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Walk the battlefields of the First World War with Military Historian, Paul Reed. In these podcasts, Paul brings together over 40 years of studying the Great War, from the stories of veterans he interviewed, to when he spent more than a decade living on the Old Front Line in the heart of the Somme battlefields.
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In this episode, we unpack the meaning and origins of the term Downland, and explore how this distinctive landscape helps us better understand the geography and terrain of the First World War. We take a closer look at the Lewis Machine Gun, examining how it worked, how a Lewis Gun section operated in battle, and its role on the Western Front. We also consider the influence of the Franco-Prussian War on both the military thinking and physical landscape of WW1, before turning to the decorations...
In this special edition, we’re joined by Jon Gedling, Director of Estates for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, to discuss the challenges and responsibilities involved in caring for First World War cemeteries in Belgium and France. We explore the history behind making these cemeteries permanent after the Great War, how maintenance practices have evolved, and the background to the so-called “black spot” issue. Jon explains what recent investigations have revealed, how the CWGC is address...
In this 40th Questions and Answers episode, we explore some of the lesser-known battlefields of the Western Front, uncovering places where traces of the First World War fighting can still be seen today. We examine what really happened to trenches after they were captured in battle, discuss whether WW1 historians face a new challenge from Artificial Intelligence, and debate the nature of First World War generalship — were those in high command truly butchers and bunglers, or more capable than ...
We travel to the area Behind the Lines of West of Arras, visiting cemeteries where Casualty Clearing Stations were moved back to in 1918, discuss a small village where WW1 meets WW2, discover some original Great War graffiti on a farm building wall and visit on the of the most important Arras cemeteries covering all four years of the fighting and seeing the grave of Canada's most decorated ordinary soldier. Pte Claude Nunney VC DCM MM: Claude Nunney website. Sign up for the free podcast newsl...
In this episode we ask what is the current size of the 'Zone Rouge' and are there plans to clear it? We then look at the use of morphine to treat pain and was this misused? We then look at when Steel Helmets were first issued to British and Canadian troops, and end by asking what WW1 slang words are still in use today? The Old Front Line on YouTube: Old Front Line Channel. The OFL episode about the Zone Rouge: The Myth of the Zone Rouge. Sign up for the free podcast newsletter here: Old Front...
In a special episode we are joined by Professor Peter Doyle who delivered this talk on Loos at a Podcast Supporters Evening for the 110th Anniversary of the battle last month. Peter's new edition of is book is found here: Loos 1915. Sign up for the free podcast newsletter here: Old Front Line Bulletin. You can order Old Front Line Merch via The Old Front Line Shop. Got a question about this episode or any others? Drop your question into the Old Front Line Discord Server or email the podcast. ...
In this latest QnA episode, we tackle a fresh set of listener questions about the First World War, ranging from battlefield geography to the realities of supply and discipline at the front. We start with how hills and features were numbered along the front line—was there really only one “Hill 80”? Then we turn to the huge challenge of logistics, exploring how both sides managed to feed, arm, and move millions of men across the Western Front, and the massive impact this had on wartime economie...
We return to the memories of WW1 veteran Malcolm Vyvyan MC, who served with 96th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery on the Western Front from 1916, and then latterly the Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force. We follow him from the Somme to Arras, until he leaves his Battery for flying training in 1918. The previous episode covering Malcolm's memoirs: A Siege Battery Gunner. Sign up for the free podcast newsletter here: Old Front Line Bulletin. You can order Old Front Line Merch via The ...
In this WW1 Q&A episode, we explore the lives and social backgrounds of British Army officers, ask whether First World War veterans hated their German enemies, and share the remarkable stories of soldiers who were discharged but re-enlisted to fight again. We also look at how people living on the Western Front battlefields today connect with the war, and whether interest in the Great War is fading—or still as strong as ever. Sign up for the free podcast newsletter here: Old Front Line Bul...
What was the “Forgotten Front” of Northern France? In this episode, we explore the stretch of battlefield from Armentières on the Belgian border through La Bassée to the ground near Loos, scene of the Big Push of September 1915: fought 110 years ago this weekend. We uncover the history, walk the landscape, and share the stories of the men who fought and fell on this often-overlooked part of the Western Front. The Road to La Bassée Poem on the Great War Forum: The Road to La Bassée Sign up for...
In our first QnA Episode for Season 9 we look at what happened to the German forces when the guns went silent on 11th November 1918, discuss the use of poison gas and it's legacy on the battlefields today, examine if British and German dead were buried in the same trenches on the battlefield, and ask what happened to the horses used by the British Army when the war came to an end? Sign up for the free podcast newsletter here: Old Front Line Bulletin. You can order Old Front Line Merch via The...
In our first episode of Season 9, we walk the northern part of the Somme battlefield from Foncquevillers out to the ground before Gommecourt, and examine the attack here by the 46th (North Midland) Division on 1st July 1916. We examine the Court of Enquiry, the roles of the commanders Major-General Edward James Montagu-Stuart-Wortley and Lieutenant General Sir Sir Thomas D’Oyly Snow, and hear the voices of the ordinary soldiers who fought and fell at Gommecourt on the First Day of the Battle ...
In our third and final Bonus Episode that brings Season 8 to a close, we have a live recording from the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres, recorded while out leading a battlefield tour a few weeks ago. We reflect on the subjects we have covered on the podcast, on what the Menin Gate means to us, and how the whole subject of the Great War continues to develop. Sign up for the free podcast newsletter here: Old Front Line Bulletin. Got a question about this episode or any others? Drop your ques...
In this second Bonus Episode to end Season 8 of the podcast we look at the subject of Great War veterans and in particular Malcolm Vyvyan who served as a Siege Battery officer in the Royal Garrison Artillery on the Somme, Arras and Flanders, and was awarded the Military Cross in 1917. Sign up for the free podcast newsletter here: Old Front Line Bulletin. Got a question about this episode or any others? Drop your question into the Old Front Line Discord Server or email the podcast. Send ...
In the first of three Bonus Episodes of the podcast to end Season 8, we travel to Fricourt on the Somme and examine the journey to unveil a memorial to the 17th (Northern) Division in the church there in July 1938, just over a year before the outbreak of a Second World War. Who made that pilgrimage to Picardy, and what does it tell us about the experience of the Great War? The image used for this episode shows men of the 17th (Northern) Division on the steps of a captured German dugout ...
In the final episode of our Air War series we travel across the landscape of the First World War and discover what we can find that connects us to the story of the Royal Flying Corps and RAF in WW1, from memorials to cemeteries and sites of former aerodromes. Along the way we examine the stories of some of the Aces from James McCudden VC to Manfred Von Richthofen - The Red Baron - to Bob Little from Australia and Major Lanoe Hawker VC, before seeing the battlefields where Albert Ball VC...
In this special and extended QnA Episode we look at Parachutes in the Air Services in WW1, the Ground Crew who kept the planes in the air, what are the best RFC/RAF memoirs of WW1, how the filming of the Red Baron's funeral was received, and how men applied for transfers to the Air Services and what was the selection process for Pilots and Observers. Sign up for the free podcast newsletter here: Old Front Line Bulletin. Got a question about this episode or any others? Drop your question into ...
In the second of our special interviews for the War in the Air series, we are joined by historian and broadcaster Josh Levine to discuss the war in the air in WW1, based on his best-selling book On A Wing and A Prayer. Josh's book 'On A Wing and A Prayer' is now published in paperback at Fighter Heroes of WW1 ( Harper Collins 2011) Sign up for the free podcast newsletter here: Old Front Line Bulletin. Got a question about this episode or any others? Drop your question into the Old Front Line ...
For our 250th episode of the podcast, and as part of our continuing Air War series, we are joined by aviation historian and author Andy Saunders to look at the life, and death, of Edward 'Mick' Mannock VC DSO & Two Bars, MC & Bar and the search for his potential burial place on the Western Front. Is the grave of an Unknown Aviator at Laventie British Cemetery Mick Mannock's final resting place? Andy's book: Mannock: The Life and Death of Major Edward Mannock VC, DSO, MC, RAF by Frank,...
For the start of our War in the Air Month, we begin with a look at the real story of the 'Twenty Minuters', the Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force in the First World War. We look at its history from formation in 1912, its role in the opening months of the conflict, and how the war on the Western Front changed military aviation forever. A good overview of the Air War from the Imperial War Museum: What impact did the First World War have on aircraft and aerial warfare? Photographs of some o...
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Interesting info on the ID Discs Paul, am I right the Green was meant to stay with the body and the Red was meant to be collected? Question is, what about their paybook, wasn't it meant to be carried at all times? That had their details including the Will form on the back page and was meant to be collected on Death? Why not take that and leave the ID tag. An ancestors Pay Book Will is in the Scottish archives, it's blood stained and can't be viewed. Thing is, he's one of the Missing.
Brigadier Crozier's "The Men I Killed" is currently 99p on Kindle.
Best tool for a beginner researching family members is Chris Baker's iconic The Long Long Trail.
Great question and answer session. I did Verdun and the Ardenne, and Bastogne areas on a motorcycle tour with the wife, I did myself. Stayed in Verdun then rode out onto sites for two days. Just used ipad and Google, and what knowledge I'd got from books and films I'd seen. We had a great time and got to places you couldn't in a car.
Paul really enjoyed Redan Ridge. Informative as to be expected, you pick us up and take us there as always. Well done. Brilliant. Thanks Paul.
Really good idea Paul. And some great questions. 👍
Jump listened to Beyond The Somme. Everything Paul said is correct. It is good to go to the Ypres Saliant and the Somme front. But you need to go on other fronts. I did a motorcycle tour years ago with my wife. We covered Verdun and the Ardenne. We also did Bastogne, that tour was amazing saw so much, learnt so much. The best thing about this podcast Paul, was that you mentally took me back. Really enjoyed it. Brilliant
Really interesting poddy Paul. I must go to the last one you mentioned plus the trench of death. I've done many but not these 2. Thanks again Paul.
Very good poddy. So much information as usual. Thanks Mr R
Really interesting poddy this one. And like you say not many people visit this end of the line. Which is someways is sad. However great pod cast Sir.
Still enjoying these, thank you.
really, really interesting, thank you.
Excellent series of podcasts, incredibly interesting and packed with moving stories.