Underground Strategy

In this episode of Helion Talks, host Tony Garcia is joined by award-winning historian and regimental historian for the Royal Regiment of Artillery, Dr. Spencer Jones. They discuss a few of his published works including Stemming the Tide: Officers and Leadership in the British Expeditionary Force 1914, and the most recent release Turning the Tide: The British Army on the Western Front 1918 Jones challenges the traditional view of BEF commanders as out-of-touch relics, arguing instead that their brutal experiences in the Boer War forged a cadre of leaders uniquely equipped with grit, initiative, and the ability to withstand extreme pressure. The conversation explores the BEF's chaotic and fast-moving baptism of fire—from the retreat from Mons to the climactic battles on the Marne and the Aisne. Jones highlights how officers at all levels, from Sir John French to brigadier-generals in the line, made critical, rapid decisions to prevent disaster. Finally, he draws compelling parallels between the small, professional BEF of 1914 and the modern British Army, offering sharp insights on the challenges of attrition and the value of elite forces in coalition warfare. Helion Talks releases new episodes once a month, featuring authors and historians from around the world. Links: Stemming the Tide: Officers and Leadership in the British Expeditionary Force 1914 Turning the Tide: The British Army on the Western Front 1918 Podcast: Not So Quiet on the Western Front Spencer's Website Helion & Co: https://www.helion.co.uk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/helionbooks/ X: https://x.com/Helionbooks Produced and hosted for Helion & Co by UGS — https://undergroundstrategy.com Music: ‘Legionnaire’ by Scott Buckley — released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

In this episode of Helion Talks, host Tony Garcia speaks with retired U.S. Army infantry officer and Director for Strategic Innovation at US Space Command, Dr. Ben Zweibelson, about his new book, Bad War Stories. Zweibelson, a veteran of multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, shuns both heroic myth and overt polemic to deliver a raw, philosophical memoir of modern conflict. He explores the chaos, tragic loss, and surreal bureaucracy of war through a series of vividly recounted personal experiences—from the sudden death of a local child to the absurdity of burying a shipping container to satisfy institutional folly. The conversation traces Zweibelson’s journey from a son seeking to understand his silent war veteran father to a soldier-philosopher processing his own time at war. He discusses the catharsis of writing, the importance of sharing these stories with the next generation, and how his academic work on reconceptualizing war frames these gritty narratives. Throughout, Zweibelson emphasizes neither glorifying nor condemning war, but instead capturing its complex reality to better inform policy, public understanding, and the profession of arms itself. Helion Talks releases new episodes once a month, featuring authors and historians from around the world. Links: Bad War Stories Ben on X Helion & Co: https://www.helion.co.uk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/helionbooks X: https://x.com/Helionbooks Produced and hosted for Helion & Co by UGS — https://undergroundstrategy.com Music: ‘Legionnaire’ by Scott Buckley — released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

In this episode of Helion Talks, host Tony Garcia speaks with educator, archaeologist, and former World War I Centennial Commissioner Monique Brouillet Seefried , co-author of Général Louis Dio: The Wartime Epic of One of Free France's Greatest Soldiers, 1940-1946 . As the goddaughter of General Louis Dio , she brings a uniquely personal perspective to the life of one of Free France’s most remarkable — yet often overlooked — commanders. Their conversation follows Dio’s extraordinary path from the Sahara to Normandy, exploring his legendary courage, humility, and lifelong devotion to service. Monique shares how her own background in archaeology and education ultimately led her to commemorate her godfather’s legacy, and how her collaboration with General Jean-Paul Michel and translator Colonel Jason Musteen brought Dio’s story into English for the first time. She also reveals little-known aspects of Dio’s life, from his childhood trauma and wartime wounds to his deep sense of honor and refusal to seek recognition, even after decades of service across North Africa and Europe. Helion Talks releases new episodes once a month, featuring authors and historians from around the world. Links: Général Louis Dio: The Wartime Epic of One of Free France's Greatest Soldiers, 1940-1946 Monique on LinkedIn Helion & Co: https://www.helion.co.uk/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/helionbooks/ X: https://x.com/Helionbooks Produced and hosted for Helion & Co by UGS — https://undergroundstrategy.com Music: ‘Legionnaire’ by Scott Buckley — released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

In this episode of Helion Talks, host Tony Garcia speaks with historian and former civil servant Phil McCarty about his new book Point of Failure: British Brigadiers in France and Norway, 1940 . Drawing on decades of government service and years of academic research, McCarty examines the careers, decisions, and battlefield experiences of the brigadiers who led the British Army through one of its most challenging early-war crises. The conversation explores how McCarty identified and analyzed every brigadier who served in the 1940 campaigns, revealing a complex picture of middle-management command at a moment of strategic collapse. He discusses why “failure” is an unavoidable part of the story, how interwar career structures shaped wartime performance, and why First World War service was far less of a predictor of success than commonly assumed. McCarty also shares insights on the evolution of brigade-level command, the lessons drawn (and ignored) from the 1940 defeats, and the officers whose leadership in chaos left lasting impressions. From forgotten figures like Archibald Bowman to later luminaries such as Montague Stopford, the episode illuminates the human dimension behind operational history. Finally, McCarty offers a look at his forthcoming projects—including a regimental history, a study of the Western Desert on film, and a monograph on the 1979 Sino-Vietnamese War. Helion Talks releases new episodes once a month, featuring authors and historians from around the world. Links: Point of Failure: British Brigadiers in France and Norway, 1940 Phil on LinkedIn Helion & Co: https://www.helion.co.uk/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/helionbooks/ X: https://x.com/Helionbooks Produced and hosted for Helion & Co by UGS — https://undergroundstrategy.com Music: ‘Legionnaire’ by Scott Buckley — released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

In this episode of Helion Talks, host Tony Garcia speaks with historian and author Alexander S. Burns about his book Infantry in Battle, 1733–1783. Burns challenges the long-standing myth that 18th-century infantry were rigid automatons following rote drill. Instead, his work reveals a far more dynamic reality — one where soldiers and officers constantly negotiated tactics, adapted to terrain, and shaped the outcome of battles from the ground up. The discussion spans from the battlefields of northern Italy to the American War of Independence, tracing how ordinary soldiers fought, took initiative, and learned within the chaos of war. Burns also shares insights from rare soldier letters uncovered in archives across Europe, illustrating how men thought, moved, and survived under fire. Finally, he previews his upcoming projects, including new studies on George Washington’s army and the Duke of Cumberland’s campaigns. Helion Talks releases new episodes once a month, featuring authors and historians from around the world. Links: Infantry in Battle 1733–1783 Blog: Kabinettskriege X: https://x.com/kkriegeblog Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/kabinettskriege.bsky.social Helion & Co: https://www.helion.co.uk/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/helionbooks/ X: https://x.com/Helionbooks Produced and hosted for Helion & Co by UGS — https://undergroundstrategy.com Music: ‘Legionnaire’ by Scott Buckley — released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

In this episode of Helion Talks, host Tony Garcia speaks with writer and historian Gabriel Neville, author of The Last Men Standing: The 8th Virginia Regiment in the American Revolution. Gabriel shares the remarkable story of one of Virginia’s most distinctive regiments — a force shaped by frontier experience, cultural diversity, and the harsh realities of early American warfare. Drawing on two decades of research, Neville discusses how he pieced together a narrative many believed impossible to write, uncovering forgotten diaries, service records, and pension accounts to tell the full story of the 8th Virginia. From brutal frontier battles and disease-ravaged campaigns to the human cost of revolution, the conversation brings to light a side of the war rarely seen — one defined not by founding fathers, but by the ordinary soldiers who endured it. Helion Talks releases new episodes once a month, featuring authors and historians from around the world. Links: The Last Men Standing: The 8th Virginia Regiment in the American Revolution Gabriel Neville — 8thVirginia.com Helion & Co: https://www.helion.co.uk/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/helionbooks/ X: https://x.com/Helionbooks Produced and hosted for Helion & Co by UGS — https://undergroundstrategy.com Music: ‘Legionnaire’ by Scott Buckley — released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

In this episode of Helion Talks, host Tony Garcia speaks with aerospace engineer, pilot, and author Bill Norton about his groundbreaking new series Air-to-Air Missiles: Development and Combat Across 80 Years. Drawing on decades of experience in flight testing and aeronautical engineering, Bill explores the evolution of guided air combat weapons—from their World War II prototypes to the latest fifth and sixth generation systems shaping modern aerial warfare. The discussion breaks down how air-to-air missiles work, why they sometimes miss, and how human factors, technology, and combat conditions interact in the chaos of real engagements. Bill also reflects on current challenges, from counter-drone warfare to escalating defense costs, and previews the six-volume series that comprehensively covers eight decades of innovation, testing, and combat experience. Helion Talks releases new episodes once a month, featuring authors and historians from around the world. Links: Air-to-Air Missiles Vol. 1: Technology, Development and Operation Air-to-Air Missiles Vol. 2: First Generation and Early Experiences 1944–1967 Bill Norton on LinkedIn Helion & Co: https://www.helion.co.uk/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/helionbooks/ X: https://x.com/Helionbooks Produced and hosted for Helion & Co by UGS — https://undergroundstrategy.com Music: ‘Legionnaire’ by Scott Buckley — released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

In this episode of Helion Talks, host Tony Garcia speaks with historian Glenn Price, author of Soldiers and Civilians, Transport and Provisions: Early Modern Military Logistics and Supply Systems during the British Civil Wars 1638–1653. Glenn discusses the often-overlooked world of logistics and supply during the British Civil Wars, exploring how armies were fed, equipped, and kept moving amid the chaos of seventeenth-century warfare. The conversation sheds light on the human and operational realities behind campaigns — from food shortages and transport systems to regional supply variations and the civilian toll of sustaining armies in the field. Glenn also explains why the Royalists’ logistical struggles may have been overstated and how supply lines, local productivity, and coastal transport shaped the outcome of these conflicts. Helion Talks releases new episodes once a month, featuring authors and historians from around the world. Links: Soldiers and Civilians, Transport and Provisions: Early Modern Military Logistics and Supply Systems during the British Civil Wars 1638–1653 Glenn Price on X Helion & Co: https://www.helion.co.uk/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/helionbooks/ X: https://x.com/Helionbooks Produced and hosted for Helion & Co by UGS — https://undergroundstrategy.com Music: ‘Legionnaire’ by Scott Buckley — released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

In this episode of Helion Talks, host Tony Garcia speaks with historian Karen Horn, author of Bold in Battle: South African Stories from the Second World War. Karen shares how her work brings to life the overlooked experiences of South African volunteers who served across Africa and Europe — men and women whose stories have long remained in the margins of military history. Drawing on personal diaries, letters, and firsthand accounts, Karen discusses the human side of war — from the courage of ordinary soldiers and POWs to the quiet sacrifices of families back home. She also reflects on South Africa’s complex culture of remembrance, the challenges of commemoration, and the importance of preserving these voices for future generations. Helion Talks releases new episodes once a month, featuring authors and historians from around the world. Links: Bold in Battle: South African Stories from the Second World War Karen Horn on Instagram Helion & Co: https://www.helion.co.uk/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/helionbooks/ X: https://x.com/Helionbooks Produced and hosted for Helion & Co by UGS — https://undergroundstrategy.com Music: ‘Legionnaire’ by Scott Buckley — released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

In this episode of Helion Talks, host Tony Garcia speaks with historian and author Michael Fredholm von Essen about his new two-volume series Whiskey on the Rocks — an in-depth exploration of a tense Cold War standoff between the Soviet Union and Sweden. Michael recounts the extraordinary events of October 1981, when a Soviet Whiskey-class submarine ran aground near a major Swedish naval base, sparking a ten-day diplomatic and military crisis. He explains how misunderstandings, high-stakes decisions, and Cold War paranoia shaped the incident — and how newly declassified documents reveal what really happened beneath the surface. The conversation also looks ahead to his sequel volume, which follows the continuing confrontation and near-miss moments that could have drawn both sides into open conflict. Helion Talks releases new episodes once a month, featuring discussions with leading military historians and authors. Links: Whiskey on the Rocks Vol. 1 – A Soviet Submarine Stranded in Swedish Waters (1981) Whiskey on the Rocks Vol. 2 – The Swedish–Soviet Confrontation (1981) Helion & Co: https://www.helion.co.uk/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/helionbooks/ X: https://x.com/Helionbooks Produced and hosted for Helion & Co by UGS — https://undergroundstrategy.com Music: ‘Legionnaire’ by Scott Buckley — released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

In this inaugural episode of Helion Talks, host Tony Garcia sits down with Helion & Company founder and CEO Duncan Rogers to explore the origins of one of the world’s leading military history publishers. Duncan shares how his lifelong passion for military history evolved into the founding of Helion in 1996, and how that passion continues to drive the company today. They discuss the evolution of Helion’s hallmark series — from Century of the Soldier to At War — and how these collections have built a global readership across eras and regions. Duncan also talks about Helion’s commitment to giving voice to overlooked stories, from South Africa to Sweden, and fostering international collaboration through partnerships like the new Underground Strategy series. Helion Talks will release new episodes once a month, featuring conversations with authors and historians from around the world. Links: Helion & Co: https://www.helion.co.uk/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/helionbooks/ X: https://x.com/Helionbooks Produced and hosted for Helion & Co by UGS — https://undergroundstrategy.com Music: ‘Legionnaire’ by Scott Buckley — released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

A small state, big pressures—Botswana built its army late and cautiously. In this season finale, we sit down with Bafumiki Mocheregwa, a historian and academic at the University of Southern Mississippi who studies the Botswana Defense Force (BDF) and Southern African military history. The conversation explores how Botswana built its armed forces late—only in 1977—after relying for years on the Police Mobile Unit. We cover how the BDF grew under financial and political constraints, its complicated role during the Rhodesian Bush War and apartheid, and its later peacekeeping deployments to Somalia, Mozambique, and Lesotho. This isn’t a neat story. It’s a patchwork of half-forgotten history, regional pressures, and unanswered questions about how a small, cautious state tried to manage the chaos around it. Recommended Reading The BDF in the Struggle for an African Environment - https://amzn.to/3IAvkor More from Underground Strategy Join the mission – https://undergroundstrategy.com Discover Number 788 – https://amzn.to/3BQGmm7

In this episode, we’re joined by John Gordon Sennett, a U.S. Marine veteran, writer, and co-author of Accidental Ukrainians, a personal chronicle of war, survival, and adaptation from inside Ukraine. John and his wife Natasha Sennett moved to Kiev just before the invasion began. What started as a family decision quickly turned into a frontline life. From volunteering in the early days of war to chronicling daily reality, they’ve written two powerful books that bridge cultures, challenge narratives, and offer something rarely seen—honest, unfiltered civilian-military experience from inside a war zone. We talk about writing as survival, advocating for POWs, the culture clash between glory-seekers and those who stayed, and how narrative itself can become a tool for recovery. John also shares an exclusive preview of their third book and a bold new mental health project with Ukrainian universities aimed at helping veterans and civilians process trauma through storytelling. This is not just another perspective. It’s a voice from the inside—and it matters. Accidental Ukrainians – Books by John & Natasha Sennett Part One – https://amzn.to/3H9GrUb Part Two – https://amzn.to/3ZyJH1J Connect with John & Natasha Sennett Medium – https://jgsennett-78059.medium.com/ Substack – https://johngordonsennettsr.substack.com/ LinkedIn – https://ua.linkedin.com/in/john-g-sennett-sr Project & Updates – https://accidentalukrainians.com/ More from Underground Strategy Join the mission – https://undergroundstrategy.com Discover Number 788 – https://amzn.to/3BQGmm7

In this episode, we’re joined again by Lieutenant Colonel Dr. Jean-Pierre Scherman of the South African National Defence Force—a returning guest with deep operational experience and a sharp eye for military history. This time, we turn to Operation Boleas: the 1998 intervention in Lesotho that tested the SANDF just four years after its formation. We get into the real story behind the headlines—why the mission was launched, how it rapidly escalated, and what it exposed about South Africa’s new defense force. From unexpected combat to political constraints and mission creep, Boleas became a crash course in regional military operations. More than two decades later, the mission remains misunderstood. We unpack why it faded from public view—and what its legacy reveals about South Africa’s approach to hard power. Jean-Pierre Scherman’s links Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/schermanjeanpierre/ X – https://x.com/schermanjp74 LinkedIn – https://za.linkedin.com/in/jean-pierre-scherman More from Underground Strategy Join the mission – https://undergroundstrategy.com Discover Number 788 – https://amzn.to/3BQGmm7

This week on the Underground Strategy Podcast, Max Lauker continues the conversation with Andy Balaam, former Selous Scout and veteran of some of the Bush War’s most daring missions. In Part 2, Balaam walks us through the attack on Nyadzonya itself — from the buildup on the parade ground to the destruction of the camp, the clearing of huts, and the tense withdrawal across the border. He also reflects on the aftermath, the claims of controversy, and how he saw the operation at the time. Stay tuned for future episodes with Balaam, where we’ll continue exploring his experiences in the Scouts and beyond. Warning: this episode contains graphic combat detail. Andy's Work pseudobalaam.com Instagram – instagram.com/pseudobalaam More from Underground Strategy Discover Number 788 - https://amzn.to/3BQGmm7 Join the mission - https://undergroundstrategy.com

This week on the Underground Strategy Podcast, Max Lauker is joined once again by Andy Balaam, former Selous Scout and veteran of some of the Bush War’s most daring missions. After walking us through Operation Long John, Balaam now turns to Operation Eland. In August 1976, fewer than a hundred Scouts crossed into Mozambique in a flying column, targeting a ZANLA base at Nyadzonya. Stay tuned for Part 2, where Balaam walks through the battle itself and the aftermath. Andy's Work pseudobalaam.com Instagram – instagram.com/pseudobalaam More from Underground Strategy Discover Number 788 - https://amzn.to/3BQGmm7 Join the mission - https://undergroundstrategy.com

In this episode, we’re joined once again by military scholar and practitioner Amos Fox for a fast-paced listener Q&A tackling some of the most pressing questions in contemporary warfare. From the blurred lines between war and peace to the myth of maneuver and the limits of tech, this one hits hard. We talk endurance, positional warfare and why most armies still get strategy wrong. Fox brings sharp analysis and field-smart insight to a global discussion that’s still struggling to catch up with battlefield reality. Expect clarity, hard truths, and zero buzzwords. Amos Fox´s Work Conflict Realism – https://amzn.to/4jc1mmQ Revolution in Military Affairs (podcast) – https://shows.acast.com/revolution-in-military-affairs X – https://x.com/AmosFox6 LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/amoscfox Want to read like Amos Fox? The Foundations of the Science of War by JFC Fuller (page 65 if you want to pass his class) – https://amzn.to/3F5QitH Urban Warfare in the Twenty-First Century by Anthony King – https://amzn.to/4kssNK2 More from Underground Strategy Join the mission – https://undergroundstrategy.com Discover Number 788 – https://amzn.to/3BQGmm7

In this episode, we’re joined by Professor Tarak Barkawi—an international relations scholar, military historian, and sharp critic of the way we often misunderstand war. We talk about everything from colonial troops and battlefield ritual to the power of memoirs and the global legacy of regimental tradition. From the jungles of Burma to the camps of Korea, Barkawi explores what really drives soldiers to fight—and why the stories we tell about war often miss the point. We also get into his groundbreaking book Soldiers of Empire , the myth of the “martial race,” and the deeper, often uncomfortable truths behind military discipline, nationalism, and the afterlives of imperial armies. Tarak Barkawi’s Work Soldiers of Empire – https://amzn.to/3Hh7MDO Orientalism and War – https://amzn.to/4kqGYQ3 Globalization and War – https://amzn.to/3YR281q More from Underground Strategy Join the mission – https://undergroundstrategy.com Discover Number 788 – https://amzn.to/3BQGmm7

In this episode, we turn our focus to one of the most iconic campaigns of the Second World War—the battle for North Africa. From the strategic significance of the Suez Canal and Middle Eastern oil to the rise and fall of Rommel’s legend, the North African campaign shaped the course of the global conflict in unexpected ways. We’re joined by Lt. Col. Dr. Jean-Pierre Scherman of the South African National Defence Force—a combat officer, scholar, and friend of the podcast—to walk us through what made the desert war so pivotal. We explore the mobile chaos of the early clashes, the critical role of supply lines, and the unsung story of South Africa’s volunteer soldiers who served far from home. We also dive into the bitter legacy of the surrender at Tobruk, the mythmaking around commanders like Rommel and Montgomery, and what it all looked like from the ground level. Expect serious analysis, hard questions, and some reflections on today’s conflicts too. Jean-Pierre Scherman’s contacts Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/schermanjeanpierre/ X – https://x.com/schermanjp74 LinkedIn – https://za.linkedin.com/in/jean-pierre-scherman More from Underground Strategy Join the mission – https://undergroundstrategy.com Discover Number 788 – https://amzn.to/3BQGmm7

In Part 2 of our conversation with Serhii Velychanskyi, we shift from combat to recovery—exploring how war leaves marks that can’t be seen from the outside, and how humor can help heal them. After serving on the front lines in Irpin and Kharkiv, Serhii transitioned into Ukraine’s Center for Morale and Psychological Support, where he began using improvisational theater as a recovery tool. He walks us through his program “Improv 450,” designed to help wounded and traumatized soldiers decompress, reconnect, and rebuild. But this is more than a therapy story. Serhii reflects on identity, language, Russian disinformation, and the existential nature of this war. We also hear about his upcoming leadership work, his book Path to Effectiveness (Ukrainian only), and what it means to fight and heal at the same time. Serhii’s Work Improv 4.5.0 – https://improv450.com.ua/en Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/sergey_velichanskiy LinkedIn – https://ua.linkedin.com/in/velichansky Path to Effectiveness (Ukrainian only) – https://www.skyhorse.ua/product/shlyahy-efektyvnosti/ Also Mentioned Management in Times of War by Kostiantyn Koshelenko – https://amzn.to/43gNmlW More from Underground Strategy Discover Number 788 – https://amzn.to/3BQGmm7 Join the mission – https://undergroundstrategy.com