Far From Gnome

Far From Gnome

From Wartime Stories

February 6, 2026 · 39 min · Episode 86

About this episode

The episode explores unexplained encounters reported by soldiers during deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, linking them to regional folklore.

During combat deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, some soldiers reported encounters that didn’t fit any known threat, animal, or enemy tactic. Small humanoid figures seen at night. Unexplained movement around guard posts. Local interpreters refusing to enter certain villages without explanation. Often dismissed as stress, exhaustion, or superstition, these accounts share striking similarities with regional folklore that long predates modern warfare. From remote outposts to abandoned settlements, servicemen describe experiences they still struggle to explain. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Topics covered

  • combat deployments
  • unexplained encounters
  • regional folklore
  • military experiences
  • superstition
  • humanoid figures

Keywords

  • combat
  • Iraq
  • Afghanistan
  • humanoid figures
  • superstition
  • military folklore
  • unexplained encounters

Mentioned in this episode

Places: Iraq, Afghanistan, certain villages, remote outposts, abandoned settlements

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