Ep326 – The British West Indies Regt in the GW – Dr Dominiek Dendooven
In this episode of the Mentioned in Dispatches Podcast, Dr. Dominiek Dendooven talks about his recent book, ‘The British West Indies Regiment: Race and Colour […]
Ep325 – County Mayo, 1912-23 – Prof Joost Augusteijn
Tune in to the latest Mentioned in Dispatches Podcast, where we engage in a compelling conversation with Professor Joost Augusteijn about his in-depth study of […]
Ep324 – Field Marshal the Earl of Cavan – Dr Michael Senior
Join us in the latest episode of the Mentioned in Dispatches Podcast as we delve into the life and career of Field Marshal Lord Cavan. […]
Ep323 – Irish divisions at Langemark – Michael Nugent
In this episode of the Mentioned in Dispatches Podcast, Michael Nugent delves into his book ‘A Bad Day, I Fear,’ shedding light on a little-known […]
Ep322 – The 21st Division in the Great War – Dr Derek Clayton
Author and historians Dr Derek Clayton talks about his book To Do the Work of Men : An Operational History of the 21st Division in the […]
Ep321 – Field Marshal Lord Birdwood – Richard Farrimond
In this podcast interview, Richard Farrimond discusses their motivation for writing a comprehensive biography of Field Marshal Lord Birdwood, highlighting their personal connection to Clifton […]
Ep320 – Did the 5th Army collapse in spring 1918 – Glyn Taylor
Doctoral candidate Glyn Taylor talks about his research into the response of the 5th British Army to the German Spring Offensive in 1918. Glyn is […]
Ep319 – Battle of the Sambre, 4 November 1918 – Dr Derek Clayton
Author and historian Dr Derek Clayton talks about this book Decisive Victory: The Battle of the Sambre: 4 November 1918. This battle was a decisive […]
Ep318 – Hedworth Lambton and the GW – Peter Welsh
Historian and writer Peter Welsh talks about Sir Hedworth Meux (Lambton) during the Great War. Meux was a distinguished Royal Navy officer whose legacy is […]
Ep317 – Gay soldiers, the law and the Great War – Dr Frances Hurd
Author and historian Dr Frances Hurd talks about her research into gay officers, the law and their experiences in the British Army during the Great […]
Ep316 – AEF Communications during the Great War – Dr. Brian Hall
Academic Dr Brian Hall talks about his research into the development of communications in the American Expeditionary Force during the Great War. Brian is the […]
Ep315 – Smuts, Botha and the Great War – Dr Anthony Garcia
Dr Tony Garcia talks about the book he jointly authored with Ian van der Waag on the Great War roles of roles played by the […]
Ep314 – The German Army in 1917 – Dr Tony Cowan
Author and academic Dr Tony Cowan talks about his recent book, Holding Out. This book examines German operational command during a critical phase of the […]
Ep313 – Anzac Labour – Dr Nathan Wise
Historian and academic Dr Nathan Wise talks about his book Anazc Labour. This book explores the horror, frustration and exhaustion surrounding working life in the […]
Ep312 – Barcombe in the Great War – Ian Hilder
Author Ian Hilder about talks his recent book Great War Barcombe News from a Sussex Village 1914 -1919. This book was published by Country Books […]
Ep311 – The Third Earl of Durham in the GW – Peter Welsh
Historian, teacher and author Peter Welsh talks about his research into the Third Earl of Durham during the Great War. John George Lambton, 3rd Earl […]
Ep310 – International Jewish relief work in WW1 – Dr Jaclyn Granick
r Jaclyn Granick talks about her research into international Jewish relief work during the Great War. Jaclyn is a Senior Lecturer in Modern Jewish History […]
Ep309 – Russian military strategy in WW1 – Dr Sofya Anisimova
Dr Sofya Anisimova talks about Russian military strategy during the Great War. She is a post doctoral researcher at University College Dublin in Ireland. Sofya […]
Ep308 – Teachers from Victoria, Australian in the GW – Caroline Torode
Caroline Torode talks about her research into state teachers from Victoria, Australia during the Great War. Her talk is based on her MA thesis that looked […]
Ep307 – The 1922 Chanak Crisis and the legacy of the Great War – Dr Jenny Macleod
Dr Jenny Macleod, Senior Lecturer in 20th Century History at the University of Hull, talks about the 1922 Chanak Crisis and the actions of Lloyd […]
Ep306 – Lambton Ladies in the Great War: Katherine, Eleanor, Beatrix and Anne – Peter Welsh
Peter Welsh about his research into the daughters of the aristocratic Lambton family, their lives and work during the Great War. They were Katherine, Eleanor, […]
Ep305 – Women doctors on the Eastern and Western Fronts – Dr Ann Robertson
Former medical consultant, historian and author, Dr Ann Robertson, talks about her research into female doctors’ service and the Great War.
Ep304 – The Indian Army in WW1 – Dr Alan Jeffreys
Dr Alan Jeffreys talks about his recent publication of collected essays on the Indian Army recently published by Helion. Alan is Head of Equipment and […]
Ep303 – The Remount Service and the Army Veterinary Corps during The Great War – Dr Jane Flynn
Dr Jane Flynn talks about the Army Remount Service and the Army Veterinary Corps during The Great War. The outbreak of war in 1914, found […]
Ep302 – The role of birds in the GW – Nicholas Milton
Ornithologist, author and historian Nicholas Milton talks about his recent book on the role of birds in the Great War. This book is published by […]
Ep301 – Elsie and Mairi Go to War – Dr Diane Atkinson
Dr Diane Atkinson, historian and author, talks about her recent book about Elsie Knocker and Mairi Gooden-Chisholm and their service during the Great War. Diane […]
Ep300 – The state of GW scholarship – Prof John Borne, Dr Jonathan Boff, Dr Alex Mayhew
Prof. John Bourne, Dr Alex Mayhew and Dr Jonathan Boff discuss the current state of academic research on the Great War. All three have connections with Birmingham […]
Ep299 – Queen’s Westminster Rifles in the Great War – Steve Hammond
Steve Hammond talks about his research and interest in the Queen Westminster Rifles during the Great War. The Queen’s Westminsters were an infantry regiment of […]
Ep298 – A Jewish Aid Worker in Ukraine during the Russian Civil War, 1918-1920 – Dr Michael Nutkiewicz
Dr Michael Nutkiewicz talks about his new book, A Ukrainian Chapter. A Jewish Aid Worker’s Memoir of Sorrow. This is the translation of a memoir […]
Ep297 – Organisational learning on the Western Front – Dr Mike Hunzeker
Dr Michael Hunzeker talks about his new book, Dying to Learn that looks at innovation and learning on the Western Front during the Great War. […]
Ep296 – Heroism in literature during FWW – Dr Ann-Marie Einhaus
Dr Ann-Marie Einhaus, Associate Professor in the Department of Humanities at the University of Northumbria, talks about her research into heroism in literature during WW1.
Ep295 – The birth of the RAF – Prof. Richard Overy
Professor Richard Overy, Honorary Professor at the University of Exeter, talks about his recent book on the formation of the RAF in April 1918. He […]
Ep294 – 46th Division in WW1 – Prof. John Bourne
Professor John Bourne talks about his interest and research on the British 46th Division on the Western Front during the Great War. The 46th Division was […]
Ep200a – Logistics during Third Ypres – Rob Thompson
Historian Rob Thompson talks about how the British army supplied logistics and material for the Messines/Third Ypres Campaign of 1917. This was originally broadcast in […]
Ep293 – Bloxham School and the GW – Simon Batten & Matthew Dixon
Authors and historians Simon Batten and Matthew Dixon talk about their recent book on Bloxham School and the Great War. Taking one small boarding school […]
Ep292 – The 6th Div in the GW – Dr Peter Hodgkinson
Historian, clinical psychologist and author Dr Peter Hodgkinson talks about his recent book A Complete Orchestra of War, that is a history of the 6th […]
Ep291 – Brig-Gen Frank Percy Crozier commands 119 Bde – Dr Mike Taylor
Historian Dr Michael Taylor talks about his new book that explores Brigadier General Frank Crozier’s command of the 119 Brigade during the Great War. Crozier […]
Ep290 – London’s contribution to the Great War – Clive Harris
Author, tour guide, doctoral candidate and historian Clive Harris talks about his research into the military contribution of London during the great War. In 1914, […]
Ep289 – Donegal before, during and after the GW – Dr Pauric Travers
Author and historian Pauric Travers talks about his recent book ‘Donegal, The Irish Revolution, 1912-1923’, which looks at County Donegal through the Home Rule Crisis, the Great […]
Ep288 – Raiding – Fraser Skirrow
Author and historian Fraser Skirrow talks about raiding on the Western Front during the Great War. Once the frontline became static and dominated by trenches, […]
Ep287 – The Bucks village of Lee in the GW – Dr Michael Senior
Dr Michael Senior talks about his recent book Fromelles 1916. This explores the men from the Buckinghamshire village of Lee who fought and died in […]
Ep286 – Cathal Burgha – Dr Daithí Ó Corráin and Dr Gerard Hanley
Dr Daithí Ó Corráin and Dr Gerard Hanley talk about their recent book on Irish revolutionary and republican leader Cathal Brugha. This book is titled […]
Ep285 – Sir Douglas Haig – Prof. John Bourne
Professor John Bourne talks about the role, impact and reputation of the British Expeditionary Force Commander in Chief, Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig. He challenges […]
Ep284 – King George V in WW1 – Prof Heather Jones
Professor Heather Jones talks about her recent book on King George V and the monarchy during the Great War. Her book examines how the First […]
Ep283 – Frank Brangwyn’s Great War art – Libby Horner
Art historian, curator, film producer and lecturer Libby Horner talks about her research into artist Frank Brangwyn and the Great War. Brangwyn (1867-1956) was born […]
Ep282 – Drill, training, and discipline in WW1 – Harry Sanderson
PhD candidate Harry Sanderson talks about his doctoral research into the roll and impact of drill on the training of soldiers. Harry contents that close […]
Ep281 – Cricket during the Great War – John Broom
Historian John Broom talks about his latest book that looks at cricket during the Great War. John discusses how the game at professional and amateur […]
Ep280 – Conscript morale in 1918 – Tim Lynch
Author, historian and battlefield guide Tim Lynch talks about his research into conscript morale during the final year of the Great War. He challenges perceptions […]
Ep279 – The Bucks Battalion in the Great War – Prof Ian Beckett
Professor Ian Beckett, Honorary Professor of Military History at the University of Kent, talks about the 1/1st Bucks Battalion, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, during the Great War. His […]
Ep278 – Hanham – Andrew Wood
Andrew Wood talks about his recent novel Hanham. It is based on the true story of three brothers who fought in the First World war […]
Ep277 – The Friendly Invasion of Lewes in 1914 – Jonathan Vernon
Jonathan Vernon, Digital Editor for the WFA, talks about his research into Lewes during the opening months of the Great War. He focuses on the […]
Article in Stand To!
My latest article in the WFA’s Stand To! journal. Tom Thorpe, ‘No more than three months trench service’: a study in the length of frontline […]
Ep276a – Walking the Western Front Way – Sir Anthony Seldon
Author, historian and educationalist, Sir Anthony Seldon talks about his new book ‘The Path of Peace’ which is his memoir of walking the Western Front […]
Ep276 – The assassination of Sir Henry Wilson – Ronan McGreevy
Author, historian, Irish Times reporter and videographer, Ronan McGreevy, talks about his recent book Great Hatred. This book, published by Faber, explores the assassination of […]
Ep275 – Managing boredom in Salonika amongst British troops – Jake Gasson
Jake Gasson, a doctoral candidate at Pembroke College, University of Oxford, talks about his research into how British soldiers experienced and endured boredom as part […]
Ep274 – Fishermen’s involvement in the Great War – Dr Robb Robinson
Dr Robb Robinson, Honorary Research Fellow at the Blaydes Maritime Centre at the University of Hull, talks about British fishermen and their involvement in the […]
Ep273 – The German Army in October 1918 – Katherine Quinlan-Flatter
Historian and journalist Katherine Quinlan-Flatter talks about the German Army during the weeks of October 1918 before the Armistice in November. Katherine talks about how […]
Ep272 – The political and social history of Ireland in WW1 – Dr Niamh Gallagher & Prof Richard Grayson
Dr Niamh Gallagher, University Associate Professor in Modern British and Irish History at the Faculty of History, St Catharine’s College, University of Cambridge and Professor […]
Ep271 – Children and childhood in WW1 – Dr Viv Newman
Author and historian Dr Viv Newman about her research into children and childhood during the Great War. She explores how the war affect children across […]
Ep270 – Gas Warfare during WW1 – Rocky Salmon
WFA European Officer Rocky Salmon talks about gas warfare during the Great War. Rocky talks about the types of chemical agents used, their efficacy and […]
Ep269 – The Netherlands during WW1 – Pauline Onderwater
PhD student Pauline Onderwater talks about her doctoral research into the Netherlands during the Great War. In the interview, she talks about how the war […]
Ep268 – Richard Aldington and the Great War – Dr Viv Whelpton
Dr Viv Whelpton talks about the life and service of Great War poet Richard Aldington. Aldington (1892-1962) was an English writer and poet who is […]
Book Review – Brian Griffin, The Bulkies, Police and Crime in Belfast, 1800-1865 (Dublin: Irish Academic Press, 1997)
Brian Griffin’s book the Bulkies is a social history of the Belfast city constabulary that operated as a municipal police force from 1800 to […]
QUB course on social history of Belfast
If anyone fancies it, I’m tutoring a course on the social history of Belfast, 1798-1914, as part of the Queen’s University Belfast Open Learning programme […]
WFA’s Bulletin 122
Article that I wrote in the Western Front Association’s Bulletin 122 (July 2022), pp.44-45.
Book Review – Alexander Watson, Enduring the Great War, Combat, Morale, Collapse in the German and British Armies, 1914-1918 (Cambridge: CUP, 2008)
During the war the Great War, around 5% of German and British combatants suffered from psychiatric breakdown; Alexander Watson’s book seeks to answer why the […]
Ep267 – Morale in the BEF on the Western Front, 1917-8 – Dr Alex Mayhew
Dr Alex Mayhew, a historian of the cultural, military, and social history of war and also a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, talks about his […]
Book Review – Guy Sajer, The Forgotten Soldier (London: Cassell, 1999)
Guy Sajer’s Second World War memoir of his service in the Wehrmacht on the Eastern Front during the Second World War has been seen as […]
Ep266 – The US 103rd Regiment in WW1 – Jonathan Bratten
Jonathan Bratten talks about his history of the US 103rd Regiment during the Great War. The 103rd was a National Guard unit drawn from New […]
Book Review – Werner Kindler, Obedient unto Death (London: Frontline, 2019)
Werner Kindler’s Obedient unto Death is his memoir of service in the 1st SS Panzer Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler (LAH) during the Second World […]
Ep265 – The Indian Army in WW1 – Dr Andrew Jarboe
Historian and teacher Dr Andrew T. Jarboe talks about his recent book Indian Soldiers in World War I: Race and Representation in an Imperial War, […]
Book Review – Jiří Hutečka, Men under Fire. Motivation, Morale and Masculinity among Czech Soldiers in the Great War, 1914–1918 (New York/Oxford: Berghahn, 2019)
Jiří Hutečka’s new interesting and novel new book explores the motivations that underpinned the morale of Czech soldiers fighting in the Austro-Hungarian Army during the […]
Ep264 – 1917, The Darkest Year – Dr Spencer Jones
Dr Spencer Jones talks about The Darkest Year, a collection of essays he edited on the British Army fighting on the Western Front in 1917 […]
BOOK REVIEW – Thorolf Hillblad (Ed.), Twilight of the Gods [Account of Erik Wallin] (Mechanicsburg, PA/USA: Stackpole Books, 2009)
Erik Wallin was a Stockholm-born Swedish volunteer who fought in the Panzer Reconnaissance Battalion of the 11th SS-Panzergrenadier Division Nordland that saw action on the […]
Ep263 – The German colonies in WW1 – Prof Matt Fitzpatrick
Historian Professor Matt Fitzpatrick, Professor in the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences at Flinders University in Australia, talks about his research into the […]
Book Review – Otto Carius, Tigers in The Mud (Lanham MD/USA: Stackpole, 2020)
This memoir covers Otto Carius’ times as an officer in panzer units fighting on the Eastern and Western Fronts during the Second World War. He […]
Conbributors needed!
The Combat Morale Podcast is recording its second season and is looking for contributors. This is a new podcast that aims to provoke debate […]
Ep262 – WW1 Officers facing disgrace in 1920s courtrooms – Dr Frances Hurd
Historian Dr Frances Hurd talks about her research into officers who fall foul of the law in the 1920s. She examines three officers who found […]
Book Review – Erwin Bartmann, Für Volk and Führer: The Memoir of a Veteran of the 1st SS Panzer Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler, (Solihull, UK: Helion & Co., 2013)
Erwin Bartman’s 2013 autobiography covers his early life growing up in 1930s Nazi Germany and his subsequent service in the 1st SS Panzer Division Leibstandarte […]
Ep261a – In the Centennial Footsteps of the Great War – Attila Szalay-Berzeviczy
In this special podcast, I talk to historian and photographer Attila Szalay-Berzeviczy about the launch of his book In the Centennial Footsteps of the Great […]
Ep261 – Teaching the Great War Kingham Hill School – Donna Saxby & Gareth Williams
History teacher Gareth Williams and librarian Donna Saxby from Kingham Hill School in Oxfordshire, talk about how they teach the Great War to their pupils. […]
Ep260 – Subterranean operations in WW1 – Dr Matt Leonard
Historian and modern conflict archaeologist Dr Matt Leonard talks about subterranean operations in WW1. Matt discusses how the extent, scope and nature of below ground […]
Book Review – Rudi Stiebritz, Pawn of War (Harnwell, Vic/Australia: Temple House, 2001)
Pawn of War is Rudi Stiebritz’s account of his service in the Wehrmacht serving on the Eastern Front in the Second World War and his […]
Ep259 – The Boy Scouts during the War – Dr Craig Armstrong
Historian Craig Armstrong talks about his recent book The Boy Scouts in the Great War that looks at the movement during the First World War. […]
Book Review – Bruce Cherry, They Didn’t Want to Die Virgins: Sex and Morale in the British Army on the Western Front 1914-18 (Solihull: Helion, 2016)
Bruce Cherry’s book seeks to ‘reappraise the sex life’ of the British soldier serving on the Western Front during the Great War.[1] The motivation […]
Ep258 – Dissent and indiscipline in the Indian Army during WW1 – Dr Adam Prime
Dr Adam Prime talks about his research into dissent and indiscipline in the Indian Army during the Great War. Adam outlines the number of incidents […]
BOOK REVIEW – J. Baynes, Morale, a Study of Men and Courage, (Barnsley: Pen & Sword, 1967 [Reprint 1987])
John Baynes’ book Morale explores the motivation and morale of officers and other ranks serving in the 2nd Scottish Rifles (Cameronians) during their involvement in […]
Ep257 – Visiting the battlefields in France and Belgium – Tom Strickland
Author, teacher and historian Tom Strickland talks about his recent book, Following in the Footsteps of Heroes, which is a new guide to the battlefield […]
Book Review – Denis Winter, Death’s Men (London: Allen Lane, 1978)
Denis Winter’s Death’s Men is a classic of the new type of ‘bottom up’ history the emerged in the late 1970s. This new genre aimed […]
Ep256 – Fighting at the Battle of the Isonzo on your computer – Jos Hoebe
Jos Hoebe, talks about the new Great War computer game Isonzo, that he helped develop with Netherlands game developers Game Drive. Isonzo is the third […]
Book Review – Johann Voss, Black Edelweiss (Bedford, Penn/USA: Aberjona, 2002)
Black Edelweiss is Johann Voss’ account of his service in the 6th SS Mountain Division during the Second World War. In early 1943, aged 17, […]
Ep255 – Association Football on the Home Front – Dr Alexander Jackson
Dr Alexander Jackson talks about his recent book Football’s Great War, Association Football on the English Home Front. Alex talks about the so-called ‘anti-football debate’ […]
Book Review – Paul Martelli, On the Devil’s Tail: In Combat With the Waffen-SS on the Eastern Front 1945, and With the French in Indochina 1951–54 (Solihull: Helion & Co, 2015)
On the Devil’s Tail is the memoir of Paul Martelli and covers a decade of his life and military service fighting in the Waffen SS […]
Ep254 – 1919 Peace Day Mugs & Medals – Giles Penman
Historical researcher Giles Penman, studying at the University of Warwick, talks about his research into the use of Roman and Ancient Greek imagery on the […]
Book Review – Wilhelm Pruller, Diary of a German Soldier (New York, USA: Coward McCann, 1963)
The Diary of a German Soldier is the journal of Wilhelm Pruller kept during his service in the Wehrmacht during the Second World War. He […]
MENTIONED IN DISPATCHES PODCAST HIT OVER 500K DOWNLOADS!
The Mentioned in Dispatches podcast that I host and produce for the Western Front Association has finally reached over 500k downloads! The shaky journey to […]
Ep253 – The Kaiser during the Great War – Prof Matt Fitzpatrick
Historian Professor Matt Fitzpatrick, Professor in the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences at Flinders University in Australia, talks about his research into the […]
Book Review – Peter Stanley, Bad Characters (ReadHowYouWant edn, 2010)
In this book, Peter Stanley outlines the military ‘crime’ that members of the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) committed as part of their war service in […]
Ep252 – Frank Prewett and the Great War – Prof Joy Porter
Historian and author Professor Joy Porter, Professor of Indigenous & Environmental History and Leverhulme Major Research Fellow at the University of Hull, talks about her […]
Book Review – Dale Blair, Dinkum Diggers. An Australian Battalion at War (Melbourne, Australia: Melbourne University Press, 2001)
Dale Blair’s book compares the historical construction of the ‘digger’, the fabled Australian volunteer soldier who fought during the Great War, against the actual experience […]
Ep251 – Debating America’s response to the Great War – Dr Neil Lanctot
Historian Dr Neil Lanctot talks about his recent book, The Approaching Storm, that explores the domestic debates and discussions that informed America’s response to the […]
BOOK REVIEW – Bruno Manz, A Mind in Prison (Dulles, VA/USA: Brasseys, 2001)
Bruno Manz served as a NCO in the Luftwaffe and an unnamed mountain infantry battalion in Finland and Norway during the Second World War where […]
Ep250p1 – Sir Henry Rawlinson – Prof. Robin Prior
Historian and author Professor Robin Prior, talks about the Great War career of British general Sir Henry Rawlinson who served in the British Expeditionary Force […]
Ep250pt2 – The Western Front – Prof Nick Lloyd
Historian and author Professor Nick Lloyd, Professor of Modern Warfare at King’s College London, talks about his recent book The Western Front. He considers the […]
BOOK REVIEW – James E. Kitchen, The British Imperial Army in the Middle East: Morale and Military Identity in the Sinai and Palestine Campaigns, 1916-18 (London/New York: Bloomsbury, 2014)
This book was one I had wanted to read properly for a long time; Christmas 2021 seemed the best time to read it. My maternal […]
Ep249 – The Illustrated Chronicle in WW1 – Peter Welsh
Historian Peter Welsh talks about his research into the daily Northumbrian newspaper, the Illustrated Chronicle, and the coverage before, during and after the Great War. […]
Book Review – James Roberts, Killer Butterflies – Combat, Psychology and Morale in the British 19th (Western) Division 1915–18 (Solihull: Helion, 2017)
The premise of James Robert’s book is fascinating and intriguing. His study has two objectives. Firstly, to examine what British infantrymen did during battle in […]
Ep248 – 2nd line TF divisions in WW1 – Dr Bill Mitchinson
Author and historian Dr Bill Mitchinson talks about his latest book ‘Of No Earthly Use’ that explores the role, contribution and effectiveness of 2nd line […]
Book Review – Claus Neuber, Marching from Defeat (Barnsley: Pen & Sword, 2020)
Marching from Defeat: Surviving the Collapse of the German Army in the Soviet Union, 1944 is the personal narrative of German Army artillery Lieutenant Claus […]
Ep247 – The Punjab record project – Dr Gavin Rand
Historian Dr Gavin Rand, Principal Lecturer at the University of Greenwich talks about the recent discovery and digitisation of 320k records of troops from the […]
Book Review – Herbert Maeger, Lost Honour, Betrayed Loyalty (London: Frontline, 2018)
Lost Honour, Betrayed Loyalty is the memoir of Herbert Maeger who fought with German forces during the Second World War. He initially joined the 1st […]
Episode 11 of Season One of the Combat Morale Podcast is out today (17.3.22).
Dr Linsey Robb, Associate Professor in Modern British History at the University of Northumbria, talks about the motivation of the British civilian worker in WW2.You […]
Ep246 – Centre for Experimental Archaeology and the Great War – Andy Robertshaw
Archaeologist, historian and author Andy Robertshaw talks about his work with the Centre for Experimental Military Archaeology (CEMA) at the Kent Event Centre in Detling. […]
Book Review – Franz Frisch, Condemned to Live (Shippensburg, PA/USA: Burd Street, 2000)
Condemned to Live is the memoir of Franz Frisch during his service in the Wehrmacht during the Second World War. He served as a private […]
Episode 10 of Season One of the Combat Morale Podcast is out today (10.3.22).
Recent doctoral graduate Dr Drew Ryder talks about the motivation and morale of the British Army combatant fighting in in Korea, 1950-53. You can listen […]
Ep245 – Brian Feeney – Antrim and the Irish Revolution, 1912 – 23
Journalist and historian, Dr Brian Feeney talks about his recent book exploring the impact of the Great War and Irish War of Independence on the […]
Book Review – Solomon Perel, Europa Europa (Munich: Wilhelm Heyne Verlag, 1993)
This book is the memoir of Solomon Perel’s adventures during the Second World War. It is a well-known story and was told in the […]
Ep244a – The War to End all Wars – Joakim Brodén, Sabaton
Swedish heavy metal front man for the band Sabaton Joakim Brodén talks about their 10th album that takes inspiration from the Great War. A War […]
Episode 9 of Season One of the Combat Morale Podcast is out today (3.3.22)
Historian, lawyer and author Andrea Hetherington talks about her recent book on British Army deserters on the British home front during WW1. You can listen […]
Ep244 – A legacy of WW1 – Hindenburg, Ludendorff and Hitler – Alex Clifford
Historian and author Alex Clifford talks about his recent book on Hindenburg and Ludendorff and how their Great War experience assisted in the rise of […]
Book Review – Thomas Kühne, The Rise and Fall of Comradeship: Hitler’s Soldiers, Male Bonding and Mass Violence in the Twentieth Century (Cambridge, UK: CUP, 2017)
Thomas Kühne’s book examines the practice, meaning, definition and idea of comradeship amongst German soldiers fighting in the Second World War.[1] He defines comradeship as […]
Combat Morale Podcast E8S1 released today
On my other website the above is out! Historian and author Dr George Lepre talks about the ‘fragging’ phenomenon that occurred in US forces during […]
Ep243 – Discipline in the AIF in WW1 – Prof Peter Stanley
Prof. Peter Stanley talks about the discipline and dissent in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) during the Great War. This interview is based on Peter’s […]
Book Review – Klaus Willmann [Lothar Herrmann], Death March Through Russia (Barnsley, Yorkshire/UK: GreenHill, 2019)
Death March Through Russia is the narrative that author Klaus Willman wrote of former German soldier Lothar Herrmann’s service in the Wehrmacht during the Second […]
Ep242 – Frances Hurd – Sex, violence and alcohol – some after – effects of the Great War
Historian Frances Hurd talks about her research into how the traumatic impact of the Great War affected former veterans and their families. Frances quotes the […]
Book Review – Erhard Steiniger, Radio Operator on the Eastern Front (Barnsley, Yorkshire/UK: Greenhill, 2019)
Erhard Steiniger’s account covers his early life as a member of the German community in the Sudetenland area of Czechoslovakia and his service in the […]
Ep241 – Simon Verdegem – Lost but not forgotten. The archaeological recovery of FWW casualties
Belgian battlefield archaeologist Simon Verdegem talks about his work recovering First World War casualties in Belgium. The former battlefields of Belgium still harbour their mortal […]
Book Review – Gerry Villani [the account of Raymond Lemaire], The Crusade of a Walloon Volunteer, August 8 1941 – May 5 1945 (Self-published: Lulu, 2019)
The Crusade of a Walloon Volunteer, August 8 1941 – May 5 1945 is the memoir of Raymond Lemaire who served as a member of […]
Downloads for the WFA’s Mentioned in Dispatches podcast for Q4, 2021
This post is an update on the hits for the Western Front Association’s weekly podcast Mentioned in Dispatches. The podcast is available on a […]
Ep240 – Dr Emily Mayhew – Stretcher Bearers on the Western Front
Military medical historian Dr Emily Mayhew talks about the role of stretcher bearers during the Great War. Stretcher bearers played a major role in extracting […]
Book Review – Claus Sellier, Walking Away from the Reich (Central Point, OR/USA: Hellgate, 1999)
Walking Away from the Reich is Claus Sellier’s narrative of his time as a soldier in the Wehrmacht fighting partisans and the Red Army in the […]
Edition 7 of Distant Thunder out today!
The latest edition of ‘Distant Thunder’ is available here. This is the journal of the Irish branches of The Western Front Association. The title comes […]
Ep239 – Dr John Burke – Roscommon during the Great War and after
Historian and author Dr John Burke talks about the history of Roscommon in the 1912–23 during the Irish revolutionary period which covers the Great War, […]
Book Review – Peter Bamm, The Invisible Flag (London: Penguin, 1962)
Peter Bamm’s memoir is a fascinating account of his time as a Wehrmacht combat surgeon fighting on the Eastern Front during the Second World War. […]
Ep238 – China and the Great War – Frances Wood
Author Frances Wood talks about her recent book, Betrayed Ally, China in the Great War, that she wrote jointly with Christopher Ardnander. Frances tells how […]
Book Review – Ann Buckley (Ed.) German Prisoners of the Great War (Barnsley: Pen & Sword, 2021)
(This review appeared in the WFA’s Stand To! journal in late 2021.) German Prisoners of the Great War is the first English translation of the […]
Ep237 – The missing of the Somme – Pam & Ken Linge
Ken Linge talks about the work he and his wife Pam have done on researching the stories of the ‘missing’ on the Thiepval Memorial on […]
Book Review – Gunter Koschorrek, Blood Red Snow (Barnsley: Frontline, 2018)
This book is the diary turned memoir of Gunter Koschorrek who served on the Eastern Front during the Second World War. From October 1942 until […]
Ep236 – The 47th Div at High Wood, 1916 – Richard Hendry
Independent scholar Richard Hendry talks about his research into the 47th Division at High Wood during the Battle of the Somme in Sept 1916.
Book Review – Andreas Hartinger (ed), Until the Eyes Shut [memoir of Hans Kahr] (Warsaw, Poland: Amazon, 2019)
This book is the recollection of Han Kahr during his service as a machine gunner in the 138th Mountain Regiment, 3rd Mountain Division, between late […]
Ep235 – Teachers during the Great War – Dr Barry Blades
Independent writer and researcher Dr Barry Blades talks to me about his books looking at schools, teachers and the Great War. These are ‘Roll of […]
Book Review – Henry Metelmann, Through Hell for Hitler (Staplehurst: Spellmount, 1990)
Henry Metelmann’s memoir of his service in the Wehrmacht during the Second World War is one of the best accounts I have read. Metelmann served […]
Ep234 – Czech soldiers in WW1 – Dr Jiri Hutečka
Dr Jiří Hutečka, Associate Professor at the University of Hradec Králové, talks about his recent book on the motivation and morale of Czech soldiers during […]
Ep233 – Moonlight Massacre at 3rd Ypres – Dr Michael LoCicero
Dr Michael LoCicero, an independent scholar and the Commissioning Editor at Helion & Co., talks about his recent book, A Midnight Massacre, that explores the […]
Book Review – Ernst Kern, War Diary 1941-45: A Report (New York: Vantage, 1993)
War Diary is Ernst Kern’s memoir of his service in the Wehrmacht on the Eastern Front from 1941 to 1944. He served as an infantryman […]
Ep232- The CWGC Non-Commemoration Report – Dr George Hay
Dr George Hay, the Official Historian at Commonwealth War Graves Commission, talks about the recent Commission report on Non-Commemoration report that explores the inequalities in […]
Ep231- Yugoslavia in the British imagination during WW1 – Dr Samuel Foster
Dr Samuel Foster, Visiting Fellow in the School of History, University of East Anglia, talks about his new book on Yugoslavia in the British Imagination. This book explores […]
Ep230 – Staking the coffins – the 1918 flu in Ireland – Dr Ida Milne
Dr Ida Milne, Lecturer in European History at Carlow College, Ireland, talks about her recent book, Stacking the Coffins, that looks at the impact of […]
Ep229- Jan Smuts and the German East African Campaign – David Katz
Doctoral candidate David Katz, studying at Stellenbosch University, talks about his PhD research into Jan Smuts and his conduct of operations in German East Africa […]
Ep228 – Royal Marines on the Western Front-Daniel Mclean
Teacher Dan Mclean talks about his book on the Royal Marines on the Western Front during the Great War. This book is published by Pen […]
Ep227 – Dr Thomas Scotland – Surgery during the Great War
Retired orthopaedic surgeon and military medical historian Tom Scotland talks about surgery during the Great War.
Ep226 – German Jews during WW1 – Prof. Tim Grady
Professor Tim Grady, Professor of History at the University of Chester, talks about his research into German Jews and their response to the Great War.
Book review – Konrad Jarausch (ed), Reluctant Accomplice [the letters of Konrad Jarausch] (Princeton/Oxford: Princeton University Press, 2011)
This book is an edited collection of around 350 letters sent by German NCO Konrad Jarausch during his active service. They cover the time from […]
Ep225 – The Battle of Verdun 1917 and the Verdun Battlefield today – Christina Holstein
Historian and author Christina Holstein about her research into the 1917 battle of Verdun and the battlefield today.
Ep224 -British pacifist women of WW1 -Jaime Jiménez Fernández
Jaime Jiménez Fernández talks about his research into British pacifist women during WW1. Jaime is a Doctoral Researcher at the University of Seville.
Ep223a – Artist John Nash during the Great War – Andy Friend
Author Andy Friend about his biography of British artist John Nash and his military service and painting during the Great War.
Ep223 – The use of Britannia’s image during the Great War – Giles Penman
Giles Penman talks about his research into the use of Britannia’s image during the Great War He is a Doctoral Researcher at the University of […]
Ep222 – Commemoration and CWGC sites in England – Megan Kelleher
Megan Kelleher talks about her research into public awareness of Commonwealth War Graves Commission sites in England. She is a doctoral candidate at the University […]
Ep221b – The 1914 March to the Marne Part 2 – Ross Beadle
Amateur historian Ross Beadle talks about his research into the ten critical decisions of French, German and British commanders that shaped the failure of German […]
Ep221a – The 1914 March to the Marne Part1 – Ross Beadle
Amateur historian Ross Beadle talks about his research into the ten critical decisions of French, German and British commanders that shaped the failure of German […]
Ep221 – The Battle of Verdun 1916 – Christina Holstein
Historian and author Christina Holstein about her research into the 1916 battle of Verdun during the Great War.
Activity report for the Mentioned in Dispatches podcast, February 2017 to end of July 2021
Since February 2017 to end of July 2021, 220 episodes of the podcast have been broadcast and 413,890 downloads achieved. The average number of downloads […]
Book Review – Georg Grossjohann, Five Years, Four Fronts (New York/USA: Ballentine, 1999)
Five Years, Four Fronts is Georg Grossjohann’s memoir that covers his service in the Wehrmacht during the Second World War. Grossjohann served with the […]
Ep220 – Recruiting and training the RFC – David Spruce
Doctoral candidate David Spruce talks to me about his research into Recruiting and Training the Royal Flying Corps during the Great War.
Ep219 – The Wartime Career of Prison Reformer Alexander Paterson – Harry Potter
Barrister and author Harry Potter talks about his research into the life and military career of prison reformer Sir Alexander Paterson.
Ep218 – Hertfordshire in the GW – Dan Hill & Paul Johnson
Historian Dan Hill and Paul Johnson talk about their book that looks at the stories and experience of Hertfordshire residents and soldiers during the Great […]
Book Review – George Raugh, Unlikely Warrior A Jewish Soldier in Hitler’s Army (New York: Macmillan, 2015)
George Raugh served as a telegraphist in the communications section of the 2nd Battalion,158th Infantry Regiment, 282nd Division of the Wehrmacht.[1] He saw service in […]
Ep217 – The Great War in the Argonne Forest – Richard Merry
Author Richard Merry talks about his latest book on the Great War in the Argonne Forest. This book is published by Pen and Sword.
Ep216 – Equipment and clothes of the RFC – Mark Hillier
Author and pilot Mark Hillier about talks his latest book on the equipment and clothes of the RFC Great War. This book is published by […]
Ep215 – The Assam Rifles in the FWW – Pratap Chhetri
Historian Pratap Chettri talks about his research into the Assam Rifles in the Great War.
Book Review – Helmut Pabst, The Outermost Frontier (London: William Kimber, 1986)
The Outermost Frontier is a transcription of series of letters sent by Helmut Pabst during his service in the 129th Infantry Division on the Eastern […]
Ep214 – The Anglo-Jewish Experience of the Great War
Historian Dr Edward Madigan, Senior Lecturer in Public History, Royal Holloway, University of London, talks about his research into the experience of British Jewish communities during […]
Ep213 – General Sir Herbert Lawrence – Dr Paul Harris
Historian Dr Paul Harris about his recent book on the life and career of General Sir Herbert Lawrence. This book is published by Helion and […]
Ep212 – Lt Col John Sherwood Kelly VC – Philip Bujak
Author Philip Bujak talks about his latest book on John Sherwood Kelly DSO VC and his career and action-filled life during and after the Great […]
Ep211 – Field Marshal Sir Henry Wilson – Dr John Spencer
Dr John Spencer talks about his recent work on the influence and career of Field Marshal Sir Henry Wilson during the Great War. This book […]
Ep210 – Major General Oliver Nugent – Nicholas Perry
Historian Nick Perry about talks about his recent book on the life and Great War career of Major General Oliver Nugent. This book is published […]
Ep209 – Ep209 – Irish Women during the GW – Dr Fionnuala Walsh
Dr Fionnuala Walsh, lecturer in Modern Irish History at University College Dublin, talks about her recent book Irish women during the Great War. This is […]
Book Review: Gottlob Bidermann, In Deadly Combat: A German Soldier’s Memoir of the Eastern Front (Kansas: University of Kansas, 2000)
Reading the marketing blurb on the flap copy for this book, it appeared to promise little more than a Sven Hassle action novel. The first […]
Ep208 – Kitchener – Man not Myth – Dr Anne Samson
Dr Anne Samson talks about her recent book on Field Marshall Lord Kitchener. This is published by Helion.
Ep207a – CWGC War Graves Week 2021 – Simon Bendry
Extra edition: Simon Bendry of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission talks about the Commission’s War Graves Week that takes place between 21-28 May 2021. More […]
Ep207 – The General Staff – Dr Paul Harris
Historian Dr Paul Harris about his work on the British General Staff during the Great War.
Ep206 – The North Irish Horse – Phillip Tardif
Historian Phillip Tardif talks about his recent book on the North Irish Horse during the Great War. This is published by Pen & Sword.
Book review – Guy Warner, Flying from Malone (Newtownards, NI – Colourpoint Books, 2012)
Flying from Malone is Guy Warner’s history of Belfast’s first airport that operated from 1924-25. The aerodrome was located in the south of the city […]
Ep205 -The Harlem Hellfighters in WW1 – Steven L. Harris
American historian and author Stephen L. Harris talks about his book Harlem’s Hell Fighters which examines the service of the American 369th Infantry Regiment in […]
Book Review – Bruno Sutkus, Sniper Ace (London: Frontline, 2018)
Sniper Ace is Bruno Sutkus’ account of his time as a German sniper in the 68th Infantry Division in the on the Eastern Front. During […]
Book Review – Susan B. Cunningham, Sir Crawford McCullagh, Belfast’s Dick Whittington (Donaghadee, NI: Ballyhay, 2016)
The book Sir Crawford McCullagh, Belfast’s Dick Whittington, is a biography of The Rt Hon Sir Crawford McCullagh, 1st Baronet (1868-1948) who was a draper, unionist councillor […]
Book Review – Brian M. Walker, A History of St George’s Church (Belfast: Ulster History Foundation, 2016)
Brian M. Walker’s book is an excellent chronological institutional history of St George’s church located on High Street, Belfast, Northern Ireland. It was written to […]
Activity report for the Mentioned in Dispatches podcast, February 2017 to end of March 2021
Since February 2017 to end of December 2020, 202 episodes of the podcast have been broadcast. Between the launch of the podcast on 13 February, […]
Ep204 – The Endell Street Hospital – Wendy Moore
Historian Wendy Moore about her recent book Endell Street on the hospital of that name established and run in Convent Garden, London, by pioneering doctors […]
Book Review – John Killen, A History of the Linen Hall Library 1788-1988 (Belfast: Linen Hall Library, 1990)
John Killen’s A History of the Linen Hall Library 1788-1988 is a solid and worthy chronological narrative of the first two centuries of the Linen […]
Book Review – Lyn Gallagher, The Albert Memorial Clock (Belfast: The Ulster Architectural Heritage Society, 2004)
Lyn Gallagher’s The Albert Memorial Clock is a short pamphlet on the design, building and restoration of the building after which her publication is named. […]
Book Review – Francis Higgins, Religion, Riots and Rebels, The Incredible History of Brown’s Square Belfast (Belfast: Belfast Lad, 2020)
Francis Higgins’ book, Religion, Riots and Rebels, examines the social and economic history of Brown Square and its residents from its establishment in the late […]
Distant Thunder Journal, No.6
Distant Thunder Issue 6 is now out. This is the journal of the Irish branches of The Western Front Association.
Book Review – J.C. Beckett (Ed), Belfast, The Making of a City (Belfast: Appletree Press, 2003)
J.C. Beckett’s Belfast, The Making of a City is an anthology of 12 essays by different historians on the social, political, economic and cultural development […]
Ep203 – The Russian Army in WW1 – Prof. Roger Reese
Professor Roger Reese, Professor of History at Texas A&M University in the USA talks about his research into the Russian Army before and during the […]
Ep202 – General Sir Cecil Pereira – Dr Spencer Jones
Dr Spencer Jones, Senior Lecturer at the University of Wolverhampton, talks about the wartime letters of General Edward Pereira which he recently edited with Michael […]
Book Review – Friedrich Reiner Nieman, Feldpost [Denis Havel (Ed.)] (Stroud, Gloucestershire: Fonthill, 2016)
Feldpost is a collection of letters from Friedrich Reiner Niemann who served with the 58th Infantry Regiment that was part of the German 6th Infantry […]
Ep201 – Jan Smuts – Prof. Ian Van Der Waag & Dr Tony Garcia
Professor Ian Van Der Waag, Professor and Head of Department of Military History at Stellenbosch University, and Dr Tony Garcia, Research Fellow History at Stellenbosch […]
Ep200 – Logistics during the Messines-Third Ypres Campaign – Rob Thompson
Historian Rob Thompson talks about how the British army supplied logistics and material for the Messines/Third Ypres Campaign of 1917.
Ep200 – Logistics during the Messines-Third Ypres Campaign – Rob Thompson
Historian Rob Thompson talks about how the British army supplied logistics and material for the Messines/Third Ypres Campaign of 1917.
Ep199 – New York’s Silk Stocking Regiment and the Breaking of the Hindenburg Line – Stephen L. Harris
American historian and author Stephen L. Harris talks about his book recent book Duty, Honor, Privilege that looks at the New York’s Silk Stocking Regiment […]
Book Review: Helmut Altner, Berlin Soldier (Stroud: History Press, 2008 [1948])
Helmut Altner’s memoir covers his period as a 17-year-old conscript soldier fighting in the defence of Berlin from his enlistment on 29 March 1945 to […]
Ep198 – Churchill and the Dardenelles – Prof. Chris Bell
Canadian historian Professor Christopher Bell, Professor of History at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Canada, talks about his recent book Churchill and the Dardanelles that examines […]
Ep197 – The 1918 German Revolution – Prof. Robert Gerwarth
Historian Professor Robert Gerwarth, Professor of Modern History at University College Dublin and Director of the Centre for War Studies, talks about his recent book […]
Book Review – Martin Poppel, Heaven & Hell, The War Diary of a German Paratrooper (Staplehurst: Spellmount, 1988)
Martin Poppel’s Heaven and Hell is his account of his service in the German Fallschirmjaeger (Parachute hunters) during the Second World War. He enlisted […]
Ep196 – Men of the AEF’s ‘lost battalion’ – Dr Edward Lengel
Historian and writer Professor Edward G Lengel talks about his book, Never in Finer Company: The Men of the Great War’s Lost Battalion. This book […]
Book Review: Herman Schmidt, Diary of a German Soldier 1939-1945 (Amazon, n.d.),
Herman Schmidt’s Diary of a German Soldier 1939-1945 is more a memoir rather than a diary; the title is misleading. Schmidt was drafted into the […]
Ep195 – County Kildare, 1912-1923 – Dr Seamus Cullen
Historian Dr Seamus Cullen talks about his recent book Kildare, The Irish Revolution, 1912-1923, that looks at County Kildare through the Home Rule Crisis, the […]
Ep194 – Chemical Warfare – Simon Jones
Freelance historian Simon Jones about his research into chemical weapons during the Great War.
Book Review – John Stieber, Against the Odds (Dublin: Poolbeg Press, 2016)
John Stieber’s account covers his time as a private in the Herman Goring Division, fighting on the Eastern Front July in late 1944 and 1945. […]
Ep193 – Belgian refugees in Glasgow – Keiran Taylor
PhD candidate Kieran Taylor, studying at the University of Stirling, talks about his research into Belgian refugees in Glasgow during the Great War.
Ep192 – ‘The Fighting Irish’ – The US 69th Infantry Regiment in WW1- Stephen L. Harris
American historian and author Stephen L. Harris talks about his recent book Duffy’s War that looks at the wartime service of the US 69th Infantry […]
Ep191 -The German occupation of France in WW1 – Dr James Connolly
Historian Dr James Connolly, Lecturer in Modern French History at University College London about his research into the French experience of military occupation by German […]
Book Review – William Lubbeck, At Leningrad’s Gates (Philadelphia, PA/USA: Casement, 2006)
This is the chronological memoir of William Lubbeck who served throughout the Second World War as a ranker and officer in the German 58th Infantry […]
Activity report for the Mentioned in Dispatches podcast, February 2017 to end of December 2020.
Since February 2017 to end of December 2020, 189 episodes of the podcast have been broadcast. Between the launch of the podcast on 13 February, […]
Ep190 – Sir John Monash – Dr Aaron Pegram
Author Dr Aaron Pegram, Senior Historian at the Military History Section at the Australian War Memorial, on the life, career and reputation of General Sir […]
Ep189 – Limbless veterans after WW1 – Louise Bell
Historian Louise Bell talks about her research into the rehabilitation and treatment of limbless service personnel after the Great War.
Book review: Armin Scheiderbauer, Adventures in My Youth: A German Soldier on the Eastern Front, 1941-1945 (Solihull: Helion, 2003)
Armim Scheiderbauer was born in 1924 in Styria, south-east Austria, his father being a Protestant minister. In August 1941, Scheiderbauer was drafted into the German […]
The Combat Morale Podcast
I have established a new podcast titled the Combat Morale Podcast. It aims to explore what makes combatants fight (or not) in armed conflict. The […]
Ep188 – Military Identities of British conscripts – Joshua Bilton
Doctoral candidate Joshua Bilton talks about his research into the military identities of British soldier conscripts during the Great War. Joshua is a student at […]
Ep187 – The Police during WW1 – Dr Mary Fraser
Social historian Dr Mary Fraser, talks about her research into police and policing in Britain during WW1.
Ep186 – Folkestone harbour in WW1 – Peter Anderson
Peter Anderson talks about the role of Folkestone Harbour during the Great War.
Ep185 – Anzacs on the WF – Dr Meleah Hampton
Historian and author Dr Meleah Hampton, a historian in the Military History Section at the Australian War Memorial, talks about her research into the Anzacs […]
Ep184 – Irish servicewomen during WW1 – Dr Barbara Walsh
Historian Dr Barbara Walsh about her recent book on Irish servicewomen during the Great War. This is published by Pen & Sword.
A ‘mere six weeks’? A comparative study re-examining the longevity of infantry officers’ frontline service during the Great War
My latest article in War in History examines the length of time officers actually served in infantry units during the Great War Veteran testimony after […]
Book Review – Uwe Timm, In My Brother’s Shadow (London: Bloomsbury, 2005)
Uwe Timm’s book explores the life of his brother Franz-Heinz, a member of the Waffen SS and the impact Franz-Heinz’s death had on his parents […]
Ep183 – The unknown story of the Unknown Warrior – David Scott
Mark Scott talks about his new book, Among the Kings, that gives a new story on the Unknown Warrior. This is published Blacstaff.
Distant Thunder journal, No.5
Issue 5 of Distant Thunder Issue 5 is now out. This is the journal of the Irish branches of The Western Front Association.
Ep182 – Indian Empire at War – George Morton Jack
Historian George Morton Jack talks about his recent book on India and the Great War, entitled The Indian Empire at War: The Untold Story of the Indian […]
Book Review – Alfred Novonty, The Good Soldier (Bedford, Penn: Aberjona, 2003)
This book is the memoir of Austrian Alfred Novotny that covers his service in the Wehrmacht from 1942 to 1945 and subsequent time as a […]
Ep181 – The Nivelle Offensive of 1917 – Dr David Murphy
Author Dr David Murphy, a lecturer in military history and strategic studies at Maynooth University in Ireland, talks about his recent book, Breaking Point of […]
Ep180 – 9th Royal Scots in the GW – Neill Gilhooley
Author Neill Gilhooley talks about his recent book on the service of the 9th Battalion, Royal Scots, during the Great War. This book is published […]
Book Review – Hans Heinz Rehfeldt, Mortar Gunner on the Eastern Front Vols 1 &2 (Barnsley: Greenhill, 2019)
Hans Heinz Rehfeldt served on the eastern front during World War II. He joined the Reinforced Infantry Battalion Grossdeutschland in November 1941 and remained with […]
The Glamis Castle accident: is its legacy still relevant?
This is the copy I prepared for an article in The Courier, based in Dundee. On Thursday 14 October 1915, a 15-year-old teenager witnessed the […]
Book Review – Hans Schäufler, Panzers on the Vistula (Barnsley: Pen & Sword, 2018).
Hans Schäufler was a signals officer and second lieutenant in 35th Panzer Regiment, 4th Panzer Division, on the Eastern Front. His account covers his experience […]
Ep179 – German POWs on Cannock Chase – Richard Pursehouse
Richard Pursehouse talks about on his recent book on German POWs held at Brocton Camp on Cannock Chase, Staffordshire, during the Great War. This book […]
Ep178 – Irish recruitment in the GW – Dr Tim Bowman, Dr Michael Wheatley & Dr William Butler
Dr Timothy Bowman, a Reader in modern British military history, University of Kent, Dr William Butler, the Head of Military Records, The National Archives, UK […]
Downloads for the Mentioned in Dispatches podcast – to end of September 2020
Since February 2017 to end of September 2020, 178 episodes of the podcast have been broadcast. The podcast is available on a range of Apple […]
Ep177 – Law and War in Australia during WW1 – Dr Catherine Bond
Lawyer and lecturer Dr Catherine Bond, Associate Professor at the University of New South Wales, talks about her recent book on law in Australia during […]
Ep176 – 1 million rounds from a Vickers’ gun in 12 hours: myth or truth? Dr Rich Willis & Richard Fisher
Dr Rich Willis and Richard Fisher, Founder and Director of the Vickers Machine Gun Research Association, talk about their research into the legend that ten […]
Book Review Christine Alexander & Mason Kunze, Eastern Inferno, The Journals of a German Panzerjager on the Eastern Front, 1941-1943 [Hans Roth] (Oxford: Casement, 2010)
Hans Roth was a private and corporal in the anti-tank battalion of the 299th Division and served with them from the start of Operation Barbarossa […]
Ep175 – Australian POWs during WW1 – Dr Aaron Pegram
Dr Aaron Pegram, Senior Historian at the Military History Section at the Australian War Memorial, talks about his recent book on Australian POWs on the […]
Book Review – Willy Peter Reese, A Stranger to Myself: The Inhumanity of War, 1941-1944 (New York, USA: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2005)
A Stranger to Myself is the manuscript that German soldier Willy Peter Reese compiled on his service on the Eastern Front. It is a […]
Book Review: Horst Fuchs Richardson (Ed.), Your Loyal and Loving Son: The Letters of Tank Gunner Karl Fuchs, 1937-41. (Washington: Brassey’s, 2003)
The letters of Karl Fuchs present a different view of the German soldier in the Second World War than is frequently portrayed in the crude […]
Ep174 – Ypres and its meaning through time – Prof Mark Connelly & Dr Stefan Goebel
Professor Mark Connelly, Professor of Modern British History, University of Kent and Dr Stefan Goebel, Reader and Director of the Centre for the History of […]
Book Review – Fred A. Simon, A Berliner’s Luck (Xlibris, 2004)
A Berliner’s Luck is the memoir of Fred Simon’s service in the Wehrmacht during the Great War. Simon was born in Berlin in 1922, into […]
Book Review: Oskar Scheja, The Man in the Black Fur Coat (Privately published, 2014)
Oskar Scheja’s account covers his time as a German soldier and Soviet POW during the Second World war. He rode with German forces into Russia […]
Book Review: Armin Bottger, To the Gate of Hell (London: Frontline, 2012)
Armin Bottger was a radio operator in the German Army during the Second World fighting in Panzer IV tanks. He served as a private in […]
Book Review – Bruno Friesen, Panzer Gunner (Mechanicsburg, PA, USA: Stackpole, 2008)
Bruno Friesen’s memoir covers his time as a gunner in Wehrmacht during the Second World War. He saw action with the 8th Company of the […]
Ep173 – The Chemists’ War 1914-18 – Dr Michael Freemantle
Dr Michael Freemantle, a freelance Science Writer, talks about his book the Chemists’ War 1914-1918 that looks at the role of chemists and chemistry during the Great War.
Ep172 – Sevenoaks in the Great War – Matthew Ball
Matthew Ball talks about his research into the community of Sevenoaks during WW1.
Ep171 – The 58th (London) Division – David Martin
Author David Martin talks about his recent book on the 58th Division (London) during WW1. This is published by Pen & Sword.
Ep170 – Louis Botha, South African PM during WW1 – Prof. Ian Van Der Waag & Dr Tony Garcia
Professor Ian Van Der Waag, Professor and Head of Department of Military History at Stellenbosch University, and Dr Tony Garcia, an independent scholar talk about […]
Book Review – David Garden & Kenneth Andrew (Eds), The War Diaries of a Panzer Soldier, Erich Hager with the 17th Panzer Division on the Russian Front, 1941-1945 (Atglen PA/USA: Schiffer Military History, 2010)
David Garden and Kenneth Andrew have done a sterling effort to present, translate and present the diaries that German soldier Erich Hager kept for most […]
Ep169 – The Sandringham Company – Neil Storey
Neil Story talks about his book on the service of the Territorial Battalions of the Norfolk Regiment during the Great War, and in particular, the famous […]
Ep168 – Operation Alias – David Tattersfield
David Tattersfield, Development Trustee of the WFA, talks about Operation Alias, a project by the WFA to identify men who fell in the Great War […]
Downloads for the Mentioned in Dispatches podcast – to end of June 2020
Since February 2017 to the end of June 2020, 168 episodes of the podcast have been broadcast. The podcast is available on a range of […]
Ep167 – Women as Veterans in post-WW1 France and Britain – Prof. Alison Fell
Professor Alison Fell, Professor of French Cultural History at the University of Leeds, talks about her recent book on women as veterans in post-Great War […]
Ep166 – Washington in the GW – Peter Welsh
Peter Welsh talks about his research into the community of Washington during the Great War.
Ep165 – The Great War Centenary Battlefields programme – Simon Bendry
Simon Bendry, the former Programme Director of the First World War Centenary Battlefield Tours Programme based at University College London, talks about the programme that […]
Ep164 – The First Gurkha Officer – Pratap Chhetri
Pratap Chhetri talks about his research into Rana Jodha Jung Bahadur, the first Gurkha officer in the British Army during the Great War.
Ep163 – Tom Barry – British WW1 soldier to IRA leader – Gerry White
Gerry White, Chair of the Cork branch of the WFA, talks about his research into Tom Barry, who was a British soldier in WW1 and […]
Ep162 – Combat, identity and power in the Indian Army during WW1 – Prof. Kate Imy
Kate Imy, Assistant Professor of History at the University of North Texas, talks about her recent book Faithful Fighters. Her book explores the Indian Army’s […]
Ep161 – Civilian Internment in WW1 – Prof Matthew Stibbe
Professor Matthew Stibbe, Professor of Modern European History at Sheffield Hallam University about his book on civilian internment during the Great War. This is published […]
Ep160 – The 2nd Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment in FWW – Nigel Atter
Historian Nigel Atter about his book on the Great War service of the 2nd Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment. This is published by Helion.
Ep159 – The 2nd Inniskillings at Festubert, 1915 – Michael Nugent
Michael Nugent talks about his recent book into the 2nd Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers at the 1915 Battle of Festubert. This is published by Reveille […]
Ep158- The German Zeppelin Offensive and Propaganda – David Marks
David Marks about his recent book on the German Zeppelin Offensive as documented in propaganda, postcards and pictures. This has been published by Pen & […]
Ep157 – Responses of Irish Jesuits to the end of WW1 – Damien Burke
Damien Burke, archivist at the Irish Jesuit Archives, talks about his research into the responses of Irish Jesuits to the end of WW1.
Downloads for the Mentioned in Dispatches podcast – to end of March 2020
Since February 2017 to end of March 2020, 154 episodes of the podcast have been broadcast. The podcast is available on a range of Apple […]
Ep156 – The Indian Army in the GW – Dr Adam Prime
Dr Adam Prime, lecturer in the Politics and Contemporary History at the University of Salford, talks about his research into the Indian Army during the […]
Ep155 – London during WW1 – Prof. Jerry White
Professor Jerry White, Professor in History at Birkbeck, University of London, talks about his social history about London during the Great War. This is published […]
Ep154 – Rugbeians at War – Dan Mclean
Author Dan Mclean about his book on Rugbeians in the Great War, published by Pen and Sword.
Ep153 – The 66th (East Lancs) Division During the German Spring Offensive – David Martin
David Martin talks about his recent book on the 66th Division (East Lancs) during the German Spring Offensive. This is published by Pen & Sword.
Ep152 – Defence of Trinity College during the Easter Rising – Dr Rory Sweetman
Dr Rory Sweetman talks about his recent book on the defence of Trinity College Dublin during the Easter Rising in 1916. This is published by […]
Ep151 – Desertion in the UK during WW1 – Andrea Hetherington
Andrea Hetherington talks about her research into soldiers who deserted in Britain during the Great War.
Ep150 – War without End – Prof. Sir Hew Strachan
Professor Sir Hew Strachan, Patron of The Western Front Association and Professor at University of St Andrews, talks about the social, political and economic consequences of […]
Ep149 – The Amritsar Massacre – Vanessa Holburn
Journalist and writer Vanessa Holburn talks about her recent book on the 1919 Amritsar Massacre. This is published by Pen & Sword.
Ep148 – The First and the Last of the Sheffield City Bn – John Cornwell
John Cornwell talks about his book on the first recruit and last survivor of the 12th Battalion, Yorks and Lancs Regiment (Sheffield City Battalion). This […]
Distant Thunder The Journal of the Irish Branches of The Western Front Association, No.3.
I wrote a short article in the latest edition of Distant Thunder Issue 3.
Ep147 – Officer Cadet Battalions – Charles Fair
Charles Fair talks about his research into Officer Cadet Battalions during the Great War.
Ep146 – The YMCA during WW1 – Kathryn White
Kathryn White, a PhD history student at Pembroke College, University of Oxford, talks about her doctoral research into religion and the YMCA in WW1.
Ep145 – Stories from the Bo’ness War Memorial – Alan Gow & Robert Jardine
Alan Gow and Robert Jardine about their book (written with Richard Hannah) on the lives and war serviceof the men who commemorated on the Bo’ness […]
Ep143 – Veterans, Families, Museums and Mementos of the FWW – Dr Ann-Marie Foster
Dr Anne-Marie Foster, Lecturer, School of History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics at Queen’s University Belfast, talks about her research investigating the ethical, legal and policy […]
Ep142 – The Battle of the Somme Film – Dr Toby Haggith
Dr Toby Haggith, Senior Curator, Department of Second World War and Mid-20th Century Conflict, Imperial War Museum, talks about his research into the 1916 Battle of […]
Ep144 – Tony T – British West Indies Regiment and the Taranto 1918 Mutiny
Tony T, Oral Historian and Producer from Sweet Patootee productions, talks about a historical documentary he made with colleagues interviewing former black veterans who served […]
Ep141 – The Heugh Battery in the Great War – Diane Stephens
Diane Stephens, Manager of the Heugh Battery Museum (http://www.heughbattery.co.uk/) about the battery and its role in WW1.
Ep140 – Who Killed Kitchener? – David Laws
Former cabinet minister and MP, David Laws about his latest book, Who Killed Kitchener?, examining the life and death of Field Marshal Lord Kitchener. This […]
Ep139 – Bilsdale in the Great War – Susan Laffey
Sue Laffey talks about the research she and Ida Atkinson did into the community of Bilsdale, North Yorkshire, during the First World War and the […]
Ep138 – The Indian Labour Corps in WW1 – Pratap Chhetri
Pratap Chhetri talks about his research into companies of the Indian Labour Corps during the Great War.
Ep137 – The letters of Douglas Haig and Hugo De Pree – Prof. Gary Sheffield
Professor Gary Sheffield, Professor of War Studies at the University of Wolverhampton, talks about a collection of papers, In Haig’s Shadow, that he has recently […]
Ep136 – Food in the trenches – Dr Rachel Duffett
Dr Rachel Duffett, Research Officer, Department of Sociology at the University of Essex, talks about on her recent book the Stomach for Fighting that looks […]
Ep135 – North East Coastal Communities during the Great War – Dr Michael Reeve
Dr Michael Reeve, Academic Skills Tutor and History Lecturer at Leeds Beckett University, talks about his doctoral research into coastal communities in the NE of […]
Downloads on the Mentioned in Dispatches podcast
Since February 2017 to end of September 2019, 131 episodes of the podcast have been broadcast. The podcast is available on a range of […]
Ep134 – Bainsfather’s ‘Other ‘ole’ cartoon – Dr Helen Brooks & Dr Pip Gregory
On this week’s Dispatches podcast, Dr Helen Brooks, Reader in Theatre and Cultural History, School of Arts, and Dr Philippa Gregory, History HPL Tutor, both […]
Ep133 – African American Servicemen during WW1 – Dr Amanda Nagel
Dr Amanda Nagel, Assistant Professor of Military History at the School of Advanced Military Studies, US Army Command and General Staff College, talks about African-American […]
Ep132 – A Lord Lieutenant at War – Dr Richard Batten
Dr Richard Batten, Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Exeter, talks about a collection of papers relating to the wartime experience of Hugh Fortescue, […]
Ep131 – The 51st Highland Division – Colin Campbell
Colin Campbell about his book on the 51st Highland Division during the Great War that has been reprinted by Pen and Sword.
Ep130 – Sex on the Western Front – Dr Bruce Cherry
Dr Bruce Cherry talks about his book on the sex life of the Tommy on the Western Front, They Didn’t Want to Die Virgins: Sex […]
Ep129 – Sabaton’s Great War Album – Pär Sundström
Pär Sundström, bass player in the Swedish heavy metal band Sabaton, talks about their new album, the Great War, inspired by the First World War, […]
Ep128 – Serbia in the Great War – Dr Samuel Foster
Dr Samuel Foster, Visiting Academic in the School of History, University of East Anglia, talks about Serbia in the Great War.
Ep127 – The 1914 Afrikaner Rebellion – Emile Coetzee
Emile Coetzee, from North West University in South Africa, talks about the 1914 Afrikaner Rebellion.
Ep126 – The First World War in Computer Games – Dr Chris Kempshall
Dr Chris Kempshall, Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Army Leadership, Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, talks about his book on The First World War […]
Ep125 – The 1914-5 Campaign in German SW Africa – Antonio Garcia
Antonio Garcia talks about his recent book on the South African campaign against German South West Africa in 1914/5 (published by Helion).
Ep124 – Archibald Wavell – William Franklin
William Franklin talks about the First World War career of Archibald Wavell.
Ep123 – British veterans’ responses to Peace Day, 19 July 1919 – Mike Hally
Mike Hally, PhD candidate at the University of Edinburgh, discusses his research into veterans’ response to Peace Day that was held on 19 July 1919.
Ep122 – The Welsh Walter Mitty – Marietta Crichton Stuart
Marietta Crichton Stuart talks about Percy Shuttlewood, who served in her grandfather’s battalion during the Great War and she describes as the ‘Welsh Walter Mitty’.
Ep121 – Communications and British Operations on the Western Front – Dr Brian Hall
Dr Brian Hall, Programme Leader at the University of Salford, talks about his book on communications and operations on the Western Front during the Great […]
Ep120 – Popular responses to the outbreak of WW1 – Prof Catriona Pennell
Prof Catriona Pennell, from the University of Exeter, talks about her book on the popular responses to the outbreak of the Great War in 1914 […]
Ep119 – The Chinese Labour Corps – Wenlan Peng
Wenlan Peng, from the Meridian Society (www.themeridiansociety.org.uk), talks about the Chinese Labour Corps on the Western Front during the Great War.
Ep118 – British, French and American Relations on the Western Front, 1914-1918 – Dr Chris Kempshall
Dr Chris Kempshall, Teaching Fellow in European History at the University of Sussex, talks about his book on the relationships between soldiers in the British, […]
Ep117 – Post War Mutinies in the British Army – Dr William Butler
Dr William Butler, Outreach Officer and Associate Lecturer at the University of Kent, talks about the post-war mutinies in the British Army. This lecture was given […]
Review of G.A. Burgoyne, The Burgoyne Diaries (London, 1985)
The diary of Gerald Achilles Burgoyne is a fascinating perspective of a pre-war regular officer serving in the early months of the Great War. He […]
Ep116 – The Connaught Rangers Mutiny in 1920 – Dr Mario Draper
Dr Mario Draper, Lecturer in Modern British and European History at the University of Kent, discusses the mutiny of the Connaught Rangers in India in […]
Book review: K.W. Noe, Reluctant Rebels: The Confederates Who Joined the Army after 1861 (Chapel Hill, 2010)
Kenneth Noe’s book examines those Confederate volunteers who were so-called ‘late enlisters’, those who joined the southern army after the rage militare of 1861 had […]
Ep115 – English infantryman’s morale and the perception of crisis on the Western Front – Dr Alex Mayhew
Dr Alex Mayhew discusses his PhD that looked at the English infantryman’s morale and perception of crisis on the Western Front.
Ep114 – Chaplains and religion on the Western Front – Dr Martin Purdy
Dr Martin Purdy talks about chaplains and religion on the Western Front during the Great War.
Book Review: G. Hamilton, McNamara’s Folly: The Use of Low-IQ Troops in the Vietnam War (Infinity Publishing, 2015)
Gregory Hamilton’s revealing book examines the Project 100,000 personnel selection policy introduced by Secretary of State of Defense Robert McNamara during the Vietnam War. The […]
Ep113 – The Ulster Division during the German Spring Offensive – Michael Nugent
Michael Nugent talks about his book on the 36th Ulster Division during the German 1918 Spring Offensive, published by Helion.
Book Review – George Lepre, Fragging: Why U.S. Soldiers Assaulted Their Officers in Vietnam (Lubbock, Tx, 2011)
George Lepre’s excellent book is the first academic study into the Vietnam War phenomenon known as ‘fragging’, where US servicemen sought to murder other American […]
Ep112 – Humour in British literature during the Great War – Dr Emily Anderson
Dr Emily Anderson, from Newcastle University, talks about her PhD research into humour in British literature during the Great War.
Ep111 – L/Cpl Wijnand “Vic” Hamman, 2nd South African Regt – Emile Coetzee
Emile Coetzee, from North West University in South Africa, talks about L/Cpl L/Cpl Wijnand “Vic” Hamman, who served in South African 2nd Regt during the […]
Ep110 – British Territorials in India – Prof Peter Stanley
Prof. Peter Stanley, from the University of New South Wales, talks about his latest book on British Territorials in India during the Great War, published […]
Ep109 – Operation Delta – Dr Bill Stewart
Dr Bill Stewart talks about the Canadian Corp’s Operation Delta and how it shaped operations during the 100 Days in 1918.
Ep108 – Nobody of Any Importance – Phil Sutcliffe
Phil Sutcliffe talks about his father’s account of being an infantryman during the Great War.
Ep107 – The Berlin Philharmonic & London Symphony Orchestras in WW1 – Percy Leung
Doctoral student Percy Leung at the University of St Andrews’ talks about his research into the Berlin Philharmonic and London Symphony Orchestras during the Great […]
Ep106 -The Impact of the First World War on Australian-British relations – Dr Jack Davies
Dr Jack Davies, Assistant Curator at the Science Museum, talks abou the impact of WW1 on Australian-British relations. This talk was given as part of […]
Ep105 – Researching British Officers in WW1 – Prof. Michael Durey
Emeritus Professor Michael Durey, from Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, talks about his research project that explores the lives of British officers killed on the […]
Ep104 – The Salonika Front – Alan Wakefield
Alan Wakefield, Head of First World War & Early 20th Century Conflict at the Imperial War Museum and Chairman of the Salonika Campaign Society, talks […]
Ep103 – The impact of military service for women who served in WW1 – Jane Clarke
Doctoral candidate Jane Clarke, studying at the University of Manchester, discusses her research into the impact of military service for women who served in the […]
Ep102 – British Infantry Training during WW1 – Harry Sanderson
Doctoral candidate Harry Sanderson, from the University of Leeds, discusses his research into the training of British infantry soldiers during the Great War.
Ep101 – The Treatment of Mentally Ill Irish Ex-servicemen After WW1 – Dr Michael Robinson
Medical historian Dr Michael Robinson, from the University of Liverpool, talks about the treatment of mentally-ill Irish ex-serviceman after the Great War.
Ep100 – Reflections on the Great War Centenary and Historiography – Prof. Peter Simkins
For the 100th edition, outgoing WFA President, Prof. Peter Simkins, gives his reflections on the Great War Centenary and his life as a First […]
Ep99 – The German Army in 1918 – Jack Sheldon
Historian Jack Sheldon talks about the performance and collapse of the German Army during the Hundred Days in 1918.
Ep98 – Australian Corps Operations during the Hundred Days – Richard Stobo
Richard Stobo talks about, ‘The Australian Victories in France in 1918? An Examination of Australian Corps Operations during the Hundred Days’. This talk was given […]
Ep97 – Witnessing the End of the German Occupation of Brussels,1918 – Prof Tammy Proctor
Professor Tammy Proctor from Utah State University gives a talk on the end of the German occupation of Brussels between the dates of October to […]
Ep96 – Lawrence of Arabia – Dr John Peaty
Military historian Dr John Peaty talks about Lawrence of Arabia.
Ep95 – The Rise of Sir William Robertson – Ross Beadle
Historian Ross Beadle talks about the rise of Sir William Robertson who was appointed to the role of Chief of the Imperial General Staff in […]
Article in WFA’s Bulletin 112
An article I wrote published in the WFA’s Bulletin 112 on the Wolverhampton Conference at which I gave a paper. Article in WFA’s Bulletin 112.
Ep94 – The Great War Pension Record Cards – David Tattersfield
WFA Trustee David Tattersfield talks about the First World War Pension Record Cards that the WFA acquired from the Ministry of Defence in 2012 and […]
Ep93 – Willie Redmond MP – John Green
John Green talks about his relative Irish nationalist politician Major Willie Redmond MP, who was killed at the Battle of Messines in June 1917.
Ep92 – Public School Great War Memorials – Sarah Wearne
School archivist Sarah Wearne talks about her new book that looks at Great War memorials in public schools, This is published by Helion.
Ep91 – The morale of the Italian army in WW1 – Dr Vanda Wilcox
Historian Dr Vanda Wilcox, Adjunct Assistant Professor of History at John Cabot University, talks about her recent book on the morale of the Italian Army […]
Ep90 – The Portuguese Expeditionary Force in WW1 – Miguel Freire
Portuguese Army officer Miguel Freire talks about the role of the Portuguese Expeditionary Force on the Western Front during WW1.
Ep89 – Civilian Volunteers during WW1 – Dr Sally White
Dr Sally White talks about her new book Ordinary Heroes on civilian volunteers during the Great War, published by Amberly.
Ep88 – The 10th (Irish) Division – Dr Stephen Sandford
Historian Dr. Stephen Sandford talks about his 2014 book, Neither Unionist Nor Nationalist, about the history of the 10th (Irish) Division during the Great War.
Ep87 – Conscientious Objectors in WW1 – Gerry Barton
Gerry Barton talks about his new book, jointly written with John Babb, on conscientious objectors in Mid-Staffordshire and the Black Country during the Great War.
Ep86 – Dublin’s Great Wars, 1912-23 – Prof. Richard Grayson
Professor Richard Grayson, Professor of Twentieth-Century History at Goldsmiths, University of London, talks about his new book charting Dublin’s Great Wars, 1912-1923, that covers the […]
Ep85 – Women of Aktion – female activists in the German 1918 Revolution – Prof. Ingrid Sharp
Professor Ingrid Sharp, Professor of German Cultural and Gender History at the University of Leeds, talks about her research into female political activists during the […]
Ep84 – The British Army on the Western Front in 1916 – Dr Spencer Jones
Scholar and author Dr Spencer Jones from the University of Wolverhampton talks about his new book, At All Costs, which looks at the British Army […]
Ep83 – Wilfred Owen – Dr Kate Kennedy
Scholar and author Dr Kate Kennedy, from the Oxford Centre for Life-Writing (OCLW), based at Wolfson College University of Oxford, talks about Wilfred Owen and […]
Ep82a – Extra Episode – The Capture of the Riqueval Bridge – Jim Tanner
Former Brigadier Jim Tanner, current Chairman of Trustees at the Staffordshire Regimental Museum, talks about the capture of Riqueval Bridge over the St Quentin Canal […]
Ep82 – Force Feeding in WW1 – Dr Ian Miller
Medical historian and curator Dr Ian Miller, Lecturer at Ulster University, talks about force-feeding during the Great War.
Ep81 – ‘Haig’s tower of strength’ – General Sir Edward Bulfin – John Powell
Former Brigadier and author John Powell talks about his biography of General Sir Edward Bulfin, an Irish Catholic general officer in the British Army during […]
East Midlands History & Heritage, Issue 7 (August 2018)
My latest article in the above magazine on ‘To volunteer or not: explaining Leicestershire’s recruitment crisis, 1914-1915’ which can be read here.
Ep80 – The Landing in the Dawn – dissecting the Anzac Gallipoli legend – Dr James Hurst
Dr James Hurst talks about his latest book (published by Helion & Co.) which reappraises the landing by the ANZAC forces on the Dardanelles on […]
Ep79 – Uppingham public school during WW1 – Tim Halstead
Historian Tim Halstead talks about his recent book on Uppingham public school during the Great War that has been published by Helion and Co.
Ep78 – The Second British Army during the Liberation of Flanders in 1918 – Dr Dennis Williams
Historian Dr Dennis Williams talks about his latest book on the British Second Army and its role in the Liberation of Flanders during the 100 […]
Ep77 – The Third Battle of the Aisne 1918 – David Blanchard
Historian David Blanchard talks about his latest book on the Third Battle of the Asine that took place in May 1918. This book is published […]
Ep76 – Canadian nurses’ Great War narratives – Andrea McKenzie
Dr. Andrea McKenzie, Associate Professor at York University, Toronto, Canada, talks about her research into Canadian nurses’ war narratives of the Great War.
Ep75 – Tubby Clayton – Dr Linda Parker
Dr. Linda Parker talks about her book on the Rev. Philip ‘Tubby’ Clayton during the Great War, published by Helion & Co.
Ep74 – The British Tommy in 1918 – Taff Gillingham
Historian and First World War expert Taff Gillingham delivers a lecture on the British soldier in 1918. This talk was given at the WFA’s York […]
Ep73 – Learning to fight – Military innovation in the British Army in WW1 – Dr Aimee Fox
Dr. Aimee Fox, Lecturer in Defence Studies at King·s College London, talks about her new book Learning to Fight. This looks at military innovation in […]
Ep72 – British POWs in Germany during WW1 – Dr Oliver Wilkinson
Dr Oliver Wilkinson, Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Wolverhampton, talks about his recent book titled British Prisoners of War in First World War […]
Ep71 – From Docks and Sand – The 7th Battalion Liverpool Regiment in WW1 – Dr Adrian Gregson
Dr Adrian Gregson talks about his recent book, From Docks and Sand, Southport and Bottle·s Battalion, the 7th King·s Liverpool Regiment, in the First World […]
Ep70 – The Last Battle – Endgame on the Western Front 1918 – Peter Hart
Historian Peter Hart about his new book The Last Battle – Endgame on the Western Front 1918, published by Profile books.
Ep69 – The German 1918 Spring Offensives – Dr Jonathan Boff
Dr Jonathan Boff, University of Birmingham, gives a lecture on the German Spring Offensives which happened from March to July in 1918; this talk was […]
Ep68 – The British Manpower Crisis of 1918 – Dr Alison Hines
Dr Alison Hines, gives a lecture on the British Manpower Crisis of 1918; this talk was given at the WFA’s 7th President’s Conference in Birmingham […]
Ep67 – Kriegsgefangen in Skipton – Anne Buckley
Anne Buckley (@skiptonpow), Lecturer in Translation Studies and German at Leeds University, talks about translating memoirs of a group of German officers imprisoned in Skipton […]
Ep66 – The Hidden History of the Spanish Flu – Kenneth C. Davis
Author Kenneth C. Davis (@kennethcdavis) talks about his latest book on the hidden history of the Spanish Flu during World War 1, published by Henry […]
Ep65 – Major Discoveries on the Western Front – David Tattersfield
WFA trustee David Tattersfield talks about his detective work in France to determine the identities of two majors buried in graves marked unknown, who were […]
Ep64 – The London Irish in the Great War – Richard O’Sullivan
Richard O’Sullivan, Assistant Curator at the London Irish Rifles Association, talks about the London Irish battalions of the London Regiment during the Great War.
Ep63 – Blockade, economic warfare and the use of hunger during the Great War – Sir Hew Strachan
Sir Hew Strachan, patron of the WFA and Professor of International Relations at the University of St Andrews, delivers a lecture on blockade, economic warfare and […]
Ep61 – D.H. Lawrence and the Great War – Dr Andrew Humphries
Dr Andrew Humphries, Senior Lecturer at Canterbury Christ Church University, talks on D.H. Lawrence during the Great War and his recent book D. H. Lawrence, […]
Ep60 – Wherever the firing line extends – Ronan McGreevy
Irish Times Journalist Ronan McGreevy about his book Wherever the Firing line Extends, published by the History Press Ireland. This book examines the legacy of […]
Ep59 – British Widows of the First World War – Andrea Hetherington
Andrea Hetherington talks about her new book British Widows of the First World War (published Pen and Sword).
Ep58 – Woodbine Willie – Dr Linda Parker
Dr Linda Parker talks about her new book (published by Helion and Co) on Geoffrey Studdert Kennedy, better known as Woodbine Willie, during his service […]
Ep57 – The Great War Contribution of the Punjabi village of Dulmial, Pakistan – Dr Irfan Malik
GP Dr Irfan Malik talks about his research into the Great War contribution of his ancestral village of Dulmial, which is located in the Punjab […]
Ep56 – Resisting Conscription: the Appeals Tribunals in Middlesex – Carol Henderson
Doctoral candidate Carol Henderson talks about her research into the military appeals tribunals in Middlesex where men sought to gain exemption from conscription and military […]
Ep55 – Crown Prince Rupprecht of Bavaria – Dr Jonathan Boff
Dr Jonathan Boff, University of Birmingham, discusses his latest book Haig’s Enemy on Crown Prince Rupprecht of Bavaria during the Great War on the Western Front (published by OUP).
Ep54 – The Confessions of a Battlefield Tour Guide – Clive Harris
Military historian and guide Clive Harris talks about his 20 years of experiences as a battlefield tour guide taking parties of people around sites in […]
Ep53 – Nannies and the Great War – Louise Heren
Author and historian Louise Heren talks about her book on Nannies and the Great War (published by Pen and Sword).
Ep52 – Cambridge Communities in the Great War – Joanna Costin
PhD candidate Joanna Costin talks about her research into the Cambridgeshire communities in the Great War. Joanna was one of six doctoral students who were […]
Ep51 – The Wirral in the Great War – Stephen Roberts
Doctoral student Stephen Roberts talks about The Wirral in the Great War.
Ep50 – The London Regiment before the Great War – Charles Fair & Tom Thorpe
Historian Charles fair and host Tom Thorpe survey the character, traditions and quirks of the 28 infantry battalions of the London Regiment prior to the […]
Ep49 – The 48th Division, 1908-1918 – Dr K.W. Mitchinson
Dr Bill Mitchinson talks about his latest book on the 48th (South Midland) Division from 1908 to 1919 (published by Helion & Co.)
Ep48 – The Hindenburg Line – Clive Harris
Military historian and battlefield guide Clive Harris, Director of Battle Honours, discusses the Hindenburg Line during the First World War.
Ep47 – The Chinese Labour Corps – Dr Spenser Jones
Dr. Spencer Jones, Senior Lecturer in Armed Forces and War Studies at the University of Wolverhampton talks about the Chinese Labour Corps in the Great […]
Ep46 – Photographing the Fallen – Jeremy Gordon-Smith
Jeremy Gordon-Smith talks about his new book Photographing the Fallen (published by Pen & Sword) on his great uncle Ivan Bawtree, who was a photographer […]
Ep45 – Dublin’s Great Wars: Parallel Stories 1912-1923 – Prof. Richard Grayson
Professor Richard Grayson, Goldsmith’s London, talks about his forthcoming book on Dublin between 1912-1923. He gave this lecture on 10 November last year (2017) to […]
Ep44 – The Yanks are Coming! The AEF in WW1 – John Lee
John Lee talks about the American Expeditionary Force and how the adapted to combat conditions on the Western Front in 1918. This lecture was given […]
Ep43 – The Half Shilling Curate – Sarah Reay
Sarah Reay (http://www.halfshillingcurate.com/) talks about her latest book The Half Shilling Curate which details her Grandfather Herbert Cowl’s military service as an army chaplain in […]
Western Front Association Service of Commemoration at the Cenotaph 11 November 2017
This was an article from the WFA website on the Western Front Association Service of Commemoration at the Cenotaph 11 November 2017
Ep42 – What did you do in the Great War, Grandfather? – Charles Barrington
Charles Barrington talks about his new book (published by Helion and Co.) What did you do in the Great War, Grandfather? about his grandfather’s service […]
Ep41 – The Canadians on the Somme – Dr William Stewart
Dr William Stewart talks about his latest book, published by Helion and Co, that examines the Canadian forces contribution, experience and performance during the Battle […]
Ep40 – Marjorie’s War – Charles Fair
Charles Fairs talks about a collection of letters and diaries written by his grandparents and their immediate social circle during the Great War that he […]
Ep39 – The 8th Lincolns at Loos – Nigel Atter
Nigel Atter talks about the role and experience of his grandfather’s battalion, the 8th Lincolns at the Battle of Loos in September 1915, this is […]
Ep38 – Spying for the Kaiser – Regina Diana and espionage in France – Dr Vivien Newman
Dr Vivien Newman talks about her new book (with David Alexander Scott Semeraro) on female agent Regina Diana who spied for the Germans in France during […]
Ep37 – Dr Harold Gillies and plastic surgery during WW1 – Dr Andrew Bamji
Dr Andrew Bamji talks about New Zealand surgeon Dr Harold Gillies and his pioneering work in plastic surgery to treat and manage facial injuries at […]
Ep36 – A subaltern on the Western Front – John Rigby-Jones
John Rigby Jones talks about his new book on the experience and service of his teenage grandfather, Captain Eric Rigby Jones, on the Western Front […]
Ep35 – The Doughboys, 1917-8 – Michael St Maur Sheil
Photographer and historian Michael St Maur Sheil talks on the role of the Doughboys and US forces in France during 1917 and 1918. This talk was given […]
Ep34 – Shellshock in World War 1 – Dr Stefanie Linden
Psychiatrist and medical historian Dr Stefanie Linden discusses her new book on the diagnosis and treatment of shellshock by doctors in Britain and Germany (published […]
Ep33 – The “Spanish Flu” Pandemic 1917-19 – Dr Jane Orr
Medical doctor and historian Dr Jane Orr talks to the podcast about the “Spanish Flu” pandemic which killed up to 100 million people across the […]
Ep32 – Brigadier General Frank Crozier – Charles Messenger
Historian Charles Messenger discusses his biography of controversial solider Franck Crozier; Brigadier in the Great War, Inspector General of the Lithuanian Army and Commander of […]
Ep31 – Women in Britain and Europe during the Great War – Dr Vivien Newman
Historian and author Dr Vivien Newman (http://firstworldwarwomen.co.uk/about.html) talks about the role and experience of women in Europe and Britain during the First World War.
Ep30 – Joseph Steward’s Platoon – Andy Robertshaw
Military historian Andy Robertshaw talks about the amazing account of Private Joseph John Steward’s military service in the 1/13 Battalion London Regiment during the Great […]
Book Review – T. Ashworth, Trench Warfare 1914-18: The Live and Let Live (London, 1980)
Tony Ashworth’s book was published over 30 years ago and is still relevant today.
Ep29 – Commemoration of the Great War in Ireland – Dr Chris Manson
Dr Chris Manson talks on ‘Commemoration of WW1 in Ireland’. This talk was given to Antrim and Down branch of the WFA in 2016. The […]
Book Review – J. Smithson, A Taste of Success, The First Battle of the Scarpe (Helion: Solihull, 2017)
Jim Smithson’s excellent book brings new understanding to the opening phase of the April 1917 Battle of Arras.
Ep28 – Military Recruitment in Ireland, 1916 – Dr William Butler
Dr William Butler (University of Kent) talks on ‘Can you any longer resist the call?’ Military Recruiting in Ireland, 1916. This was part of the […]
Book Review: P. O’Brien, Havoc, The Auxiliaries in Ireland’s War of Independence (Cork, 2016)
Paul O’Brien’s excellent new book examines the role of the para-military Auxiliary Division in the 1920-21 British counter-insurgency campaign against the IRA during the Irish […]
Ep27 – Black Watch volunteers in Dublin before the First World War – Ian Montgomery
Ian Montgomery, Co-chair, Antrim and Down WFA branch, talks on ‘Thoroughbred Irishmen: Black Watch volunteers in Dublin before the First World War’. This lecture was […]
Ep26 – Beyond the Somme – West Belfast’s Somme service in context – Prof Richard Grayson
Professor Richard Grayson (Goldsmiths, University of London) talks on ‘Beyond the Somme: West Belfast’s Somme service in context’. This was a lecture given at the […]
CCB and the Third Battle of Ypres
Here is the text of an article I drafted for the Old Campellians’ Society as part of the project I’m doing at CCB. This was […]
Book Review: A.L. George, The Chinese Communist Army in Action: The Korean War and its Aftermath (New York, 1967)
Dr Alexander George’s book is a fascinating insight into how the newly created Chinese communist state in the late 1940’s sought to direct, sustain and […]
Ep25 – Major General Nugent, the Ulster Division and their army commanders in 1916 – Nicholas Perry
Nicholas Perry talks on ‘After the battle: Nugent, the Ulster Division and their Army commanders in 1916’. This was a lecture given at the 2016 […]
Book Review – O. Bartov, Hitler’s Army (Cambridge, Ma., 1996)
Omer Bartov’s book on the Wehrmacht on the Eastern Front during the Second World War remains a classic on the role of ideology in combat […]
Ep24 – The First Battle of the Scarpe (Arras) April 1917 – Jim Smithson
Jim Smithson discusses his latest book A Taste of Success: The First Battle of the Scarpe April 9-14 1917 (Solihull: Helion 2017 (Wolverhampton Military Studies)) […]
Book Review: S. Miles, The Western Front, Landscape, Tourism and Heritage (Barnsley, 2016)
Stephen Miles’ book examines how tourism to the Western Front has developed over the last century.
Ep23 – The Auxiliaries in Ireland’s War of Independence – Paul O’Brien
Military historian Paul O’Brien discusses his new book Havoc on the role and impact of the Auxiliary Division of the Royal Irish Constabulary during the […]
Book Review: N. Lloyd, Passchendaele: A New History (London, 2017)
Nick Lloyd’s new book covers the controversial Third Ypres campaign giving a valuable and unique insight into the both the allied and Germans experiences.