While American troops were being cut down on Omaha Beach, their comrades to the west were coming ashore on the rolling dunes of Utah Beach. Why did this landing go so much more to plan?In the second of our special series on the D-Day landings, Mat is joined by historian John McManus to tell the story of Utah Beach.Hosts: Mat McLachlan and John McManusProducer: Jess StebnickiSubscribe to listen to EVERY EPISODE NOW in this special series! You'll also receive exclusive bonus episodes, early access to all episodes, ad-free listening and special online events with Mat McLachlan! https://www.patreon.com/MMHistoryJoin one of our battlefield tours and walk in the footsteps of the Anzacs! Visit https://battlefields.com.au/ for more information.Find out more about the podcast and everything Mat is doing at https://linktr.ee/matmclachlan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's the 80th anniversary of D-Day and Mat is breaking down the entire day by telling the story of each of the five beaches. It's a five-episode special series that will reveal the real story of the invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944. Today the Americans are tasked with the toughest mission of D-Day: landing in front of the imposing cliffs and tough defences of Omaha Beach. Was 'Bloody Omaha' really as bloody as countless books and movies have told us?In the first of our special series on the D-Day landings, Mat is joined by historian John McManus to tell the story of Omaha Beach.Hosts: Mat McLachlan and John McManusProducer: Jess StebnickiSubscribe to listen to EVERY EPISODE NOW in this special series! You'll also receive exclusive bonus episodes, early access to all episodes, ad-free listening and special online events with Mat McLachlan! https://www.patreon.com/MMHistoryJoin one of our battlefield tours and walk in the footsteps of the Anzacs! Visit https://battlefields.com.au/ for more information.Find out more about the podcast and everything Mat is doing at https://linktr.ee/matmclachlan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The end is drawing near. After failure, disappointment and outright disaster, it's time for the Allies to evacuate Gallipoli. But this is no simple task - nearly 100,000 men need to be withdrawn from the peninsula under the noses of the Turks. Will the British and Anzacs be able to pull it off? How can they slink away without losing half their force?In the eight and final episode of our special series on the Gallipoli campaign, Mat is joined by historian Peter Hart to explore the evacuation of Gallipoli, perhaps the only genuine success in the entire campaign.Hosts: Mat McLachlan and Peter HartProducer: Jess StebnickiSubscribe via Patreon to listen to EVERY EPISODE NOW in this special series! You'll also receive exclusive bonus episodes, early access to all episodes, ad-free listening and special online events with Mat McLachlan! https://www.patreon.com/MMHistoryJoin one of our battlefield tours and walk in the footsteps of the Anzacs! Visit https://battlefields.com.au/ for more information.Find out more about the podcast and everything Mat is doing at https://linktr.ee/matmclachlan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As part of their cunning plan to outflank the Turks and seize the high ground in the August Offensive, the Allies play their trump card. They stage a new landing at Suvla Bay and bring thousands of reinforcements ashore. But the terrain at Suvla is not as easy as it appears on a map, and the British are dogged by indecision and poor leadership. Will the men get ashore, and what new horrors will face them when they land?In the seventh episode of our special series on the Gallipoli campaign, Mat is joined by historian Peter Hart to explore the landing at Suvla Bay.Hosts: Mat McLachlan and Peter HartProducer: Jess StebnickiSubscribe via Patreon to listen to EVERY EPISODE NOW in this special series! You'll also receive exclusive bonus episodes, early access to all episodes, ad-free listening and special online events with Mat McLachlan! https://www.patreon.com/MMHistoryJoin one of our battlefield tours and walk in the footsteps of the Anzacs! Visit https://battlefields.com.au/ for more information.Find out more about the podcast and everything Mat is doing at https://linktr.ee/matmclachlan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Allies are getting desperate and as the heat of summer descends on the peninsula, they are determined to try a bold gamble to win the campaign once and for all. Turning their attention to the Anzac sector, they come up with an ambitious plan that involves breaking out to the north of Anzac and seizing the high ground. But the men are wracked by disease, the terrain they must cross is some of the toughest at Gallipoli, and the Turkish defenders are ready and waiting. Does the August Offensive have any chance of success?In the sixth episode of our special series on the Gallipoli campaign, Mat is joined by historian Peter Hart to explore the August Offensive, and the accompanying attacks at Lone Pine, the Nek, Chunuk Bair and more.Hosts: Mat McLachlan and Peter HartProducer: Jess StebnickiSubscribe via Patreon to listen to EVERY EPISODE NOW in this special series! You'll also receive exclusive bonus episodes, early access to all episodes, ad-free listening and special online events with Mat McLachlan! https://www.patreon.com/MMHistoryJoin one of our battlefield tours and walk in the footsteps of the Anzacs! Visit https://battlefields.com.au/ for more information.Find out more about the podcast and everything Mat is doing at https://linktr.ee/matmclachlan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stalemate has descended on Gallipoli and both sides now have to confront a new enemy - the appalling living conditions in the trenches. If the constant risk of death was not enough to do a man in, he also had to contend with heat, flies, corpses, disease and a nauseating diet. Could things get any worse?In the fifth episode of our special series on the Gallipoli campaign, Mat is joined by historian Peter Hart to explore the horrendous conditions endured by the soldiers during the campaign.Hosts: Mat McLachlan and Peter HartProducer: Jess StebnickiSubscribe via Patreon to listen to EVERY EPISODE NOW in this special series! You'll also receive exclusive bonus episodes, early access to all episodes, ad-free listening and special online events with Mat McLachlan! https://www.patreon.com/MMHistoryJoin one of our battlefield tours and walk in the footsteps of the Anzacs! Visit https://battlefields.com.au/ for more information.Find out more about the podcast and everything Mat is doing at https://linktr.ee/matmclachlan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The British and French have secured the barest of toeholds at Cape Helles, and the Anzacs are hanging on by their fingernails at Anzac Cove. Now their commanders must decide what to do next. Turning away from Anzac for the time being, they decide to throw their scarce resources into the main battlefield of Helles, and finally secure the objectives of Krithia village and Achi Baba hill. Can they succeed against a reinforced and confident Turkish garrison?In the fourth episode of our special series on the Gallipoli campaign, Mat is joined by historian Peter Hart to tell the story of the hellish fighting at Helles between April and July 1915.Hosts: Mat McLachlan and Peter HartProducer: Jess StebnickiSubscribe via Patreon to listen to EVERY EPISODE NOW in this special series! You'll also receive exclusive bonus episodes, early access to all episodes, ad-free listening and special online events with Mat McLachlan! https://www.patreon.com/MMHistoryJoin one of our battlefield tours and walk in the footsteps of the Anzacs! Visit https://battlefields.com.au/ for more information.Find out more about the podcast and everything Mat is doing at https://linktr.ee/matmclachlan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While the Australians and New Zealanders are struggling to come ashore at Anzac Cove, the British are landing at Cape Helles, on the southern toe of the Gallipoli peninsula. But once again, the Turkish defenders put up a stiff resistance that far exceeds their small numbers. Can the British get ashore in the face of this withering fire?In the third episode of our special series on the Gallipoli campaign, Mat is joined by historian Peter Hart to tell the story of the landings at Cape Helles.Hosts: Mat McLachlan and Peter HartProducer: Jess StebnickiSubscribe via Patreon to listen to EVERY EPISODE NOW in this special series! You'll also receive exclusive bonus episodes, early access to all episodes, ad-free listening and special online events with Mat McLachlan! https://www.patreon.com/MMHistoryJoin one of our battlefield tours and walk in the footsteps of the Anzacs! Visit https://battlefields.com.au/ for more information.Find out more about the podcast and everything Mat is doing at https://linktr.ee/matmclachlan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Allies are going ashore at Gallipoli! In the frosty dawn of April 25, 1915, 16,000 Australian and New Zealand troops prepare to land on a hostile shore. The Turks know a landing is coming, but will their defences be enough to drive the Anzacs into the sea?In the second episode of our special series on the Gallipoli campaign, Mat is joined by historian Peter Hart to tell the story of the landings at Anzac Cove.Hosts: Mat McLachlan and Peter HartProducer: Jess StebnickiSubscribe via Patreon to listen to EVERY EPISODE NOW in this special series! You'll also receive exclusive bonus episodes, early access to all episodes, ad-free listening and special online events with Mat McLachlan! https://www.patreon.com/MMHistoryJoin one of our battlefield tours and walk in the footsteps of the Anzacs! Visit https://battlefields.com.au/ for more information.Find out more about the podcast and everything Mat is doing at https://linktr.ee/matmclachlan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's March, 1915. Turkey has entered the war on Germany's side and promptly closed the Dardanelles strait, closing off a vital sea route for our Russian allies. Britain and France decide to take decisive action - they will send a fleet to Gallipoli and storm the Dardanelles!Armed with a half-baked plan, 16 obsolete warships and little idea of the formidable Turkish defences, the navy was determined to steam to Constantinople and victory. What could possibly go wrong?In the first episode of our special series on the Gallipoli campaign, Mat is joined by historian Peter Hart to tell the story of the disastrous naval battle of March 18, 1915.Hosts: Mat McLachlan and Peter HartProducer: Jess StebnickiSubscribe via Patreon to listen to EVERY EPISODE NOW in this special series! You'll also receive exclusive bonus episodes, early access to all episodes, ad-free listening and special online events with Mat McLachlan! https://www.patreon.com/MMHistoryJoin one of our battlefield tours and walk in the footsteps of the Anzacs! Visit https://battlefields.com.au/ for more information.Find out more about the podcast and everything Mat is doing at https://linktr.ee/matmclachlan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Sandakan Death March was one of the darkest chapter of Australia's WW2 story. In this confronting episode, Mat is joined by historian Lynette Silver to tell the story of the forced march of Australian POWs by the Japanese in 1945.Presenter: Mat McLachlanGuest: Lynette SilverProducer: Jess StebnickiSubscribe via Patreon for exclusive bonus episodes, early access to all episodes, ad-free listening and special online events with Mat McLachlan! https://www.patreon.com/MMHistoryJoin one of our battlefield tours and walk in the footsteps of the Anzacs! Visit https://battlefields.com.au/ for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mat visits the National Maritime Museum in London to explore six fascinating relics from the Battle of Trafalgar. Guiding him around the collection is senior curator, Rob Blyth.Topics discussed: A painting that shows Lord Nelson bleeding after his arm was amputated; a beautiful porcelain figurine that depicts 'Jack Tar', a typical sailor at the time of Trafalgar; a range of cannon projectiles that were used at the Battle of Trafalgar to smash enemy ships; the jacket that Lord Nelson was wearing when he was shot and killed at Trafalgar; mourning items associated with Britain's national grief when Nelson died; and Turner's famous painting depicting the battle.Presenter: Mat McLachlanGuest: Dr Robert BlythProducer: Jess StebnickiSubscribe via Patreon for exclusive bonus episodes, early access to all episodes, ad-free listening and special online events with Mat McLachlan! https://www.patreon.com/MMHistoryJoin one of our battlefield tours and walk in the footsteps of the Anzacs! Visit https://battlefields.com.au/ for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mat is joined by historian Michael Molkentin to discuss all things WW1 and WW2!Topics discussed: Final thoughts on the TV series Masters of the Air; the 80th anniversary of the Great Escape and the plight of POWs; the Naval Battle of Gallipoli; the German Spring Offensive of 1918; the mysterious discovery of a WW2 bomber propeller on an isolated Scottish island; and more!Presenter: Mat McLachlanGuest: Michael MolkentinProducer: Jess StebnickiSubscribe via Patreon for exclusive bonus episodes, early access to all episodes, ad-free listening and special online events with Mat McLachlan! https://www.patreon.com/MMHistoryJoin one of our battlefield tours and walk in the footsteps of the Anzacs! Visit https://battlefields.com.au/ for more information.Find out more about the podcast and everything Mat is doing at https://linktr.ee/matmclachlan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mat speaks to historian Paul Reed about the German Spring Offensive, the huge series of attacks that fell on the Allies in March and April 1918.Listen to Paul Reed's outstanding podcast, The Old Front Line: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1T7u7meUQVm1CTYqKX3EcD?si=ceFpx8stQw-yigWZQCz8qwPresenter: Mat McLachlanGuest: Paul ReedProducer: Jess StebnickiSubscribe via Patreon for exclusive bonus episodes, early access to all episodes, ad-free listening and special online events with Mat McLachlan! https://www.patreon.com/MMHistoryJoin one of our battlefield tours and walk in the footsteps of the Anzacs! Visit https://battlefields.com.au/ for more information.Find out more about the podcast and everything Mat is doing at https://linktr.ee/matmclachlan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mat reveals exciting news in the world of battlefield history!Topics discussed: The launch of 'Easy Target', a new book by friend of the show Adam Blum; supporting Talbot House, the Everyman's Club in the Belgian town of Poperinghe that provided respite for thousands of soldiers during WWI; Mat's new Signature Tour to Gallipoli; our upcoming 8-part special series on Gallipoli; and more!Subscribe via Patreon for exclusive bonus episodes, early access to all episodes, ad-free listening and special online events with Mat McLachlan! https://www.patreon.com/MMHistoryJoin one of our battlefield tours and walk in the footsteps of the Anzacs! Visit https://battlefields.com.au/ for more information.Find out more about the podcast and everything Mat is doing at https://linktr.ee/matmclachlan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Mat on the battlefields as he explores Yorkshire Trench, a preserved British trench and dugout system that was discovered in an industrial estate near the Flanders town of Ypres in the 1990s.Presenter: Mat McLachlanGuest: Wouter SinaeveProducer: Jess StebnickiSubscribe via Patreon for exclusive bonus episodes, early access to all episodes, ad-free listening and special online events with Mat McLachlan! https://www.patreon.com/MMHistoryJoin one of our battlefield tours and walk in the footsteps of the Anzacs! Visit https://battlefields.com.au/ for more information.Find out more about the podcast and everything Mat is doing at https://linktr.ee/matmclachlan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Mat for this special live presentation as he discusses the Second Battle of Krithia, a murderous ordeal at Gallipoli that most Australians and New Zealanders have never heard of!Watch the video version of this podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-b5G9x9dFgPresenter: Mat McLachlanProducer: Jess StebnickiSubscribe via Patreon for exclusive bonus episodes, early access to all episodes, ad-free listening and special online events with Mat McLachlan! https://www.patreon.com/MMHistoryJoin one of our battlefield tours and walk in the footsteps of the Anzacs! Visit https://battlefields.com.au/ for more information.Find out more about the podcast and everything Mat is doing at https://linktr.ee/matmclachlan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Long before he became president, John F. Kennedy was a young naval officer in command of a patrol boat in the Solomon Islands. After a disastrous encounter with a Japanese ship, Kennedy saved his crew and became a war hero. In this episode, Mat is joined by author Brett Mason to explore the story of Kennedy's dramatic rescue and the Australian coastwatcher who played a vital role in saving Kennedy's life.Brett Mason's new book, Saving Lieutenant Kennedy, is available now.Presenter: Mat McLachlanGuest: Brett MasonProducer: Jess StebnickiSubscribe via Patreon for exclusive bonus episodes, early access to all episodes, ad-free listening and special online events with Mat McLachlan! https://www.patreon.com/MMHistoryJoin one of our battlefield tours and walk in the footsteps of the Anzacs! Visit www.battlefields.com.au for more information.Find out more about the podcast and everything Mat is doing at https://linktr.ee/matmclachlan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's our 200th episode, and to celebrate Mat looks back at some of his favourite moments from the last five years. From convict graveyards to WW2 veterans and the death of Ned Kelly, this episode has it all!Want to know more? Subscribe to listen to a special BONUS EPISODE - the full interview with Tobruk veteran Bert Le Merton - by clicking here: https://www.patreon.com/MMHistoryPresenter: Mat McLachlanProducer: Jess StebnickiSubscribe via Patreon for exclusive bonus episodes, early access to all episodes, ad-free listening and special online events with Mat McLachlan! https://www.patreon.com/MMHistoryJoin one of our battlefield tours and walk in the footsteps of the Anzacs! Visit www.battlefields.com.au for more information.Find out more about the podcast and everything Mat is doing at https://linktr.ee/matmclachlan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What would have happened if the Nazis had won the Battle of Britain. In this fascinating 'what if?' revisit, Mat speaks to Professor Gary Sheffield about Operation Sea Lion, the German plans to invade the British Isles. Did it have any chance of success? How would Britain have responded? How would world history have been affected?Here more from Gary on his podcast, Military History Plus: https://open.spotify.com/show/4bZPcMRYEfxvNkYTb7loa8Presenter: Mat McLachlanGuest: Gary SheffieldProducer: Jess StebnickiSubscribe via Patreon for exclusive bonus episodes, early access to all episodes, ad-free listening and special online events with Mat McLachlan! https://www.patreon.com/MMHistoryJoin one of our battlefield tours and walk in the footsteps of the Anzacs! Visit https://battlefields.com.au for more information.Find out more about the podcast and everything Mat is doing at https://linktr.ee/matmclachlan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.