Hardtack

Mike Ware
  • 5.0 (8)
  • HISTORY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Here at Hardtack, I hope to increase your knowledge of Military History through open exploration and analysis of history’s armed forces, their conduct of war, leadership theory, and other topics integral to the field. Listeners are encouraged not only to consider the topics discussed, but to expand upon the material presented and contribute to the discussions through our socials. Thank you for tuning in, giving your support, and contributing your interests to the field of military history. See you in the trenches. https://linktr.ee/hardtackpod

  1. 40. Pacific War Atrocities with Quin Cho

    09/10/2025

    40. Pacific War Atrocities with Quin Cho

    In this episode of Hardtack, I discuss the atrocities of the Pacific War with guest Quin Cho, an archivist at Pacific Atrocities Education. We explore the historical context of the Pacific War, the significance of the Burma Campaign, and the radicalization of the Kwantung Army. Quin shares insights from his research and writing process, including his upcoming book on the Kwantung Army, and discusses the mission of Pacific Atrocities Education in raising awareness about these historical events. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding the complexities of military history and its lasting impact on international relations today. Sources: PAE Homepage -  https://www.pacificatrocities.org/ Quin Cho’s Competing Empires in Burma - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B091KR4TYC

    1h 5m
  2. 39. From the Island to the Cape Part II with Jeff Ballard

    04/23/2025

    39. From the Island to the Cape Part II with Jeff Ballard

    Return with us this week as Jeff Ballard and I continue our journey in the Pacific Theater of World War II during 1942 and '43 . Here, Jeff and I look into the new naval tactics designed by Admiral Burke and explore the technological difficulties of American Naval firepower early in the war. Lastly, Jeff provides us with an overview of the important role of the Destroyer. Jeff Ballard holds a Master’s in Military History with a concentration in World War II. He is on the editorial staff of the Saber and Scroll Military History Journal and is the Editor in Chief of the Military History Chronicles military history journal. ⁠Jeff Ballard⁠ ⁠Military History Chronicles⁠ ⁠The Saber and Scroll

    42 min
  3. 38. From the Island to the Cape Part I with Jeff Ballard

    04/16/2025

    38. From the Island to the Cape Part I with Jeff Ballard

    Visit the Pacific Theater of World War II during 1942 and '43 with Military Historian Jeff Ballard. Here, Jeff and I delve deep into an operational overview of the Pacific Theater, the Japanese response to American initiative after Midway, failures and successes in naval leadership, and new doctrine. Jeff Ballard holds a Master’s in Military History with a concentration in World War II. He is on the editorial staff of the Saber and Scroll Military History Journal and is the Editor in Chief of the Military History Chronicles military history journal. Jeff Ballard Military History Chronicles The Saber and Scroll

    46 min

  4. 03/12/2025

    37. American Courage, American Carnage - Interview with Professor John McManus

    In this episode we have a very special guest, Dr. John McManus. He is a military historian with 15 books published and holds the position of Professor of Military History at the Missouri University of Science and Technology. Some of his works include The Americans at D-Day: The American Experience at the Normandy Invasion, The Dead and Those about to Die: D-Day: The Big Red One at Omaha Beach, and To the End of the Earth: The US Army and the Downfall of Japan, 1945. In this episode we are lucky to have him with us to speak on his newest book American Courage, American Carnage: The 7th Infantry Regiment’s Combat Experience, 1812 through WWII. American Courage, American Carnage

    1h 4m
  5. 36. Korean War: Battle of Bloody Ridge

    12/04/2024

    36. Korean War: Battle of Bloody Ridge

    American military intervention in Korea at the end of June 1950 began with a clearly defined and just goal in response to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s (DPRK) invasion of their sovereign rival below the 38th Parallel. U.S. President Harry S. Truman’s foreign policy goals in Southeast Asia, the defense of the Republic of Korea (ROK) and containment of communism in the region, were threatened by the invasion. The United States and the ROK Army found themselves assailed by the rapid advance of the North Korean People’s Army (NKPA). Pushed back to the Pusan Perimeter where the threat of total military defeat loomed over the heads of the defenders, the combined American and South Korean forces held and successfully executed a counteroffensive which drove the NKPA back across the 38th Parallel and stood as a resounding victory for the United States, South Korea, and democracy. For the moment, communism had not spread in Southeast Asia and had been contained. However, foreign policy changed and so, too, did America’s war aims. Bloody Ridge signaled the United States’ shift from the pursuit of total victory to limited objective engagements intended to influence and strengthen its political position at the negotiation table. Sources: Alexander, Bevin. Korea: The First War We Lost. New York, NY: Hippocrene Books, 2004. Blair, Clay. The Forgotten War. London: Times Books, 1987. Fehrenbach, T. R. This Kind of War: The Classic Korean War History. Dulles, VA: Potomac Books, 2008. Gugeler, Russell A. Combat Actions in Korea. Center of Military History. Washington, D.C.: Center of Military History, U.S. Army, 1987. https://history.army.mil/books/korea/30-2/30-2_con.htm. Hermes, Walter G. Truce Tent and Fighting Front. Center of Military History. Washington, D.C.: Center of Military History, United States Army, 2005. https://history.army.mil/books/korea/truce/ch5.htm. Lynch, John M. “Korean War 9th Infantry Regiment - Command Report - August 1951.” College Park: Korean War Project, n.d. Patterson, Michael Robert. “Clark Louis Ruffner General, United States Army.” Clark Louis Ruffner, General, United States Army, December 24, 2006. http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/clruffner.htm. Patterson, Michael Robert. “James Alward Van Fleet General, United States Army.” James Alward Van Fleet, general, United States Army, October 17, 2007. http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/vanfleet.htm. Woong-ki, Song. “Get Away from It All in Yanggu.” The Korea Herald. The Korea Herald, August 6, 2010. http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20100806000681. Young, Robert N. “Korean War 2nd Infantry Division - Command Report - August 1951.” Dallas: Korean War Project, n.d.

    32 min
  6. 35. Yellow Journalism: Propaganda in American Expansion

    10/30/2024

    35. Yellow Journalism: Propaganda in American Expansion

    Fueled by events that reflected Gilded Age American economic, cultural, and political interests in the preceding years, the presence and role of sensationalist styled news medium known as “yellow journalism” found its place into the fray and was woven into the fabric of America’s foreign affairs. “Yellow journalism” furthered American ambitions of empire and aided foreign policy efforts in advancing overseas expansion through the exploitation of the Cuban War of Independence. Sources Avalon Project - Treaty of Peace Between the United States and Spain; December 10, 1898. Accessed June 26, 2021. https://avalon.law.yale.edu/19th_century/sp1898.asp. Calhoun, Charles W. The Gilded Age: Perspectives on the Origins of Modern America. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2007. Dill, William A. “Growth of Newspapers in the United States.” Kansas University Scholar Works. Kansas University. Accessed June 24, 2021. https://kuscholarworks.ku.edu/bitstream/handle/1808/21361/dill_1928_3425151.pdf?sequence=1. MacOwen, Arthur H. Remember the Maine. Library of Congress. Library of Congress. Accessed June 24, 2021. https://www.loc.gov/static/classroom-materials/spanish-american-war-the-united-states-becomes-a-world-power/documents/remember.pdf. War Movie Watch War Movies: The American Battle in Cinema | Prime Video (amazon.com) Amazon.com: War Movie: The American Battle in Cinema [DVD] : Steve Summers, Dale Dye, Jonathan Rosenbaum, Steven Jay Rubin: Movies & TV National Museum of the Pacific War (pacificwarmuseum.org)

    24 min
  7. 34. Go For Broke Part II: Interview with Dr. Mitch Maki

    05/08/2024

    34. Go For Broke Part II: Interview with Dr. Mitch Maki

    Tune in to this episode and pick up where Hardtack left off last week in our interview with the President and CEO of the Go For Broke National Education Center, Dr. Mitch Maki. Sources:  Go For Broke National Education Center - YouTube Go For Broke – National Education Center nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/442nd-regimental-combat-team Redress and Reparations for Japanese American Incarceration | The National WWII Museum | New Orleans (nationalww2museum.org) Achieving the Impossible Dream: HOW JAPANESE AMERICANS OBTAINED REDRESS (Asian American Experience): Maki, Mitchell T, Kitano, Harry H, Berthold, S Megan, Matsui, Robert T: 9780252067648: Amazon.com: Books

    52 min
  8. 33. Go For Broke - Interview with Dr. Mitch Maki

    05/01/2024

    33. Go For Broke - Interview with Dr. Mitch Maki

    Shortly after Japan launched its surprise attack on Naval Station Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941, President Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, resulting in over 100k West Coast citizens and residents of Japanese descent into incarceration camps. Racism against Japanese Americans rapidly increased as distrust ballooned. What many Americans failed to realize was that Japanese Americans were also inflamed at the attack on Pearl Harbor. Afterall, they were Americans, too. Sources: Go For Broke – National Education Center nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/442nd-regimental-combat-team Redress and Reparations for Japanese American Incarceration | The National WWII Museum | New Orleans (nationalww2museum.org) Achieving the Impossible Dream: HOW JAPANESE AMERICANS OBTAINED REDRESS (Asian American Experience): Maki, Mitchell T, Kitano, Harry H, Berthold, S Megan, Matsui, Robert T: 9780252067648: Amazon.com: Books

    32 min
See All (41)

Trailer

5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Here at Hardtack, I hope to increase your knowledge of Military History through open exploration and analysis of history’s armed forces, their conduct of war, leadership theory, and other topics integral to the field. Listeners are encouraged not only to consider the topics discussed, but to expand upon the material presented and contribute to the discussions through our socials. Thank you for tuning in, giving your support, and contributing your interests to the field of military history. See you in the trenches. https://linktr.ee/hardtackpod

Information

  • Creator
    Mike Ware
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    41
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Mike Ware
  • Show Website
    Hardtack