Lions Led By Donkeys Podcast Episode 304 - The Boxer Rebellion Part 4: The Rembrandt of Violence
Mar 25, 2024
Dive into the chaotic and humorous world of the Boxer Rebellion, where miscommunication among military leaders leads to absurd strategies and brutal realities. The hosts contrast the disunity of the Eight-Nation Alliance with quirky chiropractic tales and engaging debates about tobacco culture. Discover the fascinating interplay of war, nationalism, and media representations, along with reflections on the grim conditions faced by soldiers. All this is wrapped in a blend of satire, history, and a dash of lightheartedness.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Fragmented Alliance, Fragile Command
- The Allies in the Boxer Rebellion were geopolitically hostile yet forced to cooperate with no unified command.
- Language barriers and mistrust meant French became the awkward lingua franca, hamstringing coordination.
Smedley Butler’s Violent Legend
- Smedley Butler appears in the narrative stabbing several Boxers during a raid while trapped in a house.
- The hosts repeatedly portray Butler as a near-mythic, violent American legend.
Fatal Funnels And Bad Maps
- Allied attacks at Tientsin repeatedly funneled troops into fatal chokepoints under heavy fire.
- Poor planning, bad maps, and massed assaults produced catastrophic casualties and chaos.