The Taiwan History Podcast: Formosa Files
John Ross and Eryk Michael Smith
Formosa Files is the world's biggest and highest-rated Taiwan history podcast. We use an engaging storytelling format and are non-chronological, meaning every week is a new adventure - and, you can just find a topic that interests you and check out that episode...skip stuff that isn't your thing. The hosts are John Ross, an author and publisher of works on Taiwan and China, and Eryk Michael Smith, a journalist for local and global media outlets. Both Ross and Smith have lived in Taiwan for over two decades and call the island home.
Email: formosafiles@gmail.com
Email: formosafiles@gmail.com
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 14, 2021 • 27min
S1-E9 - The Empire's Last Soldier
He was the last Pacific WWII holdout and a native Taiwanese from the Amis tribe... here's the remarkable story of a Japanese colonial soldier who didn't get home until the mid-1970s!
Oct 8, 2021 • 27min
S1-E8 - POWs, Bombing Raids, and Kamikazes
Initially relatively spared, as WWII in the Pacific reaches a climax, Taiwan is hit hard by advancing Allied forces. POWs in camps across the island await liberation and in modern-day Tainan, a Japanese commander assembles the first kamikaze unit on Formosa.
Note: There early episodes were recorded in a home studio, the sound quality, and the delivery of the stories (we think) has much improved since 2021.
Visit formosafiles.com for more.
Sep 30, 2021 • 28min
S1-E7 - Luzon or Formosa? - Taiwan Dodges WWII Invasion
World War II in the Pacific is coming to a close... American military top brass meet with the President to pick the island from which to launch the final attack on Japan. Taiwan -- in particular, southern Taiwan -- is a strong candidate. Hear some interesting war stories and...oh, the tale of the "Holy Bamboo" of Pingtung.
Sep 30, 2021 • 29min
S1-E6 - Big Crises on Tiny Islands
The Korean War is over, and Mao turns again to the mission of invading Taiwan. To do that, his forces will need to first take some tiny islands just off the coast of China... which is easier said than done. Here's the story of the two "Cross-Strait Crises."
Note: These early episodes were done in a home studio, sound quality has much improved since 2021.
Visit formosafiles.com for more.
Sep 25, 2021 • 26min
S1-E5 - Rioters Ransack the Taipei U.S. Embassy (1957)
A U.S. officer shoots dead a 'Peeping Tom' allegedly spying on the officer's wife as she took a shower. The subsequent trial and verdict lead to the incredible -- yet little-known -- story of riots that ransacked the US embassy in downtown Taipei... in 1957! --When the ROC and the USA were supposed to be best buddies.
Sep 16, 2021 • 23min
S1-E4 - Mao Really Wants Taiwan - and a Taiwanese Spy Almost Gave it to Him!
Explore Mao Zedong's ambition to conquer Taiwan, the story of a Taiwanese spy who almost gave Taiwan to Mao, Jankai Shek's strategy to regain control from the communists, and Mao's determination to invade Taiwan despite the obstacles he faces.
Sep 11, 2021 • 24min
S1-E3 - The Fall of Fort Zeelandia
The podcast explores the Dutch's resilience during the Siege of Fort Zeelandia in Taiwan, their failed attempts to form an alliance with Qing forces, the ill-fated naval and land attack launched against a larger force, the motivations of a German traitor, and the fall of redoubt Utrecht during the nine months of siege.
Sep 11, 2021 • 24min
S1-E2 - Koxinga VS. The Dutch - Round One
Pirate Warlord Koxinga's successful invasion of Taiwan changed everything. Here's part one of the tale of an epic, nine-month struggle with the Dutch in Anping, modern-day Tainan.
Sep 6, 2021 • 25min
S1-E1 - The White Formosan
How could a 'very white' European man get away with showing up in London in 1703 and claiming to be from Formosa? In this first episode of FORMOSA FILES, we look at this fascinating story of a French con-man, and the bigger picture of what the West knew about Formosa/Taiwan roughly three to four centuries ago.
