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

More about Dan & Spencer: https://battleguide.co.uk/nsq#host


To comment and ask questions, please join our community: https://not-so-quiet.com/supporters

Use our code: Dugout and get one month free as a Captain, or join as a free member.

Support via Paypal: https://battleguide.co.uk/nsq-paypal

Merchandise and Shop: https://not-so-quiet.com/en-eur/collections/all


Do you like our podcast?

Then please leave us a review, it helps us a lot!


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

General Enquiries: ⁠nsq@battleguide.co.uk⁠

Battle Guide Website: https://battleguide.co.uk/nsq

Battle Guide YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@BattleGuideVT


If you want to keep your finger on the pulse of what the team at Battle Guide have been getting up to, why not sign up to our monthly newsletter: ⁠https://battleguide.co.uk/newsletter


Twitter:

@historian1914

@DanHillHistory

@BattleguideVT


Credits:

- Host: Dr. Spencer Jones & Dan Hill

- Production & Editing: Linus Klaßen

History
26
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
27
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
28
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
29
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
30
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
31
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
32
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
33
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
34
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
35
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
36
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
37
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
38
Bonus Episode: WW2 - Both Sides of the Wire
58 min
39
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
40
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
41
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
42
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
43
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
44
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
45
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
46
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
47
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
48
Episode 28: Home Front - Women
In this week’s episode we continue our look at the story of the home front in the Great War with a focus on the vital role women played in supporting the war effort and how that crucial time period changed the world we live in todayDo you like our podcast?
67 min
49
Episode 27: Home Front
In this week’s episode, the first in a multi-part set, we’ll explore the fascinating story of life on Britain’s Home Front in the Great War with a focus on the enormous impact of the Defence of the Realm Act.Do you like our podcast?
69 min
50
Episode 26: Tunnellers
In this episode we’ll explore the famous story of the war conducted beneath the Western front, From the men who pioneered it, the methods used, and dangers for those on all sides, we’ll study the art of tunnelling and mining in trench warfare.
82 min