Battles and Banter: A Relaxed Military History Podcast

**SPOILERS for Avengers: Infinity War & Endgame ahead**

Avery abandons Codie & Tony for more nerdy content and takes on the next Fictional Battle episode with his good friend and fellow MARVEL/STAR WARS geek, Jeff Martin. On this episode, the guys cover the Battles of Titan & Wakanda, as seen in the movie "Avengers: Infinity War". Avery was emotionally scarred the first time he saw that movie in May 2018, and is still recovering from "Avengers: Endgame" this year, so Jeff offered to come on the show and help talk Avery through their experiences. Hence, the two friends sit down, discuss the battles that took place in Infinity War, what their favorite moments were, what their MARVEL 'All-Star Team Up' looks like, and how all this nerdy banter relates to real-life military situations. Strap in for a good time!

On this episode of Battles & Banter, Avery is joined by Justin to discuss the Meuse-Argonne Offensive of World War 1, which was the bloodiest engagement in American military history. Over the course of six weeks, the American Expeditionary Force lost over 26,277 soldiers killed in action, and over 95,786 wounded. The casualties for the French, Siamese & German forces engaged in the battle were equally as high. Justin gives his perspectives on the battle and recollects his personal experiences of visiting the World War I battlefields during the Centennial Events last year in 2018, all of which Avery reacts to with a mixture of amazement and jealousy. The guys missed Tony & Codie this week, but will catch them next time! Still an amazing episode so enjoy!

On this episode of Battles and Banter, Avery, Codie & Justin discuss the importance and pivotal role of the Battle of South Mountain that occurred on September 14, 1862 during the infamous Maryland Campaign. The guys debate the question of whether or not South Mountain was just a skirmish that led up to the bloodiest single day at Antietam, or was actually a decisive victory of the Union Army of the Potomac. Justin tries to get promoted to series regular, Codie starts hearing things, and Avery pines for Tony's return from the wonderful world of Disney. All in all, an excellent episode! Enjoy folks!

Another bonus episode has dropped featuring Battles & Banter's very own Codie Eash, who gave a lecture on Union General Alexander Hays & the rise of Anti-Confederate Sentiment. The audio is taken from Codie's lecture of which he gave at the 2019 History Symposium at the Gettysburg National Military Park Visitor Center. This will be a continuation of the "Battles for Civil War Memory", which the guys hope to return to soon in a larger, feature-length episode. For now, Codie examines precisely what happened on the day of July 3, 1863 at Gettysburg, how it was remembered by those who observed and participated, and the ways it impacted many veterans' reflections on Gettysburg's status as a site of a United States triumph, as well as a major Rebel defeat. Enjoy!

This week, Battles and Banter goes to a galaxy far, far away with its next episode on STAR WARS. Avery and the first special guest of Battles & Banter Podcast, Justin Voithofer, examine the Battles of Scarif and Yavin 4, as seen in the movies "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" & "Star Wars: A New Hope". Justin gives his professional opinion on Star Wars strategy & tactics, Avery forgets to connect his microphone & quotes a lot of Star Wars lines, and Codie arrives just in time to save the podcast from descending into complete and total anarchy. Good times had by all! Enjoy!