Battles of the First World War Podcast

Two Schneider tanks in a field outside the village of Méry-la-Bataille. Both tanks may have been damaged or destroyed during the French attack. Source: ECPAD

Schneider tanks outside the village of Méry-la-Bataille.

Source: ECPAD

Second Marne - Mangin on the Matz Podcast Episode · Battles of the First World War Podcast · March 1 · 44m

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. 

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b...

Map of the Battle of the Matz, with German attacks and French counterattack. Source: Alamy

New episode- 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.

Map source: Alamy

Слава Україні! 🇺🇦

@danielkraus.com ⬆️ 😎

Great summary of the battle. Thanks for doing this!

110 years ago, Émile Driant and thousands of others were killed in the opening days of Verdun.

To mark the anniversary, I’ve reworked my short film on the battle, told in 5 minutes.

If you cant name the 4 men pictured...then you need to watch!
▶️ Verdun 1916: 300 Days of Hell
youtu.be/GoE6datjY4Q

a little girl is making a funny face while wearing a blue shirt with a leopard print . ALT: a little girl is making a funny face while wearing a blue shirt with a leopard print .

Ooh, yay!

YouTube video by The Western Front Association Haig's Doctrine and Command Philosophy | Phil Watson

Just recorded a great conversation with Phil Watson yesterday, due out in a few weeks. Here’s a great primer on what we’re talking about:

youtu.be/Y6-LUxYewwU?...

LTC Emil Driant’s tomb, and the first spot where he was buried by the Germans. The second photo is of a scene no longer existing: bark beetles took down all those trees a few years ago.

Poilus in the Bois des Caures, 2016.

Simulating the 0700 opening bombardment of 21 February 1916.

10 years ago I kept a promise to my 16-year-old self: that for the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Verdun, I’d be there.

These are photos from the Bois des Caures, at LTC Driant’s PC, at 0700 on February 21, 2016. How lucky am I to say that I was there.

New podcast episode is written and recording starts as soon as this gets posted.

This guy here ⬇️ will be making a reappearance after a long time. 😏

Thanks to Kp Morris, we have additional info on how tanks could be rapidly deployed to battle during WW1. Ties in to the recent AEF Tank Corps talk with Steven Girard.

2d & 3d photos show a Mack 7-1/2 ton truck, which was not too common.

A bit random here, but I loved Mack trucks as a kid. ☺️

Wow! Nice find. 😎

American FT-17 Light Tank from 2nd Platoon, Company C. (under the command of Capt. Courtney H. Barnard, USA), 327th/345th Tank Battalion (Light), 304th Tank Brigade (Light), Tank Corps, AEF as it traverse a ditch during offensive combat operations while in direct support of the 138th U.S. Infantry Regiment, 69th Brigade, 35th Division, AEF's attack on enemy held positions south of the French town of Cheppy, France during The Meuse-Argonne Offensive on September 26th, 1918.

American FT-17 Light Tank from 2nd Platoon, Company C. 327th/345th Tank Battalion (Light), 304th Tank Brigade (Light), during an attack on enemy held positions south of the French town of Cheppy, France during The Meuse-Argonne Offensive on September 26th, 1918.

Photograph (taken during actual combat operations southeast of the French town of Lamarche-en-Woëvre, France on the afternoon of Thursday, September 12th, 1918) showing an American FT-17 Light Tank from 3rd Plt. Co B. 327th Tank Battalion (Light), 304th Tank Brigade (Light), Tank Corp, AEF as it provides overwatch support to American infantrymen from the 3rd Battalion, 166th U.S. Infantry Regiment, 83rd Brigade, 42nd Division, AEF as they advance through enemy wire obstacles between the French towns of Essey-et-Maizerais, and Lamarche-en-Woëvre, France during The St. Mihiel Offensive on September 12th, 1918.

Photograph (taken during actual combat operations southeast of the French town of Lamarche-en-Woëvre, France on September 12th, 1918) showing an American FT-17 Light Tank providing overwatch support to American infantrymen.

AEF Tank Corps - A Discussion with Steve Girard Podcast Episode · Battles of the First World War Podcast · 02/15/2026 · 1h 26m

New episode is out! 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.

Listen here: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b...

YouTube video by Battles of the First World War Podcast The Battle for Disabled Veterans’ Recognition - A Discussion with Dr. Eric Story

Video version of "The Battle for Disabled Veterans’ Recognition - A Discussion with Dr. @ericstory.bsky.social "

Dr. Story of @westernuhistory.bsky.social joins us on the podcast to discuss the struggles faced by disabled Canadian veterans after the First World War.

youtu.be/wqncEYltp6g

I have written a small article about the Swedish contribution to the rebuild of the French villages on the battlefield after the Great War. Read it through the link below:
www.westernfront.se/2026/02/07/s...

Decades before Terry Fox, these WW I amputees hiked from Alberta to Ontario on crutches | CBC Radio More than 100 years ago, veteran amputees George Hincks and Marshall McDougall met in a Calgary military hospital and hatched a truly spectacular plan — to hike, on crutches, from Alberta to Ontario a...

Read more about George Hincks and Marshall McDougall here:

www.cbc.ca/radio/asitha...

Absolutely! Thank you so much for helping present another battle of the Great War--healing the wounded veterans.

Dr. Eric Story is 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.

...and then look at the efforts of George Hincks and Marshall McDougall to raise awareness of disabled veterans’ struggles. 

Do give a listen to Dr. Story, this was a great conversation. Just because the war ends it does not mean the battles end with it.

@ericstory.bsky.social

The Battle for Disabled Veterans' Recognition - A Discussion with Dr. Eric Story Podcast Episode · Battles of the First World War Podcast · 02/01/2026 · 41m

Hey Folks,

New episode is out on the battle faced by Canadian disabled veterans:

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b...

Dr. Eric Story of @westernuhistory.bsky.social in Ontario, Canada begins the talk with a broad look at what Canadian veterans faced in the 1920s...

Agreed. Had to look up ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance).

Great reporting from Mr. Watling on adaptation in Ukraine.

Tanks are by no means out, but drones aren’t yet the answer to everything.

Also, the level of decentralization is incredible—artillery guns are operating largely independently, not even at the battery level.

Fantastic film! Just watched it last week at the day job, and I was reminded of how well it portrayed the grief of the French.

Don't Forget - BFWWP Book Club - The Other Trench - 07 FEB 26 | Battles of the First World War Podcast Get more from Battles of the First World War Podcast on Patreon

BFWWP Patreon -- sign up and join our book talk on 07 FEB:

www.patreon.com/posts/dont-f...