Underground Strategy

Former Rhodesian Selous Scout Andy Balaam returns to Underground Strategy to break down Operation Long John, one of the most significant cross-border raids into Mozambique during the Bush War.With ZANLA gaining unrestricted access to Mozambique after the Portuguese withdrawal in 1975, Rhodesian forces had to act fast. Andy shares firsthand insights into the intelligence failures, reconnaissance missions, and high-stakes direct action operations that shaped this mission.From snatch-and-grab operations to the cancelled plan to hijack a diesel train into Maputo, this episode explores the chaotic planning, brutal realities, and high-risk tactics of Rhodesian counterinsurgency. Andy also discusses his books—Bush War Operator, The Further Operations of a Bush War Operator, and Skuzapo—offering unfiltered accounts of the conflict.Andy's WorkBush War Operator - https://amzn.to/4gLOToJFurther Memoirs of a Bush War Operator - https://amzn.to/3CYQcmoSkuzapo: The Untold Story - https://amzn.to/430ijfxMore from Underground StrategyDiscover Number 788: https://amzn.to/3BQGmm7Join the mission: https://undergroundstrategy.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Historian, journalist, and podcast host Desmond Latham returns to Underground Strategy for a wide-ranging discussion on warfare, history, and modern conflict. While Stalingrad was on the agenda, this episode moves beyond a single battle—covering urban warfare, women in combat, and the evolution of military doctrine.From the brutal house-to-house fighting at Stalingrad to the parallels with Mariupol and Bakhmut, we explore the grim realities of urban warfare. The conversation also touches on Soviet military leadership, psychological warfare, and how combat shapes soldiers across history.Desmond previously hosted the Number 788 miniseries, where he led an in-depth discussion on Max’s book Number 788, now available under the Underground Strategy podcast.Check out Desmond Latham’s work:Desmond Latham’s Blog: https://desmondlatham.blog/The Battle of Stalingrad Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/7fbukBWd21o7k17V6O4XzoRecommended Reading – Stalingrad: The Fateful Siege: 1942-1943 by Antony Beevor: https://amzn.to/40P4Tk1Discover Number 788: https://amzn.to/3BQGmm7Join the mission: https://undergroundstrategy.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Britain’s 6th Airborne Division played a critical role in the success of D-Day and the wider Normandy campaign. Historian and author Andrew Wheale joins the show to unpack how these elite troops were formed, trained, and led into battle. His book, Ham & Jam: 6th Airborne Division in Normandy - Generating Combat Effectiveness: November 1942 – September 1944, explores the factors that shaped their success, from leadership and doctrine to the high-risk, high-impact airborne drops that defined their operations.Major General Richard Gale’s command style, the brutal engagements of Operation Tonga and Mallard, and the division’s ability to hold the eastern flank under relentless German counterattacks—these are just some of the elements that made 6th Airborne a force to be reckoned with. From meticulous planning to raw aggression, the lessons from their campaign still resonate in modern military leadership today.Discover Ham & Jam: 6th Airborne Division in Normandy by Andrew Wheale - https://amzn.to/42JddV8Join the mission - https://undergroundstrategy.comDiscover Number 788 - https://amzn.to/3BQGmm7 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Part 2, we continue our hard-hitting conversation with Amos C. Fox, tackling the future of war, the myth of precision strike, and why doctrine often lags behind reality. How do modern militaries adapt—or fail to adapt—to the shifting landscape of conflict? And what lessons should we take forward from past wars into the next fight?Amos C. Fox, PhD, is a Fellow with Arizona State University's Future Security Initiative and a lecturer in the Department of Political Science at the University of Houston. He hosts Revolution in Military Affairs, Soldier Pulse, and WarCast, serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Military Studies, and is a senior editor at Small Wars Journal. A retired US Army Lieutenant Colonel, Amos brings over two decades of experience to the conversation.Conflict Realism: Understanding the Causal Logic of Modern War and Warfare:https://amzn.to/3WxWJehRevolution in Military Affairs Podcast:https://shows.acast.com/revolution-in-military-affairsIrregular Warfare Initiative:https://irregularwarfare.org/Follow Amos Fox:X: https://x.com/AmosFox6LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amoscfox/Join the mission:https://undergroundstrategy.comDiscover Number 788:https://amzn.to/3BQGmm7 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, we take a deep look into uMkhonto weSizwe (MK), the armed wing of the African National Congress (ANC), and its pivotal role in South African history. Of course, no discussion about MK is complete without exploring the leadership and legacy of Nelson Mandela.Joining us to break it all down is Professor Thula Simpson, a leading expert on South African history, award-winning author, and researcher who has spent years examining the ANC’s armed struggle.We dive into how and why MK was formed, the shift from non-violent resistance to armed struggle, Mandela’s radical early years and his strategic role in MK, the evolution of ANC’s military tactics and how they adapted models from global revolutions, the role of key figures like Chris Hani, Joe Slovo, and others in shaping MK’s impact, the internal conflicts within MK and how they affected its trajectory, and the legacy of Mandela and whether his reconciliatory politics were inevitable or strategic.Thula also sheds light on the rich archival material that has surfaced over the years, providing new insights into the ANC’s military history and the broader liberation struggle.Books by Thula Simpson:Umkhonto we Sizwe: The ANC’s Armed Struggle - https://amzn.to/3WnvjrKThe ANC and the Liberation Struggle in South Africa - https://amzn.to/40swKpMHistory of South Africa: From 1902 to the Present - https://amzn.to/3PHVPbqHistory beyond apartheid: New approaches in South African historiography - https://amzn.to/42nZH9cThe Routledge Companion to Postcolonial African Historiography - https://amzn.to/4g29JzLThis episode is a must-listen for those interested in modern African history, insurgencies, and the political evolution of revolutionary movements.Join the Mission at https://undergroundstrategy.comDiscover Number 788 at https://amzn.to/3BQGmm7 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Amos C. Fox joins Underground Strategy to challenge conventional thinking on modern warfare. From maneuver warfare’s shaky foundations to the realities of attrition, we dig into the strategic narratives shaping today’s conflicts. Are we fighting the wars we think we are, or just the ones doctrine tells us to prepare for?Amos C. Fox, PhD, is a Fellow with Arizona State University's Future Security Initiative and a lecturer in the Department of Political Science at the University of Houston. He hosts Revolution in Military Affairs, Soldier Pulse, and WarCast, serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Military Studies, and is a senior editor at Small Wars Journal. A retired US Army Lieutenant Colonel, Amos brings over two decades of experience to the conversation.Conflict Realism: Understanding the Causal Logic of Modern War and Warfare: https://amzn.to/3WxWJehRevolution in Military Affairs Podcast:https://shows.acast.com/revolution-in-military-affairsIrregular Warfare Initiative:https://irregularwarfare.org/Follow Amos Fox:X: https://x.com/AmosFox6LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amoscfox/Join the mission:https://undergroundstrategy.comDiscover Number 788:https://amzn.to/3BQGmm7 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this second part of our conversation with Andrew Chatterton, we explore the extreme lengths Britain went to in preparing for a German invasion. From hidden resistance networks to the brutal realities of underground warfare, this episode unpacks the operations that never made the history books.We also discuss the use of women and teenagers in secret roles, the harsh choices these units had to make, and how their actions would have shaped the fight for Britain. Plus, what would have happened if German infiltrators had made it onto British soil? Andrew walks us through a fascinating counterfactual scenario to test how effective these secret groups really were.Andrew Chatterton’s BooksBritain’s Secret Defences: Civilian Saboteurs, Spies and Assassins during the Second World War - https://amzn.to/3DYyMXdFortress Britain 1940: Britain’s Unsung and Secret Defences on Land, Sea and in the Air - https://amzn.to/4hgI2V3Explore moreStayBehinds research group - www.staybehinds.comWatch the toilet bunker video - https://youtu.be/iVLsKehOhIM?si=GzGFzVfDKAJTdW2SConnect with Andrew ChattertonX - https://twitter.com/Chats1Instagram - https://instagram.com/historicalandrewBluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/historicalchats.bsky.socialThreads - https://threads.net/@historicalandrewJoin the mission: https://undergroundstrategy.comDiscover Number 788: https://amzn.to/3BQGmm7 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Underground Strategy, we go full cloak and dagger with British auxiliary units, the country’s secret last line of resistance during WWII. Max and Tony are joined by historian Andrew Chatterton, an expert on Britain’s covert civilian forces, to explore the unsung heroes who were prepared to fight from the shadows if the Nazis invaded.We uncover the origins of these secret units, their training, recruitment, and the ingenious tactics they planned to use against an occupying force. From hidden bunkers and sabotage plans to civilian spies and coded messages in church keys, this episode sheds light on the secret war that never happened—but could have changed history.Andrew Chatterton’s BooksBritain’s Secret Defences: Civilian Saboteurs, Spies and Assassins during the Second World War - https://amzn.to/3DYyMXdFortress Britain 1940: Britain’s Unsung and Secret Defences on Land, Sea and in the Air - https://amzn.to/4hgI2V3Explore moreStayBehinds research group - www.staybehinds.comWatch the toilet bunker video - https://youtu.be/iVLsKehOhIM?si=GzGFzVfDKAJTdW2SConnect with Andrew ChattertonX - https://twitter.com/Chats1Instagram - https://instagram.com/historicalandrewBluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/historicalchats.bsky.socialThreads - https://threads.net/@historicalandrewJoin the mission: https://undergroundstrategy.comDiscover Number 788: https://amzn.to/3BQGmm7 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Max and Tony are joined by Robert Davidson, a South African author and battlefield guide, to explore the history and significance of the Spioenkop campaign during the Anglo Boer War.Robert shares his lifelong passion for military history, recounting how decades of research culminated in his book on the tragic Spioenkop battle. The discussion highlights the strategic missteps, human stories, and the role of groundbreaking battlefield photography that seared the campaign into public consciousness.The trio also examines the broader context of the Anglo Boer War, including the political tensions, trench warfare, and the personal narratives of those who lived through it. This episode offers a thoughtful exploration of military geography and history, paired with candid reflections and vivid storytelling.For those curious about the intersection of history and humanity, this masterclass will leave you with much to reflect on.Links:Join the mission: https://undergroundstrategy.comDiscover Number 788: https://amzn.to/3BQGmm7Robert Davidson’s book - The Spioenkop Campaign: The Battles to Relieve Ladysmith, 17-27 January 1900: https://amzn.to/3E0i5dS Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Max and Tony dive into the myths and realities of hand-to-hand combat. From Hollywood's dramatizations to the harsh realities of the battlefield, they explore how militaries approach close-quarters combat and its role in modern training and operations.The discussion touches on the evolution of techniques like Krav Maga, the importance of mental and physical toughness, and how these skills translate to other scenarios like close protection. Max reflects on his own training and real-life experiences, offering candid insights into what really works in the heat of the moment.Tony shares historical examples, from the brutal trench warfare of WWI to modern contexts like Ukraine, and they debate whether hand-to-hand combat remains relevant in today’s world of long-range weaponry and drones.Whether you’re a martial arts enthusiast, a student of military history, or just curious about the realities behind the movies, this episode offers a thought-provoking take on the art and utility of close combat.Join the mission: https://undergroundstrategy.comDiscover Number 788: https://amzn.to/3BQGmm7 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.