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 Manfred von Richthofen’s red triplane skimmed the Somme, and a living legend closed in for another kill. But, down below, Sergeant Cedric Bassett Popkin on a Vickers machine gun is waiting for his moment. Once friendly aircraft had cleared his line of fire, Cedric squeezed his trigger and what happened next reshaped world history.

We chart Richthofen’s path from young cavalry cadet to becoming the Red Baron, Germany’s most feared flying ace and a potent symbol of wartime propaganda. You’ll hear the pivotal encounters, the April surge that cemented his reputation, and the head wound that shadowed his final year. From there we move groundward to the Australians braced along Morlancourt Ridge, where trajectories, medical findings, and rate-of-fire analysis converge on one name: Sergeant Cedric Bassett Popkin. His official statement, training, and position relative to the flight path make a tight forensic case for the fatal burst coming from his Vickers machine gun.

If you enjoy sharp storytelling, primary sources, and a myth-busting look at World War I, hit follow, share this with a history-loving friend, and leave a review. What detail changed your view of the Red Baron’s last flight? We want to hear it.

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August 22nd, 1914, on a road near Casteau in Belgium, Ernest Edward Thomas of the 4th Irish Royal Dragoon Guards raised his rifle, steadied his breath, and changed history forever. 

The Drummer and Cavalryman had just fired Europe's first shot of World War 1.

Join us as we tell his story, explain his connection with the history of Brighton and The Duke of York's Picturehouse, and we'll describe that fateful shot, taken the day before the first Battle of Mons.

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For our 13th Episode, we are taking a look at perhaps the unluckiest man there ever was, in the true story of Roy Sullivan, the Spark Ranger or Human Lightning Rod. 

Between 1942 and 1977, Roy was struck by lightning seven times, and despite having his hair catch fire more than once and even coming round from a strike and immediately fighting off a bear, Roy lived to tell the tale. That is until he could no longer carry the weight of his bad luck.

But was it just bad luck? Was it science, or something more?

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Caroline Kennedy is the last surviving child of President John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Often described as the most famous woman you know the least about, Caroline's life is a story of resilience, diplomacy, and the weight of a monumental heritage.

​Follow her journey from being the celebrated "First Child" of the White House to her career as the US Ambassador to Japan and Australia. We explore the immense trauma of the JFK assassination and the death of her uncle, Bobby Kennedy, and the cultural shift of her mother’s marriage to Aristotle Onassis.

​Plus, we uncover the true story of hidden inspiration for one of the world's favorite sing-along hits. Join us for an intimate look at the Kennedy family history through the lens of the woman who carries the legacy forward.

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Henrietta Lacks was a young mother whose premature death by cancer changed the world forever. We explore the complex legacy of the woman who left behind immortal cells that fueled decades of scientific breakthroughs.

​From the development of the polio vaccine to gene mapping, Henrietta’s cells have saved millions of lives—yet her story is also one of deep racial injustice in 1951 America. We dive into the medical ethics of the era, the critical importance of medical consent, and the ongoing conversation surrounding bodily autonomy.

​Join us as we pay tribute to the "Mother of Modern Medicine" and uncover how one woman’s unwitting contribution became the bedrock of contemporary science.

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Imagine you’re driving a 7.5-ton double-decker bus across London’s most iconic bridge. The lights are green, the air is thick with 1952 smog, and twenty passengers are chatting behind you. Suddenly, the road in front of you doesn't just end—it rises.

​This week, we tell the heart-pounding true story of Albert Gunter, the Number 78 bus driver who found himself on a rising bascule of Tower Bridge. Faced with a split-second choice between a 30-foot plunge into the Thames or a leap of faith, Albert did the unthinkable: he floored it. 

If you love vintage London, true stories of quick thinking, or the hidden secrets of the world’s most famous landmarks, this is an unexpecte  adventure story that you won’t want to miss.

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Merry Christmas and welcome to a special episode of Honourable Mentions where, to celebrate the season, we are looking into the lives of Franz Gruber and Joseph Mohr, whose 1818 collaboration in the parish church of Oberndorf, Austria, gave the us the world's favourite Christmas Carol - Silent Night or Stille Nacht if you want to show off. 

But we're not stopping there - oh no - like Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, we're going on until the job is done, so drop those turkey drumsticks and settle in as we explore the legacy of the Carol and its part in the famous Christmas truce of the First World War.

It's a fun packed, festive sleigh ride back in time. 

If you've ever wondered what Steven and Neil's favourite Christmas films and songs are, this is the only place to be. And remember to listen out for an exclusive Christmas message from the real Santa Claus himself! 

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Discover the incredible true story of Fred Kroll, the visionary behind some of the most iconic board games in history. In this episode of Honourable Mentions, we dive deep into the 1970s toy market to explore how Kroll and the Pressman Toy Corporation revolutionised the way we play.

​From the chaotic clicking of Hungry Hungry Hippos to the rhythmic popping of the Trouble game (and its legendary Pop-O-Matic bubble), Fred Kroll didn’t just sell toys—he created cultural phenomenons. Join us as we trace the history of vintage toys, the high-stakes business of toy industry acquisitions, and the legacy of the man who defined a generation of childhood fun.

​Whether you're a fan of board game history, a collector of 70s nostalgia, or interested in the business of toy inventors, this episode is a must-listen look at the golden age of play.

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As codename Ivan, Duško Popov was the top spy for the German Military Intelligence (Abwehr) in the Second World War, but, under the codename Tricycle, he was also leading dangerous espionage missions for MI6 and the British. 

He played a key role in D-Day. Warned the USA about Pearl Harbor, and crossed paths with J. Edgar Hoover, a glamorous film star, and a future novelist.

Join us for another fascinating Honourable Mentions with a twist in the tale.

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Jesus Garcia, the man known as the "Héroe de Nacozari"— was a humble railroad worker who gave his own life to save thousands.

​In the early 20th century, the town of Nacozari, Sonora, was a bustling hub for the Polaris Mine, fueling the world’s obsession with copper. But in 1907, a routine transport turned into a nightmare when a train loaded with dynamite caught fire in the center of town.

​In this episode of Honourable Mentions, we follow the life of Jesus Garcia Corona, the "railroad heartthrob" who chose to drive the burning locomotive away from the population rather than jump to safety. 

We explore the industrial boom of early 1900s Mexico, the high-stakes world of copper mining history, and the enduring legacy that led to the creation of Día del Ferrocarrilero (Day of the Railroad Worker).
​From selfless bravery and heartbreak to fortune-telling chickens, this is the definitive account of one of history's greatest acts of courage.

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