Could You Survive as a British Soldier in the First World War?

Imagine, it’s the winter of 1916. War has been raging in Europe for over two years with no end in sight. The line along the Western Front had barely altered despite the best efforts of the British Expeditionary Force and the French Army to break through the resolute German positions. Numerous offensives, millions of artillery shells and bullets, hundreds of thousands of men dead and to no avail.
But this was a war in which weapons technology and strategy were rapidly evolving, and at any point a breakthrough seemed possible. Reconnaissance and fighter planes were heard in the skies above, artillery now accurately bolstered infantry advances, and for us, the British, tanks were being introduced to the battlefield.
Only time would tell if 1916 would be the turning point British high command hoped for. In this episode, Luke Tomes was heading out of the dugout and right into the heart of the action. Stationed at the front line in Belgium, he’ll find out what life was like for the average British Tommy in the trenches, how they prepared for battle and how they dealt with the consequences of it…
The question is, could you survive the trenches as a British infantry soldier on the Western Front?
Filmed at: La Main De Massiges, Hooge Crater Museum
Archive Images: Rob Schäfer @GerMilHistory
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#historyhit #worldwarone #trenches
00:00 Introduction
02:20 1914 - 1916
05:09 Recruitment and Basic Training
08:07 Pals Battalions
09:00 Military Equipment
12:35 Lee Enfield Bolt-Action Rifle
15:19 Vickers Machine Gun
20:09 British Soldiers Rations
23:23 "Big Push" Summer Offensive 1916
25:17 Fixing Bayonets
28:00 Battle of the Somme
30:58 Casualties, Medicine and Treatment
40:59 Facial Plastic Surgery
42:32 British vs German Trenches
43:29 Trench Diseases
45:51 Tanks
50:00 Next Episode...

[@HistoryHit]

We hope you enjoyed this episode of 'Could You Survive'! Next time, we'll be heading over No Man's Land to the trenches of the German Army to see how their soldiers' experience differed. Please leave a like and subscribe to the History Hit KZbin Channel!

[@rogersheddy6414]

13:30. He didn't demonstrate rapid fire adequately as an actual captain could have. I have spoken with folks who own enfields like the one I purchased recently, Who have demonstrated how the mad minute would work. He did not have to take his head off the cheek piece to fire, And it was more like slapping the bolt up and forward and back and down with an almost circular motion of the hand. You could empty a magazine very swiftly. Faster than you could tell

[@TiffanyPatterson-cn2rs]

@@rogersheddy6414Up

[@ianbeedles1329]

HistoryHit - steel helmets were still in use with British forces until well into the mid-1980's. I was issued my first "Battle Bowler" in April '82, and didn't exchange it for a Kevlar one until late in 1988!

[@rogersheddy6414]

@ianbeedles1329 I think they should have considered making it a Kevlar sandwich inside of two layers of thin steel. Sort of liked the way that revere Ware was copper clad with stainless steel and other metals to make a really efficient cooking pot.. That would have been the best of both worlds in my opinion.

[@shadowstryker640]

This was great. Can't wait for the German Army video. I love the authentic uniforms and weapons!

[@rosemarywiltshire7694]

My father’s uncle didn’t survive. He died in Belgium in July 1917. He was in the 1st Battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles.

[@HistoryHit]

May he R.I.P

[@zardoz2126]

My mum's uncle died serving with the 1st Royal Irish Rifles as well. He was a regular, stationed at Aden in 1914. Went to France in 1914 and was killed at Rouges Bancs in May 1915.

[@Scythlins]

​@@HistoryHitIf he survived he would make a great story to tell! (sorry for your loss)

[@Free-Bodge79]

Legend 💛

[@2003AudiS3]

@@zardoz2126may I know how old you are?

[@TheLightningbirds-qz3fd]

My Great Great Grandfather was killed on the Somme at Mouqet Farm on September 26th 1916 at 22 years old a few days before his birthday. 8th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, Pvt John Gowland.

[@HistoryHit]

May he Rest In Peace

[@markwagstaff7209]

A fine north east regiment

[@MichaelRivera-zj8rc]

May God bless him in all his glory ♥️✝️♥️

[@user-xo5tr4ib9q]

My grandfather survived at36 yrs old and because he could drive, he was in Royal Medical Corps driving ambulances. He was married with 5 children and died in 1948 when I was 12. I have his medals.

[@TheRealSlimshadyyyyyy]

Do you remember him well?

[@user-xo5tr4ib9q]

Unfortunately no,I was evacuated during the war and saw little of him

[@Fr3thc]

Shouldnt marry children bro

[@Mustang94c]

Had some of my grandfather's uncle's fight in wwi with the Canadians royal army and we've been a military family since every generation we have at least a few go into service I'm a first generation American myself and tried for the us army right from graduating high-school in 09 unfortunately I was declared Mos 4f "medically unfit for service" have had 8 surgeries 5 major ones including open heart surgery so it was a long shot thus said I have great respect to our vets and all who served in those horrific years of war truly breathtaking what they survived through to all vets reading this and to gold star families thank you for your service and to the vets welcome home may your civilian life be forever peaceful and fruitful God bless

[@bohemian-girl]

I Thank him for his service. My great grandfather was in World War Two with the 312 (Czechoslovak) Squadron in the RAF, flying Hawker Hurricane and Supermarine Spitfire planes. He was one of 'the few' My parents have his medals also ^^

[@bucksdiaryfan]

I love how British documentaries always give you a "you are there" feel... even going so far as to dress the narrator and put him on the front line... its a great touch -- no one does historical documentaries better than the British

[@HistoryHit]

That's very kind. Thanks for the support.

[@cosmolineandgritsforbreakf3795]

Agreed

[@roughwalkers]

Did you read the title and the desc? 😂

[@davidhallett8783]

Yankees don t make war docs since ken burns. Although they have a long tradition of invading defenseless countries that they can t beat. I m sure they invaded granada to save the world so we could have madonna and lady gaga at the low low cost of six point seven billion dollars

[@jjcoola998]

This is definitely true. I have to admit it!

[@katwitanruna]

May the memories of love outweigh the grief of loss. And may their names live on eternally.

[@deanmckellar619]

They say to Mourn and Grieve is the final Stage of love... A shame that this conflict brought such a stage to far too many, far too soon

[@davefellhoelter1343]

they "birthed the Greatest" Generation! The "lord works" in mysterious ways.

[@johnnolan4312]

My great grandfather survived WWI Canadian rifles, and signed up for WW11 but his age kept him out, amazing man!

[@agxryt]

"survived Canadian rifles" You mean he served as a Canadian, or survived being attacked by Canadians? Just curious

[@erminedereims400]

@@agxrytsurvived in the unit Canadian Rifles

[@holdingzero9686]

My grandfather was in the 1st cmr (Canadian Mounted Rifles) his original regiment was broken up to reinforce the cmrs because the originals were nearly all killed part way through the battle of the Somme. He was a signals trench runner all the way to the end. I think there were 5 cmr units in total, so yes your great gramps was likley a cmr too.

[@bozotro]

My Grandfather survived 2 years as a battalion scout for the Canadian 18th from Ontario. He used to refer to his life as having had 60 years of borrowed time.

[@edwardp4038]

Canadian eh? Man must have fought like a savage the Canadians were scary during wartime.

[@garymitchell5899]

You must be at least 70 but your username is Bozo and you have a young man's photo. Utter BS

[@AChapstickOrange]

I had a great grandfather from Ontario in the war too, and he came back. My two British great grandfathers only had a 50% survival rate between them. I guess the Canucks were just luckier. :)

[@AChapstickOrange]

@@edwardp4038 Maple syrup withdrawal will do that to any man!

[@UlsterMan-mx2gb]

Fantastic.. best one yet. And the Captain needs his own show!

[@HistoryHit]

Agreed.

[@jevanthompson9979]

Fantastic stuff guys. It's rare to find stuff that ticks all the boxes - Informative, entertaining, high production value, interesting and above all... lots of passion! Great work from everyone at the History Hit team!

[@user-rq7el8nh6q]

With a 1000 year old saxon peasant oaf helmet, i could survive anything

[@rubenmarien2534]

I am so happy that the channel decided to pursue this topic! By far my most favorite so far. Quite big of a WW1 history fan, and yet learned something new! Great production value!

[@liloupumpkin5278]

I would have died the first time I stepped out of the trench. And those who didn't die physically often died internally from the violence. I don't know if they have them in the UK, but in France we have a lot of "monuments aux morts". If you ever go to the Père Lachaise cemetery in Paris, the number of names inscribed on its surrounding walls is impressive.

[@martindunstan8043]

Yes we do have monuments dedicated to 'the fallen'. They are in most parishes(towns and villages) these memorials state those that died,my great grandfather is on one near me. On remembrance Sunday(the second Sunday in November) these memorials have a service held where we observe a 2 minute silence at 11am. Remembrance day is always 11th November which observes a 2minute silence for people to take part in if they wish and remembrance Sunday is always the 2nd Sunday of November. I don't believe I would have lasted too long either,those young men were a different breed and far tougher than I have ever been.

[@georgewashington92]

I read an article very recently about alcohol consumption and drinking habits. Insane.

[@steveokula5762]

I live in a small town outside of Paris, only about 5000 people, and in 1916 there were fewer than 1000. In the local church there is a plaque with the names of the "morts pour la France" with scores of men represented there. It must have devastated the local population. I have a great uncle, Aleksandre Okula, Company A, 104th Inf Regiment, 26 Division, US Army, buried in France, who died of his wounds received in action in October 1918, just three weeks before the war ended.

[@liloupumpkin5278]

@@martindunstan8043 I did know about remembrance day but not the memorials. Sorry for your great grand father although it's a bit late. I think we also don't have the same mindset as they had. After France lost Alsace and Moselle to the German Empire, there was 40 years of growing resentment. These generations grew up knowing that one day they would have to reclaim these lost territories. In any case, that was what motivated many of the French at the front. Don't really know for the British though.

[@liloupumpkin5278]

@@georgewashington92 Yes it's terrifying. I also read a bit about soldiers from WW2 and how coming home after the soldier's camps or 3-5 years of war was extremely hard. You couldn't really talk about it and everything had changed while you were away. Alcohol or suicide were way to cope.

[@hasanmatloob3788]

Hats off to Richard Townsley for his detailed insight into WW1 Trench warfare. He is clearly very passionate about the subject. Loved his enthusiasm and attention to detail.

[@ElAnciano767]

My father (yes, "father", not "grandfather") was an officer in the Canadian Expeditionary Force, horse drawn artillery. He said the one thing that terrified him was the sound of gas shells coming in. The early ones contained the gas as a liquid, which sloshed around and caused the shell to tumble in flight, producing a "whup whup" sound. When they heard that, they would scramble for the bunkers and pull a wet blanket over the entrance. If a man was caught out open in a mustard gas attack, those in the bunkers had to wait for it to disperse a bit, then go outside and -- if the man was still alive - strip him down and try to clean him off. They couldn't bring him into the bunker until that because the gas on him would continue to volatize and affect those around him. One of the things my dad brought back from the war was a very small tin box labelled "mustard gas ointment". It was, of course, empty, but I would look at it and wonder how good it would have been in treating a full grown adult who had been covered in that awful poison.

[@calumm8639]

My Grandad did, thankfully, or I wouldn't be here. Two of his bothers were killed and a third was badly wounded and never really got over it.

[@chiefvon3068]

I feel a family should never have more than 20% of their men sent to war. 4 children affected in ways that could never be described

[@54mgtf22]

My grandfather survived the Somme and Ypres thanks to the kindness of the other Tommys. He was too young to be there so they made him a driver to keep him off the front line. Lived to the age of 92 in 1991.

[@sandybarrie5526]

my maternal grandfather was in the BEF 2nd London Regiment, and arrived at the from just before Christmas 1914. He survived several Charges, and at Loos he was ordered to take all the bullets out of his rife and charge with Bayonet only. (Bloody madness) he was He was gassed just after Loos, and lost a Lung, but came back as an Ambulance driver in 1917 (and won the Militray Medal At St. Julien driving an Ambulance) and survived til 1963. though he had severe breathing difficulties all his life, which led to his demise.

[@garymitchell5899]

The average age of death in the 1960's was 65 so he survived longer. If your story is true ofc, which it isn't.

[@sandybarrie5526]

@@garymitchell5899 how do idiots like you survive. He was born 1898. ran away from home and joining GWR where his boss was a german emigrant that taught him to speak fluent german. he drove his ambulance through german lines, and ordered the german guard to put wounded prisoner in the ambulance and drove back. his captain ordered field punishment no 1 for disobeying an order no to do it. (he may have done it before) when General Castor heard he awarded him the Military Medal and sent a special thank you card. after WW1 he was not allowed back into Britain after going Bolshi, and refusing an order to go to Archangel. 'he refused to fight the workers". by Castor had him appointed as chauffeur to general staff in Cologne, where he was also the Chequers Champion. and so when his tour out duty was up in 1922 he came out to Australia, and brought nan who he met in the Rhine Land occupation army, out in 1923.

[@CharliePuma]

My great great grand uncle served in WW1 for the US. He was a part of the Muese Argonne. He was killed by a machine gun round as he was running through no man's land to get to the German defenses in Gesnes, France. He was a part of the 91st. Rest In Peace, George Otte. Thank you for your service.

[@agtom1329]

Really enjoyed this episode! Keep up the great work!

[@HistoryHit]

Thanks a ton!

[@piotrtrypus]

Amazing episode, thank you!

[@tally1604]

Can't wait for part 2.

[@stormtrooperdavis6887]

I absolutely love this video and if you do have a version where he literally talks about every single part of your uniform, I would absolutely love to see it. I am a history nut and I soak up history knowledge like a sponge , so thank you for this video. Also, bought my first ww2 gun, 1944 Mosin, and hey, if you have and extra Lee.... I'll take it, even pay lol

[@MichaelEllison-jr4wg]

Great documentary. Look forward to more content. Keep up the good work.

[@HistoryHit]

Much appreciated!

[@beachcomberbloke462]

Thoroughly enjoyed this well researched ,informative and entertaining episode My Grandfather was in the Durham Light Infantry,like many of his comrades he was a miner and their excavating skills were used to dig the trenches.Looking forward the next episode of the German experience.👍

[@jackbrowning8013]

Richard is fantastic - met him at We Have Ways Fest last year. Awesome video, and great seeing you in the limelight, mate 😂

[@invisibleman4827]

My great-great grandfather was killed in the German offensive of 1918 when the casualty clearing station he was in got bombarded and blown to bits by German artillery. He'd served in the Boer War and been captured after fighting in a battle for 7 hours. He was later released and returned home to get married and have kids, and found work as a shoe riveter. When war broke out in 1914, he was called up as a reservist and saw action in September that year. He left behind a wife and three daughters. His wife, my great-great grandmother remarried, but died a year after the war, and for a while their orphaned children lived in some caves in a hill overlooking their home town until they were later picked up and taken care of.

[@Eunegin23]

My great.grandfather was killed on the Western front in 1916. Never met his son, my granddad who then had to fight on the Eastern front in WW2. Isn't it better that we can now just meet over a beer or work together? Now we have to defend our way of life and democracy together.

[@invisibleman4827]

@Eunegin23 it is, absolutely. I'm sorry to hear about your great granddad and the hardships of your granddad. With democracy we can do that, and that's why it's worth fighting for.

[@leesaunders1930]

Did she die of the Spanish influenza? just curious because after the horrors and losses of a brutal war the whole world had to deal with a deadly virus straight after in 1918, a very surreal time to be alive I'll bet.

[@SteveBrownRocks2023]

This is a very good video, very well-done! 👏🏼😎 The info is great, & all it lacks are some explosions & bullets flying overhead!

[@HistoryHit]

Not sure Luke would have actually survived that!

[@Astronic]

Richard Townsley needs his own show! More of him please hehe. Great job as usual history hit.

[@user-li4sz3jz1b]

Brilliant Luke, scary though when you think 😊😊

[@neolithic3]

Great video - very informative!

[@HistoryHit]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ProfessorM-he9rl]

Fabulous post of this horrible war. Thank you.

[@malcolmbushby2220]

My Great-Grandfather and three Great-Uncles all served in WW1. My Great-Grandfather was wounded at the Somme and survived the war. My Great-Uncle Donald was killed at Passchendaele in 1917. Of his two brothers, one was decorated for gallantry under fire and the other had his face blown off. Both survived the war. I’m proud to be related to these brave men.

[@collyernicholasjohn]

My uncle Hugh lost his left leg at the Somme, another KIA at Passchendaele, and 3 more elsewhere on the Western Front.😢

[@Falkriim]

Great video, very interesting conflict

[@JaimeArias270293]

Awesome! Despite how many documentaries and movies we have been fed about the war I actually learnt a few things! Thanks from Barcelona!

[@oneshotme]

PLEASE try to get your audio equalized When two are talking you have to turn up the volume up and then the announcer( for a better word) is very loud and you have to turn the volume back down. If I was wearing earbuds like I mostly do I wouldn't have watched this video because of it blasting out my eardrums THANK YOU!!! I very much enjoyed your video and I gave it a Thumbs Up

[@richardmoss5934]

My grandfather was in his early 30s when he served here. He survived, unlike his brother who served in the middle east. The more that i view documentaries like this the more I understand why he hardly spoke of his experiences.

[@Bluer0binn]

this is amazing! i love this!!!!!!!

[@HistoryHit]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed

[@rc59191]

Hope you do one about the Germans in World War I those guys were living on turnip bread by the end of it.

[@HistoryHit]

Next episode!

[@rc59191]

@@HistoryHit oh awesome can't wait thank you for the reply!!!

[@invisibleman4827]

Really good idea. There's a guy called Walter Bloem who wrote an account of the first battle with British troops at Mons in 1914.

[@katwitanruna]

I seem to remember reading decades ago about goldenseal being used for wound control in WWI

[@richiep88]

What a fantastically detailed film. Can't wait for the one looking at things from the German perspective too - especially the comparison of defences, dug outs, bunkers, etc

[@HistoryHit]

Out in May!

[@Scythlins]

Thank you history hit! This era is often overlooked for WW2

[@jenniferfarber2700]

On my paternal side, one great grandfather ended up with venereal disease & the other with a bullet in his head. Their military records are publicly available online & were a fascinating read. One had a considerably better time "abroad" than the other but both survived. The one who was shot in the head ended up living until 1990. I was 12, he was 96. I wish I had the wherewithal at that age to learn all about his life. The other died in 1962, long before I was born.

[@indygeo4267]

As a history enthusiast myself, WW1 might be the armed conflict that interests me most. WW2 comes in at a very close second. Thanks for all you do!

[@3lli0]

Same for me

[@mats7492]

Captain Townsley knows his stuff.Very likable chap

[@wildandbarefoot]

Just tying puttees was an arcane art. But i will say the wool uniform was excellent in the mud wet and cold. It dries surprisingly easily and really kept you warm.

[@jayharper3491]

My Great Uncle, William Harper, was killed the Somme on 8 Jun 1916. He was 24. His surviving brothers all lived long lives. Great Uncle George lived to 105, John, to 100, and Granddad, James Harper, lived to age 97. All three were at Vimy. Granddad volunteered again in 1940-44.

[@michellewhyatt4438]

My grandfather was a soldier fighting in the Somme he was shot seriously injured he lost his leg. They really had it tough r.i.p.and god bless them all.

[@44enko]

15:09 That's a 1903 Springfield. Look at the sights, the muzzle and the groove.

[@thesalopian1389]

Absolutely, this is a picture of soldiers from the AEF.

[@davidc.8070]

My Great Great grandfather fought with the german army in the Somme Area and didnt survive, more then 20 years later my great grandfather was killed in Russia with the Wehrmacht. Our whole Family was ripped apart by 2 useless World wars but it was a family like thousands others in almost every country..sadly the world didnt learn anything and we are inches away from the next great war. Rest in Peace brave Soldiers whetever nation you fought for! We should never forget them and the horrors they witnessed

[@pargaras]

Sixteen years old, when I went to the war. To fight for a land fit for heroes.

[@MrEdmontonman]

Great video. 👍👍👍👍👍

[@HistoryHit]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@Unboxcityunboxcity]

This an outstanding documentary

[@HistoryHit]

Thank you! Really appreciate the feedback

[@wellingtonsboots4074]

It's coming up to ANZAC Day here in Australia. My famly had two grand uncles killed in France and my grandfather was badly wounded. Lest we forget those who suffered and fell

[@fingerprint5511]

Grateful for a British production! Straight to the point minus the sensationalism.

[@HistoryHit]

Really appreciate your support

[@Joker-yw9hl]

Spoke to a 94 year old woman in the pharmacy a few weeks ago who told me that her father served in the First World War. Amazing when you think about it how it truly wasn't *that* long ago. He survived unscathed, apparently - physically, at least

[@invisibleman4827]

You're absolutely right. When I was a small kid, one of them actually came to our school and told us about his experiences. Apparently, he shook my brother's hand.

[@colinjames2469]

lol. 100 years is that long.

[@reinholdschrader4125]

Excellent film. Love it. More of that Townsley fellow.

[@rosshickman3216]

great content

[@HistoryHit]

Thank you so much!

[@eddieram435]

The answer is no.

[@HistoryHit]

Appreciate the candour!

[@Eunegin23]

26:25 "Fix Bayonets" and "Bajonett aufgepflanzt" - one of the most feared orders. All way too close.

[@Monkeypole]

Equip gasmask was worse!

[@pit_stop77]

You never know what you can achieve until you're in that situation. I expect most people would learn to cope, because they have to.

[@IntrepidMilo]

My great-grandfather survived the war.

[@petergregory5286]

My family were one of the lucky ones,my Grandfather survived the war. He was a London bus driver and volunteered early as part of the London Transport Regiment. You can still see London bus drivers marching past the Cenotaph in the Remembrance Sunday parade. One of the “Old Contemptables”. Don’t you just love the Kaiser’s turn of phrase. He was quite proud of the name. He died young, 56 probably due to his experiences. Regards

[@MrDuffyjack]

Got the Lancashire fusiliers shoulder pip on. Got my grandads upstairs in their war box.

[@mightbesomeone6391]

2 of my great great grandfathers fought in Flanders. They were both Portuguese and they both survived the 2 years of war they had to endure. Pv. Luiz Nunes de Castro and Pv. Manuel Ferreira.

My Dad served as a telephone engineer in WW2.He told me an anecdote about his dad,who served in the cavalry in WW1.”When pursuing fleeing German Infantry,make your aim point just below the back of the helmet,the head will come off with one neat cut!”

[@giovanni5063]

This is how my British Grandfather Survived The Western Front. Specifically, around Ypres where he was assigned to dig tunnels under the enemy in order to fill the hole with high explosives and blow giant craters in the earth. One dark night in late 1916 Granddad decided to attack the Hun. He left the British trench and ran at the enemy. His side saw him go and thought "There is a runner" and they tried to machine gun him down. The Germans, in their great fear, saw him coming and started to throw grenades at him. A grenade blew off the back of his right foot and filled his legs with shrapnel. He got close enough to the German lines that they were able to pull him into their hole. Sent to a German military hospital in occupied Belgium, he was tended to and then shipped to an East Prussian POW camp where he remained until Spring of 1919 when he was repatriated to the Brits. No subsequent punishment for desertion was offered and eventually he mustered out and went home.

[@HistoryHit]

Wow. Did he write his story down?

[@thomasburke7995]

The civil war medical museum (union side) is located in Frederick Maryland. The tools used for surgery in 1860's are similar or identical to wHAT the British used in WW1.

[@bucksdiaryfan]

Its kind of funny how early 20th century American baseball uniforms are similar to the British Tommy uniform of WWI... the comfortable wool pants with the spikes and the tight socks -- the wool tops with buttons and belts and even the transition from wool caps in the first half of the century to the batting helmet without ear protection of the middle 50s to the late 70s (which were very collectible with team emblem upon them until the leagues switched to the full ear protection, which made helmets look dorky wearing it around town)

[@kamikazemelon787]

Was that lead acetate in the medic container there? I imagine being used as an astringent to "pucker" wounds essentially...wow

[@RickPop85]

both my great grandfather's survived the war. One got knocked unconscious by a sniper bullet at the Somme the other survived his trench being overran and having to hide under his dead friends

[@Please_allow_me]

That's absolutely fantastic to be honest. The fact that they both lived despite overwhelming odds is fascinating. We think of the those who fought the second world war (and for good reason) as the greatest generation, but these men endured something unimaginable and are unfairly overlooked in my opinion. Your great grandfather's were great men

[@RickPop85]

@Please_allow_me Thank you for the kind words. This may sound a lot but also my german grandfather (wehrmacht) survived the eastern front in WW2 and the decade in the gulag mines that came after it 👍 Your right the ww1 soldiers sometimes get over looked now and that has been a shame. Take care 🙂

[@K8E666]

My Grandfather’s name was Albert G Ypres Williams after his Uncle who died in a German Field Hospital after being shot at the front near Ypres. My Grandfather survived WW2 and was in an armoured Division in a tank. He served in Europe while my paternal Grandfather served in the RAF in Iceland and India - quite the contrast…

[@DavidHarrison-js3ji]

True giants all . Rip lads till we muster together for the last time .

[@scroggins100]

Not so long ago I stood in a French field near where my Grandfather had been fatally wounded in a Trench Raid. It was February (same time as his death) and the field was just a thick soup of brown slush. The wind was howling and driving sleet made it a very gloomy place. I saw my Grandfather with his chums lying in a water filled shell hole and I shuddered.. Then I trudged back to my car in my posh parker and put the heater up to max. Bless him and all those poor sods who went through that war. My Father did his bit in his tank in WW2 and my three brothers and I did our Cold war bit.. I sometimes wonder why we all bothered when I see the state of my country today! I pray this generation never has to protect the freedom so hard won.

[@garymitchell5899]

Utter fantasist

[@scroggins100]

Why could you even suspect it is not true? Of course its true...

[@cinskybuhsrandy5099]

You just came to the front and first thing you did - you QUESTIONED your commanding officer!!! I'm surprised he actually ANSWERED and didn't order you doing push-ups...

[@Drakislav9000]

Statistically speaking if you were fighting for the Entente in general you would not be expected to survive, the Germans are good at war even if they haven't one any (technically speaking) since the Franco-Prussian war, combining the casualties suffered by the French, British, and Belgians you would see that they lost significantly more than the ever Germans did, and the Germans were fighting a two-front war! One reason for this is that the Germans played the Western Front on the defensive planning to beat the Russians first so that they could then face the French and British with their full might, to ensure that the Western front would hold they dug well-designed trenches which offered many benefits as opposed to the Entente's trenches, comfortable living quarters with electricity, deep underground bunkers, elevated walkways which helped prevent trenchfoot, amongst other things. While the Entente just dug trenches that were "good enough" as they expected the front to be a lot more flexible, resulting in discomfort, disease, and in winter most soldiers didn't have the comfort of warmth, all of which contributed to heavy casualties outside of combat. Then of course the Entente constantly tried to break the German lines, and with the general rule of a 3-1 attacker-to-defender ratio for a successful attack it's easy to see why the Entent lost so many more soldiers in comparison to the Germans. So, would the average person survive being a British soldier in WW1? Probably not.

[@k.m.223]

My great grandfather survived, but it cost him a leg. Still, he did okay for himself. Had a family and lived into his 90's. Somewhere, my grandma had a picture of him with a group of other men who lost a limb in the war.

[@pmc2999]

I have happened to collect two metal prints for mass production. One was of a popular comic of the 1940s. I can't remember it at the moment. But it showed a man putting on his hat and going out the door of his house. The next block showed him at a bar. He and all the other men there were missing a leg or in a wheelchair. A place to gather with other soldiers who knew what you survived. The other was for printing pamphlets. It was done by the military. It basically demonstrated and explained how to keep your stump dry with you artifical leg on so you didn't develope sores.

[@gavils]

27:12.... Jamming a bolt action like the SMLE? Never happened to me, and even if it would happen it would be most likely due to the ammo... jamming a bolt action is like jamming a revolver

[@eugenio5774]

Whenever I see one of these "could you survive..." I know that the answer is "eh, likely not"

[@rustyrelicsfarm2406]

My Oldest Great Grandpa served in World War One. Henry Otto Grill Private First Class United States Army 1895-1979.

[@djscottdog1]

Same thing about the helmets was observed with aircraft in ww2, they reinforced the areas of the aircrafts that were not damaged on returning aicraft becouse the ones where those areas were damaged didnt return. Aka no returning aicraft would have holes in the engine, so you reinforce those areas becouse statistically no plain would return with that damage.

[@coppertopv365]

14:18 reminds me of my old US Army load bearing equipment with suspenders, and rump sack.

[@andrewwebb-trezzi2422]

It really came down to luck, nothing else. My great grandmother lost her two brothers and first husband in that war, one of which was the first man from his battalion to die in action. May they be at peace.

[@brentinnes5151]

yeah..I heard in a doc yesterday that a shell/shells killed 42 guys in a group forming up waiting to go over the top in one of last battles on the Somme, one survived...that kind of thing would have been an everyday occurrence

[@CAP198462]

“The Somme public baths, no running, shouting or piddling in the shallow end.”

[@lordchappington6724]

My Great great Uncle served with the 1/8th battalion Royal Warwicks though he was killed on the first day of the some. Killed on the Attack on the Quadrilateral Redoubt. And my Great Great grandfather served with the 4th battalion South Stafford’s.

[@MickAngelhere]

The Lewis lad wasn’t the youngest to enlist, in fact the recruiting staff knowingly recruited boys as young as seven to make up the numbers at the beginning of the war. His parents were lucky to get him back when they told the army his real age, for the army in most instances kept the boys at the frontlines despite their parents having evidence that they were underage. It took a huge protest by parents and finally politicians stepping in to order the army to send the boys home. As for serving and surviving the war? War is a matter of chance, it doesn’t matter how well trained you are and having the best kit on you , if that bullet or shell has your name on it . I have not been in the military, but I did get caught up-in the middle a firefight between two tribes in the border area of Pakistan and Afghanistan. We came under heavy small arms fire and even today I still marvel at the fact that none of us were hit, considering the amount of lead flying around, that and the mortar rounds. Yep that was an interesting day

[@user-nx8ii4ef7f]

Horrendous, but you would be amazed at how quickly 6 weeks basic training would change you!

[@gordonsteele5656]

Interesting, well made film.

[@HistoryHit]

Thanks a lot!

[@wiretamer5710]

I had two great uncles in the 1st 7th and 9th Battalions AIF (ANZACs). One copped it on the first night of the Battle of Pozières 23 July 1916. The other came back after the war, a hollow shell of a man. What BEF in 1916... Britian’s professional arm was all dead! Kitchener’s new Pall’s brigades were swelling the ranks. From an individual point of view, your chances never improved throughout the war, because your biggest enemy was ALWAYS disease. The only improvements to combat casualty rates were due to the revolution in tactics during the last year of the war. BUT!!!!!!! These improvements ONLY reduced the time involved in achieving tactical objectives. For people in harms way, the war remained just as deadly. So you died, but your death was less meaningless or futile by the end of the war. Your only chance of survival, was for you to miss out on front line service. So you were out of luck if you were a French soldier. Only commonwealth soldiers were rotated in the front lines.

[@harryplant-cq1wg]

It’s a long way to Tipperary 🔥🔥🔥

[@louiekiwi]

I know one thing. I have a SMLE Lee Enfield rifle. I used to use it for hunting , but the thing is so damn heavy ... carrying it all day is a real burden.

[@MickAngelhere]

A mate of mine hit a rabbit with a WW2 Lee Enfield, needless to say there was no rabbit left , just bits of it. Yep they are heavy to carry that’s for sure, that and the M60

[@davedixon2068]

One of the main attributes to surviving was luck, you could be the bravest, most experienced, well trained soldier and not last the first day on the front. Both my grandfathers survived the war but never spoke to me about it, one was gassed and survived but was always having trouble with his chest, he died in his early 60's, the other was bayonetted I believe at Gallipoli, he live a long life to 89. RIP BOTH!

[@poil8351]

Doubt it between being blown to smithereens by a random shell and dying of some lovely diseases. Also not to mention even if did survive i would proabbly be horribly disfigured from nustard gas or having to have my feet amputated from gettjng trench foot. Or i would be suffering from battlefield fatigue and serrve ptsd.

[@Eunegin23]

14:35 The Pickelhaube was more or less the equivalent of the British soft hat. It was replaced by the Stahlhelm.

[@stevedavenport1202]

Depends on where a random artillery shell lands

[@robertstallard7836]

You'd have to very unlucky not to survive. The ratio of men who came home to those who didn't was about 12:1.

[@garymitchell5899]

WW1 survival rate was 80%, so no.

[@stuartgallacher9949]

My grandfather made it all the way through. Blinded in one eye by gas and lost a finger. He got of lightly. His two brothers were both killed. One by friendly fire

[@Elwood-tc8tn]

Whereabouts was this filmed? Seems like a well preserved trench system to visit.

[@user-qs2vs6ji4b]

Lee Enfield 303 rifle,great gun

[@justineagle6176]

that sid lewis actually saw action at the somme before being sent home