Footsteps of the Fallen

Matt Dixon has spent 30 years researching military history, and this podcast is his love letter to the Great War — World War I, specifically, not World War II. That is an important distinction for a D-Day category, but here is why it still earns a spot: understanding the Normandy invasion in full context means understanding what came before it, and Dixon's meticulous coverage of WWI battles, commanders, and the political decisions that shaped the interwar period provides exactly that foundation. With 189 episodes and a weekly release schedule, the archive is deep. Dixon works as a battlefield researcher and guide, so his episodes carry the authority of someone who has walked the ground he describes. He covers French air aces, the Chinese Labour Corps, German East Africa, the Unknown Warrior burial, and dozens of other topics that rarely appear in mainstream military history podcasts. The production is straightforward — one knowledgeable host working through well-researched material — and listeners clearly appreciate the approach, giving it a 4.9-star rating on Apple Podcasts. Episodes vary in length and format, mixing solo narration with occasional guest conversations. Note that this podcast focuses exclusively on WWI, so it is best suited as a companion listen for D-Day enthusiasts who want the deeper historical backdrop rather than direct Normandy coverage.