Podcasts by The Great War Podcast

80: The Kerensky Offensive from 2022-08-31T16:57:41

A post-Tsarist Russia wanted to make its mark...it ended poorly.

79: The Battle of Messines Ridge from 2022-07-26T16:53:56

The first stage of Haig's long awaited Flanders Offensive began on June 7th, 1917.

78: Lafayette, We Are Here from 2022-05-06T19:23:30

John J Pershing leads the first American troops to France in June 1917.

77: Only in Catastrophes from 2022-03-10T19:12:02

The French army grapples with widespread unrest after the Nivelle Offensive

76: Bloody April from 2022-01-28T18:40:40

April was a deadly month for the Royal Flying Corps.

Dicta Boelcke

1. Try to secure advantages before attacking. If possible, keep the sun behind you.

2. Always car...

75: The Nivelle Offensive from 2020-09-04T18:42:57

Robert Nivelle's magic solution to the deadlock leaves the French army on the brink of mutiny.

74: The Battle of Arras from 2020-07-30T17:01:12

The British launch a successful set piece on the eve of the Nivelle Offensive.

73: The Abdication of Tsar Nicholas from 2020-07-08T16:57:50

When your people protest, it's best not to ignore them.

72: The Overt Acts from 2020-05-24T20:38:32

It took the United States 65 days to go from committed neutral to full blown participant.

71: The Arsenal and the Bank from 2020-04-26T12:39:02

By the end of 1916, neutrality had left the United States in a precarious spot.

Life Magazine, February 1916.

70: America from 2020-03-29T18:43:55

Germany's decision to unleash the torpedoes would have adverse consequences

69: Neptune's Empire from 2019-01-04T17:11:07

For the second time in the war, Germany turns to unrestricted submarine warfare.

68B: Fateful Decisions - The Allies - From the Aisne to Vladivostok from 2018-11-14T18:46:31

A look at the Entente during the winter of 1916-1917.

68A: Fateful Decisions - The Central Powers - From Alberich to Zimmermann from 2018-11-13T20:08:18

A look at the Central Powers during the winter of 1916-1917.

SE: The Life and Death of Mata Hari from 2018-09-21T16:13:03

The life and career of everyones favourite exotic dancer turned convicted spy.

TGWAC - Part 3 of 3: Aces High from 2018-06-29T13:41:25

The Great War Aircast - A miniseries on the air war from 1914-1916. Part 3 of 3.

TGWAC - Part 2: Violent Adolesence. from 2018-06-29T13:40:57

The Great War Aircast - A miniseries on the air war from 1914-1916. Part 2 of 3.

TGWAC - Part 1: The Infancy of Airpower from 2018-06-29T13:40:32

The Great War Aircast - A miniseries on the air war from 1914-1916. Part 1 of 3.

66: New Dawns from 2018-05-16T18:40:51

With 1916 coming to a close, the belligerents looked ahead to 1917.

65: In Winter's Grip from 2018-04-30T18:47:37

The battle of the Somme comes to an end.

64: Golgotha Hill from 2018-04-06T16:49:34

Beginning on October 24th, a French counter attack liberates the forts Douaumont and Vaux, signalling the end of the battle of Verdun.

63: Leviathans from 2018-03-27T18:17:40

With winter approaching on the Somme, Haig hoped to deliver a substantial blow to Germany's forces.

62: Cracks in the Edifice from 2018-03-05T19:39:15

Hindenburg and Ludendorff face a home front wracked by food shortages and social unrest.

61: The Hydra from 2018-01-30T20:32:48

The Romanian campaign lasted for 101 days. In this episode, we cover those 101 days in 41 minutes.

60:Falkenhayn's Folly from 2018-01-09T20:41:14

In the wake of Romania's declaration, Erich von Falkenhayn is dismissed.

59: Romania from 2017-12-19T19:38:38

Sensing a shift in the fortunes of war, Romania declares war on Austria-Hungary.

58: Crisis in the East from 2017-12-01T15:46:12

With the General Allied Offensive in full swing, the Central Powers face a manpower crisis on the Eastern Front.

57: Pozieres from 2017-11-10T19:06:03

35 days after July 1st, I ANZAC Corps finally secures Pozieres Ridge.

56: The Devil at Fromelles from 2017-10-28T13:03:58

Australian and South African forces arrive on the Western Front, and we explore a new interpretation of Fromelles and Delville Wood.

55: The Battle of Bazentin Ridge from 2017-10-03T18:52:16

Just two weeks removed from July 1st, the BEF scores a stunning victory.

54: Dragon's Wood from 2017-08-21T17:37:45

The 38th Welsh Division faces a gruesome baptism of fire.

53: The Long, Long Trail from 2017-06-11T11:59:42

After July 1st, Fourth Army's efforts devolve into uncoordinated, piece meal attacks.

52: Into the Breach Part 6- The Somme Controversy from 2017-05-14T10:55:04

The Great War's most infamous day is also its most misunderstood.

52: Into the Breach Part 5- Southern Success from 2017-04-25T16:15:36

At the tail end of Fourth Army's front, Congreve's XIII Corps and Fayolle's Sixth Army achieve remarkable success.

Livens Flame Projector: from 2017-04-04T16:30:17

For Henry Horne's XV Corps, July 1st 1916 was a day of mixed success.

52: Into the Breach Part 3- Tale of Two Villages from 2017-03-21T20:56:27

The awful pattern repeats itself as III Corps drives on Ovillers and La Boiselle.

52: Into the Breach Part 2- Northern Folly from 2017-02-28T19:01:59

Gommecourt, Serre, Beaumont-Hamel and the Slaughter of the Somme.

The old British front line, looking northeast toward the German trenches. Note the drop in elevation.

"Y" ...

52: Into the Breach Part 1- Thiepval and the Schwaben Redoubt from 2017-02-05T15:16:01

We begin our discussion of July 1st by examining X Corps' attack on Thiepval village.

51b: Final Touches- Allied Armies and the Somme from 2017-01-20T19:03:56

A survey of the British, French and German armies on the eve of the Somme.

51a:Final Touches- Allied Politics and the Somme from 2017-01-17T16:57:56

The Somme plan meets stiff opposition in London and Paris. 

50: The Verdun Effect from 2016-12-20T19:29:22

Plans for the Somme shift as Verdun rears its ugly head.

49: The Big Push from 2016-12-06T17:44:14

The origins of the Somme before Verdun screwed everything up.

48: "Duggy" from 2016-11-10T20:36:36

Douglas Haig: The Man vs The Myth

47: Crisis at Verdun from 2016-10-20T18:02:26

The battle of Verdun reaches its climax. Map of the battlefield, note its "H" shaped outline. The ancient Citadel in downtown Verdun. To enlarge, right click-view image. Monument to Fl...

46: The Fall of Fort Vaux from 2016-08-03T17:46

The warriors of France and Germany engage in an bloody stand off for Fort Vaux. Postcard commemorating Raynal's final pigeon and subsequent plaque.

45: Dead Man's Hill from 2016-05-31T18:34:49

The fighting at Verdun intensifies as the Germans seize the crests of Mort Homme and Hill 304.

44: The Guns of Galicia from 2016-05-03T19:31:04

Under Brusilov's leadership, a resurgent Russian army smashes the Austro-Hungarians; Conrad surrenders to Falkenhayn's oversight.

43: The Bear Blows First from 2016-04-07T15:39:59

With Tsar Nicholas II in charge of her armed forces, Russia looks to a fresh start; In Galicia, Aleksei Brusilov plans his masterpiece. *Note: St. Petersburg was renamed Petrograd in 1914. I ref...

42: Women of War from 2016-03-09T14:27:42

A review of Verdun and a look at the British home front, which sees radical change under the direction of David Lloyd George and the Ministry of Munitions.

41: The Jutland Controversy from 2016-01-16T11:59:59

A retrospective look at the battle of Jutland.

40: "Repel all boarders!" from 2015-12-17T21:04:39

The battle of Jutland rages into the night.

39: Ghosts in the Mist from 2015-11-25T10:29:37

A decade after Dreadnought revolutionized naval warfare, the battle fleets of Great Britain and Germany finally meet. EDIT: Since they were armoured cruisers, Arbuthnot was part of First Cruiser ...

38: The Run to the South from 2015-11-03T22:51:01

The battle of Jutland begins on the afternoon of May 31st, 1916.

37: The Trident from 2015-09-23T18:14:28

Reinhardt Scheer assumes command of the German battlefleet, and the war in the North Sea kicks into high gear.

36: Conrad's Folly from 2015-08-19T20:16:01

Conrad sees red, and attempts to eliminate the Italians with a single blow. At Verdun, the French discover retaking Fort Douaumont will require a bit more planning.

35: A Prison of the Nations from 2015-07-20T19:51:19

Battered and bloodied, Austria-Hungary limps its way into 1916.

34: Russia From the Ashes from 2015-06-24T19:21:18

Russia under goes some rapid internal changes.

33: No Success Anywhere from 2015-06-10T18:15:39

Desperate to capture the Meuse Heights, the German 5th Army extends operations onto the west bank of the Meuse. When things falter, both armies commit more men to "the Mincer".

32: Thunder and Earthquake from 2015-05-28T19:14:03

The battle at Verdun began on February 21st, 1916. Nothing would ever be the same.

31: The New Way from 2015-05-18T19:33:46

Falkenhayn begins laying the ground work for the coming battle at Verdun.

30: Character of the Coalition from 2015-05-08T22:54:23

As 1916 beckons, both the Allies and Central Powers realize they're in for another bloody year.

29: Travelling on a Volcano from 2015-04-29T12:09:57

In this episode we discuss the sinking of the Cunard liner Lusitania and what it meant for the first unrestricted U-boat campaign.

28: Order, Counter Order, Disorder from 2015-04-21T03:05:36

To contest the supremacy of the Allied fleets, Germany unleashes the first unrestricted U-Boat campaign in February, 1915. *Gahh when I say the Russians retreated 500 miles, I mean 500 kilometers...

27: Puff From a Cigarette from 2015-03-29T16:11:20

An ambitious Anglo-French attack in Artois and Champagne is met with disaster. At the battles of Loos, the BEF makes use of chlorine gas for the first time.

26: Field of Blackbirds from 2015-03-19T10:08:21

Serbia is the latest victim of Falkenhayn's combined offensive. The Serbs refuse to surrender, opting to evacuate and continue the fight elsewhere.

25: Sing the Love of Danger from 2015-03-09T12:11:47

On May 23rd, 1915 an energized but divided Italy enters the Great War. This episode examines why the Italians initially chose neutrality, only to declare war against their former allies.

24: The Great Retreat from 2015-02-27T12:20:13

A combined Austro-German offensive in May 1915 collapses the Polish Salient, forcing the Russians into a 4 month 310 mile retreat. The war on the Eastern Front is effectively over.

23: No Risk Too Great- Part 2 of 2. from 2015-02-17T12:04:41

The Dardanelles campaign unravels as the Allies land on the Gallipoli peninsula.

23: No Risk Too Great- Part 1 of 2. from 2015-02-07T12:19:58

With German efforts concentrated in the East, the Allies begin looking for alternative ways to break the deadlock, leading their focus to fall on the Dardanelles and Gallipoli peninsula.

22: Codename: Disinfection from 2015-01-28T17:25:10

This week we examine German strategy in 1915, and Falkenhayn's decision to unleash chlorine gas at the Ypres Salient.   40 Maps That Explain World W...

21: The Road Ahead from 2015-01-17T11:42:09

Despite popular theory, the war does not end by Christmas. This week we are on the Western Front for the early goings of 1915.

20: We're All in This Together from 2015-01-07T16:40:54

Did Europe really cheer the outbreak of war?  An examination of the Western home fronts provides a glimpse into "the spirit of 1914".

19: Numbers are Everything from 2014-12-28T20:23:04

A look at the larger world at war, and Graf Spee makes his voyage into the history books.

18: Where Loyalties Lay from 2014-12-18T16:19:38

The final months of 1914 draw to a close on the Eastern Front. The Russians flex their military muscle, while the Austro-Hungarians suffer a defeat which helps doom their army.

17: War of the Eagles from 2014-12-08T16:21:21

Our first look at events on the Eastern front; The Austrians humiliate themselves against the Serbs. While in East Prussia, the Russians are annihilated at Tannenberg.

16: Massacre of the Innocents from 2014-11-28T16:56:13

The lines stagnate across the Western theatre.Near the Belgian town of Ypres, German and British troops learn a harsh reality. Please note: The Asine runs west of Verdun, not east as I state in t...

15: Those Long August Days from 2014-11-19T17:20:21

The war on the Western Front opens up, as the German army cruises through Belgium to the gates of Paris. The allies unveil a new secret weapon on the battlefield. I apologize for the delay this w...

14: To Constantinople With Love from 2014-11-04T20:38:57

Two German battle cruisers escape the pursuit of the Royal Navy and seek refuge at Constantinople. The entry of the Ottoman Empire by November 1914, ensures that fighting would no longer be restric...

13: Into the Abyss: Part 2 of 2. from 2014-10-24T17:01:43

We conclude our discussion of the July Crisis by looking at events in Britain and offer an answer to why the war broke out.

13: Into the Abyss: Part 1 of 2. from 2014-10-03T18:49:42

A century after the Napoleonic Wars, the Concert of Europe crumbles in a matter of weeks following the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand.

12: To The Precipice from 2014-09-23T02:48:06

Before killing off Franz Ferdinand, we take a look at some of the domestic issues effecting the Great Powers on the eve of July 1914.

11: The Balkan Wars from 2014-09-11T17:51:48

On the heels of the Italian invasion of Libya, a collection of Balkan nations declare war on the Ottoman Empire. A "very" basic map of the First Balkan War. October 1912-May 1913.

10: A Long Year from 2014-08-19T12:07:10

In an attempt to establish themselves as a great power, Italy declared war on the Ottomans in September of 1911. The subsequent invasion exposed Italian armed forces as logistically weak and unprep...

09: The Bosnian Crisis from 2014-08-11T12:05:33

The annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina by the Austro-Hungarians is another humiliation for Russia, and leaves the Serbs seething toward the Habsburg monarch. Map of Russian interests.

08: Dreadnoughts and What Nots from 2014-08-04T16:04:35

With the war in the Far East raging in the background, Germany attempts to drive a wedge between France and its allies, but only succeeds in bringing them closer together. I know I had stated ...

07: Win the War, Lose the Peace from 2014-07-28T11:41:39

The Russo-Japanese War provides us with a chilling glimpse into the nature of industrial warfare.

06: Opposites Attract Part 2: The Anglo French Cordiale from 2014-07-21T11:40:23

After nearly coming to blows at Fashoda, the French and English decide to put aside their grievances. In the Far East, Japan and Russia declare war.

05: The End of Isolation from 2014-07-16T11:24:26

With events in Asia threatening the status quo, Great Britain would find itself in desperate need of an ally. * I apologize for this episode being behind schedule. We'll be back on track for Mond...

04: Opposites Attract: The Franco-Russian Alliance from 2014-07-07T11:36:59

In 1890 Wilhelm II dismissed Bismarck, allowing the French to break out of isolation; the British face a looming crisis in the years after 1894.

03: Woe Unto My Poor Grandchildren from 2014-06-30T11:11:10

After the formation of Germany, Bismarck's primary concern was finding a place for the Second Reich in Europe; events in the Balkans would drive the Austro-Hungarians into a military alliance by 1879.

02: The Chess Master from 2014-06-23T11:11:31

The revolts of 1848 paved the way for the formation of Germany under the leadership of Otto von Bismarck. The events surrounding German unification play a major role in the political atmosphere lea...

01: The Shot Heard Around the World from 2014-06-11T15:03:31

Episode 1 overviews 19th century European politics after the Napoleonic War and the creation of the alliance systems. This is my first ever podcast and am currently ironing out the kinks in my aud...