Stories of the Great War

Stories of the Great War

Stories of the Great War explores the deeply human side of World War I, sharing powerful and moving accounts of individuals whose lives were forever shaped by one of history’s most devastating conflicts. From brave soldiers in the trenches to courageous nurses and compassionate chaplains, each episode brings personal narratives vividly to life through detailed storytelling, historical accuracy, and emotional resonance. Join us as we honor their experiences, sacrifices, and legacies, ensuring their extraordinary stories are never forgotten. Hosted by historian Chris Mowery, best known for the Youtube Channels Vlogging Through History and Stories of the Great War.

Episodes

Before Action: The Short, But Brilliant Life of Poet Lt. William Noel Hodgson

July 16, 2025 • 34 mins
Join host Chris Mowery for a journey through the remarkable—and heartbreakingly brief—life of Lieutenant William Noel Hodgson. Nicknamed “Smiler” at school and praised for both athletic prowess and poetic talent, Hodgson left Oxford’s cloisters in 1914 to fight with the 9th Devonshire Regiment. From his baptism of fire at Loos to months of trench‑side writing beneath Mansell Copse, the episode traces how war reshaped his verse and ...
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Black Jack Pershing: Father of the Modern American Military

July 5, 2025 • 32 mins
In this sweeping biographical episode of Stories of the Great War, Chris Mowery traces the extraordinary journey of General John J. Pershing—from a Missouri mule team to the battlefields of Europe. With rich narration and vivid storytelling, we follow Pershing through dusty frontier posts, the fire-swept hills of Cuba, the mountains of the Philippines, and into the heart of the Great War. Learn how personal tragedy, tactical genius...
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St. Mihiel: America's First Independent Strike in the Great War

June 24, 2025 • 22 mins
In this episode of Stories of the Great War, we journey to the rain-soaked fields of northeastern France in September 1918, where the American Expeditionary Forces launched their first independent offensive of the First World War. Led by General John J. Pershing, the St. Mihiel Offensive marked a turning point—not only in the war, but in the emergence of the U.S. as a major military power. Discover the strategic planning, the clash...
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I Died in Hell - They Called it Passchendaele

June 20, 2025 • 43 mins
In this episode, we delve into one of World War I's most harrowing and iconic battles—the Battle of Passchendaele. Through vivid storytelling and poignant eyewitness accounts, we explore the strategic decisions, harsh battlefield conditions, and immense human cost endured by soldiers on both sides. Join us as we examine the courage, sacrifice, and tragedy of Passchendaele, providing a detailed narrative that honors the memory of th...
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Courage in the Argonne: The Lost Battalion

May 9, 2025 • 48 mins
The Lost Battalion: Courage in the Argonne tells the gripping true story of more than 500 American soldiers who were cut off, surrounded, and left to fend for themselves in the dense Argonne Forest during the final weeks of World War I. Led by Major Charles Whittlesey, these men of the 77th Division held their position under constant German attack, with no food, no water, and little ammunition — all while being mistakenly shelled b...
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    Shot at Dawn: Executions in the Great War

    May 6, 2025 • 31 mins
    Shot at Dawn: Executions in the Great War explores one of the most haunting and controversial aspects of World War I — the execution of over 300 British and Commonwealth soldiers by their own armies, often for desertion, cowardice, or falling asleep at their post. In this sobering episode, we examine: The brutal conditions that drove men to the breaking point The court-martial process and the lack of proper defense The stories of i...
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    Alvin York: From Reluctant Warrior to Hero of the Great War

    May 6, 2025 • 48 mins
    In this emotional and gripping episode of Stories of the Great War, we follow the incredible true story of Alvin York—a humble farmer from Tennessee whose deep religious convictions initially led him to oppose fighting in the war. But when faced with battle in the Meuse-Argonne offensive, York displayed extraordinary bravery, capturing over a hundred enemy soldiers almost single-handedly. Through vivid accounts and personal reflect...
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    Pals Battalions and the Price of Loyalty: Accrington at the Somme

    May 6, 2025 • 37 mins
    In this powerful episode, we uncover the tragic story of the Accrington Pals — a battalion of friends, neighbors, and co-workers who volunteered together to serve King and Country in World War I. As part of the British Army’s unique "Pals Battalions" initiative, the men of Accrington marched off to war side by side — and on July 1, 1916, many of them died side by side on the first day of the Battle of the Somme. We’ll explore: The ...
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