In this episode of Mil History Talk, Hope and Brian dive into the dramatic story of the British Expeditionary Force’s first campaign of World War I—the moment when one of the world’s most professional armies met the full force of industrial warfare. From the heroic stand at Le Cateau to the devastating losses at Ypres, they unpack how 80,000 elite soldiers nearly stopped a million-man German advance—and why professionalism couldn’t save them from exhaustion, attrition, and impossible odds.

With Hope’s sharp humor and Brian’s veteran insight, the duo explore the BEF’s triumphs, mistakes, and the haunting lessons they hold for modern militaries facing the prospect of large-scale combat operations. Was it courage, miscalculation, or both? Tune in for a gripping mix of strategy, storytelling, and wit that proves history’s not just about the past—it’s a warning for the future.