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Battles of the First World War Podcast

Battles of the First World War Podcast

Mike Cunha 220 Episodes Aug 9, 2026

The Battles of the First World War Podcast explores the history of the Great War of 1914-1918, focusing on one battle at a time in narrative form. Host Mike Cunha dives into the people, strategy, tactics, and events of each major clash, using the voices of those who were there. The show also features discussions, interviews, and book talks about other interesting events and people of the First World War. It aims to connect listeners to the experiences of the men and women who fought, died, and survived the war.

Episodes

Ypres Day with Lady Lucy French & Roger Steward of the New Ypres League
Ypres Day with Lady Lucy French & Roger Steward of the New Ypres League Aug 9, 2026 30:37 Lady Lucy French, great granddaughter of BEF commander Field Marshal Sir John French, Roger Steward, Chairman and co-founder of the New Ypres League, Ypres Battlefield Tours guide, and author, join the podcast to discuss the Ypres Day commemoration events scheduled for the weekend encompassing the 31st of October, 2026.  Please consider joining the New Ypres League and supporting remembrance eff
Second Marne - The Period of Waiting
Second Marne - The Period of Waiting Jun 24, 2026 31:43 Following the discussion of German plans for their next great offensive, we turn now to French and Allied plans to meet this next attack.    Allied Supreme Commander Marshal Ferdinand Foch and French Army commander GEN Philippe Pétain intended to respond to this next attack differently: as soon as the Germans overextended themselves, a swift Allied counterattack would follow.    The BFWWP is on Pa
New Jersey's Role in World War I - with LTC (Ret.) Richard Wasserman
New Jersey's Role in World War I - with LTC (Ret.) Richard Wasserman Jun 18, 2026 34:23 ***Technical note: My apologies on the audio reverb that may be heard in this episode.    A concise history revealing New Jersey's vital industrial, military, and civilian contributions to America's World War I effort.   During World War I, New Jersey played a prominent role in the manufacturing of war-related munitions, created the infrastructure necessary to train and mobilize troops, and suppli
Matz -  La Mort du Sergent Jules Héme
Matz - La Mort du Sergent Jules Héme Jun 11, 2026 45:39 The story behind an often erroneously captioned photograph of the First World War, and remembering the man in it.    The BFWWP is on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BattlesoftheFirstWorldWarPodcast.    Any questions, comments or concerns please contact me through the website, www.firstworldwarpodcast.com. Follow us on BlueSky at @WW1podcast.bsky.social:   https://bsky.app/profile/ww1podcast.bsky.
Second Marne - Friedensturm
Second Marne - Friedensturm Jun 1, 2026 18:13 This episode will visit the German strategic situation in June 1918 and the resulting plans for their next offensive, which would be called "Friedensturm:" the Peace Offensive. The BFWWP is on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BattlesoftheFirstWorldWarPodcast.    Any questions, comments or concerns please contact me through the website, www.firstworldwarpodcast.com. Follow us on BlueSky at @WW1po
Memorial Day - "The Young Dead Soldiers Do Not Speak"
Memorial Day - "The Young Dead Soldiers Do Not Speak" May 25, 2026 10:13 A short exploration of the American poet Archibald MacLeish's connection to the First World War, and his poem "The Young Dead Soldiers Do Not Speak." The Young Dead Soldiers Do Not Speak   Nevertheless they are heard in the still houses: who has not heard them?   They have a silence that speaks for them at night and when the clock counts.   They say, We were young. We have died. Remember us.   T
Citizen of the Shadows - The Lives and Lies of Lothar Witzke
Citizen of the Shadows - The Lives and Lies of Lothar Witzke May 17, 2026 35:12 Authors Paul Friedland and Robert Hornick join us on the podcast to discuss their thoroughly researched, well-argued and thrilling biography of a now-forgotten German spy during WW1.    One of the most notorious German spies of the twentieth century, Lothar Witzke lived a life that reads like a thriller. Convicted of espionage in 1918, he was the only German spy sentenced to death by the United St
There Will Come Soft Rains - with Briana Gervat
There Will Come Soft Rains - with Briana Gervat May 3, 2026 51:28 In 2022, just as the world began to open after the isolation of a global pandemic, Briana Gervat set out to walk the length of the Western Front. Beginning at the border that France shares with Switzerland she went into the wild in search of hope and in search of peace. For 500 miles, she climbed over the mountains of the Vosges, through the battle-scarred landscapes of Verdun, the Marne, and the
John McCrae: Beyond Flanders Fields - with Susan Raby-Dunne
John McCrae: Beyond Flanders Fields - with Susan Raby-Dunne Apr 26, 2026 51:34 Author, historian, and battlefield guide Susan Raby-Dunne joins us to discuss her book "John McCrae: Beyond Flanders Fields."    Most Canadians are familiar with John McCrae through his iconic poem "In Flanders Fields," which was penned on the battlefields of the First World War and remains a symbol of remembrance to this day. Although he will always be remembered as a war poet, the Guelph, Ontari
The French Army in the First World War, a Discussion: Pt 7, Pt 1
The French Army in the First World War, a Discussion: Pt 7, Pt 1 Apr 16, 2026 01:24:18 Part 7 of the ongoing discussion continues to look at the French Army in 1917. We look at the state of the French Army going into 1917, where the army itself was in good shape but its leadership was an entirely different story. The rising star of GEN Robert Nivelle and the politics around his ascension is discussed, as well as the offensive that bears his name and destroyed his career.    The indi
British Doctrine in the Great War with Phil Watson
British Doctrine in the Great War with Phil Watson Apr 12, 2026 01:42:49 British Army veteran and University of Wolverhampton PhD candidate Phil Watson joins the podcast for a fascinating discussion on British doctrine in the Great War. (Which YES, they did have a doctrine.)   Phil has a couple of questions for the listeners as well, in the interest of generating discussion:   Regarding the "chateau generals," why were chateaus the place for generals?   Regarding the i
The Extraordinary Life of Henri Langie with Eric and Tom Langie
The Extraordinary Life of Henri Langie with Eric and Tom Langie Mar 29, 2026 01:14:58 Independent historians Eric and Tom Langie, a father and son duo, come on the podcast to discuss the extraordinary life of their ancestor Henri Langie and the book they have written about him, "Henri Langie: From War Volunteer in WW I to Honorary Major in WW II."   Henri went from a schoolteacher to a stretcherbearer and officer in WW1, to professiona soldier and later a battalion commander and PO

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