Battles of the First World War Podcast
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
Second Marne - The Case of Sgt Darnand
From hero to zero. On the evening of July 14th, 1918, French soldiers of the 366eme Regiment d'Infanterie led a historic raid into the German trenches opposite them. One of the Poilus, Sergeant Joseph Darnand, led a squad that captured not just German prisoners but an intelligence gold mine. Postwar, Darnand would be called an "artisan de la victoire"--an artisan of victory. By the end of the
Champagne - "With Remarkable Fortitude" - Dr. Urbane Bass
A recent trip to the American Civil War battlefield of Fredericksburg, VA inspired this short episode of one remarkable man who lived in that city and went on to serve his country during the First World War: Dr. Urbane Bass. Champagne - 93rd Division in the Fight: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/battles-of-the-first-world-war-podcast/id1119044000?i=1000478892689 Champagne - "Les Enfants
WW1 Battlefield Archeology & Recovering the Fallen
New Ypres League member Kirsten Note joins the podcast to discuss her work as a battlefield archaeologist, where she has assisted the Commonwealth Graves Commission (CWGC) in recovering the remains of fallen soldiers of the Great War. Find out more about the New Ypres League in this episode: The New Ypres League with Roger Steward & Prof Mark Connelly Please consider joining the New Ypres
MOD War Detectives - Joint Casualty & Compassionate Centre
New Ypres League member Rosie Barron joins the podcast to discuss her work as part of the Joint Casualty & Compassionate Centre, aka the MOD War Detectives. Join us for a fascinating conversation with someone whose daily work is to help identify the missing and unknown soldiers of the Great War and beyond. Note: This podcast was recorded on August 20th, 2026, the day after news broke that th
2027 Meuse-Argonne & Aisne-Marne WW1 Battlefield Tours
Battles of the First World War Tours, part of the BFWWP, is excited to offer two WW1 battlefield tours for summer 2027: Meuse-Argonne July 01 - 07, 2027 A journey through the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, the largest military operation conducted by the United States in its history. Aisne-Marne July 07 - 13, 2027 A journey through the Aisne-Marne Offensive, aka the 2nd Battle of the Marne, where
Honoring the Fallen at Flanders Field American Cemetery
New Ypres League member Christopher Sims joins the podcast to discuss his four decades of working for the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) as the Senior Cemetery Associate for World War I Flanders Field American Cemetery, in Waregem, Belgium. During his career with the ABMC, Christopher also authored a reference work titled "The Soldiers of the American Military Cemetery Flanders Field.
Ypres Day with Lady Lucy French & Roger Steward of the New Ypres League
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
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
***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
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
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"
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
A Penny a Shell - A Discussion with Antony Bell
Author Antony J. Bell comes on the podcast to discuss his novel "A Penny a Shell." From the author's website: "In a WWI munitions factory, the lives of three women converge on a dangerous production line where a single spark means the difference between a bonus and a burial. Eliza Wren, a desperate mother, races to pay a looming debt to save her family from eviction. Sarah Jennings, a defia
Second Marne - Mangin on the Matz
The guns of Blücher-Yorck were still smoking when the Germans reoriented and hastily launched a new offensive between Montdidier and Noyon. The goal was to straighten the line between two bulging German salients, seize more of the Soissons rail line, and continue to drive towards Paris. But the French Army had other ideas: unleashing GEN Charles Mangin. A lot will be learned in the Battle of
AEF Tank Corps - A Discussion with Steve Girard
Steven Girard, US Army veteran and veteran battlefield guide, comes back on the podcast to discuss the American Expeditionary Force's Tank Corps during the First World War. Suggested reading: Treat 'Em Rough: The Birth of American Armor 1917–20 - https://www.casematepublishers.com/9781612006680/treat-em-rough/ Pershing's Tankers: Personal Accounts of the AEF Tank Corps in World War I - http
The Battle for Disabled Veterans' Recognition - A Discussion with Dr. Eric Story
Dr. Eric Story, a Historian-in-Residence at Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry at Western University in London, Ontario in Canada, and Adjunct Professor at Wilfred Laurier University, joins us on the podcast to discuss the struggles faced by disabled Canadian veterans after the First World War. We begin the talk with a broad look at what Canadian veterans faced in the 1920s, and then look at
Die Vergessene Schlacht - A Discussion with Alfons Philippi
Independent historian Alfons Philippi of Germany joins the podcast to discuss his German-language book on the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, Die Vergessenne Schlacht (The Forgotten Battle). We also discuss the family history that led him to write the book, as well as the impact of 20th century history on his family. Link to Die Vergessene Schlacht: https://amzn.eu/d/03UW7TY The BFWWP is on Patreon:
Second Marne - Blücher-Yorck
The battlefield of the Second Battle of the Marne was shaped by an earlier German offensive in late May and early June of 1918: Unternehmen Blücher-Yorck. Looking to draw away French reserves from the Flanders and Picardy areas, German GEN Erich Ludendorff aimed a new German attack in a sector where the French were particularly vulnerable: the Chemin des Dames. Early and stunning success by Germ
Remembering Victoria Cross Recipients with Ron Howard and Adam Pearce
Adam Pearce and his uncle Ron Howard have spent the past few years visiting the graves of the UK's and British Commonwealth's Victoria Cross recipients. They hope to raise awareness of not just the recipients of the British Army's highest award for valor, but of the other men buried with them in Commonwealth War Graves cemeteries on the Old Front Line and elsewhere around the world. Also, to B
Fighting the Kaiser's War: The Saxons in Flanders 1914/1918
Authors and historians Andrew Lucas and Jürgen Schmiseschek come on the podcast to discuss their collaborative work on the Saxon Germans on the Flanders front during the Great War. Where to buy "Fighting the Kaiser's War:" https://royalsaxonarmy.co.uk/index.php/our-publications/13-fighting-the-kaiser-s-war The BFWWP is on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BattlesoftheFirstWorldWarPodcast.
Searching for John DeWitt - A Discussion with John Chase, MD
Author and grandson John Chase, MD comes on the podcast to discuss his book based on the letters his grandfather, John DeWitt, wrote home during the First World War. From Hellgate Press: When recently retired orthopedic surgeon Dr. John Chase stumbles upon a hidden trove of over 80 letters from his grandfather, John DeWitt, written from the trenches of World War I, he embarks on a life-changing
Demarcation Stones Fundraiser with Roger Steward and Dr Dominiek Dendooven
Founders of the New Ypres League Dr Dominiek Dendooven and Roger Steward join the podcast to discuss a worthy remembrance project for the old Ypres battlefields: replacing and restoring the demarcation stones that marked the limit of German advances throughout the Great War. Where to donate - New Ypres League vzw: www.newypresleague.com The BFWWP is on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Ba
Second Marne - Directive No. 4
In the prelude to the prelude of the Second Battle of the Marne in 1918, we set the clock back to December 1917 to look at the position of the Allies at that point in the war. Specifically, we look at French Army commander General Philippe Petain's Directive No. 4 issued that month. In this short memo Petain advocated for a defense in depth strategy on the front lines, as Entente forces began to p
"Bicycling My Grandfather's WW1 Journey" - A Discussion with Brett Hawkes
Cape Ann, Massachusetts resident Brett Hawkes comes on the podcast to discuss his long bicycle trips through France, where he followed in his Doughboy grandfather's WW1 footsteps. 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 @WW
Ypres - Demarcation Stone Fundraiser
This is a quick episode to make listeners aware of a fundraising drive by the New Ypres League to restore some of the post-WW1 demarcation stones in the Ypres, Belgium area. Where to donate: https://www.newypresleague.com/ There will be a talk released in early December where the New Ypres League will go into more details about their fundraiser, but for now we wanted to get the word out as so
"An Unladylike Profession" by Chris Dubbs - American Women War Correspondents in WW1
Educator and First World War enthusiast Kristin Stelfox comes on the podcast to discuss some of the first and pathbreaking American women war correspondents who covered the first years of the war. New Ypres League: https://www.newypresleague.com/ "An Unladylike Profession" by Chris Dubbs - https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/an-unladylike-profession-american-women-war-correspondents-in-world-war-i
"Loaned for the Summer" - A Discussion with Craig DeSteiguer
Writer Craig DeSteiguer joins us to tell the story of his grandfather John Horace Merriman, who was deeply affected by his First World War-era service. "Death in the Trench" Let me sing no whispers of war. Let me tear my eyes, of all death…that lay. Let me hold the hand of their last breath. Let me pray their soul is gone….to home. Let me sing no whispers of war. For when I too shall come home,
2026 Lost Battalion Tours Meuse-Argonne Pilgrimage
We have dates for the 2026 Meuse-Argonne Battlefield Pilgrimage! The trip is from July 02 - 08, 2026. This next visit will be one where we really plan to put boots on the ground: we will be walking in the paths of some individual Doughboys in 2026. This is a new feature of Lost Battalion Tours, and we're excited to share it with you! A sample of the 2026 itinerary: Day 2 - "Malancourt to
Aisne-Marne & Vesle Sector - SGT William Shemin
In the final days of the Aisne-Marne Offensive, American forces pursued the retreating Germans to the River Vesle in August 1918. During the battles for possession of the key village of Bazoches-sur-Vesle, an American son of Russian-Jewish immigrants would distinguish himself by looking out for his friends and soldiers. The BFWWP is on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BattlesoftheFirstWorldWarP
Angel Down: A Discussion with Daniel Kraus
NYT bestselling author Daniel Kraus comes on the podcast to talk about his novel set in the Meuse-Argonne battle "Angel Down." From Simon & Schuster: Private Cyril Bagger has managed to survive the unspeakable horrors of the Great War through his wits and deception, swindling fellow soldiers at every opportunity. But his survival instincts are put to the ultimate test when he and four other g
Montreal to Courcelette via Paardeberg, a Discussion with Michel Gravel
Historian Michel Gravel comes back on the podcast to discuss an incredibly interesting gentleman named John Stevenson Youngson. Michel's works can be found here: https://ysec.fr/?s=Michel+Gravel&post_type=product Michel's GoFundMe for "La place Joseph Kaeble, VC, MM," in Neuville-Vitasse, France: https://gofund.me/17574db1 Regarding Michel's medals: when he mentions his medal collection
GEN Edmond Buat & the Heavy Artillery Reserve: A Discussion with Xavier Lewis
My good friend Xavier Lewis comes on the podcast to discuss his dissertation topic. General Edmond Buat had an idea and devised a plan to defeat the German army on the Western front in World War I. A study of his diary, the notes he wrote and his later writings on German generals Ludendorff and Hindenburg, shows how his plan and the Réserve Générale de l'Artillerie Lourde (Heavy Artillery Gener
"To the Limit of Endurance: A Battalion of Marines in the Great War" A Discussion with Pete Owen, LTC USMC (Ret.)
Pete Owen, LTC USMC (Ret.) comes on the podcast to talk about his book "To the Limit of Endurance: A Battalion of Marines in the Great War." From Texas A&M University Press: "Scholars and historians offer several theories for the crippling losses suffered by the American Expeditionary Forces on the battlefields of World War I: inexperience, poor leadership, hasty expansion of duties, and othe
Great War Expo II at SGT Alvin C. York State Park in Tennessee
Tennessee State Park Rangers Nate Dodson and Tanner Wells come on the podcast to discuss the upcoming Great War Expo II at York State Park in Pall Mall, TN. On April 5th, 2025, the second annual Great War Expo will be held at Sgt. Alvin C. York State Historic Park in Pall Mall, TN. This is an educational event highlighting all things WW1 at the homesite of one of its more well known soldiers.
The French Army in the First World War, a Discussion: Pt 6
Part 6 of the ongoing discussion continues to look at the French Army in 1916, and this time we focus on events and developments outside of the Verdun battlefield. This episode will focus on the French Army's experience in 1916 outside of the Verdun battlefield. Joining us for this discussion are: Bart Debeer, who co-wrote a Dutch-language Western Front Guide for Beginners with a friend
"The Battalion: Citizen Soldiers at War on the Western Front" A Discussion with Dr. Ian Isherwood
Dr. Isherwood returns to the podcast to talk about his new book "The Battalion: Citizen Soldiers at War on the Western Front." From Casemate Publishers: "How did ordinary citizens become soldiers during the First World War, and how did they cope with the extraordinary challenges they confronted on the Western Front? These are questions Ian Isherwood seeks to answer in this absorbing and deepl
Joncherey - The Skirmish
Before the First World War officially began, the killing was already underway. In the small French village of Joncherey, two men would meet for a brief but violent moment on August 2nd, 1914, the day before war was officially declared. The moment would turn them into eternal brothers, transformed by their explosive meeting. French Corporal Jules André Peugeot and German Lieutenant Albert Otto W
The French Army in the First World War, a Discussion: Pt 5
The group is back! Part 5 of the ongoing discussion looks at the French Army in 1916, the first of a two- or three-part series on this crucial year of WW1. This episode will focus on the French Army's experience in its most trying battlefield crucible: the Battle of Verdun. Joining us for this discussion are: Christina Holstein, author of several incredible guides to the Verdun battlefiel
Jake's Pilgrimage & Lost Battalion Tours
This is a recording of our monthly talks on Patreon. Jake is a great friend of mine whom I've known for years, thanks to the podcast! Jake joined us to go on the 2024 Meuse-Argonne tour with Lost Battalion Tours, as well as a pilgrimage to where his dad fought during the Second World War. Dr. Clint Heacock, another great friend, joined us for Jake's very moving day. Hope you enjoy this one.
"Punching Above Our Weight: The Canadian Military at War Since 1867" with David Borys
Author David Borys comes on the podcast to discuss his book "Punching Above Our Weight: The Canadian Military at War Since 1867," which takes readers on a riveting exploration spanning one hundred and fifty years of Canadian forces. "Punching Above Our Weight" is a photograph-rich history of 150 years of the Canadian military traces the evolution of the country's armed forces from a small, under
"Serpents of War:" A Discussion with Drs. Steven Trout & Ian Isherwood
From University Press of Kansas: "Serpents of War" is the memoir of Pennsylvanian Major Harry Dravo Parkin, is a rare account of World War I as seen from the perspective of a battalion commander. As a mid-level officer responsible for the lives and welfare of over a thousand men, Parkin conveys the stress of command at a time when one innocent blunder could cost an officer his combat assignment, b
Ors Communal Cemetery - Wilfred Owen's Grave
An homage to Wilfred Owen, based on a visit to his grave in Ors, France in July 2024. 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 Twitter at @WW1podcast, the Battles of the First World War Podcast page on FaceBook, and on Instagram at @W
Jake's Pilgrimage & Lost Battalion Tours
This is a recording of our monthly talks on Patreon. Jake is a great friend of mine whom I've known for years, thanks to the podcast! Jake joined us to go on the 2024 Meuse-Argonne tour with Lost Battalion Tours, as well as a pilgrimage to where his dad fought during the Second World War. Dr. Clint Heacock, another great friend, joined us for Jake's very moving day. Hope you enjoy this one.
"The Other Trench: The WW1 Diary and Photos of a German Officer" with Philipp Cross
Author Philipp Cross comes on the podcast to discuss his book "The Other Trench: The WW1 Diary and Photos of a German Officer," which contains the diary of his great-great-grandfather Alexander Pfeiffer. "The Other Trench" website: https://www.theothertrench.com/ Where to buy "The Other Trench:" https://www.goodreads.com/book/216124811-the-other-trench/get_a_copy The BFWWP is on Patreo
"Never Home - Remembering the Military Heroes Who Never Returned" with Richard Sherman
Author Richard Sherman comes on the podcast to discuss his book and homage "Never Home - Remembering the Military Heroes Who Never Returned." In 2017, professional photographer and Navy veteran Richard Sherman embarked on a journey to visit and photograph all 23 American overseas World War I and World War II cemeteries. After six years and eight trips to three continents, he published "Never Hom
Verdun - The Defence of Retranchement R1
This episode was inspired by an afternoon walking tour hosted by the Mémorial de Verdun museum. For five days in the beginning of June 1916, French Army CPT Charles Delvert and his 8th Company, 101st Infantry Regiment, defended the Retranchement R1 redoubt against ceaseless German attacks. This is their story, in Delvert's own words. Reference map for episode: https://www.memoiredeshommes
"Under Foreign Flags:" Tennessee Volunteers in WW1 with Historian Pat Gang
Independent historian Pat Gang comes on the podcast to talk about Tennessee men who volunteered to fight in foreign armies before the United States entered World War I. The men discussed: Paul & Kiffin Rockwell Charles Loring Clark Zephaniah Porter Broom James Clyde Lloyd Dr. John W. Morris New Ypres League, where to join - New Ypres League vzw: www.newypresleague.com Want to
We Are So Close: Help Award a Congressional Gold Medal for the WWI Hello Girls
Following up on a podcast discussion we had last year to help the push to award the Congressional Gold Medal to the US Army's Hello Girls of WW1, we have good news: We are so close to reaching the numbers we need! The Hello Girls of the WW1 US Army have never been officially recognized for the groundbreaking service they provided as America's first women soldiers. In this call to action, an in
World War 1 - Coalition Warfare & Command Challenges
In this stand-alone episode we are going up over the battlefields and the fronts to take a 10,000 meter (that's 30,000ft) view of the Great War, specifically prosecuting that war through the framework of coalition warfare. We're going to take a look at the challenges of command within a warfighting coalition. New Ypres League, where to join - New Ypres League vzw: www.newypresleague.com Wan
Arras & Cambrai 1918: Canadian WW1 History, a Discussion with Michel Gravel
Historian Michel Gravel comes on the podcast to discuss his focus on First World War history: the efforts of Canadian soldiers in the battles between Arras and Cambrai, France in 1918. There may be a few awkward cuts in the flow of the conversation as our internet connection was frequently unstable. Sorry about that. Michel's works can be found here: https://ysec.fr/?s=Michel+Gravel&post_t
Lost Battalion Tours 2024 Tour & France-Belgium Trip Recap
A short recap of the recent six (6!) weeks spent in France and Belgium on the Old Front Line. Have you ever had an extraordinary and unforgettable day on a trip or vacation? This was extraordinary and unforgettable days every day for six weeks straight. Special episode features: Neighborhood dads riding at dawn to mow their lawns, and one of the cats complaining that he can't get into my record
Liny-devant-Dun - Thoughts on a German Cemetery
A short episode inspired by a visit to the German Soldatenfriedhof in Liny-devant-Dun, France. 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 Twitter at @WW1podcast, the Battles of the First World War Podcast page on FaceBook, and on Instagr
"Agent of the Iron Cross: The Race to Capture German Saboteur-Assassin Lothar Witzke during World War I" with Author Bill Mills
Author Bill MIlls comes on the podcast to discuss his book Agent of the Iron Cross: The Race to Capture German Saboteur-Assassin Lothar Witzke during World War I. Spies, deception, intrigue, and sabotage: these are not the stories we usually think when we think WW1. They are part of this story, though. Buy the book here: https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781538182086/Agent-of-the-Iron-Cross-The-Race-t
Meuse Argonne - Assessment
A look at the United States' efforts in the First World War, the efforts of the American Expeditionary Force on the battlefield, and what the Doughboys showed and taught us. 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 Twitter at @WW1podca
My Great Grandfather's War: AEF 30th Division and 119th Infantry Regiment with David Brady
Former Tennessee Park Ranger David Brady comes on the podcast to speak further on the AEF's 30th Division, its 119th Infantry Regiment, and his great grandfather–a Doughboy who saw action with those units. The BFWWP is on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BattlesoftheFirstWorldWarPodcast. Any questions, comments or concerns please contact me through the website, www.firstworldwarpodcast.com. F
Tannenberg - Complete Destruction
This is a release of a former Patreon-only episode. Elements of the German 8th Army push to outflank and encircle the Russian 2nd Army, while outmaneuvered Russian soldiers fight desperately yet resolutely. The Russian 2nd Army is surrounded, sealing their fate. The only tactical victory of the First World War ends in a stunning Russian defeat. More of Aislingeach's awesome music is here:
AEF 2nd Corps, 27th & 30th Divisions with Historian Pat Gang
Historian Pat Gang comes on the podcast to discuss the AEF 2nd Corps, the 27th (New York National Guard) and 30th (Tennessee National Guard) Divisions. Pat's musings on football and history can be found here: https://www.volnation.com/forum/members/onemangang.535/ The BFWWP is on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BattlesoftheFirstWorldWarPodcast. Any questions, comments or concerns please c
Ann Hood's "The Stolen Child:" A Short Review
A short review of Ann Hood's "The Stolen Child," a new book to be released in May 2024. Book link here: https://www.annhood.us/ Order it from your local bookstore so that you support your local businesses. The BFWWP is on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BattlesoftheFirstWorldWarPodcast. Any questions, comments or concerns please contact me through the website, www.firstworldwarpodcast.
Tannenberg - Flank and Collision
This is a release of a former Patreon-only episode. The German 8th Army receives two new leaders: Hindenburg and Ludendorff. They rush to stave off the Russian 2nd Army's invasion from Russian Poland to the south. A classic battle of maneuver, modernized with modern weapons and heavy casualties, plays out. Corps, divisions, and brigades collide with each other as each seeks to turn their enemy'
The New Ypres League with Roger Steward & Prof Mark Connelly
Ypres Battlefield Tours guide and author Roger Steward joins Professor Mark Connelly of the University of Kent, Canterbury, to discuss a new remembrance project: the New Ypres League. A remembrance project aimed at preserving the memory of soldiers from all nations who fell in the Ypres Salient during the Great War, the New Ypres League is based on the original Ypres League that was present in
A Review of "Pershing's Tankers: Personal Accounts of the AEF Tank Corps in World War I," edited by Lawrence M. Kaplan
A review of Lawrence Kaplan's new book, "Pershing's Tankers: Personal Accounts of the AEF Tank Corps in World War I," and a couple of excerpts from men of the AEF 301st Tank Battalion. Book link here: https://www.indiebound.org/search/book?keys=Pershing%27s+Tankers Order it from your local bookstore so that you support your local businesses. The BFWWP is on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/
Tannenberg - Stallupönen and Gumbinnen
This is a release of a former Patreon-only episode. The Germans and Russians are ready to fight, and each gives battle. The Russian 1st Army invades East Prussia from the east, and meets German 8th Army forces at Stallupönen. Both sides clash again at Gumbinnen, where the Germans suffer a stinging defeat that sets off a panic within 8th Army headquarters. The BFWWP is on Patreon: https://www
Tannenberg - Eastern Promises
This is a release of a former Patreon-only episode. The beginning of World War I in the summer of 1914 saw Germany faced with fighting a two-front war. Its legions marched into France to defeat that nation first, while in the east just one field army was tasked with holding back an inevitable Russian invasion. This episode will set the stage for the opening of the Great War's Eastern Front.
Forgotten Veterans, Invisible Memorials, a Discussion with Dr. Allison Finkelstein
Author and historian Dr. Allison Finkelstein comes on the podcast to discuss her book, Forgotten Veterans, Invisible Memorials: How American Women Commemorated the Great War, 1917-1945. From Dr. Finkelstein's website: In Forgotten Veterans, Invisible Memorials: How American Women Commemorated the Great War, 1917–1945, Allison S. Finkelstein argues that American women activists considered their o
The French Army in the First World War, a Discussion: Pt 4
Part 4 of the ongoing discussion looks at the French Army in 1915: an often overlooked year, it was a year of "carnage, optimism, and learning," as Alex says in the talk. Fighting to keep pressure on the German invader and relieve pressure on the WW1 Russian Front, the French faced a long year where that optimism took several body blows; it was a year where the French Poilu learned this would be a
2024 Meuse-Argonne Tour Dates are Here
New year, new opportunity to see the AEF battlefields of France! That's right, Rob and I are launching the 2024 Lost Battalion Tours Meuse-Argonne Tour. Tour dates are July 03 - 09, 2024, and we'll be visiting the following stops: - Vauquois Hill and the 35th Division area, - the Montfaucon Memorial - Hill 285 and Le Chene Tondu in the Argonne, - the Crown Prince's bunker complex, - the Germa
Fismes and Fismette - House to House in the Great War
An early Christmas gift for the BFWWP community--the battle of Fismes in summer 1918. This was a Patreon release, so you'll hear the old scores used in the episode. Following the German Friedensturm offensive in July 1918, the Allies struck back with a counteroffensive that shifted the momentum of the war in the Allies' favor. Through the rest of July the Germans retreated from their Marne salie
Support a Congressional Gold Medal for the WWI Hello Girls
The Hello Girls of the WW1 US Army have never been officially recognized for the groundbreaking service they provided as America's first women soldiers. In this call to action, an incredible group of people came on to talk about why the Hello Girls should receive the Congressional Gold Medal. Joining us are: Ms. Catherine Bourgin, granddaughter of Hello Girl Marie Edmee LeRoux Mr. Daniel Dayto
"The Hello Girls: America's First Women Soldiers," a Discussion with Elizabeth Cobbs
Historian, novelist, and documentary filmmaker Dr. Elizabeth Cobbs joins the podcast to discuss her 2019 book on the story of the US Army Signal Corps' "Hello Girls," the American Army's first female soldiers. Book link: http://elizabethcobbs.com/the-hello-girls Elizabeth Cobbs' website: http://elizabethcobbs.com/ Support a Congressional Gold Medal for the WWI Hello Girls! https://www.wo
"Bullets, Bandages and Beans:" A Talk on United States Army Logistics in France in World War I
Historian Peter Belmonte joins the podcast to discuss his latest collaboration with Alexander Barnes on lesser known aspects of the United States' participation in the First World War. The story of how the AEF was supplied with "bullets, bandages, and beans" is just as fascinating as the tales we've often heard from the front. Book link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/63389152-bullets-band
Meuse Argonne - An Oppressive Silence
In the last days of the First World War, the Americans continued to pursue and batter German forces as they retreated behind the River Meuse. Even as armistice negotiations began, the AEF continued attacking. It kept doing so until the guns fell silent at 11:00 am on the 11th of November, 1918. Interested in the 2024 Lost Battalion Tours' Meuse-Argonne battlefield tour? Email us: lostbatt
Sir Philip Gibbs: A Conversation with Clint Heacock
Dr. Clint Heacock of the Mindshift Podcast joins us to discuss his second-favorite subject, the First World War. Today he talks to us about the life and experiences of Phillip Gibbs, a British war correspondent during the Great War. Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ "Now It Can Be Told" by Philip Gibbs: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/3317 Interested in the 2024 Lost Battalion T
Meuse Argonne - A Total D–k Move
In the last days of WW1, some AEF commanders in the Meuse-Argonne embarked on a rash, dangerous, and deadly race for a coveted battlefield prize. Interested in the 2024 Lost Battalion Tours' Meuse-Argonne battlefield tour? Email us: lostbattaliontours@gmail.com The BFWWP is on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BattlesoftheFirstWorldWarPodcast. Any questions, comments or concerns please co
Forgotten Warriors: The US 7th Infantry at Belleau Wood
James Gregory and Steve Girard come on the podcast to discuss James' latest article in the US Army's Infantry journal "Cottonbalers in the Wood: The Forgotten Role of the 7th Infantry Regiment at Belleau Wood." Read the article here: https://www.moore.army.mil/infantry/magazine/issues/2023/Summer/PDF/Summer23_INFMag.pdf The BFWWP is on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BattlesoftheFirstWorl
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