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This was superb viewing. This week is the Somme.

Can't recommend it enough.

LINK

Bummer...the link says UK viewers only.

sure you will be able to download via a certain website about pirates..

I may track it down then re upload it.

I thought it was only the Chinese Commuists that blocked internet access from without its country...

Guess I was wrong.

ENJOY

Thanks, this was very enjoyable.

Hey thanks Wodin! That was good. What a cool series. I'd like to see more.

Wow that was awesome. Thanks for sharing.

Interesting how communications was done solely with runners at that early stage of the war. They did a good job of conveying the effort of those runners.

One thing though: any reason the Brits had no artillery or heavy guns to help them out? Or just way to early in the war to have them placed and ready for support of their fusiliers?

Once more thanks for sharing this.

Way to early it hadn't all arrived..also there was severe Arty ammo shortages all the way upto mid 1915. The Germans had lots of Arty ammo but they too towards the end of their push were running short. Arty ammo or lack of it was the restricting element in attacks throughout '14 and '15.

The British had no idea were the French where or the Germans. They didn't know the French had taken a pounding on their right flank and had pulled right back and there was no one on the left flank.

They found themselves all alone facing a major part of German Army that was swinging down towards the east of Paris. The retreat went on for days. By 1915 most of the British professional soldiers where either dead or wounded.

A superb book is Liaison 1914: A Narrative of the Great Retreat by Edward Spears. Easy the best book I've read on this part of the War.

Well worth the second hand price if you get a good copy. I'm surprised it isn't up for reprint at the moment. One of my all time favourite military history books.

LINK BOOK

The British had the best rifleman of the time. The Germans thought the British where firing machine guns at times but it was the British rapid fire. Our aim was superb aswell.

Thanks wodin fro that information. Very helpful.

One more question: what exactly to they mean by "British professional soldiers" in comparison to what? unprofessional meaning drafted or uneducated or what???

Our standing professional (full time) pre war army. Rather than volunteers \ conscription \\ territorials etc etc. Britain only had a small army compared to he other European powers as we had no borders to protect and our force was designed for small colonial action.

Runners where the main comms tool during all the major offensives as wires were usually destroyed during the initial arty bombardments.

Battlefield communications and the use of Arty where two of the big aspects of the War that was a long and costly learning curve (In effect combined arms) before it all came together during the final 100days where everything that had been learn was finally and successfully put into practice. During other offensives through out the war they'd get one aspect right but not another..then do the reverse the next battle..sometimes the same mistakes where made to often.

ORIGINAL: wodin

ENJOY

Thanks for the link J much appreciated [:)]

Looks to me another classic BBC hit, superb quality.

The last episode wasn't as gripping..but sill worth watching will upload it today.

LINK

thanks for these wodin. Very enjoyable shows

Jeff

Thanks Wodin, I'll watch it this evening.