Bullets & Billets
Bruce Bairnsfather
Leído por DrPGould





A front-line view of life in the trenches of the Western Front in the early part of 1914-1915. Told by Lieutenant (later Captain) Bruce Bairnsfather, cartoonist, whose Alf, Bert, and Old Bill were forerunners to Bill Mauldin and his Willie and Joe in World War II. This volume traces Bairnsfather's service as a machine gun officer from its inception until he was removed from the battlefield by the intense shelling during the Second Battle of Ypres (April 1915). It is told with a wry, ironic, grim humor often possessed by those who have endured shells, bullets, floods, mud, bully beef, maconochie, and a surfeit of plum and apple jam. His participation in the unofficial Christmas Truce of 1914 (for which he was investigated in view of a court-martial) is documented as well as the horrors of war at close quarters. (Summary by Dr. P. Gould) (4 hr 26 min)
Capítulos
Foreword | 1:09 | Leído por DrPGould |
Ch. 1 Landing at Havre | 10:00 | Leído por DrPGould |
Ch. 2 Tortuous Travelling | 10:42 | Leído por DrPGould |
Ch. 3 Those Plugstreet Trenches | 9:21 | Leído por DrPGould |
Ch. 4 More Mud | 10:28 | Leído por DrPGould |
Ch. 5 My Man Friday | 6:10 | Leído por DrPGould |
Ch. 6 The Transport Farm | 7:42 | Leído por DrPGould |
Ch. 7 A Projected Attack | 7:55 | Leído por DrPGould |
Ch. 8 Christmas Eve | 11:50 | Leído por DrPGould |
Ch. 9 Souvenirs | 5:46 | Leído por DrPGould |
Ch. 10 My Partial Escape from the Mud | 7:26 | Leído por DrPGould |
Ch. 11 Stocktaking | 9:49 | Leído por DrPGould |
Ch. 12 A Brain Wave | 9:38 | Leído por DrPGould |
Ch. 13 Robinson Crusoe | 5:45 | Leído por DrPGould |
Ch. 14 The Amphibians | 7:00 | Leído por DrPGould |
Ch. 15 Arrival of the 'Johnsons' | 7:21 | Leído por DrPGould |
Ch. 16 New Trenches | 6:17 | Leído por DrPGould |
Ch. 17 Wulverghem | 11:21 | Leído por DrPGould |
Ch. 18 The Painter and the Decorator | 8:57 | Leído por DrPGould |
Ch. 19 Visions of Leave | 6:05 | Leído por DrPGould |
Ch. 20 That Leave Train | 11:15 | Leído por DrPGould |
Ch. 21 Back from Leave | 8:54 | Leído por DrPGould |
Ch. 22 A Daylight Stalk | 6:03 | Leído por DrPGould |
Ch. 23 Our Moated Farm | 8:38 | Leído por DrPGould |
Ch. 24 That Ration Fatigue | 7:34 | Leído por DrPGould |
Ch. 25 Getting Stale | 8:55 | Leído por DrPGould |
Ch. 26 A Pleasant Change | 8:29 | Leído por DrPGould |
Ch. 27 Getting Fit | 9:35 | Leído por DrPGould |
Ch. 28 We March for Ypres | 10:50 | Leído por DrPGould |
Ch. 29 Getting Nearer | 8:17 | Leído por DrPGould |
Ch. 30 Rain and Mud | 15:08 | Leído por DrPGould |
Ch. 31 Slowly Recovering | 2:10 | Leído por DrPGould |
Reseñas
A truly excellent and gripping record.





Basil Simon - MLC
The officer who wrote this record of his contribution to the 1st world war effort on the side of the British was clearly a talented correspondent and a brave leader of his men. His descriptive narrative creates a vivid image in the mind. One really gains a close feeling of life as it really was for him. Despite the sheer horror, danger and at times hopelessness of his situation this hero manages to crack a joke, remain positive and never stops thinking productively and effectively. The story of his time in the trenches builds to a gripping finale and as he demonstrates an amazing determination to prevail over a monstrous and powerful enemy intent on his battalion's immediate slaughter. Bravery is not a word that comes close to describing the actions and mind set of this man and of the men who fought and died with him. Philip Gould clearly knew what he was reading: a very special piece of history worthy of the greatest possible delivery. He delivers this beautifuly.Excellent work Philip. Thank you. RECOMMENDED
Bullets, Bullets & Big Bombs





Keith Horvath
Such a revealing entry into the actions of World War l. Always by passing to read WW II or The Civil & other engagements was ruefully awakened to trench warfare. Yet those who fought this did not see it this way. It was almost a badge of honor to these men. The end was abrupt. At first disappointment then slowly realized this was their way.





Robert M Brittan
An excellent, dispassionate and true gripping account of trench war in WW1. Beautifully narrated by Phil Gould. I found it interesting to read the Wiki account of the author's life and see the drawings he refers to in the text - and the origin of the 'Old Bill' expression that carries through to the present day. Very well worth listening to.
Bullets & Billets





Recat Routson
Well worth listening to , Excellent true story of war , I laughed at parts and wanted to cry at part's , excellent story . Special thanks to the reader you did an excellent job
good story well read





christopher melo
Vivid descriptions and observations give this accout depth that makes it as visual as audible.
Bullets & Billets





Stan Ashton
Very descriptive with great perspective of a terrible period in history.
a well explained documentary of one man's experience in ww1





A LibriVox Listener





Jerry Farrow
Great story. Hope there is a further volume. JKF