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!

[@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.

[@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!

[@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 ♥️✝️♥️

[@thrand6760]

My Great Grandfather died at the Somme too, only details we know of his death was he was buried alive. Crazy to think my Great Grandfather probably bumped shoulders with yours at some point whilst walking down one of those trenches

[@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.

[@aboynamedthump]

KNOWN UNTO GOD

[@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?

[@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 ^^

[@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.

[@fingerprint5511]

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

[@HistoryHit]

Really appreciate your support

[@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.

[@austind9675]

I love the Richard Lewis guy, he kinda stumbles a bit while talking and it’s so nerdy, you can tell he’s an absolute geek for this stuff! Passion and interest is very contagious.

[@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.

[@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

[@JB-rt4mx]

LoL..Bedpan or Salad Bowl 😂 🇬🇧🇩🇪🤓

[@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!

[@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

[@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.

[@dm5745]

Look at the bolt 🔩 on the rifle again

[@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.

[@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.

[@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!

[@davidfrazerwray7525]

It should not be forgotten that in any war, casualties do not stop at the battlefield. My grandfather fought on the Somme in 1916 and survived. He returned to his wife and family in 1919 but the damage was done. He had been gassed, and the combination of that with heavy smoking and increasing alcoholism (doubtless to drown the memories) led to his eventual death from lung cancer.

[@eugenio5774]

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

[@mats7492]

Captain Townsley knows his stuff.Very likable chap

[@MichaelEllison-jr4wg]

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

[@HistoryHit]

Much appreciated!

[@tally1604]

Can't wait for part 2.

[@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.👍

[@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

[@jackbrowning8013]

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

[@Astronic]

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

[@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!

[@user-li4sz3jz1b]

Brilliant Luke, scary though when you think 😊😊

[@neolithic3]

Great video - very informative!

[@HistoryHit]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Falkriim]

Great video, very interesting conflict

[@ProfessorM-he9rl]

Fabulous post of this horrible war. Thank you.

[@Bluer0binn]

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

[@HistoryHit]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed

[@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.

[@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

[@JaimeArias270293]

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

[@katwitanruna]

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

[@eddieram435]

The answer is no.

[@HistoryHit]

Appreciate the candour!

[@MrEdmontonman]

Great video. 👍👍👍👍👍

[@HistoryHit]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@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.

[@rosshickman3216]

great content

[@HistoryHit]

Thank you so much!

[@reinholdschrader4125]

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

[@natalieeis9284]

My grandfather survived the First World War and the Second. He was fighting for the German/Austrian side. He died in the 50s so I don't know much about him. What i dp know though is that he would have much rather not have been in any war at all. It broke him but as a citizen he didn't have a choice. It was go and fight or being shot for treason.

[@pmc2999]

I have watched a couple of videos of what happened to people who refused for conscientious objection or other reasons to go. Most ended up in jail being treated as scum. The deserters and soldiers accused of faking insanity not all were shot. Some also ended up in prison treated with contempt. Now days we have become so soft we still call 20 year old college students kids. These young men, 18-22 so many of them, were simply considered old enough and told to go. Nobody asked what they thought of why their country had decided to go to war.

[@scythlins]

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

[@Unboxcityunboxcity]

This an outstanding documentary

[@HistoryHit]

Thank you! Really appreciate the feedback

[@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

[@wolfiedubois]

Tragically, my own family fought on both sides in the Great War on the Western Front: great-uncle killed on the Somme with the Cameron Highlanders. Other great-uncle was luckier, only being wounded. He later flew with Jasta 9 and survived the war 16:36

[@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.

[@georgemorley1029]

Nature has beaten us to the best materials long, long ago. We keep throwing space age plastics at it and keep falling short.

[@MrDuffyjack]

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

[@khartog01]

As a modern day infantryman I swear the British were better equipped than I ever was, that old web gear is amazing.

[@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.

[@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

[@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.

[@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!

[@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

[@terminallydrunk1900]

Is your 3rd favrouite ww3

[@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.

[@jeffbreezee]

My grear uncle Harry, fought with the US Army 3rd Infantry Division at the battle of the Marne. He died in 1948 at age 54. It was long before I was born, but he was my dad's favorite uncle.

[@pargaras]

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

[@asnakechovuike1944]

British documentaries are absolutely unique and the best in the world.

[@user-hi8bo5lu5s]

My great great grandfather was Robert V Gorle and he pops up when you search him up but any way he was a british artillery lieutenant, he got deployed in France in 1915 after training and he got the Victoria cross in the 4th battle of Ypres. Or something else idk but on October 1st 1918 he was with the Brits and French and maybe some Belgians and he had a small crew of like 5 other artillery men. And in that battle the French and British were going to retreat but then my great great grandfather charged with his cannon and his 5 men and destroyed the German machine guns. After that they advanced and took the town of I think it’s called like ledegem Belgium 🇧🇪 where a London gazette said For most conspicuous bravery, initiative and devotion to duty during the attack on Ledeghem on 1st October, 1918, when in command of an 18-pdr. gun working in close conjunction with infantry. He brought his gun into action in the most exposed positions on four separate occasions, and disposed of enemy machine guns by firing over open sights under direct machine-gun fire at 500 to 600 yards’ range. Later, seeing that the infantry were being driven back by intense hostile fire, he, without hesitation, galloped his gun in front of the leading infantry, and on 2 occasions knocked out enemy machine guns which were causing the trouble. His disregard of personal safety and dash were a magnificent example to the wavering line, which rallied and re-took the northern end of the village So after the war he got the vc. And before the war he lived in South Africa and was technically a citizen of the British colony of South Africa and he was technically one of the only 18 South African men to get the vc. Now that is cool. And after the war he moved back to South Africa and passed away do to yellow fever or pneumonia I don’t know but he passed in 1937.

[@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

[@Eunegin23]

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

[@Monkeypole]

Equip gasmask was worse!

[@coppertopv365]

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

[@asnakechovuike1944]

Thank you to the brave soldiers who gave their life for the safety of mankind.

[@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.😢

[@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

[@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.

[@raseli4066]

Could I survive? In this scenario, I'm not the one who decides that

[@gordonsteele5656]

Interesting, well made film.

[@HistoryHit]

Thanks a lot!

[@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.

[@1dfan827]

I had so many relatives serve in this war, it’s insane how many men in families were involved in this conflict. I can’t mention all stories here but a few to mention… My paternal great X3 uncle Samuel Evans was killed on the first day of the Somme. My maternal great X3 uncle Harry lythe emigrated to Canada from England in 1910 and enlisted in 1915 to the CEF. He went missing in 1917 whilst serving with a Lewis gun section in France and was never found. My maternal Great X3 uncle Stanley Cutts enlisted to the barnsley pals in 1915 and was wounded at the Somme in 1916, returned to the front and fought at Ypres in 1917 and survived. He had to have 16 operations on his legs due his injuries. Stanley’s elder brother, Alfred Cutts was my great great grandfather and enlisted in 1915, served in Salonika Greece as a royal engineer from 1916 till the end of the war and left the war a sergeant.

[@JB-rt4mx]

The Brodie Helmet..was great for an avalanche of arrows, plus as a bedpan or salad bowl..Prosit !! 🇬🇧🇩🇪

[@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.

[@peterbrown1012]

When i joined the army in 1972 we still had metal studs in our parade boots, they didn't give grip, quite the opposite, they made them slippy, we also were issued puttes, unlike WW1 where they wore them up the leg, we just wound them around the top of the boot and bottom of the trousers. The Household Cavalry were deployed as machine gunners.

[@otterspocket2826]

The bayonet isn't just a throwback to Napoleonic times, it turns a rifle/musket into a spear - the standard personal weapon of infantry for thousands of years. The first musketeers, probably former pikemen, would've felt extremely vulnerable while reloading without the familiar 'sharp thing on a big stick' as a last line of defence if they were overrun. It's still very much a part of infantry fighting today, both in its defensive 'hand to hand' role, and offensively for the infamous bayonet charge. In the British army of the 1980's I was taught (probably half jokingly) that it's still the primary infantry weapon - the rifle, as a section weapon, is just for keeping the enemies' heads down while you get close enough to stick 'em (they don't like it up 'em).

[@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?

[@terminallydrunk1900]

It's how I would too. Cowardly yea. But you'd have a much higher chance of survival.

[@Eunegin23]

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

[@jonathansmart8353]

Where was the filming of this take place looks very authentic if it has been reconstructed

[@aboynamedthump]

Thank you.

[@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

[@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

[@villan81]

My great grandfather was first in and last out apparently. Survived all 4 years (Cheshire Regiment). Part of the old Contemptibles

[@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.

[@davidsmith2866]

Question about the walking vs running on the Somme. Weren't the first wave troops encumbered with equipment to fortify enemy lines against counterattack since they assumed low initial resistance after the week-long bombardment? I recall also reading that there was concern that running would cause soldiers to become fatigued upon reaching enemy trenches, which would be an issue in capturing and defending against the counterattack. I'm not sure that most soldiers ran across.

[@user-qs2vs6ji4b]

Lee Enfield 303 rifle,great gun

[@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.

[@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 🙂

[@Otto_Von_Itter9000]

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.

[@nickgood8166]

1)The single shot Martini Henry rifle that preceded the magazine fed Lee Metford, is nor 'bolt action'. It is a falling block action. 2)The word bullet is not synonymous with cartridge or round. The bullet is the projectile crimped into the brass case. The cartridge is the complete, loadable round of ammunition, made up of brass case with primer in the base to ignite the nitrocellolose powder or cordite which burns rapidly, producing copious hot gas to drive the bullet down the barrel and yonder. 3)In the next episode the word 'chamber' is used incorrectly. It's a noun and a verb. As a noun it is the rear part of the barrel's interior which is machined to accommodate the cartridge case ready for discharge. It only holds one round. As a verb, it is the act of getting the round into the chamber. As in 'He cycled the bolt on his loaded Lee Enfield and chambered a round'.

[@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.

[@rex8255]

Depends on your look and the level of incompetence of your local general.

[@zeppelinboys]

one of my favorite bits of WWI gear are the German Belts. just looks good. different Buckles from each of the German states, gotta collect them all!

[@13infbatt]

I don’t think these brave men would be too impressed to see what’s happened to the land they fought and died for .