Not Our War: Namib-Naukluft National Park

National Park After Dark

Danielle LaRock & Cassandra Yahnian

True Crime, Places & Travel, History, Society & Culture

4.6 • 5.8K Ratings

🗓️ 18 May 2026

⏱️ 64 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Henno Martin and Hermann Korn were two German-born geologists conducting research in present-day Namibia when World War II broke out. Instead of facing internment or being forced into a war they did not believe in, these two friends loaded up a truck with their dog Otto and some basic survival supplies and set out to escape the war by surviving off the land in the harsh Namib desert. For a full list of our sources, visit npadpodcast.com/episodes For the latest NPAD updates, group travel details, merch and more, follow us on npadpodcast.com and our socials: Instagram: @‌nationalparkafterdarkTikTok: @‌nationalparkafterdark Support the show by becoming an Outsider and receive ad free listening, bonus content and more on Patreon or Apple Podcasts. Want to see our faces? Catch full episodes on our YouTube Page! Thank you to this week’s partners!Blueland: Get 15% off your first order at Blueland.com/NPADIQBAR: Text PARK to 64000 to get 20% off all IQBAR products, plus FREE shipping. Message and data rates may applyNutrafol: Get $10 off your first month’s subscription and freeshipping at Nutrafol.com promo code NPADKeeper: 60% off personal and family plans at http://Keepersecurity.com/NPAD Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	As long as there have been wars, there have been dissidents, defectors, and deserters.
0:07.0	During wartime, defectors are military personnel or civilians who abandon their country or cause to join the opposing side.
0:15.0	In the United States, Benedict Arnold is perhaps the most infamous defector, dating back to the American Revolutionary War when
0:22.7	he defected to side with the British. Then there's Desmond Doss, who, instead of avoiding
0:28.1	war entirely, refused to carry a weapon due to his faith during World War II. Although he still
0:34.2	served as a medic and saved dozens of lives, his decision showed that avoiding war can sometimes mean refusing to participate in violence.
0:43.3	More recently during the Vietnam War, Muhammad Ali famously refused to be drafted into the U.S. military, citing his religious beliefs and opposition to the war.
0:52.3	His stance cost him his heavyweight title and led to legal battles, but it also made him
0:57.7	a global symbol of resistance and conscience.
1:01.3	Over the years, countless others have evaded the draft to avoid military service, and even
1:06.1	more have participated in anti-war protests and have shaped the course of history.
1:11.7	In May of 1940, what started as an occasional joke between two friends quickly became a reality
1:17.4	at the outbreak of World War II.
1:19.6	A quiet act of defiance unfolded in the Namibian desert.
1:24.0	Instead of facing internment or being forced to fight a war they did not support, Heno Martin and Herman Korn would flee into the barren wilderness of the Namib Desert to try and survive.
1:36.3	Welcome to National Park After Dark. Wow, you're doing a World War II episode, and I'm so excited.
1:59.0	That's also kind of survival.
2:00.8	Wow. I did this for you,'s also kind of survival. Wow.
2:01.5	I did this for you, Cassie.
2:03.1	Thank you.
2:03.5	This is like everything I could have ever dreamed of.
2:06.9	You're welcome.
	...

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