The History Network
The military history podcast specialists, looking at all aspects of war through the ages.
2109 12th Armoured Division - The 'Hellcats' at Herrlisheim

The 12th Armoured Division set off from New York for the European theatre of war on September 20th 1944. They would spend November and December surging across northern France encountering the enemy in Alsace and at the Maginot Line, liberating parts of France as they went. They were one of only two US Armoured Divisions to have african american combat companies integrated into the division. They adopted the nickname "Hellcats" symbolising their toughness and readiness for combat. They would meet their toughest opposition against German Forces at Herrlisheim - part of Hitler’s Operation North wind.  Dur: 20mins  File: .mp3

Direct download: 2109_12th_Armoured_-_The_Hellcats_At_Herrlisheim.mp3
Category:military -- posted at: 2:22pm UTC

On the 3rd of December 1940 the German Auxiliary Cruiser Kormoran slipped out of Gotenhafen. She was the largest of the new wave of Merchant Raiders, which had proved so successful in the first world war. Captained by Theodor Detmers, at just 38 he was the youngest of the Auxiliary cruiser captains. In his own opinion too young. Officially he didn't even hold high enough rank to captain such a ship. But over the next year they successfully sank 11 enemy merchantman and sparred with the Destroyer HMAS Sydney, a David and Goliath encounter... An encounter in which they triumphed. Dur: 24 mins File: .mp3

Direct download: 2108_WW2_Auxilliary_Cruiser_Kormoran.mp3
Category:military -- posted at: 10:48am UTC

In the latest podcast we focus on terrain, or more specifically terrain boards and mats. Which is better? What do people prefer? With expert comment provided by Mel "the terrain tutor", Eric Lauterbach from the WWPD Network and from Cigar Box Battle Mats Cory Ring and Chris Ward.

As usual Guy, Jasper and Angus are joined by the berserkers from Brixham, Rossco and Paul.

Don't forget if you have any comments or suggestions you can email editor@wssmagazine.com, or go to Facebook or look us up and leave a message on Skype at WSS Podcast.


Show Notes

Frostgrave
Escape from Colditz
EBob Miniatures 
Mel "The Terrain Tutor"
WWPD.net
Cigar Box Battle Mats
Terra Tiles, from Rainn Studios
Project 217
Eagle Rampant, WSS 80

 

Direct download: WSS_3_-_A_Flocking_Nightmare.mp3
Category:WSS Magazine -- posted at: 1:00am UTC

Around the 12th Century, German regionalism was very strong with the northern lowlands having their own distinct languages of Saxon and Frisian. Efforts by Imperial central government to unify provincial and legal frameworks, while attempting to impose Middle High German as the official language, failed.

 The importance of towns within this regionalism, they were the focus and strength of the local communities with the power to effect terms of trade, rights, position.

It was therefore a fertile period for the emergence of urban leagues, and in 1241 the first formal alliance between Lubeck and Hamburg was strengthened when they agreed to jointly protect trade routes on sea and land. This was the first formation of what would become the Hanseatic League. This league would expand, fight, defend, trade and negotiate across the next 400 years until Europe no longer needed it. But its legacy can still be seen and found today. Dur: 16mins File: .mp3

 

Direct download: 2107_The_Hanseatic_League.mp3
Category:military -- posted at: 8:00am UTC