42. British Recruiting in The First and Second World Wars with Dr Harry J Sanderson
On this episode, Mark welcomes Dr Harry J Sanderson to the podcast to discuss the British approach and public perspectives to recruiting or volunteering for military service in the First and Second World Wars. Their discussion begins with the perceptions of Victorian society on military service and how there is a difference between motivations for volunteer service in 'peacetime' and 'wartime'. Most interestingly, why conflicts are remembered in different ways and the differences between the First and Second World War motivations are chatted about, as well as the delivery of a superb quote that "The Infantry will always be the thunderbolt in the hands of Jupitor to throw at the enemy". Most interesting and further detail on Harry's work will be published in Spring 2026 in a monograph titled 'The Soldier Factory'.From the macro to the micro topics of history, The History Syndicate Podcast is the forum for all with a common interest in all things history.The views expressed are those of the author and guest. They do not necessarily represent any views of any other organisation or institution.Hosted by Mark Martin.With Dr Harry J Sanderson.Edited and produced by Mark Martin.Music: Throughout History available via Podcastle.Audio: Mixed using Podcastle.Cover Art and images created using Canva and Canva DreamLab AI. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
--------
1:01:03
--------
1:01:03
41. The Gunners at Passchendale (1917) with Simon Shephard
On this episode, Mark welcomes back Simon Shephard to the syndicate to discuss 'The Gunners' aka the Royal Regiment of Artillery at the Battle of Passchendaele (1917) aka 3rd Ypres. Simon expertly leads on discussing the strategic context, to the ground and then into the nuances of the battle itself. Originally the most well known battles of the First World War, particularly by veterans, it become overshadowed from the 1950's onwards by The Battle of the Somme in the public memory. This episode catches the original reasons why this battle was the enduring memory for many of the First World War and re-evaluates its importance to both that memory and the development of artillery and combined arms tactics. One round every fifteen seconds by the British on the German frontline trenches puts the intensity of this battle into perspective.From the macro to the micro topics of history, The History Syndicate Podcast is the forum for all with a common interest in all things history.The views expressed are those of the author and guest. They do not necessarily represent any views of any other organisation or institution.Hosted by Mark Martin.With Simon Shephard.Edited and produced by Mark Martin.Music: Throughout History available via Podcastle.Audio: Mixed using Podcastle.Cover Art and images created using Canva and Canva DreamLab AI. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
--------
1:19:31
--------
1:19:31
40. History and Wargame Design with Alessio Cavatore
On this episode, Mark welcomes Alessio Cavatore previously of Games Workshop where he designed supplement games for the brand and more recently with his own company River Horse games. As the co-designer for Warlord Games' World War Two game Bolt Action, Mark was very keen on interviewing Alessio for the pod particularly on how history influences wargame design. Replicating history in wargaming is a difficult task, which sometimes requires simplification, but also a guard against rule creep to ensure that the game remains accessible and playable. This is Alessio's drive to achieve a sophistication through simplicity, "designing a complex game is easy" and the conversation leads onto simplicity is the most difficult thing to achieve. A superb conversation related to designing history into wargaming that moved into one of Mark's favourite subjects, Waterloo, for which Alessio designed Quelle' Affaire. Alessio reveals that his influence from history actually comes from the idealistic vision of the medieval knight, so the Middle Ages are his favourite period of history. Simple wonderful.From the macro to the micro topics of history, The History Syndicate Podcast is the forum for all with a common interest in all things history.The views expressed are those of the author and guest. They do not necessarily represent any views of any other organisation or institution.Hosted and edited by Mark Martin.With Alessio Cavatore.Edited and produced by Mark Martin.Music: Throughout History available via Podcastle.Audio: Mixed using Podcastle.Cover Art and images created using Canva and Canva DreamLab AI. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
--------
56:58
--------
56:58
39. Discussing the Teutonic Order (1190-1291) with Dr Nic Morton
On this episode, Mark welcomes Dr Nic Morton onto the syndicate to discuss the Teutonic Order, in particular, the Teutonic Knights who crusaded in the Middle East but also in Northern Prussia, modern day the 'Baltic States'. A complex and diverse population interacting in the 'Crusader States' during the 13th and 14th century, factionalism is rife that required peacemaking but ultimately it came down to the relationships between individuals than institutions themselves. Herman Von Selsa stands out as a individual who could manoeuvre benefactors and patrons towards a common cause for the institution, and in this case, for the Teutonic Order. They discuss the different grades of the order, Brother and Sister Knights to Brother Sergeants and their roles in the orders. A fascinating insight, more detail can be gained through Nic's book 'The Teutonic Knights 1190-1291'.From the macro to the micro topics of history, The History Syndicate Podcast is the forum for all with a common interest in all things history.The views expressed are those of the author and guest. They do not necessarily represent any views of any other organisation or institution.Hosted and edited by Mark Martin.With Dr Nic Morton.Music: Throughout History available via Podcastle.Audio: Mixed using Podcastle.Cover Art and images created using Canva and Canva DreamLab AI. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
--------
1:01:46
--------
1:01:46
38. 'The Hunger Winter' and Operation MANNA - Humanitarian Relief in Holland 1945 with Frank Pleszak
On this episode, Mark welcomes Frank Pleszak back to the syndicate to discuss Operation Manna that took place in Holland beginning in April 1945. Coupled with Operation Chowhound from the USA and Operation Faust, humanitarian aid was delivered by air and road into Holland to prevent starvation amongst the civilian populations. Having run events at the Avro Heritage Museum in Manchester with veterans, Frank provides the comments that were made by the veterans about this task that they were not prepared for, or trained for, at the end of the war to ensure that the people of Holland were fed.Recordings provided with the kind permission of Frank Pleszak as a volunteer of the Avro Heritage Museum and the veterans of Op MANNA that they interviewed, John Manoghan and Jeff Brown, who spoke on the recordings. All provided with permission.From the macro to the micro topics of history, The History Syndicate Podcast is the forum for all with a common interest in all things history.The views expressed are those of the author and guest. They do not necessarily represent any views of any other organisation or institution.Hosted and edited by Mark Martin.With Frank Pleszak.Music: Throughout History available via Podcastle.Audio: Mixed using Podcastle.Cover Art and images created using Canva and Canva DreamLab AI. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The History Syndicate Podcast is to bring together those with a common interest in history. It is to build a community for anyone to discuss everything and anything history.Whether your research is part of an academic scholarly debate, a museum exhibition, an historical project or personal family history, the syndicate wants to hear and share it with the world.So much work, time and effort placed into discovering, re-evaluating or add to historical knowledge often goes unsaid, unpublished and unheard. It is the syndicate’s desire to provide a relaxed conversational forum where all have equal opportunity to present their knowledge and hard work.Join the syndicate host Mark Martin on The History Syndicate Podcast. Mark is a graduate of history and has enthusiasm for any historical subject. This is his hobby podcast simply because he loves talking history with anyone.Mark wants to build an active community open to all with a common interest in history.Welcome to The History Syndicate Podcast. The syndicate hopes you enjoy being involved in the conversation.Hosted, created and produced by Mark Martin.Music: 'Throughout History' via Podcastle.Audio: Mixed using Podcastle.Cover Art and images created using Canva and Canva DreamLab AI.The History Syndicate Podcast is an independent creation not aligned to any organisation or institution. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
UK