St Eloi Craters 1916

St Eloi Craters 1916

Author: Paul Reed May 9, 2026 Duration: 34:56
Step into one of the most chaotic and little-known battles of the First World War in 1916 with this episode of The Old Front Line, as we explore the Battle of the St Eloi Craters (March–April 1916). Fought in the shattered landscape south of Ypres, this battle saw the devastating use of underground mines transform the battlefield into a nightmarish maze of mud-filled craters. We examine how British tunnelling companies detonated massive charges beneath German lines, and how the newly arrived ...

Imagine standing on a quiet French field, the same earth that once shook with the fury of the First World War. The Old Front Line is your guide to that landscape, hosted by military historian Paul Reed. This isn't a dry lecture from a distant studio; it's an audio journey built on a lifetime of dedication. Paul draws from more than forty years of research, weaving together the poignant first-hand accounts of veterans he met with his own unique perspective gained from living for over a decade right in the heart of the Somme battlefields. Each episode of this podcast feels like walking alongside him, tracing the contours of history that are still etched into the land. You'll hear the human stories behind the maps and monuments, understanding the conflict through the very ground where it was fought. It’s a deeply personal and evocative exploration, connecting the peaceful present with the tumultuous past. For anyone fascinated by history, landscape, or the powerful echoes of the Great War, this series offers an unparalleled, grounded perspective that only someone with Paul Reed's intimate experience can provide.
Author: Language: en-gb Episodes: 100

The Old Front Line
Podcast Episodes
Gunner Officer: Malcolm Vyvyan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:38
We return to the memories of WW1 veteran Malcolm Vyvyan MC, who served with 96th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery on the Western Front from 1916, and then latterly the Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force. We fol…
Questions and Answers Episode 37 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:15
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Remembering the Forgotten Front [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:11
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Questions and Answers Episode 36 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:59
In our first QnA Episode for Season 9 we look at what happened to the German forces when the guns went silent on 11th November 1918, discuss the use of poison gas and it's legacy on the battlefields today, examine if Bri…
Walking the Somme: Gommecourt [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:55
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Bonus Episode: The Menin Gate at Night [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:13
In our third and final Bonus Episode that brings Season 8 to a close, we have a live recording from the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres, recorded while out leading a battlefield tour a few weeks ago. We reflect on the subje…
Bonus Episode: A Siege Battery Gunner [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:40
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Bonus Episode: A Divisional Memorial [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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RFC/RAF: Where They Flew & Fell [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:44
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Questions & Answers: RFC/RAF Special [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:33
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