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The Old Front Line

Paul Reed
Great War
First World War
Battle Of the Somme
The British Army Postal System
Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery
World War I
American Expeditionary Force
Western Front
Trench Warfare
Lieutenant Sam Woodfill
Omaha Beach
Casualty Clearing Stations
British Army
Hindenburg Line
Cunel
General Post Office
Royal Engineer Postal Section
Canadian Forces
Chinese Labour Corps
19th Infantry

Walk the battlefields of the First World War with Military Historian, Paul Reed. In these podcasts, Paul brings together over 40 years of studying the Great War, from the stories of veterans he interviewed, to when he spent more than a decade living on the Old Front Line in the heart of the Somme battlefields.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes265Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HistoryEducation

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Artwork for The Old Front Line

Latest Episodes

We travel to the area Behind the Lines of West of Arras, visiting cemeteries where Casualty Clearing Stations were moved back to in 1918, discuss a small village where WW1 meets WW2, discover some original Great War graffiti on a farm building wall a... more

In this episode we ask what is the current size of the 'Zone Rouge' and are there plans to clear it? We then look at the use of morphine to treat pain and was this misused? We then look at when Steel Helmets were first issued to British and Canadian ... more

YouTube

In a special episode we are joined by Professor Peter Doyle who delivered this talk on Loos at a Podcast Supporters Evening for the 110th Anniversary of the battle last month.

Peter's new edition of is book is found here: Loos 1915.

Sign up for the... more

YouTube

In this latest QnA episode, we tackle a fresh set of listener questions about the First World War, ranging from battlefield geography to the realities of supply and discipline at the front. We start with how hills and features were numbered along the... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Peter Doyle
Historian, Geologist, and Author
Episode: Battle of Loos with Peter Doyle
Josh Levine
Historian and author, frequent broadcaster
Episode: The Air War in WW1 - with Josh Levine
Andy Saunders
Aviation and military historian, author, former editor of Britain at War and Iron Cross magazines
Episode: The Search for Mick Mannock with Andy Saunders
Rosie Barron
Member of the MoD War Detectives, involved in recovering and identifying First World War soldiers' remains.
MoD War Detectives
Episode: The MOD War Detectives
Nichola Nash
Member of the MoD War Detectives, with a background in archaeology and military history.
MoD War Detectives
Episode: The MOD War Detectives
Alexia Clark
Member of the MoD War Detectives, experienced in museum sector and historical communication.
MoD War Detectives
Episode: The MOD War Detectives
Philipp Cross
Author of 'The Other Trench'
Self-published author
Episode: The Other Trench: with Philipp Cross

Host

Paul Reed
Military historian with over 40 years of experience and personal connections to the stories of veterans. Notable for his extensive research on the Great War and his dedication to honoring the memories of soldiers through storytelling.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 1.1k ratings
  • Jt

    Still the best WW1 podcast on the market… just brilliant 👏👏👏

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    yoh bois apple
    Irelanda month ago
  • Superb

    Apart from being a very interesting and informative podcast, it is also very sensitively put across by someone who not only knows his subject extremely well but understands the price of the conflict through the stories he tells.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    TIMWAY 2
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Excellent!

    I have been listening to Paul’s podcast for nearly 3 years. It is always brilliant! His depth of knowledge is truly staggering, his presenting style is comfortable, clear and friendly. If you have any interest at all in World War 1, this is a must listen!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Db4gtb
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Old Front Line

    It’s always exciting when I see a new podcast has appeared and Paul takes from my armchair back to the western front 👍

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Peterhalls3
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • For me the greatest Great War podcast

    There are many great podcasts about the Great War, but for me, Paul Reed’s “The Old Front Line” is the greatest of them all. After my first trip on the Western Front, a seed of interest was planted. It was this podcast that made that seed grow to what is now more than a normal hobby. The great thing about Paul is that he is not only a respected historian, but also a very approachable person. Write him an email with a question and sure you will get an answer. When you only have the slightest inte... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SBSTROP
    Netherlandsa month ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

There is significant praise for the host's ability to convey emotion and connect listeners with historical events on a personal level.
Opinions often reflect a strong emotional connection to the subject matter and commend the podcast for its dedication to remembrance.
Audience members express gratitude for the depth of knowledge shared, feeling educated and moved by the content.
The podcast is notable for highlighting lesser-known stories from the First World War, bringing attention to forgotten histories.
Listeners appreciate the high-quality research and narrative style, praising the engaging storytelling.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#66
United Kingdom/History
Apple Podcasts
#163
Australia/History
Apple Podcasts
#177
Netherlands/History
Apple Podcasts
#185
Singapore/History
Apple Podcasts
#191
Ireland/History
Apple Podcasts
#234
Belgium/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Questions and Answers Episode 39
Q: Are there any First World War slang words still in use today?
Yes, terms like 'Blighty', 'chatting', 'no man's land', and 'plonk' are still in common use, derived from the language developed during the First World War.
Questions and Answers Episode 39
Q: When were helmets first issued to British and Canadian troops?
Steel helmets started being issued around the Battle of Loos in September 1915, with widespread usage established by March 1916.
Questions and Answers Episode 39
Q: Was morphine carried by individual soldiers for self-administration?
Morphine was not carried by individual soldiers; it was managed by medical officers and given under controlled circumstances, especially as the war became static.
Questions and Answers Episode 39
Q: What is the current size of the Zone Rouge in France?
The Zone Rouge technically ceased to exist in the 1930s, and while some areas were reclassified, others remained cordoned off due to ongoing dangers from munitions.
Battle of Loos with Peter Doyle
Q: What was the primary focus of your talk on the Battle of Loos?
The talk will focus on the British use of gas in 1915 and whether its expectations were greater than the reality, particularly addressing Loos as an ill-fated battle tied to terrain and trench warfare.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Old Front Line

What is The Old Front Line about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast provides a captivating exploration of the First World War, led by a knowledgeable military historian who shares personal stories and extensive research gathered over 40 years. The host walks listeners through significant battlefields, recounting poignant narratives and the sacrifices of soldiers while also addressing broader historical implications. Each episode interweaves personal anecdotes with deeper investigations into topics such as the memorials, sites of remembrance, and the soldiers' stories that deeply resonate in contemporary society. The emphasis on honor and remembrance, combined with high-quality storytelling, makes it distinctively touching and informative for history enthusiasts.

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How many episodes of The Old Front Line are there?

The Old Front Line launched 6 years ago and published 265 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Old Front Line?

Recent guests on The Old Front Line include:

1. Peter Doyle
2. Josh Levine
3. Andy Saunders
4. Rosie Barron
5. Nichola Nash
6. Alexia Clark
7. Philipp Cross

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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