The Great War

1: On the Idle Hill of Summer | The Great War

In 1914 the world stands on the brink of enormous change. The French and the British enter into the Entente Cordiale against Ge...

2: For Such a Stupid Reason, Too | The Great War

Following the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in June 1914, international diplomacy breaks down completely.

3: We Must Hack Our Way Through | The Great War

Following the declaration of war, the German army began to carry out the Schlieffen Plan, perhaps the most famous military pl...

4: Our Hats We Doff to General Joffre | The Great War

As the German forces advance on Paris, the French commander-in-chief General Joffre builds up a surer resistance.

5: This Business May Last a Long Time | The Great War

The Battle of the Marne resulted in a decisive victory for Allied forces, and trench warfare began to emerge at Aisne.

6: So Sleep Easy in Your Beds | The Great War

Britannia no longer rules the waves as the Royal Navy suffers shattering defeats.

7: We Await the Heavenly Manna | The Great War

The war continued into 1915 and the French and British struggled to keep up with the demand for shells and artillery.

8: Why Don't You Come and Help? | The Great War

Minister of munitions David Lloyd George struggles to modernise Britain's industrial capability.

9: Please God, Send Us Victory | The Great War

Kitchener recognised the stalemate on the Western Front and looked elsewhere for victory. A British naval expedition tried to ...

10: What Are Our Allies Doing? | The Great War

The war continues throughout 1915. Towering over all else was the mighty German offensive of Gorlice-Tarnow, where the Russian...

11: Hell Cannot Be So Terrible | The Great War

This episode looks at the Battle of Verdun, one of the bloodiest clashes in history, which lasted for ten months during 1916.

12: For Gawd's Sake Don't Send Me | The Great War

Over two million volunteers respond to Kitchener's appeal of 1916, and many are sent to the killing grounds of the Somme.

13: The Devil Is Coming | The Great War

The Battle of the Somme began in July 1916. By February 1917, an irreparable blow had been struck at the German Army, but at the cost...

14: All This It Is Our Duty to Bear | The Great War

By the end of 1916 a compromise peace is considered, but the new leaders are committed to seeking total victory - at any ...

15: We Are Betrayed, Sold, Lost | The Great War

This episode explores the attempts to rally the French Army for a spring offensive, but they began to openly mutiny.

16: Right Is More Precious than Peace | The Great War

In 1917, the October revolution brought the Communists to power in Russia, while America entered into the war on 6th Ap...

17: Surely We Have Perished | The Great War

Morale becomes impossible to sustain as the battle of Passchendaele lasts through the summer of 1917.

18: Fat Rodzyanko Has Sent me Some Nonsense | The Great War

Following the October Revolution, Russian enthusiasm for the war heartens the Allies and alarms the Germans.

19: The Hell where Youth and Laughter Go | The Great War

A look at the experiences of soldiers on the Western Front and the effect this had upon the human spirit.

20: Only War, Nothing But War | The Great War

The war has evolved from an old-fashioned localised conflict to an all-engulfing 'total' war involving entire nations.

21: It Was Like the End of the World | The Great War

Germany takes a huge risk, launching a massive offensive in early 1918, aiming to achieve victory before the Americans a...

22: Damn Them, Are They Never Coming In? | The Great War

The German army launched a successful counter-attack in May 1918, but it was is too late - the Americans had arrived.

23: When Must the End Be? | The Great War

By 5 August, the Germans had once again been driven back to the River Aisne. This was the turning point of the war. Six days later,...

24: Allah Made Mesopotamia and Added Flies | The Great War

With the Western Front dominating the minds of generals and statesmen, they sought a back door to victory - the Mi...

25: The Iron Thrones are Falling | The Great War

The penultimate episode recounts the collapse of Germany's Austro-Hungarian and Bulgarian allies.

26: And We Were Young | The Great War

At the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of the year 1918, the Armistice came into effect.