Wartime Farm Part 1 of 8

Historian Ruth Goodman and archaeologists Alex Langlands and Peter Ginn face up to the challenges of the biggest revolution ever seen in the history of the British countryside as they turn Manor Farm back to how it was run in the Second World War. When Britain entered the war, two-thirds of all Britain's food was imported - and now it was under threat from a Nazi blockade. To save Britain from starvation, the nation's farmers were tasked with doubling food production in what Churchill called 'the frontline of freedom'. This meant ploughing up 6.5 million acres of unused land - a combined area bigger than the whole of Wales.
In this first episode, the farmers find themselves in a new location, a new time period and with a new team member. There is a new farmhouse to modernise, strict new rules to abide by and air raid precautions to contend with.
The team begin by reclaiming badlands to grow new crops. Peter works with a blacksmith to design a special 'mole plough' to help drain the waterlogged clay fields. Ruth and Alex get to grips with a troublesome wartime tractor - and must plough through the night to get the wheat crop sown in time.
On top of farmers' herculean efforts to double food production, their detailed knowledge of the landscape also made them ideal recruits for one of the war's most secret organisations - the 'Auxiliary Units', a British resistance force trained to use guerrilla tactics against German invasion.
Wartime Farm was produced by the BBC in partnership with The Open University.

[@eequalsmcdonald]

I miss Alex. But there's nothing better than watching Peter work the land. He's a fine specimen of a man. And Ruth, what a lovely and intelligent woman.

[@dpberry]

I am watching this series and remembering my dad. He was stationed at Horham, England during WWII. He was a radio operator on a B-17 bomber. My mom is now gone but we were able to take her to England and visit Horham during a reenactment. Watching this series shows me what life was like for the folks who lived then and there and it has left me humbled.

[@missOhdrey]

For anyone wondering, here is the order in which the series were produced : 1- Tales from the Green Valley (2005) 1620 2- Victorian Farm (2009) 1837-1901 3- Victorian Pharmacy (2010) 1837-1901 3- Edwardian Farm (2011) 1901-1910 4- Wartime Farm (2012) 1938-1946 5- Tudor Monastery Farm (2013) 1457-1509 6- Secrets of the Castle (2014) 13th century

[@unoriented_x4957]

That Peter! He's always doing the carrying, the heavy lifting, the deep digging, the plain, hard, dirty work. Where can I write to commend this fine fellow?

[@thefrenchadventure]

We love Ruth she is such a breath of fresh air, always so positive and cheerful.

[@MsJamilaaa]

I think the reason why BBC documentaries are simply the best is because they have all their history so properly recorded! If that is not the reason... then they are freakin brilliant!! Love each & every one of them

[@anitamitchell3452]

These shows are the best History lessons I've had in my lifetime. I would love to see them in our schools. It find it so much more palatable in this form of learning.

[@davidkynaston3039]

Personally, I love the farm series (all of them) For their services in education, I feel these 3 should receive some recognition. These series make history, food production, and lifestyle, understandable, approachable, and meaningful. The Wartime Farm series did seem a bit short in comparison the the others in the series.

[@marieelena]

Peter is such a sweetheart,would love to live in that farmhouse with him!!

[@andrewhowden5826]

the war time garden was a brilliant,brilliant programme.

[@MrDaiseymay]

There's never been such a hard-working dedicated, but enthusiastic trio, like Ruth Peter and Alex---a wonderful series.

[@tinachandler3091]

I bet if we had this attitude in the US, we could change SO MUCH!

[@foxgloved1]

I love this series,american doesn't come close to the quality documentaries as the british do

[@livinglife8333]

I'd love to have the enamel cupboard!!!! And the cooker, and the iron etc etc. lovely !!!!!

[@jotyers7845]

Ruth , Peter , Alex should do a History Episode or Series on the 60s , 70s and 80s this would be so interesting to watch .

[@lolastarsandstripes]

Jo Tyers I don't think it would be much different from now though...

[@jbwhitebirch6620]

This is my favorite series, after the Tudor farm. I want so much more of this!

[@dutchgram3799]

This series is going to be so good. Thank you.

[@tamonettX500]

I LOVE LOVE LOVE these "Farm" shows! So far I've watched the Tudor Monastery and Edwardian farms (sadly can't find Victorian Farm). I'm almost done with Edwardian Farm, this is next! Thanks for the upload :)

[@asivoria9]

I love this series! It's so fascinating to watch!

[@Muck006]

The chassis is NOT "too light", it is simply ONE axis. They would have needed a second axis wayy behind the first one to act as a "counterbalance" to the force pushing the torpedo out. In any case the land needs to be drained constantly (the english weather will refill the water easily) ... and for that reason you need to be able to check it. Thus simple drain channels should be the way to go.

[@TransGirlMagic]

Maybe it's because I'm a massive nerd. But I find this really interesting.

[@carolinemackenzie5940]

+Asexual_Anarchist I must be a nerd too because I love all of the series that these guys did!!

[@TransGirlMagic]

what other series did they do? i have to watch them now.

[@persianOUTKAST]

+Asexual_Anarchist ... there's a bunch of them. they include : *Victorian Farm* | *Victorian Pharmacy* | *Edwardian Farm* | *Tudor Monastery Farm* | *Secrets of the Castle* there's also a new one w/ a new cast called *Victorian Bakers*

[@greenfingersgardener822]

+Asexual_Anarchist Tudor Monastery Farm, Victorian Farm, Edwardian Farm, Tales from the Green Valley Victorian pharmacy, Secrets of the Castle. both Wartime Farm and Tudor Monastery Farm had a single episode Christmas special.

[@kirkygirl100]

+Asexual_Anarchist victorian farm, edwardian farm, victorian pharmacy, tudor monastery and secrets of the castle.

[@gwynjones8709]

Makes one understand what made Great Britian , "Great "

[@mandyharris6108]

Brilliant series

[@ChrissieGarber]

thanks so much for sharing these videos !

[@strawberrycream2974]

Alex actually looks really good in that hat.

[@jennifergira3326]

This is great! Thanks for Sharing!

[@nguyennam7093]

such an informative series simply great glyn lloyd

[@fulkthered]

It make's you think of "Dad's Army" when you think of the Home Guard but a lot of them were hardcore kill a krout veterans of WW1.

[@Jefferdaughter]

Of course there is a place for tractors, but the advantages of oxen and draft horses should not be overlooked. Instead of farmers having to take on massive debt to obtain them, they can reproduce themselves. Instead of having to buy fuel for them, they can graze & supplemental feed can be grown on the farm for them. They always start, even in cold weather. With proper care, they will heal from minor injuries. And... if it comes to it, draft animals provide a significant amount of high-quality food for humans. And/or farm dogs, chickens, and pigs (yes, this is all out of fashion), and the hide, sinew, hooves, bones - everything had a use - from leather, to glue. Oxen or draft horses, both were commonly eaten by our ancestors just a few generations ago, and it was no big deal. If your family was starving, could you eat your tractor?

[@Mackeson3]

Using a "rusty old Victorian cart wheel rim" as a subsoiler tine was the funniest thing I have seen in a long time. Surely The blacksmith they employed for the series would have known that once that went into the soil at depth it would bend like a banana!

[@cheekycheeky3656]

Love this

[@juliettaalice3588]

50s wartime Germany was far more harsh. It was brutal.

[@michellejaneday8100]

That is my Great-Grand-Mother's stove. She invented the Pot Pie in it. She only cooked pot pies and sweet pies.

[@noneofyourbiz5307]

Are these the same guys from the tutor monastery far show?

[@carolinemackenzie5940]

+Noneof Yourbiz Yes except that Tom replaced Alex at some point and is in the Tudor Monastery Farm show not Alex.

[@simonprice3484]

a bent mole plough ????? a bit sad they never whipped it back to the smithy and doubled the bracket.. not really the wartime spirit.. a very major job to drain these uncultivated acres. today we grow 4\5 ton per acre of wheat. (as a combine driver I know) But back them 1 1\2 tons 30 cat was the norm.. and if water logged not even 30 cat.. So vital to drain it...!!!!!!!

[@lolastarsandstripes]

Simon Price I believe it's more than just mending it. It would have to be completely rethought, as it would otherwise probably break again.

[@lanasmith4795]

I wonder when peter stopped being fonz

[@TheCarin12]

@54:01 he is having a very lite dinner on his plate.

[@adamscarpetta9543]

Love this! But I had to laugh out loud at 50:48. "This being an exercise there are no Germans." Really? No Germans about to fill-in a bit?

[@TheMelamia]

I almost wind up watching the most random shows on KZbin...

[@mqL49J]

who's the guy playing tommo in this one

[@AnnBearForFreedom]

What? I don't understand the question. No one is "playing" anyone, this is a serial documentary project with actual people, not actors. Ruth Goodman, Alex Langlands, Peter Ginn..no Tom. Alex has a brother named Tom, and he has been in one of the previous series (Victorian Farm, I think), but he's not in this one.

[@Muck006]

Soooo ... why didnt the Brits copy the Krauts and ate Kraut? It is made from a simple cabbage and that should grow in Britain .

[@mishigaevon2839]

hahahha! If it really was a war, it would have to be an ugly jeep, not even a jeep, you would be walking, running, no laughing and hell.

[@jolovesminnis]

What's a tuppance

[@Muck006]

The Brits had a WEIRD system of money before they "saw the light" and one of the coins was a "twopence". Tuppence is just a slang version of "twopence" coin. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twopence_(British_pre-decimal_coin) 1 pound = 20 shilling 1 guinea = 21 shilling 1 shilling = 12 pence 1 pence = 4 farthings Tuppence also became a name: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tommy_and_Tuppence

[@01Mary02]

After reading the non-stop insanity about US politics, Russia and North Korea, it's nice to watch something that is actually informative like this program. Totally love it.

[@elainebmack]

Why can't American TV be like this? All we get is the Kardashians, Jerry Springer, and Honey BooBoo.

[@dustysgarden2254]

Im 27yo and i have watched this series about 5 times now. I absolutely love it! Its really made me think about how i can reduce waste in my modern home. Ive learnt to cook from scratch and food tastes so much better. Ive used a few tricks like the hay box in epp2. Save power= save money. Thank you BBC and to Ruth, Peter and Alex for being amazing on all these farming shows.

[@qhsperson]

Have you tried growing some vegetables yet? If space is limited, research container gardening. The difference in taste can be spectacular, especially with tomatoes.

[@dustysgarden2254]

+qhsperson Hello! Oh yes i most certainly do. I have a few raised beds, along with 6 chickens. Im also planning on buying dwarf fruit trees to pot.

[@nancyhicksgribble9799]

Lana Carmichael they have other series like these. i love 1900s house, turn back time series, coal house, coal house at war and back in time series.

[@qhsperson]

Dani McD Me, too.

[@justinekessner2645]

Have you ever thought of growing your own POT!!!!LOL!!!!

[@chrispascoe8116]

I'm 62, my mother was a land army girl before I was born, so I've heard a lot of stories about country life in WW2. Some funny, some sad, but all about how hard life was back then.

[@qhsperson]

I grew up hearing war stories here in the US, so I have an idea what you mean. I think a lot of the silly ideas people have now are a result of not hearing what it was like from people who actually experienced it. I have said, as Ruth says, at the time, no one knew how it was going to turn out, so it's not right to judge those people of the past by what might be called "modern standards."

[@Gerry1of1]

All of these "Farm Shows" are so wonderful. Thanks for posting.

[@Luke2128]

I wish there was a way to see all of Victorian Farm. I wish they made shows like this in the U.S. They make mostly trash TV. To bad this is not available for purchase in region 1. Thanks for loading them on. I truly, truly enjoy these!

[@funeralbliss]

As hard and laborious as this life once was, this is the kind of life I'd really love to be a part of instead of today's. I can only imagine the hardships people had during the world wars, but the amount of knowledge we gain by just watching the reenactments is simply invaluable. I'm so happy these series exist as I've learned so much already.

[@shieh.4743]

I love Henry the dog. :)

[@johnloftus]

The smartest member of the team!

[@dedutch101]

Had soo much fun watching the Edwardian farm and Tales from the green valley but I had no idea this one existed. This is going to be a nice Sunday :)

[@MsJamilaaa]

De_Dutch101 there is also Victorian farm and Tudor farm :)))) love them all!

[@julianhobrough1290]

That was my world. I am 67. It's a testament to the producers who bring this material to light.

[@priestessmikokikyo77]

My grandparents lived through the war in the states and they contributed a lot for the country and its allies. My grandfather John ran an Asparagus farm with lots of Immigrant helpers mostly Japanese. My grandfather also saved many of the Japanese property after the war when the people were in the internment camps. My grandmother Mary worked for the Red Cross and Greek War Relief. My grandparents were wonderful people and their love and kindness and hard work really was the backbone for the war at the time like so many others. They had an incredible marriage and they had a daughter in 1944. Their story always gets to me. Being the only granddaughter is hard because I can never live up to what they went through. My grandmother passed away in 2014 I miss her dearly.

[@offamychain]

I served over 14 years in the military. My specific position delegated me to almost constant foreign deployment, encompassing Panama, Desert Storm, and Bosnia. During the remainder, I only saw the States for a total of a little less than 2 years. But I NEVER allowed myself to forget that my job was only possible thru people back home supplying my necessities. And this fact was even more invaluable during the WWI thru Vietnam era.

[@elainebmack]

This speaks volumes about the will and resolve of the British during the war. I really admire their spirit.

[@Muck006]

What other choice did they have? Give up? Not really.

[@jmcc2k10]

Love these series, victorian,edwardian and now this thanks for the upload

[@fallenpatriot7917]

I love documentaries of all sorts. There are a lot of good American Documentaries but I have to say as far as the interest level for me personally and how well they're put together, the U.K. is the king of documentaries. They do a great job and all the different presenters, they are great too.

[@lokiwintersoldier6954]

Ruth's father seems like such a nice guy, she's lucky to have him!

[@juliettaalice3588]

Why does America not produce docs like this? This is very fascinating, interesting and educational.

[@1andonlylynda]

+Julietta Alice because if they did them this way they would have to give up the propaganda they add to everything they want people to see and learn from. :)

[@semisophisticate63]

I love Ruth, Alex and Peter! They make history come to life!

[@beautifulfouse]

This is why I love KZbin. No one in the USA knows this or was taught this in High School.

[@towgod7985]

Absolutely LOVE this series!!!!!

[@purple1017]

New to watching these sort of programs and love them I'm from New Zealand and find these sort of programs very educational

[@DustinH81]

Phenomenal show, thanks for the upload :)

[@dotti1910]

These are some of the BEST BEST BEST video series I've EVER watched......and watched and watched..... Wish everyone could see these. We've NO idea what they went thru. I sure know I've learned a great deal by watching these along with reading some books. Thank you for providing this to us!

[@gregorykennerly2321]

This is a remarkable chapter in British history and one which I wasn't familiar with. Thank you for uploading this series in its entirety: from the Tudors to WWII; an enormous effort! Merry Christmas!

[@cowboy87smith3]

I love Ruth's laugh it makes me smile

[@inkadinkadoodle]

To Viewers: Hi! I hope you enjoy this series as much as I did! :)) I love this stuff! I came to this series from the Victorian Pharmacy series, which also features Ruth Goodman. (That's a good series, too!) :)) To Faramvids: Thank you so much for posting this! Cheers!

[@MeganMcGinty]

This and Victorian farm are just two of the best documentaries on KZbin!

[@Gerry1of1]

The guys are nice but it's Ruth that makes these shows great. Her contagious enthusiasm for history.

[@fayegeorgeo9807]

Thank you for showing us what really happened and the heroic efforts by such a small country.

[@tpcpca]

I understand from having watched this series, that all "non-essential" animals had to be destroyed. Was there not any way some of that meat could have been salvaged and stored for use in the years to come?

[@lindabrown7374]

I love history and so, find this show very interesting.

[@rustyrelicsfarm2406]

I had 3 great grandfather's in ww2. 1 great grandfather an aircraft mechanic in WW2 and 2 great grandfathers Truck drivers in the European Theater during WW2. I also had a great grandfather that served in the Navy during Korea and retired in 1960. My oldest Great Grandfather served in WW1 Henry Otto Grill Private First Class United States Army. I also include step great grandparents. Thanks for making this.

[@Jefferdaughter]

Beef cattle should also have been used for draft purposes. They could do a lot of jobs, and still grow and fatten just fine for beef - on pasture and hay alone, if properly managed.

[@carolinemackenzie5940]

They always look like they are having a great time!!!!! I love it!!!!

[@davidmaslow7473]

I wish America had an equivalent of the BBC! Its Great!

[@MON383]

Love watching these three, But for the first time I must say I am very disappointed! The moment Ruth went to crank the tractor she should have been stopped. NEVER go round and round crank starting, ALWAYS pull up or towards you. If it kicks back it will just pull out of your hand with any luck, any other way you will end up with broken bones or worse!

[@1andonlylynda]

Alex should pay the fine for the light under the door. It was his job and he didn't do it. But I love these videos on life in England in times gone by. In Canada we hardly hear anything about wartime life since the men who were in the army just don't talk about it so we know little. So learning what English people and the army did is the next best thing. Since our fighting men were fighting with the British.

[@qhsperson]

If you haven't seen them, there are food programs that go into what regular people had to deal with during and after the war. Back in Time for Dinner and The Supersizers Eat... are two of them that I've watched and enjoyed.

[@shieh.4743]

Actually, they fought with the British in WW1, but by WW2, they were separate regiments under exclusively Canadian command. They often supported British efforts, but they were separate from them.

[@angelasimons3473]

Since it is a TV show, they may have told Alex specifically to leave the door curtain off at first. It gave them a chance to show some of the things people could be fined for when the Air Warden came.

[@1andonlylynda]

have watched a lot of the shows and also talked to 2 of my aunts who went over as dietitians and helped with diets on rations.

[@Karlett555]

i remember my grandpa always saying "Pills, carbo hydrates, minerals... all i know in '41 we didnt need a diet!"

[@qhsperson]

I want to live in that cottage.

[@juliettaalice3588]

If American style documentary exists please tell me name of them. All we get is military. No ummm people living in America.

[@hugohoyos684]

I love this series.I've watched it several times on TVO channel in Canada.I wish I could get it with translation or subtitles in Spanish, to show my family and friends a bit of British History. Very interesting and entertaining.

[@dustysgarden2254]

You can buy it on DVD. Im sure it has subtitles

[@shieh.4743]

+Lana Carmichael Perhaps you provide links to where they can be purchased as I've searched and can't find them. Also, why would there be Spanish subtitles?

[@jamiereul3871]

Hugo Hoyos, Amazon would be a good place to start, they sell everything.

[@earthrat185]

Good job Ruth!! Just need a little work on the shifting ; } Land was made for sheep, not wheat .. wasn't it Henry? .. such a trooper, even helps dig the garden .. good dog!! Sigh .. War .. if only we knew then what we know now, hey ... Screw the War Ag!!

[@patricknaville4564]

I had a bit of laugh myself Southern Indiana is also a bit clay ridden. Once you dig about 6in down you hit clay.

[@MandenTV]

This is why I'm opening my own self-sustaining farm.

[@AGM2910]

I have the book of this and i bought it in Sandringam in Norfolk

[@thefrenchadventure]

I want to know how - if imported food was an issue due to the blocking of supply ships - how then did they secure petrol (diesel?) needed to fuel the massive increase in tractors? Was this not also imported?

[@abelfaber4457]

yes, good question, you would have thought, that because of the war they would turn back to more draught animals.

[@anne-droid7739]

Most of the petroleum used in Britain during the war came from the US. The petrol from British interests in the Middle East mostly went to the Mediterranean Theatre.

[@mattdavies7398]

The movement of fuel stocks into the UK was never at risk because the British Government was able to prioritise its shipping due to less shipping being needed for food stuffs.

[@vavavoodoo]

They were getting imports from the USA. Radar units on the boats helped them avoid German Uboats.

[@ZharkayaZhanna]

Ruth is such a delight.

[@sabrinadaisybess]

Surprised the blacksmiths didn't have on eye protection, my Grandpa put his eye OUT doing that :O

[@Caboosz]

some rare pieces of Tractor's :)

[@ericacook2087]

Had to have a little laugh at him saying you can't grow in clay. All of North East Indiana is clay soil, and we are known as the corn state.

[@abelfaber4457]

that had me laughing as well just about all the farmland in the netherlands is on clay soil also, but then the dutch know about draining the land.

[@StutleyConstable]

The impression I had of what he said was that the clay would hold too much water for the crop they wanted to grow because the lay of the land.

[@ericacook2087]

Very true, Clay retains a lot of water, but we grow those crops here too. it's all in how you plow and what you use to aerate the soil. What I've seen work well, is adding mulch to the soil which makes it easier for the water to find a way out. Also, digging a trench every few rows leading away from the crops, and onto drier land can help. Another method I've seen is to alternate rows with a plan that needs a lot of water and one that doesn't the one that needs a lot of water uses the excess, leaving just enough water for the ones that don't. Not as functional in this case, but still. Point is, if it is the only soil you know, his statement evokes a giggle.

[@Myr25636]

I live in South Eastern Indiana about two miles from the Ohio River and my soil is about 60% clay, 20% rocks and 20% actual dirt. We do have very good drainage though and that probably makes all the difference.

[@davidwilliams1925]

Ruth good an

[@mathu84]

why didn't I become a historian :/

[@shieh.4743]

+searchandscan There's money in it if you have additional skills. I'm sure these three are well compensated by the BBC and through speaking events etc. It's also very rewarding work.

[@mezzem3909]

Love it... all of them

[@beernd4822]

What is said at 31.48h is so true, I allwaya wonder why the WWII soldiers were so ready to go to battle. They all must have heard the horror stories of WWI soldiers, who would have been their fathers, or uncles

[@Muck006]

I dont think so. The horror stories from "the Great War" would have made them less eager to fight, but since they knew that they had their backs to a wall (called the Atlantic Ocean) AND because they had a stronger sense of duty than people nowadays, they were ready to do it. As a german I would say that "duty" was the reason why germans went to war and not out of a sadistic Nazi-ideological point of view. Sure enough there were those kinds of brainwashed idiots too (in SS-brigades), but they didnt make up the majority.

[@freddykrueger5503]

Thanks for sharing this documentary.

[@myusernamewastoolong4277]

When he said Manor Farm, I couldn't have been the only one to think "Animal Farm!!" :D

[@strawberrycream2974]

My username was too long I was hearing it as Manna Farm.

[@paulakirkman2761]

Why didn't they get one of those steam powered supsoilers shone in 'Spring Offensive'? Why didn't they pull up all the flowers and use that land for crops?

[@davidmaslow7473]

excellent! What a wonderful surprise!