663 clamour aboard the converted liner HMT troopship. But the war is about to catch up on them. 

Vingt Cinq Morgan's Army board the Lancastria and what they believe will be a luxurious voyage home. But the Wehrmacht, the German Army, are hot on their heels. The Unit is scattered throughout the ship, a vessel that is chronically overloaded, when suddenly the klaxons and bells alert the men to an incoming air raid. Soon after the bombs begin to drop. The horror is about to begin.

Part 4: Home in style - Lancastria

The routine ends as Morgan's Army make a rapid retreat to the coast as the real army is overrun in the North.

Everything was going "swimmingly" until a sudden increase in refugee traffic indicates the real army, fighting 200 miles to the North, is in trouble. Soon after 663 are former up and informed by Major Morgan they are to make for the coast and hopefully a troopship that will take them back to the UK. They arrive at the port and endure a heavy air raid before marching down to the docks where a small tug boat will ferry them out to a large, converted liner waiting nine miles away in the Loire estuary. The boys of 663 think they are on their way home, but fate has a different outcome for them that will change everything for good.

Part 3: What bloody use are we?

It's a long way to Tipperary... and Nantes

Vingt Cinq Morgan's Army have completed the most basic of basic training and now they are on their way to France. 663 Company Artisan Works Company is divided in two with Major Morgan taking the majority of the men, by train, to Southampton. But the unit is plagued by delay after delay. All the while the weather remains cold and dark. It's not a good omen for what lies ahead and the men finally arrive in the French city of Nantes three days later, weary and exhausted. Whilst they settle down to a basic routine and take in the splendour of Nantes the Germans continue their plans. These short months in early 1940 are will prove to be the calm before the storm.

Part 2: Long Haul to Nantes

Vingt Cinq Morgan's Army are little more than civilians in soldiers clothing. But some basic training is needed to turn them into, at least the appearance of soldiers. Already

After arriving at the training camp in the south of England the men are prepared, as best they can, for the war ahead. But the weather conditions are horrendous and the company, 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers, lack the basic kit and equipment for the task ahead. Nonetheless, the build up continues and so too the tension. The Company's Commanding Officer also arrives. A veteran of WW1 and holder of the Military Medal, Captain Richard Morgan is a strict disciplinarian and a soldier not to be messed with. The Welshman is the only professional soldier among them and now he has the unenviable task of turning them into proper soldiers. Men are arriving from across the UK and Ireland. None of them have any experience of the military and are ill-prepared for the horrors ahead. In less than 20 days the company marches out of the training camp and en route to France. The cold continues to follow them. Meanwhile in Germany the Nazi's draw up their final plans for an attack on the British and their allies, using a new form of warfare.

Part 1: Training for war

The train to war - INTRO

War has been declared. All across the country ordinary men begin making their way to the training camps in the South of England. For two new Scottish recruits that journey begins in Dundee. They are young, naïve and have no idea what the next few months will hold. It's an ordinary start to what will be an extraordinary experience, beyond their worst nightmares.

Vingt Cinq Morgan's Army - INTRO

A podcast series that takes listeners on a journey with no beginning, no middle and no end but will immerse you in the stories of ordinary people who encounter extraordinary events. Beginning with a very personal account set during the early, dark days of WW2 broadcaster Mark Hirst reveals the story of one British Army unit who experience the worst single loss of life for Britain of the whole war and recounts the men who endured it.Later, the rocky road to peace; Mark explores the journey taken by those involved in the Anglo-Irish war and what convinced them to end the violence.Lastly, listeners will discover why one sleepy Scottish fishing village has a past much more interesting and jaw-dropping, than “Best fish and chip shop” in Scotland.So listen, subscribe and share this series.

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