From Melbourne to Berlin's Battlefields

Originally from Melbourne, Australia, Matthew Menneke's fascination with military history began at an early age. At 17, he joined the Australian Army Reserve, where he served for eight years, before going on to study International Politics at Deakin University.

But history remained a constant interest.

After moving to Germany, Matthew found himself surrounded by the places he had spent years reading about — battlefields, bunkers, memorials and ordinary streets where extraordinary events had unfolded. Berlin, in particular, offered the opportunity to understand history in a completely different way: not simply through books, but by standing where it happened.

In 2019, what began as a passion for exploring and sharing these places developed into On the Front Tours.

Why On the Front Tours?

Matthew founded On the Front Tours around a simple idea: the best way to understand history is to experience the places where it happened.

A battlefield can make the decisions of commanders suddenly make sense. A surviving bunker can reveal something a photograph cannot. Standing on the ground where soldiers fought, civilians lived and political decisions changed the course of history gives the past a scale and immediacy that is difficult to recreate anywhere else.

But visiting the location is only part of the experience.

The aim of every On the Front tour is to connect the places, people and events into a story that is engaging, understandable and historically grounded — whether you're a lifelong military history enthusiast or encountering the subject for the first time.

That philosophy continues to shape every tour we create today.

From Guide to Tour Operator

On the Front Tours began with Matthew personally guiding visitors through Berlin's WWII and Cold War history.

Since then, it has grown into a team of specialist guides and historians offering experiences across Berlin and some of Europe's most important historic battlefields and sites.

Matthew still regularly takes guests into the field himself, while also researching and developing new tours, working closely with the guiding team, and building partnerships with historians and specialist guides across Europe.

The result is a growing collection of experiences ranging from the streets of Berlin to the battlefields of the Seelow Heights, the Hürtgen Forest, Remagen and Alsace — as well as specialist and multi-day tours further afield.

Although the company has grown, the principle behind it hasn't changed:

Take people to the places where history happened — and help them understand what happened there, why it mattered and the people who experienced it.

A Soldier's Perspective

Matthew's eight years in the Australian Army Reserve helped shape the way he approaches military history.

Understanding a battle isn't simply about arrows on a map or the decisions made at headquarters. Terrain matters. Distance matters. Logistics, communication, exhaustion, confusion and the experiences of the individual soldiers on the ground all matter.

That perspective influences the way On the Front Tours approaches battlefield history: combining the wider strategic picture with the experiences of the people who actually lived through it.

Matthew's academic background in International Politics also informs a broader interest in how the conflicts of the twentieth century shaped the world that followed — particularly the relationship between the Second World War, the Cold War and modern Europe.

Making History Accessible

You don't need to be a military history expert to enjoy an On the Front tour.

One of Matthew's guiding principles has always been that complex history should be easy to follow without being oversimplified.

Dates, units and military terminology matter — particularly on specialist battlefield tours — but they only become meaningful when they're connected to a larger story.

That's why our tours are designed for everyone from first-time visitors wanting to understand Berlin's past to veterans, military professionals and dedicated history enthusiasts looking for a deeper exploration of a particular campaign.

Beyond the Tour

Matthew's work has also contributed to historical productions for National Geographic and the Discovery Channel, bringing the same interest in place-based history to audiences beyond the battlefield.

Today, he continues to research new destinations, develop On the Front Tours' historical content and work with guides and historians across Europe to uncover the stories behind the places our guests visit.

Meet Matthew

Have a question for Matthew or looking for a specialist historical tour?

Whether you're planning a private battlefield tour, a military staff ride, a multi-day historical itinerary or simply aren't sure which experience is right for you, we'd be happy to help.