In this episode of the Old Front Line Podcast, we continue our exploration of the Battle of the Somme on 1st July 1916 by examining the southern sector of the British attack. Travelling across the battlefields of Mametz and Montauban, we uncover how some of the most successful attacks of the opening day unfolded and why this part of the front achieved results that proved elusive elsewhere.

We explore the plans, the units involved, and the fierce fighting that took place as British troops advanced against the German defences. Along the way, we examine the stories of the soldiers who fought here, the objectives they were tasked with capturing, and the cost of victory on the Somme's first day.

The episode also includes a virtual battlefield walk across the landscapes of Mametz and Montauban as they appear today, connecting the modern terrain with the events of July 1916 and highlighting key locations, memorials, and surviving traces of the battlefield.

Whether you're researching the Battle of the Somme, planning a battlefield visit, or simply interested in First World War history, this episode provides an in-depth guide to one of the most important sectors of 1st July 1916.

Jonathan Porter’s Somme Books: Zero Hour Z Day website.

Main Image: Infantry from the British 7th Division advancing towards German trenches at Mametz, 7.30am on 1 July 1916, the opening day of the Battle of the Somme. (IWM Q 89). Image by No 1 Printing Company Royal Engineers.

You can order Old Front Line Merch via The Old Front Line Shop.

Got a question about this episode or any others? Drop your question into the Old Front Line Discord Server or email the podcast.

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show