All Episodes

February 11, 2025 54 mins

Hey guys, welcome back to the Why Wars Happened History Podcast, where you learn about the causes of wars and things like, why did it happen? Was it inevitable? Who was involved?

Sometimes I go back hundreds of years just so we can understand what happened in our narrative episodes covering the long course of a war and the background of the war. And if you want to talk more about war, we also have authors, historians, war generals, royalty, actors, filmmakers, a whole bunch of people come on as guests and we talk about everything about before, during, and after war. So let's go!

The Why Wars Happened History Podcast covers The American Revolution, World War I, World War II, Medieval Wars in England, The Habsburg Empire, The War in Iraq, Scottish wars, The War of the Roses, The Cuban Missile Crisis, The Cold War, The Thirty Years War, The Hundred Years War, The American Civil War, and many others.

------------------------------------------------------------

In this episode of the Why Wars Happened History Podcast, we down with two distinguished guests: Dan Hill, the founder of Battle Guide and co-host of the 'Not so Quiet on the Western Front' podcast, and Dr. Spencer Jones, an award-winning historian, author, and senior lecturer at the University of Wolverhampton. Join us as we discuss various aspects of World War I, including the Battle of the Somme, the evolution of trench warfare, the role of artillery and gases, and the complexities of German counteroffensives. Learn about the strategic decisions made by historical figures like General Haig, and discover how modern tours and digital content bring history to life. Tune in for a comprehensive and fascinating exploration of WWI history.

00:00 Intro

00:45 Meet the Guests: Dan Hill and Dr. Spencer Jones

01:50 Creating Battlefield Tours and Videos

03:37 Deep Dive: The Battle of the Somme

06:50 Challenges and Strategies of WWI

10:29 Douglas Haig: A Controversial Figure

17:12 The Impact of Weapon Quality in WWI

19:18 Experiencing History: Battlefield Tours

22:06 The Legacy of the Battle of the Somme

24:42 The Reality of Life in 1914

25:52 The Bravery of Endurance in War

27:27 German Counteroffensives: A Tactical Analysis

33:54 The Evolution of Trench Warfare

45:08 The Role and Impact of Chemical Warfare

50:49 Upcoming Tours and Final Thoughts

Mark as Played

Advertise With Us

Popular Podcasts

Dateline NBC

Dateline NBC

Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

Stuff You Should Know

Stuff You Should Know

If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

Intentionally Disturbing

Intentionally Disturbing

Join me on this podcast as I navigate the murky waters of human behavior, current events, and personal anecdotes through in-depth interviews with incredible people—all served with a generous helping of sarcasm and satire. After years as a forensic and clinical psychologist, I offer a unique interview style and a low tolerance for bullshit, quickly steering conversations toward depth and darkness. I honor the seriousness while also appreciating wit. I’m your guide through the twisted labyrinth of the human psyche, armed with dark humor and biting wit.

Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.