First World War Galleries Podcast | Imperial War Museums

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Narrated by James Taylor, the First World War Galleries Podcast walks through life in Britain and abroad during the First World War.

Discover more about the First World War through the eyes of the British people and the Empire at IWM London's First World War Galleries, which display over 1,300 objects including weapons, uniforms, diaries, keepsakes, film and art.

1914 to 1916: Outbreak to deadlock

MAJESTIC CLASS BATTLESHIPS: HMS MAJESTIC

© IWM (Q 39496)

First World War

Episode 1: Hope and Glory

As the twentieth century dawned, Britain was one of the greatest powers on Earth.

A 75mm field gun taking up its firing position at the camp of instruction at Bougainville, 1 December 1916.

© IWM (Q 98157)

First World War

First World War Galleries Podcast: Episode 2- Shock

Following the outbreak of war in August 1914, mainland Europe became a battleground.

British First World War period trench sign.

© IWM

First World War

First World War Galleries Podcast: Episode 3- Deadlock

By late 1914 the war on the Western Front had become deadlocked.

Mounted stuffed pig's head, Tirpitz the pig

© IWM (EPH 9032)

First World War

First World War Galleries Podcast: Episode 4 - Global War

The European conflict spread as far as Africa, Asia and the Middle East

A British sentry going up to his post, the Somme, July 1916

© IWM

First World War

First World War Galleries Podcast: Episode 5 - Total War

The bloody and ferocious battle of the Somme

1916 to 1918: Stalemate to victory

Munition workers painting shells at the National Shell Filling Factory No.6, Chilwell

First World War

First World War Galleries Podcast: Episode 6 - Feeding The Front

The reliance on the home front by soldiers was near breaking point

Mrs Kitchener, A female gravedigger, stands on the church path with her spade and pick over her shoulder

First World War

First World War Galleries Podcast: Episode 7 - At All Costs

Women began to take on more and more roles to aid the strength of Britain's society

Australian troops walk along a duckboard track through the remains of Chateau Wood, Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele)

First World War

First World War Galleries Podcast: Episode 8- Machines Against Men

The rise of machinery on the battlefield

Banner carried during the Bolshevik party's takeover of the government of Russia in the autumn of 1917

First World War

First World War Galleries Podcast: Episode 9- Breaking Down

The British government started to look to homegrown substitutes to keep Britain going

© IWM Q 2943

First World War

First World War Galleries Podcast: Episode 10 - War Without End

Four years of fighting meant that the men who returned were never the same again