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Pete & Gary's Military History

1918 - The Last Days of WWI

Season 5

The Germans have battered themselves to the point of exhaustion in their Spring Offensives of March and April, 1918. Now it's time for the Allies to strike back! Beginning with French actions on the Marne, the great Allied offensive that would eventually lead to the total defeat of the German Army begins. And the attack is soon taken up by the British, Australians and Canadians, culminating in the unprecedented successes of August 8.


In the first episode of our new special series about the triumphant campaign that ended the First World War, Peter Hart is joined by historian Mat McLachlan to tell the story of the Black Day of the German Army.


Hosts: Mat McLachlan and Peter Hart

Producer: Jess Stebnicki


Subscribe via Patreon to receive exclusive bonus episodes, ad-free listening and special online events with Mat McLachlan! https://www.patreon.com/MMHistory


Join one of our battlefield tours and walk in the footsteps of the Anzacs! Visit https://battlefields.com.au/ for more information.


Find out more about the podcast and everything Mat is doing at https://linktr.ee/matmclachlan

More episodes

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  • SPECIAL: RNR - Rebuilding in England

    52:38||Season 5
    Pete and Gary revisit one of their most popular series - the story of the Royal Norfolk Regiment in the Second World War.The Royal Norfolk Regiment is back in England after the fighting in France and the shocking loss of 100 of their members at the massacre at Le Paradis.Visit Gallipoli with Pete and Gary in 2025! Go to https://phbt.uk/ for more information!Presenters: Peter Hart and Gary BainPublisher: Mat McLachlanProducer: Jess StebnickiBecome a member to listen ad-free and receive special bonus content for only £2 per month: https://plus.acast.com/s/pete-and-garys-military-historySupport the show with a one-off contribution: www.buymeacoffee.com/pgmhFind out everything Pete and Gary are doing at https://linktr.ee/pgmhFor more great history content, visit www.LivingHistoryTV.com, or subscribe to our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/c/LivingHistoryTVTo walk in the footsteps of the soldiers of the First and Second World Wars, join one of our battlefield tours! Full details at www.battlefields.com.au
  • SPECIAL: RNR - Massacre at Le Paradis

    38:14||Season 5
    Pete and Gary revisit one of their most popular series - the story of the Royal Norfolk Regiment in the Second World War.The fourth episode deals with the grim murder of prisoners at the hands of the Germans.Visit Gallipoli with Pete and Gary in 2025! Go to https://phbt.uk/ for more information!Presenters: Peter Hart and Gary BainPublisher: Mat McLachlanProducer: Jess StebnickiBecome a member to listen ad-free and receive special bonus content for only £2 per month: https://plus.acast.com/s/pete-and-garys-military-historySupport the show with a one-off contribution: www.buymeacoffee.com/pgmhFind out everything Pete and Gary are doing at https://linktr.ee/pgmhFor more great history content, visit www.LivingHistoryTV.com, or subscribe to our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/c/LivingHistoryTVTo walk in the footsteps of the soldiers of the First and Second World Wars, join one of our battlefield tours! Full details at www.battlefields.com.au
  • SPECIAL: RNR - Fighting the Germans

    39:30||Season 5
    Pete and Gary revisit one of their most popular series - the story of the Royal Norfolk Regiment in the Second World War.The third episode sees the regiment finally getting some action against the Germans.Visit Gallipoli with Pete and Gary in 2025! Go to https://phbt.uk/ for more information!Presenters: Peter Hart and Gary BainPublisher: Mat McLachlanProducer: Jess StebnickiBecome a member to listen ad-free and receive special bonus content for only £2 per month: https://plus.acast.com/s/pete-and-garys-military-historySupport the show with a one-off contribution: www.buymeacoffee.com/pgmhFind out everything Pete and Gary are doing at https://linktr.ee/pgmhFor more great history content, visit www.LivingHistoryTV.com, or subscribe to our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/c/LivingHistoryTVTo walk in the footsteps of the soldiers of the First and Second World Wars, join one of our battlefield tours! Full details at www.battlefields.com.au
  • SPECIAL: RNR - The Phoney War

    51:19||Season 5
    Pete and Gary revisit one of their most popular series - the story of the Royal Norfolk Regiment in the Second World War.The second episode sees the regiment struggling with the lack of action in the Phoney War of 1939.Visit Gallipoli with Pete and Gary in 2025! Go to https://phbt.uk/ for more information!Presenters: Peter Hart and Gary BainPublisher: Mat McLachlanProducer: Jess StebnickiBecome a member to listen ad-free and receive special bonus content for only £2 per month: https://plus.acast.com/s/pete-and-garys-military-historySupport the show with a one-off contribution: www.buymeacoffee.com/pgmhFind out everything Pete and Gary are doing at https://linktr.ee/pgmhFor more great history content, visit www.LivingHistoryTV.com, or subscribe to our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/c/LivingHistoryTVTo walk in the footsteps of the soldiers of the First and Second World Wars, join one of our battlefield tours! Full details at www.battlefields.com.au
  • SPECIAL: RNR - Pre-War and Mobilisation

    54:51||Season 5
    Pete and Gary revisit one of their most popular series - the story of the Royal Norfolk Regiment in the Second World War.The first episode deals with the formation of the regiment and its mobilisation at the outbreak of war.Visit Gallipoli with Pete and Gary in 2025! Go to https://phbt.uk/ for more information!Presenters: Peter Hart and Gary BainPublisher: Mat McLachlanProducer: Jess StebnickiBecome a member to listen ad-free and receive special bonus content for only £2 per month: https://plus.acast.com/s/pete-and-garys-military-historySupport the show with a one-off contribution: www.buymeacoffee.com/pgmhFind out everything Pete and Gary are doing at https://linktr.ee/pgmhFor more great history content, visit www.LivingHistoryTV.com, or subscribe to our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/c/LivingHistoryTVTo walk in the footsteps of the soldiers of the First and Second World Wars, join one of our battlefield tours! Full details at www.battlefields.com.au
  • SPECIAL: Walking Ypres with guidl

    08:28||Season 5
    Join Mat McLachlan to hear all about guidl, a new audio tour app that he is contributing to. guidl takes you on walking tours to the world's most historic sites, narrated by leading historians. Mat's first guidl tour is of wartime Ypres and, in this special episode, Mat shares the first chapter of his Ypres walking tour.Download the app and find out more about guidl: https://www.guidl.tours/Join Mat on a battlefield tour: https://battlefields.com.au/
  • 229. Ep229: Laugh or Fly - This is the End, 1918

    45:16||Season 5, Ep. 229
    The war is drawing to a close, but men are still dying. How will it all end for the RFC? Pete and Gary continue the stories of the men of the Royal Flying Corps, based on their new book, Laugh or Fly.Order the book now! https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Laugh-or-Fly-Hardback/p/50848Visit Gallipoli with Pete and Gary! Go to https://phbt.uk/ for more information!Presenters: Peter Hart and Gary BainPublisher: Mat McLachlanProducer: Jess StebnickiBecome a member to listen ad-free and receive special bonus content for only £2 per month: https://plus.acast.com/s/pete-and-garys-military-historySupport the show with a one-off contribution: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/pgmhFind out everything Pete and Gary are doing at https://linktr.ee/pgmhFor more great history content, visit www.LivingHistoryTV.com, or subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/LivingHistoryTVTo walk in the footsteps of the soldiers of the First and Second World Wars, join one of our battlefield tours! Full details at https://battlefields.com.au/
  • 228. Ep228: Laugh or Fly - Bombs Away! 1917/18

    49:22||Season 5, Ep. 228
    We think of the air war during the First World War as mostly about fighters and dogfights. But as the war progressed, the opportunities for aerial bombardment steadily increased. By 1917 bombing was a key weapon in the air arsenal of both sides. But how did they do it, and was it effective? Pete and Gary continue the stories of the men of the Royal Flying Corps, based on their new book, Laugh or Fly.Order the book now! https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Laugh-or-Fly-Hardback/p/50848Visit Gallipoli with Pete and Gary! Go to https://phbt.uk/ for more information!Presenters: Peter Hart and Gary BainPublisher: Mat McLachlanProducer: Jess StebnickiBecome a member to listen ad-free and receive special bonus content for only £2 per month: https://plus.acast.com/s/pete-and-garys-military-historySupport the show with a one-off contribution: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/pgmhFind out everything Pete and Gary are doing at https://linktr.ee/pgmhFor more great history content, visit www.LivingHistoryTV.com, or subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/LivingHistoryTVTo walk in the footsteps of the soldiers of the First and Second World Wars, join one of our battlefield tours! Full details at https://battlefields.com.au/
  • 227. Ep227: Laugh or Fly - 1918: Could it Get Any Worse?

    49:09||Season 5, Ep. 227
    By early-1918 the strategic situation of the Great War had shifted dramatically. New partners were joining the fight, and old Allies were dropping out. And on the ground the pressure was mounting, as the Allies faced a new German onslaught. In the skies over the Western Front, the men of the RFC kept fighting, and kept dying. Pete and Gary continue the stories of the men of the Royal Flying Corps, based on their new book, Laugh or Fly.Order the book now! https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Laugh-or-Fly-Hardback/p/50848Visit Gallipoli with Pete and Gary! Go to https://phbt.uk/ for more information!Presenters: Peter Hart and Gary BainPublisher: Mat McLachlanProducer: Jess StebnickiBecome a member to listen ad-free and receive special bonus content for only £2 per month: https://plus.acast.com/s/pete-and-garys-military-historySupport the show with a one-off contribution: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/pgmhFind out everything Pete and Gary are doing at https://linktr.ee/pgmhFor more great history content, visit www.LivingHistoryTV.com, or subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/LivingHistoryTVTo walk in the footsteps of the soldiers of the First and Second World Wars, join one of our battlefield tours! Full details at https://battlefields.com.au/