The History Syndicate Podcast

On this episode, Mark welcomes Richard Duckett to discuss his latest book about Lt Col Edgar Peacock DSO MC and Bar called 'Jungle Warrior: Britain's Greatest SOE Commander'. Set against the backdrop of the Second World War in Burma, Richard illustrates how Edgar was driven by a strong sense of duty to serve, despite his age in the difficult conditions the 14th Army faced. Reflecting on the service of his own family, Richard states why he became interested in this facet of World War Two and in particular Burma alongside trying to give recognition to all those who fought there. Additionally, Richard discusses in outline the actions that led to the award on two Military Crosses and a Distinguished Service Order for Edgar, which marked him out as a charismatic and excellent leader on the SOE missions they found themselves.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 Richard Duckett.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.

On this episode, Mark welcomes Wendy Holden to the podcast to discuss her recent book 'The Teacher of Auschwitz'. The novel, based on the experience of 'Fredy' Hirsch, a German Jew who grew up loving nature, sport and supporting youth movements, who then had to flee from the Nazis but subsequently found himself in Theresienstadt Concentration Camp, aka Terezin, and then Auschwitz. Fredy, was able to organise the youth education and sports in these camps, which gave hope to many throughout the horrible terrors of the Holocaust. Wendy's book brings a reminder of these awful events to the attention, as well as the courage and determination of those who experienced it, such as Fredy. Re-assessing Fredy's role in the resistance within Auschwitz also, Wendy expertly discusses the challenges that Fredy faced throughout the novel, increasing the understanding of what occurred during the Holocaust.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 represent any views of any other organisation or institution.Hosted by Mark Martin.With Wendy Holden.Edited 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.

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.

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.

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.