Navigating Leadership and Morale in Military History

What makes soldiers fight—and what makes them stop? Historian, tour guide, and podcaster Tom Thorpe joins Underground Strategy to break down combat morale, motivation, and the will to fight.

We discuss the psychology of combat, small-unit cohesion, leadership, and how motivation shifts across different wars and cultures. From the trenches of World War I to modern warfare, we explore how morale shapes battlefield outcomes—and why it sometimes leads to collapse.

Tom also shares insights from his research on the London Regiment, upcoming books, and what history can teach us about the realities of motivation in war.

Good reads on the subject

On Killing - Lt. Col. Dave Grossman - https://amzn.to/4h8nIEI

Will to Fight - Ben Connable - https://amzn.to/3QIXkGJ

Combat and Morale in the North African Campaign - Jonathan Fennell - https://amzn.to/3XmLINC

The Unforgiving Minute - Craig Mullaney - https://amzn.to/4i3PgMR

Men Against Fire - S.L.A. Marshall - https://amzn.to/3DcwKCX

Tom Thorpe’s Work

Combat Morale Podcast- https://combatmoralepod.com/

Episode 25 with Max Lauker and Tony Garcia - https://open.spotify.com/episode/5ORR55guSbqDg9G1x4Wl4E

The Kensingtons blog - https://kensingtons.org.uk/

Mentioned in Dispatches Podcast Ep 125 with Tony Garcia - https://open.spotify.com/episode/396537t2UVsnoN4dMdmVPc

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