The British Army on the Aisne: 1914 and 1918

We travel to Northern-Eastern France and look at the British Army on the Aisne at the two ends of the First World War in 1914 and 1918. In 1914 the regular army or 'Old Contemptibles' fought here, and in 1918 a conscript Army stood in the path of the German Offensive on the Chemin Dames and later achieved Victory in the Second Battle of the Marne. We visit Vendresse, travel to Soissons and see the Soissons Memorial.
Website Page for this Vlog: oldfrontline.co.uk/2024/05/04...
Thanks to Doug at Colour History for the use of the colourised image of British soldiers on the Aisne: x.com/colour_history/status/1...
Podcast on Apple: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast...
Podcast on Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/7AO6ihE...
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[@KevinHirst-ug1xx]

My grandfather won the Military Medal for his actions on 27th May 1918 with the 6th Leicestershire Regiment. thank you for this video I’ve always wanted to visit the Chemin des Dames area.

[@OldFrontLine]

Thanks for sharing your contact with the battle and I hope you get to visit one day.

[@maddog32537]

This is the same date my granddad was taken prisoner at this battle.

[@daanveld2887]

Deep bow tho your grandfader respect to him respect to you al gratiings from Nederland

[@andilucas6926]

My German great-grandfather was with Saxon XII. Armeekorps (specifically 3. Batterie / Feldartillerie-Regiment 48) on the Aisne at La Ville-aux-Bois-lès-Pontavert from his arrival at the front in October 1914 for about two years. I have since learned that parts of the extensive defensive system built there by the Saxons (including the tunnels under the Bois des Buttes which still survive today) were briefly used by the British in May 1918.

[@OldFrontLine]

That’s fascinating and thanks for sharing your connection to the area!

[@edwil111]

Thank You, good stuff.

[@OldFrontLine]

Thanks!

[@Molk3k]

Superb video, as per usual ;)

[@OldFrontLine]

Thanks!

[@Bruce-1956]

I know about this battle as my father served on HMS Aisne, a battle class destroyer.

[@OldFrontLine]

How interesting, didn’t know there was a HMS Aisne!

[@Bruce-1956]

@@OldFrontLine she was scrapped in the early 1970s lose to where we lived, at Wards of Inverkeithing.

[@teddyedward100]

Great video Paul.

[@OldFrontLine]

Thanks!

[@peterglynn5181]

important video. thank you Paul.

[@OldFrontLine]

Thanks, Peter!

[@historyinyourhand1787]

Great video Paul 👍

[@OldFrontLine]

Thanks, Rob.

[@daanveld2887]

E lod of respect tho thos man respect tho al

[@OldFrontLine]

Indeed