Tales from the Battlefields

In this episode we travel to Arnhem to mark the 80th anniversary of this battle in September 1944. In part 1 we look at the story of the parachute drops through the eyes of the men who were there. We then follow their route to the road bridge and discover, through the words of Major General John Frost and other veterans, what happened during those dramatic few days. 

In this episode we go on a stroll around Ypres. Along the way we walk to a member of the Last Post Association about the iconic ceremony at the Menin Gate. We discover the story of the "Wipers Times" and visit the beautiful Ramparts Cemetery. We also find out the story of the local Resistance who hid Allied airmen in a hotel during World War 2. And discuss opposing thoughts about the construction of the Menin Gate during the 1920's, including a controversial Siegfried Sassoon poem.

In this episode we talk to author and former RAF Tornado Navigator and Gulf War prisoner-of-war John Nichol. Over one million British Empire soldiers were killed during the First World War. More than a century later, more than half a million still have no known grave. 

The scale of the fighting, the destructive power of high explosive, and the combination of relentless military engagement and glutinous mud meant that many of the dead were never recovered or identified. Names were left without bodies, and bodies, or fragments of bodies, without names.

In an emotional personal journey, John uncovers the dramatic story of the Unknown Warrior who lies in Westminster Abbey, and our nation’s deep-seated need to honour and mourn the fallen.

In this episode we travel around the Ypres battlefield and discover the stories of 2 men who were awarded the Victoria Cross, several soldiers who were executed by the British Army, some professional footballers who gave up their careers and were killed in action and other incredible stories, including a dreadful gas attack in August 1916.

In this episode we walk the 1917 3rd Battle of Ypres battlefield from St Julien, along the Steenbeek, to Langemarck and onto Poelcapelle. We discover forgotten stories along the way and find out what is was like to be there in 1917, through the eyes of the soldiers who were there. We come across the site of an old German war cemetery and the site of 2 Victoria Cross actions along the way, and a disastrous tank attack.

In this episode we return to High Wood on the Somme but not in 1916 but in August 1939 when a World War 1 veteran returns to the wood and explores the the scene of his nightmares from 20 years before. It is the eve of World War 2 and the veteran discovers what the French landowner thinks about the impending war with Germany. We also learn about a man whose parents claimed he was killed in France but had deserted and lived until 1972. And we have news from the Somme about the Butte de Warlencourt. 

In this episode we mark the 107th anniversary of the opening day of the 3rd Battle of Ypres by discussing the horrific experiences of the 1st Battalion, Hertfordshire Regiment on that day. We talk to author and historian Paul Johnson, who explains who these men were, what happened to them and the incredible bravery of them all. We also look at what happened through the eyes of the soldiers, both British and German.

In this episode we mark the beginning of the Paris Olympics by looking at the story of Frederick Kelly. Frederick, known as Cleg, was an Olympic gold medal winner at the 1908 London Olympics. He then became a composer before joining the Royal Naval Division at the beginning of the Great War. Find out how he became friends with poet Rupert Brooke and how he was killed in action during the Battle of the Ancre in November 1916. We look at this battle in detail, following Cleg's story, and through the eyes of the soldiers who were there.

Well known for being the only recipient of the Victoria Cross for actions on D-Day, Company Sergeant Major Stan Hollis was a true leader of men and a superb soldier. However, that only just scratches the surface of a man who was recommended for not just the Victoria Cross twice, but also the Military Medal and the Distinguished Conduct Medal. In this episode we talk to author Mark Green who tells the story of Stan, a man wounded five times, only to shun publicity and state "anyone would have done what I did.

In this episode we discuss the incredible story of Captain Gilbert Nobbs. He was shot through the head, blinded, but survived and captured during the Battle of the Somme. We use his memoirs “ On the Right of the British Line” to tell his story. Why does he describe the women at home as heroes, what was it like to be shot and blinded? How did he live a very successful life for 54 years after being so seriously wounded? And who was his upper class pal who surprised him with such personal bravery?