British Army 1914-18

In this episode, I describe the uncoordinated attacks around Thiepval, Ovillers, La Boisselle, Contalmaison, Mametz Wood and Trônes Wood, in the first two weeks of July 1916. We then look at the night attack which captured Bazentin Ridge, early on 14 July. Next come the fighting for Pozières, High Wood, Longueval, Delville Wood and Guillemont.

In this episode, I talk about the British Expeditionary Force's worst day in the Great War; 1 July 1916 on the Somme. I start by explaining how the artillery protected the infantry as they advanced. Then I move along the line, looking at the fate of each corps and division. I discuss the failures and successes and suggest why events turned out as they did.

In this episode, I look at the planning for the Somme offensive which began on 1 July 1916. I explain how the infantry were expected to advance deep into German territory, across the wide front. I then look at the preliminary bombardment, which eventually lasted for seven days. I also discuss the equipment each man had to carry into battle. The podcast closes with a look at what the Germans knew about the imminent offensive.

In this episode, I look at the small engagements which took place between the battle of Loos ending in October 1915 and the Somme campaign starting at the beginning of July 1916.
So, I talk about the Germans using phosgene gas, north-east of Ypres, in December 1915 and the fighting around the Bluff, south of the town, in March 1916. Then we hear about the crater fighting at Hohenzollern Redoubt and St Eloi in March and April. Next come the German gas attacks at Hulluch and Wulverghem in April. Then I talk about the German attacks at the Kink, near Hulluch, and on Vimy Ridge in May. Finally, I discuss the fighting for Tor Top and Mount Sorrel, to the east of Ypres, in June 1916.

In this episode, I look at the attacks against the German Second Line east of Loos, on 26 and 27 September 1915. Then I talk about the confused trench fighting for Hohenzollern Redoubt, which continued until 13 October 1915.

In this episode, I discuss the planning for the British Expeditionary Force's first attack involving chlorine gas. I then look at the offensive, which began on 25 September 1915, dealing with each division in time.
The second and third days of the battle and the protracted fighting around Hohenzollern Redoubt are covered in a separate podcast.

In the this episode, I talk about three minor battles which took place in the summer of 1915. The first was the Second Action at Givenchy in June, followed by the attack at Bellewaarde, east of Ypres, in the same month. Then we look at the fighting around Hooge, also east of Ypres, where the Germans used flamethrowers for the first time.

In this episode, I look at the disastrous attack made in the direction of Aubers Ridge on 9 May 1915. Then I talk about the attack near Festubert, which started on 15 May 1915. The plan to rip a large hole in the German attack with a pincer attack faltered and it would take ten days to join up the two jaws of First Army.

In this episode, I start and end with the fighting for Hill 60, to the south-east of Ypres. However, most of the narrative covers the Second Battle of Ypres, which started with the first use of chlorine gas against the Ypres Salient on 22 April 1915. I then explain the frantic attempts to shore up the line, with hastily organised counter-attacks. The fighting eventually came to a close on 13 May.

In this episode, I discuss the attacks and raids which were made over the winter of 1914-15. Then I look at the start of tunnelling warfare around the La Bassée Canal. I conclude with a description of the planning for the battle of Neuve Chapelle, which started on 10 March 1915. An important battle which set the blueprint for offensives during trench warfare.