Lions Led By Donkeys Podcast
Lions Led By Donkeys
The Lions Led By Donkeys podcast is a military history podcast for laughing at the worst military failures, inept commanders, and crazy stories from throughout the history of human conflict.
Our podcast will always be free, but if you think what we do is worth a buck you can throw us one here:
https://www.patreon.com/lionsledbydonkeys
Our podcast will always be free, but if you think what we do is worth a buck you can throw us one here:
https://www.patreon.com/lionsledbydonkeys
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 31, 2021 • 55min
UNLOCKED: The Japanese Holdouts of WWII
WWII officially ended on September 2, 1945.
It went on a lot longer for some people.
Support the show:
https://www.patreon.com/lionsledbydonkeys
Sources:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-japanese-wwii-soldier-who-refused-to-surrender-for-27-years-180979431/
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2005/may/28/secondworldwar.japan
https://archive.today/20130717075553/http://newspaperarchive.com/pacific-stars-and-stripes/1949-01-10/page-5?tag=kufuku&rtserp=tags/kufuku%3Fndt=by&py=1949&pey=1951
"Straggler Reports to Emperor", Pacific Stars and Stripes, p. 1, June 8, 1960
https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1368&dat=19800405&id=J3pQAAAAIBAJ&pg=6758,842754

Oct 25, 2021 • 1h 4min
Episode 179 - The Battle of Bamber Bridge
Joe is joined by Robert Evans, the host of Behind the Bastards to talk about that time the US sparked a race war within its own army during WWII.
Support the show:
https://www.patreon.com/lionsledbydonkeys
Sources:
https://www.blackpast.org/global-african-history/events-global-african-history/the-riot-of-bamber-bridge-1943/
https://www.stripes.com/history/2021-06-24/bamber-bridge-race-riot-blacks-wwii-1792183.html
https://theconversation.com/black-troops-were-welcome-in-britain-but-jim-crow-wasnt-the-race-riot-of-one-night-in-june-1943-98120
https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/stories/85/a3677385.shtml

Oct 18, 2021 • 1h 11min
Episode 178 - The Bloody White Baron Part 2: The God of Opium and Mass Murder
Roman invades Mongolia, becomes a legally reincarnated god, murders thousands.
Sources:
The Bloody White Baron by James Palmer
https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2016/02/ungern-sternberg-buddhist-isis/459327/
Support the show:
https://www.patreon.com/lionsledbydonkeys

Oct 11, 2021 • 1h 21min
Episode 177 - The Bloody White Baron Part 1: Wolf Rehab
Baron Roman Von Ungern-Sternberg is one of the most insane men to ever live.
*clarification: Estonians aren't slavic people. However, Russian and Baltic German nobility saw them as slavs due to their peasant status. No, this makes no sense.
Sources for all related shows:
The Bloody White Baron by James Palmer
https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2016/02/ungern-sternberg-buddhist-isis/459327/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNUq7IUU300
Willard Sunderland (2014) The Baron’s Cloak, A History of the Russian Empire in War and Revolution
SUPPORT THE SHOW:
https://www.patreon.com/lionsledbydonkeys

Oct 4, 2021 • 1h 12min
Episode 176 - The Spanish American War Part 3: The Stolen Valor of Teddy Roosevelt
A brisk rundown of the Santiago campaign, focusing on chaotic planning, disease, and command failures. The role of Buffalo Soldiers, junior officers, and Gatling guns in taking the heights is highlighted. The conversation digs into Teddy Roosevelt's mythmaking, disputed Medal of Honor claims, and how narratives erased Black soldiers. It closes on Cuba and Puerto Rico's political fallout and the war’s heavy toll from illness.

Sep 27, 2021 • 1h 1min
Episode 175 - The Spanish American War Part 2: The One With All of the Diseases
Typhus! Yellow Fever! Malaria! And more!
Support the show:
https://www.patreon.com/lionsledbydonkeys

Sep 20, 2021 • 1h 9min
Episode 174 - The Spanish American War Part 1: Maybe Don't Remember the Maine
Dive into the early roots of American imperialism as the hosts explore the complex causes of the Spanish-American War. They debunk the famous 'Remember the Maine' narrative, revealing deeper histories of Cuban oppression and the impact of yellow journalism. From ambitious Southern filibusters to unsettling re-concentration camps, the discussion highlights U.S. regional interests, the evolving national sentiment after the Civil War, and the various players lobbying for action. The stage is set for conflict as tensions rise ahead of war declaration.

Sep 13, 2021 • 59min
Episode 173 - The 4th Crusade
Dive into the chaotic world of the Fourth Crusade, where Christian knights unexpectedly find themselves battling boat debts instead of Muslims. Discover the humorous yet disastrous logistics that turned a noble mission into a chaotic adventure. Laugh as the hosts unpack the absurd strategies of historical rulers and the brutal fallout in Constantinople. From dark humor to modern political critiques, the conversation entertains while highlighting the grim realities of this tumultuous era.

Sep 6, 2021 • 1h 30min
Episode 172 - The Battle of Sarikamish
The Ottoman Empire trips over its own dick into WWI, orders an army to attack up a mountain in the middle of winter without shoes, and commits a genocide.
sources:
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/60960/wwi-centennial-turkish-debacle-sarikamish
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ew39InPunOY
https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/pathways/firstworldwar/spotlights/armenian.htm
https://www.armenian-genocide.org/1915-1.html
https://fx.substack.com/p/today-in-caucasian-history-the-battle-4ab
Support the show:
https://www.patreon.com/lionsledbydonkeys

Aug 30, 2021 • 1h 9min
Episode 171 - The Soviet Axe Berserkers of World War II
Sources:
https://www.warhistoryonline.com/world-war-ii/ivan-pavlovich-soviet-soldier.html?chrome=1
https://www.rbth.com/history/326983-5-soviet-superheroes-in-ww-2
https://www.warhistoryonline.com/instant-articles/russian-rambo-of-wwii.html?chrome=1
Support the show
www.patreon.com/lionsledbydonkeys


