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Prime and Load!

Prime and Load!

Written by: Historic Studios
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About this listen

Welcome to the Prime & Load Podcast!

This podcast is dedicated to exploring the pivotal wars, battles, strategies, and figures that shaped the 18th century. From the rise of powerful empires to the dramatic shifts in military tactics, we delve into the stories behind the soldiers, commanders, and innovations that altered the course of history. Whether you’re a military history buff or just curious about this transformative period, we’ll guide you through the battles, conflicts, and the evolution of warfare that defined an era.

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Episodes
  • Refighting History: Making a Wargame
    Jan 19 2026

    How do you turn the chaos of an 18th-century battlefield into a set of rules? How do you simulate the "fog of war" that plagued commanders like the Duke of Cumberland or Marshal Saxe?

    In this special episode of Prime & Load, we explore the art and science of Historical Wargaming.

    We are joined by Rich Hamilton and Gary McClellan from Wargame Design Studio (WDS). We dive deep into their origin stories, how they went from history enthusiasts to professional game designers, and the incredible amount of research required to build the most historically accurate games on the market. We discuss the challenge of "translating" history into gameplay, the importance of accuracy, and how wargames serve as a tool to understand the friction of command.

    Topics Discussed:

    • Origin Stories: How Rich and Gary turned a passion for military history into a career in game design.
    • The Translation Layer: The difficult process of turning historical accounts into game mechanics.
    • Obsessive Detail: The level of research required to map terrain, uniform colors, and unit capabilities for the War of the Austrian Succession.
    • Simulation vs. Game: Balancing historical realism with playability.

    Exclusive Listener Offer: We have partnered with Wargame Design Studio for a special offer. Use the link below for an exclusive discount code for their War of the Austrian Succession video game. Offer good until Jan 25th.

    Links: https://wargameds.com/blogs/news/game-of-the-week-january-19-25

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    General Recommended Reading

    The Military Experience in the Age of Reason, By Christopher Duffy

    Infantry in Battle 1733-1783, By Alexander Burns

    *All materials are affiliated links that earn the show commission. Using these links helps support the podcast. Thank you.

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    1 hr and 6 mins
  • The Jacobite Rising: The Highland Storm
    Jan 17 2026

    The retreat from Derby was not the end of the Jacobite Rising, it was a tactical realignment. Following a highly disciplined and orderly withdrawal from England, the Jacobite Army arrives in Glasgow not as a broken force, but as a growing threat.

    In this episode, we examine a Jacobite army at its peak strength: refitted, reinforced by fresh Highland reinforcements, and bolstered by the arrival of French regulars and gold. The tactical situation has never looked brighter for the Stuarts as they lay siege to Stirling Castle and prepare to meet General Hawley on the rainy moors of Falkirk.

    We are joined once again by historian and author Dr. Arran Johnston to break down the final major victory of the '45.

    Topics Discussed:

    • The Discipline of Retreat: Why the march back from Derby was a military success, not a failure.
    • The French Connection: The arrival of the Royal Écossais and the Irish Pickets.
    • The Siege of Stirling: Blunders, terrain challenges, and the failure of the artillery.
    • Prince Charles Edward: The shifting morale and darkening mood of the Young Pretender.
    • The Battle of Falkirk Muir (1746): How a blind thunderstorm and a Highland charge led to a chaotic Jacobite victory.

    In the War Room (Uncut Episode): For our Plank Owners and War Room members, the full unedited conversation features over 40 minutes of extra history, including:

    • The French Connection: A specific breakdown of the foreign troops, including the Royal Écossais and the Irish Pickets.
    • "Hangman" Hawley: A profile on the brutal and controversial British commander, General Henry Hawley.
    • The Mastermind: The story of the unsung mastermind behind Jacobite logistics who kept the army moving through the Scottish winter.

    Join The War Room Here!

    Text the show!

    Andrew asking listeners to join War Room.

    Support the show

    Join our Newsletter!

    Follow is on X

    General Recommended Reading

    The Military Experience in the Age of Reason, By Christopher Duffy

    Infantry in Battle 1733-1783, By Alexander Burns

    *All materials are affiliated links that earn the show commission. Using these links helps support the podcast. Thank you.

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 11 mins
  • The 14th Colony: Benedict Arnold, Guy Carleton, and the Battle of Quebec
    Dec 31 2025

    On New Year’s Eve 1775, in the midst of a blinding blizzard, the Continental Army launched an assault on the fortress city of Quebec. It was the climax of the first major offensive of the American Revolution, a bold attempt by Congress to seize the "14th Colony" and drive the British Empire off the continent.

    In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Paul Knight to break down the 1775 Invasion of Canada. We analyze the strategic logic behind the invasion, the brutal operational difficulties faced by Benedict Arnold and Richard Montgomery (from smallpox to starvation), and the tactical reality of the street fighting in the Lower Town.

    In this episode, we cover:

    • Why the Continental Congress authorized an invasion of Canada.
    • The logistical nightmare of moving an army through the Maine wilderness.
    • General Guy Carleton’s defense of the city.
    • The disastrous assault on December 31, 1775.

    🔓 The Full Uncut Episode, available now in The War Room, we go even deeper. We discuss:

    • The Shadow of 1759: How Wolfe’s victory in the Seven Years' War affected the 1775 American battle plan.
    • The Canadian Militia: Who actually defended Canada? We break down the makeup of the French-Canadian irregulars.
    • Carleton’s Command: A profile of the British commander who saved Canada.

    Become a member of The War Room to get the full story

    Text the show!

    Andrew asking listeners to join War Room.

    Support the show

    Join our Newsletter!

    Follow is on X

    General Recommended Reading

    The Military Experience in the Age of Reason, By Christopher Duffy

    Infantry in Battle 1733-1783, By Alexander Burns

    *All materials are affiliated links that earn the show commission. Using these links helps support the podcast. Thank you.

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 6 mins
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