British Army 1914-18

In this episode, I look at the planning for the attack against Vimy Ridge and east of Arras on 9 April. We see how First Army and Third Army used different barrages and how they deployed their infantry. I also talk about the huge amount of work that had to be done, so the logistics chain could function.

In this episode, I describe the difficulties faced by the troops as they struggled to survive in the trenches, over the winter of 1916-17. The I look at the German plans to shorten their line, by withdrawing to a new defensive position many miles to the east. Finally, we see how the British Expeditionary Force followed up the withdrawal to the Hindenburg Line.

This episode was first broadcast as a webinar for the Western Front Association. I have edited the narrative to make it suitable for a podcast. I talk about the background to Sheffield's steel industry, illustrating how it was ideally placed to help the war effort. I then explain how it switched from domestic to military production and how the workforce expanded many times over. We also see how industry changed its attitude to the workforce, production and health and safety.

In this episode, I look at the final attacks across Fourth Army's front on the Somme in November 1916. Then I look at the attack made by the newly named Fifth Army, astride the River Ancre, which started on 13 November.

In this episode, I discuss the final battles which took place on the Somme during October 1916, as the wet and misty autumn weather set in. I explain how the Reserve Army struggled to advance over the ridge between Thiepval and Courcelette, particularly around Regina Trench. We also see how Fourth Army floundered in the mud around the Butte du Warlencourt, Gueudecourt and LE Transloy.

In this episode, I talk about the fighting which took place across the Somme at the end of September. The Reserve Army was engaged between Thiepval and Courcelette. Meanwhile, Fourth Army advanced towards Le Sars, Gueudecourt, Lesboeufs and Le Transloy.

In this episode, I discuss the development of the tank. Then I look at its first battle on the 15 September 1916, on the Somme. We see the advantages and problems poised by adding this new weapon to the British Expeditionary Force's arsenal. I close by looking at the fragmented fighting which followed the tanks attack.

In this episode, I look at the fighting across the Somme early in September 1916 as the during the struggle to secure a straight line for the promised tanks. Again this saw the Reserve Army fighting between Thiepval and Pozières. Meanwhile, Fourth Army's left flank was still trying to capture High Wood while its centre was trying get beyond Longueval and Delville Wood. Its right flank was still trying to take Guillemont and advance through and beyond Leuze Wood.

In this episode I talk about the relentless attacks which took place across the Somme in August 1916. I explain how the Reserve Army struggled to get close to Thiepval and beyond Pozières. Meanwhile, Fourth Army was still struggling around High Wood, Delville Wood, Ginchy and Guillemont. We also hear how news of a new weapon; the tank was broken to Generals Hubert Gough and Henry Rawlinson.

In this episode, I talk about the fighting on the Somme in late July 1916. I start with First Army's diversionary attack at Fromelles on 19 July. Then I look at the Reserve Army's advance through and beyond Pozières. Next we see how the Fourth Army struggled to clear High Wood, Longueval, Delville Wood and Guillemont, as it tried to straighten its line.