The Great War Podcast

80: The Kerensky Offensive

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

79: The Battle of Messines Ridge

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

78: Lafayette, We Are Here

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

77: Only in Catastrophes

The French army grapples with widespread unrest after the Nivelle Offensive

76: Bloody April

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 carry through an attack when you have started it.
3. Fire only at close range, and only when your opponent is properly in your sights.
4. Always keep your eye on your opponent, and never let yourself be deceived by ruses.
5. In any form of attack it is essential to assail your enemy from behind.
6. If your opponent dives on you, do not try to evade his onslaught, but fly to meet it.
7. When over the enemy's lines never forget your own line of retreat.

8. For the Staffel (squadron): Attack on principle in groups of four or six. When the fight breaks up into a series of single combats, take care that several do not go for the same opponent

75: The Nivelle Offensive

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

 

74: The Battle of Arras

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

 

73: The Abdication of Tsar Nicholas

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

72: The Overt Acts

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

71: The Arsenal and the Bank

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

 

Life Magazine, February 1916.

 

 

 

 

70: America

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

69: Neptune's Empire

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

68B: Fateful Decisions - The Allies - From the Aisne to Vladivostok

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

68A: Fateful Decisions - The Central Powers - From Alberich to Zimmermann

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

 

SE: The Life and Death of Mata Hari

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

TGWAC - Part 3 of 3: Aces High

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

TGWAC - Part 2: Violent Adolesence.

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

TGWAC - Part 1: The Infancy of Airpower

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

66: New Dawns

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

65: In Winter's Grip

The battle of the Somme comes to an end.

64: Golgotha Hill

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

63: Leviathans

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

 

62: Cracks in the Edifice

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

61: The Hydra

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

 

60:Falkenhayn's Folly

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

59: Romania

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

58: Crisis in the East

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

57: Pozieres

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

 

56: The Devil at Fromelles

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

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

 

54: Dragon's Wood

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

 

53: The Long, Long Trail

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

52: Into the Breach Part 6- The Somme Controversy

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

 

52: Into the Breach Part 5- Southern Success

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

 

Livens Flame Projector: CLIP

 

 

52: Into the Breach Part 4- Poet's Corner

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

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

 

 

52: Into the Breach Part 2- Northern Folly

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" Ravine,

52: Into the Breach Part 1- Thiepval and the Schwaben Redoubt

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

51b: Final Touches- Allied Armies and the Somme

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

 

 

51a:Final Touches- Allied Politics and the Somme

The Somme plan meets stiff opposition in London and Paris. 

50: The Verdun Effect

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

49: The Big Push

The origins of the Somme before Verdun screwed everything up.

48: "Duggy"

Douglas Haig: The Man vs The Myth

47: Crisis at Verdun

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 Fleury residents who fought at Verdun.


"Remains" of Fleury


Markers indicating where houses and businesses once stood.




The imposing Ossuary.


View from a top the Ossuary, looking southeast towards Fleury. Note the concentrated battlefield: the interpretation center is visible along with the white path leading to the village. The ridge beyond was the German objective of June 23rd.


Fort Douaumont


Douaumont's roof, still heavily cratered.





Yours truly at the entrance.

46: The Fall of Fort Vaux

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

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

44: The Guns of Galicia

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

43: The Bear Blows First

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 refer to both in the appropriate context. -Dan


Links to Romanov family photos:

Siberian Times, 2013

Mashable

42: Women of War

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

A retrospective look at the battle of Jutland.