A History of Europe Key Battles
HistorieA podcast on European conflicts from the perspective of each side to provide an alternative to the traditional national narratives. Going chronologically from the Ancient Greeks onwards I described to some extent how each battle was won or lost by particular decisions, tactics, technology or fortune. But the aim of each main narrative will be to place each battle in the context of the overall history of Europe.New series on the Interwar Years 1918-1945 begins 18th July 2025 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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- 78.3 Polish-Soviet War - Conclusion (00:27:29)
In 1920 the Polish and Soviet Russian armies clashed in a series of battles across a wide area of eastern Europe including Ukraine and Lithuania.The Soviets advanced deep into Poland and reached the gates of Warsaw, with the aims of capturing the city and., more widely, exporting their revolution across Europe.Picture: Polish soldiers in the Battle of Warsaw 1920 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- 78.2 Polish-Soviet War - Part 2 (00:20:33)
The Polish Army make a pre-emptive strike against Soviet Russia. They invade the eastern borderlands, and take large amounts of territory, especially in Ukraine, but they fail to break the Russian army. Meanwhile, the Ukrainians attempt to form an administration in KyivPicture: Vladimir Lenin rallying his people to the warIntro Music: The Charlston Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- 78.1 Polish-Soviet War 1919-1921 (Intro) (00:27:50)
While Western Europe's borders were settled post World War One, fighting still raged elsewhere on the continent. The most significant was the Polish Soviet War, which raised issues such as the clash of ideologies, the Soviets’ attempt to export their revolution, the future of Europe itself.It was a conflict that spanned a large area, from Lithuania and Ukraine in the east to Warsaw in the west.Picture: Josef Pilsudksi with soldiers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- 77.4 Russian Civil War, Conclusion (00:30:45)
The Bolsheviks face numerous opponents across Russia, and struggle to gain control of all lands of the old Tsarist Empire.The White anti-Bolsheviks make a plan to move on Moscow www.historyeurope.netwww.patreon.com/historyeuropePicture: By Hoodinski - Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=16761719 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- 77.3 Russian Civil War Part 3 (00:24:01)
Civil War rages across Russia from the north in Murmansk, across the Trans-Siberian Railway to the Far East, as well as in Ukraine and the Caucasus. However, the anti-Bolshevik fail to cooperate effectivelyPicture: Tsar Nicholas II with this family 1913 (murdered by the Bolsheviks in July 1918) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- 77.2 Russian Civil War, Beginning (00:24:38)
The new Bolshevik regime quickly gains control of most of former Russia Empire, but meets stiff resistance in the periphery including Finland, the Caucasus and Ukraine.They sign a peace treaty with Germany at Brest-Litovsk and withdraw from the First World WarPicture: Volunteer Army Infantry Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- 77.1 October Revolution 1917 (00:23:52)
- Introduction to the new series on the Interwar Years- A recap of Russia's involvement in the First World War- The February 1917 Revolution and Provisional Government - Lenin's Bolsheviks seize power in the October Revolution www.historyeurope.nethttps://www.patreon.com/c/historyeurope Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- 76.5 Battle of Lake Peipus 1242, Teutonic Knights vs Alexander Nevsky of Novgorod (00:33:48)
The Battle of Lake Peipus or 'The Battle on the Ice' was fought on 5th April 1242 between a coalition of western crusaders led by the Teutonic Knights against an army from Novgorod, Russia, led by Alexander Nevsky. The conflict was made famous by a Soviet film of 1938 directed by Sergei Eisenstein.This is the fifth and final part of a set of episodes on the Medieval Baltic and the Northern Crusades Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- 76.4 Novgorod, Alexander Nevsky (00:19:11)
Alexander Nevksy appointed Prince of Novgorod, a Russian city with its own unique culture and proud history.Lead up to Battle of Lake Peipus 1242 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- 76.3 Conquest of Livonia 1185-1238 (00:27:53)
Livonia in the 12th century was threatened by invasion from all sides; Danes, Swedes, Germans, Poles and Russians. Key events in the episode;1201 - Founding of Riga (capital of modern day Latvia) by Bishop Albert1219 - Capture of Tallinn (capital of modern day Estonia) by Denmark in the legendary battle of Lyndaniss1236 - Defeat of a military order, the Sword Brothers, by a band of Lithuanians at the Battle of Saule Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- 76.2 Teutonic Knights - Origins & First Campaigns (00:21:52)
The Teutonic Order was set up in the Holy Land as a German equivalent of other military orders. The first campaigns in Europe were in response to invitations from the King of Hungary and then a Duke of Poland. And so began their conquest of Prussia Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- 76.1 The Baltic Sea, Early History and Wendish Crusade (00:25:14)
The geography and early history of the Baltic Sea. Also the beginnings of the Northern Crusades against the Baltic pagans. The first major campaign is the Wendish Crusade of 1147 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- Announcement - The Interwar Years (00:01:57)
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- 75.1 Interview with Stuart E Eizenstat (00:37:56)
A special episode where I interview Stuart E Eizenstat - an American diplomat and attorney. Mr Einzenstat worked on Jimmy Carter's 1976 presidential campaign. After winning said campaign he became President Jimmy Carter’s Chief Domestic Policy Adviser.Later he went on to become President Bill Clinton's Deputy Secretary of the Treasury. And he served as the United States Ambassador to the European Union from 1993 to 1996Mr Eizenstat has also devoted much effort to various aspects of Holocaust Restitution, successfully negotiating major agreements with the Swiss, Germans, Austrian and French, and other European countries. He has recently written a book called the Art of Diplomacy in which he recounts how American negotiators reached historic agreements that changed the world.https://www.amazon.co.uk/Art-International-Diplomacy-Stuart-Eizenstat/dp/1538167999 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- 74.19 Treaty of Versailles (00:20:32)
The Paris Peace consisted of a group of distinct treaties, but the main concern of the delegates was the settlement with Germany, embodied in the Treaty of Versailles signed in June 1919.Germany’s eastern frontiers presented far greater problems. www.patreon.com/historyeuropewww.historyeurope.netMusic composed by Edward Elgar, Enigma variations, Variation IX (Adagio) NimrodPicture - Treaty of Versailles, Big FourTheme tune for the podcast by Nico Vettese, www.wetalkofdreams.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- 74.18 Endgame, 1918 (00:21:32)
In Spring 1918 a massive German offensive made significant territorial gains, but ultimately not the intended breakthrough, and the Allied forces stood firm. Exhausted and demoralised at the scale of casualties, the Germans were pushed back in a major counter-attack in the late Summer and Autumn. And on 26 September, the Allies launched a general offensive along the entire Western Front.Meanwhile, the Habsburg empire was fast falling apart as various nationalities declared independence. www.patreon.com/historyeuropewww.historyeurope.netMusic composed by Alexander Scriabin, Etude in C sharp minor. Courtesy of musopen.orgPicture - US 64th regiment celebrate the ArmisticeTheme tune for the podcast by Nico Vettese, www.wetalkofdreams.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- 74.17 The Final Gamble, 1918 (00:20:40)
After the Russian withdrawal from the frontlines following the October revolution, the treaty of Brest-Litovsk is negotiated between Germany and Russia.The Germans sought to conclude war on the Eastern Front as quickly as possible, while at the same time trying to establish an informal empire in east-central Europe, one composed of newly independent nation states on Russia’s western periphery. However, back on the German home front, after four harsh winters and widespread hunger, political unity was fraying, and riots and strikes occurred across the country. Everything now depended on the success or failure of a German Spring Offensive on the western front. www.patreon.com/historyeuropewww.historyeurope.netPicture - German Spring Offensive - British Lewis gun team at the Battle of Hazebrouck 1918 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- 74.16 War of Attrition on the Western Front 1917 (00:24:00)
While the nations of Europe fought each other to a bitter stalemate, the President of the United States, Woodrow Wilson, urged both sides to make peace. However, no agreement is made and the United States joined the war on the side of the Entente allies.In the meantime, the Germans ordered a general withdrawal at the western front, abandoning the battlefields of the Somme in order to establish a shorter, straighter and more well-fortified line, the so-called ‘Hindenburg Line’. The eastern front is more volatile, seeing the collapse of the Russian army, a major defeat for the Italians at Caporetto and the fall of Jerusalem to the Britishwww.patreon.com/historyeuropewww.historyeurope.netMusic composed by Vaughan Williams (Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis), courtesy of musopen.orgPicture - Allenby enters Jerusalem 1917Theme tune for the podcast by Nico Vettese, www.wetalkofdreams.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- 74.15 The Russian Revolution 1917 (00:21:55)
As the year 1917 dawned, Europe had been at war for two and a half years, and pressures on the home fronts were becoming intolerable. Every participant nation came under huge strain.In Russia the Tsarist regime falls in March, but the interim government is unstable and itself falls in the famous October Revolution, led by Vladimir Lenin, who promises to withdraw Russia from the war.www.patreon.com/historyeuropewww.historyeurope.netMusic composed by Frederich Chopin (The Polish Dancer)Picture - Vladimir Lenin, 1 May 1920 by Isaak_BrodskyTheme tune for the podcast by Nico Vettese, www.wetalkofdreams.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- 74.14 Battles of Verdun and The Somme 1916 (00:26:39)
Europe entered the year 1916 exhausted by one and a half years of conflict of a scale hitherto unimaginable, with profound effects on citizens at home, as well as those on the front line.The most intensive battles on the western front in 1916 are at Verdun and the Somme, with extraordinary numbers of casualties.Meanwhile, on the eastern front the Russians launch a major attack, the Brusilov offensive.Romania declared war on Austro-Hungary on 27 August 1916 and promptly invaded Transylvannia. www.patreon.com/historyeuropewww.historyeurope.netMusic composed by Erik Satie (Gymnopédie no. 1), Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov (Russian Easter Festival Overture, Op. 36)Picture - Verdun - Gervais-Courtellemont_french_anti-aircraft_gunsTheme tune for the podcast by Nico Vettese, www.wetalkofdreams.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- 74.13 Eastern and Western Fronts 1915 (00:21:49)
For the Germans, 1915 was a year that should not have been. Their whole strategy had been based on a quick war, but they now found themselves embroiled in a two-front war – on the eastern front against Russia, and on the western front against France fully mobilised and also Britain.Throughout 1915, in a succession of attacks of increasing intensity, the various armies learned the techniques of the new kind of war at very heavy cost.In February 1915, Germany launched the Second Battle of the Masurian Lakes with an attack on the Russians in East Prussia. Meanwhile, the Austrians attempted to push deep back into Galicia, with huge numbers of casualties on all sides.www.patreon.com/historyeuropewww.historyeurope.netMusic composed by Frederich Chopin, Mazurka in C sharp minor, Op. 6 no. 2Picture - Skoda_305_mm_Model_1911_LOC_War_of_the_NationsTheme tune for the podcast by Nico Vettese, www.wetalkofdreams.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- 74.12 Turkey and Italy Enter the War, 1915 (00:20:06)
The first months of fighting in the First World War had seen no major breakthrough from any side. The Germans had captured about ten percent of France, and reached within sixty miles of Paris, but then reached a stalemate as both sides fortified their positions with great long lines of trenches running from Belgium to the Swiss border.Both sides attempt to bring other countries into the war to help break the stalemate and to tip the balance in their favour. The Italians, though deeply divided, decide in the end to join the side of Britain, France and Russia. And an allied attack against the Ottomans fails at Gallipoli.www.patreon.com/historyeuropewww.historyeurope.netMusic composed by Freredich Chopin, Mazurka in C Sharp MinorPicture - Sinking of the LusitaniaTheme tune for the podcast by Nico Vettese, www.wetalkofdreams.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- 74.11 The Eastern Front 1914 (00:25:50)
The Russians strike hard against their most powerful enemy, Germany. Austro-Hungary help their German ally although their military forces are under-resourced, in large part because through the years the Hungarian parliament had restricted military finding by using it as a bargaining chip for political concessions.While the Austrians attack Serbia, the Germans achieve a significant victory against Russia at the Battle of Tannenberg.www.patreon.com/historyeuropewww.historyeurope.netMusic composed by Alexander Scriabin - Etude in C Sharp MinorPicture - Tannenberg Bundesarchiv, East Prussian German InfantryTheme tune for the podcast by Nico Vettese, www.wetalkofdreams.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- 74.10 The Western Front 1914 (00:17:42)
The first main clash of the First World War was on the borders of France and Germany and in Belgium. The Belgians put up more resistance than the Germans expect. However, the Battle of the Frontiers, on the Franco-German border, from 7 August to 6 September 1914 was a disaster for the French army, who suffered very heavy casualties. Meanwhile, the British Expeditionary Force were making their way to the front.The war was set on a grim path of attritional fighting, and with both sides able to draw on millions more men it became virtually impossible to secure an easy victory. As stalemate was reached, the dreadful realisation set in that the combatants would be in this for the long haul.www.patreon.com/historyeuropewww.historyeurope.netMusic composed by Sergei Rachmaninoff (Preludes, Op. 32, Lento, in B minor)Picture - French Bayonet ChargeTheme tune for the podcast by Nico Vettese, www.wetalkofdreams.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- 74.9 Europe Goes to War 1914 (00:19:20)
The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austrian throne. A month later Austria retaliates by declaring war on Serbia, which in turn brings Russia and the other great powers of Europe into conflict. As Edward Grey memorably expressed it: “The lamps are going out all over Europe, we shall not see them lit again on our lifetime”.www.patreon.com/historyeuropewww.historyeurope.netMusic composed by Frederic Chopin (Mazurkas in C sharp minor)Picture - Franz Ferdinand, SarajevoTheme tune for the podcast by Nico Vettese, www.wetalkofdreams.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.