WW1 trenches newspaper

The “Wipers Times“, conceived and produced by British troops in the war-damaged Belgian town of Ypres, is the best-known example of an unofficial publication by soldiers for soldiers. It poked fun at many aspects of life on the front line of the Western front in World War One, and its satirical humour proved very popular and good for morale.

The BBC has now produced a TV drama about the men involved in this publication, which will be broadcast during September 2013. The programme was previewed during the Edinburgh Festival (I attended the show, and greatly enjoyed it).

There’s a good preview piece in the Telegraph, including some of the history behind the magazine and quotes from the editions which circulated at the time.

From an educational perspective, this drama offers History, Literacy, Drama and more. I’d recommend it.

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