Living History with Mat McLachlan

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 cr

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 jo

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 h

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 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 sto

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 na

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,

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

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 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 exclus