Episodes

  • 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

    Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/battlewalks.


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • A special bonus episode from our sister podcast, Living History with Mat McLachlan! To kick off Season 8, Mat is joined by historian John McManus to discuss the new Tom Hanks/Steven Spielberg production Masters of the Air, currently streaming on Apple TV+. Mat and John discuss the history behind the mini-series, and the immense contribution made to victory in the Second World War by the US Army Air Forces. What was is like to take to the skies in a B-17 over Nazi Germany, what psychological effect did the terror of combat have on the young airmen, and should we feel uncomfortable about the human cost of strategic bombing more than eight decades after the war?


    If you enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe to Living History with Mat McLachlan, available wherever you get your podcasts, or by clicking here: https://linktr.ee/matmclachlan


    And join us on a battlefield tour at https://battlefields.com.au/

    Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/battlewalks.


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Missing episodes?

    Click here to refresh the feed.

  • Mat and Pete are on the last day of their Signature Tour of the battlefields of the Western Front. Join them for a recap of an extraordinary week's touring!


    Presenters: Mat McLachlan and Pete Smith

    Producer: Jess Stebnicki


    Become a member to listen ad-free and to receive exclusive bonus episodes from only $2.99 per month!: https://plus.acast.com/s/battlewalks


    Join us on a battlefield tour at www.battlefields.com.au


    Support the show with a one-off contribution: www.buymeacoffee.com/battlewalks


    Find out everything Mat and Pete have going on at https://linktr.ee/battlewalks


    Follow us on Twitter @BattleWalks and Facebook @Battle.Walks


    For more great history content, visit www.LivingHistoryTV.com, or subscribe to our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/c/LivingHistoryTV

    Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/battlewalks.


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Mat and Pete are live on the battlefields! Join them as they discuss an exciting day of exploring 1918 battlefield sites, fascinating isolated cemeteries and a V1 rocket launch site!


    Presenters: Mat McLachlan and Pete Smith

    Producer: Jess Stebnicki


    Become a member to listen ad-free and to receive exclusive bonus episodes from only $2.99 per month!: https://plus.acast.com/s/battlewalks


    Join us on a battlefield tour at www.battlefields.com.au


    Support the show with a one-off contribution: www.buymeacoffee.com/battlewalks


    Find out everything Mat and Pete have going on at https://linktr.ee/battlewalks


    Follow us on Twitter @BattleWalks and Facebook @Battle.Walks


    For more great history content, visit www.LivingHistoryTV.com, or subscribe to our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/c/LivingHistoryTV

    Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/battlewalks.


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Mat is joined by battlefield historian Jo Hook as they walk the famous Second World War battlefield of Arnhem. It was here in September 1944 that British paratroops fought a desperate action to capture the Rhine bridges, as part of the huge Allied attack known as Operation Market Garden.


    Presenters: Mat McLachlan and Jo Hook

    Producer: Jess Stebnicki


    Become a member to listen ad-free and to receive exclusive bonus episodes from only $2.99 per month!: https://plus.acast.com/s/battlewalks


    Join us on a battlefield tour at www.battlefields.com.au


    Support the show with a one-off contribution: www.buymeacoffee.com/battlewalks


    Find out everything Mat and Pete have going on at https://linktr.ee/battlewalks


    Follow us on Twitter @BattleWalks and Facebook @Battle.Walks


    For more great history content, visit www.LivingHistoryTV.com, or subscribe to our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/c/LivingHistoryTV

    Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/battlewalks.


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Mat and special guest Richard Osgood, an archaeologist who has dug on battlefields from ancient to modern, discuss Richard's latest project, an excavation of the English village where Easy Company trained before parachuting into Normandy on D-Day.


    Presenters: Mat McLachlan and Richard Osgood

    Producer: Jess Stebnicki


    Become a member to listen ad-free and to receive exclusive bonus episodes from only $2.99 per month!: https://plus.acast.com/s/battlewalks


    Support the show with a one-off contribution: www.buymeacoffee.com/battlewalks


    Find out everything Mat and Pete have going on at https://linktr.ee/battlewalks


    Follow us on Twitter @BattleWalks and Facebook @Battle.Walks


    For more great history content, visit www.LivingHistoryTV.com, or subscribe to our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/c/LivingHistoryTV

    Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/battlewalks.


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Mat and Pete would love you to join them on their Signature Tour of the battlefields of France and Belgium in 2024. The Signature Tour is the only tour that Mat personally escorts, and it is the most popular tour offered by Mat McLachlan Battlefield Tours.


    In 2024 the tour will visit all the key Australian battlefields of the Somme, the Ypres Salient and French Flanders. It starts and ends in Paris, and includes upgraded accommodation in the heart of the battlefields, many meals, plus visits to bonus sites not included on other tours.


    The tour will book out quickly so, if you would like to join us, please visit https://battlefields.com.au/western-front-signature-tour-with-mat-mclachlan-2024/


    The Mat McLachlan Signature Tour is a 9-day tour that departs Paris on September 16, 2024.

    Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/battlewalks.


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • In this special Anzac Day episode, Mat McLachlan speaks to historians Pete Smith and Peter Hart about the landscape of Belgium, France and Gallipoli, and how the secrets of the battlefields are still being revealed more than a century after the guns fell silent. Pete Smith reveals relics he's found on the battlefields of the Western Front, and Peter Hart describes how getting off the beaten track at Gallipoli can be the most rewarding adventure of all.


    To book your own journey in the footsteps of the Anzacs, visit https://battlefields.com.au/


    To find out everything Mat is doing in the history space, visit https://linktr.ee/matmclachlan

    Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/battlewalks.


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Pete is out and about guiding a group on the battlefields! In this special episode live from the Somme he takes a breather from his hectic schedule to catch up with Mat about his experiences over the last few days. What's it like to lead a group of young people, who have no direct connection to the history of warfare, on a tour of the battlefields? Where do they go, what questions do they ask, and can they really understand the events of a century ago?


    Presenters: Mat McLachlan and Peter Smith

    Producer: Jess Stebnicki


    Become a member to listen ad-free and to receive exclusive bonus episodes from only $2.99 per month!: https://plus.acast.com/s/battlewalks


    Support the show with a one-off donation: www.buymeacoffee.com/battlewalks


    Find out everything Mat and Pete have going on at https://linktr.ee/battlewalks


    Follow us on Twitter @BattleWalks and Facebook @Battle.Walks


    For more great history content, visit www.LivingHistoryTV.com, or subscribe to our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/c/LivingHistoryTV



    Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/battlewalks.


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Pete is back with the second episode in his series about touring the backroads of Normandy. While exploring V1 and V2 launch site, Pete let his SatNav lead him on some fascinating diversions, discovering often-overlooked battlefield sites he would otherwise have missed.


    Presenters: Mat McLachlan and Peter Smith

    Producer: Jess Stebnicki


    Become a member to listen ad-free and to receive exclusive bonus episodes from only $2.99 per month!: https://plus.acast.com/s/battlewalks


    Support the show with a one-off donation: www.buymeacoffee.com/battlewalks


    Find out everything Mat and Pete have going on at https://linktr.ee/battlewalks


    Follow us on Twitter @BattleWalks and Facebook @Battle.Walks


    For more great history content, visit www.LivingHistoryTV.com, or subscribe to our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/c/LivingHistoryTV

    Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/battlewalks.


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Mat and Pete are walking one of their favourite battlefields, the Suvla sector at Gallipoli. The landings at Suvla Bay were a key part of the huge August Offensive, launched by the Allies in a last desperate bid to win the Gallipoli campaign. But what should have been a brilliant flanking manoeuvre became a siege, as the British dithered on the beach and the Turks flooded reinforcements in to surround the new beachhead. The Suvla landings were one of the great missed opportunities of the Gallipoli campaign, and a walk around this sector reveals tragedy, heroism and sacrifice.


    Presenters: Mat McLachlan and Peter Smith

    Producer: Jess Stebnicki


    Become a member to listen ad-free and to receive exclusive bonus episodes from only $2.99 per month!: https://plus.acast.com/s/battlewalks


    Support the show with a one-off donation: www.buymeacoffee.com/battlewalks


    Join us on a battlefield tour: www.battlefields.com.au


    Follow us on Twitter @BattleWalks and Facebook @Battle.Walks


    For more great history content, visit www.LivingHistoryTV.com, or subscribe to our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/c/LivingHistoryTV

    Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/battlewalks.


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Mat and Pete return to the Somme battlefields to explore the horrific tale of July 1st, 1916. Today they are walking the ground around the village of Serre, an area that saw the virtual destruction of the Pals Battalions from the north of England. As they tell the tale of the boys from Sheffield, Accrington, Hull, Leeds and other communities they will visit the sites of memorials, preserved trenches and battlefield cemeteries in the middle of no man's land.


    Presenters: Mat McLachlan and Peter Smith

    Producer: Jess Stebnicki


    Become a member to listen ad-free and to receive exclusive bonus episodes from only $2.99 per month!: https://plus.acast.com/s/battlewalks


    Support the show with a one-off donation: www.buymeacoffee.com/battlewalks


    Follow us on Twitter @BattleWalks and Facebook @Battle.Walks


    For more great history content, visit www.LivingHistoryTV.com, or subscribe to our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/c/LivingHistoryTV

    Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/battlewalks.


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Pete is exploring the Second World War battlefields of Normandy and has realised that some of the most fascinating historic discoveries are made between your intended destinations. In this special episode he describes lonely memorials, unexpected historic sites and memorable military graves that he has discovered as he journeys along.


    Presenters: Mat McLachlan and Peter Smith

    Producer: Jess Stebnicki


    Become a member to listen ad-free and to receive exclusive bonus episodes from only $2.99 per month!: https://plus.acast.com/s/battlewalks


    Support the show with a one-off donation: www.buymeacoffee.com/battlewalks


    Follow us on Twitter @BattleWalks and Facebook @Battle.Walks


    For more great history content, visit www.LivingHistoryTV.com, or subscribe to our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/c/LivingHistoryTV

    Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/battlewalks.


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Mat and Pete are returning to the Pacific Theatre of the Second World War, to walk another battlefield from the legendary Guadalcanal Campaign. Following on from their episode about the Thin Red Line, this time they are walking the slopes of Mount Austen, a landmark that could be seen from all parts of the battlefield and the scene of some of the bloodiest fighting in the final stages of the campaign. This is a tale of audacious patrols behind enemy lines, Medal of Honor actions, desperate fights to the last man and the unwavering support of the local people to help win one of the most important campaigns of the Second World War.


    Presenters: Mat McLachlan and Peter Smith

    Producer: Jess Stebnicki


    Become a member to listen ad-free and to receive exclusive bonus episodes from only $2.99 per month!: https://plus.acast.com/s/battlewalks


    Support the show with a one-off donation: www.buymeacoffee.com/battlewalks


    Follow us on Twitter @BattleWalks and Facebook @Battle.Walks


    For more great history content, visit www.LivingHistoryTV.com, or subscribe to our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/c/LivingHistoryTV

    Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/battlewalks.


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Mat and Pete go behind the lines to explore the northern French town of Cassel, which played a vital role in both world wars. As they explore the streets they will reveal stories of headquarters, brothels and desperate fighting to the last man.


    Presenters: Mat McLachlan and Peter Smith

    Producer: Jess Stebnicki


    Become a member to listen ad-free and to receive exclusive bonus episodes from only $2.99 per month!: https://plus.acast.com/s/battlewalks


    Support the show with a one-off donation: www.buymeacoffee.com/battlewalks


    Follow us on Twitter @BattleWalks and Facebook @Battle.Walks


    For more great history content, visit www.LivingHistoryTV.com, or subscribe to our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/c/LivingHistoryTV

    Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/battlewalks.


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Welcome to Season 4! In this episode, Mat and Pete return to the Somme to explore the battlefield of Pozieres, scene of the most costly battle in Australian military history.


    Presenters: Mat McLachlan and Peter Smith

    Producer: Jess Stebnicki


    Become a member to listen ad-free and to receive exclusive bonus episodes from only $2.99 per month!: https://plus.acast.com/s/battlewalks


    Support the show with a one-off donation: www.buymeacoffee.com/battlewalks


    Follow us on Twitter @BattleWalks and Facebook @Battle.Walks


    For more great history content, visit www.LivingHistoryTV.com, or subscribe to our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/c/LivingHistoryTV

    Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/battlewalks.


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Your chance to walk the battlefields with Pete Smith!


    In this special episode, Mat and Pete discuss their new tour, Battle Tactics on the Western Front, which walks in the footsteps of the Anzacs on some of the most important battlefields in France and Belgium.


    Battle Tactics on the Western Front Tour: Departs Paris on October 11, 2023. Visit www.battlefields.com.au for full details!


    Presenters: Mat McLachlan and Pete Smith

    Producer: Jess Stebnicki


    For more great history content, visit www.LivingHistoryTV.com, or subscribe to our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/c/LivingHistoryTV


    Don't forget to subscribe and review the podcast!

    Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/battlewalks.


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • The final episode in our special series live from the battlefields! Mat and Pete are in the Somme, discussing their adventures exploring the 1916 and 1918 battlefields.


    Presenters: Mat McLachlan and Pete Smith

    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.


    For more great history content, visit www.LivingHistoryTV.com, or subscribe to our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/c/LivingHistoryTV


    Don't forget to subscribe and review the podcast!

    Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/battlewalks.


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Mat and Pete are still on the battlefields! Join them live from Ypres as they discuss three busy and rewarding days exploring the Salient!


    Presenters: Mat McLachlan and Pete Smith

    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.


    For more great history content, visit www.LivingHistoryTV.com, or subscribe to our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/c/LivingHistoryTV


    Don't forget to subscribe and review the podcast!

    Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/battlewalks.


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • For the first time in three years, Mat McLachlan and Pete Smith are exploring the battlefields of the Western Front! In the first of a special series of episodes, join them as they discuss their day exploring the Somme 1918 battlefields, live from Ypres!


    Presenters: Mat McLachlan and Pete Smith

    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.


    For more great history content, visit www.LivingHistoryTV.com, or subscribe to our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/c/LivingHistoryTV


    Don't forget to subscribe and review the podcast!

    Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/battlewalks.


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.