Lions Led By Donkeys Podcast
Lions Led By Donkeys
The Lions Led By Donkeys podcast is a military history podcast for laughing at the worst military failures, inept commanders, and crazy stories from throughout the history of human conflict.
Our podcast will always be free, but if you think what we do is worth a buck you can throw us one here:
https://www.patreon.com/lionsledbydonkeys
Our podcast will always be free, but if you think what we do is worth a buck you can throw us one here:
https://www.patreon.com/lionsledbydonkeys
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 17, 2025 • 1h 18min
Episode 388 - The Siege of Kars
SUPPORT THE SHOW ON PATREON:
https://www.patreon.com/lionsledbydonkeys
Towards the end of the Crimean War the Russians invade the Ottoman Empire, coming up against the Fortress City of Kars. Command of the Ottoman forces fall to an old drunk, British man who may or may not be the bastard child of Prince Edward, all of the Turkish officers under him are actually Hungarian, and one American catholic.
Sources:
Winifred Baumgart. The Crimean War: 1853-1856
Raugh Harold. The Victorians at War: 1815-1914
Humphrey Sandwith. The Siege of Kars 1856
William Edward David Allen, Paul Muratoff. Caucasian Battlefields: The History of the Wars of the Turco-Caucasian Border 1828-1921

Nov 12, 2025 • 10min
*PREVIEW* The English Pirates of the Mediterranean
It's the late 16th century and the Ottoman Empire is continuing to advance across the eastern Mediterranean. In Istanbul, the Ottomans have begun ratifying ambassadorships and trade deals with the English crown. And in the middle of this comes a crew of the most sunburned Barbary Pirates you've ever met, hell-bent on plundering any ship they can find before they high-tail it back to...England?
Get the whole episode on Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/143253364
We have new merch available in our store! www.llbdpodcast.com

Nov 10, 2025 • 1h 23min
Episode 387 - The Battle of Ap Bac
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https://www.patreon.com/lionsledbydonkeys
Early during the US War in Vietnam, incompetent American advisors to the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN), who is also incompetent, get incredibly mad as they attempt to get them to fight the Viet Cong, despite the fact the Americans never bothered to tell the ARVN about the battle plan, and every ARVN commander on the ground has to ask for permission to do any command position in a game of telephone that goes all of the way up to the President of South Vietnam.
Sources:
David Elliot. The Vietnamese War: Revolution and Change in the Mekong Delta 1930-1975
David Halberstam. The Making of a Quagmire: American and Vietnam During the Kennedy Era.
Neil Sheehan. A Bright Shining Lie: John Paul Vann and America in Vietnam.
https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Portals/7/educational-services/staff-rides/VSR/Ap-Bac-Vietnam/Material/Ap-Bac%20Preliminary%20Study%20Guide%20V1.0.pdf
https://www.historynet.com/the-battle-at-ap-bac-changed-americas-view-of-the-vietnam-war/

Nov 5, 2025 • 9min
*PREVIEW* The Insane Story of Jonathan Idema
This is a preview. For the whole episode support the show on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/posts/142896441?pr=true

Nov 3, 2025 • 1h 32min
Episode 386 - The Siege of Przemyśl
SUPPORT THE SHOW ON PATREON:
https://www.patreon.com/lionsledbydonkeys
In the opening stages of WWI, an Army of 40 year old reservists from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, armed with decades-old weapons and no food, and largely unable to even speak to one another, attempt to hold off the Russian Imperial Army in what became known as "Austria-Hungary's Stalingrad"
Sources:
Graydon Tunstall. Written in Blood: The Battles For Fortress Przemysl in WWI.
Dr. Alexander Watson. The Fortress: The Siege of Przemsysl and the Making of Europe's Bloodlands.
Christopher Miskimon. The Siege of Przemysl. Military Heritage. Jan 2016. Volume 17, No 4.

Oct 27, 2025 • 1h 4min
Episode 385 - The Texas Revolution: Part 4
The conclusion to our series on the Texas Revolution!
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https://www.patreon.com/posts/early-episode-of-142158449

Oct 22, 2025 • 10min
*PREVIEW* 2025 Q&A
Get the whole episode here:
https://www.patreon.com/posts/141793446?pr=true

Oct 19, 2025 • 1h 5min
Episode 384 - The Texas Revolution: Part 3
SUPPORT THE SHOW ON PATREON AND GET THE CONCLUSION TO THE SERIES RIGHT NOW:https://www.patreon.com/posts/early-episode-4-141594773
PART 3/4

Oct 15, 2025 • 10min
*PREVIEW* The History of Georgia and the Anarchist Republic of Guria: Part 2
THIS IS A PREIVEW. FOR THE WHOLE EPISODE GO HERE:
https://www.patreon.com/posts/141288475?pr=true

Oct 13, 2025 • 1h 8min
Episode 384 - The Texas Revolution: Part 2
The Battle of Gonzales sparked rebellion, leading to Texan volunteers rallying for the cause. Santa Anna sent General Cos to Capano Bay, prompting strategic maneuvers from the Texan side. Jim Bowie's audacious ambush at Concepción showcased the Texans' ingenuity in the face of adversity. With mixed morale and poor logistics, volunteers fought gallantly, employing long rifles over muskets for a tactical edge. Tensions with Tejanos and the complexities of provisional government added layers to this already dynamic struggle for Texas.


