During the Great War, a new kind of injury emerged from the trenches—one that left no visible mark but shattered the minds of soldiers. It was called "shell shock." This podcast explores the story of this invisible wound, from its first appearance as a baffling medical mystery to its dismissal by military command as mere cowardice.
 
Journey back to the front lines to understand the initial theories that blamed the physical blast of shells, and then to the hospitals where the true psychological horror of industrial warfare became undeniable. The episode delves into the stark class divide in treatment: while enlisted men faced brutal disciplinary measures and torturous "cures," officers were sent to pioneering institutions like Craiglockhart Hospital. It was there that doctors like W.H.R. Rivers developed the revolutionary "talking cure," and where two of the world's greatest war poets, Siegfried Sassoon and Wilfred Owen, forged a friendship that would change literature forever. Through their stories and the tragic case of soldiers like Private Harry Farr, who was executed for cowardice while suffering from severe trauma, this podcast traces the painful evolution of our understanding of combat trauma. It's a story of medical discovery, military crisis, and artistic expression that laid the foundation for the modern diagnosis of PTSD, revealing the enduring echoes of a war that never truly ended for millions

In the spring of 1918, with German forces only miles from Paris, the Allied cause was on the brink of collapse. Into this desperate fight were thrown the untested U.S. Marines.

This episode of "Stories of the Great War" explores the brutal, 26-day battle for Belleau Wood, the bloody crucible that forged the modern identity of the United States Marine Corps. Discover the savage, close-quarters fighting in the dark woods and across blood-soaked wheat fields that shocked veteran German soldiers and gave birth to legends. We'll delve into the stories behind the defiant cry, "Retreat? Hell, we just got here!" and the heroic acts of valor that earned multiple Medals of Honor. Learn how this pivotal battle helped halt Germany's final offensive, boosted Allied morale, and earned the Marines their enduring nickname: "Devil Dogs." - or did it?

In the autumn of 1914, with the dream of a swift German victory shattered on the banks of the Marne, Kaiser Wilhelm II turned to a new commander to salvage the war: General Erich von Falkenhayn. This episode delves into the life and controversial career of one of World War I's most pivotal figures. We explore Falkenhayn's rise to power, his stark realization that the war could not be won by traditional means, and the development of his chilling new strategy: attrition. At the heart of his plan was the Battle of Verdun, a horrific engagement designed not to capture territory, but to "bleed the French army white". Was Falkenhayn a cold-blooded butcher or a grim realist who understood the brutal nature of industrial warfare better than anyone else? From the slaughter on the Meuse to his brilliant, forgotten campaign in Romania, we examine the complicated legacy of the man who gambled on blood.

Join host Chris Mowery for a journey through the remarkable—and heartbreakingly brief—life of Lieutenant William Noel Hodgson. Nicknamed “Smiler” at school and praised for both athletic prowess and poetic talent, Hodgson left Oxford’s cloisters in 1914 to fight with the 9th Devonshire Regiment. From his baptism of fire at Loos to months of trench‑side writing beneath Mansell Copse, the episode traces how war reshaped his verse and spirit. At the center lies Hodgson’s haunting final poem, “Before Action,” published just two days before he fell on 1 July 1916, the first day of the Somme. Through vivid storytelling, original readings, and reflective commentary—delivered without sound effects or music—you’ll discover how one young man’s prayer for courage became an enduring voice of the Great War. Whether you’re new to WWI history or a seasoned listener, this episode brings the soldier‑poet’s legacy to life with clarity, empathy, and conversational warmth.

In this sweeping biographical episode of Stories of the Great War, Chris Mowery traces the extraordinary journey of General John J. Pershing—from a Missouri mule team to the battlefields of Europe. With rich narration and vivid storytelling, we follow Pershing through dusty frontier posts, the fire-swept hills of Cuba, the mountains of the Philippines, and into the heart of the Great War. Learn how personal tragedy, tactical genius, and relentless discipline shaped the man who built America’s first modern army—and changed the course of world history. This is the story of “Black Jack” Pershing, General of the Armies of the United States.

In this episode of Stories of the Great War, we journey to the rain-soaked fields of northeastern France in September 1918, where the American Expeditionary Forces launched their first independent offensive of the First World War. Led by General John J. Pershing, the St. Mihiel Offensive marked a turning point—not only in the war, but in the emergence of the U.S. as a major military power. Discover the strategic planning, the clash of Allied and American leadership, the bravery of the Doughboys in the trenches, and firsthand accounts from the men who endured the storm. This is the story of how a young army proved itself on the world stage.

In this episode, we delve into one of World War I's most harrowing and iconic battles—the Battle of Passchendaele. Through vivid storytelling and poignant eyewitness accounts, we explore the strategic decisions, harsh battlefield conditions, and immense human cost endured by soldiers on both sides. Join us as we examine the courage, sacrifice, and tragedy of Passchendaele, providing a detailed narrative that honors the memory of those who fought and fell amidst the mud of Flanders.

The Lost Battalion: Courage in the Argonne tells the gripping true story of more than 500 American soldiers who were cut off, surrounded, and left to fend for themselves in the dense Argonne Forest during the final weeks of World War I. Led by Major Charles Whittlesey, these men of the 77th Division held their position under constant German attack, with no food, no water, and little ammunition — all while being mistakenly shelled by their own artillery. For six harrowing days, they refused to surrender. In this episode, we explore:

• The chaotic Meuse-Argonne offensive that led to their isolation
• Personal accounts from trapped soldiers
• The bravery of carrier pigeons like Cher Ami
• How their endurance turned them into legends
• The physical and emotional cost of their survival

This is a story of grit, brotherhood, and heroism in the face of impossible odds — a story too powerful to be lost to history.

Shot at Dawn: Executions in the Great War explores one of the most haunting and controversial aspects of World War I — the execution of over 300 British and Commonwealth soldiers by their own armies, often for desertion, cowardice, or falling asleep at their post. In this sobering episode, we examine: The brutal conditions that drove men to the breaking point The court-martial process and the lack of proper defense The stories of individuals who were executed How shell shock and trauma were misunderstood and punished The legacy of these executions and modern efforts for pardons Using personal letters, military records, and expert analysis, we bring to light the emotional and ethical weight of these forgotten stories — and reflect on how war tests not only nations, but the limits of human endurance.

In this emotional and gripping episode of Stories of the Great War, we follow the incredible true story of Alvin York—a humble farmer from Tennessee whose deep religious convictions initially led him to oppose fighting in the war. But when faced with battle in the Meuse-Argonne offensive, York displayed extraordinary bravery, capturing over a hundred enemy soldiers almost single-handedly. Through vivid accounts and personal reflections, we'll explore how York's courage, humility, and faith made him one of America's greatest war heroes, forever shaping his legacy in the history of World War I.