Paul Reed
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sommecourt.bsky.social
Paul Reed
@sommecourt.bsky.social
Military Historian, author and Battlefield Guide. Occasional wargamer. Host of the Old Front Line #WW1 #podcast.

www.oldfrontline.co.uk
Our first Livestream was launched on the @oldfrontline.bsky.social #YouTube channel tonight where we look at the Road to the Somme. You can watch it again here:

www.youtube.com/live/PYvPR85...
The Road to the Somme: First Livestream for 2026
YouTube video by Old Front Line
www.youtube.com
January 1, 2026 at 8:23 PM
I’ve also travelled across the Old Front Lines of #WW2 this year, more than 10K of the 20K miles I’ve traversed as part of my work with Leger Battlefields has taken me to Belgium, France, Germany, Italy & the Netherlands from Arnhem to Belsen to Monte Cassino, Normandy & Paris.
December 31, 2025 at 6:31 PM
It’s been another fascinating year along The Old Front Line, walking the ground and recording new material for @oldfrontline.bsky.social. Thanks to all who listened in during 2025!
December 31, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Reposted by Paul Reed
I've enjoyed a fantastic year of wargaming, despite a very quiet summer with GCSEs and a holiday. But great fun at Lard Days and shows, and some amazing games with friends. Plus, picked up 2 Best in Show Awards and featured in a French national newspaper! Here's to more of the same in 2026!
December 31, 2025 at 11:21 AM
In this episode of @oldfrontline.bsky.social: Why were only three #WW1 officers Shot at Dawn? We explore Vera Deakin’s search for the missing, how war shaped those who served, and the Battle of Manchester Hill in March 1918.

oldfrontline.co.uk/2025/12/27/q...
Questions and Answers Episode 43
In this episode of The Old Front Line, we explore how individual lives and institutions reveal the human realities of the First World War. We begin by asking why only three officers were …
oldfrontline.co.uk
December 27, 2025 at 10:27 AM
I also managed to finish a Sdkfz 251/10 to give these Landsers some support. Nice to have some time to do some things! Just need to roll some dice now!
December 26, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Well that’s the #FestiveTankChallenge2025 done from my point of view, just got to add some mud to the track area. Hugely enjoyable to do and great to see what others were doing. Thanks @tomjmegan.bsky.social!
December 26, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Reposted by Paul Reed
In the latest @oldfrontline.bsky.social we return to a forgotten memoir of the Great War, 'The Years of Remembrance' by Harold Maybury who served with the 2/4th South Lancs in 1917-1918.

oldfrontline.co.uk/2025/12/20/f...
Forgotten Memoirs of the Great War Part 2
We return to the subject of Forgotten Memoirs of the First World War and discuss The Years of Remembrance by Harold Maybury which was published in 1924. Maybury served in the ranks of the 2/4th Bat…
oldfrontline.co.uk
December 20, 2025 at 4:16 PM
The Christmas Truce 1914: Henry Williamson recalls his experiences as a young soldier in the London Rifle Brigade which began on this evening 111 years ago tonight.
December 24, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Reposted by Paul Reed
Paul Reed is doing great work w/The Old Front Line. He recently showcased “The Years of Remembrance” by Harold Maybury, who served with 2/4th Btn South Lancs. I was lucky to find a copy at a small bookshop in Norcal. It just arrived with the post. Thanks Paul!

@sommecourt.bsky.social
December 23, 2025 at 10:49 PM
Roland Leighton, poet & fiancé of Vera Brittain, who later immortalised him in her ‘Testament of Youth’ - died of wounds at Louvencourt on the #Somme #OTD 110 years ago in 1915, aged only 19. He was due home for Christmas leave.
December 23, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Loving seeing all the Shermans for #FestiveTankChallenge2025 - Sherman Firefly stowage added and basecoated now, and as I’ve finished work for a while, proper painting begins tomorrow!
December 22, 2025 at 5:19 PM
First phase of the #FestiveTankChallenge2025 done, Sherman Firefly built. Stowage to be added later and then start the paint process. Great little kit, love these Rubicon kits.
December 22, 2025 at 7:16 AM
It’s time for the #FestiveTankChallenge2025 - brilliant that @tomjmegan.bsky.social organises this and great to build a Sherman Firefly IC of 3/RTR to go with the other Sherman already complete. Looking forward to it!
December 21, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Reposted by Paul Reed
Finally time to start the 2025 #FestiveTankChallenge!

Sherman Firefly VC with 2nd (Armoured) Bn, Irish Guards with Guards Armoured Division, XXX Corps in September 1944 during Op. Market Garden.

Best of luck - most importantly enjoy and keep us posted on your progress!

#Wargaming #ScaleModels
December 21, 2025 at 11:27 AM
Killed During The Christmas Truce in 1914. The latest @oldfrontline.bsky.social video out now on #YouTube:

youtu.be/3D-2zbTJkJE?...
Killed During The Christmas Truce in 1914
YouTube video by Old Front Line
youtu.be
December 21, 2025 at 1:40 PM
In the latest @oldfrontline.bsky.social we return to a forgotten memoir of the Great War, 'The Years of Remembrance' by Harold Maybury who served with the 2/4th South Lancs in 1917-1918.

oldfrontline.co.uk/2025/12/20/f...
Forgotten Memoirs of the Great War Part 2
We return to the subject of Forgotten Memoirs of the First World War and discuss The Years of Remembrance by Harold Maybury which was published in 1924. Maybury served in the ranks of the 2/4th Bat…
oldfrontline.co.uk
December 20, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Thanks to all who joined me for the final @oldfrontline.bsky.social Podcast Supporters Evening of 2025! Some great questions tonight!
December 17, 2025 at 9:10 PM
The Battle of the Bulge began #OTD in 1944. For me this poem very much speaks of the fighting, here read by actor Sir Gary Oldman: it was written by 101st Airborne veteran Bernard J. McKearney. I’ve added some contemporary images for some atmosphere. #Bulge81 #WW2
December 16, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Very much enjoyed this article by @aquestingvole.bsky.social in the latest Miniature Wargames. Would agree that @battlegames.bsky.social book is epic, essential, and a real inspiration. For me the books on the hobby are as much a part of it as the figures and terrain, especially the older volumes.
December 14, 2025 at 11:26 AM
In this latest @oldfrontline.bsky.social QnA Episode we look at #WW1 latrines, the work of the Military Police, whether German trenches were really stronger, and the stories of Boy Soldiers & how to research them.

oldfrontline.co.uk/2025/12/13/q...
Questions and Answers Episode 42
In this episode, we delve into a lesser-known but essential aspect of First World War life: the use and organisation of latrines on the battlefield. Where did soldiers actually go to…
oldfrontline.co.uk
December 13, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Reposted by Paul Reed
Right folks - D-Day is looming for this year’s #FestiveTankChallenge.

Just ordered the few paints I needed to complete mine, so should be good to go.

Tag in below if you’re getting participating this year, and do share if you can because there’s still time to get involved!

#Wargaming
🚨 #FestiveTankChallenge2025 🚨

Warning Order!

Folks, 2025 #FestiveTankChallenge is the Allied Sherman.

Any scale & variant - completed between 21st-31st Dec 2025. Here’s my kit - 1/56 Rubicon M4A4 Firefly VC.

Hope you get involved - so get those kits stashed!

#Wargaming #ScaleModels #Nerdlings
December 12, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Reposted by Paul Reed
In the latest @oldfrontline.bsky.social we discuss the importance of oral history, what it tells us about #WW1 and we contrast two interviews with Jack Aston who served in the RFC and Aubrey Rose who was with the Queen's Westminster Rifles at Ypres and the Somme.

oldfrontline.co.uk/2025/12/06/a...
A Tale of Two Veterans
In this episode we discuss the importance of oral history and what it tells us about the experience of conflict and the culture of the British military in the Great War, and we contrast two intervi…
oldfrontline.co.uk
December 6, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Incredible to see a clip from our 2002 film Forgotten Battlefield is the most popular video on the BBC Timestamp channel on #YouTube. View it here: youtu.be/yKz2M5PcNjg?...
December 9, 2025 at 7:59 AM