Old Front Line
WW1 Podcast with Paul Reed
Category: Podcast Episode
Chalk, Englishness and the Great War
In this special episode with Professor Mark Connelly we explore the profound connection between landscape, memory, and national identity during the Great War, focusing on the significance of chalk landscapes in Britain and their influence on cultural memory and battlefield symbolism. We dive into… Continue Reading “Chalk, Englishness and the Great War”
Colonel Driant’s Command Post
In this episode of The Old Front Line, we explore the dramatic opening moments of the Battle of Verdun, focusing on the heroic stand of Lieutenant Colonel Émile Driant and his men in the Bois des Caures on 21st/22nd February 1916. Commanding the 56th and 59th Battalions of Chasseurs à… Continue Reading “Colonel Driant’s Command Post”
Ypres: A Walk on The Bluff
Step onto the Western Front in Flanders as we explore the area near to Ypres known as The Bluff. In this episode we uncover the story of the fighting here in February-March 1916, when British and German forces struggled for control of the high ground overlooking… Continue Reading “Ypres: A Walk on The Bluff”
Forgotten Memoirs of the Great War Part 2
We return to the subject of Forgotten Memoirs of the First World War and discuss The Years of Remembrance by Harold Maybury which was published in 1924. Maybury served in the ranks of the 2/4th Battalion South Lancashire Regiment in the 57th (2nd West… Continue Reading “Forgotten Memoirs of the Great War Part 2”
Remembering the Forgotten Front
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… Continue Reading “Remembering the Forgotten Front”
Walking the Somme: Gommecourt
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… Continue Reading “Walking the Somme: Gommecourt”
RFC/RAF: Where They Flew & Fell
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… Continue Reading “RFC/RAF: Where They Flew & Fell”
The Air War in WW1 – with Josh Levine
Josh Levine 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… Continue Reading “The Air War in WW1 – with Josh Levine”
The Search for Mick Mannock
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 &… Continue Reading “The Search for Mick Mannock”
Above the Battlefield: Royal Flying Corps & RAF in WW1
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… Continue Reading “Above the Battlefield: Royal Flying Corps & RAF in WW1”
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