British Army 1914-18

In this episode, I look at the three offensives which raised hopes that a breakthrough could be made from the Ypres Salient in September 1917. Then we see how bad weather turned the battlefield into a quagmire in October, ending the campaign on the Passchendaele Ridge.

In this episode, I talk about the battle of Messines which opened with a mine attack on 7 June 1917. Then I look at Operation Hush, a secret plan to land on the Flanders coast. Finally, I discuss the opening attack of the Third Ypres Offensive, which started on 31 July.

In this episode, I look at the final attack east of Arras, on 3 May 1917. Them I turn my attentions to the prolonged fighting which took place around the village of Bullecourt, to the south-east of the city.

In this episode, I look at the how the battle of the Scarpe continued across Vimy Ridge and east of Arras, between 10 and 14 April. Then I talk about the offensive was renewed on 23 and 28 April.

In this episode, I look at the planning behind the Battle of the Scarpe, which began on 9 April 1917. Then I discuss First Army's capture of Vimy Ridge and Third Army's advance east of Arras.

In this episode, I summarise the lessons learned and weapons introduced during the Somme campaign. Next I explain the difficulties posed in the trenches, due to the winter conditions. Then we hear how the Germans built a new, shorter, defensive line, and how the BEF advanced cautiously towards it in March and April 1917.

In this episode I look at the final six weeks of the Somme campaign. The autumn weather turned the ground into a muddy morass, while rain and sleet filled the trenches with water. So, I explain how the troops struggled on, despite the deteriorating conditions.

In this episode, I look at the background of the tank and the planning for the first tank attack which took place on the Somme on 15 September 1915. I then talk about the fighting that followed, including the next big attack on 25 September 1916.

In this podcast, I tell you where I am up to with the podcasts and what my plans are for the future. This includes recording divisional histories. I aim to bring all the podcasts together on a website, which is far easier to search. Then I shall look at doing YouTube videos, so I can illustrate the talks with maps and photographs.

This time I look at the fighting on the Somme, which took place in August and early September 1916.  This includes the fighting for High Wood, Deville Wood and Leuze Wood.