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...

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...

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 Hart Producer: Jess Stebnicki Subscribe via...

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...

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 McLachlan Guest: Lynette Silver Producer: Jess Stebnicki 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/MMHistory Join one...

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...

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 McLachlan Guest: Michael Molkentin Producer: Jess Stebnicki Subscribe via Patreon for exclusive bonus...

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-yigWZQCz8qw Presenter: Mat McLachlan Guest: Paul Reed Producer: Jess Stebnicki Subscribe via Patreon for exclusive bonus episodes, early access to all episodes, ad-free listening and special online events with Mat...

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...

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 McLachlan Guest: Wouter Sinaeve Producer: Jess Stebnicki 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/MMHistory Join one of our battlefield tours and walk in...

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-b5G9x9dFg Presenter: Mat McLachlan Producer: Jess Stebnicki Subscribe via Patreon for exclusive bonus episodes, early access to all episodes, ad-free listening and special online events with Mat McLachlan!...

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...

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/MMHistory Presenter: Mat McLachlan Producer: Jess Stebnicki Subscribe via Patreon for exclusive bonus episodes, early...

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/4bZPcMRYEfxvNkYTb7loa8 Presenter: Mat McLachlan Guest: Gary...

Mat joins guide Steve Hunnisett to walk the streets of London, seeking evidence of damage from two World Wars. From ghostly air raid shelter signs to bombed-out churches, the secrets of London's wartime history are never far away. Want to know more? Subscribe to listen to a special BONUS EPISODE about walking London's war history, by clicking here: https://www.patreon.com/MMHistory Watch the video version of this episode here: https://youtu.be/FDcA-6qsWTU Join Steve Hunnisett on your own...

Mat visits the Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park to discuss the Australian Light Horse with historian Brad Manera. Presenter: Mat McLachlan Guest: Brad Manera Producer: Jess Stebnicki 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/MMHistory Join one of our battlefield tours and walk in the footsteps of the Anzacs! Visit www.battlefields.com.au for more information. Find out...

Mat hosts a YouTube live event about the Battle of Passchendaele, one of the bloodiest battles of the First World War. See the video of the live event here: https://youtube.com/live/pfWdbJGaBZ0 Become a subscriber to receive exclusive bonus episodes, early access, ad-free listening, special events and more! https://www.patreon.com/MMHistory Join us on a battlefield tour: https://battlefields.com.au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Mat McLachlan on YouTube Live on Feb 15, 2024 at 6pm Sydney (7am London) time to discuss the Battle of Passchendaele! Click here to join: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfWdbJGaBZ0 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What can the relics of Waterloo tell us about the battle? Mat and historian Peter Hart visit the National Army Museum in London to inspect a bone saw that cut off a famous leg, the skeleton of Napoleon's horse, the canons and muskets that caused the carnage and much more! Want to know more? Subscribe to listen to a special BONUS EPISODE about walking the battlefield of Waterloo, by clicking here: https://www.patreon.com/MMHistory Presenter: Mat McLachlan Guest: Peter Hart Producer: Jess...

Mat McLachlan breaks down the Battle of Montbrehain, the Australian infantry's last action of the First World War. Presenter: Mat McLachlan Producer: Jess Stebnicki 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/MMHistory Join 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...

Was Field Marshal Douglas Haig the butcher he is often made out to be? Find out in this revisit of our podcast with Peter Hart! Presenter: Mat McLachlan Guest: Peter Hart Producer: Jess Stebnicki 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/MMHistory Join one of our battlefield tours and walk in the footsteps of the Anzacs! Visit www.battlefields.com.au for more...

Were the soldiers of the First World War really lions led by donkeys? Was everyone and no-one responsible for the outbreak of the First World War? Were Colonial troops better than the British? And was Gallipoli a brilliant plan let down by poor execution? Mat is joined by Professor Gary Sheffield to mythbust the First World War! Want to know more? Subscribe to listen to a special BONUS EPISODE about the myth of the Chateau General, by clicking here:...

Were the soldiers of the First World War really lions led by donkeys? Was everyone and no-one responsible for the outbreak of the First World War? Were Colonial troops better than the British? And was Gallipoli a brilliant plan let down by poor execution? Mat is joined by Professor Gary Sheffield to mythbust the First World War! Want to know more? Subscribe to listen to a special BONUS EPISODE about the myth of the Chateau General, by clicking here:...

We are revisiting some of our most popular episodes as part of the new season of Living History! Today it's our interview with Apollo astronaut Charlie Duke, the tenth man to walk on the moon. Presenter: Mat McLachlan Guest: Charlie Duke Producer: Jess Stebnicki Join 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 For more...