British Army 1914-18

In this episode, I explain how Fourth Army followed up its success east of Amiens on 8 August, We see how General Rawlinson's troops struggled to fight their way across the Somme, through the wire and trenches of the 1916 battlefield

In this episode, I look at the organisation of the infantry and cavalry. I then talk about their weapons and equipment I finish by explaining what the different types of infantry battalions were.

This episode looks at how the Regular Army deployed overseas, followed by the Territorial Force. Then we see how the nation volunteered for war, in response to Kitchener's call to arms. I close with a study of the Derby Scheme and Conscription, which were brought in when enthusiasm for the ware waned.

In this episode, I look at the changes to the Army following the Boer War. We then see how Europe went to war in the summer of 1914. Finally, I look at how the Army recruited and trained men, and what a soldier's life was like during peacetime.

In this episode, I talk about the planning for the attack east of Amiens on 8 August 1918. We then see how Fourth Army advanced several miles, on a day which General Erich Ludendorff called a 'Black Day' for the German Army.

In this episode, I talk about three minor attacks by the BEF in June and July 1918, at Le Becque, Le Hamel and Meteren. We then see how the Germans launched their final offensive in the Champagne Region on 15 July. After just 72 hours the advance had stalled along the River Marne, and the French counter-attacked with British help on 18 July. I explain the British efforts against the shoulders of the salient, until the German front collapsed on 1 August.

In this episode, I talk about Operation Blucher-Yorck, the third of the German offensives in the spring of 1918. We see how three tired British divisions were overrun on 27 May. Then we see how reserves helped to stem the breakthrough over the days that followed.

In this episode, I look at the closing week of the battle of the Lys, in April 1918. We see how the German attacks subsided before one last effort captured Kemmel Hill on 25 April. Then I talk about the Australian attack at Villers Bretonneux, east of Amiens on the Somme, on 25 and 26 April 1918.

In this episode, we see how divisions march to the sound of guns, to save Second Army's line around Bailleul and First Army's line in front of Hazebrouck. For five desperate we shall see how the British and Australian troops fought for their lives to stop the Germans breaking through.

In this episode, I look at the second of the German offensives in the spring of 1918. We see how the Sixth German Army's Operation Georgette overran the Portuguese troops holding First Army's line astride the Lys plain. Then I explain how the Fourth German Army's Operation Flanders III overran Second Army's line on the Messines ridge. The episode ends on the 11 April, when Field Marshall Sir Douglas Haig issued the famous 'Backs to the Wall' message.