Lions Led By Donkeys Podcast

Episode 319 - The Makin Raid

Jul 8, 2024
Discover the bizarre and captivating tale of the Makin Raid during WWII, where a Marine officer blended Maoist strategies with American combat tactics. Learn about the brutal training and ethos that defined Carlson’s Raiders as they prepared for one of history's strangest military missions. Experience the chaos of landings fraught with unexpected defenses, fierce close-combat encounters, and the moral complexities of warfare, culminating in a tale of survival and bravery that left an indelible mark on military history.
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INSIGHT

Maoist Practices Shaped Raider Culture

  • Evans Carlson returned from China convinced guerrilla political bonds improved combat effectiveness.
  • He adapted Maoist communal practices into unit cohesion and struggle sessions to build loyalty.
ANECDOTE

Recruitment Through Brutal Honesty

  • Carlson recruited volunteers by promising brutal training, wet blankets, and glory.
  • He filtered applicants with blunt tests including whether they'd kill an enemy without warning.
INSIGHT

Flattened Hierarchy Built Unit Cohesion

  • Carlson removed many peacetime barriers between ranks to forge a communal unit identity.
  • He emphasised mutual duty over formal patriotism to create interdependence in combat.
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