Battles of the First World War Podcast

Come join the conversation on the new Centre for Experimental Military Archaeology (CEMA) being developed by Mr. Andy Robertshaw and Mr. Ross Barnwell. This is a new project that promises to bring history not only alive, but interconnected with today's global world.    Mr. Robertshaw is a former teacher turned historian and historical consultant for such films as Peter Jackson's They Shall Not Gro...

A short review of Richard Merry's new book, "The Great War in the Argonne Forest: French and American Battles, 1914–1918."   Book link here:   https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-Great-War-in-the-Argonne-Forest-Hardback/p/18595   Order it from your local bookstore so that you support your local businesses.  The BFWWP is on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BattlesoftheFirstWorldWarPodcast .    Any...

The raw and untested AEF 36th Division relieves the bled-out AEF 2nd Division on Blanc Mont ridge. These Texas-Oklahoma Doughboys will continue to push past the bloody ridge to keep the pressure on the slowly-retreating German Army.    The BFWWP is on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BattlesoftheFirstWorldWarPodcast .    Any questions, comments or concerns please contact me through the website, ww...

Having seized part of Blanc Mont and ground beyond, the Marines and Doughboys of the 2nd Division AEF sought to continue to push back the ruptured German lines. They faced days of unimaginable bloodletting as the Germans fought doggedly for every meter of ground.   Be sure to check out "Fix Bayonets! First World War Podcast," where I have teamed up with Nicole Chicarelli of The War Project on Inst...

On October 3rd, 1918, the Doughboys and Marines of the 2nd Division, AEF, hurled themselves against a hitherto impregnable German fortress: Blanc Mont ridge, the key to German defenses in Champagne.    Podcast promo! If you're interested in a daily podcast that gives you a short episode on anything from the history of the US penny to the Tunguska Event of 1908, then you need to head over to Gary A...

In September 1918, the French 4th Army requested American assistance with clearing the Champagne battlefield of German forces. The American Expeditionary Force would provide two divisions, the veteran 2nd and the green 36th Divisions.   For years, the German Army had held Blanc Mont ridge, a lynchpin to holding the Champagne sector of the Western Front.  But the French Army was now too exhausted t...

In this episode we have a great and in-depth talk with Steven Girard, a veteran, an archivist/historian of the 4th (Marine) Brigade 2nd Division AEF, and a WW1 battlefield tour guide.    Steve gives us his own background and how he came to study the 4th Brigade Marines and the US Army's 2nd Division, and then he gives us a comprehensive look into the battle of Blanc Mont ridge -- a detailed look a...

During the First World War the American 370th Infantry Regiment served by being integrated into French Army divisions, as were the other regiments of the AEF 93rd Division. The 370th Infantry was unique as the only African-American regiment then led by African-American officers.    Known as "The Black Devils," the Doughboys of the 370th took part in the Oise-Aisne Offensive in autumn 1918, pursuin...

Returning to the Battles of the First World War Podcast is Dr. Jeff Gusky, an emergency physician, artist, photographer for National Geographic, and explorer. I'm grateful that with the ongoing epidemic Dr. Gusky is able to come on the show and share his latest work with us, which is part of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture's "We Return Fighting" exhibit.    Dr...

Assigned to the French 4th Army, the 369th, 371st, and 372nd Infantry Regiments of the A.E.F.'s 93rd Division (Provisional) fought well in the Champagne offensive of September 1918 that supported the American drive through the Meuse-Argonne. Once again, African Americans proved themselves able fighters, capable leaders, and patriots more than willing to serve their country.    The BFWWP is on Patr...

In a wonderful way to help commemorate the 1st of July anniversary of the beginning of the Battle of the Somme, the BFWWP has received this great interview between Associate Professor Fiona Graham and Mr. Colin Winn of the Hawthorn Ridge Crater Association. Conducted last year, Associate Professor Graham and Mr. Winn take a tour of the massive crater at Beaumont-Hamel on the Somme battlefield to d...

Listener discretion advised: This episode contains racial terms and themes that are considered highly offensive today. These terms and themes are being used here in the context of the First World War era.    Composed of African American National Guard units, volunteers and draftees, the 93rd Division (Provisional) was loaned to the French Army by an American Expeditionary Force that did not partic...

Hey Folks, this episode we have an interview with an up and coming voice in the Great War history community.    Nicole Chicarelli is the historian behind "The War Project" on Instagram, which can be found here:   https://www.instagram.com/thewarproject/   And her website is here:   http://www.warprojecthistorian.com/   Click on that follow button!    Nicole and I discuss how her passion for histor...

The AEF 1st Army is forced to make an operational pause as it replaces devastated divisions with fresh ones.    From the Meuse, to France, Flanders, and other fronts in the World War, we take a look at the developing military, diplomatic, and political situations across the world in September and early October of 1918.    The BFWWP is on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BattlesoftheFirstWorldWarPo...

The American First Army's 3rd Corps continue to push against the German lines along the eastern bank of the Meuse. German resistance is fierce, with artillery pounding the Doughboys from across the river.    The BFWWP is on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BattlesoftheFirstWorldWarPodcast .    Any questions, comments or concerns please contact me through the website, www.firstworldwarpodcast.com....

A quick update on where things stand with the BFWWP. Bad news and good news. A call to hold the line now.  The BFWWP is on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BattlesoftheFirstWorldWarPodcast .    Any questions, comments or concerns please contact me through the website, www.firstworldwarpodcast.com. Follow us on Twitter at @WW1podcast, the Battles of the First World War Podcast page on FaceBook, and...

The story of the First World War in the Meuse-Argonne region of France cannot be told without talking about the Butte de Vauquois. So here, in an attempt to do a part-travelogue, part-history episode, I retell the story of this tortured and murdered hill. This scene of terrible mine warfare--where an ancient village and six meters of height were erased from the crest during the war--remains today...

The BFWWP has to be put on pause until mid-May or end of May 2020, despite the great momentum we've been gaining recently. It's for a good reason. Listen in and you'll see why.   The BFWWP is now on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BattlesoftheFirstWorldWarPodcast .    Any questions, comments or concerns please contact me through the website, www.firstworldwarpodcast.com or the Battles of the Firs...

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the idea of visiting France, or felt it was something too foreign and too out of reach?    In this episode, I speak with Carol Kieffer and Randy Gaulke, two experienced residents and tourists of France. Carol, author of " Living and Working in France: Thriving through Understanding" and cross-cultural training coach, and Randy, seasoned tourist of the Meuse-Argonn...

The expected breakthrough after Montfaucon doesn't happen. The 79th and 37th Divisions continue grinding their way north, facing ever-hardening German resistance.    Purchase Andrew Capets' book "Good War, Great Men" here:   https://goodwargreatmen.com/313/   The BFWWP is on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BattlesoftheFirstWorldWarPodcast .    Lost Battalion Tours Contact Information - Join Us on...

In this episode we have a very special guest: Ms. Lora Vogt, is the Curator of Education at the National World War I Museum and Memorial. Founded in 1926, the Museum holds the most comprehensive collection of Great War artifacts in the world and has been ranked one of the top 25 museums in the country. Under Ms. Vogt's guidance, the Museum has consistently broken records for public program attenda...

Montfaucon, in the center of the American 1st Army's attack front, is taken down by Doughboys of the 37th, 79th, and 4th Divisions.   The BFWWP is on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BattlesoftheFirstWorldWarPodcast .    Lost Battalion Tours Contact Information - Join Us on the Battlefield! Mike's contact info: verdunpodcast@gmail.com Robert's contact info: 308infantry@gmail.com Robert's website:...

Hey Folks, Mr. Jeremy Bowles very graciously came on the podcast to share his tour experiences with Robert J Laplander with us. Jeremy is a WW1 historian and reenactor, and the journey he had in the Meuse-Argonne with Rob was so moving it simply needs to stand alone as its own mini-episode.    Listen to Jeremy's story about being in the Meuse, and know that the goal of Lost Battalion Tours is to p...

We're taking a short break from the Meuse-Argonne narrative to listen to a different angle on a very famous event. It happens that the famous event occurred during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, so this ties in nicely with our current focus.    Most of us have heard of or know the story of Alvin York, the famous SGT York who took on dozens of Germans, killed several, and captured 132. He is one of t...

JOIN US!!!   Lost Battalion Tours is a collaboration between WW1 author and historian Robert J. Laplander, and Mike Cunha, master of ceremonies of the Battles of the First World War podcast and battlefield explorer.    Our inaugural tour will be an 8-day trip to the Argonne region August 8-15, 2020. Those of you who have traveled with Robert in the Argonne before know this is no sight-seeing bus t...