Old Front Line
WW1 Podcast with Paul Reed
Category: Podcast Episode
Last Digger Action: Montbrehain
In the quiet village of Montbrehain in Northern France, Australians who had fought at Gallipoli, and in some of the key battles on the Western Front, went into battle for the last time on a misty morning in October 1918. This was Australia’s final… Continue Reading “Last Digger Action: Montbrehain”
The Princess & The Christmas Box
In this Trench Chat Special, we speak to Professor Peter Doyle about his upcoming book on the story of an iconic Great War artifact, the Princess Mary’s Christmas Box. Peter explains the history behind the little brass tin, what was in it and who it… Continue Reading “The Princess & The Christmas Box”
Flanders: Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery
Located just off a main road on the route into Flanders, and sheltered by tall trees, this is Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery. It was once one of the largest British cemeteries from the Great War, with nearly 11,000 burials of men who died of wounds.… Continue Reading “Flanders: Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery”
Walking Arras: Bullecourt
In this episode, we follow the Australians – the ANZACs – and men from the West Riding of Yorkshire who fought around the sleepy village of Bullecourt near Arras, in Northern France. Here more than 10,000 ANZACs became casualties in the bloody battles for… Continue Reading “Walking Arras: Bullecourt”
Ypres: Hill 60
Once the haunt of lovers, these gentle slopes on a Flanders landscape became Hill 60 to the British Tommy – one of the most infamous locations on the battlefields near Ypres. We look at the story of Demarcation Stones, British and Commonwealth Tunnellers, mine… Continue Reading “Ypres: Hill 60”
The Champagne Battlefields
In this episode, we have an introduction to the battlefields east of Reims in the vast open fields of the Champagne. We discover a surprisingly diverse battlefield where men of many nations fought during the Great War and hear the story of a disgraced… Continue Reading “The Champagne Battlefields”
Ypres: The Menin Gate
Back in the city of Ypres in Flanders, in this episode we follow the walls, the old Ramparts, seeing British bunkers, visit the Ramparts Cemetery, discover more about military historian Rose Coombs, and end at the Menin Gate. Each night at 8pm the Last… Continue Reading “Ypres: The Menin Gate”
Forgotten Front: The Footballers of Loos
Was this the ‘greatest game’? On 25th September 1915, men of the London Irish Football Club kicked a ball into battle signalling the start of the Battle of Loos. We follow their story and the other London lads who fought that day in the… Continue Reading “Forgotten Front: The Footballers of Loos”
Trench Chat: War Cemeteries & Landscape with Tim Godden
In this latest Trench Chat we are joined by military historian Dr Tim Godden to discuss his research on the Junior Architects of the Imperial War Museum, and the design and meaning of the ‘Silent Cities’, the British cemeteries of the Great War. We… Continue Reading “Trench Chat: War Cemeteries & Landscape with Tim Godden”
Somme: Courcelette to Regina Trench
In this 50th Episode of the podcast, we return to home ground – the village of Courcelette on the Somme. We walk the Canadian attack route in the attack on the village, visit Courcelette British Cemetery and then look at the final stage of… Continue Reading “Somme: Courcelette to Regina Trench”
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