WW1: Not So Quiet On The Western Fron...

Welcome to "Not So Quiet On The Western Front," the podcast that takes you beyond the trenches and dives deep into the untold stories and surprising truths of the First World War. Join us as we lift the lid on one of the most pivotal periods in human history, busting myths and unravelling the complexities of a conflict that shaped the course of the 20th century.

Host: Dan Hill & Dr. Spencer Jones

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Our WW2 Podcast: https://listen.both-sides-of-the-wire.com

General Enquiries: ⁠nsq@battleguide.co.uk⁠

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Twitter:

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Credits:

- Host: Dr. Spencer Jones & Dan Hill

- Production & Editing: Linus Klaßen

History
26
Episode 52: 24 Hours In A Trench
In this episode we’ll head into the frontlines and explore what a period of 24 hours in a trench looked like for the Average ‘tommy’ during the war on the Western Front.
67 min
27
Episode 51: Cavalry Part 2
In this episode we continue our canter through the story of cavalry in the great war. From it’s impressive performance in the mobile warfare of 1914, we’ll explore its changing role in a war of much more limited opportunity for mounted troops before looking at its re-emergence in 1918 as an altered, but crucial force on the battlefield.
61 min
28
Episode 50: Q&A - 1 Year Anniversary
In this episode, on our one-year anniversary, we again delve into some of the excellent questions that you have kindly sent us over the last year and offer our unscripted take on various great war related topics.
68 min
29
Episode 49: Cavalry
In this episode, we’ll explore the vital role played by Cavalry in the early role of the Great War. We’ll look at its purpose, training, employment and performance on the battlefield and discuss whether it was at that time an obsolete weapon of war or an integral part of the British Army’s Order of Battle
67 min
30
Episode 48: Mapping the Battlefields
In this episode we’ll explore the much overlooked but vital process of mapping the trenches of the Western Front. How did it come about, just why was it so important and how did it affect those on the frontlines at different points in the Great War?
53 min
31
Episode 47: Food In The Trenches
In this episode we take a look at perhaps one of the most important aspects for all armies in time of war - food. What was it like? How much was there of it? How did it get to the men on the frontlines and how did those things change as the war progressed? All will be revealed in this episode.
50 min
32
Episode 46: Ypres & Battlefield Tourism
In this episode we discuss how and why the Belgian city of Ypres became a focal point for British remembrance in the years soon after the war. We’ll explore Ypres cultural significance in Britain and examine why the city would become so closely linked to the early days of battlefield tourism.
53 min
33
Episode 45: Listener's Questions
In this (long overdue!) episode we answer some of the many questions you’ve kindly sent in over the last months, ranging from food and rations to cleaning up the battlefields and everything in between!
69 min
34
Episode 44: Germany at War
In this episode along with guest historian Professor Matthias Strohn we’ll take a long awaited look at the story of the German Army in the First World War. From those first vital days of 1914 through the gruelling battles of trench warfare and the massive assaults of 1918, we’ll discuss just how the German army fought, adapted and sustained 4 years of combat on the Western Front.
74 min
35
Episode 43: Canadians at War Part 2
In this episode, alongside guest historian Jesse Alexander we’ll continue our exploration of the remarkable story of the Canadian Expeditionary Force on the Western Front. We’ll look at famous actions in 1917 and 1918, and consider what the war means for Canadians today.
70 min
36
Episode 42: Canadians at War
In this episode, alongside guest historian Jesse Alexander we’ll explore the remarkable story of the Canadian Expeditionary Force on the Western Front. We’ll look at its formation, training, performance on the battlefield, and explore whether the CEF was one of the true ‘elite’ formations of the First World War.
62 min
37
Episode 41: What If?
In this episode, we take a look at the ‘What if’s of the First World War’. We explore how the War on the Western Front MAY have gone differently had certain key ‘turning points’ and battles taken an alternative direction.
64 min
38
Episode 40: Doughboys 8 - AEF: The Final Push
In this episode we’ll round off our series on the incredible story of the Doughboys of the AEF on the western Front. From the final stages of the Mesuse-Argonne campaign to the very moment of the Armistice itself, we’ll follow in their footsteps and discuss just how vital a role American troops played in the ultimate victory.
67 min
39
Episode 39: Doughboys 7 - Meuse Argonne Part 2
In this episode we’ll continue our deep dive in the story of the Doughboys on the Western Front. From the continuation of the battle of the Meuse-Argonne, we’ll explore the fighting as it intensified and look at two famous actions, the story of the ‘Lost Battalion’ and Corporal Alvin York’s remarkable Medal of Honor actions.
67 min
40
Episode 38: Doughboys 6 - Meuse Argonne
In this episode we continue our study of the American Expeditionary Force and examine their biggest offensive of the war - Meuse-Argonne. We’ll explore the nature of the fighting and assess why it would become one of the bloodiest campaigns in American military history.
59 min
41
Bonus Episode: WW2 - Both Sides of the Wire
58 min
42
Episode 37: Doughboys 5 - St Mihiel
In this episode we’ll turn our focus to eastwards to the formidable St Mihiel Salient, and explore the story of the very first American led Battle of the First World War in which Doughboys of the American 1st Army would announce themselves on the world stage as a first-class fighting force.
56 min
43
Episode 36: Doughboys 4 - The Rock of the Marne
In this week’s episode we’ll explore the fascinating and much understudied 2nd Battle of the Marne. We’ll explore its origins, importance, discuss its potential position as THE decisive victory on the Western Front and take a close look at one American unit, the 3rd Division, who emerged from the fight with a reputation as one of the finest fighting units in the allied order of battle.
65 min
44
Episode 35: Doughboys 3 - Belleau Wood
In this week’s episode we’ll explore possible one of the best known actions of the AEF in the Great War - Belleau Wood. We’ll look at the build up, fighting, learning curve, overall impact of the battle and perhaps bust a few myths along the way.
77 min
45
Episode 34: Doughboys 2 - Raising the US Army
In this episode we’ll study how the United States raised and trained the vast army that would become the American Expeditionary Force. What type of man served in the army? How was the army trained and equipped? And how effective was the average AEF unit on its arrival in France?
60 min
46
Episode 33: Doughboys 1 - America in WW1
In this episode, the first of a series, we explore the fascinating story of the United States in the Great War. We’ll study its declaration of war, the motives behind it, the key characters in the early AEF and the many difficulties encountered in sending the Doughboys to War.
55 min
47
Episode 32: Belgium
In this episode, we’ll explore the story of the Belgians in the Great War. We’ll look at their vital military contributions in 1914, their continued defence of their homeland, and what life was under enemy occupation during that momentous period.
68 min
48
Episode 31: ANZACS At WAR
In this episode we’ll take a look at the fascinating story of Australian troops on the Western Front. From the earliest combat at Gallipoli to their initial fights at Fromelles and Pozieres, through to their final experiences of the war in September 1918, we’ll study one of the finest fighting Corps of the entire First World War.
81 min
49
Episode 30: Commemorating The Fallen
In this week’s episode we look at the story of the commemoration of the fallen of the Great War. Why was it an unprecedented challenge, how was it accomplished by each major nation and just what is the impact on the legacy of the Great War today?
65 min
50
Episode 29: Shot at Dawn - Executions in the Gr...
In this episode we’ll explore the highly controversial subject of military executions in the First World War. What caused men to be ‘shot at dawn’? how many men met that fate? What was the process like? and was there any justification for such extreme punishment in the Great War?
70 min