Ypres: A Walk on The Bluff

Ypres: A Walk on The Bluff

Author: Paul Reed February 28, 2026 Duration: 44:49
Step onto the Western Front in Flanders as we explore the area near to Ypres known as The Bluff. In this episode we uncover the story of the fighting here in February-March 1916, when British and German forces struggled for control of the high ground overlooking Ypres. Using contemporary accounts and battlefield evidence, we explain why this small rise in the landscape mattered so much and how the battle unfolded. The Bluff was created from spoil dug out during the construction of the Ypres–C...

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
Questions and Answers Episode 36 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:59
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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
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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]

Duration: 26:10
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Questions & Answers: RFC/RAF Special [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:33
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The Search for Mick Mannock with Andy Saunders [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:24
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Above the Battlefield: Royal Flying Corps & RAF in WW1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:24
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