Bullets & Billets
Bruce Bairnsfather
Read by 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)
Chapters
| Foreword | 1:09 | Read by DrPGould |
| Ch. 1 Landing at Havre | 10:00 | Read by DrPGould |
| Ch. 2 Tortuous Travelling | 10:42 | Read by DrPGould |
| Ch. 3 Those Plugstreet Trenches | 9:21 | Read by DrPGould |
| Ch. 4 More Mud | 10:28 | Read by DrPGould |
| Ch. 5 My Man Friday | 6:10 | Read by DrPGould |
| Ch. 6 The Transport Farm | 7:42 | Read by DrPGould |
| Ch. 7 A Projected Attack | 7:55 | Read by DrPGould |
| Ch. 8 Christmas Eve | 11:50 | Read by DrPGould |
| Ch. 9 Souvenirs | 5:46 | Read by DrPGould |
| Ch. 10 My Partial Escape from the Mud | 7:26 | Read by DrPGould |
| Ch. 11 Stocktaking | 9:49 | Read by DrPGould |
| Ch. 12 A Brain Wave | 9:38 | Read by DrPGould |
| Ch. 13 Robinson Crusoe | 5:45 | Read by DrPGould |
| Ch. 14 The Amphibians | 7:00 | Read by DrPGould |
| Ch. 15 Arrival of the 'Johnsons' | 7:21 | Read by DrPGould |
| Ch. 16 New Trenches | 6:17 | Read by DrPGould |
| Ch. 17 Wulverghem | 11:21 | Read by DrPGould |
| Ch. 18 The Painter and the Decorator | 8:57 | Read by DrPGould |
| Ch. 19 Visions of Leave | 6:05 | Read by DrPGould |
| Ch. 20 That Leave Train | 11:15 | Read by DrPGould |
| Ch. 21 Back from Leave | 8:54 | Read by DrPGould |
| Ch. 22 A Daylight Stalk | 6:03 | Read by DrPGould |
| Ch. 23 Our Moated Farm | 8:38 | Read by DrPGould |
| Ch. 24 That Ration Fatigue | 7:34 | Read by DrPGould |
| Ch. 25 Getting Stale | 8:55 | Read by DrPGould |
| Ch. 26 A Pleasant Change | 8:29 | Read by DrPGould |
| Ch. 27 Getting Fit | 9:35 | Read by DrPGould |
| Ch. 28 We March for Ypres | 10:50 | Read by DrPGould |
| Ch. 29 Getting Nearer | 8:17 | Read by DrPGould |
| Ch. 30 Rain and Mud | 15:08 | Read by DrPGould |
| Ch. 31 Slowly Recovering | 2:10 | Read by DrPGould |
Reviews
A truly excellent and gripping record.
Basil Simon
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
Poolguy
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
a well explained documentary of one man's experience in ww1
one of the best descriptions you will listen to
excellent narrative
Tom Magnum
well read authentic story.
Jules
Another very well read book, but I seem to disagree with the other reviews. I have listened to several WW1 books recently, and this one left me a little baffled. The author seemed to almost enjoy the trenches the picture he painted seemed a far cry from the horrendous experience other men told of. Maybe he was just a very positive man or it may just be my impression. But I did like the way he wrote and the book moves on at a good pace.
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