Could You Survive Life On The Front Line In WW1?
300,282
Published 2024-04-19
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...
All Comments (21)
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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 YouTube Channel!
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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May the memories of love outweigh the grief of loss. And may their names live on eternally.
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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.
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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.
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My great grandfather survived WWI Canadian rifles, and signed up for WW11 but his age kept him out, amazing man!
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Fantastic.. best one yet. And the Captain needs his own show!
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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.
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Grateful for a British production! Straight to the point minus the sensationalism.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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15:09 That's a 1903 Springfield. Look at the sights, the muzzle and the groove.
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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!
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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.
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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! <3
