve into the madness. Grok seems to have developed quite a personality recently and has issued some shockingly bold takes on extreme politics—Russia's war in Ukraine included. Is this an example of LLMs can go haywire, or developing a kind of political conscience? ----------PLASMA AND AMBULANCES APPEAL:Please write to: Director Objective Ukraine, Info@ObjectiveUkraine.comBefore we do this is a message from a dear friend in Kyiv who works with the Ukrainian Armed Forces and Ministry of Defence. He says, there is a serious shortage of blood plasma here in Ukraine. He has had several messages from ex-comrades and medics, asking if the Allies can help find much needed plasma for medical stations at various depths behind the 'zero' or front-line. This shortage is risking the lives of wounded fighting men and women and, all too often, the medics and ambulance drivers who try to evacuate them.A medic friend who has been saving lives in Ukraine for three years, he says, explained how she lost four medic friends and units sustained several casualties, because of the lack of medical evacuation units, ambulances at the front and plasma. During recent delays in receiving equipment and supplies, one group had to walk out...like WW1 stretcher bearers...during which episode they suffered 50% casualties from enemy drones. Including new solar powered drone variants. We desperately need to find ways to improve casualty survival rates, with basic supplies like plasma that we take for granted outside Ukraine. ----------DESCRIPTION:AI Ethics in the Spotlight: Uncovering Grok's Controversial Political BiasIn this episode of Silicon Bytes, we dive into the ethical complications surrounding Grok, Elon Musk's AI assistant on the X platform. Known for its unfiltered and bold statements, Grok has sparked debate with its politically charged responses, particularly regarding Russia's invasion of Ukraine. While its anti-Kremlin stance resonates with a pro-Ukraine audience, the AI has also made controversial and extremist remarks, leading to bans and regulatory probes. We discuss the implications of AI's political conscience, the importance of balance and ethics in AI training, and the urgent need for AI regulation and human oversight to prevent future instances of hate speech and misinformation.----------CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview00:33 Exploring Grok's Political Rants02:38 Grok's Controversial Responses04:56 The Dark Turn: Grok's Extremist Statements12:03 The Need for AI Guardrails14:07 Conclusion: The Future of Ethical AI----------LINKS: https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-chatbot-ai-grok-d745a7e3d0a7339a1159dc6c42475e29https://www.businessinsider.com/grok-artificial-intelligence-chatbot-elon-musk-xai-explained-2025-7https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/10/what-is-grok-and-why-has-elon-musks-chatbot-been-accused-of-anti-semitismhttps://www.cbsnews.com/news/grok-elon-musks-ai-chatbot-antisemitic-comments/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/jul/09/grok-ai-praised-hitler-antisemitism-x-ntwnfbhttps://apnews.com/article/turkey-artificial-intelligence-grok-access-ban-erdogan-8ba6c5b9529fb17b6ec8025f25a8b59chttps://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/how-grok-learned-to-be-a-nazi.html----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------

Edition No186 | 11-07-2025 - The Assassination of Ivan Voronych will send shock waves through the intelligence community in Kyiv and across Ukraine. On 10 July 2025, the heart of Kyiv turned into a crime scene. Colonel Ivan Voronych, a senior officer in Ukraine's Security Service (SBU), was shot dead in broad daylight in Holosiivskyi district.Here's the BBC's summary: “A top official from the Security Service of Ukraine was killed in Kyiv in a suspected assassination.” Reuters confirmed the grim details: “A senior Ukrainian security officer was gunned down in a residential parking lot in Kyiv… The slain agent was a colonel in the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU).”----------PLASMA AND AMBULANCES APPEAL:Please write to: Director Objective Ukraine, Info@ObjectiveUkraine.comBefore we do this is a message from a dear friend in Kyiv who works with the Ukrainian Armed Forces and Ministry of Defence. He says, there is a serious shortage of blood plasma here in Ukraine. He has had several messages from ex-comrades and medics, asking if the Allies can help find much needed plasma for medical stations at various depths behind the 'zero' or front-line. This shortage is risking the lives of wounded fighting men and women and, all too often, the medics and ambulance drivers who try to evacuate them.A medic friend who has been saving lives in Ukraine for three years, he says, explained how she lost four medic friends and units sustained several casualties, because of the lack of medical evacuation units, ambulances at the front and plasma. During recent delays in receiving equipment and supplies, one group had to walk out...like WW1 stretcher bearers...during which episode they suffered 50% casualties from enemy drones. Including new solar powered drone variants. We desperately need to find ways to improve casualty survival rates, with basic supplies like plasma that we take for granted outside Ukraine. ----------DESCRIPTION:Shock Assassination in Ukraine: Shadow Warfare and RetaliationWelcome to Silicon Bites! This brief episode discusses the shocking assassination of Colonel Ivan Ches, a senior officer in Ukraine's Security Service (SBU), in Kyiv on July 10, 2025. The episode explores the context of Ukraine's alleged targeted killings of high-ranking Russian officials as acts of retaliation for war crimes. This assassination is seen as part of an ongoing shadow warfare, with Ukraine sending a clear message about accountability and justice. The video also touches on past instances where Ukraine targeted Russian military leaders and the potential repercussions from Moscow. Stay tuned for a deep dive into this evolving conflict.----------CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview00:37 Details of the Assassination01:38 Suspicions and Reactions02:25 Context of Ukraine's Targeted Killings04:12 Broader Implications and Analysis05:23 Conclusion and Final Thoughts----------LINKS: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2l8kwd13wohttps://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukrainian-spy-colonel-gunned-down-kyiv-2025-07-10/https://www.firstpost.com/world/top-ukrainian-spy-shot-dead-in-kyiv-in-suspected-assassination-report-13905102.htmlhttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/07/10/ukrainian-spy-assassinated-by-gunman-in-kyiv/https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/ukrainian-intelligence-officer-colonel-ivan-voronych-shot-dead-in-broad-daylight-in-possible-assassination-bid-8858584----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------

Hello everyone, Jim here. We're taking a brief two-week break from new episodes to spotlight a couple of golden oldies from the archive. Years later, these remain some of my favorite conversations. We'll be back soon with fresh episodes, but in the meantime,  here's my September 2022 chat with the always interesting Will Storr.  _________________ Will Storr is an award winning journalist and author. His book ‘The Status Game' transforms our understanding of human nature by demonstrating how our unconscious desire for status ultimately drives our behaviour. Important Links: Twitter: https://twitter.com/wstorr?s=21&t=ZdtIqP9eE3_a5qZocDjEXQ Website: https://willstorr.com The Science of Storytelling: https://www.thescienceofstorytelling.com Show Notes: Will's origin story The strange case of David Irving The fundamental nature of status games The Stanford prison experiment and dominance games The status games played by cults Luxury beliefs Why we are all moral hypocrites The importance of being funny Social status and socioeconomic status Human OS and the education system How status seeking leads to the “very best of human nature” The murderous nature of reputation destruction The post WW1 humiliation of Germany Loaded magazine Finding the true reason behind seemingly crazy beliefs The value of religion Trading status Spreading humility Why we could be wrong about our closest beliefs Books Mentioned: The Unpersuadables: Adventures with the Enemies of Science; by Will Storr The Lucifer Principle: A Scientific Expedition into the Forces of History; by Howard Bloom The Genius of the Beast: A Radical Re-Vision of Capitalism; by Howard Bloom The WEIRDest People in the World: How the West Became Psychologically Peculiar and Particularly Prosperous; by Joseph Henrich The Science of Storytelling; by Will Storr Slaughterhouse-Five; by Kurt Vonnegut Selfie: How We Became so Self-Obsessed and What It's Doing to Us; by Will Storr The Status Game: On Social Position and How We Use It; by Will Storr

Edition No184 | 10-07-2025 - Putin is under pressure. We are seeing a regime fraying from the inside. This episode digs deeper into three seismic trends:1. The widening cohesion cracks at the top of the Kremlin.2. A spate of mysterious 'accidents' among high-ranking officials.3. Signs of an approaching summer offensive, possibly fueled by forced mobilization—even in Russia's major cities.The chaos in the Kremlin is accelerating so buckle up for a wild ride. Putin will fall, not necessarily when he is materially weakest, but if he stumbles and losing the will to rule. That could come from being too paranoid and taking out too many officials, and even loyalists. Or could come from making too many concessions to other officials. Let's see how this plays out. ----------PLASMA AND AMBULANCES APPEAL:Please write to: Director Objective Ukraine, Info@ObjectiveUkraine.comBefore we do this is a message from a dear friend in Kyvi who works with the Ukrainian Armed Forces and Ministry of Defence. He says, there is a serious shortage of blood plasma here in Ukraine. He has had several messages from ex-comrades and medics, asking if the Allies can help find much needed plasma for medical stations at various depths behind the 'zero' or frontline. This shortage is killing wounded fighting men and women and, all too often, the medics and ambulance drivers who try to evacuate them.A medic friend who has been saving lives in Ukraine for three years, he says, explained how she lost four medic friends and units sustained several casualties, because of the lack of medical evacuation units, ambulances at the front and plasma. During recent delays in receiving equipment and supplies, one group had to walk out...like WW1 stretcher bearers...during which episode they suffered 50% casualties from enemy drones. Including new solar powered drone variants. We desperately need to find ways to improve casualty survival rates, with basic supplies like plasma that we take for granted outside Ukraine. ----------DESCRIPTION:Regime Fractures: The Unraveling of Putin's PowerIn this episode of Silicon Bites, we explore the growing fragility within Putin's regime. We begin by thanking our supporters who make our operations and upcoming events in Kiev and Odessa possible. The discussion then delves into three major trends indicating regime cracks: elite dissatisfaction, mysterious deaths of high-ranking officials, and preparations for a large-scale military mobilization. The analysis explores the potential collapse of Putin's regime, driven by internal paranoia and forced decisions. We provide historical and contemporary examples of elite defections, mysterious deaths, and the ongoing strain caused by military and economic pressures. The episode calls for the West to take decisive action by increasing sanctions, supporting Ukraine, and leveraging Russian assets to counteract the regime while highlighting the prospective consequences of prolonged conflict.----------CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction and Channel Support00:52 Putin's Regime Under Pressure01:55 Cracks in the Kremlin06:13 Mysterious Deaths Among the Elite08:46 Military Mobilization and Economic Strain10:36 Western Response and Moral Imperative13:29 Conclusion: Accelerating the Collapse----------LINKS: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/07/08/putins-regime-is-beginning-to-come-apart/ https://jamestown.org/program/putins-anniversaries-mark-dangerous-degradation-of-his-regime/ https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/sep/22/putin-regime-will-collapse-without-warning-says-freed-gulag-dissident https://bylinetimes.com/2025/06/18/inside-the-collapse-how-putins-russia-turned-its-opponents-into-exiles/ ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------

Edition No183 | 09-07-2025 - Strelkov is back, with another warning. This time its about Russia's Summer Offensive & Mobilization. Today we dive into the prison dispatches of Igor “Strelkov” Girkin — former commander of the Donetsk People's Republic and now a Kremlin critic (is that the right word to use when thieves and killers fall out with each other?) and is locked away. But not for his actual crimes against innocent people, but for his perceived opposition to Putin's regime. From his cell, he's issued a devastating assessment of the Russian military's performance in Ukraine and commented on the highly anticipated—but faltering—summer campaign. He' also made recent pronouncements about the ongoing pressures on Putin, which have come into stark focus with the death of Russia's transport minister yesterday. We'll examine his insights, Girkin's critique of Russian strategy and tactics, comparing them with independent reporting, and chart what it means for the war's next phase.----------PLASMA AND AMBULANCES APPEAL:Please write to: Director Objective Ukraine, Info@ObjectiveUkraine.comBefore we do this is a message from a dear friend in Kyvi who works with the Ukrainian Armed Forces and Ministry of Defence. He says, there is a serious shortage of blood plasma here in Ukraine. He has had several messages from ex-comrades and medics, asking if the Allies can help find much needed plasma for medical stations at various depths behind the 'zero' or frontline. This shortage is killing wounded fighting men and women and, all too often, the medics and ambulance drivers who try to evacuate them.A medic friend who has been saving lives in Ukraine for three years, he says, explained how she lost four medic friends and units sustained several casualties, because of the lack of medical evacuation units, ambulances at the front and plasma. During recent delays in receiving equipment and supplies, one group had to walk out...like WW1 stretcher bearers...during which episode they suffered 50% casualties from enemy drones. Including new solar powered drone variants. We desperately need to find ways to improve casualty survival rates, with basic supplies like plasma that we take for granted outside Ukraine. ----------CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction and Channel Support00:54 Igor Kin's Critique of Russian Strategy02:19 Predictions and Analysis of Russian Military Movements04:00 Internal Pressures and Mobilization Issues08:57 Gerkin's Correspondence and Insights12:18 Summary and Final Thoughts----------LINKS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZM411kDKNTY&t=548shttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AY9o8_PmLe8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrraSdBxLishttps://t.me/s/strelkoviihttps://jamestown.org/program/russian-mobilization-falls-short-ahead-of-putins-summer-offensive/https://www.euronews.com/2025/07/08/in-an-attempt-to-avoid-mobilisation-kremlin-now-allows-foreigners-to-serve-in-russian-armyhttps://www.dw.com/en/will-russia-launch-another-mobilization-drive/a-64345837https://www.ft.com/content/390fa820-7445-430a-978b-e82c0c5dcdc8https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/06/30/russia-military-challenges-summer-offensive/----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/----------

Edition No182 | 08-07-2025 - China's Hidden Agenda: Proxies, War, and Global Power StrategiesIn this episode of Silicon Bytes, we delve into the unsettling prospect of Russia, North Korea, and Iran acting as proxies for China amidst global conflicts. While China appears neutral, this episode explores its strategic interests in ensuring Russia does not lose the war in Ukraine, suggesting a global strategy that includes bolstering its position on Taiwan. The episode unpacks China's foreign minister Wang Ye's revealing comments, the implications of China's hidden support for Russia, and the broader geopolitical consequences. We analyze the potential for a Taiwan conflict leading to a larger global war, and how Western unity is essential in countering China's strategic facilitation of aggression. An insightful discussion for understanding the intricate dynamics of modern geopolitics.----------PLASMA AND AMBULANCES APPEAL:Please write to: Director Objective Ukraine, Info@ObjectiveUkraine.comBefore we do this is a message from a dear friend in Kyvi who works with the Ukrainian Armed Forces and Ministry of Defence. He says, there is a serious shortage of blood plasma here in Ukraine. He has had several messages from ex-comrades and medics, asking if the Allies can help find much needed plasma for medical stations at various depths behind the 'zero' or frontline. This shortage is killing wounded fighting men and women and, all too often, the medics and ambulance drivers who try to evacuate them.A medic friend who has been saving lives in Ukraine for three years, he says, explained how she lost four medic friends and units sustained several casualties, because of the lack of medical evacuation units, ambulances at the front and plasma. During recent delays in receiving equipment and supplies, one group had to walk out...like WW1 stretcher bearers...during which episode they suffered 50% casualties from enemy drones. Including new solar powered drone variants. We desperately need to find ways to improve casualty survival rates, with basic supplies like plasma that we take for granted outside Ukraine. ----------CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview00:56 China's Strategic Positioning01:31 Implications of China's Support for Russia04:11 China's Global Strategy and Taiwan07:52 Western Response and Strategic Coordination13:46 Conclusion: The Path to World War III?----------LINKS: https://www.economist.com/china/2025/06/19/china-has-become-the-most-important-enabler-of-russias-war-machine https://kyivindependent.com/china-may-enlist-russia-against-nato-if-taiwan-conflict-erupts-rutte-says-06-2025/ https://kyivindependent.com/taiwans-fm-democracies-should-unite-to-prevent-russia-china-from-expanding-further/ https://kyivindependent.com/china-unveils-its-new-graphite-bomb-06-2025/ https://www.economist.com/international/2025/05/15/china-and-russia-are-deploying-powerful-new-weapons-ideas https://www.ft.com/content/c5a1bc4e-462e-4e76-b0cb-5210c2e74efa https://edition.cnn.com/2025/03/10/asia/iran-china-russia-joint-navy-drills-intl-hnk https://www.brookings.edu/articles/the-china-russia-relationship-and-threats-to-vital-us-interests/ https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2024/10/01/china-supporting-enemy-trading-russia-says-blackrock-fink/ https://kyivindependent.com/russia-seeks-to-involve-laos-in-war-against-ukraine-military-intelligence-claims-06-2025/ https://www.yahoo.com/news/russia-cannot-lose-war-ukraine-092455893.html https://nypost.com/2025/07/03/world-news/china-cannot-allow-russia-to-lose-ukraine-war-foreign-minister-tells-eu-report/ ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------

Send us a message or question! This episode has EVERYTHING! (even the Titanic).This week, Jane and James engage in a rich and absorbing discussion with historian Chris Sams about  his book, Flying into the Storm, about the early war bombers of the RAF. The conversation covers personal anecdotes, the significance of various bombing operations, and the challenges faced by bomber crews. They delve into specific events such as the Nickel Raids, the Battle of Heligoland Bight, the Battle of France, the tragic sinking of the Lancastria,  bombers in North Africa and even in Burma and Malaya.  The team also consider defensive operations by the Luftwaffe, and Chris shares personal stories from his research.The discussion concludes with insights into Chris's future projects and his passion for military aviation history.You can find Chris on X here: https://x.com/jerijerod14?lang=en ,  His bluesky profile is https://bsky.app/profile/jerijerod14.bsky.social and his linktree:  https://t.co/e9Maqwj7k6Chris also does a fantastic podcast on maritime history, and you might want to have a listen to his most series on the Battle of Narvik.TakeawaysChris Sams specializes in the Luftwaffe and early war bombers.The Nickel Raids were a unique approach to psychological warfare.The Battle of Heligoland was a disastrous engagement for the RAF.Bomber Command played a crucial role but unrecognised role in the Battle of Britain.The Lancastria disaster resulted in a tragic loss of life.Charles Lightoller had a remarkable story during WW1 and WW2The Luftwaffe's collapse was influenced by the German army's strategies.Chris is working on a new book about Bristol Beauforts.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates02:59 Exploring Historical Museums and Maritime Heritage05:48 Introducing Chris Sams and His Work08:21 The Role of Early War Bombers10:59 Nickel Raids and Their Significance13:29 The Battle of Heligoland and Its Aftermath17:10 Bomber Command's Role in the Battle of Britain19:36 The Tragic Story of the Lancastria22:29 Personal Stories and Reflections on War History25:21 The Legacy of Charles Lightoller27:18 RAF Strategies and Early Engagements31:08 Luftwaffe Defenses and Tactical Evolution33:41 Campaigns in Greece and the Western Desert37:07 Challenges in Malaya and Burma40:32 The Luftwaffe's Strategic Dilemmas41:47 Personal Anecdotes and Lesser-Known Stories47:12 Future Projects and Support the showPlease subscribe to Never Mind The Dambusters wherever you get your podcasts. You can support the show, and help us produce great content, by becoming a paid subscriber from just $3 a month here https://www.buzzsprout.com/2327200/support . Supporters get early access to episodes and invitations to livestreams. Thank you for listening! You can reach out to us on social media at @RAF_BomberPod (X) or @NeverMindTheDambusters (Instagram)You can find out about James' research, articles, lectures and podcasts here .You can read more about Jane's work on her website at https://www.justcuriousjane.com/, and listen to podcasts/media stuff here

Edition No181 | 07-07-2025 - This episode humorously examines the suspicious death of people working under Putin, comparing these incidents to critical "Windows errors," suggesting the regime might need a reboot. We discuss this pattern of mysterious deaths and unexplained accidents, and the impact of these events on the perception of working inside Russia. Stay tuned as we delve into this dark history and try to understand the possible causes.----------PLASMA AND AMBULANCES APPEAL:Please write to: Director Objective Ukraine, Info@ObjectiveUkraine.comBefore we do this is a message from a dear friend in Kyvi who works with the Ukrainian Armed Forces and Ministry of Defence. He says, there is a serious shortage of blood plasma here in Ukraine. He has had several messages from ex-comrades and medics, asking if the Allies can help find much needed plasma for medical stations at various depths behind the 'zero' or frontline. This shortage is killing wounded fighting men and women and, all too often, the medics and ambulance drivers who try to evacuate them.A medic friend who has been saving lives in Ukraine for three years, he says, explained how she lost four medic friends and units sustained several casualties, because of the lack of medical evacuation units, ambulances at the front and plasma. During recent delays in receiving equipment and supplies, one group had to walk out...like WW1 stretcher bearers...during which episode they suffered 50% casualties from enemy drones. Including new solar powered drone variants. We desperately need to find ways to improve casualty survival rates, with basic supplies like plasma that we take for granted outside Ukraine. ----------CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction: Putin's Regime Under Scrutiny00:30 Wave of Unexplained Deaths Among Russia's Elite01:02 Case Studies of Suspicious Deaths04:24 Expert Opinions and Analysis06:23 International Ramifications and Economic Impact07:28 Recent Developments: Grounded Jets and Arrests09:55 Conclusion: The Insecurity of Putin's Regime10:15 Urgent Appeal for Blood Plasma in Ukraine----------LINKS: https://foreignpolicy.com/2025/06/03/russia-putin-ukraine-war-trump-strategy-politics/?tpcc=recirc_more_from_fp051524 https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/2061159/president-finland-putin-mistake https://theconversation.com/history-shows-that-donald-trump-is-making-a-serious-error-in-appeasing-vladimir-putin-257252 https://www.businessinsider.com/putin-copying-soviet-union-approach-bankrupted-russia-poland-minister-davos-2025-1 https://mickryan.substack.com/p/another-big-putin-mistake https://www.theglobalist.com/russia-china-united-states-europe-geopolitics-ukraine-war-donald-trump-vladimir-putin/ https://edition.cnn.com/2025/05/27/world/video/stubb-putin-strategy-live-fst052707pseg1-cnn-world-fast https://ig.ft.com/russias-war-in-ukraine-mapped/ https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrainealert/putins-biggest-mistake-was-believing-ukrainians-were-really-russians/ https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-putin-fundamental-mistake-snyder/32824024.html----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyślhttps://kharpp.com/NOR DOG Animal Rescuehttps://www.nor-dog.org/home/----------

Edition No180 | 06-07-2025 - Today we'll dig deep into why Putin's strategy in Ukraine is failing, why pursuing the same delusion objectives using the same methods was always going to fail. We'll question n why Trump has back the wrong horse – decided to appease a loser, and what all this reveals about Putin's regime and its likely downfall. How it's collapse will rebound negatively onto Trump. And in case you're wondering, the horse with glasses in the video thumbnail is Lavrov. He is already so close to resembling a horse, very few modifications to the image were required. And yes, Putin does have donkey ears in the same image. ----------PLASMA AND AMBULANCES APPEAL:Please write to: Director Objective Ukraine, Info@ObjectiveUkraine.comBefore we do this is a message from a dear friend in Kyvi who works with the Ukrainian Armed Forces and Ministry of Defence. He says, there is a serious shortage of blood plasma here in Ukraine. He has had several messages from ex-comrades and medics, asking if the Allies can help find much needed plasma for medical stations at various depths behind the 'zero' or frontline. This shortage is killing wounded fighting men and women and, all too often, the medics and ambulance drivers who try to evacuate them.A medic friend who has been saving lives in Ukraine for three years, he says, explained how she lost four medic friends and units sustained several casualties, because of the lack of medical evacuation units, ambulances at the front and plasma. During recent delays in receiving equipment and supplies, one group had to walk out...like WW1 stretcher bearers...during which episode they suffered 50% casualties from enemy drones. Including new solar powered drone variants. We desperately need to find ways to improve casualty survival rates, with basic supplies like plasma that we take for granted outside Ukraine. ----------CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview00:12 Trump's Missteps and Putin's Failing Strategy01:09 Urgent Appeal for Blood Plasma in Ukraine03:11 Putin's Opportunism and Strategic Failures06:17 Ukraine's Resilience and Western Support09:55 Putin's Misinterpretation of Diplomacy18:39 Implications for Putin's Regime and Global Security20:34 Conclusion: The Fight for Democracy----------LINKS: https://foreignpolicy.com/2025/06/03/russia-putin-ukraine-war-trump-strategy-politics/?tpcc=recirc_more_from_fp051524 https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/2061159/president-finland-putin-mistake https://theconversation.com/history-shows-that-donald-trump-is-making-a-serious-error-in-appeasing-vladimir-putin-257252 https://www.businessinsider.com/putin-copying-soviet-union-approach-bankrupted-russia-poland-minister-davos-2025-1 https://mickryan.substack.com/p/another-big-putin-mistake https://www.theglobalist.com/russia-china-united-states-europe-geopolitics-ukraine-war-donald-trump-vladimir-putin/ https://edition.cnn.com/2025/05/27/world/video/stubb-putin-strategy-live-fst052707pseg1-cnn-world-fast https://ig.ft.com/russias-war-in-ukraine-mapped/ https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrainealert/putins-biggest-mistake-was-believing-ukrainians-were-really-russians/ https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-putin-fundamental-mistake-snyder/32824024.html----------SILICON CURTAIN FILM FUNDRAISERA project to make a documentary film in Ukraine, to raise awareness of Ukraine's struggle and in supporting a team running aid convoys to Ukraine's front-line towns.https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------

Our latest questions from podcast listeners discuss what role German steel helmets, Stahlhelm, had on the First Day of the Somme, how did Great War veterans feel about WW2, how were women who fell pregnant from British soldiers treated during the conflict, and when we visit British and Commonwealth cemeteries are we walking over the graves of those buried there?For more information on the Battlefield Tours I do: Leger Battlefields.Got a question about this episode or any others? Drop your question into the Old Front Line Discord Server or email the podcast.Send us a textSupport the show

In this episode we regale with some truly highs and lows of the pre-WW1 period. Another Spurs Show screening and it's the Super Cup Final v PSG. Spurs fans only, private bar, big screen and food available! Another great chance to hang out with fellow Spurs fans and hopefully celebrate the lifting of another trophy! Get tickets here: https://tinyurl.com/27h8sv7k Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.betterhelp.com/SPURS⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to get 10% off your first month – as heard on the podcast. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠spursshow.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  @spursshow  Support us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠season.spursshow.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Produced by Paul Myers and Mike Leigh  A Playback Media Production- contact us here too for show sponsorship ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠playbackmedia.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Copyright 2025 Playback Media Ltd - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠playbackmedia.co.uk/copyright Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As the anniversary of the Battle of the Somme approaches, we walk part of the battlefield across the iconic Mash Valley, visit Ovillers Military Cemetery and walk through Ovillers village to the far end of the valley facing the Pozières Ridge.Alf Razzell discusses the burial of the dead at Ovillers: A Game of Ghosts.Got a question about this episode or any others? Drop your question into the Old Front Line Discord Server or email the podcast.Send us a textSupport the show

National Tapioca day. Entertainment from 1964.  Molly Pitcher stars at battle of Monmouth in American Revolution, WW1 began, Everyone in South Korea gets one year younger.  Todays birthdays - Mel Brooks, Pat Morita, Gilda Radner, Kathy Bates, John Cusack, Mary Stuart Masterson, Tichina Arnold, Elon Musk, Kellie Pickler.  James Madison died.Intro - God did good - Dianna Corcoran   https://www.diannacorcoran.com/Tapioca song - Lizz RoA world without love - Peter & GordonMy heart skips a beat - Buck OwensBirthdays - In da club - 50 Cent   http://50cent.com/Happy Days TV themeBest days of your life - Kellie PicklerExit - Pretty little things - Suzi Kory   https://suzikory.com/countryundergroundradio.com History & Factoids website

In this episode, with the aid of regular guest and French Army expert James Taub, we delve your questions on France in WW1. What exactly is a French Colonial unit? What did the French think of the chauchat machine gun? And what did the British soldier think of his French counterpart? We discuss all this and more. Join Our Community: ⁠⁠https://not-so-quiet.com/⁠⁠ Use our code: Dugout and get one month free as a Captain. Support via Paypal:⁠⁠ https://battleguide.co.uk/nsq-paypal⁠⁠ Thanks to James Taub for joining us on the podcast: ⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/taubhistory.bsky.social⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-taub-670096103/⁠⁠ Do you like our podcast? Then please leave us a review, it helps us a lot! E-Mail: ⁠nsq@battleguide.co.uk⁠ Battle Guide YouTube Channel:⁠⁠ https://www.youtube.com/@BattleGuideVT⁠⁠ Our WW2 Podcast:⁠⁠ https://battleguide.co.uk/bsow⁠⁠ If you want to keep your finger on the pulse of what the team at Battle Guide have been getting up to, why not sign up to our monthly newsletter:⁠⁠ ⁠https://battleguide.co.uk/newsletter⁠⁠ Twitter: @historian1914 @DanHillHistory @BattleguideVT Credits: - Host: Dr. Spencer Jones & James Taub - Production: Linus Klaßen - Editing: Hunter Christensen & Linus Klaßen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our latest questions from listeners range from could Britain have stood back from conflict in 1914 and not been part of the Great War, how accurate was the final dugout scene in the film 1917, what duties did Royal Field Artillery Drivers have on the battlefields of WW1 and what was the story of the Canadian soldiers who rioted in Britain in 1919 while awaiting demobilisation?The Old Front Line Youtube Channel: Old Front Line on YouTube.Recommended novel on 1914: Robert Harris - Precipice (Penguin 2024)Books on The Canadian Riots:The story of the Kinmel Park Camp Riots in 1919 by Julian Putkowski (1989)Riots Death and Baseball - Robert H. Griffiths (2019)Got a question about this episode or any others? Drop your question into the Old Front Line Discord Server or email the podcast.Send us a textSupport the show

Dr. Robert Farley has taught security and diplomacy courses at the Patterson School of Diplomacy and Commerce at UK since 2005.  His most recent book is,” Waging War with Gold: National Security and the Finance Domain Across the Ages.  Establishing the United Nations and the Bretton Woods institutions were creative initiatives to provide stability and mechanisms to peacefully resolve conflicts.  It would be extremely dangerous to move from the dollar to a cryptocurrency as the major currency.  In the  future, there are  four potential scenarios, one in which the US remains a financial hegemon, a second in which we see a relatively orderly transition to another hegemon, a third that looks at the development of a bipolar finance domain and a fourth that witnesses the development of a multipolar financial commons. Regarding tariffs, the customer pays the tariff increases, not the country of origin or distributor, which raises overall costs.

Uncover the dark secrets of the Rothschild family.

Can I introduce you to cozy historical fiction?! Amy Lynn Green brings us to the home front in this dual timeline WW1 and WW2. You're going to love hearing about codebreaking, the characters, and the sweet romance. Tune in to this week's episode for more!Grab ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Codebreaker's Daughter here!Connect with Amy: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amygreenbooks.com/Connect with Meagan:Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://instagram.com/faithandfables/⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://facebook.com/faithandfablespodcast⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Goodreads: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/8953622-meagan⁠

In a Trench Chat special we speak to the Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre Commemorations team - otherwise known as 'The MOD War Detectives' - who work to recover and identify the dead on the former battlefields of the Great War. Thanks to the Ministry of Defence for their help in making this possible, and special thanks to Rosie Barron, Nichola Nash and Alexia Clark who all appear in this episode. The images used are Crown Copyright.Discover more about the Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre Commemorations team and visit their Facebook page.Got a question about this episode or any others? Drop your question into the Old Front Line Discord Server or email the podcast.Send us a textSupport the show

Part 1 of our double episode about Jack Hilton, a working-class author, World War I veteran, unemployed movement organiser, and trade union activist from Rochdale, north-west England.For this episode, we spoke to Jack Chadwick whose literary detective work rescued Hilton from almost total obscurity. We discussed Hilton's life growing up in Rochdale's slums, starting work at nine years old, and his activism in the National Unemployed Workers' Movement. We also talked about how he began writing, how Caliban Shrieks was celebrated within the London literary scene, and his long-term (and complex) relationship to George Orwell.More informationBuy Caliban Shrieks from an independent bookshopFull show notes including sources, photos, and eventually a full transcript are available on our website: https://workingclasshistory.com/podcast/wcl12-13-jack-hilton-rochdale-caliban/AcknowledgementsImage: Jack Hilton. Credit: Jack Chadwick.Thanks to all our patreon supporters for making this podcast possible. Special thanks to Jazz Hands, Fernando Lopez Ojeda, Nick Williams and Old Norm.Our theme tune is Bella Ciao, thanks for permission to use it from Dischi del Sole. You can purchase it here or stream it here.This episode was edited by Jesse French.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/working-class-history--5711490/support.

Our listeners have a few intriguing questions: Is there still live ordnance in the moat at the Ypres Ramparts? What exactly was the role of Inland Waterways Transport during the First World War? How would the French portrayal of the Last Hundred Days differ from the traditional British narrative? And finally, if you could take any piece of modern military technology back to the Great War, what would it be, and why? You can watch the Old Front Line Youtube Channel here and remember to Like and Subscribe! Got a question about this episode or any others? Drop your question into the Old Front Line Discord Server or email the podcast.Send us a textSupport the show

In this episode we travel to the Arras Memorial to the Missing, where we explore the powerful story of over 35,000 British and Commonwealth soldiers with no known grave. In this episode, we uncover the personal histories of men from the British Army, Royal Naval Division, and Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force, whose names are etched into the stone. We then walk through the Faubourg d'Amiens Cemetery, visiting notable graves—including those of soldiers Shot at Dawn. Discover the human stories behind the statistics in this compelling look at remembrance, sacrifice, and the legacy of the First World War.On the Old Front Line YouTube Channel: The Arras Memorial to the Missing.Articles on Identity Discs are found here: A Guide to Identity Discs by Dave O'Mara and Military Identification: Identity Discs and the Identification of British War Dead, 1914-18 by Dr Sarah Ashbridge.Got a question about this episode or any others? Drop your question into the Old Front Line Discord Server or email the podcast.6mcpeqwsSend us a textSupport the show

In this series, Jeff and Andy look at historical events that took place on this day.Today in history, one of the legendary Packer's quarterbacks passes away, “The Duke” is born, and a strict immigration policy is adopted post WW1.This series is brought to you by the great Boss Shot Shells.

This episode is a follow up to The Fall of Beauty in Our Society PT 1I touch on the two different schools of feminist thought that were prevalent post WW1 and suffrage, the feminism of care and the feminism of freedom (which was a class battle in and of itself). I talk about how the rejection of the nature of the female body in order to ‘find success like men' was the beginning of the loss of meaning and value for women.What would our world today look like if the feminism of care had won? A beautiful idea to ponder.**Correction note: I said severing procreation from pregnancy a few times. I meant sex from procreation.Timestamps:00:00 - 00:26 Episode Trailer and Intro00:26 - 00:45 Episode Overview00:45 - 02:58 The collapse of beauty in our society02:58 - 05:00 There is nothing more beautiful than a pregnant woman05:00 - 06:20 How the birth control started it all06:20 - 09:05 Feminism Against Progress by Mary Harrington09:05 - 11:06 What would society look like without radical feminists?11:06 - 12:56 The difference in how men vs women choose jobs12:56 - 15:33 Who should pay on the first date and why?15:33 - 17:33 Men don't appreciate lingerie anymore?17:33 - 18:09 What happens when the female body is disregarded?18:09 - 19:10 Final thoughts and key takeaways19:10 - 19:48 Outro_______________________If you found some value today then help me spread the word! Share this episode with a friend or leave a review. This helps the podcast grow.You can also watch the episodes on youtube hereFollow me on Instagram @anyashakhYou can book a discovery call at anyashakh.com

In this episode we discuss the improvised gas masks used by British and Commonwealth soldiers in 1915, the advancement in medical treatment during the Great War, whether soldiers were told in advance about the explosion of mines on the battlefield and the use of soldiers packs in WW1.Our episode on Gas Warfare in WW1 is available here: Gas! Gas! Gas!JD Hutt's YouTube Channel: The History Underground.Got a question about this episode or any others? Drop your question into the Old Front Line Discord Server or email the podcast.Send us a textSupport the show

In this episode we follow Carl Schmitt through the disillusionment of WW1, and breaking up with his con artist wife, to his creation of the Death Star of liberal democracy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After war, our veterans face a new battle: emotional and spiritual conflict that is normal to human beings who've experienced intense brutality.In the Civil War this condition was called “soldier's heart”, in WW1 it was known as “shell shock”, and today many veterans are diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). To see additional resources and […]

We are stepping back in time to WW1 for this episode. Join us as we revisit Deathwatch starring Jamie Bell and Andy Serkis.Follow us @reviewedtodeathLong Way to Tipperary - Public domainAll additional  music provided by Groove Witness - ⁠www.groovewitness.us⁠Create your ⁠podcast⁠ today! #madeonzencasterRead our companion written reviews - imgur.com/user/trojaSpaceBandit

In this episode we start a look at some of the Forgotten Memoirs of the First World War, starting with Percy Croney's 'Soldiers Luck' published in the mid-1960s. Croney was a 1914 volunteer who served with the Essex Regiment and Scottish Rifles at Gallipoli and on the Western Front, being wounded several times and taken prisoner in March 1918. We ask what the value of memoirs like this are to our understanding of the Great War. Percy Croney - Soldier's Luck on Open LibraryGot a question about this episode or any others? Drop your question into the Old Front Line Discord Server or email the podcast.Send us a textSupport the show

Last time we spoke about Operation Chahar. In the turbulent year of 1935, tensions surged in North China as the Kwantung Army defied Tokyo's orders, encroaching deeper into Chahar province. This period was marked by widespread anti-Japanese sentiments, fueled by local revolts and the assassination of pro-Japanese figures, which infuriated Japanese authorities. On May 20, the Kwantung Army launched an offensive against a bandit group led by Sun Yungqin, seeking to exert control over the demilitarized regions established by earlier agreements. Their swift victory forced the resignation of local officials opposing Japanese interests. As chaos escalated, the Chinese government, under pressure to appease Japan, dismantled anti-Japanese factions and dismissed key leaders. The climax in this saga came with the signing of the He-Umezu Agreement, stripping China of authority in Hubei and Chahar, signaling Japan's increasing dominance and setting the stage for further exploitation of the region.   #150 The February 26 Incident Welcome to the Fall and Rise of China Podcast, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about the history of Asia? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on history of asia and much more  so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel where I cover the history of China and Japan from the 19th century until the end of the Pacific War. While this podcast is supposed to be given through the Chinese perspective, I apologize but yet again I need to jump over to the Japanese side. You see, a very pivotal moment during the Showa era would occur in the year of 1936. I think it's crucial to understand it, and the underlying issues of it, to better understand what we will be stuck in for the unforeseeable future, the Second Sino-Japanese War. I've briefly mentioned the two factions within the Japanese military at this time, but now I'd really like to jump into them, and a major incident that made them collide. In the aftermath of WW1, 2 prominent factions emerged during this tumultuous period: the Kodoha, or Imperial Way Faction, and the Toseiha, or Control Faction. Each faction represented distinct visions for Japan's future, deeply influencing the nation's course leading up to World War II. The Kodoha rose to prominence in the 1920s, driven by a fervent belief in Japan's divine destiny and its right to expand its imperial reach across Asia. This faction was characterized by its adherence to traditional Japanese values, rooted in the samurai ethos. They viewed the Emperor as the embodiment of Japan's spirit and sought to return to the moral foundations they believed had been eroded by “Western influence”. The Kodoha was often critical of the West, perceiving the encroachment of Western thought and culture as a threat to Japan's unique identity. Their ideology emphasized a robust military force, advocating for aggressive campaigns in regions like Manchuria and China to assert Japan's dominance. Contrasting sharply with the Kodoha, the Toseiha began to emerge as a more dominant political force in the late 1930s. The Toseiha embraced a pragmatic approach, advocating for a disciplined military that could engage effectively with the complexities of modern warfare. They recognized the importance of retaining some traditional values while also integrating Western military techniques. Rather than rejecting Western influence entirely, the Toseiha believed in adapting to global shifts to ensure Japan's strength and security. The Toseiha's moderation extended to their governance strategies, as they prioritized political stability and control over radical ideology. They saw this approach as crucial for creating a robust state capable of managing Japan's expansionist ambitions without provoking the backlash that Kodoha tactics elicited. Their more calculated approach to military expansion included securing partnerships and pursuing diplomatic solutions alongside military action, thereby presenting a less confrontational image to the world. Now after Manchuria was seized and Manchukuo was ushered in, many in the Japanese military saw a crisis emerge, that required a “showa restoration' to solve. Both factions aimed to create military dictatorships under the emperor. The Kodoha saw the USSR as the number one threat to Japan and advocated an invasion of them, aka the Hokushin-ron doctrine, but the Toseiha faction prioritized a national defense state built on the idea they must build Japans industrial capabilities to face multiple enemies in the future. What really separated the two, was the Kodoha sought to use a violent coup d'etat to make ends meet, whereas the Toseiha were unwilling to go so far. The Kodoha faction was made up mostly of junior and youthful officers, typically country boys as we would call them. These were young men whose families were not the blue bloods, farmer types. They viewed the dramatic changes of Japan in light of their own family experiences, many were impoverished by the dramatic changes. A very specific thing these Kodoha boys hated were the Zaibatsu. The Zaibatsu were large Japanese business conglomerates, primarily active from the Meiji period until WW2. They combined various industries, including banking, manufacturing, and trading. Prominent examples included Mitsubishi and Sumitomo. The reason they hated the Zaibatsu was because they believed they were influenced by western thought and that they super succeeded the authority of the emperor. More or less you can think of it as “we hate the fat cats who are really running things”.   Now the Toseiha faction were willing to work with the Zaibatsu to make Japan stronger. Basically they believed them to just be a necessary evil, you had to play ball to get things rolling. Random note, Hirohito's brother Prince Chichibu sympathized with the Kodoha faction and repeatedly counseled his brother that he should implement direct imperial rule even if it meant suspending the constitution, aka a show restoration. Hirohito believed his brother who was active in the IJA at the time was being radicalized. Now I cant go through the entire history of it, but this time period is known as the “government by assassination” period for Japan. Military leaders in the IJA, IJN and from within the Kodoha and Toseiha factions kept assassinating politicians and senior officers to push envelopes forward. Stating all of that, I now want to talk about the February 26th incident and I will add I am using a specific source, simply because it's my favorite. That is Herbert P Bix's Hirohito and the Making of Modern Japan. In late 1934, several officers from the Imperial Way faction at the Army Cadet School were arrested for plotting a coup. Although there were no immediate repercussions, the following year, two of the same Kodoha officers, named Isobe Asaichi and Muranaka Takaji were arrested again for distributing a document accusing Toseiha faction officers, like Major General Nagata Tetsuzan, of previously drafting coup plans against the government. This time, the army's upper echelons responded firmly, condemning Isobe and Muranaka's accusations as acts of disloyalty, resulting in both officers losing their commissions. Meanwhile, other Imperial Way officers sought retaliation against Nagata, who was rumored to be planning a major purge to eliminate factionalism within the army. Tatsukichi Minobe was a Japanese statesman and scholar of constitutional law and in the 1930s he began a movement bringing up the very real issue with the Meiji constitution in relation to the role of the emperor. In August 1935, amid a populist movement denouncing Minobe's interpretation of the constitution, Lt colonel Aizawa Saburo from Kodoha faction entered Nagata's office and fatally attacked him with his katana. This marked a significant escalation in the military struggle over state reform and the push for increased military funding, which was intertwined with the movement against Minobe. Meanwhile anti- Prime Minister Okada factions within the army, continuing to use slogans like “kokutai clarification” and “denounce the organ theory,” intensified their attacks on the emperor's advisers and hereditary peers. Senior generals from the Kodoha faction arranged a public court-martial for Aizawa, held by the 1st Division, a group heavily populated by Kodoha officers based in Tokyo. When Aizawa's trial commenced on January 12, 1936, his defense team transformed it into an emotional condemnation of the Okada cabinet, the court entourage, and Minobe's constitutional theories. This strategy garnered support across the nation, even reaching unexpected places like the imperial palace, where Dowager Empress Teimei Kogo, a staunch rightist, expressed sympathy for Aizawa. However, before the trial could progress, a military mutiny disrupted proceedings in the capital. Shockwaves rippled through the army after Army Minister Hayashi dismissed Kodoha member General Mazaki from his position overseeing military education and ordered the transfer of the 1st Division to Manchuria, which ignited the largest army uprising in modern Japanese history. The uprising was orchestrated through a series of meetings held from February 18 to 22 by key individuals including Nishida, Yasuhide Kurihara, Teruzō Andō, Hisashi Kōno, Takaji Muranaka, and Asaichi Isobe. Their plan was relatively straightforward: the officers would assassinate the most prominent adversaries of the kokutai, seize control of the administrative center of the capital and the Imperial Palace, and present their demands, which included the dismissal of certain officials and the establishment of a new cabinet led by Mazaki. They did not establish long-term goals, believing that those should be determined by the Emperor. However, it is suspected that they were prepared to replace Hirohito with Prince Chichibu if necessary. The young Kodoha officers felt they had at least implicit support from several influential Imperial Japanese Army officers after making informal inquiries. This group included figures such as Araki, Minister of War Yoshiyuki Kawashima, Jinzaburō Mazaki, Tomoyuki Yamashita, Kanji Ishiwara, Shigeru Honjō, as well as their immediate superiors, Kōhei Kashii and Takeo Hori. Later, Kawashima's successor as Minister of War remarked that if all the officers who had endorsed the rebellion were forced to resign, there would not have been enough high-ranking officers left to replace them. To articulate their intentions and grievances, the young officers prepared a document titled "Manifesto of the Uprising" “Kekki Shuisho”, which they intended to present to the Emperor. Although the document was authored by Muranaka, it was written under the name of Shirō Nonaka, the highest-ranking officer involved in the plot. The document aligned with Kokutai Genri-ha ideals, criticizing the genrō, political leaders, military factions, zaibatsu, bureaucrats, and political parties for jeopardizing the kokutai with their selfishness and disregard for the Emperor, and emphasized the need for direct action: “Now, as we face immense foreign and domestic challenges, if we do not eliminate the disloyal and unjust who threaten the kokutai, if we do not remove the villains obstructing the Emperor's authority and hindering the Restoration, the Imperial vision for our nation will come to naught [...] Our duty is to purge the malevolent ministers and military factions surrounding the Emperor and eradicate their influence; we shall fulfill this mission.” Seven targets were selected for assassination for "threatening the kokutai". Keisuke Okada served as Prime Minister, where he notably advocated for the London Naval Treaty and supported the "organ theory" of the kokutai. His actions reflect a commitment to international agreements and specific ideological principles at the time. Saionji Kinmochi, a Genrō and former Prime Minister, also supported the London Naval Treaty. However, his influence extended further, as he played a role in prompting the Emperor to establish inappropriate cabinets, impacting political stability. Makino Nobuaki, the former Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal and Foreign Minister, was another key figure who supported the London Naval Treaty. He notably prevented Prince Fushimi from voicing protests to the Emperor during this period, and he established a court faction in collaboration with Saitō, further entrenching political alliances. In his capacity as Grand Chamberlain, Kantarō Suzuki supported the London Naval Treaty but faced criticism for "obstructing the Imperial virtue," suggesting tensions between political decisions and traditional values. Saitō Makoto, who served as Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal and former Prime Minister, was involved in advocating for the London Naval Treaty and played a significant role in Mazaki's dismissal. He, too, formed a court faction with Makino, indicating the intricacies of court politics. Takahashi Korekiyo, as Finance Minister and former Prime Minister, engaged in party politics with the aim of diminishing military influence. His approach was focused on maintaining the existing economic structure amid the shifting political landscape. Finally, Jōtarō Watanabe, who replaced Mazaki as Inspector General of Military Education, supported the "organ theory" of the kokutai yet faced criticism for refusing to resign, despite being considered unsuitable for his position. On the night of February 25, Tokyo experienced a heavy snowfall, which uplifted the rebel officers as it evoked memories of the 1860 Sakuradamon Incident. During this event, political activists known as shishi assassinated Ii Naosuke, the chief advisor to the Shōgun, in the name of the Emperor. The rebel forces, organized into six groups, began mobilizing their troops and departing from their barracks between 3:30 and 4:00 AM. At 5:00 AM, they launched simultaneous attacks on key targets, including Okada, Takahashi, Suzuki, Saito, the Ministry of War, and the headquarters of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police. At around five o'clock on the morning of February 26, 1936, a rebellion erupted, fueled by the long-standing tensions surrounding the kokutai issues that had plagued 1935. Twenty-two junior officers led over 1,400 armed soldiers and non-commissioned officers from three regiments of the 1st Division and an infantry unit of the Imperial Guards in a mutiny in snow-covered Tokyo. The attack on Okada involved a contingent of 280 men from the 1st Infantry Regiment, commanded by 1st Lieutenant Yasuhide Kurihara. The troops encircled the Prime Minister's Residence and compelled its guards to open the gates. Upon entering the compound, they attempted to locate Prime Minister Okada but were met with gunfire from four policemen stationed there. All four policemen were killed, wounding six rebel soldiers in the process. However, the shots served as a warning for Okada, prompting his brother-in-law, Colonel Denzō Matsuo, to help him find refuge. Matsuo, who closely resembled Okada, was eventually discovered by the soldiers and killed. After comparing Matsuo's wounded face to a photograph of the prime minister, the attackers mistakenly believed they had accomplished their mission. Okada managed to escape the following day, but this information was kept confidential, and he did not play any further role in the events. After Matsuo's death, Kurihara's men took up guard positions around the compound, reinforced by sixty soldiers from the 3rd Imperial Guard. In another key operation, Captain Kiyosada Kōda led a group of 160 men to seize control of the Minister of War's residence, the Ministry of War, and the General Staff Office. Upon entering the Minister's residence at 6:30 AM, they demanded to see Minister Kawashima. Once admitted, they read their manifesto aloud and presented a document detailing several demands, including: A prompt resolution to the situation that would further "advance the cause of the Restoration." A call to prevent the use of force against the Righteous Army. The arrest of Kazushige Ugaki (Governor-General of Korea), Jirō Minami (commander of the Kwantung Army), Kuniaki Koiso (commander of the Korean Army), and Yoshitsugu Tatekawa for their roles in undermining military command. The immediate dismissal of Lieutenant Colonel Akira Mutō, Colonel Hiroshi Nemoto, and Major Tadashi Katakura from the Imperial Japanese Army for promoting "factionalism." The appointment of Araki as the new commander of the Kwantung Army. Ugaki, who served as Minister of War during two separate terms, had overseen significant reductions and modernization efforts within the army. He had also failed to support the March Incident plotters, who had hoped to install him as Prime Minister. Minami, Mutō, Nemoto, and Katakura were all influential members of the Tōsei-ha faction; Katakura had been partly responsible for reporting on the Military Academy Incident. Later that morning, Isobe encountered Katakura outside the Ministry of War and shot him non-fatally in the head. During this tumultuous period, several officers sympathetic to the rebels, including General Mazaki, General Tomoyuki Yamashita, and General Ryū Saitō, joined the uprising. Saitō praised the young officers' spirit and encouraged Kawashima to accept their demands. Shortly before 9:00 am, Kawashima indicated he needed to speak with the Emperor and left for the Imperial Palace. Meanwhile, Captain Hisashi Kōno led a team of seven, comprised mostly of civilians, to attack Makino Nobuaki, who was staying at Kōfūsō, part of the ryokan Itōya in Yugawara, Kanagawa Prefecture, with his family. Arriving at 5:45 am, they stationed two men outside while entering the inn with weapons drawn. Inside, policemen opened fire, leading to a lengthy exchange of gunfire. A policeman managed to alert Makino and his party of the danger, guiding them to a rear exit. Although the assassins fired at the escaping group, Makino successfully evaded capture. Kōno sustained a gunshot wound to the chest, and one policeman, Yoshitaka Minagawa, was killed. As Kōno was evacuated from the scene, the assailants set fire to the building. Hearing a gunshot, Kōno assumed that Makino had shot himself inside. After his recovery at a nearby military hospital, Kōno and his team were arrested by military police. Around 10:00 am, Kurihara and Nakahashi loaded a fleet of three trucks with sixty men and drove from the Prime Minister's Residence to the offices of the Asahi Shimbun, a significant liberal newspaper. They stormed the building, ordering the evacuation of employees and declaring their actions as "divine retribution for being an un-Japanese newspaper." The rebels then overturned and scattered the newspaper's type trays, containing 4,000 different characters, temporarily halting its publication. Following this attack, the men distributed copies of the uprising's manifesto to nearby newspapers before returning to the Prime Minister's Residence. On another front, 1st Lieutenant Motoaki Nakahashi of the 3rd Imperial Guard gathered 135 men and, under the pretext of paying respects at Yasukuni Shrine, marched to Takahashi Korekiyo's residence. There, he divided his forces, sending one group to attack while the other remained to guard the entrance. After breaking into the compound, Nakahashi and Lieutenant Kanji Nakajima found Takahashi in bed, where Nakahashi shot him while Nakajima delivered a fatal sword strike. Takahashi died without waking. Once his target was eliminated, Nakahashi regrouped with the soldiers and proceeded to the Imperial Palace, aiming to secure it. Entering through the western Hanzō Gate at 6:00 am, Nakahashi informed Major Kentarō Honma, the palace guard commander, that he had been dispatched to reinforce the gates due to earlier attacks. Honma, already aware of the uprisings, accepted Nakahashi's arrival. He was assigned to help secure the Sakashita Gate, the primary entrance to the Emperor's residence. Nakahashi planned to signal nearby rebel troops at police headquarters once he controlled access to the Emperor. However, he struggled to contact his allies, and by 8:00 am, Honma learned of his involvement in the uprising and ordered him, at gunpoint, to vacate the palace grounds. Nakahashi complied and returned to join Kurihara at the Prime Minister's Residence, while his soldiers remained at the gate until relieved later that day, preventing their inclusion in the government's official count of rebel forces. Elsewhere, 1st Lieutenant Naoshi Sakai led a detachment of 120 men from the 3rd Infantry Regiment to Saitō Makoto's home in Yotsuya. After surrounding the policemen on guard, five soldiers entered the residence and found Saitō and his wife, Haruko, in their bedroom. They shot Saitō dead, prompting Haruko to plead for her life, saying, "Please kill me instead!" While they pulled her away, she was unwittingly wounded by stray gunfire. Following Saitō's assassination, two officers directed another group to target General Watanabe, while the remaining men moved to strategically position themselves northeast of the Ministry of War. In Kōjimachi, Captain Teruzō Andō commanded 200 men from the 3rd Infantry Regiment to assault Suzuki's residence across from the Imperial Palace. After disarming the police on duty, they located Suzuki in his bedroom and shot him twice. When Andō moved to deliver the coup de grâce with his sword, Suzuki's wife implored to be allowed to do it herself, believing her husband to be fatally wounded. Andō obliged and, apologizing for the act, explained it was for the nation's sake. After saluting Suzuki, the soldiers left to guard the Miyakezaka junction north of the Ministry of War. Following the assault on Saitō, a party of twenty men, led by 2nd Lieutenants Tarō Takahashi and Yutaka Yasuda, headed to Watanabe's residence in Ogikubo after 7:00 AM. Despite the two-hour delay since previous attacks, no measures had been taken to alert Watanabe. As they attempted to storm the front entrance, military police inside opened fire, wounding Yasuda and another soldier. The troops then gained entry through the rear, confronting Watanabe's wife outside their bedroom. After shoving her aside, they found Watanabe using a futon as cover. He opened fire, prompting one soldier to retaliate with a light machine gun. Takahashi then rushed in and fatally stabbed Watanabe, witnessed by his nine-year-old daughter, Kazuko, who hid nearby. The soldiers departed, taking their wounded to a hospital before positioning themselves in northern Nagatachō. In a significant move, Captain Shirō Nonaka led nearly a third of the rebel forces, comprising 500 men from the 3rd Infantry Regiment, to assault the Tokyo Metropolitan Police headquarters. Their objective was to secure communication equipment and prevent dispatch of the police's Emergency Service Unit. Meeting no resistance, they quickly occupied the building, possibly due to a strategic decision to leave the situation in the military's hands. After securing the police headquarters, 2nd Lieutenant Kinjirō Suzuki led a small group to attack Fumio Gotō's residence, the Home Minister's, but found that Gotō was not home, thus allowing him to escape. This attack appeared to result from Suzuki's independent decision, rather than a coordinated effort among the officers. Despite all of these actions, the Kodoha boys had failed to secure the Sakashita Gate to the palace, which allowed the palace to maintain communication with the outside world, and they neglected to address potential naval interventions. At the Yokosuka naval base, Rear Adm. Yonai Mitsumasa and his chief of staff, Inoue Shigeyoshi, positioned marines to defend the Navy Ministry and prepared warships in Tokyo Bay to suppress the rebellion. By the morning of February 28, after unsuccessful negotiations through sympathetic officers at army headquarters, the commander under martial law transmitted an imperial order to disperse. Most troops returned to their barracks, one officer committed suicide, and the remaining leaders surrendered, resulting in the uprising ending with minimal further violence. Nevertheless, martial law in Tokyo continued for nearly five months. The rebel officers had initially planned for General Kawashima, a staunch ally of the Kodoha, to relay their intentions to the emperor, who they assumed would issue a decree for a “Showa restoration.” Despite their radical objectives of overthrowing the political order, the mutineers, like other military and civilian extremists of the 1930s, sought to operate within the imperial framework and maintain the kokutai. They believed the emperor was under the control of his advisers and lacked a genuine will of his own. Once the Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal and the Grand Chamberlain were removed, they expected the emperor to appoint General Mazaki as prime minister, a leader they believed would reinforce the military and effectively address the China issue. At the onset of the insurrection, they had a real chance of success. The Tokyo military police commander, General Kashii Kohei, sympathized with their cause, and the emperor's chief aide, General Honjo, was related to rebel officer Capain Yamaguchi Ichitaro. Support for the mutineers was present at military bases nationwide. Historian Hata Ikuhiko notes that the rebels contacted General Honjo by both phone and written message before attacking the Okada cabinet. As the first in the imperial entourage to learn of the mutiny, Honjo could have warned the intended targets but chose not to do so. By the time he arrived at court at 6:00 am. on the 26th, key advisors like Chief Secretary Kido, Imperial Household Minister Yuasa Kurahei, and Vice Grand Chamberlain Hirohata Tadakata were already aware of the potential danger. Suzuki was murdered, and the emperor was deeply affected, awakening to the news at 5:40 am from the chamberlain on night duty, Kanroji Osanaga. He learned that his old ministers had been attacked and a coup was underway. Upon receiving this information, Hirohito resolved to suppress the uprising. He was outraged by the killing of his ministers and feared that the rebels might use his brother, Prince Chichibu, to force him to abdicate. He donned his army uniform and summoned Honjo, ordering him to “end it immediately and turn this misfortune into a blessing.” Hirohito adopted a strategy proposed by Kido, who had acted swiftly earlier that morning, instructing Honjo to assess the Imperial Guard Division's potential actions if the mutineers advanced on the Palace. Kido aimed to prevent the establishment of a new provisional cabinet until the mutiny was fully quelled. At 9:30 am Army Minister Kawashima, who had previously met with one of the rebel officers, arrived at court. He urged the emperor to form a cabinet that would “clarify the kokutai, stabilize national life, and fulfill national defense.” Surprised by Kawashima's tone, Hirohito reprimanded him for not prioritizing the suppression of the mutiny. He also expressed his frustration to Chief of the Navy General Staff Prince Fushimi, dismissing him when he inquired about forming a new cabinet. Later that day, Kawashima met with the Supreme Military Council, consisting mainly of army officers sympathetic to the rebels. The council decided to attempt persuasion before relaying the emperor's orders a move contrary to Hirohito's directive. According to historian Otabe Yuji, an “instruction” was issued to the rebel officers at 10:50 am, acknowledging their motives and suggesting the emperor might show them leniency. This message was communicated to the ringleaders by martial law commander General Kashii. That evening, when members of the Okada cabinet came to submit their resignations, Hirohito insisted they remain in power until the mutiny was resolved. On February 27, the second day of the uprising, Hirohito announced “administrative martial law” based on Article 8 of the Imperial Constitution. This invoked his sovereign powers to address the crisis while freeing him from needing cabinet approval for his actions. Hirohito displayed remarkable energy throughout the subsequent days, sending chamberlains to summon Honjo for updates and threatening to lead the Imperial Guard Division himself when dissatisfied with the reports. Honjo, however, resisted the emperor's demands and exhibited sympathy for the rebels. During the uprising, Hirohito met with Prince Chichibu, who had recently returned from Hirosaki. Their discussions reportedly led Chichibu to distance himself from the rebels. However, rumors of his sympathy for them persisted, leading to concerns about potential conflicts within the imperial family. On the second day, Rear Admiral Yonai and his chief of staff demonstrated their loyalty to Hirohito. By February 29, the fourth day of the uprising, Hirohito had reasserted his authority, troops were returning to their barracks, and most rebel leaders were captured. Seventeen of these leaders were court-martialed and executed in July without legal representation. Shortly after, during the obon festival, Hirohito allegedly instructed a military aide to secure seventeen obon lanterns for the palace. This action, though secret, may have provided him some personal comfort amidst the turmoil. An investigation following the mutiny revealed that the rebels' sense of crisis was amplified by the recent general elections, which had shown an anti-military sentiment among voters. Despite their populist rhetoric, most ringleaders were not motivated by the agricultural depression; their goal was to support the kokutai by advocating for increased military rearmament. During this period, military spending steadily rose from 3.47% of GNP in 1931 to 5.63% in 1936. Intriguingly, the ringleaders and their senior commanders shared a desire for state control over production to mobilize resources fully for total war. While united in this goal, their ideas about how to achieve a “Showa restoration” varied greatly, with some leaders, like Isobe, calling for complete economic consolidation and a return to strong state power. The February mutiny reinforced Hirohito's belief in the constitutional framework that underpinned his military authority. He became increasingly cautious about decisions that could compromise his command and developed closer ties to the army's Control faction, justifying military spending increases. Yet, the memory of the mutiny left him feeling uncertain about the throne's stability. Now you know me, whenever I can bring up Hirohito's involvement in the war related times I gotta do. After WW2, in an apparent effort to downplay his role as supreme commander, Hirohito provided a deliberately distorted account of the February events. “I issued an order at that time for the rebel force to be suppressed. This brings to mind Machida Chuji, the finance minister. He was very worried about the rebellion's adverse effect on the money market and warned me that a panic could occur unless I took firm measures. Therefore I issued a strong command to have [the uprising] put down. As a rule, because a suppression order also involves martial law, military circles, who cannot issue such an order on their own, need the mutual consent of the government. However, at the time, Okada's whereabouts were unknown. As the attitude of the Army Ministry seemed too lenient, I issued a strict order. Following my bitter experiences with the Tanaka cabinet, I had decided always to wait for the opinions of my advisers before making any decision, and not to go against their counsel. Only twice, on this occasion and at the time of the ending of the war, did I positively implement my own ideas. Ishiwara Kanji of the Army General Staff Office also asked me, through military aide Chojiri [Kazumoto], to issue a suppression order. I don't know what sort of a person Ishiwara is, but on this occasion he was correct, even though he had been the instigator of the Manchurian Incident. Further, my chief military aide, Honjo, brought me the plan drafted by Yamashita Hobun, in which Yamashita asked me to please send an examiner because the three leaders of the rebel army were likely to commit suicide. However, I thought that sending an examiner would imply that they had acted according to their moral convictions and were deserving of respect. . . . So I rejected Honjo's proposal, and [instead] issued the order to suppress them. I received no report that generals in charge of military affairs had gone and urged the rebels to surrender.”  On February 26, when Hirohito ordered the immediate suppression of the rebels, his anger was directed not only at the insurgents who had assassinated his closest advisors but also at senior army officers who were indecisive in executing the crackdown. The following day, in addition to his role as Minister of Commerce and Industry, Machida took on the responsibilities of finance minister. Concerns over economic panic and confusion contributed to the emperor's sense of urgency, despite not being the primary motivation for his actions. Hirohito believed that every hour of delay tarnished Japan's international reputation. Since the Manchurian Incident, the emperor had frequently clashed with the military regarding encroachments on his authority, though never about fundamental policy issues. At times, he had managed to assert his political views during policy discussions, similar to his earlier influence under the Hamaguchi cabinet. The February 26 mutiny highlighted to Hirohito and Yuasa his privy seal from March 1936 to June 1940, and the first lord keeper of the privy seal to attend court regularly the necessity of fully exercising the emperor's supreme command whenever the situation demanded it. Even when faced with opposition from Honjo, Hirohito managed to gain support and assert his authority through a decisive approach. His resolution marked the end of a period during which alienated “young officers” attempted to leverage his influence as a reformist figure to challenge a power structure they could not manipulate effectively. However, Hirohito learned how to adeptly manage that establishment in most situations. The decision-making process within the government was characterized by secrecy, indirect communication, vague policy drafting, and information manipulation, creating a landscape of confusion, misunderstanding, and constant intrigue aimed at achieving consensus among elites. This was the modus operandi in Tokyo and a reflection of how the emperor operated. Once again, Hirohito reminded the tightly-knit elite that he was essential to the functioning of the system. On May 4, 1936, during his address at the opening ceremony of the Sixty-ninth Imperial Diet, while Tokyo remained under martial law, Hirohito closed the chapter on the February mutiny. Initially, he contemplated sending a strong message of censure to the military, but after considerable deliberation over three months, he ultimately chose to issue a brief, innocuous statement: “We regret the recent incident that occurred in Tokyo.” The response from his audience of Diet members and military officials was one of startled awe, with some privately expressing disappointment. Once again, at a critical juncture, Hirohito avoided an opportunity to publicly rein in the military through his constitutional role. Nonetheless, due to his behind-the-scenes actions, the drift in domestic policy that had characterized Japan since the Manchurian Incident came to an end. In the following fourteen months, the emperor and his advisors largely aligned with the army and navy's demands for increased military expansion and state-driven industrial development. I would like to take this time to remind you all that this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Please go subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry after that, give my personal channel a look over at The Pacific War Channel at Youtube, it would mean a lot to me. So some very unruly young Japanese officers got the bright idea of forcing a showa restoration by killing all the culprits they believed held their emperor hostage. Little did they know, this event spelt the end of the Kodoha faction and rise of the Toseiha faction. Henceforth the military was even more in charge and would get even more insane.   

In this episode of podcast listeners questions we ask: what Great War items would you take to a Desert Island, how was cause of death accurately reported or not by the military authorities, how did men on the front line get news of other fronts and their own, and were truces to bury the dead common on the Western Front?Book Recommendation: Frederick Manning Her Privates We/Middle Parts of Fortune.Got a question about this episode or any others? Drop your question into the Old Front Line Discord Server or email the podcast.Send us a textSupport the show

The new royal tomb, and how two 18th Dynasty rulers defined the "New Kingdom" as we know it. Prof. Aidan Dodson is a dedicated and prolific scholar, whose research covers many facets of ancient Egyptian history (and even WW1 warships!) His latest book, Thutmose III & Hatshepsut: Pharaohs of Egypt - Their Lives and Afterlives looks at how these two monarchs, and their followers, defined many of the aspects of "pharaonic culture" as we imagine it. Along the way, we also discuss the new royal tomb, its significance, and its connection to these famous figures. Prof. Aidan Dodson at Academia.edu and the University of Bristol. Book: Thutmose III and Hatshepsut, Pharaohs of Egypt at AUC Press. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a special Trench Chat we speak to Philipp Cross who has written a superb book about his great-great grandfather's war as an officer in the German Army. Alexander Pfeifer served from the very beginning until the very end of the conflict on three fronts, and we discover how Philipp researched and wrote the book, and what it tells us about the Great War.Buy The Book on Amazon: The Other Trench.The Other Trench website: The Other Trench.The Other Trench on Facebook: The Other Trench.Got a question about this episode or any others? Drop your question into the Old Front Line Discord Server or email the podcast.Send us a textSupport the show

As our centennial series continues, Katherine Sharp Landdeck, professor of history and director of Pioneers Oral History Project at Texas Woman's University and the author of The Women with Silver Wings: The Inspiring True Story of the Women Airforce Service Pilots of World War II (Crown, 2020), talks about American women in the military over the last century.

What did the late Bulgarian psychic, Baba Vanga, often referred to as the “Nostradamus of the Balkans” have to say about 2025? Michaela and Scott explore many of her accurate past predictions, as well as some future ones which include extraterrestrial contact, wars with other planets and more! They revisit some of Nostradamus' accurate world predictions, explain what prophecy is and detail the mysterious history of the famous psychic.Listen to more podcasts like this: https://wavepodcastnetwork.comWant to learn more? Enjoy one of our other interactive Aura quizzes: https://knowyouraura.com/aura-quizzesListen to this introductory episode to find your Aura color: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bonus-every-aura-color-explained/id1477126939?i=1000479357880Send Mystic Michaela some positive energy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mysticmichaelaExplore the Know Your Aura Website : https://knowyouraura.comVisit Mystic Michaela's Website: https://www.mysticmichaela.comJoin Mystic Michaela's Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2093029197406168Ads:Control Body Odor ANYWHERE with @lumedeodorant and get 15% off with promo code AURA at https://lumedeodorant.com #lumepodGet $30 off the first box - PLUS free Croissants in every box - when you go to https://wildgrain.com/kya to start your subscription.Get started at https://www.factormeals.com/kya50off and use code kya50off to get 50 percent off plus FREE shipping on your first box.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The snow-capped mountains of Italy during WW1. The benefits of switching sides in the middle of a war. Diplomacy in war. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trying to protect historical sites in WW1. Using your values against you. Now is not the time to just move on. Government officials must go to prison. Holding yourself back with a victim mentality. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.