Generals and Napoleon

John W. Viscardo

Generals and Napoleon, presented by John Viscardo, a history podcast exploring the Napoleonic Wars, iconic commanders, battlefield strategy, and leadership lessons.
Instagram: @andnapoleon
X/Twitter: @andnapoleon
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@generalsandnapoleon
Patreon: patreon.com/generalsandnapoleon
TikTok: tiktok.com/@andnapoleon

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29 episodes
weekly
Avg 46 min
English

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S6 · E158
April 26 · 33 min
General Wittgenstein: The Russian General Who Saved St. Petersburg from Napoleon (with Jimmy Chen) | Ep 158
General Wittgenstein: Russia’s “Savior of St. Petersburg” General Peter Wittgenstein was one of Imperial Russia’s most important commanders during the Napoleonic Wars, earning the nickname “The Savior of St. Petersburg” for stopping Napoleon’s advance in 1812. In this special guest, Jimmy Chen will explore Wittgenstein’s rise through the Russian army, his crucial victories at Kliastitsy and Polotsk, and his role in halting French momentum during the invasion of Russia. Often overshadowed by generals like Kutuzov and Bagration, Wittgenstein proved to be one of Russia’s most aggressive and effective field commanders. His actions on Napoleon’s northern flank protected Russia’s capital and helped turn the tide against the Grande Armée. Whether you’re a fan of Napoleon, Russian military history, or the decisive campaigns of 1812, this deep dive into General Wittgenstein reveals why he deserves far more recognition. 🔔 Subscribe for more Napoleonic history, battle breakdowns, and military biographies. Topics covered: Who was General Peter Wittgenstein? The 1812 invasion of Russia Battle of Kliastitsy First and Second Battles of Polotsk Russian generals vs Napoleon #NapoleonicWars #RussianArmy #GeneralWittgenstein #Napoleon1812 #BattleOfPolotsk #MilitaryHistory #HistoryExplained X/Twitter: @napoleonic_imp, @andnapoleon
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S6 · E157
April 18 · 31 min
General Desaix: The General Who Saved Napoleon at Marengo (with Charles Mackay) | Ep 157
General Louis Charles Antoine Desaix was one of Napoleon’s most brilliant and underrated commanders. Known as “the Just Sultan” for his integrity and calm leadership, Desaix played a crucial role in the French Revolutionary Wars and Napoleon’s early rise to power. From his campaigns in Germany to his legendary service in Egypt, Desaix earned a reputation for discipline, humanity, and battlefield brilliance. Special guest Charles Mackay explores Desaix’s military career, his close relationship with Napoleon, and his decisive actions at the Battle of Marengo (1800)—where his timely arrival helped secure victory for France, but cost him his life. Often compared to Marshal Davout for his reliability and tactical skill, Desaix was widely expected to become one of Napoleon’s greatest marshals had he lived longer. Learn why Napoleon mourned Desaix deeply, how his death shaped the Napoleonic Wars, and why many historians consider him one of the great “what-ifs” of Napoleonic history. 📌 Topics Covered: • General Desaix biography • French Revolutionary Wars • Napoleon and Desaix • Egyptian Campaign • Battle of Marengo explained • Napoleonic generals and marshals • The death of General Desaix 🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into Napoleonic history, great generals, and decisive battles. Bluesky: @bubblesvampire.bsky.social, @andnapoleon.bsky.social Please consider supporting us on Patreon. Your membership directly helps us produce more episodes, bring historians and authors onto the shows, and continue telling the stories of history’s great commanders. ⁠patreon.com/generalsandnapoleon⁠
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S6 · E156
April 9 · 38 min
Wavre and Plancenoit: The Battles That Decided Waterloo? (with Graeme Callister) | Ep 156
Battle of Wavre & Plancenoit (1815) | Napoleon’s Last Campaign & Grouchy’s Controversial Stand The Battle of Wavre, fought on 18–19 June 1815, was the final major engagement of Napoleon’s Hundred Days and one of the most controversial battles of the Napoleonic Wars. While Napoleon faced Wellington at Waterloo, Marshal Grouchy fought the Prussian III Corps under General Thielmann near the town of Wavre in Belgium. Special guest & author Graeme Callister will explore how Grouchy, obeying Napoleon’s orders to pursue the Prussians after Ligny, became locked in a fierce battle just miles away from Waterloo—unable to influence the decisive struggle that ended the Napoleonic Era. We break down the strategy, key moments, and fighting along the River Dyle, and explain why Wavre remains central to the debate over Grouchy’s responsibility for Napoleon’s final defeat. Was the Battle of Wavre a missed opportunity, or did Grouchy do exactly what he was ordered to do? And could events at Wavre have changed the outcome at Waterloo? Battle of Plancenoit (1815) | The Fight That Decided Waterloo’s Right Flank The Battle of Plancenoit, fought on 18 June 1815, was one of the most brutal and decisive struggles of the Battle of Waterloo. As Napoleon battled Wellington to the west, the fate of the French army hinged on this small Belgian village, where Prussian forces under General Bülow collided with Napoleon’s right flank. This episode explores how Plancenoit became the last major French defensive stand of the Napoleonic Wars. We break down the savage house-to-house fighting, the repeated Prussian assaults, and Napoleon’s dramatic decision to commit the Young Guard and Old Guard to hold the village. Despite moments of French success, the fall of Plancenoit opened the road to Napoleon’s final defeat.Was Plancenoit the true turning point of Waterloo? And could holding the village longer have changed the outcome of the battle? X/Twitter: @graemecallister, @andnapoleon Please consider supporting us on Patreon. Your membership directly helps us produce more episodes, bring historians and authors onto the shows, and continue telling the stories of history’s great commanders. ⁠patreon.com/generalsandnapoleon⁠
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S6 · E155
March 31 · 35 min
General Scharnhorst: The Military Genius Who Reformed the Prussian Army (with Ethan Soefje) | Ep 155
General Gerhard von Scharnhorst was the intellectual architect of Prussia’s military revival after its crushing 1806 defeat by Napoleon. In this video, special guest Ethan Soefje explores Scharnhorst’s revolutionary reforms, his role in transforming the Prussian Army, and how his ideas laid the foundations for modern warfare. Discover how Scharnhorst ended aristocratic privilege, introduced merit-based advancement, reorganized training and education, and helped create the Prussian General Staff. We also examine his collaboration with figures like Gneisenau, Clausewitz, and Blücher, and his contributions during the War of Liberation (1813) against Napoleon. From his early career as a theorist and officer to his fatal wounding at the Battle of Lützen, this video explains why Scharnhorst remains one of the most influential military reformers in European history. X/Twitter: @andnapoleon Please consider supporting us on Patreon. Your membership directly helps us produce more episodes, bring historians and authors onto the shows, and continue telling the stories of history’s great commanders. ⁠patreon.com/generalsandnapoleon⁠
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S6 · E154
March 21 · 2 hr 11 min
15 Biggest Surprises and Disasters of the Napoleonic Wars | Ep 154
Discover the Top 15 most surprising moments of the Napoleonic Era—from unexpected battlefield reversals to political shocks that reshaped Europe forever. ⚔️🌍 In this video, we explore the events, decisions, and outcomes that defied expectations during the age of Napoleon Bonaparte, including shocking victories, disastrous miscalculations, underestimated people, and turning points that historians still debate today. Whether you’re a longtime Napoleonic history fan or new to the era, these surprises reveal why the period from 1793 – 1815 remains one of the most dramatic in military history. Our experts include David Markham, Graeme Callister, Geraint Thatcher, and Zack White! We discuss: Battles Napoleon should have lost—but didn’t Decisions that unexpectedly changed the course of campaigns Political and strategic surprises that altered Europe’s balance of power How chance, weather, and human error shaped history Perfect for fans of military history, European history, strategy, and war documentaries, this countdown-style breakdown is ideal for classrooms, podcasts, and history enthusiasts alike. 📌 Watch to the end to see which surprises rank as #1—and why it still shocks historians today. Patreon: patreon.com/generalsandnapoleon
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S6 · E153
March 12 · 38 min
The Duke of Wellington's Political Career: From Waterloo to Prime Minister (with Marcus Cribb) | Ep 153
The Duke of Wellington wasn’t just the man who defeated Napoleon — he was also one of Britain’s most influential political leaders of the era. In this episode, special guest Marcus Cribb examines Arthur Wellesley’s political career, including his time as Prime Minister, his role in shaping Britain after the Napoleonic Wars, and his controversial decision to support Catholic Emancipation in 1829. Discover how Wellington transitioned from battlefield command to high politics, faced public unrest, and left a lasting mark on 19th-century British government. We also discuss his later years and his funeral, one of the largest in British history. Perfect for fans of Napoleonic history, British politics, and Waterloo, this video reveals the statesman behind the soldier. X/Twitter: @mcribbhistory, @andnapoleon
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S6 · E152
March 3 · 40 min
The Battle of Bautzen: Napoleon's Pyrrhic Victory of 1813 (with Jonas de Neef) | Ep 152
The Battle of Bautzen (May 20–21, 1813) – Napoleon’s Hard-Fought Victory in the War of the Sixth Coalition In today’s episode, special guest Jonas de Neef breaks down the Battle of Bautzen, one of the most intense and strategically intriguing clashes of the 1813 campaign. Fought after Napoleon’s retreat from Russia, Bautzen saw the Emperor attempt to crush the combined Prussian & Russian armies under Blücher and Wittgenstein. Despite a tactical French victory, the battle failed to deliver the decisive blow Napoleon desperately needed. We explore: Napoleon’s strategy and the movements leading to Bautzen Key commanders: Napoleon, Ney, Soult, Oudinot, Blücher, and Wittgenstein The brutal two-day fight Ney’s missed opportunity that allowed the Allies to escape Casualties, consequences, and how Bautzen shaped the rest of the 1813 campaign Perfect for fans of Napoleonic history, military strategy, and anyone following the War of the Sixth Coalition. 🔔 Subscribe for more Napoleonic battles, biographies, and deep-dive episodes! 👍 Like & comment — Which Napoleonic battle should we cover next? #Napoleon #BattleOfBautzen #NapoleonicWars #OTD #WarOfTheSixthCoalition #MilitaryHistory #GeneralsAndNapoleon
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S6 · E151
February 22 · 42 min
Episode 151 - Prussian King Frederick William III, Napoleon's quiet nemesis, with special guest Ethan Soefje
🇩🇪 King Frederick William III of Prussia Discover the dramatic life and legacy of King Frederick William III (1770–1840), the Prussian monarch who ruled during one of Europe’s most turbulent eras. This video explores how a shy and reluctant king transformed Prussia after devastating defeats by Napoleon—leading to sweeping military, social, and governmental reforms that helped shape modern Germany. Special guest Ethan Soefje joins the show to cover: Frederick William III’s early life and accession to the throne Prussia’s catastrophic losses at Jena–Auerstedt (1806) His complex relationship with Napoleon Bonaparte The influence of Queen Louise, one of Prussia’s most beloved figures The Prussian Reform Movement (Scharnhorst, Stein, Hardenberg) His leadership during the Wars of Liberation (1813–1815) The Congress of Vienna and the rise of Prussia as a European power His later reign and long-term legacy on German unification This biography is perfect for fans of Napoleonic history, German history, and anyone interested in leadership under pressure. 👍 Like, Comment, and Subscribe for more deep-dive history episodes. #FrederickWilliamIII #PrussianHistory #NapoleonicWars #KingsofPrussia #GermanHistory #HistoryDocumentary #GeneralsandNapoleon
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S6 · E150
February 13 · 36 min
Episode 150 - Wellington's Hidden War: Logistics in the Peninsula Campaign, with special guest Gareth Glover
While Napoleon’s armies fought brilliant battles across Spain and Portugal, their greatest enemy wasn’t always the British or the guerrillas — it was logistics. Supplying tens of thousands of soldiers across rugged mountains, scorched plains, and hostile territory tested the limits of Napoleonic warfare. Food shortages, broken supply lines, and guerrilla ambushes made every march a struggle for survival. In this video, special guest & author Gareth Glover will tell us 🚚 How Wellington & Napoleon tried to feed, arm, and move their armies across the Iberian Peninsula ⚙️ The challenges faced by French and British quartermasters 🔥 Why logistics, not tactics, decided the outcome of the war 🇪🇸 How Spain’s geography and resistance crippled Napoleon’s ambitions Discover the untold story of the Peninsular War — a campaign where supply wagons, not just muskets, determined victory. #Napoleon #PeninsularWar #NapoleonicWars #History #Wellington #Spain #Logistics
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