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

Sep 28, 2025 • 1h 13min
Episode 382 - The Gordon Relief Expedition
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Once upon a time, the British Empire sent a very badly planned rescue mission halfway around the world to save a man who didn't need to be saved. It ended in hilarious failure.
Sources:
https://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/nile-expedition
Michael Asher. Khartoum: The Ultimate Imperial Adventure
Charles Trench. The Road to Khartoum: A Life of General Charles Gordon
Mike Snook. Beyond the Reach of Empire: Wolseley's Failed Campaign to save Gordon and Khartoum
Simon Craig. Breaking the Square: Britain Takes on Mahdi at the Battle of Abu Klea. Military Heritage Magazine. Vol. 3 No. 3.
Sep 24, 2025 • 10min
*PREVIEW* History of Georgia, Part 1 (feat. Omar Tsotsoria)
GET LIVESTREAM TICKETS FOR OUR SHOW ON OCT 4TH
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/livestream-lions-led-by-donkeys-podcast-live-in-glasgow-4th-october-2025-tickets-1532091008449?aff=ebdssbdestsearchgl=1s0822wupMQ..gaNDgyMTk4OTc3LjE3NTc4NjgzNzM.ga_TQVES5V6SHczE3NTc4NjgzNzMkbzEkZzAkdDE3NTc4NjgzNzMkajYwJGwwJGgw
It's a special version of History of Armenia in which Georgian journalist Omar Tsotsoria joins the show to discuss the history of another Caucasian country, and the specific history of an early-Soviet-era anarchist breakaway state in the Georgian SSR.
Get the whole episode on Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/139624712
Sep 22, 2025 • 1h 18min
Episode 381: Operation Vengenace
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During WWII, the US launched a mission to kill Isoroku Yamamoto, the architect of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, which only went so well due to Yamamoto really not caring about his own safety and ignoring constant warnings from his subordinates.
Sources:
Doug Hampton. Operation Vengeance: The Astonishing Aerial Ambush That Changed World War II
Burke Davis. Get Yamamoto.
Hiroyuki Agawa. The Reluctant Admiral: Yamamoto and the Imperial Navy.
https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/article/killing-yamamoto-operation-vengeance-from-roger-ames-cockpit/
https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/article/death-of-admiral-isoroku-yamamoto/

Sep 17, 2025 • 10min
*PREVIEW* Audie Murphy
This is a preview. For the entire episode support the show on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/posts/139091417?pr=true&cr=true

Sep 15, 2025 • 1h 7min
Episode 380 - The Siege of Alesia
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Julius Caesar and the Gauls create a world's most murderous version of lasanga as regular siege becomes a double siege, turns into the final nail in the coffin of a rebellion against Rome.
Sources:
John Saddler, Rosie Serdiville. Caesar's Greatest Victory
https://www.historynet.com/caesar-gaul-alesia/
https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/article/caesars-grand-siege-at-alesia/
https://www.historyonthenet.com/engines-of-destruction-roman-advancement-of-siege-warfare

Sep 10, 2025 • 10min
*PREVIEW* Lions Led By Robots 19: Get In My German Entry Plug
This is a preview. For the entire episode support the show on Patreon:
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Sep 8, 2025 • 1h 42min
Episode 379 -The Great Siege of Gibraltar ft. Josh Boerman
SUPPORT THE SHOW ON PATREON:
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LIVESTREAM TICKETS FOR OCT 4TH
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CHECK OUT THE MERCH STORE:
www.llbdpodcast.com/
Check out TWOAPW: https://www.worstpossible.world
The largest battle of the U.S. War of Independence took place in... Gibraltar? On the southern tip of Spain? The rock that the Brits care about a lot? And there weren't any Americans involved? Josh Boerman, friend of the show and host of The Worst of All Possible Worlds podcast and Ill Conceived podcast, joins us for this strange transatlantic chapter of American history.
Sources:
Roy Adkins. Leslie Adkins. Gibralter: The Greatest Siege in British History
https://www.historynet.com/rock-legend-gibraltar/
https://www.thecollector.com/great-siege-gibraltar-us-revolution/
https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/article/grand-assault-on-gibraltar/

Sep 3, 2025 • 10min
*PREVIEW* The Battle of Eniwetok
In 1942 the US Pacific campaign wound up creating the circumstances for a tank engagement on a tiny atoll in the middle of the ocean. It was the origin of the expression 'the two-thousand yard stare,' a battle that probably didn't need to happen but still wound up happening, and it involved a lot of carnage amid exactly zero shade. So, of course we were going to talk about it.
Get the whole episode on Patreon here! https://www.patreon.com/posts/137945399
LIVESTREAM TICKETS FOR OCT 4TH
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/livestream-lions-led-by-donkeys-podcast-live-in-glasgow-4th-october-2025-tickets-1532091008449
CHECK OUT THE MERCH STORE:
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Sep 1, 2025 • 1h 20min
Episode 378 - The Battle of Lepanto
Dive into the epic Battle of Lepanto, where the Holy League forms to fend off Ottoman threats! Experience the twists of galley warfare, from pirate betrayals to enslaved oarsmen. Discover Don Juan's innovative tactics and how a series of blunders led to both tragedy and triumph. Marvel at the dramatic clash on the water, featuring mass volleys and the unexpected contributions of legendary figures like Cervantes. Reflect on the battle's aftermath and its place in the shift from galley to gunpowder warfare.

Aug 28, 2025 • 10min
*PREVIEW* History of Armenia 44: Victor Maghakian
For this month's History of Armenia, Joe and Ani discuss the history of the most decorated Armenian-American military veteran in US history: a midwest Armenian-American named Victor Maghakian who was, without exaggeration, an absolute beast during the Pacific campaign of World War II.
Get the whole episode on Patreon here! https://www.patreon.com/posts/137451794
Livestream tickets for our October 4 show in Glasgow are still available! https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/livestream-lions-led-by-donkeys-podcast-live-in-glasgow-4th-october-2025-tickets-1532091008449
Our merch store is open! https://www.llbdpodcast.com


